Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 6/9/2003
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of June 9, 2003
- Moroccan pm's visit to France, opportunity to reassert Paris' solidarity with Morocco Morocco-France, Politics, 6/14/2003
- Asharq Al-Awsat: Issues of common concern tops Moroccan-Algerian talks in Algiers, Moroccan fm
Moroccan Minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, said Friday meetings he will hold during his visit on Saturday to Algiers will discuss questions of common concern. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Moroccan PM in Brussels for talks with EU officials Morocco-European Union, Politics, 6/14/2003
- Kuwaiti fm meets Moroccan parliament speakers
Kuwaiti Foreign affairs minister and Interim minister of finance and planning, Sheikh Mohamed Sabah Salem As-Sabah, met in Rabat on Thursday the Speakers of the Moroccan House of Advisers and House of Representatives. Morocco-Kuwait, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Moroccan kingy, token of morality, authority, thinker says
The Moroccan monarchy is "a token of morality and authority, a capacity existing nowhere in the world except in Morocco," said Mohamed Arkoun, a renowned Arab thinker and professor at the French prestigious university of La Sorbonne. Morocco, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Literacy is a national issue in Morocco, official Morocco, Education, 6/14/2003
- Athletics: Morocco's paramount track star defeated in Ostrava Morocco, Sports, 6/14/2003
- Tennis: Morocco's El-Aynaoui ousted at Halle Morocco, Sports, 6/14/2003
- Medieval Portuguese sites unearthed in Morocco Morocco, Local, 6/14/2003
- Terrorist attacks, breach to Islam's teachings, Morocco's theologians say
Morocco's theologians on Friday decried terrorist attacks as a violation of the teachings of Islam. Morocco, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Morocco, Brazil sign cooperation agreement in water resources management
Morocco and Brazil signed Thursday in Brasilia a cooperation agreement in water resources management and utilization. Morocco-Brazil, Economics, 6/14/2003 - Marrakesh, an ideal destination par excellence, GB airways
It is difficult to find a "destination as exotic and ideal as Marrakech," GB Airways managing director, John Patterson, said. Morocco, Business, 6/14/2003 - Morocco fully complies with minimum standards for elimination of Persons' trafficking, US report
Morocco fully complies with the minimum standards for the elimination of persons' trafficking, the US State Department said in a 2003 Report on Trafficking in Persons. Morocco, Local, 6/14/2003 - Morocco's economic policy must meet EU cooperation requisites
The minister underscored the "importance of EU's role in accompanying Morocco's economic and social development process," recalling that Morocco's trade with the union makes 70% of the overall. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Moroccan FM expected in Algeria Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 6/13/2003
- Twenty-three Mauritanians, injured in failed coup, hospitalized in Morocco Mauritania-Morocco, Local, 6/13/2003
- Morocco extends donation to Mauritanian government Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 6/13/2003
- Morocco earmarks $270 mln per year for scientific research (minister)
There are over 15,000 scientists and experts working in scientific research in Morocco, said the minister, underscoring, however, that the number of technicians remains insufficient because of their status that is not "very encouraging." Morocco, Science, 6/13/2003 - King Mohammed meets Kuwaiti FM Morocco-Kuwait, Politics, 6/13/2003
- Algeria commends Morocco's humanitarian aid to quake-stricken algerians
Algerian industry minister, El Hachemi Jaaboub, praised Morocco's humanitarian assistance to Algeria following the earthquake that hit several regions in the country last May 21 and left thousands of dead and injured. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 6/13/2003 - Moroccan FM meets German parliamentary delegation Morocco-Germany, Politics, 6/13/2003
- Moroccan-Kuwaiti cooperation commission opens meeting in Rabat
The Moroccan-Kuwaiti High Joint Commission opened here Thursday its second session to study means to upgrade economic and commercial exchanges between the two Arab states Kuwait-Morocco, Politics, 6/13/2003 - Moroccan, German parties meet in Rabat Morocco-Germany, Politics, 6/13/2003
- Bouygues group mobilized to materialize Tangiers port on time
The Bouygues Group, a World leader in constructions that won a US$ 242-million deal to build the basic installations of the Mediterranean Port of Tangiers, said Thursday it was "mobilized" to materialize the project on time. Morocco-France, Business, 6/13/2003 - Deal for construction of basic installations of Tangiers port signed
