Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 6/29/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of June 29, 1998
- Damascus, Ankara fail to settle disputes
Turkish Foreign Minister Ismael Cem said that Syria and Turkey have failed in their attempt to reset relations already frozen for several years to normalcy. adding that "problems are still pending." Syria-Turkey, Politics, 7/4/1998 - Baghdad demands that Interpol arrest Iraqi fugitives
The Algerian weekly newspaper El-Zawraa said Thursday that Iraq intends to present a claim to the Interpol concerning 54 Iraqi fugitives involved in stealing public money, as specialized Iraqi authorities finished setting up the files and delivering them to Baghdad. Iraq, Politics, 7/4/1998 - Al-Assad relieves Syrian intelligence chief
Syrian informed sources confirmed to ArabicNews.com that Syrian President Hafez al-Assad discharged last week General Bashir al-Najjar due to his failure in operations he undertook outside Damascus and for overstepping his authority. Syria, Politics, 7/4/1998 - Attaf: UN mission cannot talk to Salvation Front party
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf denied that the mission of the international delegation visiting his country in the coming weeks is a mission of investigation and fact finding Algeria, Politics, 7/4/1998 - King Hassan praises US peace efforts as P.M. meets American organization
The Moroccan official underlined the importance of the training sessions held by the institute for political parties to enable them play an efficient role in the countries' political life. Morocco-USA, Politics, 7/4/1998 - Egypt, France discuss international reactions to initiative on peace
After the meeting, the French official said that the talks he held with Moussa came within the continuous consultations between Egypt and France, where the talks concentrate on the situation in the Middle East and following up on the initiative that was proposed by Egypt's President Mubarak and French President Jacques Chirac. Egypt-France, Politics, 7/4/1998 - Israel resumes destruction of Palestinian homes
The Israeli authorities have destroyed 46 Palestinian houses in El-Zaeim and El-Aizeriah villages since the beginning of the current year. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/4/1998 - Kuwaiti, Iraqi representatives to meet on missing-in-action Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 7/4/1998
- Jordanian Journalists Union chairman elected for new term of office Jordan, Politics, 7/4/1998
- French - Syrian preparations for al-Assad visit
Spokesman for the Syrian Presidency Jibran Koreyah said on Thursday that preparations are underway in Damascus for the visit of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad to France during the second half of July. Syria-France, Politics, 7/4/1998 - U.S. opposes Palestinian status elevation in U.N.
The United States remains strongly opposed to an Arab move to give Palestine an enhanced status in the United Nations. Palestine, Politics, 7/4/1998 - Libya gets Moroccan support on embargo lifting
Moroccan prime minister Abderrahman Youssoufi renewed Morocco's solidarity with Libya regarding the international embargo enforced on Libya. Libya-Libya, Politics, 7/4/1998 - French defense minister to visit Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia-France, Politics, 7/4/1998
- Qatari emir to visit Algeria in August Qatar-Algeria, Politics, 7/4/1998
- Iraq denounces permission for US fighter jets to take off from Japan
Iraq denounced Japan's permission for the United States of America to use its territories to launch attacks on Iraq. Iraq-Japan, Politics, 7/4/1998 - New law for terrorism in Sudan Sudan, Politics, 7/4/1998
- Concluding arguments in Henish island case
Abdallah Ahmed Ghanem, Yemen's minister of legal and parliamentary affairs, said that the international arbitration committee authorized to examine the dispute between Yemen and Eritrea regarding sovereignty over Henaish Island will convene on Wednesday to resume the concluding arguments presented by the two parties. Yemen-Eritrea, Politics, 7/4/1998 - Serious confrontation between Palestine and Israel, further showdowns expected
Very intensive diplomacy that involved Palestine, Egypt, Jordan, the US and Israel was called on in the showdown, the most serious since the September 1996 clashes that erupted between the two sides after Israel opened the tunnel underneath the Al Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/3/1998 - UN Council extends Libya sanctions
The security council extended Thursday sanctions enforced against Libya for its refusal to surrender suspects in the bombing of a Pan Am airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988, killing 270 people. Libya-UN, Politics, 7/3/1998 - Reshuffle in the Syrian army leadership
President Hafez al-Assad has made a reshuffle in the armed forces' leadership covering the army's Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Hikmat al-Shehabi and director of the Intelligence Department Lt. Gen. Bashir al-Najjar. Syria, Politics, 7/3/1998 - Clashes between police and anti-Arabization demonstrators in Algeria.
