Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 12/11/2000

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of December 11, 2000

• Lebanese president pleased over Syria's release of Lebanese detainees Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/16/2000
• Mubara to address People's Assembly on deepening democracy
  Egypt's President Mubarak tomorrow delivers a major political speech before the joint session of the People's Assembly and the Shura Council. In his speech the President will put forward the national action program and the assignments of the new parliament. Egypt, Politics, 12/16/2000
• Vatican foreign minister carries on talks in Rabat Morocco-Vatican, Politics, 12/16/2000
• Sudanese opposition challenge government opportunism to amend laws
  In a statements issued by the Sudanese daily Alwan on Friday, the People's Congress said that "the government has used the incident of al-Jarrafah mosque in Um Durman and amended the national security law so as to detain for a period of three months, noting that this amendment came from a system which does not have the right to do so at the absence of the national council." Sudan, Politics, 12/16/2000
• On President al-Assad's visit to Lebanon
  The London based al-Sharq al-Awsat daily said that a well-informed Syrian media source denounced information rumored in media and political sources in Lebanon about the date of President Bashar al-Assad's visit to Lebanon which was set by these media as to be on the first ten days of next year, 2001. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/16/2000
• Six Palestinians killed in the third Friday of Ramadan
  Clashes have been escalated between the Palestinian citizens and the Israeli forces and 6 Palestinians were killed and many others wounded by the Israeli fire bullets. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/16/2000
• Emirates hopes of Iranian positive response towards islands issue
  The foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates UAE Rashed Abdullah al-Nu'eimi has announced that a three- member committee composed by the Gulf Cooperation Council of the Arab Gulf states to settle the conflict with Iran over three islands will submit a report to the leaders of the Gulf states in their summit to be held in Bahrain by the end of this month. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 12/16/2000
• Elections in Sudan
  Friday was the third day in the elections in Sudan for the Presidency and the national council, amid an increasing turnout from citizens on the voting ballots in the centers which are deployed in 23 Sudanese provinces out of 26. Sudan, Politics, 12/16/2000
• Saudi crown prince confers with Sharif Saudi Arabia-Pakistan, Politics, 12/16/2000
• Iran, Saudi Arabia agree draft security agreement
  The advisor for the Iranian foreign minister Sabah Zankaneh has stated that Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed the draft security agreement due to be signed in the second half of January, 2001. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 12/16/2000
• Azmi Beshara is persistent on his position after government investigations
  The Israeli police on Thursday and for four hours interrogated the Palestinian parliament member in the Israeli Knesset Azmi Beshara over statements he made just five months ago in a massive celebration in Um al-Fahm in which he praised the Hizbullah party for resisting the Israeli occupation in South Lebanon. Israel, Politics, 12/16/2000
• Greater Rabbi for Eastern Jews backs Israeli concessions even in Jerusalem
  Israel's Greater Rabbi for East Jews ( Safardim) Eliaho Pakshi Doroun has announced during a visit to the Jewish community in Singapore that he " very much" backs giving concessions that can bring back peace to the Middle East even if these concessions stated: giving up parts of Jerusalem." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/16/2000
• Sudan detains more members of al-Takfir, al-Hijra group Sudan, Politics, 12/16/2000
• Vedrine express Europe's interest in political and economic progress on its south
  "The talks dealt with the situation in the Mediterranean region, Iraq, new developments in the US arena, the elections in Israel and the chances to establish peace," added Moussa. "The establishment of a French university in Egypt as well as other bilateral issues were also tackled," expounded Moussa. Egypt-France, Politics, 12/16/2000
• Qaddafi gets messages from African leaders
  Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi on Friday evening received a message from President of Burkina Faso, pertaining to conditions in West Africa and the efforts aiming at maintaining the unity of Africa. Libya-Burkina Faso, Politics, 12/16/2000
• Incidents in Palestinian territories overshadow UN work
  "On the other hand, Egypt wants the agreement to apply to the acts of terrorism perpetrated by regular army troops to distinguish between liberation activities and armed struggle against occupation, on the one hand, and terrorist acts by criminals on the other," Abul-Gheit said. "Egypt is also seeking consensus on a definition of terrorism and banning the sheltering of terrorists through granting them Political asylum," he added. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 12/16/2000
