Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 8/3/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of August 3, 1998
- Egypt delivers Albright explanation of French - Egyptian initiative
Egyptian sources told ArabicNews.com that Egypt delivered a written message to US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright that explains the idea of the French - Egyptian initiative to rescue the peace process in the Middle East and push it forward. Egypt-USA, Politics, 8/8/1998 - Albright informs Palestinians of Israel's intent to present new proposals
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat revealed that US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright informed Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in a phone call that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will offer the Palestinian side "new and different ideas than those which were offered before." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/8/1998 - Security intensified around foreign embassies and US interests in Egypt
The Egyptian Ministry of Interior intensified security around foreign embassies and US interests in Egypt in order to condense security forces' ability to confronting terrorist plans after the subsequent explosions that took place near the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Egypt-USA, Politics, 8/8/1998 - Yemen examines Ethiopian extradition request for five opposition members
The Yemeni authorities are currently examining an extradition request presented by Ethiopia for five members of the Oromo Liberation Front who oppose the regime by the in Ethiopia Yemen-Ethiopia, Politics, 8/8/1998 - The Vatican and Israel: showdown over new archbishop
"The appointment of any of our church members is merely the sole right of the church. It is not the right of any official in the Israeli government to interfere," said the Apostolic delegate in Jerusalem, Petro Sambi. Israel-Vatican, Politics, 8/8/1998 - Ashrawi interview: Crisis of confidence between people and government
Hanan Ashrawi: I believe the one way to revive confidence is to build these efficient accountable, effective institutions, is to build a democratic system which is inclusive and comprehensive Palestine, Politics, 8/7/1998 - Arab League awaits U.S., British position on Lockerbie case
Abdul Meguid said Tripoli held on to its position to settle the issue in accordance with a proposal put forward by the Arab League Libya-Regional, Politics, 8/7/1998 - Interior Ministry denies El-Jihad group threat against US targets
Official security sources in the Egyptian Ministry of Interior denied that there is any information possessed the ministry about a threat from the El-Jihad organization to strike at US targets. Egypt, Politics, 8/7/1998 - Settlements need not be enlarged, Israeli Peace Now members help
President Arafat "is opposed in principal and in strategy to violence and to loss of lives of people, regardless of who they are." He noted, however, that the Palestinians are fully aware of the fact that the presence of Jewish settlers in the West Bank "was meant to torpedo the Palestinian hope for statehood and independence." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/7/1998 - Sudanese student unrest as Addis Ababa peace talks see progress
Students at Khartoum University renewed their demonstrations yesterday, in protest over the killing of a student under ambiguous circumstances after severe clashes took place between 2,000 student demonstrators and security forces. Sudan, Politics, 8/7/1998 - Postponing the approval for new Egyptian parties
The consultation council, the authority that has the right to give permission for parties to start their activities, refused requests from five parties on the grounds that nothing distinguished their programs from the other 14 parties that are authorized to do political work. Egypt, Politics, 8/7/1998 - U.N. experts praise political alternation in Morocco
The progress made by Morocco will enable it to emerge as a model for the countries of the region, they said. Morocco, Politics, 8/7/1998 - Jordanian envoy arrives in Morocco Morocco-Jordan, Politics, 8/7/1998
- Italian - Tunisian high joint committee meets
Tunisian Minister for Foreign Affairs Said Bin Mustafa left for Rome on Wednesday, in an official visit lasting for two days, in which he will with his Italian counterpart Lamberto Dini, head the meeting of the third session of the Italian - Tunisian high joint committee. Tunisia-Italy, Politics, 8/7/1998 - Palestinian calls for courageous US voice before time runs out
The permanent Palestinian deputy at the Arab League, Mohamed Sobieh, confirmed that the last round of Palestinian - Israeli negotiations did not achieve any progress, as he Israel did not show any flexibility toward the US initiative and presented old ideas already refused by the Palestinian government and which do not cope with the recent US initiative. Palestine, Politics, 8/7/1998 - Arab Interior Ministers Council to meet in Jordan next January Regional, Politics, 8/7/1998
