Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 12/6/1999

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of December 6, 1999

• Talks between Syria and Israel to open on Wednesday, by Clinton Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 12/11/1999
• Jordan ready to host Syrian-Israeli peace negotiations
  A high-ranking Jordanian official has told the AFP that Jordan is ready, if it is asked, to host the peace negotiations between Syria and Israel after these are officially resumed in Washington next week. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 12/11/1999
• Turkey and the resumption of peace talks between Israel and Syria
  A Turkish daily issued in Ankara on Friday quoted sources at the Turkish Foreign Ministry as saying that despite Turkey's continued concern over its relations with Syria, relations which had almost reached war between the two countries, Turkey is strongly backing the Middle East peace process and the resumption of dialogue between Syria and Israel. Syria-Regional, Politics, 12/11/1999
• Gaddafi receives El-Sadek El-Mahdi Sudan-Libya, Politics, 12/11/1999
• Lebanese premier confers with PLO official
  Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss on Friday in Beirut received the chairman of the PLO political department, Farouk Qaddoumi. Talks dealt with Lebanese- Palestinian relations and the developments of the Middle East peace process. Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 12/11/1999
• King renews Morocco's attachment to human rights as they are universally recognized
  A new concept of the authority is being defined so that the authority will be at the service of citizens, close to their concerns and needs, and maintain with them relations of mutual respect and complementarity. The king also said that any person, community or administration violating the law shall be punished. Morocco, Politics, 12/11/1999
• Bouteflika's envoy heads to Addis Ababa
  Mohie El-Din Amimor, the personal envoy of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika headed today to Addis Ababa, where he met with Organization of African Unity Secretary General Salem Ahmed Salem and delivered him a written message on developments in Sudan, Somalia and the Comoros Islands. Algeria, Politics, 12/11/1999
• Panama says it will not move embassy to occupied Jerusalem Regional, Politics, 12/11/1999
• Syrian minister urges Israel to keep the peace track Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/11/1999
• Arab tour by Indonesia's new president Regional, Politics, 12/11/1999
• Palestinian anxiety toward negative effects of resuming Israeli - Syrian talks
  Political analysts expressed yesterday their fear of the negative effects of resuming Israeli - Syrian negotiations on the Palestinian track, adding that this decision could lead to weakening the Palestinians' stance in the troubled talks with Israel. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 12/11/1999
• Arafat hails Mubarak's efforts to revive peace process
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat hailed the efforts exerted by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his stable stances toward the peace process, especially on the Palestinian track. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 12/11/1999
• King Mohammed receives Palestinian official
  King Mohammed VI received on Friday Mahmoud Abou Abbas, secretary general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Palestine-Morocco, Politics, 12/11/1999
• Iraq: We reject any decision that does not lift sanction on Baghdad
  Iraqi Information Minister Humam Abd al-Khaliq Abd al-Ghafur stated sured that Iraq will deal with any decision that does not lift up the sanctions permanently. Iraq-UN, Politics, 12/11/1999
• A call to release political prisoners in Bahrain
  The human rights organization in Bahrain on Friday called on the ruler of the country, Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa, to release all political detainees on the occasion of celebrating the country's national day on December 16. Bahrain, Politics, 12/11/1999
• Egyptian organizations celebrate international volunteer day
  Representatives of the Egyptian civil associations convened yesterday in the headquarters of the US embassy in Cairo for the annual celebration of the volunteer day sponsored by the United Nations in Egypt. Egypt, Politics, 12/11/1999
• International mass wedding in Luxor
  The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism is organizing a party for a mass wedding for 12 couples who represent the world's five continents. Egypt-International, Politics, 12/11/1999
• UNRWA receives pledges of $172 million
  Pledges of support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) at a Wednesday meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to UNRWA reached $172 million, the United Nations said. Palestine-UN, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Organization of African Unity resumes efforts to solve Somali crisis
  The spokesman of the Organization of African Unity, Ibrahim Dagh, emphasized the strong and effective role of the organization to reach a solution to the Somali problem. Somalia-OAU, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Damascus removing or transferring 37 state-run companies directors
  Well-informed sources in Damascus expected the release of decisions providing for removing or transferring several directors general of the state-run companies, so the total number of those directors will reach 37. Syria, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Al-Assad briefs Lahoud on developments concerning resumption of peace talks
  Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Wednesday evening made a telephone call to Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, during which he informed Lahoud about the latest developments concerning the peace process and resumption of talks, as well as contacts made in this regard. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Al-Sharaa confers with al-Sahaf, Beshara and contacts Berri, al-Hoss, Lord Levy and Moratinos
  Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa met on Thursday night with Iraqi Foreign Minister Muhammad Saeed al-Sahaf. The meeting was attended by the Syrian deputy foreign minister, Suleiman Haddad, and on the Iraqi side the meeting was attended by the secretary of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, Nabil Najm, and the advisor for the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, Nawaf Taqa. Syria-Regional, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Russian envoy starts tour of region today Lebanon-Russia, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Clinton to open peace talks next week in Washington
