WorldWatch

Vol. 1, No. 5  Published by the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association

Tensions mounted between Russia and NATO following NATO military overflights of southern Yugoslavia and Kosovo recently, in an attempt to "send a message" to Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic. World War I was sparked in the streets of Sarajevo. Will a wider war erupt in the Balkans, dragging major European powers and NATO allies into confrontation with each other, and with Russia?

by Garner Ted Armstrong

    Russian President Boris Yeltsin was being hailed as instrumental in bringing about negotiations between Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and a representative of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, following UN overflights. The problem is, the Kosovo Liberation Army, as the guerrilla forces who demand independence for Kosovo call themselves, do not recognize the spokesman Milosevic has chosen.

Kosovo could prove to be the spark that ignites a widening war in the region which could eventually involve Greece and Turkey, bitter enemies but NATO allies, and which could drag the U.S. and European NATO allies into direct confrontation with Russia!

The term "can of worms" cannot be better applied than when attempting to understand the seething hatreds, religious and ethnic prejudices, and political strife in the Balkans.

Kosovo, a province in the southwest of former Yugoslavia, is made up of 90% ethnic Albanians. Albania is the only Islamic nation in all of Europe or the Balkans, and the poorest, with the fewest per capita miles of railways, roads, automobiles, TV sets and telephones.

Since the outbreak of hostilities, tens of thousands of ethnic Albanians have been forced from their homes. Over 300 people have been killed, as Serbian police and elements of the Serb army attacked villages which harbored members of the KLA, and more than 65,000 people have been driven from their homes.

The KLA is poorly armed, possessing only small arms. Yet, Albanian sympathizers in the U.S. and other countries are sending financial support, and Albania is a hotbed of smuggled arms, drugs and cigarettes, with its long and rugged coastline on the Adriatic. The KLA is shopping world arms markets, hoping to obtain anti-tank rockets, and shoulder mounted antiaircraft missiles, hoping to better fight back against Milosevic's forces.

Turkey, an Islamic nation, naturally sympathizes with the Islamic ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, as do all other Islamic nations.

The major news media almost never speak of the religious prejudices and hatreds between the battling participants, speaking instead of "ethnic" differences, as if the problem was based upon race. But, as in the protracted war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the majority of the participants are essentially the same people, divided by religion.

The Ottoman Turkish Empire once ruled much of the Balkans; had advanced to the very gates of Vienna, in Austria. Bosnia was conquered by the Turks in 1463. The Islamic Turkish rulers made Bosnia a "province" of Turkey. Where the sword of Islam ruled, children were educated in the religion of Mohammed; made to submit to the religion named after the term: "submission." When the Austria-Hungarian Empire overthrew the Turks in 1908, Bosnia and Herzegovina were annexed, and once again both Roman Catholicism and Greek Orthodoxy influenced the peasantry.

With the breakup of the Austria-Hungarian Empire after World War I, many of the provinces in the region, including Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Kosovo and Macedonia, among others, became part of "Yugoslavia." The southern Slavs of Croatia became separated from other Slavs during the period from 924, when "Tomislav" organized these south Slavic peoples into a kingdom, and later, in 1102, when Croatia joined with Hungary.

When Hitler occupied Yugoslavia during World War II, massive "ethnic cleansing" occurred. Not only were Jews deported, but Serbs and Croats, with different religions and different ethnic and political loyalties, found opportunity to wage terrible guerilla war against each other. Tens of thousands of Croats willingly served in Hitler's armies, while many Serbs, with close religious and ethnic ties to the Russians, joined one or another of the underground forces, such as that organized by Tito, which fought the Nazi occupation. The Serbs are essentially the same people as the Russians. The Encyclopedia Britannica, 11^th Edition, states, "The Slavs are divided geographically into three main groups, eastern, north-western and southern; linguistically also the same division is convenient. The Russians stand by themselves as the eastern group" (Vol. 25: P. 228).The Serbs and Russians have a very similar language today, and use the same alphabet.

Russia is very disturbed over the eastward expansion of NATO, viewing this purely MILITARY alliance as obviously threatening. In an attempt to halt the fighting, and allow the refugees to return to their homes, a "contact group" of the U.S., Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia recently met in London, laying down demands for the withdrawal of Milosevic's troops from Kosovo. Regular Serbian army units patrol the main road southwest of the capital Pristina, because the town of Malisevo, only 30 miles away, is a stronghold of the KLA.

Serbian interests in Kosovo center almost entirely around Orthodox cathedrals and churches, even though Serbs represent only a 10% minority.

