Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 6/15/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of June 15, 1998
- Interrogating the Irani foreign minister tomorrow
Iranian Interior Minister Abdollah Nouri will be questioned tomorrow in Tehran by the Iranian consultation council. Iran, Politics, 6/20/1998 - Postponing the visit of Libyan president to Cairo confirms the crisis
The reasons beyond the postponement of Libyan President Moammar Gaddafi's visit to Cairo, originally scheduled for June 3, to an unspecified time have been unknown till now. Egypt-Libya, Politics, 6/20/1998 - U.S. criticizes Israeli Jerusalem annexation proposal
U.S. State Department spokesman James Rubin criticized yesterday an Israeli proposal to annex some outlying communities into Jerusalem, a move that would shift the demographic balance in Jerusalem toward Jewish citizens. Regional-Israel-USA, Politics, 6/20/1998 - Negotiations continue, Yemen denies border fighting with Saudi Arabia
The Yemeni - Saudi technical and legal joint committee held a series of meetings in Sanaa on Wednesday and Friday. Yemeni Foreign Ministry undersecretary Ghaleb Gamil, said the meetings are working on border demarcation between Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/20/1998 - EU bans Israeli settlements products Israel-European Union, Politics, 6/20/1998
- Major shuttle tours for Arab diplomats
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa is heading to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, within Egyptian - Saudi coordination for convening the Arab summit. He will carry a message to King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Regional-Egypt, Politics, 6/20/1998 - Egypt confirms that there is no nuclear waste in the Nile Egypt-Uganda, Politics, 6/20/1998
- Sheikh Yassin to leave Khartoum for Cairo on Monday
Gamal Eissa, the head of Hamas' bureau in Sudan, announced in a press statement yesterday that the Egyptian embassy in Khartoum informed Sheikh Yassin, the founder of Hamas movement, about Cairo's approval of his visit in the middle of the coming week. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 6/20/1998 - PLO executive committee continues discussion of ministerial reshuffle
Mohammed El-Hindi, one of the leaders in Hamas, said that his movement is confirming to Arafat its firm position in rejecting the Oslo agreements and participation in the government, considering it one of Oslo's outcomes. Palestine, Politics, 6/20/1998 - Tripoli criticizes U.S. call for partnership with North African countries
Libya announced on Thursday that the U.S. idea of establishing an economic partnership with three North African countries, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, is aimed at creating a dispute within the Arab Maghreb Union, to which they belong. Libya-Maghreb-USA, Politics, 6/20/1998 - Arafat agrees to hold Palestinian national discussion in Cairo
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat agreed to a request presented by the Poeple's Front for the Liberation of Palestine under the chairmanship of George Habesh and by Nayef Hawatme's Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, calling for a conference to discuss the current developments on the Palestinian track and the total Palestinian situation. Palestine, Politics, 6/20/1998 - Cairo criticizes postponement of Somali reconciliation conference Egypt-Somalia, Politics, 6/20/1998
- Lebanese president, speaker praise Hariri's U.S. performance
Hariri also said that given Israel's military strength it is Lebanon who should be asking for security guarantees, "We are more than afraid; we are scared to death of Israel." Lebanon, Politics, 6/20/1998 - Some 13 persons killed in southern Sudan
Al-Merghani said he discussed with Moussa the military conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia and the efforts made by the governmental commission for sustainable development and fighting desertification in East Africa and the African horn, IGAD which also supervises peace negotiations to be resumed in August in Addis Ababa to end the civil war in Sudan. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 6/20/1998 - King Hussein to visit Paris after Hafez al-Assad's visit Jordan-Syria-France, Politics, 6/20/1998
- U.S. Under-Secretary ends 24-Hour visit to Morocco
"I think that Morocco will be called to be for the Maghreb and the Middle-East what Singapore is for Asia", Eizenstat said. Morocco, Politics, 6/20/1998 - Strategic talks between Cairo and Washington to begin in mid-July
The U.S. ambassador in Cairo, Daniel Kurtzer, announced that the first session of strategic talks between Egypt and the U.S. will begin in mid-July with the participation of economic and political experts. Egypt-USA, Politics, 6/20/1998 - Some 127,472 applicants identified, 20,000 others remain
Some 127,472 applicants to participate in the Shaharan self-rule referendum have been identified so far, while some 20,000 other persons belonging to tribal groups other than the groups H41 and H61 and J/51/52 are yet to be convoked, the United Nations secretary-general said in a report to the Security Council. Morocco-West Sahara-UN, Politics, 6/20/1998 - Arab officials to discuss forgery prevention of travel documents
