Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 10/26/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of October 26, 1998
- Iraq halts UNSCOM cooperation
Following up on previous threats, Iraq has suspended all cooperation with United Nations weapons inspectors, with Trade Minister Mohammed Mahdi Saleh accusing UNSCOM of being "biased" and "spying against Iraq." Iraq-UN, Politics, 10/31/1998 - Security Council extends MINURSO mandate until next December
The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted on Friday a resolution, extending the mandate of the U.N. mission for the referendum in the Sahara (MINURSO) until next December 17. Morocco-West Sahara-UN, Politics, 10/31/1998 - Gaddafi, Hamas call for lifting of Sheikh Yassin's house arrest
A cable sent by Gaddafi to Arafat said he hoped that the house arrest of Sheikh Yassin would be lifted and that it is not acceptable that Sheikh Yassin gets out of an Israeli prison to be placed in a Palestinian prison. Libya-Palestine, Politics, 10/31/1998 - Palestinian minister supports Wye agreement
Some Palestinian ministers voted against the Wye Plantation agreement, as secretary general of the Palestinian Authority El-Taib Abd El-Reheem said that a small number of ministers oppose the agreement. He did not specify their number or identities. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 10/31/1998 - Aslan: Netanyahu is behind Turkish - Syrian row
Syrian chief of staff al-Imad Ali Aslan accused Israel of being behind the Syrian - Turkish row, to cover up all the Palestinian concessions that took place in the Wye Plantation agreement. Syria, Politics, 10/31/1998 - Running the first organized navigation line between Emirates and Iraq
The first organized navigation line for transporting passengers will be started tomorrow between Rashid Harbor in Dubai and Um Qasr in Iraq, using the ship Jabal Ali. United Arab Emirates-Iraq, Politics, 10/31/1998 - Yemeni and Eritrean presidents to meet on Wednesday in Aden
Yemen will officialy take control tomorrow of Greater Hanish Island in the Red Sea from Eritrea with all its establishments including those established by Eritrean forces since they occupied the island in the middle of 1995. Yemen-Eritrea, Politics, 10/31/1998 - Morocco voices will to consolidate cooperation with China
Morocco expressed firm determination to consolidate cooperation and partnership ties with China. Morocco-China, Politics, 10/31/1998 - Egyptian FM: Land for peace principle is the basis for any acceptable settlement Egypt-Yemen, Politics, 10/31/1998
- Human rights group criticizes Sunday Telegraph allegations
The Center for Human Rights in Egypt said that the information published by the British newspaper Sunday Telegraph on the persecution of Coptics in Egypt is false. Egypt-UK, Politics, 10/31/1998 - US officials to Damascus Syria-USA, Politics, 10/31/1998
- UAE minister back from Turkey United Arab Emirates-Turkey, Politics, 10/31/1998
- Arafat criticizes settlement plans Palestine-Israel, Politics, 10/31/1998
- Security Council keeps Libyan sanctions
The United Nations Security Council said that sanctions against Libya will remain in place until Libya delivers the two suspects in the Lockerbie case over for trial in the Netherlands. Libya-UN, Politics, 10/30/1998 - Morocco refuses to receive Israeli premier, Arab daily says
Morocco has refused to receive Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the conclusion last week of the interim peace accords between Israelis and Palestinians, the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat daily reported. Morocco-Israel, Politics, 10/30/1998 - Yemeni foreign minister visits Cairo today
Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdul Qader Bajmal is to arrive in Cairo tonight, carrying a communique from Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to his Egyptian counterpart, President Mubarak. Yemen-Egypt, Politics, 10/30/1998 - Qaddoumi criticizes Wye peace agreement
The head of political department of the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization), Farouk Qaddoumi, criticized the Palestinian - Israeli interim peace agreement reached last week at the Wye Plantation in the United States. Palestine, Politics, 10/30/1998 - UN General Assembly approves call for further cooperation with OIC
The Qatari representative, Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser, called on the UN to give the OIC the same status granted to other groups, such as the European Union, including diplomatic immunity in the host country Regional-UN, Politics, 10/30/1998 - Speaker of Moroccan Parliament meets delegation from Spanish defense studies school
Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives (lower house), Abdelouahed Radi, conferred Thursday in Rabat with a delegation from the Spanish High school for defense studies. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 10/30/1998 - Yemen discusses law on demonstrations
The draft law was strongly opposed by political parties and organizations in the Yemeni opposition, who considered the law a breach of the constitution and the political parties law as well as a decrease in the democratic rights of both political parties and citizens. Yemen, Politics, 10/30/1998 - Arab League objects to Mauritanian foreign minister's visit to Israel
The Arab League objected to the visit paid by Mauritanian Foreign Minister Cheik El Afia Ould Mohammed Khouna to Israel. Mauritania-Regional, Politics, 10/30/1998 - Khatami's followers prepare to form new party
Political circles in Iran said that the followers of President Mohammed Khatami will announce soon the formation of a political party to support the president, to be named the "Participation Front." Iran, Politics, 10/30/1998 - US ambassador in Cairo: Palestinian - Israeli deal an important step toward peace
In press statements, the US ambassador in Cairo, Daniel Kurtzer, described last week's Palestinian - Israeli deal as an important step on the way to Middle East peace, saying that Egypt knows how hard it is to move forward in the peace process and that the US will help implement the agreement. Regional-USA, Politics, 10/30/1998 - Morocco says it relies on itself to develop northern areas
Morocco said on Thursday it relies above all on its own means to develop its northern provinces, notoriously reputed as being cannabis-growing areas. Morocco, Politics, 10/30/1998 - Morocco and China to commemorate 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties
Morocco and China will commemorate on November 1 the 40th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties. Morocco-China, Politics, 10/30/1998 - Yemeni chief of staff concludes visit to Muscat Oman-Yemen, Politics, 10/30/1998
- Moroccan government ratifies agreements between Cairo and Ribat Morocco-Egypt, Politics, 10/30/1998
- Berri - land theft Lebanon, Politics, 10/29/1998
- A link between Lebanon bomb and Israel's bomb ? Regional-Palestine, Politics, 10/29/1998
- Palestinian official: there is a Palestinian security plan
Palestinian Minister of State Hassan Asfour, who took part in talks leading to the Wye agreement with Israel, said that the Palestinians have a general security plan, and that the Palestinians have generally explained this plan before the Israeli delegation and the US Central Intelligence Agency. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 10/29/1998 - Intensive fighting in Algerian Merzana jungle
More than 300 Algerian soldiers are engaging in a campaign against extremist Islamists hiding in jungles east of the Algerian capital. Algeria, Politics, 10/29/1998 - Arab League chief calls for unified foreign policy
Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid underlined Wednesday the need to devise a united Arab foreign policy to bolster joint Arab action in a changing world. Regional, Politics, 10/29/1998 - Government ready to settle Islamist leader's arrest case
The Moroccan government said it was ready to settle the case of Abdeslam Yassine, the leader of the Islamist Al-Adl Wa Al-Ihssane association (Justice and Welfare), under house arrest since 1989. Morocco, Politics, 10/29/1998 - Improving relations between Egypt and Iran
Strong signs in Iran were issued toward the resumption of Iranian - Egyptian relations, especially after the two countries' participation in resolving the recent Syrian-Turkish dispute. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 10/29/1998 - Israeli - Turkish maneuvers on the 29th of the coming November
Diplomatic sources stated yesterday that Turkey, Israel, and the US agreed on conducting joint naval maneuvers during the period from November 29 - December 3 under the title 'The Mermaid, The Rescue 2'. Turkey-Israel-USA, Politics, 10/29/1998 - Hizbullah backs Palestinian opposition
Hizbullah in Lebanon announced its support for the Islamic Jihad group and Hamas movement in the Palestinian territories and its adherence to armed resistance. Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 10/29/1998 - Clinton extends Sudan sanctions
