TEXAS GETS ANOTHER 5 INCHES OF RAIN LAST NIGHT. AND HEATWAVES IN CALIFORNIA, NEVADA AND OTHER STATES IN THE USA. WELL THE BIBLE WARNS US IF THE DAYLIGHT HOURS WOULD NOT BE SHORTENED IN THE FUTURE BY GOD ALL FLESH WOULD DIE, BUT FOR ISRAELS SAKE THE DAYLIGHT HOURS WILL BE SHORTENED TO SAVE THE WORLD FROM HEAT DESTRUCTION. THE BIBLE ALSO SAYS THE SUN WILL BE 7 TIMES (OR POSSIBLE 7 DEGREES HOTTER) DURING THE 7 YEAR TRIBULATION PERIOD.
Jul 5, 2007 11:00 am US/Central
More Rain Threatens Waterlogged Plains
CBS News Interactive: Floods And Droughts
CBS) OKLAHOMA CITY Flooding slowly subsided in parts of Oklahoma and Kansas, but forecasters said an approaching storm system could hamper efforts to clean up after weeks of heavy rain damaged homes, businesses and roads. Unfortunately, more downpours are likely today, and it's not just in one area, as this rain is falling over a large part of Texas, says CBS News meteorologist George Cullen. Concerns also eased Thursday that a full Lake Texoma along the Oklahoma-Texas line would send floodwaters into the Red River. Ross Adkins, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said water could spill over the Denison Dam, possibly Thursday, but no major damage to homes was anticipated. The last major flood was nearly five feet over the spillway in 1990. This year's level is expected to crest at one foot over the spillway.
Still, residents, particularly those living in farm areas near the river, were warned to take precautions. (We're) warning residents along the Red River to move all livestock, equipment and other necessary belongings to higher ground, Bryan County Emergency Management Director James Dalton said. We are also urging residents to have an initial evacuation plan, should conditions threaten homes in the area.
Floodwaters were ebbing in several northeastern Oklahoma communities, but meteorologists predicted more problems because lakes and reservoirs were already filled to capacity. The worst flood damage was in Miami, Okla., where the Neosho River crested at about 29 feet, its highest stage since 1951. The river was not expected to be back within its banks until late Sunday. We're starting to see an average drop of about a half-inch every hour, City Manager Mike Spurgeon said. A shelter set up in the city housed about 55 people, and flood damage was expected to affect about 600 homes and businesses, Spurgeon said. More than 30 roads in and out of the city of 13,500 were still closed Thursday due to flooding. Spurgeon estimated it could take six months to a year to rebuild in the parts of town most heavily damaged. It's going to take a while for some of these people to get back on their feet, said Joyce Heeney, working at the First Baptist Church of Miami, one of the overflow shelters in town. We had one family that left (their home) with nothing. U.S. Rep. Dan Boren took an aerial tour to assess the damage with representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.
Boren, D-Okla., promised to do whatever he could to secure federal assistance for the victims. About 50 Oklahoma Army National Guard troops worked 12-hour shifts providing security in flood-ravaged neighborhoods. In Texas, locally heavy rain spread across wide areas of the state on Wednesday, causing minor street flooding.
We have a put a lot of work into it, to make it livable and now we don't have anything, Wichita Falls, Texas, resident Veronica Gallegos told CBS News. A total of 148 of the state's 254 counties were under flash flood watches, flash flood warnings, flood warnings or a combination of watches and warnings Wednesday night.
The Trinity River in the Dallas-Fort Worth area crested Wednesday evening at 36.93 feet, about 7 feet above flood stage. Corpus Christi recorded nearly 3½ inches of rain by Wednesday evening on top of 10 inches that fell on Monday. The weather has been blamed for 11 deaths in Texas in the past two weeks and the death of a 16-year-old girl in Missouri. South of Houston, the search was continuing for a 6-year-old boy swept by high river waters into the Gulf of Mexico, reports CBS News correspondent Hari Sreenavasan.
In Kansas, water was receding in the community of Osawatomie as drainage structures were opened on the Pottawatomie River, and power had been restored to about 60 homes, allowing those residents to return, Miami County officials said. At least 1,000 people were out of their homes throughout southeast Kansas, said Sharon Watson, spokeswoman for the Kansas adjutant general. In northeastern Oklahoma, the Caney River began slowly falling after cresting at 34.18 feet, according to the National Weather Service. The river, which forced hundreds of residents near Bartlesville from their homes this week, wasn't expected to fall below flood stage until Sunday night, the weather service said. Meanwhile, a 42,000-gallon crude oil slick that spilled into the Verdigris River during a flash flood in Coffeyville, Kan., had mostly dissipated, and there was no indication the oil went into Oklahoma's Lake Oologah, a water source for Tulsa, officials said Wednesday.
Coffeyville Resources said oil had stopped leaking from the refinery. Officials were trying to determine what caused the spill and were assessing damage to the plant.
Former COS Yaalon: Pal. State No Longer Practical or Relevant
by Ezra HaLevi JUL 5,07 INN
We have to replace the conception of a two-state solution – it is not relevant anymore, former Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. (res.) Moshe Yaalon told Army Radio Thursday morning. This is not pessimism, but realism. It is not practical to keep assuming it is the answer. We are trying to find answers for the situation in Gaza without diagnosing the problem, the previous IDF chief said. What we are witnessing in Gaza is the establishment of a Jihadist Islamic society. Yaalon says that any talk of negotiations and withdrawing to the 1967 borders pushes peace farther away. These are movements that are not interested in territorial issues between us and the Palestinians, but in other issues altogether. This was proven with the Disengagement and now is our opportunity to look and learn. It was a victory in their eyes for the global Jihad and gave strength to Hizbullah, Hamas and all the other Islamist groups.
Maybe we should therefore strengthen the moderates? Army Radio’s Yael Dann asked Yaalon. I am not saying to sit and do nothing…but in the face of the wave of Jihad, any discussions of agreements are not relevant. Any talk like this distances us further from peace rather than bringing us closer…It is a kind of blindness to continue to pursue these policies. How do you explain our blindness during Oslo and now during the era of Hamastan, Dann asked. We are always looking for a solution - we want peace now and it blinds us. We blame ourselves, changing the government and the prime minister. Asked if he would be joining Binyamin Netanyahu on the eve of elections, Yaalon said: Right now I am not entering politics.
Iranian Missiles Could Threaten Israel from Syria
by Hillel Fendel JUL 5,07 INN
Iran is planning to deploy, in Syria, missiles that can hit Israel, as a deterrent against a Western anti-nuclear strike upon Iran. It could happen soon, the British newspaper Telegraph reports. An agreement to this effect was signed two years ago between Iranian President Ahmedinajad and Syrian dictator Bashar Assad. The rockets in question are the Shihab-3, Scud-B, and Scud-C, which can reach any part of the State of Israel. They can be fired from mobile launchers. Ahmedinajad announced earlier this year that if his country feels threatened regarding its nuclear program, Israel will become its first military counter-target. The Shihab-3 is a medium-range ballistic missile with a range of over 2,000 kilometers. It has the ability to change its trajectory more than once in mid-course, protecting it significantly against Israel's anti-ballistic missile Arrow system. The Scud missiles have a range of 300 to 600 kilometers, and are less accurate than the Shihab.
MK Ephraim Sneh (Labor), a two-time Deputy Defense Minister who was succeeded this week by Matan Vilnai, warned at his farewell ceremony that Israel is not prepared for the dangers Iran presents. He charged the Olmert government with not providing enough funding, saying he is not satisfied with the funding being allocated to the defense establishment to deal with the Iranian threat. Without going into specifics, he said that some projects are progressing too slowly because they have been financially diluted. Sneh also nixed the notion that there is coordination on an operational level between the Israel and US militaries against Iran, saying no such coordination exists.
European Parliament president calls for international Mideast peace conference By Yossi Lempkowicz Updated: 04/Jul/2007 16:36
BRUSSELS (EJP)---The President of the European Parliament has called for the convening of an international Middle East peace conference under the ageis of the Quartet. I am convinced that in the current situation, we need a multilateral approach to solve the Mideast conflict, Hans-Gert Poettering said at a conference organized by the Socialist group of the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday.
Poettering, who visited several Mideast countries last month, urged Israel to support Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and to avoid previous failures to drive him into a corner. Israel must give Abbas the chance to regain the confidence of 65 percent of the Palestinians who elected him as president in 2006, he said. He also called on Israel to release the Palestinian legislators and other politicians arrested by Israel but made no reference to the fate of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Find its own voice
The two-day conference, entitled “Moving towards an international peace conference for the Middle East, was attended by politicians, academics and high-level experts.
Pasqualina Napoletano, vice-president of the Socialist group in charge of international relations, said The EU should find its own voice, including in the framework of the Quartet, in efforts aimed at restarting genuine negotations on the various tracks of the peace process.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference, the Socialist group said talks between Palestinians should be urgently revived to allow the formation of a new government in the spirit of reconciliation and national unity. International support for President Abbas should be accompanied by a concrete and realistic political plan leading to a permanent status agreement and an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state living side by side with Israel, the statement added.
False hopes of peace
No point in pursuing deal with Palestinians, who won’t honor it anyway
by Gilad Sharon 7/4/2007
The common thread tying our Palestinian neighbors together is their hatred towards us and their desire to see us harmed, and this is not sufficient to turn them into a nation. It can be surmised, therefore, that if the State of Israel had never existed, a Palestinian state would not have existed just as it never has: Egypt would have moved further north, Syria would have moved a little to the south, and the whole matter would have been over and done with. It is reasonable to assume that Jordan and Lebanon wouldn't have existed either.
It is no coincidence that a Palestinian state was never established prior to Israel's foundation; it is no coincidence that the Partition Plan was rejected by the Palestinians; it is also no coincidence that for the almost 20 years that had elapsed between the War of Independence and the Six Day War, no such state was established in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip. Even recently, when it still seemed to many of us that there was a central government among the Palestinians, they chose not to establish a state of their own, even though such a state would have been recognized by the world at large, including Israel.
The truth of the matter is that Palestinian nationalism is the byproduct of our Zionism. This is the way it is, whether they like this fact or not. Namely, this is not sufficient to become a nation that shares a history, a culture and a common vision. The terrible scenes of brutality among the Palestinians are nothing new. Such battles over local interests, clan wars and power struggles have always accompanied the Palestinians, even during their struggles against Israel. This was the case during the War of Independence when the Palestinians were also preoccupied with the battles between the Nashashibi and Husseini clans.
Futile talk
Why should all this be of interest to us? Because it impacts the way we should conduct ourselves. There is no point - as it has been demonstrated over and over again during the past 13 years - in reaching an agreement with any key Palestinian element. This is futile. It suffices to look at the vast number of ceasefire agreements the Palestinians have signed among themselves during the infighting in Gaza (they even signed the Mecca Deal, which was supposed to give it some religious validity.) Every one of the agreements was breached even before the ink had dried on the documents they signed. If this is the value they attribute to agreements among themselves, what then is the value of agreements signed with us, which of course were never adhered to? There is also no point to the choir of voices here calling to bolster Mahmoud Abbas, so that the murderers of his camp can defeat another murderous camp in their midst. Such talk is futile. Drawing from my long-term experience of working with animals, I know that even if a chick is fed and cared for, its feathers will never turn into a lion's mane, but only into feathers at the most.
We should do what's best for us and not depend on any Palestinian element to do anything. There is no point in discussing an exchange deal with them, because there is no such exchange. We evacuated the Gaza Strip, for example, because we are better off not being there, as per the opinion of the vast majority and leadership.
Let's imagine that we had left Gaza with an agreement, which would have obviously been immediately breached, could we then have flaunted something imaginary in return? Our goal is to live in safety and calm. If we have to reach a local understanding to achieve this objective, that's quite alright. There is no point in trying to force a western central government on the Palestinians or to force our values on them. This reeks of arrogance and patronage, and it won't work. Gilad Sharon is the son of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
This Week with Rabbi Eckstein
July 3, 2007
Dear Friend of The Fellowship,
On Independence Day, Americans will gather to celebrate the great blessings of freedom. First and foremost, of course, this is a day to give thanks for our country, to pay our respects to our Founding Fathers, and to remember the many who died to secure our freedom – and those who, this very day, put their lives on the line so that we may continue to live in liberty. As you know, I call both Chicago and Jerusalem home. So, for me, this day has an added dimension. At this time of year, perhaps it is natural that I find myself reflecting on the unique and enduring relationship between the U.S. and Israel.
Since Israel’s founding in 1948, Israel and the United States have been dependable friends. While the U.S.-Israel relationship has been strained at times, it has never broken. This is undoubtedly due to the fact that both nations are democracies that grant to their citizens certain fundamental rights the Declaration of Independence states that all American citizens have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, while the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel declares that all Israeli citizens shall be granted freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture. These similarities create broad areas of agreement on key principles, meaning that Israel and the U.S. more often than not stand united on important issues.
Moreover, just as the U.S. and Israel enjoy a strong friendship on the national level, it should not come as a surprise that polls consistently show that the American people, too, support Israel. As columnist Jeff Jacoby once put it, Americans stand for Israel because Americans like Israel. Americans instinctively sympathize with Israel's fight for survival in one of the world's most dangerous neighborhoods. And we are further drawn together by what he calls our kinship of common values. We all know what those values are. We share faith in God, based on a common Judeo-Christian heritage, and trust in the institutions built upon that heritage. We share a love of freedom, and a belief that freedom is best secured through a democratic political system. And, as the threat of Islamic terrorism becomes greater, we know that we are facing a common foe, and recognize the importance of standing in solidarity.
Former President Ronald Reagan said it well: The people of Israel and America are historic partners in the global quest for human dignity and freedom. We will always remain at each other's side. So, as Americans take time to celebrate the blessings of freedom and to give thanks for the fighting men and women who secure that freedom, I hope we will all take a moment to reflect upon the many blessings of the great and longstanding friendship between the U.S. and its historic partner, Israel. And, as you pray for America, please continue to pray, too, for the peace of Jerusalem.
With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President
Strengthening Links Between Old and New Jerusalem
by Hillel Fendel JULY 4,07 INN
In honor of the 40th anniversary of the unification of Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Municipality has opened a new road to the Old City.The new road, opened Monday in the presence of dignitaries, is expected to reduce traffic and ease the drive to the Western Wall and Dung Gate area.The road, previously a dirt path for most of its route, runs from Sultan's Pool, southward to the Ben Hinnom Valley, through Silwan (the City of David), and then meets up with the existing Hativat Yerushalayim St. to Dung Gate. It can also be accessed from the Abu Tor neighborhood.Present for the ceremony were Transportation Minister Sha'ul Mofaz, Tourism Minister Yitzchak Aharonovitch, Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupoliansky, and Gideon Shamir of the East Jerusalem Development Company (EJDC).
The 20-million shekel project included the removal of tens of thousands of tons of garbage, the building of a walkway along the road, the marking of paths for hikers, and the refurbishing of cemeteries and burial caves. Cemeteries for Karaites, Catholics, and Protestants exist in the area.An EJDC official told Arutz-7 that the company has two more projects in the works in the same area:
* The development of the Vadi Hilwe road, which is a straight (southward) continuation of the route leading out of the Old City through Dung Gate
* The development of Maalot Ir David, a road just to the east of Vadi Hilwe.
Both these projects will help, among others, the more than 40 Jewish families living in the City of David neighborhood, below the Old City.
Expert: Nuke terror better than even bet Attack likely to exploit existing network of cross-border human, drug traffickers July 6, 2007 - WorldNetDaily.com
WASHINGTON – A nuclear terrorist attack on the U.S. is better than an even bet in the next 10 years, says a former assistant secretary of defense and author of a book on the subject. Based on current trends, a nuclear terrorist attack on the United States is more likely than not in the decade ahead, says Graham Allison, director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and author of Nuclear Terrorism: The Ultimate Preventable Catastrophe.
Allison, who has testified before Congress on the subject, says the illicit economy for narcotics and illegal alien trafficking has built up a vast infrastructure that terrorists could exploit in delivering a nuclear weapon to its target in the U.S.
Al-Qaida, which has threatened to launch an American Hiroshima attack on the U.S., remains Allison's No. 1 suspect to pull off such a mission.
Former CIA Director George J. Tenet wrote in his memoirs that al-Qaida's leadership has remained singularly focused on acquiring WMD weapons of mass destruction and willing to pay whatever it would cost to get their hands on fissile material,Allison wrote in an opinion piece appearing in the Baltimore Sun prior to Independence Day.
Allison says there are several viable options open to terrorists determined to secure nuclear weapons. They could acquire an existing bomb from one of the nuclear weapons states or construct an elementary nuclear device from highly enriched uranium made by a state, he wrote. Theft of a warhead or material would not be easy, but attempted thefts in Russia and elsewhere are not uncommon.
Allison says terrorists are capable of building their own nuclear weapons if they can simply secure the fissile material. Once a terrorist group acquires about 100 pounds of highly enriched uranium, it could conceivably use publicly available documents and items commercially obtainable in any technologically advanced country to construct a bomb such as the one dropped on Hiroshima, he states. The threat is imminent, says Allison. If terrorists bought or stole a nuclear weapon in good working condition, they could explode it today, he explains. If the weapon had a lock, detonation would be delayed for several days. If terrorists acquired 100 pounds of highly enriched uranium, they could have a working elementary nuclear bomb in less than a year. WND first broke the story of Osama bin Laden's plans for a nuclear terrorist attack on multiple cities in the U.S.
President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and the 9/11 commission have all concluded a nuclear terrorist attack is not only the nation's No. 1 nightmare but also something of an inevitability at some time in the future. Earlier this year, WND reported how the most extensive study of the effects of nuclear detonations in four major U.S. cities paints a grim picture of millions of deaths, overwhelmed hospitals and loss of command-and-control capability by government. But the three-year study by researchers at the Center for Mass Destruction Defense at the University of Georgia says a concerted effort to teach civilians what to do in the event of a nuclear attack is the best – perhaps only – thing that could save an untold number of lives that will otherwise be needlessly lost. If a nuclear detonation were to occur in a downtown area, the picture would be bleak there, said Cham Dallas, director of the program and professor in the college of pharmacy. But in urban areas farther from the detonation, there actually is quite a bit that we can do. In certain areas, it may be possible to turn the death rate from 90 percent in some burn populations to probably 20 or 30 percent and those are very big differences simply by being prepared well in advance.
