Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 4/5/1999

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of April 5, 1999

• Arafat in New Delhi today and China next
  Shaath referred to the support presented by China to Palestine, saying that Arafat will declare his final position toward the Palestinian state following his visit to China. Palestine, Politics, 4/10/1999
• Two Moroccan women lawmakers take part in Brussels' international women MPs Morocco-International, Politics, 4/10/1999
• Delineation of borders between Saudi Arabia and Yemen to resume
  The committee to renew borders demarcation between Yemen and Saudi Arabia will resume its work after two weeks. Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 4/10/1999
• Albright expresses concern over Israeli settlements
  U.S. Secretary of state Madeleine Albright expressed clear "concern" on Friday to visiting Israeli Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon about continued Israeli settlement activity since the U.S.-sponsored Israeli-Palestinian peace Summit was held at the Wye River center last October. Israel-USA, Politics, 4/10/1999
• Moroccan human rights minister winds up visit to Geneva
  Moroccan Minister of Human Rights Mohamed Aujjar on Friday wound up a four-day visit to Geneva during which he addressed the U.N Human Rights Commission and signed an accord setting up a human rights documentation, information and training center in Rabat. Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/10/1999
• Egypt calls for preventing nuclear explosives
  The meetings of the international parliamentary conference start today in Brussels, in which Egypt participates with a high-ranking delegation chaired by Fathi Serour, the head of the Egyptian People's Assembly. Egypt-International, Politics, 4/10/1999
• Sharon in Moscow tomorrow, his third visit in six months
  Israeli Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon is heading tomorrow to Moscow on a visit to Russia, his third in six months, during which he will meet with his Russian counterpart, Igor Ivanov, to discuss developments in the Middle East and the Balkans. Israel-Russia, Politics, 4/10/1999
• Arab Lawyers Union calls for forming Arab authority to follow up on Lockerbie trail
  The Arab Lawyers Union called for forming an Arab international organization to follow up on the Lockerbie trail. Meanwhile, the union announced its total solidarity with the Libyan position, calling for lifting the sanctions immediately. Regional, Politics, 4/10/1999
• Egypt examines Albania returnee accused of membership in Islamic Jihad group
  The high military court in Cairo is to examine the case of those who returned from Albania, which includes 107 persons accused of being members of the Islamic Jihad group, led by Ayman El-Zawhay, and others affiliated to Saudi separatist Osama Bin Laden. Egypt, Politics, 4/10/1999
• Speaker of Moroccan legislative house welcomes lifting of sanctions on Libya Morocco-Libya, Politics, 4/10/1999
• Moroccan King Meets U.S Assistant-Secretary of State Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/10/1999
• Mubarak starts visit today to South Korea
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his wife are arriving tomorrow in Seoul, capital of South Korea, in the second stop on Mubarak's Asian tour, which started in China. Egypt-South Korea, Politics, 4/9/1999
• President al-Assad to visit Russia Monday at the invitation of President Yeltsin
  At the invitation of Russian President Boris Yeltsin, President Hafez al-Assad will hold an official visit to Moscow on April 12 and 13. The Russian ambassador in Damascus has asserted that his country pays special interest to this visit. Syria-Russia, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Mauritania gives up Arabization
  The Mauritanian Cabinet has ratified a draft law that provides for giving up Arabization and returns the Arabic language to its position which it sed to occupy in the first year which followed the country's independence. Mauritania, Politics, 4/9/1999
• New parliamentary bloc established in Sudan
  The Sudanese daily al-Rai al-Am said that some 20 Sudanese Parliamentarians have formed an independent parliamentary bloc to pressure the government and the opposition in order to achieve reconciliation. Sudan, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Al-Rawabdeh pledges to fight corruption in Jordan
  The Jordanian government chaired byPrime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh on Thursday won the confidence of 66 parliament members out of 80. 12 parliamentarians voted against it and the other two abstained from voting following three-day debates. Jordan, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Arafat looms the possibility of postponing the announcement of the Palestinian state Palestine, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Intensive diplomatic move to rescue Maghreb union.
