Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 4/26/1999

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of April 26, 1999

• French premier in Egypt today
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa has stated that his talks with his French counterpart, Hubert Vedrine, who will visit Egypt today as part of a delegation headed by Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, will center on the Middle East peace process. Egypt-France, Politics, 5/1/1999
• Iran: Relations with Syria historic and remarkable
  Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi has described relations between Syria and Iran as historical and remarkable. In a televised statement on Thursday in Tehran, the Iranian foreign minister said, "Syria is a very important country and it stands in the forefront in confrontation with Israel." Regional-Iran, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Decision of the Palestinian central council meeting
  The central council of the Palestine Liberation Organization has concluded its session but without taking a decision pertaining the declaration of sovereign state. It considered itself to be in an "open session" and that it will convene a general session in June following the Israeli elections. Palestine, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Syrian defense minister meets with Russian military delegation Syria-Russia, Politics, 4/30/1999
• UN chief recommends additional extension of MINURSO mandate, a new referendum date
  In a report released Thursday, the UN secretary general set July 2000 as a new date for the referendum and submitted a revised time-table for all operations related to the referendum. Morocco, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Kuwaitis can visit Morocco without visas Kuwait-Morocco, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Jordanian message to Iranian president Jordan-Iran, Politics, 4/30/1999
• US: Policy toward Libya can change Libya-USA, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Palestinian state delay reaction Palestine-International, Politics, 4/30/1999
• UNRWA donor countries meet in Amman
  An unofficial meeting of major donor countries and host governments for the Palestinian refugees started in Amman on Wednesday with the participation of some 26 Arab and foreign countries including Syria. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Libyan leader announces his country to hold meetings with Washington and London
  Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi told the Saudi daily "Okaz" that his country would hold talks with the USA and Britain to settle "pending issues." Libya-USA, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Hamas ready to join a government when Palestinian state is established
  The Palestinian Hamas movement has expressed its readiness to take part in the general elections and to join to a government when a Palestinian state is established. Palestine, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Jospin shortens visit to Cairo because of Kosovo
  Sources in the French embassy in Cairo said that France has decided to shorten the work program of the visit by French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin to Cairo, which starts tomorrow, to two days instead of three. Egypt, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Mauritanian president: Arabization of education isolates the country
  He continued that the "Arabized educational curricula isolates us, and the one who is isolated is a hopeless case." He asserted that the objective now is to be able to have command of "sciences and technology in the age of globalization." Mauritania, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Moroccan premier pleads for friendly settlement to Sebta and Melillia issue
  The Moroccan premier pleaded for a friendly settlement to the issue of Sebta and Melillia, two Moroccan northern cities still under Spanish rule. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Morocco and Spain pledge to give new momentum to bilateral relations
  Morocco and Spain pledged to give a new momentum to their relations and to seek the appropriate mechanisms to enhance bilateral cooperation in all areas. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Some 20 Iraqis wounded in American raids
  An Iraqi military spokesman said on Thursday that some 20 Iraqis were wounded in air raids launched by the US warplanes on Thursday on the northern and southern parts of Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Ehud Barak in Jordan on Sunday
  Jordanian official sources expected that Jordan's King Abdullah is to meet with leader of the Israeli Labor Party and candidate for Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak on Sunday. Jordan, Politics, 4/30/1999
• US call to perpetuate sanctions on Libya
  Some 13 members of the US Senate have called upon US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to continue US sanctions imposed on Libya until the trial of the two Libyans suspected of being involved in the Lockerbie incident is completed. Libya-USA, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Moroccan-Yemeni joint cooperation commission meets in Rabat
