In my opinion, the USA was in The Way.
Syria and Lebanon have much to settle. Terror groups are to be reined in. Iran is too delicate to disturb.
And the rest .....
Well.
Let's just say will be written in the history books that the USA was actually a shadow of fear to the process of peace.
The Jordan Times
King meets Syrian PM, says Arab summit to activate peace initiative
Agencies
HIS MAJESTY KING Abdullah on Sunday said Jordan's current efforts focus on achieving a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace in the region, including the Syrian and Lebanese tracks.
http://www.jordantimes.com/mon/homenews/homenews1.htm
Mubarak likely winner — even with rival
By Jonathan Wright
Reuters
CAIRO — Prodded by Washington to lead the Arab world on democracy, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has agreed to let rivals compete for the presidency this year but analysts say he could still easily sweep a multi-candidate vote.
http://www.jordantimes.com/mon/news/news1.htm
Syria linked to arrest of Saddam's brother
BAGHDAD (Reuters) — A half brother of Saddam Hussein who has played a leading role in the insurgency has been captured with help from Syria, which faces US allegations of abetting terrorism, Iraqi government officials said on Sunday.
http://www.jordantimes.com/mon/news/news2.htm
King meets with Oracle representative
AMMAN (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday received Sergio Giacoletto, executive vice president of Oracle Europe, Middle East and Africa.
http://www.jordantimes.com/mon/homenews/homenews3.htm
Environmentalists raise awareness on deforestation in Palestinian areas
Israel is uprooting an average of 1 tree per minute in Palestinian areas
By Rami Abdelrahman
AMMAN — The World Council of Churches is working with environmentalists in Jordan and the region on a campaign to stop Israel from uprooting trees in Palestinian areas.
http://www.jordantimes.com/mon/homenews/homenews4.htm
Haaretz
Former deputy IDF chief: PM to blame for Tel Aviv attack
By Haaretz Service
Former deputy IDF chief Uzi Dayan said Monday that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is to blame for Friday's suicide attack in Tel Aviv, in which five people were killed, because he has failed to ensure that the West Bank separation fence is completed.
Dayan, who heads a public pressure group advocating the construction of the fence, told a meeting of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that, had the fence been completed, the terrorist who carried out Friday's attack would not have been able to reach Tel Aviv.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/545673.html
Anti-Syrian protesters take to Beirut's streets despite ban
By The Associated Press and Haaretz Service
Several thousand anti-Syrian protesters took to Beirut's streets late Sunday in defiance of a ban by Lebanon's pro-Damascus government against demonstrations, as a U.S. official kept up Washington's pressure on Syria by calling on it to withdraw its 15,000 troops from Lebanon and stop interfering in this country's affairs.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/545735.html
A critical test for Israel
By Akiva Eldar
When four civilians are killed and 50 are wounded in the heart of the city at the height of a cease-fire and the blood is boiling, the brain becomes feverish. On the one hand, "security sources" explain that the Islamic Jihad sent the murderer to sabotage the new Abu Mazen government, and to foil its attempts to rehabilitate the political channel and increase security cooperation with Israel. On the other hand, the defense minister decides to punish the Palestinian Authority by freezing the transfer of security responsibility to them for cities in the West Bank.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/545716.html
Egypt Today
THE YOUNG MAJORITY
Twenty-five years after its birth, the Islamic Republic of Iran is facing one of the greatest internal challenges to its legitimacy and permanence: With one of the youngest populations in the world, the generation that came after Khomeini’s Islamic Revolution is coming of age in a climate that bears little relation to the events of 1979. High unemployment, increasing social problems and unprecedented access to the outside world are pushing Iran down a path of instability and fundamental discontent.
http://www.egypttoday.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=4288
On the Hustings
The ruling National Democratic Party says President Hosni Mubarak will be its candidate of choice to face the nation in a fall presidential referendum. Yet the president himself claims he has yet to decide whether he’s ready to hit the campaign trail for a fifth time and says he welcomes challengers. Three have offered. Welcome to an unprecedented debate.
http://www.egypttoday.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=4283
The Middle East Times
Opinion: This time, I'm hopeful
Eyad El Sarraj
Published February 22, 2005
GAZA -- A couple of days after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas declared a halt to hostilities, I met with a few of the many journalists and commentators who roam the streets of Gaza.
... "Do you really trust Hamas to stop terror?" one of the journalists asked me. "Even when they announce that they are not bound by the agreement?"
To his obvious shock I replied, "Yes."
