Monday, October 16, 2006

GERMANY TAKES OVER UNIFIL NAVAL ARM

1-Remembering Lyla Bowman , My Mother. 2-Past Earthquakes in Hawaii. 3-Two micro earthquakes recorded near Mt. Ranier. 4-Tropical depression drenches Mexico. 4-ISRAEL AS I SEE IT: SIMCHAT TORAH (REJOICING OF THE TORAH) UNDER CLOUDS. 5-Nuclear capabilities growing worldwide. 6-Left-Wingers Lobbying to Jump-Start Dialogue Between Israel & PA. 7-Lieberman Pushes Presidential System in Israel. 8-Prof Yunus for EU-type Saarc union. 9-Germany takes over UNIFIL naval arm.

Remembering Lyla Bowman , My Mother

It was 8:50 AM on this day in 1992, when my Mother Died from Diabetes complications. I Just give JESUS the praise and glory that we will be reunited at the Rapture in the Clouds, and 7 years later back on Earth forever. This is the hope the lost do not have like Christians. My Father Stanton Bowman died in 1967 of Cancer.

EARTHQUAKES

MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:(ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST ETHNIC GROUP) and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Past Earthquakes in Hawaii
By The Associated Press , 10.15.2006, 07:00 PM


Moderate or stronger earthquakes in Hawaii, from the U.S. Geological Survey:
6.6 preliminary, Kailua Kona, Oct. 15, 2006. Caused power outages, landslides and some property damage, according to preliminary reports.
5.2, Naalehu, July 17, 2005
5.3, Paauilo, July 15, 2005
6.7, Kaoiki, Nov. 16, 1983
7.2, Kalapana, Nov. 29, 1975. Tsunami killed two people in Halape.
6.9, Kona, Aug. 21, 1951
6.8, Maui, Jan. 22, 1938
6.5, Holualoa, Oct. 6, 1929
6.8, Lanai, Feb. 19, 1871
7.9, Ka'u district, April 2, 1868. Hawaii's largest earthquake, caused 77 deaths and knocked down homes made of stone, wood or straw. Landslides buried homes, and a tsunami drowned dozens of the victims.
7.0, Ka'u district, March 28, 1868. A foreshock of the April 2 earthquake.
7.0, south flank of Kilauea, June 2, 1923

Two micro earthquakes recorded near Mt. Ranier
Oct 15, 2006 02:54 PM EDT


GREENWATER, Wash. - Two small earthquakes were recorded today south of Greenwater, near Mount Rainier.The Pacific Northwest Network recorded a 2.7 magnitude earthquake at 8:30 a.m. 20 miles south of Greenwater. The quake occurred over an hour after a 2.6 magnitude earthquake in the same location.There were no reports of people feeling the earthquakes and no damage was reported.These micro quakes come one week after 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck the same area, seven miles east of Mount Rainier's summit.(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)

LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Tropical depression drenches Mexico Sun Oct 15, 7:28 PM ET

MEXICO CITY - A former tropical storm regained strength Sunday and lashed southwestern Mexico with heavy rains, forecasters said.The weather system, which had been named Tropical Storm Norman before disintegrating last week, strengthened back to a tropical depression Sunday, with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph.The government had issued a tropical storm warning Sunday for a swath of the Pacific Coast from the port city of Lazaro Cardenas to Cabo Corrientes, but discontinued it about 12 hours later.The storm was centered about 30 miles west of the resort town of Manzanillo late Sunday afternoon. It had been speeding toward Mexico's coast earlier, but slowed down rapidly before becoming stationary and starting to dissipate again.

The U.S.National Hurricane Center in Miami said the depression could drop 6 to 12 inches of rain over some areas, with isolated accumulations of 15 inches, threatening flash floods and mudslides.Mexico was hit by two hurricanes last month. Hurricane John battered a remote section of Baja California, killing five people and destroying 160 homes, while Hurricane Lane struck the resort town of Mazatlan, causing relatively minor damage.

GENESIS 1:14
14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:(ISRAELS HOLY DAYS AND SABBATH STARTS AT 6PM) And for SIGNS (PROPHECY SIGNS TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE, OUR DAY)

ISRAEL AS I SEE IT: SIMCHAT TORAH (REJOICING OF THE TORAH) UNDER CLOUDS
copyright (c) 2006 by Mr. Samson Krupnick
mailto:Krup@012.net.il
www.jewishpostopinion.com


YERUSHALIYIM, Israelite Tribal Territories of Judah and Benjamin, Kingdom of David and Solomon, United Israelite Kingdom of Judah and Joseph, Yom Sheini (Second Day), Day 24, Seventh Month (Tishrei), 5767 (Mon-day, October 16, 2006), Root & Branch Information Services [mailto:rb@rb.org.il] [www.rb.org.il]:

The Succot (Feast of Tabernacles) Holiday was observed in excellence throughout Israel. All Israeli communities provided occasions for observance. Jerusalem of course was the center, with a million visitors each day. The special Cohanim (Priestly) blessing day at the Kotel (Western Wall) had some 3,000 Cohanim participating and over 100,000 receiving the blessings.The annual Sukkot parade had close to 17,000 marchers, including some 5,000 Bible-believing Gentile Zionists who came from abroad to support Israel. The Chief Rabbis had receptions in their Succot at the Kotel. Many attended the Succah reception of Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski. President Moshe Katzav had his traditional reception for foreign diplomats as well as for the public, in the huge Succah of the Presidential garden.

The traditional Simchat Beit HaShoevah (Water Libation Ceremony) with the ample supply of water as needed, was observed throughout the country with women in the top level balcony, and the men in the lower level as performed at both the First and Second Temples, and as will be performed soon in the Third and Final Temple. In addition, many Israelis toured the country in organized tours as well as visiting the 49 national parks where the Jewish National Fund provided full facilities and refreshments. Virtually all Israeli communities provided programs with participation of both adults and children. B'nei Akivah had many functions throughout the Land as did other youth organizations.We had three outstanding festive dinners during the Hol HaMoed (Intermediate Days) period of Succot.The first was the traditional annual dinner of Sha'are Zedek Medical Center held in the huge Teddy Kollek Hall of the International Conference Center in Jerusalem. Over 600 participated in honoring Israel's Nobel Prize Laureates. Professor Avraham Hershko received the Chemistry Nobel Prize for discovering one of the cell's most important cyclical processes, regulated protein degradation. Professor Aaron Ciechanover worked together with Professor Avraham Hershko in the research. Professor Robert J. (Yisrael) Aumann received the Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics for "having enhanced our understanding of conflict and cooperation through game-theory analysis".

Sha'are Zedek Director Professor Jonathan HaLevi conducted the dinner program, acknowledging all friends of Sha'are Zedek. Sha'are Zedek, celebrating its 104th birthday, is a 500 bed hospital, with 45,000 admissions and 125,000 outpatients visits and more than 60,000 emergency visits annually. Some 12,000 women a year give birth at the Woman and Infant Center. The hospital has 350 physicians and 740 nurses on staff and its total work force is 1,850 and 700 volunteers. The Emergency Department has treated many thousands of victims of terror attacks and has been designated as a regional center for emergency treatment.We are a Sha'are Zedek Board member for some 40 years and Board Chairman for 10 years. We began the dinner function for fund raising and for outreach to communities at Sha'are Zedek. By now there must be over 100 organizations holding annual dinners, with much success.

The next annual dinner was that of Yeshivat Kerem BeYavneh, celebrating their 54st year of success. They were the first to introduce the "hesder" program by which military service is combined with yeshiva education. The graduates of some 60 yeshivot have proven to be excellent soldiers in tanks, paratroops and other elite combat units. The dinner was held at the Jerusalem Renaissance Hotel in a huge Succah accommodating 560 guests, mostly alumni and friends of the Yeshiva.Honored with much sentiment was retiring Sha'are Zedek Director Eli Klein after 40 years of excellent service. It also was his 80th birthday. Rosh Yeshivah Rabbi Mordchai Greenberg (a Kerem BeYavneh graduate) blessed and thanked Eli for his dedication to the Yeshiva all the years. A Chassidic Concert followed. We joined Bernard Hochstein as Co-Chairman.

The third dinner was the 36th Anniversary of Yeshivat Dvar Yerushalaim at their own Succah with some 200 in attendance Patrons were Rav and Mrs. Shalom Mark. Honored was Cantor Sidney Selig. The guest speaker was the outstanding Rabbi Dr. Avram Yehoshua Twerski, emphasizing the concept fully of joy: Yiddishkeit is Simcha. Yeshivat Dvar Yerushalayim is unique and its Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Baruch Horovitz outstanding in the difficult task of outreach to Jews who have strayed or those with little learning. We chaired the evening. They concluded with Simchat Bet HaSoevah.The Shemine Atzeret (Eighth Day of Assembly) and Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Torah) celebration for Israelis was one day with very festive Hakofot (dancing with the Torah) and completing the reading of Devarim (Deuteronomy) and the beginning of Bereshit (Genesis). Visitors divided the prayers and reading in two days. The Heichal Shlomo organization annually has provided a special second night Hakofot in Jerusalem.

The Holidays were outstanding, enjoyed by all. However, realities returned at the end when the Israel Defense Forces attacked Saudi Arabian petro-dollar profit financed Wahhabi Hamas (local Palestinian branch of the Saudi Arabian petro-dollar profit financed Wahhabi Muslim Brotherhood, sister organization of Saudi Arabian petro-dollar profit financed Wahhabi Al Qaeda) and others in the Gaza Strip, killing 21 terrorists in a 72 hour intensive fire.A worse occurrence was North Korea detonating two nuclear bombs. Japan responded immediately with sanctions, as did the United Nations. North Korea's relations with Iran are most disturbing, particularly to us.May the Almighty protect us from our many enemies who seek our destruction.

Shavua Tov from Yerushaliyim,Mr. Samson Krupnick

NUCLEAR WEAPONS WILL BE USED.

ISAIAH 26:21
21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.(WW3,1/2 earths population die).

