BPR Mailing List Digest: 02/25/00

Philologos
BPR Mailing List Digest
February 25, 2000

Digest Home | 2000 | February, 2000

To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Messianic seal
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 08:47:10 -0500

[This is an old post with a new link to a book on the same subject. Someone
asked if we had info on it and we thought we'd send it through again. Maybe
one of you would like to get the book and review it for us?--Moza
moza7@netzero.net]

Ancient Christian Symbol Rediscovered On Mount
Zion

          AURORA, Colo. (EP) -- A Messianic Seal from the Christian
          church in ancient Jerusalem has been rediscovered after
          2,000 years. This ancient symbol was found on Mount Zion. It
          is believed to have been created and used by the Jewish
          believers who called themselves Nazarenes in the first
          Messianic Church.

          Three companies -- Olim Creative Products of Tiberias, News
          About Israel (NAI) of Jerusalem, and Christian Floral
          Delivery of Colorado -- jointly announced the discovery of
          this ancient symbol, which has been copyrighted by NAI. It
          consists of three separate but integrated symbols: a menorah
          at the top, a star of David in the middle, and a fish at the
          bottom. In each of the renditions of the three-part symbol
          the star is created by interlacing the stand of the menorah
          with the tail of the fish.

          The Messianic Seal was found etched or inscribed on eight
          ancient artifacts. The artifacts were presented to Ludwig
          Schneider, editor in chief of NAI's magazine Israel Today,
          in 1990. They came from Tech Otecus, an elderly monk who
          lived as a hermit in the Old City of Jerusalem. Otecus said
          that in the 1960's he had personally excavated about 40
          artifacts bearing the Messianic Seal from an ancient grotto
          located in the immediate vicinity of the Upper Room on Mount
          Zion.

          What was once the main entrance to the grotto is now covered
          with a jail-like heavy wire mesh enclosure. Its door,
          leading down into the ancient baptismal place, is tightly
          secured with a heavy chain and lock. According to Schneider,
          the last remaining entry to the grotto was sealed shortly
          after he excitedly told the priests at the local monastery
          about the discovery of the Messianic Seal.

          Schneider photographed eight artifacts which were given to
          him by Otecus, and showed the pictures to the curator of the
          Israel Museum. "When he had carefully studied my pictures,"
          Schneider recalled, "the curator immediately promised me
          that these artifacts and their unique symbol were an
          important find. He told me that the museum already had seen
          other artifacts bearing the same three-part symbol from some
          other sources he did not specify."

          According to Bob Fischer, president of Olim Creative
          Products and co-author with local historian and artist
          Reuven Schmalz of their book, The Messianic Seal of the
          Jerusalem Church, the ancient three-part symbol has, since
          135 AD, been suppressed by various Israeli groups or
          agencies, such as the Israel Museum and Orthodox rabbis in
          the Old City of Jerusalem, while simultaneously being buried
          for these nearly two millennia by the church.

          According to Fischer, at least two of the eight artifacts
          were obviously ceremonial pieces which may well have been
          used by James the Just, the brother of Jesus, who is said to
          be the first pastor of the church, or perhaps even by one or
          more of the Twelve Apostles.

          One of the eight artifacts is a brick-sized block of
          well-worn local marble. This piece bears an etched version
          of the Messianic Seal with a Taw (the last letter in the
          ancient Hebrew alphabet that looks exactly like a sign of
          the cross) in the eye of the fish symbol, as well as the
          ancient Aramaic lettering proclaiming the use of this
          artifact as a stand to hold a vial of anointing oil. The
          ancient Aramaic is transliterated as, "La Shemen Ruehon"
          (For the Oil of the Spirit). Another of the eight artifacts
          is a small, almost intact, vial which could well have sat on
          top of the marble stand.

          Commenting on what he characterized as the "monumental
          importance" of this archaeological discovery, Fischer said,
          "Beyond the historical background of the Nazarenes, the
          first Jewish believers who founded the Jerusalem Church, the
          Messianic Seal itself proclaims to the world the pervasive
          Jewishness of Jesus Christ and the decidedly Jewish
          foundation and roots of the church founded in His name."

          "The Messianic Seal of the Jerusalem Church," Fischer
          continued, "strikes at the very roots of anti-Semitism while
          proclaiming a compelling message that restores unity: Jew
          with Jew, and Jew with Gentile. The importance of this
          discovery cannot be minimized. The Messianic Seal is not
          only just the key to understanding the Dead Sea Scrolls, it
          can and should shake the foundations of the church and
          orthodox Judaism with its incredible message of unity and
          love. It breaks down barriers that have existed for
          millennia and points the way toward restoration."

