Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 5/8/2000

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of May 8, 2000

• Butaflika: The army's protection in internal matters will end
  Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika stated yesterday that the function of internal security in a modern government should not be the domain of the army. Algeria, Politics, 5/13/2000
• President of Guinea-Conakry starts visit to Morocco Morocco-Guinea, Politics, 5/13/2000
• King Abdullah visits Saudi Arabia today Saudi Arabia-Jordan, Politics, 5/13/2000
• John Garang: I call for a new unified Sudan and not for separation Sudan, Politics, 5/13/2000
• British foreign office secretary arrives in Damascus tomorrow
  The British foreign office has announced that the Minister of state at the Foreign office Peter Hane will visit Syria on May 14 to hold talks with Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa Miro and with the Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara. Syria-UK, Politics, 5/13/2000
• On the Baath party elections in Syria Syria, Politics, 5/13/2000
• Khamnei demands the internal rapport policy Iran, Politics, 5/13/2000
• Egyptian prime minister visits Lebanon
  Egypt's Prime Minister Atif Ebeid will visit Lebanon next Wednesday to take part in the economic conference due to be held in Beirut. Egypt-Lebanon, Politics, 5/13/2000
• Moroccan premier calls for genuine partnership to reduce social gap
  Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi said that the gap between developing and developed countries could be reduced through a real partnership based on exchange of experience for an effective management of their human resources. Regional, Politics, 5/13/2000
• Yemeni -Saudi border and maritime border meetings
  Yemeni-Saudi joint committee for renewing the boundary signs concluded on Thursday the first phase of its 19th round Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/13/2000
• Palestinian sources: Negotiations with Israel did not achieve any progress Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/13/2000
• Clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli soldiers Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/13/2000
• Ethiopia and Eritrea claim military gains in fighting
  Confrontation between Ethiopia and Eritrea continued on Friday at dawn at two border areas along their joint borders of 1,000 Km long. Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 5/13/2000
• Romanian official concludes visit to Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia-Romania, Politics, 5/13/2000
• Banned periodicals may resume publication
  Head of Tehran's Justice Department, Hojjatoleslam Abbas-Ali Alizadeh on Thursday said that periodicals temporarily suspended from publication may resume publication Iran, Politics, 5/13/2000
• Interior minister: observing law guarantees unity, national security
  Minister of the interior Hojjatoleslam Abdolvahed Musavi Lari said Saturday "that officials' abiding by the law would strengthen unity among people which, in turn, would guarantee the national security," Iran, Politics, 5/13/2000
• France and South Lebanon French foreign minister
  Allan Richard has stressed in a statement to the London- Based al-Sharq al-Awsat ( Middle East) daily issued on Friday that France does not want a new Sera Leone in South Lebanon. Lebanon-France, Politics, 5/13/2000
• Draft economic and social development plan before parliament in June
  The draft economic and social development plan that was adopted last week-end by the Higher National Promotion and Planning Council will be tabled before the parliament after the first week of June. Morocco, Politics, 5/13/2000
• Corruption fighting campaign in Syria promises great changes Syria, Politics, 5/12/2000
• Egyptian hail relations with Morocco Egypt-Morocco, Politics, 5/12/2000
• Oman urges voters to select politicians based on merit and not harmful criteria
  Oman called on voters to select in July candidates for its consultative council according to merit and not other tribal factors such as loyalty urging women to participate. Oman, Politics, 5/12/2000
• Saudi- Yemeni border demarcation Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/12/2000
• Moroccan premier hopes to reform women's conditions Morocco, Politics, 5/12/2000
• Iranian president visits Beirut shortly Lebanon-Iran, Politics, 5/12/2000
• Jordanian parliament to hold special meeting for approving economic draft bills
  It is expected in Amman that the Jordanian King Abdullah II will call on the parliament to hold an extraordinary session in the last third of this month in order to discuss and approve nine key draft bills for the programs to liberate the national economy. Jordan, Politics, 5/12/2000
• Israel nuclear facilities should be inspected
  A draft final statement of Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference currently in session at the UN is due to include an item condemning Israel as the only country in the Middle East region declining to sign NPT. Regional-Israel, Politics, 5/12/2000
• Lahoud: No Amnesty for Israel's agents, commitment to comprehensive settlement within track cohesion
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud had refused to give amnesty to collaborators with Israel. He stressed the need of trying them for what they had committed of crimes against their people and country. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/12/2000
• An Arab and international participation in celebrations of the Yemeni unity Yemen, Politics, 5/12/2000
• Iraq calls on world countries to resume cooperation Iraq, Politics, 5/12/2000
