Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 3/6/2000

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of March 6, 2000

• Bassiouni: Egypt is concerned with reaching a real settlement in the area Egypt-Israel, Politics, 3/11/2000
• Sudan brings back branch of Cairo University in Khartoum Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 3/11/2000
• Arab FMs meet today in Beirut
  Lebanese Premier and Foreign Minister Salim al-Hoss met on Friday in Beirut with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/11/2000
• Kuwait: No normalization with Israel before ending the occupation Kuwait, Politics, 3/11/2000
• Some 60% of Israelis back complete withdrawal from the Golan Syria-Israel, Politics, 3/11/2000
• Lebanese premier confers with Iraqi FM
  Lebanese Premier and Foreign Minister Salim al-Hoss met on Friday with Iraqi Foreign Minister Muhammad Said al-Sahaf, the chairman of the current session of the Arab League council. Lebanon-Iraq, Politics, 3/11/2000
• British minister to visit the Middle East Regional-UK, Politics, 3/11/2000
• Saudi FM hold Israel responsible for obstructing Middle East peace
  Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal on Friday warned Israel against the consequences of the results of its intransigence and behaviors concerning Middle East peace in the region and held it responsible for the suspension of talks on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks. Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 3/11/2000
• Religious parties threaten to withdraw from Barak's coalition
  The religious parties in Israel threatened yesterday to withdraw from the ruling coalition in case Israeli Prime Minsiter Ehud Barak abandons three Arab villages adjacent to Jerusalem and moves the authority over them to the Palestinians. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/11/2000
• Turabi attacks constitutional court, expects early presidential elections
  Hassan Turabi, secretary general of the ruling party in Sudan, launched a strong attack yesterday on the constitutional court and accused it indirectly of being partial to President Omar El-Bashir. Sudan, Politics, 3/11/2000
• Leaders of Somali factions to meet with Gaddafi
  Somali factions on Friday announced that the leaders of the Somali groups will meet in the coming days in Tripoli with Libyan leader Moammar al-Gaddafi. Libya-Somalia, Politics, 3/11/2000
• Two Kurdish factions asked to resume negotiations with the central government in Baghdad
  Baghdad on Friday called on the two main Kurdish parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, to resume dialogue with the central authority in Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 3/11/2000
• Afghan factions hold reconciliation meetings in Riyadh
  The second phase of negotiations between the delegation of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and each of the Afghan Taleban movement and the delegation of the Afghan opposition front will be resumed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia after the vacation of Eid al-Adha. Regional-Afghanistan, Politics, 3/11/2000
• Israel refuses to receive members of Lahd militias after its withdrawal from Lebanon
  Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Ephriam Sneh has announced Israel's refusal to receive members of the Israeli-allied militias in Israel after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the occupied part of south Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/11/2000
• Royal Messages to Presidents of Seychelles, Niger Morocco, Politics, 3/11/2000
• Moroccan and Jordanian kings meet
  King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, conferred Thursday with visiting King Abdullah II, who was flanked by Prince Ali Ibn Al-Hussein and Prince Ghazi Ibn Mohamed. Morocco-Jordan, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Morocco, Jordan voice full backing to Palestinians, Syria, Lebanon and lifting Iraq sanctions
  Morocco and Jordan on Thursday voiced full backing to the Palestinian people to recover their rights, including the establishment of an independent state with Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital. Morocco-Jordan, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Iraq complains on US officials' visit to Kurdish north
  Iraqi forces north of Bashiqah fired anti-aircraft artillery at aircraft enforcing the northern Iraq "no-fly zone" and targeted aircraft with radar from northwest of Tall Afar, the US European Command said yesterday, adding, "Coalition aircraft responded to the Iraqi attacks by dropping ordnance on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system." Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Bin Ali: Democracy is incomplete without the woman Tunisia, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Moscow reiterates unity of the Syrian and Lebanese tracks Regional-Russia, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Algerian, Sudanese presidents agree to large scale cooperation
  Algeria and Sudan on Wednesday ended the diplomatic crisis which characterized relations between the two states since the halt of the election process in Algiers in 1992 with an announcement made by officials in the two states that they put an end to settling suspended issues that prevented restoring relations to normalcy. Algeria-Sudan, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Lebanon completes preparations for hosting Arab foreign ministers conference
  Lebanon has taken all preparations to host the conference of the Arab foreign ministers which will hold the meetings of their ordinary 113th session in Beirut on Saturday and Sunday, March 11 and 12. Regional, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Algerian reshuffle soon, sources Algeria, Politics, 3/10/2000
• UAE calls on Tehran to settle their disputes
  The United Arab Emirates on Thursday urged Iran to respond to the calls to settle their disputes over three Gulf islands. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Al-Shara confers with Moratinos, Iranian envoy
  Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Thursday received the European Union's Middle East peace process coordinator, Miguel Angel Moratinos, and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-European Union, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Water, borders file obstructs concluding a Syrian- Turkish statement
