| Is
the Aftermath of 9-11 Described in the Book of Revelation? Part II of II To Honor Jesus Christ, Glorify
God, Encourage Believers, & Warn All This
information is offered with the hope that YOU can come to KNOW the Lord
personally. Part I of the Study . What good does it do if you know everything about prophecy but are LOST? In brief, the Biblical scenario is as follows. The Bible predicts that the Lord would regather His people Israel after a long period of dispersion and return them to the land of Israel. (They had been dispersed due to unbelief.) In 70 AD (as prophesied) the temple of the Jews was destroyed by the Romans and the Jews have been dispersed throughout Europe and the world, beginning with their Babylonian and Assyrian captivities circa 600 BC. In 1948 (nearly 2000 years later) Israel became a nation and the countdown toward the coming of the Lord began in an undeniable fashion. The history of the Jews and God's fulfilled promises regarding them is the PROOF OF THE INFALLIBILTY of the BIBLE, the WORD OF GOD . Much of this history (fulfilled prophecy) took place before Christ came the first time. The Lord said " I have chosen thee in the FURNACE OF AFFLICTION ." Such has been the history of the Jews - persecution and destruction - until NOW. The Lord will FULFILL HIS WORD concerning the Jews upon His Second Coming . He has always FULFILLED HIS WORD in the past and HE WILL DO SO IN THE FUTURE. The Lord will return to this earth and restore His " brethren " who believe in Him and are converted by Him and then He will rule the earth FROM JERUSALEM and the nations that are left will seek out the Jews because they Know the Lord. The Jews will once again be blessed. But first, the Bible says that the following occurs- Upon the Jews return to the land ("immediately" prior to the physical return of Jesus Christ) a period of " tribulation " would occur which lasts 7 years. This " tribulation " is described in the Book of Revelation from Chapters 6 through 19 and is called elsewhere the " time of Jacob's trouble ." During this 7 year period a " covenant " would be enforced by a " coming prince " and this "covenant" (" with death " and " with hell ", Isaiah 28:15) will wield " peace " as an instrument of death, (" by peace he shall destroy many" , Daniel 8:25). The Bible says that this " covenant " will be " confirmed " for 7 years. The word confirmed when studied closely yields the meaning "insolently enforced." See Daniel 9:27 and Part I of this study for research. Such a " covenant " is the Mid-East Peace Agreement (in its final form) and the vigorous enforcement of a Mid-East security arrangement (as it has been called in the media) to thwart " terrorism " and secure " peace " in the Middle East. The " War on Terrorism " and the Clash of Civilizations are together the backdrop for the chaos of the Book of Revelation. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the likelihood of the nearness of the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in that the prophesied events are beginning to unfold with an ever-increasing frequency. The Second Coming of the Lord has been described as birth pangs. The more frequently we see these events, the nearer is His appearance. Part I of this study cites current news media depictions of events that are leading to this " covenant " and its insolent enforcement. Part II is a continuation of this effort to demonstrate the nearness of the Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Before the " time of Jacob's trouble " begins, an event will shock the world. This describes that event. If this event happens and you are still left on this earth, you will be faced with an awful choice . You do not have to be here during the tribulation; the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Believe the Lord today . 11-07-2004 One of the obstacles to furthering the Mid-East peace process has been Yassar Arafat. Israel is planning to withdraw settlements from the Gaza strip to initiate implementation of the "Palestinian state" as part of the RoadMap for Peace. It is being reported today that Arafat may be buried in the Gaza. From the website- http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=233206 we read- JERUSALEM Nov 7, 2004 — Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told the Israeli Cabinet on Sunday that security officials have completed preparations for Yasser Arafat to be buried in the Gaza Strip , meeting participants said. Meanwhile, there were conflicting reports as to whether the Palestinian leader was in a coma or not. From the website- http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=41250 we read- Politics: 7 November 2004, Sunday. Palestine's ailing leader Yasser Arafat was diagnosed with liver failure, according to an unnamed official. He added that the President's condition was not improving. Meanwhile, Israel completed preparations for Arafat to be buried in the Gaza Trip after his possible death. Officials said Palestinians in the West Bank will be allowed to cross Israel for the funeral. From the website- http://www.fox23news.com/news/world/story.aspx?content_id=57684941-AF1A-42C4-AD14-D9658CE97232 we read- Former U.S. envoys: breakthrough now possible in Mideast peace JERUSALEM (AP) - Former U.S. envoys say that the passing of Yasser Arafat would open up new opportunities for Mideast peace, especially if new, pragmatic Palestinian leaders emerge. But they say a breakthrough largely depends on a change of course by two other men: Ariel Sharon and George W. Bush. In interviews, the diplomats - key players in Mideast peacemaking for decades - said Bush's re-election and Arafat's grave illness will likely represent a turning point in peace efforts. From the website- http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=11781 we read- Blair vows to revitalize Mideast peace process British PM will try to steer Bush back toward Mideast peace process to create some momentum in right direction. By Michelle Hoffman - LONDON With his Iraq war ally back in the White House for four more years, British Prime Minister Tony Blair vowed Thursday to pursue the quest for Middle East peace, hoping to reap the political payoff of his steadfast support for Washington. "The important thing is to revitalize the Middle East peace process to create some momentum in the right direction," Blair's spokesman said following a meeting of Blair's cabinet. From the website- http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=9834 we read- EU rushes to keep Mideast peace drive on track Israeli police step up Tel Aviv security after suicide attack Compiled by Daily Star staff Wednesday, November 03, 2004 The European Union Tuesday unveiled new ideas to speed up the Middle East "road map," keen to keep the peace process on track despite Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's ill-health and the U.S. presidential election. On the ground, Israel beefed up security in Tel Aviv Tuesday after a suicide bombing in its commercial capital punctured hopes that Arafat's absence could slow the cycle of violence. In Brussels, EU foreign affairs chief Javier Solana said the U.S. government was on the "same wavelength" as the 25-nation bloc in wanting to accelerate the so-called road map. "The reality of the last days do make us think that this is a very important endeavor," he told reporters after briefing the EU foreign ministers on the situation in the Middle East after Arafat was flown to a Paris hospital last Thursday. from the website- www.aljazeera.info we read- Earth, a Planet Hungry for Peace (on a side bar) and Bush Sends Envoy for Mideast Peace Talks Arab News WASHINGTON/JEDDAH, 5 November 2004 — As a fresh initiative to kick-start the stalled Middle East peace talks, the Bush administration is expected to send a senior emissary to the region within the next few weeks. Speaking in his first press conference after his re-election, President George W Bush said he was committed to the creation of a Palestinian state. He said that when he proposed his two-states solution in June 2002 he meant what he said. Bush said he would support the creation of a Palestinian state if he could be assured that it would be free and democratic. There was no point in creating “ another despotic regime” in the region. Unless the Palestinians take steps toward democracy, the creation of a Palestinian state would remain “a moot point.” Bush said he would dedicate his second administration to spreading “freedom and democracy” throughout the world. He lambasted those who claim that some nations are “not ready for democracy” or “incapable of living in freedom.” He repeated his theme that terrorism thrives in undemocratic societies and that spreading freedom and democracy is necessary for ensuring the United States’ own national security. Bush’s message is likely to be at the center of the message that his emissary will bring to the region. (The real reason Bush invaded Iraq was is to "spread democracy", not oil, not money, not Haliburton. However, we know that after the initial elation over apparent success, there will be no democracy, but, on the contrary, a "despot" of Biblical proportions will arise.) Danforth is expected to fly to the region in the third week of November ahead of an international conference on the future of Iraq. Secretary of State Colin Powell will lead the US team at the conference, hosted by Egypt at Sharm El-Sheikh. The need for a new initiative in the Middle East was one of several foreign policy topics discussed at the first full Cabinet meeting headed by President George W Bush yesterday. The full Cabinet had not met since last August, putting large segments of American foreign policy on hold while the president fought for re-election. Calls for the US to re-engage in peacemaking in the region have come from several Arab and European leaders as they congratulated Bush on winning a second term at the White House. At a summit in Berlin, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder appealed to the United States to revive the road map for peace. Schroeder said peace efforts would go more smoothly with cooperation from Europe, Russia “and above all, the United States of America, so that this process can be implemented better.” A more dramatic appeal came from British Prime Minister Tony Blair who said he had told Bush that “the need to revitalize the Middle East peace process” was the single most pressing political challenge in our world today .” Blair called on Europe and the United States to “build anew their alliance” in the wake of Bush’s victory. A joint Euro-American strategy for peace in the Middle East would be the best framework for new global diplomatic efforts. In his press conference, Bush said he agreed with Blair’s assessment of the Palestinian issue. But he did not elaborate. Danforth is one of several senior officials tipped to become secretary of state in President Bush’s new administration, once the current holder of the post Colin Powell decides to retire. Danforth is expected to visit several Arab capitals to renew contact at the start of a new term for Bush, and to seek support for an international force to protect the Iraqi elections next January. End 11-07-2004 11-10-2004 from the website- http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=69440 we read how important "the treasures" are going to be in the coming Mideast Security settlement that will be under the auspices of the antichrist as a part of the "covenant." Baghdad focuses on building capacity among Iraqis to advance reconstruction Jordan Times - 10/11/2004 Building capacity among Iraqis is key to building security in the war-torn country, a senior Iraqi official said on Tuesday, after signing a $7 million grant agreement with the World Bank (WB) for that purpose. Iraqi Planning and Development Cooperation Minister Mehdi Hafez said the main focus of his government is on building capacity among workers in the public and private sectors so they can be able to contribute to the reconstruction of Iraq . ... "We are working according to a plan which focuses on capacity building, job creation, security reinforcement and building an investment