Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 2/28/2005
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of February 28, 2005
- Rabat court acquits Hicham Temsamani indicted under anti-terrorist law
The Rabat appellate court acquitted on Friday Hicham Temsamani indicted in the framework of the anti-terrorist law after he was arrested in June 2003 in Vitoria, in the Spanish Basque region. Morocco, Local, 3/5/2005 - Over MAD 3 billion of fisheries production in Morocco in 2004
Morocco's production of inshore and artisanal Fisheries reached 845,757 tons, valued at MAD 3.015 billion (MAD 1 = Euro 0.1) in 2004, i.e., a 2% increase in value and a 0.4% decrease in volume in comparison to 2003, said the Moroccan office of fisheries (ONP). Morocco, Economics, 3/5/2005 - Education reforms to reinforce rule of law to be discussed by IER dialog session
The reforms needed in education and cultural sectors to reinforce the rule of law is the theme of the 4th dialog session that the Justice and Reconciliation commission (IER) is holding next Tuesday Morocco, Education, 3/5/2005 - Morocco to level itself with European norms, PM
The reforms introduced in all fields will level Morocco with the European standards, said in Rabat Thursday, Moroccan Premier, Driss Jettou. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 3/5/2005 - Italian commune supports march in favor of polisario-detained Moroccans
The release up to now of only some Moroccans detained in the polisario camps "is contrary to humanitarian law," and to the Geneva convention which stipulates that prisoners must be freed as soon as a cease-fire is enforced, said the communal council of Pontremoli, North Italy. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 3/5/2005 - American organization supports march for the liberation of Moroccans detained in Tindouf
The American Council for Moroccan POWs (ACMP) voiced support to the March 6th march to take place in Rabat to call for the liberation of the Moroccans detained in Tindouf, Southwest Algeria. Morocco-USA, Politics, 3/5/2005 - King Mohammed visits Mauritania next Monday Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 3/5/2005
- NGO asks Swedish parliament to intervene to lift blockade on sequestrated Moroccans Morocco-Sweden, Politics, 3/5/2005
- Man death in Casablanca not caused by mad cow disease, minister
Moroccan health minister, Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah, categorically denied the mad cow disease was the cause of the death of a man who passed away in a casablanca hospital. Morocco, Health, 3/5/2005 - Morocco, Senegal sign health and sea transport agreements
Morocco and Senegal signed in Dakar this Thursday a package of cooperation and investment agreements in the sectors of health and sea transport. Morocco-Senegal, Economics, 3/4/2005 - Some 61,500 families to acquire own houses in Laayoune
Some 61,500 families will be housed in the two new ambitious housing programs launched Tuesday in the Southern town of Laayoune, costing MAD 3 billion, about 300 million euros, said minister delegate in charge of housing, Ahmed Taoufiq Hjira. Morocco, Local, 3/4/2005 - Morocco, China to assess oil opportunities in Morocco
Morocco and China are to assess oil opportunities in the North African country under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Beijing on Thursday between the "Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines" (National office of hydrocarbons) (ONHYM) and CNOOC Morocco Ltd, a subsidiary of the China National Offshore Oil Company LTD. Morocco-China, Economics, 3/4/2005 - Racist threats triggering Moslem woman resignation denounced in Belgium
Belgian political leaders and human rights organisations representatives denounced in Brussels Thursday racist threats that forced Belgian-Moroccan Naima Amzil to resign to put an end to the pressure on her boss to fire her. Morocco-Belgium, Local, 3/4/2005 - Morocco donates Senegal 250,000 litres of pesticides and anti-locust equipment
The donation was made this Thursday in the port of Dakar, in a ceremony chaired by king Mohammed VI, currently on a visit to Senegal and Senegalese president, Abdoulaye Wade Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 3/4/2005 - Over 500,000 postcards call UN to help release Moroccans sequestered in Tindouf
Over 500,000 postcards call United nations to help release Moroccans sequestered in the Tindouf camps (southern Algeria). Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 3/4/2005 - No cases of BSE in Moroccan cattle, official
Morocco said Thursday no cases of BSE bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), known as mad cow disease, have been reported so far in the cattle. Morocco, Health, 3/4/2005 - Moroccan music to stage in Spain for social causes
Moroccan music holds a pride of place in Spain in a series of concerts to be performed to raise funds for poor women and to renew immigrants cords with their motherland. Morocco-Spain, Local, 3/4/2005 - Morocco, Burkina Faso urge for the release of Moroccan POWs in Southern Algeria
Visiting King Mohammed VI of Morocco and President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, have urged the international community to step up efforts for the release of some 400 Moroccan prisoners of war still detained by the separatist movement "Polisario" in the Tindouf camps, south-western Algeria. Morocco-Burkina Faso, Politics, 3/3/2005 - Veiled Moroccan-born Belgian resigns amid death threats
