Index: src/main/java/org/apache/maven/plugin/announcement/AnnouncementMojo.java
===================================================================
--- src/main/java/org/apache/maven/plugin/announcement/AnnouncementMojo.java    (revision 662065)
+++ src/main/java/org/apache/maven/plugin/announcement/AnnouncementMojo.java    (working copy)
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@
      * @parameter default-value="Fixed"
      */
     private String resolutionIds;
-
+
     /**
      * The path of the XML file of JIRA-announcements to be parsed.
      *
@@ -237,7 +237,23 @@
      * @required
      */
     private int maxEntries;
+
+    /**
+     * Defines the JIRA username for authentication into a private JIRA installation.
+     *
+     * @parameter default-value=""
+     * @since 2.XX
+     */
+    private String jiraUser;

+    /**
+     * Defines the JIRA password for authentication into a private JIRA installation.
+     *
+     * @parameter default-value=""
+     * @since 2.XX
+     */
+    private String jiraPassword;
+
     //=======================================//
     //    announcement-generate execution    //
     //=======================================//
@@ -453,7 +469,11 @@
         jiraDownloader.setSettings( settings );

         jiraDownloader.setNbEntries( maxEntries );
+
+        jiraDownloader.setJiraUser( jiraUser );

+        jiraDownloader.setJiraPassword( jiraPassword );
+
         try
         {
             jiraDownloader.doExecute();