Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 9/6/1999

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of September 6, 1999

• Al-Sahaf meets with Abdul Meguid, Moussa
  Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Said al-Sahaf met separately today with Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid and Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Palestinian civilian authorities control additional 7% of West Bank
  The Palestinian civilian authority was established yesterday over an additional 7% of the West Bank. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Concluding meetings of Gulf foreign ministers
  The foreign ministers of the Gulf states have concluded a meeting in Jeddah to discuss the Arab foreign ministers' conference scheduled to be held in Cairo tomorrow under the chairmanship of Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad Said al-Sahaf for the first time since the Gulf War in 1990. Gulf, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Israel continues implementation of Sharm al-Sheikh accord
  Israel has resumed the implementation of the Sharm El-Sheikh accord without obstacles, especially following the release of 200 Palestinian detainees. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Deputy speaker of Indian parliament in Morocco
  Visiting Deputy Speaker of Indian parliament Ms. Najma Heptullah Akbarati conferred Friday in Rabat separately with Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi and with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Benaissa. Morocco-India, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Algerian sources: Diplomatic rapprochement between Algeria and U.S.A
  Algerian sources expected a major progress in Algerian - US relations, speaking of cooperation between the USA and Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to end the reasons for the large Algerian debt and the increase of violence. Algeria-USA, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Arafat: Palestinian people persist in restoring their lands
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat said his people intend to restore the occupied lands and release their sons who are still in the Israeli jails. Palestine, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Barak: President al-Assad is an honest man
  The Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said that nothing will stop his search to build peace with Syria, noting that such a peace will strengthen Israel's might. Syria-Israel, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Syrian ambassador to the US summoned back to Damascus
  Arab diplomatic forces in Washington said the Syrian ambassador to the US, Walid al-Mu'allim, will return soon to Damascus at the request of the Syrian political leadership. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Arafat hopes to have normal relations with Damascus, Beirut
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat said in a statement to the Lebanese daily al-Nahar, given in Libya and published on Friday, that normalcy has returned in the relations between Syria and Jordan, although Jordan has an agreement with Israel, asking "Then why are normal relations are not restored between Syria and the Palestinian Authority?" Palestine-Regional, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Barak will withdraw next year from Lebanon
  The Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has stated that the next Hebrew year will witness the Israeli army outside the security zone in South Lebanon and deployed along the international borders. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Chinese diplomatic delegation to visit Cairo on Wednesday
  China's Deputy Foreign Minister is due to arrive in Cairo on Wednesday for a visit to Egypt that is to last for several days, during which he is to be received by Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa. Egypt-China, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Arab states call on AL to confront Disney exhibition
  Palestine has officially called on the Arab League to insert on the agenda of the coming session of Arab FMs the subject of an exhibition run by the Walt Disney company that is said to show Jerusalem as the Israeli capital. Regional, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Report: Arab diplomats expect President al-Assad to visit Saudi Arabia
  The Paris-based al-Muharrir news quoted Arab diplomatic sources in the Swiss capital, Geneva, as saying that Syrian President Hafez al-Assad may pay a visit soon to Saudi Arabia to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and high-ranking Saudi officials. Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Clinton to meet with Arafat this month
  US officials said on Thursday night that US President Bill Clinton intends to meet with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat during the visit Arafat is to hold to New York later this month to attend the meetings of the UN General Assembly. Palestine-USA, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Security Council satisfied over Minurso-HCR work
  The U.N. Security Council members are satisfied over the work made by the UN mission in charge of the Referendum in the Sahara (Minurso), said in New York on Friday the head of the Security council, Ambassador Walsum Arnold Peter Van of Netherlands. Morocco-UN, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Arab economic council meeting postponed Regional, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Al-Sahaf arrives in Cairo Iraq-Regional, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Lebanese-Italian relations highlighted Lebanon-Italy, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Morocco's child's parliament holds 2nd session
  The Moroccan Child's Parliament opens this Saturday its 2nd session under the theme of generalization of schooling and struggle against illiteracy and child's labor. Morocco, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Colloquy in Brussels on relations between Morocco and EU Morocco-European Union, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Morocco hosts 9th ministerial conference of G-77
  The 9th ministerial conference of Group-77 will be held in Morocco's southern city of Marrakesh this September 13-16. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Barak: Withdrawal from Lebanon before July 7, 2000 Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Arafat renews his pledge to Barak to fight all operations against Israel
  The chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat has renewed his obligations to the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak in confronting all operations against Israel. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Jordanian authorities ban visits to Hamas detainees Jordan, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Germany finances Morocco's training of Palestinian engineers Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Russia works to lift sanctions imposed on Iraq Iraq-Russia, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Arafat: Settling Palestinians outside their state is a crime Palestine, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Muslim Brothers stage strike in Jordan
