Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 1/5/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of January 5, 1998
- Arafat, Assad, and Hrawi to meet
Palestinian Minister of Planning Nabil Shaath said that the Israel Premier Benjamin Netanyahu is challenging the US administration before meeting with US President Bill Clinton on January 20 by imposing new conditions for resuming peace negotiations. Palestine, Politics, 1/10/1998 - Comoros pleased with AL economic support Comoros, Politics, 1/10/1998
- Israeli President: Syria is the key to solving South Lebanon security problems Israel, Politics, 1/10/1998
- King Hussein to visit Saudi Arabia Jordan-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/10/1998
- Morocco: Democracy with integrity
In another first, the Moroccan Socialist Union Party (SUP) secured the leading position in the parliament, as one of the party's leaders, Abdel Wahid Al Rady, was elected as speaker of the parliament. Morocco, Politics, 1/9/1998 - Ross, like Baker, brought more settlements with every trip
Rehvaam Zeevi's party that advocates the transfer of all Palestinians out of Palestine and their distribution among the Arab countries. Zeevi said his party would bring down the government even if only a discussion on the redeployment is convened Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/9/1998 - Yemen: mediation between Egypt and Qatar
Egyptian - Qatari relationships have again become strained after the reconciliation brokered by Saudi Arabia, and now Yemen is attempting a new mediation effort to clear the air between the two countries. Yemen, Politics, 1/9/1998 - Egypt's Moussa looks back at 1997
Moussa said that this year witnessed other strains due to the Iraqi crisis, the Gulf situation and the escalation of terrorism, adding that all of these strains did not prevent positive actions from taking place such as the Arab coherence in confronting these strains Egypt-Regional, Politics, 1/9/1998 - Algerian - Moroccan relations show signs of improvement
In spite of tensions between Morocco and Algeria due to the western desert conflict, Morocco is showing sympathy over the massacres taking place in Algeria. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 1/9/1998 - Palestine narrows differences with Jordan
Well-informed Jordanian sources disclosed that the secret visit of the secretary-general of the Executive Office of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Mahmoud Abbass Abu Mazen, last Friday to Amman aimed at overcoming the misunderstanding between Jordan and Palestine over maps for the Israeli West Bank redeployment Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 1/9/1998 - Arab League expresses deep concern over maneuvers
"The league is confident that these maneuvers will not undermine the Arab stances supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq and backing Syria's resistance," the statement said. Regional, Politics, 1/9/1998 - Arab League for fostering Euro-Arab partnership
Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid has stressed Arab states' interest in strengthening and developing Euro-Arab cooperation in all fields and in eliminating all obstacles in this respect. Regional, Politics, 1/9/1998 - Two Moroccan parties agree to form unified parliamentary coalition
The joint statement said that they have agreed to form a parliamentary coalition in both chambers of the Moroccan parliament Morocco, Politics, 1/9/1998 - Saudi Arabia to bolster relations with Yemen Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 1/9/1998
- Lebanese-Russian relations discussed
Lebanese Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz on Thursday discussed with the Russian ambassador to Lebanon bilateral relations, and issues of bilateral concern. Lebanon, Politics, 1/9/1998 - Syrian President stresses commitment to peace to US congressional delegation Syria, Politics, 1/9/1998
- Jordan expresses its fear on the peace process Jordan, Politics, 1/9/1998
- Al-Saqaf to Cairo
Al-Saqaf is to replace Nayif al-Qadhi, who has become a member of the Upper House of Parliament, as Jordan's ambassador to Egypt. Jordan-Egypt, Politics, 1/9/1998 - Satellite broadcasts of news and political programs banned
The move comes after months of wrangling between authorities and heads of local media stations over interviews with controversial figures in Lebanon and abroad. Lebanon, Politics, 1/8/1998 - Korean embassy officials' wife kidnapped in Yemen