  Most countries have welcomed the announcement of US President Bill Clinton of a resumption of peace talks next week on the Syrian track from the point where they broke off and expressed readiness to provide all possible help to boost the peace process and achieve peace in the region. Syria-Israel-International, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Message from Khatami to Bouteflika Algeria-Iran, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Damascus accepts raising level of representation to negotiations
  US President Bill Clinton will meet next week with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa in the first Syrian-Israeli meeting on such a level in order to inaugurate the resumption of bilateral negotiations which have been frozen since the beginning of 1996. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 12/10/1999
• 17th session of Arab foreign ministers council to be held at end of January
  The meetings of the 17th session of the Arab foreign ministers' council will be held in Algeria on January 29 - 30 to evaluate the range of commitment and application of items of the Arab agreement for combating terrorism. Regional, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Syrians of the Golan stress adherence to the homeland
  The Syrian people in the occupied Golan Heights reiterated their adherence to their homeland, Syria, and confidence in the "wise leadership" of President Hafez al-Assad. Syria, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Mubarak calls for a peace that restores the whole of the Golan
  US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has concluded her tour of the Middle East by meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Egypt-Regional-USA, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Morocco ready for year 2000 bug Morocco, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Lebanese Cabinet approves election law
  The Lebanese Cabinet on Thursday approved the parliamentary election law with its 14 districts and the establishment of the economic-social council. Lebanon, Politics, 12/10/1999
• US Congress delegation: US -Egyptian relations important
  Representative Joseph Pitts, head of a US Congressional delegation currently visiting Cairo, said that the delegation discussed with Egyptian officials means of supporting cooperation between the two countries, means of encouraging investment opportunities and opening new horizons for industrial and commercial cooperation between the two countries through businessmen in the two countries. Egypt-USA, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Moroccan government renews resolve to move forward in rule of law consolidation
  The Moroccan government renewed resolve to move forward in consolidating the rule of the law and the protection of human rights in cooperation with all institutions and organizations. Morocco, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Lebanese premier receives a message from Moussa
  Lebanese Premier and Foreign Minister Salim al-Hoss on Wednesday received a message from Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, conveyed by the Egyptian ambassador to Lebanon, Adel al-Khudari, who returned from Cairo to Beirut on Tuesday. Lebanon-Egypt, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Moroccan Human Rights Association voices will to carry on struggle for human dignity
  The Moroccan Human Rights Association (AMDH) expressed its intention to continue its struggle, together with other human rights bodies, to fulfill all its claims and defend human dignity. Morocco, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Egyptian minister of endowments receives German ambassador in Cairo
  Egyptian Minister of Endowments Mahmud Hamdi Zakzouk received yesterday Peter Dingens, Germany's ambassador in Cairo, who was accompanied by the cultural counselor in the embassy. Egypt-Germany, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Nabil Shaath: Palestinian state will be announced in September
  Palestinian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nabil Shaath said the Palestinian state will be announced at its specified time, September 2000, adding that this decision comes under to Palestinian sovereignty, and no one can interfere in it. Palestine, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Women's solidarity meeting in Casablanca next January
  The second women's solidarity meeting will be held in Casablanca next January 13-21 on the topic "Women, partner in rural development and struggle against poverty." Morocco, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Palestinian minister denies cooperation protocol with Israel for youths and sports
  Ahmed El-Yazegi, the deputy minister of youths and sports in Palestine, denied that a cooperation protocol was signed with Israel in the fields of youths and sports. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Moroccan democratic bloc determined to carry on joint action
  Four Moroccan political parties gathered in the democratic Koutla (Arabic name for bloc) voiced determination to carry on their action within this bloc. Morocco, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Indonesian president to tour Middle East
  Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid said on Wednesday he will by the beginning of next year hold a tour that will cover Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian self-rule areas. Regional-Indonesia, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Government wants social dialogue resumption
  The minister told the press the government would stick to social dialogue as an efficient means of solving problems and deplored the "transient crisis." He urged all parts to look for a new approach to dialogue "avoiding confrontation" and enabling the country to "take up development challenges." Morocco, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Saudi minister of pilgrimage receives Egypt's ambassador in Riyadh
  Saudi Minister of Pilgrimage Affairs and Religious Trusts Iyyad bin Amin Madani received Helmi Bedair, Egypt's ambassador in Saudi Arabia, yesterday in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia-Egypt, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Israel, SLA deny Lahd resignation