The scene is set for major confrontations, no matter what temporary solution is agreed to or imposed. Divide Kosovo into two regions? Allow Kosovo independent status as a nation? If that happened, it would likely follow that the Serbs in Bosnia would unite with Serbia. Also, the little nation of Macedonia (which is deeply resented by the Greeks to the south), which has a large Albanian (Islamic) minority (22%) amid a Greek Orthodox majority, would fracture into religious and ethnic violence.

Turkey ruled Macedonia from 1389 to 1912, and the third most important language spoken there is Turkish. The eastern Orthodox members outnumber adherents to Islam by 67% to 30%, however. The ancient territory of Macedonia was divided up when the indigenous Greeks, Slavs and Bulgarians won independence shortly before World War I. In 1918, the region became part of the "Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes," which, following World War II, became a province of the newly-formed nation of "Yugoslavia."

Macedonia declared independence as a sovereign nation, with 34 counties, in 1991. The Prime Minister is Branko Crvenkovski, who lives in Skopje, the capital, a city of some half million people.

Greece, which refers to its northern territory as "Macedonia," objected to the use of the name by the new nation, which it called "Hellenic" (Greek), in both name and symbols, and imposed a trade blockade shortly after independence was declared. The two countries signed a treaty normalizing relations in late 1995.

The concern in the West is that, if the constant unrest and fighting in the region spills over into Macedonia, both Greece and Turkey would become involved. Both are members of NATO, and it is not impossible that WAR could result between the two. Turkey recently sent jet fighter-bombers to northern Cyprus, very likely to serve as a warning that Turkey will not sit by if ethnic Turks are harmed. Greece responded by sending F16's to the Grecian part of Cyprus. As a further threat to stability in the region, Greek skinheads and fascists have been rioting in Athens in protest over the government's moves toward adoption of the "Euro," a single currency.

In order to achieve this, the Greek government is hurrying toward privatization of national industries, such as banks and the airlines. Recently, a scheduled meeting of government and banking officials was disrupted; the meeting place demolished, and many injuries reported when fascist thugs attacked those trying to meet. It is not unlikely that the government could collapse.

Turkey, of course, is Islamic. Greece is Greek (eastern) Orthodox. Underlying the constant strife throughout the region, including Kosovo, Albania, Greece and Turkey, is religious antagonism! So it is that this little-known region (to most Americans) could provide the spark that would lead to ever-widening WAR, dragging into the conflict the major European powers and Russia, and, yes, the United States!

If you have not looked at a current atlas recently, you might want to look up all these countries on a map, refresh your memory, and don't forget to watch world conditions as we draw ever closer to the beginning of the GREAT TRIBULATION prophesied by Jesus Christ!

There are 750 U.N. military personnel in Macedonia, including Americans.

If war spills over into Macedonia, then the U.S. would automatically be involved, as would both Greece and Turkey. This would mean attempted UN intervention, and, given their dismal record, would likely mean European intervention. That would mean the investment of German troops into the Balkans. o

SOUTHERN BAPTISTS SAVAGELY
ATTACKED FOR STAND ON
FAMILY VALUES

For decades, Americans have seen the courts tilt far to the left; banning prayer from schools; fostering gay rights; approving "same sex marriages." Inevitably, the pendulum is swinging in the other direction.
The liberals hate it.

    Quoting the Bible can get you killed! The two major flaps sensationalized by the liberal media recently were the Southern Baptist's stand on family values, based on Ephesians 5 and 6, and Senator Trent Lott's mild (and compassionate) remarks on homosexuality.

All the talk shows exploded into hyperbole; all the interview shows scrambled to present loudly shouting, gesticulating, obviously exercised spokespersons espousing opposite points of view. The media was having a field day. Shocked outrage minced onto center stage. Gay rights organizations, women's lib organizations shrieked in horrified disbelief. Leaders of such organizations trooped to the TV studios at the major network's request to shout out their fury.

How DARE those Bible-thumping Baptists? How could they be so—so—well, BIGOTED? (In recent years, the gay rights activists and the liberal media has changed the meaning of the word to include anyone from the pope to Billy Graham; anyone at all who professes belief in the Bible is a "bigot" to them).

At the core of all the controversy was the following statement issued by the Southern Baptists during their convention on June 9: "God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.

"Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents."

To any Bible-believing, converted Christian, the foregoing statement seems but a paraphrase of God's instructions concerning marriage in Ephesians 5 and 6. God's word says, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:1-4).

Likening marriage to the relationship between Christ and the church, Paul wrote, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

"For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

"Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

"That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

"That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

"So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

"For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church...This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Ephesians 5:22-32).

What the Baptists are trying to do, obviously, is respond to the destruction of the American family. Only fools deny that the family is threatened with becoming an extinct institution. Divorces outstrip marriages in many inner-urban areas. Illegitimacy is commonplace. Millions of American women are single parents. Many have several children engendered by different fathers. A recent article revealed how many of the most renowned sports heroes—multimillionaires all—have fathered children out of wedlock. Illegitimacy is particularly rife among minorities. At the doorstep of the fragmenting American home lies the true blame for much of what is wrong with society; crime, drugs, homosexuality.

