My note: I wouldn't have expected there to be a landslide vote for such a controversial topic (in the US) and yet, I was glad to find among the unreliable "stars" for others votes, this review...Former US President Carter is scheduled to be interviewed today, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 on npr.org 3 PM EST
(if I heard right)-January 27, 2009 which should be available via archived program later.
There is a very short audio available online from a few bites he gave NPR reporter during Morning Edition this am...as well as some Carter background & a long excerpt from his book...Find both these items
here and by the way - Carter's take on what Hamas has said and what they are willing to do, is, as you may surmise QUITE different than the worries many in the US have had...and let's always keep in mind that the history and the choices of Hamas do not represent even the majority of Palestinians on many levels...as many sources Israeli and Jewish as well as Arab have tried to point out...That the voting even within Occupied Territories and Gaza has been up against many "Walls" and a Wall.
This is a top Customer Review for Jimmy Carter's latest book - with some interesting history (please COMMENT below if you have anything to add or differ in this history) Original found this am here
Good Background, Hope for the Future!, January 20, 2009
By Loyd E. Eskildson "Pragmatist"
One of the notable developments in the region has been the repeated proposal by all 22 Arab nations to have normal diplomatic and commercial relations with Israel, provided major U.N. resolutions are honored. This Arab proposal could provide a promising avenue to break the existing deadlock; however, it has not been possible for the weak and divided Palestinian leadership to eliminate violence against Israel.
So begins former President Carter's latest book. He goes on to provide historical background and current status. The U.N. estimates that about 710,000 Arabs left voluntarily or were ejected from Israel; troops then barred their return and razed more than 500 or their ancestral villages. U.N. Resolution 194 asserted that refugees wishing to return should be allowed to do so, that compensation should be paid to others, and that free access to the holy places be assured. However, these issues remain as major sources of dispute.
After the Six Days War, U.N. Resolution 242 confirmed the inadmissibility of the acquisition of land and called for Israel to withdraw. Carter, Ford, Nixon, and LBJ had all considered Israeli settlements in the occupied territories to be both illegal and an obstacle to peace.
In most places "Israel's wall" is built entirely in the West Bank, penetrating as much as 13 miles into Palestine to encompass existing and growing Israeli settlements, along with desirable land and building sites not yet confiscated. In many places the barrier prevents Palestinians' access to their fields, schools, places of worship, and grazing lands. (Overall, the wall takes 44% of the West Bank from the Palestinians.) In 2004 the International Court of Justice declared construction of the wall in Palestine territory to be illegal.
The land between the barrier and the Green Line is the home for 49,400 West Bank Palestinians - all now require permits to live in their own homes, and their visitors require special passes to come in. Normally there are very restricted movements of Palestinians through the approximately 500 Israeli West Bank checkpoints. Palestinians are even prohibited from traveling on some of their own roads - those are reserved for Israelis.
In the 2006 election to replace Arafat about 140,000 of the 150,000 eligible voters in East Jerusalem had to vote in neighboring cities, and doing so required they pass warnings that they would lose their dwelling rights. Pro-Hamas voters were also threatened with the termination of hundreds of millions in U.S. aid. After the election Israel arrested and imprisoned 41 elected Hamas parliamentarians living in the West Bank and ten citizens proposed as Hamas cabinet members.
About 50% more roadblocks have been added in the West Bank since the 2004 Annapolis peace effort. Unpredictable curfews are another imposition levied upon the Palestinians.
Hamas has offered a long-term truce in return for complete Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories and the establishment of a Palestinian state. Hamas also has agreed to accept any peace agreement negotiated between the PLO and Israel if also approved by a Palestinian referendum or democratically-elected government.
Tunnels between Egypt and Gaza provide entry for consumer goods (taxed heavily by Hamas) and funds.
The 1.1 million Palestinians in Israel fear expulsion, and suffer legal and economic discrimination. The are barred from traveling to Gaza or most Arab countries.
One other major barrier toward peace exists - the Shebba Farms (about 8 square miles) that Syria says belongs to Lebanon, and Israel claims belongs to Syria - occupied by Israel as part of their Golan Heights' seizure and used to launch invasions into Lebanon.
