News items that look towards Ezekiel 38 & 39

[Shammu]

Russia's Putin vows close China ties under Medvedev
Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:48pm GMT

By Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian president Vladimir Putin promised China on Thursday that Moscow would maintain its strong ties with Beijing under his successor, Dmitry Medvedev.

Putin, who rules the world's second-biggest oil exporter, says relations with China are at an historic high while Chinese leader Hu Jintao describes Putin as his "good friend".

"Putin and Hu Jintao exchanged sincere wishes of success in future work for the stable development of the two countries in the period after the election of the new Russian president," the Kremlin press office said in a statement.

"Putin underlined that the course of comprehensive development of Russian-Chinese strategic cooperation will be continued in the future," the Kremlin said.

The two leaders meet regularly and Hu was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Medvedev after his March 2 election as Russia's next president.

Medvedev, who will be sworn in as president in May, told visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday that he would seek continuity in Russian foreign policy.

Russia is eager to boost exports of oil, gas and nuclear products to China, the world's second biggest consumer of oil and power, though China's growing world clout is watched with some anxiety by Moscow's elite.

China, set to overtake Germany as the world's third biggest economy, is Russia's number two trading partner after the European Union with $35 billion in 2007 bilateral trade.

China's state-owned Sinopec Group has a multi-billion dollar investment with Russia's biggest oil producer, Rosneft. They jointly run Siberia's UdmurtNeft oil producer and share the Sakhalin-3 Veninsk exploration block off Russia's Pacific coast.

Russia, whose $1.3 trillion economy is booming for a tenth straight year, has forged close ties with China on a number of world issues, including Iran and North Korea.

But relations over the past century between Moscow and Beijing have run hot and cold.

China and the Soviet Union went from being best friends in the 1950s to suspicious rivals a decade later when they fought a series of border skirmishes after falling out over ideological principles.

In 2007, Putin and Hu presided over their two countries' biggest joint military exercises as part of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a regional grouping of growing importance that includes Russia, China and Central Asian states.

Russia's Putin vows close China ties under Medvedev

[Shammu]

Lavrov goes to the Middle East with a hope
17:17
17/ 03/ 2008

MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti commentator Maria Appakova) - On March 19, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will go on a Middle East tour, visiting Syria, Israel and the territory controlled by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

Together with Iran, the sides in the above triangle determine the region's future. The choice is between a peaceful settlement of the conflict and, if all arguments fail, war.

Lavrov is going to the region shortly before an Arab League summit, to be held in Damascus later this month, and the Lebanese parliament's 16th attempt to elect the country's president. Failure of the Lebanese elections would undermine the Damascus summit and probably drive Syria into international isolation. Damascus is rumored to be manipulating the political situation in Lebanon and blocking the elections there, according to some analysts.

What is Russia's role in the region?

Lavrov has said he wants to see which regional forces are ready for the international conference on the Middle East to be held in Moscow. Last week in Paris, he said that Russia would host the conference only if all of the parties concerned were ready.

According to Lavrov, the Middle East quartet comprising the United States, Russia, the European Union and the UN believes the conference should be held.

Participants in the Middle East meeting held in Annapolis last November agreed that the PNA and Israel should resume talks. Acting on Russia's urging, they also noted in the meeting's documents that Israel should discuss settlement with Syria and Lebanon.

The Moscow conference was proposed as a follow-up to the Annapolis meeting, especially regarding Israel's talks with Syria and Lebanon. However, Israel refused to hold open talks with Syria on the latter's terms, in particular the unconditional surrender of the Golan Heights.

The regional media reported that Israel and Syria have been discussing their problems unofficially for a while, which means that the Moscow conference is quite possible.

However, the optimism sparked in Annapolis has gradually given way to disappointment. Israeli territory is again being shelled from the Gaza Strip, an unprecedentedly violent terrorist attack occurred in Jerusalem, and Israel is carrying on military operations in the Palestinian territories and building new settlements.

Relations between Palestinian groups, above all Hamas and Fatah, remain strained. Fatah blames this on the Islamist leaders living outside Palestine, primarily in Damascus. Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shiite organization, backed by Syria and Iran, is increasing its influence on radical Palestinian groups.

