Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 5/28/2001

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of May 28, 2001

• Mubarak calls Islamic World for cultral awakening
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called on the Islamic world for a cultural aeakning to renew itself and shake off the dust of backwardness so that it can find a niche for itself among the civilized countries. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 6/2/2001
• Al-Qaddoumi: Arafat visits Damascus in mid-June
  Head of PLO political Department Farouk al-Qaddoumi announced on Thursday that the Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat will head for Damascus in mid-June, in his first official visit in five years. Palestine-Syria, Politics, 6/2/2001
• All NGO's unjustly tarred with the same brush
  The seven-year jail sentence against Egyptian-US academic Saad Eddin Ibrahim ignited a fresh bout of debate over the future of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Egypt Egypt, Politics, 6/2/2001
• Moussa warns of consequences of deterioration in Mideast region
  Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa Saturday warned of the grave consequences of the ongoing deterioration in the Palestinian lands and Mideast region. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 6/2/2001
• Mubarak urges Israel to ease tension, carry out Mitchell's recommendations
  "These contacts aimed to find out a way to put the Mitchell committee's report into force," said the US envoy. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 6/2/2001
• Set-in in Damascus in dolidarity with Intifada
  Palestinian youth organizations, Arab women organization and Palestine children residing in Syria on Thursday staged a sit-in in front of the offices of the UN and UNICEF in Damascus, in solidarity with the Palestinian people's struggle and their Intifada as well as with the Palestinian child, on the occasion of World Child Day. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 6/2/2001
• The Gulf ministerial meeting discusses the Palestinian uprising; Iraq
  The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council states will discuss in their today meeting in Jeddah the two questions of the Palestinian Intifada and the relations with Iraq. Gulf, Politics, 6/2/2001
• An Algerian cabinet reshuffle in economic ministries
  The Algerian President; Abdul Aziz Butaflika; who relentlessly seeks to end six weeks of violent protests in al-Kabayel areas, has made a Cabinet reshuffle that covered the two ministers of finance and housing with the aim of consolidating economic and living conditions, which were the main reason behind the acts of violence which resulted in killing more than 50 persons and wounding more than 1000 others. Algeria, Politics, 6/2/2001
• A census to adopt the land of Somalia constitution
  An official at the committee in charge of organizing the referendum on the constitution " of the republic of the land of Somalia" said that the primary results of this referendum indicate a census that almost complete on adopting it. Somalia, Politics, 6/2/2001
• Czech foreign minister visits Damascus next week
  Czech Foreign Minister Yan Kafan has said his visit to Damascus early next week is designed to consolidate Czech-Syrian relations. Syria-Czech Republic, Politics, 6/2/2001
• suicide bomber killed 17 Israelis Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/2/2001
• Bin Ali receives French Minister Tunisian minister Tunisia-France, Politics, 6/2/2001
• Al-Mahdi: My next visit to the US is to underline the US role in Sudan Sudan, Politics, 6/2/2001
• Consultations underway in Security Council on Iraq, Palestine
  "Consultations are underway in the United Nations Security Council on the efforts exerted by the US as regards the Palestinian and Iraqi issues," said Egyptian Delegate to the UN, Ahmed Abul-Gheit. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 6/2/2001
• Sharon starts on Monday a European tour
  The Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon on Monday starts a European during which he will seek to talk with his European negotiators that Israel is sparing no efforts to halt the cycle of violence in contradiction to what the Palestinians have done. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/2/2001
• Speaker of Shura Council: Political parties work for the Egypt
  Run-off of second stage of Shura Council elections is due today in six governorates, Sharqiya, Gharbiya, Daqahliya, Damietta, Ismailia and South Sinai. Egypt, Politics, 6/2/2001
• Mubarak meeting Weizeman... a newspaper's fake
  High-ranking sources slammed reports by Al-Shark Al-Awsat newspaper on Friday in which it claimed that President Hosni Mubarak had met with former Israeli President Ezer Weizeman. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 6/2/2001
• German home minister visits Morocco next week Morocco-Germany, Politics, 6/2/2001
• An Israeli general does not rule out comprehensive war Regional-Israel, Politics, 6/2/2001
• Al-Assad discusses with al-Khatib Arab solidarity
  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday held talks with Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdulelah al-Khatib, who handed a message from King Abdullah II to the President. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 5/31/2001
• Faysal Al-Husseini dead from heart attack Palestine, Politics, 5/31/2001
• Syrian parliament member calls for minimum rate of respect to MPs
