Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 9/13/1999
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of September 13, 1999
- Algerian reconciliation referendum scores major victory
Yesterday's referendum on the reconciliation law in Algeria resulted in a strong endorsement for the measure by the Algerian populace, according to official results. Algeria, Politics, 9/17/1999 - Tunisian president: I am not assured till Israel implements Sharm El-Sheikh accord
Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Ben Ali said he will visit Egypt in the last week of November and that he is looking forward to the summit meeting that will bring him together with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak during this visit. Tunisia-Regional, Politics, 9/17/1999 - Chinese deputy foreign minister holds important discussions in Cairo
Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Be Dowing arrived yesterday in Cairo for a visit, during which he will hold discussions with Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa. Egypt-China, Politics, 9/17/1999 - US ambassador calls Washington to show more resolve in assisting Morocco
U.S ambassador to Morocco Edward Gabriel on Wednesday urged his country to show more resolve in assisting Morocco, especially through a substantial contribution to downsize the kingdom's debt. Morocco-USA, Politics, 9/17/1999 - AL calls for joining Atomic Energy commission
Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid on Wednesday in Cairo called on the Arab states which are not members of the Arab Atomic Energy Commission to join it with the objective to enhancing common Arab cooperation in the area of using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Regional, Politics, 9/17/1999 - Arafat and Abduallah confirm necessity of Palestinian - Jordanian coordination
Palestinian and the Jordanian sides assured the necessity of coordination and consultation regarding the different issues regarding peace process on the Palestinian track especially regarding the beginning of the final stage negotiations and the Israeli government's application of Wye River and Sharm El-Sheik agreements. Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 9/17/1999 - Fisheries professionals oppose renewal of Morocco-EU accord
Fisheries professionals operating in Southern Morocco have voiced opposition to the renewal of the four-year fisheries accord that was concluded with the European Union in 1994 and that expires in November 1999. Morocco, Politics, 9/17/1999 - King Abdullah voices support for Middle East peace, reactivation of trade with Gulf states
King Abdullah of Jordan has asserted his country's backing for Syria and Lebanon in their attempts to restore "their occupied territories and rights" in line with the International legitimacy resolutions. He stressed the need for resuming the Middle East peace process on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks from they where point they broke off in 1996. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 9/17/1999 - Spain renews backing for Morocco's economic and political march
Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Abel Matutes renewed his country's backing for Morocco's economic and political march and pointed out that Madrid was following with keen interest the political evolution in Morocco. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 9/17/1999 - G-77 winds up works in Marrakesh
The Group of 77 (G-77) plus China wound up Thursday in Morocco its 9th ministerial meeting with the adoption of five economic and strategic documents. Regional-International, Politics, 9/17/1999 - Djibouti representative appointed as UN committee head Djibouti-UN, Politics, 9/17/1999
- King Mohammed appoints new ambassadors to some European countries
King Mohammed VI on Thursday appointed Hassan Abouyoub as Morocco's new ambassador to France in replacement of Mohamed Berrada who has been holding the post since 1994. Morocco, Politics, 9/17/1999 - Arresting an Iraqi officer for spying for Iran
Iraqi security authority arrested yesterday a police officer spying for the Iranian intelligence body. Iraq, Politics, 9/17/1999 - UNICEF condemns Somalia shooting Somalia, Politics, 9/17/1999
- Turkish - Greek talks in Ankara
In atmospheres reflect an improvement in bilateral relations, an official at the Turkish Foreign Ministry has announced that Turkish and Greek delegations started talks on Wednesday in Ankara which will last for two days on means of boosting bilateral relations. Turkey-Greece, Politics, 9/17/1999 - US: Negotiations have been intensifying on Iraq Iraq-USA, Politics, 9/17/1999
- First woman ambassador in Oman
Sultan Qaboos of Oman on Wednesday released a decree according to which he appointed Khadeija Bin Hassan Bin Salman al-Lawati as an ambassador for the country, marking the appointment of a woman to such a post for the first time in the history of the sultanate. Oman, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Al-Sharaa highlights Syrian - Egyptian coordination
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa has said that coordination between Syria and Egypt is continuously needed. "But sometimes our brothers in Egypt preoccupy themselves with a normal thing and give it priority at a certain time, but this does not mean that coordination stops," al-Sharaa added. Syria, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Egypt reiterates support for Syrian - Lebanese stance in the peace process
