Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 2/4/2002
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of February 4, 2002
- Syrian PM tomorrow in Cairo, Syrian- Egyptian joint higher committee
Syria's prime minister Muhammad Mustafa Miro tomorrow will head for Cairo at the invitation of the Egyptian prime minister Atif Obeid in order to preside over the Syrian side to the meeting of the Syrian- Egyptian joint higher committee. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 2/9/2002 - American moves in the Gulf region
The paper indicated that the Americans will not take part in the last stages of the war against Iran and Iraq, rather will leave the local forces to carry out "cleaning operations" in order to avoid human casualties in their lines Gulf-USA, Politics, 2/9/2002 - Report: US presence in Central Asia, military and oil implications to Arab states
"The U.S. Air Force is building a base that within months will be home to 3,000 personnel and nearly two dozen American and allied aircraft" The Washington Post reports today about this base being built in the country Kyrgyzstan in central Asia. Regional-USA, Politics, 2/9/2002 - Iraq has no weapons of mass destruction, president says
Iraq's President Saddam Hussein sent a letter to Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit in response to his letter on 2 February, 2002 saying "Iraq has no weapons of mass destruction and has no intention of making them. Iraq is the first who eagerly wants our region devoid of weapons of mass destruction," the official news agency reported today. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 2/9/2002 - Israeli threats to strike Iran
An Israeli security official on Thursday threatened to direct a military blow to Tehran, including the Iranian nuclear reactor, if Iran owns a nuclear weapon, noting that this matter constitutes a direct threat to the existence of Israel. Iran-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2002 - Hizbullah party criticized Arafat over Karine A ship issue
The Lebanese Hizbullah party on Thursday criticized the chairman of the Palestinian Authority over "involving" the Party into the question of the Karine A weapons ship, considering that Arafat seeks behind that to please Israel and the US government. Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 2/9/2002 - EU trade commissioner hold fruitful talks in Damascus
Pascal Lamy, European Commissioner responsible for Trade, paid an official visit to Syria from 6 to 8 February 2002. The main objective of the visit was reinforce the EU- Syria relationship, particularly through the future Association Agreement, and to express support for the process of economic modernization and institutional reform. Syria-European Union, Politics, 2/9/2002 - First visit by speaker of Egyptian parliament to Sudan
The Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir will receive the speaker of the Egyptian parliament Ahmad Fatehi Srour in the first official visit for a Speaker of the Egyptian parliament to Khartoum. The meeting is on the sideline of the meetings of the Arab- inter Parliamentary Union which starts its deliberations today in Khartoum. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 2/9/2002 - Mubarak at NEPAD conference: developed countries should help ease debt burdens of African nations
Tap water and electricity are available only to 60 percent of the African population where every 100 persons have only 18 telephone lines against 567 lines for every 1000 persons in the advanced countries, remarked Mubarak. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 2/9/2002 - Mubarak meeting with Nigerian minister praised
Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Mallam Adamu Bello Thursday praised the meeting he had held with President Hosni Mubarak at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday, saying it was a good opportunity to discuss a number of issues. Egypt-Nigeria, Politics, 2/9/2002 - King Mohammed wants exemplary partnership with China
Morocco's King Mohammed VI wants to establish an exemplary partnership between Morocco and China, Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa, said Saturday. Morocco-China, Politics, 2/9/2002 - Ankara, Tripoli strengthen cooperation, after years of tension
Tripoli and Ankara on Friday decided to strengthen their efforts to improve their bilateral relations and their talks dealt with selling Turkish water to Libya following years of tension between them. Libya-Turkey, Politics, 2/9/2002 - US administration to continue pressures on Arafat
US President George Bush said on Friday that he told the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon that the US will continue pressuring the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat in order to take tangible steps towards what he has called " terrorism." Palestine-USA, Politics, 2/9/2002 - Al-Ghabra summoned back to Kuwait over contacts with Israelis
The Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am said that the chairman of the Kuwaiti press office in Washington Shafik al-Ghabra was summoned to return back to Kuwait after contacts he recently made with Israeli figures. Kuwait-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2002 - CIA: Palestinian conflict puts US Arab allies at odd with their public
The US CIA Director George Tenet said the escalated violence between Israelis and Palestinians formed a security threat to US interests. Regional-USA, Politics, 2/9/2002 - Lahoud accuses Israel of distorting Lebanon's stances
The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud has warned that the absence of stability in any country in the world would create terrorism. He questioned what sort of option the greater states should support, especially the U.S. "Is it stability or disorder?" Lebanon-European Union, Politics, 2/9/2002 - CIA's tenet says Islamic education system is a threat
CIA Director George Tenet reaffirmed President Bush's longstanding message that the United States does not view Islam as an enemy, but expressed concern over religious schools, or madrasas, in the Muslim world that teach "intolerance and hatred." Regional-USA, Politics, 2/9/2002 - Israeli forces broke into Tammoun clashes continue between Israeli forces, Palestinians
The Israeli ranks and armored vehicles on Friday broke into the city of Nablus and the village of Tammoun near Nablus and carried out breaking in and inspection operations resulted in arrested ten Palestinian youths. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2002 - Qrei confers with Canadian officials
Chairman of the Palestinian legislative council Ahmad Qrei on Thursday evening held with Canada's prime minister Jan Christian and other Canadian ministers in Ottawa means of reviving the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian authority. Palestine-Canada, Politics, 2/9/2002 - Russian official to tour Arab Gulf states Gulf-Russia, Politics, 2/9/2002
- Continued Israeli attacks against south Lebanon
The Israeli occupation forces on Friday continued their aggressions against the liberated border areas of the eastern sector of South Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2002 - Chirac, African leaders hold press conference
Chirac opened at the Elysee Palace Friday the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) summit with participation of President Hosni Mubarak and 12 Eastern, Western and North African heads of state and government. Regional, Politics, 2/9/2002 - An evaluation conference for the Arab summit
A conference on evaluating and revising the institutional framework of the Arab summit will be opened tomorrow Sunday in Amman. It is organized by the Strategic Studies Center at the Jordanian University and will last for two days. Regional, Politics, 2/9/2002 - Chirac says Africa-World gap alarmingly widening
France's President Jacques Chirac warned that international assistance for Africa and the rest of the world is widening in an alarming way. Regional-France, Politics, 2/9/2002 - U.S. official says Somalis must want peace for help to be lasting
US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Walter Kansteiner told Congress February 6 that the U.S. government is prepared to do all it can to help Somalia with "its long-term governance challenges." But for U.S. programs to be sustainable, he said, the Somalis themselves must take ownership of them. Somalia-USA, Politics, 2/9/2002 - Fischer in a Middle East tour Regional-Germany, Politics, 2/9/2002
- Accelerating the trial of Seif, al-Homsi
A date was set for next week to resume trial of the Syrian independent parliament member for Damascus city Riad Seif, in a remark to accelerate the process of the trial. Syria, Politics, 2/8/2002 - Al-Assad discussed with Lamy relations between Syria, EU
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday at the Damascus al-Shaab palace received the EU commissioner for Trade Pascal Lamy and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-European Union, Politics, 2/8/2002 - E.U. trade commissioner starts Middle East tour Lebanon-European Union, Politics, 2/8/2002
- European Parliament with majority of 430 votes invites Arafat for a speech
The European Parliament has invited the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat to deliver a speech before it. It criticized the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon over saying that he "regrets he did not kill the Palestinian leader in 1982 when he besieged him in Beirut." Arafat, actually is under home arrest at his residence in Ramullah, imposed by Israeli tanks since December 2001. Palestine-European Union, Politics, 2/8/2002 - Israeli warplanes violated the Lebanese airspace Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2002
- Al-Qaddafi confers with Qatar's foreign minister
Libyan President Muammar al-Qaddafi on Thursday in Tripoli received the Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin jaber al-Thani, on the occasion of convening the first meeting of the Libyan- Qatari joint committee on economic cooperation. Libya-Qatar, Politics, 2/8/2002 - Fruitful American- Russian talks concerning Iraq
