Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 9/21/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of September 21, 1998
- Sudan: Relations with Egypt a strategic choice, unity a goal Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 9/26/1998
- Arafat is visiting Russia in the coming month Palestine-Russia, Politics, 9/26/1998
- US supports Mubarak's call for combating international terrorism
The US ambassador in Cairo, Daniel Kurtzer, expressed his backing to president Mubarak's initiative for convening an international anti-terrorism conference and how to prevent this aspect from spreading and threatening international peace and security. Regional, Politics, 9/26/1998 - Jordanian deputies council calls for halt of normalization with Israel
53 of 80 members of the Jordanian deputies council called for halting normalization with Israel, which they said is only benefiting Israel due to the deadlocked peace process and the arrogance of the Israeli position. Jordan, Politics, 9/26/1998 - Abdul Meguid to meet with Turkish foreign minister
It is expected that Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid will meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on the margin of the United Nation's General Assembly' meetings in New York. Regional-Turkey, Politics, 9/26/1998 - Morocco criticizes Polisario for procrastination in Sahara settlement process
Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Abdellatif Filali castigated Thursday the Polisario for continually stalling the Saharan identification operation by refusing to take part in the identification of a large number of candidates. Morocco, Politics, 9/26/1998 - Tunisia becomes member of United Nations committee for human rights Tunisia-UN, Politics, 9/26/1998
- Zeroual starts consultations with political party leaders on Wednesday
Algerian President Liamine Zeroual directed written invitations to leaders of political parties represented in the Algerian parliament to meet with him on Wednesday to discuss methods of and conditions on organizing early presidential elections, to be held in February. Algeria, Politics, 9/26/1998 - Dori Chamoun becomes third candidate for Lebanese presidency
Dori Chamoun, the head of the Lebanese National Liberal Party and the son of former Lebanese President Kamil Chamoun announced yesterday his self-nomination for the presidential elections that will take place in Lebanon in the coming month. Lebanon, Politics, 9/26/1998 - Preventing a Palestinian delegation from joining an Arab ministerial conference in Beirut
The Lebanese authorities prevented a Palestinian delegation from entering Lebanese territories by not allowing its members a visa. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 9/26/1998 - Sudanese opposition leadership to begin Asmara meetings tomorrow
The opening session for the meeting of the Democratic National Alliance, leadership of the Sudanese opposition, will begin tomorrow evening in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, in the presence of all the DNA's leaders. Sudan, Politics, 9/26/1998 - Spanish police arrests 25 Moroccan immigrants in Sebta
Spanish security forces arrested 25 Moroccan illegal immigrants on Thursday in occupied city of Sebta in northern Morocco who were attempting to sneak into Europe. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 9/26/1998 - US secretary of defense to arrive in Morocco on Monday Morocco-USA, Politics, 9/26/1998
- El-Baz warns of Israel ownership of nuclear weapons
El-Baz stated yesterday evening that Israel's ownership of nuclear weapons is an untenable situation because it forms a disturbance and a break in the regional balance of power, resulting in invasions and threatening peace. Egypt, Politics, 9/25/1998 - Saudi crown prince starts visit to the US, important talks to be held
High-ranking officials at US oil companies are scheduled to come to Washington at the beginning of next week to take part in a "unique" meeting with the Saudi crown prince. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 9/25/1998 - Morocco starts preparations for new stage in referendum process
Morocco's preparations for a new stage in the referendum process will start today, said here Moroccan Interior Minister Driss Basri in Laayoun. Morocco-West Sahara, Politics, 9/25/1998 - Djerjian warns against stalemate on Syrian - Israeli track
Former US Undersecretary of State for Near East Affairs Edward Djerjian said that the deadlocked negotiations on the Lebanese -Israeli and Syrian - Israeli tracks create a "grave situation" which always provokes the expectation the situation could change into a military confrontation. Regional-USA, Politics, 9/25/1998 - Shaath: Arafat and Netanyahu are to visit Washington
