Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 1/19/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of January 19, 1998
- European Union's investigation in Algeria
These developments come amid news that security forces killed 51 terrorists who were held responsible for carrying out the massacre in Sidi Hamad. A girl that had been kidnapped by the terrorists led the security forces to them after she managed to escape. Algeria, Politics, 1/24/1998 - Hezbollah flexes muscle in Jerusalem Day parades
At least 10,000 Hezbollah supporters attended the parade in a Beirut southern suburb, in which the group's secretary-general, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, gave a fiery speech vowing to continue the battle against Israel. Lebanon, Politics, 1/24/1998 - A Kuwaiti - Iraqi popular committee replying Saddam Husseins' allegation
The formation of a Kuwaiti - Iraqi popular committee, which aims at coordinating and exchanging information to reply to Saddam Hussein's allegations against the Kuwaiti and the Iraqi opposition, was announced in Kuwait. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 1/24/1998 - Emir of Qatar to visit Abu Dhabi soon
Hamad Ben Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, will visit the United Arab Emirates soon, at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, to discuss methods of reconciliation and improving relations between the two countries. Qatar, Politics, 1/24/1998 - Parliamentary visits to begin between Egypt, Sudan
Parliamentarians from Egypt and Sudan will start in mid - February to exchange visits to support bids to re-establish full normal ties between the two countries, said a key Sudanese parliamentarian yesterday. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 1/24/1998 - Israeli-Palestinian clashes
Israeli forces used rubber bullets to disperse the demonstrators who protested against the removal of soil from their lands in preparation for the confiscation of those lands by the Israeli authorities. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/24/1998 - Spanish interior minister to meet with Moroccan counterpart
The Spanish security manager said the necessity of confronting illegal immigration and Spanish security demands had dictated the establishment of a security body. Morocco, Politics, 1/24/1998 - Jordanian national conference opposes normalization with Israel
Jordanian forces opposing the normalization of relations with Israel, decided to hold a wide national conference in Amman in late February, to undermine the normalization between Jordan and Israel, and create methods of resisting it. Jordan, Politics, 1/24/1998 - Lebanon's reservations to issue entry visa to Lythos
Lebanese Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz informed the International Labor Organization in Geneva about Lebanon's reservations toward appointing Ibrahim Al Lythos as director of the ILO regional office in Beirut. Lebanon, Politics, 1/24/1998 - Iraq rejects interfere in Algerian affairs, Qatar shows support
The Qatari cabinet, headed by Sheikh Abdallah bin Khalifa, announced Doha's support toward the Saudi Arabian Cabinet's statement concerning Algeria. Qatar-Regional, Politics, 1/24/1998 - Jordanian Foreign Minister meets Palestinian President
"King Hussein ordered me to meet with Palestinian President," Fayez al-Taraunah said. " I told him about Jordanian support for his efforts concerning making progress on the Israeli-Palestinian track," Jordanian Foreign Minister said. Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 1/24/1998 - Kuwaiti deputies demand application of Islamic law
37 members of the Kuwaiti state council demanded that the constitution be adjusted in a way that makes the application of Islamic law (Sharia) a requirement. Kuwait, Politics, 1/23/1998 - Arab parliamentary delegation in Algeria for solidarity
In a statement to pressmen Jamal Edine said: "We have come to Algeria to voice solidarity with the Algerian people against attempts aimed at undermining this country thereby to have the pretext to interfere in its internal affairs." Algeria, Politics, 1/23/1998 - Al-Majali: relations are good with Syria and Iraq
Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul-Salam al-Majali said Jordan has always been close with Iraq and Jordan has continuously supported the Iraqi people. Jordan, Politics, 1/23/1998 - Netanyahu scores a major victory
Contrary to all expectations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had scored a major victory upon his return from the US, despite the fact that nothing seems to have been resolved Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/23/1998 - Sheikh Ahmed Yassin refuses to meet Netanyahu
Yassin said his movement will not attack any Israeli civilian targets as long as the Israelis do not attack Palestinian civilian targets. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/23/1998 - Syrian foreign minister confers with EU Middle East peace envoy on peace
