Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 3/2/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of March 2, 1998
- Algerian - European problems about Mediterranean ministers of interior agenda
Arab sources said that the consultations, which include the seven concerned countries, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal, should address disputes dealing with terrorism. North Africa, Politics, 3/7/1998 - Saudi Arabia, Yemen to resume border demarcation talks
Yemeni Parliament speaker Sheikh Abdullah al-Ahmar on Thursday said Yemen and Saudi Arabia will, within a few days, resume talks concerning the 60-year border conflict between the two countries. Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/7/1998 - Sudanese vice president discusses coming peace talks in Nairobi
Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha said that the coming round of peace negotiations between the government and rebels in southern Sudan will be held in Nairobi. Sudan, Politics, 3/7/1998 - Jordan's Crown Prince visits Palestine and Israel
"Crown Prince Hassan is also to visit Tel-Aviv and meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu," a governmental source in Amman told reporters. "They are to discuss the current developments of the peace process, the impediments it faces and the methods to control them." Jordan-Regional, Politics, 3/7/1998 - Arafat supports Turkish initiative to improve relations with Arab neighbors
In a statement to the Turkish Daily News issued today, Palestinian representative in Ankara Fouad Yassin urged Egypt, Israel and Palestine to join the new Turkish initiative to improve relations with its Arab neighbors. Regional-Turkey, Politics, 3/7/1998 - Iraq to send diplomats to Arab states Iraq, Politics, 3/7/1998
- Qatari prince intends to visit Egypt Qatar-Egypt, Politics, 3/7/1998
- OIC meeting on March 15 Regional, Politics, 3/7/1998
- Hariri - Maronites Lebanon, Politics, 3/7/1998
- Palestine - UAE Palestine-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 3/7/1998
- Arafat: reform, but no reshuffle yet Palestine, Politics, 3/7/1998
- Barak criticized Israel, Politics, 3/7/1998
- Libya, Algeria sign security cooperation accord Libya-Algeria, Politics, 3/7/1998
- Russian envoy arrives in Beirut Lebanon, Politics, 3/7/1998
- Another 20 Lebanese released from Syrian jails Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/7/1998
- Rafsanjani: Visit to Saudi Arabia was positive Iran-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/7/1998
- A message to al-Gaddafi from Algerian president on bilateral relations Libya, Politics, 3/7/1998
- Moroccan party against Israel's participation in Mediterranean trade meeting Morocco-Israel, Politics, 3/7/1998
- Lebanon denies secret meeting with Israeli officials
Lebanon on Thursday dismissed reports of a secret meeting between a Lebanese official and two Israeli delegates in Paris as "baseless." Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/7/1998 - King Hussein of Jordan makes downtown tour of Muscat
Led by his counterpart Sultan Qaboos of Oman, King Hussein of Jordan made a downtown visit to the Omani capital, Muscat. The two leaders visited two mosques under construction in the city. Jordan-Oman, Politics, 3/7/1998 - Lebanon's Prime Minister storms out of parliament after dispute with speaker
The dispute began in the morning during the second day of a two-day legislation session during a discussion of a draft law dealing with retirement benefits for public servants. Hariri asked that the bill be postponed until discussion of another bill on salary scales of government employees takes place.. Lebanon, Politics, 3/6/1998 - US: No talks with Iraq, Arab League wants sanctions off
Ambassador Dowo Ali Soliman, the assistant secretary-general at the Arab League, called for sanctions against Libya to be removed after the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice. Iraq, Politics, 3/6/1998 - Gulf foreign ministers to meet, Iraq to top agenda
The ministers will discuss GCC relations with Iran after the visit of the former Iranian president, Hashemi Rafsanjani, to Saudi Arabia which achieved great positive results, without ignoring the UAE - Iran dispute over three Gulf islands: Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Mousa. Gulf, Politics, 3/6/1998 - New Turkish foreign ministry team to improve relations with Arab states
The Turkish daily "Daily news" on Wednesday said that the Turkish Foreign Ministry is working hard to develop a new Turkish policy towards the Middle East so as to improve relations with neighboring states and Arab nations. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 3/6/1998 - Moroccan PM calls for better Algeria relations
