Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 3/27/2000

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of March 27, 2000

• Africa - Europe Summit to deal with crushing debt on poor countries
  This meeting is seen by some as an opportunity for the Africans and Europeans to open strategic cooperation and dialogue and the necessity of reaching a dispute-settlement mechanism. Regional-Egypt, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Yemeni - Saudi committee for drawing borders convenes tomorrow Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Iraqi interests bureau opens today in Damascus
  The Iraqi interest - supervising office will be officially opened today in Damascus under the Algerian flag, in preparation to open an Iraqi embassy in Damascus within months after completing works of renovating it. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Bahrain to reopen its embassy in Baghdad
  Well-informed Arab sources announced on Friday that Bahrain will open shortly its embassy in Baghdad, closed since ten years. Bahrain-Iraq, Politics, 4/1/2000
• King Mohammed to attend Africa - Europe summit Morocco-Egypt, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Qaddafi arrives in Cairo Libya-Egypt, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Bill Clinton to Al Ahram: Mubarak’s role very important
  US President Bill Clinton highlighted the role of Egypt and President Mubarak in achieving a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians, adding that this role would be extremely important within the coming weeks and months more than anytime before. Egypt-USA, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Al-Hoss in Damascus on Monday Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Al-Assad - Mubarak phone call review peace developments
  Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Friday evening received a telephone call from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak where they discussed issues of mutual concern for the two states and the Middle East peace process developments. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Cyprus proposes to host Lebanese - Israeli peace talks Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/1/2000
• King Mohammed chairs Hassan II fund Meeting
  King Mohammed VI chaired here friday a meeting of the Hassan II Fund to earmark available funds to a series of economic and social development projects. Morocco, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Mubarak receiving message from Russian president Egypt-Russia, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Democracy, an end and means to reform institutions, youssoufi says
  The first secretary of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces "USFP" Abderrahmane Youssoufi said friday that achieving democracy remains an end and a means to reform institutions. Morocco, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Stability and ever-consolidating democracy, Youssoufi says
  Morocco is a stable country working for further democracy and the rule of law, said Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi meeting a delegation of visiting Italian journalists. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Pensioning off some Yemeni officers and diplomats
  The Yemeni government decided retiring (pensioning) this year 16 officers and soldiers in the interior ministry and 77 diplomats among whom are ambassadors. Yemen, Politics, 4/1/2000
• King Fahd congratulates Khatami on the new Hijra year
  Iranian President Muhammad Khatami on Friday received a cable of congratulations from King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia on the fall of the new Solar Hijra year in Iran which starts on March 21. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Tunisian human rights activists suspend hunger strike
  Two Tunisian female human right activists have suspended a hunger strike they started 24 hours earlier, in protest against the seizure of their passports by the Tunis government. Tunisia, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Yemeni clerics condemn visit of Israeli tourists
  Several mosques preachers in Sanaa and other Yemeni provinces during their Friday's sermons on Friday launched a large scale campaign of criticism over the visit of the Israeli tourist delegation to Yemen last week Yemen, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Islamic conference regrets Yemen's new step in normalizing relations with Israel
  The Islamic conference has expressed its regret for Yemen's joining the march of normalization with Israel, noting that Yemen has been known through all its history of its solid Arab and Islamic stances which reject provocation and blackmail. Yemen-Israel, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Palestinian Israeli negotiations at end of the week Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/1/2000
• A member in Kennist urges Israel's Arabs to do like Hezb Allah Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Israelis favor unilateral withdrawal from Lebanon
  An opinion poll carried out on Friday in occupied Jerusalem said that 68% of the Israelis back a unilateral military withdrawal from Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/1/2000
• US ambassador states Israel's implementation of UN resolution 425 Lebanon-Israel-USA, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Barak confers with Cypriot president Regional-Cyprus, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Dutch prime minister to visit Israel Israel-Netherlands, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Royal messages to African heads of state
  King Mohammed has sent recently messages to the presidents of Madagascar, Mauritius and Djibouti, the Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation department said. Morocco-Africa, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Moussa meets German foreign minister
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa met today with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer in Cairo. Fischer arrived in Cairo after an African tour and will in Cairo attend an Egyptian - German summit between the Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and his German counterpart Gerhard Schroeder on the margin of the Afro-European summit. Egypt-Germany, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Opposition Sudanese democratic national assembly
  The opposition Sudanese National Democratic Alliance which attacked areas in Kasla and Hamshkoreeb negated any assault on civilian targets. Sudan, Politics, 4/1/2000
• Mubarak ends successful visit to Washington
  "I told them that dismantling these weapons (of mass destruction )will spare the US and other countries the effort of looking for defense systems against them," President Hosni Mubarak said. Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/31/2000
• French Minister to visit Libya next month Libya-France, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Mubarak visits Pentagon
