Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 11/8/1999

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of November 8, 1999

• Mubarak's address on domestic policy to Parliament, Shura Council
  "Noting that the supervision of the People's Assembly over the work of the government guarantees its serious and genuine performance of the assigned tasks," President Mubarak said that the aim of the two institutions is the same and as such they should coordinate their attitudes. Egypt, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Mauritanian president receives invitation to visit Qatar
  Mauritanian President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya received a message from Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani includes a renewed invitation to visit Qatar. Mauritania-Qatar, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Bashar al-Assad arrives in UAE Syria-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Female police for the first time in Yemen Yemen, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Libyan president confers with Ugandan President
  Talks between Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gaddafi and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni held in Tripoli dealt with issues of mutual concern on various levels. Libya-Uganda-India, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Abdel Meguid calls for effective role to Arab League Regional, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Moroccan premier heads for Libya
  Moroccan Prime Minsiter Abderrahmane Youssoufi, flew this Saturday to Libya, where the bilateral high joint commission will convene its 4th session. Morocco-Morocco, Politics, 11/13/1999
• King Mohammed congratulates new UNESCO chief
  King Mohammed VI sent a congratulations message to Koichiro Matsuura, following Matsuura's election as director general of the Paris-based UNESCO. Morocco, Politics, 11/13/1999
• On Vedrine's talks in Damascus
  Sources close to the French delegation accompanying French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine told Monte Carlo Radio that Syrian President Hafez al-Assad is determined to resume negotiations with Israel from the point at which they broke off and that the Syrian officials are not ready to give any concessions concerning sovereignty over the Golan or the waters. Syria-France, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Egyptian - French talks: Start of Syrian-Israeli talks unsettled , regional issues
  Vedrine expressed regret that terms for the resumption of direct Syrian-Israeli negotiations had not been met yet, adding that real Middle East peace would never materialize without a Syrian-Israeli agreement. Egypt-France, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Egypt calls anew to put Israeli nuke installations under IAEA inspection Egypt-Israel, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Supreme Saudi - Egyptian committee to convene soon
  The supreme Saudi - Egyptian committee is to meet in the current week in Cairo under the chairmanship of Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Saud al-Faisal. Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Egyptian Foreign Ministry warns Egyptians from traveling to Turkey without prior information
  The travel guidance department in the Egyptian Foreign Ministry recommends that citizens traveling to Turkey and those searching for commercial opportunities to make sure of their information regarding the places they are heading to before the trip. Egypt-Turkey, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Arab popular forces conference backs Morocco's territorial integrity
  The secretariat general of the Arab popular forces conference, which met in Rabat, voiced unshakable backing to Morocco's right to completing its territorial integrity. Morocco, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Egyptian, Libyan officials tackle plan for Sudan peace
  Moussa said that the Egyptian-Libyan initiative on Sudan is now "on the table of discussion" at different international forums interested in ending the Sudanese problem. "The Egyptian-Libyan initiative has filled in a very important gap. It has tackled the Sudanese problem, proceeding from the point that the (IGAD) initiative speaks about one aspect of the Sudanese problem while we see the problem has more than one aspect that needs to be handled so that the problem will be solved" Egypt-Libya, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Syrian travels to Yemen on foot to raise issue of Arab solidarity
  Syrian voyager Mohammed Salem Qasouaa on Saturday arrived in Sanaa on foot coming from Jordan and Saudi Arabia to raise call to Arab solidarity for the liberation of occupied Golan Height, south Lebanon and Palestine. Syria-Yemen, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Saudi Arabia denies hosting reconciliation negotiations among conflicted parties in Sudan
  Saudi Arabia denied yesterday news repeated regarding its suggestion of hosting reconciliation's negotiation among the Sudanese government and the different opposition factions. Saudi Arabia-Sudan, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Arab League discusses steps for issuing Palestinian currency
  A symposium for issuing a Palestinian currency concluded today in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. The symposium lasted for two days under the auspices of Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid with the participation of the World Bank and Arab banks, funds and experts on economy and finance. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Iraq refuses any decision by UN that does not lift sanctions
  Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan expressed yesterday Baghdad's refusal of any decision by the UN that does not aim at lifting the sanctions imposed on Iraq and that does not condemn the continuing UK - US attacks against Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Kuwaiti minister to visit Egypt to insure best condition for expatriates
  Kuwaiti Minister of Labor Abd al-Wahab Muhammad al-Wazan will arrive in Cairo during this week in a visit to Egypt, during which he will hold discussions that tackle the Egyptian laborers' situation in Kuwait and finding a new style for cooperation between the two countries in employing Egyptian laborers in Kuwait through making sure of the existence of job opportunities for them, a press statement from the Kuwaiti embassy in Cairo said. Kuwait-Egypt, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Tourism and economic agreements between Iraq and Iran
  Iran and Iraq signed tourism and economic agreements for the occasion of the visit of Iranian Trade Minister Mohammed Sheria Madari to Baghdad. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Palestinians accuse settlers of shooting Moroccan official in Hebron
