Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 12/14/1998

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of December 14, 1998

• Moussa hopes to contain Iraqi situation - regional reaction
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa expressed his hope that the current situation between Baghdad and Washington would be contained to protect the best interests of the Iraqi people and to seek a diplomatic method to resolve any currently pending issues. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 12/19/1998
• A message from Mubarak to Clinton Egypt, Politics, 12/19/1998
• Iraq: Life goes on
  Despite the shelling to which Iraq has been exposed this week, life in Baghdad goes on normally, even the strongest air strike did not arise the care of the inhabitants in Baghdad, where as usual they went to their jobs. Iraq, Politics, 12/19/1998
• US says Iraqi damage from attack is substantial Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/19/1998
• Kuwait obstructs OIC decision at the UN condemning strikes against Iraq Iraq, Politics, 12/19/1998
• US pressure on Damascus Declaration states concerning Iraq Iraq, Politics, 12/19/1998
• US called upon Tehran not to interfere in events taking place in Iraq Iraq-Iran-USA, Politics, 12/19/1998
• On Arab states reaction to the aggression against Iraq
  Iraq's representative at the UN, Nizar Hamdoun, said that he did not hear any voice from the Arab group denouncing the US-British aggression against Iraq. But he indicated that a statements was released by the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement voicing solidarity with Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 12/19/1998
• Iranian contacts to settle the Iraqi crisis Iraq-Iran, Politics, 12/19/1998
• Moroccan parliament to hold special session on Iraq, more condemnations of raids
  The Moroccan House of Representatives will hold next Monday a plenary session in solidarity with the Iraqi people, as more reactions condemning the US-British raids continue to be expressed by various political parties, associations and students all over Morocco. Morocco, Politics, 12/19/1998
• Syrian lawyers protest attacks against Iraq
  The Syrian Bar Association on Saturday suspended all court hearings in Syrain courts at 10.00 a.m. (Damascus local time) as an expression of the condemnation and denunciation by the Syrian lawyers of the US and British military attacks against the "brotherly people of Iraq." Syria, Politics, 12/19/1998
• US stops its attack against Iraq Iraq, Politics, 12/19/1998
• More Iraqi civilians killed Iraq, Politics, 12/19/1998
• China: US strikes aiming at toppling Saddam are inefective in removing government Iraq, Politics, 12/19/1998
• Jordanian minister of energy postpones visit to Baghdad Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/19/1998
• Aziz: Attacks are criminal
  Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz continued Iraq's strong condemnation of this week's US - British military attacks against Iraq, repeatedly referring to the attacks as "criminal." Iraq, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Strike on Iraq prompts concern of Moroccan government and angry reaction among Moroccans
  The leader of the nationalist "Istiqlal party," represented in the government, denounced "the coward aggression," expressing the party's total support with Iraqis Regional, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Iraqi president issues statement on US - British air strikes Iraq, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Russia withraws ambassadors from Washington over Iraq aggression
  Russian President Boris Yeltsin and his Chinese counterpart Jiang Zemin discussed in a phone conversation the situation in the Arab Gulf region after the start of the current US - British military operation against Iraq Regional, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Iraq calls for attacking US, UK interests, widespread reactions rolling in
  An Iraqi Baath Party official has called upon Arabs to attack the interests of the US and Britain, who on early Thursday morning started intensive air raids against Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Al-Hoss government wins Parliament confidence Lebanon, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Iran, Qatar FMs say strikes on Iraq will intensify conditions in the region Qatar-Iran, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Kurdish national council to be formed within months
  Chairman of the Kurdish parliament in exile Yasar Kaya said that within the coming months a meeting will be held for Kurds from Syria, Iraq, Iran and Turkey in order to maintain Kurdish national unity in the region. Regional, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Jordan, Turkey close borders with Iraq
  Jordan on Thursday morning closed its eastern border with Iraq, only permitting the entry of diplomats to its territory. The Jordanian measure aims at facing the possibility of the flow of refugees to Jordan following the US-British attacks against Baghdad. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Japanese foreign minister to visit Cairo at beginning of 1999 Regional-Egypt-Japan, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Syrian PM speaker delegated by al-Assad to PA's opening session
