Revived Roman Empire News - the E.U.

[nChrist]

One world currency, that sounds familiar..........

I believe this is going to become very common within the next couple of years on both the East and West coasts.

"One World" many things appear to be escalating by the day now. One doesn't need to watch for many years to see dramatic changes in this day and time. More and more radical changes are taking place in fairly short periods of time.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Tony Blair says he will be President of Europe if they give him the power

As the EU prepares to name the first permanent president of the member-states, 27 of them now and sure to include additional states in the future, one name keeps surfacing as the very first European president, Tony Blair, the former PM of Great Britain.

French President Sarkozy, German Chancellor Merkel, Gordon Brown, current PM of the UK, and even US President George W. Bush have suggested Tony Blair would make a great president of Europe. In response to these suggestions, the former UK PM said that he is increasingly willing to put himself forward for the job if it comes with real power to make a difference.

The EU with a permanent powerful president is a page out of Bible prophecy for the Last Days.

The former PM of the UK, Tony Blair, is today the Middle East Peace Envoy for the Quartet, the US, EU, UN and Russia. Blair has an office in Jerusalem where he has been playing a major role in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. This European leader has been holding discussions with some of his oldest allies on how he could mount a campaign to become the first full-time president of the European Council. The President of the European Council is a post created under the Lisbon Treaty and he would chair Europe's chief decision making body. The EU-Lisbon Treaty to be implemented in 2009 would set in place a perfect prototype of the political power and position that is called for in Bible prophecy.

Daniel, an ancient Jewish prophet, revealed 2,500 years ago a scenario that calls for the revival of the old Roman Empire. It will have a leader known as the Antichrist, a very powerful political leader, Daniel 9:7-24.

[Soldier4Christ]

 The European Parliament is 50 years old and said to become a substantial powerhouse in 2009

Many European leaders believe that the European Parliament has changed profoundly since its meager beginnings in 1958 to the substantial powerhouse it is set to be from 2009, the year that the Lisbon Treaty from the EU will be implemented.

Established as the European Assembly with its 142 members and 4 official languages, its ranks have swelled to 785 members in the European Parliament today and it has 23 official languages. The European Parliament is the world's only directly elected multinational legislature and under the EU's new treaty, the power of the MEPs will be extended to include virtually all policy areas.

With the expanded powers that will be given to the European Parliament under the EU treaty the stage is set for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled.

As the European Parliament marks its 50th birthday, it is preparing to become a powerhouse in the worldwide, political, economic and governmental arena in 2009. The EU treaty, the Lisbon Treaty which will be implemented in 2009, will empower the European Parliament and give it extended powers in virtually all policy areas. As the only directly elected multinational legislature in our world today, this governmental body will be a major powerhouse on the world scene.

The European Parliament, the European Commission and the 27 member-states of the EU do actually fit a model that is described in Bible prophecy for the Last Days. The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream 2,500 years ago that the prophet Daniel interpreted for the king, an interpretation that is actually a prophecy of the revived Roman Empire that will come to power in the Last Days, Daniel 2:40-45. Daniel himself had a dream that predicted the exact same scenario, Daniel 7:7-8, 23-24.

The European Parliament, the European Commission and the EU do indeed set the stage for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled.

[Shammu]

Solana calls on Syria to intervene in 'positive' way in Lebanon
hizbullah slams eu minister for 'repeating us position'
By Hussein Abdallah
Daily Star staff
Tuesday, March 18, 2008

BEIRUT: French Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascale Andreani said on Monday that Syria must play a positive role in Lebanon by facilitating the election of a new president.

Andreani reiterated an earlier call by European Union Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana, who urged international pressure on Syria over Lebanon's presidential crisis.

"Just like Solana, our position has not changed. We believe that Syria, as the rest of the parties concerned, must exercise a positive role in Lebanon to allow the election of a president, as stipulated by the Arab initiative," Andreani said.

Hizbullah on Monday criticized Solana's recent remarks as insulting to the majority of the Lebanese people.

"What Solana said is far from being objective. It is an echo of the United States' position," Hizbullah said in a statement.

"An independent European policy on Lebanon is more beneficial to Europe than simply repeating the US position," the statement added.