  President Hosni Mubarak arrived yetserday at Pentagon, where he will hold an expanded working session with Defense Secretary William Cohen, his aides and with high-ranking military officers from the various branches of the US armed forces. Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Mauritanian premier in Morocco Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Al-Shara to EU ambassadors: Clinton conveyed proposals represent retreat from Rabin's deposit
  Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara met on Thursday with the ambassadors of the European Union member states accredited in Damascus to brief them on the actual events that took place during the Geneva summit between President Hafez al-Assad and US President Bill Clinton, as well as the Syrian position toward what took place and what has been stated in the media in this regard afterwards. Syria-European Union, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Lebanese campaign to combat corruption
  The civil Lebanese "We are all Responsible" association started a non-governmental campaign to combat corruption in Lebanon, with complete support from Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and complete financing from the US Agency for International Development. Lebanon, Politics, 3/31/2000
• King Mohammed receives Gabonese speaker Morocco-Gabon, Politics, 3/31/2000
• A state in Sahara is not viable, ex-U.N. chief says
  Ex-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Perez De Cuellar, said he has always been skeptical as to the viability of a state in the Sahara. Morocco, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Albright and the Geneva summit Regional-USA, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Unemployment support for university graduates in Kuwait Kuwait, Politics, 3/31/2000
• President Lahoud gets a message from Saudi king
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Thursday received a message from Saudi King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz pertaining to joint cooperation between the two countries and means of strengthening them for the interests of the two countries and the Arab states. Lebanon-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/31/2000
• El-Baz: Egypt supports Syrian demands
  Osama El-Baz, the political advisor of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, said that the Mubarak - Clinton summit followed Geneva summit, therefore it will be a new start for new communications in Cairo to learn about the possibility of resuming negotiations on the Syrian track. Egypt, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Lebanese premier and the Geneva summit
  Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss has stated that there are no definite results for the Geneva summit that took place on Sunday between Syrian Prsident Hafez al-Assad and US President Bill Clinton. He ruled out describing this summit as a failure or a success or between the two. Lebanon, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Israel uses taplines to steal Lebanese water
  Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss has called on the international community to take strong measures to deter Israel's continued daily and repeated aggressions against Lebanese civilians and humanitarian organizations in south Lebanon as well as to question Israel's practices its prisons. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/31/2000
• King Mohammed visits handicapped children's center
  On the occasion of the national day for the disabled, King Mohammed VI visited Thursday afternoon the "Ibn Al Baitar" institution catering to handicapped children in the Khemisset province. Morocco, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Jordan, Sudan: peace can be established only through withdrawal from the Golan, south Lebanon
  Jordan and Sudan have stressed the importance of committing to the march of peace on all tracks in order to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on international legitimacy resolutions. Jordan-Sudan, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Syrian vice president, premier meet with Jerusalem bishop in exile
  Syrian Vice President Muhammad Zuheir Masharqa met on Thursday in Damascus with the bishop of Jerusalem in exile, Helaroune Cappucci. Syria, Politics, 3/31/2000
• UAE president discusses with GCC secretary consultation meetings
  United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan has discussed with the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jamil Hujeilan, preparations for the biannual meeting of the GCC leaders due to be held in Saudi Arabia. United Arab Emirates-Gulf, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Levy and Indyk meet on Lebanon
  Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy has stressed that Israel's decision to withdraw from south Lebanon will be carried out until July, describing news on earlier implementation of this decision as mere predictions. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Ertirean delegation ends visit to Sudan
  A high-ranking Eritrean delegation ended its visit to Khartoum to revitalize steps toward national rapport and political reconciliation among the Sudanese factions, the opposition and the government. Sudan-Eritrea, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Parliamentary conference on security, cooperation in Mediterranean opens in Marseille
  More than 200 parliamentarians from some twenty countries are meeting in the southern French city of Marseille to discuss security and cooperation in the Mediterranean and attempt to reactivate dialogue between nations on the northern and southern shores. Regional, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Mediterranean forum meets in Funchal
  Foreign ministers and officials of 11 Mediterranean countries took part Thursday and Friday in the Mediterranean forum meeting held in the Portuguese resort island of Madeira to discuss regional cooperation in the political, economic and cultural realms. Regional, Politics, 3/31/2000
• China's president to visit the Middle East, South Africa
  The spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Chinese President Jiang Zemin will start a visit on April 12 to six states in the Middle East and South Africa. Regional-China, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Yemeni Socialist Party denies accusations addressed to it
  The opposition Yemeni Socialist Party has criticized what it described as criticism made against it by the internal and external media with the objective of defaming it. Yemen, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Israelis who visited Yemen wind up their visit, did not meet with Yemeni officials
  The delegation of the Israelis who are of Yemeni descent on Wednesday ended visit to Yemen and claimed it had met with Yemeni Prime Minister Abdul Karim al-Iryani. Yemen-Israel, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Bensaid likely to stay on top of leftist party