  Delegated by Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, the Speaker of the Syrian People's Assembly, Abdul Qader Qaddoura, delivered the inaugural speech for the legislature's seventh term. Syria, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Specter conveys message from Netanyahu to President al-Assad
  In a press conference he held in Damascus before he headed for Cairo, US Senator Arlen Specter said on Thursday that he had conveyed a message from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to President Hafez al-Assad. Syria-USA, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Security Council extends term of UN mission in Sahara
  The UN security council unanimously decided on Thursday to extend till January 31, 1999 the term of "MINURSO," UN mission supervising the referendum process in the Sahara. Morocco, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Morocco cannot accept some Sahrawis be considered as 2nd-class applicants in Sahara referendum
  Morocco cannot in any case accept that 65,000 Sahrawis be considered as second-class applicants in the projected referendum in the Sahara and be given less favorable conditions and procedures that are not conforming to the UN settlement plan on the Sahara. Morocco, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Sarid calls for Israel's withdrawal from the Golan
  President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt on Thursday received the chairman of the Israeli opposition Meretz movement, Yossi Sarid. Following the meeting Sarid said his discussions with President Mubarak were good, during which "multiple aspects of the Middle East peace process were reviewed." Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Cairo denies deal with Islamic Group to halt violence
  The Egyptian Ministry of the Interior issued a statement on Thursday in which it denied any deal between the government and the Islamic Group organization that provides for giving concessions in exchange for the "group's leaders'" instructions to their followers to halt violent operations. Egypt, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Israel monitors developments of US-British strikes against Iraq
  Israel has announced that it is still following the development of the British - US assault against Iraq. Iraq-Israel, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Arab ministers call for dealing with year 2000 computer problem
  The council of Arab communication ministers has called on the Arab states to deal with the problem of computerized communication in the year 2000 and to make use of the assistance given by the World Bank to treat this problem financially and technically. Regional, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Arab Maghreb Union chief meets senior Arab League official
  Secretary General of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), Mohamed Amamou, conferred Wednesday here with Arab League Secretary General Assistant, Noureddine Hachad, on cooperation prospects between the two Arab bodies to enhance Inter-Arab solidarity and unity. Regional-North Africa, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Moroccan and Spanish councils pledge to upgrade cooperation
  The Moroccan national council for youth and the future (CNJA) and the Spanish economic and social council pledged to consolidate cooperation to give a new momentum to rapprochement between the two countries' civil societies. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Islamic scholar denounces parcelling out of Muslim countries
  The Syrian-born theologian said the self-determination principle should be applied to peoples under foreign colonial domination, as is the case for the Palestinian and Irish peoples whose calls for self-determination are legitimate. Regional, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Syrian, Lebanese FMs talks on Iraqi crisis Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Sudanese minister visits Bahrain Sudan-Bahrain, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Iran releases 375 Iraqi prisoners Iraq-Iran, Politics, 12/18/1998
• Kurdish official:Kurdish condensed meetings in northern Iraq soon Iraq, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Mordechai for early Israeli elections Israel, Politics, 12/17/1998
• New demands for Yemeni kidnappers
  Members of the Yemeni Bani Zubian tribe who kidnapped four Germans in the Wadi al-Zeina district demanded that the Yemeni government carry out development projects in their district and provide work opportunities and scholarships. Yemen, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Syrian President confers with US senator on Middle East developments Syria-USA, Politics, 12/17/1998
• The US and UK strike against Iraq
  US Secretary of Defense William Cohen and General Henry Shelton, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Wednesday that strategic jet fighters B-52 and cruise missiles were launched from naval ships taking part in attacks against Iraq, which US President Clinton said were launched before the beginning of the fasting month of Ramadan, expected on Sunday, because launching an attack during Ramadan would have been "profoundly offensive to the Muslim world." Iraq, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Iraq slams US attacks and questions significance of violations
  Iraqi Foreign Minister Muhammad al-Sahaf said that the US and British governments are "fully responsible for their acts of aggression against Iraq," calling US and British leaders "cheap liars" and playing down the significance of the violations of unconditional access reported by UNSCOM chairman Richard Butler. Iraq, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Arab reactions as Russia denounces attack