• New Turkish incursion in north Iraq Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 5/12/2000
• Habash in Cairo for the first time since 31 years
  The London-based al-Hayat daily said today quoting Palestinian sources in Damascus that George Habash has been visiting Cairo since several days, in line with a "special license’ he received after he had submitted his resignation from his post as a secretary general of the people's front for the liberation of Palestine." Egypt, Politics, 5/12/2000
• Yemeni demonstration in al-Dale against police brutality
  Eyewitnesses in Aden said that thousands of Yemenis demonstrated on Thursday in the city of al-Dale, southern Yemen, in protest of security violation and the brutality of the policemen. Yemen, Politics, 5/12/2000
• Tunisian president calls for strong cooperation between Europe and the Arab Maghreb
  Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali called on Wednesday evening in Lisbon for strengthening cooperation between Europe and the Arab Maghreb. This was expressed in conclusion of President Bin Ali's visit which lasted for 24 hours to Portugal, which presides over the current presidency of the European Union. Tunisia-Maghreb, Politics, 5/12/2000
• Abu Nidal returns back to Baghdad
  Sabri al-Banna ( Abu Nidal), the commander of the Fatah - the revolutionary council organization returned back to Baghdad to stay there. Iraq-Palestine, Politics, 5/12/2000
• Jordanian Bar association protests against Israeli embassy decision Jordan-Israel, Politics, 5/12/2000
• Fighting erupts between Ethiopia and Eritrea out today
  Heavy fighting along the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea started today after the failure of a UN effort failed to resolve the differences between the two countries. Eritrea-Ethiopia, Politics, 5/12/2000
• Former Syrian premier being investigated
  The regional leadership of the Baath Party had discussed practices and violations made by "comrade" Mahmoud al-Zou'bi while he was assuming his post as a prime minister. Syria, Politics, 5/11/2000
• 75 million U.S dollars are losses of the last Israeli aggression Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Syrian parliament approves state budget for the year 2000
  The Syrian people's Assembly (PA) on Wednesday held a meeting, chaired by its deputy speaker Abdullah Mouselli during which the state budget for the year 2000 was approved. Syria, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Interior minister says legal action open to Sheikh Yassine
  Interior Minister Ahmed Al Midaoui said Wednesday Sheikh Abdeslam Yassine has the right to go court if he feels his rights are being abused. Morocco, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Syrian prime minister hold successful talks with Turkish minister
  The Syrian prime minister Muhammad Mustafa Miro on Wednesday met with the Turkish minister of state for economic affairs Racab Onal and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Ankara asks for erecting a Syrian gas pipeline and increase of trade
  Turkish minister of state for economic affairs Racab Onal has stressed that he had asked the Syrian oil minister Maher Jamal to build a Syrian gas pipeline to his country. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Namibia's foreign minister in Cairo
  Theo-Ben Gurirab, the foreign minister of Namibia - whose country is heading the current session of the U.N general assembly - is arriving tomorrow in Cairo Egypt-Namibia, Politics, 5/11/2000
• A message from Iraq to the Arab league Iraq-Regional, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Italy for opening a new chapter of cooperation with Libya Libya-Italy, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Inviting Mubarak to attend the Islamic summit in Qatar Egypt-Qatar, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Libya voices backing to Morocco's legitimate claims over two Spanish occupied cities Libya-Morocco, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Emirates parliament welcomes gulf mediation between Tehran and Abu Dhabi
  The parliament of the United Arab Emirates welcomed the Gulf Cooperation Council's formation to a trio committee to mediate between Emirates and Iran in order to reach a peaceful solution for Tehran's occupation to the Emirate Islands or raising the case at the international court justice. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Bouteflika heads to Canda
  The Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will pay a state visit to Ottawa from May 14 to 18, 2000 at the invitation of the general governor of Canada, Mrs Adrienne Clarkson, and the Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, APS reported. Algeria-Canada, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Voters in Alhayma to elect their representative Yemen, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Jordanian premier confers with Mauritania' s minister Jordan-Mauritania, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Iraqi president receives Ben Bella Iraq-Algeria, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Emir of Qatar gets Saudi message Qatar-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Libyan, Philippines negotiators with Abi Sayyaf group failed
  The two Libyan and Philippines negotiators returned back home after their first meeting with the rebels from Abi Sayyaf group which holds 21 hostages in Jolo island, without being able to bring back the German hostage whose health conditions have been greatly deteriorated. Regional-Philippines, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Ruler of Qatar confers with al-Husseini Qatar-Palestine, Politics, 5/11/2000
• United Nations Security Council delegation heads for Eritrea
