To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Arafat fears attack on his person by settlers
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 08:43:52 -0500
Monday, December 11, 2000
Arafat fears attack on his person by settlers
By Amos Harel
Ha'aretz Military Correspondent
Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat hasn't visited the West Bank
since early October due to fears that Jewish settlers might try to kill him,
senior officials close to the Palestinian leader have said.
Arafat hasn't been seen in the West Bank since October 3, a few days after
the outbreak of the Al Aqsa Intifada. Though he has traveled abroad dozens
of times during the ten weeks of fighting, he has returned each time by
helicopter or airplane to the Rafah airstrip in Gaza.
Arafat is convinced that Jewish extremists could harm him, perhaps by
means of an attack with a lone M-16 rifle, the Palestinians say. In the event
of such an assassination attempt, Israel would not be able to, or might not
have the inclination to protect him, Arafat believes.
Security concerns, however, are not the only reasons that have stopped
Arafat from setting foot in the West Bank. Arafat is worried that Palestinian
leaders in the area might submit a series of demands that he would be
unable to meet, the sources say.
In addition, the PA chairman fears that under certain circumstances, Israel
might keep him trapped in the West Bank, blocking his return to Gaza and
effectively rendering him a prisoner in Ramallah.
Since the start of the violence, the West Bank and Gaza have basically
functioned as two separate Palestinian states, a well-placed Israeli security
source said. Though both areas come under Arafat's control, his hold on the
West Bank is less stable. Fatah operatives have strengthened their positions
in the West Bank, acting as independent players in the showdown with
Israel.
Israeli security officials also believe that the PA security apparatus is
unraveling and that the PA lacks sufficient funds to pay the salaries of its
security personnel. Fatah activists are exerting heavy pressure on PA
security officials, the Israeli sources say, trying to coax them into taking part
in the armed struggle against Israel. In fact, there is something of a
competition taking shape among individuals associated with different parts of
the PA security system, with all trying to prove that they are most actively
involved in anti-Israel actions.
Members of Mohammed Dahlan's preventive security force in Gaza have
been involved in a number of attacks, while Tawfiq Tirawi's West Bank
intelligence service has been implicated in attacks in Ramallah and
Qalqilyah.
http://www3.haaretz.co.il/eng/scripts/article.asp?mador=14&datee=12/11/00&
id=102985
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To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Mitchell Committee pleases Palestinian Authority and Israel
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 08:55:24 -0500
Tuesday, December 12, 2000
Mitchell Committee pleases Palestinian Authority and Israel
By Aluf Benn and Amira Hass
Ha'aretz Correspondents
Most of Israel's fears regarding an international fact-finding committee's
investigation into the violence in the territories have evaporated after the first
meeting of government officials with the committee, several officials said
yesterday.
Palestinians were also pleased by their first meeting with the committee
yesterday. They said it had promised to station one staff member in Israel
full-time - probably Larry Pope, a former American ambassador to Chad. This
will allow the committee to fully investigate events, rather than conduct a
superficial probe from afar, said Palestinian officials.
Health Minister Roni Milo, who is the government's liaison with the
committee, said he went to the meeting with committee members "with very
great fears, and I am still not completely at ease. But their approach
indicates they do not intend to be a judicial tribunal, they really intend to try
to restore calm in order so the diplomatic process can advance."
The committee, chaired by former U.S. senator George Mitchell, met Prime
Minister Ehud Barak for three-and-a-half hours. Committee members told
Barak that they had come to help bridge the gaps between Israel and the
Palestinian Authority, not to increase the tensions or to act as a court. "We
are here to help," said Mitchell.
Without cooperation from both sides, he said, that would be impossible and
he therefore promised "full cooperation and coordination" with both Israel and
the PA. Several committee members said their aim is to prevent clashes in
the future rather than focus on the past.
Senior government sources said later it is clear that the committee "does not
intend to interview bystanders about the events."
Palestinians, however, formed the impression that the committee intends to
take a more activist approach. They were particularly pleased by the
committee's pledge to investigate the root causes of the violence, on the
basis of a UN resolution passed on October 7. This resolution called on
Israel to honor its obligations "as an occupying power."
During the meeting with Barak, committee members did not ask about Likud
Chairman Ariel Sharon's visit to the Temple Mount, which Palestinians claim
was the spark for the violence, nor about Israel's use of force in the clashes.
They did, however, ask about the injuries to Palestinian children.
Barak responded that "Palestinians use children as an instrument of war.
Our fundamental outlook is that children must be protected, not endangered.
But their outlook is that children can be sent to the front lines, even if they
will be injured, if this serves their public relations goals."
Most of the meeting was devoted to Barak's survey of events since the Camp
David summit this July. Barak blamed Arafat for the ensuing outbreak of
violence. "After the summit, the Palestinian leadership chose to use violence
in order to try to achieve diplomatic goals, and they must not be rewarded for
this," he said.
Barak also spoke of the importance of the Temple Mount to Jews, saying
Arafat has completely ignored Jewish feelings for this site.
http://www3.haaretz.co.il/eng/scripts/article.asp?mador=14&datee=12/12/00&
id=103265
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To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Daily World Affairs Report items (12/11/00)
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 09:03:57 -0500
CARDINAL CRITICISES "GRUBBY" ROYAL ACT
Cardinal Thomas Winning, leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, has
attacked the Act of Settlement as a "grubby little secret" that "shames our
nation". The Act bars any Roman Catholic, or anyone married to a Roman
Catholic, from being in line to the throne. It would force Prince William t
o
renounce that right if he chose to marry a Catholic. Cardinal Winning said,
in an article in the Sunday Herald newspaper, that the Act -- which also
bars illegitimate children and non-Christians from the succession -- needed
to be tackled "sooner rather than later".
He wrote: "The Act, passed by the narrowest of margins 300 years ago and
absorbed into Scots law under the Act of Union, contains words of bigotry
directed against those of a 'Popish' persuasion which, if they were include
d
in a TV programme, would force the schedulers to broadcast it after the
watershed. Yet 3 centuries on, the Act remains on the statute book -
untouched and almost forgotten were it not for the determination of a group
of parliamentarians from all parties to push for change on this issue."
Calls to repeal the Act were debated in the Scottish Parliament - which has
no power to change that law - earlier this year, but have never been
discussed in Westminster. Cardinal Winning added: "The question is
whether there is enough of a will among politicians preparing their general
election manifestos to include within them a commitment to repeal the
grubby little secret which still shames our nation." (The London Telegraph)
E.U. LEADERS SCRAMBLE TO FIX A DEAL
European leaders were struggling last night to prevent the EU's longest and
most chaotic summit from ending in deadlock. After four days of wrangling,
deep differences still had to be resolved over the voting power of smaller
countries. Talks were suspended late on when Portugal and Belgium were
joined by Austria, Finland, Greece and Sweden in objecting to the number
of votes that they would be given in the policy-making Council of Ministers
.
But there appeared to be agreement on a move to abolish the veto in
further areas of EU decision making. British officials claimed a
breakthrough when proposals to extend qualified majority voting over tax
and social security, the 2 most contentious issues for Tony Blair, were
dropped from the final draft of the proposed Nice Treaty. As the 15 weary-
looking leaders prepared to talk into the night, they insisted that they wo
uld
battle on. Failure could pitch the union into a prolonged crisis and delay
indefinitely the plan to end Cold War divisions by bringing in members from
eastern Europe. Jean-Claude Juncker, Luxembourg's prime minister, said
that they would have to scale down their ambitions - then, "in the great
European tradition, call it a success".
The mood of crisis was intensified by a threat that the European Parliament
would vote against any deal because it was likely to fudge radical reforms
needed to prevent the EU from seizing up when it expands. Elmar Brok, the
parliament's monitor on reform talks, said: "If we say no, it will cause a
political crisis. But we have no choice. I don't see how we can proceed to
enlargement with this treaty; it is even worse than what we had before."
The parliament has no formal power to block EU treaty revisions. But some
of the more pro-European national parliaments, such as Belgium and Italy,
have said they would refuse to ratify a new treaty if the European
legislature throws it out. The leaders were also worried that failure to re
ach
agreement could further damage the struggling euro.
Delegates turned to pocket calculators and computer spread sheets to
decipher complex proposals drawn up by France to ensure that the big 4 --
France, Germany, Britain and Italy -- could still block decisions effective
ly
with a dozen new members. The revised draft maintained voting parity
between France and Germany, giving them, as well as Britain and Italy, 30
votes, and granted more votes to the Netherlands and the candidate Poland,
2 of the fiercest critics of an earlier draft. Under the draft compromise,
a
minority of 91 votes - equal to 3 big states and 1 small one - could block
a
decision. Smaller countries had tried to raise that threshold to 104, makin
g it
harder for the large states to block decisions.
Despite the vote re-weighting wrangle, British officials claimed that Mr
Blair had secured all his so-called "red lines" - areas where he had said t
hat
Britain would not give up its veto. They said the final draft excluded tax,
social security and passport issues from areas to be brought within qualifi
ed
majority voting. Mr Blair had also succeeded in excluding defence from
proposed "enhanced co-operation" and had gained more votes in the
Council of Ministers. However, he had given up the veto on moves to
reform the European Court of Justice, the free movement of professionals
such as lawyers, accountants and engineers throughout the EU and over
the number of EU appointments to try to end the practice of "Buggins'
turn". (The London Telegraph)
EUROPE'S LEADERS WRESTLE FOR POWER & INFLUENCE
As tempers frayed in a night negotiating session at the Nice summit, an EU
diplomat let his frustration show: "If it is like this trying to get decisi
ons with
15 countries round the table, imagine what it will be like with 27." The
outburst was a sign that Nice was likely to go down as the longest and most
acrimonious EU summit. Officially, EU leaders were meeting to agree
unification of a continent which had been split by the Cold War. It was
supposed to be the symbolic moment when the EU opened its doors to
former communist countries - paving the way to a union stretching from
Ireland to Bulgaria, Sweden to Malta. It turned into a naked battle for
power and influenceby the existing members of the club, reluctant to see
their influence diluted by the addition of new members.
Before he left for Nice, Tony Blair had a foreboding that he was in for a
marathon session, likely to last 5 days instead of 2 or 3. Yet even he
appeared unprepared for the scale of the 4 days of infighting so far. The
leaders spent the first 2 days arguing over the proposed Euro defence force
- and whether or not it should be independent from NATO; agreeing a new
European food agency and proclaiming a Charter of Fundamental Rights. It
was not until Saturday morning that France got down to the business of
producing draft provisions dealing with the share of votes that each countr
y
would have in an enlarged EU and removing the national veto from more
areas of decision-making.
All hell broke loose, with smaller countries complaining that they were bei
ng
stitched up by bigger ones. The draft satisfied no one. Antonio Guterres,
Portugese Prime Minister, angered at Spain's more than tripling its votes,
protested at what he called an "institutional coup d'etat". Bertie Ahern, I
rish
Prime Minister, was angered by the proposed ending of the veto which has
protected Ireland's low business taxes. Wim Kok, Dutch Prime Minister,
said his reaction to the text was "unprintable". The Dutch, with 16mn
people, have been demanding more votes than Belgium, which has 10mn.
The initial draft - later revised in their favour - gave them parity. Costa
s
Simitis, of Greece, accused France of trying to create a "directoire of big
countries" which was totally unacceptable.
According to Gerhard Schroder the proceedings were "utter chaos". At one
point, he suspended the talks when complex revisions to the treaty text
were put in front of him in French. He said he would not negotiate on
crucial detail without a translation. The revised table of voting strengths
was even more complicated than the present one. Diplomats compared it to
the voting system for the Eurovision song contest. As tensions mounted, the
Scandinavian countries floated the idea of an alternative presidency to
break the logjam because they had lost confidence in France.
An underlying theme has been the growing feeling that the French have
made a mess of their 6-month EU presidency. Smaller countries have
complained that they have been high-handed. The French presidency has
been overshadowed by the growing BSE crisis in France and strains
between President Chirac and Lionel Jospin, the Prime Minister. Romano
Prodi, the president of the EU Commission, was caught in the crossfire. M
Chirac rounded on Mr Prodi, claiming that the Brussels Commission was a
"load of bunglers" mismanaging the mad cow crisis. As one of Mr Prodi's
senior officials entered, M Chirac bellowed: "Get that little functionary o
ut
of here." A stunned Mr Prodi said: "I will have my officials about me
whenever I require them."
In the British camp there was an air of satisfaction. Normally, Britain is
on
the end of the abuse. Instead, Mr Blair found himself playing the role of
mediator - until 1am yesterday, talking to Mr Schroder and M Chirac in an
attempt to broker a deal. Mr Ahern told his officials it would be better if
they went home and started again under Sweden's presidency. As the
delegations made contingency plans to spend another night in Nice, and sit
on into today, British officials tried to smooth diplomatic feathers ruffle
d by
the French.
