tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80864594180756956022024-03-06T01:20:00.953-08:00Vision of AlbionAdi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.comBlogger222125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-12861013158881107092014-05-12T10:48:00.001-07:002014-05-12T10:48:50.293-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Abstract of Israeli Palestinian conflict study using Effective Communication.<br />
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The Israeli Palestinian conflict remains unsolved for 65 years where two people are clashing against each others causing unrest in the Middle East. The objectives of this study are to access how effective communication can lead to peace process being successful in solving the Israeli Palestinian conflict and to analyse the factors that are obstacles for negotiation between Israel and Palestinian Authority. In conducting this research, an objective approach has been adopted to gather qualitative primary data through survey questionnaires for general public and interviews for politicians and diplomatic corps. The secondary data has been obtained at the archives of the Jerusalem Centre for Public Affair in Israel, the Bar Ilan University of Israel and The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.<br />
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It has been established that the barriers to effective communication in solving the Israeli Palestinian conflict are language, culture, religion, prejudice, stereotyping, lack of feedback, poor listening skills and wrong communication channel. Therefore, to overcome these barriers, making unprecedented history in agreeing a peace process, both parties need to improve listening skills, avoid hatred and provocative language, intend face to face communication through meetings, use of negotiation, establish joint social exchange programmes, emphasise feedback, avoid information overload and there must be a flexibility in meeting goals and target of peace process. This study also led to the fact that there is a need to promote intercultural communication and interfaith dialogue.<br />
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Hence, it can be concluded that there is an immediate call for both Israel and Palestinian Authority to enter into direct negotiation to agree on the major bottom line of the conflict relating to border and territorial swapping, security arrangement, the refugee status and the future of Jerusalem to implement the ‘Two State Solution’. Therefore, with effective communication, both parties can make unprecedented peace as this would reduce the barriers considerably, paving the way to a permanent agreement that will have a domino effect in the region leading to solve also the Arab Israeli conflict as well.<br />
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Copyright:<br />
Adi Sinclair Livni</div>
Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-51771076082772281672011-11-26T04:09:00.000-08:002011-11-26T04:11:27.016-08:00Les 10 faux pas des hommes<div style="text-align: justify;">Les hommes veulent bien faire, mais en mode, malgré la bonne volonté globalement affichée, quelques fashion faux pas sont toujours à épingler. Voilàa les plus communs. Que les hommes prennent des notes, s'ils désirent être au top de la mode !</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Les chaussettes dans les sandales : Certains vous diront que c'est parce qu'il fait froid. Mais s'il fait froid, autant mettre des chaussures. A ceux qui enfilent des chaussettes dans leurs sandales à la plage, qu'ils sachent que le sable dans les chaussettes est parfaitement inconfortable. Les voila punis par le bon Dieu pour ce terrible faux pas fashion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ne pas raser les zones difficiles : Les hommes qui sont perpétuellement en retard le matin laissent des poils dans les endroits difficiles. Ce n'est pas très sexy. Il faut prendre son temps pour atteindre tous les creux compliqués.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Afficher des marques : Certains hommes ressemblent à des publicités ambulantes tant ils portent de logos, de marques, des inscriptions sur leurs fringues.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Porter des chaussures de course hors de la salle de gym : Les tenues de sport ne devraient jamais être considérées comme une tenue acceptable pour la ville. Porter des baskets de course alors qu'on ne court pas n'est pas admis. On sait que vous avez sué dedans et ce n'est pas très ragoûtant. En plus, les baskets pour le sport sont loin d'être jolies. Efficaces, certes, mais jolies, non.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Le sac à dos : Quand l'homme est étudiant, le sac à dos est acceptable. Une fois qu'il a décroché un vrai job, celui qui garde son sac à dos est toujours considéré comme un gamin. Messieurs, si vous avez remplacé le T-shirt par une chemise, il s'agit de troquer votre accessoire d'ado contre une malette d'adulte. C'est comme ça que ça marche. Gardez le sac à dos pour le camping.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ne pas assortir chaussures et vêtements : On évite les chaussures brunes avec le pantalon noir, merci.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Porter des vêtements trop amples : Pour une silhouette flatteuse, il faut porter des fringues à sa taille, c'est aussi simple que ça. Les T-shirt trop larges, les chemises mal coupées ne devraient pas se trouver dans votre garde-robe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Le portefeuille dans la poche arrière du pantalon : Rien de tel pour déformer vos poches : le portefeuille à l'arrière, les clés devant, le téléphone portable de l'autre côté... Certains hommes ont assez de virilité pour porter un sac sans être ridicules. Les autres peuvent toujours porter une veste avec des poches à l'intérieur suffisamment grandes pour y caser tout ce qu'il faut.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mal boutonner son veston : Un veston n'est pas une veste : on doit le boutonner correctement. Sur un veston avec deux boutons, fermer le bouton du haut, avec un vestion trois boutons, vous avez le choix : soit vous fermez les deux boutons du haut, soit vous fermez seulement celui du milieu. Peu importe le veston que vous portez : déboutonnez-le systématiquement quand vous vous asseyez.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Les chaussettes blanches dans des chaussures habillées : Les chaussettes blanches avaient la cote dans les années 90. Aujourd'hui, on se dit qu'elles devraient tout simplement être retirées de la vente. Les chaussures de ville se portent avec des chaussettes en coton fin, dans des teintes sombres. Sans discussion possible.</div>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-86079588054971456312011-09-11T06:42:00.000-07:002011-09-11T06:47:33.483-07:00New Revelation about 9/11 - The Iranian and Hezbullah Connection<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHyxRHvx5SwzasHXJ75H0PqXxGxHAUCQdhmVqSLThqvxCSis3x-3WPQfUFLk-vZBg4fanQyVFHObxAXownfB_E6DzC9tqigLncrbelGoUNLIPBM7wpyUSq-U_FwBfeCVIeZhovCJekXEL/s1600/WX203_wa.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 374px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHyxRHvx5SwzasHXJ75H0PqXxGxHAUCQdhmVqSLThqvxCSis3x-3WPQfUFLk-vZBg4fanQyVFHObxAXownfB_E6DzC9tqigLncrbelGoUNLIPBM7wpyUSq-U_FwBfeCVIeZhovCJekXEL/s400/WX203_wa.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651097940846646530" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">In July of 2004, members of the National Commission established to look into the <a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4120265,00.html" target="_blank">September 11</a> attacks were facing immense pressure. The target date for submitting the report the whole of America was waiting for had passed, and commission members were given a 60-day extension that was also about to expire. However, eight days before the final submission date, some commission members received word of new information; a real intelligence time bomb. </p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Commission members didn’t know what to do. On one hand, a whole new lead emerged; yet on the other hand, nobody could process this huge amount of information within days. At the end of the day, the commission chose a solution that turned out to be the worst of all: It crammed some of the information into three pages (pp. 240-242 in the report) written hectically, ignored most of the information, and in fact left the big question open.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> As it turned out, the prominent building housing the National Security Agency’s headquarters in Fort Meade includes a particularly interesting room. In this room, the NSA accumulated tens of thousands of conversation records pertaining to one subject: The ties between Iran’s intelligence service and <a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3478471,00.html%20" target="_blank">al-Qaeda</a> from the 1990s to the eve of the 9/11 attacks. The piles of information included 75 intelligence documents characterized as critical to understanding the relationship between Tehran and al-Qaeda.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> At the end of the day, the commission noted in its report that the issue deserves further scrutiny by the US Administration. However, such examination was not undertaken and may have never materialized. Indeed, this entire affair may have remained buried in the three abovementioned pages, had it not been for one brave woman: Ellen Saracini.</p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">Saracini is not an intelligence analyst or counter-terrorism expert. She is the widow of pilot victor Saracini, the captain of the Boeing jet that took off from Boston aboard United flight 175, which was crashed into the southern tower. However, Ellen was unwilling to see the death of her husband and father of her two daughters end with yet another line in the commission’s report; she decided to seek justice on her own.</div><p></p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Saracini approached attorney Thomas Mellon, who specializes in lawsuits against large corporations. Mellon’s team members launched an investigation. They met potential witnesses, interviewed intelligence officials, CIA agents, Iranian defectors, a French judge and others. They even reached Israel in their search (in the interest of full disclosure, the writer of this article was also summoned to testify in the trial, as one of nine expert witnesses.)</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> The investigation kept progressing, diving deep into the dark corners of the global world of intelligence and terrorism. Ten years later, Mellon and his team are convinced that they possess the “smoking gun” that will tie <a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3284215,00.html" target="_blank">Iran</a> to the September 11 attacks.</p><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">The legal team drafted a huge lawsuit, recently submitted to the Manhattan District Court. What hides inside it is far from being routine. The lawsuit is premised on a dramatic charge: The responsibility for the 9/11 attacks lies not only with al-Qaeda, but also with Iran and <a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3284023,00.html%20" target="_blank">Hezbollah</a>, based on what attorneys say is clear, unequivocal evidence.</div><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">The case has far-reaching implications, which explain why the US government is not eager to look into the conversation records in the abovementioned NSA room. A ruling that Iran is linked to the attacks would pose a tough test to Administration officials: On the one hand, they would not be able to ignore such verdict. Yet on the other hand, what exactly will they do with it? Will they attack Iran, just as they invaded Afghanistan and Iraq?</div><p></p> <p> </p> <h3 class="pHeader" style="text-align: justify;">The Sudan connection</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">The huge amount of evidence included in the lawsuit comes together to form a fascinating charge: Starting in the 1990s, Iran and Hezbollah helped <a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4063136,00.html" target="_blank">Osama Bin Laden</a> and his deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri create a new terror organization from scratch, to be headed by Afghanistan veterans and members of Egyptian Islamic Jihad. Iran trained group members, equipped them with advanced technological means, enabled them to move freely and provided them with plenty of terror-related expertise and experience accumulated by Hezbollah in its operations against Israel and the United States. </p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Later, according to the lawsuit, Iran assisted in the preparations ahead of September 11. Should Mellon and his team prove all of the above, everything we thought we knew about the terror offensive will change forever.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> According to the lawsuit, the relationship between Iran and al-Qaeda was initiated in the early 1990s in Sudan. At the time, Sudan turned into the world’s second state, after Iran, to be ruled by radical Islam.</p><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">According to the testimonies of senior CIA officials, Iran’s President Rafsanjani, Intelligence Minister Ali Fallahian and Revolutionary Guards Chief Mohsen Rezai visited Sudan. They were accompanied by a figure well-known to Israel’s intelligence services: <a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3954884,00.html" target="_blank">Imad Mugniyah</a>, the head of Hezbollah’s military wing (Mugniyah was assassinated in February of 2008 in an operation attributed to Israel.) All participants in the meeting pledged to assist the Sudanese regime and join forces with it in supporting other jihadist movements in the Middle East.</div><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">When it turned out that Sudan was emerging as a new terrorism theater, Israel’s intelligence agencies started to deploy human and electronic resources there. The file on developments in Sudan until 1996 is known in Israel as “Blue Smurfs” and contains a treasure trove of information about the seed that later became Global Jihad.</div><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">When Saracini’s attorneys sought the Israeli government’s assistance in receiving the Blue Smurfs file, they were told the information was acquired in cooperation with a foreign party, and that this information can only be shared with this party’s approval. Such authorization has not been given to this day.</div><p></p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">What we are allowed to reveal here is that Israel’s intelligence officials identified at the time tight relations between radical Islamic terrorists in Egypt and Department 15 in Iran’s Intelligence Ministry. Notably, Department 15 is tasked with exporting the Islamic revolution to other Arab states.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> Israel was also able to identify a prominent terror leader in Sudan. His name was Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian jihadist who served a prison term for his role in President Anwar Sadat’s assassination. Year later, Zawahiri’s name became known worldwide; he turned into al-Qaeda’s chief strategist, Bin Laden’s deputy and successor, and a man with a $25 million price tag on his head, courtesy of the FBI.</p><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">In April of 1991, Zawahiri secretly visited Iran and sought Iranian assistance for a Cairo revolution. The parties agreed on Iranian support for Zawahiri’s organization in the form of money and training. The terror leader sent many of his men to train in Iranian camps, mostly under the guidance of Lebanese Hezbollah members led by Imad Mugniyah.</div><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">During his visit to Iran, al-Zawahiri was convinced of the immense power of a suicide attack as an effective modus operandi. Years later he realized that if a suicide bomber is effective, a terrorist who crashes a Boeing aircraft into a tower would be much more effective.</div><p></p> <p> </p> <h3 class="pHeader" style="text-align: justify;">Discovering Osama</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">Following further efforts, it turned out that an even bigger group of Muslim radicals was operating in Sudan alongside Zawahiri and his men. Some of them were veterans of the guerilla war initiated by America in Afghanistan against the Russian invasion in the 1980s. </p> <p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">Yet who was the leader of these Afghanistan veterans? How did he operate? Where was he getting his funding? Israel’s intelligence effort continued, and the name of a Saudi contractor who was expelled from his country started to surface, with his real estate work being used as cover for secret terror activity. The contractor’s name started to appear in intelligence reports: Osama Bin Laden. One of his construction companies was known as al-Qaeda (“The Base” in Arabic.)</div><p></p><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Israel’s intelligence services discovered that Bin Laden joined forces with Zawahiri. During this period, the two grew much closer, with Zawahiri (a surgeon by training) also becoming Bin Laden’s personal physician. The new friendship prompted Bin Laden to send some of his senior aides for training in Tehran and in Hezbollah camps in Lebanon. The infrastructure for al-Qaeda’s establishment was now ready.</div><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">In 1998, an Egyptian-born US Marine called Ali Mohammed was detained on suspicion of involvement in blowing up America’s embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. In his testimony he confessed that in 1989 he traveled to Afghanistan and joined Islamic Jihad and Bin Laden. Mohammed said he trained al-Qaeda terrorists on using explosives as well as on intelligence-gathering techniques to be used in attacks on US targets.</div><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">Mohammed also testified that he personally handled security arrangements for a Sudan meeting between Hezbollah’s Mugniyah and Bin Laden. Following these meetings, Hezbollah provided al-Qaeda and Islamic Jihad with explosives training. Iran also used Hezbollah in order to provide explosive materials designed to resemble rocks. Israeli veterans of the Lebanon wars are well familiar with these bombs.</div><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">Mohammed testified that many of the training sessions were held in an Iranian camp run by the Intelligence Ministry. Based on information from the Blue Smurfs file, which was discovered in the NSA basement, the National Commission ruled that senior al-Qaeda members received training and advice from Hezbollah while in Sudan. These are important testimonies for Ellen Saracini. If Hezbollah equals Iran, and Bin Laden’s men were trained by Hezbollah, there is a basis to the charge about an Iran-al-Qaeda link.</div><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">The jihadist group identified in Sudan maintained close ties with Afghanistan veterans worldwide and tirelessly worked to form global networks and connections. “We felt that something very big was brewing there; something very different than anything we’ve seen before,” an Israeli intelligence official said. “This was not about a state dispatching terrorists, but rather, about an organization that seemingly created itself.” A short while later, a special intelligence desk was formed in Israel to deal with the subject. Indeed, the IDF Intelligence Branch and Mossad were the first to recognize the danger.</div><p></p> <p> </p> <h3 class="pHeader" style="text-align: justify;">First burning tower</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">June 25, 1996. Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. A huge explosion shakes the Khobar Towers in this important oil city. Nineteen US troops are killed and some 500 are wounded. Perhaps this is where the 9/11 terrorists learned about the major effect of blowing up a tower. Officially, the perpetrators of this attack have not been identified to this day.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> Yet the current trial includes testimony by then-FBI Director Louis Freeh, who asserts that the attack was an Iranian initiative carried out by Hezbollah in conjunction with al-Qaeda. Senior CIA officials said that the NSA possesses intercepted Bin Laden conversations that prove a direct link to the attack. Attorneys will be using this evidence in the trial to show that Iran was in the picture at the early stages of establishing al-Qaeda.</p><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">Mellon’s team elicited thousands of documents showing how Iran assisted al-Qaeda in becoming an effective, lethal terror group throughout the 1990s. According to US law, this would be enough to find Iranian authorities culpable and there would be no need to prove direct involvement in 9/11. However, Mellon’s team decided not to take any risks and to present the court with evidence which they say proves Tehran’s direct involvement in the terror attacks.</div><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">Early in the 9/11 commission’s work, it turned out that the issue of traveling and visas was a major component in the affair. According to the documents submitted to the court, an immense operation was managed prior to September 11 in order to facilitate the many trips required by the operation.</div><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">The reason is clear: Only a well-oiled arrangement of flights and secret border crossings could have enabled the terrorists to enter and exit the US and go to Afghanistan. Anyone who ever tried to get a US visa knows this is no simple matter. A passport stamp of a state on America’s list of terror-sponsors immediately turns one into a suspect.</div><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">So how did the 19 terrorists manage to enter the US after all? How could it be that US immigration officials in Germany and Saudi Arabia suspected nothing? The answer to these questions remained unknown, until the treasure trove was discovered at the NSA basement. As it turned out, many of the terrorists headed from Afghanistan to Iran, with Iranian officials ordering border control officers not to stamp these passports. The other terrorists passed through Beirut in their many trips, where Hezbollah officials similarly cared for them.</div><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">Mellon’s team hopes that this is where the “smoking gun” can be found, proving a direct link between Iran and 9/11. If Iran did not know about the attacks and was not involved in them, why did it keep its stamps off the terrorists’ passports?</div><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">Yet that’s not all. The intelligence information submitted to the court includes yet another “smoking gun”: In some of the flights, the terrorists were accompanied by figures whose names were identical to the aliases used by former Hezbollah “army chief” Imad Mugniyah and some of his close aides. This would be hard to dismiss as an “odd coincidence.”</div><p></p> <p> </p> <h3 class="pHeader" style="text-align: justify;">The Iranian defectors</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">The materials gathered for the trial include three rare testimonies by three Iranian intelligence establishment defectors. They have been marked as witnesses X, Y and Z. Their videotaped testimonies offer a profound peek into the depths of the kingdom of evil. For long hours they recount their childhood and adolescence in Tehran and how they were hired for the prestigious posts in Iran’s spy agencies. Then, they start talking about the ties between Iran, Hezbollah and al-Qaeda. </p> <p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">Witness X testifies about Iran’s advance knowledge of the plan to crash passenger airliners into strategic targets in Washington and New York. He testifies that he was present at training facilities for Sunni terrorists in Iran and adds many details about the way Iran’s intelligence service utilizes legitimate Iranian organizations such as its airline and shipping company for terror aims.</div><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">Witness Y testifies about Imad Mugniyah’s personal involvement in training the September 11 hijackers and the shelter granted by Iran to al-Qaeda’s men after the attacks. Meanwhile, witness Z says that he was present in a series of meetings in Tehran involving senior al-Qaeda men, local intelligence officials and Mugniyah’s men in the months before the 9/11 attacks.</div><p></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: justify;">Following the attacks, many senior al-Qaeda men found shelter in Iran. Tehran denied their presence for some time and later admitted that hundreds of al-Qaeda members are in the country and are under “house arrest.” For the time being, Iranian authorities have not responded to the lawsuit, and as happened in many cases, the judges may hand down their decision in the presence of one side only. The court could order compensation funds to be taken from frozen Iranian accounts.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This month, Ellen Saracini marks the 10th anniversary of the 9/11attacks. Saracini, who is closely accompanied by two lawyers who invested a special effort in the investigation, Tom Mellon and Timothy Fleming, is working days and nights in promoting the lawsuit against Iran and in commemorating the 9/11 victims. She says that the families who filed the lawsuit have one objective in mind: “Preventing these barbarians from committing further attacks against the United States and further attacks against humanity.”</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Source:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Ynet</span></div>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-66250098897122559322011-09-04T08:32:00.000-07:002011-09-04T08:40:31.819-07:00The Foreign Policy Problem<div style="text-align: justify;">A famous Turkish proverb expresses similarities between relationship and a string – when a string is cut, it says, there is always a possibility to tie it again, but connecting both ends of the thread gives no option to avoid the knot. If that is the path <span id="IL_AD2" class="IL_AD">Turkey</span> chooses to take when it comes to <span id="IL_AD1" class="IL_AD">Israel</span>, Israel is in big trouble. But Turkey will not gain too much from the conflict either.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_article_control_lblArticleBody">
<br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <span style="font-style: italic;">Mavi Marmara</span> affair was grasped as “The 9/11 of Israeli- Turkish relations,” a term used for manifesting the shock coming from Ankara after the incident. Despite all precautions, the Turks never dreamed the result of the flotilla would occur as they did.</div><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_article_control_lblArticleBody"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The death of nine Turkish citizens from IDF-fire was taken as if it was a declaration of war. They were furious and made the <span style="font-style: italic;">Marmara </span>incident a dead end for relations with Israel, unless the latter bowed down and apologized.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In addition, the Turks complained about extensive leaks of information in Israel (e.g. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s initial decision to apologize). Israel should have more carefully observed the importance the Turks attributed to the incident and its effect on bilateral ties. Israel should have also kept in mind two main things: </div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and the AKP government are just part of the problem. Turkish society must be taken into consideration as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The responses following the <span style="font-style: italic;">Marmara </span>raid were similar in all segments of Turkish society, creating a growing wave of criticism against Israel. True, AKP’s 2011 elections campaign was “Hedef 2023,” (Aim: 2023. Erdogan believes his government will still be ruling when the Turkish Republic celebrates its 100th anniversary) but no one can guarantee that of course. How can Israel bring back the Turks’ alliance as well as friendship on the day after Erdogan? </div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the unusual diplomacy of the Middle East, especially when Israel can look at the great Turkish example, why does Jerusalem ignore the art of pragmatism? Why haven’t we learned from Erdogan how to negotiate and twist reality to satisfy our own needs and interests? Some believe that especially in this region, apologizing means humiliation, submission and a blow to “national pride.” But following the Turks, their famous pragmatism anchored in their days as an empire, did them only good. Why would Israel be interested in making it easier on Erdogan, who already called to lower the level of diplomatic relations in the past? Why should Israel give up on the staggering $2.6 billion the two nations exchange in trade every year? Why fall into the trap of Erdogan instead of learning from his tactic strategy? Israel must play a new, sharp, calculated game of diplomacy and let Turkey act first.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_article_control_lblArticleBody">
<br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Israelmight emerge as the greater loser here, but Turkey will not carry the day either. Domestic criticism accompanied by heated rhetoric, coming especially from the opposition leading party CHP, on AKP’s decision, claiming that Erdogan’s “zero problem policy” does not prove itself on one hand, and the price, on the other hand, is just too high.</div><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_article_control_lblArticleBody"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Turkey’s need for special military equipment required for combating the terrorist organization PKK, produced and made in Israel is a concern for Turkey, as well as losing trade and other options. Turkey’s current problems with Syria and the heated declarations against Turkey coming from Ahmadinejad, do not make the “zero problem policy” more relevant to this region.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since AKP took control in Turkey, it has been trying to persuade the world, especially the West, that being at the same time a democratic and <span id="IL_AD5" class="IL_AD">Muslim</span> country is possible, Turkey has no tendencies of becoming “a second Iran” and that it can mediate between East and West. After downgrading the ties and threatening Israel with “extra measures,” Turkey will have to work harder on proving its “balanced policy” to us all.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_article_control_lblArticleBody">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_article_control_lblArticleBody">Source:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_article_control_lblArticleBody"><span style="font-style: italic;">Dr. Efrat Aviv</span></span></div>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-80943997512362388082011-08-21T00:53:00.000-07:002011-08-21T00:55:47.042-07:00The Game Blame<div style="text-align: justify;">Egypt accuses Israel of not doing enough to keep the border safe; it hints at its intention to recall its ambassador from Tel Aviv to protest the casualties suffered in the course of Thursday’s terrorist attack on the road to Eilat.</div><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_article_control_lblArticleBody"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div></span><span><div style="text-align: justify;">Indeed a sorry attempt by the Supreme Military Council, which has been ruling Egypt since Hosni Mubarak’s ouster, to cover its failure to keep the peace in Sinai by throwing the blame on someone else – Israel of course – in a time honored Egyptian practice. It would have been too much to expect from the country whence the terrorists who carried out the attack came to say: “We are sorry; let us jointly investigate what happened so that it never happens again.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div></span><div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">A bare week ago, retired Egyptian generals were accusing that same Supreme Military Council of dangerously neglecting the situation in the Sinai <span id="IL_AD2" class="IL_AD">Peninsula</span>. They told the press that Egypt no longer controlled the area and that a <span id="IL_AD5" class="IL_AD">state of emergency</span> had to be declared immediately in Sinai in order to impose a curfew and facilitate the necessary steps by the army. What is happening in Sinai, said one of them, has <span id="IL_AD1" class="IL_AD">crossed</span> a red line and is threatening the security of Egypt. They <span id="IL_AD4" class="IL_AD">added</span> that a number of extremist Islamic organizations were acting with complete impunity and that the peninsula was in a state of anarchy.</div><span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">These harsh accusations came in the wake of an increasing number of attacks carried out by unidentified forces on state institutions such as police stations, as well as no less than five attacks on the pipeline carrying Egyptian natural gas to Jordan and to Israel. The fifth attempt stopped the flow indefinitely, causing heavy financial losses to Egypt. It had became obvious to all that with the fall of Mubarak the central government had lost its grip on Sinai, and that the void had immediately been filled by elements hostile to Egypt and to Israel.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>It took two startling developments to force the Supreme Military Council to finally act: a disciplined attack mounted on the El-Arish police station by a group of Islamist extremists (it failed) and the proclamation by the Salafist organizations of northern Sinai of their intention to set up Islamic courts to supplant state courts, and to use their armed militias numbering some 6,000 young members to enforce their decisions.
