Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 8/10/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of August 10, 1998
- Sudan opposition meeting starts today
The Sudanese government criticized Egypt in protest against the meeting of the Sudanese opposition factions in Cairo. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 8/15/1998 - Iraq: Butler is an agent of US policy
The United Nations secretary-general's envoy to Iraq, Prakash Shah, is to hold more talks today with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz. Iraq-UN, Politics, 8/15/1998 - Islamic Group to announce stance toward US embassies attacks
Sources close to the Islamic Group in Egypt said yesterday that the group will soon announce its position towards the two bomb attacks last week against the US embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. Egypt, Politics, 8/15/1998 - Arafat says recent negotiations with Israel were fruitless
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat informed on Friday members of his government and the PLO executive committee that the recent negotiations with Israel were fruitless. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/15/1998 - Iraqi - Syrian cooperation to confront Turkey
Iraqi Minister of Irrigation Mohammed Diab El-Ahmed today told ArabicNews.com that a Syrian delegation will visit Iraq next month to discuss the crisis over Euphrates water with Turkey, coordination between Syria and Iraq in addressing the water issue before the Arab foreign ministers at a meeting in September. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 8/15/1998 - Iran calls on Jordan to close Mojahidin Khalq bureau
Jordanian official sources told ArabicNews.com today that the Iranian Foreign Ministry called on Jordan to close the bureau of the Iranian opposition Mojahidin Khalq movement in Amman, to help develop the relations between the two countries. Jordan-Iran, Politics, 8/15/1998 - AL condemns Israeli settlement expansion in the Golan
The Arab League has strongly condemned the decision of the Israeli government to expand settlements in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. Syria-Regional, Politics, 8/15/1998 - Saudi Arabia, Yemen conclude 11th demarcation session Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 8/15/1998
- Tolerance prize goes to Susan Mubarak Egypt, Politics, 8/15/1998
- Bajmal to visit Muscat on Tuesday
Yemen's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Abdul-Qader Bajmal, will began a visit to Oman starting on Tuesday carrying a message from Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh to Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Yemen-Oman, Politics, 8/15/1998 - Moroccan and Spanish interior ministers meet in Tangiers
The Moroccan and Spanish interior ministers, Driss Basri and Jaime Mayor Oreja, held in Tangiers on Thursday a work session. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 8/15/1998 - King Meets Former Spanish Premier Morocco-Spain, Politics, 8/15/1998
- U.S. fed up with Netanyahu, Palestine expects US initiative to be public
Palestine National Authority sources said Friday that after US President Bill Clinton testifies on the Monica Lewinsky affair on Monday, he will have more time to spend on international affairs. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/14/1998 - King Hussein reiterates confidence in al-Majali's government
King Hussein of Jordan has reiterated his confidence in Prime Minister Abdul Salam al-Majali, despite the wave of criticism and pressure by the Jordanian press, people, trade unions and party activists due to the polluted water question in Jordan. Jordan, Politics, 8/14/1998 - Netanyahu prevents Palestinian clergy from getting into Akka
Jerusalem bishop for the Greek-Catholic Church in exile, Helarione Kappucci, said that Israeli Premier Netanyahu prevented Archbishop Butrous al-Muallim from getting into occupied Palestine in order to acquire his post in Akka's patriarchy in Galilee. Palestine-Israel-Vatican, Politics, 8/14/1998 - Iraq threatens legal action if Turkey continues building river dams
The Iraqi government threatened yesterday to try Turkey if the latter continues with its plans to build dams on the Degla and Euphrates rivers, as these dams could affect the flow of water to Iraq and Syria. Iraq, Politics, 8/14/1998 - Ethiopia denies reports that Egypt sends military aid to Eritrea
In press statements, Ethiopian spokeswoman Salomi Tadiss described Egyptian - Ethiopian relations as very good, referring to the effective and positive role of Egypt in efforts to solve the Eritrean - Ethiopian dispute peacefully. Egypt-Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 8/14/1998 - Yemeni Socialist Party getting ready for its fourth conference
The preparatory committee for the fourth general conference of the Yemeni Socialist Party, decided to determine a date for convening the conference during its meeting, setting the date for the conference in the second half of the current month. Yemen, Politics, 8/14/1998 - Some 11 civilians killed in Algeria Algeria, Politics, 8/14/1998
