Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 7/7/2003
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of July 7, 2003
- Prime minister sees modernization of public service as key to fulfilling economic aspirations
The prime minister, who made a report on his government's action at the House of Representatives, said the government has devised a comprehensive program meant to lay down the bases of a modern and transparent administration Morocco, Economics, 7/12/2003 - Morocco braced to consolidate democracy through coming elections, Moroccan premier
Moroccan prime minister, Driss Jettou, renewed on Thursday the government's resolve to endeavor so that the coming elections consecrate the democratic process and civil liberties, as part of the rule of law guaranteed by King Mohammed VI. Morocco, Politics, 7/12/2003 - Maroc Hebdo: investigations in may 16 attacks probe international links, justice minister
The terrorist attacks of last May 16 in Casablanca are "surely organized crimes" and are linked to an international terrorist organization, said Moroccan justice minister, Mohamed Bouzoubaa, in an interview published by Moroccan weekly "Maroc Hebdo." Morocco, Local, 7/12/2003 - Agadir's festival of popular, nomadic music starts; US jazz musician to join
The first festival of Popular and Nomads Music of the region of Souss (southern Morocco) opened in Agadir (southern Morocco Atlantic city) on Thursday with the participation of some 600 musicians, artists and dancers from Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, America and Europe. Regional-Morocco, Economics, 7/12/2003 - Security, stability crucial for rights' preservation and productive economy, pm Morocco, Politics, 7/12/2003
- Moroccan NGO delegation meets with UK officials, press Morocco-UK, Politics, 7/12/2003
- Oliver Stone's Alexander to be shot in Morocco
Oliver Stone's film entitled "Alexander" will be shot as to September 22 in Marrakech, Essaouira and El Jadida (southern Morocco), producers announced. Morocco, Economics, 7/12/2003 - Extremist underground group's trial hears defense arguments
Attorneys supporting a group of members belonging to the "Salafia Jihadia" extremist underground group -the so-called Youssef Fikri group- presented on Thursday night their arguments at the trial that started on July 4. Morocco, Local, 7/12/2003 - Football: Morocco's Raja advances in Arab Cup
Morocco's Raja Casablanca made a considerable step towards the semi-final of the Arab Champion clubs, when it defeated this Friday here Jordan's Al Faycali (1-0). Morocco, Sports, 7/12/2003 - International festival of Mediterranean cinema next september
The international festival of Mediterranean cinema will be held from September 24 through October 1st in the northern town of Tetuan. Morocco, Economics, 7/12/2003 - Morocco donates four tons of medicines to Mauritania Mauritania-Morocco, Culture, 7/11/2003
- Morocco, Spain set to take fresh start in bilateral relations, minister Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/11/2003
- Two of three journalists arrested for publishing articles undermining state security released
Two out of the three journalists arrested last June in Oujda (eastern Morocco) for the publication of articles "inciting for crimes that could undermine national security" were released, communication minister and government spokesman, Nabil Benabdellah announced on Thursday. Morocco, Politics, 7/11/2003 - Justice minister: new penal procedure code to preserve defense rights
Moroccan justice minister, Mohammed Bouzoubaa, said the new code of penal procedure is a purely Moroccan law, based on all advanced theories of penal policies meant to preserve the defense rights. Morocco, Judicial, 7/11/2003 - Chamber of advisors draws lots to renew third of members
The House of Advisors (upper parliamentary chamber) drew lots on Wednesday to pick 180 members who will go through elections to renew one third of its 270 members for the second time since 1997. Morocco, Politics, 7/11/2003 - Angolan fisheries minister calls Moroccan operators to invest in his country
Angolan minister of fisheries, Salamao Jos? Luheto Xirimbimbi, called on Wednesday Moroccan businessmen operating in the field to invest in Angola and transfer their know-how and capital to the South African country. Morocco-Angola, Politics, 7/11/2003 - Moroccan airliner, EADS Sogerma services to create overhaul center in marrakech
