Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 12/28/1998
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of December 28, 1998
- Saudi Arabia says convening Arab summit requires good preparations for success
Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Saudi Arabia's second deputy prime minister and minister of defense and aviation denied that Riyadh is hesitant toward attending an Arab summit. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/2/1999 - Tariq Aziz accuses Crown Prince Hassan of intervening in Iraq's affairs Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 1/2/1999
- Kuwait calls for final solution to Iraqi problem before it will attend a summit
Kuwait's permanent delegate at the Arab League told ArabicNews.com that he informed Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid of his country's refusal to participate in any Arab summit attended by the Iraqi government. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 1/2/1999 - Iraqi ambassador accuses US of annihilating his people
The Iraqi permanent deputy at the Arab League, Sultan El-Shawi, stated that what the United States and Britain have done to Iraq is organized annihilation and not random. Iraq, Politics, 1/2/1999 - Chinese foreign minister is to visit Egypt on Monday Egypt-China, Politics, 1/2/1999
- Somali opposition factions oppose Cairo agreement
Leader of the Somali breakaway region of Puntland, Col. Abdallah Youssef Ahmed, stated his country's opposition to the Cairo reconciliation agreement. After his meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid, Abdallah Youssef said the Cairo agreement was not proceeding naturally and it has proved to be a failure. Somalia, Politics, 1/2/1999 - Yemeni prime minister sends a communique to his British counterpart
Referring to an incident earlier this week in which four kidnapping victims were killed and 12 freed during a Yemeni rescue operation, Yemeni Prime Minister Abdul Karim al-Iryani said that the western hostages would have been killed by their extremist kidnappers unless the security bodies had quickly interfered to rescue them. Yemen, Politics, 1/2/1999 - Morocco's former resistance members condemn US-British strikes against Iraq
The Former Members of Morocco's Resistance and Liberation Army have strongly condemned the US-British Strikes against Iraq and called Arab and Islamic countries to act for the lifting of the unfair embargo imposed on Iraqi people. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 1/2/1999 - King Hassan receives several new year congratulations Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 1/2/1999
- Candidate in Algerian presidential elections confers with Democratic National Assembly party leaders Algeria, Politics, 1/2/1999
- Qatar: US troops protect the Arabs from each other
Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem al-Thani has said that the US and British troops in the Middle East are protecting the Arabs from each other. Qatar-Regional, Politics, 12/31/1998 - Al Azhar Sheikh calls for solidarity with the Iraqi people Regional, Politics, 12/31/1998
- Aziz accuses Mubarak of using US double-standard
The Iraqi daily al-Joumhoreyah on Tuesday issued an article written by Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz in which he strongly criticized Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who held Iraqi President Saddam Hussein responsible for the problems Iraq is suffering. Iraq-Egypt, Politics, 12/31/1998 - UAE: Israel constitutes greatest threat, calls for lifting sanction of Iraq
The United Arab Emirates UAE Information minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan has confirmed that Israel constitutes the greater danger and threat against the existence of the Arab nation. United Arab Emirates, Politics, 12/31/1998 - Withdrawal from the Golan rejected, Israeli minister says
If Netanyahu and his extremist team think that through the policy of bargaining the Golan and asserting their perpetuation of its occupation will come back to power in Israel, the thing which is unswerving on the Syrian, Arab and International levels that the Golan was and will be a Syrian Arab and will be eventually returned back Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/31/1998 - Secret plan to compensate the Israeli settlers in the Golan
The Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot said on Tuesday that the Israeli authorities had launched a secret operation to estimate the sums that should be paid to Israeli settlers in compensation in case Israel returns the Golan Heights to the Syrians. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/31/1998 - Qatar to accept international arbitration in dispute with Bahrain
Qatari Foreign Minister Shiekh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jaber al-Thani announced his that country will accept the decision submitted to the International Court of Justice concerning a border dispute with Bahrain. Qatar-Regional, Politics, 12/31/1998 - Iran, Iraq for developing bilateral relations
Iranian Shoura Council (parliament) Speaker Nateq Nouri met on Wednesday in Tehran with the Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi National Assemby, Ojeil Ismael, currently visiting Iran. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 12/31/1998 - Syria's Mufti calls on the Pope to take a stronger decision against Judaizing Jerusalem
