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Prepared for the
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in association with the Fairness Project by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
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To contact the Presidents Conference: [email protected]
In-Depth Issue:
Turks Open Borders to 20,000 U.S. Troops - Amberin Zaman
(Telegraph-UK)
The U.S. is to send up to 20,000 troops through Turkey and into northern Iraq, allowing it to open up a second front against Saddam Hussein.
Behind the Renewed Fighting in Afghanistan: Saudi Links?
The fierce battles in Afghanistan are being conducted against forces headed by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who has been described by Taliban expert Ahmed Rashaid as a "neo-Wahhabi protege" of Saudi Arabia.
Israel to Help Build Stealth Jet - Janine Zacharia (Jerusalem Post)
Israel and the U.S. have agreed on a framework for Israeli involvement in development of the next-generation Joint Strike Fighter, the most lucrative military aircraft program ever.
Useful Reference:
The New Members of the Knesset
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News Resources - North America and Europe:
President Bush took the U.S. to the edge of war with Iraq Tuesday, declaring in his annual State of the Union message that Saddam Hussein had missed his "final chance" by showing contempt for UN weapons inspections. In the Middle East, Bush said, "we will continue to seek peace between a secure Israel and a democratic Palestine." (Washington Post) Full text of Bush's State of the Union Speech (Washington Post) See also Talking Points below. From a "Senior Administration Official" - Michael Kelly "This is not a declaration of war," said the senior administration official, speaking on the day before the president's State of the Union address. But it was a declaration of an iron determination to wage war against Iraq, no matter what, if war is necessary. (Washington Post) Some 350 American, European, and Afghan forces fought a fierce battle through the night against a large group of rebel fighters in a mountainous region of southeastern Afghanistan, in the heaviest fighting they have encountered in nine months, the American military spokesman said Tuesday. As many as 80 fighters aligned with the former mujahedeen commander Gulbuddin Hekmatyar were thought to be lodged in caves and mountain hideouts near the border with Pakistan. Forces responding to the violence included Norwegian F-16s, the first time its planes had carried out operational bombings since World War II. (New York Times) The U.S. has warned it cannot accept Iraqi chairmanship of the UN Conference on Disarmament and is considering options to block such an appointment scheduled for May. "Iraq for more than 13 years has defied numerous UN Security Council resolutions demanding its disarmament," State Department spokeswoman Lynn Cassel said. "The United States believes it is unacceptable for Iraq to assume the presidency of the international community's main multilateral disarmament negotiating forum," she said. The Geneva-based 66-member organization was founded in 1979. (BBC) Nearly 1,000 demonstrators rallied outside the Parliament buildings (Storting) in downtown Oslo Sunday, as part of a pro-Israeli demonstration in the streets in the center of the capital. (Norway Post)
News Resources - Israel, the Mideast, and Asia:
According to actual voting returns reported by Haaretz and Yediot Ahronot (not including votes of soldiers) for elections to the 16th Knesset, the leading parties are Likud - 37 seats, Labor - 19, and Shinui - 15. The center-right and religious bloc won 67 seats, while the center, center-left, and Arab party bloc won 53 seats.
I will ask all Zionist parties to join a unity government that will be as broad as possible. The differences between us diminish in the face of the murderous hatred of the terrorist organizations of anything Israeli and Jewish, the threat of the war in the Gulf and attacks on Israel, and the economic crisis that is ripping Israeli society apart. This is a time for coming together in unity, for fusing all forces in order to bring about a genuine victory. Victory over terrorism, and the beginning of a true peace process. Everyone is waiting to see if Israel will act together, united, in order to achieve its aims: security, prosperity, quiet, and peace. This is possible. It depends only on us. (Ha'aretz) For the next 42 days, Sharon will do everything in his power to establish a national unity government in the image of the previous one - including the Labor Party. If he fails, he will approach Shinui and offer the anti-religious party a place in a narrow, right-wing government, with or without Shas. If that fails too, Sharon will be forced to establish the government he doesn't want - a right-wing government with the Haredi parties. (Ha'aretz) If the war with Iraq is successful and Saddam Hussein is overthrown, it will open up new prospects for peace. And Ariel Sharon wants to be the man who negotiates that deal. He wants a broad-based coalition. He does not want to depend on a narrow base of right wing parties, because he wants maximum flexibility. Notice what we're saying here, something quite remarkable. Ariel Sharon as a moderate. (CNN) Mr. Sharon's ruling Likud Party is predicted to nearly double its number of seats in the parliament to 36, twice that of its main rival Labor, demonstrating a major shift to the right in Israeli public opinion. (VOA) Thirteen parties won seats, according to results announced Wednesday, but 14 others failed to make the grade. Two parties left out of parliament that had been expected to fare better were the ultranationalist Herut, with a settler from Hebron in a prominent position, and Green Leaf, favoring legalization of marijuana. (AP/Guardian-UK)
Global Commentary and Think-Tank Analysis
(Best of U.S., UK, and Israel):
Any government that is formed will have to take the following diplomatic-security steps if it wants to prevent a grave deterioration in Israel's situation: Avoid becoming embroiled in the Gaza Strip. Be wary of military deterioration on the northern border. Continue to erect the security fence only as an additional obstacle and not as a solution to all terror attacks. If a war breaks out in Iraq and Israel is hurt, Israel's response must be one that will be remembered for many years. (Ha'aretz) Palestinian refugees in Jordan are increasingly funneling their frustrations through the politics of Islamic parties, according to Jordanian officials, analysts, and camp residents. Jordanian officials insist they can maintain control of the camps if protests erupt in the event of a U.S. attack on Iraq. But the rise of Islam-based politics represents a challenge for King Abdullah (Washington Post) State of the Union - President George Bush (White House)
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