Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 4/10/2000

Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of April 10, 2000

• King Mohammed to chair national promotion council session Morocco, Politics, 4/15/2000
• Radi re-elected speaker of lower house Morocco, Politics, 4/15/2000
• Four Political Party Leaders Visit Southern Province Morocco, Politics, 4/15/2000
• Italy says it will act as Morocco's spokesman with Europe
  Italy said it will act as Morocco's spokesman with the European Union (EU). Morocco-Italy, Politics, 4/15/2000
• Labor code, interim finance bill, development plan: major issues on MPs spring agenda
  The labor and customs codes, the draft interim appropriation bill and the five-year development plan are the major issues to be discussed by Morocco's MPs during their spring session, opened on Friday. Morocco, Economics, 4/15/2000
• Morocco scored remarkable human rights progress, Robinson
  Morocco has scored remarkable progress in matters of human rights defense and promotion, Ms. Mary Robinson, United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner, said. Morocco, Culture, 4/15/2000
• Morocco's tourism activity increased in 1999
  Morocco's tourism activity increased by 18 % in 1999 and tourism receipts reached $ 1.93 billion. Morocco, Economics, 4/15/2000
• Canadian businessmen in Morocco monday Morocco-Canada, Business, 4/15/2000
• Morocco contributes 10% to Sahara mission budget
  Morocco contributes 10 % to the budget of the United Nations mission for the referendum in the Sahara (MINURSO), said a U.N. Secretary-General report. Morocco, Politics, 4/15/2000
• French employers meet moroccan officials
  The visiting delegation from the French employers' association (MEDEF) held in Rabat Thursday a work meeting with several Moroccan officials to probe means of enhancing partnership between the two countries. Morocco-France, Economics, 4/15/2000
• King Mohammed meets Pope John Paul II at Holy See
  King Mohammed VI visited Thursday the Holy See where he conferred with Pope John Paul II. Morocco-Vatican, Politics, 4/14/2000
• Morocco to post 1.2% growth rate in 2000
  Morocco will post a 1.2% growth rate in 2000 against an initially-expected 8%, the Moroccan Centre de Conjoncture (CMC) said. Morocco, Economics, 4/14/2000
• Morocco's foreign debt stands below $17 billion
  The Moroccan foreign debt was brought down to below $17 billion when it stood at $18 billion in mid-January, Finance and Economy Minister Fathallah Oualalou told the economic weekly "La Vie Economique." Morocco, Economics, 4/14/2000
• Former President Diouf leaves Morocco Sunday for France Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 4/14/2000
• Morocco's first ambassador to Cyprus hands credentials
  Morocco's ambassador to Cyprus, the first ever, Noureddine Sefiani, handed his credentials to president Glafcos Clerides at a meeting Thursday in Nicosia, Morocco's embassy in Athens said in a statement. Morocco-Cyprus, Politics, 4/14/2000
• New flights between Marrakesh and southern Spain
  A Spanish airliner will service two new weekly air flights between the two Spanish southern cities of Granada and Malaga and Marrakesh, Morocco. Morocco-Spain, Business, 4/14/2000
• Arab fund grants $8.4 million loan to Morocco
  The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development will grant Morocco a $8.4 million loan to partially finance an electricity project. Morocco-Regional, Economics, 4/14/2000
• Founder of Moroccan Jews World Rally passes away
  David Amar, founding president of the Moroccan Jews World Rally, passed away Monday in Switzerland at the age of 79. Morocco, People, 4/14/2000
• Moroccan tourism ad poster chosen best in Germany Morocco-Germany, Business, 4/14/2000
• Germany seizes 450 kg of cannabis smuggled in from Morocco
  German customs agents have recently seized in Emmerich, western Germany, 450 kg of cannabis smuggled in from Morocco. Morocco-International, Local, 4/14/2000
• Illegal alien-smugglers clashes kill one in northern Morocco
  Violent clashes Monday night between members of a group of sub-Saharan illegal aliens and smugglers killed one and maimed 13 in Fnideq, in the northern province of Tetuan. Morocco, Local, 4/14/2000
• Moroccan, Gulf investors meet in Morocco next month