  Palestinian sources in Hebron said they think it is likely that the bullet shot at a Moroccan official in the Ibrahimi sanctuary area on Thursday was shot by the settlers in the area. Morocco-Israel, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Palestinian leadership demands implementation of resolutions 242 and 338
  The Palestinian leadership emphasized the importance of the Palestinian and Israeli sides adhering to United Nations Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 to reach the current negotiations regarding causes of the final status to its aspired end. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/13/1999
• US-Maghreb partnership initiative is evolving, Eizenstat says
  The US-Maghreb economic partnership initiative is evolving in the positive direction, US assistant secretary to the treasury, Stuart Eizenstat said on Friday. Maghreb, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Kuwait paid its share of Arab League budget Regional-Kuwait, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Mauritanian opposition criticizes decision to boycott diplomatic relations with Iraq
  The Mauritanian opposition renewed its denunciation of the boycott of diplomatic relations with Iraq when the level of diplomatic representation was elevated between Mauritania and Israel to the ambassadorial level. Mauritania, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Brunei to make economic relations with Israel
  The Israeli Foreign Ministry said on Friday that a delegate from the Sultanate of Brunei, is currently in Israel to discuss the establishment of economic relations between the two sides. Israel-Brunei, Politics, 11/13/1999
• New Moroccan ambassadors appointed Morocco, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Canadian company continues working in Sudan
  Sudanese Minister of Energy and Mining Awad al-Jaz stated that the Canadian company Talisman has resumed its work in the consortium of companies that implement the petroleum production project in Sudan Sudan-Canada, Politics, 11/13/1999
• African football confederation chief in Morocco Morocco, Politics, 11/13/1999
• Moussa: Middle East does not stand a unique nuclear state Egypt, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Al-Assad exchanges messages with his French counterpart
  Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Thursday at the Damascus al-Shaab palace received French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine and members of his accompanying delegation. Syria-France, Politics, 11/12/1999
• King Hussein's name given to a street in Paris
  The French ambassador in Amman, Bernard Emeh, announced on Wednesday that the name of the late Jordanian King Hussein will be given to one of the most important streets in Paris, which faces the Eiffel Tower, during the official visit to be carried out by King Abdullah II to France on November 15 through 18. Jordan-France, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Egypt: Parliament, government vow to continue reforms,democracy
  On Wednesday the Egyptian parliament opened its 10th session, which witnesses exchanged confirmations from the speaker of the parliamentand from Prime Minister Atef Ebeid to maintain full cooperation in order to complete the economic liberalization program. Egypt, Politics, 11/12/1999
• U.S. First Lady Hillary Rodham Jordan, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Barak describes al-Assad as strong and firm leader Syria-Israel, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Damascus: Rumors on resignation of al-Zou'bi government
  A rumor was widely spread in Damascus that Syrian Prime Minister Mahoumd al-Zou'bi has submitted the resignation of his second government, which he formed in 1992. Syria, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Israel agrees to land-for-peace with Palestinians Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Arab mediation between Algeria and Morocco
  Gulf sources stated today that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other Arab states are trying to mediate to improve the tense relations between Algeria and Morocco, saying that these states exert efforts to achieve an approach between Algeria and Morocco. Regional-Maghreb, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Bouteflika urges support for African women's rights
  Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the current head for the Organization of African Unity, emphasized the importance of starting the third millennium with the African continent possessing a culture of peace, refusing armed conflicts, and putting off wars to establish stability and fight the continent's problems, which leads to its people's welfare. Algeria, Politics, 11/12/1999
• First member of Israeli Knesset visits Beit El-Shark
  Yossi Katz, a member of the Israeli Knesset for the Labor Party, met yesterday in Beit El-Shark (the Orient House) in occupied Arab Jerusalem with Faisal El-Hssueini, a member of the executive committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the Palestinian official in charge of the Jerusalem file. Palestine, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Report: No Maghreb summit this year
  A Tunisian newspaper issued today excluded convening a Maghreb summit this year as planned, saying that it was expected that last October would witness a meeting of the foreign ministers' council of the Arab Maghreb Union council to pave the way for convening the presidential council on level of the countries' leaders, yet this never happened. Tunisia-Maghreb, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Yemeni president hails US aid for giving success to national program to remove mines Yemen, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Syrian- Turkish security committee to meet at month's end in Damascus
  Diplomatic sources in Damascus said the meeting of the Syrian-Turkish security committee will be held on November 29 in Damascus under the leadership of the chairman of the Syrian political security branch, Lt. Gen. Adnan Bader Hassan, and the chief of the Turkish Second Army, Eitash Yalman. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 11/12/1999
• King Abdullah voices backing for Syrian stances
  While Saudi Arabia has reiterated support for Syria's stances and its demands concerning the Middle East Peace Process, King Abdullah II of Jordan stressed that the leadership in Syria is "courageous, far-sighted and wise and works with Lebanese brethren to reach peace" Jordan-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/12/1999
• UAE and money laundering
