Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 7/6/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of July 6, 1998
- Egypt - US start strategic framework discussions
Egyptian Foreign Minister's discussions in the US with US Secretary Of State Madeleine Albright pertaining to the peace process, North Africa, West Asia, the Horn of Africa and other problems commenced on Friday. Egypt-USA, Politics, 7/11/1998 - US objects to Arafat's flight to Libya
The US delegate to the United Nations organization's sanctions committee opposed a Palestinian request for Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to fly to Libya this Saturday. Libya-Palestine-USA, Politics, 7/11/1998 - Iranian foreign minister calls for meeting with Amr Moussa
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi, sent a message to his Egyptian counterpart, Amr Moussa, in which he expressed his readiness to hold a bilateral meeting to discuss developing the relations between the two countries. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 7/11/1998 - US running out of patience for Mideast peace talks
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said Friday that the United States' patience to revive the stalled Mideast peace talks is "coming towards the end" and called on Israelis and Palestinians to resume negotiations. Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 7/11/1998 - Britain's Cook urges Israel to accept US redeployment proposal
British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook on Thursday urged anew the Israeli Government to accept the U.S. proposal to give a further 13 percent of the West Bank to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), stressing that this would serve Israelis and peace in general. Palestine-Israel-UK, Politics, 7/11/1998 - Senior Libyan official in Paris
French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine will hold talks in Paris on July 15 with Libyan Minister for Planning Jadallh Azzouz Al-Talhi, it was announced in Paris on Friday. Libya-France, Politics, 7/11/1998 - Hrawi threatens to cut every hand that dares threaten Lebanese security
Lebanese President Elias Hrawi said, "We will cut every hand that dares to shake the security in Lebanon." Lebanon, Politics, 7/11/1998 - Arab ports, airports, borders chief to meet
Arab Chiefs of ports, airports and borders begin their fourth meeting in Tunis next Monday with the participation of representatives from all Arab countries, according to the Kuwaiti News Agency. Regional, Politics, 7/11/1998 - Baghdad informs Cairo of fears of a new US strike.
An Iraqi official source confirmed to ArabicNews.com that Baghdad informed Cairo of its belief that the US plans to renew the crisis between Iraq and UNSCOM to creat a situation similar to that which existed last February and to direct a military strike against Iraq as was threatened earlier in the year before the conflict was solved peacefully. Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/11/1998 - Fatchett to meet with Sudanese officials on Monday
The British minister of state for the middle Easter affairs Derek Fatchett will arrive on Monday in Khartoum on a five-day visit that comprises Sudan and Kenya. Sudan-UK, Politics, 7/11/1998 - European - Arab parliamentary discussion conference starts today Regional-European Union, Politics, 7/11/1998
- Arafat in Peking next week
Palestinian sources said that Arafat will meet during his three-day visit with Chinese President Jiang Zemin, and high-ranking officials in the state's leadership to discuss bilateral relations and new developments surrounding the stumbled peace process. Palestine-China, Politics, 7/11/1998 - Lebanese military courts continue investigations of spy network
A Lebanese military court has indicted 17 persons for establishing a network aimed at destabilizing the country through carrying out explosions and assassinating political and security figures. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 7/10/1998 - Egyptian FM confers with Annan on Middle East peace
Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa announced that talks he held in New York on Thursday night with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan dealt basically with the Middle East peace process. Egypt-USA, Politics, 7/10/1998 - Sudanese opposition party calls for protection of explosions suspects
The head of the Sudanese opposition Nation Party's bureau in Cairo, Salah Galal, stated that the leaders of the party have held communications with political forces and human rights organizations to guarantee the safety of party leaders on trial in Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 7/10/1998 - Egypt denies Libyan trip by President Mubarak was not authorized
Egypt denied that the trip by President Mubarak was not authorized by the UN saying permission was obtained from the UN sanctions committee at the United Nations on Wednesday. Egypt-Libya, Politics, 7/10/1998 - Palestinian official's trip to US: No change in US intiative
