Hal Lindsey once stated that if Javier Solona were to ever get a seat on the "United Nations Security Council" with veto power........"That this would make him the most powerful man on earth...."BARR-NONE!.......Well, from the looks of things....this may very well happen soon..........Another interesting note;....The European Union (revived Roman Empire)....could not agree to a "New European Constition" entering thru the front door.....So now the European Union has decided to ratify a New European constitution, by coming in with it thru the back door, with a physiological spin, in name only.....but it will result in a visionary goal of a United States of Europe.....With the seeds of a federalist government in place......It would be simple to make the seed to grow to full blossum...in the shadows of a global crisses, which is now currently on the horizon of the extreme near future..........Once this crisses comes into play......These 10 leaders will give thier power and authority unto the beast for one hour......This beast is a man......but yet again, it is also a system...a way of rule.................................................................................................................................................................................................
EU will take Britain's UN seat, says Hague
By Bruno Waterfield in Brussels
Last Updated: 1:08am BST 20/07/2007



William Hague has attacked a "shocking" Government concession that will give a new European Union "foreign minister" the right to speak from Britain's seat on the United Nations Security Council.


'It is a big step towards a United States of Europe'


The British government had claimed that powers for the EU foreign policy supremo, rechristened a High Representative, have been reduced and his UN role stripped from the new treaty.

However, an EU official confirmed: "We retain, except for the name of the minister, the Constitutional Treaty text of 2004 including the provisions on the UN.

"There is a provision which provides for the representative of the EU to state the position of the EU at the UN Security Council."

The Government had insisted that negotiations on the treaty had ensured that the British presence on the Security Council would never be replaced by an EU representative. However, the text provides for the British seat to be occupied by an EU minister when the bloc has a united position on issues.

advertisementMr Hague, the shadow foreign secretary, has criticised Gordon Brown for allowing "one of the most damaging and important provisions in the rejected EU Constitution" to be resurrected after referendums by the French and Dutch two years ago voted against it.

"It would seriously compromise the independence of our foreign policy," he said. "It is shocking that the Government have yet again let this through and it totally destroys their claim that their so-called red line on foreign policy is effective."

Provisions, drawn word for word from the old constitution, giving the EU "foreign minister" speaking rights from Britain's and France's UN seats will be included in a draft treaty to be presented to a meeting of foreign ministers on Monday, diplomats have confirmed.

"When the Union has defined a position on a subject which is on the United Nations Security Council agenda, those member states which sit on the Security Council shall request that the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs be asked to present the Union's position," the text states.

Unlike Europe's current foreign policy representative Javier Solana, the new "minister" will also be vice-president of the European Commission overseeing an EU diplomatic service, weakening direct control over the post by national governments.

"It is a big step towards the federalists' end goal: a United States of Europe in which we would be represented at the UN not by a British ambassador on the Security Council but by the EU foreign minister, which this new treaty has also taken from the constitution," said Mr Hague.

Speaking in Brussels this week, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, the architect of the old constitution, mocked presentational spin over the "minister".

"The High Representative for Common Foreign and Security is one and the same as the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs," he said.

The issue is set to become a major stumbling block for efforts by Mr Brown, the Prime Minister, to deny a referendum on the EU Treaty.

"With provisions like this, there can be no question but that the new treaty would fundamentally transform the EU and is in effect the EU constitution in all but name, as Gordon Brown has admitted," said Mr Hague. "So the British people must be allowed the final say in the referendum they were promised."

.........................................................benny

MAn!

August 2, 2007
A Declaration of Principles?
by Michael G. Mickey
(8-2-07)

YnetNews.com is reporting that Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is saying he's ready to work on a 'declaration of principles’ of peace with Israel. YnetNews is also reporting that an international peace conference may be held as early as November. The exact date, participants and location aren't written in stone but Washington is reportedly a possibility.

The first thing that strikes me concerning Abbas, who is considered by many to have been the mastermind behind the Oslo Accords, is that he chose the phrase 'declaration of principles' to describe what he is apparently willing to negotiate with Israel to obtain now.

When the Oslo Accords was signed, which had a 1993-2000 timeline, it was officially called the Declaration of Principles which may mean that what I have speculated in the past could take place in the future may well become a reality, which is the road to Middle East peace and the advent of the Antichrist may eventually run through "Oslo." I'm not dogmatic in stating that, even with Abbas saying what he has, but it certainly seems more possible than ever before that this may be the case.

The question that remains to be answered if the seven-year peace covenant of Antichrist is in the making someplace on the prophetic horizon: Who would confirm a renewed version of the Oslo Accords --- or a brand new peace covenant that could come from an international peace conference such as the one proposed to be held in November? The answer is unsure but there are a number of interesting things going on that may be well worth keeping an eye on.

Recently, as many of my readers know, the European Union constitution failed to be ratified, being held up by French and Dutch referendums that defeated it.

The end result of the proposed EU constitution's failure led EU leaders to recently form an agreement on a new European Union 'treaty' which the Telegraph is reporting is nothing more than a 'cut and paste' version of the failed EU constitution. In other words, the voice of the European people was heard - and discarded. There will likely be more of that as the Telegraph article strongly infers.

Here is where the new EU treaty gets interesting, at least from my perspective:

The title of the EU's "foreign minister" is changed to High Representative. Provisions drawn word for word from the old constitution will give him speaking rights from British and French seats at the UN Security Council. Unlike Europe's current foreign policy representative, Javier Solana, the new minister will also be vice-president of the European Commission, weakening direct control over the post by national governments.

Also lifted almost word for word from the 2004 constitutional treaty is a new "ratchet clause" making it far easier for the EU to scrap national vetoes and sidestep referendums.
The EU's new 'treaty' is going to make someone a very, very powerful person on the world stage - someone who is going to be the global voice of the European Union, the revived Roman empire of Bible prophecy.

Gone is the title of EU "Foreign Minister"; in is the title of EU "High Representative" which is already part of the title of the EU's current foreign policy chief, Dr. Javier Solana.

Solana's official title, in case any of you are unfamiliar with it, is that of "High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy."

Does this mean that Solana will become the EU's newly-appointed and practically untouchable High Representative under the EU's new 'treaty?' Time will tell as there are many who will, undoubtedly, be vying for the position, perhaps even former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair whose activities have been very interesting of late as he acts in the role of Middle East envoy to the Quartet of Russia, the European Union, the United Nations and the United States.

Could the EU's new U.N.-addressing power broker, its new High Representative, have a prominent role to play in the Middle East peace process currently underway? Will he be the driving force behind the confirming of a seven-year covenant of peace in the Middle East in the prophetic future? Will he be the architect of both these events or none of the above? Only God knows for sure but the possible outcomes of these developments make for good end times watching at the very least!

Is it just me or does it seem the pace toward the return of Christ is quickening where the prophetic indicators are concerned? Many, many things are currently coming together which represent potentially dramatic posturing where end times events are concerned! The number of fronts this activity is taking place on is mind boggling in scale from my perspective, even overwhelming at times.

That's why I'm keeping my eyes on the skies! I hope you are too......................................benny

Stop moaning or leave the EU, Britain is told
By Martin Banks in Brussels
Last Updated: 4:02am BST 20/08/2007



An influential German politician has fired a warning shot at British moves to hold a referendum on the European constitution.

Sign the Telegraph EU referendum petition
Elmar Brok, a centre-Right MEP and close ally of German chancellor Angela Merkel, effectively told Britain to sign up to the so-called reforming treaty or consider pulling out of the EU.

advertisementHe insisted that the new draft was substantially different from the "old" constitution and that Britain had "got what it wanted" with a series of opt-outs and "red lines".

"Gordon Brown's government has said there is no justification for a referendum and the UK should stick to this commitment," said Brok, the European parliament's representative on inter-governmental negotiations on the treaty.

"It would be very unfair of the UK if, having more or less got what it wanted in the new treaty, it would then turn round and put this to a popular vote."

Brok, a member of the European convention that drafted the old constitution, asked: "The UK got its various opt-outs so what's the problem? How would it seem to other EU member states if Britain were now to hold a referendum? For me, that would undermine the negotiations on the treaty and even go as far as to question Britain's credibility as an EU member.

"Britain is a valued member of the EU but we should perhaps remember that the treaty contains an article which gives any member state the right to leave the EU if it so wishes."

Those campaigning for a British referendum were motivated "solely" by their opposition to the EU, he claimed. Brok, who was chairman of parliament's foreign affairs committee, said there was "no reason to renegotiate something you agreed on".

He added: "The chapter is closed. "We should be able to have a new treaty as soon as possible. We have a commitment from all to meet these requirements."

The political veteran said MEPs will resist any attempt to "water down" the treaty, which aims to revive the constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.

He believes opposition to the treaty, particularly its proposals on votes in the EU and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, could still hold up any agreement.