  Diplomatic sources in Damascus said that Syrian- Turkish talks were concluded on Wednesday evening without reaching a final formula for a "declaration of principles" organizing relations between the two countries and that the two sides had agreed to convene additional talks next month in Ankara to settle problems connecting to the water and border files. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Ruler of Qatar prepares to visit Damascus
  A Syrian- Qatari summit will be held on march 20 in Damascus, the first for Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani since he assumed power in his country. Qatar-Syria, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Washington looks forward to work with new Syrian government
  The US has congratulated Muhammad Mustafa Miro for being appointed as the prime minister of the Syrian government and stated that the expected government reshuffle will not affect Syria's commitment to continuing the peace process. Syria-USA, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Iraqi embassy in Damascus to open within six months
  Ghazi Yasin Khodair, head of the Iraqi interests department, expected the opening of an Iraqi embassy in Damascus within six months, saying that the opening of the interest bureau will take place in the coming week (before vacations of the greater Bairam). Iraq-Syria, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Mauritanian minister of the interior in Algeria
  The four-member meeting of the desert's coastal states started on Thursday with the participation of each of Algeria, Mauritania, Mali, and Niger in order to discuss several issues concerning security on the borders. Algeria-Mauritania, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Youssoufi in Santiago
  Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi started Thursday a visit to Chile to attend the swearing-in of president Ricardo Lagos in Santiago, the second leg of his Latin-American tour. Morocco-Chile, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Jordan's Queen Rania visits women's center
  Jordan's First Lady Queen Rania and Morocco's Princess Lalla Meryem, sister of King Mohammed VI, visited Thursday the Moroccan Women Promotion Center. Morocco-Jordan, Politics, 3/10/2000
• British official sees Morocco-UK ties as sound
  Lord Michael Levy, envoy of British premier Tony Blair to King Mohammed VI, on Thursday lauded relations between Morocco and the United Kingdom as sound. Morocco-UK, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Syrian party official confers with speaker of Serbia's parliaments
  The assistant secretary general of the Baath Arab Socialist Party, Abdullah al-Ahmar, on Thursday received the speaker of the Serbia's parliament, Dragan Tomitch, who is also a member of the executive presidential committee of the Serbian Socialist Party. Syria-Yugoslavia, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Bahrain, UAE agree to establish ministerial committee on cooperation United Arab Emirates-Bahrain, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Italian officials in Morocco on eve of new immigration law enforcement
  A delegation of Italian officials will shortly pay a visit to Morocco on the eve of the coming into force of the new Italian law on immigration. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Center for French culture opens in Lattakia Syria-France, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Syrians of the Golan celebrate the March revolution anniversary
  The Syrian village of Baqatha in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights witnessed a massive demonstration of hundreds of the citizens of the occupied Golan on the occasion of the 37th anniversary of the March 8 revolution. Syria-Israel, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Four Kuwaiti Islamic movements demand formation of new government Kuwait, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Yemeni President: Separatists kidnap foreigners
  Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Wednesday and for the first time accused the "former separatists in former southern Yemen who live in neighboring countries of being behind the kidnapping operations of foreigners in Yemen." Yemen, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Moroccan women to moderate conferences in Canada
  Several Moroccan women having scored outstanding performance in their field of activity will moderate cultural activities and political debates in Montreal, Canada, from May 28 through June 3. Morocco-Canada, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Women associations urge for lifting siege on sequestered populations in Polisario camps
  A group of women associations in Laayoune have launched an appeal to international women organizations and human rights-advocacy bodies to take action for the lifting of the siege imposed on women who are sequestered in the Tindouf camps and for their return to their homeland in Morocco. Morocco, Politics, 3/10/2000
• Lebanon prepared for meetings of Arab foreign ministers
  The Lebanese government finished the final touches on the meetings of the Arab foreign ministers' council which is to be held tomorrow and Sunday in Beirut, Lebanon in the framework of the Arab support for Lebanon in confronting Israeli threats. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 3/10/2000
• King Mohammed holds phone talks with Saudi heir-apparent Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Politics, 3/9/2000
• Arab women and the International Women's Day
  Under conservative and Islamic pressures, Arab parliaments are confronting attempts made by certain Arab governments to give women additional rights in countries like Kuwait, Egypt and Jordan. Regional, Politics, 3/9/2000
• Draft resolutions of the Arab foreign ministers meeting in Beirut Regional, Politics, 3/9/2000
• Qatar to take part in the Arab foreign ministers council meetings Regional-Qatar, Politics, 3/9/2000
• Rally in Damascus mark 37th anniversary of March 8 revolution
  Under the patronage of President Hafez al-Assad a large central rally was held in Damascus in celebration of the 37th anniversary of the March revolution (when the Baath Party assumed power in Syria on March 8, 1963). Syria, Politics, 3/9/2000
