Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 3/26/2001
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of March 26, 2001
- Moroccan-French talks over preparations of joint commission meeting Morocco-France, Politics, 3/31/2001
- USFP may hold biennial congress, spokesman
Youssoufi who surveyed the USFP stand on outstanding domestic and international issues said when touching on the Sahara issue that the settlement of this question lies in "the democratic integration of all the Sahrawis who are attached to Morocco's territorial integrity" and that this territorial integrity cannot be the subject of any bargaining. Morocco, Politics, 3/31/2001 - Moroccan civil service minister ends visit to Britain
The Moroccan official informed his interlocutors on the political situation at home, expounding the new concept of authority being developed and the progress scored in the promotion of human rights, the rule of the law and the democratization of public life. Morocco-UK, Politics, 3/31/2001 - Morocco's upper chamber delegation talks in Washington focuse on economic and Sahara issues
Talks held by a delegation from Morocco's upper house, the Chamber of Advisors, and US officials and congressmen focused on Moroccan-US economic ties and the Moroccan Sahara issue. Morocco-USA, Politics, 3/31/2001 - Spanish local government plays down fisheries agreement with Morocco, prepares alternative activities for professionals
Fishing Professionals of the Spanish northwestern region of Galicia have suddenly changed their attitude and claimed the importance granted to this agreement has been exaggerated at a time preparations are going on to find alternative activities for professionals. Morocco-Spain, Economics, 3/31/2001 - Moroccan globe-trotter reaches Teheran
Moroccan globe-trotter, Mohamed Karma, who started his world tour in December 20 to promote ideals of "fraternity and peace" arrived Thursday night in Teheran. Morocco-Iran, Local, 3/31/2001 - Japan donates $ 3.6 million for drinking water supply in southern regions
The Japanese government has donated the Moroccan government $ 3.6 million (429 million Yens) to carry out a drinking water supply in Moroccan southern rural regions. Morocco-Japan, Economics, 3/31/2001 - ONA group improves 2000 turnover by 6.1%
Moroccan holding "ONA" announced a 6.1% growth in its turnover in 2000, from 20.5 billion DH ($ 1.95 million) in 1999 to 21.8 billion DH ($ 2.07 billion). Morocco, Business, 3/31/2001 - USFP holds 6th congress in Casablanca
Youssoufi announced that the government is currently working on reforming the administrative warding, the communal charter and the electoral law. After he stressed the need to set up a permanent commission that will monitor public institutions, supervise their management and check the way public money is spent, Youssoufi called for the consolidation of the rule of the law, the consecration of justice independence, the rationalization of the administration, the transparent management of public money and the elaboration of rules enabling the citizens to check public affairs management. Morocco, Politics, 3/30/2001 - Morocco, UNDP set up women micro-enterprises in water Morocco, Economics, 3/30/2001
- Poverty eradication, a basic option of Morocco's economic policy
Poverty eradication is a basic option of Morocco's social and economic policy to build a society based on democracy, progress and solidarity, Morocco's minister of economic forecasts and planning, Abdelhamid Aouad told a conference Morocco, Culture, 3/30/2001 - Moroccan-British talks on administrative reforms
The Moroccan minister was briefed on the structure of the British administration and the use of modern technologies to improve the civil service performance. Morocco-UK, Politics, 3/30/2001 - Scottish delegation prospects partnership opportunities in Morocco
Representatives of several Scottish firms operating in the sector of oil and gas are visiting Morocco this March 28-31 to explore partnership opportunities in the kingdom. Morocco-UK, Business, 3/30/2001 - Morocco voices constant concern over tragedy of Palestinian people
Daily suffering, humiliations, provocations, violence facing the Palestinian people are all breaches to human rights that shock the international community, he went on recalling that the UN security council and the international fact-finding commission have denounced these unacceptable practices and disproportionate usage of force by Israel. Palestine-Morocco, Politics, 3/30/2001 - PLO leader hails Morocco's support to Palestinian cause
Hani Hassan, a leading member of the Palestine Liberation Organization, hailed Morocco's constant support to the Palestinian cause and to Palestinians' struggle to recover their rights. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 3/30/2001 - Moroccan fishery minister in Sweden