- Egyptian Consultation Council calls for conference on terrorism
The Arab Affairs Committee in the Egyptian Consultation Council under the leadership of Said El-Dakad called yesterday for the convening of an international conference on terrorism in order to discuss how to treat this problem Egypt, Politics, 8/14/1998 - Turkish president to visit Jordan before year's end
The Turkish ambassador in Amman, Suha Omar announced yesterday that Turkish President Suleyman Demirel is going to pay a visit to Jordan in October or November. Jordan-Turkey, Politics, 8/14/1998 - Spanish government supports improving immigrants living conditions
The Spanish government and opposition agreed on reforming a law to improve the stay and work conditions of immigrants in Spain, a Spanish daily reports. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 8/14/1998 - Lebanon opens its embassy in Baghdad Lebanon-Iraq, Politics, 8/14/1998
- Syrian Parliament speaker confers with member of Jordanian parliament Syria-Jordan, Politics, 8/14/1998
- Bomb explosion in West Algeria resort
Eyewitnesses said that a bomb exploded at a coastal resort in Seidi Faraj, 27 km west of the Algerian capital, Algiers. Algeria, Politics, 8/14/1998 - A message from Prince Hassan to Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday received the Jordanian Minister of Trade and Industry Hani Mulki and discussed with him the Middle Esat peace process. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 8/14/1998 - Libya, Benin for boosting bilateral relations Libya-Benin, Politics, 8/14/1998
- Iraq expects division in its favor inside UN Iraq-UN, Politics, 8/14/1998
- Preparations for non-aligned summit conference Regional-Egypt-India, Politics, 8/14/1998
- US Pentagon: Iraqi problem is UN issue
Commenting today about the UN official's trip to Iraq, U.S. Pentagon spokesman Kenneth Bacon said, "This is an issue for the UN to resolve." The UN "has to decide how to enforce the agreement" Annan negotiated with Iraq. Iraq-UN, Politics, 8/13/1998 - Mubarak stresses Sudan's unity as Sudan considers negotiations
During his meeting with a delegation representing the Democratic National Alliance on Wednesday in Alexandria, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt stressed the importance of maintaining a united Sudan. He called for observing a full cease fire. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 8/13/1998 - Islamist leader killed in Algeria
Algerian dailies reported on Wednesday that security forces killed on Tuesday the "prince" of the Armed Islamic Group in eastern Algeria, Alami Hamou -- known as Zein Eddine -- in Qusantinah. Algeria, Politics, 8/13/1998 - Yemeni government approves draft law on allowing demonstrations
In its weekly meeting under the leadership of Yemeni Prime Minister Abdul Karim al-Iryani, the Yemeni government approved yesterday of a draft law on organizing demonstrations, marches and gatherings, after which the law was presented to the Yemeni parliament for its discussion and ratification. Yemen, Politics, 8/13/1998 - Arafat: the US should sanction Israel as it did racist South Africa
President Arafat stressed the need to bolster his country's relations with South Africa and pledged to encourage Palestinian entrepreneurs to do business with South Africans in the sectors of industry, agriculture, services, air transport and tourism. Palestine-South Africa, Politics, 8/13/1998 - Syrian defense minister visits troops in Lebanon
At the directive of President Hafez al-Assad, Syrian Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mustafa Tlass and high-ranking army officers on Wednesday visited one of the Syrian contingents working in Lebanon. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 8/13/1998 - Religious Jews against withdrwal
An important sector of the ultra-orthodox Jewish community has decided to take to the streets in protest against what they describe as Israel's intention to carry out the second phase redeployment of its troops in the West Bank. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/13/1998 - Tunisian, Libyan relations consolidating
Tunisian Prime Minister Hamid Karoui on Wednesday concluded a one-day official visit to Libya. He met with Libyan President Moammar Gaddafi and delivered a message from Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali. Tunisia-Libya, Politics, 8/13/1998 - Hizbullah chief meets with Phalanges Party officials
Secretary General of the Hizbullah Party on Wednesday met with a delegation representing the Lebanese Phanalagists Party. Lebanon, Politics, 8/13/1998 - IAEA says Iraqi restrictions hinder investigations Iraq-UN, Politics, 8/13/1998
- Qatari emir visits King Hussein Qatar-Jordan, Politics, 8/13/1998
- Sudan - Jordan relations Jordan-Sudan, Politics, 8/13/1998
- Settlement construction exceeds natural growth