  The United Arab Emirates has confirmed its commitment to fighting "the money laundering phenomenon" which is claimed by certain US reports as being widespread in the UAE because the UAE "is a cell for free trade in the Gulf region." United Arab Emirates, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Moussa: UNSC resolution 242 applies to Palestinian lands
  On a potential Turkish-Israeli military alliance, the Foreign Minister warned against such an alliance which would trigger counter-alliances dragging the region to a cold war. "Egypt will not tolerate the establishment of any military or strategic alliances endangering the Arab national security," Moussa indicated. Egypt, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Lahoud: Peaceful intentions are not shown in aggressions and detentions
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud stated that peaceful intentions are not shown in the "daily aggressions with different assassination style and continuing imprisonment (of Lebanese) in the detention camps." Lebanon, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Moroccan premier disappointed over Israeli premier
  Hopes brought about by the election of Israeli Premier Ehud Barak were frustrated, said Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi in an interview with "Radio-Orient." Morocco-Israel, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Youssoufi sees Morocco-Algerian relations in delicate period
  Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi said relations between Morocco and Algeria are going through a delicate period. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Khartoum gets American document to partition Sudan, sources
  Sudanese political sources said on Thursday that the Sudanese government has obtained an American document containing details of a plan drawn up to partition Sudan. Sudan-USA, Politics, 11/12/1999
• European concern with the Middle East and the peace process
  The European Union ambassador in Lebanon, Dimitri Corkolas, asserted Europe's concern with the Middle East and the peace process in it, indicating the European commitment to the peace process through the role played by the special European envoy, Miguel Moratinos, and the positive leanings he finds among all sides. Lebanon-Regional-European Union, Politics, 11/12/1999
• European Union delegation concludes visit to Sudan
  A delegation from the European Union authorized to hold a discussion with the Sudanese government regarding relations between the two sides left Khartoum today. Sudan-European Union, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Some 29,000 Moroccans will perform pilgrimage Morocco, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Intensive Turkish preparations for receiving Clinton Turkey-USA, Politics, 11/12/1999
• Mubarak returns to Cairo after short recovery trip
  Egyptian President Honsi Mubarak arrived today at Cairo after a short recovery in France. The Egyptian president visited France after the EgyptAir plane crash, and he said he was undergoing a medical checkup. Egypt, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Intensive Syrian contacts to resume the peace process
  The al-Quds daily published in the occupied Arab territories said on Wednesday, quoting diplomatic sources in Damascus, that the contacts currently being made between Damascus and several Arab and world capitals have resulted in very important results whose outcome will shortly surface. Syria, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Chinese Foreign Minister: Egypt, one of China's most important partners
  Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said Egypt is one of the important partners of China in the Arab world and Africa, adding both countries are linked by close friendship. Egypt-China, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Mrs Clinton to visit Ramallah
  U.S. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton is due to pay a short visit to Ramallah where she will meet Suha Arafat, spouse of Palestinian president Yasser Arafat, and a number of Palestinian officials. Palestine-USA, Politics, 11/11/1999
• French foreign minister to start visit to Egypt Egypt-France, Politics, 11/11/1999
• President al-Assad gets a message from Jordan's king
  Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Wednesday at the Damascus al-Shaab palace received Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul Illah al-Khatib. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 11/11/1999
• New breakthrough expected on Syrian-Israeli track Syria-Israel, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Arab summit expected to be held in Algeria Algeria-Regional, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Gaddafi confers with Ugandan President Libya-Uganda, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Moroccan and Libyan premiers to chair joint high commission Morocco-Libya, Politics, 11/11/1999
• UAE for direct negotiations with Iran over islands issue United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Jordanian king concludes two-day visit to Qatar
  King Abdullah II returned to Amman on Thursday following a two-day official visit to Qatar. Jordan-Qatar, Politics, 11/11/1999
• King Mohammed receives French Senate speaker Morocco-France, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Bashar al-Assad arrives in Beirut suddenly
  Bashar al-Assad visited Beirut yesterday, where he met with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Blair confers with Arafat Palestine-UK, Politics, 11/11/1999
• King Mohammed on Thursday received former interior minister Morocco, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Commission on compensation for missing and arbitrarily-held persons starts hearing of applicants
  The independent commission set up last August by King Mohammed VI to set compensation for missing persons and victims of arbitrary detention will start as of this November 11 its investigations and hearing from concerned persons. Morocco, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Mauritania's Union of Democratic Forces-New Era condemns relations with Israel Mauritania, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Lebanon welcomes French attitude towards refugee issue
  Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss has welcomed the statements made by French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine on the impossibility of reaching peace without settling the question of the Palestinian refugees. Lebanon-France, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Sudan FM ready to meet with Garang
  Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael has announced that he is ready to meet with the leader of the rebels in southern Sudan, John Garang. Sudan-Canada, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Bin Ali receives a message from the Mauritania's president
