On Capitol Hill This Week
Volume XV, Number 18b
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
July 7 - 11, 2008
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. . ." (John 16:12,13)
| On Capitol Hill This Week; Vol. XV, No. 18b | |
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- PRESIDENT LEAVES FOR G8 MEETINGS IN JAPAN
- BUSH WINS BIG IN COLOMBIA: HOSTAGES RESCUED
- U.S. URGES UN SANCTIONS AGAINST MUGABE'S BRUTAL REGIME
- US HOLDS FIRM TO DEMANDS IRAN SUSPEND ENRICHMENT
- WILL ISRAEL ATTACK IRAN?
- THREE INNOCENTS DIE IN "HORRIFIC" TERRORIST TRAGEDY
- ARABS STORM EGYPTIANS AT RAFAH CROSSING
- KNESSET APPROVES BILL CALLING FOR REFERUNDUMS ON WITHDRAWALS
1. PRESIDENT LEAVES FOR G8 MEETINGS IN JAPAN
The issues are as difficult as ever, but the conditions are likely to be more conducive to agreement for President Bush as he attends his eighth and final economic summit meeting of industrial democracies. The President departs Washington Saturday for the three-day G8 summit in northern Japan that begins Monday. The annual meeting of the Group of Eight industrial nations comes at a time of economic turmoil in most of the member nations and of political uncertainty for many of the national leaders of the group. Besides meetings with other leaders, the President will meet with his Russian counterpart, Dmitri Medvedev. White House spokeswoman Dana Perino says the two are to discuss missile defense and Russia joining the World Trade Organization.
In comments from the White House Wednesday, Mr. Bush said the summit will address a host of critical world issues, including energy supplies, food shortages and climate change. He said he also will urge the other G-8 nations - Japan, Russia, Britain, France, Germany, Canada and Italy - to make good on previous pledges of large-scale international efforts to fight malaria, AIDS and other deadly diseases. (Voice of America)
In 2001, at Bush's first meeting of the exclusive club, the members more or less lived up to their billing as the leading industrial democracies. But no more. China and India are playing increasingly important roles in the world economy, raising fresh questions about the relevancy of the Group of Eight to begin with. The United States remains the biggest economy in the world, according to a World Bank calculation of gross domestic product based on purchasing power, with Japan in second place. While German ranks third, India, the most highly populated democracy in the world, is closing in. (IHT) Note: The leaders of the U.S., Japan, Britain, Germany, France, Canada and Russia kicked off the meeting Monday at a remote mountaintop resort overlooking a lake formed by a volcanic crater on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. The session ends Wednesday with a larger gathering that brings in eight additional countries - Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Korea and South Africa.
· Intercede for President Bush, all in his administration, and for all working in foreign policy - especially regarding Israel and the Middle East. Pray for wisdom for the president and his advisors as they meet with their foreign counterparts. Let the persuasive voice of the Lord speak through President Bush, for every country will try to get the best deal that it can.
· "But they that would be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drowns men in destruction and perdition." (1 Timothy 6:9)
(Source: Intercessors for America)
2. BUSH WINS BIG IN COLOMBIA: HOSTAGES RESCUED
a) Bush Backs President Uribe in Colombia
President George W. Bush has solidly backed Colombia's President Uribe to the tune of over $6 billion in his fight against the FARC narco-terrorist army with Marxist roots. That backing paid off for Bush this week when Colombian forces rescued numerous hostages from FARC including a former presidential candidate who is also a French citizen.(Religious Freedom Coalition)
b) Daring Rescue Frees Hostages From Jungles Of Colombia
"Three American defense contractors held since 2003 by narco-guerillas in steamy jungle captivity were choppered to freedom here, it was announced Wednesday, in a daring rescue operation that resembled a Hollywood action film. White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the U.S. was aware of the operation in advance and supported it. The Bush administration placed the FARC on the list of terrorist organizations. President Bush spoke by phone with Uribe and told him that he was 'a strong leader,' Johndroe said. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement, 'We are delighted with the safe recovery of these Americans after more than five years of captivity. We are working now to reunite them swiftly with their families in the United States.'" (McClatchy, 7/3/08)
c) The Wall Street Journal Praises Colombian President Uribe For Hostage Rescue
"If most world news seems depressing these days, consider the exception of Colombia. Yesterday, the Colombian military rescued Ingrid Betancourt and three American contractors who had been held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for more than five years. Chalk up one more antiterror win for Colombian President Álvaro Uribe, the best U.S. ally in South America. Having dealt with the rebels for so many years, Mr. Uribe knew better than to count on the FARC negotiating in good faith. His determination has now paid off in a dramatic hostage rescue without paying any further political ransom."