Naima Amzil, a veiled Moroccan-born Belgian, has resigned from her job to save the life of her employer who received death threats urging him to dismiss the veiled employee. Morocco-Belgium, Local, 3/3/2005 - King Mohammed VI, Senegalese president hold private talks Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 3/3/2005
- Afriquia, SOMEPI seal up 'strategic merger'
Two Moroccan companies of oil products distribution, Afriquia and SOMEPI have sealed up a "strategic merger," it was announced, in Casablanca Wednesday. Morocco, Business, 3/3/2005 - Teacher sentenced to 5 years for rape of a minor Morocco, Local, 3/3/2005
- Moroccan may have died of Mad Cow Disease
A Moroccan man is suspected of having died of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease), health Ministry sources said Wednesday night. Morocco, Health, 3/3/2005 - Morocco to lift reserves on women discrimination convention, Minister
Morocco will lift its previous reserves relating to the convention banning all forms of discrimination against women, revealed, in New York Tuesday, the Secretary of State in charge of Family, Childhood and Disabled persons, Yasmina Baddou. Morocco, Politics, 3/2/2005 - Past rights violations hindered economic development in some Moroccan regions
Some regions in Morocco have been affected by human rights violations committed in the past, and were hence unable to benefit from economic development projects launched in the country, said a human rights activist. Morocco, Politics, 3/2/2005 - Morocco, Burkina Faso sign package of cooperation accords
The two African countries, which also signed a joint communique, agreed to consolidate cooperation in social and humanitarian fields, and to jointly explore the technical progress that contribute to sustainable development. Morocco-Burkina Faso, Politics, 3/2/2005 - Major Moroccan firms woo Western African market, gate to larger market
Moroccan leading companies are wooing the markets of the Economic and Monetary Union of Western Africa (UEMOA) which represents a basis to penetrate the larger market of 100 million inhabitants, the Economic community of West African States (ECOWAS). Morocco-Regional, Economics, 3/2/2005 - Morocco imported $ 2.6 billion of oil in 2004
Morocco's oil imports and supply of oil stood at USD 2.6 billion 2004, i.e. a USD 260 million increase compared to 2003, said Energy and Mining Minister, Mohamed Boutaleb. Morocco, Economics, 3/2/2005 - King Mohammed VI receives eminent Burkina Faso Moslem figures Morocco-Burkina Faso, Politics, 3/2/2005
- Police officer condemned to 10 years of prison for homicide Morocco, Local, 3/2/2005
- Moroccan telecom operators announce significant cut in ADSL prices
Moroccan telecom operators and internet provider announced dramatic cuts in ADSL prices starting this March 1st, reaching up to 37.5%. Morocco, Local, 3/2/2005 - Montreal Sit-in to call for release of Moroccan Pows in Algeria Morocco-Canada, Politics, 3/2/2005
- March to be staged in Rabat in support of Moroccans sequestered in Tindouf
The Moroccan NGO 'Watanouna' (our nation) will organize on March 6 a national march in support of the Moroccans held against their will in the Tindouf camps (southern Algeria) by the Algeria-backed Polisario front that is claiming the separation of Morocco's southern provinces (known as the Sahara), announced its vice president, Saadia Saadi. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 3/1/2005 - Minister says King's visit to Burkina Faso, 'historic'
Moroccan Minister delegate for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, has described the current visit of King Mohammed VI to Burkina Faso as "historic." Morocco-Burkina Faso, Politics, 3/1/2005 - Moroccan MP calls Germany to convert debts into investments
A Moroccan MP has called Germany to swap Moroccan debts into investments to promote sectors of mutual interests. Morocco-Germany, Economics, 3/1/2005 - Scores of ambitious projects mark Morocco-Senegal partnership
Morocco and Senegal are involved in a series of ambitious economic projects such as Air Segal International (ASI), a road and a maritime ferry linking Tangier to the Senegalese capital, Dakar. Morocco-Senegal, Economics, 3/1/2005 - Washington national opera midwinter gala themed on city of Fez
The Washington National Opera held on Saturday its second annual Midwinter Gala on the theme of the Moroccan imperial city of Fez. Morocco-USA, Local, 3/1/2005 - King's visit to Burkina Faso to give new impetus to bilateral cooperation
The official visit King Mohammed VI is paying as of today to Burkina Faso is set to give a new impetus to economic cooperation between Morocco and this West African country as it falls in the general dynamic to enhance fruitful exchanges with sub-Saharan Africa. Morocco-Burkina Faso, Politics, 2/28/2005 - Eric Campton, Ana Sanchez won Hassan II Golf Trophy
American Erik Compton and Spanish Ana Belem Sanchez are the winners of the 33rd edition of Hassan II Golf Trophy for men and for women, organized in Rabat. Morocco-Regional, Sports, 2/28/2005 - US 'Friends of Morocco' association to visit the kingdom
Members of "Friends of Morocco" association are visiting the kingdom next summer, said president of the association, Tim Resch. Morocco-USA, Local, 2/28/2005 - Moroccan MP denies daughter kidnapping
Mostapha Ramid, an MP from the opposition Islamic party, denied on Saturday that his daughter was kidnapped, explaining that she voluntarily left the family house to the city of Marrakech (southern Morocco). Morocco, Local, 2/28/2005 - One ton of Chira seized by Moroccan authorities Morocco, Local, 2/28/2005