  A delegation representing the United Nations Security council on Wednesday left Addis Ababa heading for Asmara in the framework of a shuttle tour aiming at strengthening the resumption of peace negotiations between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Eritrea-Ethiopia, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Acts of violence continue in Algeria Algeria, Politics, 5/11/2000
• SPLA favors integration of initiatives
  Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak yesterday received John Garang, Leader of Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA). Garang said he came to Egypt to examine the current fundamental changes in Sudan and the creation of new Sudan on the basis of justice and equality. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Difficulties facing peace process on various tracks
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Yesterday received Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and discussed the latest developments on the Palestinian track in the light of the Palestinian Israeli negotiations held in Eilat last week, and the talks held between President Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 5/11/2000
• Moroccan king to visit Egypt on May 22
  King Mohammed VI of Morocco will pay a two-day official visit to Egypt on May 22. Morocco-Egypt, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Damascus: A decision to release Nizar Nayouf
  Well-informed sources in Damascus told the London-based al-Hayat daily that there is a "release decision" for Syrian journalist Nizar Nayouf together with detainees, and the decision was taken by the end on April. Syria, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Egyptian organization for human rights denounces the campaign raised against novel "A Banquet of Seaweed"
  The Egyptian organization for human rights denounced yesterday the campaign raised against the novel "A Banquet of Seaweed" written by Syrian writer Haider Haider. Egypt, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Palestinian official: Last Palestinian- Israeli negotiations did not achieve progress Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Moussa discusses Sudanese reconciliation with Garang, Merghani
  Foreign Minister Amr Moussa Tuesday said that Cairo's meetings with members of Sudanese government and opposition aimed at forging reconciliation in Sudan, according to the principles of the Egyptian-Libyan initiative. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Morocco, Algeria call for inter-arab reconciliation Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/10/2000
• UAE president confers with Emir of Qatar United Arab Emirates-Qatar, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Saudi defense minister confers with Romanian senate delegation Saudi Arabia-Romania, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Iraqi president meets with Indonesian speaker Iraq-Indonesia, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Syrian Cabinet meets on al-Shara's statement, approves bills
  The Syrian Cabinet on Tuesday held its weekly meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Mustafa Miro. Syria, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Mubarak, Arafat discuss outcome of Palestinian-Israeli talks
  Amidst an atmosphere of anticipation of the outcome of the peace process on the Palestinian Israeli track following negotiations held between Palestinian and Israeli sides in Eilat last week, President Mubarak today receives Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for briefing Mubarak on the outcome of the first round of negotiations. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Benaissa meets visiting Qatari state minister Morocco-Qatar, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Maghreban states' development goes through unity
  Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi on Tuesday stressed that the development of the five Maghreban states necessarily goes through unity. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Israeli official: Hamas starts new method that qualifies it to be a partner in the peace process Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Al-Hoss:Lahd has to give himself up to Lebanese judiciary
  Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss was surprised over the demands raised by the commander of the pro-Israel militias of the South Lebanon Army, Antoine Lahd, in asking for a general pardoning from President Lahoud, while Lahd is still carrying out attacks alongside Israel against Lebanese civilians and often targeted the Lebanese Army. Lebanon, Politics, 5/10/2000
• US announces nomination of new ambassador to Yemen Yemen-USA, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Emir of Kuwait confers with Lebanese, UN officials
  Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Tuesday in Kuwait received Lebanese Mufti Sheikh Muhammad Rashid Qabbani. Kuwait-Lebanon-UN, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Students investigated inciting violence
  People's Assembly Religious, Social and Endowment Committee dismissed as blasphemous Syrian novelist's "A Banquet of Seaweed". Egypt, Politics, 5/10/2000
• UN appreciates cooperation with Egypt
  "Egypt's cooperation with the UN is greatly appreciated," UN Secretary General Envoy said Tuesday following his talks with Foreign Minister Amr Moussa. Egypt-UN, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Arab League urges UN Security Council to stop Israeli aggression
