Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 12/21/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of December 21, 1998
- Jerusalem: Out of sight, not out of heart
It wasn't the Christmas Palestinians in Bethlehem had expected. Very few tourists showed up and lots of hotel cancellations have struck this year's tourism season. Palestine, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Moroccans pray for rain
Morocco's agricultural sector, which accounts for around 20 percent of the GDP and employs nearly half of an estimated 10-million workforce, relies mainly on rain. Morocco, Politics, 12/26/1998 - US punishes Syria by refusing to issue tourist visas includes Syrian officials Syria-USA, Politics, 12/26/1998
- Polisario denies Annan proposed dividing the Sahara with Morocco
The Polisario front denied that United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan proposed dividing the Sahara with Morocco. Morocco-West Sahara, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Egyptian Consultation Council denounces strikes against Iraq,
Sheikh Ikermeh Sabri, Jerusalem's Mufti, launched yesterday a severe attack on the United States and accused it of trying to submit the Arab and the Islamic countries to its control. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Egyptian opposition criticizes government position toward Iraqi crisis
Egyptian political opposition parties and forces have escalated their campaign against the government and organized a massive conference on Wednesday that witnessed a confrontation between leaders of the opposition and the representative of the ruling national party who took part in the conference. Egypt, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Yemeni parliament chairman: United States is a terrorist country Yemen, Politics, 12/26/1998
- Lebanon intensifies contacts with UN Security Council over south Lebanon
Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss on Thursday discussed with the charge d'affairs at the US embassy in Beirut, David Hale, current contacts to limit any Israeli attacks against the Lebanese territories. Lebanon, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Sheikh Yassin: No peace unless Palestinian rights are restored
In statements today after being released by the Palestinian government Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the spiritual leader of Hamas, urged the group's followers to adhere to the charter of the movement. Palestine, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Morocco supports holding of Arab summit
Morocco expressed adherence to Arab initiatives meant to convene an Arab extraordinary summit, it was officially announced on Thursday. Morocco, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Report: Netanyahu agrees to withdraw from most parts of the Golan
An Israeli daily stressed on Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared with the leader of the opposition of the Labor Party, Ehud Barak, a draft project for withdrawal from the major parts of the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, but the project has not come out yet. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Iranian president to make first visit to Saudi Arabia in 20 years
Iranian President Muhammad Khatami will hold an official visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz and Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Meeting coming between Talibani and Barzani
The main two Kurdish factions a announced on Thursday that their leaders will shortly meet in northern Iraq to discuss a peace agreement in which the US has mediated to sign. Iraq, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Lebanese Premier meets with Bashar al-Assad
Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss on Thursday met with son of the Syrian president, Bashar Hafez al-Assad. During his one-hour meeting with the Lebanese premier, Bashar al-Assad was accompanied by chairman of the Syrian security forces working in Lebanon Lt. Gen Ghazi Kanaan and Maj. Gen. Rustom Ghazaleh. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/26/1998 - South African Muslims start boycott to protest Iraq bombings
A coalition of Muslim organizations announced Friday that it plans a boycott of US and British products to protest the bombing of Iraq, press reports said. Iraq, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Unknown explosion shakes Baghdad
An explosion of "unknown source" on Thursday shook Baghdad's downtown, five days after the suspension of US-British attacks on Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Report: Turkish security council to discuss Syrian implementation of Adanah agreement
A Turkish daily on Thursday said the issue of Turkish-Syrian relations will be at the top of the agenda of the forthcoming meeting of the Turkish National Security Council. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 12/26/1998 - EU may exclude Israel from program to finance development, research
European and Israeli officials said that the European Union may ban sums of millions of US dollars to Israel in objection of its suspension of what was described as peace steps with the Palestinians. Israel-European Union, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Arafat in Cairo to study Mid East issues with Mubarak