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa stated that his country is ready to play any role it might be asked to play in achieving peace on the Lebanese and Syrian track with Israel. Egypt, Politics, 9/16/1999 - King Mohammed calls Cabinet members to follow up development projects in southern provinces
King Mohammed VI on Wednesday gave instructions to Cabinet members to follow the various development projects underway in the Moroccan southern provinces. Morocco, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Consultative committee of supreme council for Gulf states to meet Sunday on labor issues
The consultative committee of the supreme council for Gulf cooperation will hold a meeting Sunday in the United Arab Emirates city of El-Ein. Gulf, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Bishop Pasanti: Muslims and Copts are one in Egypt
Bishop Pasanti catagoricaly denied in a television interview broadcast by Egyptian Television with a group of thinkers, writers and men of religion regarding allegations by a small group of emigrant Copts that there is persecution of Copts in Egypt. Egypt, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Kuwaiti official: Arab League council didn't discuss controversial issues
On the margin of the Arab League's meetings, Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa met on Tuesday with Kuwaiti Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Soliman Maged Shahin and disscussed bilateral relations between Egypt and Kuwait, as well as regional and Arab cases. Kuwait-Regional, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Lebanese minister of communications confirms unity of Lebanese, Syrian tracks Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 9/16/1999
- US ambassador optimistic over Middle East peace
The US ambassador to Lebanon, David Satterfield on Wednesday expressed his hope for the start of negotiations on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks as soon as possible. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Khartoum: Communications with Ummah Party to motivate Sudanese reconciliation efforts
The secretary of the political department in the ruling National Conference Party in Sudan, Mohamed El-Hassan El-Amin, said yesterday in press statements that communications are currently being made with the opposition Ummah Party to arrange meetings between the two sides in the endeavors to achieve national reconciliation in Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Hizbullah secretary general expects Israeli withdrawal from Jezzine, Hasbia
Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary general of Hizbullah, said in his statements yesterday on the anniversary of the resistance's martyrs that "The Israeli speech about withdrawal is mostly directed to the Israelis (internal consumption) and might be in the framework of a political maneuver." Lebanon, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Most African countries no longer recognize Polisario entity, Burkina Faso president says
Most of the members of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) no longer recognize the SADR republic (self-proclaimed by the Polisario separatists), President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso said. Morocco-Burkina Faso, Politics, 9/16/1999 - On King Abdullah's visit to Beirut
Orient Radio said on Wednesday that news on King Abdullah II's visit to Beirut was front-paged by the British daily Financial Times issued on Wednesday. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Palestinian resentment for Barak's campaign to exclude Jerusalem from permanent settlement
The Palestinian Authority expressed its resentment toward the declarations made by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak regarding the future of occupied Jerusalem and the intensive campaign he is launching to exclude it from the permanent settlement with the Palestinians. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Fighting erupts in southern Sudan
A Sudanese military spokesman on Wednesday said that Sudanese forces deterred during the two past days an attack carried out by the southern rebel movement led by John Garang. Sudan, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Barak's office denies convening secret meetings with Abu Mazen
The Israeli prime minister's office denied that Ehud Barak met during the last few weeks in a series of secret meetings with the second man in the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), to discuss primary issues concerning the final status agreement. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/16/1999 - US - Bahraini military cooperation committee concludes its meetings
The two sides confirmed the boosting of military cooperation between them, especially concerning the development of joint air defenses and military practices. Bahrain-USA, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Clinton asks Iran to hand over suspects
The Iranian daily Abrar said on Wednesday that US President Bill Clinton has recently asked the Iranian leaders to hand over six persons suspected of being involved in the explosion which targeted US military men at al-Zahran base in Saudi Arabia in 1996 and resulted in killing 19 persons. Iran-USA, Politics, 9/16/1999 - More victims of floods in Sudan
