Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 5/20/2002
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of May 20, 2002
- Algerian foreign minister arrives in Casablanca Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/25/2002
- Kuwait reiterates support to Morocco's territorial integrity
Kuna director, who is also the president of its administrative board, stressed the excellent brotherly ties between king Mohammed VI and sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad Al Jaber As-Sabah, and reiterated his country's support to Morocco's territorial integrity. Morocco-Kuwait, Politics, 5/25/2002 - King Mohammed visits training center for handicapped and destitute persons
Morocco's King Mohammed VI, who was accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, visited on Thursday a training center for disabled and destitute persons in Casablanca to inquire about renovation works. Morocco, Culture, 5/25/2002 - Legislative elections in Morocco on September 27th Morocco, Politics, 5/25/2002
- Morocco, Qatar probe free trade zone set up, ambassador
Morocco and Qatar, which are convening the 1st session of their joint commission this Friday, are envisioning to set up a free trade zone, Qatar's ambassador to Rabat, Sakr Ben Moubarak Mansouri, said Thursday. Morocco-Qatar, Politics, 5/25/2002 - Moroccan, Senegalese businessmen probe commerce, industry partnership
Senegalese minister of commerce and SMEs, Aicha Agne Pouye, called the two countries' private sector to seek new realms for cooperation, which would be mutually fruitful. She gave the example of Air Senegal International, where Morocco's carrier RAM holds nearly half the capital, and whose results in one year exceeded all speculations. Morocco-Senegal, Economics, 5/25/2002 - King Mohammed dedicates female students house
Morocco's King Mohammed VI, accompanied by his brother Prince Moulay Rachid, dedicated a female students house in Khemiss Zemamra, a village located at 250 km south of Rabat. Morocco, Culture, 5/25/2002 - Delegation of Palestinian struggle support association visits Cairo
The aid may be unimportant, but it is of a great symbolic value, and evidences the ties of fraternity and solidarity of the Moroccan people with Palestinians in their legitimate struggle to recover its abused rights, Oulaalou said. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 5/25/2002 - Morocco's Fez City Donates 1 Mln Dirhams to Palestine Morocco-Palestine, Culture, 5/25/2002
- Socialist International convenes council in Casablanca
The Socialist International will hold its council in the Moroccan city of Casablanca May 31 through June 1, under the chairmanship of former Portuguese Premier Antonio Guterres. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 5/25/2002 - Japan loans Morocco $ 52 mln for electrification of 87,000 dwellings
The Japanese government loaned Morocco US$ 52 Mln for the financing of the third phase of the Global Rural Electrification Program (PERG), which will benefit some 440,000 inhabitants. Morocco-Japan, Economics, 5/25/2002 - Morocco's carrier posts over $ 636 mln in net profit
The Moroccan carrier, Royal Air Maroc, posted more that US$ 636 million in net profit in 2000-2001, the company said. Morocco, Business, 5/25/2002 - Football: morocco to terminate Portuguese coach's contract
The Moroccan football Federation (FRMF) has started talks with the Portuguese coach Humberto Culeho to terminate his contract as coach of Morocco's football team, sources from the federation said. Morocco, Sports, 5/25/2002 - King Mohammed chairs ministers council meeting; judicial and financial reform
Based on the interest King Mohammed VI grants to justice and its importance in the consecration of the rule of law, the sovereign approved an amendment to a draft law related to the higher institute of magistrature, endowing it with the statute of legal entity and with financial autonomy. The sovereign also approved a draft law governing the control of financial institutions, the present system being outdated as it does not take into account the Kingdom's strategic orientation in matters of liberalization and the limitation of the rule of the state according to a vision privileging flexibility in practice and firmness in control. Morocco, Politics, 5/24/2002 - Dominican Republic freezes recognition of so-called Sahrawi republic
The Dominican Republic announced this Thursday it is freezing its recognition of the so-called Sahrawi republic, a self-proclaimed entity claiming the independence of the Moroccan Sahara. Morocco-Dominican Republic, Politics, 5/24/2002 - Situation of Gibraltar, Spain-occupied northern cities: similar cases, fm
There are "similarities" between the situation of Gibraltar and the case of Sebta, Melillia, and the neighboring Islands occupied by Spain, Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, said here Wednesday. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 5/24/2002 - Morocco-Spain oil prospecting problem must be solved by comprehensive negotiations
"Only negotiations can bring a solution to the Moroccan-Spanish problem of the off-shore oil prospecting license given by the Spanish authorities to Repsol company," Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohammed Benaissa, said Wednesday. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 5/24/2002 - Morocco, Dominican Republic sign package of agreements
Morocco and the Dominican republic signed in Rabat on Thursday a package of five agreements providing for cooperation in diplomatic, trade, tourism and investments fields. Morocco-Dominican Republic, Politics, 5/24/2002 - King Mohammed hosts official dinner in honor of Dominican president
