The EUobsever is reporting rumors that Javier Solana may retire before even completing his term. The report says:

The same committee will hear EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Thursday amid rumors that he will not complete his term of office but retire earlier than 2009 Read about it here.

Once again, I find the rumor hard to believe. You see, a rumor about Solana's possible departure has floated the halls of Brussels before. The last time was when the EU heads were discussing who they would appoint to the new Foreign Minister post once the EU's constitution entered into force. As we know, they decided on Solana. And, I always wondered if the rumors about Solana leaving played a part in their decision.

It's true Solana isn't getting any younger. In fact, at 64, he's even older than me. And, it wasn't that long ago I read reports that Solana was seen limping around with a cane. So, this time, could the rumors be true? Could, before completing his 2010 Helsinki mandate See pdf here, Solana be throwing in the towel? I don't think so. Here's why:

As in the days of the first rumor, the EU heads are once again seriously discussing the EU Foreign Minister post. That's because the EU heads -- and the entire international community -- see the new situation in the Middle East as the most dangerous that it's been since 1948.

Last night on C-SPAN I listened to the UN's Special Envoy to the Middle East, Terje Rod Larsen. When asked how he perceived the current state of affairs in the Middle East, Larsen said, "I think we're headed for a dark time." And, he said something very interesting. He said the recent Israeli/Lebanon War was being seen in the region as a proxy war between the the Arabs and the Persians. He said the front has changed and it's now between the moderate Arab states and Iran.

If anyone should know what's going on it's Larsen. Larsen has been intimately involved in the Middle East peace process since the 1991 Madrid Conference. He discussed Oslo, Camp David and the Quartet's Road Map in detail. And, just like the majority of the world's diplomats and leaders, Larsen sees the festering Palestinian issue now at the very core of both regional and global problems. 

As you may have heard, the Iranian nuclear negotiations may be on the brink of collapse. If so, economic sanctions are expected to follow. Iran has already said if there are sanctions Iran would close the Straits of Hormuz Read about it here. Friends, if Iran follows through on that threat, the Western powers will have no choice but to go to war.

Already many nations have their naval fleets in the region and their troops on the ground. Even China and Russia have troops prepared for the region -- as if saying to the West, "Remember, we've got a dog in this fight too."

The EU -- and the West -- can't afford such an interruption of their oil supply. Now, more than ever, the Western powers need strong leadership.

No, I don't think Solana will retire.