Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 2/7/2000

Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of February 7, 2000

• Moroccan king sends message to UAE president United Arab Emirates-Morocco, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Morocco-Jordanian high joint commission agreement comes into effect Morocco-Jordan, Economics, 2/12/2000
• King Mohammed meets African development bank chief
  King Mohammed VI received on Thursday in Marrakesh Omar Kabbaj, chairman of the Abidjan-based African Development Bank. Morocco, Economics, 2/12/2000
• Swedish agriculture minister visits Morocco monday
  Swedish minister of agriculture and maritime fisheries, Margretta Winberg, is expected in Morocco on Monday on a three day visit. Morocco-Sweden, Economics, 2/12/2000
• US and Morocco agree to enlarge joint military maneuvers
  US secretary of defense, William Cohen, said in Marrakesh Friday he and King Mohammed VI have agreed during a meeting held on the same day to increase Moroccan-US joint military maneuvers. Morocco-USA, Military, 2/12/2000
• Maroc-Telecom will be privatized in 2002
  Maroc-Telecom will be sold to the private sector in 2002, announced minister of the public sector and privatization, Rachid filali on Friday. Morocco, Business, 2/12/2000
• Moroccan journalists donate computers to Iraqi journalists Morocco-Iraq, Culture, 2/12/2000
• Moroccan government announces measures to guarantee safety of Moroccans in Spanish locality
  The Moroccan government is presently considering measures to guarantee the safety of Moroccans living in the Spanish southeastern town of El Ejido where racist acts have undermined their security. Morocco-Spain, Culture, 2/12/2000
• Moroccan journalist union, Iraqi news agency sign cooperation accord
  The Moroccan Press Union "SNPM" and Iraqi counterpart signed in Baghdad last week a cooperation agreement for the coordination of stances at Arab and international encounters. Iraq-Morocco, Culture, 2/12/2000
• UNHCR extremely worried by racists incidents against Moroccans in spain
  The UN High Commissioner for refugees, Mary Robinson, is "extremely worried" by the recent upsurge of racist violence against Moroccans in the Spanish southern locality of El Ejido. Morocco-Spain, Culture, 2/12/2000
• Second Arab Song Festival In Casablanca
  The second Arab song festival was held in Casablanca February 9-12 with the participation of a score of singers, song writers and composers from Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Libya, Palestine, Qatar, and Sudan. Regional-Morocco, Culture, 2/12/2000
• Moroccan-Wallon joint commission meets in Brussels Monday Morocco-Belgium, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Moroccan football federation approves French coach resignation
  The Moroccan football federation (FRMF) on Thursday approved the resignation of the national team's French coach, Henri Michel and formed a technical commission to chose a new coach. Morocco, Sports, 2/12/2000
• Egyptian, Portuguese foreign ministers's meeting with king Mohammed
  Egyptian and Portuguese foreign ministers, Amr Moussa and Jaime Gama voiced satisfaction over the outcome of their meeting with King Mohammed VI Thursday in Marrakesh. Morocco-Egypt-Portugal, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Jordanian delegation visits Morocco Morocco-Jordan, Health, 2/11/2000
• Government ensures a daily follow-up of Moroccan immigrants situation in Spain
  The Moroccan government decided to ensure a daily follow-up of the situation of Moroccan expatriates in Spain following El Egido violent incidents. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/11/2000
• El Egido incidents: Moroccan union lodges complaint against Spain
  The Moroccan trade union Confederation Democratique du Travail (CDT) decided to lodge a complaint with the International labor Organization against Spain for non-protection of Moroccan expatriates who were subject to racist acts in Almeria. Morocco, Culture, 2/11/2000
• Spanish government pledges to guarantee Moroccan nationals' security
  Spanish Foreign Minister Abel Matutes pledged to guarantee security to Moroccan nationals and to see to it that the incidents which shook recently the Spanish locality of El Egido will never occur again. Morocco-Spain, Culture, 2/11/2000
• US defense secretary in Morocco
  US Defense Secretary, William Cohen, on Thursday arrived in Marrakesh part of a tour that will also take him to South Africa and Nigeria. Morocco-USA, Military, 2/11/2000
• Moroccan, Spanish firms sign cooperation accord
