BPR Mailing List Digest: 03/18/01

Philologos
BPR Mailing List Digest
March 18, 2001

Digest Home | 2001 | March, 2001

To: bprlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Holy war rages, Russia profits
From: owner-bpr@philologos.org
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 14:20:21 -0000

Holy war rages, Russia profits
Militant Islamists play into Moscow hands

By Toby Westerman
=A9 2001 WorldNetDaily.com

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=3D22048

From the Balkans in Europe, through the strategic Caucasus region,
and into the vast reaches of Central Asia, a holy war rages between
the militant followers of the prophet Mohammed and established
secular governments.

The struggle is over a large area that is both rich in natural
resources and possessing great strategic value.

In the Balkans, the struggle is expressed in terms of a fight for
a "Greater Albania;" in the Caucasus, the struggle is to establish an
emirate reminiscent of medieval Islam; and in Central Asia, Islamic
rebels seek to revive the khanate of Kokand, a territory governed by
Islamic law until conquered by Czarist forces in the 19th century.

At first glance, these Islamic fighters may seem to be merely
extremists bent on an impossible quest -- reminiscent of Don Quixote -
but malevolent and heavily armed.

Islam, however, has a long history of conquest.

Since the death of Mohammed in 632 AD, the prophet's followers have
waged a continuous -- and often successful -- series of wars against
the "unbelievers." Shortly after Mohammed's death, Moslem armies
swept away most of the Byzantine Empire, the eastern half of the old
Roman Empire.

In 1453, the armies of Islam finally captured the Byzantine capital
of Constantinople, one of the largest cities in the Christian world.
Islamic troops marched to the gates of Vienna, the southern gate to
Central Europe. Moslem soldiers even occupied part of Italy during
the height of the Renaissance.

During most of Europe's history, Islam represented an extreme danger,
an immediate threat to the entire continent.

Far from being romantics lost in history, today these Islamic
fighters are using history, along with present political
circumstances, to further their ends.

A divided Balkans

Ethnic Albanians remember that their rule in the Balkans once reached
far into present-day Greece, but modern attempts to unite all
Albanians into one nation have been consistently blocked by the major
European powers. The present struggle in and around Kosovo is aimed
to finally achieve this long desired unity -- and under Islamic law.

The establishment of the envisioned "Greater Albania" would extend
across the center of the Balkan peninsula, fundamentally changing the
borders of the always-volatile region. It would represent the first
major increase in Islamic geopolitical power in Europe since the fall
of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century.

The Islamic fundamentalists have already achieved the first steps
toward their goal.

Kosovo, nominally a province of Serbia, is, for all practical
purposes, independent of Belgrade. The German mark has replaced the
Yugoslav dinar as Kosovo's currency; United Nations-sponsored
elections in Kosovo were conducted without any authorization from
Belgrade; and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), the rebel group that
fought for Kosovo's independence against the Yugoslav military, is
now the core of the U.N.-sponsored Kosovo Protection Corps.

Since the end of NATO's 78 day air war against Yugoslavia in June
1999, Serb refugees have poured out of Kosovo, and those still living
in the province consistently report harassment from their ethnic
Albanian neighbors.

Another rebel ethnic Albanian group has gained prominence within the
last year. This new rebel formation operates within the so-called
demilitarized zone between Kosovo and southern Serbia, and is called
the Liberation Army of Presevo Medvedja, and Bujanovac. This group
seeks to extend the area controlled by ethnic Albanians from the
border of Kosovo into the southern region of Serbia. The group
acquired its name from three villages in the area.

The Presevo group numbers about 1600, and has initiated multiple
ambushes of Yugoslav police units in the area.

Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica has consistently sought aid
from the international community for the Serbs within Kosovo, and for
the suppression of the Presevo rebels. Kostunica remains firm
regarding ultimate Yugoslav authority over Kosovo, demanding that the
international community observe U.N. resolution 1244, which
recognizes Kosovo as an integral part of Serbia.

No substantial assistance from the international community has thus
far appeared.

The prospect of a new Islamic republic appearing on Balkan soil
ignites strong emotions in the region.

Albania, although Moslem dominated, is a secular government. An
independent Kosovo would not only be Moslem, but would be established
as an Islamic republic. This event would arouse memories of centuries
of savage domination by the Turkish Ottoman Empire, and would be
certain to bring the region to the brink of all-out war.

The Ottoman Empire held most of the Balkans in its grasp, reaching
its high-water mark in Europe in 1683 with the siege of Vienna. A
series of revolts and wars in the 19th and early 20th centuries
expelled the Ottomans from all but a small portion of Europe. The
modern nation of Turkey arose from the remnants of the Ottoman
Empire.

While the international community has been slow to react to the
concerns of the Yugoslav government, and regional governments warily
watch the growth of an all-but-independent Kosovo, Russia -- the
traditional "protector of the Slavs" -- is increasing its influence
in the Balkans.

Russia remains firmly committed to Yugoslavia, and equally devoted to
strengthening ties with the post-Milosevic government in Belgrade.

Early last month, Russian Defense Minister (Field Marshall) Igor
Sergeyev stated that his nation is "extremely concerned" about the
situation in Yugoslavia, and that the region "continues to flare,"
threatening "a humanitarian disaster."

Moscow also concluded an important military pact with Belgrade last
month.

While the Balkans wrestles with the possibility of an
Islamic "Greater Albania," Russia is currently involved in two wars
being waged against Islamic fundamentalist fighters -- one in the
Caucasus region, the other in Central Asia.

Caucasus chaos

Russia's main problem in the Caucasus region lies in Chechnya,
although there have been difficulties in neighboring areas. The
leader of the Islamic militants in the Caucasus is an individual
named Khattab.

Khattab was born in 1963 into a well-positioned Jordanian family. He
attended a military academy in Jordan, became a fanatical follower of
a fundamentalist movement called "Wahhabism," and fought in conflicts
from Afghanistan to Iraq.

Khattab, who refers to himself as "emir," styles himself as a
medieval Moslem ruler as he presses his struggle against Russia,
although Moscow now appears to have the upper hand in the fight.

In a strange twist to the on-going story of Islamic fundamentalism,
on February 6th the Voice of Russia World Service, the official
broadcasting service of the Russian government, provided to its
listeners a highly provocative message purportedly from Khattab to
his fellow Islamic fighters.

VOR stated that the message was sent to "several news organizations."
The message was read with dramatic flair, but without further
remark. "Comment is not needed," the VOR broadcast said.

The message went as follows:

From now on, until the last day of creation, the holy brothers of
Prophet Mohammed will pour over this whole earth, over the countries
of the infidels, for such is his will. Oh ye abominable and corrupted
infidels of the West and ye swine-like Jews! By the emir of the
faithful, Khattab, has ordered the Chechen brothers-in-faith to
reside in your dirty countries, to slay you without a grain of
compassion. The Russians have already felt what it's like to be
smitten by the holy wrath of the Almighty. Your turn has come. The
flame of jihad will wipe away your vile world. The world of the
infidel. We shall blow up your homes, naval vessels, and planes. We
shall kill you in your unworthy cities. For the ruin of the corrupted
and disgusting infidel pleases the Almighty.

Whether fact or fabrication, Khattab's reported message encapsulates
previous militant Islamic statements and actions, and, if taken
seriously, is bound to garner support for Russia's struggle against
Islamic militancy -- and the means Russia uses in that struggle.

Mother Russia

Although Islam is one of Russia's four "official" religions (the
others are Russian Orthodoxy, Judaism, and Buddhism), Moscow's
resolute stand against militant Islam offers a unique opportunity to
establish recognition for itself as a stabilizing factor, even where
Islam is the dominant faith.

Not only is Moscow able to play the role of savior in the strife-torn
Balkans, be the firm policeman enforcing law and order in the unruly,
multi-ethnic Caucasus, but it also serves as a wise supporter of the
established, "democratic," governments of Central Asia.

One of Moscow's best friends in the region is the president of
Kirgizia, Askar Akayev. Kirgizia had been a recent target of Islamic
militants, and Akayev was forced to call for help from Moscow as well
as from his neighbors.

In an interview appearing in the October 2000 issue of the German
newsmagazine Der Spiegel, Akayev declared that the ultimate goal of
the Islamic militants was to establish a "caliphate" -- a land
governed by the laws of Islam -- across the region. He also
acknowledged his country's need for Russia's assistance.

Akayev also reiterated Kirgizia's debt to the former Soviet Union,
which, he stated, saved his country from Czarist "genocide."

Bishkek, the capital of Kirgizia, proudly displays a gigantic statue
of the USSR's founder, Vladimir Lenin, in the central area of the
city.

The joint fight against Islamic militancy provides Moscow with the
opportunity to further bind to itself the mineral-rich states of
Central Asia. The post-Soviet process of "integration"
or "reintegration" has special importance in the Central Asian
region. In the early to mid-1930s the Soviet state faced a serious
rebellion, referred to as the "Basmachi revolt."

Stalin's response was not only to crush the revolt, but to extend the
terror-famine inflicted on Ukraine to Central Asia.

Islamic rebels in Central Asia present another opportunity for Moscow
to change its image from that of occupier to friend to all, except
the most implacably hostile.

The president of the largest of the Central Asian states, Nursultan
Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, several years ago called for a "more
perfect union" between Moscow and the former Soviet republics.

The Islamic militants are assisting in bringing about just such a
union.

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======= To: bprlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Watch Mir's Fall Online
From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 09:43:14 -0500

* WATCH MIR'S FALL ONLINE: Richard and Bob Citron,
Los Angeles brothers who are fans of all things
involving space exploration, say they've arranged for
the filming of the planned fall of Russia's Mir space
station next week -- and that the film will be shown
to the world over the Internet about four hours later,
at www.mirreentry.com. . . . Last month, the brothers
announced that they'll charter a plane for a small
group of enthusiasts to watch from up close as Mir
ends its 15 years in orbit by plunging into a remote
area of the Pacific Ocean.

via: Morrock News
http://morrock.com

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======= To: bprlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Worshippers in Paris flock to Afro-Christian cults
From: owner-bpr@philologos.org
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 16:37:51 -0000

Worshippers in Paris flock to Afro-Christian cults
By Philip Jacobson in Paris

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

A LARGE increase in the number of evangelical cults in France is
drawing black worshippers away from the orthodox established churches
for an exotic new vision of "Afro-Christianity".

