Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 5/15/2000

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of May 15, 2000

• Egypt, Lebanon sign agreement; complete solidarity of views
  Egypt and Lebanon yesterday signed five memos of understanding and two executive programs in the field of industry, trade, information, education, utilities and tourism. Lebanon-Egypt, Politics, 5/20/2000
• King Abdullah visits Damascus tomorrow
  Jordanian news reports in Amman said today that king Abdullah II will head tomorrow for Damascus in a visit during which he will meet with President Hafez al-Assad. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Palestinian leadership denounces using the rubber bullets against the demonstrators Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Mubarak in Madrid on May 29 Egypt-Spain, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Alexandria hosts the Euro - Mediterranean parliament conference Egypt, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Moussa assures the importance of the meetings of the joint Egyptian - Moroccan committee
  Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Moroccan King Mohammed VI will confer on a set of African, Arab and Mediterranean issues during the 4th session of the Moroccan-Egyptian High Joint Commission, to be held next week in Cairo. Egypt-Morocco, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Al-Shara takes part in the Euro-Mediterranean partnership conference Syria, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Damascus: the second phase of Baath party elections starts today
  The second phase of preliminary elections for the 9th regional conference of the Baath Arab socialist party which will be held on June 17 started today. Syria, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Moroccan- Algerian entente, key factor for Maghreban march, Algerian speaker says
  Entente between Morocco and Algeria is a key factor in the consolidation of the march of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), speaker of the Algerian senate, Bachir Boumaaza said Saturday. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Arafat hold telephone conversation with Albright Palestine-USA, Politics, 5/20/2000
• The speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri
  The speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri today that he sent an urgent message to the US President Bill Clinton, President Jacques Chirac of France, the UN Secretary general, Kofi Annan, the Director general of UNESCO, the chairman of the Inter-parliamentary Union and the chairman of the Arab parliamentary them in which he urged them to pressure Israel not to blow off al-Shaqif castle before its proposed withdrawal from South Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Bahrain unsatisfied with Qatari proposals over islands conflict
  Bahrain on Friday accused Qatar of submitting a separate request to the International court of Justice and of ignoring the good offices made to find an amicable solution for the border disputes between the two states. Bahrain-Qatar, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Mubarak to receive report on COMESA summit
  Egyptian President Mubarak will receive a report from Foreign Minister Amr Moussa on the outcome of the Summit and the contacts he held on the sidelines of the summit with the Sudanese Foreign Minister and Heads of the Ethiopian and Eritrean delegations. Egypt, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Talab El-Sana: secret negotiations in Sweden will have positive results
  Tatab El-Sanea, member of the Israeli Knesset expressed his belief that the secret negotiations - currently taking place in Sweden between the Palestinian and the Israeli sides will have positive results in the peace process between them. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Morocco, Equatorial guinea review cooperation Morocco-Equatorial Guinea, Politics, 5/20/2000
• On Annan's reports over Shebaa farms
  Western Diplomatic sources told the Lebanese daily al-Nahar that the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan received just few hours after he had received a telephone call from the Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss, the report of his delegate to the Middle East Terry Larsen. Lebanon, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Signs of dissention in lines of the ruling party in Sudan
  Hassan El-Torabi, the Sudanese leader renewed his refusal for mediation with the President Omat El-Bashir, referring to the ruling party's trend toward the dissention, saying in a press conference he held in his house yesterday "mediation will do no good in the government's continuos violation to the constitution, the law and the basic rules." Sudan, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Ghaddafi urges the West to abandon the colonizational mentality in Africa
  Libyan leader Moammar El-Ghaddafi newly stated that the West must abandon colonization methods in dealing with Africa. Libya, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Garang assures his adherence to the Egyptian - Libyan initiative
  John Garang, the leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Army urged the Sudanese government to abandon its method of ruling the country, assuring his adherence to the Egyptian - Libyan initiative for solving Sudan's problem, saying that Egypt's role is important in any Sudanese settlement. Sudan, Politics, 5/20/2000
• On Lahd's visit to France