  Mohamed Bensaid, long-time leader of the Moroccan leftist party the Organization for Democratic and Popular Action (OADP) said he is likely to stay on top of the party upon the wish of the organization. Morocco, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Palestinians have the right to statehood, Shimon Peres
  "The Palestinian people have the right to have control of its own destiny and to have its own state and own economy," former Israeli Premier Shimon Peres said. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/31/2000
• EU stresses commitment to establishing peace in Middle East
  The European Commission on Thursday announced that Chris Patten, the commissioner for European foreign affairs, will hold a tour which will cover several countries in the Middle East in which he will assert the commitment of the European Union to establishing a durable peace in the region. Regional-European Union, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Palestinian women organize sypmosium on Palestinian refugees
  The general union of Palestinian women in Cairo organized a symposium entitled, "The homeless Palestinians between right of return and schemes of settlement and its reflections on the Palestinian women." The symposium, in which the Palestinian personalities in Cairo and Arab and foreign women participated, concluded today. Palestine, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Gabon renews backing to Morocco's territorial integrity
  Gabon on Thursday renewed backing to Morocco's territorial integrity and stressed that Morocco should return to its seat at the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Morocco-Gabon, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Spanish Navy chief of staff in Morocco next week Morocco-Spain, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Royal navy hails pneumatic boat carrying 40 illegal emigrants Morocco-Spain, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Government adopts decrees amending public holiday list Morocco, Politics, 3/31/2000
• One child killed in an explosion in Algeria
  The Algerian daily al-Youm issued on Thursday said that one child was killed as a result of the bomb explosion in al-Ajjara district in Jeijel province, 359 km from the capital, Algiers. Algeria, Politics, 3/31/2000
• Mubarak - Clinton meeting with Arab Community
  In the meeting between Presidents Hosni Mubarak and Bill Clinton and the Arab Community in the US, Mubarak said "he is proud of this distinguished constellation of prominent figures who represent the Arab and Egyptian expatriates in the US," said Minister of Information Safwat Al Sherif. Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Arab League hails Mubarak - Clinton summit
  Arab League Assistant Secretary General Ahmed Bin Hali said the summit between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and US President Bill Clinton is for the good of peace in the area, and the Arab league hails the positive signs from this important meeting. Regional, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Moroccans pray for rain on Friday
  Rogatory prayers will be held on Friday in mosques throughout Morocco at the call of the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs. Morocco, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Moussa - Albright Talks
  Foreign Minister Amr Moussa met American Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on issues of common interest including the Middle East peace process and developments of Syrian track in the light of the Clinton-Assad talks in Geneva. Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Syria refuses raising new ideas for peace Syria-USA, Politics, 3/30/2000
• King Mohammed gets message from Yemeni president Morocco-Yemen, Politics, 3/30/2000
• King Mohammed appoints a woman advisor
  King Mohammed VI appointed Wednesday three new advisors, including a woman, Ms. Zoulikha Nasri. Morocco, Politics, 3/30/2000
• King Mohammed meets EU Mideast special envoy Moratinos
  King Mohammed VI held in Rabat Wednesday a tete-a-tete meeting with the special envoy of the European Union to the Middle East, Miguel Angel Moratinos. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Session of Yemeni - Saudi sea border talks winds up Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/30/2000
• King Abdullah confers with Sudanese vice president
  King Abdullah of Jordan on Wednesday in Amman received Sudanese Vice President Ali Othman Muhammad Taha and members of the accompanying delegation. Jordan-Sudan, Politics, 3/30/2000
• International human rights organizations invited to visit Algeria
  Algeria invited human rights organizations, among which is the Amnesty International organization, to visit Algeria to examine the real facts in an attempt to learn more about situation of human rights in Algeria on April 12 to be followed by other non-governmental organizations. Algeria-International, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Forming a Jordanian royal committee for human rights
  Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh announced yesterday the formation of a royal committee for human rights with 10 members composed of eminent Moslems and Christians at the command of King Abdullah II of Jordan. Jordan, Politics, 3/30/2000
• A British diplomatic delegation arrives at Cairo on Saturday Egypt-UK, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Lahoud calls for steadfastness and unity
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud has stated that Lebanon is ready to face all eventualities. He added that the Israeli threats made recently against Lebanon in the wake of the Geneva summit between Presidents al-Assad and Clinton hold no fear for Lebanon and will not affect Lebanon's decisive link with Syria or its internal unity. Lebanon, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Gaddafi confers with Malawian counterpart
  Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gaddafi on Wednesday in Tripoli discussed with the president of Malawi several issues of concern on the bilateral, regional and international levels. Libya-Malawi, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Tony Blair apologizes for not attending African - European summit Egypt-International, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Belgian delegation to visit Libya Libya-Belgium, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Syrian premier urges promotion of irrigation projects
  Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa Miro on Wednesday presided over a meeting at the ministry of irrigation. Syria, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Concluding meeting among African and European ambassadors in Cairo
  An expanded meeting was held yesterday in the headquarters of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry in Cairo in the attendance of ministers from the African and European states with the Egyptian work group concerned with preparing the African - European summit that is due to be held on April 3rd and 4th in Cairo. Regional, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Al-Hoss assures correlation of Syrian and Lebanese tracks in the peace process
