Arabic News Weekly Edition for Iraq, 2/9/1998
Weekly Edition, Iraq - Week of February 9, 1998
- Iraq's Sahaf reiterates Iraqi inspection proposal
Moussa answered the questions about whether Iraq can avert a military strike and if a diplomatic solution for solving the crisis, saying: "Actually I can't answer now with 'No' or 'Yes' because the matters are still developing and there is not any development toward a final situation." Iraq-Egypt, International, 2/14/1998 - Iraq lists presidential sites to be inspected as Annan intensifies effort
Among these sites are three in the capital: the palace which was the residence of the Hashimite royal family, al-Habbaniah palace near the airport, and a third palace in downtown Baghdad. One site is in Takrit -- the birthplace of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein -- and one is in the center of Salaedine city Iraq, International, 2/14/1998 - Diplomats in Russia - France - China on Iraq
As foreign press reports expected the US and Britain to direct air-based attacks against Iraq within the coming days after the completion of military preparations, Russia announced that its envoy Posovaluke is continuing his intensive efforts in Iraq Iraq, Politics, 2/14/1998 - Kuwait prepares hospitals in case of war
Kuwait is presently preparing for a complete state of war. Kuwaiti hospitals have started to implement exercises to prepare for any disaster caused by the current political crisis between the U.S. and Iraq. Kuwait-Iraq, Medicine, 2/14/1998 - King Hussein discusses Iraqi crisis with Egyptian, Syrian and Turkish presidents
The four leaders agreed that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, "should comply fully and literally," with the UN Security Council resolutions as soon as possible to avoid more escalation in the situation, which could result in more disasters not only for Iraq but for the whole region and the world. Regional-Iraq, International, 2/14/1998 - US outlines goals on Iraq, Congressional support wavering
Berger said, "Either Saddam Hussein acts or we will." Iraq, International, 2/13/1998 - Iraqi national council on Egypt's efforts
He added that if the U.S. wants to launch an attack on Iraq, Baghdad is reserving its right to defend itself Iraq-Egypt, Politics, 2/13/1998 - Iraq informs Morocco of latest developments in Iraq-US crisis
Zubaydi said that the message aims at informing the Moroccan monarch about US threats to launch a military attack on Iraq and viewing Iraq's attitude toward the issue raised by the chairman of UNSCOM. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 2/13/1998 - Iraq to open all sites for inspection, time is not restricted
They can visit and investigate the sites by all available means, from laboratory tests to the use of radar, and take their time for inspection, and then submit their report to the UN Security Council. Iraq-Egypt, International, 2/12/1998 - Gulf countries to Iraq: abide by UN resolutions
A GCC statement called on Iraq to respond to current diplomatic efforts through carrying out all its obligations and canceling restrictions it imposed on UNSCOM's work in order to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people. Gulf-Iraq, Politics, 2/12/1998 - Russia rebuffs US request for help on Iraq Iraq, Politics, 2/12/1998
- Cohen on Russian plant Iraq, Politics, 2/12/1998
- Kofi Annan talks to Islamic Conference about Iraq
Kofi Annan, the secretary general of the United Nations, welcomed cooperation with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to reach a solution for the Iraqi crisis through diplomatic means. Iraq, International, 2/12/1998 - Iraqi Foreign Minister visits Jordan
Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Sa'ed al-Sahaf is expected in Jordan in a two day official visit that will begin today. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 2/12/1998 - Iraq calls US bluff and will allow inspections
Iraqi Deputy PM Aziz offered full and unconditional access to eight "presidential" sites that the United States, and UNSCOM claim may contain weapons of mass destruction. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 2/11/1998 - US denies intent to establish Kurdish state in northern Iraq
In a statement to reporters Tuesday before his meeting with the chairman of Turkey's Democratic party US ambassador to Iraq Mark Paris said the US respects Iraq's sovereignty over its territories. Regional-Iraq, International, 2/11/1998 - Syrian president and Iraqi Foreign Minister on the Iraqi crisis
Sahaf went on to say the objective of the events taking place in Northern Iraq is to weaken Iraq and thereby divide it. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 2/11/1998 - Jordan's King, Crown Prince receive European Comission, comment on Iraq
"I expect that it will affect Jordan and the other Iraqi neighboring countries negatively if Iraq is hit," he said. "Jordan is not ready to receive Iraqi refugees," he stated, and said Jordan would close its borders with Iraq. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 2/11/1998 - Iraqi proposal for UN inspections unacceptable Iraq, Politics, 2/11/1998
- Egyptian President meets with al-Sahaf