Every Sunday, large crowds flock to a grimy northern suburb of Paris
to take part in services that feature throbbing drums and swaying
choirs, all-action sermons and prayer sessions devoted to faith-
healing and clairvoyance. Dressed in their best, families throng the
pavements of La Plaine Saint-Denis, which is jokingly referred to
as "Harlem-sur-Seine", peering at posters directing them to a
converted factory complex that provides meeting rooms for the cults.

There, they can weigh up the rival attractions of the Church of
Redeemed Sinners, the Christ at Work Assembly, the Free Souls of the
Tabernacle and a dozen others competing vigorously for their
attention. The din of joyful worship fills the shabby building as the
pounding beat of African music alternates with cries
of "Hallelujah!", the stamping of bare feet and rhythmic clapping.

The stentorian voices of preachers can be heard promising salvation
for the faithful, hell-fire for sinners. "Amen, amen" comes the
response from congregations quite happy to sit, and occasionally
prostrate themselves, through three or four-hour sermons.

The competition for souls is fierce: one sect claims to
possess "exclusive access to the word of God" and guarantees its
followers that they alone will be raised by Him. An adherent
said: "We are a step ahead of the rest because we will emulate the
prophet Elijah in ascending to heaven, while others will only be
saved."

Another sect promises redemption for all who turn their backs on the
material world, abjuring alcohol, cigarettes and "television
programmes that stupefy and degrade us". In some congregations,
candles, bottled water, fruit and flowers are offered up for a
blessing; in others, men and women are strictly segregated and
forbidden to wear red or black clothes.

Although the vast majority of those visiting Saint-Denis are from
France's African and Caribbean communities, there is a scattering of
white faces among the worshippers. Recent surveys suggest that many
French Catholics have become deeply disillusioned with their
authoritarian faith but still hunger for spiritual comfort.

According to Dave Brown, a British Protestant missionary who
ministers near Paris, about 400 evangelical churches have sprung up
during the past decade while attendance at Catholic services has
plummeted. He said: "Evangelical Christianity appeals to a lot of
people as a third way between Catholicism and secularism."

The close links between the "Afro-Christian" churches and the world
of the occult also attract the many French - black and white alike -
who cling to a belief in magic in its varied forms (there are more
practising mediums in France than registered doctors). The assembly
rooms in Saint-Denis attract large crowds to sessions for healing by
laying on of hands and exorcism of malign spirits. One regular
participant said: "People often go into trances and start speaking in
tongues."

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======= To: bprlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] (Fwd) Ha'aretz: Temple Mount
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 18:19:08 -0500

------- Forwarded message follows -------
Date sent: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 02:46:51 -0500
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Ha'aretz: President Katsav urges
           Public Security Minister Uzi Landau
           to halt Palestinian destruction of
           antiquities on the Temple Mount

Ha'aretz: President Katsav urges Public Security Minister Uzi Landau to
halt Palestinian destruction of antiquities on the Temple Mount

By Nadav Shragai Ha'aretz Correspondent Ha'aretz 18 March 2001

President Moshe Katsav has asked Public Security Minister Uzi Landau to take
action to stop the destruction of antiquities on the Temple Mount. Katsav's
appeal followed his meeting last week with members of the Committee to
Prevent the Destruction of Antiquities on the Temple Mount.

Katsav told Landau he had the impression that in recent years, and
especially now, the Waqf Muslim religious trust is taking unilateral steps
that the Israeli authorities cannot prevent, and which are leading to the
loss of historical knowledge and archeological remains from the holiest site
of the Jewish people.

Katsav and Landau discussed the possible permanent closure of the Temple
Mount gate, through which Waqf trucks and bulldozers are driven into the
area, and through which the Waqf has on more than one occasion hauled away
uncounted truckloads of dirt and precious artifacts.

Landau told the president that he was still studying all the issues relating
to the Temple Mount, and made no promises. He did, however, tell Katsav that
he also is very concerned about the Waqf's activities on the Temple Mount
that are not coordinated with Israel.

He agreed on the need to work toward resuming the supervision of the site by
the Israeli Antiquities Authority, whose role on the Mount has been reduced
to near-zero since the tunnel riots in 1996.

On Friday, Landau toured East Jerusalem and received explanations from
senior Jerusalem police officials on the actions being taken on the Temple
Mount. Ha'aretz has learned that the Shin Bet security services have asked
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon once again to immediately allow non-Muslims to
enter the Temple Mount.

The site has been closed to non-Muslims since the riots that began the
latest Intifada last fall.

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======= To: bprlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Daily World Affairs Report items (3/17/01)
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 18:26:29 -0500

ITALY THREATENS TO JAM POPE'S RADIO

Italy has threatened to =93silence the Pope=94 by cutting power to Vatican
Radio transmitters unless electro-magnetic levels from the station=92s gian t
antennae in a northern suburb are reduced within 15 days. The Vatican,
which says the antennae are not subject to Italian law, insisted they were
=93within EU regulations=94. (The London Times)

&: People living near the radio station have complained of a series of heal th
problems, including cases of leukaemia. The Vatican has been ordered to
reduce the magnetic fields from 18 volts per metre (vpm) to 6 vpm in
accordance with Italian law - even though the radio station is on land
considered to be international territory.

Environment Minister Willer Bordon has given the Vatican 15 days to cut
the pollution at the station, based in Santa Maria di Galeria, 19 miles nor th
of Rome. "It's an extreme decision I hope I won't have to take," Mr Bordon
told reporters. Mr Bordon said electric lights in homes near the site come
on by themselves, and if someone opens a refrigerator, or the doorbell ring s,
they hear a Vatican Radio broadcast.

The Vatican has argued that the radio station does not have to comply with
Italian law because of the 1929 pact with Italy that established Vatican Ci ty
as an independent city-state. But Mr Bordon said it was legally possible to
take action against the station because local people were at risk. The
Vatican has denied any scientifically proven link between electro-magnetic
waves and illness. Vatican Radio said it was "astonished" by the threat to
cut the station's power supply and that it did not contribute to the "calm
climate" needed to resolve the dispute.

* The Vatican has reacted angrily to a threat by the Italian Government to
cut off electricity supplies to Vatican Radio. Vatican spokesman Joaquin
Navarro-Valls said the threat was unacceptable, as the Vatican remained
willing to reach an agreement. He said the emissions were in line with
international standards, which are less strict than those adopted by Italy in
1998. (BBC)

POPE DELIVERS WARNING TO GERMAN HIERARCHY

Pope John Paul II has written a personal letter to all of the cardinals of
Germany, warning them in unusually blunt language about the condition of
the Catholic Church in their country. The Pope's letter, addressed to all 9
German cardinals, was dated February 22. Because it was private,
however, the letter did not become public knowledge until this Monday,
when newspapers in Bonn broke the story.

In his letter, the Pope asks the German cardinals to take prompt action to
curb improper developments within the Catholic Church in Germany. He
points to problems particularly in the domains of ecumenical affairs,
theological speculation, and the involvement of the laity in public ministr y.
"We cannot shut our eyes to the fact that more and more people are
abandoning the active practice of the faith, or accepting only a portion of
the Gospel and the teaching of the Church."

The process of secularization, he continues, threatens the interior life of the
Church, so that so that Catholicism "may appear strong on the outside, but
has no inner vitality, and has lost credibility in the process." He calls u pon
the German cardinals to use all their talents and energies in an effort to
bring new strength to the Church in their country, so that "the Catholic fa ith
can be proclaimed with new vigor, in all its fulness and all its beauty."

The Pope instructs the German prelates to pay special attention to the
formation of priests in seminaries, and to the teaching of Catholic
theologians. The latter, he said, must be "firmly rooted in the faith," and
must not give in to "the spirit of the age, or resignation."

Next the Pope points to the condition of family life in Germany. He says
that Catholic families should be faithful to the spirit of Christian marria ge,
and must educate their children in the faith. He lays particular stress on the
importance of adhering to Catholic teaching as set forth in Humanae Vitae,
Familiaris Consortio, and the Vatican document cautioning against the
reception of the Eucharist by Catholics who are divorced and remarried.

Turning to ecumenical affairs, the Pope notes that Catholic leaders, in
discussions with other Christian communities, must uphold the teaching and
discipline of the Church. He points out that the conditions that would allo w
non-Catholics to receive Communion are "in practice, rare." The Pope says
that in theological discussions, Catholics must keep in mind the principles set
forth in Dominus Iesus regarding the unique role of the Catholic Church in
the economy of salvation.

Finally, the Pope expresses concerns regarding the "collaboration of priest s
and laity in pastoral work." He says that there have been numerous reports
of cases in which lay people have carried out functions that are specifical ly
reserved for the ordained ministry. And John Paul points out that these
abuses apparently continue despite repeated cautions from Rome. This
situation must be rectified, he writes, "because a renewal of hope for the
Church is impossible without a renewal of the priestly ministry and
consecrated life." (Catholic World News)

GERMAN FIRMS DELAY PAYOUTS

German companies said that they were not yet ready to declare the legal
wrangling over and begin compensation payments from a $4.8bn fund for
1mn former Nazi-era slave laborers. Wolfgang Gibowski, a spokesman for
the German Economy Foundation, which represents companies contributing
to the Holocaust fund, said a working group of industry and government
officials would examine which among 17 pending lawsuits needed to be
dismissed before payments could begin. He was expanding on comments
made earlier by industry leaders in which they said they need not wait unti l
every case was thrown out before proceeding. But industry leaders said
they still want to ensure they have "legal closure," which the German
Parliament must also confirm, before moving forward. (Int'l Herald Tribune)

E.U. MAY CREATE BORDER PATROL

The EU took a first step Friday toward creating a common border-police
unit to counter the growing threat posed by illegal immigrants and smugglin g
rings. The EU estimates that up to 500,000 people a year enter the bloc
illegally and wants a more coordinated approach to shutting off the routes
used by organized smuggling gangs, many of whom enter via the Balkans.
EU justice and home affairs ministers ended 2 days of talks Friday by
backing an Italian initiative to examine how the EU could set up and run
such a unit. "This first decision could lead to the establishment of an EU
border police," one EU diplomat said. Others, however, would not speculate
on the make-up of the new force. (Int'l Herald Tribune)

GERMANY SENDS TANKS INTO MACEDONIA

Germany was deploying tanks to the Macedonian town of Tetovo last night
after a Bundeswehr soldier was wounded in intense fighting between
Macedonian forces and Albanian rebels on the edge of the town. Rudolf
Scharping, the German Defence Minister, said: "We will not allow anyone
to dance around our nose, Albanian terrorists included."He said 2 Leopard
tanks were ordered to move to Macedonia from the Prizren barracks in
Kosovo.