Palestinian Minister of International Cooperation and Planning Nabil Shaath said that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat will arrive in New York on Sunday to address the United Nations General Assembly on Monday and meet with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/25/1998 - Syria, Iraq meet on water issue, Turkey is absent
On Wednesday talks between the Syrian and Iraqi sides concerning the waters of the Tigris and the Euphrates were discussed in Baghdad. The coordination meetings of the joint technical committees concerning the waters of the two rivers started with the absence of Turkey, which refused the invitation of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry attend these meetings. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 9/25/1998 - Syrian FM holds intensive meetings in New York
Syrian Foreign minister Farouk al-Sharaa on Thursday afternoon met with Lebanese prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 9/25/1998 - Sudan hails Moussa - Othman Ismael meeting
The ruling party in Sudan praised today Egyptian mediation efforts to achieve a Sudanese reconciliation, where prominent Sudanese oppositon members are holding meetings with Egyptian officials concerning the Egyptian role. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 9/25/1998 - Tariq Aziz heads for New York to meet with UN chief
Iraqi Deputy Premier Tariq Aziz left Baghdad for Amman Thursday and then for New York where he will meet with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. A well-informed Iraqi source said that several Iraqi officials are accompanying Aziz on his visit to UN headquarters. Iraq-UN, Politics, 9/25/1998 - Iraqi religious delegation to visit Iran Iraq-Iran, Politics, 9/25/1998
- Jordan's new premier wins Parliament's confidence Jordan, Politics, 9/25/1998
- Irish defense minister regrets killing of civilians in South Lebanon Lebanon, Politics, 9/25/1998
- Iranian President stressed strong relations with neighboring countries Iran, Politics, 9/24/1998
- Europe to share single market experience with Mediterranean countries
The European Commission agreed to facilitate the creation of a free trade area with non-member mediterranean countries by year 2010, through a program on training, technical assistance, counselling and cooperation in fields related to the internal market, customs and taxation. Regional, Politics, 9/24/1998 - Moussa and the Arab league address the Turkey issue
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa has asserted that the Middle East does not need the creation of military alliances under any name, noting that his country rejects the establishment of such alliances. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 9/24/1998 - League of British families victims support Libyan stand on Lockerbie, as does the Arab League
Chairman of the league of the British victims families in the incident of the US Pan American plane explosion over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988, Jim Swire, and Professor Robert Black, a professor of Scottish law at the University of Edinburgh, returned from Libya with optimism that a solution is at hand. Libya-Regional-UK, Politics, 9/24/1998 - UN chief representative conveys proposals to Iraq to settle dispute
The UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special representative Prakash Shah left Iraq on Tuesday night after he conveyed to Iraqi officials Annan's proposals to settle the current dispute with UNSCOM inspectors. Iraq-UN, Politics, 9/24/1998 - UAE, Kuwaiti, Algerian, Iranain and Omani petroleum ministers discuss measures to improve prices
The ministers of petroleum in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Algeria, Iran and Oman concluded a coordination meeting yesterday evening in Kuwait, where they discussed the current situation in the petroleum markets, a Kuwaiti source said. Regional, Politics, 9/24/1998 - Sudan says it kills 70 and destroys 75 tanks, Ugandans deny intervention
The Ugandan army has denied that some 70 of its soldiers to have been killed recently in Southern Sudan. It once again stressed that its troops did not get into the Sudanese territories. Sudan-Uganda, Politics, 9/24/1998 - Algerian President calls for consultations among parties
Algerian President Liamine Zeroual on Wednesday extended written calls to Algerian parties represented in the Parliament in order to convene a meeting on September 30, in preparations for early Presidential elections to be made before the end of February 1999. Algeria, Politics, 9/24/1998 - Ratifying comprehensive future development in the Gulf countries
Ministers of planning in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council ratified today a joint document for long-term comprehensive development in the countries of the council. Gulf, Politics, 9/24/1998 - Islamic conference stresses peaceful conflict resolution between Islamic countries