climate as means for reconstruction," the Iraqi minister said. "Iraq possesses a strong cadre of well-educated civil servants in key positions who will be instrumental in the government's ability to take on the urgent mandate of reconstruction and to efficiently manage resources ," said WB Country Director for Iraq Joseph Saba. The WB's grant, signed Tuesday, is directed towards helping Iraqis reconstruct their country, and sets the stage for economic reforms , including social protection measures, in the medium-term. The Second-Capacity Building Project, to be implemented in two years, will train civil servants and policy makers on four key areas: Economic reform and transition; poverty, social protection and social development; and managing the project cycles. Most of training seminars of this sort took place in Jordan. "The project will not only help Iraqis address the immediate needs for managing reconstruction, but it will also enable them to develop their own solutions and strategies and implement policies central to the success of their developmental priorities ," Saba pointed out. ... Last January, the WB started administering the Iraqi Trust Fund on behalf of the donor community to finance a programme of emergency projects and technical assistance based on an interim strategy. According to the WB, donors have deposited approximately $370 million in the fund until this date. The fund is currently financing two projects in education. Towards the beginning of the new year, the fund is expected to support projects in health, water supply and sanitation, urban development and community-based infrastructure. However, Hafez indicated that more money will be needed in the fund in the near future to finance several pending key projects. The WB has also endorsed an indicative lending framework for Iraq of between $3-$5 billion over a five-year period subject to factors including debt sustainability, settlement of arrears, security on the ground and governance. The European Commission provided 3 million euros to the Iraqi Trust Fund . But apart from grants, security and reconstruction, Hafez's government is worried about its foreign debts . "The next meeting of the Paris club, scheduled for Dec. 17-18, will discuss all debt problems of Iraq ," Hafez remarked, hoping that some of Iraq's debts would be rescheduled, swapped or pardoned during this meeting. Iraq owes $120 billion in foreign debt, including some $50 billion to Gulf states and more than $1.3 billion to Jordan . Last September, His Majesty King Abdullah said Jordan will continue supporting international efforts to help rebuild Iraq and reduce its foreign debts. But he shall have power over the treasuries of gold and silver ... Dan 11:43 from the website- http://newsobserver.com/24hour/politics/story/1812684p-9692850c.html we read how a leadership vacuum now exists in regards to MidEast Peace progress- Bush sees fresh opening for Mideast peace By BARRY SCHWEID, AP DIPLOMATIC WRITER WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush said Wednesday he is hopeful about Mideast peacemaking after ailing Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat gives way to a new leadership. Against the backdrop of strong American support for Palestinian moderators already designated for top roles, Bush said, "There will be an opening for peace when leadership of the Palestinian people steps forward and says, 'Help us build a democratic society .'" (remember the money above) " And when that happens - and I believe it's going to happen because I believe all people desire to live in freedom - the United States of America will be more than willing to help build the institutions necessary for a free society to emerge so that the Palestinians can have their own state," Bush said. ( For when they shall say peace and safety, sudden destruction cometh upon them... 1 Thess 5:3) He spoke after a White House meeting with Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. After his own meeting with the former Dutch foreign minister, Secretary of State Colin Powell stressed peace prospects rest heavily on whether a new leadership makes it clear it will fight terrorism and "will not in any way give any kind of support to terrorist activities." ("confirm ing the covenant " means EXACTLY what Secretary Powell is saying. See Daniel 9:27, the subject of this entire discussion) Also, Powell said, the new leaders must be able to " mobilize the Palestinian people to bring them together to the realization that terrorism is not helping them achieve their desire for a state of their own, a desire that all of us share." "If that kind of leadership emerges ," Powell said, "then we stand ready to work with them." ... In the same vein, he (Bush) said Wednesday: " The vision is of two states, a Palestinian state and Israel living side by side, and I think we've got a chance to do that, and I look forward to being involved in that process ." End 11-10-2004 11-11-2004 from the website- http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L11703478.htm we read- Fast moves needed to seize chance of Mideast peace 11 Nov 2004 14:25:58 GMT Source: Reuters By Timothy Heritage PARIS, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Yasser Arafat's death on Thursday could offer a golden opportunity to revive Middle East peace talks , but experts said the key players will have to move fast to avoid squandering their best chance in years. After Arafat's death in a French hospital, the onus is on three people to pick up the pieces of the stalled peace process -- U.S. President George W. Bush, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and whoever emerges as the new Palestinian leader. Middle East experts say peace moves will depend on gestures from all three -- peace proposals by Bush, Palestinian moves to end violence, and action by Sharon to halt construction at Jewish settlements built on occupied land in the West Bank. from the website- http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=71895 Jordan Calls on the White House to Find a Solution to Area Conflict 05:45 Nov 11, '04 / 27 Cheshvan 5765 (IsraelNN.com) Jordanian media reports that King Abdullah telephoned US President George W. Bush , calling on him to work towards bringing an end to the Israeli PA conflict and work towards the establishment of a Palestinian state. The report stated the Jordanian leader called on the White House to find a just solution to the area conflict. from the website- http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?ID=33459 we read- British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Wednesday, on the eve of his departure for Washington for talks with Bush, that solving the conflict must be a priority. Blair said in the British parliament that he would "stress again the importance of the Middle East peace process". Recalling a statement made after Bush's re-election, Blair said: "I think that (the Middle East peace process), together with democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq, are the single most important things we can do ." In a telephone conversation with Bush, Jordan's King Abdullah II on Wednesday urged the US leader to help set up an independent Palestinian state , Jordan's official Petra news agency reported. "It is important for the United States to pursue its efforts aimed at bringing a comprehensive and just peace in the region and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state ," the king was quoted as saying . from the website- http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1100147302247 we read in article entitled " There Will Be no Peace Here "- how frustrated people are and how desperate they are for peace- "We are feeling very bad, and it doesn't look like things will be getting any better ," said a shopkeeper on the edge of the Muslim Quarter who also would only give his first name, Muhammad. Rejecting outright the possibility of a joint Mahmoud Abbas-Ahmed Qurei leadership, around the very hour that the two men were being selected as interim leaders by the Palestinian parliament in Ramallah, the shopkeeper said: " We need real elections, and we need someone clean. We don't want someone who is working with the Israeli and American side ." Indeed, in unusually bitter remarks by the usually moderate Jerusalem Arabs, several men out for a smoke in the Jaffa Gate Square used expletives to vent their frustrations at the American president as well as the British and Australian prime ministers . Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah II of Jordan received the same treatment . "There will be no peace here ," one elderly man in the crowd, his eyes bloodshot, said tersely, before walking away. End 11-11-2004 11-14-2004 from the website- http://web.mid-day.com/news/otherheadlines/2004/november/96970.htm we read- Arafat's death offers new window to peace By: AFP November 12, 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON: The death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and the re-election of US President George W Bush offer "fresh opportunities" to move the Middle East process forward, Jordan's King Abdullah II commented today from the pages of The New York Times . "From time to time, history holds moments of great potential. With the sad passing of Yasir Arafat, Palestinians have lost a leader who kept their hope of independence alive for more than half a century. " Now, an opportunity exists to honour the best of that legacy, in a new drive for progress and peace, in a part of the world that has seen too much bloodshed ," said the king. Recalling the two-state solution Arab nations committed to in 2002, and the roadmap to peace agreed to in 2003, which has been "trapped in an ongoing cycle of violence," the Jordanian monarch said recent events " provide fresh opportunities ." Meanwhile, former US President Jimmy Carter today said while Yasser Arafat was "frustrating to deal with," he had been a "legitimate" Palestinian leader and that only through elections could a new leader bring hope for peace. "If a respected successor to Mr. Arafat can be chosen by the Palestinians (not by the Israelis or Americans), then there is a new opportunity to initiate peace negotiations ," Carter said in his op-ed piece titled, "Casting a Vote for Peace" in New York Times. from the website- http://www.dawn.com/2004/11/13/top1.htm we read- Aziz meets world leaders in Cairo CAIRO, Nov 12: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday met a number of world leaders and heads of state who were in the Egyptian capital to attend the funeral of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. During his meetings, the prime minister discussed bilateral, regional and international matters with the leaders and exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East. Mr Aziz met Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, Egyptian Presiden t Hosni Mubarak, Jordan's King Abdullah II, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, South African President Thabo Mbeki, Yemenese President Ali Abdullah Saleh and Bangladeshi President Iajuddin Ahmed. He also met a number of foreign ministers and heads of delegations from some other countries. Talking to newsmen after the funeral prayers, the premier described the late Arafat as a great leader who would be remembered for long. He said the participation of a large number of world leaders showed they supported the Palestinian cause and wanted a solution to the issue . He said Arafat's death had left behind a vacuum that needed to be filled and hoped the Palestinian leadership and people would continue their struggle till they achieved their rightful goal. He said Pakistan would continue to support the just struggle of Palestinians for an independent homeland. from the website- http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article3315.shtml we read a critique of the western view portrayed in the New York Times of Arafat's death, including- Third, the Times gives us King Abdullah II of Jordan -- a monarch. How appropriate for the pages of a paper that claims to endorse democracy. Abdullah II, king of a country with a majority