Syrian Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Kiftaro has called upon Pope John Paul II to take "a stronger stand towards the Judaizing of Jerusalem and to stand against aggression and corruption in the world." Syria, Politics, 12/31/1998 - Lebanese President condemns Israeli killings
In a Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday in Beirut, the Lebanese President condemned the acts carried out by the Israeli occupation forces in Lebanon, especially the bombardment of a civilian family in Jenta town in the central sector of the western Bekaa. Lebanon, Politics, 12/31/1998 - US extends state of emergency with Libya
US President Bill Clinton yesterday extended the nearly 13-year US state of emergency concerning Libya. Libya-USA, Politics, 12/31/1998 - Sharon denies that Egypt refuses to receive him
Israeli Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon's office has denied reports that Sharon has submitted a request to the Egyptian government to hold a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/31/1998 - El-Turabi is visiting Doha today
Hassan El-Turabi, the chairman of the Sudanese national council, is paying a one-week unofficial visit to Doha, made at the invitation of the Qatar Center for the Future Studies to deliver political and religious lectures. Qatar-Sudan, Politics, 12/31/1998 - Sudanese opposition calls for parliamentary elections with international supervision
Dailies published on Tuesday in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, stated that the Sudanese opposition will deliver to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir a memorandum calling for parliamentary elections under international supervision. Sudan, Politics, 12/31/1998 - Chinese message to Abdul Meguid regarding situation in Iraq
Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid received a written message from Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan regarding the developments of the Iraqi situation Regional-Iraq-China, Politics, 12/31/1998 - A new candidate for the Algerian presidency
Former Algerian Prime Minister Sayed Ahmad Ghazali has decided to nominate himself for the early presidential elections to be held in April 1999. Algeria, Politics, 12/31/1998 - Germany for Middle East peace process
The charge d'affairs at the German Embassy in Amman has asserted that constant backing to the Middle Est peace process is one of the priorities of the German presidency of the European Union, which starts tomorrow. Regional-Germany, Politics, 12/31/1998 - Bomb threat shuts down US embassy in Tel Aviv
For the first time in decades, the US embassy in Tel Aviv was shut down after "serious" warnings were received that a bombing attack was to take place against the compound on Thursday. Israel, Politics, 12/31/1998 - German tourists released in Yemen Yemen-Germany, Politics, 12/31/1998
- Ankara satisfied with the implementation of Adanah agreement Syria-Turkey, Politics, 12/31/1998
- Israeli-Palestinian disputes over inspecting Egyptian plane that carried Arafat from Cairo Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/31/1998
- Baghdad condemns postponement of Arab foreign ministers meeting
Iraq has officially condemned the Arab League decision to postpone up to next January 24 the Arab foreign ministers meeting which was scheduled last week. Regional, Politics, 12/30/1998 - Iraqi delegate at AL: Delay in foreign ministers meeting reflect internal conflict in Arab states
Sultan El-Shawi, Iraqi's new delegate at the Arab League, stated that delaying the meeting of the Arab foreign ministers to January 24 revealed that there is a gap between public opinion and that adopted by Arab officials. Iraq, Politics, 12/30/1998 - Algeria supports convening an Arab summit with Iraq's participation Algeria-Iraq, Politics, 12/30/1998
- Jordan pharmacists to ship medicines to Iraq
Jordanian pharmacists said on Tuesday they intend to ship drugs and medical equipment to Iraq. Jordan, Politics, 12/30/1998 - Special meeting for the GCC states in Riyadh
Foreign ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council member states held a meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday night to discuss several topics and the latest developments in the Gulf and Arab arenas, foremost being the consequences of the US - British attack against Iraq and the call for convening an Arab summit conference. Gulf, Politics, 12/30/1998 - Khatami: US-British campaign against Iraq is an international conspiracy
Iranian President Muhammad Khatami has strongly criticized the recent US-British military campaign against Iraq and described it as an "international conspiracy." Iran-Regional, Politics, 12/30/1998 - Libya denies funding Indonesian students demonstrations
Libya has denied the statement of general chairman of Indonesia's Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Abdurrahman Wahid, that it had financed Indonesian student demonstrations. Libya-Indonesia, Politics, 12/30/1998 - Sudanese official links reconciliation with opposition to acceptance of constitution
A Sudanese official has downplayed the possibility of the success of any Egyptian initiative to achieve reconciliation between the Sudanese government and the northern opposition. Sudan, Politics, 12/30/1998 - Morocco holds back on allowances for senior government executives
