By: Valentina Pop – EUobserver

EU accession remains Turkey’s main priority after a cabinet reshuffle, with the country’s new policy of forging stronger ties with Muslim neighbours seen as EU compatible despite concerns from the secularist oppposition.

“In my term the first priority of our foreign policy will continue to be the EU,” Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu told a group of EU journalists in Ankara on Friday.

Only ten days in office, after a cabinet reshuffle which saw his predecessor, Ali Babacan, take over the position of minister of economy, he dwelled on the “multidimensional” identity of Turkey – European but majority Muslim, neighbouring the Middle East, the Caucasus, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea – and said no Turkish leader could ignore any of these parts.

In the eyes of the opposition, this shift marks a departure from the traditional secularist view that Turkey is a different culture, but part of the same Western civilisation as Europe. Common military exercises with Syria, for instance, have risen concerns in Israel, a long-time ally of Ankara.

Mr Davutoglu, an influential conservative scholar and former advisor to the premier, was instrumental in Ankara’s strong opposition in approving Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen as future Nato secretary-general. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoga cited concerns in the Muslim world over the way the Danish politician managed the cartoon crisis, but was eventually convinced by US President Barack Obama.

“Our purpose was not to defend the Muslim world against Nato, but trying to find out a way to prevent any misperception and damage to the image of Nato. We thought only as a Nato member,” he explained, stressing that Ankara would have behaved in the same way if the concerns came from the Chinese or Africans.

In a bid to explain the nuances of the new foreign policy, Mr Davutoglu said his country could not deny its multiple identity. “In Europe, I am looking for the future of Europe, I am speaking as a European. But if we are members of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, in this organisation of course we will be speaking as a member, for the future of the Muslim world,” Mr Davutoglu said.

Asked about the relations with Iran, Mr Davutoglu emphasised that there was “mutual respect”, especially since the two countries had not changed their border since 1639. “We know each other, we respect each other. Our policy regarding nuclear issues is clear – nobody can defend nuclear weapons,” he said, while also defending Tehran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy projects.

Another foreign policy shift that was seen with concern in Israeli circles and by the opposition was the government’s approach towards Hamas.

“Can you envisage peace without Hamas? Like it or not, they are part of the solution. If we really want a two-state solution, we must allow Hamas to sit at the table,” Turkey’s chief EU negotiator Egemen Bagis told journalists at a separate briefing.

EU failure fuels Muslim policy

The ruling AK Party had a “half-hearted European policy” and a preference for Muslim countries because “EU is no successful story in the eyes of the public,” opposition leader Onur Oymen from the secularist Republican People’s Party (CHP) party said.

Created by the founding father of Turkey’s strong separation between mosque and state – military leader Kemal Ataturk – the CHP suffered a crushing defeat in the 2007 elections that saw the AKP consolidate its power at 46.6 percent of the votes.

The EU was wrongly backing the “so-called” reforms of the AK Party, he said, restricting the army’s role and allowing Islamic symbols – such as the head scarf – re-enter public life. The image of the army and its defenders has been seriously shaken in the past year with the emergence of a far-reaching trial case dubbed “Ergenekon.”

Over a hundred people, including former generals, university professors, politicians and journalists have been detained or questioned since July 2008 in connection to this alleged clandestine, ultra-nationalist paramilitary organisation aimed at toppling the AKP government and assassinating prominent figures.

Allegedly, Ergenekon was the successor or had some members who were initially part of the CIA-backed Counter-Guerilla, the covert organisation established at the beginning of the Cold War to oppose communism and later on fight the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK).

The case was started at a time when the Constitutional Court was about to give its verdict on whether the AKP was breaching the separation of mosque and state, which would have dissolved the party and thrown most of its leaders, including premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul, to jail.

The court in the end did not deem the AKP anti-constitutional, but issued a strong warning and said the AKP was undertaking “anti-secular activities.”

Slow negotiations

Despite EU negotiations in the slow lane and being kicked around in “domestic politics football”, Turkish citizens seemed to be adopting the “EU agenda”, the head of EU commission’s delegation to Ankara, Marc Pierini, said.

“The aquis communautaire is about better air, safer food, equal rights. There is a very strong political awareness of the citizens, even in villages, they are very educated politically,” he said, while noting that the drive towards accession was less strong.

