Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 2/16/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of February 16, 1998
- Pope Shenuda: We oppose strikes against Iraq
He urged Arab countries to stand by the Iraqis, to defend Iraq's territorial integrity and to refuse any attempt to divide Iraq. He said, "The Arabs could form a mighty power if they unite their attitudes and thoughts." Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 2/21/1998 - Tunisian - Libyan high committee to meet in Tunisia
Libyan Prime Minister Mohammed Ahmed El-Mankoush, who will head the Libyan delegation to the meeting, said that Libya intends to intensify its cooperation with Tunisia in all sectors, Libya-Tunisia, Politics, 2/21/1998 - Crown Prince of Jordan meets French President
Recently Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz reportedly said the US is about to conspire with Kurdish authorities in Kurdistan Region of Iraq to "establish an independent Kurdish State in the North of Iraq." Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 2/21/1998 - Rafsanjani - Saudi Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 2/21/1998
- Egyptian protests against bombing Iraq
The Arab Press Union yesterday issued a communique in which it called for the utmost effort to avert military action against Iraq, achieve solidarity with the Iraqi people as well denounce U.S. hegemony in the region. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 2/21/1998 - Israeli ministers to Amman to improve relations with Jordan Jordan-Israel, Politics, 2/21/1998
- UAE President for diplomatic solution of Iraqi crisis United Arab Emirates-Iraq, Politics, 2/21/1998
- No more Iraqis allowed to Jordan in case of of war
"Jordan has made the necessary procedures to face the consequences of the expected military strike on Iraq," Prime Minister Dr. Abdul Salam al-Majali said. Jordan's needs of foodstuffs and oil products for the country could be met for four months, he added. Jordan, Politics, 2/20/1998 - El-Baz: Baghdad ready to cooperate
El-Baz said Iraq is ready to cooperate with UN Secreatray-General Kofi Annan, whose visit to Iraq is likely the last step in the peaceful efforts to resolve the crisis. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 2/20/1998 - Iran: US threat is dictatorial
Iran stated that the US threat against Iraq is dictatorial and that the primary victim of a US military strike would be innocent Iraqi people. Iran-Iraq, Politics, 2/20/1998 - Ankara seeks to resume dialogue with Damascus
A Turkish diplomatic source said, "We first prefer to resume dialogue on the bilateral level and then tripartite consultation talks might be resumed between Ankara, Damascus and Tehran," adding that "the Syrian side is inclined to resume political contacts." Syria-Turkey, Politics, 2/20/1998 - Arab prisoners in Israel: a slim chance for release
Palestinian security prisoners who live inside Israel may now have a chance to obtain an amnesty with the mounting pressure by all Arab Knesset members on Israeli president Ezer Weizman and on his competitor, right wing Likud party nominee for the presidency, Shaul Amour. Israel, Politics, 2/20/1998 - Continuation of preparation for Western Sahara referendum
The UN secretary-general's special envoy to the Western Sahara, ambassador Charles Dunbar, said after meeting King Hassan II of Morocco that the monarch showed his country's complete readiness to cooperate with him. Morocco-West Sahara, Politics, 2/20/1998 - Algeria for boosting Arab, Muslim-Algerian partnership
During a meeting of his movement's Shoura council, Nehnah expressed his party's readiness to proceed in keeping the country's political, economic and social stability away from narrow disputes. Algeria, Politics, 2/20/1998 - Bahrain for diplomacy to defuse crisis Bahrain, Politics, 2/20/1998
- Saudi prince confers with Iranian envoy Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 2/20/1998
- Kuwait FM optimistic over Annan's mission Kuwait, Politics, 2/20/1998
- Qaddoumi Desert's Storm is an American arrogance
Qaddoumi also expressed his readiness to visit Baghdad, clarifying that he met Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Said El-Sahaf in Damscus, and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat sent a special delegation to the Iraqi president. Palestine, Politics, 2/20/1998 - New Israeli attempts to win release for Azam Azam
Israeli radio reported yesterday that the Israeli prime minister's advisor for international affairs, will arrive in Cairo today to discuss Azam Azam's case and meet with Azam in prison. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/20/1998 - Al-Bashir elected chairman of the Sudanese national congress Sudan, Politics, 2/20/1998
- Jordan's crown prince meets with Annan, Chirac
They discussed the Iraqi governmental crisis with the UN Security Council in detail and repeated that it was necessary to make the utmost possible effort to defuse the crisis using diplomacy and to avoid the use of weapons of mass destruction. Jordan, Politics, 2/20/1998 - Palestinian-Israeli talks: Fake impression of business as usual
A meeting Wednesday between Palestinian chief negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat and Israeli cabinet secretary Dany Naveh failed to bridge the gap between the two sides amid mounting Palestinian complaints that Israel is "looking for every possible excuse not to honor its interim agreements with the Palestinians." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/19/1998 - Yemeni president's initiative paves way for opposition participation