The Palestinian-Israeli talks have stalled, with both sides regularly proclaiming the demise of the Annapolis process. A meeting between Palestinian and Israeli politicians, if held soon, would most likely fail to bring the desired results.

This is not a good atmosphere for holding a peace conference. Although many politicians, above all Arab ones, support the idea, it can hardly be implemented any time soon if the parties concerned want not only to get together, but also achieve practical positive results.

Lavrov is going to the Middle East not just to hear practical promises from regional leaders and negotiate a date for their arrival in Moscow. His silent mission is to strengthen communication between Syria and Israel and encourage them to trust each other.

Is this possible? The question has no answer, at least for the general public, but success would solve many regional problems, including promoting Palestinian-Israeli peace and easing the Lebanese crisis.

Lavrov goes to the Middle East with a hope

[Shammu]

Turkey wrestles with Islam's place
March 18, 2008
Turkey's prime minister must build trust in issues of mosque and state.

Imagine trying to ban a fairly elected ruling party, which won in a landslide only last year. Ludicrous. Yet such an attempt is now before Turkey's highest court on the grounds that secular government should not push Islam on society.

It is not out of the realm of possibility that the court will decide to hear this case, which was brought March 14 by Turkey's chief prosecutor. And if it does, it may favor the prosecutor, who charges the Islamic Party of Justice, or AKP, with subverting the country's secular Constitution. Since the 1970s, the court has shuttered four pro-Islamic parties.

The separation of mosque and state is an existential issue for this NATO member that bridges Europe and the Middle East. Although a mostly Muslim country, modern Turkey is built on the secularist model of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who introduced the Roman alphabet and women's suffrage after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I.

Turkey stands as proof that democracy and Islam can coexist, and do so in a vibrant economy. Were that not of note in the region, Iran's theocracy would not have tried to stem a flood of Iranian visitors to Turkey by limiting Turkish tourism advertising last year.

But the indictment accuses the ruling party of "taking gradual steps" toward a society that "takes religion as its reference."

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose mildly Islamist AKP has governed since 2002, denied the charges Sunday, stating that the distance between the AKP and fundamentalism is "like the difference between day and night." He reaffirmed his loyalty to secularism.

The problem is the secularists simply don't believe him. Trust is at the heart of this issue, and Mr. Erdogan must focus on building trust.

Since the AKP came to power, Turkey's per capita GDP has more than doubled and legal reforms have enabled it to begin membership talks with the European Union. But that doesn't remove suspicions of a hidden Islamist agenda. Erdogan's government had to step back from an attempt to criminalize adultery. Last week's indictment cites AKP-led neighborhoods that have banned alcohol.

The biggest complaint, however, is a new law that lifts a ban on women's head scarves in universities – a hugely divisive issue which is also before the high court.

Erdogan may feel no compulsion for trust building. Were an election held today, his party would likely best its vote from last summer. Erdogan has also won nationalist points by pursuing Kurdish terrorists in northern Iraq.

The devout prime minister has erred – not in allowing women to cover their heads if they want to, but in pursuing this freedom without moving just as quickly on democratic reforms that reassure (a complaint from the EU as well).

The EU is pushing for greater freedom of political speech in Turkey and a new constitution that improves rights for ethnic and religious minorities. Erdogan should act soon. He should also assure women that those who don't wear head scarves will be just as protected as those who do.

Turkey is struggling to find the right balance between its secular tradition and an increasingly devout Muslim population. Erdogan can help by taking more steps toward democratic freedom while he tries to secure greater religious freedom for fellow Muslims.

Turkey wrestles with Islam's place

[Shammu]

I got a funny picture in my head of a Turkey wrestling a bunch of muslims. I know, I'm a bad boyyyyy...........

[nChrist]

I got a funny picture in my head of a Turkey wrestling a bunch of muslims. I know, I'm a bad boyyyyy...........

      It's time for a coffee break.

   

[Shammu]

     It's time for a coffee break.

   

Hmmmmm that sounds good, coffee cake, and coffee...........