The Nice summit is likely to go down in EU history as one of the most
rancorous. The 3,500 journalists from across the EU, facing the prospect of
a 5th day's play, were dubbing it "nightmare in Nice". (The London
Telegraph)=0E
VOTE-GRAB BY THE BIG-5 LEAVES SMALLER STATES
OUTGUNNED & OUTRAGED
The EU was split in 2 hostile camps as big and small states battled into th
e
night over who would control the real levers of European power when the
EU doubles in size. The smaller countries have had it their way for decades
in Brussels, with a bloc vote out of all proportion to their size. The big
powers have finally put their foot down, demanding that vote tallies start
to
reflect democracy. The new treaty text triples the votes of the big 5 in th
e
Council of Ministers, the EU's key decision-making body. Germany, Britain,
France and Italy will jump from 10 votes to 30, and Spain - the great
beneficiary of this reform - jumps from 8 to 28 and holds on to its huge
regional subsidies until 2014. The small states are left trailing behind,
doubling their vote.
The effect is to change the "federal" character of the EU, concentrating
power in the hands of a directorate of the major powers that can run the
machine for their own interests.But the proposals prompted revolt from the
smaller delegations. Bertie Ahern, the Irish Prime Minister, said it was a
"slap in the face", while the Portuguese muttered about a "coup d'etat" and
threatened to walk out of the summit.
Hubert Vedrine, the French Foreign Minister, shook his head in despair as
another afternoon turned to night at Acropolis Palace, saying the whole
construct was a "house of cards": not one could be removed from the latest
design without everything falling back to square one. But the French were
ill-suited for the job of coaxing acceptance since they were themselves
refusing to accept that votes should be linked to population size. Presiden
t
Chirac continued blocking moves last night to "decouple" the vote tallies o
f
France and Germany, arguing that "inviolable equality" between the 2
historical rivals was the foundation of European peace, even though
Germany has 23mn more inhabitants.
Instead, Germany was offered a "security buffer", an astutely-devised
scheme that protects Germany's core interest, making it extremely unlikely
that any EU measure could ever be passed against Berlin's wishes, while at
the same time placating France. It consists of a complex "double majority"
mechanism that blocks EU legislation unless it has the backing of 62% of
the EU's total population. Britain would also benefit from the new system,
which gives 3 big states a blocking minority.
But the big powers have not had it all their way. The EU's 10 smallest
countries, led by Antonio Guterres, the Portuguese Prime Minister, joined
forces and threatened to block the treaty if the text endangered their 1 an
d
only European commissioner. A deal was struck giving every country a
seat at the top table of the EU's executive body - for the forseeable futur
e -
ensuring that they will have a visible national face to represent them in
Brussels. Germany, Britain, France, Italy, and Spain will give up their 2nd
commissioner in 2005 to stop the organisation becoming unmanageable.
Once the EU has grown to 27 states, every country will lose its
commissioner. (The London Telegraph)=0E
CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL OVER FRENCH
As weary EU leaders slogged their way towards a Treaty of Nice last night
there was agreement on at least one issue: President Chirac had upset
everyone. Barely a good word could be found in any quarter for the 68-
year-old French leader after 4 days of ill-tempered negotiations in which h
is
conduct of the chairmanship, widely described as erratic, had held up
progress and annoyed people throughout the EU camp.
M Chirac=92s roughshod handling of the summit was being partly blamed on
the strain that he is under at home. His domestic crisis appeared to have
made him more determined than ever to push French interests to the
maximum, rather than brokering any compromise, French commentators
said. A Finnish official said M Chirac was running the summit =93with a
sword of Damocles over his head=94. =93He crashes about and does not listen
to anyone,=94 a Scandinavian minister said after M Chirac=92s team produced
a
first draft treaty which appeared to take little account of many nations=92
needs.
On Friday and Saturday evenings the French halted talks, leaving leaders
unable to press ahead. =93You can=92t treat Prime Ministers like that,=94 s
aid an
Irish official. With the Germans annoyed, the Dutch spitting blood and the
Nordic states in the grips of anti-French rage,only Jos=E9 Maria Aznar,
Spain=92s Prime Minister, found time to back his =93buen amigo Jacques=94.
With the anti-Chirac mood in full flow yesterday, French officials started
to
deny rumours that the President was ill and that doctors had ordered not to
work late at night. The rumour, spread by senior British, Italian and Nordi
c
officials, was fuelled by anger over M Chirac=92s refusal to adopt the usua
l
summit practice of all-night negotiation. He had amazed even his own
French officials when he opened the negotiations on Thursday by saying
how tired his entourage already was. (The London Times)
GERMANY COMES OUT ON TOP IN MILESTONE NICE E.U.
SUMMIT
Germany emerged from the EU summit here Monday the big winner in the
balance of powers in an enlarged EU, having made only a single superficial
concession to France. Chancellor Schroeder bowed to pressure from
President Jacques Chirac not to press for more votes than has France on
the Council of Ministers, the EU's government body. The French would
have been stung if Germany had more votes.
In exchange for sticking to voting parity with Germany's traditional partne
r,
Schroeder nonetheless won recognition that his country would get extra
voting clout in EU decision-making. Under an agreement thrashed out at
the Nice summit, decisions passed in the council can be thrown out if they
are not backed by at least 62% of the total population of an enlarged
Europe. That means that acting together, Germany, France and Britain
could block any decision. "Germany gave a measure of equality, France a
measure of fraternity," Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner
said in the summit corridors, with a touch of sarcasm.
Germany will also get more seats in the enlarged European Parliament, 99
of a total of 738, against 74 each for France, Italy and Britain. "The
European Parliament is going to look like the Bundestag," quipped an EU
diplomat, referring to Germany's lower house of parliament. Moreover,
Berlin will no longer have to bow, against its will, to an EU majority in
immigration and asylum policy, an area in which the council veto was
retained for cases not already ruled on by an EU level court.
Chirac clearly stated he was against "decoupling" , or the end of voter
parity for the 2 countries that have been the motor of Europe. Monday he
spoke of his attachment to the "fundamental pact between France and
Germany" established during post-war European reconstruction, of "strict
equality between the 2 peoples." After the negotiating was over and the
deals struck, Schroeder said Germany had "sought to avoid conflict with
France." A public spat between them, he said, would have "shaken the
Franco-German relationship in a way we would not have wanted." (Agence
France-Presse)
DOUBTS BESET NICE DEAL
This has been the longest rollercoaster of a summit in EU history. The
French Minister for Europe compared the negotiations in Nice to building a
house of cards. At times the house seemed dangerously close to toppling.
But far from streamlining the EU system, the changes may make strong
action by the Council of Ministers harder.
The most striking feature of the summit was the bitterness that burst out
into the open between large and small member states. The big states
wanted to set a limit on the size of the EU executive, the European
Commission, but the small states insisted on keeping their guaranteed seats
on the Commission - a crucial lever of influence in Brussels. So the proble
m
was kicked into the future for someone else to solve.
Power, psychology, national pride and historical rivalries all intervened t
o
prolong the arguments into the small hours. The formula the French
presidency came up with provoked a rebellion by the small countries that
almost wrecked the summit: they signalled that they were not going to be
steamrollered into an agreement, especially by "the bulldozer" President
Chirac.
Three drafts on re-weighting of votes were needed before Belgium finally
backed down - not before having negotiated more votes for applicant
countries Romania and Lithuania. The result is an extraordinarily complex
decision-making system. There are mechanisms to enable both big and
small states to block decisions. Overall, the changes will increase the
dominance of the big members and Germany will be able to use one new
mechanism to wield the power of its 80mn people directly.
France, despite its significantly smaller population, insisted on keeping t
he
same number of votes as Germany in the Council. But the Germans have
ended up with more power in the EU than they would have gained from a
few extra symbolic votes. Furthermore, at Berlin's request, leaders agreed
to a new conference in 2004 to further define the division of power
between Brussels, member states and regions. Overall the Nice summit
showed Europe at its most awkward and divisive, raising questions about
how well it will cope when yet more national interests join the fray after
enlargement. (BBC - Analysis)
THE REALITY OF NICE
In the run-up to Nice, we were endlessly told there had to be a treaty "for
the sake of enlargement". As the summit got under way, this became not so
much a contention as a slogan: a way to silence any criticism. Why should
we give up our veto? For enlargement. Why should we accept EU
jurisdiction over justice and home affairs? For enlargement. Failure to agr
ee
on a new tranche of powers for Brussels would, it was claimed, be the
biggest betrayal of Eastern Europe since Yalta. How odd, then, that the one
thing Nice has utterly failed to do is prepare the EU for eastward
expansion. Even federalists are angry.
Senior MEPs are actually threatening to veto the treaty. They point out tha
t
the necessary reforms were meant to have been put in place at Amsterdam
nearly 4 years ago. On that occasion, Europe's leaders got so carried away
with extending the EU's competence that they lost sight of the summit's
original raison d'etre. Nice was meant to do what Amsterdam had left
undone. But, once again, the politicians have opted for a deeper, rather th
an
a wider, Europe. Had widening been their true priority, the heads of
government would have had just 2 items on their agenda: agriculture and
the budget.
The Common Agricultural Policy, based as it is on the Marxist principle of
guaranteed prices, will not be able to withstand the arrival of Poland, wit
h
its huge rural population. And, without changes to the structural, social a
nd
cohesion funds, the admission of the first-wave applicants alone would
imply a tripling of the EU budget.
But Nice has penalised the applicant countries positively as well as
negatively: not only has it failed to clear existing obstacles from their p
ath; it
has also strewn new ones before them. It ought to be obvious that, the
more diverse the conditions within the Union, the less realistic it will be
to
apply uniform policies. It may be possible to agree on, for example,
common rights for French and Italian workers, but it will be harder to
extend these rights to Slovakian or Turkish workers. The easiest way to
admit these countries would be to accept that, within the constant nexus of
the single market, they should be free to retain control of their domestic
affairs. But Nice goes in the opposite direction, heaping more and more
common rules on to the acquis communautaire: the mass of EU law that
new members are obliged to adopt.
For, make no mistake, Nice is another federalising treaty. Listening to the
BBC, you might have got the impression that, apart from some wonkery
about voting weights, the summit has really turned on Tony Blair's heroic
defence of our veto over taxation and social security. But, even before the
publication of the final text, we know that the summit has seen giant strid
es
towards closer integration in 4 areas: the establishment of a European
military force; the adoption of a European constitution (dressed up as a
"Charter of Fundamental Rights"); the extension of EU competence into
several home affairs matters; and the general removal of the national veto.
Having signed up to all this in order to expedite enlargement, we have
ended up with a treaty that will not hasten enlargement by 1 day. (The
London Telegraph - Editorial)
NOT SO NICE, AFTER ALL
Nice used to be synonymous with the idle, carefree lifestyle of the Cote
d'Azur. It could now go down in EU history as an example of bad
government. Never before has an intergovernmental conference been so
poorly prepared, and rarely has the European spirit been so little in evide
nce
as in Nice. There are many reasons for the shadow which has for so long
been hanging over this summit.
For one thing, the challenge now facing the EU is of an exceptional nature.
After all, the club rules -- most of which were drafted for the old
community of just 6 member states -- have to be amended so that 12 or
more countries will be able to join. Power and money will have to be
redistributed, too. The EU has always fought tooth and nail over these 2
highly sensitive issues. But when the changes have long been on the horizon
and are of such a fundamental nature, it is vital to work out a concept in
advance.
This must first be guided by the interests of a community whose economic
and political structures have become increasingly -- and successfully --
interconnected over the past 50 years. Secondly, all member states must be
committed to this updating of the original treaty. And thirdly, there must
be
enough room for compromise to bridge over even the most difficult phases
of the negotiations. Unfortunately, the French presidency has failed on all
3
counts. Jacques Chirac has chosen to play the French, rather than the
European card -- much to the annoyance of the smaller member states.
That the Franco-German engine, which has been one of the main thrusts of
integration, has sputtered to a halt on account of personal acrimony and
divergent visions of how Europe should look in future is likely to be anoth
er
legacy of the Nice summit. The viability of a community of 27 or more
states is by no means assured by the measures now on the table. The
agenda for the post-Nice years must therefore exceed the limits of the
powers incumbent on the Union itself, the member states and the regions.
The gap between what is possible and what is necessary is widening all the
time.
Europe is in a serious crisis of confidencewhich has hit the 15 member
states just as they were having to take up the Herculean task of reuniting
a
divided continent. Hardly a heart-warming welcome for our neighbors to
the east. (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Opinion)
BARAK'S BOMBSHELL
Ehud Barak's resignation as prime minister of Israel is long overdue. Even
before the collapse of last summer's Camp David talks precipitated the so-
called al-Aksa Intifada, Mr Barak's coalition had disintegrated. Once
Yasser Arafat, emboldened by unprecedented Israeli concessions on the
sovereignty of Jerusalem, had, with breathtaking cynicism, switched
abruptly from peace talks to armed insurrection, the bankruptcy of Mr
Barak's policy was manifest. He has governed without a mandate for too
long already.