"The European Parliament will be watchful that the treaty mandate received from the European council will not be watered down and will remain in place. It is important that the rights guaranteed in the mandate are preserved. This is our challenge for the new few weeks."

Brok, who has held leadership posts in German and European politics, belongs to the same European People's Party and European Democrats political grouping as the Conservatives.

David Cameron has pledged to pull the Tories out of the group after the European elections in 2009.

Martin Callanan, a senior Conservative MEP, said Mr Brok should "mind his own business" and allow Britain to decide how it wishes to determine the treaty's ratification.

"If Britain wants to hold a referendum on the treaty - which I and many others believe it should - that is a matter for the UK and not fanatical German federalists like Brok," he said.

Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party, criticised Brok's intervention, saying: "For an arrogant, bullying German politician to be telling the British what they should or should not do is, I would have thought, likely to help the pro-referendum case.

"I would be delighted if he agreed to visit every major British city and repeat his comments."

.............................................benny

What Holly Thinks
The Great Work of the Century
On Constance Cumbey's blog, I ran across her link to a Newsweek article I found fascinating. The article -- to be released in Monday's Sept. 17 edition -- is titled, "Europe Goes to Club Med." It reports how the European Union is combatting terror, migration problems and energy shortages by integrating with nearby Mediterranean nations, including Israel.

This is not news to students of end-times prophecy. But it's fascinating to see mainstream media start to pick up on it. Ancient Bible prophecies foretold a final world empire that would rise before Christ's return -- one that would eventually persecute God's nation of Israel, but would first bring her a time of peace.

Even before the European Union came on the scene, students of prophecy anticipated that this final kingdom would be a revival of the Roman Empire -- the very thing we are seeing today as the European Union draws in the nations surrounding it. A map of the European Union looks very much like a map of the Roman Empire. And one of the European Union's key objectives is to bring peace to the Mideast.

The Newsweek article sees significance in Europe's current integration, calling it "nothing less than a single community of nations, rich and poor, Muslim and Christian, striving together for a better future in which post-colonial animosities can be forgotten." It quotes Jean-Louis Guigou, head of the Economic Forecasting Institute of the Mediterranean World, saying, "This is the great work of the century."

Not only is the integration important, it's also inevitable, according the article, which concludes: "You don't need a postdoc in Mediterranean studies to see that if Europe won't cement its friendships in the region, others will." (In other words, the region's oil is coveted by the world.)

Of course, Newsweek and other secular media don't grasp the prophetic significance of the European Union. They don't see that it's not only the great work of the century, but it's also the culmination of Satan's work through the centuries -- a world empire from which he can launch his greatest assault on Christ's people. Many Christians don't either. That's what makes the community here at FP so important.

Since 2002, this site has been documenting the revival of the Roman Empire and a powerful office that has emerged within it -- the office of High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy that looks like a perfect match to the office the Antichrist will hold. Read why here. This office is currently held by Javier Solana, who, interestingly, has become the world's primary peace negotiator in the Mideast

FP has also reported on Solana's possible signing of the "covenant with many" (the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership for Peace) and his strengthening of this covenant for a period of seven years through the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (which went into effect Jan. 1). If this is really the strengthening of the covenant spoken of in Daniel 9:27, then that means the world has now entered the "70th week of Daniel," the final seven years before Christ's return. Read why here.

Since my dad died on June 13, over 150 new people have joined the FP discussion board -- people from across the States and all over the world, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany and even Indonesia. FP has also continued to send out free DVDs and CDs documenting the news. This is exciting. It means the information my dad reported on is still getting out. It also means there's a growing community of Christians who can discuss the prophetic significance of the news and, most importantly, can spur each to win souls to Christ before He returns.

Since my dad died, we've also seen some developments, including the reintroduction of the failed European Union Constitution as the "Reform Treaty" -- which creates a more powerful European Union with a more powerful foreign minister at its head (a position Javier Solana is a shoe-in for). We've also seen Mideast peace negotiations pick up pace ahead of President Bush's international conference in November.

My dad would be so pleased to know we're "staying tuned."



..........................................benny

November 17, 2007
How The Beast Got Its Teeth
by Michael G. Mickey
(11-17-07)

Daniel 7:19: Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

Daniel 7:23: Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

The European Union, the revived Roman empire of Bible prophecy? I am often told that it doesn't possess the military assets to fulfill the prophecies above. In response, I am quick to remind those who present thoughts like these to me that we are not talking about IF these things will come to pass but WHEN. Additionally, I am quick to point out that Brussels, Belgium is where NATO is headquartered as well as one of two locations the EU Parliament convenes which is, at the very least, convenient in light of what Bible prophecy reveals is coming. But what if we could find greater evidence, even now, that the revived Roman empire is looking to become a great military power? Believe it or not, we can as I'm about to demonstrate.

On November 13, 2007 the EU Observer reported that Paris is going to put defense "high on the agenda when it takes over the rotating presidency of the EU in the second half of 2008."

French defence minister Hervé Morin is quoted in the article as saying that European defense is an "absolute priority" which is "at least as important for European integration as the EU's common currency, the euro."

Morin additionally had the following to say which I want everyone to read very carefully as we are witnessing prophetic posturing to be sure:


"With the common currency, we have created a strong symbol for Europe. But nothing can better express the European community of fate than common defense, a common sense of Europe's threats and security interests."

"A kind of European conscience can grow over the question where, if need be, we want to defend our values with weapons. This is why during the presidency of the European Council in the second half of 2008 we would like to press ahead with a Europe of defense."
In Bible prophecy we see that the revived Roman empire is not only going to be able to "defend its values with weapons" but possess the ability, under the leadership of Antichrist, to "devour the whole earth" (Daniel 7:23) and even "wear out the saints of the most High" in the Tribulation Period to come! (Daniel 7:25)

On November 16, 2007 the EU Observer provided us with more evidence indicative that prophetic posturing is underway on this front, reporting that UK foreign secretary David Miliband recently called for a "strengthening of the EU's military capacities" during his first major speech on EU policy.

What's left to be said, Christians? We may be watching the opening stages of how the Beast got its teeth so to speak - another example of why it has been said that Bible prophecy is history written in advance.

Keep looking up!

(Note: The "saints of the most High" referred to above who will be "worn out" during the Tribulation Period to come will NOT be the Church but those who come to faith in the aftermath of the Rapture of the Church.).....................................benny

The key to military power is in the space program, and satellites that are independent of the US.

Last Updated: Thursday, 15 November 2007, 18:04 GMT

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EU 'should expand beyond Europe'

Mr Miliband urged the EU to use "soft and hard power"


Miliband on the EU
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has suggested the European Union should work towards including Russia, Middle Eastern and North African countries.
He said enlargement was "our most powerful tool" for extending stability.

In his first major speech on the UK's relationship with Europe, he said the EU would not become a "superpower" but should be a "role model" for the world.

It could be a "model power of regional co-operation" dedicated to free trade, the environment and tackling extremism.

He said the EU must "keep our promises to Turkey", adding: "If we fail.... it will signal a deep and dangerous divide between east and west.

"Beyond that we must keep the door open, retaining the incentive for change and the prospect of membership provides."

Mr Miliband made his address at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, where Baroness Thatcher delivered her famous warning against "some sort of identikit European personality" almost exactly two decades ago in September 1988.

US 'only superpower'

Mr Miliband said that speech had been "haunted by demons - a European superstate bringing in socialism by the back door".

But he said: "The truth is that the EU has enlarged, remodelled and opened up. It is not and is not going to become a superstate. But neither is it destined to become a superpower."

In the way it dispenses its responsibilities around the world, it can be a role model that others follow

David Miliband
British foreign secretary


In full: Miliband speech
Send us your Bruges speeches

Instead he said the EU had the chance to be a "model power" which could develop shared values between countries.

"As a club that countries want to join, it can persuade countries to play by the rules, and set global standards. In the way it dispenses its responsibilities around the world, it can be a role model that others follow."

Extremism and insecurity

Mr Miliband said new threats, like protectionism, religious extremism, energy insecurity, rogue and failing states and climate change provided a new "raison d'etre" for the EU.

He outlined four principles for the "next generation" of Europe, for it to remain open to "trade, ideas and investment", to develop shared institutions to overcome religious and cultural divides, to prevent conflict by championing international law and human rights in and outside Europe, and to become a "low carbon power".

He said a successful EU must be prepared to "deploy soft and hard power to promote democracy and tackle conflict beyond its borders".

The fact is that if the renamed constitution goes through we will have a more inward-looking Europe

William Hague
Shadow foreign secretary

He said the goal "must be a multilateral free-trade zone around our periphery".

This would be a "version of the European Free Trade Association that could gradually bring the countries of the Mahgreb, the Middle East and Eastern Europe in line with the single market, not as an alternative to membership, but potentially as a step towards it".

