Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 2/11/2002
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of February 11, 2002
- US spokesman and Syria's oil deals Syria-USA, Politics, 2/16/2002
- Saudi Arabia would oppose a US attack on Iraq
Saudi Arabia will oppose any U.S. military strike against Iraq as part of the war against terrorism Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Washington welcomes running of parliamentary elections in Bahrain Bahrain-USA, Politics, 2/16/2002
- Al-Hariri in al-Riyadh to discuss Arab summit arrangements Saudi Arabia-Lebanon, Politics, 2/16/2002
- Kurdish parties oppose toppling Saddam
The Iraqi Kurdish parties which rally with the US on Friday announced opposition to the American moves to remove the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein by means of force. Iraq, Politics, 2/16/2002 - King Mohammed congratulates Bahrain's king over constitutional proclamation
Morocco's King Mohammed VI congratulated Sheikh Hamad Ben Aissa Al-Khalif, King of Bahrain over the proclamation by his country of a constitutional monarchy. Morocco-Bahrain, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Iraq expresses readiness to settle pending issues with the West
The Iraqi deputy prime minister Tareq Aziz has expressed Iraq's readiness to discuss a comprehensive solution to pending problems with the West. He stressed the need not to limit this solution to the return back of the UN inspectors. Iraq, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Kuwaiti minister denies a reported US attack against Iraq from Kuwait
The Kuwaiti minister of defense Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak has denied the reports stated by the British daily The Guardian on the readiness of 200,000 American troops to launch an attack from Kuwait at Iraq. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Peres to visit Spain Israel-European Union, Politics, 2/16/2002
- Powell vows to consult allies before striking Iraq
As US officials pursued anti-Iraq statements, American National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice said that President George Bush would be patient and cautious while dealing with the Iraqi file. Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Nuseiba discloses an Israeli- Palestinian agreement
The Palestinian official in charge of the file of Jerusalem in the Palestinian Authority Serri Nuseibah has unveiled in a statement to the Kuwaiti daily al-Seyassah issued on Monday that points of an agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians have become ready and are waiting to be signed. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Israeli army commander killed in incursion operation north Toulkarem
The Israeli F-16 warplanes on Friday evening bombarded Jabalia camp to the north of Gaza and the bombardment resulted in destroying the headquarters of the Palestinian security leadership and wounding 30 Palestinians including five members of the security department. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Wali says Ethiopia not build any dams on Nile
Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Youssef Wali denied on Thursday news purporting that Ethiopia is building dams and reservoirs on the Nile. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Lahoud underlines the importance of the European stand
The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud has stressed that the French and European ideas which were debated during the meeting of the EU foreign ministers in Spain, relating to the Arab- Israeli conflict, constitute an advanced European position. Lebanon-European Union, Politics, 2/16/2002 - IGAD to convene a reconciliation conference on Somalia
The foreign ministers of seven states in East Africa meeting on Friday in Kenya announced that a reconciliation conference on Somalia will be held in the second half of April in Nairobi. Somalia, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Mubarak-Fischer talks on European proposals to break current impasse in the region
We have new ideas that were discussed before on many occasions, said Fischer, adding "what we need now is to find a way or a key to open the currently closed door". Egypt-Germany, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Inter- European differences towards Palestinian situation
News reports said that the recent visit of the British foreign office secretary Jack Straw to the region did not only fail to draw a European common position towards the conflict in the Middle East, rather revealed the existence of deep differences between the European Union member states and the inability of these countries from carrying a real mediation role in the region. Palestine-European Union, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Russian special envoy meets with Palestinian, Israeli officials
The Russian special envoy to the Middle East Andre Vidovin said that the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat does not oppose the points over which understanding was reached during the contacts recently held between the Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres and the chairman of the Palestinian legislative council Ahmad Qrei. Palestine-Russia, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Mubarak to visit Washington early next month
