Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 6/16/2003
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of June 16, 2003
- Rabat, Tunis sign cooperation agreement Morocco-Tunisia, Politics, 6/21/2003
- Peru square dedicated in central rabat Morocco-Peru, Politics, 6/21/2003
- Peru wants strategic partnership with Morocco Morocco-Peru, Politics, 6/21/2003
- President of foreign affairs committee in Chilean senate to visit Morocco Morocco-Chile, Politics, 6/21/2003
- Moroccan court starts hearing of journalist arrested in connection with Casablanca attacks probe
The court of appeal of Rabat started on Friday the hearing of Mustapha Alaoui, a journalist sued for publishing a communiqu? whereby a group, "Assaika," claims responsibility for last May 16 attacks in Casablanca. Morocco, Politics, 6/21/2003 - Peru backs political solution to Sahara issue
Peru said it wants to promote a strategic partnership with Morocco in such a way to make the two countries serve as gateways for each other in their respective regions. Morocco-Peru, Politics, 6/21/2003 - Moody's changes Morocco's outlook to stable from negative
Moody's Investors Service has changed to stable from negative the outlook on Morocco's foreign currency country ceiling and local currency government bond rating of the Kingdom of Morocco. Morocco, Economics, 6/21/2003 - Moroccan political parties mull charter to unify nation ranks
A group of political parties held on Thursday a meeting, at the initiative of the Party for Reform and Development (PRD) to consider a charter to "unify ranks" around the nation's constant values. Morocco, Politics, 6/21/2003 - MAP office in Paris savagely assaulted by group claiming to support moroccan imprisoned journalist
A group of persons claiming to be members of a committee supporting Moroccan imprisoned journalist, Ali Lmrabet, this Friday afternoon broke into the Paris office of Moroccan news agency (MAP). Morocco, Politics, 6/21/2003 - More than us $740 mln of investments in Morocco in first quarter of 2003
The volume of investments in Morocco in the first quarter of 2003 reached nearly US $740 million, 7.4 billion dirhams, that is the triple of the amount registered last year. Morocco, Economics, 6/21/2003 - Fez sacred music festival É when melodies help transcend religious differences
The Fez festival of world sacred music mission has a prime mission to make of music a means to transcend religious differences, The Festival's President, Mohamed Kabbaj, said. Morocco, Culture, 6/21/2003 - WHO earmarks us $30.000 micro-loans to finance projects in Sale
The World Health Organization (WHO) allocated to Rabat's twin city of Sal? micro-loans worth US$ 30,000 to finance socio-economic projects. Morocco, Economics, 6/21/2003 - Morocco's Arazi ascension ends in semi-finals of Nottingham tennis open Morocco, Sports, 6/21/2003
- Morocco has important but untapped potentials in renewable energy, official
Morocco, which imports 97% of its energy needs, possesses important but untapped potentials in renewable energy, including a solar radiation estimated at 5Kwh/M2/Day, a wind potential of 6,000 MW and a forest wealth of 9 million hectares, director general of the renewable energies development center, Abdelhanine Benallou, said here on Friday. Morocco, Economics, 6/21/2003 - Morocco beats Gabon in African nations cup heats Morocco, Sports, 6/21/2003
- Morocco chairs world urban development congress
Morocco was elected this Friday president of the 27th World Congress on Urban Development that closed on Friday its three-day session in Saint Denis (Paris region), held under the patronage of French president, Jacques Chirac. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 6/21/2003 - Morocco announces will to reform religious affairs
Morocco on Wednesday announced will to review religious affairs within a comprehensive development project embracing political, cultural and doctrinal branches. Morocco, Politics, 6/20/2003 - Morocco issues first international bond loan
Morocco's finance and privatization minister, Fathallah Oualalou, will conduct starting Friday a roadshow in Bahrain, the UAE, France and the United Kingdom to promote the kingdom's first bond loan. Morocco, Economics, 6/20/2003 - Moroccan premier meets Saudi civil service minister
Moroccan premier, Driss Jettou, met in Rabat on Wednesday with Saudi Arabia's civil service minister, Mohamed Bin Ali Al Fayez, who is currently in a visit to Morocco. Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/20/2003 - Morocco moves to develop fisheries
Morocco's Prime Minister, Driss Jettou, on Thursday chaired a meeting on the study of an action plan to develop the fisheries sector, covering the period between 2003 and 2007. Morocco, Economics, 6/20/2003 - Morocco, Peru to Create Parliamentary Friendship Group
Morocco and Peru decided in Rabat on Wednesday to create a parliamentary friendship group. Morocco-Peru, Politics, 6/20/2003 - Morocco, EU likely to conclude agreement on agriculture before end of the year
RABAT, June 19 (MAP)- Morocco and the European Union are likely to conclude an agreement on agriculture before the end of the year, Morocco's ambassador to the European communities in Brussels, Aicha Belarbi, said here on Wednesday. Morocco-European Union, Economics, 6/20/2003 - France extends Morocco 750,000 Euro for expats' enterprise creation