[Shammu]

Russian parliament to warn Georgia on NATO entry

2 hours, 22 minutes ago

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's parliament will vote on Friday on a resolution calling for the Kremlin to consider recognising Georgia's breakaway regions if the pro-Western former Soviet state joins NATO.

The resolution, a draft of which was obtained by Reuters on Thursday, is not binding but is likely to stoke Western fears that Russia is inching towards recognizing the Moscow-backed Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions.

Russia is firmly opposed to Georgia joining NATO and some analysts and diplomats say Moscow is using the threat of recognition to deter the alliance from setting Tbilisi on the path to membership at its summit in Bucharest on April 2-4.

South Ossetia and Abkhazia are internationally recognized as part of Georgia. They have run their own affairs since separatist wars in the 1990s and stepped up their campaign for recognition after Kosovo's independence earlier this year.

The resolution said that if Georgia joins NATO, Russia's government should "consider the possibility of speeding up the objective process of Abkhazia and South Ossetia acquiring sovereignty, up to recognition of their independence."

The document was drafted by pro-Kremlin lawmakers in the State Duma, or lower house of parliament. Kremlin loyalists have a large majority in the chamber. Speaker Boris Gryzlov said lawmakers would vote on the resolution on Friday.

The separatists in Abkhazia and South Ossetia say their regions are ethnically distinct from Georgia.

KOSOVO PRECEDENT

Georgia's pro-Western President Mikhail Saakashvili has said the two regions must remain part of Georgia, a stance backed by his allies in the United States and European Union.

But some Russian officials have said Kosovo's independence sets a precedent in international law making it harder to deny recognition to separatist states in the former Soviet Union.

Saakashvili has applied to NATO to grant his country a Membership Action Plan, the first step on the road to joining the alliance.

Moscow says its security will be threatened if Georgia, viewed by Russia as part of its traditional sphere of influence, joins NATO, bringing the alliance to Russia's southern border.

Russia's RIA news agency quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying in Tel Aviv on Thursday that NATO's growth reflected "a bloc expansion logic of the Cold War era."

U.S. State Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited Moscow earlier this week. "During the talks in Moscow, the Americans were given a clear-cut answer that the implementation of such plans would have the most grave consequences for our relations," Lavrov said.

Parliament's draft resolution also includes recommendations that the Russian government open missions in the two regions, ease border restrictions and boost economic ties and humanitarian aid for the separatists.

Some observers say Russia will stop short of recognizing the breakaway regions. They say the Kremlin is wary that recognition could stir up separatist movements inside its own borders, especially in the restive Chechnya region.

Russian parliament to warn Georgia on NATO entry

[Shammu]

Russia expands diplomatic presence in Iraq - Putin

24.03.2008, 18.29

MOSCOW, March 24 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia is expanding its diplomatic presence in Iraq, President Vladimir Putin said in a message to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Monday, the Kremlin press service reported.

“For the purpose of intensifying bilateral ties and in accordance with the existing agreements, we are expanding the geography of Russian diplomatic presence in Iraq,” the message said.

“We hope that the consulate general created in Erbil in November 2007 will become an important channel for facilitating cooperation with Iraqi Kurdistan,” the president said.

“We plan to restore our consular mission in the south of the country in Basra in the foreseeable futures,” Putin said.

Russia expands diplomatic presence in Iraq - Putin

[Shammu]

Egypt to sign nuclear pact with Russia
The Media Line News Agency
THE JERUSALEM POST
Mar. 24, 2008

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak heads for Russia on Monday where he is expected to get assurances of Russian assistance to build a nuclear facility.

A bilateral nuclear power deal was outlined last week and is expected to be signed during the visit.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit said the pact would enable Egypt to tap into Russia's extensive experience in the field of nuclear energy.

The deal could allow Russia to participate in a tender to build nuclear reactors in Egypt.

The pact coincides with international efforts to pressure Iran into abandoning its nuclear program. Iran insists its program is for civilian purposes of manufacturing energy, but Western countries are concerned Teheran is covertly making an atomic bomb.

