Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 6/8/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of June 8, 1998
- Course of Kuwaiti crisis to be terminated today
Sources said they expected that the meeting will conclude with a resolution to dissolve the parliament because of the difficulties in cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities in the country. Kuwait, Politics, 6/13/1998 - Barak to support coalition with Netanyahu if he withdraws
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the leader of the Israeli Labor Party Ehud Barak to discuss the developments and pressures placed on Israel to agree to a U.S. initiative for Israeli troop redeployment in the West Bank. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 6/13/1998 - Butler meeting with Tariq Aziz today
Aziz accused UNSCOM's of deliberate injustice against Iraq saying that if the UNSCOM inspectors think they have one chance in a million to find a proof of guilt against Iraq, then they will not be convinced of Iraq's compliance Iraq-UN, Politics, 6/13/1998 - Maghreban political parties say UMA construction unavoidable
In his opening speech, Gadhafi recalled that the Tangiers conference which brought together political parties from Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia was the first move for the materialization of the joint will to build the Maghreban union. North Africa, Politics, 6/13/1998 - Kuwait closes Talha prison
The Kuwaiti minister of interior Sheikh Mohammed al-Khaled al-Sabah announced the closing of the prison of Talha, where a formal statement stated that the detainees in the prison were moved to another center to finalize their judicial status. Kuwait, Politics, 6/13/1998 - Coup d'etat plot stopped in Sudan hours before taking place
Political sources stated yesterday that a coup d'etat plot in Sudan was halted hours before taking place. Sudan, Politics, 6/13/1998 - Ethiopian FM praises Egypt's efforts to settle dispute with Eritrea
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak received on Friday Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin, who delivered a message from Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi concerning the current military dispute between his country and Eritrea. Egypt-Ethiopia, Politics, 6/13/1998 - Morocco and Tunisia to step up cooperation in social affairs
Moroccan Employment Minister Khalid Alioua conferred on Wednesday in Geneva with Tunisian Social Affairs Minister Chadly Neffati, on ways of boosting bilateral cooperation in matters of social affairs and related sectors. Morocco-Tunisia, Politics, 6/13/1998 - Saddam Hussein sacked mayor of Baghdad Iraq, Politics, 6/13/1998
- Syria Denies Reports of Syrian-Israeli Meeting Syria-Syria, Politics, 6/13/1998
- Arafat Meets Pope, Urges Resumption of Peace Talks Palestine, Politics, 6/13/1998
- Libya denies Gaddafi exposed to assassination
Libyan officials sources denied reports that about Libyan President Moammar Gaddafi was slightly injured while surviving an attempted assassination 10 days ago. Libya-Egypt, Politics, 6/12/1998 - Pakistani ambassador to Egypt spells out his country's position
Siddiqui said that Pakistan has a "sympathetic understanding with Arab countries. "Pakistan is not working with any Moslem countries in the field of nuclear technology. Peaceful or otherwise." Regional-Pakistan, Politics, 6/12/1998 - Moussa: Arab peace process communications continue
He confirmed that there are no disputes between the Arab states in this regard, yet the current consultations are about the Arab position to be taken Regional, Politics, 6/12/1998 - Libyan leader calls Maghreban political parties to reactivate UMA
Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi called Maghreban political parties to shoulder their responsibility in activating the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA). Libya-North Africa, Politics, 6/12/1998 - Arafat to reshuffle Palestinian Cabinet
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat facing a no-confidence vote from the Palestinian Legislative Council, has agreed to a long-delayed Cabinet reshuffle. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/12/1998 - Several Moroccan immigrants victims of racist aggression Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/12/1998
- Compaore: OAU can resort to vote to decide on SADR status
President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso hinted that African Heads of state can resort to a vote to decide on the status of the so-called Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, after it is examined by the foreign ministers of the Organization of African Unity next February in Addis Ababa. Morocco-West Sahara-OAU, Politics, 6/12/1998 - Gaddafi approves African summit's resolutions to partially lift ban
Colonel Moammar Gaddafi, leader of the Libyan revolution praised the decision of the Organization of African Unity summit in Burkina Faso of not abiding by the air embargo imposed upon Libya. Libya-North Africa, Politics, 6/12/1998 - Arafat's visit to Cairo postponed
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat decided to postpone until next week a visit that he was to pay yesterday to Cairo, because he was to attend the weekly meeting of the Palestinian Cabinet yesterday evening in Gaza to discuss developments in the current situation of the peace process before his trip to Rome today in a formal visit to both the Vatican and Italy. Palestine-Egypt-Italy, Politics, 6/12/1998 - Yemeni parliament calls for security for foreigners
