Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 1/28/2002

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of January 28, 2002

• Morocco's King Mohammed heads to Saudi Arabia
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI flew this Saturday to Saudi Arabia for a "brotherhood and friendship" visit, first leg of a trip to some Asian countries Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Greek President visits Syria today Syria-Greece, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Sudan thinks seriously of releasing al-Turabi
  News reports in Khartoum unveiled that the Sudanese government is seriously thinking of releasing Hassan al-Turabi, the leader of the opposition People's Congress party who was arrested in 2001 following his party's signature of a controversial agreement with the southern rebel movement led by John Garang. Sudan, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Ruler of Qatar discussed with US senator George Mitchell ME developments Qatar-USA, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Damascus doubts statements by Israeli defense minister on resumption of peace talks Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Israeli fears of a rebellion inside the Israeli army
  The rejection of Israeli soldiers and army officers to perform services in the Palestinian territories have raised the fears of several Israeli leaderships which find in that a grave phenomenon that might lead to a rebellion movement inside the Israeli army, and differences increased between those Israeli army officers and soldiers and the Israeli army chief of Staff Shaoul Mofaz. Israel-Palestine, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Bahrain's crown prince confers with Saudi intelligence chairman
  Crown prince and commander general of the defense force in the state of Bahrain Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad al-Khaleifa on Thursday at his residence in New York received the chairman of the general intelligence in Saudi Arabia prince Nawaf Bin Abdul Aziz. Saudi Arabia-Bahrain, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Israeli party calls for collective expulsion of Palestinians
  The Israeli tanks on Friday opened their fire at the houses of the Palestinians in Khan Younis and this resulted in wounding the Palestinian Nabil Makhyer and in heavy damages in three houses, at a time when new racist voices raised in Israel calling for collective expulsion of the Palestinians, known as " transfer" and under the slogan that "transfer will bring peace in." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Mubarak's delegate to Arafat
  The Israeli radio said on Friday that Israeli sources in Tel Aviv said that President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt will delegate the chairman of the Egyptian general intelligence Omar Suleiman by the beginning of next week to the chairman of the Palestinians Authority Yasser Arafat. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Peres confers with Canada's prime minister Israel-Canada, Politics, 2/2/2002
• European efforts to convene Madrid 2 conference
  The London- based al-Hayat daily said in its Friday's issue, quoting European sources said that the European Union is currently studying a proposal states to convene an international conference on the Middle East in which the Palestinian Authority, Israel, Russia, the US, the Arab states and the European Union will take part. Regional-European Union, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Moratinos calls for meeting ambitions of Palestinians to build an independent state
  The European Union Middle east special envoy Miguel Moratinos has called for meeting the legitimate ambitions of the Palestinian people to building their own independent state. Palestine-European Union, Politics, 2/2/2002
• On Aziz's short visit to Moscow Iraq-Russia, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Schroeder calls on Europe to pressure Arafat
  The German Chancellor Schroeder said on Thursday that Europe has to pressure the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to launch a strong campaign on every one who carries out attacks against Israel. Palestine-Germany, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Palestinians lauds role played by Egypt, Mubarak in Middle East
  On statements by Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon that he regretted the Israelis did not kill Arafat in 1982, Erekat said the remarks meant that Sharon was trying to "do it now". Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Hizbullah intercepts the Israeli warplanes
  The Lebanese Hizbullah party on Thursday announced that its fighters opened fire at Israeli warplanes which broke into the Lebanese airspace. In a statement, the Lebanese party said that its air defense means interfered against Israeli warplanes that violated the Lebanese airspace in the western sector of south Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Powell: Washington wants Palestinian state but violence has to stop first
  The Unites States wants the creation of a Palestinian state but the two parties (Palestine and Israel) have first to find a means to agree on conditions conducive to a cease-fire Palestine-USA, Politics, 2/2/2002
• French proposals aimed at ending Middle East predicament
  Whether he expects that these ideas will be favored by Israel, he said" I think the Israeli side does not welcome any serious attempt for reaching a settlement but the issue still under discussion between the French and the Israelis". Egypt-France, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Italian parliamentarian confers with Iraqi minister
