Biblical countries, in the news.

[Shammu]

To what extent is Iran helping Hizbollah?

I have no idea. But one cannot exclude the possibility of a Shi'ite brotherhood in the circumstances.

Do you believe Hizbollah timed the capture of the two soldiers to divert attention from Iran, which was coming under increasing pressure to give up its nuclear programme?

I'm against all nuclear programmes. An Iranian government is bound to take into consideration that countries like Pakistan, India and reportedly Israel have nuclear weapons. Notwithstanding this, I believe the international community has to do its utmost to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons, including Iran.

The UN is appearing completely helpless.

The UN is as strong as its member countries want it to be. I think Kofi Annan is trying to do his best as he asked for a cessation of hostilities. The G8 came out with a good suggestion that a UN force should be put on the border between Israel and Lebanon. In the meantime diplomacy is dragging its feet and Israel's war campaign continues.

And who do you think is responsible for this?

There are different points of view about how the Lebanon issue should be solved. The Americans, the British and the Germans have similar approaches that there has to be a sustainable ceasefire. Most of the other countries in the world are for an immediate ceasefire.

Do you believe an immediate ceasefire will solve the problem?

An immediate ceasefire is essential for discussions to start. It's only through discussions that solutions can be found.

What do you think of Ehud Olmert as Israeli Prime Minister?

He is in charge of a country which considers itself to be under siege. He is a Prime Minister who, contrary to his predecessors like Mr Rabin and Ariel Sharon, does not belong to the generation of generals. He wants to prove himself no less a defender of Israel's sovereignty and security. I think Dr Olmert wants to ensure the military superiority of Israel over all states in the region, including political movements in arms.

The Arab nation is being humiliated and people are turning to extremists to represent their resistance. Unless we are careful in our foreign policies we could end up seeing fundamentalists run governments in nearby countries like Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. We have to win back the support of the Arab nation, not only of its leaders, but the average Arab person.

Do you think Dr Olmert is flexing his muscles to the extent that he's not realising the possible repercussions?

I think Dr Olmert is doing what he thinks is best for his country. I disagree with his disproportionate reaction.

He is surrounded by countries that are bent on destroying Israel, including the government of the Palestinian people.

That's true, but the Hamas government is the result of the way Prime Minister Olmert and others treated President Arafat. The Fatah movement certainly did commit mistakes in its governance but the main reason Hamas is in government is because President Arafat was mistreated and portrayed as ineffective.

When Kuwait was invaded and I was president of the UN General Assembly, the Palestinians stupidly took Saddam Hussein's side. I went to visit the Palestinian refugees in Gaza and West Bank and they explained to me how the UN had done nothing to liberate them from Israeli occupation for decades. They asked whether it was because they had no oil in their veins. Though this reasoning was wrong, I could understand it.

Do you fear that the Lebanon conflict could spread beyond the Middle East and indirectly underline the chasm between West versus East?

Yes, this is a danger whether it's in Egypt or Libya. This is not a hypothetical situation. Fundamentalists could be in charge of oil supplies. And don't forget that fundamentalism was not initially an Arab notion but it was, and is, an Islamic notion. Islam goes beyond Arab nations. Pakistan is not an easy country, nor is Indonesia.

How do you see the Middle East in five years time?

We are contributing to prejudice and a hate mentality. You no longer win wars by defeating armies. There is something more basic - the emotions of people. Unless something dramatic is done in a short time to bring about the parties at an international conference we'll end up by creating in these Islamic countries troubled areas that will spread like wildfire. We will be ourselves making a reality of Huntington's clash of civilisations. You can't end the suffering by rockets and killing innocent civilians. As I had occasion to say elsewhere, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth can be a mistake, but 10 eyes for an eye and 10 teeth for a tooth is much worse. This is what's happening in Lebanon.

Arab nation 'humiliated'

[Shammu]

Lebanon 'does not agree' with UN cease-fire draft
Israel drops call for immediate deployment of int'l force in S. Lebanon, UNIFIL can oversee cease-fire
By Shlomo Shamir, Haaretz Correspondent and Agencies

Israel has lifted its demand for the deployment of a new multinational force in southern Lebanon and agreed that UNIFIL, the United Nations force already in place, would oversee the cease-fire.

In a draft text for a UN Security Council resolution on ending the crisis in Lebanon, agreed Saturday by the United States and France, it was concluded that the UN Interim Force in Lebanon would be replaced by a new force only after Israel and Lebanon reach agreement on the principles of a long-term accord.

