Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 9/27/1999

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of September 27, 1999

• King Mohammed receives Saudi Crown Prince
  King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, received in Rabat on Friday Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, who is also vice-president of the Saudi ministers' council and head of the national guard. Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 10/2/1999
• Disney refuses allow Abu Dhabi TV correspondent to cover exhibition United Arab Emirates-USA, Politics, 10/2/1999
• Egyptian ambassador to Israel: Speedy agreement between Syria and Israel if negotiations are resumed Egypt, Politics, 10/2/1999
• French source says Barak will withdraw from south Lebanon
  A well-informed French source specialize in Middle East peace and Middle East issues has announced that France has a strong feeling that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak will meet his obligations in withdrawing from south Lebanon in July 2000. Lebanon-Regional-France, Politics, 10/2/1999
• NATO secretary general says Spanish-colonized Moroccan towns are not under NATO coverage
  The secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Javier Solana, said the two Moroccan northern towns of Sebta and Melilia, which are still under Spanish rule, do not fall within the competence of the organization. Morocco, Politics, 10/2/1999
• Saudi role in Clinton's meeting with al-Sharaa
  Well-informed sources told the London based al-Sharq al-Awsat daily in statments published Friday that Saudi Arabia has played a key role in arranging the meeting which was held on Wednesday in Washington between US President Bill Clinton and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa in the White House. Syria-Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 10/2/1999
• Serfaty's return will mobilize civil society, Youssoufi says
  The return of opposition figure Abraham Serfaty is a relief and will contribute to mobilizing civil society in favor of Morocco's present experience under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Prime Minister Youssoufi said. Morocco, Politics, 10/2/1999
• Russian minister condemns US raids on Iraq
  Russian Minister of Energy Viktor Kalyuzhnyy on Friday denounced the US-British raids on Iraq and stressed his country's readiness to work for lifting the embargo imposed on Iraq. Iraq-Russia, Politics, 10/2/1999
• Sudanese opposition demands release of suspects in petroleum pipeline explosion
  The followers of Sudanese opposition leader al-Sadeq al-Mahdi called on the Sudanese government to release the persons who were detained following the explosion of a petroleum pipeline north of Khartoum and denied that their leader welcomed the pipe's explosion. Sudan, Politics, 10/2/1999
• Libya calls on the UN to lift sanctions imposed on it
  Libya has called for lifting the sanctions imposed on it, asserting that not lifting these sanctions undermines the credibility of the UN Security Council. Libya-UN, Politics, 10/2/1999
• Moroccan official obtains Libyan distinction
  Speaker of the Moroccan Chamber of Advisors (upper house of parliament), Mohammed Jalal Essaid, obtained the Libyan "good offices" distinction at the Loyal festivities held in the north African country. Morocco-Libya, Politics, 10/2/1999
• Moroccan premier receives French senator
  Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi, conferred in Rabat on Friday with Xavier De Villepin, president of the Foreign Affairs, Defense and armed Forces Committee at the French Senate. Morocco-France, Politics, 10/2/1999
• Iraqi minister of health warns of risky health conditions in Iraq
  Iraqi Minister of Health Medhat Mubarak warned of the dangerous health conditions in Iraq due to the increase in diseases and malnutrition because of the international sanctions and lack of financial specifications decided according to the note of understanding signed with the UN, saying it is only enough to meet 20% of Iraq's needs. Iraq, Politics, 10/2/1999
• Khamnai interferes to appease the struggle between the extremists and the moderates Iran, Politics, 10/2/1999
• Israeli newspaper: Secret agreement among Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Palestine on combating terrorism
  The Israeli Yediot Ahronot newspaper said that the USA, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Egypt have reached a secret agreement for security cooperation in combating terrorism. Regional, Politics, 10/2/1999
• UN chief hails OIC
  United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan hailed yesterday the Organization of the Islamic Conference. In a statement delivered by UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Ibrahima Fall to the foreign ministers of the OIC states, Annan described the OIC as "a vital partner for the United Nations throughout the Islamic world, and beyond." Regional-UN, Politics, 10/2/1999
• US $234 million for companies damaged because of the Gulf War
  The UN Gulf War compensation committee on Friday in Geneva announced its agreement to pay compensation estimated at US $234 million to Kuwaiti and foreign companies that were strongly damaged during the Gulf War in 1990 - 1991. Iraq, Politics, 10/2/1999
• Japan grants Morocco loans and donations worth $510 million Morocco-Japan, Politics, 10/2/1999
• Explosive charge in Ein al-Helweh camp
  A large explosive charge was defused on Friday in Ein al-Helweh camp for the Palestinian refugees, near Sidon, in south Lebanon. Palestine-Lebanon, Politics, 10/2/1999