From the puritanical age of repression and ignorance, the pendulum swung in the opposite direction of an outpouring of prurience and sexual "information" unaccompanied by the balancing influence of God's Word. This was largely due to the famous "Kinsey Report" and an ensuing barrage of sexual "information," and greatly enhanced by the Warren Court's decision about pornography.

"Gays" came out of the closet and into the Senate. Suddenly, they were everywhere. Doctors, lawyers, Senators, officers in the military; actors, playwrights, directors, bankers; it mattered not what profession or line of work. The infamous book of the `50s, called the "Sixth man," alleging that one out of six American males had homosexual tendencies seemed a bit more credible. A famous actress on a "sitcom" in prime time decided to have a "coming out" party on the show. She was hailed by millions for her "courage." And then, when the likes of former Vice President Dan Quayle spoke out about family values, a storm of protest was heard from the gay rights activists.

Shocked parents in Texas learned that the state educational authorities were beginning to teach little children in kindergarten about "alternative life styles"! Suddenly, they weren't learning about Adam and Eve, but "Adam and Steve." An infamous publication made its way into the schools, called "Daddy's roommate."

Lesbians wanted to marry, and "adopt" children! Liberal churches began ordaining homosexual clerics. Then Clinton was elected, and, fulfilling campaign promises, insisted on gays in the military.

In only a few decades, America had plunged into the cesspool or perversion. Now, anyone who believed God; anyone who believed God's Word about the God-ordained roles of husband and wife; of parent to child, was a "bigot" who deserved to be hooted down, or physically attacked.

Our society is sick. The sickness is easily diagnosed when one looks at the incredible outpouring of rage against the Southern Baptist's biblically-based statement on the family.

God sternly indicts our sin-sick, crime-ridden society, saying, "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths" (Isaiah 3:12). School massacres? Trace it back to the home; to the kind of books, magazines, television and movies that have formed a young, pliant character; to the parents who allowed it.

Today, we witness mere youths viciously murdering their own parents, then committing mass murder of their own classmates. And all the while, the gristmill of violence called Hollywood continues to grind out hundreds of super-violent shows; massive explosions, automatic weapons spewing thousands of rounds per minute; exploding cars, high-speed chases, shooting, knifings, dismemberment—all in bloody, close-up, slow motion, so eager young viewers can glean the last bit of vicarious thrill from all the bloody mayhem.

And the neighbors, and the families of the victims are always so horrified. The parents, (if they are still alive) say "I can't understand it." But to these expressions of dismay God says, "The show of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves" (Isaiah 3:9).

The Southern Baptists are finding out what a tidal wave of controversy is generated when one dares to quote the Bible as a basis for belief and conduct. This society is so far down the toboggan slide into the cesspool of immorality that the masses become OUTRAGED when they hear the Bible quoted!

Not only were the Southern Baptists feeling the scorn. Senator Trent Lott, who was asked his views on homosexuality, and who said it was a "sin," caused another major media field day. As we go to press with this issue, the debate still rages.

One of the headlines in this issue features "Gay Pride" in, of all places, Jerusalem. Millions of professing Christians are fond of referring to Jerusalem as "the Holy City." Nonsense. Here is the way God refers to Jerusalem today: Referring to the two witnesses who are to come on the scene during the tribulation, He says, "And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified" (Revelation 11:8).

Our nation is called "Sodom" by God in His Word! As Lot was rescued from the horrors of the wholly perverted society around him, so God will preserve His people from the evils to befall our people! He warns, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities" (Revelation 18:4, 5).

Isaiah cried out, "Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah" (Isaiah 1:10). In a scathing condemnation of our society, former Supreme-Court nominee Judge Bork wrote a striking book entitled, Slouching Toward Gomorrah. It is an indictment against the anti-God, anti-Bible bias of the liberals in our society, and well worth reading.

The whole statement issued by the Baptists was cause for scathing condemnation by the liberals in society, but women's organizations were particularly incensed by the term "submit." One of the framers of the statement, Mrs. Mary Mohler, a housewife from Kentucky, and a member of the committee which drafted the statement was quoted as saying, "It is a biblically correct word and that's what counts...I submit to the leadership of my husband in our home, not because it is a command from Al Mohler [her husband], but because it is a command from almighty God to me as a Christian woman."

President Clinton indicated that, even though he is nominally a Southern Baptist, he disagrees with the statement of belief about the family. According to White House spokesman Michael McCurry, the president "noted with wry amusement the article [about the statement] this morning and thought about how he might call it to the attention of the first lady."

