News items that look towards Ezekiel 38 & 39

[Shammu]

Libya seeks Russian arms

Interfax quotes Russian arms source, says OPEC member may buy more than $2 billion in weapons, including surface-to-air missiles

Reuters
10.21.08, 07:55
Israel News

Libya may agree to buy more than $2 billion worth of Russian weapons during a visit by Muammar Gaddafi to Moscow this month, Interfax news agency reported on Monday, citing an unidentified source in Russia's arms industry.

"An agreement on concluding a major set of arms contracts for more than $2 billion could be reached during the visit of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to Moscow," Interfax quoted the source as saying.

The source said Gaddafi's visit to Moscow was planned for the end of October. Both the Libyan embassy in Moscow and Russia's state arms exporter declined immediate comment.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov later said Moscow was preparing for the Gaddafi visit and that the final details of the trip would be announced soon, Interfax reported.

Russian warships visited Libya this month, signalling a warming of ties between Tripoli and Moscow, which supported Libya during the Soviet era.

Libya is interested in buying surface-to-air missile systems such as the S-300, TOR-M1 and Buk, as well as several fighter aircraft, dozens of helicopters and about 50 tanks, Interfax quoted the source as saying.

Russia is also preparing contracts to upgrade Libya's Soviet-era weapons, the agency said.

Libya wants Moscow to write off $4.5 billion in debts it owes to Russia in exchange for the purchases, Interfax said. Many Soviet-era debts are difficult to price because they were set in Soviet roubles.

Libya was seen as a rogue state by Washington until it agreed to give up a weapons of mass destruction programme. Last month U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met Gaddafi in Tripoli, the first such visit in 55 years.

Libya wants to expand ties with Russia, which it sees as a counterbalance to US influence in the Mediterranean.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, while still Russian president, visited Libya in April to strengthen energy ties with the OPEC member and discuss the possibility of Russian cooperation in building an atomic power plant in Libya.

Putin said at the time that Libya was also seeking to buy Russian weapons.

Libya seeks Russian arms

[Shammu]

Swords and Shields: Russia shields Syria
by Ariel Cohen
Washington (UPI) Oct 16, 2008

Until Russia can revitalize its naval forces to a much larger degree, its
deployments to the Mediterranean contribute more to symbolic and diplomatic
activity than being a viable military counterweight to NATO in the region.
Yet the Black Sea Fleet in the Med is a significant show of force and a
diplomatic irritant and a potential threat to shipping in the Suez Canal and
to America's ally Israel.

The increased Russian naval presence in the region means that the Kremlin is
seeking to cultivate Syria as a close regional ally, and is looking to
secure additional bases for the Black Sea Fleet besides its current base in
the Black Sea port of Sevastopol.

In addition, Russia would also be able to deploy electronic
intelligence-gathering ships that could then improve its monitoring
capabilities against NATO forces and Syria's ability to monitor NATO and
Israeli transmissions, expanding the previous naval intelligence engagement
during the Balkan wars.

Finally, Russian naval forces could deter or disrupt Israeli naval or air
assets deployed in wartime against Syria or Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Syria is pursuing new arms deals with Russia, including the purchase of the
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 M2, MiG-31, the latest Sukhoi Su-30 version --
Flanker, Tor-M1 air defense systems, AT-14 antitank missiles, upgrades for
Syria's aging T-62, T-72 and T-80 Main Battle Tanks, SA-5 Gammon
anti-aircraft missile systems, and upgrading Syria's existing S-125 Air
Defense systems to the Pechora-2A.

Iran is also involved in supporting Damascus. In 2007 alone Iran reportedly
financed Syrian purchases of Russian arms to the tune of $1 billion. Iran
and Syria, which have had a mutual defense treaty since 2004, train and
equip Hezbollah, the biggest terrorist organization in the Middle East.
Russia is cultivating both states as allies and as customers for Russian
arms.

What is particularly disturbing is that the Russian layered air defenses,
both short-range TOR and long-range S-300 anti-aircraft systems, are capable
of providing the defensive envelope to the mysterious Syrian nuclear
research activities, as well as to the significant chemical weapons arsenal
deliverable by Damascus' short-range ballistic missiles, such as
Syrian-produced SCUD-C and SCUD-D and, potentially, Russian-made
Iskander-E -- NATO designation SS-X-26.