  Following Friday prayers yesterday, the Muslim Brothers group organized a strike in a mosque inside a Palestinian refugee camp in Jordan in protest over the measures adopted by Jordanian government against Hamas three weeks ago. Jordan, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Walt Disney says its exposition is cultural
  The spokesman for the Walt Disney company Bill Warren claimed on Thursday that there is any political implication for an exhibition about Israel organised by the company in Florida and opposed by Arab and Islamic states. Regional, Politics, 9/11/1999
• Sultan Qaboos concludes visit to Saudi Arabia
  Sultan Qaboos Bin Said of Oman on Thursday concluded an official visit to Saudi Arabia following his visit to Egypt. His tour is also expected to include other Gulf states. Saudi Arabia-Oman, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Egyptian - Jordanian follow-up committee to meet tomorrow
  The meetings of the Egyptian - Jordanian follow-up committee are to begin tomorrow in Cairo and last for two days. The committee emerged from the high joint committee between the two countries. Egypt-Jordan, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Arab Journalists Union denounces halt of three Sudanese newspapers Sudan, Politics, 9/10/1999
• World parliaments speakers end preparatory meeting for international parliaments conference Regional-Morocco, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Canada wants a role in Syrian peace
  Canadian Defense Minister Arthur Eggleton, who left Damascus on Thursday following a two-day official visit, met with his Syrian counterpart, Lt. Gen. Mustafa Tlass. Syria-Canada, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Ross to visit the region very soon Regional-USA, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Bin Ali presents presidential nomination request today
  Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali presented today a request for a presidential nomination to the fact-finding committee for nominations in the council of deputies. The election is to be held on October 24. Tunisia, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Sabah al-Ahmad gets message from Albright Kuwait-USA, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Lawyer of Egyptian Islamic groups negates mediation with the government Egypt, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Palestinian Liberation Army marks foundation anniversary Palestine, Politics, 9/10/1999
• UAE threatens to punish Disney
  The United Arab Emirates has threatened to boycott all products of the Walt Disney company in the country if the company proceeds in organizing an exposition which concentrates on showing occupied Jerusalem as a capital for Israel. United Arab Emirates-Regional-USA, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Iraqi newspaper mocks US congressional aides visiting Baghdad Iraq-USA, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Syrians of the Golan stress commitment to homeland, reject normalization
  The Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights have asserted their adherence to their homeland, Syria,against schemes and conspiracies aimed at distorting the Syrian image of the Golan. Syria-Israel, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Jordanian king, premier call for reviving Syrian-Israeli peace track
  Arab circles and the mass media have warned Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak against proceeding in ignoring the basic elements for a just and comprehensive peace. These circles voiced backing for Syria's stand, which calls for a comprehensive solution that provides for restoring usurped rights and lands. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Moroccan imperial city of Fez signs cooperation accord with Strasbourg Morocco-France, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Kuwait permits distribution of Jordanian papers in Kuwait
  Jordanian Minister of Information Ayman al-Majali told the Jordanian paper al-Aswak on Thursday that Kuwait has, principally, approved as of Wednesday, September 8, the entry of Jordanian weeklies and dailies, which had been banned there since the Gulf War in 1991, adding that the "coming phase will witness further cooperation and coordination between the two sisterly countries." Jordan-Kuwait, Politics, 9/10/1999
• AL ministerial council holds session on Sunday
  The Arab League council on Sunday will hold its 112th session at the level of the Arab foreign ministers. Regional, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Norway backs UNICEF program to help fight child labor
  The UNICEF (UN Children Fund) will assist scores of countries combat child labor through the launching of pilot children schooling programs. Regional-UN, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Morocco denies asking France to sanction press correspondent in Rabat Morocco-France, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Morocco rules out reintegration of OAU before expulsion of so-called Sahrawi republic
  Alioua added that the United Nations Organization, itself, which guarantees the respect of international law and supervises the holding of a referendum, has not recognized the so-called SADR republic. Morocco-OAU, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Morocco renews call for normalizing relations with Algeria
  Morocco renewed Thursday attachment to normalizing relations and cooperating with Algeria for the consolidation of the Maghreban unity process. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Syrte Declaration for the establishment of the African Union
  Well-informed African sources said that the Syrte Declaration, which was submitted on Wednesday night to the special African summit, includes the announcement of an African Union to meet the objectives for the sake of which the Organization of African Unity was established. Regional-Libya-OAU, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Morocco is unaware of plans by Iraqi president's brother to settle in Morocco Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Barazan al-Takriti denies news on his fleeing to UAE Iraq, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Annan recommends extension of UN mission in Sahara mandate
  UN Secretary General Kofi Annan recommended Thursday to the UN security council to extend for an additional three months the mandate of MINURSO, UN mission supervising the holding of a referendum in the Moroccan southern provinces. Morocco-UN, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Morocco is not sponsor of pavilion at Disney World exhibition
