China's media clampdown law is still in the proposal stage and the way things work in China, the longer it stays in that stage, and the more it is talked about, the less likely it is to be enacted. The silver lining in all of this is that this proposed law is increasing Chinese of the need for greater press freedom. If this law ends up not being enacted (and I think that is a real possibility) its proposal and subsequent failure will end up being a good thing for freedom of the press in China.

( Totality regional compromise for the Middle East )


( The call for a Pan-Arab Force )

The reality in the Middle East is – horrendous.
Lawlessness abounds. Consider the American frontier
in the 1800s. Setting: the city of Dodge, KS, which
was ruled by the gun. Human life was cheap,
self-interest and personal gain the motive.

International organizations have failed.
Nation-states have failed. Prior artificial checks
and balances have failed. The strong prevail. Might
makes right. The interests of the small and the weak
are overlooked. The Middle East gave birth to many of
the world’s earliest civilizations and cultures, and
was the setting for the religious origins of
monotheism; however, no matter how old or noble a
society, in division, there is weakness.

It is time for a new regional responsibility which can
be the only answer to the present dilemma on the Arab
peninsula. Look at Iraq: sides can argue till the
cows come home about fault, blame and motive, the fact
remains that everything has failed, including the
media and self-centered governments that are directly
and indirectly involved, and vacillating international
organizations. Iraq should have been and still should
be solely an Arab matter, not the business of an
American or coalition of nations from outside the
Middle East.

The only legitimate or practical geopolitical
organization, which so happens to be headquartered in
the region, ( Cairo, Egypt )is the League of Arab
States. It should empower itself to become a greater
regional authority, unlike, for example, the U.N.
Stupidity Council, fashioned in the image of a
toothless, clawless old lion, which has only the roar.
An empowered Arab League could counter a
growing Iranian or Persian threat of intrusion into
the Arab sphere or a wandering Israeli excursion and
it would be a greater counter weight to European and
American military projection for the purposes of political,
economic, manipulation and exploitation. I believe a
good practical example would be the American Monroe
Doctrine, which in its conception was established or
enacted to repel foreign colonial intrusion into the
American hemisphere.

The mindset of Arab brotherhood and unity should move
beyond a mere myth or slogan into a modern
geopolitical reality beyond the concept or point of
the charter mentioning collective security. It is my
suggestion that since we are returning to a grimmer
reality of an era of force, the only practical
solution is to bring forth a lion with not only a
roar, but both teeth and claws.

I would like to suggest a new regional security
organization: in a sense, a new Arab Legion, a
military entity with a new concern for air defense,
coastal protection. This force could lessen an Israeli threat and and growing
Persian/Iranian potential. I would recommend no less
than 500,000 troops in number, which could be expanded
to a more practical number as soon as it can be
accomplished. These suggestions are not given in the
vein of being anti-Israeli, anti-Iranian, or even
anti-Western, but more importantly are offered to
implement a balance of power and to fill the strategic
void in the region to establish a greater regional
stability. I believe that if a single modern Arab
military organization were to be established, it would
fill this vacuum of insecurity.

These lesser military organizations, whether militias
or militant organizations such as Hamaas, Hezbollah,
Islamic Jihad, just to name a few of the primary
groups, would no longer have a practical material
purpose, but rather experience a course of evolution
into political and cultural entities, etc. In
conclusion, I believe that if a nuclear force were to
be announced as a future goal. Just the mere thought and effort of
establishing a nuclear arm to this new force would
secure a new path toward regional compromise on a more
reasonable course of either parity or disarmament.
Hopefully we would see the latter, in the form of a
nuclear-free zone from North Africa to the western
Pakistani frontier. Palestine's, status along with
Israel under or within NATO would need to be worked
out the natural course of growth would be Israel within NATO.
Palestine within the League of Arab States? One
suggestion could be neutrality or neutral zones void
of forces. With the exception of air defense, or
coastal,and border security units etc. Which could be
strictly observed and limited in numbers.

The past can not be changed however the future need
not be replicated. Recent events, such as Lebanon,
Iraq, and Palestestine's on going struggle of
occupation. If The Arab League of States were to form
an Arab Corps
to protect vital points in the Arab sphere the region
would be made less inviting to outside opportunists,
which in actuality would, lessen the likelehood for
future conflict.

( Coalition transfer of Iraqi security and training )

Given the political stale mate in the gulf region over Iraq and its occupation by American and coalition forces and the counter by various factions internal and external insurgents/fighters both religious and political there is a possible mechanism for altering this quagmire.

Shortly after the coming installment of the new coalition government this mechanism should be implemented. The process would be carried out by Coalition forces having a phased withdrawal by various numbers being equaled by an introduction of local Arab forces into Iraq. For example, 20,000-50,000 troops being withdrawn by American forces, that being matched by the introduction of local regional Arab forces into the American role over an agreed time frame to the point where there would be no longer any American or allied forces in Iraq. This process would be best negotiated through the Arab league and regional powers; Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and other gulf states. This would bring greater coorperation amongst the Arab peoples and it would accelerate political normalization within Iraq and the region. Deployment of troops would be determined by tactical officers. The process when completed would be a true test of the newly erected Iraqi infrastructure and political frame work. In concluding the process it would give the Iraqi people the opportunity to demonstrate a new collective national resolve and fulfillment of their aspiration. This would allow the American people to begin to have closure over this very contentious time.

( Counter Pressure Measures for Middle East Peace )Pressures are truly rising in the Middle East. The stakes are very high, yet the international community lacks the political maturity to meet these issues with real solutions, even though the risks in not doing so, more than likely will result in a war, economic or ecological crisis or all three. The stakes are too high to ignore the situation. If it is not addressed, there will be catastrophic reverbations.

