Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 11/15/1999

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of November 15, 1999

• Sudanese president to meet El-Sadek El-Mahdi tomorrow in Addis Ababa
  A Sudanese opposition source in Cairo stated that the former Sudanese prime minister and head of the opposition Ummah Party, El-Sadek El-Mahdi, will head today to Addis Ababa to meet with Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir tomorrow. Sudan-Ethiopia, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Yemeni - Saudi committee convenes tomorrow in Riyadh Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Abdul Meguid to head to Damascus next month
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid will head to Damascus on December 4 for a three-day visit, during which he will meet with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa and high-ranking Syrian officials. Regional-Syria, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Palestinian president to visit Moscow Palestine-Russia, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Baz calls on Israel to give up nuclear program
  Presidential Political Advisor Osama Al Baz called on Israel to give up its nuclear program once reaching agreements with Arab states, stressing the danger of such program, in particular, with many radiation leakage. Egypt, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Saudi sources deny disputes among Gulf Cooperation Council defense ministers Gulf-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Tunisian president satisfied over relations with Morocco
  Tunisian president, Zine El Abidine Benali, expressed to King Mohammed VI of Morocco deep satisfaction over the constant evolution of relations with Morocco. Morocco-Tunisia, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Abdul Meguid states risks of Israel owning nuclear weapons
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid stated that Israel's insistence on owning nuclear weapons exposes the peace process in the Middle East to serious risks and shakes the balance of power in the area. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Italian parliamentary delegation visits Laayoune
  Head of the Italian delegation, Ivo Trolli, said he was impressed by the progress made in the region and described the Hassan II Hospital in the city as a jewel in the heart of the Sahara. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 11/20/1999
• New Libyan delegate in the Arab League
  Gomea El-Ghazani, secretary of the Egyptian - Libyan relations bureau, presented today his accreditation papers to Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid as a permanent representative at the Arab League, El-Ghazani said after his meeting with the AL secretary general and delivering his papers. Libya-Regional, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Arab initiative to solving the crisis in southern Sudan
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid addressed a message concerning the importance of supporting efforts exerted regarding conformity between IGAD and the Egyptian - Libyan initiatives for reconciliation in Sudan and pushing forward to reach national rapport in Sudan. Sudan-Regional, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Egypt calls for putting peace promises into force
  In his address to the two-day conference of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) held in Istanbul, Foreign Minister, Amr Moussa demanded the matching of positive words with positive actions and steps as far as the Middle East peace process is concerned in the shortest way, otherwise empty promises will undermine credibility rather than boost it. Egypt, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Egypt has indispensable role in securing Mediterranean
  "The Egyptian-German relations are excellent and the cooperation between the two countries covers many spheres, including security," Germany Minister of Defense told Al Ahram daily. Egypt-Germany, Politics, 11/20/1999
• UNHCR deputy commissioner starts work visit in Maghreb Morocco, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Egyptian information minister: no report arrived from US regarding crash of Egyptian airplane
  Egyptian Information Minister Safwat El-Sherif stated that the Egyptian government has not yet received a report from the US investigation body regarding the results of the current investigation into the October 31 crash of an Egyptian passenger jet. Egypt, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Moussa denies existence of crisis between USA and Egypt on airplane crash
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa denied the existence of a crisis between the USA and Egypt regarding the crash of an EgyptAir jet on October 31, describing what has been repeated about a crisis as mere predictions based on incorrect conclusions. Egypt, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Kuwaiti official urges continuation of peace process in the area
  Abd El-Razek El-Hemairi, manager of the cooperation department in the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry, said, "We all as Arabs want peace to devote our all efforts to development to enter the coming century away from war." Kuwait-Regional, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Film about Jerusalem being produced with UAE financing
  The Arab committee concerned with producing a television film about Jerusalem convened yesterday at Arab League headquarters to work to produce a documentary film that shows the rights of the Palestinian Arab people in the city. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Indonesia postpones trade ties with Israel