Morocco's King Mohammed VI chaired Wednesday in Agadir the signing ceremony of a deal for the construction of basic installations of the Mediterranean Port of Tangiers (Northern Morocco). Morocco, Economics, 6/13/2003 - US expert pleads for highlighting the spirit of Fez in the world
US expert, Katherine Marshall, who is participating in the Festival of sacred music in Fez said it is crucial to guarantee the "glittering of the spirit of Fez in the world" because of the unique character of the festival. Morocco-USA, Culture, 6/13/2003 - Tennis: Morocco's El Aynaoui advance to quarterfinals in halle Morocco, Sports, 6/13/2003
- Cyber-piracy quiets down in Morocco
Cyber-piracy in Morocco decreased from 82% in 1994 to 61% in 2001 and 58% in 2002, said the association of software editors in Morocco (Business Software Alliance). Morocco, Economics, 6/13/2003 - Volleyball: Morocco in group D of world U-17 championships
The Moroccan national volleyball team was drawn in group D of the world Under 17 championships, to be held next July 5-13 in Suphanburi (Thailand). Morocco, Sports, 6/13/2003 - New group of 12 individuals appear before court in connection with may 16 attacks probe
A new group of 12 individuals involved in the terrorist attacks of May 16 appeared Thursday before the court of appeal of Casablanca. Morocco, Local, 6/13/2003 - Morocco to elaborate children's rights code
A children's rights code is being elaborated by the state secretariat, UNICEF and other partners, state secretary in charge of family, solidarity and social action, Yasmina Badou, said here on Wednesday. Morocco, Culture, 6/12/2003 - Morocco moves to improve detainees' lots
Morocco on Tuesday announced a package of measures part of a large-scale program to improve the lot of its jail population and "humanize" the environment in detention centres. Morocco, Judicial, 6/12/2003 - King Mohammed receives message from Spanish head of government
Aznar thanks king Mohammed VI for the clear and detailed presentation of the latest developments in the Sahara issue, saying he agrees with the sovereign's view that this issue should be settled for the sake of the region's stability, good neighborliness relations in northern Africa and perspectives of integration of the Maghreb Union. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/12/2003 - King Mohammed receives message from US president
Morocco's King Mohammed VI has received a letter from U.S. president, George W. Bush, in connection with the royal message which was sent to the American president through minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa. Morocco-USA, Politics, 6/12/2003 - Russian president: no alternative to political settlement of Sahara issue
Russian president, Vladimir Putin, stressed, in a message to Morocco's King Mohammed VI, that there is no alternative to a political settlement of the Sahara issue, as part of the United Nations Security Council germane resolutions. Morocco-Russia, Politics, 6/12/2003 - Morocco underscores progress towards FTA accord with US
Considerable progress has been achieved in negotiations for the conclusion of a free trade accord (FTA) between Morocco and the USA, Moroccan Delegate Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Taieb Fassi Fihri, said. Morocco-USA, Economics, 6/12/2003 - Pan-African bank lauds Morocco's economic growth
Morocco alongside Senegal, Tunisia, Mozambique, Botswana and Uganda, as countries where strong economic performances are positively impacting Africa. Morocco, Economics, 6/12/2003 - French mayor in Fez to activate spa cities twinning act
Mayor of the French spa city of Aix-Les-Bains and advisor of French prime minister, Dominique Dord, visited Fez this June 9-11 to reactivate a 1994 twinning agreement between his city and the Moroccan spa town of Moulay Yacoub (near Fez). Morocco-France, Culture, 6/12/2003 - King Mohammed receives French chief of staff Morocco-France, Politics, 6/12/2003
- Moroccan-Turkish businessmen call for trade promotion Morocco-Turkey, Economics, 6/12/2003
- Queen's tennis tournament: Morocco's Arazi out at 2nd round Morocco, Sports, 6/12/2003
- European commission proposes 250 mln euro aid to third countries concerned by immigration
The European commission proposed on Wednesday the allocation of a 250 million Euro aid over 2004-2008 period to third countries concerned by migration and asylum. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 6/12/2003 - World Bank loans Morocco $25 mln to help fight poverty
The World Bank (WB) extended on Monday to Morocco a US$ 25 million loan to help fight poverty in the country's drought-stricken and remote rural communities. Morocco, Economics, 6/12/2003 - Court to hand out sentence in journalist case next week Morocco, Politics, 6/11/2003
- King Mohammed holds phone talks with Mauritanian president Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 6/11/2003
- Moroccan pm receives Alexandria's patriarch pierre vii Morocco-Egypt, Culture, 6/11/2003
- Moroccan premier meets Brazilian culture minister Morocco-Brazil, Politics, 6/11/2003