  Moroccan diplomatic sources in Cairo announced that there is a diplomatic move to activate the role of the Arab Maghreb Union, which comprises Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt as a supervisor. Maghreb-Egypt, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Moroccan human rights council proud over settlement of human rights cases
  The message also underscores that these significant results would not have been possible without the king's great wisdom, deep understanding, political perspicacity, and his permanent concern that his people enjoy the benefits of freedom and the virtues of democracy. Morocco, Politics, 4/9/1999
• King agrees to pardon persons guilty of offense against state security and to indemnify families of missing
  King Hassan II of Morocco has agreed on a proposal made by the Human Rights Advisory Council to grant free pardon to all prisoners, convicted of offense to state security and to indemnify families of reported "missing" people. Morocco, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Collective leadership for the Iraqi conference to unify Iraqi opposition
  The Iraqi opposition groups rallied under the umbrella of the US-backed Iraqi National Congress on Thursday eliminated an obstacle which has obstructed the implementation of "Iraq's Liberation Law," following the success of these groups in electing a collective provisional presidency for the conference's executive council at the conclusion of two-day meetings held near London. Iraq, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Prince Khaled praises US on Yugoslavia, asks for similar treatment of Israel
  Commander of the allied troops during the Gulf War, Prince Khaled Bin Sultan, has called upon Washington to adopt the same tough stand it takes now in Yugoslavia against Israel. Regional-Yugoslavia, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Preparations for the first US-Libyan meeting since 18 years
  Arrangements for a meeting bringing together US and Libyan officials in the presence of the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan have started in implementation of understanding that will follow as Libya has handed over the two Libyan citizens who are suspected of being involved in the Lockerbie incident. Libya-USA, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Lebanese-Palestinian follow-up committee to solve refugee problem
  Palestinian-Lebanese talks concerning problems facing the Palestinian refugees in the Lebanese camps and means of eliminating these problems were resumed. Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Referendum is an imperative necessity, minister says
  The organization of a referendum in the Sahara is an imperative necessity, as it is the only means to put an end to the maneuvers of the enemies of Morocco's territorial integrity, says minister of the interior. Morocco, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Saddam Hussein approves non official papers to develop the Iraqi media
  Iraqi official sources have revealed that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has approved "a new media plan" providing for licensing non-official new dailies and reconsidering the country's political address on radio and television as well as to issue a daily distributed on the Arab states, taking Cyprus as its headquarters. Iraq, Politics, 4/9/1999
• French secretary of state of foreign trade in Rabat
  French secretary of state of foreign trade, Jacques Dondoux, who started on Thursday a two-day work visit to Morocco held talks with several members of the cabinet on means of upgrading bilateral economic relations. Morocco-France, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Mandela in Manama after Muscat
  President Nelson Mandela of South Africa arrived in Manama on Thursday to offer condolences on the death of the late Sheikh Issa Bin Hamad al-Khaleifa on March 6. Bahrain-Oman-South Africa, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Jordan stresses cooperation with Syria to build al-Wahda dam, finance a problem Jordan-Syria, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Meeting with Moratinos, Lahoud stresses cohesion between Syrian, Lebanese tracks
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud has asserted Lebanon's commitment to the principles on the grounds of which the Middle East peace process was built in implementing international legitimacy resolutions and the land-for-peace formula. Lebanon-European Union, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Israel held responsible over violating April Understanding
  The April Understanding Monitoring Committee has condemned Israel over its violation of the April Understanding's provisions, which ban bombarding civilians or targeting residential areas in military operations. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Netanyahu accuses Arafat Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Kidwa: Inaction on May 4 would mean surrendering rights to Israel Palestine-UN, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Rubin downplays chances for bilateral meeting with Libya Libya-USA, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Moroccan daily confirms killing of Moroccan youngster by Algerian border guards despite Algerian denial
  The Moroccan daily "Al Alam" confirmed on Thursday that a young Moroccan shepherd was killed last Sunday by Algerian border guards near the Moroccan sea resort town of Saidia. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Moroccan daily reports existence of smuggling and illegal emigration rings at Algerian-Moroccan borders Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Meeting of Russian - Egyptian committee on Monday
  The second session of the Egyptian - Russian joint committee is due to begin on Monday and last for three days, in order to draft a long-term program for economic, industrial and scientific cooperation between the two states. Egypt-Russia, Politics, 4/9/1999