Palestinian sources Friday confirmed that both Palestinian chief peace negotiator Saeb Erekat and Palestinian minister of international cooperation, Nabil Shaath, were dispatched to Washington upon request from US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 7/10/1998 - Syria seeks active role in international arena
Diplomatic sources in the Syrian capital said that, "Syria seeks to restore her role in the international arena. To do so it strengthened ties with the European Union and France." Syria, Politics, 7/10/1998 - El-Baz: US has no right to ask Egypt about Copts' situation
Osama El-Baz, the Egyptian president's political advisor for political affairs, said that there is no Christian minority in Egypt: "We do not have a minority of Christians but citizens on an equal level with the Moslems in everything." Egypt-USA, Politics, 7/10/1998 - Libyan-Italian relations progressively normalizing
Italy and Libya signed this Thursday a joint document aimed at normalizing relations between the two countries, it was officially announced here. Libya-Italy, Politics, 7/10/1998 - Yemen for good relations with Iran
Speaker of the Yemeni Parliament Sheikh Abdullah al-Ahmar has asserted that his visit to Iran marked the beginning of a new phase of fraternal relations between the two countries. Yemen-Iran, Politics, 7/10/1998 - Lebanon to work to free all its prisoners in Israeli jails Lebanon, Politics, 7/10/1998
- Algerian Berbers continue protests against Arabic language law
Thousands of Berbers demonstrated in Algiers on Thursday condemning the assassination of Berber singer Matoub Lounes. They also called for freezing the newly enacted law making Arabic the official language of the country. Algeria-UN, Politics, 7/10/1998 - Pakistani minister of the interior winds up successful visit to Damascus
Pakistani Minister of the Interior Chaudhary Shujat Hussain and members of his accompanying delegation left Damascus on Thursday following an official visit which lasted for several days. Syria-Pakistan, Politics, 7/10/1998 - UAE - Iran - UN United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 7/10/1998
- Threats to cause another Nakba for Palestinians
An unidentified group, believed to be an extreme right-wing Jewish underground organization, threatened the Palestinians living in Israel with another catastrophe if they continue their support to their fellow Palestinians in the Occupied Territories. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/10/1998 - Head of Andalucia Autonomous government in Morocco
Manual Chaves, president of the autonomous government of Andalucia (southern Spain) is currently visiting Morocco to discuss aspects of cooperation between the Iberian province and Morocco. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/10/1998 - Outgoing Iraqi Arab League deputy returns to Baghdad for new duties
Nabil Negm, the outgoing Iraqi permanent deputy to the Arab league will return to Baghdad some days after assuming the tasks of his new job as the undersecretary of his country's Foreign Ministry. Iraq-Egypt, Politics, 7/10/1998 - Last diplomat from Tunisian office leaves Israel Tunisia-Israel, Politics, 7/10/1998
- Algerian political parties reject foreign intervention
The Algerian political parties renewed their rejection of any foreign intervention in the internal affairs of their country, not to internationalize their crisis which they said proceeds towards detente. Algeria, Politics, 7/10/1998 - Egyptian - French communication around peace. Egypt-France, Politics, 7/10/1998
- Kuwait denies existence of disputes among Damascus Declaration countries Regional, Politics, 7/10/1998
- Organization of African Unity continues efforts to settle Eritrea - Ethiopia dispute Eritrea-Ethiopia-OAU, Politics, 7/10/1998
- British official to visit Sudan next week
Sudanese sources confirmed that the minister of state for Middle East affairs at the British Foreign Office, Derek Fatchett, will visit Khartoum next week. Sudan-UK, Politics, 7/10/1998 - Mubarak flies into Libya, breaks UN embargo
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak arrived this afternoon at El-Abrak civil airport in Baida city in eastern Libya to check on the health of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi who underwent surgery for a broken leg on Monday night. Egypt-Libya, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Erekat is cool toward announcements of pending Palestinian - Israeli agreement
The Palestinian government expressed a reserved reaction to claims of acceptance by Netanyahu of the US intiative in the faltering Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Palestine, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Moussa heads to Washington, calls peace efforts a total failure
Egyptian foreign minister Amr Moussa did not set aside the possibility of convening an Egyptian - Syrian - Saudi summit - replying to a question about convening this summit. Moussa said "I can neither deny this matter nor say that they have agreed upon it." Egypt-Regional, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Kuwaiti Parliamentarian calls King Hussein 'king of treason'