The Sudanese dailies said on Wednesday that the floods resulted in making more than 50,000 persons homeless and cutting of electricity, water, and telephone lines in Danqala town in northern Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 9/16/1999 - OIC message to Disney Regional, Politics, 9/16/1999
- Report: Jordan, Hamas reach agreement
A Kuwaiti daily quoted well-informed sources in Kuwait as saying on Wednesday that an agreement was recently reached between the Jordanian authorities and the Hamas movement that provides for permitting the return of the three leaders of the Hamas movement from Tehran to Amman, but under preconditions. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Three kidnapped Sudanese teachers released in Yemen
It was announced in Khartoum on Wednesday that three Sudanese teachers were kidnapped in Yemen. The kidnappers released al-Ghazali Dafa Allah, Abdullah Hassan Fadel al-Moula and Saleh Suleiman, who were held by one of the Yemeni tribes in Soudah province in the province of Maareb just four days ago. Yemen-Sudan, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Islamists in Jordan hold solidarity rally with Hamas
A solidarity rally was held on Tuesday night in Amman at the headquarters of the Jordanian vocational trade unions with the Hamas movement. It was attended by several heads of the vocational trade unions, leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood group in Jordan and the Islamic Labor Front, several political figures and other political parties, as well as some 500 Muslim Brotherhood members. Jordan, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Israeli - Jordanian agreement for running El-Salam joint airport
Jordanian Minister of Transpiration Nasser Lawzi said that Israel "pledged to work on implementing the joint airport project with Jordan and remove obstacles facing it as well as to implement it with the rapid establishing style." Jordan-Israel, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Israel permits the return of Abu Ali Mustafa
Israeli Radio said on Wednesday that Israel has permitted the return of Abu All Mustafa, the assistant secretary general of the opposition People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine, led by George Habash, to the Palestinian territories. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Death of Sudanese rebel leader confirmed
One of the rebels in southern Sudan, Kerobino Kawanin, was killed following a confrontation between warring groups in the southern part of the country. Kawanin's family confirmed his death on Wednesday. Sudan, Politics, 9/16/1999 - Intensified efforts to revitalize Maghreb union Maghreb, Politics, 9/16/1999
- Algerians to cast their votes today over civil reconciliation law Algeria, Politics, 9/16/1999
- Ruler of Kuwait gets messages from Eritrea, Senegal counterparts Kuwait-Regional, Politics, 9/16/1999
- Lahoud describes King Abdullah's visit to Lebanon as positive Lebanon-Jordan, Politics, 9/16/1999
- Meguid urges Saddam Hussein for brave initiative for comprehensive reconciliation
Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid urged Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to take a brave initiative to fulfill comprehensive reconciliation and express remorse to brake the barriers obstructing Arab unity. Regional, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Algerians tomorrow vote in referendum on civil rapport law
The Algerians are heading tomorrow to the voting boxes for a referendum on a decision that aims to end political violence in Algeria, as the Algerian citizens will vote on whether they agree on the steps Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is taking to achieve peace and civil rapport. Algeria, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Arab unemployment report calls for investing locally and not internationally
The Arab Labor Organization has announced that the rate of unemployment in the Arab world is estimated at 14% of the Arab labor force, and the number of unemployed in various Arab states reached some 12 million. Regional, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Be Dowing to Cairo tomorrow
The Chinese deputy foreign minister, Be Dowing is to arrive in Cairo tomorrow within a two-day visit to Egypt. He will be received by Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa as well as meet with the ambassadors accredited in the Middle East. Egypt-China, Politics, 9/15/1999 - King Abdullah concludes visit to Lebanon
King Abdullah II of Jordan returned to Jordan on Tuesday following a two-day official visit to Lebanon, during which he held talks with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on bilateral relations and means of developing them, as well as several national and regional issues of mutual concern. Jordan-Lebanon, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Mandela in Libya Libya, Politics, 9/15/1999
- Moussa: Egypt ready to host the conference of the Middle East and North Africa
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa stated that Egypt is ready to host the coming conference of the Middle East and North African on the condition of continuing the peace process and serious negotiations among the different parties concerned with peace in the Middle East. Egypt, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Mauritania renews commitment to Arabization Mauritania, Politics, 9/15/1999