the call of Yemeni President Ali Abdallah Saleh to close past cases aims at paving the way for opposition parties to participate in political spheres and national issues, regardless of the their political position. Yemen, Politics, 2/19/1998 - Egyptian writers get creative in fighting on behalf Iraqis
The communique called on several unions, writers unions in the Arab world, cultural groups and those who are against a strike on Iraq to arrange protest marches, and boycott U.S. and British goods Egypt, Politics, 2/19/1998 - Moroccan labor unions condemn terrorism in Algeria
Representatives of Moroccan labor unions denounced the terrorist actions committed by the terrorist groups against innocent civilians in Algeria. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 2/19/1998 - Jordan's Crown Prince confirms support for Annan's efforts
Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan confirmed that Jordan fully supported the efforts to be made by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan during his mission to Iraq. Jordan, Politics, 2/19/1998 - Palestine shuts down TV stations Palestine, Politics, 2/19/1998
- Iran denies meetings with Israeli Rabbis Iran, Politics, 2/19/1998
- Sudan for a new constitution bill
Sudanese dailies on Wednesday said the Sudanese national conference on Tuesday approved the main provisions of a new constitution bill. Sudan, Politics, 2/19/1998 - Iranian Foreign Minister to visit Lebanon in March Iran-Lebanon, Politics, 2/19/1998
- Algeria for a just solution to Sahara question Algeria-West Sahara, Politics, 2/19/1998
- Turkish police chief denies presence of Turkish troops in Northern Iraq Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 2/19/1998
- A message from Oman Sultan to Saudi crown prince Saudi Arabia-Oman, Politics, 2/19/1998
- Joradanian students demonstrate against striking Iraq Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 2/19/1998
- Lebanese president on Israel's withdrawal from the south
Lebanese foreign minister Fares Boueiz stated that the escalation by the Lebanese resistance forces in the south against the Israeli occupation is the main reason for the Israeli talks about withdrawing from south Lebanon. Lebanon, Politics, 2/19/1998 - Arab League warns against Israel's nuclear potentials
AL assistant secretary general for foreign political affairs, Muhammad Zakaria Ismael, said the committee will review and study dangers resulting from the growing Israeli nuclear capacities. Regional, Politics, 2/19/1998 - Hrawi - civil marriage Lebanon, Politics, 2/19/1998
- Peace will not be achieved in Sudan except through talks
Mohammed Osman El-Merghany, the head of the Democratic Federal Party stated that peace will not be achieved in Sudan except through talks between the government and all Sudanese factions. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 2/19/1998 - Jordan's King receives a message from Iran's Khatami
The message is to address the current developments in the Iraqi crisis with the UN and bilateral relations between Iran and Jordan Jordan-Iran, Politics, 2/19/1998 - Moroccan prime minister: New government will form in March
Moroccan Prime Minister Abdel Rahman El-Yousefi, who is authorized to form the new government, praised Moroccan - Egyptian relations. Morocco, Politics, 2/19/1998 - Mali president arrives in Algeria
The president of the Republic of Mali, Alpha Oumar Konare, arrived in Algeria on Wednesday for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Algerian President Liamine Zeroual. Algeria, Politics, 2/19/1998 - Qatari, US contacts on Iraqi crisis Qatar, Politics, 2/19/1998
- Israeli, Jordanian ministers meet on joint projects Jordan-Israel, Politics, 2/19/1998
- Saudi-Lebanese relations reviewed Saudi Arabia-Lebanon, Politics, 2/19/1998
- Qatar: A solution to Iraqi crisis in two days
A Qatari source, close to the Qatari foreign minister said the Qatari initiative is not mediation yet it express the Gulf's hopes for a peaceful solution. Iraq-Qatar, Politics, 2/18/1998 - UAE rejects US threats against Iraq
Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed al-Nahyan said "We will not accept any US military threat against Iraq, and we see the question on UN inspectors as one to be dealt with through peaceful means." United Arab Emirates, Politics, 2/18/1998 - Rafsanjani to visit Saudi Arabia
Rafsanjani's visit to Saudi Arabia, the first for a senior Iranian official since 1979, falls in the course of continued consultation and exchanging views on issues of concern between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 2/18/1998 - Egypt, Pakistan maintain security cooperation
Egyptian Minister of the Interior Lt. Gen. Habib al-Adli and his Pakistani counterpart, Shoudri Hussein, on Monday expressed mutual interest in expanding bilateral security relations. Egypt, Politics, 2/18/1998 - Iraqi, Iranian foreign ministers meet in Tehran
Al-Sahaf briefed his Iranian counterpart on the results of his talks with officials in the countries he had visited on reaching a solution to the crisis through diplomatic means. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 2/18/1998 - Jordan's Crown Prince discusses Iraqi crisis with France and Britain