  The independent Syrian member of parliament Muhey Eddine Habboush on Wednesday at the Syrian parliament called for the least rate of respect in dealing with the members of parliament. Syria, Politics, 5/31/2001
• Egypt's Mubarak receives message from King Mohammed vi Egypt-Morocco, Politics, 5/31/2001
• Message to president al-Assad from Sudan's president Syria-Sudan, Politics, 5/31/2001
• Arab, international contacts to lift sanctions imposed on Iraq
  Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa stressed that the American-British proposed smart sanctions regime is still unclear to all Arabs so far. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 5/31/2001
• Syria's defence minister affirms Damascus' full support to intifada Syria-Palestine, Politics, 5/31/2001
• Moscow: Primakov's tour is qualified for an important role Regional-Russia, Politics, 5/31/2001
• Chairman of Arab Human Rights Organization in Rabat
  Chairman of the Arab human rights organization, Mohamed Faik, is currently visiting Morocco for talks on the Moroccan experience in human rights matters. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 5/31/2001
• Two Libyan planes loaded with soldiers in central Africa Libya-Central African Republic, Politics, 5/31/2001
• No contradiction between Egypt-Jordan initiative, and Mitchell report
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ali Maher said Wednesday that Egypt welcomes any efforts to boost the Egyptian-Jordanian initiative that is based on the same philosophy of Mitchell report. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/31/2001
• Irrigation minister named acting interior minister Iraq, Politics, 5/31/2001
• Rally of support to Palestinian cause in Morocco
  A rally of solidarity and support to the Palestinian cause and the Al-Aqsa intifadah was held Wednesday in Rabat by the regional section of the Party for Justice and Development (PJD). Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 5/31/2001
• Washington outs her forces in Alert in the Gulf region Regional-USA, Politics, 5/31/2001
• US envoys sees Mitchell's report as indivisible package
  US envoy William Burns during his meeting with President Hosni Mubarak early Thursday said that Mitchell's report is a whole and indivisible package that should be implemented in toto, not selectively. Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/31/2001
• Israeli police interrogates Azmi Beshara
  The Israeli police on Wednesday interrogated the Arab member in the Israeli Knesset Azmi Beshara in the case of helping the Arab citizens to meet with their relatives in Syria, a matter which is considered by the Israeli authorities as "organizing visits to an enemy country." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/31/2001
• UN Security Council extends for UNDOF in the Golan
  The UN Security Council on Wednesday extended for six months to the UN forces positioned in the occupied Syrian Golan since 1974 on the cease fire line between Syria and Israel. Syria, Politics, 5/31/2001
• Int'l pressures on Israel to halt construction of settlements
  International pressures increased on Israel in an attempt to halt construction of the Jewish settlements in the occupied territories and resume peace talks with Palestinians. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/31/2001
• Tennis: Morocco's Karim Alami goes to French open 3rd round Morocco, Politics, 5/31/2001
• Yemeni president visits Saudi Arabia
  The Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Tuesday started a visit to the Saudi city of Jeddah aiming at strengthening bilateral relations, just several days from the visit held by the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz to Aden on the occasion of Yemen's celebrations of the 11s anniversary of the unification of the two parts of Yemen. Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 5/30/2001
• Syrian prime minister in Sudan: 20 cooperation agreements Sudan-Syria, Politics, 5/30/2001
• King Mohammed receives head of Spanish civil guard Morocco-Spain, Politics, 5/30/2001
• Al-Assad gets a message from Putin
  The Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday received a message from the Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was conveyed by the Russian envoy Yegveny Primakov; about the tense situation in the region which threatens of increasing tension because of the Israeli practices. Syria-Russia, Politics, 5/30/2001
• Arab, international interest in Cairo-Amman initiative, Mitchell's report
  Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Baz said there is a drive to reach a common denominator between the two papers, pointing out that Israel would not be able to wriggle out of facing the situation. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/30/2001
• Washington links smart sanctions to collaboration from Jordan, Syria and Turkey
  A US governmental source has stated that the US and Britain will strongly push forward during the few coming days at the UN to pass the British draft resolution to amend the sanctions against Iraq despite the Russian and Chinese reservations and objections. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/30/2001
• Sudan underestimates the significance of unity between Mashaar; Garang
  The Sudanese army has underestimated the importance of unifying the two rebel groups belonging to Rebek Mashar and John Garang, at a time Khartoum stressed that Sudan undergoes great conspiracies because of its natural resources especially oil. Sudan, Politics, 5/30/2001
