Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 12/8/1997
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of December 8, 1997
- Barazani maintains dialogue with Baghdad
In a statement to the Turkish Daily News, the Kurdish Democratic Party leader said that Baghdad is the center of the Iraqi government and in the end "the place where our problems will be solved." Iraq, Politics, 12/13/1997 - SLA releases two detainees from Khiam prison
Omar Ahmed and Shawki Nasrallah were taken by the International Committee of the Red Cross from the prison to the Hammoud hospital in Sidon. Hospital officials said they were suffering from poor health conditions Lebanon, Politics, 12/13/1997 - Post election: protests against results and infighting within opposition parties
the implications of the recent election are still continuing to affect political life in Morocco as it did not only lead to many protests against its results but it also to many internal struggles within the opposition parties Morocco, Politics, 12/13/1997 - Government bans Aoun interview
Information Minister Bassem Sabee has requested a local television station planning a live interview with ex-army commander General Michel Aoun to cancel the show. Lebanon, Politics, 12/13/1997 - UAE parliament starts new session next Sunday
Sheikh Zayed will deliver a keynote statement marking the council's inauguration in which he'll tackle local Arabs international issues as well as the UAE's regional and international polices. United Arab Emirates, Politics, 12/13/1997 - Jordan - Iraq Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/13/1997
- Arafat - Indyk Palestine, Politics, 12/13/1997
- Butler - Iraq Iraq, Politics, 12/13/1997
- Assad: conference more successful than any previous OIC summit
Assad told reporters that the conference was successful and the conference agenda was accomplished Syria, Politics, 12/13/1997 - Irish president lends her troops moral support
Being from Belfast, I have a very strong view that peace is something that we take far too much for granted. Lebanon, Politics, 12/13/1997 - ECSAAP 40th anniversary today
The celebration will attended by a number of liberation movement leaders in Africa and Asia, as well as representatives of Arab solidarity committees and heads of Egyptian political parties. Egypt, Politics, 12/13/1997 - No plans defined for redeployment, intelligence report Sunday
Foreign Minister Levy said during the kitchen cabinet meeting that Netanyahu must arrive to his meeting with Albright with a “clear proposal” on the second phase and not “empty-handed.” “We will be caught in an impossible situation, in which we will be isolated. It’s a very dangerous gamble,” Levy warned. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/12/1997 - New shuttle diplomacy between Syria and Israel reported
A leading American Jewish businessman has left to the Middle East and is due to visit both Syria and Israel. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/12/1997 - The Moroccan Party of Independence to hold exceptional conference sunday
Sources have confirmed that for the party of Independence to have chosen this time to hold its exceptional conference, it indicates an attempt to contain the differences within the party that erupted after the results of the November 14 election Morocco, Politics, 12/12/1997 - Islamic Summit roundup
Israeli occupation, state terrorism, new era of cooperation between Arabs and Iran, Turkey, Israeli nuclear weapons, and bosnia. Regional-Iran, Politics, 12/12/1997 - Iraqi - Jordanian execution Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/12/1997
- Demirel - OIC Turkey, Politics, 12/12/1997
- Arafat popularity Palestine, Politics, 12/12/1997
- Improvements continue in Eygpt - Sudan relations
Sudanese parliament deputy speaker, Abdl Aziz Shedou, praised Egyptian support of territorial integrity in Sudan. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 12/12/1997 - Kuwait cabinet praises Egypt - Qatar action
Kuwait's cabinet has praised the quick response of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Shiekh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani of Qatar to contain the differences between the two states. Kuwait, Politics, 12/12/1997 - King Hassan blames Israel for stalemate Regional-Morocco, Politics, 12/12/1997
- A new page in Iraqi - Iranian relations Iraq-Iran, Politics, 12/12/1997
- President Assad at Islamic Summit: Resistance is legal right, legitimate duty
Assad: Israeli military might, however superior, and the foreign support for Israel, however big, can never defeat the will for liberation. Nor can they vanquish our people's resolve for steadfastness. Neither can they implant fear or despair in our hearts Regional-Iran, Politics, 12/11/1997 - Summit's deliberations concluded
Participants in the 8th Organization of the Islamic Conference summit have approved unanimously all 142 items scheduled in the agenda of their meeting Regional, Politics, 12/11/1997 - Abdel Meguid calls for lifting senctions on Libya, Iraq and Sudan
