Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 6/28/1999

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of June 28, 1999

• Tourism film about Egypt starring James Bond actor
  Egyptian Minister of Tourism Mamdouh El-Beltagi said in special statements to ArabicNews.com today that actor Roger Moore has agreed to participate in a tourism film about Egypt in October. Egypt, Politics, 7/3/1999
• Kuwaiti parliamentary elections
  Some 113,00 Kuwaiti voters headed Saturday to the election boxes to choose the new National Council , composed of 50 members. Kuwait, Politics, 7/3/1999
• Al-Assad in Moscow on Monday
  The Syrian presidential spokesman Jubran Koreyah said that the Syrian President Hafez al-Assad will pay an official visit to Russia on Monday that takes two days and fulfills the invitation made by the Russian President Boris Yeltsin. Syria-Russia, Politics, 7/3/1999
• King Abdullah starts Arab tour Jordan-Yemen, Politics, 7/3/1999
• Report: President Clinton to invite al-Assad to visit the US
  The Paris-based al-Muharrir news said that Syrian President Hafez al-Assad may in the middle of next August pay an official visit to the US at an invitation expected to be extended by US President Bill Clinton, following the visit due to be held by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak to Washington this month. Syria-USA, Politics, 7/3/1999
• El-Baz: Mubarak- Al-Assad summit soon
  Osama El-Baz, advisor of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, said the summit between Mubarakand French President Jacques Chirac will tackle major subjects in Middle East, especially the peace process, adding that there is currently a proper chance for it. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 7/3/1999
• GCC FM s resume session
  Foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states resume today the deliberations of their 71st session in the city of Jeddah. Gulf, Politics, 7/3/1999
• Conference of Egyptian national forces who oppose normalization with Israel to meet on Monday
  The Egyptian national forces with their different political movements are convening a conference to oppose normalization with Israel at the Shepherd Hotel in Cairo on Monday morning. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 7/3/1999
• Cairo international conference for peace to start on Monday
  The three-day Cairo international conference for peace will start on Monday. The conference is organized by Copenhagen's international alliance for Arab - Israeli peace under the chairmanship of former Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Khalil. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 7/3/1999
• Palestinian Authority expects stop to establishment of settlements
  Sources in the Palestinian Authority said today that the PA expects incoming Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak to stop building the settlements in the occupied Palestinian lands. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/3/1999
• Barak talks on the telephone to Arafat Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/3/1999
• Lebanese president confers with US ambassador
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud received the US ambassador to Lebanon, David Satterfield, at Babda palace on Friday. Talks during the meeting dealt with the latest developments in the region, especially the situation in south Lebanon. Lebanon-UN, Politics, 7/3/1999
• On the Golan
  Britain's Jewish Chronicle weekly published in London on Friday said that Israeli settlers in the Golan Heights are convinced that the state of Israel is still standing by their position in order to preserve their control of the area, even if a peace deal is signed between Israel and Syria. Syria-Israel, Politics, 7/3/1999
• Syrian prisoner appeals to Israeli court Syria-Israel, Politics, 7/3/1999
• Prince of Riyadh visits Tunis
  Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz of Riyadh is starting tomorrow an official visit to Tunis for four days in a step that confirms the continuation of a rapid development witnessed in the area of bilateral relations. Saudi Arabia-Tunisia, Politics, 7/3/1999
• Libya and Britain
  The British daily the Guardian said that the British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook was exposed to strong criticism because he prevented several members of the British parliament from travelling to Libya in order to join a British trade delegation intending to visit Libya. Libya-UK, Politics, 7/3/1999
• Egyptian delegation in Baghdad to discussing medicine exports to Iraq
  A high-ranking delegation from the Egyptian holding company for medicine is due to visit Iraq during the coming week to hold talks with high-ranking Iraqi officials regarding Egypt's medicine exports to Iraq. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 7/3/1999
• Islamic circles warn against campaigns of arrest in Qatar
  Islamic circles in London on Friday warned the Qatari authorities against expanding a campaign of arrests that started with taking Islamic scholar Sheikh Abdul Rahman Bin Omeir al-Nueimi into custody on the ground that he and another 15 scholars called for making reforms inside Qatar. Qatar-UK, Politics, 7/3/1999
• Ethiopian parliament speaker highlights progress in relations with Khartoum
  Ethiopian Parliament Speaker Dabu Woud Yuhans has asserted that Ethiopian - Sudanese relations "have been progressing rapidly towards full normalization." Sudan-Ethiopia, Politics, 7/3/1999
• Iraq renews rejection of the British draft project at the UN
  Iraq has asserted its opposition to the British draft project debated for discussions at the UN Security Council concerning Iraq. A high-ranking Iraqi official said in Baghdad on Friday that the British draft project proposed to the UN Security Council and backed by the US "was born dead." Iraq-UN, Politics, 7/3/1999
• OIC calls for resuming Middle East peace talks
