Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 5/4/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of May 4, 1998
- Palestinians plan for the 1999 declaration of state
Palestinian plans to promote a UN resolution that considers Jewish settlements "war crimes" aim at undermining every Israeli claim of sovereignty over parts of the West Bank or the Gaza Strip once a Palestinian independent state is declared Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/8/1998 - Baghdad says U.S. spreading lies about its nuclear capability
The spokesman elaborated on the story of the Pakistani scientist by saying that a Greek person in the middle of 1990 proposed an offer to the Iraqi authorities to provide Iraq with samples of nuclear weapons manufacture, claiming he would get it from the Pakistani scientist, but "the Iraqi authorities neglected the offer on its conviction that the whole story was an intelligence trick." Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/8/1998 - Sudan graciously receives talk of separation
The Sudanese minister added that if the Sudanese south wants to be separated after the referendum and live as a sovereign country, "let us all live a good life." Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 5/8/1998 - Crisis between Egypt and Sudan may not be at an end
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry received a note from the Egyptian People's Asssembly to inquire about the procedures taken by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry to respond to the Sudanese government's policies and hesitation to give back Egyptian properties Sudan confiscated. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 5/8/1998 - U.A.E. to rehabilitate drug-addicts, concern over foreign marriage
The federal national council in the United Arab Emirates has called for the establishment of a rehabilitation center for drug addicts and for restrictions on marriages of U.A.E. citizens to foreigners. United Arab Emirates, Politics, 5/8/1998 - Moroccan Constitutional Union to elect leader on Sunday
The Moroccan Constitutional Union Party will hold an exceptional conference on Sunday to elect a new leader for the party as a successor to founder El-Moti Bu Ebid, who died at the end of 1996. Morocco, Politics, 5/8/1998 - Sudanese ambassador travels to Khartoum to enhance Egyptian - Sudanese relations
Ambassador Ahmed Abdul Halim will head to Khartoum soon to consult with high-ranking officials in the Sudanese government about the method of enhancing the discussions between Cairo and Khartoum. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 5/8/1998 - Saudi Consultation Council head calls for cooperation between Gulf councils Gulf-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/8/1998
- Taha Yassin Ramadan calls for Arab summit
The spokesman for the Palestinian Liberation Democratic Front, headed by Naef Hoatema, announced that a delegation from the front headed by bureau member Fahd Soliman met yesterday in Baghdad with Iraqi Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan. Palestine-Iraq, Politics, 5/8/1998 - Lebanese President to arrive in Italy today Lebanon, Politics, 5/8/1998
- Morocco for developing relations with Syria Morocco-Syria, Politics, 5/8/1998
- Jordanian prisoners home free from Kuwait
Six Jordanian prisoners freed by the Kuwaiti authorities arrived yesterday evening at Jordanian airport in Amman, among them was one woman. The Jordanians were released as per an amnesty issued by Kuwaiti Emir. Jordan-Kuwait, Politics, 5/8/1998 - Egypt will not name new ambassador to Khartoum
An Egyptian diplomatic source who talked to ArabicNews.com on conditions of anonymity said that the Egyptian government decided not to name a new ambassador to Khartoum as was expected Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 5/7/1998 - Palestine denies Arafat's approval of Abu Dis as Palestinian capital
In a statement to ArabicNews.com, Kobaa said, "We have informed the Americans, the Russians and the Europeans that eastern Jerusalem, which was occupied by Israel in 1967, is the capital of the coming Palestinian state." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/7/1998 - Egyptian talks with Arab states to deal with Israeli position
Egyptian diplomatic sources confirmed today that Egypt is communicating with Arab states concerning methods of uniting the Arab position based on the Arab summit's resolutions regarding the peace process to confront the Israeli stance. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/7/1998 - King Hussein, Arafat hold telephone talks
Both King Hussein of Jordan and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat expressed hopes that peace talks in Washington next week will yield positive results to would bring about progress on the Palestinian - Israeli track of peace negotiations. Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 5/7/1998 - Sudanese government, rebels agree to referendum on southern Sudan