  Deputy chairman of the Italian Senate Lamberto Deni on Friday met with a delegation representing the Iraqi government chaired by the minister of state Abdul Razzaq al-Hashimi, currently visiting Italy. Iraq-Italy, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Poland official address Middle East situation
  He said that Poland can take part in the peace-keeping forces in Palestine if a decision was taken in this respect. Regional-Poland, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Mubarak-Chirac talks deal with Middle East deteriorating situation
  The talks to be held between Presidents Hosni Mubarak and Jacques Chirac on the sidelines of the Afro-French mini-summit will acquire a special significance amidst the current international affairs, said the Elysee Palace. Egypt-France, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Adly warns against new terrorist incidents
  Egyptian Interior Minister Habib Al Adly warned of possible terrorist operations as a result of miscalculated reactions to some incidents, adding that such reactions could lead to more dangerous terrorist crimes than the September 11 attacks in the United States. Egypt, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Egypt stresses importance of reviewing biological weapons ban treaty
  The implementation of treaty on banning biological weapons and its related measures should gain due momentum on the international arena in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and ensuing emergence of the anthrax microbe in the United States, said ambassador Ahmed Abul-Gheit, Egypt's permanent delegate to the UN. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 2/2/2002
• Yamani: importance of Gulf oil collapses in the interests of the Caspian Sea
  Former Saudi oil minister Ahmad Zaki al-Yamani said that the strategic importance of the Gulf oil will collapse after the US tightens its control on the Caspian Sea oil. Regional, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Al-Shara confers with Swedish ambassador Syria-Sweden, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Kuwait dismiss Iraqi gestures on reconciliation
  The Kuwaiti foreign minister Sheikh Hamad Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Wednesday said that Kuwait appreciates the role played by the secretary general of the Arab League but considers the Iraqi ideas conveyed by Mousa as part of the past. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 2/1/2002
• King Mohammed on official visit to China feb.5-7 Morocco-China, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Tunisia, temporary release of opposition member Muhammad Mawaada
  A statement released on Thursday by the Tunisian ministry of Justice said that the Tunisian opposition member Muhammad Mawaada was released temporarily, as he was re-jailed on June 19, 2001 to be jailed for 11 years of according to a court sentence. Tunisia, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Morocco, Mauritania sign several cooperation accords
  Morocco and Mauritania signed in Rabat Thursday twelve protocols and agreements covering cooperation the realms of trade, industry, energy, transport, merchant navy, justice, communication, handicraft, agriculture, and vocational training. Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Iraq deputy prime minister shortens visit to Russia
  The agency explained that Aziz shortens his visit so as he will be able to take part in Baghdad in the meetings held following the accusations addressed by the US President George Bush to Iraq in his recent speech before the US Congress. Iraq, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Morocco protests Spanish decree on oil drill between Moroccan coasts and Canary Islands
  The decree confirms the concerns already expressed by Morocco, the department said, adding it sent a diplomatic note to the Spanish embassy in Rabat in which it protests this "unilateral contestable and unfriendly Spanish act, Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Turkmani receives commander of the Lebanese army
  The Syrian army chief of staff Lt. Gen. Hassan Turkmani received at his office on Thursday in Damascus the commander of the Lebanese army Lt. Gen. Michael Suleiman and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Sudan: Postponing the referendum on self- determination until 2004
  The Sudanese daily al-Rai al-Am said on Wednesday that a council of representatives of both the government and former rebels in charge of supervising the areas divided by the war in the south, decided to postpone the referendum on self-determination for the area to the year 2004. Sudan, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Three Palestinians were shot by the Israeli forces
  Three Palestinians were shot on Thursday, two of them in an operation which targeted an Israeli armored vehicle near Ghoushe Katieve settlement in Gaza. The Israeli forces arrested a female Palestinian youth ( 15 year old) when she tried to stab two Israeli soldiers near a military barrier in the " French Tel " in Jerusalem. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/1/2002
• UN Security Council: military solution in the region is futile
  The UN Security Council has expressed its increasing concern over the unprecedented escalated confrontation and continued deterioration of the situation in the Middle East and called for dialogue and negotiations. Regional, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Khartoum: al-Nouba truce is solid, can be extended
  Sudan said on Thursday that the cease fire which has been observed since 10 days in al-Nouba mountain area in the central parts of the country is solid and that there are hopes that this agreement will be an example to be followed by other countries torn by war. Sudan, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Powell, Jordan's King Abdullah discuss mideast