Arlene Kushner July 5, 2007
Appeasement
It has made it to the news in certain circles and to blogs: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's response to the most recent terrorist threat to the UK. He has forbidden his ministers to use the word Muslim in connection with terrorist, as if Britain is dealing with any terrorists who are not Muslim. And, in an attempt to achieve a more consensual tone, he has banned the term war on terror too. This is all about not offending Muslims in Britain. Hopefully, I imagine, so that they will then become more peace loving.
This is disgusting. And self-defeating. The terrorism that Britain, and the Western world more broadly, is facing is a direct facet of a radical Muslim vision for controlling the world. It is not a coincidence that these terrorists are Muslim; rather, their ideology goes to the very heart of the matter. To deny this and look the other way is nonsense. Mr. Brown is refusing to name the enemy.
Certainly there are Muslims who are not terrorist, and some who are peace loving. It falls to them to be at the forefront of criticism of those radicals who speak for their religion today. And the reality is that a solid percentage of Muslims in Britain have not assimilated into British society and absorbed liberal Western values; a significant number of them cling unapologetically to values that challenge what Britain has stood for. By pretending that this is not the case, and that there is not a serious battle to be drawn, Brown is giving them strength.
THESE PEOPLE BETTER GET IT STRAIGHT ITS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD ITS THE END OF THE AGE OF GRACE, THE WORLD GOES ON FOREVER AS JESUS RULES FROM HIS THRONE IN JERUSALEM FOREVER, WORLD WITHOUT END. WE PRAY COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS THE GOD OF ISRAEL.
World's Last Chance Released a Bible Study Alleging U.S. and Vatican will Trigger the Apocalyptic Events Thu Jul 5, 3:01 AM ET
The Bible contains a prophecy of a last global crisis which will lead to the end of our world. World's Last Chance released Bible studies identifying the U.S. and Vatican to be the two main players in this final global crisis before the second coming of Christ. They assert that these two powers will play a key role in enforcing the 'mark of the beast' globally.
Cairo, Egypt (PRWEB) July 5, 2007 -- The Bible contains a prophecy of a last global crisis which will lead to the end of our world. World's Last Chance released Bible studies identifying the U.S. and Vatican to be the two main players in this final global crisis before the second coming of Christ. They assert that these two powers will play a key role in enforcing the mark of the beast globally.The Bible, in Revelation, chapter 13, unfolds the prophecy of the global crisis which will precede the end of civilization. Researchers at World's Last Chance insist that the USA and the Vatican are clearly identified in Bible prophecy as two major players in the final global crisis before the second coming of Christ. They claim that these two powers will play a key role in globally enforcing the mark of the beast. On their website, World's Last Chance (www.WorldsLastChance.com) further documentation is made by citing the speeches of Pope John Paul II and former US President George Bush.
Bible prophecies serve a double purpose - to impress on our minds the existence of a God who is in control of all events and to warn us of future crises, stated Dahlia Doss of World's Last Chance. Many of the Bible predictions have already come true to the very date foretold and world history confirms this. This compels us to take yet to be fulfilled prophecies seriously. It is only logical to assume that God would not warn us of the mark of the beast without providing sufficient evidence whereby we can identify what it is and which powers will be responsible for implementing the mark of the beast on the world, and more importantly how to avoid receiving it. Our loving God would not subject us to guesswork when our eternal destiny is at stake.
The researchers at World's Last Chance are raising the alarm that the Bible's most frightening forecast is yet to be fulfilled. They urge people worldwide to get prepared for this crisis.
The team at World's Last Chance do not identify themselves with any existing denomination, or church. They emphasize reliance on the Bible as their source of information. To read about the US in Bible prophecy The Last Nation Noticed in Prophecy click on the following link: http://www.worldslastchance.com/chapter53.php
To read about the Vatican in Bible prophecy The First Symbol of Revelation 13 click on the following link: http://www.worldslastchance.com/chapter54.php
For further information, the article New World Order explains how the U.S. and Vatican will be the super powers involved in soon-coming events and how to avoid receiving the 'mark of the beast'. To read it, click on the following link: http://www.worldslastchance.com/full_article.php
About World's Last Chance
World's Last Chance (www.WorldsLastChance.com) is a ministry that was founded in 2004. It is operated by a small team of volunteers dedicated to sharing the last message of mercy given in the Bible and the wonderful news of the soon second coming of Christ.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
6 DRS QUESTIONED IN TERROR PLOT
STILL FLOODING IN KANSAS AND OKLAHOMA. THE FIRES ARE UNDER CONTROL NOW BUT THE CAPTURED TERRORISTS FROM THE ATTEMPTED BOMBINGS REACHES 8 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 6 THAT ARE DOCTORS. INTERESTING THEY CLAIM TO SAVE LIVES WHEN IN PRIVATE THEY WANT TO KILL ALL NONE MUSLIMS.
THIS WOMAN PASTOR IS TOO MUCH A MUSLIM AND CHRISTIAN GOOD LUCK.
Inclusion Run Amok: A Muslim/Episcopal Priest
Contact: Loralei Coyle 202-682-4131, 202-905-6852 cell, lcoyle@ird-renew.org; Radio Interviews: Jeff Walton, jwalton@ird-renew.org; both with the Institute on Religion and Democracy
WASHINGTON, June 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- An Episcopal priest in Washington state recently announced that she is both a Christian and a Muslim. The Rev. Ann Holmes Redding of Seattle made her profession of faith in Islam in March 2006. Episcopal Church Center employees told the Seattle Times that a person of dual faiths can serve as Episcopal clergy at the diocesan bishop's discretion. The Rt. Rev. Vincent Warner, bishop of the Diocese of Olympia, reportedly accepts Redding's dual faiths; consequently, she remains a priest in good standing within the diocese.
Ralph Webb, Director of the IRD's Anglican Action program, commented:
The Episcopal Church continues to find new, creative ways to allow for heterodox faith variations at the local level. First, there was a local option for same-sex blessings in the Episcopal Church. Now there's apparently an unofficial local option for clergy who profess dual faiths.
Rev. Redding certainly is free to pursue a spiritual path of her own choosing. But when she was ordained as an Episcopal priest, she accepted a charge to boldly proclaim the gospel of salvation; and rightly administer the sacraments of the New Covenant. How can she boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ's death on the cross for the sins of the world and subsequent resurrection when Islam denies both events? How can she rightly administer the sacraments of [a] … covenant antithetical to Muslim beliefs, which see Jesus only as a prophet, not the savior of the world? Rev. Redding, Bishop Warner, and the Episcopal Church need to take such questions seriously.
Even the Episcopal Church's baptismal service asks all Christians to [c]onfess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood. The idea that a person can become a Muslim while remaining an Episcopal priest in good standing trivializes both faiths.
The blurring of Christian distinctives is evidence of a spiritual confusion that can only harm Episcopalians. And while it's been said that all politics are local, Bishop Warner's acceptance of Rev. Redding's syncretism compromises the whole church. The Episcopal Church's unofficial acceptance of clergy with dual faiths represents inclusion run amok. It clearly illustrates the overwhelming gap in faith and practice between the Episcopal Church and the majority of the Anglican Communion—not to mention the universal Christian Church.
Commentary: Blair welcome, even if not the messiah
Yossi Alpher July 3, 2007
Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, has been appointed the Quartet's representative to promote Israeli-Palestinian peace. Since hearing this news, my reaction has moved from dismay via detached analysis to the warmest of welcomes.
Firstly, dismay. Here is the man whose brilliant understanding of Middle East issues led him, nonetheless, to commit British prestige and resources to supporting the George W. Bush administration's failed policies in Iraq, and to Washington's disastrous effort to democratize the region.
This is the leader who recently told an audience in Pakistan that Islamist extremism in that part of the world was generated by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and on whose prime-ministerial watch the United Kingdom produced a home-grown generation of angry Islamists, as well as, most recently, an epidemic of petty and despicable anti-Israel boycotts. Further, Blair, like US President Bush, cites his religious beliefs as inspiration for his Middle East policies. I harbor a profound mistrust of religious motivation - whether Christian, Muslim, or Jewish - for strategy and statesmanship in our part of the world.
My second reaction was a more analytical look at Blair's new job. His predecessor, James Wolfensohn, sought to exploit Israel's unilateral withdrawal from Gaza two years ago to promote economic development and wellbeing. While his efforts failed, he can hardly be blamed for Palestinians' inability or unwillingness to keep the peace in Gaza, and make good on the infrastructure left behind by Israel and the generous aid he recruited. Nor is former prime minister Ariel Sharon's unwillingness to even attempt to coordinate withdrawal with the Palestinian Liberation Organization-Palestinian Authority Wolfensohn's fault.
But Blair is a politician, not an economist. The Quartet - composed of the US, EU, Russia, and the UN - has commissioned him to help develop Palestinian political institutions. In view of his energy and passion for the issue he will, undoubtedly, push for a broader mandate to foster options for a peace process; indeed, Bush may already envision Blair's mission in precisely this expanded context. Yet how can either mission work when both the Palestinians and the Quartet are hopelessly divided, and the international playing field so congested?
The American and European members of the Quartet continue to boycott Hamas in Gaza. The Russians and the United Nations are unhappy with this policy - which they feel was imposed on them by the US - believing it to be counterproductive, and helping to bring about the Hamas coup in Gaza last month. They seek contact with Hamas, as do Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Which Quartet policy will Blair represent? Which government will he help reorganize?
Then, too, Blair will not be alone: the EU, Russia, and the UN all have their own representatives working to alleviate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The EU's Javier Solana and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are also very active here, while Blair's fellow Europeans, whose backing he needs, consider him too American, and complain they were never consulted regarding his appointment. The EU has already tried, at least once, to help Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas organize his office, with no appreciable results. Blair will have his work cut out for him merely in trying to avoid repeating the failed efforts of his predecessors, and tripping over his fellow global peacemakers.
Inevitably, my ultimate reaction to the Blair appointment was to look for the bright side, the silver lining. Blair is a talented and energetic man; by and large he has been quite fair and evenhanded in his attitude toward Israel. He probably won't do any harm; he may even do some good. At worst, he'll throw in the towel after a year or two and go home, disabused of all his illusions. At best, his legendary persuasive powers and charm will achieve real results.
So, why begrudge him his appointment? Welcome to the fray, Tony Blair. You are almost certainly not the messiah we've all been waiting for. But then again, there hasn't been a messiah in this part of the world for 2,000 years.
Yossi Alpher is the Israeli Co-Editor of the bitterlemons family of Internet publications. He is former director of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, and was a special adviser to former prime minister Ehud Barak. This commentary was featured on bitterlemons.org. Acknowledgement to bitterlemons.org.
Trade minister called EU deal a con July 3,07
Sir Digby Jones
The Conservatives have claimed that a new Foreign Office minister does not support the EU constitutional treaty. Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, shadow Europe minister Mark Francois quoted Sir Digby Jones as saying that the deal agreed by EU leader's last month was a con. Former CBI director general Sir Digby was brought in from outside Parliament last week to be trade and investment minister in both the Foreign Office and Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform in Gordon Brown's government of all the talents. As an outspoken critic of the government in the past, he will now take the Labour whip in the House of Lords.
However Francois pointed to comments that may prove uncomfortable for him and his new colleagues as he continued Tory calls for a referendum on the replacement for the EU's failed constitution. The Conservative spokesman said Sir Digby told the Economic and Research Council that it is a con to call this a treaty, it is not, it is exactly the same, it is a constitution. Wasn't the new minister for trade and investment exactly right? he asked. However Europe minister Jim Murphy said that he did not agree. It said in the reform treaty loud and clear, the constitutional concept is abandoned, he argued. Earlier business secretary John Hutton also told the Financial Times that he was not in the least bit worried about having the vocal figure in his team.
THIS IS JUST A SHOW BY PUTIN RUSSIA AND IRAN ARE WORKING TOGETHER FOR NUCLEAR WEAPONS, RUSSIA DOES ANYTHING TO DECIEVE AMERICA AND IT ALWAYS WORKS TO.
Bush, Putin vow unity over Iran By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer
Mon Jul 2, 1:59 PM ET
KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine - President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin projected a united front Monday against Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program. When Russia and the United States speak along the same lines, it tends to have an effect and therefore I appreciate the Russians' attitude in the United Nations, Bush said. We're close on recognizing that we got to work together to send a common message. Putin predicted that we will continue to be successful as they work through the U.N. Security Council.
Security Council members have begun discussing a U.S. proposal for sanctions against Iran because of its refusal to stop enriching uranium. The U.S., Russia and their fellow permanent U.N. Security Council members, however, have told Iran they will hold off on new sanctions if it stops expanding its enrichment activities while they seek to restart talks about the program with Tehran. Diplomats say the Iranian government has not yet responded to the proposal. Putin suggested there would be further substantial intercourse on this issue. It was unclear whether the leaders had agreed on methods or merely wanted to gloss over for public consumption any differences on strategy. Bush and Putin have contrasting views on democracy and missile defense, NATO expansion into Russia's backyard and independence for Kosovo. They both want to stymie Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions, but haven't seen eye-to-eye on how tough to get with Tehran or even whether Iranian missiles currently pose a threat.
On the prickly missile issue, Putin proposed transforming U.S. plans for an Eastern European missile shield into a broader system that would incorporate a radar system in southern Russia and bring more European nations into the decision-making process.
The relationship of our two countries would be raised to an entirely new level, Putin said, standing alongside Bush on the lawn of the Bush family summer home overlooking the craggy Atlantic shoreline. Washington is planning to build a new missile defense system based in Poland and the Czech Republic. Putin had said the United States overstepped its national borders in every way and has threatened to reposition Russian rockets in retaliation.
Last month, Putin surprised Bush in Germany by proposing a Soviet-era early warning radar in Azerbaijan as a substitute for the radar and interceptors the United States wants to place in Poland and the Czech Republic. Washington has been clear it doubts the Azerbaijan facility is up to becoming a substitute. Bush called the Russian leader's latest missile defense idea very sincere and very innovative. However, the president said, I think the Czech Republic and Poland need to be an integral part of the system. Earlier, Bush and the Russian leader piled into a powerful speedboat navigated by Bush's father — former President George H.W. Bush. Under a bright morning sunshine, Putin and the Bushes roamed close to the shoreline around the Bush family's oceanfront estate for about an hour and a half.
I JUST CAN NOT BELIVE THE ISRAELIS ARE RELEASING TERRORISTS JUST FLOORS ME.
Israel Readies List Of Fatah Prisoners To Be Released
(RTTNews) - The Prime Minister's Office has completed a list of 250 prisoners from the Fatah movement of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, to be released as per Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's promise to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in Sharm e-Sheikh last week.The list will be discussed with the Justice Ministry director-general on Wednesday, and it will be brought before the cabinet for approval on Sunday. Olmert made the offer as a gesture of goodwill towards the Palestinians in a four-way summit at the Red Sea resort in an effort to ease the tense situation in the Palestinian territories and activate the stalled Mideast peace process.For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com
Hamas Tried To Take Control of Temple Mount
by Hana Levi Julian (JULY 3,07 INN)
The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and police revealed Monday morning a sting operation that resulted in the arrest of 11 Hamas officials who led an effort to take over the Temple Mount from the Jordanian Wakf. Ten of those arrested possess cards identifying themselves as Israeli citizens. One of the detainees is 39-year-old Nasser Yaakuv Abu S’oud, who carried out money transfers for Hamas and other activities for the group on the Temple Mount . Abu S’oud was not directly involved in weapons-related activities, nor was 47-year-old businessman Amin S’wini. He was also involved in funds transfers and other Hamas activity in the capital.Their goal is to gain full control over the Temple Mount , a security official said, adding that the Hamas terrorist party has built a bathroom and expanded its library and prayer rooms at the Temple Mount . Hamas, funded by Syria , Iran and other Arab nations, has invested millions of dollars in the Temple Mount site, where it has conducted tours and preached Hamas ideology.
The terrorist organization has provided social services support to low-income Arabs living in eastern Jerusalem neighborhoods, thus cementing its support in the population. Shin Bet sources reported Hamas terrorists have used the identity cards to operate throughout Israel, gaining grassroots support among the Palestinian Authority and Israeli Arab population, which it uses to recruit new members.Covert surveillance by security personnel has revealed that the terrorist organization, which took over Gaza in a bloody civil war with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah organization, is working actively to consolidate its control over the Temple Mount complex. If it wasn’t for this operation, Israel could have been dealt a harsh blow, said a senior Shin Bet official.
Jordan secretly buying land accessing Temple Mount
Kingdom said to be solidifying control of Judaism's holiest site
July 3, 2007 Aaron Klein - WorldNetDaily.com
JERUSALEM – Jordan has been quietly purchasing real estate surrounding the Temple Mount in Jerusalem in the hope of gaining more control over the area accessing the holy site, according to Palestinian and Israeli officials.
Israel's Maariv daily newspaper reported a member of the Jordanian royal family has been leading efforts to purchase properties near the Temple Mount – Judaism's holiest site – as part of the kingdom's plan to solidify its already strong presence there.
The Maariv story was first reported by WND four months ago in an exclusive report revealing Jordan has used shell companies during the past year to purchase several apartments and shops located at key peripheral sections of the Temple Mount.
Israeli and Palestinian officials told WND Jordan also set up a commission to use the shell companies to petition mostly Arab landowners adjacent to eastern sections of the Temple Mount to sell their properties. They said profits from sales at any purchased shops would be reinvested to buy more real estate near the Mount and in eastern Jerusalem neighborhoods. The Jordanian shell companies at times have presented themselves as acting on behalf of the Waqf, the Muslim custodians of the Temple Mount, WND has learned. Sheik Azzam Khateeb, who was installed in February as the new manager of the Waqf, is known to be close to the Jordanian monarchy. The previous Waqf manager, Sheik Adnon Husseini, was loyal to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party and had relations with Israel and some Jewish groups. Khateeb answers directly to Jordan, a Fatah official told WND.