The Arab officials in charge of immigration and passports will start their eighth conference here on Monday to discuss preventing forgery in travel documents and papers. Regional-Tunisia, Politics, 6/20/1998 - President al-Assad to confer with Moratinos tomorrow Syria-European Union, Politics, 6/20/1998
- Important decisions after signing the new Sudanese constitutional
The deputy chairman of the Sudanese National Council (the parliament), Abdul Aziz Shedo, said that the signing of the new constitution will be accompanied by important decisions concerning public liberties, detainees and confiscated properties. Sudan, Politics, 6/20/1998 - Al-Assad accepts invitation from Hrawi to visit Lebanon Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 6/20/1998
- Palestine seeks national unity cabinet
He added that to face what he called Israeli arrogance in negotiations, Palestinian national unity "should be strong, firm and based on a wide social and political base." Palestine, Politics, 6/19/1998 - Iran-Iraq relations continue to improve with trade and religious visits
Official Iraqi sources said that an Iranian trade delegation headed by the undersecretary of Iran's Trade Ministry will visit Iraq in the coming week. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 6/19/1998 - Moussa secretly visits Damascus, confers with al-Sharaa and al-Faisal
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa visited Damascus secretly on Tuesday night. Regional, Politics, 6/19/1998 - Hamas: Egypt did not give Yassin entry visa
Representative of the Hamas movement in Sudan, Jamal Issa, said that the Egyptian authorities refused to give Hamas movement leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin an entry visa unless the Israeli authorities officially announce that they will permit him to return to Gaza. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 6/19/1998 - Sanaa: Saudi delegation discusses border issues Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 6/19/1998
- Israel embassy in Amman denies expelling the ambassador from restaurant Jordan, Politics, 6/19/1998
- Syrian parliament speaker, FM meet Osetiya President Syria-Russia, Politics, 6/19/1998
- Amnesty International denounces Israeli violations of human rights
Spokesman for the London-based Amnesty International, Mark Salieh, condemned Israel's human rights violations against the Palestinian people. Regional-Israel, Politics, 6/19/1998 - Palestinian majorities support Arafat's continuation as a president Palestine, Politics, 6/19/1998
- Yemen denies that it sides with Ethiopia in conflict with Eritrea Yemen-Eritrea-Ethiopia, Politics, 6/19/1998
- Sudan hails the resolutions of the African summit that reject sanctions on Libya Sudan-OAU, Politics, 6/19/1998
- Jordan's crown prince: Eritrea, Ethiopia need to come to peaceful solution
Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan stressed the need for a peaceful solution for Eretrean - Ethiopian conflict. He voiced Jordan's support for the initiative by the recent African summit in Burkina Faso for a peaceful solution to the conflict. Jordan-Eritrea, Politics, 6/19/1998 - Albright makes overture to Iran to improve relations
U.S. Secretary of State Albright spoke yesterday of having a new try at improving US-Iranian relations, which have suffered in the past. Iran-Regional, Politics, 6/18/1998 - Palestinian council delays no-confidence vote in government
The Palestinian Legislative Council agreed to postpone examing the issue of withdrawing trust from the Palestinian government until June 25, according to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's request. Palestine, Politics, 6/18/1998 - Iraqi vice president to brief Arab states on UN sanctions
Iraqi Vice-President Taha Yasin Ramadan launched an Arab tour beginning in Yemen where he met with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Iraq-Yemen, Politics, 6/18/1998 - PLO's Qaddoumi: Convening Arab summit is essential
Qaddoumi criticized the Israeli prime minister, saying, "He neither wants to gives us anything nor complete the agreements that his two previous counter parts have signed," adding the Netanyahu wants to avoid delivering land and proceed directly to final status discussions. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 6/18/1998 - U.S. - Israel redeployment Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 6/18/1998
- Jordan's Prime Minister arrives in Libya
Majali rejected a notion that the peace process is dead saying that it was facing several obstacles at the same time, but, "the achievement made on the Palestinian track so far should not be ignored." He said. Jordan-Libya, Politics, 6/18/1998 - Lybia - Morocco cooperation talks
Means to bolster Libyan - Moroccan cooperation and trade exchange were discussed at a meeting in Tripoli on Tuesday between the secretary of the Libyan general popular committee for unity and the visiting Moroccan minister of industry and trade. Libya-Morocco, Politics, 6/18/1998 - Jordan's premier ends visit to Morocco