Justice Minister Haim Ramon said Sunday, however, that despite the agreement on the draft UN resolution Israel will continue to attack Hezbollah militants.

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Ramon said on Army Radio that the draft resolution was good for Israel, but the country still had military goals to meet.

"Even if it is passed, it is doubtful that Hezbollah will honor the resolution and halt its fire," Ramon said.

"Therefore we have to continue fighting, continue hitting anyone we can hit in Hezbollah, and I assume that as long as that goes on, Israel's standing, diplomatically and militarily, will improve."

Under the draft resolution, UNIFIL will be reinforced with more troops in order to be able to carry out its new mandate.

Initially Israel opposed the expansion of UNIFIL's role and asked that it be replaced, arguing that to date its performance was poor and its troops did not prevent terrorist attacks.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said last week that Israel "will not accept a force of the UNIFIL type, that was proven not to be effective. The force that will be deployed will have to comprise of armies, not pensioners who come to vacation in southern Lebanon, but real soldiers capable of fighting."

Political sources in Jerusalem said Saturday night that Israel received assurances through diplomatic channels that UNIFIL will be bolstered by quality troops from France. The current commander of UNIFIL is a French General, Alain Pelegrini. Currently, UNIFIL has 2,000 men from France, China, Ghana, India, Ireland, Italy, Poland and Ukraine.

Political sources in Israel said the deployment of a multinational force in a country requires agreements, and the government of Lebanon announced that following the Qana incident last week that it would refuse a new force.

Broadening the UNIFIL mandate is essentially meant to deal with the Lebanese opposition to a new force at this time.

Lebanon 'does not agree' with UN resolution on cease-fire
Lebanon does not agree with the UN draft resolution to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, a senior political source said Sunday.

"Lebanon does not agree with the draft UN resolution to end the war," the source said.

The resolution calls for an end to the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, but would allow Israel to defend itself if attacked, officials said.

The resolution was proposed as two IDF soldiers were killed in clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon and as a mother and her two daughters were killed in a Katyusha attack in the Western Galilee.

The Lebanese government said it objects to portions of the U.S-French draft resolution and would demand that some provisions be amended.

"The government has objected to the U.S.-French draft resolution. It has made amendments to some of the provisions and has sent them to Lebanon's UN representative," an aide to Prime Minister Fuad Siniora said late Saturday.

"We would have liked to see our concerns more reflected in the text," Lebanese Foreign Ministry official Nouhad Mahmoud said at the UN.

"Unfortunately, it lacked, for instance, a call for the withdrawal of Israeli forces which are now in Lebanon. That is a recipe for more confrontation," he said.

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton and French President Jacques Chirac's office confirmed that agreement had been reached.

The full 15-nation Security Council met Saturday to discuss the resolution, and was likely to be adopted in the next couple of days, Bolton said.

An official with knowledge of the document said the draft calls for a "full cessation of violence" between Israel and Hezbollah, but would allow Israel the right to launch strikes if Hezbollah attacks it.

"It does not say immediate cessation of violence," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the draft had not yet been made public.

That appeared to be a major victory for the U.S. and Israel. France and many other nations had demanded an immediate halt to the fighting without conditions as a way to push the region back toward stability.

The proposal does not include a demand that Israel withdraw its troops from positions in southern Lebanon, as demanded by Hezbollah.

The French presidential palace in Paris said a deal was reached on a resolution that seeks a total halt to hostilities and would work toward a permanent cease-fire and a long-term solution.

Bolton said the resolution would be the first of two. He said this one deals with the immediate issue of the fighting. The second would likely spell out a larger political framework for peace between Israel and Hezbollah.

"We're prepared to continue to work tomorrow in order to make progress on the adoption of the resolution but we have reached agreement and we're now ready to proceed," Bolton said. "We're prepared to move as quickly as other members of the council want to move."

Bush 'happy with progress' on Middle East fighting
U.S. President George W. Bush has signed off on the draft and is "happy with the progress being made," his spokesman said Saturday.

But Bush knows there could be a long road before violence stops, White House press secretary Tony Snow said.

"I don't think he has any delusions about what lies ahead," said Snow, accompanying Bush on his vacation to his private ranch.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley arrived at the ranch Saturday to consult with Bush as the full Security Council began discussions on the agreement.