  Indonesia finally postponed its plan to open trade relations with Israel, pending the appropriate time Israel-Indonesia, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Report: Israel to ask Iraq for compensation
  The Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot reported yesterday that Tel Aviv will ask Iraq for more than $1 billion in compensation for damages caused by the Iraqi Scud missiles during the Gulf War in 1991. Iraq-Israel, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Morocco, Ukraine to exchange ambassadors next year Morocco-Ukraine, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Former russian diplomat publishes book on Moroccan-Russian relations
  Nataly Podgornova, who served in 1968 as a diplomat in Morocco for the former USSR, has published a book on relations between Morocco and Russia between 1777 and 1916, based on the archives of the Russian foreign ministry and notes and analyses of diplomats in Morocco. Morocco-Russia, Politics, 11/20/1999
• Mideast security untenable under current conditions
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa believes that it is difficult to discuss prospects for security cooperation in the Middle East in light of the current circumstances in the regional peace process. Egypt, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Morocco renews will to contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the Mediterranean
  Morocco renewed Friday at the summit of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe its readiness to contribute to achieve peace, security and shared prosperity in the Euro-Mediterranean area. Morocco, Politics, 11/19/1999
• D'Alema to visit Libya at the beginning of December Libya-Italy, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Ministerial commission meets over amendments to public freedoms law
  A ministerial commission held last Tuesday a meeting chaired by Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi to look into draft amendments to the public freedoms law. Morocco, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Message from al-Bashir to Sheikh Zayed
  United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan received a message on Thursday from Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir pertaining to bilateral relations between the two states. United Arab Emirates-Sudan, Politics, 11/19/1999
• German defense minister visits Egypt Egypt-Germany, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Oman to diversify economy as it celebrates 29th National Day pageant
  Rallies and festivities were held on Thursday in all parts of Oman commemorating the 29th anniversary of the accession of the Sultan Qaboos of Oman to power in 1970. Oman, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Moroccan foreign minister meets Turkish president
  Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Benaissa renewed Thursday to Turkish President Suleymen Demirel an invitation by King Mohammed VI to pay an official visit to Morocco. Morocco-Turkey, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Signing of Gulf common defense agreement postponed
  Defense ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council's six member states concluded their meeting in Dubai on Wednesday, but without signing the common defense agreement as scheduled. Gulf, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Political discussions between Egypt and Romania
  Political consultations on level of the high-ranking officials in the foreign ministries in Egypt and Romania will take place on December 3 - 5. Egypt-Romania, Politics, 11/19/1999
• General conditions of Palestinian refugees in Syria
  The number of Palestinian refugees registered in Syria is estimated at 370,000 and another 40,000 who are not registered. Those Palestinians represent 2.5% of the total Syrian population. Most of them are concentrated in the cities or their surroundings. Most of them left their houses in Palestine between 1947 and 1948. Syria, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Algerian army chief of staff visits Doha Qatar-Algeria, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Meeting between Lebanese premier and Palestinian Islamic Jihad delegation
  A first meeting of its sort was held on Wednesday at the house of Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss between al-Hoss and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, following stances the movement recently expressed on using the south Lebanese front to make operations against Israel. Lebanon, Politics, 11/19/1999
• UAE declares its continuation and support for the Palestinian people
  Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed, minister of culture and information in the United Arab Emirates expressed his country's continued support and that of its president, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan, for the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Authority, saying that the UAE supports the efforts to pushing forward the peace process and will work on pushing forward the construction operation and development of the liberated Palestinian lands. Palestine-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Pope John Paul visits the Middle East in March
  The embassy of the Vatican in Cairo said yesterday that Pope John Paul II will make a tour at the end of coming March 2000 of countries of Middle East that includes Israel and the lands of the Palestinian Authority in celebrating the third millenium. Regional-Vatican, Politics, 11/19/1999
• King Abdullah arrives home from Paris