  Lebanese Prime Minister Selim al-Hoss said that "Lebanon adheres to correlation of the Lebanese with Syria in the negotiations," even if Israel implements a withdrawal from south Lebanon according to UN resolution 425. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Moussa accentuates Egypt's full support for Syrian stance
  "Egypt is pressing on with its efforts to propel the Mideast peace process and to get it out of the present impasse", Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa told Monte Carlo Radio Wednesday. Egypt, Politics, 3/30/2000
• New humanitarian coordinator for Iraq appointed Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Lebanese premier gets message from Albright on Geneva summit
  The Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss on Wednesday received a message from US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. The message was conveyed by the US ambassador to Lebanon, David Satterfield. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 3/30/2000
• 24th anniversary of the Land Day
  Today is the 24th anniversary of the Land Day, an occasion which is celebrated by the Palestinian people with stronger determination to resist the occupation and its measures as well as to liberate the lands and restore their usurped legitimate rights. Palestine, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Emir of Bahrain confers with Iranian FM
  The emir of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa, received Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi and members of his accompanying delegation on Wednesday in Manama. Bahrain-Iran, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Algerian Cabinet meets Algeria, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Arab economists decry Spanish occupation of two Moroccan cities and effects of sanctions
  Arab economists, who held their 13th conference in Al-Jadida (200 km south of Rabat), decried Wednesday the Spanish occupation of Sebta and Mellilia, two Moroccan northern cities. Morocco-Regional-Spain, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Hain vows British backing to achieve peace in Middle East
  British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Peter Hain has stressed that Britain will spare no efforts to help sides concerned in the Middle East achieve peace. Jordan-UK, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Arafat deny Barak pledged to admit the Palestinian state
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat on Wednesday denied a report aired by Israeli Army Radio that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak had vowed to accept the declaration of the Palestinian state unilaterally, in September, if a framework agreement is not reached within the course of the set timetable to this effect. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Israelis banned from entering Cairo University
  The organizing committee for the symposium on "The Encyclopedia on the Jews, Judaism and Zionism" have prevented two members of the staff of the Israeli embassy in Cairo from entering the hall where the symposium is held. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 3/30/2000
• On the visit of the Israeli group to Yemen
  A group of 12 Israelis of Yemeni descent had visited Sanaa and made tours in the quarters where Jews used to live in the city and they also spoke to several Yemeni Jews who are still living there. Yemen-Israel, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Egypt prepares to host G-15 summit
  Egypt started today preparing the special arrangements for convening the summit for the Group of 15 developing countries which Egypt will host under the chairmanship of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on June 19 and 20. Egypt-International, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Moroccan foreign minister meets US - Mideast Project Council members
  Moroccan Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Mohammed Benaissa met on Wednesday with members of the US-Mideast Project Council. Morocco-USA, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Morocco, Gabon want closer cooperation
  Morocco and Gabon on Wednesday voiced will to give a new boost to their cooperation, especially in the realms of education, training and tourism. Morocco-Gabon, Politics, 3/30/2000
• The Palestinians in Iraq
  The Iraqi weekly al-Alaam on Wednesday quoted an Iraqi official source as saying that the Palestinians who have resided in Iraq since 1948 will enjoy the right of ownership (be able to have his own property) in Baghdad. Iraq, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Message from Morocco's king to president of Cape Verde
  Prime minister of Cape Verde Carlos Veiga on Tuesday got a message from King Mohammed VI destined for President Antonio Mascarenhas Monteiro, who is currently visiting Libya. Morocco-Cape Verde, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Israel to give shelter to several SLA members
  Israeli Army radio said on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak decided to permit hundreds of men from the pro-Israel South Lebanon Army militia to stay in Israel following the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from south Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Outgoing Senegalese president in Morocco after Cairo summit
  Outgoing president of Senegal Abdou Diouf will sojourn in Rabat after the Africa-Europe summit where he will represent president-elect Abdoulaye Wade, reported the Senegalese private daily Wal-Fadjri. Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Bahrain crown prince, Musharraf meet in Singapore Bahrain-Pakistan, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Jordanian, British relations reviewed Jordan-UK, Politics, 3/30/2000
• Mubarak may meet Barak after US visit Egypt-Israel, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Middle East peace process enters phase of political stalemate Syria-USA, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Sudanese message to Ethiopia
  Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Tuesday received a verbal message from Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, conveyed by Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael who is on a short visit to Addis Ababa. Sudan-Ethiopia, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Mubarak addresses message to American people via Internet
  Today I visited the internet corridor of northern Virginia, one of the world's foremost regions of the industry and met with Governor Jim Gilmore`s commission on information technology, who has also provided leadership through his chairmanship of the congressional advisory commission on electronic commerce. It was crystal clear how Egypt, as one of the world's fastest growing markets for the information industry, promises unlimited potential of cooperation with the US in this field. Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/29/2000