The technologies for creating nuclear energy and nuclear bombs are similar and involve many dual-usage elements and substances.

Egypt is one of several Middle Eastern countries seeking a nuclear program. Cairo wants to revive its atomic energy program, which was aborted in the wake of the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, when the dangers of such a program became apparent.

Other countries in the Middle East and North Africa region seeking nuclear programs include Jordan, Yemen, Morocco, Algeria, the Gulf countries and possibly Syria.

All the nuclear newcomers in the region, including Iran, claim their programs have peaceful purposes. But there are concerns that these countries are not only seeking new energy sources, but also wish to maintain a strategic balance in the region against Iran and against Israel's alleged atomic weapons program.

Israel maintains an official policy of ambiguity regarding its nuclear capabilities.

Russia is seen as a global leader in nuclear know-how and is helping Iran build some of its nuclear power plants, including the plant in Bushehr.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has decided to set up a nuclear agency to assess and develop its nuclear energy program. The UAE signed an agreement with France in January to help develop the program.

Under the agreement, the UAE will not enrich uranium but will import the key substance from a "trusted foreign source," according to the Emirati news agency WAM.

Egypt to sign nuclear pact with Russia

[Shammu]

Egypt Russia Making Nuclear ties, China Palestinians making nuclear ties, China Russia, making ties, Russia Iraq making ties. Its only a matter of time!!

[Shammu]

Nabil Shaath to arrive in Moscow for talks on Mideast

29.03.2008, 17.32

MOSCOW, March 29 (Itar-Tass) - Palestinian Authority president’s senior adviser Nabil Sha’ath will arrive in Moscow on Monday evening for talks on the situation in the Middle East, the settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, the inter-Palestinian dialogue and preparations for an international conference in Moscow, a high-ranking diplomat told Itar-Tass on Saturday.

During the visit, Sha’ath is expected to meet Russian presidential special envoy for the Middle East and Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov. The Palestinian senior adviser will be also received by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Sha’ath is planning to prepare a visit by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to the Russian capital. Earlier, in his talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Ramallah, West Bank, Abbas said he “will visit Moscow shortly at a time convenient for both sides”.

Abbas’ visit to Moscow will focus on the date of conducting a conference on the Middle East. Lavrov said, “We hope that we’ll be able to specify the exact date shortly.” “To this end, we held active consultations with the Quartet, the U.N. and other structures. We believe important to implement the agreements that we reached earlier in order to conduct the international conference in Moscow,” the Russian minister pointed out.

“The agenda will be very easy. The agreements were adopted in Annapolis. Everyone supported them. Now let’s confirm this support and let’ s stimulate the sides to make the agreements effective,” Lavrov said.

Abbas confirmed that Palestine is ready to take part in such meeting in Moscow. “We confirmed the need of ‘review’ meeting on the Middle East,” he said. The Palestinian leader expressed gratitude for Russia upheld the efforts aimed at settling the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Nabil Shaath to arrive in Moscow for talks on Mideast

[Shammu]

Russian delegation invited to LAS summit in Damascus

29.03.2008, 03.52

DAMASCUS, March 29 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia’s delegation under special presidential envoy to the Middle East, Alexander Saltanov, has been invited to attend the summit of the League of Arab States in Damascus.

The Russian diplomat said he planned to have useful contacts within the framework of the regional forum to discuss all acute problems existing in the Middle East.

“Special attention will be paid to the outlook for the resumption of the peace process on all tracks,” he said.

For his part, Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid Muallem told Itar-Tass the Arab countries have a good chance to compare the attitudes of Russia and the United States to the regional developments.

He said the United States had always sought to split the Arab world and for that reason tried to upset the LAS summit in Damascus. On the country, Russia’s efforts, he said, have been always geared to maintaining stability and international legality and to the solution of problems accrued in the Middle East through a constructive dialogue.

The presence of a Russian delegation at the LAS summit can be only welcomed, the Syrian foreign minister said, noting the importance of Russia’s friendly position for his country.

Russian delegation invited to LAS summit in Damascus

[armorbearer]

Shedding some more light on this topic.   The prophesy in Ezekiel 38 &39 are closer to being fulfilled than ever before.