  Monte Carlo radio said on Friday quoting French diplomatic sources that commander of the SLA militia (South Lebanese Army) Antoine Lahd is currently in a private visit to France, adding that so far France has not received from him a request asking for political asylum. Lebanon-France, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Moroccan lower house adopts transition budget Morocco, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Barak puts off visit to Washington
  Israel's prime minister Ehud Barak said that he decided to cancel his visit scheduled to Washington next week. Israel, Politics, 5/20/2000
• 5 nuclear countries agree to unconditionally get rid of nuclear arsenal Regional, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Iran to unilateraly free Iraqi prisoners
  Iran will unilaterally free 460 Iraqi prisoners of war (PoWs) on humanitarian ground ..(and) hand them to the International Committee of the Red Cross Iraq-Iran, Politics, 5/20/2000
• For the first time since 1989 A French military ship visits Algeria
  In an indication on improving relations between Algeria and France, a French ship is due to visit Algeria on coming Saturday for the first time since 1989. Algeria-France, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Ethiopia will not annex Eritrea's territories
  Ethiopia announced yesterday it will has no intention to annex Eritrea's territories it had occupied in its military progress into the depth of neighboring Eritrea's lands. Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Prosecutor General investigates reports on changing Labor Party principles
  The Parties Affairs Committee which regulates the activities of political parties, Saturday closed al-Shaab newspaper the mouthpiece of the opposition Labor Party and effectively froze the Party's activities until the current dispute over its leadership was conclusively settled. Egypt, Politics, 5/20/2000
• Damascus: A call for change
  Teizini did not refer specifically to any Arab state. He continued that among the reasons behind corruption is the " destruction of development projects which are supposed to absorb ten of thousands of men and women. The destruction of certain judiciary establishments, the hope of people to justice and converting them into an establishment includes those who bear the name of a lawyer, a judge and judicial consultant. Those in reality are not like that" They blackmail people and ever commit the mistake of converting the assassinate, the thief and the criminal into honest people, while putting the real honest people in the prison." Syria, Politics, 5/19/2000
• Prince Moulay Rachid in Bahrain Bahrain-Morocco, Politics, 5/19/2000
• Egyptian prime minister conveys a message to Lahoud
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Thursday at Baabda residential palace received the Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Ebeid and members of his ministerial delegation. Ebeid conveyed a message from the Egyptian President to President Lahoud. Lebanon-Egypt, Politics, 5/19/2000
• Speaker of Moroccan house of representatives to visit India next year Morocco-India, Politics, 5/19/2000
• Guinea's president winds up visit to Morocco Morocco-Guinea, Politics, 5/19/2000
• Al-Shara discusses with Moratinos ME peace challenges
  Talks dealt with the ME peace process which is facing heavy challenges on all fronts, the role played by the EU in reviving it and achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region. Syria, Politics, 5/19/2000
• Baghdad: US- British warplanes continue striking civilian targets
  Iraq said on Thursday that the US warplanes continue, day and night striking the Iraqi civilian targets, noting that the last attack " carried out by the enemy was that on Wednesday when one child was killed and four people wounded." Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/19/2000
• Arab League calls for establishing an international court to try Israeli war criminals
  The secretary general of the Arab League Ismat Abdul Miguid has announced that the Arab League council will call for establishing an international criminal court to be specialized in trying Israeli war criminals for their crimes against the Palestinian people and the killing of Palestinians in recent confrontations in the Palestinian areas on the 52nd anniversary of the Usurpation of Palestine ( al-Nakba). Regional-Israel, Politics, 5/19/2000
• Speaker of Moroccan lower house meets Palestinian women delegation
  Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives (lower house) Abdelouahed Radi, met in Rabat Wednesday a delegation of the association of Palestinian working women, currently on a visit to Morocco to inquire about the experience of Moroccan women in local affairs management ahead of local Palestinian elections. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 5/19/2000
• Violent fighting continues between Eritrea, Ethiopia
  The spokesman for the Eritrea's presidency Yamani Gebrmiskeil announced on Thursday that battles in the surrounding of Barentto city resulted in the evacuation of 200,000 persons. Eritrea-Ethiopia, Politics, 5/19/2000
• Turkish- Israeli relations Regional-Turkey, Politics, 5/19/2000
• Egyptian intellectuals call for reviving the UN resolution treating Zionism as racism
  The coalition of independent intellectuals in Egypt has called for revival of the UN resolution which classifies Zionism as a racist movement. Egypt, Politics, 5/19/2000
• Mubarak calls for pushing forward peace process Egypt, Politics, 5/18/2000
• President Mubarak keen to support Lebanon
