Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 2/14/2000
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of February 14, 2000
- Morocco reduces budget deficit to 1%
Morocco managed to bring down its budget deficit to 1.1% of the GDP against 3.9 in 1998. Morocco, Economics, 2/19/2000 - Chilean senate speaker in Morocco in March Morocco-Chile, Politics, 2/19/2000
- Democracy, regional integration are requisites to integration in world economy, Youssoufi
Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi on Saturday stressed democracy and regional integration as requisites to integration in the world economy. Morocco-International, Economics, 2/19/2000 - UN: Moroccan referendum timetable off Morocco-UN, Politics, 2/19/2000
- Morocco, Thailand to set up cooperation commission
Morocco and Thailand agreed to set up a joint commission to promote cooperation and spur trade exchanges. Morocco-Thailand, Economics, 2/19/2000 - Moroccan economy and finance minister in London Sunday
Moroccan Economy and Finance Minister Fathallah Oualalou is expected in London Sunday on a three-day visit to the United Kingdom. Morocco-UK, Economics, 2/19/2000 - Morocco, Portugal examine tourism cooperation Morocco-Portugal, Economics, 2/19/2000
- Morocco in Arab parliaments meeting
Morocco is attending the 9th congress of the Arab Parliamentary Union (APU), which will open works this Saturday in the Algerian capital city. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 2/19/2000 - US Georgetown university hosts conference on Sahara
The US Georgetown University hosted Wednesday a conference on the Sahara, during which participants dealt with several aspects of the issue. Morocco-USA, Politics, 2/19/2000 - Internet surfers can send messages to Moroccan premier
Internet surfers will be able to send messages as of next Monday to Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi on his office's website: www.pm.gov.ma. Morocco, Politics, 2/19/2000 - Moroccan-Senegalese bank set up
A Moroccan-Senegalese bank "Senbank" has been set up under an accord concluded on Wednesday between the Moroccan Wafabank and the Senegalese holding "Keur Khadim," reported Moroccan weekly La Vie Economique. Morocco-Senegal, Business, 2/19/2000 - Morocco in world military cross-country championships Morocco, Sports, 2/19/2000
- Moroccan teachers to go on strike next week
The Moroccan Education Autonomous Federation on Friday called teachers to go on strike on February 23 and 24. Morocco, Politics, 2/19/2000 - Morocco seeks Thailand's backing to its World Cup bid
Morocco said it solicited Thailand's backing to its bid to stage the final rounds of the 2006 World Cup. Morocco-Thailand, Sports, 2/19/2000 - Moroccan teachers observe two-day strike Morocco, Education, 2/18/2000
- Moroccan FM in Bangladesh Morocco-Bangladesh, Politics, 2/18/2000
- Comoro foreign minister carries on talks in Rabat
Foreign minister of the Comoro Islands, Souef Mohamed Lamine, who is currently on an official visit to Morocco, is carrying on contacts with Moroccan officials on bilateral relations and on African, Arab and international issues of mutual concern. Morocco-Comoro, Politics, 2/18/2000 - Visit to India has special importance, Youssoufi
Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi on Thursday said the four-day official visit he is to pay to India as of February 21 has a special importance. Morocco-India, Politics, 2/18/2000 - Rabat agrees on opening a bureau for International amnesty organization
The Moroccan government agreed on establishing a bureau for the International amnesty organization in Ribat concerning publishing and printing the organization's pamphlets and establishing sessions in the human rights field. Morocco, Culture, 2/18/2000 - Morocco and Gulf states hold investment forum next May in Casablanca
Several projects will be presented by Morocco during the coming forum, Oualalou said. These include nine agricultural projects worth $ 24 million, eight irrigation projects ($ 140 million), seven fisheries industry projects ($ 897 million), 12 textile and leather industry projects ($ 60 million), three garments projects ($ 10.5 million), 15 tourism projects ($ 1.8 billion) and eight drinking water projects ($ 47 million), Oualalou said. Morocco-Gulf, Economics, 2/18/2000 - Morocco, Niger to foster cooperation in water harnessing