Moratinos said, "We are waiting for the results of the talks in Washington so we can, through consultation with the US, our partners, and sides concerned including Syria, discuss what we can do in the future." Syria, Politics, 1/23/1998 - 47,000 Algerians wounded or killed in massacres until 1997
Victims of massacres committed by armed groups against citizens since the beginning of 1992 through the end of 1997 numbered 26,536 dead and 21,137 wounded. Algeria, Politics, 1/23/1998 - Moroccan-Spanish talks on fighting smuggling successful
Spanish minister of the Interior Jaime Mayor Oreja on Thursday said he held positive talks with Moroccan officials concerning drug trafficking and illegal immigration. Morocco, Politics, 1/23/1998 - Israel settlement Israel-Palestine, Politics, 1/23/1998
- Gaza backs Garaudy
Palestinian intellectuals demonstrated in Gaza yesterday in support of French Muslim writer Roger Garaudy, facing trial in France for arguing that the World War two Nazi killings of Jews were no holocaust. Palestine, Politics, 1/23/1998 - Egyptian laborers demand lifting of Iraq sanctions
Al Sayed Rashed, the labor union's chairman, said in two messages sent to Meguid that the goal of the labor union is to defend the laborers' liberties and democracy. Regional-Egypt, Politics, 1/23/1998 - Turkey underestimated Arab reaction toward relations with Israel
Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem stated that his country is determined to bolster relations with Israel, adding that Turkey will not submit to foreign pressures to change its stances towards Tel Aviv. Regional-Turkey, Politics, 1/23/1998 - Kidnapped Chinese released in Yemen Yemen, Politics, 1/23/1998
- Resistance against Israeli forces sacred Maj. Gen. Says
Major General Sami al-Khatib, said resistance against occupation is a sacred duty and a legitimate course for Lebanon to liberate its territory from Israeli occupation. Lebanon, Politics, 1/23/1998 - Arab League denies involvement in Western Sahara issue
The Arab League (AL) on Wednesday denied news highlighted by certain dailies and magazines on the delegation of special committees to follow up preparations underway for a referendum in the Western Sahara Regional-West Sahara, Politics, 1/23/1998 - OIC chief to mediate on Algerian crisis Algeria, Politics, 1/23/1998
- European Union economic threat convinced Algeria
Well-informed sources in Algeria said the main reason Algeria accepted the visit of the European Union troika was a direct warning raised by the Union to the Algerian authorities. Algeria, Politics, 1/22/1998 - Sudan proceeds towards reconciliation
Taha called on the US to lift economic sanctions imposed on Sudan in November 1997 as an expression of good will to create the proper atmosphere for reconciliation in Nairobi. Sudan, Politics, 1/22/1998 - Egyptian officials unhappy with Iranian statement on Algeria
Last week Ali Akbar Nateq Nouri, the speaker of Iran's parliament, accused the Algerian army of involvement in massacres against Algerian civilians and working to prevent Islamic rule. Egypt-Algeria, Politics, 1/22/1998 - Libyan and other initiatives for Sudanese reconciliation
Egypt and Libya are communicating with Sudan concerning a peaceful solution to the Sudanese struggle for power. Sudan-Libya, Politics, 1/22/1998 - Al Hakim criticizes UN, rules out attack on Iraq
Al Hakim stressed the need of the Iraqi people for more assistance and the importance of having a strong UN inspection to stop the unfair distribution of those supplies which is done according to political persuasions. Iraq, Politics, 1/22/1998 - International arbitration for Henish island
Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Abdel Karim Al Eriany will head his country's delegation to international arbitration sessions regarding the Yemeni-Eritrean conflict over the greater island of Henesh. Yemen, Politics, 1/22/1998 - Iraq inspections Iraq, Politics, 1/22/1998
- Arafat - Washington Palestine, Politics, 1/22/1998
- Algeria official death toll Algeria, Politics, 1/22/1998
- Dubai food measures United Arab Emirates, Politics, 1/22/1998
- Algerian nation's council meets Algeria, Politics, 1/22/1998
- Arafat to visit Saudi Arabia Palestine-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/22/1998
- 59 Jordanian released prisoners arrived home
59 Jordanian prisoners, freed by a private resolution from Saddam Hussein, arrived in Amman yesterday night. Among them were five children who were jailed with their parents. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 1/22/1998 - King Hussein meets with King Fahd
King Hussein of Jordan met with King Fahd of Saudi Arabia in the Holy city of Mecca yesterday night. The two kings reviewed bilateral relations between their countries. Jordan-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/22/1998 - A communique from UAE President to Algerian President United Arab Emirates-Algeria, Politics, 1/22/1998
- Saudi prince for Egyptian, Saudi, Syrian cooperation
Prince Khaled said the sanctions are now useless, after they achieved their objective. Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 1/21/1998 - Mubark receives message from Yemeni president