ISAIAH 13:6-13 KJV
6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:(FROM FRIGHT)
8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

ISAIAH 24:17-23 KJV
17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

2 TIMOTHY 3:1
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous (DANGEROUS) times shall come.

JOEL 2:20,30
20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army,(RUSSIA,MUSLIMS) and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.(SIBERIAN DESERT)
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.(NUCLEAR BOMB)
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

ZECHARIAH 14:12-13
12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.

EZEKIEL 20:47
47 And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.

ZEPHANIAH 1:18
18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

MALACHI 4:1
1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

REVELATION 8:7
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

REVELATION 9:18
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

Nuclear capabilities growing worldwide

NEW YORK, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency says at least nine nations may have nuclear weapons, but perhaps 40 have nuclear bomb-making capability.Atomic officials said this capability whether the technical skills or the required material risks a second nuclear age in which some countries likely will ignore restraints against using nuclear weapons, The New York Times said Sunday.IAEA Director General Mohamed El Baradei said up to 49 nations possibly more either have nuclear weapons or know how to make them, the Times said. Baradei said global tensions could turn some countries' knowledge into action.He told The Times a country not necessarily a superpower with good intentions about using nuclear power could develop a bomb based on their sense of security or insecurity.©2006 United Press International, Inc

Left-Wingers Lobbying to Jump-Start Dialogue Between Israel & PA
16:27 Oct 15, '06 / 23 Tishrei 5767


(IsraelNN.com) Senior Fatah members and PA (Palestinian Authority) officials are maintaining contacts with the Israeli left, members of Meretz-Yahad, towards renewing diplomatic ties between Israel and the PA based on the Geneva formula. The persons involved in the effort recently met, deciding to meet in a wider-based forum in three weeks in the hope of advancing their agenda.

Lieberman Pushes Presidential System in Israel
By Hillel Fendel(INN)


MK Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has pushed off the presentation of his legislation for a presidential political system by a week. The government will support the bill. The revolutionary legislation received the support of the ministerial committee for legislation yesterday, largely at the behest of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who would like Lieberman to join his government coalition. The Kadima ministers voted in favor, while Labor and Shas voted against. Health Minister Yaakov Ben-Yizri of the Pensioners Party, who objects to the bill, could have been the deciding vote but he caved in to Olmert's pressure and did not show up. By a 5-4 vote, therefore, it was decided that the government would support the bill when it comes up for a Knesset vote.

This is no guarantee of its passage, however, and in fact, at present, the bill in its current state does not appear to have a chance of being legislated into law.

What the Bill Says

The legislation was proposed by Lieberman and several of his party colleagues. Its purpose, as explained in the bill itself, is to enact a presidential system with total separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches... The ministers will not be Knesset Members, and the Knesset will thus be able to dedicate its work to legislation and parliamentary review over the government... The Knesset will be able to fire the Prime Minister by a 2/3 Knesset majority (80 MKs), but will not be able to dissolve a sitting government thus guaranteeing governmental stability for four years. The proposed legislation also states, however, that the Prime Minister will be able to call new Knesset elections if he sees that he does not enjoy the support of a Knesset majority.

In addition, the legislation would raise the minimum vote threshold for parties to enter the Knesset. Only parties that receive at least 10% of the popular vote will be able to be represented in the Knesset, in order to prevent the current situation in which small parties have power above and beyond their electoral representation. In the current Knesset, only Kadima, Labor, the Likud, Shas and Yisrael Beiteinu surpassed this minimum or came close. The three Arab parties even taken together as one bloc as well as the Pensioners, Meretz, National Union-National Religious Party, and United Torah Judaism (Agudat Yisrael-Degel HaTorah) did not receive this minimum. Some MKs of Yisrael Beiteinu have already indicated that 10% might be a bit high, and that they would be willing to agree to a lower minimum rate.

Lieberman: No Coalition Talks

In a press conference this afternoon, Lieberman said that there are currently no negotiations underway regarding the entry of his party into the government coalition. Such negotiations were one of the main news items of last week.A survey carried out by pollster Mina Tzemach over the past several days shows that if elections were to be held today, Yisrael Beiteinu would become Israel's second largest party. The poll shows the Likud jumping from 12 Knesset seats to 22, and Yisrael Beiteinu climbing from 11 to 20. It further indicates that Kadima would be halved in size from 29 to 15, and Labor would drop from 19 to 15.

DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TR BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).

Sun. October 15, 2006
Prof Yunus for EU-type Saarc union
Our Correspondent, New Delhi


Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus has forcefully suggested the creation of a European Union (EU)-type union in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc).In an interview to The Economic Times, a leading Indian economic daily, he said, In the road ahead, as I see it, the formation of a EU-like union in Saarc is a must. It is only an integrated economic system in which Saarc members can cooperate and collaborate with each other and start moving forward. Micro-financing will have to be a part of it.If this model can be evolved, common place political issues like in Kashmir or the problems in Nepal will no longer be relevant, Yunus said.

He said the policy support for microcredit must come in the form of availability of wholesale funds, as this will enable everybody to take part freely in the overall system.I have mentioned this to Dr Singh [Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh] and he has promised to pay attention to the requirements of the sector. If Bangladesh can do it, why can't India? Yunus asked.He said if necessary India would have to create an independent regulatory body to monitor the micro-finance sector and it will also perhaps bring in legislation for formation of a microcredit bank.In all this effort, large scale support from NGOs needs to be harnessed. Don't forget that at the end of the day, this is a business just like any other business. We have proved it to the world and there is a message in it for everybody, the Nobel winner said.The situation in Bangladesh is similar to that in India. But I would like to see this whole thing in a broader regional context,he added.

EUROPEAN UNION ARMY

DANIEL 7:23-25
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast (EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TRADING BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings(10 NATIONS) that shall arise: and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.( BE HEAD OF 3 NATIONS)
25 And he (EU PRESIDENT) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.(3 1/2 YRS)

DANIEL 8:23-25
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king (EU DICTATOR) of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences,(FROM THE OCCULT) shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power:(SATANS POWER) and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes;(JESUS) but he shall be broken without hand.

DANIEL 11:36-39
36 And the king (EU DICTATOR) shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers,(THIS EU DICTATOR IS JEWISH) nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.(CLAIM TO BE GOD)
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces:(WAR) and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god,(DESTROY TERROR GROUPS) whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many,(HIS ARMY LEADERS) and shall divide the land for gain.

REVELATION 19:19
19 And I saw the beast,(EU LEADER) and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse,(JESUS) and against his army.(THE RAPTURED CHRISTIANS)

Germany takes over UNIFIL naval arm
Pellegrini pronounces initial patrols a real success
By Iman Azzi ,Daily Star staff,Monday, October 16, 2006


BEIRUT: Italy turned over command of the naval contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to Germany on Sunday. Italian Admiral Giuseppe De Giorgi passed command of the beefed-up force to German Admiral Andreas Krause during a ceremony aboard Italy's flagship Guiseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier at the Port of Beirut.The naval patrols were instituted under the terms of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the war with Israel on August 14.The ceremony was also attended by UNIFIL's commander, Major General Alain Pellegrini, who hailed the Italian-led mission - which helped end an economically crippling two-month Israeli blockade on Lebanon as a real success.

For the first time, UNIFIL had to include a naval component and it was organized very rapidly ... but thanks to the professionalism and dedication and the feeling of confidence of De Giorgi and his crew this has paved the way to a new and efficient task force, the UNIFIL commander said.The Italians took command of the task force on September 8, five days after arriving in Lebanon, transporting Italy's contribution to the ground contingent of UNIFIL after Resolution 1701 was passed. Due to Italy's advanced naval technology, the country accepted a Lebanese invitation to lead the maritime task force until the German ships arrived.Germany agreed to send up to 2,400 military personnel to Lebanon in the country's first mission in the Middle East since World War II.

Krause expressed gratitude for the foundation laid by the Italian Navy.They collected a tremendous amount of information and built a strong relationship with the Lebanese Navy. This enabled us to take over command smoothly, after handing over their information and thanks to fruitful cooperation that had been set in place,Krause said.http://www.dailystar.com.lb

The enhanced UNIFIL mission is enforcing a cessation of hostilities which ended fierce conflict between Israel and Lebanon over the summer, by deploying forces in Southern Lebanon and out at sea. De Giorgi, who commanded Task Force 425 for over 40 days while the German Navy prepared for its mission, spoke proudly about his team's time in Lebanon's waters. We have accomplished our mission, we answered your call when you came to Rome, asking not only for relief and support but crying out loud for your nation's right to life. Lebanon has overcome wars and destruction over the ages. Do not allow desolation to prevail,Di Giorgi said.

Since September 8, the naval unit has assumed the responsibility, endorsed by Lebanese authorities, for conducting maritime surveillance activity and overseeing the termination of the Israeli blockade. The Italians were assisted by English, French and Greek warships.

The Italian Navy leaves the amphibious warship San Marco off the coast of Lebanon, with the responsibility to provide full medical and logistic support to the Italian ground contingent serving with UNIFIL in the South.The German-led Maritime Task Force 448 will be supported by naval assistance from Bulgaria, Denmark, Greece, Norway, Sweden and Turkey.This is a difficult and complicated task,Krause told members of his crew as part of the change-of-command ceremony. I have a deep trust in your capabilities, and the training convinced me you are able to take it on.

NORTH KOREA GETS SANCTIONED

1-Strong quake shakes Hawaii. 2-Southern Ontario digs out after surprise storm. 3-U.N. Security Council approves sanctions; North Korea rejects resolution. 4-Pyongyang calm after adoption of U.N. Security Council resolution. 5-IRAQ-SYRIA: Threats force Iraqi Christians to flee to Syria. 6-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to Travel to Russia Tuesday. 7-Spanish foreign minister in Damascus for talks. 8-Israeli poll indicates shift to right among electorate. 9-Mount Allison virus spread through bathrooms, cafeteria: officials. 10-IDF Stepping Up Operations in the Gaza Strip.

EARTHQUAKES

MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:(ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST ETHNIC GROUP) and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

They have upgraded the Quake to a 6.6 and as of 4:45 PM, 20 after shocks have occured, 7 or 8 of them over 4.0. The Geologists are warning that a big one tommorow could be big Trouble for Hawaii.