In the five years since opening negotiations, Ankara and Brussels have finalised only one accession chapter of a total of 35, while eight remain blocked due to the ongoing dispute about Northern Cyprus. Additionally, Cyprus is now blocking the opening of the energy chapter, the only country to do so in the EU’s Council of Ministers – representing the member states.

Ankara does not recognise EU member state Cyprus, who for its part has failed to reconcile with the northern part of the island, rejecting a UN-brokered deal that the Northern Cypriots had approved in a referendum.

Northern Cyprus is not part of the EU and only recognised by Turkey, which invaded this part of the island in 1973 in order to prevent its annexation to Greece.

Turkey refuses to open its airports and ports to Greek Cypriot traffic until the issue is solved.

By: Etgar Lefkovitz – The Jerusalem Post

Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Israel on Monday, starting a historic five-day pilgrimage by calling for peace, an end to anti-Semitism, and freedom of worship and understanding between religions.

“Thank you for your warm welcome to Israel, a land which is holy to millions,” Benedict said. “I appreciate the opportunity to come here.”

“I come, like so many others before me, to pray at the holy places, to pray especially for peace – peace here in the Holy Land, and peace throughout the world,” the pope continued, adding that although the name Jerusalem meant “city of peace,” it was all too evident that peace had eluded the region.

Benedict called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian homeland immediately after he arrived in Israel, a stance that could put him at odds with his hosts on a trip aimed at easing strains between the Vatican and Jews.

Benedict urged Israelis and Palestinians to “explore every possible avenue” to resolve their differences in remarks at the airport after he landed.

“The hopes of countless men, women and children for a more secure and stable future depend on the outcome of negotiations for peace,” he said. “In union with people of goodwill everywhere, I plead with all those responsible to explore every possible avenue in the search for a just resolution of the outstanding difficulties, so that both peoples may live in peace in a homeland of their own within secure and internationally recognized borders.”

The pope also took on the issue of the Holocaust, pledging to “honor the memory” of the six million Jewish victims of the Nazi genocide.

He vowed to battle rising anti-Semitism, and spoke about his upcoming visit to Yad Vashem later in the day.

“Tragically, the Jewish people have experienced the terrible consequences of ideologies that deny the fundamental dignity of every human person,” he said. “It is right and fitting that, during my stay in Israel, I will have the opportunity to honor the memory of the six million Jewish victims of the Shoah, and to pray that humanity will never again witness a crime of such magnitude.”

“Sadly, anti-Semitism continues to rear its ugly head in many parts of the world. This is totally unacceptable,” the pope continued. “Every effort must be made to combat anti-Semitism wherever it is found, and to promote respect and esteem for the members of every people, tribe, language and nation across the globe.”

Turning to politics, the pontiff urged both Israelis and Palestinians to find a solution which will allow each side to live peacefully together.

“The eyes of the world are upon the peoples of this region as they struggle to achieve a just and lasting solution to conflicts that have caused so much suffering,” he said. “The hopes of countless men, women and children for a more secure and stable future depend on the outcome of negotiations for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

“In union with people of good will everywhere, I plead with all those responsible to explore every possible avenue in the search for a just resolution of the outstanding difficulties, so that both peoples may live in peace in a homeland of their own, within secure and internationally recognized borders,” the pope said. “In this regard, I hope and pray that a climate of greater trust can soon be created that will enable the parties to make real progress along the road to peace and stability.”

Upon arrival at Ben-Gurion Airport, the pontiff was greeted by President Shimon Peres in a red-carpet reception. Peres warmly welcomed Benedict as “first among the faithful,” and voiced hope that his presence would help foster peace in the region.

“Your Holiness the Pope, Benedict XVI, in the name of the State of Israel I welcome you and offer you a blessing on your arrival: peace,” Peres said in Hebrew. Then, switching to Latin, added, “Hail Benedictus, first among the faithful, who visits the Holy Land today.”

“I see your visit here, to the Holy Land, as an important spiritual mission of the highest order: a mission of peace,” the president continued. “A mission of planting seeds of tolerance and uprooting the weeds of fanaticism. I appreciate your stances and your actions to bring down the level of violence and hatred in the world.”

The Pope’s trip comes amid lingering suspicions among Jews and Muslims over past actions and remarks by the Catholic spiritual leader. In his greetings, Peres alluded to that rift.

“I am certain that this will be a continuation of the dialogue between Judaism and Christianity in the spirit of the Prophets,” he said. “Israel safeguards the absolute freedom of religious practice and free access to holy places. We are always happy to receive pilgrims from throughout the world in the Holy Land.”