When asked by reporters about the Baptist's statement, the president asked, "What can I do about it?" It would seem he has done quite enough already. o

BY ANY NAME—MURDER!

by Garner Ted Armstrong

    How clean it is! The shattered walls, with gaping holes festooned with rusting iron reinforcement bars exposed when huge shells blasted through; the blasted roofs, toppled chimneys, and piles of ashes where homes were once inhabited by families. Tall weeds now choke small patches of soil where rubble is strewn. But the people are gone.

The people who once lived in this house, and thousands like it in cities, towns and villages all over Bosnia and Kosovo, are gone. Some will never be found. Others have been found—stacked like cordwood in mass graves scooped from the soil by bulldozers—found by satellite photographs, or infrared pictures taken from high-flying spy planes.

A first in all history occurred when such photographs were used to locate the mass graves of those who had been victims of "ethnic cleansing" during the protracted Bosnian war. Men, women, children; the elderly and infirm—it made no difference to the gunners who shot them down and dragged them to their burial places.

They were "different." They talked differently. They looked different. They worshiped a "different" God, or at least, they called Him by a different name. They had weird customs, like eschewing pork and pork products because they believe the mainstay of many Serb's diet, the pig, to be "unclean." They did crazy things, like pray five times a day, and recite the Koran.

So it was necessary to "clean up the neighborhood." Nothing like some heavy artillery, crashing into quiet farm houses, or 80 mm. mortar rounds, exploding amid a group of refugees in Sarajevo, who had gathered in a graveyard for a funeral, or a round lobbed into the midst of a group who had clustered around a broken water pipe in the city to carry a pail of the precious stuff to their shattered apartments to clean up a neighborhood.

Today, the "cleansing" goes on. Just the other day, the woods were cleansed inside the Albanian border near the town of Ujeze, where Adem Bajram Selmani (We might have called him "Adam Byrum") had gone on horseback with a friend to cut firewood from the forest.

He was seen by border guards across the border in Yugoslavia, shot and killed, then dragged the 30 yards or so into Yugoslavia. The horses were also killed.

What a seemingly pristine term. "Cleansing." But no matter what they call it, it is plain old calloused, brutal, heartless, cruel, inhuman murder.

Shockingly, there are those who, in the wake of the dragging murder of a black man by two white men near Jasper, Texas, recently, are saying "it could happen here." While many civil rights leaders and government officials, black and white, gathered in Jasper, and while hundreds attended the funeral and gathered in the streets to sing "we shall overcome," there were others who warned darkly of impending race war in the United States.

When killers gather together to plan their attacks in the U.S., do they call it "ethnic cleansing"? God calls it murder. "Thou shalt do no murder," says the commandment, and "the wages of sin is death." o
 

EDITORIAL:

     Recently, I received a clipping from a lady in Anchorage, Alaska—one of those faithful people who are helping to WATCH world news, and pass information along—-of an article by well-known nationally syndicated columnist, Richard Reeves.

His article was headlined, "UNITED STATES OF EUROPE DESERVES LOOK," and the subtitle said, "The creation of the euro [the new common currency in Europe, due to be put in place in January, 1999] is a gamble, but it is also one more sidebar in the triumph of economics over politics in, first, Britain and the United States, and now in Euroland."

Mr. Reeves is no doubt keenly aware of the incredible degree of ignorance among most Americans about Europe; especially, about the developing United States of Europe, which I have been predicting for nearly fifty years! However, Mr. Reeves is obviously unaware of that fact, as his article clearly shows.

He began, "The first big story of the 21^st century is already happening, and nobody noticed, at least nobody back home in the United States.

"That is the United States of Europe, or an entity of 300 million people, nicknamed Euroland, the 11 countries that have agreed to merge their currencies." I agree with Mr. Reeves on several counts, but wholly disagree with his final conclusion, as contained in the headline of this editorial. First, I agree when he said, concerning the utter lack of concern on the part of most Americans about what is happening in Europe, "The United States is not even guessing [about what the impact of a common currency in Europe will be], if anyone even knows what is going on over here [he was writing from Paris]. Why aren't Americans paying attention? Monica Lewinsky, I guess."

Nothing could be closer to the truth. Americans would far rather wallow in juicy scandals, or sit, fascinated before idiotic cartoons (on prime time, no less!), "soaps" and "sit-coms" than pay attention to the ominous developments in the world which will soon come crashing down upon them. Reeves pointed out that the American "...focus on scandal has become scandalous," and charged that most citizens are blithely unaware that two major events which are changing the world are; (1) the expansion of NATO into eastern Europe, and, (2) the coming of the euro.

