Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 4/17/2000
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of April 17, 2000
- King Mohammed launches drought-effect alleviation projects in Khouribga province
King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, is currently visiting the Khouribga province, in central Morocco, to launch more projects meant to alleviate drought-effects in severely-hit areas. Morocco, Economics, 4/21/2000 - Mauritanian president meets Moroccan envoy Mauritania-Morocco, Politics, 4/21/2000
- Arab unanimous support to Moroccan candidate to top Arab agricultural organization
Morocco has officially applied for the chairmanship of the Khartoum-based Arab Organization for Agricultural Development "AOAD" and elected Abdeslam Debbagh to take over Dr. Yahia Baccour (Syria). Regional-Morocco, Agriculture, 4/21/2000 - King meets chief of staff of US armed forces
King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, met in Rabat Thursday the chief of the general staff of the US armed forces, General Henry II Shelton Morocco-USA, Military, 4/21/2000 - Egyptian Environment Minister in Morocco on Sunday Morocco-Egypt, Environment, 4/21/2000
- Press freedom is sacred but interview with separatist leader not justified, press union says
Following the government's ban of two Moroccan weeklies which published an interview with leader of the separatist group "Polisario," the Moroccan press union "SNPM" renewed that press freedom is sacred and should be handled with maturity to preserve this asset. Morocco, Culture, 4/21/2000 - Havana's hostile stand, obstacle to relations-resumption with Rabat
Resumption of diplomatic relations between Rabat and Havana depends on Cuba's review of its stand on the Sahara issue, said on Thursday government spokesman Khalid Alioua. Morocco, Politics, 4/21/2000 - Government tries preemptive meeting to stop general-strike
The government has invited the Moroccan three major unions UMT, CDT and UGTM as well as the employers' confederation CGEM to a meeting Friday under the chairmanship of Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi, said government spokesman and minister of social development, solidarity, employment and vocational training Khalid Alioua. Morocco, Politics, 4/21/2000 - Moroccan human rights organization asks for legal guarantees to press freedom
The Moroccan human rights organization (OMDH) called for reforming the press code and consolidating legal guarantees to the press freedom of speech. Morocco, Politics, 4/20/2000 - Benhima tours four African voting countries to promote Moroccan bid to host 2006 World Cup
Acting-chairman of the Moroccan candidacy committee, Driss Benhima, will be visiting this week the four African voting countries to promote the kingdom's bid to host the 2006 World Cup. Morocco, Sports, 4/20/2000 - King Mohammed calls government to intensify efforts to alleviate drought effects
King Mohammed VI called on Wednesday the government to intensify efforts to face drought effects, renewing the interest he grants to the rural world. Morocco, Economics, 4/20/2000 - Romanian senators meet Moroccan officials
A visiting group of Romanian senators held in Rabat Wednesday talks with Moroccan officials on means of upgrading bilateral cooperation. Morocco-Romania, Politics, 4/20/2000 - National export conference held in Rabat
Participants in the national conference on exports held here Tuesday agreed on a national export draft charter and on measures to overcome problems facing the sector. The sector of export has recorded a decline in the recent years. While imports stood at $ 10.4 billion (104,1 billion DH) in 1999, exports reached only $ 7.2 billion Morocco, Economics, 4/20/2000 - Palestinian official visits Morocco
Farouk Kaddoumi, head of the political department at the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), arrived in Casablanca on Wednesday on an official visit "to inform King Mohammed VI on latest developments in the peace process." Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/20/2000 - Budget deficit curbed to 2.3% of GDP in fiscal 1998-99, minister
The budget deficit has been curbed to 2.3% of the gross domestic product during fiscal 1998-99 and to 3.1 of the GDP in fiscal 1997-98, thanks to the progress scored at the macroeconomic level, said in Washington Tuesday Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance Fathallah Oualalou. Morocco-Maghreb-USA, Economics, 4/20/2000 - Customs authority eases procedures for exporting companies
The Moroccan customs and indirect taxes administration decided on Wednesday to ease administrative procedures for exporting companies which meet requirements of a modern and transparent management. Morocco, Business, 4/20/2000 - Trade unions claim 90% observance of ports staff strike
The Labor Democratic Confederation (CDT) and the General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM) said Wednesday the strike they had called for was observed by more than 90% of the ports staff. Morocco, Economics, 4/20/2000 - Morocco's king appoints new ambassadors