  Activities of the fourth session of the higher joint Egyptian-Lebanese Committee opened in Beirut yesterday under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Atef Ebeid and Lebanese counterpart Salim al-Hoss. Lebanon-Egypt, Politics, 5/18/2000
• New Syrian leadership of a majority of new faces
  So far 15 years have elapsed since the convening of the recent regional conference of the ruling Baath party. Syria, Politics, 5/18/2000
• Moroccan- Mexican friendship association convenes its general assembly in Mexico Morocco-Mexico, Politics, 5/18/2000
• Ebeid says relations with Lebanon arespecial
  He said that "Egypt will take the lead in reconstructing what was destroyed in Lebanon. Our men are your men and will do whatever is needed." For his part, Al-Hoss said that "we will witness a new dawn with the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory... We welcome their withdrawal.. Israel is willing to withdraw before 7 July, and we expect the withdrawal to be completed before that date." Lebanon-Egypt, Politics, 5/18/2000
• Morocco to increase number of consulates and embassies Morocco, Politics, 5/18/2000
• King Abdullah to visit Syria on Sunday
  A well-informed Jordanian source said on Wednesday that the Jordanian King Abdullah II will on Sunday pay a one day official visit to Syria during which he will hold talks with President Hafez al-Assad concentrating, in particular, on bilateral relations and coordination between the two states in aspects pertinent to the peace process. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 5/18/2000
• On Mubarak's visit to Spain
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, during his coming visit to Madrid, will have important talks with King Juan Carlos of Spain, Prime Minister Jase Aznar and representatives of Spanish House of Representatives and Senate on the peace process in the Middle East, Egypt-Spain ties and Joint investments. Egypt-Spain, Politics, 5/18/2000
• El-Bashir urges opposition Sudanese alliance to participate in a collective conference
  The Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir assured his adherence on unifying views to bring Sudan out of its current crisis. Sudan, Politics, 5/18/2000
• A note from the Sudanese alliance to the Egyptian foreign ministry
  The joint committee is due to head on 27th of current month to Sudan to meet the Sudanese government to inform them with the Alliance's views and its observations on it as well as getting the government's reply and conveying it to the Democratic National Alliance. Sudan, Politics, 5/18/2000
• Lebanese parliament speaker shows a map that proves Shebaa farms as Lebanese property
  Lebanon has renewed its commitment to just and comprehensive peace and to UN resolution 425 provides for Israel's complete withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories, including Shebaa farms. Lebanon, Politics, 5/18/2000
• Comprehensive ME peace could be achieved within five years
  In an exclusive interview with "Al-Ahram El-Arabi" magazine Foreign Minister Amr Moussa asserted that the awareness is presently escalating in the Arab World to speed-up the convening of the Arab Summit, as the timing now is very adequate in the light of the present situation in the Arab world. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 5/18/2000
• Palestinian - Israeli negotiations are continuous
  The Israeli deputy foreign minister Nawaf Masalha stated that "the Palestinian - Israeli negotiations are taking place on many channels and that all the subjects are under examination including Jerusalem and the Palestinian refugees." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/18/2000
• Prince Moulay Rachid meets King Fahd of Saudi Arabia
  King Fahd Ibn Abdelaziz of Saudi Arabia received Wednesday in Jeddah Prince Moulay Rachid, who is currently on a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Politics, 5/18/2000
• Moroccan foreign affairs minister meets Albright in Washington
  Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa, conferred in Washington on Wednesday with US secretary of state, Madeleine Albright. Morocco-USA, Politics, 5/18/2000
• One Iraqi child killed in American raid
  An Iraqi military spokesman said on Wednesday that one Iraqi child was killed and four other civilians were wounded in air strikes carried out by US and British warplanes against Southern Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 5/18/2000
• Somalia awaits reconciliation
  Activities of the national conference for Somali reconciliation started on May 2 are still on amid an atmosphere of cautious optimism. Somalia, Politics, 5/18/2000
• Reconciliation in Sudan possible
  "Cairo has received clear assurances from the Leader of South Sudan Popular Front John Garang that a split from Sudan was not a top option for the people of the South," Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs said. Sudan, Politics, 5/18/2000
• Kuwaiti parliament approves a proposal giving nationality to 8000 foreigners
  The Kuwaiti national council ( the Parliament) approved on Tuesday the amendment of a law that opens the way for some 8,000 of those who do not have a defined nationality ( al-Badoun) to have the Kuwaiti nationality Kuwait, Politics, 5/18/2000
• Butaflika visits France in mid June
  The spokeswoman for the French Presidency Catherine Colona said that the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika will hold an official visit to France on June 13 to 16. Algeria-France, Politics, 5/18/2000
• Palestinian women delegation meets speaker of Moroccan upper house