  Spokesman of the Moroccan government, Khalid Alioua, said it is not the Moroccan state, but a private company, that is supervising the kingdom's pavilion at Disney world exhibition. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Mauritania pleased over cooperation with Israel
  Officially, for the first time, Mauritania has expressed its satisfaction over the work of Israeli medical teams who visited Nouakchott during the past few months, according to Monte Carlo radio. Mauritania, Politics, 9/10/1999
• Israeli exports to Jordan recede
  The Israeli Industrial Union said on Thursday that the Israeli exports to Jordan have reached US $8.6 million in the first half of this year, decreasing by 36% and in comparison with the same period of 1998. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 9/10/1999
• African summit conference concluding in Syrte
  The exceptional African summit is to be concluded this evening in the attendance of leaders and representatives of 49 African countries, in addition to a number of international and regional organizations. Libya-OAU, Politics, 9/9/1999
• King Abdullah to visit Lebanon on Monday Lebanon-Jordan, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Japanese Foreign Ministry releases statement supporting Sharm accord Palestine-Japan, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Al-Assad exchanges views with Lahoud
  Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Tuesday received a telephone call from Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, during which views were exchanged on the current conditions, evaluation of these conditions and contacts made recently. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Arab consultations prior to AL council's 112th session
  The general secretariat of the Arab League on Wednesday carried out a series of consultations with certain Arab states -- especially with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia -- centered on items scheduled on the agenda of the 112th session of the Arab League due to be held on Sunday and Monday under the chairmanship of Iraq. Regional, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Closing West Bank, Gaza from today Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/9/1999
• El-Husseini: Israel to start withdrawal today
  A member of executive committee in the Palestinian Liberation Organization and official of the Jerusalem file, Faisel El-Hussini, said that Israel would withdraw today from 7% of the West Bank territories, according to the executive agreement of Wye accord, signed recently at Sharm El-Sheikh, adding that 200 Palestinian prisoners were released. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Egyptian attorney general releases statement on attack against Mubarak
  Egyptian Attorney General advisor Maher Abd El-Wahed announced today that Hussien Mohamed Seliman (El-Arabia), who tried to attack president Mubarak in Port Said, was suffering from a psychological and mental disturbance, besides his hostile behavior, and gave his mother a hole in her ear. Egypt, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Israeli committee to review maps of Sharm agreement
  An Israeli newspaper said yesterday that a special ministerial committee appointed by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak under the chairmanship of Israeli Minister of Tourism Amnon Lipkin-Shahak is going to review conditions presented the Jewish settlers before the final maps for implementing the Sharm agreement are drafted Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Abdul Meguid: Arab - African cooperation, coordination important
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid stressed the importance of coordination and cooperation relations between the AL and OAU (Organization of African Unity). Regional, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Organization of the Islamic Conference in Iraq Iraq, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Sanaa: Trade center owner made explosion, killed in it
  Sources from the Yemeni Ministry of the Interior said that investigations carried out concerning the explosion which terrified Sanaa just 11 days ago reached the conclusion that the incident resulted from using gasoline rather than explosives. Yemen, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Two Iraqis detained on borders with Afghanistan Iraq-Pakistan, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Syrian officials meet with British parliamentary delegation
  The speaker of the Syrian People's Assembly, Abdul Qader Qaddoura, on Wednesday received a British Parliamentary delegation led by Dr. Phyllis Starky, a member of the British House of Commons. Syria-UK, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Iraq to restore Or before Pope's visit
  The Iraqi dailies published on Tuesday said that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has established a committee including officials from the Presidency office and the ministers of al-Awqaf (Islamic trusts), culture and information in order to restore Or, the birthplace of prophet Abraham, before an expected visit by Pope John Paull II to the city. Iraq-Vatican, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Israel to release 200 Palestinian prisoners today Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Morocco, Italy agree to bolster legislative cooperation
  Morocco and Italy signed Wednesday here an accord destined to bolster cooperation and partnership between the two countries' legislative bodies. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 9/9/1999
• General strike by Lebanese physicians
  More than one thousand physicians from the hospitals of the capital Beirut and other areas rallied in their white uniforms at al-Najmah square. Lebanon, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Tunisian president nominates himself for a third term of office
  Well-informed sources in Tunis said on Tuesday that Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali will, on Friday, submit his nomination for the presidential elections due on October 24, to the committee of investigations at the Tunisian parliament. Tunisia, Politics, 9/9/1999
• British parliamentarian in a campaign for backing Iraq
  British Parliament member George Galloway has started a two-month trip from London to Baghdad during which he will visit several countries in order to raise backing for lifting the sanctions imposed on Iraq. Iraq-UK, Politics, 9/9/1999
• British - Jordanian joint training
  The official Jordanian news agency, Petra, has reported that a joint military exercise was carried out on Tuesday between two units of the Jordanian armed forces and the British forces, including attacks against presumed targets with live ammunition. Jordan-UK, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Oman denies naval exercises with Iran
  The Oman News Agency said an official at the Ministry of Defense denied on Wednesday reaching an agreement with Tehran to conduct Omani - Iranian joint naval exercises. Oman-Iran, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Arafat: Explosions of Haifa and Tiberias not to hamper peace process