Mohammad Jassem al-Saqr, the head of Arab Parliament, an arm of the Arab League,  said on Monday that the Arab delegation that arrived in Lebanon on Sunday has come with the aim of encouraging all parties to stay away from violence and engage in reconciliation talks.

"We are worried about the fragile security situation in Lebanon," Saqr said.

"We discussed the current situation with Prime Minister Siniora and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who believes that renovating strained ties between Saudi Arabia and Syria will help end Lebanon's crisis," he added.

"We asked Speaker Berri about closing down Parliament and he said that he could not open sessions for an illegitimate government."

The Western-backed Siniora government is deemed illegitimate by Lebanon's Syrian-backed opposition.

Saqr said he will be visiting Syria ahead of the Arab summit later this month.

The Arab delegation later met Hizbullah's second in command Sheikh Naim Qassem and Lebanese Forces MP George Adwan on behalf of LF leader Samir Geagea, who is on a visit to the United States.

Geagea was due to meet late Monday with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and his envoy Terje Roed Larsen.

Pro-opposition newspaper Al-Akhbar said on Monday that Larsen was preparing for an international meeting on Lebanon to be held in Paris.

Meanwhile, Berri was quoted by Lebanese newspaper As-Safir on Monday as saying he was pessimistic about electing a president ahead of the summit later this month. Berri added that the 2009 parliamentary elections might not take place if the feuding parties do not agree on an electoral law.

Meanwhile, Siniora was handed on Monday Syria's invitation to participate in the upcoming Arab summit, scheduled for March 29-30 in Damascus.

But the Siniora government is not likely to be represented at the summit after three ministers affiliated with Progressive Socialist Party of Druze leader Waild Jumblatt said they will vote against attending the Damascus conference.

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun said on Monday he would not recognize Siniora as Lebanon's representative in the Arab summit. "Siniora is not eligible for representing Lebanon," he said after a meeting of the Reform and Change parliamentary bloc.

Aoun also lashed out at the ruling coalition, saying that "the rulers of today are the same people who ruled the country under Syrian tutelage."

"Syria pulled out, but they continued to rule because the greater master never changed," Aoun said, referring to the United States.

Asked about not inviting MP Michel Murr's to the bloc's meeting, Aoun said that bloc members are never invited to meetings.

"The meetings take place every Monday. None of the bloc members receive invitations to take part in the meetings," Aoun added.

Asked about the prospects of losing the support of Murr in the Metn district, Aoun said it was too early to speak about losing Murr. "Do not jump to quick conclusions for the mere fact that MP Murr did not attend the bloc's meeting," Aoun told reporters in Rabieh.

Earlier on Monday, Murr, a member of Aoun's parliamentary bloc denied to Voice of Lebanon Radio that he was at odds with Aoun. But Murr said he had not been invited to take part in the bloc's regular weekly meeting.

"I am not at odds with Aoun and I am ready to attend the meeting if invited," Murr said.

The Metn lawmaker earlier blamed Aoun's bloc for blocking the election of a new president.

Murr's criticism triggered reactions from other bloc members and FPM officials.

Murr also said on Monday he was against Lebanon's participation in the Arab summit in the absence of a new president.

The last chance to elect a president before the summit will be on March 25. The presidential seat has been vacant since Emile Lahoud stood down last November. Scheduled Parliament sessions to elect a successor have been delayed 16 times.

Also on Monday, former President Amine Gemayel briefed a number of Arab ambassadors on the latest developments in Lebanon.

Gemayel was quoted by Lebanese daily An-Nahar on Monday as saying that Lebanon should attend the Damascus summit "in order to make its voice heard."

"The summit is hosted and not owned by Damascus," the former president said.

Solana calls on Syria to intervene in 'positive' way in Lebanon

[Shammu]

Balkans, Mediterranean to join forces
Thursday, March 27, 2008

ISTANBUL – Turkish Daily News

  Parallel to Turkey's integration process into the European Union, collaboration for synergy would not only serve Balkans but also surrounding regions, said Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu, chairman of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB).

  Our main concern is to develop regional cooperation. Within this framework, we will sign a business cooperation agreement as the Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC) with the Association of Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME) to establish strong business relations between countries of the region, said Hisarcıklıoğlu, during ABC's first general assembly in Istanbul yesterday.

