Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 11/27/2000
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of November 27, 2000
- UN General Assembly passes four resolutions on Palestine
The UN General Assembly underlined the necessity of enforcing the intact rights of Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and demanded an Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories occupied in 1967. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/2/2000 - Egypt keen on seeing UN peacekeeping potentials beefed up
"Egypt is keen on upgrading the UN capabilities so as to enable it undertak its responsibilities for maintaining world peace and security," said Ahmad Abul-Gheit, Egypt's Ambassador to the UN. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 12/2/2000 - French plane arrives in Baghdad Iraq-France, Politics, 12/2/2000
- Some 10,000 Palestinians killed or wounded by Israel in al-Aqsa Intifada
UNICEF has announced that some 310 Palestinians including 97 children were killed and other 9802 wounded by the Israeli bullets in the clashes with the Israeli occupation forces since the eruption of the Intifada in the occupied palestinian territories since September 28. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/2/2000 - A Syrian- Lebanese summit expected
The Kuwaiti daily al-Qabas quoted well-informed political sources that they do not rule out a Syrian- Lebanese summit to be convened to raise the level of coordination between the two sides in lights of developments taking place in Israel. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/2/2000 - Moussa denies plans to hold Arafat-Barak summit
Moussa reiterated that Israel should implement Sharm El-Sheikh understanding and withdraw from the Palestinian lands in order to calm the volatile situation in the region. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/2/2000 - Reconciliation between Syria and Junblat
The Saudi daily Okaz issued today said that there is a reconciliation process between Syria and the Lebanese parliament member Walid Junblat. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/2/2000 - On President al-Assad's visit to Lebanon
An official Syrian source told the London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat daily issued on Friday that no date has been fixed for the visit of President Bashar al-Assad to Lebanon Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 12/2/2000 - Eritrea's military build up on the Sudanese borders
Sudanese minister of Presidential affairs Lt. Gen. Abdul Rahim Muhammad Hassan has asserted continued Eritrea's military build up off the borders with Sudan. He added there are several suspended files between the two countries that are waiting to be settled. Sudan-Eritrea, Politics, 12/2/2000 - Egypt continues efforts to stop violence against Palestinians
gypt, under the leadership of President Hosni Mubarak played an effective role in sparing the Palestinian people the danger of starvation as a result of the Israeli blockade of Palestinian cities since the eruption of the Intifada. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 12/2/2000 - Sfeir expected to visit Damascus
In its issue to be published on Monday the " al-Osbo al-Arabi" weekly issued in Beirut said that the Maronite Patriarch Nasrullah Sfeir will head for Syria to take part in receiving Pope John Paul II who is scheduled to visit Syria next Spring. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 12/2/2000 - Libya starts to impose entry visas on Lebanese and Syrians
The London- based al-Sharq al-Awsat daily said today that the Libyan authorities have started since four days to impose an entry visa on those who carry Lebanese and Syrian passports who want to visit Libya. Libya-Lebanon, Politics, 12/2/2000 - The first Jordanian commercial plane lands today in Baghdad Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/1/2000
- Tunisian president confers with Arafat Tunisia-Palestine, Politics, 12/1/2000
- Mubarak rules out the eruption of war in the ME
President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has stressed his commitment to peace despite the deterioration of conditions in the occupied lands. He ruled out the possibility of war between Egypt and Israel. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/1/2000 - Al-Shara confers with Aziz, Moratinos
The Syrian foreign minister farouk al-Shara on Thursday in Damascus received Iraq deputy prime minister Tareq Aziz. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 12/1/2000 - Three Palestinians killed on Thursday's confrontations
In its escalation of its aggressive war against the palestinian people, Israel has deployed additional forces to the West Bank and Gaza strip in order to tighten the military and economic siege its has imposed on the occupied Palestinian territories since more than two months. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/1/2000 - Al-Bashir: the door is open for those who want to return back to Sudan
Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has stressed the return back of al-Sadeq al-Mahdi to the country has proved practically that the door is open for all and that the opposition outside the country and carrying of weapons are no more justified and that the homeland welcomes all those who want to return back. Sudan, Politics, 12/1/2000 - Al-Assad discusses with Bweiz, Hawi conditions in the region, Israeli escalation