  A delegation of the Palestinian working women association, currently on a visit to Morocco, had talks in Rabat Wednesday with speaker of Moroccan chamber of advisors (upper house) Mohamed Jalal Essaid. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 5/18/2000
• Settlement of Islamist leader's case draws positive responses among Moroccan politicians
  The announcement made Tuesday by Moroccan authorities that Abdessalam Yassine, leader of the outlawed "Al Adl Wal Ihsan" Islamist association, "is free" was welcomed by political parties as a measure likely to consolidate the respect of human rights and the rule of law. Morocco, Politics, 5/18/2000
• Fierce confrontation between Ethiopia and Eritrea
  Ethiopia said today that it has captured the town of Barentu inside Eritrea. Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 5/18/2000
• World bank says Africa is the challenge of the 21st century
  An official of the World Bank Wednesday said sub-Saharan Africa poses the most daunting development challenge of the 21st century. Regional, Politics, 5/18/2000
• Works of COMESSA summit begin today in Mauritius Egypt, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Syrian Party's Regional leadership meets today
  The participants in the meeting will discuss results of the preliminary elections to the 9th regional conference which will be held on June 17 and to become acquainted with results of investigations Syria, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Syrian cabinet for eliminating corruption in ministries
  The Syrian Cabinet on Tuesday held a meeting, chaired by Premier Muhammad Mustafa Miro where it approved the bill for ratifying naval cooperation with the government of Sudan. Syria, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Emir of Bahrain confers with Jordanian King Kuwait-Jordan, Politics, 5/17/2000
• France says Qatari initiative on Iraq helpfull Iraq-Qatar-France, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Yemen, Saudi Arabia for boosting security relations Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Moroccan Islamist association wants restrictions lifted Morocco, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Home minister renews Islamist leader is free
  Moroccan interior minister, Ahmed El Midaoui, renewed on Tuesday that Abdessalam Yassine, the leader of unauthorized Islamist association "Al Adl Oua Al-Ihsane), is, like all Moroccans a free person. Morocco, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Sudanese national reconciliation meeting on coming moves
  Meeting of the technical committee of the Egyptian - Libyan initiative concerned with achieving national reconciliation in Sudan were held yesterday at the headquarters of the Egyptian foreign ministry Sudan, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Prince of Qatar gets a message from Bosnia Qatar-Bosnia, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Irish parliamentarians meet Moroccan officials
  Means to upgrade cooperation with Ireland was at the focus of separate talks a visiting Irish parliamentary delegation had here Tuesday with Moroccan officials. Morocco-Ireland, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Al-Shara talks with Annan, al-Hoss on Israel's pullback from Lebanon
  The Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Tuesday received a telephone call from the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on the proposed Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon and the role of the UN in realizing the full implementation of UN security council resolution 425. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Libyan president contacts for settling African issues Libya-Regional, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Palestinian women delegation visit Morocco Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Arab League concern over Greek president' refusal to meet with Palestinian figures representing Jerusalem
  The Arab League has expressed strong concern over the refusal of the Greek President and members of the accompanying delegation to receive Palestinian figures representing Jerusalem during his visit to the occupied city while he met at the same time the Israeli mayor of the city. Regional-Greece, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Urgent meeting for the delegates' council in the Arab league
  The Arab league's council held an urgent meeting today on level of the permanent delegates at the league to discuss the serious positions in the Palestinian government and to take a unified Arab stance toward the Israeli actions against Palestinians. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Ross meets Barak Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Abd Rabbu confirms his resignation
  The Palestinian official in charge of culture and information at the Palestinian government stressed on Tuesday his persistence to resign from the presidency of the Palestinian delegation to the final status negotiations despite the fact this his resignation was refused on Monday. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Ethiopia broke into Eritrea's territories
  Ethiopia on Tuesday announced that the Ethiopian forces had controlled strategic positions in the Eritrea's lands and that battles taking place between Asmara and Addis Ababa started on Friday continued on Tuesday morning on all fronts. Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 5/17/2000
• First Lady Mubarak receives British Aerospace Systems grant for promoting education in Egypt