Meguid, who is currently participating in the Islamic Summit in Tehran, stated that he will discuss the Iranian occupation of three Emirate islands Regional, Politics, 12/11/1997 - Tunisia to host Arab ministers for combating terrorism
Algeria tried to make this definition wider so as to include the condemnation of whoever supports or finances terrorism in any way, whether by providing terrorists with shelter or through issuing press statements or leaflets Regional-Tunisia, Politics, 12/11/1997 - Moroccan party supports a coalition government
The Moroccan National Democratic Party declared that it believes that forming a national coalition government is enough to allow the country's affairs to run smoothly. Morocco, Politics, 12/11/1997 - Egyptian-Sudanese relations improving rapidly
The Sudanese President Omar Bashir stated that he intends to visit Egypt soon and described the two countries' relations as positive and improving rapidly. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 12/11/1997 - Yemeni opposition to appeal for political prisoners' release
After halting its work for 9 months, the Higher Council of the Opposition Parties in Yemen resumed its activities with a meeting that was held in the headquarters of the Socialist Party in Sanaa. Yemen, Politics, 12/11/1997 - Saudi - Kuwaiti border demarcation near completion
Saudi Arabia's interior minister said yesterday border demarcation with Kuwait was near completion with only minor issues pertaining to their sea frontiers yet to be resolved. Saudi Arabia-Kuwait, Politics, 12/11/1997 - Iran - US Iran, Politics, 12/11/1997
- Sudan -Albright Sudan, Politics, 12/11/1997
- Jordan - Iraq Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/11/1997
- Arafat - Netanyahu meeting Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/11/1997
- Knesset - census Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/11/1997
- UN - Palestine Palestine, Politics, 12/11/1997
- Lebanon maintains active participation in summit
The Iranian spiritual leader praised Lebanon's stand in refusing to hold bilateral talks with Israel, describing such a stand as "source of pride" and saying that "divine coexistence" in Lebanon is a well-established fact. Lebanon, Politics, 12/11/1997 - Assad meets Arafat, Hrawi, and other Arab leaders
President Hafez Assad discussed with Palsetinian President Yasser Arafat and chairman of the PLO political department Farouk al-Qaddoumi the deliberations of the summit conference, the topics listed on its agenda, and the current state of the peace process. Syria, Politics, 12/11/1997 - Rafsanjani calls for Islamic unity
Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has called for the unification of Muslim ranks for the service of their peoples' interests. Regional-Iran, Politics, 12/11/1997 - French - Egyptian military talks before meeting between Mubarak and Chirac
Egyptian diplomatic sources expect a joint meeting in Paris at the end of the current month between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his French counterpart, Jacques Chirac, at Chirac's invitation. Egypt, Politics, 12/11/1997 - European Syndicate Confederation representatives call for Algeria assistance
The representatives of the European Syndicates Confederation pledged to pressure European governments to stop hosting terrorist organizations and to combat terrorism. Algeria, Politics, 12/11/1997 - Inter-Arab relations discussed at Summit
Talks dealt with summit's deliberations, draft bills, conditions in the region following Israel's violation of the peace process and efforts exerted to strengthen inter-Arab relations and to maintain pan Arab solidarity. Syria, Politics, 12/11/1997 - Census in East Jerusalem: A compromise in the making
The Israeli government was determined not to allow Palestine to conduct its census in East Jerusalem, claiming that it is in violation of the Oslo accords and that it undermines Israel’s self-declared sovereignty in the city. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/10/1997 - Moroccan monarch not attending Islamic Summit
Iran had also expected the participation of King Hassan II in order to exert efforts in mediating differences between the United Arab Emirates and Iran over the three UAE isles that Iran occupies. Morocco, Politics, 12/10/1997 - Turkey's Demirel makes early exit from Islamic Summit
Turkish President Suleyman Demirel is making an early departure from the OIC summit tonight, possibly as a result of a resolution that was drawn up at the OIC which indirectly criticizes Turkey by censuring Islamic countries with military ties to Israel. Regional-Turkey, Politics, 12/10/1997 - Excerpts from 8th Islamic summit's opening session
In a speech he made at the opening session of the 8th summit of the OIC, Khameni underlined the importance of unity between Islamic states in confronting challenges, especially those posed by Israel. Regional, Politics, 12/10/1997 - Qatar says no differences over Damascus Declaration meeting
Al Atia stressed that Egyptian - Qatari relations are back to normal as a result of the Saudi efforts. Qatar-Egypt, Politics, 12/10/1997 - Israel's desire for Arab waters