  Within the framework of regional cooperation, the "Mediterranean Business Partneria" will be organized between May 15-18 in Antalya. Some 300 buyers of 10 sectors from 44 countries are expected to participate in the event. This project aims to further develop markets for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) via establishing a wide business network and building partnerships on sector level from different countries, said Hisarcıklıoğlu.

  Turkey's total investments in Balkan countries have reached $1.5 billion, he said. Adding to that Turkish capital that is invested through third countries, the figure is approximately $1.9 billion, Hisarcıklıoğlu said.

  The value of housing projects [in the Balkans] that have been undertaken by Turkish contractors is $4.5 billion. These data show that we are strengthening our economic relations with Balkan countries,said Hisarcıklıoğlu. Currently 15,000 Turkish companies and 20,000 Turkish business people are operating in Balkan countries.

Balkans, Mediterranean to join forces

[Shammu]

Bulgarian Parliament chooses Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly representatives
26.03.2008

The Bulgarian Parliament will debate on a decision who will be the country's representatives in the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliament's schedule for Wednesday reveals.

The Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly consists of 120 members representing the European countries and an equal number from the 10 Mediterranean partner countries. The assembly considers political, economic and cultural matters of common interest and discusses ways of strengthening the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.

In the working schedule of the Parliament are also debates on changes in health insurance laws, submitted by the Socialist Party, and changes in the Value Added Tax laws, submitted by the right-wing opposition.

Bulgarian Parliament chooses Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly representatives

[Shammu]

EuroMed talks 'important for global stability'

ATHENS (EUX.TV) -- Elected representatives of 37 parliaments from Europe and the Mediterranean started a two-day meeting here on Thursday. The agenda is to address energy cooperation, the environment and relations between Israel and Palestine, among other issues.

The meeting includes a total of 240 parliamentarians. Half of them are from the 27 members states of the European Union and the European Parliament. The other 120 are from the countries surrounding the Mediterranean.

The EuroMed "is important for global stability," said Greek President Karolus Papoulias while meeting a delegation at his residence Thursday morning.

"Cooperation between the Mediterranean and Europe has a long history," he said. "Today, it's political, economic, financial and cultural cooperation that really matters."

The Athens meeting is the 4th of the EuroMed parliamentary assembly.

The meeting will also discuss plans adopted by the European Union's heads of government earlier this months for closer cooperation with Mediterranean countries. This will be discussed further at a conference organized under the French EU presidency in July.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy last year launched a plan to create a Mediterranean union that would resemble the European Union. But - largely due to German pressure - that plan has been amended to ensure that all 27 member states of the EU will be involved, not just those on the Mediterranean.

Thursday has been reserved for Committee meetings, while a plenary session takes place on Friday in the presence of Hans-Gert Poettering, President of the European Parliament.

The EuroMed meeting, formally known as the Euro Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, is a product of the 'Barcelona Process,' which aims to improve EU cooperation with the Mediterranean countries.

The EuroMed assembly is the only international political body that includes both representatives from Israel and the Palestinian territories.

EuroMed talks 'important for global stability'

[Shammu]

Euro-Med Parliamentary Assembly in Athens
03/29/2008
 
The 4th plenary session of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly opened in Athens on Friday, with keynote addresses by Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering, and EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas.

Other speakers included Greek Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas, as chairman of the Assembly, and Deputy FM Yannis Valinakis.
 
In his opening address to the Assembly, Premier Karamanlis stressed that the Mediterranean, as a crossroads of peoples and cultures, comprised and must comprise a source of wealth, development and progress.
 
Consequently, cooperation was required for better exploitation of the "common opportunities", consolidation of the vision of the region where "the historical past meets the hope-bringing future", he said.
 
Regarding the meeting's agenda, which focuses mainly on energy and environmental protection issues, Karamanlis noted that this was a "twin, modern-day challenge" which was at the center of European interest, and called on the Assembly's 37 member countries to highlight their common backgrounds and jointly tackle the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities.
 
