Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 3/23/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of March 23, 1998
- Iran arrests Barzani party members for spying
The Iranian forces arrested the 25 persons in the district of Arofe in northeastern Iran and in Karg near Tehran, in spite their status as political refugees. Iran-Iraq, Politics, 3/28/1998 - Gore due in Cairo in April
A high-ranking US official said Gore's visit will come after participation committee meetings in the US capital, adding that the main committee in the initiative specializes in investment and trade policy. Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/28/1998 - Mauritanian prime minister visits Tunis
Mauritanian Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Amin headed to Tunis for an official visit during which he will head his country's delegation at the announced meeting of the high joint cooperation committee. Mauritania-Tunisia, Politics, 3/28/1998 - Gaddafi - Iran Libya, Politics, 3/28/1998
- Israel - settlements Israel-Palestine, Politics, 3/28/1998
- Qatar - US Qatar, Politics, 3/28/1998
- UN - Israeli settlements Israel-UN, Politics, 3/28/1998
- Iraq - inspections Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/28/1998
- Polisario front tries to decrease number of participants in referendum
The chairman of the Moroccan deputies council, Abd Alwahed El-Eadi, said the Polisario front is trying to decrease the number of participants in the Western Sahara self-rule referendum. He said that these practices may lead to obstructing the referendum plan being administrated by the UN. Morocco-West Sahara, Politics, 3/28/1998 - Independence Party calls for reviving the Arab - Moroccan union
The Independence Party, which is participating in the Moroccan coalition government, called yesterday for the revival of the Arab - Moroccan Union, established in 1989 in Marrakesh. Morocco-North Africa, Politics, 3/28/1998 - Ross told: Significant withdrawal is expected, Israeli attitude poll
Arafat's special advisor on Israeli affairs, Dr. Ahmad Tibi, said the Palestinians expect Israel to carry out a significant withdrawal, and for the time being they won’t reject American bridging efforts. Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 3/27/1998 - Under Israeli conditions, Annan cancels al-Aqsa visit
The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Thursday canceled a visit scheduled to al-Aqsa mosque and the old town in Jerusalem because of "the conditions imposed by the Israeli authorities for this visit." Palestine-Israel-UN, Politics, 3/27/1998 - Egyptian, Sudanese ministers meet on security cooperation
The meeting, which was attended by the Sudanese ambassador in Cairo, dealt with "the dimension of coordination between the institutions of the ministries of the interior in the two countries and proposals to strengthen aspects of bilateral cooperation." Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 3/27/1998 - Sudanese National Council agrees on draft constitution
Ismael added that Ganzouri discussed with him means of developing political and security relations. He expressed his hope that the exerted efforts can contribute to the restoration of Egyptian - Sudanese relations. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 3/27/1998 - Jordan workers will be able to get Saudi visas Saudi Arabia-Jordan, Politics, 3/27/1998
- SLA - Israel Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/27/1998
- Lebanese Premier in Vienna for ME talks, bilateral relations Lebanon-Austria, Politics, 3/27/1998
- French minister of the interior arrives in Tunis Tunisia-France, Politics, 3/27/1998
- Saudi Arabia, Pakistan hold successful talks
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has his agreement concerning issues debated during his meeting with King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz and Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on Tuesday in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia-Pakistan, Politics, 3/27/1998 - Ross delayed, Israeli initiative to bypass U.S. pressure
Israel seemed to be heading towards a new compromise by which it would restrict the redeployment of its troops in the West Bank to no more than 10.5 percent but "quality-wise it would be better for the Palestinians because it will cover areas adjacent to the Palestinian cities under the exclusive control of the Palestinian National Authority." Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 3/26/1998 - Moussa: We cannot coexist with Israeli situation
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said, "We demand this to end the Israeli - Arab struggle forever, a matter that cannot be ended except by parallelism, equilibrium and just solutions -- not a solution for one of the parties, as this will not be a solution accepted by anyone." Regional-Egypt, Politics, 3/26/1998 - Arab Foreign Ministers conclude meeting
Arab foreign ministers have rejected an Israeli proposal of conditional withdrawal from south Lebanon and stressed the importance of an immediate and unconditional implementation of UN Security Council resolution 425. Regional-Lebanon, Politics, 3/26/1998 - Sudan and Algeria discuss security exchange