Armed-men from al-Hada tribe had kidnapped the wife of the first secretary in the embassy of Southern Korea in Sanaa, her three year old daughter and an accompanying businessman. Yemen, Politics, 1/8/1998 - Netanyahu says his government will last until 2000
Israeli parliamentary laws which could be applied for the first time stipulate the downfall of the government in two cases: if the Premier resigns, or if 61 Knesset members pass a vote of no confidence in the government. Israel, Politics, 1/8/1998 - Oman evacuates illegal foreign workers
Oman is giving illegal foreign workers three months in the country to legalize their conditions or leave the country a written decision circulated by the Omani Ministry of Labor on Wednesday said. Oman, Politics, 1/8/1998 - Israeli General's wife signs Lebanon pullout petition
Rachel Levin signed a petition calling for a unilateral Israeli withdrawal that was distributed by the Four Mothers movement several weeks ago. Israel, Politics, 1/8/1998 - El-Hoss confers with Bashar al-Assad Lebanon, Politics, 1/8/1998
- Lebanon pledges commitment to peace principles
In a message sent by the Lebanese government to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Lebanon asked for the renewal of UNIFIL for another period. Lebanon, Politics, 1/8/1998 - Nothing expected from Ross's current efforts
The main reason Israel decided to retract its adoption of the security agreement was its clause that spoke of "reciprocity in fighting terror", a term Israel saw as an admission on its behalf of the existence of Jewish terror groups operating against the Palestinians and against the peace process. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/7/1998 - Efforts to normalize Egyptian-Sudanese relations succeeding
Sudan's first vice president, Al-Zubier Saleh, yesterday stressed the importance of the ongoing efforts to return his country's relations with Egypt to normal. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 1/7/1998 - Bu Ma'za is elected Umma Council speaker
The 144 members of the Algerian Uma Council elected Bashir Bu Ma'za as speaker of the Council Algeria, Politics, 1/7/1998 - Al-Rawdan withdraws resignation
Al-Rawdan, who submitted his resignation on November 15, 1997, assumed his office following liberation of Kuwait from the Iraqi occupation in 1991. Kuwait, Politics, 1/7/1998 - Families of kidnapped protest and reopen old civil-war wounds
Families of people who were kidnapped or went missing during the years of the Lebanese civil strife staged a sit-in on Tuesday to raise awareness for their cause and highlight their plight. Lebanon, Politics, 1/7/1998 - Turkish-Israeli-US maneuvers start today
Israeli-Turkish-US military exercises start today in Mediterranean waters with the participation of military observers from Jordan. Regional, Politics, 1/7/1998 - Chirac and Khaddam on peace, bilateral relations
Khaddam said that although Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai said he accepts this resolution, "less than one hour later the office of the Israeli Premier said that Israeli withdrawal is conditional." Syria, Politics, 1/7/1998 - Yemeni President ratifies 1998 budget
The Yemeni President Ali Abadalla Saleh issued 5 decrees that would link the 1998 budget with the sectors of the religious possessions, the pension, the private funds and the economic field. Yemen, Politics, 1/7/1998 - Lebanese cabinet suspends political news bulletins in TV Satellite stations Lebanon, Politics, 1/7/1998
- Sudan refuses to open United Nations bureau for human rights
The government said that such bureaus helped rebellions in the past and that it is for political operations which have nothing to do with human rights. Sudan, Politics, 1/7/1998 - Yemen to sign security agreement with Egypt soon
General Hussein Arab, the Yemeni minister of interior, stated that there is no borderline problem between his country and Saudi Arabia and said the problem of border demarcation by its very nature is complicated and requires a solution. Yemen-Egypt, Politics, 1/7/1998 - Hamas leaders refuse to meet PA officials Palestine, Politics, 1/7/1998
- Post-Levy era: a more extreme government
Now Mordechai seems to be following in Levy's footsteps. With his earnest wish to go ahead with the redeployment and to stand by his past promises to honor the agreements, Mordechai might find himself, perhaps within months, obliged to make a choice between his portfolio and his commitments Israel, Politics, 1/6/1998 - Iranian call to start negotiations with US gets serious