  Ezekiel 38:11 &14   
   11And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,

14Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?

 Remeber in order for the entire prophesy to be fulfilled, Israel with have to be at peace.

 January 11,2008 President Bush went over to the Middle East and met with Isreal's leaders and Palestinian Prime minister to find a solution to bring peace to the region. We know as children of GOD that Jerusalem is Israel's Holy City and the land that GOD gave Israel.    But at the end of his meeting with them, President Bush declared it is time for Israel to end it's occupation in Jerusalem. Both claim Jerusalem as their capitol city. But President Bush has decided to see to it himself that by the end of this year a peace deal between the 2 countries that will cause Israel to leave the land that GOD promised them.  Nevertheless, it is in the works and President Bush, who use to claim that he was a christian will see to it himself that they are put out of their home land.

   The end is closer than ever before and we must witness for the Lord like never before.  Russia has made idle threats against the U.S. saying that they better not attack Iran and try to stop them from obtaining nuclear fuel and technology. ( Iran sits on more 50% of the worlds oil. What do they need Nuclear fuel for.) Iran wants to obtain nuclear weapons so that they can try and wipe Israel off the map.

   But all these things must be. This is why I love what the Lord Himself said:

   Luke21:28
   And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

[nChrist]

Hello Armorbearer and All,

YES - there are many signs around the world that indicate the End Days of this Age of Grace might be drawing near. ONLY GOD knows, but the Bible tells us about many things to watch. These are fascinating but perilous times that we live in. We can also see the evil escalating at a terrific rate. YES - I think that the time grows short.

As Christians, I firmly believe that our highest priority should be distributing The GOOD NEWS of the GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD - JESUS CHRIST - THE CROSS! This is still the most powerful and precious message on the face of the earth. AND - we have the Promise of GOD that HIS WORD will never return void. It will always achieve HIS Will and Purpose. We might not know the results very often, but that's GOD'S Business.

Love In Christ,
Tom

GOOD NEWS!

1:  Romans 3:10 NASB  as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE."

2:  Romans 3:23  NASB  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

3:  Romans 5:12  NASB  Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--

4:  Romans 6:23  NASB  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

5:  Romans 1:18  NASB  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

6:  Romans 3:20  NASB  because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

7:  Romans 3:27  NASB  Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.

8:  Romans 5:8-9  NASB  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

9:  Romans 2:4  NASB  Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

10:  Romans 3:22  NASB  even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

11:  Romans 3:28  NASB  For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

12:  Romans 10:9  NASB  that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

13:  Romans 4:21  NASB  and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.

14:  Romans 4:24 NASB  but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

15:  Romans 5:1  NASB  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

16:  Romans 10:10  NASB  for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

17:  Romans 10:13  NASB  for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

Thanks be unto GOD for HIS unspeakable GIFT!, JESUS CHRIST, our Lord and Saviour forever!

[armorbearer]

YES - I think that the time grows short.

As Christians, I firmly believe that our highest priority should be distributing The GOOD NEWS of the GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD - JESUS CHRIST - THE CROSS! This is still the most powerful and precious message on the face of the earth. .

   I agree 100% Brother Tom.

 This is the way feel about it. If the LORD decides it's time for us to go home,then i'm ready. But the fact of the matter is that it is not time yet. And we as brothers and sisters in Christ must be willing to do what it takes to promote the grace and knowledge of the gospel. WE are to have the mind of Christ. That means we must continue to see to it that the lost be found. 

  We must continue to hold on to the truth, and KNOW without a doubt in our minds that HIS promises will be fulfilled. Let look at what Peter said:

   2 Peter 3:9
    The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

   HIS Love is so great, that HE's giving everyone a chance to come to repentance. Hold fast to HIS Word. All things will come to past. We must continue to be a witness for Christ. We must contiue to tell peolpe that there is room at the CROSS. We must be like our Heavenly Father, and have a heart of compassion that says, my will is that none perish, but thast everyone comes to repentance.

            This why i'm glad that the time has not yet come. Because if it did come, within the next  hour, how many people do you think would perish?