“We have made peace with Egypt and Jordan, and we are in negotiations to make peace with the Palestinians, and even to arrive at a comprehensive regional peace,” the president continued. “Your visit here brings a blessed understanding between religions and spreads peace near and far. Historic Israel and the renewed Israel together welcome your arrival as paving the great road to peace from city to city.”

Following the ceremony at the airport, Benedict XVI arrived in Jerusalem by helicopter, where he met with Mayor Nir Barkat upon his arrival in the capital.

“During your stay here, you will feel at home amongst friends who practice many faiths together in peace, harmony, and freedom,” said Barkat. “You will feel at home as you breathe the ancient history and modern culture of Jerusalem. And you will feel at home because you too, Your Holiness, are a shareholder of this great city.”

Barkat used the opportunity to call upon every person of faith to visit Jerusalem at least once in his/h lifetime.

By: David Horovitz – The Jerusalem Post

Early in his interview with The Jerusalem Post last Thursday, the international Quartet’s envoy Tony Blair observed that “you’d be nuts if you were naively optimistic” regarding the chances of a peacemaking breakthrough “after all we’ve been through over the years.”

But he then proceeded to sound at least cautiously optimistic about the prospects of precisely such progress on the Israeli-Palestinian front. The new American government was committed from the get-go. Israel had a stable coalition sensibly determined to work “bottom up” as well as “top down.” Moves were ongoing to improve the Palestinian economy and security capacity. The ideological gulfs were bridgeable. And Hamas had some hard choices to make.

As he said, given “all we’ve been through over the years,” such assessments might sound risibly rosy. But Blair does have his feet on the ground: The central characteristic of his mission has been to concentrate on detail – the advocacy of specific projects to improve day-to-day life in the West Bank, the focus on specific Israeli security concerns.

Now, he insisted, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu “certainly can play the role of peacemaker.” And the Palestinians were ready “to push ahead on security and capacity.”

Why might the current constellation of players succeed where Annapolis had failed? Because the region was changing, he said, and the choice, given the rise of Iran, was getting starker – the choice, as he put it, between modernizing or living in the past. The way Blair sees it, we’ve reached “the moment of truth.”

Excerpts:

We have a new government here and we’re hearing about a determination to build from the bottom up with the Palestinians, including assurances that economic projects that had been stymied will now be advanced. There’s also a new American presidency that is trying to invigorate the process, and talk of possible new Arab League thinking – though it’s not clear how true that is. In contrast to Annapolis, which did not lead to any breakthrough, do you have the sense that there is genuinely a chance now of something substantial changing for the better?

The short answer is yes, I do. You’d be nuts if you were naively optimistic after all we’ve been through over the years. But I do think this is a moment of opportunity. A moment of truth. After many months of semi-paralysis, frankly, for all sorts of reasons, we now have a new American administration that, from the outset, is determined to focus on [this]. We’ve got a new Israeli government that, at least for the time being, is secure with an empowered prime minister. And I think the Palestinian side of the politics are a little clearer too, in a way.

There is a consensus that you have to build from the bottom up as well as negotiate from the top down. That is absolutely the right thing.

It’s also a moment of decision because once you take the three “headings” – politics, economics and security – you have to put substance into that… Each of these things take decisions… Over the next few months it will become apparent, one way or another, whether the Israelis are really prepared to build from the bottom up, and whether the Palestinians are really prepared to understand that the only state that Israel will tolerate as a Palestinian state is one that is a stable and secure neighbor, and that requires, obviously, decision-making on their part too.

I don’t know what will come out of the next few weeks, but it seems to me that people are reflecting from the beginning on their policy… I’m confident that people will take the decisions with the right will and intention, that we can move it forward.

What do you see as having become clearer on the Palestinian side?

For the moment, at any rate, people are going to carry on working with Prime Minister Fayad… I feel the Palestinians themselves are ready now to push ahead on security and capacity. There is a whole set of proposals now on the rule of law for the Palestinians, supported by various parts of the donor community, for things like courts and prisons and the judiciary and the prosecution service and so on, along with further training with [US] Gen. Dayton of the [PA] security forces. So all that is moving along.

People are saying to Hamas, “You’ve got a decision to make.” If you want to change and get on board with a two-state solution, that’s your decision. If you decide that you won’t, that’s also your decision, but we want to move ahead. I see the next few weeks as when we try and devise a framework that then takes us forward at least to the end of the year.

