Arabic News Weekly Edition for Local, 2/16/1998
Weekly Edition, Local - Week of February 16, 1998
- Baghdad to Washington: lets talk
Arab diplomatic sources confirmed that Iraq informed the U.S. that it is ready to accept the return of the inspection groups to resume their work in Iraq without restrictions or conditions, if Washington opens a continuous direct discussion with Baghdad to remove the sanctions. Iraq, International, 2/21/1998 - Story of a Palestinian collaborator
Nasri is his alias name, or nom de guerre. His story tells a lot about how bad it is for Palestinians who fall in Israeli traps and become collaborators with the Israeli secret services. Palestine, Culture, 2/21/1998 - Alcohol factory in Saudi Arabia
As the policemen broke into the place they arrested one Saudi man and three Ethiopians who were manufacturing the drinks. Saudi Arabia, Local, 2/21/1998 - $140 million in environment aid to Aqaba Gulf
Dr. Ebeid said that planning for economic and tourist development within the framework of a clear and healthy environment is the basic aim of plan. Egypt, Science, 2/21/1998 - Palestine shut down television and radio stations
The Palestinian government threatened to shut down television and radio stations which do not have permits from the Ministry of Interior. Palestine, Local, 2/21/1998 - Demonstrations in Egyptian universities
Students in Egyptian Universities resumed demonstrations for the seventh day to protest U.S. threats of a military strike against Iraq. Egypt, Local, 2/21/1998 - Qatar kidney transplants Qatar, Medicine, 2/21/1998
- Arab artifacts Regional, Culture, 2/21/1998
- EC president against striking Iraq Iraq, International, 2/21/1998
- First Jordanian killed, three wounded in demonstration over Iraq
One Jordanian was killed and another three were wounded in Maan, 22 Km, south of Amman by Jordanian security forces today while curbing a large demonstration staged against US threats to strike Iraq. Jordan, Local, 2/20/1998 - Elements of the solution to the Iraqi crisis Iraq, Analysis, 2/20/1998
- Year 2000 computer bomb awaits Arab governments and companies
These kind of errors threaten to paralyze computer systems that control millions of transactions and accounts in governments, companies, banks, payment systems and the general services, that rely on accurate date and time representation for accurate calculations. Regional, Science, 2/20/1998 - Arab agriculture ministers to discuss future plans
The assembly will also review regional and international changes and their effects on Arab agriculture, including the food gap expansion, environmental deterioration, lack of water resources and weak production capacities. Regional, Agriculture, 2/20/1998 - Annan prolongs stay in Iraq Iraq, International, 2/20/1998
- India refuses to cooperate in striking Iraq Iraq, International, 2/20/1998
- Britain - Sudan Sudan, International, 2/20/1998
- Carter - Iraq Iraq, International, 2/20/1998
- Algeria bomb Algeria, Local, 2/20/1998
- US public campaign on Iraq Iraq, International, 2/20/1998
- Gaddafi suggests sending 60,000 soldiers to protect Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
Yesterday Libyan President Moammar Gaddafi expressed his readiness to send 60,000 Libyan soldier to protect Kuwait and Saudi Arabia from Iraq instead of 6,000 American soldiers. Iraq, International, 2/20/1998 - Symposium to mark 40th anniversary of Egyptian-Syrian unity
The Egyptian Committee for Solidarity will hold a two-day symposium on the horizons of joint Arab efforts on March 2, to mark the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Egyptian - Syrian unity. Regional, Culture, 2/20/1998 - Three Islamists executed in Egypt Egypt, Judicial, 2/20/1998
- Iran, Oman, Yemen FM s discuss crisis developments
Kuwaiti Defense Minister Sheikh Salem al-Sabah said the military strike against Iraq, if takes place, will not start from Kuwait. The Kuwaiti minister hoped the crisis between Iraq and the US will be settled diplomatically. Iraq, International, 2/20/1998 - World leaders are saying about Annan's visit
British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday spoke on the telephone with UN Chief Kofi Annan during which he stressed the need to be persistent with Iraq on permitting UN inspection team into Iraqi Presidential palaces. Iraq, International, 2/20/1998 - Vatican stresses Jerusalem as capital of the three divine religions Regional, Religion, 2/20/1998
- Israel continues aggression against south Lebanon
Lebanese security sources said Israeli shelling covered Kafra, Yater, al-Buttom mountains, and al-Asi district. Lebanon-Israel, Military, 2/20/1998 - International diplomats arrive in Amman Iraq, International, 2/20/1998
- Annan's visit may force US hand
This US fear is compounded by US apprehension that a possible compromise UN Secretary-General Annan may strike with Iraq may not be to the full liking of the US Iraq, International, 2/19/1998 - Britain to detain Arabs who oppose striking Iraq
British security sources disclosed on Wednesday that British intelligence has listed about 100 Arabs who live in Britain to be arrested without trial if a military strike against Iraq takes place. Iraq, International, 2/19/1998 - French minister: The United States is too anxious for a fight