Damascus has also acquired Pantsir-C1 air defense systems, which represent
the current state of the art in Russian military air defense technology, but
no deal has yet been reached. According to sources in Moscow, Russia is
likely to equip Syria's Tartus naval base with S-300PMU-2 Favorit ballistic
missiles and a radar system more sophisticated than Syria's current
capabilities.

During the Cold War era, the Soviet Union boasted a global naval power
projection capability with yearly naval maneuvers in the Caribbean and the
North Fleet naval brigade in Conakry, Guinea, and Luanda, Angola.

The 8th Operational Squadron of the Pacific Fleet had supply bases in Aden
and Socotra in Yemen and Dahlak in Eritrea, and in Berbera in Somalia. After
the five-day Aug. 8-Aug. 12 war in the former Soviet republic of Georgia in
the Caucasus, the Russian Black Sea Fleet is planning to deploy in Abkhazia,
at the ports of Ochamchira and Sukhumi.

For Moscow today, Tartus is only the first step in the long road to a
renewed global naval presence.

Swords and Shields: Russia shields Syria

[Shammu]

Russia, Iran and Qatar announce cartel that will control 60% of world's gas supplies
EC fears Opec-style group will drive up prices

Terry Macalister,
Wednesday October 22 2008

Western concerns about global energy markets hit new heights last night when Russia, Iran and Qatar said they were forming an Opec-style gas cartel.

The move by the three countries, which control 60% of the world's gas reserves, was met with immediate opposition from the European commission, which fears the group could drive up prices.

Alexey Miller, chairman of Russia's Gazprom, said they were forming a "big gas troika" and warned that the era of cheap hydrocarbons had come to an end.

"We are united by the world's largest gas reserves, common strategic interests and, which is of great importance, high cooperation potential in tripartite projects," he explained. "We have agreed to hold regular - three to four times a year - meetings of the gas G3 to discuss the crucial issues of mutual interest."

Miller's comments, likely to increase pressure on the west to accelerate developments in wind and other renewable energy alternatives, followed a meeting in Tehran with Gholamhossein Nozari, Iran's petroleum minister, and Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, Qatar's deputy prime minister and oil and energy minister.

Miller said the group was establishing a technical committee comprised of specialists and experts to discuss the implementation of joint projects embracing the entire value chain from geological exploration to marketing.

The Russians avoided the word cartel but the Iranians spelled it out clearly. "There is a demand to form this gas Opec and there is a consensus to set up gas Opec," Nozari told a news conference.

With Opec due to meet on Friday to look at ways of driving up oil prices, Miller said fossil fuels were going to cost more. "We share the opinion that oil price fluctuations don't put in question the fundamental thesis stating that the era of cheap hydrocarbons has come to an end."

The European commission said last night that it would oppose the creation of any organisation that could restrict competition. "The European commission feels that energy supplies have to be sold in a free market," said its spokesman, Ferran Tarradellas Espuny.

The west already suspects that Russia and Iran are happy to use energy to pursue political goals. The cutting off of gas by Moscow to Ukraine in the middle of a political and commercial spat caused outrage and worry in western Europe.

For its part, Iran, in its stand-off with world powers over its nuclear programme, has threatened to choke off oil shipments through the Persian Gulf if it is attacked.

A gas cartel could extend both countries' reach in energy and politics, particularly if oil prices bounce back to the highs seen this year, prompting politicians, businesses and consumers to look toward cleaner-burning natural gas and other alternative fuels.

The gathering in Iran needs to be ratified by further meetings in Qatar and Russia but is the most significant step toward the formation of such a group since Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, raised the idea in January 2007.

The European Union depends on Russia for nearly half of its natural gas imports. Moscow, which controls many of the pipelines from Russia and central Asia, already has a tight hold on supplies.

"To try to manoeuvre the supply makes perfect sense," said James Cordier, president of the US-based Liberty Trading Group and OptionSellers.com. "Just because it doesn't have the clout of oil, it's still in their best interest to deliver natural gas where it needs to go and manage supply in order to help manage the price."

Liquefied natural gas, a rapidly growing segment of the market, could be traded as a commodity similar to oil and the move by Russia, Iran and Qatar appears to anticipate that, said Konstantin Batunin, an analyst with Moscow's Alfa Bank.