  Egypt's First Lady Suzanne Mubarak on Tuesday visited the British Parliament where she attended a party hosted in her honor at the House of Lords. The party witnessed the allocation of a grant by the British Aerospace Systems, for promoting education in Egypt. Egypt-UK, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Morocco, Togo debate parliamentary cooperation
  Ways to enhance parliamentary cooperation between Morocco and Togo topped talks held in Rabat between speaker of the Moroccan chamber of advisors (upper house of parliament), Mohammed Jalal Essaid, and visiting Barry Moussa Barque, special advisor of the Togolese president. Morocco-Togo, Politics, 5/17/2000
• Mubarak, invited to Millennium Summit
  UN General Assembly President Theo Ben Guriarab said that he extended an invitation to President Hosni Mubarak to attend the forthcoming Millennium Summit due to be held in New York in September, adding that the President has promised to participate. Egypt, Politics, 5/17/2000
• 12 journalists were injured during covering the protests of the crisis today Palestine, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Cairo: Sudanese National Democratic Alliance met the Libyan - Egyptian initiative trusteeship
  A meeting was held between the technical trusteeship for the Libyan - Egyptian initiative and a delegation from the opposition Sudanese National Democratic Alliance at the headquarters of the Egyptian foreign ministry. Egypt, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Interview with Sudanese opposition leader Garang
  John Garang, Leader of Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA) stated that the opposition National Democratic Alliance, of which the Movement is a member, is in a much better position now than the days in which the Umma party was active in the alliance. Sudan, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Islamist association leader says he will go out to perform Friday prayers
  Abdessalam Yassine, the leader of unauthorized islamist association "Al Adl Oua Al-Ihsane), announced that he will go out of his house to perform prayers on Friday, following a statement made by home minister, Ahmed El Midaoui, that Yassine leaves and returns to his residence as he likes. Morocco, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Al-Zou'bi' s money reserved Syria, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Arafat rejects Abd Rabo's resignation Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Lahoud, British minister stress implementation of UN resolution 425
  Lebanese President Emil Lahoud said during his meeting on Sunday in Beirut with the British minister of state for foreign office and the commonwealth Peter Haine, the Lebanese stand firm in their commitment to the unconditional implementation of UN resolutions 425. Lebanon-UK, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Israel releases one of Hamas leader Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Al-Hoss meets with UN Security Council five permanent member states
  Lebanese Premier and foreign minister Salim al-Hoss stressed that Lebanon will not give up Shabaa farms. Lebanon-UN, Politics, 5/16/2000
• UN announces another meeting on Sahara next June
  "Parties to the Sahara conflict will meet again early June to look for a rapid and lasting solution to their dispute," said Monday the UN secretary general's spokesman, Fred Eckard. Morocco, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Jordanian King ends visit to Saudi Arabia
  King Abdullah II of Jordan on Monday in al-Riyadh received the Saudi defense minister Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern were reviewed. Saudi Arabia-Jordan, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament to visit France Iraq-France, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Annan meets with Syria's representative at the UN over Shabaa farms
  The London-based al-Hayat daily published on Monday quoted well-informed sources saying that the UN chief Kofi Annan on Saturday summoned the Syrian ambassador at the UN and inquired him, in the presence of the UN chief delegate Terry Larsen, over Syria's position concerning the Lebanese Shabaa farms. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Tunisian journalist ends hunger strike
  Taoufik Ben Brik, the Tunisian journalist ended his hunger strike yesterday as his sister said that he ended up his hunger strike by having his first meal since 42 days in a Paris hospitals where he is having medical checks. Tunisia, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Palestine- Israel talks up to Palestinian government's views
  Foreign Minister Amr Moussa Monday said the channels of Palestinian-Israeli talks are up to the Palestinian authority to decide upon Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Egypt demands structural reform of all UN bodies
  "The General Assembly should have the upper hand in all issues not only those related to development and human rights but also those regarding the safeguarding of international peace and security," Abul-Gheit added. Regional, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Abd Rabbu resigns his post over secret negotiations with Israel Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Ross resumes negotiations as Palestinians are killed
  U.S special envoy for the peace process in the Middle East Denis Ross convened with Palestinian and Israeli officials to find progress in the mediation to reach a final peace agreement. Palestine, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Irish parliamentarians meet speaker of Moroccan upper house Morocco-Ireland, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Algerian - Canadian trade is more than one billion dollars