  Jordanian King Abdullah Bin al-Hussein and his wife, Queen Rania, returned on Thursday to Amman following a four-day state visit to France, during which he opened a street in Paris in the name of his father, King Hussein. Jordan-France, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Amamo optimistic over reviving Arab Maghreb Union
  The secretary general of the Arab Maghreb Union, Muhammad Amamou,on Thursday expressed in Nouakchott "his great hope to revive" the activities of the said regional organization, suspended as a result of partitions among its member states. Mauritania, Politics, 11/19/1999
• UN expert castigates Israel's destruction of heritage in Jerusalem
  A UN expert who visited Jerusalem to evaluate the cultural heritage of the old city has sharply criticized Israel for demolishing the monumental heritage and sites of Jerusalem. Regional, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Arab justice ministers meet in Cairo next week
  The Arab justice ministerial council will open next Tuesday its 15th session to discuss a number of issues pertaining to joint Arab action in the legal and justice fields. Regional, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Egyptian foreign ministry continues warnings to Egyptians traveling abroad Egypt, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Indonesia postpones establishment of relations with Israel
  Indonesia has postponed plans to establish trade relations with Israel following large mass protest to such plans. Israel-Indonesia, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Moroccan-US accord on water management in southern Morocco
  Morocco and the United States concluded on Thursday in the southwestern Moroccan city of Agadir an agreement on water management in the Souss-Massa region. Morocco-USA, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Addis Ababa holds Asmara responsible for train explosion Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 11/19/1999
• EgyptAir 990 voice transcription underway Egypt, Politics, 11/19/1999
• Morocco marks Independence Day
  Morocco is marking this November 18 its Independence Day, a commemoration bearing deep historic implications and a motivation for upcoming generations to safeguard the country's independence snatched after huge sacrifices. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Omani, Qatari reservations over Gulf common defense agreements Gulf, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Moroccan premier meets Portuguese foreign minister Morocco-Portugal, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Travel procedures relaxed in Syria
  Travel procedures were relaxed for both citizens living in Syria and those living abroad, Syrian officials said on Wednesday. Syria, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Spain wants EU pressure on Morocco over imports
  Spain has asked the European Commission to exert more customs controls on Moroccan fruit exports to ensure a strict respect of the quotas stipulated in the Moroccan-European Union association agreement. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 11/18/1999
• The secretary of Arab Maghreb Union arrives in Mauritania Mauritania-Maghreb, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Message to Lahoud from Iranian counterpart
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud received a message on Wednesday in Beirut from Iranian President Muhammad Khatami. The message pertains to bilateral relations, the situation in south Lebanon and developments concerning the Middle East peace process. Lebanon-Iran, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Kuwaiti parliament postpones voting on women's political rights decree
  The Kuwaiti Cabinet and those who back the emiri decree providing for offering women their full political rights succeeded on Tuesday in postponing final vote on this decree at the Kuwaiti National Council (the parliament) until next week due to concern of losing the vote on this decree. Kuwait, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Ruler of Bahrain pardons 200 prisoners
  The ruler of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa on Wednesday pardoned 200 persons who took part in the acts of violence that took place in Bahrain in 1994. Bahrain, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Sudanese parliament starts discussions on amending the constitution
  The Sudanese National Council (parliament) on Wednesday started discussions on a proposals to amend the constitution at the request of more than one third of the parliament's members. Sudan, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Sheikh Jaber of Kuwait confers with Ruler of Bahrain
  An official round of talks was held on Wednesday in Kuwait between the ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah, and the ruler of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al- Khaleifa, currently visiting Kuwait. Kuwait-Bahrain, Politics, 11/18/1999
• New Tunisian Cabinet chaired by Ghannouchi
  Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Ben Ali on Wednesday received new Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi. Following the meeting Ghannouchi said the president appointed him as prime minister and decided to make a governmental reshuffle. Tunisia, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Syrian vice president, parliament speaker confer with German MP
  Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam met on Wednesday in Damascus with the deputy speaker of the German federal parliament, Petra Plass. Talks between the two sides dealt with the situation in the region and the stalemated Middle East peace process. Syria-Germany, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Egyptian chief of staff receives head of the Red Cross