  Mauritania Prime Minister Cheike Afia Ould Mohamed Khouna delivered Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali a message from Mauritanian President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya. Mauritania-Tunisia, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Riyadh proposes hosting Sudanese talks Sudan, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Report: Syrian ambassador's term extended to resume contacts on negotiations
  Well-informed sources in Damascus told the London based al-Hayat daily that the Syrian government has extended the term of its ambassador, Walid al-Mu'allim, in Washington until the end of the current year. Syria-USA, Politics, 11/11/1999
• A solidarity festival with Iraq
  The Arab people's organizations and vocational trade unions on Wednesday extended an invitation to the secretary general of the Arab League to attend the second popular festival in solidarity with Iraq against the international embargo and the US-British strikes. Iraq, Politics, 11/11/1999
• UN to provide aid to Nuba Mountains residents Sudan-UN, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Russia, EU for durable peace in the Middle East
  Russian deputy foreign minister and the Russian President's special representative to the Middle East peace process, Vasily Sredin, and the special European Union envoy for the Middle East peace process, Miguel Moratinos, have asserted that the Russian and EU stances on the realization of a lasting peace settlement in the Middle East are almost identical. Regional-Russia, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Iraq calls for breaking the sanctions
  Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan has called for breaking the sanctions imposed on Iraq and not to wait for a decision to be taken to this end by the UN Security Council. Iraq, Politics, 11/11/1999
• UN chief for a just peace in the Middle East
  UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has asserted the UN's full backing for the Middle East peace process. Regional-UN, Politics, 11/11/1999
• US, Turkish, Israeli joint maneuvers on December 14-17
  Turkish governmental sources said that the time for holding the next joint Turkish, Israeli and American military maneuvers was set on December 14 through 17 in the Mediterranean. Turkey-Israel-USA, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Saudi minister of petroleum hails Saudi-Iranian cooperation in energy
  Saudi Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Ibrahim Naimi came back to Riyadh from Tehran after a visit to Iran, during which he attended an international symposium regarding gas resources in the Gulf and met with Iranian President Mohammed Khatami. He also discussed with his Iranian counterpart means of boosting petroleum cooperation between the two countries. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Iranian invitation for Patriarch Safir to visit Iran
  Iran's ambassador in Lebanon, Mohammed Ali Sovhani, said his country desires to enhance its relations with all the Lebanese categories and not only with one front. Lebanon-Iran, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Israel attempts to break into Saudi markets
  The chairman of the Chamber of Trade and Industry in Riyadh, Abdul Rahman al-Jareisi, has indicated repeated Israeli attempts, in collaboration with foreign sides, to reach the Saudi market and damage the Saudi national economy. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Egyptian sources: Israeli explosions in Dead Sea aim at nuclear experiments Egypt-Israel, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Middle East peace discussed between Bin Ali and Moratinos
  Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin bin Ali on Wednesday discussed with the European Union's Middle East peace process envoy, Miguel Moratinos, Middle East peace process developments and efforts made to give them a push forward. Tunisia-Regional, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Spanish congress speaker hails king's determination to consolidate democracy in Morocco
  The speaker of the Spanish Congress of deputies (lower house), Federico Trillo Fijueroa, who has just wound up a visit to Morocco hailed the determination of King Mohammed VI to consolidate democracy and the rule of law in the kingdom. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Tunisia hosts Arab security plan meetings
  The second annual conference of the committee in charge of following up on the third Arab security plan started in Tunisia on Wednesday. It was held in the framework of the general secretariat of the council of the Arab ministers of the interior. Regional, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Israeli Cabinet agrees to withdraw from new lands
  Israeli Cabinet agreed yesterday to withdraw from new areas making up 5% of the West Bank and to deliver these areas to the Palestinian government , according to the Sharm El-Sheikh accord. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/11/1999
• UN names new UNIKOM commander Kuwait-Iraq-UN, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Algerian media comments on Morocco's ex- minister of interior
  The Algerian newspapers expressed relief at the discharging of Driss Basri, the former Moroccan minister of interior, and it published this news on front pages and in its main headlines. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 11/11/1999
• Qatar to have direct election for parliament
  Ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani, on Tuesday expressed his determination to launch a real democratic process in the country that will reach its peak in electing a parliament through a direct public voting. Qatar, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Sheikh Zayed gets a message from Guinea's president United Arab Emirates-Guinea, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Kuwait parliament postpones discussing women's vote
  Some 150 Kuwaiti women attended the discussions of the Kuwaiti Parliament yesterday. The Kuwaiti writer Fatimah al-Ali said: "We did not come to ask for an award to the Kuwaiti women. We are here just to correct an oppression put on the women." Kuwait, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Jordan, Lebanon for boosting parliamentary cooperation Jordan-Lebanon, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Egypt helps Bosnia in reconstruction
  Counselor Susan Gamil, the deputy secretary general for the Egyptian fund of cooperation with the commonwealth countries, affiliated to the Foreign Ministry, opened today the third training session in nursing and medicine for medical cadres in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is organized in association with El-Kasr El-Eini, a new educational hospital in Egypt. Egypt-Bosnia, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Palestinian opposition in Damascus to deal calmly with Abu al-Einin issue