- On Syrian-Israeli negotiations
US sources told a London-based daily in Washington that the Syrian ambassador to the US, Walid al-Mu'allim, did not return to his work in Washington since he was summoned to Damascus in July and stated that al-Mu'allim also did not attend the meeting between Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on September 4 in Damascus. Syria-Israel, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Youssoufi confers with Guinean multipartitedelegation
Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi conferred Tuesday here with a Guinean delegation made up of leaders of several Guinean political parties, currently visiting Morocco to get informed on the Kingdom's political experience. Morocco-Guinea, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Ahmed Qrei: Barak evades reaching a final settlement
The head of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Ahmed Qrei stated that Egypt has been adopting the Palestinian cause since its birth. Palestine, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Agreement with Disney, but the Emirates is waiting
Indications are that the issue surrounding an Israeli exhibit showing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has been resolved with assurances from Disney officials and shareholders that the issue will be resolved satisfactorily. Regional, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Kuwaiti, Maldives relations highlighted Kuwait-Maldives, Politics, 9/15/1999
- Some 300 Moroccans handcuffed in Mellilia
Some 300 Moroccan illegal immigrants were handcuffed Monday in Mellilia, a Moroccan northern city under Spanish rule. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Qaddoumi: No peace except with establishing Palestinian state
The head of the political department in the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Farouk Qaddoumi, stated that meetings of the Arab states' foreign ministers just concluded were completely successful and promising for rectifying political atmospheres. Palestine, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Barak visits biggest Israeli settlement, undertakes maintaining its sovereignty
In a day of the international celebration of Sharm El-Sheiks agreement between the Palestinians and Israelis, the mutual accusations between the two sides started. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Gulf states secretary general meets Mexican ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Sheikh Jamil al-Hujeilan revised during his meeting with Marsecllo Pargas, Mexico's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, the relations between the GCC states and Mexico and means of supporting them in different areas, especially economic relations. Gulf-Mexico, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Seven Syrian ambassadors return home to end terms of office
Syrian official sources told the Lebanese daily al-Nahar that seven Syrian ambassadors were summoned to return to Damascus after their service has been terminated. Syria, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Iran criticizes statement of Arab League council session
Iran has criticized what has been said in the statement of the Arab League council about the three Gulf islands disputed between Iran and the UAE. Iran-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 9/15/1999 - King Mohammed attracts attention to widening gap between rich and poor
King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Tuesday attracted the attention to the widening gap between the rich and the poor and stressed that under-development is not inevitable. Regional-Regional, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Sudanese opposition troops mobilizing to be ready for new fighting
The rebel People's Army for the Liberation of Sudan mobilized its fighters and obligatorily recruited other fighters to get ready for a new round of fighting. Sudan, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Abdul Meguid sends copies of Arab League resolutions to UN
Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid sent copies of the resolutions of the Arab League foreign ministers council to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, the head of the UN Security Council, the European Union, the Organization of Islamic Conference and the Organization of African Unity. Regional, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Barak to visit France in coming week
French sources in Cairo stated that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak will pay a working visit to France from September 22 - 24, adding that it is Barak's first visit since he assumed his post. Israel-France, Politics, 9/15/1999 - King Abdullah against blocs policy Jordan-Regional, Politics, 9/15/1999
- US observations about Arab summits and unity
The Arab states are not capable of solving their problems and acheiving unity as long as Iraq has Saddam Hussein as its president, said a US official. Regional-USA, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Three killed in Algeria in acts of violence Algeria, Politics, 9/15/1999
