Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 3/20/2000

Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of March 20, 2000

• No referendum without all Sahrawis, Morocco says
  Morocco renewed its opposition to the holding of a self-determination referendum in the Sahara if all Sahrawis are not allowed to participate in the vote. Morocco, Politics, 3/25/2000
• Japan loans Morocco's water company 5.4 million yens Morocco-Japan, Economics, 3/25/2000
• International child music festival in Rabat Morocco-International, Culture, 3/25/2000
• Germany's Lufthansa suspends two flights to Morocco Morocco-Germany, Business, 3/25/2000
• King Mohammed meets FIFA chief
  King Mohammed VI on friday met in Rabat Sepp Blatter, president of the FIFA (world football governing body). Morocco, Sports, 3/25/2000
• Moroccan - Egyptian trade commission to meet in Cairo in April
  The Moroccan-Egyptian trade commission will meet in Cairo on April 5 to examine means to upgrade trade exchanges between Morocco and Egypt. Egypt-Morocco, Economics, 3/25/2000
• French - Spanish holding to build power station in Morocco
  A French-Spanish holding, led by French Alstom Hydraulique, won a tender to build an electric 450 megawatts power station in the region of Beni Mellal, central Morocco. Morocco-International, Business, 3/25/2000
• Speaker of Gabon's National Assembly in Morocco Monday
  Speaker of the Gabonese National Assembly, Guy Nzouba Ndama, is expected in Morocco on Monday on a weeklong visit at the invitation of Abdelouahed Radi, speaker of the House of Representatives, lower house of the Moroccan Parliament. Morocco-Gabon, Politics, 3/25/2000
• Barcelona to host seminar on Morocco's current challenges
  A seminar on "the current challenges facing up Morocco" will be held on Tuesday in Barcelona. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 3/25/2000
• Moroccan highway pay system: French company wins bid
  A French company, "Grenobloise d'electronique et d'automatismes" (GEA), has won the bid to equip a Moroccan highway with the electronic pay system. Morocco-France, Business, 3/25/2000
• China loans Morocco $3.6 million
  China will extend Morocco a loan worth $3.6 million to back the country's development process. Morocco-China, Economics, 3/25/2000
• London to host Moroccan textile exhibition
  Moroccan Industry, Commerce and Handicraft Minister Alami Tazi is expected in London Sunday to dedicate a Moroccan textile and garments exhibition "Vetma" and commercial fair "Morocco-2000." Morocco-UK, Economics, 3/25/2000
• Exhibition on quality opens in Casablanca
  The 2nd exhibition of quality solutions and techniques (Solutech 2000) opened in Casablanca on Thursday under the theme "quality approach, a winning strategy." Morocco, Business, 3/25/2000
• Tennis: Morocco's Al-Aynaoui squeezed out at Miami Open Morocco, Sports, 3/25/2000
• Spanish air company services Granada - Marrakesh
  The Spanish air company "Binter" has started servicing a weekly flight between Granada and Marrakesh. Morocco-Spain, Business, 3/25/2000
• Tangiers hosts training on agricultural projects in Africa
  A training session on "preparation and assessment of agricultural projects in Africa" will be held in the Moroccan northern city of Tangier April 3-21. Regional-Morocco-Africa, Economics, 3/25/2000
• King Mohammed enthronement, positive impact on Moroccan press
  The accession of King Mohammed VI to throne in Morocco last July had a positive impact on the freedom of the press in Morocco, the Journalists Protection Committee (JPC) said. Morocco, Politics, 3/24/2000
• Morocco can contribute to globalization, US diplomat
  Only 8% of trade in the Middle-East and North Africa is intra-regional, compared to 20% in the Americas or 60% in Europe. "Trade between neighbors is vitally important to a nation's economy," US ambassador to Morocco, Edward Gabriel said, adding "this is what the Eizenstat initiative seeks to support." Morocco-USA, Economics, 3/24/2000
• UN human rights high commissioner hails Morocco's human rights moves
  United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Mary Robinson has hailed Morocco's resolve to promote human rights and consolidate the rule of the law. Morocco-UN, Politics, 3/24/2000
• Italian official in Morocco to explain new immigration law
  Italian secretary of state in charge of immigration, Alberto Maritati, is currently visiting Morocco to explain the provisions of the new Italian law on immigration in force since March 15. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 3/24/2000
• Morocco, France share same ideals and aim for same objectives
  King Mohammed VI, winding up a state visit to Paris on Wednesday, addressed President Jacques Chirac a message saying the two countries share the same ideals and aim for the same objectives. Morocco-France, Politics, 3/24/2000
• Morocco calls for a Davos-like Arab forum
  Morocco has called for a Davos-like Arab forum, that would group political and business leaders of several countries. Morocco-Regional, Economics, 3/24/2000
• Morocco calls for more concern on fate of Moroccans sequestered in Tindouf
  Morocco has called for more concern on the part of the international community for the fate of Moroccans forcibly detained in the Tindouf camps (in southwestern Algeria). Morocco, Politics, 3/24/2000
