-
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
lunatic. But then everything happened, just like you predicted.
"
"Just as Ezekiel predicted," Mordechai gently corrected.
"
Yes, of course," the young woman conceded, still in a whisper. Anyway, I just
"
wanted to say thank you. I know it hasn't been easy for you. But most of my
family now believes as I do. Not my father. Hethinks we're all nuts, but we're
praying for him night and day, just like you tell us to do."
The woman had tears in her eyes, and Mordechai found himself moved by the
passion of her new faith. Thousands of people had posted similar thank-you's
on his weblog
(while many others posted curses). But this was the first Israeli he had met
with the courage to thank him face-to-face, and it meant more to him than he
could possibly tell her.
"Dont forget Psalm 122:6 keep praying for the peace of Jerusalem, he told
her.
'
"
35
"And I'll be praying for your father."
"Thank you, Dr. Mordechai," she said. "Thank you so much."
"You're most welcome," he replied. "You've made an old man's day. God bless
you."
Then he scooped up his briefcase and bags and headed out front to find his
driver.
36
9
MONDAY, JANUARY 12 - 7:15 P.M. - BABYLON, IRAQ
Security was tight around the Great Tower of the People.
Outside, dark clouds were rolling in and a cool breeze was picking up. The
winter rains were coming, and the temperature, now hovering in the low
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ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
sixties, would soon plummet. Inside the luxuriously appointed and newly
completed Iraqi capitol, the
National Assembly speaker called for order.
One by one, all 434 men and 16 women some in finely tailored suits from London
and Paris and New York, others in the traditional robes of the Arab
sheikhs took their seats and grew quiet, eager to understand why they had been
summoned on such short notice and with such secrecy.
"Members of Parliament and distinguished guests and neighbors, I realize many
of you have come a great distance at your own personal expense and with very
little notice.
It is my honor to welcome you to the city of Babylon," the speaker began to
polite applause. "On behalf of our president and our people, I want to thank
you personally for joining us for what I believe will prove to be a most
historic event. For most of you, this is your first time inside the walls of
this great city. We hope it will not be your last.
Indeed, we will do everything we can to make your stay here as enjoyable as
possible.
Please do not hesitate to ask if there is anything you need.
"For many years, as you know, Baghdad was our capital, but as you can see, it
is no longer.
Why?
you may ask. It is a reasonable question and there is a simple answer.
Baghdad, my friends, was Saddam's capital, the capital of a past we wish to
forget.
Babylon, on the other hand, is our future not just mine or my colleagues' but
yours as well. President Al-Hassani and I firmly believe that together we can
build something great, something enduring, something that will cause the whole
world to stop and take notice, and this is why you have been invited here
tonight."
From his seat, Mustafa Al-Hassani looked out over the packed chamber.
It was being used for the very first time, and even though he had approved
every detail in the design phase, now that it was finished, he could not help
but admire its marble pillars and crystal chandeliers and hand-some mahogany
desks. It was the perfect venue for this decisive event.
He scanned the crowd, taking special care to make eye contact with each and
every one of the fifty VIPs who had accepted his personal invitation,
assembled from across
North Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, and the former Soviet Union. They were
not heads of state, of course, for most of those had perished in the
firestorm. But they were
37
men and women of great respect and influence, a potpourri of ministers and
deputy ministers and tribal leaders and CEOs who happened to have had the good
fortune of being far from their capitals when the tragedy struck. Now their
countrymen back home were looking to them to rebuild their devastated
nation-states as they struggled to comprehend the loss of family members,
friends, and business and political allies. But the question looming large
over the heads of all those now assembled was, where and how could they
begin? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] - zanotowane.pl
- doc.pisz.pl
- pdf.pisz.pl
- zambezia2013.opx.pl