Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 4/25/2005
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of April 25, 2005
- King's visit to Singapore to spur bilateral cooperation, ministers
Morocco's King Mohammed VI's visit to Singapore will give a new impetus to economic and technical cooperation between Morocco and the Asian nation, said, here Friday minister of Finance and Privatisation, Fathallah Oualalou. Morocco-Singapore, Politics, 4/30/2005 - Morocco, Turkey want 'better life' for their expats in EU
Morocco and Turkey will work together to provide their nationals living in the European Union with the best life conditions, said, in Rabat Thursday, Turkish minister of State, Mehmet Aydin. Morocco-Turkey, Politics, 4/30/2005 - Operation Smile restores smile to over 100 persons in Settat
150 children and young adults ravaged by deformities benefited from free surgical operations held in Hassan II hospital in Settat (157 south of Rabat) by Operation Smile volunteers, according to medical sources. Morocco, Health, 4/30/2005 - Tennis: Morocco misses chance to qualify to Davis Cup World Group
The Moroccan tennis team misses chance to qualify to Davis Cup World Group after a defeat on Friday at the end of day two of its clash with Italy. Morocco, Sports, 4/30/2005 - Moroccan rights organizations launch campaign to abolish capital punishment
A group of Moroccan human rights organizations launched Thursday a nationwide campaign to abolish capital punishment in Morocco that is among 21 African countries where death penalty is still in effect. Morocco, Politics, 4/29/2005 - King's visit to Singapore, new impetus to economic cooperation
King Mohammed VI of Morocco Started Thursday an official visit to Singapore at the invitation of President Sellapan Rama Nathan. Morocco-Singapore, Politics, 4/29/2005 - Ghanaian speaker regrets Morocco's absence from African Union
Morocco's absence from the African Union (AU) had a negative impact on the pan-African joint action, regretted on Wednesday, visiting speaker of the Ghanaian parliament, Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes. Morocco-Ghana, Politics, 4/29/2005 - King proved that political will decisive to advance democracy, woman activist
Morocco's King Mohammed VI gave evidence that political will is decisive to advance democracy and human rights, and to ensure a better future to all the Moroccan people, said Latifa Jbabdi, chairwoman of Feminine Action Union (UAF). Morocco, Politics, 4/29/2005 - Morocco to provide justice expertise to UAE
Morocco is ready to put a group of judges at the disposal of the United Arab Emirates to contribute to the development of bilateral cooperation in justice-related fields, said Morocco's Justice Minister, Mohamed Bouzoubaa. United Arab Emirates-Morocco, Judicial, 4/29/2005 - European parliament hails Morocco's efforts in human rights
The European parliament hailed Thursday Morocco's efforts in human rights, expressing support to the reforms ushered in the country, notably those related to the Family Code and the incrimination of torture. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 4/29/2005 - Morocco calls for moratorium on nuclear weapons in Middle East
Morocco called on Wednesday for a moratorium on nuclear weapons manufacturing, acquisition or possession of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, saying Israel is the only country in the region which is not member to the Non-proliferation treaty. Morocco-Israel, Politics, 4/29/2005 - Polisario's negative attitude on UN chief Sahara report shows disarray, government spokesman
The negative attitude shown by the Algeria-backed Polisario regarding the latest report of the UN secretary general on the Sahara is an indication of the mercenaries' "state of disarray," said here Thursday Moroccan communication minister and government spokesman. Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/29/2005 - UN Security Council extends MINURSO mandate
The UN Security Council decided Thursday to extend the mandate of MINURSO (French acronym for the UN mission deployed in the Sahara since 1991) for a further six months. Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/29/2005 - Moroccan medical team separates Siamese
A Moroccan medical team successfully separated two Siamese newborns during a four hour-long surgery at a hospital in El Jadida (100 km south of Casablanca). Morocco, Health, 4/29/2005 - Morocco elected member of UN Human Rights Commission