Bottom Line: President Carter believes that these proposals, with U.S. support and backed up by a demilitarized zone with international peacekeepers can succeed. Many of Carter's assertions in this book were documented in a 1/25/09 "60 Minutes" program.
18 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Start by Listening: Obama to George Mitchell
In a radio recording of Obama's message about this send-off he said "Start by listening...We Americans too often dictate"
The tone of this article captures this intention...Let's ALL PRAY!!!
Excerpt from article below: (Obama) placed a strong emphasis on the peacemaking efforts, which come at a time when many analysts rate the chances for Arab-Israeli peace as the worst in decades."The cause of peace in the Middle East is important to the United States and our national interests," Obama said. "It's important to me personally. It is important to Arabs and Jews. It is important to Christians, and Muslims, and Jews all around the world."
here
From the Los Angeles Times
Obama sends George Mitchell on Mideast peace mission
The president says the special Middle East envoy will speak for the White House in a search for 'progress, not just photo ops.'
By Paul Richter
6:41 PM PST, January 26, 2009
Reporting from Washington — President Obama dispatched his special Middle East envoy on his inaugural peacemaking trip Monday, declaring that former Sen. George J. Mitchell would speak for the White House in a search for "progress, not just photo ops."
Obama's public appearance with Mitchell and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was his second in five days and placed a strong emphasis on the peacemaking efforts, which come at a time when many analysts rate the chances for Arab-Israeli peace as the worst in decades.
"Now, understand that Sen. Mitchell is going to be fully empowered by me and fully empowered by Secretary Clinton," he said, appearing at the White House. "So when he speaks, he will be speaking for us."
Some analysts have warned that if the administration puts its prestige on the line and the current cease-fire between Israel and the militant group Hamas collapses, it could be an early black mark for the Obama team.
Daniel Levy, a former Israeli peace negotiator, said the announcement was intended to stress that Mitchell is speaking for Obama and to push back against anyone critical of the appointment. Sending Mitchell to the region also allows Obama to take action without "getting bogged down in the details."
"He can say, 'George is on it,' " Levy said.
Obama promised in his campaign to work for peace beginning early in his presidency. The flurry of action in his first week in office also addresses criticism that, as president-elect, he was detached from the Gaza Strip fighting.
"The cause of peace in the Middle East is important to the United States and our national interests," Obama said. "It's important to me personally. It is important to Arabs and Jews. It is important to Christians, and Muslims, and Jews all around the world."
Mitchell, who was named only last Thursday, left Monday for an eight-day trip to the Middle East and Europe. Mitchell will stop in Egypt, Israel, the West Bank, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, as well as Paris and London.
Obama hopes Mitchell can identify ways to "solidify the cease-fire, ensure Israel's security, also ensure that Palestinians in Gaza are able to get the basic necessities they need and that they can see a pathway towards long-term development that will be so critical in order for us to achieve a lasting peace."
The administration's ambitious peace push has been welcomed by many liberals, but has stirred some unease among more conservative supporters of Israel, who fear that the plans for "evenhandedness" mean that Israel will come under new pressure.
paul.richter@latimes.com
If you want other stories on this topic, search the Archives at latimes.com/archives.
TMS Reprints Article licensing and reprint options
Copyright 2009 Los Angeles Times
here
The tone of this article captures this intention...Let's ALL PRAY!!!
Excerpt from article below: (Obama) placed a strong emphasis on the peacemaking efforts, which come at a time when many analysts rate the chances for Arab-Israeli peace as the worst in decades."The cause of peace in the Middle East is important to the United States and our national interests," Obama said. "It's important to me personally. It is important to Arabs and Jews. It is important to Christians, and Muslims, and Jews all around the world."
here
From the Los Angeles Times
Obama sends George Mitchell on Mideast peace mission
The president says the special Middle East envoy will speak for the White House in a search for 'progress, not just photo ops.'
By Paul Richter
6:41 PM PST, January 26, 2009
Reporting from Washington — President Obama dispatched his special Middle East envoy on his inaugural peacemaking trip Monday, declaring that former Sen. George J. Mitchell would speak for the White House in a search for "progress, not just photo ops."
Obama's public appearance with Mitchell and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was his second in five days and placed a strong emphasis on the peacemaking efforts, which come at a time when many analysts rate the chances for Arab-Israeli peace as the worst in decades.