And the EU should extend military support to places like Darfur, he argued, to help solve problems of unwanted migration.

'Embarrassing'

He also said European nations had to "improve their capabilities".

"It's frankly embarrassing that when European nations - with almost two million men and women under arms - are only able, at a stretch, to deploy around 100,000 at any one time," he said.

"European countries have around 1,200 transport helicopters, yet only 35 are deployed in Afghanistan. And EU member states haven't provided any helicopters in Darfur despite the desperate need there."

Long-term regulations were needed to phase out carbon emissions in key areas - by reducing vehicle emissions and work towards "a zero-emission vehicle standard across Europe".

He said that by 2020, all new coal-fired power stations must be fitted with "carbon capture and storage".

In a reference to the failed EU Constitution, he said: "The constitutional debate shows that people don't want major institutional upheaval. Unanimity is slow but it respects national identities."

But his Conservative counterpart William Hague said Mr Miliband and his colleagues were "ramming that constitution through under a new name and refusing to give voters a say at an election or a referendum" - a reference to the EU Reform treaty.

"The fact is that if the renamed constitution goes through we will have a more inward-looking Europe," said Mr Hague.

"The treaty's clauses will make the EU more protectionist and less competitive and give the EU more power to interfere with crucial areas like our criminal justice system."

............................................benny

SEPA goes live
Speech by Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB
Launch event organised by the European Commission,
the European Central Bank and the European Payments Council
Brussels, 28 January 2008
The countdown is over! Today, 28 January 2008, SEPA goes live!

I am pleased to welcome you all to the launch of SEPA. First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the European Commission for hosting today’s event and for its cooperation over the last few years, the fruit of which can been seen today as SEPA comes to life.

Those who have made SEPA a reality, the banks and the service providers are here tonight and I would like to congratulate them all. Let me also mention the work of the Council and the European Parliament that has contributed to making SEPA a reality.

Nine years ago we introduced the single currency. Today, we launch SEPA – another important step in European integration. But let me assure you: today is only just the beginning!

SEPA is all about integration, harmonisation and modernisation. It is a natural consequence of the single currency and a major step in the creation of the Single Market. That is why the ECB has supported the project closely over the past six years. Today’s launch is the first visible result.

A single currency – with a single set of payment instruments – in a single euro payments area. With SEPA, this becomes a reality. And we, as euro area citizens, will be able to make euro payments as cheaply, as easily and as safely as we do national payments. All euro payments will be “domestic”; finally, there will be no difference between sending a payment from Rome to Dublin or from Brussels to Antwerp. We can now make payments not only with euro notes and coins, but harmonised electronic payments by European credit transfer, direct debit and payment card as well.

An important milestone has been reached today with the launch of “SEPA Credit Transfer”. We are now able to send euro payments quickly, and in the same way, to any beneficiary in Europe.

This will be followed by “SEPA Direct Debit” before the end of 2009. As a result, we will be able to make direct debit payments across Europe, as if no borders existed.

With the “SEPA Cards Framework”, extensive changes await the European cards market. The ECB expects a new European card scheme to emerge, harmonising card payments across Europe. That said, efficient national card schemes should not vanish, leaving the cards market entirely to international card schemes. Let’s work together and use the experience of the national schemes to devise a new European card scheme.

Together, these three payment instruments make up SEPA, our key to a door behind which many opportunities lie. Once the door is open we will still have a mountain to climb. But if we are willing to take up the challenge and use SEPA with innovative thinking, we can reap the full benefit.

Let me stress: we do not envision opening the door only to sit back and admire the great many opportunities on the other side. Let’s climb the mountain, discover the opportunities and progress onwards and upwards. Let’s complement the SEPA instruments with innovative services, such as online and mobile payment initiation, e-invoicing and e-reconciliation. By combining these services with SEPA instruments, we eliminate paper and the payment process becomes fully electronic. End-users will spend less time on payments – and, as we all know, time means money.

But how will you benefit from SEPA?

Corporates – make fast European transactions, simplify your payment handling and consolidate your liquidity management.

SEPA’s harmonised services can optimise your payment process. So, request these services from your banks and service providers.

Public administrations – you will experience the same benefits as corporates. But that’s not all. SEPA can help drive e-Government and e-procurement, thereby promoting efficient public services. By adopting SEPA at an early stage, you will extend its benefits to society at large.

Consumers – one bank account and one set of payment instruments is all you need. As with euro notes and coins, there will finally be no difference between payments across Europe – all euro payments will be ”domestic”.

And banks – you have developed and will form the basis of SEPA. And SEPA can help you expand your business, as integration and harmonisation will encourage competition. It is now up to you to use the opportunities SEPA brings.

The launch of SEPA today is a major step in creating the Single Market and represents a significant contribution to the Lisbon agenda and a more competitive Europe. It has not been easy to arrive at where we are today – SEPA has been a formidable challenge, but formidable challenges make us stronger. It is not time to sit back in admiration; it is time to use SEPA.

So, let’s rise to the challenge; let’s use SEPA, our key; and let’s discover the great many opportunities that lie on the other side of that door.

European Central Bank
Directorate Communications
Press and Information Division
Kaiserstrasse 29, D-60311 Frankfurt am Main
Tel.: +49 69 1344 7455, Fax: +49 69 1344 7404
Internet: http://www.ecb.europa.eu
Reproduction is permitted provided that the source is acknowledged.

.............................................benny

Tony Blair said he wants to be the president of the United States of Europe.

I cannot be certain,But I suspect that Sarkozy will end up becoming the new E.U. president........Awhile back, he called for a one world government,he called for 10 global regions,he said that he would lead Europe into a new era of peace and prosperity.......The Israelis have praised him......and the Israelis have said that he is the only voice in Europe that they trust........The Lord Jesus stated to the Jews.."You would not except Me,But another will come in his own name,him you will except"...........Interestingly,...The french were very anti-semetic during world war two......About 10 months ago,The people of France elected Sarkozy as their president who is a Jew..............Only time will tell.................benny

He's the one with the super model girlfriend (now wife) and is also known for his public drunkenness.

Well Miki, It's apparent that you have your eye on him..."WE" will find out soon enough.................................benny

I'll be president of Europe
Written by J.R.Lawendowski

European Union
Patrick Wintour
The Guardian
Tony Blair has been holding discussions with some of his oldest allies on how he could mount a campaign later this year to become full-time president of the EU council, the prestigious new job characterised as "president of Europe". Blair, currently the Middle East envoy for the US, Russia, EU and the UN, has told friends he has made no final decision, but is increasingly willing to put himself forward for the job if it comes with real powers to intervene in defence and trade affairs.

Blair, who is being actively promoted by the French president Nicolas Sarkozy, recognises he would need to abandon his well-paid, private sector jobs if he won. His wife Cherie - often portrayed as seeking ever more wealth and well-paid consultancies for her husband - is understood to be supportive of him accepting the job.

Some Blair allies also say that he now recognises that as envoy in the Middle East he is not going to be allowed to become the key player in furthering Israeli-Palestinian talks this year, and will be reduced to a role of supporting political development in Palestine and boosting its economy.



The president of the European council of ministers is a post created under the Lisbon treaty. The president will be the permanent chair of the council of ministers, Europe's chief decision-making body.

Jonathan Powell, Blair's Downing Street chief of staff, is among the former lieutenants he has met to discuss a bid for the European role.

Some senior figures believe he could yet be a loser in the carve-up of four big European jobs due to be distributed at the end of the French presidency in the second half of this year. Some claim that if the commission president, José Manuel Barroso, wanted to remain in post for a second term, it would be difficult for Blair, a political ally and previous advocate for Barroso, to hold the parallel, prestigious European council job.

Decisions also have to be made on the appointment of a new, "high representative" on foreign policy, and the post of president of the European parliament. Smaller EU countries are sensitive about key jobs being taken by leading figures from larger countries, especially from one that is not part of the eurozone or the Schengen free-movement area, and that actively supports Turkish membership, as Britain has. Some French socialists have already come out against Blair, citing his role in the war in Iraq. Former French president Valéry Giscard D'Estaing has also expressed his opposition.

It is thought that the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, is not persuaded of the advantages of a Blair presidency. The Christian Democrats have recently been politically weakened in state elections, and fear a Blair presidency might strengthen the German Social Democrats. Neither the Germans nor the French would push Blair if they believed his appointment was going to be opposed by Gordon Brown.

Blair himself is still doubtful that the role of council president will become a powerful job, saying he senses that even pro-Europeans might recoil from ceding power from the nation state.

With most countries currently focused on ratifying the Lisbon treaty through their national parliaments, decisions on the powers of the full-time president are unlikely to be made until the second half of the year.

Apart from Blair, two other candidates most often mentioned are the former Austrian chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel, promoted by Germany, and the current Luxembourg prime minister, Jean-Claude Juncker.