  Magdi Hatata, the chief of staff of the Egyptian armed forces, received Cornillo Samaroga, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross and his accompanying delegation. Egypt, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Morocco participates in OSCE summit in Turkey
  Morocco is taking part in the summit of heads of state and government of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) held this Nov.18-19 in Turkey. Morocco-International, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Israel secretary seeks resumption of negotiations with Syria
  Israel sources stated that Danny Yatoum, the most prominent advisor of Isrraeli Prime Minsiter Ehud Barak, will visit Paris on a secret mission aimed at resuming negotiations with Syria. Syria-Israel, Politics, 11/18/1999
• US wants to sell Boeing airplanes to Libya Libya-USA, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Abdul Meguid meets Eritrea's ambassador in Cairo
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid discussed yesterday with Mohammed Omar Mahmud, Eritrea's ambassador in Cairo, the status in the African Horn area and the latest developments in the Ethiopian - Eritrean conflict. Regional-Eritrea, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Iraq disagrees with current conditioned efforts to lift sanctions
  An Iraqi official stressed on Wednesday that Baghdad is committed to its stand rejecting any decisions released by the UN Security Council that do not lead to lifting the sanctions imposed on Iraq for more than nine years. Iraq-UN, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Iranian foreign minister meets with Qatari official
  Tehran witnessed yesterday a meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi and Abdul Rahman Bin El-Atia, the undersecretary of the Qatari Foreign Ministry and general coordinator for the Organization of the Islamic Conference summit. Qatar-Iran, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Sudan, Eritrea to revive joint security committee
  Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael has announced that the joint security committee between Sudan and Eritrea will once again resume its work. Sudan-Eritrea, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Moroccan fisheries minister to visit Angola next week
  Moroccan Minister of Fisheries Thami Khyari will visit Angola next week for talks with his Angolan peer, Maria de Fatima Jardim. Morocco-Angola, Politics, 11/18/1999
• German justice minister in Amman
  Jordanian viceroy Raad Bin Zeid on Wednesday in Amman met with the German minister of Justice in Amman. Talks dealt with bilateral relations between Germany and Jordan and prospects of promoting and developing them. Jordan-Germany, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Israel arrests six Syrians in the Golan
  Israeli forces on Wednesday arrested six Syrian citizens from Buqata village in the occupied Golan Heights on charges of resisting the Israeli occupation. Syria-Israel, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Three Jordanian journalists apologize for visiting Israel
  Three Jordanian journalists on Wednesday submitted an implicit apology to their union over visiting Israel and thereby avoided being expelled from the union and prevented from continuing their career over their violating the decision of the journalists' union which refuses normalization of relations with Israel. Jordan, Politics, 11/18/1999
• 130 detained Palestinian children in Israel's prisons Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/18/1999
• Mauritania's authorities suppress students demonstration over ties with Israel
  Hundreds of university students in Nouakchott on Wednesday held a demonstration in protest of the recent rapprochement between Mauritania and Israel. Mauritania, Politics, 11/18/1999
• President Mubarak meets with Saudi Foreign Minister
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met on Tuesday, in two separate meetings with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal and with South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Hong Sun-yong, who are both visiting Egypt. Egypt-Saudi Arabia-South Korea, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Lahoud confers with German minister of justice Lebanon-Germany, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Algerian president congratulates Moroccan king on independence day Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Saudi Arabia: Border problem with Yemen to end soon
  Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz has asserted that Saudi - Yemeni relations are at their best and that the question of borders will be settled within the coming months. Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Gulf defense ministers meet in Dubai
  The 18th meeting of the foreign ministers of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council started in Dubai on Tuesday. The ministers are expected to sign, during the meeting, a common defense pact. Gulf, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Saudi Arabia, Egypt for a just Middle East peace
  Saudi Arabia and Egypt have underlined the importance of continued work to strengthen Arab solidarity based on total commitment to the Arab League charter, the joint Arab defense agreement and Arab economic cooperation to restore all Arab rights and strengthen Arab security. Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Saudi crown prince confers with Bangladesh's prime minister Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh, Politics, 11/17/1999
• King Abdullah invites the French to invest in his country
