Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 1/27/2003
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of January 27, 2003
- House of representatives adopts law ending state monopoly over audio-visual sector
Deputies voted unanimously the draft at a plenary session chaired by Speaker of the House, Abdelouahed Radi. Morocco, Politics, 2/1/2003 - Spanish party leader slams Canary government's hostility towards morocco
President of the Popular Party (PP) in the Canary Islands, Jose Manuel Soria, slammed Thursday "the permanent hostility of the Canary Islands government towards Morocco." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/1/2003 - Morocco, Yemen probe fisheries cooperation
During the meeting, Rhafes stressed the need for Morocco and Yemen to prospect all cooperation and partnership opportunities to make their economic relations match the excellent political ties. Morocco-Yemen, Economics, 2/1/2003 - King Sihanouk of Cambodia stresses interest for Morocco's development, democracy breakthroughs
On Morocco's territorial integrity, the Cambodian PM said his country never recognized the puppet "SADR" and never had any relations with the "Polisario" mercenaries. Morocco-Cambodia, Politics, 2/1/2003 - Morocco, Spain normalize diplomatic ties
Morocco and Spain announced Thursday they are restoring full diplomatic ties with the return of their ambassadors to their respective posts. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/1/2003 - Moroccan athletics federation refers Boulami's doping suspicion case to IAAF
The Moroccan Athletics Federation (FRMA) on Thursday decided to refer the case of Moroccan athlete Brahim Boulami, said to be used last August erythropoietine - a substance proven to substantially boost endurance , to the specialized commission of the world governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF. Morocco, Sports, 2/1/2003 - Morocco moves to humanize jails
The Mohammed VI Foundation for Inmates Integration said on Thursday it will continue developing an action plan to preserve detainees' dignity and humanize jails. Morocco, Culture, 1/31/2003 - Moroccan ambassador to return to Spain
Morocco's King Mohammed VI decided this Thursday the return of Morocco's ambassador to Madrid, it was officially announced this Thursday. The decision was announced following a meeting between the sovereign and Spain's Foreign Affairs, Ana Palacio, who arrived on the same day in Morocco. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/31/2003 - Morocco-US FTA, possible before year end, Tutwiler
After a "very successful" first round of talks last week in Washington, a free trade accord is possible to be concluded this year, Tutwiler said at a luncheon debate at her residence in Rabat. Morocco-USA, Economics, 1/31/2003 - Rabat, Madrid determined to turn the page, moroccan official says Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/31/2003
- Head of Spanish Police Thankful to Morocco for Anti-Immigration Efforts Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/31/2003
- Prince Moulay Rachid receives French navy chief of staff Morocco-France, Politics, 1/31/2003
- Morocco needs over us$ 600 million to make up for deficit in campuses
Moroccan minister of higher education and scientific research, Khalid Alioua, said Morocco needs to invest 6 billion DH to make up for the deficit in university residences, estimated at 100,000 beds. Morocco, Education, 1/31/2003 - King Mohammed deepens protection of citizens and economy through reform of justice
Morocco's King Mohammed VI announced this Wednesday a package of measures to reform justice meant to promote the economic development of Morocco, improve standards of official public conduct, improve the material and professional situation of judges and justice staff and guarantee the dignity of prisoners. Morocco, Judicial, 1/30/2003 - King Mohammed: an independent judiciary essential for a sound society; protects judiciary from influence
He explained that these measures are meant to shield this category of staff against all temptations and deviations. Morocco, Judicial, 1/30/2003 - King Mohammed wants highest standards of public conduct from all officials
The king stressed the need to "set in place a jurisdiction specialized in financial offenses, in order to increase standards of public conduct of officials, protect public finances against all kinds of corrupt practices and engrain in the minds the culture and ethics of accountability." Morocco, Judicial, 1/30/2003 - King Mohammed to grant humanitarian royal pardon to inmates
"In a bid to alleviate the sufferings of some categories of prisoners who enjoy Our sympathy for humanitarian reasons, We have given Our High Directives to Our Minister of Justice to submit to Our High appreciation proposals to extend the Royal pardon to prisoners affected by incurable diseases, invalid or handicapped prisoners, pregnant or breast-feeding prisoners, or children who have particular education or artistic (needs)," the sovereign pointed out. Morocco, Local, 1/30/2003 - Chamber of advisors adopts law ending state monopoly over audio-visual sector
The Chamber of Advisors (parliament upper House) adopted on Tuesday night a draft law ending the state monopoly over the audio-visual sector. Morocco, Politics, 1/30/2003 - King Mohammed instructs government to study creation of family solidarity fund
"The existing jurisdictions that take care of personal statute cases are not qualified to ensure the enforcement of Family Code, a project We are very keen on, in order to consolidate family coherence in a spirit of balance and equity," said the sovereign. Morocco, Culture, 1/30/2003 - Trial of suspected al-Qaeda operatives put off again
The defense said last Friday it was surprised by the change of judges and renewed its requests over flaws in the arrest procedure, the preliminary investigation, the minutes writing and the preventive detention period. They also said the suspects were not arrested red-handed and there is no material evidence in the case. Morocco, Local, 1/30/2003 - Women entrepreneurs hold first international forum in Casablanca
The association of women heads of enterprises in Morocco is holding in Casablanca next February 20-22 the first international forum-exhibition. Regional-Morocco, Economics, 1/30/2003 - Germany contributes to rehab education center for disabled children
A rehabilitation and education center for Physically and mentally handicapped children, worth 110,000 Dirhams (US$ 10 million) was dedicated in Sale (near Rabat) Tuesday with a 75,000 Million Dirhams (US$ 7 million) contribution from the German embassy. Morocco-Germany, Education, 1/30/2003 - Morocco has no private and public mosques