In a statements during the celebration of the 36th anniversary of Algeria's independence and the beginning of implementing an Arabization law that would require use of the Arabic language, Algerian President Liamine Zeroual warned of sides that aim at striking Algeria's unity and stability. Algeria, Politics, 7/3/1998 - UN chief to send mission to Algeria
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has set up a panel of eminent figures to visit Algeria, led by former Portuguese president Mario Soares, it was officially announced in New York and Algiers. Algeria-UN, Politics, 7/3/1998 - Morocco and Libya sign a series of cooperation accords
Morocco and Libya signed here Thursday a series of cooperation accords in industry, trade, tourism and agriculture at the end of the 3rd session of their joint high cooperation commission. Libya-Morocco, Politics, 7/3/1998 - Sudan denies holding any political detainees
Sudanese Minister of the Interior Abdul Karim Muhammad Hussein denied the presence of any political detainees in Sudan. He noted that several persons have been tried. Sudan, Politics, 7/3/1998 - Jordanian foreign minister: Relations with Israel are semi-halted Jordan, Politics, 7/3/1998
- Al-Assad receives Bahraini minister of information
The Syrian president's spokesman, Jibran Koreyah, said that the Bahraini ambassador in Syria, Abdul Rahman Bu Ali, attended the meeting which was held in the presidential palace. Bahrain-Syria, Politics, 7/3/1998 - Reception in Damascus marks US Independence Day Syria-USA, Politics, 7/3/1998
- King Hussein, Saudi crown prince review Middle East developments Jordan-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 7/3/1998
- Yemeni prime minister to visit Tehran tomorrow
Speaker of the Yemeni Parliament Sheikh Abdullah al-Ahmar will arrive in Tehran tomorrow leading a parliamentary delegation in an official visit to Iran at the invitation of his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Nateq Nouri. Yemen-Iran, Politics, 7/3/1998 - Turkish foreign minister visits Israel to boost relations Turkey-Israel, Politics, 7/3/1998
- Egyptian foreign minister: Israeli policy is illogical
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said yesterday that, "The Israeli policy is unjustified and illogical." Moussa's declaration came in reply to a statement made by David Bar Ilan, the spokesman of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concerning the current discussion in the US Security Council on the Israeli plan to expand Jerusalem. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 7/2/1998 - Iraq calls on UN to lift air embargo
Iraq on Wednesday called upon the UN Security Council to cancel the two no-fly zones in the north and south of the country. Iraq, Politics, 7/2/1998 - Arab human rights group denounces imprisonment of Kuwaiti journalists
The Arab Organization for Human Rights in Cairo confirmed in a statement yesterday its solidarity with organizations and Kuwaiti public groups asking the Kuwaiti authorities to reconsider restrictive Kuwaiti press law, and to cancel imprisonment for "crimes of opinion" and to guarantee the freedom of opinion and expression for the Kuwaiti press. Kuwait, Politics, 7/2/1998 - Manama seeks relations with Tehran based on 'respect'
Bahrain's Prime Minister Sheikh Khaleifa Bin Salman al-Khaleifa said his country seeks to maintain a relation with Iran based on "exchanged respect and co-operation in the interests of the two peoples and countries." Bahrain-Iran, Politics, 7/2/1998 - Syrian president confers with AL chief
Syrian President Hafez al-Assad met on Wednesday at al-Rawada palace with Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid. During the meeting, attended by Foreign Minister FM Farouk al-Sharaa, talks dealt with conditions in the Arab region and ways of reactivating joint Arab action to eliminate the dangers that are ongoing at the present time. Syria-Regional, Politics, 7/2/1998 - Moroccan officials outline Morocco's economic and political reforms
In an introductory address, Moroccan political analyst Mustapha Shimi noted that Morocco's reform experience is accompanied by the country's modernization project, materialized by a series of deep changes introduced mainly in the field of human rights. Morocco, Politics, 7/2/1998 - Annan calls for sympathy with the Palestinians
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stressed Syria's key role in the Middle East peace process, and called for implementing UN resolutions in order to reach a just and comprehensive peace in the region. Regional-UN, Politics, 7/2/1998 - Israeli President strongly criticizes Netanyahu's policy
The bilateral meeting held on Wednesday between Israeli President Ezer Weizman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has failed to settle disputes between the two men after they had exchanged accusations. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/2/1998 - US ambassador: We will not withdraw from peace process