Morocco was elected by consensus, on Wednesday, member of the UN Human Rights Commission for a three-year mandate. Morocco, Local, 4/29/2005 - Spain for 'a positive answer' to Moroccan advanced status with EU, diplomat
Spanish foreign minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said Wednesday his country is for "a positive answer" to the Moroccan request on "an advanced status" with the European Union (EU) within the latter's new neighbour policy. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/29/2005 - Renault increases share in SOMACA capital to 54%
The French car group, Renault, increased its share in the capital of the Moroccan car-assembling company (SOMACA) from 34% to 54% for a value estimated at 4.5 million Euros. Morocco-France, Business, 4/29/2005 - Morocco, UAE call on private sector to boost bilateral trade
Visiting King Mohammed VI of Morocco and his host President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, have called on both states' private sector to step up efforts to boosting trade and economic cooperation. United Arab Emirates-Morocco, Politics, 4/28/2005 - Over 200 charities to be audited in Morocco in 2005, Minister
250 state-subsidized charities will be audited in Morocco in 2005 part of a campaign that will include around 250 other charities in 2006, announced, in Bouznika (South of Rabat) Tuesday, Moroccan minister of Social Development, Family and Solidarity, Abderrahim Harouchi. Morocco, Politics, 4/28/2005 - Reconciliation commission 'courageous and daring step' to step up democracy, French Senators
French senators said the Moroccan decision to deal with past human rights violations is "a courageous and daring step" towards reconciliation and making up for past prejudices and democracy consolidation. Morocco-France, Politics, 4/28/2005 - Over half a million children work in Morocco
Some 600,000 children work in Morocco, which represents 11% of the Kingdom's 5.5 million children, according to a joint study carried out recently by the Moroccan Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training, the International Program on the Elimination of Child Labour (Ipec) and the World Bank. Morocco, Culture, 4/28/2005 - Public hearings points out 'Polisario' human rights violations
Several human rights NGOs of the Moroccan Southern towns of Laayoune and Boujdour held, in Laayoune on Tuesday, public hearings on human rights violations perpetrated by "Polisario" in the camps and prisons of Tindouf, South-West Algeria. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/28/2005 - Morocco, Mexico resolved to boost cultural cooperation
Morocco and Mexico have voiced resolve to back projects able to reinforce bilateral cooperation in the field of culture. Morocco-Mexico, Politics, 4/28/2005 - FTAs place Morocco within global economy, Minister
The conclusion of Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with the United States and with Turkey evidences Morocco's continued efforts to integrate global economy, said Tuesday, Moroccan Minister-Delegate of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri. Morocco, Economics, 4/28/2005 - Spanish party fails to pass motion condemning Morocco
The Spanish Popular Party (PP) failed in its move to have the Senate vote for a motion condemning Morocco regarding Spanish prisoners serving sentences in the North African country. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/28/2005 - King Mohammed and UAE president hail Morocco-UAE excellent relations
Morocco's King Mohammed VI and president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan hailed this Tuesday the excellent longstanding relations that were launched by the late King Hassan II and Cheikh Zayed. United Arab Emirates-Morocco, Politics, 4/27/2005 - Morocco, 'fundamental axis' of Spain's foreign policy, Spanish deputy PM
Morocco is a "fundamental axis" of Spain's foreign policy, said upon arrival, in Rabat Monday, Spanish first deputy-Prime Minister, Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/27/2005 - Closed land borders not an obstacle to trade between Morocco and Algeria, Moroccan business leader
Closed land borders between Morocco and Algeria are not for the moment an obstacle to the development of trade and economic relations between the two neighbour countries, said chairman of the Moroccan trade and industry federation, Abdelhakim Kemmou. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 4/27/2005 - Polisario separatists reject negotiations on final political solution to Sahara issue
The Polisario announced that it refuses to indulge in any final political solution to the Sahara dispute opposing the Algeria-backed separatists to Morocco. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/27/2005 - Morocco, Spain deem illegal immigration 'delicate problem'
