Today's Headlines
- Boutaflika's opening speech at African - European summit
The world has entered a new era following two centuries of history marked by prodigious development in science and technology, but also troubled for a long time by the unleashing of power struggles, ideological fanaticism, and the abuse of force, which have caused immense disparities between the living conditions and the levels of cultural and technical development of different peoples. Regional-Algeria-Africa, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Address by King Mohammed before the Africa-Europe Summit
The African continent, owing to several problems and circumstances, has suffered from a marginalization that made it lag behind in the march towards global development. This situation gave rise to a feeling of frustration among African generations. Indeed, many obstacles still impede the development and renaissance of Africa Morocco-Regional-Africa, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Morocco writes off debt and drops custom rights for least developed African countries
King Mohammed VI announced Monday in Cairo Morocco's decision to write off the debt of least-developed African countries and scrapping of all custom barriers for imports from these countries. Morocco-Africa, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Gutierrez: Africa’s marginalization unacceptable
Portugal's Prime Minister, also the current EU Chairman, said Africa is unacceptably marginalized in the age of globalization. Regional-Africa, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Bouteflika warns against hunger and poverty in Africa
President Mubarak held a meeting with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who also doubles as the current Head of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Egypt-Algeria, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Report: Controversy concerning African debts at African - European summit
Leaders at the Africa - Europe summit concluded yesterday evening the first work session which was opened by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak yesterday afternoon. Regional-Africa, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Fourfold summit among heads of Algeria, Libya, Tunisis and Morocco
ArabicNews.com learned that Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika held a special meeting with the leaders of the Arab Maghreb Union countries participting in the African - European summit that was attended by King Mohammed VI of Morocco, Tunisian President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali and Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi. Maghreb, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Shedding light on Gaddafi in the African - European summit, end of isolation
The meetings of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi with numerous European leaders could be most prominent event on the margin of works of the African- European summit, and his declarations could garner the most media attention. Libya-International, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Cairo summit probes political-social development issues
The Africa - Europe Summit resumed works Tuesday to deal with political and social development issues. Regional, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Cairo Summit carries hopes for Africa
Chadian Foreign Minister Mahamat Saleh Annadif told MENA on Tuesday that Africa-Europe summit to open today Monday acquires special importance as it carries new hopes for Africa in the face of the problems hindering its march. Regional, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Crucial steps to write off African debts
On the fringe of the African and European foreign ministerial meetings Sunday, the Dutch Foreign Minister said EU member states will announce during the summit a series of crucial steps to write off African debts. Regional-European Union, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Moussa - Cook meeting tackles a number of issues
Foreign Minister Amr Moussa conferred late Sunday with British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, currently in Cairo for participation in the Africa-Europe summit. Egypt-UK, Politics, 4/4/2000
- European Commission chief to meet Gaddafi in Cairo
The chairman of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, announced before the press on Monday that he was to meet in Cairo with Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gaddafi, before the opening of the Afro-European summit. Libya-European Union, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Yemen asserts importance of Clinton - Saleh summit today
Yemeni Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdul Kader Bajamal asserted the importance of the summit meeting that is gathering Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and US President Bill Clinton in Washington today for the first time since 1981. Yemen-USA, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Presidential decree issued to exempt agricultural loans in Syria from interest, fines
Syrian President Hafez al-Assad has issued presidential decree no. 2 for the year 2000, which was approved by the People's Assembly (parliament) during its session held on March 30. Syria, Agriculture, 4/4/2000
- Al-Hoss, Syrian prime minister meet on further bilateral cooperation
