To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Zenit news items (11/10/00)
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2000 13:25:04 -0500

CATHOLICS AND ARMENIANS MAKE ANOTHER STEP TOWARD UNITY
Joint Declaration Signed by John Paul II and Karekin II

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 10, 2000 (ZENIT.org).- Following a 1,500-year-old
ecclesial separation, John Paul II and Karekin II, patriarch of the Armenia n
Apostolic Church, signed a joint declaration, confessing the common faith
that unites these Churches. In addition, they reaffirmed their commitment t o
make progress toward full unity.

The patriarch of the West, as the Pope is known in the East, and the
patriarch of Etchmiadzin jointly confessed their faith "in the Triune God a nd
in the one Lord Jesus Christ, Only-begotten Son of God." Both leaders
declared their faith publicly "in the Church, one, catholic, apostolic and holy."
 The declaration goes further, acknowledging "that the Catholic Church and
the Armenian Church have true sacraments, above all -- through the
apostolic succession of the bishops -- the priesthood and Eucharist. We
continue to pray for full visible communion between us."

"The Catholic Church and the Armenian Church share a long history of
reciprocal respect, and they consider their different theological, liturgic al, and
canonical traditions as complementary rather than opposed," the document
states. "Today we also have much to receive from one another."

Concerned about the future, the two religious leaders prayed that God "will
guide our communities so that we will be able to give witness to the Lord a nd
proclaim the truth of salvation with one voice."

John Paul II and Karekin II prayed for peace in the world, especially in th e
Middle East.

The historic document concludes: "May all Abraham's children grow in
reciprocal respect and find suitable ways to live together peacefully in th is
sacred part of the world!"

Armenian Catholicos Karekin II had arrived at the Vatican on Thursday. The
Pope also received the entire Armenian delegation in the Clementine Hall.
Karekin II was accompanied by the Armenian minister of religious affairs, 1 7
bishops from all over the world, and numerous representatives of the diaspo ra
in America, Europe, the Mideast, Africa and Australia.

The Armenian Orthodox Church has 7 million faithful, of whom only 2 million
live in Armenia. Many had been forced into exile as a result of the genocid e
carried out by the Ottoman Empire.

In 1996 Catholics and Armenian Apostolics put an end to their differences o n
the nature of Christ, the theological question that caused the original spl it
more than 1,500 years ago ( see
http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/ARMENDEC.HTM ).

"It is our conviction," Karekin II said, "that the dogmatic differences wit hin the
Church of Christ are an inescapable facet of our common history; they are
the result of the attempt to express a single truth in distinct languages a nd
modes of thought, in the aspiration to penetrate the depth of divine revela tion.

"Nevertheless, these same differences should not be understood as
obstacles to brotherly fellowship, unity, and love in Christ. It is in this  sense
that we profess the real and mystical unity of the Church."

For his part, John Paul II hoped "that the year of grace 2000 will be for a ll the
disciples of Christ a time to give new impulse to our ecumenical
commitment, accepting it as an imperative for Christian consciences. Upon
this depends in large part the future of evangelization, the proclamation o f the
Gospel to the men and women of our time." ZE00111008

----------

RWANDA WANTS ADOPTED CHILDREN RETURNED
Missionaries and Legal Experts in Italy Criticize Request

BRESCIA, Italy, NOV. 10, 2000 (ZENIT.org).- The case of 41 Rwandan
orphans adopted by Italians in 1994 is causing disputes and diplomatic
conflict between Italy and Rwanda.

The children were brought from the Rilima orphanage in the central African
nation during the civil war and adopted by Brescia families. Now the
Rwandan government is insisting they be returned, and has threatened legal
action.

"There is no government authority that can change the sentence of
adoption," said Father Roberto Lombardi. He along with volunteers undertook
the "Museke" operation, to give a home to 41 orphans, all of whom were
younger than 3.

"We have not stolen those children," he said. "They are all orphans, brough t
to Italy when they were very young, to save them from the war. They have
been raised here, they are perfectly integrated in their families and in ou r
communities." The Brescia families who adopted them are fearful about
Rwanda's demand.