King Mohammed VI appointed on Wednesday new ambassadors of Morocco to the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, Iran, Austria, Hungary, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Argentina, Malaysia and Ukraine. Morocco-International, Politics, 4/20/2000 - Moroccan carrier gets three new Boeing planes
The Moroccan carrier, Royal Air Maroc (RAM) received three new Boeing aircraft for a total cost of $ 15 million (1,5 billion DH), the company announced. Morocco-USA, Business, 4/20/2000 - Moroccan minister calls for adjusting Youssoufi's government Morocco, Politics, 4/19/2000
- Prince Moulay Rachid meets US congressional delegation
Prince Moulay Rachid, brother of King Mohammed VI, received in Rabat Tuesday a visiting US congressional delegation. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/19/2000 - King Mohammed launches projects in northern regions
King Mohammed VI, who started on Tuesday a tour in drought-stricken regions, launched in Ksar El-Kebir a handicraft village, a drinking water supply project and an eight-km long rural road. Morocco, Economics, 4/19/2000 - Emergency anti-drought program expounded at parliament
The government's emergency program to alleviate drought effects consists of supplying drinking water to the population, safeguarding livestock and creating jobs in the rural world. Morocco, Economics, 4/19/2000 - US military official to visit Morocco Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/19/2000
- Morocco deplores at UN Human Rights Commission abuses in Polisario-controlled camps
Chairman of the Moroccan Human Rights Advisory Council (CCDH), Driss Dahhak, expressed in Geneva Tuesday at the UN Human Rights Commission Morocco's concerns over the situation of persons sequestered in the Polisario camps and over the racist campaigns against Moroccan expatriates in some European countries. Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/19/2000 - US NGO to promote education-private sector partnership in Morocco
Members of US non-governmental organization "National Association of Partners in Education" (NAPE) are visiting Morocco this Apr. 16-22 to study with Moroccan officials a partnership formula between education and the private sector. Morocco-USA, Education, 4/19/2000 - Three meningitis cases reported among Moroccan pilgrims
The Moroccan Health Ministry announced that three new meningitis cases were reported this April 8 and 9 among Moroccans who performed pilgrimage to the Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia. Morocco, Health, 4/19/2000 - Belgium extends Morocco $1.2 million assistance
Belgium extended Morocco an emergency assistance of $1.2 million to alleviate drought effects. Morocco-Belgium, Economics, 4/19/2000 - New ambassador of Switzerland to Morocco Morocco-Switzerland, Politics, 4/19/2000
- Romanian Senate Delegation in Morocco Morocco-Romania, Politics, 4/19/2000
- Tourism professionals expect 10 million tourists in 2010
Moroccan tourism professionals are expecting 10 million tourists in Morocco in 2010, which would make of Morocco one of the 20 top tourism destinations in the world. Morocco, Economics, 4/19/2000 - Koutla parties say Sahara dossier closed and shelved Morocco, Politics, 4/18/2000
- Moroccan - Tunisian joint maritime commission meets in Tunis
The Moroccan - Tunisian joint maritime commission is currently convening in Tunis to finalize a cooperation agreement on sea transport. Tunisia-Morocco, Economics, 4/18/2000 - Moroccan minister holds talks with WB, IMF officials
During his stay in Washington where he took part in the World Bank-International Monetary Fund spring session this Apr.16-17, Moroccan Finance and Economy Minister Fathallah Oualalou held a series of meetings with top World Bank officials, including James Wolfensohn, president of the WB group. Morocco-World Bank, Economics, 4/18/2000 - Morocco stresses need to secure developing countries' interests in multilateral trade
Moroccan Economy and Finance Minister Fathallah Oualalou told Monday the 61st session of the development committee held in parallel to the World Bank-International Monetary Fund spring session, the international community ought to secure developing countries' interests in the new multilateral trade system. Morocco-International, Economics, 4/18/2000 - King Mohammed to tour drought-stricken regions
King Mohammed VI will start this Tuesday a tour to drought-stricken provinces to dedicate projects meant to curb down effects of the rainfall shortage. Morocco, Economics, 4/18/2000 - Morocco seeks more Canadian private investments
Morocco wants more Canadian private investment because Moroccan- Canadian cooperation has broken new ground by developing new instruments between private sectors of the two countries, said Moroccan Economic Forecasts and Planning Minister Abdelhamid Aouad. Morocco-Canada, Economics, 4/18/2000 - Conference on Morocco - US relations in Massachusetts
A roundtable on "Massachusetts and Morocco: United by Technology" will be held on May 19 in Boston, Massachusetts. Morocco-USA, Business, 4/18/2000 - Some 5,000 persons illegally practice dental surgery
Some 5,000 persons are illegally practicing dental surgery nationwide in Morocco, according to estimates of the dental surgeons association. Morocco, Health, 4/18/2000 - US hotel chain opens branch in Casablanca