"The president knew this was going on and he's happy with the progress being made," Snow said. "He's happy with it. He's signed off on it."

Snow said there would be a second resolution offered at the UN. "There's still more to do," Snow said. "There's going to be more than one resolution."

Bush did not have any plans to speak to other foreign leaders Saturday, Snow said, including Prime Minister Olmert. "I don't know if he needs to," Snow said. "I haven't heard Olmert complaining."

The draft calls for maintaining the Blue Line international border between Israel and Lebanon, demands the halt of weapons smuggling into Lbanon and calls for the release of abducted IDF soldiers.

It also calls for the implementation of resolutions 1559 and 1680. According to a diplomat, contrary to a resolution passed in 1996 following Operation Grapes of Wrath that left a breach allowing Hezbollah to fire on IDF troops, the current proposal demands that Hezbollah halt all military actitvity, including firing on civilians and soldiers.

In response to the draft resolution, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said "this is a first step. There is still much to be done. But there is no reason why this resolution should not be adopted now and we have the cessation of hostilities ... within the next couple of days."

Top Rice aide arrives in Beirut for talks on ending conflict
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Welch arrived in Beirut late Friday for talks with Lebanese officials about ways to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas, a Lebanese government official said Saturday.

Welch will meet Sunday with Defense Minister Amir Peretz in Jerusalem.

Lebanon's leading An-Nahar daily said Welch met immediately Friday night with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, but the government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to give official statements.

He said Welch would meet with Lebanese officials Saturday, but would not provide more details for security reasons.

Lebanese army troops deployed heavily in central Beirut and around the Government House Saturday, possibly in anticipation of anti-U.S. protests timed to coincide with Welch's visit.

Rice expressed support Thursday for an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon as the first phase in ending the conflict.

Moving closer to the position that France and other European countries are taking, Rice predicted that a UN Security Council resolution would be approved within days that would include a cease-fire and outline principles for a lasting peace.

On the CNN program "Larry King Live," Rice said that the U.S. is moving "toward being able to do this in phases that will permit first an end or a stoppage in the hostilities and based on the establishment of some very important principles for how we move forward," according to a transcript of the program.

Lebanon 'does not agree' with UN cease-fire draft

[Shammu]

Iranian scientists have visas revoked on eve of meeting in U.S.

By Jessie Mangaliman and Katherine Corcoran

San Jose Mercury News

(MCT)

SAN JOSE, Calif. - It was supposed to be an academic gathering about earthquakes. But a political temblor bouncing all the way from the war-torn Middle East shook a meeting of elite Iranian scientists and engineers in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday when dozens of their colleagues arrived to find their visas had been inexplicably revoked.

U.S. consular officials in Washington, D.C., declined to comment on why as many as 100 people with the Sharif University of Technology Association, who carried valid visas approved months ago, were detained over the last week when they arrived at San Francisco International and other airports from Iran.

The three-day conference at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara is tied to the 100th anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, as well as recent earthquakes in Iran.

Leaders of the California-based technology group, known as SUTA, said the actions of the U.S. government were clearly political.

"This must be retaliation for what's going on in the region," said Fredun Hojabri, a retired University of California-San Diego professor and SUTA founding president. "We're a non-profit, non-religious, non-political organization . . . our first reunion was in 2000 in San Diego. They know all about us."

Laura Tischler, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, declined to comment on the case of detained and deported Iranians, citing confidentiality.

Visas "can be revoked at anytime, when there are indications of possibility of ineligibility for admission," she said.

The United States has accused Iran of supplying and supporting Hezbollah, a militant group in a conflict with Israel in southern Lebanon. Before violence broke out a month ago, the U.S. government was at odds with Iran over its nuclear program, alleged involvement with the Iraqi insurgency and anti-Western and anti-Israel statements from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Denied travelers were given the choice to withdraw their applications and head home, or face a ban on applying for future U.S. visas if they contested the revocation, SUTA representatives said.

Most chose simply to return home, but not after spending the night in "jail-like" conditions with spouses and children in some cases.

"We're here in a country known for law and order," said Max Panahandeh, principal at Berkeley Applied Science and Engineering Inc. whose engineering colleague was detained at San Francisco International overnight before being put on a plane back to Tehran on Friday. "You don't expect to see these kinds of incidents that are common in other countries. These individuals are highly professional and coming with families and children. To keep them in a setup like a prison or jail environment is against their human rights."