In a bid to rationalize state expenditures, the Moroccan government has suppressed some allowances granted to senior executives, Moroccan economy and finance minister, Fathallah Oualalou said. Morocco, Politics, 12/30/1998 - Polisario denies a substitute plan replacing the referendum
Sources of the Polisario front have denied the existence of a substitute plan replacing the organizing of the referendum in the Western Sahara. Morocco, Politics, 12/30/1998 - Tunisian parliamentarian describes APU meeting as objective
Chairman of the Tunisian Parliamentary Union who attended Sunday's urgent meeting of the Arab Parliamentary Union (APU), al-Tayeb al-Sheibani, said the APU meeting which was held in Amman were "objective and effectively expressed the burdens of the Arab nation." Tunisia-Regional, Politics, 12/30/1998 - Lahoud stresses cohesion of Syrian-Lebanese tracks
the Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss said the withdrawal of the pro-Israeli South Lebanon Army militia from certain positions in Jezzine district was not significant or enough. Lebanon, Politics, 12/30/1998 - Turkish-Israeli strategic dialogue
The Turkish Daily News on Tuesday quoted diplomatic sources in Ankara as saying that the coming round of strategic dialogue between the governments of Turkey and Israel will be held in February 1999 in Ankara. Turkey-Israel, Politics, 12/30/1998 - New Jordanian party established by Toujan al-Faisal
The prominent figure in the Jordanian opposition, Toujan al-Faisal, has announced a repeatedly-postponed decision to establish a political party to frame the activities of its partisans under the name of "al-Ummah al-Fattat". Jordan, Politics, 12/30/1998 - New Lebanese compliant to April Understanding committee
Lebanon has lodged a new complaint against Israel to the April Understanding Monitoring Committee. The Lebanese complaint indicates Israel's demolition of six houses and attacks on agricultural fields in Arnoun. Lebanon, Politics, 12/30/1998 - Egypt bans Israel from taking part in Cairo book exhibition
Egypt has renewed its rejection of cultural and artistic normalization with Israel, turning down an Israeli request to take part in the coming Cairo International Book Fair Egypt, Politics, 12/30/1998 - Israel threatens to close Gaza Airport
Israel threatened yesterday to close Gaza Airport which has been open for less than a month, alleging that the Palestinian government has broken the agreement regulating the operation of the airport. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/30/1998 - Beilin expects his party's success in coming elections
Beilin said his visit to Cairo comes in light of his concern over consultations with Egyptian officials at the present, saying that Egypt is the main supporter of peace and stability in the region and that Israel has to cooperate with Egypt. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/30/1998 - US maintains no-fly zone position Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/30/1998
- ICRC puts number of Iraq Desert Fox wounded at 230 Iraq, Politics, 12/30/1998
- UAE supports Arab summit United Arab Emirates-Regional, Politics, 12/30/1998
- Lebanon - reform Lebanon, Politics, 12/30/1998
- Iraq renews call on Arab states to lift embargo
Iraqi foreign minister, Mohammad Said as-Sahhaf renewed a call to Arab states to lift the embargo enforced against his country 8 years ago. Iraq, Politics, 12/30/1998 - Arafat dedicates first Palestinian navy base
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat dedicated on Monday in Self-ruled Gaza the first base of Palestinian navy. Palestine, Politics, 12/30/1998 - Al-Sharaa confers with WFP envoy Syria, Politics, 12/30/1998
- Syrian president confers with Lebanese parliamentarian Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 12/30/1998
- Odai Saddam Hussein: 1998 considered a year of victories for Iraq Iraq, Politics, 12/30/1998
- Arab sources in Cairo expected that the Arab states would unanimously approve Arab summit Regional, Politics, 12/29/1998
- Iraq: We will not recognize no-fly zones Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/29/1998
- El-Baz: Iraqis need effective action to end their suffering
Osama El-Baz, the Egyptian president's political advisor, said the Egyptian position toward the Iraqi crisis expressed the government's great awareness and concern with the reality of the situation. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 12/29/1998 - Turkey blames Iraq for yesterday's clash with US jets
Turkey fully blamed Iraq for the new military confrontation that took place yesterday in northern Iraq, urging the concerned parties to refrain carrying out any provocative action that might threaten stability and security in the area. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 12/29/1998 - 1998, a hard year for Africa, says OAU chief
The year 1998 was a "very hard year" for Africa, regarding the "quest of peace, stability and security" said here Monday secretary general of the Organization of African Unity, Salim Ahmed Salim. Regional, Politics, 12/29/1998 - GCC member states to hold extraordinary meeting