  Moroccan and Gulf investors will convene a meeting in Casablanca next May 2-3 to study business opportunities in Morocco, Moroccan Economy and Finance Minister Fathallah Oualalou announced on Thursday. Morocco-Gulf, Economics, 4/14/2000
• Tennis: Morocco's Arazi in Hassan II Grand Prix quarterfinal
  Morocco's Hicham Arazi made it Thursday to the quarterfinal of the $350,000 Hassan II Grand Prix, currently played in Casablanca. Morocco, Sports, 4/14/2000
• Morocco's Kannouchi forerunner in London Marathon
  Morocco's Khalid Khannouchi is given as the top candidate to win Sunday's London Marathon. Morocco, Sports, 4/14/2000
• Morocco to play Davis Cup match against Chile in Morocco
  The International Tennis Federation's Davis Cup Committee has ruled that Chile will play a Davis Cup playoff match against Morocco in Casablanca. Morocco-Chile, Sports, 4/14/2000
• Mary Robinson starts Friday official visit to Morocco
  The United Nations high commissioner for human rights, Mary Robinson undertakes April 14-16 an three-day official visit to Morocco, a release of the UN information center in Rabat says. Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/13/2000
• Morocco, Italy to enhance political consultations
  Morocco and Italy have decided to enhance their consultations to give a new momentum to their bilateral cooperation in all areas, under an accord signed here on Wednesday by the two countries' foreign ministers, Mohamed Benaissa and Lamberto Dini. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 4/13/2000
• Morocco, Italy sign agriculture cooperation accord
  Morocco and Italy concluded Wednesday in Rome a cooperation agreement providing for the exchange of expertise in agricultural matters. Morocco-Italy, Agriculture, 4/13/2000
• Italy pledges to help Morocco succeed in reform undertakings
  Italy pledged in Rome Wednesday to help Morocco carry out the political, economic and social reforms it ushered in to modernize the country, liberalize the economy and consolidate the foundations of political democracy. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 4/13/2000
• Italy to swap $100 million Moroccan debt
  Italy will swap $100 million debts owed by Morocco, under an accord signed here Wednesday on the occasion of the official visit King Mohammed VI is paying to Italy. Morocco-Italy, Economics, 4/13/2000
• Fifth international human rights workshop opens in Rabat
  The fifth international three-day workshop on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights opens in Rabat Thursday under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI. Morocco-International, Culture, 4/13/2000
• No need to devaluate Morocco's currency, minister
  The Moroccan economy and finance minister has ruled out the possibility of devaluating Morocco's currency, the dirham. Morocco, Economics, 4/13/2000
• Baker meets Chirac in Paris
  The personal envoy of the U.N. secretary-general for the Sahara, James Baker, conferred in Paris on Wednesday with French President Jacques Chirac on new developments in the U.N. settlement plan for the Sahara. Morocco, Politics, 4/13/2000
• French republic ombudsman meets Moroccan speaker
  The French republic ombudsman, Bernard Stasi, currently on a two-day-visit to Morocco, held talks in Rabat Wednesday with Senate speaker Mohamed Jalal Essaid. Morocco-France, Politics, 4/13/2000
• Morocco attends World Bank energy week
  General manager of the national electricity facility (Office National D'electricit), Driss Benhima, is taking part in the energy week held by the World Bank April 11-13 in Washington. Morocco-International, Economics, 4/12/2000
• King Mohammed calls for innovative partnership with Italy
  King Mohammed VI, who started Tuesday a three-day state visit to Italy, held Tuesday afternoon a first round of discussions with President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and attended a dinner-banquet hosted in his honor by the Italian head of state. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 4/12/2000
• Ciampi hails Morocco as a factor of security in the Mediterranean
  Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi hailed Morocco's domestic stability and ponderation at the international level, saying it is a factor of security in the Mediterranean region. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 4/12/2000
• Morocco, Saudi Arabia set up friendship parliamentary group