• British government prevents air flight to Iraq
  The British government has prevented on March 6 an air flight intended to head to Baghdad, carrying medicines to help the Iraqi people in their suffering, against the UN sanctions. Iraq-UK, Politics, 3/9/2000
• Western sources expect Syrian- Israeli negotiations to be resumed within two weeks Syria-Israel, Politics, 3/9/2000
• A new page of relations between Syria and Turkey
  The Turkish television news channel NTF quoted on Wednesday Turkish security sources as saying that the visit held by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Ogore Zeyal to Damascus, and his talks with Syrian officials had opened a new page in the bilateral relations. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 3/9/2000
• German MPs meet Moroccan interior minister Morocco-Germany, Politics, 3/9/2000
• King Abdallah of Jordan Arrives in Morocco
  King Abdallah II of Jordan arrived in Rabat this Thursday for a three-day official visit at the invitation of King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Jordan, Politics, 3/9/2000
• New Syrian government formation will not affect Syrian-Israeli peace talks
  Syrian political sources said on Wednesday that the formation of a new Syrian government chaired by Muhammad Mustafa Miro in succession of the government of outgoing Prime Minister Mahmoud al-Zou'bi will not have any affect on the Syrian- Israeli peace talks. Syria-Israel, Politics, 3/9/2000
• Yemen denies relations with Israel Yemen-Israel, Politics, 3/9/2000
• Azzedine Laraki instead of Kharazi in meetings of the Arab foreign ministers Regional, Politics, 3/9/2000
• UN proposal on Iraq Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/9/2000
• Odai Saddam Hussein nominates himself for parliamentary elections
  The Iraqi dailies issued on Wednesday said that Odai Saddam Hussein, the oldest son of the Iraqi president, has nominated himself for the parliamentary elections to elect members of the Iraqi National Council due on March 27. Iraq, Politics, 3/9/2000
• Burkina faso's president gets message from Morocco's king
  President Compaore paid tribute to efforts made by King Mohammed VI to extend assistance to Burkina Faso and voiced resolve to upgrade bilateral cooperation to the aspirations of the two countries which are bound, he said, by firm ties of friendship. Morocco-Burkina Faso, Politics, 3/9/2000
• UAE official ends Qatar visit Qatar-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 3/9/2000
• US requests from Khartoum
  The US delegate to Khartoum, Harry Johnston, stated on Wednesday in Cairo that the US administration had asked the Sudanese government officially to stop bombarding the civilians in the south and to permit the resumption of humanitarian aid. Sudan-USA, Politics, 3/9/2000
• Youssoufi winds up visit to Colombia
  Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi winds up Thursday a visit to Colombia and heads for Chile on a three-day visit to the country where he attends Saturday the swearing-in of President Ricardo Lagos. Morocco-Colombia, Politics, 3/9/2000
• Bahraini emir ends Oman visit
  Oman and Bahrain issued a joint communique yesterday at the end of Bahraini Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's two-day visit to Oman, Gulf News Agency reported. Oman-Bahrain, Politics, 3/9/2000
• On the meeting between King Abdullah and Demirel
  At the conclusion of the meeting of the Turkish council for foreign relations in Istanbul, attended by Turkish President Suleiman Demirel and King Abdullah II of Jordan who started on Tuesday a visit to Turkey, that will be concluded today, Demirel told journalists that Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority "are preparing a joint project to buy the Turkish waters. If these countries decided to buy the waters from Turkey we will give them." Jordan-Turkey, Politics, 3/9/2000
• The UAE and Iran
  United Arab Emirates officials said that the diplomatic efforts exerted by the UAE have succeeded in preventing Iran from attending the ministerial meeting due to be held in Beirut on March 11 to show the Arab League's solidarity with Lebanon. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 3/9/2000
• Saudi- Iranian oil talks
  Saudi Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources Ali al-Nueimi met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Iranian Minister of Oil Benjian Zankneh and discussed with him conditions on the world oil market. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 3/9/2000
• Kharazi will not take part in meeting of Arab foreign ministers
  Well-informed sources in Tehran said on Wednesday that Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi will not take part in the ministerial meeting of the Arab foreign ministers, due to be held in Beirut next Saturday. Regional, Politics, 3/9/2000
• Bashir - Bouteflika discussions start Algeria-Sudan, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Moroccans in France hold exhibition to promote partnership
  Moroccans settled in France will hold next May 6-8 in Paris suburbs the first "Salam France 2000," a fair destined to promote partnership between Moroccan and French regions. Morocco-France, Politics, 3/8/2000
• New premier appointed in Syria
  President Hafez al-Assad on Tuesday accepted the resignation of the Syrian government of Mahmoud al-Zou'bi. Syria, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Al-Shara confers with Turkish officials Syria-Turkey, Politics, 3/8/2000
• On the new Syrian government
  Well-informed sources in Damascus said that Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Tuesday told members of the Baath Party regional leadership of the decision to change the Syrian government two weeks after his presiding over an important meeting in which he criticized the government's performance. Syria, Politics, 3/8/2000
• King Abdullah pays official visit to Morocco Morocco-Jordan, Politics, 3/8/2000
• King Mohammed meets Ivoirian envoy
  King Mohammed VI received in Rabat Tuesday minister of external relations of Cote d'Ivoire, M'boua Christophe, who arrived in Rabat Monday with a message from President Robert Guei to the king. Morocco-Cote D'Ivoire, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Verdict to be issued in Turabi's case against El-Bashir today