Strong quake shakes Hawaii 50 minutes ago


WASHINGTON (AFP)A strong earthquake of 6.3 magnitude jolted the island of Hawaii awake sparking fears of a tsunami, although officials said none was expected.The US Geological Survey said the quake hit at 7:07 am (1707 GMT) near the island of
Hawaii and was followed by strong aftershock of 5.8 magnitude.We have had some scattered reports of power outages on the big island of Hawaii and Oahu and some reports of damage and some landslides on the big island of Hawaii,said Don Blakeman, a USGS seismologist.They are consistent with what I would expect for an earthquake of this magnitude, there would be some damage but I wouldn't expect anything catastrophic. But you never know about these things,he said.Stewart Koyangi at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said no tsunami is expected, from this quake, but that some areas had experienced strong shaking.

US media reported extensive disruptions from the quake, including an island-wide blackout on the island of Oahu and closed airports.Because of the island-wide blackout things, have come to a standstill,Mahea Richardson, a Hawaii television reporter, told CNN.Richardson said that the hospital in Kona, on the big island, was being evacuated due to damage and that the airport there was closed.CNN reported that phone service had also been disrupted in some areas.The epicenter was located some 153 miles (246 kilometers) from the capital of Honolulu.Erik von Ancken, who was vacationing on the island of Hawaii with his fiancee, told CNN that the devastating 2004 tsunami that killed some 220,000 was the first thing that crossed his mind.It was a little bit nerve-wracking,he said, noting that the fish started jumping before he could feel the shakes.

The guess was that this was an earthquake,he said, The tsunami, that was everyone's first thought. People started running for higher ground.

LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Southern Ontario digs out after surprise storm
Canadian Press and Associated Press


The Fort Erie and Welland areas of southwestern Ontario are digging out from as much as 30 centimetres of snow following a powerful pre-winter storm.

The region may receive up to 15 more centimetres before a let-up to what Environment Canada terms significant snowfalls of historic proportions.The snow and strong winds of up to 90 kilometres an hour have caused snow-laden branches to snap onto power lines, causing power outages from Port Colborne to Fort Erie, and forcing part of the Queen Elizabeth Way to be shut down.Bad weather also forced the closure of the Peace Bridge border crossing connecting Fort Erie, Ont. and Buffalo, New York. Schools in the Fort Erie and Port Colborne area were also closed.Snow squalls coming off Lake Huron also left parts of Ontario's Bruce Peninsula, Parry Sound and other cottage country areas covered in snow. Another 10 centimetres of snow might fall this morning before it changes to showers.

Northern Ontario also received an early introduction to winter, with an additional five centimetres expected today in some areas, including Kenora, Fort Frances, Dryden and Red Lake.Meanwhile in the United States, Buffalo recorded its snowiest October day on record and the city was bracing for more on Friday, with schools closed and 155,000 customers without electricity.At least two feet of snow blanketed parts of the Buffalo area early Friday, signalling a possible second record-setting day. The snow downed scores of tree limbs and toppled power lines.The snowfall was expected to continue throughout the morning, said Tom Paone, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

On Thursday, 53.5 centimetres of heavy snow set the record for the snowiest October day in Buffalo in the 137-year history of the weather service, said meteorologist Tom Niziol. The previous record of 38 centimetres was set Oct. 31, 1917.This is an extremely rare event for this early in the season, Mr. Niziol said.The Buffalo Police Department received more than 3,000 calls late Thursday and about two-thirds were related to the weather, Lieutenant James Watkins said.

There are power lines going down all over the place, he said.Crews worked into the night to restore power, but many customers were expected to remain in the dark through the weekend and into next week, National Grid energy company spokesman Steve Brady said.This is extremely heavy snow and most of the trees still have most of their leaves, he said. We can't do a complete damage assessment until the snow stops falling.Other western New York communities also experienced heavy snowfall. Officials in Amherst ordered a driving ban for the entire town.We have a condition where 80 per cent of the roads are impassable,said Lieutenant Stephen McGonagle of the Amherst Police Department.

Buffalo schools were closed Friday.

The snowstorm caused flight delays and cancellations at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, officials said. The airport shut down for almost two hours late Thursday.Tree branches were strewn across the roads around the region. A large box maple tree split in half, falling on Joan Casey's home in Buffalo.The whole house shook,Casey said. We were very afraid. Originally I thought it was just the thunder, and then I came outside and I couldn't believe it.

WW3 THE 3 WAVES THAT MARCH TO ISRAEL

DANIEL 11:40-45
40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south( EGYPT) push at him:(EU DICTATOR IN ISRAEL) and the king of the north (RUSSIA AND MUSLIM HORDES OF EZEK 38+39) shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.(JORDAN)
42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
44 But tidings out of the east(CHINA 2ND WAVE OF WW3) and out of the north(RUSSIA, MUSLIMS WHATS LEFT FROM WAVE 1) shall trouble him:(EU DICTATOR IN ISRAEL) therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.( 1/3RD OF EARTHS POPULATION)
45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

The Third and Final Wave of WW3 is when all Nations march to Jerusalem, but JESUS bodily returns to earth and destroys them,sets up his KINGDOM OF RULE FOR 1000 YEARS THEN FOREVER.

2ND WAVE CHINA AND KINGS OF THE EAST MARCH TO ISRAEL

REVELATION 16:12
12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.(THIS IS THE ATATURK DAM IN TURKEY,THEY CROSS OVER).

DANIEL 11:44 (2ND WAVE OF WW3)
44 But tidings out of the east(CHINA) and out of the north(RUSSIA, MUSLIMS WHATS LEFT FROM WAVE 1) shall trouble him:(EU DICTATOR IN ISRAEL) therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.( 1/3RD OF EARTHS POPULATION)

REVELATION 9:12-18
12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.
13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.(IRAQ-SYRIA)
15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.(1/3 Earths Population die in WW 3 2ND WAVE)
16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand:(200 MILLION MAN ARMY FROM CHINA AND THE KINGS OF THE EAST) and I heard the number of them.
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.(NUCLEAR BOMBS)
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.(NUCLEAR BOMBS)

Saturday, October 14, 2006 - Page updated at 04:44 PM
U.N. Security Council approves sanctions; North Korea rejects resolution
By Edith M. Lederer,The Associated Press


UNITED NATIONS The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to impose punishing sanctions on North Korea including ship searches for banned weapons, calling Pyongyang's claimed nuclear test a clear threat to international peace and
security.

North Korea immediately rejected the resolution, and its U.N. ambassador walked out of the council chamber after accusing its members of a gangster-like action which neglects the nuclear threat posed by the United States.The U.S.-sponsored resolution demands that the reclusive communist nation abandon its nuclear weapons program, and orders all countries to prevent North Korea from importing or exporting any material for weapons of mass destruction or ballistic missiles. It orders nations to freeze assets of people or businesses connected to these programs, and ban the individuals from traveling.

The resolution also calls on all countries to inspect cargo leaving and arriving in North Korea to prevent any illegal trafficking in unconventional weapons or ballistic missiles. The final draft was softened from language saying the council decides which is a stronger authorization.U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said North Korea's proclaimed test poses one of the gravest threats to international peace and security that this council has ever had to confront.Today, we are sending a strong and clear message to North Korea and other would be proliferators that there will be serious repercussions in continuing to pursue weapons of mass destruction,he said, in what appeared to be a clear warning to Iran whose nuclear ambitions come before the Security Council again next week.

North Korea's U.N. Ambassador Pak Gil Yon countered by blaming the United States for forcing the country to conduct a test because of its nuclear threat, sanctions and pressure.The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is ready for talks, dialogue and confrontation, Ambassador Pak Gil Yon said. If the United States increases pressure upon the Democratic People's Republic of Korea persistently, the DPRK will continue to take physical countermeasures considering it as a declaration of war.North Korea has said it could conduct a second nuclear test in response to tough sanctions.The vote came after the United States, Britain and France overcame last-minute differences with Russia and China during what the Russian ambassador called tense negotiations.

China's U.N. Ambassador Wang Guangya said afterward that the provision allowing the boarding of ships to inspect cargo was still unacceptable to Beijing and it would not carry out inspections. Nonetheless, Wang hailed what he called a watered-down resolution.

He told reporters that he did not consider the North Korean ambassador's response the official reply from Pyongyang, which he awaits. The important thing is not what they say here, Wang said.The overriding issue, he said, is how we work together for peace and security in the region.The resolution demands North Korea eliminate all its nuclear weapons but expressly rules out military action against the country, a demand by the Russians and Chinese. U.S. Ambassador John Bolton warned Pyongyang, however, that if it continues pursuing nuclear weapons, the United States would seek further measures.The Security Council condemned the nuclear test that North Korea said it conducted on Oct 9. It demanded that North Korea immediately return to six-party talks aimed at persuading Pyongyang to dismantle its weapons program without precondition.

It imposed sanctions for the North's flagrant disregard of the council's appeal not to detonate a nuclear device and demanded that North Korea not conduct any further nuclear test or launch of a ballistic missile.The resolution bans the import or export of material and equipment that could be used to make nuclear weapons or ballistic missiles. It orders all countries to freeze the assets and ban travel for anyone engaged in supporting North Korea's weapons programs.This action by the United Nations, which was swift and tough, says that we are united in our determination to see to it that the Korean Peninsula is nuclear-weapons free, President Bush said.In a measure aimed at North Korea's tiny elite, the resolution bans the sale of luxury goods to the country. Kim is known for his love of cognac and lobster and collection of thousands of bottles of vintage French wine.

To meet Russian and Chinese concerns, the Americans eliminated a complete ban on the sale of conventional weapons. Instead, the resolution limits the embargo to major hardware such as tanks, warships, combat aircraft and missiles.Russia's U.N.

Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Moscow got what it wanted a strong resolution but one that is also aimed at prevention of a further escalation of tension.North Korea's Pak told the Security Council that the nuclear test was not inconsistent with the country's goal of a denuclearized Korean peninsula.The DPRK clarified more than once that it would feel no need to possess even a single nuke when it is no longer exposed to the United States' threat, after it has dropped its hostile policy to the DPRK and confidence has been built between the two countries,he said.