- Srour heads Egyptian delegation to international parliament in Moscow Egypt-Regional, Politics, 8/7/1998
- Iraq: We have no more patience with the sanctions
Iraq asked Butler "Are you prepared to inform the Security Council that Iraq has entirely disposed of all the weapons prohibited.. in the three areas (missiles, chemical, biological), or have you tangible proof to the contrary?" Iraq-UN, Politics, 8/6/1998 - Kuwait allows residence for Iraqi husbands of Kuwaiti women
Kuwaiti sources said Kuwait will allow Iraqi people who are relatives of Kuwaitis and those whose files are clear with security fronts in Kuwait to enter Kuwait and reside there. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 8/6/1998 - Saudi-Iranian relations highlighted
Speaking about the development of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia the Iranian President said, "The good standing relations between Tehran and Riyadh" would have in the future good effects on the Middle East and the Islamic world Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 8/6/1998 - Emir of Qatar in Algeria
A round of official talks was held in Algiers today between ruler of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani and the Algerian President Liamine Zeroual. Algeria-Qatar, Politics, 8/6/1998 - Italy denies that Morocco asked for assistance to accept return of illegal immigrants
Some Italian press bodies reported that Morocco requested Italian economic assistance equivalent to the amount currently negotiated with Tunisia to accept the return of its illegal immigrants. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 8/6/1998 - Saudi Arabia evacuates 750,000 foreign workers
The Saudi daily al-Riyadh issued on Wednesday reported that the Saudi authorities have expelled more than 750,000 foreign workers who violated laws pertaining to the length of their stay in the kingdom following the expiration of the grace period in October, 1997. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 8/6/1998 - Middle East peace impasse frustrates Washington's actions towards Iraq
The Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot on Wednesday quoted the advisor of the US President for national security, Sandy Berger, as saying that the impasse in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians undermines the US in dealing with the current crisis with Iraq. Regional-Israel-USA, Politics, 8/6/1998 - Kuwait and Saudi Arabia may back a third round of oil cuts
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia may back a third round of oil cuts even ahead of Opec's November meeting if world oil prices are still low in late September. Saudi Arabia-Kuwait, Politics, 8/6/1998 - Barzani and Talabani confirm to Cairo refusal of any plan to divide Iraq
The leaders of the two major Iraqi Kurdish parties, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's Jalal Talabani and Kurdish Democratic Party's Masoud Barzani, emphasized Iarqi national unity and their refusal to participate in any plan aimed at harming Iraq Iraq-Egypt, Politics, 8/6/1998 - Japan calls for salvaging Middle East peace
Japan has underlined the importance of salvaging the Middle East peace process from its current impasse. Following his meeting with Lebanese Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz, the Japanese ambassador in Beirut said that his country is exerting efforts to find a solution to establishing peace in the region. Lebanon, Politics, 8/6/1998 - Crown Prince Hassan - internal sectors' cooperation Jordan, Politics, 8/6/1998
- Sudan - peace talks Sudan, Politics, 8/6/1998
- Ashrawi resigns Palestine, Politics, 8/6/1998
- Arab League praises Algerian cooperation with fact-finding delegation Algeria-Regional, Politics, 8/6/1998
- Palestinian President to visit South Africa Palestine-South Africa, Politics, 8/6/1998
- Morocco denounces NGO's allegations on Sahara
Morocco's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Nacer Benjelloun-Touimi, told Tuesday the 50th session of the U.N. Human Rights sub-commission that the NGO, "Centre Europe-Tiers Monde" (CETIM) spoke of the Sahara issue, while it totally ignores the various technical aspects of the issue. Morocco-UN, Politics, 8/6/1998 - Morocco presents periodic report to U.N. racial discrimination committee
Morocco will present this Thursday and Friday its 12th and 13th periodic reports to the 53rd session of the U.N. Committee for the elimination of racial discrimination. Morocco-UN, Politics, 8/6/1998 - Morocco will endeavor without respite to retrieve two Spanish-occupied cities
Morocco will endeavor without respite to retrieve Sebta and Mellilia (two northern Moroccan cities still under Spanish control), Moroccan Delegate Minister in Charge of the Maghreb and the Arab and Islamic Worlds said. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 8/6/1998 - Egypt calls for halt to Kosovo violence
Sources in the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that Egypt is anxiously following up on the escalation of violent actions in which innocent civilians and unarmed inhabitants in Kosovo are victimized. Egypt-Bosnia, Politics, 8/6/1998 - Israel treated Egyptian prisoners of 1973 war badly Egypt-Israel, Politics, 8/6/1998