• Egypt stresses necessity of boosting UN activities in humanitarian aid field
  The UN General Assembly Friday endorsed a large number of resolutions on providing humanitarian aid to countries which are either exposed to natural disasters or suffer from the aftermath of wars including the Palestinian people, Mozambique, Somalia, the Democratic Congo, Ukraine, Yugoslavia, Belize and Kazakhstan. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 12/16/2000
• People's committee to back the Iraqi people
  A People's Committee for Backing the Iraqi People following the foundation of the National Committee to Dismember the Sanctions was recently formed in Damascus. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 12/16/2000
• Cabinet council debates draft public freedoms law
  The draft related to the press law seeks to enlarge, guarantee and preserve the freedom of speech and make of it a major implement for democracy consecration Morocco, Politics, 12/15/2000
• King Mohammed meets Holy See foreign affairs minister Morocco-Vatican, Politics, 12/15/2000
• On the Sudanese parliamentary and presidential elections
  Voting operation started on Wednesday in Sudan to choose a new President and members of the national council whose member tolled 360 of various social, vocational and women strata to fill the constitutional vacuum which lasted for over one year. Sudan, Politics, 12/15/2000
• Somali leader gives up opposition to President Salat
  In a positive step to achieve national reconciliation in Somalia, Hussein Haji Joud, one of the prominent leading figues of the former Somali President Ali Mahdi Muhammad in North Makadishu joined the government of President Qasem Salat. Somalia, Politics, 12/15/2000
• Damascus invites Marwan al-Barghouthi
  Well-informed Palestinian sources in Damascus have noted that there are "positive signs " towards the improvement of the relations between Damascus and the Palestinian National Movement and "the Fatah Movement" led by Yasser Arafat. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 12/15/2000
• Citizens of the Golan stress their commitment to Syria
  The people of the occupied Syrian Golan heights on Wednesday issued a statement on the 19th anniversary of their uprising against the decision of the Israeli Knesset to annex their Syrian lands to the Israeli occupation in 1981. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/15/2000
• Year of dialogue among civilizations to enhance diversity: UN official
  The United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations, to be marked in 2001, will offer an opportunity to celebrate diversity worldwide, according to the top UN official charged with leading the commemoration. Regional, Politics, 12/15/2000
• Return of 201 missing servicemen from Algerian territory
  Some 201 Moroccan servicemen, who were detained in the Algerian territory, returned to Morocco Thursday. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 12/15/2000
• A palestinian delegation of the Arabs of 1948 arrives in damascus Syria-Palestine, Politics, 12/15/2000
• Nasrullah defines conditions for exchange deal with Israel
  The secretary general of the Hizbullah Party Hassan Nasrullah on Wednesday clearly defined the conditions set by the Lebanese resistance to release the Israeli prisoners held with it in any exchange operation with Israel. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 12/15/2000
• Mubarak, Vedrine discuss the situation in the region, revitalizing the European role
  Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak on Thursday in Cairo received the French Foreign minister Hubert Vedrine. The meeting was attended by the Egyptian foreign minister Amr Moussa and the EU Middle East peace process envoy Moratinos. Egypt-France, Politics, 12/15/2000
• New Egyptian parliamentary session, Srour, is parliament speaker
  The new Parliamentary session was launched in Egypt. The Egyptian parliament has held its first sessions of the new parliamentary term 2000- 2005 and it elected during this session Ahmad Fatehi Srour as its speaker with the majority of 434 votes of the total votes of the parliament estimated at 444 votes. Egypt, Politics, 12/15/2000
• Conditions in Iraq and cooperation with Iran before the Gulf summit
  The secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation council GCC Jamil al-Hujeilan said that the Gulf summit which will be held on December 30 in al-Manama will discuss strengthening the march of the GCC, unifying the currency and expanding the volume of economic cooperation. Gulf-Iraq, Politics, 12/15/2000
• Holy See secretary confers with foreign and religious affairs ministers
  Visiting Holy See secretary in charge of relations with states (foreign minister), Monsignor Jean-Luis Tauran, held separate meetings in Rabat Thursday with minister of Foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, and minister of habus and Islamic affairs, Abdelkebir Alaoui M'Daghri. Morocco-Vatican, Politics, 12/15/2000
• Eritreans, Ethiopians reaction to Algeria's agreement