Yet Mr Barak's resignation is unlikely to have been prompted by his
conscience. It was, rather, an act of desperation by a soldier-politician w
ho
seems more attached to power than to democracy. Opinion polls suggest
that Mr Barak is now much less popular than the man he defeated last
year, Benjamin Netanyahu, and that the Labour Party he leads is also
heading for the rocks. If elections were held now, the Right would sweep to
power by a landslide. Likud, led again by "Bibi", would be back with a
vengeance.
This explains why Mr Barak has changed tactics. Until yesterday's
demarche, it looked as though new parliamentary elections would not be
held until May. This would have allowed time for Mr Barak to be
challenged from within his own party by a less discredited figure. It would
also have enabled Mr Netanyahu to be re-elected to the Knesset, from
which he resigned last year - important because it is a legal requirement f
or
candidates for the premiership. By his resignation, Mr Barak has brought
forward the day of reckoning, and ensured that elections will be not only
parliamentary but also prime ministerial. He hopes thereby to thwart his
Labour rivals and to exclude his most dangerous opponent on the Right, Mr
Netanyahu, from the running.
Mr Barak's bombshell may have taken the opposition by surprise, but voters
are unlikely to reward him if he seeks to deny them the choice they want.
This election comes in the midst of a grave national emergency.Israel needs
a government and a prime minister with a broad spectrum of support. It is
possible, and probably necessary, to amend the electoral law and waive the
legal obstacles to a Netanyahu candidacy. The present Likud leader, Ariel
Sharon, would surely agree to serve under Mr Netanyahu, if that is the will
of the electorate. There are also other, younger Likud candidates: Limor
Livnat, the "Israeli Thatcher", for instance.
The real significance of the forthcoming election is to bring Israeli polic
y
back into line with public opinion. The al-Aksa Intifada has brought about
a
seismic shift in attitudes, comparable to that which first brought Likud,
under Menachim Begin, to power in 1977. The Oslo peace process is dead.
Its essence was the idea that Palestinians and Israelis had a common
interest in peace with security. It was killed by Mr Barak's ideological
pursuit of peace at any price - unlike his Labour predecessors. Any new
government will have to define Israel's national interest, security and
identity much more clearly. It will have to explain, not only to the
Palestinians but also to the new US Administration, that Jerusalem's status
is not negotiable. And it will have to reassure a badly shaken people which
has less confidence in its government and its future than at any time since
1948. (The London Telegraph - Editorial)
MICHAEL TURNER =0F
(mykelturner@airmail.net)
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=======
To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] What's New at BPR?
From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 16:54:52 -0000
Bible Prophecy Research
Additions and updates made since November 10, 2000
Issue #53
http://philologos.org/bpr
December 10, 2000
===================
Hi everyone,
Here are some quick additions and updates to the BPR site:
> Added: "...one jot or one tittle..."
http://philologos.org/bpr/files/j005.htm
After the Babylonian captivity, Ezra, along with his assistant
Nehemiah, selected, arranged and edited the books of the Old
Testament. During this canonization process, Ezra also changed the
style of writing from the Old Hebrew "cursive" script to a "square
script." This change of style served to differentiate the official
canon of Scriptures from those of the Samaritan manuscripts that were
written in the old style.
_________
> Added: The Double-Headed Eagle
http://philologos.org/bpr/files/Misc_Studies/ms074.htm
A look at the Russian Coat of Arms and Presidential flag, as well as
some news clippings about Vladimir Putin.
_________
> Added: "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures..."
http://philologos.org/bpr/files/h012.htm
"The strange thing about sheep is that because of their very make-up
it is almost impossible for them to be made to lie down unless four
requirements are met."
_________
> Updated: "...under the fig tree..."
http://philologos.org/bpr/files/f007.htm
========================= BOOK RECOMMENDATION
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23
by W. Phillip Keller
Hardcover - 96 pages (February 1, 2000)
Zondervan Publishing House
ISBN: 0310977762
(First published in 1970)
From Inside Jacket Cover: From the unique perspective of firsthand
experience, Phil Keller presents a lively, interesting devotional
commentary on one of the best-loved Bible passages.
Equipped with a shepherd's experience and insight, Mr. Keller leads
and prods the reader to he greenest pastures of discovery and the
coolest waters of fulfillment hidden in the "Shepherd Psalm."
Pleasure and enlightenment are the rewards for those willing to
follow his careful leading.
Special emphasis is placed on the Shepherd of this Psalm. Revealed
are His person and untiring desire to care for His sheep. Each
Christian reading here will be encouraged and delighted by the
expressions of love that Christ extends to His followers.
Experience Psalm 23 in a new way: see with the Shepherd's eyes,
touch with His hands, feel with His heart through this intimate look
into the full life of our Lord - the Great Shepherd, and "the sheep
of His pastures."
Philologos review: There are probably very few Christians who can
not recite the 23rd Psalm by heart. The words are so very familiar,
but do we understand them? Do we really know what David was trying
to convey to us when he proclaimed "the Lord is my Shepherd"? After
reading Mr. Keller's wonderful insights that he gained through his
own experiences in tending sheep, you will never look at Psalm 23 the
same. I truly believe you will be blessed and comforted as you read
this book.
Please see http://philologos.org/guide/books/keller.phillip.1.htm
===================
Bible Prophecy Research: http://philologos.org/bpr
Download Online Books: http://philologos.org
The BPR Reference Guide: http://philologos.org/guide
Suggestions or comments?
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To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Israeli reservists 'like sitting ducks'
From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 17:11:51 -0000
Israeli reservists
'like sitting ducks'
Lack of equipment, training,
ammunition plagues citizen-soldiers
By Jon E. Dougherty
=A9 2000 WorldNetDaily.com
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/bluesky_dougherty/20001212_xnjdo_israeli_
re.shtml
Israeli army reservists being called up for active duty during the
Jewish state's 10-week-old conflict with Palestinian demonstrators
and gunmen are complaining that they lack adequate equipment,
training and support to perform their missions.
According to the Jerusalem Post, reservists have been activated and
sent to some of the worst trouble spots in the West Bank and Gaza
after being given just one magazine of ammunition, too few steel
helmets and flak jackets, and poor cover and concealment.
In one instance, a reservist complained that he and others were
deployed to the Israeli Defense Force's Ofer base after firing only
12 shots on an army firing range. Also, he told the newspaper, the
Ofer base is surrounded on three sides by Palestinian-controlled
communities that house militants and gunmen, and comes under gunfire
attacks almost nightly.
Worse, the reservist said his unit had deployed with only a single
armored personnel carrier and that much of the time it was either in
the shop for repairs or being used by the base commander to travel to
his home and back.
Reservists at the base, said 28-year-old Jonathan Amiel, also have
poor cover. Troops have to deploy behind cement blocks on the ground -
- positions that expose them -- instead of in the usual lightly
armored watchtowers.
The reservists have been at the base for three weeks.
"We arrived at night and they immediately sent us to guard posts
around the base," Amiel said, noting he and the dozen other
reservists sent to Ofer were "like sitting ducks."
"There is a total lack of responsibility, and we don't feel safe on
this base," he said.
Most reservists at Ofer are not combat troops, but were called up in
the wake of the lynching of two other reservists by a Palestinian mob
at a Ramallah police station in October. Also, Amiel said, they are
on a six-hour-on, six-hour-off, 24-hour-a-day guard schedule.
"We are forced to act like combat soldiers while combat-trained
troops are guarding the malls," Amiel told the paper, noting that on
a recent night, reservists came under fire just as they were changing
the guard. Most didn't have flak vests or helmets.
Another reservist, who said he is a veteran of a previous Palestinian
intifada, was more scared this time out.
"They dumped us behind two cement blocks and told us if we see
anything to shoot. It's a disgrace. I feel under immense danger
here," said reservist Rami Caldron.
The reserve soldiers said during the current intifada -- in which 312
people have been killed -- Palestinians have longer-range weapons and
could fire down on soldiers with relative ease.
However, they did say that since a new base commander arrived about a
week ago, conditions have improved somewhat.
The paper said the reservists were each issued flak vests, helmets
and more ammunition. Also, they conducted their first combat drill
after two weeks of being on station at Ofer.
Positions, though, are still exposed to Palestinian fire, and the new
commander has yet to secure an armored vehicle to shuttle troops
around perimeters while on guard duty.
The reservists noted that they didn't mind answering the call-up to
serve the Jewish state, but only wanted to be adequately equipped and
trained to fulfill the mission they were given.
In response to the complaints, senior Israel Defense Force leaders
were quick to respond.
"From an examination that was carried out by the deputy brigade
commander, it turns out that there were problems with equipment and
protection that was meant for the reservists," the IDF said in a
statement on Monday.
"These problems were solved recently, and the soldiers in the brigade
were equipped with all of the necessary protective equipment," said
the statement.
"The armored vehicle assigned to the brigade is at the disposal of
the soldiers for all necessary missions at all times," the IDF said,
adding that the lone armored car at Ofer is not entirely necessary
because much of the traffic on the surrounding roads has been cut off
or limited by the army.
Meanwhile, IDF forces reportedly thwarted three separate West Bank
attacks by intercepting Palestinian terrorist groups before they were
able to complete their missions.
In the first incident, Israeli army troops shot and killed one
Palestinian man on Sunday, after he and an accomplice opened fire.
Prior to the gun battle, the pair had planted a roadside bomb on a
highway near the approach to the Jewish settlement community of Har
Gilo. The accomplice escaped; Palestinian officials later identified
the dead man as Mohammed Yosef Magrabi, a resident of the Deheishe
refugee camp near Bethlehem. Officials said he was a member of the
Tanzim militia. The bomb was found by Israeli combat engineers in a
sweep of the area after the attack.
Later, a small group of IDF soldiers intercepted a four-man
Palestinian force near Salem, wounding all four. Three of the
Palestinians escaped.
Before dawn, another group of soldiers foiled another bombing attempt
along a roadside leading to the Samarian settlement of Eilon Moreh.
Throughout the day, IDF officials said Palestinians fired on Israeli
military vehicles, but soldiers did not return that fire.
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To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Disclaimer issue
From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 17:21:51 -0000
I'm sorry for not being able to respond to this issue when it was
first addressed. I've been unable to connect to the web or send out
mail for a couple of days.
In regards to some list members' concerns on why disclaimers are not
added to some of the more disturbing articles, Moza and I reply:
For those new to the list please be advised that we do not comment on
news articles sent through the list nor do we feel the need for a
disclaimer--it is an unwritten rule that we do not endorse
anything/everything in any article or website but reserve the right
to pick and choose. This forum is for the dissemination of pertinent
information on an end-times biblical theme which includes many
disturbing, unethical, immoral, etc. topics and should be viewed with
a mature, discerning eye. If you feel the need to comment on a
particular article, please speak generally to the group or follow the
provided links to speak to the author directly.
Thank you!
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To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Real World News -- 12/12/00
From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 17:25:32 -0000
Selected items from...
REAL WORLD NEWS 12/12/2000
Visit Real World News online at http://www.realworldnews.net
BETHLEHEM MAYOR SAYS CHRISTMAS WON'T BE CANCELLED
The mayor of Bethlehem appealed to Christians Monday to come to
celebrate Christmas in the city revered as Jesus' birthplace, despite
weeks of violence that has scared tourists away. ``We call upon
pilgrims to come on this date because all the rumors about the
cancellation of Christmas in Bethlehem are ridiculous,'' Mayor Hanna
Nasser said in an interview in his office overlooking Manger Square.
Hotels were empty, souvenir shops were deserted and there were no
tourist buses to be seen in Bethlehem, nearly 11 weeks since the
start of a Palestinian uprising for independence.
http://live.altavista.com/e?efi=468&ei=2333673&ern=y
JACKSON PREDICTS 'EXPLOSION' IF GORE LOSES
The Rev. Jesse Jackson yesterday predicted a "civil rights explosion"
if the U.S. Supreme Court rules against Vice President Al Gore. Mr.
Jackson likened the forthcoming high court ruling on whether a full
recount of Florida votes should continue to the 1960s civil rights
demonstrations in Selma and Birmingham, Ala. "All that we bled for
and suffered for the last 25 years is now in the balance here
today. "If this court rules against counting our vote, it will simply
create a civil rights explosion. People will not surrender to this
tyranny. We will fight back," Mr. Jackson said.
http://www.washtimes.com/national/default-20001212222644.htm
CHINA BLOWS UP CHURCHES IN RELIGIOUS CRACKDOWN
Authorities in eastern China have shut down, and in some cases blown
up, 450 Catholic and Protestant churches, as well as Taoist and
Buddhist temples, officials said Tuesday. The campaign launched in
mid-November in the easern province of Zhejiang was aimed at wiping
out "illegal" religious groups which had not registered with the
State Administration for Religious Affairs, they said.
http://asia.dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/asia/article.html?
s=asia/headl
ines/001212/asia/afp/China_blows_up_churches_and_temples_in_religious_
cr ackdown.html
CHRISTMAS CAROLS SPUR DEBATE IN SCHOOLS
Christmas programs in public schools - moments of Americana with
children singing sweetly and parents gripping video cameras - have
slipped into an arena where people of competing wills clash over
religion, diversity and the Bill of Rights. All because it's
tradition for moms and dads to watch their offspring perform in
crowded school cafeterias on cold December nights. In some schools,
the clash means "Silent Night" will remain silent this year. The
reason? It's Christian.
http://www2.nando.net/nation/story/0,1038,500288985-500457507-
503016676-0,00.html
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To: bprlist bprlist <bprlist@egroups.com>
Subject: [bprlist] What Exactly is Islam?
