Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 7/23/2001

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of July 23, 2001

• Mubarak-Fischer talks in Baden-Baden centre on ME developments Egypt-Germany, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Emir of Bahrain starts visit to Morocco
  The Emir of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad Ben Issa Al Khalifa, arrived in Tangiers this Saturday for a two-day official visit. Morocco-Bahrain, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Al-Hariri confers with Jordanian counterpart Lebanon-Jordan, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Cyprus FM arrives in Syria Syria-Cyprus, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Egypt's FM rules out the return of the Egyptian ambassador to Israel Egypt-Israel, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Matouq boycotts human rights society meeting
  In a statement to the Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am issued on Friday, lawyer Khalil Matouq said he had boycotted the founding meeting of the human rights society in Syria which was held on Thursday and that he intends to revive the cultural forum for human rights which used to be active in his house two months ago. Syria, Politics, 7/28/2001
• French FM highlights Egypt's Mideast role Egypt-France, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Morocco will not adhere to African union which repeated same error as OAU
  Morocco's premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi said Morocco will not adhere to the African Union, set up recently in Lusaka, for it has repeated the same error as the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Morocco-Regional, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Moussa seek the convening of an urgent Arab summit Regional, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Mubarak calls for implementing Mitchell committee recommendations
  Talks between the President and the German foreign minister covered an assessment of the current situation between Israel and Palestinians in the light of a resolution by industrialized nations summit in Italy calling for setting up an international observation force for supervising Mitchell committee recommendations. Egypt-Germany, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Morocco's government disburses us$ 272,700 in aid to disabled-persons associations
  Morocco's minister in charge of women condition, family and children protection and integration of handicapped persons, Nouzha Chekrouni, handed on Friday to 47 associations active in issues of disabled persons, three million DH (US$ 272,700) in assistance to their training and employment activities. Morocco, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Israel prepares a comprehensive attack against the Palestinian territories
  The Egyptian magazine al-Musawar quoted in its Friday's recent issue American and Israeli sources as saying that Israel still continues in its preparation to launch a comprehensive attack to reoccupy the Palestinian Authority territories in the West Bank and Gaza. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/28/2001
• US congress extends sanctions on Iran, Libya Libya-USA, Politics, 7/28/2001
• A mini Arab summit expected very soon Regional, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Maher denies Egypt taking any measures against Israel
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher denied yesterday reports carried by Al-Jazeerah Satellite Channel that Egypt intends to take some measures against Israel. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Danish people refuse new Israeli ambassador Israel-Denmark, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Consultations for Mubarak-Chirac summit
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said that consultations are underway for a summit between President Hosni Mubarak and French President Jacques Chirac to exchange views on the current situation in the Middle East with the aim of rescuing the peace process as Egypt and France play vital role in the region. Egypt-France, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Egypt-Italy talks on peace observers on Palestinian areas
  Italy has started pan-European and International contracts in light of talks between president Hosni Mubarak and Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi to deploy international observers to the Palestinian territories. Egypt-Italy, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Iraqi missile nearly downs US spy plane
  An official at the US state department said on Friday that Iraq tried for the first time on Tuesday to down an American spying plane " U 2" type by a missile. Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Arab-Americans urge for U.S. participation in UN conference against racism
  The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) urged the Bush administration to send a high-level delegation to the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance to be held in Durban, South Africa, from August 31 to September 7, 2001. Regional-USA, Politics, 7/28/2001