  The foreign ministers of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference have called for resuming peace negotiations in the Middle East. Regional-OIC, Politics, 7/3/1999
• US: No change on refugees Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 7/3/1999
• Former Sudanese Prime Minister Sadek El-Mahdi addresses the Sudan issue Sudan, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Mubarak heads to France, implementing former agreements gives al-Assad confidence in peace
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said on Wednesday in Washington that the Palestinian track should be given priority in resuming the Middle East peace process. Egypt, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Yemen backs Morocco's efforts to perfect territorial integrity
  Yemen said on Wednesday it backs Morocco's efforts to perfect its territorial integrity. Yemen-Morocco, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Al-Assad expected in Moscow on Monday
  A London-based daily said today that preparations are currently underway in Moscow to receive Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, who is expected to reach Russia on Monday. Syria-Russia, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Report: Washington to propose to Barak details on Golan security arrangements
  The British daily the Guardian issued on Thursday published a report from its correspondent in Israel saying that officials in Washington have prepared a detailed plan for security arrangements between Israel and Syria. Regional-USA, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Arab ambassadors in Cairo refuse normalization
  Syrian ambassador in Cairo Issa Darwish on Thursday dismissed reports of the Israeli daily Yiedout Ahronout that the Arab ambassadors in Cairo would attend the conference of "Copenhagen Group" due on July 5th through 7th. Regional, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Oman: Gulf-Iranian rapprochement is positive for settling Emirates-Iran islands disputes
  Omani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Youssef Bin Alawi has said that consolidation of Gulf - Iranian rapprochement does not obstruct settling the conflict between the United Arab Emirates and Iran over the islands, rather "backs such a settlement." Oman-Regional, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Lahoud: South Lebanon is the heart of the homeland, Israel continues aggressions
  The Israeli occupation forces on Thursday continued their attacks against areas adjacent to the occupied part of south Lebanon and its western Bekaa. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 7/2/1999
• AL stances towards Lebanon
  The Arab League on Thursday strongly criticized the government of ourgoing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for refusing to take part in the meetings of the April Understanding Monitoring Committee. Regional, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Hizbullah vows readiness to retaliate Israeli aggressions
  The deputy secretary general of the Hizbullah Party, Sheikh Naeem Qassem, has asserted that the Lebanese resistance is "always ready to retaliate for the Israeli attacks and will do so in a manner that defends the Lebanese civilians and the infrastructure." Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Pakistani envoy to explain Kashmir situation to the Arab states
  Abdelmajid Malek, Pakistani federal minister in charge of Kashmir affairs, said on Thursday he came to Morocco with a message from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to King Hassan II. This is a part of a tour that already took him to Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Jordan and Tunisia to explain to these countries' leaders the developments of the situation in Kashmir. Regional, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Kuwait completes preparations for nation's council elections Kuwait, Politics, 7/2/1999
• On the Iranian Jews spying for Israel
  A US magazine said in its issue released on June 28 that the Iranian authorities told Germany that nine out of the 13 suspended Iranian Jews in Iran under charges of spying are not in fact spies. Iran-Germany, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Arrested Jordanian journalist released
  The chief editor of the Jordanian independent daily al-Arab al-Youm, Shaker al-Jawhari, said on Thursday that the Jordanian intelligence investigated him on Tuesday over several articles he had written and then released him on Wednesday. Jordan, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Sudan says it is undergoing attack for its success in openness
  Sudan's permanent representative at the AL, Ahmad Abdul Halim, said in press statements following his meeting on Thursday with the secretary general of the Arab League that Sudan undergoes a hostile campaign following the improvement of relations with neighboring states, the European states and the US administration. Sudan, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Yousef Wali: Mubarak's visits abroad aim at achieving Egyptian national interests Egypt, Politics, 7/2/1999
• OIC foreign ministers wrap up meeting in Burkina Faso
  According to the OIC secretary general, Azeddine Laraki, the meeting was held in an international juncture marked by the crisis in the Balkans and the changes in the Middle East. Regional, Politics, 7/2/1999
• U.K - Egyptian cooperation for solving Y2K problem
  A source at the British embassy in Cairo said that in the framework of health cooperation between Egypt and Britain, two advisors from the British Ministry of Health are currently holding talks with officials in the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Housing regarding means of solving the problem of the year 2000 and its effects on running vital medical equipment and planning for emergencies. Egypt-UK, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Eritrea speaks of victories against Ethiopian forces Eritrea-Ethiopia, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Telephone call from emir of Bahrain to Saudi crown prince Saudi Arabia-Bahrain, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Demirel to visit Israel on July 14 Turkey-Israel, Politics, 7/2/1999