Morocco and Niger have agreed to foster their cooperation in matters of water harnessing, dams construction and spa exploitation. Morocco-Niger, Politics, 2/18/2000 - Morocco appoints new ambassador to Spain
King Mohammed VI received the same day the ambassadors of Russia, Switzerland and Denmark who came to bid him farewell at the end of their mission in Morocco. Morocco, Politics, 2/18/2000 - King Mohammed represented in Lesotho king's wedding ceremony
The Moroccan secretary of state for cooperation, Ms. Aicha Belarbi, flies this Thursday to Lesotho to represent King Mohammed VI in the wedding ceremony of this country's King Lestie III. Morocco-Lesotho, Politics, 2/17/2000 - Interior minister meets World Bank executives
Moroccan Interior Minister Ahmed Midaoui on Wednesday conferred with a World Bank (WB) delegation on aspects of cooperation between Rabat and the Bretton Woods institution. Morocco, Politics, 2/17/2000 - President of Comoro islands sends message to King Mohammed
President of the Comoros islands Azali Assoumani has sent a message to King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Comoros, Politics, 2/17/2000 - Moroccan foreign minister meets WTO chief in Bangkok
The possibility of setting up in Morocco a training and information center for African countries on issues related to world trade, globalization and relations with the World Trade Organization (WTO) was discussed at a meeting in Bangkok Wednesday between Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Benaissa and WTO Director General Mike Moore. Morocco, Politics, 2/17/2000 - Nineteen Moroccan Sahrawis flee Tindouf camps, return to Morocco
Some 19 Moroccan Sahrawis have fled the sequestration camps of Tindouf (southwestern Algeria) and returned to Morocco, in response to the royal call "The country is clement and forgiving." Morocco, Politics, 2/17/2000 - France still Morocco's top commercial partner, diplomat
Trade exchanges between Morocco and France totalled 16 billion French Francs in 1999, maintaining France as Morocco's top commercial partner, French ambassador to Morocco, Michel de Bonnecorse, said. Morocco-France, Economics, 2/17/2000 - Spanish agriculture minister in Morocco
Spanish Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Jesus Posada started this Thursday a short visit to Morocco. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/17/2000 - International conference on women's issues in Rabat
An international conference on women's spaces was held this Feb 15 through 17 in Rabat to debate the role of women in society and their participation in the development process. Regional-Morocco-International, Politics, 2/17/2000 - Spanish mea culpa over El Ejido racist incidents
"We should all be self-critical over the El Ejido incidents, and we have taken note of errors to avoid that this occurs again," said the head of Andalusia autonomous government, Manuel Chaves. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/17/2000 - Moroccan-Thai cooperation discussed in Bangkok
Moroccan Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Mohamed Benaissa held a meeting in Bangkok Wednesday with his Thai peer, Surin Pitsuwan and with speaker of the Thai parliament, Wan Mohammad Nour Matha. Benaissa voiced hope to see Moroccan-Thai economic and commercial relations Morocco-Thailand, Politics, 2/17/2000 - Gulf states unanimously back Morocco's World Cup bid, minister
Moroccan Youth and Sports Minister Ahmed Moussaoui said Wednesday that Gulf nations, that he has just toured, unanimously back Morocco's bid to host the 2006 World Cup finals. Morocco, Sports, 2/17/2000 - Morocco, Singapore explore joint projects in tourism
Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Benaissa explored in Bangkok Tuesday with his Singaporean peer, Ow Chin Och, prospects of setting up joint ventures in tourism. Morocco-Singapore, Economics, 2/16/2000 - Comoran foreign minister in Morocco
Comoran Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Mohamed Al-Amine Souef, arrived in Casablanca Tuesday with a message to King Mohammed VI from Comoran President, Col. Azali Assoumani. Morocco-Comoros, Politics, 2/16/2000 - Morocco supports Saudi candidacy to host international conference on globalization
Morocco expressed support to Saudi Arabia's candidacy to host an international conference on globalization and technology transfer, says a statement of the Moroccan Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Ministry. Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/16/2000 - King Mohammed receives Boeing senior executive