Egyptian President Mubarak will visit the United States early next month for talks with US President George W. Bush and senior US administration mainly Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice and a number of congressmen. Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Iran and Iraq to launch joint search operation for their MiAs
An Iranian military official supervising the exchange of corpses of 75 Iranians with the bodies of 59 Iraqis, said "that a joint Iranian-Iraqi search committee will start looking for the remains of the two countries' MiAs in near future," IRNA reported. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Fischer meets with Israeli officials
The German foreign minister Yushka Fischer on Friday in Tel Aviv met with the Israeli minister without portfolio Dan Miridor and discussed with him developments in the occupied Palestinian territories. Palestine-Germany, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Egypt rejects Israeli practices
Israel must realize that its aggression on Palestinian civilians with warplanes will not serve its goals, he said upon return Thursday from Istanbul where he attended the Islamic European dialogue on civilizations. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Europe can intervene in Sahara solution within Morocco's kingty, European official
A European MP delegation said on Friday that the European Union can intervene at the economic scale to reach a solution to the Sahara issue taking into account Morocco's sovereignty. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Arab governments called to unify against Zionists
The central committee of the International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions, convened here on Friday, called Arab governments to unify their ranks against the Zionist policy. Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/16/2002 - Jordanian army chief inspected Jordanian force in Afghanistan
The chief of staff of the Jordanian army Lt. Gen. Muhammad Youssef Malakawi on Friday inspected the Jordanian force taking part in the UN force in Afghanistan which has been positioned at Qandahar airport to the southern East of Afghanistan. Jordan-Afghanistan, Politics, 2/16/2002 - King Hamad: Bahrain to become a modern constitutional democracy
King Hamad announced the activation of Bahrain's constitution. The constitution based on the charter is to be modern, with three separate and independent bodies that are the executive, the legislative and the judiciary. Bahrain, Politics, 2/15/2002 - Al-Assad receives speaker of Yemeni parliament Syria-Yemen, Politics, 2/15/2002
- A ministerial reshuffle in Oman Oman, Politics, 2/15/2002
- Damascus: The court listens to witnesses in the case of Seif on March 18
A date was set for the defendant witnesses in the trial of the Syrian parliament member Riyadh Seif on March 7 and it is expected that three of them will witness against accusations addressed to him. Syria, Politics, 2/15/2002 - Al-Assad confers with Iranian vice president
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday at the Damascus al-Shaab palace received the first deputy for the Iranian President Muhammad Rida Aref and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-Iran, Politics, 2/15/2002 - Syrian- Iranian relations on developing cooperation relations
The two sides reviewed the march of cooperation between the two countries in various economic, trade, financial, scientific, technical and cultural fields and the exchange of experts and encouraging investments and joint projects besides the fields of agriculture, industry, oil, electricity, transport and telecom. Syria-Iran, Politics, 2/15/2002 - Iranian vice president confers with Hizbullah party chairman
Iranian Vice President Muhammad Rida Aref on Thursday evening in Damascus met with the secretary of the Lebanese Hizbullah party who came to congratulate Aref on his new post, according to a statement by the Iranian embassy in Damascus where the meeting was held. Lebanon-Iran, Politics, 2/15/2002 - Libyan officials for Arab, Islamic efforts to challenge onslaughts
The Libyan foreign minister has called for the need of mobilizing the efforts of the Arab and Islamic states to withstand impeding challenges. He said that his country is ready to cooperate and coordinate to implement this aim. Regional, Politics, 2/15/2002 - Moroccan-Libyan talks in Rabat
Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi conferred Thursday evening in Rabat with secretary of the Libyan general popular committee for African Unity, Abdeslam Triki, on latest developments on the Arab scene. Morocco-Libya, Politics, 2/15/2002 - Israel demolishes tens of Palestinian houses, prevents ambulances access to hospitals