  US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Jordan's King Abdullah held discussions in Washington January 31 about the situation in the Middle East, attempts to secure a cease-fire and resume negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, the campaign against terror and Afghanistan, Powell said. Jordan-USA, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Setps to normalize Sudanese- European relations
  The European Commission has informed the government of Sudan its priority to benefit from Sudan's rights which were frozen according to Lomy, and Cotonou since 1990, estimated at 155 million EUROS. Sudan-European Union, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Saudi Mufti calls on youths to give up violence
  The Saudi general Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah al- Sheikh asked those who supervise education in Saudi Arabia to keep youths apart from extremism, noting that Islam is the religion of peace. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Paris opposes toppling Saddam Hussein by means of force
  Paris announced on Thursday its opposition to the attempts made by Washington to topple the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein by means of force. An option stated to have been accepted by several regional sides. Iraq-France, Politics, 2/1/2002
• European Union to implement the Tenet cease-fire Plan and the Mitchell Committee recommendations
  EU: The Israeli Government must withdraw its military forces and stop the extra-judicial executions, lift the closures and all the restrictions imposed on the Palestinian people and its leadership, and freeze the settlements. Palestine-European Union, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Iran says US is the greatest evil
  Iran said that the US is the greatest evil responding to US George Bush's recent comments at the State Of The Union Address where he said "Iran aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while an unelected few repress the Iranian people's hope for freedom. ... States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world." Iran-USA, Politics, 2/1/2002
• US approves re-financing the Iraqi National Congress
  The US government has approved the financing of the opposition Iraqi National Congress which seeks to topple the Iraqi President. Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Yemen accuses Arab states of providing incomplete reports to the US
  The Yemeni Prime minister Abdul Qader Bajmal has called on the Arabs to abstain from exchanging accusations, criticizing those who submitted "incomplete reports about facts" to the US about "unstable conditions" in Arab states. Yemen-Regional, Politics, 2/1/2002
• An international conference condemning Israel practices
  Workers in the area of human rights from Arab and foreign states has stressed the need of putting an immediate end to violence inside the occupied Palestinian territories and the "state terrorism" conducted by Israel against the Palestinian people. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 2/1/2002
• UN Security Council outlines measures to address conflicts, poverty in Africa
  After two days of intensive debate on the situation in Africa, the United Nations Security Council on Thursday outlined a series of measures and recommendations aimed at preventing conflict and creating political, social and economic conditions essential for peace and sustainable development on the continent. Regional, Politics, 2/1/2002
• Saddam Hussein calls on Kuwait to send inspectors to search for the Kuwaiti prisoners
  The Iraqi president, has once again stressed that there are no Kuwaiti prisoners in Iraq, calling on Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to send delegations to his country in order to investigate this matter, according to the Iraqi official TV. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Baghdad, Tehran agree to resume air flights
  The Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri has announced the resumption of air flights between Tehran and Baghdad very soon to transport the Iranian pilgrims who wish to visit the holy sites in Iraq. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Mubarak discusses with Ben Eliezer best solutions for halting violence
  Egyptian President Mubarak yesterday received in Sharm El-Sheikh Benjamin Ben Eliezer, the Israeli Defence Minister and the Leader of the Israeli Labor Party and his accompanying delegation. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Ben Eliezer appreciates Mubarak's peace efforts
  He revealed sending an Israeli message to Syrian president Bashar Al Assad through President Mubarak, saying that the message expressed Israel's readiness to sit at the negotiation table with Syria without pre-conditions. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Russia supports political solution to Sahara issue
  Russia is convinced that only a political solution can settle the Sahara issue, said here Wednesday Russian foreign minister, Igor Ivanov. Morocco-Russia, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Iraq, Iran agreement to halt Mujahidee Khalq activities
  The London- based al-Sharq al-Awsat daily on Wednesday said quoting well-informed Iranian sources that the Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri al-Hadithi, who visited Tehran this week showed a sudden flexibility towards the urgent Iranian request to Baghdad's halting support for the opposition Iranian "Mujahidi Khalq organization which takes Iraq as a headquarters for launching military attacks against the Iranian territories. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Jordanian King to convey a very strong Arab message to Washington