  The Algerian - Canadian trade in the past years has seen a continous increase and contacts between the economic operators within the legal framework governing the relations between the two countries, the official Algerian news agency reported. Algeria-Canada, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Ethiopia is advancing against Eritrean forces
  The Organization of African Unity (OAU) has expressed concern over the resumption of military confrontation between Ethiopia and Eritrea and regret over the fighting between the two countries despite the intensive efforts exerted by the OAU in order to reach a permanent and peaceful solution to the conflict between the two countries. Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Yemen takes extreme security measures prior to national celebration
  The Yemeni authorities on Monday stopped the Mobile telephone service in the framework of the strong security measures taken by the authorities before the convening of official celebrations which will be attended by several heads of states. Yemen, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Bashar al-Assad meets with Haine Syria-UK, Politics, 5/16/2000
• Moussa discusses European - Mediterranean cooperation with Portuguese presidential coordinator Egypt-Portugal, Politics, 5/15/2000
• New directors for establishments of the Syrian ministry of the economy
  Several decisions were recently taken by the ministry of the economy and foreign trade in Syria on appointing new director generals for many of its public establishments. Syria, Politics, 5/15/2000
• El-Bashir calls for forming a government of national unity in Sudan
  Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir urged the opposition to participate in forming a government of a national unity. Sudan, Politics, 5/15/2000
• El-Zaenoun: Declaring the Palestinian State is necessary Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/15/2000
• London hosts multi-partite meeting on Sahara
  A meeting between delegates from Morocco, the secessionist Polisario group, Algeria and Mauritania was held on Sunday in London at the initiative of UN secretary general's special envoy for the Sahara, James Baker. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Emir of Bahrain visits Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia-Bahrain, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Mubarak welcomes decision to hand over West Bank villages to Palestinian government
  The Israeli Cabinet Monday approved the transfer of Abu Dis, Izzariah and Sawahrah A-Sharkieh to the control of the Palestinian government. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Mubarak heads to Spain in end of May
  Egyptian diplomatic sources asserted that the anticipated visit to President Hosni Mubarak to Spain between 29th to 31st of current May is to fulfill the invitation of King Juan Carlos will give a strong push to the tight historical relations between Egypt and Spain in all fields. Egypt-Spain, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Al-Shara receives a telephone call from Jordan counterpart Syria-Jordan, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Beirut workshop on promoting good governance in the Arab states
  A seminar on "good governance" will be held in Beirut on May 16-17 with participation of parliamentarians from Arab states and delegates of the inter-parliamentary union and the Arab inter-parliamentary union. Regional-Lebanon, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Sudanese defense minister: military always adheres to political leadership
  Sudanese Defense Minister Abd El-Rahman Ser El-Khatim said that head of the parliament Hasan El-Turabi's discharge by the Sudanese President has no influence inside the Sudanese army and that the Sudanese army is in complete backing to president Bashir's resolutions concerning discharging Torabi. Sudan, Politics, 5/15/2000
• President of Djibouti holds talks with Qatar's Emir Qatar-Djibouti, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Bouteflika in Canada: we never forgot your support in difficult times
  Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika arrived today in Canada and had remarks of thanks in response to the welcome given by Canada’s General Governor Mrs. Adrienne Clarkson. Algeria-Canada, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Irish MPs on visit to Morocco Morocco-Ireland, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Kuwaiti- Iraqi relations debated in a conference
  In a first conference of its kind since the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, a conference was held on Saturday in Kuwait under the title" the future of Iraqi- Kuwaiti relations." The conference was held under the patronage of the ruler of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Sudan urges Egypt to be a base for Arab joint cooperation
  Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Ossman said "Egypt is qualified to form a base for the joint cooperation not only with Sudan but it all the Arab countries to open the way for Sudan to integrate will all of these countries." Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Al-Hoss to meet today with ambassadors of the UN Security Council permanent states Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Egypt keen on stemming Eritrea- Ethiopia crisis
