APRIL 8th PREDICTION

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Israel warms to EU, UN role in Gaza

By Arnon Regular and Shlomo Shamir

Israel is warming to a United Nations and European Union role in the Gaza Strip following feedback received by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on the disengagement plan in telephone conversations with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the EU head of foreign affairs, Javier Solana.

In a telephone conversation with Annan on Friday, Sharon was told the world body is interested in playing a direct role in the implementation of Israel's disengagement plan from the Gaza Strip.

In the call, initiated by the secretary general, Annan congratulated Sharon and his government for approving the disengagement plan and said the decision was brave and likely to push the region forward.

The pair discussed details of the plan, with Annan saying "the United Nations would be glad to assist as much as possible for the realization of the plan." The secretary general added that the international community would like to assist and contribute - in effort and resources - in order to ensure that the implementation of the disengagement plan is successful.

For his part, Sharon said he is interested in working in full cooperation with the international community and the Quartet, in order to further the disengagement plan.

Annan added that he hoped the prime minister would be able to visit New York in the near future for a meeting with UN officials on details of the disengagement plan and ways the world body can participate in its implementation.

Annan has emphasized, however, that the United Nations, as one of the members of the Quartet, regards the disengagement plan as part of the road map.

The conversation with Annan follows a similar call Sharon had with Solana.

Diplomatic sources in Jerusalem said Sharon is keen to improve Israel's ties with the UN special envoy to the Middle East, Terje Larsen, and his European Union colleague, Marc Otte.

To date, Israel has avoided direct contact with the two diplomats, because of their links with Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.

However, even though there is no clear cut change in policy, "there has been a significant nearing in the stance of Otte and Larsen regarding Arafat and the obligations of the Palestinians and therefore tightening of relations with them is expected."

The diplomatic sources stressed that the cooperation with the EU and the UN will focus on economic and reconstruction issues and neither will be directly involved in security matters.

Despite the warm support expressed by Annan, an international official operating in the Gaza Strip in connection with the disengagement plan said there has been no international commitment for undertaking any of the plan's costs.

"In spite of the support of the members of the Quartet for the disengagement plan, to date there has been no decision on the means for doing so and certainly there has been no commitment of funds for the dismantling of the Israeli settlements in Gaza," the official said.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/438263.html

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Its Greatest Threat is Democracy

Its problem is democracy. You see, according to those who wish to save the world from self destruction -- such as certain members of the Club of Rome, democratic forms of government must go. Why? Because they believe voters will never allow their elected officials to take the hard steps necessary.

Take the recent German elections for example. Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder took some strong, unpopular measures in an attempt to restore Germany's faltering economy. But instead of being thanked for his brave efforts, his Social Democrat party experienced their biggest beating ever (Read about it here)>>>> http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20040613-083454-3413r

And Schroeder wasn't the only EU leader to feel the whip in the EU-wide elections. British PM Tony Blair's party got devastated over his support of America in the Iraqi war. In fact, only the relatively new governments in Spain and Greece escaped the wrath of their voters.

In the mean time, the EU beast has some extremely urgent matters on the table. For one thing, it has a war on terror to fight. And for another, it has serious regional conflicts threatening to ignite -- such as Kosovo and the Israeli/Palestinian disputes. And one more thing, it's got America muscling in it's plans for the Mediterranean. What's it to do?

This is what I suspect it will do. It will go ahead with it's plans with, or without, the voters. After all, the EU member states may be democratic, but the EU beast itself isn't democratic. It does what it wants to do.

So the EU beast has ordered its High Representative Javier Solana to begin setting up his diplomatic offices around the world even though the Constitution hasn't even been approved yet (Read about it here)>>>> http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?...sess=1&id=45586

What if the voters don't approve the new Constitution? That's the whole point: That's why it has to move now. You see, the EU beast's greatest threat isn't the war against terror, or regional conflicts, or even America for that matter.

The EU beast's greatest threat is democracy.

