Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 8/17/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of August 17, 1998
- Ansar El-Shariha organization threatens reply to American military strikes
The Egyptian Islamic organization of Ansar El-Shariha in Cairo threatened yesterday to reply to the American military strikes against Sudan and Afghanistan. Egypt-USA, Politics, 8/22/1998 - Arab reaction to U.S. attacks on Afghanistan and Sudan sites
Hamas threatened the US and Israel, Iraq condemned the attack, Gaddafi supported Sudan and Iran thought that the US raids were related to Monica Lewinsky's testimony. Regional, Politics, 8/21/1998 - Arab League: US Missile strikes a threat to security in Mideast
The U.S. missile strikes against Sudan and Afghanistan are a "threat to security and stability" in the Middle East and do not put an end to the problem of international terrorism, said an Arab league official. Regional-USA, Politics, 8/21/1998 - Netanyahu aide: No permanent deal with Palestine, withdrawal from Syria's Golan possible
While Israel plays up the hope for a second phase withdrawal from occupied Palestinian land as called for in the Oslo agreement, it is closing hope on a "permanent" deal with the Palestinians. This, as Israel plays up hope for an Israeli withdrawal from Syria's occupied Golan Heights. Regional, Politics, 8/21/1998 - Syria, Iraq sign minutes of meeting to reopen Karkouk - Banias oil pipeline
Syria and Iraq on Thursday signed a joint minutes of meeting to resume operation of the oil pipeline linking the Iraqi Karkouk city to the Syrian Banias refinery. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 8/21/1998 - Mubarak urges Clinton to salvage Middle East peace
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Thursday sent a cable to President Bill Clinton, urging Washington to gear up its efforts for salvaging the Middle East peace process. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 8/21/1998 - Fundamental changes in Syrian-Lebanese relations
A Kuwaiti daily issued today quoted a high-ranking Lebanese political source as saying that the mechanism of Syrian-Lebanese relations will witness in the next phase a fundamental change, in that these relations will be monitored by the president in person. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 8/21/1998 - Annan denies intervention to settle new crisis in Iraq
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has denied refusing the US request to intervene in settling the new crisis with Iraq. Spokesman for the UN Fred Eckhard said Annan did not in any forum express the views attributed to him in this regard. Iraq-UN, Politics, 8/21/1998 - Arafat and Peres will arrive in Oslo soon, Netanyahu absent
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres will arrive in Norway on August 23 to participate in the celebration of the fifth anniversary of the peace agreements signed in Oslo. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/21/1998 - Khartoum clings to strong relations with Egypt
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael has asserted his country's care to improve relations with Egypt and to get its support. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 8/21/1998 - Sahara identification process will be completed in August
UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan said in his latest report on the Sahara issue "there are excellent prospects for completing in August 1998 the identification of applicants from all tribal groups and sub-factions, with the exception of (contested) groupings H41, H61 and J51/52." Morocco-West Sahara, Politics, 8/21/1998 - Italy seeks to increase legal immigration in cooperation with Morocco
Italian Minister of Interior Giorgio Napolitano said in Rabat on Wednesday that his country wishes to increase the flow of legal immigrants in cooperation with Morocco and other south Mediterranean countries. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 8/21/1998 - Washington denies intention to shut down its embassy in Beirut Lebanon-USA, Politics, 8/21/1998
- Lebanese Parliament speaker confers with Syrian Vice-President Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 8/21/1998
- President Mubarak meets ministers over US bombing of Sudan Egypt-Regional, Politics, 8/21/1998
- Garang due to visit Libya soon
The head of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army, John Garang, received an official invitation to visit Libya during the current month. Sudan-Libya, Politics, 8/21/1998 - African parliaments committee will not discuss terrorism until 1999 Regional-North Africa, Politics, 8/21/1998
- New Jordanian government sworn in Jordan, Politics, 8/21/1998
- Al-Tarawneh to form new Jordanian government
A royal decree was released in Amman on Wednesday that provides for accepting the resignation of the government of Abdul Salam al-Majali and assigning the chairman of the Jordanian Royal Court and former Foreign Minister Fayez al-Tarawneh to form the new Jordanian government. Jordan, Politics, 8/20/1998 - Annan to mediate Iraq - UN dispute as military option is hinted at
The spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday said the UN chief is ready now to discuss with the UN Security Council the possibility of his personal intervention in the dispute pertaining to the activities of the UN inspection team in Iraq. Iraq-UN, Politics, 8/20/1998 - Syrian report on Israel's violation of human rights in the Golan
The report cited as evidence a special report by international institutions on the dumping of 53 tonnes of nuclear waste near borders with neighboring Arab countries. He noted that such practices will lead to an environmental catastrophe in the Middle East. Syria-Regional, Politics, 8/20/1998 - No meeting held between Moroccan premier and Algerian counterpart
Morocco denied on Wednesday that Moroccan premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, had met lately in Oran his Algerian peer, Ahmed Ouayahia, as reported by an Algerian daily. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/20/1998 - Death rate of Sudan famine victims down to 15 cases daily
The Sudanese minister of state at the Ministry of Social Planning, Hassan Osman Dahwa, announced yesterday that the rate of Sudanese coming from the "rebel regions" to Wau city in south Sudan to seek humanitarian aid has tapered to approximately 150 persons daily. Sudan, Politics, 8/20/1998 - Moussa due to visit South Africa
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa held communications during the recent days with his South African counterpart, which addressed the foreign ministers' preparatory meetings for the Non-Aligned Movement summit within the context of Egyptian ideas which will be raised during the movement's meetings that will begin on August 30. Egypt-North Africa-South Africa, Politics, 8/20/1998 - US kept advance intelligence information on Iran from Israel
Unlike in the past, the US lately did not provide Israel with advance intelligence information about Iran's intention to test its medium-range Shehab missile last month, Israeli sources said Wednesday. Israel-Iran-USA, Politics, 8/20/1998 - Mauritanian party denies backing Polisario
Secretary-General of the Mauritanian party "Union of Democratic Forces-New Era," Ahmed Ould Daddah, denied on Wednesday that his party has extended any support to the Polisario movement, which works for the independence of the Western Sahara from Morocco. Mauritania-West Sahara, Politics, 8/20/1998 - New Israeli settlement project in the Golan
The Israeli government continues its settlement policy in the Golan Heights in violation of international legitimacy resolutions and the land-for-peace formula. Syria, Politics, 8/20/1998 - Jordanian journalists appeal to Prince Hassan not to sign new press law
The Jordanian Journalists Union on Wednesday appealed Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan, who is acting on behalf of the King in running the Kingdom's affairs, not to ratify a new press draft bill approved by the Parliament on July 14 and ratified by the Jordanian al-Ayan council (upper house) last Monday. Jordan, Politics, 8/20/1998 - Emirates trains pilots in US United Arab Emirates, Politics, 8/20/1998
- Palestine arrests Islamic Jihad leader Palestine, Politics, 8/20/1998
- Palestinians have the right to declare their own state Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/20/1998
- OIC voices concern over situation in Afghanistan
The Organization of Islamic Conference "OIC" has expressed deep concern over the escalating armed conflict among warring factions in Afghanistan and voiced readiness to pursue efforts for the peaceful settlement of the Afghan conflict. Regional-Afghanistan, Politics, 8/20/1998 - Osama El-Baz: Israeli obstinacy will not last for long
Osama El-Baz, the advisor of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak for the political affairs stated during his meeting with Islamic girls in Alexandria that the Israeli government under Prime Minsiter Benjamin Netanyahu is following a policy very far from the peace process, causing great risk to the whole area. Egypt, Politics, 8/20/1998 - New Kuwaiti delegate at Arab League: Captives at the top of the agenda Kuwait, Politics, 8/20/1998
- Arafat frustrated by U.S. inaction
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat on Tuesday voiced frustration over the U.S. for its failure to push Israel to accept the U.S. peace proposal on advancing the peace process. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/19/1998 - Iraq urged Arab states to ignore sanctions, Kuwait successor warns of Iraq
Iraq has urged all neighboring countries, excluding Kuwait to ignore the embargo imposed on it and to resume full trade relations with it. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 8/19/1998 - Algerian presidency receives requests from missing persons' families
The Algerian presidency received a petition yesterday, including the requests of the families of missing persons, who want to learn the fate of their family members who were lost under strange circumstances. Algeria, Politics, 8/19/1998 - Iran receives Iraqi refugees