...............................................benny

Brussels to tighten EU external borders
06.02.2008 - 08:00 CET | By Renata Goldirova
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – The European Commission is working on a new set of measures aimed at strengthening the EU's external borders in order to monitor migrants and track down criminals.

Next Wednesday (13 February), EU home affairs commissioner Franco Frattini is expected to table a border control package, consisting of three proposals.

The package suggests setting up an entry/exit register of non-European visitors to the EU, and a European Border Surveillance System designed to detect those who enter the bloc between border crossing points.

In addition, Brussels is set to push for better use of the EU's border control agency, Frontex, particularly via "intensified" joint operations between member states at sea borders.

"It is now time to look ahead and develop the next generation of border management tools", Mr Frattini's paper says, while suggesting the package should become part of a priority list of the current Slovenian EU presidency.

All proposed measures could then enter into force between 2012 and 2015.

Travellers to face tighter checks
The cornerstone of Brussels' plans is the proposal to establish an electronic entry/exit register, which would enable the 27-nation bloc to keep better track of who is entering and leaving its territory.

In practice, the system would record the dates of entry and exit of each non-EU national admitted to the Schengen passport-free area.

The commission says it wants to have a better overview of travellers from beyond the EU who do not need a visa to enter the EU bloc. It also argues that thousands of foreigners currently overstay their visa, but the union has no tools for identifying them.

Apart from the entry/exit system, Brussels is also set to encourage member states to introduce "automated border-crossing checks", a procedure that employs new biometric technology such as eye scanners.

It will also open up a discussion on the possibility of setting up a system that requires non-EU travellers to obtain an electronic authorisation to travel before they leave for Europe - something that is already in place in Australia.

"The objective is to enhance security as well as to facilitate legitimate travelling," a commission official told EUobserver, underlining that crossing the external border must remain simple and quick for bona fide travellers.

Constant surveillance
Another of the commission proposals envisages the EU bloc eventually having a common European surveillance system for all land and maritime borders. This would be called EUROSUR.

The idea was first floated back in 2006 in relation to the EU's southern sea borders, which have been under the biggest immigration pressure.

"EUROSUR will ensure that unauthorised border crossing will not go undetected", the commission draft paper says, referring to advanced technology, including satellites, which would put Europe's borders "under constant surveillance".

The system should connect all EU member states and provide them with the information needed to intercept people trying to enter Europe who are bypassing regular border checks..................................................benny

Merkel, Sarkozy resolve differences on Mediterranean Union
Posted : Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:29:05 GMT
Author : DPA
Category : Middle East (World)
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Berlin - Germany and France have resolved their difference on the establishment of a new political body for nations bordering the Mediterranean Sea, a government spokesman said in Berlin Tuesday. Chancellor and Angela Merkel and French President Nicholas Sarkozy will jointly present a proposal for the so-called Mediterranean Union at the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, the spokesman said.

Merkel would also travel to Paris for the ceremony launching the Mediterranean Union on July 13, the spokesman added.

Differences over the new body had threatened to cast a shadow over the EU summit, with the Germans upset at being left out of what they perceived as a unilateral Paris project.


................................................benny

Peres supports ‘100 percent’ Sarkozy’s plan for Mediterranean Union

by: EJP Updated: 12/Mar/2008 11:03


Israeli President Shimon Peres (L) delivers a speech after he received a Honour Diploma of Friendship to mark the scientific cooperation between France and Israel, on March 11, 2008, at the Institut de France in Paris.

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PARIS (EJP)---Israeli President Shimon Peres on Wednesday expressed his support for French President Nicolas Sarkozy's plans for the creation of a Mediterranean Union to promote trade and cooperation.

"I support 100 percent the plan," Peres, who is on a five-day state visit to France, said in an interview with French radio Europe 1.

"The entire (Israeli) government is in favour of Sarkozy’s initiative of course," he added.

"North Europe countries, the Maghreb countries in the south and the Arab countries in the middle, why not cooperate on what is possiblre?," he asked, recalling that Europe started with a union on coal and steel.

A summit meeting between the EU countries and Mediterranean countries, including Israel, is scheduled to take place on 13 July in Paris when France takes over the six-month EU presidency.

Ahead of a EU summit meeting at the end of this week, France and Germany settled their differences over President Sarkozy's plan to create the EU-Mediterranean new forum.

Sarkozy is expected to outline the compromise at the meeting of European Union leaders in Brussels on Thursday.

The French president originally envisaged setting up an organisation exclusively for states bordering the Mediterranean but Germany balked at the idea fearing it would freeze out northern EU countries from a vital geo-political region.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel forced Sarkozy last week to open up the club to all 27 EU states.

The new union is intended to replace the so-called Barcelona Process which was launched in 1995 with much fanfare but which has made little headway in building cross-border business..............................benny

EU's Barroso backs Sarkozy's Mediterranean plans
Posted : Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:15:01 GMT
Author : DPA
Category : Europe (World)
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Brussels - The European Union's chief executive, Jose Manuel Barroso, gave his backing on Thursday to plans drawn up by French President Nicolas Sarkozy for a "Union for the Mediterranean.""We fully support the Mediterranean Union. We said from the beginning that it was a very good idea to have more commitment of the EU regarding the Mediterranean," Barroso, the head of the Brussels- based European Commission, said.

At the same time, he stressed that more work needed to be done on the project before it could be put into action.

"It is important that all member states of EU are engaged in it ... We still have to discuss some of the institutional aspects but we really support the idea," he said.

Sarkozy initially proposed the grouping in February 2007, as an alliance of EU and non-EU states on the Mediterranean coast.

The bloc would create common policies on security, migration, the environment, energy, development, trade, and the fight against crime and terrorism, Sarkozy said at the time.

But his proposal quickly ran into trouble as EU member states without Mediterranean coastlines, led by Germany, protested that the idea would treat them unfairly.

On March 3 Sarkozy and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed that the proposed bloc would include all 27 EU member states.

The duo are expected to brief EU counterparts on the project - now called the Union for the Mediterranean (UMed) - at a summit later on Thursday.

Sarkozy plans to launch UMed at a summit in Paris on July 13.

..................................................benny

The rise & rise of the beast with ten horns!

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Mar 14, 2008 10:00 | Updated Mar 14, 2008 10:05
'EU leaders back closer ties with Mediterranean rim'
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French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday he won "unanimous" backing for his plan to forge closer political ties with Europe's North African and Mideast neighbors on the Mediterranean Sea.


Sarkozy addresses the media at the end of the first day of a two-day EU summit at the EU Council headquarters in Brussels.
Photo: AP
The agreement came at the end of the first day of a two-day EU summit, but the specific details of the plan will still have to be worked out by June, other leaders said.

The project would involve 39 partners - the 27-nation EU plus a dozen on the Mediterranean's southern shores, from Mauritania to Algeria, Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Authority to Syria and Turkey.

Sarkozy told reporters that his project "was taken up with great enthusiasm," despite initial and widespread concern that his grand scheme would do little to add to already existing EU outreach programs in the region.

He said his plan - which was watered down to appease opponents - was presented to the EU leaders jointly with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who had been the plan's biggest critic in recent months.

Germany had been concerned the project would excessively boost Paris' influence, while Berlin and other EU nations footed the bill.

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said key details as to what the role of the plan will be were far from clear or agreed to and questioned whether Sarkozy was working to better the EU or just his own national aims.

"It is obvious that Sarkozy wants to make a name for himself during the French presidency and focus on a subject in which he has an economic interest," Topolanek said. "Had we voted on it today it would definitely not have gone through. I am somewhat skeptical."

Merkel led widespread concerns over earlier drafts of Sarkozy's plan which limited membership of the so-called Union of the Mediterranean to the EU's southern states - France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece - while the forum would benefit from the EU's overall funds.

Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker said all leaders agreed to "give more volume" to EU ties with the Mediterranean region, including a name change that could blow new life into existing policies. Most EU leaders agree that the bloc needs to do more to promote political and economic reforms on their southern flanks amid fears the region remains susceptible to extremists and terrorism.

Juncker said however, that the leaders did not agree on adding extra EU cash for the project.

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, who was chairing the summit talks said the plan would not seek to introduce new aims, notably on solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"The objective is not solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," Jansa said.

Sarkozy and Merkel jointly presented the project appealing to the EU to "initiate a new stage for cooperation" between Europe and its southern neighbors, according to a copy of the project
The plan outlines the creation of a joint presidency, with one EU member and one non-EU member state assisted by a permanent staff of 20 bureaucrats. But it is vague on who would pay for such a "Club Med" and what specific coordinated projects the two sides would work on.

The paper suggests launching the project at a July 13 EU summit in Paris, which would make it the highlight of France's turn at the helm of the six-month, rotating EU presidency.