The Bild newspaper reports in today's edition that tank units in Germany
have been placed on 24-hour alert. The tanks are the 1st front-line NATO
combat forces deployed in Macedonia and mark another step in NATO's
growing military involvement in quelling the rebellion there. Mr Scharping
told ZDF television that Germany would "draw conclusions from the
situation and use heavy weapons if necessary."

Amid fears that the fighting could plunge the region into another Balkan
war, Greece has placed forces on the border with Macedonia on high alert,
and has also offered military help to Skopje. Bulgaria is already providing
military equipment and ammunition to the hard-pressed Macedonian forces,
and has offered to send troops. The NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping
mission in Kosovo says it has no formal mandate to operate beyond the
border, but maintains about 5,000 German soldiers in Macedoniato provide
logistical support to KFOR. NATO officials said that it was unlikely that
KFOR's mission would be extended to enter Macedonia or Serbia, where
ethnic Albanians have also mounted attacks. But KFOR is increasing
patrols on its side of the Kosovo border. (The London Telegraph)

&: On the motorway to Skopje, German soldiers in battle gear had set up a
road block as part of what is evidently the 1st NATO involvement in
Macedonia=92s burgeoning civil war. Under UN Security Council Resolution
1244, NATO has no mandate to conduct operations in Macedonia, although
5,000 allied troops are in the country providing logistical support for KFO R
troops in Kosovo, Michael Evans writes. However, alliance sources said it
was legitimate for Germany to say it needed tanks to defend its base
provided it had Macedonian permission. (The London Times)

&: German soldiers dodged gunshots on Friday as ethnic Albanian pressed
their rebellion in western Macedonia, the German Defense Ministry said.
The Germans share the grounds and barracks with the Macedonian army.
The Germans did not return fire. Further details were unavailable.

The attack occurred on the day that Germany's foreign minister, Joseph
(Joschka) Fischer, was holding talks in the Macedonian capital of Skopje
about the fresh violence. "The first thing that must be done is to stop the
violence, recognizing the existing borders," Mr. Fischer said in response t o
the attack. "After that, negotiations should start on the legitimate rights of
all people living in Macedonia." Mr. Fischer then sped off to Tetovo to vis it
the soldiers. Between 100-200 of the 1,000 German soldiers stationed there
were moved out of the area, the military spokesman said. Germany's
leading officer, General Harald Kujat, also was expected to visit Macedonia
on Saturday.

The troops who got a feel for the conflict on Friday are part of the logist ics
support base for the Kosovo peacekeeping force, KFOR. Such behind-the-
lines troops ordinarily have to move to get to the front. But not these
German soldiers. They received no marching orders and did not move 1
inch closer to the battle zone. But, suddenly and unmistakably, the rear
echelon had become the front line. The peacekeepers were now targets.

The front has drawn so close that the German soldiers stationed in Tetovo
have expanded and raised the sandbag barriers in their barracks, and
venture outside only when wearing a helmet and a vest that protects against
shrapnel. >From their barracks, they have a direct view of the hilltop
fortress in Kale, where rebels from the KLA have been dug in since
Thursday. That means, of course, that the KLA rebels can look down into
the valley.

There they can see that the Bundeswehr shares grounds and barracks with
the Macedonian army. And that the vehicles of the Macedonian riot police
go in and out of the barracks' gate. They can see, in other words, that the
people in the valley firing large-caliber shells at them are standing right next
to the Bundeswehr.

It is easy to imagine what the KLA fighters in the fortress are thinking: T he
Bundeswehr is siding with our enemies, both the Macedonian riot police and
the Macedonian army. Moreover, a fanatic KLA extremist exposed to
hours of firefights and veiled in smoke floating up to the fortress from th e
burning brush below does not need much malice to reach the following
conclusion: The Bundeswehr, which came to the aid of our brothers in
Kosovo a year and a half ago, is now our enemy. In any event, the
Germans' quarters are within range of KLA mortar shells. (Frankfurter
Allgemeine Zeitung)

TREASURES IN AN ANTIQUE LAND

A discovery made in the remote Eastern Desert of Egypt means that the
history of one of the world's greatest civilisations will have to be rewrit ten,
says the Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson

It was at the end of last year that I finally visited an area of Egypt's
inhospitable Eastern Desert that had long looked promising on the map.
What I and a group of fellow Egyptologists were to discover there has
meant that the origins of pharaonic civilisation will have to be rewritten. In
the desolate landscape between the Nile Valley and the Red Sea, we have
uncovered a treasure-house of prehistoric rock art. These spectacular
images have forced scholars such as myself to think again about how and
where ancient Egypt began.

It was with high hopes that our hardy group set out for the Eastern Desert
last December, and again last month. Our objective was simple: to explore
one particular area that had been neglected by earlier travellers. The
modern name of this dry valley system is the Wadi Umm Salam, but
previous visitors - who had done little more than pass through - had dubbed
it the Canyon of the Boats. For, on the smooth rock faces that form the
steep sides of the wadi, keen eyes had spotted numerous drawings of boats:
boats with oars, boats with crews, boats containing superhuman
figuresreminiscent of the divine ships painted in the Valley of the Kings.

I wanted to take a closer look, to see if we could find further evidence of its
earliest inhabitants, and to try and understand their beliefs and their way of
life. For a long time, Egyptologists believed that early farmers living in the
fertile Nile Valley had taken the first steps towards civilisation, develop ing
the arts, crafts and beliefs that were to characterise the Egypt of the
pharaohs for 3,000 years. Few people suspected that the arid wastes of the
Eastern Desert might hold clues that would paint a very different picture.
Yet here, pecked into the rocks, was evidence that the ancestors of the
pharaohs were not Nile Valley farmers but semi-nomadic cattle-herders.
They roamed over a huge area, following their herds from pasture to
pasture according to the season.

As a result of this revelation, the extent and character of prehistoric Egy pt
must be re-assessed. It is not for nothing that our discoveries in the East ern
Desert have been labelled the Sistine Chapel of Pre-dynastic Egypt. The
new discoveries also include the greatest concentration of early religious
imagery anywhere in the country. God-like figures wearing twin plumes;
great ships bearing dead souls into the afterlife; ritual hunting of wild b easts
to tame the chaotic forces of nature - all these themes loom large in ancie nt
Egyptian religion and art during the reigns of the great pharaohs. They can
be seen in the tombs and temples of the Nile Valley. But for their earliest
expression, we now have to look elsewhere - to the desert.

During the expeditions we would leave our desert camp shortly after
sunrise, driving in a convoy of jeeps to the mouth of the wadi. It was easy
to understand why early people made their home here. Although dry and
almost devoid of vegetation today, the valley still retains a special
atmosphere. Its narrowness - less than 100 metres in parts - gives it a
sense of intimacy and shelter. The wadi sides are generally quite smooth -
providing ideal canvases for drawing - but are punctuated at regular
intervals by rock overhangs, gulleys and caves, giving welcome relief from
the sun's heat.

It was one of these gulleys that was to lead us to the most spectacular
natural site yet encountered in the Eastern Desert, and to one of the
densest concentrations of prehistoric rock art. Following the gulley
upwards, we picked our way past strewn boulders until we were out of
sight of the main wadi. Suddenly, turning around, we came face to face
with a huge vertical cliff, covered in drawings. Their style immediately
indicated that they were thousands of years old, contemporary with the
cultural period known as Nagada I (around 4,000 BC).

The subject matter gave yet more clues that these pictures had been made
in prehistoric times. For, looming large amidst a jumble of people, boats a nd
animals, were 3 spectacular giraffes. They rubbed shoulders with ostriches
and even the occasional hippopotamus, all animals that died out from Egypt
thousands of years ago. Clearly, what is now desert had once been
savannah, able to support game animals - and the people who hunted them.

Further clues about the lifestyle of these ancient people awaited us. At th e
back of the gulley we gazed in wonder at a huge natural pool, carved out of
the rock by a waterfall in distant antiquity. We instantly dubbed this
extraordinary feature "the Jacuzzi". Indeed, the wadi's early inhabitants
seem to have whiled away their time in this special place. For, on the
natural rock shelf that ran around the edge of the pool, there were faint
carvings of tethered cattle.

We had found similar scenes elsewhere in the Eastern Desert, but now
they made sense. These ancient artists were nomadic cattle herders, who
moved with their herds in search of new pastures. During the winter they
would have lived by the banks of the Nile; but after the summer rains, the
grasslands of the Eastern Desert offered tempting grazing, together with
good hunting grounds. While their cattle grazed on the valley floor, the
herders took refuge from the heat of the day, perhaps refreshing
themselves in this seasonal waterhole. While they relaxed, they drew
pictures of their precious cattle on the rocks.

However, not all the art of the Wadi Umm Salam is so straightforward.
Many of the images are clearly religious - including the boats, closely
associated with the voyage into the afterlife throughout ancient Egyptian
history. Caves, rock shelters, secluded places - since time immemorial such
spots have attracted religious contemplation. They offer not only refuge
from the elements but also a chance to withdraw from the world and
commune with the supernatural. This explains the preponderance of sacred
images in the rock art of the Eastern Desert.

In the last 2 trips alone, the Eastern Desert Survey has documented over
100 previously unrecorded sites of prehistoric rock art, opening an excitin g
new window onto the origins of ancient Egypt. The Survey has also
achieved another, equally important goal: it has shown that ancient Egypt i s
not the exclusive preserve of professional Egyptologists. Rather, the past
belongs to all of us. Unlocking its secrets is a continuing adventure, and one
in which all who share a passion for the civilisation of the pharaohs - and
their ancestors - can share. (The London Telegraph)

FIGHT TO CONTROL U.N. LEADERSHIP?