Bolton said North Korea's claimed test unquestionably poses one of the gravest threats to international peace and security that this council has ever had to confront.Following Pak's speech, Bolton took the floor again saying I'm not going to waste any our time responding.But he noted that North Korea had done Saturday exactly what it did in July after the council adopted limited sanctions for its ballistic missile tests immediately reject the resolution and walk out.It is the contemporary equivalent of Nikita Khrushchev pounding his shoe on the desk, Bolton said, referring to the Soviet leader's legendary act of protest at the U.N. General Assembly in 1960.Bolton told reporters afterward that the next step is to start work on implementing the resolution.Hopefully on saner reflections perhaps they'll begin to accept that if they don't change course, the only future for them is continued isolation,he said.

On Friday, U.S. officials said an air sampling after North Korea's claimed nuclear test detected radioactive debris consistent with an atomic explosion. However, the Bush administration and congressional officials said no final determination had been made about the nature of Monday's mystery-shrouded blast.The U.S. and other nations trying to persuade the North to give up its atomic program continued a flurry of high-level diplomatic visits, including a trip to Asia by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meant to present a unified front to North Korea.The resolution invokes Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which the U.S. views as a necessary because it makes economic and diplomatic sanctions mandatory.China and Russia normally object to the Chapter 7 provision because it carries the possibility of military enforcement. The Bush administration used the same provision to justify its invasion of Iraq, and Moscow and Beijing worry the U.S. might do the same eventually with North Korea even though Bush has said the U.S. has no plans to attack.

But in a compromise also used in July to unanimously vote on a resolution condemning North Korean missile launches, the text added mention of Article 41 of the chapter, which permits only means not involving the use of military force.A Russian nuclear envoy who visited North Korea said Saturday he pressed the North to return to six-nation nuclear disarmament talks. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alexeyev said he had a very useful meeting Friday with Kim Gye Gwan, the North's nuclear negotiator, but did not say how Kim responded.Pyongyang has boycotted the six-nation talks for the past 13 months to protest financial measures imposed by Washington for alleged counterfeiting and money-laundering.Associated Press writers Ed Harris at the United Nations and Robert Burns and Anne Gearan in Washington contributed to this report.© 2006 The Seattle Times Company

Sunday October 15, 6:25 PM
Pyongyang calm after adoption of U.N. Security Council resolution


(Kyodo) - The North Korean capital was calm Sunday, with citizens going about their business as usual, even as the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution unanimously against the country over its claimed nuclear test. Pyongyang citizens were seen preparing for Tuesday's 80th anniversary of the Down-with-Imperialism Union, a predecessor to the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, putting up banners and decorations at major sites in the city. Groups of students were practicing marches in the city's squares, in what could be preparations for a parade that some have said would take place Tuesday to mark the anniversary. The U.N. Security Council resolution, adopted Saturday in New York, expresses the gravest concern and calls for all U.N. members to take wide-ranging economic and diplomatic sanctions against North Korea.

In Pyongyang, where information available to ordinary people is tightly controlled, citizens said they did not know the content of the sanctions but are unworried. You say sanctions, but we have been under sanctions imposed by the United States for over half a decade (from the Korean War), said a 41-year-old man, who works in transportation. But even so, we have developed our economy, and succeeded in conducting a nuclear test,he said.

While the nuclear test announcement Monday was reported in North Korea, information about the harsh reaction the announcement triggered from the international community has not been seen in the official North Korean press. Asked if there are any worries because of the sanctions, a 41-year-old woman working at the Central Zoo said, Not at all.Families and couples were seen visiting the zoo in the outskirts of Pyongyang. In the week since the nuclear test announcement, no demonstrations or parades supporting the nuclear experiment have been seen in Pyongyang, nor have slogans referring to the test been observed in the city in the form of signs or banners.

PERSECUSSION,BEHEADINGS

REVELATION 6:9-11
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain(BEHEADED) for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

REVELATION 20:4
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

IRAQ-SYRIA: Threats force Iraqi Christians to flee to Syria
15 Oct 2006 13:07:59 GMT,Source: IRIN


DAMASCUS, 15 October (IRIN) Some 35,000 Iraqi Christians have fled to Syria as a result of death threats by religious zealots since the ousting of former President Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iraqi sources in Damascus said. Emanuel Khoshba, head of the office of the Assyrian and Democratic Movement in Syria, said that Iraqi Christians continue to flee to Syria in large numbers.

In 2004, the number of Iraqi Christians who fled to Syria stood at 20,000; now [in 2006] it has reached 35,000 and it's likely to increase further, Khoshba said. There are around 1.2 million Iraqi Christians in Iraq, representing three percent of the country's 26 million inhabitants. Christians fleeing Iraq say that in Syria they have found security and freedom to practice their religion.

I felt terribly insecure in Iraq. I sold everything there and came to Syria and started a job here in transport,said Johnny Nano, 29, an Iraqi Christian who fled to Syria in 2003 for fear of his life. I don't think of returning to Iraq as the security situation [there] doesn't allow me. Besides, my life is stable now here, so why go back? Arkan Hanna Hakim, 40, is a priest from Mosul who was appointed two months ago to supervise the Iraqi Assyrian sect in Damascus. More than 2,000 Iraqi Christian families are now in Jaramana quarter [southern Damascus] alone, and a lot of Christians have received warnings to leave Iraq or face killing,he said, adding that threats against Christians in Iraq have increased following Pope Benedict's recent remarks about the Prophet Muhammad.

Nineteen-year-old Fadi Raad Naaomi is one such Iraqi Christian whose family narrowly escaped death before leaving Iraq. Fadi said that he abandoned his studies in Baghdad and fled to Syria a day after his 52-year-old father, Raad, was kidnapped at a church.

We received a call telling us if we want to see our father we have to pay a ransom and not let the police know,said Fadi. His family collected the equivalent of US $10,000 and three days later Raad was released.However, Fadi said that despite such incidents, he and his family will return to Iraq. We are Christians, a minority with no voice there and threatened to death every day, but there is no other way, we don't have money to stay in Syria.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to Travel to Russia Tuesday
Olmert to Discuss Iran, Syria and Russia's Role in Peace Process During Three-Day Trip


Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will travel to Moscow Oct. 17 for a three-day visit during which he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The trip marks Olmert's first overseas trip since the start of the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict and his first to Russia since becoming prime minister.In addition to Putin, he is expected to meet with a number of other Russian government officials and politicians. Russia's role in the peace process, its relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and Syria, and its bi-lateral economic relations with Israel are likely to top the agenda in discussions between the two leaders. The question of how to manage the Iranian nuclear threat also is likely to be a key part of the discussions. [1] On Oct. 19, Olmert is scheduled to take part in celebrations commemorating the 15th anniversary since diplomatic relations between Russia and Israel were re-established in 1991. The festivities are to be held in the Moscow Jewish Community Center in Maryina Roscha. [2] Diplomatic relations between the two countries broke down in 1967.

Background and Key Facts

Russia's Contradictory Role: Selling Arms to Iran While Pursuing Ties with Israel

The Russian administration simultaneously enables Iran's pursuit for nuclear technology and is a principal manufacturer of Syrian armaments, while pursuing improved relations with Israel. [3] Despite Putin's agreeable posture towards Israel, Russia's sales of nuclear and military technology to two of Israel's most threatening adversaries Syria and Iran remain a top security concern for Israel. Hezbollah, a southern Lebanese-based Shiite terrorist organization, has direct financial and military ties to both Iran and Syria. On July 12, Hezbollah began a war against Israel by kidnapping two Israeli soldiers and killing three others while battering the north with hundreds of missiles. [4] The war lasted 34 days, devastating life in Israel and Lebanon.The Islamic Republic of Iran is the leading state-sponsor of terror because of its monetary, political and military support for global terrorist organizations. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's radical religious doctrine radical religious doctrine, which focuses on eliminating the State of Israel, [5] is exported by Hezbollah and other militant groups that are fueled by Iran and their desire for worldwide Islamic domination.Iran's generous sponsorship enables Hezbollah cells to continue and develop their terrorist activities throughout the Middle East, Europe and other locations across the globe. [6]

Syria, on the other hand, obtains military technology and chemical agents from Iran and North Korea and is believed to have one of the largest ballistic munitions caches in the world. [7] Due to its proximity to Iran and Lebanon, Syria acts as a principle source for smuggling and sanctuary of advanced weapons for Hezbollah.Motivation Behind Russia's Relationship with Iran, Syria.Russia's chief
foreign policy ties to Iran and Syria appear to be driven by Putin's desire to augment Russia's economy. [8].In Nov. 2005 Russia signed a $1 billion (€796,728,113) weapons export contract with Iran. The contract includes shipment of 29 surface-to-air missile TOR-M1 systems, military boats, and an upgrade of Iran's Russian-made bombers in fighter jets. [9].Russia also continues to be involved in the construction of the Brushehr nuclear facility (two reactors), an agreement signed between Russia and Iran in the early 1990s for $800 million (€637,503,200). [10]

In late April 2005, during his first visit to Israel as Russia's president, [11] Putin said he wouldn't sell Syria 300 km-range Iskander-E missiles amid opposition from Israel and the United States. Putin instead announced that he would sell Syria Strelet surface-to-air systems that have a range of three miles (five km). [12] But even the shorter-range missiles could do tremendous damage to Israel if they ended up in the hands of a terrorist group such as Hezbollah, which operates just across the border from Israel in southern Lebanon. [13].Putin defended his decision, stating, I am aware of Israel's concerns regarding the possibility that the missiles will reach the hands of terror organizations in Lebanon. However, these concerns are groundless. . . . The missiles we sold to Syria are short-range anti-aircraft missiles. They do not threaten Israeli territory. For these missiles to hit you, you will need to enter Syrian territory. [14] He also backed Syria's construction of a nuclear facility in Iran.