"My take is that it is just a commitment to create something in the future," he said. "It's just a first step."

Russia, Iran and Qatar announce cartel that will control 60% of world's gas supplies

[Shammu]

Abbas meets Jordan's king, sees no peace pact with Israel in 2008
Amman - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday excluded the possibility of reaching a peace agreement with Israel before the end of 2008 as envisaged at the Annapolis conference in November last year. Frankly speaking there will be no compreh...
   
Posted : Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:09:08 GMT

Amman - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday excluded the possibility of reaching a peace agreement with Israel before the end of 2008 as envisaged at the Annapolis conference in November last year. "Frankly speaking there will be no comprehensive solution before the end of 2008," Abbas told reporters after talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II.

"There is no possibility for working out a partial agreement, because we seek a comprehensive accord," he said.

Since the Annapolis conference in November 2007, Israel and the Palestinians have been involved in peace negotiations with the avowed aim of reaching a peace pact that tackles all core issues settlements, refugees and frontiers.

The outcome of the peace talks figured prominently in Abbas' talks with King Abdullah.

"We discussed the attitude that we can take pending the election of a new US administration and the formation of a new Israeli government," Abbas said.

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who was asked by President Shimon Peres to try to form a coalition government, announced earlier this week that whe was unable to do so and instead recommended holding general elections.

For his part, King Abdullah underscored the importance of reaching "a reconciliation" between Abbas' Fatah group and the Islamic movement, Hamas, saying such a step would be "instrumental in fulfilling the objective of setting up an independent Palestinian state," according to a royal court statement.

He promised continued Jordanian support for Abbas in his endeavours "to regain Palestinian rights through the negotiation process."

Abbas meets Jordan's king, sees no peace pact with Israel in 2008

[Shammu]

Abbas: No peace agreement by 2009
Nov. 3, 2008
Jpost staff and ap , THE JERUSALEM POST

With only three months left of George W. Bush's US presidential term, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas acknowledged for the first time on Monday that a US-motivated drive toward a working peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians by the end of 2008 was not likely to succeed, Reuters reported.

"I don't think it's possible to come to an agreement by the end of the year when both administrations, in the United States and in Israel, are busy with other matters," Reuters quoted Abbas as saying during his visit to Romania.

"The brief amount of time which we have does not permit the conclusion of an agreement," he added.

The PA president arrived in Romania on Monday for a two-day visit, and was greeted by Romanian President Traian Basescu in a ceremony at the Cotroceni presidential palace.

He was expected to hold talks later in the day with Basescu to discuss the situation in the Middle East and bilateral relations. Following that meeting, he was also scheduled to meet lawmakers from both chambers of parliament.

Abbas: No peace agreement by 2009

[nChrist]

The USHERS positions for the Tribulation Period appear to be filling up quickly. Everything does appear to be falling in place - Just as GOD'S WORD says that it will. I was thinking about something that I'd like to share about weapons. Man has many weapons now, and they even use them for bragging rights and VANITY. CHRIST has a TERRIBLE SWIFT SWORD, and all of the combined armies of history would fall before HIS SWORD!

[Shammu]

Medvedev assails US in annual address

Russian president blames America for recent war in Georgia, global financial crisis, says Moscow will deploy missiles in its Baltic Sea territory in response to US missile defense plans

Associated Press
11.05.08, 12:50
Israel News

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has blamed the United States for the recent war in Georgia and the global financial crisis.

Medvedev wasted no time assailing the United States Wednesday in his first state-of-the-nation address since taking office in May. He said Russia is not inherently anti-American but suggested it is up to the United States to take the initiative in improving ties.

Minutes into the speech, he said Russia's war with Georgia was the result of aggressive US policy and that American self-interest led to the current global financial turmoil.

Medvedev said the war in Georgia increased tension in a volatile region and destabilized long-standing foundations of world order.

He added that Russia would deploy missiles in its Baltic Sea territory in response to US missile defense plans.

Medvedev said the short-range Iskander missiles will be deployed to the Kaliningrad region which borders NATO members Poland and Lithuania. He has not said how many missiles will be deployed or whether they will be fitted with nuclear warheads.

Russia will also deploy equipment to conduct to electronically hamper the operation of prospective US missile defense facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic, he added.

Medvedev said that Russia will also use navy resources as part of its response to the US missile shield.