  The Moroccan-Yemeni joint cooperation commission opened works in Rabat on Thursday to look into ways of enhancing partnership between the two Arab states. Morocco-Yemen, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Egypt: Nile water will not go to any country outside the basin
  Egyptian Minister of Public Works and Water Resources Mahmud Abu Zied said that the Nile water will not go to any country outside the Nile basin. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Leader of the Islamic Jihad directs criticism to Hamas
  The leader of the Islamic movement in the Palestinian territories, Ramadan Abdullah Shalah, directed indirect criticism to the Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, due to participation of its spiritual guide, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin on Wednesday in opening the central council's meeting as a supervisor. Palestine, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Egyptian - Indian partnership agreement signed
  The new Egyptian - Indian commercial partnership agreement was signed with initial letters between the two countries. Egypt-India, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Morocco renews will to relaunch Maghreban union
  Youssoufi said the reopening of borders between Morocco and Algeria represents a first step towards detente between the two states. Morocco-Maghreb-Spain, Politics, 4/30/1999
• UN Commission on Human Rights adopts resolution on Somalia Somalia-UN, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Illegal immigration problems debated in Rabat
  Several Moroccan and European experts are currently meeting in Rabat to debate problems related to illegal immigration. Morocco-International, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Mediterranean NATO assembly group meets Moroccan officials
  The visiting Mediterranean group of the assembly of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) conferred Thursday in Rabat with several Moroccan government members on Morocco's relations with NATO, the European Union and efforts to consolidate the rule of law. Morocco-International, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Admission of Polisario republic to pan-African body: a juridical heresy, Senegalese foreign minister
  Senegalese Foreign Minister, Jacques Baudin, said on Thursday that the admission of the self-proclaimed Arab Sahrawi Democratic Republic is a "juridical heresy." Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Kuwait invites Yemeni FM Yemen-Kuwait, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Turkey commends improvement of relations with Syria Syria-Turkey, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Sharon: postponement of declaring Palestinian statehood is a gain for Israel Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/30/1999
• Palestinian council delays state declaration decision Palestine, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Iran: regional security based on coordination between Saudi Arabia and Iran
  Iranian Defense Minister Admiral Ali Shamakhani considered the visit of the Saudi Arabian Defense Minister Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz on Saturday to Tehran as asserting "the Saudi will" to strengthen relations with Iran. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Two Syrian-Jordanian committees set up
  Jordanian Minister of the Interior Nayef al-Qadi has announced that during the visit paid by King Abdullah Bin Hussein of Jordan to Syria, it was agreed to establish two committees. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 4/29/1999
• El-Baz: We don't seek to possess nuclear weapons
  The Egyptian president's political advisor, Osama El-Baz, stated that there is no contradiction between the interests of Egypt and any other country in the world, except with Israel. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Israeli delegation in Morocco Morocco-Israel, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Turkey, Syria sign transport cooperation protocol
  A cooperation protocol in the area of transport between Syria and Turkey was signed at the headquarters of the Ministry of Transport in Damascus. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Sheikh Yassin and the Palestinian state
  The founder of the Hamas movement, Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, has asserted that his movement will take part in the Palestinian government only after the establishment of a free and independent Palestinians state with full sovereignty over its territory, where no occupation exists. Palestine, Politics, 4/29/1999
• London seminar on Arab-Iranian relations
  Participants in a seminar about relations between Iran and the Arab world has underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation and dialogue between the two countries in all fields to ensure stability in the region. Iran-Regional, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Egypt, UAE refuse to receive Ricciardone
  US diplomat Frank Ricciardone, who is in charge of coordinating contacts between Washington and the Iraqi opposition, leaves London today to visit Turkey, Jordan and Kuwait. Iraq-Regional-USA, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Arab ambassadors meet with officials at the European parliament