After opposing the plan, Merkel said Thursday she could see the need to revitalize EU ties with its Mediterranean neighbors but cautioned that "the money we spend is used wisely."

Other EU nations, including Austria, Spain, Italy and Britain, were annoyed with what some saw as Sarkozy's attempt to ram through a policy they see little use for, given that the EU already has a 2-billion-euro-a-year ($3 billion) aid program for its Mediterranean neighbors.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he could broadly support the plan but said the EU should at the same time commit to "a European perspective" - eventual EU membership for Ukraine. Poland is keen to get Ukraine into the EU.

Diplomats said elements of Sarkozy's plan have been so watered down that they are basically the same as existing EU policies for the region like the so-called "Euromed" program, launched in 1995 in Barcelona, Spain, to foster economic, political and social reforms in the Middle East and North Africa.

That program also aims to create a Euro-Mediterranean free trade area by 2010. But progress has been disappointing due to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the refusal of many Arab states to abide by international human rights standards.

In the 10 years up to 2005, the EU has doled out 20 billion euros ($30 billion) in grants and soft loans to the region.
....................................................benny

The security risks of climate change
by Michael G. Mickey
(3-14-08)

An EU Observer article indicates that a paper written by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner warns that the European Union - the revived Roman empire of Bible prophecy - should "boost its civil and military capacities to respond to "serious security risks" resulting from catastrophic climate change expected this century."

The following is an excerpt from the article:

The seven-page paper, to be submitted to EU leaders at a summit in Brussels later this week, warns of a range of stark scenarios, in particular the threat of an intensified "scramble for resources" – both energy and mineral – in the Arctic "as previously inaccessible regions open up."

The rapid melting of the polar ice caps is seen as a great opportunity for far-northern economies, as the "increased accessibility of the enormous hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic region" mean new waterways and international trade routes open for business where once there was only ice.
As we look at Bible prophecy, we have every reason to suspect that the European Union, for whatever reason, is going to increase its military capabilities greatly in preparation for the fulfillment of Bible prophecy to occur for we are told in prophecy that the Antichrist to come is going to worship the god of forces.

Daniel 11:38: But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.

The European Union's economic prowess is presently on the rise, particularly at this time when the U.S. economy and the dollar is struggling not to drown in the international market, largely as a result of governments around the world waging an unconventional war against Uncle Sam - a money war.

Based solely on Bible prophecy, I believe a great deal of the E.U.'s growing wealth is soon going to begin being spent on military advancements and, while I am probably as skeptical as the next person concerning global warming, possession of the Arctic's resources is quite possibly going to be a catalyst for conflict between Russia and the West. As many will likely recall, Russia, most likely thinking in terms much like those of Europe, has already tried to stake a claim for the Arctic.

In August of 2007, as reported by the London Telegraph, Russia fired "the starting gun on the world’s last colonial scramble" when one of its submarines planted a flag "under the North Pole to symbolize the Kremlin’s claim to the Arctic and its vast energy resources."

This move on the part of Russia is being viewed as a threat by the European Union I would gauge based on the content of the paper prepared by Solana and Ferrero-Waldner. This should cause even the most skeptical of global warming's existence pause as, regardless of whether global warming is or isn't occurring, it is potentially about to become a catalyst for the revived Roman empire of Bible prophecy to begin sharpening its teeth which, unbeknownst to many who choose to overlook the teachings of Bible prophecy, may be a "security risk of climate change" to many nations around the world!

Interesting times we're living in, eh?
.............................................benny

The Mediterranean Union: A Barcelona Process Upgrade
by Michael G. Mickey
(3-15-08)

Recently, I commented on the potential of a Mediterranean Union envisioned by French President Nicolas Sarkozy coming into existence. Now, as we see in an EU Observer article:

EU leaders on Thursday (13 March) approved a watered-down version of a plan put forward by French President Nicolas Sarkozy for a grand Mediterranean Union stretching from Morocco to Turkey and aiming to foster cooperation with the EU's southern neighbours.

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa called the proposal an "upgrade of the Barcelona process" – the mechanism currently regulating the relations between the EU and the Mediterranean countries – and said it had received support during the EU leaders' meeting in Brussels.
An upgrade of the Barcelona Process

So, now it appears that what we have moving forward is Nicolas Sarkozy's conceived Mediterranean Union coming into existence as an upgrade to EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana's Barcelona Process.

The Barcelona Process was initiated in 1995 when, as Javier Solana noted in a 2005 letter, "a solution of the Middle East conflict looked close at hand."

While reading Solana's 2005 letter will give one a decent understanding of the Barcelona Process, I found a letter written by Ana Palacio Vallelersundi in 2004 to be an easy-to-read explanation of the Barcelona Process that, in my mind, demonstrates how the European Union hopes to utilize the Barcelona Process to influence the stability, partnership and prosperity of the Mediterranean region through soft power (diplomacy and economic cooperation and integration) as opposed to strong power (military threat or sanctions).

As we look at Bible prophecy, the image of the revived Roman empire/new world order initially gaining power in the region in a gentle manner like that seems perfectly in line with what Bible prophecy seems to tell us is going to lead to the advent of the Antichrist through the confirmation of a seven-year covenant of peace in the Middle East between Israel and her enemies "with many" supporting him in achieving that seemingly unattainable goal by today's standards. (Daniel 9:26-27)

Palacio, a former Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs from July 2002-March 2004, is currently, according to Wikipedia, serving as a member of the international advisory board of the Council on Foreign Relations which is, as most who are actively watching for a new world order to emerge will tell you, a leading organization striving to bring that goal about.

That Palacio played a prominent role in the "evolution" of the Barcelona Process, within the framework of which the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership was born, has been brought into the fold of the Council on Foreign Relations may prove quite telling, particularly if Sarkozy's Mediterranean Union is simply the latest spin on the part of the revived Roman empire of Bible prophecy to broaden its span of control en route to becoming the global Beast government of Antichrist we know is eventually going to devour the whole earth, tread it down, and break it in pieces. (Daniel 7:23)

With every passing day the prophetic scenario foretold in the Bible becomes more visibly plausible to those of us who are believers. Hopefully, the site's readership will continue to grow and, over time, many who are presently skeptical of the Word of God will begin to knock the dust off of Bibles that have been passed down to them as family heirlooms and actually read them. Maybe, if the Holy Spirit will give the words on this site greater life, many will come to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior this side of the Rapture of the Church, an event that more and more evidence continues to mount supportive of the possibility it could take place very soon!

In closing, everyone reading this site who is blessed to call yourself a born-again Christian? You need to write the promise of Luke 12:37 to your heart!

Luke 12:37: Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

If you want to be blessed - truly blessed - have an eye cast toward heaven in faithful anticipation of His return when the shout comes for us to leave this world! Today could be that day. If not, there is always tomorrow.
................................................benny

I read in the news yesterday that the United States of Europe surpassed the United States of America as the largest economy.

Click to view attachment BRUSSELS (EJP)---European Union EU leaders gave Friday the green light to a watered down plan to create a "Union for the Mediterranean," a project initiated by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and aimed at upgrading the EU's relations with its neighbours from North Africa and the Middle East.

The new version of the plan, adopted at a regular EU spring summit meeting in Brussels, will include the 27 EU member states and some 12 Mediterranean nations, including Israel.
The new organization will be called "Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean,” according to a EU presidency statement.
The statement said that the EU leaders asked the European Commission to present it the necessary proposals for defining the modalities of the new union with a view to a launch summit to take place in Paris on July 13.
Sarkozy’s original ambitious plan, nicknamed “Club Med,” was conceived a year ago during his presidential campaign as an exclusive club involving only the EU's Mediterranean countries and its neighbours but not the EU as a whole.
The new plan is to replace the so-called “Barcelona process” launched 13 years ago in order to strengthen the EU’s relations with its southern neighbors but which many critics say has so far failed to deliver, mainly because of the lack of Israeli-Palestinian peace but also because of the Mediterranean governments' poor record in using the EU funds on offer.

The downsizing of the original plan came after EU countries with no borders on the Mediterranean, in particular Germany, expressed skepticism at the proposal, with member states from Eastern Europe particularly concerned that it would divert precious EU funds away from their region.

The president of the European Parliament, German Hans-Gert Poettering said that the Mediterranean Union “should work to strengthen the EU, not compete with it.”

In the end, Sarkozy was forced to back down and agree to allow all 27 EU member states to participate in this initiative.