• OIC to recommend further protection to African children
  The UN Children's Fund UNICEF is intended to ask the Organization of the Islamic Conference to ensure further protection for African children. Regional-Africa, Politics, 7/2/1999
• Mubarak: Opportunity for peace should not be missed
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said today that Israel should halt its settlement activities in order to help create an atmosphere that is conducive to moving the peace process between the Palestinian and Israelis forward. Egypt-USA, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Algerian president replaces his information minister Algeria, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Qatar denounces Israeli attack on Lebanese infrastructure Qatar-Regional, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Arab tour for Jordanian monarch includes Yemen, Sudan, Morocco, Mauritania
  Jordan's King Abdullah Bin Hussein is starting tomorrow a new Arab tour that will include fuor countries: Yemen, Sudan, Morocco and Mauritania. Jordan, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Algerian president to release 5,000 prisoners soon
  Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is to start on Monday releasing 5,000 Islamists as he gets ready to hold a referendum on a national reconciliation law to end the violence actions Algeria hsa witnessed for more than seven years. Algeria, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Tunisian parliament decides on constitutional adjustment for better elections
  The Tunisian deputies' council ratified a constitutional adjustment that will pave the way for the multiplicity of candidates for the Tunisian presidency in the elections to be held in October. Tunisia, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Gaddafi receives phone call from Central African Republic president Libya-Central African Republic, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Khaddam confers with Hariri Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Jordanian opposition parties declare solidarity with Lebanon
  The Jordanian opposition parties expressed their complete solidarity with and support for Lebanon against the most recent Israeli aggression which targeted the Lebanese infrastructure, including roads, bridges and electric stations as well as killing innocents. Jordan-Lebanon, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Women's training center dedicated in Rabat Morocco, Politics, 7/1/1999
• On peace between Syria and Israel
  The Syrian ambassador in Washington, Walid al-Mu'allim, has announced that a peace agreement can be reached between Syria and Israel within a few months if Israel agrees to withdraw from all the Golan Heights. Syria-Israel, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Sudanese president proposes reconciliation conference, pardoning opposition
  Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, in a speech he read on Tuesday night on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Sudanese government's assumption of power proposed a general pardon for the rebels and opposition forces. He said he "opens the door wide for pardoning and security for all opposition forces." Sudan, Politics, 7/1/1999
• British concerns over results of Israeli aggression on Lebanon Lebanon-UK, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Saudi Arabia hopes to settle the question of UAE islands
  Saudi Arabia has asserted that it views with satisfaction "the positive development in the relations between Iran and the GCC member states," especially following the visit made by Iranian President Muhammad Khatami to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Saudi crown prince gets a message from Blair Saudi Arabia-UK, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Syrian-Jordanian higher committee to meet in Amman
  The speaker of the Jordanian Parliament, Abdul Hadi al-Majali, has announced that the Syrian - Jordanian joint higher committee will convene its meeting within less than one week in Amman. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Sudanese government accused of arresting 500 persons without investigation Sudan, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Lebanese premier discuss with Syrian FM latest developments
  Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss on Wednesday made a telephone call to Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa, during which they made consultations on developments in light of the recent Israeli aggression against Lebanon and Israel's obstruction of the meeting of the April Understanding Monitoring Committee. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Lebanon compensates for martyrs or wounded of the Israeli aggression
  Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss has signed payment orders to compensate the martyrs and wounded citizens as a result of the recent Israeli aggression on Lebanon. Lebanon, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Moussa: Negative conception of Islam in the West due to poor awareness of its contribution
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa told the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding that the behavior of some Muslim has led to a poor image of Islam in Western society. Regional, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Kurdish Workers' Party urges its members to avoid escalation in Europe
  The political wing of the Kurdish Workers' Party urged the Kurds in Europe not to attack Western and Turkish targets after the issuance of a death sentence against the party's chief, Abdullah Ocalan. Turkey-International, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Arafat arrives in Portugal