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat will start this Saturday a two-day visit to Egypt for talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the latest developments in the Middle East. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Arafat may meet with Hawatmeh in Cairo
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat held on Wednesday in Ramallah in the West Bank meetings with a delegation representing the leadership of the Democratic Front for the Libartion of Palestine. Palestine, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Iraqi president: Attacks voilate Christian teachings
Iraqi president, Saddam Hussein, said Thursday that US-British raids violate the teachings of Jesus-Christ and called all believers to face the criminals. Iraq, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Kuwait welcomes holding of Arab summit
Kuwaiti Minister of information Yousef Al-Sumait has expressed Kuwait's readiness to attend any Arab summit if it was well prepared, adding that Kuwait has declared this position clearly. Kuwait, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Kabila penetrates air embargo on Libya
Libyan television reported that the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Laurant Kabila, arrived yesterday in Tripoli, Libya where he immediately met with Libyan leader Colonel Moammar Gaddafi. Libya-Congo, Politics, 12/26/1998 - Algerian Hamas movement nominate its chief Algeria, Politics, 12/26/1998
- Al-Turabi denies visit to Afghanistan Sudan, Politics, 12/26/1998
- A new Bahraini ambassador to Iran Bahrain-Iran, Politics, 12/26/1998
- Urgent meeting for the Arab foreign ministers on current conditions Regional, Politics, 12/26/1998
- Security repercussions for protecting US - British continents in Middle East Regional, Politics, 12/24/1998
- Beilin calls for immediate withdrawal from South Lebanon
Member of the Israeli Knesset for the Labor Party Yossi Beilin called for the immediate withdrawal of the Israeli Army from south Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 12/24/1998 - Egyptian opposition cancels demonstration in solidarity with Iraq
The Egyptian police on Wednesday prevented leaders of opposition parties from organizing a peaceful march heading for the Presidential Palace in order to hand over a statement demanding the immediate lifting of the embargo imposed on Iraq and the resumption of diplomatic relations severed between the two countries since the Iraqi invasion in August 1990. Egypt, Politics, 12/24/1998 - UNESCO calls for building 400 schools in Iraq, after 400 missile strikes
Director General of UNESCO, Federico Mayor, proposed Wednesday the construction of 400 schools in Iraq after the 400 missile strikes by the USA and Britain. Iraq-UN, Politics, 12/24/1998 - Cohen starts Gulf tour with new threats
US Defense Secretary William Cohen started his Arab Gulf tour with new threats in which he said he said that that Washington may renew its attacks against Iraq and that his country will keep more troops and military facilities in the Gulf region. Gulf-Kuwait-USA, Politics, 12/24/1998 - Ritter accuses Washington and London of playing with UNSCOM to strike Iraq
Former UNSCOM member from the US Scott Ritter has accused the US and Britain of "playing" in the works of the UN inspection committee to "justify " its raids on Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 12/24/1998 - Iraq prevents UN plane from landing in Baghdad
The Iraqi authorities on Wednesday prevented a UN plane from landing near Baghdad to take UN envoy Prakash Shah outside the country. Iraq-UN, Politics, 12/24/1998 - Jordanian association calls for unity between Syria and Iraq
Chairman of the Jordanian Bar Association Hussein Majali has extended a memorandum to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and to the Syrian President Hafez al-Assad in which he called for maintaining unity between Syria and Iraq in order "to withstand aggressive schemes." Jordan, Politics, 12/24/1998 - Moroccan premier presents government's short-term program to governors
Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi presented on Wednesday to the walis (senior governors) and governors the government's short term program. Morocco, Politics, 12/24/1998 - Al-Turabi to visit Qandahar, meet with Bin Laden
Well-informed Afghani sources told the London- based al-Hayat daily that preparations are underway in the city of of Qandahar, the main center of the Taleban movement, to receive former Sudanese Parliamentary Speaker Hassan al-Turabi who is expected to arrive there in a visit during which he will meet with Osama Bin Laden. Sudan-Afghanistan, Politics, 12/24/1998 - Arafat hails King Hassan stands in favor of Palestinian cause
Arafat, who sent King Hassan II a message, expressed "deep gratitude for the laudable efforts" made by the Moroccan King to support the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle to recover their inalienable rights, including their right to return, to self-determination and to an independent state with Al-Quds Asharif as capital. Palestine-Morocco, Politics, 12/24/1998 - Arab League continues efforts for solution to Lockerbie incident
Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid on Wednesday in Cairo discussed with Libyan Foreign Minister Omar al-Muntasir the latest developments concerning the Lockerbie crisis and efforts exerted to find a settlement for it. Libya-Regional, Politics, 12/24/1998 - Yemen renews call for Arab summit over Iraq
Yemen renewed Wednesday its call for an Arab summit to examine "the US-British aggression against Iraq." Yemen-Regional, Politics, 12/24/1998 - Egypt fears strikes against Iraq could affect compensation of Gulf War victims Egypt-Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/24/1998
- Lebanese Parliament speaker visits Cuba Lebanon-Cuba, Politics, 12/24/1998
- Mubarak discussed Lockerbie issue with Libyan FM Egypt-Libya, Politics, 12/24/1998
- Jordanian opposition sues government because for preventing them from travel Jordan, Politics, 12/24/1998
- Worldwide support voiced for the Iraqi people
A poll survey carried out by the French Audiovisual Council showed that 63 percent of the French people objected to the US-British attacks on Iraq, and 13% refused to comment on the aggression. Iraq-International, Politics, 12/23/1998 - Morocco's premier voices wish to consolidate ties with Algeria
Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Yousoufi, voiced wish to consolidate "fraternal" ties between the Moroccan and Algerian peoples. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 12/23/1998 - Iraq describes Kuwaiti position as treacherous
Iraq described the stance of the ruling family in Kuwait as "cowardly and treacherous," accusuing Kuwait of offering facilities to U.S. and British war planes shelling Iraq. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 12/23/1998 - UN humanitarian team arrives in Baghdad
Some 100 UN employees working in Humanitarian fields left Amman for Baghdad on Tuesday to resume their humanitarian tasks there. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/23/1998 - Cairo University political science department pursues cooperation with Iraqi universities
The political science department at Cairo University decided to develop its relations with scientific and academic institutions in Iraq without any barriers or limits and making no consideration to UN sanctions. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 12/23/1998 - Regional efforts continue regarding Arab summit on Iraq
Yemeni diplomatic sources said that Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh will direct messages to leaders, kings and presidents of the Arab countries, inviting them to convene an urgent Arab summit to deal with the developments in the Arab states, including the US - British attacks on Iraq. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 12/23/1998 - Arab League chief calls for new formula in dealing with Iraq
Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid called on Tuesday for a new mechanism to restore confidence between Iraq and the UN Security Council. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 12/23/1998 - Arab parliaments to hold extraordinary session on Iraq
The Arab Parliamentary Union will hold on Sunday an extraordinary session on "the US-British aggression against Iraq," speaker of the Jordanian chamber of representatives, Abdelhadi Majali, announced on Wednesday. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 12/23/1998 - Iranian president stresses cooperation in Gulf region
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi said on Tuesday that Iran did not support the US-British military strikes on Iraq, which were terminated on Saturday. Iran-Oman, Politics, 12/23/1998 - Further escalation between Damascus and Washington, London
The US embassy in Damascus has officially decided to indefinitely suspend granting tourism visas in an adverse impact on the bilateral relations between Washington and Damascus for the demonstrations which targeted the headquarters of the US embassy and other affiliated centers in Damascus in objection to the US bombardment of Iraq. Syria-USA, Politics, 12/23/1998 - Iran denies involvement in Lockerbie
The Iranian embassy in Bonn has strongly denied allegations made by the Frankfort city Attorney General on the possibility of Iran's involvement in the 1988 explosion of a US passenger jet over Lockerbie, Scotland. Iran-Germany, Politics, 12/23/1998 - Blair calls upon the International community to pressure Libya hand over Lockerbie suspects
British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Monday called upon the international community to pressure Libya to hand over it citizens Ali al-Maqirhi and al-Amin Fahimah, accused of bombing a Pan -Am plane over the Scottish village of Lockerbie ten years ago. Libya-UK, Politics, 12/23/1998 - China refuses Russia's call to form strategic triangle with India
China has refused the call made by Russia to establish a strategic triangle linking them with India in order to ensure political stability in the Middle East and to stand against Washington's interference in international affairs. Iraq-International, Politics, 12/23/1998 - France wants UN Security role concerning Iraq Iraq-France, Politics, 12/23/1998
- New air link between Gaza and Cairo Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 12/23/1998