• Royal congratulations on Pakistani National Day Morocco-Pakistan, Politics, 3/24/2000
• Tangier port authorities seize banned substance Morocco, Local, 3/24/2000
• King Mohammed underscores importance Morocco grants EU ties
  "King Mohammed VI has underscored the importance Morocco grants relations with the European Union," said French foreign affairs department spokesman in the wake of the king's state visit to France. Morocco-France, Politics, 3/24/2000
• Two wounded in Casablanca factory fire Morocco, Local, 3/24/2000
• King Mohammed hails fruitful Morocco-IMF cooperation
  King Mohammed VI hailed fruitful cooperation relations that have always dominated relations between Morocco and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) within the scope of a global reform strategy meant to make of men and socio-cultural aspects the cornerstone of economic growth. Morocco-IMF, Economics, 3/24/2000
• China to extend loan to Morocco
  China has decided to extend Morocco an interest-free loan to back the country's development process. Morocco-China, Economics, 3/24/2000
• Saudi businessman invests $22 million in tourism project in Morocco
  Saudi businessman Sheikh Salah Kamal Ali is to inject $22 million in a luxury tourism project in the southern Moroccan city of Agadir. Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Business, 3/24/2000
• Moroccan thinker gets Spanish prize
  Moroccan thinker Abdellah Laroui was awarded the International Catalunia prize by the autonomous government of Catalunia. Morocco-Spain, Culture, 3/24/2000
• Women do not enjoy rights recognized by Islam, King Mohammed VI says
  King Mohammed VI on Wednesday said that in most Islamic societies women do not enjoy the rights granted by the Sharia (Islamic law). Morocco, Culture, 3/23/2000
• Human rights promotion, priority goal for Morocco, minister
  The promotion of human rights and consolidation of the rule of the law are priority goals in the Moroccan state policy, and the orientation is consecrated and solemnly backed by the king of Morocco. Morocco-International, Politics, 3/23/2000
• Defense minister of Burkina Faso holds talks in Rabat Morocco-Burkina Faso, Politics, 3/23/2000
• Polisario jails survivors decry torturers
  Several survivors of Polisario jails have denounced in Madrid the torture practices they have been subject to by the separatist group. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 3/23/2000
• More small farmers have their debt written off
  The Moroccan agriculture department on Wednesday announced that a new group of some 120,000 small farmers will have their debts written off as part of the government's moves to counter the adverse effects of drought, currently hitting Morocco. Morocco, Politics, 3/23/2000
• Morocco, France to set up cooperation task force
  Morocco and France agreed to set up a high level task force to enhance bilateral cooperation. Morocco-France, Economics, 3/23/2000
• Human rights international federation to hold congress in Morocco
  The human rights international federation decided to hold its 34th world congress in Morocco in recognition of the country's human rights progress. Morocco-International, Politics, 3/23/2000
• Nigeria's president gets message from Morocco's king
  President Obasanjo voiced determination to energize bilateral relations, and the two sides convened to start moves to set up a Moroccan-Nigerian joint commission. Morocco-Mauritania-Nigeria, Politics, 3/23/2000
• Moroccan forests faring well, minister
  Moroccan forests are relatively faring well, the Moroccan water and forests minister said. Morocco, Environment, 3/23/2000
• Morocco launches last phase of telecoms sale
  Morocco on Wednesday issued an international tender to sell up to 35% of state-run Maroc Telecom, it was officially announced in Rabat. Morocco, Business, 3/23/2000
• King Mohammed hosts dinner in honor of President Chirac Morocco-France, Politics, 3/22/2000
• King Mohammed holds meetings with Premier Lionel Jospin
  Visiting King Mohammed VI met in Paris twice with French Premier Lionel Jospin for private talks followed by work sessions extended to members of delegations. Morocco-France, Politics, 3/22/2000
• Paris swaps part of Morocco's debt, extends Rabat FF 100 million
  Paris okayed the swapping into investment of 700 million FF of Moroccan debt and extended Rabat 100 million FF to alleviate drought effects and fund development projects in northern Morocco. Morocco-France, Economics, 3/22/2000
• Morocco, U.N. study anti-poverty program
  Morocco and the United Nations Human Settlements Center probed in Rabat Tuesday means to boost a program for struggle against poverty in urban and semi-urban areas Morocco, Culture, 3/22/2000
• King Mohammed greets members of Moroccan community in France Morocco-France, Politics, 3/22/2000
• British Trade Mission in Morocco Morocco-UK, Economics, 3/22/2000
• Cooperation with Morocco tops French foreign cooperation
  Moroccan-French cooperation is the "most important one" in France's foreign relations, the minister in charge of cooperation and francophony, Charles Josselin, on Tuesday told "Monte Carlo" radio. Morocco-France, Politics, 3/22/2000
• Paris mayor backs Moroccan cultural center rehabilitation
  Paris mayor Jean Tiberi said welcoming King Mohammed VI at the city hall Tuesday that the city financially backed the rehabilitation of the Moroccan cultural center in Paris. Morocco-France, Culture, 3/22/2000