From: Shophar_Sho_Good
Date: 12 Dec 00 14:18:51 EST
What Exactly is Islam?
http://yementimes.com/00/iss50/focus.htm#1
COMMON SENSE
By: Hassan Al-Haifi
In looking at Islam within the context of the Five Pillars of Islam, we can
see that Islam is more than just a few worship rites here and there or some
do's and don'ts, that lack any spiritual connotations or for that matter any
meaning to life itself. The Five pillars of Islam are: the attestation that
"There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the Prophet of Allah; the Five
Daily Prayers; Fasting the Month of Ramadhan, the Zakat, or religious duty
tax; and the Pilgrimage to Mecca.
It is the five pillars of Islam which represent the basic foundations that
guide the Moslem to the fulfillment of the worshipper of all his life long
obligations to the Al-Mighty and in essence provide that checklist of
necessities, which the Moslem must fulfill to make his life meaningful in the
Islamic sense and which provide the grounds for being beneficiary for the
mercy of Allah in this life and in the hereafter. Of course these should not
be taken to be the only criteria, by which the faithful is adjudicated in the
Heavens, but they do represent the groundwork for a full spiritual attachment
to the faith and serve to open the door to spiritual salvation and happiness.
The five pillars are the firm ties that bind the faithful Moslem to his
Creator, God Al-Mighty and represent the principal rites and commitments that
are obligatory, and by which the believer is expected to manifest his faith in
Allah (Allah, one of the ninety- nine names of the Al-Mighty found in the Holy
Qur'an, is synonymous with God and accordingly used by Christian and Jewish
Arabs to mean God, as well). These form the fundamental obligations of the
Moslem and accordingly enter the worshipper among the faithful, which assure
the Moslem that his rights and duties have become equal to the rights and
obligations of all the worshippers. Some of these are compulsory and there is
no excuse from being unable to fulfill them, namely the First, Second and
Third Pillar. However, the Third Pillar allows for deferment in the event of
illness or travel or compensatory alms, in the event that the year following
Ramadhan should pass and the believer is still under severe physical stress.
In looking at the first Pillar - the testimonial of the believer that "there
is no god but Allah and Mohammed is the Prophet of Allah, we find the
pre-requisite to the entry among the faithful, without which all the other
pillars and the ancillary duties and commitments expected of a Moslem, would
be meaningless, with respect to weighing the relationship between the believer
and the Lord, Al-Mighty. It is a declaration that must be viewed not just
merely as a verbal statement that is uttered every now and then, but a
commitment of the heart that insists that the authority of Allah rules supreme
in the mind and the soul of the believer, and to which no compromises can be
allowed to dispute the absolute authority of the Lord, in guiding the
worshipper's life, in its mundane as well as spiritual context.
This declaration is not a matter of convenience only for the entry pass to the
fold of the faithful, or the citizenship of the Nation of Islam - the nation
that does not recognize race, color or ethnic background of its believers, or
even the boundaries or artificial borders that serve to cut the Nation, in
present times, to the fake jigsaw puzzle, that seem to serve as a convenience
for the majority of the despots that oversee the affairs of Moslem States, in
their various forms and constitutions. Thus the declaration must be viewed in
a universal context and the current international political map of the Moslem
World has no significance as far as this declarations is concerned, for the
Moslem is bound to work towards the elimination of such boundaries and to
insist that every Moslem is a bona-fide citizen of every Moslem state, no
matter what the international new order insists or no matter what the
authoritarian regimes that rule over the Moslem states insist on as "national"
affiliations. In Islam, there is only one nation, indivisible, under God with
liberty and justice for all. If we cannot come to this kind of assumption
about the allegiances of the faithful, then the blood of all those who died
for the cause of Islam for 15 centuries would have gone in vain. The
declaration implies more than a political, economic and social affiliation of
the worshipper, for it means that the declarer has pledged his allegiance to
the service of the Lord, who is indeed entitled to this pledge, and which can
never be broken by its maker. While this declaration is broken down into two
parts, both still serve to emphasize the Oneness of the Divine and insist that
there can be no partnership in the Divinity. Moreover as great and pious as
the Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was, he is
still never to be attributed to be of any part of the Divine, but rather as a
product and miracle of His own work, As Adam, Jesus Christ and Moses were
before him - mortals assigned to carry out a blessed mission for their Lord
and Maker. This declaration not only assures the unity of the Divine Creator,
but also educates the Moslem to comprehend that mortals, in all their status
and forms are also of a one humble status, in the eyes of the Lord and in the
eyes of the believers as well. Thus any human beings that insist on claiming
excessive power and force over the believers that is without mandate of the
rest of the faithful is acting theoretically against this declaration, and
does not have any blessings from the Lord Al-Mighty whatsoever. This is the
fundamental principle that underlies the spiritual as well as the political
implications of Islam. Thus, any mortals that seek to be glorified and deified
beyond reasonable cause and in difference to this declaration should be
considered as vying for quasi-spiritual status that no man has a right to even
seek or claim. It is in this that the magnificence of Islam should be really
viewed and anything that seeks to alter this is heresy and is damned by the
Al-Mighty and all true faithful Moslems.
Islam came to underscore several modern concepts in human relations as well as
the principles by which the relationships of the faithful with their Creator
are based upon. Thus, it can be seen that there is just no room for
authoritarian or despotic rule in Islam, just by looking in-depth at this
declaration, and as firmly established by the Prophet Mohammed (P) and all the
other messengers before him, as well as his early disciples, who insisted that
any responsible official is to consider himself accountable to the believers,
as well as to the Lord Al-Mighty for how they carry out the trust they have
been burdened with. Authority in Islam is based on severe criteria, which
include that the official must understand that his declaration of this
testimonial is the guiding principle by which he carries out his
responsibility and if he fails to understand that any effort to turn that
office into a private ego trip is in defiance of this declaration and worthy
of the resistance of the faithful and the wrath of the Al-Mighty together. Any
Moslem failing to see this has deprived himself of the sense of freedom and
liberty that the worshipper enjoys as a member of the faithful and surely
brings upon himself great suffering and deprivation, both in a material and
spiritual sense. It is hard to believe that very few Moslems truly understand
Islam along these lines, and if they do, they lack the courage to insist that
they are either given these freedoms and rights or else they are getting what
they deserve!
Therefore, it is imperative that Moslems understand what their faith in Islam
means and what is the outcome of uttering this fundamental declaration. God is
supreme and all authority must be based on what He has clearly ordained in the
Qur'an, and it is up to the Moslem worshipper to safeguard the sanctity of
this declaration and to prevent any mortal from overstepping the boundaries,
which this declaration truly implies, and the rights and freedoms that this
declaration truly give the believer in Allah. Islam is a dynamic revolutionary
religion that insists on a high degree of activism by the believers to ensure
that no one defies the underlying principles of the monotheism that is
emphasized by this declaration, and how this declaration was manifested by the
Prophet Mohammed and the four orthodox caliphs and other pious Moslem leaders
that came and went over the ages. We will deal with the other Pillars of Islam
in the forthcoming articles.
____________________________________________________________________
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To: bprlist bprlist <bprlist@egroups.com>
Subject: [bprlist] Sent from Heaven
From: Shophar_Sho_Good
Date: 12 Dec 00 14:20:27 EST
TUESDAY DECEMBER 12 2000
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,49753,00.html
Analysis
Sent from Heaven
Do angels exist? Carol Midgley meets the rector of a village church who, wi
th
his congregation, believes they do
There had been no warning, no heavenly choir, no blinding rush of light.
Midway through an everyday baptism at a village church in Hertfordshire,
claims the astonished congregation, an angel simply appeared, unheralded.
Most of the 30-strong group, including the rector, churchwarden and organis
t,
claim to have felt the sensation of warm liquid pouring over their skin. Th
e
church, they say, was suffused with an extraordinary smell, reminiscent of
rose petals. Afterwards, when the angel had vanished, people did not want t
o
go home, preferring to stay and discuss what they had seen.
The mass "sighting" is one of 800 accounts gathered by the PhD student Emma
Heathcote from British people who claim to have been visited by angels. She
has been studying the phenomenon for two years and says there has been an
upsurge in the number of people claiming to have witnessed angels. Some of
those people recount their stories in tonight's Everyman programme, based o
n
Heathcote's findings. Members of the Hertfordshire congregation will not
appear: since the angel's "visitation" four years ago they have closed rank
s,
declining to talk publicly even to the local newspaper for fear of seeming
to
cash in on an "immense privilege".
The rector agreed to talk to The Times on the condition that he and his chu
rch
would remain unidentified. "We didn't want all sorts of weirdos turning up
and
people coming to see what they could see," he says. "When God does somethin
g
in this fashion, it is bewildering for the rest of the world. We knew we we
re
incredibly privileged and we didn't want to commercialise it."
He says the angel appeared four years ago as he was baptising a 22-year-old
woman who was about to get married but had never been christened. "Suddenly
there was a man in white standing in front of the font about 18 inches away
.
He was a man but he was totally, utterly different from the rest of us. He
was
wearing something long, like a robe, but it was so white it was almost
transparent."
The figure did not have wings or a beard but he and the rest of the witness
es
were in no doubt that it was an angel. "He was just looking at us. It was t
he
most wonderful feeling," he says. "Not a word was spoken; various people be
gan
to touch their arms because it felt like having warm oil poured over you. T
he
children came forward with their mouths wide open. Then all of a sudden - I
suppose it was a few seconds but time seemed to stop - the angel was gone.
But it changed our lives.
"Everybody who was there was quite convinced that the angel came to encoura
ge
us."
Not everybody has been as reluctant to talk. Anver Hajee, an accountant fro
m
Birmingham, recounts how an angel visited him while he was in hospital eigh
t
years ago suffering from chest pains. Hajee's father had died from a heart
attack at 38 and his brother at 42, so he was convinced that his death was
imminent. "I was very scared. I thought that this was it and fear came into
me," he says. He went into the bathroom and saw a tall man standing in fron
t
of him with long hair and a long white beard. Curiously, Hajee, a Muslim, s
aid
the figure had a pink face and spoke in English rather than Katchi, the
language that he and his family normally speak at home.
One man from Manchester has told how, when his wife was in hospital, seriou
sly
ill after a hysterectomy, he visited her at her bedside and saw an angel
standing behind the iron bed. He pointed it out to the nurses, who calmly s
aid
that this was quite common - deceased relatives often returned as guardian
angels in times of stress to provide reassurance that loved ones were safe.
His wife survived.
In another account given to Heathcote, a woman who was cooking dinner told
her
six-year-old son to call his grandfather down from an upstairs room. The bo
y
returned saying that he had gone up but that the room was full of angels. W
hen
the woman went upstairs, she found the grandfather had died.
In the winter of 1997, 62-year-old John Burch, a retired physics teacher, w
as
walking his dog along a canal towpath near his home in West Byfleet, Surrey
,
when he felt a surge of fear in the dark. At that moment an angel, about 8f
t
high, appeared. "He was all in white with golden-brown hair and I could see
the feathers on his folded wings over the top of his shoulders," says Mr
Burch. "He didn't look like St Michael or any of the angels we are used to
seeing. He had a concerned face and was looking past me, then disappeared.
I
believe he came to allay my fear. It was a gorgeous experience and I now ha
ve
no fear. I feel he is with me, guarding me."
Susan Blackmore, a psychotherapist, contends that angel sightings are merel
y
apparitions created by the brain in times of crisis to provide comfort. She
also argues that people are highly susceptible and will claim to "see" what
others see. Heathcote's thesis asks why there has been an increase in claim
s
of angel visitations in the past ten years, with a booming industry in ange
l
books and workshops. "Some people believe it is to do with the dawning of t
he
year 2000 and a new spiritual age, others think that people are feeling a
spiritual shortage and angels fill the gap," says Heathcote. She adds that
people have been preoccupied with angels for centuries - the first recorded
are in Egyptian cave paintings from 2,000BC. But, she adds, they can go in
and
out of fashion. "Ghosts were big in Shakespeare's time, and in the 19th
century there was a preoccupation with fairies, while the Victorians were v
ery
keen on angels," she says. "Maybe we're now going through another angel
period."
In the angel order there are seven archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael,
Uriel, Raguel, Sariel and Saraqael. Then come less "senior" angels, seraphi
m
and cherubim.