I have spent many years observing Hamas at close range as it has grown from a small Islamic religious movement into a major army. I have been debating politics with its leaders and members for a long, long time. That experience leads me to believe that Hamas will very soon transform into a political party and will seriously contemplate taking over the government by democratic means.
http://metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20050222-030133-5721r
Mubarak and Qadhafi discuss Mideast peace, other regional issues
Published February 18, 2005
WELCOME: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (L) welcomes Libyan Leader Muammar Qadhafi on his arrival at Itehadeya presidential palace in Cairo on Thursday. Qadhafi, on a five-day-visit to Egypt, will hold talks on bilateral and regional issues with his Egyptian counterpart.
(REUTERS)
CAIRO -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi in Cairo on Thursday to discuss the Middle East peace process, Iraq and a range of other regional issues, the official MENA news agency reported.
http://metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20050218-090050-5998r
Protests held in Cairo against fifth term for Mubarak
Published February 22, 2005
ENOUGH!: An Egyptian protestor shouts anti-government slogans outside Cairo University during a demonstration against an extension of the rule of Egypt''s President Hosni Mubarak. About 300 protestors called for an end to the rule of Mubarak, who has been Egypt''s leader since 1981 and is widely expected to seek a fifth six-year term this year.
(REUTERS)
CAIRO -- More than 500 people rallied in Cairo on Monday to protest against a new term in office for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and against moves to enable his son Gamal to succeed him afterward.
"That's enough" and "Down with Hosni Mubarak" shouted protestors who gathered in front of Cairo University, while around 50 trucks packed with police were deployed nearby.
http://metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20050222-072008-4927r
'Third time a charm' for Qurei's cabinet
Yasser Baraka
Middle East Times
Published February 25, 2005
ALMOST NEW: Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei (L) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (C) pose for photographs along with other members of the Palestinian cabinet, following a swearing-in ceremony in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Thursday, after parliament approved a cabinet of mostly new faces.
(REUTERS)
GAZA -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei has had a tough week. No matter what he tried, he was stopped each time by opponents. His task had been to nominate an entire cabinet, the first since the death of late president Yasser Arafat.
But on Thursday Qurei's third attempt succeeded like a charm when the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) overwhelmingly approved a new cabinet.
http://metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20050225-080038-4385r
Analysis: Activist arrest overshadows US-Egypt ties
Seif Nisrawi
UPI
Published February 22, 2005
CAIRO -- Egyptian-US relations are not in their best shape nowadays, and one cannot help noticing the lukewarm dealings between Washington and one of its main Arab allies.
The controversial arrest and imprisonment of Egyptian politician and human rights activist Ayman Al Nur was denounced by the US administration, which slammed the move as "harmful for the democratic process in Egypt".
http://metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20050222-080425-8324r
Lebanese PM is 'ready to resign'
Published February 23, 2005
READY TO RESIGN: File photo of Lebanese Prime Minister Omar Karameh leaving parliament in Beirut in November 2004. Karameh has said that he was ready to resign, facing intense pressure to end Syrian domination of his country.
(REUTERS)
BEIRUT -- Lebanon's beleaguered Prime Minister Omar Karameh said on Wednesday that he was ready to resign, facing intense pressure to end Syrian domination of his country and find the killers of ex-premier Rafiq Al Hariri.
http://metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20050223-071710-7046r
Analysis: Blogs are Iranians' weapons of choice
Jason Motlagh
UPI
Published February 22, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Iran is already under attack. The opposition is at work both within and beyond its borders, restless, coordinating and sharing intelligence
http://metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20050222-034433-2038r
Syria to redeploy troops in Lebanon
Nayla Razzouk
Published February 25, 2005
REDEPLOYING: Syrian soldiers gather at their base in Aley village in Lebanon on February 24. Lebanon''s defense minister Abdel Rahim Murad said that Syrian forces would soon start redeploying to Lebanon''s eastern Bekaa Valley in line with a 16-year-old agreement.
(REUTERS)
BEIRUT -- Syria, under intense international pressure to end its tight military and political grip on neighboring Lebanon, prepared on Friday to redeploy its troops toward the border, Lebanese officials said.
http://metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20050225-094928-5288r
Rescuers pull bodies from quake-hit Iran villages as toll tops 530
Siavosh Ghazi
AFP
Published February 23, 2005
DESTRUCTION: A general view of the quake-damaged village of Dahuyeh, near Zarand, some 1,000 kilometers southeast of Tehran, on February 22.