Zeba lauded the statements of Iranian President Mohammed Khatami and deemed them a declaration of respect toward the US, which means that relations with Washington are no longer looked upon as treason. Iran, Politics, 1/6/1998 - Syria's Salman: Turkey's maneuvers are muscle-flexing targeting Arabs
In statements to Monte Carlo radio on Monday Syrian Information Minister Muhammad Salman has condemned the Israeli, Turkish, US military exercises and considered them as constituting a grave threat to the Arabs and Muslims as well. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 1/6/1998 - Ankara to explain its foreign policy to Arab, Islamic states
Turkish Foreign Minister Ismael Jeem said that during 1998 he will explain Turkish-Israeli relations to the Arab and Islamic states in the framework of a new initiative in Turkish Foreign policy Turkey, Politics, 1/6/1998 - Islamic Salvation Front member denies report of Bin Hagag death
The source expected that the home arrest imposed on Sheikh Abbas Madani would be lifted during the second half of the month of Ramadan. Algeria, Politics, 1/6/1998 - Lebanese leaders cast off Mordechai comments
It was the first time in more than 20 years that an Israeli official acknowledged the resolution, which calls for an immediate and unconditional withdrawal from a border enclave Israel has occupied in south Lebanon since 1985. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 1/6/1998 - Delegation of US congressmen in Lebanon
A U.S. delegation of congressmen said Monday there are real opportunities for peace in the Middle East region and affirmed American support for an independent and sovereign Lebanon. Lebanon, Politics, 1/6/1998 - Morocco renews commitment to Houston agreements
A statement issued by the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior called on all people of Saharan origin to go to the UN Identity Determination Committee and register their names for the ballot. Morocco, Politics, 1/6/1998 - Australian poultry - UAE United Arab Emirates, Politics, 1/6/1998
- Sharon - foreign minister Israel, Politics, 1/6/1998
- Peres - foreign minister Israel, Politics, 1/6/1998
- Jordan Upper House regulations Jordan, Politics, 1/6/1998
- American delegation in Damascus next Wednesday
Diplomatic sources said that US Senator Daniel Graham will join the American Arab delegation which will visit Damascus on January 17. Syria, Politics, 1/6/1998 - Levy's resignation helped Barak, but not that much
MAARIV, one of Israel's leading daily newspapers, published Tuesday results of a poll it conducted following Levy's resignation, showing that Ehud Barak would easily defeat Netanyahu if elections were held now. Israel, Politics, 1/6/1998 - Message from Qatari prince to Yemeni president
Upon arriving home from Doha, Iranian Foreign Minister Abdul Karim al-Iryani said the message addresses "bilateral relations between the two countries and issues of mutual concern." Qatar-Yemen, Politics, 1/6/1998 - Arab ministers of the interior end deliberations in Tunis
A statement approved by the ministers condemned acts of terrorism against the security and stability of Arab countries and urged efforts to combat these acts. Regional, Politics, 1/6/1998 - Syria's Khaddam and al-Sharaa in France Syria, Politics, 1/6/1998
- Lebanese FM: Falous crossing reopened by a Lebanese decision
Lebanese Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz stated that the decision to reopen the Kfar Falous crossing was taken in Lebanon and conditions that accompanied the reopening process were purely local. Lebanon, Politics, 1/6/1998 - Third Palestinian conference convenes in Damascus
Palestinian sources told the London-based al-Hayat Arabic daily that the National Front for the Liberation of Palestine, chaired by Neyef Hawatmeh will convene its third conference in Damascus, Wednesday. Palestine, Politics, 1/6/1998 - Hrawi: We'll never surrender
Lebanese President Elias Hrawi on Sunday said that Lebanon will never surrender in its march to liberate its lands in the South and the western Bekaa from the Israeli occupation. Lebanon, Politics, 1/6/1998 - Norway, Jordan hold Israel responsible for peace stalemate
In a statement he made in Amman on Monday following his meeting with Jordan's Prime Minister Abdul Salam al-Majali, the Norwegian foreign minister said that Israeli practices might cause further problems in the peace process. Jordan, Politics, 1/6/1998 - 3-way Arafat, Clinton - Netanyahu meeting ruled out