Secretary general of the Organization of Islamic conference OIC, Ezze eddine al-Iraqi has condemned Israeli measures in Jerusalem, and praised the peaceful conflict resolution of the Afghanistan problem. Regional, Politics, 9/24/1998 - Syrian FM meets with Canadian, Spanish, Russian counterparts in New York
Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Sharaa has arrived in New York on Tuesday night to preside over the Syrian delegation to the 53rd session of the UN General Assembly, where he will deliver Syria's speech. Syria, Politics, 9/24/1998 - Annan proposals: comprehensive revision of UN sanction
A diplomatic source in Baghdad said that the UN secretary-general's proposals to settle the crisis between Iraq and UNSCOM call for a "full revision" of what had been achieved by Baghdad in all production of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and missiles since the beginning of UNSCOM's work in Iraq in 1991. Iraq-UN, Politics, 9/24/1998 - Russia hopes Sahara issue of contested groups be settled quickly
Russia voiced hope on Tuesday that the issue of the contested tribal groups would be settled before next october 31, the Russian foreign department said. Morocco, Politics, 9/24/1998 - Arafat rejects Erekat's resignation Palestine, Politics, 9/24/1998
- UAE UN address United Arab Emirates, Politics, 9/24/1998
- EU renews total support for UN peace plan in Sahara
The European Union renewed in a memorandum released Tuesday, "total support to the UN peace plan providing for the holding of a free, legal and neutral self-rule referendum in the Sahara." Morocco-West Sahara-European Union, Politics, 9/24/1998 - South Korea supports the French - Egyptian initiative to save the peace Regional-South Korea, Politics, 9/24/1998
- Spain calls for special relations between European Union and Morocco
Spanish Interior Minister Jaime Mayor Oreja called Wednesday on the European Union to adopt an innovative culture in its relations with Morocco. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 9/24/1998 - Morocco-Saudi Arabia King Hassan II hails Brotherly and Exemplary Relations with Saudi Arabia Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 9/24/1998
- House of Representatives closes second session of first legislature Morocco, Politics, 9/24/1998
- Cairo: Egyptian accused in Tanzania is Islamic Group dissident
Informed Egyptian sources said that citizen Mustafa Mahmoud Sayed Ahmed, accused by the Tanzanian authorities of being involved with a Tanzanian citizen named Rachid Saleh in the explosion that destroyed the US embassy in Dar es Salaam on August 7. Egypt, Politics, 9/24/1998 - Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah arrives in Washington Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 9/24/1998
- Cooperation and coordination in the fields of housing and construction
The 50th meetings of the executive bureau the council of the Arab ministers of housing and construction started in Cairo on Wednesday. Delegates representing six Arab states are taking part in the conference. Regional, Politics, 9/24/1998 - US and the Lebanese elections Lebanon-USA, Politics, 9/24/1998
- El-Bashir calls on Carter to visit Sudan
Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir headed an invitation to former US President Jimmy Carter to visit Khartoum to learn about the developments of the events after the US bombed a pharmeceutical factory outside the Sudanese capital. Sudan, Politics, 9/24/1998 - Bin Laden pledges not to carry out activities from Afghan territories
The foreign minister of the Taleban movement, al-Mulla Muhammad Hassan, said that Saudi separatist Osama Bin Laden, living in Afghanistan, pledged not to carry out any activities in the future from the Afghan territories. Regional-Afghanistan, Politics, 9/23/1998 - Egypt refuses to license Muslim Brotherhood separatist party
The "Parties committee" authorized to license parties in Egypt refused an application to found "The Egyptian al-Wasat Party" comprised of separatists from the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt, Politics, 9/23/1998 - Algerian political parties continue consultations on presidential elections
Algerian political parties continue their consultations, following the announcement of Algerian President Liamine Zeroual that Algeria hold early Presidential elections in the middle of February 1999 ,to reach political alliances and to agree on the names of their nominees for the coming elections. Algeria, Politics, 9/23/1998 - Kuwait denies deploying forces in the north
Kuwaiti official sources denied reports published yesterday by Kuwaiti newspapers that military enhancements are being sent to the Kuwaiti borders with Iraq after the threats recently released by Baghdad against Kuwait. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 9/23/1998 - Hariri - Albright Lebanon-USA, Politics, 9/23/1998