Another element of the compromise relates to the Union's management structure, which will consist of two directors coordinating cooperation between the EU and the partner countries. One director is to come from the EU member states and the other from a non-European Mediterranean country.
Both will be appointed for two years, supported by a 20-strong secretariat, to be located in a yet-to-be-determined southern EU city. Barcelona and Marseille have been mentioned as potential candidates, claimed Sarkozy, who denied having endorsed the French city.
President Sarkozy lauded the agreement, saying that "Europe does not turn its back towards the Mediterranean Union anymore".
Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, whose country currently holds the EU Presidency, told journalists at a press conference concluding the EU summit meeting: "It is now a question of doing what is needed so that this project can see the light of day".
Asked about the future of the Barcelona Process, he said: "It is not a question of burying it, to start from scratch. It's just about bringing it up to date." "Times have changed, we have to adapt," he added............................................benny

......benny

BIZNETDAILY
U.S. loses No. 1 ranking as dollar drops
European Union now has world's biggest economy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: March 18, 2008
12:05 pm Eastern


By Jerome R. Corsi
© 2008 WorldNetDaily





The European Union has overtaken the U.S. as the world's No. 1 economy due to the continued dramatic fall of the dollar, according to a Reuters report.

The U.S. Gross Domestic Product, or GDP, for 2007 is officially estimated at $13,843,800 billion. The 2007 GDP for the 15 EU countries is estimated at 8,847,889 billion euros, the report said.

That means when the euro yesterday topped $1.56, the EU officially became the largest economy in the world.

In a Financial Times commentary published Monday, former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan declared the current financial crisis in the U.S. "is likely to be judged in retrospect as the most wrenching" since the end of World War II.

(Story continues below)




Greenspan further concluded the U.S. financial crisis will not end until "home prices stabilize and with them the value of equity in homes supporting troubled mortgage securities."

Dollar in crisis

WND has reported the Federal Reserve is in a dilemma. As the Fed continues to lower rates to stimulate the sagging economy, the dollar is increasingly abandoned, hitting new lows almost every day against other major currencies.

If the Fed were to raise rates to prop up the dollar, most Wall Street experts would expect a broad sell-off of U.S. stocks across the board.

Today, before the opening of the New York Stock Exchange, the dollar was trading at a new low, $1.5787 against the euro.

Just yesterday, the dollar hit a new all-time low in foreign currency exchange markets, closing at 71.44 on the U.S. Dollar Index.

Home equity foreclosures hit bank assets

Meanwhile, the crisis in the home equity market is spreading to impact major financial institutions.

Over the weekend, the Federal Reserve and the Treasury intervened, guaranteeing J.P. Morgan Chase's bargain basement purchase for a mere $2 per share of then in free-fall Bear Stearns, the 85-year-old Wall Street investment bank that had survived the Depression and two world wars.

Today, Wall Street is pressuring the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee to drop rates on federal funds as much as 1 percent, a nearly unprecedented one-time adjustment.

Fed Funds rates, now at 3 percent, reached a high of 5.25 percent in January 2007.

Since September, the Fed has been engaged in a series of rate cuts, trying to keep ahead of the developing financial crisis and economic slowdown that began with the downturn in the mortgage markets in the middle of last year.

The real estate bubble developed as Greenspan kept fed funds rates at a historical low of 1 percent throughout much of 2003 and 2004.

The resulting liquidity pumped funds into home equity markets, stimulating dramatic price increases that continued throughout much of 2006. That resulted in abundant cash for mortgage lenders to fund the risky sub-prime market where typically unqualified home buyers were being offered unconventional loans with artificially low mortgage payments in the initial few months.

The nation is now experiencing the fallout of collateralized mortgage obligations in which mortgages packaged as securities and sold to banks as assets were allowed to count in the banks' legal reserve calculations.

A wave of home foreclosures across the nation has caused a resulting failure in the collateralized mortgage securities held by banks.

When the collateralized mortgage obligations are marked to market, many banks across the country are finding they do not have adequate non-borrowed reserves to continue operations under current reserve requirements.

Again, the Federal Reserve has stepped in, providing multiple facilities in which struggling banks can borrow on a short-term basis the reserves needed to continue operating.

In a series of unprecedented moves over the weekend, the Federal Reserve has now made many of these same borrowing facilities available to securities and investment brokerage firms as well as commercial banks.

As WND reported, for the first time since the Federal Reserve has published the data, bank non-borrowed reserves have begun to turn negative, reflecting the increased borrowing banks are utilizing to continue operating.

.....................................................benny

EUOBSERVER / COMMENT - What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago the talk was of the European Union ‘fading away,' as China and India began to assume more importance on the world stage. Even Joschka Fischer, Foreign Minister in Gerhard Schroeder's former coalition government, was asking ominously ‘where is Europe?'

If such expressions coincided with the EU's 50th anniversary, the 51st, a week or two back, found us in better shape. Thanks to a strong currency and vibrant economy, Europe is on its feet again, weathering the global financial storms. Unemployment across the Union is down by almost three-quarters of a per cent, compared to a year ago. The great task of institutional reform is practically complete; ratification of the Lisbon treaty being all but assured. We look forward, later this year, to the arrival of the first European President and Foreign Minister.

No one is asking now ‘where is Europe?' We are no longer the ghost at the table, a vacant place setting. No one doubts today that we are here, in economic substance, even if we are still not fully pulling our weight in terms of influence. Our partners know that there are still many areas in which we still have to struggle to live up to our own ideals as well as equipping us to compete against the upcoming super-giants of Asia.

One is democracy. We may be about to announce the arrival of a European President and Foreign Minister but the idea that there should be some democratic input, whether directly or through the European Parliament, to determine who holds these positions is still anathema to member states. Moreover, the European Parliament still cannot manage to control where it sits.

Nor can Europeans debate European issues with one another. Despite the attention of the European Commission, attempts to create a genuine European wide political debate are still in their infancy. Events of European dimension are still viewed and reported in a national context

A second lacuna is the continuing absence of any long term perspective (or even debate) about the future shape of the European Union. This embraces not just the future boundaries of the Union, but its machinery of government as well. We continue to address the future on an ad hoc basis. The Lisbon Treaty is not yet ratified, but we know that current enlargement policies will require further constitutional change.

Despite recent turbulence in the Western Balkans no-one seriously doubts today that the entire region has a European future. Sooner rather than later, unless one or more countries deliberately turns its back, another seven countries will therefore be joining the Union in the medium term. This was not entirely evident a year ago.

Question marks remain over Turkey (despite its official candidate status), the Caucasus and the Ukraine. As so often within the EU, opinions are divided. But it seems more likely than not that all these countries will eventually join, which, with the probable accession also of Belarus, Moldova and perhaps Switzerland too, will bring the size of the Union to 42 states.

I say it seems likely that these countries will eventually join because, in the absence of any settled consensus to the contrary, events will make it progressively harder to resist their inclusion - if indeed that were what we wanted to do. Unless someone pulls the communication cord the train will continue to the buffers.

Just such an event is NATO membership. As I write NATO is meeting in Bucharest to determine, among other things, whether the Ukraine and Georgia should be allowed to take their first steps towards NATO membership. As the USA is in favour my guess is that sooner or later they will be admitted, despite objections from a number (as might be expected there is no single view) of European states. If the Ukraine and Georgia are part of the NATO family, and the EU continues to replace NATO forces in local peacekeeping operations, it seems NATO membership will come to represent a foot in the door to EU accession.

Here of course we see in miniature the third area on which the EU has shown little sign of moving forward during the past year. Were the Europe Union to be united on whether the Ukraine and Georgia should or shouldn't become members of NATO, that would constitute a powerful voice. But the EU is not united.

In fact it is far from united on a great range of foreign policy issues as a result of which its voice on the world stage is weak and inhibited. Because the EU's common foreign policy has to be settled unanimously, it is common only to the extent that it is the policy to which no one has found a reason to object. In consequence the policy is feeble.

Instead of speaking with a single strong voice, the EU speaks with many weak ones. The result is that nobody's interest is served. Most recently we have seen this split over whether we should recognise Kosovo, but on practically every dimension of foreign policy the Union is divided. Sometimes, as over Tibet, the need for unanimity produces pusillanimity; at other times it produces no policy at all, so we leave situations - such as divided Cyprus - to fester.

Had Europe been prepared to speak with a single voice over Iraq - the fifth anniversary of whose invasion we have just commemorated - who doubts that events on the ground might have been very different, regardless of whether that voice had been for or against an invasion.

Will the advent of an EU Foreign Minister - or even an EU President - correct this situation, produce more agreement? It may produce a small change, but nothing significant is likely to happen without the realisation by member states that their interests are better served by a single strong foreign and security policy operating in the common interest, than by each operating as though they alone had legitimate foreign policy concerns.

Of course this will involve significant sacrifices in the common interest, but they will be sacrifices worth making. Not so much a question of giving away one's sovereign right to make foreign policy as the recognition that making policy is useless without the means to see it through. Pooling sovereignty, tackling such issues on a majority basis, provides the only way of regaining influence already lost. Europe has been in a shambles for too long.



