Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 12/1/1997

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of December 1, 1997

• Four Gulf countries refuse to receive Tariq Aziz
  Iraq was informed by four Gulf countries that they cannot receive Iraqi deputy prime minister Tariq Aziz as requested by Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 12/6/1997
• Morocco slams Spain's decision to attach the two occupied cities to EU
  Morocco had previously refused a plan to attach the two cities to the European Union. Morocco had also refused the Spanish domination over the two cities. Morocco, Politics, 12/6/1997
• King Hussein refutes Israeli allegations
  King Hussein refuted Israeli officials' statements that Jordan is against the establishment of a Palestinian state, describing such statements as groundless Jordan, Politics, 12/6/1997
• Lybian - French problem to end?
  At the request of France, the UN Security Council issued on January 21, 1992 resolution No. 721/92 which openly stated the French request for the Libyan authorities to cooperate with French authorities in the investigation of the UTA plane explosion. Libya, Politics, 12/6/1997
• Sudan welcomes Egyptian mediation to solve crisis in the South
  Egypt has strategic interests in Sudan and that Sudan is sure that it will never allow the separation of the South because this has to do with the issues of water and security. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 12/6/1997
• Egyptian opposition party refuses to meet John Garang
  The Opposition Egyptian Labor Party refused to meet with the leader of the Sudanese Movement for the Liberation of Sudan, John Garang, and said it considers Garang's visit to Cairo as meaningless. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 12/6/1997
• Russian envoy offers to help forge prisoners deal
  Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Viktor Posuvalyuk on Friday said his country wished to help in negotiations to exchange the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in south Lebanon for Lebanese guerrillas imprisoned by Israel. Lebanon, Politics, 12/6/1997
• Agreement to form Islamic committee on Lockerbie crisis
  The Arab Ambassadors had agreed on the Egyptian proposal to form an Islamic Committee and to hold a meeting of the Seven-member Committee during the Islamic summit in Tehran. Regional, Politics, 12/6/1997
• Sharon: Agreements must be revised Israel-Palestine, Politics, 12/6/1997
• UAE presence symbolic United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 12/6/1997
• Majali receives letter of confidence from King Hussein Jordan, Politics, 12/6/1997
• Khartoum praises Cairo stance on Sudan unity Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 12/6/1997
• Iraq: No oil until plan approved Iraq, Politics, 12/6/1997
• No Egyptian mediation to restore Lebanese relations with Iraq
  Lebanese Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz refuted the news that there has been any Egyptian mediation to restore the Lebanese - Iraqi relations that had been severed 4 years ago. Lebanon, Politics, 12/6/1997
• New Turkish - Israeli problems
  The Turkish daily "Jouhuriat" added that among these problems are the appointment of the new Israeli ambassador to Ankara Turkey-Israel, Politics, 12/6/1997
• Jerusalem on top of OIC Summit agenda
  Also to be discussed are means of deterring challenges imposed on the Islamic states and a project to improve th OICs' performance and structure. Regional, Politics, 12/6/1997
• Syria: US must force Israeli Prime Minister on peace
  Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khadam in remarks published yesterday criticized the United States for not exerting pressure on the Israeli government to repair the peace process. Syria, Politics, 12/6/1997
• Mossad agent with false information on Syria might face trial for high treason
  A Mossad agent with right wing inclinations who stood behind the false information that reached the Mossad and onward to the Israeli government over the past few years is likely to face trial in Israel Israel, Politics, 12/5/1997
• Moussa: all is is well with Qatar. Regional comments
  Amr Moussa, Egypt's foreign minister, said, "What happened was an exception and the relations between Egypt and Qatar were and will always remain fine." Egypt-Qatar, Politics, 12/5/1997
• Terrorism and international cooperation - part 1
  Terrorism is an international phenomenon. Regional, Politics, 12/5/1997
• Saudi - Yemeni relations at zero point
  Hopes pinned on settling border disputes between Saudi Arabia and Yemen have collapsed when Sanaa announced its disappointment over the results of the recent negotiations held in Riyadh. Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/5/1997
• Gadaffi receives a message from French president
  The Libyan President had described Libyan-French relations as excellent and expressed his readiness to fully cooperate in the investigation carried out by Paris in the explosion of the French Uta plane over Niger which killed more than 170 persons in 1989. Libya, Politics, 12/5/1997
• Lebanese Premier: Lebanon cannot guarantee Israeli security