Sioufas, as chairman of the Assembly, noted that the Euro-Med cooperation was marking the 14th year since the institution of the Barcelona Process, and the 4th year since the founding of the Parliamentary Assembly, which recently met with the encouragement of the leaders of France and Germany for its renewal and reinforcement.
 
On the Assembly's agenda, Sioufas stressed that development, energy and environmental protection were intertwined targets, and referred to the Athens Treaty of 2005 that instituted the Southeastern Europe Energy Community.
 
He further referred to Greece's proposal for the establishment of a Euro-Med Energy Cooperation, and highlighted the discussion for a new energy policy that would promote sustainable development and consolidate renewable forms of energy. "Europe, the Mediterranean, our peoples and our countries can send a clear message, from Athens today: Protection of the environment is the best policy, the biggtest legacy, for the coming generations," he stressed.
 
Deputy FM Valinakis stressed Greece's long-standing and intense interest in the Mediterranean region, and outlined the course and progress of the EU's Partnership Relations with the countries of the Mediterranean, noting the development of the political dialogue, the strengthening of economic relations, the inter-cultural dialogue, the cooperation on security and immigration matters.
 
"Now, we are discussing the substantive development of the regional dimension of an integrated cooperation among the EU member states and the countries of the Mediterranean south," he said, highlighting the role of the Parliamentary Assembly in the new scheme that was evolving.
 
Noting that the Assembly has also acquired a political dimension and realises the importance of the issues of the region, Valinakis referred to the Declaration adopted recently at the 5th Euro-Med conference of energy ministers aimed at the gradual creation of a single energy market in the region, with parallel promotion of sustainable development and exploitation of alternative energy sources. Regarding the evolution of the Barcelona Process into a Union for the Mediterranean, he stressed the need for preserving the principle of co-ownership, while noting that the 3rd conference of culture ministers would convene in Athens in May to discuss the inter-cultural dialogue.
 
Valinakis further proposed the creation of a Mediterranean "Erasmus Programme" for inter-university cooperation, stressing that "cooperation is the key to stability, development and progress".
 
Barroso, Poettering
 
European Commission chief Barroso noted that EU decisions impact the Mediterranean, and vice-versa, and consequently the interactive function mandates cooperation for meeting the major challenges of the times.
 
Therefore, he added, "the Mediterranean is an immediate priority for the EU", noting that this message had been "received and transmitted" during trhe recent EU summit, with the leaders calling for upgrading of the Barcelona Process, and cited as tangible results the imminent founding of the Euro-Mediterranean University in Slovenia, as well as the existing cooperation on migration issues, which he said needed to be strengthened.
 
Barroso further noted that, of the Community funds, 10 billion euros were earmarked for the Mediterranean, adding also that EU imports from the Mediterranean countries were increasing at an annual rate of 4 percent. He remarked, however, that the prospect of creation of a Mediterranean Free Trade Zone was still far away while, in the tertiary sector of the economy (provision of services), the Euro-Med cooperation has had limited results, as also were the results in environmental protection and in establishing gender equality.
 
He said the problems in the Middle East had been an obstacle to further development of the Euro-Med cooperation, and stressed that only through cooperation and dialogue could peace and security be consolidated in a region.
 
European Parliament head Poettering said that "our future is at stake today, and protection of the environment is our immediate and highest priority".
 
Although a German national himself, he said, he firmly believed that "the Mediterranean is the cradle of Europe and democracy, the birthplace of which we find ourselves today".
 
Poettering stressed that the Euro-Med Parliamentary Assembly must follow in the steps of the European Parliament which "in the past, had limited authorities, but today we have enhanced powers", and urged the Assembly to acquire "expanded authorities, so that its decisions will be binding".
 
Environment Commissioner
 
European Commissioner Dimas stressed the problems created by contamination and pollution of the environment, adding, however, that "as energy comprises a part of the problem, improvement of energy yield comprises part of the solution.
 
Turning to climate change, Dimas noted that the Commission has designed a "holistic policy" in the framework of which it has formulated a cluster of proposals, "because this issue constitutes a global threat and immense effort is required to confront it".
 
Turning specifically to the Mediterranean, Dimas noted that the region was particularly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, and backed a proposal by European Commission president Poettering for setting up an ad-hoc committee.
 