"Now, understand that Sen. Mitchell is going to be fully empowered by me and fully empowered by Secretary Clinton," he said, appearing at the White House. "So when he speaks, he will be speaking for us."
Some analysts have warned that if the administration puts its prestige on the line and the current cease-fire between Israel and the militant group Hamas collapses, it could be an early black mark for the Obama team.
Daniel Levy, a former Israeli peace negotiator, said the announcement was intended to stress that Mitchell is speaking for Obama and to push back against anyone critical of the appointment. Sending Mitchell to the region also allows Obama to take action without "getting bogged down in the details."
"He can say, 'George is on it,' " Levy said.
Obama promised in his campaign to work for peace beginning early in his presidency. The flurry of action in his first week in office also addresses criticism that, as president-elect, he was detached from the Gaza Strip fighting.
"The cause of peace in the Middle East is important to the United States and our national interests," Obama said. "It's important to me personally. It is important to Arabs and Jews. It is important to Christians, and Muslims, and Jews all around the world."
Mitchell, who was named only last Thursday, left Monday for an eight-day trip to the Middle East and Europe. Mitchell will stop in Egypt, Israel, the West Bank, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, as well as Paris and London.
Obama hopes Mitchell can identify ways to "solidify the cease-fire, ensure Israel's security, also ensure that Palestinians in Gaza are able to get the basic necessities they need and that they can see a pathway towards long-term development that will be so critical in order for us to achieve a lasting peace."
The administration's ambitious peace push has been welcomed by many liberals, but has stirred some unease among more conservative supporters of Israel, who fear that the plans for "evenhandedness" mean that Israel will come under new pressure.
paul.richter@latimes.com
If you want other stories on this topic, search the Archives at latimes.com/archives.
TMS Reprints Article licensing and reprint options
Copyright 2009 Los Angeles Times
here
In the bonds of justice and peace: A legacy and challenge for Obama and for US citizenry
To see all those who paved the way for our President also to be a living witness "In the bonds of justice and peace" rather in the "vise of greed and war" see the key here
Let's discuss here and elsewhere how we might best support Obama along the "righteous way"? Do add your comment as well...
Here's an hard-hitting quote printed above Jonathan Schell's latest published in the February 09,2009 edition of The Nation:
I see the work of gods who pile tower-high the pride of those who were nothing, and dash present grandeur down.
--Euripides, in The Trojan Women,
referring to the fall of Troy
" SOA 6" Standing Tall Against Torture in USA
"SOA 6" Sentenced to Federal Prison for Nonviolent Direct Action to Close the SOA/ WHINSEC -Today, on January 26, six human rights advocates appeared in a federal courthouse in Georgia. The "SOA 6," ranging in age from 21 to 68, were found "guilty" of carrying the protest against the School of the Americas (SOA/WHINSEC) onto the Fort Benning military base. The six were among the thousands who gathered on November 22 and 23, 2008 outside the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia to demand a change in U.S. policy towards Latin America and the closure of the SOA/WHINSEC.
The "SOA 6" spoke out clearly and powerful in court today. They made a compelling case for the closure of the school and creation of a culture of justice and peace, where there is no place for the SOA mindset that promotes military "solutions" to social and economic problems. The six spent the weekend preparing for their trials with a team of lawyers, legal workers and volunteers, and today they stood up for all of us working for a more just world.
The "SOA 6":
Kristin Holm, from Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced to 2 months in federal prison and a $250 fine
(Right) Theresa Cusimano, 40, Denver, Colorado, found guilty and awaiting sentencing
(Left) Sr. Diane Pinchot, OSU, 63, from Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to 2 months in federal prison
Al Simmons, 64, from Richmond, Virginia, was sentenced to 2 months in federal prison
(Next to Last) Father Luis Barrios, 56, from North Bergen, NJ, was sentenced to 2 months in federal prison and a $250 fine
(Last) Louis Wolf, 68, from Washington, DC, found guilty and awaiting sentencing
Support the "SOA 6" and sign up for Lobby Days coming soon in DC:
here
NEW: Step in right direction? US envoy predicts 'direct diplomacy' with Iran
Here's the link for related video & item, you can forget the items from FOX unless you want clearly proven continual propaganda...
here
US envoy predicts 'direct diplomacy' with Iran
By JOHN HEILPRIN, Associated Press Writer John Heilprin, Associated Press Writer Just in noon EST
UNITED NATIONS – President Barack Obama's administration will engage in "direct diplomacy" with Iran, the newly installed U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Monday.