• UN officials says racism conference to touch colonialism
  Despite a US threat to stay away if reparations for slavery are called for, a UN conference taking place in five weeks will discuss mistakes of the past and colonialism, UN Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson said Friday. Regional, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Egyptian foreign affairs council discusses Mideast peace in US
  Shaker said the visit aims at establishing friendly relations with the council's counterpart institutions, congressmen, politicians, intellectuals in the U.S. as well as discussing a number of important issues on top of which are the latest developments in the Mideast region and explaining the Egyptian viewpoints as regards means of pushing forward the peace process. Egypt-USA, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Spanish local government invites Moroccan fishery minister to visit region
  President of the autonomous government of Galicia (northwestern Spain), Manuel Fraga, has invited Moroccan fisheries minister, Said Chbaatou, to visit the region. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/28/2001
• US administration hails Mubarak's role in ME
  Addressing the US House of Representatives,Burns expressed belief that Egypt has been playing a very effective role in the region and that the Egyptian-US relations are important. Egypt-USA, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Sharon's lawyer to contest jurisdiction of Belgian Judge
  The case is not a political one among countries, he said, but rather a humanitarian case based on complaints, from victims who survived the massacres, that are consolidated by the Kahana commission condemnation of Sharon that led to his resignation as defence minister at the time. Israel-Belgium, Politics, 7/28/2001
• COMESA-SADC to meet to coordinate stances before Doha conference
  The two-day meeting to be held by Foreign Ministers of COMESA (common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) and SADC (South African Development Community) starting on Monday aims mainly at coordinating African stances prior to the fourth ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that will be held in Doha on September 9-13. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Israeli rabbis call for killing the Arabs
  The Israeli rabbi Munir Lao haled the killing of Palestinian children and youth by the Israeli settlers. He explained that the Jewish ethnic group supports and backs the killing of the Palestinians. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/28/2001
• Detente for human rights in Syria
  News reports in Damascus said that specialized authorities in Syria started to give great number of former detainees already released, their civil identity cards and passports without any prior conditions. Syria, Politics, 7/27/2001
• EU report: the settlers are ready to evacuate the settlements Israel-Palestine, Politics, 7/27/2001
• Bin Ali asserts guaranteeing the freedom of opinion in Tunisia
  The Tunisian president Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali on Wednesday said that " the law is above all and there is no way to ignore violations." Tunisia, Politics, 7/27/2001
• Miro confers with Iraqi minister of al-Awqaf
  The prime minister Muhammad Mustafa Miro on Thursday received the Iraqi minister of al-Awqaf ( Islamic trusts) Abdul Menem Ahmad Saleh and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 7/27/2001
• Israel destroys Palestinian water wells, 30 journalists hit by Israeli bullets
  The Israeli occupation forces on Thursday continued their attacks against the Palestinians. The Israeli bulldozers escorted by the tanks leveled tens of dunnums of the Palestinian territories after they incurred in these lands for 200 meters near the military barrier of Nakhal Ouz, to the east of Gaza. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/27/2001
• Jordan imposes prior entry visa on the Lebanese
  A Jordanian official said on Thursday that the Lebanese citizens who wish to visit Jordan can not get their entry visa to Jordan at the border point, as from the beginning of August and they have to apply for prior requests to get them. Jordan-Lebanon, Politics, 7/27/2001
• Discussions between Bin Ali and Mousa
  The secretary general of the Arab league AL Amre Mousa on Wednesday in Tunisia held talks with the Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali dealt with several Arab issues and political developments of concern to the region. Tunisia-Regional, Politics, 7/27/2001
• Iraqi agreements with Ankara, Amman calls for lifting the sanctions
  The Iraqi President on Wednesday appointed the minister of military industry Abdul al-Tawab al-Mulla Hweish as a deputy prime minister, together with his post as responsible for the military industry. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 7/27/2001
• Haig expects an Israeli aggression against Iran
  Former US secretary of state Gen. Alexander Haig has expected that Israel will direct a military blow to Iran if Iran will continue to implement its nuclear program. Iran-Israel, Politics, 7/27/2001
• Israeli warplanes continue provocative sorties