King Mohammed VI on Tuesday received Seddik Belyamani, sales and marketing director at Boeing. Morocco-USA, Business, 2/16/2000 - Kuwait renews backing to Morocco's World Cup bid
Kuwait renewed backing to Morocco's bid to host the 2006 World Cup. Morocco-Kuwait, Sports, 2/16/2000 - Moroccan premier to visit India in quest for stronger cooperation
Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi, will start on February 21 a four-day official visit to India to consolidate cooperation ties with the subcontinent. Morocco-India, Economics, 2/16/2000 - Belgian business delegation in Morocco Sunday
A Belgian business delegation, led by minister of foreign trade and environment of the Brussels region, Didier Cosuin, is expected in Morocco next Sunday on a five-day visit. Morocco-Belgium, Business, 2/16/2000 - Northern region to receive $210 million investments for drinking water projects
The Moroccan drinking water authority "ONEP" is projecting to invest a total of $210 million over the five coming years in drinking water projects in the northern regions. Morocco, Politics, 2/16/2000 - Moroccan, French universities conclude agreement
The Mohammed V University of Rabat and the French Montesquieu-Bordeaux university signed on Tuesday an agreement to promote scientific and academic cooperation and exchanges in research and training. Morocco-France, Education, 2/16/2000 - Agency of northern regions development draws balance sheet of its action
The Moroccan agency for the development of northern regions (APDN) held on Tuesday in the northern city of Tetuan, the fifth session of its governing board under the chairmanship of Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi. Morocco, Economics, 2/16/2000 - Morocco to stage awareness campaign on asbestos hazards
Morocco will stage next February 29 an awareness campaign on occupational hazards entailed by the use of asbestos. Morocco, Health, 2/16/2000 - Morocco's Alami ousted at Rotterdam Open first round Morocco, Sports, 2/16/2000
- Three Europeans jailed for drug trafficking
Three Europeans were sentenced to jail terms varying between 3 and 10 years after a Tangiers court found they were guilty of drug trafficking and acquitted a Spanish lorry driver whose arrest had spurred an angry movement by Spanish colleagues. Morocco, Judicial, 2/16/2000 - South african topples Morocco as top African nation on FIFA ranking
Following its poor performance in the African Cup of Nations (CAN-2000), co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria, Morocco has ceded its rank as top African nation on the monthly FIFA world ranking to South Africa. Morocco-South Africa, Sports, 2/16/2000 - Moroccan finance minister elected president of Jerusalem fund governing board
Moroccan Finance Minister Fathallah Oualalou was elected president of the governing board of Bayt Mal Al-Quds (Jerusalem fund), which held its first meeting Monday in Marrakesh. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 2/15/2000 - Moroccan MP loses case against journalists
The court of appeals of Casablanca rejected the libel case lodged by Mahmoud Archane, a member of the parliament, against two Moroccan journalists, Nabil Benabdellah, head of Al Bayane daily and Narjis Reghaye, a journalist at the same paper. Morocco, Judicial, 2/15/2000 - Morocco, Sweden sign agriculture cooperation accord
Morocco and Sweden signed Monday a cooperation accord to promote cooperation and exchanges between the two countries in the field of agriculture. Morocco-Sweden, Economics, 2/15/2000 - Moroccan parliamentary delegation in Strasbourg
A Moroccan parliamentary delegation is expected in Strasbourg this Tuesday on a visit to the European Parliament which is currently holding a plenary session. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 2/15/2000 - Morocco, India to set up joint economic business council
The Moroccan enterprises association (Confederation Generale Des Entreprises du Maroc "CGEM") and the Indian Industries Confederation are to set up a joint economic business council. Morocco-India, Economics, 2/15/2000 - Moroccan immigrants' claims are reasonable, Spanish official says
Spanish Agriculture and Fishery Minister Jesus Posada, said Monday that the claims made by Moroccans settled in El Egido are very reasonable. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/15/2000 - Moroccan tennismen lose ranks in ATP ranking Morocco, Sports, 2/15/2000
