The following articles are compiled by:

Rick Allinson

Rick@WatchmenWatching.com

 

 

U.S. Fifth Fleet in Gulf exercise for possible war in Iran
Source: World Tribune
 

05 November 2007 – The U.S. Navy launched a series of exercises in the Gulf to enhance skills required in any war with Iran which, according to British press reports, could occur in early 2008.

The U.S. Fifth Fleet conducted a crisis response exercise that included amphibious, air and medical forces. The five-day exercise by the USS Wasp, led by Commander Task Force 59, was scheduled to end on Nov. 5.

The U.S. Fifth Fleet has been operating two strike groups in the Gulf. The USS Enterprise and USS Kearsarge have also been training in the region.

Britain plans to send an aircraft carrier, HMS Illustrious, to the region in early 2008. Illustrious would be accompanied by the Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh and the Type 23 frigate HMS Westminster.

A British Defense Ministry spokesman said the Royal Navy deployment was not linked to the emerging Western crisis with Iran. But the London-based Daily Telegraph asserted that the ships might be preparing for war with Teheran in the first half of 2008.

"The purpose of the exercise is to continually improve the Fifth Fleet skills in completing complex missions that require capabilities broader than one ship or unit," U.S. Fifth Fleet commander Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff said. "Naval forces deployed here contribute to building stronger relationships that in turn help underwrite security and stability."

Officials said the exercise would evaluate the capability of the USS Wasp to respond to oil spills or damage to a coalition ship in the Gulf. Under the scenario, the Wasp, an assault vessel, would rush personnel and supplies to a targeted area within 72 hours.
 

Comments:  It looks like early 2008 will be the time frame to watch and see if war breaks out with Iran. Britain is sending their aircraft carrier Illustrious to the region, early 2008 and that could be a significant indication that final preparations are in the works. All this news is like a mirror image just before the U.S. launched a war against Iraq back on March 20, 2003. Rumours of war are increasing by the day and as we know, a war with Iran could have global consequences. The main impact could be come a huge jump in oil and if you have been following the upward trend lately; oil will surpass the $100.00 mark before the years end. With oil at record levels and a war on the horizon, the signs are obvious; the world is heading into uncharted waters. Read Frenzy in the markets as oil heads for $100 a barrel and Oil rises by over a dollar on expectations for a drop in US crude stocks.  

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FM Livni: "We Uprooted Thousands, Yet Rockets are Still Coming"
Source: Arutz
 

06 November 2007 – Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, speaking before Foreign Ministers of the European Union and others, says that Israel is so anxious for peace that it is willing to enter into negotiations at an inopportune time and with a partner who can't deliver.

"We have proven in the past," Livni told the participants at a conference in Lisbon, including the foreign ministers of Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Libya, "that we extend our hand in peace. We have proven this in negotiations, and in the Disengagement - which we did not have to do - as well as in the negotiations today.  The Palestinian Authority is divided, Gaza is ruled by terrorism, and we could have waited until the first stage of the Road Map [i.e., an end to terrorism - ed.] is implemented."

Livni also boasted that "we have removed settlements.  I myself made a decision [as part of the Sharon government - ed.] to uproot thousands of people from their homes [in Gush Katif and northern Shomron].  Not one Israeli soldier is stationed today in Gaza, yet Israel is attacked daily."

"People are justifiably presenting major question marks," Livni said, listing the questions without answering them: "Is this the right time for talks, when our nursery children are under fire from Gaza?  Is it the right time to talk when the other side is so weak and ineffectual?"

After having admitted that the talks would take place despite the lack of fulfillment of the PA pledge to stop terrorism, she said, "This dialogue is taking place with the understanding that implementation of any agreement will be contingent on our security needs... The way to the establishment of a Palestinian state is dependent upon our ability to transmit the key of self-rule to a responsible element that will be able to control things and promise that there will not be a terrorist state alongside us."

"Both the Israeli and Palestinian publics have to understand that there is something here that is bigger than both of us," Livni said.  "Both have to understand that there is a need to compromise."

"We are not trying to evade discussions on the most sensitive core issues," Livni said, referring to Jerusalem, the Temple Mount, the millions of Arab refugees and their descendants who wish to enter Israel, the hundreds of thousands of Jews living in Judea and Samaria, and more.  "It is clear to us that the day after Annapolis, we will have to have significant talks, and that these must be accompanied by practical steps in the field."  

 

Comments:  Israel withdrew from Gaza and all it got them was more conflict with the Palestinians. Now Tzipi Livni may be starting to realize that peace with the Palestinians is just not possible and is having a change of heart on the core issues. But as we have read in many news reports, a failed peace summit could bring a third intifadah and more rockets from the dejected Palestinians.

 

Israel is being forced into a peace agreement by the international community but that peace is on a dead end road and will turn against them just like Gaza did. The best that could happen right now is that Olmert and his government end up as the casualty and delay the peace process further.  Read Olmert expects Annapolis summit later this month. At the end of summit there will be consequences for Israel and the worst that could happen is a peace agreement.

The bible tells us that this peace agreement will be a false peace and no sooner will they say peace and safety then sudden destruction will come. When Paul wrote this to the Thessalonians he was also talking about the return of the Lord and this false peace agreement would be a major sign of our times. “That day” should not overtake us as a thief and neither should “the day” of the Lord. We need to keep watching closely.

 

 

1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

 

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Keep watching (Matt 24:42)!

 

Until next time,

Shalom!

 

 

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