Israel's settlement policy and the increase in construction work on the West Bank's Jewish settlements exceed the figures of natural growth that the Israeli government claims, a Peace Now fact-finding delegation concluded after a thorough study the group conducted recently. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/13/1998 - Current Mideast situation is a disgrace, says German chancellor Regional-Germany, Politics, 8/13/1998
- U.S. backs congressional call for reinforcement of ties with Morocco
The U.S government has expressed its backing to the congressional call for the consolidation of Moroccan-U.S ties and said it supports strong U.S-Moroccan relations. Morocco-USA, Politics, 8/13/1998 - US embassy in Cairo is open Egypt-USA, Politics, 8/13/1998
- Sudan confirms stability of security affairs Sudan-USA, Politics, 8/13/1998
- Germany rejects to impose dumping duties on Egyptian exports
Peter Micheal Dingtiz, the German ambassador in Cairo, confirmed that Egypt is one of the most important trading partners for Germany in the Arab region and that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries is on the increase. Egypt-Germany, Politics, 8/13/1998 - Mordechai visits Jerusalem Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/13/1998
- Iran wants to improve relations with Arab world Jordan-Iran, Politics, 8/13/1998
- Yeltsin due to visit Cairo at the beginning of the coming year Egypt-Russia, Politics, 8/12/1998
- Jordan signs landmine ban treaty Jordan, Politics, 8/12/1998
- A message from UN chief to Iraq
UN sources in Baghdad on Tuesday said that the UN special delegate Prakash Shah will arrive in Baghdad tomorrow. In Lisbon, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan announced in conclusion of his meeting with the Portuguese foreign minister that he delivered his special envoy a message to the Iraqi authorities. Iraq-UN, Politics, 8/12/1998 - Sudan denies involvement in embassies attack, Arab leaders condemn the act
the Tunisian President denounced the bombings which target innocent civilians. He described them as ugly terrorist acts which violate simplest human values. Regional-Tunisia, Politics, 8/12/1998 - Sudanese opposition postpones meeting
The Sudanese opposition has announced postponement of the leadership meeting of the "Democratic National Assembly." The coalition comprises rebels from southern Sudan and opposition parties from the north. Sudan, Politics, 8/12/1998 - Weddings fill in vacuum of lack of Palestinian - Israeli action
Palestinian and Israeli officials alike have proved that social events can sometimes replace stalemated talks. According to press reports appearing on Wednesday, former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres received information on a thwarted Hamas bombing attack from a senior officer in the Palestinian intelligence force in the West Bank at such an event. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/12/1998 - Ramification of latest resignation may cause government downfall
A well-informed Jordanian official told ArabicNews.com that the Jordanian government is about to resign soon, in order to put an end to a series of crises that "took place" since the government assumed power, the most recent of which was the crisis over drinking water pollution in Amman. Jordan, Politics, 8/12/1998 - Defaming Morocco falsely causes Italian press retraction
An Italian daily published Tuesday a clarification note from Morocco's embassy in Rome regarding a story quoting a Moroccan illegal emigrant as saying that she would be facing death if she returned to Morocco. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 8/12/1998 - King Hassan receives Saudi ambassador to Washington
King Hassan II held Tuesday tete-a-tete talks with Prince Bandar Ben Soltan, Saudi ambassador to Washington, who is currently on a private visit to Morocco. Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 8/12/1998 - Arab meeting will discuss program for international criminal court
A regional meeting will be held at Arab League headquarters at the beginning of September to study the main system of the international criminal court. Regional, Politics, 8/12/1998 - Talibani - Iran, Turkey Iraq-Iran, Politics, 8/12/1998
- Israeli left set up their own radio
Israeli left-wing activists have decided to set up a pirate radio station that would counter the campaign of Jewish settlers' radio, Channel 7. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/12/1998 - Moussa receives report on European - Mediterranean ministerial conference
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa received a detailed report from Fathi El-Shazeli, Egypt's assistant foreign minister for European affairs, that deals with the outcomes of talks held with officials in both Italy and Germany. Egypt-European Union, Politics, 8/12/1998 - Indian assistant foreign minister delegation in Egypt Egypt-India, Politics, 8/12/1998
- Khartoum and Addis Ababa agree on return of Sudanese refugees
Informed Sudanese sources said that a high-level Sudanese official succeeded in reaching an agreement with the Ethiopian authorities, to return the Sudanese refugees who live in Ethiopia. Sudan-Ethiopia, Politics, 8/12/1998 - Australia backs Lebanon