Well-informed sources in Manama, Bahrain said on Monday that intensive contacts are being made between the Gulf Cooperation Council's six member states to convene an extraordinary meeting of the GCC states' foreign ministers. Gulf, Politics, 12/29/1998 - Moroccan official says Arab parliamentarians meeting was a success
Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives Abdelouahed Radi, who attended on Sunday the extraordinary session of the Arab Parliamentary Union held in Amman, said the meeting was a success. Morocco, Politics, 12/29/1998 - Atlass alliance calls countries and Israel for consultations in Spain
Egyptian sources said that the El-Atlas alliance decided to call representatives of Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Mauritania, Egypt and Israel for convening consultations on the level of ambassadors in Valencia - Spain during February. Regional, Politics, 12/29/1998 - President Mubarak to visit Damascus on results of his talks in Ankara
The Jordanian weekly al-Majd reported that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will visit Damascus within days and inform Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on the results of his talks in Ankara with Turkish President Suleiman Demirel. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 12/29/1998 - Syrian-Lebanese higher economic committee meets in Beirut
The Syrian-Lebanese higher economic committee started its deliberations on Monday in Beirut chaired by Syrian Prime Minister Mahmoud al-Zou'bi and his Lebanese counterpart, Salim al-Hoss. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/29/1998 - Mubarak calls on US and Europe to find just peace
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has reiterated the importance of establishing a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East region that ensures security and stability for all. Egypt, Politics, 12/29/1998 - Lebanese president confers with Syrian premier
Lebanese President Lt. Gen. Emile Lahoud on Monday received Syrian Prime Minister Mahmoud al-Zou'bi. Following the meeting al-Zou'bi told journalists that he conveyed President al-Assad's greetings to the Syrian people and government. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 12/29/1998 - Palestinian president aspires to meet with Clinton
A Palestinian source stated that there are current communications with the US to convene a meeting between Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and US President Bill Clinton at the beginning of 1999 to demand a decisive attitude toward Israel in the implementation of the agreements signed with the Palestinian side. Palestine-USA, Politics, 12/29/1998 - Former Algerian premier warns against a closed presidential elections
Former Algerian Prime Minister Mawloud Hamrough warned of the seriousness of holding closed presidential elections that could expose the state's corporations to isolation, wasting the progress that took place in democratic practices and weakening the parties. Algeria, Politics, 12/29/1998 - CIA expands activities in self-rule areas
Israeli radio has said that the United States' Central Intelligence Agency has intensified its activities in the Palestinian self-rule area and opened offices for itself in Gaza, Hebron and Nablus. Palestine-USA, Politics, 12/29/1998 - Jordan prevents a meeting for Iraq's Sadoun Hammadi
The Jordanian authorities prevented a meeting scheduled for Monday night for the speaker of the Iraqi national council Sadoun Hammadi and members of his accompanying delegation with the representatives of Jordanian vocational trade unions. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/29/1998 - Violent acts continue in Algeria
An armed group on Sunday attacked al-Khamis city to the west of the Algerian capital Algiers with mortar fire, wounding some 20 persons. Citizens of the city said the bombardment provoked horror among citizens. Algeria, Politics, 12/29/1998 - Intensive Israeli - Palestinian contacts on early Israeli elections
The Jordanian weekly al-Majd reported that intensive contacts were recently made between the Palestinian Authority and the leadership of the Israeli Labor Party in order to review certain matters relating to the early Israeli Knesset elections which will be held in the first half of 1999. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/29/1998 - Hamas political bureau member harassed at Jordanian border
Member of the political bureau of the Palestinian Hamas movement Muhammad Nazzal was held for four hours at Jordan's al-Ramtha border center upon his arrival from Damascus last week after he took part as the Hamas representative in the works of the Palestinian opposition conference held in Damascus. Jordan, Politics, 12/29/1998 - Iraqi opposition intends to reassemble
Sources from the High Islamic Revolutionary Council in Iraq, headquartered in Iran, said that the Iraqi opposition in exile is thinking of a reassembly formula to be examined. Iraq, Politics, 12/29/1998 - Bahrain approves GCC job proposal Bahrain-Gulf, Politics, 12/29/1998
- Qatar: Israeli office hinges on peace process Qatar-Israel, Politics, 12/29/1998
- Kuwait prepares municipal law Kuwait, Politics, 12/29/1998
- Jordan: Suharto's son-in-law not given citizenship Jordan-Indonesia, Politics, 12/29/1998
- Algeria renews adherence to U.N. settlement plan for Sahara Algeria-West Sahara, Politics, 12/29/1998