Hope for change under Obama

Addressing Barack Obama's election as the new US president, Medvedev said he hopes Obama's administration will take steps to improve badly damaged US ties with Russia. He did not congratulate the new president in the address.

Medvedev said Russia hopes that Obama's administration will "make a choice in favor of full-fledged relations with Russia."

His criticism of the United States was in line with previous addresses by his predecessor, Vladimir Putin.

Russian-American relations have been increasingly tense and were driven to a post-Cold War low by Moscow's war with US ally Georgia.

Medvedev assails US in annual address

[nChrist]

SURE! - Everything bad going on in the world is our fault. - NOT!

I'll do more than imagine that the forces of darkness and the devil have much to do with what's going on. The forces of darkness are in an increasing state of readiness. As for me and mine, we will fear and love the LORD - HE will take care of everything else.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Ezekiel 7:1-9 NASB  Moreover, the word of the LORD came to me saying,  2  "And you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD to the land of Israel, 'An end! The end is coming on the four corners of the land.  3  'Now the end is upon you, and I will send My anger against you; I will judge you according to your ways and bring all your abominations upon you.  4  'For My eye will have no pity on you, nor will I spare you, but I will bring your ways upon you, and your abominations will be among you; then you will know that I am the LORD!'  5  "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'A disaster, unique disaster, behold it is coming!  6  'An end is coming; the end has come! It has awakened against you; behold, it has come!  7  'Your doom has come to you, O inhabitant of the land. The time has come, the day is near--tumult rather than joyful shouting on the mountains.  8  'Now I will shortly pour out My wrath on you and spend My anger against you; judge you according to your ways and bring on you all your abominations.  9  'My eye will show no pity nor will I spare. I will repay you according to your ways, while your abominations are in your midst; then you will know that I, the LORD, do the smiting.

[Shammu]

Heavy troop deployment near Egypt-Israel borders
Nov. 12, 2008
Associated Press , THE JERUSALEM POST

Large numbers of security forces are heading to Egypt-Israel border area in an attempt to stave off any further Bedouin strife, an Egyptian security official said on Wednesday.

Dozens of armored vehicles have already arrived at the border following violent clashes between angry Beduins and police that led to killing of three Beduins and injury of at least five policemen.

The security official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

Heavy troop deployment near Egypt-Israel borders

[Shammu]

Egypt sends troops to Israel border to face rioting Bedouins
      
Posted: 12-11-2008 , 11:42 GMT
      
Egyptian policeAn Egyptian security official said large numbers of security forces were heading to Egypt-Israel border area in a bid to stave off any further Bedouin strife. According to the AP, dozens of armored vehicles have already arrived at the border following violent clashes between angry Bedouins and police that led to killing of three Bedouins and injury of at least five policemen.

Bedouins also looted and burned several checkpoints along 15 kilometers of Egypt-Israel borders south of Rafah Tuesday and seized a total of 70 members of the security forces in separate incidents. They later freed most of them.

Egypt sends troops to Israel border to face rioting Bedouins

[nChrist]

Egypt sends troops to Israel border to face rioting Bedouins
      
Posted: 12-11-2008 , 11:42 GMT
      
Egyptian policeAn Egyptian security official said large numbers of security forces were heading to Egypt-Israel border area in a bid to stave off any further Bedouin strife. According to the AP, dozens of armored vehicles have already arrived at the border following violent clashes between angry Bedouins and police that led to killing of three Bedouins and injury of at least five policemen.

Bedouins also looted and burned several checkpoints along 15 kilometers of Egypt-Israel borders south of Rafah Tuesday and seized a total of 70 members of the security forces in separate incidents. They later freed most of them.

Egypt sends troops to Israel border to face rioting Bedouins

Brother Bob, THANKS for the great articles and news! We really don't know what spark will set off the powder kegs throughout the Middle East. It could even be an event like this one. The important thing is for us to remember that GOD has already told us about many things that will most definitely happen. I like the thought of hearing the FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH!

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Corinthians 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

[Shammu]

Russian imams will be trained in Turkey
14 November 2008

Moscow - Turkey will start actively preparing educational programs and training Islamic clergymen for Russia, said Ravil Gainutdin, head of the Russian Muftis Council.