American officials in Geneva on Thursday said they held a "fruitful" round of talks with Russian official concerning the elevation of sanctions imposed on the Iraqi citizens before the end of May this year, while the White House renewed its assertion that George Bush has not taken yet a decision concerning the next American steps towards Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/8/2002 - Amnesty international denounces Israeli violations of international conventions
Amnesty International delegates who have been visiting Israel and the Occupied Territories said Israel is violating international conventions, which bar capital punishments and the destruction of property. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2002 - Lahoud: Israel revenges Lebanon by campaigning lies about terrorist bases
Lebanon has once again refuted on Thursday claims on the existence of terrorist bases on its territories and regretted that several American officials have adopted false Israeli stories on this matter. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 2/8/2002 - King Mohammed stresses role of tourism in conveying image of Morocco as open country
Of Morocco's tourism policy, the sovereign says the strategy implemented involves institutional, financial, real estate and fiscal dimensions, with the aim of attracting by 2010 an annual number of 10 million tourists Morocco, Politics, 2/8/2002 - Saudi minister: Bush 's threats strengthen Iranian- Saudi relations
Saudi minister of commerce Osama Bin Jaafar al-Faqih has stressed in Tehran that the American threats against Tehran strengthen Iranian- Saudi relations, according to the Iranian News Agency IRNA. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 2/8/2002 - Israeli forces broke into Abu Deis
The Israeli Apache helicopters on Thursday night bombarded Nablus just three hours of Israeli forces breaking into Abu Deis town near Jerusalem and imposition of a curfew on Karoun village near Toulkarem. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2002 - Saleh Bin Hameed; a chairman for the Saudi Shoura council
The Saudi King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz has order appointing Saleh Bin Abdullah Bin Hameed, as a chairman for the Saudi Shoura council in succession to Sheikh Muhammad Bin Ibrahim Bin Jubeir who died last Thursday. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/8/2002 - Sharon confers with US President Bush
The Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Thursday started talks with the US President George Bush on the Middle east crisis. The two sides discussed the possibility of resuming the Israeli- Palestinian negotiations. Israel-USA, Politics, 2/8/2002 - Arab League secretary general wants increased cooperation with US-Arab organizations
Asali concluded, "Our goals will not be achieved by pleading and by scoring debating points, but by our active participation in local and national civic, political and cultural arenas. Regional-USA, Politics, 2/8/2002 - Iran not Axis of Evil, argues Pretoria
Dlamini-Zuma described the US view as a misunderstanding of the real situation. "Iran has long before September 11 been fighting in the forefront against the Taliban. They have lost a lot of civilians in their fight against drug-trafficking from the side of the Taliban," she said. Iran-South Africa, Politics, 2/8/2002 - Washington intends to reduce number of its troops in Sinai
The US defense secretary Doland Ramsfeld has announced he is discussing means of reducing number of American troopers serving within the Multi national force observers in Sinai. Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/8/2002 - CIA officials deny Iraq's involvement in terrorist acts Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/7/2002
- Ruler of Bahrain: amended constitution very soon
The ruler of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa announced on Tuesday that the amended constitution might be issued as soon as possible in Bahrain. Bahrain, Politics, 2/7/2002 - Moussa urges U.S. to adopt fair, impartial role in Middle East
Moussa said the U.S. diversion from this role would have negative consequences on the future of efforts aimed at ending the Arab-Israeli conflict and the establishment of peace. Regional-USA, Politics, 2/7/2002 - A new Sudanese strategy to achieve peace
The Sudanese government has laid a new strategy to achieve peace from the inside the country and to make constitutional and legislative amendments to attain a just division of the wealth, the authority and political pluralism, in commitment to the decentralized presidency. Sudan, Politics, 2/7/2002 - Saudi minister: Bush's threats not to affect Iran-Saudi relation Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 2/7/2002
- Yemen: no more carrying weapons in the Yemeni cities
The Yemeni government on Tuesday announced banning carrying fire weapons in the Yemeni cities where the tribes own tremendous amounts of weapons. Yemen, Politics, 2/7/2002 - Mubarak in Paris today for talks on Middle East issue
