Arabic News Weekly Edition for Local, 2/9/1998
Weekly Edition, Local - 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 - Golan Heights demonstrations in support of Iraq: with background
The Druze living in the Golan Heights cannot be considered traditional fans of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Israeli police used tear gas canisters to disperse the demonstrators, whose violent revolt against the policemen culminated weeks of tension between the two sides against the background of pro-Iraq demonstrations the Druze population of the Golan Heights held. Syria-Regional, International, 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 - Kidnapping a Dutch tourists from Yemen
A Yemeni official said it was the al-Tuheiman clan, affiliated to the Gaham tribe, which kidnapped a Dutch tourist from one of the Yemeni capital Sanaa' s suburbs on Tuesday. Yemen, Local, 2/14/1998 - Garaudy who questions the Holocaust, in Cairo
Political factions and figures organized a march to the French embassy in Cairo to hand a protest message to the French ambassador, who refused to receive it and considered it interference in his country's affairs. Regional, International, 2/14/1998 - Egyptian demonstrations Egypt, Local, 2/14/1998
- US criticizes Arafat Palestine, International, 2/14/1998
- Saudi skyscraper Saudi Arabia, Local, 2/14/1998
- Syrian Vice- President meets Jerusalem bishop Regional-Syria, Religion, 2/14/1998
- Israeli shelling continues against south Lebanon Lebanon-Israel, Military, 2/14/1998
- Illegal demonstrators in Jordan dispersed by police
The Jordanian government had informed the pro-Iraqi Saddam Hussein parties and unions leaders of its resolution to ban all rallies in such a sensitive circumstances, but they violated the ban. Jordan, Local, 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 - Doha: seven more people accused in coup attempt trial
The source said that among the seven accused people is a ruling family member Khalifa Bin Hamad Bin Jasem al-Thani. Qatar, Judicial, 2/13/1998 - Sudanese vice- President killed along with seven officials
Sudanese Vice-President al-Zubeir Muhammad Saleh was killed on Thursday in a plane crash in southern Khartoum. Also killed in the crash were two senior Sudanese officials. Sudan, Local, 2/13/1998 - Pay your debts before entering Israel
If you are a Palestinian and you owe Israeli firms or merchants money, you will not be allowed to enter Israel. Palestine-Israel, Judicial, 2/13/1998 - Sudan plane crash Sudan, Local, 2/13/1998
- Hezbollah celebrates victories against Israel - in exhibit
The Shiite Muslim Hizbullah guerrilla group inaugurated its yearly exhibition, which has become a tradition over the past few years, this time with marked confidence and more victories against Israeli troops in south Lebanon to report. Lebanon, Local, 2/13/1998 - Kuwait emphasizes GCC's wish for diplomatic solution 2/13/1998
- PNA looking for more money to Bethlehem 2000
The World Bank has lately made commitments to the Palestine National Authority to offer $25 million as part of its participation in the huge “Bethlehem 2000” project the Palestinian government is preparing to celebrate the second millennium. Palestine, International, 2/13/1998 - Egyptian solidarity committee supports Garaudy
The Egyptian committee for the Asian - African people's solidarity issued a statement in which it announced its support for French intellectual Roger Garaudy and his right to free opinion. Regional, International, 2/13/1998 - Two Lahd's militia members join Lebanese resistance
Israeli warplanes on Thursday continued flights into Lebanese airspace over the capital Beirut. Lebanese security sources said Israeli warplanes also flew over south Lebanese areas. Lebanon-Israel, Military, 2/13/1998 - Jordanian lands may have been sold to US Jew
An unidentified person at the end of January bought 1,000 Dunums in al-Ramtha region and another 500 dunums in al-Mafrak through the mediation of a well-known Jordanian middleman. Jordan, Local, 2/13/1998 - Sudanese authorities arrest drug traffickers
Sudanese security forces recently confiscated a half ton of Marijuana, estimated at a value of US $400 million in Um Darman region. Sudan, Local, 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 - Prosecution in coup plot demands blackout
A Qatari security source informed ArabicNews.com that in the case of 110 defendants in a coup attempt that was thwarted by the Qatari authorities in 1996 has demanded the utmost secrecy in the trial's sessions to achieve justice. Qatar, Judicial, 2/12/1998 - President of the European Commission meets President Assad