(REUTERS)
HOUTKAN -- Rescuers using their bare hands pulled more bodies on Wednesday from the rubble of freezing mountain villages flattened by a powerful earthquake in Iran as officials warned that the death toll could reach 550.
President Mohammad Khatami, whose government is facing protests from stricken villagers at the delay in aid reaching some of the most devastated areas, said that Iran would accept international help if offered.
http://metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20050223-080022-1451r
The Jerusalem Post
Israel launches 'hasbara' campaign against Syria
By GIL HOFFMAN AND MARGOT DUDKEVITCH
Police officer inspects the scene of the blast
Photo: AP
Victims of TA suicide bombing: [Top] Yitzhak Buzaglo, 40, Yael Auerbach, 28, [bottom] Aryeh Nagar, 37, Ronen Reuvenov, 28
As the March 1 London conference devoted to the re-building of the Palestinian Authority approaches, Israel has launched an informational "hasbara" campaign to shed light on Syria's involvement in terror orchestration.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1109301662303
Secret Syria-Israel talks, 'Post' learns
An official Jordanian source told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday that Syrian, Jordanian and Israeli Foreign Ministry officials held secret peace talks in Jordan last week. According to the source, technical committees from Syria and Israel were hosted at the Movenpick Hotel on the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1109475189059
Opinion: Say yes to Syria
An inhabitant of this region who lived here during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, then left and returned only in 2004, would never believe that the president of Syria would offer unconditional bilateral negotiations with Israel, and that the prime minister of Israel would turn them down.
For decades the Arab world negated peace, recognition and negotiations with Israel, as stated in the Khartoum declaration of 1967.
However, over the years, and with international pressure, this notion has been replaced by demands for a withdrawal by Israel to the 1967 borders, as a prerequisite to negotiations, recognition and a peaceful settlement.
In short, land for peace.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1102752565452
Iraq: Suicide bomber kills 125
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
BAGHDAD, Iraq
A suicide car bomber blew himself up Monday in a crowd of police and Iraqi national guard recruits south of Baghdad, killing at least 125 and wounding over 200, police and witnesses said.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1109561138022
The Moscow News
Troops Confront More Terror Cells in North Caucasus
By Anna Arutunyan The Moscow News
In a near-repeat scenario of two previous sieges this year, Russian troops broke up yet another group of separatist rebels believed to be part of a terrorist cell in the southern Russian province of Kabardino-Balkaria.
http://english.mn.ru/english/issue.php?2005-7-3
The Rain in Spain Falls Mainly on the EU
By Robert Bridge The Moscow News
Spain became the first nation to approve the European constitution on Sunday, thus handing the pro-EU lobby a powerful victory.
http://english.mn.ru/english/issue.php?2005-7-4
Militants Distribute Terror Tapes Across Russia
By Anna Arutunyan and Oleg Liakhovich
Chechen police are raiding local outdoor markets in Grozny after discovering last week bootlegged video-footage of terrorist attacks against federal forces. In the course of a single day, police sources say they have confiscated hundreds of videos in Grozny alone and have detained four vendors.
Pasted from <http://english.mn.ru/english/issue.php?2005-7-11>
Bushehr Explosion Gives Rise to Speculations
By Anna Arutunyan and Oleg Liakhovich
Iranian media and officials give contradicting information on the explosion which allegedly occurred in the outskirts of Dailam in the Bushehr province, where a nuclear power plant is currently under construction. The story created a worldwide media scare that jolted financial markets amid fears of a possible U.S. or Israeli military strike to end Iran's nuclear ambitions. The initial report by satellite TV channel Al Alam attributed the blast to a missile, while Ali Reza Afshar, a senior Iranian military official later said the explosion was part of blasting work involved in building a dam, Reuters reports. Quoted by the press service of the Iranian Defense Ministry, Iran's Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani condemned the Western media "for spreading unverified and false information" and warned that Iran would strike back promptly and correspondingly in case of any attack on Iranian nuclear and civil facilities.
http://english.mn.ru/english/issue.php?2005-7-12
Chernobyl to Repair Leaking Sarcophagus
By Anna Arutunyan and Oleg Liakhovich
In Ukraine, repairs began on the sarcophagus built over the debris of Chernobyl's ill-fated No. 4 reactor after experts affirmed that the structure failed to meet safety regulations due to deterioration. Hastily constructed in 1986 as a temporary measure designed to contain radiation emitting from the reactor's debris, the sarcophagus itself long became a hazard, experts warned. Repair plans include adding a second shelter around the old one. "Shelter 2" is a huge 19,800-ton steel arch designed to be assembled nearby, then slid into place on rails to minimize workers' radiation exposure, Vesti news program reported.
http://english.mn.ru/english/issue.php?2005-7-13
Russia's Arms Exports: Hitting the Ceiling?
