Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 12/15/1997
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of December 15, 1997
- Iran and Bahrain exchanging diplomats
The Emir of Bahrain expressed his hope that Iran would conduct better relations with its neighboring countries out of its position as a leading country in the region. Bahrain-Iran, Politics, 12/20/1997 - Peace, security, terrorism are subjects at Gulf Summit
The leaders will discuss means of supporting through establishing early warning networks in each country and linking those to a unified net in the Gulf countries. Gulf Region, Politics, 12/20/1997 - Emirati defense minister calls for joint Arab market
Sheikh Al Maktum urged proceeding with the establishment of the joint Arab market, "because we have the finance, the market and capability - and there is no place for small entities within globalization. We have to unite our goals." United Arab Emirates-Regional, Politics, 12/20/1997 - China, Lebanon discuss bilateral ties
China's foreign minister, who arrived in Lebanon late Thursday, expressed his country's interest in investing in Lebanon's ambitious reconstruction program. Lebanon, Politics, 12/20/1997 - Arafat briefs Mubarak on results of Albright meeting
Arafat stated that he agreed on the American suggestion regarding security cooperation with Israel Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 12/20/1997 - Jordan election reform Jordan, Politics, 12/20/1997
- Netanyahu: West Bank part of Israel Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/20/1997
- Tunisia - RCD Tunisia, Politics, 12/20/1997
- US - Iran - Gulf Gulf Region, Politics, 12/20/1997
- NDP political club meets today
Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Kamal Ganzouri, people's assembly Speaker Dr. Fathi Sorour, and Shoura council chief Dr. Mostafa K. Helmi, are due to take part in the meeting of the National December Party today. Egypt, Politics, 12/20/1997 - Palestinian meeting in Luxor
The conference in the southern Egyptian city of Luxor demonstrates the Palestinians' solidarity with the Egyptians in their stand against terrorism, said the Palestinian ambassador in Cairo, Zuhdi Kedra. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 12/20/1997 - Egypt refuses to receive Netanyahu, warns against Israeli evasion
Amr Moussa noted the importance of reaching agreements on the questions of the refugees, Jerusalem, borders and waters, stressing that Egypt will only accept a balanced peace and will not enable Israel to fulfill its greed in swallowing Palestine. Egypt, Politics, 12/19/1997 - Bahrain looks forward to improving relations with Iran
The Bahraini Minister of Information Mohamed Ibrahim Al Mutawaa expressed his hope that Bahraini - Iranian relations will improve, especially with the good Iranian moves Bahrain-Iran, Politics, 12/19/1997 - Egypt: No alliance with Iran and Syria
Egyptian foreign minister Amr Mossa has denied intent to set up an Egyptian-Iranian-syrian axes to counter Israeli-Turkish alliance Egypt-Regional, Politics, 12/19/1997 - Strong Palestinian support for peace
Support for the largest Palestinian group, Fateh, has increased from 34.8% in July to 40.9%. Meanwhile the Palestinian governmet headed by Yasser Arafat raised its popular base from 37.6% to 46.4% during the same period Palestine, Politics, 12/19/1997 - Syria's Khaddam on relations with Turkey
Syrian Vice-President Abdul Halim Khaddam said that the attempts made by Ankara to make Turkey a European state will not succeed, stating that the Turkish-Israeli alliance is targeting Syria and the Arab region as a whole. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 12/19/1997 - Kuwait: Security and defense top agenda of 18th GCC summit
Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah has said that the 18th GCC summit will give top priority to security and defense issues. Gulf Region, Politics, 12/19/1997 - Yemeni president invites sultan of Oman
Regarding the Yemeni - Eritrean struggle, Al Eriany said that the two sides exchanged memoranda and that Yemen is currently studying the legal consultations with its legal advisors Yemen-Oman, Politics, 12/19/1997 - GCC for ME peace process promotion
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Sheikh Jamil Hujeilan said the faltering peace process will be one of the most important topics to be debated at the 18th GCC summit to open tomorrow in Kuwait. Gulf Region, Politics, 12/19/1997 - Jordanian Parliamentarians in Israel