I don’t see the faintest prospect that Hamas is going to accept Israel. Therefore, what’s going to happen to Gaza in this kind of framework?

It can’t be put to one side. We’ve got to do what we can to help the people there. I am sure from all the contacts I have in Gaza – I mean habitually non-Hamas contacts; people in business and civil society – that if people think there is a serious momentum moving this whole thing forward, the majority of the people in Gaza will want to be part of it. I don’t have a doubt about that. So the most important thing is for us to concentrate on getting this thing moving forward.

The Israeli government has practical objections to Palestinian statehood. The Israeli prime minister is saying, ‘The way the world works, statehood gives you the right to do things that, in the Palestinian case, we would feel threatened by: if they aligned with Iran, if they start importing weaponry…’ How serious a problem do you think that is? And on the other side, there’s the Palestinian refusal to define Israel as the state of the Jewish people. Are these red herrings, that can be left aside, that won’t interfere with an effort to change things, or are these issues that have to be tackled, real problems?

If everything is moving forward, these are resolvable issues to the satisfaction of both parties… I always get out a map now when I’m talking about this issue to people in Europe or in America. You get out a map showing the Israel-Palestinian territory. Then you get out a map showing the position of this plot of land amongst the broader region. And you educate people to the fact that, for Israel, you can’t contemplate a Palestinian state that is not stable and secure. That’s just the way it is. Now, likewise for the Palestinians, they can’t contemplate a state if it’s separated and broken into little bits, or even big bits.

By: Brenda Gazzar – The Jerusalem Post

Jordan’s King Abdullah II met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus on Monday in an effort to win support for a new push to reach a comprehensive peace between Israel and the Arab world.

Abdullah, who announced the US-spearheaded “collective approach” last week, has outlined additional details of a scenario that would bring Palestinians as well as Arab states such as Syria and Lebanon to direct negotiations with Israel.

“What we are taking about is not Israelis and Palestinians sitting at the table, but Israelis sitting with Palestinians, Israelis sitting with Syrians, Israelis sitting with Lebanese,” Abdullah said in an interview published on Monday in the Times of London. “And with the Arabs and the Muslim world lined up to open direct negotiations with Israelis at the same time.”

The new approach would offer “not a two-state solution” but a “57-state solution,” in which all of the world’s Muslim countries would agree to recognize the State of Israel, Abdullah said.

But whether Assad would back such an effort was unclear.

Abdullah told the British paper he was hopeful that Syria could be brought on board, saying “There is a tremendous opportunity for Syria to benefit from the regional context of this and ingratiate itself into the West.”

The Obama administration decided last week to renew its sanctions on Damascus for another year.

“The Syrians definitely see the benefit of peace negotiations with Israel and I’m hoping that… they understand that this is a regional approach, because I strongly believe that a bilateral approach between Israel and Syria would be used by one or the other side to waste time,” Abdullah said.

During Monday’s meeting, Abdullah and Assad “affirmed the need for a comprehensive solution that should lead to addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of a two-state solution in a complete regional context,” according to the official Jordanian Petra news service.

Such a comprehensive solution would also restore “all the occupied Syrian and Lebanese lands in the context of the provisions of the Arab Peace initiative” and other agreed-upon frames of reference, the agency said.

* ‘Iran deploys missiles in Persian Gulf’ Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has deployed mobile ground-to-air and ground-to-sea missile batteries in the Strait of Hormuz and other areas in the Persian Gulf.

* King Abdullah of Jordan’s ultimatum: peace now or it’s war next year America is putting the final touches to a hugely ambitious peace plan for the Middle East.

* UN Security Council committed to 2-state solution The United Nations Security Council unanimously endorsed a statement Monday calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

* Japan to sign nuclear supply deal with Russia After two years of negotiations, energy-starved Japan is to sign a nuclear supply deal with Russia.

* Jordan’s Abdullah woos Assad in peace push Jordan’s King Abdullah II met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus on Monday in an effort to win support for a new push to reach a comprehensive peace.

* Lisbon Treaty strengthens role of religion says EU Securing a stronger consultative role for European religions in EU policy making is another good reason to support the Lisbon Treaty.

* Swine flu could hit one in three A third of the world’s population could be infected with swine flu, expert projections suggest.