Santer indicated that the EU is an important partner to Syria, adding that Syria's imports from Europe constitute 35%, whereas Syria's exports to European states are 50%. Syria, International, 2/12/1998 - Jordanian Security forces foil attack on UK embassy
Abid Azzam 25, of al-Zarqa, Jordan, at 12.45 pm local time yesterday tried to attack the British embassy in Amman of Jordan. Jordan, International, 2/12/1998 - Strong words from Britain on Israeli practices
He said that the world could not remain idle, and the Israelis should know they could not paralyze the world as it moves toward a peaceful solution, which is the only way that it makes progress. Israel, International, 2/12/1998 - European delegation resumes talks with Algerian officials
A dispute took place among the members of the European delegation due to Daniel Kohain Bendates' controversial statements about the deputy leader of the prohibited Islamic Salvation Front Algeria, International, 2/12/1998 - Lebanese resistance escalates operations against Israeli troops
Lebanese security sources said the Israeli artillery in the occupied sector of South Lebanon pounded al-Rayhan heights Sujoud, al-Rafai mountain and al-Litani river bed Lebanon-Israel, Military, 2/12/1998 - European chief representative in Beirut
Santer also highlighted financial and technical cooperation between the E.U. and Lebanon and said that Lebanon has received 616 million ECU in aid. Lebanon, International, 2/12/1998 - War displaces 15,000 people in Sudan
The World Food program on Wednesday said the Sudanese government prevented its planes from reaching a foodstuffs aid to some 150,000 Sudanese . Sudan, Local, 2/12/1998 - Do not forget our cause, Palestinian prisoners appeal
"The government of Benjamin Netanyahu is making every effort possible to torpedo the talks and one of its efforts is to keep Palestinian inmates behind bars," said Hisham Abdul Razeq, head of the Palestinian committee on prisoners talks with Israel. Palestine-Israel, Judicial, 2/12/1998 - UAE security network United Arab Emirates, Local, 2/12/1998
- Turk - Kurd Turkey, Military, 2/12/1998
- Sudanese VP killed Sudan, People, 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 - Egyptian Interior minister: no dialogue with Islamists
Egyptian Minister of the Interior Lt. Gen. Habib al-Adli on Tuesday stressed that the government should not maintain a dialogue with Islamist groups saying that it will legitimize them. Egypt, Judicial, 2/12/1998 - Israel continues land confiscation and house demolitions
Israeli army bulldozers demolished three houses in Dahihiriya and Halhoul in the Hebron district saying they were built without permits. The soldiers came early in the morning and ordered everyone out of the houses, said Anwar Abu Sharakh who owns one of the two houses Palestine-Israel, Local, 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 - Jordanian to prevent rallies on Iraq
No matter what the slogan might be carried, what the reason might be or in where in Jordan it might take place, the Jordanian government will not allow marches and rallies, Jordanian Minister of Interior Nathir Rashid stated. Jordan, Local, 2/11/1998 - Truce monitors blame Israel for casualties
The shepherd was killed Friday in Majdel Zoun, a village facing an Israeli-occupied enclave in southern Lebanon. Israeli artillery also wounded a Lebanese man in Yater on Sunday. But the five-nation group said the injury was "unintentional." Lebanon-Israel, Military, 2/11/1998 - UAE stopping pirated goods United Arab Emirates, Local, 2/11/1998
- Jerusalem stabbing Palestine-Israel, Local, 2/11/1998
- Ten dead in Algeria Algeria, Local, 2/11/1998
- Jordan bomb attack thwarted Jordan, Local, 2/11/1998
- Turks hit Kurd positions in Iraq Iraq-Turkey, Military, 2/11/1998
- French foreign minister to visit Middle East in March
Vederine will also discuss with the secretary-general of the Arab League, Esmat Abdel Meguid, the outcome of the communications between France and the United Nations. Regional, International, 2/11/1998 - Sudanese minister's father married 88 women, begot 700 sons
El-Malkour said he has more than 700 brothers and sisters. He confirmed that he is unable to recognize them all due to the huge number. Sudan, People, 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 - 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 - 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 - Four arrested for possession of stolen Picasso artwork
