It took place in Ammam at the end of September, and focused on the Saudi offer…The Saudi peace initiative calls for an Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 borders, in exchange for peace agreements and normalization with the Arab countries…It includes the establishment of a Palestinian state followed by a formal deal between Israel and seven Arab countries: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, the Emirates, Morocco and Tunisia.
US pressured Olmert…
Infolive.tv: December, 5th - Qatar has promised to send funds to pay 40,000 Palestinian teachers’ salaries. Yaakov Lappin asks whether this signifies the collapse of the international embargo on the Hamas government.
Controversy on Segolene Royal Mideast Tour - French presidential candidate Segolene Royal, on a Middle East tour, has already become embroiled in an incident involving anti-Israeli remarks made by a Hezbollah parliamentarian. At the same time, her opponent, Nicolas Sarkozy, has announced his candidacy and will probably receive most of the Jewish votes Royal is hoping to win over on her Israeli visit.
Yedioth Aharonot, December 6th - Livni: International pressure on Hamas bearing fruit - At start of two-day visit to Paris, foreign minister tells reporters she detects “signs of change” in attitude of Hamas-led Palestinian leadership thanks to pressure from foreign powers. She also urges international community to remain “firm” in order to “reinforce” Abbas. AFP.
Seeking to end political deadlock after power-sharing talks with the ruling Hamas movement collapsed, Abbas is expected to ask Palestinians to vote in a referendum on holding early parliamentary and presidential elections.
Livni stressed the importance of offering moderate Palestinians a political horizon.
Haaretz, December 12th - “Merkel and Chirac urge Syria not to meddle in Lebanese politics” by Reuter - …They wish that Syria will no longer support forces that want to destabilize Lebanon and the region…Through a change in its behavior Syria can hope to develop the normal relations it desires with the international community, including the countries of the European Union”.
Der Spiegel, December 5th - Europe steps up pressure on Damascus - Syria seeks to profit from aid - For the first time in two years, a German Foreign Minister has visited Damascus. Frank-Walter Steinmeier used the trip to deliver a straight message to President Assad: Syria can only count on help if it stops supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Shiites in Iran and in Iraq
Jerusalem Post, November 18th - “Iranian group warns Lebanese Sunnis“ - A previously unknown extremist group has warned that “Shiite death squads” acting under Iranian religious edicts are preparing to attack Sunni Muslims in Lebanon…
Shiites are the largest of 17 religious sects in Lebanon, a country of 4 million people, and Hizbullah has had an upsurge in support in recent months after its 34-day war with Israel last summer…
The statement also accused Hizbullah of wanting to eliminate Sunnis by demanding for a national unity government to replace the government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora, a Sunni.
The New York Times, November 28th - “Hezbollah said to help Shiite army” - …The official said that 1,000 to 2,000 fighters from the Mahdi Army and other Shiite militias had been trained by Hezbollah in Lebanon. A small number of Hezbollah operatives have also visited Iraq to help with training, the official said.
…A Mahdi commander said his militia had sent 300 fighters to Lebanon, ostensibly to fight alongside Hezbollah.
Turkey
The New York Times, November 29th - Pope backs Turkey’s bid to join European Union
Ankara - Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Turkey on Tuesday armed with a surprise gesture of good will at blunting Muslim anger toward him: he backed Turkey’s long-stalled desire to join the European Union, reversing a statement he made two years ago.
Der Spiegel, November 29th - From foe to friend in Turkey - Before he arrived, the Turks hated him. Now that Pope Benedict XVI is in Turkey though, he has made 73 million new friends. Not only has he sought to heal the Christian-Muslim divide, but he also supports Turkish EU membership at a time when the country really needs an ally.
Wikipédia- Relations between Turkey and Israel - In 1492, Jews had to flee from Spain. The Ottoman Empire welcomed them. During the Second World War, a great number of Jews were saved by Turkey. As soon as 1949, Turkey was the first Muslim country to recognize the State of Israel.
Nowadays, in spite of different religions, relations between both countries are good. In 1996, they made two agreements of military cooperation and exchange of high technology.
Turkey is gifted with a high hydrological potential. In 2002, Israel and Turkey signed an agreement so that Israel could import tankers of water for twenty years.
Der Spiegel, December 7th - “Turquey moves toward Cyprus agreement” - A new Turkish offer is on the table to solve the ongoing standoff with Cyprus. It wants to open two seaports and one airport to traffic from Cyprus. The move may be enough to avoid a major accession crisis.
The Times, December 8th - Turkey offers to trade with Cyprus.
-Deal would open airport and harbor.
-European leaders to meet next week.
…The Foreign Minister of Cyprus called the Turkish proposal “a premeditated attempt to impress and a mockery of the European Union”.
Iraq
The New York Times, December 7th - Washington: a bipartisan commission warned Wednesday that “the situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating” and it handed President Bush both a rebuke for his current strategy and a detailed blueprint for a fundamentally different approach, including the pull back of all American combat brigades over the next 15 months.
In unusually sweeping and blunt language, the panel of five Republicans and five Democrats issued 79 specific recommendations.
The Times, December 7th - Wise men tell Bush he must change tack in Iraq or be doomed to failure…
