Free-mail privileges to continue at many war-related areas

Free-mail privileges to continue at many war-related areas
Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Tuesday, May 20, 2008

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Free-mail privileges for U.S. military personnel and designated civilians in some areas have been terminated, but will continue in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Earlier this year, the secretary of defense ended free-mail benefits for people in 12 areas: Diego Garcia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen and Turkmenistan.

According to a 1986 executive order, the defense secretary can authorize or terminate free mail privileges to those supporting military operations. People authorized to use the benefit can mail letters, postcards and packages of up to 13 ounces, according to the U.S. Postal Service.

A 2005 task force report by the Defense Department found that the free mail service cost more than $5 million that fiscal year.

Here are the locations, regarded as war-related, that offer free mail: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Iraq, Kosovo, Kuwait, Macedonia, Montenegro, Qatar, Serbia, the southern Philippine islands of Mindanao and Tawi-Tawi, and Jolo on the southern Philippine island of Sulum.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=54939

5 million dollars for something that benefits the troops...Yes

Trillions for DUH-byas moronic war... No.