The agreements deal with encouragement of investments, road transport and tourism. The two prime ministers also signed protocols related to rules of origin, health, agriculture, administrative development, cooperatives, security, culture and preservation of historical monuments. Jordan-Morocco, Politics, 6/18/1998 - Boradi elected Tunisian lawyers' chief
Nearly 2,000 Tunisian lawyers elected the independent lawyer Abdul Galil Boradi as the new chief of the lawyers' syndicate succeeding Abdul-Wahab El-Bahi, who served two terms in the post over the past six years. Tunisia, Politics, 6/18/1998 - Iran cancels press conference between reporters, Albright at the White House
Iranian sources confirmed that a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Iranian reporters scheduled to be held yesterday was canceled. Iran-USA, Politics, 6/18/1998 - Syrian president receives messages from Yeltsin, Gaddafi
Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Wednesday at al-Chaab Palace in Damascus received President of Osetiya Alexander Dzasokov who conveyed a message from Russian President Boris Yeltsin. Syria-Libya-Russia, Politics, 6/18/1998 - Austrian President confers with Syrian interior minister
Austria's President Thomas Klestil yesterday received Syrian minister of the Interior Muhammad Harba currently visiting Austria. Syria-Austria, Politics, 6/18/1998 - India for just Middle East peace
He also denied any Indian nuclear cooperation with Israel. Regional-India, Politics, 6/18/1998 - Israeli redeployment to take place, the Mordechai factor
"It is possible to wait for another few days, maybe a week, with this decision, but it is wrong to wait until the end of the Knesset summer session," said Mordechai in the meeting, causing a fury among top aides to the prime minister. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/17/1998 - Iraq recognizes borders with Kuwait
The chairman of the UN Security Council, Antonio Muniro, on Tuesday received a message from Iraqi Foreign Minister Muhammad Saeed al-Sahaf in which Iraq renewed recognition of its borders with Kuwait as approved by the UN Security Council in 1993. Iraq-Kuwait-UN, Politics, 6/17/1998 - Prime Minister Hariri meets Clinton
"Lebanon and Syria are willing to conclude a peace agreement with Israel within three months, if Israel continues the negotiations from where it has stopped," Hariri said in his statment with Albright Lebanon-USA, Politics, 6/17/1998 - President al-Assad pardons Mustafa Hamdoun
Mustafa Hamdoun, 71, returned to Damascus after being granted a special pardon from President Hafez al-Assad, the Lebanese daily al-Nahar reported today, quoting well-informed sources. Syria, Politics, 6/17/1998 - Algeria requests clarification from Libyan ambassador on Maghreb Union
Sabaa Abdul Aziz, the spokesman of the Algerian Foreign Ministry, said that the Libyan ambassador in Algeria was summoned to make clarifications concerning Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi's statement Algeria-Libya, Politics, 6/17/1998 - Russia to inform Iraq on result of efforts to remove sanctions
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Victor Posovaluke, arrived in Baghdad one day after receiving a medel of honor from Russian President Boris Yeltsin for his mediation, which contributed to settling the last crisis between Iraq and the United Nations. Iraq-Russia, Politics, 6/17/1998 - Syrian-Saudi economic and political ties enhanced
Syria and Saudi Arabia agreed to take new steps in enhancing economic relations and increasing trade exchange and to take measures to set up a free trade zone. Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/17/1998 - Jordan criticizes Israel on Lebanon and Syria
He called upon the Israeli government to resume peace talks with "our brothers in Syria" from they point at which they broke off under the previous Israeli government. Jordan, Politics, 6/17/1998 - Israel held responsible for Middle East peace stalemate Egypt-Regional, Politics, 6/17/1998
- Jordanian opposition parties to meet July 25 Jordan, Politics, 6/17/1998
- Relations between Kuwaiti government and parliament
Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Nasser Abdullah al-Rawdan said during the "brotherly positive" meeting in which parliament Speaker Ahmad al-Sadoun took part, relations were reviewed between legislative and executive authorities and obstacles hindering cooperation between the two sides. Kuwait, Politics, 6/17/1998 - Bahraini Emir confers with former Egyptian premier Bahrain-Egypt, Politics, 6/17/1998
- Kuwaiti Emir confers with UNSCOM chairman Kuwait-UN, Politics, 6/17/1998
- Jordan participates in multilateral negotiations on refugees Regional, Politics, 6/17/1998
- Yemeni FM highlights relations with Saudi Arabia Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/17/1998
- Egyptian, Saudi officials discuss upcoming joint committee meeting
Ambassador Sayed Abu Zied, Egypt's assistant foreign minister for Arab affairs met on Tuesday with the Saudi ambassador in Cairo, Ibrahim al-Saad al-Ibrahimi. Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/17/1998 - Israeli labor party supports Palestinian right to self-determination