• Sudan calls for sending UN fact-finding commission to al-Shifaa factory
  Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael on Thursday night called on the UN to send a fact-finding commission to the al-Shifaa factory, destroyed by Washington under the pretext of producing components of chemical weapons. Sudan, Politics, 10/2/1999
• OIC will be marginalized if there is no unity, Malaysian foreign minister Regional-OIC, Politics, 10/2/1999
• Al-Assad meets with three new governors after oath ceremonies Syria, Politics, 10/1/1999
• Abu Ali Mustafa ends life of exile
  The assistant secretary general of the People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Abu Ali Mustafa, returned on Thursday to the West Bank following some 32 years in exile. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 10/1/1999
• Moroccan opponent serfaty returns home
  Abraham Serfaty, a Moroccan opposition figure returned home on Thursday night after King Mohammed VI responded positively to his request to come back to Morocco. Morocco, Politics, 10/1/1999
• Syrian vice president confers with Chilean Senate delegation Syria-Chile, Politics, 10/1/1999
• Al-Sharaa delivers Syria's speech before the UN General Assembly
  In a speech he delivered on Friday before the UN General Assembly, Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa said the international community has considered the peace process on the grounds of which the Madrid conference of 1991 was launched as a serious initiative to put an end to a struggle which lasted for several decades and plundered huge material and human potentials from the people of the region. Syria, Politics, 10/1/1999
• Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia In Morocco this Friday Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Politics, 10/1/1999
• Moussa accuses US State Department report of partiality
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa accused the US State Department Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999 of being partial and including false information, saying that Egypt will discuss this seriously and strongly saying "we must be ready to reply to it." Egypt, Politics, 10/1/1999
• Tensions in Ein al-Helweh between Fatah and the Islamists
  The conditions were intensified in Ein al-Helweh camp on Thursday afternoon amid escalated acts between the fighters of the Islamist extremist organizations and forces and the Fatah movement's militias. Lebanon, Politics, 10/1/1999
• Qatari foreign minister confers with Israeli counterpart
  Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jaber al-Thani discussed with his Israeli counterpart, David Levy, "Middle East peace process developments," during their meeting in New York on Wednesday night on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session. Qatar-Israel, Politics, 10/1/1999
• Democratic Front denies knowing of request for Hawatemah's return to Palestinian lands
  The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine denied knowing about the request presented by the Palestinian Authority to the Israeli government to bring back DFLP Secretary General Nayef Hawatemah to the Palestinian territories. Palestine, Politics, 10/1/1999
• Iran refutes Israeli claims; Malaysia refuses resuming relations with Israeli Iran-Israel-Malaysia, Politics, 10/1/1999
• Iraq condemns new Turkish incursion into its territories
  Turkish Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu on Thursday said the Turkish Army has incurred in northern Iraq, targeting the Kurdish rebels. The Turkish minister added that this operation "will continue until the shelters of the terrorists in the region will be eliminated." Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 10/1/1999
• Baghdad opposes UN Security Council's way of thinking
  Iraqi Foreign Minister Muhammad Said al-Sahaf has refused the proposed way of suspending sanctions on Iraq, saying that "Baghdad refuses the way the UN Security Council members think of." Iraq, Politics, 10/1/1999
• UNRWA meets in Amman over budget
  The consultation committee for UNRWA held its annual conference in Amman on Thursday with the participation of members of the committee, who represent Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Belgium, France, Britain, Japan, Turkey, the USA and the PLO as an observer. Regional-Palestine-UN, Politics, 10/1/1999
• Islamic Sharia prescribed in Somalia
  "Sheikhs" from the Islamic sects in Mogadishu announced on Thursday that they had prescribed Islamic Sharia in certain Somali districts in order to withstand the increasing wave of crimes and tribal conflicts. Somalia, Politics, 10/1/1999
• Clinton meets with al-Sharaa, reiterates US commitment to peace process
  US President Bill Clinton on Wednesday received Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa in his office at the White House. Syria-USA, Politics, 9/30/1999
• The US and the Syrian track
  Israel Radio has quoted US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright as saying that the US administration believes negotiations on the Israeli-Syrian track will resume next month after an intervention by US President Bill Clinton, who will arrive in the region. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Moussa strongly denies differences between Syria and Egypt