• Mohamed Benaissa appointed Morocco's foreign minister Morocco, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Morocco's king amnesties all convicts of attempts on state security
  King Hassan II of Morocco has agreed to grant amnesty to all prisoners, convicted of attempt to state security and to indemnify families of reported "missing" people, it was officially announced in Rabat on Wednesday. Morocco, Politics, 4/8/1999
• King Abdullah to visit Oman and the UAE on Saturday Jordan, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Gaddafi confers with Italian foreign minister
  Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gaddafi on Tuesday night with Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini, currently visiting Libya. The Italian minister described his meeting with Gaddafi as very useful. He said that they discussed relations between the two countries, the situation in the Mediterranean region and the question of Kosovo. Libya-Italy, Politics, 4/8/1999
• A key figure in the Yemeni socialist Party assassinated
  In an area of of Sanaa province a high-ranking figure in the Yemeni Socialist Party, the largest opposition party in Yemen, was assassinated on Wednesday morning. Yemen, Politics, 4/8/1999
• President al-Assad confers with Li Ping
  President Hafez al-Assad received on Wednesday at the presidential palace in Lattakia the Chinese chairman of the National People's Representatives, Li Ping, and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-China, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Kurdish Parliament delegation visits Cairo
  A Kurdish source in Cairo said the Kurdish Parliament in exile decided to convene "the Kurdistani National conference" by the end of June to discuss the formation of a Kurdish government in exile. Regional-Egypt, Politics, 4/8/1999
• King Hassan II receives US Congressional delegation
  King Hassan II received Wednesday evening at the royal palace in Marrakesh (southern Morocco) a visiting U.S. congress delegation, led by Benjamin Gilman, chairman of the house international relations committee. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Qatar, India hold official talks
  A round of official talks started on Wednesday in New Delhi between the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani, and the Indian prime minister. Qatar-India, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Gaddafi receives African ministers, telephone calls
  Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi on Tuesday night received several African ministers including the foreign ministers of Namibia and Zimbabwe, the Ugandan regional cooperation minister, and Gambia's minister of state for foreign affairs, who took part in the farewell ceremony held for the purpose of seeing off the two Libyans suspected of being involved in the Lockerbie incident. Libya-International, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Lebanon appeals the UN for return of Lebanese deportees
  Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri asked UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a cable he sent on Wednesday to make an immediate move to return the Lebanese deportees from the occupied town of Shabaa to their homes. Lebanon, Politics, 4/8/1999
• The first civil flight from Libya arrives in Egypt
  The first civil aircraft arrived in Cairo on Tuesday in a direct flight coming from Libya after the suspension of the UN sanctions imposed on Libya since 1992. Libya-Egypt, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Jordanian parliamentarian calls for halting normalization with Israel
  Member of the Jordanian Parliament Muhammad al-Bataynah has called for halting normalization with Israel and to link such steps with the progress in comprehensive settlement on all peace process tracks, including the Israeli withdrawal from the Golan and south Lebanon according to international resolutions. Jordan, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Peace is a strategic option for Jordan
  Jordanian Foreign Minister Abd al-Ilah al-Khatib has asserted that just and comprehensive peace peace is the strategic option on which the Arab nation has agreed. Jordan, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Moroccan league for Islamic minorities' defense calls NATO to undertake ground operations in Kosovo
  The Moroccan league for the defense of Islamic Minorities urged NATO to reconsider its military strategy and undertake urgent ground operations to evacuate from Kosovo extermination gangs, protect civilians and arm them so that they can defend themselves. Morocco-Yugoslavia, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Identification operation resumes on June 1, minister announces
  The identification operation of would-be voters in the referendum that the U.N is projecting to hold in the Sahara will resume next June 1. Morocco, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Lockerbie trials will take months to be convene
  Legal and diplomatic maneuvers on the 1988 Lockerbie incident in Scotland were completed on Wednesday to mark the beginning of a phase of a very long wait to try the two Libyans the West claims are involved in the incident. Libya-International, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Iraqi-Iranian committee on war victims to meet in Baghdad on Monday
  Coordinator of the Iraqi-Iranian committee for war victims Fahmi al-Qeisi on Wednesday said the committee will meet next Monday in Baghdad. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Paper calls for reviewing Arab coordinating stances
  The Jordanian daily al-Dustour called on Wednesday for reviewing Arab coordination frameworks which have flourished in recent years and were mere substitutes for a pan-Arab meeting. Regional, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Demonstrations continue at Cairo University against Kosovo massacres