The French Development agency signed on Wednesday with the Sindibad fund, an affiliate of the pension managing CDG, a 750,000 Euro subsidy to promote investments in rural tourism and innovating SME's by Moroccan expatriates. Morocco-France, Economics, 6/20/2003 - Prince Moulay Rachid meets a top official from Qatar's Islamic bank Morocco-Qatar, Economics, 6/20/2003
- French national drowned, German missing Morocco, Local, 6/20/2003
- Tennis: Morocco's Arazi plays UK's Rusedski in Nottingham semi-final Morocco, Sports, 6/20/2003
- French officer wants to be first man ever to cross Gibraltar by parachute
Thierry Demonfort, a French marine officer, is readying to be the first man ever to cross by parachute the 14-km Gibraltar strait, separating Morocco and Spain. Morocco, Local, 6/20/2003 - US agency focuses Morocco strategy on job generation
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said it will focus its new Morocco strategy on generating more jobs. Morocco-USA, Economics, 6/20/2003 - Morocco, Algeria study means for deeper anti-terrorism cooperation, moroccan minister
"It is clear that the improvement of relations will open better perspectives to build a large Maghreb to which we have been aspiring for so long," he said. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/19/2003 - Morocco, Peru sign three cooperation accords
The first accord deals with reinforcing trade of goods and services, encouraging investments and creating joint ventures. A joint trade commission will follow up the implementation of the accord, evaluate bilateral trade and draw up measures likely to boost trade exchanges and settle related differences. Morocco-Peru, Economics, 6/19/2003 - No link at all between mosques and terrorism, minister
Moroccan minister of Habous (Islamic endowments) and Islamic affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, said Tuesday there was no link at all between Mosques and terrorism. Morocco, Politics, 6/19/2003 - Morocco, US agreed on FTA general guidelines, minister
Morocco and the US have agreed on the general guidelines of the legal framework of the free trade accord during the 3rd round of negotiations held earlier this month in Rabat, Moroccan delegate minister for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri said Tuesday. Morocco-USA, Economics, 6/19/2003 - Saudi public service minister meets Moroccan officials Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/19/2003
- Morocco, Equatorial Guinea to reinforce cooperation in fisheries Morocco-Equatorial Guinea, Economics, 6/19/2003
- El Mundo: Madrid encourages spanish investments enhancement in Morocco
The Spanish government has called Spanish businessmen to enhance their investments in Morocco, the daily El Mundo reported. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/19/2003 - US to concentrate on FTA negotiations with Morocco, US official
The US administration will focus on FTA negotiations with Morocco and other trade initiatives following the conclusion of free trade accords with Chili and Singapore, US trade representative deputy assistant, Peter Allgeier, said Tuesday. Morocco-USA, Economics, 6/19/2003 - Least developed countries hold conference in Rabat
The conference is also part of Morocco's decision to annul the debts of the African least developed countries and allow a free access of their exports to the Moroccan market Regional-Morocco, Politics, 6/19/2003 - Tennis: Morocco's Arazi Moves to Quarterfinal in Nottingham, El-Aynaoui Out Morocco, Sports, 6/19/2003
- EU official: Morocco an exceptionally important partner for EU Morocco-European Union, Politics, 6/18/2003
- Moroccan PM, EC president underscore Morocco's privileged status in its ties with EU Morocco-European Union, Politics, 6/18/2003
- Sahara: Morocco supports comprehensive political solution that respects its kingty
Morocco supports a comprehensive political solution to the Sahara issue that preserves its territorial integrity and respects its sovereignty, said on Monday Moroccan communication minister and government spokesman, Nabil Benabdellah. Morocco, Politics, 6/18/2003 - Government spokesman: monarchy, foundation of Moroccan nation unity
The monarchy is the major foundation on which the unity of the Moroccan nation lies and which enables it to move towards modernity and democracy, said here on Monday communication minister and government spokesman, Nabil Benabdellah. Morocco, Politics, 6/18/2003 - LCI TV: International network behind Casablanca attacks, minister
Moroccan communication minister and spokesman for the government, Nabil Benabdallah, told Monday French TV channel LCI an international terrorist network is behind the May 16 blasts that actually targeted the modern and democratic society project Morocco is building. Morocco, Politics, 6/18/2003 - Group of eight individuals referred to investigating judge, in connection with terrorism probe