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa has called on the Israeli government to resume negotiations on the Syrian track from the point where they broke off and to maintain a complete withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, according to what had been reached with the former Israeli government of Yitzhak Rabin. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Pro-Iraq caravan puts legitimate pressure to lift sanction, Moroccan premier says
  The pro-Iraq Caravan will usher in a genuine solidarity campaign with the Iraqi people and put a legitimate pressure to lift the sanctions imposed on Baghdad, Moroccan Premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, said. Morocco-Iraq-UK, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Bouteflika to visit US at the beginning of next year Algeria-USA, Politics, 9/30/1999
• US Sixth Fleet leader confirms support for civil reconciliation process
  Following his visit to Algeria, Admiral Daniel Murphy, the leader of the US Sixth Fleet, said yesterday that he waits eagerly for the day when cooperation between the US and Algerian maritime forces becomes normal and when the visits of the Sixth Fleet to Algeria do not draw the attention of the media Algeria-USA, Politics, 9/30/1999
• ICRC brings together the split Syrian people of the Golan
  "The International Committee of the Red Cross' main activity is to maintain degrees of contacts between the Syrian people in the occupied Syrian Golan heights and their families and relatives in Syria," said the chief of the ICRC delegation in Syria, Claude Voillat. Syria, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Saudi defense minister concludes visit to Muscat
  Saudi Defense Minister Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz on Wednesday night returned home following a two-day visit to Oman. Saudi Arabia-Oman, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Libya takes part in the meetings on Euro-Mediterranean partnership
  The assistant secretary general for media affairs in the people's committee for foreign affairs and international cooperation (the Foreign Ministry) in Libya, Hasounah al-Shawesh, said on Wednesday in Tripoli that Libya has received an invitation from the European Union to take part in the next meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership. Libya-International, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Omani FM meets with Israeli FM
  Omani Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah met on Tuesday at UN headquarters in New York City with Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy, Oman News Agency reported, adding that the two discussed the Middle East peace process. Oman-Israel, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Opening of secure passage between Gaza and Hebron on Sunday
  The secure passage which will connect the Gaza Strip and Tarkomia, near Hebron, is due to be opened on Sunday, two days after its original due date according to the Sharm El-Sheikh accord. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Abdul Meguid congratulates Mubarak on his reelection
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid said that Egyptian President Honsi Mubarak enjoys the love and appreciation of his people for his devotion and adherence to defending Arab causes. Regional-Egypt, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Blair highlights European role in Middle East peace
  British Prime Minister Tony Blair has expressed hopes of reaching a successful settlement in the Middle East that would be for the good of all sides and the world, alike. Regional-UK, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Baghdad attacks French foreign minister's statements
  Iraq reacted furiously today regarding the statements made by French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine, which it depicted as being impudent. Iraq-France, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Iran releases 276 Iraqi prisoners
  Iran on Wednesday released some 276 Iraqi prisoners of war on the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of the late al-Imam al-Khumeini, the under of the Islamic revolution in Iran. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Fahd returns to Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Egyptian Mufti demands boycott of Walt Disney company
  Egypt's Mufti, Nasr Farid Wasel, asserted the necessity of boycotting the US Walt Disney Company and a stop to displaying its products in the media bodies in the Arab and Islamic countries so that mistakes regarding Jerusalem and Arab causes are not repeated with other international corporations and companies. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Hamas denies receiving invitation to participate in discussions with Palestinian government Palestine, Politics, 9/30/1999
• King Mohammed appoints new coordinator with MINURSO Morocco, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Moussa says former UNSCOM chairman has no credibility talking about Iraq Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Moroccan foreign minister confers with Indyk Morocco, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Determination to enhance Yemeni - Morocco relations Yemen-Morocco, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei winds up visit to Morocco Morocco-Brunei, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Israel discusses Hawatmah's entry to the self ruling areas
