Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 3/22/1999
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of March 22, 1999
- Senegalese communication minister winds up visit to Morocco
Senegalese minister of communication, Aissata Tall Sall, wound up on Thursday a four-day working visit to Morocco, that she described as "very fruitful." Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 3/26/1999 - Italian premier in Morocco next April
Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'alema is expected in Morocco next April 1-2 for talks with Moroccan officials on ways to enhance economic cooperation and trade exchange. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 3/26/1999 - Moroccan minister says freedom of expression is major problem facing journalism in the Arab states
Moroccan minister of territory development, environment, town planning and housing and head of leftist daily "Liberation," Ahmed El Yazghi, said the major problem facing journalism in the Arab world is the lack of freedom of expression. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 3/26/1999 - Moroccan-Canadian talks on environment protection
Mayor of Montreal, Pierre Bourque, held a series of talks with Moroccan officials over cooperation in environment protection, sanitation and local administration. Morocco-Canada, Politics, 3/26/1999 - Morocco deplores Mauritanian official's statements on Sahara
Morocco has expressed amazement at the statements made by the secretary general of the Mauritanian Foreign Ministry who asserted during a meeting of the Organization of African Unity that the "Sahrawi Republic" was "a constituted state" and that "there was no need to reconsider the OAU stand regarding it." Morocco-Mauritania-OAU, Politics, 3/26/1999 - European community contributed 80 million euros to Moroccan-Spanish power connection
The European community has contributed 80 Million euros to the Moroccan-Spanish electricity interconnection which was dedicated in 1998. Morocco-Spain, Economics, 3/26/1999 - Morocco's premier calls for speeding Arab free trade zone process
Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi, called Thursday, in a meeting with Lebanese businessmen, for speeding up the process leading to the creation of a free trade area in the Arab states. Regional-Morocco, Economics, 3/26/1999 - Egyptian - Moroccan cooperation in contracting
Egypt and Morocco have agreed to enhance cooperation between them in the fields of housing, contracting, training in the craft of building, constructing utility and road projects, exchanging experience and information in the field of housing, and forming mutual companies. Egypt-Morocco, Economics, 3/26/1999 - Morocco underlines positive tone of UN secretary general's latest report on Sahara
Morocco has underlined that the tone of the latest report on the Sahara submitted by the U.N secretary general to the Security Council was "positive." Morocco, Politics, 3/26/1999 - Morocco hopes NATO military operations against Yugoslavia would lead to peace
The spokesman for the Moroccan government regretted that Yugoslavia failed to respond favorably to the peace appeals and offers made by the international community, namely by the OSCE (Organisation of Security and Cooperation In Europe), France and Great Britain. Morocco, Politics, 3/26/1999 - Industrial production index progresses, mining and energy regresses
The index of industrial production in Morocco has posted a 2.4% increase in 1998, compared to 1997, says the Moroccan statistics department. Morocco, Economics, 3/26/1999 - Some 120,000 foreign tourists visited Morocco last January Morocco, Economics, 3/26/1999
- Gas leak kills four in Fez Morocco, Local, 3/26/1999
- Moroccan-Born Dutch national arrested with 57 Kg of cannabis Morocco, Judicial, 3/26/1999
- Days on Moroccan-Romanian relations held in Tangiers
The northern Moroccan city of Tangier is hosting days on Moroccan - Romanian relations that are meant to explore ways of enhancing trade and economic exchange between the two countries. Morocco-Romania, Politics, 3/26/1999 - Spanish consulate denies Moroccan artist entry visa
Spain's consulate in the northern Moroccan town of Tetuan has denied Moroccan painter Mustapha Ben Alahmar an entry visa to go to Spain where he was invited by an association of Moroccan emigrants to take part in a cultural event. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 3/26/1999 - The French chief of staff visits Morocco and Senegal Morocco-France, Military, 3/26/1999
- 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-OAU, Politics, 3/25/1999 - Gambian President Starts Private Visit to Morocco Morocco-Gambia, Politics, 3/25/1999
- 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-USA, Politics, 3/25/1999 - Morocco rejects US report on human rights in Morocco as not conforming to reality
Many parts of the US state department's report on the human rights situation in Morocco do not reflect reality, especially chapters related to justice, said Moroccan justice minister, Omar Azziman. Morocco, Culture, 3/25/1999 - Deer reserve dedicated in Middle atlas
A reserve to preserve deers and help the species reproduce was dedicated on Wednesday in Oulmes in the Middle Atlas Mountain. Morocco, Environment, 3/25/1999 - Morocco's approach to sustained development inspires Sub-Saharan African countries
Morocco has become a model for many sub-Saharan African countries in the development policy combining the notion of sustained development to environment protection and preservation of life quality. Morocco-Regional-France, Politics, 3/25/1999 - OAU ministerial council debates status of self-proclaimed Sahrawi republic
The 69th session of the ministerial council of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) currently underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is debating the statute of the self-proclaimed "Sahrawi republic," as was decided by the OAU summit last June in Burkina Faso. Morocco-OAU, Politics, 3/24/1999 - Message from Senegalese president to King Hassan II Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 3/24/1999
- Moroccan public TV, radio and paper workers protest poor work conditions
Newsmen and technicians from the Moroccan public Radio and Television (RTM) and of the state-owned "Al-Anbaa" daily staged Tuesday a sit-in in front of the departments of finance and communications to protest their poor working conditions and financial situations. Morocco, Economics, 3/24/1999 - UN Secretary General recommends one-month extension of MINURSO mandate