The US ambassador in Cairo said that the wait for a final reply to the US initiative for restarting the peace process is getting closer to its end. Egypt-Regional-USA, Politics, 7/2/1998 - Moroccan - Libyan joint high cooperation commission meets
He also deplored the exclusion of Libya from the Euro-Mediterranean partnership and renewed Morocco's call for the integration of Libya in the Euro-Mediterranean process. Morocco-Libya, Politics, 7/2/1998 - Syrian FM underlines US role in Middle East peace
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa has reiterated the position advocated by the Arab states regarding utilizing their full rights to restore all occupied Arab lands and national dignity. Syria, Politics, 7/2/1998 - King Hassan II Receives Libyan Prime Minister Morocco-Libya, Politics, 7/2/1998
- Bashir calls his opposition to return
Sudanese President Omar Bashir called the Sudanese opposition abroad to return to the country. In a speech he delivered after signing the new Sudanese constitution, Bashir said that Sudan is welcoming everybody for actual participation in managing the nation. Sudan, Politics, 7/2/1998 - Israel refuses to allow Hawatme entrance to Gaza
Israel newly refused to allow Nayef Hawatme, the secretary general of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine to return to Gaza. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/2/1998 - UN Security Council debates acting on Israeli Jerusalem plan
Meetings began yesterday in the United Nations Security Council to discuss an Israeli plan to enhance its control over Jerusalem. Last Sunday, the Israeli government approved a plan which will set up an "umbrella authority" for Jerusalem over eight West Bank Jewish settlements to the east, north and south of the city. Palestine-Israel-UN, Politics, 7/1/1998 - Prince Hassan criticizes press law, Palestine to control Islamic shrines
Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan in an implicit criticism of the press law adopted by the government of Abdul Salam al-Majali that limits press freedoms to a large extent "it is not worse than having the mass media as mere echo of official institutions." Jordan, Politics, 7/1/1998 - Security map strips Netanyahu naked
The right wing camp in Israel was stunned to find that the Israeli army map of security interests in the West Bank had excluded some 59 Jewish settlements and leading right wing politicians accused the army of preparing a map that has the fingerprints of the former Labor government. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/1/1998 - Sudanese parliament holding special session to ratify constitution
The Sudanese National Council (the parliament) is holding a special session today to celebrate yesterday's signing of the new constitution by Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir in the attendance of Qatar's Emir Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani. Sudan, Politics, 7/1/1998 - President Assad to visit France after French National Day
No official announcement was so far made of a set date for the visit, but the source made it clear that it will be on July 16 and 17, as President Assad will spend only one night in Paris. Syria-France, Politics, 7/1/1998 - Iraq accuses U.S. of hostile intent
Iraqi reaction to the bombing of a supposed radar site near Basra yesterday by U.S. jet fighters was strong stating that this strike was an unjustified and considered hostile action with the intent by the U.S. of launching a new comprehensive attack against Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 7/1/1998 - Syrian - Iraqi oil pipelines maintained
Iraqi government has officially informed the Syrian government that final arrangements on maintaining the Iraqi - Syrian oil pipelines shut down in 1982 have been completed. Iraq-Syria, Politics, 7/1/1998 - Iran maintains that it has sovereignty over disputed Gulf islands
Iran renewed yesterday its adherence to its sovereignty over three disputed Gulf islands. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 7/1/1998 - Syrian, Turkish officials meet on bilateral issues in Ankara
Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Adnan Omran and secretary of the Turkish Foreign Ministry Turkman Hassan discussed during today's three-hour meeting in Ankara several issues suspended between the two countries pertaining to waters and the separatist Kurdish Labor Party. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 7/1/1998 - Palestinian Legislative Council ratifies general budget
The Palestinian Legislative Council with a slight majority ratified the 1998 budget for the Palestinian government despite the suspicions of some deputies in the budget committee over taking its decision in this regard. Palestine, Politics, 7/1/1998 - Meguid calls for an immediate action on Jerusalem