The public prosecutor referred this Tuesday to the investigating judge of the Casablanca court of appeal another group of eight individuals, aged between 20 and 40, in connection with the probe on last May 16 string of terrorist attacks in Casablanca. Morocco, Local, 6/18/2003 - EU wants gradual agreement with Morocco in agricultural produce
Head of the European delegation in Rabat, ambassador Sean Doyle, said the European Union is seeking a "gradual" agreement with Morocco on agricultural produce with a clause providing for revision every five years. Morocco-European Union, Economics, 6/18/2003 - Morocco's employers association awarded ISO 9001 certificate Morocco, Business, 6/18/2003
- Morocco-UAE joint venture buys over five-star hotel in Rabat
The Morocco-UAE Development Company (SOMED), equally owned by Moroccan and UAE public investors, has bought 100% of the capital of Daweoo-Rabat, owner of a five-star hotel in Rabat. Morocco-United Arab Emirates, Economics, 6/18/2003 - Tennis: Morocco's El Aynaoui in Second Round of Nottingham Open Morocco, Sports, 6/18/2003
- Algeria: No insurmountable problem in Morocco-Algeria relations
"There is no insurmountable problem in the development of Morocco-Algeria relations and we are completely ready to establish a model cooperation with Morocco," Algerian foreign affairs minister, Abdelaziz Belkhadem, said here on Sunday. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Moroccan FM underscores political will to re-open Moroccan-Algerian land borders
Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, underscored on Saturday the existence of a political will in both Morocco and Algeria for the reopening of land borders and for fostering bilateral economic, political, social and cultural ties. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Moroccan FM meets Algerian President
Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa, met here on Saturday Algerian president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Morocco, Algeria agree to create three committees to reinforce cooperation
Morocco and Algeria agreed to set up three committees to maintain contacts between the two Maghreban states and enhance joint action, says a joint statement released at the end of a visit to Algiers over the week end by Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Morocco's prime minister meets French president
Moroccan prime minister, Driss Jettou, met here this Monday French president, Jacques Chirac, in the presence of Morocco's ambassador in France, Hassan Abouyoub. Morocco-France, Politics, 6/17/2003 - No Islamic extremism threat looms on Morocco, prime minister
Moroccan Premier, Driss Jettou, said Monday Morocco, which embraced Islam 14 centuries ago, is not facing any threat of "Islamic extremism." Morocco, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Morocco's trade policy aims at consolidating rule of law (minister)
Trade policy reforms and efforts undertaken by Morocco are part of its efforts to consolidate the rule of law and democracy, for a strong, job-creating growth, said here Monday Moroccan minister of foreign trade, Mustapha Mechahouri. Morocco, Economics, 6/17/2003 - May 16 Attacks: French NGO on solidarity trip to Casablanca
A delegation of Paris-based NGO "the International Committee of African Renaissance" (CIRA) visited Sunday the sites targeted by the terrorist attacks that rocked Casablanca on May 16 in solidarity with the victims and the Moroccan people. Morocco-France, Culture, 6/17/2003 - Over 2.5 million Moroccans expected to cross spain for summer holidays Morocco, Local, 6/17/2003
- Tennis: Morocco's el-Aynaoui seeded 27th at Wimbledon Morocco, Sports, 6/17/2003
- Morocco's Arazi moves to 2nd round of Nottingham grass tournament Morocco, Sports, 6/17/2003
- Van Damme memorial raises fund to build school in Marrakech
Funds collected from selling the original placard of Van Damme memorial 2003 will be given to UNICEF Morocco to build a school in Marrakech. Morocco, Culture, 6/17/2003 - Senegal to host festival of sacred dances with support of Fez
Senegal will hold in 2004 a festival of sacred dances in Thies (70 Km east of Dakar) with the support of Fez (Morocco) that recently organized the sacred music festival, Senegalese premier, Idrissa Seck announced Sunday in Paris. Morocco-Senegal, Culture, 6/17/2003 - Moroccan FM meets Algerian peer
Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohammed Benaissa, who pays a working visit to Algeria, met in Algiers Saturday his Algerian peer, Abdelaziz Belkhadem. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 6/16/2003 - Saudi civil service minister due in Morocco next week Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Politics, 6/16/2003
- Morocco will honor commitment for phone operator privatization, minister
Morocco will live up to its commitment to sell 16% of Maroc Telecom' capital to French-American Group Vivendi Universal, minister of finance and privatization, Fathallah Oulaalou, told MAP. Morocco, Business, 6/16/2003 - Washington's African arts museum showcases fabric of moroccan life Morocco-USA, Local, 6/16/2003
- Morocco considers new immigration strategy, minister
Moroccan human rights minister, Mohammed Aujjar, said the government is considering a new migration strategy. Morocco, Politics, 6/16/2003