  Cairo University witnessed student demonstrations for the third day in a row in protest agains Serbian attacks on Moslems in Kosovo, as some professors from the university joined the students in the demonstrations that erupted in the university. Egypt-Yugoslavia, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Moroccan lawmaker meets Lebanese peers after solidarity visit to Iraq
  Moroccan MP Brahim Rachidi, sixth vice-speaker of the house of representatives, held on Wednesday a meeting with his Lebanese peers. Morocco-Lebanon, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Two Moroccan ministers in USA shortly
  Moroccan Ministers of Finance and Economy Fathallah Oualalou and of the government's general affairs, Ahmed Lahlimi, will visit the United States by the end of this April. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/8/1999
• French foreign trade secretary of state in Rabat this Thursday Morocco-France, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Libyan lawyers' union urges Scottish judges to stay impartial
  The Libyan lawyers union in Tripoli urged the Scottish jurisdiction to keep its credibility and to show impartiality and neutrality to provide for a fair trial for the Libyan citizens accused of blowing up a passenger jet. Libya, Politics, 4/8/1999
• UN to continue its mission on the borders between Iraq, Kuwait
  The UN Security Council on Tuesday issued its ordinary consent to continue the tasks of the UN mission which monitors the "no arms zone" on the border between Iraq and Kuwait, the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM) . Iraq-Kuwait-UN, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Arafat arrives in Tokyo Palestine-Japan, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Hariri to visit Damascus Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 4/8/1999
• King Abdullah concludes three-day visit to Saudi Arabia Jordan, Politics, 4/8/1999
• New Turkish incursion in northern Iraq Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 4/8/1999
• Mubarak calls for a new world order
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has expressed hopes that a new world order will emerge based on justice and equality. Egypt-China, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Arrangements to release Jordanian prisoners in Syria
  Well-informed Jordanian sources told the London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat daily that the Syrian government has actually started taking practical steps to arrange the release of Jordanian prisoners and that announcing this step will be made during King Abdullah's visit to Syria within the coming days. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Report: Bashar al-Assad to visit Arab Gulf states
  A London-based newspaper said on Tuesday, quoting well-informed Arab sources, that Bashar al-Assad, son of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, will conduct a tour of several Gulf Cooperation Council member states. Syria, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Mubarak suggests postponing declaration of Palestinian state for six months
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has expressed hope that the Palestinian side will find a solution to declaring the Palestinian state by postponing it for six months. Egypt, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Moscow suggests a summit for Israeli - Palestinian agreement signatories
  The Russian leadership has proposed to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat a new initiative providing for convening a summit conference to be attended by leaders of the countries which signed the Israeli - Palestinian agreement. Palestine, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Report: King Abdullah to visit Syria on April 15
  Discussions between Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and King Abdullah will center on the need for joint coordination toward the Middle East peace process. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Relations between Jordan, Kuwait restore normalcy, minister says
  Jordanian Foreign Minister Abd al-Ilah al-Khatib has stated that Jordanian-Kuwaiti relations have regained their strength and been restored to what had been before. Jordan-Kuwait, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Nelson Mandela arrives in Oman
  President of the Republic of South African Nelson Mandela arrived on Tuesday in Oman on a three-day official visit during which he will meet with Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed of Oman. Oman-South Africa, Politics, 4/7/1999
• President al-Assad confers with EU envoy on Middle East peace
  Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Tuesday at the Lattakia's presidential palace received European Union Middle East peace process special envoy Miguel Moratinos and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-European Union, Politics, 4/7/1999
• First Palestinian delegation to visit Tehran since Oslo agreements
  A Palestinian delegation will arrive in Tehran on Friday, in the first step of closeness since signing the Oslo agreement in 1993. Palestine-Iran, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Berri arrives from Damascus with plan for easing conditions in Lebanon
  High-ranking parliamentary sources in Lebanon said on Tuesday that the talks Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri held in Damascus with Maj. Gen. Bashar al-Assad, son of the Syrian president, and Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam in the presence of the chairman of the Lebanese Socialist Progressive Party, Walid Jumblatt, who is also a member of the Lebanese Parliament were held in "a convenient atmosphere that falls in the course of mobilizing Lebanese-Syrian efforts to calm down the situation in Lebanon Lebanon, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Russian foreign minister to visit Cairo next week
