Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 10/6/2003
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of October 6, 2003
- Parliament fall session opening: King Mohammed surveys reforms of the family law
Morocco's King Mohammed VI announced a series of reforms to the proposed "Mudawana (Family law)" at the opening in Rabat Friday of the parliament fall session. Morocco, Politics, 10/11/2003 - No progress possible if women' rights are violated, says king
Morocco's King Mohammed VI of Morocco has defended the right to equality between Moroccan men and women, and urged for a reform of the family law and the woman status "Mudawana." Morocco, Politics, 10/11/2003 - King Mohammed voices resolve to set democratic process on the right track
Morocc's King Mohammed VI voiced in Rabat Friday resolve to set the democratic process on the right path, insisting that it is an irreversible choice, whatever the challenges ahead, locally or at international level. Morocco, Politics, 10/11/2003 - King Mohammed deplores low number of elected women in local polls
In his speech opening the parliament fall, Morocco's King Mohammed VI deplored the low number of women elected during the local polls held in the country last September 12. Morocco, Politics, 10/11/2003 - King Mohammed calls for nation-wide mobilization for territorial integrity
"The sacred cause of the Kingdom's territorial integrity must remain the overriding issue that warrants total mobilization nation-wide," King Mohammed VI said Friday. Morocco, Politics, 10/11/2003 - Morocco produces daily evidence that civilizations clash is not inexorable, Chirac
"Morocco, land of tolerance which has, for six thousand years, culled the best of all the cultures that interacted with it, produces each day clear evidence that the clash of cultures is not inexorable," said here French president, Jacques Chirac, who is currently on a 3-day visit to Morocco with his spouse Bernadette. Morocco-France, Politics, 10/11/2003 - Some 90 Italian companies to showcase their products in Morocco
Some ninety Italian companies operating in construction, electro-mechanics, textile, vocational training and telecommunications will participate, here next December 4-7, in the first Italian exhibition of the northern Italy region of Emilia Romagna. Morocco-Italy, Economics, 10/11/2003 - King Mohammed decorates members of consultative commission in charge of personal status code review Morocco, Local, 10/11/2003
- Morocco's trade deficit worsens by 18.3% by end of august 2003
During the period January-August 2003, Morocco's trade deficit worsened by 18.3% as compared to the same period last year, the exchange office said. Morocco, Economics, 10/11/2003 - Morocco, Ghana sign cooperation agreement in fisheries Morocco-Ghana, Economics, 10/11/2003
- Chirac: best weapons against fanaticism are education, jobs and hope
Visiting French president, Jacques Chirac hailed Morocco's "bold and exemplary political transition" under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, at a dinner banquet hosted in his honor, Thursday evening in Fez, by the Moroccan monarch. Morocco-France, Politics, 10/10/2003 - French president voices 'total support' to Morocco's stand on the Sahara
French president said, in Fez Thursday, his country totally and infallibly supports the Moroccan stand regarding the Sahara issue and the Kingdom's territorial integrity. Morocco-France, Politics, 10/10/2003 - King Mohammed pays tribute to French president as a 'committed' statesman
Morocco's King Mohammed VI paid tribute this Thursday to visiting French president, Jacques Chirac, as "committed head of state," "a man of conviction" and to France "the homeland of the Declaration of the rights of man and citizen." Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 10/10/2003 - Gabon warns against serious dangers of Baker's new plan for the Sahara
Gabon warned on Wednesday against the serious dangers underlying the new plan for the Sahara mooted by the UN secretary general's personal envoy for the Sahara, James Baker, and called for continuing negotiations to reach a settlement accepted by all parties to the conflict Morocco-Gabon, Politics, 10/10/2003 - Sahrawi delegation exposes to Chilean officials reasons of their refusal of baker's plan on sahara
A delegation of Moroccan southern provinces wound up a four-day visit to Chili where their briefed Chilean officials on the latest developments of the Sahara issue with a particular empahsis on the rejection by the people of these provinces of the latest peace plan mooted by the UN secretary general's personal envoy for the Sahara, James Baker. Morocco-Chile, Politics, 10/10/2003 - Two Canadian magistrates awarded the 'Peter Gruber' Justice Prize
Two Canadian female magistrates have been awarded the 2003 "Peter Gruber" International Award of Justice, in a ceremony held here on Wednesday. Regional-Morocco, Local, 10/10/2003 - Moroccan premier affirms to FIFA government's entire support to morocco's 2010 bid
Moroccan premier, Driss Jettou, on Wednesday told the FIFA inspection team the entire Moroccan government is committed to live up to the FIFA requests, bring infallible support to the "Morocco 2010" organizing committee and gather conditions for the first African venue of the finals to honor a whole continent. Morocco, Local, 10/10/2003 - French president hails Morocco's 'bold and exemplary political transition' Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 10/10/2003