06-14-04

http://fulfilledprophecy.com/greatest_threat_democracy.htm

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Dream EU President

According to the European Policy Forum based in London, the EU's High Representative would be, in Britain's view, the "dream" European Commission President. Scotsman.com reports:

Mr. Solana, currently the EU

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High-level socialist group to prepare next Commission's agenda

16.06.2004 - 20:26 CET / By Mark Beunderman

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The Party of European Socialists (PES) is to form a high-level group headed by the current European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy, to push a socialist agenda for the next European Commission taking office in November.

The move by the socialists was announced on Wednesday (16 June) by its party leader Poul Nyrup Rasmussen while speaking before the socialist members of the Committee of the Regions.

Mr Rasmussen announced that Mr Lamy, a member of the French Parti Socialiste, will head the high-level group, which should make "concrete, well-documented proposals" for the new Commission's agenda for 2005-2009, to be published in the beginning of next year.

Mr Lamy's participation was later confirmed by his spokesperson.

The 12-member group will consist of 4 socialist ex-commissioners, 4 national ministers and 4 MEPs.

The focus in the report will be on the "relaunching" of the the Lisbon strategy - the EU's goal of becoming the most competitive economy by 2010 - a PES spokesperson told the EUobserver.

But the socialist Commission agenda will also contain other issues which figured prominently in the PES European election manifesto, such as sustainability and "giving Europe a proper voice in the world".

http://euobserver.com/?sid=9&aid=16651

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Showdown of the Horns

Thursday and Friday are big days for the EU beast. All 25 heads are meeting for their semi-annual summit. All summits are important. But this summit is really, really important to the EU beast. At this summit the heads are to decide if they will adopt the new EU Constitution. And, they are also to decide on their next Commission President.

Both issues have far-reaching consequences. And, both are related. As I've pointed out before, there is a power struggle occurring in the EU. Some -- like France, Germany and Belgium -- want the EU to become a single, centrally controlled superstate. Others -- like Britain, Italy and Poland -- want the EU to remain more like a club of independent, sovereign nations states.

There is also the issue of America. You see, most of those wanting to see an EU superstate also are anti-American. They basically want to reduce NATO and take the old Soviet Union's place as a counter weight to American's global dominance. On the other hand, most of those not wanting an EU superstate are pro-America and want to keep the Atlantic Alliance intact.

So, at this summit we may be seeing a showdown between these two factions. And what makes it even more intriguing to us students of Bible prophecy, this may be a showdown of the horns. Let me explain:

Although the EU beast has 25 heads, it only has 10 horns -- the 10-nation Western European Union military alliance. If you recall, a short while ago there where three horns in this 10-nation alliance who supported America's war in Iraq -- Britain, Italy and Spain. But the Madrid bombings changed that. The terror attack occurred at precisely the right moment to sway the Spanish election in favor of a new, anti-American governement. Now there are only two horns left in this alliance still supporting America.

The reason this is intriguing is, on his rise to power among 10 kings, the Antichrist is to subdue three kings somewhere along the way (Daniel 7:24).

Now here we are, in the middle of this important EU summit, and we find these same two pro-American horns -- Britain and Italy -- fighting against the remaining anti-American horns.

And this summit could be the showdown.

06-17-04

http://fulfilledprophecy.com/show_down_horns.html

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Blair Fearing Solana?

A few days ago I wrote a commentary about a London based think tank that called Javier Solana the UK's "dream" Commission President (Read about it here)>>>> http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3067306

And if you recall, I said the truth may be Blair is afraid of Solana becoming the EU's new, super Foreign Minister. In part I wrote:

You see, I believe Solana is fast becoming a threat to those EU heads who put him in power. In fact, I believe that may be the real reason Britain wants so badly to see Solana become the next Commission President and not the EU's new Foreign Minister. If Solana were to become the Commission President, Britain may feel Solana would be back in a box where the EU heads could control him.

Today there is more information that may support this view. It's being report France is officially backing Solana to become the new EU Foreign Minister (Read about it here)>>>> http://www.eubusiness.com/afp/040617165829.oavvq16r

Last month the new Spanish government also backed Solana for this powerful post. And, both France and Spain are anti-American members of Solana's 10-nation military alliance.