Palestinian population denied representation. Is Abdullah's inclusion a tacit Times endorsement of the " Jordan is Palestine" solution? from the online Turkish paper- http://www.zaman.com/?bl=hotnews&alt=&trh=20041113&hn=13827 we read- King Abdullah Calls US to Pressure Israel and Palestine for Peace King Abdullah II of Jordan called on the US to pressure Israel and Palestine into following the "roadmap" peace plan presented to the Middle East. In his commentary published in Herald Tribune newspaper, the King expressed that Palestinians had lost a leader who championed their hopes for independence for over a half century and said: " Now, the best way to show appreciation of this will is to start a new road towards peace and progress. " End 11-14-2004 11-17-2004 from the website- http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1100656895752_47/?hub=World we read how another nation is beginning to become involved in the peace process . This is expected since the verse says he shall confirm the covenant with MANY . (Daniel 9:27) Martin offers monitors for Palestinian election Canadian Press OTTAWA — Canada has offered to help the Palestinian Authority run elections in January. Prime Minister Paul Martin made the offer in a telephone conversation Tuesday with interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. Canada has so far offered to send election monitors to oversee the Jan. 9 vote, Martin told reporters after speaking to the Canadian Arab Federation. "I made the offer,'' said Martin. Martin also pledged to pitch a greater Canadian role in the Middle East peace process with U.S. President George W. Bush when they meet later this week at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) conference in Santiago, Chile. The prime minister has also spoken about the issue with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon , Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah . (are these last two men the King of the North and the King of the South in the last half of Daniel Chapter 11?) " Canada does indeed have a very important role playing in ensuring that ... peace comes to the Middle East ,'' Martin told the federation. Bush's renewed mandate and the death last week of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat have created a sense of opportunity for resuming the peace process. Martin said Canada's role could begin by providing help during the elections. End 11-17-2004 11-18-2004 from the website- http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3775019 we read of more international support for MidEast peace Straw in Bid to Kick Start Mideast Peace Talks "PA" Sponsors of an internationally backed Mideast peace plan will send their foreign ministers to the region next week in hopes of restarting peace talks in the wake of Yasser Arafat’s death. The announcement was the latest sign that with Arafat gone, the international community is ready to dive back into Mideast diplomacy and get the road map peace plan back on track. The road map, which aims to create an independent Palestinian state by 2005, has been stalled since it was signed in June 2003. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who refused to negotiate with Arafat, is instead moving forward with a planned unilateral pullout from the Gaza Strip and four small West Bank settlements next year. Palestinians fear the plan is an Israeli ruse to maintain control over most of the West Bank. Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath said Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov would go to the West Bank next week , after a visit on Monday by US Secretary of State Colin Powell. The Spanish and German foreign ministers are also expected in the coming weeks , Shaath said. “All of these important foreign ministers are coming to meet the Palestinian leadership and to talk about an action plan for the coming period,” Shaath said. He said the talks would focus on ways to incorporate the Gaza pullout into the road map. The Palestinians also want support in reaching a ceasefire with Israel, ensuring upcoming presidential elections go smoothly and restructuring the myriad Palestinian security services, he said. The US, Russia, EU and the UN comprise the Quartet of road map sponsors. Quartet officials are also expected to meet on the sidelines of an Iraq conference in Egypt next week . Egypt’s foreign minister is scheduled to visit Israel next week for talks on the Gaza withdrawal . Egypt has acted as a mediator between Israel and the Palestinians ahead of the pullout. End 11-18-2004 11-21-2004 From the website- http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-11/21/content_2244126.htm we read- UN envoy proposes forming international team working for Mideast peace www.chinaview.cn 2004-11-21 23:15:17 RAMALLAH, Nov. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- UN Middle East envoy Terje Roed-Larsen on Sunday proposed forming an international team grouping both Israel and the Palestinians to work on reviving the Middle East peace process. Larsen told reporters here following a meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei that all what the region needs "is a program of bringing about calmness." "This program should be based on forming a group of international representatives including Israel, the Palestinians,Arab countries and the international community to push the peace process forward," said Larsen. He expected that the vision would be adopted by the meeting ofthe Quartet Committee in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt on Nov. 22-23.Larsen urged the international community to offer as much as support to the Palestinians to help them get out of their economic crisis and build their infrastructure. "The Israelis on their side should not carry out actions that might affect the process of holding the Palestinian elections," herequested End 11-21-2004 11-22-2004 From the website- http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-11/21/content_2243012.htm we read- Jordan sticks to comprehensive peace in the region: FM www.chinaview.cn 2004-11-21 18:21:43 AMMAN, Nov. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Jordanian Foreign Minister Hani Mulki has reiterated that Jordan is committed to a just, comprehensive and permanent peace in the region, local newspaper Al arab Al yawm reported Sunday. Israel should return to the negotiating table with Syria and Lebanon to realize a comprehensive peace in the region and Jordan's peace treaty with Israel is an opportunity to push Israel towards that peace, Mulki was quoted as saying. He stressed that Jordan is not a mediator but a major partner in pushing peace forward with view to achieve the ultimate goals of the peace process. "If Israel wants peace with Arabs, then it should adopt a peaceful approach," Mulki said, adding that Israel's occupation of Arab lands and its failure to implement international resolutions are one of the main reasons for tension in the region. The foreign minister noted that Jordan is continuing work to push peace forward and King Abdullah II would pay visits to the United States, the European Union and Japan next month with an aim to affirm the importance of pushing the peace process . Jordan supports the leadership that the Palestinian people will elect and hopes that the Palestinian leadership will be able to achieve peace and security and an end to the Israeli occupation, said Mulki ... to demonstrate the influence of the Jordanian King in the peace process, the following website On Condi Rice is offered- http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101041129-785347,00.html Condi Gets Her Shot She argued the hard-liners' case on Iraq. But the next Secretary of State remains an ideological puzzle She has changed positions dramatically on several issues, shifting from a hard-nosed student of realpolitik to a true believer in Bush's vision of spreading democracy from Morocco to Afghanistan. Her transformation "was a bit of an iterative process," she told TIME last month. "One of the President's contributions had been to remind us all, again, of the link between our security and our values." ... When King Abdullah of Jordan first proposed in the summer of 2002 that Bush launch a road map to peace for the Arab-Israeli conflict, Rice tried to block it but later became a fervent backer. End 11-22-2004 11-23-2004 from the website- http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/041123/w112318.html we read- Egyptian conference discusses efforts to revive Mideast peace process 07:20 PM EST Nov 23 SALAH NASRAWI SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt (CP) - World leaders gathered in Egypt for an international conference on Iraq focused on another Middle East issue early Tuesday - the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians . The so-called Quartet of sponsors of a peace plan known as the "road map" met on the sidelines of the Iraq conference. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, on one of his last trips as secretary of state, went into the breakfast meeting a day after holding talks in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Powell told Israeli and Palestinian leaders that President George W. Bush is intent on moving "forward on the path of peace , to take advantage of the new opportunities that are before us." End 11-23-2004 11-26-2004 from the website- http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3797327 we read how the "king of the south" (Egypt) is discussing MidEast peace with Spain- 4:45am (UK) Egypt and Spain Hold Mideast Peace Talks Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak arrived in Spain yesterday for a two-day visit during which he was to hold talks with Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on the Palestinian and Iraqi conflicts. Mubarak was greeted on arrival in Madrid by Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos. He is to meet Zapatero today. “I am very happy to welcome President Mubarak to Spain. He is a key person in the peace process,” Moratinos told reporters at the airport. He said he expected Mubarak would ask for Spain’s support in securing a peaceful transition for the Palestinian territories following the death of former leader Yasser Arafat Mubarak was also expected to talk with Zapatero about the Iraq international conference in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt and plans for Iraq elections at the end of January. --- from the website- http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?ID=34480 we read how the King of Jordan and the European Union issue a joint declaration calling for Mideast Peace- EU, Jordan call for relaunch of Middle East peace process AFP: 11/25/2004 BRUSSELS, Nov 25 (AFP) - Jordan's King Abdullah II and European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso called on Thursday for efforts to revive the Middle East peace process following the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. "We agree that it is now time to go ahead with this process. It is very important for the region but also for global peace," Barroso told reporters after a meeting with the Jordanian monarch. "We do hope that we have opportunities now to bring Israelis and Palestinians closer together to move the process along ," added King Abdullah. Barroso praised Jordan's efforts to promote peace in the Middle East, saying: "We have a great respect for the role Jordan and its king are playing in the region ." --- from the website- http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L25692844.htm we read- How the Europeans are giving Jordan a lot of money- EU grants Jordan 30 million euros poverty relief 25 Nov 2004 18:30:14 GMT Source: Reuters BRUSSELS, Nov 25 (Reuters) - The European Union granted Jordan 30 million euros ($39.12 million) in poverty relief and development money on Thursday and said it hoped to come up with a plan next month to advance its ties with the Arab state. The package was signed at talks between King Abdullah and EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso, who hailed the Jordanian leader's efforts to advance peace in the Middle East. "We addressed the peace process. We agreed it is time to go ahead with that process," Barroso said, adding the two also discussed Iraq and the forthcoming Palestinian elections. Barroso told reporters he hoped the Commission could present EU leaders next month with plans on how to strengthen ties with Jordan under its newly adopted European Neighbourhood Policy. He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver... Daniel 11:43 from the website- http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-11/24/content_2254374.htm we read how that at the same time money is being given to Jordan, arms are being sold to Jordan- US plans air-to-air missile sale to Jordan www.chinaview.cn 2004-11-24 10:15:21 WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- The Pentagon said Tuesday it planned to sell 50 US-made anti-aircraft missiles to Jordan in a deal valued at 39 million US dollars in spite of reported objections from Israel. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said it notified Congress on Friday about the proposed sale, which includes 50 AIM-120C Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles built by Waltham, Massachusetts-based Raytheon Co., 51 LAU-129 launchers and associated equipment. The agency said the proposed sale will enhance the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of "a key regional partner ." Senior Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, were reportedly to have urged the White House and the Pentagon to suspend the AMRAAM sale to Jordan. However, the White House has deemed the missile sale an important boost to King Abdullah and his efforts to help the United States prior and during the war in Iraq in 2003, media reports have said. So far, Israel has been the only country in the Middle East to have received the AMRAAMS, suitable for both the F-16 and F-15 . It looks like King Abdullah is everyone's partner. End 11-26-2004 11-27-2004 from the website- http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20041127-062858-9718r.htm we read of a proposed Arab Summit on mideast peace- Mini-Arab summit to be held Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Preparations are underway for a mini-Arab summit, designed to create a unified stance on peace in the Middle East , post Yasser Arafat. The Saudi daily newspaper Okaz quoted unidentified political sources Saturday as saying, "The region is heading towards more momentum for reactivating the stalled peace process and there are serious efforts to reactivate negotiations ." The sources said efforts were underway to hold a mini-summit involving Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Palestine Liberation Organization after an apparent consensus to elect Mahmoud Abbas as the president of the Palestinian Authority to succeed Arafat. The interesting thing about this is that the Biblical ten kings (of Daniel chapter 7) are to come from Arab states. --- from the website- http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=12004 we read- Larsen cautiously optimistic about Mideast peace process UN envoy hopes ' unique momentum ' to revitalise Mideast peace process does not evaporate. BEIRUT - Recent events have created a "unique momentum" to revive the Middle East peace process, the UN special envoy to the region Terje Roed Larsen said Friday, warning of a bleak future if no progress was made --- from the website- http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/506419.html we read- Straw upbeat on renewed Mideast peace efforts By The Associated Press British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said yesterday that he is "more optimistic" about the prospects for Mideast peace after two days of talks with Israelis and Palestinians. Straw met with top Palestinian officials in Ramallah yesterday, a day after talks with the Israelis, as part of a new round of diplomacy meant to restart peace efforts in the wake of Yasser Arafat's death earlier this month. "I'll be leaving Israel and the occupied territories more optimistic than when I came," Straw said. End 11-27-2004 More news on 11-28-2004 from the website we read of a critical time period in the Palestinian leadership- http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Diplomacy/4465.htm Barghouti won't run for Palestinian president, throws support behind Abbas By Associated Press November 27, 2004 Jailed Palestinian terrorist leader Marwan Barghouti abandoned his plans Friday to run in upcoming presidential elections , throwing his support behind interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas , Palestinian officials said. Barghouti's decision ended a campaign that would have shaken up Palestinian politics already roiled by Yasser Arafat's death. Instead, he strengthened Abbas' campaign, giving crucial backing to the pragmatist who opposes violence and appears to have the tacit support of Israel and the United States. ... Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, in their first trip abroad since Arafat's death , plan to leave Saturday for Cairo for a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak [the "king of the south"?] to discuss renewing the peace process with Israel and preparations for the elections. From there, they are to travel to Jordan for talks with King Abdullah . --- from the website- http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,139793,00.html we read- Israel Ready to Work With Palestinians Sunday, November 28, 2004 JERUSALEM — Israel is ready to coordinate its planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip (search) with the new Palestinian leadership , Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (search) said in a published interview, saying he wants to take advantage of new opportunities created by the death of Yasser Arafat (search). In separate interviews with Newsweek magazine, both Sharon and interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said they would be willing to meet after the Jan. 9 Palestinian presidential election . Both leaders also vowed to make efforts to restart the U.S.-backed "road map" to peace, a stalled plan that calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state next year . The comments reflected the new atmosphere of reconciliation since the Nov. 11 death of Arafat, whom Israel accused of backing violence. Sharon has said he drew up his "unilateral disengagement" plan to withdraw from all of the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements next year when it became clear to him there was no "partner" on the Palestinian side. He has so far refused to negotiate the pullout with the Palestinians. However, Sharon said Arafat's death made it possible to coordinate the pullout with the new Palestinian leadership and Abbas, who he said "was against terror." "I am going to make every effort to coordinate our disengagement plan with the new Palestinian government — one that can assume control over areas we evacuate," Sharon was quoted as saying. --- from the following website (about which I offer no opinion, only to say his viewpoint is fascinating, because Lyndon's "socialist" political associates and Lyndon are questionable as often as not, but, Lyndon is never boring) http://larouchepub.com/lar/2004/3145_arafat.html ON THE DEATH OF ARAFAT A Turning-Point in History The death of Chairman Arafat defines a crucial turning-point in current world history. The world at large is challenged, at this ominous moment, to face the implications for the planet as a whole, of failing to take the occasion of his passing as the moment at which the world at large must act , even for the most selfish motives of many among nations, to set into motion , at last, a peace of the kind which would set the departed Chairman's soul at rest ... All of the tension and related dangers throughout the region center upon the long-tortured nerve-endings of the long Arab-Israeli conflict . Now, since President George W. Bush, Jr.'s launching of the fraudulently motivated recent and continuing warfare in Iraq , the present, added threat against Iran , and the level of tension throughout the entirety of Southwest Asia [ a "socialist" word meaning the MidEast] and beyond, no nation of that region, including the state of Israel, could outlive the growing, spreading holocaust which failure to bring about Israeli-Palestine peace would now promptly unleash . It is past time that the great precedent of the 1648 Treaty of Westphalia be now, promptly invoked by all relevant nations, including those of Europe and the U.S.A., to nail a killer like Sharon to the table of constructive movement for peace with the Palestinians. It could occur, if the combined nations of the U.S.A. and Europe would take any necessary action to bring about both those negotiations, and their assured prospects of early success . ... Nothing—absolutely nothing!—must stand in the way of bringing the process of peace to a kind of agreement modelled upon the Peace of Westphalia. [Note- This peace concluded the Thirty Years religious war in 1648]. End 11-28-2004 11-30-2004 from the website- http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-11/29/content_2271017.htm we read how the Palestinian delegation is visiting Jordan and Egypt, the "king of the north " and " the king of the south "? (see Daniel 11:41-45) Palestinian leaders arrived in Jordan for visit www.chinaview.cn 2004-11-29 02:42:17 AMMAN, Nov. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- A top Palestinian delegation arrived here Sunday to discuss with the Jordanian side on latest developments in the Palestinian territories, the official Petra News Agency reported. The delegation includes Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)executive committee chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei and Palestinian National Authority (PNA)interim President Rawhi Fattouh. The Palestinian leaders is expected to meet with Jordan's King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Faisal Fayez on Monday, said Jordanian government spokeswoman Asma Khader. They will brief Jordanian officials on the outcome of their talks with US and EU officials who visited Ramallah recently,Khader said, adding the two sides will discuss means to revive the Mideast peace process and resume the negotiations with Israel . Jordan is the second stop of the Palestinian leaders' regional tour, which has taken them to Egypt . They will leave for Syria after visit to Jordan. --- from the website- http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2088-1378213,00.html we read how the King of Jordan is becoming recognized as a leader in this situation- Comment: Michael Portillo: A sage king teaches us how to be Middle East wise men At the risk of making racist generalisations, why is it that Europeans and Americans are so clumsy and unsubtle and appear to be such galumphing oafs in diplomacy? Last week the European Union looked foolish with its over-hasty claim to have a deal with Iran over uranium enrichment; Javier Solana, Europe’s foreign affairs representative, seemed shifty because he could not decide whether he had or had not met Hamas, the anti-Israeli terror group; Jack Straw, our foreign secretary, and Colin Powell, the US secretary of state, appeared naive as they rushed to Ramallah to back Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, the West’s preferred candidate in the Palestinian election. That has probably ruined his chances. As I watched King Abdullah of Jordan deliver a speech in London last Monday, I tried to imagine how that highly intelligent man keeps his patience as his country reaps the baleful consequences of the West’s ill-informed meddling in his region. In public the king says many things that Tony Blair and George W Bush would love to hear. He talks of the “true Islam” characterised by “peace, moderation and progress”. But cloaked in nuances that would go over western leaders’ heads, he pleads for no interference in Jordan as it moves in its own way towards democracy . Any attempt to impose a process from the outside would put in jeopardy “the sense of engagement” needed to produce success. He mentions that there is a crisis of faith in