  Palestinian sources in Cairo stated today that Israel is currently discussing allowing Nayef Hawatmah, the head of the opposition Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, to enter the Palestinian self rule areas. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Israeli group criticizes Israeli settlement policy Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Host countries refuse to minimize UNRWA services before solving refugee issue
  The annual nonofficial meeting of the main donor and host countries for the Palestinian refugees was held on Wednesday in Amman. UNRWA's commissioner general, Peter Hansen, reviewed during the meeting the current financial condition of UNRWA and the deficit it suffers until the end of the current year, 1999, estimated at US $20 million to be able to continue to provide the minimum of its services rendered to refugees in the health, educational and social areas. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Military transaction between Israel and Turkey Turkey-Israel, Politics, 9/30/1999
• King Mohammed will attend millennium summit in 2000 Morocco-UN, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Russian ambassador to Cairo makes accusation relating to Chechnya and Dagestan Regional-Russia, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Annan recommends UNIKOM extension Kuwait-Iraq-UN, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Jerusalem Mufti demands that Israel not use Islamic holy places for propaganda
  Jerusalem's Mufti, Ekrema Sabri, called for destroying bottles of wine and not placing photographs of Jerusalem on any propaganda prohibited by Islamic legislation, whether for wine or other things Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Israel to release 151 Palestinian prisoners
  Israel decided to release 151 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, representing the second group to be released according to the Sharm El-Sheikh agreement, as Israel released 199 prisoners at the beginning of this month. Palestine, Politics, 9/30/1999
• Sultan of Brunei Dar-Essalam in Morocco
  Sultan of Brunei Dar-Essalam, Haj Hassanal Bolkiah, started on Tuesday a visit to Morocco at the invitation of King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Brunei, Politics, 9/29/1999
• US, GCC for a peaceful settlement of the island crisis Gulf-USA, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Mubarak calls Israel to end occupation of Arab lands
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday called on Israel to end its problems with Syria, Lebanon and the PNA to return to its internationally-recognized borders. Egypt, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Damascus Radio criticizes Barak's attempts to find new formula for resuming negotiations Syria-Israel, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Jordanian Delegation visits Gaza Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Royal letters to speaker of U.S House of Representatives
  Speaker of the House of Representatives of the U.S Congress, Dennis Hastert, received on Tuesday two letters, one from the late King Hassan II and one from King Mohammed VI. Morocco-USA, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Liberation of Sebta, Mellilia concerns all Africans, minister
  The liberation of Sebta and Mellilia, two northern Moroccan cities still under Spanish rule, is not a strictly Moroccan issue, it rather concerns all Africans, a Moroccan minister said. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Sudanese president says opposition betray their people
  Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir strongly criticized the leaders of the Sudanese opposition abroad, in retaliation for their claim of responsibility for exploding a Sudanese oil pipeline. Sudan, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Clinton, Ecevit discuss Iraq
  US senior administration officials said yesterday that US President Bill Clinton and Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit discussed Iraq. Iraq-Turkey-USA, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Concluding Arab media symposium on human rights
  A symposium on the Arab media's role in spreading the human rights culture organized by the Arab Journalists' Union in association with the Arab Institution for Human Rights in Tunis, which lasted for three days, will conclude tomorrow. Regional, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Judicial cooperation between Egypt and Uzbekistan
  Egyptian Minister of Justice Farouk Seif El-Nasr assured that his country is ready to give a helping hand of help to Uzbekistan republic especially in judiciary field, in commercial arbitration and end the international commercial disputes. Egypt-Uzbekistan, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Italian congratulations for President Mubarak on his reelection
  High-ranking officials in Italian political parties yesterday sent cables of congratulations to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on his reelection to a new presidential term. Egypt, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Syria newly confirms adherence to peace
  Abdullah al-Ahmar, the assistant secretary general for the Syrian Arab Socialist Baath Party asserted Syria's adherence to peace as a strategic choice Syria, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Negotiations on the Syrian-Israeli track to resume next month, Albright says
