Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 3/18/2002
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of March 18, 2002
- King Mohammed sends message to President al-Assad Syria-Morocco, Politics, 3/23/2002
- Saudi Arabia rejects Israeli request Saudi Arabia-Israel, Politics, 3/23/2002
- An Arab forum coincides with Beirut's summit
At the invitation of non- governmental Arab organizations for development and the Arab Organization for Human Rights and on the occasion of convening the Arab summit, a forum will be held for the representatives of the civil societies organizations and social movements from various parts of the Arab states in Beirut on March 24 and 26.. Regional, Politics, 3/23/2002 - Russian Foreign Minister in Morocco Next Month Morocco-Russia, Politics, 3/23/2002
- Importance of regular political and economic summits to address Arab issues
The secretary general of the Arab League Amre Moussa has stressed that the current contacts and preparations for providing a success to the Arab summit in Beirut is proceeding on the right track. Regional, Politics, 3/23/2002 - The Arab summit draft statement
Lebanese ministerial sources have stated that Lebanon has received from the Arab league the draft of the final statement of the Arab summit in order to study and define its position towards it, so as either to ask for amendments or to approve it. Regional, Politics, 3/23/2002 - Egyptian-US-Russian talks on developments in the region
Egyptian Foreign Minster Ahmed Maher held on Thursday two separate meetings with US Ambassador in Cairo David Welch and Russian envoy to the Middle East peace process Andrei Vdovin. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/23/2002 - Syria, the US start unofficial dialogue
The director of "James Baker Institute for public policy" of Rice university Edward Djerjian on Thursday said that President Bashar al-Assad has agreed to start a Syrian- American dialogue under the auspices of the Institute. Syria-USA, Politics, 3/23/2002 - Message from King Mohammed to Norway's prime minister
The Moroccan official met Norwegian secretary of state for foreign affairs, M. Helgesen, to brief him on latest developments in the Moroccan Sahara issue and particularly Morocco's total refusal of any idea to partition its southern provinces and its readiness to cooperate, in an open and constructive manner, for the success of the UN secretary general's personal envoy, James Baker. Morocco-Norway, Politics, 3/23/2002 - Solidarity voiced with the Palestinians in Pretoria
More than 2000 persons demonstrated on Thursday in the downtown of Pretoria on the occasion of the Human Rights Day in south Africa in solidarity with the Palestinian people in order to impose sanctions on Israel. Palestine-South Africa, Politics, 3/23/2002 - Danish organization sends ambulance drivers to Palestinian territories
He hoped that the Danish religious society which works in collaboration with the church council will be able though its presence there to put an end to the long time of waiting of ambulances at the Israeli check points, noting that many Palestinian patients paid their life as a price for waiting and pregnant women were obliged to delivered their babies in front of these check points instead of the hospital. Palestine-Denmark, Politics, 3/23/2002 - Ross: Hizbullah's resistance of Israel is not terrorism
The first coordinator of the public diplomacy at the US state department Christopher Ross on Friday stressed that Hizbullah's resistance of the Israeli occupation is not terrorism. But he added that "terrorist acts carried out in the past which led to putting the name of the Hizbullah party on the American lists of terrorist organizations." Lebanon-USA, Politics, 3/23/2002 - Mubarak opens renovated archaeological sites in Luxor
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak yesterday extended a message to the world asserting that Arabs have chosen peace as a strategic option since the Arab summit in Cairo in 1996. Israel, he said, has to respond positively to recent Arab initiatives to fulfill peace in the Middle East. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 3/23/2002 - Morocco's premier holds side talks with leaders attending monterrey conference
Moroccan Premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, who represented King Mohammed VI at the UN Conference on development financing convened in Monterrey, Mexico, March 18-22, held side talks with several heads of state and chiefs of international organizations attending the conference. Morocco, Politics, 3/23/2002 - Iraq implemented all Security Council resolutions
