Today's Headlines
- France, US differ on conclusiveness of Iraq VX test results
The US State Department received an UNSCOM report on tests run by three laboratories for the presence of chemical weapons agents on Iraqi warheads as proof that, "Iraq loaded nerve agents, some of the most horrible weapons in the world including VX, into its missile warheads." Iraq, Politics, 10/28/1998
- U.N. chief proposes postponing Sahara referendum until December 1999
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan proposed postponement of the self-determination referendum in the Sahara until December 1999 in view of problems still hindering voter identification. Morocco-West Sahara, Politics, 10/28/1998
- Clinton signs religious freedom law
US President Bill Clinton signed yesterday the "International Religious Freedom Act of 1998," which "calls for the President to take diplomatic and other appropriate action with respect to any country that engages in or tolerates violations of religious freedom," a presidential statement said. Regional-USA, Politics, 10/28/1998
- Disputes between security forces and unemployed graduates result in many injured
Meanwhile human rights organizations, opposition parties and the journalists union condemned in separate statements the severity and brutality of the Moroccan security men in settling the demonstration, the first of its sort since Prime Minister Abderrahim Youssoufi was appointed. Morocco, Local, 10/28/1998
- Euro-Mediterranean parliamentary forum opens in Brussels
The constituent session of the Euro-Mediterranean parliamentary forum started proceedings here on Tuesday with the participation of Mps from the 27 euro-mediterranean partner countries. Regional, Politics, 10/28/1998
- Syria releases officials from Jordanian engineers union
Jordanian criticisms against Syria due to the detention of some 500 Jordanian citizens in Syria without trial during recent years escalated, demanding that they either be released or presented to a fair trail. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 10/28/1998
- Palestinian airport to open in 10 pays
Head of the Palestinian Civil Aviation Authority Faiz Zaidan announced on Tuesday that the Gaza airport will open in 10 days Palestine, Economics, 10/28/1998
- On Christian Copts persecution in Egypt - Letter to the Editor - from Kees Hulsman
Finding out the truth is not easy but the extremely inaccurate and highly sensational way The Sunday Telegraph has, in its article of Sunday October 25, 1998, reported about Christians in Egypt ["Egyptian police 'crucify' and rape Christians" by Christina Lamb] certainly doesn't help the reader to understand a complex situation. Egypt, Politics, 10/28/1998
- Prisoners of war issue between Kuwait and Iraq revived
Kuwait informed the Arab League yesterday of the outcome of meetings of the trilateral technical committee that comprises Kuwait, Iraq and the International Committee of the Red Cross to discuss the issue of Kuwaiti captives and missing in Iraq since the Gulf War. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 10/28/1998
- Trade agreements between Egypt and South Africa to be signed today
Egypt and South Africa are endorsing today three agreements on trade, economic cooperation, and encouraging and protecting investments and marine transportation between the two countries. Egypt-South Africa, Economics, 10/28/1998
- International committee accuses Israel of violating April Understanding in south Lebanon
The group condemned the Israeli shelling of civilians' houses in El-Dalaf, Benafoul and Kalab. Lebanon-Israel, Military, 10/28/1998
- Lebanese minister of industry to visit Iraq
Iraqi sources stated that Lebanese Minister of State for Industry Nadim Salim will visit Iraq on November 6, adding that this ministerial visit will have an important effect on bilateral relations between the two states. Iraq-Lebanon, Economics, 10/28/1998
- Gulf consultative front to hold first meeting in Kuwait
Gulf sources confirmed that the Gulf consultative front, made up of 30 representatives of the six Gulf Cooperation Council member states, is to convene its first meeting in Kuwait on November 7. Gulf, Politics, 10/28/1998
- Mauritanian opens an official representative bureau in Israel
Israeli official sources said yesterday that Mauritanian Foreign Minister Cheik El Afia Ould Mohamed Khouna started his first visit yesterday to Israel. Mauritania-Israel, Politics, 10/28/1998
- Libya continues efforts to obtain guarantees for Lockerbie suspects
Meanwhile, Rashid denied that there is "alienation" in the relations between Tripoli and Cairo and said that the coming period will view important developments. Libya-Egypt, Politics, 10/28/1998
- Morocco will not renew fishing accord with EU
Morocco will not renew the fishing accord concluded in 1996 with the European Union, the Moroccan fisheries minister told Tuesday here the Chamber of Advisors (upper house of the Parliament). Morocco, Economics, 10/28/1998
Short Takes
- UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan told Gulf Cooperation Council ministers of labor yesterday that they should work toward stable families and social structures, Khaleej Times reported. Go
- Syria's al-Baath newspaper said yesterday that there are secret security provisions in the Wye agreements that are not in the Palestinian people's interest, Bahrain Tribune reported. Go
- The Lebanese Parliament today received a call from Lebanon's outgoing president, Elias Hrawi, calling for a National Association to end political sectarianism, the Lebanese National News Agency reported. Go
- Ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday ended a one-day meeting, expressing satisfaction over the major steps taken for a trade agreement. "The two sides agreed that the progress in the free trade negotiations had been positive and affirmed that prospects for successful conclusion were greatly enhanced by developments in the GCC," the final joint statement said. Go
- Ivor Rawlinson will assume the post of British ambassador to Tunisia on January 1, replacing Richard Edis in that capacity. Go
- Stephen M. Schwebel, the president of the International Court of Justice, told the United Nations General Assembly that the UN judicial body needs adequate resources to deal with an increasing caseload. Libyan representative Isa Babaa, whose country has lodged complaints against the United States with the ICJ, praised the court's role in settling disputes within the UN peacefully, and supported the call for adequate resources. Go
- UN spokesman Fred Eckhard announced the agenda for UN Secretary-Genreal Kofi Annan's upcoming trip to North Africa. Eckhard said that Annan will visit Mauritania on November 7, Elayoun in the Western Sahara on November 8, Morocco on November 9 - 12, Tindouf, Algeria, on November 12, and Tunisia on November 14 - 16. Go
- Egyptian official sources said that Jordan asked Egypt to delay meetings of the Jordanian - Egypt joint committee that were to take place in Amman in mid-November under the chairmanship of the two countries' prime ministers until December. Go
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