· Praise the Lord for this magnificent rescue, for He knew where the captives were and gave the boldness to Uribe and the rescuers. Also, praise the Lord for the health and endurence of the captives during these 5 years. Pray that the USA can continue to be a good friend of Colombia, especially in helping Uribe destroy the drug cartels that desire to run that country. Pray for the salvation of the members of FARC.
· "I sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob." (Psalm 81:1)
3. U.S. URGES UN SANCTIONS AGAINST MUGABE'S BRUTAL REGIME IN ZIMBABWE
The U.S. pressed fellow U.N. Security Council members Wednesday to impose sanctions to push for change in Zimbabwe, where leaders cannot agree whether to even talk about how to resolve their crisis amid fears of worsening political violence. A draft resolution Washington wants the council to consider proposes freezing the financial assets of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and 11 of his officials and banning them from traveling outside the country. Washington also is considering toughening its unilateral sanctions. The U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe, James McGee, said in an interview Wednesday that could include expanding the list of about 130 officials now banned from visiting the U.S. and hit with financial penalties. (The Associated Press)
· Perhaps you, too, have seen the horrific reports coming out of the nation of Zimbabwe at this time, and of the terrible persecution being wielded against any who have opposed President Mugabe in the recent elections. Zimbabwe is now in the throes of a brutal dictatorship, and only prayer can save this nation now. Cry out aloud for the protection of the people of Zimbabwe; and ask our Lord to move upon the hearts of the nation's leaders to impose strict sanctions upon its president, Robert Mugabe, until he relents and begins to serve, rather than to tyrannize and to terrorize, his people.
· "An unjust man is abominable to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked." >(Proverbs 29:27)
4. US HOLDS FIRM TO DEMANDS IRAN SUSPEND ENRICHMENT
The United States on Thursday maintained its demand that Iran suspend its uranium enrichment as a condition for Washington participating in formal nuclear talks with Tehran, although it did not rule out less strict pre-negotiations. 'We have talked to the Iranians previously via the P5-plus-1 and Mr. Solana about various ways to get to full-blown negotiations,' State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said, referring to grouping of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, as well as EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana who has engaged Tehran on nuclear issues.
'In order to get to those full-blown negotiations where you have the US and the other five members of the P5- plus-1 present at the table with the Iranians, they are going to have to suspend their enrichment-related activity. 'And of course there would be a suspension of activities in the (UN) Security Council during that,' McCormack added.
Asked about a formula known as 'freeze for freeze' - under which Tehran would freeze its nuclear enrichment program at current levels in exchange for no new UN Security Council sanctions - the spokesman did not deny the possibility of implementing such a proposal ahead of further talks. But he stressed that the six powers were still awaiting a formal response from Tehran to their fresh cooperation offer that Solana presented to Iran in mid- June. The proposal, aiming at ending the five-year crisis over Tehran's nuclear program, offers technological incentives in exchange for Tehran suspending uranium enrichment. (YnetNews)
· Pray that Iran will surrender to the demands of the Western world to cease its nuclear enrichment. Ask the Lord to move on the Iranian mullahs and its president Ahmadinejad to yield in ways that only He can devise. Also, watch Xavier Solana, the EU policy chief, for we are not always sure what side he is on.
· "Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified , even as it is with you. And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for not all men have faith." (2 Thessalonians 3:1,2)
5. SYRIA AND ISRAEL CLOSE TO DIRECT TALKS; PARIS SUMMIT ON JULY 13TH
After the next round of Turkish-mediated talks between Israel and Syria, direct talks will likely commence between the two sides, Al-Hayat reported Wednesday, citing Turkish Foreign Ministry sources. In the third round of indirect talks, which began on Tuesday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's chief of staff, Yoram Turbowicz, and Olmert's foreign policy adviser, Shalom Turgeman, discussed with the Syrian delegation the possibility of opening direct talks, the London-based newspaper reported.
The timetable for the direct negotiations and the participants were to be determined after the visit of Syrian President Bashar Assad to Paris for a July 13 conference, the sources told the paper. The sources were also quoted as saying that France was assisting the negotiations but was not participating or mediating like the Turks. They said Paris would eventually play a specific role in assisting to resolve the Sheba Farms dispute.
According to Al-Hayat, Tuesday's talks were aimed at examining the agreements reached thus far, including an Israeli withdrawal to the July 4, 1967, border lines and an improvement of Israeli-Syrian ties, as well as security and water arrangements. The newspaper also reported that the two countries agreed that only Turkey would mediate between the two sides at this early stage.
On Monday, Assad said that the general atmosphere in the Middle East was positive. In a meeting with Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Damascus, Assad called for a more active European role in the peace process between Syria and Israel. Store told Al-Hayat that Damascus was interested in getting the US involved in the talks after direct negotiations begin.