(EP - Evangelical Press News Service)

(Post date: July 6, 1999)

http://www.mcjonline.com/news/news3214.htm
---------------------

The Messianic Seal of the Jerusalem Church
by Reuven Efraim Schmalz, Raymond Robert Fischer

Book Description "The Messianic Seal of the Jerusalem Church" is an
exciting exposition of what is believed to be the oldest possible Christian
artifacts and a three part symbol scribed or etched on each : an interlaced
Menorah, Star of David and Fish. The eight surviving artifacts, still in private
hands, were among 30-40 ceremonial pieces found in a First Century sacred
grotto immediately behind the very first Messianic Jewish
Synagogue/Christian Church on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. Demonstrated to
be genuine by multiple expert archeological opinion and comparison, the
surviving eight artifacts and their symbol have emerged after nearly 2,000
years.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/9652229628/philologos/102-2492829-2611239

_________________________
To subscribe to BPR send a message to bpr-list@philologos.org
with the word "subscribe" in the subject. To unsubscribe send a
message to the same address with the word "unsubscribe" in the
subject.

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - 'Arafat could declare independent state to trigger crisis'
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 08:57:06 -0500

Friday, February 25, 2000

'Arafat could declare independent state to trigger crisis'

By Aluf Benn
Ha'aretz Diplomatic Correspondent

Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat wants to generate a "crisis of
acceleration" by unilaterally declaring a state, because he knows time is
against him, according to Maj. Gen. Yaakov Or, the government coordinator
for the territories.

In a series of position papers sent to the political level, Or warned of
deterioration if the interim agreements expire and a "vacuum" is left on the
ground. A confrontation between Israelis and Palestinians could even
escalate into a full-blown regional conflict, Or believes.

He says Israel must take two steps to block a unilateral declaration of
independence by the Palestinians. The first is to convince them Israel
intends to move on to a permanent agreement. The second is to set clear
target dates that will build confidence, tied to a warning that Israel will react
sharply to a unilateral declaration of statehood.

U.S. peace envoy Dennis Ross was scheduled to meet Arafat last night after
returning from a brief trip to Cairo. Israeli and American sources said Ross
so far has made no progress getting Israeli-Palestinian talks restarted.

The Americans believe that both Israelis and Palestinians are dragging their
feet waiting for movement on the Syrian track. Prime Minister Ehud Barak's
chief of staff, Danny Yatom, yesterday flew to Brussels to explain Israel's
position to the heads of the EU.

In Tokyo last week Barak's diplomatic adviser, Zvi Shtauber, met the
Japanese foreign minister and gave him a message on the peace process.
Shtauber also met with the two deputy foreign ministers and with the
diplomatic adviser of the Japanese prime minister.

http://www3.haaretz.co.il/eng/scripts/article.asp?mador=14&datee=02/25/00&id=70333

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - EU demands bigger role in peace process
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 08:59:10 -0500

Friday, February 25, 2000

EU demands bigger role in peace process

By Moti Bassok
Ha'aretz Economics Correspondent

The president of the European Commission, Professor Romano Prodi, will
meet Prime Minister Ehud Barak in Jerusalem on Monday to discuss EU-
Israel relations and the Middle East peace process.

As head of the EU's top executive body, Prodi is expected to reiterate the
community's view that because of its considerable investment in the region,
and with its direct interests being affected by the peace talks, it has the right
to a greater role in the process.

Prodi, a former Italian prime minister, will arrive on Sunday on a two-day visit,
his first as Commission president. He will also meet President Ezer
Weizman, Foreign Minister David Levy and Regional Cooperation Minister
Shimon Peres.

Finance Minister Avraham Shochat will host a banquet in his honor on
Sunday evening which will also be attended by Bank of Israel Governor David
Klein. On Monday, Prodi will visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, lay
a wreath on the grave of Yitzhak Rabin, visit the Knesset, and hold a news
conference at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.

Prodi will discuss the strengthening of EU-Israel relations, both bilaterally
and in the the framework of the Barcelona process of EU-Mediterranean
cooperation.

http://www3.haaretz.co.il/eng/scripts/article.asp?mador=14&datee=02/25/00&id=70336

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - "60 Minutes" segment on Echelon
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 09:05:43 -0500

FOCUS-Thatcher linked to spy order on ministers

Updated 5:24 PM ET February 24, 2000

NEW YORK, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Former British Prime Minister Margaret
Thatcher used a global surveillance network to spy on two cabinet ministers
in 1983, former Canadian agent Mike Frost was quoted on Thursday as
saying. The two unnamed ministers were not suspected of being traitors but
Thatcher felt they disagreed with her over certain policy matters, Frost said.
He said they were spied on by a Canadian agent.

Frost made his allegations to the CBS-TV programme "60 Minutes,"
according to released excerpts.

In London, no comment was immediately available from Thatcher but Prime
Minister Tony Blair's office said the government would draw the allegations to
her attention.

"We will make sure Baroness Thatcher is aware of these allegations so she
can judge whether they merit a response," a spokeswoman told Reuters.