• A message from al-Bashir to King of Jordan Jordan-Sudan, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Royal messages handed to presidents of Togo and Cote d'Ivoire
  Togolese President Etienne Gnassingbe Eyadema met in Rabat early this week visiting foreign affairs secretary of state, Taieb Fassi Fihri, who handed him a message from King Mohammed VI. Morocco-International, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Tunisia, Poland sign cooperation agreements
  Tunisia and Poland on Tuesday signed agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries, especially in the economic and tourism fields. The agreements were signed at the beginning of the visit by Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali to Poland. Tunisia-Poland, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Trilateral summit coming in Cairo between Mubarak, Bashir and Gaddafi
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir and Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi are due to convene a trilateral summit in Cairo on margins of the African - European summit that is due on April 3-4. Regional, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Youssoufi congratulates spanish peer Aznar Morocco-Spain, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Ruler of Kuwait visits Jordan to eliminate remaining Gulf crisis tensions
  It was announced in Kuwait on Tuesday that Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah is determined to pay an official visit to Jordan, the first since the launch of the Gulf War in 1990. Kuwait-Jordan, Politics, 3/29/2000
• PLO official holds Israel responsible for Geneva summit's failure
  The chairman of the political department at the PLO, Farouk Qaddoumi, has held Israel responsible for the failure of efforts to resume talks on the Syrian track at the Geneva summit between Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and US President Bill Clinton, as the Israeli government did not take a clear stand to abide by withdrawal from the occupied Golan to the June 4, 1967 borders. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Israeli paper: The Syrian track has not finished in Geneva
  The Israeli daily Haaretz said on Tuesday in its analysis written by Israeli analyst Ze'ev Schiff that the Syrian track has not ended in Geneva and that the same assessment has been made in Washington and Israel, and it seems that the same assessment is felt in Damascus, asserting that following the failed summit between Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and US President Bill Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak enters a dangerous phase in the talks. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Jordan, Sudan for revitalizing bilateral relations
  Sudanese First Vice President Ali Othman Muhammad Taha has stressed his country's desire to deepen and reactivate bilateral cooperation between Jordan and Sudan in the framework of the joint Sudanese-Jordanian higher committee which started its work on Tuesday evening. Sudan-Jordan, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Moussa prepares for African - European summit conference
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa is due to open on coming Sunday the foreign minister's conference of the African and the European states to prepare for the African - European summit that will begin in Cairo on Monday in the international convention center. Egypt-Regional-European Union, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Meeting of trilateral committee concerning disputed Gulf islands next month Oman-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 3/29/2000
• German delegation in Morocco
  A German delegation is currently visiting Morocco to sign two cooperation accords worth some $42 million. Morocco-Germany, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Youssoufi meets speaker of Gabonese national assembly
  Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi met in Rabat Tuesday visiting speaker of the Gabonese national assembly (parliament), Guy Nzouba Ndama, and accompanying delegation. Morocco-Gabon, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Bahrain, Iran for boosting bilateral relations
  Bahraini Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman al-Khalifa met on Tuesday with Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi and members of the accompanying delegation, currently on a two-day official visit to the state of Bahrain. Bahrain-Iran, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Palestinians, Israelis complete US talks, plan for more in April
  "We believe that these talks were successful in achieving a real exchange of ideas, and a greater and deeper understanding of the needs and requirements by each side of the other side; and that is the critical predicate, as I indicated, to achieving the concrete negotiating progress that we're going to need, in a very accelerated fashion, in the course of the next six months," Foley said. Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 3/29/2000
• US processing results of Libyan visit Libya-USA, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Sahrawi republic's admission within OAU arbitrary, former OAU secretary general says
  Former secretary general of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), Ide Oumarou, asserted that the admission of the Sahrawi republic (SADR) within the pan-African organization was "arbitrary" and that African leaders can, with a little courage, find a "political solution" to the Sahara issue. Morocco, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Palestinian organizations urge lifting ban on public meetings
  Four Palestinian organizations which are concerned with human rights urged the Palestinian government on Tuesday to abrogate the ban imposed against convening of public meetings. Palestine, Politics, 3/29/2000
• US-Jordanian defense relations reviewed Jordan-USA, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Permanent delegates to Arab league demand full peace in Sudan
  The Arab League council decided in concluding its works on the level of the permanent delegates at the Arab League to support efforts to achieve a full peace in southern Sudan and urged Islamic and Arab non-governmental organizations to intensify their development and humanitarian activities as well as rescue work. Regional-Sudan, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Arab League delegation to head to Baghdad in May
  A delegation from the Arab League will head in May to Baghdad to meet with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to discuss the topic of the Kuwaiti captives and demand the release of the captives. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Head of the Russian Duma council to visit Egypt after Algeria
  Genady Sleznyouf, head of the Russian Duma council said the visit he started yesterday to Algeria comes as part of a tour that leads him to visit Egypt, hailing the existing relations between Algeria and Russia. Algeria-Egypt-Russia, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Meetings of African and European foreign ministers on Sunday