The Yemeni Deputies Council began yesterday to discuss the issue of kidnapping foreigners in Yemen and the recent violence that some countries exposed, and the arrival of refugees in Yemen within a report presented by the defense and security committee, in which they tackled these issues and its effect on economy and development. Yemen, Politics, 6/12/1998 - Kuwait doesn't object to Iraq attending Arab summit Kuwait-Regional, Politics, 6/12/1998
- Jordan calls for respect for human needs
As political conflict dominates the Middle East region, the human dimension, the key to solving the region's problems, seems to be the least addressed, Crown Prince Hassan said. Jordan-Austria, Politics, 6/12/1998 - Bosnian vice-president meets with Saudi officials Saudi Arabia-Bosnia, Politics, 6/12/1998
- Syrian FM confers with Palestinian envoy on refugees
The sources stated that the two-hour meeting was held on Tuesday in Damascus and dealt with Palestinian conditions in the occupied territories, the stumbled Palestinian track and the question of the refugees. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 6/12/1998 - Report: Arafat to resign following Israeli redeployment Palestine, Politics, 6/11/1998
- Political crisis in Kuwait escalates
A meeting for the Kuwaiti Nation's Council was canceled on Wednesday in the most recent series of crises, which politicians say may lead to dissolving the council. Kuwait, Politics, 6/11/1998 - Saudi Arabia refutes claims that its initiative failed to convene Arab summit Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/11/1998
- Great changes for Iraqi ambassadors
One of the most prominent figures who was dismissed from his post were Berzran El-Tukrini, the half-brother of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein Iraq-UN, Politics, 6/11/1998 - Iraq comlains against Turkish incursion
The secretary-general of the Arab League, Esmat Abdul Meguid, said today, "The note tackled the Turkish breaches into the Iraqi territories and that Turkey should stop impinging upon the safety and the integrity of the Iraqi territories." Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 6/11/1998 - Sanaa says progress made Saudi border dispute
The undersecretary of the Yemeni Foreign Ministry for political affairs, Ghaleb Ali Jamil, said the intensive efforts exerted to resolve permanently the Yemeni-Saudi border dispute have yielded progress. Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/11/1998 - Iran, Kuwait sign security, judicial agreemenst
According to the protocol the two countries ban illegal entry of their citizens to the other's territories, prohibit illegal fishing in the territorial waters of each as well as calling for cooperation in "chasing people wanted for trial" in both Kuwait and Iran. Kuwait-Iran, Politics, 6/11/1998 - Lebanese resistance, Israel to exchange detainees
Sources with Amal Movement said the exchange of Lebanese detainees in Israeli jails for the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in Lebanon will take place on June 17 via Kafr Fallous crossing in southern Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 6/11/1998 - Morocco advances cause on Sahrawi-Sadr issue
The 34th summit of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) entrusted its foreign ministers conference, due next February in Addis Ababa, with debating removal of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Republic (Sadr) from the African fold. Morocco-OAU, Politics, 6/11/1998 - Algerian President arrives in Niger
Talks will center on constructing a road across the desert linking the southern part of Algeria to northern Niger and providing Niger with gas as well as military cooperation Algeria-Niger, Politics, 6/11/1998 - Eritrean president called Addis Ababa for peace talks
Leaders of the Organization of African Unity countries agreed on Tuesday in Burkina Faso to form a committee for mediation to settle the border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Eritrea-Ethiopia, Politics, 6/11/1998 - East Jerusalem settlement protestors removed by Israeli police
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered today in Selwan city near Jerusalem, inhabited by Palestinian Arabs, and the Israeli police clashed with peace groups, most of the them from the U.S. Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 6/11/1998 - Meguid to visit UK
Secretary-General of the Arab League Esmat Abdul Meguid will leave on Sunday for a five-day official visit to Britain. The AL chief will hold talks with UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and with Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Derek Fatchett on issues of mutual concern. Regional-UK, Politics, 6/11/1998 - Ties between Jordan and Austria discussed
In the second day of his visit to Austria, Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan held bilateral economic talks with Austrian officials. He also met with four UN agencies located in Vienna. Jordan-Austria, Politics, 6/11/1998 - International conference to discuss situation in Somalia
Ambassador Ahmed Ben Holi, the assistant secretary-general for Arab affairs at the Arab League, said that "a conference will be held in New York at United Nations headquarters on June 16. Somalia-Regional-UN, Politics, 6/11/1998 - Russian envoy visits Iraq to discuss sanctions, Pope to visit too?