Iran started yesterday procedures to receive a new group of Iraqi refugees who have lived in the Saudi Rafha camp since 1991 and wanted to move to and live in Iran. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 8/19/1998 - Arab League to continue boycotting Israel
An official source at the Arab League has asserted that the Arab boycott of Israel is continuous and complete. Regional-Israel, Politics, 8/19/1998 - Gulf Cooperation Council and EU discuss joint meeting of foreign ministers
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jamil Hujailan discussed with Austria's charge d'affaires in Riyadh Frederic Stivet, whose country is holding the rotating EU presidency, the needed steps to establish a common free trade zone and boosting bilateral commercial ties. Gulf-European Union, Politics, 8/19/1998 - UAE displeased with Iran
A source close to the United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministry said the UAE has summoned an Iranian diplomat and conveyed to him its regret over an Iranian television report involving the UAE's name in a drug-trafficking case carried out by Taleban Islamic movement. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 8/19/1998 - King Hassan grants pardon to 984 prisoners
King Hassan II of Morocco granted free pardon to 984 prisoners on the occasion of the Revolution of the King and the People, which marks the forced exile by French colonial authorities of the late King Mohammed V. Morocco, Politics, 8/19/1998 - A message from Yemeni President to Sultan Qaboos
Oman News Agency said on Tuesday that the Omani minister for foreign affairs, Youssef Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, on Tuesday discussed with his Yemeni counterpart, Abdul Qader Bajmal, means of strengthening bilateral relations and other issues of mutual concern. Oman-Yemen, Politics, 8/19/1998 - Egyptian information minister: Israel responsible for Mideast peace process deterioration
El-Sherif said the Palestinian issue is the essential issue on the levels of the Arab - Israeli struggle and the peace process. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 8/19/1998 - Qabbani and Shamseddine warn of escalation in Lebanon
In a joint statement released after the meeting between Shamseddine and Qabbani, Shamseddine expressed his astonishment that the issue of Jezzine is raised from time to time, out of Christian and factional context Lebanon, Politics, 8/19/1998 - Sudanese foreign minister in a new tour of Arab states
Iraqi Vice President Taha Yasin Ramadan will head to Sudan on August 28 to meet with Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir and a number of high-ranking Sudanese officials. Sudan-Iraq, Politics, 8/19/1998 - OIC calls for salvaging Middle East peace
The Organization of the Islamic Conference has called upon the international community to shoulder its responsibility in salvaging the Middle East peace process from collapse, by pressuring Israel to abide by international legitimacy resolutions and the basics of the peace process established in Madrid. Regional-Israel, Politics, 8/19/1998 - A message from Iraqi FM to his Iranian counterpart Iraq-Iran, Politics, 8/19/1998
- Mordechai calls for peace accord with Syria Syria-Israel, Politics, 8/19/1998
- Jordanian Cabinet to undergo reshuffling
A Jordanian minister in the government of Premier Abdul Salam al-Majali has said that there is inclination towards making a large-scale ministerial reshuffle. Jordan, Politics, 8/19/1998 - Qatar amnesty expires tomorrow Qatar, Politics, 8/19/1998
- Cairo denies arresting Abu Nidal Egypt, Politics, 8/19/1998
- Sudanese ambassador to Cairo denies crisis in relations with Egypt Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 8/19/1998
- King Hassan receives Jerusalem Fund chief and appoints his assistant
King Hassan II, chairman of the Jerusalem Committee, received Tuesday evening at the Royal palace of Skhirat, Abou Marwane, Palestinian Ambassador to Morocco and general manager of "Bait Al-Mal of Al Quds Al-Sharif" (Jerusalem Fund). Regional-Palestine, Politics, 8/19/1998 - Sanaa emphasizes importance of national conference for administrative reform
Yemeni Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Mutahhar al-Saidi announced that the first national conference for the administrative reform will be held soon and it seeks to coordinate the administration as well as clear it from corruption. Yemen, Politics, 8/19/1998 - Arab League calls for for Somali reconciliation conference soon
The Arab League sent messages to the Somali leaders Ali Mahdi Mohammed and Hussein Aideed that urged them to set a date for convening the conference for Somali reconciliation in Bidadah city. Somalia-Egypt, Politics, 8/19/1998 - Egypt blames Israel for peace deadlock
President Mubarak's political advisor, Osama el-Baz, said Monday that the Israeli government is responsible for obstructing the peace process on all tracks. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 8/19/1998 - Arab strategy to fight terrorism Regional, Politics, 8/19/1998