Moroccan airliner RAM and EADS Sogerma Services, one of the world leaders in commercial and military aircraft maintenance, signed here on Thursday a convention for the opening, as of November 2004, of a regional aircraft overhaul center in Marrakech. Morocco-France, Business, 7/11/2003 - Morocco grabs 1st gold medal at Sherbrooke's 15-17 World Athletics Championships
Siham Hilal gave Morocco on Wednesday its first gold medal in the 3rd IAAF World Youth Athletics Championships the world athletics championships in Sherbrooke(Quebec, Canada), when she finished first in the 3,000 race. Morocco, Sports, 7/11/2003 - Twenty persons stand trial for acquaintances with underground violent group
General prosecutor at the court of appeal of Rabat, Hassan Laoufi, announced that 20 persons stood trial on Wednesday at the court for acquaintance with the "Salafia Jihadia" underground group. Morocco, Local, 7/11/2003 - Court adjourns to friday trial of weekly editor
The first instance court of Rabat on Wednesday adjourned to next Friday the trial of Mustapha Alaoui, editor of "Al Ousboue" weekly, who is sued for publishing a communiqu? by a group that claims responsibility for some of the series of attacks that rocked Casablanca last May 16. Morocco, Politics, 7/10/2003 - King Mohammed pays unexpected visit to port of Tangier
Morocco's King Mohammed VI on Wednesday paid an unexpected visit to the port of Tangier to inquire about arrangements taken for Moroccan expatriates in Europe who come home for their summer holidays. Morocco, Culture, 7/10/2003 - Over 400,000 people benefit from nationwide literacy campaign
The Nationwide literacy campaign dubbed "Massirat Ennour (March for light)," launched in Morocco end of last May, benefited some 431,544 persons, said state secretary in charge of literacy and informal education, Najima Rhozali Tay Tay. Morocco, Education, 7/10/2003 - Children rights code to be more effective
The new children rights code was drafted in a way that repairs some loopholes and will be given more efficiency with a train of coercive and dissuasive clauses it contains, said secretary of state in charge of family, solidarity and social action, Yasmina Baddou. Morocco, Culture, 7/10/2003 - Sweden, Norway NGOs seriously concerned over situation of Moroccans sequestered in Tindouf
Several humanitarian associations in Sweden and Norway expressed during a seminar held last weekend in Gutenburg (Sweden) serious concern over the harsh living conditions of Moroccans sequestered in Tindouf camps (south-western Algeria), a Swedish NGO told MAP. Morocco-Sweden, Politics, 7/10/2003 - Spanish minister says visit to Morocco helped define cooperation axes
Spanish agriculture, fisheries and food minister, Miguel Arias Canete, told a joint press conference held in Rabat on Tuesday with general secretary of agriculture and rural development ministry, El Hassan Benabderrazek, that his visit to Morocco helped the two countries define cooperation axes and promote bilateral dialogue. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/10/2003 - STMicroelectronics, ONE, Eurinvest group, major investment conventions signed in Rabat
The Moroccan government signed this Wednesday three major investments conventions worth 2.9 billion Dirhams (US$ 306 million) with foreign private companies operating in micro-electronics development and design, natural gas-generated electricity and retail services. Morocco, Business, 7/10/2003 - Group of 28 alleged members of Assalafia Al Jihadia extremist group before appeal court of Fez
A group of 28 alleged members of the Assalafia Al Jihadia extremist group appeared Tuesday before the Criminal chamber of the appeal court of Fez. Morocco, Local, 7/10/2003 - Nineteen alleged members of Al Hijra Wa Takfir extremist group appear before appeal court of Taza
Nineteen alleged members of Al Hijra Wa Takfir extremist group were brought before the appeal court of Taza, authorities said Wednesday. Morocco, Local, 7/10/2003 - Government surveys to expose quality of service; 53% satisfied with customs services
Morocco will launch an e-customs system dubbed BADR (Automated Base of Customs Online) to grant users easier access from any internet-connected computer, the Administration of Customs and Indirect Taxes (ADII) said. Morocco, Economics, 7/9/2003 - Southern Morocco NGOs delegation meets officials, NGOs in london Morocco-UK, Politics, 7/9/2003
- Arab League chief in Morocco next week Regional-Morocco, Politics, 7/9/2003