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak received a communique from Yemeni President Ali Abd El-Allah Saleh concerning bilateral relations between Egypt and Yemen. Yemen-Egypt, Politics, 1/21/1998 - Jordan's PM criticizes Iraq's decision to release Jordanians
al-Majali welcomed the Iraqi decision to set free the Jordanian prisoners, but he said that Iraq did not refer to efforts made by the Jordanian leadership to free those prisoners. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 1/21/1998 - Iftar party turns into rally
Turkish President Suleyman Demirel tried to appear as neutral as possible as he expressed his sorrow over the decision that closed the party. Turkey, Politics, 1/21/1998 - UAE donations for Iraqi children
Two sons of the children of United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan have donated more than US $500,000 to the Iraqi children. United Arab Emirates-Iraq, Politics, 1/21/1998 - Saudi Arabia condemns massacres against Algerian civilians
Saudi Arabia reiterated its condemnation of the massacres committed against civilians in Algeria and expressed readiness to take part in the process of halting the bloodshed in Algeria if asked to do so. Saudi Arabia-Algeria, Politics, 1/21/1998 - No Cabinet reshuffle, Hariri says
Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri stressed that there is no intention to make a governmental change or reshuffling in the Lebanese Cabinet immediately. Lebanon, Politics, 1/21/1998 - Sudanese government closes Palestinian Hamas center
The Sudanese government closed a Khartoum center for the Palestine Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, before the center began operating. Sudan, Politics, 1/21/1998 - Qatar reshuffle Qatar, Politics, 1/21/1998
- President Assad to meet with Arafat Palestine, Politics, 1/21/1998
- Iranian President receives Iraqi Foreign Minister
During the meeting the two sides discussed consequences of the Iraqi-Iranian war. In this respect, the Iranian President expressed hope the states would solve suspended problems. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 1/21/1998 - A Chinese kidnapped in Yemen Yemen, Politics, 1/21/1998
- Romanian-Syrian joint minutes of agreement signed
At the conclusion of the meetings the two sides signed an agreement on economic, scientific and technical cooperation. The two sides approved executive programs for air transport, cultural, health and sport cooperation. Syria, Politics, 1/21/1998 - Moussa - Qatar Egypt-Qatar, Politics, 1/21/1998
- Al-chief to meet envoys on Algeria
Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdel Meguid will meet today with the permanent Algerian envoy to the Cairo-based organization to discuss the situation in Algeria. Algeria, Politics, 1/21/1998 - Algerian - Egyptian agreement to hold conference
The Algerian and Egyptian labor unions agreed to hold an Arab conference soon to clarify the influence of terrorism on development. Egypt-Algeria, Politics, 1/21/1998 - King Hussein to Saudi Arabia
King Hussein of Jordan is due to leave for Saudi Arabia. He will be accompanied by several members of the royal family. Jordan-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/21/1998 - Libyan-Tunisian cooperation relations reviewed
The meeting dealt with executive steps for agreements signed between the two sides in various fields, especially in trade, the economy, industry, health and youth. Libya-Tunisia, Politics, 1/21/1998 - Egyptian defense minister warns against disruption of Middle East military balance Egypt, Politics, 1/21/1998
- Mubarak warns against alliances threatening Syria
The Egyptian President stressed his country's full support of Arab causes, foremost the realization of total Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab territories. Egypt, Politics, 1/21/1998 - New administrative appointments in Morocco
The Moroccan Monarch King Hassan II headed a ministerial meeting during where he approved a number of decrees that have to do with reorganizing diverse issues Morocco, Politics, 1/20/1998 - Support for Khamenei's anti US policy
Shiite religious men, the Iranian armed forces, and government spokesman, announced their support for Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed-Ali Khamenei who attacked the US in a speech delivered last Friday. Iran, Politics, 1/20/1998 - Qatar terminates Egyptian workers
An Egyptian diplomat yesterday expected Qatar to terminate the contracts of an additional 2,540 Egyptian expatriates at the Interior Ministry before the feast holiday. Egypt-Qatar, Politics, 1/20/1998 - Jerusalem settlements plan to isolate Palestinians
The Israeli director of the municipality who is responsible for creating this map refuted the idea that the Palestinian areas would be placed under the control of the Palestinian Authority. Israel-Palestine, Politics, 1/20/1998 - Israel commits itself to war not peace, Bahrain's Emir says
Sheikh Issa also expressed satisfaction over relations between his country and Iran, noting the need for developing these relations in various fields. Bahrain-Gulf, Politics, 1/20/1998 - Peace ball between Washington and Arabs