  Moroccan electricity company (ONE/state-owned) and Spanish industrial group FENOSA, concluded Wednesday a cooperation accord in matters of electricity production, transport and distribution. Morocco-Spain, Economics, 2/11/2000
• Moroccan economic operators in Singapore in March
  A delegation of Moroccan economic operators will pay a visit to Singapore next March 23 through 25 to explore partnership opportunities. Morocco-Singapore, Economics, 2/11/2000
• Moroccan-Spanish socio-cultural days held in Madrid
  Moroccan-Spanish socioeconomic days are currently held this Feb 9-11 in Madrid to ponder on means to reinforce the process of rapprochement of the two countries' economies through analysis and exchange of views between experts in various areas. Morocco, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Moroccan ambassador to UK presents credentials to queen elizabeth Morocco-UK, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Cost of living index increases by 0.7% Morocco, Economics, 2/11/2000
• Head of drug web gets death sentence Morocco, Judicial, 2/11/2000
• Wholesale prices index increases by 0.8%
  Wholesale prices index increased by 0.8% in 1999 compared to 1998, according to the Statistics Department's newsletter. Morocco, Economics, 2/11/2000
• More than $110 million earmarked for improving Casablanca port equipment, services Morocco, Economics, 2/11/2000
• Morocco: Nothing new in our relations with Israel Morocco-Israel, Politics, 2/11/2000
• King Mohammed holds meeting with Egyptian, Portuguese FM, and EU officials
  King Mohammed VI chaired this Thursday a meeting with Egyptian and Portuguese foreign ministers, Amr Moussa and Jaime Gama and the representative of the European Union diplomacy, Javier Solana. Morocco-Egypt-European Union, Politics, 2/10/2000
• President of European Parliament promises to inform parliament on Sahara issue
  President of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine, promised to endeavor to correct information at the parliament on the Sahara issues, particularly on the situation of populations sequestered by the Algeria-backed Polisario secessionists in Tindouf (southwestern Algeria). Morocco-European Union, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Radi denounces denigration of Morocco in European Parliament
  The raising up of the Sahara issue on a regular basis in the European Parliament by some MPs is no accident but part of a systematic disparagement program meant to run down Morocco and uphold Polisario claims, said the speaker of the House of Representatives Abdelouahed Radi. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 2/10/2000
• US Congressman Coble calls for strengthening U.S. support to Morocco
  US Congressman Howard Coble (republican of North Carolina) called for strengthening of U.S. support for Morocco, that he described as "our oldest friend," and said, "We need to be more aware that this is a real jewel in North Africa." Morocco-USA, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Moroccan human rights organization calls for El Ejido compensation Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Alami heads coordination meeting of UNCTAD X delegation Morocco-International, Economics, 2/10/2000
• Alioua opens African union's executive bureau conference Morocco-Africa, Economics, 2/10/2000
• Two Moroccan parties call for constructive debate over women integration plan
  Two Moroccan parties, the nationalist Istiqlal party and the leftist Party for Progress and Socialism, have called for a constructive debate over women integration plan. Morocco, Culture, 2/10/2000
• Morocco voices concerns over Israel's raids on Lebanon
  Spokesman of the Moroccan foreign department said Morocco regrets that at a time the whole world was expecting a fair and overall solution to the Middle East conflict following the recent detente in the peace process and the launch of the negotiations between Israel and Syria, there is a military escalation in south Lebanon and violation of the April 1996 agreement forbidding raids against civilians. Morocco, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Important Moroccan-Turkish economic meeting in coming three months
  Moroccan and Turkish economic operators are to hold an important encounter in the coming three months, and the upcoming session of the high joint commission will examine cooperation in various economic sectors between Morocco and Turkey. Morocco-Turkey, Economics, 2/10/2000
• Benaissa flies to Bangkok to attend UNCTAD X conference
  Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Benaissa heads this Thursday to Bangkok to attend the UNCTAD X conference to be hosted by the Thai capital February 12 through 19. Morocco-International, Economics, 2/10/2000
