The following articles are compiled by:

Rick Allinson

Rick@WatchmenWatching.com

 

 

 

European Union will back peace deal with aid money
Source: IMEMC

 

20 November 2007 – In a meeting between the European Union (EU) Foreign Ministers Monday, the group promised to support any peace deal brokered between Israel and the Palestinians with aid money.

 

The European Union has given a total about 1 billion euros ($1.47 billion) to the Palestinian Authority in the year 2007.  The ministers noted that they were willing to continue supporting the unelected government of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, but added that Arab nations needed to do their part as well.

 

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU external relations commissioner, and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana presented a report to the Foreign Ministers conference outlining the support that the EU would provide if a peace deal is made.

 

"We are happy that Annapolis seems to be taking place," Ferrero-Waldner told reporters after the Ministers’ conference.  "We know that Israel always fears for the security of its population," said Ferrero-Waldner, but added that it is only through the revival of the Palestinian economy that peace could be achieved.

 

In answer to a question about the EU’s position on the Gaza Strip, Ferrero-Waldner confirmed that the EU supported Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as President of all the Palestinians.  This includes both Palestinian territories – the West Bank AND the Gaza Strip.
 

 

EU outlines measures to back Annapolis conference
Source: EJP
 

20 November 2007 – The European Union is preparing to back the Annapolis Middle East international peace conference with new security and economic measures.

At a meeting in Brussels on Monday, the EU Foreign Ministers endorsed a document — written by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU External Relations Commissioner, and Javier Solana, the EU foreign policy chief — outlining steps to support the process emerging from the conference scheduled to take place at the end of this month in Annapolis, Maryland.

A statement issued after the meeting said:"The EU Council expresses its full commitment to further support the parties in their ongoing negotiations and subsequent implementation."

"In this context, the Council welcomes the EU Action Strategy submitted by the EU High Representative in full association with the Commission, which will be the basis for further work by the EU taking into account the results of the Annapolis International meeting."

Under the plan, the EU would expand its existing police mission to train, equip and reconstruct the police force and prison facilities in the Palestinian Territories. It would be complemented by "wider support to the rule of law".

"If requested, the EU will be ready in due course to contribute to a system of security arrangements that would be agreed between the parties in the framework of a permanent settlement," the text said.
  

List of Invitees to Mideast Peace Talks
Source: AFP
 

20 November 2007 – The United States is inviting representatives from more than 40 countries, groups of nations, financial and other institutions and individuals to a Middle East peace conference it will host next week in Annapolis, Md.

The main participants, Israel and the Palestinians, received invitations on Tuesday and U.S. embassies in the invited countries and diplomats accredited to the non-sovereign entities were to be notified to request the presence of their host government at the foreign minister or other appropriate level, according to officials familiar with the process.

The following is a partial list of confirmed invitees, according to those officials, who provided it on condition of anonymity ahead of the formal announcement of the conference to be held on Nov. 27 in-between meetings in Washington. Representation for most invitees is not clear.

_ The United States, host, to be represented by President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

_ Israel, to be represented by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

_ Palestinians, to be represented by President Mahmoud Abbas and senior officials.

Members of the international diplomatic "quartet" on the Middle East other than the United States:

_ The United Nations, to be represented by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

_ The European Union, expected to be represented by EU Foreign Policy chief Javier Solana and External Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the bloc.

_ Russia, expected to be represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

_ Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the quartet special representative to the Palestinians.

Members of the Arab League committee tasked with pursuing a Saudi initiative for a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace deal:  

 

Comments: Only one week left to go until the Annapolis summit and already the EU is ready to get out the check book. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and Javier Solana not only hold the purse strings but will also guarantee the security arrangements between the parties. Does this sound familiar? For years leading bible prophecy teachers have been telling us that the Antichrist will guarantee Israel’s security under a peace agreement for a period of seven years. Is this what the EU is about to offer once peace is achieved?

In the second article, a quote that I find interesting is; "wider support to the rule of law". This is a common quote under the European Neighbourhood Policy and one of the main objectives. These are, promoting reform, the rule of law, stable democracies and prosperity – prosperity, security and stability.

My guess is that most of the funding that the EU will provide will come under the ENPI umbrella that is already in place and is running from 2007-2013. (ENP FAQ here) Why wouldn’t the funding come from here? Benita Waldner is the ENP commissioner and Javier Solana is set to control both his and her position when the EU reform treaty comes into effect.

A peace agreement would be a bonus for the ENP. All parties who tow the good governance and rule of law line will be rewarded just as the policy states.

 

So who should we be watching among the invitees at Annapolis summit?

 

 

Da 8:25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

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Keep watching (Matt 24:42)!

 

Until next time,

Shalom!

 

 

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