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday at al-Shaab palace received member of the Lebanese parliament and former foreign minister Fares Bweiz. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 12/1/2000 - Moussa: 8-member committee meets in Damascus on November 10
Egypt's foreign minister Amr Moussa has called for ensuring all forms of backing to the Palestinian uprising. He stressed that the reasons that led to the eruption of the uprising are still there, namely the continued Israeli occupation of the Arab territories. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 12/1/2000 - Tunisian president calls for enhanced inter- Arab relations
The Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali has stressed that it is the duty of the Arab states to up their relations to the level that meets the expectations of their peoples to integration and rapprochement. Tunisia-Regional, Politics, 12/1/2000 - India Reaffirms Support To Palestinian People Palestine-India, Politics, 12/1/2000
- Lahoud discuss with Berri economic situation, Israel violations against Lebanon
The Israeli warplanes on Thursday once again violated the Lebanese airspace especially the South lebanese areas. The Lebanese president discussed with the speaker of parliament Nabih Berri conditions in South Lebanon in light of the Israeli escalation and latest developments concerning regional condition. Lebanon, Politics, 12/1/2000 - Head of sahrawi republic post, telephone returns to Morocco
The director of the post and telephone company of the So-called Sahrawi republic (SADR) returned to Morocco on Friday in response of the royal call: "the country is clement and forgiving." Morocco, Politics, 12/1/2000 - New mexican president gets message from king Mohammed
New Mexican president Vicente Fox Quessada received a message from King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Mexico, Politics, 12/1/2000 - Syria joins the agreement to establish the International Criminal Court
Syria on Wednesday joined the agreement provided for the establishment of the International criminal court whose constituent was adopted in Rome in 1998, and this decision was based on Syria's care to develop the international law and its commitment to international legitimacy and the UN charter. Syria, Politics, 12/1/2000 - Moroccan-European parliamentary group set up
A friendship group between the European parliament and the Moroccan parliament has been set up to consolidate ties and promote exchanges between the two institutions. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 12/1/2000 - Government decries information published by Le Journal weekly
The government decried information published by Le Journal Weekly, terming them as "a serious attempt against constitutional institutions and the great symbols of Morocco." Morocco, Politics, 12/1/2000 - International investigation commission on Palestine starts proceedings Dec.11
The international investigation commission on violence in Palestine will start proceedings on December 11, a Palestinian official source said. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/1/2000 - Popular rally in Fez calls for boycott of American products
Participants at a solidarity rally with the Palestinian people, held Thursday here by the Moroccan League for Human Rights Defense (LMDH), called for boycotting American products. Morocco-USA, Politics, 12/1/2000 - Al-Qaddafi confers with Arafat Libya-Palestine, Politics, 12/1/2000
- Mubarak, Zayed discuss ME developments, bilateral relations
Egypt's President Mubarak returned home last night after a flight visit to the United Arab Emirates during which he inquired after the health of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, who underwent a kidney transplantation. The President wished Sheikh Zayed a speedy recovery. United Arab Emirates-Egypt, Politics, 11/30/2000 - Syrian PNF meets on revitalizing role Syria, Politics, 11/30/2000
- Strong support for Palestinian people voiced, as UN marks Day of Solidarity
The United Nations on Thursday marked the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People amid calls for renewed efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive settlement to the question of Palestine - the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Palestine, Politics, 11/30/2000 - Five Palestinians killed, tens wounded on Wednesday's clashes with the Israelis
Confrontation continued between the Palestinian youths and the Israeli occupation forces. Five Palestinians were killed on Wednesday by the Israeli bullets in Gaza and other tens were wounded. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/30/2000 - Annan, Iraqi ambassador agree on need to begin dialogue
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Ambassador of Iraq have agreed to begin a process of dialogue early next year on Baghdad's compliance with Security Council resolutions. Iraq, Politics, 11/30/2000 - Al-Shara, Lebanese counterpart talk on the telephone