US President Bill Clinton submitted a letter to congress Tuesday and a notice to the Federal Register yesterday extending the US national emergency in respect to Sudan, imposed on November 3, 1997. Sudan-USA, Politics, 10/29/1998 - Annan receives Moroccan foreign and interior ministers
Morocco ministers of foreign affairs and of the interior, respectively Abdellatif Filali and Driss Basri, were received Monday in New york by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Morocco-West Sahara-UN, Politics, 10/29/1998 - Euro-Mediterranean parliamentary forum calls for Libyan participation
The constituent session of the Euro-Mediterranean parliamentary forum held in Brussels on October 27 - 28 adopted a final declaration recommending the participation of Libya and Mauritania in the Mediterranean process launched in Barcelona. Regional, Politics, 10/29/1998 - Libya rejects US - British accusations of wasting time in Lockerbie case
Libya refused American and British accusations that it is wasting the time in the Lockerbie case, and it confirmed that it is waiting for an explanation concerning its proposal for trying the Libyan suspects in the Netherlands. Libya, Politics, 10/29/1998 - Many Arab gains at conclusion of Interpol meetings
Ahmed Ben Mohammed El-Salem, the secretary general of the Arab Foreign Ministers' council, expressed his pleasure at achieving many gains for the Arab states in the Cairo Interpol conference. Regional, Politics, 10/29/1998 - U.S. highlights Morocco's role in Mideast peace, urges economic talks with Israel
Morocco played a vanguard role in the Middle-East peace process and King Hassan II was very committed and remains attached to this process, Martin Indyk said at a press briefing with Mideastern and North African reporters on the Wye Plantation peace accords concluded last week between Palestinians and Israelis. Morocco-USA, Politics, 10/29/1998 - Qatari Cabinet supports Wye Qatar-Regional, Politics, 10/29/1998
- Sudanese - Egyptian committee meets to discuss water Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 10/29/1998
- Syria refuses US invitation to resume normalization with Israel Syria, Politics, 10/29/1998
- Algeria: Islamic movement prepares to declare its nominees Algeria, Politics, 10/29/1998
- Arab envoys start visit to Dublin to cement ties
A group of Arab ambassadors to the United Kingdom began on Wednesday a three-day official visit to Dublin to strengthen Arab - Irish ties. Regional-Ireland, Politics, 10/29/1998 - Nine Spaniards jailed in Morocco will serve remaining prison terms in Spain Morocco-Spain, Politics, 10/29/1998
- Moroccan premier meets Finnish secretary of state Morocco-Finland, Politics, 10/29/1998
- Israel will not implement agreement unless Palestine presents security plan
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will not implement the Wye agreement reached last week in the United States unless the Palestinian government presents an overdue security work plan for combating terrorism and the Palestinian National Council amends the items of national charter aimed at destroying Israel. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 10/29/1998 - King Hussein - health Jordan, Politics, 10/29/1998
- Jordanian - Palestinian agricultural talks
A Jordanian agricultural delegation visiting Gaza signed an agreement with a Palestinian delegation on agricultural cooperation. Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 10/29/1998 - France, US differ on conclusiveness of Iraq VX test results
The US State Department received an UNSCOM report on tests run by three laboratories for the presence of chemical weapons agents on Iraqi warheads as proof that, "Iraq loaded nerve agents, some of the most horrible weapons in the world including VX, into its missile warheads." Iraq, Politics, 10/28/1998 - U.N. chief proposes postponing Sahara referendum until December 1999
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan proposed postponement of the self-determination referendum in the Sahara until December 1999 in view of problems still hindering voter identification. Morocco-West Sahara, Politics, 10/28/1998 - Clinton signs religious freedom law
US President Bill Clinton signed yesterday the "International Religious Freedom Act of 1998," which "calls for the President to take diplomatic and other appropriate action with respect to any country that engages in or tolerates violations of religious freedom," a presidential statement said. Regional-USA, Politics, 10/28/1998 - Euro-Mediterranean parliamentary forum opens in Brussels