  European and African foreign ministers are due to convene a joint expanded meeting on Sunday in Cairo to prepare the final arrangements for the African - European summit which Egypt hosts, which will be opened by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on April 3. Regional-European Union, Politics, 3/29/2000
• On the elections in Iraq
  Iraqi Minister of Justice Shabib al-Malki on Tuesday announced that the Baath Party won the Iraqi legislative elections by winning 165 out of 250 seats in the Iraqi National Council (parliament). Iraq, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Barak resumes pressures on al-Assad Syria-Israel, Politics, 3/29/2000
• French defense minister to visit Middle East in April
  French Defense Minister Alain Richard will visit the Middle East on April 12, including Israel and the Palestinian self-rule areas and Egypt. Regional-France, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Iraqi president's son wins parliamentary elections
  The Iraqi weekly al-Itihad said that Odai Saddam Hussein, the eldest son of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, has won the elections in his fifth electoral district in Baghdad with 99.99% of the votes at 44 ballot centers. Iraq, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Egypt to take part in Mediterranean forum meeting
  Egypt will participate in the 7th ministerial meeting of the Mediterranean sea forum that is scheduled to be held tomorrow and Friday in Portugal, in which Egypt's delegation is headed by Foreign Minister Amr Moussa. Egypt, Politics, 3/29/2000
• The democratic Sudanese national assembly supports the Egyptian - Libyan initiative
  The Sudanese opposition coalition, the Democratic National Alliance, emphasized in its last meeting in Asmara support for the joint Egyptian - Libyan reconciliation initiative and coordination between it and the IGAD initiative. Sudan, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Morocco denounces Israel's settlement and Judaization policy
  Morocco denounced before the human rights commission Israel's settlement and Judaization policy in the holy city of Al Quds (Jerusalem) and the Jewish settlements in the occupied territories. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Canada backs Yemen's joining Commonwealth of Nations
  Canada on Monday expressed its backing for Yemen in its efforts to join the Commonwealth of Nations. Yemen-Canada, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Israeli group visits Yemen
  Israeli Radio said on Tuesday that for the first time in the history of Israeli- Yemeni relations a group of Israelis is currently visiting Yemen. Yemen-Israel, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Benabdallah stays in charge of PPS dailies
  The political bureau of the party for Progress and Socialism PPS (left-government) confirmed Nabil Benabdallah at the head of the dailies "Al Bayane" (French) and "Bayane Al Youm" (Arabic). Morocco, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Clinton said next move on peace is Syria's Syria, Politics, 3/29/2000
• New Nigerian, Iranian ambassadors hand copies of credentials to foreign minister Morocco-Nigeria, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Kuwaiti-Romanian relations reviewed Kuwait-Romania, Politics, 3/29/2000
• Egyptian-US summit tackles ME peace, partnership
  "President Bill Clinton will brief President Hosni Mubarak today at the White House on the outcome of his summit with Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad in Geneva Sunday," American sources said. Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Radi hails Gabonese stand backing Moroccan territorial integrity Morocco-Gabon, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Costa-rican parliament vice-chairman upholds moroccan territorial integrity and bid for 2006 football world cup Morocco, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Report: President Mubarak to call for five-member Arab summit
  The Jordanian weekly al-Majd reported in its most recent issue that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will start upon his arrival back from Cairo measures to contact the Arab states bordering Israel (Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Lebanon) in order to convene a five-member summit in Egypt. Regional-Egypt, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Yemeni president starts visit to Canada
  Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Sunday started his first official visit to Canada. The visit will last for five days. Yemen-Canada, Politics, 3/28/2000
• King Mohammed VI to visit Italy on April 11
  King Mohammed VI of Morocco will visit Italy on April 12 - 13 to fulfill the invitation of Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi so Italy would be the host of the second European state visit for the Moroccan king after France. It is also considered the king's second official visit outside Morocco since he assumed power. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 3/28/2000
• UAE president confers with Omani official
  United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan on Monday received the minister accredited for foreign affairs in Oman, Youssef Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah. United Arab Emirates-Oman-Belarus, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Egypt's First Lady visits top handicapped rehabilitation center
  Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak visited on Monday an advanced center for the rehabilitation of the handicapped in Maryland's state near Washington. Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Bahraini crown prince in Singapore Bahrain-Singapore, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Emir of Qatar gets a message from Libyan leader Qatar-Libya, Politics, 3/28/2000
• 50 countries agree on participating in the African - European in Cairo Regional-Egypt, Politics, 3/28/2000
• French minister of industry to visit Libya next month
  ArabicNews.com learned from Libyan diplomatic sources that French Minister of Industry Christian Sautter will visit Tripoli on April 9 - 11, the first visit by a French minister to Libya in 10 years. Libya-France, Politics, 3/28/2000
• President al-Assad arrived Back from Geneva Syria, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Supremacy on Tabaraya lake Syria-Israel, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Barak divan and Geneva meeting
  Sources at the divan of the Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak have expressed their regret over Clinton- al-Assad summit in Geneva. Syria-Israel, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Al-Shara statement on Geneva summit
  The Lebanese daily al-Safir said on Monday that Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara has listed the results of the Geneva summit saying: "It cannot be said that the summit has failed or has succeeded," adding that the Geneva summit is part of American efforts that will continue to achieve a just peace. Syria, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Barak and peace with Syria
  Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said that Israel has not closed the door before continuing peace negotiations with Syria, but it will continue to ensure its vital strategic and security interests. Syria-Israel, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Arafat and the Syrian track
  AFP said on Monday that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat spoke on Monday about progress in peace negotiations between Syria and Israel, despite the failure of the US-Syrian summit which was held on Sunday in Geneva. Palestine-Germany, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Speaker of the German parliament confers with Arafat
  The speaker of the German Parliament (Bundistang) on Monday held talks in Berlin with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, currently visiting Germany. Palestine-Germany, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Iraqi parliamentary elections
  Iraqi voters on Monday headed for the voting ballots to elect 220 members at the national council ( the Parliament) among 512 candidates in all parts of the country. Iraq, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Duma chairman to visit Algeria
  The chairman of the Russian Duma council (the parliament), Genady Sleznyouf, will visit Algeria on March 28 - 31 at the invitation of the speaker of the Algerian Parliament, Abdelkader Bensalah. Algeria-Russia, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Essaid meets speaker of Gabonese national assembly
  The speaker of the Moroccan Senate Mohamed Jalal Essaid conferred in Rabat Monday with visiting speaker of the Gabonese national assembly (parliament), Guy Nzouba Ndama. Morocco-Gabon, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Government committed to solving investors problems in new cities
  Prime Minister Atef Ebeid said the government is doing its utmost and is committed to solving problems and removing obstacles that impede the increase of investments in a way that keeps pace with world changes. Egypt, Politics, 3/28/2000
• African diplomatic delegation visits Khartoum
  An African diplomatic delegation resumed its meetings in Khartoum to discuss the peace talks with the Sudanese government concerning the civil war in the south. Sudan-International, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Sudan asks to host coming meetings of Arab foreign ministers
  Informed sources in the Arab League said that Sudan demanded moving the meetings of the 114th session of the Arab foreign ministers, scheduled for September, from Cairo to Khartoum. Regional-Sudan, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Jordanian - Sudanese higher committee meets in Amman
  Meetings of the 2nd session of the Jordanian - Syrian joint higher committee chaired by the two states' prime ministers started in Amman on Monday to discuss cooperation fields and means of revitalizing agreements and executive programs between the two sides. Jordan-Sudan, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Exporting first Egyptian potato shipment to Hong Kong
  It was decided to export Egyptian potatoes-- a 30-ton shipment-- to Hong Kong's markets. This is considered the first shipment to arriving in these new markets Egypt, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Turkish president and the question of waters with Syria and Iraq
  Turkish President Suleiman Demirel has expected that the question of dividing the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers with Syria and Iraq will result in problems between the two countries and Turkey. Fertile Crescent, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Jordanian lawyers union demands boycott of international parliamentary conference due to Israel
  The Jordanian lawyers syndicate called yesterday for boycotting the international parliamentary conference to be held in Amman at the end of April, due to the participation of a delegation from the Israeli Knesset in the conference. Jordan, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Morocco in parliamentary conference on mediterranean security, cooperation
  Morocco will attend the parliamentary conference on security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region, to be held March 30 in Marseilles, France. Morocco, Politics, 3/28/2000
• Interview with US officials: Libya - Sudan - and Maghreb countries, Part 2
  ArabicNews: The US seems to have made a couple of moves recently that are seen by some as an opening, and yet the State Department has mentioned that there is no change in US policy towards Libya. How should we interpret those moves that have been done in terms of sending a delegation to Libya and other minor moves? Regional, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Oman and UAE ratify border agreement Oman-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Egypt exerts utmost efforts to achieve Mideast peace
  President Hosni Mubarak met with a number of Egyptians living in the US at his Blair House residence. More than 20 prominent figures of the Egyptian community attended the meeting as well as the delegation accompanying the President. Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Tunisian president in Poland today Tunisia-Poland, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Geneva summit: Presidents review developments, stress UN resolutions for a just peace in the Middle East
  Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and US President Bill Clinton held three round of talks yesterday in Geneva that lasted for 5 and a half hours and where Syria described these talkes as having centered on the Middle East peace process, its terms of reference, obstacles created by Israel, the importance of re-launching the Syrian track through maintaining Israel's complete withdrawal to the June 4, 1967 border lines and the need for border demarcation between the two sides on this basis. Syria-USA, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Ebeid addresses people's assembly on policy statement
  Prime minister Atef Ebeid said also that the opposition showed concern and it is its right to show concern which we understand, but which was certainly unjustified, as regards the future of democratic practice. Practice of political rights has spread and is ensured. Supervision of the judiciary on elections is coming and will be decisive. Egypt, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Moussa in Washington addresses Egypt - US relations
  This is not only due to our demographic, geopolitical, cultural, or intellectual influence. It is also because of two fundamental facts : one, the vision we hold for a better future for the region, and, secondly, our history is marked by many episodes in which taking a firm stand has made all the difference for the region's future. Moussa cited that a third misperception is that some view this relationship as one sided. "There is no doubt that this is a vital partnership for the US in the Middle East of today and of tomorrow". Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Bahrain for inter-Arab rapprochement Bahrain-Regional, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Jordanian information minister denounces Levy's refusal to withdraw from land of Tabaraya lake
