WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- In a sign of the weakening of the former government monopoly on satellite intelligence, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has awarded an additional $24-million satellite imagery capacity ClearView contract modification to DigitalGlobe for commercial imagery from the company's QuickBird satellite.
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is responsible for collecting, analysing and distributing geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) to various government agencies. While the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is under the Department of Defense, it distributes its products to other government agencies. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's primary mission is to provide "timely, relevant, and accurate Geospatial Intelligence in support of national security."
QuickBird is the world's highest resolution commercial imaging satellite. The satellite can acquire panchromatic black-and-white imagery down to 23.6-27.5-inch resolution and multispectral imagery of 8.2-9.1-foot resolutions.
PRNewswire reported that DigitalGlobe's defense and intelligence business unit General Manager Jeff Kerridge said, "This award by the NGA further illustrates the organization's commitment to reliance on the U.S. commercial satellite imaging industry. We look forward to continuing to serve the NGA with the world's highest resolution commercial satellite imagery."
While the most recent U.S. reconnaissance satellite series operational characteristics remain classified, the Keyhole-13 is believed by some analysts to be able to photograph objects of interest down to 1.57-3.9 inches resolution.
The contract is DigitalGlobe's fourth National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency ClearView imagery-purchasing program in the last two years. In January 2003 DigitalGlobe received a $72 million National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency contract to deliver high-resolution satellite imagery over a three-year period, as part of a ClearView contract not to exceed $500 million. Eight months later DigitalGlobe was awarded a supplemental $9.8 million ClearView contract modification. In July 2005 DigitalGlobe received a third $6.1 million supplemental modification to the ClearView contract.
Turkish armed forces Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok has come out strongly against proposed changes to Turkey's Anti-Terror Law, which would narrow definitions of terrorism, warning that terrorists would benefit from these changes.
Ozkok warned that the proposed changes would provide opportunities for Kurdish Workers Party militants. Ozkok said, "Turkey needs to determine and implement its measures according to its own conditions." Ozkok stated his belief that the Anti-Terror Law should be updated as soon as possible and that Turkey must find the necessary political will to enforce the law. "If we have this will, then it will be easy to fight terrorists, he said.
While Ozkok believes that Turkey should adopt a law in accordance with current European Union legislation, Cumhurriyet reported that Ozkok claimed, "Some circles are supporting terrorism."
Human rights lawyers have criticized current articles in Turkey's Anti-Terror Law, particularly Article Six on "Publishing Statements of Terror Organizations" and Article Seven, "Terrorist Organization Propaganda" as opening the door to massive lawsuits.
Lawyer Hasp Kaplan, a specialist on freedom of thought and speech issues who has argued before the European Court of Human Rights, said that some aspects of the Anti-Terror Law are in conflict with the guarantee of freedom of expression found in the European Convention on Human Rights, Article 10, and could pave the way for lawsuits against Turkey in the ECHR. Kaplan said that Article Six is "an article that limits press freedom, that silences press contrary to its wishes without any criteria."
Bangladeshi security officials speaking on condition of anonymity said that the Bush administration wants to establish a counter-terrorism unit in Bangladesh, providing an initial $100 million grant for the outfit.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicolas Burns will discuss Washington's proposals for the unit during a visit to Dhaka later this month.
The counter-terrorism unit would be developed under the direct U.S. supervision News Today reported. The U.S. would also provide training and equipment to Bangladesh's 707th Special Mission Battalion counter-terrorism unit.
According to the source, the new unit could "cherry pick" specialists from all sections of the country's security agencies as well as the army.
In principle, President Iajuddin Ahmed's government has agreed to establish the counter-terrorism unit but the final decision will be taken following Burns' visit.
Burns is also to discuss the country's latest measures in combating Islamic militants. Burns is scheduled to meet with both government officials and opposition party members.