- Italy to receive 3,000 Moroccan immigrants this year
Italy has decided to receive in the course of this year 3,000 Moroccan immigrants, under a law on non-European migration flows, said Italy's ambassador to Morocco, Guido Martino. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 2/15/2000 - Morocco and Gulf states hold investment forum next May in Casablanca
Morocco will hold next May in Casablanca the first investment and partnership forum between Morocco and the Gulf countries. Morocco-Gulf, Economics, 2/15/2000 - King Mohammed addresses message to Moroccan pilgrims
The king urged the Moroccan pilgrims to be a model of righteousness, tolerance, flexibility, modesty, patience and clemency. Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Religion, 2/14/2000 - Al-Quds Judaization does not serve peace, King Mohammed VI says
King Mohammed VI on Monday said the Judaization of the holy city of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) will not serve peace and will not provide an atmosphere of security and stability in the region. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 2/14/2000 - Morocco gives Jerusalem fund $ three million
King Mohammed VI of Morocco handed to Palestinian president, Yasser Arafat, a donation of three million dollars for Bayt Al-Mal Al-Quds which opened this Monday a meeting of its governing board. Regional-Morocco, Culture, 2/14/2000 - Morocco conveys U.N. secretary general memorandum on Sahara
Morocco has conveyed to the U.N secretary general kofi Annan a memorandum on the Sahara and renewed attachment to the U.N settlement plan and total cooperation with the secretary general. Morocco, Politics, 2/14/2000 - Mauritania kicks out Polisario member
The Mauritanian authorities last week expelled the Polisario representative in Mauritania, Hamotti Ould Rabani, the local press reported. Mauritania-Morocco, Politics, 2/14/2000 - Moroccan association denounces Israeli attacks against Lebanon
The Moroccan association of support to the Palestinian people struggle (AMSLP) denounced Israeli attacks against Lebanon as "a crime against humanity" and called for trying Zionist leaders at an international court. Morocco-Lebanon, Politics, 2/14/2000 - No connection between fishery issue and El Ejido incidents, diplomat
Moroccan general consul in Algesiras (southern Spain), Amer El Mars, on Sunday ruled out any connection between the fishery issue and the events which shook last week the Andalusian locality of El Ejido. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/14/2000 - Morocco concerned over expatriates' situation in el ejido
Morocco on Saturday expressed deep concern over the situation of the Moroccan community in El Ejido. Moroccan Secretary of State for cooperation, Aicha Belarbi, who visited El Ejido (a small farming locality in southeastern Spain) to inquire about the situation of the Moroccan expatriates, deplored the dismal living conditions and the difficulties facing Moroccan workers, who live in suburbs near their work place. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/14/2000 - Moroccan sports minister in Kuwait
Moroccan youth and sports minister, Ahmed Moussaoui, arrived Sunday in Kuwait, with a message from King Mohammed VI to the ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Kuwait-Morocco, Sports, 2/14/2000 - Morocco's Alami eliminated at Dubai tournament semi-final United Arab Emirates-Morocco, Sports, 2/14/2000
- King sends message to Malaysian premier
The Moroccan-Malaysian meeting --held Saturday-- stressed the need to give new momentum to bilateral relations and to bolster the exchange of visits. Morocco-Malaysia, Politics, 2/14/2000 - CORRECTION: Maroc-telecom will be privatized in 2000 and telecom sector will be liberalized in 2002
CORRECTION: Maroc-Telecom will be sold to the private sector in 2000, and the telecom sector will be fully liberalized in the course of year 2002, announced minister of the public sector and privatization, Rachid filali on Friday. (our story two days ago said Maroc-Telecom will be sold to the private sector in 2002.) Morocco, Economics, 2/14/2000 - Football: Morocco joins the group of the weak
Morocco, which topped African nations on the FIFA ranking for a long time, fell from the heights in the African Cup of Nations (CAN-2000), co-hosted by Nigeria and Ghana. Morocco, Sports, 2/14/2000