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa reviewed the visit of Israeli Labor Party leader Ehud Barak to Egypt. In a press conference after their visit Moussa said that the two sides exchanged points of view toward the current status of the peace process. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 6/17/1998 - Eritrean envoy in Morocco, background
The message "deals with the border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia and the efforts exerted so far by the government of Asmara to find a peaceful solution to the dispute" North Africa-Morocco-Eritrea, Politics, 6/17/1998 - Russia inquires about the Arab summit
Russia inquired about the developments in efforts to convene an Arab summit, the phases at which it has reached, and the Arab position to face Israeli obstinacy that obstructs the peace process. Regional-Russia, Politics, 6/17/1998 - Syrian call for summit intended to isolate Netanyahu
High-level Syrian sources told ArabicNews.com that the main goal of convening the expanded Arab summit called for by Damascus is isolating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by a strong united front that can help the US and Europe take action against him. Syria-Regional, Politics, 6/17/1998 - Syrian deputy foreign minister to visit Ankara in July
Syrian sources told ArabicNews.com that a Syrian official will head to Turkey at beginning of the coming month to resume discussions between Damascus and Ankara. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 6/17/1998 - Sheikh al-Islam Iran's ambassador to Syria Syria-Iran, Politics, 6/17/1998
- EU concerned over deadlocked Middle East peace Regional-European Union, Politics, 6/17/1998
- Gaddafi envoy in Damascus Syria-Libya, Politics, 6/17/1998
- Jordan's Premier meets Moroccan King
King Hassan II of Morocco received Jordan's Prime Minister Abdul-Salam Majali who is visiting Morocco. Majali held talks on bilateral cooperation issues with his Moroccan counterpart before his meeting with the king of Morocco. Jordan-Morocco, Politics, 6/17/1998 - US denies Netanyahu's approval of redeployment plan
Rubin also criticized Israel's continued demolition of Palestinian homes, saying, "at the time when we are trying to bring the parties together, these house demolitions send the wrong signal." Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 6/16/1998 - Amaoui: substantive democractic gains, need to improve employment
Noubir Amaoui spoke of the positive evolution of the unions situation in Morocco, following the general amnesty decreed by King Hassan II for all unionist and political detainees and their reintegration in the working life. Morocco, Politics, 6/16/1998 - New law to give Press more freedom not less
Jordan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Information Abdullah al-Nusour brushed off accusations that the proposed press and publications law will limit press freedom. Jordan, Politics, 6/16/1998 - Syrian-Saudi joint committee convened in Damascus
Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal and members of his accompanying delegation arrived in Damascus on Monday evening to preside over the Saudi side to the meetings of the Syrian-Saudi higher joint committee. Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/16/1998 - Qatari emir to visit Khartoum at month's end
A Sudanese diplomatic source told ArabicNews.com that Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani will visit Sudan at the end of the current month, and that he will attend the anniversary of Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir's rise to power. Qatar-Sudan, Politics, 6/16/1998 - Jewish deputy in Iranian parliament: Iran comes first
The deputy of the Iranian Jewish minority, Manouchehr Eliyasi, said he opposes the establishment of any political relations between Jews in Iran and those in Israel. Iran, Politics, 6/16/1998 - Abdul Meguid praises African summit's resolution
Esmat Abdul Meguid, the Arab League's secretary-general confirmed before leaving Cairo airport heading to London that the African summit's resolution to partially lift the sanctions imposed upon Libya is very important and confirms that the Libyan stance is fair and just. Regional, Politics, 6/16/1998 - High joint committee established between Jordan and Morocco
Jordan and Morocco signed an agreement to establish a higher joint committee which aims at boosting relations between the two Arab nations. Jordan-Morocco, Politics, 6/16/1998 - Israel - withdrawal Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 6/16/1998
- Lebanon - elections Lebanon, Politics, 6/16/1998
- Palestine - peace process Palestine, Politics, 6/16/1998
- Osetiya President arrives in Damascus
President Alexander Dzasokov of North Osetiya-Alaniya Republic in Federal Russia arrived in Damascus on Monday for an official visit that will last for several days. Syria-Russia, Politics, 6/16/1998 - Syrian Interior minister in Austria Syria-Austria, Politics, 6/16/1998
- Kuwait Council's rejection of invitation seen as problem in crisis