  News reports from south Lebanon said the Israeli Army's leadership agreed to a resignation submitted by the leader of the pro-Israeli South Lebanon Army militia, retired Lt. Gen. Antione Lahd, but a spokesman for the Israeli army denied the resignation, while the SLA leadership in Marjyoiun told reporters that such reports are "baseless." Lebanon, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Kampala, Khartoum towards resuming relations
  The Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his Ugandan counterpart Mousivini on Wednesday signed an agreement on the security of joint borders between their two countries. If implemented, the agreement will permit the restoration of the diplomatic relations severed between the two countries since 1994. Sudan, Politics, 12/10/1999
• 382 suspects caught in drug cases in Kuwait
  The Kuwaiti minister of interior and head of the national committee for combating drugs, Sheikh Mohammed al-Khaled al-Sabah, said that the ministry's campaign to combat drugs resulted in catching 382 suspects with different citizenships in drug cases. Kuwait, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Japan asks Lebanon to hand over members of Red Army
  Japanese diplomatic sources in Cairo said that Japan has renewed its demand to Lebanon to hand over five members of the Red Army organization who are imprisoned in Beirut and whose sentences will end on March 7. Lebanon-Japan, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Arab Americans meet with U.S. attorney general
  On the issue of secret evidence, about 20 persons, almost all of them of Arab origin, are currently being held in U.S. jails without charge. Reno told Arab American leaders that secret evidence has no place in the American justice system and offends America's notion of proper law enforcement. Regional-USA, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Paris expels to Damascus Palestinian refugee asylum-seekers
  Sources at the French Ministry of the Interior said on Wednesday that some 40 Palestinian refugees from the camps in Lebanon who arrived in the French capital through Damascus were returned to Damascus. Palestine-France, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Le Monde: an Israeli delegation visited Algeria
  The French daily Le Monde said that "a high-ranking Israeli delegation" had visited Algeria between October 15 and 25 in order to make undeclared rapprochement between the two countries. Algeria-Israel, Politics, 12/10/1999
• Morocco attends conference on struggle against organized crime
  A delegation from the Moroccan Senate takes part, Dec 9-10 in Geneva, in the works of the conference on the struggle against organized crime in the era of globalization. Morocco-International, Politics, 12/10/1999
• AL welcomes Syrian - Israeli negotiations Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Albright refuses to tour old Jerusalem Israel-USA, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Clinton phones Al-Assad on resuming peace negotiations
  Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Wednesday night received a telephone call from US President Bill Clinton in which Clinton expressed his satisfaction over the talks held by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in Damascus on Tuesday. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Syrian stance on resuming negotiations Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Masalha expresses optimism over resuming negotiations on the Syrian track
  Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Nawaf Masalha has expressed his optimism over resuming negotiations on the Syrian track. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Lebanese daily expects a Syrian - US summit Syria-USA, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Following talks with Barak, Albright says progress is made on Syrian track
  US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Wednesday held a joint press conference in which they spoke about the results of the meeting they had in the morning. Israel-Regional-USA, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Tunisian President confers with Iraqi FM Tunisia-Iraq, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Telephone call between Lahoud, al-Assad on resuming negotiations
  Official news reports in Beirut said that in the course of continued consultations and coordination between Lebanon and Syria a telephone call was made on Wednesday night between Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, during which they discussed the latest developments in the region, the Middle East peace process and resuming negotiations. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Kuwaiti emir gets messages from Nigerian, Romanian Presidents Kuwait-Nigeria, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Albright meets Mubarak today
  US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is meeting today with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to hold talks concerning Sudan, Iraq and the peace process in her tour of the area, which aims at revitalizing the peace process on its different tracks. Egypt-USA, Politics, 12/9/1999
• King Mohammed congratules Nujoma on reelection Morocco-Namibia, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Gaddafi gets a message from Zemin Libya-China, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Lebanese Cabinet approves today the election law of 14 departments
  The Lebanese Cabinet today held its weekly meeting at its premises in al-Mithaf under the chairmanship of President Emile Lahoud in order to approve the parliamentary elections law which will create 14 electoral districts. Earlier, Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss said the law is now ready and complete. Lebanon, Politics, 12/9/1999
• April Understanding committee condemns Israel's practices Lebanon, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Sudanese, Ugandan presidents meet in Nairobi, sign agreement
  Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his Ugandan counterpart on Wednesday started talks in Nairobi in the presence of former US President Jimmy Carter, after more than four years of boycotting diplomatic relations between the two countries. Sudan-Uganda, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Colonel Gaddafi receives message from Ugandan president Libya-Uganda, Politics, 12/9/1999