The agreement aims at easing the tense conditions between the two countries. Algiers has condemned the Sudanese government for supporting armed groups that commit violent acts in Algeria, a matter denied by Sudan. Sudan-Algeria, Politics, 3/26/1998 - Iraqi delegation in Emirates for the first time
A delegation from the Iraqi national council, headed by the deputy of the leaders' council, Ogiel Galal Ismael, is visiting the United Arab Emirates. This visit, the first of its sort since1990, comes within a tour including Oman and Yemen. Iraq-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 3/26/1998 - Arab Lawyers Union meets in Tunisia
The meetings of the Arab Lawyers Union in Tunisia, addressed the possibility of Arab reconciliation and establishing an Arab joint market to compete with economic factions internationally. Regional, Politics, 3/26/1998 - Iraq - imspections Iraq, Politics, 3/26/1998
- Iran - Arab League United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 3/26/1998
- Overpass suggested between Gaza and West Bank Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/26/1998
- 40,000 dunums of Arab land expropriated for 30 bypass roads
Palestinian sources complained that Israel has confiscated no less than 40,000 dunums of Arab land, mostly privately-owned, in order to pave some 30 bypass roads in the West Bank Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/26/1998 - Arab foreign ministers speak at l09th session convene
Arab united action called for. Moussa considered the declarations of the Israeli Minister of Defense Yitzhak Mordechai in this regard to be a serious escalation of the situation Regional, Politics, 3/25/1998 - Ross arrives with no initiative as right wing threatens walkout
Palestinian Minister of Higher Education Hanan Ashrawi said the Israeli rejection of the 13 percent scope of Israeli redeployment in the West Bank that was attributed to the US shows how intransigent the Israeli government is with regard to honoring its own commitment in the interim agreements. Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 3/25/1998 - Palestinian security warns Arafat against elections
The Palestinian security body asked Palestinian President Yasser Arafat not to permit municipal elections, expecting the triumph of the Islamic resistance movement, Hamas Palestine, Politics, 3/25/1998 - Chief of US troops in Europe visits Tunis
Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali on Tuesday received the commander of the US armed forces in Europe, Gen. Wesley Clark, who is on a three-day visit to the country. Tunisia-USA, Politics, 3/25/1998 - Algeria studies cooperation with Sudan
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismael confirmed his countries' support for the reforms made by Algerian President Liamine Zeroual and denied that Khartoum supports the Armed Islamic Group, the organization most often blamed for ongoing incidents of violence in Algeria. Sudan-Algeria, Politics, 3/25/1998 - UAE reiterates call to lift Iraqi sanctions
As for OPEC's current crisis, caused by falling oil prices, Sheikh Maktoum said that his Emirate, Dubai, one of seven UAE emirates, was not affected by the recession in oil prices as oil represents just 18% of Dubai' s GDP. United Arab Emirates-Iraq, Politics, 3/25/1998 - Syrian Foreign Minister meets with Arafat
Egyptian President Mubarak succeeded during the 1996 Arab Summit in Cairo in convening a meeting between Arafat and Syria's President Assad, although their relations had ceased since Arafat signed the Oslo agreements, concerning Palestinian self-rule with Israel, in 1993. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 3/25/1998 - Arab Journalists speak, Mubarak on Syrian-Lebanese-Israeli problem
The final statement of the union's general trusteeship condemned the terrorism in Algeria and Egypt, as well as the international terrorism practiced by Israel in south Lebanon and the occupied Arab territories. Regional-Egypt, Politics, 3/25/1998 - Irani foreign minister is to visit Damascus
Iranian diplomatic sources confirmed that Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi will pay a visit to Damascus this week, where he will hold talks with his Syrian counterpart, Farouk al-Sharaa. Syria-Iran, Politics, 3/25/1998 - Egypt believes in the Somali unity
Mohammed Shaban, the assistant Egyptian foreign minister for African affairs, confirmed Egypt's great belief in Somali unity, its lands' security, the importance of settling the current dispute and restoring the country's government. Egypt-Somalia, Politics, 3/25/1998 - Eritrean visit lowers tensions with Yemen
Informed sources in the Yemeni capital said they believe the coming period will view mutual visits to bridge the differences between the two sides. Yemen-Eritrea, Politics, 3/25/1998 - Israeli lifted a ban on U.S. rabbi who said Rabin deserves death