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>
<br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Taking the measure of the danger, the Supreme Military Council first tightened security around the Suez Canal and then, in coordination with Israel, sent troops to the area to restore order.</div><span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What happened Thursday on the road to Eilat is yet another demonstration of the state of anarchy in the peninsula. A group of some 20 terrorists from Gaza, equipped with large quantities of weapons and explosives, made its way to Sinai, probably through the smuggling tunnels, and was able to circulate on sovereign Egyptian soil for a week or more. What is clear is that the terrorists must have had logistic support from one or more extremist organizations active in Sinai. They had to obtain vehicles, food and water as well as to set up observation points on the road to Eilat which they intended to attack.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One can well ask how it was possible for them to do so without being seen by the Egyptians. There are thousands of members of the Mukhabarat and of the other security services in Sinai; how come the movements of such an large terrorist group, having to cover some 240 kilometers over several days, escaped their notice? What about the soldiers manning positions all along the border? How come they saw nothing? Could it be that there were some who decided to close their eyes – and maybe others who decided to help? That there was a massive failure on the Egyptian side is glaringly obvious – but the Supreme Military Council is busy trying to shift the blame.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unfortunately, as was to be expected, there were demonstrations against Israel in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez. Calls were heard to expel the ambassador of Israel and even to sever relations between the two countries. It does seem as these demonstrations were primarily organized by the Muslim Brothers, who are now a legitimate political force in Egypt. Their spokesmen called for the severing of relations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But two leading contenders for the presidency, former Arab League head Amr Moussa and former International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei, jumped on the bandwagon. Moussa demanded a “fitting reaction” and Baradei called for a suspension of relations. The Supreme Council appeared to have been swayed by the protests.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On a more promising note, the same Egyptian military commentators cautioned against listening to the mob and suggested strongly a more responsible attitude to avoid an open crisis with Israel. Gen. (ret.) Abdelmoneim Kato called for an immediate inquiry into the events, and for a measured reaction limited to diplomatic protests. He added that the Egyptian Army had to pursue its fight against troublemakers and to restore order in Sinai.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another military commentator, Mohamed Gamal Edin Mazloum, said that in the present situation Egypt had no interest whatsoever in a crisis with Israel, a country which had done nothing more than to <span id="IL_AD3" class="IL_AD">defend</span> itself against an attack on the road to Eilat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Egypt today is facing a major hurdle in Sinai, where there are many more Islamist extremists than in the past. Some come from Gaza, but there is a strong Iranian influence. There are elaborate smuggling networks bringing weapons, explosives and missiles from Iran and from Hezbollah to Gaza via Sudan and Sinai. Now that the central government is so weak, there is talk of setting up a “free Islamic zone” – similar to what happened in Afghanistan with al- Qaida – which would be a base for attacks against Israel as well as against Egypt itself and other neighboring nations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Neither Israel nor Egypt has an interest in escalating the present incident. What must be done now is to refrain from inflammatory statements and to thoroughly investigate what happened and how it happened through coordinated, efforts. More than ever in these troubled times, peace is of paramount importance both to Egypt and to Israel.</div></span></div><div><span>
<br /></span></div><div><span><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_article_control_lblArticleBody"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Zvi Mazel is a former ambassador to Egypt, and a fellow of The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.</span></span></span></span></div>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-16944575339470150862011-07-09T05:20:00.001-07:002011-07-09T05:20:47.924-07:00In Israel, diggers unearth the Bible's bad guys<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >At the remains of an ancient metropolis in southern Israel, archaeologists are piecing together the history of a people remembered chiefly as the bad guys of the Hebrew Bible.</span></div><p></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142114" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The city of <span id="lw_1310125196_3">Gath</span>, where the annual digging season began this week, is helping scholars paint a more nuanced portrait of the Philistines, who appear in the biblical story as the perennial enemies of the Israelites.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142122" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Close to three millennia ago, Gath was on the frontier between the Philistines, who occupied the Mediterranean coastal plain, and the Israelites, who controlled the inland hills. The city's most famous resident, according to the Book of Samuel, was Goliath — the giant warrior improbably felled by the young shepherd David and his sling.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142126" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The Philistines "are the ultimate other, almost, in the biblical story," said <span id="lw_1310125196_0">Aren Maeir</span> of Bar-Ilan University, the archaeologist in charge of the excavation.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142124" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The latest summer excavation season began this past week, with 100 diggers from Canada, South Korea, the United States and elsewhere, adding to the wealth of relics found at the site since Maier's project began in 1996.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142128" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >In a square hole, several Philistine jugs nearly 3,000 years old were emerging from the soil. One painted shard just unearthed had a rust-red frame and a black spiral: a decoration common in ancient Greek art and a hint to the Philistines' origins in the Aegean.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142130" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The Philistines arrived by sea from the area of modern-day Greece around 1200 B.C. They went on to rule major ports at Ashkelon and Ashdod, now cities in Israel, and at Gaza, now part of the Palestinian territory known as the Gaza Strip.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142132" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >At Gath, they settled on a site that had been inhabited since prehistoric times. Digs like this one have shown that though they adopted aspects of local culture, they did not forget their roots. Even five centuries after their arrival, for example, they were still worshipping gods with Greek names.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142133" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Archaeologists have found that the Philistine diet leaned heavily on grass pea lentils, an Aegean staple. Ancient bones discarded at the site show that they also ate pigs and dogs, unlike the neighboring Israelites, who deemed those animals unclean — restrictions that still exist in Jewish dietary law.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142136" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Diggers at Gath have also uncovered traces of a destruction of the city in the 9th century B.C., including a ditch and embankment built around the city by a besieging army — still visible as a dark line running across the surrounding hills.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The razing of Gath at that time appears to have been the work of the Aramean king Hazael in 830 B.C., an incident mentioned in the Book of Kings.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142138" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Gath's importance is that the "wonderful assemblage of material culture" uncovered there sheds light on how the Philistines lived in the 10th and 9th centuries B.C., said Seymour Gitin, director of the W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem and an expert on the Philistines.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142140" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >That would include the era of the kingdom ruled from Jerusalem by David and Solomon, if such a kingdom existed as described in the Bible. Other Philistine sites have provided archaeologists with information about earlier and later times but not much from that key period.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >"Gath fills a very important gap in our understanding of Philistine history," Gitin said.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142141" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >In 604 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invaded and put the Philistines' cities to the sword. There is no remnant of them after that.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142143" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Crusaders arriving from Europe in 1099 built a fortress on the remains of Gath, and later the site became home to an Arab village, Tel el-Safi, which emptied during the war surrounding Israel's creation in 1948. Today Gath is in a national park.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142145" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >An Israeli town founded in 1955 several miles to the south, Kiryat Gat, was named after Gath based on a misidentification of a different ruin as the Philistine city.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The memory of the Philistines — or a somewhat one-sided version — was preserved in the Hebrew Bible.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142147" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The hero Samson, who married a Philistine woman, skirmished with them repeatedly before being betrayed and taken, blinded and bound, to their temple at Gaza. There, the story goes, he broke free and shattered two support pillars, bringing the temple down and killing everyone inside, including himself.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142149" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >One intriguing find at Gath is the remains of a large structure, possibly a temple, with two pillars. Maeir has suggested that this might have been a known design element in Philistine temple architecture when it was written into the Samson story.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142150" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Diggers at Gath have also found shards preserving names similar to Goliath — an Indo-European name, not a Semitic one of the kind that would have been used by the local Canaanites or Israelites. These finds show the Philistines indeed used such names and suggest that this detail, too, might be drawn from an accurate picture of their society.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142152" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The findings at the site support the idea that the Goliath story faithfully reflects something of the geopolitical reality of the period, Maeir said — the often violent interaction of the powerful Philistines of Gath with the kings of Jerusalem in the frontier zone between them.</span></p><p id="yui_3_3_0_1_1310213706142154" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >"It doesn't mean that we're one day going to find a skull with a hole in its head from the stone that David slung at him, but it nevertheless tells that this reflects a cultural milieu that was actually there at the time," Maeir said.</span></p>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-5762500074175004672011-07-07T10:39:00.000-07:002011-07-07T10:44:16.350-07:00Rosslyn Chapel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRluEGGprOQcN_jb_zDk9DRiItaOUxemUA20RdujwCkb9tH7mt1VE41rIpuXD1XMnjOPSbgUjlzNDhbXbVdyl8Sg3fPKxlk7wbtW39_pUl1nJfckXVp3kzF62vBfM5fCHBUjCWdI8w5jI/s1600/airview.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRluEGGprOQcN_jb_zDk9DRiItaOUxemUA20RdujwCkb9tH7mt1VE41rIpuXD1XMnjOPSbgUjlzNDhbXbVdyl8Sg3fPKxlk7wbtW39_pUl1nJfckXVp3kzF62vBfM5fCHBUjCWdI8w5jI/s400/airview.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626667350572553762" /></a><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >The Rosslyn Chapel or the Collegiate Chapel of St Mathew, as it was to have been, was founded in 1446 by Sir William St Clair, third and <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">last St</st1:address></st1:street> Clair Prince of Orkney. It is in fact only part of the choir of what was intended to be a larger cruciform building with a tower at its centre. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><br /></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >More than thirty-seven collegiate churches were built in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> between the reigns of James I and James IV (1406-1513). They were secular foundations intended to spread intellectual and spiritual knowledge, and the extravagance of their construction depended on the wealth of their founder. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >After Sir William died in 1484, he was buried in the unfinished Chapel and the larger building he had planned was never completed. But the foundations of the nave have been excavated in the nineteenth century and found to extend ninety-one feet beyond the Chapel's original west door, under the existing baptistery and churchyard. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >What was built however is extraordinary enough, 'This building, I believe, may be pronounced unique, and I am confident it will be found curious, elaborate and singularly interesting, impossible to designate by any given or familiar term' wrote Britton on his Architectural Antiquities of Britain (1812), adding somewhat despairingly that its 'variety and eccentricity are not to be defined by any words of common acceptation'. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >The principal authority on the history of the Chapel and the Sinclair/ St Clair family is Father Richard Augustine Hay, Canon of St Genevieve in Paris and Prior of St Piermont. He examined historical records and charters of the St Clairs and completed a three-volume study in 1700, parts of which were published in 1835 as “A genealogy of the Sainte-claires of Rosslyn”. His research was timely, since the original documents subsequently disappeared. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Of the founder Father Hay said this: 'Prince William, his age creeping on him, came to consider how he had spent his times past, and how he was to spend his remaining days. Therefore, to the end, that he might not seem altogether unthankful to God for the benefices he received from Him, it came into his mind to build a house for God's service, of most curious work, that might be done with greater glory and </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">splendour</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"> he caused artificers to be brought from other regions and foreign kingdoms and caused daily to be abundance of all kinds of workmen present as masons, carpenters, smiths, barrowmen and quarries... the foundation of this work he caused to be lain in the year of our Lord 1446, and to the end, the work might be more rare, first he caused draughts [plans] to be drawn upon Eastland boards [imported Baltic timber], and he made the carpenters carve them according to the draughts thereon and he gave them to for patterns to the masons, that they might cut the like in stone and because he thought the masons had not a convenient place to lodge in...He made them build the town of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Rolsine</st1:place></st1:city>, now Rosslyn- that is now extant and gave everyone a house and lands. He rewarded the masons according to their degree, as to the Master Mason; he gave nearly £40 yearly, and to everyone of the rest, £10... <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Sir William's son and successor to the Barony of Rosslyn, Sir Oliver St Clair, roofed the choir with its stone vault but did no more to </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">fulfil</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"> his father's original design. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >The Chapel was generously endowed by the founder, with provision for a provost, six prebendaries and two choristers, and in 1523 by his grandson, also Sir William, with land for dwelling houses and gardens. On February 26th 1571, however, just forty-eight years after his last endowment, there is a record of the provost and prebendaries resigning because of the endowments being taken by 'force and violence' into secular hands as the effects of the Reformation took hold. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">The Presbytery records of Dalkeith reveal that in 1589 William Knox, brother of John Knox and minister of Cockpen, was censured 'for </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">baptising</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"> the Laird of Rosling's bairne' in Rosslyn Chapel, which was described as a <b>'house and monument of idolatrie, and not ane place appointit for teiching the word and ministratioun of ye sacrementis'</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >The following year, the Presbytery forbade Mr George Ramsay, minister of Lasswade, from burying the wife of a later Oliver St Clair in the Chapel. The St Clairs had not yet succumbed to the Reformation. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >This Oliver St Clair was repeatedly warned to destroy the altars in the Chapel and in1592 was summoned to appear before the General Assembly and threatened with excommunication if the altars remained standing after August 17th, 1592. On August 31st, the same George Ramsay reported that 'the altars of Roslene were haille demolishit'. From that time the Chapel ceased to be used as a house of prayer and soon fell into disrepair. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >In 1650, during the Civil War, Cromwell's troops under General Monk attacked the castle and his horses were stabled in the Chapel. On December 11th, 1688, shortly after the protestant William of Orange had landed in <st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region> and displaced the Catholic James II, a mob from <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Edinburgh</st1:place></st1:city> and some of the villagers from Roslin entered and damaged the Chapel. Their object was to destroy the furniture and vestments, which were now regarded as Popish and idolatrous.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">The Chapel remained abandoned until 1736, when St James St Clair glazed the windows for the first time, repaired the roof, and </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">re-laid</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"> the floor with flagstones. The boundary wall was also built at this time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >When Dorothy Wordsworth visited the Chapel on September 17th, 1807, she remarked: 'Went to view the inside of the Chapel of Rosslyn, which is kept locked up, and so preserved from the injuries it might otherwise receive from idle boys, but as nothing is done to keep it together, it must, in the end, fall. The architecture within is exquisitely beautiful.' <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >Further repairs to the Chapel were undertaken at the beginning of the nineteenth century and in 1861 it was agreed by James Alexander, 3rd Earl of Rosslyn, that Sunday services should begin again. He instructed the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Edinburgh</st1:place></st1:city> architect David Bryce to carry out restoration work. The carvings in the Lady Chapel were attended to; stones were re-laid in the crypt and an altar established there. The Bishop of Edinburgh rededicated the Chapel on Tuesday April 22nd, 1862, and the Bishop of Brechin preached from the text, 'Our Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth' (Psalms xxvi, v8). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >The Reverend R. Cole, then resident military chaplain at Greenlaw Barracks near Penicuick, became private chaplain to the Earl. Lady Helen Wedderburn, daughter of the 7th Earl of Airlie, who lived nearby at Rosebank, organised a subscription from which some of the interior fittings were provided. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">In 1880-1, Francis Robert, 4th Earl of Rosslyn, added the apse to serve as a </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">baptistry</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"> with an organ loft above. The work is by Andrew Kerr. The Earl also filled the baptistry arch with the handsome oak tracery, which can be seen today, decorated with his crest. Together with the two Chapel doors, this is the only wood used in the construction of the building. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >The cost of the work was seven hundred and fifty eight pounds, eight shillings and six pennies, with a further thirty four pounds and eighteen shillings to Andrew Kerr for fees. Kerr told the Earl that a party of visitors 'had remarked that it was wonderful that such young men should be entrusted to execute such carving,' to which the estate factor 'very coolly replied, that it was not wonderful here, as the finest pillar in the Chapel was the work of an apprentice boy.' <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >The Earl was happy with the work and in a letter to Kerr on November 16th, wrote: ' I must say that the author pronounces your building a complete success.' <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >In 1915, a report on the fabric by Sir Robert Lorimer observed: ' The stone work of the Chapel is in fairly good order and requires very little done to it... a few of the stones are crumbling but not to the extent to cause any alarm. The condition of the roof is not satisfactory... and there are a number of gaps and cracks all over.' He recommended that the exterior of the roof be covered with asphalt and this was carried out. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >In 1942 the Chapel was almost closed for a second time when a government official called Robertson wrote to the Minister of Labour, Ernest Bevin MP, 'that the Episcopalian Church at Roslin was almost empty every Sunday... on a recent Sunday there was a congregation of only two, and apart from the Clergyman's labour there must be other workers employed in cleaning and looking after the church and I suggest that steps are taken to close it down.' <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >A copy of the letter was sent to Gwilym Lloyd George MP, the Minister of Fuel, who in turn wrote to the Secretary of State for Scotland in the following terms; 'I enclose a copy of a letter from David Robertson which causes me considerable embarrassment, who am I, a Welshman, that I should do anything that might imperil the eternal salvation of one Scottish Episcopalian. In any case, from the fuel point of view, I doubt whether I would be justified in securing a small economy of fuel in this world at the possible cost of a disproportionate expenditure of it on myself in the next.' The Chapel remained open. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >Further work was carried out by Anthony 6th Earl of Rosslyn, in the 1950's when the crypt roof was repaired and the interior carvings cleaned by hand over a period of several years. He also added the stained glass windows in the baptistry. A report of May 1954 from the Ancient Monuments Branch of the Ministry of Works records that 'surfaces covered with green algae will be scrubbed down with stiff bristle brushes... using a solution of 880 ammonia and water. Water will then be used copiously until the surfaces are clean and free from dirt and vegetation. Flaky patches will be sealed off... Hollow areas in ornament will receive special treatment by grouting... and when the surfaces are thoroughly dry they will be hardened with silica fluoride of magnesium at a rate of 1lb per two gallons of water.' <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >This work was in accordance with the thinking of the time but not, unfortunately, with current conservation philosophy. The effect of the magnesium fluoride - a cementitious slurry - was to seal the internal surface of the masonry with an impermeable coating, so that the stone became saturated with water containing soluble pollutants. In addition, the coldness of the wet stone encouraged condensation. A report in 1995 confirmed that damage was occurring and that humidity in the Chapel was very high. It recommended that steps should be taken to dry out the saturated masonry, remove if possible the cementitious coating, and restore the permeability of the richly carved inner surfaces of the Chapel. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >In March 1997, a freestanding steel structure was erected to cover the Chapel. It will enable the stone fabric of the roof vaults to dry outwards, away from the carved interior surfaces. In due course the bituminous felt, asphalt and concrete coverings of the stone roof vaults would be removed to assist this process. Stone and mortar repairs to the external walls, pinnacles, and buttresses, renewal of the rainwater disposal arrangements, repairs to the stained glass, and appropriate repair and conservation of the interior are all required. The coverings over the stone vaulted roofs will be renewed in lead and ways of removing the cementitious slurry are being investigated, in order that this magnificent building can be preserved for future generations to use and admire. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">The year 2000 saw the Trust embark on a second phase of work. Funded jointly by The National Heritage Lottery Fund, The Eastern Scotland European Partnership, Historic Scotland and the Rosslyn Chapel Trust, this phase has a number of elements. Essential </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">stabilisation</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> works to the east boundary walls will protect the Chapel. A new roof of <st1:place st="on">Caithness</st1:place> slate has been placed over the existing Crypt roof, and the Priest's Cell and two more modern buildings beside the Crypt have been made functional. The stairs to the Crypt have been repaired and the access to the Crypt is now both safer and more of an experience. Work has also been carried out to improve the electrical services in the Chapel, repairs to the wooden screen at the west end, and our interpretation of Rosslyn's story. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"" > <hr size="2" width="100%" align="center" style="text-align: justify;"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoCaption" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" >The Genealogical Part</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >William Sinclair of the St. Clair family, a Scottish noble family descended from Norman knights and linked to the Knights Templar, designed the chapel. Construction of the chapel began in 1440, and the chapel was officially founded in 1446. Construction lasted for forty years. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >Some authors have theorised that the Chapel's west wall is actually a model of the Wailing Wall in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city> and is part of the structure by design, rather than proof of another intended stage of building, which would have made the site about the size of a Cathedral. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >In September 2005 a musical cipher hidden in mystical symbols carved into the stone ceiling of Rosslyn Chapel was reported as being unravelled by Scottish composer Stuart Mitchell. His feat was hailed by experts as a stroke of genius. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >The codes were hidden in 213 cubes in the ceiling of the chapel, where parts of the film of Dan Brown's best-seller The Da Vinci Code were shot. Each cube contained different patterns to form an unusual 6ý-minute piece of music for 13 medieval players. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">The unusual sound has been of great spiritual significance to those who built the chapel. The melody was </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">unravelled</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"> after Mr Mitchell discovered the stones at the bottom of each of 12 pillars inside the chapel formed a cadence (three chords at the end of a piece of music) of which there were only three types in the 15th century. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >Mr Mitchell said the music sounded like a nursery rhyme. "Everyone wants to hear something miraculous but William Sinclair, who designed the chapel, was an architect, not a musician," he said. "It is evident from the nursery rhyme style of the music that he could not play very well. It is in triple time, sounds childlike and is based on plain chant which was the common form of rhythm of the time." The strange combination of instruments in the piece includes bagpipes, whistles, trumpet, a medieval mouth piano, guitar and singers. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">The chapel is famous for its connections to Freemasonry and its </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">attendant</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"> rituals. This was first publicised by Knight and Lomas, but it is also found in works by Michael Baigent and Leigh and Tim Wallace Murphy (circa 1990), and the connections entered mainstream consciousness when named in the novel <i>The Da Vinci Code </i>for its links to the Holy Grail.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I want to </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">emphasise</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"> that the Holy Grail was never brought to the Chapel, but Her memories. The Sinclairs are hereditary lords of the Chapel and this truth cannot be denied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >The Scottish NGO The Friends of Rosslyn, which own the land surrounding the Chapel and the Rosslyn Chapel Trust which administers the Chapel, have both published a number of books and literature on the Chapel. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >Certainly the Chapel is used by the modern Knights Templar for 'investiture' ceremonies, and because of its connection to one of the more famous freemasons (William Sinclair) and also due to the Masonic architecture and symbolism featured on the Chapel walls, many Freemasons from all over the world visit it. Certain points in its architecture are quite indicative of a Masonic, and Templar, connection. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >In addition, the Chapel was used by Freemasons and Knights Templar and stationed at Rosslyn Chapel, journeyed to North America long before <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Columbus</st1:place></st1:city>. This claim is based on several points: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span style="mso-list:Ignore">1.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Some of what appear to be the oldest graveyards in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:place></st1:state> (which means New Scotland) have Masonic symbols and Crusader crosses on them; <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in; margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops:list .75in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">2.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">The Westford Knight is a rock engraving in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Massachusetts</st1:place></st1:state> showing a Scottish knight, linked to the Henry Sinclair party, with the Clan Gunn markings; <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in; margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops:list .75in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">3.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Most importantly, Rosslyn Chapel, although completed six years before <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Columbus</st1:place></st1:city>' voyage, has stone carvings in it of plants unique to the Western hemisphere.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in; margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >Because of its rumored connections with Freemasonry, the chapel has inevitably become listed as one of the possible final resting places of The Holy Grail. This is a possibility based on legends of 'Secret Vaults' and the possibility that the similarities between Rosslyn and the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Jerusalem</st1:placename></st1:place> might be more than cosmetic. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >The White Lady of Rosslyn Castle is said to hide a secret worth 'millions of pounds' - and some have suggested that this could be The Grail or instructions on how to find it. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >St Clair legend suggests that there are three big medieval chests (probably the size of steamer trunks) buried somewhere on the property, and this has inevitably led to various theories as to the chests' contents. Past scanning and excavations in or near the Chapel have not yielded any such chests. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >Sealed chambers under the basement of the chapel, however, have yet to be excavated for fear of collapse of the entire structure. These chambers are filled with pure white Arabic sand -- rumored to have been brought to the chapel by the Knights Templar from the Dome of the Rock -- and ultrasonic scans have revealed six leaden vaults within the sand. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" >It should be noted that it is only the Ruined Wall that is based on the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Jerusalem</st1:placename></st1:place> - the chapel itself most closely resembles the East Quire of Glasgow Cathedral. The Chapel is famous for its two pillars: the Apprentice Pillar and the Master Pillar which, though next to each other, are carved differently. Masonic Architects believe these structures could signify the pillars of Boaz and Jachin. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Most interestingly are the (pictorial) references to the Key of Hiram, a significant piece of Masonic legend in the wall carvings, and in depictions of the New World, purportedly showing maize and aloe vera plants about a century before the discovery of North America, suggesting pre-Columbus travel there (the La Merika theory). </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-81495415441782475892011-06-28T10:57:00.000-07:002011-06-28T10:58:10.672-07:00Israel trumps the Arab world<p align="justify" dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >DOHA: There is no doubt that Israel is superior to all Arab countries in the sphere of Information Technology, a comparative study between Arab nations and Israel on ‘Scientific Research and Patent Rights Compared’ conducted by Dr Khalid Said Rubaia, a Palestinian researcher at American Arab University in Palestine, says.</span></p><p align="justify" dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Israel spends 4.7 percent of its total GDP on scientific research, which is the highest in the world. However, Arab states are spending 0.2 percent of their total incomes and Asian Arab countries around 0.5 percent of their incomes on research, said<br />the report.</span></p><p align="justify" dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Regarding patent rights, Israel has registered 16,805 patents. However, Arab countries have only 836 patents which is 5 percent of what Israel has.</span></p><p align="justify" dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Israel spends 0.8-1 percent of the total expenditure of the world on research work and Arab states spend 0.4 percent. It means Israel spends more than double that spent by Arab countries in<br />this field.</span></p><p align="justify" dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Israel spends 4.7 percent of its income on research. However, Arab countries spend 0.2 percent of their total income on the same. United States spends about 2.7 percent of its income, UK 1.8 and Germany 2.6 percent on research work.</span></p><p align="justify" dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Asian Arab countries spend less than 0.1 percent of their total income on research work which is five times less than African countries which are spending 0.5 percent of their total income, according to a Unesco report. Arab countries spend about half of Israel though their GDP soared 11 times that of Israel and the area is more than 649 times.</span></p><p align="justify" dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Regarding per capita expenditure on scientific research, Israel stands at the number one position by spending $1272.8 per capita. United States ranks second with $1205.9 and Japan third by spending $1153.3. However, the Arab countries ranked hundred times less than Israel by spending an average of $14.7 annually per capita.</span></p><p align="justify" dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >And the oil rich Asian Arab countries spend $11.9 per capita which is equal to African poor countries whose per capita expenditure reached $9.4.</span></p>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-88225909984164306602011-06-03T08:45:00.001-07:002011-06-03T08:45:52.462-07:00DETENTION OF THE BANGLADESHI JOURNALIST, CHOUDHURY<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; font-size: small; "><h3 class="title" align="center" style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; font-weight: bold; font-size: small; text-transform: uppercase; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-family: verdana, arial; "><span >PROF. PALAZZI ON THE DETENTION OF THE BANGLADESHI JOURNALIST, CHOUDHURY</span></h3><div class="comments-body" style="border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 102); border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; padding-right: 5px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 102); border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; margin-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; font-weight: normal; font-size: small; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-bottom: 6px; padding-bottom: 5px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 102); border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; padding-top: 5px; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 102); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><h3 class="title" align="left" style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; font-weight: bold; font-size: small; text-transform: uppercase; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-family: verdana, arial; "><span >PROF. PALAZZI ON THE DETENTION OF THE BANGLADESHI JOURNALIST, CHOUDHURY</span></h3><p><strong>Note: It has recently come to our attention that Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, who we thought shared our pro-Israel sentiments for noble reasons, has been opportunistically defrauding at least two of his devoted Jewish supporters.<br /><br />He exploited their passion for Zionism. This has been going on for a year and a half, as far as we know. He borrowed large sums of money from these women that he never repaid. To get their funds, he made up a business that never existed, stated that he was working with businessmen who did not exist either but whose emails he fabricated, put up as collateral a business he claimed to have but did not have, and wrote a counterfeit check.<br /><br />He has been formally charged by the New York Police Department with Grand Larceny via Fraud. The commerce ambassador of the Bangladesh embassy said that Shoaib Choudhury was known in Bangladesh as a "total fraudster, liar and cheat."</strong></p><p>Root and Branch has disseminated (via e-mail) the following Proclamation in the matter of the journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, who was arrested in Bangladesh when he was about to travel to Israel.</p><p>The Proclamation was released by Prof. Palazzi, and is consistent with the statements made by Prof. Palazzi in his interview with <a href="http://www.amislam.com/pundit1.htm" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: underline; ">IsraPundit</a>.</p><div id="a002431more"><div id="more"><blockquote><b>PROCLAMATION OF THE ITALIAN MUSLIM ASSOCIATION</b><p>mailto:info@amislam.com<br />http://amislam.com</p><p>Tuesday, December 2, 2003</p><p><br />As-salamu `alaykum wa rahmat-Ullahi wa barakatuH</p><p><br />Dear Brothers and Sisters,</p><p>Brother Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, a pro-dialogue anti-fundamentalist Muslim journalist from Bangladesh, was arrested at the airport while leaving for Israel and is presently detained.</p><p>We attach the text of a recent article of his and ask all of you to support our courageous brother Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury with your supplications.</p><p>The Board of Governors of the Italian Muslim Association asks the authorities of Bangladesh for the immediate liberation of our detained brother.</p><p><br />Wa-s-salamu `alaykum wa rahmat-Ullahi wa barakatuH</p><p><br />Sheikh Professor Abdul Hadi Palazzi</p><p><br />Director,<br />Cultural Institute of the Italian Islamic Community<br />http://amislam.com<br />mailto:info@amislam.com</p><p>Muslim Co-Chairman,<br />Islam-Israel Fellowship,<br />Root & Branch Association, Ltd.<br />www.rb.org.il</p></blockquote></div></div></div></span>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-21418857745142533022011-04-25T12:11:00.000-07:002011-04-25T12:15:33.628-07:00Prince Henry Sinclair travel to New Land almost 100 years before Columbus<h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Preparations for the Voyage <o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Prince Henry commissioned Antonio and Nicolo Zeno, the brothers of Carlo Zeno "the Lion" of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Venice</st1:place></st1:city>, to draw a map of the north Atlantic region. The resulting "Zeno Map" was so accurate that sailors of all nations used it for the next 300 years. Recently the military aerial photographic maps have found thirty-seven points of identity with the Zeno Map! In addition, Henry Sinclair reassigned some of his land holdings to his brothers, in case he should not return from this dangerous voyage. </span></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Actual Expedition <o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">In 1398, Prince Henry set sail with 200-300 men in twelve tiny ships. Antonio Zeno was the navigator and recorder of the fleet's log, which is called the "Zeno Narratives." The voyage took the explorers to <st1:city st="on">Faeroes</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Iceland</st1:country-region>, <st1:city st="on">Greenland</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">Newfoundland</st1:state>, <st1:state st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:state> and to <st1:place st="on">New England</st1:place>. They had harmonious contacts with the Micmac Indians throughout at least one year. Several archaeological artifacts remain to validate their miraculous adventure. They are the Zeno Narratives and Zeno Map, a Venician cannon in <st1:state st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:state>, the Micmac Indian legends, and a rock carving in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Westford</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">Massachusetts</st1:state></st1:place>. Some researchers believe that Sinclair and his group built the <st1:placename st="on">Newport</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:placetype> in <st1:place st="on"><st1:state st="on">Rhode Island</st1:state></st1:place> and the extensive research by Mr. Scott have proved that this was the case. Antonio Zeno reported about Henry Sinclair, "If ever there was a man who is worthy of a mortal memory, it is this man [Henry Sinclair] because of his great bravery and goodness". </span></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Accomplishments Were Not Announced to the World <o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Unfortunately, Henry returned and was soon slain in an ambush in Orkney. It is thought that his assassination was ordered by the <st1:place st="on">Hanseatic League</st1:place> to rid itself of such a powerful rival. But it is quite possible that he never returned to Orkney and died in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:place></st1:state> as Niven Sinclair now believed. To make sure that Prince Henry Sinclair's trans-Atlantic achievements were not followed up, the Hansea arranged to have Sinclair's son, also named Henry, arrested at sea while escorting the Crown Prince of Scotland to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> for safekeeping. Henry and the King's son were confined for the next fourteen years in an English prison. His other son, William grandson, was content to live in regal comfort in his <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Rosslyn</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>, where he designed and constructed Rosslyn Chapel. It was adorned with stone carvings, including corn and cactus, not here-to-for known in the <st1:place st="on">Old World</st1:place>. Antonio Zeno also died immediately upon his return voyage. Only Prince Henry's daughter, Elizabeth is credited with passing the story of the epic voyage along to her son, John. He proudly told his in- laws, one of whom was the wife of Christopher Columbus! Later, the Zeno Narratives were discovered, providing the world with a more definitive report of Prince Henry's voyage. </span></p> <h2 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Henry "the Holy" Sinclair<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Sinclairs remained “loyal” to the Roman Catholic faith until the late 17th century out of repression. Their commitment to defend the faith was expressed in their motto, "Commit thy work to God." So strong was their belief that they resisted the Reformation in 1517, long after most fellow Scots and many Europeans became Protestant. It was their strict loyalty to the Catholic Church and to the ruling Stuarts in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>, which caused the Sinclairs to lose favour with the succeeding Scottish Monarchs. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Was Prince Henry a Catholic? There was no such religion as Protestantism at that time. Certainly Henry was not Hindu, Muslim, or a pagan. We know Henry was a Templar and a Grand Master. Let us briefly review history during the earlier centuries. In 1118 AD the Templars were established to protect the Christian Pilgrims as they <span lang="EN-GB">travelled</span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span>to the Holy Land in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city>. They served under the sole direction of the Pope! They remained in this capacity for two centuries, until Pope Clement V moved his seat from the <st1:country-region st="on">Vatican</st1:country-region> to <st1:city st="on">Avignon</st1:city> in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Some say he was an impostor. There, he came under the strong influence of his nephew, King Philip "le Bel" of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>. This was also the time when <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> had borrowed vast sums of money from the wealthy Templars. So huge was this indebtedness that King Philip chose to exterminate the Templars, rather than to pay back his obligations. This triggered the fateful Suppression Order, supported by the Pope. All nations were asked to capture the Templars. Scotland refused to obey the Suppression Order; because its King Robert the Bruce had been excommunicated from the Church for murdering John "the Red" Comyn in a church. Consequently, many Templars fled to safety with their treasures to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>. They went to Balantrodoch, their ancient outpost, located on the Sinclair estates near <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Edinburgh</st1:place></st1:city>. The Sinclairs had been members of the Knights Templar ever since it’s founding in 1118. Were these Templars following the Catholic faith? Ritual used by the Templars today attests to their firm religious beliefs. Of course the division of the Papacy between <st1:city st="on">Rome</st1:city> and <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Avignon</st1:place></st1:city>, underscored by the Suppression Order, disrupted their lines of affiliation with the Avignonese Pope. Bear in mind, Protestantism had not yet been born. The Templars maintained their “Catholic” faith but just for the world’s show off.</span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">During the 14th century, <st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region> under King Edward I (known as "the hammer of the Scots") was constantly attacking <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>. It began with the Battle of Rosslyn in 1303 when the Scots beat the English decisively in three separate engagements. The English army had advanced in three columns, with 10,000 men in each. They were engaged and decisively defeated by the 6,000 strong Scottish army. This infuriated Edward I. In 1314 he marched North with a highly trained army, intent upon getting revenge in a battle at <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bannockburn</st1:place></st1:city>. The Scots won the battle, largely due to the intervention of the Knights Templar on the side of King Robert the Bruce, assisted by Sir William Sinclair and his two sons, William and Henry. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">In appreciation of the role played by the Templars at the Battle of Bannockburn, and in an effort to disguise the presence of the Templars within his kingdom, he created the Royal Sovereign Order of Scotland. Robert the Bruce also appointed William Sinclair as the Grand Master of the Crafts and Guilds of Scotland. This became a hereditary position with the Sinclairs until another William Sinclair resigned the hereditary post of Grand Master for himself and his heirs. He was then immediately elected as the first Grand Master in the Scottish Grand Lodge of Speculative Masons in 1736. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">In this hereditary chain, Prince Henry Sinclair became the Grand Master of the Crafts and Guilds of Scotland, as well as being a Knight Templar, pledged to protect the Christian ideals. He was known as Henry "the Holy" Sinclair. He was a true leader and was chosen as the Commander of a Templar inspired expedition to the <st1:place st="on">New World</st1:place> in 1398. The Templars had found a temporary refuge in <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>, but <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> had neither the space nor the scope to accommodate them. They wanted a new land where their ideals could take root and flourish. They knew about the <st1:place st="on">New World</st1:place>. Trade was already taking place. The <st1:place st="on">New World</st1:place> beckoned. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">His Venetian admiral, Antonio Zeno, said Prince Henry was a man "worthy of immortal memory because of his great bravery and goodness." He reached <st1:country-region st="on">America</st1:country-region> 94 years before <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Columbus</st1:place></st1:city>. He treated the indigenous people with respect, understanding, and consideration. He called them his "beloved sons", as he <span lang="EN-GB">recognised</span> they had the same underlying beliefs he had himself, namely that God and Nature was One. There is no doubt; Henry Sinclair practiced his faith in everything he did. Before he ended his stay in the New World, it is thought that he applied his experience and religious beliefs in building the <st1:placename st="on">Newport</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:placetype>, following the design lines of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city>. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Henry was 13 years old at the time when he inherited the barony of Rosslyn. This youth was trained in martial arts with sword, spear, bow and arrow. Speaking Latin and French, he became a knight at the age of 21 years. His first wife, who died young, was the great-grand-daughter of King Magnus of <st1:country-region st="on">Sweden</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Norway</st1:place></st1:country-region>. His second wife, Janet Halyburton of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Dirleton</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>, bore him thirteen children. He was rewarded by <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>'s King David for a successful raid into <st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region> with the title of Lord Sinclair and the position of Lord Chief Justice of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Sinclair excelled in a furious time. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Henry Sinclair associated closely with the Scottish Masons. He was the Grand Master of Scottish Masons, an organisation that had evolved from the suppressed Templars. Many of its members lived in the area near Sinclair's <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Rosslyn</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>. Their meeting place was Balantrodoch, a distance of only 15 miles. Ever since their forefathers, seventy years earlier, were exiled from the Holy Land and <st1:place st="on">Europe</st1:place>, they had hidden their Templar origins. They eagerly wanted to find a land that was free from suppression, free from the fear of being put to death. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Sinclair was installed as the Jarl of Orkney and Lord of Shetland when he was only 24 years old. The earldom included the Faeroes, the Orkneys, the Shetlands. Sinclair held his appointment at the pleasure of King Hakon VI of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Norway</st1:place></st1:country-region>. <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Norway</st1:place></st1:country-region> had ruled the islands since the ninth century. But, as "Jarl", he was next to royalty; there was almost no supervision from the Norwegian throne. Thus, he was called "Prince". He had authority to stamp coins, to make laws, remit crimes, wear a crown, and have a sword carried before him. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Before he was 35 years old, he constructed <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Kirkwall</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place> for his headquarters in Orkney. A fleet of ships was built, larger than <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Norway</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s navy. Henry set out to affirm his rule the Faeroe Isles in the name of the King of Norway. <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Norway</st1:place></st1:country-region> was hard-pressed to defend itself from Baltic pirates without Sinclair's assistance. It is interesting to note that Prince Henry brooded over his lack of guns. This was a new technology, developed at that time by the naval powers in the Mediterranean area. Cannons had proven effective for Carlo "the Lion" Zeno in defending <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Venice</st1:place></st1:city>. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Henry Sinclair employed the services of Nicolo and Antonio Zeno, brothers of the most famous admiral of the time, Carlo Zeno. Nicolo had been an elector of the Doge and was one of the twelve Orators sent by the Venetian Senate with five galleys to <st1:city st="on">Marseilles</st1:city> to carry the Pope and his court to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:city>. Nicolo had also been captain of a galley in the war to protect the Genoese, and he was the Venetian ambassador to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ferrara</st1:place></st1:city> in 1382. The Zenos brought to Sinclair the design of the first cannon used on ships. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Nicolo died in 1395, and Antonio became captain and navigator of Henry's fleet. They maintained the ship's log, the "Zeno Narrative". It told about a survey to make a map of <st1:place st="on">Greenland</st1:place> in about 1393 by Nicolo Zeno. This Zeno Map of the North proved to be the most accurate map in existence for the next 150 years! And this "Narrative" has helped to prove that Sinclair sailed to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Henry Sinclair, his trusted friend, Sir James Gunn, Antonio Zeno, and his Templar friends planned a voyage to find this rich new land. After fitting out their thirteen barks, they took to the sea around April 1, 1398. With 200 - 300 men. Day after day they sailed. The Zeno document suggests they saw land at <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Newfoundland</st1:place></st1:state>, but natives drove them away. Sailing farther, they came to <st1:placename st="on">Chedabucto</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Bay</st1:placetype> in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:place></st1:state>. They dropped anchor on the first of June in Guysborough harbor. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Zeno Narrative provides only a limited description of the party's exploration. A hundred soldiers were dispatched to explore the source of smoke they saw swirling above a distant hill. It came from a great fire in the bottom of a hill, where a spring from which issued a certain substance like pitch ran into the sea. They also saw many people, half-wild, and living in caves. This was their first contact with the Micmac Indians. Geographical detective work, archaeology, modern science and various documents have pinpointed the burning hill as the asphalt area at Stellarton, about 50 miles direct from the head of Guysborough <span lang="EN-GB">harbour</span>. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Zeno brothers called Prince Henry by the name of "Zichmni". This is an ancient translation of "Orkney", a shortened form for Prince of Orkney. From the Zeno Narrative we read the following translation by Richard H. Major: </span></p> <p class="MsoBlockText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span">``So we brought our barks and our boats into land, and we entered an excellent harbour, and we saw in the distance a great mountain that poured out smoke. .... There were great multitudes of people, half-wild and living in caves. These were very small of stature and very timid; for when they saw our people, they fled into their holes. .... When Zichmni heard this and noticed that the place had a wholesome and pure atmosphere, a fertile soil and good rivers and so many other attractions, he conceived the idea of staying there and founding a city.'' </span></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Some men, led by Antonio Zeno, returned home to <st1:place st="on">Europe</st1:place>. The rest chose to remain with Prince Henry with two oar-powered boats. It is thought they wanted to establish a settlement. At last the Templars might have a home, free of suppression! </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Prince Henry persuaded the Micmac Indians to act as guides in his exploration of <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:place></st1:state>. He first thought it to be an island. The narrow isthmus at Bair Verte changed his mind. It was navigable by canoe to <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Cumberland</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Basin</st1:placetype></st1:place> with a portage of only three miles. The trip along River Herbert toward Parrsboro included only one portage of just 400 yards in its 22-mile length. Sinclair may then have <span lang="EN-GB">travelled</span> on to <st1:placename st="on">Annapolis</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Basin</st1:placetype> and across the Micmac canoe route to <st1:place st="on">Liverpool</st1:place>. By October, he was back on Green Hill, southwest of Pictou <span lang="EN-GB">harbour</span>, to attend a gathering of the Micmacs. "It was the time for holding the great and yearly feast with dancing and merry games." </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Next, he doubled back to <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Spencer</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Island</st1:placename></st1:place>, Minas Channel, and did some hunting. The meat of the animals was sliced and dried. The bones were chopped up and boiled in a big iron pot to extract the marrow. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Historians and investigators have discovered other sites in <st1:place st="on"><st1:state st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:state></st1:place>, where Henry Sinclair visited. Evidence is not complete, but it is highly suggestive. A few locations include the Castle at the Cross-, <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Oak</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Island</st1:placetype></st1:place> and its Money Pit, and the Cannon of Louisburg <span lang="EN-GB">Harbour</span>.</span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Castle at the Cross is atop Cadbury Hill and Gastonbury Tor, 17 miles from <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Chester</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:state></st1:place>. Only a mound of earth and stone remains today of the suspected ancient structure. Researchers believe 14th Century Norsemen and Scots built it, based on designs in the rubblework masonry. Several items were found around these ruins, including a much-corroded pin, portion of a sword blade, wooden cones, and pieces of iron tools. From the scanty ruins, it is thought that the Castle had guard towers, main gate with pillars, and a dome or cone. Some historians believe this was a settlement by Prince Henry Sinclair, as shown in the lower left of the famous "Zeno Map" of the North. The Micmac legends describes Prince Henry's winter quarters in the vicinity of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Advocate</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Harbour</st1:placetype></st1:place> and Parrsboro. It was there, near <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Cape</st1:placetype> <st1:placename st="on">D'Or</st1:placename></st1:place>, that the explorers are thought to have built a new ship for their return voyage. The exact location is uncertain, however, mounds of dirt and stone formations have given archaeologists some clues. Here the Christian explorers would have celebrated Christmas, perhaps the first Christmas ever on American soil! </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">It is more than coincidence that a unique, primitive cannon was found about 1849 at <st1:placename st="on">Louisburg</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Harbour</span></st1:placetype> on <st1:place st="on">Cape Breton Island</st1:place>. Presumably, this gun was from Prince Henry's fleet in 1398. It had eight rings around its barrel, and a detachable breech with a handle. Several very similar cannons are on display at the <st1:placename st="on">Naval</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype> in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Venice</st1:place></st1:city>. These are the same type as those used by Carlo Zeno at the Battle of Chioggia. They became obsolete by the end of the 14th century. Later cannons were made in a single piece without that kind of barrel rings. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><st1:placename st="on">Oak</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Island</st1:placetype> in Mahone Bay of Golden River, <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:place></st1:state>, is one of only two islands, in a group of 350, where oak trees can be found! These oaks are thought to have been planted by ancient mariners to serve as a navigational aid to find the Castle at the Cross. From <st1:placename st="on">Oak</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Island</st1:placetype>, looking toward the mainland of <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:place></st1:state>, the river leading to the Castle is to the right. The Celtic word for "oak" also means both "right" and "door". </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">This island on the Atlantic side has captured much attention because of its Money Pit, which is shrouded by mystery. It is a deep hole at the centre of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Oak</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Island</st1:placetype></st1:place>. An elaborate security system was devised, whereby anyone exploring its depths would trigger the flood tunnels. Is this the hiding place for gold panned from <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Golden</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">River</st1:placetype></st1:place>? Or did Prince Henry deposit some Templar treasures in this hiding place? Was the Holy Grail placed there for safekeeping? </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Pit was discovered by three boys in 1795. At a depth of two feet there was a layer of stones. At 10 feet lay the first of many oak log platforms, set at 10-foot intervals as the depth increased. In 1802, Onslow Company discovered more log platforms, going down 93 feet. In 1849, the Truro Company drilled augur holes near the existing cavity. At the 154-foot level the drill went through a 5-inch oak platform and dropped another 12 inches farther until it struck another oak platform. Then it went through 22 inches of metal scrap, including an ancient watch chain! Oak timbers reappeared at a deeper depth, followed by another 22-inch layer of metal fragments. After the next layer of oak, they found 6 inches of spruce wood. Still other digs produced some scraps of parchment, with letters that looked like "vi" in hand script. At the 171-foot level an iron plate appeared. Coconut fibre, not native, was dated to be of 14th century origin! Then in 1909, the famous treasure hunter, Franklin D. Roosevelt many shares in Old Gold Salvage & Wrecking Company, which did more exploring at the Money Pit, but to no avail. More than $2 million has been expended on this Money Pit! </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Micmac Indians have a custom of preserving their history, and passing it along to the next generations, by their legends. This tradition continues today. Historians have studied these Legends. There are seventeen striking similarities between Glooscap and Prince Henry. Even the name "Glooscap" in Indian tongue, sounds like the combination of "Jarl Sinclair"! References to his personal features and qualities are too coincidental to be by accident. Until then, the Indians did not know how to fish with nets. Europeans were introduced to corn at this time in history. The Indians called the large sailboat of Prince Henry “floating island”. A quotation from the Micmac legends follows: </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-right: .5in;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:.5in;text-align:center;line-height: 150%"></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">"Kuloskap was the first,First and greatest,</span></div><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: justify;">To come into our land -Into Nova Scotia, Canada,</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Into Maine, into Wabanaki,The land of sunrise, or Light.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thus it was Kuloskap the GreatMade man: He took his arrows</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And shot a tree, the ash,Known as the basket-tree.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">From the hole made by the arrowCame forth new forms, and these</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Were the first of human kind.And so the Lord gave them a name</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Meaning "those born from trees".Kuloskap the Lord of Light</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Made all the animals. First he createdAll of giant size;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Such was the beginning."</div><div style="text-align: justify;">( "Kuloskap the Master")</div></span></span><p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">In the springtime, the European explorers loaded up in their ships and travelled southward, perhaps carried by a northeaster, to the <st1:placename st="on">New England</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Coast</st1:placetype>, just north of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:city>. Perhaps their southward voyage was planned, seeking more evidence of the peacefulness of this "rich and populous land". </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Evidence indicates they <span lang="EN-GB">travelled</span> up the <st1:place st="on">Merrimack River</st1:place> to Stony Brook, which they followed as far as possible. The party landed and explored this new land, meeting peacefully with the Algonquin Indians. To the west they could see a hilltop, from which the Indians may have sent smoke signals. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">In the springtime, the European explorers loaded their ships and <span lang="EN-GB">travelled</span> southward to the <st1:placename st="on">New England</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Coast</st1:placetype>, just north of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:city>. Evidence indicates they travelled to the <st1:place st="on">Merrimack River</st1:place>, then upstream to Stony Brook to its source. The party landed and spent the winter, living peacefully with the Algonquin Indians. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">While hiking toward Prospect Hill, one of Prince Henry's companions by the name of Sir James Gunn died. In memory of their lost companion, the party carved a marker on the face of a horizontal stone ledge. Various sized holes were punched into the stone by a sharp tool, driven by a mallet. The image was that of a Scottish Knight, with a 39-inch long sword and shield, bearing the Gunn family insignia. Where glacial scratches or rock colorations existed, they were incorporated into the manmade picture. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Located beside this ancient rock carving are four stone posts with heavy iron <!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="[punch-hole armorial effigy]" style="'position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:18pt;margin-top:19.7pt;" allowoverlap="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.png" title="effigy"> <w:wrap type="square"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--></span><img width="180" height="324" src="file:///C:/Users/user/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.jpg" align="left" alt="[punch-hole armorial effigy]" shapes="_x0000_s1026" /><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span">chains. A recent granite monument was erected by Allister MacDougall, the Town Historian, to honour Prince Henry Sinclair's companion. The inscription on the granite stone reads; </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">"Prince Henry First Sinclair of Orkney born in <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> made a voyage of discovery to <st1:place st="on">North America</st1:place> in 1398. After wintering in <st1:state st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:state> he sailed to <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Massachusetts</st1:place></st1:state> and on an inland expedition in 1399 to Prospect Hill to view the surrounding countryside, one of the party died. The punch-hole armorial effigy that adorns this ledge is a Memorial to this Knight." <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">If you take a very close look at the rock ledge, you will see the punched holes. They are very weatherworn. Someone has painted a shield on the rock surface, and this painting helps you see the punched holes. Natives in this town of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Westford</st1:place></st1:city> are familiar with their Westford Knight. Historian Frederick J. Pohl heard of these revelations and visited Westford to see the discovery for himself. He reported, "The following are undeniably manmade workings: the pommel, handle, and guard of the sword; below the guard the break across the blade suggests the death of the sword's owner; the crest above the pommel; a few holes at the sword's point; the punch-hole jess lines attached to the legs of the falcon; the bell-shaped hollows; the corner of the shield touching the pommel; the crescent on the shield; and the holes that form a decorative pattern on the pommel." Archaeologist James P. Whittall, among many others, has also studied the Westford Carvings extensively and he confirms these findings. </span></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%; ">Background</span> <o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">During the 1300s, a series of wars involving <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> resulted in a decrease of its influence in the north. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">In 1349, the Black Death had a catastrophic effect on <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Norway</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Nearly half the population died and its economy lay in ruins. This weakening of the power-bases on both sides of the <st1:place st="on">North Sea</st1:place> allowed the Orkney earls to regain some of their previous independence. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">The earls of Orkney were now Scottish, rather than Scandinavian. This was due, in part, to marriage pacts between Orcadian and Scottish dynasties. From the 1330s, the line had passed to the Earls of Strathearn, of whom Henry Sinclair was descended. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Combined with the reinforced autonomy of the Orkney earls, his own wealth, power and influence were such that Henry was able to build, sometime around 1380, the stronghold of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Kirkwall</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>. This was only a short period after his installation as earl and was in direct contravention of his charter from the Danish King of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Norway</st1:place></st1:country-region>. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">From here, the fascinating mystery of ancient maps and charts, pirates, rivalries, royalty, secrets, plant carvings in Rosslyn Chapel, the forests of <st1:state st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:state>, sites in <st1:state st="on">Massachusetts</st1:state>, the City of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Venice</st1:place></st1:city>, Knights Templar and the Native American Micmac (Mi'kmaq) tribe, begins. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p> <h2 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Symposium focused upon Prince Henry <o:p></o:p></span></h2> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">A panel of seventeen experts in various phases of Henry Sinclair and his 1398 Voyage to North America was held in <st1:place st="on">Kirkwall</st1:place>, Orkney, on September 5-7, 1997. Each made a 1-hour presentation on specific subjects. All told, they conveyed an impressive body of information about this Earl of Orkney. </span></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">The times were ready! <o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; font-style:normal">Dr. Peter Waddell, <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Strathclyde</st1:placename>, author and inventor</span></em><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">, </span></em>told of the Hanseatic League from northern <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region> during the 14th and 15th centuries. They <span lang="EN-GB">monopolised</span> trade between the Baltic seaports. The Danish and Norwegian kings became deeply in debt to the Hansea. Queen Margaret of <st1:country-region st="on">Norway</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on">Denmark</st1:country-region> sought to develop a "<st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Northern</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Commonwealth</st1:placetype></st1:place>" to compete. Meanwhile, the Venetian trading ships were venturing into the Baltic waters. This was the time when Prince Henry Sinclair was granted the earldom of Orkney. Nicolo Zeno from <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Venice</st1:place></st1:city> is known to have been employed by Henry Sinclair. </span></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Sinclair's castle in Orkney <o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; font-style:normal">Dr. Peter D. Anderson, the Deputy Keeper of the Records</span></em><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">, </span></em>described the Sinclair dynasty and its fortress. While no visible trace of <st1:placename st="on">Kirkwall</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype> remains today, ancient records and pictures tell us that it was located on the shore of the harbour in <st1:place st="on">Kirkwall</st1:place>, in the vicinity of the present Broad and Castle Streets. The Castle was rectangular, surrounded by a larger curtain wall 55-ft long by 11-ft thick. Built in the late 1300's by Prince Henry, it served the earldom until about 1470. Its final days were during the Battle of Somersdale, which was fought by two competing branches of the Sinclair family, fighting over control of portions of Orkney, Shetland, and <st1:place st="on">Caithness</st1:place>. </span></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Knights Templar <o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; font-style:normal">Dr. Tim Wallace-Murphy, Templar Historian and author</span></em><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">, </span></em>spoke on the history, beliefs, and survival of the Knights Templar. He noted that Sinclairs are woven within the Templar web. Founded in <st1:city st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city> in 1118 to guard the Christian pilgrimages, the Knights are believed to have found enormous treasure in the hidden vaults under the ancient Herod's <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Temple</st1:place></st1:city> where they were quartered. In addition, they found the secrets of "sacred geometry". Membership rapidly grew and land was donated to them, forming a network stretching from the Holy Land to the far reaches of <st1:place st="on">Europe</st1:place>. Using their power base wisely, they became the leading money brokers in the world. They built churches, fortifications, bridges, and castles, while operating the largest fleet the world had ever seen. Moreover, they lent vast sums to popes, princes, kings, and merchants. King Philip le Bel of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> devised a simple method to cancel his enormous debt, and that was the Suppression Order. On Friday the 13th of October 1307, sixty senior Knights were arrested in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Paris</st1:place></st1:city>. Torture and death followed. Most Templars fled safely to <st1:city st="on">Lombardy</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Portugal</st1:country-region>, and the <st1:place st="on">Baltic states</st1:place>. Those finding refuge in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> fought as allies of Robert the Bruce and gained royal protection. All documentary evidence was suppressed, except for their symbolism and architecture. Rosslyn Chapel is a veritable encyclopedia in stone of Templar beliefs. </span></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Venetian Connection <o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; font-style:normal">Dr. Andrew Sinclair, historian and author</span></em><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">, </span></em>presented some ways that <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Venice</st1:place></st1:city> was evidenced in Prince Henry's expedition. There is today a large Zeno villa at Canareggio in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Venice</st1:place></st1:city>. Documents by Marco Barbaro entitled, "Libro di nozzi", reveal that Nicolo, the younger brother of Admiral Carlo Zeno, was commander of the Zicni (or Zichmni) fleet between 1383 and 1388. In 1396 it is known that Nicolo Zeno was banned from office in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Venice</st1:place></st1:city>. Another brother, Antonio, remained with Zichmni for another 13 years, when he retired in 1400. The name of Zichmni is translated to be Sinclair. A cannon, found in <st1:placename st="on">Louisburg</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Harbour</st1:placetype>, is identical to one on display in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Venice</st1:city></st1:place>, made in the late 1300's; it was obsolete by the 1400's. The Zeno Map, made by Antonio and Nicolo, remained in use by mariners for 150 years because of its accuracy. </span></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Shetland, a point of voyage departure? <o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; font-style:normal">Dr. Jonathan Wills, a writer and boatman</span></em><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">, </span></em>described the coastline and vantage points in Shetland. He noted that a logical route from Orkney to the New World would lead Prince Henry to the <st1:place st="on">Shetland Islands</st1:place>. It could serve as an excellent "jumping- off" place. Several sheltered harbours were identified. Nearby, a lookout peak would be a necessity. Such a location was Vera Burton. Furthermore, an aerial reconnaissance by Niven Sinclair and Jon Wills found a site very likely to have been Prince Henry's "castle", sheltering him while on land. </span></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Voyage and the vision <o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; font-style:normal">Mark Finnan, a Canadian writer and broadcaster</span></em><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">, </span></em>described the vision of Prince Henry's voyage. Certainly, early explorers such as St. Brendon and Tim Severen, had unusual inspiration and faith in order to undertake their voyages. Paul Knutson's exploration in 1362 has led many people to believe he was responsible for the unique stones found in the <st1:state st="on">Minnesota</st1:state> and <st1:place st="on">Lake Superior</st1:place> regions. For Prince Henry there were the family legends of his Viking ancestors. More recently, he listened to the fishermen who returned from the north Atlantic seas with tales of population and vegetation. The Zeno Map is admittedly crude and even erroneous in certain areas. It is possible that part of the history of the crossing was made up in the Zeno Narratives. Nevertheless, much truth can be gleaned from these documents. True or not, John Cabot's voyage on the "Matthew" 100 years later has been heralded by the Queen of England, radio, television, and film makers. The Prince Henry saga is richer by far, for it contains a quest for the Holy Grail. </span></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">In the steps of Prince Henry <o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; font-style:normal">William F. Mann, author and urban planner in <st1:state st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:state></span></em><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">, </span></em>lead the audience through a labyrinth of clues, deep within the forests of <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:place></st1:state>. He told his reasons for believing that Prince Henry followed those paths 600 years ago. Moral allegory and sacred geometry form a basis for Bill's theories. By identifying certain known locations, it is possible to lay out on a map other vitally important locations. The landing site, the smoking hills, the Money Pit, and the two islands where Oak trees