Moroccan minister of fisheries, Said Chbaatou, on Wednesday paid a visit to Sweden, which is holding the rotating chairmanship of the European Union, to expound Morocco's stand on the fisheries issue and on the negotiations it held with the European Union on a new fisheries accord. Morocco-Sweden, Economics, 3/30/2001 - Spanish government delegate for foreigners and immigration in Rabat
The Spanish government delegate for foreigners and immigration at the interior ministry, Enrique Fernandez Miranda Y Lozana, is currently visiting Morocco for talks with Moroccan officials on issues of mutual concern. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 3/30/2001 - Moroccan association denounces entry denial of citrus fruits to Spain
The Association of Morocco's fruits and vegetables producers and exporters (ASPAM) denounced the port control department of the Spanish southern port of Almeria for denying entry on March 28 to three trucks loaded with Moroccan oranges. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 3/30/2001 - Moroccan-British talks on administrative reforms
He recalled that the number of civil servants has been cut by half, from 750,000 persons at the beginning of the eighties to about 400,000 at present, while their performance has been improved. He said the spared funds were injected in social sectors such as health and education. Morocco-UK, Politics, 3/29/2001 - Morocco, China to sign accord on public administration Morocco-China, Politics, 3/29/2001
- Moroccan foreign minister tours Arab gulf states
Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, starts this Thursday a tour in Arab Gulf states to reactivate cooperation between Morocco and these states. Morocco-Gulf, Politics, 3/29/2001 - USFP holds 6th congress March 29-31 in Casablanca
The congress to be attended by 1,200 to 1,500 participants is described by the USFP political bureau as "a historic event for the party and an outstanding phase in the history of our country's democratic transition." Morocco, Politics, 3/29/2001 - Morocco, Kuwait to reactivate joint commission
Morocco and Kuwait decided to reactivate the Moroccan-Kuwaiti joint commission and give a new momentum to their economic cooperation. Morocco-Kuwait, Politics, 3/29/2001 - Morocco, Iraq hold 9th session of joint commission
Baghdad will also host an exhibition of made-in-Morocco food, pharmaceutical, electronic and mechanic products with the participation of 120 Moroccan companies. Morocco-Iraq, Economics, 3/29/2001 - Only 1% of Moroccans connected to internet, official
Only 1% of Moroccans are connected to Internet, unlike the mobile phone penetration which noticed a boom thanks to the sector liberalization and competition, said Morocco's secretary of state for post and telecommunication technologies, Nasr Hajji. Morocco, Economics, 3/29/2001 - Spain's local government calls for separate talks over fisheries with Morocco
Agriculture and fisheries minister of the local Spanish government of Andalusia (south), Paulino Plata, called on Tuesday the central government to conduct separate talks with Morocco over fisheries after a series of EU negotiations failed to reach any agreement. Morocco-Spain, Economics, 3/29/2001 - Morocco insists anti Foot-And-Mouth disease measures are preventive
Morocco's measures to prevent the spread of the foot-and-mouth disease are actually preventive ones, since the country is free from any case since April 1999, said head of the animal health department at the agriculture ministry. Morocco, Agriculture, 3/29/2001 - Sand Marathon kicks off Sunday
The 16th edition of Le Marathon Des Sables (Sand Marathon) will kick off Sunday with the participation of 630 racers from several countries. Morocco, Sports, 3/29/2001 - Morocco calls Arab world to keep pace with scientific, technological progress
King Mohammed VI also voiced hope that this Arab summit be "the starting point of a new era in consolidating our common Arab action and march" and pointed out that "the holding of Arab summits on a periodical and regular basis should not be an end in itself, but rather a bridge enabling to energize mechanisms for a joint Arab action and for clearing out tensions wherever in the Arab space." Morocco-Regional, Politics, 3/28/2001 - Morocco renews commitment to cement Arab ranks, establish fair peace in Middle East
Morocco renewed resolve to contribute to any action geared to cementing Arab ranks and to secure the Arab world security, stability and invulnerability and to spare no effort to establish a fair, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 3/28/2001 - Moroccan business delegation in Saudi Arabia early april
A Moroccan business delegation will visit Saudi Arabia next April 7-10 to explore means of enhancing cooperation between the two states' industrial sectors. Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Business, 3/28/2001 - 9th Thousand Casbahs rally, over 2,000 km in southern natural landscape
