Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 12/16/2002

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of December 16, 2002

• Al-Sharq al-Awsat: On the meeting of the central command of the Syrian NPF
  The London- based al-Sharq al-Awsat said yesterday said that observer representatives for other national parties, such as the Syrian national socialist party whose political bureau in Syria is chaired by Issam al-Maheyri, and the democratic Arab federation party which is led by Hassan Abdul Azeem, will take part in the second joint meeting between the central command of the National Progressive Front Syria, Politics, 12/21/2002
• King Mohammed, President Chirac dedicate Mohammed V Square in Paris
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI and President Jacques Chirac of France officially dedicated this Friday in Paris the Mohammed V Square in memory of the Late King Mohammed V, Grand-Father of King Mohammed VI. Morocco-France, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Al-Shara holds phone talks with Hammoud Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Syria concerning Iraq and the UN Security Council
  Syria's Information Minister, Adnan Omran, affirmed yesterday that Syria's stand towards UN Security Council's discussion of Iraqi report about arms of mass destruction is characterized by complete respect to the U.N convention, the rules of the International law and Security Council's mission. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Milliyet: Turkey's position regarding Iraq
  When asked that Turkey's Foreign Minister articulated Turkey's position as follows: He said fairly explicitly that Turkey would require a second UN Security Council Resolution before any military campaign could be launched from Turkish soil, US deputy secretary of defense Paul Wolfowitz had said "in fact the Foreign Minister stated this correctly." Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Mubarak receives a message from Al Bashir
  Othman noted that, the Sudanese government has decided to make 2003 the year of the south; mustering all efforts to implement its development plans there and to make southerners feel they are being cared for and well-served by their own loving country. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Maher: Egypt ready to support, cooperate with any efforts for peaceful Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Moussa suggests turning south Sudan reconstruction Fund to Arab Authority
  Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa suggested on Thursday turning the South Sudan Reconstruction Fund, which affiliated to the Arab League, to an Arab authority. Sudan-Regional, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Arab League proposes an Arab commission to develop Southern Sudan Sudan-Regional, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Milliyet: Ghoule to visit Syria. Saudi Arabia and Egypt Regional-Turkey, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Al-Sherif: transparency serquired in facing Iraqi crisis Egypt-Regional, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Malawian fm to visit Morocco Morocco-Malawi, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Maher in a telephone call with Hammoud on regional issues Egypt-Lebanon, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Yemen: Clashes in al-Mukalla with al-Qaida members
  Clashes took place near al-Mukalla city between the security forces and a group of armed men presumed to belong to al-Qaida organization and suspected to be involved in the attack against the French oil truck Limburg in October. Yemen, Politics, 12/21/2002
• US Vetoes Security Council draft resolution condemning recent Israeli acts
  A draft resolution which would have had the UN Security Council condemn recent Israeli acts, including the killing of several United Nations aid workers, was defeated on Friday by the United States, which in casting a no vote effectively vetoed the text, the United Nations said. Palestine-USA, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Arafat removes Nuseibah from Jerusalem post
  Palestinian sources stressed yesterday that the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat removed Surri Nuseibah from his responsibility for Jerusalem file during a meeting held several days ago with Palestinians responsible for this file. Palestine, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Lebanese military court sentences former dealers with Israel Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Chinese Human Rights Association meets Moroccan officials
