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"THE HOT SPOT"
CHN NEWS "UPDATE" 11-18-98
Greetings Watchers! Good News! The Knesset approved the Wye Accords, and the first redeployment and prisoner release were begun today. Ariel Sharon met with Abbas, about the framework for the final status talks, and everything was warm and friendly. They know it is going to be hard but they are keeping it, for now anyway, on a basis of " mutual respect and trust". The mood was "open and serious". Although a speedy conclusion of the talks is not generally expected, they are slated to be completed by the end of the interim framework, including the Wye accord, on May 4, 1999. Please Lord, let it be by then! According to this years Jewish feast calendar, Pentecost falls on May 31, 1999. That means that Ascension day is the 21st of May. . . . . . Could this be the window? All we can do is watch and Pray And were Watching Lord! Luke 12:37 Here's today's confirming news articles. KNESSET APPROVES WYE Mideast Dispatch 11-18-98 The Knesset has approved the Wye agreement by a vote of 75 to 19 with 9 abstentions. Seventeen Knesset members were absent at the vote which turned into a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister. Only 33 of Netanyahu's right wing colleagues in the coalition supported the agreement. Two NRP [National Religious Party] cabinet ministers, Yitzchak Levi and Shaul Yahalom, voted against even though it was also a vote of confidence in the Prime Minister. Just before the vote was taken, Members of Knesset from the right tried delaying tactics, arguing that the withdrawal map showed only 2% of the 13% pull back. Netanyahu countered that he did not present any maps at the Wye River Plantation and that Israel was entitled to determine where the pullbacks will be. {KOL ISRAEL 11/18 H|P}
First Wye pullout to end by tomorrow KEY STATEMENT: "I think I speak for both of us when I say that our direction is forward, and we do not want to deal with what was in the past," said Sharon before the meeting in Jerusalem. "We want to find the best solutions, solutions which are good for us and good for the Palestinians. I intend to make every effort to reach this sort of resolution." Abbas stressed the need to go about the process with "mutual respect and trust." After the meeting, the Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying the discussions had been "open and serious," and that another meeting would take place soon, hosted by Abbas. JERUSALEM (November 19) - Sometime tonight or tomorrow, IDF liaison officers are expected to hold a brief ceremony with their Palestinian counterparts. They will hand over maps, point out the cement blocks and the new road signs, shake hands, and go home. The first withdrawal under the Wye Memorandum will then be complete. "This will not be a complicated procedure," said Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's communications director, David Bar-Illan. "The area we are to withdraw from is almost completely barren, and army bases will not be removed. It is not like redeploying from Nablus." The whole redeployment, which is in the Jenin area, should take only a few hours, he said. The pullback could still be delayed, however. The cabinet is to convene today to assess Palestinian compliance with the Wye accord and then, depending on its assessment, vote on whether to move forward. The Palestinians have said that all that is incumbent upon them to do has been done or is being done. The Palestinian Police said yesterday that the order to begin confiscating illegal arms has been given, while other Palestinian officials said the anti-incitement decree is being drafted. The pullback consists of 2 percent from Area C (Israeli controlled) to Area B (joint Israeli-Palestinian control) and 7.1 percent from Area B to Area A (Palestinian control). Other key Wye-agreement sections to be implemented before the weekend, if the cabinet gives its go-ahead, are opening the airport at Dahaniya and releasing 250 Palestinian prisoners from its jails. A problem over the prisoners is brewing, with Palestinian officials insisting they want only political prisoners to be released, while the government has lists showing that over half of those to be let out are criminals. Palestinian Minister-without-Portfolio Ziyad Abu Ziyad reiterated the PA's position that the release of criminals is unacceptable. "The prisoners we want are our prisoners of war. We are not interested in the drug addicts and car thieves that the Israeli government wants to flood us with - you keep those," he said at a Hebrew University conference on peacemaking. "The Palestinians can write up whatever lists they want," said Bar-Illan in response, "but we will release who we see fit to release." A top American official said that problems may also arise with the opening of the airport. Even if the green light is given, he said, Dahaniya is not yet ready for operations. Night flights, for example, are ruled out because the necessary equipment has been held up by Israel in Ashdod Port. Nonetheless, there are said to be plans for US President Bill Clinton, who is to travel to the region in early December, to land at Dahaniya. Meanwhile, independent of the cabinet decision, Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian negotiator Mahmoud Abbas met to discuss the framework for the final-status negotiations. This was the first official session since the ceremonial opening of the final-status talks in May 1996. Although a speedy conclusion of the talks is not generally expected, they are slated to be completed by the end of the interim framework, including the Wye accord, on May 4, 1999. "I think I speak for both of us when I say that our direction is forward, and we do not want to deal with what was in the past," said Sharon before the meeting in Jerusalem. "We want to find the best solutions, solutions which are good for us and good for the Palestinians. I intend to make every effort to reach this sort of resolution." Abbas stressed the need to go about the process with "mutual respect and trust." After the meeting, the Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying the discussions had been "open and serious," and that another meeting would take place soon, hosted by Abbas. In the past weeks, Sharon has been carrying out a series of consultations with top Foreign Ministry officials to identify and sharpen Israel's positions going into the final-status talks. Discussion papers on water, refugees, Jerusalem, and the settlements - which were prepared months ago - have now been dusted off and debated. Sharon is to travel to the US at the end of the month to represent Israel at the convention of donors to the PA and to meet with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and other officials to discuss the final-status negotiations. Before this trip, Sharon said he hopes to take the Foreign Ministry officials involved in final-status matters on a field trip to the West Bank to better acquaint them with the "intricate problems and the possible solutions ahead." CHN NEWS ‘UPDATE' - 11-17-98 Commentary by Sal Smario THE MIDEAST MARCH TO PEACE Greetings Watchers! Today's the first milestone of the Wye Accord was reached. The Israelis ratified the agreement, and by a wide margin, giving the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, a vote of confidence. As seen through "Daniel Glasses", that means we are one step closer to the Rapture. And , while you still got your "glasses" on, another thing happened today of significant importance - the final status talks will move ahead regardless of cabinet approval, this week. Minister Sharon meets with Abbas this afternoon, opening discussions on the framework of the talks. That's another step forward! With all this forward motion, one might think there was a hook in someone's jaw, and they were being towed along. Praise the Lord! The King has had his miracle, and will be home soon. His hair, beard and eyebrows will be grown back by Spring, so he will be dashing in his Kings garb for the obligatory pen in hand signing the treaty photos. When that happens we're gone! Lord, if it could only happen that fast! But, that's what to watch for. Forward motion, more of it each day, if they are going to get it done by Pentecost in the spring. That's the window of opportunity for this year, for the Rapture to occur on ascension day in the Spring. So, keep your eye on the progress of the final status talks. You know Satan will have a hand in delaying it to it's final moment. His death scene is getting close ! But we know that God is in control, so all we have to do is watch, and do as Paul said . . . Rejoice! And comfort one another. We are not "people of the dark". We can see it coming. But only if you know what to look for. Daniels prophecy & Revelations points us directly at the historical stage of the Mideast today. That's where we're watching Lord, and it's getting easier to see everyday! Stay with us now folks, it's getting exciting! Got questions? email us chn@chn-net.com Luke 12:37 Here's today's confirming news article Knesset approves Wye accords KEY STATEMENTS: In his concluding address to the House, Netanyahu said that although he knows that many MKs do not want to give up parts of the Land of Israel, "we need a political agreement with our neighbors to bring peace for ourselves and for our children." One thing that will be going forward regardless of cabinet approval this week are the final status talks. Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon is to meet with Abbas this afternoon in order to begin discussing the framework for the talks. JERUSALEM (November 18) - The Knesset ratified the Wye Memorandum late last night by a wide margin comprised mostly of the Left, paving the way for the government to move forward with the peace process with the Palestinians. The vote, 75 to 19, with 9 abstentions, was turned into a motion of confidence in the prime minister after Moledet leader Rehavam Ze'evi proposed a no-confidence motion, which would have put the vote off until next Monday. It was noted for the absence of seven cabinet members, including Likud ministers Limor Livnat, Silvan Shalom, Moshe Katsav, Yehoshua Matza and Tzahi Hanegbi, in addition to Tsomet leader Rafael Eitan (Tsomet) and Yisrael Ba'aliya's Yuli Edelstein. The two National Religious Party ministers, Shaul Yahalom and Yitzhak Levy, voted against the accord, which could serve grounds for their dismissal from the government. The rest of the NRP MKs also voted against, as did Likud MKs Ze'ev Binyamin Begin, Uzi Landau, David Magen, David Re'em and Reuven Rivlin, Tsomet MKs Moshe Peled and Haim Dayan, and Michael Kleiner (Gesher). Before the vote began, Labor whip Elie Goldschmidt called on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to "give thanks to Labor Party leader Ehud Barak," without whose support the accord would not have passed. In his concluding address to the House, Netanyahu said that although he knows that many MKs do not want to give up parts of the Land of Israel, "we need a political agreement with our neighbors to bring peace for ourselves and for our children." The vote culminated a two-day debate by the House, and took place only after MKs were shown the redeployment maps yesterday evening. The defense establishment and the ministerial maps committee concluded the final preparation of the withdrawal