Frost's allegations came in the same week that a European Parliament
report said the Echelon surveillance network, a series of listening posts
around the world run by the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia and
New Zealand, was used for industrial espionage.

The British government denied on Wednesday that it used Echelon for
industrial spying in Europe that could help U.S. corporations win contracts
ahead of European companies. Echelon was designed to eavesdrop on
suspected terrorists, drug lords and other governments hostile to the five
members.

"(Thatcher) had two ministers that she said, 'they weren't on side,'...so my
boss went to London and did intercept traffic from those two ministers," Frost
was quoted as saying in the excerpts released by "60 Minutes."

His comments are due to be broadcast on Sunday.

Frost, who said he worked for Canadian intelligence from 1972 until 1992,
alleged the five countries could circumvent domestic laws against spying on
citizens by asking another Echelon member to do it for them.

"The British Parliament now have total deniability," Frost said, referring
to the alleged spying on the two ministers, whom he did not identify. "They
didn't do anything... We did it for them."

A senior British Foreign Office official said in response to the European
Parliament report that "any surveillance that there is in Britain has to be
authorised in accordance with the law as does any American activity here."

Echelon was capable of intercepting phone conversations, faxes and e-mail
messages around the world but sometimes the communications of ordinary,
innocent civilians were also monitored, Frost told "60 Minutes."

He cited a woman whose name and telephone number went into the
network's database as a possible terrorist because she had told a friend on
the phone that her son had "bombed" in a school play.

"The computer spit that conversation out," Frost was quoted as saying. "The
analyst ... was not too sure what the conversation was referring to, so, erring
on the side of caution, he listed that lady."

Excite News, http://news.excite.com/news/r/000224/17/eu-spying-thatcher

via: isml@onelist.com

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Pope on Violence...
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Shophar_Sho_Good")
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 09:34:23 -0500

Pope condemns violence in the name of religion

CAIRO, 24 February 2000 (Newsroom) -- Pope John Paul II began
his biblical pilgrimage in Egypt on Thursday calling for peace
and condemning the use of violence in the name of religion.

"To do harm or promote violence and conflict in the name of
religion is a terrible contradiction and a great offense against
God," John Paul said after private talks with Egypt's President
Hosni Mubarak at Cairo Airport. "But past and present history
give us many examples of such a misuse of religion."

An Egyptian Catholic spokesman said before the visit, however,
that John Paul will not specifically address the sectarian
violence that occurred in Upper Egypt over the New Year weekend
because the pontiff "does not interfere in domestic issues." The
three-day trip is the first ever to Egypt by a Roman Catholic
pope.

The pontiff appealed for justice and the rights of all peoples
to be respected in the Middle East. "We all must work to
strengthen the growing commitment to inter-religious dialogue --
a great sign of hope for the peoples of the world," John Paul
said.

The pope is expected to issue a monumental document on past
church errors next month as part of a Catholic "request for
forgiveness.'' The document may include an apology for church-
sanctioned violence during the Inquisition and the Crusades.

Mubarak affirmed the attitude of religious tolerance. "We
should strive together to fight fanaticism, prejudice, and
hatred," he said. "We should oppose all forms of discrimination,
injustice, and double standards if we are to establish a new,
viable world order. Your voice on these issues is of enormous
value," the Egyptian leader told the pope.

The highlight of the papal visit will be John Paul's spiritual
journey to St. Catherine's, the 6th century monastery situated
at the foot of majestic Mount Sinai. It is the site where God
revealed himself to Moses in a burning bush as the great "I am"
and presented the Ten Commandments. The pope is fulfilling his
hope of spending Christianity's Jubilee year retracing the steps
of salvation history through visits to biblical lands. A
historic trip to the Holy Land is planned for late March. John
Paul said his time at Mount Sinai will be "a moment of intense
prayer for peace and for inter-religious harmony."

In his welcoming address, the pope emphasized that "the unity
and harmony of the nation are a precious value which all
citizens should cherish." He urged political and religious
leaders to "continue to promote justice and respect for the
rights of all."

The president of the Protestant Church in Egypt, the Rev. Dr.
Safwat El-Baiady, said the pope's message was "magnificent."
John Paul "covered hopes and prayers for the people of Egypt,"
he said. "I am sure that the Lord is hearing his prayer too."

Baiady said he hoped the Ecumenical Prayer Service with the
Roman Catholic pontiff would be a sign of unity and solidarity
for all the different religions.

With the presence of Sunni Islam's highest authority, Sheikh
Mohamed Tantawi of Al Azhar University, along with a multitude
of Coptic Orthodox and Catholic clergy to receive the pope at
Cairo Airport, the absence of Pope Shenouda III was conspicuous.
The Coptic Orthodox Church rejects Rome's papal supremacy.

Pope Shenouda, however, held private talks with John Paul later
in the day. Shenouda, who represents the 6 million strong Coptic
Orthodox Church, the largest Christian presence in Egypt and the
Middle East, told the Roman pontiff that he hoped "all efforts
for Christian unity may go forward through your help."