  Arab reactions on the US / British military operation against Iraq, Desert Fox, have not been forthcoming due to the timing of the strike and the official news sources release. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Morocco: No conflict between us and U.N on Sahara issue
  There is no conflict (between Morocco and the United nations), and Morocco has not rejected the proposals submitted by the U.N secretary general regarding the Sahara issue. Morocco, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Mubarak confers with Arafat
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday the received Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and held with him a round of talks dealing with the latest developments on the Palestinian-Israeli track. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Syrian Parliament convenes its new session today
  The Syrian People's Assembly (parliament) held today its first session in its sixth legislative course, which will last for four years, in the presence of several diplomats, officials and observers. Syria, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Khatami expresses satisfaction over Iran's relations with Gulf states
  Iranian President Muhammad Khatami has expressed satisfaction over his country's improving relations with the Arab Gulf states. Gulf-Iran, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Ruler of Bahrain calls for convening Arab summit
  on the occasion of the Bahrain's national day the need for a forum in whcih, "Arab brothers will meet to achieve national detente and to open a new page of joint Arab work based on frankness and open dialogue." Bahrain, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Israel readies to respond, Iraqi missile attack ruled out
  Torn between their newly-established honeymoon with the US Administration and their solemn support for the Iraqi people, Palestinians took to the streets in a number of West Bank towns and cities to protest the US and British air strikes on Iraq. Palestine, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Lebanese complaints over Israeli military flights over Beirut
  The April Understanding Monitoring Committee will meet on Sunday at the headquarters of UNIFIL at the Lebanese border town of al-Naqoura. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Report: On al-Gemayel returning to Lebanon
  Lebanese political circles that used to be close from former Lebanese President Amin al-Gemayel disclosed a critical secret message sent by al-Gemayel directly to former US President Ronald Reagan via the US National Security Council dated March 30, 1984 on the May, 17 agreement. Lebanon, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Rabat and Madrid eager to harmonize cooperation in many fields
  Morocco and Spain are both keen on harmonizing their cooperation actions in matters of security and of struggle against drug trafficking, terrorism, illegal immigration, and the exploitation of persons by illegal networks, said Moroccan interior minister Driss Basri. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/17/1998
• First official visit by a Greek foreign minister to Kuwait
  A round of official talks was held on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry between the first Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad and Greek Foreign Minister Theodhoros Pangalos. Kuwait-Greece, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Turkey, Israel conclude military talks
  For his part Mordechai expressed Israel's readiness to strengthen military cooperation relations with Turkey, especially in the area of air navigation. The deal to modernize the Turkish Phantom planes and the F-5 warplanes is estimated at a cost of US $ 700 million. Turkey-Israel, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Palestinian official not to take part in committee on releasing prisoners
  Member of the Palestinian authority Mahmoud Abbas has announced that he will not from now on take part in the joint trilateral committee with Israel and the US, in charge of discussing the question of releasing Palestinian security prisoners held in Israeli jails. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Rights and liberties in Arab world discussed in symposium on human rights
  The Arab Organization for Human Rights held a symposium yesterday on the occasion of 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Regional, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Relations between Iran, Egypt highlighted
  Deputy chairman of the Iranian Shoura council Hassan Rouhani met on Wednesday in Tehran with the chairman of the foreign policy committee at the Egyptian parliament, Amin Mubarak. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Israel prevented from participating in Amman tourism conference
  Representatives of local councils in Israel decided not to take part in conference concerned with political affairs, to be held in the Jordan. Representatives from all parts of the world are taking part in the conference. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 12/17/1998
• UNSCOM's return to Iraq after attacks uncertain Iraq, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Arab League withdraws inaccurate Moroccan maps