• New interior minister unveils policy in TV program
  Moroccans should free themselves from the ascendancy of the past and mobilize around the king to take up the challenges thrown at the kingdom, said Interior Minister Ahmed Midaoui. Morocco, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Ethiopian finance minister leaves Sanaa after visiting Yemen
  Ethiopia Minister of Finance Sufian Ahmed left Sanaa yesterday after a visit during which delivered a message from Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Yemen-Ethiopia, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Casablanca hosts in February conference on Arab and African women
  Casablanca is hosting next February 18-20 an international colloquy on "Arab and African women and challenges of the 21st century." Regional, Politics, 12/9/1999
• King Mohammed chairs Sahara follow-up committee meeting
  King Mohammed VI chaired in Rabat Wednesday a meeting of the Saharan affairs follow-up committee, said spokesman of the royal palace Hassan Aourid. Morocco, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Iraq vows to foil British draft at the UN
  Iraq said on Wednesday it will foil the British draft resolution at the UN, stressing it prefers to be exposed to military strikes instead of approving "a repressive resolution." Iraq-UN, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Abdul Meguid meets Bouteflika's personal envoy
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid received today Mohi El-Din Amimour, the special envoy of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who is the current head of the Organization of African unity. Regional-Algeria-OAU, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Conference in London on the future of Jerusalem
  The Arab League Education, Culture and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), which takes Tunisia as its headquarters, will hold a conference at the royal institute for international studies in London on Jerusalem. It will last for three days and be attended by some 30 Arab and foreign figures. Regional, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Israel accepts Lahd's resignation from leadership of Israeli-allied militias
  News reports from the occupied part of south Lebanon said on Wednesday that the leadership of the Israeli occupation forces has accepted the resignation of Antoine Lahd from the leadership of the Israeli-allied South Lebanon Army militia. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Sultan of Oman gets Ethiopian message
  Sultan Qaboos Bin Said of Oman on Wednesday in Muscat received a message from Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Oman-Ethiopia, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Indonesian president voices backing for the Palestinians
  Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid on Wednesday expressed his backing for the Palestinians and their right to establish their own independent state. Palestine-Indonesia, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Israeli minister threatens to withdraw from Barak's government in case of freezing the settlement
  Israeli Housing Minister Yitzhak Levy warned that'his party will not be able to remain in Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's government iif it freezes the construction of settlements in the West Bank. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/9/1999
• USFP Attends Limassol Euro-Mediterranean Forum Morocco, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Musharraf confers with the ruler of Bahrain
  The ruler of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa, received the chairman of the executive authority in the Republic of Pakistan, Pervaiz Musharraf, on Wednesday in Manama. Bahrain-Pakistan, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Barak assures stopping the new settlement projects
  Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday attempted to defuse the crisis between the Palestinians and Israel by saying that his government will not establish any new settlement projects until reaching a final agreement with the Palestinians, but the Palestinians demanded a complete freeze for all settlements. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Al-Rawabdeh hails Jordan's relations with France
  Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh hailed the level of French - Jordanian relations. Jordan-France, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Morocco represented at swearing-in ceremony of Argentina's president-elect
  King Mohammed VI will be represented at the swearing-in ceremony of the Argentinean president-elect Fernando De La Rua by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Benaissa. Morocco-Argentina, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Kuwait refuses Israeli's participation in the international investment forum
  Kuwaiti diplomatic sources in Cairo asserted Kuwait's opposition to the participation of an Israeli delegation in the international investment forum that will be held on March 4-9, 2000 in Kuwait. Kuwait, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Report: Jordanian divan chief visited Lebanon
  A London-based paper said on Wednesday, quoting well-informed Jordanian sources, that the chairman of the Jordanian royal court, Abdul Karim al-Kabareiti, last Sunday paid a secret visit to Lebanon which lasted for two days Jordan-Lebanon, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Sudanese Parliament hails decision not to allow US envoy in country
  The Sudanese Parliament agreed on a report that hails not allowing the U.S envoy Harry Johnston into Sudan and urged regional and international organizations to support Sudan against anticipated US threats. Sudan-USA, Politics, 12/9/1999
• European council should propose privileged partnership to Maghreb, European MP says
  Member of the European Parliament, Alain Lamassoure, urged the European council to adopt a declaration proposing a privileged partnership to the countries of the Maghreb (North Africa). Maghreb-European Union, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Italy studies possibility of allocating quota of permanent work visas for Moroccans
  The Italian government is studying the possibility of allocating to Moroccans an annual quota of 1,000 to 2,000 permanent work visas, Italian Ambassador Guido Martini, announced. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 12/9/1999
