Paris Summit Called New Era for Europe
The question of war or peace in the Persian Gulf nearly overshadowed what would otherwise have been a great historic event. In Paris, leaders of 34 nations met to usher in what many hope will be a new era of peace and stability in Europe. The gilded halls of the Elysee Palace saw lavish ceremonies to celebrate the signing of agreements on arms control, non-aggression and a new European charter. The new charter establishes democracy, human rights, and the rule of law and free market economics as a goal for the continent.
Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev called for the building of a “common European home” from the Atlantic to the Urals. It remains to be seen, however, whether the “new era” will be more effective in keeping the peace than the cold war standoff that kept it for over 40 years. With the easing of authoritarian rule that has followed the sudden collapse of communism has come a striving for national identity by numerous ethnic minorities from the Balkans to the Baltic. Some analysts see Soviet military planning turning from preoccupation with the West to the security of the Russian Republic in relation to the other republics of the Soviet Union.
Analysts have identified numerous potential trouble spots where conflict may develop. Yugoslavia is thought to be on the verge of civil war as ethnic Albanians in Serbia want independence and the Serbs feud with the Croatians. Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have for the time being backed down from their declared independence from the Soviet Union but can be expected to try again when a more favorable opportunity presents itself. In Czechoslovakia, Slovak nationalists are demanding independence for Slovakia. The Prague government is willing to allow autonomy over economic and political affairs while retaining control of defense, foreign policy and the central bank. Even this may not satisfy the nationalists who demonstrate almost daily for independence in Bratislava, the Slovak capital.
In the Soviet Union, the most severe shortages of food since World War II have caused the government to impose rationing in the large cities and threaten the use of military force to hold the 15 republics in the union. The normal channels for food distribution have broken down as regional and local governments look after their own citizens first. Despite assistance from Western Europe and America, the Soviet Union and all of Eastern Europe are in for an austere winter.
As Bible believers, we realize that, under human rule, the benefits of the “New Era” are bound to be illusive. However, the God of heaven has promised a time when, under divine rule, peace and righteousness will prevail in all the earth.
U.S.-Syrian Summit Alarms Israel
Syria is viewed by Washington, along with Iraq and Iran, as one of the states most dangerous to U.S. interests in the Middle Fast. In spite of this fact, President George Bush met with Syrian President Hafez Assad in Geneva. The announcement of the meeting did not reveal what was discussed by the two leaders but the meeting was immediately criticized by Israeli officials. The Israelis were concerned that promises contrary to Israeli interests may have been made in return for Syrian help against Iraq. Members of the U.S. congress also expressed reservations about the president engaging in talks with the leader of a country which has been backing terrorism and has an “abysmal human rights record.” Syria has sent 7,500 ground troops to participate in the multinational force against Iraq and has 15,000 troops promised.
Israel to Get Patriot Missile
The Israeli Defense Force has sent crews selected to man the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system for training in the U.S. Israel is to receive two batteries of the Patriot system, each battery comprising one to 16 launchers and each launcher holding four missiles. The system considered the best of its kind in the world is Israel’s answer to Saddam Hussein’s threat of a missile attack on Israel with missiles bearing chemical weapons. The system is said to be capable of tracking 100 targets at once and can detect threats at 150 miles distance. The missiles travel at a speed of six times the speed of sound and are considered more accurate than any similar system. Although originally designed for use against aircraft, its tremendous speed makes it capable of use against missiles.
Israeli water resources depleted
Lack of rain and warmer than normal weather have depleted water supplies to such an extent that a 25 percent cut in water for agriculture may have to be made next year if less than average rain falls this winter. The Israeli water commissioner reported to the Jerusalem Post that water resources are so heavily over drawn that even an average rainfall would be insufficient to replenish the aquifers and Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) which is at its lowest level in 60 years.
The aquifers are reaching the level where pumping will have to be curtailed if the weather does not improve. If the level in the aquifers drops below a predetermined point, there is danger of pollution and salinity. New sources of water, such as seawater desalination plants, are once again being considered. A realistic solution, however, may await the healing of the living waters described in Ezekiel 47 and Zechariah 14.
More Ethiopian Jews Return
The return of Jews from many parts of the world continues. Most of them are seeking to escape conditions of persecution or distress. Ethiopia was expected to allow 1,000 more to emigrate in December, bringing the total for the year to almost 3,000.
Most of Israel’s recent immigrants have been from the Soviet Union with nearly 135,000 arriving this year. The large numbers have put a strain on the economy and emergency measures are required to provide housing and other services.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One