United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has given broad hints that
he may seek a second 5 year term. The current term expires on December
31st and the next Secretary General, following the current rotation scheme,
should -- by rights -- be drawn from an Asian country. Despite U.N. public
relations and press announcements that the United States and other
members of the U.N. Security Council would welcome another term with
Kofi Annan at the helm, many other member nations would not.

According to a report earlier this week in the "Guardian", Annan=92s
spokesman, Fred Eckhart, said: =93He is getting close to announcing his
decision but even his closest aides do not know what it will be.=94 The U.N .
press office expects the Secretary General to hold a press conference the
week of March 19th to announce his decision. Beyond the diplomatic
chatter and political jockeying, the question are: What sort of UN Secretar y
General does the world need now? Is Kofi Annan the best man for the job?

Many Americans would respond, =93Who cares? We ought to get out of the
U.N. altogether.=94 The political reality, however, is that the U.S. will n ot
resign its membership in the world body. And while many see the United
States=92 continued membership as a sellout of Americans and their
Constitution, others caution that a conservative U.S. presence (perhaps
under George Bush) at the U.N. may be the best means we have of
curtailing the slide toward global governance.

The vision of global governance burns with religious fervor in the hearts o f
=93global citizens,=94 like Kofi Annan and his buddies, Ted Turner and Mikh ail
Gorbachev. The dogma of globalists is =93death to sovereignty.=94Annan wrot e
an essay for "The Economist" entitled =93Two concepts of sovereignty,=94 in
which he laid out his understanding of sovereignty for the 21st century. Fe w
Americans would be comforted by his thoughts:

"State sovereignty, in its most basic sense, is being redefined -- not leas t by
the forces of globalisation and international co-operation.States are now
widely understood to be instruments at the service of their peoples, and no t
vice versa. At the same time individual sovereignty -- by which I mean the
fundamental freedom of each individual, enshrined in the charter of the
U.N. and subsequent international treaties -- has been enhanced by a
renewed and spreading consciousness of individual rights. When we read
the charter today, we are more than ever conscious that its aim is to prote ct
individual human beings, not to protect those who abuse them."

Never mind that democratic countries already understand their
governments as instruments of the people, note the sleight of hand in this
proposal. First, nations are dissolved, then people as individuals are rais ed to
the level of nation states and are henceforth directly related to the U.N. by
virtue of the U.N. Charter. This is a deft move to shift citizens from
allegiance to their nation and culture to a world citizenship under the
universal blue banner of the U.N.

Assume you, as a newly minted world citizen, have a dispute with the
monolithic U.N.. To whom do you turn for assistance now that your nation
is a memory? Who will be your advocate, your mediator? Who will defend
your rights as defined by the U.N. Charter? For that matter, what is to
prevent the U.N. from =93redefining=94 the Charter in the same way that
sovereignty is under redefinition according to the =93forces of globalizati on
and international co-operation?=94

A review of Kofi Annan=92s record makes clear his disdain for Judeo-
Christian moral values, his penchant for global power and his promotion of
population control. Add to that his desire for a global tax that would insu re
revenues for the U.N. beyond the dues paid by nation members. Further, he
champions the idea of a freestanding U.N. =93peacekeeping=94 force -- that =92s
NewSpeak for a U.N. army. (Who will decide when and where such an
army will be deployed?) Each of these concepts requires the death of
national sovereignty.

Annan wrote, =93No less significant are the ways in which states define the ir
national interests =85 the collective interest is the national interest.=94
Seasoned professionals are quick to point out that sovereignty is not at ri sk
simply because nations are not enthusiastic about relinquishing power. Less
sanguine prognosticators are not so rosy. Several declined to be quoted due
to fear of repercussions, yet this cautious group pointed to 2 main factors
that bear sober consideration.

First, the U.N. has been successful in wooing non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) to their side. U.N. funding has been made available
to some of the most influential groups. Grants are found for others. In sho rt,
the world-wide growth and influence of NGOs is subtly shifting the balance
of power within nations. These NGOs have an allegiance to the U.N. -- the
source of their power -- rather than to their nation where they may have
less clout because they are a non-elected entity.

Secondly, a new generation of young career diplomats and government
functionaries has been weaned on the idea of a global government as the
best means of achieving a peaceful planet. Textbooks to TV sitcoms have
advanced the idea of planetary harmony where national allegiance is
definitely d=E9class=E9. When some nations are slow to advance certain caus es
(gay "rights,=92" abortion on-demand) the U.N. shoves those nations into
compliance with =93monitoring=94 teams sent to assess the =93progress=94 na tions
have made toward =93gender equity.=94 U.N. substructures demand that
Mother=92s Day be eliminated as an offensive =93stereotype=94 and that chil dren
have the =93advantage=94 of day-care centers where they will be taught to
march in global lockstep.

How long, then, before bureaucrats the world over no longer see their
mission in terms of their nation, but in terms of the globe? Kofi Annan may
overreach his welcome and attempt to snag another term as U.N.
Secretary General, or he may be the victim of a clever d=E9marche.
Whatever the case may be, whoever becomes the next Secretary General,
the likelihood is that we are in for more of the same at the United Nations .
(WorldNetDaily)

MICHAEL TURNER =0F
(mykelturner@airmail.net)

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======= To: bprlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Fourth-graders act out suicide bombing
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 18:29:25 -0500

FOURTH-GRADERS ACT OUT SUICIDE BOMBING: In a rally by Islamic
terrorists, fourth-graders acted out a suicide bombing Friday as adults
threatened Israel with new attacks. In another "Day of Rage" against
Israel, boys waving assault rifles rode on their fathers' shoulders. The
terrorist Islamic Jihad group on Friday staged a memorial rally. In the
highlight of the rally, 15 children - all younger than 10 - staged a play
about a suicide bombing in Israel, with the coaching of the adults. A boy
was dressed as a suicide bomber. He wore a black face mask and a green
robe
and had a little package wrapped in tinfoil strapped to his belt, meant to
symbolize explosives. His voice muffled by the mask, he led the children in
chanting, "We die for the sake of god." Another boy slipped into a
cardboard box with an Israeli flag on it and lay on the ground symbolizing
the aftermath of a suicide bombing. In another part of the program, a young
girl listened to fiery speeches, her light brown curls brushing against a
pistol. And a girl whose narrow face was overwhelmed by a white head scarf
shouted into a microphone: "Raise the flag of Holy War." In the town of
Shechem, during a rally attended by 2,500 people, assault rifles were
pressed into the hands of several children who were then hoisted onto their
fathers' shoulders.

Palestinian children are taught to hate Jews, to glorify "jihad" (holy war),
violence, death and child martyrdom almost from birth, as an essential part
of their culture and destiny. As captured on an Israeli video documentary
produced in 1998, a "Sesame Street"-like children's program called the
"Children's Club" -- complete with puppet shows, songs, Mickey Mouse and
other characters -- focused on inculcating intense hatred of Jews and a
passion for engaging in and celebrating violence against them in a perpetual
"jihad" until the day the Israeli flags come down from above "Palestinian
land" and the Palestinian flag is raised. In one song on the "Children's Club,"
very young children are shown singing songs about wanting to become
"suicide warriors" and to take up "a machine gun" to direct "violence, anger,
anger, anger" against Israelis. During the show, which features children aged
4-10, one young boy sings, "When I wander into Jerusalem, I will become a
suicide bomber." Afterward, other children stand to call for "Jihad! Holy war
to the end against the Zionist enemy." "The state threatens children if they're
not willing to commit jihad," says Meyrav Wurmser, Ph.D., an expert in
Middle East politics who taught at the US Naval Academy and Johns
Hopkins, "and tells them they will be punished by God if they do not commit
jihad. If they do commit jihad, they and their families will be benefited by the
state. [Their families] are promised major financial benefits if they kill
themselves in suicide attacks against Israel." To get over the fear, explained
Wurmser, "they are told by their teachers that they're not going to die at all.
There is definitely an element of denial they are exposed to." Middle East
sources consulted by WORLDNETDAILY said the "Children's Club" is no
longer being produced, but that other programs with similar messages and
themes have taken its place. "The Children's Club" was financed by funds
given to the PLO by the US.

Tzemach News Service
Week Ending: 17 March 2001 / 22 Adar 5761

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======= To: bprlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] (Fwd) CABINET COMMUNIQUE
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 18:31:53 -0500

------- Forwarded message follows -------
Date sent: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 09:30:01 -0500
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: CABINET COMMUNIQUE -
before Sharon leaves for Washington 18.3.2001

CABINET COMMUNIQUE - before Sharon leaves for Washington 18.3.2001

(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)
Jerusalem Sunday, March 18, 2001

At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 18.3.2001:

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon discussed his first working visit to the
US. He pointed out that in the preliminary contacts which have been
held up to now, it has arisen that the American administration is in
agreement with Israel's position that there can be no negotiations
towards achieving diplomatic settlements under the threat of terrorism
and violence.

Prime Minister Sharon added that there are numerous indications that
there is also growing understanding among European countries for
Israel's position.

Prime Minister Sharon said that it is very important that the
international community make it very clear to the Chairman of the
Palestinian Authority that he must honor the principle at the foundation
of the diplomatic process - the peaceful settlement of disputes via
negotiation. The Prime Minister added that from regional and
international points-of-view, it is of paramount importance to prevent
the attainment of diplomatic goals by violence.

Prime Minister Sharon asserted that it will be possible to conduct the
diplomatic process after quiet is restored. The Prime Minister said
that while Israel's commitment to peace and regional stability is
well-known, its responsibility is - first and foremost - to the peace
and security of its citizens.

Prime Minister Sharon remarked that the guidelines which he and Defense
Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer have issued to the IDF are as follows: In
the first stage, restrictions on the Palestinian population will be
eased in keeping with security considerations, while pursuing the
struggle against terrorist elements; steps will be taken to provide
security on roads in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip; a meeting of the
"supreme security committee" will be demanded at once as well as
meetings between commanders (diplomatic officials will not attend these
meetings and no diplomatic issues will be discussed). In the second
stage, when quiet prevails, it will be possible to conduct a diplomatic
process.

In accordance with Basic Law: The Government, Prime Minister Sharon
charged Foreign Minister Shimon Peres with the responsibility of
summoning and conducting Cabinet meetings in the former's absence,
should the need arise.