"We are sorry to see that someone who supported Oslo Agreements is leaving and we are afraid that the present government will become more radical and extreme," Arafat told reporters Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/5/1998 - Kuwait denies buying French arms
He stated that this visit came within the security agreement Kuwait signed with the Security Council's permanent members, among which is France. Kuwait, Politics, 1/5/1998 - Meguid: Arab position towards crises in Iraq and Somalia
Esmat Abdel Meguid, the secretary-general of the Arab League, expressed his hopes that 1998 will view Arab reconciliation. Regional, Politics, 1/5/1998 - Positive Iranian signs regarding the UAE isles
The Iranian statements on the issue of the UAE three occupied isles are expected to turn into concrete steps, following the recent statement of the Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kherazi, in which he said that his country is serious about solving the problem of the three isles through direct negotiations. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 1/5/1998 - PUK seeks reconciliation with KDP, North of Iraq
"We would like to establish a permanent peace with KDP," Qadir Haji Ali said, "Mr. Talabani has sent a letter to Mr. Barazani with that aim." Iraq, Politics, 1/5/1998 - Cheson calls for counter-violence to face terrorists in Algeria
Cheson ruled out the possibility raised by some that the Algerian authorities are directly responsible for the massacres and rejected the idea of setting up an international fact-finding committee as requested by foreign human rights organizations. Algeria, Politics, 1/5/1998 - Shaath looks to Clinton meetings
Dr. Nabil Shaath, Palestinian planning minister, told reporters after meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa and President Hosni Mubarak's political advisor, Osama El-Baz, that the meeting between Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and the US president in Washington "would have an effective impact on the Palestinian track." Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 1/5/1998 - Municipal elections to be held in spring
Elections in the occupied zone would be held six months after the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the zone, which Israel has occupied since 1985. Lebanon, Politics, 1/5/1998 - Berri - Lebanon withdrawal Lebanon, Politics, 1/5/1998
- Sudan turns down UN request Sudan, Politics, 1/5/1998
- Israeli budget passes Israel, Politics, 1/5/1998
- Mubarak confers with Schultz, Graham
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Sunday received US former Secretary of State George Schultz, currently visiting Egypt. President Mubarak also received a member of the intelligence committee at the US Senate, Bob Graham. Egypt, Politics, 1/5/1998 - AL denounces Turkish - Israeli - US maneuvers Regional, Politics, 1/5/1998
- Weather delays Khaddam, al-Sharaa's visit to France
On Sunday, assistant spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry Yves Doutriaux announced that Syrian Vice-President Abdul Halim Khaddam and Foreign Minister Faouk al-Sharaa's visit to France was postponed by a day untill Tuesday due to bad weather in Paris. Syria, Politics, 1/5/1998 - Former Iranian President to visit Saudi Arabia
Iran's ambassador to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Sabah Zanka, on Sunday said that former Iranian President Akbar Hashami Rafsanjani will visit Saudi Arabia after Eid al-Fitr. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 1/5/1998 - Iran not divided on ties with US, Khaminei says
In Friday's sermon, Iran's "spiritual leader" Ayatollah Ali Khaminei denied news that Tehran is taking any steps toward rapprochement with Washington, and insisted that there is unity between the top leadership. Iran, Politics, 1/5/1998 - Norwegian foreign minister to help in mediation
The Norwegian minister arrives in mid January to the Middle East to hold a wide range of discussions between the two parties involved in the peace process. Regional, Politics, 1/5/1998 - Iraq condemns American - Israeli - Turkish maneuvers Iraq, Politics, 1/5/1998
- Palestinian Legislative Council member: Collapse of peace process means chaos
A member of the Palestinian Legislative Council who is also a member of the Palestinian negotiating committee, Nabil Amr, stated that if the peace process collapses, the alternative will be chaos Palestine, Politics, 1/5/1998