San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who is of Iranian heritage, condemned the action of customs and immigration officials and tried contacting the offices of Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., but had yet to hear back Friday.

"Everyone should be concerned that rights have been breached," Mirkarimi said at a San Francisco news conference called by SUTA on Friday.

SUTA is expecting about 650 people this weekend from around the world at its meeting, which is held every two years in cities around the world. About 120 Sharif alumni and professors in Tehran were granted visas out of about 300 who applied after rigorous security checks, said Elahe Enssani, a civil engineering professor at San Francisco State University and a Sharif graduate. They obtained visas in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and other countries because the United States does not have diplomatic ties with Iran.

Enssani said the group doesn't know how many people were turned away at airports, but 15 people were allowed to enter from Tehran two weeks ago.

The first visa denial came July 25, when attendee Kourosh Elahidoost was turned away at Los Angeles International Airport "for reasons of national security" he wrote in an e-mail to SUTA after returning to Tehran.

As many as a dozen were detained at San Francisco International on Thursday.

Hamed Khalkhali, an aerospace engineer from Irvine, sat by himself in the lounge at the Hyatt on Friday afternoon, disappointed that his former professors would not be joining him.

"It's just some educated people coming here for a scientific reunion," he said. "The whole thing is just a misunderstanding."

Iranian scientists have visas revoked on eve of meeting in U.S.

[nChrist]

Hello Dreamweaver,

Brother Bob, I find many of these reports to be lunacy. They defy common sense completely.

The military strength of Israel is ONLY material when one considers why Israel has allowed terrorists to kill innocent people in Israel for 60 years. No other country in the world would tolerate this unless they were to weak to defend themselves. If the terrorists make it plain that they will continue and only be stopped by death, they should be buried.

Many publications seem to be more concerned about the possible embarrassment of terrorists and terrorists states than they are about the lives and peace of innocent citizens in a sovereign country. The terrorists SHOULD be embarrassed and humiliated by the entire free world at every opportunity. People with average intelligence should know that the terrorists of this world don't want peace, and nothing can be given to them so they will desire peace. So, negotiating with terrorists is exactly like negotiating with a mass murderer - nothing but a common criminal who loves to kill innocent people. The only way to deal with them is to stop them by whatever means necessary, exactly the way that one would stop any other mass murderer. In reality, many of the terrorists would be more like rabid pigs than humans. Any glory that they hope to obtain should be completely replaced with NOTHING BUT total contempt, humiliation, and whatever END that they earn for themselves.

I'm far too shy on this topic, but I'm working on expressing an opinion of some sort. No country in the world tolerate what Israel has for 60 years. World opinion shouldn't make any difference. On top of everything else, we might be watching the unfolding of Bible prophecy that will happen at GOD'S precise appointed time, regardless of what any politician or nation in the world does.

I'll work on trying to firm up an opinion of some sort and not being so shy.

Tom

(Small Print:    )

[Shammu]

No country in the world tolerate what Israel has for 60 years.

AMEN!!
What they have endured should not be tolerated by any nation.

I'll work on trying to firm up an opinion of some sort and not being so shy.

Thank you brother.......

On top of everything else, we might be watching the unfolding of Bible prophecy that will happen at GOD'S precise appointed time, regardless of what any politician or nation in the world does.

Brother I firmly believe we are watching Bible prophecy unfold.  And it is a thrill to see, God's Word in action!

[Shammu]

 Larijani: Iran will reject UN resolution, suspension
Tehran, Aug 6, IRNA


Iran will reject both the resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council on Tehran's nuclear case and he suspension of uranium enrichment, said Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani here Sunday.

"The resolution is illegal because we have not made any violation (of the NPT) to suspend our enrichment activities," Larijani told domestic and foreign reporters in a press conference.

Stressing that Iran has always been ready for talks, Larijani said "We announced that if there is any ambiguity for anyone, it can be removed through negotiations and we stick to the same policy." "The double-standard policy practiced by the Western countries towards Iran's nuclear program has led to a position where they (Western states) have complicated the issue with their own hands," Larijani said.

"On the one hand, they offered the package and on the other, issued the resolution. By doing this, they changed the procedure of solving the problem," Larijani stressed.

"They (Western states) should understand that they cannot talk to Iran by the language of force. They have to change their approach if they want the package to survive," Larijani stressed.