Israeli and Palestinian officials said Jordan recently placed a bid to purchase Jerusalem's Intercontinental Hotel, which is situated on an important road that leads to an ancient cemetery on the Mount of Olives, adjacent to the Temple Mount. Informed sources tell WND the hotel is owned by groups representing the Israeli government and is leased every 10 years to a new company. The last lease was signed in 1997 and expires later this year. It was not immediately clear whether Jordan's bid was accepted. The Mount of Olives is the site of many biblical events and is considered important to Judaism and Christianity. Real estate ownership in Jerusalem's Old City is widely considered a sensitive matter. Previous Israeli-Palestinian peace proposals tentatively divided parts of the city based on Jewish or Arab residence.
Jordan previously controlled eastern Jerusalem and the Temple Mount from 1948 until Israel liberated the territory in the 1967 Six-Day War. During the period of Jordanian control, Jews were barred from the Western Wall and Temple Mount, Judaism's holiest sites, and hundreds of synagogues were destroyed. Jordan constructed a road to the Intercontinental Hotel that stretched across the Mount of Olives, bulldozing hundreds of Jewish gravestones. Jordan the past few months has boosted its public profile on the Temple Mount. The appointment of Khateeb as the new Waqf manager for the Temple Mount was widely seen as a nod to Jordan.
In January, Israel granted Jordan permission to replace the main podium in the Al Aqsa Mosque from which Islamic preachers deliver their sermons. The podium is considered one of the most important stands in the Muslim world. Muslims believe it marks the exact spot their prophet Muhammad went up to heaven to receive revelations from Allah. The new stand bears the emblem of the Jordanian kingdom. It replaces a 1,000-year-old podium believed to have been shipped to Jerusalem by the Islamic conqueror Saladin. That stand was destroyed in 1969, when an Australian tourist set fire to the Al Aqsa Mosque. In February, WND first reported Prime Minister Ehud Olmert granted permission to Jordan to construct a large minaret at a site on the Temple Mount where Jewish groups here had petitioned to build a synagogue. According to Israeli diplomatic sources, an announcement on the minaret has been stalled.
A minaret is a tower usually attached to a mosque from which Muslims are called to the five Islamic daily prayers. There are four minarets on the Temple Mount. The new minaret will be the largest one yet. It will be the first built on the Temple Mount in more than 600 years and is slated to tower over the walls of Jerusalem's Old City. It will reside next to the Al-Marwani Mosque, located at the site of Solomon's Stables. A top leader of the Waqf told WND Olmert's granting of permission to build the minaret in the synagogue's place confirms 100 percent the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount) belongs to Muslims. This proves Jewish conspiracies for a synagogue will never succeed and solidifies our presence here. It will make Muslims worldwide more secure that the Jews will never take over the Haram al-Sharif, the Waqf official said.
Hamas plans for Temple Mount takeover thwarted
The reports of Jordan gaining Temple Mount control come as Israeli security officials revealed yesterday they foiled a Hamas plan to take control of the Temple Mount and spread the terror group's ideology and recruit new members in Jerusalem.
During a year-long operation, Israel's Shin Bet Security Services revealed it arrested 11 Hamas officials based in Jerusalem, 10 of whom are Israeli identity cards holders. Hamas's Jerusalem headquarters were reportedly funded by Hamas headquarters in Syria, as well as a chain of charity institutions based in Saudi Arabia. Shin Bet officials said Hamas invested large sums of money in construction on the Temple Mount, including the building of a public bathroom facility and enlargement of a library and several prayer halls in a massive mosque that was built in a southeast Mount area known as Solomon's Stables. The area had been called Solomon's Stables since Crusader times, when it was used by the Crusaders as horse stables. [Hamas'] goal is to gain full control over the Temple Mount, a high-ranking security officer told the Jerusalem Post yesterday, adding Hamas also tried to infiltrate its members into the Temple Mount as maintenance staff, in addition to its religious leaders who preach, give tours and teach Quran classes there.
Jews Mourn, Fast on 17th Day of Tammuz
by Hillel Fendel (JULY 3,07 INN)
The Three Weeks of gradually-increasing mourning over the destruction of the Holy Temples and Israel's exile begin Tuesday, with the fast day of the 17th of the Hebrew month of Tammuz. This is the day on which Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian forces breached the walls of Jerusalem, after many months of siege on their way to destroying the Holy Temple. The Three Weeks end on the 9th of Av - Tisha B'Av - the date on which both the First and Second Temples were destroyed, roughly 2,500 and 2,000 years ago, respectively. The 17th of Tammuz is also the date on which Moses, having descended Mount Sinai and seeing the people sinning with the Golden Calf, broke the first set of Ten Commandments. During the First Temple Era, the priests were forced on this day - a year before the Temple's destruction - to stop offering the daily sacrifice due to the shortage of sheep.
In addition, the Talmud tells us, on this date some decades earlier, the evil King Menasheh had an idol placed in the Temple's Holy Sanctuary. Later, during Second Temple times, a Roman general placed an idol in the same place and publicly burned the Torah.
Excerpts from the morning selichot prayers:
We rebelled against Him Who dwells in heaven, therefore we were scattered in all directions... We acted rebelliously before Thee with slandering tongues, therefore our tongues were made to learn to utter lamentation... The tempest-tossed afflicted people were utterly broken up and dispersed; the dry land became a boat wrecked for lack of a captain; she received [punishment] for her sins with principal and double interest, with mourning and moaning... Their adversaries assailed them on that day and... drove the nation like a chased gazelle, and there was none that sought to protect it... Turn to us, O Thou that dwellest on high, gather our dispersed from the four corners of the earth; say to Zion, Arise! And we shall arise. Convert the 17th of Tammuz into a day of salvation and comfort. (translation by Rev. Abraham Isaac Jacob Rosenfeld)
In honor of the day, and in view of the difficult situation Israel faces, the Chief Rabbinate issued the following call:
It is a time of trouble for Israel: Israel's enemies sound off and lift their heads in arrogance and conceit, opening their mouths wide with threats and terrorization. They boast of their desire to destroy the Jews; they have consulted together with one another and made a pact against G-d... saying, Let us cut off Israel (Psalms 83), and wish to war with us even as we are geared for peace. We are in dire need of G-d's mercy and salvation; we have none on whom to lean except for our Father in Heaven. We must redouble our Torah study and observance of the Torah's commandments, with even greater strength and greater devotion - for they come with chariots and horses, but we come calling in the Name of G-d (Psalms 20).
We therefore hereby call upon the Nation of G-d to gather in synagogues on Tuesday, the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz, an hour and a half before the afternoon Mincha prayer, for the recitation of selichot [penitential prayers] and Psalms. Let us cry out with all our strength, and call to our G-d and the G-d of our fathers from the depths of our heart - for "G-d is close to all who call upon Him in truth (Psalms 145).
May our cries arise before Him, and may G-d arise from His chair of strict justice and sit upon the chair of mercy. May He guide and lead us with compassion and kindness, for G-d's salvation can come in the blink of an eye. And may we see the fulfillment of this verse: I will give peace in the Land, and you will lie down to sleep without fear... and no sword will pass through your Land. May this occur speedily in our days, Amen.
Signed and sealed:
Shlomo Moshe Amar, the Rishon LeTzion, the Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel
Yona Metzger, the Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel
Chief Rabbinate Begins Phasing Out Controversial 7th-Year Sale
by Hillel Fendel (JULY 3,07 INN)
As the upcoming Shemittah [Sabbatical] year approaches - it begins on Rosh HaShanah, September 13 - farmers and rabbis are preparing to deal with the unique Halakhic [Jewish legal] issues involved in the Biblical ban on working the fields in the Land of Israel.
The Chief Rabbinate plans to Kosher-certify fruits and bananas only if they are grown in accordance with special regulations (see below). The Rabbinate will instruct the public as to how to treat these fruits with special Shemittah sanctity. Neither fruits destined for export nor vegetables are included in this arrangement.
The Torah's agricultural ban occurs once every seven years, in accordance with Exodus 23 and Leviticus 25. Today, these Shemittah regulations retain only Rabbinic, and not Biblical, authority, due to the lack of a majority of the Jewish People in the Land of Israel [see Lev. 25,2]. For this reason and others, rabbis in the mid-19th century ruled that Jews in Israel could sell their fields to non-Jews and continue performing many otherwise forbidden farming activities. This arrangement was known as the Heter Mechirah [the Sale Dispensation].
Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of the modern-day Land of Israel, promulgated the Heter Mechirah on a national scale, in order to prevent the collapse of the agricultural economy.
The Heter Mechirah increasingly became a matter of controversy between religious-Zionist circles, which largely accepted it, and the hareidi-religious sector, which did not. The farmers of the latter were largely supported by communal funds during Shemittah years, while hareidi-religious consumers purchased fruits and vegetables either from Arab sources or from outlying areas of the Land of Israel not bound by Shemittah laws.
This latter approach, however, strengthens the Arab share of the agricultural market not only during the Shemittah year, but in the following years as well.
In fact, in the last Shemittah, seven years ago, 50,000 dunams (some 12,500 acres) of new agricultural farms were developed in Jordan to meet the consumption needs of those who wished to buy non-Jewish produce. Rabbi Neriah Gutel, the Dean of Orot College who has written widely on the topic, writes that not only were these farms not dismantled afterwards, but they continue even now to compete with Jewish farms in Israel.
A third approach to Shemittah that has been increasingly making inroads is the Otzar Beit Din, or Public Treasury. It is based, inter alia, on the idea that Shemittah fruits are forbidden to be sold, but not to be eaten - and in fact have a sanctity that renders their consumption extra meritorious. To this end, and in order to enable everyone to enjoy the fruits of the Land - another Shemittah objective - harvesting, fruit distribution, and land upkeep is carried out not for commercial profit, but by a public body appointed by a court of Jewish Law acting as the public's representative.
The Chief Rabbinate has decided to implement the Otzar Beit Din method on a national scale for fruits and bananas. Accordingly, all fruits and bananas sold throughout the country under the certification of the Chief Rabbinate - which includes most large supermarkets in Israel - will not be Heter-fruits, i.e., from lands exempted from Shemittah by virtue of having been sold to a non-Jew, but rather raised in a permitted manner in accordance with Lev. 25, 6: The produce of the land shall be food for you...
In a letter to municipal rabbis and kashrut inspectors this week, the Chief Rabbinate writes, Our universally agreed upon goal is to reach a point where we will not need the Heter at all, just as Rabbi Kook wrote... in order that we may observe this commandment in all its glory. Accordingly, the Chief Rabbinate Council has decided to reduce the use of the Heter as much as possible. For several months we have been in personal contact with every farmer... Similarly, the Heter will be implemented only in cases where other solutions - such as Otzar Beit Din, early seeding, raised platforms, and the like - cannot be used.
The ramifications for the public are two-fold: Special care will be taken to ensure that the price of fruits and bananas is not raised arbitrarily, but will rather cover only normal costs and expenses, including a fair and normal salary for those involved. In addition, signs will be placed in the fruit sections instructing the public that the fruits must be treated with special Shemittah sanctity. Specifically, the fruits must be used only in their normal manner (generally eating or drinking), and their remnants must not be thrown out in a degrading fashion.
To this end, Rabbinate officials said that an educational campaign would be undertaken, though its extent and framework have not yet been determined.
Most vegetables will not be included in the above arrangement.
Barroso warns member states against unravelling treaty deal
02.07.2007 - 17:07 CET | By Honor Mahony
EUOBSERVER / PORTO - The European Commission and the newly minted Portuguese EU presidency has dismissed Poland's attempts to reopen a key part of a new agreement on a future union treaty as a misunderstanding and warned member states generally that unanimous deals cannot be re-opened just days after being agreed. None of the issues which we agreed upon are going to be opened, said commission president Jose Manuel Barroso on Monday at a press conference in Porto to introduce Portugal's six month tenure of the EU. Referring to the EU leaders summit ten days ago where member states agreed a mandate for negotiating a new treaty for the bloc, he said it can't be that member states start putting into question what they all unanimously agreed upon.
Portuguese prime minister Jose Socrates was equally clear. He noted that the mandate does not say oh by the way you can revise the mandate.We hailed that agreement he said, adding that he did not see any countries that want to question it.
Poland dismissed
Meanwhile, both politicians used similar phrasing to dismiss Polish attempts to put the highly contentious voting issue back on the table. There have been a few ambiguous statements put forward, but these were a misunderstanding, said Mr Barroso while Mr Socrates noted it can't be anything but a little misunderstanding here.Mr Socrates implied that Poland had already got so much from the summit – it secured an extension of the current voting system until at least 2014, with the option to further use it until 2017 – that it had no reason to be making waves now. We think Poland will be one of the most co-operative because they were so fundamental to the agreement, he said
Putting the cat firmly among the pigeons, Warsaw last week indicated it would like a gentleman's agreement made in the late hours of the ill-tempered 21-22 June summit to be honoured. It said it was told the mandate would contain a mechanism to delay EU decisions for up to two years if the blocking minority formally required was not quite reached. But opening this issue would probably result in Portugal's overall timetable for agreement unravelling. Lisbon has said it would like a fully formed treaty agreement in October. If Warsaw is seen as allowed to revisit the negotiating document - already a patchwork of opt-outs, footnotes and protocols - it could have a knock-on effect. Portuguese diplomats already fear that the longer member states have to think about the mandate, the more creative member states will be in their interpretations of it.
Terror plot hatched in British hospitals
By Kim Sengupta, Ian Herbert and Cahal Milmo
Published: 03 July 2007
A suspected secret cell of foreign militants, believed to be linked to al-Qa'ida and using British hospitals as cover, are being questioned over the terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow. Five of the eight people under arrest last night are said to be doctors. Another of those detained is the wife of one of the doctors, who is a medical assistant working for the NHS. The home of a sixth doctor is said to have been searched by police. Late last night an Australian television network reported that a suspect wanted in connection with the attacks had been arrested in Brisbane.
Attention has been focused on a group of nationals from the Middle East, who had not previously attracted the interest of security agencies. Until now, cases of Islamist terrorism have involved mainly Muslims who were born and brought up in Britain. The alleged arrival of teams from abroad to carry out attacks, their identities unknown to the domestic law agencies, adds another dimension to the terrorist threat being faced in the United Kingdom.
Following the link between the attacks in London and Glasgow, control of the investigation was transferred to Scotland Yard. With the security alert staying at the highest possible level and warnings that another attack may be imminent, police carried out 19 raids across the country, arresting nationals from Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Among those arrested was Mohammed Jamil Abdelqader Asha, a 26-year-old neurologist who was born in Saudi Arabia but is of Palestinian origin and was travelling on a Jordanian passport. He and his 27-year-old wife, a medical assistant, were arrested on the M6 in Cheshire, in connection with the attempted bombings in London. Also under arrest was Bilal Talal Abdul Samad Abdulla, an Iraqi from Baghdad who arrived in the UK in April 2006. He is said to have been one of the two men in the Cherokee Jeep in the Glasgow airport attack, and is suffering from third-degree burns. His companion, under arrest, is also from Iraq, while two other men, aged 25 and 28, arrested in Paisley yesterday, were said to be doctors from Saudi Arabia. Police carried out a controlled explosion on a blue Vauxhall car yesterday at Royal Alexandra Hospital, in Paisley, near Glasgow, where Dr Abdulla worked and where he is being treated for his injuries. It was the second such detonation at the hospital, following a white BMW on Sunday. Strathclyde Police said the two vehicles were connected with the airport attack.
Dr Asha, 26, has been in Britain since 2005 and had worked at the North Staffordshire Hospital, where his office was being searched yesterday following a raid at his home at Sunningdale Grove in Newcastle-under-Lyme. There were police searches in the same town two miles from Dr Asha's home at Priam Close, Bradwell, which, according to neighbours, was rented by another doctor and his wife.
Further searches were carried out in Liverpool at the home of a man who had been arrested after being disabled with a taser gun after police surrounded his car. According to neighbours, the man was a doctor from India who worked at Halton Hospital in Cheshire. A colleague told the newspaper, Muslim News, that the man may have been detained because he was using the mobile telephone and internet account of another man who has recently left Britain. Last night Dr Asha's father, Jamil Asha, asked King Abdullah of Jordan to intercede on behalf of his son. He vehemently stressed to journalists in Amman that his son was not involved in any terrorist activity.
All he wanted to do was get on with his life. He prays like any good Muslim but was certainly not a fanatic, said Mr Asha. He was planning to visit us on 12 July. He called me three days ago to check the body sizes of his six brothers and two sisters. My son wanted to buy them gifts from Britain before his departure. Dr Asha's brother, Ahmed, said he was surprised by news of his arrest. The first news we heard of this was broadcast by an Arabic satellite channel. It's nonsense because he has no terror connections. Dr Abdulla, who had qualified in Baghdad in 2004, a year after the US-led invasion, has been in Britain since August 2006. He is said to have lived in Jordan before arriving in the UK.
The failed car bomb attacks in London early on Friday morning involved two Mercedes saloons. They had been packed with gas cylinders, petrol and nails with two mobile telephones acting as detonators. The bombers had, according to a security source, tried to detonate the car outside Tiger Tiger bar with four phone calls. Two calls had been made to the car in Cockspur Street, which was later towed away to a car pound. The bombs failed because of a technical mistake. Detectives believe that a Mercedes involved in the failed attacks in London came from Scotland. They have tracked part of the car's route south last week using number-plate recognition technology mounted in cameras along the M6.
The raids and arrests across the country which followed are said to have resulted mainly from clues gathered from the two cars, including calls made to the mobile telephones.
Homegrown cells
* OPERATION CREVICE
Five men plotted to blow up the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent and the Ministry of Sound nightclub in London with massive fertiliser bombs. MI5 were watching the ringleaders when, in February 2004, a supervisor at a London self-storage reported three men stashing 600kg of ammonium nitrate fertiliser. Cell member Jawad Akbar was recorded discussing the nightclub attack: No one can put their hands up and say they are innocent. Fearful the gang would attack, the police launched a series of raids. Akbar, Omar Khyam, Waheed Mahmood, Anthony Garcia and Salahuddin Amin - British citizens - were convicted at the Old Bailey in April of conspiracy to cause explosions.