Esmat Abdul Meguid, the Arab League's secretary-general, stated that the resolution of the Israeli government to expand the borders of Jerusalem shows hostility toward peace and called for Arab solidarity and immediate action to preserve its Arab identity. Regional, Politics, 7/1/1998 - Syria, Turkey proceed for normal relations
Spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry Semeit Atanjali said on Tuesday that the visit to be held by Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Adnan Omran to Turkey constitutes "a new step towards normalization of relations" between the two countries. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 7/1/1998 - International Red Cross:120 Lebanese detainees remain in al-Khiam prison
Lebanese Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz today in Beirut discussed with the chairman of mission of the International Red Cross committee in Lebanon the question of Lebanese prisoners and detainees in Israeli jails. Lebanon, Politics, 7/1/1998 - Jordan for reopening embassy in Kuwait
Jordanian minister of planning Rima Khalaf expressed her country's hope to open a Jordanian embassy in Kuwait. Jordan-Kuwait, Politics, 7/1/1998 - Message from Ugandan president to Gaddafi Libya-Uganda, Politics, 7/1/1998
- US - Lebanon peace Lebanon-USA, Politics, 7/1/1998
- Talks in Kuwait between crown prince and Pakistani prime minister Kuwait-Pakistan, Politics, 7/1/1998
- Qatar calls for arranging the proper climate before convening Arab summit Qatar, Politics, 7/1/1998
- An agreement between Iraq and Iran on the Iranians' visit for the sacred places Iraq-Iran, Politics, 7/1/1998
- British State minister for foreign affairs to visit Sudan soon
Sudan said that British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Derek Fatchett will visit Sudan soon to examine the efforts to achieve peace there. Sudan-UK, Politics, 7/1/1998 - Kuwaiti prime minister meets Jordanian minister of planning
Kuwaiti Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheik Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah, yesterday, received Jordanian Minister of Planning Reema Khalaf who handed him a communique from Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan. Jordan-Kuwait, Politics, 7/1/1998 - Europe for elevating the status of PLO at the UN
France has announced that the European Union EU member states agree the principle of upgrading the position of the PLO at the UN but not to give it the privileges of the UN member states. Palestine-UN, Politics, 7/1/1998 - Jordan, Israel discuss coordinating security affairs
Israeli army radio said that Israeli and Jordanian security bodies are examining the possibility of conducting joint security activities pertaining to safety of tourists in the two countries. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 7/1/1998 - Khaddam confers with AL chief Syria-Regional, Politics, 7/1/1998
- Arab League criticizes participation of Turkey in Israeli air offers Regional-Turkey, Politics, 7/1/1998
- Syrian delegation travels to Ankara
A Syrian official delegation led by deputy Foreign Minister Adnan Omran will arrive today in Ankara for the first visit of its kind in three years, MENA reported. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 6/30/1998 - Algeria hints at a solution to better relations with Morocco
Borders between Morocco and Algeria were closed down by Algeria in 1994 in retaliation to a Moroccan move to require entry visas for Algerians wishing to visit Morocco Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 6/30/1998 - Iran deplores Bahraini minister's statements
During a meeting today in Tehran with Bahrain's charge d'affairs in Tehran, Ramzi Othman, Khaji stressed the need to develop relations between the region's countries and to eliminate obstacles hindering progress in bilateral relations. Bahrain-Iran, Politics, 6/30/1998 - Saud Arabia - Yemen continue border demarcation talks
The Saudi - Yemeni join high committee convened in Jeddah last night to work on drawing the remaining undefined borders between the two countries and to examine the recommendations reached by the joint committees to pave the way for their ratification. Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 6/30/1998 - President Assad meets with Egyptian journalist
President Hafez al-Assad on Monday at al-Rawda palace received renowned Egyptian writer and journalist Muhammad Hasanin Haikal. The two men discussed the latest developments in the Arab region and the impasse the Middle East peace process has reached. Syria, Politics, 6/30/1998 - Sadr representative in Canada quits and blasts Polisario leadership
The representative of the so-called "Sahrawi Arab Democratic republic" (Sadr) in Canada has resigned from his position and applied for political asylum in the North American country, the Paris-based "Jeune Afrique" magazine reported. Morocco, Politics, 6/30/1998 - French envoy to visit Cairo to arrange for peace-saving conference
