The EU Council passes the ball to EU High Representative Javier Solana

by Michael G. Mickey

(8-1-06)

In the aftermath of an Extraordinary meeting of the Council of the European Union (General Affairs and External Relations), it seems the EU is still, in keeping with the majority of the world, in denial of the facts on the ground concerning the recent incident in Qana, Lebanon which the world is continuing to erroneously place blame on Israel for. This mentality on the part of the EU is in contradiction to a great deal of documentable evidence that Israel took every possible precaution prior to initiating a just response to numerous Hezbollah rockets being fired from directly beside the location in question into Israel, a viable threat to innocent Israelis. Apparently, the EU isn't concerned as to why many have taken notice of numerous discrepancies in the reporting of this alleged Israeli-produced atrocity, demonstrating that no one is as blind as the one who refuses to see!

The EU Council's resolution issued today, which is linked above, also condemns attacks against UN personnel, calling them "unacceptable" - another reference to a questionable incident involving purported Israeli misconduct. On that topic, as I documented earlier through an Ottawa Citizen article, a former UN commander has openly stated that an e-mail he received from one of the UN peacekeepers killed in the Israeli attack reveals Hezbollah was using the UN facility as a shield to fire rockets into Israel. It seems logical to me, as such, that the UN's peacekeepers should've actually kept peace in that area or moved out of harm's way to allow Israel to neutralize the threat posed by Hezbollah in that area. Why the UN chose to stay in a hot zone of military conflict defies all logic, in my opinion. At any rate, the EU Council condemned Israel on that point as well, not surprisingly.

Rather than continue with a blow-by-blow account of what the EU Council's resolution states, I have posted it in its entirety below. I do, however, want to address a few key points of potential prophetic interest found in the resolution.

The EU Council is supportive of the United Nations' efforts to "define a political framework for a lasting solution agreed by all parties, which is a necessary precondition for deployment of an international force" and has committed itself to promote a comprehensive peace plan for the Middle East in close cooperation with partners and the countries in the region, adding that "there is no military solution to any of the problems facing the people of the region."

The EU Council has asked the EU's High Representative, Doctor Javier Solana, "to remain engaged and to remain in contact with all the relevant parties and to be ready to contribute to a political solution and to the peace process."

A lasting solution agreed to by all parties...

Deployment of an international force to keep peace in the Middle East...

A comprehensive peace plan for the Middle East - one that will include close cooperation with partners and countries in the region...

The European Union's top diplomat, Javier Solana, has been given a mandate to remain in contact with all relevant parties and to be ready to contribute to a political solution and to the peace process itself....

Are we nearing the advent of Antichrist?

Daniel 9:26-27: And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

To simplify Daniel's prophecy, a prince (or leader) of Roman descent (because it was the Romans who destroyed the city of Jerusalem and its sanctuary in AD 70), is going to confirm (or make strong) a covenant of peace in the Middle East "with many" that will last one "week"; a "week" in this context representing seven years.

Within this commentary we clearly can see potential for Daniel 9:26-27 to be literally fulfilled! Does that mean the advent of the Antichrist is a certainty at this point? Certainly not! At this present moment, Israel's ground offensive and air warfare is intensifying rather than slowing down which doesn't make for a good peacemaking environment for Javier Solana and his EU diplomatic team. Presently, barring a miracle, it is going to be near impossible for anyone to organize the first step needed for a "lasting solution" to the war-ravaged Middle East to come into existence - a ceasefire that would allow international peacekeepers to line up between Israel and its enemies.

On the other side of the coin, if the advent of the Antichrist is on the prophetic horizon, this is the stuff of which legends are born. A man who could confirm some sort of peace in this scenario would instantly become a savior of sorts, particularly as Iran's Ahmadinejad is openly seeking nuclear weapons while speaking of his desire to wipe Israel off the face of the earth!