Also today the Guardian published an analysis of British PM Tony' Blair's position on the new EU Constitution. The Guardian states:

The government wants the treaty to make it clear that member states and the council of ministers, not the commission, conduct foreign and security policy (Read about it here)>>>> http://politics.guardian.co.uk/eu/story/0,...1240619,00.html

Here's my point: If Blair doesn't want the Commission handling the EU's foreign policy, and Blair wants Solana to become the next Commission President, it follows Blair doesn't want Solana handling the EU's foreign policy.

Is Blair fearing Solana?

06-17-04

http://fulfilledprophecy.com/blair_fearing_solana.htm

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It's Coming Together

I have doubts about those who say they don't have doubts. That's because I'm full of doubts. And sometimes I need reassurance. But, that's nothing to be ashamed about.

Once even John the Baptist had doubts. If you recall, Jesus said there was no one born of woman greater than John the Baptist (Luke 7:28). Yet, upon finding himself in Herod's prison, John had doubts. And needing reassurance, John sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus if He really was the Messiah. The Gospel of Luke records:

And summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, "Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?" (Luke 7:19 New American Standard Bible)

These disciples from John just happened to show up in time to personally witness Jesus performing some of His greatest miracles. Finally, after John's disciples delivered his question, Jesus responded by saying:

Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me (Luke 7:22-23).

Jesus knew just what John needed. John needed something more than words to get him through what was in store for him. You see, Herod was about to have John's head delivered on a silver platter. What John needed was another glimpse of God's big picture -- what God was doing in John's day in Israel.

And sometimes, when doubts come, I need it too. I need to take another look at what God is doing in my day in Israel. And every time I do, I have the reassurance I need.

It appears Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and opposition leader Shimon Peres may be joining forces in a desperate attempt to bring peace to Israel. You see, a minority of Sharon's Likud Party won't give him the support he needs to keep his coalition government intact. In desperation, Sharon is turning to his arch rival Peres, leader of the liberal Labor Party.

Here's my point: It was mostly the Labor Party that started Israel down that slippery slope of trading land for peace back in 1992. And it was mostly members of the Likud Party that reversed Labor's peace efforts by filling the territories with settlers.

But Bible prophecy tells us, in the end-times, Israel will finally be backed into a corner where a deal will have to be made. And, that deal Israel will make will be with a European leader from a revived Roman Empire.

Wouldn't you know it? At the same time we see in Israel the two primary opposing parties coming together in a desperate attempt to find peace, the Roman Empire is reviving and headed in Israel's direction. Not only that, soon, under its new Constitution, this modern-day Roman Empire will have a single leader with which Israel must negotiate.

I can see it again and my doubts go away. It's God's big picture.

And, it's coming together.

06-20-04

http://fulfilledprophecy.com/it's_coming_together.html

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Solana Plays Down Talk He Wants Top EU Job

Mon Jun 21, 2004 07:13 AM ET

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BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, whose name has been aired as a candidate to be the next president of the executive European Commission, played down the idea on Monday.

"As you know, I have just had an operation on my knee -- so I am running for nothing," Solana jokingly told reporters, when asked if he was planning to offer himself as a successor to Italian Romano Prodi in November.

On Saturday, the 61-year-old Spanish socialist had said it would be hard for him to turn down the top job if leaders of the 25-nation bloc asked him to take it.

The leaders failed to resolve a bitter row over candidates at a summit last week, postponing the decision for a few days.

Ireland has said it would like to find a solution before its presidency of the EU ends on June 30. A presidency official said on Monday that Dublin was considering holding a summit, probably in Brussels, on June 27 or June 30 to make a decision.

Solana, a former secretary-general of NATO, has not been seen as a likely candidate to become Commission president.

He is widely expected to be reappointed High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy with a view to becoming the EU's first foreign minister when the bloc's constitution -- adopted last Friday -- is ratified.