- Hussein gives orders to repair the place of prophet Ibraham's birth
Iraqi sources stated that Iraqi President Saddam Hussien gave an order to repairing Or city, the birthplace of the prophet Abraham, before the expected visit of Pope John Paul II. Iraq-Vatican, Politics, 9/15/1999 - Menem cancels visit to Israel Regional-Argentina, Politics, 9/15/1999
- Swedish FM to visit Israel next month Palestine-Sweden, Politics, 9/15/1999
- Barak opposes the return of Palestinian refugees Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/15/1999
- 50,000 dinars to support Tunisian opposition journalism
Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Ben Ali issued a decision yesterday to granting each opposition newspaper 50,000 dinars annually to be distributed as 1,000 dinars weekly, as the political parties' papers are issued weekly except for newspaper of the ruling Constitutional Assembly. Tunisia, Politics, 9/14/1999 - El-Baz: Sudan is the strategic depth of Egypt
Osama El-Baz, the political advisor to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, stated that both Egypt and Sudan represent strategic depth for each other, and Egypt wants to maintain the unity of Sudan. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Moussa: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia do not oppose lifting Iraqi embargo
The 112th session of the Arab League council concluded on Monday in Cairo with aoptimism over the possibility of attaining Arab solidarity, especially as it was possible to avoid friction at the council between Iraq and Arab Gulf states like Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Al-Assad talks on the telephone with Chirac
Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Monday evening received a telephone call from French President Jacques Chirac. Syria-France, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Moroccan - Tunisian high joint commission convenes in Rabat next Sunday
The Moroccan-Tunisian high joint commission will convene its 7th session in Rabat this September 19-21, under the co-chairmanship of the two countries' prime ministers, Abderrahmane Youssoufi and Hamed Karoui. Morocco-Tunisia, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Al-Sharaa hails Egyptian - Syrian relations
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa said there are no stronger relations between any two Arab states than those between Syria and Egypt on either the public or the official level. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Egyptian, Sudanese FMs meet again to coordinate initiatives
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa and his Sudanese counterpart Mustafa Othman Ismael on Monday in Cairo held a meeting in which they discussed the next move to coordinate the Arab and African initiatives to deal with the Sudanese problem. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 9/14/1999 - On the three UAE islands
Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid said the question of Greater and Lesser Tanb and Abu Mousa islands, which are the subject of a dispute between the United Arab Emirates and Iran, has occupied a ranking position in the meeting of the AL council. Regional-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 9/14/1999 - King Mohammed managed to sensitize society to solidarity
King Mohammed VI managed to sensitize the Moroccan society to solidarity, Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi told the French TV5 channel on Monday. Morocco, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Mubarak receives Saudi message Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 9/14/1999
- Lebanese president confers with Jordanian king
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud has underlined the importance of King Abdullah's visit to Lebanon, saying that this visit is an expression of the friendship and cooperation relations serving interests of "both the brotherly people of the two countries." Lebanon-Jordan, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Report: SLA militia members resign collectively Lebanon, Politics, 9/14/1999
- Syrian - Kuwaiti economic cooperation Kuwait-Syria, Politics, 9/14/1999
- King Mohammed sends written message to Tunisian president
King Mohammed VI has sent a written message to president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia. Morocco-Tunisia, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Meetings of joint Egyptian - Omani committee conclude
Meetings of the joint Omani - Egyptian committee were held at the headquarters of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry under the chairmanship of Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa and Omani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Yousef Bin Alawi, who is currently visiting Cairo to attend meetings of the Arab foreign ministers at Arab League headquarters. Egypt-Oman, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Bouteflika hails civil rapport results Algeria, Politics, 9/14/1999
- AL chief, al-Sahaf hold press conference
Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid and the Iraqi Foreign Minister Muhammad Said al-Sahaf, the chairman of the current 112th AL council session, have asserted that the positive atmospheres which prevailed in the session's meetings would help to heal the Arab rift and to create better Arab conditions. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Bouteflika highlights Algeria's heavy presence in international circles