  The Arab League office in London has announced that the council of the Arab ambassadors held a luncheon banquet on Sunday in honor of chairperson of the Socialist group at the European parliament, Bolin Green. Regional-European Union, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Ruler of Bahrain calls for integration with Qatar
  The emir of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa, has asserted that Bahrain seeks to maintain a peaceful solution to the border crisis with Qatar. Bahrain-Qatar, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Mordechai will look for fundamental solutions with Syria and Lebanon
  Chairman of the Israeli center party, Yitzhak Mordechai, said that when he had the post of the defense minister in the government of Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu he could not achieve any progress on the negotiation track with Syria. Syria-Israel, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Bahrain's FM to visit Iran
  Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Muhammad Bin Mubarak al-Khaleifa will hold an official visit to Tehran at the invitation of the Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi on May 3-4. Bahrain, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Oman, Egypt to endorse cultural cooperation agreement
  Egyptian and Oman are to endorse an agreement for cultural cooperation in August, in light of renewing the cooperation protocol between the two countries for another three years. Oman-Egypt, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Bahrain to fight terrorism
  Bahraini dailies issued on Monday said that Bahrain will enact tougher laws in fighting terrorism and those who carry out aggressions that have been launched in the country for more than five years. Bahrain, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Bahrain for good relations with Iran
  The ruler of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa, has asserted the importance of closeness between the Gulf Cooperation Council member states in order to strengthen the council and back it. Bahrain, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Morocco making significant efforts to end ethnic cleansing against Kosovars Morocco, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Saudi trade minister confers with French counterpart
  Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on Wednesday received a message from French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. No information was reported on the content of the message, which was delivered during the meeting held between the French trade minister and the Saudi crown prince at al-Salaam palace in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia-France, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Moroccan-Spanish high commission starts works in Madrid
  The first day was marked by a two-hour tete-a-tete meeting between the two countries' prime ministers, Abderrahmane Youssoufi and Jose Maria Aznar. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Moroccan minister returns from colloquy on administration and citizenship
  He also surveyed before participants Moroccan efforts to improve the performance of public administration, consisting mainly in modernizing and updating the legal arsenal regulating administration. He explained that these actions also seek to involve civil servants in thinking on means to better serve citizens, alleviate red tape and build confidence in their relations with citizens and with enterprises. Morocco-Portugal, Politics, 4/29/1999
• UN envoy confers with Ethiopian premier
  UN special envoy to Africa Muhammad Sahnoun held talks on Wednesday in Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi centered on the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Egyptian ambassador denies political deal with Israel to release Israeli spy Egypt-Israel, Politics, 4/29/1999
• GCC secretary confers with US ambassador Gulf-USA, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Ethiopian official concludes visit to Libya Libya-Ethiopia, Politics, 4/29/1999
• New formations at the Lebanese Information Ministry Lebanon, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Jordanian energy minister confers with Israeli ambassador Jordan-Israel, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Malaysian message to Kuwait Kuwait-Malaysia, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Israeli president arrives in Hong Kong Israel, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Libyan FM meets with NATO ambassadors Libya-Yugoslavia, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Lebanese president, parliament speaker review the situation in the south Lebanon, Politics, 4/29/1999
• Lebanese premier receives Jordanian prince Lebanon-Jordan, Politics, 4/29/1999
• OIC supports raids against Yugoslavia
  The Organization of the Islamic Conference confirmed yesterday its complete support for the measures taken by NATO to confront the Serb attacks on Kosovar Moslems. Regional-Yugoslavia, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Moussa calls on UN to take a decisive measure in Kosovo