"I'm not saying that there are no more chances," Larijani added.

Larijani: Iran will reject UN resolution, suspension

[Shammu]

Iran vows more atom work
Sun Aug 6, 2006 11:49 AM BST184

By Christian Oliver

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran vowed on Sunday to expand its atomic fuel work and warned that any U.N. sanctions aimed at halting its uranium enrichment would incur a painful riposte, possibly including a cut in oil exports.

Chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said Iran would expand the number of atomic centrifuges it was running. Centrifuges enrich uranium by spinning it at supersonic speeds.

"We will expand nuclear technology at whatever stage it may be necessary and all of Iran's nuclear technology including the (centrifuge) cascades will be expanded," he told a news conference.

Such remarks flatly reject a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding Tehran halt its nuclear work by August 31 or face the threat of sanctions. The West fears Iran will use enriched uranium to make atomic bombs.

Iranian officials, who argue they need enriched uranium only to run power stations, say the resolution was illegal and that Tehran has every right to produce fuel from the uranium ore that it mines in its central deserts.

Iran said in April it had produced enriched uranium from a cascade of 164 centrifuges.

It has told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) it will start installing 3,000 centrifuges later this year, enough to produce material for a nuclear warhead in one year.

IRAN WILL HIT BACK AGAINST SANCTIONS

Larijani said the expansion of atomic work would be conducted under the supervision of the IAEA but even that could be in question if Iran felt unfairly treated.

"We do not want to end the supervision of the agency, but you should not do anything to force Iran to do so," he said.

He warned the U.N. Security Council not to impose sanctions on the world's fourth biggest exporter of crude oil.

"If they do, we will react in a way that would be painful for them. They should not think that they can hurt us and we would stand still without a reaction," he said.

"We do not want to use the oil weapon, it is they who would impose it upon us. Iran should be allowed to defend its rights in proportion to their stance," he added.

Although Iran has intermittently threatened to use its massive oil exports as a weapon in international diplomacy, Tehran receives 80 percent of its export earnings from energy and would find such a cut hard to maintain.

"Do not force us to do something that will make people shiver in the cold. We do not want that," said Larijani, stressing Iran's reluctance to cut energy supplies.

Iranian officials often say that sanctions would hurt the West more than Tehran by lifting already high oil prices to levels that would be unmanageable for industrialised economies.

However, analysts and diplomats point out Iran's economy would be highly vulnerable to sanctions on gasoline imports, European financing and industrial components.

Iran vows more atom work

[Shammu]

 Larijani: Iran's doctrine is to ensure lasting regional stability
Tehran, Aug 6, IRNA

Iran-Larijani-Nuclear-Conference
Ensuring a lasting regional stability is the doctrine of Iran's foreign policy, said Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani here Sunday.

Addressing domestic and foreign reporters at a press conference, Larijani said "Sustainable stability will not be established either by the presence of foreign forces (in the region), meddling schemes such as the 'Greater Middle East Plan,' deployment of (military) forces or occupation."
The SNSC secretary argued it has become clear that sending military forces to Iraq could not bring peace and security for that country.

"Americans failed to provide security in Iraq. They said they wanted to build a tower of democracy in Iraq but the result was building of the Abu Ghraib prison," Larijani said.

Noting that the occupation forces were only seeking "dominance over oil and gas resources of the region," Larijani said regional security and stability would only be provided by the regional governments.

"The US is the cause of all regional conflicts," said the SNSC secretary, adding that Tehran was informed that US ambassador to Baghdad, Zalmay Khalilzad, had separate sessions with a number of Iraqi terrorist groups calling on them to help the US by shifting the direction of their struggles towards Iran and Iraqi Shi'ites.

"In order to restore peace and security to the region, they should stop offering such disgraceful theories which will bring the region closer to its boiling point," Larijani warned.

He stressed that occupiers and aggressors should notice that the vigilant people of the region can determine their own destiny and have no need to the plans made by foreigners.

Larijani: Iran's doctrine is to ensure lasting regional stability
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yup we already know what Irans plan calls for, ImagineAnut has said it many times.  Destroy Israel, well I don't think so....

[Shammu]

  European Parliament Slams Arrest Of Palestinian Speaker

BRUSSELS (AP)--European Parliament President Josep Borrell Saturday condemned Israel for arresting the speaker of the Palestinian parliament and called for his immediate release.