  The Foreign minister Farouk al-Shara on Thursday received a telephone call from the Lebanese foreign minister Mahmoud Hamoud during which they held consultations and exchanged views on latest developments in the region. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 7/27/2001
• Moufaz visits Turkey today
  The Turkish NTF TV channel said on Thursday that the Israeli army chief of staff Dhaoul Moufaz will arrive in Turkey today in a visit which has been postponed for several times because of the confrontation in the occupied Palestinian territories. Turkey-Israel, Politics, 7/27/2001
• Trial of Sharon, Geiloun case intensify relations between Israel and each of Belgium, Denmark
  The Belgium senator Vincent Van Koykonborn has stressed that the trial of the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon will continue and that Kahana's report and the information stated in it will be the beginning to start with this case, noting that the view toward Israel has been changed and that the Israeli lobby will not have an effect on the Belgium judiciary. He noted that Sharon's trial will be fair if he will attend it or not. Israel-Belgium, Politics, 7/26/2001
• A meeting for the Algerian- Libyan committee Algeria-Libya, Politics, 7/26/2001
• Ruler of Bahrain pays official visit to Morocco Morocco-Bahrain, Politics, 7/26/2001
• Khaddam concludes a two-day successful visit to Iran
  Syrian vice - President Abdul Halim Khaddam returned back to Damascus on Wednesday following a visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran lasted for two days. Syria-Iran, Politics, 7/26/2001
• King Mohammed meets Moussa, voices disappointment over tragic developments in Middle East
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI expressed at a meeting with Arab League secretary general, Amr Moussa, disappointment over tragic developments in the Palestinian issue and aggressions against the Palestinian people. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 7/26/2001
• AL for attaining reconciliation in Sudan Sudan-Regional, Politics, 7/26/2001
• Some 9000 Iraqis die in June because of the UN sanctions
  The Iraqi ministry of health said on Wednesday that 9000 Iraqis of which two thirds are children died in June because of the UN embargo imposed on Iraq since 11 years. Iraq, Politics, 7/26/2001
• Mubarak: Continuation of current situation leads to anarchy
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called for dispatching international observers to the Palestinian territories. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 7/26/2001
• UAE: the question of the three islands will be discussed later
  The United Arab Emirates UAE announced on Tuesday that the question of the three islands occupied by Iran ( Tanb the small, Tanb the great and Abu Mousa) will be the focus of discussions in coming meetings between officials of the two countries. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 7/26/2001
• More killings among the Palestinians
  The Israeli forces on Wednesday killed one of the activists of the Palestinian national resistance movement Hamas in Nablus in the occupied West Bank, according to a statement by the Israeli army. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/26/2001
• Cairo, Paris share common views on causes of ME crisis
  Maher said Egypt and France were committed to regional peace, adding that the European proposal to dispatch observers was an excellent idea, as it would accelerate the implementation of the Mitchell report. Egypt-France, Politics, 7/26/2001
• Prime minister says government encouraged by king's remarks on its action
  Morocco's Prime minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi said remarks made by King Mohammed VI in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat daily are encouraging for the government action. Morocco, Politics, 7/26/2001
• A preliminary meeting for the board of the joint Syrian- Jordanian committee
  The board of the joint Syrian- Jordanian committee for industry held a meeting on Wednesday chaired by the Syrian minister of industry Ahmad Hamou and the Jordanian director of commerce and industry, in preparation for the meeting of the company's general assembly due to be held today. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 7/26/2001
• AL chief in a Maghreb tour
  The secretary general of the Arab League (AL) Amre Mousa started on Tuesday a visit to the Arab Maghreb federation. Maghreb, Politics, 7/26/2001
• Amman warns Israel against registering Jordanian positions in world heritage list
  The Jordanian foreign ministry has sent a memorandum to the Israeli government in which it warns against the consequences of the request proposed by Israel from the world heritage organization to register Jordanian religious and archaeological positions under the name of Israel in the world list of heritage. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 7/26/2001
• Maher in Italy on Thursday for talks on ME tensions, ties
  The Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said that his visit to Italy, to start on Thursday, would build on talks President Mubarak held with Italian officials. Egypt-Italy, Politics, 7/26/2001