  US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said that the US Administration thinks that negotiations on the Syrian - Israeli track will resume next month. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Israel permits Syrian detainee to contact his family Syria-Israel, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Britain, Sudan agreed to open a new page
  Britain and Sudan have agreed to open a new page in their bilateral relations, based on respect, understanding and cooperation in bilateral and international issues. Sudan-UK, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Israeli ambassador to Cairo: We discuss framework of resuming the negotiation with Syria
  Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab and Middle East Affairs Sayed Abu Zaid met yesterday with the Israeli ambassador to Cairo, Zafi Mazel, to discuss the recent developments in the situation in the area and peace efforts in the Middle East, as well as bilateral relations between the two countries. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Lebanon reiterates rejection of Israeli conditions
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Tuesday reiterated the commitment of both Syria and Lebanon to the materialization of a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Lebanon, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Baghdad says it will continue exporting petroleum
  Iraqi Minister of Petroleum Amer Mohamed Rashid said his country will not stop its petroleum exports, despite exceeding the amount specified in the oil-for-food agreement with the UN. Iraq, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Swedish cultural institution in Alexandria
  An agreement to establish a Swedish cultural institution in Alexandria was signed yesterday at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry's headquarters. Egypt-Sweden, Politics, 9/29/1999
• USA agrees to lift embargo on PLO activities inside its lands
  US and Palestinian officials have reached an agreement that calls for lifting the restrictions imposed on the activities of the Palestinian Liberation Organization inside the USA. Palestine-USA, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Hamas leader sends message to King Abdullah
  The founder of the Hamas movement, Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, has announced that he will send another message to Jordan's King Abdullah II, in which he will say that he is still waiting for "the reply of the Jordanian king to his first message." Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Iranian - Iraqi negotiations regarding prisoners of war Iraq-Iran, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Second round of dialogue between Fatah and People's Front concludes
  The second round of dialogue between the Fatah movement and People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine concluded last night in the Jordanian capital, Amman. Palestine, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Morocco in international forum on poverty, environment
  Morocco is participating in an international forum that opened Tuesday in New York on poverty and environment. Morocco-International, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Morocco did not attend African summit in Libya, as it suspends membership in OAU
  Znined, who recalled that the OAU had not accepted genuine African liberation movements against the Portuguese and French occupation, underlined that the Sahara issue was created out of the blue for pure political bargaining purposes. Morocco, Politics, 9/29/1999
• An agreement for the security cooperation between Chad and Sudan Sudan-Chad, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Investigations into former Jordanian parliament member close to Hamas
  A Jordanian judicial source reported on Tuesday in Amman that former Islamic parliamentarian Abdul Mene Abu Zant, who is close to the Hamas resistance movement, was summoned for investigation in Amman after he made statements in one of his sermons which were considered to be "provocative." Jordan, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Morocco calls for a nuclear weapons free Mideast
  While the Arab states ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Israel persists in its refusal to abide by the treaty and to meet the security guarantees requested by the IAEA, the ambassador said, adding that such a position jeopardizes peace in the region. Morocco, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Jordanian premier receives British air force chief Jordan-UK, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Palestinians denounce putting photo of Jerusalem mosque on Israeli wine bottles Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/29/1999
• UN resumes aid operations in Somalia Somalia, Politics, 9/29/1999
• Barak: Peace with Syria requires concessions Syria-Israel, Politics, 9/29/1999
• King Mohammed receives Iraqi vice-president Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Amr Moussa meets with US ambassador in Cairo
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa received Daniel Kurtzer, the US ambassador in Cairo, who said after the meeting that things related to peace process were discussed in the US - Egyptian coordination and discussion. Egypt-USA, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Jordan to end exemptions for honor killings
  Jordanian Minister of Justice Hamzeh Haddad announced in Amman on Monday that the Jordanian government will soon submit to the parliament a draft law providing for abrogating item 340 of the sanctions law, which exempts those who commit "honor" killings from penalties stated in the law, which may reach the death penalty. Jordan, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Mubarak: Major change expected in Egypt