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat headed today to Portugal to fulfill an official invitation from the Portuguese president, including a European tour to discuss the stumbled peace process between Israel and Palestine. Palestine-Portugal, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Prominent opposition figure tried in Bahrain
  The Bahraini opposition said on Wednesday that the trial of Sheikh Abdul Ameer al-Jamri, the main opposition figure in Bahrain, who is also accused of playing a key role in anti-government riots, will resume next Sunday. Bahrain, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Barak says able to form new government
  Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak informed Shimon Peres, the temporary head of the Israeli Knesset, that he well present his new government at the Israeli Knesset to be ratified during the coming week. Israel, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Morocco hosts Euro-Mediterranean conference on human rights and democracy
  The European Union Migrants Forum's support group for North Africa will hold in Casablanca next October 22-24 a Euro-Mediterranean symposium on human rights and democracy in eastern and southern Mediterranean countries. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 7/1/1999
• No Syrian-Israeli negotiations have taken place, Bishara says
  Israeli Knesset member Azmi Bishara said there were no Syrian-Israeli negotiations, rather an exchange of messages through the US or the Eropean Union Middle East peace envoy, Miguel Moratinos. Syria-Israel, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Emir of Bahrain invited to visit Turkey Bahrain-Turkey, Politics, 7/1/1999
• GCC foreign ministers to meet on Saturday
  The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states are to resume their meetings on Saturday in Jeddah. Earlier, the GCC foreign ministers suspended their meeting on June 12, due to the need, then, for further consultation on certain topics debated on the agenda of the session. Gulf, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Common Syrian, Iranian stances in support of Lebanon
  Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi has announced that Syria and Iran are adopting common stances in support of the steadfastness mounted by the Lebanese people against the continuous Israeli aggressions against Lebanon. Regional-Iran, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Israeli Arabs call for the title of observer in the Arab League Regional-Israel, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Morocco takes part in U.N. meeting on population Morocco-UN, Politics, 7/1/1999
• UNSCOM: Butler's term ends
  Richard Butler, the head of UNSCOM, the committee that was formed after the Gulf War in 1991 to inspect Iraqi weapons, ended his two year term, marked by a series of hot confrontations with Iraq that reached a climax with the launch of U.S - U.K air raids in December 1998. Iraq-UN, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Israel highlights cooperation with Jordan Jordan-Israel, Politics, 7/1/1999
• OIC foreign ministers meeting condemns Israel
  The secretary general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Azeddine Laraki, has stressed a need to unite Islamic efforts to counter the challenges currently taking place in the Islamic world, indicating that the OIC is working to achieve this very objective. Regional, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Lebanese officials pledge to prevent military acts through Lebanese territories
  An official French source told the Lebanese al-Mustaqbil magazine that the Lebanese officials asserted to the French delegate Yves Aubin de La Messuziere during his recent visit to Beirut that they will spare no efforts in order to not carry out military acts through the borders with the Lebanese territories but under the condition that Israel is not to bombard Lebanese civilians. Lebanon-France, Politics, 7/1/1999
• New 100 Ethiopian Falasha Jews arrived in Tel Aviv Israel-Ethiopia, Politics, 7/1/1999
• Indyk: Egypt strategic partner for US
  US Undersecretary of State for Near East Affairs Martin Indyk said yesterday that Egypt is the United States' "strategic partner in the Middle East." Indyk added that US President Bill Clinton, who will meet with visiting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak tomorrow, "wants to consult with President Mubarak on how we can -- together -- help to push the peace process forward on all fronts, with the objective of achieving a comprehensive peace." Egypt-Regional-USA, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Sahara historically established as Moroccan territory, Libyan senior official
  A senior Libyan official on Tuesday said his country backed Morocco's territorial integrity and affirmed that the Sahara is historically established as a Moroccan territory. Libya-Morocco, Politics, 6/30/1999
• OAU's juridical advisor: Pan-African organization's charter does not provide for admission of non-sovereign entities
  The charter of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) "does not include any provision on the admission of an entity that still aspires to sovereignty and independence in the frame of a referendum or that has not acceded yet to the status of an African independent and sovereign state," asserted the juridical advisor to the OAU. Morocco-OAU, Politics, 6/30/1999
• AL efforts to settle disputes between UAE and Iran
  The general secretariat of the Arab League has expressed its readiness to exert peaceful efforts to settle the disputes over the islands under dispute between the United Arab Emirates and Iran. United Arab Emirates-Regional, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Security Council welcomes resumption of voters' identification in Sahara referendum