Russia's Potential Role in Imposing Sanctions Against Iran

Russian endorsement of Iranian sanctions in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the key to placing pressure on the Iranian regime to halt further nuclear production. [15].Russia is a key determinant of which sanctions are ratified by the UNSC, says Ephraim Kam, deputy head of the Institute of National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University. "If the Russians would agree, there would be sanctions. If they won't agree, there won't be sanctions,Kam said. [16].Although Moscow has been a longstanding economic partner with Iran, Russia is finding itself constrained as Iran continues to escalate the nuclear arms conflict. For some time, Tehran has been trying to divide the west and Russia, a conflict in which Putin is now being forced to take sides. [17]

Despite Russia's concrete involvement in Iran's nuclear energy development and the modernization of Syria's missile procurement, Moscow is sensitive to Israel's security concerns and in actuality, views Israel as a potential partner for military technology cooperation. [18].Putin is particularly interested in assistance from Israel's experience and expertise with anti-terrorist and counter-insurgent combat. [19].Some Russian officials have drawn similarities between Israel's struggle with Palestinian terrorism and Russia's firm position towards Chechen rebels. [20] Moscow considers such Islamic entities a serious threat to Russian international objectives, as in the past when Iran sponsored certain anti-Russian groups. [21].

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon best understood Putin's position vis-à-vis Chechnya, and the two leaders build an amicable rapport.

During Sharon's tenure as prime minister, he visited Moscow three times (Sept.1, 2001; Oct. 2002; Nov. 2003). During Putin's early years as president, 2000-2003, Russia's posture towards Israel began to improve. [22]

Iran's Threat to Russia

Joseph Cirincione, Director of Non-Proliferation Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, predicts that Iran's development of a nuclear arsenal would spark a regional nuclear arms race, leading to a worldwide breakdown of the nuclear
non-proliferation treaty, and possibly nuclear war.

Russia, with its strong economic and historical ties to the Middle East, along with shared borders to the region, would particularly suffer from the destabilization of the region. [23].A nuclear-armed Iran would not only threaten Russia's external borders, but also its internal security. Iran's president has stated that Islam is ready to rule the world, [24] and with a nuclear arsenal, the current Iranian regime could easily translate its rhetoric into action. And Russia will not remain immune. Russia's large Muslim population in regions such as Chechnya and Dagestan could become the newest target audience for Ahmadinejad's radical vision. [25]

Recent Developments Between Israel and Russia

In recent weeks the Israeli government has held high-level dialogues with Russian officials in preparation for the Olmert-Putin meeting.An Israeli delegation flew to Moscow, sometime after the Aug. 14 ceasefire, to discuss Russian-made weaponry that was found in Hezbollah's possession. Israeli officials raised concerns over Russian arms sales to Iran and Syria, both of which supplied Hezbollah with rockets launched at Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and civilians.Specifically, sales of Fagot and Kornet anti-tank missiles were cited since a number of those missiles were to blame for the deaths of many IDF soldiers. [26].According to The Jerusalem Post, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Israel on Sept. 7 to announce that news of the Russian-made armament discovered in southern Lebanon resulted in the dismissal of Russia's arms-export official. [27].Lavrov alerted Israel on Oct. 6 that Moscow had received information that the two IDF soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah on July 12, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, were alive and in good condition. The Russian foreign minister said Russia was pressuring Iran and Syria to for more information about their condition. [28]

Footnotes

[1] Benn, Aluf, PM: Israel supports int'l efforts to counter Iran nuclear ambitions,Haaretz, Oct. 12, 2006, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/773813.html

[2] Enhanced security for Olmert's visit to Moscow synagogue, Interfax, Oct. 10, 2006, http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=2121

[3] Katz, Mark N., Putin's pro-Israel policy, Middle East Quarterly, Winter 2005, http://meforum.org/article/690

[4] Hezbollah attacks northern Israel and Israel's response, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, July 12, 2006, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Terrorism+from+Lebanon+Hizbullah/Hizbullah+attack+in+northern+Israel+and+Israels+response+12-Jul-2006.htm

[5] Berger, Sebastien, and Bishop, Patrick, 'Eliminate' Israel to solve the crisis, says Iranian president, The Daily Telegraph, Aug. 4, 2006, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/08/04/wmid204.xml

[6] Profile of the Lebanese Shiite Terrorist Organization of Global Reach Sponsored by Iran and Supported by Syria: Parts 1 and 2 ,

Intelligence and Information Center at the Center for Special Studies, June-July 2003, http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia//ENGLISH/IRAN/PDF/JUNE_03.PDF and
http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia//ENGLISH/IRAN/PDF/JULY_03.PDF

[7] Syria Profile, Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), Feb. 2006, http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/Syria/index.html

[8] Freedman, Robert O., Russia, Iran, and the nuclear question: The Putin record, Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, No.544, July 2, 2006, http://www.jcpa.org/jl/vp544.htm

[9] Hmelik, Natalya, Russia's special relationship with Iran's Mullahs, Global Politician, March 27, 2006,
http://globalpolitician.com/articledes.asp?ID=1690&cid=2&sid=4

[10] Iran, Weapons of Mass Destruction: Brushehr, Globalsecurity.org, Feb. 19, 2006,
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/iran/bushehr.htm

[11] Benn, Aluf, and Melman, Yossi, Putin hardens line of Iran nuclear program, Haaretz, March 28, 2005

[12] Syria profile: Missile overview, Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), March 2006,
http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/Syria/Missile/index.html

[13] Kass, Lee, Syria after Lebanon: The Growing Syrian Missile Threat, Middle East Quarterly, Fall 2005, Vol 12, No. 4, www.meforum.org/article/755

[14] Moore, Molly, In Israel, Putin defends Syria, Iran deals, The Washington Post, April 29, 2005, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/28/AR2005042800562_pf.html

[15] Benn, Aluf, Israel and North Korea/Maybe now they'll take Iran seriously, Haaretz, Oct. 11, 2006, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/772453.html

[16] Krieger, Hillary Leila, Israel hopes N. Korea sways Iran policy, The Jerusalem Post, Oct. 11, 2006, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1159193413595&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[17] Safranchuk, Ivan, Russia's position on Iran: Motives and constraints, Moscow Defense Brief, No. 2 (6), 2006, http://mdb.cast.ru/mdb/2-2006/item1/item1/

[18] Makienko, Konstantin, Russian-Israeli relations and Russian arms trade in the Middle East, Moscow Defense Brief, No. 2 (4), 2005, http://mdb.cast.ru/mdb/2-2005/am/russianisraiel/

[19] Makienko, Konstantin, Russian-Israeli relations and Russian arms trade in the Middle East, Moscow Defense Brief, No. 2 (4), 2005, http://mdb.cast.ru/mdb/2-2005/am/russianisraiel/

[20] Katz, Mark N., Putin's pro-Israel policy, Middle East Quarterly, Winter 2005, http://meforum.org/article/690

[21] Javedanfar, Meir, Iran and Russia: Allies or mutually assured acquaintances, The Middle East Economic and Political Analysis Company (MEEPAS), April 29, 2005, http://www.meepas.com/iranandrussiapart1.htm

[22] Katz, Mark N., Putin's pro-Israel policy, Middle East Quarterly, Winter 2005, http://meforum.org/article/690

[23] Joseph Cirincione, Controlling Iran's Nuclear Program, Issues in Science and Technology, Spring 2006, http://www.issues.org/22.3/cirincione.html

[24] Hartley-Brewer, Julia,"Israel prepares to launch attack on Iran nuclear sites;
Missile threat to defiant country, Sunday Express, Jan. 15, 2006

[25] Kazoun, Jamil, Russia's policy on Iran and Muslim neighbors,Iran-Russia, Analysis, May 9, 2006, http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/060509/2006050901.html

[26] Katz, Mark N., Putin's pro-Israel policy, Middle East Quarterly, Winter 2005, http://meforum.org/article/690

[27] Keinon, Herb, Russia fires arms export official after Israeli complaints, The Jerusalem Post, Oct. 5, 2006, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1159193379094&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[28] Alon,Gideon, and Khoury, Jack, Russian FM: Captured IDF soldiers are alive and well, Haaretz, Oct. 4, 2006,
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/770537.html
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Board of Advisors: Senator Evan Bayh (IN), Senator Saxby Chambliss (GA), Senator Norm Coleman (MN), Senator Ben Nelson (NE), Senator Rick Santorum (PA), Senator Arlen Specter (PA), Senator Ron Wyden (OR), Congressman Rob Andrews (NJ), Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (NV), Congressman Tom Davis (VA), Congressman Eliot Engel (NY), Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ), Congressman Jon Porter (NV), Congressman Jim Saxton (NJ), Congressman Brad Sherman (CA), Congressman Joe Wilson (SC), Actor and Director Ron Silver

DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TR BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).

Spanish foreign minister in Damascus for talks
dpa German Press Agency
Published: Saturday October 14, 2006


Damascus- Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos arrived in Damascus on Saturday for talks with Syrian leaders in an effort to boost the Mideast peace process. Moratinos was welcomed on his arrival at Damascus airport by his Syrian counterpart, Walid Moallem. The Spanish foreign minister told reporters that he was visiting Syria not on behalf of the European Union but on behalf of Spain, a friendly country with Syria and said Madrid support all peace efforts aimed at achieving peace.

When asked what role the EU might play in solving problems of the Middle East, Moratinos said that the EU is working along with other actors but the EU of course has its own position its own commitment and we try to have some positive input in this part of the world. Mortinos headed directly from the airport to meet President Bashar Assad. He will hold a press conference on Sunday.© 2006 dpa German Press Agency

Israeli poll indicates shift to right among electorate
Compiled by Daily Star staff
Saturday, October 14, 2006


Right-wing political parties in Israel are gaining in popularity, according to an opinion poll published in the mass-selling Yediot Ahronot newspaper on Friday. If snap elections were held, the survey found that the right-wing Likud party heavily defeated in a general election less than seven months ago - would win 22 seats in Parliament compared to the 12 it occupies today.Based on answers from respondents when questioned about which party they would vote for if elections were held immediately, the far-right Yisrael Beitenu party would secure 20 seats from 11 now, the poll showed.Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's centrist Kadima party was left trailing in third place with 15 seats compared to 29 today, with the center-left Labor party also dipping down to 15 seats from 19.