- Oman - Yemen meeting Oman, Politics, 8/18/1998
- Jordan - Sudan meeting Jordan, Politics, 8/18/1998
- Qatar - elections Qatar, Politics, 8/18/1998
- Tunisian president calls for lifting sanctions against Libya
Visiting Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali called on Monday for lifting the crippling sanctions imposed on Libya since 1992. Tunisia, Politics, 8/18/1998 - Moroccan MPs welcomed by Niger's prime minister
Niger's prime minister, Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki, received in Niamey on Monday, the Moroccan MP delegation to the 21st congress of the African Parliamentary Union to open today in the Nigerien capital. Morocco, Politics, 8/18/1998 - Jordan denies Iranian opposition activity in its territories
In press statements yesterday, Jordanian Minister of Interior Nazir Rashid said that the Iranian opposition Mojahidin Khalq organization's bureau in Amman is not practicing any activity against Tehran, as the bureau's tasks are confined to purely information related work. Jordan, Politics, 8/18/1998 - Sudan denies OAU was told Egypt interfered in Sudanese affairs
Sudan negated that the Organization of African Unity has been informed about Egyptian interference in its interior affairs, as last week Egypt hosted the meetings of the allied Sudanese opposition. Sudan, Politics, 8/18/1998 - Palestinian warning of adverse effects of Israeli government's obstinacy
Palestinian sources confirmed that Egyptian diplomacy is fully aware of the maneuvers the Israeli government is making to avoid its commitments. Palestine, Politics, 8/18/1998 - Libya calls for Shayler to be extradited to Libya
The Libyan government called yesterday on France to extradite an ex-officer in the British intelligence, David Shayler, and allow Libya to interrogate him concerning a failed assassination attempt against Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi. Libya, Politics, 8/18/1998 - Bosnian president to visit Egypt in October
Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic is to visit Cairo in October at the official invitation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Egypt, Politics, 8/18/1998 - Yemeni journalists union criticizes Palestinian ambassador
The union of Yemeni journalists announced its position concerning the mutual accusations between the Palestinian ambassador in Sanaa, Yehia Riyah, and the Yemeni newspaper Som Bom. Yemen, Politics, 8/18/1998 - Garang expresses SPLA's readiness to extend cease-fire
The leader of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army, John Garang, discussed with French Minister Delegate to Cooperation and Francophony Charles Josselin during their visit to Cairo expanding the timing and geographic range of the cease-fire in southern Sudan, to guarantee that aid can reach those harmed by the famine. Sudan, Politics, 8/18/1998 - Mubarak: Israel should withdraw from Arab lands, supports Sudan's unity
President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt stated that just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East region is not attainable without the restoration of Arab rights and Israel's full withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories. Egypt, Politics, 8/18/1998 - Ball is in Israel's court, Israeli official says
Former chief of the Israeli intelligence reserve, Maj. Gen. Uri Sagi, admitted that the ball is now in the Israeli court concerning negotiations on the Syrian track. Israeli radio quoted Sagi as saying that there will be no peace with Syria without withdrawal from the Golan. Sagi warned about the consequences of conditions in the region if political progress is not achieved on the Syrian track. The Israeli official stressed, "Peace with Syria means withdrawal from the Golan Heights." Syria, Politics, 8/18/1998 - Syrian FM: We're not in a hurry to have an unjust peace
In an interview with the Lebanese LBC satellite station on Monday night, Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa stressed that Syria is not in a hurry to have an unjust peace. Syria, Politics, 8/18/1998 - Silent showdow in Nablus
A silent showdown is underway between the Palestinian government and Israel over a site in Nablus, which Jewish settlers insist is the tomb of Joseph. Palestine, Politics, 8/17/1998 - Donation from former Algerian president to jailed Jordanian soldier
The Jordanian weekly al-Majd said that former Algerian President Ahmad Bin Bella has offered US $600 to the family of Jordanian soldier Ahmad al- Daqamseh who is serving a life sentence in prison for killing six Israeli girls in al-Naqoura Jordanian area one and a half years earlier. Jordan, Politics, 8/17/1998 - Iranian pilgrims visit Iraqi holy shrines
For the first time since the eruption of the Iraqi - Iranian war in 1980 and ten years after the war ended, the first group of Iranian Shiite pilgrimages arrived in Iraq. The group comprises 750 persons. It is led by Iranian minister of culture and religious guidance Atallah Muhajarani. Iraq, Politics, 8/17/1998 - Israelis not satisfied with Swiss deal