The Israeli forces stopped an ambulance for the ICRC at a barrier near Qalqilya carrying Palestinian patients in critical health conditions to one of the hospitals. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/15/2002 - Syrian citizens of the Golan observe a general strike
The Syrians in the occupied Golan heights on Thursday observed a general strike in memory of the great general strike organized in 1982 and lasted for 6 months in protest of Israel's annexation of the occupied Syrian Golan heights. Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/15/2002 - Haider calls for lifting sanctions on Iraq
Former leader of the Austrian "Liberty" party Yorg Haider called on from Baghdad for lifting the sanctions imposed on Iraq since more than 11 years. Iraq-Austria, Politics, 2/15/2002 - On Haider 's visit to Iraq
The Austrian "Liberty" party on Wednesday defended the visit currently made to Iraq by former leader of the ruling party and governors of the Austrian province of "Karnithia" Yorg Haeder, noting that it is a very encouraging visit and aims at completing the country's foreign policy. Iraq-Austria, Politics, 2/15/2002 - Morocco to enforce heavy sanctions against election riggers
Morocco said it will enforce heavy sanctions against people found guilty of rigging during the elections to be held in Morocco next September. Morocco, Politics, 2/15/2002 - On US preparations to topple Saddam Hussein
The Kuwaiti daily al-Seyassah issued on Wednesday received information which stated that the US administration has prepared the Iraqi retired Maj. Gen. Najib al-Salehi for the presidency of an Iraqi provisional government after toppling Iraq current president Saddam Hussein. Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/15/2002 - Al-Rajoub denies to have differences with Arafat
The chairman of the Palestinian preventive security in the West Bank Col. Jibril al-Rajoub on Wednesday denied to have differences with the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat. Palestine, Politics, 2/15/2002 - European parliament delegation confers with Moroccan officials
The European parliament delegation, which is currently on a visit to Morocco, held a series of meetings Thursday with several members of the Moroccan cabinet, on the evolution witnessed by Morocco at the political, social and economic levels. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 2/15/2002 - Bush administration open to input from Arab-Americans
A senior State Department official has called on Arab-Americans to understand the incremental nature of policy making, and not to give up on U.S. policy toward the Middle East. Regional-USA, Politics, 2/15/2002 - An Israeli satelite station aimed at Arab audience
The Jordanian weekly al-Shahed ( the witness) said on Wednesday that an Israeli satellite station broadcasting in Arabic will start as from March and its presenters will be anchors from Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon and Egypt. Israel-Regional, Politics, 2/15/2002 - Israel to compensate China over abrogating planes deals
The chairman of the foreign relations and defense committee at the Israeli Knesset David Magen said on Wednesday that Israel will give compensations to China after abrogating a contract to sell radar planes of AWACS type. Israel-China, Politics, 2/15/2002 - Syrian - Iranian talks on bilateral issues, Israeli aggression, Iraq
Replying to another question on the recent American threats to Iran, the Iranian Vice President said that these threats are not new and "we are used to such harsh stances by the side of the American administration towards us." Syria-Iran, Politics, 2/14/2002 - Arafat telephones Mubarak Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 2/14/2002
- Al-Assad reviews with Franjieh issues of concern to Syria, Lebanon Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 2/14/2002
- Libya's Kaddafi sends message to King Mohammed Libya-Morocco, Politics, 2/14/2002
- Libya transports some 44 Afghani Arabs into Tripoli
The chairman of the al-Qaddafi foundation for charity societies Seif al-Islam al-Qaddafi, son of the Libyan President Muammar al-Qaddafi has announced on Wednesday that Libya had sent a plane to Pakistan to transport a group of Afghani Arabs to it "for humanitarian reasons." Libya-Afghanistan, Politics, 2/14/2002 - Court commutes sentences against weekly managers
The Casablanca court of appeal on Thursday commuted to suspended terms the jail sentences rendered a year ago against Abou Bakr Jamai and Ali Amar, respectively director and director general of the former Le Journal weekly. Morocco, Politics, 2/14/2002 - Morocco exacts unconditional release of Moroccans detained on Algerian soil
Morocco exacts the unconditional release and repatriation of the 1362 Moroccans still detained on Algerian soil in the Polisario jails, Moroccan secretary of state for foreign affairs and cooperation. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/14/2002 - On Fischer's ME tour Regional-Germany, Politics, 2/14/2002
- Israeli forces occupy Palestinian villages, camps, five Palestinians killed