- Hrawi: I do not want to extend term Lebanon, Politics, 9/23/1998
- Iraqi prime minister to visit United States Iraq-UN, Politics, 9/23/1998
- Saeb Erekat demands to be replaced Palestine, Politics, 9/23/1998
- Saudi Arabia severs diplomatic relations with Taleban Saudi Arabia-Afghanistan, Politics, 9/23/1998
- OAU calls for investigating US military strikes on Sudanese medicinal factory
The Organization of African Unity has called upon the United Nations to dispatch a fact-finding commission to investigate the US military strikes against al-Shifaa medicinal factory in Sudan. Sudan-OAU, Politics, 9/23/1998 - Lahd renews threats against Lebanese resistance Lebanon, Politics, 9/23/1998
- Clinton at UN focuses on Terrorism Regional-USA, Politics, 9/22/1998
- Egypt starts reconciliation of Sudanese government and opposition
Egyptian political sources said today that the head of the Sudanese opposition National Democratic Alliance, Mohammed Othman El-Merghani, arrived in Cairo yesterday to meet with Egyptian officials to discuss the details of formal meetings held by Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael in Cairo. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 9/22/1998 - Mandela to UN: Quit stalling on the Sahara issue
President Nelson Mandela of South Africa on Monday called for dropping the Sahara issue from the agenda of the international community. North Africa-South Africa, Politics, 9/22/1998 - Libya: West dishonest about solving Lockerbie crisis
A member of the Libyan revolution leadership council, Major El-Khawaildi El-Hamidi, accused the Western countries of trying to impose new sanctions on Libya and deceive people as well as governments. Libya-Tunisia, Politics, 9/22/1998 - Iraq accuses US of undermining Annan's initiative
Iraq on Monday accused the US of working to head off the initiative advocated by UN chief Kofi Annan to settle the crisis with the UN inspectors over dismantling banned Iraqi weapons. Iraq-USA, Politics, 9/22/1998 - Talibani informs Cairo of agreement with Barzani
The leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Jalal Talibani, informed Cairo of the details of the agreement he signed last Thursday in Washington with the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Massoud Barzani. Iraq, Politics, 9/22/1998 - Rabat and Abidjan voice will to foster cooperation
Morocco and Cote D'Ivoire on Monday voiced their intent to consolidate cooperation in various fields. Morocco-Cote D'Ivoire, Politics, 9/22/1998 - Sudan accuse Uganda of attacking its territories
The Sudanese National Defense and Security Council, the high body for establishing defense policies in the country, convened an urgent meeting to discuss an alleged Ugandan attack. Sudan, Politics, 9/22/1998 - Hariri to meet with Albright Friday
Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri headed to New York yesterday to participate in meetings of the United Nations General Assembly. He will deliver Lebanon's address before the U.N. on Wednesday, then he will meet with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in Washington on Friday. Lebanon, Politics, 9/22/1998 - Butler lodges complaint against Arab League
Both the Arab League and United Nations have frustrated the efforts of Richard Butler, the head of UNSCOM, the international committee concerned with removing Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. Regional-Iraq-UN, Politics, 9/22/1998 - Moroccan PM: Stalemate in Mideast leads to bitterness and disappointment
"After the hopes raised by the conclusion of Oslo Accords, we note with bitterness and disappointment that middle east peace prospects are dying to give room to mistrust and tension," Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, said. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 9/22/1998 - Hassan Abouyoub ambassador in charge of commercial negotiations
King Hassan II appointed Hassan Abouyoub ambassador in charge of commercial negotiations, the Moroccan Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Department announced on Monday. Morocco, Politics, 9/22/1998 - Sudanese FM to meet with British counterpart tomorrow
Ismael told ArabicNews.com today that this is the first meeting to take place between the foreign ministers of the two countries in more than 10 years, and he thinks that it is a step in the right direction. Sudan-UK, Politics, 9/22/1998 - Algerian army pledges to protect presidential elections Algeria, Politics, 9/22/1998
- Iraq describes Saudi crown prince's statements on Saddam Hussein as irresponsible