Egyptian - French consultations to hold the international conference for saving the peace process, an idea which emerged from a joint initiative announced by French President Jacques Chirac and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Paris last month, will be held in Cairo this week. Egypt-France, Politics, 6/30/1998 - Algeria renews backing to U.N. settlement plan for Sahara
Algeria on Monday renewed backing to the United Nations settlement plan for the Sahara and said it considers the Sahara issue a "decolonization question that falls within the prerogatives of the United Nations". Algeria, Politics, 6/30/1998 - Jordan rejects the concept of a second Madrid
Jordan's Foreign Minister Jawad Anani refused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call to hold Madrid 2 international conference to discuss the peace process. Jordan, Politics, 6/30/1998 - Syrian Golan citizens voice solidarity with Lebanese resistance
The Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights praised the exchange operation in which Lebanese detainees were freed from the Israeli jails and bodies of Lebanese resistance fighters were swapped for the remains of an Israeli soldier. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 6/30/1998 - Moroccan Premier to visit France Morocco-France, Politics, 6/30/1998
- More Syrian political prisoners to be released Syria, Politics, 6/30/1998
- A message from Eritrean president to Sultan Qaboos Oman-Eritrea, Politics, 6/30/1998
- Qatari Emir arrives in Sudan today
Prince of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani arrived today in Khartoum in a 24-hour visit during which he is to meet with Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir. Sudan-Qatar, Politics, 6/30/1998 - Kuwaiti - Pakistani relations highlighted
Ruler of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah today received Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and members of the accompanying delegation. Talks dealt with means of increasing bilateral relations in all fields as well as developments in the regional and international arenas. Kuwait-Pakistan, Politics, 6/30/1998 - Kuwaiti FM confers with Jordanian minister
Kuwaiti first Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad today in Kuwait received Jordanian Minister of Planning Rima Khalaf. Talks dealt with bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern. Kuwait-Jordan, Politics, 6/30/1998 - A message to Lebanese foreign minister from Australian counterpart Lebanon-Australia, Politics, 6/30/1998
- Security Council - Jerusalem Palestine-Israel-UN, Politics, 6/30/1998
- A ship of illegal immigrants anchored in Limassol
A spokesman for the Cypriot police said yesterday that a Syrian ship carrying 109 illegal passengers anchored on Monday in the port of Limassol city, in southern Cyprus. Regional, Politics, 6/30/1998 - Hamas leader calls for release of detainees in Israel
The founder of the Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin urged Israel to release the Palestinian captives and detainees in its prisons and to end their suffering immediately. Palestine, Politics, 6/30/1998 - The continuation of Israel's refusal for Qaddoumi return to Palestine.
Jamil al-Tarifi the minister of the Palestinian civil affairs, confirmed yesterday the continuation of the Israeli government's refusal to allow the return of Farouk Qaddoumi. Palestine, Politics, 6/30/1998 - US delegation grants 603 Iraqis the right of asylum
Mohammed al-Deyri, the highest-ranking official for protecting the refugees in the bureau of the UN High Commission for Refugees in Damascus said a delegation from the US immigration department has agreed to grant 713 Arabs, including 653 Iraqis, the right to asylum in the US. Syria-Regional-USA, Politics, 6/30/1998 - General Assembly extends over $22 million for Sahara mission
The United Nations General Assembly approved a budget of more than 22 million USD for the Minurso (U.N. Mission for the Referendum in the Sahara) to cover the period from July 1 to next october 30 Morocco, Politics, 6/30/1998 - King Hassan II Receives Libyan Envoy Morocco-Libya, Politics, 6/30/1998
- A message from Afghan Shoura council chairman to UAE prince United Arab Emirates-Afghanistan, Politics, 6/30/1998
- Saudi Arabia reiterates peace principles
Saudi Arabia has stressed its firm stand towards the cause of Palestine and the Middle East peace process providing for establishing just and comprehensive peace which ensures the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the liberation of the Golan Heights and south Lebanon from Israeli aggression. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/30/1998 - Egypt expels Israeli media attache Morocco-Israel, Politics, 6/30/1998
- Syrian FM confers with AL chief Syria-Regional, Politics, 6/30/1998
- Jerusalem question comes to the forefront at the UN