In Baghdad, the Iraqis expressed great satisfaction over the possible visit of Pope John Paul II in 1999 to the city of Or, the birthplace of Ibrahim al-Khalil, in the southern part of the country Iraq-Russia, Politics, 6/11/1998 - Former US Secretary of state criticizes US Middle East policy
Former US Secretary of State James Baker at a conference held in Dubai on Wednesday criticized the way Washington administrates the Middle East peace process and described the US role in the Middle East as "too timid." Regional-USA, Politics, 6/11/1998 - AL denounces Israeli settlement practices
The Arab League on Wednesday denounced the Israeli Interior Ministry's decision to build 58 housing units for Jewish settlers in Jabal al-Zaytoun in occupied Jerusalem. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 6/11/1998 - GCC secretary confers with UK, Austrian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia Gulf-Saudi Arabia-European Union, Politics, 6/11/1998
- Iranian President confers with Kuwaiti minister
Iranian President Muhammad Khatami on Wednesday received Kuwait's minister of the interior Sheikh al-Khaled al-Sabah in Tehran. Kuwait-Iran, Politics, 6/11/1998 - Egypt to participate in Addis Ababa meetings to discuss Somali situation Egypt-Somalia, Politics, 6/11/1998
- UAE, Saudi officials discuss Middle East peace United Arab Emirates-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/11/1998
- Jordan's prime minister visits Gaza Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 6/11/1998
- Egyptian Boat owners want confiscated fishing vessels from Libya back
The Egyptian organization for human rights addressed a call to Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi to release 20 Egyptian fishing ships that were confiscated between March 1995 and May 1998. Egypt-Libya, Politics, 6/10/1998 - Syrian President confers with Australian Parliament speaker
Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Tuesday at al-Shaab palace in Damascus met with speaker of the Australian Parliament Ian Sinclair and his companions. Sinclair expressed happiness over talks he held in Damascus and the positive reflection of the talks on bilateral relations. Syria-Australia, Politics, 6/10/1998 - Arafat: situation is serious, some Arab states want summit
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat said the situation in the Middle-East is very serious, and theatens the entire peace process between the Arab states and Israel, and called for imposing more pressure on Israel to salvage the peace mission. Regional, Politics, 6/10/1998 - Amal: remains swap within a week Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 6/10/1998
- Iraq - phones Iraq, Politics, 6/10/1998
- Haig: Begin approved of Lebanon invasion Lebanon-Israel-USA, Politics, 6/10/1998
- Redeployment referendum Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/10/1998
- U.S. seizes Hamas funds Palestine-USA, Politics, 6/10/1998
- Bahrain, Malawi to establish diplomatic relations Bahrain-Malawi, Politics, 6/10/1998
- Boueiz says Israel is responsible for current status
Lebanese Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz stated the need to achieve just and comprehensive peace in the region according to the Madrid terms of reference and principles on the ground of which the Middle East peace process was launched. Lebanon, Politics, 6/10/1998 - El-Baz: Arab summit consultations continuing
El-Baz said the consultations are continuing to determine the exact aim of this summit, the participating countries and the Summit's final outcome. Egypt-Palestine-USA, Politics, 6/9/1998 - Yassin to return by end of week
As he tried to reason the release of Sheikh Yassin from prison and the decision to allow his return to Gaza, Netanyahu came under fire from Labor opposition party leader Ehud Barak. Barak described the spiritual leader of Hamas as a "ticking time bomb at Arafat's doorstep." Palestine, Politics, 6/9/1998 - High-ranking Syrian official to visit Ankara