• Egypt welcomes efforts to support Egyptian-Jordanian
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said Wednesday that Egypt welcomes any efforts to boost the Egyptian-Jordanian inititive that is based on the same philosophy of Mitchell's report. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/30/2001
• Syrian ministers discuss cooperation ties with Iran
  Cooperation between the governments of Syria and Iran, especially in the fields of regional planning and the restoration of ancient cities were the core of talks held on Tuesday by the Minister of Housing, Husam Safadi, and his Iranian counterpart. Syria-Iran, Politics, 5/30/2001
• Amnesty International holds Israel responsible for death of over 300 Palestinians
  In its latest report on the human situation worldwide, Amnesty International said Israeli security forces are responsible for the death of more than 300 Palestinians, including more than 100 children under 18. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/30/2001
• Kuwait: Anti- normalization conference tomorrow with the participation of Hizbullah, Hamas; al- Hoss
  Anti- normalizers with Israel in Kuwait hold their second conference in Kuwait tomorrow ( Thursday) to discuss means of resisting normalisation with Israel in the Gulf region and supporting for the Palestinian Intifada. Kuwait-Regional, Politics, 5/30/2001
• Mubarak conducts intensive consultations for resuming peace negotiations
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is continuing intensive contacts with leaders of Arab and foreign countries for containing the deteriorating situation in the occupied lands in a bid to resume the peace negotiations in the light of the Egyptian-Jordanian initiative and Mitchell report. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/30/2001
• Egyptian-American talks on probing Palestinian- Israeli situation
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher Tuesday received Wayne Owen, Director of the US Middle East Center for Peace and Economic Cooperation, and Maurice D. Hinchey, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee at the US House of Representatives, currently visiting Cairo within a tour of some countries in the region. Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/30/2001
• As many as 20,000 Egyptians married to Israeli women
  Over twenty years have passed after Camp David Treaty, creating opportunities for the marriage of about 20,000 Egyptians from Israeli women, consequently, a real worry has begun to rise in Egypt. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 5/30/2001
• Moroccan party calls for national union government to man coming elections
  Secretary General of the National Democrat Party (PND), Abdellah El kadiri, said the coming elections in Morocco should not be manned by the present government (Socialist-led coalition) but by a national union government. Morocco, Politics, 5/30/2001
• Islamic inter-parliamentary union meets in Rabat next fall
  The Islamic inter-parliamentary union will hold its second session in Rabat next fall. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 5/30/2001
• Al-Hariri rules out war in the region Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/29/2001
• Damascus expects armed resistance in the Golan
  The Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday during his meeting in Damascus with The Egyptian Coptic Pope Shenouda III stressed the need of being patient and steadfast in order " to restore back our rights." Syria-Israel, Politics, 5/29/2001
• Arafat in Moscow today
  The Palestinian president Yasser Arafat arrived in Moscow on Monday. News reports said that Arafat will ask the Russian President Vladimir Putin for an active Russian participation in maintaining a settlement for the Middle East question while Russia seems so far hesitant to take an initiative. Palestine-Russia, Politics, 5/29/2001
• Baz denies possible war eruption in ME
  Egyptian Presidential Political Adviser Osama al-Baz denied possible eruption of Mideast war, branding as "hollow" Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon's threats. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/29/2001
• Shebaa maps with Berri
  News reports in Beirut said that the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri on Monday received additional maps besides those which he has already received stressing deliberately that the Shebaa farms are Lebanese. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/29/2001
• UNDOF intensifies its patrols in Shebaa farms
  In a very grave development on this phase, UN observers in the Golan UNDOF started on foot patrols in the occupied Shebaa farms. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/29/2001
• Yemeni-Moroccan talks in Sanaa
  The session is examining economic, scientific and technical cooperation between the two states, as well as projects related to air transport, electric power, water, housing, tourism, trade exchanges, health, education and culture. Yemen-Morocco, Politics, 5/29/2001
• Egyptian contacts at Security Council to reach Israeli acceptance of Egyptian-Jordanian initiative, Mitchell report
  Egypt is making extensive contacts at both regional and international levels to get Israel to unconditionally accept terms of the Egyptian-Jordanian initiative and the Mitchell Report especially those calling for halting settlement activities. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/29/2001