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid has informed the ambassadors of the UN Security Council's five permanent states of the decision taken by the AL council on reconsidering relations between certain Arab states and Israel and rejection of the Arab participation in multilateral talks before attaining substantial progress in the peace process on all tracks. Lebanon, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Newly appointed ambassadors invited to consolidate gains
  Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi underscored the task of newly appointed diplomats in consolidating the Moroccan stand and gains at regional and international levels. Morocco, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Turabi removes al-Bashir from presidency of National Congress Party
  The Sudanese Islamic leader Hassan Turabi on Tuesday evening announced that the leadership of the National Congress Party decided to remove Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir and his main aides from the party. Sudan, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Iraqi National Congress to convene in London on June 10
  Iraqi sources said the central council of the opposition Iraqi National Congress will convene in London on June 10 with the participation of all the powers that attended the New York conference last year. Iraq, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Jordanian hotel urged not to host Israeli reception
  Jordanian vocational trade unions called on the Imperial Safir Hotel in Amman not to host the reception to be held by the Israeli embassy on the usurpation anniversary of Palestine and the establishment of Israel. Jordan, Politics, 5/10/2000
• Mubarak, Assad discuss progress of talks on peace tracks
  The Egyptian-Syrian summit held in Cairo yesterday between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad tackled the progress of the peace process on the three Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian tracks, and latest Arab developments. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Moroccan, Algerian senates set up cooperation groups
  Morocco and Algeria on Monday agreed to set up brotherhood and cooperation groups at their respective upper houses. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Arab parliamentarians call for lifting sanctions on Iraq
  A delegation of Arab parliamentarians that started Sunday a visit to Baghdad called the U.N secretary general to immediately lift the sanctions imposed on Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Al-Shara: Outlet of current unstable situation is achievement of a just and comprehensive peace
  Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and members of the accompanying delegation on Monday evening arrived in Syria from Cairo following a short visit to Egypt. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 5/9/2000
• King Abdullah to visit Saudi Arabia on Saturday Jordan-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Convening a Maghreb summit soon in Tunis
  Tunis is currently making an intensive diplomatic effort for convening a summit of the Arab Maghreb states in the Tunisian capital to be the 7 summit in history of the Arab Maghreb states. Maghreb, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Syrian praise for Arab moves to push forward the peace process Syria-Regional, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Jordanian foreign minister confers with Mauritanian counterpart Jordan-Mauritania, Politics, 5/9/2000
• King Mohammed gets Qatari invitation for Doha OIC summit
  Qatari state minister Abdallah Ben Khalifa El Atia arrived in Rabat Monday evening bearing a message from Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Al Khalifa Al Thani destined to King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Qatar, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Israel cannot impose anything on Arabs
  "Israel has no power to impose a de facto or a position from its side due to the surrounding international situation," said Foreign Minister Amr Moussa. Egypt, Politics, 5/9/2000
• GCC secretary general confers with Romanian senate chief Gulf-Romania, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Egypt eagerly follows up Sudanese developments Egypt, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Moussa meets with Annan's envoy
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa discussed today with Terje Larsen, the envoy of the United Nations Secretary General, the role of UN troops in south Lebanon after the intended Israeli withdrawal from the area. Egypt-UN, Politics, 5/9/2000
• US assistant secretary of state says this is a crucial time for peace
  The next six to eight weeks "could be crucial to the [Middle East] peace process," says Edward S. Walker, Jr., assistant secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. Regional, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Egyptian - European partnership agreement to be signed soon
  Mahdi Fath Allah, manager of the Europe department at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, stated that the European - Egyptian partnership agreement will be signed soon. Egypt-European Union, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Garang, in Cairo, discusses coordination between initiatives to solve southern Sudan's problems
  John Garang, chief of the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement arrived in Cairo on Monday evening Sudan, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Arab League boycotts seminar on archives in occupied Jerusalem
  Participants in the Cairo conference discussed new techniques for using Arab archives and underlined the importance of Arab archives in preserving the Arab identity amidst attempts to distort Arab history. Regional, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Spain says it respects UN Sahara settlement plan