Syrian sources said that Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Adnan Omran will head for Ankara by the end of the current month to complete a dialogue already initiated between Syria and Turkey during last March. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 6/9/1998 - King Hussein to U.S. today
The Jordanian monarch, King Hussein, will head today to the U.S. for a formal visit lasting for several days. Jordan, Politics, 6/9/1998 - Hariri: Beirut results are balanced
Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri stated that the preliminary results of the municipal elections in Beirut indicate balanced winning between Moslem and Christian candidates. Lebanon, Politics, 6/9/1998 - Maghreban political parties open first congress in Libya
The first congress of Maghreban political parties will open Wednesday in Tripoli with the participation of delegates from 37 parties representing various movements from the five north African countries. North Africa, Politics, 6/9/1998 - Saudi-Yemeni talks on border demarcation
A Yemeni ministerial delegation arrived in Sanaa on Monday from Saudi Arabia following a five-day official visit, during which talks were held with Saudi officials pertaining to technical and legal aspects of border demarcation between the two countries according to the Taif accord signed in 1934 and the Saudi - Yemeni memorandum of understanding signed in 1995. Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/9/1998 - Oman - Djibouti ambassador Oman-Djibouti, Politics, 6/9/1998
- Iraq - Iran Iraq-Iran, Politics, 6/9/1998
- Vatican - Iraq Iraq-Vatican, Politics, 6/9/1998
- Egypt - Israel peace groups Egypt-Israel, Politics, 6/9/1998
- Israel- settlement construction Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/9/1998
- Mousa Abu Marzouk's wife prevented from entering Gaza
Israeli forces at Rafah passage between Egypt and Palestine prevented the wife of Moussa Abu Marzouk, a member of Hamas political bureau, to visit her family in Gaza although she was carrying a Palestinian identity card and passport. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/9/1998 - Gaddafi: Anticipated visit to Egypt coming soon Libya-Egypt, Politics, 6/9/1998
- Butler in Kuwait next Monday Kuwait-Iraq-UN, Politics, 6/9/1998
- Silwan houses taken over causes a call for confrontation
A leading member of the Palestine Legislative Council called on Tuesday for an open confrontation with Israel over its settlement policy in East Jerusalem. Palestine, Politics, 6/9/1998 - Syrian officials confer with Australian parliamentary delegation
Syrian Prime Minister Mahmoud al-Zou'bi on Monday discussed with Speaker of the Australian Parliament Ian Sinclair cooperation relations between the two countries and the potential of boosting them. Syria-Australia, Politics, 6/9/1998 - Saudi Arabia for joint Arab action Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/9/1998
- Lebanon - elections Lebanon, Politics, 6/8/1998
- Hamas founder to come back to Gaza Palestine-Sudan, Politics, 6/8/1998
- Turkey determinant to improve relations with Syria Syria-Turkey, Politics, 6/8/1998
- PLO to keep office in Washington Palestine-USA, Politics, 6/8/1998
- Erekat is pessimistic, while al-Baz is certain of redeployment
Palestinian officials insist there are no grounds at all for the latest round of optimistic reports in Israel that suggested a second phase redeployment is soon going to take place. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/8/1998 - Jordanian opposition: New press law is bad for the country
"The law carries 61 arrows against the freedom of expression that has been constitutionally granted, forming an aggression against the rights of citizens and harms the reputation of the country," the statement said. Jordan, Politics, 6/8/1998 - Morocco Intends to return to African fold
King Hassan II said that Morocco intends to return to the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which it left in mid-1984 to protest the admission of the Sahrawi Republic. North Africa-Morocco, Politics, 6/8/1998 - Syria: detainees release operation to continue
Syrian diplomatic sources told ArabicNews.com that the operations of releasing political detainees are continuing within the political leadership's adherence to national unity in Syria. Syria, Politics, 6/8/1998 - Baghdad grants right of asylum to 7,000 Turkish Kurds