exist. These, and many more identifiers, have led to the discovery of an ancient camp site, thought to have been Prince Henry Sinclair's. </span></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Legends of the Mi'kmaqs <o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; font-style:normal">Dr. Peter Christmas, head of Micmac Cultural Association of Nova Scotia</span></em><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">, </span></em>was assisted by Don Julien, chief executive of the Confederacy of Mainland Micmacs, and Kerry Prosper, chief of the Confederacy of Mainland Micmac Indians, gave the audience a clear view of the organization, beliefs, and feelings of the Native Americans who probably welcomed Prince Henry and his explorers. They found a number of Masonic symbols, which were similar to theirs; however, they feel that many questions as to the historical significance are left unanswered. Dr. Christmas said that in Mi'kmaq oral tradition a great white man with a beard had come from far away beyond recorded memory. </span></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Newport</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:placetype></st1:place> <o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; font-style:normal">James P. Whittall, Jr., Archaeological director of the <st1:placename st="on">Early</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Sites</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Research</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Center</st1:placetype> in <st1:state st="on">Massachusetts</st1:state></span></em><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">, </span></em>spoke on the studies and beliefs surrounding the round stone building in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Newport</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">Rhode Island</st1:state></st1:place>. It was constructed in the style of Norman Romanisk architecture inspired from the Holy Sepulchre in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city>. The unique style of the <st1:placename st="on">Newport</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:placetype> was further influenced by the Templars round churches of <st1:place st="on">Scandinavia</st1:place>. Local building traditions from whence the builders came also influenced its style. Determination of the date of original construction is usually based upon the study of features, such as arches, windows, niches, beam holes, keystones, mortar, and the orientation of openings. Those found within the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Newport</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:placetype></st1:place> have been dated in the broad range of 1150 - 1400. However, some specific features narrow the range to the late 1300's. </span></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Is it possible that Prince Henry did not do it! <o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; font-style:normal">Brian Smith, Shetland Archives</span></em><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">, </span></em>offered a flamboyant array of reasons he feels cast a shadow upon the claim that Prince Henry Sinclair crossed the ocean to <st1:place st="on">North America</st1:place>. Among them are a 500 year delay in making claims; the lack of contemporaneous claims by Sinclairs or Templars; numerous errors found in the Zeno Narratives; "Zichmni" referred to in the Zeno Narratives is thought to be really the Duke of Surrand; Nicolo Zeno was a political prisoner in Venice from 1360 to 1400; and the Zeno Narratives never mentioned Orkney. </span></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Proofs that the Voyage occurred <o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><em><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; font-style:normal">Niven Sinclair </span></em>presented a comprehensive set of "Proofs". These are the result of Niven's tireless efforts to re-trace Henry Sinclair's footsteps around the world. Facts were derived from many reliable references. Aspiring for greatness, Henry became a Baron in 1358, Ambassador to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Copenhagen</st1:place></st1:city> in 1363, Crusader in 1365, and Jarl of Orkney in 1379. While serving as Ambassador, Henry had contact with Carlo Zeno, Ivar Bardsson, Paul Knutson, and of course, Queen Margaret, at which time his planning for the voyage began. In 1392 he went to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city> to purchase some ships. The "Proofs" are as follows: Zeno Map: Having enlisted Nicolo Zeno as fleet commander several years earlier, four ships were dispatched by Henry to chart the northern seas during 1393 - 1395. The Treaty of Kalmer was signed in 1397. Contingency plans: Ten year prior to this, Prince Henry gave indication of his forthcoming Voyage, because he distributed much of his land; to his brother John he gave Pentland and Shetland, brother David received the lands of Aberdeen, and to his daughter Elizabeth, he directed that his lands in Norway would go to her if he died without a male heir. Accuracy of Zeno Map: For the next several centuries, the Zeno Map was used by mariners and recognised by such well-known cartographers as Ruscelli, Ortelius, and Cornielle. Professor Hapgood found 37 points of identity between the Zeno Map and recent aerial surveys by the US Air Force. Zeno Narrative: Many references in the Narrative could not have been fabricated by a writer two centuries later. These include the Spring of Pitch and name references to places. 14th Century Cannon: Found in the waters of <st1:placename st="on">Louisburg</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Harbour</st1:placetype>, this cannon is exactly the same as one on display in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Venice</st1:city></st1:place>, which is authenticated to be late 14th century in origin. <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Newport</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:placetype></st1:place>: Many features in this Tower provide good evidence, though contested, that it was built by the Sinclair expedition. Legends of the Micmacs: There are many clues in the oral history of the Native Americans, which indicate the influence of Henry Sinclair in their land. Westford Knight Carving: Located in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Westford</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">MA</st1:state></st1:place>, there is a stone ledge onto which is carved a full sized armorial effigy of a 14th century knight, holding a shield bearing the crest of Clan Gunn. Boat Stone: An egg-shaped rock measuring about 18" diameter was found in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Westford</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">MA</st1:state></st1:place>, bearing a carved impression of a 14th century ship and the numerals "184" with an arrow. Scottish evidence in Rosslyn Chapel: Carved in stone about 1450 there are some Aloe and some Corn, both believed to have been unknown in Europe at the time, unless they were transported back from <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> by Prince Henry. </span></p> <h2 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Convincing Proofs <o:p></o:p></span></h2> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Extensive research has been performed by Niven Sinclair. He offers several "proofs", which will help to convince the "doubters" about Prince Henry Sinclair's expedition. These are quoted in part below: </span></p> <ol start="1" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops: list .5in"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">Contingency plans. Before Henry Sinclair left on his voyage, he made certain dispositions of his lands to his brothers, John and David. To his eldest daughter, Elizabeth, who married Sir John Drummond of Cargill, he left his lands in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Norway</st1:place></st1:country-region>, provided he died without a male heir. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops: list .5in"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">The Zeno Map. In 1398, Prince Henry Sinclair sent Nicolo Zeno with four ships to carry out a survey of <st1:place st="on">Greenland</st1:place>. Nicolo took John, the Bishop of Orkney, with him to <st1:place st="on">Greenland</st1:place>, and on his return two years later, he took Henrik, Bishop of Greenland, to the Orkneys. This exchange of Bishops appears in the <st1:place st="on">Vatican</st1:place> publication "Hierarchia Catholica" on page 283, covering the years 1198 to 1431. It is a powerful confirmation of the Zeno survey of <st1:place st="on">Greenland</st1:place>. The verification of the "Zeno Narrative" and Map was given further corroboration by such renowned cartographers as Professors Hapgood, Taylor, and Hobbs; Professors Barry Fell and Roger McLeod; Lord John Julian Norwich (noted Venetian historian); J. H. Major (Secretary of the Royal Geographic Society), and many others. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops: list .5in"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">Accuracy attested & confirmed. For the next several centuries the "Zeno Map" was used by such well-known cartographers as Ruscelli (in 1561), Mercator (in 1569), and Ortelius (in 1574). <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops: list .5in"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">The Zeno Narrative. In the words of Professor Taylor of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">London</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>, it appears to the present writer that it would be quite out of the question for any author to invent a story which in every detail reflects fact about which it would be quite impossible that he could have been aware. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops: list .5in"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">Zeno had never been to Rosslyn. The "Zeno Narrative" speaks of the "spring of pitch" which the reconnaissance party of 100 soldiers found at Stellarton and which they reported back to Prince Henry at Guysborough, both places in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:place></st1:state>. On hearing this, Prince Henry considered it was a "good omen" because there was a similar "spring of pitch" at his home at Rosslyn in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The "pitch" had been used as a medicine against the Black Death. Now this story is faithfully recounted in the Zeno Narrative, although Antonio Zeno had never been to Rosslyn. In other words, he could only have heard of the "spring of pitch" of Rosslyn from Henry as they both stood listening to the report of the returning soldiers in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:place></st1:state>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops: list .5in"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">The Westford Knight in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Massachusetts</st1:place></st1:state>. The effigy of a medieval knight is described by Professor Lethbridge of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Cambridge</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>; "The sword carved on the rock can hardly be anything but a medieval sword. The whole hilt looks about AD 1200-1300. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops: list .5in"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">Opinion of noted expert on heraldry. Sir Iain Moncrieffe, the Albany Herald (one of Scotland's most noted authorities on heraldry) writes, "Henry Sinclair was related to the Gunns . . . so the discovery at Westford of what is apparently an effigy of a fourteenth century knight in bascinet, mail, and surcoat, with a heater-shaped shield bearing devices of a Norse-Scottish character as might have been expected of a knight in Jarl Henry Sinclair's entourage <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops: list .5in"><span class="Apple-style-span"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Newport</span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""> <st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:placetype></span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">. In <st1:state st="on">Rhode Island</st1:state> the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Newport</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:placetype></st1:place> is constructed in a similar style to the Norse/Scottish buildings of the Western and Northern Isles. More important, every single measurement within <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Newport</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:placetype></st1:place> is based on the Scottish ell, which equals three Norse feet. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops: list .5in"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">Indian language. Professor Roger McLeod of <st1:placename st="on">Lowell</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype> in <st1:state st="on">Massachusetts</st1:state> compiled a huge dictionary of Norse and Gaelic words, which have been assimilated into the language of the tribes along the eastern seaboard of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Reider T. Sherwin in his book "The Viking and the Red Man" also writes about the Norse origin of the Algonquin language. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops: list .5in"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">Indian Legends. When Henry began to build a ship from local materials, the Micmacs tell of how "He built himself an island, planted trees on it, and sailed away in his stone canoe." When the Narragansett Indians were asked who built the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Newport</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:placetype></st1:place>, they replied, "They were fire- haired men with green eyes who sailed up river in a ship like a gull with a broken wing." <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops: list .5in"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">Rosslyn Chapel. Far across the ocean in <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> at the Rosslyn Chapel there are stone carvings of Indian maize, the American aloe cactii and sassafras, carved before <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Columbus</st1:place></st1:city> was born! <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops: list .5in"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">The Hakluyt Society. From the Boston Herald in 1892, one can read; "Leif came to the <st1:placetype st="on">land</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">North</st1:placename> <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>, built houses, made friends of the natives and explored the land, giving names to places some of which exist to the present day. These names were placed on the charts and are the same which Henry St. Clair used, affixed to his maps, now in possession of the Hakluyt Society." </span></span></li> </ol> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p> <h2 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Frequently Asked Questions about Prince Henry</span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%; mso-list:l3 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .75in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Are you sure that Prince Henry Sinclair really discovered <st1:country-region st="on">America</st1:country-region> before <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Columbus</st1:city></st1:place>?</span></b></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">a. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">Yes, I am! Historians are very correct in seeking conclusive evidence. Unfortunately, the documentation about Henry Sinclair is fragmentary. Thus many people have expressed doubts. Others have studied the saga of the Voyage of 1398, and they are willing to accept the basic premise that Prince Henry Sinclair explored <st1:country-region st="on">America</st1:country-region> 94 years before the time of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Columbus</st1:place></st1:city>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">b. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">You may ask, "why do people doubt the story?" The answer is obvious when you think that there were no public relations agents and no media 600 years ago. (Unlike a century later, when <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Columbus</st1:place></st1:city> benefited from the printing press to project his story.) The reports of the Sinclair Voyage reached very few ears, and just as important, the leading characters quickly vanished. In effect, the story was withheld! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">c. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">Prince Henry died in battle in Orkney soon after his return from <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Some people believe he was assassinated by members of the <st1:place st="on">Hanseatic League</st1:place>, who were threatened by his success in finding new trade routes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">d. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">The Navigator for Sinclair's fleet, Antonio Zeno, also died after his return to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Venice</st1:place></st1:city>. The Log of the Voyage, maintained by Antonio was placed in storage and not discovered for 160 years in 1558! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">e. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">The son of Prince Henry, by the same name, was captured at sea, while he was escorting the young Crown Prince James from <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> for safekeeping. Both were held in English prison for many years. (This Henry, married Egida, daughter of King Robert II) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%; mso-list:l3 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .75in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Is there any reason to believe that Christopher Columbus knew anything about Prince Henry Sinclair's voyage to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>?</span></b></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">His daughter, Elizabeth, passed the story along to her son, who told his in-laws, who were the parents of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Columbus</st1:place></st1:city>'s wife! (<st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Elizabeth</st1:place></st1:city> married Sir John Drummond, brother of King Robert III's wife. Their son married into the Perestrello family) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%; mso-list:l3 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .75in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">What's the evidence of the Voyage? <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">a. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">The Zeno Map, was drawn by Nicolo & Antonio Zeno, in 1393 in Prince Henry's ships and under his orders. This Map is known to have been used by mariners for the next 150 years. It showed the North Atlantic Ocean, all the way to <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:place></st1:state>, with incredible accuracy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">b. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">The Zeno Narrative, or ship's log, includes a number of references, which would have been impossible for others to fabricate. It describes the voyage and landing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">c. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">The Westford Knight carving in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Massachusetts</st1:place></st1:state> shows a Medieval Knight, bearing the Clan Gunn crest and a sword of unquestioned 14th century design. Many archaeologists agree it was carved in the late 1300's. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">d. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">The contingency plans made by Prince Henry before this voyage indicate that he was embarking on an expedition from which he might never return. His lands were disbursed to his sons and daughters. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">e. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">The Micmac Legends of the Native Americans have many references to a likeness of the Earl of Orkney, which in Indian language sounds like "Glooscap". The fishing net and reference to his "stone canoe" are examples. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">f. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">Many words in the Micmac language have a great similarity with Norse words, as were spoken by the Sinclair explorers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">g. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span">In <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> there is a Rosslyn Chapel, in which there are hundreds of stone carvings, made in the mid 1400's. Some show American corn and Aloe Cactus, which was unknown in <st1:place st="on">Europe</st1:place> at that time. It could only have been known if a Sinclair returned from travelling in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>! </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%; mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3;tab-stops:list .75in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Scots love their heros. But, Prince Henry isn't as well known as William Wallace & Robert the Bruce. Does he belong in the front rank of Scots great?</span></b></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">Yes indeed. In time, it is certain that Henry Sinclair will gain the recognition he deserves in history. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%; mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4;tab-stops:list .75in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Did Prince Henry really precede <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Columbus</st1:place></st1:city>?</span></b></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">Yes! The date of Prince Henry's appointment as Earl of Orkney on August 2, 1379, is unquestionably documented, well before 1492. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%; mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4;tab-stops:list .75in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The "<st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> on Sunday" newspaper quotes you as saying "Unfortunately Scots here in the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region> for some reason don't seem to be able to pull together. There isn't enough cooperation between clans. Clan Gunn has stopped talking to us" Is that true? <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">a. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">The single greatest lesson that Prince Henry taught the world was Harmonious Diversity. He was NOT a conquestitor. He was welcomed by the Micmac Indians, and their Legends report harmony in their relations with Glooscap. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">b. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">Every human being is different from others. Their likes and dislikes are not the same. However, the magic adhesive, which brings people together, is a feeling of Common Objectives. When individuals focus upon the same Goals, they are harmonious. That's when great achievements are made! Differences become unimportant. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">c. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">All Scots, including the Sinclairs and the Gunns, and in fact, all Europeans, share the Common Objective of recognising and celebrating their earliest explorations of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>. We also share the Goal of Peace and Harmony among mankind. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">d. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><span class="Apple-style-span">The Gunns and the Sinclairs will certainly celebrate the 600th anniversary together at the NH Highland Games this year! We expect a grand event, attended by 50,000 people! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p> <h2 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">A Medieval Hero For Today's World <o:p></o:p></span></span></h2> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">A man of nobility, Prince Henry Sinclair was born about 1345 in Rosslyn, located near <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Edinburgh</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>. His grandfathers on his father's side had been Earls of Rosslyn, where his ancestors had lived for 400 years; likewise, his grandfathers on his mother's side had been Earls of Orkney. Seventeen generations earlier, Henry Sinclair's forefathers were Vikings. He was a man of vision and ideals, believing that God and Nature are one. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">At the age of 13, Henry inherited the title of Baron of Rosslyn, when his father was slain while fighting with the Teutonic Knights in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Lithuania</st1:place></st1:country-region>. He was a Templar, having first hand acquaintance with older Templars who had escaped the Suppression thirty-seven years earlier. In addition, he was the Grand Master of Scottish Masons, a hereditary position granted to the Sinclairs by King Robert the Bruce in 1308. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">By the age of 21, Henry was Knighted by the King of Scotland and he was granted the title of Lord Chief Justice of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>. As Ambassador to <st1:country-region st="on">Denmark</st1:country-region>, he attended the marriage of Margaret to King Magnus of <st1:country-region st="on">Denmark</st1:country-region> in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Copenhagen</st1:place></st1:city>. Soon thereafter, he married their daughter. Unfortunately, she died and Henry remarried to Janet Halyburton in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">While visiting other capitals in Europe, Henry Sinclair met Carlo Zeno of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Venice</st1:place></st1:city>. Then, Carlo was promoting support for another Crusade, this one called King Peter's Crusade. In Venice Henry Sinclair observed the Arsenale as it produced ships at the amazing rate of one per day! Henry Sinclair joined the Crusade, just as his ancestors had enlisted in previous Crusades. In 1365 their 400 ships attacked <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Alexandria</st1:place></st1:city> and flattened the enemy. As a result, the Islamic nations banned trading for the Venetians, forcing them to search for more trading routes. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">When the Earl of Orkney died, and there were no closer blood descendants, Henry became the premier Jarl of Norway and Prince of Orkney. He was also the Duke of Oldenburg in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Denmark</st1:place></st1:country-region>, as well as the Baron of Rosslyn. Henry Sinclair travelled to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> to purchase several ships for his navy. In a short period of time, Henry had developed a fleet of ships larger than the navy of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Denmark</st1:place></st1:country-region>! He was successful in exerting control over his far-flung <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Orkney</st1:placename></st1:place> with its 200 islands, which consisted of 5000 square miles. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">When he was 53 years of age, an elder to many, Henry organised a voyage of twelve or thirteen ships. It was manned by a crew of 200-300 persons, and sailed on an epic voyage from Orkney to the Faeroe Islands & Iceland, on to <st1:city st="on">Greenland</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">Newfoundland</st1:state>, <st1:state st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:state>, and <st1:place st="on">New England</st1:place>. During his visit to <st1:place st="on">North America</st1:place>, he established peaceful rapport with the indigenous people, the Micmac Indians, whom he respectfully called "his beloved children." </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">For his effective manner of human relations among diverse cultures, combined with the courage and determination to achieve enormous objectives, Henry Sinclair has earned a place among our World's greatest <span lang="EN-GB">heroes</span>. While role models are difficult to find in the modern World, we can look to the Medieval Ages, where 600 years ago Prince Henry lived a life worthy of being held as an example for our youth and ourselves today. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;line-height: 150%; "><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-47672178539983801312011-01-27T21:16:00.000-08:002011-01-27T21:31:55.496-08:00The Rising Volcono<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">As with <st1:country-region st="on">Iran</st1:country-region> in ’79, Islamists, could hijack pro-democracy movements happening around the Arabs World especially in <st1:country-region st="on">Yemen</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Tunisia</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> and somehow in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jordan</st1:place></st1:country-region> and other parts. It is as <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“We're on thick ice, but even that melts eventually." </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Any expert on the matter will agree that we have to cast an uneasy eye at the civil unrest spreading through the region.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">On Thursday, <st1:country-region st="on">Yemen</st1:country-region> joined the list of <a href="http://newstopics.jpost.com/topic/Arabic_language" target="_blank">Arab</a> states experiencing unprecedented demonstrations calling for authoritarian leaders to step down, and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> braced for more civil unrest.<br /><br />While no analysts here predict any immediate ramifications for democratic countries’ national security, some said mass protest movements that begin as pro-democracy uprisings could easily be hijacked by Islamists.<br /><br />“We need to understand that we are living on a volcano,” said Maj.- Gen. (res.) Ya’acov Amidror, former head of the IDF’s Research and Assessment Directorate.<br /><br />I certainly agree that conditions can change from today until tomorrow. We must ask ourselves, what is the worst case scenario, “We are on thick ice, but even that melts eventually."<br /><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Advice we have heard from certain countries in <a href="http://newstopics.jpost.com/topic/Western_Europe" target="_blank">Western Europe</a> [suggesting that the uprisings could lead to a wave of democratic revolutions] should not be followed. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There’s no immediate fear of any security escalation. The main question is: In the long term, will we be ready for all scenarios. There’s a reasonable chance that if a revolution takes place in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>, the <a href="http://newstopics.jpost.com/topic/Muslim_Brotherhood" target="_blank">Muslim Brotherhood</a> would rise to power. That would be bad for all democracies.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The true struggle in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> was not between “Mubarak and pro-democracy elements, but between Mubarak and the Muslim Brotherhood.<br /><br />Casting his eye on <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Lebanon</st1:place></st1:country-region>, the recent confrontation between the pro-Western March 8 alliance and the Hizbullah-led March 14 bloc was not as severe as met the eye.<br /><br />It’s true that the two camps have been in a political confrontation that became sharper. But there is a clear interest for both sides to continue to cooperate – not only to prevent a civil war, but to enjoy the best of both worlds.<br /><br />“So long as there is a unity government, then pro-Western camp can ask the West for economic and military aid, while pointing to democracy in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Lebanon</st1:place></st1:country-region>, a free economy, and a functioning parliament. The role of Hizbullah is to continue to be the most powerful military force in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Lebanon</st1:place></st1:country-region>, and to have strategic control.<br /><br />It’s true that pro-democracy voices are being expressed – and that is positive – but we don’t know how it will end. Even in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Tunisia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, where the Islamists are weak, we don’t know how it will end. We can’t forget that in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>, at the end of the 1970s, the uprising against the shah was led by [pro-democracy] youths who took the streets – but this was taken over by Islamists in the end.</span></p>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-8909350689707116622011-01-17T09:19:00.000-08:002011-01-17T09:21:24.759-08:00Was Israel the Birthplace of Modern Humans?<p id="first" ad="7" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >It has long been believed that modern humans emerged from the continent of Africa 200,000 years ago. Now Tel Aviv University archaeologists have uncovered evidence that <em>Homo sapiens</em> roamed the land now called Israel as early as 400,000 years ago -- the earliest evidence for the existence of modern humans anywhere in the world.</span></p><p id="first" ad="7"></p><p ad="8" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The findings were discovered in the Qesem Cave, a pre-historic site located near Rosh Ha'ayin that was first excavated in 2000. Prof. Avi Gopher and Dr. Ran Barkai of Tel Aviv University's Department of Archaeology, who run the excavations, and Prof. Israel Hershkowitz of the university's Department of Anatomy and Anthropology and Sackler School of Medicine, together with an international team of scientists, performed a morphological analysis on eight human teeth found in the Qesem Cave.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >This analysis, which included CT scans and X-rays, indicates that the size and shape of the teeth are very similar to those of modern humans. The teeth found in the Qesem Cave are very similar to other evidence of modern humans from Israel, dated to around 100,000 years ago, discovered in the Skhul Cave in the Carmel and Qafzeh Cave in the Lower Galilee near Nazareth. The results of the researchers' findings are being published in the <em>American Journal of Physical Anthropology.</em></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" >Reading the past</span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Qesem Cave is dated to a period between 400,000 and 200,000 years ago, and archaeologists working there believe that the findings indicate significant evolution in the behavior of ancient humans. This period of time was crucial in the history of humankind from cultural and biological perspectives. The teeth that are being studied indicate that these changes are apparently related to evolutionary changes taking place at that time.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Prof. Gopher and Dr. Barkai noted that the findings related to the culture of those who dwelled in the Qesem Cave -- including the systematic production of flint blades; the regular use of fire; evidence of hunting, cutting and sharing of animal meat; mining raw materials to produce flint tools from subsurface sources -- reinforce the hypothesis that this was, in fact, innovative and pioneering behavior that may correspond with the appearance of modern humans.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" >An unprecedented discovery</span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >According to researchers, the discoveries made in the Qesem Cave may overturn the theory that modern humans originated on the continent of Africa. In recent years, archaeological evidence and human skeletons found in Spain and China also undermined this proposition, but the Qesem Cave findings because of their early age is an unprecedented discovery.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Excavations at Qesem Cave continue and the researchers hope to uncover additional finds that will enable them to confirm the findings published up to now and to enhance our understanding of the evolution of humankind -- especially the emergence of modern man.</span></p><p></p>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-24358235403933399702010-12-12T09:03:00.000-08:002010-12-12T09:08:26.545-08:00Netanyahu losing control<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The prime minister has sustained numerous blows in recent days and weeks. None of them is supposed to surprise him or his associates, as he is the main party responsible for them. As a result, at this time the almost official countdown to the demise of the second <a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3482383,00.html" target="_blank">Netanyahu</a> government is underway.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Within fewer than 20 months, Netanyahu managed to do the impossible – that is, to repeat all his past mistakes.</span></div><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">He ruined Israel’s foreign relations with many countries, headed by the United States, zigzagged himself to death with a series of puzzling decisions and counter-decisions, messed up the diplomatic process vis-à-vis the Palestinians because he capitulated to the Right, made secular and centrist voters sick and tired of his government because of the liquidation sale to the haredim, and turned his office into a hornets’ nest that is almost impossible to work at.</span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Yet the prime minister did not manage to do one thing – to keep his wife from getting involved in matters out of her jurisdiction.</span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Netanyahu also managed to be perceived as the major culprit, along with Interior Minister Eli Yishai, behind the horrifying neglect of Israel’s firefighting and rescue services. And we haven’t even mentioned the controversial laws passed by his government, and his hesitation and inability to take decisions which manifested itself through the establishment of infinite needless committees that keep on putting off important decisions.</span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Barak out of excuses</span></span></p> <p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">On the diplomatic front, the prime minister just got another reminder that time does not stand still. The American Administration’s announcement that the talks failed conveyed a sense of losing its patience with the bargaining vis-à-vis Netanyahu in recent weeks. Officials in Washington decided to put an end to the virtual reality that helped Netanyahu maintain his coalition; a reality that painted a distorted picture as though the diplomatic process was still alive and well.</span></p> <p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The American decision to declare that contacts with Israel over the freeze issue failed has dramatic political implications. The <a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3498355,00.html" target="_blank">Labor Party</a>, which as it is had been reaching boiling point in recent months, may find itself out of the government within a short period of time should we not see rapid progress on the diplomatic front. <a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3418778,00.html%20" target="_blank">Ehud Barak </a>no longer has any excuses left to keep his crumbling party in the coalition.</span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Now, the pressure shall grow and senior Labor officials are talking about the beginning of the end and full recognition that “everything is stuck.” And when this is the case, Labor has no reason to stay in Netanyahu’s government, and the prime minister may end up with the coalition he most feared: A narrow rightist coalition.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The second Netanyahu government can be likened to a car that is about to run out of fuel. It’s going on vapors at this time; the remnants of shady political deals and the personal fears of politicians who are clinging to their government seats like a drowning man hanging on to straw. Yet any rookie parliamentary aide knows that one cannot drive for long on vapors. The car is indeed moving, yet it’s only make-belief; it won’t be making it far.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Source: Ynet</span></p></div>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-32038880816339415792010-12-11T09:53:00.000-08:002010-12-11T09:55:20.058-08:00Lost Civilization<p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Veiled beneath the Persian Gulf, a once-fertile landmass may have supported some of the earliest humans outside Africa some 75,000 to 100,000 years ago, a new review of research suggests. </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >At its peak, the floodplain now below the Gulf would have been about the size of Great Britain, and then shrank as water began to flood the area. Then, about 8,000 years ago, the land would have been swallowed up by the Indian Ocean, the review scientist said. </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The study, which is detailed in the December issue of the journal Current Anthropology, has broad implications for aspects of human history. For instance, scientists have debated over when <a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/livescience/sc_livescience/storytext/lostcivilizationmayhaveexistedbeneaththepersiangulf/39022669/SIG=11us5h645/*http://www.livescience.com/health/070718_africa_origins.html">early modern humans exited Africa</a>, with dates as early as 125,000 years ago and as recent as 60,000 years ago (the more recent date is the currently accepted paradigm), according to study researcher Jeffrey Rose, an archaeologist at the <a style="POSITION: static; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: dotted; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #366388; TEXT-DECORATION: none" id="KonaLink0" class="kLink" href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20101210/sc_livescience/lostcivilizationmayhaveexistedbeneaththepersiangulf#" target="undefined"><span style="position: static; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; "><span style="position: static; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; " class="kLink">University </span><span style="position: static; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; " class="kLink">of </span><span style="position: static; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; " class="kLink">Birmingham</span></span></a> in the U.K.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >"I think Jeff's theory is bold and imaginative, and hopefully will shake things up," Robert Carter of Oxford Brookes University in the U.K. told LiveScience. "It would completely rewrite our understanding of the out-of-Africa migration. It is far from proven, but Jeff and others will be developing <a style="POSITION: static; TEXT-DECORATION: none" id="KonaLink1" class="kLink" href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20101210/sc_livescience/lostcivilizationmayhaveexistedbeneaththepersiangulf#" target="undefined"><span style="position: static; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; "><span style="position: static; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; " class="kLink">research </span><span style="position: static; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; " class="kLink">programs</span></span></a> to test the theory."</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Viktor Cerny of the Archaeogenetics Laboratory, the Institute of Archaeology, in Prague, called Rose's finding an "excellent theory," in an e-mail to LiveScience, though he also points out the need for more research to confirm it.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The findings have sparked discussion among researchers, including Carter and Cerny, who were allowed to provide comments within the research paper, about who exactly the humans were who occupied the Gulf basin. </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >"Given the presence of Neanderthal communities in the upper reaches of the Tigris and Euphrates River, as well as in the eastern Mediterranean region, this may very well have been the contact zone between moderns and Neanderthals," Rose told LiveScience. In fact, recent evidence from the sequencing of the Neanderthal genome suggests interbreeding, meaning <a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/livescience/sc_livescience/storytext/lostcivilizationmayhaveexistedbeneaththepersiangulf/39022669/SIG=12abqmehf/*http://www.livescience.com/history/neanderthal-genome-mating-100506.html">we are part caveman</a>.</span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The Gulf Oasis would have been a shallow inland basin exposed from about 75,000 years ago until 8,000 years ago, forming the southern tip of the <a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/livescience/sc_livescience/storytext/lostcivilizationmayhaveexistedbeneaththepersiangulf/39022669/SIG=11sids4on/*http://www.livescience.com/history/top10_iraq_battles.html">Fertile Crescent</a>, according to historical sea-level records. </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >And it would have been an ideal refuge from the harsh deserts surrounding it, with fresh water supplied by the Tigris, Euphrates, Karun and Wadi Baton Rivers, as well as by upwelling springs, Rose said. And during the last ice age when conditions were at their driest, this basin would've been at its largest. </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >In fact, in recent years, archaeologists have turned up evidence of a wave of human settlements along the shores of the Gulf dating to about 7,500 years ago. </span> </p><p></p>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-22984351393537425202010-12-06T19:03:00.000-08:002010-12-06T19:06:25.465-08:00Saudi Arabia funding terror<p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Even US allies in the Arab world continue to fund terror organizations, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton claimed in a cable posted Monday by WikiLeaks. The document, written last December, said that citizens in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE are the main funders of various organizations including <a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3478471,00.html" target="_blank">al-Qaeda</a>, the Taliban, <a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3377113,00.html" target="_blank">Hamas</a>, Lashkar e-Taiba and others. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Saudi Arabia, a principal US ally on both military and diplomatic levels, is presented in the cables as a particularly troubling problem. A cable from February this year said Saudi funding of terrorists remains a serious problem, and that Saudi Arabia does little to prevent such activity, relying mainly on tips from the CIA.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >In a memo, Clinton notes that terror groups raise millions of dollars each year from Saudi sources, often during the hajj pilgrimage and the month of Ramadan. It is an ongoing challenge to persuade the authorities to make prevention of such activity a top priority, Clinton wrote. She added that Saudi contributors were the main source of funding for terror groups around the world.</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >In the leaked cables, Clinton and other senior sources note the "strategic gap" between the US and the UAE, which is exploited by terror groups. Qatar, which defeated the US in its bid to host the 2022 World Cup, is described as the "worst" in the region in its struggle against terror, while Kuwait is noted as a key point in the transfer of funds.</span></div><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Clinton emphasized in a State Department internal memo that political will must be formed in those states in order to block terror funding networks, which threaten the stability in Pakistan and Afghanistan and threaten the lives of coalition soldiers.</span></div><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; ">Kuwait: US taking draconian measures</span></span></p> <p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >However, while the US may be frustrated by the failure of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states to prevent the flow of funds, Arab states claim the US is "jumping to conclusions." According to cables from various US diplomats published in the New York Times and other papers, these states hold that the US has insufficient evidence that Islamic charitable groups and individuals fund terror. </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > A cable sent to Washington reports that senior figures in Kuwait oppose what they call America's "draconian measures" against important charitable organizations. US sources repeatedly expressed their concern regarding such organizations which are not under the supervision of state authorities, and are used to fund groups abroad.</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >However, another document details a meeting between a Kuwaiti minister and the US ambassador, during which the minister was "honest and pessimistic" about abilities to stop those funding terror in the framework of the law and political climate in Kuwait.</span></div><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > In another cable, the US embassy in Riyadh reports that the finance minister told the Saudi intelligence services about a visit of three senior Taliban members who were coming to the country to raise funds. The Saudis said they knew nothing of the visit. Prince Muhammad bin Nayef, who managed affairs during the absence of King Abdullah who went to the US for an operation, said it was a case of poor judgment and not support for terror.</span></p><p></p><p></p>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-33552202337303019742010-11-22T09:42:00.000-08:002010-11-22T09:43:16.898-08:00Former Catholic theologian says much of the clergy is gay<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Theologian David Berger, was correspondent professor for the Pontifical Academy of St Thomas Aquinas in the Vatican, where he said his academic work was watched and censored where it concerned homosexuality. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >As a gay man himself, he told </span></span></span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Der Spiegel</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > in an interview that living among the Catholic homophobia was a nightmare. </span></span></span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >“It must be acknowledged that a large number of Catholic clerics and trainee priests in Europe and the United States are homosexually-inclined,” he said. </span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >He said when he was writing for theological magazines, he had to use phrases such as fornication-partner rather than life-partner, and that the neutral word homosexual could not be used, but gay men were described as perverse sodomites. </span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >“The worst homophobia in the Catholic Church comes from homophile priests, who are desperately fighting their own sexuality,” he said. </span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >“Obviously, those who follow their urges are repudiated more fiercely when one is so painfully repressing that disposition oneself.”</span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Now working as a teacher in Cologne, Berger outed himself as gay this April after the Bishop of Essen Franz-Josepf Overbeck described homosexuality as perverse and a sin during an appearance on a television chat show. </span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Berger’s book about his experiences within the Church </span></span></span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >The holy illusion – a gay theologian in the Catholic Church</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > which is published this week. </span></span></span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; "><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >The Local/hc</span></i></span></div></i>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-78888213229819508172010-11-13T10:20:00.000-08:002010-11-13T13:57:27.494-08:00Kidnapping Plot Thwarted<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Two weeks ago, the world woke up with the eminent threat of courier bombs through DHL and Fedex located in <st1:city st="on">Dubai</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Greece</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on">UK</st1:country-region> from provenance of <st1:country-region st="on">Yemen</st1:country-region> to <st1:country-region st="on">United States</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">France</st1:country-region> and <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place>. New tentacles of terror cells are on the rise using modern technology like Facebook, Skype, msn and others, to kidnap people who bear surnames of famous families and professional in the free-world. Their target is mainly high profile Israelis, Jews in the Diaspora and business related people. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Several months ago, a certain Xhemajedlin Mustafi also known as Xhemo, age 22 years, contacted me and presented himself as the Former Advisor and Friend of the Vice Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia. At first, I was hesitant to continue conversation but his attitude was very Pro-Western and Zionist which was intriguing for a young Macedonian of Albanian origin.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Over few weeks, he held discussion over how to improve collaboration between Muslims, Christians and Jews in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Macedonia</st1:place></st1:country-region> and how they can integrate the society as a united force for making the country as a vehicle of development for social upliftment.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">The alleged “Advisor” had something else in his mind; he wanted to be in contact with Israeli Diplomats and wanted to meet them for holding bilateral talks to enhance cooperation between The State of Israel and the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Republic</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Macedonia</st1:placename></st1:place>. I told him that for such things, I can only advise which diplomatic channels to use as I do not get involved in state matters of countries. He was advised that the Macedonian Foreign Ministry to contact its embassy if any in Israel for holding an official preparation for the travel with the Israeli counterpart using all established protocols. Nevertheless, his plan was, inviting the Former Foreign Minister MK Tzipi Livni, the Head of the Opposition Party Kadima to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Macedonia</st1:place></st1:country-region>. I was clear to him that I cannot help him in such matters.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">There were some doubts regarding the state of the continuous change in his plans and hence for coming few weeks he remained quiet. He surprisingly gave me his MSN live and Skype address and wanted to introduce his Advisor friends and also business circles which he did and I was perplexed that he was well conversant in English but his other colleagues could not speak English . At the same time he would use to call from <st1:country-region st="on">France</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Turkey</st1:place></st1:country-region> and other European countries to inform that he is travelling on state matters.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">He was quietly laying his traps for other professional and he contacted Ms Bat-Zion Susskind-Sacks who is ardent support of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region> and Friend. She is a professional in the Health Sector. The “Advisor” was not aware that Batzi is also a correspondent for Weekly Blitz. He held direct talks with Batzi and apparently, there was disagreement between them and Xhemo again contacted me to intervene as Batzi wrongly understood him and wanted to reaffirm that he is a very pro-Israel Muslim. I just conveyed the message to Batzi and they both resumed their talks to sign a proposal for health care reform in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Macedonia</st1:country-region></st1:place> and in last phone call, he announced the great news that the contract was signed.