  Jordan's King Abdullah II has asserted the need that "the awaiting for solution" will ensure the Palestinian people's achieving their rights, including the right to establish an independent Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as a capital. Jordan-France, Politics, 11/17/1999
• First UAE official arrives in Gaza Palestine-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Saudi - Moroccan joint commission meets in Riyadh Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Bouteflika confers with Italian president
  Italy on Monday lauded steps taken by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to establish democratic bases and carry out economic reforms. It expressed the readiness of the European Union to back Algeria. Algeria-Italy, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Korean foreign minister concludes visit to Egypt
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met on Tuesday with South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Hong Sun-yong who is visiting Egypt. Egypt-South Korea, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Portugal's foreign minister visits Morocco Morocco-Portugal, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Yemeni - Algerian committee to meet Yemen-Algeria, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Turkish official in Morocco next week Morocco-Turkey, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Erekat: Israeli obstinacy aims at creating precedent for the coming stage
  Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian minister of local government and head of the Palestinian side in negotiations of the transitional stage told ArabicNews.com that the Israeli obstinacy regarding the current stage of Israeli redeployment aims at creating a precedent for the coming stage that Israel decides unilaterally on the lands from which it must withdraw. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Italian parliamentary delegation in Morocco Morocco-Italy, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Yemeni president meets Hawatemah
  Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Tuesday in Sanaa met with the secretary general of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Nayef Hawatemah. Yemen-Palestine, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Report: Barak's diplomatic campaign against Syria
  The Jordanian paper al-Hadath quoted well-informed sources in Amman as saying that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak is currently making a diplomatic campaign aimed at making world leaders understand that he is in need of "small Syrian concessions," to find a pretext for the extremists inside and outside the Israeli Knesset to reach a formula of understanding with Syria and then to sign a peace agreement with it. Syria-Israel, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Khatami urges Iranians on vote in elections
  The Iranian president Mohammed Khatemi urged the Iranians today to participate in parliamentary elections in February which form a decisive stage in its struggle for reform. Iran, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Egypt presents draft for maintaining security in the Mediterranean Sea
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said that Egypt has a draft concerning the topic of security in the Mediterranean Sea basin and its relation to the existing problems in the region, emphasizing the importance of working to solve these problems. Egypt, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Report: Cairo waits for the visit of Bashar al-Assad
  Diplomatic sources in Cairo have asserted in a Kuwaiti daily issued on Tuesday that Cairo is waiting for the arrival of Bashar al-Assad, son of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, and his meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to resume the friendly relations linking Cairo and Damascus. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Habash calls for a united Lebanese, Palestinian front
  The secretary general of the People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine, George Habash, has called on the Lebanese and Palestinians to work together in a joint front in confrontation of settling the Palestinians in the Arab states. Palestine, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Iran's parliament ratifies expuslion of illegal foreign workers
  The parliament ratified the decision yesterday during discussions of the third plan for economic development suggested by President Mohamed Khatami's government. Iran-Regional, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Annan names new UNIFIL commander Lebanon, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Contacts with Israel to permit Abu al-Einin into Gaza
  A Jordanian weekly quoted sources in the Palestinian Authority as saying that high-ranking figures in the PA are making intensive secret contacts with the Israeli leadership to convince it to permit Maj. Gen. Sultan Abu al-Einin from getting into Gaza via the sea. Palestine-Lebanon, Politics, 11/17/1999
• New buildings for the Syrian Foreign Ministry Syria, Politics, 11/17/1999
• Ethiopia: One and a half years since the Eritrean invasion Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Meeting between Ugandan president and El-Bashir
  A meeting between Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will be convened today in Durban city in South Africa. Sudan-Uganda-South Africa, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Tunisian president sworn in Tunisia, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Syrian information minister stresses that Refaat al-Assad port in Lattakia was demolished