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Saturday received a message from his Algerian counterpart Abdul Aziz Bouteflika on the explosive situation between Asmara and Addis Ababa. Bouteflika doubles as the current President of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Egypt-Algeria, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Mubarak confers with Qatar, UN officials
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Saturday in Cairo received Abdullah Khaleifa al-Ateyah who is Qatar's minister of state and special envoy for the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani. Egypt, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Qatari message to Arab League chief Regional, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Eritrea readiness to accept peace initiative with Ethiopia
  Ambassador Mohammed Omar Mahmoud of Eritrea asserted his country's readiness to go through all efforts to find of a peaceful solution of the Ethiopia - Eritrean conflict. Eritrea-Ethiopia, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Palestinian Hamas leader disappears
  Confusion prevails in the Palestinian areas regarding the uncertainty of a possible disappearance of Mohammed Deif who is one of the high ranking leaders in the Islamic resistance movement Hamas. Palestine, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Britain voices backing to M.E. peace process
  In a statement he made following the meeting with al-Shara the British minister expressed his government's keenness to develop bilateral relations between Syria and Britain in the economic, political and cultural areas. He described his talks with al-Shara’ as " Practical," expressing "his hope that all talks between Syria and the UK to be successful." Syria-UK, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Kuwait, China for boosting bilateral relations Kuwait-China, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Message from the Turkish foreign minister to Moussa on Islamic conference organization
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa received today a message from his Turkish counterpart Ismail Gem concerning Turkey's nomination to former Turkish ambassador in Cairo Yashar Yakish to be the secretary general of the Islamic conference organization to succeed Ez El-Din El-Iraqi who is the current secretary general of the Islamic conference organization. Egypt-Turkey, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Yemen completes preparations to celebrate unity 10th anniversary Yemen, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Egyptian - Sudanese committee convenes end of May
  It was decided to convene the joint Egyptian - Sudanese ministerial committee under the chairmanship of the two states' foreign ministers at the end of the current month in Cairo. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Arab League statements on Palestine partition anniversary
  The Arab League (AL) has asserted that Israel is still pursuing its aggressive and colonialist policy towards occupied Palestine and the occupied Syrian Golan and against the Lebanese territories, and therefore violating all international legitimacy resolutions. Regional-Israel, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Sudan and the conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia
  Sudan's foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismael on Sunday called on both Ethiopia and Eritrea for self- control of fears that this conflict between the two countries will extend to Eastern Africa. Sudan-Ethiopia, Politics, 5/15/2000
• On the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea
  The Eritrea "s foreign ministry said on Sunday that more than 25,000 Ethiopian soldiers were killed or wounded in the battles took place last Friday between the forces of the two countries. Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Sudanese ambassador in Damascus: recent decisions in Sudan aim at rearranging national congress conditions
  Developments of the Sudanese political arena have raised questions over what is taking place regarding the national reconciliation process and enabling Sudan to reintegrate into its Arab, regional and international surrounding. Sudan, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Moroccan and French regions sign cooperation accord Morocco-France, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Israel and withdrawal from South Lebanon
  The Israeli radio correspondent in Washington reported that the US administration decided to take part in financing costs of withdrawal from South Lebanon. A matter which is considered a message to both Syria and Iran stressing Washington's backing to Israel. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Hizbullah asks Lahd Militia members to demonstrate loyalty; Egyptian - Lebanese moral support
  Hizbullah deputy secretary general Naeem Kasem said in a celebration in Nabatia yesterday that any member in the pro Israeli SLA militia who proves they are against Israel will be pardoned in what he termed as a "last chance" initiative. Lebanon-Egypt, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Oman parliament delegation heads to Lebanon Oman-Lebanon, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Omani official in Tunis Tunisia-Oman, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Fath condemns Israeli practices against Palestinian prisoners Palestine, Politics, 5/15/2000
• Ebeid heads to Beirut on Wednesday Lebanon-Egypt, Politics, 5/15/2000

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