international justice and he might add that this stretches well beyond the Middle East . The king defies our stereotype of Arab leaders. He speaks perfect English, eschews pomp and formality and uses the Autocue to deliver his speech with a professionalism that should make Bush envious. But beneath the silky exterior I sensed that the king must be in despair with America, which has shown little regard for Jordan’s delicate position. The kingdom has made peace with its neighbour Israel, but Jordanians identify strongly with Palestinians and their cause . Saudi Arabia, another neighbour, is involved in a struggle to the death with Al-Qaeda. Across a third border, Iraq has been invaded by the United States and Britain. Nonetheless, Jordan has close relations with the coalition powers while still trying to co-exist with next-door Syria, which Bush believes is part of the axis of evil. No wonder the Hashemite royal family has developed subtlety, not to say cunning --- from the website- http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Nov04/281104/bb01.htm we read how the King is also hosting a religious conference to "define" Islam Minister of Religious Affairs in Jordan for conference The Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Mohd Zain is leading a delegation of senior members to Amman, Jordan, to attend a conference on teaching, leadership and propagation. The event - organised by the Charity, Affairs and Holy Place, Ministry of Jordan - is scheduled to run from Nov 28 to 30. King Abdullah II of Jordan will officiate the conference that is themed 'A Message On Islam At Present ' --- from the website- http://www.beliefnet.com/story/156/story_15688_1.html we read how the King of Jordan is leading an effort to promote anti-terrorist thinking among Islamic peoples. (remember that this anti-terrorism theme is the basic idea behind the entire thesis of this topic) Islamic Leaders Call to Combat Terrorism By the Associated Press November 28, 2004 AMMAN, Jordan - Islamic preachers must do more to provide religious instruction devoid of extremism and calls for violence , the top Egyptian religious affairs official said to a gathering of Muslim scholars and government officials on Sunday. "Islamic preachers have a big responsibility to teach Muslims the 'real Islam' which stands against extremism and terrorism ," said Mahmoud Hamdi Zaqzouq, a member of Egypt's cabinet. ... Jordan, a moderate Arab nation with close ties to the United States and a peace treaty with Israel, has sponsored several conferences recently promoting reforms in Muslim thinking to combat Islamic extremism . Last September, Jordan arrested nine Muslim preachers who lacked permission from the country's religious affairs ministry to deliver sermons. --- from the website- http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=71065 we read how the money is going to pour into Jordan from the West US, Jordanian, Iraqi and international experts participate in AJEX 2004 Jordan Times - 30/11/2004 Amman (JT) — The American Jordanian Exposition, organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (AmCham-Jordan), will kick off with an opening ceremony on Wednesday under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah. The conference and exhibition will take place on Dec. 1-2, 2004, according to a press release from the organisers. "AJEX 2004 will explore and enforce the different possibilities available through capitalising on two-way trade opportunities made more available with the Jordan-US Free Trade Agreement , in its fourth year now,"says Azzam Shweihat, chairman of AmCham-Jordan. "AJEX 2004 highlights Jordan's advantageous position for companies wanting to do business in Iraq and also wanting to create a base in Jordan to open new markets in the US, the EU and the region ," he indicated. End 11-30-2004 12-01-2004 from the website- http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/wed/dec1w14.htm we read- King Abdullah to lobby for Palestinian statehood in US visit AMMAN (AFP) - Jordan's King Abdullah II pledged in talks Monday with PLO chairman Mahmud Abbas to lobby support for Palestinian statehood during a visit to Washington in December, state-run Petra news agency reported. The king said he would "discuss with US President George W. Bush and administration officials raising support for steps taken by the Palestinian leadership to set up as soon as possible a Palestinian state," Petra said --- from the website- http://www.talkradionews.com/news/article.php?articleID=317 we read- December 1, 2004 Office of the Press Secretary (Halifax, Nova Scotia) Aboard Air Force One En route Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada 9:19 A.M. EST MR. McCLELLAN: Let me start with one announcement to add to the schedule. The President will meet with King Abdullah of Jordan on December 6th, at the White House, to discuss developments in the Middle East , as well as key bilateral issues. And the President looks forward to welcoming King Abdullah back to the White House on December 6th. King Abdullah and Jordan have certainly been a staunch ally in the fight against terrorism and King Abdullah has been someone who has played a key role in helping to bring stability to Iraq and peace for the Middle East . --- from the website- http://www.sierratimes.com/rss/newswire.php... . we read- Allawi holds talks in Jordan to rally support for Iraq vote Posted: Wednesday December 1,2004 - 05:58:34 am AMMAN (AFP) - Iraq 's interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi held talks with King Abdullah II and Iraqi exiles in Jordan to muster support for January elections which several political parties want delayed. --- from the website- http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20041201-075923-1839r.htm we read- Jordan King: security is national priority Amman, Jordan, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Jordan's King Abdullah told the nation Wednesday national security and stability topped the country's priorities and no one is allowed to meddle with them. ... But without security and stability no development or progress could be achieved," he said. End 12-01-2004 12-05-2005 from the website- http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&article_id=10666&categ_id=17 we read how the way is being prepared to remove the United States as a mediator and get a new mediator!!! A better mediator is vital for successful Mideast peace-making Saturday, December 04, 2004 And one of the major diplomatic casualties of recent years has been the credibility of the U.S. as a third party mediator and facilitator of peace talks. [We know that a Biblical character will ultimately "confirm" the agreement.] from the website- http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/509775.html we read how Jordan has reportedly offerred to mediate- Jordan reportedly willing to mediate Jordan is prepared to mediate a possible resumption of peace talks between Israel and Syria, the Al Watan Arabic-language newspaper reported Friday. The reported Jordanian declaration follows Egypt's expressed willingness to mediate any peace talks without preconditions. Both Mubarak's spokesman, Maged Abdel Fattah, and United Nations Mideast envoy Terje Roed-Larsen said in late November that Assad is ready to restart peace talks. Jordanian Foreign Minister Hani al-Malki on Thursday gave Syrian officials a letter from King Abdullah stating Jordan's willingness to act as mediator, Israel Radio quoted Qatar-based Al Watan as reporting. End 12-05-2004 12-06-2004 from the website- http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-12/07/content_2302258.htm we read- Jordan seeks Int'l support for Mideast peace www.chinaview.cn 2004-12-07 00:45:02 AMMAN, Dec. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Jordanian government spokeswoman Asma Khader on Monday said that the King Abdullah's current visits including the United States , are seeking the international support to resume the peace in the Mideast region. The summit between Abdullah and US President George W. Bush will highlight the Palestinian issue, Iraqi situation, Khader told reporters at a press conference. The spokeswoman stressed that the king's talks with Bush in Washington on Monday will cover means to support the Iraqis and rebuild their institutions. They would discuss ways to revive the peace process and support the Palestinian elections with a view to establish an independent Palestinian state, she added . from the website- http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-12/06/content_2301426.htm we read- Britain to host Mideast peace summit www.chinaview.cn 2004-12-06 19:00:30 LONDON, Dec. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- The British Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on Monday that Britain would host an international peace conference on the Middle East in London early next year after winning an agreement from the United States. The meeting, planned for late January or early February, was likely to be attended by foreign ministers, the paper said, adding that British Prime Minister Tony Blair would discuss the details with Israeli and Palestinian leaders when he visits the Middle East this month. from the website- http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=10728 we read- German FM eyes 'historic chance' for Mideast peace Spanish minister expresses optimism By Agence France Presse (AFP) Monday, December 06, 2004 RAMALLAH, West Bank: German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said Sunday he detected an historic opportunity to advance toward a Palestinian state as he reinforced international efforts to revive the Middle East peace process. Fischer, who said he had been filled with optimism by his talks with the new Palestinian leadership and top Israeli officials, predicted that U.S. President George W. Bush's second term in office would focus more effort on the conflict. "This might be an historic opportunity to push forward the peace process in the next weeks and months in order to reach a two-state solution," Fischer said after talks with new PLO chairman Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank town of Ramallah. from the website- http://www.jihadunspun.com/intheatre_internal.php?article=100814&list=/home.php we read- Saudi Government Hires Jordanian Anti-Riot Forces In Advance Of Major Demonstrations Dec 06, 2004 By Bruce Kennedy, JUS JUS has learned that the government of Saudi Arabia has requested an anti-riot force from Jordan to help maintain security during the upcoming demonstrations organized by the Islah movement. The request clearly shows that the security situation in Saudi is spiraling out of control and it appears that the Saudi government no longer trusts its own security force's ability to maintain its control over the Kingdom. Jordan has responded by sending 7000 anti-riot soldiers with full riot gear. According to sources close to the Islah movement, the terms of the agreement are • Jordanian soldiers have arrived in the country by sea on vessels carrying the Saudi flag • 2500 soldiers were sent to Riyadh, 3500 to Jeddah, and 1000 were to guard Royal palaces. • Each soldier will receive between SR8000-SR12000 per month. The Saudi Embassy in Jordan has already issued checks to the Jordanian government. from the website- http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2004-12-06-bush-visitors_x.htm we read- Iraq's interim president, Jordan's king visit White House WASHINGTON (AP) — Welcoming Iraq's interim president to the White House offers President Bush a chance to persuade Iraqi minority groups to participate in next month's election — a pivotal step toward a democracy still threatened by a violent insurgency. Bush meets Monday with Ghazi al-Yawer, an influential leader in Sunni Muslim regions of Iraq where the fiercest battles against insurgents have been waged. Both men want the Jan. 30 election held on time, but other Sunni leaders want it to be postponed, saying the ongoing violence in these areas would keep people from voting. Al-Yawer's visit to the White House is a way to persuade Iraq's political minorities not to boycott the ballot. "I don't know how many Sunnis are going to be open to the message, but in Middle Eastern terms, it's very symbolic to invite somebody into your house from a community you've been fighting with," said James Phillips, a specialist on Iraq and the Middle East at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington think tank. "It shows an openness to some kind of political settlement. It's trying to encourage them (the Sunnis) to include themselves in the power structure — and therefore help weaken the insurgency." The Sunnis, who represent just one-fifth of the Iraqi population, wielded the power under Saddam Hussein. They fear the election will give Shiite Muslims, with 60% of the population, an overpowering grip on the nation. U.S. and Iraqi officials worry that a Sunni boycott could undermine the legitimacy of a new government. Following his session with al-Yawer, Bush meets with Jordan's King Abdullah II and, following that, with Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade. The agenda likely includes discussion of efforts to restart peace negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians as well as the Iraqi election. To bolster security ahead of the voting, the United States announced last week it was increasing its military force in Iraq to the highest level of the war, including the initial invasion in March 2003. The 12,000-troop increase is to last only until March, but it says much about the strength and resiliency of the insurgency that U.S. military planners failed to foresee when Baghdad was toppled in April 2003. The 135 American troops who died supporting U.S.