A telephone call wad held on Wednesday between the Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara and his Lebanese counterpart Mahmoud Hammoud. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 11/30/2000 - No initiative on peace agreement between Palestinians, Israelis
Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said that no proposal has been put forward for clinching a Palestinian-Israeli peace agreement. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 11/30/2000 - Syrian economy suffers from debt and outdated laws
The Monte Carlo radio said on Wednesday that the Syrian economy suffers debts estimated at US $ 20 billion, mostly from countries of East Europe. It added that the Syrian economy also suffers several laws which economists view as contradictory and stopping the economic development. Syria, Politics, 11/30/2000 - Al-Bashir and conditions in Sudan
The Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has held the leader of the opposition democratic national coalition Muhammad Othman al- Merghani responsible for the recent attack against the city of kasla. He said that Merghani is directly responsible for these incidents even if he ( Merghani) made statements condemning these incidents. Sudan, Politics, 11/30/2000 - Libya and the disappearance of Mousa al-Sader
The diplomat added that al-Sader file was closed after the assassination of the former Iranian defense minister Mustafa Hamran, who was the first commander for the Lebanese Shiite Amal Movement militias Libya-Lebanon, Politics, 11/30/2000 - Aziz hold talks in Moscow with Russian counterpart
Talks between the Russian Foreign minister Igor Ivanov and the Iraqi deputy premier Tareq Aziz, who arrived on Tuesday evening in a short work visit, started on Wednesday in Moscow. Iraq-Russia, Politics, 11/30/2000 - New Yemeni strategy to alleviate poverty
The Yemeni government has approved a new strategy for growth and for alleviating poverty. This strategy will be implemented during the five coming years. Yemen, Politics, 11/30/2000 - Egypt's peace role central, instrumental
"We want to reach the goal, namely to realize peace, the goal is not war or violence," he said. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 11/30/2000 - Palestinians celebrate partition anniversary of Palestine
A demonstration was held on Wednesday in al-Yarmouk camp in Damascus on the 52nd anniversary of partitioning of Palestine and the declaration of November 29 as a day of the Arab solidarity with the Palestinian people. Palestine-Syria, Politics, 11/30/2000 - Sudan officially complains against the US Sudan-USA, Politics, 11/30/2000
- Sudanese rebels kill 8 relief workers Sudan, Politics, 11/30/2000
- Israeli envoy in a secret mission in Cairo Egypt-Israel, Politics, 11/30/2000
- Arab moves to counter the Israeli aggressions
Arab diplomatic sources told the Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am that there is an Egyptian, Jordanian and Palestinian move that might result in convening a tripartite summit within days in order to find out a formula to withstand the Israeli aggressions following the step taken by Egypt in calling back its ambassador from Tel Aviv. Regional-Israel, Politics, 11/30/2000 - India to airlift medical supplies to Palestine
India has decided to airlift medical supplies to Palestine in the wake of recent incidents of violence in the Middle-East, India's Junior Minister for External Affairs Ajit Kumar Panja said Wednesday. Palestine-India, Politics, 11/30/2000 - Syria blacklists ships
The Syrian daily Tishreen said on said on Wednesday that Syria has listed three ships: a Russian, Cypriot and a Maltese in the black list because they "anchored in the Israeli ports." Syria-Israel, Politics, 11/30/2000 - More Palestinians killed in clashes with Israel
Meantime, the Israeli Bulldozers uprooted farm trees to the south of Gaza under the pretext that the Palestinian are using it a shelters for resistance. Palestine-israel, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Chinese president confers with Aziz Iraq-China, Politics, 11/29/2000
- On Berri and Syria
The Monte Carlo radio correspondent in Damascus said that Syrian official sources stressed that the speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri is Syria's ally and will remain so. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Two Sudanese parties maintain agreement
Rapprochement steps have started between the Sudanese Ummah party led by al-Sadeq al-Mahdi with the chairman of the People's Congress party led by Hassan al-Turabi in a meeting they held on Monday evening. Sudan, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Tripartite talks in Jordan on Israeli aggression
Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa arrived in Aqaba Tuesday afternoon to take part in the Egyptian-Jordanian-Palestinian meeting to discuss the current situation in the Palestinian territories. Jordan-Egypt, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Jordan to start the first regular civil flight to Baghdad
the Kuwaiti daily al-Seyasah on Tuesday quoted well-informed sources as saying that Jordan will start as from today Thursday to its first regular air flight to Baghdad. Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Jordan warns Israel against preventing water supplies