* Chief Rabbi to Pope: Tell the world Jews belong in Israel Israel’s leading rabbis on Tuesday told Pope Benedict XVI that it was his duty to spread the message that the Jewish people belong in the Land of Israel.

* Pope visits Jerusalem holy sites Pope Benedict XVI is visiting sites in Jerusalem holy to Muslims, Jews and Christians on the second day of his visit to the Holy Land.

* Pakistan raids Taleban stronghold Pakistan’s army says it has dropped troops by helicopter to tackle a Taleban stronghold as part of a broadening offensive in the north-west.

* Pope vows to fight anti-Semitism Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Israel on Monday, starting a historic five-day pilgrimage by calling for peace, an end to anti-Semitism, and freedom of worship and understanding between religions.

* Netanyahu: Peace talks will begin soon Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said in Sharm e-Sheikh that Israel wants to renew negotiations with the Palestinians as soon as possible.

* PA jails Hamas activist for coup plot In the first verdict of its kind, a Palestinian Authority court in Nablus sentenced a Hamas activist to 18 months in prison on charges of plotting to stage a coup against the regime of PA President Mahmoud Abbas.

* Netanyahu-Obama meeting crucial to Middle East US President Barack Obama’s meeting with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu next week has become the acid test for the White House’s commitment to peace in the Middle East, King Abdullah II of Jordan said.

* Blair: We’ve reached a moment of truth The Quartet’s envoy Tony Blair observed that “you’d be nuts if you were naively optimistic” regarding the chances of a peacemaking breakthrough “after all we’ve been through over the years.”

* Pakistan steps up Swat offensive Pakistan’s military is stepping up an offensive against the Taleban, after a weekend in which it said it killed 200 militants in and near the Swat valley.

* Russia to host UN talks to revive Mideast peace Security Council chair calls open debate in hopes of adopting draft statement calling for “lasting peace in the region.”

* Israel is quietly expelling young settler couples from West Bank The head of the municipal council of West Bank settlements accused the government on Monday of indirectly causing the “expulsion” of young Israelis from the territories.

* Ankara’s closer ties with Muslim countries EU compatible EU accession remains Turkey’s main priority after a cabinet reshuffle, with the country’s new policy of forging stronger ties with Muslim neighbours seen as EU compatible despite concerns from the secularist oppposition.

* Pope Calls for Palestinian Homeland Pope Benedict has called for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict – a position that could put him at odds with Israel’s new government.

* Russia warns against ‘adventures’ The Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has issued a stern warning to any countries considering what he called “military adventures”.

* Obama renews sanctions against Syria The Obama administration said Friday it is renewing economic and diplomatic sanctions on Syria.

* Iran president seeks second term Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has registered to fight for a second term in office in June’s presidential vote.

* Pope expresses ‘deep respect’ for Islam Pope Benedict XVI expressed deep respect for Islam Friday and said he hopes the Catholic Church can play a role in Mideast peace.

* Battle for Jerusalem: PA Leader Prays near Ma’aleh Adumim Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad appeared at a protest tent near Ma’aleh Adumim on Friday.

* Rabbi Lau: No Need to Flatter the Pope — or to Rebuff Him Israel’s former Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau explains Pope Benedict XVI’s two “mistakes” and how he differs from the last pope.

* Netanyahu: Israel will never withdraw from Golan Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a group of Russian-language reporters Thursday that Israel will never withdraw from the Golan Heights.

* Pope warns of misuse of religion Pope Benedict XVI has warned against the misuse of religion for political ends, in a speech to Muslim leaders on the second day of his visit to Jordan.

* Pakistani offensive sparks ‘massive displacement’ of civilians The United Nations’ refugee agency warned Friday of a “massive displacement” of civilians as Pakistan’s military broadens its offensive against Taliban militants.

* Obama to reach out to Muslims in Egypt speech US President Barack Obama will deliver a much anticipated speech to the Muslim world in Egypt next month.

By: UK Reuters

Only one in eight Russians believes President Dmitry Medvedev holds real power, exactly a year after he was inaugurated on Thursday, according to the latest figures from Russian pollsters Levada.

Twelve percent said power in Russia lay with Medvedev. This figure was at a high of 22 percent in April 2008 just after his election as Russia’s third president, but before he took office.

Far more people — 30 percent — believe his predecessor and Russia’s powerful prime minister, Vladimir Putin, controls authority while just under half of all respondents said they shared power equally.