"War means a confrontation with the Arab world and that is needless," the French minister said, referring to the importance of giving priority to achieving a peaceful settlement to the Iraq crisis. Iraq, International, 2/19/1998 - Israeli warplanes violate Lebanese airspace
Lebanese security sources said Lebanon's air space witnessed overnight Tuesday intensified mock raids carried out by Israeli jets over the central and Western sectors. Lebanon-Egypt, Military, 2/19/1998 - Mubarak confers with Syrian Vice-President, FM
President Mubarak said he and President Assad are exerting all efforts to bring about a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis to rule out a military strike against Iraq. Egypt-Syria, International, 2/19/1998 - Arafat orders release of two Islamic Jihad activists
Palestinian sources said that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat agreed yesterday to release two Islamic Jihad activists who were suspected in the suicide bombing attack at Bait Lid in January 1995. Palestine, Judicial, 2/19/1998 - British Defense minister for unconditional inspection of all Iraqi sites
British Defense Minister George Robertson on Wednesday said the aim behind the mission of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to Iraq is to get Iraqi guarantees for unconditional entry of UN inspectors. Iraq, International, 2/19/1998 - US citizens advised to aviod Palestinian areas Palestine, International, 2/19/1998
- UN - Iraq Iraq, International, 2/19/1998
- France sentences Algerians Algeria, International, 2/19/1998
- Cardinals oppose strike at Iraq Iraq, International, 2/19/1998
- Jordan's King receives a call from President Clinton
King Hussein reiterated that it was necessary to solve the crisis via diplomatic methods. He praised the efforts made by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to avoid military strikes against Iraq and said he hoped Annan's efforts will bear fruit. Jordan-Iraq, International, 2/19/1998 - Iraqi crisis reaches its most critical stage
This is happening as Annan gets ready to leave Friday for Iraq with full support for his mission from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. The US ambassador to the UN, Bill Richardson, said that "We wish him well." Iraq, International, 2/18/1998 - What has a Catholic priest to say about Iraq
Even though the Iraqis no longer produce weapons of mass destruction, they have the capacity to do so, because their scientists are still alive and doing research. He followed it up by saying -- and now I'm quoting him directly -- "You can't destroy weapons research and development unless you kill people." Iraq, International, 2/18/1998 - Israeli Judge with Solomon's wisdom , or just ducking the issue?
Israel will have a great difficulty in deciding, from a legal point, if an Arab couple is allowed to purchase a lot of land in a Jewish settlement. The president of Israel's Supreme Court, Aharon Barak, admitted the issue is one of the most difficult questions he ever faced in his life as a judge Israel, Judicial, 2/18/1998 - Pope invited to visit Libya
The Pope did not reply to the invitation, but said he hoped Libya would be a place "fully involved in this sincere effort to build a better world," adding that "Muslims and Christians have many things in common as individuals and as believers Libya, Religion, 2/18/1998 - Algerian security forces confront terrorist elements
Members of the Armed Islamic Group were killed in an operation carried out by the Algerian government on El-Giafi camps at Saida in western Algeria. Algeria, Local, 2/18/1998 - Arab League condemns claim of Iraqi biological weapons transfer
Arab League Assistant Secretary-General for Arab Affairs Ahmad Bin Hali said these claims add to the tensions in the region, at a time when world and regional efforts are being exerted to contain the Iraqi crisis and to find a peaceful solution. Regional-Iraq, Military, 2/18/1998 - Lebanese resistance attacks Israeli positions
Reports from south Lebanon said shelling caused material damage in the targeted areas. A Lebanese woman was wounded and a number of Lebanese houses were damaged as a result of the Israeli shelling of al-Nabatieh Fouka town. Lebanon-Israel, Military, 2/18/1998 - Studying Israeli army officers told to prepare for possible war
Despite all signals from the Gulf that a political settlement for the present standoff between the US and Iraq is in the making, Israel continued its preparations and has decided to recruit army officers who are currently participating in studying courses. Israel-Iraq, Local, 2/18/1998 - US effort to shore internal support Iraq, International, 2/18/1998
- Israeli forces arrest Syrian youths in occupied Golan
Israeli authorities arrested Tuesday evening four youths in Majdal Shams in the occupied Golan heights on charges of resisting occupation and rejecting Israeli identity cards. Syria-Israel, Judicial, 2/18/1998 - US envoy arrives in Riyadh Iraq, International, 2/18/1998
- A message from President Clinton to Mubarak on Iraqi crisis Iraq, International, 2/18/1998
- Algeria massacre Algeria, Local, 2/18/1998
- Jordan - arrest Jordan, Local, 2/18/1998
- Dubai - health United Arab Emirates, Local, 2/18/1998
- US - Iraq Iraq, International, 2/18/1998
- UN employees leave Iraq Iraq, International, 2/18/1998
- Executing four personas in the Issue of : Exploding banks in Egypt
