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Newsletter : 4fax0727.txt
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Israel Faxx \/ / \/ /
July 28, 1994 Volume 2, #139 / /\__/_/\
Electronic World Communications, Inc. /__\ \_____\
8916 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45215 \ /
Internet: ewcnews@tso.uc.edu Phone: (513) 563-7424 \/
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Police in West Haven, Conn. say a would-be burglar got stuck in a
chimney. They report that the man has been charged with
second-degree burglary, after trying to sneak into a convenience
store. According to the police, the suspect came in through the
chimney but got stuck when he was part of the way down. Someone
who heard him calling for help telephoned the police.
Second Car Bomb Hits London's Jewish Community
By Andre de Nesnera (London) London's Jewish community is stunned following two car bomb attacks against Jewish targets in the British capital. But Jewish leaders say no amount of violence should derail the ongoing Middle East peace process. At 12:55 A.M. Wednesday, a car bomb exploded outside Balfur House, in the Finchley section of London. The building houses offices of Jewish organizations such as the Jewish Agency and the Jewish Israel Appeal. No workers were in the building at the time of the explosion. Three people received light injuries and the blast damaged the building. Police in London are providing round-the-clock protection to more than 100 premises occupied by Jewish or Israeli organizations. Police officials also say strict parking restrictions have been imposed around potential bomb targets. In addition, policemen have increased the number of foot patrols in predominantly Jewish neighborhoods. Those measures were taken following two car bomb attacks against key Israeli targets. Fourteen people were injured Tuesday after a powerful bomb exploded outside the Israeli Embassy, severely damaging the building housing the Israeli Consulate. Twelve hours later -- in North London -- a bomb exploded outside a building occupied by several Jewish organizations, including one which raises funds for Jewish causes. Five people were injured in that blast. No group has claimed responsibility for the terrorist acts. However Islamic radicals have been blamed for the explosions. Eldridge Bachnik, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, says London provides a perfect target for Islamic fundamentalists: first of all there is a sizeable Muslim community into which these people could melt away. Secondly because there is a sizeable Jewish community in London. And thirdly, I suspect because they have an infrastructure which can be activated in London." American Jewish leaders called on affiliate organizations nationwide to coordinate building security with local police forces and to be especially careful of mail bombs. Rabin, King Hussein and Clinton jointly condemned the bombing and the terrorist attacks carried out by Islamic fundamentalist groups. At a press conference in the White House, Rabin said that he sees Iran as an international boss for fundamentalist Islamic groups who have bases and infrastructures all over the world. Rabin is quoted as saying, "The fundamentalist Islamic organizations called for a war against the solving the Israeli-Arab conflict in a peaceful manner." King Hussein called the terrorists enemies of peace, enemies of life, enemies of security and enemies of all that can be achieved by a peace agreement. The King predicted there would be more terrorist attacks that may harm the peace process. He added that these attacks are carried out by blind people who lack vision. Clinton said that he views the terrorist attacks in Buenos Aires and London as a threat to the U.S and called upon his country's allies to join the war against terrorism. Israel Radio reports that the Argentinean police arrested one woman and two men, all Iranian citizens, in connection with the bombing that took dozens of lives and destroyed the Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires on July 18th. One of the men is suspected of being the owner of the vehicle in which the explosive material was hidden. Within the last few days, officials of Argentina's Foreign Ministry in Buenos Aires have twice invited the Iranian Ambassador to Argentina to their offices to ask for his cooperation in the investigation into the bombing.Bomb in Panama
By Bill Rodgers (San Jose) Panamanian authorities say a bomb caused the crash of a commuter plane one week ago, killing all 21 people on board, many of whom were Jewish businessmen. The authorities said the bomb was placed inside the cabin of the plane, which was traveling from the eastern port of Colon to Panama City. But they said they did not know what kind of bomb, or who may have placed it. However, Panamanian President Guillermo Endara told a local newspaper that suspicion is focused on an unidentified passenger. The body of the passenger, who is believed to have been Lebanese, has not been claimed. Panama's Jewish community has said the downing of the plane was a terrorist act, aimed at derailing the Middle Peace process. A shadowy Islamic group in Lebanon has claimed responsibility both for the Argentine bombing and the plane crash in Panama.Ecstatic Rabin Flies Home to Israel
