Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 4/3/2000

Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of April 3, 2000

• Morocco and Egypt to triple trade as a start
  Meetings of the joint Moroccan - Egyptian commercial committee are commencing today under the chairmanship of Egyptian Minister of Economy Boutros Ghali and Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade Alami Tazi. Egypt-Morocco, Economics, 4/8/2000
• Benaissa says Morocco never applied for EU membership
  Moroccan Foreign affairs and cooperation minister Mohamed Benaissa flatly denied a would-be Moroccan bid to integrate into the European Union saying the kingdom has not asked for EU membership, MAP reported. Morocco-Egypt, Politics, 4/8/2000
• King Mohammed receives Congolese president, former senegalese president Morocco-Senegal-Congo, Politics, 4/8/2000
• Morocco, Algeria do not need mediation, benaissa says Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/8/2000
• Kenya's Arap Moi gets message from King Mohammed
  President Daniel Arap Moi of Kenya Thursday got a message from King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Kenya, Politics, 4/8/2000
• Royal message to Tangier rehabilitation national council
  In this respect, the Wilaya of Tangier holds a special position with a budget of more than six hundred and thirty million dirhams for the financing of forty important projects, particularly in basic sectors, such as tourism, housing, roads, drinking water, urban and rural electrification, agriculture, irrigation, fishing and healthcare. Important funds are made available for the further equipment of the industrial zone, including the export free zone. Likewise, support is given to small companies with the consideration that they represent one of the most promising suppliers of new jobs. Morocco, Economics, 4/8/2000
• Morocco, Turkey sign handicraft agreement
  The Moroccan Handicraft Association signed in Rabat Friday with its Turkish counterpart an agreement on handicraft. Morocco-Turkey, Economics, 4/8/2000
• Morocco expects baker assignment to speed up referendum
  Morocco voiced the wish to see James Baker's visit in the area this week speed up the holding of a referendum in the Sahara open to all people entitled to vote. Morocco, Politics, 4/8/2000
• Baker starts north African tour
  James Baker, personal envoy of the U.N. Secretary-General for the Sahara, arrived this Saturday in Algiers, first leg of a North African tour, meant to revive the stalled settlement plan for the Sahara. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 4/8/2000
• Socialist International mideast committee calls for end to Israeli settlement policy
  The Socialist International Middle-East Committee wound works in Casablanca Friday with calls on Israel to end its settlement policy in the occupied territories. Morocco, Politics, 4/8/2000
• Morocco, Spain to set political research centers
  Two research centers on the political and constitutional institutions in Morocco and Spain will be set up in Rabat and Barcelona. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/8/2000
• UNICEF grants Morocco water supply equipment Morocco-UN, Economics, 4/8/2000
• Morocco, Bahrain sign three cooperation accords
  Morocco and Bahrain signed in Rabat Friday three accords on economic cooperation, incentives to investment and non-double taxation. Morocco-Bahrain, Politics, 4/7/2000
• Meetings of Egyptian - Moroccan committee - tomorrow
  The meetings of the Joint Egyptian - Morocco committee are to start tomorrow in Cairo ,Egypt. Egypt-Morocco, Economics, 4/7/2000
• Morocco to increase its exports to Iraq
  Morocco will increase its exports to Iraq to $150 million under the oil-for-food agreement. Morocco-Iraq, Economics, 4/7/2000
• Inter-Arab cooperation, appropriate means to face up globalization
  Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance Fathallah Oualalou has stated that the upgrading of inter-Arab cooperation is the appropriate means to take up the challenge of globalization and face up regional groupings. Morocco-Regional, Economics, 4/7/2000
• Higher Education Minister Zerouali meets Lieberman
  Moroccan Higher Education, Staff-Training and scientific Research Minister Najib Zerouali met in Rabat Thursday with the US undersecretary of state for public affairs and diplomacy, Evelyn Lieberman. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/7/2000
• Morocco says it will generate 17,500 new jobs by year end
  Morocco said it will generate 17,500 new jobs, part of a transition appropriation bill that will cover the second half of this year. Morocco, Economics, 4/7/2000