The representation of Arab Israeli parties would remain constant at 10 seats, with other seats in the 120-member Parliament divided between religious groups, the left-wing and the Pensioners party.Around 10 percent of respondents said they were undecided about who to vote for if snap elections were called.Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu was found to be the favorite to become the next prime minister, with 29 percent of respondents saying that he was the one they would select as premier.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb

Another 18 percent said they favored Olmert, 17 percent Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman and just 7 percent Defense Minister and Labor chairman Amir Peretz.The poll was taken a day after Olmert's spokeswoman confirmed the premier would bring Yisrael Beitenu into his coalition government.Success or failure of Olmert's efforts could determine prospects of Mideast peacemaking in the immediate future. If Olmert's government falls, Israel would be dragged into yet another election campaign, its sixth in a decade, putting diplomacy in the deep freeze for months.But critics fear if Olmert brings in Lieberman and his hard-line party, the result could be the same.Olmert is trying to broaden his center-left government as the fall parliamentary session begins next week. Political analyst Hanan Crystal said bringing Yisrael Beitenu on board would help blunt some of the hard-line criticism, but would also be an admission that there will be no progress in dealings with the Palestinians or Syria.AFP, AP

REVELATION 6:7-8
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse:(CHLORES GREEN) and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword,(WEAPONS) and with hunger,(FAMINE) and with death,(INCURABLE DISEASES) and with the beasts of the earth.(ANIMAL TO HUMAN DISEASE).

Mount Allison virus spread through bathrooms, cafeteria: officials
Friday, October 13, 2006,CBC News


Mount Allison University in Sackville, N.B., has cancelled classes and closed all public buildings while cleaning staff disinfect the school in response to an outbreak that has caused diarrhea and vomiting among at least 100 students.Public health officials asked the university to close its campus on Friday, suggesting that a fast-moving, Norwalk-type virus is likely to blame for the illness. It has swept through eight of 11 university dorms on campus and has hit faculty and staff. It is believed the gastrointestinal illness may have spread through students in the university residences, where they live in close quarters and share bathrooms. (CBC)
The virus likely spread through shared washrooms in residence halls and cafeteria salad bars.

Student Fraser Harland was hit hard by the stomach bug on Thursday.I went to bed at one in the morning and I was woken up at two with a very upset stomach. I just started vomiting and it was like that for the rest of that night, basically on the hour every hour.

Students stroll through the Mount Allison University campus, which closed Friday because of a viral outbreak.(CBC) All classes and extracurricular activities are cancelled until Monday. The dining hall, all academic buildings, residences and
the library will remain open. Community groups and members of the public are asked to stay off the campus.Split bathroom use

The university has stopped short of quarantining sick students, but has split up residence bathrooms so healthy students don't have to share sinks and counters with those who are infected.Health Department spokesman Denis Allard says nobody knows where the virus originated.It's really hard to know where it was introduced from. Whether it was introduced by a student back from a long weekend or by a member of the staff, it's difficult to know at this point in the investigation.A letter to the public from Stephen McClatchie, Mount Allison's vice-president, academic and research, suggests students began getting sick on Thursday. He says some were treated at Sackville Memorial Hospital, while others remained in their rooms. McLatchie says the school administration invited public health officials to investigate as soon as students began getting sick.

We are continuing to care for students, providing as much information as we can to them and to their parents about how to prevent further spread of the stomach flu-like symptoms,he said.Norwalk, which can hit cruise ships and other places where people live in close quarters, lasts about 24 to 48 hours and has no serious lingering effects.

Students got sick first

Students living in residence were the first to realize something was wrong earlier this week.There's a lot of people who have gotten sick,said first-year student Amanda Hughes.I know 30 people at Windsor [Hall] are sick from it, and a couple of kids from our house have been in the hospital.Another student, Mathew Moreau, says many students suspected food poisoning.There's been a lot of rumours now. The whole meal hall is deserted because no one exactly [knows] what is going on, so everyone is just dodging it at the moment,Moreau said. I went to lunch today and there was barely anyone there.Mount Allison spokeswoman Sheila Blagrave says tests have found nothing wrong with the food services. She says the university has e-mailed students with advice on avoiding infection through handwashing and cleanliness, and where to go for help if they get sick.Public health staff identified a gastrointestinal virus through samples taken from students and staff. Lab results to determine the type of virus should be available by Monday.

IDF Stepping Up Operations in the Gaza Strip
23:32 Oct 14, '06 / 22 Tishrei 5767
by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz(INN)


At least eleven Arab terrorists or accomplices have been killed since Friday. Palestinian Authority sources reported Saturday evening that IDF forces entered the Beit Hanoun area of northern Gaza.The IDF has intensified operations in Gaza in response to a sharp increase in Kassam rocket attacks into the western Negev towns, as well as stepped up attacks on IDF positions and units along the Gaza perimeter. Beit Hanoun has been a popular launching area for PA terrorists. A Fatah terrorist of the Tanzim militia was eliminated in an IDF airstrike today in the Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza.

Three PA residents were injured in the operation, which IDF sources said targeted a vehicle belonging to a cell involved in the ongoing Kassam rocket attacks on Jewish targets. In the early morning hours of Saturday, seven PA residents were killed in northern Gaza when an IDF missile struck the building they were in. On Friday, three Hamas terrorists were eliminated in an IDF airstrike on their car.

In other counterterror activities, IDF troops shot at members of a terrorist cell in Kabatiyeh, south of the PA city of Jenin. At least one of the cell members, who belonged to the Islamic Jihad, was reportedly injured. Two PA residents were captured by Israeli soldiers as they attempted to slip across the Gaza Strip perimeter defenses. The would-be infiltrators were transferred to General Security Services for interrogation.

PA sources put the count of Arab deaths as a result of IDF operations over the last three days at 19. The sources claimed that four of the fatalities are children and that one is a woman. The Izz A-Din Al-Kassam Brigades of Hamas claimed to have fired nine Yassin rockets, an RPG and eleven mortars at IDF forces in the northern Gaza Strip overnight.

The Hamas also claimed that it was responsible for the rocket attack on Sderot on Friday, in which three Israelis were lightly injured and ten others suffered shock.
The Islamic Jihad also claimed to have attacked IDF forces in Gaza overnight. The terrorist group released a statement saying its men fired an RPG at an IDF armored troop transport in an area east of Khan Younis. The Popular Resistance Committees and the Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades of the Fatah organization, which is headed by PA leader Mahmoud Abbas, announced that its fighters had fired six rockets at the IDF’s Kerem Shalom military base on Friday night. Fatah terrorists also claimed that they had fired two Aksa-2 rockets at the Negev city of Ofakim. In a related report from outside Israel, Egyptian security forces have arrested eight activists from the Muslim Brotherhood organization, which has been closely linked with Islamist terrorism. Egyptian sources said that the Brotherhood members were arrested for distributing pamphlets that encourage opposition to the current regime in Cairo,
headed by President Hosni Mubarak.Last Update: 23:32 October 14, 2006

Sunday, October 15, 2006

SIGNS IN SUN MOON AND STARS (HEAVENS)

1-2 moderate quakes strike off Japan coast 2-North Korea's nuke test triggered earthquakes: geologists. 3-16 dead, four missing in southwest China flooding. 4-Active weather hits parts of the country W. Verno. 5-Liberal MEP tables Plan B for EU constitution. 6-Jupiter tiny spot goes from white to red. 7-Fires and worst drought in 100 years wake Australia up to the reality of climate change. 8-US test confirms N Korea claim. 9-NUCLEAR FALLOUT / Export of N-technology could spark U.S. attack.

MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:(ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST ETHNIC GROUP) and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

2 moderate quakes strike off Japan coast Fri Oct 13, 7:52 PM ET

TOKYO - Two moderate quakes struck off the coast of Japan early Saturday, including one that shook the Japanese capital, the U.S. Geological Survey said. A 5.3-magnitude quake struck off the east coast of Honshu island, about 65 miles southeast of Tokyo, the USGS said on its Web site.There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the quake. There was also no threat of a tsunami, the Japanese Meteorological Agency said.Earlier Saturday, a larger, 6.3-magnitude quake struck off the disputed Kuril islands, located northeast of Hokkaido island. The islands are administered by Russia but claimed by Japan.

That quake was centered about 1020 miles northeast of Tokyo.Japan sits atop four tectonic plates and is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world.

North Korea's nuke test triggered earthquakes: geologists
PTI ,Saturday, October 14, 2006 17:19 IST


MUMBAI: Did the nuclear test by North Korea on October nine trigger earthquakes in the region? Apparently yes, if geologists are to be believed.The earthquake pattern between October nine and 13 in East Asia, geologists say, was due to a disturbance in natural stress conditions of the subduction zone extending from Kuril Island in the north to Phillipines islands in the south.They said it was apparent that the nuclear explosion did create stress along the trench. In the last two months, such earthquake clusters were not observed in the zone, according to geologists from the Department of Earth Sciences in the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) here.

Between October nine and 11, the Phillippines islands experienced nearly 10 quakes with magnitudes varying from 4.2 to 6.3 on the Richter scale.Taiwan recorded a 5.6-magnitude quake, while Japan recorded a 5.8-magnitude temblor on October 10. Similarly, Kuril islands experienced a 6-magnitude quake yesterday, they said. A plot of the epicentres on the tectonic map of East Asia clearly demonstrates the nuclear test released stress along the subduction zone, the geologists pointed out.A 5.8-magnitude quake shook northern Japan on Tuesday evening, sparking fears that it was a second nuclear test by North Korea but this was proved wrong later.Instead, seismologists detected a series of earthquakes near Japan.Pyongyong's first nculear test created an artificial earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale, according to United States Geological Survey (USGS).

LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

GENESIS 6:11-13
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.(WORLD TERRORISM,MURDERS)
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence (TERRORISM) through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

16 dead, four missing in southwest China flooding Sat Oct 14, 7:13 AM ET

BEIJING (AFP) - Flooding and landslides caused by torrential rains in southwestern China have left at least 20 people dead or missing and 11 others injured. Heavy downpours from October 6 to 12 in the Honghe prefecture of Yunnan province triggered the flooding and landslides in the mountainous region, Xinhua news agency reported in a short dispatch Saturday.The natural disaster has resulted in the evacuation of up to 20,000 people, while 2,000 homes have collapsed in the region largely populated by the Hani, an Yi ethnic minorities, it said.