A high ranking Jordanian official on Tuesday warned Israel against the consequences of proceeding its threats to cut waters off Jordan, stressing that relations between Jordan and Israel have reached a very bad stage at recent time after the eruption of al- Aqsa uprising and the crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces against the unarmed Palestinian people. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Nouakchott government releases 4 opposition leaders
The Mauritania's authorities have released 4 opposition leaders they were arrested 17 days ago under the charges of provoking for violence, as claimed by the government of Nouakchott. Mauritania, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Arafat bans opening of fire against Palestinian settlements, army centers Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/29/2000
- Dialogue resumed between al- Taqadumi and al-Aouni
Dialogue, which was resumed several weeks ago, resumed on Monday between the " Socialist Progressive Party" led by member of Lebanese parliament Walid Junblat and the " free national trend" ( al-Tayar al-Watani al-Hur) led my Michael Aoun. Lebanon, Politics, 11/29/2000 - On the re-deployment of the Syrian forces in Lebanon
The Saudi daily al-Watan said that the decision taken by the Syrian leadership to withdraw its forces from certain Lebanese positions and re-deploying these forces in certain areas does not mean preparations for the withdrawal of the Syrian forces from Lebanon or making a fundamental change in the Syrian- Lebanese relations as well as to bring back things to where they used to be before 1976. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Libyan leader confers with Somali president
Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qaddafi on Tuesday in Tripoli received the commander of the Libyan revolution Abdul Qader Salat Hassan and members of the accompanying delegation. Libya-Somalia, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Egypt discovers two spies for the Mossad
The Egyptian authorities revealed on Tuesday that two spies, one Egyptian and one Russian, working for the Israeli intelligence system Mossad in the first case of its kind since the detention of the Israeli spy Azzam Azzam. A matter which might raise a tension in the Egyptian- Israeli relations after the Egyptian ambassador was called upon from Tel Aviv one week earlier. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Wild Taye' celebrates Mauritania's independence, in presence of Israeli ambassador
Mauritania 's President Mu'weyah Wild Taye' on Tuesday, in the presence of the Israeli ambassador in Nouakchott celebrated his country's 40th independence anniversary and waved his hand with an olive branch for the opposition which protested over the diplomatic relations he held with Israel. Mauritania-Israel, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Egypt urges int'1 community to interfere to protect Palestinians
The UN general assembly discussed enhancement and coordination of humanitarian relief and aid provided by the united nations (UN). Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Egypt's Mufti: American goods are prohibited by Islam
Calls have continued in the Arab and Islamic worlds on Monday to boycott the American goods, in support of the Palestinian uprising when Egypt's Mufti Sheikh Naser farid Wasel announced that the American goods are " prohibited by Islam because of the US stance in support of Israel." Egypt-USA, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Iraq denies a request for a Syrian mediation with Kurdish forces Iraq-Syria, Politics, 11/29/2000
- Sudan files a complaint against the US
Sudan has filed a case to the UN against the US, in protest of the entry of the US under secretary of state to Southern Sudan without the permission of the Sudanese government. Al-Khartoum has not ruled out closing of the US embassy. Sudan-USA, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Lebanese complaint to the UN Security Council
Lebanon's foreign minister Mahmoud Hammoud has announced that he had submitted a complaint to the UN Security Council against Israel over bombarding southern lebanese villages close to kafer Shouba town on the Lebanese borders with Israel on Sunday. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Sudan, Ethiopia and the Nile
The Sudanese government has called on Ethiopia to provide it with detailed information about 14 projects Addis Ababa intends to implement on the Nile river so as to know the consequences of these projects on Sudan. Sudan-Ethiopia, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Syrian mediation to prevent the partition of Iraq Syria-Iraq, Politics, 11/29/2000
- Lebanese sources denies prior contacts between Syria and Berri
A Lebanese political source who has closely link to Damascus denied news that any Syrian official to have had green lighted the Lebanese speaker of parliament Nabih Berri to launch his initiative in Bkerki. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 11/29/2000 - Turkey keens to play a role in the ME peace negotiations Turkey-Regional, Politics, 11/29/2000
- On the Amnesty law in Syria