Israeli Knesset Ran Cohen of the Israeli Merits movement called on the withdrawal of the Israeli army and settlers from Gaza and most of the West Bank territories. He said that the military solution did not have a result and there is no alternative from the withdrawal from the Palestinian territories Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/14/2002 - Report says a decision to attack Iraq has already been taken
"US allies in the Middle East have been informed that a decision to attack Iraq has already been taken, and diplomats from the region said yesterday they were resigned to the inevitability of a war that may threaten the stability of a string of Arab regimes," the UK Guardian daily said today. Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/14/2002 - Robinson expresses concern over deteriorating human rights in Palestine
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson expressed deep concern on Wednesday over "The deteriorating" human rights situation affecting the whole population in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, said a statement. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/14/2002 - On the Jordanian parliamentary elections
The Jordanian minister of state for political affairs and the minister of information Muhammad al-Adwan has expected parliamentary elections in Jordan to take place at the most in September and October this year. Jordan, Politics, 2/14/2002 - Mubarak receives Fischer
Fischer said that all the parties in the region and the international community need new ideas to give a shot in the arm to the Middle East peace process as the situation in the region is very dangerous. Egypt-Germany, Politics, 2/14/2002 - Sudanese- Ethiopian talks
Ethiopian and Sudanese officials started meetings in Addis Ababa dedicated to discuss issues relating to the implementation of bilateral agreements in the areas of security, defense and customs, according to statements made by the two countries sources. Sudan-Ethiopia, Politics, 2/14/2002 - Arafat fights with his security chief
The UK daily The Independent reported today that Palestinian President "Yasser Arafat whipped out his gun and pointed it at the chief of his West Bank security services during an argument over the growing disorder among the Palestinians of the occupied territories." Palestine, Politics, 2/14/2002 - Clashes among Somali factions
At least six persons were killed and other 9 were wounded following clashes erupted between competing Somali factions in south Somalia Somalia, Politics, 2/14/2002 - US anger against Sudanese bombardment of a southern village
The US has expressed its great anger over the Sudanese air force planes bombardment of a village in south Sudan in a violation to a promise to the special US envoy to Sudan. Sudan-USA, Politics, 2/14/2002 - European parliament delegation confers with Moroccan mps
The group members, representing various parties represented at the parliament, informed the visiting delegation about the developments of the Sahara issue and called it to contribute, on the humanitarian level, to the settlement of the issue of the Moroccans still detained in the polisario-controlled camps in Tindouf, south-western Algeria. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 2/14/2002 - US aid to Egypt is not linked to peace process progress
US Secretary of State Colin Powell turned down a proposal to link the annual American economic and military assistance to Egypt and Israel to progress in the Middle East peace process. Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/14/2002 - French party official for sahara large autonomy under Moroccan kingty
First secretary of the French socialist party (PS), François Hollande, said he was for a large autonomy of the Saharan provinces, part of Moroccan sovereignty. Morocco-France, Politics, 2/14/2002 - King Mohammed receives Thai premier Morocco-Thailand, Politics, 2/13/2002
- Tunisian businessman sentenced for one year imprisonment
The "Minor Violation" court in Tunis on Monday sentenced the owner of a contracting company Kamal El-Tayef to one year imprisonment after he was convicted of committing three violations mainly insulting the sovereignty of the Tunisian state Tunisia, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Al-Hariri arrives in Amman Lebanon-Jordan, Politics, 2/13/2002
- Algerian, Tunisian presidents voice support to Arab issues, Maghreb unity
The Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika and the Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali have stressed their support for the right of Syria and Lebanon to restore back their occupied territories and called for the need of the Israeli pullout from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and so far left of the Lebanese territories under occupation. Algeria-Tunisia, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Morocco's Premier: Sahara is Morocco and UN has understood it
Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, told the Mauritanian media that the Sahara is Moroccan territory and that the United Nations Organization has understood this. Morocco, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Arenz calls for liquidating the Palestinians Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/13/2002