maps at the Knesset in a meeting with settlement leaders. The Defense Ministry said that of 117 reservations submitted by the settlers, 61 were accepted. The maps only show the 2 percent of the first phase of the 13% withdrawal from the West Bank, comprising 2% of Area C becoming Area B, and 7% of Area B being made Area A. Settler leader Pinhas Wallerstein said the withdrawal would be a "death blow" to 10 settlements, six of which would be 500 to 1000 meters from Palestinian-controlled territory. Earlier in the day, Edelstein resigned from the committee, saying that it only met for the first time yesterday, and that he "would not be a rubber stamp for the maps." Only a handful of MKs arrived to view the maps in a side room in the Knesset under heavy guard to prevent the media from getting a glimpse before they are then passed on to the Palestinians. A total of 100 MKs spoke on the accord, mostly before an empty House. Earlier in the day, MKs had called for a halt to the debate since the MKs had not viewed the maps. MK Alex Lubotsky (The Third Way) argued that the maps were not a part of the agreement, and therefore should not be a factor in the Knesset voting on the accord. The redeployment, which was expected tomorrow, will now take place either Friday or next week, officials at the Prime Minister's Office confirmed yesterday. The new delay comes after the special cabinet meeting which is to decide whether or not the Palestinians have carried out their obligations under the Wye accord, was postponed until next week. This was done, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, "in order to give the Palestinians more time to fulfill their commitments." Netanyahu briefed US special envoy Dennis Ross last night on this decision, and on the process in general, before Ross left the region. His deputy, Aaron Miller, is expected to stay here through the weekend. When ratifying the agreement last week, Netanyahu had stipulated that before any Israeli action, the cabinet would convene to assess Palestinian compliance with its part of the deal. The government is now waiting for proof that the PA has: € arrested 10 out of the 30 listed fugitives. € issued a decree against incitement. € set up the framework for the collection of illegal weapons. € reaffirmed the nullification by the Palestine National Council of sections of the Palestinian National Charter calling for Israel's destruction. The Palestinians insist all these have been done, or are in the course of being carried out. On Monday, Netanyahu had said that in addition to these conditions, Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat would have to retract his bellicose statement regarding raising arms to protect Jerusalem, and the statement of intention to declare a Palestinian state this May. Otherwise, Netanyahu warned, there would be no implementation of Wye. Arafat, in response, made several attempts at rectifying the damage done over the past days, until Netanyahu, yesterday, accepted a semi-retraction. "I stress... that we are protective of the peace process in the Middle East and all the peace agreements we signed with the Israelis. Peace is a strategic choice of the Palestinians," Arafat said at a press conference yesterday. "We stress that concerning any differences in final status negotiations, we want to solve these issues by peaceful means, through negotiations, and not in any other way." Although Arafat did not entirely drop the possibility of declaring independence in May, when the current peace accords expire, his call to solve final status issues, including permanent borders, was viewed as backing down. Netanyahu told parliamentary reporters yesterday: "I certainly view in a positive light the statements made by Chairman Arafat. I think that the statements that the Palestinian Authority is committed to negotiating the permanent peace agreement with Israel through peaceful means and them alone - the rejection of violence as a means of negotiation and the commitment to cooperate against violence and terror - these are positive steps, and we view them accordingly." Not only the redeployment is on hold. Until the cabinet agrees to go forward with implementation, nothing can happen. This includes the opening of the airport in Dahiniya, and the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners. Internal Security Minister Avigdor Kahalani and senior Palestinian negotiator Mahmoud Abbas met yesterday to discuss the prisoner release program - only to discover they were holding very different lists of prisoners. The government has promised that no security prisoner with "blood on his hands" will be released. However, security sources say, there are not enough of "the other kinds of prisoners," to make up the numbers Israel has agreed to release. This is expected to become a bigger problem in the future when the Palestinians demand the release of the full number - 750 - agreed upon. Meanwhile, however, Kahalani said that both criminal and security prisoners would be released in the first batch. Palestinian negotiator Hisham Abdel Razek said such a mixed released was, "unacceptable," and constituted a violation of the Wye agreements. "We won't even talk about such an option," he said. A Palestinian security source said the PA has no interest whatsoever in securing homecomings for "murderers, rapists and car thieves," and would insist upon receiving what had been promised. One thing that will be going forward regardless of cabinet approval this week are the final status talks. Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon is to meet with Abbas this afternoon in order to begin discussing the framework for the talks. The US administration expressed relief yesterday at the resolution of the latest Israeli-Palestinian crisis and said it hoped that with the war of words over, the Knesset ratification of the Wye accord would be imminent and Israel's implementation steps could proceed. State Department spokesman James Rubin noted that Netanyahu regards "as a positive action" Arafat's pledge yesterday to resolve disputes through negotiations alone. "We hope very much, and expect, to see a strong vote of approval in the Knesset today... for the Wye agreement. And we are very hopeful that in the coming days the Israelis will be fulfilling their part of their obligations under the Wye agreement. And we think this issue is behind us," Rubin told reporters. Hillel Kuttler, Liat Collins and Mohammed Najib contributed to this report. CHN "News Update" 11-15-98 The Mid East March to Peace "This moment... reaffirms the fact that an honest leader, who governs by love, not force, can make even a personal celebration a national event," Samih Bino, Jordanian State Minister...... As Jordan celebrated the King's birthday into their second day, the overwhelming theme of "love for their King", who governs them by love not force, is further evidence of the credentials that he will present to the world when he is hailed as the "Man of Peace" and "given his crown" in fulfillment of Rev.6. Quoting todays JT, [furthering the King's credentials] : "His endeavours at the political, economic and social levels, coupled with his democratization initiative, promotion of political pluralism and 'respect for human rights' have won him and the Kingdom international respect while making Jordan the envy of its neighbours". The phrase "respect for human rights" is the key to why this world will so willfully and whole-heartedly welcome their new found savior......who scripture calls the Antichrist. The world will soon "hail" their Antichrist......Jordan's King Hussein !!!!!! And to our "watchers", we remind you that even though we are now "watching" his rise, we will not be here for his coronation ceremony. For the Church will be Raptured just prior to his "crowning"..!!! If you have any questions please ask: chn@chn-net.com We'll keep "watching"... Jesus is Lord... Luke 12:37 Jordan Times 11-15-98 Editorial: Ample reasons to celebrate Key Statement: "This moment... reaffirms the fact that an honest leader, who governs by love, not force, can make even a personal celebration a national event." JORDANIANS HAD good reason to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty King Hussein, not the least of which was his announcement that his treatment for cancer has been successful and that he will be returning home soon. King Hussein has led Jordan through turbulent decades of conflict and struggle in the Middle East to the emerging peace and stability wrought by the Jordan-Israel peace treaty of 1994. His endeavours at the political, economic and social levels, coupled with his democratization initiative, promotion of political pluralism and respect for human rights have won him and the Kingdom international respect while making Jordan the envy of its neighbours. We take special pride in the fact that the sea of banners wishing a happy birthday and a safe and healthy return to the Jordanian family and the profusion of photos of our King are an expression of our heartfelt feelings, rather than political pretense. As Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs Samih Bino said yesterday, “This moment... reaffirms the fact that an honest leader, who governs by love, not force, can make even a personal celebration a national event.” The days since King Hussein's departure for the U.S. have been long ones, with the international community speculating much on the future of Jordan. While Jordanians' celebrations were solely for their King, they also hope that yesterday's festivities, which included Jordanians of every political, social and economic stripe, were a message not lost on the international community: the Jordanian people are solid and united for the future of their country. Through His Majesty's efforts, our society has been endowed with the tools to shape its future. For all these reasons, we wish His Majesty many happy and healthy returns
Reuters Sunday, November 15, 1998 Jordanians celebrate monarch's birthday Key Statement: "I have missed you and my time abroad has been too long but God willing I very soon will be with you again," he said. He said doctors confirmed there were no longer any signs of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a type of cancer affecting lymph glands. The king's illness was his second bout with cancer in six years. AMMAN - Thousands of Jordanians paraded across the country in nationwide festivities this weekend to mark King Hussein's 63rd birthday amid relief over his successful treatment for cancer. Car processions carried Jordanian flags and pictures of the monarch. Parades and fireworks displays were staged across the kingdom in streets decorated by a sea of banners adorned with birthday wishes for the king. "The patron of our progress, 63 years of giving," said one of hundreds of banners hung from lampposts in the capital. The king told Jordanians late Friday that he had been successfully treated for cancer and was longing to return home after a four-month hospital stay at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. "I have missed you and my time abroad has been too long but God willing I very soon will be with you again," he said. He said doctors confirmed there were no longer any signs of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a type of cancer affecting lymph glands. The king's illness was his second bout with cancer in six years.