* 7 JULY 2005
As the morning rush-hour ended, Shehzad Tanweer, Jermaine Lindsay and Mohammad Siddique blew up the explosive-packed rucksacks they were carrying on London Underground trains at Russell Square, Edgware Road and Aldgate. An hour later, Hasib Hussain detonated his on a number 30 bus in Tavistock Square. They were all from Yorkshire, except Lindsay, who lived in Aylesbury. The four men were motivated by fierce antagonism to perceived injustices by the West against Muslims, according to the Government report into the bombings.
A total of 52 people were killed and more than 770 were injured.
* 21 JULY 2005
A fortnight to the day after the 7 July attacks, four attempted bombings took place in central London. Faulty bombs were found on trains at Oval, Warren Street and Shepherds Bush stations and on a bus in Hackney, gifting the police a wealth of forensic evidence. The trial at Woolwich Crown Court of six men, who deny conspiracy to murder, heard that the bombs were made using chapatti flour and hydrogen peroxide. The six, Muktar Ibrahim, Manfo Asiedu, Hussein Osman, Yassin Omar, Ramzi Mohammed and Adel Yaha, are all originally from Africa. The trial jury went out to consider its verdict on 28 June. The jury is still out.
* DHIREN BAROT
Indian-born Barot plotted to create carnage on an unprecedented scale . His plans included blowing up a Tube train in a tunnel beneath the Thames. Barot, from London, was jailed for at least 40 years in November for conspiracy to murder. There was no evidence he had acquired the materials to carry out his attacks, but his plans were found on his computer.
THIS WOMAN PASTOR IS TOO MUCH A MUSLIM AND CHRISTIAN GOOD LUCK.
Inclusion Run Amok: A Muslim/Episcopal Priest
Contact: Loralei Coyle 202-682-4131, 202-905-6852 cell, lcoyle@ird-renew.org; Radio Interviews: Jeff Walton, jwalton@ird-renew.org; both with the Institute on Religion and Democracy
WASHINGTON, June 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- An Episcopal priest in Washington state recently announced that she is both a Christian and a Muslim. The Rev. Ann Holmes Redding of Seattle made her profession of faith in Islam in March 2006. Episcopal Church Center employees told the Seattle Times that a person of dual faiths can serve as Episcopal clergy at the diocesan bishop's discretion. The Rt. Rev. Vincent Warner, bishop of the Diocese of Olympia, reportedly accepts Redding's dual faiths; consequently, she remains a priest in good standing within the diocese.
Ralph Webb, Director of the IRD's Anglican Action program, commented:
The Episcopal Church continues to find new, creative ways to allow for heterodox faith variations at the local level. First, there was a local option for same-sex blessings in the Episcopal Church. Now there's apparently an unofficial local option for clergy who profess dual faiths.
Rev. Redding certainly is free to pursue a spiritual path of her own choosing. But when she was ordained as an Episcopal priest, she accepted a charge to boldly proclaim the gospel of salvation; and rightly administer the sacraments of the New Covenant. How can she boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ's death on the cross for the sins of the world and subsequent resurrection when Islam denies both events? How can she rightly administer the sacraments of [a] … covenant antithetical to Muslim beliefs, which see Jesus only as a prophet, not the savior of the world? Rev. Redding, Bishop Warner, and the Episcopal Church need to take such questions seriously.
Even the Episcopal Church's baptismal service asks all Christians to [c]onfess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood. The idea that a person can become a Muslim while remaining an Episcopal priest in good standing trivializes both faiths.
The blurring of Christian distinctives is evidence of a spiritual confusion that can only harm Episcopalians. And while it's been said that all politics are local, Bishop Warner's acceptance of Rev. Redding's syncretism compromises the whole church. The Episcopal Church's unofficial acceptance of clergy with dual faiths represents inclusion run amok. It clearly illustrates the overwhelming gap in faith and practice between the Episcopal Church and the majority of the Anglican Communion—not to mention the universal Christian Church.
Commentary: Blair welcome, even if not the messiah
Yossi Alpher July 3, 2007
Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, has been appointed the Quartet's representative to promote Israeli-Palestinian peace. Since hearing this news, my reaction has moved from dismay via detached analysis to the warmest of welcomes.
Firstly, dismay. Here is the man whose brilliant understanding of Middle East issues led him, nonetheless, to commit British prestige and resources to supporting the George W. Bush administration's failed policies in Iraq, and to Washington's disastrous effort to democratize the region.
This is the leader who recently told an audience in Pakistan that Islamist extremism in that part of the world was generated by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and on whose prime-ministerial watch the United Kingdom produced a home-grown generation of angry Islamists, as well as, most recently, an epidemic of petty and despicable anti-Israel boycotts. Further, Blair, like US President Bush, cites his religious beliefs as inspiration for his Middle East policies. I harbor a profound mistrust of religious motivation - whether Christian, Muslim, or Jewish - for strategy and statesmanship in our part of the world.
My second reaction was a more analytical look at Blair's new job. His predecessor, James Wolfensohn, sought to exploit Israel's unilateral withdrawal from Gaza two years ago to promote economic development and wellbeing. While his efforts failed, he can hardly be blamed for Palestinians' inability or unwillingness to keep the peace in Gaza, and make good on the infrastructure left behind by Israel and the generous aid he recruited. Nor is former prime minister Ariel Sharon's unwillingness to even attempt to coordinate withdrawal with the Palestinian Liberation Organization-Palestinian Authority Wolfensohn's fault.
But Blair is a politician, not an economist. The Quartet - composed of the US, EU, Russia, and the UN - has commissioned him to help develop Palestinian political institutions. In view of his energy and passion for the issue he will, undoubtedly, push for a broader mandate to foster options for a peace process; indeed, Bush may already envision Blair's mission in precisely this expanded context. Yet how can either mission work when both the Palestinians and the Quartet are hopelessly divided, and the international playing field so congested?
The American and European members of the Quartet continue to boycott Hamas in Gaza. The Russians and the United Nations are unhappy with this policy - which they feel was imposed on them by the US - believing it to be counterproductive, and helping to bring about the Hamas coup in Gaza last month. They seek contact with Hamas, as do Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Which Quartet policy will Blair represent? Which government will he help reorganize?
Then, too, Blair will not be alone: the EU, Russia, and the UN all have their own representatives working to alleviate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The EU's Javier Solana and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are also very active here, while Blair's fellow Europeans, whose backing he needs, consider him too American, and complain they were never consulted regarding his appointment. The EU has already tried, at least once, to help Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas organize his office, with no appreciable results. Blair will have his work cut out for him merely in trying to avoid repeating the failed efforts of his predecessors, and tripping over his fellow global peacemakers.
Inevitably, my ultimate reaction to the Blair appointment was to look for the bright side, the silver lining. Blair is a talented and energetic man; by and large he has been quite fair and evenhanded in his attitude toward Israel. He probably won't do any harm; he may even do some good. At worst, he'll throw in the towel after a year or two and go home, disabused of all his illusions. At best, his legendary persuasive powers and charm will achieve real results.
So, why begrudge him his appointment? Welcome to the fray, Tony Blair. You are almost certainly not the messiah we've all been waiting for. But then again, there hasn't been a messiah in this part of the world for 2,000 years.
Yossi Alpher is the Israeli Co-Editor of the bitterlemons family of Internet publications. He is former director of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, and was a special adviser to former prime minister Ehud Barak. This commentary was featured on bitterlemons.org. Acknowledgement to bitterlemons.org.
Trade minister called EU deal a con July 3,07
Sir Digby Jones
The Conservatives have claimed that a new Foreign Office minister does not support the EU constitutional treaty. Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, shadow Europe minister Mark Francois quoted Sir Digby Jones as saying that the deal agreed by EU leader's last month was a con. Former CBI director general Sir Digby was brought in from outside Parliament last week to be trade and investment minister in both the Foreign Office and Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform in Gordon Brown's government of all the talents. As an outspoken critic of the government in the past, he will now take the Labour whip in the House of Lords.
However Francois pointed to comments that may prove uncomfortable for him and his new colleagues as he continued Tory calls for a referendum on the replacement for the EU's failed constitution. The Conservative spokesman said Sir Digby told the Economic and Research Council that it is a con to call this a treaty, it is not, it is exactly the same, it is a constitution. Wasn't the new minister for trade and investment exactly right? he asked. However Europe minister Jim Murphy said that he did not agree. It said in the reform treaty loud and clear, the constitutional concept is abandoned, he argued. Earlier business secretary John Hutton also told the Financial Times that he was not in the least bit worried about having the vocal figure in his team.
THIS IS JUST A SHOW BY PUTIN RUSSIA AND IRAN ARE WORKING TOGETHER FOR NUCLEAR WEAPONS, RUSSIA DOES ANYTHING TO DECIEVE AMERICA AND IT ALWAYS WORKS TO.
Bush, Putin vow unity over Iran By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer
Mon Jul 2, 1:59 PM ET
KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine - President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin projected a united front Monday against Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program. When Russia and the United States speak along the same lines, it tends to have an effect and therefore I appreciate the Russians' attitude in the United Nations, Bush said. We're close on recognizing that we got to work together to send a common message. Putin predicted that we will continue to be successful as they work through the U.N. Security Council.
Security Council members have begun discussing a U.S. proposal for sanctions against Iran because of its refusal to stop enriching uranium. The U.S., Russia and their fellow permanent U.N. Security Council members, however, have told Iran they will hold off on new sanctions if it stops expanding its enrichment activities while they seek to restart talks about the program with Tehran. Diplomats say the Iranian government has not yet responded to the proposal. Putin suggested there would be further substantial intercourse on this issue. It was unclear whether the leaders had agreed on methods or merely wanted to gloss over for public consumption any differences on strategy. Bush and Putin have contrasting views on democracy and missile defense, NATO expansion into Russia's backyard and independence for Kosovo. They both want to stymie Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions, but haven't seen eye-to-eye on how tough to get with Tehran or even whether Iranian missiles currently pose a threat.
On the prickly missile issue, Putin proposed transforming U.S. plans for an Eastern European missile shield into a broader system that would incorporate a radar system in southern Russia and bring more European nations into the decision-making process.
The relationship of our two countries would be raised to an entirely new level, Putin said, standing alongside Bush on the lawn of the Bush family summer home overlooking the craggy Atlantic shoreline. Washington is planning to build a new missile defense system based in Poland and the Czech Republic. Putin had said the United States overstepped its national borders in every way and has threatened to reposition Russian rockets in retaliation.
Last month, Putin surprised Bush in Germany by proposing a Soviet-era early warning radar in Azerbaijan as a substitute for the radar and interceptors the United States wants to place in Poland and the Czech Republic. Washington has been clear it doubts the Azerbaijan facility is up to becoming a substitute. Bush called the Russian leader's latest missile defense idea very sincere and very innovative. However, the president said, I think the Czech Republic and Poland need to be an integral part of the system. Earlier, Bush and the Russian leader piled into a powerful speedboat navigated by Bush's father — former President George H.W. Bush. Under a bright morning sunshine, Putin and the Bushes roamed close to the shoreline around the Bush family's oceanfront estate for about an hour and a half.
I JUST CAN NOT BELIVE THE ISRAELIS ARE RELEASING TERRORISTS JUST FLOORS ME.
Israel Readies List Of Fatah Prisoners To Be Released
(RTTNews) - The Prime Minister's Office has completed a list of 250 prisoners from the Fatah movement of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, to be released as per Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's promise to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in Sharm e-Sheikh last week.The list will be discussed with the Justice Ministry director-general on Wednesday, and it will be brought before the cabinet for approval on Sunday. Olmert made the offer as a gesture of goodwill towards the Palestinians in a four-way summit at the Red Sea resort in an effort to ease the tense situation in the Palestinian territories and activate the stalled Mideast peace process.For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com
Hamas Tried To Take Control of Temple Mount
by Hana Levi Julian (JULY 3,07 INN)
The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and police revealed Monday morning a sting operation that resulted in the arrest of 11 Hamas officials who led an effort to take over the Temple Mount from the Jordanian Wakf. Ten of those arrested possess cards identifying themselves as Israeli citizens. One of the detainees is 39-year-old Nasser Yaakuv Abu S’oud, who carried out money transfers for Hamas and other activities for the group on the Temple Mount . Abu S’oud was not directly involved in weapons-related activities, nor was 47-year-old businessman Amin S’wini. He was also involved in funds transfers and other Hamas activity in the capital.Their goal is to gain full control over the Temple Mount , a security official said, adding that the Hamas terrorist party has built a bathroom and expanded its library and prayer rooms at the Temple Mount . Hamas, funded by Syria , Iran and other Arab nations, has invested millions of dollars in the Temple Mount site, where it has conducted tours and preached Hamas ideology.
The terrorist organization has provided social services support to low-income Arabs living in eastern Jerusalem neighborhoods, thus cementing its support in the population. Shin Bet sources reported Hamas terrorists have used the identity cards to operate throughout Israel, gaining grassroots support among the Palestinian Authority and Israeli Arab population, which it uses to recruit new members.Covert surveillance by security personnel has revealed that the terrorist organization, which took over Gaza in a bloody civil war with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah organization, is working actively to consolidate its control over the Temple Mount complex. If it wasn’t for this operation, Israel could have been dealt a harsh blow, said a senior Shin Bet official.
Jordan secretly buying land accessing Temple Mount
Kingdom said to be solidifying control of Judaism's holiest site
July 3, 2007 Aaron Klein - WorldNetDaily.com
JERUSALEM – Jordan has been quietly purchasing real estate surrounding the Temple Mount in Jerusalem in the hope of gaining more control over the area accessing the holy site, according to Palestinian and Israeli officials.
Israel's Maariv daily newspaper reported a member of the Jordanian royal family has been leading efforts to purchase properties near the Temple Mount – Judaism's holiest site – as part of the kingdom's plan to solidify its already strong presence there.
The Maariv story was first reported by WND four months ago in an exclusive report revealing Jordan has used shell companies during the past year to purchase several apartments and shops located at key peripheral sections of the Temple Mount.
Israeli and Palestinian officials told WND Jordan also set up a commission to use the shell companies to petition mostly Arab landowners adjacent to eastern sections of the Temple Mount to sell their properties. They said profits from sales at any purchased shops would be reinvested to buy more real estate near the Mount and in eastern Jerusalem neighborhoods. The Jordanian shell companies at times have presented themselves as acting on behalf of the Waqf, the Muslim custodians of the Temple Mount, WND has learned. Sheik Azzam Khateeb, who was installed in February as the new manager of the Waqf, is known to be close to the Jordanian monarchy. The previous Waqf manager, Sheik Adnon Husseini, was loyal to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party and had relations with Israel and some Jewish groups. Khateeb answers directly to Jordan, a Fatah official told WND.
Israeli and Palestinian officials said Jordan recently placed a bid to purchase Jerusalem's Intercontinental Hotel, which is situated on an important road that leads to an ancient cemetery on the Mount of Olives, adjacent to the Temple Mount. Informed sources tell WND the hotel is owned by groups representing the Israeli government and is leased every 10 years to a new company. The last lease was signed in 1997 and expires later this year. It was not immediately clear whether Jordan's bid was accepted. The Mount of Olives is the site of many biblical events and is considered important to Judaism and Christianity. Real estate ownership in Jerusalem's Old City is widely considered a sensitive matter. Previous Israeli-Palestinian peace proposals tentatively divided parts of the city based on Jewish or Arab residence.
Jordan previously controlled eastern Jerusalem and the Temple Mount from 1948 until Israel liberated the territory in the 1967 Six-Day War. During the period of Jordanian control, Jews were barred from the Western Wall and Temple Mount, Judaism's holiest sites, and hundreds of synagogues were destroyed. Jordan constructed a road to the Intercontinental Hotel that stretched across the Mount of Olives, bulldozing hundreds of Jewish gravestones. Jordan the past few months has boosted its public profile on the Temple Mount. The appointment of Khateeb as the new Waqf manager for the Temple Mount was widely seen as a nod to Jordan.
In January, Israel granted Jordan permission to replace the main podium in the Al Aqsa Mosque from which Islamic preachers deliver their sermons. The podium is considered one of the most important stands in the Muslim world. Muslims believe it marks the exact spot their prophet Muhammad went up to heaven to receive revelations from Allah. The new stand bears the emblem of the Jordanian kingdom. It replaces a 1,000-year-old podium believed to have been shipped to Jerusalem by the Islamic conqueror Saladin. That stand was destroyed in 1969, when an Australian tourist set fire to the Al Aqsa Mosque. In February, WND first reported Prime Minister Ehud Olmert granted permission to Jordan to construct a large minaret at a site on the Temple Mount where Jewish groups here had petitioned to build a synagogue. According to Israeli diplomatic sources, an announcement on the minaret has been stalled.
A minaret is a tower usually attached to a mosque from which Muslims are called to the five Islamic daily prayers. There are four minarets on the Temple Mount. The new minaret will be the largest one yet. It will be the first built on the Temple Mount in more than 600 years and is slated to tower over the walls of Jerusalem's Old City. It will reside next to the Al-Marwani Mosque, located at the site of Solomon's Stables. A top leader of the Waqf told WND Olmert's granting of permission to build the minaret in the synagogue's place confirms 100 percent the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount) belongs to Muslims. This proves Jewish conspiracies for a synagogue will never succeed and solidifies our presence here. It will make Muslims worldwide more secure that the Jews will never take over the Haram al-Sharif, the Waqf official said.
Hamas plans for Temple Mount takeover thwarted
The reports of Jordan gaining Temple Mount control come as Israeli security officials revealed yesterday they foiled a Hamas plan to take control of the Temple Mount and spread the terror group's ideology and recruit new members in Jerusalem.