French proposals are based on recognition of a Palestinian State as a starting point that would be followed with tackling the final-status issues and holding elections in the Palestinian territories. Egypt-France, Politics, 2/7/2002 - Mubarak and US envoy discuss joint efforts for halting violence and resuming negotiations
On the Israeli attempts to isolate President Yasser Arafat, Burns said the US stance is quite clear considering Arafat the president elected by Palestinians. Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/7/2002 - Moroccan interior minister in Mauritania Mauritania-Morocco, Politics, 2/7/2002
- Bahrain: Four Shiite activists on the American blacklist
The elder son of the prominent Bahraini clergy Sheikh Abdul Ameer al-Jamri said that the Bahraini authorities informed him together with other three Shiite activists the need to be cautious to travelling abroad because their names are listed on the American " blacklist." Bahrain-USA, Politics, 2/7/2002 - Sharon faced a polite turndown from President Bush on Arafat Israel-USA, Politics, 2/7/2002
- Bush administration is examining a full range of options on Iraq Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/7/2002
- Saudi Arabia denies tortures of foreigners arrested in al-Riyadh
The deputy for the Emir of Riyadh district prince Sattam Bin Abdul Aziz has denied news reports on torturing western persons arrested in Riyadh over their relation to the campaign of explosion took place in Riyadh and Khuber and resulted in killing one Briton, one American and wounding many others. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/7/2002 - The US will not permit a new policy in north Iraq
The US ambassador in Ankara Robert Person said that the Washington's administration will not permit the formation of a new policy in north Iraq because they contradict with the American interests, besides that the neighboring states will not agree on it also. Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/7/2002 - Jordanian embassy denies that King Abdullah backed President Bush on 'evil axis'
The Jordanian embassy in Tehran has stressed that what was published by certain media on that the Jordanian King Abdullah II backed statements made by the US President George Bush concerning the " evil axis" is not correct. The embassy said that Jordan is careful to maintain its relations with all Islamic states. Jordan-Iran, Politics, 2/7/2002 - Israel demolishes four houses in Jerusalem
The Israeli tanks on Wednesday bombarded one of the residential areas in Rafah, Gaza and this resulted in killing the Palestinian youth Fadi al-Azzazi and inflecting heavy damages in a Palestinian position. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/7/2002 - Cooperation for breaking peace process deadlock
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher held a meeting yesterday with US envoy to the Middle East William Burns in presence of US ambassador in Cairo David Welch. The US envoy also met Osama AL Baz, the Political Advisor to the President. Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/7/2002 - German deputy-foreign minister visits Morocco Morocco-Germany, Politics, 2/7/2002
- Arafat stresses he will take part in the Arab summit in Beirut
The chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat, who is besieged in Ramullah since two months said in a statement issued on Wednesday that he will be attending the next Arab summit due to be held in Beirut in March. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 2/7/2002 - Powell confers with Bin Aliazer in Washington
The US secretary of state Colin Powell on Tuesday evening in Washington met with the Israeli defense minister Benjamin Bin Aliazer and reviewed with him the American and European efforts to calm down the situation in the Palestinian territories. Israel-USA, Politics, 2/7/2002 - Arab League permanent members meetings postponed
It was decided to postpone meetings of the permanent representatives of the Arab states, members to the Arab League (AL) until next Monday instead of today so as the AL Secretary General Amr Moussa, currently in New York be able to take part in the meeting Regional, Politics, 2/7/2002 - Mubarak receives Spanish ruler of Catalonia
Talks also covered topics to be presented to the Valencia meeting to be held shortly in completion of the Barcelona Conference for Euro-Mediterranean cooperation held in 1995. Egypt-Spain, Politics, 2/7/2002 - Jordanian Muslim brothers elections
Sources of the Jordanian Muslim brothers groups have stressed that elections of the Muslim groups Shoura council started several days ago in the Jordanian provinces to elect 35 members directly and five members to be elected by the council itself as well as several "observers." Jordan, Politics, 2/7/2002 - Mauritanian president receives UMA outgoing secretary general
Mauritanian president Mouaouiya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya received on Wednesday outgoing secretary general of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), Mohamed Amamou. Mauritania-Maghreb, Politics, 2/7/2002 - Al-Assad reviews with al-Eryani bilateral relations