• France and Britain Denounce Israel's Settlements
  British foreign secretary Jack Straw and French foreign minister Hubert Vedrine denounced on Wednesday the Israeli settlement plans in the Palestinian occupied territories. Palestine-European Union, Politics, 7/26/2001
• Israel has rendered 'Mitchell committee' report ineffective, UN committee told
  The chairman of a United Nations committee monitoring Palestinian rights said on Wednesday recommendations put forward by an international fact-finding committee provided a way out of the current impasse, but Israel was blocking their implementation. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/26/2001
• African right activist condemns Israeli atrocities against Palestinians
  The Israeli government's aggression and racist practices far surpass those of the now-defunct apartheid in South Africa, said the chief of an African human rights group Delegation Wednesday. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/26/2001
• UN panel on israeli practices in occupied territories heads to Egypt, Jordan and Syria
  A United Nations committee probing Israeli practices and their impact on the human rights of Palestinians in the occupied territories began on Wednesday a 12-day trip to the Middle East. Regional-Israel, Politics, 7/26/2001
• Egypt expresses support for legitimacy in Indonesia
  Egypt Wednesday expressed absolute support for legitimacy in Indonesia and for bringing about stability in order to achieve progress, welfare and prosperity to the Indonesian people. Egypt-Indonesia, Politics, 7/26/2001
• Spain, Morocco agree to regulate flow of Moroccan workers
  Morocco and Spain agreed in Madrid on Wednesday to regulate the flow of Moroccan workers, in a bid to reduce illegal immigration and fight the exploitation of workers. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/26/2001
• No war in the region as Israelis allege
  The Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stressed the importance of dispatching international observers to the Palestinian territories. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 7/25/2001
• A message from the Jordanian King to President al-Assad Jordan-Syria, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Mubarak-Ciampi talks to save peace march Egypt-Italy, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Khaddam: an aggression against Syria will lead to the explosion in the region
  Iranian President Muhammad Khatami on Tuesday evening in Tehran received Syria's vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam. Syria-Iran, Politics, 7/25/2001
• On Riyadh Seif's forum
  The United Arab Emirates UAE daily al-Khaleij ( the Gulf ) said on Tuesday that member of the People's Assembly ( parliament) Riyadh Seif announced that his forum which is called the " national dialogue forum" will resume its works in September at his house. Syria, Politics, 7/25/2001
• King Mohammed receives Dubai deputy-governor
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI received Tuesday afternoon at the royal palace in the northern city of Tetuan deputy governor of Dubai and UAE finance and industry minister, Sheikh Hamdane Ben Rached Al-Maktoum. Morocco-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Al-Hariri confers with Solana
  Lebanese prime minister Rafik al- Hariri has urged the international community to return back to deal comprehensively with the peace process in the region and to give up the policy of dismembering tracks or dealing with them separately. Lebanon-European Union, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Maher in France for talks with Chirac, Verdrine Egypt-France, Politics, 7/25/2001
• US-brokered Palestinian-Israeli meetings
  Security meetings between the Palestinian and Israeli sides are expected to be resumed today, with American delegates taking part in the talks. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Annan calls for increased aid to alleviate Palestinian economic hardship
  Deteriorating economic conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory have generated diminishing support for the peace process there, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan warns in a new report, calling for greater international assistance to bolster United Nations relief efforts in the area, reported the U.N. news center. Palestine, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Israeli forces break into Kafer al-Harith village
  The Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon has renewed his government's rejection to the deployment of UN observers in the occupied Arab territories or to hold negotiations with the Palestinian side unless the Intifada is halted. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Siba Nasser to head for Turkey by the end of this month Syria-Turkey, Politics, 7/25/2001
• King Abdullah to visit Moscow Jordan-Russia, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Bin Ali pardons several prisoners Tunisia, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Al-Assad invited to visit Italy