  The United Nations Security Council welcomed the resumption of the identification of would-be voters in the self-determination referendum the U.N. plans to hold in the Sahara in July 2000. Morocco-UN, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Jordan ready to play a role between Syria and Israel
  The speaker of the Jordanian Parliament, Abdul Hadi al-Majali, has announced Jordan's readiness to carry out a positive role between Syria and Israel. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Arafat urges Barak to commit to peace agreements
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat urged Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak to commit to the agreements ratified between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, topped by Wye River accord and the Oslo agreements, and carrying out the third stage of troop withdrawal from West Bank areas which was agreed upon. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Arafat confers with al-Rawabdeh
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat on Tuesday in Amman discussed with Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawbdeh current developments in the region, means of reviving the Middle East peace process on all tracks, especially on the Palestinian track, and the implementation of signed agreements so as to reach the final status negotiations. Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Israel detains four youths in the Golan
  Israel's arrest of four youths in the occupied Golan has triggered a strong condemnation in the Golan in which some 16,000 Syrian citizens are living. Syria-Israel, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Bouteflika to raise civil reconciliation draft for referendum next month
  Algerian official sources said that the Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will organize a referendum on the civil reconciliation draft with the Islamic conservatives in coming month. Algeria, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Omani pilgrims protest treatment received in Saudi Arabia
  An official in the Omani police on Tuesday in Muscat expressed his regret over the bad treatment the Omani pilgrims received by the Saudi customs men upon passing through border crossings between the two countries. He stressed that Muscat "cannot keep silent over this matter." Oman-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Pakistani minister in Cairo: Egypt can play a role in conflict with India
  Pakistani Majid Minister of Kashmir, the Northern Areas, State, and Frontier Regions welcomed any country's mediation, especially Egypt's, to solve the dispute between his country and India regarding the Kashmir region. Egypt-Pakistan, Politics, 6/30/1999
• APU final statement calls for Middle East peace
  The final statement of the council of the Arab Parliamentary Union, which concluded its deliberations in Damascus on Tuesday, called for the United Nations and the international community, especially the cosponsors of the Middle East peace process and the European Union, to intensify their efforts for the realization of a just and comprehensive peace. Regional, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Jordan calls for clarification from Israel regarding freezing joint airport project Jordan-Israel, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Arab lawmakers call Spain to withdraw from two Moroccan towns
  The Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union called Tuesday on Spain to "withdraw from the Moroccan occupied towns of Sebta and Melilia." Regional-Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Bahrain crown prince in Jeddah Saudi Arabia-Bahrain, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Emirates supports peace agreement in Kosovo United Arab Emirates-Albania, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Weizman asserts importance of resuming peace process
  Israeli President Ezer Weizman said that courageous leaders are the only ones who can lead the peace process, such as the late Egyptian President Anwar El-Sadat when he signed peace agreement with Israel. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Israel suspends its participation in April Understanding meetings Israel-Regional-France, Politics, 6/30/1999
• July African summit meeting in Algeria to discuss conflicts
  The African Organization of African Unity summit will be convene in Algeria on July 12 - 14, to be preceded by a conference of OAU foreign ministers from July 8 - 10. Regional-OAU, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Ummah Party criticizes Turabi's refusal to form coalition government
  The opposing Sudanese Ummah party criticized the statement made Hassan Turabi, the secretary general of the Sudan's ruling National Conference Party, in which he excluded the establishment of a coalition government that includes the opposition. Sudan, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Indyk: Barak was unaware of the Israeli bombing Regional-Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Strict security procedures around US embassies
  The United States intensified security procedures around some of its embassies and consuls in Africa and Asia in anticipation of any protest against the judgment issued by a Turkish court of death for Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan. Regional-USA, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Israel destroys construction site of mosque in Jerusalem
  Israeli authorities in the city of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) have ordered the destruction of a construction site of a mosque in the Arab quarter of Ras Al-Amoud in the eastern part of the city. Palestine, Politics, 6/30/1999
• PKK warns against Ocalan's hanging
  The Kurdistani National Liberation Front, the political wing of the Kurdistani Workers Party (PKK), on Tuesday in Vienna warned that that sentence given to hang the PKK's leader, Abdullah Ocalan, would escalate conflict in Turkey and in the Middle East. Turkey, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Cooperation meeting between AL, the UN