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat confirmed that the explosions in Tiberias and Haifa will not obstruct the peace process from the Palestinian side, expressing his belief that the Israeli stance will be the same. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Iraq - US no-fly zone clashes resume Iraq-USA, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Amman accuses Hamas of interfering in its relations with the PA
  Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul Illah al-Khatib has accused the Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, of interfering in the internal affairs of Jordan and in damaging the relations between Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. Jordan, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Jordanian Journalist Union questions three of its members over normalization
  The Jordanian Journalists Union's council on Wednesday questioned three of its members over the nature of their visit to Israel. A complaint was raised against journalists Sultan Hattab, Jihad al-Moumini and Abdullah Hasanat to the council, alleging that they had done a normalization act with Israel and violated the union's decisions which ban normalization with Israel. Jordan, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Moroccan Socialist Party calls OAU to correct mistake
  The Moroccan Socialist Union of Popular Forces, USFP whose leader is leading a coalition government, called the Organization of African Unity to correct the mistake it made when it accepted the membership of the Sahrawi republic in 1984. Morocco, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Gulf Arabs welcome Sharm agreement
  Arab Gulf states have described the agreement signed recently in Sharm El-Sheikh between the Palestinians and Israelis as a good step forward in the Middle East peace process, while warning that the agreement doesn't fulfill the demands of the Arabs and Palestinians. Regional, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Iran not to abandon post of OPEC secretary general
  An Iranian source stated that his country intends to assume the post of OPEC secretary general and will not support any country that seeks to compete for the post after the end of the term of Nigeria's Rilwanu Lukma. Regional-Iran, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Clinton might revisit Morocco before end of term
  US President, Bill Clinton, might pay a second visit to Morocco before the end of his term. Morocco-USA, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Morocco hosts preparatory meeting for world parliaments conference
  Parliament speakers from several countries are meeting in Morocco this September 8-9 to prepare for the international parliaments conference due at UN headquarters in New York in 2000. Regional-Morocco-International, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Delegation of Tunisian youths visits Cairo as part of cultural cooperation
  A delegation of Tunisian youths is currently visiting Cairo to view tourist sights and visit such Egyptian cities as Ismaelia, Suez, Port Said, Hurgada, Luxor, Aswan and Cairo. Egypt-Tunisia, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Speaker of Moroccan House of Representatives meets Russian, Jordanian peers
  Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives, Abdelouahed Radi, met Tuesday in Rabat with visiting Speaker of the Russian Duma Chamber, Selezneov Guenadi and with Speaker of the Jordanian Parliament, Abdelhadi Al-Majali. Morocco-Jordan-Russia, Politics, 9/9/1999
• Turkish - Israeli meeting to discuss selling Turkish waters to Israel
  Turkish officials held yesterday a meeting with an Israeli delegation visiting Turkey to hold the first round of talks about the possibility of entering in a project to export the water of the Turkish Manvigat River to Israel. Turkey-Israel, Politics, 9/9/1999
• African summit convenes today in Libya
  Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gaddafi, who opened the meeting of the foreign ministers, said in a speech, "The question is to decide on what sort of unity is sought by Africa. Is it a unity similar to that of the United States of America, the European Union or the former Soviet Union?" Regional-OAU, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Gaddafi checks on Mubarak's health Egypt-Libya, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Al-Sharaa confers with European Union Middle East peace envoy
  Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa met on Tuesday with the European Union's Middle East peace process special envoy, Miguel Moratinos, and members of his accompanying delegation. Syria-European Union, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Mubarak confers with Qaboos Egypt-Oman, Politics, 9/8/1999
• King Mohammed VI receives Portuguese premier
  King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, received Tuesday in Rabat visiting Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres, who arrived last weekend in Morocco. Morocco-Portugal, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Egyptian - Russian talks coming next Wednesday
  A session of Egyptian - Russian talks is to be held in Moscow next Wednesday, where the Egyptian side will be chaired by Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Fathi El-Shazely. Egypt-Russia, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Iraq calls on Arab states to lift international sanctions
  The undersecretary of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, Nabil Negm, has called on the Arab states to work toward ending the strange state effecting the deteriorated Arab situation, which affects all Arab countries in general. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Chinese vice president confers with Kuwaiti defense minister Kuwait-China, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Ross to visit the region soon to resume negotiations on the Syrian track Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Sultan Qaboos arrives in Saudi Arabia
  Sultan Qaboos Bin Said of Oman arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday for an official visit to Saudi Arabia which will last for three days. Saudi Arabia-Oman, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Current misunderstanding in Moroccan-Algerian relations is transient cloud
  Moroccan Interior Minister Driss Basri described as "no more than a transient summer cloud" the current misunderstanding in the Moroccan-Algerian relations, triggered by Algerian president's implicit accusations that Morocco hosts the persons responsible for Beni Ounif massacre in southern Algeria. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Liberian president decides to take part in African summit
  Liberia's Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that Liberian President Charles Taylor has decided to attend the African summit in Libya and was due to head there later in the day. Libya-Regional-Liberia, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Sudanese minister commends OAU backing to Sudan
  Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael has expressed his hope that the Organization of African Unity will pay a special interest to Sudan's causes. Sudan-OAU, Politics, 9/8/1999
• King Abdullah concludes visits to Kuwait, Egypt
  King Abdullah of Jordan on Tuesday night returned home, together with members of his accompanying delegation, following visits to Kuwait and Egypt, during which he met with the ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Israel proposes Syria to raise the level of negotiations with Israel
  Arab sources who refused to be identified said US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright proposed during her meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa last Saturday the idea of raising the level of negotiations to the foreign ministers so the two delegations will negotiate under the chairmanship of al-Sharaa and his Israeli counterpart, David Levy. Syria-Israel, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Bahrain pardons fleeing pilot Bahrain, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Shaath: We are waiting for practical implementation of Sharm agreement
  Palestinian Minister of International Cooperation and Planning Nabil Shaath said the Palestinian leadership is waiting for the practical implementation of the Wye River accord in light of what was ratified in the Sharm El-Sheikh implementation agreement, referring to the beginning of preparations for final status negotiations over the Palestinian territories on Monday. Palestine, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Algeria asks for the nomination of its energy minister as OPEC's secretary Algeria-OPEC, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Tripoli: Moussa confers with African FMs
  On the margins of the Organization of African Unity summit in Libya, Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa held talks with the African foreign ministers. Egypt-Sudan-OAU, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Democratic front to open office in Cairo shortly
  Sources at the opposition Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine said the front's office in Cairo will open within a few weeks and that it will not end its presence in Damascus unless it is forced to do so. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 9/8/1999
• On Albright's visit to Damascus
  Well-informed Syrian sources told the Lebanese daily al-Nahar that US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright conveyed to Damascus on Saturday a formula for resuming negotiations, proposed by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Iraq responds to AL message on purifying Arab atmospheres
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid on Tuesday received an urgent reply message from Iraqi Foreign Minister Muhammad Said al-Sahaf. It was handed over by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry's secretary, Nabil Najm, during the talks he held on Tuesday in Cairo with the AL assistant secretary general for Arab affairs, Ahmad Bin Hali. Iraq, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Lebanese minister: Albright's visit to Syria, Lebanon were exploratory
  Lebanese Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Issam Naaman said the visit of US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to Syria and Beirut was an exploratory one, during which Albright called for negotiations on the Lebanese - Syrian tracks. Lebanon, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Understanding committee condemns Israeli violation
  The April Understanding Monitoring Committee on Tuesday condemned the Israeli attack against Lababa town in the western Bekaa, which resulted in the deaths of two citizens and injuries to another five. Several houses were damaged. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Ethiopia denies refusing OAU peace plan details
  The Ethiopian government said yesterday that it has not rejected the OAU peace agreement's modalities and technical arrangements, as asserted by Eritrea earlier this week. Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Several African leaders regret Morocco's absence from OAU
  Several African leaders have regretted Morocco's absence from the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which is holding an extraordinary summit in Libya starting this Wednesday. Morocco-OAU, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Senegal denounces a new OAU legal paradox and ambiguities of its charter
  Senegalese Foreign Minister Jacques Baudin has renewed his country's denunciation of the admission of the Sahrawi republic "SADR" as a member of the Organization of African Unity, deeming that some articles of the OAU charter pose real interpretation difficulties. Morocco-Senegal-OAU, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Danish NGOs praise Moroccan human rights experience
  A group of Danish human rights non-governmental organizations have praised in a meeting with Moroccan Human Rights Minister Mohamed Aujjar the Moroccan human rights experience. Morocco-Denmark, Politics, 9/8/1999
• GCC housing ministers conclude meeting in Riyadh
  Ministers of housing in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council on Tuesday concluded their fifth meeting, which was held at GCC headquarters and lasted for one day. Gulf, Politics, 9/8/1999
• UAE protests Walt Disney exposition
  The United Arab Emirates has asked the UNESCO on September 6 to ask the Walt Disney company which organizes an exhibition in Florida to prevent the Israeli stand in which Jerusalem is introduced as the capital of Israel. Regional, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Moroccan interior minister meets UN secretary general's special representative for Sahara
  Moroccan Minister of the Interior Driss Basri met in Rabat on Tuesday with the UN secretary general's special representative for the Sahara, William Eagleton, who was accompanied by the chairman of the UN identification commission, Eduardo Vetere. Morocco, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Israeli says Haifa, Tiberias explosions carried out by Arab Israelis
  Israeli officials confirmed that the three persons who carried out the explosions of the two cars in northern Israel last Sunday are Arab citizens of Israel. Israel, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Israeli government meets today
  The Israeli government held a meeting today to specify the areas from which the Israeli forces are going to withdraw in the West Bank, in light of the military withdrawal dictated by the Sharm El-Sheikh agreement on implementing Wye River accord. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Hizbullah denies responsibility for exploding Jewish firms