Moroccan Prime Minister Abdul Rahman El-Youssefi confirmed the importance of solidarity between Morocco and Algeria, expressing his hope that the countries would establish close bilateral relations. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 3/6/1998 - Kidnapping attempt sparks discussion in Yemeni deputies council
Deputy Abdo Al-Odi demanded to discuss this issue during their session concerning laws and military penalties. Yemen, Politics, 3/6/1998 - Qatar's ruler to visit Cairo
The Qatari ruler sent a message to President Mubarak in which he discussed bilateral relations, the joint efforts to overcome the Gulf crisis and the importance of enhancing Arab bilateral relations. Egypt-Qatar, Politics, 3/6/1998 - Sudan's concern with improving relations with Egypt
The Sudanese ambassador in Cairo, said after meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid yesterday that Sudan and Egypt have exerted great efforts to remove all economic and security tension between them. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 3/6/1998 - Israeli President for immediate withdrawal from Lebanon
The follow-up committee in support of detainees and prisoners in Israeli jails said during the sit-in that the decision made by the Israeli Supreme Court that Israel can hold Lebanese citizens for years without trying them is a blatant violation of Geneva accord and to all international norms. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/6/1998 - Palestinian official describes visit to Damascus as successful
Palestinian Cabinet Secretary Assad Abdul Rahman, described his visit to Damascus as very successful and at the same time denied reports by the Israeli radio that he did not meet with any Syrian officials. Palestine-Syria, Politics, 3/6/1998 - Chirac to visit Lebanon in April Lebanon, Politics, 3/6/1998
- Lebanese-Tunisia relations reviewed
Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri on Thursday discussed with Tunisian Minister of Higher Education al-Sayed al-Dali bilateral relations and the situation in the region. Lebanon-Tunisia, Politics, 3/6/1998 - Arab Labor Organization continues deliberations in Luxor Regional, Politics, 3/6/1998
- Gaddafi meets al-Meir Ghani Libya-Sudan, Politics, 3/6/1998
- Yemen exempts Europeans from entry visa Yemen, Politics, 3/6/1998
- President al-Assad confers with Lebanese minister on bilateral relations Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/6/1998
- Al-Sharaa wraps up Lebanon visit
Al-Sharaa voiced Syria's solidarity with Lebanon in refusing the proposed conditional Israeli implementation of Resolution 425, noting that the Syrian and Lebanese positions agree on this issue. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/6/1998 - King Hussein meets Qaboos
The two sides discussed the Middle East peace process, the recent Iraqi crisis and economic cooperation between the two countries. Jordan-Oman, Politics, 3/6/1998 - Syria hands over Lebanese prisoners
After a brief stop during which they waved and smiled at the cheering crowd, the prisoners were transferred to two Lebanese army buses which took them to the military police headquarters in the capital, Beirut. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/6/1998 - Syrian foreign minister rebuffs Israeli withdrawal offer
"Resolution 425 is like a court verdict. It cannot be subject to interpretation," Sharaa said after talks with Lebanese Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz, referring to the United Nations resolution, adopted twenty years ago, which calls on Israel to withdraw its troops unconditionally from Lebanon. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/1998 - New Mossad chief named
Ephraim Halevy's name was first mentioned as a potential replacement for outgoing Mossad chief Dany Yatom following the ill-fated assassination attempt of Hamas political bureau head Khaled Mishal in Amman, Jordan. Israel, Politics, 3/5/1998 - Direct Dialogue between Iraq and the USA is needed, Jordan's King says
King Hussein of Jordan reaffirmed that Iraq wants a direct dialogue with the US, speaking to reporters after talks with UAE's president last night. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 3/5/1998 - Talabani: Hard work required to make peace in Kurdistan
In the course of PUK Political Bureau meeting, Talabani hinted at the crisis between Iraq and UN and said his party supported a peaceful solution to it. "We believe that Iraq should adopt democracy, pluralism and should have a freely elected parliament." Iraq, Politics, 3/5/1998 - Gaddafi meets with Brazilian parliamentary delegation
Libyan, President Muammar Gaddafi on Wednesday received the Brazilian parliamentary delegation currently visiting Libya, including representatives of several Brazilian parties. Libya, Politics, 3/5/1998 - Sudanese delegation visits Cairo to arrange for Al-Bashir's visit
A high-level Sudanese delegation is expected to come to Cairo this week to arrange for a meeting between Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 3/5/1998 - New Bahraini security chief appointed Bahrain, Politics, 3/5/1998