Shenouda focused his public statements on Mideast peace, urging
John Paul to do all he can, especially for Jerusalem. He said
that Mubarak was "doing his best" to promote peace by defending
the Palestinians and Lebanese.

Last week, the Vatican and the Palestinian Authority signed an
agreement formalizing Roman Catholic Church activities in areas
of Palestinian self-rule. It also condemned any unilateral
actions altering the status of Jerusalem to be "morally and
legally unacceptable."

The pope later visited Sheikh Tantawi. The head of the 1,000-
year-old seat of Muslim learning also commented on Mideast peace
efforts and inter-religious dialogue. "I thanked the Vatican and
his holiness the pope for their honorable position regarding the
Palestinian people,'' Tantawi later told reporters. He said that
he assured John Paul that Egyptians, whether Christians or
Muslims, enjoyed equality of rights and duties.

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Russian Religous Freedom
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Shophar_Sho_Good")
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 09:38:39 -0500

Russian Commitment to Freedom of Religion is Tenuous,' Says
CSCE Chairman

WASHINGTON, Feb 17, 2000 -- (PRNewswire) "This is a crucial
year in Russia in the post-Yeltsin era, and we must be vigilant
in assuring that Russia adheres to its commitments to human
rights and freedoms. Today's testimony indicates that Russia's
commitment to Freedom of Religion is tenuous at best-an illusion
at worst," said Commission Chairman Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-
NJ) at a Commission hearing. Ranking Member Rep. Steny H. Hoyer
(D-MD) and Rep. Bob Clement (D-TN) also were in attendance.
Testifying were: His Excellency Ambassador Robert Seiple,
Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, U.S.
Department of State; Anatoly Krasikov, Chairman, Russian
Chapter, International Religious Liberty Association, Moscow,
Russia; Pastor Igor Nikitin, Chairman, Union of Christians, St.
Petersburg, Russia; and, Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Director of the
Washington Office, American Friends of Lubavitch, speaking for
Rabbi Berel Lazar of the Marina Roshcha Synagogue, Moscow, Russia.

"While the central government appears committed-on paper-to
religious freedom through the country, some local officials have
clearly interpreted the 1997 law as a license to harass minority
religious groups," said Smith. "At least one American missionary
has been evicted from Russia-on what certainly appear to be very
flimsy grounds. Charismatic groups have been accused by
authorities of 'hypnotizing' congregation members. Churches that
formerly rented public buildings are now finding these premises
closed to them by local officials. The leadership of the Russian
Orthodox Church, Moscow Patriarchy seems more interested in
criticizing so-called 'non-traditional' faiths than in actually
engaging in the witness of their faith-a right protected by a
commitment the freedom of speech. Even in supposedly more
liberal Moscow, a court case against the Jehovah's Witnesses for
allegedly 'inciting religious discord' and 'destroying families'
has dragged on for more than two years."

"In some instances, religious communities have been able to
secure their legal rights through court decisions at both the
national and local level, only to face attempts by local
officials to 'liquidate' their formal status on flimsy legal
grounds. In many cases, local officials claim to be 'protecting'
citizens from the alleged dangers of 'sects' when they act
against religious communities. It seems to me that their time
might be better spent working on economic and social betterment
for all of their constituents," said Hoyer.

Clement commented, "We're not trying to dictate Christianity
around the world, we want tolerance for all religions around the
world."

Robert Seiple, Ambassador at Large for International Religions
Freedom, said, "In Russia there is the potential for events to
bring about a decline of religious freedom. ... There is also
the potential for us and like-minded advocates of religious
freedom to take steps to prevent this from happening."

Seiple cited Russia's Constitutional Court ruling on a
challenge to the 1997 "restrictive religion law," the Duma's
failure to enact legislation that would have extended the
deadline for re-registration of religious groups and
organizations, and instances of some local officials using the
1997 law to harass "so-called 'non-traditional' religious
groups" as evidence of such a decline.

In a more positive light, Seiple noted that there have been
"some positive steps taken against anti-Semitism." He also cited
examples where U.S. diplomacy had played a constructive role,
particularly regarding Roman Catholics, Mormons and Jehovah's
Witnesses.

He concluded, "Many observers today believe that the situation
with respect to religious freedom in Russia has stabilized. I
believe the country remains on the cusp ... I am an optimist by
nature. I believe the Russian people and their government will
choose to respect religious freedom and democracy, but not
without the active support of the international community.

We will continue to work with our European partners to promote
a climate in Russia which respects diversity in religious
practice."

Rabbi Shemtov commented that "... in recent years the incidents
of anti-Semitism in Russia have reached alarming levels ... but
there was also an undeniable trend towards lawlessness. ... It
must be noted that since August of 1999, when a savage attack at
the Choral Synagogue in Moscow and the attempted bombing of the
Bolshaya Boronya Synagogue followed a few days later, the
situation has improved dramatically."