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday at the Damascus al-Shaab palace received the secretary general of the people's general conference in the Yemeni Republic Abdul Karim al-Eryani and member of the accompanying delegation. Syria-Yemen, Politics, 2/6/2002 - Libyan- Tunisian 5th session's meetings held in Tripoli Libya-Tunisia, Politics, 2/6/2002
- Sudan's foreign minister in Washington
In his first official visit, the Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismael arrived in Washington at an official invitation from the US Congress to take part in an annual breakfast to be attended by persons representing all religions and beliefs. Sudan-USA, Politics, 2/6/2002 - Iraq, Tunis discuss relations Tunisia-Iraq, Politics, 2/6/2002
- Arab League opposes military action against any Arab state
Moussa who was meeting the press at the National Press Club in Washington said, referring to US president George W. Bush's remarks on the "Axis of evil," "for Arabs evil is Israeli occupation of Arab territories and its repression against the Palestinian people." Regional, Politics, 2/6/2002 - Saudi crown prince informs ministers' council on talks with King Mohammed Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Politics, 2/6/2002
- Gulf states consultation commission concludes work
Meetings of the consultation commission of the higher council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which started works of its 5th session on Monday, will be concluded today. Gulf, Politics, 2/6/2002 - King Mohammed confers with senior Chinese officials
Morocco's King Mohammed VI, who started Tuesday a state visit to China, conferred Wednesday in Peking with several senior Chinese officials. Morocco-China, Politics, 2/6/2002 - Terrorism's slippery definition eludes UN diplomats Regional, Politics, 2/6/2002
- Iraq calls Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to deal with war prisoners issue
The chairman of the people's commission for searching for the Iraqi missing during the Gulf war Munzir Ahmad al-Mutlaq said that Iraq does not have any Kuwaiti or Saudi prisoners. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 2/6/2002 - Iraqi desire for dialogue with UN without any preconditions
A spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today that Mr. Annan was prepared to talk to the Iraqi delegation following a message from President Saddam Hussein that Iraq was willing to resume a dialogue. Iraq, Politics, 2/6/2002 - Libyan- Qatari committee meets in Tripoli
Meetings of the preparation committee for the meetings of the joint Libyan- Qatari joint committee met on Tuesday in Tripoli amid atmospheres of a shared desire to strengthen the Libyan- Qatari cooperation in all fields. Libya-Qatar, Politics, 2/6/2002 - Sharon to visit Spain Israel-European Union, Politics, 2/6/2002
- Israel will not release the Lebanese detainees
In discussions made by the foreign affairs and security committee at the Israeli Knesset recently, the secretary of the Israeli government Jadoun Saar stressed that Israel does not intend to release 16 Lebanese detainees from its prisoners and does not intend to consider them illegal fighters so as to have the excuse to continue their detention. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/6/2002 - Israel continues its breaking in operations in Deir al-Balah
Israeli tanks and bulldozers on Tuesday incurred into Deir al-Balah area and bombarded and destroyed Palestinian properties, while an escorting Israeli force arrested three Palestinian youths under the pretext that they are wanted by Israel. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/6/2002 - Czech prime minister to visit Israel Israel-Czech Republic, Politics, 2/6/2002
- Saudi Arabia will take all necessary measures for illegal use of charity aids
Saudi Arabia has stressed it will take all necessary measures to prevent illegal charity aids in line with the UN Security Council calling for international cooperation to fighting terrorism and means of financing it. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/6/2002 - The 6th meeting for Oman- Saudi border committee
The first sessions of the 6th meeting of the border authorities of the first rate have started between Oman and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia-Oman, Politics, 2/6/2002 - Al-Qaddafi gets message from Sierra Leone counterpart
On Tuesday afternoon, al-Tureiki discussed with the Tunisian minister of culture Muhammad Abdul Baqi al-Hermasi means of developing relations between the two states in various fields. Libya-Sierra Leone, Politics, 2/6/2002 - Italian- Kuwaiti friendship association for solving the Kuwaiti prisoners question in Iraq
The Italian- Kuwaiti friendship society has called on the Italian government to interfere with the Iraqi government and to debate a new initiative to solve the question of the Kuwaiti prisoners held in Iraq. Kuwait-Italy, Politics, 2/6/2002 - France, Germany renew commitment to ME peace
France and Germany have renewed their commitment to the Israeli- Palestinian agreements reached between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and called once again to return back to the table of negotiations. Palestine-European Union, Politics, 2/6/2002 - EU welcomes cease fire between the Sudanese government, rebel movement