  The foreign minister Farouk al-Shara on Tuesday in Damascus received the director general of the Middle East department at the Italian Foreign ministry. The Italian official handed al-Shara a message addressed to President al-Assad, inviting him to visit Italy. The invitation was extended by the Italian President Carlo Chambi. Syria-Italy, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Jordanian nationality dropped from PLO official Jordan, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Muscat announces participation at Doha conference
  The minister in charge of foreign relations in Oman Youssef Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah said that Oman will take part in the ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) due to be held in Qatar in November and will be attended by Israel. Oman-Qatar, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Sudanese government stressed commitment to the results of the dialogue Sudan, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Consultations to convene an Arab summit Regional, Politics, 7/25/2001
• UN postpones talks on Iraq
  The UN secretary general Kofi Annan has proposed to postpone convening a second round of talks with Iraq until the end of the current year as a minimum due to the standing differences between members of the UN Security Council over the policy that should be taken towards Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Hamas and Mashaal
  An official source in the Hamas movement denied in an exclusive statement to the Jordanian weekly al-Majd issued on Monday the fabricated news on reformation of the political bureau of the movement on the ground of expelling Khaled Mashaal from the presidency of this office under the pretext of his return back to Jordan. Jordan, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Israel prevents the Arabs of 1948 from visiting Syria
  The Israeli government announced on Sunday it will propose, as soon as possible, to the Israeli Knesset a law banning the travel of its Arab members to Syria. Syria-Israel, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Moroccan-Bahraini high joint commission meets in Tangiers
  The Moroccan-Bahraini high joint commission will hold its first session in Tangier next Sunday, under the co-chairmanship of the two states' foreign ministers. Morocco-Bahrain, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Kertzer calls on Egypt, Jordan to return back their ambassadors to Israel
  The new US ambassador to Israel Daniel Kertzer said on Tuesday that Egypt and Jordan, the two Arab states signatories of the peace treaty with Israel have to return back their two ambassadors to Tel Aviv as soon as possible. Regional-Israel, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Arab League chief starts Maghreb tour
  Arab League Secretary General, Amr Moussa, on Tuesday headed to Tripoli, first leg of a Maghreb tour that will also lead him to Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania. Regional-Maghreb, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Rafah: Egyptian reinforcement after confrontation with the Palestinians
  Egypt on Tuesday increased number of the policemen deployed at the Rafah crossing following the clashes that took place between the Egyptian policemen and 1500 Palestinians held by the Israeli security men at that crossing. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 7/25/2001
• The Arab- Brazilian works forum
  The general federation of the chambers of the commerce, industry and agriculture of the Arab states have completed the work paper which it will submit at the Arab- Brazilian works forum due to be held in Rio De Janeiro Tuesday and Wednesday. It is organized by the Arab- Brazilian chamber of commerce and the general federation of the Arab chambers and the council of the Arab ambassadors in Brazil. Regional-Brazil, Politics, 7/25/2001
• UN conference agrees on measures to combat global gun trafficking
  A United Nations conference has reached a landmark agreement in the worldwide fight against illegal gun trafficking, despite failing to gain consensus on controls over private ownership and weapons transfers. Regional, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Arafat hopes Megawati to assist Palestine's struggle
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat welcomed the appointment of Megawati Sukarnoputri as Indonesia's fifth president, in replacement of Abdurrahman Wahid, and expressed hope that she would help the Palestinian people's struggle Palestine-Indonesia, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Sharon to visit Turkey next month Israel-Turkey, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Israel's minister of the Interior heads for the US Israel-USA, Politics, 7/25/2001
• Israeli delegation in Moscow Israel-Russia, Politics, 7/25/2001
• UAE Foreign minister in Iran
  Kharrazi told the visiting United Arab Emirate's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al-Nahyan that President Khatami's foreign policy is based on three axes, namely detente, confidence building and collaboration United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 7/24/2001