- Efforts to release Lebanese detainees in Israeli jails Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/1998
- Arafat, Khalil congratulate Weizman on reelection Israel, Politics, 3/5/1998
- Mubarak meets Indian commander in Chief Egypt, Politics, 3/5/1998
- Saudi - Yemeni parliamentary relations highlighted
Chairman of the Saudi Shoura council, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Jubeir, received a communique on Wednesday from the speaker of the Yemeni Parliament Sheikh Abdullah al-Ahmar. Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 3/5/1998 - British, Bahraini relations reviewed Bahrain, Politics, 3/5/1998
- Jordan's King receives Arab ambassadors in UAE
In the course of receiving the ambassadors, the king underscored the importance of consultations and cooperation between Arab states, "to unify their stands regarding the main Arab issues, particularly the peace process." Jordan-Regional, Politics, 3/5/1998 - 130 Lebanese prisoners to be released from Syrian jails
Lebanese sources said that only 25 Lebanese will remain in the Syrian jails after being convicted of espionage for Israel. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/4/1998 - Emirates ready to send a delegation to Tehran
Diplomatic sources in Emirates confirmed its readiness to send a delegation to Tehran to discuss solving their dispute over three Gulf Islands. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 3/4/1998 - Qatar pledges to compensate sacked Egyptian workers
Egyptian and Qatari officials said that Qatar has promised to compensate some 700 Egyptian workers whose contracts were terminated following disputes between the two countries. Qatar-Egypt, Politics, 3/4/1998 - Former Sudanese prime minister meets with US delegation in Cairo
The Sudanese parliament decided to hold an emergency session for three weeks, to discuss the draft of the new constitution , which allows the formation of political parties in the country. Sudan, Politics, 3/4/1998 - Sheikh Zayed, King Hussein call for implementation of Iraq agreement
UAE president Sheikh Zayed bin-Sultan al-Nahyan and King Hussein of Jordan called for full implementation of the UN - Iraq deal concerning the weapons inspections in Iraq. Regional-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 3/4/1998 - King Hassan II: Israeli intransigence will end sooner or later
King Hassan II of Morocco today said the policy of intransigence pursued by the Israeli government will come to an end sooner or later due to its violations of international law and defiance to the international community. Morocco-Israel, Politics, 3/4/1998 - Saad Shazeli: U.S. military buildup to strike Iran and Syria next
Lieutenant General Saad El-Din El-Shazeli the ex-Egyptian chief of staff in October war 1973, said that the U.S. goal in striking Iraq in 1991 was not only the liberation of Kuwait, but the comprehensive destruction of the Iraqi military machine. Regional, Politics, 3/4/1998 - Israelis learn Arabic in Gaza
Tadmur, a peace activist and secretary of the Palestinian-Israeli Cooperation Organization, said holding such courses "is essential for promoting peace and understanding between the two sides, despite the approach of the Israeli government." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/4/1998 - UAE deputy premier calls on US envoy for resumption of peace talks
Deputy premier in the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed al-Nahyan, today stressed the need to establish just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East region. United Arab Emirates, Politics, 3/4/1998 - Iranian President supports Lebanon's struggle against Israel
Iranian President Muhammad Khatami today in Tehran discussed with Lebanese Minister of Displaced Persons Walid Jumblatt means of strengthening and consolidating bilateral relations. Lebanon-Iran, Politics, 3/4/1998 - Foreign leaders to visit Palestine
Minister of planning and international cooperation, Dr. Nabil Shaath said that on March 18 the Italian president will visit Gaza to meet with President Arafat. Two days later, he said, Austria's chancellor will follow. Palestine, Politics, 3/4/1998 - Saudi FM confers with Iranian official Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 3/4/1998
- Iraq will commit to accord's spirit and content, Iraqi FM says Iraq, Politics, 3/4/1998
- Egyptian president confers with Tunisian premier
During his three-day visit to Egypt, al-Qurawi heads the Tunisian delgation to the meetings of the Tunisian-Egyptian joint higher committee which will convene later in the day. Egypt-Tunisia, Politics, 3/4/1998 - Iraq for a dialogue with US Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 3/4/1998
- Jordan, Iran to develop relations Jordan-Iran, Politics, 3/4/1998