  The Sudanese court said it will issue its final verdict today on the charge pressed by members of the national council (parliament) which was recently dissolved against resolutions of president Omar El-Bashir that were issued on December 12, 1999, according to which the national council, under the chairmanship of Hassan Turabi, was dissolved and a state of emergency case was established as well as the suspension of some items of the constitution. Sudan, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Egypt participates in meetings of African foreign ministers
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa left Cairo yesterday evening for Addis Ababa heading a large Egyptian diplomatic delegation to participate in meetings of the 71st session of the African foreign ministers council which start today and will last for two days. Egypt, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Moroccan teamsters on unlimited strike as of Tuesday Morocco, Politics, 3/8/2000
• King Abdullah in Ankara
  King Abdullah II of Jordan arrived in Ankara on Tuesday in a visit to Turkey which will last for two days at the invitation of Turkish President Suleiman Demirel. Jordan-Turkey, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Moussa asks Israel to push forward the peace process
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said that the current stage in the in Middle East peace processes is a critical one. Egypt, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Qatar and the peace process Qatar, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Arab labor conference calls for supporting the Palestinian people Regional, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Arafat: No retreat concerning decision of declaring the Palestinian state in the current year
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat said he will declare the establishment of the independent state whether the Palestinians reach a peace agreement with Israel or not. Palestine, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Palestinian sources: Ross presented a new US plan for peace Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Washington denies supporting southern Sudan dissent, and assures its right to self-determination
  Harry Johnston, the special U.S envoy to Sudan, said his visit to Sudan achieved great progress in the relations between the two countries. Sudan-USA, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Sudanese demonstrations support the US initiative
  Hundreds of students who come from southern Sudan went out in a demonstration supporting the USA in Khartoum that coincided with the visit of Harry Johnston, the US envoy to Sudan. Sudan-USA, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Garang's advisor: We demand joining the national assembly to the negotiation team
  Mansour Khaled, the political advisor for the head of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, John Garang, said he officially informed IGAD's envoy ambassador Amboya of demands to joining the opposition Democratic National Alliance coalition to the negotiation team in the government's negotiations with the SPLM. Sudan, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Al-Bashir meets US envoy
  The Sudanese daily al-Anbaa said on Tuesday that President Omar Hassan al-Bashir informed a US delegate that Sudan wants to establish a dialogue with the US. Sudan-USA, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Britain's blair sends message to king Mohammed
  Lord Michael Levy, personal envoy of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, arrived in Rabat Tuesday with a message from Blair to King Mohammed VI, the British embassy in Rabat said in a release. Morocco-UK, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Paper: Western intelligence report on Syria and Iraq
  A western intelligence report has expressed concern over reports of the resumption of diplomatic relations between Syria and Iraq on the level of "offices for representing interests" as being the first diplomatic sign of a restoration of warmth in the relations between the two states. Syria-Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/8/2000
• On the Iraqi Baath Party
  The Jordanian weekly al-Majd said in its recent issue that tens of members of the pro-Iraq Jordanian Baath Party decided to freeze their membership in this party and placed the responsibility for this decision on the party's higher leadership. Jordan, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Zambian president receives message from Morocco's king
  President of Zambia, Frederick Chiluba, on Tuesday received a message from King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Zambia, Politics, 3/8/2000
• On Iran's attending the meeting of the Arab FM council Regional-Iran, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Mofaz and Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon
  The Israeli Army's chief of staff, Shaul Mofaz, said that no change was made to the evaluation made by the Israeli Army in that the Hizbullah Party will continue attacks on the Israeli Army when withdrawal is made from south Lebanon without reaching an agreement. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Morocco's democratic experiment most far-reaching political undertaking in Africa, British official
  British Foreign Office secretary of state for North Africa and the Middle East, Peter Hain, has hailed Morocco's democratic experiment as the most far-reaching political undertaking in Africa and the Arab-Islamic world. Morocco-UK, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Report: Disputes between al-Rawabdeh and al-Bateikhi
  Under the title "Does the honey moon end between al-Rawabdeh and al-Bateikhi," the Jordanian weekly al-Majd said that political observers and journalists in Amman expressed their conviction that competition might have replaced the alliance between the prime minister, Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh, and Lt. Gen. Samih al-Bateikhi, the director of the general intelligence. Jordan, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Moroccan envoy hands message to Tunisia's president
  Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali on Tuesday received a message from King Mohammed VI handed over by the minister in charge of Maghreban affairs, Abdeslam Znined, who told reporters that the message was part of the firm relations of brotherhood and cooperation existing between the two states and of permanent consultation on issues of mutual concern, mainly at the regional level. Morocco-Tunisia, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Germany refuses to grant asylum to hijacker of Egyptian airplane Egypt-Germany, Politics, 3/8/2000
• King Mohammed's recent visit to Spain, significant friendship gesture, Spain says
  The private visit King Mohammed VI paid recently to Spain is a significant gesture of friendship, the Spanish foreign affairs minister said Tuesday. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 3/8/2000
• UAE threatens to boycott Arab FM s meeting if Iran attends
  The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday threatened to boycott the meetings of the Arab League foreign ministers due to be held in Beirut to discuss the Israeli raids against Lebanon, if the meeting is attended by an Iranian official. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 3/8/2000
• President of Kuwait confers with Zimbabwe counterpart
  A round of official talks was held on Tuesday in Kuwait between Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah and the president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabi. Kuwait-Zimbabwe, Politics, 3/8/2000
• US sanction on Iran, Sudan unilateral action, Malaysia says
  The United States' move to prohibit all foreign oil companies from investing in Iran and Sudan was a unilateral decision which did not have the blessing of the United Nations, Malaysian minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Bernard Dompok, said. Sudan-Iran-Malaysia, Politics, 3/8/2000
• UNFPA executive director to make four-day visit to Morocco
  Executive director of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) Mrs Nafis Sadik is expected in Rabat Thursday on a four-day visit to Morocco to find out about progress achieved in population activities in the kingdom. Morocco, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Amnesty International meets Moroccan minister in charge of human rights
  Amnesty International has hailed the progress scored by Morocco in matters of human rights and said it is following with keen interest the reforms initiated by the government. Morocco-International, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Russia seeks Arab cooperation in solving Chechnya crisis
  Russian diplomatic sources told ArabicNews.com that visit of Ramadan Abd El-Latifof, minister of state for foreign affairs, to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia and visit of Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov to Egypt aim at achieving Arab - Russian cooperation to solve the Chechnya problem. Regional-Russia, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Kuwaiti - Iraqi controversy in Arab labor conference
  The Arab labor conference in Sharm El-Sheikh , Egypt witnessed a hot controversy between the Iraqi and Kuwaiti teams at the presentation of a draft by the Iraqi delegation that demands solidarity with the Iraqi people in confronting the sanctions imposed on them and asks the neighboring countries-- in reference to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia-- not to use their lands in attacking Iraq, assuring Iraq's right in to confront any attacks. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Israel arrests settler involved in transporting Hamas group Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Kidnappers of the Polish ambassador in Yemen, arrested
  A Yemeni security source said on Tuesday in Sanaa that the Yemeni authorities arrested four persons who had kidnapped the Polish ambassador, after they had confrontations with the security forces. Yemen, Politics, 3/8/2000
• Bashar al-Assad: I have nominated qualified persons for the new government, Baath congress this year
  On the eve of forming a new government in Syria, Col. Bashar al-Assad said that his country "more than any time before needs a change." He remarked that the general conference of the Baath Party will be held this year, "but the date has not fixed yet," stressing, "My ambition is to serve my country and not to be a president." Syria, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Mubarak confers with Arafat at Sharm El-Sheikh
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Monday in Sharm El-Sheikh received Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 3/7/2000
• El-Bashir arrives in Algeria
  Sudanese President Omar Hassan El-Bashir arrived today in Algeria on a three-day official visit, during which he is meeting with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Algeria-Sudan, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Youssoufi on a Latin American tour Morocco-Chile, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Moussa returns to Cairo after short visit to Libya Egypt-Libya, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Algerian president receives message from Tunisian peer
  Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika received Monday Tunisian Foreign Minister Habib Benyahia, who handed him a message from Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Algeria-Tunisia, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Bahraini emir starts visit to Oman
  Bahraini Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khalifa arrived in Oman and held talks with Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed of Oman. Oman-Bahrain, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Meetings of Sudanese Democratic National Alliance start
  Meetings of the general leader organization of the Sudanese opposition, the Democratic National Alliance, started in Asmara today amid a pessimistic atmosphere. Sudan, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Omani ambassador meets with Egyptian FM
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa received today Abd El-Aziz Bin Abdullah El-Hanaee, the ambassador of Oman, who delivered a copy of his accreditation papers. Egypt-Oman, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Tunisian president gets a message from Blair
  Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali on Monday received a message from British Prime Minister Tony Blair on bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern. Tunisia-UK, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Iranian to participate in meetings of Arab foreign ministers in Beirut
  The Arab states agreed on Iran's participation in meetings of the Arab League council on level of the Arab foreign ministers that will be held in Beirut on Saturday. Regional-Iran, Politics, 3/7/2000
• International center for human rights training to be set up in Morocco
  Morocco is poised to set up an international center for human rights training that will provide adequate training to those in charge of law enforcement and to NGO members. Morocco-UK, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Syria's PNF reviews current developments
  Chaired by Vice President Muhammad Zuheir Masharqa, the Syrian Progressive National Front (PNF) central leadership held a meeting on Monday evening. Syria, Politics, 3/7/2000
• King Fahd underlines the importance of Arab solidarity
  King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia has underlined the importance of mobilizing Arab efforts and unity of words. He urged the international community to shoulder its responsibility according to UN resolutions concerned, noting that drastic developments in the Middle East peace process resulting from the Israeli practices in refusing to abide by all efforts exerted to reset the peace process into its right path. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Italian senate speaker winds up visit to Morocco Morocco-Italy, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Royal envoys carry on African tour
  Several Moroccan envoys are still touring a number of African countries to deliver messages from King Mohammed VI to these countries' leaders. Morocco-Africa, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Tomorrow concluding the Afghani peace discussions in Jeddah Regional-Afghanistan, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Qatar, Britain for boosting relations Qatar-UK, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Morocco briefs UN meeting on women promotion actions
  Moroccan Secretary of State for Social Protection, Family and Children Mohamed-Said Saadi told a UN meeting on women's conditions that the inception of his department in March 98 was meant to promote and coordinate actions and policies for women. Morocco-UN, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Mubarak to open African - European summit in April
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will open on April 3 in Cairo the African - European summit in the attendance of 67 heads of countries and governments in Africa and the European Union in the largest assembly for a regional summit conference to be held on this level. Regional-Africa, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Arab League secretary general on visit to UK
  The deadlocked peace process in the Middle East, the situations in Lebanon, Iraq and Iran will be among the main issues of discussions during the Arab League Secretary General, Esmat Abdul Meguid's visit to the UK, official sources said. Regional-UK, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Fish, tomatoes are totally independent issues, Posada says
  There will be no swapping of fish for tomatoes, there are only "very important" global relations between Spain and the European Union on one hand and Morocco on the other, said Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Jesus Posada. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Jordanian message of backing to Lebanese president
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Monday in Beirut received a message from Jordanian King Abdullah II, which stressed Jordan's backing for Lebanon and its right to resist the Israeli aggression in order to liberate its lands. Lebanon-Jordan, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Oman - Qatari parliamentary relations reviewed
  The chairman of Oman's state council, Sheikh Hamoud Bin Abdullah al-Harithi, received a message on Monday in Muscat from the speaker of the Indian parliament connected to an invitation extended to him to visit India. Qatar-Oman, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Vedrine confirms France's firm attitude to al-Hoss
  Lebanese Premier Salim al-Hoss on Monday received a telephone call from French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine in which the latter stressed France's unwavering stand concerning Lebanon. Lebanon-France, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Saudi crown prince gets telephone call from emir of Bahrain
  Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz received a telephone call on Monday in Riyadh from Bahraini Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khalifa. Saudi Arabia-Bahrain, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Italy for Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Monday at Baabda palace received the speaker of the Italian Parliament, Costiano Fabolensi. The two sides discussed bilateral relations andthe latest developments in the Middle East. Lebanon-Italy, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Lebanese gets Iranian message of backing
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Monday in Beirut received a message from Iranian President Muhammad Khatami, conveyed by the Iranian deputy foreign minister, Muhammad al-Sader. Lebanon-Iran, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Ivoirian envoy in Morocco
  Minister of external relations of Cote d'Ivoire, M'boua Christophe, arrived in Rabat Monday with a message from President Robert Guei to King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Cote D'Ivoire, Politics, 3/7/2000
• A new Middle East peace tour for Ross
  The Israeli daily Jerusalem Post said on Monday that the US Middle East peace process coordinator Dennis Ross will arrive today in Tel Aviv in a new attempt to break the stalemate in the negotiations between the Palestinian government and Israel. Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Syria and Israel's decision to withdraw from south Lebanon
  The Monte Carlo Radio correspondent in Damascus on Monday quoted well-informed Syrian sources as saying that the decision of the Israeli government to withdraw from south Lebanon represents a means of pressure on Damascus towards changing its negotiation position. Syria-Israel, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Israel refuses appeals by SLA officers for political asylum