• Britain voices backing to the Iraqi opposition Iraq-UK, Politics, 12/9/1999
• El-Bashir to visit Cairo soon Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Ben Ali invites Mubarak to visit Tunis Tunisia-Egypt, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Albright expresses optimism following meeting with al-Assad
  US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Tuesday evening described her talks with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad as very constructive. Syria-USA, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Algeria to release Egyptian sailors Algeria-Egypt, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Al-Assad discusses Middle East peace process with US secretary of state
  Syrian President Hafez al-Assad received US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Tuesday afternoon at the Damascus al-Shaab presidential palace. Syria-USA, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Israel called on to abide by UN resolutions over the Golan
  The UN General Assembly has called on Israel to abide by its resolutions concerning the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, especially UN Security Council resolution 497 of 1981. Syria-Israel-UN, Politics, 12/8/1999
• April Understanding committee meets on Israeli violations Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Baz urges Israel to stop blocking peace process
  Presidential Political Advisor Osama el-Baz called on Israel to stop adopting measures and policies that impede the peacemaking, as the region is in dire need for the continuation of the peace process. Egypt, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Bouteflika to start an Arab tour Algeria-Regional, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Little possibility of holding referendum in Sahara before 2002, UN secretary general
  There is little possibility of holding the referendum in the Sahara before 2002 or even later, said UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Morocco, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Sudanese president exempts those accused in 1998 Khartoum explosions Sudan, Politics, 12/8/1999
• AL chief for good preparation for an Arab summit
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid has asserted that an Arab summit cannot be convened before good preparations for it in order to conclude positive and good results. Regional, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Conflict settlement a prerequisite to lasting development in Africa, Moroccan foreign minister says
  The settlement of conflicts in Africa is a pre-requisite for a harmonious and lasting development in Africa. The statement was made by Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Benaissa, who took part in the ministerial follow-up meeting of the France-Africa summit conference, held in Paris on December 7. Morocco, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Iraq resumes criticism of draft resolution easing sanctions
  Iraq escalated its criticism of the draft resolution currently being discussed by the United Nations Security Council, which aims at easing economic sanctions imposed on Iraq and bringing back the inspection system on the Iraqi weapons. Iraq, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Jordanian parliamentarians against Israeli participation in Amman's IPU conference
  Parliamentarian Khalil Ateyah has called on the parliamentarians in Jordan to submit a collective resignation in case Israel's participation in the conference is confirmed. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Saudi crown prince confers with Albright Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Nearly 200,000 persons identified as voters in referendum in Sahara since 1994
  The total number of persons identified as would-be voters in the referendum the U.N is projecting to hold in the Sahara has reached 190,023 since the identification operation started in 1994. Morocco-UN, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Saudi defense minister meets with Yemeni minister of state Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Syrian - Iranian information cooperation
  Iran and Syria signed a joint note for information cooperation between the two countries. The note, which was signed by Iranian Minister of Islamic Culture and Guidance Ataollah Mohajerani and Syrian Information Minister Mohammed Salman, included programs for radio, television and press cooperation. Syria-Iran, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Sudanese opposition coalition convenes in Kampala
  The Sudanese Democratic National Alliance convened in Kampala yesterday to discuss all the peace initiatives for Sudan, especially the agreement that was ratified by the Sudanese government and the opposition Ummah Party under the chairmanship of El-Sadek El-Mahdi. Sudan, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Iran, Algeria for boosting bilateral relations
  High-ranking Iranian sources said that relations between Tehran and Algiers will witness great developments within the coming weeks or months to restore these relations to normalcy. Algeria-Iran, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Bahrain's Premier receives Chinese message Bahrain-China, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Bahraini crown prince receives message from Kuwaiti prime minister Bahrain-Kuwait, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Developing the commercial cooperation between Lebanon and Iraq
  Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan stated that, "From now on the commercial cooperation with Lebanon will be developed." Iraq-Lebanon, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Saudi Arabia gets Eritrean messages
  Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on Tuesday in Riyadh received a message from Eritrean President Isiais Afwerki. No information was disclosed on the content of the message. Saudi Arabia-Eritrea, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Moussa stresses importance of security, development in Africa
  Foreign Minister Amr Moussa yesterday stressed the importance of making peace in Africa to back the march of development and solve current disputes. Egypt-Africa, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Moroccan premier meets head of Spanish opposition
  Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi met in Rabat Tuesday with the secretary general of the Spanish Labor Socialist Party (PSOE, opposition), Joaquim Almunia, who arrived on the same day in Morocco. Morocco, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Saudi defense minister meets with British, US delegations
  Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz received the chairman of the British defense exports commission, Tony Edwards, and members of the accompanying delegation currently visiting Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia-UK, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Morocco, Bulgaria sign cooperation agreement
  Morocco and Bulgaria signed in Rabat on Tuesday a cooperation agreement to promote and develop relations in agriculture and forests. Morocco-Bulgaria, Politics, 12/8/1999
• On Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon
  Al-Quds newspaper issued in the occupied Arab territories said, according to well-informed sources, that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak intends to postpone debates over a unilateral withdrawal from south Lebanon until next April. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Libya, Togo for further cooperation
  Libya and Togo have agreed to expand the movement of trade exchange and strengthening of bilateral cooperation in various economic, trade and cultural areas and the establishment of a joint committee on cooperation between the two countries. Libya-Togo, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Amnesty condemns demolition of Palestinian houses
  Thousands of Palestinians live under constant fear of their homes being demolished by the Israeli authorities because they have no chance of getting a building permit, even on land that has belonged to their families for generations, Amnesty International said in London Wednesday. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Palestinian - Israeli meeting in Jerusalem canceled Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Malaysia denies intention to establish relations with Israel
  Malaysia on Tuesday denied reports it intended to establish diplomatic relations with Israel unless a peaceful settlement is reached in the Middle East. Israel-Malaysia, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Egyptian organization apologizes for not receiving a prize from US factional organization Egypt, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Issuing a Jordanian verdict on land merchants in the occupied areas
  A Jordanian court issued yesterday a one-year prison sentence against four Palestinians carrying Israeli citizenship for forging Jordanian seals and documents to forge transactions of land sales in Jerusalem near Al-Aqsa mosque to Israeli persons. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Clinton: Talks to restart between Syria and Israel
  US President Bill Clinton said today that talks are to resume next week between Syria and Israel from the point at which they broke off. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Wali, WB deputy chief review joint ventures
  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture Youssef Wali yesterday examined with World Bank Deputy Chief, Kemal Dervish, the works in the joint ventures between the Ministry and the Bank. Egypt, Politics, 12/8/1999
• King's advisor at Mideast conference in Germany
  Adviser to King Mohammed VI, Andre Azoulay, takes part in the Kronberg Mideast conference which looks Dec 7-9 into "Europe and the Middle East: Stages to go for stability of the mutually accepted process." Morocco-International, Politics, 12/8/1999
• Egyptian minister of interior meets secretary general of Arab interior minister council Regional-Egypt, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Damascus is to exempt more directors general
  A Syrian Arabic daily said on Monday that new decisions will be released soon in Syria to quit other directors of state-run public companies and that the number of directors removed will be 26. Syria, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Libya asks Italy and Germany to bring back missing parts of Venus statue
  Colonel Moammar Gaddafi, leader of the Libyan revolution, said his country will ask for the missing parts from a statue of Venus, goddess of beauty, which was delivered by Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema to Libya recently. Libya, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Arab, American sources not optimistic over Albright's tour
  Well-informed Arab and American sources in Washington have downplayed the chances of success by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to achieve a breakthrough in the Middle East peace process and expected a recession in the possibility of resuming negotiations on the Israeli-Syrian tracks following recent US-Syrian contacts. Regional-USA, Politics, 12/7/1999
• New UK ambassador arrives in Libya Libya-UK, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Damascus did not answer three of 10 American questions on concept of peace, Lebanon and normalization
  Well-informed sources in Damascus said that Syria will not offer a deposit for free to Israel, kept by the US administration, before Israel admits the original deposit providing for a complete Israeli withdrawal to the June 4, 1967 borders. Syria-USA, Politics, 12/7/1999
• The real diplomatic battle between Syria and Israel, report
  The London-based al-Wasat magazine has stated that the real diplomatic battle between Syria and Israel will, in the end, concentrate on the strip of land east of Tabaraya Lake. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Ross meets with Palestinian, Israeli negotiators Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Qaddoumi to visit Lebanon on Thursday
  Farouk Qaddoumi, head of the political department in the Palestinian Liberation Organization, is to arrive in Beirut on Thursday for a visit during which he will meet with Lebanese Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Salim al-Hoss. Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Algerian, Vietnamese presidents discuss bilateral relations
  Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong is currently on a three-day official visit to Algeria at the invitation of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The visit aims at strengthening political, economic, trade and cultural relations between the two countries. Algeria-Vietnam, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Jordanian - French relations reviewed Jordan-France, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Kuwaiti crown prince heads to USA today for recovery Kuwait, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Ruler of Kuwait gets message from Ethiopian premier Kuwait-Ethiopia, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Jordanian king starts visit to China