  The Lebanese Hizbullah Party on Tuesday denied that it had exploded Israeli embassy in Argentina at the beginning of the 1990s and accused the US of fabricating accusations. Lebanon-Argentina, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Three police officers investigated for carelessness in assassination attempt against Mubarak Egypt, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Iraqi paper threatens Kuwait
  An Iraqi daily said on Tuesday that Kuwait, which called on Jordan for cooperation in order to "humiliate," saying, "We are able to topple the Kuwaiti regime if we are wishing." Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Islamic bank concludes meetings
  The council of executive directors of the Islamic Development Bank on Monday night concluded the its current meetings in the Saudi city of Jeddah, under the chairmanship of the Bank's head, Ahmad Muhammad Ali. Regional, Politics, 9/8/1999
• USA supports improved relations between Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia
  US Undersecretary of State for the Middle East Martin Indyk, said in Algiers Tuesday the United States of America supports improved relations between Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and backs, through the Eizenstat initiative, regional economic development. Regional-Algeria-USA, Politics, 9/8/1999
• Chinese president to visit Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia-China, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Sudanese president commends Libya
  Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has commended the steadfastness of the Libyan people in confrontation of huge challenges they underwent as well as the steadfastness of the Libyan revolution of September 1st and its ability to eliminate obstacles. Sudan-Libya, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Pope John Paul II to visit Egypt in December Egypt-Vatican, Politics, 9/7/1999
• King Abdullah in Kuwait
  King Abdullah II of Jordan arrived in Kuwait for a two-day official visit. At Kuwait's international airport, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah received the Jordanian king. Jordan-Kuwait, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Mubarak follows up Sahrq al-Tafriah project
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak paid a visit yesterday to work sites in Sahrq al-Tafriah in Port Said to follow up on the progress of the work in this project, which includes the establishment of a port that can handle large containers. Egypt, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Mubarak attacked yesterday among crowded hospitality in Port Said
  President Hosni Mubarak was driving in the streets of the Suez Canal city of Port Said yesterday, waving his hand outside the car window, when a man with a sharp weapon rushed Mubarak and caused a minor wound to him, an official source told ArabicNews.com. Egypt, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Chinese FM meets wit Iraqi foreign secretary Iraq-China, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Some 46 African countries take part in special summit
  The assistant secretary for the African affairs at the Libyan Foreign Ministry, Ali al-Tureiki, has announced that some 46 African presidents and prime ministers are expected to take part in the special summit which will start next Wednesday in the Libyan city of Syrte. Regional-OAU, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Gambian president ends visit to Morocco Morocco-Gambia, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Lebanese prime minister and Albright's statements
  Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss has asserted that US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright informed him at the end of the talks she held with him in Beirut that resuming Lebanese, Syrian and Israeli negotiations is still premature. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Israeli newspaper: USA not to resume peace talks without a joint framework
  The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said yesterday that the USA refuses to resume the Syrian - Israeli peace talks before the creation of a framework for negotiation accepted by the two sides. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Turkish Foreign Ministry voices thanks for Egyptian relief efforts Egypt-Turkey, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Sudanese FM to confer with British FM
  Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael is due to confer with his British counterpart, Robin Cook, on the September 23 in New York on the sidelines of the meetings of UN General Assembly. Sudan-UK, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Clinton gives priority to the Syrian - Israeli track
  The US Middle East peace process coordinator, Dennis Ross, has said that US President Bill Clinton is "intimately involved in trying to end a three-year-old deadlock in Israeli - Syrian talks and find a formula for lasting peace." Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Arab interior ministers council to hold coordination meeting in Tunis
  The Arab interior ministers council will hold in Tunis on September 8 its 14th session to coordinate among Arab delegations that will take part in the 68th Interpol session. Regional, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Jordanian Journalists Union against normalization with Israel Jordan, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Russia calls for maintaining progress on the Syrian track
  The Russian Foreign Ministry has stressed the need to achieve progress on the Syrian - Lebanese track in the Middle East peace process according to UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338. Syria-Israel-Russia, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Morocco calls for development of Euro-Mediterranean partnership
  Morocco called on Monday for making the Mediterranean basin "a space of coexistence between peoples and tolerance between religions and people." Morocco-Portugal, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Mazalha meets with Arab ambassadors in Greece
  Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Nawaf Masalha, who is also an Israeli Cabinet member, said that he met on Sunday with several Arab ambassadors in Greece and discussed with them the Middle East peace process and Israeli - Arab relations. Regional-Israel, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Lebanese president returns home Lebanon, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Denmark voices respect and satisfaction over Moroccan human rights record
  Denmark voiced Monday "respect" and "satisfaction" over Morocco's experience in human rights and said it is ready to make Morocco benefit from its own experience, as part of a dynamic partnership cooperation between the two countries. Morocco-Denmark, Politics, 9/7/1999
• British military delegation in Bahrain Bahrain-UK, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Report: Jordan not considering integration with Syria and Lebanon