• Moroccan-EU concerns over El Ejido racist Events
  The visiting president of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine, termed attacks against Moroccan nationals in Almeria (southern Spain) as "tragical" but should not be seen as "a resurgence of racism and xenophobia." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Morocco, Indonesia to sign non-double taxation accord
  Morocco and Indonesia are to sign shortly an accord on non-double taxation and tax evasion, a statement by the Moroccan foreign department said. Morocco-Indonesia, Economics, 2/10/2000
• Administrative board of Bayt Mal al-Quds agency convenes in Morocco next week
  The administrative board of Bayt Mal Al-Quds agency (Jerusalem Fund) will hold a meeting in Morocco next week. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Moroccan premier visits India Feb.20-21
  Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi will be visiting India this February 20-21. Morocco-India, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Moroccan power plant connected to electric grid, five months early
  The third electricity unit of Jorf Lasfar power plant (230 km south of Rabat) was connected to the national electric grid last Monday, five months ahead of the initial scheduled planning. Morocco, Business, 2/10/2000
• Nearly 40,000 new cases of cancer are recorded in Morocco every year
  Nearly 40,000 new cases of cancer are recorded every year in Morocco, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), said head of the Rabat-based institut national d'oncologie (public hospital specialized in cancer treatment), Ibrahim Kaddari. Morocco, Health, 2/10/2000
• Harbor traffic increases by 9.1% in 1999
  Moroccan harbor traffic reached about 52.7 million tons in 1999, thus recording an increase of 9.1% compared to 1998, the Equipment Ministry said. Morocco, Economics, 2/10/2000
• Iraq deplores absence of Moroccan enterprises in Iraqi oil market
  An Iraqi official has deplored the absence of Moroccan enterprises in the Iraqi oil market and said Iraq supports all forms of cooperation with Moroccan private and public enterprises in the frame of the oil-for-food program. Morocco-Iraq, 2/9/2000
• King Mohammed meets with Turkish foreign minister
  King Mohammed VI of Morocco met yesterday with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who delivered him a message from Turkish President Suleiman Demirel. Morocco-Turkey, Politics, 2/9/2000
• King Mohammed receives message from Iraqi president Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Seminar on agriculture financing in Rabat
  Addressing the seminar, Prime minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi announced that the government is about to set up an agriculture financing system taking into account the specificities of agriculture activity and farmers' expectations in matters of investments. Morocco, Agriculture, 2/9/2000
• Cohen to visit Morocco Morocco-USA, Politics, 2/9/2000
• IDB to support Moroccan strategic sectors Morocco, Economics, 2/9/2000
• IDB approves new finances for more than $ 202 million
  The Islamic Development Bank approved, at the conclusion of its 191 session in Jeddah earlier this week, new finances for more than $ 202 million in favor of a number of member countries and Muslim communities in nonmember countries. Morocco, Economics, 2/9/2000
• Morocco to launch new satellite TV channel Morocco, Business, 2/9/2000
• King Mohammed inaugurates several projects in Casablanca
  King Mohammed VI inaugurated Monday several socioeconomic projects in Casablanca before traveling to Marrakesh. Morocco, Economics, 2/8/2000
• Morocco denounces exploitation of isolated murder in Spain
  The Moroccan government denounced the exploitation of a murder of a Spanish woman in El Ejido (southern Spain) by a mentally-disturbed Moroccan to challenge the new Spanish immigration law. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Coach Henri Michel gives up and bows out Morocco, Sports, 2/8/2000
• Morocco's king sends message to Ukrainian president
  King Mohammed VI has sent a message to President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine, it was officially announced in Rabat. Morocco-Ukraine, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Turkey determined to bolster cooperation with Morocco
  Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem started talks on Monday in Rabat with Moroccan officials on the consolidation of political and economic cooperation between Ankara and Rabat. Morocco-Turkey, Economics, 2/8/2000