  The Arab League decided lately to withdraw some inaccurate and false maps harming Morocco's territorial integrity. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Saudi - Iranian committee winds up deliberations
  The Saudi-Iranian joint committee concluded on Wednesday in Tehran meetings of its first session at the ministerial level, led by the Saudi Trade Minister Osama Fakih and his Iranian counterpart Muhammad Shariat-Madari. The two sides signed the final statement of the committee's meetings. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Lebanese Parliament discuss government's ministerial statement Lebanon, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Hamadani continues consultations to form new Algerian government Algeria, Politics, 12/17/1998
• A message from ruler of Qatar to Saudi crown prince Saudi Arabia-Qatar, Politics, 12/17/1998
• Netanyahu paves the way to early elections Israel, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Egypt cancels visa for Qataris Egypt-Qatar, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Iraq once again under specter of military threat
  In the aftermath of a report by UNSCOM chairman Richard Butler that was critical of Iraq cooperation with international weapons inspectors, the possiblity of military strikes by the US against Iraq is looming large once again. Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Palestinians warn: we won't implement Wye unilaterally
  Mordechai is due to hold a press conference on Thursday in which he is expected to announce officially his support for early elections in Israel. Palestine, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Annan: US policy toward Iraq goes beyond UN policy
  UN Secretary General Kofi Annan indicated that the US policy towards Iraq is different from that of the United Nations. Iraq-UN, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Moussa: Palestinians should unite to aviod explosion
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa emphasized the importance of kepping the Palestinian internal situation away from an explosion. Egypt, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Arab league official calls for creation of Arab free-trade zone Regional, Politics, 12/16/1998
• US senator visits Damascus today
  Western diplomatic sources told the London-based al-Hayat daily that the chairman of the intelligence committee in the US Senate, Arlen Specter, will visit Damascus today to hold talks with the Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa. It is expected that Specter will also meet with President Hafez al-Assad. Syria-USA, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Rights organizations escalate campaign against Egypt
  Egyptian opposition forces and parties announced the formation a front for political and democratic reform that aims at expanding general liberties, while 13 human rights organizations issued a statement in which they urged the parties and civil organizations to demand the stoppage of all provocative procedures against human rights movements in the country. Egypt, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Morocco hopes new Algerian cabinet would change stand on bilateral relations
  Morocco hopes that the new Algerian cabinet would change its stand regarding Algeria's relations with the kingdom. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Yemeni President in France seeks aid and armor
  French diplomatic sources said on Tuesday that Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, currently visiting Paris, has expressed during his talks with his French counterpart Jacques Chirac hope of strengthening defense relations and economic cooperation between the two countries. Yemen-France, Politics, 12/16/1998
• On annexation decision anniversary, Golan people on general strike
  A general strike was held on Monday in most towns and villages of the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/16/1998
• EU, ME peace envoy meets with Qatar's foreign minister
  The European Union's Middle East peace process envoy, Miguel Angel Moratinos, held talks on Tuesday in Doha with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Jasem Bin Jaber al-Thani relating to the Middle East peace process. Qatar-European Union, Politics, 12/16/1998
• AL chief discusses Jerusalem's future with Pope John Paul II
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid on Tuesday headed to Italy for a five-day official visit during which he will discuss with Pope John Paul II the future of Jerusalem. Regional-Vatican, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Saudi-Iranian committee meets in Riyadh
  Meetings of the Saudi-Iranian ministerial committee started in Riyadh on Tuesday. It was co-chaired by the Saudi minister of Trade Osama Jaafar Faqih and his Iranian counterpart, Muhammad Sharia Madari. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Jordanian-Iranian committee meets in Amman
  Works of the Jordanian-Iranian joint committee chaired by Jordanian Minister of Industry and Trade Muhammad Saleh al-Hourani and his Iranian counterpart, Ghulam Rida Shafee, opened on Tuesday in Amman. Jordan-Iran, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Rabat and Madrid determined to upgrade struggle against illegal immigration
  Morocco and Spain have decided to upgrade their cooperation in struggle against illegal immigration through increased contacts between the two countries' interior departments. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/16/1998