  The Saudi daily al-Watan said in its January 28, issue that the Arab states are intending to send a very tough message to the US stating that its interests in the Arab states is vulnerable if the Israeli attacks against the Palestinians is not stopped. Regional-USA, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Moussa's tour during which he visits Austria, the USA
  Moussa's talks with Annan dealt with the deteriorated conditions in the Palestinian territories in light of the Israeli escalation against the unarmed Palestinians and the continued Israeli siege against the Palestinians and means of ensuring international protection for the Palestinians Regional, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Mubarak demands Israel to ease blockade on Arafat
  Egypt yesterday pursued its efforts to contain the worsening violence in the Middle East, with President Hosni Mubarak holding a significant meeting with Israeli Defence Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Forming an Arab lobby to address the West is a must
  Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark Diocese on Wednesday underlined the necessity of forming an Arab lobby that could address the West with the diction they could understand. Regional, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Israel's Sharon: sorry Arafat was not eliminated in 1982
  Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said in comments published Thursday Israel should have "eliminated" Yasser Arafat in 1982 when he, as defense minister, was in charge of Israel's invasion of Lebanon. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Arab ministers of the interior conclude meetings in Beirut Regional-Palestine, Politics, 1/31/2002
• New Palestinian operation targeting Shein Beit
  In their petition, those Israeli army soldiers and officers said:" we army soldiers and officers have served for long weeks every year, despite the heavy personal price and we served in all ( Palestinian ) areas and got instructions that have no relevance to security." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/31/2002
• France initiative between Israel and the Palestinians
  The London- based al-Sharq al-Awsat said on Wednesday that France has handed the US, Israel and the Palestinians proposals it had given to the European partners aiming at making it a European initiative to find out an outlet for the peace block between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Palestine-France, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Hamas announces manufacturing missiles of 10 km range
  A high ranking official at the Islamic resistance movement Hamas announced recently in an interview with an American TV networking that the movement manufactures missiles whose range reaches some 10 Km and can target the suburbs of Jerusalem.. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Washington to receive a Palestinian delegation Palestine-USA, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Washington warns Egypt on armed ship
  The US has warned Egypt it will launch an open confrontation with it if it will doubt the involvement of the Palestinian Authority in the question of the smuggled weapons ship (confiscated by Israel) and the relation between the Palestinian Authority PA with Iran and the Hizbullah. Egypt-USA, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Ismael: we support the Libyan- Egyptian initiative
  The Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismael has stressed after his participation in the meetings on the mechanism of settling inter- African disputes that the joint Egyptian- Libyan initiative to settle the political issue in Sudan has found a unanimous position among the political forces in Sudan in the north and the south. Sudan, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Iraqi diplomats expelled from Sweden Iraq-Sweden, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Syria complains over the American 6th fleet act against two Syrian ships Syria-USA, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Israeli minister postpones visit to Egypt Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/31/2002
• No ties of any sort between Israel, Sudan Sudan-Israel, Politics, 1/31/2002
• Rumsfeld recommends to minimize the American forces in Sinai
  An official at the US defense department announced on Wednesday announced that the US defense secretary Doland Rumsfeld has recommended the White House and the State Department to reduce number of the US forces working within the multi-national peace keeping forces in Sinai. Egypt-USA, Politics, 1/31/2002
• King Mohammed receives Mauritanian premier Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 1/30/2002
• UAE President gets a message from Khatami United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 1/30/2002
• An Israeli plan to isolate Jerusalem
  The Israeli authorities have drawn a plan for separating the two parts of Jerusalem states to install isolation areas between the Palestinians and the Israeli settlers, to prevent the Palestinians from entering the city and to increase the number of soldiers inside it. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Al-Assad confers with Tunisian, Lebanese officials
  President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday morning received at the Damascus al-Rawda palace, the secretary general of the Tunisian Democratic constitutional coalition party Ali al-Shawish and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-Tunisia, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Jordanian, Saudi bilateral cooperation Saudi Arabia-Jordan, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Saudi crown prince criticizes the US bias stand to Israel