The two premiers asserted the need to formulate a future vision based on what has been achieved during the past phase and containing objectives sought by the two states. They stressed that Syria and Lebanon have the united will to achieve economic integration and establish a Syrian- Lebanese common market to be a natural step on the road to setting up a common Arab market. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Al-Hoss hold talks in Damascus with al-Shara
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Monday in Damascus received Lebanese Premier and Foreign Minister Salim al-Hoss. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Canada's prime minister to hold a Middle East tour
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien will hold a Middle East tour on April 7 through 19. The tour will cover Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, the Palestinian self-rule authority and Israel. Regional-Canada, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Swedish foreign minister starts visit to Beirut and Damascus
Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh is starting today a formal visit to Beirut and Damascus to fulfill formal invitations from the two countries. Syria-Lebanon-Sweden, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Moroccan - African converging views on continent under-development
Togolese President Gnassingbe Eyadema and Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir said meetings with King Mohammed VI showed convergence of views on bilateral issues and the continent's underdevelopment. Regional, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Arab engineers meet in Tunis
Arab engineers are holding here their second seminar April 3-4 on the theme "urban environment and Arab town in the 21st century." Regional, Culture, 4/4/2000
- Moroccan public service minister in Canada
Moroccan minister of public service and administrative reform, Aziz El Houssine, is currently on a visit to Canada to enquire about the Canadian experience in matters of governance and public service management. Morocco-Canada, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Iraqi trade minister holds talks with Moroccan officials
Means to bolster bilateral cooperation were at the focus of talks visiting Iraqi trade minister, Mohamed Saleh in Rabat on Monday with Moroccan officials. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Commissioner Fischler announces Morocco - European fishery meeting
European agriculture and fishery commissioner Franz Fischler announced Monday in southern Portugal he would meet in April Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi to discuss issues related to fisheries. Morocco-European Union, Economics, 4/4/2000
- Youssoufi congratulates Niger, hails Cairo summit
First Secretary of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces "USFP" Abderrahmane Youssoufi addressed a message of congratulations to Niger's National Democracy and Socialist Party (PNDS) third congress in which he highlighted the Moroccan democratic experiment and hailed the Cairo Summit. Regional, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Speaker of the Yemeni parliament to visit Kuwait next week
Well-informed diplomatic sources said on Sunday that the speaker of the Yemeni Parliament, Sheikh Abdullah al-Ahmar, will on April 10 hold a four-day visit to Kuwait. Yemen-Kuwait, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Report: President Mubarak to bridge the gap between Syrian, Israeli stances
The Chinese news agency Xinhua quoted Syrian diplomatic sources as saying on Sunday that the chance to achieve peace between Syria and Israel still exists at the time when President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak of Egypt will try to bridge the gap between the two countries. Syria-Israel, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Sudanese FM: I do not exclude forming transitional government with Ummah Party
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael said he does not exclude the possibility of forming a transitional government with the Sudanese Ummah Party for the state's stability and to save the revolution to push forward efforts for a peaceful exchange of power Sudan, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Tunisian - Indian commission holds meeting
The Tunisian - Indian cooperation commission is to open this Tuesday a two-day meeting to debate ways to enhance bilateral cooperation. Tunisia-India, Economics, 4/4/2000
- Palestinian accusation that Israel obstructs Palestinian mail to the Arab states
Zahair El-Laham, the undersecretary of the Palestinian mail and communications ministry, accused Israel of placing obstacles in front of opening the mail service between the Palestinian self-rule territories and neighboring Arab states, especially Egypt. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Gulf states foreign ministers to meet on April 8
The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council will hold the meetings of their 74th ordinary session in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on April 8. Gulf, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Israel asks UN aid for border demarcation with Lebanon
Israel has asked for international aid in demarcating the borders with Lebanon and for setting up a mechanism for preventing the escalation of the situation at Israel's northern borders after the withdrawal of the Israeli army from south Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Bahrain's crown prince to visit Qatar in the middle of April