The European Union has welcomed the cease- fire agreement between the Sudanese government and the rebel movement which was signed in Switzerland in January, which is dedicated to al-Nouba mountain district to the south of Kurdovan, central west of Sudan. Sudan-European Union, Politics, 2/6/2002 - Morocco, China sign five cooperation agreements
Morocco's King Mohammed VI, who is paying this Feb.5-7 a state visit to China and Chinese president, Jiang Zemin, chaired in Peking this Tuesday the signing ceremony of five new cooperation covenants between the two countries. Morocco-China, Politics, 2/5/2002 - German parliamentary delegation in Libya Libya-Germany, Politics, 2/5/2002
- US: Arafat needs to do more Palestine-USA, Politics, 2/5/2002
- EU: we seek to amend Iraqi sanctions
As the European Union announced that it looks forward to amend the sanctions imposed on Iraq, Germany has expressed its rejection to the American threats of attacking Iraq and other countries under the pretest of fighting international terrorism. Iraq-European Union, Politics, 2/5/2002 - Cairo gets the credentials of the 7th Israeli ambassador to Egypt
President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt who on Monday received the credentials of the new Israeli ambassador, refused the criticism made by the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon and called that the Palestinian Authority make all efforts to halt "violence" so as not to give Israel "the excuse" not to implement the agreements signed between the two sides. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/5/2002 - Israeli violations for the Lebanese airspace Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/5/2002
- Al-Hariri denies American, Israeli claims on terrorist camps
Lebanon has strongly denied the American and Israeli claims on that there are camps for training terrorists in the Lebanese al- Bekaa area. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 2/5/2002 - Saudi Arabia to work with US against Iraqi president
Former chairman of the Saudi intelligence prince Turkey al-Faisal said that Saudi Arabia will work closely with the US if it will try to start a revolution against the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein inside Iraq. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 2/5/2002 - Syria: al- Refae assumes his post as minister of economy
The new Syrian minister of the economy Ghassan al-Refae on Monday assumed his post with promises to improve the national economy, save job opportunities, support the private sector and achieve a breakthrough in the work of banks. Syria, Politics, 2/5/2002 - Khaddam reviews with al-Eryani Arab conditions
Discussions dealt with the current Arab condition and the urgent need to maintain Arab solidarity in order to withstand the grave threats facing the Arab nation Syria-Yemen, Politics, 2/5/2002 - Turkey for preserving Iraqi territorial integrity
The Turkish prime minister Polent Acawit has stressed the great importance given by Turkey to the unity and territorial integrity of the Iraqi territories and to developing friendship and cooperation relations between Ankara and Iraq. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 2/5/2002 - Five Palestinians murdered by Israeli Apache planes
Five Palestinians were killed on Monday when their car, on the road from Rafah to Khan Younis was hit by the missiles of the Israeli Apache planes. The Israeli tanks and planes also bombarded a melting factory at Jabalia camp and destroyed it together with other adjoining houses. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/5/2002 - Mubarak: Palestinians should express their opinion of the French initiative
Regarding the initiative, the President said it speaks about elections and then about the establishment of a Palestinian State. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 2/5/2002 - Sheikh Yassin urges Palestinians to continue Intifada
The leader of the Islamic resistance movement Hamas has stressed the need of continued resistance by the Palestinians against the Israeli occupation. He stressed that the Palestinian people have no other choice but to continue resistance. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/5/2002 - Greek president concludes a three-day visit to Damascus
Earlier in the day, the Greek President and his companions visited the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra and were welcomed there by its governor and officials concerned. Syria-Greece, Politics, 2/5/2002 - Kuwaiti members of parliament call for the resignation of the government
Members at the Kuwaiti parliament on Monday called for the resignation of the government because of the explosion that took place at the al-Rawdatin oil field and reduced oil daily production at one third. Kuwait, Politics, 2/5/2002 - On Sharon 's meeting with Palestinian officials
The chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat has stated that the meeting held on Wednesday between the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon and the Palestinian officials Ahmad Qrei, Mahmoud Abbas and Muhammad Rasheed was a step in the right direction and was held at his own consent. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/5/2002 - OIC criticizes Bush's remarks on 'axis of evil' as counterproductive
The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC/based in Jeddah) criticized on Monday remarks by US President George W. Bush on "axis of evil" countries, represented by Iraq, Iran and North Korea, and said these unjustified statements are likely to undermine the credibility of the international coalition against terrorism, weaken its cohesion, and be counterproductive. Regional-USA, Politics, 2/5/2002 - Israeli minister arrives in Moscow
Israel's deputy prime minister and minister of construction Nathan Sharanski arrived on Monday in Moscow to take part in the inauguration of the joint chamber of commerce between Israel and Russia. Israel-Russia, Politics, 2/5/2002 - Al-Assad speech welcoming the Greek president
In order that the fight against terrorism achieve its purpose, there should be a clear definition of terrorism and discrimination between it and legitimate struggle against aggression and occupation. Syria-Greece, Politics, 2/4/2002 - King Mohammed confers with Saudi leaders, performs oumra
Morocco's King Mohammed VI, who paid a visit of brotherhood and friendship to Saudi Arabia Saturday and Sunday, held Saturday evening talks with King Fahd Ibn Abdelaziz of Saudi Arabia and with Saudi heir apparent, vice president of the ministers council and head of the Saudi national guard, Prince Abdellah ibn Abdelaziz. Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Politics, 2/4/2002 - President: UN resolutions implementation only way to solve problems
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad stressed on Saturday that there is one way to solve the problems in the Middle East which lies in the implementation of the U.N. Security Council resolutions. Syria-Greece, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Moroccan interior minister meets Saudi peer Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Politics, 2/4/2002
- Saudi - Yemeni coordination council Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 2/4/2002
- King Mohammed leaves Saudi Arabia for visit to China
Morocco's King Mohammed VI left this Monday Jeddah heading for China where he will be paying this Feb.5 through Feb.7 an official visit at the invitation of President Jiang Zemin. Morocco-China, Politics, 2/4/2002 - US: Iraq is a strategic threat to implementing US policy in the Middle East
Admiral Wilson said that Iraq threatens the very foundation of US policy in the Middle East. This clearly makes Iraq a very strategic target of US foreign policy. Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Saudi source: Bin Laden is alive
Former chairman of the Saudi intelligence prince Turkey al-Faisal said he believes that Osama Bin Laden is still alive. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Syrian source denies British accusations
Diplomats at the UN have said that Syria on Saturday Friday denied British accusations on that it had imported smuggled crude Iraqi oil in a violation to the UN sanctions. Syria-UK, Politics, 2/4/2002 - A message to ruler of Kuwait from Indian President Kuwait-India, Politics, 2/4/2002
- 3rd EU-Tunisia Association Council meeting Tunisia-European Union, Politics, 2/4/2002
- Russian optimism over Iraq's permitting UN inspectors to return back
Russia on Saturday evening expressed optimism over possibilities of reaching an agreement with Iraq that permits the return back of UN weapons inspector to return back to it and pave the way before lifting the sanctions which have been imposed on Baghdad since ten years. Iraq-Russia, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Iraqi opposition ready to fight; US: Iraq can protect its regime
The assistant founder of the opposition Iraqi national conference Ahmad Shalabi said on Friday that his group has almost 40,000 members who are ready to fight and they asked the American Administration to provide military training and the air cover to help in toppling the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Iraq, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Syrian- American summit expected within the few coming months
News reports in Amman have expected according to political sources that a summit will take place between the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the US President George Bush during the few coming months. Syria-USA, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Sudanese opposition criticizes government's performance
The Sudanese opposition People's Congress party, led by Hassan al-Turabi, who has been put in a home arrest criticized the Sudanese government policy towards public freedom of citizens and called for lifting the state of emergency and canceling all freedom- restricting laws Sudan, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Syrian- Turkish border strip to be prepared for cultivation