  The Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has expressed his opposition to the stand taken by the US over developments taking place in the Palestinian territories, noting that this American stand " can not be defended." Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Official European objection to the Israeli practices against the Palestinians Palestine-European Union, Politics, 1/30/2002
• US acknowledge differences with Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 1/30/2002
• European official highlights Syria's cooperation
  A European official, asked not to be identified said in a statement to the London- based al-Hayat daily issued on Tuesday that the Syrian government shows some cooperation to the efforts to fighting terrorism, noting that Syria is diminishing its support to certain " terrorist organizations." Syria-European Union, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Saudi Arabia freezes suspected assets
  The Saudi daily al-Watan has unveiled measures taken in Saudi Arabia over freezing assets in response to resolutions issued by the UN and the UN Security Council including lists suspected to be involved in suspected financial operation besides subjecting persons to monitoring by security circles. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Arafat send urgent messages to Turkish officials to help in lifting the siege on Palestinians Palestine-Turkey, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Iran-Kuwait Ties Kuwait-Iran, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Ministerial reshuffle in Qatar
  The ruler of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani on Tuesday made a limited ministerial reshuffle stated to found a ministry of economy and commerce after it was one ministry having the two sectors together with the financial affairs department. Qatar, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Iran says Israel has conspiracy against it Iran-Israel, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Pentagon seeks Sinai cuts Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Yemeni president highlights Turkey's role in supporting Arab causes
  The Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has called on Turkey to invest its international relations to serve the Palestinian cause. He stressed the importance of the role that Ankara can play in serving regional peace and stability. Yemen-Turkey, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Yassin voices support to Arafat's stances
  The founder of the Hamas movement Ahmad Yassin has expressed his support for the recent stances taken by the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat in his rejection to abide by the Israeli instructions under the siege imposed by the Israeli occupation forces. Palestine, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Iraqi minister describes visit to Tehran as positive
  The Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri al-Hadithi has described his visit to Tehran and his talks there he held with the Iranian leaders as positive, He stressed the efforts made by the two sides to maintain good neighborly relations among themselves. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Mubarak, Ben Eliezer to discuss deteriorating Middle East situation
  Egyptian President Mubarak's meeting with Israeli Defence Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer on Wednesday will dwell on the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian lands, said an Egyptian diplomat on Tuesday. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Direct contact channel between Mubarak, Sharon offices Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Israeli regional cooperation minister visits Cairo at al-Baz invitation
  The Israeli minister of regional cooperation Tsefi Levny will tomorrow pay a visit to Cairo at the invitation of Osama al-Baz, the political advisor for the Egyptian President. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Moroccan FM visits Russia
  Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, arrived in Moscow Tuesday on a short visit for talks with his Russian peer Igor Ivanov. Benaissa told reporters at the airport he would convey President Vladimir Poutine a message from King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Russia, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Egypt welcomes EU stance on Palestinian cause
  Egypt welcomes the EU Foreign Ministers' statement issued Monday in Brussels, said Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher late Tuesday. Egypt-European Union, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Zinni denies to have described Arafat as 'mafia god father' Palestine-USA, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Azhar Grand Imam meets Blair
  Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Mohammed Sayed Tantawi and his accompanying delegation left for London Tuesday morning on a several days' visit to Britain at the invitation of Archbishop of Canterbury and the Head of the Anglican Church. Egypt-UK, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Arab Interior Ministers conference in Beirut on combatting terrorism
  the Syrian Minister said Syria has been calling on the international community to condemn all forms of terrorism, especially the State terrorism being practised by the Israeli occupation in the Arab territories. Regional, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Morocco insists on sub-regional, bilateral action to promote political stability, economic development in Africa
  Morocco is convinced that sub-regional and bilateral action by countries is necessary to promote political stability and economic development in Africa, said Tuesday, Morocco's state secretary for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taieb Fassi Fihri. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 1/30/2002