- Tomorrow or in ten years, a Palestinian state shall be born, Erekat
Either tomorrow or in ten years time, a Palestinian state shall be born, within the borders of 1967 and with East Jerusalem as capital, Palestinian local affairs minister, Saieb Erekat, said on Wednesday. Palestine, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Israel continues killing, destruction in Palestinian territories
The series of Israeli military breaking in of Palestinian cities and towns continued on Tuesday and resulted in more human losses and destruction of the infrastructure. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Sheikh Hamad concludes visit to Syria
In a tour in the old markets of Damascus, Sheikh Salman visited "Lady Zeinab" shrine in Damascus Syria-Bahrain, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Clashes between Sudanese rebels, government forces
Rebels of the People's Army For the Liberation of Sudan have announced the killing of five persons including one small girl and the wounding of other 6 in an attack launched by the Sudanese warplanes on the southern part of the country two days ago. Sudan, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Al-Shara confers with Arab, foreign counterparts in Istanbul
During the meeting Vedirine noted the French ideas on reviving the ME peace process. Al-Shara appreciated the French position in particular and the European stand in general towards current issues. Syria-Regional, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Egypt, Syria sign nine cooperation agreement
The Egyptian -Syrian Higher committee, at the close of its meetings in Cairo yesterday, signed nine cooperation agreements in the fields of economy, trade, investment, civil aviation housing contracting, electricity, social affairs and environment. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Moroccan official meets European parliament delegation
He also recalled how the other party and enemies of Morocco's territorial integrity have been erecting obstacles to foil the operation and how Morocco has been denouncing these maneuvers, injustice and exclusion of candidates to registration as potential voters in the referendum that the UN was planning to hold. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Demands for seats for women at the Jordanian parliament Jordan, Politics, 2/13/2002
- Tension at the Sudanese- Eritrean borders
The Sudanese daily al-Sahafi al-Dawli said in its Tuesday's issue unveiled that tension has returned back to the Sudanese- Eritrean borders on Monday after the Sudanese opposition claimed to have seized the Shalaloub border area which is 35 Km to the northern East of the city of Kasla. Sudan-Eritrea, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Jordanian Islamic Labor Front party denies contacts with western sides
The Islamic labor front party in Jordan has denied to have had made any contacts between its leadership and western security sides at the arrangements by the Jordanian foreign ministry and stressed that this is groundless Jordan, Politics, 2/13/2002 - On the threats against US targets in Yemen
A Yemeni official source stressed on Tuesday that Yemen does not feel great concern over the warnings made by the American Bureau for Investigations FBI of threats against American interests in Yemen. Yemen-USA, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Syrian 'Arab popular committee' funds assist homeless Palestinians
Some 15 million Syrian pounds ( USD 327.000) donated to UNRWA by the Syrian people are helping Palestinian families made homeless in Rafah, Gaza as a result of Israeli house demolitions. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 2/13/2002 - A high ranking Egyptian delegation to Washington
A high ranking Egyptian delegation will head within the few coming days to Washington to hold talks on the deteriorated conditions in the Middle East with each of the US secretary of state Colin Powell and with President Bush's National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, the US ME peace envoy William Burns and the CIA chief George Tenet. Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Israel can never achieve security through resorting to force
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said Israel's greatest illusion is that it can attain security through force and that it can silence the Palestinians who are demanding their rights. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Annan calls on Israel to end Arafat's confinement
"The destruction of the Palestinian Authority infrastructure will only increase the difficulty it has in meeting both its political and its security commitments," Annan told a meeting of the U.N. Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. Palestine, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Preliminary meeting for the Arab summit on February 20