Pastor Nikitin noted the fact that, "Following the visit of
American Members of Congress to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
meeting in St. Petersburg [in July 1999], city officials were
much more amenable to my church's community services. The visit
by the U.S. Congress had a tremendous positive impact." Dr.
Krasikov recalled James Madison's warning, "When there is a
union of state and church, this has often resulted in using
religion to uphold political tyranny" as he discussed efforts by
some to merge the Russian Orthodox Church with the Russian
Government.

When asked what the U.S. should do to preempt such
deterioration, Seiple responded that, whenever an anti-religious
act occurs, "the United States, and this Commission, should
shout early, loudly and often. We must be vigilant on this
issue." ((c) 2000 PRNewswire)

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Re: EU demands bigger role in peace process
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Khazneh")
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 14:26:45 -0500

Chief of the EU parliament confers with Jordanian King
Jordan, Politics, 2/24/2000

The chairperson of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine, currently
visiting Jordan, has asserted that the European Union has not changed its
position over East Jerusalem and that the EU does not consider this part of
the city under Israeli sovereignty.

On Tuesday Palestinian officials criticized Fontaine after she refused to
meet with the member of the Palestinian government who is in charge of the
Jerusalem file, Faisal al-Husseini, in Beit al-Sharq (the Orient House), the
almost-official headquarters of the PLO in the eastern part of the holy
city.

The meeting was held at St. Hennah for Guests in the old part of the city.

In reply to this criticism Fontaine, who met with King Abdullah II, said: "I
have met with al-Husseini and availed the chance to explain to him during
the meeting the position of the European Union concerning the question of
Jerusalem and to stress that this stand has not changed."

She continued that the EU "considers the status of Jerusalem as a special
separate case," adding that the EU had issued a statement in this regard on
October 1, 1996.

http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/000224/2000022419.html

-----Original Message-----
From: "Moza" <bpr-list@philologos.org>
To: BPR Mailing List <bpr-list@philologos.org>
Date: Friday, February 25, 2000 2:16 PM
Subject: [BPR] - EU demands bigger role in peace process

>Friday, February 25, 2000
>
>EU demands bigger role in peace process
>
>By Moti Bassok
>Ha'aretz Economics Correspondent
>
>The president of the European Commission, Professor Romano Prodi, will
>meet Prime Minister Ehud Barak in Jerusalem on Monday to discuss EU-
>Israel relations and the Middle East peace process.

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Researchers mate human cells with circuitry
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 15:15:27 -0500

University of California researchers
mate human cells with circuitry

February 25, 2000
Web posted at: 11:59 AM EST (1659 GMT)

                  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Don't
                  look for the Six Million Dollar Man
                  just yet, but researchers say they have
                  found a way to mate human cells with
                  circuitry in a "bionic chip" that could
                  play a key role in medicine and genetic
                  engineering.

Full Story:
http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/02/25/bio.chip.ap/index.html

via: transhumantech@onelist.com

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Basic agreement between Holy See and PLO
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 15:46:28 -0500

Palestinian National Authority Official Website Events

Basic Agreement between the Holy See and the Palestine Liberation
Organization Preamble

The Holy See, the Sovereign Authority of the Catholic Church, and the
Palestine Liberation Organization (hereinafter: PLO), the Representative of
the Palestinian People working for the benefit and on behalf of the
Palestinian Authority:

Deeply aware of the special significance of the Holy Land, which is inter alia
a privileged space for inter-religious dialogue between the followers of the
three monotheistic religions;

Having reviewed the history and development of the relations between the
Holy See and the Palestinian people, including the working contacts and the
subsequent establishment - on October 26. 1994- of official relations
between the Holy See and the PLO;

Recalling and confirming the establishment of the Bilateral Permanent
Working Commission to identify, study and address issues of common
interest between the two Parties;

Reaffirming the need to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the
Middle East, so that all its nations live as good neighbors and work together
to achieve development and prosperity for the entire region and all its
inhabitants;

Calling for a peaceful solution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which would
realize the inalienable national legitimate rights and aspirations of the
Palestinian people, to be reached through negotiation and agreement, in
order to ensure peace and security for all peoples of the region on the basis
of international law, relevant United Nations and its Security Council
resolutions, justice and equity;

Declaring that an equitable solution for the issue of Jerusalem, based on
international resolutions, is fundamental for a just and lasting peace in the
Middle East, and that unilateral decisions and actions altering the specific
character and status of Jerusalem are morally and legally unacceptable;

Calling, therefore, for a special statute for Jerusalem, internationally
guaranteed, which should safeguard the following: a. Freedom of religion and
conscience for all b. The equality before the law of the three monotheistic
religions and their institutions and followers in the City; c. The proper identity
and sacred character of the City and its universally significant, religious and
cultural heritage; d. The Holy Places, the freedom of access to them and of
worship in them. e. The Regime of "Status Quo" in those Holy Places where
it applies;

Recognizing that Palestinians irrespective of their religious affiliation are
equal members of Palestinian society;

Concluding that the achievements of the aforementioned Bilateral Permanent
Working Commission now amount to appropriate matter for a first and Basic
Agreement, which should provide a solid and lasting foundation for the
continued development of their present and future relations, and for the
furtherance of the Commission's on-going task,

Agree on the following Articles:

Article 1

Paragraph 1: The PLO affirms its permanent commitment to uphold and
observe the human right to freedom of religion and conscience, as stated in
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in other international
instruments relative to its application.