The governor of the Turkish emergency area of "Kokhan Idneer" has announced that preliminary works relating to cleansing the border strip area between Syria and Turkey from mines will start within one week for the purpose of using it in the area of agriculture. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Arafat is ready to negotiate with any Israeli official
The chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat said on Sunday that he is ready to carry out negotiations with any Israeli official in order to maintain freedom for the Palestinians and end the Israeli occupation. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/4/2002 - The US, Iraq, Iran and North Korea
Sources at the British foreign office said on Saturday that advisors of the US President George Bush have agreed that Iraq represents " the evil," but inserting Iran's name caused a great controversy while enrolling the name of Northern Korea in the list was made in order not to say that only " Muslim states " represent " the axis of evil" set by Bush in his speech three days before. Regional-USA, Politics, 2/4/2002 - A bomb thrown at the house of the Somali prime minister
Eye-witnesses stressed on Saturday that four persons were wounded, two of them are in critical health conditions when an unidentified attacker threw a bomb at the house of the provisional Somali prime minister Hassan Absheer Farah. Somalia, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Lebanese information minister denies British Times report
The Lebanese minister of information Ghazi al-Areidi has stressed that the news issued by the British daily " The Times" that there was an attempt to transfer "al-Qaida " Organization activities to Lebanon is a fabricated news and of intelligence circles sources aiming at putting pressure on Lebanon. Lebanon, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Mubarak: Israel does not go ahead towards peace
Mubarak termed as impossible any attempt to halt violence fully. He said he believed that Israel completely controlled the West Bank and Gaza. " So it can arrest any person, but it insists that the Palestinian Authority arrest them," Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Peres denies reaching an understanding with Qrei on founding a Palestinian state
The israeli foreign minister Shemon Peres has denied to have reached an understanding during his meeting with the chairman of the Palestinian Legislative council in new York Ahmad Qrei on the foundation of a Palestinian state on an area of 40% of the occupied Palestinian territories. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Moussa meets Annan, Austrian Chancellor criticizes int'l silence towards Israeli aggression
A session of talks was held in Vienna on Wednesday between Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Tireless efforts to get region out of current crisis
Asked whether they agreed to hold other meetings with the Israelis after the return of the Palestinian delegation from Washington, he said of course more meetings should be held, but so far nothing has been agreed upon. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Iraq to reactivate dialogue with EU
An Iraqi political delegation is projecting to visit Spain shortly to reactivate Iraqi-European dialogue Iraq-European Union, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Mubarak downplays recent Israeli statement by Sharon
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Monday downplayed the importance of recent statements by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in which he expressed regret that he did not liquidate Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat during the invasion of Lebanon in 1982. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Moussa in New York discusses Middle East situation with Powell
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, who is currently on a visit to the US, has underlined the importance of developing the US situation towards the Middle East to serve peace, security and stability in the region. Regional-USA, Politics, 2/4/2002 - People's Front For the Liberation of Palestine pulls out from PLO
The second official at the people's front for the liberation of Palestine Abdul Rahim Mallouh has announced his withdrawal from the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, who used to be one of its key members, in protest of arresting the front's secretary general Ahmad Saadat. Palestine, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Association calls for inquiry in siphoning of parcels sent to Moroccan prisoners detained in Algeria
The Moroccan Sahara association called international organizations to open an investigation in the case of parcels sent by families of people detained in the Tindouf camps but never reached their destinations. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/4/2002 - Kuwaiti minister resigns over oil field fire issue
Kuwait's minister of oil Adel al-Subeih announced on Saturday his resignation on the ground of the fire which flared in al-Rawdatin oil field to the north of Kuwait and claimed the life of 4 persons. Kuwait, Politics, 2/4/2002