Heathcote believes that in the modern age, people "create" their own faiths
and angels form a part of that. "It is almost like a spiritual supermarket,
"
she says. "They might take a bit of Christianity, a bit of Judaism and
Buddhism together with a belief in angels to create their own eclectic
religion." She agrees that many angel sightings may be "crisis apparitions"
but believes the congregation sighting in Hertfordshire was impressive: "I
interviewed a lot of people about that angel and everybody told the same
story. Their descriptions were totally consistent."
A month after that angel appeared, the rector says, he heard a voice in his
head. The church staff had been in a dilemma over whether they could afford
to
build an extension and had asked the congregation to pray for inspiration.
"That voice in my head was God, saying quite clearly, 'Tell them to have a
gift day and I will give =A330,000,'" says the rector. "So we had a gift da
y and
we raised =A337,000.
"That angel came to show us the way forward. It has changed all our lives a
nd
we will never forget it."
____________________________________________________________________
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To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] (Fwd) Barak team rolls out blood libel against Netanyahu
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 18:01:18 -0500
------- Forwarded message follows -------
Date sent: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 13:39:20 -0500
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Barak team rolls out blood libel against Netanyahu
Barak team rolls out blood libel against Netanyahu
Aaron Lerner Date: 12 December 2000
In the few days since the start of the snap election campaign, Prime
Minister Ehud Barak's spin team has taken a clear direction as a
negative campaign.
First Netanyahu was presented as a yored (emigrant) making a fortune
overseas rather than toughing it out at home.
Then statistics regarding terrorist attacks during the Netanyahu
administration were sighted for comparison.
But by the time that Netanyahu completed his speech at the meeting of
the Likud Central Committee on Tuesday night, things started to get
ugly.
Labor Minister of Environment Daliah Itzik, sitting in the Channel
One television studio, pulled out what has been termed the weapon of
last resort: "Let us not forget that when Binyamin Netanyahu was the
head of the opposition the prime minister was murdered."
Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director
IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-548-0092
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
pager 03-6750750 subscriber 4811
Website: http://www.imra.org.il
--------------------------------------------
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To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] The Incredible Shrinking Ozone Hole
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 18:01:18 -0500
NASA Science News for December 12, 2000
After reaching record-breaking proportions earlier this year the ozone
hole over Antarctica has made a surprisingly hasty retreat.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast12dec_1.htm?list110823
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To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] BreakingNews-Israel 1,2,3,4,5 (12/12/00)
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 18:01:18 -0500
BNI =96 December 12, 2000 =96 Bni1@netvision.net.il
1. Border police attacked with gunfire in Jerusalem =96 no injuries
2. Soldiers in Hebron=92s Casbah under fire=09
3. Bomb explodes in Hebron =96 no injuries=09
4. Gaza classroom targeted by terrorist gunfire=09
5. No injuries in Mount Eval shooting attack=09
6. Shots fired from UNWRA school in Gaza=09
7. Condition of Gilo shooting victim improving=09
8. Bet El resident injured in stone-throwing near Sinjel=09
*******************
12-Dec-00 - 3:06 PM
*******************
1. Border police attacked with gunfire in Jerusalem =96 no injuries
(BNI-DEC.12) Shots were fired at a border police jeep in the northern
Jerusalem neighborhood of Neve Yaakov early Tuesday afternoon. The gunfire
originated at Aram Junction. Bullets did strike the jeep but there were no
injuries.
++++
2. Soldiers in Hebron=92s Casbah under fire
(BNI-DEC.12) IDF soldiers stationed in the Casbah section of Hebron came
under fire early Tuesday afternoon from the nearby PA autonomous area. No
injuries. Soldiers returned fire.
++++
3. Bomb explodes in Hebron =96 no injuries
(BNI-DEC.12) An explosive device was detonated on Tuesday in Hebron.
There
were no injuries. Security forces combing the area following the blast
located another explosive device which was safely neutralized by bomb
demolition experts.
++++
4. Gaza classroom targeted by terrorist gunfire
(BNI-DEC.12) Shots entered a classroom in Netzarim, in Gaza, on Tuesday
morning while students were studying in the community center building used
as a school. There were no injuries.
IDF sources confirmed the shots were fired from the former southern
District Coordinating Office in Gaza where the IDF and their PA
counterparts once coordinated security for the area.
When the shot rang out, the students were ordered to enter a shelter.
++++
5. No injuries in Mount Eval shooting attack
(BNI-DEC.12) There were no injuries in a Tuesday morning shooting attack
against an IDF patrol in the Mount Eval area of Samaria.
++++
6. Shots fired from UNWRA school in Gaza
(BNI-DEC.12) Shots were fired at the Jewish community of Kfar Darom on
Monday night from a United Nations school located in the PA controlled
area of Gaza. The gunfire did damage homes in the Jewish community
located
in southern Gaza. No injuries. IDF soldiers returned fire.
++++
7. Condition of Gilo shooting victim improving
(BNI-DEC.12) According to Dr. Shmuel Shapira, the deputy director of
Jerusalem=92s Hadassah Hospital in Ein Kerem, Gilo resident Galit Takutiel,
24, is now listed in moderate condition. Galit was injured by PA gunfire
in her Gilo apartment on Monday night. When she arrived in the trauma
center of Hadassah, she was listed in serious condition and underwent
emergency surgery for bullet wounds to her neck and chest.
Following emergency surgery, Galit was taken off the respirator and is now
conscious and breathing unassisted. Physicians have expressed satisfaction
with her improvement.
++++
8. Bet El resident injured in stone-throwing near Sinjel
(BNI-DEC.12) A resident of the Benjamin Regional Council community of Bet
El was injured a short time ago when hit by stones thrown from the Arab
village of Sinjel, located in Samaria in the area known as Gush Shilo.
Numerous stone-throwing attacks aimed at Israeli vehicles were reported in
the Sinjel area throughout the morning.
On Monday night, IDF tractors uprooted Olive orchards at Sinjel that were
used to provide cover for terrorists perpetrating shooting and
stone-throwing attacks.
------------------
1. Shooting attack in Jordan Valley =96 at least one injured=09
2. No injuries in shooting attacks in Hebron and near Ofra=09
3. Gaza classroom targeted by terrorist gunfire=09
********************
12-Dec-00 - 4:31 PM
********************
1. Shooting attack in Jordan Valley =96 at least one injured
(BNI-DEC.12) At least one Israeli sustained moderate-to-serious injuries
from gunfire in the Jordan Valley at Bekaot Junction a short time ago.
Emergency responders are en route to the scene at this time.
It appears that a citizen was wounded when gunfire was aimed at his
vehicle from a passing car. Israel Radio reports that one wounded man is
being evacuated by Israel Air Force helicopter to an unspecified hospital.
Bekaot Junction is the junction between Route 57 and the Alon Road, near
Chamra.
++++
2. No injuries in shooting attacks in Hebron and near Ofra
(BNI-DEC.12) There were no reported injuries in shooting attacks in Hebron
a short time ago. No additional details available at this time.
A vehicle traveling in Samaria near the community of Ofra, was fired upon
a short time ago. No injuries. The IDF =91Moked=92 dispatcher reports route
60
is open at this time.
BNI will provide additional details as they are made available.
++++
***Corrected version*** Original text erroneously reported Netzarim
instead of Neve Dekalim.
3. Gaza classroom targeted by terrorist gunfire
(BNI-DEC.12) Shots entered a classroom in Neve Dekalim, in Gaza, on
Tuesday morning while students were studying in the community center
building used as a school. There were no injuries.
IDF sources confirmed the shots were fired from the former southern
District Coordinating Office in Gaza where the IDF and their PA
counterparts once coordinated security for the area.
When the shot rang out, the students were ordered to enter a shelter.
---------------
1. Yesha Council speaks of discrimination by government regarding
residents=92 safety needs=09
2. Gilo bulletproofing underway but it will take time=09
3. Condolence visit =96 a plea for assistance=09
*******************
12-Dec-00 - 4:53 PM
*******************
1. Yesha Council speaks of discrimination by government regarding
residents=92 safety needs
(BNI-DEC.12) In a Tuesday press conference, leaders of the Council of
Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria & Gaza (Yesha Council), accused
the
government of discrimination in addressing security and safety needs of
Yesha residents.
Yesha officials documented that while the government was busy making
preparations for the installation of bulletproof windows in homes in the
southern Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo, Yesha communities, which come
under PA fire daily, are being ignored. Officials added that while Gilo
schools are being outfitted with bulletproof windows and other needs being
met at a cost of NIS 11 million, Yesha schools are being ignored.
Yesha leader praised Education Ministry Director General Shlomit Amichai,
as well as other ministry officials, who they say have recognized the
needs of Yesha schools and have prepared plans for increasing security of
students and teachers inside and while traveling to and from schools.
Yesha Council officials pointed out that the problem was at the government
level.
Officials added that while Prime Minister/Defense Minister Ehud Barak held
the Ministry of Education portfolio, Mr. Barak has not seen fit to visit a
single school since the start of the current school year.
Yesha Council leaders pointed out that all students and teachers
throughout Yesha must be provided with armor-plated bulletproof vehicles
when transported to and from schools. Since the start of the Al-Aqsa
Intifada on Sept. 29, three teachers were killed in Islamic terrorist
attacks.
1. On November 13, 2000, Sara Leishe, 42, the mother of six was killed in
Samaria. 2. On November 26,2000, Miriam Amitai, 36, the mother of four,
was killed in a terror attack in Gaza. 3. On December 8, 2000, Rina
Didovsky, 39, the mother of six, was killed in a terrorist attack in
Judea.
Yesha leaders are demanding that the government address the needs of all
its residents, including the almost 200,000 citizens living in Yesha
communities.
++++
2. Gilo bulletproofing underway but it will take time
(BNI-DEC.12) Residents in Jerusalem=92s Gilo neighborhood are becoming
increasingly vocal in their criticism of the government=92s handling of the
frequent PA shooting attacks into the community. With the Al Aqsa Intifada
in its tenth week, the residents are asking why they are still waiting for
bulletproofing in their homes and schools.
Realizing that the government would eventually see the need to pay for
bulletproof glass for apartments in the line of PA fire, city officials
explain they have already begun working with IDF=92s Home Front Command in
going from apartment to apartment, assessing the needs of each resident
and taking window measurements. Jerusalem municipality officials report
1,000 homes require bulletproofing and to date, 950 have already been
inspected and preliminary work has been completed.
At this time, the IDF is in the final stages of testing bulletproof glass
from three manufacturers, to determine they meet the standards set by Home
Front Command experts. A tender will be issued in the coming days and only
then, will the work of installing bulletproof glass get underway. Military
experts explain that even if all three companies are contracted for the
job, it will take weeks if there are no complications. It was pointed out
that earlier, Prime Minister/Defense Minister Ehud Barak approved NIS 11
million for protecting Gilo schools and public structures, but the
official approval for bulletproofing apartments only came Saturday night.
December 9.
Residents are angered over the foot-dragging, especially following the
shooting attack on Monday night during which a 24-year-old neighborhood
resident was seriously wounded in her neck and chest.
Hadassah Hospital officials report that the shooting victim Galit
Takutiel, 24, is showing considerable signs of improvement following
emergency surgery and she is now listed in moderate condition and is no
longer connected to a respirator. On Tuesday afternoon, she was
transferred from the recovery unit to the thoracic surgical unit.
++++
3. Condolence visit =96 a plea for assistance
(BNI-DEC.12) BNI on Monday visited the Bet Chaggai home of Chaim
Didovsky,
who is observing the =91shiva=92 =96 seven-day mourning period for his wife
Rina
who was killed in a terrorist attack on Friday December 8. Also killed in
the attack was the driver of the vehicle Rina was in, Eliyahu Ben-Ami, 41.
Chaim explained how he is now facing the reality of raising his six
children alone, ranging in ages from 14 months to 18-year-old. He
explained that in addition to his personal profound loss, the pain was
amplified when he learned not a single member of the government or other
senior officials were not planning to visit since his home is located in
the Southern Hebron Hills area, and it is deemed =93too dangerous=94 to mak
e
the trip.
While BNI was visiting, President Moshe Katzav telephoned and spoke at
length with Chaim. The president expressed his sorrow while listening
attentively to Chaim=92s analysis of the situation and deteriorating
security situation throughout Israel, particularly throughout Yesha.
Prior to ending the conversation, Chaim asked the president to please make
a visit to his home and comfort him in person, as has become customary in
such situations. Mr. Katzav stated he would look into it.
Didovsky told BNI that he telephone the Prime Minister=92s Office and was
told that although Mr. Barak would not be traveling to Bet Chaggai, =93a
ranking staff member=94 would make the trip.
Didovsky telephoned the home of Minister Shimon Peres, speaking with his
wife Sonia. The minister did return the call, expressing his sorrow, but
did not indicate he would be visiting.