Methods to contain the Iraqi governmental crisis with the UN Security Council, means to defuse it to avoid Iraqi people more sufferings, and ways of sparing region from a disastrous military confrontation will be among the issues that Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan is to discuss with British Foreign Minister. Jordan, Politics, 2/18/1998 - Islamists on the agenda of German minister's visit Sudan
The German minister is scheduled to meet with officials in the ruling military council in Sudan and opposition representatives. Sudan, Politics, 2/18/1998 - Suggested names for opposition candidates in Morocco
Public and political circles in Morocco are considering the names of political candidates for the government. Morocco, Politics, 2/18/1998 - Syrian-Iranian meetings delayed due to Iraq crisis
Syrian diplomatic sources said that the delegation which was supposed to visit Tehran, including Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam and Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa was delayed for few days until the picture concerning the Iraqi crisis becomes clear. Syria-Iran, Politics, 2/18/1998 - A message from Tunisian President to Gaddafi Libya-Tunisia, Politics, 2/18/1998
- Qatari cabinet stresses diplomatic settlement to Iraqi crisis Qatar, Politics, 2/18/1998
- Kuwaiti, Turkish President talk on crisis Kuwait-Turkey, Politics, 2/18/1998
- A message from Syrian President to Saudi crown prince Saudi Arabia-Syria, Politics, 2/18/1998
- Kuwait - Iran Kuwait-Iran, Politics, 2/18/1998
- Erekat - US proposal Palestine, Politics, 2/18/1998
- Kurds - Turkey Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 2/18/1998
- Al-Bashir appoints new Sudanese vice- President Sudan, Politics, 2/18/1998
- Lebanese FM, PLO political department chief review ME developments
Qaddoumi said he reviewed with Boueiz what has happened on the Palestinian peace track, which has reached an impasse. He added that the peace process sponsors are unable to make the efforts needed to revive the peace process in the region. Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 2/18/1998 - Hizbullah Party chief clings to resistance to expel Israel from south Lebanon
Hizbullah's secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, said the legitimate duty of the Lebanese national resistance is to expel the Israeli occupation from south Lebanon and the western Bekaa. Lebanon, Politics, 2/18/1998 - Syrian delegation delivers communique to Mubarak
Sharaa said Syria backs the implementation of UN resolutions, but a military strike against Iraq would require a new UN resolution. The Syrian Foreign Minister stressed the need to settle the crisis by political and diplomatic means and to avoid using the military option. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 2/18/1998 - Military forces on the Iraqi borders
Everyone is acting as if war will begin at any time and Jordanian security forces are taking all necessary steps to prepare for a possibile flood of Iraqi refugees. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 2/18/1998 - American Jewish delegation in Cairo
Robert Rifkind, AJC president and the delegation's spokesman, said they have discussed many issues concerning the region: Egyptian - American and Egyptian - Israeli relations, the situation in Iraq, relations with Iran, and the peace process. Egypt, Politics, 2/18/1998 - Lebanese President confers with US ambassador Lebanon, Politics, 2/18/1998
- AL secretary confers with Iraq's permanent representative Regional-Iraq, Politics, 2/18/1998
- Egyptian - UAE presidents discuss Iraqi crisis United Arab Emirates-Egypt, Politics, 2/18/1998
- Reshuffle of Jordanian cabinet
The reshuffle included six ministers. They were the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Information, Transport, Post and Communication, Culture and Youth, and Labor. Jordan, Politics, 2/18/1998 - Ease in the Emerati - Qatari crisis
Emirate sources said that the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Khalifa al-Thani, will visit the United Arab Emirates in March at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Zayed Ben Sultan Al-Nahayan. Qatar-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 2/17/1998 - Iraqi, Kuwaiti envoys trade insults, leave
Tension between Iraq and Kuwait showed itself clearly in statements by their envoys in Beirut Monday as each met separately with Lebanese officials and traded insults before leaving. Regional-Lebanon, Politics, 2/17/1998 - 79 percent of Egyptians oppose US aggression
A recent survey conducted by the Arab Consultation Center on Public Opinion surveying Egyptian attitudes about a possible US military strike against Iraq recorded a 79% opposition to a US decision to launch a military strike against Iraq. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 2/17/1998 - Hamas threatens to attack Israeli targets if US strikes Iraq
"Our armed answer inside Israel to any US attack on Iraq is but our right to defend our homelands," he said. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/17/1998 - Arab League, Egypt receive invitations from Qatar
At this meeting OIC foreign ministers will tackle the Middle East peace process, the Gulf situation, methods of reforming the OIC financially and administratively, and developing a policy for confronting the organizations' fiscal crisis resulting from delays by member states in paying their shares of the organization's budget. Regional, Politics, 2/17/1998 - Moussa points to Annan Iraq visit for solution