  A friendship and cooperation parliamentary group will be set up by the Saudi Shoura Council and the Moroccan Chamber of Advisors (upper house of the Moroccan parliament). Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/12/2000
• French republic ombudsman meets Moroccan officials in Rabat
  The French republic ombudsman, Bernard Stazi, who started Tuesday a two-day visit to Morocco, held separate talks in Rabat with Morocco's minister of human rights, Mohamed Aujjar, and minister of civil service and administrative reform, Aziz Husseini. Morocco-France, Politics, 4/12/2000
• King Mohammed, an outstanding personality, Enzo Bianco says
  King Mohammed VI is an outstanding personality who triggered curiosity in the West as a whole, and in Italy in particular, said Italian Interior Minister Enzo Bianco. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 4/12/2000
• Establishing a Moroccan commercial bureau in New York
  Morocco decided to open a commercial representation bureau in New York City to increase the volume of its exports to US markets. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/12/2000
• Many problems to solve before UN plan implementation, says Baker
  James Baker, personal envoy of the United Nations secretary general for the Sahara, said in Madrid Wednesday there were many problems to solve to be able to implement the UN settlement plan for the Sahara. Morocco-International, Politics, 4/12/2000
• Baker meets President Chirac after visits to Algeria and Morocco
  The UN secretary general's personal Sahara envoy James Baker meets president Jacques Chirac in Paris Wednesday after visits to Algeria and Morocco, said UN spokesman. Morocco, Politics, 4/12/2000
• Moroccan women's tae-kwondo team in world cup competitions Morocco, Sports, 4/12/2000
• French citizen arrested for drug trafficking Morocco, Local, 4/12/2000
• Equato-Guinean President Winds Up Visit to Morocco Morocco-Equatorial Guinea, Politics, 4/12/2000
• Chief of staff of US armed forces in Morocco next week
  The chief of the general staff of the US armed forces, General Henry Shelton, is to pay a visit to Morocco on April 20. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/12/2000
• UMT turns down draft labor code
  The Moroccan Labor Union (UMT) turned down the draft labor code describing it as prejudicial to wage-earners'rights and to employment security. Morocco, Politics, 4/12/2000
• Moroccan, French employers' joint committee meets in Morocco
  The joint committee of the Moroccan and French employers' associations, CGEM and MEDEF, will convene its 12th session on Friday in Morocco, said a CGEM press release. Morocco-France, Economics, 4/12/2000
• Tennis: Morocco's Players Move to Moroccan Open Second Round Morocco, Sports, 4/12/2000
• UGTM, CDT Call for Warning General Strike on April 25
  The General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM/close to the Istiqlal Party) and the Democratic Labor Confederation (CDT/close to the Socialist union of popular forces) have called for a warning general strike on April 25. Morocco, Economics, 4/12/2000
• U.N. Sahara mission spent $45 million in 98-99
  The United Nations mission for the referendum in the Sahara (MINURSO) spent $45 million between July 98 and June 99. Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/12/2000
• French republic ombudsman in Morocco
  The French republic ombudsman, Bernard Stazi, is expected in Morocco Thursday on a two-day visit at the invitation of the Ministry of Human Rights. Morocco-France, Politics, 4/11/2000
• Morocco, Egypt resolved to increase trade exchanges
  Moroccan-Egyptian joint commissions on trade and industry wound up works Sunday with the signing of a package of agreements meant to upgrade cooperation in economy, trade and investment and increase bilateral trade exchanges. Egypt-Morocco, Economics, 4/11/2000
• No Youssoufi-Fischler meeting slated, says EC spokesman Morocco-European Union, Politics, 4/11/2000
• King Mohammed starts official visit to Italy
  King Mohammed VI flew this Tuesday to Italy for a three-day official visit in quest of stronger cooperation with the European nation. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 4/11/2000
• Debate on Moroccan women's rights in Brussels Morocco, Culture, 4/11/2000
• Saudi choura council speaker in Morocco