The Sudanese government and southern rebels meeting in Nairobi on Wednesday agreed to carry out a referendum for self-determination for Southern Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 5/7/1998 - El-Baz in Doha: it is not the proper time for an Arab summit
Qatar's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem al-Thani, on Wednesday held talks in Doha with President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak's political advisor, Dr. Osama el-Baz. Egypt-Qatar, Politics, 5/7/1998 - Arafat discuss with Mubarak on Monday's U.S. talks
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat arrived at Cairo from Tunisia after he held a meeting with Tunisian President Zien El-Abidin Bin Ali, informing him about the results of this week's peace talks in London. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 5/7/1998 - U.S. First lady Hillary Clinton stirred great interest Palestine-USA, Politics, 5/7/1998
- Hizbullah - rally Lebanon, Politics, 5/7/1998
- Moussa: No progress in peace process unless Israel accepts U.S. initiative
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa confirmed in press statements yesterday that there cannot be any progress in the peace process without both sides accepting the U.S. initiative for the second phase of Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank on one hand and resuming final stage discussions on the other. Egypt-Regional-Norway, Politics, 5/7/1998 - Egyptian, Yemeni labor representatives express solidarity with Iraqi, Libyan laborers
Representatives of land transport laborers in Egypt and Yemen confirmed yesterday their solidarity with Libyan and Iraqi laborers. Egypt-Yemen, Politics, 5/7/1998 - Italian message to Qaboos Oman-Italy, Politics, 5/7/1998
- Law bars women from dancing with men, as Sudan proclaims woman's liberty
The Sudanese law prohibits men from styling women's hair, while tailors need special licenses to make women clothing. The Sudanese law also bars men from using women's compartments in public coaches. Sudan, Politics, 5/6/1998 - Egypt criticizes Israel for blowing opportunity for peace
Moussa said that any Israeli offer, whatever it is, lacks credibility because everyone sees what is happening to the Palestinians in their negotiations with Israel and no one is ready to "have the same experience," a reference to the Syrian and Lebanese government that Israel has called on both to negotiate with her. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/6/1998 - Netanyahu may skip Washington talks Regional-Israel-USA, Politics, 5/6/1998
- Iraq warns U.N. against prolonging sanctions
Taha Yassin Ramadan, the Iraqi vice-president, said yesterday that Iraq has "endured too much and that it is about fed up." He warned the U.N. Security Council that, "Iraq will not wait long until the sanctions imposed since 1990 will be lifted by the United Nations." Iraq-UN, Politics, 5/6/1998 - Netanyahu bent the Oslo process
Despite all press reports and official announcements that the London talks failed to de-freeze the stalled peace process, Netanyahu seemed to be very happy. Even happier than expected. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/6/1998 - Iraqi deputy prime minister to visit France Iraq-France, Politics, 5/6/1998
- A.L. committee to challenge Israeli media campaigns Regional-Palestine, Politics, 5/6/1998
- Sheikh Yassin's visit to South Africa provokes controversy
The forthcoming visit of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmad Yassin to South Africa has raised controversy in both official and non-official circles in the Cape. Palestine, Politics, 5/6/1998 - Palestinian president meets with Moroccan King
An official source in the Moroccan government said that the Palestinian leader has informed the Moroccan monarch about the outcomes of peace talks in London, and Arafat's flexibility toward achieving progress. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 5/6/1998 - Mubarak confers with US army commander
President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt will deliver a lecture at the French Institute for International Relations in Paris under the title "Struggle for peace in the Middle East" on May 19. Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/6/1998 - Iraqi deputy premier calls for Arab support to break siege
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz criticized the submission of the Arab states to the US in the Middle East and especially urged Iraq's bordering Arab states to break the embargo imposed on Iraq. Iraq-UN, Politics, 5/6/1998 - Oman accidents in April Oman, Politics, 5/6/1998
- President of Swiss Confederation visits Jordan Jordan-Switzerland, Politics, 5/6/1998
- Australian Shadow Minister visits Jordan Jordan-Australia, Politics, 5/6/1998