Medvedev has struggled to escape from Putin’s shadow after being picked by Putin to succeed him before winning an overwhelming endorsement in a March 2008 election that rival candidates said was loaded against them.

Since the election, Russia fought a brief war with ex-Soviet Georgia last August and has been badly crippled by the global economic crisis, with unemployment now at an eight-year high and the rouble devalued by a third against the dollar.

Levada’s poll was conducted on Apr. 24-27 across 128 polling sites in 46 Russian regions and has a 3.4 percent margin of error.

Eighty percent of those polled also said Medvedev was continuing Putin’s policies while just 13 percent said he was changing course, despite Medvedev’s attempts to portray a more liberal image.

A separate analysis of television coverage by Russian business daily Kommersant showed a sharp increase in appearances of Medvedev over Putin in recent days on the three main channels, which are all state-controlled.

On May 6, Medvedev received over 27 minutes of airtime compared with five minutes for Putin, Kommersant reported.

“In his first presidential year, Russia’s third president has tried to achieve two things: keep true to the policies of Russia’s second president, Vladimir Putin, and to find his own political style. So far Mr Medvedev has succeeded in both directions,” the newspaper wrote.”

* Pope begins Mid-East pilgrimage Pope Benedict XVI stressed his “deep respect” for Islam as he arrived in Jordan to begin a Middle East visit.

* Netanyahu can be a peacemaker, says Quartet emissary Blair Quartet emissary Tony Blair on Thursday offered a strong endorsement of Binyamin Netanyahu’s capacity to achieve peace.

* Moscow show of strength hides critical military weakness The march through Red Square by thousands of troops ahead of tanks and nuclear missile launchers sent an unambiguous message of Russian military might.

* Jerusalem worried over breakdown of U.S.-Israel cooperation under Obama Senior officials in Jerusalem expressed concern recently over the sharp decline in the coordination between Israel and the United States.

* ‘Lieberman sees Europeans as cowards’ A day after Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman wrapped up his first diplomatic trip to Europe with a meeting with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin, German lawmakers on Friday said the visit left them somewhat disappointed.

* EU launches ‘Eastern Partnership’ The European Union has launched a plan to forge close political and economic ties with six former Soviet republics in exchange for democratic reforms.

* Palestinians seek papal pressure on Israel Palestinian officials are using Pope Benedict XVI’s visit next week to spotlight their disputes with Israel.

* US denies Israel access to F-35 computer A refusal by the United States to allow Israel to repair computer systems in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is at the heart of disagreements between the Defense Ministry and the Pentagon.

* US slams Hizbullah actions in Egypt US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice on Thursday night echoed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s condemnation of Hizbullah for its “unwarranted interference” in Egypt’s affairs.

* Pakistan Presses ‘All-Out’ Assault on Taliban in Swat Pakistan troops backed by fighter jets and military helicopters battled Taliban militants in the Swat Valley.

* Pakistan pounds Taleban positions Pakistani helicopter gunships and warplanes have been bombing suspected Taleban militants in the Swat Valley as clashes intensify in the north-west.

* Time running out to stop Iran nuclear pursuit, investigator says A man who spearheaded financial investigations of Iran said Wednesday the Islamic republic is “deadly serious” about developing nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.

* Syria: No need to amend Arab peace initiative Syria’s foreign minister says there’s no justification for amending an Arab peace offer to Israel.

* ‘Abbas to form new gov’t without Hamas’ Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas plans to ask his prime minister within the coming week to form a new government without Hamas.

* White House Official: Iranian, Israeli Nukes Unrelated Issues An Obama official’s call for Israel to declare its nuclear weapons could mean the end of a 40 year pact to keep the Israeli arsenal under wraps.

* Egypt: We have to keep Teheran in check The new US administration’s engagement with Iran could be a positive move.

* EU summit text loaded with eastern tension Last minute tweaks to the Eastern Partnership summit declaration reveal EU unease over enlargement and immigration.

* Pope visit boosts Jordanian site of Jesus baptism When Pope Benedict stops to pray at a pool of still green water here on Sunday, his visit will bolster the case that Jesus was baptized at this spot on the east bank of the Jordan River.

* Few Russians believe Medvedev controls power: poll Only one in eight Russians believes President Dmitry Medvedev holds real power.

* Czech senate approves EU’s Lisbon treaty The Czech Senate on Wednesday (6 May) approved the EU’s Treaty of Lisbon.