..............................................benny ...P.S. ...Daniel 2;43 "As you saw iron mixed ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men,but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay" Revelation 17;12.."The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet,but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast."...Revelation 17;13..."These are of one mind,and they will give their power and authority to the beast."

Huge perks proposed for EU president



http://www.asianage.com/presentation/leftn...-president.aspx

London, April 11: The new post of European president, whose term is to be 30 months, is being set up along with the post of European foreign policy chief under the terms of the new EU reform treaty.

Brussels is debating proposals to give the full-time European Union president perks like a personal jet, a palatial official residence and a personal staff of up to 22, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.

The terms and perks of the new president were discussed at a secret "working dinner" this week between European Commission president José Manuel Barroso and EU ambassadors.

The post of president will separate from that of the commission president and will be responsible for overseeing the work of the council of ministers.

The current six-month rotating presidency will be abandoned in an attempt to bring greater continuity to the work of the Europian Union. The post will be created in the second half of this year.
......................................................benny

Time for a more coherent voice
04.04.2008 - 08:54 CET | By Peter Sain ley Berry
EUOBSERVER / COMMENT - What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago the talk was of the European Union ‘fading away,' as China and India began to assume more importance on the world stage. Even Joschka Fischer, Foreign Minister in Gerhard Schroeder's former coalition government, was asking ominously ‘where is Europe?'

If such expressions coincided with the EU's 50th anniversary, the 51st, a week or two back, found us in better shape. Thanks to a strong currency and vibrant economy, Europe is on its feet again, weathering the global financial storms. Unemployment across the Union is down by almost three-quarters of a per cent, compared to a year ago. The great task of institutional reform is practically complete; ratification of the Lisbon treaty being all but assured. We look forward, later this year, to the arrival of the first European President and Foreign Minister.

No one is asking now ‘where is Europe?' We are no longer the ghost at the table, a vacant place setting. No one doubts today that we are here, in economic substance, even if we are still not fully pulling our weight in terms of influence. Our partners know that there are still many areas in which we still have to struggle to live up to our own ideals as well as equipping us to compete against the upcoming super-giants of Asia.

One is democracy. We may be about to announce the arrival of a European President and Foreign Minister but the idea that there should be some democratic input, whether directly or through the European Parliament, to determine who holds these positions is still anathema to member states. Moreover, the European Parliament still cannot manage to control where it sits.

Nor can Europeans debate European issues with one another. Despite the attention of the European Commission, attempts to create a genuine European wide political debate are still in their infancy. Events of European dimension are still viewed and reported in a national context

A second lacuna is the continuing absence of any long term perspective (or even debate) about the future shape of the European Union. This embraces not just the future boundaries of the Union, but its machinery of government as well. We continue to address the future on an ad hoc basis. The Lisbon Treaty is not yet ratified, but we know that current enlargement policies will require further constitutional change.

Despite recent turbulence in the Western Balkans no-one seriously doubts today that the entire region has a European future. Sooner rather than later, unless one or more countries deliberately turns its back, another seven countries will therefore be joining the Union in the medium term. This was not entirely evident a year ago.

Question marks remain over Turkey (despite its official candidate status), the Caucasus and the Ukraine. As so often within the EU, opinions are divided. But it seems more likely than not that all these countries will eventually join, which, with the probable accession also of Belarus, Moldova and perhaps Switzerland too, will bring the size of the Union to 42 states.

I say it seems likely that these countries will eventually join because, in the absence of any settled consensus to the contrary, events will make it progressively harder to resist their inclusion - if indeed that were what we wanted to do. Unless someone pulls the communication cord the train will continue to the buffers.

Just such an event is NATO membership. As I write NATO is meeting in Bucharest to determine, among other things, whether the Ukraine and Georgia should be allowed to take their first steps towards NATO membership. As the USA is in favour my guess is that sooner or later they will be admitted, despite objections from a number (as might be expected there is no single view) of European states. If the Ukraine and Georgia are part of the NATO family, and the EU continues to replace NATO forces in local peacekeeping operations, it seems NATO membership will come to represent a foot in the door to EU accession.

Here of course we see in miniature the third area on which the EU has shown little sign of moving forward during the past year. Were the Europe Union to be united on whether the Ukraine and Georgia should or shouldn't become members of NATO, that would constitute a powerful voice. But the EU is not united.

In fact it is far from united on a great range of foreign policy issues as a result of which its voice on the world stage is weak and inhibited. Because the EU's common foreign policy has to be settled unanimously, it is common only to the extent that it is the policy to which no one has found a reason to object. In consequence the policy is feeble.

Instead of speaking with a single strong voice, the EU speaks with many weak ones. The result is that nobody's interest is served. Most recently we have seen this split over whether we should recognise Kosovo, but on practically every dimension of foreign policy the Union is divided. Sometimes, as over Tibet, the need for unanimity produces pusillanimity; at other times it produces no policy at all, so we leave situations - such as divided Cyprus - to fester.

Had Europe been prepared to speak with a single voice over Iraq - the fifth anniversary of whose invasion we have just commemorated - who doubts that events on the ground might have been very different, regardless of whether that voice had been for or against an invasion.

Will the advent of an EU Foreign Minister - or even an EU President - correct this situation, produce more agreement? It may produce a small change, but nothing significant is likely to happen without the realisation by member states that their interests are better served by a single strong foreign and security policy operating in the common interest, than by each operating as though they alone had legitimate foreign policy concerns.

Of course this will involve significant sacrifices in the common interest, but they will be sacrifices worth making. Not so much a question of giving away one's sovereign right to make foreign policy as the recognition that making policy is useless without the means to see it through. Pooling sovereignty, tackling such issues on a majority basis, provides the only way of regaining influence already lost. Europe has been in a shambles for too long.
...............................................benny

France and Egypt to lead setting up of Mediterranean Union
17:52 | 01/ 04/ 2008



CAIRO, April 1 (RIA Novosti) - The presidents of France and Egypt will become the first leaders of the Mediterranean Union due to be launched in July 2008, the Asharq Al-Awsat daily said on Monday.

EU leaders last month approved a proposal by France and Germany to establish the Mediterranean Union - a club of EU member states and other countries having access to the Mediterranean Sea, designed to streamline migration policy, and encourage trade and environmental protection.

The London-based Saudi newspaper said the organization is planning to have two chairpersons - one from the EU and the other from other states. "An agreement has almost been reached to assign the posts: Nicolas Sarkozy will lead the Union on behalf of Europe, and Hosni Mubarak on behalf of the remaining Mediterranean countries."

The organization's head office will be based in Tunisia and will have two divisions - European and Mediterranean, employing 20 officials, who will manage and monitor projects and organize biennial summits

The Union's establishment is expected to be announced in Paris on July 13 during a Euro-Mediterranean summit, which will be attended by 43 heads of state, as well as chiefs of the Arab League and the African Union.

Originally France proposed the Union should comprise only EU member states and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, but this was vehemently rejected by Germany and some other EU states, who said it would reduce EU influence and could undermine other organizations, namely the Barcelona Process or Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.

The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership comprises 37 countries, including all 27-EU states and 10 Mediterranean nations: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian National Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey.

....................................................benny

Blair Says Religion to Play a Key Role in the Globalized World

Tony Blair gave his first major public speech on religion, April 3, at the Westminster Cathedral in London.
In his first major public speech on religion, titled “Faith and Globalisation,” Tony Blair argued that faith can be a powerful force for good in the world. Unfortunately, many Christians will want to join his interfaith efforts and, unwittingly, will help give rise to the Antichrist.

Watch his speech here or read a transcript here.

Blair — who converted to Catholicism last year after leaving his post as the United Kingdom’s prime minister — founded the Tony Blair Faith Foundation to promote understanding between religions. One of the foundation’s goals is to mobilize people of different faiths to work together toward achieving the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, which include halving extreme poverty, halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education by 2015.

No doubt, many Christians will be attracted to Blair’s promotion of faith and will want to join in his efforts to solve the world’s problems. Yet, because they don’t know Bible prophecy, they won’t see how his interfaith strategy will lead to the Antichrist’s rule. According to Revelation 13, a global religious order will rise up to support the Antichrist’s global secular order.

And that’s exactly what Blair is calling for. Note, in his speech, how Blair praises the scholarship of Karen Armstrong, a high-level group member of the Alliance of Civilizations. To learn how the Alliance of Civilizations and the United Nations may be helping build the Antichrist’s kingdom.

..................................................benny

Headline News

Egyptian prime minister Ahmed Aboul-Gheit (left) met with EU high representative Javier Solana in Luxembourg on Monday. Photo: Council of the European Union
Egypt looks for lead role in Mediterranean Union
April 29, 2008

In a meeting with the EU’s Javier Solana, Monday, Egypt’s foreign minister said Egypt wants to play a leading role in the Mediterranean Union — calling Egypt the “coordinator of the south.” Bible prophecy speaks of an Egyptian “king of the South” who will become a political enemy of the Antichrist (Daniel 11:40).