In addition to Assad, Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak are set to take part in the Paris conference on July 13, at which a new union of EU and Mediterranean states will be launched. (Jerusalem Post)
· Is it a good idea for Turkey (a Moslem country) to mediate meetings between Syria and Israel? Should France be more than a host country? And what is this new union of EU and Mediterranean states? And why has the US media given us little, if any, information about these meetings? Pray about all these concerns. A few years ago, a Jewish woman wrote a book about Eurabia; she seems to have been accurate in her assessment of the political and religious forces developing. Only our prayers can modify the plans of wickedness from destroying Israel.
· "Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities." (Psalm 141:5)
6. WILL ISRAEL ATTACK IRAN?
(Source: Intercessors for Israel)
All of the headlines in Israel concern an Israeli attack against Iran. Although someone needs to deal with this existential threat to Israel - and the rest of the non- Islamic world - we have no confidence that this current government has the courage to finish the job if it starts it.
- Abba, Iran's threat to wipe Israel off the map is a direct threat against You and Your Word. "Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the nations be judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah." (Psalms 9:19-20)
- "Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it. Hezekiah went unto the house of LORD, and spread it before LORD, and prayed. "O LORD of hosts, God of Israel. . .You are the God, even You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see: hear all the words of [Iran's president Ahmadinejad and their Islamic leadership], who have sent to reproach the living God . . .O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all kingdoms of the earth may know that You are LORD, even You only." (Isaiah 37:14-20)
- Give us a government that sees Israel's protect as their top priority and will finish any battles that Israel needs to fight.
- Lord of hosts, aid the IDF as it makes plans to deal with this Iranian threat. "The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of LORD." (Proverbs 21:31)
- Move in Iran by either natural or supernatural shakings.
- "Thus says LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam [ancient Iran], the chief of their might. I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies. I will bring evil upon them, even My fierce anger, says LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them: And I will set My throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, says LORD." (Jeremiah 49:35-38)
- Abba, pluck out the 25,000 strong Jewish community from Iran's midst.
- Yeshua, set multitudes of Iranians free from the spirit of Islam.
7. THREE INNOCENTS DIE IN "HORRIFIC" TERRORIST TRAGEDY
Innocent lunchtime shoppers became wounded, bloodied victims when a rampaging terror attack sliced through buses, cars, and people at noon July 2 in Jerusalem. Thirty one-year-old Hossam Dawiath, a Palestinian tractor driver from east Jerusalem used a bulldozer to plow through the city center. In a fit of bloody brutality he killed three-two women and a man. Many others were wounded, seven seriously.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was quick to react. He called for the east Jerusalem home of the terrorist to be demolished. He also maintained the social security benefits of this family to be annulled and proposed the family be deported to Gaza. Moments before the attack the Israeli Knesset (parliament) passed bills calling for penalties to be applied to the families of those who commit terror attacks. Those laws will deprive the families of various social rights. They also call for any permanent resident status they may hold, to be withdrawn.
The terrorist took a tractor from a nearby construction site where work is being done to install the new light rail system. He flipped over two cars killing a woman driver. He continued down the street and rammed a bus, then overturned a second bus just meters away. Two more cars were then crushed and the inner city erupted in fear and panic. Onlookers said he gave way to a woman driver but when she passed in front, he plowed through her car with the bulldozer. The woman was killed instantly.
Pandemonium gripped city streets. According to witnesses, a bus driver observed the attack coming, drew his bus to the side of the road and advised his passengers to disembark. Egged Bus Company official Yossi Klachkes told Ynet, "Two of our buses- lines 13 and 60-were rammed by the bulldozer as they were traveling toward the Mahaneh Yehuda Market. The line 13 bus was carrying 35 passengers and the other bus had 15 people on board. The drivers and some passengers were injured or suffered shock. They were evacuated to hospital." Another witness Zion Shetreet, told Ynet, "the tractor turned into the road very suddenly and started trampling cars standing at the stoplight. I started yelling for people to shoot him. I saw a security officer running out of a nearby building and aiming an Uzi at him."
Israeli police said they would increase deployment across Israel with a specific focus on crowded places, checkpoints and crossings.
BFP reporter Will King was at the scene of the attack and described the scattered body parts and vehicle debris as "horrific".
(By Will King and Ron Ross, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, July 2, 2008) [Source: Bridges for Peace]
· Weep with those who mourn; pray for wisdom as Israel wrestles with how to address the future of East Jerusalem and the Arabs who live there.
· "For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping." (Psalm 102:9)
8. ARABS STORM EGYPTIANS AT RAFAH CROSSING
While a Palestinian terrorist bulldozed through the streets of Jerusalem, others broke into the Egyptian side of the Rafah, protesting Egyptian control in the area.