-led operations in Iraq in November matches April of this year for the deadliest month since fighting began in March 2003. Last week, al-Yawer told reporters in Baghdad that the security situation in some areas of Iraq remained "very bad." "There are areas where no one has been able to give out even one voter registration sheet," said al-Yawer, who holds a more ceremonial role in Iraq's interim government than Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi. End 12-06-2004 12-19-2004 from the website- http://web.israelinsider.com/Views/4556.htm we read- The window stays open By M.J. Rosenberg December 10, 2004 Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's victory last night at the Likud Central Committee means that he has a clear mandate to bring the Labor Party into his government and to proceed with the Gaza withdrawal. Sharon is now free to take advantage of the various opportunities for achieving peace that have arisen in the post-Arafat era. Those opportunities have seemed to appear one after another in the past few weeks: in Egypt, Jordan, the EU and the US, and even Syria . President Mubarak of Egypt has decided that perhaps Sharon is someone with whom he can do business. He released an Israeli prisoner long held in an Egyptian jail and has indicated willingness not only to assist in securing Egypt's border with Gaza but to help broker a full-fledged Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement. Throughout this week reports emanated from Cairo that some breakthrough was in the air and, with Sharon's victory in the Likud committee vote last night, we may soon see just how far Mubarak will go. The signs are good. At the very least, Egypt may succeed in brokering a Hamas/PA agreement under which Hamas would agree to end attacks on Israel and to permit the PA to proceed with negotiations toward a final status agreement. The Jordanians are on board. King Abdullah was in Washington this week to encourage President Bush to push hard to implement the roadmap. He urged the President to release $20 million in direct aid to the Palestinians as a sign of American good faith. Bush went ahead and sent the money which he coupled with a renewed call for a Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel. There is a growing sense in Europe that Bush is serious about moving on the Israeli-Palestinian front which is fueling EU interest in the Roadmap it helped develop but on which it had basically given up. Prime Minister Blair rarely misses an opportunity to press Bush. With his own re-election campaign looming -- and still suffering a serious loss in popularity over his support for the Iraq war -- Blair needs to see some Israeli-Palestinian movement. In the UK, as throughout Europe, the status quo is viewed as disastrous. Even the Syrians are getting into the act . President Assad hosted a high-level group of moderate Palestinians in Damascus (previously the Syrians had boycotted Palestinians who supported negotiations with Israel) and says that he is ready to negotiate with Sharon with no preconditions. If Assad goes ahead and closes the terrorist offices in Damascus, Israeli-Syrian negotiations (which almost produced an agreement just a few years ago) will likely be resumed. And then there are the Palestinians who are, with the Israelis, the central players. They have moved rather seamlessly from the Arafat to the post-Arafat era. Elections are scheduled for January 9th and, so far, so good. Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) looks like the front-runner which, if his lead holds, would indicate that the Palestinians are opting for negotiations and accommodation with Israel rather than the failed policy of intifada. Public opinion polls show a clear majority of Palestinians favor negotiations with Israel over continued confrontation (which neatly match the clear majority of Israelis who would give up the territories for peace with the Palestinians). Young Palestinians, traditionally the most militant, also seem ready for a new chapter in Palestinian life. That is what I heard the other day in an e-mail I received yesterday from Fadi Elsalameen, a 20-year old Palestinian who is from the Hebron area. He wrote me about the mixed feelings he experienced at Yasir Arafat's funeral. He had met Arafat and, like all Palestinians his age, had known no other leader. He believes Arafat put his people on the map but that the past is past. "We young Palestinians are faced with uncertainty. Our people feel lost and beat and our elders are sad to think that their children and grandchildren will share their same destiny -- never to live in peace in an independent Palestinian state." To avoid that fate "people are ready to move on ." And, for him, that means moving toward pragmatism and supporting Abu Mazen -- even if, for the young, Abu Mazen typifies the old guard. "The formal succession process is less important than the changes that are now possible in Palestinian politics -- changes that include the shift from politics based on individuals and the cult of personality to institutions. We need a leader that we can respect and hold accountable , who will introduce the change from governance based on centralized and arbitrary authority to governance that is good, transparent, and accountable." --- from the website- http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apmideast_story.asp... we read- Hopes for Mideast peace breakthrough high By STEVEN GUTKIN ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- A rare optimism is taking hold among Palestinians amid signs of a possible breakthrough in the long-deadlocked Mideast peace process. Palestinians are looking to next month's election to replace Yasser Arafat as a new opportunity for peace and perhaps the first real democracy in the Arab world - and their support for violent militants appears to be waning, polls say. "We want to live freely, to live like other human beings, to feel peace and security, not to worry about the future of my sons," said Hisham Karm, 33, speaking on a Gaza street. The new hopes for peace - stronger than at any time since the outbreak of the Palestinian uprising four years ago - are shared by Israel and much of the international community. In recent days, Egypt's president praised Ariel Sharon, Israel offered the Palestinians "quiet for quiet" and even Syria said it's ready to talk. Still, the intefadeh, or uprising, isn't over, peace talks are a ways off and life for most Palestinians is as hard as ever. Both Israeli Prime Minister Sharon and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak have taken to dousing the euphoria, explaining that no magical peace leap is at hand. Mubarak was quoted in an Egyptian newspaper Friday as denying the country's ambassador would soon return to Tel Aviv, four years after he was summoned home in protest at what Egypt said was Israel's excessive use of force against Palestinians. Yet the optimism itself is changing the region's political dynamics, bolstering moderate voices among the Palestinians , and making it easier for Sharon to push through his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements next year. Sharon on Friday invited the dovish Labor Party to join his flagging coalition a day after a majority of 3,000 leaders of his own Likud Party voted to let it happen. Even though many Likud members supported Sharon out of fear of elections instead of any newfound warmth for peace, such a victory would have likely eluded Sharon only weeks ago, when gloom reigned supreme in the Middle East and hard-liners often held sway. Two polls this month showed a drop in support for the militant Hamas group and an increase for the mainstream Fatah movement . The independent Jerusalem Media and Communication Center, in a survey of 1,200 people with a 3 percent error margin, found that 52 percent of Palestinians now oppose militant attacks on Israelis, compared with 26.9 percent in June. --- from the website- http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-12/13/content_2326227.htm we read- Egypt, US discuss Mideast peace process www.chinaview.cn 2004-12-13 02:00:08 CAIRO, Dec. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit met visiting US Foreign Relations Council Chairman Richard Haas on Sunday on Mideast peace process, the official MENA newsagency reported. Abul Gheit asserted the need to offer genuine and sincere support to the Middle East peace process and more help to the Palestinians to allow them to get through the hardships of the coming period. He also briefed the US official on the Egypt's efforts to unify Palestinian ranks, arrangements for a power transfer in the Palestinian territories and future support to the Palestinians .According to the report, during the talks, the two sides also discussed Egypt's role in paving the way for the restart of peace talks, Israeli plans of withdrawing from Gaza and the Palestinian elections --- from the website- http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/16/international/middleeast/16cnd-mideast.html we read- December 16, 2004 Sharon Predicts 'Breakthrough' in Ties With Palestinians By STEVEN ERLANGER ERZLIYA, Israel, Dec. 16 - Next year could bring a "historic breakthrough" in Israel's relations with the Palestinians , a buoyant Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel said today, insisting that his plan to pull out of Gaza had united the country, even if it had divided his own party. Mr. Sharon said that his government would implement his proposal to dismantle all the Israeli settlements in Gaza and four small ones in the West Bank on schedule, and that he wanted to coordinate it with a new, elected Palestinian leadership that turned its back on violence. "In 2005 we have the opportunity for an historic breakthrough in relations between us and the Palestinians, a breakthrough for which we have waited many years," Mr. Sharon told delegates to the annual Herzliya conference on policy and strategy. Israel also has the opportunity to "establish a new partnership with the international community in the struggle against terror and regional and global instability," he said. But to take advantage of those opportunities, Israel "must take the initiative," he said, adding: " This is the hour, this is the time. This is the national test ." Leaving Gaza and fighting violence against Israeli civilians have united Israelis around the goals that matter, he said. "It is uniting us in distinguishing between goals that deserve to be fought for, since they are truly in our souls - such