Arabic News Daily Page for 1/16/2003
Daily Edition - Thursday, January 16, 2003
- Egypt - GCC Free trade zone Negotiations
The first round of negotiations started yesterday at the headquarters of the general secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) between the GCC member states, as one group and Egypt. Egypt-Gulf, Economics, 1/16/2003 - Mauritanian secretary of state starts visit to Morocco
Mauritanian secretary of state in charge of the Arab Maghreb Union, Hammou Ould Salem, started this Wednesday a visit to Morocco. Mauritania-Morocco, Politics, 1/16/2003 - Mausher: the Arabs have not withdrawn signatures from Beirut's summit initiative; Jordan dialogue with Israeli parties
Jordan started yesterday a move towards the political parties in Israel under the slogan of giving a push forward to the peace process. This was in a mission that seemed to be linked to the approaching date of the Israeli elections. This started with receiving key figures in the Meretz party Yusi Sarid and Yusi Belin, who announced, together with the Jordanian foreign minister Marwan Muasher their support for the "Road Map" plan Jordan-Israel, Politics, 1/16/2003 - More negotiations are needed for balanced Morocco-EU agriculture accord
Morocco want the reciprocity principle to be applied with all the shades of meanings contained in the agreement, they said. This means that Morocco's development level should be taken into account as more than half of the population lives in rural areas, in addition to the labor force of the agri-food industry and of other associated activities. Morocco-European Union, Economics, 1/16/2003 - Somali, Ethiopian refugees drowned off the Yemeni coasts
The UNHCR has stated that it stopped search operations for survivors in a boat drowning incident which was carrying Somali and Ethiopian refugees off Yemen on January 4. About 100 persons are expected to have been be killed in the incident. Yemen-Regional, Local, 1/16/2003 - Vivendi's financial problems will not affect Moroccan phone operator, minister
The financial problems of the French Group "Vivendi" will not affect the future of Morocco's phone operator, Maroc Telecom, minister of finance and privatization, Fathallah Oulaalou, said Tuesday. Morocco, Business, 1/16/2003 - Morocco takes over G77 chairmanship
Morocco will take over from Venezuela the chairmanship of G77 plus China at a ceremony this week in New York. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 1/16/2003 - UN chief extends for UNIFIL in South Lebanon
The secretary general of the Arab league AL Kofi Annan yesterday recommended the extension for the UN Interim forces in South Lebanon UNIFIL whose mission expires on January 31st, for other 6 months. Lebanon-Israel, Military, 1/16/2003