Russia and Turkey have cooperated in the area of Islamic education, pilgrimage, book publishing and clergymen training for 15 years, and now need to broaden this cooperation, he said at a meeting with head of the Turkish Religious Affairs Department Ali Bardakoglu in Moscow on Friday.

For this purpose, the Russian Muftis Council and the Turkish Religious Affairs Department signed a cooperation agreement on Friday.

"Like Russia, Turkey is a secular country, which attaches great importance to human rights, this is why I believe that we can maintain fruitful cooperation in the field of education and publishing," the Turkish department director said at the signing ceremony.

Russian imams will be trained in Turkey

[Shammu]

Russia announces launch of kosher vodka production
14 November 2008

Moscow – Moscow Distillery Crystal has launched production of the Jewish Standard vodka.

It meets strict requirement of Jewish laws and is certified by a personal signature of Russia Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia told Interfax-Religion on Friday.

The product is kosher although the year except for the days of Pesach.

The vodka has original receipt where matzoth alcoholic infusions were first used. Every label has the sign of kosherity.

Russia announces launch of kosher vodka production
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The closer we get, the more the smaller details are coming out.

[Shammu]

Turkey President of Religious Affairs believes Russia is a model of state that keeps religious freedom
13 November 2008

Moscow – President of the Religious Affairs of the Turkish Republic Ali Bardakoglu noted recent positive tendencies in development of religious organizations in Russia.

“Russia has gained great power after eighty atheistic years and has become an important center for promoting religious teachings. We’re happy that religion enjoys such freedom in Russia,” Bardakoglu said on Thursday speaking at a conference on Islamic education.

He also pointed out that Muslims, the second largest religious community in Russia, actively developed their culture and education.

“It’s the first time I’ve come to Russia, a friendly country for me, and it’s a great honor. I’m glad to see that today Russian Muslims give us an example of developing their culture,” the Turkish representative said.

Turkey President of Religious Affairs believes Russia is a model of state that keeps religious freedom

[Shammu]

The 22nd Russia-EU summit ends in Nice

14.11.2008, 16.40

NICE, November 14 (Itar-Tass) The agenda of the summit consists of three blocks of problems: the EU-Russia bilateral cooperation, the global financial crisis, and the Euro-Atlantic security, including the Russian president’s initiative to conclude a new Treaty on European Security. To be broached in this context also are some ABM problems and the situation in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Georgia.

Russia’s decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is final and not liable to revision, President Dmitry Medvedev told a news conference following the Russia-EU summit, when asked in what coordinate system the situation in the Caucasus was being discussed.

Russia’s recognition of these two republics, which have suffered from Georgia’s aggression, is not a subject for gambling or bargaining. It was a well-considered state-level decision, Medvedev said. He added that Russia would be building full-scale inter-state relations with both republics.

Russia is ready to further discuss settlement in the Caucasus, Medvedev told reporters.

“We are ready for a further constructive discussion of settlement in the Caucasus. We are ready to discuss this directly, looking each other into eyes,” he said adding that Russia would discuss these problems with European partners at any meetings “although in the future this (the meetings) will be overgrown with non-existing details.”

“Russia recognizes Georgia’s territorial integrity taking into account the fact that it recognized independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia,” Medvedev said.

The president also said he considered “the Medvedev-Sarkozy plan fully and properly fulfilled.”

Medvedev has thanked French President Nicolas Sarkozy for help the latter man extended in clearing away the acute phase of the crisis in and around South Ossetia, a former region of Georgia that the Georgian government had been subjected to an armed punitive operation in early August.

Medvedev said Russia and the EU proved able then to take fruitful coordinated steps.

"Life has shown there's no alternative to direct talks, in the first place, and the existing mechanisms of ensuring security are imperfect, in the second place," he said.

Medvedev voiced the hope that Russia and the EU will begin talks soon on a new Treaty on Strategic Partnership and Cooperation.

"I hope talks on it will begin soon," he said. "We believe this treaty should have a meaty content and a tough structure and set the scene for joint work over many years ahead."

He recalled that an interval had occurred suddenly in preparations of the treaty.

"We were not the proponents of that break but it's good we've overcome it now," Medvedev said.

He refrained from forecasting when talks on the issue might be over, saying: "I don't know when but I hope it'll happen in the near future."

The 22nd Russia-EU summit ends in Nice