Hammadi said that "Iraq implemented all the Security Council resolutions. Reports issued by the Special Commission affirmed that they did not find any banned weapon or breach in Iraq Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/23/2002 - Arafat to meet with Aznar next week
A Spanish diplomatic source said on Friday that it is scheduled that the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat will be meeting with the Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar in Spain next week in order to discuss the situation in the Middle East. Palestine-Spain, Politics, 3/23/2002 - Royal marriage announcement heralds new stage in political practice of the kingy institution
Moroccan daily "Attajdid" comments this Saturday that the decision to publicly announce the marriage of King Mohammed VI with Lalla Salma heralds "a new stage in the political practice of the kingy institution." Morocco, Politics, 3/23/2002 - Inter-parliamentary union supports Security Council resolution 1397
In another recommendation on terrorism, the Marrakesh conference deemed that the absence of democracy and human rights respect and the failure to peacefully settle regional conflicts are additional reasons for terrorism. Regional, Politics, 3/23/2002 - Arafat gets several calls from prominent officials
The chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat on Friday received telephone calls from the British prime minister Tony Blair, the secretary general of the UN Kofi Annan, and from the Jordanian foreign minister Marwan al-Mashaar dealt with the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 3/23/2002 - American Islamic societies protest against breaking in operations of their premises
Representatives for the American Islamic community in the US on Thursday strongly protested against the storming operations against the headquarters of several Islamic societies. Regional-USA, Politics, 3/23/2002 - Egypt calls on Israel to join NPT
Egypt handed a report on the steps it has taken to render the Middle East region free of nuclear weapons, said ambassador Ahmed Abul-Gheit, Egypt's Permanent Envoy to the UN. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/23/2002 - King Mohammed pledges to perfect democracy building
The objective of this drive is also to help the youth "realize that democracy is the best way to achieve development and to ward off all forms of extremism and fanaticism," he said. Morocco, Politics, 3/22/2002 - US protests; Saudi Arabia fires writer for article on Jews
Chief editor of the Saudi daily al-Riyadh said that Turkey Abdullah al-Sadeiri said on Thursday that what was stated in his paper on that the Jews add "human blood" to their pies in the celebration of "al-Bourim" feast is wrong and that he terminated the contract signed with the woman who wrote the article. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/22/2002 - Jordan: scores arrested for support of Intifada; anti corruption
The Arab organization for human rights in Jordan announced that the Jordanian authorities have arrested tens of young Jordanians and put them in al-Jweida prison because of their participation in demonstrations supporting the Palestinian Intifada. Jordan, Politics, 3/22/2002 - Kuwaiti students protest the Saudi initiative Kuwait-Palestine, Politics, 3/22/2002
- Al-Shara in Beirut today; US pressure on the summit
the final statement draft was discussed between Moussa and the Saudi foreign minister prince Saud al-Faisal. Lebanon was persistent to have a role in this statement on the ground that it is the host country. On this ground, this issue will be among the tasks of Moussa during his stay in Beirut which will continue until after the Arab summit. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/22/2002 - Saudi initiative ready to be proposed at Arab summit
The Arab minister who refused to be identified said that "the initiative was formulated during the consultations carried out by Saudi Arabia recently with various sides concerned." He added that differences were settled concerned this initiative especially in regard to the relations with Israel and the question of the Palestinian refugees. Regional, Politics, 3/22/2002 - Sudan postpones for two years referendum on south Sudan's independence
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has decided to postpone the referendum to be held on the independence of southern Sudan for two years, while the governor of the Central Bank of Sudan Saber Hassan said he is optimistic that the improved relations with the US will help reduce Sudan's debts and open new sources for finance. Sudan, Politics, 3/22/2002 - Al-Shara's contacts with Arab officials in preparations for Beirut summit