  In press statements he made yesterday Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri dismissed Israel's proposal to withdraw its troops from occupied south Lebanon in return for security guarantees. Lebanon, Politics, 12/5/1997
• Islamic conference to support Libya and Iran
  Dr. Esmat Abdel Meguid, called on the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to form an Islamic committee to work for consolidation with Libya in its Lockerbie crisis with the USA, France, and Britain. Regional-Libya, Politics, 12/5/1997
• Moroccan Independence Party confirms end of its crisis
  Sources in the party confirmed that the crisis was contained after a discussion that led to the withdrawal of the complaint. An agreement was reached on the mechanism of work in the future. Morocco, Politics, 12/5/1997
• Russia's Posuvalyuk in Syria on a regional trip
  Russian initiative reducing tension between Iraq and the US, to exchange viewpoints in light of his talks in Damascus and Israel, and his attempt to mediate the exchange of the remains of Israeli soldiers Syria, Politics, 12/5/1997
• Toufeili backs out on campaign
  A Shiite Muslim cleric leading a "hunger revolt" in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley has backed out on his anti-government campaign after receiving promises that the government would begin the implementation of development projects in the impoverished region. Lebanon, Politics, 12/5/1997
• Sudan Human Rights Organization reports flogging Sudan, Politics, 12/5/1997
• Spanish ambassador: Lebanese resistance legitimate
  Spanish ambassador said: "The Lebanese resistance carries out its legitimate right to liberate its lands." Lebanon, Politics, 12/5/1997
• Yemeni - Omani border at A.L.
  The Arab League yesterday took delivery of documents and maps of a border agreement between Yemen and Oman. Yemen-Oman, Politics, 12/5/1997
• Guardian: Israel practices state terrorism
  The British daily the Guardian stated there is no state in the world that has ever shown such violations of UN resolutions as Israel. Israel, Politics, 12/5/1997
• Assad discusses developments in the region with Waldheim
  In separate meetings with Syria's Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam and Premier al-Zoubi, Waldheim discussed the international situation, Euro - Syrian relations, a European role in the peace process and the policy pursued by the Israeli government. Syria, Politics, 12/5/1997
• Mubarak for firm US stand towards Israel
  Concerning the Iraqi crisis, President Mubarak stressed the need to ease the suffering of the Iraqi people and to preserve Iraq's territorial integrity. Egypt, Politics, 12/5/1997
• Lebanon dismisses Israeli withdrawal offer
  "He (Beilin) should have proposed this plan when he was still in power," Boueiz said at a press conference Wednesday. "Today he is making a proposal as a member of the opposition." Boueiz added that Beilin was "in no position to express an official stance which could be taken seriously." Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 12/4/1997
• Spanish investigation in Sebta
  A Spanish Parliamentary delegation is currently visiting the northern Morocco city of Sebta, which is occupied by Spain. Morocco, Politics, 12/4/1997
• Judge inspects complaints against legislative election in Morocco
  The judge will work with a committee that will be responsible for inspecting the complaints dealing with election centers in Casablanca, Fass, Al Soebra, and Khribka. Morocco, Politics, 12/4/1997
• Egyptian opposition raises issue of captives killed in Israel
  in light of the current developments in the region, among which is the Israeli pressure on Egypt to release convicted Israeli spy Azam Azam Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/4/1997
• Demirel: Syria supports terrorism Turkey-Syria, Politics, 12/4/1997
• Hamas plot Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/4/1997
• UAE - Iran island dispute United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 12/4/1997
• Russia calls for progress in peace Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/4/1997
• Libya: Great Man-Made River for irrigation Libya, Politics, 12/4/1997
• Organization for African Unity arranges reconciliation conference for Comoros
  The Organization for African Unity announced that a reconciliation conference between the Comoran government and secessionists will be held in Addis Ababa from December 10 - 13. Comoros, Politics, 12/4/1997
• Arab transport ministers meet in Cairo
  Participants in the two-day meeting will discuss measures of linking the integrated network between Arab countries, as well as the need for further Arab coordination in other relevant fields. Regional, Politics, 12/4/1997
• Klima: Talks constructive, Israeli pullout from Golan imperative
  Concerning the peace process Viktor Klima said it is important that Europe play an active coordinating role with other players in this area, especially the US, "We think the work of all players could solve this problem." Syria, Politics, 12/4/1997
• Saudi Arabia builds headquarters for Islamic Conference Organization