Egyptian authorities boosted their forces with anti-riot gear and confronted the crazed crowd with water cannons. Palestinian youths responded by throwing stones. Three Palestinians were reportedly injured by stones. As the crowd numbers grew, the Hamas- controlled interior ministry called on them to leave the crossing.
Earlier Hamas officials had expressed discontent with the "the Gaza siege." They said Egypt "is part of the Gaza siege because they increase the suffering of the Palestinian people instead of easing it," according to Ihab al-Ghussein, a spokesman for Hamas.
June 26, Egypt opened Rafah crossing for three days. Al-Ghussein said when the crossing was closed, Egypt left hospital patients stranded. He said there are 1,500 registered Palestinian patients but Egypt only allowed 25 to cross. "The Egyptian side committed big violations and returned two traveler buses despite an earlier agreement to allow the two buses in," al- Ghussein added.
The Rafah gate, the only crossing for Gaza travelers, was sealed off in June 2007 after Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip by force.
(By Ron Ross, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, July 3, 2008) [Source: Bridges for Peace]
· Pray that the problems for the Arabs in Gaza will soon be addressed by world leaders. The terrorist tactics of Hamas continue to make life unbearable and makes diplomatic relations with their neighbor states impossible. Pray that their scapegoating of Israel and Egypt will not be seen as an acceptable excuse.
· "Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just; for the righteous God tests the hearts and minds." (Psalm 7:9)
9. KNESSET APPROVES BILL CALLING FOR REFERUNDUMS ON WITHDRAWALS
A bill stating that a referendum will be held before the ceding of any land belonging to the State of Israel has been approved in its preliminary reading by the Knesset [Parliament] on June 30. The motion was approved with a majority of 65 MKs [members of Knesset], and was opposed by 18. According to the bill, if the government approves the ceding of Israeli land the decision will be brought before the Knesset, and if it is approved by the Knesset, a referendum will be held within 180 days. However, should a withdrawal be supported by at least 80 MKs, the matter will not be brought to a referendum. The bill refers to areas that Israel has full sovereignty over, such as the Golan Heights and east Jerusalem. The West Bank [Judea and Samaria] does not fall under this category.
MK Yisrael Katz (Likud), head of the Knesset's Golan Heights lobby, said following the vote, "the result is a victory (for MKs who oppose an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan). The Knesset conveyed a clear message to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and to (Syrian President Bashar) Assad that Israel will not cede the Golan." Knesset House Committee Chairman David Tal (Kadima) said the preliminary vote was an important step "in preventing Israel from making dangerous concessions".
Meretz MK Zahava Gal-On on the other hand said the Knesset was "attempting to hinder the negotiations on the Golan. The Knesset's job is to determine whether we are better off holding on to the Golan without peace or achieving peace while ceding the Golan," she said. "If the Knesset has the authority to approve the annexation of lands, then it must also hold the authority to reach the opposite decision." (Ynetnews) [Reported by: Bridges for Peace]
· Praise God that Knesset (Parliament) members moved to contain any wild plans to return the Golan Heights to Syria without public approval.
· "The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with Me." (Lev. 25:23)
A Special Note from CHPP
We wish to thank all of you who flooded our conference line last Thursday night as, coast-to-coast, we cried out unto the LORD in prayers of REPENTANCE for our fallen state as a people.
There was such unity in our intercession, and such an alignment of hearts . . . we truly believe that we did reach the heart of God that evening.
We apologize to those of you who were not able to get through, for whatever reason; but we were encouraged to read your notes that, nevertheless, you continued to join with others in this great chorus of outpouring before the Throne of Grace on the eve of the 232nd birthday of the United States of America.
Surely, the LORD has heard our cries; and surely He will answer our petitions . . . in His time, and in His way.
May His abundant grace and peace rest upon each of us now, as we continue to walk through this amazing year togeher.
In His Grace,
Sara Ballenger
and the Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
"Call upon Me and I will show you great and mighty things, that you know not."
(Jeremiah 33:3)
This Week, Worship Our Lord As . .
This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
ETERNAL KING (Mehlekh Olahm)
"But the LORD is the true God: He is the living GOd, the eternal Knig." (Jer. 10:10)
You are the Everlasting King. Before time began, You reigned. You reign today. You will reign forevermore.
What assurance and peace this truth is, that no matter what assails me, Your power will ultimately conquer. Thank You for this perfect divine plan. Amen.
(Taken from: Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God, by Barri Cae Malin and Shmuel Wolkenfeld; Bridge-Logos Publishers; Gainesville, FL, 32614. ISBN: 0-88270-801-5)
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Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (I Timothy 2:1,2 NKJV)
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