• Morocco renews readiness to contribute to Maghreb construction
  Morocco is entirely ready to bring a positive contribution to the Arab Maghreb Union construction, said in Mauritania Monday justice minister, Omar Azzimane, who was talking at the opening of the Maghreban ministerial session on legal and judiciary affairs. Morocco-Maghreb, Politics, 1/30/2002
• 95 percent of Saudis supported bin Laden's cause Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Arab League to continue carrying its missions despite difficulties
  Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa on Monday reassured Kuwaiti Parliament speaker Jassem El-kherafi he was not overstepping his authorities. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Turkey continues talks with Syria, Jordan, Iran, Cim says Regional-Turkey, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Crown Prince Abdullah address Saudi attitude towards US policy
  As your friends and as your allies, we are very proud of our relationship with you. In the current environment, we find it very difficult to defend America, and so we keep our silence. Because, to be very frank with you, how can we defend America?" Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Iraqi minister describes results of his talks in Iran as positive
  The Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri al-Hadithi has described the results of his talks with the Iranian President Muhammad Khatami and with the Iranian foreign minister Kamal Kharazi as very positive and successful. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Iran, Iraq exchanges promises to limit opposition activities Iraq-Iran, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Jordanian ministry of the interior refuses to license party
  The Jordanian ministry of the Interior has refused the request applied by the constituent commission to license the Jordanian Socialist national party. Jordan, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Jordanian king confers with Saudi officials Saudi Arabia-Jordan, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Sudanese - Libyan relations for the good Sudan-Libya, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Arafat issues warrant of arrests against Palestinians in the weapons ship case
  Chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat on Monday issued a decision provided for arresting Maj. Gen. Fouad al-Shawbaki and a warrant of arrest against two other Palestinian officials in the case of the weapons ship. Palestine, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Iraqi deputy premier moved from Moscow to Beijing Iraq-China, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Sanctions on Palestinian Authority would be harmful,with negative effect
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher excluded any US sanctions against the Palestinian Authority (PA) and said if this happens, it would be "harmful and negative". Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Mubarak and Bush discuss in a telephone conversation ways of containing volatile situation
  They discussed the results of those developments. Presidents Mubarak and Bush agreed on the need for reaching a solution that secures containment of the situation and the need for exerting every possible effort to maintain stability of the region. Egypt-USA, Politics, 1/29/2002
• EU stands by Arafat, urges Israel to end clampdown
  European Union foreign ministers urged Israel yesterday to recognise the Palestinian Authority as a necessary partner in the quest for Middle East peace, according to a draft statement of their Brussels talks. Palestine-European Union, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Israel prepares attacking the Palestinians, Landao: the Arabs do not deserve to live
  News reports from the occupied Palestinian territories said the Palestinian youth Majed Muhammad Hussein Abu Sa'da from Qalqilya was shot by the Israeli bullets in Tel Aviv after he wounded three Israelis, two of them are from the Israeli army, as he collided his car against an Israeli barrier leading to Ramat Ghan suburb. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Israeli pressures to force Arafat, one way ticket out of the Palestinian territories
  The British daily The Guardian expected in its Monday's issue that the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat who is besieged in Ramullah is expected to leave without a return out of the Palestinian territories, as desired by the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Lahoud confers with Syrian minister of the interior
  The Syrian minister of the Interior Ali Hammoud has conveyed greetings of President Bashar al-Assad to the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud during their meeting on Monday in Beirut. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Butaflika: al- Maghreb unity is a must
  The Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika stressed on Sunday that the Maghreb unity is a must for the countries of the Arab Maghreb states due to the existing economic aggregation especially the Europeans blocs. Algeria-Maghreb, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Saudis are saying that 100 of their nationals are among those who are detained by the US Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 1/29/2002
• China condemns the Israeli military attacks, economic siege against the Palestinians
  China on Monday expressed its condemnation of the Israeli military operations against the Palestinian territories and the economic siege imposed by Israel on the Palestinians. It urged the resumption of talks between the Israeli and Palestinian sides as soon as possible. Palestine-China, Politics, 1/29/2002