In the context of current preparations to convene the Arab summit in Beirut, a work meeting was held in Beirut on February 20 for the diplomatic, security, media, administration and protocol teams, called upon by the Lebanese minister of culture Ghassan Salamah, who is assigned by the Lebanese government to prepare for the summit. The meeting aims at putting the final touches on organizational arrangements and to materialize them. Regional, Politics, 2/13/2002 - West's credibility in Middle East hinges on impartiality
President Mubarak's Political Advisor Osama AL Baz call on the Western countries to exert further efforts to correct their understanding of Islam. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 2/13/2002 - African intellectuals call for active backing to Palestinians
African intellectuals, grouped in an African committee of support to the Palestinian people, on Tuesday called for an active support to the Palestinians against the Israeli arrogance. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Deploring spiral of violence' in mideast, Annan urges return to talks
"The Secretary-General reiterates his belief that no solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be found through violence and retaliation," the statement said, calling on both sides to "make every effort to achieve a durable ceasefire and return to the negotiating table, as there is no alternative to a political solution of this conflict." Palestine-Regional, Politics, 2/13/2002 - Al-Doumari to return back to the Syrian stands Syria, Politics, 2/12/2002
- Maher warned against striking Iraq Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 2/12/2002
- Mubarak receives phone call from Bush Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/12/2002
- Al-Shara heads for Istanbul Syria-Regional, Politics, 2/12/2002
- Bahrain's preparations to declare monarchy and parliamentary elections
Amid expectations of large scale political changes expected to take place in Bahrain during the coming phase following the first anniversary to approve the national labor charter which will be next Thursday, well-informed sources said in press statements that within days the new constitutional amendments will be declared and the amended constitution of Bahrain will be released. Bahrain, Politics, 2/12/2002 - Austrian official in a solidarity visit to Iraq Iraq-Austria, Politics, 2/12/2002
- Egypt, Syria to eliminate barriers hindering inter-cooperation
He said President Mubarak instructed the Prime Ministers of Egypt and Syria to exert efforts for eliminate all barriers hindering the deepening of cooperation between the two states as a preliminary step towards the establishment of the Arab common market. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 2/12/2002 - Moussa confers with US ambassador in Cairo Regional-USA, Politics, 2/12/2002
- Al-Assad gets a message from the ruler of Bahrain
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Monday at the Damascus al-Shaab palace received Bahrain's crown prince Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad al-Khaleifa and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-Bahrain, Politics, 2/12/2002 - Israeli forces bombard south Lebanese areas Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/12/2002
- Algerian- Tunisian official talks
Algerian- Tunisian official talks under the chairmanship of the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika and the Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali started in Algiers on Monday. Algeria-Tunisia, Politics, 2/12/2002 - Israeli president holds Arafat responsible for firing al- Qassam missiles Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/12/2002
- Sheikh Zayed confers with Karazai
President of the United Arab Emirates UAE Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan on Monday discussed with President of the provisional Afghani government Hamid Karazai, currently visiting the UAE during their Monday's meeting in Abu Dhabi the developments in Afghanistan and the efforts exerted to achieve security and stability in this country. United Arab Emirates-Afghanistan, Politics, 2/12/2002 - Al-Assad confers with AAPSO chief
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Monday at the Damascus al-Shaab palace received the delegation representing the Afro- Asian Peoples Solidarity Organization AAPSO chaired by Ahmad Hamroush, chairman of the Egyptian committee in the organization. Syria-Regional, Politics, 2/12/2002 - Iraq takes part in the Islamic- European civilization dialogue conference
An Iraqi official source has announced that the Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri al-Hadeithi headed for Turkey in a visit during which he will take part in the meeting to be held there between the Organization of the Islamic Conference OIC and the European Union. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 2/12/2002 - Israel bombs Gaza and UN headquarters, al-Aqsa Martyrs group dissolved
the Israeli forces incurred once again in al-Maghazi camp to the south of Gaza and the Israeli bulldozers demolished several houses and burnt hundreds of cultivated lands Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/12/2002 - France: Security in ME Peace Process should not be the first priority