Iraq on Sunday described as irresponsible statements made by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz in which he said Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had not learned from his mistakes and still constitutes a danger to stability in the Gulf region. Iraq-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 9/21/1998 - Algeria wants to handle ties with Morocco within global approach
The Moroccan-Algerian relations should be dealt with within a "global approach," The Algerian Foreign Minister said on Sunday. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 9/21/1998 - Egypt prepares for anti-terrorism conference
Egypt has taken measures to activate the initiative of President Mubarak to hold an international conference to discuss methods of combating terrorism. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 9/21/1998 - Report: Lebanese presidential elections already decided
A well-informed source in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, said that circles concerned with Lebanese Presidential elections behave on the basis that the presidential election battle has finished, because Damascus has made its presidential choice in favor of commander of the Lebanese Army Lt. Gen. Emil Lahoud, who is considered the most proper for this difficult stage. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 9/21/1998 - Jordanian FM: Our doors are open to discuss with Syria relations with Turkey
Commenting on Syrian criticism over Jordan's relations with Turkey, Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul Elah al-Khatib said such criticism is due to the lack of information or to misinformation. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 9/21/1998 - Arafat to UN General Assembly next Thursday
Sources close to Arafat said he would take the opportunity in his speech to declare that the Palestinian self-rule period is about to end in May 4, 1999, which is the date set to declare the Palestinian state. Palestine, Politics, 9/21/1998 - Libya has reservations over location chosen to try Lockerbie suspects Libya, Politics, 9/21/1998
- Israel releases Qarabseh murderer
Palestinian Cabinet Secretary Ahmad Abdul Rahman said the release "is a blatant call for settlers to kill Palestinians and get away with it; it is the law of the jungle." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/21/1998 - Sudan threatens to strike American targets
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir threatened yesterday to strike US targets if the US missile strikes are repeated. Sudan, Politics, 9/21/1998 - Intensive diplomatic activity in Cairo
Egypt's assistant foreign minister for European affairs Fathi El-Shazeli received today Christopher Ranter, the manager of the North Africa and Middle East Department in the British Foreign Ministry who is currently visiting Cairo. Egypt-Russia, Politics, 9/21/1998 - Moroccan PM says debt is strangling government action
Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi said Morocco's debts is a serious problem that strangles the government's action and called for a "political" rather than "technical" handling of the issue. Morocco, Politics, 9/21/1998 - Sahara issue will be settled through referendum, Algeria says
The Sahara issue will be settled through the referendum, if the two parties (Morocco and the Polisario) keep up their commitments, The Algerian Foreign Minister said. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 9/21/1998 - Cote D'Ivoire's Premier Starts Visit to Morocco
Prime minister of Cote D'Ivoire, Daniel Kablan Duncan, started on Sunday a five-day friendship and work visit to Morocco at the invitation of Moroccan peer, Abderrahmane Youssoufi. Morocco-Cote D'Ivoire, Politics, 9/21/1998 - King Hassan II receives Saudi crown prince
King Hassan II, who was accompanied by Crown Prince Sidi Mohammed and Prince Moulay Rachid, received over the weekend at the Royal Palace of Skhirat Saudi Crown Prince Abdallah Bin Abdul Aziz. Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 9/21/1998 - Mediterranean parliament leaders call for clearing region of nuclear weapons
The leaders of parliamentary councils in Tunisia, Italy, Spain and Egypt called for activating Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in the region. Regional, Politics, 9/21/1998 - Sanaa denies Yemeni involvement in Nairobi, Dar es Salam embassy explosions Yemen, Politics, 9/21/1998
- Beirut criticizes proposal for conditional withdrawal from Jezzine Lebanon, Politics, 9/21/1998
- US began inspection of Iraqi ships
Baghdad stated yesterday that US inspections of Iraqi ships in the Gulf delays needed medical and food supplies from reaching Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 9/21/1998 - Syrian President confers with former AL chief Syria, Politics, 9/21/1998
- Assad's visit to Moscow postponed, not canceled Syria-Russia, Politics, 9/21/1998
- Contacts to regain Jordanian properties in Israel Jordan-Israel, Politics, 9/21/1998