CHN "special report" 11-14-98 The Mid East March to Peace HAPPY BIRTHDAY KING HUSSEIN.....!!!! Today is King Hussein's 63rd birthday, and true to his benevolent manner he gave his people a birthday gift. His personal confirmation that he is cured...... In an interview with Jordanian Television, he confirmed earlier reports that his chemotherapy treatments were successful and that he is completely cured of lymph cancer. "The situation is excellent. Chemotherapy is over and, thank God, there is no trace of the lymphoma." "Although stages of treatment were quite hard and difficult they were nothing compared to one's morale." "Thank God that everything is proceeding in a good manner. By God's will, this will be the final stage after which I will return home," said the King. His return home will be delayed until just before Christmas because his doctors now want to do a marrow transplant to ensure that no traces of lymphoma may recur. [...you take good of the King now fellas...] So, the country of Jordan is in full celebration today and Sunday for both the King's birthday and his personal announcement of perfect health... ...and soon the whole world will be celebrating with the King when he is honored as the "man of peace" that finally brings closure to the problems between the Arabs and the Jews. We're speaking of the signing of the seven year agreement that will come at the conclusion of the "final status" negotiations... We will keep "watching"........... Jesus is Lord... Luke 12:37 JORDAN TIMES 11-14-98 King completely cured from lymphoma AMMAN (J.T.) — His Majesty King Hussein on Friday confirmed earlier reports that he is completely cured of the lymph cancer that he fought against for the past four months at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. “The situation is excellent,” the King told Jordan Television in an interview last night. “Chemotherapy is over and, thank God, there is no trace of the lymphoma,” the King said. He added, however, that his doctors are planning a marrow transplant to ensure that no traces of lymphoma may recur. Expressing his anxiousness to meet his people, the King said: “God willing, I will be amongst you in the near future,” noting that the last course of chemotherapy has ended 10 days ago. The King said that his treatment has been carried out smoothly although it was quite difficult and hard. “Although stages of treatment were quite hard and difficult they were nothing compared to one's morale. Thank God that everything is proceeding in a good manner. By God's will, this will be the final stage after which I will return home,” said the King. Asked if he were watching Jordan Satellite Channel, King Hussein said he was and from time-to-time makes suggestions to improve its performance to enable it to reach all parts of the world in an effective and efficient manner. A statement issued by His Majesty's physicians at the Mayo Clinic on Friday reaffirmed that the King was cured from lymphoma. The statement, a copy of which was obtained by the Jordan Times, said: “His Majesty is in complete remission from lymphoma. During the sixth, and final, treatment cycle which will start before the end of November, His Majesty's doctors will do an auto-transplant of His Majesty's own healthy stem cells which is a standard procedure to ensure a permanent remission.” Information Minister Nasser Judeh told the Jordan Times in an interview: “We are extremely delighted by the wonderful news about His Majesty's health and we should expect him back home in the last 10 days of December.” JORDAN TIMES 11-14-98 Jordan celebrates King's birthday AMMAN (J.T.) — Jordan today celebrates His Majesty King Hussein's 63rd birthday, an occasion marked with a public holiday and ceremonies all over the Kingdom involving different social and cultural activities organized by public and private institutions. The streets of Amman and the other Jordanian towns and villages are bedecked with the King's portraits, the national flags and posters expressing good wishes to the King on his birthday and hopes for his quick and safe return home. HRH Crown Prince Hassan, the Regent, will attend the main celebration at the King Hussein Sports City where he will make a speech to the nation. The celebration at the Sports City includes artistic and cultural programmes as well as an air show and music performances by an army band. Accompanied by Prime Minister Fayez Tarawneh, ministers and officials, the Regent will later tour parts of the Amman Governorate where he will inaugurate a number of projects. Nearly 20,000 students and representatives of various public and private organizations are taking part in the open celebration at the Sports City. A special ministerial committee which had been entrusted with preparing for the celebrations said that the Ministry of Culture will hold a folklore performance at the Sports City Saturday under the Regent's patronage. The King's birthday this year brings about double rejoicing for the Jordanian people who are delighted by reports of their leader's complete cure of his illness and his imminent safe return home. The Jordanian people have already expressed their wishes to the King for a happy birthday and a safe return home through letters, banners and signatures on a huge 250-metre greetings card. Since May l953, when he assumed his constitutional powers, King Hussein has been leading the Kingdom through turbulent decades of conflict to achieve peace and stability for the region. For over 45 years, King Hussein has been striving to serve his people and has succeeded in accomplishing many achievements at all levels and in all domains. His endeavours at the political, economic and social levels coupled with his drive towards promoting democracy, political pluralism and respect for human rights have won him and the Kingdom high esteem at the regional and international levels. Led by King Hussein, Jordan has succeeded in bolstering its ties with Arab and foreign countries and has maintained unique relations with the Palestinian people who the King has pledged to help regain their rights and their homeland. On this happy anniversary the government declared Saturday and Sunday public holidays. For the occasion His Majesty received congratulatory cables from Arab and foreign heads of states on Friday. The King received cables from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Sultan Qaboos Ben Saeed of Oman, Algerian President Liamin Zeroual, President Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Zayed Ben Sultan Al Nahayan, Bahraini leader Sheikh Issa Ben Salman Al Khalifeh and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, German President Roman Herzog, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu as well as UAE and Palestinian senior officials. In their messages, Arab and foreign leaders wished King Hussein continued good health and happiness and praised his supportive stand of Arab causes and his endeavours to establish peace and security in the Middle East region and the world at large. CHN "Late Breaking News" 11-11-98 The Mid East March to Peace 9:00 PM PDT As expected, the Israeli cabinet approved the Wye agreement while attaching a string of conditions. Ministers voted 8-4, with five abstentions. At the top of the list of conditions was that the PNC convene and vote to repeal the anti-Israel clauses in the covenant. When Yasser Arafat was told of the vote he was said to have flashed a big smile and gave the "thumbs up" signal at his Ramallah headquarters. True to his commitment to fulfill the agreement to the letter, Arafat met with a specially invited group of Israeli journalists in Ramallah last night and told them that the Palestine National Council will vote to repeal the anti-Israel clauses in the Palestinian Covenant next month. He is determined not to let anything stand in the way of finalizing the withdrawal agreement. The agreement will now be presented to the Knesset on Monday for their approval... There still hasn't been a date set for the start of final status negotiations. According to reports last week, Ariel Sharon was scheduled to travel to the US on conclusion of the cabinet vote to present the final status agenda to the Americans. We'll watch for more news on this. So, slowly but surely progress is being made, and confidence and trust between the parties is building. Next stop is Monday's vote in the Knesset and then hopefully the date to open final status talks will be announced...... We'll keep "watching"....... Jesus is Lord... Luke 12:37
Reuters Wednesday November 11 4:32 PM ET Israel's Cabinet Backs Wye Deal Conditionally JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's cabinet approved a new land-for-security deal with the Palestinians Wednesday but set a string of conditions that could block full implementation of the U.S.-brokered accord. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also threatened effective Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank if the Palestinians make good on their pledge to declare an independent state on May 4, 1999 in the absence of a permanent peace accord. Ministers voted 8-4, with five abstentions, to back the interim agreement Netanyahu signed with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat at the White House on October 23, the Israeli leader's office said. ``The government approved the Wye Memorandum this evening,'' Netanyahu said before reading off a list of Israeli conditions he demanded the Palestinians meet. But the breakdown of the vote showed that in effect, Netanyahu failed to win the support of a majority of ministers in his right-wing cabinet. Netanyahu, raising the next hurdle in the deal, said the bulk of an Israeli pullback from 13 percent more of the West Bank was conditional on a PLO vote to annul clauses in the Palestinian charter calling for Israel's destruction. ``The fulfillment of Israel's commitment according to the agreement is conditioned on a properly conducted vote at the Palestine National Council (PNC),'' a cabinet statement said. Palestinians note the Wye deal makes no mention of a ballot when the PNC and other Palestinian bodies convene in Gaza next month to reaffirm previous nullification's of the offending provisions. President Clinton will attend the meeting. ``We don't operate under conditions but according to signed agreements. We respect every word in those agreements and we reject the setting of new conditions,'' Hassan Asfour, a senior Palestinian negotiator told Reuters. In Washington, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said through a spokesman that she welcomed the cabinet decision as an important step forward in the peace process. ``With that decision having been made, she believes all concerned must now proceed to implement the agreement as quickly as possible,'' State Department spokesman James Rubin said. He made no reference to the Israeli conditions. At a news conference, Netanyahu said Israel would take unilateral steps of its own if Arafat declared a Palestinian state next May, when both sides are supposed to reach a final settlement under interim peace deals. ``We reserve the right to apply Israeli law to the security areas, to the Jerusalem area and the area of the settlements and to other things accepted as vital national interests of Israel,'' Netanyahu said, referring to parts of the occupied West Bank. Permanent borders and the final status of Jerusalem and Jewish settlements are among the issues to be determined in so-called ``final-status'' negotiations. Israel captured the West Bank, including Arab East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East war. It annexed Jerusalem shortly after the conflict in a move not recognized internationally. Israel is scheduled to begin the first stage of a three-phased West Bank pullback on November 16, but has said the withdrawal could be delayed by several days. As the cabinet voted, thousands of ultra nationalist Israelis protested against the deal in Tel Aviv. ``Bibi, you sold us out,'' read one sign, using Netanyahu's nickname. Netanyahu said the cabinet would convene before implementation of the other withdrawal stages in the 12-week process to determine whether Palestinians were fulfilling their commitments. Israel had held up cabinet ratification of the deal, which will be presented to parliament Monday, to demand an ``all-out'' war by Arafat's Palestinian Authority against anti-Israel violence. Going down his roster of conditions, Netanyahu said the next interim Israeli withdrawal, after the pullbacks set in the Wye Memorandum, would not exceed one percent of the West Bank -- a figure sure to fall short of Palestinian expectations. However, Netanyahu said that starting next week, Israel would release a first group of a slated 750 Palestinian prisoners who will go free under the Wye agreement.