I have said for decades that I do not believe Britain will be a member of the final TEN nations prophesied to coalesce into the "Beast" power of prophecy (Revelation 17:12-14). Interestingly, there are ELEVEN nations who are trying to get their financial houses in order prior to the launch of the euro in January of next year. However, Britain has opted not to sign the agreement with the other countries until after the next general elections.

Meanwhile, Greece and other countries are having grave difficulties preparing for the arrival of the single currency. For one thing, the agreement requires privatiza-tion of heretofore government-owned companies, like airlines, railways, steel, banks and the like. In Greece, riots take place almost daily as workers and neo-fascists take to the streets in protest.

For decades, I have warned that the ultimate ten-nation combine might not form during a time of peace and prosperity, but may come about as a result of a global economic collapse, followed by the rise of dictatorships and the imposition of martial law in countries all over Europe and elsewhere. Militarism is on the rise again. A new "cold war," this time in the near East, is under way. Soon, the Germans will begin marching. Germany can not long endure 20% unemployment without major government upheavals.

Where I decidedly do NOT agree with Mr. Reeve's article is found in his final paragraph. He said, "...truth be told, a lot has already happened in Europe that no one could have predicted only a few years ago."

But long-time listeners to my voice on the "World Tomorrow" radio and television programs; together with long-time readers of The PLAIN TRUTH magazine, know that, even during the depths of the cold war, I was saying Germany would be reunited; that Europe would unite into a "United States of Europe."

Millions of Americans heard these predictions. For many years, I was heard by between 20 to 30 million Americans and Canadians; Britons, South Africans and Australians on a daily basis, predicting that eastern Europe would eventually form a part of a coming "United States of Europe."

I was amazed when, following the tearing down of the Berlin wall; my trip there, and our special edition of our magazine "New Order Coming In Germany," only ONE member of the media, a newspaper in Houston, Texas, ever called me. The reporter asked, "Weren't you saying something like this was going to happen a long time ago?" I answered in the affirmative, but I don't believe an article resulted. If it did, I never saw it.

In that article, which I later made into a booklet, were 54 separate quotations from our publications and broadcasts over the years, documenting how continuously we had warned of a coming "United States of Europe;" how it would be an end-time "resurrection" of the old "Holy Roman Empire" in the heartland of Europe; how it would be armed with nuclear weapons, and how it would eventually become the MAJOR ENEMY of the U.S.!

Certainly, the mainstream liberal media wasn't paying attention.

They are not paying attention today.

And why aren't Americans paying attention? You're right about one thing, Mr. Reeves, "Monica Lewinsky, I guess."

Iraq Had Deadly VX Nerve Gas In
Warheads

Now it has been revealed: Iraq had VX Nerve Gas, one of the most deadly substances known to man, actually loaded in warheads which could have been rained down on Israel during the Gulf War!

   For many years, the Pentagon denied that U.S. forces, blowing up forward ammunition dumps in the Iraqi desert, had inadvertently released clouds of deadly gas into the atmosphere, causing "Gulf War Syndrome."

But tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers, exposed to the fallout, knew better.

There were reports of internal bleeding, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, flu-like symptoms and worse among thousands of vets of "Desert Storm." Saddam Hussein, according to one report, had actually given orders that the SCUDS fired into Israel be fitted with chemical or biological warheads, but forward area battlefield commanders either refused (which one would assume cost them their lives) or were unable to comply. Had such warheads landed in Israel, there is no doubt Israel would have dropped nuclear bombs on Baghdad.

The specter of "gassing Jews" to death could not have been tolerated by the free world, and the U.S. would have immediately been involved in a war which would have escalated far beyond the Gulf, and far beyond the use of conventional weapons. The entire Middle East, the near East, and, eventually, all Europe, China and Japan would have been involved. That would have meant WORLD WAR! We will probably never know just how near we were to such a horrifying scenario!

It makes one wonder in retrospect why the U.S. left Iraq with the job nowhere near finished. Now, according to assessments of U.S. preparedness, the United States could not mount another "Desert Storm" if it wanted to. In the first place, Bill Clinton is not George Bush. In the second place, our military is nowhere near as ready, or as large, as it was. In the third place, there would BE no "coalition" of forces. The chance was there, but lost forever. Now, we shall pay the consequences.

Now, as the media expresses surprise that "Saddam lied," (really? Saddam?? NO! Surely not!) word comes from UNSCOM inspectors that chemical tests conducted on bits of metal from warheads prove that deadly VX was inside those warheads. VX is perhaps the deadliest poison known to man. Only one tiny drop on the back of your hand can kill you.