• U.S. confirmed tha Bush Administration continues to deal with Palestinian Authority and its leader Palestine-USA, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Al-Shara confers with Brekhodko on deteriorated conditions in the Palestinian territories
  The Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara on Monday received Serjy Brekhdko, the advisor of the Russian President Vladimir Putin and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-Russia, Politics, 1/29/2002
• US organizations call for lifting Iraqi embargo
  Head of Voices in the Wilderness Organization Kathy Kelly said that what happened in New York and Washington on 11 September 2001 made the Americans feel Iraqis' suffering due to the unjust embargo which the US administration insists on prolonging it. She called for lifting this embargo which caused the death of hundreds of Iraqis due to lack of food and medicine Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Pan conference for the Sudanese factions
  The Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismael has stressed that it was agreed to convene the pan conference on national reconciliation in Sudan by the end of February in the presence of all Sudanese groups, noting that there are great efforts between the two countries of the initiative ( Libya and Egypt) in order to coordinate with all sides. Sudan, Politics, 1/29/2002
• GCC consultation commission meets in Muscat
  The first meeting of the 5th session of the consultation commission of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) higher council will meet on February 4 in Muscat. Gulf, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Jordanian anti- normalization conference
  The first Jordanian trade Union conference on anti- normalization has called for the need of halting all forms of normalization with Israel as a retaliation to the fierce attacks carried out by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people in the occupied territories. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Arab interior ministers start conference in Beirut Regional, Politics, 1/29/2002
• UN General Assembly restarts work on comprehensive anti-terrorism treaty
  As the United Nations General Assembly restarted on Monday negotiations on a comprehensive international treaty on terrorism, the chairman of the committee drafting the text urged countries to muster the political will and compromise necessary to bridge the divide on the few key remaining provisions. Regional, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Sharon knows no dialogue language, Israel loser if Arafat disappears
  Mostafa Al-Fiqi, Chairman of the People's Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee, said Arabs now need a new media discourse that stands in the face unjust allegations that associate of Islam with terrorism. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Ebeid receives Indian Parliamentary delegation
  Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Ebeid received on Monday an Indian Parliamentary delegation headed by the former foreign affairs minister currently on a visit to Egypt. Egypt-India, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Labor Party member asks to benifit from Egyptian diplomacy
  Member of Israeli Knesset from the Labor Party Nawaf Mosalhah expressed hope that Israeli leaders would benefit from experience of President Hosni Mubarak and Egyptian diplomacy. Israel-Egypt, Politics, 1/29/2002
• Jordan king starts a visit to Saudi Arabia
  The Jordanian King Abdullah II on Sunday started an important visit to Saudi Arabia which will last for two days during which he will hold talks with the Saudi leadership dealing with latest developments on the Arab and international arenas and revitalizing Arab solidarity and joint work. Saudi Arabia-Jordan, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Yemeni president calls for international protection for the Palestinians Yemen-Palestine, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Moussa did not rule out visiting Iraq again
  The secretary general of the Arab League Amr Moussa has not ruled out the possibility of his coming back to Baghdad prior to the convening of the Arab summit, but he noted that there is not, yet, plans on his agenda to visit Baghdad. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Iraqi deputy premier arrives in Beijing Iraq-China, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Khatami address Arab-Iranian Friendship Association
  Iran's President Mohammad Khatami in an address to the first meeting of Arab-Iranian Friendship Association stressed the need for identification and removal of obstacles to dialogue between Muslim nations and the outside world. Regional-Iran, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Syrian defense minister's term of office to be extended for more two years Syria, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Report: Khatami, Libyan minister discuss bilateral cooperation
  Iran's President Mohammad Khatami said on Monday Iran and Libya have firm relations and that the two countries have always stood by each other through difficult times, IRNA reported. Libya-Iran, Politics, 1/28/2002
• UN chief visits Qatar Qatar-Regional, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Moroccan fm expected in Russia tuesday Morocco-USA, Politics, 1/28/2002
• An operation by Palestinian female kills 2 Israelis, 190 wounded
  A Palestinian female student from al-Najah university carried out a "martyrdom" operation in the downtown of west Jerusalem resulted in killing two Israelis and wounding 190, many of them were seriously wounded, according to preliminary news reports of Sunday evening. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Al-Shara confers with Sri Lanka ambassador Syria-Sri Lanka, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Algeria set to diversify ties with Iran Algeria-Iran, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Mubarak, Jordanian monarch exchange messages on regional tensions