Jerusalem Post Thursday, November 12, 1998 23 Heshvan 5759 Arafat: PNC will annul anti-Israel clauses JERUSALEM (November 12) - The Palestine National Council (PNC) will vote to repeal the anti-Israel clauses in the Palestinian Covenant next month, Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat told a specially invited group of Israeli journalists in Ramallah last night. The cabinet ratified the Wye Memorandum yesterday evening, setting the stage for a 13 percent withdrawal from the West Bank by the end of January. In a vote of 8-4, with five abstentions, the cabinet declared Israel's intention to proceed with implementing the accord - but left open the option of halting the process if certain conditions are not met. These conditions are: * that the PNC convene and vote to repeal the anti-Israel clauses in the covenant; * that the third redeployment not exceed 1 percent; * that the cabinet meet at each stage of the implementation process to assess the PA's fulfillment of its commitments, and reserve the right to halt progress if not satisfied with Palestinian efforts; * that retain the right to take any action it sees necessary, including annexing sections of the West Bank, if the PA unilaterally declares a state on May 4, 1999. On hearing from an aide that the cabinet had ratified the Wye accord, Arafat broke into a huge smile and flashed a thumbs-up sign to all in the room in his Ramallah headquarters. Speaking before Jerusalem announced the conditions the cabinet had placed on ratifying the agreement, Arafat also said that May 4 does not necessarily spell the end of the Oslo process. Asked what he thought would happen on that date, he said: "May 4 is the end of the five-year period we agreed upon in Oslo. If there are other ideas, I'm ready to listen." Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat belittled the cabinet ratification, telling The Voice of Palestine last night that "this ratification had come two weeks late" and that the conditions are absolutely unacceptable. "We hope that the ratification will not be with no implementation, because the implementation is the base," said Erekat. "These are not new conditions," Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told a press conference after the cabinet endorsement. "We have asked for nothing above what was promised at Wye, and we will be satisfied with nothing less." Netanyahu said he would permit the opening of the Palestinian airport next week and would also begin releasing Palestinian security prisoners at that time. In all, 750 Palestinians being held for security offenses are to be freed by January. To sweeten what many on the far Right consider a very bitter pill, Netanyahu indicated that the tenders for building on Har Homa would be issued soon. "Look at the papers this week," he suggested, when asked when this would happen. In addition, the security cabinet is to meet today to discuss beginning construction on 12 new bypass roads, including the Arub road - which will mean the confiscation of much Palestinian land. Over the past two weeks, with Netanyahu postponing the cabinet debate three times, and halting it completely after Friday's bombing in Jerusalem, the US has urged Israel to try and stick to the original timetable of the agreement. And while some US officials privately expressed something akin to incredulity that the government would set conditions to an already signed agreement, which officially went into effect last Monday, the official line is that the US is pleased with the progress being made on the Israeli side. US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, in a statement, welcomed the cabinet's decision as an important step forward in the peace process. "With that decision having been made, she believes all concerned must now proceed to implement the agreement as quickly as possible," State Department spokesman James Rubin said. He made no reference to the Israeli conditions. US President Bill Clinton spoke with Netanyahu on Tuesday night about the agreement and about the US showdown with Iraq over weapons inspections. Margot Dudkevitch adds: As the cabinet announced the ratification of the Wye Memorandum, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Kikar Rabin in Tel Aviv to declare their opposition to accord, under the slogan "Faithful to Eretz Israel." Hundreds of buses transported people to the rally, which was organized by the Council of Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, the Land of Israel Front, Mateh Ma'amatz and other right-wing movements. Habad adherents were urged by their leaders to attend the demonstration. "The Wye team will no longer lead the nationalist camp in Israel," declared Uzi Landau, chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. MK Rehavam Ze'evi (Moledet) chastised the government for turning a blind eye to its brothers and sisters in Judea, Samaria and Gaza and accused it of attempting to dry up the settlements and ignore the murders of innocent people. "Bibi went to Wye and came back with Munich," he said.
CHN "Late Breaking News" 11-11-98 6:00 AM PDT The Israeli cabinet is in session at this time, and ratification of the Wye agreement is assured, but with "strings" attached that could cause new disruptions and threaten implementation in the future. A key Israeli demand concerns the procedure for revoking clauses of the PLO founding charter that call for Israel's destruction when the PNC meets in mid December with President Clinton in attendance. But it is now being learned that the US has quietly resolved the issue by having the parties agree to vote by a show of hands....... The Wye agreement stipulates that the first Israeli troop pullback would be implemented by Nov.16 and that date is still attainable if the Knesset were to vote on it by then. A Knesset vote of approval is also assured so the pullback could take place immediately thereafter.... The Ha'aretz Daily News is reporting that President Clinton spoke to Netanyahu prior to Bibi calling his cabinet into session and informed him that the United States was encountering problems in the Arab world with its policy of being tough on Iraq because Israel had not moved forward on its implementation of the Wye agreement. Bibi then called the cabinet into session implying a direct link... Oh, the "tangled web they weave"...!!! So, all that's left is to await the cabinet's announcement of their approval some time today and the date of the Knesset vote..... We'll keep "watching".......... Jesus is Lord....
Associated Press Wednesday November 11 7:29 AM ET Israeli Cabinet Meeting To Go On Key Statement: "....An Israeli official said the United States let it be known that its policy of being tough on Iraq was encountering problems in the Arab world because Israel had not moved forward on its implementation of the Wye agreement...." JERUSALEM (AP) - After two weeks of repeated delays and bitter disputes with the Palestinians over security issues, Israel's Cabinet convened today to ratify the Wye peace accord. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attached several stipulations to the land-for-security agreement that could cause new disruptions and threaten implementation in the future. If a slim majority of the 17 ministers approves the accord, as is expected by tonight, parliament could vote on it Monday, and Israel might still be able to meet a key commitment, an initial troop pullback Monday from 2 percent of the West Bank. The Cabinet discussed the accord for one day last week, but Netanyahu called off a second session last Friday when Islamic militants carried out a suicide bombing in a Jerusalem market. For several days, it was unclear if and when the ministers would reconvene. On Tuesday evening, Netanyahu announced that the Cabinet would meet Wednesday to conclude its debate and vote on the accord. It was not clear whether he made the announcement before or after receiving a phone call from President Clinton. U.S. officials said the two leaders discussed the ratification process and the U.S.-Iraqi showdown over weapons inspection. An Israeli official said the United States let it be known that its policy of being tough on Iraq was encountering problems in the Arab world because Israel had not moved forward on its implementation of the Wye agreement. Late Tuesday, the Cabinet meeting was once more in doubt when Palestinian militants ambushed an Israeli military truck in the West Bank, injuring two soldiers, including one who was seriously wounded. However, Netanyahu in the end decided to move ahead. The United States has urged Israel to stick to the original time table of the agreement, despite the repeated delays. Under the accord, Israel is to hand over 13 percent of the West Bank over 12 weeks, in exchange for a Palestinian campaign against Islamic militants. Netanyahu reportedly intends to attach four new stipulations to the accord that seem to be aimed mainly at winning the support of hard-line Cabinet ministers. At least four ministers plan to oppose the agreement, with only nine in favor and four abstentions. A key Israeli demand concerns the procedure for revoking clauses of the PLO founding charter that call for Israel's destruction. The Wye agreement says that the Palestine National Council and other Palestinian organizations will convene in mid-December to ``reaffirm'' a January letter by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to Clinton that lists the clauses considered annulled. Israel insists that the Palestinian delegates hold a vote and Netanyahu said Tuesday that the agreement would only be carried out if the Palestinians comply. Palestinian officials have said only approval by acclamation was required. The Maariv daily said the dispute has been resolved quietly by the United States. Under the compromise, the delegates will vote by a show of hands, but not all members of the PNC, the Palestinians' parliament-in-exile, will have to be present and there will be no need for a two-thirds majority, Maariv said. The Cabinet will also insist that in an additional troop pullback, Israel will hand over only 1 percent of the West Bank and that the Palestinians will refrain from a unilateral declaration of statehood in May, at the end of the five-year autonomy period. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said he hoped the Cabinet would ratify the accord on Wednesday. He said Israel was already behind schedule on several issues, including opening a Palestinian airport in the Gaza Strip, and establishing a land route for Palestinians between the West Bank and Gaza. Erekat was evasive when asked whether the Palestinians would agree to hold a vote on the charter, saying only that they would meet all their obligations under the accord.
Ha'aretz Wednesday, November 11, 1998 Clinton called Netanyahu, who then called cabinet
for vote today on Wye Almost immediately after U.S. President Bill Clinton phoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the premier's office announced that the cabinet would meet to approve the Wye Memorandum. Officials in the Prime Minister's Office discount any link between the two events. There is unconfirmed speculation that Clinton last night told Netanyahu that the Israeli cabinet's failure to date to ratify the Wye Memorandum has made it difficult for the U.S. to win support from Arab states for military strikes against Iraq. After delays of 10 days, senior officials said that they expect a cabinet vote today and a Knesset vote tomorrow. Assuming that the agreement is approved, U.S. special envoy Dennis Ross will arrive here to oversee implementation by the week's end. The Wye agreement is expected to pass the cabinet with nine ministers' support, and four in opposition, and as many as four abstentions. The Prime Minister's Office statement adds that in the event that the Wye Memorandum is accepted, the cabinet will add a condition that implementation of the agreement will be linked to an actual vote of the Palestine National Council on cancelling segments of its charter. While there has been an implicit linkage between Israeli and Palestinian performance on Wye, the linkage has never been made so explicit. When asked to comment on the latest statement from the Prime Minister's Office, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said, "I urge Mr. Netanyahu and the Israeli government to ratify the agreement and to make up for the lost time. "We need to see the opening of the [Gaza] airport, and the opening of the southern route of safe passage. These are overdue." He added that committees must also be convened. "We urge him to refrain from the 'conditional' language of last week, so we can get the trust level up and create a new relationship. We owe it to Israelis and Palestinians, so we can give them hope," Erekat said. "We will fulfill the Wye framework to the letter, but nothing outside it." Officials in the Prime Minister's Office say that they are convening the cabinet amid fresh reports that the Palestinian Authority is fighting terrorism and its infrastructure. However, more senior Israeli officials deny this, saying "there are no new reports. The view of the professional echelon is that "the PA has been acting for almost two weeks now against terrorism, demonstrating the sort of 100 percent effort that we have always insisted upon." The cabinet is expected to ratify the agreement, which will then go to the Knesset.