During a year-long operation, Israel's Shin Bet Security Services revealed it arrested 11 Hamas officials based in Jerusalem, 10 of whom are Israeli identity cards holders. Hamas's Jerusalem headquarters were reportedly funded by Hamas headquarters in Syria, as well as a chain of charity institutions based in Saudi Arabia. Shin Bet officials said Hamas invested large sums of money in construction on the Temple Mount, including the building of a public bathroom facility and enlargement of a library and several prayer halls in a massive mosque that was built in a southeast Mount area known as Solomon's Stables. The area had been called Solomon's Stables since Crusader times, when it was used by the Crusaders as horse stables. [Hamas'] goal is to gain full control over the Temple Mount, a high-ranking security officer told the Jerusalem Post yesterday, adding Hamas also tried to infiltrate its members into the Temple Mount as maintenance staff, in addition to its religious leaders who preach, give tours and teach Quran classes there.
Jews Mourn, Fast on 17th Day of Tammuz
by Hillel Fendel (JULY 3,07 INN)
The Three Weeks of gradually-increasing mourning over the destruction of the Holy Temples and Israel's exile begin Tuesday, with the fast day of the 17th of the Hebrew month of Tammuz. This is the day on which Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian forces breached the walls of Jerusalem, after many months of siege on their way to destroying the Holy Temple. The Three Weeks end on the 9th of Av - Tisha B'Av - the date on which both the First and Second Temples were destroyed, roughly 2,500 and 2,000 years ago, respectively. The 17th of Tammuz is also the date on which Moses, having descended Mount Sinai and seeing the people sinning with the Golden Calf, broke the first set of Ten Commandments. During the First Temple Era, the priests were forced on this day - a year before the Temple's destruction - to stop offering the daily sacrifice due to the shortage of sheep.
In addition, the Talmud tells us, on this date some decades earlier, the evil King Menasheh had an idol placed in the Temple's Holy Sanctuary. Later, during Second Temple times, a Roman general placed an idol in the same place and publicly burned the Torah.
Excerpts from the morning selichot prayers:
We rebelled against Him Who dwells in heaven, therefore we were scattered in all directions... We acted rebelliously before Thee with slandering tongues, therefore our tongues were made to learn to utter lamentation... The tempest-tossed afflicted people were utterly broken up and dispersed; the dry land became a boat wrecked for lack of a captain; she received [punishment] for her sins with principal and double interest, with mourning and moaning... Their adversaries assailed them on that day and... drove the nation like a chased gazelle, and there was none that sought to protect it... Turn to us, O Thou that dwellest on high, gather our dispersed from the four corners of the earth; say to Zion, Arise! And we shall arise. Convert the 17th of Tammuz into a day of salvation and comfort. (translation by Rev. Abraham Isaac Jacob Rosenfeld)
In honor of the day, and in view of the difficult situation Israel faces, the Chief Rabbinate issued the following call:
It is a time of trouble for Israel: Israel's enemies sound off and lift their heads in arrogance and conceit, opening their mouths wide with threats and terrorization. They boast of their desire to destroy the Jews; they have consulted together with one another and made a pact against G-d... saying, Let us cut off Israel (Psalms 83), and wish to war with us even as we are geared for peace. We are in dire need of G-d's mercy and salvation; we have none on whom to lean except for our Father in Heaven. We must redouble our Torah study and observance of the Torah's commandments, with even greater strength and greater devotion - for they come with chariots and horses, but we come calling in the Name of G-d (Psalms 20).
We therefore hereby call upon the Nation of G-d to gather in synagogues on Tuesday, the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz, an hour and a half before the afternoon Mincha prayer, for the recitation of selichot [penitential prayers] and Psalms. Let us cry out with all our strength, and call to our G-d and the G-d of our fathers from the depths of our heart - for "G-d is close to all who call upon Him in truth (Psalms 145).
May our cries arise before Him, and may G-d arise from His chair of strict justice and sit upon the chair of mercy. May He guide and lead us with compassion and kindness, for G-d's salvation can come in the blink of an eye. And may we see the fulfillment of this verse: I will give peace in the Land, and you will lie down to sleep without fear... and no sword will pass through your Land. May this occur speedily in our days, Amen.
Signed and sealed:
Shlomo Moshe Amar, the Rishon LeTzion, the Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel
Yona Metzger, the Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel
Chief Rabbinate Begins Phasing Out Controversial 7th-Year Sale
by Hillel Fendel (JULY 3,07 INN)
As the upcoming Shemittah [Sabbatical] year approaches - it begins on Rosh HaShanah, September 13 - farmers and rabbis are preparing to deal with the unique Halakhic [Jewish legal] issues involved in the Biblical ban on working the fields in the Land of Israel.
The Chief Rabbinate plans to Kosher-certify fruits and bananas only if they are grown in accordance with special regulations (see below). The Rabbinate will instruct the public as to how to treat these fruits with special Shemittah sanctity. Neither fruits destined for export nor vegetables are included in this arrangement.
The Torah's agricultural ban occurs once every seven years, in accordance with Exodus 23 and Leviticus 25. Today, these Shemittah regulations retain only Rabbinic, and not Biblical, authority, due to the lack of a majority of the Jewish People in the Land of Israel [see Lev. 25,2]. For this reason and others, rabbis in the mid-19th century ruled that Jews in Israel could sell their fields to non-Jews and continue performing many otherwise forbidden farming activities. This arrangement was known as the Heter Mechirah [the Sale Dispensation].
Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of the modern-day Land of Israel, promulgated the Heter Mechirah on a national scale, in order to prevent the collapse of the agricultural economy.
The Heter Mechirah increasingly became a matter of controversy between religious-Zionist circles, which largely accepted it, and the hareidi-religious sector, which did not. The farmers of the latter were largely supported by communal funds during Shemittah years, while hareidi-religious consumers purchased fruits and vegetables either from Arab sources or from outlying areas of the Land of Israel not bound by Shemittah laws.
This latter approach, however, strengthens the Arab share of the agricultural market not only during the Shemittah year, but in the following years as well.
In fact, in the last Shemittah, seven years ago, 50,000 dunams (some 12,500 acres) of new agricultural farms were developed in Jordan to meet the consumption needs of those who wished to buy non-Jewish produce. Rabbi Neriah Gutel, the Dean of Orot College who has written widely on the topic, writes that not only were these farms not dismantled afterwards, but they continue even now to compete with Jewish farms in Israel.
A third approach to Shemittah that has been increasingly making inroads is the Otzar Beit Din, or Public Treasury. It is based, inter alia, on the idea that Shemittah fruits are forbidden to be sold, but not to be eaten - and in fact have a sanctity that renders their consumption extra meritorious. To this end, and in order to enable everyone to enjoy the fruits of the Land - another Shemittah objective - harvesting, fruit distribution, and land upkeep is carried out not for commercial profit, but by a public body appointed by a court of Jewish Law acting as the public's representative.
The Chief Rabbinate has decided to implement the Otzar Beit Din method on a national scale for fruits and bananas. Accordingly, all fruits and bananas sold throughout the country under the certification of the Chief Rabbinate - which includes most large supermarkets in Israel - will not be Heter-fruits, i.e., from lands exempted from Shemittah by virtue of having been sold to a non-Jew, but rather raised in a permitted manner in accordance with Lev. 25, 6: The produce of the land shall be food for you...
In a letter to municipal rabbis and kashrut inspectors this week, the Chief Rabbinate writes, Our universally agreed upon goal is to reach a point where we will not need the Heter at all, just as Rabbi Kook wrote... in order that we may observe this commandment in all its glory. Accordingly, the Chief Rabbinate Council has decided to reduce the use of the Heter as much as possible. For several months we have been in personal contact with every farmer... Similarly, the Heter will be implemented only in cases where other solutions - such as Otzar Beit Din, early seeding, raised platforms, and the like - cannot be used.
The ramifications for the public are two-fold: Special care will be taken to ensure that the price of fruits and bananas is not raised arbitrarily, but will rather cover only normal costs and expenses, including a fair and normal salary for those involved. In addition, signs will be placed in the fruit sections instructing the public that the fruits must be treated with special Shemittah sanctity. Specifically, the fruits must be used only in their normal manner (generally eating or drinking), and their remnants must not be thrown out in a degrading fashion.
To this end, Rabbinate officials said that an educational campaign would be undertaken, though its extent and framework have not yet been determined.
Most vegetables will not be included in the above arrangement.
Barroso warns member states against unravelling treaty deal
02.07.2007 - 17:07 CET | By Honor Mahony
EUOBSERVER / PORTO - The European Commission and the newly minted Portuguese EU presidency has dismissed Poland's attempts to reopen a key part of a new agreement on a future union treaty as a misunderstanding and warned member states generally that unanimous deals cannot be re-opened just days after being agreed. None of the issues which we agreed upon are going to be opened, said commission president Jose Manuel Barroso on Monday at a press conference in Porto to introduce Portugal's six month tenure of the EU. Referring to the EU leaders summit ten days ago where member states agreed a mandate for negotiating a new treaty for the bloc, he said it can't be that member states start putting into question what they all unanimously agreed upon.
Portuguese prime minister Jose Socrates was equally clear. He noted that the mandate does not say oh by the way you can revise the mandate.We hailed that agreement he said, adding that he did not see any countries that want to question it.
Poland dismissed
Meanwhile, both politicians used similar phrasing to dismiss Polish attempts to put the highly contentious voting issue back on the table. There have been a few ambiguous statements put forward, but these were a misunderstanding, said Mr Barroso while Mr Socrates noted it can't be anything but a little misunderstanding here.Mr Socrates implied that Poland had already got so much from the summit – it secured an extension of the current voting system until at least 2014, with the option to further use it until 2017 – that it had no reason to be making waves now. We think Poland will be one of the most co-operative because they were so fundamental to the agreement, he said
Putting the cat firmly among the pigeons, Warsaw last week indicated it would like a gentleman's agreement made in the late hours of the ill-tempered 21-22 June summit to be honoured. It said it was told the mandate would contain a mechanism to delay EU decisions for up to two years if the blocking minority formally required was not quite reached. But opening this issue would probably result in Portugal's overall timetable for agreement unravelling. Lisbon has said it would like a fully formed treaty agreement in October. If Warsaw is seen as allowed to revisit the negotiating document - already a patchwork of opt-outs, footnotes and protocols - it could have a knock-on effect. Portuguese diplomats already fear that the longer member states have to think about the mandate, the more creative member states will be in their interpretations of it.
Terror plot hatched in British hospitals
By Kim Sengupta, Ian Herbert and Cahal Milmo
Published: 03 July 2007
A suspected secret cell of foreign militants, believed to be linked to al-Qa'ida and using British hospitals as cover, are being questioned over the terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow. Five of the eight people under arrest last night are said to be doctors. Another of those detained is the wife of one of the doctors, who is a medical assistant working for the NHS. The home of a sixth doctor is said to have been searched by police. Late last night an Australian television network reported that a suspect wanted in connection with the attacks had been arrested in Brisbane.
Attention has been focused on a group of nationals from the Middle East, who had not previously attracted the interest of security agencies. Until now, cases of Islamist terrorism have involved mainly Muslims who were born and brought up in Britain. The alleged arrival of teams from abroad to carry out attacks, their identities unknown to the domestic law agencies, adds another dimension to the terrorist threat being faced in the United Kingdom.
Following the link between the attacks in London and Glasgow, control of the investigation was transferred to Scotland Yard. With the security alert staying at the highest possible level and warnings that another attack may be imminent, police carried out 19 raids across the country, arresting nationals from Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Among those arrested was Mohammed Jamil Abdelqader Asha, a 26-year-old neurologist who was born in Saudi Arabia but is of Palestinian origin and was travelling on a Jordanian passport. He and his 27-year-old wife, a medical assistant, were arrested on the M6 in Cheshire, in connection with the attempted bombings in London. Also under arrest was Bilal Talal Abdul Samad Abdulla, an Iraqi from Baghdad who arrived in the UK in April 2006. He is said to have been one of the two men in the Cherokee Jeep in the Glasgow airport attack, and is suffering from third-degree burns. His companion, under arrest, is also from Iraq, while two other men, aged 25 and 28, arrested in Paisley yesterday, were said to be doctors from Saudi Arabia. Police carried out a controlled explosion on a blue Vauxhall car yesterday at Royal Alexandra Hospital, in Paisley, near Glasgow, where Dr Abdulla worked and where he is being treated for his injuries. It was the second such detonation at the hospital, following a white BMW on Sunday. Strathclyde Police said the two vehicles were connected with the airport attack.
Dr Asha, 26, has been in Britain since 2005 and had worked at the North Staffordshire Hospital, where his office was being searched yesterday following a raid at his home at Sunningdale Grove in Newcastle-under-Lyme. There were police searches in the same town two miles from Dr Asha's home at Priam Close, Bradwell, which, according to neighbours, was rented by another doctor and his wife.
Further searches were carried out in Liverpool at the home of a man who had been arrested after being disabled with a taser gun after police surrounded his car. According to neighbours, the man was a doctor from India who worked at Halton Hospital in Cheshire. A colleague told the newspaper, Muslim News, that the man may have been detained because he was using the mobile telephone and internet account of another man who has recently left Britain. Last night Dr Asha's father, Jamil Asha, asked King Abdullah of Jordan to intercede on behalf of his son. He vehemently stressed to journalists in Amman that his son was not involved in any terrorist activity.
All he wanted to do was get on with his life. He prays like any good Muslim but was certainly not a fanatic, said Mr Asha. He was planning to visit us on 12 July. He called me three days ago to check the body sizes of his six brothers and two sisters. My son wanted to buy them gifts from Britain before his departure. Dr Asha's brother, Ahmed, said he was surprised by news of his arrest. The first news we heard of this was broadcast by an Arabic satellite channel. It's nonsense because he has no terror connections. Dr Abdulla, who had qualified in Baghdad in 2004, a year after the US-led invasion, has been in Britain since August 2006. He is said to have lived in Jordan before arriving in the UK.
The failed car bomb attacks in London early on Friday morning involved two Mercedes saloons. They had been packed with gas cylinders, petrol and nails with two mobile telephones acting as detonators. The bombers had, according to a security source, tried to detonate the car outside Tiger Tiger bar with four phone calls. Two calls had been made to the car in Cockspur Street, which was later towed away to a car pound. The bombs failed because of a technical mistake. Detectives believe that a Mercedes involved in the failed attacks in London came from Scotland. They have tracked part of the car's route south last week using number-plate recognition technology mounted in cameras along the M6.
The raids and arrests across the country which followed are said to have resulted mainly from clues gathered from the two cars, including calls made to the mobile telephones.
Homegrown cells
* OPERATION CREVICE
Five men plotted to blow up the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent and the Ministry of Sound nightclub in London with massive fertiliser bombs. MI5 were watching the ringleaders when, in February 2004, a supervisor at a London self-storage reported three men stashing 600kg of ammonium nitrate fertiliser. Cell member Jawad Akbar was recorded discussing the nightclub attack: No one can put their hands up and say they are innocent. Fearful the gang would attack, the police launched a series of raids. Akbar, Omar Khyam, Waheed Mahmood, Anthony Garcia and Salahuddin Amin - British citizens - were convicted at the Old Bailey in April of conspiracy to cause explosions.
* 7 JULY 2005
As the morning rush-hour ended, Shehzad Tanweer, Jermaine Lindsay and Mohammad Siddique blew up the explosive-packed rucksacks they were carrying on London Underground trains at Russell Square, Edgware Road and Aldgate. An hour later, Hasib Hussain detonated his on a number 30 bus in Tavistock Square. They were all from Yorkshire, except Lindsay, who lived in Aylesbury. The four men were motivated by fierce antagonism to perceived injustices by the West against Muslims, according to the Government report into the bombings.
A total of 52 people were killed and more than 770 were injured.
* 21 JULY 2005
A fortnight to the day after the 7 July attacks, four attempted bombings took place in central London. Faulty bombs were found on trains at Oval, Warren Street and Shepherds Bush stations and on a bus in Hackney, gifting the police a wealth of forensic evidence. The trial at Woolwich Crown Court of six men, who deny conspiracy to murder, heard that the bombs were made using chapatti flour and hydrogen peroxide. The six, Muktar Ibrahim, Manfo Asiedu, Hussein Osman, Yassin Omar, Ramzi Mohammed and Adel Yaha, are all originally from Africa. The trial jury went out to consider its verdict on 28 June. The jury is still out.
* DHIREN BAROT
Indian-born Barot plotted to create carnage on an unprecedented scale . His plans included blowing up a Tube train in a tunnel beneath the Thames. Barot, from London, was jailed for at least 40 years in November for conspiracy to murder. There was no evidence he had acquired the materials to carry out his attacks, but his plans were found on his computer.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
3RD ATTEMP AT TERRORISM IN 2 DAYS
ON LATE EDITION JEFFREY TOOBIN ASKED ZBIGNIEW BREZEZINSKI ABOUT BLAIR BEING THE NEW MIDEAST PEACE ENVOY.
JT - TONY BLAIR HAS BEEN NAMED THE NEW MIDEAST PEACE ENVOY, DO YOU THINK HE HAS ANY CHANCE OF SUCCEDING WERE SO MANY HAVE FAILED.
ZB - THIS MAY BE A SOMEWHAT ODD COMMENT FOR ME TO MAKE BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN SO CRITICAL OF BLAIR PARTICULARLLY REGARDING IRAQ. BUT MAYBE IN SOME PERVERSE FASHION, I HAVE THE EXPECTATION THAT HE WILL ACTUALLY SURPIRSE US. AND THE REASON FOR IT IS PURELY PERSONAL, INTUITIVE, NAMELY BLAIR IS A SENSETIVE PERSON, HES A VERY INTELLIGENT PERSON. HE KNOWS HES BEING VIEWED HISTORICALLY AS A FAILED PRIME MINISTER. BECAUSE HIS SUPPORT FOR THE WAR IN IRAQ, WHICH HAS REALLY BOGGED AMERICA AND GREAT BRITIAN IN A BIG BIG MESS.
HOW CAN HE REDEEM HIMSELF HISTORICALLY?