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak of will take his constitutional oath on October 5 to assume the presidency of Egypt for a fourth term of office after he won reelection with a majority of 93.97%. Egypt, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Libyan-Tunisia economic cooperation
  The secretary of the Libyan general committee, Muhammad Ahmad al-Manqoush, started on Monday a two-day visit to Tunisia, during which he will discuss with Tunisian officials economic cooperation between the two countries. Libya-Tunisia, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Al-Sharaa meets with counterparts in New York
  Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa met on Monday in New York with Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque. Talks between the two ministers dealt with the most important issues listed on the agenda of the 54th session of the UN General Assembly and the south summit due to be held in April in Havana. Syria-Regional, Politics, 9/28/1999
• President al-Assad congratulates Mubarak on reelection Syria-Egypt, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Pro-Iraq delegation arrives in Morocco
  A British delegation, led by Labor MP George Galloway arrived Monday in the Moroccan northern city of Tangiers, part of a caravan meant to back Iraq. The caravan, bound to Baghdad, will visit five countries before reaching Iraq. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 9/28/1999
• King Mohammed congratulates Egyptian president Morocco-Egypt, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Husseini opposes Barak's statements regarding Jerusalem
  Faisal Husseini the official responsible for the Jerusalem file in the Palestinian authority refuse the declaration of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak last week regarding Jerusalem as being the unified and eternal capital of Israel, while he welcomed Jordan's role in final status negotiations. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/28/1999
• King Abdullah makes Yemen Jordan-Gulf, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Iraqi Communist Party alleges killing of hundreds in upheaval
  An Iraqi opposition group in exile said yesterday that the Iraqi security forces have executed 500 citizens and buried them in a collective grave after an upheaval witnessed by Basra city in southern Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Discussing activating Egyptian- Libyan initiative for national reconciliation in Sudan
  Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for Sudanese Affairs Fouad Youssif held a meeting with Gomaa El-Gazali the secretary general of the Libyan Arab follow-up bureau in Cairo and Ahmed Abdel-Haliem, the Sudanese ambassador to Egypt. Sudan-Regional, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Despite judicial decision, Palestinian police refuse to free El-Rantisi
  The Palestinian police refused to free the spokesman of Hamas in Gaza, Abdul Aziz El-Rantisi, despite the central court's decision in Gaza yesterday to release him on bail of 3,000 shekels ($700) until the end of his trial, whose date is not yet determined. Palestine, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Kuwaiti emir gets a message from Djibouti president Kuwait-Djibouti, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Kuwaiti: June 2000 the last date for solving Bedouin nationality problem
  The Kuwaiti government decided on a new date to end the residency problems of non-specified nationality Bedouins on June 27, as the government had previously specified another date, but the case is not yet solved. Kuwait, Politics, 9/28/1999
• African parliaments next conference to be held in Khartoum Sudan-Africa, Politics, 9/28/1999
• News about conveying the spokesman of Hamas to the hospital
  Mousa Abu Marzouk, a member of the political bureau of Hamas who was refused reentry into Jordan by the Jordanian authorities, said he expected the success of the efforts exerted to free his detained colleagues in Jordan who are under investigation. Jordan, Politics, 9/28/1999
• On detention of Hamas leaders
  The Jordanian weekly al-Majd has said that the only Arab state which welcomed Hamas political bureau member Mousa Abu Marzouk after he was evacuated from Jordan upon returning together with the chairman of Hamas' political bureau, Khaled Mashaal, and the official spokesman for Hamas, Ibrahim Ghoshe, is Syria, in which Abu Marzouk arrived last Thursday. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Jordanian official reveals reasons for recent measures against Hamas
  Quoting a high-ranking Jordanian official, the Egyptian Al-Ahram newspaper reported today the details of the reasons which made the Jordanian government takes its recent measures against the Hamas resistance movement. Jordan, Politics, 9/28/1999
• On the water dam projects in Turkey
  The Turkish ambassador in Amman, Tunjar Tobour Ali, said that Turkey has spent some US $150 million on the river project of "Manafjat," which has a pumping capacity of 500,000 cubic meters per day. Turkey-Regional, Politics, 9/28/1999
• IAEA calls for a nuclear free Middle East
  The International Atomic Energy Agency has expressed its hope that the Middle East region will be a nuclear free zone. Regional, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Muslim Brothers call for abrogating emergency in Egypt