  A plenary meeting on cooperation between the Arab League's specialized institutions and organizations and the United Nations' specialized agencies will be held in Vienna on July 8 and 9. Regional-UN, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Tehran hosts Islamic unity conference Regional, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Morocco-FAO cooperation discussed in Rome
  Cooperation between Morocco and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was discussed in Rome earlier this week by Moroccan Minister of Equipment Bouamor Taghouan and FAO executives. Morocco, Politics, 6/30/1999
• Damascus asks Ankara for copy of Ocalan's confessions
  Well-informed Syrian sources described the Syrian - Turkish security meetings which concluded on Monday night as "positive and fruitful," noting that each side had pledged the other to "fully cooperate" in matters of concern to one another. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 6/30/1999
• AL for Lebanon to be compensated for Israeli attacks
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid has asserted in urgent messages and memorandum he sent on Monday to the Arab states, the right of Lebanon to get compensation for the human and material losses it suffered as a result of the recent Israeli aggression against its territories and Israel's occupation of its lands. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Peace conference to open on Monday
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa will open a peace conference on Monday in Cairo. Regional-Egypt, Politics, 6/29/1999
• On the Syrian-Turkish security meeting
  A Syrian security delegation on Monday arrived in Damascus from the Turkish city of Ghazi Eintab after it concluded three days of talks with its Turkish counterpart, during which the two sides followed up on joint work to eliminate the remaining security disputes between the two countries. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Syrian-Turkish security meeting in Ghazi Eintab
  Sources close to the Turkish government said on Monday that a meeting of Syrian and Turkish delegations was held in Ghazi Eintab in southeast Turkey to discuss security matters. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Parties and associations support civil reconciliation in Algeria
  Chief of the Algerian Labor Party, Lowisa Hanoun, announced her party's support for all works that help restore peace and security. Algeria, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Civil reconciliation law to be presented to the Algerian parliament tomorrow
  Algerian Prime Minister Smail Hamdani added, "The draft law will be raised at the Algerian parliament tomorrow after being adopted today by the Cabinet." Algeria, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Afro-Asian Peoples Solidarity Organization condemns Israeli attack on Lebanon
  The Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization condemned yesterday the raids launched by Israel on Lebanon and the deliberate destruction of vital civil establishments. Regional, Politics, 6/29/1999
• April Understanding meeting postponed amid French - Israeli escalation
  Israel has announced the indefinite postponement of the meeting of the April Understanding Monitoring Committee that had been scheduled to be held today. Lebanon-Israel-France, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Saudi king urges international efforts to halt Israeli aggressions
  King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia has called upon the international community to exert efforts to halt the constant and frequent Israeli attacks against Lebanon. Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 6/29/1999
• King Abdullah II due to visit Mauritania next week
  Jordan's King Abdullah II is due to visit Mauritania next week. Diplomatic sources in the Mauritania capital, Nouakchott, said that King Abdullah's visit to Mauritania comes in the framework of an Arab tour, during which he will visit countries he never visited before. Mauritania-Jordan, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Arafat in Amman
  King Abdullah Bin Hussein of Jordan and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat held talks on Monday in Amman which, according to a Jordanian official source, dealt with the stalemate in the Middle East peace process, especially on the Palestinian- Israeli track, and means of relaunching it. Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Four new members on the Saudi Shoura council
  The official Saudi news agency has reported that King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz on Monday appointed four new members to the Shoura council in succession of three other members who became ministers and a fourth who was appointed as an ambassador. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/29/1999
• French message to Arafat
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has received a message from French President Jacques Chirac in which the French president reiterates his support for the Palestinian leadership. Palestine-France, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Tension between Kuwaiti government, candidates over remarks on ruling family
  Kuwait prevented three candidates for the Kuwaiti parliament from travelling abroad for insulting the government and saying it had escaped during the invasion by Iraq. Kuwait, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Meetings between Yemeni Socialist Party and Yemeni opposition leadership abroad
  Two high-ranking figures from the Yemeni Socialist Party arrived in London to meet with Ali Saleh Abbad (Muqbil), the secretary general of the party, who is making a round of contacts with leaders abroad for consultations concerning the coming Presidential elections in Yemen and who will be the candidate for the party in the presidential election. Yemen, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Saddam Hussein warns of plans to divide Iraq