Interviewed by the Israeli radio, al-Faraena said he met with chairman of the Israeli Knesset, the chairman of the foreign and security committee and the chief of Shass movement, describing all those meetings as important ones. Jordan, Politics, 12/19/1997 - Djibouti elections Djibouti, Politics, 12/19/1997
- Iraq palaces Iraq, Politics, 12/19/1997
- Great improvement in Libyan - French relations
Libyan -French relations have been improving over the last few months, while Libyan - British and Libyan -American relations are embrioled in disputes and deterioration. Libya, Politics, 12/19/1997 - Talks to expand Omani - Qatari cooperation
The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and ways of reinforcing them in various fields Qatar-Oman, Politics, 12/19/1997 - Sudanese pro-government forces score victory in south Sudan, Politics, 12/19/1997
- Arab Knesset member barred from Lebanon Lebanon, Politics, 12/19/1997
- Arafat, Netanyahu to meet Clinton Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/19/1997
- UAE for negotiations with Iran on Islands United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 12/19/1997
- Lebanese cabinet discusses municipal draft bill Lebanon, Politics, 12/19/1997
- Moroccan Party of Independence requests disbanding of parliament
The Moroccan opposition Party of Independence requested for the recently elected parliament to be disbanded and for a new election to be held. Morocco, Politics, 12/18/1997 - Algerian Hamas conference postponed
The postponment of the Algerian Peaceful Society Movement conference to an indefinite date was due to the numerous differences among those who support and those who oppose the party's current leaders. Algeria, Politics, 12/18/1997 - Mubarak for united Syrian - Lebanese stances
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called upon the Lebanese to exert more efforts in order to restore the key role played by Lebanon in the Arab arena. Egypt, Politics, 12/18/1997 - Intensive security procedures in Kuwait for Gulf Summit
Among the security procedures the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interiors decided to stop vacations during the summit for all those who work in the police departments. Also the security personal intensified spot inspections in the streets. Kuwait, Politics, 12/18/1997 - Algerian criticism for Amnesty International report
The director of the Algerian Human Rights Observing Committee criticized this report and stated that this non-governmental organization exceeded its role when it tried to impose on international public opinion its view that there is no government in Algeria. Algeria, Politics, 12/18/1997 - Saharan chiefs accuse Polisario front of obstructing committee works
They said that the Polisario's observers are obstructing the works of the committee and attempting to list people who are not of Saharan origin. Morocco-West Sahara, Politics, 12/18/1997 - Kuwait fears a civil war might break out in Iraq
Saud al-Nasir Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti minister of information, expressed his fear that a civil war that might break out in Iraq due to changes in the government which would lead to intervention from neighboring countries. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 12/18/1997 - Sudanese foreign minister calls for a strong Egyptian role in Sudan
Suliman urged that a planned round of negotiations with rebels in the South be canceled because he said some countries involved in the talks were no longer neutral go-betweens. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 12/18/1997 - Arafat to visit Damascus
Preparations made by chairman of the PLO political department Farouk al-Qaddoumi are underway for a visit to be made by Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to Damascus. Palestine, Politics, 12/18/1997 - Egyptian - Moroccan board
A new society for Egyptian - Moroccan friendship was recently formed to give vigor to bilateral trade, economic and cultural links. Egypt-Morocco, Politics, 12/18/1997 - Assad meets US congressmen, stresses commitment to peace
Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad on Wednesday discussed with a US team the Middle East the peace process and its various facets, including the policies of the Israeli government which led to the stalemate in the peace process. Syria, Politics, 12/18/1997 - King Hussein wants improved ties with Iraq Jordan, Politics, 12/18/1997
- Kuwaiti delegation threatens to withdraw from Arab Parliamentary Conference