Foreign Minister Shimon Peres briefed the Cabinet on the recent meeting
of the UN Security Council regarding the Palestinians' demand to
dispatch observers to the area. The Foreign Minister said that he had
made it clear to his interlocutors that there can be no regional
solution through violence and that peace and coercion do not go
together. He added that he had also made it clear that everything which
has been achieved up to now in the Middle East has been achieved through
direct negotiations between the sides and that there can be no
unilateral decision in respect to Israel without Israel's consent.

IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Shaul Mofaz briefed the Cabinet on current
security issues in Judea, Samaria and Gaza and the northern border, as
well as on the IDF's working plan for 2001. He presented the Cabinet
with the strategic plan vis-a-vis the Palestinians, the main point of
which is to provide both security and a sense of security to the
residents of the State of Israel, halt Palestinian violence and prevent
the attaining of goals through violence, reduce the chances for the
internationalization of the conflict, reduce the possibility of a
regional deterioration, and maintain the possibility of a return to the
diplomatic negotiations (after a halt to Palestinian violence).

The Cabinet appointed Minister Ra'anan Cohen as a member of the
ministerial committee on the appointment of judges.

The Cabinet approved the appointment of directors-general to the
Education, Interior, and Science, Culture and Sport ministries.

The Cabinet approved the establishment, composition and responsibilities
of ministerial committees on Jerusalem affairs, the environment and
dangerous s\materials, earthquake preparedness, Israel's Arab citizens,
road safety, science and technology affairs, symbols and ceremonies,
Diaspora and immigration absorption, the use of polygraphs as part of
security checks, and issuing publication permits.

--------------------------------------------
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis
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======= To: bprlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] (Fwd) Arafat's corruption
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 18:35:29 -0500

------- Forwarded message follows -------
Date sent: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 14:58:41 -0500
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Arafat's corruption is
the cause for the Palestinians'
economic hardship, not Israel.

Arafat's corruption is the cause for the Palestinians' economic hardship,
not Israel.

Down and out in Palestine - Rachel Ehrenfeld

The Washington Times 15 March 2001

Any attempt of the Bush administration to restart the peace process in
the Middle East must first recognize why the Palestinian economy is on the
brink of collapse.

According to surveys by the research center of the Israeli Yad Tabenkin, the
West Bank per capita gross domestic product (GDP) before the Oslo accord in
1993 was approximately $3,500, and in Gaza, about $2,800. Now, the per
capita GDP for both territories is around $1,300. And U.N. Envoy Terje
Roed-Larsen says that 30 percent of the Palestinian people live on less than
$2.10 a day.

Before Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)
entered the territories in May of 1994, the Palestinian per capita GDP in
the West Bank was about 40 percent of the $8,000 Israeli per capita GDP for
the same period, and in the 1990s, the economic development of the West Bank
exceeded that of Israel. If that trend would have been allowed to continue,
the West Bank's GDP would have reached at least $7,000 by now, similar to
Saudi Arabia, and 700 percent higher than the average in other oil-devoid
Arab states such as Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Morocco.

In 1990, the CIA estimated that the PLO had between $8 billion to $14
billion worth of assets generated from 5 percent tax on every Palestinian
working in Arab countries. However, according to a 1993 British National
Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) report published on the eve of the
famous "hand shake" on the White House lawn, most of the PLO's assets
originated from "donations, extortion, payoffs, illegal arms dealing, drug
trafficking, money laundering, fraud, etc." A General Accounting Office
(GAO) investigation of Mr. Arafat in November 1995 was kept secret, due to
"national security interest."

Subsequent to the "hand shake" on the White House lawn on Sept. 1993, Mr.
Arafat received at least $3 billion more from the United States and the
international donor community, again, without any serious demand for
accountability. The present condition of the Palestinians in the territories
is a grim affirmation that becoming the official leader of the Palestinian
people did nothing to change Mr. Arafat's old habits.

Shortly after the current Intifada began, Arab donor countries pledged to
give $1 billion to the Palestinian Authority to ease the economic hardship
of the Palestinian people. However, the Arab donors' past experience with
money given to Mr. Arafat and the Palestinian Authority prompted them to
demand, according to reports in Ha'aretz, the Israeli daily, that "Chairman
Arafat show complete transparency in the funds" and a detailed report on how
it was spent. Mr. Arafat and the Palestinian Authority declined to comply,
and the Arab donors suspended the transfer of the money "for fear that the
money will end up in the wrong pockets."

The rapidly growing, very visible social disparity in the territories rows
of ostentatious villas and late model Mercedes-Benz automobiles for Mr.
Arafat's cronies while most Palestinians live in dismal conditions began to
threaten Mr. Arafat's leadership. Igniting another Intifada enabled Mr.
Arafat to redefine the economic decline in the territories as "sacrifices"
to mobilize against the "zionist enemy," while blaming the victim of the
violence, Israel.

In 1994, British National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) sources
asserted that following Oslo, the PLO's illegal activities actually
increased. No Robin Hood, Mr. Arafat kept the loot for himself and his
cronies, hiding large amounts of money in Swiss and other secret bank
accounts, and making large investments in real estate and industry all over
the world. At the same time he has done nothing to improve the living
conditions of the Palestinians he allegedly collected the money for. Never
having to account for the billions he had stolen, he continues to claim
poverty.

Now the cat is out of the bag: The Palestinian Authority has admitted that
the current Intifada was planned in detail last July following the failed
Camp David Summit. Imad Faluji, the Palestinian Authority's communications
minister, told a PLO rally in the Ein Hilwe refugee camp in South Lebanon
last Friday that, as part of that plan, all the PLO "military action groups
of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s are returning to work to escalate the
fighting against Israel."

Mr. Arafat has successfully claimed that Israel causes the economic
hardship suffered by the Palestinian people. These claims are based on two
fundamentally false assumptions: One, that Israel, rather than Mr. Arafat's
misgovernance and corruption, is responsible for the economic collapse; and,
two, that on some level, there is still some hope or belief that the
disingenuous behavior Mr. Arafat and the PLO's leadership is a result of
pressure from the street resulting from lack of tangible gains to the
average Palestinian rather than Mr. Arafat's intentions and a reflection of
his bad faith in entering the Oslo process in 1993, that led to the
establishment of the Palestinian Authority.

Mr. Arafat's past is a good indication that he will continue to use terror
and corruption to stay in power. He does not want to give peace a chance
because in peacetime the Palestinians working in Israel will earn many times
over those working under Mr. Arafat's corrupt leadership in the West Bank,
and especially in Gaza, where they will continue to earn a pittance. This
will lead, as it already has, to demands to end corruption, thus,
threatening Mr. Arafat's regime.

That, more than anything else, explains the failure of "the peace process"
wherein the Barak government made unprecedented concessions that Mr. Arafat
failed to accept as a compromise to end the conflict. And it is why any
attempt by the Bush administration to pick up the pieces of the failed
effort appear, at best, extremely difficult.

Rachel Ehrenfeld is director of the New York-based Center for the Study of
Corruption and the Rule of Law.

--------------------------------------------
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======= To: bprlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Weekend News Today items (3/17/01)
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 18:38:31 -0500

Sharon threatens Arafat with total blockade if violence continues

                         Weekend News Today
                         Lead: Kelly
                         Source: AFP

Sat Mar 17,2001 -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon threatened Saturday
to reimpose a total blockade on the Gaza Strip and West Bank if the
Palestinians did not put an end to the violence, an official from Sharon's
office said. "The Palestinian Authority may want to take advantage of the
upcoming Arab summit to be held in Amman on March 27 and of the prime
minister's visit to the US to spark off another burst of violence and show it
has the power to destabilise the region", the official added.

Israel to help PA fight foot-and-mouth outbreak

                         Weekend News Today
                         Lead: Kelly
                         Source: Jerusalem Post

Sat Mar 17,2001 -- Due to a suspected outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease
in Palestinian-controlled areas in the West Bank, Israel will hand over this
morning to Palestinian officials 150,000 vaccines to inoculate their herds.
They will also receive blood samples drawn from livestock suspected of
having the disease and send them for testing by the Agriculture Ministry.
According to Palestinian reports there are 13 suspected cases, some in the
Hebron area.

A potentially historic choice: modern world's first black pope

                         Weekend News Today
                         Lead: Leo
                         Source: LA Times

Sat Mar 17,2001 -- Every year during his vacation, Cardinal Francis Arinze
returns to the tin-roofed house in this farming village of modest buildings and
rutted red earth roads that is his ancestral home. The house, made of mud
and thatch when he was born there in 1932, has since been rebuilt of cement
blocks, but it still lacks electricity and running water. It is from these humble
beginnings that Arinze rose to become one of the highest-ranking officials of
the Catholic Church--and someone who many believe has a chance of
becoming the modern world's first black pope.

As speculation grows over a successor for the ailing Pope John Paul II,
Arinze's name has made the short list. While sharing John Paul's theological
conservatism, he is also known for his outspoken defense of the world's poor
and a willingness to incorporate African traditions into Roman Catholic
worship.

The 68-year-old cardinal may be internationally renowned and a living legend
in his home country, but acquaintances say he has not forsaken his heritage
or the culture of his Ibo ethnic group. "Whenever he comes home, he says
prayers for the dead and visits the bereaved families," said Igwe Michael
Ugorji Okonkwo Etusi, traditional ruler of Eziowelle, a far-flung
conglomeration of villages 400 miles east of Lagos. But the villagers here
realize that their native son can never really be just a man of Eziowelle. "He
is an international citizen," says Etusi.

ACLJ applauds court decision on Ohio's ''God'' motto

Weekend News Today

Sat Mar 17,2001 -- Source: WorthyNews.com
URL: http://www.worthynews.com/

The American Center for Law and Justice, an international public interest law
firm, said today a decision by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declaring
Ohio?s motto "With God, all things are possible" constitutional is both
encouraging and constitutionally sound.

"This is an important victory for freedom and a sound defeat for those who
want to strip our nation of its religious heritage," said Jay Sekulow, Chief
Counsel of the ACLJ. "The decision comes at a time when there is a national
movement underway to remove any mention of 'God' from the public arena.
The court decision affirms what we have believed from the beginning - the
Ohio motto is constitutional and represents an important recognition that the
motto reflects both the cultural and historical importance of our past and
should not be banned."