Dimas said that the cooperation on the issue must involve governments, parliaments, businesses and NGOs, noting that the crux of the Commission's policy was to achieve reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in tandem with counteracting the consequences that have already been caused. He said the rise in temperatures has caused destabilisation of the climate, imposing adaptation to the changing climatic conditions.
 
He warned that the climate changes, global warming, drought, melting of the ice, wildfires and desertification of large expanses of land, would put international security at risk, and cause clashes and tension. "It is a global problem that the EU cannot tackle on its own," he said, noting that a new international agreement in 2009 was hoped to establish a global basis of cooperation in the direction of increasing energy yield as well as the use of renewable energy sources.
 
Expressing conviction that the EU will achieve its targets and exceed its share of targets arising from the Kyoto Protocol, Dimas said that the package of proposals drafted by the Commission was totally compatible with the financial aspect, noting indicatively that the cost corresponded to 3 euros per week, per family.
 
As for the Mediterranean, he said the area was threatened by marine pollution caused by industry, shipping and urban waste, but also by over-construction, given that, in the immediate future, it was estimated that 50 percent of the coasts of the Mediterranean will have been built upon, with disastrous repercussions on the ecosystem and on bio-diversity.
 
He further noted that the cost from environmental destruction corresponded to 3 percentage points of GDP for the Mediterranean countries of Africa. 
 
Dimas noted that in the last 30 years the Mediterranean region has dramatically deteriorated, stressing that steadfast political volition was required to reverse the situation. "Protection of the environment in the Mediterraean ins a top-line priority," he said, warning that a "destroyed environment means a destroyed economy".
 
"We must dissolve the myth that protection of the environment counteracts development and the economy," the Commissioner said, stressing that, "on the contrary, they are targets that are inter-cnnected and which we must jointly advance, because the Mediterranean is our common heritage".

Euro-Med Parliamentary Assembly in Athens

[Shammu]

EU borderless zone to be extended to airports
28.03.2008 - 14:55 CET
By Elitsa Vucheva

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – At midnight on Sunday (30 March) the enlargement of the EU's borderless zone to eight Eastern European countries and Malta will be completed through the lifting of air border controls between them and the 15 countries already part of the area.

The enlargement of the so-called Schengen area started on 21 December when land and sea border checks between Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, and the other Schengen countries were abolished.

"The enlargement of the Schengen zone to 24 member states is now complete," EU transport commissioner Jacques Barrot stated on Friday (28 March) referring to the inclusion of airports.

"I would like to underline the symbolic and concrete importance of this change," he said.

"The free movement of persons represents one of the fundamental [EU] principles. [It is] concrete, as the life of the citizens moving within the Schengen zone will be very simplified," he added.

While air companies will continue to perform identity checks at check-in and boarding, people will from Sunday onwards be allowed to fly from one airport to another within the Schengen area without being subjected to other formalities.

In addition, "it will be the end of a certain number of long queues and procedures for EU citizens, as well as for third country nationals travelling within Schengen by air", said Mr Barrot.

In order to celebrate the lifting of air borders, several member states have planned media events at their main airports.

At the airport of Ljubljana, the capital of current EU president country Slovenia, EU commissioner Janez Potocnik, himself from Slovenia, will represent the European Commission at a ceremony celebrating the border opening.

The Schengen area was established in 1985 and named after the small Luxembourg village where it was signed by Germany, the Benelux countries and France.

It now comprises 22 EU member states, as well as Norway and Iceland.

Non-EU member Switzerland is also to become a member of the Schengen area later this year, while EU members Ireland and the UK do not participate in the zone.

Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania still have to meet the necessary requirements. It is not yet known when they will join Schengen, but Cyprus is expected to do so around 2009, while Bulgaria and Romania are hoping to follow suit by 2011.

EU borderless zone to be extended to airports

[Shammu]

Importance of EU-Israel relations to be stated by EU leaders?

by:  Yossi Lempkowicz
08/Apr/2008

BRUSSELS (EJP)---The European Union might endorse later this year a new political statement stressing the importance of EU-Israel relations, an EU official said Tuesday.
"Such a statement is now circulating among the EU member states and could be endorsed at a summit meeting before the end of this year," Patrick Child, cabinet chief of EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, said.
 