- Kuwait was dragged into strikes on Iraq, Kuwaiti minister says Kuwait, Politics, 12/23/1998
- Peres supports the establishment of a Palestinian state Israel, Politics, 12/23/1998
- Cohen to visit Kuwait today Kuwait-USA, Politics, 12/23/1998
- Jordanian physicians boycott British, US drugs Jordan, Politics, 12/23/1998
- A message from Blair to Bahraini prime minister
Bahrain's Prime Minister Sheikh Khaleifa Bin Salman al-Khaleifa on Tuesday received a message from British Prime Minister Tony Blair. No information was reported on the content of the message. Bahrain-UK, Politics, 12/23/1998 - Iraq to maintain new diplomatic activities Iraq, Politics, 12/22/1998
- Egyptian pary leaders demonstrate in support of Iraq Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 12/22/1998
- Islamic communities representatives meet with British officials on Iraq Iraq-UK, Politics, 12/22/1998
- Kuwait still has fears of Iraqi government Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 12/22/1998
- UN Security Council opens debate on Iraq Iraq-Regional, Politics, 12/22/1998
- Syrian PNF condemns aggression on Iraq, stresses land-for-peace principle Syria, Politics, 12/22/1998
- Kuwaiti Cabinet discusses recent military strikes against Iraq Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 12/22/1998
- AL for convening Arab summit; Security Council begins discussions Regional-Iraq, Politics, 12/22/1998
- Moroccan representatives call for extraordinary Arab summit
The Moroccan House of Representatives called Monday for an extraordinary Arab summit to adopt a unified position on the anti-Iraq aggression and embargo. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 12/22/1998 - Algerian president denounces US and British interference in other countries' affairs Algeria-Iraq, Politics, 12/22/1998
- France calls for changes in UNSCOM
French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine on Monday said that the international community needs to put in place a system of continuous control over Iraqi weapons. Iraq-France, Politics, 12/22/1998 - Libya will hand over Lockerbie suspects only to international court
Libyan Leader Moammar Ghaddafi said Libya will hand over its two nationals suspected of being behind the Lockerbie bombing only to an international court. Libya, Politics, 12/22/1998 - Adverse impact is expected on Syrian - US relations
The US administration on Monday strongly criticized Damascus over what it called the "failure... on the part of Syrian security officials to bring the demonstrators under immediate control," as demonstrators attacked the US embassy and ambassador's residence during a protest on Saturday against the US - British attacks on Iraq last week. Syria-USA, Politics, 12/22/1998 - Israel clings to Golan occupation
Member of the Israeli Knesset of the "Third Way" party, Emanuel Zisman, has reiterated his party's adherence to the occupation of the Golan Heights and its refusal to restore the Golan to Syria. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/22/1998 - Egyptian-Libyan talks in Cairo today
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa and the secretary general of the Libyan foreign communication and international cooperation committee (Foreign Minister) Omar al-Muntasir to discuss developments pertaining to Lockerbie crisis and the crisis's sides via the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan Libya-Egypt, Politics, 12/22/1998 - Yemeni authorities extradite political detainees from Arab opposition factions
Yemen official sources said that the Yemeni authorities decided to extradite all political detainees from Arab opposition factions residing in Sanaa, expect the Sudanese opposition's leaders who were released by financial guarantees two days ago. Yemen, Politics, 12/22/1998 - Syrian Kurds establish new party criticizes the Turkish-Israeli alliance
Contacts made in recent months by Muhammad Marwan al-Zarki with cultural and political figures resulted to convening a constituent conference for the " Syrian democratic national coalition" just few days ago amid an atmosphere where the said party will attract several Kurdish parties existing in the North and Eastern Northern parts of Syria. Syria, Politics, 12/22/1998 - French intellectual urge Israel to release a Syrian detainee
Some 100 French intellectuals have submitted a petition to the Israeli defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai demanding the release of the Syrian citizen Yasser al-Muzen, detained since 10 years. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/22/1998 - Kuwait to host Afro-Arab coordination meeting
A Kuwaiti daily quoted a source at the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry as saying that Kuwait will host in the second half of January 1999 an Afro-Arab coordination meeting at the invitation of Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad. Kuwait-Regional-Africa, Politics, 12/22/1998 - Report: Two Israeli delegations postpone visits to Qatar
The French "Top Urgent " news bulletin reported that the Qatari authorities informed the Israeli government on December 7 of its wish to postpone the visit of two Israeli delegations which were expected to arrive in Qatar on December 17. Qatar-Israel, Politics, 12/22/1998 - US - Wye Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 12/22/1998