  Palestinian opposition sources said that Syria has, through the question of Sultan Abu al-Einin, sent a message to the other Palestinians in Lebanon on the need to perpetuate calm in the Lebanese internal arena. Syria-Syria, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Midaoui takes over from Basri as head of the interior dept
  Ahmed Midaoui, appointed yesterday by King Mohammed VI as minister of the interior, taking over from Driss Basri, announced the guidelines of his policy at the head of the department. Morocco, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Report: President Clinton to make special initiative towards President al-Assad
  In a report from Washington, the paper added that US and Israeli diplomats expressed their confidence that President Clinton will meet with President al-Assad, and denying doubts that prevailed over the possibility of such a meeting. Syria-USA, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Sheikh Abdallah Bin Zayed in Algiers address problem with Morocco
  Arab efforts are being made and particularly on the part of Saudi Arabia to bring closer the standpoints of Morocco and Algeria, but it is difficult to speak of a mediation between the two brotherly and neighboring countries. The statement was made by Sheikh Abdallah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 11/10/1999
• King Mohammed receives Spanish congress speaker
  King Mohammed VI received at the royal palace of Marrakesh on Tuesday the speaker of the Spanish Congress of deputies (lower house), Federico Trillo Sijueroa. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Libyan education minister in Amman Jordan-Libya, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Israeli forces storm several houses in the Golan
  The Israeli occupation forces on Tuesday stormed several houses in Baqata town in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and arrested many young Syrian men there. Syria-Israel, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Algerian president calls for Israel's withdrawal from Arab lands
  President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria on Tuesday called for a full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Golan and south Lebanon, and the recognition of the national rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish a Palestinian state. Algeria-Regional, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Saudi crown prince gets a message from ruler of Bahrain
  Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on Tuesday in Riyadh received a message from the ruler of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa. No information was disclosed on the contents of the message. Saudi Arabia-Bahrain-USA, Politics, 11/10/1999
• U.N. human rights committee hails Morocco's human rights progress
  The United Nations Human Rights Committee has hailed the progress scored by Morocco in the consolidation of human rights. Morocco-UN, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Moroccan, Israeli prime ministers hold meeting in Paris
  Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi held a meeting in Paris on Tuesday with Israeli Prime minister Ehud Barak, on the sidelines of the 21st congress of the International Socialist (IS), held in the French capital city. Morocco-Israel, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Fleeing Hamas member arrested in Jordan
  Jordanian judicial sources said on Tuesday that a member of the political bureau of the Hamas resistance movement in Jordan, Ezzat al-Rashq, was arrested on Monday evening. He has been wanted by the Jordanian security forces after an arrest warrant was released against him at the end of August. Jordan, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Berri denies report US ambassador slept one night at his home in Tabnin Lebanon-USA, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Youssoufi re-elected International Socialist vice-president
  Moroccan premier and first secretary of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) Abderrahmane Youssoufi was unanimously re-elected vice-president of the International Socialist (IS) during the 21st IS congress. Morocco, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Iraq and Yugoslavia agree to develop bilateral cooperation
  Iraq and Yugoslavia agreed to develop bilateral cooperation in different fields. Iraq-Yugoslavia, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Israeli settlers evacuated from Maon near Hebron
  Hundreds of Israeli soldiers and policemen stormed the settlement stronghold of Maon in the West Bank and evacuated the approximately 300 Jewish settlers who had arrived to the site to support their fellow right wing hard-liners. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/10/1999
• King Mohammed sends message to Tunisian president
  King Mohammed VI has sent a message to president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia conveyed by the Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, who paid a short visit to Tunis Monday and Tuesday. Morocco-Tunisia, Politics, 11/10/1999
• US spells out position on Sudan
  A message from US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said US "policy is to isolate the Government of Sudan; to counter the threat it poses to the United States, its neighbors, and its own people; and to press for fundamental change in its policies." Sudan-USA, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Ruler of Kuwait meets with Gen. Musharraf
  Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah yesterday in Kuwait received Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf, the executive chairman of the republic of Pakistan, and discussed with him bilateral relations and means of developing them as well as issues of mutual concern. Kuwait-Pakistan, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Jordan confirms its support to the Palestinian government
  A high-ranking Jordanian official confirmed his country's full support for the Palestinian government in final status negotiations to reach the logical results of the peace process Jordan-Regional, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Libyan students against Mauritania's relations with Israel
  The participants in student conferences in Libya have expressed their regret and condemnations as well as categorical rejection of the "strong violation" made by the government of Nouakchott in establishing diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv. Libya-Mauritania, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Relative coolness in the relations between Egypt, the US