- Kuwaiti information minister winds up successful visit to Syria
Kuwaiti Information Minister Youssef Sumait left Damascus on Wednesday following a three-day official visit to Syria. In a pre-departure statement he said: "We have benefited from the Syrian information expertise and I discussed with Dr. Salman ways of developing bilateral cooperation in the field of TV programs and performance and in mutual literary and cultural works." Kuwait-Syria, Politics, 8/6/1998 - Iraq to cut-off Butler talks
US's Crowley today added that the US will wait for Butler's report to be submitted to the UN Security Council before making judgment, describing the Iraqi action as "bluster" and "a clear violation of the memorandum of understanding" and that the US "will watch Iraqi actions and not their words." Iraq, Politics, 8/5/1998 - Tehran for establishing an Islamic Parliamentary Union
Iran's representative office in Cairo on Tuesday said that Iranian parliamentarian and member of the Iranian Shoura council Hijatul Islam Taha Hashami is on a visit to Egypt since Saturday. The office added that the visit aims at establishing an Islamic Parliamentary Union. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 8/5/1998 - U.N. panel ends visit to Algeria
Algerian sources told ArabicNews.com that the UN delegation that recently completed a fact-finding mission to Algeria received hundreds of files about missing persons before its departure from the bureau of lawyer Mohammed Taheri, who is near to the outlawed Islamic Salvation Front. Among these files was the file of the second leader in the front, Sheikh Ali Ben Hag. Algeria, Politics, 8/5/1998 - Sahrawi state seems only alternative for Algeria
The Moroccan Minister of Environment, Urbanism and Housing said that Algerian officials act as if they will accept no solution to the Sahara issue other than the establishment of a state in the region. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/5/1998 - Egypt seeks to hold comprehensive Arab summit
Moreover El-Baz confirmed Egypt's wish that such a summit conference would achieve greatest amount of advantage for the Arab position toward the peace process and for Arab strategic benefit. Egypt, Politics, 8/5/1998 - Australian expert kidnapped as Sudanese negotiations begin
A new round of peace negotiations started on Tuesday between the Sudanese government and southern Sudan rebellions at the headquarters of IFAD in Addis Ababa. Sudan, Politics, 8/5/1998 - Prince Hassan to visit Israel
Member of the Israeli Knesset Yossi Sarid and Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan have agreed that latter will visit Israel soon and take part in a peaceful march in Tel Aviv. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 8/5/1998 - Son of Saudi crown prince visits Iran
Prince Turki Bin Abdallah, the son of the Saudi Crown Prince Abdallah Bin Abdul Aziz, headed to Tehran the last night to hold talks with Iranian leaders. Mohammed Ali Abtahy, the Iranian president's office director, will receive the Saudi prince. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 8/5/1998 - Arab League chief backs Libya, assassination plan reported
Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid stated that the Libyan position concerning the Lockerbie incident is based on the principles of international law and justice. Libya-Regional-UK, Politics, 8/5/1998 - Italy for settling immigration issues with Tunisia Tunisia-Italy, Politics, 8/5/1998
- Saudi - Yemeni joint committee meets on border issues Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 8/5/1998
- Qatar - amnesty Qatar, Politics, 8/5/1998
- Jordan - water Jordan, Politics, 8/5/1998
- Libyan President Eritrea' s ministerial delegation
Libyan President Col. Moammar Gaddafi on Monday night received a delegation of Eritrean ministers comprising the ministers of trade, industry, energy, mining, education, health, communications and finance. Libya-Eritrea, Politics, 8/5/1998 - King Fahd in good health condition Saudi Arabia, Politics, 8/5/1998
- Lebanese President, Premier confer with UN official Lebanon-UN, Politics, 8/5/1998
- Jordanian minister of energy warns of Israeli nuclear program Jordan, Politics, 8/5/1998
- Euro-Mediterranean meeting on immigration to be in Morocco
"The meeting will provide an opportunity for Euro-Mediterranean dialogue to reflect on the situation of immigrants and their human rights," Aujjar said. Morocco-Maghreb, Politics, 8/5/1998 - Jordanian foreign minister to visit Iran on Saturday
Jordan stated that its foreign minister and deputy prime minister, Jawad al-Anani, will travel to Iran on Saturday to work on developing the relations between the two countries, which returned rapidly to normal, said Jordanian sources. Jordan-Iran, Politics, 8/5/1998 - Butler ends Iraqi visit
UN inspection commitee chairman Richard Buttler finished his vissit to Iraq ahead of its scheduled end citing problems in resolving the outstanding issues with Iraqi officials. Iraq-UN, Politics, 8/4/1998 - El-Baz: Egypt expects new US peace initiative