The case is much debated. The Italian Center of Assistance to Children says
that international adoptions should not take place during times of war,
because the abandonment of the child cannot be verified. But Father
Lombardi defends the adoptions, and the Brescia Court of Minors has
backed him up.

Italy has now established a commission to verify the children's situation, in
order to respond to the Rwandan government.

"The adoptive families need not fear," said Judge Emma Avezzu of the Turin
Court of Minors. She was in Brescia at the time of the adoptions and
followed events firsthand.

"All those children were orphans and today they are Italian citizens," the
judge said. "It would be very grave to intervene and, in any case, legally
impossible."

Asked what is behind Rwanda's request, Pierantonio Costa, the Italian
honorary consul in Kigali, said: "The Rwandan authorities have been trying to
recover the situation of children and youth since the end of the war.

"Many who left because of the war have returned. However, I think behind th e
authorities' initiative there are pressures by relatives and parents who
survived the war."

Combonian Father Giulio Albanese, director of the MISNA missionary news
agency, gave another answer: "It is manipulation. President Paul Kagame
wants to exert pressure on Western governments, in this case Italy, in orde r
to receive economic aid."

"It was a meritorious undertaking to bring them to Italy," Father Albanese
said. "They were abandoned by their families. If they had stayed in their
countries, they would be dead today. Does President Kagame want them
now? Let him establish peace, democracy and reconciliation in his country
first. When they are older, they will be able to choose freely where they w ish
to go.

"The good of the person comes before 'blood right.' These children have
already lived through a trauma, genocide, which remains engraved on a
child's memory. What do we want now? To cause another trauma?"
ZE00111006

----------

WELCOME MUSLIMS, BUT DON'T FORGET THE GOSPEL, CARDINAL
SAYS
Patriarch of Venice Addresses Congress on Islam

VENICE, Italy, NOV. 10, 2000 (ZENIT.org).- Italy should give a prudent
welcome to Muslim immigrants, but respect for cultural integration should
not mean fear of proclaiming the Gospel, a cardinal said.

Cardinal Marco C=E9, in his opening address to a congress organized by the
Italian Federation of Catholic Weeklies (FISC), said that between
Christians and Muslims in Italy "the path is not rancorous argument, but a
fraternal -- and at the same time responsible and wise -- welcome."

He said that there should be enough time given for "real integration."

The congress, entitled "Islam in Our Midst: From Fear to Comparison,"
began Thursday in Venice and concludes Saturday. Cardinal C=E9's address
attracted 300 journalists.

"We cannot hide the historical and cultural differences," said the cardinal ,
who is patriarch of Venice. "However, in the past these have not impeded a
symbiosis of civilizations, as in the European Middle Ages," when "all cult ure
was nourished by contributions from Christianity and Islam."

Today, he pointed out, "in our country, in our cities, where the flow of
migrations bring ever more numerous Muslim guests, many say
disconsolately that the future will only bring conflict. We do not shut our
eyes to difficulties, but we hold on to God's announcement to Abraham:
prosperity and greatness for the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac."

In September, Cardinal Giacomo Biffi of Bologna in a pastoral letter called  on
the government to "protect the national identity" by favoring Catholic
immigrants over those other religions. About a third of Italy's foreign res idents
are Muslim.

Cardinal C=E9 on Thursday expressed the hope that "the Muslim immigrant
might be welcomed not only in a tolerated ghetto, but with a real organic a nd
effective effort of integration, based on a network of reciprocal rights an d
duties guaranteed by law."

He appealed for mutual respect, "always with the rigorous and humble
affirmation of our religious identity, and in the awareness of our duty to share
the great gift that has been given to us in the Gospel."

The road is not easy, he acknowledged: "This is a new culture that must be
acquired: coexistence in diversity." But he cautioned: "Integration cannot
mean forgetfulness of one's religious identity, or fear of the free proclam ation
of the Gospel."

