Earth Shaking News!

I felt like my time had come. I was only wanting to take his picture, and they all looked at me like I had a gun or something.

I'm talking about the time I met former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres. Well, I didn't exactly meet the man. But, I did get up close and personal. And, it was a little scary.

First the bomb squad did their thing. A man appeared in the media tent and informed us, from now on, anyone who left would not be allowed back in. Then we were searched while a dog was lead around the large tent sniffing for explosives. And one more thing, we were told when Shimon Peres took the podium, don't make any sudden moves in his direction.

I must admit, I felt a little threatened sitting there. I remember thinking, what if I forget or something. What happens to me? Then Peres walked onto the platform in front of me. And sure enough, I forgot. I stood up, walked forward, and took his picture. Fortunately, I must have moved slowly enough. Nobody shot me. 

I don't remember what Peres said that day. To be honest, I was too occupied with being impressed. But, what he said that day isn't important to us now. What's important is what Peres said yesterday. In fact, in light of yesterday's earthquake in Israel and recent changes in the peace process, you might say these two reports are earth shaking Read about it here  I  And here. 

The first reports begins by saying:

The time has come for the outside world to drop the stick and instead dangle carrots for peace in the Middle East, Israeli opposition leader Shimon Peres said yesterday.

This is nothing more than a very diplomatic way of saying it was time for Israel to drop America's way of bringing peace, and instead turn to the European Union's way of bringing peace. The EU's way of bringing peace to the region is the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership for Peace

Now this is where it really gets interesting. Peres also wants Israel, Palestine and Jordan to become full member states in the EU. And if you've read my book, Recommendation 666, you know this is something I was expecting. Why? Because the modern EU was created by first establishing free trade areas.

But that's not the only reason this news is so interesting. If you recall, Javier Solana negotiated the Euro-Med agreement back in 1995. And ironically, a large earthquake happened in Israel as the news was coming out about that agreement too.

One more thing. Most, if not all, the accession agreements to the EU I've seen have a seven-year waiting period affixed. This is to allow time for the future member state to conform their laws to meet EU standards. At the end of that seven-year period, the final decision is made whether to allow the state to become a full member.

Yes indeed, yesterday's news may have been earth shaking.

And I mean that literally.