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has asserted that Algeria is present in the Arab, Maghreb, and African arenas as well as through its relations with Europe and the US. Algeria, Politics, 9/14/1999 - European Union decides to lift sanctions from Libya
The European Union commissariat in Cairo said today that the foreign ministers of the European Union decided in their meeting yesterday to lift some of the international sanctions imposed against Libya. Libya-European Union, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Arab FMs stress backing to Syria, Lebanon and Palestine to restore occupied lands
The Arab foreign ministers on Monday stressed their strong backing for Syria's just right to restore the whole of the occupied Syrian Golan Heights according to basics of the Middle East peace process and the international resolutions. Regional, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Arafat confers with Russian envoy Palestine-Russia, Politics, 9/14/1999
- More gunmen surrender in Algeria
The election campaign on the referendum over the civil reconciliation law in Algeria entered its 19th day on Monday amid great support and backing from political parties and civil society, a situation that complies with the turnout made by members of armed groups members to surrender so as to benefit from smooth sentences under the civil reconciliation law. Algeria, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Morocco elected head of Association of African Road Managers Morocco-Africa, Politics, 9/14/1999
- Algerian president gets message from Mozambican counterpart
Mozambique's prime minister arrived in Algiers on Monday carrying a message from Mozambican President Joaquim Alberto Chissano to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. No information was disclosed on the content of the message. Algeria-Mozambique, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Morocco hopes to see Sahara referendum held shortly
Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi on Monday voiced Morocco's wish to see the self-determination referendum held in the Sahara the soonest possible. Morocco, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Meguid Denies discussing the Arab summit in meetings of foreign ministers
In his joint press conference with the head of the current session of the Arab League council on the level of the Arab foreign ministers, Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Said al-Sahaf and Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdel Meguid denied that the foreign ministers addressed holding a comprehensive Arab summit. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Felipe Gonzalez hails Morocco's multi-party system as unique in Arab world
Former Spanish Premier Felipe Gonzalez has hailed the Moroccan multi-party system as unique in the Arab world and said Morocco has best assets to be associated to Europe in a cooperation project whose results would be beneficial to both parties. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Security Council extends Minurso mandate
The Security Council decided Monday to extend up to next December 14 the mandate of the Minurso, UN mission in charge of the referendum in the Sahara. Morocco, Politics, 9/14/1999 - World leaders count on Morocco to continue Mideast peace role, Youssoufi says
The world leaders count on Morocco to continue its role in backing the Middle-East peace process, Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, told French TV5 channel on Monday. Morocco, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Palestinian - Israeli talks resume
The Palestinians and Israelis resumed their talks yesterday. However, Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy expressed his country's refusal to withdraw to the 1967 borders and said Jerusalem remains with its two halves as the unified capital of Israel as well as to keep the settlements under Israeli sovereignty and rule out the existence of a Palestinian army in the West Bank. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/14/1999 - US report reiterates US views vis-a-vis Iraq
The US State Department yesterday released a report entitled "Saddam Hussein's Iraq," which pointed a finger of blame at the Iraqi government for the effects of the UN economic sanctions on the people of Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Israeli plan preparing for withdrawal from the Golan
An Israeli daily said on Monday that the Israeli army has recently started to crystallize a preliminary plan to withdraw from the Syrian Golan heights, occupied by Israel since 1967. Regional-Israel, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Dissention inside the Islamic front in Algeria
An Algerian dissenter from a prohibited Islamic fundamentalist group criticized yesterday president Bouteflika's plan for establishing peace in Algeria Algeria, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Opposition: Saddam Hussein ordered execution of 26 persons in Abu Ghareed prison
Iraqi opposition sources in Damascus said that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein released a decree calling for the execution of 26 citizens because they carried out "terrorist acts" that targeted security forces and policemen in the provinces of Babel, al-Basra and al-Qadeseyah. Iraq, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Kuwaiti - Algerian oil talks