What will happen next? Will we see all-out war in the Middle East or will a leader of Roman descent pull off a diplomatic miracle? If such a miracle comes, will Solana, the revived Roman empire's High Representative commissioned to do just that, be the one who gets the deal done or someone we've never even heard of? Will any peace achieved have a seven-year timeline or will this skirmish simply come to a negotiated end of some sort that leaves tensions in the region higher than ever, presenting an even more hostile environment for a future leader of Roman descent to bring about a miraculous peace? We don't (nor can we) presently know the answers to those questions - and that is why we should watch for the coming of the Lord in the midst of times like these when so many signs predictive of Christ's return are clearly visible in the world around us.

Having said that, however, it's important that we bear in mind that no man knows when the Son of man is coming for His Bride, as seen in Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32. I say that because we need to grasp that this may or may not be the appointed time that will lead to the Rapture of the Church and the onset of the prophesied Tribulation Period. Why? To prevent ourselves from becoming discouraged if this present blow-up doesn't result in Christ's return for us! Like all trials of faith we endure in life, God may allow circumstances like these to come to test our faithfulness. It is, therefore, important for us to hold to our trust that the Lord will be true to His promise to deliver us from this wicked world sooner or later. When He does, it will be amid signs like those we presently see in the world around us, but He will only do so on His schedule, which is to everyone's benefit in the big picture, which only God can see!

Mark 13:35-37: Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL AFFAIRS AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Council meeting - Brussels, 1 August 2006

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"The Council expresses its utmost concern at the Lebanese and Israeli civilian casualties and human
suffering, the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the increased number of
internally displaced persons following the escalation of violence.

The Council condemns the rocket attacks by Hezbollah on Israel. The Council condemns the death
of innocent civilians, mostly women and children, in an Israeli air strike on the Lebanese village of
Qana. The Council also states that all attacks against UN personnel are unacceptable and deplores
the tragic deaths of four UN military observers.

The Council deplores the loss of innocent civilian life. All parties must do everything possible to
protect civilian populations and to refrain from actions in violation of international humanitarian
law.

The Council calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities to be followed by a sustainable
cease-fire.

In this context, the Council fully supports the efforts of the UN Secretary General and the Security
Council to be rapidly convened to define a political framework for a lasting solution agreed by all
parties, which is a necessary precondition for deployment of an international force. Such a force
requires a strong mandate from the UN to act in support of a political settlement and the Lebanese
armed forces. Once this framework has been established, EU Member States have indicated their
readiness to contribute to such an operation together with international partners.

The Council underlines the EU's commitment to Lebanon, to its full sovereignty, and to its long
term political and economic partnership with Europe. The EU is ready to contribute to rebuilding a
Lebanese state able to exercise full sovereignty on its territory and to protect its people.

The Council commends the Lebanese Government for its seven point plan for peace as a good basis
for a lasting solution. Any solution must include the return of abducted soldiers and prisoners, a
settlement of the international borders of Lebanon, deployment of the Lebanese armed forces
through the whole of its territory, backed by an international force and the implementation of the
Ta'if Accords and UNSCRs 1559, 1680.

The Council calls on all parties in the region with influence to help bring to an end the violence and
the suffering that it brings.

The EU reiterates its determination to work with the wider international community to bring
humanitarian relief to the people of Lebanon. The EU calls on all parties to grant secure and
efficient passage for the delivery of humanitarian assistance especially in southern Lebanon. So far
the Community and EU member states have committed over 56 million euros to the relief efforts,
with another 52 million in pledges. The EU stands ready to contribute fully to the planned
international conference to assist Lebanon's revival and reconstruction.

The Council deplores the continuing violence in Gaza and the West Bank that has led to an equally
distressing humanitarian situation. The Council reiterates its call for the parties to return to the
peace process on the basis of the Roadmap. An unequivocal commitment by all parties to a viable
independent Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other
neighbours is a key to stability and security in the whole region.

The EU is committed to promote a comprehensive peace plan for the Middle East in close
cooperation with partners and the countries in the region. There is no military solution to any of the problems facing the people of the region. The Council asked the High Representative to remain engaged and to remain in contact with all the relevant parties and to be ready to contribute to a political solution and to the peace process."