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">The articles below are extracts of the investigation carried out by Ms. Bat-Zion and Shoaib Choudhury of Weekly Blitz.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Israel</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"> correspondent of Weekly Blitz, Bat Zion Susskind has successfully busted a huge crime racket inside the ministry of a member state of European Union. She spent several months in investigating the matter and finally was able to get the specific evidence of crime inside the Ministry of Health in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Macedonia</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">According to information, Xhemajledin Mustafi, introducing himself to be the advisor to the Ministry, offered job to many people in the ministry. Dr. Bujar Osmani is the minister in charge of the ministry. In an email to Blitz correspondent [Blitz correspondent did not disclose her real identity], Xhemajledin Mustafi wrote:</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">"We are looking for a foreign advisor with experience in the field of public health administration because now we are going to apply for EU funds on some certain important projects and we need your expertise. If you agree to work with us I will send you the contract of work and organize you a meeting with the Minister in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Skopje</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Macedonia</st1:country-region></st1:place>."</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">According to Ms. Susskind, Mustafi, who also introduced himself as Jemo stressed that his government insisted on hiring an Israeli consultant with a "Western education" as they were interested in privatizing their health care system in the fashion of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region> and other developed countries. Mustafi also stressed that though he was a Muslim, he was a supporter of the State of Israel and the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Xhemajledin Mustafi would generally conduct the negotiations on Skype as he claimed to be travelling over <st1:place st="on">Europe</st1:place>, as part of his Macedonian government business.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Subsequently, our correspondent continued to communicate with Xhemajledin Mustafi. Without knowing the identity of Weekly Blitz correspondent, Mustafi was continuing his fraudulent communications and were giving false statements related to the activities inside the Ministry of Health.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">On October 24, 2010, Xhemajledin Mustafi wrote in an email:</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">"Today 24th of October 2010 the Government of the Republic of Macedonia in the session opened for the public has decided or saying more professionally has taken responsibility to implement the health care reform and engaging international consultants.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">And according to this Governmental decision there will be a budget of 70.000.000 EUR for the implementation of the first stage of this national and top priority project!"</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">On November 1, 2010, Xhemajledin Mustafi sent a contract to Ms. Susskind by fax. On receiving the contract copy, which is made on the official stationary of the Ministry of Health of Macedonia, with signatures of the minister Dr. Osmani and so-called advisor to the ministry, Xhemajledin Mustafi, our Israel correspondent contacted the ministry and got it confirmed from the ministry that the document was forged one. The so-called contract came from fax number 02-322-8220, which is owned by MANERA COMMERCE, <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Macedonia</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">It is learn from various sources that Xhemajledin Mustafi was continuing such fraudulent activities using the name of the ministry of health as well as other high officials and ministers of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Macedonia</st1:place></st1:country-region>. It is apprehended that, Xhemajledin Mustafi is a member of fraud racket in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Macedonia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, who was using ministry's stationary and minister's forged signature in befooling people.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Latest bust into the huge scam inside the ministry of health in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Macedonia</st1:country-region></st1:place> surely leaves alarming signal for the government of that country.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Ms. Bat Zion Susskind is continuing her investigation on unearthing the mystery behind suspicious involvement of Xhemajledin Mustafi, who claimed to be the advisor to the Ministry of Health in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Macedonia</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Meanwhile, Weekly Blitz is also investigating the issue through numerous channels.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">The background of the story in brief is Xhemajledin Mustafi, introducing himself to be the advisor to the Ministry, offered job to many people in the ministry. Dr. Bujar Osmani is the minister in charge of the ministry of Health. Xhemajledin Mustafi would generally conduct the negotiations on Skype as he claimed to be travelling over <st1:place st="on">Europe</st1:place>, as part of his Macedonian government business. He was frequently changing his cell phone numbers and skype addresses while contacting various Israeli nationals.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Xhemajledin Mustafi also introduced himself as the family friend of Musa Xhaferi, Albanian born Deputy Prime Minister of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Macedonia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, who earlier was the overseas representative of the National Liberation Army. The National Liberation Army [NLA] also known as the Macedonian UÇK, was a militant organization that operated in the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Republic</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Macedonia</st1:placename></st1:place> in 2001 and was closely associated with the Kosovo Liberation Army [KLA].</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">The NLA was founded in the fall of 1999, and was led by former KLA Commander Ali Ahmeti, nephew of one of the founders of the KLA. Ahmeti is known to Slav-Macedonian nationalists as the Macedonian version of Osama Bin laden. The Macedonian government claimed the NLA were an extremist terrorist organization seeking to separate Albanian majority areas and unites those territories with <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Albania</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Beginning on January 22, 2001 the NLA began to carry out attacks on Macedonian security forces, using light weapons. The conflict soon escalated and by the start of March 2001, the NLA had taken effective control of a large swathe of northern and western <st1:country-region st="on">Macedonia</st1:country-region> and came within 12 miles of the capital <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Skopje</st1:place></st1:city>. In March 2001, NLA members failed to take the city of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Tetovo</st1:place></st1:city> in an open attack, but controlled the hills and mountains between Tetovo and Kosovo. On May 3, 2001 a Macedonian government counter offensive failed in the Kumanovo area. By June 8, the rebels took Aracinovo, a village outside of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Skopje</st1:place></st1:city>. On August 16, the two sides signed a peace deal ending the open conflict.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Although the conflict in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Macedonia</st1:place></st1:country-region> was brief, it was not scant of war crimes. According to Human Rights Watch, "Ethnic Albanian rebels in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Macedonia</st1:place></st1:country-region> tortured, sexually abused road workers after abducting them from the Skopje-Tetovo highway. Dozens of ethnic Macedonians were kidnapped. While many were released after a short time, 12 people apparently remained missing after the NLA released 14 others in late September. In October, reports suggested that the 12 may have been killed and buried in mass graves near Neproshteno. The case was referred by the Macedonian government to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Yugoslavia</st1:place></st1:country-region> for investigation.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">The KLA was regarded by the <st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region> as a terrorist group until 1998 when it was de-listed, and then the <st1:country-region st="on">UK</st1:country-region> and the <st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region> lobbied <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> to do the same. The <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> then cultivated diplomatic relationships with the KLA leaders. In 1999 the KLA was officially disbanded and their members entered other armed groups such as various Albanian Macedonian rebels, the UCPMB in the Preševo Valley region and UNMIK instituted NGOs within Kosovo such as the Kosovo Protection Corps [in accordance with UNSC resolution 1244 which required the establishment of a civilian emergency protection body to replace the former KLA] and Kosovo Police Force. Some of the Kosovo Liberation Army leadership opted to enter politics, and by taking advantage of the 1999 confusion they still lead the Albanian faction of the partially recognized Kosovar government.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Xhemajledin Mustafi [22] and his 'family friend' Musa Xhaferi are 'former Mujahedins'. And most importantly, though National Liberation Army of Macedonia are disbanded, in reality, the terror outfits remains at the deep cover level enjoying silent support from various important and influential people in the Macedonian government. It may be mentioned here that, National Liberation Army is no exception than Revolutionary Guards in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> or mega-terrorist outfits like Hamas and Hezbollah. Importantly, leaders in NLA, KLA and others are fanatic Muslims with Wahhabi indoctrinations of waging Jihad [Holy War] against non-Muslims.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">According to our own findings, current and former leaders of NLA were planning to allure a number of Israeli nationals with job offers and ultimately make them captive in Macedonia with the target of using them as 'pawn' in getting released reveral Al Qaeda, Hamas and other Islamist militants in Israel and United States.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">With this goal in mind, deep cover Jihadist of NLA, Xhemajledin Mustafi was communicating with Israeli nationals and offered them jobs with Health Ministry in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Macedonia</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">But, Weekly Blitz's <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region> correspondent very effectively foiled the entire plot when she started getting several documents and information in hand from Mustafi. One of the documents was the official agreement letter issued by the Macedonian Health Ministry, where the emblem used in official stationary was not current one. It is understood that the plotters intentionally used the old emblem with the ulterior motive of denying any involvement of Macedonian government, once several Israelis were made captive by Islamist terror groups in that country.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Since publication of the first report in Weekly Blitz, Xhemajledin Mustafi went into hiding. It is believed that, Mustafi is sheltered by several influential people in the Macedonian government.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">The investigation is still being carried and bits and pieces of the puzzle is being unearthed and it is apparently clear that the plan of the so called Advisor Xhemo was to invite High Profile Israelis (VIPs) and People belonging to famous families to Macedonia and hence kidnap them. It can also be assumed that he is being used and brainwashed by them for carrying out their operations or he might be a jihadist himself. In a conversation with a friend from <st1:country-region st="on">Italy</st1:country-region>, whose parents lived in <st1:country-region st="on">Macedonia</st1:country-region> during the Gulf war, confirmed that the Terror cells are hiding in <st1:country-region st="on">Macedonia</st1:country-region> and said not to forget what happened in <st1:place st="on">Kurdistan</st1:place>. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia was made aware of all these and apparently, this could an embarrassment for them as they have not still released any official statement regarding this issue. Had, Batzi not carried out this investigation in time, I could have been kidnapped during my travel there as I had accepted to visit <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Macedonia</st1:country-region></st1:place> in March 2011 and had asked to be sent a detail list of programme where I would intervene.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Thankful to Ms Bat-Zion Susskind-Sacks and Shoaib Choudhurry for their investigation for exposing this plot.</span></span></span></i></span></p>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-38956441527377220972010-11-12T10:11:00.000-08:002010-11-12T10:15:37.803-08:00Iran fails to get seat on UN Women board<div style="text-align: justify;"><a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3284215,00.html" target="_blank">Iran</a> failed <span class="Apple-style-span" >to secure a seat on a key board running the new UN super agency to improve women's rights as fierce lobbying by western nations and rights groups swayed an election Wednesday. Saudi Arabia, whose candidacy was also criticized, got an automatic seat and rights groups said they will now seek to put the spotlight on the kingdom's record.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Iran was beaten to an Asian seat on the executive board by East Timor, a late entrant to the contest, in a vote at the UN General Assembly. Four UN agencies were merged this year to set up UN Women under the leadership of former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet.</span></div><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Iran had originally been guaranteed a place as the Asia region had put forward 10 candidates for 10 seats. Iran and Pakistan were on the agreed list. East Timor risked the wrath of its Asian neighbors by putting itself forward as a spoiler late last week, as controversy mounted over Iran's rights record, diplomats said. It won 36 votes against 19 for Iran.</span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The United States, European Union, Australia and Canada carried out an intensive diplomatic campaign to thwart Iran, diplomats said."It was an expression of disapproval of Iran's rights record," Norway's UN ambassador Morten Wetland told AFP, explaining his country's decision to back East Timor.</span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >"They lost and they lost handily," commented US ambassador Susan Rice on Iran's defeat."We have made no secret of our concern that Iran joining the board of UN Women would have been an inauspicious start to that board," she told reporters.</span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >'Shocking system of male guardianship'</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Campaigners had highlighted Iran's treatment of women, including the case of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani who was sentenced to be stoned to death for adultery. Though Iran has said this will not be carried out, reports say she could now be hanged after being found guilty of the murder of her husband. </span></p> <p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >"We are extremely relieved," said Philippe Bolopion, UN specialist for the Human Rights Watch group. "Iran has a catastrophic record on rights," he said."It is a country which has distinguished itself by actively repressing women's rights activists, they have harassed many and imprisoned some," he told AFP.</span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >A resolution on Iran's human rights is to be voted at the UN General Assembly next week and is already the subject of intense new lobbying, diplomats said. Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi had said before the vote that having either Iran or Saudi Arabia on the board of UN Women would "a joke".Ebadi said that Saudi Arabia's record on women is worse than Iran.</span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >In Saudi Arabia women are forbidden to drive and cannot take major decisions without the permission of a male relative. "They have one of the worst records in the world when it comes to women's rights. But by being on the board they have essentially put the spotlight on their own record," said Bolopion.</span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >"We want to use this spotlight to push them to start making some significant progress. By working to put an end to the shocking system of male guardianship, by which women in Saudi Arabia cannot make any important decisions in their lives," he said. It secured an automatic seat from a group of donor countries for which there was no vote.</span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The US ambassador said that UN Women is "a vitally important institution", and questioned about the Saudi presence she added: "I am not going to deny that there were several countries that are going to join the board of UN Women that have less than stellar records on women's rights and indeed human rights."</span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The HRW specialist said that Saudi Arabia had "bought" a seat on the UN Women board. "They have one of the worst records in the world when it comes to women's rights. But by being on the board they have essentially put the spotlight on their own record," said Bolopion.</span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >"We want to use this spotlight to push them to start making some significant progress. By working to put an end to the shocking system of male guardianship, by which women in Saudi Arabia cannot make any important decisions in their lives," he said.</span></p></div>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-28363083998551835912010-11-12T10:06:00.000-08:002010-11-12T10:07:58.674-08:00Livni: Government suffers from political schizophrenia<p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >"I heard (Foreign Minister Avigdor) Lieberman <a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3983162,00.html">say</a> that whoever thinks peace with Syria can be achieved is a political hypochondriac. If we're already talking in psychiatric terms, I think a government that says this one day and then talks of peace with Syria and the Palestinians the next day – this is a government of political schizophrenia," Opposition Chairperson <a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3525610,00.html" target="_blank">Tzipi Livni</a> said Friday. </span></p> <p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >During a meeting with residents of the Menashe Regional Council, the leader of the Kadima party said the government "is not being truthful with the public or with itself."</span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Addressing the <a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3983222,00.html">bill</a> granting yeshiva students millions in state funds, Livni blamed "the bad system of government and weak politicians" for creating a situation whereby haredi parties "have a monopoly on the issue of Judaism.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >"The younger generation does not want to be connected to very problematic politics that take advantage of the ruling party's (Likud) weakness. The haredi parties must not be given a monopoly on the Jewish state," she says.</span></p>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-46671168753812727742010-11-06T01:21:00.000-07:002010-11-06T01:25:22.982-07:00Crime inside EU ministry busted!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolfW5Ef6L8hbKEjO_ccN7OyQRnwrEd4oLHknmHSaZRLgfXA9HGzq3cLn2z-brqKGEgvD8lxGq9Ko2VgLDWv7YFlzXDxCt_meQcy1BNyFA7fvdADBkHuQhafgMGRxs1QJEbBzn3ZrCBGkN/s1600/1099.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolfW5Ef6L8hbKEjO_ccN7OyQRnwrEd4oLHknmHSaZRLgfXA9HGzq3cLn2z-brqKGEgvD8lxGq9Ko2VgLDWv7YFlzXDxCt_meQcy1BNyFA7fvdADBkHuQhafgMGRxs1QJEbBzn3ZrCBGkN/s400/1099.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536349626565312306" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Israel</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" > correspondent of Weekly Blitz, Bat Zion Susskind has successfully busted a huge crime racket inside the ministry of a member state of European Union. She spent several months in investigating the matter and finally was able to get the specific evidence of crime inside the Ministry of Health in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Macedonia</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >According to information, Xhemajledin Mustafi, introducing himself to be the advisor to the Ministry, offered job to many people in the ministry. Dr. Osmani is the minister in charge of the ministry. In an email to Blitz correspondent [Blitz correspondent did not disclose her real identity], Xhemajledin Mustafi wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >"We are looking for a foreign advisor with experience in the field of public health administration because now we are going to apply for EU funds on some certain important projects and we need your expertise. If you agree to work with us I will send you the contract of work and organize you a meeting with the Minister in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Skopje</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Macedonia</st1:country-region></st1:place>."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >According to Ms. Susskind, Mustafi, who also introduced himself as Jemo stressed that his government insisted on hiring an Israeli consultant with a "Western education" as they were interested in privatizing their health care system in the fashion of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region> and other developed countries. Mustafi also stressed that though he was a Muslim, he was a supporter of the State of Israel and the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Xhemajledin Mustafi would generally conduct the negotiations on Skype as he claimed to be travelling over <st1:place st="on">Europe</st1:place>, as part of his Macedonian government business.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Subsequently, our correspondent continued to communicate with Xhemajledin Mustafi. Without knowing the identity of Weekly Blitz correspondent, Mustafi was continuing his fraudulent communications and were giving false statements related to the activities inside the Ministry of Health.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >On October 24, 2010, Xhemajledin Mustafi wrote in an email:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >"Today 24th of October 2010 the Government of the Republic of Macedonia in the session opened for the public has decided or saying more professionally has taken responsibility to implement the health care reform and engaging international consultants.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >And according to this Governmental decision there will be a budget of 70.000.000 EUR for the implementation of the first stage of this national and top priority project!"<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >On November 1, 2010, Xhemajledin Mustafi sent a contract to Ms. Susskind by fax. On receiving the contract copy, which is made on the official stationary of the Ministry of Health of Macedonia, with signatures of the minister Dr. Osmani and so-called advisor to the ministry, Xhemajledin Mustafi, our Israel correspondent contacted the ministry and got it confirmed from the ministry that the document was forged one. The so-called contract came from fax number 02-322-8220, which is owned by MANERA COMMERCE, <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Macedonia</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >It is learn from various sources that Xhemajledin Mustafi was continuing such fraudulent activities using the name of the ministry of health as well as other high officials and ministers of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Macedonia</st1:place></st1:country-region>. It is apprehended that, Xhemajledin Mustafi is a member of fraud racket in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Macedonia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, who was using ministry's stationary and minister's forged signature in befooling people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Latest bust into the huge scam inside the ministry of health in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Macedonia</st1:place></st1:country-region> surely leaves alarming signal for the government of that country.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury</i></span></b></span></div><span><div style="text-align: left; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>November 6, 2010</i></span></b></span></div></span><p></p>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-72440632583577096732010-10-17T00:03:00.000-07:002010-10-17T00:06:13.853-07:00Multiculturalism failed miserably in Germany<p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced Saturday that the multicultural model for integration in Germany has "miserably failed." For the first time, Merkel expressed a clear position in an ongoing debate over the integration of immigrants – especially Muslims – into German society, stressing that the current situation must be changed.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >According to Merkel, immigrants should be required to integrate in society, by committing to learn the German language – and not only be allowed to do so voluntarily, as has been the policy up until now. </span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Despite her criticism, however, Merkel stressed that Islam was an "integral" part of modern Germany. </span></p> <p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The chancellor's comment were said during a speech in front of the Christian-Democratic Union party youth congress (CDU-CSU), and came in the midst of a stormy debate ranging across the country's political spectrum, with CSU Chairman Horst Seehofer calling to stop Muslim immigration to Germany on the one hand, and President Christian Wolff declaring that Islam is part of Germany, just like Judaism and Christianity, on the other.</span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Merkel's remarks reinforced Seehofer's declaration on Friday, saying "multiculturalism is dead," and indicate a swerve to the right in the ruling party's policies – at least on matters pertaining to immigration.</span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Seehofer, who </span><a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3966820,00.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" >stirred a storm last </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" >week after declaring in a magazine interview that immigration from Turkey and the Arab countries – which he defined "foreign cultures" – must be stopped, added on Friday that Germany draws its values only from "Judeo-Christian tradition and humanistic values."</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Although Seehofer's comments were strongly condemned by German officials including his own party members, Chancellor Merkel abstained from issuing a response.