He was one of the speakers at an event in the European Parliament organized by B’nai B’rith International to celebrate Israel’s 60th anniversary.
 
Last week, Ferrero-Waldner announced that the EU would deepen its political dialogue with Israel and involve the country more closely in several EU policies, as part of the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the EU’s framework foreign policy covering its eastern and southern neighbours.
 
Israel was described as the "front-runner" among non-EU members participating in EU programs that range from scientific cooperation to trade integration.
 
A "reflection group" is considering areas where the future EU-Israel relations could be upgraded to a "special status”.
 
But Patrick Child said that while Israel is a leading country in the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU "cannot ignore" the political developments in the Mideast peace process. 
 
Speaking at the same event, Israel’s ambassador to the EU, Ran Curiel, praised the fact that after years of mistrust and suspicion, the EU and Israel have been able to develop a "mature political dialogue."   
 
"Israel and the EU have the same long-term interest," he added.
 
But he ruled out the idea of Israel joining the European Union even if the Israeli population appears to favour such a plan. "This is not in our cards. We have not asked to join the EU and we have not been asked to join," he said.
 
The EU and Israel are linked by an association agreement which came into force in 2000. The EU is Israel’s main trade partner and an EU-Israel Association Council meets annually at ministerial level.
 
This week's celebration of Israel’s anniversary in the framework of the European Parliament includes discussions hosted by MEPs on issues highlighting Israeli innovation in such fields as immigration absorption, development aid, environment and international cooperation.

Importance of EU-Israel relations to be stated by EU leaders?

[Shammu]

Peres debates ME vision with EU envoys

Greer Fay Cashman
THE JERUSALEM POST
Apr. 8, 2008

President Shimon Peres expressed optimism on Tuesday about economic solutions for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - which he staunchly believes will ease the way for political solutions - during a meeting with ambassadors of European Union member countries.

"Many people think my dreams are fantastic, but I have discovered that it's easier to do fantastic things than to do realistic things," he said.

The meeting between Peres and the ambassadors was the first of its kind.

Slovenian Ambassador Boris Sovic, whose country joined the EU and NATO in 2004 and currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU, emphasized the importance of Israel's relationship with the EU, noted that Israel was active in European neighborhood policy, and said there was a consensus among member states to upgrade the EU's relationship with Israel.

Sovic also expressed support for the continuing negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and said it was hoped that these negotiations would lead to the creation of a Palestinian state "that will live in peace and harmony with Israel."

Peres replied that although the differences between Israel and the Palestinian Authority were minimal, "reaching peace with the Palestinians will take time - because of the situation in the Palestinian camp, not because of us."

Regarding the right of return for Palestinian refugees, Peres said, "Everyone knows in his heart what is possible and what is not possible. Everyone knows that it is impossible that Israel will commit suicide demographically. What makes Israel a Jewish state is not a declaration but a Jewish majority."

As to the ongoing assault from Gaza, Peres admitted that Israel had a dilemma in that the only way to stop the attacks was to reconquer Gaza, but Israel did not want to do so.

Moreover, Peres said, if Israel were to leave parts of the West Bank to facilitate the creation of a Palestinian state, it could only do so if it were sure the Gaza situation would not be repeated there. Even the most committed leftist agrees with that, he added.

He also made it clear that Israel could not make decisions for the Palestinians.

"The Palestinians have to decide their own destiny," he said.

In reviewing Israel's relations with its neighbors, Peres remarked that people always talked about what Israel had not achieved rather than what it had achieved - namely peace with Egypt and Jordan.

"Better a reluctant peace than a definite war," he said.

From Israel's point of view, he continued, the war with Lebanon is over, and as far as Syria is concerned, "Syria has to make up its mind whether it belongs to the Iranian or non-Iranian camp. Will they support Hizbullah in Lebanon, prevent democratic elections and turn Lebanon into an Iranian satellite, or will they divorce themselves from the Iranian connection?"

Peres brought out maps and outlined the 520-kilometer border between Israel and Jordan (420 km.) and Israel and the Palestinian Authority (100 km.) from the Red Sea to the Syrian border.