President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt today received Iraqi Foreign Minister Muhammad Saeed al-Sahaf. The meeting was attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, Iraq's representative to the Arab League and the Iraqi ambassador to Jordan. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 2/11/1998 - Turks hit Kurd positions in Iraq Iraq-Turkey, Military, 2/11/1998
- Egyptian Commercial Bureau in Baghdad looks for Iraqi ministries' needs
The Egyptian Commercial Bureau in Baghdad has begun communications with Iraqi officials in various ministries to get acquainted with these ministries' requirements for goods. Egypt-Iraq, Economics, 2/11/1998 - Iraqi envoys arrive in Arab capitals
An Iraqi diplomatic source said that the Arab environment towads Iraq is positive and that Iraq hopes it will develop for the best Regional-Iraq, Politics, 2/11/1998 - Sudan opposes military attack on Iraq, Palestinian Fatah agrees
The Sudanese Press Union yesterday started a campaign to gather millions of signatures expressing opposition to a US military strike against Iraq. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 2/11/1998 - The failure of US foreign policy in Iraq
Today, the US president said "The choice is up to Saddam Hussein, but if.." referring to ongoing threats by the US that Iraq comply with UN inspection efforts or face military action if it "does not." What the president did not add to this statement was what would happen if Iraq does comply. Iraq, Analysis, 2/10/1998 - Arab League and Islamic Conference on Iraq
The secretary-general of the Arab League, Esmat Abdel Meguid, made a communication with the secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Ezzedine al-Iraqi, in order to crystallize a joint Islamic-Arab stance to avoid a strike at Iraq. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 2/10/1998 - Turkey denies push into northern Iraq
The Turkish army on Monday denied news that it sent thousands of Turkish troops into Northern Iraq, whereas eye-witnesses said that around 7,000 commandos, backed by armored vehicles, crossed the border area into Iraq at al-Khabour border point. Iraq, Military, 2/10/1998 - Iraq's president to ask Egypt for an Arab solution
Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Said al-Sahaf will arrive tomorrow in Cairo from Syria carrying a written message from Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Iraq-Egypt, Politics, 2/10/1998 - UAE stress diplomacy to solve Iraqi crisis
Sheikh Khaleifa Bin Zayed al-Nahyan today called for intensified diplomatic efforts in order to solve the crisis between Iraq and the UN by diplomatic means. Regional-Iraq, International, 2/10/1998 - Syria insists on peaceful solution to Iraqi crisis
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa confirmed his country's adherence to finding a diplomatic solution and refusing a military solution to the Iraqi crisis with the United Nations. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 2/10/1998 - Iran Minister of Defense on Iraqi crisis
The minister referred to Iran's desire to establish military cooperation with the Gulf countries, confirming that the Iranian military political strategy is working on establishing military cooperation and making joint maneuvers with the U.A.E., Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Gulf-Iraq, Politics, 2/10/1998 - Iraqi-Jordanian trade agreements worth $255 million
Jordanian ministers and concerned parties are continuing their efforts to draft a detailed Iraqi-Jordanian 1998 trade protocol. It is expected to be worth $255 million, the same as the 1997 protocol Jordan-Iraq, Economics, 2/10/1998 - Saddam Hussein's successor is ready in America
Arab diplomatic sources revealed that there is a British - US plan to divide Iraq after striking it, starting by establishing a Kurdish state between Iraq and Turkey and establishing another state in the neighboring borders for Kuwait. Iraq, International, 2/10/1998 - Iraqi newspaper launches attack on Kofi Annan
The Iraqi Revolution newspaper criticized United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's silence regarding American threats to use force against Iraq and asked him to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Iraq, Politics, 2/10/1998 - US providing Israel anti-biological weapons
Informed sources in Israel said that US air links are providing Israel with anti-biological weapons, equipment, medicine, gas masks and suits, protection for the Israelis against any possible Iraqi raid. Israel-Iraq, International, 2/10/1998 - Kurd peace talks Iraq, Politics, 2/10/1998
- Morocco - Iraq Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 2/10/1998
- Annan - Iraq Iraq, International, 2/10/1998
- Iraqi minister praises Saudi stances
Iraqi Minister of Justice Shabib al-Malki today praised Saudi Arabia's refusal to use Saudi bases to launch a military strike against Iraq and viewed this stand as a positive development. Iraq, Politics, 2/10/1998 - US suffers setback in military support against Iraq
In a major blow to US efforts to garner support for potential military attacks against Iraq due to the UN-US-Iraq crisis, Saudi Arabia, the most critical and important US ally in the Gulf, has categorically said no to the use of its bases to launch US military operations against Iraq. Iraq, International, 2/9/1998 - Iraq's Foreign Minister arrives in Damascus Iraq, International, 2/9/1998
- Primakov - Iraq Iraq, Politics, 2/9/1998
- Report: Turkish troops in Iraq Iraq-Turkey, Military, 2/9/1998