Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 12/13/2004
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of December 13, 2004
- Senegal urges for release of Moroccan POWs in Southern Algeria
Senegal has urged for the release of Moroccan POWs that are detained in "deplorable conditions" in Tindouf camps in southwestern Algeria, said a joint statement released at the end of the 13th session of the Moroccan-Senegalese joint High Commission that convened Friday in Rabat. Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 12/18/2004 - New visit exchange between families in Morocco and Polisario camps
Visit exchanges between families in southern Morocco and their relatives that are sequestered in the Polisario-controlled Tindouf camps resumed, on Friday, part of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) confidence-building measures. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 12/18/2004 - Fisheries cooperation must benefit both Morocco, Spain, insists Minister
The Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries has insisted that cooperation between Morocco and Spain in the fields of fisheries must benefit both countries, stressing that the North African country remains "open to any possible formula." Morocco-Spain, Economics, 12/18/2004 - Entry into force Dec.18 of Industrial Property Law in Morocco
The entry into force tomorrow Saturday of the Industrial Property Law, ushers a new era for Morocco as regards protection of the rights of the inventors, of the innovators and of the creators, affirmed, in Casablanca Thursday the Minister of Industry, Trade and Economy Upgrading. Morocco, Economics, 12/18/2004 - Prince Moulay Rachid received by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands Morocco-Netherlands, Politics, 12/18/2004
- Morocco's commitment to Human rights, a 'model' in the region, Canadian NGO
Morocco's efforts to promote human right have been described as a "model" by Canadian human rights organization "Rights and Democracy " which works for the consolidation of the democratic institutions and the promotion of the human rights in Canada and in the world. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 12/17/2004 - Hearing on past human rights abuses in Morocco to start next week
These hearings, organized by the Commission, set up last January to look into cases of "disappearance" and arbitrary detention which occurred between 1956 and 1999, will be open to national and foreign journalists and non-governmental organizations and will be broadcast on national radio and television. Morocco, Politics, 12/17/2004 - King Mohammed VI never asked to visit South Africa, Minister
Benabdellah added that Morocco was aspiring that South Africa plays a positive role in finding a final and negotiated political solution to the Sahara issue "instead of being a broker." Morocco-South Africa, Politics, 12/17/2004 - Rabat, Santo Domingo to boost bilateral relations Morocco-Dominican Republic, Politics, 12/17/2004
- Patriot anti-missiles deployment not hostile act to Morocco, Spanish official
Spanish Defense Minister, Jose Bono, on Wednesday denied before the Congress of Deputies (Parliament) that Spain's deployment of 64 Patriot anti-missiles is a "hostile act toward Morocco." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/17/2004 - Terrorism not exclusive to Moroccan society, Minister
"Terrorism is a world phenomenon that is not exclusive to the Moroccan society, or to Moslem societies," said Moroccan Justice Minister, Mohamed Bouzoubaa. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/17/2004 - Morocco, Spain endeavor to consolidate military cooperation Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/17/2004
- Moroccan Jews hold religious festival Morocco, Religion, 12/17/2004
- Amnesty International welcomes public hearings into past violations
The London-based organization said hearings are designed to give victims and relatives of victims the opportunity to present, for the first time before the Moroccan public, testimonies of "disappearance" and arbitrary detention. Morocco, Politics, 12/16/2004 - Sahara issue source of concern to international public opinion, Belgian official
Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee at the Belgian Senate, Roelants du Vivier Francois, stated on Tuesday that the Sahara issue is a "source of preoccupation to the international public opinion since there has been no final solution" to this issue. Morocco-Belgium, Politics, 12/16/2004 - Moroccan among four suspected Islamic militants arrested in Spain
Amer Azizi, a Spaniard of Moroccan origin, wanted for his role in the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States and in the Madrid train bombings, is among the four men arrested by Spanish police on suspicion of links to Islamic militant cells that planned to blow up the High Court and Real Madrid's Bernabeu soccer stadium, the Interior Ministry announced. Morocco-Spain, Local, 12/15/2004 - Calls for 'adequate measures' to protect children from sexual exploitation
Prevention, awareness campaigns and parental education are crucial to encourage children that are victims of sexual exploitation and their families to talk "so that we can be able to protect them," said Moroccan Secretary of State in charge of Family, Children and Handicapped persons, Yasmina Baddou. Morocco, Culture, 12/14/2004 - Maroc Telecom listing postponed due to high demand
The first listing of Maroc Telecom was postponed in Casablanca because of high demand on shares, said a source in the stock market. Morocco, Business, 12/14/2004 - 'Sideways' gets best movie award at Marrakesh festival
"Sideways" movie of US director Alexander Payne has scooped the "Etoile d'Or" (Golden Star) top award at the fourth international film festival of Marrakech (IFFM) that wound up Sunday in the Southern Moroccan city. Morocco-Regional, Local, 12/14/2004 - Jordan airliner suspends flights to Casablanca
Jordanian airlines will suspend its two weekly flights to Casablanca starting from February, Samir Al Majali the company's General Manager announced here Sunday. Jordan-Morocco, Business, 12/14/2004 - Prince Moulay Rachid receives Fellini prize awarded to Marrakesh International Film Festival
Morocco's Prince Moulay Rachid, younger brother of King Mohammed VI, received in Marakech on Sunday, Fellini prize awarded by UNESCO to Marrakesh International Film Festival (Dec. 06-12). Morocco, Local, 12/13/2004