  Syrian Minister of Information Muhammad Salman has talked about the killing of guards of "an illegal port" for Refaat al-Assad, the brother of the Syrian president, in Lattakia in an attack launched by the Syrian police in October. Syria, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Syria celebrates 29th anniversary of "Correctionist Movement" Syria, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Saudi - Egyptian committee meeting concludes in Cairo
  Egypt and Saudi Arabia agreed on the importance of making haste in signing an agreement to establishing the planned free trade zone between the two countries and on the importance of increasing the exports of each of them. Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Morocco, Libya sign packages of cooperation accords
  Libya is Morocco's first partner among the members of the Arab Maghreb Union that musters besides Morocco and Libya, Algeria, Mauritania and Tunisia. Up to June 1999, Morocco's exports to Libya -- finished and semi-finished consumption goods-- were worth $ 71.83 million while imports --fertilizers, chemical products, iron and steel-- amounted to $ 11.46 million. Libya-Morocco, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Jordanian government welcomes Egyptian laborers in Jordan
  The Jordanian government expressed its relief for the Egyptian laborers that work in Jordan and said it considered them productive laborers who contributed to building the Jordanian economy and the economies of the other Arab states. Jordan-Egypt, Politics, 11/16/1999
• King Abdullah: Negotiations between Syria and Israel will be resumed soon
  King Abdullah II of Jordan told the French daily Le Figaro issued on Monday that negotiations between Syria and Israel will be resumed very soon. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Disputes on amending constitution warn of confrontation between El-Bashir and Turabi
  The issue of amending some items of the Sudanese constitution warn of a confrontation between the Sudanese president and the National Council (parliament), especially as the raised adjustments reduce the specializations and power granted by the constitution to the president. Sudan, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Moussa heads to Istanbul
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa headed today to Istanbul to head Egypt's delegation in the summit on European - Mediterranean cooperation which will start the day after tomorrow in Turkey. Egypt-Turkey, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Pope John Paul II confers with President Bouteflika
  Pope John Paul II met in the Vatican on Monday with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika who started a European tour aimed at strengthening relations between Algeria and the countries of the European continent. Algeria-Italy, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Libya, Morocco call for reactivating Maghreban union
  Morocco and Libya have stressed the need to reactivate the structures of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) as a strategic choice. Libya-Morocco, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Bashar al-Assad confers with Abu Dhabi's crown prince
  Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaleifa Bin Zayed al-Nahyan, who is also the commander of the armed forces, received Bashar al-Assad on Monday in Abu Dhabi. Syria-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Kuwaiti POWs committee delegation visits the Arab League Kuwait, Politics, 11/16/1999
• UAE for settling disputes with Iran over islands
  The United Arab Emirates has announced that it has great hopes that Iran will move to settle the disputes between the two countries over three Gulf islands. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Moroccan foreign minister announces measures to upgrade diplomatic staff
  Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, said Monday the ministry structures and diplomatic action should be reconsidered to match international standards. Morocco, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Extending al-Mu'allim post in Washington is not a sign for resuming Syrian-Israeli negotiations
  Well-informed Syrian sources told the Lebanese daily al-Nahar that extending the post of office for the Syrian ambassador in Washington, Walid al-Mu'allim, does not reflect any political indicator on the level of resuming negotiations with Israel following four years of suspension. Syria, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Moroccan premier lauds King's keenness to settle social problems
  Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, has lauded the keen interest King Mohammed VI grants to the settlement of social problems facing Morocco. Morocco, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Barak to take painful regional concessions
  Israel Radio on Monday quoted Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak as saying that, "Giving territorial concessions is a difficult and painful matter," adding that Israel will not hesitate in taking "the needed decisive decisions in this regard." Israel-Regional, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Hamas accepts evacuation of its office, not members
  Hamas political bureau member Mousa Abu Marzouk expressed his hope to reach "a political solution" to the crisis with the Jordanian government. He simultaneously remarked that the movement "may give up its pledge not to carry out military activities in Jordan." Jordan, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Moroccan Information Day: minister wishes major changes