  The Ethiopians and the Eritreans received news of the peace agreement signed between their two governments in discontent and doubtful. But they said that to forget the bitterness and sorrows resulting from a border war that lasted for two years between their two countries need some times. Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 12/15/2000
• The Moroccan Sahara association tours Andalusia next week Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/15/2000
• Qatar foils an Israeli attempt to assassinate Khaled Mashaal
  Arab diplomatic sources unveiled on Thursday a new Israeli plan to assassinate the chairman of the political bureau of the Palestinian national resistance movement Hamas Khaled Mashaal. Qatar-Israel, Politics, 12/15/2000
• Ambassador Abouayoub meets group of french MPs on Sahara
  Moroccan ambassador to France Hassan Abouayoub met in Paris Wednesday French MPS from the Moroccan Sahara Study Group within the French National Assembly. Morocco-France, Politics, 12/15/2000
• Morocco and Vanuatu to start diplomatic relations
  Morocco and Vanuatu decided to establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level. Morocco-Vanuatu, Politics, 12/15/2000
• Malaysia never established diplomatic ties with Israel, PM
  Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Friday Malaysia has never established diplomatic ties with Israel and does not plan to do so until the Palestinian issue is resolved Israel-Malaysia, Politics, 12/15/2000
• UNHCR urges respect for refugees on 50th anniversary
  Marking its 50th anniversary, the United Nations refugee agency official On Thursday declared that while its longevity was nothing to celebrate, the courage and contributions of the world's millions of refugees deserved everyone's respect. Regional, Politics, 12/15/2000
• Five Palestinians killed, 50 wounded, four houses demolished in Palestinian territories
  The Israeli occupation forces on Wednesday escalated their attacks on the Palestinian cities and Israeli tanks broke into Khan Younis and the aggression resulted in killing four Palestinians, several wounded while one Palestinian was killed in confrontation in Hebron ( al-Khalil). Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/14/2000
• Egypt, Jordan's reconciliatory document for agreement between Israel, the Palestinians
  The Israeli daily Maareve said on Wednesday that Egypt and Jordan are crystallizing a reconciliatory document for an agreement between Israeli and the Palestinian government. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/14/2000
• African conflicts should be settled via understanding, dialogue Algeria, Politics, 12/14/2000
• Al-Turabi renewed criticism on the Presidential, parliamentary elections
  The leader of the Sudanese People's Conference Hassan al-Turabi on Wednesday renewed his criticism on the Presidential and parliamentary elections which had started on Wednesday. Sudan, Politics, 12/14/2000
• Sudanese minister resigns because Sudan wastes its resources
  Sudanese minister of state at the ministry of road and communications Taaban Dinq has announced his resignation from his post in protest that the Sudanese government did not implement the al-Khartoum agreement concerning peace. Sudan, Politics, 12/14/2000
• Boycott of Israeli goods copes with Egypt's principles
  "President Hosni Mubarak's assertion that every Egyptian had the right to boycott Israeli products fully conforms to the ethics Egypt has always called for," Minister of Information Safwat El Sherif said. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/14/2000
• Constant change in warding to cope with mutations in the kingdom, minister says
  Midaoui told the house of representatives, at Wednesday Question Time, the warding based on decentralizing must go in pair with power and attributions transfer if it is to play its true role, meet expectations of all layers of society and lay foundations for the new authority concept upheld by King Mohammed VI. Morocco, Politics, 12/14/2000
• Jordanian information ministry closes al-Hadath news paper Jordan, Politics, 12/14/2000
• Albright confers with Butaflika
  The US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has stated that Algeria wants after its mediation in the peace agreement signed on Tuesday between Eritrea and Ethiopia to improve its relations with the US and other states. Algeria-USA, Politics, 12/14/2000
• On the meetings of the Saudi- Yemeni coordination council
  Saudi defense minister prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz has stressed in conclusion of the meetings of the Saudi- Yemeni coordination council that it was agreed on all debated issues and no difference was noted regarding any of the debated issues. Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 12/14/2000
• Vanuatu to open diplomatic representation in Morocco
  Foreign affairs and trade minister of Vanuatu, Rialuth Serge Vohor, announced in Rabat Wednesday his country's decision to open a diplomatic representation in Rabat as the platform to promote the republic in the Arab world, Europe and Africa. Morocco-Vanuatu, Politics, 12/14/2000
• People's Assembly hail Mubarak's defense of Arab rights
  Members of the People's Assembly in Egypt have expressed their deep appreciation of the wise policy adopted by President Mubarak. Egypt, Politics, 12/14/2000
• Baghdad: three men in Ode's assassination attempt is in a neighboring state