• Le Marathon des Sables (Sand Marathon) kicks off Sunday
  The 15th edition of "Le Marathon des Sables" (Sand Marathon) will be launched on Sunday with the participation of 680 racers from several countries. Morocco, Sports, 4/7/2000
• Maroc-Telecom passed agreement to sell Internet packs
  Maroc-Telecom passed Wednesday an agreement with computer and consumer-credit firms to provide Internet packs. Morocco, Business, 4/7/2000
• Morocco, Japan to draw up plan on flood prevention
  Japan is conducting, in cooperation with the Moroccan government, a study which will allow to draw up a plan on the system of forecast and prevention of floods in the Moroccan Atlas mountains. Morocco-Japan, Environment, 4/7/2000
• Morocco to attend European racism observatory launching in Vienna Morocco-European Union, Politics, 4/7/2000
• Saudi shura council president in Morocco Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/6/2000
• Former head of communications department staff commits suicide Morocco, Local, 4/6/2000
• Congolese President Sassou N'Guesso in Rabat Morocco-Congo, Politics, 4/6/2000
• Sao-Tome Y Principe president hails King Mohammed VI's Cairo moves
  SaoTome Y Principe President Miguel Trovoada hailed Wednesday Morocco's decision to write-off debts of the least developed African countries, announced early this week in Cairo. Morocco-Sao Tome and Principe, Politics, 4/6/2000
• King Mohammed congratulates Muslim leaders on new Hijra year
  King Mohammed VI on Friday sent a congratulations message to the leaders of the Islamic world on the advent of the new Hijra year 1421. Morocco, Religion, 4/6/2000
• America Day in Al Akhawayn University
  Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane AUI, Atlas Mountain resort, played host Wednesday to the American Day, to praise the Morocco-US bilateral cultural and educational exchanges. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/6/2000
• EU set to make new fishery proposals
  The European Union is set to make new proposals to Morocco on the renewal of a bilateral fisheries agreement, reported Moroccan daily Al Ittihad Al Ichtiraki. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 4/6/2000
• Morocco renews attachment to Sahara settlement plan
  Morocco has always been committed to helping the international community reach a settlement to the Sahara issue under the United Nations plan, said Wednesday minister in charge of relations with parliament,Mohamed Bouzoubaa, standing in for the government spokesman. Morocco, Politics, 4/6/2000
• International Socialist Mideast committee meets in Casablanca Morocco, Politics, 4/6/2000
• Belgian MPs, Moroccan Employers Association explore bilateral cooperation
  Members of the Moroccan Employers Association CGEM explored in Casablanca Wednesday with Moroccan-born Belgian MPs means of injecting investments into the Moroccan economy and promoting commercial exchange with Belgium. Morocco-Belgium, Politics, 4/6/2000
• Government council probes transition finance bill
  The transition appropriation bill covering the second half of year 2000 topped a government council meeting, held in Rabat under the chairmanship of Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi. Morocco, Economics, 4/6/2000
• Car exhibition in Casablanca Morocco, Business, 4/6/2000
• VETMA show in London and Paris, a success says association
  The moroccan textile and garment industry association "AMITH" chairman Mohamed Lahlou described as a "real success" the two "VETMA" exhibitions staged in London and Paris. Morocco-UK, Economics, 4/6/2000
• Morocco in Mediterranean youth meet for peace
  Morocco will participate next May 13 in a Mediterranean youth-for-peace day, to be staged in France. Morocco-International, Politics, 4/6/2000
• Morocco's oldest industrial zone to be restructured
  The industrial zone of Sidi Bernoussi-Zenata, Casablanca, the oldest in Morocco, will be refurbished to become environment-friendly. Morocco, Economics, 4/6/2000
• U.K. official lauds Morocco's steps towards modernity
  British Foreign Office Secretary of State, Peter Hain, lauded the progress scored by Morocco on the path towards modernity. Morocco-UK, Politics, 4/5/2000
• Royal message to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak
  King Mohammed VI addressed President Hosni Mubarak a message of thanks and gratitude at the welcome and hospitality the sovereign and his party were met with during their stay in Cairo for the Africa-Europe summit. Morocco-Egypt, Politics, 4/5/2000
