com-offer.net

david singer asked:


France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy has had to eat humble pie after his ground-breaking plan to establish the 43 member Mediterranean Union failed to reach an agreed final communiqué because of the opposition to its wording by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – the only non-state member present.

 

President Sarkozy’s efforts in bringing Israel and 9 members of the Arab League – including Syria – to this inaugural meeting promised to introduce a ray of light for Israeli-Arab co-operation and an end to regional turmoil.

 

Hopes were high that the parlous – indeed terminal – state of negotiations between Israel and the PA under the Roadmap proposed by America, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations – the Quartet – might miraculously be brought back to life.

 

Israel’s Prime Minister Mr Olmert had been remarkably upbeat in claiming – prior to the meeting – that his country had never been closer to a peace deal with the Palestinians.

 

The images of President Sarkozy, PA President Mahmoud Abbas and Mr Olmert smiling and enjoying a three way bear hug would have encouraged President Sarkozy into believing that he would be able to achieve the diplomatic breakthrough that had eluded the Quartet for the last 5 years.

 

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner however was not taken in by Mr Olmert’s absurd assessment and had sounded a word of warning when he bluntly told European News (12 July):

 

“Being around the same table with people you have fought is the beginning of something, it is the wind of hope. I’m sorry to say that the talks between the Israelis and Palestinians are not part of this wind of hope”

 

Little did Mr Kouchner – or President Sarkozy – imagine that the fundamental disagreements between Israel and the PA would be used by the PA to undermine the grand design of President Sarkozy to bring the nations of the Mediterranean and the European Union together in a new spirit of co-operation and joint venture.

 

The unfriendly wind Mr Kouchner had felt was shortly to blow away any hopes of an agreed summit position when the PA objected to the wording of the summit declaration.

 

Why the PA thought it necessary to incur the wrath and displeasure of President Sarkozy by importing the Middle-East conflict into the formation of the Mediterranean Union was puzzling. Quibbling over a few words in an otherwise agreed document remained a mystery – until the PA tried to explain the significance – and insidiousness – of its objection.

 

PA Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told reporters according to Xinhua news agency (July 15):

 

“The Israelis insisted on the inclusion of the words – “state for the Jewish people” – something we are categorically opposed to. It was out of the question for us to accept this wording. We wanted to ensure the final statement was very clear on this point.”

 

The Israeli delegation had a different take on what had happened telling Xinhua that Israel was in “ agreement with everything that has been adopted in the declaration because it was done by consensus”

 

Mr Kouchner was more forthcoming on what had actually occurred to spoil President Sarkozy’s party.

 

He told Xinhua that the standstill had been caused by the use of the expressions “nation state, national state, and democratic state”. This had resulted in “ a last minute deadlock between the Israelis and the Palestinians which meant that the final text had to undergo some little changes. The use of the expression “national state” implies difficulties in ensuring the return of refugees to the Jewish State or non-Jewish, Palestinian State.”

 

How the PA could ever hope to succeed in getting the Mediterranean Union members to unanimously agree to wording in the summit declaration that would support the entry of millions of Arabs into Israel and deny the Jewish people its own State is unbelievable.

 

These two intransigent demands of the PA have long been the sticking points in ensuring that President Bush’s vision – the creation of a 23rd Arab state between Israel and Jordan – will remain an impossible dream incapable of fulfilment. Now they had been brought to France by the PA to embarrass and undermine President Sarkozy’s vision – the establishment of the Mediterranean Union.

 

The supine French reaction to these untenable and badly mistimed demands was entirely predictable.

 

President Sarkozy could have told the PA to take a cold shower or to re-apply for membership of the Mediterranean Union when it had received international recognition as the governing authority of a sovereign and democratic state. Alternatively he could have suggested the PA be given observer status at the Mediterranean Union until statehood was achieved.

 

Mindful that any such action would have provoked an Arab walkout, President Sarkozy bit his tongue and chose the diplomatic path – sending the hapless Mr Kouchner on an appeasement journey to ease the frustration President Sarkozy must have felt at this upstart non-state thwarting mighty France at the very moment of what was to be one of its greatest achievements.

 

Mr Kouchner was left to tell Xinhua (July 15) :

 

“At the last moment we failed , perhaps for half an hour, to advance due to one word”

 

That one word was “Jewish”.

 

The Arab campaign to delegitimise the Jewish State was once again exposed as it continued in earnest in Paris at the birthplace of the Mediterranean Union.