Israel lifted a ban imposed on an American rabbi, which had barred him from entering Israel. Israel-USA, Politics, 3/25/1998 - Palestinian -Egyptian committee meeting postponed Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 3/25/1998
- King Fahd receives Pakistani premier Saudi Arabia-Pakistan, Politics, 3/25/1998
- A message from King Fahd to Bahraini Emir Bahrain-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/25/1998
- Arafat for new UN initiative to revive Middle East peace Palestine, Politics, 3/25/1998
- Iraq for a new Inter-Arab relations Iraq, Politics, 3/25/1998
- Qatar,Egypt maintain normal relations
Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jabr al-Thani today said the disputes between Egypt and Qatar have ended and a new page of relations has begun. Qatar-Egypt, Politics, 3/25/1998 - Saudi crown prince confers with French, Uruguay ambassadors Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/25/1998
- Euro-Med partners, foreign ministers meet
Attaf said after the meeting that exchanges of opinions took place regarding the issues presented at the participation, especially political, security, economic and humanitarian issues. Regional-Europe Union, Politics, 3/25/1998 - Knesset - Annan Israel-UN, Politics, 3/25/1998
- Qaddoumi : Israeli policy is against peace
The head of the political department of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Farouk Qaddoumi, stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a foe of peace. Palestine, Politics, 3/25/1998 - Iraqi parliamentary delegation in Libya Libya-Iraq, Politics, 3/25/1998
- An international welcome for the new Moroccan government
the US administration sees these developments as initiatives of hope and change in the area and that the administration will closely observe the efforts to broaden participation in Moroccan political life. Morocco-USA, Politics, 3/25/1998 - Israel offers no more than 10% redeployment
Ehud Barak: The question is whether we are moving ahead toward a just solution and toward separation from the Palestinians, or toward a dead end, isolation, total regional explosion, and a deep fracture in our people Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 3/24/1998 - New Kuwaiti government to strengthen military defense
The new Kuwaiti Cabinet on Monday took constitutional oath before Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah. Its Premier Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah pledged to perpetuate the country's resources to strengthen military defense. Kuwait, Politics, 3/24/1998 - Arab foreign ministers meet on regional issues
The Arab League ministerial council will, at the request of Iraq, "discuss the Israeli space activities and the consequences of the Israeli espionage activities via satellites against the Arab national security." Regional, Politics, 3/24/1998 - Jordan ready to open new page with Syria
Jordanian Health Minister Ashraf al-Kirdi criticized in a press interview on March 12 statements made by Syrian Vice- President Abdul Halim Khaddam, who noted upon meeting with Arab health ministers in Damascus at the beginning of March a "US-Israeli plan according to which Israel occupies Jordan and evacuates the Palestinians to Iraq." Jordan-Syria, Politics, 3/24/1998 - A warm welcome for Qatar's emir in Cairo
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said, "There is no problem between Egypt and Qatar. Hopefully things will proceed well." Qatar-Egypt, Politics, 3/24/1998 - King Fahd condemns Israel's practices
King Fahd called on the international community to challenge irresponsible Israeli practices, which contradict the most basic moral rules and international norms Saudi Arabia-Israel, Politics, 3/24/1998 - Ross to arrive in the region this week
Ross will meet with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "finalize US ideas" about the peace process. Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 3/24/1998 - Blair to pressure Israel on regional trip
British Prime Minister Tony Blair will begin a six-day visit to the Middle East on April 17, to highlight the European Union's attempt to revive the stumbled peace process, as Britain is currently the president of the European Union. Regional-Israel-England, Politics, 3/24/1998 - Lebanon will call for the municipal elections
Lebanese sources said that Minister of Interior, Michel Murr will send an invitation to electoral organizations this week to choose municipal and electoral councils in three stages starting on May 21. Lebanon, Politics, 3/24/1998 - Israel confiscated 2500 Jerusalem ID cards from Palestinians
Hatem Abdul Qader, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council insisted that Israel canceled hundreds of identity cards for Palestinians from East Jerusalem over the past few months. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/24/1998 - Saudi crown prince confers with Pakistani Premier Saudi Arabia-Pakistan, Politics, 3/24/1998
- Comoros, Kuwait review relations Kuwait-Comoros, Politics, 3/24/1998
- Netanyahu - Jerusalem Israel, Politics, 3/24/1998
- Annan - Gaza Palestine, Politics, 3/24/1998
