Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 4/24/2000
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of April 24, 2000
- Government apologizes for banning Assahifa weekly
Spokesman of the Moroccan government, Khalid Alioua, conceded that the government's ban on "Assahifa" weekly edition of April 17 was an error and expressed the government's apology for this measure which he called "a reproach and not a sanction." Morocco, Politics, 4/29/2000 - Journalists union decries prison sentences in press cases
After it renewed its adherence to the respect of professional ethics, mainly the need to undertake investigation before publication, the union argued that the press code provisions related to judicial action in press cases should be conform to the rule of law and guarantee the freedom of speech and press without restrictions nor constraints. Morocco, Politics, 4/29/2000 - Moroccan interior minister visits Algeria
Moroccan Interior Minister Ahmed El Midaoui arrived this Saturday in Algiers for a visit that is "part of brotherly consultation and relations between the two countries." Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 4/29/2000 - King Mohammed to build diplomacy based on the engagement of all Moroccan institutions
King Mohammed VI has called for the consolidation of non-governmental diplomacy and for involving parliamentary, economic, cultural and media associations in the country's diplomacy and renewed the pledge to elaborate a new institutional frame...to build a strong diplomacy. Morocco, Politics, 4/29/2000 - Morocco hands in Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty ratification documents
Snoussi added that it is necessary to bring Israel to abide by the agreements signed as part of the Middle East peace process with Palestine, Syria and Lebanon as a strong signal to Israel's will to restore confidence. Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/29/2000 - Moroccan official calls for improving education quality
Moroccan secretary of State for cooperation, Aicha Belarbi, called for improvement of quality of education syllabi and methods to achieve the education of all targets. Morocco-International, Education, 4/29/2000 - Mauritanian president ends visit to Morocco
Mauritanian President Mouaouyia Ould Sid Ahmed Taya left Casablanca Friday at the end of a three-day official visit to Morocco. Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 4/29/2000 - It is difficult for the time being to assert existence of oil in Morocco
Moroccan Minister of Energy and Mining Youssef Tahiri said it is difficult for the time being to assert that oil exists in Morocco. Morocco, Business, 4/29/2000 - Barcelona tournament: Morocco's El Aynaoui ousted at quarterfinals Morocco, Sports, 4/29/2000
- Morocco, Mauritania set up high joint commission
Morocco and Mauritania decided to set up a high joint commission to boost bilateral economic and commercial cooperation. Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 4/28/2000 - Morocco sets up information coordination body on Sahara
The Moroccan communications department and the National Press Union (SNPM) have decided to set up a commission to coordinate information regarding the Moroccan Sahara issue. Morocco, Politics, 4/28/2000 - Spanish power corporation provides 100 mgw to Morocco until 2001 Morocco-Spain, Business, 4/28/2000
- French fund consolidates development assistance to Morocco
The French Development Agency (AFD) announced an increase in its budget to development assistance in Morocco which will reach 45 million euros this year. Morocco-France, Economics, 4/28/2000 - Moroccan homeless children association raises funds
Moroccan association for homeless children AMESIP will launch a fund raising campaign in schools from, May 8 through 31. Morocco, Economics, 4/28/2000 - Moroccan journalist gets 6-month suspended jail term in libel case
A court in Tangiers sentenced on Thursday Khalid Mechbal, editor-in-chief of the Ashamal weekly, to a six-month suspended jail term for a libel against Foreign and Cooperation Minister, Mohamed Benaissa. Morocco, Judicial, 4/28/2000 - Polish premier in Morocco early May
Polish Premier Jerzy Karol Buzek will pay an official visit to Morocco May 4-5 for talks with Moroccan officials on ways to consolidate bilateral cooperation. Morocco-Poland, Politics, 4/28/2000 - King Mohammed launches housing projects in Tangiers
King Mohammed VI, who was accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid and visiting Mauritanian President Mouaouia Ould Sid Ahmed Taya, launched on Thursday housing projects in several poor districts in Tangiers. Morocco, Economics, 4/28/2000 - EU ambassador denies legal disputes with Morocco