Israel again found itself shoved aside in an affair that touches world Jewry and Israeli officials expressed criticism of the fact that such isolation was in fact the seed of the government itself. Israel, Politics, 8/17/1998 - French diplomats meet their Egyptian counterpart on peace initiative
Within the work group that was formed in July during the visit of Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa to Paris for discussing the demands of convening a peace rescue conference in the Middle East, Egyptian and French diplomats are meeting next week. Egypt-France, Politics, 8/17/1998 - Solidarity with the labors and Iraqi people
The International Union of the Arab Labor Unions renewed its solidarity with Iraqi laborers and people. Regional, Politics, 8/17/1998 - Sudan calls on Garang to ease access to aid in the south
Sudan newely confirmed its adherence to peace and discussion regarding the south. Sudan, Politics, 8/17/1998 - Secret negotiations between Algerian government and Islamic Salvation Army
Informed sources in Algeria revealed that a high-ranking officer in the army held communications last month with Islamic Salvation Army leadership in the state of Jijel where a special group from the national police is helping insure the main needs for the Islamic Salvation Army in the state. Algeria, Politics, 8/17/1998 - Sudan warns of Eritrean aggression against Sudan soon
Sudan warned today of Eritrean attacks against border villages. Brigadier General Mohammed Ali Abdallah, the deputy ruler of Casla near the Eritrean border, said he expected an escalation along the eastern front. Sudan, Politics, 8/17/1998 - Saudi crown prince to travel to US, Europe and Asia
Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah is planning a trip to the United States, Europe and the Far East this year, diplomats said on Sunday. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 8/17/1998 - Iraqi president to travel to Paris, Peking and Moscow next year
Iraqi president Saddam Hussein is expected to travel next year to France, China and Russia, according to Arab weekly "Al Moharrer News." Iraq, Politics, 8/17/1998 - Tribe protests exclusion from Saharan identification process
A Sahrawi tribe, Rguibat Sahel Ouled Bourhim, protested in a letter to the chairman of the UN identification center in Rabat, their denial of the right to be identified as would-be voters in the projected UN referendum. Morocco, Politics, 8/17/1998 - Claims of Uranium sale leave Palestinian ambassador unsatisfied with Yemeni apology
Palestine's ambassador in Sanaa, Yehia Rabah, said that he opposed the mediation endeavors exerted by Yemeni journalists between him and the Yemeni newspaper Som - Bom, which accused him and other Palestinian leaders of involvement in enriched uranium and red mercury smuggling transactions from Yemen to Israel that the report said took place in February 1997. Palestine, Politics, 8/17/1998 - Arab interior ministers trusteeship urges countries to expel terrorists
The general trusteeship of the Arab ministers of interior urged in a statement issued by the Arab Bureau for Security Information in Cairo yesterday the developed countries to reconsider their policies of absorbing elements that use those countries' laws and lands to finance, plan and organize sabotage and terrorism. Regional, Politics, 8/17/1998 - Mubarak El-Mahdi: no Egyptian initiatives, our struggle has made progress
The secretary-general of the Sudanese opposition Democratic National Alliance, Mubarak El-Mahdi, specified the conditions the Sudanese government has to fulfill to enable a settlement of the current problem between them. Sudan, Politics, 8/17/1998 - King Hussein gives reshuffle authority to Crown Prince Hassan
The official magazine in Amman on Sunday published a Royal decree according to which King Hussein of Jordan transferred certain authorities to Crown Prince Hassan. Jordan, Politics, 8/17/1998 - Lebanese expatriates arrived from Congo Lebanon, Politics, 8/17/1998
- Israeli officials speak of withdrawing from Syria's Golan
Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai has expressed his wish to resume negotiations with Syria. Syria, Politics, 8/17/1998 - Libya questions Britain about Gaddafi assassination attempt
The Libyan people's general committee for foreign relations and cooperation called upon the British government to open a separate investigation on disclosures by former British intelligence officer David Schayler which said that British intelligence in 1996 made a failed attempt to assassinate Gaddafi through a member of a Libyan terrorist group whose headquarters is in London. Libya, Politics, 8/17/1998 - Israel outcome of terrorism, expansionism, Capucci says
Bishop of Jerusalem in exile for the Greek-Catholic Church, Helarion Capucci, has asserted that church affairs in Palestine are a concern to the church and its congregation. He added no Israeli premier, including Netanyahu, has the right to interfere in these affairs. Palestine, Politics, 8/17/1998