 

One Jewish State on this planet remains an anathema to most of the 22 Islamic Arab States as they continue to not recognise it, resist it and call for its destruction wherever and whenever the opportunity arises.

 

Mr Kouchner is fooling no-one as he bends the French knee once again in deference to this ****** alliance that has actively opposed the existence of the Jewish State in its ancient homeland since its establishment 60 years ago.

 

It will take more than half an hour and more than one word before these nations are disavowed of their evil intention.

.

 



Michelle

stereopmp asked:


I know there are cruise options with a major cruise line that will go by where the lava is flowing into the ocean at night on Hawaii’s Big Island. But are there any sunset or dinner cruises that go at night? I will be staying on the Big Island.

Carmen

LeeBee asked:


I live on an island which is visited by cruise ships, so it seems illogical to fly elsewhere to get on the boat that’s then going to come back to where I live! I understand that there are certain embarkation points, etc., but can I just do ‘part’ of it!? Likewise, if I got on elsewhere, it would seem plain daft to dock where I live a day or two before I’m due to fly home again! Can I just finish the cruise at that point?! I’m sorry if this is a silly question – I just have NO idea where cruises are concerned! Thanks for your help.

Shavon

Adam Peters asked:


Spain, Italy and Greece are countries that have given the Mediterranean style of home decorating to the rest of the world. Clutter, sturdiness and graceful age are the hallmarks of the style.

What do people mean when they talk about decorating in the “Mediterranean style?”

The name comes from the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, which is almost completely enclosed by three continents!

The sea is bordered to its north by Europe: Spain, France and Italy, Albania and Greece. On the east it’s bordered by Asia: Turkey, Syria and Israel. And to its south it borders the African countries of Egypt, Libya, Algeria, and Morocco. (To get from the Mediterranean Sea out into the Atlantic Ocean, mariners have to go through the nine-mile-wide Straits of Gibraltar.)

However, the term “Mediterranean style” does not deal with the eastern or southern countries – they each have their own distinctive styles of interior decorating. Rather, it refers to the countries north of the Mediterranean Sea – Spain, Greece and Italy. It’s also called Spanish modern.

What are the defining elements of the Mediterranean style?

As far as furniture is concerned, they are usually low to the ground, with ornately turned legs and feet; the hardware is heavy and usually burnished. Burnished metal simply means that it has “a smooth glossy finish or appearance.”

The walls are the most distinctive part of the Mediterranean style – rather than simply unadorned walls painted in dull and boring, light colors, they are textured, or covered with faux designs of crumbling wood, or murals of views of a beach through an ornate window, for example.

The floors are also distinctive – the use of mosaic tile designs is quite popular.

There are no bare bones in Mediterranean design – throw rugs, pillows, and different kinds of fabric are everywhere. Pottery, statue, and baskets full of fruit and vegetables cover almost every inch of horizontal space.

Mediterranean design is all about warmth, about feeling cozy and comfortable.

When designing in the Mediterranean style, however, it’s important to remember the cardinal rules that govern the use of any style.

The home must be livable. If you’ve got lots of kids around you might want to keep the use of fragile pottery and statuary to a minimum, to protect against breakages.

Although much of the Mediterranean style emphasizes simplicity, it can sometimes cost a lot of money to achieve that simple look. Wall murals take skill to create or apply, and care must be taken with them.

Remember also that it’s not necessary to do your entire home in the Mediterranean style – many people have theme rooms, with those themes ranging from the Mediterranean style for one room to an Egyptian style for another to a classic Art Deco design for yet another. It’s all as the spirit moves you.



Kerline

Morgaine asked:


I heard that people as young as 19 can be in charge of the teen groups and events on cruises. Sounds cool. How do you get a job doing that?

Becky

Keith J. Valentine asked:


What sights will you see when you’re on the Mediterranean? You’ll get to know six popular areas of interest here. You can learn about some of the cities and islands on the Mediterranean that are located in and around this virtually inland sea the size of the Canadian territory of Nunavut and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador combined.

These are a few of the main attractions on the Mediterranean on the west coast of Italy:

Florence: See the Fountain of Neptune in the Piazza della Signoria; the domed cathedral known as the Duomo; and the Ponte Vecchio, a bridge across the Arno River, whose most striking feature is the multitude of shops built upon its edges. This city is without a doubt one of the most memorable destinations for me on the Mediterranean.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa: Intended to stand vertically so as to serve as a bell tower, but began leaning soon after construction started in 1173 due to a poorly laid foundation. The tower has 294 steps, has a height of almost 57 metres on the highest side and weighs an estimated 14,500 tonnes.