Organizers explained at a press conference that the race is not a speed competition but an exotic adventure in the most beautiful Sahara landscapes, oases and other tourism sites and a test of orientation skills. Morocco, Local, 3/28/2001 - Moroccan-French tourism cooperation to focus on training, eco-tourism and restructuring
Morocco and France have identified three priority sectors in their cooperation in tourism, namely restructuring the Moroccan Tourism office (ONMT), training, and eco-tourism. Morocco-France, Economics, 3/28/2001 - Morocco's upper chamber delegation visits Washington
A delegation from Morocco's upper house, the Chamber of Advisors, started on Tuesday a visit to Washington D.C. for meetings at the US Congress and the state department. Morocco-USA, Politics, 3/28/2001 - Moroccan FM: Arab summit comes at decisive turning point
The present Arab current juncture is marked by the advent of a new generation of leaders who have their proper orientations, the emergence of a new civil society and a new system of values, he said expecting the summit to come up with different resolutions from the precedent summits' and reflecting the ongoing mutations. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 3/27/2001 - Study finds 45% of housemaids aged between 10-12, 26.5% below 10
The study further found that most of the housemaids work all day long and are facing bad treatment without any legal protection. Morocco, Culture, 3/27/2001 - Morocco says Sahara issue impedes activation of Magreb structures
Morocco's minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, said the Sahara issue is the obstacle to activating structures of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), stressing that Morocco is sparing no effort to settle the issue. Morocco-Maghreb, Politics, 3/27/2001 - Portugal accuses EU in failure of Morocco-EU negotiations on fisheries
Chairman of Portuguese fish professionals association, Pedro Franca, accused the European Union of being responsible for the failure of talks with Morocco for a new fisheries agreement. Morocco-European Union, Economics, 3/27/2001 - Morocco's tomato exports decline by 15% up to march 22
Morocco's tomato exports were estimated at 163,999 tons up to March 22, recording a decline of 15% compared to the volume of 195,011 tons exported in the corresponding period of last season. Morocco, Agriculture, 3/27/2001 - Morocco wants new style in Arab-African cooperation
Morocco wants a new style in cooperation between the Arab states and Africa, said Morocco's minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 3/27/2001 - Moroccan - Syrian cooperation probed in Rabat Morocco-Syria, Politics, 3/26/2001
- Jordan's king receives message from king mohammed vi Jordan-Morocco, Politics, 3/26/2001
- Moroccan economic operators in Arab investors forum in beirut Morocco-Regional, Economics, 3/26/2001
- Morocco, Libya sign convention on childhood
The Libyan high commission for childhood and the Moroccan association of assistance to childhood and family signed in Tripoli Saturday a cooperation convention. Libya-Morocco, Culture, 3/26/2001 - Tunisian president meets King Mohammed's envoy
Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Benali received in Carthage on Saturday envoy of King Mohammed VI, interior minister Ahmed El Midaoui. Tunisia-Morocco, Politics, 3/26/2001 - Morocco celebrates new hegira year tuesday Morocco, Local, 3/26/2001
- Morocco renews adherence to UN settlement plan on Sahara
Morocco was, and still is, attached to the United Nation settlement plan to resolve the Sahara issue, provided that all Moroccans of Sahrawi descent are allowed to take part in the referendum, Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, told a Jordanian daily. Morocco, Politics, 3/26/2001 - Morocco's Team Ranks 2nd in Ostende Cross-Country Championships
Morocco's athletic team (senior men) held on Saturday the second rank in the general team ranking of the 29th world cross-country championships of Ostende, Belgium. Morocco, Sports, 3/26/2001 - Morocco-EU fisheries negotiations record no progress
Moroccan-European Union negotiations on a new fisheries agreement recorded no progress at the end of a meeting in Brussels Monday between Moroccan maritime fisheries minister, Said Chbaatou and European fishery commissioner, Franz Fischler. Morocco-European Union, Economics, 3/26/2001 - 11th mediterranean cinema festival opens in Tetouan
Opening the festival, Morocco's culture and communication minister, Mohamed Achaari, said this event has become a major cultural encounter in Morocco, offering to the motion picture industry from the two shores of the Mediterranean an opportunity to meet, talk and exchange ideas and experience. Regional-Morocco, Local, 3/26/2001