  The secretary-general of the Organization for the Islamic Conference declared that he received a message which contained the approval to build the permanent headquarters of the secretariat-general of the organization. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/4/1997
• In aftermath of Luxor massacre: doubtful initiative to stop violence
  In the aftermath of the massacre that spilled much blood on the Luxor Plateau, and after many changes among Egyptian security officials, the fundamentalist groups in Britain declared an initiative to stop the violence. Egypt, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Jordan PM on final status talks Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Major blast averted
  We are still investigating if the explosives we found at the start of the week were meant to be used in a massive suicide attack on Israelis.. we think that a major explosion has been averted Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/3/1997
• John Garang confirms adherence to Sudan unity
  John Garang confirmed that he will adhere to maintaining the unity of Sudan and to the decisions of Asmara Conference. He added that the strategic agreement to which the movement is committed is the one signed in Asmara. Sudan, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Sudanese governor calls for stopping deterioration of external relations
  Dr. Abdel Nabi Aly Hakim, stated that the deteriorating security situation is due to a number of factors: mainly the instability of the regimes in neighboring countries and the availability of arms at cheap prices in addition to tribal disputes. Sudan, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Turkish president visits Emirates
  Diplomatic sources said that Sheikh Zayed, UAE president, will hold wide-ranging talks with the Turkish president concerning bilateral relationships and the various issues in Middle East. United Arab Emirates-Turkey, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Moussa in Tehran Friday
  Egypt's foreign minister, Amr Moussa, will leave Cairo on Friday, December 5, for the Iranian capital to attend the meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference foreign ministers. Egypt, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Normal relations between Sudan and Egypt
  Sudan's state minister for foreign affairs, Mostafa Osman Ismail, yesterday described his country relations with Egypt as "everlasting, strategic and indispensable." Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Butler to Iraq Iraq, Politics, 12/3/1997
• UAE message to Qatar United Arab Emirates-Qatar, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Neatnyahu, Arafat to meet with Albright Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Moroccan foriegn minister lashes out at Israel
  Morocco's foreign minister indicated that the Israeli stances are a flagrant violation of the international legitimacy resolutions and the basis of the Madrid conference. Morocco, Politics, 12/3/1997
• UAE 's envoy stresses strong ties with Syria United Arab Emirates-Syria, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Palestinian female detainee to be released in one month
  Itaf Elayan, the Palestinian girl who has been held under administrative detention for 43 days, is expected to be released at the end of a three month term, Israeli military sources said Wednesday. Palestine, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Condelence
  A delegation representing the Egyptian Tour Guide Society visited the embassies of Britain, Bulgaria, Colombia, Germany, Japan, and Switzerland to offer condolences on the victims of the terrorist attack in Luxor. Egypt, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Syrian - Austrian bilateral relations
  Syrian-Austrian bilateral relations in various economic, scientific and technical fields and the possibility of starting joint venture projects Syria, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Europe to play a key role in peace process
  "I assured Prime Minister Hariri that Europe will play a bigger role in the peace process;" the European Union's special envoy to the Middle East, Miguel Moratinos said. Lebanon, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Peace cosponsors asked to press Israel
  The Arab League has called on the international community -- especially the countries that backed the resolution and realized the establishment of the Israeli state -- to help the Palestinian people set up their independent state on their own land. Palestine, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Hrawi stresses support for Lebanese resistance
  Lebanese President Elias Hrawi has expressed his support for the Lebanese national resistance, adding the resistance will continue so long as Israel occupies Lebanese lands. Lebanon, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Arafat: we want full UN membership Palestine, Politics, 12/3/1997
• Amr Moussa pays an urgent visit to Saudi Arabia
  Amr Moussa will meet with his Qatari counterpart in Riyadh and that the meeting will be attended by Prince Saud Al Faisal in order to put an end to the deterioration of the Egyptian-Qatari relations. Gulf Region, Politics, 12/2/1997
• Redeployment: Israel is slow and dragging its feet
  Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai and National Infrastructure Minister Ariel Sharon were both reportedly busy preparing maps of their own concerning Israel's security and strategic needs, in the context of discussions aimed at finalizing Israel’s second phase withdrawal offer. Palestine, Politics, 12/2/1997
• King Hassan responds positively to appeal submitted by election committee
  The appeal requested that nominations for the election of the Council of Advisors should be limited only to political party members. Morocco, Politics, 12/2/1997
• Gamaa Islamia: Luxor attack carried out without approval of leaders
  The Gamaa called on all members of the group inside and outside Egypt to exercise more self control so that they might not lose their lives, stressing the idea that the struggle should be only with the government. Egypt, Politics, 12/2/1997
• Waldhiem calls for Arab-Israeli conflict settlement
  He indicated that Israel's Mossad was behind the campaign aimed at defaming him through the accusation he was recruited by the Nazi army, adding that a former Mossad agent, Victor Astroviski, had published Regional, Politics, 12/2/1997
• The Iraqi minister of justice calls for enhancing Arab solidarity
  The Iraqi minister of justice urged the Arab states to enhance their effective solidarity, to activate and renew the means of cooperation Iraq, Politics, 12/2/1997
• Amr Moussa: Terrorism is not acceptable
  Moussa clarified that it is not possible to hold negotiations with terrorists and that no excuses should be given to the terrorists under any pretext. Egypt, Politics, 12/2/1997
• The Identity Committee in the Sahara Resumes its work
  The Identity Committee resumed its work yesterday within its efforts to resolve the crisis of the Western Sahara between Morocco and the Polisario. Morocco-West Sahara, Politics, 12/2/1997
• France welcomes Libyan cooperation in the UTA plane explosion
  Sources said that Libya's continuation to provide information in the trial of the 6 Libyan suspects, which will be held in absentia, and Libya's readiness to pay compensation for the victims' families will boost relations between the two countries. Libya, Politics, 12/2/1997
• Egyptian - Israeli meeting
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa received today the undersecretary of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Etien Bensor, who is currently in Cairo to deliver a message from Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy to his Egyptian counterpart. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/2/1997
• Islamic summit to discuss challenges
  Interviewed by Sawt al-Arab radio, Abu Gosh made it clear that the Islamic Summit will also discuss the current developments in the region and the financial and political reform projects of the OIC. Regional, Politics, 12/2/1997
• UAE President stresses UN resolutions
  On the occasion of the UAE 's 26th National Day anniversary Sheikh Zayed called Arabs for strengthening solidarity and for achieving their common interests. United Arab Emirates, Politics, 12/2/1997
• Al-Assad welcomes European, Austrian roles
  Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and Austria's chancellor Monday night discussed bilateral relations and means of developing them in various fields. Syria, Politics, 12/2/1997
• War of words between Qatar and Egypt Egypt-Qatar, Politics, 12/2/1997
• Islamic information ministers stress support for Middle East peace
  The ministers emphasized the need for distinguishing between terrorism and people's right to struggle against foreign occupation and to achieve self determination. North Africa Region, Politics, 12/2/1997
• Austria, Jordan for peace efforts
  Meeting with Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan, Chancellor Klima discussed investment topics and joint venture projects between the two countries. Jordan, Politics, 12/2/1997
• UAE National Day United Arab Emirates, Politics, 12/2/1997
• Majali - Arafat meeting Palestine-Jordan, Politics, 12/2/1997
• Saudi - Kuwaiti borders Saudi Arabia-Kuwait, Politics, 12/2/1997
• Yemen denies conditions on handing terrorists to Egypt
  Yemen denied yesterday it had demanded that Egypt hand over Yemeni opponents living in Cairo in exchange for wanted Egyptian terrorists. Yemen-Egypt, Politics, 12/2/1997
• 2nd redeployment is approved but no lines
  The Israeli cabinet decision spoke implicitly of the cancellation of the third redeployment, which will instead be carried out as part of the final-status arrangement, a matter strongly opposed by the Palestinians. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/1/1997
• 27 heads of state and 3 kings to attend Islamic Summit
  Most of the Arab countries will participate with their heads of state except for Iraq and Egypt. Algeria's level of participation is not yet clear. Regional-Iran, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Algerian government coalition expanding to appease opposition
  Sources expected that new portfolios will given to the parties of Hamas, Renaissance, and the Socialist Powers Front in order to form a coalition that includes most of the main political parties. Algeria, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Terrorism in Algeria is decreasing