Naples: The San Francesco di Paola church, situated in the middle of Piazza Plebiscito, a semicircular square, which offers a spectacular view of Mount Vesuvius; and Castel Nuovo, a ‘new castle’ completed in 1282, known for its important Renaissance work.

Costa Smeralda: Sardinia’s 55 kilometre-long coastal area on the Mediterranean, developed by Prince Karim Aga Khan. This “Emerald Coast” is popular with highly affluent European and Arabian VIPs visiting from entertainment, politics and industry.

Also on the Mediterranean, the Spanish eastern coastal city of Barcelona offers the Plaça Reial: a popular square next to Las Ramblas, a busy, kilometre-long tree-lined pedestrian mall, a favourite with both tourists and locals alike. Usually full of street theatre, cafés and market stalls, it serves as the emotional hub of the city.

When you’re on the Mediterranean you can visit Marseilles in the south of France and see the statue of the Virgin and Child on the belfry of the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica. At 162 metres, this ornate church sits atop the highest natural point in the city. As well as being a major local landmark, it is the site of a popular annual pilgrimage every August 15th.

You can see that some of these places to see on the Mediterranean are perhaps more interesting than others, but if you want you can check out all of them. Ask yourself which ones are most appropriate for your travel itinerary, decide how you plan to see them, whether by cruise ship, tour bus, car, train, plane, bicycle, or even on foot, and go ahead! Take that step! Enjoy yourself on the Mediterranean, and see for yourself!

Keith J. Valentine has been traveling throughout the UK, Europe and North America for years. For more on travel, tips and a free e-zine, please visit 101 Easy Articles at http://www.EasyArticles4u.com



Monica

Melissa N asked:


So much food is wasted on cruises every year..
Maybe cruise companies can start donating wasted food at ports?
What’s wrong with donating the food at the port areas for human consumption in really poor countries?

If it’s going to be thrown out anyway, why not?

Latasha

Gree Lya asked:


The Mediterranean diet is now well-known as one of the healthiest in the world and all in all is ideal for a healthy way of life. Looking into the food habits and lifestyle of the Mediterranean diet will expand on why it is so healthy and can help to prevent heart and circulatory diseases.

With the concept of a healthy diet consisting of fruit, vegetables, cereals, legumes and nuts that are low in saturated fats, Mediterranean diet is one of the most studied dietary patterns. More than that, Mediterranean diet also includes low consumption of dairy products, seafood, poultry, red meat and small to moderate quantities of wine.

The Mediterranean diet is well-balanced with a supply of important vitamins, minerals, low in saturated fat, salt and sugar to make sure good health. As affirmed, people in the Mediterranean region lead active lives, but they also have enough time to relax, enjoy and hang out with every meal. This, in turn, helps in absorption of food and good functioning of body systems.

The daily Mediterranean diet comprises mostly fresh vegetables, fruit mainly as dessert, whole grain breads, cereals, beans, pastas legumes and nuts cooked in olive oil. The diet is supplemented by low to moderate use of milk, yogurt and cheese along with generally red wine or water.

Besides good for heart, Mediterranean diet has benefits for people with rheumatoid arthritis and may help reduce colon cancer recurrence. In 2007, Harvard researchers published a study suggesting that Mediterranean eating patterns might cut people’s chances of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in half.

Another of the great advantages to the Mediterranean diet is that it is a feast for the senses with bold colours, enticing flavours, an unbeatable aroma and a noticeable characteristic of high consumption of fruits and vegetables, bread and other cereals, olive oil and fish. Following the traditional lifestyle habits of those in this area, the Mediterranean Diet is ideal for people who like to cook, enjoy Mediterranean cuisine, and are interested in making a permanent lifestyle change.

The diet ingredients:

1. A lot of natural food from plants: vegetables, fruits, nuts whole grains, and legumes.

2. Yogurt and cheese in small to moderate amounts.

3. Poultry and fish in small to moderate amounts.

4. Unsaturated fat, traditionally supplied by olive oil, in fairly large amounts.

5. Wine in small to moderate amounts with meals.

6. Red meat in small amounts, used more for sauces and seasoning than as main course.

7. Fresh fruit for dessert.

The most important thing about the Mediterranean diet is to keep your consumption of saturated fat low, which, as a feasible matter, means keeping the helpings of meat and dairy products (the full-fat variety) few and far between.