  A well-informed source in Cairo linked between the visit currently made by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to Paris to take part in the efforts to revive the Middle East peace process, especially on the Syrian-Israeli track, and "relative coolness" in the Egyptian - US relations and relative tensions in the relations between Paris and Washington as well as with the current stalemate in the peace contacts between Damascus and Tel Aviv through Washington. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Jordanian, Israeli coordination on water issue
  The Jordanian and Israeli sides on Tuesday agreed on the importance of prior coordination between the two sides to withstand water requirements in the summer of 2000. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Urgent meetings for committee on Somalia
  The seven-fold committee concerned with Somalia that emerged from the Arab League's council will convene an urgent meeting under the chairmanship of Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid on November 22 to discussing the developments in Somalia and the Djiboutian initiative, which supports the Egyptian initiative. Somalia-Regional, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Jordan waits result of investigations over the attack by settlers on parliamentary delegation
  The Jordanian ambassador to Israel, Omar al-Refa’ has announced that his country is still awaiting the results of investigations made by Israel into the attack carried out by a group of Israeli settlers against a Jordanian parliamentary delegation while the delegation was visiting the al-Ibraheimi mosque in Hebron, two months ago. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 11/10/1999
• Iraqi discussions with international companies to prepare civil aviation
  Rabea Saleh, manager of the Iraqi airline company, revealed yesterday that there are current discussions with international companies to prepare for Iraqi civil airplanes to work at lifting the international embargo imposed on Iraq. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 11/10/1999
• March in Beirut against detention of teachers in Israeli- supported Khiam detention center
  Those detainees are Lebanese citizens of different categories of ages who were captured and tortured. Inside the KDC, there are six women among which the journalist Cosette Ibrahim and the oldest Al-Abda Malkani that is seventy years old. Some of the detainees are 14-year-old teenagers who were abducted from their homes and dragged to the camp such as Ali Tawbeh arrested with his father in 1997 while he wasn’t even 14 years old. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Tunis releases more than 3,000 prisoners
  Tunis released yesterday more than 3,000 prisoners on the anniversary of Tunisian President Zein El-Abiudin Bin Ali's assumption of power after discharging former President al-Habib Bourqiba for health reasons. Tunisia, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Mubarak, Arafat meet in Paris
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met yesterday in Paris with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to discuss the Middle East peace process. Regional-Egypt, Politics, 11/9/1999
• King Mohammed appoints new interior minister
  King Mohammed VI on Tuesday appointed Ahmed Midaoui as minister of the interior in replacement of Driss Basri, who held post since 1979. Morocco, Politics, 11/9/1999
• French president to receive Saudi defense minister tomorrow
  French President Jacques Chirac is to receive Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz the second deputy prime minister and minister of defense and aviation in Saudi Arabia tomorrow afternoon at the French presidential palace. Saudi Arabia-France, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Iran assures its readiness to negotiate with UAE regarding the island issue
  Iran stated yesterday that it is ready to convene a meeting with officials from the United Arab Emirates to discuss the conflict between them. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 11/9/1999
• King Mohammed sends message to Tunisian president Morocco-Tunisia, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Morocco says it does not seek escalation with Algeria
  Morocco on Monday said it does not seek escalation with neighboring Algeria. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Moussa meets with El-Sadek El-Mahdi
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa met with El-Sadek El-Mahdi, the chief of the Sudanese opposition Ummah Party and member of the opposition Sudanese Democratic National Alliance, who said after the meeting that different aspects of the Sudanese issue were tackled. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Youssoufi: Will of king, people and democratic forces, key to build up 21st century Morocco
  The convergence between the will of a young and social king, the ambition of a people for change and the militant commitment of democratic and progressist national forces is the key to the building up of a modern and democratic Morocco of the 21st century, said Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi in Paris on Monday. Morocco, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Bouteflika: Islamic Salvation Front will remain prohibited; no trusteeship from the army
  Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said the Islamic Salvation Front in Algeria will remain prohibited and he threatened that those who violate the law will be strongly punished. Algeria, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Palestinian source: Barak obstructs final status negotiations
  A Palestinian source said Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak started shaking the confidence in the Palestinian final status negotiations, saying there are issues seen as "red lines," on which no concessions are to be made. These issues include Jerusalem as Israel's eternal capital. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Barak returns early from Paris due to settlement problem
  Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak decided to cut short his visit to Paris and return to Israel in light of the situation in the Jewish settlement outpost of Ma'on near Hebron. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Morocco renews attachment to all Sahrawis' participation in referendum
  Morocco on Monday renewed attachment to the referendum in the Sahara with the participation of all Sahrawis. Morocco, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Mauritanian president sends messages to Algerian, Tunisian presidents
