Javier Solana, the High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, has pledged that the EU will play a very important role at the international peace conference to be held in Annapolis, Maryland later this month. He made the comments during a press conference in Israel yesterday, convened by the head of the Israeli negotiating team, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. Solana said that he had discussed a number of issues with Tzipi Livni during his tour of the region, namely Israel's desire to upgrade its relations with the European Union, increasing co-operation in fields such as science and technology, and they also discussed the need for a third round of sanctions against Iran in relation to its nuclear programme. He was also asked questions in relation to Europe's involvement in the Middle East peace process. To that, Solana replied that the EU would have an important presence at the Annapolis gathering, and that the bloc would continue to play a very prominent role in the region after the event, taking on the responsibility of a monitoring mechanism, ensuring that both sides abide by any agreement that is reached. Solana reiterated his earlier statement, that a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority was "doable" by the end of 2008.

Quote: "Q: Mr. Solana, I would like to ask you what is going to be the role of the European Union in Annapolis and if you are confident that after the conference an agreement could be reached in eight or nine months?
SECRETARY-GENERAL SOLANA: The role of the European Union is to be part of the Annapolis conference and a member of the Quartet. Apart from being a member of the Quartet, so we'll be there. There will be a very important presence of the European Union and very important activity and contribution to the process - not only to the conference itself but also to the mechanism of follow-up, to monitor it if necessary, etc., etc. Now, you asked me if it's feasible to file an agreement at the end of a period of eight months or something like that. I think by the end of the year 2008, it could be doable. It could be feasible. I don't guarantee that will be done but I think it's possible.

In regards to the American-backed "Roadmap to Peace" document, both Solana and Livni agreed that it was not necessary for the process to intricately follow the steps written in this document. The Palestinian Authority has not disarmed or disbanded terrorist organizations operating in its territory, as detailed in the first stage of the document. As a result, Israel has not felt obligated to halt all settlement activity in Judea and Samaria. Instead, the Roadmap to Peace would be used as a final check, pending the future implementation of any agreement. For his part, Solana said it was doubtful that the Israelis or Palestinians could reach an agreement that did not follow along the lines of the Roadmap to Peace. The US takes much of the credit for initiating the Roadmap to Peace, following President Bush's speech of June 2002. But from that time America has not played much of a peace-making role in the Middle East. During yesterday's press conference, Javier Solana stated that he believed the Roadmap to Peace would be accepted by both sides, and based this claim on his working knowledge of the document, having actually written part of the document himself.

Quote: "Q: I’ll ask one question for clarification, with your permission, Mr. Solana. You've been quoted in Egypt as saying that it is not absolutely necessary that the Roadmap be the point from which both sides have to depart and it is up to the parties to decide where they go, with or without that Roadmap. Is it absolutely necessary to work upon the basis of the road map or are there other avenues?
SECRETARY-GENERAL SOLANA: As you know, if the two parties get an agreement, they can do whatever they agree to do, with or without a Roadmap. What do I think? I think that they would not agree on anything that is very far from the Roadmap and therefore this is just a metaphorical question. I think that a potential agreement is around the terms of the first phase of the map. I would not say the whole of the map, but at least the first phase. I know it by heart because I wrote part of it. I think that potentially there is a way to implement whatever agreements may come out of the process that is happening in Annapolis. And I have the impression that it is practically agreed that the Roadmap will be accepted by both sides.

If you are wondering why Solana is referred to as "Secretary General", it is because he is the Secretary General of the 10 nation Western European Union (WEU), the military arm of the EU. He is also Secretary General of the Council of the European Union, the highest legislative body in the European Union. So as we can see from yesterday's news, the European Union has in the past, and will in the future, have a direct role in mediating and strengthening a future peace agreement between Israel and the surrounding nations - just as the Bible said. According to Scripture, I believe that the identity of the Antichrist will not be revealed until the Church is removed from the scene. What is clear is that there are individuals like Solana, heavily involved in this Middle East peace process, who presently have little public exposure. Perhaps once we are gone, this will all change.