- Morocco ready to make Angola profit from its experience in fisheries Morocco-Angola, Politics, 7/9/2003
- Morocco signs documents related to Eurobond issue
Documents related to the Euros 400 million-worth EuroBond issue, that was launched by Morocco at the end of June in the international financial market, was signed here on Monday by finance and privatization minister, Fathallah Oualalou, and representatives of the BNP Paribas banks and Merrill Lynch, the two lead managers. Morocco, Economics, 7/9/2003 - Three Moroccans to assist French coach of Qatari team
Three Moroccan technicians will assist French coach of Qatari team, Phillippe Troussier, who coached the Japanese team during the world cup finals in 2002. Morocco-Qatar, Sports, 7/9/2003 - Morocco has 4,277 cooperatives with a $ 800 million capital
Morocco has 4,277 cooperatives, mustering 267,466 members, with an overall capital of 6.7 billion Dirhams (US$ 800 million), according to 2002 statistics released by Morocco's office of cooperation development. Morocco, Local, 7/9/2003 - Salafia Jihadia extremist group members sentenced to 10 to 18 months in jail
The first instance court of Taza handed out on Monday prison sentences ranging between 10 and 18 months against a group of six individuals standing trial for acquaintances with the "Salafia Jihadia" extremist group. Morocco, Local, 7/9/2003 - Government resolved to make of online-administration a development factor, pm
Moroccan prime minister, Driss Jettou, said Monday the government is resolved to make online administration a reality and a factor of development and progress. Morocco, Economics, 7/8/2003 - Moroccan-Russian fisheries joint committee meets in rabat Morocco-Russia, Economics, 7/8/2003
- Moroccan-British ties upgrading, UK ambassador
Moroccan-British relations are upgrading, with Morocco becoming Britain's third largest partner in North Africa and the Middle East, British Ambassador to Morocco, Hadon Boyd Warren Gash, said. Morocco-UK, Politics, 7/8/2003 - Leader of Assalafia Al Jihadia extremist group admits murders
One the "Assalafia Aljihadia" extremist group leaders, Youssef Fikri, acknowledged the murders he was charged with by the Casablanca Appeal Court, except that of his uncle. Morocco, Local, 7/8/2003 - France is a key market for Moroccan tourism, diplomat
France is still a key market for Moroccan tourism and it was not affected by the tragic events of May 16 in Casablanca, Morocco's ambassador to France, Hassan Abouyoub, told a Paris radio station. Morocco-France, Economics, 7/8/2003 - Football: Hassania Agadir win Morocco's league for second time
Hassania Club of Agadir on Sunday won the Moroccan football league for the second time in a row, toppling such prestigious teams as RAJA and WYDAD Casablanca. Morocco, Sports, 7/8/2003 - Football: Morocco qualifies for African nations cup finals
The Atlas Lions of Morocco on Sunday defeated Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in Bata to comfortably top their group and move to the African Nations Cup (CAN-2004), due early next year in Tunisia. Morocco-Regional, Sports, 7/8/2003 - Morocco's rural electrification to reach 70% in 2004, minister
Electrification of Morocco's rural areas is expected to reach a rate 70% in 2004 when the General Rural Electrification Program (PERG) will have reached its third phase, said minister of energy and mining, Mohammed Boutaleb. Morocco, Economics, 7/8/2003 - Morocco moves to liberalize ports sector, minister
The Moroccan government is planning to liberalize the ports sector, minister of equipment and transport, Karim Ghellab, said Friday. Morocco, Economics, 7/7/2003 - Moroccan, Spanish FMs dedicate Spanish center, hospital maternity ward in Tetuan
Moroccan foreign minister, Mohammed Benaissa, and his Spanish peer, Ana Palacio, who started Friday a visit to Morocco at the head of an official delegation, dedicated in the northern city of Tetuan the maternity ward of the city's Spanish hospital and the newly refurbished Cervantes Spanish cultural center. Morocco-Spain, Culture, 7/7/2003 - Police arrests German national with 960kg of hashish in Tangiers port Morocco, Local, 7/7/2003
- Paris meeting: Morocco's El Kmach comes in 2nd in 3,000 women race Morocco, Sports, 7/7/2003
- Over 86% of Moroccan beaches meet water hygiene standards, report
More than 86% of swimming waters in Moroccan beaches meet hygiene standards, against 72% last year, says the national report of water quality control released this week. Morocco, Environment, 7/7/2003