Father Fausto Bonini, director of Gente Veneta magazine, noted, "There are
requests to open mosques, and many Muslims express the need to live their
religiosity in Italy also. Reaction is generally emotional; instead, I thin k the
problem must be taken to the rational level."

This need is reaffirmed by Father Vincenzo Rini, president of FISC, which
embraces 143 publications with a total circulation of about 1 million.

Father Rini said that we "believe that our publications, being channels of
information connected to the country, must address all the problems that
arise. In industrialized zones like ours, Islam gives much food for thought . In
general, the reaction is one of fear. Instead, we should begin to be well
informed. We hope to be able to stimulate a comparison to create greater
possibilities for conversation, communication and, hopefully, integration."

The identity and presence of Muslims in Italy are the two key issues of the
congress. Among the speakers are Thomas Michel, secretary of the
Interreligious Dialogue of the Society of Jesus; Maria Pia Pedani Fabris of
the University of Venice; Justo Lacunza Balda of the Pontifical Institute o f
Arab and Islamic Studies; Stefano Allievi of the University of Padua; and
Mohammed Nour Dachan of the Union of Islamic Communities and
Organizations in Italy.

A round table Saturday will be presided over by Michael L. Fitzgerald, of t he
Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue on "The Model of Muslim
Presence in Italy: Conquest, Ghetto or Integration?" ZE00111005

----------

JOINT DECLARATION BY POPE AND ARMENIAN PATRIARCH
Signed at Vatican on Thursday

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 10, 2000 (ZENIT.org).- Here is the text of the joint
declaration signed Thursday by John Paul II and Karekin II, patriarch of
the Armenian Apostolic Church.
---
His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Bishop of Rome, and His Holiness Karekin
II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, give thanks to the
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for enabling them to meet together on the
occasion of the Jubilee of the Year 2000 and on the threshold of the 1700th
anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion of
Armenia.

They also give thanks in the Holy Spirit that the fraternal relations
between the See of Rome and the See of Etchmiadzin have further developed
and deepened in recent years. This progress finds its expression in their
present personal meeting and particularly in the gift of a relic of Saint
Gregory the Illuminator, the holy missionary who converted the king of
Armenia (301 A.D.) and established the line of Catholicoi of the Armenian
Church. The present meeting builds upon the previous encounters between
Pope Paul VI and Catholicos Vasken I (1970) and upon the two meetings
between Pope John Paul II and Catholicos Karekin I (1996 and 1999). Pope
John Paul II and Catholicos Karekin II now continue to look forward to a
possible meeting in Armenia. On the present occasion, they wish to state
together the following.

Together we confess our faith in the Triune God and in one Lord Jesus
Christ, the only Son of God, who became man for our salvation. We also
believe in One, Catholic, Apostolic and Holy Church. The Church, as the
Body of Christ, indeed, is one and unique. This is our common faith, based
on the teachings of the Apostles and the Fathers of the Church. We
acknowledge furthermore that both the Catholic Church and the Armenian
Church have true sacraments, above all -- by apostolic succession of
bishops -- the priesthood and the Eucharist. We continue to pray for full a nd
visible communion between us. The liturgical celebration we preside over
together, the sign of peace we exchange and the blessing we give together i n
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, testify that we are brothers in the
episcopacy. Together we are jointly responsible for what is our common
mission: to teach the apostolic faith and to witness to the love of Christ for all
human beings, especially those living in difficult circumstances.

The Catholic Church and the Armenian Church share a long history of mutual
respect, considering their various theological, liturgical and canonical
traditions as complementary, rather than conflicting. Today, too, we have
much to receive from one another. For the Armenian Church, the vast
resources of Catholic learning can become a treasure and source of
inspiration, through the exchange of scholars and students, through common
translations and academic initiatives, through different forms of theologic al
dialogue. Likewise, for the Catholic Church, the steadfast, patient faith o f a
martyred nation like Armenia can become a source of spiritual strength,
particularly through common prayer. It is our firm desire to see these many
forms of mutual exchange and rapprochement between us improved and
intensified.