  Russian Foreign Minsiter Igor Ivanov is to arrive at Cairo in the coming week at the beginning of a Middle East tour, during which he will meet with Egyptian President Mubarak and Foreign Minister Amr Moussa in Cairo. Egypt-Russia, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Italian foreign minister arrives in Libya
  Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini has asserted that Libya and Italy have worked for a very long time to strengthen prospects of bilateral cooperation. He added that the joint declaration which was signed last June was a turning point in the course of relations between the two countries. Libya-Italy, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Statement by Iranian opposition organization
  The Iranian "Mujahedeen Khalq" opposition organization has announced that four Iraqi civilians were killed in a car explosion bombed by hirelings for the Iranian government west of Baghdad. Iran-Iraq, Politics, 4/7/1999
• British daily: Iraq and Yugoslavia
  The British daily "The Times" issued on Tuesday said that Iraq is the only Muslim country which supports the Serbs in Yugoslavia. The paper added that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has voiced his solidarity with the Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. Iraq-Yugoslavia, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Iraq denies military cooperation with Yugoslavia
  Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan on Tuesday refuted claims made by US and British officials which indicate military cooperation between Iraq and Yugoslavia. Iraq, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Report: Mubarak refuses to visit Israel
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has refused an Israeli invitation extended by the chairman of the foreign relations committee at the US Congress to visit Israel. Egypt, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Islamic organization wants refugees to return to Kosovo
  The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) said Wednesday Kosovar refugees should return to their country where they should be guaranteed political and religious rights and protected from Yugoslav repression. Regional, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Morocco denounces Serbs ethnic cleansing policy in Kosovo
  The Moroccan government denounced on Tuesday the "ethnic cleansing" policy practiced by the Serbs against civilians in Kosovo. Morocco, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Britain may ask big compensation for Lockerbie victims
  Britain said on Tuesday that it may ask Libya for large financial compensation if it would proven that the two Libyans suspected of being involved in the Lockerbie incident are found guilty. Libya-UK, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Algeria denies killing of Moroccan shepherd by border guards
  Algeria denied news reported by a Moroccan daily that Algerian border guards shot dead on Sunday an 18-year old Moroccan shepherd near the sea resort of Saidia (eastern Morocco). Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Reviving the greater Syria project
  In its Monday issue's editorial, a Jordanian weekly called for returning to reviving the project for "Greater Syria," even within the context of a minimum level within the framework of a confederation including Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon for the meantime and later to contain Palestine after the establishment of the real Palestinian state. Regional, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Arab parliamentary delegation wraps up solidarity visit to Baghdad
  An Arab parliamentary delegation, led by Moroccan MP Brahim Rachidi, wrapped up on Tuesday a three-day visit to Baghdad, meant to express the solidarity of Arab parliaments with Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Gaddafi thanks Mubarak
  Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi expressed his thanks and appreciation to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the efforts he exerted since the beginning of Lockerbie crisis until now. Libya-Regional, Politics, 4/7/1999
• UN - Libya Libya-UN, Politics, 4/7/1999
• AL denies contradiction of Arabia decision with SC concerning sanctions imposed on Libya Regional-Libya, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Russia condemns US-UK raids against Iraqi oil facilities
  Russia condemned US-British raids against Iraqi oil facilities as "a breach to international law," according to a statement of the Russian foreign ministry released Tuesday. Iraq-Russia, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Morocco calls for unconditional reactivation of Maghreban union
  Morocco has called for the "unconditional" reactivation of the Arab Maghreb union (UMA). Morocco-Maghreb, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Morocco calls for lifting embargo against Libya Morocco-Libya, Politics, 4/7/1999
• UN agree to extend the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission Iraq-UN, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Sudanese government denies rebel claims
  Sudanese military spokesman Lt. Gen. Muhammad Othman Yess has denied claims from Sudanese rebels who claimed to have blocked the Khartoum-Port Sudan road four times during last week. Sudan, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Israeli relief aid to Kosovo Israel-Yugoslavia, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Detente between Jordan and Israel over water issue Jordan-Israel, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Jordanian opposition parties condemn massacres in Kosovo