A detailed study on Israeli ambitions on Arab waters, compiled by the secretary general of Arab geologists, Dr. Wisam al-Hashimi, asserted these ambitions went back to the end of the 19th century. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/10/1997 - Improved outlook for Saudi-Iranian relations
Iran's representative to the OIC said a new page was opened in Iranian -Saudi relations since the meeting held between former Iranian President Hashami Rafsanjani and Saudi crown Prince Abdullah Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 12/10/1997 - Irish president in Beirut Thursday
The Irish president is scheduled to visit the southern coastal town of Naqoura on Friday, which has housed the headquarters of a United Nations peace-keeping force in Lebanon since 1978. Lebanon, Politics, 12/10/1997 - Israel - Albright Israel-Palestine, Politics, 12/10/1997
- Iraq - oil-for-food Iraq, Politics, 12/10/1997
- Albright - Sudan Sudan, Politics, 12/10/1997
- Egypt opposes hasty UN resolutions
The Egyptian delegate told a General Assembly meeting that the expansion of the Security Council should not be confined to offering more permanent seats to developed countries at the expense of developing nations. Egypt, Politics, 12/10/1997 - Terrorist mediation reports denied
A senior Egyptian Information Ministry official denied yesterday reported mediation attempts by an Egyptian journalist between the Egyptian government and fugitive terrorists abroad. Egypt, Politics, 12/10/1997 - Syrian-Kuwaiti committee signed minutes
Sheikh Saad praised the work done by the committee and praised its achievements in consolidating bilateral relations for further progress and economic growth. Syria-Kuwait, Politics, 12/10/1997 - Ministers discussed citrus marketing
The ministers discussed citrus marketing processes in local and foreign markets, obstacles and means of overcoming them. Syria, Politics, 12/10/1997 - A message to the world from Luxor
The Egyptian Ministry of Culture held a commemoration night for the victims of the terrorist attack that occurred in Luxor on November 17. Egypt, Politics, 12/10/1997 - Sudanese diplomats refuse to return after finishing their missions Sudan, Politics, 12/10/1997
- 8th Islamic Summit opens: members united behind a positive stance and future
The praise for the summit for its acheivements in laying important grounds for the future has come from all sides. Regional-Iran, Politics, 12/9/1997 - Census preparations at peak, Israeli police on alert
How many Palestinians live in East Jerusalem is a question Israel does not want anybody to be able to accurately answer. At least not before it finishes the purification process it started to rid East Jerusalem of as many as possible of its Palestinian residents. Palestine, Politics, 12/9/1997 - Tunisia modifies election laws
By virtue of this law and after the parliament approves these modifications, the number of seats allocated to the opposition in the parliament will increase from 12% to 20%. Tunisia, Politics, 12/9/1997 - Turkey continues incursion in north Iraq, Yelmaz: Relations with Israel are strategic
Turkish sources admitted that a comprehensive mopping up operation is being conducted in collaboration with armed militiamen from the Kurdistan Democratic Party. Turkey-Israel, Politics, 12/9/1997 - Saudi Arabia calls for Islamic unity
King Fahd urged the Islamic countries to strengthen mutual relations, which stem from the unity of religious history, heritage, and common interests, in order to back their positions while dealing with international blocs. Regional-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/9/1997 - U.S. ambassador moved by Qana massacre site
U.S. Ambassador Richard Jones on Monday said he was "moved" by the sight of Qana, the little village in southern Lebanon where at least 100 Lebanese civilians were slaughtered by Israeli shelling of a U.N. base in April 1996. Lebanon, Politics, 12/9/1997 - Student committees in Morocco call for protest gathering Wednesday
The two student committees called for an immediate halt to the violations of the constitution, laws, and freedoms of universities. Morocco, Politics, 12/9/1997 - Algerian president calls for more efforts to achieve social justice
He also considered "the state's council elections which are to be held on 25th of current December, are the best answer to those who deliberately defame Algeria's reputation." Algeria, Politics, 12/9/1997 - Algerian minister: Algeria refuses all negotiations with terrorist groups
Karina clarified that those groups that terrorize and murder civilians are Algerian groups and that the terrorists are Algerian but those acts are masterminded by foreign parties. Algeria, Politics, 12/9/1997 - OIC Tehran summit backgroud
Other issues included ways of enhancing cooperation among member states and solidifying Arab-Islamic cohesion, of protecting common interests and of setting up an Islamic common market. Regional, Politics, 12/9/1997 - Terrorism conference condemns European countries in which terrorists reside