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday signed an Amnesty which covered thousands of political prisoners just two weeks following an Amnesty for 600 political prisoners. Syria, Politics, 11/27/2000 - King Mohammed, President Bouteflika hold phone conversation Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/27/2000
- Saudi Arabia denies connection to explosion in the US warship in Yemen
A Saudi security source has denied in a statement to the Saudi daily Okaz issued on Saturday any link to Saudis in exploding the US warship USS Cole at the territorial waters of Aden port in October. Saudi Arabia-Yemen-USA, Politics, 11/27/2000 - Colloquium notes positive evolution of freedom in Morocco
Participants also noted the serious challenges facing democratic evolution in Morocco, resulting from difficulties to cope with "a heavy legacy of human rights breaches and the crumbling of the electoral process, in addition to the justice and administration poor performances." Morocco, Politics, 11/27/2000 - Morocco, best democratic experiment in mideast, US ambassador
Morocco is the best democratic experiment in the Middle-East, US ambassador to Morocco, Edward Gabriel, said. "We in the U.S. State Department believe that Morocco probably is the best democratic experiment that is currently going on in the Middle East," Gabriel told the State Department, adding "Morocco's number one strength is its civil society." Morocco-USA, Politics, 11/27/2000 - Syrian forces to be re deployed in Lebanon
Following his meeting with the Maronite patriarch Nasrullah Butrous Sfeir, the speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih berri in Beirut on Friday said "our Syrian brothers have started their re-deployment in April this year. And re-deployment process will be completed very soon and the Syrian and Lebanese leaderships will meet to specify the positions where the Syrian troops to be stationed as a result of the new re-deployment plan". Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 11/27/2000 - Barak escalates his war against the Palestinians, six Palestinians killed
Palestinian youth Asaad Khalil al-Shaghnouni ( 20 year old) from Gaza was killed on Sunday following clashes with the Israeli forces at al-Mintar crossing after a bullet went into his head. Another youth Taysir Abu Alwaj ( 12 years old) was killed after he was hit by an Israeli bullet in Khan Younis. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/27/2000 - Israeli intelligence expect a war in the region Regional-Israel, Politics, 11/27/2000
- Bin Ami, Albright discuss resuming dialogue between Israel, the PA
The Israeli foreign minister Shloumo Bin Ami on Saturday evening made a telephone call with the US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/27/2000 - Tareq Aziz violates the air embargo to Damascus
The Iraqi vice- President Tareq Aziz arrived on Sunday in India in a sudden visit after a short visit he had made to China to which he arrived following a visit to Damascus where he had arrived earlier on Sunday, to be the first Iraqi official who travels from his country by air since the embargo was imposed on Iraq in August 1990. This was, however, a clear indication on the collapse of the air embargo against Iraq and the vast détente in the Syrian- Iraqi relations. Iraq-Syria, Politics, 11/27/2000 - Mubarak confers with Yatoum after Egypt withdraw ambassador from Israel
Ealrier this week, President Mubarak has stressed that Egypt 's ambassador in Tel Aviv will not return back to his work unless the Israelis work for calming down conditions and the Palestinians are assured on their lives and properties. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 11/27/2000 - No intention for a cabinet reshuffle in Kuwait Kuwait, Politics, 11/27/2000
- Morocco determined to extend information technologies use
Morocco said it is determined to extend the use of new information technologies in economic, social and cultural sectors. Morocco, Politics, 11/27/2000 - Al-Assad accepts credentials of new ambassadors to Syria, confers with Lebanese official
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday accepted the credentials of seven new ambassadors at al-Shaab palace in Damascus. They are respectively the ambassadors of Romania, Hungary, the people's democratic republic of Korea, Slovakia, Belgium, Austria and Canada. Syria, Politics, 11/27/2000 - Saudi- Sudanese economic relations reviewed Saudi Arabia-Sudan, Politics, 11/27/2000
- Southern local elects undertake study trip to US
A delegation of local elects from Morocco's southern regions undertook a study trip to a number of US cities and counties to learn about US local management. Morocco-USA, Politics, 11/27/2000 - Algerian refuses normalization with Israel
Algerian minister of state for foreign affairs Abdul Aziz Balkhadem has stressed his country's rejection to establishing any relations with Israel as far as it occupies an Arab land in the Golan, South Lebanon and Palestine and does not permit the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital and the return back of the Palestinian refugees to their homeland. Algeria-Israel, Politics, 11/27/2000 - Ruler of Kuwait gets a Yemeni message Kuwait-Yemen, Politics, 11/27/2000
- Young Jordanian clashes with an Israeli force Jordan-Israel, Politics, 11/27/2000