During discussions held on Tuesday at the Kuwaiti nation council (Parliament) concerning the budget of the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Development, Kuwaiti parliamentarian Muslim al-Barrak described King Hussein as a "King of treason." Kuwait-Jordan, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Iraq protests against US surveillance planes' violations
In a message yesterday to the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan delivered by the Iraqi permanent representative at the UN, Nizar Hamdoun, Iraqi Foreign Minister Muhammad Saeed al-Sahaf said that the US U-2 spy plane carried out four new violations of the Iraqi airspace during last May. Iraq, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Iraq and Iran discuss supporting bilateral relations, resolve POW issue
Diplomatic sources said in Baghdad yesterday that Iranian foreign minister will visit Iraq next month at the invitation of the undersecretary of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, Saad Abd El-Magid El-Faisel Iraq-Iran, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Chirac discusses with Assad Middle East peace, preparations for visit
Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Wednesday received a telephone call from French President Jacques Chirac dealing with issues that included the peace process. Syria-France, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Patriotic Union of Kurdistan chief to visit Damascus next week
the chief of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Jalal Talabani, will visit Damascus next week to hold talks with high-ranking Syrian officials. Iraq-Syria, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Zeroual: State of emergency is necessary for security
He said that despite the necessity of the emergency law, there is a law for removing the state of emergency, which will be submitted to the People's Assembly (parliament), where the deputies will decide on this law. Algeria, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Garang's movement approves cease-fire proposal
Sudanese sources said that the Sudanese People's Liberation Army movement headed by Colonel John Garang approved in principle of a cease fire in southern Sudan, in response to the new initiative started by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development after a meeting between the two sides in June. Sudan, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Al-Azhar Mufti, Pope Shenuda: Rights are not restored by verbal slogans
Sheikh al-Azhar Mosque Sayed Tantawi has branded the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a fool who does not know what he is doing. Regional-Egypt, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Israeli committee to discuss resuming negotiations with Syria
Israeli army radio said on Wednesday that a ministerial committee at the Israeli Foreign Ministry chaired by deputy chairman of the ministry Yuab Beirat has already started discussions on means of resuming negotiations with Syria and implementing the special initiative on withdrawal from south Lebanon. Regional-Israel-USA, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Damascus hosts 16th European-Arab parliamentary dialogue
Secretary General of the Arab parliamentary Union APU Nur Eddine Bushkouh said the 16th conference for European- Arab parliamentary dialogue to be convened in Damascus on July 11 to 13 is important for explaining Arab issues in European parliaments through the members taking part in the conference. Regional-European Union, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Final decision near on Yemeni - Eritrean Hanish islands dispute
Final legal debates on the conflict over Hanish Islands in the Red Sea between Yemen and Eritrea started on Wednesday in London. Yemen-Eritrea, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Sudanese government ready to try suspects in attacks
Sudanese Minister of the Interior Abdul Rahim Muhammad Hussein said that some 15 persons accused of being involved in the series of explosions that took place in Khartoum last week will be presented before a military court. Sudan, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Israel's withdrawal from all occupied Arab lands imperative, Moussa says
Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa has renewed calls for abiding by the Madrid terms of reference in order to put the Middle East peace process into the right track. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Arafat to China Palestine-China, Politics, 7/9/1998
- Algeria - UN Algeria-UN, Politics, 7/9/1998
- Oman - Sweden agreement Oman-Sweden, Politics, 7/9/1998
- Rahim: US won't change redeployment proposal Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 7/9/1998
- Amr Moussa due to visit France on July 17 Egypt-France, Politics, 7/9/1998
- Assad cables Gaddafi on health recovery Syria-Libya, Politics, 7/9/1998
- Two big fires broke out in the Golan Syria-Israel, Politics, 7/9/1998
- Al-Sharaa, al-Qaddoumi discuss regional developments Syria-Palestine, Politics, 7/9/1998