CHN "special report" 11-10-98 The Mid East March to Peace In our "special report" on 11/5/98 entitled....Rumblings of the forth coming "uprooting" are presently filling the air.... we updated the situation that is developing between Daniel's "little horn" character [played by his majesty King Hussein] and the "three horns" that he will uproot [played by Iraq, Syria and Libya] in the scripture of Daniel 7:8....... and we said that we would bring updates to this situation as needed.... Well, it's already time for an update....... It is now being confirmed that the six countries of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council [Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman....which interpolates into lots of Arab money] which on 11/5 publicly wouldn't agree to allowing their bases to used to strike Saddam, has now agreed that if Saddam doesn't back off of his stance on noncompliance with UNSCOM, then a military strike would have to be considered appropriate..... Saddam, in response, has come out with "angry words" toward the GCC for allowing the US and Britain to even visit their countries on the matter, let alone hold conversations regarding military action against him. And then agreeing to "strike" him...!! So, his "anger" is escalating....... That's horn #1.. Now, on the Jordan/Syrian front, [Syria being horn #2] the tension has escalated to the point that Murbarak of Egypt is intervening to mediate the dispute and has told journalists that "[Egypt] is talking to Syria and Jordan as brothers, and [Egypt] hopes that their [Syria and Jordan] differences can be reconciled. They won't be reconciled, but we'll watch the pot boil....... Horn #3 is Libya, and there is no direct news related to the trouble Kadahfi is up too, but he is always ready to jump into the fray........... It is now being reported that the King is due home by the end of the month to open the new session of congress, and then he will begin to enter into the scene directly, once again....!!!! So, as we wrote in the previous "special report", that if you are familiar with our explanation of Daniel 7:8, and you relate it to the time table of the peace negotiations, it is very relevant at this time that these "kings" are creating "negative vibrations". And as we said......We will continue to follow these "vibrations" as they unfold, full well knowing that "if" this next window is "the Rapture window", then the uprooting by the "little horn" is in fact lining up.... We'll keep "watching".... Jesus is Lord.... Luke 12:37 Jordan Times 11-10-98 No date set for King's return, reports 'inaccurate' — minister AMMAN (J.T.) — The date of His Majesty King Hussein's return to Jordan will be only decided by doctors overseeing his chemotherapy treatment at the Mayo Clinic in the U.S., Information Minister Nasser Judeh said Monday. Judeh said reports carried recently in the local press about the King's return were “inaccurate.” “Either King Hussein or an official designated by him will announce the date of his return,” Judeh told correspondents at a weekly press briefing. Local newspapers quoted several officials this week as saying that the King was expected to return at the end of this month and address Parliament in his Speech from the Throne on Nov. 30. Judeh also said Parliament would probably convene on Dec. 1. The Constitution sets Oct. 1 as the opening date of an ordinary session, but the King has the power to postpone the convening of Parliament for up to two months. Asked if there were plans to hold a Jordanian-Egyptian-Syrian summit in Cairo soon, Judeh said that the Kingdom maintains continuous contacts with the two countries and that no meeting had been scheduled. During a recent visit to Jordan, Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Musa reportedly offered Egyptian diplomacy to defuse tensions between Jordan and Syria and improve “the general Arab atmosphere.” Following a visit to Egypt by Syrian President Hafez Assad on Oct. 31 to discuss the Middle East peace process, Egyptian President Mubarak told journalists that “[Egypt] is talking to Syria and Jordan as brothers, and [Egypt] hopes that their differences can be reconciled. Their differences are few and the two countries are solving their problems among themselves.” On the Iraqi front, the minister said Jordan is “worried” about the recent developments following Baghdad's decision to halt cooperation with U.N. arms inspectors. He stressed the importance of reaching a solution to implement U.N. resolutions that would allow the sanctions on Iraq to be lifted and added that he hoped dialogue would continue between Iraq and the U.N. On the Wye River accord, Judeh said that Jordan is looking forward to seeing the implementation of the deal on the ground and that the Kingdom will not spare any efforts in helping end the deadlocked Palestinian-Israeli peace process. Reuters Tuesday November 10 7:19 AM ET Iraq Speaks Out Against Gulf Arab States BAGHDAD, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraq turned its anger on Gulf Arab states Tuesday for allowing visits by the U.S. and British defense ministers drumming up support for possible military action against Baghdad over U.N. arms inspections. The official al-Qadissiya newspaper accused British Defense Secretary George Robertson of issuing ``silly threats'' against Iraq during visits to Kuwait and Bahrain Sunday and Monday. ``His threats will not force Iraq to change its position,'' it said. The newspaper al-Iraq lashed out at Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states for allowing Defense Secretary William Cohen to visit the region last week. He toured the six GCC countries -- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman -- to gain support for possible military action against Iraq in response to Baghdad's refusal to cooperate with U.N. weapons inspectors. ``How is it that Arab states allow and provide entry visas to a Zionist like Cohen to issue threats against Iraq,'' al-Iraq said. Baghdad announced on October 31 it was halting cooperation with the U.N. Special Commission (UNSCOM) charged with monitoring and dismantling weapons of mass destruction until the U.N. Security Council reviewed sweeping sanctions imposed on Iraq after its 1990-91 occupation of Kuwait. Iraq has also demanded the removal of UNSCOM Chairman Richard Butler and rejected a Security Council call to rescind its non-cooperation decision. Baghdad however has allowed teams from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, and UNSCOM technical experts to continue operating and servicing surveillance equipment. A U.N. official in Baghdad said five IAEA inspection teams were out in the field Tuesday. Twenty monitors have left Baghdad over the last few days and 10 more are due to leave Wednesday and Saturday. The U.N. said this would leave about 100 UNSCOM staff in Baghdad, enough to resume monitoring operations as soon as this was possible. The British defense secretary, in Bahrain Monday, accused Iraqi President Saddam Hussein of triggering the worst crisis since the end of the Gulf War in 1991. ``He is a man of deceit, he is a man who cannot be trusted,'' Robertson said. ``International patience is wearing thin with Saddam.'' The official Iraqi news agency Tuesday quoted Foreign Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf as saying Baghdad was not seeking an escalation of tension with the U.N. inspectors. ``We are not seeking any escalation. Our demand is clear and legitimate,'' he said, adding that Iraq was looking for a political solution to the crisis. ``The use of military force against Iraq would not lead to any solution but will lead to a deteriorating and serious situation in the region,'' he said. Sahaf said that Iraq was making contacts with France, China and Russia to resolve the crisis. China and Russia, while supporting the Security Council resolution on Iraq, have spoken out against the use of force.
CHN "News Update" 11-9-98 The Mid East March to Peace "The King is responding extremely well to the treatment and the latest results are far beyond expectations.....the results confirmed that the King's body is free from any traces of cancerous cells." The King is cured..... Long live the King.....!!!!!!!!! The Jordan Times in todays edition is reporting that King Hussein is cured and free of cancer.... At the completion of the fifth chemotherapy treatment his tests results are 100% negative.....no cancerous cells in his body........ He will remain at the Mayo clinic and complete the sixth treatment as originally planned just as a precaution which means he won't be home for his "Birthday Bash", but his subjects will celebrate his "miracle"..!!!! Hundreds of thousands of Jordanians have signed his 750' birthday card that will now be submitted to the Guinness Book of Records as the longest birthday day card on record... So the King will be a record holder......... as well as a "man of destiny"......!!!! May he live at least seven and half more years.... ......and we'll be "watching" as long as we're here...... Jesus is Lord... Luke 12:37
Jordan Times 11-9-98 King reacting 'extremely well' to treatment Key Statement: "....Jordan's ambassador in Washington, Marwan Muasher, meanwhile said the results had "confirmed that the King's body is free from any traces of cancerous cells." ..." AMMAN (AFP) — His Majesty King Hussein, who is being treated for cancer of the lymph glands in the United States, is responding extremely well to his chemotherapy, Information Minister Nasser Judeh said Sunday. “The King is responding extremely well to the treatment and the latest results are far beyond expectations,” Judeh told reporters. Jordan's ambassador in Washington, Marwan Muasher, meanwhile said the results had “confirmed that the King's body is free from any traces of cancerous cells.” “The King will undergo the sixth [and final] round of chemotherapy just as a precaution,” Muasher told Sunday's Al Dustour newspaper. The King has completed the fifth round of treatment at the famed Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota where he checked in on July 14 suffering a fever and cold sweats.