The answer should be the establishment of a nuclear-free zone from north Africa to the western Pakistani frontier with the inclusion of Israel under a NATO umbrella of protection and eventual incorporation as a full partner. There should be an inventory taken of the nuclear assets of the Israeli program. Command and control should be dually managed by both Israeli and NATO personnel until the arsenal is scaled down to point 0. A verifiable regional cooperation treaty on such matters should be created.
( The Israeli Palestinian compromise )

After giving this much thought, and after examining this complex issue from all conceivable angles, these are my conclusions and suggestions. Given the recent warming in relations and voting in the Israeli Parliament or Knesset toward the eventual withdrawal of forces from the occupied territories, there are issues that would further the peace process. The primary concern of the Israelis is security, given the recent negative vote in the world court at The Hague on the Israeli security fence.

There is a counter to that position. In areas where the wall has been erected, the acts of violence and bombing have shown a dramatic reduction in occurrences. The Israelis should be allowed to complete the security wall, and in exchange, the Palestinians should be allowed to have a secure overland egress similar to a walled expressway connecting the West Bank to the Gaza Strip. I would like to recommend that the Gaza Strips access point should begin at Bayt, continuing through Israel, and ending at Idriah on the West Bank. The access could be segmented into sections of underground tunnels and walled, above-ground overpasses, much like our modern day freeways. The walls denying visibility will offer greater security and ease on both sides of the issue. The segments of underground tunnels and above ground over passes will give variation so this project will not physically or topographically sever Israel into portions, North and South, but rather become only slight interruptions. This would also heighten mutual security for both states. The length of segments from tunnel to raised, walled highway could be determined by the concerned parties, technical, military and political, etc.

This plan would not entirely disrupt the overall land expanse from border to border of the Gaza Strip to the West Bank. The distance from Bayt Gaza to Idriah on the West Bank is approximately twenty-five miles or forty kilometers. Professional advisors must give qualified opinions and decisions, which should be based on sound judgment for all the parties' benefit. This would be the beginning of meeting physical realities in a practical way.

NATO should be brought in as a security umbrella over Israel and Palestine? Depressurizing the Golan Heights, which Israel presently occupies. If NATO forces were to be placed along the Lebanese and Syrian frontiers after an Israeli pullout, then the Golan Heights could be overseen by a regional super-national water and irrigation authority, preferably chaired by a neutral nation such as Finland, or Sweden, etc. The majority of land area could be considered a land reserve or trust, as this is a primary water source as well a strategic military vantage. Water resourses should be a matter of equal access for all peoples of the region. When new regional water projects are constructed the costs and benefits should be shared. Given the turbulent past and the contention between the three major area religions, the future of Jerusalem should be decided by referendum, sponsored by the UN General Assembly, and to ensure fairness, international observers should be on the ground to oversee the vote. The heart of the issue is sovereignty, who shall govern, and how Jerusalem shall be ruled. All sides want to control and possess Jerusalem; the matter should be decided by the ballot. One option for the residents would be dual citizenship based on native culture, either Palestinian or Israeli. Both peoples want Jerusalem as their capital; Jerusalem itself could become a confederated municipality of both Israel and Palestine with a unique status. Its governmental structure could also be dually managed. Perhaps Jerusalem's populace could choose independence and opt for full membership in the UN General Assembly as an international municipality as a city-state, similar to other small nations and entities.

NATO could be a stabilizing force politically as well as militarily. Given the apprehensions of the numerically superior Arabs and the advanced and highly
capable Israeli IDF, NATO's inclusion of Israel and Palestine? This would stabilize both the internal and external insecurities. Palestine may elect to meld into combined Arab military organization,if this emerges as a priority for the League of Arab States in the near future. Due to the geographical proximity of these two states, their economies and security are interdependent. Great care will have to be given on these points. A prime example of two former adversaries becoming equal partners in NATO has been demonstrated by two other Mediterranean powers Turkey, and Greece, as they both have proven to be strong contributors to the NATO mission. If NATO were to come in, and conduct an inventory of the nuclear facility in the Negev Desert at Dimona and at other military facilities in Israel as an enitial task. Secondly by becoming a full partner in the day-to-day management, command, and control there, it would greatly lessen Pan-Arab anxieties in the area. Thirdly this would lead to disarmament on all (WMDs) weapons of mass destruction. It would demonstrate Israel's regional goodwill and would eliminate the argument for the nuclear option regionally. These tools can be phased in over a merged time table of 15 months as the first goal to employ these measures. The second or mid point at three and one half years. The final stage with a target date of seven years until the objectives of the plan would be reached and concluded.
This exspanse of time would be gradual enough to allow for adjustments and acclimation to the coming changes.
This could have a far-reaching effect in countering increasing militarism in Southwest Asia. It could also lead to a greater international peace and a new direction for NATO. I believe lives can be saved and enriched. Our origins are from a common root and our destinies will be shared, as we are members of the same extended family of man, and are children of the one true God!

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,

Craig Scott Aberle Tel-(763)428-3988
craigaberle@yahoo.com
P.O. Box #49 Dayton, MN 55327, USA.
PS. Please respond to these concepts.
Although my occupation is primarily in labor, I am an amateur enthusiast and student of various kindred antiquarian subjects such as Heraldry, Vexillology, World History, Genealogy, Ethnography, Ethno History, Biblical Historical Geography, Cultural Geography, and Political Science, These subjects have captured my interest for over twenty-five years.

I think the increasing availability and quality of online news is crucial in getting information to people living in countries such as China where press is heavily monitored and restricted.

Online news provides citizens with the opportunity to contribute their opinions to international conversations through BLOGS or other forms of comment. It offers them a forum in which to be heard which I think is a fundamental role of online journalism, particularly when it is not something that is currently provided within their own country.