  A delegation from the Chinese association of human rights studies, which is currently visiting Morocco part of a tour to several countries, successively met on Friday human rights minister, Mohamed Aujjar, and chairman of the Moroccan human rights consultative council (CCDH), Omar Azziman. Morocco-China, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Israeli, American, Turkish air maneuvers
  In statement, the Israeli army has announced that Israel, the US and Turkey will start on January 1st, 2003 joint air and sea maneuvers off the Israeli coasts. Israel-USA, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Al-Hayat: Syrian preparations to receive one million Iraqi refugees
  The London- based al-Hayat daily said yesterday quoting well-informed sources in Damascus that there are ongoing official preparations to receive some one million Iraqi refugees on the Syrian borders in case a military attack is made against Iraq. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Quartet starts meeting in Washington Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/21/2002
• Qaboos takes part in Qatar's summit Oman-Qatar, Politics, 12/20/2002
• Moussa to visit Bahrain today Bahrain-Regional, Politics, 12/20/2002
• Four cooperation agreements between Lebanon, Yemen
  By the end of the first day of the Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to Lebanon, which he extended until tomorrow afternoon, Lebanon and Yemen signed four bilateral agreements. Lebanon-Yemen, Politics, 12/20/2002
• Moussa calls for pan Arab action to facing challenging Regional-Syria, Politics, 12/20/2002
• King Mohammed vi visits france to reaffirm Paris-Rabat exceptional strategic partnership
  The visit King Mohammed VI's today to France comes to reaffirm both countries privileged and solid relations, as well as their unmistakable commitment to build an exceptional strategic partnership. Morocco-France, Politics, 12/20/2002
• Syria will not take part in UN security council discussion over Iraq 's declaration on weapons
  Syria will not take part in the Security Council's discussion over the Iraq's declaration on Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Syria-Iraq, Politics, 12/20/2002
• French Defense Minister backs Mubarak's warnings against striking Iraq
  the French Minister said that her country was opposed to any military action against Iraq without the approval of the United Nations. She said the United Nations was the only party entitled to decide whether there was a need for a military intervention following examination of the Iraqi weapons report. Iraq-France, Politics, 12/20/2002
• Moussa replies officially Kuwait's message concerning Saddam's speech
  A source at the Arab League AL has announced that the AL secretary general Amr Moussa sent on Wednesday a message to the Kuwaiti foreign minister on the speech delivered by the Iraqi President Sadam Hussein last week. Regional-Kuwait, Politics, 12/20/2002
• Kuwait wants change of Iraqi regime
  The French defense minister Michele Alliot-Mariot yesterday concluded in Kuwait a tour in the Gulf states which was an occasion to confirm France's desire to avoid a war in Iraq. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 12/20/2002
• Releasing most of customs detainees in Syria
  News repors in Damascus said that most of persons held in custody for investigations in cases related to curroption in the performance of the general customs department in Syria we released. Syria, Politics, 12/20/2002
• Hurriyet: Turkish preparations for the war against Iraq
  The Turkish daily Hurriyet said Wednesday quoting well-informed sources at the Turkish- Iraqi border area that some 10,000 to 15,000 Turkish troops were deployed on Wednesday along the borders with Iraq and most of them are landing forces. This was in the context of the preparatory works for any military operation against Iraq, the paper said. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 12/20/2002
• London relations with Iraqi opposition; Blair meets al-Barazani and al-Talibani
  The British prime minister Tony Blair has discussed with the Iraqi Kurdish leaders in London yesterday the results of the conference the Iraqi opposition held this week, while a meeting for Iraqi opposition has started in Washington to draw the framework for the Iraqi authority following the fall of the regime in Baghdad. Iraq-UK, Politics, 12/20/2002
• Egypt may lose 8 billion in the Iraqi war Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 12/20/2002
• Syria: increased number of persons arrested in corruption cases
  Number of persons who are held in the Customs general administration in Syria increased to 20. Well-informed sources in Damascus said that these acts of arrest fall in the course of investigation in reported corruption cases, but did not rule out that many of them will be released after the end of the investigations. Syria, Politics, 12/19/2002