Syria's deputy premier and foreign minister Farouk al-Shara on Thursday received a telephone call from the secretary general of the Arab League Amr Moussa during which the two sides reviewed Arab conditions and current preparations to convene the Arab summit. Syria-Regional, Politics, 3/22/2002 - Women issues should not be used to serve political, electioneering purposes, king
The question of equity towards women is so noble that it transcends any exploitation of the issue for narrow political and electoral purposes," said King Mohammed Morocco, Politics, 3/22/2002 - Jerusalem patriarchy denounces Israel's dealing with archbishop Atallah Hanna
The Greek-Orthodox patriarchy in Jerusalem expressed in a statement issued on Thursday its "denunciation and condemnation over Israel's suspension of Archmandrite Dr. Atallah Hanna at King Hussein bridge between Jordan and the West Bank upon his return back from Beirut, for five hours in a very racist and provocative way." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/22/2002 - Bush frustrated by Arafat's performance
The chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat on Thursday received a telephone call from the US Secretary of State Colin Powell in which they discussed developments in the occupied Palestinian territories in light of the continued American efforts in the region. Palestine-USA, Politics, 3/22/2002 - Sahara issue not the only divergence between Morocco and Spain, official
The Sahara issue is not the only divergence between Morocco and Spain, said Thursday in Barcelona Moroccan secretary of state for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 3/22/2002 - Yemen denies military maneuvers with American forces
A Yemeni source denied news recently reported by the mass media on arrangements to carry out joint maneuvers between the Yemeni, British and American forces during the three coming months in Hadramout district of Yemen. Yemen-USA, Politics, 3/22/2002 - Morocco confirms Algeria's covetousness in Sahara
Morocco's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Omar Hilale, on Thursday brushed aside Algeria's alleged disinterest in the Sahara and stressed that its covetousness was actually crystal clear in its latest proposal for the Sahara partitioning. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 3/22/2002 - Amazigh is the property of all Moroccans, king
"Amazigh is the property of all Moroccans. It is a national wealth, a basic component of the national pluralistic identity," King Mohammed VI said Thursday. Morocco, Politics, 3/22/2002 - EU-maghreb seminar adopts recommendations on women
A communication strategy on women's rights should be developed in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia, according to the participants in the Seminar on "Women"s Citizenship and Development Capacity" held on 16 and 17 March in Tunis. Maghreb-European Union, Politics, 3/22/2002 - Euro-Mediterranean Partnership responsible for Political and Security Issues will meet on 4 April
The main themes to be addressed range from strengthening political dialogue to regional co-operation and South-South trade and integration through the new financial facility for the Mediterranean region Regional-European Union, Politics, 3/22/2002 - Tunisia: A presidential pardon for opposition member al-Mawaadah
Tunisian opposition member Muhammad al-Mawaadah on Wednesday received a presidential pardoning on the occasion of Tunisian national day Tunisia, Politics, 3/21/2002 - After Qatar, Bahraini women decide to join municipal elections
Bahraini women on Wednesday evening announced their determination to nominate themselves to the municipal elections which will be held in Bahrain on May 9th. The first elections since 1957 in order to strengthen woman's participation in the political life in Bahrain. Bahrain, Politics, 3/21/2002 - Bahrain to monitor public funds, fight corruption
Shaikh Mohammed's committee, formed by Amiri decree in January, is charged with achieving the highest level of administrative performance, raising productivity, establishing the principles of transparency and impartiality and protecting public money Bahrain, Politics, 3/21/2002 - Saudi Arabia arrests poet for criticizing corruption
The Saudi authorities have arrested a Saudi poet who described in one of his poems the Saudi judiciary which is inspired by the Islamic Sharia as "corrupt." Also, the editor of the Saudi daily al-Madina, which published the poem was fired from his job. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/21/2002 - Talibani against partition of Iraq Iraq, Politics, 3/21/2002
- Jordanian parties call for releasing Toujan al-Faisal