- Jordanian crown prince to visit Israel Jordan-Israel, Politics, 3/4/1998
- GCC FMs to meet on Saturday Gulf, Politics, 3/4/1998
- Bahrain, Rwanda establish diplomatic relations Bahrain, Politics, 3/4/1998
- UAE welcomes sultanate's call for oil meeting Regional-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 3/4/1998
- Expectations for a new ministerial amendment in Sudan
Political sources in Khartoum confirmed that a wide ministerial reshuffle will be accomplished inside the Sudanese government in the coming days and will effect no less than 10 ministries. Sudan, Politics, 3/4/1998 - Public meeting supports Iraqis against US Egypt, Politics, 3/4/1998
- 161,157 Jewish settlers in Gaza, West Bank
Israeli settlement activities over the past two years since the Likud came to power have led to a considerable increase in the number of Jewish settlers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/4/1998 - Kurdish local minister, ICRC representative meet
The minister of health and social affairs of the Kurdish local government in northern Iraq met with the represntative of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the Kurdistan region. Iraq, Politics, 3/4/1998 - Jordan - UAE Jordan-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 3/4/1998
- Saudi Arabia : the Iraqi situation will be totally settled with compliance
Saudi Arabia believes that the Iraqi situation will be settled in all aspects, including normalization, if it implements the UN Security Council's resolutions. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 3/3/1998 - Three Kuwaiti conditions for reconciliation with Iraq
Sheikh Sabah Ahmad said the three demands are: to free Kuwaiti prisoners in Iraqi jails, to carry out UN Security council resolutions imposed on Iraq and to admit guilt for invading Kuwait by the highest Iraqi authority. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 3/3/1998 - Syria's Khaddam offers surprising remarks and future vision
Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam said it is important to build a new Arab system and new Arab partnership capable of preserving the interests of the Arab nation. Syria-Regional, Politics, 3/3/1998 - Saudi Arabia calls for reviving peace, demands US, France pressure Israel
King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz said telephone calls they received from US President Bill Clinton and French President Jacques Chirac addressed the needs to revive the ME peace process and exert pressure on Israel to abide by international legitimacy resolutions. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/3/1998 - Final touches for Saudi-Yemeni border-demarcation
Yemeni Parliament Speaker Sheik Abdullah al-Ahmad said Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh will soon visit Saudi Arabia, adding that border demarcation between Yemen and Saudi Arabia is in the final stages. Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/3/1998 - Strike in Jerusalem: talks lead nowhere
The total general strike in East Jerusalem sent a clear message that the battle over the Holy City is still going on, said Palestinian Legislative Council member Ziyad Abu Zayyad. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/3/1998 - Killing 100 terrorists in three days in Algeria
100 terrorists were reported killed in the last few days by Algerian forces in broad-ranged operations which included Saida, Sidi Belabas, and Telmcan in western Algeria. Algeria, Politics, 3/3/1998 - Lebanon: Israel cannot condition withdrawal offer
"Any security arrangements would automatically involve giving Israel free concessions and permit it to impose its conditions," Boueiz told reporters at the Foreign Ministry Monday. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/3/1998 - Palestinian envoy in Damascus
The sources said Syrian officials had not so far received him, noting "He carries a Palestinian desire to reopen the file of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and Syria after Israel neglected this matter Palestine-Syria, Politics, 3/3/1998 - Jordan's Prime Minister : The government cooperates with unions
Jordan's government is interested in maintaining unlimited cooperation will all professional associations in Jordan, Jordanian Prime Minister Dr. Abdul Salam al-Majali said. Jordan, Politics, 3/3/1998 - Algerian human rights group: where are 706 persons
The Algerian national human rights watch group, registered complaints demanding to know the location of 706 persons who were reported missing in 1997, it registered 217 missing persons in 1996. Algeria, Politics, 3/3/1998 - Qatar - Turkey Qatar-Turkey, Politics, 3/3/1998
- Netanyahu - US Israel-Palestine, Politics, 3/3/1998
- Palestinians, Israelis talk on operating tunnel fail Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/3/1998
- No Kuwaiti Cabinet reshuffle
