Arabic News Weekly Edition for Iraq, 11/16/1998
Weekly Edition, Iraq - Week of November 16, 1998
- Annan backs extension of Iraq humanitarian program Iraq-UN, Economics, 11/20/1998
- US warships cross the Suez canal to the Gulf
Officials at the Suez canal said that US two warships and a submarine had said through the canal in their way to the Arab Gulf on Wednesday. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/20/1998 - No stability in UN-Iraq relations without progress toward embargo lifting
It is impossible to see stability in relations between Iraq and the United Nations without a progress towards lifting the eight-year long embargo on Iraq, the spokesman of the Moroccan government said on Thursday. Iraq-Morocco, Politics, 11/20/1998 - A communique to Qatar's FM from his Iraqi counterpart
Qatar News Agency reported on Wednesday that Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jaber al-Thani received a message from his Iraqi counterpart, Muhammad Saeed al-Sahaf, on "bilateral relations between the two sisterly countries and developments in the region." Qatar-Iraq, Politics, 11/19/1998 - All UNSCOM team members back in Baghdad
Meanwhile, UNSCOM chief, Richard Butler, conceded Thursday that he should have informed the United Nations Secretary general before deciding to withdraw from Iraq in the latest UN-Iraq crisis. Iraq, Politics, 11/19/1998 - US ambassador: Crisis between Iraq and the UN has not finished yet
The US ambassador to Kuwait, James Larocco, has warned that "all options are still open, and the crisis created by Iraq with the UN has not finished yet." Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/19/1998 - Report: Iraqi opposition to form provisional government in southern Iraq
The British daily "The Independent" reported on Wednesday that the Iraqi opposition intends to form a provisional government in southern Iraq, getting benefits from the US military aid to establish a "liberated zone." Iraq, Politics, 11/19/1998 - New British plans in support of Iraqi opposition
Britain said on Wednesday that it is preparing new plans to strengthen the capabilities of the Iraqi opposition in order to topple the government of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Iraq-UK, Politics, 11/19/1998 - UN to ask Iraq about the fate of 660 Kuwaiti prisoners Kuwait-Iraq-UN, Politics, 11/19/1998
- Iraqi minister regrets US intervention in his country's affairs
Iraqi Trade Minister Muhammad Mahdi Saleh has expressed his country's strong denunciation and regret over the US intervention in its internal affairs. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/18/1998 - UNSCOM inspectors continue work in Baghdad
UNSCOM weapons inspectors affiliated to the United Nations in Iraq are beginning their first inspections since their return to Iraq, as a convoy comprising 10 trucks carrying international inspectors was seen moving toward Iraqi sites. Iraq-UN, Politics, 11/18/1998 - Khaled Abdul Nasser in Baghdad
The Iraqi official news agency said on Tuesday that Khaled Jamal Abdul Nasser is visiting Iraq to maintain solidarity with its people. The agency added that on Tuesday Nasser met with the Iraqi Health Minister Omid Medhat and reviewed with him health conditions in Iraq and the consequences of the embargo imposed on Iraq for eight years. Iraq, Politics, 11/18/1998 - Iraqi opposition: Air strike is inevitable
Iraqi opposition sources told ArabicNews.com today that it has information that the US will direct a military strike against Iraq soon, saying that Washington can no longer bear Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Iraq, Politics, 11/17/1998 - Russia for political solution of the Iraqi crisis
The press office at the Russian Presidency said on Monday that President Boris Yeltsin stressed the importance of using political and diplomatic means to settle the Iraqi crisis. Iraq-Syria-Russia, Politics, 11/17/1998 - Britain hopes to make a change in the Iraqi government
British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook has expressed hope of making a change in the Iraqi government. In a statement to the GMTV on Monday, he said, "I would very much like to see Saddam Hussein removed." Iraq-UK, Politics, 11/17/1998 - Israel considers crisis with Iraq unfinished Iraq-Israel, Politics, 11/17/1998
- UNSCOM returns to Baghdad Iraq, Politics, 11/17/1998
- Kuwait increases readiness of its armed forces
The Kuwaiti army increased the readiness of its armed forces, as Kuwait expects the arrival of US air and land forces in its lands at any time. Kuwait-Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/16/1998 - Egyptian opposition parties threaten to strike American interests
Egyptian opposition forces and parties directed a strongly-worded communique to the US government, in which they equated Iraqi security with the security of American interests. Egypt-Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/16/1998 - UAE President calls for Arab summit, as Gulf states approve of Iraqi response
Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council member states considered Iraq's reply to the call of the UN Security Council, permitting UN inspectors to resume their work in Iraq, as enough to defuse the crisis with the UN. United Arab Emirates-Iraq, Politics, 11/16/1998 - British official in Gulf to seek aproval for any coming strike against Iraq
British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Derrick Fatchett will arrive tomorrow in Oman a brief visit, during which he will meet with Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. Iraq-Gulf-UK, Politics, 11/16/1998 - Chirac, Clinton, Blair discuss the Iraqi issue by telephone
The spokeswoman for the French presidential palace was quoted as saying that the 50-minute telephone call had given the chance for the three leaders to think full together and evaluate the significance of the Iraqi message which implies Iraq's consent to resume cooperation with the UN. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/16/1998 - Arab League approves Iraqi decision to cooperate with UNSCOM Iraq-Regional, Politics, 11/16/1998