Chaim explained he was most surprised when he telephoned the office of
former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who he told BNI he was certain
would visit. Chaim went on to explain that Netanyahu told him he was
extremely busy with pre-election activities and hoped he would be able to
visit at a later date, but was unable to do so now.
On Monday, MKs Chaim Druckman of the National Religious Party and
Rechavam
Ze=92evi of the National Union did visit. Chaim explained that other MKs
affiliated with the nationalistic camp were planning to come later in the
day but no senior government officials, not the president and not even the
former Likud prime minister -- were included among expected visitors.
To further complicate the lives of the terror victim=92s family, Chaim
learned that the government employees of the National Insurance Company
(Bituach Leumi), responsible to assist the family financially and see to
his needs as well as the needs of the six children, would not come to Bet
Chaggai and would deal with him only on the telephone. They too are
afraid.
Didovsky asked that anyone wishing to assist him and his six children
should please make a contribution to the following account during this
critical time in their lives.
Bank Mizrachi
Branch: Ben-Yehuda Street (Jerusalem)
Account Number: 576712 (NIS account)
Account in the name of Chaim Didovsky
--------------
1. More on Jordan Valley shooting attack=09
2. Train workers strike ends=09
3. Thieves make off with NIS 500,000 in bank heist=09
4. Memorial for lynched IDF soldier=09
5. Ministry of Interior strike threatens elections=09
6. Gilo residents have had enough=09
7. Heavy exchanges of gunfire at Netzarim at this time=09
8. Fatah issues call for attacks on Yesha communities=09
************************
12-Dec-00 - 5:44 PM
************************
1. More on Jordan Valley shooting attack
(BNI-DEC.12) The Israeli motorist injured in a Tuesday afternoon shooting
attack is reportedly an employee of the Bezeq telephone company who was
working in the area. He explained that he was fired upon from a passing
vehicle.
Although he sustained a head injury in the shooting, his condition is
described as moderate and not serious, and he is being treated in HaEmek
Hospital in Afula.
After being hit by gunfire as he headed to Chamra Junction from Bekaot
Junction, he continued driving his company van =96 heading for a nearby IDF
base, where he received preliminary medical care.
++++
2. Train workers strike ends
(BNI-DEC.12) Following ten days of a strike, train service between the Tel
Aviv area and southern Israel on Tuesday resumed normal operations
following labor and management reaching an agreement.
++++
3. Thieves make off with NIS 500,000 in bank heist
(BNI-DEC.12) Two masked men on Monday night made off with NIS 500,000
in a
bank robbery in the Mazkeret Batia branch of a Bank Hapoalim.
The robbers entered the bank via a window, then threatened employees and
made off with the money in a waiting vehicle. Rechovot police are
investigating.
++++
4. Memorial for lynched IDF soldier
(BNI-DEC.12) The Or Akiva township central square was renamed in memory
of
IDF Corporal Vadim Nourezitz, the 33-year-old soldier who was killed by a
violent Arab mob in a Ramallah lynching on October 12, 2000.
Family members of the soldier expressed their gratitude for the
municipality=92s gesture, honoring the memory of the soldier.
++++
5. Ministry of Interior strike threatens elections
(BNI-DEC.12) Strike leaders on Tuesday stated that if an agreement to
bring employees back to work was not reached very soon, there would be no
elections for prime minister as scheduled.
The Ministry of Interior employees have been on strike and the ministry is
responsible for preparing the nation for elections, as well as other vital
services which include but are not limited to issuing passports, birth and
death certificates and entry visas. The strike has also resulted in
foreign laborers not being able to enter the country to help alleviate the
critical labor shortage resulting from the Al Aqsa Intifada.
++++
6. Gilo residents have had enough
(BNI-DEC.12) If the PLO Authority shoots at the southern Jerusalem
neighborhood of Gilo on Wednesday night, they may find no one is at home.
Neighborhood leaders and activists promise that all of the approximately
40,000 area residents will be on hand Wednesday night for a protest in
front of the Prime Minister=92s Residence in Jerusalem.
Gilo leaders explain that following two months of shooting attacks, they
have had enough and the time was long overdo for Prime Minister/Defense
Minister Ehud Barak to take actions to end the frequent attacks.
In Monday night=92s shooting, a female area resident was seriously injured
by gunfire in her neck and chest.
The demonstration will get underway on Wednesday, December 13, at
7:00pm.
++++
7. Heavy exchanges of gunfire at Netzarim at this time
(BNI-DEC.12) IDF officials are reporting heavy exchanges of gunfire at
aimed at the Gazan community of Netzarim. There are no reports of
casualties among IDF forces.
++++
8. Fatah issues call for attacks on Yesha communities
(BNI-DEC.12) The Fatah faction of the PLO Authority on Tuesday circulated
a new flier calling for attacks on all Yesha communities.
The flier stated that Fatah, which is deemed =91moderate=92 among the PA
factions, would be attacking Yesha communities in retaliation for IDF
strikes.
-------------
1. Two injured by gunfire in Gaza=09
2. Soldiers fired upon near border to Egypt=09
********************
12-Dec-00 - 6:44 PM
********************
1. Two injured by gunfire in Gaza
(BNI-DEC.12) Two Israelis were injured by gunfire directed at the
community of Morag, in Gaza. One of the injured is reportedly in moderate
condition and the second sustained light injuries.
The two were transported to the trauma unit of Beersheba=92s Soroka Hospita
l
by military helicopter.
++++
2. Soldiers fired upon near border to Egypt
(BNI-DEC.12) IDF soldiers on Tuesday afternoon were attacked by gunfire
near Kibbutz Sufa in Gaza, near the border between Israel and Egypt. There
were no reported injuries among IDF troops who returned fire.
++++
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++++
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++++
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++++
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=======
To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] BreakingNews-Israel 6,7,8 (12/12/00)
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 18:01:19 -0500
1. More on injured Israelis in attack near Morag
2. One injured in shooting attack near Naale=09
3. Yesha residents block Arab motorists in anger over attacks=09
********************
12-Dec-00 - 7:15 PM
********************
1. More on injured Israelis in attack near Morag
(BNI-DEC.12) Two Israeli women were injured in a shooting attack near the
Jewish community of Morag in Gaza earlier Tuesday.
One woman was injured in the head and was airlifted to the trauma unit of
the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, where her condition is listed as
moderate. The second sustained lighter injuries. The two were fired upon
while driving in a vehicle near Morag.
++++
2. One injured in shooting attack near Naale
(BNI-DEC.12) An Israeli was injured by gunfire a short time ago near the
community of Naale, in the western sector of the Benjamin Regional Council
in Samaria.
Preliminary reports indicate the man sustained gunshot wounds to a
shoulder and an emergency ambulance is responding at this time.
Naale is located halfway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in the Modi=92in
area. BNI will provide additional details as they are made available.
++++
3. Yesha residents block Arab motorists in anger over attacks
(BNI-DEC.12) Yesha residents in many areas on Tuesday night blocked Arab
motorists from main vehicular routes in protest over the increasing number
of shooting attacks throughout Yesha.
Yesha leaders and residents are angered over what they are calling the
military=92s failure to retake control of main thoroughfares and restore
security to Yesha areas.
Residents exclaim they will continue blocking Arab motorists even if it
means engaging in scuffles with IDF troops to force the military and
government to take action.
-----------------
1. Plot to assassinate brother of IDF Chief of Staff uncovered=09
2. IDF and police units apprehend fugitive in el-Aroub=09
3. Update of injuries from terror attacks as of 8:00pm Tuesday, December
12, 2000 4. Injuries in motor vehicle accident on Maale Adumim/Jericho
road 5. Shots fired into Jerusalem=92s Gilo neighborhood=09
************************
12-Dec-00 - 8:43 PM
************************
1. Plot to assassinate brother of IDF Chief of Staff uncovered
(BNI-DEC.12) IDF authorities have uncovered a conspiracy by the PLO
Authority intelligence community to assassinate IDF Colonel Shlomo Mofaz,
an intelligence officer and brother of IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Shaul
Mofaz.
A car stopped for inspection at a routine checkpoint on Monday night
between Jericho and Wadi Kelt contained detailed information concerning
the plot, including the time and place the PA hit against the senior
intelligence officer was to occur.
The suspect in custody, Mohammed Hussein Abu Hawad is a senior
intelligence officer serving in the PA under Toufiq Tirawi.
Additional details will be published as they become available.
++++
2. IDF and police units apprehend fugitive in el-Aroub
(BNI-DEC.12) IDF and police forces working in unison on Monday night
apprehended a wanted fugitive in the Arab village of el-Aroub, south of
the Gush Etzion area of Judea. The person in custody, whose name has not
been released at this time, is suspected of engaging in terrorist
activities.
IDF forces operating in Samaria, near the city of Ariel, on Monday night
apprehended a suspect from a local Arab village who is suspected of
participating in stone-throwing and firebomb attacks.
++++
3. Update of injuries from terror attacks as of 8:00pm Tuesday, December
12, 2000 (BNI-Dec.12) A resident of Bet El was injured on Tuesday
afternoon in a stone-throwing attack near Sinjel in Gush Shilo area of
Samaria.
2) A telephone company employee was shot and wounded in the head at
Bekaot
Junction, in the Jordan Valley. He is listed in moderate condition in
Afula=92s HaEmek Hospital.
3) A resident of Morag, in Gaza, is listed in serious condition with a
gunshot wound to her head in Beersheba=92s Soroka Medical Center. She was
shot in an attack near the community of Morag. A second victim of that
attack is listed in light condition.
4) An Israeli is listed in moderate condition with a gunshot wound from an
attack near Naale, in the western sector of the Benjamin Regional Council
of Samaria. He was transported to the Tel Hashomer Hospital in Tel Aviv.
++++
4. Injuries in motor vehicle accident on Maale Adumim/Jericho road
(BNI-Dec.12) Preliminary reports from the scene indicate multiple injuries
in a motor vehicle accident involving an overturned bus on the Maale
Adumim/Jericho road.
An Egged 961 overturned near the community of Mitzpei Yericho. BNI will
provide additional details as they are made available.
++++
5. Shots fired into Jerusalem=92s Gilo neighborhood
(BNI-Dec.12) Shots were fired a short time ago into the southern Jerusalem
neighborhood of Gilo. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
In Monday night=92s shooting attacks into Gilo, one resident was wounded in
her neck and chest from PA gunfire.
--------------
1. Egged 961 bus flips near Mitzpei Yericho
(BNI-DEC.12) An Egged bus traveling the 961 line lost control, possibly
due to wet road conditions, causing it to flip several times and plunge
into a ravine, falling about 20 meters (yards).
At this time, ambulances, police, IDF and other rescue vehicles are
responding to the scene, as well as vehicles providing emergency lighting.
At least one air force helicopter is reportedly on the scene and others
are standing by.
The police incident commander reports that the bus was full to capacity
when it flipped and there are many injured and probably fatalities as
well.
The bus entered and left the community of Mitzpei Yericho and lost control
a short distance outside the entrance, heading north towards Tiberias from
Jerusalem. It was not raining at the time of the accident but heavy rains
did fall during the day and the rescue efforts are difficult since the
injured must be lifted up from the ravine back to the road.
Police are urging motorists traveling on the Maale Adumim/Jericho road to
make way for emergency vehicles responding to the scene.
Area hospital emergency rooms are being placed on alert and are preparing
to triage large numbers of victims of the accident. Ten persons have
already been transported from the scene, with four in serious condition.
EMS incident supervisors report at least thirty persons were injured in
the accident. Unconfirmed reports speak of one fatality at this time.
BNI will provide additional details as they are made available.
News items published by BNI (BreakingNews-Israel) may be distributed,
copied, posted providing the websites and other forums carrying the
stories display the footer below in plain view on the same page with the
news.
++++
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++++
If you feature BreakingNews-Israel reports in your newsletter or on your
website, please let us know so we may add your name to the list below.
++++
BNI reports are now featured by:
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=======
To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Weekend News Today items (12/12/00)
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 18:01:19 -0500
Top US general warns Russia against Soviet-style war games
Weekend News Today
Lead: Kelly
Source: AFP
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- Top US general Henry H. Shelton delivered a stern
rebuke to Russia Tuesday for staging Soviet-style war games, warning that
such Cold War mentality was souring relations between the former foes. US
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Henry H. Shelton, who flew into Mosco
w
for talks with his Russian counterpart General Anatoly Kvashnin, told him
that Washington's patience was running out, US military sources told AFP.
Last month, Russian military leaders boasted that warplanes had buzzed the
aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, taking its crew by surprise.
The Pentagon confirmed that Russian fighters had flown several hundred feet
directly over the Kitty Hawk October 17 in the Sea of Japan, taking
photographs of the deck that were later e-mailed by the Russians to the
vessel. Russia also deployed five strategic Bear bombers in November to
bases in the Far East, in what the Pentagon claimed was preparation for
training runs to probe US air defenses around Alaska. Shelton told reporter
s
after the talks that he and Kvashnin had "discussed the rhetoric that can
sometimes accompany such incidents.