  Jordanian Information Minister Saleh El-Kallab denounced yesterday statements by Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy which refuse Israel's withdrawal from the lands adjacent to Tabaraya lake, saying that Levy's declarations reveal a real crisis in the camp of the enemies of peace inside Israel, which Levy belongs to. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Yemeni labor minister to deliver message to King Mohammed Morocco-Yemen, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Parliamentary elections in Iraq
  Some 8.5 million Iraqi citizens will head today to the ballot box to choose their representatives for the National Council (the parliament). Iraq, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Arab Journalists Union protests arrest of five Sudanese journalists Sudan-Regional, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Egypt enjoys full democracy under Mubarak
  Speaking at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Prime Minister Atef Ebeid Sunday said that Egypt enjoys full democracy under President Hosni Mubarak and the political reform process continues. Egypt, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Jordanian King to meet with political parties on reform
  Jordanian political circles said the Jordanian King Abdullah II will shortly meet with the secretaries general of the political parties in Jordan with all their political trends. Jordan, Politics, 3/27/2000
• UAE president confers with Belarusian counterpart United Arab Emirates-Belarus, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Syrian - Turkish talks in Ankara in coming month Syria-Turkey, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Pope Shenouda III asks Copts in US to cordially welcome Mubarak
  Head of the Coptic Church Pope Shenouda III has asked the Copts of Egypt living in the US to give a cordial welcome to President Hosni Mubarak, who has arrived in the US on a week-long visit. Egypt, Politics, 3/27/2000
• US - Libyan talks
  Libyans and Americans held their first official meeting in Tripoli since Washington's severing of relations with Libya in 1981. Libya-USA, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Arab League takes in the Somali peace conference in Djibouti
  Diplomatic sources in Cairo said the Arab League will take part in the conference of national peace for reconciliation on Somalia to be held in Djibouti Regional-Somalia, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Appointing a new Sudanese ambassador in U.K Sudan-UK, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Moussa holds Israel responsible for cold peace with Egypt
  Foreign Minister Amr Moussa held Israel responsible for the 20-year cold peace with Egypt. In a news conference, held in Washington on Saturday and attended by members of the Arab Journalists league, Moussa said he admits that the Egyptian-Israeli peace has not passed the stage of coolness. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Emir of Qatar gets a message from Algerian president Qatar-Algeria, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Jordanian king to visit Israel Jordan-Israel, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Arafat starts his visit to Germany
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat arrived in Berlin to hold talks with political leaders in Germany and he is to meet today with German Chancellor Helmut Schroeder and German President Johannes Rau. Palestine-Germany, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Sudanese Ummah Party refuses mediation to settle disputes with opposition coalition
  A leading figure at the Sudanese Ummah Party, Abdul Rasoul al-Nour, stated that there are mediation attempts carried out by Egyptian and Arab sources to contain the disputes arising in the Sudanese Democratic National Alliance, an opposition coalition, that resulted in freezing the Ummah Party's membership in the coalition in protest against its way in dealing with the issue of a political solution to the Sudanese crisis. Sudan, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Al-Rawabdeh meets with the mayor of Beijing Jordan-China, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Chinese state adviser winds up visit to Morocco
  State adviser to the Chinese government, M. Luo Gan, left here saturday after a visit to the kingdom crowned by the signing of an economic cooperation agreement, extending Morocco a $3.6 million loan destined for development projects. Morocco-China, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Kuwait cancels prison sentence against two writers
  The Kuwaiti appeals court dropped an prison sentence issued against Kuwaiti writers Leila Ossman and Alia Shoaib, as well as publisher Yehia El-Rabian. Kuwait, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Syria, Turkey to find solutions for hindering problems
  Turkish Foreign Minister Ismael Cem has asserted that Syrian-Turkish relations have eliminated several obstacles that faced them and settled several problems and that the two countries are trying to find solutions to the rest of their problems. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Saudi crown prince and Iranian President discuss oil
  Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on Sunday received a telephone call from Iranian President Muhammad Khatami. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Kadiri elected secretary-general of National-Democrat Party Morocco, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Arab League to resume session on Tuesday
  The Arab League will resume its 113th session at the permanent representatives level on Tuesday, it was announced in Cairo Sunday. Regional, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Organization of African Unity discussing establishing an African parliament Regional-Africa, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Yemeni socialist party denies disputes in its leadership Yemen, Politics, 3/27/2000
• OMDH elects new chairman
  M. Abdellah Oualladi has been elected chairman of the Moroccan human rights organization, OMDH. Morocco, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Reporters don armbands in support of dismissed daily manager
  Reporters of the dailies "Al Bayane" (French) and "Bayane Al Youm" (Arabic) donned Sunday armbands in solidarity with dismissed manager Nabil Benabdallah and waved collective resignation. Morocco, Politics, 3/27/2000
• Jerusalem mufti tells Pope John Paul peace will remain fragile if Jerusalem is unresolved
  Sabri Ekrema, mufti of the city of Jerusalem, assured Pope John Paul II of the Vatican during his visit to Jerusalem yesterday that, "The peace process will remain fragile as long as Jerusalem's case remained unsolved." Palestine-Regional-Vatican, Politics, 3/27/2000

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