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa called on the United Nations secretary general to take a decisive position for the international organization toward the Kosovo impasse and not to marginalize the role of the UN. Egypt, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Morocco calls for transparency in future stages of Sahara referendum process
  the Moroccan delegation, led by permanent representative to the U.N. Ahmed Snoussi, expressed reserves on some items related to the unfolding of the various stages of the referendum process, especially regarding the appeals of applicants who have already been identified, a source close to the Moroccan mission to the U.N. said. Morocco, Politics, 4/28/1999
• New Algerian president vows to restore security, welfare
  The Algerian president added that Algeria has to undergo accelerated transformations in the world and adapt through further openness to what is taking place in the regional and international arenas. He called for free self-expression and enabling scientific and technical capabilities to surface. Algeria, Politics, 4/28/1999
• The Jordanian detainees in Syria
  The Jordanian ambassador in Damascus, Nasouh al-Majali, has said that a joint Syrian-Jordanian security committee will meet in Damascus within the coming days in order to discuss joint security matters. He expressed his hope that the question of the Jordanian detainees in Syria will be discussed during the meeting. Syria-Syria, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Egyptian efforts to start discussions between Sudanese government, opposition
  Egyptian official diplomatic sources in Cairo revealed difficulties that hinder holding a discussion between the Sudanese government and opposition and the two convening at the negotiating table. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 4/28/1999
• U.S. civic and religious groups announce protest movements to request lifting of anti-iraq embargo
  A coalition of U.S. civic and religious groups launched on Tuesday an appeal for the immediate lifting of the economic sanctions enforced against Iraq for eight years now entailing more than 1.2 million civilian victims. Iraq, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Senegal's Abdou Diouf winds up visit to morocco Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Barak: Clinton's message a second Ballfour declaration to the Palestinians
  Leader of the Israeli Labor Party, Ehud Barak, who is also a candidate for Israeli prime minister in the elections to be held on May 17 has described the message sent by US President to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat as a "Ballfour declaration for the Palestinians." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Moroccan political leader hopes for inter-Algerian reconciliation without enmity to morocco
  A Moroccan political leader has voiced hope to see the Algerians reconcile without showing any enmity to Morocco. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Saudi minister of defense due to visit Iran next week
  Prince Sultan Ben Abdul Aziz, the deputy second prime minister and Saudi minister of defense and aviation, is to visit Iran during the coming week for few days during which he will discuss with Iranian officials means of enhancing the bilateral relations and issues of common concern. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Organization of Arab cities meets in Morocco
  The inaugural session was marked by addresses made by several Arab mayors and Morocan interior minister, Driss Basri, who hailed on the occasion the progress made by Arab cities to preserve their architectural authenticity and improve management of their local affairs. Regional, Politics, 4/28/1999
• AL chief confers with Tunisian president
  Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali on Tuesday met with Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid who concluded a three-day visit to Tunisia. Tunisia-Regional, Politics, 4/28/1999
• El-Baz: Israeli decision to close Orient House offices foreruns danger
  The Egyptian president's advisor for political affairs, Osama El-Baz, described the decision of the Israeli government to close several offices in the Palestinian Orient House in East Jerusalem as wrong and warned of escalating danger and more strain on the peace process. Egypt, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Yemeni president receives commander of U.S.A troops in the gulf
  Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh met yesterday with the commander of US troops in the Gulf, General Anthony Zinni. Official sources said that discussions between them tackled the military cooperation between the US and Yemen. Yemen-USA, Politics, 4/28/1999
• An invitation to King Abdullah to visit Kuwait
  An official source in Amman said on Tuesday that Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah has extended an official invitation to King Abdullah of Jordan to visit Kuwait. The source said that Kuwaiti Minister of Justice and Islamic Trust Ahmad Khaled al-Kleib delivered the invitation to King Abdullah. Kuwait-Jordan, Politics, 4/28/1999
• New Israeli city in the West Bank?