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan recommended on Tuesday to the Security Council a one-month extension of the MINURSO, the U.N mission supervising preparations for the holding of a referendum in the Sahara. Morocco-UN, Politics, 3/24/1999 - Chilean economic delegation shortly in Morocco
The visit that might result in the setting up of a Moroccan-Chilean business council is meant to upgrade trade exchange, which does not exceed $5 million (50 Million dirhams) per year, at a time when each of the two countries exports products that are needed by the other side. Morocco-Chile, Economics, 3/24/1999 - Moroccan-Indian commission to meet end of this year in Rabat
The Moroccan-Indian joint commission will meet in the last three months of this year, it was officially announced in Rabat. Morocco-India, Politics, 3/24/1999 - Moroccan-Egyptian infrastructure commission holds first meeting
The commission called for the consolidation of partnership and exchange of experiences and data in road and dam construction, irrigation techniques, hydraulic resources management and greening. Morocco-Egypt, Politics, 3/24/1999 - Yemeni delegation describes Morocco's political experience as unique in the Arab states
A delegation from the Yemeni Socialist Party (opposition) which is currently on a visit to Morocco has described the political experience where the opposition gained control of the government in Morocco as unique in the Arab world. Morocco-Yemen, Politics, 3/24/1999 - Report: Moroccan electricity board eyes Spanish energy market
The Moroccan national electricity board "ONE" has obtained a concession to act as an external agent in the Spanish energy market, reports Spanish business daily "Expansion." Morocco-Spain, Business, 3/24/1999 - Moroccan business center dedicated in Paris
Located on the prestigious "Avenue des Champs Elysees" in Paris, the center will serve as an information and assistance cell for the setting up of investment projects or partnership ventures between entrepreneurs of the two countries. Morocco-France, Economics, 3/24/1999 - King Hassan II receives message from Saudi crown prince Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/24/1999
- Morocco calls UN to draw genuine voters' lists for referendum in Sahara
Youssoufi said it is up to the U.N. to draw genuine lists, far from any maneuvers or opposition schemes hatched by those who want to hamper the process. Morocco, Politics, 3/23/1999 - Morocco launches bond issue to reduce debt servicing
Morocco launched on Monday a bond issue, worth 138.7 million euros (one billion FF), guaranteed by the French development fund, a Moroccan official announced here. Morocco, Economics, 3/23/1999 - Morocco and France optimistic over cancellation of more Moroccan debts
French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry Dominique Straus-Khan, said in Paris Monday that he is optimistic that the "Paris Club" will decide to write off all of Moroccan debt or at least raise the current 20% ceiling of the amount of debts convertible into investments. Morocco-France, Economics, 3/23/1999 - Morocco and France sign package of economic agreements
The covenants include a convention to set up a guarantee fund to help improve the competitiveness of Moroccan enterprises in international markets. The fund, with a capital of 200 million FF, will be used to guarantee long and middle terms loans contracted by Moroccan small and medium-sized enterprises with Moroccan banks. Morocco-France, Economics, 3/23/1999 - Former UN special representative in the Sahara hails Morocco's efforts for MINURSO success
Special representative of the United Nations secretary general in charge of the Sahara mission, Charles Dunbar, who resigned from his position last week, hailed Morocco's efforts to ensure the success of MINURSO. Morocco, Politics, 3/23/1999 - Moroccan interior minister meets US diplomat
Moroccan Minister of the Interior Driss Basri met in Rabat Monday with the United States delegate to the UN for special political affairs, Nancy Sodeberg. Morocco-USA, Politics, 3/23/1999 - African Development Bank, Morocco's second fund donor
The African Development Bank (ADB) is Morocco's second-largest fund donor after the World Bank with the financing of some sixty projects worth $3.8 billion, said ADB President Omar Kabbaj. Morocco-Africa, Economics, 3/23/1999 - Senegalese communication minister in Morocco
Senegalese Communication Minister Aissata Tall Sall started on Monday a working visit to Morocco at the invitation of her Moroccan counterpart, Larbi Messari. Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 3/23/1999 - King Hassan II Expresses Satisfaction over Moroccan-Tunisian Relations Morocco-Tunisia, Politics, 3/22/1999
- Palestinian diplomat opposes creation of a micro-state in Morocco's southern provinces
Representative of the Palestine Liberation Organization in Beirut, Chafik Al-Houte, voiced opposition to the creation of "a Sahrawi micro-state" in Morocco's southern provinces and said the Arab world does not need non-viable entities that only increase its dismemberment. Morocco, Politics, 3/22/1999 - Moroccan draft laws to consolidate press freedom
The Moroccan government will submit in the coming weeks draft laws meant to consolidate press freedom, said Moroccan communication minister, Larbi Messari. Morocco, Politics, 3/22/1999 - Annan accepts with regret resignation of special representative in Sahara
Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan has "accepted with regret" the resignation of his special representative in the Sahara, Charles F. Dunbar, a UN spokesman said. Morocco, Politics, 3/22/1999 - Morocco withdraws Abouyoub's candidacy to WTO top post
"After it assessed the nomination process of the future Director General of the World Trade Organization in light of the latest developments, the government of the Kingdom of Morocco has noted that the conditions of transparency and fairness on the basis of which a democratic consensus was to emerge, are no longer gathered," the spokesman said in a statement. Morocco, Politics, 3/22/1999 - International meeting on nuclear energy regulations held in rabat
An International meeting on the regulations and latest safety norms used in nuclear energy was held over the weekend in Rabat. Morocco, Economics, 3/22/1999