as Jerusalem, the large settlement blocks, the security zones and maintaining Israel's character as a Jewish state - rather than the goals where it is clear to all of us that they will not be realized, and that most of the public is not ready, justifiably, to sacrifice so much for." By the latter, Mr. Sharon meant the settlements in Gaza - and by implication, a significant but unstated percentage of the settlements in the West Bank. He insisted that his understanding of Israel's "most essential interests" was shared with the United States and the Bush administration. He defined those issues as a refusal to return to 1967 borders, "allowing Israel to permanently keep large settlement blocs which have high Israeli populations and the total refusal to allow Palestinian refugees to return to Israel." In addition, he insisted that Israel had won the argument that there should be no movement toward recognizing a Palestinian state until the Palestinians "take genuine action against terror until it is eliminated, advance real reforms and stop teaching hatred toward Israel." Mr. Sharon was speaking to a national audience on television, on a day when his efforts to expand his minority coalition stalled temporarily, with the religious Shas party refusing to join him and the Labor Party temporarily suspending negotiations in a bitter dispute about ministerial portfolios. But Mr. Sharon's mood was optimistic and self-confident, and he promised that concrete steps by a new Palestinian leadership would be met in kind by Israel. "Now there is a real chance that new Palestinian leaders will rise, those who will be elected, who will truly abandon the path of terror and instead will advance a strategy of reconciliation and negotiation," he said. Israel would try to help the Palestinians to be ready to take over Gaza next year, he said, as an important first step toward an eventual Palestinian state. --- From the website- http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=vn20041217032727370C133908 we read- Israel says yes to Middle East conference Herzliya - Israel has agreed to attend a Mideast conference in London early in 2005, backing off its earlier reluctance to participate in the gathering, a senior official said on Thursday. The official, speaking anonymously, said Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had sent a letter to British Prime Minister Tony Blair saying that Israel was ready to attend the conference, tentatively scheduled for February . The conference, if it takes place, will signal the international community's biggest diplomatic push in the region since the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in November . Blair is expected to discuss the matter during a visit to Israel and the Palestinian areas next week. Britain's Foreign Office on Thursday refused to give details about the possible conference. End 12-19-2004 12-20-2004 From the website- http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-12/21/content_2360275.htm we read- Syria's Assad will visit Jordan: spokeswoman www.chinaview.cn 2004-12-21 03:39:01 AMMAN, Dec. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Jordanian government spokeswoman Asma Khader said here on Monday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will visit Jordan later this month. Khader said at a press conference that Assad and Jordan's King Abdullah II will hold a summit on the border issue, Iraq, Palestine and the Golan Heights. She said Jordan is very interested in reviving peace talks between Syria, Lebanon and Israel, but she ruled out plans or arrangements for secret meetings between President Assad and Israeli officials in Amman. Jordan is one of the two Arab countries that have signed a peace treaty with Israel. End 12-20-2004 12-22-2004 from the website- http://news.ft.com/cms/s/e5def3b4-5445-11d9-a749-00000e2511c8.html we read- Blair wins support for Mideast peace initiative By Ben Hall in Jerusalem Published: December 22 2004 18:20 | Last updated: December 22 2004 18:20 Tony Blair on Wednesday put himself at the centre of international efforts to revive the Middle East peace process after winning Israeli and Palestinian support for a conference in London next year. The British prime minister's initiative received a further boost after his office confirmed that Condoleezza Rice, the incoming US secretary of state, would attend the meeting, expected in early March. British officials took her participation as a signal of Washington's willingness to engage with a new Palestinian leadership following the death of Yassir Arafat, the Palestine Liberation Organisation chief and president of the Palestinian Authority. End 12-22-2004 12-23-2004 from the website - http://www.albawaba.com/en/news/178569 we read- King Abdullah meets Sharon deputy, urges Israel to support Palestinian leaders Jordan's King Abdullah II on Thursday urged Israel to support the Palestinian leadership's efforts which aim at holding elections in a suitable climate. Upon the monarch's meeting with Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Ehud Olmert, Abdullah stressed that the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza Strip should be part of the roadmap peace plan and a prelude for a full Israeli pullout from the Palestinian territories, Petra reported --- from the website- http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=74072 we read- Sharon Calls on Jordan to Bring Back its Ambassador 17:40 Dec 23, '04 / 11 Tevet 5765 (IsraelNN.com) Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sent a message with Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who met in Jordan today with King Abdullah after signing an agreement in his capacity of Industry and Trade Minister. Sharon is calling on Amman to send its ambassador back to Israel, even before the January 9th general elections in the PA. Jordan, like Egypt, recalled its ambassador in an act of protest against IDF operations in PA areas in response to the Oslo War. End 12-23-2004 01-09-2005 from the website- http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_new/english/details.asp?name=1884 we read how the King of Jordan still leads Arab nations in the call for Mideast peace King Abdullah of Jordan: World Should Contribute to Mideast Peace AMMAN, January 5, 2005 (IPC+WAFA)-- King Abdullah II of Jordan, emphasized yesterday the need for mobilizing an international support for the upcoming new Palestinian leadership by facilitating the January 9 presidential elections, Palestine News Agency (WAFA) reported. The Jordanian Monarch, who was welcoming a delegation of the British House of Commons, stressed that it is very important to seize the moment to move the peace process forward by encouraging both the Palestinians and Israelis to abide completely by the internationally-backed road map peace blueprint from the website- http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/050105/2005010520.html we read how the King of Jordan is getting connected to US Senators Kerry visits Jordan within a tour on the region Jordan-USA, Politics, 1/5/2005 The Jordanian king Abdullah II met in Amman on Tuesday the former candidate for the American Presidential elections Senator John Kerry who had arrived in Jordan on Monday starting a tour on the region covering Iraq. The Jordanian official news agency Petra said that Kerry discussed with Abdullah "political developments taking place in the region and the efforts aiming at reviving the peace process and achieving security and stability in Iraq." Kerry expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by Jordan in order to build a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle east . In a statement, the American embassy in Amman announced that Kerry "arrived on Monday in Amman within a tour on the region" covering Israel. The statements added that the Senator will be meeting during his visit with "high ranking Jordanian officials." from the website of the White House http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/01/20050105-3.html we read how President Bush is on the phone with the King of Jordan, and the President of Egypt Press Gaggle by Scott McClellan Aboard Air Force One En Route Collinsville, Illinois 12:24 P.M. EST MR. McCLELLAN: All right, good morning, everybody. I've got a few world leader calls to read out, and a few announcements to make to begin with. First of all, this morning the President had three world leader phone calls . He spoke with King Abdullah of Jordan about Iraq . [One thing is certain, the King can not stop talking about Iraq] Jordan is going to be hosting the foreign ministers meeting of Iraq's neighbors on January 6th , and the President told the King that he hoped the conference would encourage participation by all Iraqis in the upcoming election. And the King agreed that promoting democracy in Iraq was a goal we all shared. And then, following that, the President spoke with President Mubarak about Iraq in advance of the Arab League ministers meeting, which is in Cairo on January 12th. And one of the topics, obviously, they'll be discussing there is Iraq. President Mubarak assured the President that he shared the United States' support for the political process in Iraq. And the President thanked President Mubarak for his leadership in the run-up to the elections, the Palestinian elections on January 9th. And the third phone call was with President Yawer of Iraq . The President expressed strong support for the political process in Iraq, and the President talked about the importance of moving forward on the elections. The President also expressed his appreciation for President Yawer's leadership during this important period in Iraq's history. And so those were the three phone calls. End 01-09-2005 01-24-2005 from the website- http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=4038608 we read how the possibility for peace increases with the acquiescence of Palestinian hardliners Mideast Peace Hopes Edge Closer with Peace Accord The new Palestinian leader said he’s nearing a truce accord with militant groups and Israel pledged to hold its fire if calm prevails, moving the two sides closer to halting four years of bloody violence. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas extended his stay in Gaza until today to try to win a declaration from armed groups that they will halt attacks against Israelis. Abbas has been meeting representatives of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, a group with ties to his Fatah movement. Israeli leaders said yesterday that they would suspend military operations if the Palestinians maintain calm, taking a major step toward a truce. As in the past, the Palestinians were negotiating among themselves about conditions for halting violence without directly involving Israel – but making parallel demands on the Israelis. A truce was not formally in place, but little violence was reported yesterday as about 3,000 Palestinian police patrolled parts of Gaza near the Israeli border for a third day to prevent militants from firing rockets. Though there have been other brief periods of quiet during four years of violence, optimism was high. Abbas, who succeeded Yasser Arafat after winning a January 9 election, was working around the clock to stop the violence, backing up his earlier statements that violent Palestinian resistance is a mistake. And on the Israeli side, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon responded positively to Palestinian moves for the first time, reflecting some confidence in Abbas, in stark contrast to Israel’s attitude toward Arafat. Abbas remained in Gaza yesterday, cancelling plans to return to his West Bank headquarters in Ramallah. He told Palestinian TV that a truce was near. End 01-24-2005 01-27-2005 from the website- http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/News/2005/01/27/911366-sun.html we read- Mideast peace summit planned JERUSALEM -- Israeli and Palestinian negotiators achieved significant progress yesterday toward ending violence and resuming peace talks, completing a plan for deploying Palestinian forces in the southern Gaza Strip and aiming for a summit within two weeks between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders. A senior aide to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and a Palestinian cabinet minister sat down together to discuss the summit idea and an emerging truce deal -- the first high-level diplomatic contact between the two sides in months. End 01-27-2005 02-04-2005 from the website- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/02/04/wmid04.