• Moroccan Human Rights Organization stresses independence
  The Moroccan Human Rights Organization (OMDH) has renewed "its total independence" vis-a-vis the state and vis-a-vis political, economic and social actors. Morocco, Politics, 4/5/2000
• Youssoufi to represent Morocco in G-77 summit
  Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi will be standing for King Mohammed VI at the first "G-77 + China" summit meeting slated for April 12-14 in Havana, a release from the prime minister's department said. Morocco-International, Politics, 4/5/2000
• Spanish Premier Aznar to visit Morocco in May
  Spanish premier Jose Maria Aznar announced in Cairo Tuesday he would undertake an official visit to Morocco in May. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/5/2000
• King Mohammed underscores brotherly ties with Senegal
  King Mohammed VI underscored "brotherly ties and close and authentic cohesion" existing between the Moroccan and Senegalese peoples. Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 4/5/2000
• Polisario jails survivors call Annan to shed light on missing persons' fate
  An association of survivors of Polisario Jails (ASOCAPO) have called U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, to use his "influence and prestige" to shed light on the fate of people reported missing in the jails of the separatist group in Tindouf (southwestern Algeria). Morocco, Politics, 4/5/2000
• Morocco-born Belgian MPs propose setting up of Euro-Arab cultural center in Brussels
  A visiting delegation of Morocco-born Belgian parliamentarians proposed the setting up of a Euro-Arab cultural center in Brussels to promote Arab culture in the European capital. The delegation members, who made the proposal at a meeting in Rabat Tuesday with Minister of cultural affairs, Mohamed Al Achaari, underscored the role of culture in social integration. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 4/5/2000
• Spanish group to inject 25 billion pesetas in Morocco
  Spanish Superdiplo group is projecting to open some 40 supermarkets throughout Morocco over the five coming years for a total investment of 25 billion pesetas, reported the economic supplement of El Pais daily. Morocco-Spain, Business, 4/5/2000
• U.N. Human Rights Commissioner in Morocco
  United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson, will attend in Rabat on April 14 the closing session of the 5th international workshop of national institutions in charge of human rights promotion. Morocco, Politics, 4/5/2000
• Unemployment rate jumps to 15.1% during third quarter of 1999
  The unemployment rate jumped nationwide from 12.9% during the second quarter of 1999 to 15.1% during the third quarter of the year, the number of persons on the dole having gone up from 1.32 million to 1.53 million. Morocco, Economics, 4/5/2000
• Moroccan movies in Montreal African cinema festival
  Morocco will be represented in the Montreal African and Creole cinema festival by six feature and short movies. Morocco-Regional-Canada, Culture, 4/5/2000
• Morocco to build cement plan in Laayoune Morocco, Business, 4/5/2000
• Eight people killed in road crash
  Eight people were killed in a road accident Tuesday near the town of Tan Tan, southern Morocco. Morocco, Local, 4/5/2000
• Strawberry output on the rise, prices collapse
  Strawberry production scored this year a record growth of 70%, leading to a price crash, wholesale prices being below 1 DH per kilo. Morocco, Agriculture, 4/5/2000
• Moroccan call to resist normalization Morocco, Politics, 4/5/2000
• Address by King Mohammed before the Africa-Europe Summit
  The African continent, owing to several problems and circumstances, has suffered from a marginalization that made it lag behind in the march towards global development. This situation gave rise to a feeling of frustration among African generations. Indeed, many obstacles still impede the development and renaissance of Africa Morocco-Regional-Africa, Politics, 4/4/2000
• Morocco writes off debt and drops custom rights for least developed African countries
  King Mohammed VI announced Monday in Cairo Morocco's decision to write off the debt of least-developed African countries and scrapping of all custom barriers for imports from these countries. Morocco-Africa, Politics, 4/4/2000
• Moroccan public service minister in Canada
  Moroccan minister of public service and administrative reform, Aziz El Houssine, is currently on a visit to Canada to enquire about the Canadian experience in matters of governance and public service management. Morocco-Canada, Politics, 4/4/2000