• My role is to cater to Moroccans affairs, King Mohammed
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI said in an interview published this Tuesday by London based daily "Asharq Al Awsat" his role as king of Morocco is to be watchful to Moroccans' expectations and cater to their affairs. Morocco, Politics, 7/24/2001
• Mubarak in Rome to meet Italian President
  The Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will embark on a visit to Italy today during which he will confer with Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East region and bilateral relations. Egypt-Italy, Politics, 7/24/2001
• Dubai deputy-governor cites Moroccan-UAE relations as model
  Relations between Morocco and the United Arab Emirates are a model that other Arab countries should follow, said deputy governor of Dubai and UAE finance and industry minister, Sheikh Hamdane Bin Rached Al-Maktoum, upon arrival in Rabat on Monday. Morocco-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 7/24/2001
• Youssoufi chairs meeting of ministerial commission on women
  Morocco's prime minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi chaired on Monday a meeting of the inter-ministerial commission in charge of women promotion. Morocco, Politics, 7/24/2001
• Our armed force capable of defending security
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak had dinner Sunday night with the distinguished graduates of Egyptian universities and cadets of the military and police academies, as part of a customary and annual gathering he hosts for these brackets of young generations. Egypt, Politics, 7/24/2001
• Israel should accept Mitchell's report to stop violence
  On the occasion of the end of his term of duty in Egypt, Graham Boyce, the British Ambassador in Cairo asserted that the recommendations of Mitchell report represent the only available way-out from the deteriorating situation in the Middle East. Regional-UK, Politics, 7/24/2001
• Iraq has refuted the accusations of the Saudi representative to the UN
  Iraq has refuted the accusations of the Saudi representative to the UN on July 17, 2001 on smugglers attempting to trespass the Saudi borders on June 11, 2001, Iraq-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 7/24/2001
• Maher starts visit to France, Italy
  "The tour falls within the framework of contacts and efforts by Egypt with the various multilateral parties concerned with conditions in the Middle East and the distinguished relations between Egypt and each of the two countries," an official diplomatic source said Sunday. Egypt-European Union, Politics, 7/24/2001
• Maher belies reports on follow-up committee Egypt-Regional, Politics, 7/24/2001
• Benatik appointed secretary of state for foreign trade Morocco, Politics, 7/24/2001
• Seminar on Moroccan-Malaysian partnership next fall in Casablanca
  A seminar on partnership opportunities between Morocco and Malaysia will be held in Casablanca next October. Morocco-Malaysia, Politics, 7/24/2001
• Maghreban Shoura Council Committees Prepare 4th Session
  The Maghreban Shoura Council will hold its 4th session in Rabat next September 4-6, a statement by the House of Representatives (lower house of the Moroccan parliament) said. Maghreb, Politics, 7/24/2001
• Mubarak gets a telephone call from Sheikh Zayed Egypt-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Syrian sources deny intention to arrest Nayouf
  Syrian official sources denied in a special statement to the Jordanian news agency Petra that the Syrian authorities have any intention to arrest the opposition journalist Nizar Nayouf upon his return back to Syria on the background of statements he made in France. Syria, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Al-Assad to visit Turkey Syria-Turkey, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Egyptian FM criticizes Israeli policy
  "At a time Arabs have prepared themselves to accept Israel. But it seems that Israel is yet to accept Palestinians who have rights that should be respected including their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital," he added."Israel sees that the Palestinian people should not be allowed to be a nation like any other nation but rather an interior second-degree one," Maher noted. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Ruler of Bahrain visits Britain Bahrain-UK, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Mauritanian senate speaker winds up visit to Morocco Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Three European officials in Damascus today
  Each of the British minister of state for foreign affairs Bin Bradshow, the coordinator for the security and political affairs in the European Union Javier Solana, and the EU- ME peace process coordinator Miguel Moratinos arrive today in Damascus separately in visits to discuss the ME peace process with the Syrian leaders. Syria-European Union, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Opposition parties urge government to present new electoral law