• Egyptian-US moves to halt the Israeli aggression
  Ambassador Solaiman Awad, Assistant Foreign Minister, said that the Arab group would re-launch the issue of international protection for the Palestinians before the UN Security Council once more after the Israeli aggression has been escalated. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/29/2001
• Scenario for another Kosovo against Syria, Lebanon
  Diplomatic sources have disclosed a scenario being prepared by Israel with an American blessing. This scenario is designed to launch a war similar to that of Kosovo but this time against Syria and Lebanon, and the result of which is also the elimination of the Palestinian Intifada. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 5/29/2001
• Egyptian MPs call for Morocco's membership in African union
  A group of Egyptian members of parliament called for Morocco's adherence to the African Union, which entered into force this week. Egypt-Morocco, Politics, 5/29/2001
• Moussa meets with IAEA director
  Baradi said that talks tackled expanding the current cooperation framework between the League and the IAEA on peaceful applications of atomic energy as well as inspection and disarmament. Asked about an Israeli respond to the call for a disarmed Middle East and possible actions by the IAEA, Baradi said that the agency implements what the member states agree upon. Regional, Politics, 5/29/2001
• Interior minister relieved of post Iraq, Politics, 5/29/2001
• NDP sweeps 2nd stage of Shura Council polls
  The ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) won seven seats in the first round of the second stage of mid-term elections of the Shura (consultative) Council, according to official results released Monday. Egypt, Politics, 5/29/2001
• Israeli occupation soldiers attack Palestinian towns Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/29/2001
• Malaysia calls OIC members to honor joint decisions
  Malaysia has urged fellow members in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to honor decisions adopted jointly and mainly the latest OIC resolution to sever ties with Israel "because of the Zionist regime's aggression against Palestine." Palestine-Malaysia, Politics, 5/29/2001
• Senegalese president supports fusion of OMEGA and Mbeki's Plan for Africa
  Senegalese president, Abdoulaye Wade, said he supports a fusion between his own "OMEGA" plan and the South African president Thabo Mbeki's plan to save Africa Senegal-Regional, Politics, 5/29/2001
• Euro-Mediterranean trade ministers hold informal meeting in Brussels
  Euro-Mediterranean trade ministers hold this Tuesday an informal meeting in Brussels to discuss ways of promoting regional cooperation and giving momentum to trade in the frame of the Barcelona Process. Regional-European Union, Politics, 5/29/2001
• Paris closes the file of 'coolness' with Lebanon
  The Lebanese president stressed the following political and economic titles: " Israel did not implement UN resolution 425. Lebanon has the right to resort to the option of resistance in order to complete the liberation of its territories especially the Shabaa farms; the release of the Lebanese detainees from the Israeli jails. The state of Lebanon is carrying out its security duty in the south of Lebanon but will not be converting its army into border guards. Lebanon-France, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Mubarak visits Saudi Arabia; UAE
  President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt on Sunday concluded a tour which covered Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and aimed at formulating a united Arab position regarding the Israeli attacks against the Palestinians and seeking to draw an Arab strategy demanding the implementation of UN resolutions United Arab Emirates-Egypt, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Moroccan FM: Morocco has ceased all contacts with Israel
  Morocco's minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, said Saturday no Israeli official has visited Morocco since Rabat decided to close down the Israeli liaison office in the kingdom. Morocco-Israel, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Omran conveyed a message from President al-Assad to Sudan's President
  Information Minister Adnan Omran conveyed a message from President Bashar al-Assad to Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir during a meeting last Sunday. Sudan-Syria, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Iranian - UAE meeting at the participation of Syria, Qatar
  The foreign ministers of Qatar and Iran Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jaber al-Thani and Kamal Kharazi together with the UAE minister of state for foreign affairs Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed al-Nahyan on Saturday held a meeting in Doha in which they discussed the question of the three Gulf islands under conflict between Iran and the UAE United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Islamic countries decide to end all political contact with Israel
  The OIC foreign ministers also requested the UN to set up an International Criminal Tribunal where Israeli officials, whom OIC holds responsible of war crimes, will stand trial as war criminals. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Shura Council voting process runs in a democratic atmosphere