Not since before the 1979 Iranian revolution are U.S. officials believed to have conducted wide-ranging direct diplomacy with Iranian officials. But U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice warned that Iran must meet U.N. Security Council demands to suspend uranium enrichment before any talks on its nuclear program.
"The dialogue and diplomacy must go hand in hand with a very firm message from the United States and the international community that Iran needs to meet its obligations as defined by the Security Council. And its continuing refusal to do so will only cause pressure to increase," she told reporters during a brief question-and-answer session.
Her comments, reflecting Obama's signals for improved relations with America's foes after eight years under President George W. Bush, came shortly after meeting with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on her first day in her new job.
Iran still considers the U.S. the "Great Satan," but a day after Obama was sworn in, it said it was "ready for new approaches by the United States." Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said his country would study the idea of allowing the U.S. to open a diplomatic office in Tehran, the first since 1979.
Rice said the U.S. remains "deeply concerned about the threat that Iran's nuclear program poses to the region, indeed to the United States and the entire international community."
"We look forward to engaging in vigorous diplomacy that includes direct diplomacy with Iran, as well as continued collaboration and partnership" with the other four permanent members of the Security Council — Britain, China, France and Russia — plus Germany, Rice said.
"And we will look at what is necessary and appropriate with respect to maintaining pressure toward that goal of ending Iran's nuclear program," she said.
In recent years, Iranian and American officials have negotiated in the same room on talks about Afghanistan that involved other countries' diplomats. They also talked face to face in Baghdad but the agenda was limited to Iraqi security.
here
US envoy predicts 'direct diplomacy' with Iran
By JOHN HEILPRIN, Associated Press Writer John Heilprin, Associated Press Writer Just in noon EST
UNITED NATIONS – President Barack Obama's administration will engage in "direct diplomacy" with Iran, the newly installed U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Monday.
Not since before the 1979 Iranian revolution are U.S. officials believed to have conducted wide-ranging direct diplomacy with Iranian officials. But U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice warned that Iran must meet U.N. Security Council demands to suspend uranium enrichment before any talks on its nuclear program.
"The dialogue and diplomacy must go hand in hand with a very firm message from the United States and the international community that Iran needs to meet its obligations as defined by the Security Council. And its continuing refusal to do so will only cause pressure to increase," she told reporters during a brief question-and-answer session.
Her comments, reflecting Obama's signals for improved relations with America's foes after eight years under President George W. Bush, came shortly after meeting with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on her first day in her new job.
Iran still considers the U.S. the "Great Satan," but a day after Obama was sworn in, it said it was "ready for new approaches by the United States." Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said his country would study the idea of allowing the U.S. to open a diplomatic office in Tehran, the first since 1979.
Rice said the U.S. remains "deeply concerned about the threat that Iran's nuclear program poses to the region, indeed to the United States and the entire international community."
"We look forward to engaging in vigorous diplomacy that includes direct diplomacy with Iran, as well as continued collaboration and partnership" with the other four permanent members of the Security Council — Britain, China, France and Russia — plus Germany, Rice said.
"And we will look at what is necessary and appropriate with respect to maintaining pressure toward that goal of ending Iran's nuclear program," she said.
In recent years, Iranian and American officials have negotiated in the same room on talks about Afghanistan that involved other countries' diplomats. They also talked face to face in Baghdad but the agenda was limited to Iraqi security.
Its About Humanity: BBC's Day of Shame
There may be two reasonable sides to this extremely serious conflict...I hope it gets worked through to a peaceful and humanitarian conclusion since I don't know what isolated USA would do without many of the excellent BBC reporters all through the night, especially the Muslim & Arabic reporters? Also, let's hope that soon Obama will be pictured clearly as someone who is about peace and cares more about the poor than this magazine indicates. There both some great and some worrisome signs...
here
here
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