- Syrian President cables regret for Gaddafi's broken hip Libya, Politics, 7/9/1998
- Cem confers with Israeli president, Arafat
Israeli President Ezer Weizman praised relations between Israel and Turkey and the agreement on military and security cooperation between the two sides. Palestine-Turkey, Politics, 7/9/1998 - Bahrain stresses its right to Hawar islands in fight with Qatar
The Bahraini Foreign Ministry on Tuesday asserted its "legitimate rights" to carry out construction projects in the Hawar islands, under dispute with Qatar. Bahrain-Qatar, Politics, 7/8/1998 - Opposition accused of recent acts of violence in Yemen
Yemeni Security officials have accused members of the opposition Yemeni Grouping for Reform (Islaah) party of being directly involved in recent Yemeni unrest. Yemen, Politics, 7/8/1998 - Algerian President calls for inter dialogue with all
Algerian President Liamine Zeroual has reiterated his call for political parties in his country to maintain dialogue and consultations with one another. His call is aimed at reaching united stances toward topics of national concern. Algeria, Politics, 7/8/1998 - Paris denies readiness to recognize Palestinian state
The French Foreign Ministry has asserted that an article published by the Israeli daily Haaretz on France's readiness to recognize a Palestinian state is "groundless." Palestine-France, Politics, 7/8/1998 - Gaddafi confers with Somali faction leaders, recovers well
Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gaddafi on Tuesday in Tripoli received three Somali leaders, currently visiting Libya. Libyan television reported that Gaddafi discussed with Muhammad Ali Mahdi, Hussein Muhammad Aideed and Othman Hassan Ali the situation in Somalia. Libya-Libya, Politics, 7/8/1998 - Mubarak stresses commitment to Arab rights
President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has stressed Egypt's commitment to Arab rights and the restoration of all occupied Arab territories, incuding the Golan Heights and south Lebanon, as well as the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as a capital. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 7/8/1998 - Bashir: Relations with Egypt are improving
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said in a speech published by The Constitution Jordanian newspaper yesterday he adheres to developing Egyptian - Sudanese relations so they can regain their distinctive position in light of the historical ties between the two countries. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 7/8/1998 - Turkish foreign minister meeting Arafat today
Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem is meeting today with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to hold talks, as well as meeting with high-ranking Palestinian officials. Palestine-Turkey, Politics, 7/8/1998 - Turkish FM defends relations with Israel
"despite the strong criticism we receive from the Arab world because of our special links with Israel, we are not ready to sacrifice these links nor to minimize them." Turkey-Israel, Politics, 7/8/1998 - Kuwaiti - Iraqi meeting in Geneva Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 7/8/1998
- Arafat confers with Polish parliament speaker Palestine-Poland, Politics, 7/8/1998
- Damascus Declaration states to meet in October Regional, Politics, 7/8/1998
- Iraq, Iran agree on exchanging pilgrims' visits Iraq-Iran, Politics, 7/8/1998
- King Hussein to visit France Jordan-France, Politics, 7/8/1998
- Iran urges Lebanon to help it find four missing diplomats Lebanon-Iran, Politics, 7/8/1998
- Nerve gas allegation against Iraq to be tested by Swiss experts Iraq-Switzerland, Politics, 7/8/1998
- King Hassan pardons 1,060 prisoners Morocco, Politics, 7/8/1998
- Syria announces President Assad to visit France on July 16 Syria, Politics, 7/8/1998
- Yemen, Iran discuss bilateral issues
Former Iranian President Hashami Rafsanjani has called for supporting the call advocated by Iranian President Muhammad Khatami to convene an urgent meeting of the Islamic states' foreign ministers to study the Israeli plan aiming at Judaizing occupied Jerusalem. Yemen-Iran, Politics, 7/8/1998 - Qatari emir to visit Algeria
Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani will meet during an August visit to Algeria with Algerian President Liamine Zeroual and high-ranking officials, with whom he will discuss the latest developments in Arab relations and the peace process. Qatar-Regional, Politics, 7/8/1998 - A victory for Palestinians at the UN, status upgraded
The UN approved a bill today, formulated by the Arab states and the countries of the Non- Aligned Movement, that upgrades Palestine's standing in the international organization to that of a non-voting member. Palestine, Politics, 7/7/1998 - Reshuffle in key political, military and security posts in Syria
In a report from Damascus, BBC correspondent Salwa Istwani said that Lt. Gen. Mahmoud al-Shaqa was appointed chief of the Syrian intelligence after the firing its former chief, Lt. Gen. Bashir al-Najjar. Syria, Politics, 7/7/1998 - High Council for Islamic Affairs conference issues recommendations
