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Short Takes:
Admiral Ahmed Ali Fadel, head of Suez Canal Organization said there will be no change in the crossing fees for the ships in the canal for the seventh year in a row. He told ArabicNews.com that no change took place in the maritime transportation market or international trade that requires changing the crossing fees in the canal. He said the Suez Canal achieved an increase in its income in 1999 that reached $60 million in comparison to 1998, as revenues reached $1.8 billion in 1999. Go

The general organization for fairs and international markets is currently preparing a new plan for external fairs in light of the organization's specific tasks during the coming period to promote exports. Go

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry is getting ready for the final preparations for receiving the first Comesa (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) economic forum, which will be held in Cairo on February 28 - 29 under the auspice of President Hosni Mubarak. Go

Damascus stated yesterday that the road to peace is still long and hard and that removing the obstacles confronting it will not be easy unless Israel accepts the principle of a complete withdrawal from the Golan Heights to the June 4, 1967 borders, adding that those following up on the Syrian - Israeli peace talks are completely sure that Syria adheres to providing the proper elements that will allow achieving an actual start in the process and lead toward paving the way for an equal and just agreement that fulfills the interests of all parties. Go

Syrian citizen Ayesh Basbous (130), the oldest in Daraa, died several days ago. His funeral was held after noon prayers and his wife died just two hours later and her funeral was held after the afternoon prayers of the same day. Basbous spent his life as an active peasant, and his meals were mostly vegetables, milk and milk byproducts. He is survived by tens of grandchildren. Go

A high-ranking Bulgarian industrial delegation will arrive in Baghdad at the end of the current month to hold discussions with Iraqi officials aiming at increasing bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The delegation includes 17 heads of Bulgarian companies that are concerned with cooperation with Baghdad and marketing Bulgarian privatization projects to Iraqi businessmen to purchase these factories in cash or exchange or supervise its administration inside Bulgaria, a statement issued today by the Bulgarian embassy in Cairo said. Go

Bahrain's crown prince and commander general of the defense forces, Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad al-Khaleifa, arrived in Tabouk, Saudi Arabia on Sunday for a visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Defense Minister Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz. Go

Iraq received 200 Russian ambulances in the oil-for-food agreement, as this is considered the first medical equipment to reach Baghdad this year. A statement issued by the Russian embassy in Cairo said these ambulances have highly developed medical potentials, clarifying that another set of these vehicles will arrive soon in Iraq. Go

Stock markets in the Gulf states grew by less on average than those in other emerging markets due to factors including the limited volume of shares issued, low turnover of shares, and inflated share prices, Bahrain Tribune reported. Go

Pollution in Bahrain is highest in the southern part of the Gulf state near three power stations, Gulf Daily News reported. Go

Cote D'Ivoire defeated Egypt 2-0 in a trial match, played Sunday in Abidjan. The match is part of the two teams' preparations for the African Nations Cup (CAN-2000), to be co-staged by Ghana and Nigeria, January 22-February 13. Go

Morocco's Younes Al-Aynaoui was ousted at the semi-final of the $1-million tournament of Doha, Qatar, listed on ATP tour. The Moroccan, seeded 4 in the tournament, was squeezed out by German Rainer Schutter in two sets to one: 7-6, 4-6, 4-6. Go