The Kuwaiti delegation threatened to withdraw form the Arab Parliamentary Conference currently being held in Libya if the issue of the international blockade on Iraq is put on the agenda of the conference. Regional-Libya, Politics, 12/17/1997 - Tunisian MPs request revoking citizenship of some journalists
Parliament members from the ruling Democratic Constitutional Tagamoua strongly attacked those who defame Tunisia in the foreign media and called for revoking their Tunisian citizenship. Tunisia, Politics, 12/17/1997 - U.S. envoy Indyk in Beirut
The U.S. envoy said achieving a breakthrough in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations was a prerequisite for advancement on all other tracks. Lebanon, Politics, 12/17/1997 - Iran for consolidating relations with Gulf states
Iran is pressing her weight to bolster relations with Saudi Arabia as "one of Iran's national policy principles," calling upon the US to change its policy toward Iran, noting that dialogue with the US is still far off. Gulf Region-Iran, Politics, 12/17/1997 - GCC ministerial council meets
In the conclusion to its meeting today in Kuwait, the ministerial council of the Gulf Cooperation Council states approved a new decision on establishing a consultant council for the GCC states. Gulf Region, Politics, 12/17/1997 - Iraqi official in Yemen
Iraq's Deputy Premier Hamza al-Zubeidi arrived in Sanaa today for a visit to Yemen aimed at briefing Yemeni officials in the latest developments in Iraq. Iraq-Yemen, Politics, 12/17/1997 - UAE - Saudi relations reviewed United Arab Emirates-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/17/1997
- Mubarak expresses optimism on Middle East peacemaking
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stressed the need to confront terrorism and translate resolutions made in international conferences into reality. Egypt, Politics, 12/17/1997 - Indyk in Jordan: agreement at next meeting not likely
Asked if Washington would help Amman get alternate oil supplies if the recent crisis with Baghdad escalated to an Iraqi suspension of oil supplies to Jordan, Indyk said "we will be doing what we can to help Jordan if it faces difficulties" Jordan, Politics, 12/16/1997 - Egypt and Yemen fail to sign criminal extradition agreement
Egypt and Yemen failed to reach an agreement in the field of judicial cooperation which includes the extradition of criminals who are sentenced by each other's courts. Egypt-Yemen, Politics, 12/16/1997 - Arab - Israeli MP's receive death threats
Darwsheh said he had received three written notices over the past there weeks, as well as anonymous phone calls to his home and office which included threats to kill him. Israel, Politics, 12/16/1997 - Hizbullah - Israeli progress in swap deal
Mohammed Fneish said Israel has offered to release 20 Lebanese prisoners as well as an unspecified number of bodies belonging to dead Lebanese guerrillas, in exchange for the body parts of the Israeli soldiers. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 12/16/1997 - Arab Knesset member to visit Damascus soon
Syrian sources stated that Azmy Beshara will meet with the Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khadam and Foreign Minister Farouk Al Sharaa. Regional-Syria, Politics, 12/16/1997 - Jordan parliament urges Israel to abide by peace
It also called for alleviating the suffering of the Iraqi people and lifting the sanctions imposed on Iraq, Libya, and Sudan. Jordan, Politics, 12/16/1997 - French prime minister to visit Morocco tomorrow
The sources expected the talks will focus on commercial and economic relations, especially concerning implementing a French plan to convert Morccan debts into French internal investments. Morocco, Politics, 12/16/1997 - Moussa supports Islamic Summit resolutions
Moussa stressed the Palestinian right to hold a census and criticized the Israeli procedures against the Palestinian attempt. He added that it is natural to hold this census as the Palestinian people comprise a separate society Egypt, Politics, 12/16/1997 - Yitzhak Levy: West Bank is an integral part of Israel
srael's Communication and Energy Minister Yitzhak Levy of the Mifdal Party has threatened his party's withdrawal from the governmental coalition if an accord is reached with the Palestinians that might affect Israeli settlements. Israel, Politics, 12/16/1997 - Chirac honored for his pro-Arab stances by President Zayed
UAE President Zayed bin Sultan al-Nayhan held talks over regional and international issues with French President Jacques Chirac who is currently visiting the Gulf country. United Arab Emirates, Politics, 12/16/1997 - Ruler of Bahrain pardons prisoners