Jordan Times 11-9-98 Minister, Petra staff sign letter to King AMMAN (J.T.) — Information Minister Nasser Judeh and staff of the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Sunday signed a message of loyalty to His Majesty King Hussein on the occasion of his birthday. The document, prepared by the Jordan Society for International Culture and Peace, was signed by hundreds of thousands of citizens across the Kingdom, who expressed their gratitude and wished the King a speedy recovery and safe return. The 250-metre-long by 70-centimetre-wide letter is expected to be registered in Guinness Book of Records as the longest of its kind in the world. Meanwhile, the Cabinet on Saturday approved the programme of the main activities of celebrations marking the King's birthday, which falls on Nov. 14. The major activities in Amman are scheduled to be held next Saturday at Sports City. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hassan, the Regent, will open the ceremony, which will include an Armed Forces' military display as well as air and folkloric shows. More than 25,000 citizens are expected to attend the celebration. Similar activities will be held in all governorates. Local newspapers reported that some officials said King Hussein, currently being treated at the Mayo Clinic in the U.S., is expected to return at the end of this month. According to the sources, the King is expected to address Parliament in his Speech from the Throne on Nov. 30. CHN "Late Breaking News" 11-8-98 The Mid East March to Peace Monday mornings Jerusalem Post's lead story is confirming that the Israeli cabinet will be resuming their Wye agreement ratification debate this week and probably bring it to the Knesset for their approval on Thursday. This would only be a day later then originally planned. Upon approval by the Knesset the door would then be open for the final status negotiations to get under way. As we mentioned in a past report, Ariel Sharon, who will be heading up the Israeli negotiating team, has been working diligently on the agenda for the negotiations. So, barring any further unforeseen catastrophes, by Thursday we should be reporting on the Knesset approval and subsequently the starting date for final status negotiations. This should be an interesting week....... We'll be "watching"..... Jesus is Lord... Luke 12:37 JERUSALEM POST Monday, November 9, 1998 20 Heshvan 5759 PM searching for 'creative' Wye solution Key Statement: "....According to the official, the cabinet will probably resume ratification discussions later this week, and the memorandum will be brought to the Knesset for its approval on Thursday - only a day later than originally planned. If this happens, Israel could still theoretically begin it's first withdrawal, scheduled for November 16, on time...." JERUSALEM (November 9) - After announcing over the weekend that the cabinet would not ratify the Wye agreement until the Palestinians meet certain conditions, the Prime Minister's Office is now searching for a "creative" solution which would allow the process to move forward, a top government official indicated yesterday. According to the official, the cabinet will probably resume ratification discussions later this week, and the memorandum will be brought to the Knesset for its approval on Thursday - only a day later than originally planned. If this happens, Israel could still theoretically begin it's first withdrawal, scheduled for November 16, on time. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu halted the cabinet debate on ratification Friday - after the Jerusalem suicide bombing - calling on the Palestinian Authority to show seriousness in the fight against terror. However, there already had been talk about delaying ratification because of statements by top Palestinian officials regarding the Palestinian National Council meeting scheduled for December. Netanyahu maintains that ratification will take place when Israel receives assurances on both the PNC vote and the fight against terror. The Palestinians say that all necessary assurances on security matters have already been given, and that the Wye agreement does not call for a vote. Hence the need for "creative solutions," said the official. Meanwhile, Palestinian intelligence chief Maj.-Gen. Amin Hindi and preventive security chief Col. Mohammed Dahlan met with General Security Service head Ami Ayalon Saturday to discuss cooperation in capturing the masterminds behind the Friday bombing. The IDF set up roadblocks throughout the West Bank yesterday, forbidding residents from leaving their homes for several hours, and searching Kabatiya for the Islamic Jihad leaders suspected of masterminding the attack. Palestinian Security forces arrested some 20 Islamic Jihad members in the Bethlehem and Jenin areas. In addition, the PA continued to crack down on the opposition. According to Palestinian sources in Gaza, the PA arrested several members of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. According to a source in the Prime Minister's Office, some sort of acceptable clarification from the Americans regarding Palestinian commitment to fight terror is in the works. This was agreed upon in a telephone conversation between Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Netanyahu on Friday. If such a US assurance is received, this will still leave the perhaps more intractable PNC question. Both sides, in public statements, continue to make opposing pronouncements on the matter. Netanyahu claims there has to be a PNC vote for the 26 sections of the Palestinian Covenant to be nullified. The Palestinians maintain that there will be an "affirmation" of the nullification, but not a vote. US officials say that this is a matter for the parties to work out between themselves and that no further clarifications on the matter are planned. "We understand the political pressures on Netanyahu," said chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat. "But it is about time he stopped dealing with us as if we worked for him. We signed an agreement, and we are partners, but so far there is no sign of Israel acting in the partnership spirit." Erekat said that the Palestinians have so far done all that was required of them in the Wye agreement: presenting the security working paper, naming interim committee members, and reaffirming the nullification of the offending charter sections in the PLO executive committee. In the future, Erekat added, the Palestinians have every intention of honoring the Wye Memorandum "to the letter and in accordance with the time frame." He would not, however, refer directly to what would happen at the PNC convention. The government differs with Erekat's assertion that the Palestinians have been fulfilling all their commitments, and its press office put out a document yesterday contrasting Palestinian commitments with public statements on such matters as fugitive arrests, confiscation of illegal weapons, and reduction of the police force. CHN Commentary 11-8-98 The Mid East March to Peace Just as the Palestinians are meeting the demands over the latest security issue of Friday's Jerusalem bombing, they will find themselves confronted with yet another demand by Israel of the most serious nature, which is more to the heart of the matter. And that is the basic matter of "outlawing" the military wings of two radical Islamic groups ... namely, Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Arafat says he has done this in 1996, but David Bar-Illan, a top aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu counters with, "Why did Mr. Arafat agree in the Wye accord to outlaw them if he has already done it?'' . The Wye memorandum states that the Palestinian Authority "will inform the United States fully of the actions it has taken to outlaw all organizations (or wings of organizations, as appropriate) of a military, terrorist or violent character, and their support structure and to prevent them freedom of action in the areas under its jurisdiction.'' Bottom line.......... we will shortly be reading of Arafat's compliance with this requirement.. Nothing is going to stand in the way of Wye, and getting to final status negotiations... You can hear, see, feel, smell and taste the reality of this "new commitment" of cooperation that exists between Likud and the PNA. Wye was the final "stop of commitment"..... The parties declared to the world and to the terrorists, that the battle lines have been drawn..!!! Peace will prevail......!!! In the past, Arafat saw terror as a legitimate instrument to pressure Israel and achieve his goals. This is not the situation today. Arafat now has an interest in preventing terror attacks, and is showing signs that he is taking real steps in this direction. He is openly calling on the Israeli public to join him in his fight against the extremists on both sides that are intent on preventing peace. His call for the uniting of their security forces to combat terror is unprecedented, and very confirming of the "on the ground" reality that is taking place in order to get into final status negotiations [where the real trouble of terrorism awaits them all]. We can relate it to the feeling even we would have if we joined forces with a previous enemy of ours to combat a common enemy of both of us. The cliché of "two heads are better then one" would be a strong bound between us. But even stronger, in their case would be.... "two fists are better then one"...!!! This is what we will begin seeing demonstrated by both sides... a coordinating of the security forces against the enemy of terror. And this bound of coordination will grow as the serious business of final status negotiations commences. It will take all of their combined strength to fight off the attacks that are "lurking" in the dens "of the demons of iniquity". As for us, we must maintain our spiritual overview of these "on the ground" happenings and realize that Satan knows his time is short, and getting shorter by the day... His response will be as a roaring lion in the "on the ground" scene that continues to play out. Therefore, we are expecting to have to continue reporting on more bloodshed and violence with each passing day. This is God's word coming to pass in the "last days".....and it's not gonna' be a pretty picture. We all know the scriptures and we know the governing theme is "a time of sorrow like no time in history"... This "peace" will have it's price.... But God has commanded us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. What we [the Church] must realize is that in His command to us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, God has simultaneously placed the promise to the Church to "watch our redemption draw near" by means of the escape route of our Rapture..!!! Therefore, the closer the peace...the closer the Rapture...!!!!!!! We will keep "watching"... Jesus is Lord.... Luke 12:37
AP Sunday November 8 7:54 AM ET Israel Wants Factions Outlawed JERUSALEM (AP) - Setting the stage for a new quarrel over how to crack down on militants, Israel is demanding that the military wings of two radical Islamic groups be outlawed, while the Palestinian Authority insists it has already banned them. Implementation of the Israeli-Palestinian land-for-security accord, signed Oct. 23 in Washington, was to have begun this past week, but has hit various snags. Most recently, Israel's Cabinet put off a vote to ratify the accord after a suicide bombing Friday in Jerusalem that killed the two assailants and injured 21 Israelis. The radical group Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility. David Bar-Illan, a top aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Sunday that Israel expects Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to formally outlaw the military wings of Islamic Jihad and the larger militant group Hamas. Hassan Asfour, a senior Palestinian official, said Hamas' military wing, Izeddine al Qassam, and the military wing of Islamic Jihad were outlawed by the Palestinian Authority in 1996. But Bar-Illan said the Palestinian legislature had never passed such a law. ``Why did Mr. Arafat agree in the Wye accord to outlaw them if he has already done it?'' he asked. The Wye memorandum states that the Palestinian Authority ``will inform the United States fully of the actions it has taken to outlaw all organizations (or wings of organizations, as appropriate) of a military, terrorist or violent character, and their support structure and to prevent them freedom of action in the areas under its jurisdiction.'' A Palestinian security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a joint Israeli-Palestinian meeting was held Saturday night to discuss security in the wake of Friday's attack. Participants included the head of the Palestinian intelligence, Amin Hindi, and the head of preventive security in the Gaza Strip, Mohammed Dahlan. The idea of outlawing Hamas and Islamic Jihad was brought up in the meeting and also proposed by Netanyahu to Arafat during a phone call, the official said. The Palestinians said they could ban activity by Hamas or Islamic Jihad that endangered either Israelis or Palestinians, but could not outlaw them outright as political movements. Friday's bombing led to finger-pointing by both sides. Israel said it showed Arafat's crackdown on terrorists had not been sweeping enough. The Palestinians, however, have also accused Israel of failing to take at least partial security responsibility for the attack, because both attackers came from Israeli-controlled areas, and had recently served time in Israeli jails. Israel as a rule is harshly critical of the Palestinian Authority's security efforts when attackers come from Palestinian-controlled areas or have been released from Palestinian prisons. On Sunday, Palestinian Justice Minister Freih Abu-Medein accused Netanyahu of using the blast as a pretext for delaying implementation of the peace accord. ``This attack is a gift to Mr. Netanyahu,'' Abu-Medein said. ``All the time he is praying to God to help him ... to escape from the agreement.'' Under the accord, Israel is to hand over another 13 percent of the territory in the West Bank to the Palestinians in exchange for various security steps. Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai predicted Sunday that the Israeli Cabinet would ratify the agreement in coming days. ``I estimate that the government will meet this week and will accept the decision of the majority (in favor of the agreement),'' he said.