By Deborah Tate (White House) Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin headed home last night and Jordan's King Hussein will return to his country in a few days, following two days of historic appearances in Washington. At a reception at the State Department for the dignitaries, before their departure, President Clinton thanked the two leaders for what he calls "these magnificent two days." Clinton Tuesday night praised Hussein and Rabin for their commitment to peace and he pledged his support to making that commitment a reality. "We must -- all of us -- be grateful to these two remarkable men and their remarkable nations. And we must commit -- all of us -- to make sure that the great journey they have started has a successful conclusion." For his part, King Hussein said the events Monday and Tuesday marked "a dream coming true." He says he hopes it is a step toward a comprehensive peace for the region. Rabin expressed similar hopes for a comprehensive peace -- adding "I believe this time, we will succeed."Assessing the Middle East Accord
By Ed Warner In the opinion of many, the agreement signed this week between Israel and Jordan may well usher in a period of peace in the volatile Middle East. But it is only one step on a tortuous path that is bound to be full of pitfalls and surprises. The search for peace, say analysts, is a permanent undertaking. At the age of 17, Jordan's King Hussein watched in horror as his grandfather, then King Abdullah, was gunned down by a Palestinian enraged about his contacts with Zionists. Ever since, the king has moved cautiously in his relations with neighboring Israel. Jordan had to be a follower, says John Ruedy, professor of contemporary Arab studies at Georgetown University in Washington. It was dangerous to get out of step with the other Arab nations. But once the palestinians came to terms with israel, Jordan was free to act. This week's historic agreement, says Ruedy, is the culmination of careful, quiet diplomacy. The agreement, he adds, is not just a matter of officially ending a state of war with Israel. Jordan has much to gain: Jordan needs very much an outlet to the sea. They desperately need this. This has been a matter that has been discussed between Jordanians and Israelis off and on ever since the 1940s. They need broader markets. They need to be within a broader economic system. They need to solve water issues which separate Jordan from Israel. Resolving these things can only be to Jordan's advantage, it seems to me." Aviel Roshwald, a professor of history at Georgetown University whose parents are Israelis, says polls indicate there's a growing acceptance of the peace process in Israel: "The toughest part will come in negotiations over Jerusalem and in particular when it comes to dismantling some of the Israeli settlements in the West Bank. That will be an extremely painful and divisive stage, and one which (Prime Minister Yitzhak) Rabin and (Foreign Minister Shimon) Peres understandably want to postpone as much as possible. There will be bitter recriminations over it, and I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a small Jewish terrorist movement that directs its violence against the Israeli leadership." Roshwald notes that posters are already appearing in Israel with a bullseye over Rabin's face. While Israel and Jordan proudly celebrate their new accord, they await somewhat nervously the reaction of an enigmatic outsider: Syria's longtime ruler, Hafez al-Assad. Will he or will he not become part of the peace process? John Esposito, author of much praised books on Islam, says it's hard to tell at this point: "Clearly in terms of the momentum, Syria will more and more look like the odd man out. But the question will not be just whether Syria goes along, but whether or not there's any budging on the side of Israel in terms of some of Assad's demands. I think they're both going to have to negotiate a bit away from what their ideal position is." Roshwald, professor of history at Georgetown University, says he's puzzled by the Syrian president: "I think he's a very good negotiator, but I'm not quite sure he knows what the ultimate end or objective of his negotiation tactics are. I think tactics is beginning to overshadow strategy unless he's got a plan so brilliant that it's not apparent to any of us. He's the head of a totalitarian state who finds it difficult to understand or seriously conceive of a kind of fully engaged peace process with Israel of the sort that we're seen developing between Israel and the Palestinians or Israel and the Jordanians." Roshwald adds that the advancing peace process prevents Assad from acting alone in some harmful way and may encourage more pragmatic behavior.
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