The Jordanian people's activists and national parties continued demanding the release of former member of the Jordanian parliament member Toujan al-Faisal, who was arrested by the Jordanian authorities last Saturday. Jordan, Politics, 3/21/2002 - Mubarak gets a message from Sultan Qabous Bin Saeed Egypt-Oman, Politics, 3/21/2002
- Al-Assad- Mubarak discuss challenges, dangers the Arab nation faces
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife on Wednesday visited Cairo and held a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak during which existing conditions in the Middle East were reviewed and the challenges facing the Arab woman towards this " critical phase of the national history of the Arab nation." Egypt-Syria, Politics, 3/21/2002 - Al-Assad meets Egyptian intellectuals
Syrian President Bashar al Assad met yesterday at the Presidential Palace in Heliopolis with a number of Egyptian intellectuals and writers. Osama AL Baz, the Political Advisor to the President said President Assad's meeting with intellectuals and thinkers tackled many important issues. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 3/21/2002 - Saudi support for Yemen
The Saudi King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz has stressed that the support given by Saudi Arabia to Yemen to join the Arab education office of the Gulf states is but a duty necessitated by ties of fraternity and neighborhood. Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 3/21/2002 - Stressing Kuwait's freedom and independence, Izzat Ibrahim commends Saudi rejection of striking Iraq
Deputy chairman of the revolution's leadership council in Iraq Izzat Ibrahim has commended the Saudi position rejecting a possible American strike against Iraq. Iraq-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/21/2002 - Iraq says US threats against international law Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/21/2002
- A women sit in in solidarity with Palestinian women observed in Damascus
The Arab women committee in Syria in support of the Intifada on Wednesday observed a sit in before the UN office in Damascus in protest of the " Zionist crimes " against the Arabs in the occupied territories and in support of the Palestinians and their heroic uprising. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 3/21/2002 - Belarus president calls for lifting sanctions imposed on Iraq
The Russian President Alexander Lukashenko has called for canceling the sanctions imposed on Iraq. Iraq-UK, Politics, 3/21/2002 - On the Saudi crown prince visit to Washington
The Saudi daily al-Watan said that it is expected that the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz will visit Washington in April after the next Arab summit will adopt his initiative. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 3/21/2002 - Czech soldiers headed for Kuwait
The Czech daily Lidovi Novini said that the Czech soldiers who left several days ago to Kuwait will stand in support of the UN in the second phase of its war against international terrorism which will be this time against Iraq. Kuwait-Czech Republic, Politics, 3/21/2002 - Gulf defense agreement was deposited at the AL
Oman has deposited the common defense agreement of the Arab Gulf states at the Arab League. This agreement was ratified at Bahrain's summit which was held in 2000 by all members states of the Gulf Co-operation Council. Gulf-Regional, Politics, 3/21/2002 - Iraqi- Sudanese talks and signing a trade protocol
The Iraqi vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan has conveyed a verbal message from the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir relating to bilateral relations and the Arab causes of destiny and coordination between the two states in the Arab summit to be convened in Beirut by the end of the current month. Iraq-Sudan, Politics, 3/21/2002 - Maher: Arab solidarity conference, held at critical stage
Maher said the conference really highlights the great role the non-governmental organizations and civil society institutions are playing in the Arab states. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/21/2002 - Syrian member of Parliament sentenced for five years imprisonment Syria, Politics, 3/20/2002
- Tunisia celebrates its 46th Independence Day
Following various successive amendments which covered the election law the democratic process has been reinforced and political pluralism in the country was manifested in the increased number of seats the opposition parties got at the parliament and at the municipal council especially since the recent legislative and municipal elections in which the opposition received 20% at the parliament and 6.21% in the municipalities. Tunisia, Politics, 3/20/2002 - Iraq, Sudan strengthen ties Sudan-Iraq, Politics, 3/20/2002