Paragraph 2: The Holy See affirms the commitment of the Catholic Church to
support this right and states once more the respect that the Catholic Church
has for the followers of other religions.

Article 2

Paragraph 1: The Parties are committed to appropriate cooperation in
promoting respect for human rights, individual and collective, in combating all
forms of discrimination and threats to human life and dignity, as well as to
the promotion of understanding and harmony between nations and
communities,

Paragraph 2: The Parties will continue to encourage inter-religious dialogue
for the promotion of better understanding between people of different
religions.

Article 3

The PLO will ensure and protect in Palestinian Law the equality of human
and civil rights of all citizens, including specifically, inter alia, their freedom
from discrimination, individually or collectively, on the ground of religious
affiliation, belief or practice.

Article 4

The regime of the "Status Quo" will be maintained and observed in those
Christian Holy Places where it applies.

Article 5

The PLO recognizes the freedom of the Catholic Church to exercise her
rights to carry out, through the necessary means, her functions and
traditions, such as those that are spiritual, religious, moral, charitable,
educational and cultural.

Article 6

The PLO recognizes the rights of the Catholic Church in economic, legal and
fiscal matters: these rights being exercised in harmony with the rights of the
Palestinian authorities in these fields.

Article 7

Full effect will be given in Palestinian Law to the legal personality of the
Catholic Church and of the canonical legal persons.

Article 8

The provisions of this Agreement are without prejudice to any agreement
hitherto in force between either Party and any other party.

Article 9

The Bilateral Permanent Working Commission, in accordance with such
instructions as may be given by the respective Authorities of the two Parties,
may propose further ways to address items of this Agreement

Article 10

Should any controversy arise regarding the interpretation or the application of
provisions of the present Agreement, the Parties will resolve it by way of
mutual consultation.

Article 11

Done in two original copies in the English and Arabic languages, both texts
being equally authentic. I n case of divergency, the English text shall prevail.

Article 12

This Agreement shall enter into force from the moment of its signature by the
two Parties.

http://www.pna.net/events/basic%20_agre.htm

[February 15, 2000]

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - SCIENCE DAILY...
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Shophar_Sho_Good")
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 16:46:12 -0500

SCIENCE DAILY
http://www.sciencedaily.com
Posted 2/25/2000

Genome Scientists Muster Computer Software Tools For Handling
The Flood Of Raw Data From The Human Genome Project And Related
Efforts

A new discipline has emerged at the intersection of
computer science and biotechnology, bringing the power of
advanced computational techniques to bear on complex problems in
molecular biology. Called bioinformatics or computational
biology, this new field is providing essential tools for
scientists on the leading edge of research in genetics and other
fundamental areas of biology.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/02/000225080127.htm

Posted 2/25/2000
International Trade Imperils U.S. Plants, Animals And Crops

While the booming global economy promises greater prosperity in
the next century, it poses a real threat to the country's native
plants and animals as well as to its productive croplands, says
an ecologist from the University of California, Berkeley.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/02/000225080409.htm

Posted 2/24/2000
Genetically Engineered Food Could Be Lifeline For Developing
World, Cornell Researcher Suggests

In the developed world, societies enjoy abundant diets more
varied now than at any other time in history. That's in stark
contrast to the developing world where millions of people
confront profound food insecurity every day. Part of the
solution to righting this imbalance might involve something that
is increasingly controversial in the developed world:
genetically engineered food.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/02/000224080111.htm

Posted 2/22/2000
First Time Success: Individual Photons In A Trap

A research group of the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
and the Munich University, have for the first time realized
Planck's oscillators in an experiment. The founder of the
quantum theory postulated that oscillators in matter are
responsible for the emission of radiation in the form of
photons. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Quantum
Optics and the Munich University now succeeded to store
individual photons in a resonator.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/02/000222065520.htm

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - FW: [real_world_news] 02/25/2000
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Shophar_Sho_Good")
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 16:47:53 -0500

-----Original Message-----
From: Real World News [mailto:real_world_news@usa.net]
Sent: Friday, February 25, 2000 11:17 AM
To: real_world_news@onelist.com
Subject: [real_world_news] 02/25/2000