  An Iraqi security source said on Wednesday that three out of five persons who took part in the assassination attempt against Ode Saddam Hussein, the elder son for the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in 1996 are still fleeing, noting that they are existed " in a foreign state neighboring Iraq." Iraq, Politics, 12/14/2000
• Sudan, Britain and the US
  The British ambassador in al-Khartoum Richard Macbeth has stressed that his country continued dialogue with the American administration to narrow the gap between the US and Sudan. Sudan-USA, Politics, 12/14/2000
• Spain Sets Unilaterally Maritime Borders For Canary Islands
  Spanish authorities have delineated maritime borders for the Canary Islands without consultations with Morocco Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/14/2000
• Turkish aids to the Intifada estimated at US $ three million Turkey-Palestine, Politics, 12/14/2000
• Yemeni investigations on the US warship explosion
  Yemen's minister of the Interior Hussein Muhammad Arab has announced that the Yemeni authorities are making further search operations for those suspected in the attack against the US warship USS Cole in October, besides six persons who were arrested earlier. Yemen-USA, Politics, 12/14/2000
• King Mohammed Meets President Yasser Arafat Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 12/13/2000
• Eritrea, Ethiopia sign a comprehensive peace agreement in Algeria
  President Asyas Afourki of Eritrea and the Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi on Tuesday afternoon at the Nations's Palace in Algiers, and in the presence of the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika signed a final and comprehensive peace agreement between their two countries. Eritrea-Ethiopia, Politics, 12/13/2000
• Presidential elections started today in Sudan Sudan, Politics, 12/13/2000
• Mubarak reviews outcome of meetings by fact-finding committee in Palestinian territories
  At his meeting yesterday with the delegation of the fact finding mission in the Palestinian territories, President Mubarak was briefed on the outcome of the committee meetings with both Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and a number of Palestinian and Israel officials. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 12/13/2000
• Negotiations possible only after confidence returns
  "The possibility that negotiations be resumed between the Palestinians and Israelis should not be ruled out," said Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 12/13/2000
• Israeli forces bombard Beit Jala, Jenin, Rafah and 16 Palestinian towns
  Clashes continued on Tuesday in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Palestinian youth attacked Israeli positions and on foot forces in various areas in the West bank and Gaza, while the Israeli occupation forces escalated its attacks against the Palestinian cities. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/13/2000
• Clinton, Barak held telephone talks Israel-USA, Politics, 12/13/2000
• Israel assassinates Fatah official
  Israeli troops yesterday assassinated Youssef Ahmad Abu Sewaya a prominent member of Fatah movement wanted by Israel. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/13/2000
• King Mohammed confers with US Mid-East Emissary Ross
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, conferred here Tuesday with visiting US emissary for the Middle-East Dennis Ross. Morocco-USA, Politics, 12/13/2000
• Possible complications for Lebanese detainees in Syria
  The Monte Carlo radio correspondent in Beirut said on Tuesday that several Lebanese detainees and prisoners will stay in the Syrian jails and will not be released unless they complete their imprisonment sentence, concerning crimes they committed on the Syrian territories. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/13/2000
• Moroccan, Palestinian businessmen pledge financial backing to intifada
  Moroccan and Palestinian businessmen met in Rabat on Tuesday to study means to extend financial backing to Palestinian farmers and workers, victim of Israeli repression. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 12/13/2000
• Jordanian trade union- parliamentary coordination to cancel the peace agreement with israel
  It was decided in Jordan to convene a meeting between the vocational trade unions and several parliament members in order to co-ordinate co-operation between the two sides for resisting all forms of normalization and canceling the peace treaty between Jordan and Israel. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 12/13/2000
• Wild Ismael: Mauritania's street might be explode at any moment
  The circle of protest has been expanded in the Mauritanian street against the normalization policy advocated by Nouakchott government. Mauritania-Israel, Politics, 12/13/2000
• Court to look into banned weeklies case friday in Rabat
  The Rabat administrative court delayed till Friday scrutiny in the case of the banned weeklies "Le Journal" and "Assahifa." Morocco, Politics, 12/13/2000
• The Egyptian accused in spying for Israel to be tried in January