Iraqi sources told ArabicNews.com today that Baghdad agreed to grant the right of asylum to 7,000 Turkish Kurds and added that there are nearly 10,000 more waiting to be granted the right of asylum. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 6/8/1998 - Jordan is optimistic over peace process
King Hussein of Jordan expressed optimism over the Middle East peace process following talks with Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai who arrived in Jordanian capital yesterday afternoon. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 6/8/1998 - Arafat, Bashir discuss bilateral issues Palestine-Sudan, Politics, 6/8/1998
- PUK: What has been done is better than fighting
Peace delegations from both the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan met for the 14th time in Koya city, 50 KM east of Arbil, the regional Kurdish capital. Iraq, Politics, 6/8/1998 - AL, OAU cooperation relations stressed Regional, Politics, 6/8/1998
- Mubarak for consultations prior to pan-Arab summit
President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has underlined the importance of consultations and good preparations for convening an Arab summit conference so as to "conclude positive results." Egypt, Politics, 6/8/1998 - New Yemeni government wins parliament's confidence
The new Yemeni government on Sunday won the parliament's confidence in a ballot on its policy program in which it pledged to continue reforms, fight the frequent kidnapping operations and to settle border disputes with Saudi Arabia. Yemen, Politics, 6/8/1998 - Syrian PA speaker confers with Australian counterpart Syria, Politics, 6/8/1998
- Thailand foreign minister arrives in Muscat Oman-Thailand, Politics, 6/8/1998
- Main Yemeni tribe pledges no more kidnapping of foreigners
A Yemeni official source was quoted today as saying that more than 20 prominent figures in the Bani Zubein have denounced and condemned in a written document submitted on Sunday to President Saleh all "acts of kidnapping, past, present or future ones, alike." Yemen, Politics, 6/8/1998 - A message from Eritrea's president to Kuwaiti President Kuwait-Eritrea, Politics, 6/8/1998
- UAE, Turkmenstan for boosting bilateral relations United Arab Emirates-Turkmenistan, Politics, 6/8/1998
- Kuwait - Iraq Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 6/8/1998
- Yemeni parliament - no confidence Yemen, Politics, 6/8/1998
- Atomic Energy Head: Everybody knows how to make nuclear bombs
The general manager of the Arab Organization For Atomic Energy, Moahmoud Barakat, criticized yesterday the nuclear capabilities of Israel, saying that it creates an atmosphere of tension and instability in the whole region of the Middle East. Regional, Politics, 6/8/1998 - Some 64,200 would-be voters identified for Sahara referendum
The U.N. mission for the referendum in the Sahara has identified since last December 3 some 64,200 would-be voters in the referendum that the U.N. plans to hold in the territory. Morocco-West Sahara, Politics, 6/8/1998 - Moroccan-African cooperation increased, despite withdrawal from OAU
King Hassan II said that Moroccan-African cooperation increased despite Morocco's withdrawal from the Organization of African Unity. Morocco-North Africa, Politics, 6/8/1998 - Saudi defense minister visiting United Arab Emirates today
Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi prime minister's second deputy and Saudi defense minister, started today an official visit to the United Arab Emirates in which he held talks with UAE officials. Saudi Arabia-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 6/8/1998 - Arafat agrees to new US call for time
A Palestinian official source confirmed to ArabicNews.com today that "Palestinian president Yasser Arafat agreed to a new American demand of giving Washington more time to resume its efforts and to prepare the final formula for the American suggestions." Palestine, Politics, 6/8/1998 - Bhutan, Kuwait for developing relations Kuwait-Bhutan, Politics, 6/8/1998