  Mauritania Prime Minister Cheik Afia Ould Mohamed Khouna left Nouakchott yesterday heading for Algeria in a visit that was not formally said in the Mauritania capital. Mauritania, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Jordan express understanding to Mauritania's establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel
  Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul al-Illah al-Khatib said Jordan understands Mauritania's decision to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, expressing Jordan's appreciation for Mauritania's support for the peace process in the Middle East. Jordan-Mauritania, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Khartoum to host meetings of Nile Basin water ministers Regional, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Failure expected for mediation between Hamas and Jordan
  Informed political sources in Amman considered the failure of the mediation headed by the Muslim Brothers group between Hamas resistance movement likely when the movement refused the condition of excluding members of the political bureau outside Jordan. Jordan, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Sudanese opposition meetings in Uganda delayed for one week
  Uganda informed the Sudanese opposition of a delay in convening the meetings of the opposition Democratic National Alliance's leadership for one week. Sudan, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Signs of crisis between government and parliament in Sudan
  A speech delivered by General El-Hadi Beshri, the Sudanese minister of roads and communications, in the National Council (the parliament) stirred up tensions with the ruling party, the National Conference. Sudan, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Erekat: Barak blows the peace process
  Palestinian senior negotiator Saeb Erekat commented on the statements of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who he said that UN Security Council resolution 242 does not apply to the West Bank and Gaza, saying that if these declarations were true it would destroy the whole peace process. Palestine, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Arab League criticizes Barak's statements regarding resolution 242
  The Arab League directed strong criticism at Israel yesterday due to Israeli Prime Minsiter Ehud Barak's latest stance toward UN Security Council resolutions. The Israeli prime minister spoke of not applying the resolution on the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Regional-Israel, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Spanish MPs appreciate King Mohammed's moves to consolidate democracy
  The decisions made by King Mohammed VI to consolidate democracy, human rights and social justice are highly appreciated by all Spanish parliamentarians, said speaker of the Spanish Congress of deputies (lower house), Federico Trillo Sijueroa. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Israel intends to make three explosions in the Dead Sea Jordan-Israel, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Some 25 people jailed for vandalism acts in southern provinces, justice minister
  Some 25 people found guilty of vandalism acts in the southern provinces, were sentenced to 10 to 15 years in jail, Moroccan Justice Minister Omar Azzimane said on Monday. Morocco, Politics, 11/9/1999
• U.S. and Saudi Arabia support 242 and 338 UN resolutions
  The United States and Saudi Arabia "pledged to continue to work together to promote peace and prosperity in the region and throughout the world," following the visit to the U.S. by Prince Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, Minister of Defense and Second Deputy Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, an official US statement said yesterday. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 11/9/1999
• Moussa receives manager of UNIDO organization Egypt, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Gulf foreign ministers meet in Riyadh
  Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal has expressed his hope that the Middle East peace process will witness serious steps toward returning to the basics and principles adopted during Madrid conference and resumeing negotiations on all tracks to return all rights to their legitimate owners. Saudi Arabia-Gulf, Politics, 11/8/1999
• French Foreign Minister due to visit Egypt on Friday Egypt-France, Politics, 11/8/1999
• El-Baz: Egypt supports all progress in the peace process
  The political advisor of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Osama El-Baz, said the aim of President Mubarak's meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat is supporting the peace process to reach final status negotiations. Egypt, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Algerian ambassador in Cairo: We support Arab League efforts to achieve comprehensive reconciliation Algeria-Regional, Politics, 11/8/1999
• King Abdullah heads to Qatar Jordan, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Tripartite meetings in Paris
  The London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat daily said in its Sunday issue that observers in the French capital do not rule out convening of a tripartite meeting between French President Jacques Chirac, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak in the course of the series of meetings the French president is holding with Mubarak, currently visiting Paris, and Barak. Regional, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Moroccan premier in 21st International Socialist Congress
  Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi is taking part this Monday in the 21st International Socialist Congress together with representatives of 170 socialist parties and organizations from the world. Morocco-International, Politics, 11/8/1999
• French president confers with Bashar al-Assad
  French President Jacques Chirac on Sunday received Bashar al-Assad, son of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, at the Paris Elysee Palace. Syria-France, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Arab League supports Syrian stance toward peace talks
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid expressed the league's support for the Syrian stance toward resuming peace talks with Israel from their stopping point, saying that peace is not a gift presented by Israel to the Arabs because peace is in Israel's interest as well as in the Arab states' interests. Regional, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Djibouti says no US pressure to establish relations with Israel
  The political advisor of Djibouti's president, Fahmi Ahmed Haj, denied the existence of US pressure on his country to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. Djibouti-Somalia, Politics, 11/8/1999
• British parliament Galloway's caravan in Iraq