- Jordan's Prime Minister: Efforts should be made to advance peace process Jordan-USA, Politics, 5/6/1998
- London talks end with failure
Former US Secretary of State James Baker, meanwhile, suggested that the US say publicly that it supports a 13.1 percent Israeli withdrawal. Baker censured the Clinton Administration's handling of the political process, saying that Washington today lacks the courage to pressure Israel, by going public with its peace initiative Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/5/1998 - Moussa has received an important communique from his Sudanese counterpart
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa has received an important communique from his Sudanese counterpart Mustafa Othman Ismael. Moussa said this message tackles supporting relations between Egypt and Sudan in addition to methods of moving bilateral ties forward, not backward. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 5/5/1998 - Yemeni president consults to form a new government
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh began communications within his ruling party, the General People's Congress, to choose the coming prime minister after former prime minister Farag Bin Ghanem presented his resignation from that post last Wednesday. Yemen, Politics, 5/5/1998 - Riyadh reissues work visas for Yemeni workers
A Yemeni official source said on Saturday that Riyadh has started to reissue visas giving work licenses to Yemenis to work in Saudi Arabia following seven years of suspension. Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/5/1998 - Hamas calls on Arafat reconsider policy
Founder of the Palestinian National Resistance Movement, Hamas, Sheikh Ahmad Yassin has called on Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to reconsider his stances, which bargain Yassin said with the Palestinian people's rights, and to join the Palestinian resistance. Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 5/5/1998 - Sudanese peace talks start with accusations
A spokesman for the Sudanese People's Liberation Army accused Khartoum of using nutrition as a tool in the war at a time in which humanitarian organizations are warning of famine in the country's south. Sudan, Politics, 5/5/1998 - Arafat to annouce statehood after conference on Jerusalem
El-Tiar confirmed that the conference will be held at the very time when Palestinian President Yasser Arafat will formally announce the establishment of an independent Palestinian state after the meeting, pointing out that the coming year is a decisive year for Jerusalem according to the Oslo accords. Regional, Politics, 5/5/1998 - Hizbullah officials: War with Israel not yet finished
Meanwhile Ibrahim Amin from Hizbullah said that all the countries that are trying to get Israel out of south Lebanon through guarantees and conditions are not laying the responsibility for crimes, massacres and damages in Lebanon attributable to Israel. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/5/1998 - El-Baz in Doha today, as Moussa accepts Qatari invitation
Egyptian political advisor Osama El-Baz will arrive today in Doha at the invitation of the Gasra social and cultural club in order to give lectures at the Doha Sheraton hotel about globalization, the Arab summit and problems facing the peace process. Egypt-Qatar, Politics, 5/5/1998 - Qatari leader to visit Bosnia next month
Sheikh Hamad will convey Qatar's support for economic and aid projects in Bosnia to materialize the relations between the two countries and that Sheikh Hamad and Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic will discuss methods of confronting the conditions to which Moslems in Europe and around the world are exposed. Qatar-Bosnia, Politics, 5/5/1998 - Palestinian government denies reports of proposal to release Rantisi
An official source in the Palestinian government denied yesterday reports that the Palestinian government proposed releasing Dr. Abdul Aziz Rantisi, an official spokesman for the Islamic resistance movement, Hamas. Palestine, Politics, 5/5/1998 - Urgent Arab League meeting to discuss Somali crisis
He added that the Arab League received the approval of the UN's secretary general and the Organization of the Islamic Conference for Abdul Meguid's plan to establish a mechanism to coordinate reconciliation efforts in Somalia and to help the Somalis reach peace and security. Regional-Somalia, Politics, 5/5/1998 - Saudi - U.S. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 5/5/1998
- Iraq warns Security Council Iraq-UN, Politics, 5/5/1998
- Iraq - Pakistan Iraq-Pakistan, Politics, 5/5/1998
- Algeria - France Algeria, Politics, 5/5/1998
- Arafat in Cairo tomorrow
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat will arrive in Cairo tomorrow on his way back from London after the failed negotiations sponsored by U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participated. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 5/5/1998 - Chairman of Saudi consultation council in Kuwait
