Solana: EU ready for more military operations 
| Solana: EU ready for more military operations | |
| Israel |
| Written by Chris Perver |
| Thursday, 18 January 2007 17:00 |
| Ibrahim Suleiman, the Syrian American that was involved in the secret talks between Israel, Syria and the European Union, has revealed President Bashar Assad offered Israel a peace deal three months ago but was turned down. In his first interview with the press, Suleiman stated that he believes Bashar Assad wants peace with Israel, and to build relations with the United States in order to improve his economy and stave off the threat of Islamic extremism. Suleiman says that past Prime Ministers in Israel were well aware of his efforts, which were covertly carried out with Syrian representatives and a mysterious EU mediator, but he believes Israeli Prime Minister Olmert is not politically strong enough to make peace with Syria. He also thinks that the media exposure has harmed his efforts, as the media does not want to see peace in the region. Quote: "Suleiman revealed that 3 months ago Israel was offered "certain help on a matter that is most important to the Israeli people", but ultimately refused the gesture. He was unwilling to reveal further information on the issue. "This was a critical thing, a confidence building measure," prepared between himself, and European and Syrian officials. "The Israel people would have loved it. They would have celebrated it. Olmert's deputy said yes, then a week later he sent an email that said, 'No, we've changed our minds.'" Suleiman blames the Americans for Israel’s change of heart: "For some reason beyond my understanding the Americans don’t want peace between Syria and Israel." Meanwhile, Javier Solana, the High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy has stated that Europe is ready to face new military operations in 2007. The EU's "Battlegroup" concept entered into force on January 1st. The European Union aims to have 13 of these armored divisions fully operational by 2010. The Battlegroups should be able to respond to a crisis situation, anywhere in the world within 5-10 days. Each Battlegroup is comprised of 1500 soldiers drafted from various member states. Quote: "No EU battle group has ever been tested in a real operation, but last year saw two major EU military projects: member states coordinated sending 9,000 European peacekeepers under a UN flag to Lebanon and dispatched 1,400 soldiers under an EU flag to Congo. "Now we really have the beginning of a European army," French general Christian Damay said in Kinshasa in December, with France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Poland broadly supporting a gradual move toward a permanently standing EU force that could number several thousands of soldiers. The Bible states that the Antichrist, the head of the European Union, will send forces into the Middle East region in response to a crisis there, and that many countries shall be overthrown. Jordan is spared the wrath of the Antichrist. Libya, Sudan and Egypt will come under his control. Both Libya and Sudan are mentioned as coming against Israel in Ezekiel 38-39. Egypt (king of the south) is also mentioned as pushing against the Antichrist's forces (Daniel 11:4). This makes me think that the Antichrist's invasion of the Middle East may be a direct response to the invasion of Israel by Russia and her Muslim allies. Daniel 11:41 Source YNet News, EUObserver |
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