2nd Thessalonians 2:3-8
Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come] (Day of the Lord), except there come a falling away first (apostasy), and that man of sin be revealed (Antichrist), the son of perdition (destruction); Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth (hinders) [will let (hinder)], until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

I believe that according to Scripture, the identity of this Person that withholds the appearance of the man of sin is none other than the Holy Spirit working through the Church. For only God can be addressed as both gender-neutral and masculine at the same time. When the "salt" and "light" of this world is taken home (Matthew 5:13-14), then the way will be opened up for the appearance of this man, the Antichrist. Are you waiting for the appearance of the Antichrist, or the appearance of God's Son from heaven (1st Thessalonians 1:10)? Turn to Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Isaiah 26:19-21
Thy dead [men] shall live, [together with] my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew [is as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

Source Israeli Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Wikipedia, Wikipedia

Javier Solana, the High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, has declared that a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority is "doable" within a nine month period, following the international peace conference scheduled for the end of this month. Solana has recently stated that Syria should be involved in the two-day conference, and that the issue of the Golan Heights should be addressed at the gathering. That opinion contradicts that of the Israeli government, which has said it is willing to discuss the issue of the Golan Heights, but that the Annapolis conference is not the right venue to do it.

Quote: ""What we have in mind now is to finish the (Israeli-Palestinian) agreement after Annapolis in, let's say, eight, nine months -- during the period of time in which the administration, the present American administration, will stay in power," the European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, told Reuters in the West Bank town of Jericho. "It's doable. It requires political will. It requires effort. It's not easy. But it's doable," Solana said.

Solana has also stated that the conference should focus on three main aspects for a successful meeting, "the creation of a new political scene, the need to modify current economic situation of the Palestinians and implementation of sufficient changes in the field". In other words, a "new political scene" in which both the Israeli and Palestinians are willing to make serious compromises for the sake of "peace", the lifting of the economic embargo against Hamas, and "changes in the field" possibly referring to the evacuation of settlements in Judea, Samaria, and East Jerusalem.

I've commented before how I believe a peace agreement could eventually be forced upon Israel and the Palestinians, whether they like it or not. If the outside pressures on Israel and the Palestinians become greater than the pressures keeping them apart, they will make peace. A nuclear Iran, Syria and Hizbullah threatening a ballistic war, radical Islam spreading throughout the Palestinian territories, pressure from the international community, etc. The exact same situation has occurred in Northern Ireland. Ian Paisley, a Christian and leader of the DUP, was pressured to form a government with Sinn Fein, the political wing of the IRA. The outside pressures were the threat of water taxes being added to our rates bills, the threat of dissolving the Stormont assembly and London and Dublin taking over the running of the country, the British government re-housing sexual predators in this country, the promise of £1 billion in aid if an agreement was reached, etc. Ian Paisley did form a government, for what he said was the good of the country. And there is peace. There may be no justice, but there is peace to a certain extent. Of course there is still violence. Two police men shot this past week, and one person beaten to death by the IRA. There are hoax bomb alerts. And some terrorist organizations still refuse to dispose of their guns. Will this "peace" last? I think so, because it is a "new political scene". A false peace is better than no peace at all, and the politicians will not do anything to rock the boat, even when the water is coming up around their ankles. My guesses are the same will be true of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The Israeli government will, and is turning against the ideals the state was established on. The Palestinian Authority is fighting against terrorism to a limited extent. Why? Perhaps because of the outside pressures. Failing to achieve an agreement in the near future will mean surrender to Iran, Hamas, Hizbullah and every other Islamic organization that seeks to destroy Israel and dominate the world.

Peace in our time? Perhaps. But as the Bible states, it will not last and there will be no peace, until the Prince of Peace comes.

Ezekiel 13:15-16
Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered [morter], and will say unto you, The wall [is] no [more], neither they that daubed it; [To wit], the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and [there is] no peace, saith the Lord GOD.

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Source Reuters, Prensa Latina

Javier Solana, the High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, arrived in the Middle East today for a four-day diplomatic tour of the region. He is due to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Cairo this evening. Tomorrow morning he will meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Foreign Minister Abul Gheit and the Arab League secretary-general Amr Moussa. On Tuesday Solana will travel to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, the chairman of the Palestinian negotiating team Ahmed Qurei, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and Secretary of the PLO Yasser Abed Rabbo. Solana will be seeking to build consensus ahead of the upcoming international peace conference to be held in Annapolis later this month. He is also due to visit the EU Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) as well as the Jericho police training centre where he will be given a presentation on public order training. Javier Solana has praised Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's "constructive" approach to the Annapolis conference, and believes that there is a good chance it will have a successful outcome.