The possibilities of dissolving Kuwait's Nation's Council (the parliament) diminished after an exceptional session of the Kuwaiti Cabinet on Sunday headed by Emir Sheikh Jabir al-Ahmed al-Sabah, in which he confirmed the strengthening of democratic support and maintaining its track. Kuwait, Politics, 6/16/1998 - Iraq on its way out of the UN sanctions
UNSCOM chairman Richard Butler said yesterday after meeting Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, "We have agreed on a schedule of work program on outstanding issues" referring to the supposed obstacles that Iraq is placing in front of UN inspection team efforts. Iraq, Politics, 6/15/1998 - Palestinian sources talk about governmental change
Palestinian sources confirmed to ArabicNews.com that the consultations for the ministerial change which will be launched by Palestinian President Yasser Arafat have begun. The sources also said that the change will be great and that only four or five ministers will remain from the current government. Palestine, Politics, 6/15/1998 - Hamas rejects government participation offer
The Palestinian Hamas movement refused a call from the Palestinian government to it to participate in the new government, which is supposed to be formed within the coming weeks. Palestine, Politics, 6/15/1998 - Emir for cooperation between legislative, executive
Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah stressed his country's commitment to democracy manifested in a close cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities to ensure security and stability in Kuwait. Kuwait, Politics, 6/15/1998 - Islamic concern about Israeli settlements effect on Jerusalem
The Jeddah-based Organization of the Islamic Conference expressed on Sunday "deep concern" over the deterioration of the situation in Jerusalem and in the occupied Palestinian territories. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 6/15/1998 - Contreversial status of SADR to be decided next February
The status of the so-called Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) will be decided next February at the ministerial conference of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister said. North Africa-West Sahara-Burkina Faso, Politics, 6/15/1998 - Israeli press secretary yanked out of Egypt post for lack of diplomacy
In an attempt by Israel to calm relations with Egypt, the Israeli foreign minister moved the press advisor in Israel's embassy in Cairo Linor Ben Dor, from Cairo, and appointed him to Israel's embassy in Uruguay starting at the beginning of August. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 6/15/1998 - Mashar hoping for a new meeting with Garang
The head of the coordination council of the southern states in Sudan, Ryak Mashar, expressed his hope to hold a discussion session with the leader of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army, John Garang, in order to pave the way for anticipated negotiations. Sudan, Politics, 6/15/1998 - Barak to Mubarak: majority of Israelis for peace process reactivation
Leader of the Israeli opposition Labor Party Ehud Barak said the majority of Israelis are for reactivating the Middle-East peace process. Regional, Politics, 6/15/1998 - Arab league chief visits London for discussions over Lockerbie issue
Sources close to the pan-arab organization said the secretary general's talks are expected to lead to the creation next September of an arab league council that will take measures to lift sanctions imposed on Libya Libya-Regional, Politics, 6/15/1998 - Hamas founder to return back to Gaza tomorrow Palestine, Politics, 6/15/1998
- Khartoum hosts first Arab training symposium on diplomacy Regional, Politics, 6/15/1998
- Lebanese Premier to confer with US officials Lebanon-USA, Politics, 6/15/1998
- Iran to support Syria against any Israeli aggressions
Iranian ambassador in Damascus Muhammad Akhtari has stressed that Iran will not stand still should Syria be exposed to any Israeli aggression. He noted that such an Iranian stance is based on Iran's unswerving strategy in "challenging Zionism." Syria-Iran, Politics, 6/15/1998 - Iran warns against Israeli nuclear arsenal, violation of holy shrines
Describing the Israeli nuclear arsenal, the Iranian official said: "It could have far-reaching consequences on the security of the region and the world." Iran, Politics, 6/15/1998 - Chirac: France pins great importance on Syrian President's visit
President Jacques Chirac of France has reiterated that France considers the question of the occupied Golan as non-negotiable and that peace with Syria is based on the return of the Golan Heights. Syria-France, Politics, 6/15/1998 - Jordan's Prime Minister to Morrocco Jordan-Morocco, Politics, 6/15/1998
- Mubarak confers with Eritrea envoy, Arafat, Australian FM
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Sunday received a message from Eritrea's President Assyas Afworki on the tense situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Egypt-Eritrea, Politics, 6/15/1998 - Algiers hosts Arab information ministers conference Regional-Algeria, Politics, 6/15/1998
- Saudi FM arrives in Damascus today Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/15/1998