He also spoke of the existing economic opportunities and the economic investments that have been made or pledged.
The Turks want to build a hospital and a school in the North on Israeli land to serve the Palestinian people, and Israel is in favor, he said.

Israel is also interested in the establishment of a hi-tech center in the West Bank so Palestinians will have better employment opportunities, a greater incentive to use their knowledge and skills and greater chances to improve their standard of living, Peres said. "We don't want to create the impression that Israel is hi-tech and the Arabs are low-tech."

The biggest problem, however, is water, he said.

Jordan and the Palestinians have suffered because there has been a drought for five years straight, he said. Israel built a 120-million-cubic-meter desalination plant, "and now we're building another five."

Peres saw common problems as a means of cooperation that might even help political negotiations.

"Nature, economy and ecology forces us to work together," he said.

In urging greater investments in his vision of industrial parks, he differentiated between donor nations giving for the sole benefit of the Palestinians, and projects that could be undertaken with private capital that would benefit the investors and the people in the region.

Peres debates ME vision with EU envoys

[Shammu]

Euro Demands More Say in World Economy
Friday April 11, 8:36 pm ET
By Aoife White, AP Business Writer

EU: Europe Needs More Say in World Economy Talks As Strong Euro Gains Ground

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- The European Union's top economy official has said that Europe deserved a greater say in the global economy as the strong euro gains ground as the world's second major currency.

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EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Friday that the rest of the world now sees the euro currency zone as "a pole of stability" and the currency had the potential to become even more important.

The euro is now second to the weak U.S. dollar as a reserve currency held by foreign investors and has risen sharply against the dollar in recent months, hitting a new all-time high of $1.5912 on Thursday.

Almunia said the euro area is now "playing an increasingly important role in supporting the stability of the world economy and the global financial system."

"Non-EU countries increasingly perceive the euro area and the EU as a whole as a pole of stability, a source of new capital, and also a source of advice and expertise on regulatory approaches," he said in a speech to the Petersen Institute in Washington D.C.

His prepared remarks were distributed ahead of time by his Brussels office.

The EU official called for the 15 euro nations to share a single seat when world leaders meet to discuss the economy at the International Monetary Fund or the G-7 group of top seven industrialized nations.

In the G-7, this would come at the expense of euro users Germany, France and Italy which now represent themselves at these talks.

The euro's greater role carried some risks, he warned, because it increased the region's exposure to shocks from other parts of the world and "disruptive portfolio shifts" between major currencies.

"It is precisely such shocks that are likely to occur more frequently in a world characterized by financial and economic globalization," he said.

He again signaled worry about the U.S.' huge current account deficit, saying a sudden "unwinding" could hit Europe hard, since its currency is still appreciating against the dollar.

The euro now makes up 26 percent of foreign exchange reserves and is the second most actively traded currency after the U.S. dollar on global foreign exchange markets.

Euro-dollar trades are the most popular foreign exchange deals, accounting for more than a quarter of global turnover.

Euro Demands More Say in World Economy

[Soldier4Christ]

Hamas MP sees Islamic conquest 'very soon'
Lawmaker for group meeting Carter envisions takeover of Western civilization

A member of the Palestinian parliament representing Hamas declared in a televised message that Islam "very soon" will conquer Rome, spread throughout Europe then take over the Americas.

Yunis Al-Astal, a Muslim cleric, said in the April 11 broadcast on Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV, "Very soon, Allah willing, Rome will be conquered, just like Constantinople was, as was prophesied by our prophet Muhammad."

A segment of the address was taped and translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute, or MEMRI.

MEMRI also reported Abbas Zaki, the Palestinian Authority's ambassador to Lebanon, declared on Lebanese television last week that Israel would be conquered.

"When Israel's ideology will collapse, and after we take Jerusalem, Israel's ideology will collapse altogether, and then we will proceed with our own ideology, inshallah [if Allah wills], and we will throw them out of all of Palestine," Zaki said.

The Hamas leader Al-Astal told Palestinians, "Allah has chosen you for himself and for his religion, so that you will serve as the engine pulling this nation to the phase of succession, security, and consolidation of power, and even to conquests thorough da'wa (propagation of Islam) and military conquests of the capitals of the entire world."