  Three Moroccan opposition parties have urged the government to present the soonest possible the new electoral law and to make public the electoral warding in the prospect of the coming legislative elections slated for 2002. Morocco, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Iraq missile against a US warplane Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Solana heads for the ME today, EU condemns Israel's settlers attacks
  The Presidium of the European Union on Sunday strongly condemned the attacks committed by the Israeli settlers and resulted in killing three Palestinians from one family including an infant, near Hebron in the occupied West Bank. Regional-European Union, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Morocco launches itinerant consular services in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo Morocco-Brazil, Politics, 7/23/2001
• The Jordanian- Bahraini joint higher committee
  The Jordanian prime minister Ali Abu al-Ragheb has conveyed in his official visit to Bahrain he started on Sunday and will last for several days a message from the Jordanian King Abdullah II to the governor of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa. Bahrain-Jordan, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Egyptian, Libyan involvement to settle conditions in Sudan
  Egypt's Foreign Minster Ahmed Maher Saturday met with Soliman Al Shohoumi, Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the Libyan Jamahiriya. Sudan, Politics, 7/23/2001
• One Palestinian killed in confrontation with the Israeli forces
  The Palestinian Yahya Subhi al-Dayah ( 48) year old was killed in the intensive tanks bombardment by the Israelis of al-Mighraqa area to the south of Gaza. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/23/2001
• On Arafat's visit to Damascus
  Member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Asaad Abdul Rahman said that the visit of the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat to Syria is still valid regardless to its timing and that the Syrians welcome him ( Arafat ) at any time, noting that arrangements are being made concerning this visit. Palestine-Syria, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Israel covers for a crime by refusing international observers
  The Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Maher accused Israel today of covering for a crime by refusing to receive international observers. The decision to send international observers there has been recently supported by the G-8 summit. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Jordanian parliamentary elections in July 2002
  Well-informed Jordanian sources said that the Jordanian government has completed the appendix relating to the parliamentary elections law and decided to convene a special session next week to approve the system which state to define the number of seats in the parliament and the parliamentary circles. Jordan, Politics, 7/23/2001
• IGAD convenes a meeting today to discuss a peaceful solution in Sudan
  The extraordinary summit of the states of the government's organization for development in East Africa ( IGAD) will convene a meeting today to discuss the question of war in Southern Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Israel renews rejection of UN observers in Palestinian territories
  The Israeli foreign minister on Sunday stressed Israel's rejection to deploy UN observers in the Palestinian territories and called for a greater single US role in any mechanism in order to monitor the cease- fire. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Arab league chief tours Maghreb
  Arab League Secretary General, Amr Moussa, starts Wednesday a Maghreb tour to lead him to Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. Regional-Maghreb, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Slow Promotion of Egyptian-Iranian relations
  The Egyptian People's Assembly Foreign Relations Committee Deputy Chairman Moustafa El Feqi Saturday said there are certain foreign powers that are trying to stunt the growth of Egyptian-Iranian relations. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Kuwaiti contacts to avoid confrontation with Iraq
  The Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am issued on Sunday said that the Kuwaiti officials made contacts with the US and Britain with the objectives of alienating Kuwait from any possible confrontation with Iraq after Iraq, on Thursday launched a missile at an American plane over the no- fly zone area between Iraq and Kuwait. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Qatar urged to reconsider inviting Israel to trade conference
  A statement released in Kuwait on Sunday by the general secretariat of the people's conference to resist normalization with Israel in the Gulf region described Israel's attending of any meeting or conference to be held in an Arab state as a " stab " in the " chest of the militants in Palestine." Qatar-Israel, Politics, 7/23/2001
• Canada announces upcoming G8 summit will focus on Africa and education
  Canada's prime minister, Jean Chretien, said the upcoming summit of the eight most industrialized countries, G8, he will be chairing in June 2002 in Kanaskis, Canada, will focus on Africa and education. Regional, Politics, 7/23/2001

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