• Iraq will resume negotiations on the fate of the missing
  The International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC has announced that Iraq will resume negotiations following four years of suspension, with Kuwait and other countries, on the fate of several missing of the citizens of these countries, since the Gulf war in 1991. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 12/19/2002
• Al-Assad meets with Arab journalists, British defense minister
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad received at his London residence yesterday Editors in Chief of the London-based Arabic dailies and Correspondents of different Radios,TVs, and News Agencies in London. Syria-Regional-UK, Politics, 12/19/2002
• Prince Talal describes the campaign against Saudi Arabia as repressive
  Prince Talal Bin Tala Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, half brother of Saudi Arabia's King Fahd, has described the campaign in certain American circles against Saudi Arabia as "repressive." Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/19/2002
• Gulf leaders boycott the GCC summit in Qatar
  Several leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states chose boycotting the annual summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council which will start on Saturday in Doha, and thereby following Saudi Arabia's steps which decided to send lower raking representation to the summit in protest of the sharp criticism by al-Jazeera TV channel which had a program considered by Riyadh as damaging to it. Gulf-Qatar, Politics, 12/19/2002
• Abul Ragheb: Folley's assassinate hides in northern Iraq
  The Jordanian Prime minister Ali Abul Ragheb has announced that the official in al-Qaida organization who ordered the killing for the US diplomat in Amman in October is most expectedly hiding in Iraq's Kurdistan, near the borders with Iran. Jordan, Politics, 12/19/2002
• Syrian- Russian party relations reviewed
  Syria's Vice President and Vice Chairman of the National Progressive Front (NPF), Mohammed Zouhair Mashareqa, yesterday in Damascus received the visiting Russian Communist Party delegation headed by Party's 1st Deputy Chairman, Valentine Koptsov in the presence of the Secretary Generals of the Syrian NPF Parties. Syria-Russia, Politics, 12/19/2002
• Egypt prevents the circulation of the Lebanese Zawaya magazine
  Owner and chief editor of the Lebanese magazine Zawaya ( corners ), Pierre Abi Saab, has stressed that the Egyptian auditors prevented the circulation of the third issue of his magazine which was published in the mid of December because of the cover's picture. Egypt, Politics, 12/19/2002
• Saleh starts a visit to Lebanon today Lebanon-Yemen, Politics, 12/19/2002
• Sheikh Zayed decree for judicial cooperation agreement with Syria United Arab Emirates-Syria, Politics, 12/19/2002
• Al-Assad is in Paris Syria-France, Politics, 12/19/2002
• Straw: Syrian- British talks constructive Syria-UK, Politics, 12/19/2002
• Kuwait denies contracts for buying German Fox tanks Kuwait-Germany, Politics, 12/19/2002
• Al-Watan: Pakistan's prime minister to visit Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia-Pakistan, Politics, 12/19/2002
• Al-Assad, wife meet with Queen Elizabeth II Syria-UK, Politics, 12/18/2002
• Iraq to have multiparty and opposition system
  The chairman of the Iraqi national opposition coalition, Abdul Jabbar al-Kubeisi, said that the Iraqi authorities permitted him to found a party in Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 12/18/2002
• Vatican: Inspection in Iraq should cover Israel
  The Vatican yesterday said the operations of the international inspection in Iraq should also include other countries like Israel "which the UN had taken a decision against it that has been forgotten." Regional-Vatican, Politics, 12/18/2002
• Syria's First Lady with British charity leaders, bankers
  Syria's First Lady Asmaa Al-Assad held yesterday a meeting with the executive director of Prince Charles establishment for charity affairs and a number of officials in the establishment. Syria-UK, Politics, 12/18/2002
• Mauritanian president receives verbal message from king Mohammed
  President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya received on Monday a verbal message from King Mohammed VI. The message was conveyed to the Mauritanian President by Morocco's Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Delegate Minister, Taieb Fassi Fihri. Mauritania-Morocco, Politics, 12/18/2002
• Saleh, Putin discussed regional, bilateral, international issues
  Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in Moscow discussed with the Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh regional, international and bilateral relations between the two countries and means of strengthening them in various fields especially economic, military and technical relations. Yemen-Russia, Politics, 12/18/2002
• On the London's Iraqi opposition conference
  The Iraqi opposition conference which was held in London on December 15- 16 seemed to have failed to maintain an agreement on details concerning the coming phase. Iraq, Politics, 12/18/2002
• Syrian draft resolution to condem Israel for killing 3 UN employees
  Syria has presented on behalf of the Arab Group in UN Security Council a draft resolution that condemns Israel's killing of three of the United Nations employees and demolishing a food store that belongs to the international organization in the occupied Palestinian territories. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 12/18/2002
• Qathafi confers with Kharazi Libya-Iran, Politics, 12/18/2002
• Al-Shara discusses with Bin Mubarak developments, the Israeli aggression Syria-Bahrain, Politics, 12/18/2002
• Spanish fm: King Mohammed's initiative to allow Galicia ships in Moroccan waters highly positive Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/18/2002
• Sheikh Jaber gets a message from President Bush Kuwait-USA, Politics, 12/18/2002
• French authorities refused to give Antoine Lahd French Nationality, residence Lebanon-France, Politics, 12/18/2002
• Al-Assad - Blair meet on bilateral issues
  "No one is seeking war, anybody who looks for war as a goal in itself is psychologically ill'' Syria's President Bashar Assad said yesterday in London. Syria-UK, Politics, 12/17/2002
• Morocco's human rights consultative council to adopt global standards
  The newly appointed Secretary General of Morocco's Human Rights Consultative Council (CCDH), Driss Benzekri, said the Council is poised to adopt several mechanisms in line with a global standards of human rights that include civil, political, economic and social rights. Morocco, Politics, 12/17/2002
• AL seeks to contain Saddam's speech; Kuwait denies criticizing Moussa
  The Kuwaiti government yesterday stressed the criticism addressed by Kuwaiti parliament members to the secretary general of the Arab League (AL) Amr Moussa do not represent Kuwait's official position, while Berlin has clarified that there is no connection between the presence of the German forces in Kuwait and the an attack against Iraq. Regional-Kuwait, Politics, 12/17/2002
• Al-Shara - Straw meet on regional developments, bilateral issues
  A session of talks was held yesterday in London between Syria's Foreign Minister, Farouk Al-Shara and the British Foreign Secretary, Jack Starw at the British Foreign Ministry on the latest regional and international developments particularly the situation in the Middle East. Syria-UK, Politics, 12/17/2002
• Al-Sharq Al-Awsat: Omran highlights al-Assad's visit to London
  Syrian Minister of Information, Adnan Omran has underlined that President Bashar Al-Assad' s visit to Britain is a visit of great Arab leader, for a country which gains the regional and international respect, to a European country which is important in its continent and has political, economical and scientific capabilities. Syria-UK, Politics, 12/17/2002
• Jordan: human shields to protect the Iraqi establishments
  The Jordanian national committee in defense of Iraq, stemmed from the Jordanian opposition said it had decided to form a human shield campaign and honorary lists for Jordanian citizens who desire to join the International human shields around the Iraqi establishments. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/17/2002
• Iraq, Iran agree on opening a border crossing for humanitarian stuffs
  The UN said yesterday that Iraq and Iran agreed to open a border crossing in order to permit Baghdad to import goods, according to the UN humanitarian program "oil for food." Iraq-Iran, Politics, 12/17/2002
• Sudanese negotiations in Washington this week
  Meetings for the Sudanese government with a delegation representing the Sudanese opposition led by Jon Garang will start in Washington this week, according to the Sudanese charge de affairs in Washington Khuder Haroun. Sudan-USA, Politics, 12/17/2002
• Yemenis sneak to Saudi Arabia
  Director general of the Saudi borders guards Lt. Gen. Talal al-Anqawi has disclosed the existence of large numbers of arrested persons of Yemenis who sneak into Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 12/17/2002
• UN chief recommends to renew UNDOF mission in the Golan