The Egyptian president's political advisor, Osama El-Baz, said that Cairo expects the U.S. to announce a new peace initiative on August 10. Egypt-Regional-USA, Politics, 8/4/1998 - Morocco gets high praise for its democratic ways from US Congress
The Congressmen who pointed out that "Morocco's commitment to democracy and human rights is an example for the region," noted that the Kingdom "was last year the first nation in the region where opposition parties came to power freely and peacefully through popular elections." Morocco-USA, Politics, 8/4/1998 - Qatari emir in Algeria today deals with regional issues
Sources close to the Qatari ruler told ArabicNews.com that Sheikh Hamad will pay special concern to the crisis between Algeria, Sudan and Iran, as he previously tackled this issue with Sudanese officials Qatar-Algeria, Politics, 8/4/1998 - Death of opposition member in Manama causes riots, gas station fire bombed
a photo of the corpse of an opposition member who was killed due to torture by security men in Bahrain caused disturbances in Manama. The opposition said that he was arrested a month ago by security forces and killed by torture. Bahrain, Politics, 8/4/1998 - Sudanese government announces unilateral ceasefire
The Sudanese government on Monday announced a comprehensive unilateral ceasefire in all provinces of Southern Sudan as of today, which marks the beginning of peace negotiations between the Sudanese government and rebel factions in Addis Ababa. Sudan, Politics, 8/4/1998 - Attackers of Odai Saddam Hussein arrested
Baghdad announced yesterday that persons who tried to assassinate Odai Saddam Hussein, the eldest son of the Iraqi president, in December 1996 were arrested. Iraq, Politics, 8/4/1998 - UN delegation ends work today in Algeria
The United Nations fact-finding committee concluded its meetings today in Algeria and will now deliver a report to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, detailing the information gathered by the committee concerning terrorism in Algeria. Algeria, Politics, 8/4/1998 - Erekat: Israeli negotiators playing games
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, asked the Palestinian government to stop threatening to halt negotiations with Israel as long as they are serious. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/4/1998 - Algeria regrets UN Human Rights Committee's report
Algeria on Monday regretted a U.N. report over the human rights conditions in Algiers, describing it as an unprecedented act that contains allegations which were not based on facts. Algeria, Politics, 8/4/1998 - A donation from the EU to Sudan
The EU's Europe Committee was quoted as saying that the aid will help finance the activities of the UN World Food Program and other humanitarian organizations working to providr food to thousands of Sudanese citizens who have been threatened by starvation in southern Sudan. Sudan-European Union, Politics, 8/4/1998 - South Africa to establish diplomatic ties with Iraq Iraq-South Africa, Politics, 8/4/1998
- U.N. mission identified 83,310 would-be voters in Sahara referendum
The U.N. mission for the referendum in the Sahara (MINURSO) has identified since last December 3 some 83,310 would-be voters in the referendum that the U.N. plans to hold in the area. Morocco, Politics, 8/4/1998 - Arafat to name new government tomorrow Palestine, Politics, 8/4/1998
- EU stresses peace and economic support to the region
The Austrian ambassador in Amman, Philip Huse, whose country is currently holding the European Union presidency said on Monday that his country will effectively seek to support the Middle East peace process. Regional-European Union, Politics, 8/4/1998 - Kuwaiti information minister in Damascus
Syrian Information Minister Muhammad Salman on Monday held talks with his Kuwaiti counterpart Youssef Sumait. The talks dealt with bilateral information relations and other issues of mutual concern. Syria-Kuwait, Politics, 8/4/1998 - Talks resume, no promise seen
Palestinian president Yasser Arafat told reporters in Gaza upon his return from Morocco that no progress whatsoever was achieved in the committee talks with Israel and that peace process is stalled at a situation of impasse Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/3/1998 - Moussa criticizes US over Egyptian missiles Egypt-USA, Politics, 8/3/1998
- Erekat threatens to halt negotiations if Israel continues to waste time
Erekat urged the U.S. to place real pressure on the Israeli government to move the peace process forward, adding that the Palestinians will halt their talks with Israel unless progress takes place. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/3/1998 - El-Baz: Egypt will move on peace conference soon halt after of negotiations
President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt's political advisor, Osama el-Baz on Sunday stressed that President Mubarak is currently making intensive contacts with Arab presidents and kings to convene an Arab summit. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 8/3/1998 - Aziz meeting Butler today, after spying accusations