  the director of the Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Ahron Dom, has also disclosed the new settlement plan which was designed to bring in thousands of Jews from different parts of the world to absorb them into settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Israel, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Report: PKK suffers internal friction
  A Turkish daily reported that the military wing of the Kurdistani Workers Party (PKK) has taken a tough stand toward the party's branch in Europe, holding it responsible for the arrest of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Regional, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Malaysian prime minister denies relations between his country and Israel
  Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Muhammad has denied an intention for his country to establish relations with Israel. He stressed that news promoted by "hostile mass media" in this respect is groundless. Regional-Israel-Malaysia, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Arens: Israel ready to decide on new war plane purchase
  Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Arens said yesterday that his country is "on the verge of making a decision on the next batch of fighter aircraft. It might be F-16s; it might F-15s. It might be maybe a mix of both aircraft." Israel-USA, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Israeli Defense Minister says situation in Lebanon is dangerous Lebanon, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Speaker of Moroccan Parliament in Brussels for Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Forum Regional, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Mediterranean Group of NATO Assembly In Morocco
  The Assembly is completely independent of NATO but constitutes a link between national parliaments and the Alliance which encourages governments to take Alliance concerns into account when framing national legislation. It also acts as a permanent reminder that intergovernmental decisions reached within NATO are ultimately dependent on political endorsement in accordance with the due constitutional process of democratically elected parliaments. Regional, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Morocco to send humanitarian aid to Kosovo Morocco-Yugoslavia, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Gaddafi for peace in Africa Libya-Africa, Politics, 4/28/1999
• GCC media officials meet in Riyadh
  The sixth meeting of foreign medial officials in the Gulf Cooperation Council member states started on Tuesday at GCC headquarters in Riyadh to discuss several topics pertinent to their common foreign media policy. Gulf, Politics, 4/28/1999
• US nuns send humanitarian message to Mrs Clinton to lift sanctions on Iraq
  A group of US nuns who often visit Baghdad have called on US first lady Hillary Clinton to back their efforts to lift the sanctions imposed on Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Italian Premier confers with Sharon Israel-Italy, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Report: Mujahidin Khalq movement denies helping Iraqi security Iraq-Iran, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Lebanon and Hizbullah Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Palestinian refugee host countries meet in Amman
  Representatives of the Palestinian refugees' host countries, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Egypt, held a meeting on Tuesday in Amman to coordinate stances toward the unofficial meeting which will be held today in Amman for the Palestinian refugees' donor and host countries. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Amman's people's conference in defense of Jerusalem
  The general secretariat for the people's conference in defense of Jerusalem has expressed its concern over the grave conditions in the Palestinian territories, especially in the city of Jerusalem which the secretariat said has been undergone a new campaign of Judaization and distortion of its Arab Islamic identity. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Ethiopian message to Gaddafi
  Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gaddafi on Monday received a message from Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi pertaining to the current conditions in Africa, especially the border disputes between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Libya, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Jordanian Parliament commends king's efforts
  Speaker of the Jordanian Parliament, Abdul Hadi al-Majah, has asserted the backing and support of the parliament for all initiatives and moves carried out by Jordan's King Abdullah Bin Hussein in the Arab and international arenas. Jordan, Politics, 4/28/1999
• Egypt, Morocco to submit reports on compliance to anti-torture accord Egypt-Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Al-Sharaa discusses Syrian, regional issues in an exclusive interview with al-Wasat
  Al-Sharaa: "The problem of a very important subject is the Arab common market. How can we imagine an Arab summit being held on this subject while some Arabs do not even talk to each other? We need a minimum understanding, common vision and common feelings." Syria-Regional, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Egyptian - Libyan communications to achieve Sudanese reconciliation
  Libyan leader Colonel Moammar Gaddafi received yesterday a delegation from the Sudanese opposition under the chairmanship of Sadeq El-Mahdi, the leader of Ummah Party, who is currently visiting Tripoli. Libya-Egypt, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Egyptian - French diplomatic coordination
