Rumors of Solana's Demise: Premature?

by Michael G. Mickey

(10-23-06)

One of the most watched diplomats in the world by prophecy watchers, solely by virtue of the office he holds as the European Union's foreign policy chief, is Dr. Javier Solana. Recently rumors have suggested Solana may be on the verge of retiring for health reasons, as seen in an EU Observer article. Or is that why at all? The following excerpt from the article has me wondering:

One version says it became clear to the Spaniard during the Lebanon crisis in the summer that he could never really act on behalf of the EU, with member states refusing to give him a clear mandate.

Mr Solana also had to recently admit that his efforts to get Iran to halt uranium enrichment - which he had exceptionally handled on behalf of all UN veto powers - have stalled.

On top of this, the deadlock on the EU constitution means that Mr Solana will not get the job as official EU foreign minister – foreseen for November in the shelved charter.

So, we see Solana's health may be an issue, along with the absence of a clear mandate being given him in the Lebanon crisis, his failed efforts to stop Iran's uranium enrichment program and the fact he will not get the title of EU Foreign Minister as potential reasons he may soon be out as the EU's most powerful and influential diplomat, all this coming at a time when Solana is about to travel to the Middle East (October 25th thru October 29th) where there are signals being projected by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that he is ready to meet and talk peace with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas 'immediately' as seen in a Zee News article.

I can't help but wonder whether Solana, at this point in time when things seem to be looking good for the EU to be the preferred peace broker in the Middle East, is ready to walk away from the job just yet. Is his health really a concern as some have suggested or is he merely utilizing his diplomatic prowess to gain greater power for his EU diplomacy team, which France has been very vocal in trying to help him achieve for some time now?

Time will tell, of course, but I think the rumors of Javier Solana's demise may be premature, especially if anything positive comes out of his visit to the Middle East this week. If he and his diplomatic team heads back to Brussels with anything promising, my best guess is the EU will be very accommodative to his wishes, the end result being a more powerful and efficient EU diplomatic service, potentially one capable of confirming peace in the Middle East, whether it be in the near or distant future......with or without Javier Solana at the helm.

Keep looking up!