  Jordan's King Abdullah II arrived in Beijing on Monday for a three-day visit to China aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries. Jordan-China, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Saudi Arabia denies that it allowed Israeli journalist in Saudi Arabia-Israel, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Follow-up meeting of France-Africa summit
  The Paris three-day meeting will debate the consolidation of democratic institutions and sound governance, and peacekeeping and stability in the continent, through the setting up of peacekeeping forces. The indebtedness burden, the collapse of prices of raw materials, the shrinking of assistance to development, the link between security and development and the process of post-conflict reconstruction are also on the agenda. North Africa-France, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Kenyan mediation between Sudan and Uganda
  Kenya is heading a new mediation to contain deep conflicts between its two neighbors, Sudan and Uganda, as Sudanese President Omar Hassan El-Bashir is to meet with his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni, in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. Sudan-Uganda, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Abbas Madani urges end to cooperation with Bouteflika
  Abbas Madani, the historical leader of the prohibited Islamic Salvation Front in Algeria, urged an end to the political cooperation with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Algeria, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Iran, Bahrain for boosting bilateral relations
  Bahraini Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Abd al-Nabi al-Shula on Monday in Manama discussed with his Iranian counterpart, Hosein Kamali, currently visiting Bahrain, means of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. Bahrain-Iran, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Libyan information hails D'Alema's visit Libya-Italy, Politics, 12/7/1999
• New Egyptian warnings for those who want to marry foreigners
  The department of travel guidance in the Egyptian Foreign Ministry warned those desiring to marry foreigners against fulfilling the procedures without knowing rules of marriage, divorce and custody in the countries they are travelling to. Egypt-International, Politics, 12/7/1999
• British minister confers with representatives of Iraqi opposition in London
  British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Peter Hain held a meeting on Monday in London with the representatives of the Iraqi opposition who take London as a headquarters, in order to discuss latest developments in Iraq and the efforts made by the Iraqi opposition to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Iraq-UK, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Head of Spanish opposition visits Morocco
  Secretary general of the Spanish Labor Socialist Party (PSOE, opposition), Joaquim Almunia, started this Tuesday a two-day visit to Morocco, at the invitation of Moroccan Premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, who heads the Moroccan Socialist Party (USFP). Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Jordanian Muslim Brothers confirm resignations over Hamas issue
  One member of the shoura council of the Muslim Brothers group in Jordan has confirmed news published by the Jordanian weekly al-Majd last week that ten members of the council submitted their resignations from the council in protest of "loose attempts" made by the Muslim Brothers' leaders on the question of arresting and then expelling Hamas leaders from Jordan to Qatar. Jordan, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Israeli fears over deteriorated conditions with Jordan
  Political sources at the Israeli Foreign Ministry have expressed their fears of the deterioration of the Israeli-Jordanian relations on the background of boycotts pursued by various Jordanian vocational trade unions, especially the journalists union and bar association, which both call for halting Jordan's normalization with Israel. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Al-Rawabdeh: procedures against Hamas leaders are not against Palestinians or Hamas
  Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh said that the last Jordanian procedures against the leaders of the Hamas resistance movement in Jordan have nothing to do with the movement itself or with Palestine, but is about Jordanian citizens that should not have joined a non-Jordanian system in the Jordanian territories. Jordan, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Jordanians protest against Israel's participation in charity Bazaar Jordan, Politics, 12/7/1999
• Report: Libya stops giving entry visas to Lebanese and Syrians
  Governmental sources in Beirut stressed that the Lebanese Foreign Ministry will shortly summon the Libyan ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Mahmoud Maria, to learn about the decision taken by his country to stop issuing entry visas to Lebanese and the Syrian citizens to its territories. Libya, Politics, 12/7/1999
• UNESCO holds 4th legacy forum in Morocco
  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is holding in this Moroccan mountain resort, 200 km northeast of Rabat, its 4th forum on "university and legacy" which opened this Monday. Morocco, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Albright starts Middle East tour in Saudi Arabia today
  US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright starts today her Middle East tour, as she will arrive tonight in Riyadh, before she arrives in Damascus tomorrow and then to Israel and the Palestinian territories and on Thursday Albright will be in Egypt. Regional-USA, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Message from Japanese premier to President al-Assad Syria-Japan, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Jordanian king in South Korea after visiting Japan
  King Abdullah II of Jordan has urged South Korea to send more tourists and increase investments in his country. Jordan-South Korea, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Joint UAE - Yemeni committee will start its meetings next week United Arab Emirates-Yemen, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Vietnamese President in Algeria
  Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong arrived in Algiers on Sunday for a three-day state visit at the invitation of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Algeria-Vietnam, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Moussa: WTO meeting collapse gives birth to new superpower
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa on Sunday said a new superpower popped up after the collapse of the World Trade Organization's Ministerial Conference in Seattle. Egypt, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Dennis Ross met Arafat yesterday Palestine-USA, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Floods in Somalia
  Flood damage inflicted on the road network in Somalia has prevented the arrival of a 120-lorry caravan loaded with foodstuffs as relief aid to the victims of starvation, just 200 km south of Mogadishu on Sunday. Somalia, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Negotiating session on transitional stage between Palestine and Israel ends Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Gaddafi confers with African leaders
  Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gaddafi met on Saturday night in Tripoli with the president of the Republic of Togo, the president of the Central Africa Republic and the president of Niger, currently visiting Libya. Libya-Africa, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Moussa heads to France Egypt-France, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Palestinian detainees go on hunger strike
  Five Palestinian detainees who were arrested after they signed a statement condemning the Palestinian government went on a hunger strike yesterday to protest their detention. Palestine, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Ruler of Qatar gets Ethiopian message Qatar-Ethiopia, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Kuwaiti emir gets message from Eritrean counterpart Kuwait-Eritrea, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Abdul Meguid heads to Abu Dhabi
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid is heading from Qatar to the United Arab Emirates for a two-day visit to Abu Dhabi. United Arab Emirates-Regional, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Saudi Arabia cooperates with FAO Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Syrian information talks continues visit to Iran
  Former Iranian President Muhammad Khatami Rafsanjani, who is also the chairman of the expediency council, met on Sunday in Tehran with Syrian Minister of Information Muhammad Salman. Syria-Iran, Politics, 12/6/1999
• KDP official: The Kurds adhere to Iraq's unity
  The Kurdish Democratic Party has asserted that Iraq's Kurds adhere to the unity of the Iraqi people and nation, but they are asking for democracy, multiplicity and the self-rule for the Kurdish region. Iraq, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Egyptian - Japanese political consultations
  Mohammed El-Orabi, Egypt's deputy assistant foreign minister for the affairs of the minister's bureau, is leaving Cairo today for Tokyo to head Egypt's delegation to a round of Egyptian - Japanese political consultations which will commence in the Japanese capital on Wednesday. Egypt-Japan, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Al-Rawabdeh stops receiving tribes backing government acts against Hamas
  The Jordanian government on Sunday decided to stop receiving delegations of tribal delegations that back measures taken against the Hamas resistance movement following large-scale protests from Jordanian party and trade union activists, who have accused the government of perpetuating "tribal divisions and rising the hatred of the Jordanian people against the Islamic movements which oppose peace with Israel." Jordan, Politics, 12/6/1999
• African Mothers' Association at UN raises funds for Moroccan project
  The United Nations African Mothers' Association (UNAMA) organized last week a fund-raising lunch to finance a training center for Moroccan disabled women and young girls. Morocco, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Top Polisario figure defects separatists, joins Mauritania, daily
  A Moroccan daily reported this Monday that Bachir Mustapha Sayed, former foreign minister of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), has defected the Polisario and joined Mauritania. Morocco, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Cote d'Ivoire's president hails late King Hassan II's efforts for territorial integrity
  President Henri Konan Bedie of Cote D'Ivoire hailed as "considerable" the work made by late King Hassan II to consolidate Morocco's independence and highlighted the Green March initiated by the late sovereign to recover the southern provinces. Morocco-Cote D'Ivoire, Politics, 12/6/1999
• PPS party supports government's plan for women integration in development
  There are 89% of women who are illiterate in rural areas where poverty affects mostly women's and children's health and well being. Morocco also has a higher maternal mortality rate than its neighbors. Women also suffer from an unfair legal status despite the increasing numbers of working women. However, women's empowerment is still low, placing Morocco among the last three African countries in terms of women represented in the parliament or in the government. Morocco, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Kuwaiti police arrest attackers of interior minister's house
  The Kuwaiti police have arrested two of the men who opened fire of Friday on the house of Kuwaiti minister of the Interior Sheikh Muhammad Khaled al-Sabah. Kuwait, Politics, 12/6/1999
• Levy defends Israel's expanding of its settlements in the Palestinian territories
  Israeli Minister of Housing Yitzhak Levy has defended the decision taken by his ministry to build some 500 Israeli settlement units to expand two settlements in the Palestinian territories. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/6/1999
• African women arrested in Saudi Arabia
  The Saudi daily al-Youm issued on Sunday said that the Saudi Authorities arrested some 29 African women, many of them carrying the AIDS virus, who entered Saudi Arabia under the pretext of performing al-Haj rituals. Saudi Arabia-Africa, Politics, 12/6/1999

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