But Iraq is not the only nation in the region possessing VX and the means to deliver it against an enemy. One of the top news stories on June 24^th was that SYRIA had recently conducted tests of warheads fitted to SCUDS, which contain VX! On May 12^th, Syria exploded such warheads in test firings. It was stated over ABC that Syria will be capable of hitting Israel or U.S. forces in the region (such as aboard ships in the Mediterranean Sea) by next year.

Chillingly, the same report stated that India, Pakistan and Egypt all possess such capability, adding to the already supercharged tensions in the region over weapons of mass destruction. Israel also possesses stockpiles of such poisons.

While major European nations, together with Russia, apply pressure on the U.N. Security Council to relax tough sanctions against Iraq, UN Ambassador Bill Richards spoke out in the U.N. about Saddam's lies and obfuscation, saying it was nothing new that "Saddam has broken his word." The U.S. wants the sanctions to remain in place, until it can be absolutely demonstrated that Iraqi capability to produce chemical and biological weapons no longer exists.

Meanwhile, a top Israeli official warned recently that it would be "only a matter of time" until Iran has a nuclear bomb. From the point of view of the average Israeli citizen, laying in the newest version of protective plastic suits and gas masks, and ensuring there is plenty of tape available for sealing cracks around doors and windows of their homes so deadly gas cannot penetrate, it must be nerve-wracking to realize that, as each month passes, Islamic fundamentalists are gaining the technology which could annihilate hundreds of thousands of Israelis with just one SCUD.

With the Palestinians saying the plans for a "greater Jerusalem" are tantamount to a "declaration of war," and Islamic nations all around Israel in possession of deadly VX and other chemical biological, and now, NUCLEAR weapons, it is a time of great concern, indeed.

Study some of the HEADLINES in this issue, and notice how many deal with these very things. Pay special attention to those which deal with Syria, Iraq, Egypt, and the Middle East!

Remember, Jesus Christ said the two major things for which we are to WATCH in world conditions are the "Abomination of Desolation" placed in the "holy place" and "armies around Jerusalem." Only a fool would deny that the Middle East is a powder keg, waiting to explode into violence which has not occurred on this earth since Hiroshima and Nagasaki! o

Shocking Headlines Of Recent Weeks

U.S. SEEKS NUCLEAR DEAL WITH CHINA

ETHIOPIA WARNS CONFLICT WORSENING WITH ERITREA.

U.S. POVERTY LAW CENTER SAYS GROUPS PLAN FOR RACE WAR IN AMERICA IN 2000. CIM BELIEVES ARMAGEDDON WILL PIT WHITE CHRISTIANS AGAINST BLACKS AND JEWS.

INDONESIAN CURRENCY PLUNGES IN WAKE OF RIOTS, COLLAPSE OF GOVERNMENT.

KU KLUX KLAN PLANS RALLY IN TEXAS TOWN WHERE BLACK DRAGGED TO DEATH.

HATE GROWING IN AMERICA

Condemnation of Homosexuality as "Sin" Sparks Fierce Debate Among Media; Politicians.

YUGOSLAV BORDER GUARDS SHOOT UNARMED CIVILIAN IN ALBANIAN TERRITORY

TEXAS DROUGHT WORSENS; NEARLY 2 BILLION LOST IN AGRICULTURE.

Florida Fights Dozens of Fires Due To Drought; Dry Forests.

SYRIA BUYS RUSSIAN MISSILES

IS THE WORLD ENTERING NEW COLD WAR?

ULTRA-RIGHT NATIONALISTS IN JAPAN BLAME U.S. FOR SINKING JAPANESE ECONOMY.

TURKEY SENDS WARPLANES TO NORTHERN CYPRUS.

U.K. ANNOUNCES IT WILL CUT ITS NUCLEAR DETERRENT IN HALF

OFFICIALS WARN RESPONSE TO "BIO-TERRORISM" MAY BE SLOW.

PALESTINIANS ESCALATE ANTI-ISRAELI ACTIVITIES IN UN.

ATOM BOMB TESTS IN PAKISTAN SEEN AS "TRIUMPH FOR ISLAM"

NOW REVEALED: INDIA'S NUCLEAR ARSENAL BIGGER THAN BRITAIN'S; SAME LEAGUE AS FRANCE AND CHINA.

FIVE MILLION BATTLE FLOODS IN CHINA

MAJOR NEWS MEDIA HIGHLIGHT "DISASTROUS" WEATHER IN U.S. DURING 1997, 1998.

EXPERTS SAY STORMS MORE VIOLENT; MOISTURE IN U.S. AIR HAS INCREASED BY 20% IN 2 YEARS.

"WINTER STORM" BLANKETS NORTHERN TIER OF STATES WHILE SOUTH SWELTERS IN HEAT WAVE

ARAFAT WARNS PALESTINIANS WILL "INITIATE MILITARY OPTION' IF ISRAEL DOES NOT WITHDRAW FROM `OCCUPIED TERRITORIES" SOON.