  The deputy for the general guide of the Muslim Brothers group, who is also its spokesman, Mamoun al-Huseibi, has called on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to respond to demands raised by the opposition and make political and constitutional reforms that avail the expansion of the democratic margin in the country. Egypt, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Italian businessman kidnapped in Mogadishu
  The Somali paper Ayamaha issued in Mogadishu on Monday said that an Italian businessman was kidnapped in southern Mogadishu by a group of traders led by a former Somali minister of finance. Somalia, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Second tour of dialogue between Fatah and People's Front
  Following their first round of talks in Cairo a month ago, delegates of the Palestinian National Authority and the People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine held today in the Jordanian capital, Amman, a second round of talks aimed at reaching a joint base among the Palestinian factions. Palestine, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Israel refuses Syrian demand to declare readiness to withdraw from the Golan
  Israel refused the Syrian demand that Israel declares its readiness for the complete withdrawal from Golan before resuming the negotiations between the two sides. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Report: Israeli FM confers with Malaysian, Moroccan counterparts
  The Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot reported on Monday that a secret meeting was held in New York on Sunday night between Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy and his Malaysian counterpart, Syed Hamid bin Syed Jaafar Albar, on the sidelines of the deliberations of the UN General Assembly. Israel-Morocco-Malaysia, Politics, 9/28/1999
• Mubarak reelected by 93 percent vote
  Egyptian Interior Minister Habib El-Adli said that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak received 93.79% of the valid votes in yesterday's presidential referendum. Egypt-Egypt, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Saleh declared winner in Yemeni presidential elections
  Yemeni Minister of Interior Husayn Muhammad al-Arab said the victory of President Ali Abdullah Saleh with the vote of 92% of the participants voting in the October 24 elections, while the other candidate, Najib Qahtan al-Shaabi, got the rest of the votes. Yemen, Politics, 9/27/1999
• On the results of the Yemeni elections
  The secretary of the central committee of the Yemeni Socialist Party, Jarallah Omar, who is also a member of the party's political bureau has described the elections took part in Yemen last Thursday " as a play which was not performed properly." Yemen, Politics, 9/27/1999
• King Fahd to return home this week
  Saudi Defense Minister Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz announced on Sunday that King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia will return home to Saudi Arabia from abroad this week. Saudi Arabia-Tunisia, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Report: No stability without Golan return, Albright says
  US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has asserted there will be no stability in the Middle East region without the return of the Golan Heights to Syria. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Israeli paper calls for restoring the Golan
  An Israeli daily called in its Sunday issue on the Israeli government to hand over the whole of the occupied Syrian Golan Heights to Syria in order to achieve peace with it. Syria-Israel, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Morocco attends WB-IMF annual meetings in Washington
  Moroccan Economy and Finance Minister Fathallah Oualalou flew over the weekend to Washington to attend the annual meetings of the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Morocco-World Bank, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Saudi minister denies Syrian - Egyptian disputes
  Saudi Defense Minister Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz has totally denied the existence of any Syrian - Egyptian disputes. He stressed that all that has been rumored in this respect was by "foes of the Arab nation." Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Abu Marzouk arrives in Damascus
  Mousa Abu Marzouk, a leader in the Hamas movement, arrived yesterday in Damascus when Jordan refused to allow him in its lands in last week. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Statements of Hamas political bureau member Abu Marzouk
  The BBC correspondent in Damascus said that Mousa Abu Marzouk, a member of the political bureau of the Palestinian Hamas movement, who arrived in Damascus suddenly on Saturday night coming from Dubai after the Jordanian authorities refused to permit him to enter Jordan, met with leaders of the Palestinian forces coalition, who met in al-Yarmouk camp in Damascus to discuss what Hamas has been exposed to in Damascus. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Detente in Yemeni- Kuwaiti relations
  Yemeni Prime Minister Abdul Karim al-Iryani has asserted that Yemeni-Kuwaiti relations are witnessing detente, "over which we are all pleased," noting that restoring diplomatic relations is a step proceeding on the right path. Yemen-Kuwait, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Sudanese police wound 12 students, arrest 50