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa confirmed that there is a permanent coordination between Egyptian and French diplomacy on high levels and among experts. Egypt-France, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Moussa says Egypt is deeply concerned with Sudan's unity
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa renewed his confirmation that Egypt is concerned with the unity of Sudan and keeping Sudanese interests, and not to stand against any Sudanese interest. Egypt, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Pope Shenuda in Beirut: Arnoun is Lebanese, and legitimacy is stronger than power Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Palestinian central council and the establishment of a state
  Chairman of the Palestinian National Council Salim al-Zanoun on Monday said that meetings of the Palestinian central council due to convened today Tuesday) to discuss the declaration or postponement of Palestinian statehood will be secret and will last for several days. Palestine, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Sheik Zayed is due to visit Oman United Arab Emirates-Oman, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Report: Jordanian mediation between Syrian and the PA
  The Jordanian daily al-Dostour issued on Monday said that Jordan is now qualified to start a mediation between Damascus and the Palestinian Authority, and this topic was seriously debated during the visit of King Abdullah to Damascus. Regional, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Bouteflika's election heralds major progress in Moroccan - Algerian ties
  The election of Abdelaziz Bouteflika as Algeria's President heralds major progress in relations between Algeria and Morocco, a London-based Arabic daily reported. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Prince Sultan in Tunis today
  Saudi Minister of Defense and Aviation Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz is to arrive today in Tunisia on a five-day official visit in his tour that includes Pakistan and Iran. Saudi Arabia-Tunisia, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Jordanian monarch due to make European - American tour
  During the first half of May, Jordan's King Abdullah II will make a European tour followed by a visit to the United States aimed at collecting political and economic support for Jordan, attracting investments and supporting the Jordanian - European partnership. Jordan, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Communications for an expanded Arab summit in case of reelection of Netanyahu
  Diplomatic sources in Cairo revealed the existence of communications among Arab capitals to discuss the probability of convening an expanded Arab summit. Regional, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Bouteflika takes office
  Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika today assumed his tasks as president of the Algerian Republic after taking his constitutional oath before the people of Algeria. Algeria, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Moroccan-Spanish high joint commission to meet in Madrid on Wednesday
  The Moroccan-Spanish high joint commission will convene on Wednesday and Thursday in Madrid under the co-chairmanship of the two countries' prime ministers, Abderrahmane Youssoufi and Jose Maria Aznar. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Syria, Turkey for boosting transport relations
  Syrian-Turkish talks started on Monday at the headquarters of the Ministry of Transportation in Damascus. The two sides discussed transport and means of improving mutual relations. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Arab human rights movement calls for substantial UN reforms
  In their "Casablanca Declaration" adopted at the end of their works, the Arab human rights activists said reforming the UN has become a necessity in view of the socio-economic and political changes sweeping across the world. They also affirmed that the UN body formation must represent peoples of the world to serve the shared interests of humankind. Regional, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Moroccan Sahrawi youth denounce breaches in identification process
  The youth, who met with Moroccan Minister of the Interior Driss Basri, decried the denial of the right of a group of fellow Sahrawi youth to participate in the referendum. Morocco, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Palestinian Legislative Council's political statement
  At the conclusion of its meeting in Ramallah on Monday, the Palestinian Legislative Council issued a political statement in which it stressed that it will proceed toward establishing the independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as a capital as well as taking all necessary measures and steps to attain this very objective. Palestine, Politics, 4/27/1999
• US general praises military cooperation with Yemen
  Commander in Chief of the U.S. Central Command, General Anthony Zinni, said yesterday in Sanaa, Yemen, that military cooperation with Yemen "has gone very well." Yemen-USA, Politics, 4/27/1999
• King Fahd calls for pressuring Israel to withdraw from Golan, Jerusalem
  During its Monday session, chaired by King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi Cabinet denounced the repeated aggressive Israeli practices against south Lebanon. Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Likud opposes withdrawal from the Golan
  The Israeli government secretary Danny Naveh has renewed the rejection of his government under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to implementing UN resolutions concerning the occupied Syrian Golan Heights or the occupied West Bank. Israel-Regional, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Netanyahu warns the Palestinians