The Australian ambassador to Lebanon has stressed his country's support for the implementation of UN resolution 425 providing for Israel's unconditional withdrawal from south Lebanon. Lebanon-Australia, Politics, 8/12/1998 - Arab League: Remove Libyan sanctions until guilt is established
Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid, sent two messages to the head of the UN Security Council, Sergei Lavrov, and to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan in which he asks for the sanctions imposed on Libya to be lifted. Libya-Regional-UN, Politics, 8/11/1998 - Egypt denies presenting initiative to solve Eritrean - Ethiopian dispute Egypt-Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 8/11/1998
- Israel's nuclear program: the art of saying yes and no together
Israel said Tuesday it would accept the establishment of a committee with which it can negotiate the terms to halt the production of fissionable material for military use but refused to commit itself in advance to allowing international inspection of its maximum security nuclear reactor at Dimona. Israel-UN, Politics, 8/11/1998 - Moussa pays sudden visit to Saudi Arabia
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa returned to Cairo yesterday evening, after a sudden visit to Saudi Arabia, which lasted for several hours, in which he held discussions with Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal. Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 8/11/1998 - King Hassan receives U.S. Congressmen
King Hassan II received Monday at the Royal palace of Skhirat (near Rabat) a group of U.S. congressmen led by Harold Rogers, a Republican representative from Kentucky. Morocco-USA, Politics, 8/11/1998 - King Hassan condemns U.S. embassies bombings
"We firmly condemn this barbarous act and we share your pain and that of the friendly American people"', added the Moroccan monarch, expressing sympathy and solidarity with the families of the victims. Morocco-USA, Politics, 8/11/1998 - Sudanese opposition begins Cairo meeting
Meetings of the higher leadership of the Sudanese opposition start tonight at the headquarters of the Egyptian National Party. Sudan, Politics, 8/11/1998 - El-Baz: Israeli - Syrian negotiations should resume
President Mubarak's political advisor, Osama el-Baz, has asserted the need to resume negotiations on the Syrian track from the point at which they stopped and the need to carry out all obligations providing for a full Israeli withdrawal from Syria's occupied Golan. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 8/11/1998 - Iranian Interior Ministry says elections of municipal council will be held
Iranian Interior Minister Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari confirmed that an item in the constitution -- which was halted long ago -- will be implemented before the end of March 1999, specifying the election of municipal councils. Iran, Politics, 8/11/1998 - Turkish Premier to visit, Jordan, Israel, Palestinian territories in September Regional-Turkey, Politics, 8/11/1998
- Saudi - Yemeni demarcation committee meets Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 8/11/1998
- Arafat arrives in Cape Town
President Nelson Mandela of South Africa today invested his country's order of merit, excellent class, awarded to foreigners, to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Arafat, in return presented President Mandela with a medallion representing the Star of Holy Jerusalem. Palestine-South Africa, Politics, 8/11/1998 - New Jordan water minister named Jordan, Politics, 8/11/1998
- UAE sewage project United Arab Emirates, Politics, 8/11/1998
- UN - Algeria report Algeria-UN, Politics, 8/11/1998
- Iraq - Iran POWs Iraq-Iran, Politics, 8/11/1998
- Arab League supports Algeria against human rights organizations
The Arab League denounced what it called biased campaigns launched by some international non-governmental human rights organizations against Algeria. Algeria-Regional, Politics, 8/11/1998 - Final context for Gaddafi's Arab unity project coming in September
The work of the Arab committee authorized to study the project of the Arab Union, presented by Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi concluded. Regional, Politics, 8/11/1998 - Palestinian official criticizes Israel for barring Palestinian officials' entry
A Palestinian official has criticized the Israeli government's recent decision to ban a number of Palestinian figures from entering the West Bank and Gaza Strip, describing the move as an attempt to divert attention from the Mideast peace crisis. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/11/1998 - Moroccan-Algerian relations depend on psychological factors, official says
Relations between Morocco and Algeria depend more on "psychological factors" than on political ones, which can be identified clearly, said Moroccan communication Minister Larbi Messari. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/11/1998 - Moroccan and Egyptian heads of state important asset for bilateral cooperation