  On his second day in Iraq, British Parliament member George Galloway visited the children's hospital in Baghdad and he, together with members of his accompanying delegation, inspected the pavilion which accommodates Leukemia-infected children. Iraq-UK, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Pakistani leader visits Qatar Qatar-Pakistan, Politics, 11/8/1999
• King Mohammed renews attachment to UN Sahara plan
  King Mohammed VI on Saturday renewed Morocco's attachment to the United Nations settlement for the Sahara on condition that all people of Sahrawi origin be registered on voters' lists. Morocco, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Iraqi paper calls on Gulf states to help lift sanctions Iraq-Gulf, Politics, 11/8/1999
• UAE for a peaceful solution to island conflicts with Iran
  United Arab Emirates Minister of Defense Sheikh Muhammad Bin Rashed al-Maktoum on Sunday said his country seeks to reach a peaceful solution to the standing conflict with Iran over three disputed Gulf islands. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Iran for helping Lebanon rebuild
  Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi met on Sunday in Tehran with Lebanese Minister of Transport and Public Works Najib Meiqati, currently visiting Iran. Lebanon-Iran, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Speaker of Spanish congress carries on talks in Morocco
  The visiting speaker of the Spanish Congress of deputies (lower house), Federico Trillo Sijueroa, carried on talks with cabinet members by a meeting in Marrakesh on Saturday with Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Benaissa. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Report: More normalization with Israel cultivated by Albright
  The Paris-based al-Muharrir news said in a special report from London that US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has quickly cultivated the fruits of her tiring and persistent efforts since Ehud Barak assumed power in Israel to open Arab normalization doors in his face. Regional, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Iraq renews opposition to any Security Council resolution to suspend sanctions Iraq, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Arab League asks for backing to join WTO
  The Arab League has asked Japan to back the request made by the AL to join the World Trade Organization as an observer. Regional-International, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Green March anniversary celebrated
  Inhabitants in the southern city of Laayoune, like Moroccans everywhere in the kingdom and abroad, celebrated the 24th anniversary of the "Green March" which enabled Morocco to peacefully recover its southern provinces in 1975. Morocco, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Special forces formed in Yemen by President Saleh's eldest son
  Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has formed a special forces unit for active combat movements. His eldest son, Ahmad, was appointed as the leader of this unit. Yemen, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Refining electoral schedules in Egypt
  The Egyptian Ministry of Interior announced the procedures for opening registration for citizens in the electoral schedules (lists of eligible voters) in different areas and in police stations in the different governorates, which will last until January 31 for those who are at least 18 years old according to the law's provisions. Egypt, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Sheikh Yassin and Netanya explosion
  The leader of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement, Sheikh Ahmad Yaasin, stressed on Sunday, commenting on the same day's explosion which resulted in wounding tens of Israelis in Netanya, north of Tel Aviv, that his movement "opposes launching attacks against civilians, but it will continue to resist the Israeli occupation." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Omani FM defends Mauritania's decision towards Israel
  Omani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Youssef Bin Alawi has defended the decision taken by Mauritania to establish diplomatic relations with Israel and considered Mauritania's decision in this regard as a matter of "sovereignty." Oman-Mauritania, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Ruler of Kuwait confers with British duke
  Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Sunday in Kuwait received the Duke of York in Britain, Prince Andrew. Kuwait-UK, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Mubarak grants medal of merit to Syria's ambassador to Cairo
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa emphasized on the relation's strategy between Egypt and Syria. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Report: Eritrean military buildup along the borders with Sudan
  The Sudanese daily al-Share' al-Seyassi issued on Sunday said that Eritrea has built up its troops along the borders with Sudan and that these troops, which are equipped with heavy weapons, may be ready to launch a nearby attack. Sudan, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Moroccan Sahrawis in Europe claim right to vote in referendum
  The association of Moroccan Sahrawi tribes living in Europe called the UN secretary general to acknowledge their right to vote in the referendum. Morocco, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Final status negotiations commence between Palestinians and Israelis
  Final status negotiations started today between the Palestinians and the Israelis and focused at the beginning on procedural matters and drawing up an agenda for the later sessions. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Hamas warns of revenge campaigns against it
  The battalions of the Izz El-Din El-Kassam, the military wing of the Hamas movement, warned against launching revenging campaigns against it. Palestine, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Iraqi opposition talks in Damascus Iraq, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Beirut hosts international conference on Jerusalem
  An international conference on the geopolitical and human dimensions of the holy city of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) opened this Monday in Beirut. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 11/8/1999
• Tunisian president pardons 26 French prisoners
  A source at the French Elysee presidential palace said that Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali told his French counterpart, Jacques Chirac, that he had decided to pardon 26 French citizens who were sentenced in Tunisia for having small amounts of drugs. Tunisia-France, Politics, 11/8/1999

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