  The second stage of mid-term Shura Council elections in seven governorates witnessed relative calm and average turnout at the start of voting. Egypt, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Moussa: Priority to restructuring the Arab League to cope with world organizations
  Arab League Chief Amr Moussa said that he is earnestly and fastly working to fully comprehend the current problems facing the Arab League. According to Moussa, the first thing that should be done is restructuring the 50-year-old system of Arab joint action, which has been target for criticism and has always been vulnerable. Regional, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Qatar foreign minister: our relations with Israel are frozen
  The Qatari foreign minister sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem al-Thani sat calmly after the conclusion of the emergency conference of the Organization of the Islamic Conference which concluded its deliberations in Doha on Saturday and he once again justified the continued relations between his country government with Israel despite the fact that he described these relations as frozen. Qatar-Israel, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Hariri: Syria's presence in Lebanon legitimate
  Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri stressed that the presence of the Syrian forces in Lebanon is necessary and temporary. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Maher warns against Sharon's attempts to the brink of danger
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher warned that Israeli Prime Minister Sharon is trying to drag the Arab states into war, adding that this attempt is very dangerous. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Al-Shara back home from OIC meeting
  Al-Shara urged Arab and Islamic states to comply by the meeting's stands and recommendations. Syria-Regional, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Moroccan-Senegalese commission meets in July to set cooperation priorities
  Morocco and Senegal have decided to convene their joint commission next July in Dakar to set priorities for cooperation, partnership and trade, says a joint statement published at the end of an official visit to Senegal by King Mohammed VI (May 22-24). Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Senegal renews firm and active support to Moroccan territorial integrity
  Senegalese president, Abdoulaye Wade, renewed, in a joint statement published at the end of an official visit to Senegal by King Mohammed VI (May 22-24), his country's firm and active support to Morocco's territorial integrity. Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 5/28/2001
• French MPs hail Morocco's will to reach political solution to Sahara issue
  A French parliamentary delegation, led by chairman of the foreign affairs committee at the national Assembly, Francois Loncle, visited on Friday the Moroccan southern city of Laayoune. Morocco-France, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Moroccan-Yemeni joint commission meets in Sanaa
  The Moroccan-Yemeni joint commission is currently convening its 4th session here to examine economic, scientific and technical cooperation between the two countries. Yemen-Morocco, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Kharazi calls for improving relations with Egypt
  The Iranian foreign minister Kamal Kharazi on Saturday called for improving relations with Egypt. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Pope Shenouda warns against Israeli covetous eyes
  Head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Shenouda III warned against "the Israeli greediness which knows no limits." Lebanon-Egypt, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Powell restricts his envoy's mission to Intifada halting, it is originally a proposal of Sharon
  The mission of the new American envoy to the region can be summed up by one thing, that is the halting of violence by the two parties without preconditions. This is to pave the way to start talks, which are likely to be without preconditions. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Egypt, an advocate of peace and stability in ME
  "Egypt's policy is based on balance, preservation of security and stability and advocacy of peace. This earns Egypt the respect and appreciation of Arab, African, Muslim and European countries "Accordingly, the US cannot turn a deaf ear to all this and pressures Egypt." Egypt, Politics, 5/28/2001
• Mubarak to address G-15 Summit in Indonesia
  In pre-departure statements, Ebeid said Egypt would table during the two-day summit an initiative on the establishment of an information network in the field of information technology grouping the developing countries an G-15 members. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/28/2001
• More killings in Algeria
  Once again the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika interfered on Sunday to end the acts of violence which erupted recently in al- Qabayel (tribes) area in protest of the government delay in punishing members of the police responsible for the acts of disorder erupted a month earlier and resulted in killing 51 persons and wounding 1200. Algeria, Politics, 5/28/2001

Previous Week · Politics · Business and Economics · Local · Algeria · Bahrain · Comoros · Djibouti · Egypt · Iraq · Jordan · Kuwait · Lebanon · Libya · Mauritania · Morocco · Oman · Palestine · Qatar · Syria · Saudi Arabia · Somalia · Sudan · Tunisia · United Arab Emirates · Yemen