Israeli forces arrested Abdel Aziz Duaik earlier Sunday. The director of Duaik's office and Palestinian security officials said about 20 Israeli army vehicles surrounded his house and took him into custody.

The Israeli military said as a Hamas leader, Duaik was a target for arrest.

"The arrest of President Duaik is totally unacceptable. On behalf of the European Parliament, I demand that the Israeli authorities release him immediately," Borrell said in a statement.

On June 29, Israeli forces in the West Bank rounded up dozens of Hamas officials, including eight Cabinet ministers. One was released earlier this week.

Since the original sweep, Israeli forces had twice surrounded Duaik's house but failed to arrest him.

European Parliament Slams Arrest Of Palestinian Speaker

[Shammu]

  Israeli Army: 1 Of Men Who Kidnapped Soldiers Arrested

JERUSALEM (AP)--Israeli soldiers in Lebanon have arrested one of the Hezbollah guerrillas involved in the July 12 raid that captured two Israeli soldiers and sparked the devastating round of fighting between Israel and the militant group, the army said Sunday.

The guerrilla was captured in Lebanon, and under interrogation it became apparent he was involved in that cross border raid more than three weeks ago, the army said.

Israeli Army: 1 Of Men Who Kidnapped Soldiers Arrested

[Shammu]

  Syrian President, Arab League Chief Discuss Lebanese Crisis

DAMASCUS (AP)--The Syrian president and the Arab League chief joined in the building momentum Sunday to find a way to stop the Israeli-Hezbollah fighting.

President Bashar Assad and the Arab League's Amr Moussa were also believed to have hashed out part of the agenda for a hastily called meeting Monday of League foreign ministers in Beirut.

Assad and Moussa met one day after the U.S. and France agreed on a draft U.N. resolution calling for a halt to the violence. The U.N. Security Council was expected to adopt the resolution in the next few days.

Moussa arrived in Syria late Saturday from Saudi Arabia, where he met King Abdullah. The two discussed the situation in Lebanon and the possible cease fire, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Syrian state news agency also reported Assad had a telephone conversation Saturday with his Iranian counterpart, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The agency said they talked about the crisis in Lebanon.

Syria and Iran are the main backers of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group.

Syria's state-run daily Al-Thawra criticized the U.S. and the U.N. Security Council for, so far, failing to issue a resolution on Lebanon for a ceasefire.

The paper said the international community has shown "absolute" failure in ending the "Israeli aggression and this has been done according to rude American orders." It said international silence is no more acceptable.

Syrian President, Arab League Chief Discuss Lebanese Crisis

[ibTina]

Hello Sister Tina,

I think that some ill-informed Christians simply see Israel as a nation that rejected JESUS CHRIST, and they think that GOD is through with Israel. Many Christians really don't have any idea that GOD still has many plans for Israel and promises that HE will most certainly keep to Israel.

It's sad that some Christians don't study their Bibles enough to know that Israel is not an anti-Christ nation. GOD has simply set them aside for a time, and Israel has been severely punished for rejecting JESUS CHRIST as their anointed KING and MESSIAH. BUT, JESUS CHRIST will claim the Throne of David in Jerusalem, and JESUS CHRIST will reign over the house of Jacob forever. Israel will recognize their anointed KING and MESSIAH at GOD'S appointed time, and that time might be soon. Until then, whatever nation curses Israel will be cursed by GOD, and whatever nation blesses Israel will be blessed by GOD.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Psalms 119:38 NASB  Establish Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You.

What you and Dreanweaver said is what I thought... the Bible tells us that those that are with Israel will be blessed and those against are not.  And all the scriptures that tell us that Jesus will be coming back to claim the throne of David...
          I am so thankful to God that I am blessed that I have an 'ear to hear' and 'eyes to see' ... to understand His Word and to be prepared for things to come.  AMEN!!

       Tina... jumping for Joy... for He IS coming soon!!!!!!!!!

[Shammu]

Iran to send missiles to Hizbullah

Jane's Defense Weekly reports of surface-to-air missile transfer between Tehran, Shiite terror group
Ynetnews

Hizbullah will receive shipments of surface-to-air missile systems in the coming months from Iran, enhancing the terror organization's ability to shoot at Israel Air Force crafts, according a Jane's Defense Weekly report released on Friday.

During a July meeting, Hizbullah called on Tehran to "accelerate and extend the scope of weapon shipments from Iran to the Islamic Resistance, particularly advanced missiles against ground and air targets."

