June 20th

Give Truce A Chance ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Uri Misgav - June 20, 2008 - 3:34pm It appears that Israel’s public opinion has given a chilly reception to two significant security-diplomatic moves that have been formulated here in recent weeks. A dour mood has taken over the country, and this dourness is misplaced. » Read more

3 Injured In West Bank Shooting Attack ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Erfat Weiss - June 20, 2008 - 3:32pm A Syrian source affiliated with the indirect talks between Damascus and Jerusalem says Friday that Syria was in no rush to find a solution to the Shebaa Farms sovereignty issue. The source was quoted by the London-based Arabic-language al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper, following reports that the US and France support the transferal of the area at the foot of Mount Dov to the United Nations' control. Later on, the area is to be divided between Syria and Lebanon. » Read more

Syrian Source: We Won't Opt For Immediate Solution To Shebaa Farms ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Roee Nahmias - June 20, 2008 - 3:30pm  Fadlallah reiterated before the Iranian news Agency (IRNA) that if Israel pulling out of the farms will not change Hizbullah’s policy towards it: “Returning Shebba Farms will not change the existing equation regarding Lebanon’s need of a resistance organization. It will only prove the logic behind the resistance and validate its existence as the only way of restoring land.” » Read more

The Brewing Storm ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post June 20, 2008 - 3:23pm On a cold and drizzly December morning the Israeli cabinet meets to approve a renewal of the cease-fire in Gaza, which has proven so successful. There have been no rocket, mortar or shooting attacks into Israel since the tahadiyeh was proclaimed by Hamas six months ago. » Read more

Hamas: Trick Or Truce? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Tariq Alhomayed - (Opinion) June 20, 2008 - 3:22pm The Hamas leadership delivered good news to the Palestinians, and to the people of Gaza specifically, as it announced that a happy ending was in sight with respect to Israel since a six-month truce between Hamas and Israel had been reached. There is an obvious euphoria within the Hamas leadership. It is as if these leaders have declared the establishment of the Palestinian state whilst in reality the matter relates to a truce that may not last. » Read more

Whatever Palestinians Discuss, The Real Issue Is Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star by Saul Singer - (Opinion) June 20, 2008 - 3:17pm It is not clear whether Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' recent call for "national and comprehensive dialogue" with Hamas is a significant change of position. Some PA leaders claim that the Hamas coup in Gaza must be reversed before talks can begin; others that such "political conditions" have been dropped. » Read more

Egypt Back In Diplomatic Saddle With Gaza Deal ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) by Alain Navarro - June 20, 2008 - 3:15pm CAIRO - Egypt is firmly back in the diplomatic saddle after having played the central role of mediator in securing a truce between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, analysts say. After months of talks, it was Cairo that announced the agreement between Israel and the Palestinians on Tuesday. Hours before the truce was to be implemented at 0300 GMT on Thursday, Israel, which blacklists Hamas as a terror group, maintained a cautious tone. » Read more

Abbas Overhauls His Security Forces, By Decree ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters June 20, 2008 - 3:13pm Ramallah: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is pushing through an overhaul of his security forces by decree, retiring old-guard commanders and giving broad law enforcement powers to a secretive special unit. Several thousand top officers who rose through the ranks under the iconic late guerrilla leader Yasser Arafat have so far given up command with Abbas offering pre-retirement promotions and pensions equal to their full wages, according to interviews and presidential orders seen by Reuters. » Read more

U.s. Says Exercise By Israel Seemed Directed At Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from International Herald Tribune by Michael R. Gordon And Eric Schmitt - June 20, 2008 - 3:13pm WASHINGTON: Israel carried out a major military exercise earlier this month that American officials say appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. Several American officials said the Israeli exercise appeared to be an effort to develop the military's capacity to carry out long-range strikes and to demonstrate the seriousness with which Israel views Iran's nuclear program. » Read more

Cease-fire: No Small Thing ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Israel Policy Forum by M.J. Rosenberg - June 20, 2008 - 3:11pm The cease-fire is still in effect, which is something of a surprise. After all, this is a cease-fire few like -- especially in Israel. Some of the same government officials who secured it wasted little time in saying that they did not expect it to last and that, when it did collapse, Israel would launch its long-deferred invasion of Gaza. » Read more