Kuwaiti crown prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah on Monday denied plans to reshuffle his ministers, but he did not rule out such a measure, adding "I do not know what will happen tomorrow." Kuwait, Politics, 3/3/1998 - A message from Arafat to UAE President United Arab Emirates, Politics, 3/3/1998
- Iraq is to honor accord signed with the UN, Aziz says
Commenting on the UN resolution approved yesterday, Aziz said: "We have signed a accord with the UN Secretary General and we are committed to the items of this accord." Iraq, Politics, 3/3/1998 - A message from ruler of Algerian President to Bahraini ruler Algeria-Bahrain, Politics, 3/3/1998
- Mubarak invites ruler of Qatar to visit Egypt Qatar-Egypt, Politics, 3/3/1998
- Lockerbie lawyer: Sanctions on Libya are illegal
The secretary-general of the Arab League, Esmat Abdel Meguid received Ibrahim Al-Gwail, the lawyer of the two suspects in the Lockerbie case, who stated that Security Council resolution No 731 concerning the sanctions imposed against Libya is illegal. Libya, Politics, 3/3/1998 - Palestine denies links to smuggled weapons from Jordan
The Palestinian government officially denied Israeli reports that it was linked to the weapons smuggling affair which was discovered by Israeli troops on Saturday. At least 60 Kalashnikov assault rifles and guns were found in a dinghy that was sailing from Jordan to the West Bank . Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/3/1998 - Mubarak meets Israeli trade unions chief Egypt-Israel, Politics, 3/3/1998
- Italian senator arrives in Sanaa Yemen, Politics, 3/3/1998
- Abdel Meguid to visit Algeria on Tuesday
Meanwhile, Zeroual announced that there will be an urgent national program launched this year for rebuilding all that has been destroyed by terrorism in 20 states. Algeria, Politics, 3/3/1998 - OIC FM s meet in Doha
The Organization of the Islamic Conference on Monday said that foreign ministers of the OIC member states will hold their 15th ordinary session in Doha on March 15 - 17. Regional, Politics, 3/3/1998 - New Syria-Turkish dialogue
Spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry Sarmad Atanknli said his country seeks to start a new dialogue with Syria in order to improve the tense relations between the two countries, resulting from successive disputes. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 3/3/1998 - Egyptian initiative to settle conflict in Sudan Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 3/3/1998
- Jordan's King Hussein is to visit UAE today
King Hussein of Jordan is to start a short visit to United Arab Emirates today. King Hussein will meet with UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin-Sultan al-Nahyan. Jordan, Politics, 3/3/1998 - Israeli asks France to work out a deal on Lebanon, Syria
Israel has asked the US and many European countries to help draft an initiative that would lead to Israel's unilateral withdrawal from occupied south Lebanon. Israeli diplomatic missions and embassies in a number of European capitals were instructed to seek the help of their host countries. Regional, Politics, 3/2/1998 - Syria challenges Israel to move forward on peace
Syria's ambassador to Washington, Walid Mu'allem, last week stated that Syria is ready to start negotiations "tommorrow" if Israel wants peace and is willing to continue negotiations from the point at which they broke off after Spain's Medrid conference. Syria-Israel, Politics, 3/2/1998 - Yemen refuses to release Egyptian fishing boats, crews
Egyptian efforts failed to win the release of five fishing ships and their crews, which were being held by the Yemeni authorities in Al-Hudaydah harbor last month for entering Yemeni waters without permission. Yemen-Egypt, Politics, 3/2/1998 - Portugal FM in Tunisia for boosting relations
Portugal finances some 13 research projects in Tunisia in marine, engineering, agricultural and technological researches. Tunisia, Politics, 3/2/1998 - Syria - Lebanon Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/2/1998
- Head of Iraqi labor union demands Arab solidarity
During the meeting of Arab Labor Union in Luxor, Fadel Gharib, the head of Iraq's labor union, hailed the role of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in support of Iraq Iraq, Politics, 3/2/1998 - Bahraini defense minister confers with British chief of staff Bahrain, Politics, 3/2/1998
- Former Israeli intelligence chief: Israel has to leave Golan
Former chief of the Israeli intelligence agency Yuri Saghi said Israel should give up the occupied Syrian Golan Heights if it is determined to reach peace with Syria. Syria-Israel, Politics, 3/2/1998 - A message from Russian defense minister to Saudi counterpart Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/2/1998
- Qatari ruler congratulates Gaddafi on court's Lockerbie decision Qatar, Politics, 3/2/1998
- A message from King Fahd to President Mubarak Saudi Arabia-Egypt, Politics, 3/2/1998