Active weather hits parts of the country W. Verno, Meteorologist, The Weather Channel 26 minutes ago

Northeast

Low pressure will continue to bring unsettled weather to the eastern Great Lakes today. Mixed rain and snow showers can be expected from Buffalo, north through the Burlington area today, along with breezy west winds at times. This, added to the melting of heavy wet snow in the Buffalo area may result in some flood issues. Meanwhile, high pressure will dominate the rest of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with generally sunny to partly cloudy skies. Afternoon highs will range from the 40s from Pittsburgh and Buffalo, north through Burlington, while highs reach the lower 60s from Washington and Philadelphia, northward through New York and Boston. This general weather pattern will remain in place on Sunday, with a slight modification in afternoon temperatures. Rain and snow showers will be decreasing a bit near the Great Lakes.

South

After a cool morning, temperatures will begin a warming trend later today. With high pressure in place across the south, many areas woke up to the coolest temperatures so far this season in the south. With plenty of sunshine into the afternoon, and winds gradually shifting to a more southerly direction, afternoon highs will warm into the 70s across much of the area, with a few 80s along the Gulf Coast. A few showers and thunderstorms will be possible over south Florida, where a cold front remains nearby, but a better chance of showers and thunderstorms will be across south Texas, where some flooding will be possible. By Sunday, the chance for showers and thunderstorms will greatly increase across Texas, into parts of the Mid-South, as a storm system approaches the area from the west. Flooding may become an issue over parts of Texas into Sunday. Meanwhile high pressure will continue the dry weather over the Southeast.

Midwest

More rain and snow showers will impact the Great Lakes, but a warming trend is on the way. Low pressure will continue to enhance the chances for rain and snow showers, as well as breezy conditions, near the Great Lakes. Some additional snow accumulations will be possible over the northern Great Lakes this morning, but that threat should diminish as the day goes on. Meanwhile, high pressure will dominate the rest of the central Plains and Midwest, with sunny to partly cloudy skies. Temperatures will remain cool near the Great Lakes, with highs generally 40s, but will warm to the 60s over the central Plains. The chance for showers and a few thunderstorms will increase over the central and southern Plains on Sunday as a new storm system approaches the area.

West

The potential for flooding rains and severe thunderstorms will impact parts if the southwest. A storm developing over the southwest will generate showers and thunderstorms from southern California, eastward into the four corners area. A few severe thunderstorms will also be possible, along with heavy downpours that may result in flooding. Meanwhile high pressure will dominate the rest of the west providing fair weather conditions. The storm system will begin to move east Sunday, ending the rainfall over the California area, but continuing over the four corners. A new storm system will also move into the Pacific Northwest, bringing rain and higher evaluations snows there.

REVELATION 17:12-13
12 And the ten horns (NATIONS) which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

REVELATION 6:1-2
1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse:(PEACE) and he that sat on him had a bow;(EU ROMAN DICTATOR) and a crown was given unto him:(PRESIDENT OF THE EU) and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.(MILITARY GENIUS)

REVELATION 13:1-10
1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.(THE EU AND ITS DICTATOR IS GODLESS)
2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.(DICTATOR COMES FROM NEW AGE OR OCCULT)
3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death;(MURDERERD) and his deadly wound was healed:(COMES BACK TO LIFE) and all the world wondered after the beast.(THE WORLD THINKS ITS GOD IN THE FLESH, MESSIAH TO ISRAEL)
4 And they worshipped the dragon (SATAN) which gave power unto the beast:(JEWISH EU DICTATOR) and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?(FALSE RESURRECTION,SATAN BRINGS HIM TO LIFE)
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.(GIVEN WORLD CONTROL FOR 3 1/2YRS)
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God,(HES A GOD HATER) to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.(HES A LIBERAL OR DEMOCRAT,WILL PUT ANYTHING ABOUT GOD DOWN)
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints,(BEHEAD THEM) and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.(WORLD DOMINATION)
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.(WORLD DICTATOR)
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.(SAVED CHRISTIANS AND JEWS DIE FOR THEIR FAITH AT THIS TIME,NOW WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE BUT DURING THE 7 YEARS OF HELL ON EARTH, PEOPLE WILL BE PUT TO DEATH (BEHEADINGS) FOR THEIR BELIEF IN GOD (JESUS) OR THE BIBLE.

DANIEL 11:36-40
36 And the king shall do according to his will;(EU PRESIDENT) and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers,(THIS EU DICTATOR IS A EUROPEAN JEW) nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces:(HES A MILITARY GINIUS) and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds (CONTROL HEZBOLLAH,AL-QUAIDA MURDERERS ETC) with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many,(HIS ARMY LEADERS) and shall divide the land for gain.(LAND FOR PEACE,DOES THAT SOUND LIKE SOMETHING FAMILIAR)
40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south(EGYPT) push at him:(EU DICTATOR PROTECTING ISRAELS SECURITY) and the king of the north(RUSSIA) shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come (ROMANS IN AD 70) shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMANS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 And he( EU ROMAN, JEWISH DICTATOR) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:( 7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,( 3 1/2 YRS) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Liberal MEP tables Plan B for EU constitution
13.10.2006 - 16:38 CET | By Mark Beunderman


EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Over one year after the constitution was rejected in two referendums, ideas and plans are slowly emerging on how to revive the document with one influential MEP suggesting a new-look version should include articles on issues like climate change which are of direct concern to EU citizens.UK liberal MEP Andrew Duff will on Wednesday (18 October) present his Plan B: how to rescue the European Constitution amid a re-emerging debate across Europe on the fate of the charter after French and Dutch voters rejected it in 2005.We are now at two years on since the signing of the constitution,he told EUobserver. It is about time we pressed on with Plan B.

In the rescue plan, the MEP staunchly defends the core of the existing EU constitution text part I on institutional reform and part II on fundamental rights while making the document more attractive to citizens by adding provisions which specifically address their concerns. We have to try to understand the causes of the disaffection which was expressed in France and the Netherlands and elsewhere, he said.I think if one does, and I have, there are five elements which stand out, he argued referring to the economic governance of the union; Europe's social model; sustainable development and climate change policy; enlargement policy; and the reform of the EU's finances. The Duff plan proposes adding fresh clauses on these five policy areas to the constitution by opening up the current policy part of the text, part III, while leaving parts I and II as they are.

Sarkozy and Amato

The MEP insists that simply removing the entire or most of part III as proposed by French interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy and others is not enough. Subediting is not a sufficient response to the crisis, he said explaining that the changes to text should be political. Mr Duff rejected various proposals to merely slim down the constitution text without adding anything new which he said are also under discussion in the wise group of European politicians led by Italian interior minister Giuliano Amato. I suspect that the Amato group is to come out with a...simple filleting of part III, he said. This is mere pathology...What I am trying to do is to rejuvenate the creature. The British MEP also opposes ideas to drop the name constitution and instead call a revised text a treaty. Such a move would merely spark contempt from citizens while disguising the truth about the scale and scope of integration,he said.

Liberal divisions

Meanwhile, Mr Duff's fellow European liberal party (ELDR) members gathering in Bucharest on Thursday and Friday (12-13 October) failed to reach agreement on a liberal vision on the future of the EU following disagreement on key paragraphs on the constitution.

ELDR president and Belgian MEP Annemie Neyts had in the run-up to the congress prepared a draft vision for a modern and motivating EU but the document was rejected by member parties and shelved until May next year. The draft stood in sharp contrast with Mr Duff's plan B, as it said that a revised text should not be called a Constitution. The ELDR draft also questioned the institutional Part I of the constitution by stating that issues such as reducing the size of the Commission...and creating the position of EU President could be removed from the text.

Two-draft referendum

Eurosceptics in the European Parliament, meanwhile, are criticising the recent wave of plans to resuscitate the EU constitution, with Danish member Jens-Peter Bonde stating instead of manipulating the public by drafting a compressed constitution, we should make a fresh start. The veteran MEP proposes setting up a new convention, similar to the body of European politicians that drafted the constitution but this time directly elected by the people.The body would have 270 members with 10 representatives per member state and work for one year, ideally coming up with two draft treaties draft A for a kind of EU state and draft B for a Europe of democracies. Voters would subsequently be able to choose between the two options representing radically different scales of European co-operation in an EU-wide referendum. If people go for the federalist option I will accept that,he said adding that he would himself promote draft B a decentralised EU focusing its work strictly on cross-border issues.

LUKE 21:11,25
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)

Jupiter tiny spot goes from white to red By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer Thu Oct 12, 7:27 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Just a little more than a year ago, the small spot on Jupiter was a pale white; now it matches the reddish hue of its bigger sibling, the Great Red Spot, and boasts 400 mph winds, according to new data from the Hubble Space Telescope. Both spots are actually fierce storms in Jupiter's atmosphere. While the red spot at three times the size of Earth is much more noticeable, strange things are happening to the smaller spot.Scientists aren't quite sure what's happening to the smaller storm, nicknamed the Little Red Spot or Red Spot Jr. but officially called Oval BA. It probably gained strength as it shrunk slightly, the same way spinning ice skaters go faster when they move their arms closer, said NASA planetary scientist Amy Simon-Miller. Her findings from the Hubble data were published in the astronomical journal Icarus.

As the storm has grown stronger it's probably picked up red material from lower in the Jupiter atmosphere, most likely some form of sulfur which turns red as part of a chemical reaction, she said.The color change took astronomers by surprise. And now they figure more surprises are in store as the solar system's largest planet goes into hiding from Earth's prying eyes until January, moving behind the sun.We found that Jupiter tends to do interesting things behind the sun and we can't see it,Simon-Miller said.
On the Net:NASA on the Little Red Spot:http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/topstory/2006/little_red_spot.html,Hubble Space Telescope: http://hubblesite.org/

REVELATION 8:7
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

Fires and worst drought in 100 years wake Australia up to the reality of climate change By Kathy Marks in Sydney Published: 14 October 2006

Australia is confronting its worst drought in a century with rampant fires devastating agricultural areas, rivers drying up, crops failing, and farmers forced to sell off their livestock. The bushfire season has begun months early and the government has pledged financial aid for despairing farmers, already laden with debt after five straight years of drought. Some may earn no income at all this year, and there are fears that the suicide rate in the countryside, which is already high, will soar further.The federal Treasurer, Peter Costello, said the countryside was facing a rural recession.