  Iraqi President Saddam Hussein warned yesterday of schemes aimed at dividing Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Emir of Kuwait receives Syrian justice minister Kuwait-Syria, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Aziz declares Iraq's refusal of Dutch - British draft
  Iraq stated its absolute refusal of the Dutch - British draft that calls for the Security Council to partially suspend the sanctions imposed on Baghdad since 1990. Iraq-UN, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Guinean fisheries and agriculture minister in Morocco
  The Guinean official told reporters upon arrival that his country grants a special importance to the promotion of cooperation with Morocco, particularly in the fields of agriculture, fisheries and related sectors. Morocco-Guinea, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Some 2,328 persons interviewed by U.N. identification commission since June 15, Annan says
  Some 2,328 persons have been interviewed by the United Nations commission in charge of identifying Sahrawis who will participate in the self-determination referendum, the U.N plan to hold in the Sahara in July, 2000, U.N. Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, said in report to the Security Council. Morocco-UN, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Arab Parliamentary Union resumes deliberations in Damascus
  The Arab Parliamentary Union on Monday resumed its deliberations in Damascus, under the chairmanship of Egyptian Parliament Speaker Fathi Sorour. Regional, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Threats made by Algerian groups raise confusion in Belgium
  The Belgian government on Monday called on various emergency "cells" for a meeting, taking seriously into account the threats proclaimed the Algerian Armed Islamic Group of carrying out "a bath of blood" if Belgium does not release detained Islamists within 20 days. Algeria-Belgium, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Burkina Faso opens OIC conference
  President Blaise Campaore of Burkina Faso on Monday opened in his country's capital the annual meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Regional-OIC, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Arab League fact-finding commission for Comoros
  An Arab League fact-finding commission will on Wednesday head for Comoros for 10 days in order to get acquainted with the real conditions there. Comoros-Regional, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Iran refutes media campaign on arrests of Iranian Jews for spying for Israel
  Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi has sent messages to the foreign ministers of various countries, the secretary general of the UN, the OIC secretary general, the chairman of the European Parliament and the UN high commissioner for human rights following the fierce media campaign provoked following the suspension of several citizens on charges of spying for Israel. Iran, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Odai Saddam Hussein recovered completely
  The Iraqi youth TV has screened lengthy excerpts of Odai Saddam Hussein, the elder son of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, walking without any help. Iraq, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Berri: Israel cannot split Lebanese and Syrian peace tracks Lebanon, Politics, 6/29/1999
• South Sudan suffers starvation Sudan-UN, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Demirel in Israel Turkey-Israel, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Syrian defense minister confers with UNDOF commander Syria, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Sudan urges US to reconsider call for no-fly areas in southern Sudan Sudan-USA, Politics, 6/29/1999
• Syrian, Iranian FMs review developments in the region
  Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa on Sunday received Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi. Syria-Iran, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Al-Assad confers with Chirac's envoy
  Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Saturday at the Damascus al-Shaab palace received French President Jacques Chirac's envoy Syria-France, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Mubarak to meet with US officials today
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak arrived yesterday in the United States for a six-day visit, during which he will meet with US President Bill Clinton. Egypt-USA, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Jordan refuses participation in Turkish-Israeli maneuvers
  A Jordanian paper quoted Jordanian official sources as saying that the Jordanian government has refused to participate, even symbolically, in Turkish-Israeli maneuvers to be held in the last third of July. Turkey-Israel, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Saudi Arabia releases three activists
  The Saudi opposition Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia, which has London as its headquarters, announced that the Saudi authorities on June 25 released three activists who back the maintenance of political reforms in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Saudi crown prince receives a telephone call from UAE minister Saudi Arabia-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 6/28/1999
• French efforts to calm down conditions in Lebanon
  During the last 48 hours, France has joined in diplomatic efforts to prevent the repetition of Israeli attacks against Lebanon. Despite the negative Israeli attitude towards these efforts, the French intervention seems fruitful and was met in Beirut, Damascus and Tehran with assertion of adherence to the April Understanding. Lebanon-France, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Damascus hosts APU's 34th session