As we embark upon the third millennium, we look back on the past and
forward to the future. As to the past, we thank God for the many blessings
we have received from his infinite bounty, for the holy witness given by so
many saints and martyrs, for the spiritual and cultural heritage bequeathed
by our ancestors. Many times, however, both the Catholic Church and the
Armenian Church have lived through dark and difficult periods. Christian fa ith
was contested by atheistic and materialistic ideologies; Christian witness
was opposed by totalitarian and violent regimes; Christian love was
suffocated by individualism and the pursuit of personal interest. Leaders o f
nations no longer feared God, nor did they feel ashamed before humankind.
For both of us, the 20th century was marked by extreme violence. The
Armenian genocide, which began the century, was a prologue to horrors that
would follow. Two world wars, countless regional conflicts and deliberately
organized campaigns of extermination took the lives of millions of faithful .
Nevertheless, without diminishing the horror of these events and their
consequences, there may be a kind of divine challenge in them, if in
response Christians are persuaded to join together in deeper friendship in the
cause of Christian truth and love.

We now look to the future with hope and confidence. At this juncture in
history, we see new horizons for us Christians and for the world. Both in t he
East and in the West, after having experienced the deadly consequences of
godless regimes and lifestyles, many people are yearning for the knowledge
of truth and the way of salvation. Together, guided by charity and respect for
freedom, we seek to answer their desire, so as to bring them to the sources
of authentic life and true happiness. We seek the intercession of the
Apostles Peter and Paul, Thaddeus and Bartholomew, of Saint Gregory the
Illuminator and all Saintly Pastors of the Catholic Church and the Armenian
Church, and pray the Lord to guide our communities so that, with one voice,
we may give witness to the Lord and proclaim the truth of salvation. We als o
pray that around the world, wherever members of the Armenian and the
Catholic Church live side by side, all ordained ministers, religious and fa ithful
will "help to carry one another's burdens, and in this way obey the law of
Christ" (Gal 6: 2). May they mutually sustain and assist one another, in fu ll
respect of their particular identities and ecclesiastical traditions, avoid ing to
prevail one over another: "so then, as often as we have the chance, we
should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our famil y
in the faith" (Gal 6:10).

Finally, we seek the intercession of the Holy Mother of God for the sake of
peace. May the Lord grant wisdom to the leaders of nations, so that justice
and peace may prevail throughout the world. In these days in particular, we
pray for peace in the Middle East. May all the children of Abraham grow in
mutual respect and find appropriate ways for living peacefully together in this
sacred part of the world. [Original text: English] ZE00111024

ZENIT, November 10, 2000 - DAILY DISPATCH - The World Seen From Rome

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To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Two soldiers killed over the weekend
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2000 13:29:11 -0500

BreakingNews-Israel
Two soldiers killed over the weekend _NOV. 11 =96 20:00-IST
(IsraelWire-11/11) Sergeant Shahar Vacart, 20, from Lod, was critically
wounded on Friday afternoon by PLO Authority (PA) gunfire in Bethlehem,
near Rachel=92s Tomb. Vacart died of his wounds a few hours later in the
Hadassah Hospital trauma center in Jerusalem.

Sergeant Avner Shalom, 28, of Eilat, was critically wounded on Saturday
afternoon in a shooting attack in Gaza. The gunfire aimed at the IDF
soldiers came from a passing vehicle. Shalom was gravely wounded and he
was transported to the trauma center of Soroka Hospital in Beersheba where
he died a short time later. A second soldier was lightly wounded in the
attack. He remains admitted in Soroka.

Golani soldiers from an adjoining position managed to fire on the fleeing
terrorists, killing them both. Soldiers then recovered weapons used in the
attack. From tracing the weapons recovered, IDF commanders learned that
the attackers were both members of PA security forces.

The bodies of the terrorists were handed over to the PA on Saturday night
via the IDF=92s District Coordinating Office in what Israel called a
=93humanitarian action.=94

Additional reports of weekend violence and attacks to follow.