The international conference for terrorism, radicalism, and syndic liberties which was held in Algeria, issued a final statement that condemns countries in which terrorists reside. Regional, Politics, 12/9/1997 - Yemeni - Egyptian committee to meet Thursday
The talks will include supporting bilateral relations between the two countries in all economic, security, and social fields. Egypt-Yemen, Politics, 12/9/1997 - Iraq - Butler Iraq, Politics, 12/9/1997
- Syrian - Chinese cooperation relations reviewed
The speaker of the Syrian people's assembly discussed with chairman of foreign relations committee at the Chinese parliament conditions in the region, bilateral relations between Syria and China and means of boosting parliamentary relations between the two countries. Syria, Politics, 12/9/1997 - Identity Committee registers more than 300 Saharans in two days
After Morocco and the Polisario reached the Houston Agreement with the assistance of the US mediator James Baker and in the attendance of representatives from Algeria and Mauritania, the door was open for for the peaceful settlement of the problem. Morocco-West Sahara, Politics, 12/9/1997 - Syrian, Lebanese Presidents in Teheran for Summit
In a pre-departure statement to Teheran, President Hrawi of Lebanon asserted that south Lebanon is the responsibility of Lebanon. Lebanon, Politics, 12/9/1997 - Peres: Peace with Syria requires full withdrawal from the Golan
Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres has stated that reaching a peace accord with Syria is impossible without a full Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights occupied since 1967. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/9/1997 - US wants greater redeployment
Peres: I don’t hear voices from the Arab side calling for war. Now that it’s clear to us that Assad doesn’t want war and that someone lied to us, we will make a mistake if we postpone the process. The price of peace will not go down, but the cost of victims is likely to rise. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 12/8/1997 - Mossad revelations on its agent with the false information on Syria
But so far, at least one person seemed to have won in this affair. That is the present head of the Mossad, Dani Yatom, whose name and career were damaged in the ill-fated Mossad attempt on the life of Hamas political figure Khaled Mishal in Amman. Israel-Syria, Politics, 12/8/1997 - Al Baz: If peace fails, there will be other Arab alternatives
Dr. Osama Al Baz confirmed that Egypt had no intention to boycott the Middle East-North Africa Summit that was held in Doha, but the Israeli intransigence in the peace process led to this boycott. Egypt, Politics, 12/8/1997 - Terrorism and international cooperation, Part 2
Confronting terrorism itself requires some kind of effective and positive cooperation or mutual help in police fields and the judicial domain, exchanges of information related to the subject between countries. Regional, Politics, 12/8/1997 - Jacques Chirac to visit Emirates
French President Jacques Chirac will pay a two day visit to United Arab Emirates on December15-16; during the visit a contract will be signed for the purchase of 30 Mirage 2000-9 jets. United Arab Emirates, Politics, 12/8/1997 - OIC ministers approve Syrian draft resolution
The approved decision called upon countries which have started relations with Israel in the course of the peace process to reconsider their relations with Israel Regional, Politics, 12/8/1997 - Another Mossad mess up
A year ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with top US officials and gave them information which stunned them. Netanyahu told the Americans that Iraq was much closer to manufacturing nuclear arms than had been thought. Israel, Politics, 12/8/1997 - EU for Middle East just peace
Poos added that the EU and the US are working on a joint declaration on the Middle East peace process following meetings US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright held in Paris with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Palestine, Politics, 12/8/1997 - President, prime minister, off to Islamic conference
Hrawi, a Maronite Catholic, is the only non-Muslim head of state taking part in the Eighth summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Lebanon, Politics, 12/8/1997 - Mubarak demands Israel abide by peace
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak has asserted the importance of Israel's commitment to the basis and principles of the Middle East peace process, and to implement all signed agreements and pledges on all tracks. Egypt, Politics, 12/8/1997 - Third round of Egyptian - French negotiations starts tomorrow
During this round of negotiations, the two countries will exchange views regarding the issues of disarmament and strategic and regional situations in addition to discussing security issues in the Mediterranean. Egypt, Politics, 12/8/1997 - Algeria succeeds in mediating between Nigerian government and opposition
Upon the request of the conflicting sides in Nigeria, Algeria will continue its efforts to achieve comprehensive peace in Nigeria. North Africa Region, Politics, 12/8/1997