- King Hassan receives president Chirac Morocco-France, Politics, 12/29/1998
- Gaddafi receives Egyptian pioneer delegation Libya-Egypt, Politics, 12/29/1998
- EU for Israel's total withdrawal from the Golan Syria-Israel-European Union, Politics, 12/29/1998
- Jordanian Premier confers with Algerian parliament speaker Jordan-Algeria, Politics, 12/29/1998
- Iraq redeploys troops in populated areas Iraq, Politics, 12/29/1998
- Yemen for friendly solutions to disputes with Saudi Arabia Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/29/1998
- Arab states delay Wednesday's meeting on ministerial level
Several Arab countries have officially informed the Arab League on Saturday of their agreement to attend a consultation meeting among Arab foreign ministers to be held on Wednesday. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 12/28/1998 - A written message from Abdullah Saleh to Mubarak Yemen-Egypt, Politics, 12/28/1998
- Arab MPs for lifting boycott on Iraq, US-British aggression condemned
The participants in an Arab Parliamentary Union emergency session hailed the stances taken by Arab and Islamic countries and throughout the world against the attacks launched on Iraq and in solidarity with the people of Iraq. They praised the stances taken by friendly world parliaments, especially the Russian Duma, in this respect. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 12/28/1998 - Report: Intensive meetings for Iraqi opposition
The sources explained to the paper that the plan states that the opposition will topple the government through liberating cities in areas of southern Iraq where a provisional government is to be established Iraq, Politics, 12/28/1998 - US planes involved in clash over Iraq
Iraq's parliament confirmed Baghdad's refusal of the return of UNSCOM inspectors to Iraq to monitor Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Iraq, Politics, 12/28/1998 - Netanyahu has not taken a decision yet on south Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel has not taken a decision yet over conditions in south Lebanon. He expressed his conviction that several possibilities should be studied for setting conditions in the region. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 12/28/1998 - Saudi Arabia: We did not plan to assassinate Bin Laden
Saudi Arabia has denied accusations raised by Osama Bin Laden in press and TV interviews over attempts to assassinate him. Saudi Arabia described these accusations as "fabricated and groundless." Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/28/1998 - Aideed: Gaddafi achieved national reconciliation in Somalia
Somali warlord Hussein Aideed arrived in Cairo heading a large delegation coming from Libya to meet with Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa and Egyptian leaders who are concerned with the Somali crisis. Somalia-Libya, Politics, 12/28/1998 - Sudanese opposition announces the killing of seven Sudanese soldiers
The Sudanese opposition Democratic National Opposition announced on Saturday the killing of seven Sudanese soldiers in an ambush carried out by its troops in the province of Kassala in the eastern part of Sudan on Thursday. Sudan, Politics, 12/28/1998 - Arafat and Abdul Meguid ask US to focus on Israeli implementation of Wye
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid asked the U.S. to play a role in forcing Israel to implement what was agreed upon in October at the Wye Plantation. Palestine-Regional-USA, Politics, 12/28/1998 - On Ocalan's expulsion to Italy
Leader of the Kurdistani Workers Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan has announced that he left the region for Italy to foil a plan to "drag Syria, Lebanon and the Kurds into a war aimed at undermining the struggles of all of us." Regional-Turkey, Politics, 12/28/1998 - US Senate delegation in Amman
Jordanian Prime Minister Fayez Tarawneh on Sunday held talks in Amman with a delegation from the US Senate led by Senator Arlen Specter. The talks dealt with conditions in the Middle East and means of strengthening relations between Amman and Washington. Jordan-USA, Politics, 12/28/1998 - Senegal to host 4th Afro-Arab exhibition in April
Senegal is to host next April the fourth Arab-African exhibition, a Senegalese minister announced. Regional-Africa, Politics, 12/28/1998 - Netanyahu: No agreement with Labor Party on Golan withdrawal Israel-Syria, Politics, 12/28/1998
- UAE ministries to have five-day work week United Arab Emirates, Politics, 12/28/1998
- Palestine - Israel airport inspection Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/28/1998
- Jordan - illegal workers Jordan, Politics, 12/28/1998
- Thousands of Moroccans March in Solidarity with Iraq Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 12/28/1998
- Sudan to liberalize press laws Sudan, Politics, 12/28/1998
- Ethiopia calls for Eritrea's withdrawal from its territory Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 12/28/1998
- Lebanese premier confers with Nigerien counterpart Lebanon-Niger, Politics, 12/28/1998
- Libyan President confers with Ugandan counterpart Libya-Uganda, Politics, 12/28/1998
- Iranians to demonstrate in solidarity with the Iraqi people Iran, Politics, 12/28/1998
- Naval trips resume between UAE and Iraq United Arab Emirates-Iraq, Politics, 12/28/1998