UNSCOM chief Richard Butler is meeting today with Tariq Aziz, the Iraqi first deputy prime minister, as part of a four-day visit. Iraq-UN, Politics, 8/3/1998 - Yemeni president denies Gulf War support for Iraq Yemen, Politics, 8/3/1998
- Egyptian consultation council head: No religious discrimiation in Egypt
The head of the Egyptian consultation council, Mostafa Kamal Helmi, said that the claims of some western circles concerning discrimination between Egypt's Moslems and Coptics are invalid and have nothing to do with truth. Egypt, Politics, 8/3/1998 - Oman will reopen its embassy in Lebanon this week Oman-Lebanon, Politics, 8/3/1998
- Russian foreign minister to the area next month Regional-Russia, Politics, 8/3/1998
- Arab Journalists deal with politics and professional issues
The Union deplored in this respect the recession of the freedom of speech in the Arab world and the political and legislative obstacles against the press and journalists as well as the heavy sanctions inflicted on newsmen in some Arab countries. Regional, Politics, 8/3/1998 - Iranian, UAE relations highlighted Jordan-Iran, Politics, 8/3/1998
- One mine for every person in Kuwait
Kuwait, is the most heavily land mined country in the world when considering its small population. The study said that the mines left by Iraq which amounted to 92.4 mines per kilometer equals 1.1 mine per person. Kuwait, Politics, 8/3/1998 - Tunisian ruling party backs Maghreban integration efforts
The RCD, which closed Sunday its third convention, said it backs Tunisia's efforts geared towards the consolidation of the Arab Maghreb Union, which groups Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania. Tunisia, Politics, 8/3/1998 - Eritrea backs Libyan initiative in border dispute
Addressing Eritreans living in Libya, the minister of industry and trade reaffirmed his government's support for the Libyan peace initiative saying it constituted a solid basis for the global settlement of the dispute. Libya-Eritrea, Politics, 8/3/1998 - Khartoum expects violence before Addis Ababa negotiations
before the start of negotiations between the government and the opposition, the Sudanese opposition began to take new territorial areas and to stir up disturbances aimed at improving its position in the negotiations, which will begin on Tuesday in Addis Ababa Sudan, Politics, 8/3/1998 - US seeks better use of funds for Iraqi opposition Iraq-USA, Politics, 8/3/1998
- Iraq denies criticizing claimed Syrian - British maneuvers
In its recent issue, the Jordanian daily al-Majd said that the Iraqi ambassador to Jordan, Nouri Louis, stressed that the Iraqi embassy in Amman and the Iraqi government in Baghdad had no connection with the political statement released two weeks earlier by the Jordanian Baath party organization. Iraq-Syria, Politics, 8/3/1998 - Saudi prince to visit Iran Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 8/3/1998
- Ruler of Qatar to visit Algeria
Ruler of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani tomorrow will pay a two-day official visit to Algeria. A spokesman for the Algerian Foreign Ministry said today that the visit of Qatar's emir is in reply to the visit made several months earlier by the Algerian President to Qatar. Algeria-Qatar, Politics, 8/3/1998 - Bahrian weapons law Bahrain, Politics, 8/3/1998
- Iran - Khatami anniversary Iran, Politics, 8/3/1998
- King Hussein to return to Jordan within two weeks.
Jordanian sources expected that King Hussien will return to Jordan within two weeks after he has received the second part of his chemotherapy treatment at the US Mayo Clinic for his lymphoma. Jordan, Politics, 8/3/1998 - El-Fasy: We cannot accept Spanish occupation of Moroccan land
Abbase El-Fasy, the secretary general of the Moroccan Independence Party which is a member of Morocco's coalition government, announced the opposition of his country to the continuous Spanish occupation of Sebta and Melila in the north. Morocco, Politics, 8/3/1998 - Jerusalem Mufti praises Jerusalem resolutions, Arafat more guarded
The Mufti of Jerusalem, Shiekh Ikermeh Sabri, has described the outcomes of Jerusalem committee's meetings that concluded last Thursday under the leadership of Moroccan monarch King Hassan II as positive and promising. Palestine, Politics, 8/3/1998 - Algerian parliamentarians oppose intervention in Algerian internal affairs
Some 100 members in the Algerian Parliament signed a memorandum condemning attempts aiming at undermining the Algerian state's institutions. Algeria-UN, Politics, 8/3/1998 - Syrian PNF reviews Middle East developments
The PNF members listened to a report given by Syrian Premier Mahmoud al-Zou'bi, dealing with Syria's economic conditions, especially regarding mineral resources and the agricultural sector. Syria, Politics, 8/3/1998 - Palestinians, Israelis to discuss police cooperation
The Israel Meretz movement announced that the movement's chairman, Yossi Sarid, will visit Amman tomorrow to meet with Jordan's crown prince. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/3/1998