• FIFA, CAF chiefs in Morocco Morocco, Sports, 3/22/2000
• European parliament for north-south mediterranean balance
  The European Parliament is for more dialogue and consultation on means to secure balance at the economic and social levels between the two banks of the Mediterranean. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 3/22/2000
• Moroccan - Namibian cooperation reviewed
  Ways to enhance Moroccan-Namibian cooperation in decentralization and local councils matters topped talks held in Rabat Tuesday between Moroccan interior minister, Ahmed Midaoui, and Mayor of the Namibian capital city of Windhoek, Mathew Shikongo. Morocco-Namibia, Politics, 3/22/2000
• Italian businessmen in Morocco
  The delegation represents small and medium enterprises from the region of Marches operating in the sectors of wood, agricultural machinery, fishing gear, electronics, ready-to-wear, mechanics and chemistry. Morocco-Italy, Business, 3/22/2000
• King Mohammed calls for wider French - Moroccan strategic pact
  Visiting King Mohammed VI outlined Monday night the kind of future he wants for the kingdom and called for a wider and innovative strategic pact between Morocco and France as well as for a bolder framework for cooperation with the European Union. Morocco-France, Politics, 3/21/2000
• Fruitful talks in day 1 of king Mohammed's visit to France
  King Mohammed VI, on a state visit to France March 19-23, held on Monday two rounds of fruitful talks with president Jacques Chirac which were termed as "very confident and very warm" by the Elysee Spokeswoman Catherine Colonna. Morocco-France, Politics, 3/21/2000
• Moroccan king hails Tunisia's efforts to build up the Maghreb Tunisia-Morocco, Politics, 3/21/2000
• King Mohammed holds private meeting with premier Jospin Morocco-France, Politics, 3/21/2000
• Little Gulf investments in Morocco
  Although Morocco is a country with a growing economy and blessed with a prime geographic location close to Europe, few Gulf investors have risked their money in the country, Moroccan Minister of economy and finance, Fathallah Oualalou said. Morocco-Kuwait, Economics, 3/21/2000
• Parking facilities in Tangier free trade area
  The project will be carried out by Afriquia (Morocco), Accor (France) and Ter Tir (Portugal) groups under an accord concluded here Monday between these groups and the company in charge of the free trade area. Morocco, Business, 3/21/2000
• Regional encounter on telecommunication held in Rabat
  A regional meeting on telecommunications is held in Rabat March 20-22 with the participation of telecommunications experts from North Africa and the Middle East. Regional-Morocco-Africa, Business, 3/21/2000
• King Mohammed congratulates Senegal's president-elect
  King Mohammed VI has sent a message of congratulations to Abdoulay Wade following his election as President of Senegal and renewed determination to spare no effort to consolidate bilateral cooperation. Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 3/21/2000
• European parliament delegation holds talks in Rabat
  The delegation from the European Parliament which started Sunday a three-day visit to Morocco held rounds of talks with several Moroccan officials and parliamentarians on the economic and political situation in the kingdom and on Morocco-European Union relations. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 3/21/2000
• Morocco, Belgium sign cinema agreement Morocco-Belgium, Economics, 3/21/2000
• French lorry driver arrested in Tangier for drug trafficking Morocco, Judicial, 3/21/2000
• Moroccan full-contact champ keeps world title Morocco, Sports, 3/21/2000
• European Parliament delegation in Morocco
  A delegation from the European parliament is currently visiting Morocco to assess various aspects of cooperation between the kingdom and the European Union. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 3/20/2000
• King Mohammed starts state visit to France
  King Mohammed VI arrived in Paris Sunday afternoon on a state visit to France March 19-23, his first ever abroad since coming to power in July 1999, at the invitation of President Jacques Chirac. Morocco-France, Politics, 3/20/2000
• Defense minister of Burkina Faso in Rabat Morocco-Burkina Faso, Politics, 3/20/2000
• French and Moroccan press underscores exceptional ties with Morocco
  Major French newspapers devoted full stories to King Mohammed VI's state visit to France underscoring unique ties between heads of state and friendship and cooperation relations between the two countries. Morocco-France, Politics, 3/20/2000
• Morocco to participate in Hanover universal exhibition
  Morocco will participate in the Hanover universal exhibition slated for June 1st through October 31 under the topic "man, nature, technology." Morocco-Germany, Economics, 3/20/2000
• Five Moroccan boxers in African semifinals before Olympic games Morocco, Sports, 3/20/2000
• Morocco ranks fifth in cross-country world championships
  Morocco ranked fifth in the cross-country world championships held over the weekend in Vilamoura, Portugal, with outstanding performances by Zahra Ouaziz and Moroccan-born Belgian Mohamed Mourhit. Morocco, Sports, 3/20/2000

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