The friendship ties existing between King Hassan II of Morocco and Egyptian president Husni Mubarak are an important asset for the reinforcement of relations between the two countries, Moroccan Communication Minister Larbi Messari said. Morocco-Egypt, Politics, 8/11/1998 - Moussa to receive Garang on Thursday Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 8/11/1998
- Egypt - South Africa trade is $186 million
Dr. Orolish Rosh, the charge d'affairs in South Africa's embassy in Cairo, said that the joint ministerial committee between Egypt and South Africa will hold its third session on October 26. Egypt-South Africa, Politics, 8/11/1998 - Tunisian premier in Tripoli
Tunisian Prime Minister Hamed Karoui arrives today in Tripoli to meet with his Libyan counterpart Muhammad al-Manqoush to hold talks for strengthening "closeness and integration" between Tunisia and Libya. Tunisia-Libya, Politics, 8/11/1998 - Prince Abdullah presides over weekly Cabinet meeting Saudi Arabia, Politics, 8/11/1998
- Killings continue in Algeria Algeria, Politics, 8/11/1998
- Libyan-Chinese relations Libya-China, Politics, 8/11/1998
- Abdul Meguid: Butler exceeded his authority in Iraq
Iraq in its explanation of its suspension to the UN Security Council said that the work of the UN special commission has become "tendentious and political and had nothing to do with disarmament" Iraq-Regional-UN, Politics, 8/10/1998 - Libya awaits US and British position on Lockerbie
The Arab League confirmed that Libya has a tangible and a clear response toward the most recent developments in the US - Britain - Libya crisis. Libya-Regional-USA, Politics, 8/10/1998 - Bad water causes Jordanian minister of irrigation to resign
Jordanian Minister of Irrigation Munther Haddadine has left his ministerial post after problems with drinking water quality in some districts of the capital, Amman. Jordan, Politics, 8/10/1998 - Moslem Brotherhood group in Cairo condemns U.S. embassy bombings
The Moslem Brotherhood group in Cairo condemned yesterday the deadly attacks last Friday on US embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. Egypt-USA, Politics, 8/10/1998 - Garang visits Cairo
The spokesman for the Sudanese Pepole's Liberation Army's delegation to Cairo, Pajam Akoum Oking, said that the visit of SPLA leader John Garang aims at strengthening relations between Garang's movement and Egyptian officials Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 8/10/1998 - Amnesty International in Palestinian areas
Within the context of the Amnesty International organization's celebration of the 50th anniversary of the international declaration for human rights, the organization is concentrating its efforts and reinforcing its presence in a number of countries, including the Palestinian self-rule territories. Regional, Politics, 8/10/1998 - U.S. giving 3,800 visas to Egyptian citizens
Consular sources in the US embassy at Cairo said that they are giving 3,800 visas to Egyptian citizens annually for immigration. Egypt-USA, Politics, 8/10/1998 - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait reservations over Iraqi demand
At the conclusion of meetings of the legal committee affiliated to the Arab League, both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia announced reservations toward an item inserted by Iraq on economic sanctions and their effects on human rights in Arab states. Regional, Politics, 8/10/1998 - 100 million dinar agreement to support Italian - Tunisian partnership
Italy and Tunisia signed an economic partnership agreement for the fiscal year 1998/99 worth 100 million Tunisian dinars, concluding the works of the ministerial joint committee between the two countries. Tunisia-Italy, Politics, 8/10/1998 - Arafat in South Africa on Monday
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat is heading to South Africa in the middle of this week, at the invitation of South African President Nelson Mandela. Palestine-South Africa, Politics, 8/10/1998 - Berri criticizes Hariri's approach to Parliament Lebanon, Politics, 8/10/1998
- Jordan -Iran relations Jordan-Iran, Politics, 8/10/1998
- Identification operation would be meaningless if Moroccan Sahrawis deprived of right to be identified, house speaker says
Speaker of the chamber of representatives (lower house of the Moroccan bi-cameral parliament), Abdelouahed Radi, said that to deprive Moroccan Sahrawis from their right to be identified as would-be voters in the referendum the United Nations is planning to hold in the Moroccan southern provinces would render the operation meaningless. Morocco, Politics, 8/10/1998 - Egypt getting ready for Mediterranean ministerial conference
Fathi El-Shazeli, the Egyptian assistant foreign minister for European affairs, said after coming back from Italy and Germany that he discussed with officials in the German and Italian Foreign Ministries the issue of arrangements for the Mediterranean - European ministerial conference which is to be held in Stuttgart, Germany in April 1999. Egypt-Germany, Politics, 8/10/1998 - Mobile phone service resumes in Yemen Yemen, Politics, 8/10/1998