  Jordanian opposition parties condemned the large-scale NATO attacks against Yugoslavia and the acts of killing and the massacres and deportation in Kosovo district. Jordan-Morocco-Yugoslavia, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Russian FM to visit Syrian, Lebanon and Israel Regional-Russia, Politics, 4/7/1999
• Green light to finance Syrian - Jordanian al-Wahda dam
  Arab and international establishments had given the "green light" to take part in financing the Syrian-Jordanian al-Wahda dam which will be installed on al-Yarmouk river. Syria-Regional, Politics, 4/6/1999
• UAE condemns Yugoslavia's plans to expel Kosovans United Arab Emirates-Yugoslavia, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Kuwaiti aid for Kosovo Albanians
  Kuwaiti sent two aid shipment to the Albanian refugees and condemned the actions committed by the Serbian forces in Kosovo. Kuwait-Yugoslavia, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Chinese President confers with Mubarak
  Chinese President Jiang Zemin on Monday in Beijing received Egyptian President Muhammad Mubarak. The meeting was attended by the Chinese deputy chairman of the state council Chian Chin Chin, high-ranking Chinese officials and members of the Egyptian delegation, accompanying President Mubarak. Egypt-China, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Qatari Emir makes seven-country Asian tour
  Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani began his seven-country Asian tour yesterday evening, beginning in Pakistan then making stops over two weeks in India, China, Thailand, South Korea, Japan and Kazakhstan in the company of a high-powered delegation including six ministers. Qatar-International, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Guatemala thanks Morocco for assistance to victims of Hurricane Mitch
  Vice president of Guatemala, Luis A.Flores Asturias, expressed thanks to the Moroccan government for the financial assistance it extended to his country which was affected by Hurricane Mitch last October. Morocco-Guatemala, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Syrian president confers with Cypriot counterpart
  President Hafez al-Assad on Monday received at the coastal Syrian city of Lattakia's presidential palace President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides and members of his accompanying delegation. Syria-Cyprus, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Algeria and mali call for speeding up Sahara settlement plan implementation Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Saudi Arabia renews support to Jordan
  The Saudi crown prince and King Abdullah held a meeting dealing with relations between the two countries and issues relating to the region, especially the questions of Palestine, Jerusalem, the Middle East peace process, the Iraqi crisis, and inter-Arab relations. Jordan-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Saudi - Yemeni special arrangements for border demarcation
  The Saudi-Yemeni committee on border demarcation on Monday resumed its work in Sanaa. Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Jordanian monarch to visit United Arab Emirates
  Jordan's King Abdullah will arrive in the Unied Arab Emirates today after a visit to Saudi Arabia. Jordan-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Jordanian prime minister confers with Saudi FM
  Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh met on Monday at his residence in Jeddah with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal. Jordan-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Israel rescinds closure decision of news agency, maintains it for two other palestinian offices Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Jordanian king highlights relations with Syria and Kuwait
  Jordan's King Abdullah Bin al-Hussein said that Jordan's relations with both Syria and Kuwait are proceeding for the better. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Iraq rejects new British proposals on Iraq
  The Iraqi daily Babel has asserted that British proposals concerning Iraq aim at imposing an international mandate on Iraq. Iraq-UK, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Telephone conversation between Demirel, Mubarak Egypt-Turkey, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Semi-annual summit for the Gulf states
  The six Gulf Cooperation Council countries agreed on convening a semi-annual summit for leaders of the GCC states in May to be convened without a predetermined agenda to study all topics and issues that concern the GCC in different fields. Gulf, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Kuwaiti deputy asks government to reject Yugoslavia's ambassador
  Waled El-Tabatabani a deputy in the Kuwaiti Parliament asked yesterday the Kuwaiti authorities to reject immediately Stalstaf Stakits, the Yugoslavian ambassador to Kuwait, without hesitation to support the people of Kosovo. Kuwait-Yugoslavia, Politics, 4/6/1999
• 35 million pounds for saving Pharonic temple in Egyptian oasis
  The Egyptian Higher Council for Antiquities started implementing steps to save Hepes temple in El-Kharge Oasis by raising an international bid for dissolving, transporting and reassembling the temple in its new location 500 meters from its current location. Egypt, Politics, 4/6/1999
• El-Bashir declares unilateral cease fire in south Sudan
  Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir announced yesterday a unilateral cease fire in south Sudan starting from April 15, the ending date for the previous cease fire, which is currently invalid. Sudan, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Jordanian parliamentary delegation to visit Damascus
  A Jordanian weekly has said that consultations are being made to form a Jordanian parliamentary delegation to visit Damascus shortly and meet with several officials there. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Libyan Lockerbie suspects in Holland, sanctions suspended