• More international backing for the new Lebanese government
  Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss on Tuesday received several Arab and foreign ambassadors accredited to Lebanon who conveyed their governments' congratulations to al-Hoss and his new government. Lebanon-International, Politics, 12/16/1998
• The US attacks Iraq
  The US President addressing the nation about this issue said "on the unanimous recommendations of my security team, I have ordered a strike against Saddam" and it will be focused on military targets for the purpose of containing him Iraq, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Egyptian official discusses relations with Sudan
  Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael met yesterday with Samir Seif, the first Egyptian assistant foreign minister, who is currently visiting Khartoum to participate in the meetings of the ministerial meeting on refugees. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Zyuganov demands lifting of sanctions imposed on Libya Libya-Russia, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Jordanian parties oppose decision to prevent Jordanians from taking part in Palestinian conference in Damascus
  The higher coordination committee of the Jordanian opposition parties described the Jordanian government's decision to prevent Jordanian party leaders and political figures from attending the Palestinian National Conference recently held in Damascus as a "violation of human rights of the Jordanians." Jordan, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Albright holds meeting in Amman Jordan-USA, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Iranian, Hizbullah officials highlight Lebanese resistance's role in confronting Israel Lebanon-Iran, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Nine Palestinian National Council members boycotted session to cancel charter provisions
  News reports from the West Bank said that nine members of the Palestinian National Council for Bethlehem district boycotted on Tuesday the session held in Gaza. Palestine, Politics, 12/16/1998
• New Lebanese premier to visit Damascus Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Lebanese President meets with Kuwaiti minister Lebanon-Kuwait, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Algerian President nominates Hamdani to form new Cabinet Algeria, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Lebanese parliament speaker confers with US ambassador Lebanon-USA, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Saudi soldier shot from inside Iraqi territories Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 12/16/1998
• GCC secretary confers with British ambassador to Saudi Arabia Gulf-UK, Politics, 12/16/1998
• Saudi Arabia, Eritrea for boosting bilateral relations Saudi Arabia-Eritrea, Politics, 12/16/1998
• President Clinton's historic speech to the Palestinians Regional, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Clinton after historic trip: I have achieved what I came here to achieve Regional, Politics, 12/15/1998
• AL welcomes Clinton's visit Regional, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Kuwaiti official in Tehran to attend Islamic parliaments' conference
  Chairman of the Kuwaiti Nation's Council (Parliament) Ahmad al-Sadoun arrived in Tehran on Monday to take part in the preliminary meeting of the Islamic parliamentary conference. Regional-Kuwait, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Netanyahu's government may fall on Monday Israel-Regional-USA, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Bosnian president leaves Morocco Morocco, Politics, 12/15/1998
• On the Israeli decision to annex the Golan Heights
  On December 14, 1981, the Israeli Knesset adopted a decision annexing the occupied Syrian Golan Heights to Israel. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Morocco to set up social development agency with $ 76 million for job-creation
  The Moroccan government announced in Marrakesh Monday that it will allocate $ 76 million for the enforcement of measures to promote employment and will increase the budget earmarked for self-employment from a current 50 million dh ($ 5.4 million) to 100 Mln DH ($ 11 mln). Morocco, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Algerian president accepts premier's resignation, new government within 72 hours
  A statement released by the Algerian presidency on Monday said that President Liamine Zeroual accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Ahmad Ouyahia. Algeria, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Mubarak confers with Kabila
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Laurent Kabila on Monday in Cairo held a round of talks. Egypt-Congo, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Albright is visiting Jordanian today Jordan-USA, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Regional projects to boost Euro-Med partnership in energy
  A series of regional projects aimed at fostering the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in the area of energy were presented to the Euro-Med Committee in Brussels on November 25, 1998. Regional-European Union, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Ali Saleh announced commitment to amicable solution with Saudi Arabia
  Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh asserted following a meeting he held in Paris with his French counterpart Jacques Chirac Yemen's commitment to a "friendly and amicable solution" to Yemen's border dispute with Saudi Arabia. Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/15/1998
• US: Iraq has blocked at least three inspections
  State department spokesman James Foley said today about the UNSCOM report submitted to the UN about Iraqi compliance "I would note that Iraq has blocked at least three inspections in recent days Iraq, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Israeli delegation to visit Cairo
  A delegation from the Israeli Meretz movement will visit Cairo on Thursday under the chairmanship of Knesset member Yossi Sarid to discuss with Egyptian officials the result of US President Bill Clinton's visit to Israel Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Spanish Home Minister in Marrakesh
  Talks with his Moroccan peer Driss Basri will cover cooperation between the two countries interior departments as well as struggle against drug trafficking, organized crime and illegal emigration. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/15/1998
• On the Jordanian delegation being prevented travel to Syria for Palestinian conference
  A statement issued by the Jordanian minister of the Interior Nayef al-Qadi on Sunday at the Jordanian parliament noted the prevention of 50 invitees from heading for Damascus to take part in the " Palestinian national conference." Jordan-Syria, Politics, 12/15/1998
• US responds to possible Libyan surrender of suspects
  The US responded today to the action of the Libyan government in what seemed to be preparations to hand over individuals accused of being involved in the Lockerbie bombing incident for trial in a neutral country. Libya, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Iranian trade minister in Riyadh
  Iranian Trade Minister Muhammad Sharia Madari arrived in Riyadh on Monday to preside over the Iranian side to the meetings of the joint Iranian-Saudi committee, due to start deliberations on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Annan recommends extension of Minurso term
  Annan said "the proposed measures were officially accepted by the Polisario and had the absolute backing of Algeria and Mauritania, while the government of Morocco renewed in a memorandum dated on November 20, 1998, the concerns its had initially expressed during my trip to Marrakesh." Morocco, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Palestinians in Damascus protest cancellation of Palestinian charter
  A large march started in Yarmouk Camp in Damascus on Monday in protest against the cancellation of the Palestinian National Charter in Gaza on Monday. Palestine, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Islamic World League stresses the Arab identity of Jerusalem
  The Islamic World League has asserted the Arab identity of the holy city of Jerusalem. It called upon the international community to implement UN resolutions reinforcing that Jerusalem is part of occupied Palestine and that Israel has no right to make any geographic or demographic change to it. Regional, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Britain - Kuwait ambassador Kuwait-UK, Politics, 12/15/1998
• African refugees conference denounces foreign intervenes
  The sessions of the ministerial conference for African refugees were concluded yesterday, where more than 27 ministers and representatives of 42 African countries and 22 international organizations attended. Regional-Africa, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Hamas refuses to amend Palestinian charter
  Hamas movement yesterday refused the Palestinian National Council's ratification of canceling the Palestinian charter's articles which call for the destruction of Israel. Palestine, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Moroccan Premier congratulates his Lebanese counterpart Morocco-Lebanon, Politics, 12/15/1998
• De Charette concludes visit to Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia-France, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Acts of violence continue in Algeria Algeria, Politics, 12/15/1998
• A communique from al-Bashir to ruler of Qatar Qatar-Sudan, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Gulf states secretary confers with Middle East EU envoy
  The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Sheikh Jamil al-Hujeilan met on Monday at the headquarters of the GCC general secretariat with European Union special envoy for the Middle East, Miguel Angel Moratinos. Gulf-European Union, Politics, 12/15/1998
• Clinton addresses Palestinian National Council as charter is amended
  The Palestinian National Council today reaffirmed the cancellation of articles in the Palestinian National Charter that refer to the destruction of Israel in a vote by a show of hands that took place in Gaza in the presence of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and US President Bill Clinton. Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 12/14/1998
• A view from Gaza
  US President Bill Clinton wanted to solve the prisoner release issue before he returns to the US. Palestinian President Yasser Arafat needed this agreement no less than Clinton. It makes his life easier, especially as it could help the current wave of unrest to fade away. It would also help minimize the effect of the meeting his opponents held in Damascus. Palestine-USA, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Mubarak confers with Congo counterpart Egypt-Congo, Politics, 12/14/1998