Europe's global gamble

                         Weekend News Today
                         Lead: Leo
                         Source: BBC NEWS

Sat Mar 17,2001 -- The European Union is increasingly trying to assert itself
on the global stage. The latest evidence of the EU's efforts to project its
values and defend its interests came when Chris Patten, the European
Commissioner for External Relations, and Javier Solana, the EU's High
Representative, visited the Middle East. Unusually for EU foreign policy,
some tough talking took place during this visit. For instance, Chris Patten
told the Israeli leadership that the economic blockade of the West Bank and
the Gaza Strip was harmful to the peace process and could not be justified
on security grounds. What is behind this EU drive to "punch its weight" in
the world? And will it be successful?

The EU has been trying to wield its considerable financial resources in a
more focused and more overtly political way. In the case of the Middle East,
most Europeans have long believed that a greater European role could
usefully complement the pro-Israeli stance of the Americans, and help to
bridge the divide between Israelis and Palestinians. The American-led peace
negotiations, meanwhile, have clearly reached an impasse. Indeed, the new
Bush administration has signalled its preference for a new, more "hands-off"
approach, saying that America cannot produce a peace agreement if the
parties in the region are not prepared to cut a deal. So it seems logical that
the EU tries to become a real player in the Middle East. The American-led
peace negotiations, meanwhile, have clearly reached an impasse. The EU
can use its good contacts and standing with the Palestinians to try to
convince them to take steps to allay Israeli security fears.

http://216.219.160.226/cgi-
bin/readnews.cgi?day=01_03_17&item=#984880795

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======= To: bprlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Weekend News Today items (3/18/01)
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 18:43:08 -0500

IDF continues to assess situation following mortar attack against IDF base

                         Weekend News Today
                         Lead: Kelly
                         Source: Israel National News

Sun Mar 18,2001 -- IDF officials at this time continue to assess the situat ion
following a mortar rocket attack aimed at a military base north of Gaza
adjacent to Kibbutz Nahal Oz. At about 9:00pm local time, three mortar
rockets were fired at the base inside the =93Green Line=94 marking an addit ional
increase in the level of daily warfare aimed against Israeli civilian and m ilitary
targets. The attack was launched from the east, inside Gaza. It marks the
first time that a target was chosen inside the =93Green Line=94. Acting Pri me
Minister Shimon Peres stated the attack was a most serious development
and IDF forces would continue working to strike out against those
responsible for this and other acts of terrorism.

Massive U.S. Spy-Satellite Program to cost billions

                         Weekend News Today
                         Lead: Leo
                         Source: LA Times

Sun Mar 18,2001 -- A team of Southern California aerospace companies is
covertly recruiting engineers across the country for a new generation of sp y
satellites under what analysts believe is the largest intelligence-related
contract ever.

The supersecret project for the National Reconnaissance Office is estimated
to be worth up to $25 billion over two decades, providing a major boost to the
Southland's aerospace industry and solidifying the area's dominance of high -
tech space research. Equipped with powerful telescopes and radar, the
nation's newest eye in space is expected to form the backbone of U.S.
intelligence for several decades, analysts said. The satellites will be far ther
out in space and harder to detect than the massive spy probes that currentl y
orbit the Earth. They will also be able to fly over and take pictures of mi litary
compounds anywhere in the world, in darkness or through cloud cover, with
far more frequency.

Company officials are restricted from talking about the highly classified
contract, but Roger Roberts, general manager of the Boeing Co. unit in Seal
Beach overseeing the project, gave a hint of its scope. The endeavor will
require 5,000 engineers, technicians and computer programmers over the
next five years, and that will just be for the initial design and developme nt of
the satellites, he said. That figure doesn't include thousands more who wil l
be required to assemble the satellites, most likely at Boeing Satellite
Systems in El Segundo, and thousands of workers employed by hundreds of
subcontractors and parts suppliers such as the 1,900-employee Marconi
Integrated Systems in San Diego. Sending the satellites into space will als o
require new rockets, which should also bolster the launch industry.

Moscow hoping for agreement on UN Force in Palestinian territories

                         Weekend News Today
                         Lead: Leo
                         Source: Russia Today/AFP

Sun Mar 18,2001 -- Moscow hopes the UN Security Council "will reach a
consensus" on sending unarmed UN observers to monitor the unrest in the
Palestinian territories, the Russian foreign ministry said Friday. "Russia is
going to work with the Security Council in particular to find a formula for
resolving the crisis that is acceptable to the conflicting sides," the mini stry
said in a statement.

The United States, which wields a veto as a permanent member of the
Security Council, has already backed Israel in rejecting as "completely
unnecessary" the international deployment requested by the Palestinians.

Russia also appealed to both sides in Friday's statement "to show the
maximum of restraint and political responsibility in avoiding an escalation " of
the five-month spiral of violence that has left more than 430 people dead.
Russia is a co-sponsor alongside the United States of the Middle East
peace process but has been sidelined in recent years by Washington's more
dominant role.

Faiths unite to fight gay invasion of Cape Town

                         Weekend News Today
                         Lead: Leo
                         Source: Independent News

Sun Mar 18,2001 -- A campaign aimed at attracting homosexual tourists to
Cape Town - billed as an international holiday destination for gays - has
sparked a backlash among religious groups. Thousands of Christians will
gather at Newlands rugby ground in South Africa's gay capital on
Wednesday, Human Rights Day, to pray for a sin-free city and an end to this
official promotion of a town already ranked fifth in the world as a venue f or
gay travellers.

Cape Town is indeed gay-friendly. The publicly funded authority Cape Town
Tourism backs the promotion of the Mother City (so-called because it was
the first South African city created by settlers) as a pink city par excell ence.
There is a thriving 100,000-strong gay community here, not to mention the
gay nudist beach, the Waterkant gay village, many gay bars, clubs, steam
baths and guest houses, and the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

UAE opens largest Middle East arms show

                         Weekend News Today
                         Lead: Leo
                         Source: ABC News Raw/Reuters

Sun Mar 18,2001 -- The largest Middle East arms bazaar opened on Sunday
in the United Arab Emirates with many international firms displaying new wa r
machines to a saturated market after a decade of huge military spending.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khalifa bin Zaid bin Sultan al-Nahayan,
surrounded by a host of guests from around the world including Jordan's Kin g
Abdullah, opened the fifth International Defence Exhibition (IDEX). "IDEX
offers international defence firms a chance to earn good returns as they
display their defence equipment," he said referring to the importance of Gu lf
region, which sits on more than half the world's oil reserves.

The show, where some 850 international defence firms from 42 countries are
displaying modern fighting machines, comes amid what defence analysts
say is a glut in armaments following 10 years of heavy arms spending
triggered by Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. Organisers said the exhibition
was open to all except for Israel, still technically in a state of war with many
Arab countries including the UAE. Britain, engaged in a long-term multi-
billion dollar armament programme with Saudi Arabia, is the biggest exhibit or
at IDEX. Dozens of companies from the United States, Germany, France and
Russia are also taking part.

Crowds flock to Garden of Eden

                         Weekend News Today
                         Lead: Leo
                         Source: BBC NEWS

Sun Mar 18,2001 -- The opening of one of the world's largest multi-
environment projects in Cornwall has been a sell-out. The =A386m Eden Proje ct
attracted 7,000 visitors to its official opening, despite a protest by farm ers
who said it should not have opened because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.
Visitors queued from 0430GMT on Saturday morning to be the first in to what
has been described as "the eighth wonder of the world". It is located in a
former clay pit near St Austell and is dominated by two giant futuristic
domes, called biomes, which have been built to recreate the earth's differe nt
climates, housing thousands of different plant species.

The Eden Project is working with a range of partners, including the
International Institute for Environment and Development, the charity Plantl ife,
the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in London, and several university
departments.

http://216.219.160.226/cgi-
bin/readnews.cgi?day=3D01_03_18&item=3D#984946751

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======= To: bprlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Putin targeted by Chechen assassins
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 18:47:40 -0500

Putin targeted by Chechen assassins

Mark Franchetti, Moscow, and Marie Colvin

THE Kremlin is to step up security around President Vladimir
Putin amid fears that Chechen terrorists might try to
assassinate him after last week's hijacking of a Russian airliner
to Saudi Arabia.

As about 150 hostages freed from the plane flew home to
Moscow yesterday, the Kremlin said more bodyguards would be
assigned to the Russian leader. Stricter safety measures would
also be implemented during his trips within the country.

Putin is seen as a target for the Chechens because of the hard
line he adopted towards the breakaway republic when he was
prime minister. It produced the surge of popularity among
Russians that helped him to win the presidency last year.

As many as 150
heavily armed guards
were deployed last
week in Khakassia,
Siberia, to guarantee
his safety during a
brief skiing holiday,
which was cut short
by news of the
hijacking.

"Security around the
president is much
tighter than it was
under Boris Yeltsin,"
said Igor Korotchenko, a military expert. "Some of the guards
who speed around with him in his motorcade are armed with
grenade launchers. Under Yeltsin they just deployed automatic
weapons. The next time he travels to Chechnya I would expect
hundreds of security officers to be deployed. His men are on
constant alert specifically because of the threat of
assassination."

In the Kremlin on Friday night, Putin ordered the Russian
security services to step up efforts to track down Chechen field
commanders still at large.

The Russians were locked in negotiations with Saudi authorities
over the two hijackers - Iriskhan Arsayev and Deni
Magomerdzayev - who survived after the plane, which initially
carried 162 passengers and 12 crew, was stormed by
commandos in Medina on Friday.

Russian officials identified the third hijacker, who was killed in
the operation, as Supyan Arsayev. An air stewardess was
stabbed to death and a Turkish passenger also died. Another
stewardess who had earlier been stabbed was among those
freed.

At least 45 people had already been released by the hijackers
or had escaped from the plane, which was seized during a flight
from Istanbul to Moscow. The hijackers demanded an end to
Russia's campaign in Chechnya.

Putin wants the surviving hijackers to be put on trial in Moscow.
But agreeing to the request could be problematic for the Saudis,
who have no extradition treaty with Russia.