  On Monday night UN sanctions imposed on Libya since April 1992 were suspended after the UN was handed over the two Libyans who are suspected of being involved in the Lockerbie incident, Abdul Baser al-Migraqi and al-Ameen Khalelfa Dheima, who were transported to Holland to be tried before a Scottish court. Libya-International, Politics, 4/6/1999
• European - Iranian relations improve
  European - Iranian relations have witnessed up a new positive step in boosting economic cooperation, as the new petroleum consortium between Canada's Bow Valley Energy Ltd, the National Iranian Oil Company and the French Elf Aquitaine company is distinguished by economic and political importance due to the boycott imposed by the United States on Iran. Iran-International, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Yemeni court warns defendant lawyers for the British
  The Yemeni court which is in charge of the question of the eight Britons who are being tried on terrorism charges on Monday warned the lawyers who defend the suspects of the need to attend the session and not to boycott the trial, otherwise alternative lawyers will be appointed in their place. Yemen, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Libya calls for allowing Libyan plane from Jeddah to pass through Egyptian airspace
  The Egyptian Civil Aviation Organization received a request from Libyan authorities to allow the passage of a Libyan airplane carrying Libyan pilgrims from Jeddah to Tripoli through Cairo International Airport tomorrow. Libya-Egypt, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Iraq claims US, British uranium weapons to have caused deaths in the country
  Iraq has asserted that weapons which contain uranium and were used by the US and Britain against Iraq caused deaths, grave diseases and birth defects in the country. Iraq, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Another US congressional delegation arrives In Morocco
  A U.S. congressional delegation arrived Monday evening in Rabat on a four-day working visit destined to enhance further Morocco-US ties and partnership in all sectors. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Islamic organization praises European stance on Jerusalem
  The Organization of Islamic Conference "OIC" has praised the EU's stance on the city of Al Quds (Jerusalem) and on the Palestinians' right to self-rule and to establish their independent state. Regional-European Union, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Sudan - UN - killings Sudan-UN, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Arafat to visit Japan tomorrow
  Palestinian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nabil Shaath said in Gaza that the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat is to pay a visit to Japan tomorrow after concluding his talks with Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov in Moscow on peace in the Middle East and declaring the Palestinian state. Palestine-International, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Morocco and UN human rights commissioner sign accord setting up center in Morocco
  Morocco, the U.N High Commissioner for Human Rights and the U.N Development Program are to sign in Geneva this Tuesday an accord setting up a human rights documentation, information and training center. Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Jordan denies agreement permitting Israeli planes to fly in Jordanian airspace to Israel
  Director of the Civil Aviation Authority in Jordan, Captain Jaser Zeyad has denied an agreement permitting Israeli planes which take off from Israel to cross Jordanian airspace into Eilat. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 4/6/1999
• Moussa: Egypt begins to send treatment aids to end the sufferance of refugees in Kosovo Egypt-Yugoslavia, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Libya hands over two Libyan suspects to Dutch authorities
  US State Department Spokesman James Rubin said the UN sanctions on Libya "will be immediately suspended," as soon as UN Secretary General Kofi Annan notifies the Security Council that the suspects have been handed over. Libya-International, Politics, 4/5/1999
• King Abdullah refuses to meet with Israeli defense minister Jordan-Israel, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Merets movement supports full withdrawal from the Golan Israel-Syria, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Moussa: Proclaiming Palestinian state was universally supported, date is a tactical issue
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa confirmed that the coming days will witnesses a condensed diplomatic initiative before May 4, especially in light of the recent statement released by Europe concerning the establishment of the Palestinian state, and within the framework of the outcomes of the meeting held between Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and US President Bill Clinton in Washington last month. Egypt, Politics, 4/5/1999
• President Mubarak on an Asian tour
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak left Cairo on Sunday for Beijing, China which constitutes the first stop on his Asian tour which will also lead him to Japan and South Korea. Egypt-China, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Report: Arab, Islamic states' stances toward NATO strikes on Yugoslavia
  A French news bulletin has said that "as it is expected" each of Libya, Iraq, and Iran opposed the NATO air strikes against Yugoslavia, each country for its own reasons, adding that Algeria has recently joined the list of countries which oppose the strikes. Regional-Yugoslavia, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Lebanese president condemns Israeli aggressions against the Lebanese people