CHN "News Update" 11-7-98 The Mid East March to Peace "Hey, any news on the King's health..??" As a matter of fact............... The King's son, [and his pride and joy] *HRH Prince Abdullah issued a statement on Friday and we quote, "....the King's response to the chemotherapy has shortened the duration of the treatment adding that the Monarch will return to Jordan fully cured very soon...." "Fully cured"....that sounds like it should get him another seven years [or so] of life on this planet, don't you think..?? This man of destiny......... ....and remember, his birthday is November 14............ you don't think he'd come home on his.......na, that's a little too Hollywood [or is it..?] We'll keep "watching"........... Jesus is Lord... Luke 12:37 * His Royal Highness
Jordan Times 1-7-98 King reassures Senate members of his good health Key Statement: "....The statement said the King's response to the chemotherapy has shortened the duration of the treatment adding that the Monarch will return to Jordan fully cured very soon...." "....Prime Minister Fayez Tarawneh told the Senate that tests on the King showed that he is free of any form of cancer and that the treatment was progressing as planned...." AMMAN (J.T.) — His Majesty King Hussein has sent a cable to Senate Speaker Zeid Rifai thanking him for his earlier cable enquiring about his health. The King reassured Rifai and the members of the Senate that he is in good health. In the cable, King Hussein expressed his deep pride in the senators and their allegiance to the Throne noting that they have always displayed their affection towards their Monarch. King Hussein referred to the Middle East peace, saying that Jordan has always sought to attain a comprehensive peace for the benefit of the people of the region and their future generations. He said his participation in the Wye River negotiations which ended with the signing of an accord by the Palestinians and the Israelis was “an expression of our belief in the need to support the Palestinian brothers in their struggle to regain their legitimate rights on their national soil and a responsible attempt to back international efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace that would create an atmosphere marked by stability and security which guarantees the rights of all peoples and restores all parties' rights so that the future generations can enjoy peace that has been lacking for decades.” HRH Prince Abdullah said that King Hussein will return to Jordan very soon, according to an Al Ra'i Arabic daily report on Friday. The paper quoted Prince Abdullah as making the statement before chairing a meeting of the board of directors of the Jordan Football Association. The Prince made the announcement in a press statement distributed by Mohammad Hamdan, the federation's secretary general. The statement said the King's response to the chemotherapy has shortened the duration of the treatment adding that the Monarch will return to Jordan fully cured very soon. Also on Thursday King Hussein received a telephone call from U.S. President Bill Clinton who inquired about the King's health and the progress of his chemotherapy treatment. Meanwhile at a meeting at the Upper House of Parliament, Prime Minister Fayez Tarawneh told the Senate that tests on the King showed that he is free of any form of cancer and that the treatment was progressing as planned. Tarawneh told the Senate Thursday that King Hussein was improving progressively and his condition gives cause for deep satisfaction. At the meeting, which was attended by several ministers, Tarawneh said his government was keen on maintaining and strengthening relations between the executive and legislative authorities. He also briefed the Senate on the latest developments in the peace process reiterating Jordan's readiness to pursue support for the Palestinian people.
CHN Commentary 11-7-98 The Mid East March to Peace Immediately following Friday's suicide bombing in Jerusalem, Yasser Arafat was on the phone with Netanyahu condemning the attack, expressing his condolences, and pledging to bring the perpetrators to justice. It was originally thought to be the work of Hamas, but now it is being confirmed that the militant Islamic Jihad group was responsible. As soon as they were determined to be responsible Palestinian forces began arresting members of their movement. Arafat then went on Israel's Channel One Television and in a rare direct appeal to the Israeli people said, "We condemn this criminal act, whose aim is to derail the peace process...we are committed to implementing the requirements of the agreements in pursuing, fighting and arresting these people". Shortly thereafter it was announced that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) had taken a first step required under the new peace deal with Israel to ratify changes to the PLO charter calling for Israel's destruction. This, coupled with the upcoming December meeting [which President Clinton is slated to attend] of the 700-member PNC, the PLO's widest decision making body, to abolish the offending charter clauses prompted a response from Madeline Albright's spokesman James Rubin to say, "This process of reaffirmation in our view...will make clear once and for all that the provisions of the PLO charter that call for the destruction of Israel are null and void''. An "all out war" on terrorism, and removing the clauses of the PLO Charter that call for the "destruction of Israel" are the two main sticking points that Prime Minister Netanyahu/Likud are demanding of Arafat to move the peace process to it's ultimate conclusion. And Yasser is demonstrating his sincerity to comply with these demands. >From our point of view, who have been "watching" this rhetoric for 20 years, the "tone" of the process this time is leaving no doubt that "this time it's for real", and nothing is going to stand in the way of getting to final status negotiations, and concluding this "peace"....... It is becoming very apparent, that by Clinton pledging the CIA to "run shotgun" on the security issue, that his ultimatum was heard "loud and clear" at the Wye, and "closure" is within "spitin' distance"... ..and some of us "good spitters" can probably get one to land on the calendar right about "Ascension time"...... if ya' know what I mean.......... [and if you don't know, please ask chn@chn-net.com] .....but we'll all just keep "watching"..!!! Jesus is Lord.... Luke 12:37
Reuters Saturday November 7 5:54 AM ET Palestinians Arrest Jihad Activists After Bombing JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A senior Palestinian security official said Saturday Palestinian forces had arrested members of the militant Islamic Jihad group in the West Bank after a car bomb attack in Jerusalem. ``We conducted several arrests among Islamic Jihad activists last night in several areas in the West Bank in the wake of the suicide bombing,'' the senior official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official declined to elaborate how many militants had been rounded up and where the arrests were made. Israel's Justice Minister Tsahi Hanegbi said Friday's bombing, which killed two attackers and wounded 21 in Jerusalem's central produce market, was almost certainly staged by Islamic Jihad. The Israeli cabinet said Friday it would suspend talks to ratify last month's Wye River interim peace deal until the Palestinian Authority waged an ``all-out war on terror.'' Islamic Jihad, while politically active, had not been known with any reliability to have mounted a major bombing since its leader Fathi Shikaki was shot dead in Malta by two men on a motorcycle in October 1995.
Reuters Saturday November 7 5:54 AM ET PLO Takes First Step To Amend Charter JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) said Saturday it had taken a first step required under a new peace deal with Israel to ratify changes to the PLO charter calling for Israel's destruction. The Palestinian official news agency WAFA said the PLO Executive Committee approved Friday night a letter from Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to President Clinton specifying which clauses in the 1964 charter were inconsistent with Israeli-PLO peace deals since 1993. ``The core of these items belong to an old age, the age of war and confrontation,'' Executive Committee member Asad Abdel-Rahman told Reuters. He said all 13 members of the 18-strong panel present at the meeting approved the letter. ``The PLO Executive Committee decided last night to ratify the president's January 22, 1998, letter to President Clinton on the clauses of the national covenant which were cancelled and modified in accordance with an April 1996 Palestine National Council (PNC) decision,'' a WAFA statement said. The Palestinian step was taken even as the Israeli cabinet Friday froze talks to ratify last month's Wye River peace deal until the Palestinians wage an ``all-out war on terror'' after a suicide car bomb attack in Jerusalem. Under the deal, which formally took effect on November 2, the Executive Committee had until November 16 to ratify the letter ahead of a similar vote by the 300-member PLO Central Council slated to take place by the end of November. In Washington, State Department spokesman James Rubin welcomed the Palestinian move. ``That was not required to be done, according to the timeline, until week two of the agreement but nevertheless they went forward last night and acted,'' Rubin said. Israel and the Palestinians are at odds over a third and decisive step necessary to nullify the document denying Israel's right to exist. The Israeli cabinet said Friday that it would not cede more West Bank land unless the 700-member PNC, the PLO's widest decision making body, vote in a December meeting Clinton is slated to attend to abolish the offending charter clauses. Senior Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Korei said this week the PNC would not hold a vote at the meeting. Under the Wye deal, Arafat will invite the members of the PNC and other Palestinian groups to the meeting to ``reaffirm their support for the peace process and the aforementioned decisions of the Executive Committee and the Central Council.'' Rubin said the United States believed ``if this event materializes, if the agreement is put into effect, the Israelis will get what they want.'' ``This process of reaffirmation in our view...will make clear once and for all that the provisions of the PLO charter that call for the destruction of Israel are null and void,'' Rubin said.
CNN 7 November 1998 Palestinians urge Israel to OK deal despite blast JERUSALEM, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Palestinians have pledged to crack down on Islamic militants in the wake of Friday's suicide car bomb attack on a Jerusalem market but said Israel should not use the incident to avoid implementing its side of a new peace deal. Minutes after Friday's attack in which two bombers blew themselves up in a car and wounded 21 civilians at the city's main produce market, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suspended cabinet debate on the U.S.-brokered land-for-security deal. Israel said it was delaying ratification of the accord until Palestinian President Yasser Arafat launched an "all-out war on terror." The attack was the third since the signing of the pact at the White House last month. Arafat said he had telephoned the Israeli leader to express his "deep pain for this criminal, terrorist act." "We condemn this criminal act, whose aim is to derail the peace process...we are committed to implementing the requirements of the agreements in pursuing, fighting and arresting these people," he told Israel's Channel One Television in a rare direct appeal to the Israeli people. Palestinian Parliamentary Affairs Minister Nabil Amr said at the close of the weekly Palestinian cabinet session in the West Bank town of Ramallah that the cabinet condemned the operation, but "severely criticised the Israeli...methods of searching for excuses to avoid the implementation process." The United States intimated it wanted the peace process back on track as quickly as possible. "It's customary for there to be a short pause in the wake of this kind of attack. It is now the Sabbath. It is important that the Israeli cabinet resume this deliberation quickly and make it possible to carry out the promise of Wye," U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said. U.S. President Bill Clinton, whose mediation helped clinch the deal at a nine-day summit at Wye River, Maryland led calls from the United Nations, Great Britain, France and Italy for both sides to persevere in their quest for peace. "It is the best way to safety for the Israelis and the best way to achieve the aspirations of the Palestinians, and in the end the only answer to today's act of criminal terror," Clinton said. Israeli Labour party opposition leader Ehud Barak called on the Israeli government to allow a few days for investigation and then "immediately after that to resume the political process." Israel's Justice Minister Tsahi Hanegbi said the bombing was almost certainly staged by the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad. The group, while politically active, had not been known with any reliability to have mounted a major bombing since its leader Fathi Shikaki was shot dead in Malta by two men on a motorcycle in October 1995. Israeli police earlier said they had received an anonymous telephone call claiming responsibility for the blast in the name of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas but were not sure the claim was genuine. Hangebi said at least one of the bombers had come from territory under Palestinian self-rule. A senior Palestinian source said one of the men was an 18-year old Islamic Jihad activist from an area of the West Bank under Israel's control. Friday's attack hit the Mahane Yehudah market hours before the start of the Jewish Sabbath when it was crowded with morning shoppers. Fifteen people were killed in the same place in July 1997 by two Hamas suicide bombers.
