And they know that the British are
turning diplomatic somersaults to
overlook the ambitions of Iran's mul-
lahs and Libya's Muammar Qaddafi in
Britain's haste to re-establish diplomat-
ic relations — and secure contracts —
with Tehran and Tripoli.
The name of the game is trade and,
in its scramble for markets, Europe is
apparently content to ignore the
strategic implications of its actions in
the knowledge that when matters get
out of hand the United States will
rush in to clear up the mess.
Moreover, while the "partners" in
the European Union appear CO speak
with a single voice, they.Are in fact
fierce national competitors for brownie
points with their putative 'Middle East
trading partners. To appease Arab and
Islamic sensibilities, they often rush to
adopt the most extreme anti-Israeli
postures. Apart from opposing terror-
ism — and even that, in some cases, is
mere lip service. European govern-
ments support virtually every demand
that the Arab stares make on Israel.
The point Israel constantly makes
to Europe is that winning the confi-
dence of both sides is a precondition
to a serious mediating, or even facili-
tating, role in Arab-Israeli affairs.
Just last weekend, France announced
two initiatives:
It offered to foot the bill for a pro-
posed Palestinian seaport in the Gaza
Strip, even though the project is still
in an embryonic stage and subject to
negotiation. It also offered troops to
fill the vacuum left by a departing
Israel in the south Lebanese security
zone.
But when the chips are down, will
France risk offending the Syrians, with
whom it recently concluded a "strate-
gic partnership?" Will it scramble its
Mystere jets to strike at Hezbollah
missile launchers when they threaten
to bombard Israel?
"Will it? Hell," said a senior Israeli
source.
On a political level, the Europeans
are thought to be biding their time.
After monetary union, the Europeans,
looking to reinforce their supranation-
al ideals, are now aiming to achieve a
single position on foreign affairs and
defense, having lured former NATO
Secretary-General Javier Solana to
oversee the process.
Washington will be unlikely to have
the energy or the motivation to con-
tinue to micromanage the peace
process, and Paris is no doubt prepar-
ing to seize the moment and fill the
vacuum with the new, harmonized
European voice.

Buddi#19.446e#41114.1 2,

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"BBYO means everything to me! It means friendship and fun,

laughter and tears, competition and bonding, and most of all,

it means honor and respect for Judaism, community service

and education," says Leslee Berlin, BBG Regional N'siah

(President), and a senior at West Bloomfield High School.

Adam Schlesinger, AZA Regional Aleph Godol (President), and

a senior at Cranbrook, couldn't agree more. "Get involved in

BBYO for the fun, the friends, the memories and just the overall

Leslee Berlin and
Adam Schlesinger

experience," he advises other teens. "Definitely give it a try.

It's worth it!"

Leslee and Adam were two of 23 Michigan Summer Program

Scholarship recipients. Adam spent seven weeks at BBYO's

Kallah and 1LTC exploring his Jewish identity and learning

leadership techniques. Leslee spent four weeks in Israel on

BBYO's International Leadership Study Program. Because of

their new leadership responsibilities, they are sharing the

experience of a lifetime working with others and representing

BBYO both locally and nationally.

.h44

d /I:me we

SATURDAY, OCT. 16, 1999

AT THE GEM THEATRE

HONORING MICHIGAN REGION
SENIOR EXECUTIVE REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Arnold J. Weiner

FOR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE.

FEATURE PRESENTATION

10/1
1999

Detroit Jewish New

9