• On the meeting of the Palestinian groups in Damascus
  The opposition Palestinian groups in the "General National Conference" which convened the conference on Saturday and Sunday in Damascus rejected the decision to amend the Palestinian National Charter, taken by the central council of the PLO in Gaza on Thursday. Palestine, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Palestinian official insists on declaring state on May 4, 1999
  Palestinian officials insisted on declaring an independent Palestinian state on May 4, 1999 according to the Oslo plan and the end of the 5-year transitional period. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Morocco says Sahara issue is used to slow Moroccan development and for geopolitical reasons
  Messari said "it seems that there are hidden objectives to maintain the conflict to prevent Morocco from focus on its economic development." Morocco, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Ummah Party head agrees to idea of conference in Sudan Sudan, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Cairo to host symposium on human rights
  An expanded Arab symposium is to be held tomorrow in Cairo on the 50th anniversary of the International Declaration of Human Rights. The one-day symposium will be organized by the Public Union of Arab Journalists, the Arab Lawyers Union and the Arab Organization for Human Rights. Regional, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Eritrea: Solution with Sudan needs political will
  Eritrean Foreign Minister Haile Weldensae stressed in Khartoum on Saturday his country's readiness to settle its disputes with Sudan, calling upon Sudan to "change its strategy towards Asmara. Sudan-Eritrea, Politics, 12/14/1998
• UNSCOM resumes surprise inspections in Iraq
  UNSCOM experts on Sunday continued surprise inspections of Iraqi sites. The UN inspections left al-Rasheed hotel manning ten cars heading for Iraqi positions. Iraq, Politics, 12/14/1998
• For better Egyptian-Iranian relations
  Iranian Vice President Masumeh Ebtekar has asserted that strengthening economic and trade relations between Egypt and Iran would foster political relations between the two countries. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Egyptian parliamentary delegation visits Iran for the first time since 1979
  An Egyptian parliamentary delegation left for Tehran on Sunday on a visit which will last for several days, the first visit of its kind in 19 years. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 12/14/1998
• El-Bashir urges the world to increase aid to avoid refugee disaster
  The Organization of African Unity's secretary general, Salem Ahmed Salem, blamed African officials for the great refugee problems in the African continent. Sudan-Africa, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Abdul Meguid starts visit to Italy and the Vatican
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid will start tomorrow a visit to Italy and the Vatican, during which he will hold talks with high-ranking officials in the Italian government tackling developments in the Middle East peace process, the European - Mediterranean partnership, the meetings of the Barcelona Declaration countries, and peace and security in the Mediterranean Basin. Regional-Vatican, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Three way summit falls through -- for today
  Today after US President Bill Clinton attended the Palestinian National Council session during which the Palestinians reconfirmed the annulment of 28 articles in the Palestinian National Charter that refer to the destruction of Israel, circumstances looked as though they would bring about a meeting between the Palestinian, Israeli, and US leaders, but the plans for the meeting fell through after the PNC meeting ended. Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Bosnian president in Morocco Morocco-Bosnia, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Islamic Jihad chief arrested in Gaza after threatening Clinton assassination Palestine, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Saudi crown prince confers with former Lebanese premier, King Hussein's sons Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Algerian emigrants evacuated from Melila Algeria-Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Qatari ruler sends message to Gaddafi Libya-Qatar, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Yemeni president in Paris
  The Yemeni news agency Sabaa said that President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen left Sanaa on Sunday heading for Paris on a working visit aimed at "strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries." Yemen, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Turkish air force commander in Israel Turkey-Israel, Politics, 12/14/1998
• Syrian party official confers with Islamic National Conference chief Syria-Regional, Politics, 12/14/1998
• President al-Assad confers with EU ME peace envoy Syria-European Union, Politics, 12/14/1998
• EU envoy summarizes the EU's role in the ME peace process
  During his visit to Amman this week, the European Union's special envoy for the Middle East peace process, Miguel Moratinos, said the EU already has a role in the Middle East and that the actions the EU can undertake will give new momentum to the Middle East peace process. Jordan-European Union, Politics, 12/14/1998

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