ITS NOT BY BEING SOME BEAURCRATIC TYPE, INEFFECTUAL MIDDLE EASTERN NEGOTIATOR SUBJECT TO THE QUARTET AND TO JAVIER SOLANO THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EU, WHICH NOMELY HE IS. IT WILL BE IF HE EXCEEDS HIS MANDATE. AND THERE ARE 2 ISSUES HERE.
1-THE WAR IN IRAQ WHICH HE IS NOT CHARGED WITH. 2-AND THE OTHER ONE IS THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN WHICH HES CHARGED WITH. BUT HIS MANDATE IS ON ECONOMICS, FINANCES AND SO FORTH. I WILL BE WILLING TO MAKE A BET THAT HE WILL STRETCH THAT MANDATE, AND HE HAS A LOT OF INFLUENCE IN BUSH AND HE MAY PULL A SURRISE.
SO ZBIGNIEW BRZEZINSKI THINKS TONY BLAIR COULD DO MORE THEN JUST THE GOVERENCE OF THE MIDEAST PEACE PROCESS, HE THINKS TONY BLAIR COULD BE A REAL NEGOTIATOR FOR THE TALKS IN THE PEACE PROCESS.
LIKE THE BIBLE SAYS THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL BE THE ONE TO MAKE THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS WITH ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS TO A 7 YEAR TREATY, THIS IS THE DEFINATE BEGINNING OF THE EU IN HEAVY AND LEADING THE PEACE PROCESS.
ON SATURDAY (YESTERDAY) THERE WAS A 3RD BOMBING ATTEMP BY ISLAMIC RADICALS TO BLOW UP LONDON. THIS 3RD ATTEMP WAS AT AN AIRPORT IN GLASGOW SCOTLAND, WERE THE RADICALS STARTED A CAR ON FIRE BUT IT NEVER EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING IT INTO THE AIR PORT.
THE 2 RADICALS WERE CAUGHT, 1 DIED AND ONE WAS PRESUMED TO BE WEARING A BOMB BELT. THREE OTHER RADICALS WERE CAUGHT FROM THE SATURDAY LONDON BOMBINGS, 2 MEN AND 1 WOMAN.
JT - TONY BLAIR HAS BEEN NAMED THE NEW MIDEAST PEACE ENVOY, DO YOU THINK HE HAS ANY CHANCE OF SUCCEDING WERE SO MANY HAVE FAILED.
ZB - THIS MAY BE A SOMEWHAT ODD COMMENT FOR ME TO MAKE BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN SO CRITICAL OF BLAIR PARTICULARLLY REGARDING IRAQ. BUT MAYBE IN SOME PERVERSE FASHION, I HAVE THE EXPECTATION THAT HE WILL ACTUALLY SURPIRSE US. AND THE REASON FOR IT IS PURELY PERSONAL, INTUITIVE, NAMELY BLAIR IS A SENSETIVE PERSON, HES A VERY INTELLIGENT PERSON. HE KNOWS HES BEING VIEWED HISTORICALLY AS A FAILED PRIME MINISTER. BECAUSE HIS SUPPORT FOR THE WAR IN IRAQ, WHICH HAS REALLY BOGGED AMERICA AND GREAT BRITIAN IN A BIG BIG MESS.
HOW CAN HE REDEEM HIMSELF HISTORICALLY?
ITS NOT BY BEING SOME BEAURCRATIC TYPE, INEFFECTUAL MIDDLE EASTERN NEGOTIATOR SUBJECT TO THE QUARTET AND TO JAVIER SOLANO THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EU, WHICH NOMELY HE IS. IT WILL BE IF HE EXCEEDS HIS MANDATE. AND THERE ARE 2 ISSUES HERE.
1-THE WAR IN IRAQ WHICH HE IS NOT CHARGED WITH. 2-AND THE OTHER ONE IS THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN WHICH HES CHARGED WITH. BUT HIS MANDATE IS ON ECONOMICS, FINANCES AND SO FORTH. I WILL BE WILLING TO MAKE A BET THAT HE WILL STRETCH THAT MANDATE, AND HE HAS A LOT OF INFLUENCE IN BUSH AND HE MAY PULL A SURRISE.
SO ZBIGNIEW BRZEZINSKI THINKS TONY BLAIR COULD DO MORE THEN JUST THE GOVERENCE OF THE MIDEAST PEACE PROCESS, HE THINKS TONY BLAIR COULD BE A REAL NEGOTIATOR FOR THE TALKS IN THE PEACE PROCESS.
LIKE THE BIBLE SAYS THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL BE THE ONE TO MAKE THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS WITH ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS TO A 7 YEAR TREATY, THIS IS THE DEFINATE BEGINNING OF THE EU IN HEAVY AND LEADING THE PEACE PROCESS.
ON SATURDAY (YESTERDAY) THERE WAS A 3RD BOMBING ATTEMP BY ISLAMIC RADICALS TO BLOW UP LONDON. THIS 3RD ATTEMP WAS AT AN AIRPORT IN GLASGOW SCOTLAND, WERE THE RADICALS STARTED A CAR ON FIRE BUT IT NEVER EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING IT INTO THE AIR PORT.
THE 2 RADICALS WERE CAUGHT, 1 DIED AND ONE WAS PRESUMED TO BE WEARING A BOMB BELT. THREE OTHER RADICALS WERE CAUGHT FROM THE SATURDAY LONDON BOMBINGS, 2 MEN AND 1 WOMAN.
Friday, June 29, 2007
TERROR PLOT FOILED
The sea and the waves continue to roar as Texas has 11 dead and flooding worst in history as the rains were at least 19 inches in 4 hours in some places. Also Oklahoma is being flooded.
Lake Tahoe fires destroyed at least 225 holmes as the Bible says 1/3rd of the trees will be burned in the last days.
And this morning a foiled Terrorist attack in London. Both Pat Robertson and Benny Hinn have a feeling the Terrorists will do another big attack this year. GOD stopped this one but lookout its coming yet.
Lake Tahoe fires destroyed at least 225 holmes as the Bible says 1/3rd of the trees will be burned in the last days.
And this morning a foiled Terrorist attack in London. Both Pat Robertson and Benny Hinn have a feeling the Terrorists will do another big attack this year. GOD stopped this one but lookout its coming yet.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
TONY BLAIR NAMED MIDEAST QUARTET ENVOY
Tony Blair is named Mideast Envoy. He will be speaking for the EU,US,UN AND RUSSIA in the Peace Process.
AT THE LAST MEETING IN THE ENGLISH PARLIAMENT DAVID CAMERON ASKED BLAIR;
CAN THE PRIME MINISTER TELL US WHAT HIS FIRST PRIORITY WILL BE IF AND WHEN HE TAKES ON HIS NEW ROLE.
TONY BLAIR - THE ABSOLUTE PRIORITY IS TO TRY TO GIVE AFFECT TO WHAT IS NOW THE CONSENSES ACROSS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY THAT THE ONLY WAY TO BRING STABILITY AND PEACE TO THE MIDEAST IS A 2 STATE SOLUTION. WHICH MEANS A STATE OF ISRAEL THAT IS SECURE AND CONFIDENT OF ITS SECURITY, AND A PALESTINIAN STATE THAT IS NOT MERILY VIABLE IN TERMS OF ITS TERRITORY BUT IN TERMS OF ITS INSTITUTIONS AND GOVERNANCE. I BELIVE IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO THAT BUT IT WILL REQUIRE A HUGE INTENSITY OF FOCUS AND WORK.
OK SO WHAT DID BLAIR JUST SAY IN LIGHT OF PROPHECY. THE BIBLE SAYS IT WILL BE A LAND FOR SECURITY PEACE TREATY, BLAIR SAYS THE SAME THING.
THE TWO STATE SOLLUTION IS EAST JERUSALEM DIVIDED TO THE PALESTINIANS AS THEIR CAPITAL. AND BLAIR SAYS OF ISRAEL (A STATE OF ISRAEL THAT IS SECURE AND CONFIDENT OF ITS SECURITY).
TALK ABOUT GOD TELLING US WHAT WOULD BE (PRAISE THE GOD OF ISRAEL).
DANIEL REVEALS TO THE KING HISTORY OF THE WORLD EMPIRES
DANIEL 2:29-35
YOUR MAJESTY,WHEN YOU WENT IN BED,YOU BEGAN THINKING ABOUT WHAT WOULD TAKE PLACE IN THE FUTURE; AND HE WHO REVEALS SECRETS HAS REVEALED TO YOU WHAT WILL HAPPEN. 30-YET THIS SECRET HAS NOT BEEN REVEALED TO ME BECAUSE I AM WISER THAN ANYONE LIVING,BUT SO THAT THE MEANING CAN BE MADE KNOWN TO YOUR MAJESTY, AND THEN YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE THOUGHTS OF YOUR OWN MIND.
31-YOUR MAJESTY HAD A VISION OF A STATUE, VERY LARGE AND EXTREMELY BRIGHT; IT STOOD IN FRONT OF YOU AND ITS APPEARANCE WAS TERRIFYING. 32-THE HEAD OF THE STATUE WAS OF FINE GOLD, ITS CHEST AND ARMS OF SILVE, ITS TRUNK AND THIGHS OF BRONZE. 33-ITS LEGS OF IRON, AND IT FEET PARTLY OF IRON AND PARTLY OF CLAY. 34-AS YOU WATCHED A STONE SEPARATED ITSELF WITHOUT ANY HUMAN HAND. STRUCK THE STATUE ON ITS FEET MADE OF IRON AND CLAY, AND BROKE THEM IN PIECES. 35-THEN THE IRON, THE CLAY, THE BRONZE, THE SILVER AND THE GOLD WERE ALL BROKEN INTO PIECES WHICH BECAME LIKE THE CHAFF ON A THRESHING FLOOR IN SUMMER, THE WIND BLEW THEM AWAY WITHOUT LEAVING A TRACE. BUT THE STONE (JESUS) WHICH HAD STRUCK THE STATUE GREW INTO A HUGE MOUNTAIN THAT FILLED THE WHOLE EARTH.
IN VERSE 44 WE SEE IN THE DAYS OF THESE KINGS. THE LAST IRON MIXED WITH CLAY OR REVIVED ROMAN EMPIRE OR THE EUROPEAN UNION EMPIRE THAT GOD WILL SET HIS KINGDOM UP.
THIS WILL BE THE LAST GENERATION THAT SEES ISRAEL BECOME A NATION AND CONTROL JERUSALEM AS ITS CAPITAL. THIS GENERATION WILL SEE JESUS DESTROY ALL OTHER KINGDOMS AND SET UP HIS KINGDOM IN JERUSALEM FOREVER.
A treaty for foreign policy
28.06.2007 - 09:09 CET | By Richard Laming
EUOBSERVER / COMMENT - The successful European treaties all have a theme. The Single European Act created the single market, the Maastricht treaty gave us the euro, and Amsterdam led to greater cooperation in justice and home affairs.
What will be the theme of the new Reform Treaty, the outlines of which were agreed at the weekend? Will it have a big idea to give it meaning and purpose, or will it, like the Nice treaty, linger on, pointless and lamented.
The answer lies in the enhanced capacity for the EU to act on the world stage. At present, the representation of the EU to third countries is divided three ways between the High Representative for the CFSP, the European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, and the foreign affairs minister of the member state that holds rotating presidency. Not surprisingly, this can sometimes be confusing.
The new treaty contains a modest but significant reform: to bring together the roles of Council representative and Commissioner, and to install that person as permanent chair of the foreign affairs council. This reshuffling of the roles could have a big practical effect. There will be a consistent voice for the European Union – Henry Kissinger's famous request for a phone number to call will now have an answer. Clarity will replace complication, and disruption will give way to continuity.
Europe will get a louder voice in the world, which Europe needs, and which the world needs.
It was envisaged in the constitutional treaty that this new merged role would be called the Foreign Minister. This was a misnomer, and has rightly been dropped, for the EU representative will not be a foreign minister as conventionally understood.
In a national government, the foreign minister is both the chief representative on matters of foreign policy and also the main decision-maker. He or she can take decisions that matter and give undertakings that will stick. The EU's representative will not have quite the same powers.
Decision-making will remain in the hands of the foreign affairs council, where all 27 member states are represented. That council will continue to vote, as now, by unanimity on policies, turning to QMV for implementation. The vast bulk of the assets used in foreign policy – diplomatic representation around the world, contacts and relationships, and above all military power – remains in the hands of the member states, and will not be at the command of the EU.
It is clear that this reform does not mean more powers for Brussels. Instead, it means that Brussels will be able to use better the powers it already has. This is reason for celebration, and not for a referendum.
There will be many people who regret that the treaty does not go further in strengthening the foreign policy of the European Union, enabling the use of QMV in making policies as well as implementing them, but even they will agree that the improvements it does contain are still a useful step forward.
Of course, the real test of foreign policy will come in practice and not in theory. The world is changing fast, and the different European countries need to work together if they are advance their interests and defend their values. The rise of China, the chaos in Gaza, and the fight against climate change are all issues where Europe has a common interest but not yet a common voice.
The new treaty will give them that voice. This is the right reform, taking place at the right time.
But it is one thing to have a common voice; it is another thing to use it. Having reached agreement at the summit, this is the next challenge for Europe's leaders. But in the meantime, they have given themselves a good start.
The author is director of Federal Union
AT THE LAST MEETING IN THE ENGLISH PARLIAMENT DAVID CAMERON ASKED BLAIR;
CAN THE PRIME MINISTER TELL US WHAT HIS FIRST PRIORITY WILL BE IF AND WHEN HE TAKES ON HIS NEW ROLE.
TONY BLAIR - THE ABSOLUTE PRIORITY IS TO TRY TO GIVE AFFECT TO WHAT IS NOW THE CONSENSES ACROSS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY THAT THE ONLY WAY TO BRING STABILITY AND PEACE TO THE MIDEAST IS A 2 STATE SOLUTION. WHICH MEANS A STATE OF ISRAEL THAT IS SECURE AND CONFIDENT OF ITS SECURITY, AND A PALESTINIAN STATE THAT IS NOT MERILY VIABLE IN TERMS OF ITS TERRITORY BUT IN TERMS OF ITS INSTITUTIONS AND GOVERNANCE. I BELIVE IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO THAT BUT IT WILL REQUIRE A HUGE INTENSITY OF FOCUS AND WORK.
OK SO WHAT DID BLAIR JUST SAY IN LIGHT OF PROPHECY. THE BIBLE SAYS IT WILL BE A LAND FOR SECURITY PEACE TREATY, BLAIR SAYS THE SAME THING.
THE TWO STATE SOLLUTION IS EAST JERUSALEM DIVIDED TO THE PALESTINIANS AS THEIR CAPITAL. AND BLAIR SAYS OF ISRAEL (A STATE OF ISRAEL THAT IS SECURE AND CONFIDENT OF ITS SECURITY).
TALK ABOUT GOD TELLING US WHAT WOULD BE (PRAISE THE GOD OF ISRAEL).
DANIEL REVEALS TO THE KING HISTORY OF THE WORLD EMPIRES
DANIEL 2:29-35
YOUR MAJESTY,WHEN YOU WENT IN BED,YOU BEGAN THINKING ABOUT WHAT WOULD TAKE PLACE IN THE FUTURE; AND HE WHO REVEALS SECRETS HAS REVEALED TO YOU WHAT WILL HAPPEN. 30-YET THIS SECRET HAS NOT BEEN REVEALED TO ME BECAUSE I AM WISER THAN ANYONE LIVING,BUT SO THAT THE MEANING CAN BE MADE KNOWN TO YOUR MAJESTY, AND THEN YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE THOUGHTS OF YOUR OWN MIND.
31-YOUR MAJESTY HAD A VISION OF A STATUE, VERY LARGE AND EXTREMELY BRIGHT; IT STOOD IN FRONT OF YOU AND ITS APPEARANCE WAS TERRIFYING. 32-THE HEAD OF THE STATUE WAS OF FINE GOLD, ITS CHEST AND ARMS OF SILVE, ITS TRUNK AND THIGHS OF BRONZE. 33-ITS LEGS OF IRON, AND IT FEET PARTLY OF IRON AND PARTLY OF CLAY. 34-AS YOU WATCHED A STONE SEPARATED ITSELF WITHOUT ANY HUMAN HAND. STRUCK THE STATUE ON ITS FEET MADE OF IRON AND CLAY, AND BROKE THEM IN PIECES. 35-THEN THE IRON, THE CLAY, THE BRONZE, THE SILVER AND THE GOLD WERE ALL BROKEN INTO PIECES WHICH BECAME LIKE THE CHAFF ON A THRESHING FLOOR IN SUMMER, THE WIND BLEW THEM AWAY WITHOUT LEAVING A TRACE. BUT THE STONE (JESUS) WHICH HAD STRUCK THE STATUE GREW INTO A HUGE MOUNTAIN THAT FILLED THE WHOLE EARTH.
IN VERSE 44 WE SEE IN THE DAYS OF THESE KINGS. THE LAST IRON MIXED WITH CLAY OR REVIVED ROMAN EMPIRE OR THE EUROPEAN UNION EMPIRE THAT GOD WILL SET HIS KINGDOM UP.
THIS WILL BE THE LAST GENERATION THAT SEES ISRAEL BECOME A NATION AND CONTROL JERUSALEM AS ITS CAPITAL. THIS GENERATION WILL SEE JESUS DESTROY ALL OTHER KINGDOMS AND SET UP HIS KINGDOM IN JERUSALEM FOREVER.
A treaty for foreign policy
28.06.2007 - 09:09 CET | By Richard Laming
EUOBSERVER / COMMENT - The successful European treaties all have a theme. The Single European Act created the single market, the Maastricht treaty gave us the euro, and Amsterdam led to greater cooperation in justice and home affairs.
What will be the theme of the new Reform Treaty, the outlines of which were agreed at the weekend? Will it have a big idea to give it meaning and purpose, or will it, like the Nice treaty, linger on, pointless and lamented.
The answer lies in the enhanced capacity for the EU to act on the world stage. At present, the representation of the EU to third countries is divided three ways between the High Representative for the CFSP, the European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, and the foreign affairs minister of the member state that holds rotating presidency. Not surprisingly, this can sometimes be confusing.