The constituent session of the Euro-Mediterranean parliamentary forum started proceedings here on Tuesday with the participation of Mps from the 27 euro-mediterranean partner countries. Regional, Politics, 10/28/1998 - Syria releases officials from Jordanian engineers union
Jordanian criticisms against Syria due to the detention of some 500 Jordanian citizens in Syria without trial during recent years escalated, demanding that they either be released or presented to a fair trail. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 10/28/1998 - El-Mahdi refuses call to discuss political succession law
Former prime minister and leader of the Sudanese Ummah Party Sadek El-Mahdi refused a call directed to him by the Sudanese government to discuss a draft law regulating political succession, allowing the establishment of political parties. Sudan, Politics, 10/28/1998 - On Christian Copts persecution in Egypt - Letter to the Editor - from Kees Hulsman
Finding out the truth is not easy but the extremely inaccurate and highly sensational way The Sunday Telegraph has, in its article of Sunday October 25, 1998, reported about Christians in Egypt ["Egyptian police 'crucify' and rape Christians" by Christina Lamb] certainly doesn't help the reader to understand a complex situation. Egypt, Politics, 10/28/1998 - Prisoners of war issue between Kuwait and Iraq revived
Kuwait informed the Arab League yesterday of the outcome of meetings of the trilateral technical committee that comprises Kuwait, Iraq and the International Committee of the Red Cross to discuss the issue of Kuwaiti captives and missing in Iraq since the Gulf War. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 10/28/1998 - Qatar urges Egypt to attend meeting of Damascus Declaration states
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa received yesterday a written message from his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasim al-Thani, delivered by the Qatari ambassador in Cairo, Mohammed Bin Mubarak al-Khalifa. Qatar-Egypt, Politics, 10/28/1998 - Gulf consultative front to hold first meeting in Kuwait
Gulf sources confirmed that the Gulf consultative front, made up of 30 representatives of the six Gulf Cooperation Council member states, is to convene its first meeting in Kuwait on November 7. Gulf, Politics, 10/28/1998 - Morocco received no official response on reconciliation with Algeria
The Moroccan government has so far received no official response from Algeria regarding the re-opening of the land borders, closed four years ago, the government spokesman, Khalid Alioua, said. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 10/28/1998 - Yemeni foreign minister to visit Cairo Friday
Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdul Qader Bajmal is arrive in Cairo on Friday for an official visit according to a formal invitation from his Egyptian counterpart, Amr Moussa. Bajmal will meet with President Mubarak and deliver him a written communique from Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Yemen-Egypt, Politics, 10/28/1998 - Mauritanian opens an official representative bureau in Israel
Israeli official sources said yesterday that Mauritanian Foreign Minister Cheik El Afia Ould Mohamed Khouna started his first visit yesterday to Israel. Mauritania-Israel, Politics, 10/28/1998 - Libya continues efforts to obtain guarantees for Lockerbie suspects
Meanwhile, Rashid denied that there is "alienation" in the relations between Tripoli and Cairo and said that the coming period will view important developments. Libya-Egypt, Politics, 10/28/1998 - Syria criticizes Wye accord Syria, Politics, 10/28/1998
- Lebanese Parliament hears call to end sectarianism, passes wage scale Lebanon, Politics, 10/28/1998
- GCC and EU satisfied with progress on free trade pact Gulf-European Union, Politics, 10/28/1998
- King Hussein receives invitation from Chirac to visit France
Jordan's King Hussein received a phone call for French President Jacques Chirac during which the two leaders discussed King Hussein's health and bilateral issues, the Jordanian news agency Petra reported. Jordan-France, Politics, 10/28/1998 - Britain appoints new Tunisian ambassador Tunisia-UK, Politics, 10/28/1998
- ICJ - Funding Libya-UN, Politics, 10/28/1998
- Annan North Africa agenda North Africa-UN, Politics, 10/28/1998
- Meetings of Jordanian - Egyptian committee delayed until December Jordan-Egypt, Politics, 10/28/1998
- Moussa: Netanyahu's declarations begin destruction of Wye Plantation agreement