• Fisheries minister presents to King Mohammed project of six fisher villages
  Moroccan fisheries minister, Thami Khyari, presented Monday to King Mohammed VI a project to set up six more fisher villagers in southern Morocco. Morocco, Economics, 2/8/2000
• 17 African countries in Morocco for farming quality management training
  Some thirty agronomists from 17 African countries are attending in Agadir (southwestern Morocco) a training session on the improvement of quality management of vegetables and fruits. Morocco, Agriculture, 2/8/2000
• English teachers hold annual meeting
  Moroccan English Teachers Association will hold its annual conference in Kenitra (40 km north of Rabat) from March through April 3, with participation of specialists from the Arab states, United States and Great Britain. Regional-Morocco, Education, 2/8/2000
• Italian police dismantle web of smuggling luxury cars to Maghreb
  The Italian police have dismantled a web that used to steal luxury cars in Italy and smuggle them to Maghreban countries, including Morocco. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Speaker of Bulgarian parliament winds up visit to Morocco
  Speaker of the Bulgarian parliament, Yordan Sokolov, left Morocco Saturday after a five-day visit during which he was received by King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Bulgaria, Politics, 2/7/2000
• A trend to lift house arrest from guide of Al-Adl Wal Ihsane group in Morocco
  Moroccan Government spokesman and Minister of Employment Khalid Aliouat asserted that Sheikh Abd El-Salam Yassin, guide of the extremist fundamentalsit group Al-Adl Wal Ihsane who has been under house arrest for 10 years, must enjoy all rights and freedoms like any Moroccan citizen on the basis accepted by all the Moroccans, especially in the political field. Morocco, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Fassi-Fihri meets Spanish counterpart Ramon De Miguel Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Moroccan premier wishes political detente in Moroccan-Algerian relations
  Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, wished political detente in Moroccan-Algerian relations and the opening of land borders between the two countries. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Saudi Arabia, Morocco for boosting youths relations Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Sports, 2/7/2000
• Iraqi president sends message to King Mohammed
  Iraqi foreign minister, Mohamed Said Assahaf, arrived in Rabat on Sunday to deliver a message from Iraqi president Saddam Hussein to King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Cephalopod fishing stoppage to last through April Morocco, Economics, 2/7/2000
• Morocco, Egypt to foster maritime transport cooperation
  Morocco and Egypt pledged to foster their cooperation in maritime transport, coordinate their activities in the sector of merchant navy and to endeavor to materialize a genuine partnership. Egypt-Morocco, Economics, 2/7/2000
• Tunisia, Morocco agree to promote health cooperation
  Tunisia and Morocco agreed to enhance their cooperation in health related realms and to upgrade cooperation in drugs, maintenance of medical equipment, training and scientific research. Tunisia-Morocco, Health, 2/7/2000
• Belgium to grant legal stay documents to 10,000 Moroccans
  Some 10,000 Moroccans will be granted legal stay documents by Belgium which has adopted recently a new law on illegal residents, said Belgian foreign minister, Louis Michel, who paid last week a four-day visit to Morocco. Morocco-Belgium, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Turkish foreign minister on three-day visit to Rabat
  Turkish foreign affairs minister Ismail Cem started Sunday a three-day state visit to Morocco at the invitation of counterpart Mohamed Benaissa. Morocco-Turkey, Politics, 2/7/2000
• European parliament president visits Morocco Morocco-European Union, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Morocco ranks 1st in Maghreb school cross-country tournament Morocco, Sports, 2/7/2000
• Moroccan runner third in 1,000 m in Stuttgart meeting Morocco, Sports, 2/7/2000
• Annual per-capita drugs consumption in Morocco hardly exceeds $16
  Annual per-capita drugs consumption in Morocco hardly exceeds 160 Dirhams ($ 16), due to a weak purchasing power, said head of the pharmacists union of southern Morocco. Morocco, Health, 2/7/2000
• Morocco beats Rumania in XI nations rugby tournament Morocco, Sports, 2/7/2000
• European investment bank's loans to Morocco totalled 263 million euros in 1999 Morocco-European Union, Economics, 2/7/2000

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