Web site allows public to e-mail soldiers

The Department of Defense on Wednesday announced a new Web site enabling the public to send messages to those serving in the U.S. military.

The messages are addressed to "any service member." But the site does allow the sender to choose which branch of the military gets their message. There is no limit on the number of messages any person can send.

To send a message to a member of the U.S. armed forces, log on to:

http://anyservicemember.Navy.mil.

The message can go to any branch of the military, despite the Navy Web address, and can contain up to 1,000 characters. The sender also can include their own e-mail address if they wish to get a response.

The e-mail service is an off-shoot of the former Any Service Member and Operation Dear Abby letter programs.

Both programs were discontinued after the recent anthrax scare began.

Gov. Bush sends his best

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush addressed Florida military personnel stationed around the world Wednesday, and even offered to contact their loved ones if servicemen and women e-mailed him first.

Speaking via satellite hookup, Bush assured those serving their country that Florida was doing all it could to ensure that troops called up for service, particularly those in the National Guard won't suffer financially because of their service.

He also pledged his support to members of the House Committee on Colleges and Universities, which was considering bills to help students who are called up to the military.

Other lawmakers, including Rep. Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, greeted service personnel. Byrd said hello to his daughter Melane, who is serving in the Navy.

U.S. diplomats best get packing

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is preparing to rapidly send U.S. diplomats back to Afghanistan for the first time since the Soviet Union withdrew its troops from the country in 1989.

The decision to return an American diplomatic presence to Afghanistan as soon as possible reflects Washington's desire to be a player in the regional competition for influence as the battered country attempts to construct a new government.

Already, Pakistan, which previously supported the Taliban movement, has been busy building ties to ethnic Pashtun leaders in southern Afghanistan. Russia has sent a small contingent of military officers to Kabul to help with emergency relief, the first significant official foreign presence in the Afghan capital.

Iran has reopened a consulate in the western city of Herat, a traditional area of Iranian influence.

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