  Egyptian judicial sources said on Monday in Cairo that the supreme state security court for emergency issues will start next month ( January) debating the spying case for Israel in which was accused the Egyptian Sharif Fawzi al- Filali. Advisor Wahid Mahmoud told journalists that al-Filali will be brought before the court in January 13th. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/13/2000
• Lebanon gets 50 prisoners from the Syrian jails
  The Lebanese prisoners who were released from the Syrian jails arrived in Beirut on Monday evening. They were released at a decision taken by President Bashar al-Assad. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/12/2000
• Mubarak urges parliament to find solutions to citizens needs
  Egypt's President Mubarak has called on the new People's Assembly to pay wider attention to the interests of citizens when it considers any legislation. Egypt, Politics, 12/12/2000
• King Mohammed meets US deputy secretary of state in charge of middle-east affairs Morocco-USA, Politics, 12/12/2000
• Damascus meeting condemns Israel practices against the Palestinians
  The statement also said that the committee members confirmed the necessity of establishing of a nuclear- free zone in the Middle east, due to the dangers of israeli nuclear weapons on international peace and security. The members of the committee made it clear that Israel's possession of mass destruction weapons greatly threatens Arab national security and stability. Regional-Israel, Politics, 12/12/2000
• Three Palestinians killed in Monday's confrontations
  The occupied Arab territories on Monday witnessed more confrontations between the Palestinians and the Israeli forces, resulted in killing and wounding of several Palestinians in Nablus, al-Khalil, Ramullah, Jerusalem, Gaza and Khan Younis. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/12/2000
• A Syrian- Turkish friendship committee Syria-Turkey, Politics, 12/12/2000
• Al-Assad confers with Arab foreign ministers of follow up committee
  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday at al-Shaab palace of Damascus received members of the emergency Arab Cairo's Summit's follow up committee. Syria-Regional, Politics, 12/12/2000
• New Israeli buildings in the occupied Golan Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/12/2000
• Mubarak receives fact-finding committee
  The Fact-Finding Committee investigating violence in the occupied lands arrived in Cairo early Tuesday under George Mitchell on a one-day visit to Egypt where President Hosni Mubarak will receive him. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 12/12/2000
• Algerian army arrests 12 Polisario members who wanted to return to Morocco
  A group of 12 Polisario members, who wanted to return to Morocco, was arrested recently by the Algerian army. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 12/12/2000
• US Middle-East emissary Dennis Ross arrives in Rabat Morocco-USA, Politics, 12/12/2000
• The fact finding commission and Israel
  Israel's foreign minister Shloumo Bin Ami on Monday morning met with two members of the International fact finding Commission in the West Bank and Gaza strip. They are the official in charge at the European Union Javier Solana and Norway's foreign minister. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/12/2000
• Youssoufi condemns Israeli ruthless repression against Palestinians
  Moroccan premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi strongly condemned ruthless repression of Palestinian demonstrations by Israel and blamed violence escalation in the Middle-East on Tel-Aviv. Morocco-Israel, Politics, 12/12/2000
• Yemeni proposal to revitalize relations with Saudi Arabia
  Yemen's minister of justice and vocational training Muhammad al-Tayeb has expressed his confidence in the success of the works of the Yemeni- Saudi council which was held on Monday by the Saudi defense minister prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz and the Yemeni prime minister Dr. Abdul Karim al-Eryani. Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/12/2000
• Sudanese security barriers in Khartoum; amends security laws
  The Sudanese police and security forces started since Sunday redeployment campaigns and large scale inspection campaign in al-Khartoum province especially during night times. On foot patrols and barriers were deployed on crossroads and the main highways leading and coming from the capital. Sudan, Politics, 12/12/2000
• Malaysia will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel
  Malaysia's prime minister Mahateir Muhammad has announced that his country refuses the establishment of any diplomatic relations with Israel before a solution will be provided for the Palestinian question. Israel-Malaysia, Politics, 12/12/2000
• Garang plans destruction acts in Sudan
  Well-informed source in Khartoum disclosed that the rebellion movement led by John Garang has drawn a plan to destroy the infrastructure in certain Sudanese cities and to assassinate constitutional, political and prominent figures in Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 12/12/2000
• Hizbullah stresses contacts for exchanging the Israeli prisoners
  Hizbullah sources in Beirut and military sources in Israel unveiled on Monday " contacts" that are currently made at the mediation of a third party to arrange the process of exchanging prisoners between the two sides. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 12/12/2000