  Moroccan Communication Minister Mohamed Larbi Messari said strong signals of change in various sectors are heralding major changes in information. Morocco, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Yemeni army for arresting men responsible for oil pipeline explosion
  The Yemeni army has been cordoning two villages in the eastern part of Yemen in order to force persons who are responsible for exploding the oil pipeline of the US Hunt Oil company to surrender. Yemen, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Baghdad announces the death of 9,000 Iraqis in October
  Baghdad announced on Monday that more than 9,000 Iraqis died in October, the majority of them children. This will increase the victims of the UN embargo imposed on Iraq to 1.2 million. Iraq, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Sudan denies Saudi mediation
  Ahmed Abd El-Halim, the Sudanese ambassador in Cairo and its permanent delegate at the Arab League, denied the existence of a Saudi mediation to achieve reconciliation between the Sudanese government and opposition Sudan, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Arabic an official language for Interpol
  The general secretariat of the council of the Arab ministers of the interior on Monday welcomed the decision taken by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to adopt Arabic as an official language. The decision was taken at the 68th session of the organization, held in Seoul, South Korea. Regional, Politics, 11/16/1999
• UK deputy demands that Arab states resume air trips with Iraq
  UK Parliament member George Galloway urged the resumption of trips by civilain airplanes to and from Iraq, saying that some practical procedures must be taken to bring civil aviation in Iraq back to normal and adding that it is impossible for the situation to remain as it is concerning the external trips to and from Baghdad. Iraq-UK, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Arafat meets Dennis Ross
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat discussed with the US coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Dennis Ross, means of pushing forward final status negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians and of implementing the obligations of the transitional stage. Palestine-USA, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Levy asks Suha Arafat to apologize
  Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy on Monday asked the Palestinian authorities to submit an apology for the "dangerous statements made by the Palestinian first lady, Suha Arafat, statements which are in contradiction to the spirit of peace." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Arab League, International Red Cross sign memorandum of understanding
  The Arab League and the International Committee of the Red Cross signed a memorandum of cooperation between the two sides on Monday in Cairo. Regional, Politics, 11/16/1999
• King Abdullah heads for Paris Jordan-France, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Ruler of Kuwait confers with GCC secretary General Kuwait-Gulf, Politics, 11/16/1999
• Lebanese premier calls on Palestinians to abstain from armed acts in south Lebanon Lebanon, Politics, 11/16/1999
• King Abdullah to implement major internal reform
  King Abdullah II said there will be amendments to several laws and legislation and gradually get rid of bureaucracy which hinders the progress of society and economic growth which we have put as a national priority. Jordan, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Economic reforms in Syria Syria, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Meetings of the Saudi - Egyptian committee start in Cairo Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Palestinians celebrate the anniversary of their independence
  Thousands of the Palestinians gathered in Nablus yesterday to celebrate the 11th anniversary of declaring Palestinian independence, one day before the scheduled additional withdrawal by Israel from more lands in the West Bank to be controlled by the Palestinian government. Palestine, Politics, 11/15/1999
• El-Bashir: Relations with Egypt are strategic, Libyan - Egyptian initiative able to solve Sudanese problem Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Gulf states continue unification steps in defense and commerce
  The general secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council announced on Sunday that defense ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states will meet a periodical meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and that the meeting will last for two days. Gulf, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Moussa confirms the correlation of the Syrian and Lebanese tracks Egypt, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Signing Egyptian - Korean cooperation agreements
  Egypt and South Korea signed two cooperation agreements, the first for peaceful cooperation in using nuclear energy and the second for a cooperation protocol between the Egyptian diplomatic institute and the Foreign Ministry and ministries of national security and trade in South Korea. Egypt-South Korea, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Bouteflika heads to Italy
  Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika headed today on an official visit ti Italy at the invitation of the Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, which is the first since he took office on April 16. Algeria-Italy, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Ross visits Israel, Gaza today Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 11/15/1999
• King Abdullah starts visit to France today