A French Foreign Ministry spokesman said "there is a great deal of disagreement between France and the EU on one side and the US on the other side over the priorities of ME peace process." Palestine-France, Politics, 2/12/2002 - Israel builds new settlement in occupied East Jerusalem
"This is all part of the Israeli plans to rapidly control and Judaize Jerusalem," he stressed. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/12/2002 - German deputy foreign minister confers with Moroccan officials
Youssoufi also called for enhancing trade exchanges, promoting investments and increasing the flow of German tourists visiting Morocco. Morocco-Germany, Politics, 2/12/2002 - Moroccan minister in Istanbul's OIC-EU forum on harmonization of cultures
The forum will be addressing several topics, mainly prevention of political and cultural divides, facing shared challenges and how to know the other. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 2/12/2002 - Islamic -European dialogue Forum in kicks off in Istanbul
A plethora of intellectuals and world figures participate in the gathering. The forum aims at furthering join dialogue and understanding in the wake of the September 11 events. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 2/12/2002 - British paper discloses plans to strike Iraq
The British daily the Guardian said in its Monday's issue that the tour of the US Vice President Dick Cheney is to pave the way for a military strike against Iraq and is viewed as an introduction to an American attempt to topple the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein by military means. Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/12/2002 - On possibilities of striking Iraq
European diplomatic sources in Brussels told the Kuwaiti daily al-Seyasah published on Monday quoting a high ranking official at the US administration that the US president informed his aides that the British prime minister gave moral support to strike Iraq and that they had discussed the possibility of bringing in other European allies to its side. Iraq-European Union, Politics, 2/12/2002 - US military official warns other countries on terrorism following Afghanistan
The leader of the central leadership of the American forces Gen. Tommy Franc has threatened to cruelly confront any terrorist acts to take place in any part of the world after the end of the American military operations in Afghanistan. Regional-USA, Politics, 2/12/2002 - U.S. wants engagement in central Asia, jones says
The United States wants to engage over the long term with the countries of Central Asia -- especially on economic reform, democratic reform, and human rights -- but does not want American bases in the region, Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Jones said Regional-USA, Politics, 2/12/2002 - Jordanian- Russian media cooperation
During the meeting, al-Adwan underlined the importance of the Russian role in the region in order to achieve stability under political developments taking part in the region at the regional and Arab levels especially the Palestinian question. Jordan-Russia, Politics, 2/12/2002 - Sudan's al-Bashir stresses Khartoum's backing to Morocco's territorial integrity
Omar Hassan Al-Bashir, President of Sudan, has expressed his country's full backing to Morocco's territorial integrity. Sudan-Morocco, Politics, 2/11/2002 - Al-Shara confers with Yemeni counterpart Syria-Yemen, Politics, 2/11/2002
- Omani foreign minister in a one day visit to Saudi Arabia Oman-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/11/2002
- Arafat and an American message on leaving PA areas Palestine-USA, Politics, 2/11/2002
- Iraq refuses to give more concessions
Iraq has renewed its rejections to give more concessions to the US, stressing simultaneously its readiness to open unconditional dialogue with the UN with the aim to lift the sanctions imposed on it since more than 11 years. Iraq, Politics, 2/11/2002 - Cheney telephones Saudi crown prince
Saudi Arabia, whose crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz received on Sunday morning a telephone call from the US vice President Dick Cheney said on Sunday it might send a delegation to the US- Guantanamo camps to investigate with the Saudi prisoners held there. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 2/11/2002 - Al-Shara confers with Russian official
The Syrian deputy premier and foreign minister Farouk al-Shara on Sunday in Damascus received the Russian deputy foreign minister Sergy Nekedza, who handed al-Shara a message from the foreign minister of the Republic of Russia Igor Ivanov. Syria-Russia, Politics, 2/11/2002 - Barazani proposes an agreement for a federal solution to the Kurdish question
The chairman of the Kurdistani Democratic Party Mesout Barazani has stated that the actual solution for the Kurdish people and their rights is that of the federal formula. Iraq, Politics, 2/11/2002 - Two Israeli soldiers killed, 7 wounded in attack against Israeli base