  Spain said it "strictly and scrupulously" respects the United Nations settlement plan for the Sahara. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Amnesty International meets with families of victims in Algeria
  A delegation from the Amnesty International organization that is currently visiting Algeria convened with the victims of terrorist operations in Helizian city, 300 kilometers west of Algiers. Algeria, Politics, 5/9/2000
• On the Syrian - Turkish talks
  The BBC's correspondent in Damascus said on Monday that with the arrival of Turkish Minister of State Recep Onal to Damascus leading a large economic delegation, Syrian- Turkish relations enter a new phase, signifying at least a phase of good neighborly relations. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Yemeni Fatwa bans normalization with Israel
  Men of religion in Yemen have released a Fatwa banning normalization with Israel as long as it occupies Arab lands. Yemen-Israel, Politics, 5/9/2000
• European fisheries official in Morocco next week
  European fisheries commissioner, Franz Fishler, will visit Morocco next week to start a dialogue process between the European Union (EU) and Morocco on fisheries, Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique, announced in Tangiers Monday. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Palestinians and Israelis deny approach of reaching final status agreement
  Palestinian and the Israeli officials denied a report by the French newspaper "Le Monde" that said the two sides reached detailed solutions concerning the main issues in the negotiations between them. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Barak speaks on the telephone with Mubarak
  Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Monday made a telephone call to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Moratinos: Europe exerts intensive efforts to stop escalation against Lebanon
  The Arab League and the European Union assured yesterday their complete opposition to the Israeli aggressions against Lebanon, demanding a halt to these aggressions and a return to the April Understanding agreement of 1996. Regional-European Union, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Iraq protests at the UN against Kuwait
  The Iraqi government on Monday called on the UN to intervene in order to prevent Kuwaiti violations, represented in entering Iraqi territorial waters and attacking Iraqi fishermen, according to the Iraqi News Agency. Iraq-Kuwait-UN, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Lahd asks for pardon for his militia members from President Lahoud
  The commander of the militias collaborating with Israel, Antoine Lahd, on Monday in Marjyoun, occupied south Lebanon, called on Lebanese President Emile Lahoud to enact a general pardon for his militia members. Lebanon, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Expected Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon
  The Monte Carlo Radio correspondent in occupied Jerusalem quoted Israeli security sources as saying that they do not rule out Israel maintaining an early withdrawal from south Lebanon and evacuate it before July 7. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Moroccan culture minister winds up visit to Nouakchott
  Moroccan minister of cultural affairs, Mohamed Achaari, on Sunday wound up a visit to Nouakchott where he chaired the opening of Moroccan cultural days. Mauritania-Morocco, Politics, 5/9/2000
• Egyptian - Syrian summit
  The Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and the Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad convened today a bilateral summit to discuss the developments in the area. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 5/8/2000
• King Mohammed meets Algerian senate speaker Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Time ripe for Arab summit Egypt, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Libya, Sudan continue consultations Libya-Sudan, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Egypt condemns Israeli aggression against Lebanon
  Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said yesterday on whether Egypt held contacts, yesterday, regarding the escalating situation in Lebanon, Moussa noted there was a phone call with al-Shara, Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and indicated there are ongoing contacts between Egypt and Lebanon. Egypt, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Saddam invited to take part in the OIC summit Qatar-Iraq, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Moussa gets message from Chris Patten Egypt-European Union, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Syrian FM, Larsen held constructive talks
  Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Sunday in Damascus received the UN secretary general's special envoy, Terje Larsen, and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-UN, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Sudan denies intention to detain Turabi
  Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on Saturday released a decision to freeze the general secretariat of the ruling National Congress Party's federal and state sectors. Sudan, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Higher national promotion council on draft economic and social development
  Participants issued recommendations for administrative reform, education, the fight against corruption, 9-to-5 working-hours and women in the public office. Morocco, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Spanish premier starts official visit to Morocco