But some politicians and environmental groups say that sympathetic words are not enough. They point to the increased frequency and severity of drought-causing El Niño weather patterns, attributed to global warming, and to Australia's leading role in poisoning the Earth's atmosphere with greenhouse gases.Australians are among the world's biggest energy consumers, and the country is one of the top per capita producers of carbon dioxide emissions. Nonetheless, it is one of only two industrialised nations, along with the United States, that has refused to sign the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, arguing that it would harm the economy.Now the economy looks likely to get a good shaking, as a result of the unseasonably high temperatures and pitifully low rainfall in recent months.

In New South Wales alone, 92 per cent of the state is officially in drought, and farmers have begun offloading stock before the hot, dry summer sets in, forcing them to buy feed and water. Sheep sales in the state are 70 per cent higher than last year, and at one saleyard last week, a record 67,000 sheep were sold in one day.Agricultural economists, meanwhile, have slashed their winter crop forecasts by more than a third, and wheat exports have been suspended to meet domestic demand.While some farmers are braced for their first total crop failure in half a century, consumers in urban areas are being warned to expect significantly higher food bills.

The Prime Minister, John Howard, said the drought would almost certainly affect gross domestic product, which has been growing at an unprecedented rate for more than a decade. But he urged Australians to retain a sense of perspective, saying that the country overall is still doing very well.Bushfires, meanwhile, were raging throughout south-eastern Australia yesterday, although summer does not officially start for more than six weeks, and fires of this ferocity are not normally seen until after Christmas.With the vegetation tinder-dry after one of the driest winters on record, hundreds of fires were burning across four states, fanned by high temperatures and strong winds. Much of the south-east was on an extreme fire danger alert. In Tasmania, scores of homes were threatened by fires advancing on the suburbs of Hobart, the state capital, this week.

Scientists warned the bushfire threat would increase over coming decades, as climate change brought more frequent hot weather, accompanied by less rainfall.Penny Whetton, of the government's own scientific body, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, said: "The frequency of days of very high fire danger are increasing 20 to 30 per cent over the next few decades.Phil Koperberg, New South Wales fire service commissioner, said it was virtually unheard of to have fires at this time of year in places like the Snowy Mountains and Kosciusko National Park. I've been in the business for 40 years ... it's a spectacularly unusual event, he said.Some scientists and environmental groups are predicting that the drought is here to stay, and are calling for better land and water management practices.Australia is one of the world's driest continents. But a national audit of water resources, released yesterday, found that dwindling water supplies were being wasted, despite restrictions imposed in six major cities, including Sydney.

Thanks to the drought, dams are drying up. One dam alone in New South Wales has lost a volume of water equivalent to Sydney Harbour, because of evaporation. River beds in bone-dry rural areas are empty and cracked. One newspaper yesterday carried a front-page photograph of a little girl jumping over a muddy trickle on her parents' property - all that remains of the once powerful Darling, Australia's longest river. The river is part of the Murray-Darling system, which feeds the country's food basket. The National Climate Centre warned that without rain, the rivers will soon run dry.The leader of the Green Party, Bob Brown, blamed government policies for helping to create the bushfires and droughts. He accused Mr Howard's conservative government of encouraging Australian industries to burn coal, while starving renewable energy scientists of funding.Greg Hunt, the parliamentary secretary to Ian Campbell, the Environment minister, said thatAustralia was meeting international targets for reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and investing in renewable energy and clean coal technology.

NUCLEAR WEAPONS WILL BE USED.

ISAIAH 26:21
21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.(WW3,1/2 earths population die).

ISAIAH 13:6-13 KJV
6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:(FROM FRIGHT)
8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

ISAIAH 24:17-23 KJV
17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

2 TIMOTHY 3:1
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous (DANGEROUS) times shall come.

JOEL 2:20,30
20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army,(RUSSIA,MUSLIMS) and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.(SIBERIAN DESERT)
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.(NUCLEAR BOMB)
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

ZECHARIAH 14:12-13
12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.

EZEKIEL 20:47
47 And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.

ZEPHANIAH 1:18
18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

MALACHI 4:1
1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

REVELATION 8:7
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

REVELATION 9:18
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

HALF OF EARTHS POPULATION DIE DURING THE 7 YR TRIBULATION.(THESE VERSES ARE JUDGEMENT SCRIPTURES NOT RAPTURE SCRIPTURES)

LUKE 17:34-37
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.(Christians have new bodies,this is the people against Jerusalem during the 7 yr treaty)(Christians bodies are not being eaten by the birds).

MATTHEW 24:37-51
37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Last Updated: Saturday, 14 October 2006, 07:12 GMT 08:12 UK
US test confirms N Korea claim


There has been no independent confirmation of the test Preliminary results of scientific tests appear to confirm that North Korea did carry out a nuclear test last Monday as it claimed, US officials have said. But they stressed that more tests were needed to reach a conclusion. A vote on sanctions is expected later in the day at the UN Security Council but Russia and China are still querying the US-drafted resolution. Ban Ki-moon, who will be the new UN secretary-general, called for a clear and strong resolution to be adopted. Mr Ban was formally elected by the UN General Assembly on Friday to replace Kofi Annan at the end of the year.

Throughout the week there has been uncertainty about whether North Korea carried out a nuclear test, tried to but failed, or merely made a false claim, the BBC's Nick Miles reports from Washington. The apparent confirmation that Pyongyang did carry out a nuclear test could make the passing of the UN resolution more likely, our correspondent says.

Fizzle theory

US scientists found that there were traces of radioactive gas in the air near the site of last Monday's alleged nuclear test. White House officials cautioned that this result alone did not confirm a successful test but it could mean that a nuclear test had been attempted.One official quoted by the Associated Press said the results could indicate a nuclear fizzle, rather than a full test. The agency also quoted an unnamed official as saying the sample had been collected above Qunggye, near the area of the claimed nuclear test.Both South Korean and Chinese scientists said earlier they had detected no evidence of radioactivity in air, soil and rainwater tests.The US has revised a draft resolution to remove the threat of imminent military action in an effort to allay Chinese and Russian concerns.

The US envoy to the UN, John Bolton, said he expected the vote to be held on Saturday but it depended on Russia and China's stance.But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the current draft still had elements that should be discussed and clarified.

The US draft retains a controversial provision allowing nations to inspect cargo moving in and out of North Korea in pursuit of non-conventional weapons.

Clouds gather

It urges Pyongyang to implement a September 2005 agreement in which it pledged to give up its nuclear programme in exchange for aid and security guarantees.A Russian envoy who has just visited North Korea said he urged the Pyongyang authorities to return to six-nation disarmament talks. Alexander Alexeyev said his meetings were useful but did not say how the North Koreans had responded to his appeal, the Associated Press reported. New Japanese sanctions against North Korea have already come into force.The measures include trade and travel bans, barring North Korean ships from Japan's ports, and freezing imports and visits by North Korean officials.South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has held talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao.

A top South Korean official said the two men did not discuss the details of the draft resolution but agreed in general principle to support UN action. Mr Roh is facing increasing pressure at home to reverse his so-called sunshine policy of engagement with the North.As many as 3,000 protesters gathered outside Seoul city hall to demand the government cut off aid and investment.

NUCLEAR FALLOUT / Export of N-technology could spark U.S. attack
The Yomiuri Shimbun


If North Korea crosses the Rubicon and transfers nuclear weapons and technology to other nations, the nation will bear full responsibility for it, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Tuesday in a series of interviews with the U.S. media. On Monday, U.S. President George W. Bush said in a statement, The transfer of nuclear weapons or material by North Korea to states or nonstate entities would be considered a grave threat to the United States. The United States is not just concerned that North Korea could become a nuclear state, but that such an affront to the intent of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty could result in an increased number of nations possessing nuclear weapons and transfer of those weapons to international terrorist organizations, threatening the security of the United States.

The United States has intentionally left the redline for considering military intervention ambiguous, but the statements by Bush and Rice following Pyongyang's announcement that it conducted an underground nuclear test made it clear the redline lies with the transfer of nuclear weapons and technology. Mitchell Reiss, who served as director for policy planning at the U.S. State Department during the first term of the Bush administration, said that regardless of whether the United States acknowledges North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons, the reality is that the United States must coexist with a nuclear-armed North Korea. He argued that the United States had no choice but to shift to a policy that focuses on the issue of nuclear proliferation. What concerns the United States most seriously at this point is nuclear proliferation to Iran, which has considerable influence on Iraq, the most pressing issue for the Bush administration.

If Iran, which the United States lists as a state sponsoring terrorism, receives nuclear technology or weapons from North Korea, fear that terrorists could obtain nuclear arms would grow dramatically. Washington also has another concern. Some in Congress and the media have begun openly expressing a view that recent events could spark a domino effect leading Japan, South Korea and Taiwan to become nuclear states in the wake of North Korea's nuclear development. They argue that the security situation in Northeast Asia would be dramatically changed. Given these two concerns, the United States first worked to strengthen international pressure on North Korea, pushing for the imposition of punitive sanctions through the U.N. Security Council and reassuring other nations such as Japan and South Korea that they are under the nuclear umbrella of the United States. By doing so, the United States aims to send a warning to Iran and prevent other nations from being tempted to become nuclear states.

So far, this tactic has worked well. At the U.N. Security Council, China, which had been reluctant to impose sanctions on North Korea, is now shifting to approve punitive measures. With Russia also being expected to support the council's resolution calling for imposition of sanctions, the international coalition against North Korea is being fully established. South Korea, which had refused to take part, even as an observer, in drills conducted under the U.S.-led international Proliferation Security Initiative to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, said for the first time on Tuesday that it would participate in PSI activities on a case-by-case basis. However, North Korea is aware the redline for the United States is the transfer of nuclear weapons and technology. This is why Pyongyang boldly conducted the nuclear test. North Korea likely will continue putting pressure on the United States while taking into account the limit line. As the United States currently rules out the military option against North Korea, the tug of war between North Korea and the United States already has begun. (Oct. 13, 2006)

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