From: Real World News <real_world_news@usa.net>

REAL WORLD NEWS 02/25/2000

Want to share RWN with your friends? Tell them subscribing is easy!
To automatically subscribe, just send email to:
real_world_news-subscribe@onelist.com

If you'd like to unsubscribe to this list for any reason, just a blank
email to real_world_news-unsubscribe@onelist.com

Questions? Comments? Email the editor at
real_world_news-owner@onelist.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Science and Technology
----------------------------------------------------------------------

OZONE LAYER 'THINNING OVER EUROPE'
There is fresh evidence that the ozone layer is thinning over the UK
and northern Europe. Scientists are alarmed by the depletion, which
was previously thought to be a problem mostly confined to the southern
hemisphere. Ozone protects the Earth from the sun's ultra-violet
radiation, and doctors are concerned that if it is eroded more people
will suffer from skin cancer.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_656000/656014.stm

PUTTING THE BRAKES ON LIGHT
All schoolchildren know that light is the fastest thing there is,
zipping along through empty space at 297,000 km per second (186,000
miles a second). But now a Danish physicist and her team of
collaborators have found a way to slow light down to less than one
mile an hour (1.6 km per hour), slower than a slow walk.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_655000/655518.stm

AOL 5.0 CAUSES SYSTEM DISASTER
Many Washington state residents who installed the latest version of
America Online (NYSE:AOL) to surf the Internet are finding themselves
drowning in software problems, according to a class action lawsuit
filed today in Washington state. America Online, the suit claims,
knowingly released a version of their software that, without warning,
made major changes to users' computer operating systems rendering them
unstable, and in some cases, inoperable.
http://www.cbnnow.com/newsstand/national/scm/2000/02/000224-bw1.asp

NEW MICROSCOPE CATCHES INDIVIDUAL ATOMS
Using highly reflective mirrors, scientists said Thursday they had
created a kind of microscope that can trap and observe a single atom
at a time. The team, at the California Institute of Technology
(Caltech), said their "atom cavity microscope" takes them a step
closer to quantum computers and communications. Such technologies
would be infinitely faster and more efficient than present-day
computing and information systems.
http://www.foxnews.com/science/022500/atoms.sml

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Religion and The Church
----------------------------------------------------------------------

SHOULD THE POPE RESIGN?
Some Vatican officials are starting to ask an enormously delicate and
potentially unsettling question: Should Pope John Paul II resign?
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/world/DailyNews/pope000224_resign.html

POPE CALLS FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Pope John Paul II calls for respect between faiths as he addresses
20,000 worshippers on the second day of his historic visit to Egypt.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_656000/65642
2.stm

EGYPTIAN CHRISTIANS CHANT "POPE JOHN PAUL TWO, WE LOVE YOU"
As incense wafted into the air, 20,000 Egyptian Christians on Friday
greeted Pope John Paul II with an undulating sea of scarves and chants
in English of "John Paul Two, We Love You." Some women ululated,
clicking their tongues in traditional Arab style. The choir sang hymns
throughout, also waving scarves at the pope as he turned toward them.
http://asia.dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/world/article.html?s=asia/he
adline
s/000225/world/afp/Egyptian_Christians_chant__Pope_John_Paul_Two__We_L
ove_Yo
u_.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------
That's the news for today. If you are enjoying this mailing list,
please tell your friends. They can subscribe simply by going to
http://www.onelist.com/community/real_world_news or by sending an
email to real_world_news-subscribe@onelist.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------

WHY REAL WORLD NEWS?
Real World News is but one part of an ongoing study in eschatology,
that is, the Biblical study of the 'last things'. This newsletter
began as Bible Study companion, a weekly summary of international
events taking place around the world. Today, Real World News has much
the same goal; to provide pastors and Bible teachers with a easy to
read account of world events to pass on to their own congregations. If
you're finding RWN of use in your study, let us know. We appreciate
any and all encouragement! email real_world_news@usa.net

____________________________________________________________________
Get free email and a permanent address at
http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1

----------------------------------------------------------------------
--
Get what you deserve with NextCard Visa! Rates as low as 2.9%
Intro or 9.9% Fixed APR, online balance transfers, Rewards Points,
no hidden fees, and much more! Get NextCard today and get the
credit you deserve! Apply now! Get your NextCard Visa at:
http://click.egroups.com/1/913/1/_/528653/_/951495444/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
--

The views expressed within these articles are not necessary the
opinions of
Real World News. We present the news.... you decide.