Quote: ""Olmert yesterday gave a very constructive speech, one of his best in recent times," Solana told reporters. "If that is the spirit with which he is approaching the Middle East peace process, I think we have many chances of having a positive outcome." The Israeli Prime Minister had declared the day before that he was willing to deal with the core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the conference. "The conference will be the start of a future process ... we will enter into intense and continuous negotiations," he said. Olmert also said he hoped for the negotiations could be completed before January 2009. Solana said Europe shared Olmert’s hopes of seeing the peace process bring about results by that date.

The other "mover and shaker" in the Middle East, Israeli President Shimon Peres, is also on a diplomatic tour of the region. He landed in Turkey this morning on a three day visit to the country. He praised Turkey's role in the Middle East, citing it as an important player in the region with regards to Syria and the United States. Peres and Abbas are due to address the Turkish parliament next week, the first time an Israeli president will have addressed a Muslim parliament, although strictly speaking Turkey is a secular country.

So while not so much is happening at the present, clearly there will be dramatic days ahead in the run up to this conference, and following the event itself. We don't know if this conference will be a success or not, but what we do know is that an agreement may be signed relatively soon, which will ultimately set in motion Daniel's 70th week.

Mark 13:33-37
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Source EJPress, Jerusalem Post, Jerusalem Post

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has laid a wreath at the mausoleum of former PA chairman Yasser Arafat, ahead of the third anniversary of his death. Arafat died in a Parisian hospital on the 11th of November 2004. Although the cause of death has never been revealed by the French authorities, it is widely believed that Arafat died of aids.

Quote: "Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath Monday said that all types of cancer had been ruled out, and the latest news is that French doctors have ruled out poisoning. Medical observers note that a low blood platelet count is a sign of a weakened immune system, and indeed last week there were reports of a complete collapse of Arafat's immune system. Other than the ruled-out cancer, the low count could be attributed to bleeding ulcers, colitis, liver disease, lupus, or HIV. It is believed that ulcers and colitis have already been ruled out. Arafat has lost a considerable amount of body weight. Hopital d'Instruction des Armees de Percy, southwest of Paris, is known to have some of France's best HIV/AIDS doctors. Other medical experts note that Arafat's activities in recent weeks and months suggest the dementia that accompanies late-stage AIDS.

According to this report from Israeli Insider, the CIA knew of Arafat's homosexual liaisons and believed he had not long to live. The US government advised then Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon not to take him out, but rather to have him discredited in the press as a homosexual. But that never happened. Instead the Arabs blamed Israel for poisoning him, and the French authorities falsified the death certificate. The press reports that Arafat died following a two-year Israeli siege on his Ramallah compound, they make mention of his "mysterious" illness, but no mention is made of Arafat's homosexuality.  A mausoleum has been constructed by the Palestinian Authority for the Palestinian leader at the cost of $2million. The tomb is 11 metres by 11 metres, marking the day on which he died. The complex also houses a mosque, and a minaret from which a laser beam is directed at Jerusalem, the place where Arafat desired to be buried. Abbas has vowed to continue Arafat's "struggle" for a Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital.

Quote: ""We will continue on the path to set up the independent Palestinian state with [Jerusalem] as its capital, God willing," Mr Abbas said. The opening ceremony included Palestinian honour guards in navy green uniforms with golden epaulettes, with a brass band playing and prayers from a local imam. "The monument is built on a natural spring, and the water signifies that it is temporary, for it will be moved to Jerusalem after liberation," project supervisor Mohammed Ashtiyah was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying.

This story reminds us of the Israelite patriarch Joseph, who made mention of the departing of Israel, and prophesied that they would bury his bones within the promised land (Genesis 50:25). Of course the irony of all this is that the bones of Joseph are buried in Shechem (Joshua 34:22), the same place on which the US is presently spending millions of dollars in an effort to secure President Abbas' hold on the city. Joseph's tomb has been desecrated many times by Palestinian terrorists living in Judea and Samaria. Praise God that we have no bones by which to verify our claim to the promised land. But we have a risen Saviour, who intercedes for us before the throne of God. Our hope is not that we shall be buried in the promised land, but that our eyes shall behold the land that is very far off (Isaiah 33:17). Even so, come Lord Jesus. 

Source Israeli Insider, BBC