And

Janet Sommers asked:


Mediterranean diet is probably one of the most popular diets. The foundation of this diet came from the people who live in the Mediterranean area. Mediterranean diet is a high-energy diet that is based in carbohydrate and low fat. The chief element of this diet is bread. People who are living in the Mediterranean are known to have low risk of having illnesses and chronic diseases. This diet is focused on the consumption of vegetables, whole grains, beans, fruits, rice, seeds and pasta. In preparing Mediterranean diet menu, olive oil plays a major part. The diet recommends consuming dairy products such as yogurt and cheese in low amounts. Protein from animals should be taken in lower amounts than protein from plants.

The Food Guide Pyramid recommends the Mediterranean diet. It has a balanced nutrition that may have many benefits. This is why most people in the area have low risk of having heart illness. Agriculture and active lifestyle is one of the major components of having good health.

However, if you want to lose weight, Mediterranean diet is not the answer because it is not a weight loss program. This diet is simply a traditional eating lifestyle of the people in the Mediterranean including sixteen countries. Moreover, diets are different depending on the location of regions and countries. Another important ingredient in a Mediterranean diet is the presence of seafood. It is a fact that eating seafood several times a week can be beneficial. Seafood is a good source of omega-3 or fatty acids that is good for your heart. With this in mind, if you are allergic to seafood, you do not have a chance to try Mediterranean diet.

Researches agree that Mediterranean diet is better and healthier that any other diet such as North European and American diet due to the consumption of more fruits and vegetables.

It is definitely a lifestyle and honestly, it does not help in losing weight. This diet is not only into eating healthy but living healthy. People in the Mediterranean are generally optimistic and they have a strong family bond. Besides having a healthy lifestyle, they take time in relaxing and enjoying.

If you want to lose weight fast, it is better to find another kind of diet because Mediterranean diet is a lifelong process. You need to change your way of living and eat foods that may not be your nature. It is difficult to maintain these diets especially if you live in a place wherein fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood are unlikely.

Losing weight requires a low-calorie diet and exercise. You cannot reach your goal of losing weight if you stick with this diet particularly if you want to lose weight fast. Overweight people who want to lose weight immediately are hopeless with this diet.

If you want to lose weight the faster way, Fat Loss For Idiots is the best alternative. It does not only promise you the ideal weight you have been dreaming but you are guaranteed to be fit and healthy in just nine days. Many people stick to Fat Loss For Idiots because it is the best weight-loss program that is true to its name.



Tray

Adam Peters asked:


Wrought iron may not be your first choice of home furnishings; however it can look really unique. Giving your home an antique feel to it, wrought iron really compliments the Mediterranean style.

Everybody wants their home to be welcoming, attractive and relaxing. After all, it is the place where we feel safe and secure and it is also the place where we spend most of our time. So, when it comes to decorating the home, the aim is to add character and warmth and there are a number of ways in which you can do this.

Mediterranean style decorating is just one way in which you can create a warm, friendly atmosphere throughout the home. So many people these days are choosing the Mediterranean style and it really is one of the best to go for if you are looking to add a lot of character and a welcoming atmosphere. However, one part of Mediterranean decorating which many people do not try is wrought iron features.

Why Wrought Iron Features Are Important

The great thing about wrought iron features is that they can be used absolutely anywhere throughout the home. There is such a large variety of products available to choose from, which makes it easy to find something to suit your tastes. No matter whether you want to improve the look of your home on the inside or outside, wrought iron features can help you to achieve a unique and Mediterranean style.

Just a few of the wrought iron features you can use in your home include:

• Patio Furniture

• Wrought Iron Lighting

• Tables

• Curtain Poles

• Accessories

Accessories include things such as kitchen accessories like serving spoons and fruit bowls. You can also purchase fireplace accessories in wrought iron too. The most idyllic way of adding wrought iron into your garden or conservatory has to be patio furniture. They come in a large variety of styles and they look good in practically any home.

Indoors on the other hand, a few accessories are usually enough to add a Mediterranean feel to the rooms. A wrought iron magazine rack would look great next to the sofa, whilst a wrought iron table could act as a centrepiece for the room. Ideally you want to create a look which has a slight antique feel to it and you can do that by just using a few key pieces. Purchase a couple of larger wrought iron furniture and then improve the overall look by adding small wrought iron accessories throughout each room.

Overall wrought iron is overlooked a lot of the time, but it can actually create a really nice, unique feel to the home. So if you are planning on using Mediterranean style decorating, do not forget to add a few wrought iron accessories!



JOY