In the framework of boosting bilateral relations, well-informed sources in Manama said that Bahraini Crown Prince Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad al-Khaleifa will visit Qatar in the middle of the current month and will hold talks with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Jasem Bin Hamad al-Thani. Bahrain-Qatar, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Annan urges world to liberate Africa from backwardness
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan Monday urged the international community to take measures to lift Africa, the most backward continent, out of its unenviable position. Regional-Africa, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Spanish navy chief of staff meets officials in Rabat
The chief of staff of the Spanish navy, Admiral Antonio Moreno Barbera, met in Rabat Monday with several Moroccan officials on issues of mutual concern. Morocco-Spain, Military, 4/4/2000
- Strike obstructs aviation movement in Algerian airport
Algerian officials said that air traffic controllers obstructed many flights in Algeria's main airport due to a strike to demand increases in salaries. Algeria, Economics, 4/4/2000
- King Mohammed calls for solidarity with rural world
King Mohammed VI on Monday called on Moroccans to show solidarity with the rural world, which is facing a second consecutive year of drought. Morocco, Economics, 4/4/2000
- Egypt, US discuss military cooperation
President Hosni Mubarak Tuesday received US Defense Minister William Cohen, who is currently on a regional tour that includes Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. Egypt-USA, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Two American travelers visit Palmyra
American traveler Franklin Jones and his wife, Catherene Bzeira, visited the city of Palmyra on their bike. They started their journey from Japan in July 1999 and passed through Malaysia, Thailand, China, Nepal, India, Egypt, Jordan and then Syria. Syria-USA, Culture, 4/4/2000
- US views on in Israeli weopon's sales to China, upcoming Palestinian negotiations
US State Department Spokesman James Rubin said with respect to the visit of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat that "we do expect and are planning for a meeting between President Clinton and Chairman Arafat, and the Secretary as well, later this month. Regional-USA, Politics, 4/4/2000
- SLA to continue fighting after Israel 's withdrawal from south Lebanon
The leader of the pro-Israel South Lebanon Army militia, Antoine Lahd, has asserted that his army will continue fighting and defending itself even after the withdrawal of the Israeli army from south Lebanon. Lebanon, Politics, 4/4/2000
- Israel continues aggressions against south Lebanon
The Israeli occupation forces on Monday continued their aggression against areas adjacent to the occupied part of south Lebanon and its western Bekaa. Lebanon-Israel, Military, 4/4/2000
- Pedestals of Road of Rams’ statues found
The mission of the Supreme Council of Antiquities discovered the pedestals of the sphinx-like statues Road of Rams in Luxor and a stone on which the name of Onas, the last king of the fifth dynasty, was carved, said SCA chairman. Egypt, Culture, 4/4/2000
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- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said during the first working session of Africa-Europe Summit that his country intends to write off all trade debts to poor countries. Go
- The countries participating in the meetings of the African - European summit which is concluding its work today in Cairo agreed on Greece hosting the second summit in 2003. Go
- The African-Europe Summit is the first of its kind to bring together heads of the European Union (EU) States and their African counterparts," Osama El-Baz said. "The two sides are bound by a common desire to promote cooperation and establish solid partnership," El Baz added. This is the first time Europe deals with African states as a unified group, El-Baz said in statements on the sidelines of the summit, currently being hosted in Cairo. Go
- The meetings of the first African - European summit are concluding tonight in Cairo where many causes of joint concern topped by the economic cooperation and problem of the debts and the armed disputes. At its conclusion, the Cairo declaration which includes the mechanism for the complete partnership between the two continents will be issued. The declaration will also determine a periodic date for holding this summit, as Egypt and Portugal suggested holding it every three years in alternation between the two continents while establishing commercial and parallel activities like establishing a fair for African products and a forum for private business organizations and non-governmental associations for discussing social and cultural issues. Go
- British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook asserted the importance of discussion between the African and the European continents, especially as there are important issues that should be confronted. He said the first such issues are the proper use of Africa's potential and joint cooperation between Europe and Africa, emphasizing the importance of the European role in solving the armed African disputes and comprehensive developments. He referred to the success of meetings of the African - European summit, adding that his country supports establishing the summit regularly and for it to remain as a frame for respect and joint cooperation. Go
- Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Ebeid is heading today a meeting to discuss the results of President Mubarak's last trip to the USA, especially the agreement concerning increasing Egypt's export capability and developing trade between the two countries and technological cooperation. The council will also discuss investments of the current year's plan and raising drafts for this plan to the People's Council to be discussed with the draft of the general budget. Go
- King Mohammed VI and president Abdelaziz Bouteflika met on Monday after the official opening ceremony of the Africa-Europe Summit held in Cairo April 3-4 under the aegis of the OAU and the European Union. Official sources said the meeting was attended by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Libyan Leader Col. Muammar Qaddafi, MAP reported. Go
- Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar will visit Algeria in July, Algerian News Agency reported, adding that the visit was announced on the sidelines of the current African - European summit taking place in Cairo and that the visit comes at the invitation of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Go
- In a telephone conversation that took place on Monday evening, Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara and his French counterpart, Hubert Vedrine, discussed the outcome of the Geneva summit held on March 26 between Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and US President Bill Clinton, and, France's role in giving the peace process a push forward. Go
- An official at the Jordanian royal court on Monday said that Jordan's King Abdullah II will on April 12 and 13 pay a working visit to Belgium, during which he will discuss means of backing bilateral relations with Belgian officials. Go
- US Defense Secretary William Cohen stated on Monday that the US will not deploy forces in south Lebanon in the framework of UN peacekeeping forces after Israel's withdrawal from the region. Go
- The Qatari and British postal services have signed a two-year agreement for cooperation aimed at making the Qatari system more efficient, Gulf Times reported. Go
- The situation on the border between Iraq and Kuwait is "generally quiet" United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said in a report to the UN Security Council on the UN Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM). The report said there had been 77 violations of the demilitarized zone between the two countries in the period between late September 1999 and the end of March 2000. Go
- Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said met yesterday with Kuwaiti Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Saad Jasim al Hashil, Oman Daily Observer reported. Go
- King Mohammed VI, currently taking part in the works of the first Africa-Europe Summit, held in Cairo on tuesday more side-meetings with with Malian president Alpha Oumar Konare who was accompanied by foreign minister Modibo Sidi Be, and with Spanish premier Jose Maria Aznar and Foreign Minister Abel Matutes. Go
- A group of human rights activists yesterday broke the UN flight embargo against Iraq by flying directly from Amman to Baghdad, Gulf News reported. Go
- Chairman of the anti-racial discrimination international organization, Abdellah Chorf Eddine, met in Rabat on Monday Moroccan Premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi. Go
- Iraqi Health Minister Omid Midhat Mubarak urged the UN human rights committee to work to end the sanctions imposed on Iraq. AP quoted Mubarak as saying before the annual session of the human rights committee that lifting the sanctions from Iraq will greatly help strengthen the human rights situation. Go
- Portuguese foreign affairs minister Jaime Gamma, whose country chairs the European Union, said Germany has decided to write-off 700 million marks of LDAC following suit after Morocco and France announced moves to that effect. These initiatives show resolve on the part of European and African countries to make a success of the Cairo summit, Gamma said. Go
- A Moroccan businessmen delegation will visit China April 19-30 in quest of partnership projects with Chinese operators. The Delegation, that will attend the Canton international fair, will also visit Hon Kong and Shangai to explore partnership opportunities with local investors. Go
- Morocco defeated Spain 19-15 in a match played in Albacete, Spain, part of the six-nation tournament. The victory puts Morocco in the second rank after Rumania and ahead of Georgia, Spain, Portugal and Holland. Go
- Morocco will play Ukraine next weekend here for a place within the World tennis group. The Moroccan team will include Younes Al-Aynoui, Hicham Arazi, Karim Alami and Mounir Laaraj. Go
- The chairman of the Russian delegation to the exposition for space, aviation and weapons equipment, currently being held in Chile stated the importance of cooperation between Russia and Israel in the areas of the defense industry and renovating military equipment. Go
- UAE federal and public establishments will be closed tomorrow in honor of the beginning of Hijri year 1421, Khaleej Times reported. Go
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