U.S. SAID ON ALERT FOR ISLAMIC BOMB

AIDS EXPERTS FEAR "SUPER HIV VIRUS"

Wildfires Burning Across 1/3 of Drought-stricken Florida; Fires Cross Into Georgia.

INSPECTORS FROM WORK PLAN

RUSSIAN LONG-RANGE NUCLEAR BOMBERS STAGE MOCK ATTACK AGAINST U.S. TARGETS

MACEDONIA BRACES FOR TROUBLE

New York City Developing Plans To Counter Chemical, Biological Attacks

4.2 Earthquake Rocks Taiwan

FIJI PARCHED BY DROUGHT

Torrential Rains Drench Parts Of China; Over 250,000 Homeless

Egypt Urges Arab Military Coalition

ARAFAT CALLS FOR INCREASED U.S. PRESSURE AGAINST ISRAEL.

VX GAS: One Drop Is Lethal

CLINTON VETOES IRAN SANCTIONS BILL; SHOWDOWN LOOMS

ARAB OFFICIALS SAY ANY ARABS SELLING LAND TO JEWS SHOULD BE MURDERED.

TOP-SELLING TABLOID IN BRITAIN ATTACKS TONY BLAIR OVER EURO.

FLORIDA SITUATION CRITICAL; WORST FIRES IN 65 YEARS CONSUME 120,000 ACRES; THICK, CHOKING SMOKE BLANKETS DAYTONA, SOUTHERN GEORGIA.

DROUGHT IN TEXAS: NUECES RIVER STOPS FLOWING: RANCHERS SELLING OFF CATTLE.

THIRTY MILLION, SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND HAVE AIDS; 16,000 INFECTED EACH DAY. AIDS DEATHS UP 50% IN ONLY TWO YEARS.

SYRIA, IRAN "STOCKING UP ARMS."

JAPAN WARNS NORTH KOREA'S MISSILE PROGRAM GRAVE THREAT TO WORLD

HONG KONG'S TUNG SAYS ECONOMIC SITUATION CRITICAL

RUSSIA THREATENED BY "NEO-NAZISM," YELTSIN WARNS

UN SAYS OZONE LAYER AROUND EARTH TO HIT ALL-TIME THINNEST BY 2001

SOUTH KOREA GOES ON ALERT AS TENSION MOUNTS

IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER TARIK AZIZ WARNS OF ANOTHER SHOWDOWN WITH U.S. IF SANCTIONS STAY IN PLACE

NATO CLOSE TO KOSOVO STRIKE; RUSSIA URGES CAUTION o

News From Chris Cumming and family at

The Website Office

"Greetings to Mr. Armstrong and the ministers of the Intercontinental Church of God. Here are the numbers:

All numbers represent individual unique visitors (software does not count the same person revisiting the website on the same day)."

Prior to the first WGN telecast:

Typical Monday traffic to the EA site.....137 visitors

Average daily traffic to the site................158 visitors

First WGN telecast..................................221 visitors

Increase to Monday traffic of 84 visitors—61% increase

Increase to average traffic of 63 visitors — 40% increase

Second WGN telecast......278 visitors

Increase to Monday traffic of 141 visitors—103% increase

Increase to average traffic of 120 visitors—76% increase

Editor's note: By combining the number of telephone calls (360 +) from WGN to our offices, and the number visiting the web site, we had 423 + responses to the first program on WGN. At a cost of $4,500.00 per half hour, this translates to approx. $10.63 per call. In other words, not counting the cost of printing, postage, or labor, but counting ONLY the amount of money it costs to buy one half hour of time at a very early hour on WGN, our faithful tithers and supporters are laying out $10.63 to cause just one person (who may represent a whole family), to call or visit the web site, and request literature.

For my entire 45 years in the ministry, I have NEVER asked for money over the air, or in any of our literature. As our members know, we do not take up collections in our weekly church services. Christ said, "FREELY ye have received, FREELY GIVE!" From time to time, I receive letters from those on Social Security and small fixed incomes who say they "feel guilty" to be receiving our literature and tapes, and are sorry they cannot send more. DON'T feel that way! God knows our every need. HE will inspire those who have enough to give, so that we may have sufficient to GIVE His word to this dying world free of charge!

How do we measure "success"? It is when we GIVE a free telecast; paid for by our tithing members and supporters; then, when we GIVE away free literature and/or tapes to those who call or write! We do not measure success by how much we GET, but by how much we are able to GIVE! That is God's way! o

Letters To The Editor:

"Dear GTA:
Thank you for Worldwatch, it is so appropriately named. Satan's world is in disarray. Headlines bear proof. We must claim Jesus Christ's promise, `but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.' We are living in those days! God's word is being fulfilled. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom His Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Christ's return is near! Much love," - Alabama.
 