CHN "Late Breaking News" 11-6-98 5:00 AM PDT Jerusalem Bomb Puts Brakes On Peace Deal.......!!!!!!! This is the Reuters headline that we all will wake up to this morning as another act of terrorism has halted the Israeli cabinet ratification process. Two people are dead and 21 wounded as a car bomb was used for Friday afternoon's attack that blew up on a street corner at the entrance to one of the most crowded alleyways of the main produce market in Jerusalem shortly before the start of the Jewish Sabbath. One of the dead is a "bomber" and possibly the second. Hamas has claimed responsibility for the attack, but that has not been verified. Yasser Arafat has condemned the attack and vowed to intensify his crackdown on terrorism. The Israeli cabinet, while halting their ratification meeting, said the cabinet would meet again to discuss the agreement after it is satisfied that the Palestinian Authority is taking intensive steps for an all-out war against the terrorist groups and their infrastructure. So, once again the road to peace has been temporarily blockaded by the "prince of the power of the air" and his agents....but God remains in control, and His word says that peace will prevail [a false peace]. We will keep "watching"....... Jesus is Lord...
Reuters Friday November 6 6:35 AM ET Jerusalem Bomb Puts Brakes On Peace Deal JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A car bomb killed two people and injured 21 at Jerusalem's main produce market Friday and Israel responded by suspending ratification of its new interim peace deal with the Palestinians. Jerusalem police commander Yair Yitzhaki said an anonymous telephone caller to police had claimed responsibility for the attack in the name of the Islamic militant movement Hamas, which has killed scores of Israelis in suicide bombings. ``We don't rely on just a telephone call. We're still checking this,'' he told reporters at the Mahane Yehuda market in West Jerusalem, where the car rammed a market stall near crowds of shoppers hours before the start of the Jewish Sabbath. Yitzhaki said he believed at least one of the two dead had been a suicide bomber in the vehicle, a red Fiat 127. ``It could be the second one, too. I don't know for sure as yet,'' he said. One of the wounded was listed as in a serious condition. The attack was the second of its kind since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat signed their U.S.-brokered land-for-security deal at the White House on October 23. Minutes after the blast shook Jerusalem, Netanyahu suspended a marathon cabinet debate on the deal that began Thursday. His office said cabinet ministers had decided not to resume the endorsement process until Arafat launched ``all-out war'' on anti-Israeli violence. The cabinet would meet again to discuss the agreement ''after it is satisfied that the Palestinian Authority is taking intensive steps for an all-out war against the terrorist groups and their infrastructure,'' Cabinet Secretary Danny Naveh said. He said the government would ``act to strengthen Jerusalem'' but did not elaborate. The new deal, meant to end 19 months of peacemaking deadlock, requires the Palestinian Authority to crack down on anti-Israeli violence in return for the phased handover by Israel of 13 percent more land in the West Bank. Its ratification by Netanyahu's right-wing cabinet had already been delayed for a week as the Israeli leader pushed for more specific Palestinian commitments to arrest suspected killers of Israelis and take other security steps. The cabinet's response to Friday's bombing highlighted how a single attack could jeopardize prospects for implementation. Palestinian officials condemned the attack as an attempt to wreck the new agreement. Arafat's office urged Netanyahu to proceed with ratification and suggested that the bombing could have been staged by extremists on either side. ``We should prevent the enemies of peace from destroying the peace process, especially since there's a big question mark on those who conduct such suspicious operations,'' Arafat's spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah said. Though Netanyahu had seemed assured of cabinet approval for the deal, he had already been under pressure to back out of it from rightist hard-liners inside and outside his coalition who oppose any further transfer of land to the Palestinians. Israeli President Ezer Weizman, a supporter of the peace process, urged the cabinet to approve the deal despite the bombing -- even if with a delay. ``If the immediate conclusion of some people is to bury (the deal), no. I am for the government of Israel to decide today, or Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, that it is implementing what it signed,'' Weizman told Israel's Army Radio. Fifteen people were killed at Mahane Yehuda market on July 30, 1997 in an attack by two suicide bombers from Hamas. The movement is opposed to peace with Israel and has pledged to continue attacks on Israelis in defiance of the new interim peace accord and any security crackdown that stems from it. Israel and the Palestinian Authority blame Hamas for a suicide bomb attack in the Gaza Strip on October 29 which narrowly missed a bus taking Jewish settler children to school. An Israeli soldier in an escort jeep was killed. Hamas has denied any part in that attack. Several of its militants and political figures have been detained by the Palestinian Authority since the new peace deal was signed. Its founder, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, is under house arrest. The car used for Friday's attack blew up on a street corner at the entrance to one of the most crowded alleyways of the market. Two bodies, both badly charred, lay nearby. One corpse was covered with bloodied plastic sheeting. The other, which was exposed, was severed almost in two. Mordechai Haroush, a 46-year-old delivery man who was lightly wounded in the explosion, described the driver of the car as a ``big guy with a beard.'' ``After a few seconds, the entire car shot into the air. Everything blew up and I flew into one of the stalls. I didn't have time to flee,'' Haroush told Reuters in hospital. After the attack, several right-wing Israeli activists gathered at the scene chanting ``Death to Arabs'' and slogans against Netanyahu. Police said a number of arrests had been made and at least one Arab was injured in stone-throwing.
CHN "special report" 11-5-98 Rumblings of the forth coming "uprooting" are presently filling the air.... US Defense Secretary William Cohn is on a whirl wind tour of the Gulf Arab States to get them to back a , if needed, military confrontation with Iraq. Iraq has broken their UN agreement to allow UNSCOM inspectors to continue their search for weapons of mass destruction. On the surface, the Saudis, Kuwaitis, Bahrain, etc.. are not agreeing to allow their bases to be used for launching a strike. However, "what you see" is not "what you get" in these dealings... The preparations are under way and Britain is in full agreement that a major world crisis is brewing. Simultaneously, Jordan has begun to challenge Syria on the issue of the file that King Hussein gave to Syrian leader Assad in 1996 at the Cairo summit. In question in the file is the proven support that Syria is lending to known terrorists operating in Jordan with the intent of "ousting" the Hashemite rule. The King has never received a reply from Assad, and with the "unease" in the Middle East once again brewing vis-a-vis Iraq/UN, Amman wants an answer. As Daniel tells us, the "little horn" will uproot three of the ten kings in the region who meet to agree on peace with the Jews. If you are familiar with our explanation of Daniel 7:8 then you know that the three kings are Iraq, Syria, and Libya. So, to see these rumblings once again escalating, and relating it to the time table of the peace negotiations, it is very relevant at this time that these "kings" are creating "negative vibrations". We will continue to follow these "vibrations" as they unfold, full well knowing that "if" this next window is "the Rapture window", then the uprooting by the "little horn" is in fact lining up.... .........and for any of you that are not understanding this concise synopsis, please ask questions via email. Our address is chn@chn-net.com This is all part of "watching"...... Jesus is Lord.. Luke 12:37
Jordan Times 11-5-98 Cohen in Gulf over Iraq crisis; Baghdad defiant KUWAIT (R) — U.S. Defence Secretary William Cohen tried on Wednesday to whip up support among America's Gulf allies over a new crisis with Iraq, but Baghdad newspapers thundered defiance in the face of possible military attack. During intense round-the-clock diplomacy to persuade Iraq to reverse a decision to suspend cooperation with inspectors searching for banned weapons, Washington and London repeatedly warned that one option to gain compliance was the use of force. But Baghdad newspapers said on Wednesday Iraq would not be cowed. “Empty threats...and vicious behaviour there will not force Iraq to reverse its victorious decision,” the weekly Al Ilam said in a front-page editorial. The press also attacked Washington for whipping up anti-Iraqi sentiment. “Iraqi people and leadership are aware of the U.S. designs and they are confident that they can abort these designs,” the Iraqi English daily Baghdad Observer said. British Defence Secretary George Robertson, who agreed on Tuesday in London with Cohen that force was an option and told Iraq to back off, said on Wednesday the crisis was grave. “There is an urgent and serious crisis developing for the world community,” Robertson told a meeting of European defence ministers in Vienna. “With one voice there is one signal to Baghdad that compliance with the U.N. is the only alternative for [Iraqi leader] Saddam Hussein at this time.” On his crisis mission to rally support, Cohen left Saudi Arabia “confident the U.S. will have the support it needs to take appropriate action.” Cohen is expected to get backing in Kuwait before visiting Bahrain, headquarters to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, later on Wednesday. He visits Turkey on Friday. At the United Natio |