The Palestinian lawmaker called Rome the "capital of the Catholics," or "the Crusader capital, which has declared its hostility to Islam, and has planted the brothers of apes and pigs in Palestine in order to prevent the reawakening of Islam … ."

Many Muslim clerics, citing language in popular English renditions of Islam's holy book, the Quran, teach that the Jews descended from apes and pigs.

As WND reported, Hamas leaders, ahead of a controversial visit with Jimmy Carter, called the former U.S. president a "noble person" whose planned meeting with the terrorist organization would help it "engage with the world community."

Hamas is listed by the State Department as a terrorist group. It's responsible for scores of deadly suicide bombings, and thousands of shooting attacks and rocket firings against civilian population centers.

Al-Astal said Rome will one day "be an advanced post for the Islamic conquests, which will spread through Europe in its entirety, and then will turn to the two Americas, and even Eastern Europe."

"I believe that our children or our grandchildren will inherit our jihad (holy war) and our sacrifices, and Allah willing, the commanders of the conquest will come from among them," he said. "Today, we instill these good tidings in their souls, and by means of the mosques and the Quran books, and the history of our prophets, his companions, and the great leaders, we prepare them for the mission of saving humanity from the hellfire on the brink of which they stand."

[nChrist]

Brothers and Sisters,

We all might as well accept the facts that NOTHING will slow or hasten GOD'S Appointed Time for the things THAT WILL COME! They can gather all of the intellectuals of the world together, BUT there won't be any solution until JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF implements it.

There is a valley nearby that they should visit during President Carter's trip. They should try to visualize what 200 million dead soldiers will look like in that valley. BUT, this is just a tiny sample of THINGS THAT WILL COME! The details are in the Holy Bible for all to read, so why don't they read it? President Carter is a self-professing Christian, SO - has he read it? If not - why not? At this point, it really doesn't matter whether President Carter has read or understands that portion of the Bible or not. WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THE HOLY BIBLE WAS ORDAINED BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD!

Would President Carter do anything differently if he understood Bible Prophecy? I don't know, but I assume that the rest of the world leaders are just as ignorant - including our present leadership. Maybe this part of the Holy Bible is as easy to dismiss as GOD'S Account of Creation in Genesis. Many self-professing Christians believe Darwin over GOD, so they've already called GOD a liar on HIS VERY CREATION! So, why not dismiss Bible Prophecy more easily?

Ooooooophs! There seems to be hundreds of Bible Prophecies fulfilled PERFECTLY at the rate of 100% ACCURACY! Oooooooophs! The theory of evolution is falling apart because of NO EVIDENCE! It appears that many fairly intelligent people are beginning to BELIEVE GOD! The Promises of GOD are SO SURE that they can be considered ALREADY DONE! The countries of the world might as well go ahead and erect memorials for the hundreds of millions that will DIE SOON, and GOD has already given one location President Carter and others should visit while they are close.

[Shammu]

EU offers surprise proposal to hold Palestine meeting in Turkey
The European Union has made a surprise offer to host a broad meeting on Palestine in Turkey, State Minister Kürşad Tüzmen revealed yesterday.

Tüzmen, speaking at a press conference in Brussels after having separate talks with EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, said, however, that Turkey is approaching the offer with caution. "Such initiatives should not be romantic," Tüzmen said, emphasizing that such attempts should have the backing of the United States, Japan and the World Bank in order to succeed.

Tüzmen said Brussels sought Turkey's support to ensure that the project would be "realistic" and expressed appreciation of the EU's interest in developments taking place in the Middle East. "But a realistic approach is needed to be able to offer a meaningful economic or political initiative," he added.

Tüzmen did not elaborate on the content of the proposed meeting. Turkey has often said that it is willing to host an international conference to discuss efforts for peace in the Middle East and the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Tüzmen also confirmed that he had pledged to shave his moustache when Turkey joins the EU in his meeting with Rehn. The EU commissioner asked him whether it was a firm pledge at their meeting yesterday and Tüzmen gave his word. "I told the EU officials I met that this engagement should end in marriage," he said, referring to Turkey's accession bid.

EU offers surprise proposal to hold Palestine meeting in Turkey