  Jordan's King Abdullah II started a four day official visit to France today, during which he will hold talks with French President Jacques Chirac and the high-ranking French officials on means of magnifying bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in the economic and investment fields, and pushing forward the peace process on all levels. Jordan-France, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Communications between Iran, Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia on Israeli explosions in the Dead Sea
  Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi held phone talks yesterday with Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa, and Saudi Foreign Prince Saud al-Faisal to discuss the issue of the Israeli explosions in the Dead Sea. Regional-Israel, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Boutaflika meets with Saudi envoy
  Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika met on Saturday with a Saudi envoy amid news that Riyadh is making mediation to bridge relations between Algeria and Morocco. Algeria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Mauritanian president meets UN special representative for Sahara
  Special representative of the UN secretary general for the Sahara, William Eagleton, informed on Sunday Mauritanian president, Mouaouiya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya, of the postponement of the UN-referendum in the Sahara. Mauritania-Morocco, Politics, 11/15/1999
• The approach of selling 80 US jet fighters to United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates-USA, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Deterioration in relations between Mauritania and Algeria Mauritania-Algeria, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Military cooperation between Jordan, Britain Jordan-UK, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Jordanian prime minister meets with Muslim Brothers delegation Jordan, Politics, 11/15/1999
• King Abdullah: Relations between Syria and Jordan are improving
  King Abdullah of Jordan has asserted that relations with Syria have become much better than they were before. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Toward expelling the People's Front from the Palestinian opposition alliance
  Members of the follow up committee of the opposition Palestinian groups, which takes Damascus as a headquarters, held a meeting on Sunday in Damascus in the absence of the People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which was not invited to the meeting, which is considered a step toward expelling it for its contacts with the Palestinian Authority. Syria, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Jordan: No settlement has been made yet for the Hamas case
  A new round of dialogue has failed between the Jordanian government and the Muslim Brothers group to reach a solution to the question of the Hamas resistance movement, amid a Jordanian governmental persistence on the need of the detained Hamas leaders to leave Jordan as a precondition to releasing them. Jordan, Politics, 11/15/1999
• On the Yemeni oil pipeline explosion
  A tribal source in Yemen said on Sunday that Yemeni security forces cordoned off a Yemeni village on suspicions that members of its tribe had exploded the main oil pipelines in the country. Yemen, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Sudanese opposition: Campala conference could be postponed without peace initiatives coordination Sudan, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Iraqi-Iranian agreements on pilgrimage visits
  Iranian Minister of Commerce Muhammad Shariat-Madari has announced that an agreement was reached with Iraqi that provides for 3,000 Iranian visitors to be able every week to visit the holy shrines in Iraq as of November 24. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Morocco protests to Israel over injury of Moroccan councillor
  The parliamentary group of the Socialist union of popular forces (USFP, participating in the Moroccan coalition government) condemned in a statement the aggression against the municipal official describing it as 'a "criminal act" that shows that the zionists are carrying on their policy of terror against Arab visitors to Palestine in their attempt to prevent contacts between the Palestinians and their Arab brethren.' Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Opposition: Confrontation in Bahrain between demonstrators, security forces
  The opposition in Bahrain said on Saturday that confrontations took place on Friday between anti-government demonstrators and security forces in Manama. Bahrain, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Arafat and Barak fail to prevent delay of scheduled withdrawal today
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak were unable during a meeting held last night in Tel Aviv to solve a dispute that threatened Israel's scheduled withdrawal for more Palestinian lands today. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Crisis inside Israeli government on withdrawal from Lebanon
  The Israeli government is passing through a crisis due to the disputes among its members regarding the issue of unilateral withdrawal from south Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Doctors Without Borders stops humanitarian activities in central Somalia
  The Doctors Without Borders organization said today that it is stopping its humanitarian activities in Galkayo city in central Somalia after a robbery by a force took place in its headquarters on November 10. Somalia, Politics, 11/15/1999
• Al-Hoss asks Jihad not to attack Israel from south Lebanon Lebanon, Politics, 11/15/1999

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