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6 Israeli Soldiers Die in Crash During Joint Exercise with Romania
Six Israeli soldiers taking part in joint exercises between the Israeli and Romanian air forces died on Monday when their Sikorsky CH-53 helicopter crashed in central Romania. Four of the Israelis were senior officers. A Romanian also died in the accident which took place in the mountains 75 miles northwest of Bucharest. Israel and Romania have agreed to conduct a joint investigation into the crash. The exercise, which is an 11-day annual event now in its sixth year, is due to conclude in July 29.
AP Report: Obama Plays Hardball with ‘Abbas The Associated Press is reporting that it has come into possession of an internal Palestinian document that indicates the White House has significantly increased pressure on Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud ‘Abbas to enter direct negotiations with Israel. The AP report says the 36-page memo indicates that Obama Mideast envoy George Mitchell has bluntly warned ‘Abbas that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is not in political danger of being replaced and that ‘Abbas needs to accept direct talks now if he wants President Obama’s help in facilitating statehood. The document also indicates that those advising ‘Abbas are encouraging him to resist the pressure, suggesting it would be “political suicide” to back down from his ultimatum of pre-conditions for direct talks. The Arab League is set to meet this week to decide whether to counsel ‘Abbas to accept President Obama’s request or allow the indirect talks to dissolve at the end of the allocated four-month period in September. Pressure on ‘Abbas to accept direct talks has come directly in the last week from virtually every western head-of-state. ‘Abbas told Voice of Palestine on Sunday that he’s resisting pressure from “the entire world.”
Europeans Add to Iran Sanctions A stronger set of sanctions aimed at getting Iran to cooperate with the international community regarding its nuclear program was approved yesterday by the European Union. It follows a unilateral sanctions package recently signed into law in the U.S. by President Obama, targeting foreign trade, banking and energy. The E.U. sanctions focus on “dual-purpose” items that can be used in relation to nuclear energy along with another ostensible purpose. E.U. foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton expressed the group’s sense of unity, saying that, “This is something where we have all 27 countries working together.” The sanctions specifically include the “prohibition of new investment, technical assistance and transfers of technologies.” The new American sanctions provide penalties for individuals and institutions that help Iran develop its nuclear or missile programs or evade the prohibitions.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Responds to Hizbullah Threats of Violence in Lebanon Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Aboul Gheit warned on Monday that attempts to resolve regional issues by the use of force would undermine the stability of Lebanon, an apparent reference to Hizbullah chief Na’srallah’s recent threat to resort to violence if and when his group is accused in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Al-Hariri five years ago. The Special Lebanese Tribunal (SLT), an investigation into the Al-Hariri killing, is due to announce indictments and Na’srallah said this week that he expects members of his group to be among those indicted. He has referred to the SLT as “an Israeli project.” Regional leaders are moving to head-off instability in Lebanon. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia; Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad; and Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani are all due to visit Beirut beginning with King Abdullah on Friday.
Admiral Mullen Due in Baghdad to Reaffirm Pullout Plans Amid Growing Violence America’s top soldier is due in Baghdad on Tuesday to reaffirm that notwithstanding the surge in bloodshed, the countdown for pullout of U.S. troops will continue as planned. Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will arrive in Iraq after a visit to forces in Afghanistan. 21 people died in the latest mass-killing on Monday, when a car bomb exploded in Karbala, a city holy to Shiites in southern Iraq. The failure to fashion a government four months after elections is also seen as a destabilizing factor as the clock ticks toward the withdrawal of American combat forces by September 1.
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