The ruler of Bahrain, Sheikh Issa Bin Salman al-Khaleifa, today pardoned prisoners who were put in jail for security reasons. Bahrain, Politics, 12/16/1997 - Lebanese president meets with Indyk Lebanon, Politics, 12/16/1997
- Iraq: fifth prisoner will not be executed Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/16/1997
- Majali government approved Jordan, Politics, 12/16/1997
- AL - UN - Lockerbie Libya, Politics, 12/16/1997
- Butler - Iraq Iraq, Politics, 12/16/1997
- Syrian - Belarus cooperation ties discussed Syria, Politics, 12/16/1997
- Assad - Indyk Syria, Politics, 12/16/1997
- Palestine and settlers involved in secret talks
The Palestine government and Jewish settlers in the West Bank have been involved in secret talks over the past few months, with some sessions taking place in Europe. Palestine, Politics, 12/15/1997 - Jordanian ties with Iraq in trouble
Following the execution of four Jordanians by Iraq, King Hussein of Jordan continued his criticism of Iraq's President Saddam Hussein. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/15/1997 - Yemeni President for good relations with Saudi Arabia
The two countries signed in 1995 a memorandum of understanding providing for normalization of bilateral relations and border demarcation. Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/15/1997 - Redeployment proposals partition West Bank. Mordechai's vs Sharon
“Sharon must be dreaming if he believes that the Palestinians would even talk about the construction of the new road," said Palestinian chief negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/15/1997 - Demonstrators arrested over Aoun interview
Demonstrators on Sunday clashed with security forces after protests over the banning of a television interview. Lebanon, Politics, 12/15/1997 - Morocco is committed to settlement plan
Sources in the UN Minoroso mission declared that since the process of registering in the voting lists began on December 3, no violations were reported which might endanger the identity determination process. Morocco-West Sahara, Politics, 12/15/1997 - Yemeni president visits Oman today
The talks are expected to include a Yemeni request to join the Gulf Cooperation Council, especially since the visit comes on the eve of a GCC summit in Kuwait in which Sultan Qaboos is to participate. Yemen-Oman, Politics, 12/15/1997 - Butler - Iraq Iraq, Politics, 12/15/1997
- Albright skips Egypt visit Egypt, Politics, 12/15/1997
- Comoros secession Comoros, Politics, 12/15/1997
- Turkey - EU row Turkey, Politics, 12/15/1997
- Iran - US Iran, Politics, 12/15/1997
- Al-Zoubier to visit Egypt soon
A high-ranking Sudanese delegation, led by vice president Al-Zoubier Muhamad Saleh is expected to visit Cairo within the coming few days in a fresh bid to restore Cairo - Khartoum ties to normal. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 12/15/1997 - Moussa to Europe Egypt, Politics, 12/15/1997
- Egyptian committee for African cooperation meets
This committee will contain representatives of 22 ministry and government institutions formed to discuss means of supporting African - Egyptian relations within all fields. Egypt, Politics, 12/15/1997 - Jordan - Iraq Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/15/1997
- Mauritania elections Mauritania, Politics, 12/15/1997
- Butler - Iraq Iraq, Politics, 12/15/1997
- Israeli army to demolish homes Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/15/1997
- UAE - Iran United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 12/15/1997
- Land for peace formula stressed by UAE
The United Arab Emirates has stressed the necessity to resume the Middle East peace process and to establish a just and comprehensive peace. United Arab Emirates, Politics, 12/15/1997 - Jordan highlights 8th Islamic summit results
The Jordanian "al-Arab Al Youm" (the Arabs today) daily praised success the Islamic Tehran Summit achieved. Jordan, Politics, 12/15/1997 - Jordanian crown prince to visit Qatar
Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan will start Tuesday a visit to Qatar at the invitation of the Qatari ruler, Sheikh Khaleifa Bin Hamad al Thani. Jordan-Qatar, Politics, 12/15/1997 - Irish President: Lebanese have the right to liberate lands from Israelis
Ireland's President Mary McAleese, who on Sunday concluded a visit to Lebanon, recognized the Lebanese people's right to liberate their lands from the Israeli occupation through implementing UN resolution 425. Lebanon, Politics, 12/15/1997