• Iraqi trade minister holds talks with Moroccan officials
  Means to bolster bilateral cooperation were at the focus of talks visiting Iraqi trade minister, Mohamed Saleh in Rabat on Monday with Moroccan officials. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 4/4/2000
• Commissioner Fischler announces Morocco - European fishery meeting
  European agriculture and fishery commissioner Franz Fischler announced Monday in southern Portugal he would meet in April Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi to discuss issues related to fisheries. Morocco-European Union, Economics, 4/4/2000
• King Mohammed confers with Malian president and Spanish premier Morocco, Politics, 4/4/2000
• U.N. official meets Moroccan premier Morocco-UN, Culture, 4/4/2000
• Morocco relies on Morocco-born European parliamentarians to upgrade relations with EU
  Morocco relies on Morocco-born European parliamentarians to uphold its causes and upgrade its relations with the European Union. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 4/4/2000
• Spanish navy chief of staff meets officials in Rabat
  The chief of staff of the Spanish navy, Admiral Antonio Moreno Barbera, met in Rabat Monday with several Moroccan officials on issues of mutual concern. Morocco-Spain, Military, 4/4/2000
• King Mohammed calls for solidarity with rural world
  King Mohammed VI on Monday called on Moroccans to show solidarity with the rural world, which is facing a second consecutive year of drought. Morocco, Economics, 4/4/2000
• Moroccan businessmen delegation in China Morocco-China, Business, 4/4/2000
• Morocco beat Spain in six-nation rugby tournament Morocco-Spain, Sports, 4/4/2000
• Morocco plays Ukraine for access to world tennis group Morocco-UK, Sports, 4/4/2000
• Morocco - Iraq joint commission meets in Rabat
  The Moroccan - Iraqi joint commission opened its 8th session here on Monday to debate ways to enhance cooperation ties between the two Arab states. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 4/3/2000
• African - European meeting to look into Africa's debt shortly
  Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamed Benaissa told the press sunday heads of African and European diplomacy agreed to convene shortly in a bid to settle the African debt problem and swap part of it to investments. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 4/3/2000
• Moroccan - Algerian heads of state meeting not to be excluded
  A Moroccan- Algerian summit in Cairo was "not excluded," Moroccan Foreign Minister, Mohammed Benaissa, said when answering reporters in Cairo on Sunday at the end of a meeting with Egyptian counterpart Amr Moussa. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/3/2000
• Prince Moulay Rachid represents King Mohammed in Wade's inauguration
  Prince Moulay Rachid represented King Mohammed VI in the inauguration of new Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, who took oath Saturday as third president of this country since independence from France in 1960. Senegal-Morocco, Politics, 4/3/2000
• King Mohammed messages to African leaders
  Several Moroccan envoys are still touring the African continent to deliver messages from King Mohammed VI to African leaders. Morocco-Africa, Politics, 4/3/2000
• Spanish navy chief of staff starts visit to Morocco
  The chief of staff of the Spanish navy, Admiral Antonio Moreno Barbera, on Sunday started an official visit to Morocco. Morocco-Spain, Military, 4/3/2000
• Morocco in European meeting of youth councils, parliaments Morocco-European Union, Culture, 4/3/2000
• Morocco launches agriculture projects in southern provinces
  Morocco on Saturday gave the green light for several agriculture projects in the area of Laayoune, major city in the Moroccan southern provinces. Morocco, Economics, 4/3/2000
• Morocco, Spain sign cooperation accord on child rights
  A Moroccan and Spanish non governmental organizations concluded here recently a cooperation accord in matters of child rights. Morocco-Spain, Culture, 4/3/2000
• Road accidents kill one person every three hours
  Road accidents kill one person every three hours in Morocco, Moroccan activist and former health minister, Abderrahim Harrouchi, said. Morocco, Economics, 4/3/2000
• RAM targets 8 to 9 million passengers with 2002-2012 fleet plan
  The 2002-2012 fleet plan of Royal Air Maroc "RAM" will help the carrier reach 8 to 9 million passengers for regular traffic and charter activity, said a RAM release. Morocco, Business, 4/3/2000

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