Taoufiq said his department is pondering a global organization of mosques. He added that all mosques in Morocco are financially and administratively run by the Habous and Islamic Affairs department. "(In Morocco) there are no private and public mosques," he said. Morocco, Religion, 1/30/2003 - Spanish fm hopeful visit to Morocco will bring good news Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/30/2003
- Moroccan students need eleven years in average to complete ba (minister) Morocco, Education, 1/30/2003
- 600 kg of Cannabis Resin Found in Southern Morocco Morocco, Local, 1/30/2003
- Japan donates us$ 4.4 mln to fund fisheries village construction
The project seeks to help fisherman in the region operate in better conditions and to endow them with infrastructure necessary for a sound marketing of catches. Morocco-Japan, Economics, 1/30/2003 - Balkhadem to visit Morocco, shortly
Algeria's Minister of State For Foreign Affairs Abdul Aziz Balkhadem said yesterday he intends to pay a unique visit to Morocco by the beginning of February in an evident indication that the cool relations between the two countries have been "improved." Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 1/29/2003 - Assabah: Sahara issue was fabricated by Algerian generals hostile to the union of the Maghreb
"The solution of the Sahara issue lies in the union," said Ibrahimi, who served as Algerian prime minister from 1984 to 1988, in an interview Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 1/29/2003 - Moroccan suspect in 9/11 events not given needed evidence to defend himself
The trial of Moroccan national Mounir El Motassadeq who is standing trial since last October 22 in Hamburg for charges of complicity in the 9/11 events are scheduled to end this week. Morocco, Local, 1/29/2003 - Asharq al-Awsat: Morocco-US FTA talks in advanced stage, draft accord possible shortly Morocco-USA, Economics, 1/29/2003
- International fisheries trade experts meet in casablanca
Arab states have sea riches able to ensure them food security at affordable prices, provided that resources be exploited, distributed and marketed rationally, director of the specialized magazine "Info Samak," said. Morocco-Regional, Economics, 1/29/2003 - Leprosy prevalence in morocco decreases
The prevalence rate of leprosy in Morocco has considerably decreased from 32 cases per 100,000 inhabitants recorded in 1990 to 1.14 in 2002 thanks to the modern and efficient poly-chemotherapy, says the health ministry. Morocco, Health, 1/29/2003 - Moroccan fisheries: coastal catches value ups by 43% end of november 2002
The value of Morocco's coastal catches reached 3.2 billion Dirhams (US$ 304 million) by the end of November 2002, which is a 43% rise in comparison with 2001, the directorate of general economic policy said in its latest newsletter. Morocco, Economics, 1/29/2003 - Rally in Rabat calls Arab-Islamic countries to adopt firm stand on Iraq issue
A rally, held in Rabat Sunday by the Moroccan committee of support to the Iraqi people, called Arab and Islamic countries to be firm in the face of the war threats laid against Iraq by the USA and its ally, Great Britain. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 1/28/2003 - Moroccan minister inquires about pilgrims conditions in Saudi Arabia Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Local, 1/28/2003
- UMA needs immune, open public opinion, Moroccan official says
The Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) needs an "immune and open" public opinion, and "enthusiastic and cultured" youth aspiring to participate to running public affairs, said Morocco's Communication minister and Spokesman of the government. Morocco, Politics, 1/28/2003 - Palacio upbeat about Spanish, Moroccan ambassadors' return to respective posts Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/28/2003
- King Mohammed dedicates new fishing port in Agadir
Morocco's King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, dedicated Monday a new fishing port in the Moroccan Atlantic coast city of Agadir. Morocco, Economics, 1/28/2003 - Government, trade union agree on working methodology to shelve pending issues
A preliminary meeting held between Morocco's Premier, Driss Jettou, and a delegation of the Labor Democratic Confederation (CDT), led by its Secretary General Noubir Al Amaoui, agreed on a "working methodology" to shelve pending issues. Morocco, Politics, 1/28/2003 - Democracy, best shield against extremism, Morocco says
Democratic culture is the best shield against extremism, hatred and confrontation, Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives (lower chamber of parliament) said Friday. Morocco, Politics, 1/27/2003 - Moroccan, Saudi businessmen sign cooperation accord
The Moroccan industrial federation (CGEM) and the Saudi business council have signed an agreement to boost bilateral cooperation and promote exchanges. "By sealing this accord we give a strong impetus to our cooperation and to economic exchanges between the two countries," said Adil Abdullah Kaaki, President of the Trade and Industry chamber of Mecca. Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Economics, 1/27/2003 - Morocco, US agree to second FTA negotiations round in March
Morocco and the USA agreed to hold a second round of negotiations for the conclusion of a bilateral free trade accord (FTA) in March in Morocco, Ms. Cathy Novelli, chief US negotiator, announced on Friday. Morocco, Economics, 1/27/2003 - Morocco's human rights achievements highlighted
Morocco's Human Rights minister, Mohamed Aujjar highlighted the Kingdom's human rights initiatives geared to consecrate the country's democratic choice. Morocco, Politics, 1/27/2003 - Suspected al-Qaeda operatives' trial put off till Jan.28
The trial of suspected Al-Qaeda operatives was put off until January 28th by the Casablanca court of appeal. Morocco, Politics, 1/27/2003 - Moroccan-Indian commercial ties probed
Means to upgrade economic and commercial exchanges between Morocco and India topped talks held in Rabat Thursday between Morocco's Industry, Commerce and Telecommunications minister, Rachid Alami, and Indian Ambassador in Rabat, Ramiah Rajgopolan. Morocco-India, Economics, 1/27/2003 - Morocco, global forum to fight AIDS, sign accord
Morocco and the Global Forum to Fight AIDS on Friday signed an accord whereby the Fund will assist Morocco in anti-AIDS drives. Morocco, Health, 1/27/2003