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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, MAY 27, 1986
I want to extend my appreciation and thank you for the
wonderful "Good News" magazine I just received for May, with
the wonderful photos and the list containing the milestones of
Mr. Armstrong's life. We are all going to miss him. We pray
that Mr. Joseph
w.
Tkach will be blessed in all his endeavors,
and I will remember him in my prayers.
Sarasota, FL
--Richard Rice, Mail Processing Center
ON THE WORLD SCENE
STRAUSS IN SYRIA; REDO NATO, SAYS KISSINGER; PHILIPPINES REALITIES
Strauss in Syria
For the past several weeks in the Middle East, increased
tension between Syria and Israel has led to a case of war-jittery nerves.
Yet both sides indicate nothing serious will come of the situation. No
Middle East conflict is likely so long as Egypt maintains its special
relationship with Israel. Meanwhile, the Middle East continues to draw
the attention of important personalities, such as the very knowledgeable
Franz Joseph Strauss, who visited Syria earlier this year. The 'following
are translated excerpts from the March 26 issue of the West German
newspaper DIE WELT:
Hosting Bavarian Premier Franz Josef Strauss, the governor of
Kuneitra, "capital of the Arab Golan," sounds an uncompromising
note. "We will win back the other two thirds of the Golan just
as we wrested Kuneitra from the Zionists in a heroic battle in
1973," he says.
Herr Strauss says nothing.
It is not the
first time he has visited the border area between Syria and
Israel.
Small gifts are exchanged, then the governor takes his
distinguished guest into a room that serves as a museum. There
are slogans about the conquest of Kuneitra, a few photos and a
scale model of the town before the Israelis destroyed it in
1974•••• [The Israelis withdrew from the area later that year.]
"Where," Herr Strauss asks, "is the Israeli radar?"
The
question takes his hosts by surprise, underscoring two points,
the first being that Herr Strauss does not regard Israel as a
Zionist structure.
The second is that he seems to have
overlooked neither the strategic nor the technological
advantages the other side enjoys. The governor, slightly taken
aback, points out the spot.... Reality, diplomacy and
propaganda are often only this far apart in the Middle East.
Syria alone cannot be considered a serious threat to Israel at
present.
Herr Strauss calls the strategic balance President
Assad of Syria would like to strike a long-term program.
Damascus still has a great deal left to do••••
Herr Strauss's visit was most welcome.
The Syrian government
is very keen to improve ties with the West at present, it being
the only quarter from which economic assistance can be