The US hotel chain Marriot International, Inc. has opened a representation in Casablanca. Morocco-USA, Business, 4/18/2000 - Japan loans Morocco $70 million for two projects
The Japanese government has given its agreement for a $70 million loan to carry out two major projects in Morocco, said Japan's ambassador to Morocco, Hiromi Sato. Morocco-Japan, Economics, 4/18/2000 - Strong Saudi support to Moroccan 2006 World Cup bid
The support of Saudi Arabia for the Moroccan bid to host the 2006 World Cup is strong and unwavering, said Prince Sultan Bin Fahd, head of the Arab and Saudi football unions. Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Sports, 4/18/2000 - Alami makes it to Monte Carlo tennis tournament's second round Morocco, Sports, 4/18/2000
- World Bank chairman Wolfensohn in Morocco end of April Morocco-World Bank, Economics, 4/18/2000
- Moroccan woman re-elected to UN human rights subcommission
Moroccan expert, Mrs. Halima Embarek Warzazi, was reelected as expert-member of the UN human rights under-commission for struggle against discriminatory measures and for minorities protection. Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/17/2000 - Fair for Moroccan products in Egypt
A fair for Moroccan products will be held in Cairo on the margin of meetings of the Egyptian - Moroccan supreme committee in May in Cairo that will be establishing a week for the Egyptian products in Rabat. Egypt-Morocco, Economics, 4/17/2000 - Morocco earmarks $4 million to compensate arbitrary detention victims
The Moroccan government has disbursed a provisional budget of $4 million (40 million dirhams) to compensate victims of arbitrary detention, Driss Dahhak, chairman of the Moroccan human rights advisory council (CCDH) announced over the weekend. Morocco, Politics, 4/17/2000 - Morocco's king meets UN high commissioner for human rights
King Mohammed VI, who was accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, received in Rabat Saturday the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Mary Robinson. Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/17/2000 - Human rights center dedicated in Rabat
A center for human rights documentation, information and training was dedicated in Rabat Saturday in the presence of the U.N high commissioner for human rights, Mary Robinson. Morocco, Politics, 4/17/2000 - Forum calls for consolidation of human rights national institutions
The 5th international forum of national institutions in charge of human rights promotion and protection held in Rabat April 13-15 has called in the Rabat Declaration for the consolidation of the role of national human rights institutions. Morocco, Politics, 4/17/2000 - Human rights high commissioner pleads for recognition of NGOs action
The U.N High commissioner for human rights, Mary Robinson, has pleaded for the recognition of the efforts and action conducted by Moroccan non-governmental organizations to promote human rights. Morocco, Politics, 4/17/2000 - Canadian businessmen in Morocco
A group of Canadian businessmen started Sunday a one week-visit to Morocco to explore economic partnership opportunities with Morocco. Morocco-Canada, Business, 4/17/2000 - Moroccan, French enterprise organizations agree on Morocco's investment attractiveness
Moroccan and French enterprise organizations, CGEM and MEDEF, which held in Casablanca recently the 12th session of their joint committee, agreed that Morocco is an attractive market for French capital. Morocco-France, Business, 4/17/2000 - Moroccan minister in Washington for WB-IMF meeting and talks with US officials
Moroccan Economy and Finance Minister Fathallah Oualalou is chairing the delegation taking part in the spring meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, which opened in Washington on Sunday. Morocco, Politics, 4/17/2000 - Tennis: Spain's Vicente wins Casablanca Hassan II Grand Prix Morocco-Spain, Sports, 4/17/2000
- Tennis: Morocco's Aynaoui world number 13
Morocco's Younes Al-Aynaoui is currently ranking 13th with 119 points, according to the rankings of men's ATP Champions' Race made public this Monday. Morocco, Sports, 4/17/2000 - Morocco's Moaziz, Khannouchi upstaged by Portuguese Pinto in London Marathon Morocco, Sports, 4/17/2000
- Tennis: Morocco qualifies for Davis Cup world group by default
The International Tennis Federation Davis Cup Committee on Sunday declared Morocco qualified to the Davis Cup World group without having to play a playoff match against Chile. Morocco-International, Sports, 4/17/2000 - Casablanca hosts meeting of Mediterranean audio-visual standing conference
The 7th Mediterranean Standing Audio-Visual Conference will meet in Casablanca this April 26-29 to study partnership projects between the region's audio-visual organizations. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 4/17/2000 - Morocco bans two weeklies over interview with separatist leader
The latest issues of Moroccan weeklies "Essahifa" and "Le Journal," printed abroad, were banned from entering Morocco for containing an interview with the leader of the separatist Polisario. Morocco, Politics, 4/17/2000