Lucio Guerrato, head of the European Commission in Morocco, denied in an interview published Thursday the existence of legal disputes between Morocco and the European Union, stressing that permanent dialogue between the two sides has always been fruitful in settling the tomato issue. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 4/28/2000 - Spanish premier in Morocco May 8-9
Spanish Premier Jose Maria Aznar will pay an official visit to Morocco next May 8-9, it was officially announced in Madrid on Thursday. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/28/2000 - Morocco, Germany hold economy forum next October
Morocco and Germany will hold an economic forum in Berlin next October, the German Afrika Verein Association announced in its Agenda 2000. Morocco-Germany, Economics, 4/28/2000 - Unemployment rate drops slightly during fourth quarter of 1999
The unemployment rate dropped slightly nationwide from 15.1% in July-August 1999 period to 14.5% during Sept-Nov period, the number of idle persons having gone down from 1.53 million to 1.45 million. Morocco, Economics, 4/28/2000 - Tennis: Morocco's Al-Aynaoui cruises to quarterfinals at Barcelona Open Morocco, Sports, 4/28/2000
- Morocco, Mauritania renew commitment to Maghreban Union
Morocco and Mauritania on Wednesday renewed pledge to consolidate the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), a regional grouping gathering besides the two nations Algeria, Libya and Tunisia. Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 4/27/2000 - Tennis: Morocco's Aynaoui cruises to 3rd round at Barcelona Open
Morocco's Younes Al-Aynaoui qualified Wednesday to the third round of the $1-million tournament of Barcelona, Spain. Morocco, Sports, 4/27/2000 - March For Hope in Rabat to increase awareness of cancer
The "Terry Fox" march for hope will be staged in Rabat on May 7 to foster public awareness of cancer and resume a scientific project to list all cancer cases in Rabat. Morocco, Medicine, 4/27/2000 - Morocco devises $ 152,000 program to fight citrus fruits pest
Morocco is implementing a $ 152,000 program to fight a pest threatening leaves of citrus fruit trees. Morocco, Agriculture, 4/27/2000 - Moroccan, US firms conclude $50 million drilling accord
The Moroccan state-run Oil Drilling and Exploiting Company ONAREP concluded in Rabat Wednesday a drilling contract with US Lone Star Energy. Morocco-USA, Business, 4/27/2000 - Moroccan tabloid director sentenced to jail for libel
The Casablanca first instance court sentenced Wednesday Mustapha Alaoui, director of the tabloid weekly Al-Ousboue (the week), to three months in jail. Morocco, Judicial, 4/27/2000 - Moroccan education department, Microsoft sign partnership agreement
The Moroccan education ministry and Microsoft signed on Wednesday a partnership agreement providing for the introduction of information and communication technologies in schools and vocational training institutes. Morocco, Education, 4/27/2000 - King Mohammed receives US admiral
King Mohammed VI received on Tuesday in the northern Moroccan city of Tangier Admiral Charles S. Abbot, deputy commander in chief of the US European Command. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/26/2000 - Prime minister issues instructions for social conflicts settlement
Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi, has issued to the government members instructions to cooperate with enterprises for the settlement of pending social conflicts throughout Morocco. Morocco, Politics, 4/26/2000 - Italian tourism group injects $60 million in Morocco
The Italian tourism group NESCO will inject some $60 million in tourism projects in Morocco. Morocco-Italy, Economics, 4/26/2000 - Morocco, Korea to bolster bilateral cooperation
The Morocco-Korea forum held in Rabat April 24-25 called for the promotion of Korean investment in Morocco and for enhancing technical and scientific cooperation. Morocco-South Korea, Politics, 4/26/2000 - Moroccan industry minister to visit South Korea next week
Moroccan minister of industry, trade and handicraft, Alami Tazi, is to pay as of next Monday a three-day visit to South Korea. Morocco-South Korea, Politics, 4/26/2000 - Excavations unearth prehistoric earthenware in northern Morocco
Archeological excavations in northern Morocco have unearthed earthenware, stones and animal remains dating back to the prehistoric era. Morocco, Culture, 4/26/2000 - Swiss physicians perform heart surgery on Moroccan kids