Concerning UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's visit to Baghdad, Moussa said it's an important visit, emphasizing that fulfilling this visit is an affirmation of the roles of the United Nations and the secretary-general. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 2/17/1998 - Iran states opposition to military action against Iraq
Kharazi called for further intensification of diplomatic efforts to settle the crisis between Iraq and the US by peaceful means, noting Iran's opposition to the use force. Iran-Iraq, Politics, 2/17/1998 - Qatari press condemns US military threats
The Qatari press condemned the U.S. for seeking to impose a new order in the region and for trying to strike at Iraq through the cover of the U.N. Qatar, Politics, 2/17/1998 - Jordan Cabinet reshuffle expected
ArabicNews.com has been informed that there will be a cabinet reshuffle in Jordan. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the reshuffle is expected within the coming 24 hours. Jordan, Politics, 2/17/1998 - Bahrain not to allow the use of its land for a military strike against Iraq Bahrain, Politics, 2/17/1998
- 300 Egyptian journalists to stage strike in support of Baghdad
The Egyptian union of journalists will establish a day for solidarity with the Iraqi people by staging a strike inside the syndicate on the coming Saturday from 1 a.m to 4 a.m to protest US threats of a military strike against Iraq. Egypt, Politics, 2/17/1998 - Iraq denies hiding prohibited weapons in Sudan, Libya and Algeria
The Iraq minister of commerce said these allegations came within the US campaign to intensify the excuses to strike at Iraq and to draw out the sanctions imposed against it, while escalating the sanctions imposed on Libya and Sudan. Iraq, Politics, 2/17/1998 - Qatar's FM arrives in Baghdad Qatar-Iraq, Politics, 2/17/1998
- Mubarak warns against striking Iraq Egypt, Politics, 2/17/1998
- Kuwaiti officials meet on developments in the Gulf Kuwait, Politics, 2/17/1998
- Swedish Foreign Minister: We do not believe in wars
"We do not set aside any military operation," she told the reporters at Amman airport before she left to her country, "but we shall do the utmost of what we can to avoid any military operations." Jordan, Politics, 2/17/1998 - Crown Prince Hassan: Pluralism must be promoted in Iraq
Regarding the "end of the game with Iraq" Crown Prince Hassan was quoted as saying that, "There should be provisional regulations, social contract among Kurds, Sunnite Arabs and Shiite Arabs." Jordan, Politics, 2/17/1998 - Hizbullah warns officials against offering Israel guarantees
Recently, Israeli officials have said Israel would implement resolution 425 only after receiving guarantees that Hizbullah would not attack its northern settlements following a withdrawal. Lebanon, Politics, 2/16/1998 - Israeli Mossad report on Amman Fiasco: background
After the failed assassination attempt, top Israeli security officers, including defense minister Yitzhak Mordechai, chief of staff Amnon Shahak and General Security Services head Ami Ayalon said they were not consulted on the attack and claimed they had been kept in the dark throughout the whole period that preceded the attack on Mishal. Israel-Jordan, Politics, 2/16/1998 - Security cooperation between Morocco and Italy
The discussions cover security issues affecting Mediterranean countries' interests, which include combating illegal immigration, fighting crime, confronting smuggling, and other issues such as methods of activating the signed agreements between Morocco and Italy within this frame. Morocco, Politics, 2/16/1998 - Israel threatens arrests of Golan citizens
The Israeli police chief in Galilee, Gen. Avi Telor, has threatened to carry out a large arrest campaign against Syrian residents of the occupied Golan and to levy substantial fines against them. Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/16/1998 - Qatar's FM arrives in Baghdad Qatar-Iraq, Politics, 2/16/1998
- A message from Blair to Qatari ruler Qatar, Politics, 2/16/1998
- UAE President meets Pakistani counterpart United Arab Emirates, Politics, 2/16/1998
- Jordanian officials confer with Swedish FM
During the meeting, al-Majali said he hoped international efforts would also work toward eliminating the stalemate in the peace process and convincing the Israeli government to abide by agreements it signed. Jordan, Politics, 2/16/1998 - Russia for consolidating ties with Syria, ambassador says Syria, Politics, 2/16/1998
- Kuwaiti official meets Syria, France, US ambassadors Kuwait, Politics, 2/16/1998
- King Hussein reviews peace process with Arafat
King Hussein was informed by Palestinian President Yasser Arafat about the latest developments in peace negotiations with Israel, the proposals to restart those negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian government and the Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories as per agreements signed between both sides. Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 2/16/1998 - Palestinians in Lebanon burn U.S. flags, praise Saddam
Palestinian refugees in Lebanon's Ein el-Hilweh camp on Sunday burned U.S. flags in a show of support for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Regional, Politics, 2/16/1998