    ++++
    ++++
Courtesy of IsraelWire News Service =96 http://www.israelwire.com

via: BreakingNews-Israel <YeshBB@netvision.net.il>

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To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] IDF Spokesperson: Closures
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2000 13:34:08 -0500

IDF Spokesperson: Closure of Rafiah and Chan Uni Harbor, Bethlehem and
Ramallah

10 November 2000

#1 Harbor closure in Rafiach and Chan Unis

As a result of the explosive charges placed on a small seagoing vessel and
detonated last week near the Israel-Egypt border, the IDF has decided to
close the Rafiach and Chan Unis harbors adjacent to the area where the
explosion took place.

The IDF will continue to initiate security measures in order to insure the
security of the residents and soldiers in this area at any time and in all
ways that are appropriate.

#2 Closure imposed on Bethlehem and Ramallah

As a result of live fire incidents in conjunction with violent
demonstrations, which are occurring repeatedly, the IDF has imposed a
closure on the cities of Bethlehem and Ramallah.

The IDF has no intention of causing hardship to the Palestinian
population. All measures that have been taken, have been taken in response
to unbridled violent activities and the need to prevent terror.

via: "IMRA Newsletter" <imra-l@lyris.vcix.com>

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To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Israel: Companies transfer staff to US
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2000 13:35:04 -0500

Ha'aretz: Several start-up companies have begun transferring their
researchers and other staff to the U.S.

By Ora Coren Ha'aretz Industry Correspondent Ha'aretz 10 November 2000

Several start-up companies have begun transferring their researchers and
other staff to the U.S. due to intense pressure from their investors,
high-tech industry representatives told government officials at a meeting
yesterday. American investors have applied pressure since the outbreak of
violence in September and are now keen to have more of their software
developers in the United States.

Although the Israelis sent out to the U.S. will return in case of war,
they still objected strongly to the recent spate of emergency call-up
orders (tzav 8) for reserve duty in the territories, said the industry
representatives yesterday. They also told the government that many
reservists who were called up under emergency orders had been serving in
administrative duties and not on military operations. "When investors have
given their all to a company, day and night for three years, they don't
want to be forced to stop at the last minute for reasons that are not
completely justified," said the industry representatives.

via: "IMRA Newsletter" <imra-l@lyris.vcix.com>
Sat, 11 Nov 2000

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To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Hijacked Russian plane heading for Tel Aviv
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2000 20:06:16 -0500

**FLASH** Hijackers of Russian plane demanding to be
     flown to Israel (NOV.12 =96 01:05-IST)

     (IsraelWire-11/12) Israel Radio reported at 1:00am, quoting the Itar-T ass
     News Agency, that a passenger plane heading for Moscow has been
     hijacked. The hijackers are demanding to be flown to Israel.

     There are no additional details available at this time. IsraelWire wil l
     provide additional details as they are made available.

http://www.virtualjerusalem.com/articles/565001.htm

--------------

More on hijacked Russian plane =96 hijackers demanding
     to be flown to Tel Aviv (NOV.12 =96 01:41-IST)

     (IsraelWire-11/12) Armed terrorists have taken control of a Tu-154 pla ne
     of the Dagesan Airline, the BBC News Agency reported quoting the
     Interfax News Agency. The hijackers are reportedly demanding to be
     flown to Tel Aviv.

     The crew of the flight which was hijacked at 11:50pm Moscow Time,
     20:50 GMT, has decided to refuel in the Azerbaijani capital Baku.

     The identities of the hijackers are not known at this time. There are
     believed to be 48 passengers and 10 crewmembers on board.

     IsraelWire will provide additional details as they are made available.

http://www.virtualjerusalem.com/articles/567001.htm

--------------------

BBC: Hijacked Russian passenger plane heading for Tel
     Aviv (NOV.12 =96 02:49-IST)

     (IsraelWire-11/12) The Dagestan Airline with 58 passengers and crew
     onboard has reportedly left Azerbaijani capital Baku, apparently headi ng
     for Tel Aviv, BBC reported. The domestic flight made a landing to refu el
     after it was taken over by armed terrorists at 11:50pm Moscow time,
     20:50 GMT.