This was in compliance with the judgment of a military court in a case involving explosions in Egyptian banks, and the assassination of General Raouf Khairt. Egypt, Judicial, 2/18/1998 - British Labor deputies oppose strikes against Iraq
The British House of Commons on Tuesday witnessed a stormy session, in which several members of the ruling Labor party objected to the decision taken by London to take part in possible mliitary strikes against Iraq. Iraq, International, 2/18/1998 - US wrestling team arrives in Tehran Iran, International, 2/18/1998
- A 123 year old Jordanian dies Jordan, People, 2/18/1998
- Hopes for peaceful settlement to Iraqi crisis
With these words, Clinton may have given UN's Annan the compromise tool he needs to wrap a resolution to this crisis, where the emphasize can be on "the essence" of the UN resolution. Iraq, International, 2/17/1998 - Clinton rallies domestic support for strike at Iraq
Even while insisting that the US is exhausting diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful solution to the current Iraqi crisis, US President Bill Clinton said spoke at the Pentagon in an effort to drum up domestic support for possible US military strikes against Iraq. Iraq, International, 2/17/1998 - The coming war between Iraq and Iran
“The failure of the United Nations to halt Saddam Hussein's chemical weapons program threatens Iran as much as any nation.” Mitchell says Regional, Analysis, 2/17/1998 - Sealing tape and plastic sheets: a booming business in Israel
Israelis blame their government for the current state of panic saying the flow of anti-Iraq statements and the "unnecessary volatile threats" aired by a number of Israeli officials make it almost impossible to avert an Iraqi attack on Israel. Israel, Local, 2/17/1998 - Saddam frees 24 Egyptian prisoners
In the line with president Saddam Hussein's decision to free all Arabs in Iraqi jails, Iraq's government released a first group of 24 Egyptian prisoners, an Egyptian official said here. Iraq-Egypt, Judicial, 2/17/1998 - Italians to form human shields in defense of Iraqi people
The group, which called itself "A Bridge to Baghdad," said it will send volunteers to form human shields in Iraqi schools, hospitals, electricity stations and other important sites in Iraq. Iraq, International, 2/17/1998 - Egyptian claim demands compensation for POW deaths
The appeals court in Mornsura is to examine a claim by Dr. Ahmed Maher Ezz against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding that Netanyahu $10 billion in reparations for for mass killings of Egyptian prisoners of war. Egypt, Judicial, 2/17/1998 - China did not promise US not to vote against striking Iraq at the UN Iraq, International, 2/17/1998
- Four terrorists executed in Egypt Egypt, Judicial, 2/17/1998
- Israel demolishes Arab houses in West Bank Palestine-Israel, Local, 2/17/1998
- Further Israeli repression, maneuvers in occupied Golan
Israel has extended the detention of three Syrian citizens from the occupied town of Majdal Shams in the occupied Golan Heights. The Syrian detainees were arrested on Saturday following confrontations that broke out in the town. Syria-Israel, Local, 2/17/1998 - Algeria, Sudan deny stocking of Iraqi nuclear weapons
Algerian ambassador to Washington Ramadan al-Amamera has denied news reports that Iraq had transferred unclear material to Algeria. Algeria-Sudan, Military, 2/17/1998 - Lebanese resistance mounts escalation against occupation
Lebanese national resistance forces on Monday morning attacked an Israeli military position in al-Taibeh district. The resistance said in a statement that rockets and machine-gun fire scored direct hits on the position. Lebanon-Israel, Military, 2/17/1998 - Annan on way to Baghdad, latest developments on Iraqi crisis
The situation as it stands is non-resolved with the hope pinned on Annan's visit. The US has rejected before hand the Russian efforts, with US Secretary of Defense Cohen saying that "I have seen no proposal" that is acceptable yet. Iraq, International, 2/16/1998 - Jordan: Iraqi crisis needs to be defused quickly
"There are no more than a few days remaining to realize a peaceful resolution via political methods," he stated. Jordan-Iraq, International, 2/16/1998 - Guerrillas fire rockets at border zone, northern Israel
In a marked escalation of tension in south Lebanon, guerrillas this weekend fired a volley of rockets and mortars inside Israel's occupation zone and northern Israel, wounding five Lebanese civilians. Lebanon-Israel, Military, 2/16/1998 - Turkey to Iran: Great concern over Iraq
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi met on Sunday with Turkey's deputy foreign minister, Kurkmaz Haq Tanir, who arrived in Tehran earlier in the day carrying a communique from Turkish President Suleiman Demirel to Iranian President Muhammad Khatami Iran-Turkey, International, 2/16/1998 - Aramaic: the language of the Christ, and the stolen Icon
It survived the fall of Nineveh and Babylon in Iraq and remained the official language of the Persian empire. Aramaic inscriptions were also dug out in certain areas in Egypt and China. Regional-Syria, History, 2/16/1998 - Islamist pro-Iraqi protesters freed in Jordan
The government freed all the civilians who were arrested after Friday's pro-Iraqi government demonstration was broken up by police, Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Abdullah al-Nusour announced. Jordan, Local, 2/16/1998 - Muftis oppose civil marriage Lebanon, Judicial, 2/16/1998