• Jordanian anti- normalization committee publishes second lists of normalisers Jordan-Israel, Politics, 12/12/2000
• Israel's spy to stand trial in January
  Defendant Sherif Filali, accused of being a Mossad Agent and spying for Israel, will stand trial before the Higher State Security Emergency Court on January 13. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/12/2000
• The Lebanese Shebaa farms and Syria's position Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 12/12/2000
• Some 2286 Palestinians were killed since the beginning of the Intifada Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/11/2000
• Arab follow up committee meets in Damascus
  Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara said that the formation of this committee from the Arab East and al-Maghreb proves that:" We are all preoccupied by developments in the occupied Palestinian lands. These developments should have reflections on the whole situation in the region." Regional, Politics, 12/11/2000
• Mauritanian opposition leader detained
  The Mauritanian authorities have arrested the leader of the Mauritanian banned Democratic Forces Federation Ahmad Wild Dada upon his arrival in the plane which took him to Paris on Saturday. He was taken to an unknown place, according to leading sources at the said party. Mauritania, Politics, 12/11/2000
• On President Bashar al-Assad's visit to Turkey
  The Sudanese " al-Share' al-Seyasi " daily has expected that President Bashar al-Assad will shortly pay a visit to Turkey following the visit held by vice- President Abdul Halim Khaddam to Ankara in an attempt to open a new page that would minimize the israeli influence in the Turkish policies. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 12/11/2000
• Arafat concludes a short visit to Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia-Palestine, Politics, 12/11/2000
• Iran, Iraq for normalizing relations
  The Kuwaiti daily al-Watan issued on Sunday in Kuwait quoted Iranian sources as expecting that talks carried out by the Iraqi diplomatic delegation, currently visiting Tehran, will conclude results that would accelerate the normalization of relations between the two countries, ending the differences and reaching a final peace agreement. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 12/11/2000
• Yemeni president speaks on the US warship explosion
  The Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh told the Washington Post that it is possible to direct accusation on the explosion of the US warship USS Cole to Israel or to any intelligence agency aiming at destabilizing Yemeni- US relations. Yemen-USA, Politics, 12/11/2000
• Middle East situation volatile, but has chances for the better
  Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa described the situation in the Middle East region as full of changes and explosion catalysts, but has some vistas which, if opened, might lead to a change for the better. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 12/11/2000
• Al-Eryani: Yemeni- Saudi relations are in their best
  Yemen's prime minister Abdul Karim al-Eryani has described Yemeni- Saudi relations as in their best. He viewed the issue of borders between the two states as being of no more a risk, adding he will discuss with Saudi officials during his next visit to al-Riyadh the question of borders between the two states means of ensuring job opportunities for Yemenis in Saudi Arabia. Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/11/2000
• On relations between Syria and Lebanon
  Former Lebanese President Amin al-Gemayel has stated that the presence of President Bashar al-Assad as head of the authority in Syria strengthens the possibility of reaching a fundamental treatment of problems debated at the level of Syrian- Lebanese relations. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/11/2000
• Mubarak to discuss aspects of national action program
  At his meeting today with the parliamentary body of the National Democratic Party, Egyt's President Hosni Mubarak will discuss a number of domestic and external issues and his vision of the national action program. Egypt, Politics, 12/11/2000
• Commissioner Robinson calls for observing human rights in ME
  United Nations Human Rights Commissioner (UNHRC) Mary Robinson Sunday urged all parties to the conflict in the Middle East to comply with the obligations of human rights and international law. Palestine, Politics, 12/11/2000
• US official holds talks in Rabat
  US assistant secretary of state in charge of the near east, Edward Walker, who started on Sunday a visit to Morocco, held separate meetings with prime minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, and interior minister, Ahmed El Midaoui. Morocco-USA, Politics, 12/11/2000
• Over 31,000 Moroccans refused at Sebta Check Point
  Over 31,000 Moroccans were turned down since last January at the border point of the Moroccan northern occupied town of Sebta, reports Spanish agency "Europa Press." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/11/2000

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