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Drasha Parshas Ki Sisa -- Consumer Oriented
From: bpr-list@philologos.org
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 19:59:17 -0500

Subject: Drasha Parshas Ki Sisa -- Consumer Oriented
Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky
Volume 6 Issue 21

In one of the most difficult portions of the Torah, and
chapters in our history, this week the Children of Israel make a
Golden Calf and serve it. The act warrants their annihilation,
and Hashem threatens Moshe with just that, adding that He is
ready to build a nation from Moshe himself. "Hashem said to
Moses, ‘I have seen this people, and behold! it is a stiff-
necked people: And now, desist from Me. Let My anger flare up
against them, and I shall annihilate them, and I shall make you
a great nation.´" (Exodus 32:9-10) But Moshe beseeches Hashem to
forgive the nation for the calamitous sin of the Golden Calf,
and Hashem acquiesces, offering an historic formula which is the
precursor to every prayer of penitence. Hashem entails the
supplication that is known as "the thirteen attributes of Hashem."

They include the words "Hashem, Hashem, G-d, Compassionate and
Gracious, Slow to Anger, and Abundant in Kindness and Truth…"
(Exodus 34:6-7).

Those powerful, deep, and concise statements that embody
anthropomorphic qualities to an Omnipotent Creator contain
significant meaning far beyond mortal comprehension.

What is astonishing is that almost immediately after Hashem
forgives the people, Moshe beseeches Hashem to accompany them
for the precise reason that Hashem was angered by them!

"If I have now found favor in Your eyes, my L-rd, let my L-rd
go among us -- for it is a stiff-necked people, and You shall
forgive our iniquity and error, and make us Your heritage."
(Exodus 34:9) Was it not stiff-neckedness that caused Hashem to
want to annihilate them?

It had become a nuisance for most of those who strolled in the
Swiss forest in the early 1950s. Hikers would come home and
spend time removing the sticky cockleburs that had fastened to
their clothing. But it was something that their forebears had
lived with for years and another hindrance that nature had put
in their way.

But George de Mestral did not look at the cockleburs that had
snagged his sweater as a nuisance. In fact, he realized that
Divine genius played a vital role in their physiology.

Returning home after a walk one afternoon, he took out a
microscope to get a better look at Hashem's prodigy. When he
realized that the burs were actually comprised of thousands of
natural hooks that would engage countless loops he realized that
this was no nuisance of nature. Their sticky nature was actually
the way that these seed pods were transported to find new
breeding grounds. They would latch themselves to the fur of
animals and be transported.

De Mestral realized that he could carry this wisdom to the more
mundane world. And so with a system of a fuzzy felt and
crocheted hooks, he combined more than just two divergent
materials. He also combined two words, velvet and crochet, now
employed in the lexicon and inventory of both schoolchildren and
rocket-scientists. He invented, or perhaps introduced us to,
Velcro®.

The Dubno Maggid explains that after Moshe heard the wondrous
quality of Unrestricted Compassion, he realized that Hashem was
actually offering a product that was well-tailored to our mortal
needs. It was in fact Moshe's biggest argument for Hashem to
accompany His nation.

"Angels don't need those attributes! It is the fallible human
who needs that ever-lasting, unceasing mercy! It is only because
we are stiff-necked that we need Your unending kindness!"

That is why after Moshe heard Hashem's argument, followed by
His attributes, he presented his plea for Divine accompaniment.
Often, we do not take advantage of the great goodness of Hashem.
We leave His attributes in heaven, distancing our mundane needs
from His all-powerful abilities. Moshe teaches us that it is
distinctly our capriciousness and mortality that needs His
omnipotence. We must realize that the attributes of Hashem are
specifically assigned to sustain His nation. And all we have to
do is utilize that unceasing, unyielding, and everlasting
product to our advantage. Good Shabbos

----------------------------------------------------------------

Drasha, Copyright © 2000 by Rabbi M. Kamenetzky and
Project Genesis, Inc. Drasha is the e-mail edition of FaxHomily,
a Project of the Henry and Myrtle Hirsch Foundation. Rabbi
Mordechai Kamenetzky is the Associate Dean of the Yeshiva of
South Shore, http://www.yoss.org/ .

This list is part of Project Genesis: Torah on the Information
Superhighway. All are encouraged to redistribute and print,
provided that proper attribution with copyright is given to the
author and Project Genesis, and the reader is referred to
learn@torah.org and www.torah.org . Send email to
copyrights@torah.org for full information.

To begin or cancel your subscription to this class, please write
to drasha-subscribe@torah.org or drasha-unsubscribe@torah.org as
appropriate.

For further help, and for information on archives and
subscriptions to other classes, please ask the Project Genesis
Robot Gabbai, gabbai@torah.org . For automated information on
dedicating this class or otherwise supporting our program,
please write to dedications@torah.org or donations@torah.org .
Thank you!

----------------------------------------------------------------

Project Genesis: Torah on the Information Superhighway
   learn@torah.org 17 Warren Road, Suite 2B
      http://www.torah.org/ Baltimore, MD 21208
        (410) 602-1350 FAX: 510-1053

----------------------------------------------------------------

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

Philologos | Bible Prophecy Research | Online Books | Reference Guide

Please be advised that this domain (Philologos.org) does not endorse 100 per cent any link contained herein. 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.