  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeated threats against the Palestinians, warning against the declaration of a Palestinian statehood. In a statement to Israel Radio on Monday morning Netanyahu stressed that his government has decided to take tough measures in case a Palestinian state is declared. Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Israel and the Russian weapons to Iran
  Chairman of the Israeli Center Party and former Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai said that rebuilding Israeli-Russian relations and the efforts exerted towards convincing Russia not to provide Iran with missile technology were all made through high-level coordination between the Israeli government and the CIA. Israel-Russia, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Moroccan foreign minister confers with US peer
  Moroccan Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Mohamed Benaissa conferred in Washington Monday with U.S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on bilateral relations and current issues of common concern. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Morocco's academy holds session on nuclear arms dissuasive role Regional, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Moroccan-Yemeni ministerial commission convenes in Rabat Morocco-Yemen, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Moroccan-Senegalese joint commission to hold regular annual meeting
  The two sides convened that the joint commission works will be attended by experts and economic operators who will explore prospects of promoting economic cooperation to the level of the political and cultural relations binding the two countries. Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 4/27/1999
• UN envoy holds talks in Eritrea Eritrea-Ethiopia-UN, Politics, 4/27/1999
• King Abdullah supports the idea of a peace conference on ME Jordan-Israel, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Ethiopian official arrives in Libya Libya-Ethiopia, Politics, 4/27/1999
• Tangiers hosts commemorating meeting of Maghreban conference
  The Tangiers Conference, held in 1958 by the Moroccan Istiqlal Party, the Algerian National Liberation Front and the Tunisian Neo-destour party, was meant to lay down the foundations of a Maghreban regional union. Tunisia, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Bouteflika to take office tomorrow
  Algerian President-elect Abdelaziz Bouteflika tomorrow will take his constitutional oath at the nations's palace in al-Sunouber club in the presence of some 1,200 invitees encompassing high-ranking Algerian state officials. Algeria, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Ivanov and al-Assad's visit to Russia Syria-Russia, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Morocco announces imminent accord with UN on identification of 65,000 Sahrawis
  Morocco has announced that an accord might be signed this Monday or in the few coming days with the United Nations on the identification of 65,000 Sahrawis belonging to contested tribes. Morocco, Politics, 4/26/1999
• African summit discusses Western Sahara issue
  Algeria will host the summit of the OAU (Organization of African Unity) in coming July, which will be opened by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and the African leaders, while the Moroccan monarch will not attend due to Morocco having left the organization. Algeria-Morocco-OAU, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Morocco and Algeria may be on their way to better understanding
  An official source in Rabat said that support given by Algeria to the UN lies in accelerating measures of relevance to the Sahara referendum, foremost being urging the refugees sheltered in the Tindouf camps to return to their homes, according to Houston agreement and the UN plan. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Russian FM conveys message to President al-Assad from Yeltsin
  The Russian minister conveyed to the president a message from Russian President Boris Yeltsin "related to the development of bilateral relations." Talks dealt with a number of international and regional matters of concern to both sides, especially the Middle East peace process and the situation in the Balkans. Syria-Russia, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Rabat renews call on Algiers to open borders with Morocco
  "I seize the opportunity of being here among you in this Moroccan and Maghreb oasis to renew the call of brotherhood to reopen borders" between Morocco and Algeria, Youssoufi said. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/26/1999
• King Hassan addresses message to UN secretary general Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Arab League condemns closure of Palestinian Beit El-Shark
  The Arab League and Egypt expressed their deep anxiety toward the decision taken by the Israeli government to close Beit El-Shark (the Orient House) and the Palestinian offices in Jerusalem. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Jordan: relations with Syria will be much stronger than before Jordan-Syria, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Saudi defense minister confers with GCC secretary Gulf-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/26/1999
• France resumes relations with Libya and is given first priority
  Libyan sources confirmed today that France began to resume its relations with Libya after the handing over of two Libyan suspects in the Lockerbie bombing, as French companies began to send officials to Libya to agree on the reconstruction of Libya. Libya-France, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Moussa attacks closure of Palestinian Orient House
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa attacked the Israeli government's decision to close offices in the Orient House in Jerusalem. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/26/1999
• US Middle East defense forces commander to visit Yemen for establishing a US military base