  A Jordanian weekly said in its most recent issue that Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh last week summoned several Arab and foreign ministers accredited in Amman and informed them that the idea of tripartite integration between Jordan, Syria and Lebanon "has not been taken into Jordan's consideration," due to the fact that Jordan refuses the policy of "axis" and encourages bilateral relations between states. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Kuwaiti defense minister arrives in Beijing
  Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Salem al-Sabah arrived on Monday in Beijing on a several-day visit to China in the framework of a tour that will also lead him to Seoul. Kuwait-China, Politics, 9/7/1999
• AL calls for uniting Arab activities Regional, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Chinese-Arab relations debated at colloquy in Beijing
  The University of Beijing hosted recently a colloquy on relations between China and the Arab world. Regional-China, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Security measures in Yemen in preparations for elections
  The Yemeni authorities on Monday carried out intensive security measures and put more than 50,000 soldiers on alert to ensure good presidential elections on September 23 in Yemen. Yemen, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Indyk arrives in Algeria
  US Undersecretary of State for Middle East Affairs Martin Indyk arrived in Algiers on Monday night for a two-day working visit. Algeria-USA, Politics, 9/7/1999
• A stand by Hamas leadership
  The Jordanian weekly al-Majd said that the political bureau of the Hamas movement has been making contacts during the last week to form an alternative leadership of a secret nature to succeed the current leadership of the movement in case its chairman and other prominent figures are arrested. Jordan, Politics, 9/7/1999
• AL threatens to boycott Disney
  The Arab League has informed the Walt Disney company of the opposition to the Arab countries to allowing Israel to take part in the fair to be held in Orlando, Florida on September 30, where the Israeli participation in the fair says that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Regional, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Palestinian - Israeli committee on detainees affairs to meet Sunday
  The Palestinian - Israeli committee for detainees' affairs will hold a meeting on Sunday to receive a list of 350 names of political prisoners who will be released according to the agreement signed on Saturday with Israel, where Israel will present a final response. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Israel to free Abu Ouf
  Palestinian sources who took part in the recent negotiations between Palestine and Israel stated that they have agreed that Israel would release the oldest Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and that it will not object to the release of such detainees as Maher Abu Ouf, one of the leaders of Fatah, and Wagir Weshah, one of the leaders of the People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Committee meets on Israel's violations of understanding provisions
  The April Understanding monitoring committee on Monday started its meeting at the headquarters of UNIFIL in the Lebanese border town of al-Naqoura. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 9/7/1999
• Egypt hosts signing of revised Wye memorandum
  Ending months of deadlocked negotiations over how to implement the deal reached last October at Maryland's Wye River Plantation, Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak signed on Saturday a new agreement to carry out the Wye River accord and that at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Regional, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Israeli military withdrawal from the West Bank on coming Monday Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Moussa: Implementation of Wye accord to be guaranteed by US, Europe, Egypt
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa stated that there are Egyptian, European and American guarantees of implementing the revised Wye accord signed on Saturday in Sharm El-Sheikh, adding that the implementation of the agreement is to begin within a after week it was signed. Egypt, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Albright concludes her tour of the region Regional-USA, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Palestinian - Israeli judiciary talks in an unprecedented meeting
  Palestinian Minister of Justice Fraih Abu Meddain and his Israeli counterpart, Yossi Beilin, have met today at Erez passage, at the entrance of the Gaza Strip. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Palestinian People's Front warns of the series of concessions
  Maher Taher, a member of the political bureau of the opposition People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the front's official spokesman, said, "The most dangerous thing in the agreement is the Palestinian Authority's approval, in principle, to renegotiate a signed agreement, which was previously reached in Wye River." Palestine, Politics, 9/6/1999
• El-Baz: Gains to Palestinians in new deal greater than concessions
  The political advisor of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Osama El-Baz, said that the gains made by the Palestinians through the new accord signed in Sharm El-Sheikh are bigger than the concessions they made. Egypt, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Sharm agreement to affect dialogue between Arafat, PLO factions
  Ali Badwan, the spokesman of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, under the chairmanship of Nayef Hawatameh, confirmed that the agreement signed recently at Sharm El-Sheikh has created negative atmospheres in the dialogue to restore national unity between the Palestinian Authority and factions of the PLO. Palestine, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Palestinians in Jerusalem stay on strike in protest for not releasing their sons
  Palestinians in East Jerusalem stayed on strike in protest over excluding detainees from occupied Jerusalem and Arab Israelis from last weekend's Palestinian - Israeli agreement. Palestine, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Group of Palestinian captives to be released tomorrow
  The Palestinian minister for the issue of Palestinian prisoners, Hisham Abed Alrazeq, announced that the first group of Palestinian captives would be able to return their homes tomorrow. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Differences between Wye and Sharm el-Sheikh agreements Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Gaddafi confers with OAU secretary Libya-OAU, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Hamas, Islamic Jihad oppose settlement with Israel
  The official spokesman for the Hamas movement, Ibrahim Ghoushe, has stressed that the Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements as well as all Palestinian groups in opposition to the settlement with Israel will create Palestinian national terms of reference as a substitute for the PLO, which has been changed by the Palestinian Authority led by Yasser Arafat. Palestine, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Libya wishes end to causes behind Morocco's withdrawal from Organization of African Unity