  The UN secretary General Kofi Annan has recommended the renewal of the UN disengagement forces in the Golan and described them as "vital." These forces which are deployed between Lebanon, Syria and Israel were formed in 1974, following the October 1973 war between the Arab states and Israel. Its mission expires on December 30. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/17/2002
• Al-Assad meets with Syrian Community representatives in London Syria-UK, Politics, 12/17/2002
• One Egyptian soldier was hit by Israeli bullets in Rafah Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/17/2002
• King of Bahrain at Parliament's launch: we accept opposition that is nationalist
  At the inauguration ceremony of the sessions of the first parliament in the country since 30 years, the King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, had sent a clear message to the Bahraini opposition which boycotted the elections to reconsider their stand, calling on this opposition to be for the interests of Bahrain "ultimately." Bahrain, Politics, 12/16/2002
• Al-Assad, wife Arrived in London
  Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad and his wife yesterday evening arrived in London on an official visit to the United Kingdom. Syria-UK, Politics, 12/16/2002
• Syrian information minister's briefing on al-Assad's visit to london
  Syria's Minister of Information, Adnan Omran, has underlined that President Bashar Al-Assad's visit to Britain comes within Syria's adopted strategy of international cooperation and relations. Syria-UK, Politics, 12/16/2002
• Al-Watan: Saudi Arabia, Iraq resume telecommunications
  Saudi Arabia on Saturday resumed its direct telecommunications with Iraq following a cessation which lasted for 11 years. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 12/16/2002
• Al-Assad confers with Polish counterpart
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad received yesterday in Damascus the Polish President, Alexander Kavashivinski, accompanied by Minister of Defense and Head of National Security Bureau. Syria-Poland, Politics, 12/16/2002
• Jordan arrests the killers of the American diplomat
  The US has commended the work of the Jordanian security authorities which availed arresting the two persons convicted of killing the American diplomat Laurence Folley. Jordanian officials said the two Jordanians were planning to launch other attacks against diplomats and embassies in Amman. Jordan-USA, Politics, 12/16/2002
• Al-Bashir to head for Paris to discuss bilateral relations, Mashakos negotiations
  Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir will visit France in February 2003 in order to discuss bilateral relations between Khartoum and Paris and the peace developments in Sudan. By the beginning of January, 2003, the French foreign minister will visit Khartoum for political consultation. Sudan-France, Politics, 12/16/2002
• Concentration the Shiite, Kurds at London's conference
  The political statement of the plenary Iraqi opposition conference, which will today afternoon conclude its deliberations by a press conference, has stressed the importance of availing the opportunities which is now at the hands of the Iraqi people in investing the international element to "topple the Iraqi regime," with taking into account the legitimate interests of the Arab and international neighboring states and the Islamic community." Iraq, Politics, 12/16/2002
• Syrian Foreign Ministry: Communique on UN 1450 resolution
  The Communique pointed out that the US draft resolution which has been adopted embodies unacceptable political dimensions that would reflect negatively on the whole situation in the Middle East and the occupied territories and opens more doors for Israel to exploit the international campaign against terrorism in such a ill manner, that is, to escalate her oppressive practices and state organized terrorism which it practices daily against the unarmed Palestinian people without any move from the US side to put an end this terrorism, but even it opposes any international resolutions in this regard. Syria-USA, Politics, 12/16/2002
• 4th Global Forum Ends in Marrakesh
  The civil society should be mobilised to take up social and cultural challenges and governments must be fully responsible and accountable, said participants in some of their recommendations. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 12/16/2002
• Syrians of the Golan demonstrate on its 21st annexation anniversary
  The Majdal Shams town of the occupied Syrian Golan on Saturday witnessed a mass demonstration in protest of the Israeli decision of annexing the Syrian Golan 21 years ago. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/16/2002
• Al-Assad meets with Belarus FM Syria-Belarus, Politics, 12/16/2002
• A new chief of staff for the Kuwaiti army Kuwait, Politics, 12/16/2002

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