  The commander of the US defense forces in the Middle East, General Anthony Zinni is to begin a visit to Yemen today to hold high-level talks. Yemen-USA, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Mutual messages between Mubarak and Gaddafi Egypt-Libya, Politics, 4/26/1999
• El-Bashir accuses opposition of obstructing Sudanese national concord
  Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir accused the Sudanese opposition yesterday of obstructing the achievement of national concord, adding that there is no dialogue with the opposition grouping because it aims at toppling the government in Khartoum. Sudan, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Candidates of Syrian PNF win local administration elections
  Syrian Local Administration Minister Yehya Abu Asaleh on Sunday announced the final results of the local administration LAS elections, in a press conference held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Local Administration in Damascus. Syria, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Qatari FM arrives in Tehran
  Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem al-Thani arrived in Tehran on Sunday on a two-day official visit to Tehran. In an arrival statement, the Qatari minister said relations between Iran and the GCC member states are now much better, and, "We are trying to strengthen these relations increasingly." Qatar-Iran, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Iranian, Qatari talks in Tehran Qatar-Iran, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Princess Ann to arrive tomorrow in Cairo
  Britain's Princess Ann will arrive tomorrow in Cairo, coming from Cyprus, on a four-day visit to Egypt. Egypt, Politics, 4/26/1999
• King Hassan II receives Senegalese president
  King Hassan II, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, received on Friday evening in Marrakesh President Abdou Diouf of Senegal, who arrived the same day in Morocco for a several-day visit. Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Morocco is determined to promote human rights education
  In his inaugural speech of the 1st congress of Arab Human rights movement convening in Casablanca (Morocco's economic capital), Youssoufi said Morocco has made outstanding progress in matters of human rights protection and affirmed that dialogue is underway between the government and human rights organizations to consolidate the state of law, enhance democratic process and protect public freedom. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Iraqi Shiite opposition concerned over conditions in Iraq
  Opposition Iraqi Shiite figures in exile expressed on Sunday their concern over a warning addressed by Washington against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, which gave no mention to the conditions of the Shiites in Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Palestinian Legislative Council convenes extraordinary session
  The Palestinian Legislative Council on Sunday discussed in a special session in Ramallah the question of declaring Palestinian statehood and the situation in the occupied city of Jerusalem, as well as the policy pursued by the Israeli occupation forces in confiscating Palestinian territories and enhancing settlements. Palestine, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Jordanian king confers with Mordechai
  King Abdullah of Jordan met on Sunday in Amman with the leader of the Israeli Center party, who is also a candidate to become Israeli prime minister in the forthcoming elections, Yitzhak Mordechai. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 4/26/1999
• President al-Assad confers with Greek archbishop
  Syrian President Hafez al-Assad met on Sunday in Damascus with the Greek Orthodox Archbishop Christo Dolos and members of his accompanying delegation. Syria, Politics, 4/26/1999
• US calls for one year extension of peace process
  US White House press secretary Joe Lockhart read a statement today on the Middle East peace process calling for a one-year extension of the peace process. Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 4/26/1999
• British -Libyan relations
  The British "Sunday Times" daily said in its Sunday editorial said that a new confrontation between Britain and Libya has been emerging following the new developments on the incident of killing a British policewoman outside the headquarters of the Libyan embassy in London in 1984. Libya-UK, Politics, 4/26/1999
• UN envoy arrives in Eritrea for mediation
  The UN special envoy for Africa, Mohamed Sahnoun, arrived in Asmara on Sunday where he will start a new mediation mission between Eritrea and Ethiopia, according to a statements made by the spokesman for Eritrea's presidential office, Yamani Yamiskle. Eritrea-Ethiopia, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Iraqi - Yugoslavia approach
  Iraq and Yugoslavia decided to raising the level of diplomatic representation between them to the ministers level soon. Iraq-Yugoslavia, Politics, 4/26/1999
• International support for Arafat
  Palestinian Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Nabeel Amro said that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat obtained during the diplomatic initiative he made during the last three months confirmations from a large number of countries of support for the Palestinians' right to self-determination and establishing their independent state. Palestine, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Syrian- US economic talks Syria-USA, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Jordanian PM highlights relations with Arab states Jordan, Politics, 4/26/1999
• King Fahd receives message from Ugandan president Saudi Arabia-Djibouti-Uganda, Politics, 4/26/1999
• Sudan and the cease fire decision in the south Sudan, Politics, 4/26/1999

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