Kuwaiti oil sources told the Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am on Monday that the targeted average price per barrel of oil should reach, according to "Brent mixture" $25 US for one whole year between March 1999 and March 2000. Kuwait-Algeria, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Ashrawi: Disney will not present Jerusalem as Israel's capital
Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, said the Walt Disney Company will not allow Israel to present Jerusalem as its capital in its exhibit in a fair in Florida on the occasion of the new millenium, after the reported inclusion of Jersualem as Israel's capital stirred up Arab anger. Palestine-Regional-USA, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Kuwait's defense minister arrives in Seoul
Kuwaiti Defense Minister Sheikh Salem al-Sabah arrived on Monday in Seoul on a five-day visit to South Korea. Kuwait-South Korea, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Kuwaiti views on Iraqi sanctions
Kuwaiti Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Soliman Magied Shahin said Kuwait's participation this week's Arab ministerial meetings headed by Iraq wasn't aimed at spoiling the session but at confronting any Iraqi attempt to play with UN Security Council resolutions. Kuwait, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Baghdad is not concerned with UN Security meeting on sanctions
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz stated that Baghdad is not concerned with the meeting held by representatives of the five permanent member states on the UN Security Council on Wednesday in London in an attempt to approach the UN stance toward Iraq. Iraq-UN, Politics, 9/14/1999 - Lebanese filmmaker refuses UNESCO award shared with an Israeli
Lebanese filmmaker Randa al-Shahal has refused an award granted by UNESCO for peace for her film al-Mutahaderat (The Civilized Ones), because she shared this prize with Israeli filmmaker Amous Geitai for his film Sahyoun in Venice festival. Lebanon, Politics, 9/14/1999 - EU ministers lift sanctions from Libya Libya-European Union, Politics, 9/13/1999
- Kahalani confirms his party's approval of handing over the Golan Syria-Israel, Politics, 9/13/1999
- The Arab foreign ministers meeting in the Arab League Regional, Politics, 9/13/1999
- Arab FMs meet in 112th Cairo session
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat briefed members of the participating delegations on the revised Wye accord signed on Sep. 5, according to which Israel and the Palestinians pledged to draw up a framework for final peace talks by Feb. 15 and to complete the process by September 2000. Regional, Politics, 9/13/1999 - King of Jordan visits Lebanon today
Jordan's King Abdullah II is scheduled to arrive today in Beirut with his wife, Queen Rania, for a two-day official visit to Lebanon at the invitation of Lebanese President Emile Lahoud. Lebanon-Jordan, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Moroccan-Algerian problems are ephemeral, minister
The problems between Morocco and Algeria "are a mere summer cloud, and the difficulties will finally be overcome," said the Moroccan minister in charge of the Arab world and the Maghreb, Abdeslam Znined. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 9/13/1999 - King Mohammed VI Sends Message to Tunisian President Morocco-Tunisia, Politics, 9/13/1999
- Ben Ali promises more democracy and political multiplicity
President Zein al-Abidin Ben Ali of Tunisia said the achievement of comprehensive development has become one of his government's targets to continue the development of democratic progress and political multiplicity, which serve the Tunisian people. Tunisia, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Sultan of Oman gets a message from Menem Oman-Argentina, Politics, 9/13/1999
- Bouteflika vows to have a new phase in Algeria
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has asserted that Algeria will be witnessing a new phase. He added that the "state" will meet all its obligations and will definitely close a page of sorrows. Algeria, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Algerian gunmen to surrender to the government
Algerian judicial sources said that 29 Armed Islamic Group members will surrender to the specialized authorities during the coming days in the framework of the "Civil Concord Law." Algeria, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Moussa lauds al-Sahaf's council leadership
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa gave in a statement his full consent to Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Said al-Sahaf's administration of the Arab League ministerial council's sessions. He described it as being good and said it took place objectively in a good Arab style. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Report: Al-Mu'allim's term of office in the US concluded Syria, Politics, 9/13/1999
- UAE's intensive contacts on Walt Disney issue