- Chairman of Marrakesh trade chamber sentenced to 10 months for forgery Morocco, Local, 10/10/2003
- Moroccan highway tolls exceed $ 40 million in 2002
Moroccan highway tolls reached in 2002 400 million DH (over US$ 40 million), increasing by 26% compared to the amount paid in 2001, says the state-owned company of Morocco's highways (ADM). Morocco, Economics, 10/10/2003 - Bosnian Film Obtains 'Etoile d'Or' Award in Marrakesh Film Festival
Bosnian film "Fuse" of Pjer Zalica received the "Etoile d'Or" award of the best movie in Marrakesh festival which downed curtains on Wednesday. Morocco-Regional, Local, 10/10/2003 - French president visits Morocco to display support and encouragement to the kingdom
France, he added, is intent to bring backing to Morocco in the set of pressing challenges and threats it is facing Morocco-France, Politics, 10/9/2003 - French president: Morocco's choices will lead to economic development, social progress
"Morocco has made a bold choice for modernity and democratization," said the French president who hailed the Moroccan experience "as a rare example of a country that chose to open onto the world while respecting its deep identity." Morocco-France, Politics, 10/9/2003 - France supports Sahara issue solution that takes into account Morocco's interests
France supports a solution to the Sahara issue "that takes into account Morocco's interests and regional stability," said, here Wednesday, French President Jacques Chirac. Morocco-France, Politics, 10/9/2003 - Morocco sees to teach humanitarian law concepts in schools
Morocco is seeing to include humanitarian law concepts in the new school curricula, education and youth minister, Habib El Malki, said. Morocco-Regional, Education, 10/9/2003 - Morocco among countries to benefit from French 'co-development' policy
Morocco is among four African countries to benefit from the "co-development" policy initiated by the French government to help foreign communities settled in France invest in their native countries. Morocco-France, Politics, 10/9/2003 - Morocco, Turkey initial FTA agreement
Morocco and Turkey initialed a free trade agreement (FTA) that will boost bilateral trade and economic relations, the Moroccan external trade ministry said in a release. Morocco-Turkey, Economics, 10/9/2003 - Moroccan government to support farmers for 2003-2004 agricultural campaign
The Moroccan agriculture ministry announced this Wednesday a series of measures to support farmers in the 2003-2004 campaign and relaunch the drought-stricken agricultural sector. Morocco, Economics, 10/9/2003 - European MP calls for 'more than partnership' in Morocco-EU ties Morocco-European Union, Politics, 10/9/2003
- 2010 World Cup Bid: FIFA inspection team arrives in morocco Morocco, Local, 10/9/2003
- French president on state visit to Morocco this week Morocco-France, Politics, 10/8/2003
- Moroccan political parties express support to Syria, condemn Israeli aggression
Political parties in Morocco expressed support to Syria and condemned Israel following the air strike it carried out Sunday inside the Syrian territory. Morocco-Syria, Politics, 10/8/2003 - Morocco mulls fresh initiatives to promote housing
Moroccan prime minister, Driss Jettou, unveiled here Monday a train of initiatives to promote the housing sector, take up the challenge of social housing and fight unhealthy housing. Morocco, Economics, 10/8/2003 - Head of Cuba's inter-people friendship visits Morocco
Head of Cuba's institute of inter-people friendship, affiliated to the communist party, Luis Morejon Soto, said his country wishes to promote ties with Morocco. Soto made the statement during a meeting with speaker of the House of Representatives (lower chamber), Abdelouahed Radi. Morocco-Cuba, Politics, 10/8/2003 - Morocco regrets failure of WTO's Cancun round
The failure of the World Trade Organization's conference in Cancun shows that developed countries are not living up to the commitments they have made at the Doha round to place development at the core of trade interests, said on Monday Morocco's ambassador to the UN, Mohamed Bennouna. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 10/8/2003 - Morocco hosts Andalusian Music Festival Regional-Morocco, Local, 10/8/2003
- Moroccan Jews mark Yom Kippur
Moroccan Jews held on Monday in Casablanca at the Beth El temple a religious service to mark the Jewish festival of Yom Kippur. Morocco, Religion, 10/8/2003 - Choice of Morocco location for Alexander the Great due to many reasons, oliver stone
The choice of Morocco as a shooting location for "Alexander the Great" was due to many reasons, most importantly Morocco's substantial help in addition to its geographical diversity, British director Oliver Stone said here Monday. Morocco, Economics, 10/8/2003 - Bensaidi's Mille Mois acreened at NY Film Festival
Faouzi Bensaidi's "Mille Mois (one thousand months)" was screened last weekend at the 41st Film festival of New York, held October 3-19. Morocco, Local, 10/8/2003 - French electric and optic connectors group to open plant in Morocco
French group "Souriau," a world leader in developing, making and marketing of electric and optic connectors for industrial and aeronautics companies will open on October 16 an assembling plant in the Tangiers Free Zone (northern Morocco). Morocco-France, Business, 10/8/2003 - Morocco's hard currency reserves up