Although hijackers can be beheaded under Saudi law, the
Chechen cause commands widespread support among local
fundamentalists who comprise the main source of opposition in
the kingdom.

Wealthy Saudis have donated money privately to the Chechen
cause and have built mosques in Chechnya. One of the main
Chechen generals, known only as Khattab, a colourful figure
with shoulder-length ringlets and who wears designer fatigues,
is a Saudi.

Saudi interior ministry sources said the order to storm the
hijacked plane had been given after discussions with freed
hostages.

"We acquired intelligence from these interviews that there were
no guns on board the plane, only knives," the source said.
Some of the released passengers said the hijackers had
threatened to blow up the plane. This was judged an empty
threat because nobody aboard had seen a bomb or explosives.

The Saudi commandos had rehearsed their operation the night
before on an identical aircraft, and the Russians approved it.

The actions of the Russian pilot prevented any onward journey.
A Saudi source said he barricaded himself in the cockpit with
one other member of the crew and refused to fly the plane
anywhere else. The door was reinforced and as the hijackers
had no guns or explosives, they could not reach him.

http://www.sunday-
times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/03/18/stifgnrus02001.html

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======= To: bprlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Belgium sending aid to Gaza
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 18:49:43 -0500

Sunday, March 18 2001 13:19 23 Adar 5761

Belgium sending aid to Gaza - report
By Marc Daugherty

               BRUSSELS (March 18) - Belgium's main
               French-language daily Le Soir has reported that
               negotiations are taking place between the Belgian and
               Israeli governments to allow a plane loaded with 25
               metric tons of educational, agricultural, and medical
               equipment to land at Gaza International Airport.

               Eighteen humanitarian organizations including Oxfam and
               the Red Crescent, together with the Palestinian Ministry
               of Health, have pooled their resources under the heading
               "Operation A Plane for Gaza." The Belgian government
               has reportedly provided 26.5 million Belgian Francs for
               the project - roughly $600,000. A large delegation of
               Belgian Members of Parliament, representing nearly all
               political parties, intends to greet the plane upon its
               arrival.

               Belgian-Palestinian Association President Pierre Galand
               said during a press briefing last week that the group is "a
               strictly humanitarian organization to meet the enormous
               needs felt by the Palestinian population since the
               outbreak of the intifada."

Le Soir further reports that the venture's success hinges
upon Israel's agreement.

               Last month a diplomatic crisis nearly erupted with
               Belgium, when diplomatic emissary Ovadia Sofer, sent
               by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to Brussels to meet with
               Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel.

               Michel reportedly gave Sofer a thorough dressing-down
               on Israel's policies toward the Palestinians. Belgium also
               threatened to recall its ambassador from Tel Aviv.

               Moreover, 44 members of Belgium's parliament had
               called for a Belgian Commission of Inquiry on the "plight
               of the Palestinian people," and for sanctions against
               Israel, namely the suspension of the association
               agreement with the European Union (EU).

               Belgium, which assumes the European Union presidency
               on July 1, has emerged as a severe critic of Israel since
               the start of Palestinian violence last September.

http://www.jpost.com/Editions/2001/03/18/News/News.23088.html

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======= To: <bprlist@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [bprlist] foot and mouth disease
From: "Vaughan275"
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 21:56:00 -0800

Mountains by H. Leung Stationery from StationeryCentral

              A Quick Hello From Michelle

        FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE IN BRITAIN AND EUROPE -THE NWO AGENDA IN FULL FORCE Pt 1
        OF 2
        http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n1479.cfm

        Title: FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE IN BRITAIN AND EUROPE -- ABSOLUTE UNREASONING
        PANIC HITS WITH FULL FORCE
        Subtitle: Medical facts do not matter in this most puzzling crisis. Even
        though foot-and-mouth disease does not affect humans, even though humans can
        even safely eat the meat of infected animals, and even though the numbers of
        infected animals is small, hundreds of thousands of perfectly good animals
        are being slaughtered. What in the New World Order is going on here? The New
        World Order is coming! Are you ready? Once you understand what this New World
        Order really is, and how it is being gradually implemented, you will be able
        to see it progressing in your daily news!! Learn how to protect yourself,
        your loved ones! Stand by for insights so startling you will never look at
        the news the same way again.
        YOU ARE NOW ON THE CUTTING EDGE
        NEWS BRIEF: "Foot-and-Mouth Disease Confirmed In French Cattle", by by
        Donald G. McNeil, The New York Times, International Version, March 13,
        2001."Paris -- March 13 -- The first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease to
        spread from Britain to the European continent has been found on a dairy farm
        in western France, health officials said today. The disease was found in a
        herd of 114 cows that had been grazing near a neighboring farm's sheep
        imported from Britain, where the epidemic was discovered on Feb. 19. The
        sheep were all slaughtered last week as a precaution; none of their carcasses
        tested positive for the disease. But six cows showed symptoms of
        foot-and-mouth disease on Monday, so the entire herd was killed Monday night
        and were to be incinerated today."The point I want you to notice in this
        paragraph, above, is that a French farmer lost his entire herd, not to
        mention his income, based upon nothing more than "symptoms" being observed in
        only six cows. The cattle were not set aside to be quarantined, to be tested
        for the disease, but were immediately slaughtered. Afterward, tests showed
        that "none of their carcasses tested positive for the disease".My father
        owned a dairy farm when I was growing up, and so I am familiar with animals.
        I knew that foot-and-mouth disease might occur, but was not something with
        which we could not deal. We knew that, if we ever had an animal contract
        foot-and-mouth disease, we were to simply separate the animals we
        suspected of having the disease, and to contact the veterinarian, to treat
        our sick animals. We knew that we might have to put an animal or two down,
        but never, ever did we envision losing an entire herd. And, never, ever did a
        government official show up to take matters into his own hands and slaughter
        all the healthy animals also. Had an attempt been made to slaughter
        perfectly healthy animals, my Dad and his entire neighborhood of farmers and
        ranchers would have immediately protested and mightily resisted. Guns might
        have even come out! Losing a herd in the difficult occupation of a farmer
        and rancher can mean losing his house, his land, and all his possessions!A
        few weeks ago, in Hong Kong, a Chinese doctor explained that they were not
        going to slaughter entire herds, and echoed the sentiment I expressed,
        above. Foot-and-mouth disease is not so horrible as to cause this kind of
        reaction. I have spoken with a Cutting Edge subscriber who is a medical
        doctor, and he has expressed amazement and puzzlement as to why the
        governments in Britain and Europe are obviously over-reacting to this kind of
        tremendous degree. He suggested I go to a website for more information. Let
        us go there now: <A HREF="http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_1191000/1191207.stm">
        http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_1191000/1191207.stm</A>"Foot-and-Mouth
        Factfile", March 5, 2001. "What is foot-and-mouth disease? It is a highly
        infectious viral disease that may even be transmitted through dust particles
        in the air and can prove fatal in pigs, cattle sheep and goats. Infected
        animals' hooves and mouths become blistered causing lameness, increased
        salivation and loss of appetite. They rapidly lose weight and produce less
        milk."Yes, this disease is highly infectious. But, once a farmer discovers
        that some of his cattle, or sheep, or hogs, or goats have foot-and-mouth
        disease, he doesn't have to slaughter the whole herd! Listen to this fact
        file continue:"Can animals recover from it? Foot-and-mouth kills a small
        percentage of affected animals - mostly the old and young. Most animals could
        recover from the virus although it might leave them weak and lame. There is a
        vaccine available which is rarely used in the European Union, but widely used
        in some other parts of the world."This information is critically important,
        and in light of the disastrous over-reaction by British and French
        governments, is shocking beyond belief. First, we learn that, even
        though this disease is highly infectious, it only "kills a small percentage
        of affected animals", usually the old and the young. If only a small
        percentage of the infected animals die, then why are entire herds
        being destroyed because of only a few animals being found infected? We
        shall come back to this subject shortly, but let us continue to point two of
        this most important fact file.Secondly, we learn that "Most animals could
        recover from the virus". Now, the mystery deepens as to why farmers are
        losing all their herds, which means that many of them will lose their farms
        and ranches as well; you know that whatever government compensation is paid
        them, it will not be nearly enough to cover all their losses. In fact, this
        fact file later states that, in 1967-8, during the last outbreak, the losses
        were 150 million British pounds, but the governments paid out only 27 million
        pounds in compensation. You can rest assured that a considerable of farmers
        and ranchers lost their properties and their way of life.Keep this fact in
        mind, for we shall return to it later.Thirdly, this fact file tells us that a
        vaccine is available, but is rarely used in the European Union, which
        includes Great Britain. If a vaccine is available and effective in the rest
        of the world, why isn't it being rushed to the farms of the European Union in
        order to save the farmers from financial disaster? In all the news devoted
        to the foot-and-mouth disease, I have never heard of a concerted effort being
        made to get the vaccine to the herds. Furthermore, this is not the first
        time farmers in the European Union have had to contend with this disease, so
        why hasn't the vaccine been in constant use over these past years? Use of
        such a vaccine would be preserving farmer's incomes, their farms, and their
        entire way of life. Remember this fact, for we shall return to this subject
        later.Let us return to this article:"If the vaccine is available, why not use
        it? Vaccination is ruled out mainly for commercial reasons. Vets say
        vaccinated animals, although free of symptoms, can carry the virus and pass
        it on to other animals. As a result countries considered free of the disease
        refuse to import vaccinated livestock. If the UK decided on vaccination
        instead of slaughter it would be unable to export livestock to key markets in
        Europe and the USA."While this consideration is important, it does not answer
        the question as to why the animals infected cannot be isolated, healthy herds
        preserved, so that the farmers can still sell their healthy animals to their
        domestic markets, even at reduced prices! Furthermore, if the vaccine is
        used throughout the world, just not in the European market, then from whom
        does the rest of the world import their meat? Listen again to the relevant
        paragraph, quoted above:"There is a vaccine available which is rarely used in
        the European Union, but widely used in some other parts of the world." So, I
        ask the question again: if the rest of the world uses this vaccine
        "widely" then why would they turn around and refuse to accept vaccinated
        herds from the European Union? The Fact File then addresses the issue as to
        whether humans are at risk. "Are humans in danger?
        No. Doctors say there is no risk to human health. The disease should not be
        confused with the similarly named, but completely different condition called
        hand, foot and mouth disease, which can infect and cause illness,
        particularly in children.""There is no risk to human health." Hundreds of
        thousands of healthy animals are being slaughtered even though the following
        is all true:1. Only a small percentage of the animals are actually infected,
        which means that the vast majority of slaughtered animals being killed are
        perfectly healthy. To date, in Britain, only 228 cases have been confirmed,
        but over 150,000 animals have already been killed, and 100,000 new-born sheep
        are going to be slaughtered.2. The vast majority of infected animals will
        recover . Herds can become decimated only if the farmer does not take the
        immediate precaution of separating infected animals from healthy. But, even
        the vast majority of the infected animals will recover.3. There is no risk
        to humans whatsoever . Foot-and-mouth disease cannot jump the species
        barrier from animals to humans. The article quoted at first, about the
        disease in France, captures this lack of danger to humans most succinctly.
        Listen: "... foot-and-mouth rarely infects humans and meat from infected
        animals is safe to eat." The impact of this information is huge? Human
        beings can eat meat from infected animals and not be affected? We can eat
        infected meat and not become ill or die? Another article states that humans
        can even drink milk from infected animals and not get ill [<A HREF="http://www.vny.com/cf/news/upidetail.cfm?QID=167881">
        http://www.vny.com/cf/news/upidetail.cfm?QID=167881</A> "bc-farming", March 14,
        2001]Then, what in blazes is going on? Why are government officials reacting
        as if foot-and-mouth disease is so serious they must slaughter entire herds?
        Such drastic action is understandable only if human health were seriously
        threatened.Consider the cost to the entire economy versus the number of
        animals actually infected:* "Rural Britain has 191 reported cases of the
        disease so far, and the area has been virtually closed - public footpaths cut
        off, farms quarantined even from human visitors, the $18 billion-a-year
        countryside tourism industry crippled. " [French cattle article, above]
        This is a lot of reaction to only 191 infected animals, most of whom will
        ultimately survive the disease!Consider the situation in France:* "The
        disease was found in a herd of 114 cows ... none of their carcasses tested
        positive for the disease" [Ibid.] This article went on to say that only 6 of
        the 114 cows even showed any symptoms, but none of the carcasses tested
        afterwards were positive.* "A week ago, France announced a nation-wide
        15-day ban on moving any cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or horses, except those
        taken for slaughter. It has already killed 50,000 sheep as a precaution;"
        [Ibid.] This is a lot of sheep to kill just as a "precaution", as these
        bland statistics are producing very real financial disasters for a lot of
        hardworking farmers just trying to make a living.Other articles are reporting
        that farmers and ranchers are beside themselves with anger and frustration
        against their government, which is literally putting them out of business,
        and potentially devastating an entire way of life and an entire vital food
        industry.Consider the situation in Great Britain:* The total number of
        cattle, sheep and pigs identified for slaughter - or already dead - has
        passed 150,000. Some 19 new outbreaks were confirmed yesterday bringing the
        total of ... 183. Another 122 have been destroyed because they were
        considered 'dangerous contacts'." [Drudge Report, March 13, 2001]Now, let me
        get this statistic straight: only 183 animals were found to be infected.
        But, for this small number 150,000 animals have been slaughtered! Farmers
        have to be going out of business right and left!A related story confirms the
        183 infected animals. "The cases of foot-and-mouth in France were the first
        to be found outside of Britain, where as of Tuesday, the tally of infected
        animals rose to 183 ... The killing of livestock as a precautionary measure
        continues in Britain. The London Mirror reported 155,000 animals have been
        earmarked as at risk for exposure to foot-and-mouth, with 116,000 having
        already been killed." ["bc-farming", <A HREF="http://www.vny.com/cf/news/upidetail.cfm?QID=167881">
        http://www.vny.com/cf/news/upidetail.cfm?QID=167881</A>, March 14, 2001]* " The
        confirmed outbreaks of the disease throughout Britain have now reached 151
        ... Health officials have killed more than 80,000 head of infected livestock
        in a bid to stem the spread of the virus and most of the bodies are piled up
        on the country's farms. Another 34,000 animals suspected of carrying the
        disease are due for slaughter and disposal." ["Carcass Piles Threaten UK
        Health", March 11, 2001, <A HREF="http://www.vny.com/cf/news/upidetail.cfm?QID=167054">http://www.vny.com/cf/news/upidetail.cfm?QID=167054</A>
        ]So, because less than 200 animals have been positively identified with
        foot-and-mouth disease, the government has slaughtered 80,000 as of March 11
        and will slaughter another 34,000 "suspected" of carrying the disease!
        Reports as of yesterday [March 13], quoted above, place the number of
        slaughtered animals at 150,000, based on less than 200 animals actually
        having a disease that presents no danger to humans, and from which most
        infected animals will recover! Officials in British and European governments
        are overreacting to such a huge degree, this should be the story and not the
        numbers of animals actually killed. Even though the problem is so small,
        this public statement by a British official seems to capture the overreacting
        problem in a nutshell. Listen:"Britain's Chief Veterinary Officer Jim
        Scudimore said Saturday he was shocked at the scale of the problem and
        admitted the "very rapid spread" of the disease had taken experts by
        surprise." [Ibid]What "scale of the problem"? Having 200 animals infected
        out of millions does not a disaster make.

