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Short Takes:
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi called the United Arab Emirates to settle the disputes over three islands in the Arab Gulf by means of dialogue. In a televised statement to the Middle East space satellite station to be broadcast tomorrow Kharazi added, "Such issues should be dealt with in an atmosphere of understanding and dialogue," stressing this issue as such should not prevent the two countries from cooperating in common fields. Go

United Arab Emirates UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed al-Nahyan today arrived in Manama for a short visit to Bahrain, Gulf News Agency reported. Go

Ruler of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah called upon his first deputy premier and foreign minister Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah to proceed with his responsibilities and duties, as he rejected his resignation today. Go

John Paul II today received Iraqi Deputy Premier Tariq Aziz, who requested support to lift U.N. economic sanctions imposed on Iraq. A spokesman for the Vatican said that talks dealt with the situation in the Middle East, especially in Iraq which still suffers the adverse consequences of the sanctions. Go

The U.A.E.'s Cabinet approved a contribution to the International Monetary Fund, Khaleej Times reported. Go

The Lebanese Wesam Nayef Issa and Hassan Nada Abu Jabal were executed today at dawn in Tabarja town square after Lebanese President Elias Hrawi, Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and Justice Minister Bahij Tayyara signed the execution decree. Issa and Abu Jabal were convicted of killing Sharbal Saqim and his sister Mary al-Am in their house in Tabarja in June 3 night, 1995 while attempting to rob their house. Go

Syrian culture Minister Najah al-Attar on Monday held talks with her Iranian counterpart Attalah Muhajerani. The two ministers discussed cultural relations and means of developing and enhancing them in all domains through exchanging movies, exhibitions, festivals and symposiums. Go

Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah today received a message from the ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani pertaining to bilateral relations and means of developing them as well as the latest developments in the regional and international arenas. Go

Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal today in Jeddah discussed bilateral relations with Sudanese Foreign Relations Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael, currently visiting Saudi Arabia. Go

Lebanese President Elias Hrawi today received Turkish Minister of State for Construction Affairs Muhammad Betali and discussed with him bilateral relations. Go

Qatar and Oman agreed to consular cooperation which allows either country to represent nationals of the other state where that citizen's own country's representation is not available, Qatar News Agency reported. Go

West Bank settlements will account for about 70% of new housing for Israel's "religious public" in the next ten years, with units accommodating up to 150,000 settlers, Haaretz reported. Go

The Bahrain-based Investcorp company bought two British printing firms, Watmoughs and the British Printing Co., and will merge them, Gulf Daily News reported. Go

Bahrain will begin to bring new 5, 10, and 20 dinar bills into circulation on June 1, Gulf News Agency reported. The bills will feature holograms for anti-counterfeiting security, the report said. Go

U.N. Secretary-General Annan recommended the renewal of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, which oversees the cease-fire between Syria and Israel. Go

Israel defended its use of torture on Palestinians to the Israeli Supreme Court as an effective measure battling terrorism, Nando Times reported. Go

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said that if the European Union boycotts goods produced in Israeli settlements in occupied areas, it would "put an end" to European efforts to be involved in the peace process, Fox News reported. Go

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat said that talks on the declaration of Palestinian statehood would begin "immediately" on May 4, 1999 as per the Oslo agreements, Fox News reported. In earlier statements Arafat had suggested that Palestine would declare an independent state on that date. Go

A delegation from the general union of China's labor syndicates headed by Fong Gada, the union head's deputy, arrived yesterday in Cairo on a six-day visit to Egypt, where the delegation will meet with the head of the Egyptian labor syndicates' public union to discuss enhancing joint cooperation, Go

The executive president of Bank Muscat Al-Ahli Al-Omani, Aburrazzaq Bin Issa, disclosed yesterday that a new branch of the bank being set up in Bangalore, India, in July would reinforce commercial relations between Oman and India. Go

The U.S. deputy ambassador in Cairo, Vincent Bafet said today that $65 million has been specified to support and develop educational projects in Egypt and to support vocational training centers as well as establish modern schools through which modern technology will be taught. Go

Tunisian Minister of Transportation Hussein Chauk inaugurated yesterday in Tunis the works of the 31st session of the general assembly for air transportation, which will last for two days with the participation of the heads of 18 Arab aviation companies. Chauk called for Arab aviation companies to make alliances to remain competitive internationally. Go

Qatari diplomatic sources said, "American, British and Qatari military maneuvers will begin; today; in Qatar and will last until May 27." The sources said, "These maneuvers will include all types of weapons in the three countries, and come within the agreement among them concerning military cooperation." Go

A marine cooperation conference among the Mediterranean countries will convene in Cairo on May 30 to be followed by an exhibition of marine equipment and machines, showcasing the most modern products of international technology in marine transportation. Go

The Arab Oil and Diplomacy Conference towards the 21st century organized by the Jordanian diplomacy institute opened on Monday in Amman to discuss topics relating to Arab oil within an international perspective, oil and regional development, oil culture; the "impact of oil on Arab culture and politics," oil and the environment and oil and diplomacy. Go

Ruler of Bahrain Sheikh Issa Bin Salman al-Khaleifa on Monday received a communique from the Greek President extending an official visit for Greece. Go