.................................................................benny

Daniel
11:40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him [little horn]: and the king of the north [little horn] shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

11:41 He shall enter also into the glorious land [Israel], and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon [place of the remnant's protection].

11:42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries [Middle East]: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.

Stephen :

I am looking at the June 20th anniversary of the following :

1782 - The U.S. Congress adopts the Great Seal of the United States.
1787 - Oliver Ellsworth moves at the Federal Convention to call the government the United States.
1837 - Queen Victoria succeeds to the British throne.

It reminded me of the topic :
Replying to United States Of Europe In The Shadows

Could this June 20th, 2008 be a shadow of the Great Seal of US, 226 years ago ?

Or of the naming of the government, called United States, 221 years ago ?

And Queen Victoria on the throne, 171 years ago ?

The reason I am looking at June 20th, is due to the Eastern Time Zone vision,
dates of the 153 fish = April 21st - Oct. 21st
http://www.christian-forum.net/index.php?s...=18360&st=0
Research : 153 Fishes, Linking To 153 Days Of The Eastern Time Zone Vision

And the 1/2 way point in between, is day 61 : June 20th, 2008

Interesting, that both the Great Seal and naming of the United States, happened on
this anniversary of 6-20-2008.

Your scripture in Daniel, made me think about these items I am pondering.

CSA,

How do you relate this passage in Daniel with your historical information? I can tell you how I see it, but what are your thoughts?

Stephen :
Due to the association with Ammon and the Church of Philadelphia . . being the earthquake
Seal#6 . . . symbol ... I see the scripture in Daniel telling us that the children of Ammon
shall escape . . .

11:41 He shall enter also into the glorious land [Israel], and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon [place of the remnant's protection].

Ammon or Ammonites (Hebrew: עַמּוֹן, Standard ʻAmmon Tiberian ʻAmmôn ; "People"), also referred to in the Bible as the "children of Ammon," were a people (also known from Assyrian and other records) living east of the Jordan river whose origin the Old Testament traces to Lot, the nephew of the patriarch Abraham, as with the Moabites. The Ammonites were regarded by Hebrews as close relatives of the Israelites and Edomites.



The chief city of the country was Rabbah or Rabbath Ammon (the modern city of Amman is now located at its site[1],[11]), i.e. the metropolis of the Ammonites,[12] called Rabbathammana by the later Greeks.[13] Ptolemy Philadelphus changed its name to Philadelphia, and made it a large and strong city with an acropolis, situated on both sides of a branch of the Jabbok, today known as Nahr `Amman, the river of Ammon -- whence the designation "city of waters"[14] The city of Amman, Jordan is located on roughly the same site. The country to the south and east of Amman is distinguished by its fertility; and ruined towns are scattered thickly over it, attesting that it was once occupied by a population that, however fierce, was settled and industrious; a fact indicated also by the tribute of grain paid annually to Jotham.[15]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammon

I can see by this thread you are not all as blind as I was nor as many living here are. Imagine my surprise to awaken and realise I was living in the reviving Roman Empire? How could this happen without people realising it? We hear little of it even in our own news so one must look to the internet for the goings on even on the continent of Europe or indeed with the treaties the government here is signing.
As for EU president, that is not where the power will be. The power is with the High Representative. No idea who he/she will be yet I guess we must wait and see, but I for one am extremely worried about the current situation.

Hi melangel,
All these new Unions appearing are a sign. SOL-ana has to do with sun worshipping (Baal).
The EU is forged over the heads of the European citizens, and therefore undemocratic or illegitimate.
Are you also living in Europe?

CSA
[7] And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
[8] I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

This is a BIG CLUE, people.

Yes I'm in England. Trying to get back to the states but don't want to leave my husband behind so it may take a year or so to get there. Are you in Europe too? And I don't get the clue. I have read that and read that and there are so many theories by so many people I don't quite know what's right and not anymore.

Oh duh me, you even said two posts back that you are from England! Forgive my sloppiness please! I am from across the little pond from you (east).

Virgo/Gemini are the 6th Seal = Church of Philidelphia
http://www.lwbc.co.uk/seven_churches.htm (6) Philadelpia (3:7-13)The "Philadelphian" church is faithful to the Lord. Out of all the churches they have their priorities in the correct order. They love the Lord and His word, and they work for the furtherance of the Gospel. They take a strong stand against all trends that arise to undermine faith in Christ. This type of church will never be popular in the world or amongst so-called Christians, but it is effective in preaching the truth in a depraved world.
(6) Philadelphia Age: Evangelical Christianity (1500-1900 AD). Throughout these years we see the Gospel reaching the ends of the earth through the great evangelists and missionaries. For the first time in world history it looks like every man and woman on earth would hear the good news about the saving power of God through Christ. This age also saw `Great Awakenings' around the world. Basically the age saw one of a spirit of revival under such men as Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley,George Whitefield, D.L. Moody, and Charles Finney.

http://www.mt.net/~watcher/newun.html
[ ]Virgo, is depicted as a virgin in every ancient reference, holding in one hand abranch, and in the other a sheaf of grain, or seed, always associated with a child, "Shesh nu" in Egyptian, the desired son, the symbol of the incarnation of God on earth.

http://www.mt.net/~watcher/newun.html [ ]Gemini, the twins. Castor is the suffering redeemer, and Pollux is the king. Symbols of the first and second coming of Christ.

CSA,

Due to the association with Ammon and the Church of Philadelphia . . being the earthquake
Seal#6 . . . symbol ... I see the scripture in Daniel telling us that the children of Ammon
shall escape . . .

>The geographical area of present day Jordan is the place where the believing remnant of national Israel will escape from Satan's beast and followers when he invades the nation. Their destination will be through the rift valley created by the Lord's splitting of the mount of Olives and on into Jordainan territory. [Zechariah 14:4-5; Matthew 24:15; Revelation 12:6,14]. This geographical area will be off limits to the beast because it is the place where the Lord will protect the believing remnant of national Israel during the second 1,260 days of the tribulation period. The beast will pursue them, but will not be able to put his hand on them. So he will then hunt down and attempt to exterminate those believing Israelites left living in other nations at the time. This action has nothing to do with the church, but believing national Israelites.

>The church at Philadelphia was a first century church in Asia Minor and was used as an example only as part of the Lord's evaluation of the corporate church of then and today. The notable characteristic of this early church was keeping the truth regarding the Lord's return for them. This same holding exists today and will at the time of His call for the church when He is ready. There is no Philadelphia church today in some specific location like Israel or the Middle East, but the same "ready" status is present in the form of all true believers where ever they are. The main theme of Revelation 3:10 is to convey that when the Lord's hour of trial is triggered upon the unbelieving world, He will keep true believers from His coming judgment. So I see no association at all with the "philadelphia church" and Ammon Jordan.

>The earth quake of Revelation 6:12 and 8:5 are the same quake and this will be the starting event of the tribulation period. There will most likely be another quake at the spliting of the Mount of Olives, but this quake will occur at the midpoint of the tribulation period.

11:41 He shall enter also into the glorious land [Israel], and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon [place of the remnant's protection].

Ammon or Ammonites (Hebrew: עַמּוֹן, Standard ʻAmmon Tiberian ʻAmmôn ; "People"), also referred to in the Bible as the "children of Ammon," were a people (also known from Assyrian and other records) living east of the Jordan river whose origin the Old Testament traces to Lot, the nephew of the patriarch Abraham, as with the Moabites. The Ammonites were regarded by Hebrews as close relatives of the Israelites and Edomites.

>This is true. Again it is, the geographical area that is identified as to where the belieiving national Israelites will be protected. The Lord will supernaturally keep the invaders [satan's beast and followers] from entering the territory east and south of the Jordan River. Otherwise the beast would kill the remnant.

The chief city of the country was Rabbah or Rabbath Ammon (the modern city of Amman is now located at its site[1],[11]), i.e. the metropolis of the Ammonites,[12] called Rabbathammana by the later Greeks.[13] Ptolemy Philadelphus changed its name to Philadelphia, and made it a large and strong city with an acropolis, situated on both sides of a branch of the Jabbok, today known as Nahr `Amman, the river of Ammon -- whence the designation "city of waters"[14] The city of Amman, Jordan is located on roughly the same site. The country to the south and east of Amman is distinguished by its fertility; and ruined towns are scattered thickly over it, attesting that it was once occupied by a population that, however fierce, was settled and industrious; a fact indicated also by the tribute of grain paid annually to Jotham.[15]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammon

>True. Again, this geographical area will be off limits to the beast and his armies so that he cannot kill the remnant of national Israel who will flee to the area for protection. He will conquer Israel and most of the Middle East and will occupy for 42 months [second 1,260], but will be kept out of the area specified in Daniel 11:41.