It is not clear how the UN Security Council will vote Tuesday on the Jerusalem question but one thing is obvious: Israel is worried that the US might not veto the potential condemnation of the UN. Regional-UN, Politics, 6/29/1998 - Meguid hands documents showing U.S. support to Arab position on Jerusalem
Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid delivered Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar two official documents dating back three decades that determine the US position toward Jerusalem. Regional-Palestine-Spain, Politics, 6/29/1998 - Algerian president makes Arabic official language
Algerian President Liamine Zeroual today in the ministers council approved the law that specifies the use of the Arabic language. Algeria, Politics, 6/29/1998 - First visit of a Jordanian minister to Kuwaiti since the Gulf war
Jordanian minister of planning Rima Khalaf will head to Kuwait tomorrow according to the call of the manager in the economic development Arab fund Abd El-Hamd to attend the meetings of the fund and sign some agreements between it and Jordan. Kuwait-Jordan, Politics, 6/29/1998 - Sixteen Bahrainis sentenced to imprisonment for acts of violence
The state security court in Bahrain on Sunday sentenced 16 persons to terms of one to four years in prison on charges of causing disorder and damaging state property. Bahrain-Palestine, Politics, 6/29/1998 - Israel denies reports that mission will leave Tunis
The Israeli authorities have denied reports that the staff of the Israeli consulate in Tunisia will leave for Tel Aviv because of a freeze in the process of normalization between Tunisia and Israel. Tunisia-Israel, Politics, 6/29/1998 - Arab legislators renew support of Morocco's rights over 2 Spanish-occupied cities
The Arab Parliamentary Union renewed on Saturday its unconditional support for Morocco's endeavors to recover two cities occupied by Spain, Sebta and Melilia and the Jaafarine islands. Regional, Politics, 6/29/1998 - Moroccan prime minister accuses Polisario of hampering voter identification
Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi accused the Polisario of being behind delays in the identification of would-be voters in the referendum that the United Nations plans to hold in the Sahara. Morocco, Politics, 6/29/1998 - Spanish Prime Minister not to visit Knesset
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar has informed the Israeli authorities he will not visit the Knesset in the course of his visit to Israel, which he started on Sunday. Regional-Israel-Spain, Politics, 6/29/1998 - King Hussein: Jordan will remain the shield of Arabs
King Hussein of Jordan yesterday said in Amman that Jordan will be always "a sword and a great supporter to all Arab brothers," at a time when Jordanian transport Minister Sami Qamweh announced that Jordan has asked to end inspection operations carried out by Lloyd company in al-Aqaba port for Iraqi shipments. Jordan, Politics, 6/29/1998 - Italian prime minister to visit Iran
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi will visit Tehran next week in the first visit by a western country's prime minister to Iran since the Islamic revolution in 1979. The visit was described as being political. Iran-Italy, Politics, 6/29/1998 - Arab Journalists Union against jailing Kuwaiti daily editor in chief
The Arab Journalists Union has called for suspending the sentence handed down by the Kuwaiti authorities to jail chief editor of the Kuwaiti daily al-Qabas, Muhammad Jasem al-Saqer, and his colleague Ibrahim Marzouk and to resume immediate publication of the Kuwaiti dailies al-Seyassah and al-Qabas. Kuwait-Regional, Politics, 6/29/1998 - Holland cancels meeting with Israeli Foreign Ministry officials Israel-Netherlands, Politics, 6/29/1998
- Hrawi - journalist Lebanon, Politics, 6/29/1998
- Egyptian artist challenges extremism in Algeria Egypt-Algeria, Politics, 6/29/1998
- Iraqi officials to visit Egypt to improve commercial exchange
Three Iraqi ministers are to arrive in Cairo during the current week to discuss activating bilateral relations with their Egyptian counterparts. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 6/29/1998 - Qatari ruler receives Eritrean communique Qatar-Eritrea, Politics, 6/29/1998
- Moussa: A new Madrid or referundum serve only to delay needed decisions Egypt, Politics, 6/29/1998
- Libyan - Kenyan relations highlighted
The Kenyan President praised decisions approved by the recent African summit in which the African countries announced deliberate rejection of the sanctions imposed on Libya as from September first if the US and Britain do not positively respond to proposed initiatives to settle Lockerbie crisis. Libya-Tunisia-Kenya, Politics, 6/29/1998 - Bilateral cooperation between Jordan and Algeria discussed
Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul-Salam Majali met with Algerian Minister of Industry and Trade Abdelmadjid Menasra. Jordan-Algeria, Politics, 6/29/1998