  A Libyan official wished Sunday for an end to causes that were behind Morocco's withdrawal from the Organization of African Unity (OAU), a reference to the admission within the African Organization in 1984 of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi republic, prompting Morocco to withdraw. Libya-Morocco-Africa, Politics, 9/6/1999
• New Syrian ambassador for Jordan Syria-Jordan, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Moussa, Alawi meet Oman-Egypt, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Bouteflika: Everyone needs to forgive the mistakes of the past for the sake of Algeria's future
  Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika called his people to forgive, in order to stop the riots and sedition that erupted more than seven years ago. Algeria, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Mubarak and Qaboos conclude talks
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Sultan Qaboos of Oman held a concluding session of talks yesterday evening before Sultan Qaboos left Alexandria for Saudi Arabia en route to his country. Egypt-Oman, Politics, 9/6/1999
• King Abdullah in Kuwait today
  Jordan's King Abdullah II heads for Kuwait today on a visit expected to close the issue of disputes between the two countries that emerged following the Gulf crisis in 1990. Jordan-Kuwait, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Qatar receives Iranian message Qatar-Iran, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Indyk visits Algeria Algeria-USA, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Sultan Qaboos to visit Saudi Arabia tomorrow
  Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed of Oman is to visit Saudi Arabia tomorrow for three days, during which he is to hold talks with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. Oman-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Contacts underway between Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid said that contacts and exchanges of ideas are continuous with officials from Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia with the objective of settling unresolved problems among the three states. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 9/6/1999
• President Saleh urges Yemenis to take part in the elections
  Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has urged the Yemeni citizens to take part in presidential the elections to be held on September 23. Yemen, Politics, 9/6/1999
• April Understanding committee meets today on Lebanese complaints
  The April Understanding Monitoring Committee today held a meeting at the headquarters of UNIFIL in the Lebanese border town of al-Naqoura to discuss several Lebanese complaints about Israeli attacks that targeted populated areas in the towns of south Lebanon and its western Bekaa, especially the towns of al-Mansouri and Libaya which resulted in the deaths of two citizens and the wounding of others. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Hizbullah rejects Albright's statements
  An official source in the Hizbullah party on Sunday in Beirut criticized statements made by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in Beirut on Saturday night. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Lebanese president for a just, durable peace
  President Emile Lahoud of Lebanon has asserted that a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East will not be attainable unless talks are resumed from the point where they broke off in 1996 and on the ground of principles agreed upon in the Madrid Conference. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Syrian impressions on Albright's visit
  The Monte Carlo radio correspondent in Damascus said official sources in the Syrian capital have asserted that Syrian impressions of Saturday's visit from US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to Damascus do not imply anything new that would enable the resumption of negotiations on the Syrian track. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 9/6/1999
• GCC foreign ministers coordination meeting in Jeddah
  The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council will hold their 72nd session in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia next Friday under the chairmanship of the United Arab Emirates' foreign minister Gulf, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Report: SADR presence in Algiers is a mere mailbox address
  The official presence of the so-called SADR (self-proclaimed Sahrawi republic) in Algiers is restricted to a mere mailbox "Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, PO Box 9, Central post, Algiers," as an official address for both the officials and ordinary people, notes Lebanese daily Al Mostaqbal. Morocco, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Moussa to visit Tripoli
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa is to leave Cairo today to head Egypt's delegation in the ministerial meeting of the Organization of African Unity to prepare for the exceptional African summit that is to be held in Libya on Wednesday and Thursday. Egypt-OAU, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Identification of referendum voters resumes Monday
  The identification of persons from the Moroccan southern provinces entitled to vote in the U.N. referendum slated for July 2000 resumes this Monday in several Moroccan cities. Morocco, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Muslim Brothers in Jordan and the question of Hamas
  A gathering at the headquarters of the Muslim Brothers group in Jordan for political figures, parties and vocational trade unions held on Saturday in Amman criticized the measures taken by the Jordanian government against the Hamas movement and described them as "sudden and unjustified." Jordan, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Eritrea: Ethiopan rejection of peace deal arrangements "tantamount to a declaration of war"
  The Eritrean Foreign Ministry said today that the Ethiopian government's rejection of the technical arrangements for implementation of the Organization of African Unity's peace plan is "tantamount to a declaration of war." Eritrea-Ethiopia, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Iraq vows to confront US planes
  Member of the Iraqi leadership Abdul Ghani Abdul Ghafour said on Sunday that the continuation of US and British attacks under the pretext of the "no-fly zones" or any other justification "is a threat to the UN." Iraq, Politics, 9/6/1999
• Morocco hosts preparatory meeting of parliaments conference
  Morocco plays host this Sept 8-9 to the meeting of the preparatory committee of the world parliaments conference due at the UN headquarters in New York in 2000. Regional, Politics, 9/6/1999

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