  Israeli Radio said on Monday that the supreme court of justice had refused an appeal submitted by three members of the South Lebanon Army (SLA) militia, in which they asked for political asylum in Israel or to be given Israeli citizenship. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Report: Attempts to convene the meetings of the Damascus Declaration
  The Kuwaiti daily al-Anbaa on Monday quoted Egyptian political sources in Cairo as asserting that the Egyptian Foreign Ministry had refused a proposal made by Syria and certain countries among the Damascus Declaration signatory states on the possibility of convening the next session of the declaration's member states on the sidelines of the meetings of the Arab League Council, due to start its work on Saturday. Regional, Politics, 3/7/2000
• SLA militias and Israel's withdrawal from South Lebanon
  One of the officials in the pro-Israeli South Lebanon Army militia, Col. Nabih Abu Rafe, on Monday expressed the satisfaction of the militia over the decision taken by Israel to withdraw from south Lebanon before next July. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/7/2000
• German foreign minister visits Iran
  German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer arrived in Tehran and met his Iranian counterpart, Kamal Kharazi, with whom he discussed making the final touches for the visit of Iranian President Mohammed Khatami to Germany next month. Iran-Germany, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Dams filled up to 47% by January Morocco, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Qatar's ruler sends message to King Mohammed Morocco-Qatar, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Masalha and withdrawal from south Lebanon Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/7/2000
• Moussa visits Libya
  Egyptian Foreign MinisterAmr Moussa left Cairo today before noon, heading to Libya on a one-day visit during which Colonel Moammar Gaddafi will receive him. Egypt-Libya, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Morocco's ambassador in Algiers meets Cabinet members
  Morocco's ambassador in Algiers met on Sunday with the Algerian ministers of communication and culture and of health and population. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 3/6/2000
• King Mohammed message to Sudanese president Morocco-Sudan, Politics, 3/6/2000
• King of Jordan to visit Morocco Jordan-Morocco, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Moussa denies Egypt received US warning concerning supporting Hizbullah Egypt, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Tunisian to upgrade relations with Algeria
  Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali sent a message to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Tunisia-Algeria, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Turkish - Syrian discussions Syria-Turkey, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Iran invited to Arab League meeting
  Iran has been invited to attend a meeting of Arab foreign ministers as observer, Iranian news agency IRNA reported on Sunday. Regional-Iran, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Palestinian characters demand return of 5 million refugees home Palestine-Regional, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Egypt - Russia talks
  Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov on Saturday evening stated that his country is not oppressing Muslims during the military operations it has been carrying out in Chechnya. He expressed his country's readiness to receive a delegation from the Arab League to be reassured on this matter. Egypt-Russia, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Afghan warring parties hold talks in Jeddah
  Afghan warring parties agreed to start indirect talks this Monday in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) to explore means and ways to reach a lasting peace in Afghanistan, the mission of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) at the United Nations said. Regional-Afghanistan, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Syrian FM confers with Lebanese Parliament speaker
  Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Sunday in Damascus received Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Barak and negotiations with Syria
  Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has denied any direct contacts between Israel and Syria at a time when contacts continue with the US. Syria-Israel, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Gaddafi speaks with Nigerian counterpart Libya-Nigeria, Politics, 3/6/2000
• 40 tons of Egyptian aid to victims of floods in Mozambique Egypt-Mozambique, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Iraq asks for application of joint Arab defense agreement
  Gomhoria, the official Iraqi newspaper, asked yesterday the Arab foreign ministers during their meetings in Beirut on March 11 to apply the joint Arab defense agreement and the joint Arab market as well as other similar agreements. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 3/6/2000
• UN official says sexual exploitation of Moroccan children not very serious
  UN special rapporteur for children trafficking, prostitution and pornography, Ofelia Calcetas-Santos, who paid last week a visit to Morocco, said the situation of sexual exploitation of children in Morocco is not very serious. Morocco-UN, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Sheikh Yassin denies links to al-Tibeh incidents
  The founder of the Palestinian national movement (Hamas), Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, has denied any link between his government and the group of Palestinian citizens who were killed by the Israeli occupation authorities in al-Tibeh city last Thursday. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Egyptian - Philippinian talks
  A session of Egyptian - Philippine talks was held in the Egyptian Foreign Ministry's headquarters in which the Egyptian side was headed by Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa while the Philippine side was headed by Foreign Minister Domingo Siazon, who is currently visiting Cairo. Egypt-Philippines, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Moroccan women join world march against poverty and discrimination