- US: Iraqi press reports of missile firing erroneous Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/22/1998
- Tehran refused a proposal from Washington to cooperate in toppling Saddam Iraq-Iran, Politics, 12/22/1998
- Al-Turabi resigns from the parliament s presidency Sudan, Politics, 12/22/1998
- Aziz: They killed UNSCOM
The Russian ambassador in Cairo, Vladimir Godiev, announced that Egypt and Russia agreed during consultations that took place between the two countries' foreign ministers in last few days on ending the Iraqi crisis and on the importance of reconsidering of the work style of UNSCOM. Iraq, Politics, 12/21/1998 - Syrian Foreign Ministry expresses desire to protect diplomatic missions
The Syrian Foreign Ministry has asserted the Syrian security authorities' care to ensure the necessary protection for all international institutions, consulates and diplomatic missions accredited in Syria. Syria, Politics, 12/21/1998 - Saddam Hussein praises his people; regional reaction
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein called on the Iraqi people in a speech in which he praised them for confronting the attacks and achieving victory over the country's enemies, describing the British and the Americans as the "enemies of God." Iraq, Politics, 12/21/1998 - Egyptian Pharmacists start economic boycott of US -UK; Arab protests continue
The Egyptian Pharmacists Union has called for boycotting medicines produced by Turkey by two American medicine companies and one British company during the holy month of Ramadan to protest the US and British air strikes against Iraq. Regional-Regional, Politics, 12/21/1998 - Report: Iraqi officers executed; rebellion in al-Rashid camp
A statement by the higher council of the Islamic revolution in Iraq of which the London-based al-Hayat daily had a copy told of the execution of several army officers in the Iraqi army and confrontations that took place on Friday inside al-Rashid camp in Baghdad. Iraq, Politics, 12/21/1998 - On the Damascus demonstration against attacks on Iraq
Syrian youths climbed the building of the US embassy in Damascus on Saturday. One of them tore, using his teeth, the American flag and dropped it from the roof to hundreds of demonstrators who gathered before the building in objection of the military operation against Iraq. Syria-USA, Politics, 12/21/1998 - Official of Christian foundation stresses disinformation of western media
The Western media have excelled in disinformation while reporting on the US-British raids on Iraq by obliterating the suffering of civil populations, said Jean Marie Benjamin, a priest at a christian humanitarian foundation. Iraq, Politics, 12/21/1998 - Egypt: Islamic Group announces Jihad against the US
The Egyptian Islamic Group on Sunday issued a statement in which it said that fighting the Americans is a "divine order." Egypt, Politics, 12/21/1998 - El-Mahdi's return not due to Sudanese communication
Sudanese Minister of Culture and Information Gazai Salah El-Din, the spokesman of the Sudanese government, said he heard from newspapers about the return of former Sudanese Prime Minister El-Sadiq El-Mahdi to Khartoum. Sudan, Politics, 12/21/1998 - Clinton: Palestinians are meeting their obligation in the Wye accord
Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat received a written message from US President Bill Clinton in which he promised to exert his utmost efforts to assure the implementation of the Wye River accord. Palestine, Politics, 12/21/1998 - Report: Israel to withdraw from Jezzine by beginning of 1999
A Lebanese magazine quoted diplomatic sources in Beirut as saying that backed by the Vatican, the US and France are currently working to maintain a quiet Israeli withdrawal from Jezzine by the beginning of next year. Lebanon, Politics, 12/21/1998 - Lebanese resistance attacks occupation forces
The Lebanese national resistance (LNR) on Saturday attacked with missiles and machine guns the Israeli occupation position in Mashairon. In a statement, the resistance said that direct hits were scored. Lebanon, Politics, 12/21/1998 - King Hassan stresses Muslim nation's ability to take up all challenges
King Hassan II renewed confidence that the Muslim Nation is able to take up all challenges to achieve its objectives. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 12/21/1998 - Only three new ministers in Hamadani government
The new Algerian Prime Minister Ismael Hamadani has formed his new Cabinet and kept the same ministers of the former Cabinet except three the ministries of justice, the interior and telecommunications. Algeria, Politics, 12/21/1998 - Lebanese Cabinet discusses appointment of army, interior security leaders
The Lebanese Cabinet chaired by President Emile Lahoud and Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss is to discuss today the appointment of leaders for the Lebanese Army and interior security forces. Lebanon, Politics, 12/21/1998 - Clinton: Libyan will have to serve term in Scotland Libya, Politics, 12/21/1998
- Qatari FM: Damascus Declaration countries did not include approve of strikes on Iraq Qatar-Regional, Politics, 12/21/1998