United Arab Emirates Minister of Information and Culture Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed al-Nahyan has made intensive contacts with the ministers of culture in the Arab and Islamic states in order to study means of pressuring the Walt Disney Company not to exhibit an Israeli pavilion in which occupied Jerusalem is shown as the capital of Israel. United Arab Emirates-Regional, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Moussa, al-Sharaa deny tensions in relations between Egypt and Syria
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa denied reports regarding tensions in Syrian - Egyptian relations. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Saudi crown prince confers with ALO official
Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz met on Sunday in Jeddah with the director general of the Arab Labor Organization, Ibrahim Mousa, currently visiting Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Turkish thanks to Syrian president, people for their help after earthquake
Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Sunday received a cable from Turkey thanking him for Syrian efforts in helping Turkey at a very difficult time. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Children's parliament holds second session
The Moroccan Child's Parliament held its 2nd Session in the Atlas mountainous resort of Ifrane this September 11-12 under the topic of the generalization of schooling and struggle against illiteracy and children's labor. Morocco, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Garang calls for delaying Sudanese opposition meeting in Cairo
Sudanese sources said yesterday that Colonel John Garang, the leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army decided not to come to Egypt on October 2 as scheduled to participate in the meeting of the leaders of the Sudanese opposition Democratic National Alliance. Sudan, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Jordanian premier meets with British Parliamentary delegation
Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul al-Raouf al-Rawabdeh on Sunday in Amman reviewed with a British parliamentary delegation led by Phyllis Starkey the Middle East peace process and the role played by the European Union in this respect, the promotion of countries of the region, and bilateral relations between the two countries." Jordan-UK, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Morocco calls for Arab summit
Morocco called on Sunday for the holding of an Arab summit as soon as possible. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Iraq calls for converting Middle East into nuclear-free area
Iraq on Sunday called for a Middle East free from weapons of mass destruction as a prerequisite for permitting the return of UN inspectors to Iraq. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Peace contacts with the US
A well-informed Syrian source told the London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat daily that intensive contacts have recently been made between Damascus and Washington in preparation for a coming US move that will relaunch contacts on the Syrian - Israeli peace track. Syria-USA, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Amman is determined to arrest Hamas officials
Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh stressed on Sunday that Jordan is determined to arrest the five officials in the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement against whom arrest warrants were released at the end of last month and not to permit any anti-Arab activities in its territories. Jordan, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Iraqi paper denounces Wednesday Security Council meeting
An Iraqi daily published on Sunday denounced the meeting to be held by the UN Security Council's five permanent member states next Wednesday in London in an attempt to have reach stances towards Iraq. Iraq-UN, Politics, 9/13/1999 - On Jordanian Muslim Brothers
The media spokesman for the Muslim Brothers group in Jordan, Jamil Abu Baker, said the four leading members of Hamas against whom warrants of arrest were issued will return to Jordan and that they have the desire and the determination to return, but no date has yet been set for this return. Jordan, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Gulf states back Arab issues
The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council on Saturday expressed their backing for Syria's demands to resume peace negotiations from the point at which they broke off. The GCC ministers called on Israel to withdraw to the June 4, 1967 border lines from south Lebanon according to UN resolution 425. Gulf, Politics, 9/13/1999 - A preliminary meeting for Sudanese reconciliation
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael said at the conclusion of a closed-door meeting of the ministerial council of the Arab League council dedicated to discussing the Sudanese issue and "the foreign conspiracies against Sudan," that representatives of the government and the opposition in Sudan will meet during the second half of October in order to prepare for the national reconciliation conference. Sudan, Politics, 9/13/1999 - Guinean multiparty delegation in Morocco
A multiparty delegation made up of leaders of several Guinean political parties is expected this Monday in Morocco to examine with its Moroccan peers internal developments and bilateral relations, a release of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) said. Morocco-Guinea, Politics, 9/13/1999