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Today's Headlines
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- Syrian-Turkish statement on Yassin's visit in Ankara
A joint press statement was issued in Ankara on Wednesday on the two-day visit recently made by Syrian Deputy Premier Salim Yassin to Turkey on March 22 and 23. Syria, Politics, 3/25/99 - AL delegate to Kuwait over an Arab mechanism to settle prisoners issue
Kuwaiti Defense Minister Sheikh Salem al-Sabah, the official in charge of the Kuwaiti prisoners file, said that Baghdad has not informed the AL yet about the existence of those prisoners in the Iraqi jails. Kuwait, Politics, 3/25/99 - No improvement in Iraqi human rights record
A report released by the UN rapporteur Max Van der Stoel on the occasion of convening the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva that the situation of human rights in Iraqi has not improved. Iraq, Politics, 3/25/99 - Tunisian delegate to revive Arab Maghreb Union
Official sources in Tunis said that Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali has, on Wednesday asked his Foreign Minister Saeed Bin Mustafa to send messages to his counterparts in Libya, Algeria and Mauritania in order to revitalize the Arab Maghreb Union. Tunisia, Politics, 3/25/99 - AL welcomes UN Security Council's new decision on Libya
The Arab League has welcomed the announcement made by the UN Security council to approve the suspension of sanctions imposed on Libya as soon as the two Libyan suspects are handed over for trial in Holland. Regional, Politics, 3/25/99 - Al-Sharaa in Tokyo
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa arrived in Tokyo for a three-day official visit to Japan, during which he will hold talks with his Japanese counterpart, the prime minister and the parliament speaker, as well as chairman of the foreign relations committee at the Japanese Parliament. Syria, Politics, 3/25/99 - Moroccan minister calls Arab states to improve quality of industrial products
Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade, Alami Tazi, called Wednesday Arab states to improve the quality of industrial products to enhance competitiveness of Arab economies and counter global market challenges. Regional, Economics, 3/25/99 - AL chief sends message to international circles on Iraq, Lockerbie
Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid on Wednesday sent letters to the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity and the Non-Aligned Movement including decisions adopted by the AL council in its recent session, especially concerning the questions of Iraq and Lockerbie. Regional, Politics, 3/25/99 - Gabonese FM deems referring self-proclaimed Sahrawi republic issue to African summit positive
Gabonese Foreign Minister, Jean Ping, has described as "positive" the African foreign ministers' decision to refer the "Sahrawi Republic" membership status to the coming summit of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Morocco, Politics, 3/25/99 - Iraq, Libya condemns air raids on Yugoslavia
Both Iraq and Libya denounced yesterday evening NATO air strikes on Yugoslavia. Iraqi official sources said that Iraq condemns using force against Yugoslavia, saying that these strikes are not related to any international legitimacy. Iraq, Politics, 3/25/99 - Sudan: Combating slavery sets for a new invasion
The Sudanese government considered the current campaign to combat slavery in Sudan as a preliminary step for launching a Western invasion of Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 3/25/99 - Turkish official carryies message to Mubarak
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa received Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Corman Hactan who arrived yesterday at Cairo, carrying a communique from Turkish President Suleiman Demirel to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak discussing cooperation between the two countries. Egypt, Politics, 3/25/99 - Lawyers' group of Yemeni explosives' case withdrew
One of the lawyers, Sheikh Tarek Abdullah, said that the lawyers withdrew because the court did not conduct its measures according to the principals of the law and the constitution. Yemen, Politics, 3/25/99 - Israel buys a Kazakhstan uranium company
An Israeli company has been licensed by President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev to buy the biggest company for uranium production in Kazakhstan. Israel, Business, 3/25/99 - Qatari prince concludes his visit to Jordan
Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani left Amman yesterday for his country after a formal two-day visit to Jordan. Jordan, Politics, 3/25/99 - Israeli Cabinet studies plan to expand the city of Jerusalem
The Israeli Cabinet on Wednesday held its weekly meeting for the first time at the headquarters of Jerusalem municipality. Israel, Politics, 3/25/99 - Jordan denies reports it will establish water desalination project with Israel, Palestine
A Jordanian official source on Wednesday denied claims made by the Israeli media that it is making arrangements pertaining to the establishment a project for desalination of sea water. Jordan, Politics, 3/25/99 - Israeli forces bomb the towns of Safad al-Batteikh, Kafra in south Lebanon
Israeli warplanes on Wednesday continued raids against areas in the northern part of the occupied zone of south Lebanon and in al-Tuffah district. Lebanon, Military, 3/25/99 - US congressmen set up Friends of Morocco in the United States congress
In a "statement of friendship," the 110 republican and democrat signatory congressmen, including the speaker of the House of Representatives, J. Dennis Hastert say "under the leadership of His Majesty King Hassan II, Morocco has repeatedly demonstrated its resolve to foster the advancement of justice, democracy and human rights nationally and through its role in the international community." Morocco, Politics, 3/25/99 - Religious relations discussed between Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/25/99
- Bishara nominated for the post of prime minister in Israel
Arab Israeli Knesset member Azmi Bishara has asserted his intention to nominate himself for the post of the prime minister in Israel to be the first Arab candidate for such a post. Israel, Politics, 3/25/99 - New Phalange chairman for strengthening relations with Syria
Lawyer Munir al-Haj, the new chairman for the Lebanese Phalange Party said in a statement to a United Arab Emirates daily that, "Christian forces are determined to participate in restrengthening relations with Syria." Lebanon, Politics, 3/25/99 - Japan grants Palestine $ 7.45 mln for road maintenance and sanitation improvement
The Japanese government has granted Palestine an aid of U.S.$ 7.45 million (879 million yen) for a project to maintain and improve roads in the West Bank and improve the sanitation system in Khan Yunis. Palestine, Economics, 3/25/99 - The US Congress and the declaration of an independent Palestinian state
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Short Takes
Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait chairman Rashid Abdul Rahman Al Zayani resigned from the company's board of directors as a result of his schedule , Gulf Daily News reported. Hassan Khalifa Al Jalahama replaced him as chairman, the report said. The US embassy in Tel Aviv said that an Israeli charge that seven Palestinians who killed Americans are roaming free in the Palestinian self-rule territories was false as two were in custody and the others are being sought by Palestinian security, Jordan Times reported. Citibank and seven mutual fund houses are offering a package of 250 mutual funds to UAE and Bahraini customers, Bahrain Tribune reported. The Director-General of the Sharjah Department of Planning and Survey said the United Arab Emirates needs a strategy for planning road, telecommunications and electricity networks in light of rapid development since the 1970s, Khaleej Times reported. Arafat Seeks State Clarification Egypt puts Bedouins returned from Israel in army camp First Lady Announces Egypt Grant Britain Seeks UN Iraq Inspections Ocalan ordered to stand trial on prison island Egypt alleged cult members to be tried in May Dutch crash committee criticises El Al lawyers EU won't let Israel 'veto' Palestinian 'right' to statehood
- The Algerian government banned the march of the followers of Movement for a Peaceful Society (Hamas) that was to be held today in protest over excluding their leader, Mahfouz Nahnah, from the coming Algerian presidential elections. Algerian Minister of Interior Abdullah Saleh announced that the Algerian authorities banned this march to secure the safety of the election campaign, saying that Nahnah's followers should regulate their protest march inside the headquarters of their party. Go
- The Syrian People's Assembly on Tuesday ratified a contract with the US Conoco -Elf providing for availing the company to collect 175 million cubic meters of gas per day. The contract will last for 24 months. This is, however, the first Syrian contract with a US company since the beginning of the 1990s. Go
- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday in Cairo received a message from Ugandan President Yuri Museveni. The message was delivered to the Egyptian Deputy Premier and Agriculture Minister Youssef Wali during his Wednesday meeting with Ugandan Vice President and Minister of Agriculture Wandira Specioza Kazibwe. The two sides discussed cooperation between the two countries in the area of agriculture and water resources and developing the lakes region and the fisheries. Go
- The Jordanian governments has asserted its refusal to open an Israeli consulate in Irbid, northern Jordan. The Jordanian daily al-Dostour said, quoting high-ranking Israeli political sources, that the Israeli Foreign Ministry had earlier sent several memorandums to the Jordanian Foreign Ministry, adding that the Jordanian government ignored these memorandums because there is no need to open an Israeli consulate in Irbid. Go
- The Jordanian authorities started to release prisoners in accordance with the first amnesty issued by King Abdullah Bin al-Hussein since he ascended to the throne in February. The amnesty will cover some 700 prisoners Go
- Gambian president, Yahya Jameh, arrived on Wednesday night in Rabat on a private visit. Go
- A report for OAPEC (the Organization of Arab Petroleum-Exporting Countries) said the rate of consumpstion will be increased in the member states from 5.9 million barrels per day to 8 million barrels per day in 2001. Meanwhile, the report distributed by the organization today stated that the energy consumption per individual in Arab states is 8 barrels of petroleum annually. Go
- The minister of state at the Sudanese Ministry of Health, Dr. Thomas Abwal, has announced that total deaths as a result of the epidemics which have hit the Upper Nile province during the three past weeks reached 141 and that the epidemics include diarrhea and malaria. Go
- Deputy spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Sarmad Atajinli, on Wednesday denied that talks held by Syrian Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs Salim Yassin with Turkish officials dealt with the issue of waters between the two countries. Go
- The Armed Islamic Group in Algeria on Tuesday night killed nine citizens in al-Sama'a municipality in Blida province, near the capital, Algiers. A statement released by the Algerian security sources said the security forces started a mopping up operation in the region in search of the armed men who committed this massacre. Go
- Tens of Kurds demonstrated peacefully in front of the Turkish embassy in Warsaw on Wednesday in protest against the arrest of the leader of the Kurdistani Workers Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan, on February 15. This was the first demonstration in Warsaw since the detention of Ocalan. Go
- Eritrean Minister of Trade and Industry Ali Sayed Abdullah and members of the accompanying delegation arrived in Damascus on Wednesday to to strengthen and reactivate political, trade and industrial relations. Go
Yesterday's Headlines
- Al-Sahaf admits there are Kuwaiti prisoners in Iraq
- OAU ministerial council debates status of self-proclaimed Sahrawi republic
- Arafat asks for implementing agreements signed at the White House
- US wants an extension of Palestinian-Israeli talks beyond May 4th
- Ethiopian statement to the UN Security Council on Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict
- Lebanese militia officer surrenders to Lebanese Army
- Russian parliament head meets President Mubarak
- Iraq, Jordan communicate to establish petroleum line
- Syrian deputy premier concludes fruitful visit to Turkey
- General pardon in Jordan for 1,200 prisoners
- Fatchett meets with Palestinian, Lebanese who observed a sit in
- Report: Qusai Saddam Hussein to be named the second man in Iraq
- Regular air flights between Gaza and the UAE shortly
- US First Lady Clinton visits Luxor
- Pope's visit to holy places is not assured yet
- Lebanese premier gets message from Blair
- PKK claims responsibility of exploding the Iraqi pipeline in Turkey
- UN Secretary General recommends one-month extension of MINURSO mandate
- Yemen decides on new measures to combat terrorism
- Chilean economic delegation shortly in Morocco
- Security Council welcomes Lockerbie hand over pledge
- US names Iraqi opposition factions to receive US aid
- Eritrea, Ethiopia exchange accusations
- Moussa discusses problem of Egyptian possessions in Sudan
- Eritrean statement to the UN Security Council on Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict
- World Food Program says more food needed to avert summer famine in Sudan
- Saudi pharmaceutical company obtains right to manufacture antibiotics