"Dear Garner Ted & Family
& Brethren:
Just a few lines to let you know how much we appreciate the tapes, plans for the Festivals and the work as a whole. This was a tremendous effort on the part of all those involved, and we fully realize it. The tapes on the 1^st and last days of Unleavened Bread were superb, as well as the tape on Pentecost, 6/15/97. We have run it several times...however `The First Edict' (tape) is another. God has blessed you with the ability to get to the heart of the matter and stick to it. We are so happy to have a part in this great work at this time and age. We do have our health problems along with our age, and ask for your prayers...we do believe that you are on the right track. We need a LEADER for the whole church. Do we have any one or any system abroad that looks like it can come to pass? In our minds you are the only one who has both feet on solid ground —putting 50% into the work and not spending tithes and offerings on themselves.

We pray daily for all of you, and fast on occasion. We pray this message will find all of you well and prospering. We send our love and concern." - California
 

"Dear Mr. Armstrong:
How precious it is that our wonderful Eternal God has answered our prayers and helped us to find you once again! It is marvelous that you are going on with the GTA Evangelistic Association and the Intercontinental Church of God, and God is so richly blessing.

My husband and I were very upset after reading the letter we received—signed by three ministers at CGI. That letter wounded us to the very depths of our being. We were like sheep without a shepherd and prayed fervently for you and your family; also asking God to help us find you. We believe strongly in the work you are doing as you labor for Him. The scriptures tell us to touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm. I sincerely believe that you have been anointed by God to do the work he has raised you up to do in these last days...you have gone through a fiery trial and a reshaping by the Master's hands, and now you are a stronger and greater vessel for His use.

We just finished reading May issue of WORLDWATCH. Format is great. The article, `Today, The History Of A United Europe Begins' was very enlightening. We look forward to receiving literature, tapes, and Worldwatch...a few weeks ago I had asked CGI for a copy of your book, "Europe and America in Prophecy," just to see if they would send it to me. Well, they did. But they put the enclosed label over your name where it says `By Garner Ted Armstrong.' My husband removed the label and asked me to send it to you. It was not right for CGI to do this. An author should always receive recognition for his work.

We are so happy you did not retire. Thank you. We will continue to remember you and your family in prayer. God bless you all."  - Florida.
 

"Dear Mr. Garner Ted Armstrong:
Here are God's tithes...my prayers are ever with you, your wife and family. I pray for the blessings and the success of this work and labor of God in the earth. I pray for the success of God's gospel of the Kingdom of God...that utterance and inspiration will be given you with power...that doors will be opened as never before to the people of this nation and the whole world...that God will cause His work to be done with His Holy Spirit power as only He can do..." - North Carolina

"Dear Mr. Armstrong:
The tapes arrived Friday and I really enjoy listening to what you talk about. We need to watch. I wish I had found you earlier. After your father died W.C.G. was never the same and after Jr. took over there was nothing left...I never quite believed what they taught in the Lutheran church where I was baptized and quit the church at 12. I went to several other churches. I told my mother in 1959 that the weather was changing. She disputed me about (that and) another war...I told her that we would have another war much worse than World War II had been. At that time I didn't begin to realize what it is really going to be like. Neither could I put all the pieces together. Then I heard you on the radio! Your father was a great man but he didn't have the insight that you have.

The churches keep splitting as I hear it. I see it as a power struggle. They can't seem to agree. I pray for you and God's work; that it keeps growing." - Iowa
 

"Dear Mr. Armstrong
Just a note to let you know how much I've enjoyed your Bible study. I listened to the elder Armstrong on the radio 35 or 40 years ago. Please use this money to help spread the word. PS. I'm glad you're on Springfield, Missouri again — I will be watching on the Chicago station too. God bless." - Missouri

Letter received on our web site at "www.garnertedarmstrong.org/"

"Greetings! I am writing this letter because I have recently learned that Mr. Armstrong is back on television, and continues to write literature and preach inspiring sermons. Unfortunately, I am unable to watch his program here in Canada, but I would very much like to be kept up to date on the work he is doing to continue God's work

I was very saddened to hear that he had been taken off the air [in Canada], because his efforts to proclaim the gospel have always been a tremendous blessing to me. I know of no other minister who preaches with that cutting edge which Mr. Armstrong always seems to deliver.

I would greatly appreciate being put on your mailing list so that I can be a part of the work and contribute as best as I am able.

I admire Mr. Armstrong's courage and his efforts to proclaim the gospel of God's coming kingdom. I pray that God will continue to bless this work!" - Ontario, Canada