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa described the declarations of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that Israel had not presented pledges to halt the building of settlements as beginning to abolish the Wye Plantation agreement Israel signed with the Palestinians. Egypt, Politics, 10/27/1998 - Kuwaiti crown prince delays visit to Washington
Kuwaiti sources related this delay to recent rumors about a coming change in the government, although those rumors were denied by ministerial sources. Kuwait-USA, Politics, 10/27/1998 - Sudan and Eritrea respond to Qatari reconciliation initiative
Sudan assured its approval of the Qatari initiative for mediation between Khartoum and Asmara conveyed by Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasim Bin Jabir al-Thani during a short visit to Khartoum at the conclusion of a tour that also included Yemen and Eritrea. Qatar-North Africa, Politics, 10/27/1998 - Khartoum suspends newspaper for three days
The Sudanese government decided to suspend the independent newspaper "the political street" for three days. Sudan, Politics, 10/27/1998 - Mubarak describes British newspaper report as lies about the Egyptian people
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak yesterday during the celebration of Navy Day described a report published by the British newspaper the Sunday Telegraph about the Coptics' situation in Egypt as lies about the Egyptian people. Egypt-UK, Politics, 10/27/1998 - UNSCOM report questions Iraq on chemical weapons
A meeting of international chemical weapons experts, held by the United Nations Special Commission last week to assess the results of tests on Iraqi warheads for traces of the VX chemical weapon agent, reported discrepencies with Iraqi claims that the warheads did not contain chemical weapons. Iraq-UN, Politics, 10/27/1998 - Palestinian weapons confiscation faces opposition
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat is facing opposition in Ramallah, as Palestinian security forces exchanged gunfire in their attempt to confiscate unlicensed weapons carried by members of Arafat's Fatah movement. Palestine, Politics, 10/27/1998 - UN chief calls for identifying all would-be voters meeting identification criteria
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called for the identification, as voters in the projected self-determination referendum in the Sahara, all applicants meeting at least one of the five identification criteria already agreed upon by Morocco and the Polisario. Morocco-West Sahara, Politics, 10/27/1998 - US officials meet with Lockerbie families on Libyan reply
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and National Security Advisor Sandy Berger met with families of the victims of the 1988 Lockerbie incident to brief them on the current status of the US and British proposal to try the two Libyan suspects in the case in the Netherlands. Libya-USA, Politics, 10/27/1998 - El-Baz: Egypt opposes foreign military alliances in the area
Osama El-Baz, the political advisor to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, said in a symposium held by the ruling National Party in Suez that Egypt is not an aggressive country but it uses its available military capability to suppress aggression. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 10/27/1998 - Moussa meets with US ambassador in Cairo to review recent accord
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa met tonight with the US ambassador in Cairo, Daniel Kurtzer, who said after the meeting that serious consultations between US and Egypt continue about a large number of matters. Egypt-USA, Politics, 10/27/1998 - Aid organizations call on UN to end civil war in southern Sudan
Four aid organizations working in southern Sudan called on the UN to end the civil war and the humanitarian crisis there. Sudan-UN, Politics, 10/27/1998 - Speaker of Moroccan Parliament to co-chair first Euro-Mediterranean forum
For the first time, Libya is represented in a Euro-Mediterranean conference while Lebanon and Syria are absent Regional-Morocco-European Union, Politics, 10/27/1998 - Moroccan association calls for end to Iraqi people's sufferings
The Moroccan National Committee of Support to the Iraqi People, a non-governmental organization, called on the international community to work for an end to the sufferings of the Iraqi people and to "behaviors that violate legality and basic principles of international law." Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 10/27/1998 - President Clinton contacts Arab leaders over Palestinian-Israeli accord