In just 12 words, US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright summed up the Israeli-Palestinian impasse and America's own floundering diplomacy. "1997," she said, "has not been a very good year for the peace process." Regional, Politics, 1/20/1998 - King Hussein warns against halt of peace
Answering a question about the UN sanctions imposed against Iraq after Saddam's forces invaded Kuwait in 1990, King Hussein said that if there were no sanctions things might have changed in Iraq. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 1/20/1998 - Iran -Israeli nuclear program Iran-Israel, Politics, 1/20/1998
- Netanyahu - Iran Israel-Iran, Politics, 1/20/1998
- UN - Iraq Iraq, Politics, 1/20/1998
- Algerian ambassador in Cairo emphasizes his country's refusal of any foreign interference
Mostafa El-Sherif, the Algerian ambassador in Cairo, reiterated his country's refusal of any foreign interference in its internal affairs. Algeria, Politics, 1/20/1998 - Egypt supports Algeria Egypt-Algeria, Politics, 1/20/1998
- Netanyahu to Washington and related developments
Stripped from any cabinet clearance, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu is on his way to Washington for his summit meeting on Tuesday, with US President Bill Clinton. Israel-Palestine, Politics, 1/19/1998 - Algeria condemns Iran's statements
The official spokesman of the Algerian Foreign Ministry said the Iranian attempts can do nothing except arouse feelings of resentment and contempt, especially as those attempts aim to acquit the terrorist groups of their responsibility. Algeria, Politics, 1/19/1998 - Islamic Salvation Front for Islamic democracy in Algeria
The Algeria authorities released Abdelkader Hashany the previous official in the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) after he was arrested and interrogated for 4 days. Algeria, Politics, 1/19/1998 - Iran - Iraq improve bilateral relations
Iran and Iraq said there is strong political will to improve, develop and normalize comprehensively their bilateral relations. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 1/19/1998 - President Hrawi determined to bring civil marriage
According to Hrawi, a Maronite Christian, introducing civil marriage would be a "first step on the way of eliminating sectarianism in Lebanon." Lebanon, Politics, 1/19/1998 - Demonstrations and accusations against Clinton and Kuwait
Iraq accused the U.S. of preparing a wide ranging assault on it (Iraq) said Nabel Negem the Iraqi ambassador in Cairo. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 1/19/1998 - Jordanian prisoners in Iraq released
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein yesterday decided to free all Jordanians in Iraqi custody immediately. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 1/19/1998 - Egyptian - Turkish summit soon
Mubarak, during last week's Damascus summit, expressed Egypt's rejection of any threats directed against Syria Egypt-Turkey, Politics, 1/19/1998 - Cairo: Muslim Brotherhood seeks dialogue
Moustafa Mashhour said at an Iftar banquet held in Cairo and attended by 700 persons that the Muslim Brotherhood seeks to maintain dialogue with various "parties opposed to violence, terrorism, and extremism." Egypt, Politics, 1/19/1998 - Algeria rejects Lebanon's offer to help
Algeria's ambassador to Lebanon, Hassan Bou Fares, has announced his country's total rejection of a Lebanese offer to form an Arab committee to help end violence in the north African country. Lebanon-Algeria, Politics, 1/19/1998 - Tunisia sends a message to Algerian president Tunisia-Algeria, Politics, 1/19/1998
- Syrian FM: We will be happy if Netanyahu implements 425 Syria, Politics, 1/19/1998
- Human rights activists arrested in Mauritania Mauritania, Politics, 1/19/1998
- Butler - Iraq Iraq, Politics, 1/19/1998
- Algeria: EU delegates on way; violence continues over weekend Algeria, Politics, 1/19/1998
- Former PM: Algerian army responsible for attacks Algeria, Politics, 1/19/1998
- UAE renews commitment to fighting oil smugglers United Arab Emirates, Politics, 1/19/1998
- Egypt contacts Qatar to stop firing of workers Egypt-Qatar, Politics, 1/19/1998
- Palestinian delegation to Russia and Ukraine to gather peace process support
A Palestinian delegation is headed to Russia for a one-week visit. The chairmanship of the Palestinian Legislative Council announced that the delegation will be headed by Ahmed Qrei. Palestine, Politics, 1/19/1998 - Moussa to meet with Canadian ambassadors
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa is to meet today with ambassadors of Canada accredited in the Middle East and North Africa and currently assembled in Cairo. Egypt, Politics, 1/19/1998 - Jordanian speaker discusses Arabian Parliamentary Union conference
The extraordinary conference of Arabian Parliamentary Union held recently in Luxor, Egypt discussed terrorism, which hinders democracy and development everywhere. Regional-Jordan, Politics, 1/19/1998