Morocco's reserves of hard currency increased by 17.2% by the end of August 2003, in comparison with the beginning of the year, according to the exchange office's latest figures. Morocco, Economics, 10/8/2003 - Teacher suspended for throwing 2 pupils out of window
A teacher, who threw Monday morning two of her pupils from the 2nd floor of a primary school in Casablanca, was suspended, the school's direction told MAP. Morocco, Local, 10/8/2003 - Tennis: Morocco's Arazi moves to 2nd round of Lyon tournament Morocco, Sports, 10/8/2003
- UNHCR agrees to refugee camps census, a long established Moroccan claim
The United Nations High Commission For Refugees (UNHCR) has responded to a claim Morocco has been repeatedly calling for on the need to register refugees and conduct a census of refugee camps around the world, such as the Tindouf Camps (Southern Algeria) were Moroccans native of the Sahara (southern Morocco) are being held hostage by a the separatist movement Polisario. Morocco-UN, Politics, 10/7/2003 - Morocco needs 800 additional judges to overcome lawsuits backlog
The Moroccan justice needs an additional 800 magistrates in order to be able to process the cases clogged up in Moroccan courts, said justice minister Mohamed Bouzoubaa. Morocco, Judicial, 10/7/2003 - Moroccan southern delegation starts South-American information tour
A delegation of heads of tribes and notables representing inhabitants of the Moroccan southern provinces has started Sunday a visit to Chile, part of a tour in Latin American countries to give officials, NGOs and journalists insight about the reality in the Moroccan Sahara. Morocco-Chile, Politics, 10/7/2003 - Children MP ambition to become real lawmakers
Members of the children parliament said they want to have in the coming sessions a genuine law-making role and be able to propose bills to the adult parliament. Morocco, Culture, 10/7/2003 - Spanish colonel: armada's occupation of Tourah islet was disproportionate, inconsiderate
After the failure of the intelligence services, Spanish Premier, Jose Maria Aznar, and his defense minister, Frederico Trillo, have not responded adequately to the stationing by Morocco of some soldiers, Spanish Colonel Amadeo Martinez Ingles said. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 10/7/2003 - Teacher throws two students out of window
A teacher, who had a fit of hysterics, threw this Monday morning two of her students from the 2nd floor of a primary school in Casablanca. Morocco, Local, 10/7/2003 - Al-Assad- King Mohammad telephone call Syria-Morocco, Politics, 10/7/2003
- Ridley Scott: Morocco offers most developed cinema infrastructure in region
Morocco has the most developed cinema infrastructure of the region, said British movie maker, Ridley Scott, currently participating in the International Film Festival, held here October 03-08. Morocco, Local, 10/7/2003 - King Mohammed offers dinner in honor of FIFM participants
Morocco's Prince Moulay Rachid, Brother of king Mohammed VI and Princesses Lalla Meryem, Lalla Asmae and Lalla Hasna chaired Saturday at the Marrakesh Royal Palace a dinner offered by king Mohammed VI in honor of participants in the third International Film Festival (FIFM), held here October 3-8. Morocco, Local, 10/7/2003 - Morocco seeks fruitful partnership with Lithuania (minister) Morocco-European Union, Economics, 10/7/2003
- Moroccan killed by Spanish civil guard at border
A Moroccan man was shot dead end of last week by a Spanish civil guard on the borders with the Spain-occupied city of Sebta on Friday, in what Spanish authorities said was an accident. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 10/7/2003 - African up: Raja Casablanca thrashes Nigeria Rangers 4-1
Raja Casablanca thrashed in Casablanca on Saturday Nigeria Rangers 4-1 at the semi-finals of the African Football Cup (CAF). Morocco-Nigeria, Sports, 10/7/2003 - Professionals hold textile and apparel fair
The Moroccan association of textile and apparel industries (AMITH) is holding this October 13-18 a week-long fair simultaneously in Marrakesh and Casablanca. Morocco, Economics, 10/7/2003 - Moroccan southern provinces delegation visits Chili, Mexico
A delegation representing the population of the Moroccan Southern Provinces will start this Sunday in Santiago a visit to Chili and Mexico to explain the latest developments in the Sahara issue, particularly the dangers underlying the latest version of the Baker plan. Morocco-Mexico, Politics, 10/6/2003 - Nearly 300 kg of hashish seized in Tangiers port in less than 24h Morocco, Local, 10/6/2003
- Morocco's Faouzi Bensaidi and Narjiss Nejjar movies prized at Namur Film Festival
Moroccan movie makers, Faouzi Bensaidi and Narjiss Nejjar, were prized Friday at the Namur Francophone Film Festival for their "Mille Mois" and "Les Yeux Secs." Morocco, Local, 10/6/2003 - US Peter Gruber Foundation holds justice-prize awarding ceremony in marrakesh
The US Peter Gruber Foundation has chosen to host the annual justice prize awarding ceremony in Marrakesh with the collaboration of the Moroccan supreme court. Morocco-USA, Local, 10/6/2003 - Morocco, leading country in blinding trachoma fighting
Morocco is a leading country in blinding trachoma fighting, the Moroccan health department's challenge in the field being to totally eliminate the ailment by 2005, a Moroccan health official said. Morocco, Health, 10/6/2003