Morocco's King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Princess Lalla Meryem, hosted on Wednesday at the Ryad Palace in Rabat an official dinner in honor of Dominican president Hipolito Mejia and his spouse. Morocco-Dominican Republic, Politics, 5/24/2002 - Dominican president underscores similarities between Morocco and Dominican republic
the head of the Dominican state said "We are following the same process aimed to make our peoples more democratic communities and each day more respectful of human rights." "The Dominican Republic admires and agrees with Morocco in the institutionalization of the state of law, in the decision to preserve human dignity, in the fight against poverty, unemployment and illiteracy." Morocco-Dominican Republic, Politics, 5/24/2002 - Egyptian tourism mission to visit Morocco in mid-Mune
An Egyptian tourism mission, made up of officials from the department of tourism and private operators, will be visiting Morocco in mid-June to foster bilateral cooperation in the travel industry. Egypt-Morocco, Economics, 5/24/2002 - U.S. business community shows growing interest in project Morocco-U.S.. free trade zone
The U.S. business community is showing a growing interest in the projected free trade zone between Morocco and the USA. Morocco-USA, Economics, 5/24/2002 - Morocco's prince Moulay Rachid chairs frigate presentation
Morocco's Prince Moulay Rachid, younger brother of King Mohammed VI, on Thursday chaired at the military port of Casablanca the presentation of the Mohammed V frigate, recently acquired by the Moroccan Royal navy. Morocco, Military, 5/24/2002 - Morocco's Alami qualifies for 3rd round of Paris grand slam Morocco, Sports, 5/24/2002
- King Mohammed chairs official welcome to Dominican president Morocco-Dominican Republic, Politics, 5/23/2002
- Morocco-Qatar joint commission convenes today Morocco-Qatar, Politics, 5/23/2002
- Morocco calls for free return of refugees
The freely-consented return is "the most privileged" solution to prolonged situation of refugees around the world, Hilal said, calling for a re-adaptation of the HCR's mandate to better meet the aspirations of the millions of refugees. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 5/23/2002 - Balkhadem to arrive in Rabat today
Well-informed diplomatic sources said that the Algerian foreign minister Abdul Aziz Balkhadem will arrive today evening in Morocco coming from Mauritania. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 5/23/2002 - Morocco wants to modernize internal trade
Morocco's Premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi said :The achievement of such objectives depends on the carrying on of the implementation of the liberalization policy of the commercial sector, while promoting financing mechanisms and easing administrative procedures related to investments and commerce Morocco, Economics, 5/23/2002 - Dominican Republic's president arrives in Morocco
The two countries will sign a package of cooperation agreements including an investments guarantee and protection agreement and a partnership accord between the foreign investments departments, says the Dominican office of investments promotion (OPI-RD). Morocco-Dominican Republic, Politics, 5/23/2002 - Palestinian leader visits Morocco Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 5/23/2002
- Arab colloquy on social-professional hardships facing women
An Arab colloquy will be held in Casablanca next June 24-26 to probe "social-professional hardships facing Arab women's in time of globalization." Regional-Morocco, Business, 5/23/2002 - Moroccan, Chinese businessmen meet in rabat Morocco-China, Economics, 5/23/2002
- Syria, Morocco sign enforcement program of environment agreement
The program provides for the development of the two states' capacities and the conducting of joint projects to struggle against desertification, climate change, and industrial pollution, and protect biological diversity. Syria-Morocco, Environment, 5/23/2002 - Arab investments club set up in Morocco
A club of Arab investments was set up Wednesday in Casablanca to serve as a frame of contact and cooperation between Moroccan and Arab investors. Morocco-Regional, Economics, 5/23/2002 - Morocco signs $ 20 mln investment contract with Saudi group
Morocco signed on Tuesday a US$ 20 million investment contract with Saudi Dahlan Group. Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Economics, 5/23/2002 - Morocco insists on comprehensive handling of pending issues with Spain
Moroccan secretary of state for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, reaffirmed on Tuesday that pending problems between Morocco and Spain should be addressed in a comprehensive approach. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 5/23/2002 - Morocco - USA free trade agreement negotiations next fall
Morocco-US negotiations on the free trade draft agreement, announced during king Mohammed VI's visit to the United States last month, will start next fall, minister of economy, finance, privatization and tourism, Fathallah Oulaalou, said Tuesday. Morocco-USA, Economics, 5/23/2002 - Over 60 Sub-Saharan Africans arrested in Morocco for illegal immigration Morocco, Local, 5/23/2002
- Tennis: Morocco's Alami Moves to Second Round in Roland Garros Morocco, Sports, 5/23/2002
- Moroccan speaker calls for comprehensive, integrated approach to immigration
Addressing the issue of immigration requires a comprehensive and integrated approach that favors the economic and social development of immigration countries, rather than just security measures, said in Brussels Tuesday speaker of the Moroccan house of representatives, Abdelouahed Radi. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 5/23/2002 - Syria rejects any position hostile to Morocco's territorial integrity
Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam, said Monday Syria "will not tolerate any position hostile to Morocco's territorial integrity." Syria-Morocco, Politics, 5/22/2002 - UAE president receives message from King Mohammed
Morocco's King Mohammed VI has sent to the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a message dealing with "brotherly bilateral relations" and other issues. United Arab Emirates-Morocco, Politics, 5/22/2002 - Morocco, Syria sign agreement on housing
The Moroccan official underscored the role of the private sector in strengthening cooperation relations among the Arab states, so as to face up the challenges of globalization. Syria-Morocco, Economics, 5/22/2002 - Morocco, Italy Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Morocco-Italy, Economics, 5/22/2002
- US wants a free-trade accord with Morocco
US ambassador to Morocco, Margaret Tutwiler told "L'Opinion" daily that the US-Morocco free-trade accord was welcomed by the Moroccan government, business circles and trade unions and that the US chief executive wishes the agreement will be sealed in a reasonable time. Morocco-USA, Economics, 5/22/2002 - Egyptian, Mauritanian, Moroccan artists raise funds for children center in southern Morocco
A group of Egyptian, Mauritanian and Moroccan artists will be holding a fund-raising event next Saturday to contribute the building of a children amusement park in the southern city of Sakiat-Al-Hamra. Regional-Morocco, Culture, 5/22/2002 - Morocco-China probe healthcare cooperation
Moroccan health minister, Thami El Khyari, and visiting Chinese peer, Zhang Wenkang probed in Rabat Monday means to foster bilateral cooperation in the field of healthcare. Morocco-China, Health, 5/22/2002 - Oil company okays electrification project by solar energy
Total Energy company has agreed to the electrification of 16,000 houses by solar kits in central Morocco. Morocco, Economics, 5/22/2002 - Twelve dead, 880 injured in urban traffic accidents may 13-20 Morocco, Local, 5/22/2002
- Moroccan speaker meets peer in Belgium French community
Talks covered means to build fruitful relations between the two legislative institutions and cooperation ties in the fields of culture and sports. Morocco-Belgium, Politics, 5/22/2002 - King Mohammed visits rehabilitation center in sale Morocco, Culture, 5/21/2002
- Dominican Republic's president visits Morocco Morocco-Dominican Republic, Politics, 5/21/2002
- Moroccan child rights observatory launches child to child Palestinian support operation Morocco-Palestine, Culture, 5/21/2002
- Morocco extends us$ 360,000 aid to Palestinians Morocco-Egypt, Culture, 5/21/2002
- Moroccan Socialist Party delegation visits Damascus
Vice-secretary general of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP, who its leader, Abderrahmane Youssoufi is the prime minister of Morocco), who is also minister of territory planning, housing and environment, Mohammed El Yazghi, is currently visiting Syria, at the head of a USFP delegation, at the invitation of the ruling Baath party leader. Morocco-Syria, Politics, 5/21/2002 - Morocco sets up national library
Morocco will build a national library in the capital city of Rabat on a 5 hectare surface. The project is worth some us$ 14 Mln. Morocco, Education, 5/21/2002 - Africa-China partnership probed in Rabat
Means to materialize recommendations of the China-Africa Forum were debated at a meeting Monday in Rabat between Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi, and visiting Chinese health minister, Shang Wenkang. Morocco-China, Politics, 5/21/2002 - King Mohammed visits child safeguard center
The Temara center was built in 1954. It accommodates 81 people and seeks to reeducate and integrate delinquent children. Morocco, Culture, 5/21/2002 - Morocco takes part in ACSAD general assembly
Morocco is taking part in the general Assembly of the Arab Center for Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), stemming from the Arab League, held this May 18-20 in Syria. Morocco-Regional, Economics, 5/21/2002 - Cardiovascular diseases in constant rise in Morocco, association
President of "Big Heart" association, Professor Mohammed Arharbi, said cardiovascular diseases are in a constant rise in Morocco, given that most of the patients cannot afford the usually expensive medicine. Morocco, Health, 5/21/2002 - Morocco takes part in Quebec eco-tourism world summit Morocco, Economics, 5/21/2002
- Morocco's Boulami clocks fastest steeplechase on U.S. soil
Morocco's Brahim Boulami ran on Saturday the fastest 3,000-meter steeplechase ever in the United States, winning the Oregon Classic Grand Prix II in 8 minutes, 4.5 seconds. Morocco, Sports, 5/21/2002 - Morocco's FM briefs Arab peace initiative committee on visit of king Mohammed to USA
Morocco's minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, who took part Saturday in the 1st meeting of the Arab peace initiative follow up committee --set up by last March's Arab summit of Beirut -- briefed peers from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Yemen on results of a visit by King Mohammed VI to the USA last month. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 5/20/2002 - Moroccan athlete wins 4th run for fun women race
El Kamch, who run together with over 8,000 women aged between 15 and 80 years, covered the 10-km-long distance in 31mn, 39sec and 27/100, ahead of Kenya's Tegla Laroupe, three-time world semi-marathon champion who showed up to encourage Moroccan women practice sports. Morocco, Culture, 5/20/2002 - Moroccan culture has always played a pioneer role in backing Palestinian cause, Palestinian poet Morocco-Palestine, Culture, 5/20/2002
- Community associations hold forum in presence of Syrian artist Dureid Lahham Morocco-Regional, Culture, 5/20/2002
- Four Moroccan wrestlers move to semi-final in African championships Morocco, Sports, 5/20/2002