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/02/04/ixnewstop.html we read- Palestinian ceasefire ends four-year intifada By Inigo Gilmore in Tel Aviv (Filed: 04/02/2005) The Palestinians will officially declare an end to four years of armed confrontation with Israel when they announce a ceasefire at a summit in Egypt next week, Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, said yesterday. End 02-04-2005 02-06-2005 from the website- http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-izpals5feb05,0,6107877.story?coll=la-news-comment-editorials we read- A Special Moment in Mideast It's always dangerous to hope for too much in the Middle East. The sharp decline in violence since Mahmoud Abbas was elected to succeed Yasser Arafat as head of the Palestinian Authority is a moment that could easily collapse. But for the first time in years, there's a sense that it could, this time, be a harbinger of a more lasting peace. The Israeli Cabinet this week approved the release of 900 Palestinian prisoners and withdrawal of the army from several West Bank cities. Those are just the latest steps in the improvements that have drawn the United States energetically back into the peace process. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is on her first overseas trip as Washington's top diplomat and will soon meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Abbas. President Bush, in his State of the Union speech, said the U.S. will provide $350 million to the Palestinian Authority for political, economic and security reforms. Rice's visit, the financial aid and, as icing on the cake, Bush's invitation to Abbas to visit the White House will let Abbas show the Palestinians that he, not Islamic radicals and terrorists, can deliver a better future. and from http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-mideast6feb06,0,5535308.story?coll=la-news-comment-editorials we read- Abdullah Points the Way It's good to see that King Abdullah II of Jordan gets it. Now if only he'd share his insight with the Saudi and Egyptian autocrats. In an interview on CNN two weeks ago, Abdullah said that the January elections in the Palestinian territories and Iraq were part of a "process that the Middle East needs, and one that needs to be taken seriously." He undoubtedly delighted the White House when he said the balloting will "help countries such as Jordan to be able to push the envelope" of democracy. Jordan has a freewheeling parliament and appears positively enlightened compared with its Arab neighbors. But it ensures that the kingdom's press toes the line, and even members of parliament know better than to criticize the monarchy too vociferously. Still, the king deserves credit for his announcement days before the Iraq election that he wants to decentralize political power by creating elected regional councils. Abdullah and his relative openness contrast sharply with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who is floating the idea that he'll run for a fifth term this year. He has maintained an iron grip on power since 1981, when he succeeded assassinated President Anwar Sadat. Mubarak's government Monday jailed an opposition leader, Ayman Nour, who called for democratic elections in the country. Six years ago, Mubarak was alone on the presidential ballot and captured 94% of the vote. End 02-06-2005 02-09-2005 from the website- http://www.keralanext.com/news/indexread.asp?id=107825 we read- Middle East, US jumps ‘both feet’ into Mideast peace process 20 Hours,56 minutes Ago [Middle East News]: ROME - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flew into the Middle East this week happy to let Israelis and Palestinians work out their problems. By the time she left, Washington was knee-deep in the process. Rice wound up talks in Israel and the West Bank on Monday making it clear the United States was ready to dive back into the fray after keeping a low profile during faltering efforts to implement a peace “roadmap” . She named a three-star US general “senior security coordinator” to help shape up Palestinian forces and monitor efforts to make an expected ceasefire stick after 52 months of bloodshed. She said Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas and Jordan’s King Abdullah II would all come to Washington separately for talks with President George W. Bush. Rice prepared to attend a March 1 conference in London on Palestinian reforms as well as a meeting of the Middle East ”quartet” -- the United States, EU, United Nations and Russia -- likely to be convened earlier. Perhaps more fundamentally, the United States served notice it would act as referee to make sure both sides abided by the roadmap aimed at the ultimate establishment of a Palestinian state. “There are going to be specific things that the parties need to do and we will not hesitate to say to the parties when those obligations are not being met,” Rice told reporters in Tel Aviv. Barely three months ago the roadmap looked dead and the Bush administration was keeping a discreet distance from the process. But it sounded a different note Monday. “We’re back in with both feet,” a senior State Department official, who asked not to be named, said on the eve of the first Israeli-Palestinian summit in more than four years. US officials ascribed the shift to the dramatically altered political landscape since Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s death in November and his replacement by the more-moderate Mahmud Abbas. But the tenor of Washington’s approach to each of the parties also appears to have changed. After years of shunning Arafat as a hapless bystander, if not a willing accomplice, in anti-Israel attacks, the Americans have warmly embraced Abbas and his first, tentative steps to rein in Islamic militants. Bush said Monday he was “impressed” by Abbas’ performance so far and Rice added that they were “very encouraged” by his initial moves to restore order and lay the basis for a ceasefire. Friends, we have said all along that two contradictory trends would develop simultaneously - the peace process and the acceleration toward the Magog invasion. Given the peace news above and the recent revelations of Seymour Hersh regarding the US military involvement with respect to the "Shia" nation , these two trends are both accelerating rapidly. In fact, the countries that are involved in the peace process represent the nations forming the endtime Biblical "Assyria" - Jordan, Syria and its vassal Lebanon, while at the same time, Persia etc are gearing up for war. End 02-09-2004 02-10-2005 from the website- http://debka.com/article.php?aid=980 we read- The Middle East Club of Four Is Founded in Sharm DEBKAfile Exclusive Analysis February 8, 2005, 11:36 PM (GMT+02:00) The most significant feature of the four-way summit that took place on Tuesday, February 8, at the Egyptian Red Sea resort to Sharm el-Sheikh, was that it was the first time in Israel’s 57 years’ life that one of its leaders was asked to join three Arab rulers at any forum without outside mediators or an international aegis. The key to this unique event was embodied in President George W. Bush’s directive Thursday night, February 3, to secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, not to show up at the Middle East summit. The European Union followed her lead, as did Arab leaders who planned to attend like the King of Morocco, the emir of Qatar and the Tunisian president. Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, the newly-elected Palestinian Authority chairman, Mahmoud Abbas – Abu Mazen, Jordan’s King Abdullah and their beaming host, President Hosni Mubara k, were thus thrown together alone and confronted with the task of forging a form of accord. With careful choreographing and expectations of little more than initial ice-breaking in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, they succeeded quite well. In this sense, the Sharm summit stood out as a landmark with two far-reaching implications: 1. A new Middle East Club of Four came into being . With a good measure of audacity and inventiveness, this bloc could dictate the next steps towards lifting the Israel-Palestinian dispute out of its stalemate – or even play a role in other conflicts, such as Lebanon and Iraq. Mubarak hinted as much in his closing speech when he urged Israel to embrace Syria and Lebanon in its peace diplomacy. This call was taken as a token response to a request from Syrian president Bashar Assad to raise the Syrian issue at the summit. In fact, the Egyptian ruler was already beginning to weave other regional issues in with the conflict on the table. 2. The Middle East Club of Four will need to pace itself against that of the absent nations – Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, all the Gulf emirates and even East Africa. Interestingly, by coming together alone, the four leaders cut themselves off from big power or even regional intervention. If the group endures long enough, it might even solidify into a distinct Egyptian-Israeli-Jordanian-Palestinian military-intelligence pact . A candidate for fifth member might be Iraq , which might find useful alternative export routes for its oil through Jordan’s Red Sea port of Aqaba and Israel’s Mediterranean ports of Haifa or Ashkelon. The current abject state of Palestinian-Israeli relations after four and a half years of bloody terrorism and conflict makes such prospects seem like an impossible dream. However, according to DEBKAfile’s Washington sources, administration Middle East strategists have begun thinking on those lines and even taken the first exploratory steps in this direction . The group of NATO naval officers which landed two days before the Sharm summit in Israel’s Red Sea port of Eilat and neighboring Jordanian Aqaba to inspect naval facilities did not come out of the blue. As DEBKAfile reported, the Israeli and Jordanian officers who received the visitors gained the impression that the plan was for NATO warships to dock in Eilat early next mont h. NATO has not hitherto collaborated with the US fleet in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba for fear of getting involved in the American war effort in Iraq. Certainly, this would be the first time that NATO has worked with the Israeli or Jordanian navies. Circles in the alliance suggest the expansion was prompted by al Qaeda’s bombing attacks on Sinai resorts last October, the terror group’s ongoing presence in the Egyptian peninsula, and its use of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba as routes for the clandestine movement of terrorists into Sinai, from western Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Sudan. But NATO officials do not deny that their naval presence will also provide a safety umbrella for convoys with supplies destined for Iraq putting in at Aqaba. The importance of the Sharm Four as the core of a new alliance also explains why Washington appointed an officer as senior as Lt. General William E. (Kip) Ward, deputy chief of US ground forces in Europe, as security coordinator between the United States, Israel, Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinians . This dramatic new turn of events will be further explored in the coming DEBKA-Net-Weekly (for subscribers) published on Friday, January, February 11. To subscribe to DEBKA-Net-Weekly, go to Debka.com. That Iraq is going to be joined with Jordan, see this . End 02-10-2005 02-12-2005 Looks like Syria is going to become involved in the peace process. see the website- http://www.khaleejtimes.com Syria to host meeting of regional neighbours to revive peace plan: Jordan (AFP) 10 February 2005 AMMAN - Jordanian Foreign Minister Hani Mulki said preparations were underway for a five-way |