The 10th annual conference of the High Council for Islamic Affairs condemned in its recommendations and resolutions the Serbian assault on the Moslems in Kosovo and called the international community to concentrate its efforts on suppressing this assault. Regional, Politics, 7/7/1998 - Arafat-Mordechai meeting unlikely
Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has come under pressure from within and without his government and the latest round of assault he received was an ultimatum given by trade and industry minister Natan Sharanksy. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/7/1998 - Chadian, Libyan airplanes penetrate air embargo
Chadian and Libyan airplanes that were transporting Chad's and Niger's presidents and their delegations penetrated the air embargo imposed on Libya as they flew from Chad into eastern Libya. Libya-Chad, Politics, 7/7/1998 - Egypt calls for maintaining Arab coordination
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa asserted the need for Arab coordination to withstand the difficulties the Middle East peace process is undergoing. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 7/7/1998 - Iraqi minister attacks US administration, refuses to apologize
Iraqi Trade Minister Mohammed Mahdi Saleh stated that Iraq refuses the US protest at the Security Council and the US request that Iraq apologize for describing Assistant US Secretary of State Martin Indyk as a Jew and a Zionist. Iraq, Politics, 7/7/1998 - President Assad's visit to France
Diplomatic sources in Paris asserted today that Syrian President Hafez al-Assad will pay an official two-day visit to France on July 16. The visit is at an official invitation of President Jacques Chirac extended to President al-Assad on May 24. Syria-France, Politics, 7/7/1998 - Jerusalem's Mufti: Government and opposition coordination needed
Jerusalem's Mufti told ArabicNews.com that coordination between the Palestinian government and the opposition is a matter of necessity. Palestine, Politics, 7/7/1998 - US official visits Tunisia
The assistant US secretary of state for political affairs, Thomas Pickering, is visiting Tunisia today to hold talks with high-ranking officials on bilateral cooperation, the situation in the Middle East and security and stability issues in North Africa and the Mediterranean. Tunisia-Maghreb-USA, Politics, 7/7/1998 - Habash to meet with Arafat
The Jordanian weekly al-Najd has said that the political bureau of the People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine agreed in a meeting held last week in Damascus to a meeting between the front's Secretary-General George Habash and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat shortly in Cairo. Palestine, Politics, 7/7/1998 - Ummah party, communists accused of Khartoum blasts
The Sudanese National Conference, the only political organization declared in Sudan, has accused the Ummah party and the communist party of being behind blasts that took place in Khartoum last week. Sudan, Politics, 7/7/1998 - Iranian - Iraqi relations are good
Iraqi Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan has stressed the need to improve the level of relations between Iran and Iraq. He described current relations between the two countries as good. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 7/7/1998 - El-Mahdi urges Muslim leaders to declare position toward Sudanese regime
Former Sudanese Prime Minister and leader of the opposition state party El-Sayed El-Sadiq El-Mahdi, urged the Islamic leaders Sheikh Al-Azhar Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, and the revolution guide in Iran Ali Khamenei to declare their position toward the Sudanese government's methods and the practices of the Islamic Front. Sudan-Regional, Politics, 7/7/1998 - Representative of Israeli office returns from Tunis, not place to stay
The official in charge of the Israeli affairs office in Tunisia returned to Israel, and no alternative was appointed, which means that the Israeli office in Tunis was closed. Tunisia-Israel, Politics, 7/7/1998 - A message from Chirac to King Fahd
French Foreign Minister Alain Richard left Saudi Arabia on Sunday after he conveyed a message to King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz a message from French President Jacques Chirac. Saudi Arabia-France, Politics, 7/7/1998 - Lebanese, Egyptian FM s talk on Arab issues Lebanon-Egypt, Politics, 7/7/1998
- Sudan arrests Sudanese opposition fighting with Eritrea
Sudanese security forces in Blue Nile province in eastern Sudan have arrested members of a cell that was found to be in charge of sending fighters from the Sudanese opposition to Eritrea. Sudan, Politics, 7/7/1998 - Iran, Yemen sign understanding memorandum Yemen-Iran, Politics, 7/7/1998
- Qatar for strengthening Arab solidarity Qatar, Politics, 7/7/1998
- Moroccan premier to visit Tunis Morocco-Tunisia, Politics, 7/7/1998
- Kuwaiti FM to visit Egypt, Syria, Lebanon Kuwait-Regional, Politics, 7/7/1998
- Algeria - UN Algeria-UN, Politics, 7/7/1998
- Palestinian Bar Association: Police chief administrative powers are illegal