  "Security is achieved by peace, and peace could only be reached through negotiations," he told a joint press conference with his Jordanian counterpart Marwan al-Maashar Jordan-Egypt, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Ruler of Qatar confers with Iran's minister of defense
  The ruler of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani on Saturday received at the Emir's royal court the Iranian Defense minister Gen. Ali Shamakhani. Qatar-Iran, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Jordanian Islamic labor front party elections
  The Islamic labor front party has completed the election of members of the Shoura council in 22 of its branches in Jordan. They are 120 members. Jordan, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Libyan- Sudanese discussions
  The secretary general of the people's general committee for African Unity in Libya Abdul Salaam al-Tureiki has discussed with the Sudanese foreign minister Othman Ismael Othman bilateral relations between the two states and means of supporting them Libya-Sudan, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Sudan denies secret agreements with the rebels movement Sudan, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Arafat messages to Blair, Spanish government Palestine, Politics, 1/28/2002
• UAE mediation between India, Pakistan
  President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan on Saturday evening called on India and Pakistan for self- control. This was expressed upon his meeting with a special envoy delegated by the Indian prime minister Atal Vajiani. United Arab Emirates-India, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Yemen releases son of Abu Hamza al-Masri, evacuated to London
  The Yemeni authorities on Saturday released Muhammad Mustafa Kamel, son of the Islamist extremist Abu Hamzeh al-Masri, of the British nationality after he had spent three year imprisonment penalty. Yemen, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Israel bans Arafat from traveling to Europe Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Iraqi refugees to return home voluntarily from Iran
  Director General of Foreign Nationals and Expatriates Affairs Department Hojjatoleslam Hassanali Ebrahimi said on Saturday that Iran in cooperation with Iraq had provided necessary facilities for voluntary repatriation of Iraqi refugees Iraq-Iran, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Aftermath of the recent destruction of homes in Rafah
  Sitting in the yellow light of a canvas tent in Rafah, southern Gaza, 41-year-old Atef Al Najjar spoke of the horror he had felt when he awoke in the early hours of 10 January to the sound of bulldozers crashing into his neighbour's wall. Palestine, Politics, 1/28/2002
• More anti Palestinian stances by US administration
  Israeli political sources said on Sunday that the US administration is intending to shortly announce al-Aqsa "martyrs" groups of the Palestinian Fatah movement as a terrorist organization. Palestine-USA, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Saudi ministry of the interior continues receiving inquiries about Saudis arrested in USA
  The general department of relations and guidance at the Saudi ministry of the Interior has stated it still continues receiving inquiries of families of Saudis who were arrested in the USA, so as to answer their calls and provide them with necessary information about their children. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Israel violates signed agreements every day, every minute
  On American and Israeli statements blaming Palestinian President Yasser Arafat for what is going on, although he himself is besieged by the Israeli forces in Ramallah, Maher underlined that weakening the Palestinian Authority does not enable it to take the necessary measures. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Morocco's FM visits Ireland
  Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, paid a visit to Ireland this January 27-28, at the invitation of his Irish peer, Brian Cowen. Morocco-Ireland, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Clashes receded among inter- Somali faction
  A Somali tribal leader has stressed that the fighting among the warring tribes in the southern and central Somalia started to recede after war lords had reached an agreement on cease fire. Somalia, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Israel prevents Palestinian official from heading to Lebanon
  The justice official at the Palestinian Authority Freij Abu Medyan has stated that the Israeli authorities prevented him from heading to Beirut to take part in the periodical meeting of the Arab ministers of the Interior due to be held in Beirut today. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Moussa and Marry Robinson address terror as a challenge
  Robinson said a cause of concern was that, in some countries, non-violent activities have been considered as terrorism, and excessive measures have bean taken to suppress or restrict individual rights including privacy rights, fair trial, and the right to asylum. Regional, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Two German frigates in Djibouti
  Two German Frigates arrived on Sunday in Djibouti within a caravan of three frigates which will help in naval periodical acts in the region from the Red Sea to the Gulf to support what is called the American campaign against terrorism. Djibouti-Germany, Politics, 1/28/2002
• Maghreban ministerial commission of judiciary affairs meets in Nouakchott Maghreb-Mauritania, Politics, 1/28/2002

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