Despite the sharp warning, both sides were at pains to downplay any
fundamental rift in their military relations, which soured during the NATO
war
against Yugoslavia last year. The two generals signed an agreement
confirming contacts and exchanges this year between the US and Russian
militaries. And although Russian military sources had indicated the two
generals would address prickly issues including Moscow's intention to
resume arms sales to Iran and a planned US missile shield, officially neith
er
were on the agenda.
'Global neglect' of young condemned by UN
Weekend News Today
Lead: Leo
Source: BBC NEWS
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- Failure to protect and educate the world's youngest
children is sabotaging the quality of life of entire nations, says a new UN
report. The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) is calling for an $80bn
a
year fund to help children from birth to three years old.
It is focusing on the very young because it says their development in the f
irst
three years sets the pattern for their future health, lifestyle and contrib
ution
to society.
Malaysia will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel
Weekend News Today
Lead: Leo
Source: Arabic News
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- Malaysia's prime minister Mahateir Muhammad has
announced that his country refuses the establishment of any diplomatic
relations with Israel before a solution will be provided for the Palestinia
n
question. He also stressed that Malaysia will immediately recognize the
Palestinian state and Jerusalem as its capital when it will be declared.
Midwest digging out from heavy winter snow storm
Weekend News Today
Lead: faith
Source: CNN
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- The Midwest is digging out from a storm that dumped
almost a foot of snow in Chicago on Monday -- and more snow was in the
forecast for Tuesday. Southern Michigan and northern Indiana are in the
storm's path, and may get 5 inches of snow on top of the foot or more
already on the ground. Some areas got as much as 20 inches. The region's
first big storm of the season brought strong winds and heavy snow that
combined to snarl air travel around the country -- and gave thousands of
children a day off from school. Airlines servicing Chicago's busy O'Hare an
d
Midway airports saw 75 percent of their operations grounded by Monday, as
snow accumulated. Travel snafus reigned despite the work of 300 pieces of
snowfighting equipment on O'Hare's runways. The airport wasn't the only
place in Chicago having problems. The city's public schools were dismissed
early with 1,500 school personnel dispatched to the snowbound streets to
make sure pupils made it home safely. "I used to like snow and ice skating
and stuff like that, but this is crazy," John Alaniz said on a Chicago corn
er.
Forecasters had warned of blizzard conditions in what proved to be the
biggest storm in the Chicago area since the city was buried by the record 2
1
inches of snow in January 1999. Wind chills of 30 to 40 degrees below zero
were expected. "When it starts to drop, it will be pretty quick," National
Weather Service meteorologist Mark Ratzer said. "It looks like it's going t
o
be very sudden and very significant." Blizzard warnings were posted
elsewhere in the region, with 20 inches of snow possible by Tuesday
morning in northern Indiana and SW Michigan, the National Weather Service
said.
Canadian snow sent by ship to give Puerto Rico a white Christmas
Weekend News Today
Lead: Leo
Source: Tampa Bay Online
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- An entrepreneur brought 300 tons of snow from Quebec
to San Juan and, beginning Friday, plans to charge families $30 each to
build snowmen and wage snowball fights in a refrigerated event hall.
"It's going to be like a dream for these people - to see real snow!"
businessman Luis Guzman said. Guzman - whose Family Events Inc.
promotion company books circuses and figure skating shows - is spending
$200,000 to import the snow from Fermont, Quebec. Residents of Fermont -
population 3,500 - say they're baffled. "I can't believe somebody would wan
t
our snow," said Mayor Robin Belanger.
If it's successful, the Canadians say half in jest, the Great White North m
ight
have a new export. "Everybody here is wondering, 'Is there a business in
this?'" Keith said.
Editor's Note: When you consider that many countries are critically short o
f
fresh water, Quebec and Canada will have countries knocking on their doors
clammoring for cold potable water.
Texas gets ready for unusual amount of snow and sleet!
Weekend News Today
Lead: faith
Source: CNN
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- Winter is coming early to Texas, as well. The National
Weather Service predicts about 4 inches of sleet and snow will fall there b
y
Wednesday -- more than the Lone Star State gets in the entire winter, on
average. "In the month of December, a typical snowfall is three-tenths of a
n
inch. The normal for an entire winter is about 3 inches," said meteorologis
t
Roland Nunez. High temperatures Tuesday were expected to be only in the
30s and 40s throughout Texas. Monday, the mercury dropped into the single
digits in parts of the state, with wind chills as low as 18 below zero. Brr
r.
Prodi attacks veto 'intransigence'
Weekend News Today
Lead: Leo
Source: BBC NEWS
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- The president of the European Commission, Romano
Prodi, has spoken of his disappointment that member states have
maintained their national vetoes on "tax and social issues". Both were area
s
under which UK Prime Minister Tony Blair drew non-negotiable "red lines"
ahead of the key summit.
Mr Blair returned from the tough four-day negotiating session with the 14
other EU heads of government on Monday saying the UK's position had been
strengthened as a result of the deal reached at Nice.
But Mr Prodi's remarks will give ammunition to Eurosceptics who say that
there is an agenda within the EU for deeper and deeper political intergrati
on.
'My conscience is clear,' Milosevic says
Weekend News Today
Lead: Leo
Source: Nando Times/AP
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- Despite a war crimes indictment and widespread blame
for the ruin of his country, former Yugoslav strongman Slobodan Milosevic
insisted Tuesday that his conscience is clear.
"I can sleep peacefully," Milosevic told the private Palma television stati
on in
his first interview since he was ousted from power in October. The
Associated Press obtained a copy of the videotape ahead of its scheduled
Tuesday night broadcast. During the two-hour interview, the confident-looki
ng
Milosevic said he doesn't recognize the U.N. tribunal in The Hague,
Netherlands, which indicted him last year for war crimes in Kosovo. "That i
s
a political institution which is a part of the mechanism of genocide agains
t
the Serbian nation," Milosevic said. "Also, it is an illegal institution."
Milosevic also said he was not afraid of a possible trial by Yugoslav court
s
for alleged offenses committed during 13 years of misrule and four Balkan
wars he is accused of triggering. "My conscience is clear," he said. There
have been calls for Milosevic's arrest, both here and abroad. But Milosevic
and his closest associates have been buoyed by new President Vojislav
Kostunica's refusal to hand him over to The Hague tribunal.
Many of the world's coral reefs permanently lost
Weekend News Today
Lead: faith
Source: CNN
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- The world has lost an estimated 27 percent of its coral
reefs. The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network said in its report, titled
"Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000," that some of those reefs are
gone for good while others could possibly recover. The biggest coral
catastrophe to date was a widespread coral bleaching epidemic that
occurred in 1998. Scientists blame that on the largest El Ni=F1o and La Ni
=F1a
climate changes ever recorded. According to the research, about 16 percent
of the world's reefs were destroyed in nine months and about half of those
ruined reefs are likely to be gone forever. While global warming appears to
be
the biggest threat facing coral reefs, there are other potential hazards, t
he
report said. Those include water pollution, sediment from coastal
development, destructive fishing techniques including the use of dynamite
and cyanide and sand mining.
The study said the most damaged reefs were found in the Persian Gulf,
Indian Ocean, Southeast and East Asia, and the Caribbean/ Atlantic. Coral
reefs have been characterized as the marine equivalent of rainforests
because they are vibrant centers of sea life that harbor a myriad of specie
s.
The report said that if nothing is done to change current trends, 60 percen
t of
the world's reefs could be lost by 2030.
Saddam Hussein opens palaces to feed Iraq's poor during Ramadan
Weekend News Today
Lead: Leo
Source: Nando Times/AP
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- Saddam Hussein is welcoming Iraq's poor to religious
meals in his palaces, mansions that have become symbols of his opulent
lifestyle and secretive government.
The palaces are serving the main fast-breaking meal to hundreds of Muslim
faithful during the holy month of Ramadan, official media reports said
Tuesday. Access to Hussein's palaces - ranging from individual homes to
sprawling complexes of mansions and offices - has been a touchy subject
since U.N. weapons inspectors were repeatedly denied access to them
following the 1991 Persian Gulf War.
The U.S. government has criticized the Iraqi leader for using scarce funds
to
build palaces instead of alleviating the hardship facing Iraqis as a result
of
sanctions imposed on the country for its 1990 invasion of Kuwait. In 1998,
the palaces became part of the tug of war between Iraq and the West when
an estimated 2,000 Iraqis, including women and children, responded to a cal
l
by the Iraqi leader to stay in the premises at a time when a military strik
e by
the United States and Britain was expected. At the time, U.N. Secretary-
General Kofi Annan accused Baghdad of using Iraqi people as human
shields. On Tuesday, the daily Al-Qadissiya quoted the government thanking
Iraqis for defending the palaces.
US lawmaker, in jest, sees UN role in election saga
Weekend News Today
Lead: Kelly
Source: Reuters
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- U.S. Senator Joseph Biden, tongue firmly planted in
cheek, told the United Nations on Tuesday it may be the next stop in the
month-long presidential election saga now before the U.S. Supreme Court.
"We may be appealing the election to the Security Council so I hope you are
all ready to vote today," Biden told the 15-nation council during a visit t
o the
world body.
"One of our colleagues suggested the OSCE should come in and oversee
our election process, but I assure you, the Cubans have already made an
offer so we're in good shape," Biden cracked. The Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe monitors elections in new democracies for
fairness. Lawyers for Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore
argued an historic case before the U.S. high court on Monday that could
finally decide who won the keys to the White House in the contested Nov. 7
election.
Israel lobbies against UN force
Weekend News Today
Lead: Kelly
Source: Jerusalem Post
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- The Foreign Ministry has instructed its representatives
in
the capitals of various nations on the UN Security Council to lobby against
a
Palestinian proposal to send a UN force of military and police observers to
the region. This proposal was scheduled to come up for debate in the
Security Council late last night Israel time. This proposal is a milder ver
sion
of a draft Palestinian supporters on the council circulated last month, but
never put to vote, calling for the dispatch of a 2,000-strong UN observer f
orce.
The proposal never came to a vote because it became clear that the US,
France, Britain, the Netherlands and Canada would not support it without
Israel's consent. Israel has said it would only be willing to consider thir
d-
party observers if they are negotiated directly with the Palestinians in th
e
framework of a final status agreement.
Ben-Ami makes dash to Paris, talks shrouded in mystery
Weekend News Today
Lead: Kelly
Source: Jerusalem Post
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami flew unexpectedly to
Paris yesterday for a day of meetings which were shrouded in mystery.
There was a great deal of speculation throughout the day as to the nature o
f
the visit, since the Foreign Ministry would not release an itinerary, or sa
y
who Ben-Ami was going to meet. One government source said the minister
was meeting German diplomats regarding the four missing Israelis held in
Lebanon by Hizbullah but the Foreign Ministry denied any connection
between Ben-Ami's trip and the kidnap victims, saying only that he was in
France to deal with "diplomatic issues."
Unconfirmed reports said that he was meeting Moroccan officials - acting in
the role of middlemen - in an effort to pave the way for some kind of
agreement with the Palestinians prior to the upcoming elections. Palestinia
n
Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat is scheduled to visit Moroccan King
Mohammed VI tomorrow. Arafat is also expected to meet US Special envoy
Dennis Ross in Morocco. Before leaving for France, Ben Ami met with
Solana and European Union special envoy Miguel Moratinos. Itim quoted a
senior official in Arafat's office as saying that although there are secret
contacts, mostly in Sweden and Turkey, he does not think that the two sides
will reach an agreement before the elections.
2 Australian fisherman menaced by Great White shark
Weekend News Today
Lead: faith
Source: ABC news/Reuters
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- 2 Australian fisherman were menaced by a Great White
shark which attacked their boat after trying to steal their catch, police s
aid
on Tuesday. The four metre (13 feet) shark raised its head from the water a
s
1 of the men was pulling in the catch bag over the stern of their small
fibreglass boat in the Spencer Gulf off southern Australia, police said. "T
he
shark then nudged the side of the boat, flicking it with its tail," spokesw
oman
Kylie Walsh told Reuters. "Again it returned, this time rising beneath the
boat and unbalancing it," she said. "It was pretty persistent, pretty hungr
y, I
think." Walsh said the men managed to raise the anchor and get back to the
nearby South Australian fishing town of Port Victoria. "They're OK, probabl
y
a little bit shaken," she said, adding the incident had taken place on
Monday.
The terrifying encounter was the latest in recent months in Australian wate
rs,
most off the coast of South Australia. Two surfers, New Zealander Cameron
Bayes and Australian teenager Jevan Wright, died in separate attacks by
suspected Great Whites near Ceduna in September. Ken Crew, a 49-year-
old father of three, died earlier in November after being attacked by a lar
ge
shark in shallow water at a popular beach off Perth in Western Australia.
Editor's note: Australia has been in the news this past year with a record
number of shark attacks causing deaths...and more than the usual Great
Whites around lately.