"He is not a candidate for anything," Solana's spokeswoman, Cristina Gallach, told reporters. "But he is ready to serve the European Union and European institutions."

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?t...storyID=5470442

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Solana could be in running for top EU post: Spanish FM

21 June 2004

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana could be a candidate to succeed European Commission head Romano Prodi, even if that is not currently the most likely option, Spain's foreign minister said Monday.

Miguel Angel Moratinos underlined that Solana was more widely expected to run for the new post of EU foreign minister, set to be created under a constitution agreed last week.

The possibility of Solana taking over as head of the European Union's executive Commission was, "absolutely not ruled out," the minister told the Cadena Ser radio station.

Solana "is a candidate who always attracts unanimity," he said, but added that currently Solana "is unanimously seen as the future foreign minister" in EU circles.

EU leaders failed to agree at a summit in Brussels last week on a successor to Prodi, who is due to step down in October, notably amid deadlock between Britain and France over rival candidates.

Moratinos added that Solana, a former Spanish foreign minister and NATO secretary general, had the advantage of being viewed with approval by all the different sides in the dispute over the future of the EU.

But he said: "It is delicate to speculate because informal consultations are being made and there is no definitive consensus."

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, whose country presides EU meetings, has said he hopes to have a successor for Prodi by the end of June when Ireland's mandate runs out.

The new Commission president is due to be approved by the European Parliament in late July.

http://www.eubusiness.com/afp/040621084152.9l2tszba

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BBC NEWS / EUROPE

Friday, 18 June, 2004, 22:19 GMT 23:19 UK

EU agrees historic constitution

A deal has been reached on the first constitution for the European Union after hours of talks at the EU summit.

The final text of the constitution was put to leaders of the 25 EU states, who approved it on Friday evening.

The accord concludes two days of intense negotiations in Brussels and four years of argument and preparation.

Reports say the other sticking point - a new European Commission president - has been postponed for later talks after a bitter row over candidates.

But both Germany and France backed a compromise constitutional draft put forward by Ireland - the current holder of EU presidency.

Now every country will have to ratify the treaty, either in national parliaments or through public referendums.

Contentment

European leaders toasted the new agreement with champagne, and gave a standing ovation to Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern who brokered the deal.

" Nobody was rolled over and we worked hard to achieve that "

Bertie Ahern

Irish prime minister

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said it paved the way for a flexible Europe of strong nation states co-operating together.

"It's a success for Britain and a success for Europe," he said.

French President Jacques Chirac said the agreement meant "an important day for Europe".

Mr Ahern described it as a "win-win solution" which was advantageous for everyone.

"Nobody was rolled over and we worked hard to achieve that," he said.

The document sets out the powers of the national governments of the member states and the EU's various institutions as well as a charter of fundamental rights and a detailed catalogue of how the union will conduct a wide range of internal and foreign policies.

It includes one of the issues that torpedoed constitutional talks last year - resistance by smaller nations to plans for new voting rules.

The new plan says measures must have the backing of at least 55% of EU states, representing at least 65% of the total population, in order to pass.

Mr Blair said the treaty had satisfied the UK's demands to keep vetoes on issues such as economic policy, defence and foreign affairs.

France had complained that the UK was making too many demands for special treatment.

Commissioner debate

The UK remains at odds with both France and Germany over a successor to Mr Prodi who steps down as head of the commission when his five-year term ends in October.

LEADING CANDIDATES

Antonio Vitorino, EU Commissioner

Pat Cox, European Parliament President

Bertie Ahern, Irish PM

France and Germany had backed Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, but Britain opposed him on the grounds that he could be too eager to make the EU more federal.

Mr Verhofstadt later said he was "no longer available" for the post.

A UK commissioner, Chris Patten, had been proposed - but President Chirac said he did not think it was a good idea to have a candidate from "a country which doesn't take part in all European policies".

Mr Patten has now also pulled out, according to Mr Ahern.

The Irish prime minister said he hoped to resolve the issue before his country's presidency ends on 30 June.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/europe/3820607.stm