  The AL chief continued, "If the common Arab economic dimension is witnessing a clear move," the issue of purifying inter-Arab atmospheres is of no less significance. He elaborated that dealing with the general Arab conditions still requires redoubled efforts, asserting that the AL is following up with great optimism the inter Arab meetings and sincere efforts made to restore Arab solidarity so as to enter the 21st century with a common Arab vision that can set the political, economic, security and technological objectives for common Arab action. Regional, Politics, 6/28/1999
• On Kharazi's visit to Damascus Syria-Iran, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Algerian president to pardon prisoners
  Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has announced that he will pardon thousands of prisoners on the occasion of Algeria's Independence Day, which will be marked on July 5. Algeria, Politics, 6/28/1999
• King Abdullah II to start Arab visits on Friday
  Jordanian monarch King Abdullah II is to start a two-day Arab tour on Friday, during which he will visit Morocco, Mauritania, Yemen and Sudan and after which he will head to London for a special visit. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Consultations for joining Nimeiri to the new Sudanese government Sudan, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Sudan, Britain restore diplomatic relations Sudan-UK, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Egyptian-Syrian summit in Cairo
  The London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat daily said that an Egyptian-Syrian summit will be held between Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo by the beginning of next week. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Gaddafi receives two telephone calls from African counterparts Libya-Africa, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Delegation formed for Iranian foreign minister's visit to Sudan, US position on Sudan
  The delegation for Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi's visit to Sudan was decided for July 2 today after the meeting of foreign ministers from countries belonging to the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Ouagadougou. Sudan-USA, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Palestinan authority ready to cooperate with Lebanon over conditions in Palestinian camps in Lebanon
  The Palestinian authorities have expressed their readiness to cooperate with the Lebanese authorities in order to put an end to moves made by certain forces aimed at "damaging our people's relations in the refugee camps with the Lebanese government." Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Lebanon is not ready to sign security arrangements with Israel Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Conference on developing democracies starts today
  Yemen police were deployed in streets and in the main crossing points in Sanaa to be ready to provide security during the convening of a conference of developing democracies, whose works started today. Regional-Yemen, Politics, 6/28/1999
• 100,000 victims of terrorism in Algeria
  Algerian radio said yesterday that 100,000 persons were killed in violent actions in Algeria in the last seven years, in the first official statistics about those murdered in terrorist actions in Algeria Algeria, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Arab Journalists' Union asks Kofi Annan to intervene to stop Israeli attacks on Lebanon Regional, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Speaker of Moroccan parliament takes part in Arab inter-parliamentary union
  Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives (lower chamber of the parliament), Abdelouahed Radi, is taking part in the 34th session of the Arab inter-Parliamentary Union that opened in Damascus Sunday. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 6/28/1999
• UN chief criticizes UNSCOM for spying on Iraq
  UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Sunday openly criticized the spying role played by UNSCOM members in Iraq in the interests of the US. Iraq-UN, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Two French travelers awed by the monuments in Palmyra
  French tourists, Gankoul Jeira and Okana Leilian, who are touring the Mediterranean on their motorbikes, have asserted that the archaeological tourism sites in Syria are unique and that they have never seen anything similar to them in the world Syria, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Organization of the Islamic Conference in Burkina Faso
  Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) will host this week the annual meeting of foreign ministers of members states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Regional-Morocco, Politics, 6/28/1999
• US bombs Iraqi sites Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Greek minister of defense in Tehran today
  Greek Minister of Defense Apostolos-Athanasios Tsokhatzopoulos arrived today in Tehran on the first official visit for a defense minister of a member state in the European Union to Iran since the Islamic revolution in 1979. Iran-Greece, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Killings continue in Algeria Algeria, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Conflicting news between Ethiopia, Eritrea
  News reports are in contradiction on the volume of human casualties in fighting between Ethiopia and Eritrea on Friday and Saturday, while each side had announced that it inflicted heavy losses on the other. Eritrea-Ethiopia, Politics, 6/28/1999
• A corespondent for an Omani newspaper was killed in the Israeli aggression on Lebanon. Oman-Israel, Politics, 6/28/1999
• Arab conference for combating drugs starts today
  Ahmed Salem, the secretary general of the Arab ministers of interiors' cabinet, is opening the 13th Arab conference for heads of bodies for combating drugs today. Regional, Politics, 6/28/1999

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