        OFFICIAL PANIC ABOUT TO REACH NEW HEIGHTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM!NEWS BRIEF:
        "A MILLION unborn lambs and their mothers could be slaughtered as the
        foot-and-mouth crisis deepens. They would be killed in the fields where they
        have been trapped by movement restrictions." [Drudge Report, March 14,
        2001]Now, the officially-inspired panic deepens and spreads. One million
        unborn lambs, carried by mothers who are not infected, are about to be
        allowed to be born without normal supervision, and in the cold of the British
        winter. Most of these perfectly normal and healthy lambs, born to mothers
        who are healthy, will die. And why are they being allowed to be killed in
        this manner? They are going to be allowed to die only because the mothers
        are in fields that have been arbitrarily set aside by authorities because
        "maybe" some of the virus was carried in the winds above these fields. One
        million of these precious, and valuable, lambs are going to die only because
        they "might" somehow be infected. How would you like to be a farmer owning
        some of this livestock? You would be facing absolute and complete financial
        disaster -- ruin! This type of financial disaster IS occurring. "Health
        Minister Nick Brown denied in a BBC television interview the government had
        lost control of the foot and mouth disease, which has ravaged farms across
        the country and ruined a vast range of rural businesses, including sport
        events and tourism." [Ibid.] Farms and farmers have, indeed, been "ravaged"
        by the government's reaction to the disease. But, not only farmers are being
        destroyed. In a previous article, above, we noted that the British tourism
        industry has lost $18 billion. This article states that sporting events
        involving animals have also been hit very hard.AMERICA IS ABOUT TO GET INTO
        THE ACT - AMERICA

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======= To: <bprlist@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [bprlist] Some call it a Plague
From: "Vaughan275"
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 22:29:24 -0800

Mountains by H. Leung Stationery from StationeryCentral

              A Quick Hello From Michelle

None Dare Call It A Plague

Hal Lindsey 03/14/01

The world is witnessing something unique in known history -- the death of a continent. The African Continent south of the Sahara Desert is going through a holocaust of catastrophic dimensions. Governments in the area generally refused to admit the problem, families cast out the victims as accursed and men refuse to admit there is a problem and take precautions to protect themselves and their women.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 20 million Africans have died since the AIDS epidemic was discovered in the late 1970s. The disease has orphaned at least 12 million children. About 9% of the adult African population is infected with HIV/AIDS, and this number is growing geometrically.

Ignorance has accelerated the spread of the disease greatly. In the rural areas the people say such things as, "The disease is the result of their perpetual poverty" or, "You have done something bad and have been bewitched" or, "You have not appeased the spirits of your ancestors and they have put a curse on you". In South Africa they say, "The white population has introduced it to control the blacks after the end of apartheid."

Many have asked why the disease is so devastating in Africa. Many have said it is the poverty. Others find other cultural reasons. But I believe a Missionary to the most critical part of this affected area had the best insight. He said that their mission found that the average male of sexually active age had sex with 25 different partners per year.

The real cause of this holocaust is rampant promiscuous sex, which is endemic to the culture. The instrument of death is AIDS, which is past on by bodily fluids -- usually via sexual intercourse. AIDS thrives as a grim reaper in a sexually promiscuous environment. The same thing can be said for the rampant spread of AIDS among California's homosexual community who participated in the orgies of the so-called "bathhouses." That practice decimated the homosexual population of San Francisco.

In Africa, every effort to introduce condoms to the area has been scornfully rejected by the male ego. Women have been beaten and cast out of their homes as whores because they asked their husbands to wear a condom. So most of the free condoms given to the region are never used since the men believe that real men do not use them.

Now HIV/AIDS has spread to Asia. It is spreading like wildfire driven by gale force winds in places like Bangkok, Bombay and Manila because of the enormous prostitution business there. Not only is HIV/AIDS spreading to the local populations, but also to Western countries that used to bring sex tours there.

Now both South and North America have their own incubator going. Latin America has more than 1.5 million known cases. North America has at least 920 thousand known cases, mostly among the homosexual community. The same thing can be said of the European and Central Asian nations, where there are more than 1.3 million known cases.

I remember when I was a child, I saw two of my cousins taken off to a sanitarium and quarantined because they had tuberculosis -- and this was a curable disease. Now we have a disease that is 100% fatal and a doctor cannot legally warn his nurses that the patient they're treating has HIV. People who are known to have HIV have jobs handling food in restaurants. Even some doctors with HIV are continuing to treat unsuspecting patients. Lets face it. This is not just a disease, or an epidemic, it is a full blown plague that is about to cause the death of a continent.

There is certainly a need to have compassion and understanding for the victims of this dread disease, but there is also a need for a more rational policy that will protect the unsuspecting public from having them work in jobs that could pass the disease on to others. The greatest thing we can do for them now is to lead them to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and show them love and compassion.

My fervent prayer is that there will one day be a cure. But until then, lets recognize the disease for what it is -- a global plague of apocalyptic proportions. And it is certainly one of those signs that Jesus Christ said we should look for. His coming appears to be very near indeed

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