Morocco and Spain have described illegal immigration as a "delicate problem" whose solution must go through a "difficult process" that requires time. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/27/2005 - Kelaat M'Gouna Rose Festival to open on May 6
The 43rd edition of the Rose Festival of the Moroccan Southern town of Kelaat M'Gouna is to blossom on May 6 through 8. Morocco, Local, 4/27/2005 - Moroccan women right's activist awarded 'Vital Voices' prize
Moroccan human rights activist, Latifa Jbabdi is expected to receive, in Washington Tuesday, the "Political Participation Prize" from the American NGO "Vital Voices." Morocco, People, 4/27/2005 - Over 500 female managers to take part in two international events in Fez
Some five hundred women will take part in the world committee of the World Association of Women entrepreneurs (FCEM) and the 2nd international forum-expo, due to take place in Fez (central Morocco) on April 28-30. Regional-Morocco, Local, 4/27/2005 - Creation of Moroccan-Algerian Chamber of Commerce
The Moroccan Federation of the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Services and its Algerian peer signed, in Algiers Sunday, an agreement to create a joint Moroccan-Algerian Chamber of Commerce. Algeria-Morocco, Economics, 4/26/2005 - Le Matin du Sahara et du Maghreb: Sahara issue does not mar Morocco-Spanish ties, Spanish official
Issues relating to the Sahara "are not obstacles that hinder our relations" with Morocco, said Spanish first deputy-prime minister, Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, who is starting this Monday a two-day official visit to Morocco. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/26/2005 - Up to 16,000 HIV in Morocco, 'model country' in fighting AIDS
Between 13,000 and 16,000 people are HIV positive in Morocco where only 1587 AIDS cases were recorded between 1986 and 2004,according to experts of the "Commission africaine interactive de gouvernance" who met here Saturday. Morocco, Health, 4/26/2005 - Le Matin du Sahara et du Maghreb: Illegal migration 'issue of utmost importance' for Morocco and Spain, Spanish deputy-PM
The phenomenon of illegal migration is "an issue of utmost importance" for Morocco and Spain, countries of entry and exit of Africa and Europe, said Spanish first deputy-prime minister, Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, who is starting, as of Monday, a two-day official visit to Morocco. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/26/2005 - King Mohammed VI arrives in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates-Morocco, Politics, 4/26/2005
- RAJA reaches last eight of African Champions League
RAJA advanced through to the final stages of the African Champions League, while FAR stumbled in Tunisia. Morocco, Sports, 4/26/2005 - Morocco embarks on 'multi-dimension strategy' to fight organized crime, official Morocco, Judicial, 4/26/2005
- Moroccan cinema holds place of honour in Montreal
The Moroccan cinema has won several awards at the 21st edition of Montreal's "Days of African and Creole cinema," held on April 14-24 in Canada. Morocco, Local, 4/26/2005 - Moroccan new family code cited among positive evolutions in UNDP Arab world report
Morocco's adoption of a new family law, recognizing equality between men and women and protecting family and children rights is one of the positive liberalization and democratization evolutions in the Arab world, said a UNDP official. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 4/25/2005 - Morocco eager to contribute to success of Africa-Asian initiative, says king Mohammed VI
He called, in this respect for "an institutional framework based on sound foundations that include strong political will, involvement of the private sector and of NGOs, as well as greater regional integration." Likewise, went on the royal message, "it should capitalize on the media to consolidate African-Asian friendship. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 4/25/2005 - Prince Moulay Rachid receives China's deputy-premier
Morocco's Prince Moulay Rachid received in Rabat on Friday afternoon china's deputy-prime minister Hui Liangyu. Morocco-China, Politics, 4/25/2005 - Moroccan king to pay visit to UAE, Singapore Morocco-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 4/25/2005
- French coach of Wydad Casablanca resigns
The French coach of Wydad- Casablanca (WAC), Jacky Bonnevay, resigned on Friday. Morocco, Sports, 4/25/2005