- Arafat calls for Arab summit Palestine, Politics, 3/24/1998
- Butler said that with Iraqi cooperation Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/24/1998
- Lebanese Premier to visit Austria tomorrow Lebanon-Austria, Politics, 3/24/1998
- Palestine seek Jordan's help on land registration
The decision followed a request by the Palestinian government from the Jordanian authorities to receive all sorts of land and real estate registrations in the West Bank. Palestine-Jordan, Politics, 3/24/1998 - Foreign Minister Moussa and Cem on regional issues
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa held talks with his Turkish counterpart Ismial Cem about bilateral affairs, the Arab states and Turkey, including military cooperation between Turkey and Israel, the peace process, and the situation in Iraq. Regional-Turkey, Politics, 3/23/1998 - Annan: Israel ready to leave Lebanon, Syria is central
Annan added that he received indications from Israel that it is ready to implement 425, which calls for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon Regional-Syria, Politics, 3/23/1998 - Sudan: Halaiub problem will be solved with Egypt
Concerning the time for the referendum on constitutional reforms in Sudan, and whether this will happen before peace talks or not Mostafa Osman said: "We are at the second stage of talks that will last for two or three weeks." Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 3/23/1998 - Yemen, Saudi Arabia talk on border demarcation
Saudi Defense and Aviation Minister Emir Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz on Sunday received the secretary general of the Yemeni Presidium, Lt. Gen. Abdullah al-Bashir, who delivered a communique from Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 3/23/1998 - Prince of Qatar arrives at Cairo, today
Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasim al-Jabir al-Thani stated that the emir's visit represents a vital and practical cementing of the reconciliation that took place in Riyadh last December under the auspices of Saudi Arabia's King Fahd Bin Abdel Aziz and Crown Prince Abdallah Bin Abdel Aziz. Qatar-Egypt, Politics, 3/23/1998 - First Eritrean delegation to Yemen since 95 conflict
This delegation is the first to visit Yemen since Eritrea's occupation of Hanish Island in the Red Sea in 1995. In 1996, following a French mediation, the two countries agreed to submit their conflict to an international court in London. Yemen-Eritrea, Politics, 3/23/1998 - Arafat in Cairo for a speech to Arab foreign ministers
It is expected that the Saudi foreign minister will call for the suspension of the embargo imposed upon Libya until the dispute between Libya and the United States and Britain can be settled through the International Court of Justice. Regional, Politics, 3/23/1998 - UN's Annan visits troops in the Golan
Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Sunday received UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-UN, Politics, 3/23/1998 - Russian envoy arrives in Muscat
During the meeting Qaboos stressed "the need to take further steps towards developing relations between Oman and Russia." Oman-Russia, Politics, 3/23/1998 - Gaddafi hails decision of International Court of Justice on Lockerbie
In a speech via the mass media, Col. Gaddafi added that the speakers who supported Libya during the UN session deserve together with their presidents, governments and peoples, "out utmost thanks." Libya-UN, Politics, 3/23/1998 - King Hussein compensates killed Israeli women Jordan-Israel, Politics, 3/23/1998
- New Kuwaiti government takes oath Kuwait, Politics, 3/23/1998
- Kuwait emir receives messages from UAE Kuwait-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 3/23/1998
- GCC Consultative Council Gulf, Politics, 3/23/1998
- Arafat - Annan Palestine-UN, Politics, 3/23/1998
- Knesset - Golan Israel-Syria, Politics, 3/23/1998
- Comoros - OAU Comoros, Politics, 3/23/1998
- Morocco - Israel Morocco-Israel, Politics, 3/23/1998
- Israel - peace Israel-USA, Politics, 3/23/1998
- Restoration of Egyptian property in Sudan
Moreover, the Egyptian properties in Sudan previously confiscated by the Sudanese government in 1992, included a branch of Cairo University in Sudan, a number of schools, and irrigation rest houses were delivered. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 3/23/1998 - Arafat and Annan meet to discuss peace process
Annan's plane arrived at El-Arish airport, and Annan traveled to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. He will move on to Israel tomorrow. Palestine-Israel-UN, Politics, 3/23/1998 - Qatar minimizes Israeli trade activities in Doha Qatar, Politics, 3/23/1998
- Libya, Chad review relations Libya, Politics, 3/23/1998
- Chairman of Jordanian Football Federation meets with Yogoslav Sports Minister
Jordan's acting prime minister, Abdulla al-Nusour, also met with Bingalesh. They discussed prospects for cooperation in youth and athletic fields as well as the possibility of signing an agreement between the Olympic committees in both countries. Jordan-Yugoslavia, Politics, 3/23/1998