- Moroccan speaker meets Finnish women MPs Morocco-Finland, Politics, 6/11/2003
- Moroccan, Gibraltar employers association sign partnership convention Morocco-UK, Politics, 6/11/2003
- Leading German tourism group eyes stronger presence in Morocco
TUI Group, a leading German tour operator, has unveiled a plan to consolidate its 35-year presence in Morocco. Morocco-Germany, Business, 6/11/2003 - Tennis: Morocco's Arazi advances in London Queen's tournament Morocco, Sports, 6/11/2003
- Morocco's foreign currency reserves up, tourism receipts drop by end of april
Foreign currency reserves at the central bank (Bank Al-Maghrib) reached 101.82 billion dirhams (some USD 11 billion) by April 30, 2003, as compares to 98.53 billion Dirhams ($10.7 billion) during the same period of last year, i.e. a 3.3% rise, the exchange office said in its latest newsletter. Morocco, Economics, 6/11/2003 - Another group of 18 suspects in Casablanca attacks appear before court
Another group of 18 suspects in last May 16 terrorist attacks of Casablanca appeared before the court of appeal of Casablanca, said the tribunal's general prosecutor, Abdellah Alaoui Belghiti. Morocco, Local, 6/11/2003 - Morocco's fm meets Qatari head of state Morocco-Qatar, Politics, 6/10/2003
- Arab lawyers call for liberation of Moroccans sequestered in Algeria camps
The permanent office of Arab Lawyers Union called for the liberation of all the people sequestered in Tindouf camps (southwestern Algeria) and who are victim of all kinds of torture. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Spanish politicians satisfied with normalization of Moroccan-Spanish relations
The Spanish two major political parties were satisfied with the normalization of Morocco-Spain relations, and voiced hope to see the two countries conducting an open and frank dialogue on pending issues. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/10/2003 - King Mohammed chairs ministers council
Morocco's King Mohammed VI chaired this Monday at the royal palace of Agadir a ministers council that approved a series of draft-decrees, including one on promotion of the situation of women and children rights, a draft-decree providing for increases in allowances of security staff and local councils employees and draft-decrees on the schedule of elections. Morocco, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Morocco sees illiteracy as brake to development
Illiteracy is a brake to Morocco's development and a national issue, Moroccan minister in charge of public sector modernization, Najib Zerouali, said. Morocco, Education, 6/10/2003 - Saudi official: no link found to date between Riyadh and Casablanca attacks
Saudi interior minister, Prince Nayef Bin Abdel Aziz, said no link has been established for the time being between the Riyadh and Casablanca terrorist attacks. Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Moroccan women MP delegation ends visit to Germany
A delegation of Moroccan women parliament members ended an eight-day visit to Germany where they met several government officials, MPs and NGOs. Morocco-Germany, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Brazilian artist minister, Gil, a major attraction at fez festival
Some 3,000 music-lovers flocked Saturday to the Bab Al-Makina square in Fez, driven by their curiosity to discover the talent of a unique Brazilian singer and... minister, Gilberto Gil. Morocco, Local, 6/10/2003 - Morocco's trade deficit worsens by 28% in 1st quarter of 2003 Morocco, Economics, 6/10/2003
- Foreign loans and investments drop, expats' remittances up in 1st quarter of 2003
Foreign direct investments and loans have regressed by 32% in the first quarter of 2003, compared to the amount of FDIs and loans Morocco attracted in the same period of 2002. Morocco, Economics, 6/10/2003 - Over 203,000 candidates to sit for baccalaureate exam Morocco, Education, 6/10/2003
- International music festival to be held in Marrakech Morocco, Local, 6/10/2003
- Halle tennis tournament: Morocco's El Aynaoui in 2nd round Morocco, Sports, 6/10/2003
- Moroccan official urges Moroccan expatriates in france to invest in low-cost housing
Moroccan delegate minister in charge of housing and urbanism, Taoufik Hjira, urged on Saturday Moroccans living in France to invest massively in low-cost housing projects in Morocco. Morocco, Economics, 6/10/2003 - Moroccan premier meets Cote D'Ivoire FM Morocco-Cote D'Ivoire, Politics, 6/9/2003
- Morocco's PM in France shortly Morocco-France, Politics, 6/9/2003
- French premier to visit Morocco soon Morocco-France, Politics, 6/9/2003
- Sacred music festival starts in Fez
Morocco's Princess Lalla Hasna, Sister of King Mohammed VI, on Friday chaired the opening of the 9th edition of the Fez Sacred Music Festival, held under the theme "From my Soul to Yours, the Art of Transmission." Morocco, Local, 6/9/2003 - Primo Nebiolo Meet: Hicham El Guerrouj wins 3,000m race Morocco, Sports, 6/9/2003