The head of the Palestinian Bar Association, Abdul Rahman Abu Al Nasser, described the declarations of the Chief of Palestinian police, General Ghazi Al-Jabali, who claimed to have administrative power giving him the right to arrest any Palestinian individual, as illegal. Palestine, Politics, 7/7/1998 - Boueiz: We have no information about Israeli pilot
Lebanese Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz that Lebanon is not in possession of downed Israeli pilot Ron Arad, and there is no information referring to the location of the pilot in or outside Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 7/7/1998 - Saudi Arabia urges international community to stop Israeli expansion Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 7/7/1998
- UAE minister of information visits Tunisia United Arab Emirates-Tunisia, Politics, 7/7/1998
- Lebanese Premier confers with Syrian officials Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 7/7/1998
- Final arbitration over Hanish Islands
Yemeni Prime Minister Abdul Karim al-Iryani arrived in London on Sunday to attend the meeting of the final arbitration session which will decide the destiny of Hanish island in the Red Sea, which has been under dispute between Yemen and Eritrea in December 1995. Yemen-Eritrea, Politics, 7/7/1998 - Jordanian FM heads for the US Jordan-USA, Politics, 7/7/1998
- New chief for Syrian intelligence Syria, Politics, 7/7/1998
- Confrontation between police and demonstrators in Algeria Algeria, Politics, 7/7/1998
- Moroccan Premier confers with UAE deputy prime minister Morocco-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 7/7/1998
- Ismael Cem in Israel Turkey-Israel, Politics, 7/7/1998
- Three-way Cairo summit warns against Judaizing Jerusalem
President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, King Hussien of Jordan and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat discussed at a three-way summit in Cairo yesterday the stalled peace process in the Middle East. Regional, Politics, 7/6/1998 - Israel attacks trilateral Arab summit
Israel criticized yesterday the trilateral Arab summit in which the Palestinian Jordanian and Egyptian leaders took part, claiming that this three-way summit will not have any effect for resuming the peace process. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/6/1998 - Demonstrations in Algeria over implementation of Arabic language law
A law obliging the use of Arabic as Algeria's official language took effect on Sunday, meeting with demonstrations and disorder in Tezi Ozo as a protest against the law and the assassination of Berber singer Matoub Lounes on June 25. Algeria, Politics, 7/6/1998 - Morocco - Tunisia bilateral cooperation assessed
The Moroccan-Tunisian follow-up commission, stemming from the two countries' high joint commission, is currently meeting here to assess the evolution of bilateral cooperation. Tunisia-Morocco, Politics, 7/6/1998 - Syrian President meets with Pakistani minister, US congressman
Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Sunday met with Pakistani Minister of the Interior Chaudari Shujat Hussein at Damascus' al-Chaab palace. Hussein conveyed a message to President al-Assad from Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sherif. Syria-Pakistan, Politics, 7/6/1998 - Saudi Arabia, Egypt mediate between Syria and Jordan
The mediation is intended to convene a meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers to be followed by a summit between the two countries, in case of success. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 7/6/1998 - Yemeni Grouping for Reform condemns government price hikes
The Yemeni Grouping for Reform condemned yesterday government resolutions raising the prices of goods and fundamental services, as well as condemning the violence that accompanied the protests after the price hikes were announced. Yemen, Politics, 7/6/1998 - Turkish foreign minister to visit Israel during the current month
The Turkish Foreign Ministry announced that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem is going to pay a formal visit to Israel from July 6 - 9 at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Turkey-Israel, Politics, 7/6/1998 - Bahraini minister confers with Eritrean envoy
Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Muhammad Bin Mubarak al-Khaleifa met on Sunday in Manama with Minister of Local Government in Eritrea Mahmoud Ahmad Sherifo and members of the accompanying delegation. Bahrain-Eritrea, Politics, 7/6/1998 - Syrian outgoing chief of staff honored
At the directives of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad the protocols of exchanging the post of army chief of staff were carried out Sunday between first Lt. Gen. Hekmat Shehabi and Lt. Gen. Ali Aslan. Syria, Politics, 7/6/1998 - French defense minister arrives in Jeddah Saudi Arabia-France, Politics, 7/6/1998
- Cairo summit condemns Israel, relieves Palestinian officials Palestine, Politics, 7/6/1998
- Ramadan receives a message from Iranian counterpart Iraq-Iran, Politics, 7/6/1998