  Speaker of the Saudi Shoura council, Sheikh Hamad Bin Ibrahim Bin Joubeir, who is currently on a visit to Morocco was received in Rabat Tuesday by King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/11/2000
• Morocco, Bahrain finalize accord on non-double taxation
  Morocco and Bahrain have finalized a draft accord on non-double taxation and income tax evasion. Morocco-Bahrain, Economics, 4/11/2000
• Moroccan Justice Minister leaves For G-77 Summit In Havana
  Justice Minister Omar Azziman left Rabat Tuesday heading for Cuba to lead the Moroccan delegation to the works of the G-77 group held in Havana April 12-14. Morocco-International, Politics, 4/11/2000
• Saudi fund finances housing project in Morocco
  The Saudi development fund will extend Morocco a $ 7.5 million loan to finance a low-cost housing project in Fes, central Morocco. Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Economics, 4/11/2000
• King Mohammed receives James Baker
  King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, chaired in Rabat Monday a work session with the personal envoy of the U.N. secretary-general for the Sahara, James Baker. Morocco, Politics, 4/11/2000
• Morocco's banana producers set up federation
  banana producers voiced determination to take up the globalization challenge and to protect the sector that scored tremendous progress over the past years and that provides more than 250,000 jobs. Morocco, Agriculture, 4/11/2000
• Baker cuts short North African tour
  James Baker, Personal Envoy of the U.N Secretary-General for the Sahara, has cut short a North Africa tour due to bronchitis. Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/11/2000
• Seminar on rural development in Mediterranean opens in Marrakech
  A seminar on "new strategies for a rural development in the Mediterranean countries" opened Monday in Marrakech to debate development problems in rural areas in the Mediterranean and new strategies to ensure a lasting rural development. Regional-Morocco, Economics, 4/11/2000
• Morocco urges non-aligned movement to pressure Israel honor its commitments
  Morocco has urged the Non-Aligned Movement to pressure Israel to abide by U.N resolutions and live up to the commitments it made under the accords it signed with the Palestinian government. Morocco, Politics, 4/10/2000
• King Mohammed pays official visit to Italy april 11-13
  King Mohammed VI is expected in Italy Tuesday on a three-day official visit at the invitation of President Carlo Azeiglo Ciampi, it was officially announced here on Sunday. Morocco, Politics, 4/10/2000
• President N'Guessou winds up visit to Morocco Morocco-Congo, Politics, 4/10/2000
• Morocco renews backing to U.N. efforts to settle Sahara issue
  Morocco has renewed backing to the United Nations efforts to settle the Sahara issue through a self-determination referendum. Morocco, Politics, 4/10/2000
• Baker in Morocco to unlock Sahara Logjam
  Personal envoy of the U.N. secretary-general for the Sahara, James Baker, said Sunday in Rabat that he is touring the region to study means to overcome the obstacles facing the U.N. settlement plan for the Sahara. Morocco, Politics, 4/10/2000
• Royal message to president of Comoro islands Morocco-Comoro, Politics, 4/10/2000
• City halls staff to go on 72-hour strike April 11-13 Morocco, Local, 4/10/2000
• Fifty people arrested for throwing stones at vehicles
  Fifty young people were arrested Sunday after they demonstrated and threw stones at passing vehicles on the Rabat-Kenitra national road near the Sidi Taybi rural community. Morocco, Local, 4/10/2000
• CDT calls for warning general strike on April 25
  The national council of the Democratic Labor Confederation (CDT) has called for a warning general strike for April 25, says a CDT release, to press for workers' social and material claims. Morocco, Politics, 4/10/2000
• Football: Morocco's Hajji in World Team Morocco, Sports, 4/10/2000
• Eleven die in road-accident near Tangier Morocco, Local, 4/10/2000
• Tennis: Morocco qualifies for Davis Cup play offs
  Morocco defeated Ukraine 3-2 over the weekend here, booking ticket to the Davis Cup World Group Play offs, next July. Morocco, Sports, 4/10/2000
• Morocco defeats Gambia in world cup preliminary heat match
  Morocco started its quest of a 6th qualification for the World Cup finals with an away victory 1-0 against Gambia Sunday in Banjul. Morocco, Sports, 4/10/2000

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