King Hassan II was among the Arab leaders that U.S. President Bill Clinton informed on the contents of the Palestinian-Israel interim peace accord, concluded last week at the White House. Morocco-Morocco, Politics, 10/27/1998 - Bahrain - mobile phones Bahrain, Politics, 10/27/1998
- Syria releases Jordanian engineers Jordan-Syria, Politics, 10/27/1998
- King Fahd hails Wye agreement Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 10/27/1998
- CIA's Wye role faces scrutiny inside the US
White House Press Spokesman Joe Lockhart said yesterday that the US Central Intelligence Agency is not playing an unprecedented role in the Palestinian - Israeli security agreement, despite questions from the US legislature. Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 10/27/1998 - Iranian authorities announce first municipal council elections since 1979 revolution Iran, Politics, 10/27/1998
- Arrest campaign targets those who escaped compulsory recruitment in Sudan Sudan, Politics, 10/27/1998
- Arafat calls EU to help peace agreement overcome enemies
Palestinian Presidnet Yasser Arafat met on Saturday with Austrian Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schussel, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union. Palestine-European Union, Politics, 10/26/1998 - Syrian newspapers, Palestinian organizations attack Wye agreement
Syrian newspapers launched a strong attack on the Israeli - Palestinian peace agreement as weak and for a destroyed peace. Syria-Israel, Politics, 10/26/1998 - Arab League, Qatar calls for peace negotiations on the Syrian track
The Arab League yesterday highlighted the importance of resuming negotiations on the Syrian track of the peace process with Israel from the point at which they stopped. Regional, Politics, 10/26/1998 - Al-Assad thanks Khatami on efforts to resolve Turkish - Syrian crisis
The statements made by al-Sharaa and his Iranian counterpart, Kamal Kharazi, in Iran suggested that the issue of relations between Iran and Cairo are on the agenda of the talks. Syria-Iran, Politics, 10/26/1998 - Egypt offers mediation between Syria and Jordan
Arab diplomatic sources confirmed that Egypt is exerting efforts terminate the dispute between Syria and Jordan. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 10/26/1998 - Qatari foreign minister visited Asmara after visiting Yemen
Yemen and Qatari signed yesterday an agreement in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, that calls for forming a joint ministerial committee to address commercial, economic and investment cooperation in addition to joint cultural and police coordination. Qatar-Yemen-Eritrea, Politics, 10/26/1998 - UN Secretary General expected in Morocco shortly, UN official says
Secretary general of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, is expected shortly in Morocco as part of a tour of North Africa, said UN assistant secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, Bernard Miyet. Morocco-West Sahara-UN, Politics, 10/26/1998 - Arafat praises King Hassan's role in Mideast peace process
Arafat, who paid a short visit to Morocco over the weekend, said in a departure statement that he came to Rabat to inform King Hassan II of the outcome of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations at the Wye Plantation in the United States. Palestine-Morocco, Politics, 10/26/1998 - Lahoud continues consultations ahead of assuming presidency
Lebanese Presidnet-elect Emil Lahoud met with Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri to discuss issues that will be on the agenda when he assumes the presidency next month, the Lebanese National News Agency reported. Lebanon, Politics, 10/26/1998 - Jordan, Egypt call for Wye timetable Jordan-Egypt, Politics, 10/26/1998
- Bahrain discusses GCC unified customs plan Bahrain-Gulf, Politics, 10/26/1998
- Saudi Crown Prince visits Pakistan Saudi Arabia-Pakistan, Politics, 10/26/1998
- Israel attacking Iraq with crocodiles and snakes Iraq, Politics, 10/26/1998
- Shamseddine to Morocco
The head of the Higher Shiite Council in Lebanon, Mohammed Mahdi Shamseddine is leaving today Beirut to visit Morocco, according to an official invitation from the Moroccan Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, in which he will meet with Morocco's King Hassan II and high-ranking Moroccan officials. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 10/26/1998