The new treaty contains a modest but significant reform: to bring together the roles of Council representative and Commissioner, and to install that person as permanent chair of the foreign affairs council. This reshuffling of the roles could have a big practical effect. There will be a consistent voice for the European Union – Henry Kissinger's famous request for a phone number to call will now have an answer. Clarity will replace complication, and disruption will give way to continuity.
Europe will get a louder voice in the world, which Europe needs, and which the world needs.
It was envisaged in the constitutional treaty that this new merged role would be called the Foreign Minister. This was a misnomer, and has rightly been dropped, for the EU representative will not be a foreign minister as conventionally understood.
In a national government, the foreign minister is both the chief representative on matters of foreign policy and also the main decision-maker. He or she can take decisions that matter and give undertakings that will stick. The EU's representative will not have quite the same powers.
Decision-making will remain in the hands of the foreign affairs council, where all 27 member states are represented. That council will continue to vote, as now, by unanimity on policies, turning to QMV for implementation. The vast bulk of the assets used in foreign policy – diplomatic representation around the world, contacts and relationships, and above all military power – remains in the hands of the member states, and will not be at the command of the EU.
It is clear that this reform does not mean more powers for Brussels. Instead, it means that Brussels will be able to use better the powers it already has. This is reason for celebration, and not for a referendum.
There will be many people who regret that the treaty does not go further in strengthening the foreign policy of the European Union, enabling the use of QMV in making policies as well as implementing them, but even they will agree that the improvements it does contain are still a useful step forward.
Of course, the real test of foreign policy will come in practice and not in theory. The world is changing fast, and the different European countries need to work together if they are advance their interests and defend their values. The rise of China, the chaos in Gaza, and the fight against climate change are all issues where Europe has a common interest but not yet a common voice.
The new treaty will give them that voice. This is the right reform, taking place at the right time.
But it is one thing to have a common voice; it is another thing to use it. Having reached agreement at the summit, this is the next challenge for Europe's leaders. But in the meantime, they have given themselves a good start.
The author is director of Federal Union
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
BLAIR NEW MIDEAST ENVOY
The worst flooding in England has occured since records were kept this week. Lake Tahoe fires destroy 200 holmes since Monday. 200 dead in Pakistan Cyclone.
Tony blair will become the Mideast Envoy to speak for the EU,US,UN and Russia in the mideast Peace Process.
On CBC they had a bias Arab on saying Blair will never do and they should get the United Nations involved instead. Of Course this Arab blames Israel for everything.
Well I got news for this Arab, the Bible says its the EU not the UN that will be the peace brokers for the Israeli-Arab and many Peace Process. So Blairs appointment fits right into Prophecy as he was a European Union leader. Now this will lead to the EU having the lead role in the Mideast Peace Process and gradually guarenteeing Israels security for a land for peace 7 yeasr treaty were the EU President will protect Israel.
Everythings falling into place Prophecy wise, so keep watching the News, Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray you will be spared from the devistation from Nuclear Weapons that will be coming on the whole Earth due to Jerusalem being divided in the very near future.
Remember GOD gave Israel, Jerusalem not the Gentile (Goyim or world Nations).
Israel will be owning most of the mideast in the future as the 12 tribes each getland promised them by GOD, while JESUS will be the MESSIAH ruling over them from JERUSALEM for 1000 years, then forever.
Officials: Blair to become Mideast peace envoy
POSTED: 1629 GMT (0029 HKT), June 26, 2007
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Tony Blair will become an envoy for Mideast peace, U.S. officials said Tuesday, Blair's last full day as Britain's prime minister.Blair will represent the Mideast Quartet -- the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations. An official announcement is expected Wednesday, U.S. State Department officials and Quartet diplomats said.Both Israeli and Palestinian officials have expressed interest in having Blair in the role, senior officials said.
Assistant Secretary David Welch, the State Department's top envoy for the Middle East, discussed the idea with Blair in London last week.State Department spokesman Tom Casey declined to confirm the Blair appointment but said the Quartet discussed the issue at a meeting in Jerusalem Tuesday.
They have talked about the idea that, as we said, about having an envoy, having someone who would be available on behalf of the Quartet to work on a variety of issues, Casey said. Blair will focus on ways to strengthen Palestinian institutions for a future Palestinian state. The political negotiations on final status issues would be left to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, senior officials said.
Blair refused to acknowledge the appointment when asked about it at a press conference in London on Tuesday.But, standing alongside visiting California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at his final news conference, Blair said he was ready to help in whatever way he could. I think that anybody who cares about greater peace and stability in the world knows that a lasting and enduring resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian issue is essential, Blair said.
And I will do whatever I can to help such a resolution come about," he added, after talks with Schwarzenegger, the last foreign official to visit him before he leaves 10 Downing Street on Wednesday. The last envoy for the Quartet, former World Bank President James Wolfensohn, also worked primarily with the Palestinians, focusing on boosting the economy in Gaza after the Israeli withdrawal in 2005.He left his job in frustration in March 2005, claiming the international boycott of the Palestinian government following the January 2005 election that brought Hamas into the government made it impossible to do his job. Blair stands down after a decade that saw Labour win a record three general elections, peace come to Northern Ireland and the British economy enjoying a record sustained boom.
But the Iraq war and the cash-for-honors scandal damaged his reputation. Political infighting within his ruling Labor Party also culminated in a political coup last year that saw him pledge to leave office early. On Wednesday Blair will attend his last prime minister's questions session in the House of Commons. He will then be taken to see Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace to formally hand in his resignation. Minutes later Gordon Brown will travel to the palace where the queen will invite him to form a government.
2 SPEED EU HERE WE COME. THE BOOK OF DANIEL SAYS THE EU HAS TO BE A 2 SPEED EUROPEAN UNION. SINCE 13 COUNTRIES HAVE TO LEAD THE EU. THEN THE WORLD DICTATOR KICKS OUT 3 COUNTRIES AND BRINGS IT TO THE FINAL 10 THAT HAS TO BE IN THE LAST DAYS.
Portugal hopes for October EU treaty finale
25.06.2007 - 17:34 CET | By Honor Mahony
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – The incoming Portuguese presidency has set aside just three months for negotiation on a new EU treaty, believing the weekend's tempestuous summit resulted in sufficiently clear directions to wrap up a new text.According to Portuguese ambassador Alvaro Mendonca, formal negotiations will be opened on 23 July with the aim to have them signed off by EU leaders on 18-19 October.We believe we have a mandate that is clear, precise and agreed by all 27 member states, said Mr Mendonca at the Centre for European Policy Studies think tank on Monday (25 June), referring to last week's top-level meeting.He added that the first month and a half will be spent translating the document agreed by leaders – which lists all the areas where the original rejected constitution needs to be changed – into legal text.
After that the first political phase will come when EU foreign ministers discuss the document at an informal meeting in early September in Portugal.The ambassador said that time will tell to what extent member states will respect the mandate they gave themselves, with several governments over the coming weeks likely to face flak – particularly in the UK and the Netherlands – for agreeing a document that is substantially very similar to the original constitution.But he added that Portugal consider[s] that the main political points have been agreed.In theory, it should be plain-sailing, he said, before wryly noting that the weather forecast for the weekend turned out to be completely wrong.
Two speed Europe?
For their part, MEPs are now working on their formal response to EU leaders – both the European Parliament and the European Commission have to give the green light for the intergovernmental negotiations to go ahead.German socialist MEP and constitutional affairs committee chief Jo Leinen gave a cautious welcome to the outline, but criticised how the final treaty will look and how the bitter summit negotiations resulting in specific concessions here and there for individual member states appeared to signal the end of the European spirit.The treaty is going to have far more footnotes, explanations and exemptions, he said.
He also noted that the results, which include opt-outs on judicial and police affairs as well as on the Charter of Fundamental Rights for the UK, will introduce a de facto two-speed Europe – an idea that MEPs will have to get used to.His comment echoed those of Italian prime minister Romano Prodi, who strongly criticised the way Poland, the Czech Republic and the UK negotiated during the summit and saying a two-speed Europe will be inevitable.The draft response by MEPs to the summit was discussed on Monday afternoon and is expected to be voted on next month.
At the moment, the five-page document welcomes the fact that the mandate safeguards the substance of the Constitutional Treaty including giving the EU a single legal personality and extension of the areas where MEPs' may co-legislate. It also welcomes the new mentions of climate change, energy solidarity and the strengthening of the role of services of general economic interest.On the minus side, the report suggests that the increasing number of derogations in the mandate could lead to a weakening of the cohesion of the Union and regrets the loss of EU symbols – flag, anthem and motto – as well as simpler more citizen-friendly terms for EU legislative acts.
Tony blair will become the Mideast Envoy to speak for the EU,US,UN and Russia in the mideast Peace Process.
On CBC they had a bias Arab on saying Blair will never do and they should get the United Nations involved instead. Of Course this Arab blames Israel for everything.
Well I got news for this Arab, the Bible says its the EU not the UN that will be the peace brokers for the Israeli-Arab and many Peace Process. So Blairs appointment fits right into Prophecy as he was a European Union leader. Now this will lead to the EU having the lead role in the Mideast Peace Process and gradually guarenteeing Israels security for a land for peace 7 yeasr treaty were the EU President will protect Israel.
Everythings falling into place Prophecy wise, so keep watching the News, Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray you will be spared from the devistation from Nuclear Weapons that will be coming on the whole Earth due to Jerusalem being divided in the very near future.
Remember GOD gave Israel, Jerusalem not the Gentile (Goyim or world Nations).
Israel will be owning most of the mideast in the future as the 12 tribes each getland promised them by GOD, while JESUS will be the MESSIAH ruling over them from JERUSALEM for 1000 years, then forever.
Officials: Blair to become Mideast peace envoy
POSTED: 1629 GMT (0029 HKT), June 26, 2007
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Tony Blair will become an envoy for Mideast peace, U.S. officials said Tuesday, Blair's last full day as Britain's prime minister.Blair will represent the Mideast Quartet -- the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations. An official announcement is expected Wednesday, U.S. State Department officials and Quartet diplomats said.Both Israeli and Palestinian officials have expressed interest in having Blair in the role, senior officials said.
Assistant Secretary David Welch, the State Department's top envoy for the Middle East, discussed the idea with Blair in London last week.State Department spokesman Tom Casey declined to confirm the Blair appointment but said the Quartet discussed the issue at a meeting in Jerusalem Tuesday.
They have talked about the idea that, as we said, about having an envoy, having someone who would be available on behalf of the Quartet to work on a variety of issues, Casey said. Blair will focus on ways to strengthen Palestinian institutions for a future Palestinian state. The political negotiations on final status issues would be left to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, senior officials said.
Blair refused to acknowledge the appointment when asked about it at a press conference in London on Tuesday.But, standing alongside visiting California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at his final news conference, Blair said he was ready to help in whatever way he could. I think that anybody who cares about greater peace and stability in the world knows that a lasting and enduring resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian issue is essential, Blair said.
And I will do whatever I can to help such a resolution come about," he added, after talks with Schwarzenegger, the last foreign official to visit him before he leaves 10 Downing Street on Wednesday. The last envoy for the Quartet, former World Bank President James Wolfensohn, also worked primarily with the Palestinians, focusing on boosting the economy in Gaza after the Israeli withdrawal in 2005.He left his job in frustration in March 2005, claiming the international boycott of the Palestinian government following the January 2005 election that brought Hamas into the government made it impossible to do his job. Blair stands down after a decade that saw Labour win a record three general elections, peace come to Northern Ireland and the British economy enjoying a record sustained boom.
But the Iraq war and the cash-for-honors scandal damaged his reputation. Political infighting within his ruling Labor Party also culminated in a political coup last year that saw him pledge to leave office early. On Wednesday Blair will attend his last prime minister's questions session in the House of Commons. He will then be taken to see Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace to formally hand in his resignation. Minutes later Gordon Brown will travel to the palace where the queen will invite him to form a government.
2 SPEED EU HERE WE COME. THE BOOK OF DANIEL SAYS THE EU HAS TO BE A 2 SPEED EUROPEAN UNION. SINCE 13 COUNTRIES HAVE TO LEAD THE EU. THEN THE WORLD DICTATOR KICKS OUT 3 COUNTRIES AND BRINGS IT TO THE FINAL 10 THAT HAS TO BE IN THE LAST DAYS.
Portugal hopes for October EU treaty finale
25.06.2007 - 17:34 CET | By Honor Mahony
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – The incoming Portuguese presidency has set aside just three months for negotiation on a new EU treaty, believing the weekend's tempestuous summit resulted in sufficiently clear directions to wrap up a new text.According to Portuguese ambassador Alvaro Mendonca, formal negotiations will be opened on 23 July with the aim to have them signed off by EU leaders on 18-19 October.We believe we have a mandate that is clear, precise and agreed by all 27 member states, said Mr Mendonca at the Centre for European Policy Studies think tank on Monday (25 June), referring to last week's top-level meeting.He added that the first month and a half will be spent translating the document agreed by leaders – which lists all the areas where the original rejected constitution needs to be changed – into legal text.
After that the first political phase will come when EU foreign ministers discuss the document at an informal meeting in early September in Portugal.The ambassador said that time will tell to what extent member states will respect the mandate they gave themselves, with several governments over the coming weeks likely to face flak – particularly in the UK and the Netherlands – for agreeing a document that is substantially very similar to the original constitution.But he added that Portugal consider[s] that the main political points have been agreed.In theory, it should be plain-sailing, he said, before wryly noting that the weather forecast for the weekend turned out to be completely wrong.
Two speed Europe?
For their part, MEPs are now working on their formal response to EU leaders – both the European Parliament and the European Commission have to give the green light for the intergovernmental negotiations to go ahead.German socialist MEP and constitutional affairs committee chief Jo Leinen gave a cautious welcome to the outline, but criticised how the final treaty will look and how the bitter summit negotiations resulting in specific concessions here and there for individual member states appeared to signal the end of the European spirit.The treaty is going to have far more footnotes, explanations and exemptions, he said.
He also noted that the results, which include opt-outs on judicial and police affairs as well as on the Charter of Fundamental Rights for the UK, will introduce a de facto two-speed Europe – an idea that MEPs will have to get used to.His comment echoed those of Italian prime minister Romano Prodi, who strongly criticised the way Poland, the Czech Republic and the UK negotiated during the summit and saying a two-speed Europe will be inevitable.The draft response by MEPs to the summit was discussed on Monday afternoon and is expected to be voted on next month.
At the moment, the five-page document welcomes the fact that the mandate safeguards the substance of the Constitutional Treaty including giving the EU a single legal personality and extension of the areas where MEPs' may co-legislate. It also welcomes the new mentions of climate change, energy solidarity and the strengthening of the role of services of general economic interest.On the minus side, the report suggests that the increasing number of derogations in the mandate could lead to a weakening of the cohesion of the Union and regrets the loss of EU symbols – flag, anthem and motto – as well as simpler more citizen-friendly terms for EU legislative acts.
Monday, June 25, 2007
TALKS IN EGYPT FOR MODERATE ARAB STATE
5 TORNADOES AT LEAST IN MANITOBA OVER THE WEEKEND. PEACE TALKS IN EGYPT TODAY. AND A BIG COMPANY HAS GOTTEN CONTROL OF EVERY COMPUTER I USE SO STORIES WILL BE HARD TO PUT ON ANY COMPUTER FOR ME BUT WITH GODS HELP I WILL TRY TO CONTINUE THIS MINISTRY.
I NEED PRAYER FOR GOD TO HELP ME WITH MY MINISTRY SO THE GODLESS CAN'T DESTROY THE TRUTH FROM BEING TOLD.
THE US INSISTS ON DIVIDING JERUSALEM AND GIVING THE MODERATE WASHINGTON ARABS A STATE OF THEIR OWN. WRONG MOVE ITS ISRAELS LAND AND WW3 WILL RESULT FROM THE DIVIDING OF JERUSALEM AS JOEL 3:2 STATES.
[Comment] Behind the muddied language the dread 'R' word looms
23.06.2007 - 18:26 CET | By Peter Sain ley Berry
EUOBSERVER / DEBATE - A week before the mid-summer European Council opened I suggested that it would succeed in reaching agreement on a constitutional reform treaty.It has done so, despite at times making me wonder whether I had made an unjustifiably rash prediction. Mrs Merkel and her team are to be congratulated.
Despite the considerable dreary negotiating talk - of a lack of optimism, of vetoes, of more red lines than the London Underground - it always seemed to me that the pressure for progress would, in the end, outweigh the forces of reaction.If only because, with its disagreements aired so publicly, Europe was in danger of losing its dignity as a Lady and reverting to the bawling status of a fishwife.
Nevertheless, before opening the champagne it is worth recalling that we have been here before and at a time when the morning was both gladder and more confident.
Three years ago it was Mr Ahern and the Irish Presidency that we were congratulating for securing everyone's agreement on the new Constitutional Treaty.This was designed - let us again recall - to be like an AppleMac computer (so I am told) where all the different parts of the machine, both hard and soft, are designed to be complementary so as to produce an integrated, well-functioning whole.
The Union's machinery
Its purpose was to replace the series of existing and obscure treaties that imperfectly provided the basis for the Union's machinery and operations. These were likened to a personal computer or PC, having been put together ad hoc, rather than designed, at various times as the need arose. Inevitably therefore the result was the loss of important functionality that became acute as the Union enlarged. If you follow this analogy then what we have now is a proposal for reconstituting the 'Mac' as a 'PC' that will run on the existing European treaties.The important elements of the former constitutional program - like a European Foreign Minister (who is no longer to be called a Foreign Minister) and a semi-permanent President of the European Council, have been cut out of one treaty and pasted upon the old, unsatisfactory matrix.The delinquent voting arrangements of the Nice Treaty, for example, are set to survive one way or another until 2017. Lacking a proper architecture, the new arrangements are likely to show the same old functionality problems as before.