  The opposition Ummah Party stressed in a statement released on Sunday in Cairo that Sudanese security forces had wounded 12 students and arrested some 50 during student demonstrations in which thousands of persons participated on Saturday in Khartoum. Sudan, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Relations between Sudan and Britain
  Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael has welcomed the restoration of natural and diplomatic relations between Sudan and Britain and described these relations as very important to the two countries. Sudan-UK, Politics, 9/27/1999
• King Mohammed congratulates Yemeni president Morocco-Yemen, Politics, 9/27/1999
• King Abdullah confers with Romanian minister Jordan-Romania, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Iraqi vice-president in Morocco Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 9/27/1999
• International colloquy in Morocco on immigration and human rights
  Morocco and the International Jurists Commission (IJC) have agreed to host in Morocco an international colloquy on immigration and human rights. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Moussa: Multilateral negotiations linked to resuming bilateral negotiations Egypt-Regional, Politics, 9/27/1999
• UNESCO cancels its overdue Iraqi debts
  UNESCO said yesterday that it is canceling its overdue debts from Iraq in order to provide the necessary funding to establish 400 schools in Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Cooperation agreement between Interpol, council of Arab interior ministers
  The secretary general of the Arab council of ministers of interior, Ahmed El-Saleh, and the secretary general of Interpol signed yesterday a note of understanding between the two sides to boost their cooperation in combating crimes in all their forms. Regional, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Sheikh Hamad bin Jasem denies coup attempt in Qatar
  Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Hamad al-Thani, a member of the ruling royal family in Qatar said on Sunday upon being presenting before the main criminal court in Doha for the first time, has denied the three charges addressed to him. Qatar, Politics, 9/27/1999
• A new government in Algeria
  It was announced on Saturday that the new Algerian government will be formed during the current week and that among the names proposed for its prime minister is the secretary general of the Algerian presidency, Ali Bin Fallis. Algeria, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Saudi crown prince gets message from Yemeni president Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Arafat, Ben Ali discuss the peace process' development Palestine-Tunisia, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Jordan discusses message from Hamas leadership on solving the crisis Jordan, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Saudi Arabia exchanges messages with Kuwait, Djibouti
  King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia on Sunday received a message from the president of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh. Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Abdul Meguid denies Arab league communications with Israel
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid denied yesterday that communications took place between Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy and the Arab League regarding reaching an understanding concerning the Israeli exhibition at Disneyland, emphasizing that the agreement reached at with the Walt Disney Company is eliminating all references to Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Regional, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Israeli Foreign Ministry: Jerusalem still Israel's capital in Disney fair
  The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued yesterday a statement saying that its wing in a Walt Disney Compaby exhibition includes signs that Jerusalem is Israel's capital. Regional-Israel, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Israel adopts anti-Islamic Movement measures
  In a special session initiated by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak in his office on Sunday evening, Israel decided to take a number of measures to monitor closely activities of the Islamic Movement. Israel, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Lebanese resistance vows to continue resistance against Israel
  The assistant secretary general of the Lebanese Hizbullah Party, Sheikh Na'eem Qasem, has said that the resistance will continue unabated because it wants a direct and complete pullout by occupation forces from all the Lebanese territories. Lebanon, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Iran to release Iraqi prisoners
  The spokesman for the Iranian war prisoners committee, Maj. Gen. Muhammad Ballar, said that Iran intends to release, unilaterally, several Iraqi prisoners. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Three Jordanian journalists presented to disciplinary council for visit to Israel
  The council of the Jordanian Journalists' Union decided to present three of the Union's members to a disciplinary council to punish them for their visit to Israel. Jordan, Politics, 9/27/1999
• Yemen releases three Britons
  Yemen on Sunday released three British citizens who were imprisoned on charges of planning attacks after they served their sentences. Yemen, Politics, 9/27/1999

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