  A child, Ali Hassan Khalil, 8 years, was wounded in the Israeli shelling of Arab Salim town. Two houses were considerably damaged while electricity poles and high-tension lines which feed the region with electricity were hit. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/5/1999
• US congress delegation meets Moroccan officials over investment opportunities
  The US delegation said they will endeavor to expand exchanges between the two countries and promote US investments in Morocco, mainly in sanitation, energy, telecoms, and civil aviation. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Israeli soldier kills his colleague and then commits suicide
  Israel Radio reported on Sunday that one Israeli soldier killed his colleague and then committed suicide on Sunday at the border with Lebanon, following a dispute between the two. In a statement the Israeli army confirmed the two deaths but gave no details on the incident. Israel, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Yemeni embassy in Kuwait to open in the coming days
  The sources said that Bajamal will reopen the Yemeni embassy in Kuwait during his visit. The embassy was closed after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Yemen-Kuwait, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Damascus hails Russia's refusal to the USA pressures for delaying selling advanced weapons to Syria
  Damascus hailed the Russian opposition to US pressure on Moscow to delaying the sale of advanced weapons to Syria days before the visit of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad to Moscow on April 13. Syria-Russia, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Mandela in Oman and Bahrain tomorrow
  South African President Nelson Mandela is heading tomorrow to visit Oman then to Bahrain for two days to discuss the developments in the Middle East and the situation in Iraq. Oman-Bahrain-South Africa, Politics, 4/5/1999
• King Abdullah confers with Arafat
  Jordan's King Abdullah on Sunday in Amman discussed with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat developments in peace negotiations and obstacles impeding them, especially on the Palestinian-Israeli track. Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Moussa, El-Baz confer with British house of common's delegation
  Egyptian president's political advisor, Osama El-Baz, met today with a delegation from the British House of Commons which is currently visiting Cairo. El-Baz said he informed the delegation about the latest developments in the Middle East and on the outlook of the Egyptian leadership and people toward British and European policy. Egypt-UK, Politics, 4/5/1999
• On King Abdullah's visit to Syria
  Jordanian Foreign Minister Abd al-Ilah al-Khatib has asserted that the visit of Jordan's King Abdullah to Syria has not been fixed yet, adding that the visit of the Jordanian King to Saudi Arabia will mark the beginning of Arab meetings on summit levels. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Moratinos in Lebanon today
  The European Union's Middle East peace process envoy, Miguel Moratinos, arrived today in Beirut at the beginning of his new tour of the region, in order to enhance the stalemated peace process. Lebanon-European Union, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Jordanians implement efforts to fight normalization with Israel
  Chairman of the resistance fighting committee at the Jordanian trade union's complex, Ali Abu al-Sukkar, has asserted that the committee is about to complete a list including names of Jordanian companies, factories and figures who have normalized ties with Israel in medical, engineering, industrial, pharmaceutical and construction fields. Jordan, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Algeria: Heart attack surprises Ayat Ahmed, stops his presidential campaign
  Hussein Ayat Ahmed, one of the seven nominees for the Algerian presidency and chief of the Socialist Forces Front party, had to stop his election activity for a few days after having a heart attack, knowing that the first election round is to be held on April 15. Algeria, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Joint Arab Gulf project to treat petrochemical waste
  A Saudi industrial source has asserted that the Gulf Cooperation Council states are currently embarking on studying a joint Arab Gulf project to treat wastes resulting from the petrochemical and chemical fertilizers factories in the GCC member states. Gulf, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Labor unions' meetings start in Tunis
  Rashed also emphaized the importance of formulating a united Arab strategy to regulate the use of Arab expatriate employment abroad and allow for greater mobility in Arab employment in the Arab states. Regional, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Bahrain praises European Union for backing a Palestinian state
  Bahrain on Sunday praised the decision adopted by the European Parliament in backing the right of the Palestinian people to establish their own independent state. Bahrain-European Union, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Egyptian diplomatic mission returns from Yugoslavia
  It was decided that members of a Egyptian diplomatic mission would return from Yugoslavia due to the current war in the Balkans between NATO and Yugoslavia. Egypt-Yugoslavia, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Jordan is still committed to its share of waters with Israel Jordan, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Saudi, Italian agricultural talks Saudi Arabia-Italy, Politics, 4/5/1999
• Ruler of Bahrain gets a message from Iranian president Bahrain-Iran, Politics, 4/5/1999
• A message from President Clinton to Bahrain's crown prince Bahrain-USA, Politics, 4/5/1999

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