By Aleksandr Golts deputy editor-in-chief, The Yezhenedelny
Despite warnings from the supreme commander, Russian traders are determined to strengthen the armies of other nations
Lately, Vladimir Putin has not had too much cause for triumph. But now at last he seems to have found it - Russia's arms trade.
Here are just a few figures. In the past five years, export sales have almost doubled, reaching $5.12 billion. Military equipment is sold to 59 countries, including the United Nations.
http://english.mn.ru/english/issue.php?2005-7-20
Pravda
Personality of the Week: Vladimir Putin
02/28/2005 10:35
President of the Russian Federation firm and resolute in Bratislava
Vladimir Putin again demonstrated his statesmanship this week in Bratislava in his meeting with President Bush, responding to the latter's "concerns" with diplomacy and tact, two pages that Condoleezza Rice might wish to take from the Russian President's book.
http://english.pravda.ru/mailbox/22/101/399/15028_putin.html
Putin answers Bush word for word
02/25/2005 10:17
Putin-Bush Summit - more points in common than differences
The Presidents of the Russian Federation and the United States of America stressed that there are more points in common than differences at a time when the international policy of Washington has put a strain on its relations with the international community.
http://english.pravda.ru/mailbox/22/101/399/15015_summit.html
Ukraine blames Russia for the loss of shoulder-fired missiles
02/28/2005 11:46
The news about the loss of the shoulder-fired missile system has caused a slight commotion in the Ukrainian Army
The shoulder-fired anti-aircraft system Strela-3, which has been lost in Ukraine, as the Ukrainian Navy command supposes, was handed over to Ukraine in 1996. According to the statement from the press service of the Russian Black Sea Navy, the system was handed over to the Ukrainian Navy on the base of adequate documents, signed by Ukrainian officials.
http://english.pravda.ru/world/20/92/370/15029_strela.html
Slobodan Milosevic, jailed in the Netherlands, receives his Belgrade villa back
02/25/2005 17:46
Slobodan Milosevic purchased the above-mentioned villa two days before NATO started bombing Yugoslavia
The Supreme Court of Serbia cancelled the decision of the first instance court to confiscate Slobodan Milosevic's villa situated in a prestigious district of Belgrade.
http://english.pravda.ru/world/20/91/365/15023_milosevic.html
The China Daily
Iran, Russia sign nuke deal opposed by US
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-28 09:13
Russia and Iran signed a nuclear fuel supply deal long opposed by Washington Sunday, paving the way for Iran to start up its first atomic reactor next year.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-02/28/content_420034.htm
Syria hands Saddam's half-brother to Iraq
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-28 08:02
Iraqi officials said Sunday that Syria captured and handed over Saddam Hussein's half-brother, a most-wanted leader in the Sunni-based insurgency, ending months of Syrian denials that it was harboring fugitives from the ousted Saddam regime. Iraq authorities said Damascus acted in a gesture of goodwill.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-02/28/content_419961.htm
Kitty Hawk sailor to appear in HK court
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-02-28 09:03
A 27-year-old sailor from the USS Kitty Hawk (right) is arrested by police in Hong Kong for punching a local taxi driver and police officer on Saturday morning after a drinking bout. He will be brought today to court, where it will be decided whether he will be sent back to the United States Navy for punishment. [newsphoto]
A sailor from the USS Kitty Hawk will be brought to court in Hong Kong on Monday for punching a police officer and a taxi driver.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-02/28/content_420004.htm
Berry, Bush, Schwarzenegger win Razzies
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-28 13:33
Hoisting her Academy Award in one hand and newly won Razzie in the other, Halle Berry reveled in a career low point. "Omigosh, oh my God," Berry gasped, feigning excitement. "I never in my life thought that I would be here, winning a Razzie. It's not like I ever aspired to be here, but thank you."
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-02/28/content_420342.htm
Scientists could produce cancer-killing cells
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-28 15:02
SEOUL - A team of South Korean scientists say they have found a way to produce the human body's own cancer-killing cells through gene therapy, offering new hope to cancer sufferers.
The team said they had found that a gene called Vitamin D3 Upregulated Protein 1 (VDUP1) plays a crucial role in directing stem cells to diversify into immune cells known as natural killer cells.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-02/28/content_420402.htm