  Moroccan women will march on March 12 to claim social justice and the reduction of poverty, says Morocco's organizing committee of the world women's march held from March 8 through October 17. Morocco, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Arab League voices backing for Syria
  The Arab League has asserted support for Syria's principled stances providing for Israel's full withdrawal from the occupied Golan Heights to the June 4, 1967 border lines. Regional-Syria, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Saudi FM confers with Jordanian official Saudi Arabia-Jordan, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Meetings of US - Egyptian presidential council in Washington in March
  Daniel Kurtzer, the U.S. ambassador in Cairo, said that the Egyptian - U.S. presidential council will convene its coming meetings in Washington at the end of March. Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Liberian President concludes visit to Libya Libya-Liberia, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Al-Sahaf: Sanctions must be lifted off Baghdad for the Gulf's stability
  Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Said al-Sahaf asserted that there will be neither security nor stability in the Gulf without lifting up the sanctions from Iraq, accusing USA of practicing a policy of collective extermination toward the Iraqi people and that it wants to turn Iraq into a US colony, which will never happen. Iraq, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Putin delegate to visit the Middle East Regional-Russia, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Saudi crown prince confers with Kazakhstan minister Saudi Arabia-Kazakhstan, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Saudi Shoura council chief confers with Russian envoy
  The chairman of the Saudi Shoura council, Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim Bin Jubeir, met on Sunday in Riyadh with Ramadan Abdul Latibof, envoy for the acting Russian president. Saudi Arabia-Russia, Politics, 3/6/2000
• British parliamentarian to make air flight in solidarity with Iraq
  An Iraqi paper said on Sunday that British Parliamentarian George Galloway will organize next week an air flight from London to Baghdad through the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in solidarity with Iraq. Iraq-International, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Israeli violations of Palestinian/ Human rights during the month of January 2000 Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Vedrine, al-Shara agree to eliminate developments resulted from Jospin's statement
  Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Saturday received a telephone call from his French counterpart, Hubert Vedrine, during which talks dealt with reactions resulting from the visit of the French prime minister to the region and the impact of the statements on France's relations with the Arab world, especially Syria and Lebanon. Syria-France, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Lebanon welcomes Israel's decision to withdraw Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/6/2000
• India stops sending domestic labor to Kuwait
  The Indian government decided to ban sending Indian laborers who work in homes in Kuwait due to the abuse they receive from the domestic service officers there. Kuwait-India, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Italian senate speaker in Morocco
  Italian Senate Speaker Nicola Mancino started Saturday a three-day visit to Morocco. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Benin president arrives in UAE United Arab Emirates-Benin, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Bahrain, UAE Presidents discuss bilateral relations Bahrain-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Great improvement in Iranian- Egyptian relations
  Egypt has asserted the importance of bolstering and strengthening Egyptian- Iranian relations in the economic and trade areas and benefiting from the two countries' membership in the Organization of the Islamic Conference to reactivate economic relations among the countries of the region. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Preparatory meeting examines draft final statement of Euro-African summit
  The preparatory meeting for the Euro-African summit held in Cairo last week finalized the agenda and examined the draft final statement of the summit. Regional-Africa, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Kidnapped Polish ambassador released in Yemen
  The Polish ambassador to Yemen, Cristoph Sobrovich, returned to Sanaa on Sunday after he was held by an armed tribe for four days in a mountainous area. Yemen, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Weizman, and Syrian- Israeli negotiations Syria-Israel, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Guinean ambassador made officer of the Alawit order Morocco-Guinea, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Ethiopia denies Eritrea's accusations
  Ethiopia on Sunday denied accusations addressed by Eritrea against it, in that it had refused plans to end the border conflict between the two countries. Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Israeli Cabinet approves pullout from Lebanon
  The Israeli Cabinet on Sunday unanimously approved the withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon by July and signaled that a withdrawal could take place without a peace deal with Syria. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Macias postpones his visit to Algeria Algeria-France, Politics, 3/6/2000
• The Arab Summit will ensure Arab safety
  Egypt calls for an Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab territories, said Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa in an interview with Future TV late Sunday. Egypt, Politics, 3/6/2000
• Thousands of Egyptians demonstrate against Israel, Russia
  Egyptian police sources announced that thousands of Egyptian students demonstrated on Saturday at Cairo University in protest against the Israeli raids against Lebanon and the Russian military operation against Chechnya. Egypt, Politics, 3/6/2000

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