South African Cholera spreads to 2 more rivers
Weekend News Today
Lead: faith
Source: Discovery Earth Alert
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- At least 117 more new cases of cholera in KwaZulu-Natal
were diagnosed last week, as 2 more rivers in South Africa's most populous
province tested positive for the water-borne disease. 38 people have died o
f
the illness since the outbreak was first reported in August and at least 6,
683
cases have been reported. The health dept. announced last week that the
bacteria had also spread to the Mduli and Mnambithi rivers in the Umzumbe
area of the South Coast.
Cholera, which is passed through contaminated water sources, causes
severe diarrhea and vomiting. Its victims die of shock caused by dehydratio
n.
The young and the elderly are particularly susceptible and, in extreme
cases, can die within 24 hours after contracting the disease. Jordan urged
residents in the affected areas who use water from rivers and dams to boil
it
or treat it with bleach before drinking it.
Category 5 Cyclone Sam crosses Australian coast
Weekend News Today
Lead: faith
Source: Discovery Earth Alert
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- Cyclone Sam made landfall on Australia's west coast
late last Friday near the remote Aboriginal community of Bidyadanga. Sam
was packing dangerously high winds of up to 174 mph as it slammed the
coast. The 800 residents of Bidyadanga evacuated the area before the storm
hit. The Category 5 storm (highest on the scale) was the first of the seaso
n
and one of the most powerful to ever make landfall in Australia. Sam hit a
sparsely populated region, and thankfully only a minimal amount of damage
was reported.
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology has downgraded the cyclone to a
Category 2 storm as of Monday, and issued warnings to western parts of the
Great Sandy Desert. Bureau meteorologists predicted heavy rainfall and
flooding from the storm later on Monday.
Meningitis Outbreak Hits Namibia, near border of Angola
Weekend News Today
Lead: faith
Source: Discovery Earth Alert
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- Namibian health officials announced on Friday that at
least nine people in the northern part of the country have died in an outbr
eak
of meningitis and 65 others have been infected. Dr. Andrew Jamieson, with
the British Airways Travel Clinic, reported on Friday that an immunization
program had been halted due to a lack of syringes. Meningitis is a bacteria
l
or viral inflammation of the lining of the spinal column and brain and is
exceedingly contagious. The disease causes inflammation of the brain and
may result in subsequent brain damage. Vaccines against certain forms of
the disease are extremely effective.
Several quakes rattle southern Taiwan
Weekend News Today
Lead: faith
Source: Yahoo news/AP
Tue Dec 12,2000 -- A series of earthquakes shook southern Taiwan early
Monday, causing brief shutdowns at factories that make computer parts. The
first quake was the strongest, with a magnitude of 5.3. The tremor was
followed by 2 others - with magnitudes of 4.6 and 4.8 - in the same general
location, about 4 miles west of Tainan. Tainan, Taiwan's fourth-largest cit
y, is
about 125 miles SW of the capital, Taipei. The tremors shook buildings and
caused shutdowns at the Tainan Science-based Industrial Park, said Lin Wei-
cheng, an official at the high-tech park. Machinery stopped for a few secon
ds
at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world's largest contractor
for computer chips, and at Chi Mei Optoelectronics, which makes liquid
crystal displays. Thousands of aftershocks and small tremors have rattled
the island since a 7.6-magnitude quake killed about 2,400 people last year
in
central Taiwan. A 5-magnitude quake can cause considerable damage.
http://216.219.160.226/cgi-
bin/readnews.cgi?day=3D00_12_12&item=3D#976648782
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=======
To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Arutz-7 News items (12/12/00)
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 18:01:19 -0500
ARCHAEOLOGIST: BARAK ALLOWS WAQF TO BUILD ON TEMPLE
MOUNT
The Moslem Waqf, engaged in intensive earthmoving and excavation works
on the Temple Mount, continues to violate Israeli law there. The police have
not intervened, and archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar says that this is with the
Prime Minister's say-so. Mazar, who is a member of a committee to prevent
the destruction of ruins of Temple Mount artifacts, told Arutz-7 today that the
Waqf's work has continued there non-stop for a long time, but "over the last
week and a half, the works have really taken a more intensive turn. Trucks
are coming out loaded with pieces of the ruins - and all with Prime Minister
Barak's approval. The other ministers know that it is Barak and Barak alone
who makes the decisions. We have tried to meet with Barak for months, but
he simply ignores us. A while ago, there was a plan to build a grandiose
mosque on the Temple Mount - the biggest one in the Middle East... Now,
with work going on a full 200 meters north of Solomon's Stables [where work
was permitted in the past] and next to the Gate of Mercy, it makes us
suspect that these plans have been revived... This must be stopped."
RAIN ON THE WAY
Significant amounts of rain fell yesterday in the Galilee, and three more days
of rain are forecast throughout Israel, beginning today. The level of the
Kinneret Sea was recorded today as 213.78 meters below sea level - 78
centimeters under the government-authorized "red line," below which the
Kinneret must not be allowed to drop. Irreversible damage to water quality
by plant-growth accumulation and sediments is the fear of some water
experts.
BARAK'S TRICK: DARKNESS UNTO THE NATIONS
Prime Minister Ehud Barak faced unprecedented criticism in the world media
for his recent electoral trick. His sudden resignation this past Saturday night
was widely regarded as an attempt to head off challengers from both within
his own party and from Binyamin Netanyahu - none of whom, it was felt,
would have enough time to organize for elections within 60 days, as required
by law following a Prime Ministerial resignation. An op-ed in yesterday's
New York Times, entitled, "Shortchanging Democracy in Israel," writes that
the surprise resignation was "a regrettable tactical ploy designed to improve
his chances for re-election early next year... Mr. Barak [requires] maximum
public support in an open election, not an election designed to hobble the
opposition... if Mr. Arafat chooses not to make peace with Mr. Barak now,
Israeli voters deserve a clear choice of who will lead them - and in what
direction - through the difficulties ahead."
Yesterday's Wall Street Journal editorial declared that Barak has
championed a strategy of pre-emptive surrender: "Look at the record. The
prime minister thought that he could throw Syria off balance and score
political points with the West by surrendering Israel's position in southern
Lebanon ahead of schedule. He thought he could do the same at Camp
David by surrendering Israel's most valuable negotiating chits -- the division of
Jerusalem, possession of the Jordan River Valley -- when neither Bill Clinton
nor probably even Yasser Arafat expected him to do so. He avoided a vote of
no confidence last month by surrendering to calls for early national elections.
Now he has again taken everyone by surprise by surrendering his own seat
(something he pledged not to do only two weeks ago), though he will remain
in office at least until elections are held in 60 days.
"The outcome of all this is well-known. Israel's northern flank lies exposed to
guerrilla attacks. It faces a Palestinian uprising on a scale not seen since
the 1930s. It faces unanimous hostility in the wider Arab world and near-
unanimous hostility from the West, especially in Europe. And now it faces a
grave domestic political crisis.
"...There can, of course, be little doubt that Israel will ride out the current
tempest, especially once Mr. Barak departs from the scene. Like his
Washington mentors, the Israeli Prime Minister has proved not a statesman
but a consummate political tactician, always hoping that through clever
maneuvering he can evade the responsibilities of campaign promises and
"red lines," of principles and consistency. Like his Washington mentors, too,
he has shown a remarkable willingness to put his own political needs and
ideas ahead of those of his country, thus giving the lie to the very name of
his party, "One Israel."
"...[W]e're likely to see the ascendancy of either Mr. Sharon or Mr.
Netanyahu. These men come from different generations and have very
different political styles. But they share an important premise: that in the
Middle East today, as elsewhere in the past, 'Never Surrender' is a better
motto than 'Peace Now.'"
An editorial in The London Daily Telegraph yesterday called the resignation
"an act of desperation by a soldier-politician who seems more attached to
power than to democracy... He hopes thereby to thwart his Labour rivals and
to exclude his most dangerous opponent on the Right, Mr Netanyahu, from
the running. Mr Barak's bombshell may have taken the opposition by
surprise, but voters are unlikely to reward him if he seeks to deny them the
choice they want... The real significance of the forthcoming election is to
bring Israeli policy back into line with public opinion. The al-Aksa Intifada has
brought about a seismic shift in attitudes, comparable to that which first
brought Likud, under Menachem Begin, to power in 1977. The Oslo peace
process is dead. Its essence was the idea that Palestinians and Israelis had
a common interest in peace with security. It was killed [Arutz-7 note: by
Arafat and] by Mr Barak's ideological pursuit of peace at any price - unlike
his Labour predecessors, from Ben Gurion to Yitzhak Rabin..."
In Israel, HaTzofeh editorialized that,
"The Prime Minister has miserably failed in an unprecedented fashion: Since
the founding of the state, no prime minister has been toppled so soon after
being elected. And if this is not enough, he is finishing his time in office with
a 'stinking trick,' a cynical manipulation of the law, in an effort to prevent the
leading candidate in the polls from participating in the elections. Shameful...
Young people now understand that democracy is a tool to be used on behalf
of one's interests and can be exploited in order to trample the will of the
people."
DEALING WITH TERRORISTS
The IDF killed a leading Palestinian terrorist last night - Muhammad Imdan of
the Islamic Jihad. He was shot by a sniper from hundreds of meters away.
Imdan was responsible for the Machane Yehuda and Hadera bombings.
Israeli police arrested two Palestinian terrorists last night, near Hevron and
Shechem; they had been responsible for throwing Molotov cocktails and
rocks at Israeli cars.
A Palestinian stole an Israeli machine-gun from an IDF armored personnel
carrier near Netzarim yesterday. IDF soldiers opened fire towards the thief,
but he escaped to Palestinian-controlled territory with the weapon. The IDF
announced that it views the incident with "grave concern."
Despite remarks by Hizbullah leaders that an exchange of captives could
take place within ten days, Israeli leaders are lowering expectations. IDF
Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha'ul Mofaz said today that such an exchange is not
on the agenda at present. Israel has not had a sign of life from three soldiers
who were kidnapped along the Israeli-Lebanese over two months ago. Mofaz
said that reports of a possible exchange are merely "psychological warfare"
on the part of the terrorists.
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2000 / Kislev 15, 5761
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=======
To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Swiss link to Echelon follows satellite sale
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 18:15:20 -0500
Swiss link to Echelon follows satellite sale
Tue, 12 Dec 2000 11:40:15 GMT
Don Tuggener,
ZDNet Switzerland
Swiss army wonders out loud whether national telco collaborated with
America's National Security Agency to further Echelon surveillance network
ZDNet Switzerland has reported that Swisscom, the country's biggest ISP
and
national telecoms provider, has violated national security regulations with the
sale of its nationwide satellite dish business to US company Verestar.
Verestar provides infrastructure support for America's National Security
Agency (NSA) and Echelon, its international surveillance project.
Swisscom announced in spring 2000 that it would withdraw from the satellite
industry to concentrate on its core activities. But the company sold its
satellite bases in Leuk, Geneva, Basel and Zurich to Verestar, potentially
breaking Swiss law.
According to an agreement signed 20 March, Swisscom committed to having
each
sale that potentially affected public interest and national security, approved
by the government.
The Swiss military sees the purchase of the satellite stations by the US as a
potential threat to national security, arguing that the infrastructure could be
used for spying. Echelon has been used by the US government for industrial
espionage, particularly in Europe where it has stated that bribery amongst
European nations is a tradition it needs to protect itself from.
It is generally accepted that Echelon's extensive satellite network can pick up
practically all communications signals transmitted worldwide.
It has also been alleged that Verestar cooperates with the NSA. If proven,
executives responsible for the sale of the satellite facilities could be
tried for treason, although ZDNet Switzerland reports that the military is
unlikely to press for charges.
"We don't conduct counter-espionage because this is not the job of the
military: it's the job of government ministries to determine whether a firm
should cooperate with the NSA or not" said Philippe Zahno, spokesman for
the
Swiss army's general staff.
Verestar is one of the largest MAE (Metropolitan Area Ethernet) providers.
In a recently published report called Listening Capacity 2000, the European
Parliament pointed at MAEs and referred to them as "listeners" for the NSA
within the Internet.
Australia, America, Great Britain, France, Canada and New Zealand all
participate in the Echelon spy network. According to sources it has the
capacity to simultaneously monitor 3 billion commercial channels and
screen 90
percent of the Internet.
Switzerland has been conducting its own satellite project since 1993, dubbed
Satos 3. Initiated by security chief Peter Regli, it is similar to the Echelon
project, but on a much smaller scale. Regli's successor, Dino Belasi,
continues
to develop the project with the objective of developing a network capable of
dealing with "threats from technology, terrorism and nuclear weapons".
Find out who's spying on you and how in our Echelon news special.
They can see you... Read about how and why in Surveillance, a ZDNet News
Special
Have your say instantly, and see what others have said. Click on the
TalkBack button and go to the ZDNet News forum.
http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/2000/49/ns-19496.html
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