  Algerian Minister of Justice Mohammed Adami stated that terrorism in Algeria is constantly decreasing because of the elections and adherence to democracy Algeria, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Collective funeral for Iraqi children
  A collective funeral on Sunday was staged in one of Baghdad's main streets for 70 Iraqis, mostly children, who died because of medicinal shortages as a result of the sanctions imposed on Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Israel goes on alert fearing of a new round of Hamas attacks
  Israel again claimed that "hot warnings" had been received that Hamas and Islamic Jihad activists might try to launch a new wave of attacks on Israelis next week Israel, Politics, 12/1/1997
• More settlement construction works are underway
  The sources quoted Israeli reports that the government had approved the construction of 900 residential units in the Jewish settlement of Alfei Menashe Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Nasrallah pledges resistance against occupation
  The Secretary General of Hizbullah Party in Lebanon, Hassan Nasrallah, said that presence of Syrian troops in Lebanon is a security need and a guarantee for national reconciliation and stability for Lebanon, which is always threatened by the Israeli invasion. Lebanon, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Kuwait: no reconciliation with Iraq Kuwait, Politics, 12/1/1997
• King Hassan's consultant states
  There will be a meeting between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and King Hassan od Morocco in Egypt within days for the chairmanship of the meeting of the joint superior committee. Egypt-Morocco, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Europe to play more active part in peace process, EU envoy says
  "There is a demand by all sides for a stronger presence by the Europeans" in the peace process, Moratinos told reporters following the meeting with Hariri. Regional, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Oil-for-food Iraq, Politics, 12/1/1997
• UNSCOM composition Iraq, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Saudi Yemen border Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Jordan election bill Jordan, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Women in Qatar elections? Qatar, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Albright voices concern, Israeli Cabinet approves evasive West Bank withdrawal plan, with conditions
  US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has expressed fear that the US interests will be harmed in the Middle East region due to the halt of the peace process. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Sudan asks Egypt to sponsor national reconciliation bid
  A Sudanese official yesterday asked Cairo to sponsor a bid to forge national reconciliation between the government and the Sudan People's Liberation Army. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Palestinian official in Cairo for peace talks
  Nabil Shaath, the minister of planning and international cooperation in Palestine, met Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, and President Hosni Mubarak's political advisor, Dr. Osama Al-Baz. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Lebanese-Syrian peace tracks inseparable, Lebanese cleric says
  Sheikh Mohammad Mehdi Shamseddine, has asserted the inseparability of Syrian and Lebanese tracks in the talks to achieve a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Chancellor Klima in Damascus today, land for peace principle stressed
  In his meeting Sunday with Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak, Klima discussed Middle East peace process developments and efforts made to bring it out of the stalemate it has reached. Regional, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Islamic countries urged to strengthen solidarity
  In a speech before the Fourth Islamic Conference of Information Ministers, Syrian Information Minister Mohammad Salman affirmed the necessity of guiding the Islamic states' information in defense of cultural, economic and political issues. Regional, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Amnesty International concerned over Lebanese prisoners
  Previous prisoners had disclosed that prisoners in Israeli jails undergo systematic torture and abuses including beating, whipping, electric shocks and dipping in hot and cold water. Lebanon, Politics, 12/1/1997
• British FM voices commitment for just peace
  British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Derek Fatchette has stressed the need to revitalize the Middle East peace process in order to achieve just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East region. Regional, Politics, 12/1/1997
• Syria's PNF for peace which gives security to all
  In a meeting for the Syrian Progressive National Front (PNF) Central Leadership, Prime Minister Zoubi presented a report on the country's economic conditions and the development it witnesses in the field of agricultural production. Syria, Politics, 12/1/1997

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