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Media war</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >In the past few weeks media outlets have been extensively covering various stories relating to immigrants in Germany, including a report about German students who were regularly harassed by children of immigrants, who call them names such as "pig eaters."</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >A popular German tabloid reported that a real estate company in one of the Gulf states conditioned signing rental contracts for apartments in the center of Berlin with adherence to "Islamic values," such as prohibition on drinking alcohol and gambling.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >A </span><a class="bluelink" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3969418,00.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" >comprehensive survey </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" >published this week indicated that more than a third of Germans supported sending immigrants back to their original homelands – even though some have been living in Germany for over 40 years.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >According to the poll, 55% of Germans believed that Muslims are "unpleasant people," compared with 44% who held the same sentiments seven years ago.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Fifty eight percent claimed that the practice of Islam should be restricted in Germany, while one-in-ten Germans said they yearned for a "fuehrer" – a term affiliated with the Third Reich, meaning a "strong leader."</span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Commentators raised the possibility that public sentiments and declining coalitional approval rates prompted the Right to associate with the populist camp in an effort to garner support. </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The prevalent feeling in the country is that the dam has been breached, and that it is suddenly permissible to speak against immigrants in Germany, said an integration expert from the Free University of Berlin in an interview with the New York Times.</span></p><p></p><p></p>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-83993092495023068042010-10-10T09:31:00.000-07:002010-10-10T09:35:30.318-07:00The trial of Galileo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUY_olTbgQ74x_u0wDnE8oWCn-WHOjqARBVa7PysSEd72v0EPpdqdIRc9DRQHij-PAMwl8_dSO9F0vNPzyF5bmrQL4_taLBseB6IhxCePiey5NzEtPhjcc35sw-oCGEp7UodpQnO5sLSd/s1600/ShowImage.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 311px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUY_olTbgQ74x_u0wDnE8oWCn-WHOjqARBVa7PysSEd72v0EPpdqdIRc9DRQHij-PAMwl8_dSO9F0vNPzyF5bmrQL4_taLBseB6IhxCePiey5NzEtPhjcc35sw-oCGEp7UodpQnO5sLSd/s400/ShowImage.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526456645153606018" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Italian scientist convicted of heresy and confined by the Pope to house arrest in 1633 for teaching that the Earth orbits the sun. On September 20, 1633, the Italian scientist </span><a class="headupTerm" href="http://newstopics.jpost.com/topic/Galileo_Galilei" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Galileo Galilei</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" > is tried by the Church for teaching that the Earth orbits the sun. As a result, on the Pope’s order, he was confined to house arrest for the remainder of his life until his death in 1642, at the age of 77.</span></div><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_article_control_lblArticleTeaser"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div></span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >One century earlier, Nicolaus Copernicus had published </span><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" >On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" >, the first book to outline a comprehensive heliocentric cosmology. This revolutionary theory placed the sun at center of the universe, rather than the Earth.</span></div><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_article_control_lblArticleBody"><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Geocentricism, the theory placing the Earth at the center of the Universe, had been vastly accepted since the 2</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" >nd</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" > century AD, when firmly established by Claudius Ptolemy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >What is known as the “Galileo affair” began in 1610 when he came out against the Ptolemaic scientific view in his book </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >Starry Messenger. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" >Using the new telescope he had developed, he made observations supporting Copernican astronomy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >In reaction, many scientific and theological scholars attacked the theory because it seemingly contradicted Ptolemy's model of the universe, as well as several passages of Holy Scripture. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Galilei responded to that criticism in his letter to Kepler in August 1610 saying “My dear Kepler, I wish that we might laugh at the remarkable stupidity of the common herd. What do you have to say about the principal philosophers of this academy who are filled with the stubbornness of an asp and do not want to look at either the planets, the moon or the telescope, even though I have freely and deliberately offered them the opportunity a thousand times? Truly, just as the asp stops its ears, so do these philosophers shut their eyes to the light of truth.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >While Church officials were willing to let heliocentrism be taught as a hypothesis and discussed in scientific circles, the faith of the ordinary people was to be safeguarded. However, Galilei argued that his telescopic observations favored the Copernican heliocentric theory as a physical truth.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >As the Inquisition started taking serious notice of Galilei’s work in 1615, he sent a letter to Grand Duchess Christina, which was an essay on the relation between the revelations of the Bible and the new discoveries then being made in science. His general stance was that the relevant passages of the Bible, which he was accused of contradicting, should not be interpreted literally, especially when taken from poetic or allegorical texts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >By 1616, the attacks on Copernicus’ ideas had reached a peak, to which Galilei responded by going to </span><a class="headupTerm" href="http://newstopics.jpost.com/topic/Rome" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Rome</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" > in order to persuade the Catholic Church authorities not to ban heliocentrism. Ultimately, the Inquisition delivered him with an order not to "hold or defend" the idea that the Earth moves and the Sun stands still at the centre. The decree did not prevent Galileo from discussing the controversial subject.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Pope Urban VIII, elected in 1623, was a friend and supporter of Galilei who opposed his condemnation in 1616. And thus, with the Pope’s formal authorization along with that of the Inquisition, Galilei published </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" >in 1632. Previously, the Pope had personally asked Galilei to give arguments for and against heliocentrism in the book, and to be careful not to advocate the controversial theory. He also requested that his own views on the matter be included in Galileo's book. Only the latter of those requests was fulfilled by Galilei.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Whether unknowingly or deliberately, Simplicio, the defender of the Geocentric view in the book, was often caught in his own errors and sometimes came across as a fool. Indeed, although Galileo states in the preface of his book that the character is named after a famous Aristotelian philosopher, the name "Simplicio" in Italian also has the connotation of "simpleton.” This portrayal of Simplicio made it</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" >appear as an advocacy book: an attack on Aristotelian geocentrism and defence of the Copernican theory. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Unfortunately for his relationship with the Pope, Galileo put the words of Urban VIII into the mouth of Simplicio. Most historians agree Galilei did not act out of malice and felt blindsided by the reaction to his book.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >However, the Pope did not take the suspected public ridicule lightly, nor the Copernican advocacy. Galileo had alienated one of his biggest and most powerful supporters, the Pope, and was called to Rome to defend his writings.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >With the loss of many of his defenders in Rome because of </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" >, Galilei was ordered to stand trial on suspicion of heresy in 1633. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >As a result, Galilei was found “vehemently suspect of heresy” and was required to "abjure, curse and detest" those opinions. He was sentenced to formal imprisonment at the pleasure of the Inquisition. On the following day, this was commuted to house arrest, which he remained under for the rest of his life.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Aside from his theoretical works, Galilei made several contributions to “technology” such as an improved telescope, a thermometer, a military compass and many many others. So great was his legacy that he was called by </span><a class="headupTerm" href="http://newstopics.jpost.com/topic/Albert_Einstein" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Einstein</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" > the “father of modern science.”</span></p><p></p></span></div>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-70637276510255619112010-09-19T09:27:00.001-07:002010-09-19T09:27:42.741-07:00HRC grants legitimacy to “murderous” Gadaffi regime<p style="text-align: justify; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >A UN Watch-led coalition of 27 NGO’s has appealed for Libya to be expelled from the UN Human Rights Council. Libya and other rights abusers are influencing the “dictator-dominated” council’s resolutions, UN Watch director Hillel Neuer says. “But given the high quantity as well as quality of Libya’s oil, we fear most countries will choose silence.”</span></strong></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Libya took its seat in the 47-member UN Human Rights Council (HRC) this week for the first time since its May election. A three-week council session began on Monday, triggering the rights coalition’s appeal.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >In a petition signed by 27 NGO’s on Thursday, they called on the UN’s 192 members to expel Libya from the council unless Kadhafi significantly improves its human rights situation. Several victims of Libyan human rights abuses were present during the coalition’s press conference on Friday.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Given its “notorious record as one of the world’s worst violators of human rights,” the NGO’s argue Libya’s membership contradicts the UN’s promise to elect member states based on their commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights.</span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Libyan oil</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Under the resolution that created the HRC, the General Assembly may suspend any council member that commits “gross and systematic” human rights violations. A two-thirds vote is required.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >But UN Watch director Hillel Neuer told Radio Netherlands it is highly unlikely that Libya will be suspended. “Given the high quantity as well as quality of Libya’s oil, we fear that most countries will choose silence,” he told Radio Netherlands Worldwide.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >He added that meanwhile, Libya’s influence continues. “As a voting member, Libya has the power to support or oppose any resolution, and as a result to influence its drafting. What may be even more damaging is that Libya’s presence in the world’s highest human rights body grants legitimacy to a murderous dictatorship - a crushing blow to Libya’s dissidents and ordinary citizens.”</span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >World’s worst abusers</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Neuer said the UN HRC, which he referred to as “the dictator-dominated council”, actively undermines and twists basic principles of human rights. He added that it has failed to take any action against “the world’s worst abusers” including Iran, China, Zimbabwe, Syria and Venezuela.</span></div><p></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >“And, far worse than that: there is a faction of 30 out of 47 seats, including China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Cuba, that actively promote measures to weaken the protection of freedom of speech and to erode the council’s few remaining mechanisms for independent scrutiny of country conduct,” Neuer said.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >He added that after its creation in 2006, the new council gradually eliminated the country investigators for human rights in Belarus, Cuba, Liberia and DR Congo.</span></div><p></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Freedom House report</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >In a damning report published this week, democracy watchdog Freedom House noted that countries which violated human rights have a far-reaching negative influence on the UN HRC.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Since its establishment in 2006, the number of members deemed “free” by Freedom House has dropped from 25 to 20. The number of “not free” members, on the other hand, has risen from 9 to 13. The remaining country members are rated “partly free”. Freedom House said that as a result, the HRC is unable to tackle the most serious human rights violations and even covers some of them up.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >The original UN human rights body, the Human Rights Commission, was disbanded following years of criticism. Ironically, the final straw for many was the appointment of Libya to the chairmanship of the body.</span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The council is made up of 47 member nations, each elected for three years. The seats are apportioned by region, and every year a third of the body's seats are up for renewal.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >In May 2010, Libya and 13 other nations ran unopposed for 14 of the council's seats. Regional groups for the first time put forward the same number of candidates as the number of seats available to them, meaning they were elected without competition.</span></div><p></p>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-1584684352799287942010-09-19T09:04:00.000-07:002010-09-19T09:11:51.071-07:00Cracks in the Iranian Monolith<p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The Iranian regime loves to boast of its military strength, international clout and hold on domestic power. Much of this is accepted by outside experts, but in fact the regime is in trouble. Iran's leaders have lost legitimacy in the eyes of the people, are unable to manage the country's many problems, face a growing opposition, and are openly fighting with one another. </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >A few weeks ago, according to official and private reports, the Iranian air force shot down three drones near the southwestern city of Bushehr, where a Russian-supplied nuclear reactor has just started up. When the Revolutionary Guards inspected the debris, they expected to find proof of high-altitude spying. Instead, the Guards had to report to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that the air force had blasted Iran's own unmanned aircraft out of the sky.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > Apparently, according to official Iranian press accounts, the Iranian military had created a special unit to deploy the drones—some for surveillance and others, as President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad bragged on Sunday, to carry bombs—but hadn't informed the air force.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a name="U301113639576VTD"></a> </span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >These incidents have taken place against a general backdrop of internal conflict within the regime. In late July, Mohammad Ali Jaffari, commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, the regime's Praetorian Guard, admitted publicly that many top officers were supporters of the opposition Green Movement. Shortly thereafter, according to official government announcements, some 250 officers suddenly resigned. In the past weeks, several journalists from the Guards' FARS news agency have defected, some to France and others to the United States.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a name="U301113639576B8E"></a> </span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Meanwhile, Iran has suffered a series of attacks against its petroleum industry. As Iranian media reported (detailed in the London Telegraph), a pipeline to Turkey was blown up last month, most likely by Kurdish oppositionists. Soon afterwards there was an explosion in a natural gas pipeline near Tabriz. </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a name="U301113639576LUD"></a> </span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >That was followed by a spectacular blast at the Pardis petrochemical plant in Assalouye, which—being a major facility for converting natural gas to fuel for vehicles—is central to Iranian efforts to cope with the new United Nations, U.S. and European Union sanctions against refined petroleum products. </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a name="U301113639576BID"></a> </span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The same plant was similarly sabotaged six months ago. No one has taken responsibility for that attack, but it suggests an activist opposition with considerable "inside" assistance.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a name="U301113639576RZF"></a> </span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >That opposition is fed by enduring social and economic crises. Unemployment last month reached 15% and is as high as 45% in some regions. In Tehran, health officials warned pregnant women and mothers of young children not to drink the water. Electrical failures are widespread. Taxi drivers have been striking around the country this summer, some because of the long lines at gas stations and others because of a shortage of compressed natural gas. The sanctions seem to be having an effect.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a name="U301113639576ETD"></a> </span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >As these pressures have mounted, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—against whom Iranians chant "Death to the Dictator!" at public gatherings and nightly from their rooftops—has sought to reaffirm his authority. Late last month he issued a fatwa declaring that his opinions had a status equal to those of the prophet Mohammed. The fatwa caused such consternation that it was removed from his website, then quietly returned a few days later. </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a name="U301113639576OU"></a> </span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Shortly thereafter, the country celebrated the funeral of Iran's most cherished performer, the singer Mohammed Nouri. Nouri was no dissident and was often praised by clerics as a "pious" man. But Mr. Khamenei chose the moment to issue a broad fatwa against music. "It's better that our dear youth spend their valuable time in learning science and essential and useful skills and fill their time with sport and healthy recreations instead of music," he declared. </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a name="U301113639576HTC"></a> </span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Only "Western music" had previously been banned by Mr. Khamenei, and Iranian youth reacted with predictable hostility. In the days that followed, a Canadian-made remix of the 1979 Pink Floyd song "Another Brick in the Wall" went viral on the Internet with the new chorus, "Hey Ayatollah, leave those kids alone."</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a name="U3011136395762QE"></a> </span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >President Ahmadinejad has also tried to buttress his popular support, first by claiming that "stupid Zionists" were trying to kill him, and then by putting out a story—which few in Iran took seriously—of an assassination attempt on his motorcade. As usual, the "report" went through various iterations: first it was a grenade, then a firecracker, then nothing at all. </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a name="U301113639576JW"></a> </span><p></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a name="U301113639576LHF"></a> </span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Even the government's campaign of repression seems increasingly sloppy. Recently the Judiciary Minister, in an extraordinary case of buck-passing, asked Mr. Khamenei for permission to execute 1,120 prisoners—as if the minister could imagine being prosecuted himself some day, and he wanted to be able to say it was Mr. Khamenei's fault.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a name="U301113639576COD"></a> </span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >These various debacles have strengthened the Green Movement, and opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi continue to launch serious verbal attacks on the regime. When the head of the powerful Guardian Council recently accused the Greens of receiving money from the Saudis and the Americans, Mr. Karroubi gave him the back of his hand: "If I am a conspirator because I object [to the rigged presidential election], then you are a partner of those who stole this nation's vote and are disloyal to the nation." </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a name="U301113639576PSE"></a> </span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >To add insult, Zahra Rahnavard, Mr. Mousavi's firebrand wife, wryly commented that the accusation would "make a cooked chicken laugh." Mr. Mousavi himself said that the Islamic Republic has become worse than the shah's regime, because "religious tyranny is the worst form of tyranny." </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a name="U301113639576Y5G"></a> </span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Challenges to the regime now come even from prisoners. When Mr. Ahmadinejad challenged Barack Obama to a debate this month, a Green Movement website reported with grim admiration that five journalists in Tehran's infamous Evin Prison had invited Mr. Ahmadinejad to come to jail and debate them.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a name="U301113639576IKB"></a> </span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Very little of this news reaches a mass Western audience, and one wonders to what extent Western governments understand what's going on. If they do, their failure to support the democratic revolutionaries is all the more lamentable. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Source:Michael Ledeen</span></p>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086459418075695602.post-40403617399292225262010-09-11T09:23:00.000-07:002010-09-11T09:25:21.747-07:002,000 year-old intact carving of Cupid found in Jerusalem<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >An intact carving of Cupid made of blue onyx dating from the Roman period was unearthed in the parking lot near the City of David, the Antiquities Authority announced on Monday.</span></div><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_article_control_lblArticleBody"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="lblClass"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The 2,000-year-old Cupid, about a centimeter long, was probably from a piece of jewelry. The announcement was made ahead of the 11th annual City of David Archeology Conference, which will take place on Wednesday at the City of David complex and include a presentation of recent finds. The cupid discovery was made by Dr.</span></div><div id="body_val"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_article_control_lblArticleBody"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Doron Ben-Ami and Yana Tchekhanovets, both of the Antiquities Authority, and funded by the City of David Foundation.</span></div><span class="lblClass"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >“This discovery, together with other important finds that we uncovered from this unusual, large Roman structure at the City of David, contribute significantly to our understanding of the nature of </span><a class="headupTerm" href="http://newstopics.jpost.com/topic/Jerusalem" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Jerusalem</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" >’s Roman Period,” Ben-Ami said in a statement.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The inlaid stone features cupid holding an upsidedown torch, which was used to symbolize the cessation of life. The piece is part of a series of archeological finds in the area that deal with images of mourning.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The conference will feature a host of archeologists and professors exploring topics such as mapping the Mount of Olives cemetery, discoveries in the Givati parking lot (in addition to the carving), and excavations of the Shiloah pool. The confab is expected to attract 1,400 people, making it one of the largest archeological conferences in Israel, according to Udi Ragones, the spokesman for the City of David and Elad, the private organization that runs the park.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Elad has drawn condemnation from activists who say that the organization’s efforts to move Jews into Silwan make it a bad choice to privately administer a park located in the east Jerusalem neighborhood. The Sheikh Jarrah Solidarity Movement, known for organizing weekly protests in the neighborhood following the eviction of two Arab families in August 2009, is organizing a demonstration outside Wednesday’s conference.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >“We want to come and bring up the point that it is a political conference, that their goals are political and that anyone taking part in this conference is in actuality supporting the actions of the settlers in Silwan, which is throwing people out of their homes, taking their land and deeply harming the residents of Silwan,” said Avner Inbar, a spokesman for the Solidarity Movement.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Inbar said Silwan residents had asked for their help in organizing a protest, and he expected anywhere from 100 to 150 demonstrators.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >“Silwan is a really tense place, and Elad is just showing this off to tourists as an amusement park of archeology, saying, ‘Look how great this is, we found something here, something else here,’” he said. “They have ads in all the papers in Jerusalem, saying you should come on </span><a class="headupTerm hover" href="http://newstopics.jpost.com/topic/Sukkot" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Succot</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" > with your kids for a fun day the City of David. It’s really nice that you can come with your kids and have a fun day, but there are 30,000 residents in Silwan and it’s not fun for them at all.”</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >“The attendees looked at [the protesters] with contempt.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >They understood that these people are just trying to stop the excavations in Jerusalem, but the people who come to this conference want just the opposite,” Elad’s Ragones said.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >He dismissed the planned protest, saying they tried the same tactic last year and only five protesters showed up.</span> </div></span></span></div></span></span>Adi Sinclair-Livnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641891708061626918noreply@blogger.com0