  Spanish premier Jose Maria Aznar starts this Monday a two-day official visit to Morocco at the invitation of Moroccan peer, Abderrahmane Youssoufi. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Egypt to participate in meetings of Barcelona declaration foreign ministers Regional-Egypt, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Emir of Kuwait confers with French trade minister Kuwait-France, Politics, 5/8/2000
• UNRWA coordination meeting in Amman
  A coordination meeting was held on Sunday in Amman for the hosting countries taking part in an unofficial meeting for the donor and host countries of UNRWA, due to be held in Amman on May 10 and to last for two days. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Arab League chief message to UN on Israel's aggressions against south Lebanon
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid has called on the UN to shoulder its responsibilities to halt the Israeli aggression against Lebanon and to pressure Israel to abide by UN Security Council resolution 425. Regional-Lebanon, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Arab parliamentary delegation visits Iraq
  A delegation representing Arab parliaments that took part in the deliberations of the 103rd session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which concluded on Friday in Amman, headed for Baghdad on Sunday to become acquainted with the consequences of the embargo imposed on Iraq. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Syrian -Turkish trade committee meets today in Damascus
  Meetings of the Syrian- Turkish joint committee are due to start today under the chairmanship of Syrian Minister of Economy Muhammad al-Imadi and Turkish Minister of State for Economic Affairs Recep Onal, who arrived in Damascus on Sunday evening. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Meetings in Qatar to support the Palestinian stance
  Faysal El-Husseini, the official in charge of the Jerusalem file in the Palestinian government, headed today to Doha topping a large delegation from Beit El-Sharq (the Orient House) to participate in a meeting that is to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday by the permanent Qatari committee to support Jerusalem. Qatar-Palestine, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Mauritania's foreign minister arrives in Amman
  Mauritanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Ahmad Ould Sedi Ahmad arrived on Sunday in Amman leading a delegation to Jordan in a visit which will last for four days, during which he will hold talks with several officials on bilateral relations and means of strengthening them. Jordan-Mauritania, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Damascus Declaration commitment still strong, Emirates says
  United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Rashed Abdullah on Sunday that the Damascus Declaration is standing in commitment and firm ties among its member states. He added that Egypt has advocated the call for convening the Damascus Declaration member states and a meeting will be held soon for them. United Arab Emirates, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Iraqi paper warns against Kuwaiti provocation
  The Iraqi daily al-Thawra on Sunday warned Kuwait and called on it "to give up aggressions and provocations against Iraq," asserting that such similar provocations were behind what had taken place in August, 1990. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Swedish delegation winds up visit to Morocco
  A Swedish delegation of MPs and NGOs representatives on Sunday wound up an information visit to Morocco during which it conferred with premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa, and other officials. Morocco-Sweden, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Tunisia welcomes Italy's decision to grant 3,000 work visas
  The Tunisian government welcomed Italy's decision to grant 3,000 work visas to Tunisians in Italy to reduce the illegal immigration from Tunis to Rome. Tunisia-Italy, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Egypt, Arab tendency toward peace, strategic option
  Mustafa el Feqqi, Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs and Egypt's permanent delegate to the Arab League, described Egyptian and Arab tendency toward peace in the Middle East as strategic option. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Egypt urges Israel to join NPT
  Foreign Minister Amr Moussa asserted that Israel accession to the treaty is a must, if stability, safety, and security, in the region, are to be maintained. Egypt, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Saudi Arabia signs agreement on fighting international terrorism
  The general secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Conference announced that Saudi Arabia on Sunday signed the OIC treaty to fight international terrorism, making Saudi Arabia the first OIC member state to sign this treaty. Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Israel may withdraw before coming July
  Danny Yatoum, advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, asserted that Israel may end its occupation of south Lebanon before July, the date that was previously set by Barak. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/8/2000
• Barak vows to strongly repel Hizbullah's attacks against Israel
  Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has stated that he will firmly and painfully respond, regardless of the withdrawal plan from south Lebanon, if Hizbullah continues missile attacks against Israel. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/8/2000

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