The magazine added that Hizbullah sought "an array of more advanced weaponry, including more advanced SAM (surface-to-air missile) systems."

"Iranian authorities conveyed a message to the Hezbollah leadership that their forces would continue to receive a steady supply of weapons systems," Jane's said.

"The details coming from the meeting reveal that they are about ensuring a constant supply of weapons to support Islamic Resistance operations against Israel," said Robin Hughes, Jane's Middle East Editor.

"We are told the latest meeting was attended by senior representatives of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' Quds force which is responsible for training and logistic support for Iranian-backed insurgent groups."

The magazine also stated that Tehran supplied Hizbullah with Iranian-made Noor radar-guided anti-ship cruise missiles and Chinese QW-1 (Vanguard) shoulder-launched SAMs.

Russian made SAMs will, according to reports, be supplied at a later date.

Israeli corvette off the Lebanese coast was struck by a Hezbollah anti-ship missile a few weeks ago, killing four sailors. Israel said the missile was produced by Iran. Tehran claimed it was not involved.

Iran to send missiles to Hizbullah

[Shammu]

Syrian FM: Ready to join Hizbullah ranks

Walid Mouallem tells reporters in Beirut that Syria is not hiding its military readiness to defend itself against any Israeli attack
Reuters

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem said Sunday that he is ready to join the ranks of Hizbullah and warned that Syria will respond to any Israeli aggression against Damascus.

"If you wish, I'm ready to be a soldier at the disposal of Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah ," Mouallem told reporters on arrival in Lebanon .

Asked about fears that the fighting between Israel and Hizbullah could spread to the whole region, Mouallem said: "Most welcome."

"Syria is readying itself and doesn't hide its military readiness. We will respond to any Israeli aggression immediately," he added.

"If Israel attacks Syria by any means, on the ground, in the air, our leadership ordered the armed forces to reply immediately," he said.

'Defending the dignity of the Arab nation'

Mouallem, the first senior Syrian official to visit Lebanon since Syria ended three decades of military presence in April last year, criticized a US-French draft of a UN Security Council resolution to end the war.

"This draft resolution is a description for the continuation of the war because, unfortunately, it's not fair for Lebanon, therefore it's a plan for the possibility of the eruption of civil war in Lebanon and nobody, nobody, nobody has anything to gain from that happening, except Israel," he said.

"Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and the Lebanese national resistance today are defending the dignity of the Arab nation and the unity of the nation like it is defending the dignity of Lebanon, the unity of Lebanon and the Lebanese people," Mouallem said.

The veteran diplomat, who will attend an Arab foreign ministers' meeting in Beirut on Monday, dismissed allegations that Hizbullah was fighting a proxy war for Iran and Syria.

"This talk is silly. Hizbullah is fighting the battle of Lebanon."

Syrian FM: Ready to join Hizbullah ranks

[Shammu]

Threats by Iranian Leaders on Iran TV
The following are excerpts from an interview with Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, which aired on the Iranian News Channel (IRINN) on August 2,
2006. It is followed by excerpts from an interview with Iranian Expediency
Council Secretary Mohsen Rezai, which aired on the Iranian News Channel
(IRINN) on August 1, 2006.

*Clip # 1222 - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "Death to Israel"

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: I hereby declare that this sinister regime [Israel] is
the banner of Satan. It is the banner of the Great Satan. All it does is to
implement the orders of the criminal America and England. They think that
the peoples are the same as they were 100 years ago. They are not aware that
things have changed in the world. Today, all the peoples have awoken. The
Iranian people is the standard-bearer of this awakening for all the peoples.
As we can see, from the southernmost point in South America to the
easternmost point in Asia, all the people are shouting a single cry. With
placards in their hands and clenched fists, they shout: Death to Israel.

Crowd: Death to Israel.

Death to Israel.


*Clip # 1221 - Secretary of Iranian Expediency Council Mohsen Rezai: Israel
Should Expect Very Difficult Days in Tel Aviv and Beyond

Mohsen Rezai: I predict that Hizbullah will deal much more decisive blows
upon Israel. If Israel does not declare a cease-fire soon and does not end
the war, it should expect very difficult days in cities like Tel Aviv, and
even deeper inside Israel. I believe that if America and Israel use their
brains and end this war as soon as possible, they may save themselves from
many of the ramifications.

Threats by Iranian Leaders on Iran TV