     According to the latest reports, the flight left for Tel Aviv, taking off at
     02:45am Moscow time. Local officials stated there was no possibility o f
     negotiating with the gunmen.

     The identities of the gunmen are not known at this time. There have be en
     no statements by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or any government
     officials. An Israel Airports Authority official earlier stated that h e was
     unaware of the hijacking or any plane that was being ordered to fly to  Tel
     Aviv.

     IsraelWire will provide additional details as they are made available.

http://www.virtualjerusalem.com/articles/570001.htm

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To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Gun drill for Iraqi volunteers to fight in intifada
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2000 20:16:01 -0500

  Gun drill for Iraqi volunteers to fight in intifada
 
  Copyright 2000 by Agence France-Presse
 
  BAGHDAD, Nov 11 (AFP) - Iraq began weapons training Saturday for the
  6.6 million who have volunteered to fight alongside the Palestinians
  in their uprising against Israel, officials said.
 
  Physical education will be part of the training which started at
  university campuses and ruling Baath party facilities across the
  country, they said.
 
  President Saddam Hussein announced Friday that 6,607,306 men and
  women had come forward following his October 8 call for volunteers to
  fight a jihad, or holy war, in the Palestinian territories.
 
  Millions of Iraqis have undergone basic training in recent years in
  response to rallying cries against the United States and Britain,
  which bomb Iraq frequently as they enforce no-fly zones imposed after
  the 1991 Gulf War.
 
  Iraq, strongly opposed to the Mideast peace process, has said it is
  giving five million euros (4.35 million dollars) to families of those
  killed in the Palestinian clashes and toward the uprising.

via: bible_prophecy-news@egroups.com

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To: bprlist@egroups.com
Subject: [bprlist] Russia Asks NATO To Prove Subs Did Not Ram Kursk
From: "research-bpr" <research-bpr@philologos.org>
Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2000 20:20:09 -0500

Russia Asks NATO States To Prove Their Subs Did Not Ram Kursk

  
                                  11-11-00

              
            BRUSSELS (Agence France Presse) - Russia's military
            asked NATO states Thursday to prove their claim that
            none of their submarines were responsible for the Kursk
            tragedy by allowing Russian officials to inspect their
            underwater vessels.
              
            The head of Russia's armed services, Anatoly Kvashnin,
            said that, so far, none of the NATO members had
            responded to his request, made in a meeting with his
            NATO counterparts in the alliance's headquarters in
            Brussels.
              
            "To remove doubts, we have asked that NATO member
            countries show us some of their assets, even though
            they've said that none of their submersibles were
            involved," he said.
              
            The Kursk nuclear submarine - one of the most modern
            in Russia's fleet - was sent to the Arctic seabed during
            navy exercises on August 12 after its bow was ripped
            apart in a still-unexplained explosion. All 118 sailors
            aboard died in the incident.
              
            Moscow has favored an explanation that a NATO
            submarine monitoring the exercises collided with the
            Kursk, and pointed out that three NATO submarines -
            two U.S. and one British - were in the vicinity at the
            time.
              
            On Wednesday, after Russian divers entered the Kursk
            to recover bodies, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya
            Klebanov said video footage of the submarine suggested
            that the Kursk sank after a collision, but said a conclusion
            would not be made until the Kursk is brought to the
            surface in an operation set for the middle of next year.
              
            Both the United States and Britain have vigorously
            denied that any of their craft were close enough to the
            Kursk to cause the accident.
              
            In October, Britain recalled all 12 of its hunter-killer
            submarines for what the defense ministry said was an
            inspection linked to a reactor cooling system problem
            with the HMS Tireless, currently docked in Gibraltar.
            ((c) 2000 Agence France Presse)

http://www.russiatoday.com/news.php3?id=219042

via: http://sightings.com

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