Seven Swiss physicians have undertaken a seven-day long humanitarian mission in Morocco where they performed surgery on seven children suffering from acute heart malformations, reports on Tuesday Swiss daily "La Tribune de Geneve." Morocco-Switzerland, Health, 4/26/2000 - Moroccan oil-refining firm posts $97.5 million profits in 1999
Moroccan oil-refining firm "SAMIR" announced a net profit of $97.5 million (975 million DH) in 1999, a 23% growth compared to 1998. Morocco, Business, 4/26/2000 - World Bank chief in Morocco next week
World Bank President James Wolfensohn will start next Monday a two-day visit to Morocco, WB sources in Washington announced on Tuesday. Morocco-World Bank, Economics, 4/26/2000 - Tennis: Morocco's Arazi, Alami in Barcelona Tournament Second Round Morocco, Sports, 4/26/2000
- Civil servants' promotion would cost the state $700 million
Generalizing the internal promotion of civil servants, decided under an agreement reached Sunday between the government, two trade unions and employers will cost the state $700 million over three years, said the spokesman of the government, Khalid Alioua. Morocco, Economics, 4/25/2000 - King Mohammed in Tangiers
King Mohammed VI arrived Monday in the northern Moroccan city of Tangiers, where he will dedicate several development projects. Morocco-Mauritania, Economics, 4/25/2000 - Speaker of Chilean senate winds up visit to Morocco
The speaker of the Chilean Senate, Andares Zalvidar, wound up Monday a visit to Morocco during which he was received by King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Chile, Politics, 4/25/2000 - Forum on Moroccan-Korean cooperation in 21st century opens in Rabat
A forum on "cooperation between Morocco and Korea in the 21st century," opened in Rabat Monday. Morocco-South Korea, Politics, 4/25/2000 - Dutch education officials in Morocco
A group of Dutch education officials is currently on a visit to Morocco to get informed about Morocco's culture and customs. Morocco-Netherlands, Education, 4/25/2000 - Morocco's academy holds spring session in Rabat
King Mohammed VI opened Monday the spring session of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco, which marks this year its 20th anniversary. Morocco, Education, 4/25/2000 - Tetuan wind power plant to cover 2% of Morocco's electricity consumption
The wind power plant under construction in the northern city of Tetuan will cover 2% of Morocco's annual electricity consumption. Morocco, Economics, 4/25/2000 - Moroccan port staff resumes work Monday
Moroccan ports staff resumed on Monday their work following an agreement reached between the government, trade unions and the employers association, the Employment Ministry announced. Morocco, Economics, 4/25/2000 - New ambassadors hand copies of credentials to foreign minister Morocco-International, Politics, 4/25/2000
- Under-Commander-in Chief of US troops in Europe arrives in Morocco Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/25/2000
- China donates $60,000 to Morocco Morocco-China, Economics, 4/25/2000
- Couscous reducing heart diseases risks developped
A Moroccan researcher has developped an oat couscous that reduces heart disease risks. Morocco-International, Health, 4/24/2000 - Morocco to create women spaces in every region
A women's center will be set up in every region of Morocco to provide Moroccan women with a space of meetings and socio-cultural activities. Morocco, Culture, 4/24/2000 - Press freedom continues to improve in Morocco, Reporters Sans Frontieres
Reporters Sans Frontieres underlines in its 2000 annual report --under embargo till April 27-- that the freedom of the press that was marked by some improvements over the last years of the reign of the late King Hassan II is being carried on the same trend under the reign of King Mohammed VI. Morocco, Politics, 4/24/2000 - Morocco, Egypt to upgrade cooperation in audit
Morocco and Egypt agreed in Cairo Sunday to upgrade bilateral cooperation in audits through exchange of visits and experiences. Egypt-Morocco, Economics, 4/24/2000 - New ambassador of Russia to Morocco Morocco-Russia, Politics, 4/24/2000
- Government, trade unions, employers reach agreement to prevent general strike
The government, two major trade unions and the employers associations reached on Sunday an agreement that meets social grievances and averts a general strike planned for April 25. Morocco, Politics, 4/24/2000 - Moroccan ports staff end strike
The Moroccan government announced on Sunday night the end of the strike in ports following an agreement reached with two trade unions, CDT and UGTM. Morocco, Politics, 4/24/2000