Nathan Sheranski, the Israeli minister of settlements disclosed a new schemes his ministry started several days ago to expand "Ma'ale Adomim" settlement and that the necessary lands were confiscated for that purpose. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/11/2002 - Israel Kills 13 year-old Child
Israeli occupation forces shot dead thirteen year-old Samer Abu Mayala from Al-Thouri neighborhood of Occupied East Al-Quds (Jerusalem) after shooting him in the shoulder, reports the Palestine Media Center. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/11/2002 - German foreign affairs official holds talks in Morocco Morocco-Germany, Politics, 2/11/2002
- Peace proposals negotiated secretly between Arafat, Sharon
In its Sunday's issue, the Kuwaiti daily al-Seyasah said, according to well informed Arab sources, that there are peace proposals that are under negotiations secretly between Arafat and Sharon. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/11/2002 - Karazi visits UAE
The chairman of the provisional Afghani government Hameed Karazai headed on Sunday for the United Arab Emirates UAE for a one day visit while the Afghani defense minister Muhammad Faheem headed for Moscow. United Arab Emirates-Afghanistan, Politics, 2/11/2002 - King Mohammed pledges to enhance relations with China
Morocco's King Mohammed VI has pledged to work together with President Jiang Zemin of China to enhance bilateral relations in various political, economic, commercial, scientific and cultural fields, and to expand these ties for the benefit of the two countries, and of their longstanding friendship and age-old civilizations. Morocco-China, Politics, 2/11/2002 - Sharon meets with Jewish organizations in US Israel-USA, Politics, 2/11/2002
- UN special coordinator condemns Israel's shelling of Palestinian facilities
The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Terje Roed-Larsen, condemned Sunday's shelling by Israel of Palestinian facilities in Gaza, which resulted in substantial damage to United Nations offices in Gaza and injury to two UN employees. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/11/2002 - Maher: Condition in the ME is very grave
The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Maher has stressed that the situation is grave in the region and work should be made to establish just and comprehensive peace in order to guarantee its security and stability. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 2/11/2002 - Al-Baz welcomes the French ideas on halting the Israeli aggression against the Palestinians
Osama al-Baz, the political advisor for the Egyptian president has welcomed the French ideas to halt the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. He said that there are in these ideas many positive points to halt deterioration in the occupied Palestinian territories and to restore back to it security and stability. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 2/11/2002 - A diplomatic crisis between Iran, Britain
Britain on Friday announced the reduction of the grade of the Iranian ambassador to Britain in retaliation to the rejection of the Iranian government to accept David Redwai as a new British ambassador in Tehran. Iran-UK, Politics, 2/11/2002 - Morocco, China call for preserving African states' territorial integrity
Morocco and China have called the international community to shoulder its responsibility and enable Africa secure its independence, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of its states. Morocco-China, Politics, 2/11/2002 - Israel uses all terrorist means to subdue Palestinians Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 2/11/2002
- Iraq: Saddam Hussein will not take part in Beirut's summit
The chairman of the Iraqi national council Sadoun Hammadi said on Sunday that the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein will not take part in the next Arab summit due to be held in Beirut in March "for security reasons." Iraq-Regional, Politics, 2/11/2002 - Sharon called for the release of Pollard Israel-USA, Politics, 2/11/2002
- Israeli forces bombarded south Lebanese areas Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/11/2002
- Demonstrators in Tel Aviv protest occupation
At least 3,000 Israelis participated in a demonstration in Tel Aviv on Saturday against Israeli Prime Minister Sharon's policies, waving signs saying, "stop the occupation" and "there is no military solution," reports the Palestine Media Center. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/11/2002 - A proposed meeting between Sharon, Bush Israel-USA, Politics, 2/11/2002
- European parliament follows with interest maghreb union construction
The European parliament is following with great interest evolution of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) construction, said here Sunday member of the European parliament, Philipe Morillion, who is visiting Mauritania. Maghreb-European Union, Politics, 2/11/2002 - Arab League legal committee convenes meetings in Cairo
Meetings of the permanent legal committee at the Arab League started on Sunday in Cairo with the participation of Arab experts and diplomatic delegations. Regional, Politics, 2/11/2002