Intergovernmental conference
It is only a framework that has been agreed, of course. It will be for an Intergovernmental Conference under the following Portuguese Presidency to produce the treaty document.Given the omissions, opt-outs and fudges in the agreement, this is not likely to be a trouble free process. One problem is language.One hopes that the Portuguese will try for a document that is at least well-written.The vacuity of the recent Berlin Declaration (on the Union's 50th birthday values and aspirations) was only emphasised by the unlovely language of its drafting.When sentences such as 'The European Council is convinced that illegal employment is one of the main pull factors driving illegal immigrants' appear in the Presidency's conclusions (and not in a part drafted in the middle of the night) one wonders whether some of the immigrants might not be working in the Bundesamt, so far do they seem from the European tradition of literate politics.
But literate or not, the Portuguese will have their work cut out to produce a treaty text not riddled with holes and inconsistencies. Muddied language leads to muddied thought. How does one reconcile the bright brush strokes of liberty sketched by the Charter of Fundamental Rights and by the anti-discrimination sentiments of the Union's values with the dark, unilateral, Polish declaration about the right of a state to legislate in the sphere of public morality, family law, protection of human dignity and respect for human physical and moral integrity.That sounds like a recipe for repression of precisely the kind that the Union was founded to protect against.
Alice in Wonderland fantasy
But the practice of muddied language has an even more sinister consequence: it can slip easily into untruth - as in the framework document's futilely repeated assertion that the new treaty will not 'have a constitutional character.If the character of this treaty is not to be constitutional then what is it, exactly? In its Alice in Wonderland fantasy this bizarre denial just seems silly.But this actually matters and matters mightily. For at a time when the European Council is shamelessly confessing to 'the crucial importance of reinforcing communication with European citizens,' even stating that 'this will be particularly important during the upcoming IGC and ratification process' one might have thought that the first requirement was to be open and honest with the people.
Referendum equates to failure
Of course, it is the dread 'R' word - ratification that is the cause of this denial of the obvious.Constitution equates to referendum; referendum equates to failure. Drop the work constitution and the problem is solved. But as Shakespeare might have said - a rat by any other name would smell as fishy.Such misuse of language amounts at best to spin and at worst to outright dishonesty; the effect is to make a mockery of fancy phrases such as permanent dialogue with the citizens.To profess the importance of democracy while scheming to prevent it is two-faced. It invites the very problem that it seeks to avoid.
Moreover, there is nothing in Mrs Merkel's document to give ordinary citizens any confidence that the elites at the controls of the European train have any real mechanism for listening to the views of the passengers still less for acting upon them.
Already the calls for a referendum have started in the UK.
There will soon be a plague of them all over Europe. The proposal now is to have the treaty ratified, mostly by a national parliamentary process, before the European Parliament elections in 2009.Here surely is the one great opportunity to consult the people. The European elections in 2009, it seems to me, should be about the treaty. The final verdict - with some candidates in favour, others opposed. Real substance to the election. Some states might even agree to follow the European Parliamentary lead without a national process; for others it would offer the chance of a democratic vote to back up proceedings in parliament.And for the citizens of Europe as a whole it would be a chance to take democratic control of their own constitution.
Jordanian King Pre-empts 4-Way Summit With Direct Call to Olmert
by Hana Levi Julian
Jordanian King Abdullah II pre-empted talks set for Monday at the four-way summit between Israel, the PA, Egypt and Jordan with a phone call to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert a day earlier. The Hashemite monarch made the call Sunday while meeting with visiting Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, ostensibly to lay out the groundwork for Monday’s meeting. The conversation appeared to be the opening gambit in talks that were not scheduled to take place until Monday, when Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak would also be present.
Abdullah urged Israel to begin negotiations on the final status for a new Arab state in Judea and Samaria, adding his voice to the pressure on Israel that has been exerted by the PA chairman for months.Israel has rejected the idea, saying the move would be too fast and too drastic. Israel insists that Abbas first manage control over his own population, halt terrorism and incitement, and work to prevent terrorist attacks against Israel. The Jordanian king also addressed the status of the Palestinian Authority itself, and was adamant that Gaza should be included with Judea and Samaria in being considered as one PA entity, according to the Jordanian News Agency. At present, Gaza is being ruled by the Hamas terrorist organization which staged a bloody coup two weeks ago. Abbas’s Fatah terrorist group managed to retain control of the PA-administered areas of Judea and Samaria, however, leaving a functional split between Gaza and the rest of the PA.
Abdullah also charged that Israel's steps to ease travel restrictions for PA Arabs are "inadequate." Prime Minister Olmert had reportedly already assured U.S. President George W. Bush that he would agree to remove security checkpoints and roadblocks in Judea and Samaria in a confidence-building measure designed to help prop up the Abbas emergency government. However, the IDF and defense establishment has opposed the move. They say that opening these routes will endager the lives of Israeli citizens.Olmert is also expected to formalize a decision made by Israel to transfer more than half a million dollars in tax revenues collected on behalf of the PA but withheld after the election of Hamas to the ruling faction in the government.
The Hashemite monarch also pressed on with an oft-repeated Arab League position that Israel agree, in its entirety, to the 2002 Saudi-authored proposed for settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict. The four-way summit Monday is being hosted by Egypt’s President Mubarak. Prime Minister Olmert told the Associated Press news agency before leaving for the summit that it was unlikely that any major breakthroughs would be forthcoming at the meeting.
Don’t wait impatiently tonight for the outcome, as if at the end of the day you are going to see us sitting and signing a peace treaty, he said. It will take time.The prime minister added that he is ready to consider the Arab League proposal but warned it was little more than a springboard for further discussion. It’s not going to be simple and not going to be easy, he stressed. It’s going to be a long and painful road.Welcome to The Brisbane Times. Skip directly to: Search Box, Section Navigation, Content. Text Version.
EU's future sealed with treaty, claim leaders
Molly Moore in Paris | June 25, 2007
A SQUABBLING European Union has given up hope for a constitution, agreeing instead to peddle a watered-down treaty to its 27 capitals in the hope of ending a two-year stalemate that has hobbled one of the world's most potent economic and diplomatic blocs.We have avoided a crisis, the European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, told the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag. Uncertainty about our future treaty has cast a shadow of doubt over our ability to act. Now those doubts have been removed.Even so, the details of the treaty must still be negotiated and the final document ratified by all 27 union members to become effective. The bloc's leaders set a goal of 2009 for winning approval of the treaty.
The lack of a constitution - a proposed charter was defeated by French and Dutch voters two years ago - has been a legal hurdle and a psychological impediment to union efforts to move forward with a unified voice. The failure of the countries to agree on a unifying structure underscored public perception of the body as an unwieldy, bureaucratic entity run by leaders far removed from the European people.
I don't think there is anything that can derail the process now, the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said after a deal was announced at 4.30am on Saturday. "The most important thing here is that the constitutional treaty was put to one side. This deal gives us a chance to move on.The late-night marathon meetings in Brussels covered issues ranging from the weight of each country's voting rights to what to call - or not call - its foreign minister.
The constitutional treaty was an easily understandable treaty, Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Jean-Claude Juncker, said about the discarded charter. This is a simplified treaty which is very complicated.One example: the European Union leaders agreed to have a foreign policy chief but decided not to call the person who fills the post a foreign minister.The treaty was nearly torpedoed when Poland complained it was not being given a fair share of voting rights, based on population. The Polish President, Lech Kaczynski, argued that Poland deserved compensation for its suffering during World War II.
History is history, Mr Kaczynski said. It is fact that had there not been the war, Poland would not have 38 million people but many more.The remarks infuriated many leaders, especially the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, who made acceptance of a new treaty the primary crusade of her six-month union presidency, which ends in July.
Mr Kaczynski eventually retreated in return for compromises in the voting arrangements.The document strips out some of the symbolism in the original treaty that had offended many countries, such as an anthem.The document will set out rules for future enlargement of the European Union, another contentious issue, and will attempt to streamline the bloc's governing bureaucracy.
The Washington Post
I NEED PRAYER FOR GOD TO HELP ME WITH MY MINISTRY SO THE GODLESS CAN'T DESTROY THE TRUTH FROM BEING TOLD.
THE US INSISTS ON DIVIDING JERUSALEM AND GIVING THE MODERATE WASHINGTON ARABS A STATE OF THEIR OWN. WRONG MOVE ITS ISRAELS LAND AND WW3 WILL RESULT FROM THE DIVIDING OF JERUSALEM AS JOEL 3:2 STATES.
[Comment] Behind the muddied language the dread 'R' word looms
23.06.2007 - 18:26 CET | By Peter Sain ley Berry
EUOBSERVER / DEBATE - A week before the mid-summer European Council opened I suggested that it would succeed in reaching agreement on a constitutional reform treaty.It has done so, despite at times making me wonder whether I had made an unjustifiably rash prediction. Mrs Merkel and her team are to be congratulated.
Despite the considerable dreary negotiating talk - of a lack of optimism, of vetoes, of more red lines than the London Underground - it always seemed to me that the pressure for progress would, in the end, outweigh the forces of reaction.If only because, with its disagreements aired so publicly, Europe was in danger of losing its dignity as a Lady and reverting to the bawling status of a fishwife.
Nevertheless, before opening the champagne it is worth recalling that we have been here before and at a time when the morning was both gladder and more confident.
Three years ago it was Mr Ahern and the Irish Presidency that we were congratulating for securing everyone's agreement on the new Constitutional Treaty.This was designed - let us again recall - to be like an AppleMac computer (so I am told) where all the different parts of the machine, both hard and soft, are designed to be complementary so as to produce an integrated, well-functioning whole.
The Union's machinery
Its purpose was to replace the series of existing and obscure treaties that imperfectly provided the basis for the Union's machinery and operations. These were likened to a personal computer or PC, having been put together ad hoc, rather than designed, at various times as the need arose. Inevitably therefore the result was the loss of important functionality that became acute as the Union enlarged. If you follow this analogy then what we have now is a proposal for reconstituting the 'Mac' as a 'PC' that will run on the existing European treaties.The important elements of the former constitutional program - like a European Foreign Minister (who is no longer to be called a Foreign Minister) and a semi-permanent President of the European Council, have been cut out of one treaty and pasted upon the old, unsatisfactory matrix.The delinquent voting arrangements of the Nice Treaty, for example, are set to survive one way or another until 2017. Lacking a proper architecture, the new arrangements are likely to show the same old functionality problems as before.
Intergovernmental conference
It is only a framework that has been agreed, of course. It will be for an Intergovernmental Conference under the following Portuguese Presidency to produce the treaty document.Given the omissions, opt-outs and fudges in the agreement, this is not likely to be a trouble free process. One problem is language.One hopes that the Portuguese will try for a document that is at least well-written.The vacuity of the recent Berlin Declaration (on the Union's 50th birthday values and aspirations) was only emphasised by the unlovely language of its drafting.When sentences such as 'The European Council is convinced that illegal employment is one of the main pull factors driving illegal immigrants' appear in the Presidency's conclusions (and not in a part drafted in the middle of the night) one wonders whether some of the immigrants might not be working in the Bundesamt, so far do they seem from the European tradition of literate politics.
But literate or not, the Portuguese will have their work cut out to produce a treaty text not riddled with holes and inconsistencies. Muddied language leads to muddied thought. How does one reconcile the bright brush strokes of liberty sketched by the Charter of Fundamental Rights and by the anti-discrimination sentiments of the Union's values with the dark, unilateral, Polish declaration about the right of a state to legislate in the sphere of public morality, family law, protection of human dignity and respect for human physical and moral integrity.That sounds like a recipe for repression of precisely the kind that the Union was founded to protect against.
Alice in Wonderland fantasy
But the practice of muddied language has an even more sinister consequence: it can slip easily into untruth - as in the framework document's futilely repeated assertion that the new treaty will not 'have a constitutional character.If the character of this treaty is not to be constitutional then what is it, exactly? In its Alice in Wonderland fantasy this bizarre denial just seems silly.But this actually matters and matters mightily. For at a time when the European Council is shamelessly confessing to 'the crucial importance of reinforcing communication with European citizens,' even stating that 'this will be particularly important during the upcoming IGC and ratification process' one might have thought that the first requirement was to be open and honest with the people.
Referendum equates to failure
Of course, it is the dread 'R' word - ratification that is the cause of this denial of the obvious.Constitution equates to referendum; referendum equates to failure. Drop the work constitution and the problem is solved. But as Shakespeare might have said - a rat by any other name would smell as fishy.Such misuse of language amounts at best to spin and at worst to outright dishonesty; the effect is to make a mockery of fancy phrases such as permanent dialogue with the citizens.To profess the importance of democracy while scheming to prevent it is two-faced. It invites the very problem that it seeks to avoid.
Moreover, there is nothing in Mrs Merkel's document to give ordinary citizens any confidence that the elites at the controls of the European train have any real mechanism for listening to the views of the passengers still less for acting upon them.
Already the calls for a referendum have started in the UK.
There will soon be a plague of them all over Europe. The proposal now is to have the treaty ratified, mostly by a national parliamentary process, before the European Parliament elections in 2009.Here surely is the one great opportunity to consult the people. The European elections in 2009, it seems to me, should be about the treaty. The final verdict - with some candidates in favour, others opposed. Real substance to the election. Some states might even agree to follow the European Parliamentary lead without a national process; for others it would offer the chance of a democratic vote to back up proceedings in parliament.And for the citizens of Europe as a whole it would be a chance to take democratic control of their own constitution.
Jordanian King Pre-empts 4-Way Summit With Direct Call to Olmert
by Hana Levi Julian
Jordanian King Abdullah II pre-empted talks set for Monday at the four-way summit between Israel, the PA, Egypt and Jordan with a phone call to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert a day earlier. The Hashemite monarch made the call Sunday while meeting with visiting Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, ostensibly to lay out the groundwork for Monday’s meeting. The conversation appeared to be the opening gambit in talks that were not scheduled to take place until Monday, when Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak would also be present.
Abdullah urged Israel to begin negotiations on the final status for a new Arab state in Judea and Samaria, adding his voice to the pressure on Israel that has been exerted by the PA chairman for months.Israel has rejected the idea, saying the move would be too fast and too drastic. Israel insists that Abbas first manage control over his own population, halt terrorism and incitement, and work to prevent terrorist attacks against Israel. The Jordanian king also addressed the status of the Palestinian Authority itself, and was adamant that Gaza should be included with Judea and Samaria in being considered as one PA entity, according to the Jordanian News Agency. At present, Gaza is being ruled by the Hamas terrorist organization which staged a bloody coup two weeks ago. Abbas’s Fatah terrorist group managed to retain control of the PA-administered areas of Judea and Samaria, however, leaving a functional split between Gaza and the rest of the PA.
Abdullah also charged that Israel's steps to ease travel restrictions for PA Arabs are "inadequate." Prime Minister Olmert had reportedly already assured U.S. President George W. Bush that he would agree to remove security checkpoints and roadblocks in Judea and Samaria in a confidence-building measure designed to help prop up the Abbas emergency government. However, the IDF and defense establishment has opposed the move. They say that opening these routes will endager the lives of Israeli citizens.Olmert is also expected to formalize a decision made by Israel to transfer more than half a million dollars in tax revenues collected on behalf of the PA but withheld after the election of Hamas to the ruling faction in the government.
The Hashemite monarch also pressed on with an oft-repeated Arab League position that Israel agree, in its entirety, to the 2002 Saudi-authored proposed for settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict. The four-way summit Monday is being hosted by Egypt’s President Mubarak. Prime Minister Olmert told the Associated Press news agency before leaving for the summit that it was unlikely that any major breakthroughs would be forthcoming at the meeting.
Don’t wait impatiently tonight for the outcome, as if at the end of the day you are going to see us sitting and signing a peace treaty, he said. It will take time.The prime minister added that he is ready to consider the Arab League proposal but warned it was little more than a springboard for further discussion. It’s not going to be simple and not going to be easy, he stressed. It’s going to be a long and painful road.Welcome to The Brisbane Times. Skip directly to: Search Box, Section Navigation, Content. Text Version.
EU's future sealed with treaty, claim leaders
Molly Moore in Paris | June 25, 2007
A SQUABBLING European Union has given up hope for a constitution, agreeing instead to peddle a watered-down treaty to its 27 capitals in the hope of ending a two-year stalemate that has hobbled one of the world's most potent economic and diplomatic blocs.We have avoided a crisis, the European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, told the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag. Uncertainty about our future treaty has cast a shadow of doubt over our ability to act. Now those doubts have been removed.Even so, the details of the treaty must still be negotiated and the final document ratified by all 27 union members to become effective. The bloc's leaders set a goal of 2009 for winning approval of the treaty.
The lack of a constitution - a proposed charter was defeated by French and Dutch voters two years ago - has been a legal hurdle and a psychological impediment to union efforts to move forward with a unified voice. The failure of the countries to agree on a unifying structure underscored public perception of the body as an unwieldy, bureaucratic entity run by leaders far removed from the European people.
I don't think there is anything that can derail the process now, the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said after a deal was announced at 4.30am on Saturday. "The most important thing here is that the constitutional treaty was put to one side. This deal gives us a chance to move on.The late-night marathon meetings in Brussels covered issues ranging from the weight of each country's voting rights to what to call - or not call - its foreign minister.
The constitutional treaty was an easily understandable treaty, Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Jean-Claude Juncker, said about the discarded charter. This is a simplified treaty which is very complicated.One example: the European Union leaders agreed to have a foreign policy chief but decided not to call the person who fills the post a foreign minister.The treaty was nearly torpedoed when Poland complained it was not being given a fair share of voting rights, based on population. The Polish President, Lech Kaczynski, argued that Poland deserved compensation for its suffering during World War II.
History is history, Mr Kaczynski said. It is fact that had there not been the war, Poland would not have 38 million people but many more.The remarks infuriated many leaders, especially the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, who made acceptance of a new treaty the primary crusade of her six-month union presidency, which ends in July.
Mr Kaczynski eventually retreated in return for compromises in the voting arrangements.The document strips out some of the symbolism in the original treaty that had offended many countries, such as an anthem.The document will set out rules for future enlargement of the European Union, another contentious issue, and will attempt to streamline the bloc's governing bureaucracy.
The Washington Post
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