The chairman of the Saudi Consultation Council, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Ibrahim Bin Gobair arrived yesterday in Kuwait for a four-day visit at the invitation of Kuwait's National Assembly. Kuwait-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/5/1998 - 26 Jordanians visit 14 detainees in Kuwait
Spokesman for the International Red Cross committee in Jordan, Mu'n Qassis, said that 26 Jordanians, mostly women and children, left Amman on Monday for Kuwait to visit 14 prisoners in the central prison in Kuwait. Jordan-Kuwait, Politics, 5/5/1998 - Saudi Arabia asserts Middle East peace principles Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 5/5/1998
- Internationa1 conference of Jerusalem to be held in Morocco Regional-Morocco, Politics, 5/5/1998
- London talks: background
Others who are close to Netanyahu's way of thinking believe the opposite. According to them, a confrontation with the US would lead to a crisis that would end in a compromise that accommodates the Israeli position. According to this assessment, Netanyahu is incapable of implementing the second phase redeployment due to internal threats to his coalition government Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/4/1998 - More progress in Saudi-Yemeni border demarcation process
Yemeni Minister of the Interior Col. Hussein Arab said the question of border demarcation between his country and Saudi Arabia has achieved big strides towards settlement. Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/4/1998 - Kuwait says Iraq has not returned stolen property
El-Zafiri said the issue of prisoners of war remaining from the Gulf War is one of the most important issues in Kuwaiti external policy adding that Kuwait appreciates the important role of Secretary-General Meguid on this issue. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 5/4/1998 - Aziz criticize Arab states
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz launched a strong attack today against the Arab countries by saying they "have became a toy in the hand of the US." He said that UN economic sanctions could be lifted if the Arab countries took a collective decision not to honor them. Iraq, Politics, 5/4/1998 - Jordan's King rejects labeling political parties as opposition
Jordan's King rejected the labeling of certain Jordanian political parties as opposition, "There should be an understanding that the prevailing opinion is that of the majority and should, therefore, be respected." Jordan, Politics, 5/4/1998 - Jordan's Crown Prince stresses respect for human rights
Addressing a meeting of the Atlantic initiative group in Istanbul, Hassan said, "The term security should include economic and human needs." Jordan-Turkey, Politics, 5/4/1998 - Germany supports efforts to solve Lockerbie problem
Helmut Schafer, the secretary of state at the German Foreign Ministry, confirmed today the importance of Libya's participation in discussions among the European Union and the countries of the Mediterranean Sea basin. Libya-Germany, Politics, 5/4/1998 - Palestinian leadership want the U.S. to go public with its offer to Israel
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said that the current negotiations are considered the last chance to prove the effectiveness of the diplomatic efforts being exerted to break the current stalemate in the peace process. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/4/1998 - Iran releases four Palestinians, due to Shiekh Yassin's mediation, Palestine-Iran, Politics, 5/4/1998
- Turkish president visits Tunis
Turkey's ambassador in Cairo, Yashar Yakshin, said that Demirel will hold talks with president bin Ali that will focus on enhancing prospects for bilateral relations, the situation in the Middle East peace process and enhancing solidarity among Islamic countries. Tunisia-Turkey, Politics, 5/4/1998 - Norway FM arrives in Cairo tomorrow
Norway was the catalyst in bringing Israel and the PLO into an agreement that became known as the Oslo accord, named after the Norwegian city. Egypt-Norway, Politics, 5/4/1998 - A message from Albright to Bahrain defense minister Bahrain-USA, Politics, 5/4/1998
- US congressional delegation in Kuwait Kuwait-USA, Politics, 5/4/1998
- Arab League regrets U.N. report on Iraq
The Arab League expressed regret over the content of the report prepared by UN arms inspectors and UNSCOM chief Richard Butler, who is in charge of scrapping Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 5/4/1998 - Damascus Declaration ministers to meet in Doha
The secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jamil Hujeilan, said the ministerial meeting of the Damascus Declaration signatory states will be held soon in Doha, Qatar. Regional, Politics, 5/4/1998