Jordanian police yesterday night arrested four people for possessing very expensive tableaus painted by Picasso and statues of Poverty and Freedom. The works are estimated to be worth $40 million. Jordan, Local, 2/10/1998 - Israeli forces continue aggression against south Lebanon
Israeli occupation troops on Monday bombarded with heavy artillery the Sujoud mountains in the al-Tuffah district of south Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Military, 2/10/1998 - Sudan: Ethiopia attacks Sudanese borders
Sudanese authorities said that Sudanese coalition opposition forces attacked a garrison in the province of Al-Kadaref near the Sudanese - Ethiopian borders. Sudan, Military, 2/10/1998 - Questions over radiation in Jordan's soil
Responding to deputies' questions in a session of the Jordanian Lower House, Minister of Administrative Development Dr. Abdullah al-Nusour denied the existence of nuclear radiation in Jordan's soil. Jordan, Science, 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 - 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 - Algeria bomb wounds 37 Algeria, Local, 2/10/1998
- Yemen kidnapping Yemen, Local, 2/10/1998
- Annan - Iraq Iraq, International, 2/10/1998
- Oman to host US warplanes Regional-Oman, International, 2/10/1998
- Communique from Chirac to Arafat
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat on Tuesday received a communique from French President Jacques Chirac concerning French mediation in the Iraqi crisis. Palestine, International, 2/10/1998 - Santer arrives Damascus tomorrow
Chairman of the European Commission Jacques Santer is to arrive in Damascus Wednesday for a two-day visit to Syria on his regional tour. Syria, International, 2/10/1998 - Arab parliament urges Iraq to implement Security Council 2/10/1998
- Algerian army counts its successes in terminating terrorists
The Algerian army killed 11 terrorists who were in hiding near Giss Wadi Gomda in Blida province Algeria, Military, 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 - Israeli soldier killed, 7 wounded as Lebanese resistance intensifies
An Israeli soldier was killed and seven others wounded Saturday in a Hizbullah attack on an Israeli outpost in southern Lebanon, security sources said. It was the heaviest casualty toll for Israeli troops in the country so far this year. Lebanon-Israel, Military, 2/9/1998 - Arab, but not Jewish, houses for demolition in Jerusalem
The deputy mayor of Jerusalem, Haim Miller, admitted last week that he would be happy to demolish houses built illegally by Arabs but would not authorize the demolition of any house built by a Jew. "I never signed and will never sign an order to demolish a Jewish house but only houses owned by Arabs," said Miller. Palestine-Israel, Local, 2/9/1998 - Calls for the release of Suha Bishara, the Lebanese lady who shot at Lahd
Suha Bishara, a young Lebanese girl who was arrested by Israel some ten years ago has since then been held without trial, and Israel is receiving repeated calls for her release. Lebanon-Israel, Judicial, 2/9/1998 - Seminar on combat frost in agriculture
The seminar aims at substituting experiences concerning methods to combat frost, review methods and apply them among cooperating countries Regional, Agriculture, 2/9/1998 - Former Syrian President dies in Amman
Amman announced on Saturday the death of former Syrian President Nazim al-Qudsi (91) who ruled Syria from 1961 - 1963 and has been residing in Amman since 1986. Syria-Jordan, People, 2/9/1998 - King Hussein, British PM meet in London
British Prime Minister Tony Blair today met with King Hussein of Jordan in London. Talks dealt with the tense situation in the Gulf region, bilateral relations and other issues of mutual concern. Jordan, International, 2/9/1998 - Iraq's Foreign Minister arrives in Damascus Iraq, International, 2/9/1998
- Newspapers can publish Jordan, Local, 2/9/1998
- Report: Turkish troops in Iraq Iraq-Turkey, Military, 2/9/1998
- EU group in Algeria Algeria, International, 2/9/1998
- UAE Police arrested two Indians United Arab Emirates, Judicial, 2/9/1998
- Annan visit postponed Regional, International, 2/9/1998
- Syrian people in the Golan challenge Israel, replant trees
On Sunday, despite bad weather, the Golan citizens started at dawn the planting of thousands of apple trees to replace the trees uprooted by the Israeli authorities. Syria-Israel, Local, 2/9/1998