- Al-Assad gets a telephone call from al-Qaddafi Syria-Libya, Politics, 3/20/2002
- Mubarak-Assad talks aim at crystallizing firm Arab stance
Minister Omran said that the visit falls within the context of exchanged trips by the Egyptian and Syrian readerships to serve the best interests of their states and of the entire Arab nation. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 3/20/2002 - Saudi Shoura council head refuses Israeli meeting Saudi Arabia-Israel, Politics, 3/20/2002
- Al-Qaddafi discusses African issues with Lesotho counterpart Libya-Lesotho, Politics, 3/20/2002
- Saudi Shoura council chief confers with British minister Saudi Arabia-UK, Politics, 3/20/2002
- Al-Assad meets with Saudi foreign minister
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday received the Saudi foreign minister prince Saud al-Faisal. Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/20/2002 - On the US plan to strike Iraq
The Jordanian paper al-Arab al-Youm on Tuesday issued details of the American plan, carried by the US vice president Dick Cheney to the Arab states he recently visited. The plan invites the Arab states to provide enough aid, or at least not oppose the American operations against Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/20/2002 - Saudi crown prince gets a telephone call from Cheney Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 3/20/2002
- Syria: Opinion prisoners observe hunger strike
The society in charge of defending human rights in Syria said that several "opinion" prisoners have started an open hunger strike in protest of their "unjustified" detention since more than one year. Syria, Politics, 3/20/2002 - Mubarak discusses peace strategy with Saudi Foreign Minister
Asked about whether a similar initiative would be drafted on what is known as the Iraqi-Kuwaiti case, Maher said he does not know whether an initiative in this respect will be launched, however, what is important, according to Maher, is the presence of clear Iraqi stances that would help discuss the issue positively. Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/20/2002 - Iraq, Sudan sign free trade zone agreement
Ramadhan said signing this agreement is a new step towards boosting and developing relations between Iraq and Sudan, and building joint Arab market and comprehensive Arab economic unity. Sudan-Iraq, Politics, 3/20/2002 - Ebeid highlights cooperation between government and citizens
Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Ebeid yesterday stressed the importance of cooperation between citizens and the government to overcome challenges facing national action in the coming stage Egypt, Politics, 3/20/2002 - Cheney: I'll meet Arafat is he implements Tenet plan fully
Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon set a precondition for permitting Arafat to attend the next Beirut's summit to implement the Tenet's plan. Sharon said "I will prevent Arafat from returning back in case Palestinian operations will take place during his absence or if he gives statements which Israel sees as a provocation to violence." Palestine-USA, Politics, 3/20/2002 - Talibani describes his visit to Syria as positive
The chairman of the Kurdistani national federation Jalal al-Talibani has described the contacts he had made with the Syrian officials as very positive. Iraq-Syria, Politics, 3/20/2002 - Iraqi- Russian cooperation
The Iraqi oil minister Amer Rasheed has announced that Russia and Iraq are considered two main strategic partners. Iraq-Russia, Politics, 3/20/2002 - Yemeni, British, American military maneuvers Yemen, Politics, 3/20/2002
- Arab leaders will adopt brave stances in Beirut summit
The outcome of the summit will represent a heading for the coming stage, and will be a significant turn in Arab action. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 3/20/2002 - Moussa: Arabs to back ME land-for-peace plan in Beirut
The Arab League will back a land-for-peace plan at its upcoming summit in an effort to halt spiralling violence in the Middle East, the organisation's Secretary-General Amr Moussa said yesterday. Regional-Israel, Politics, 3/20/2002 - Yemeni demonstration in support of the Palestinian Intifada, Iraq
A massive demonstration that condemned "the brutal acts committed by the Israeli forces against the unarmed Palestinian people in the occupied territories" was held in the Yemeni city of Taaz. Yemen-Regional, Politics, 3/20/2002 - Declaration of Barcelona on the middle east Regional-European Union, Politics, 3/20/2002
- Difference between human rights commissions in Syria
Chairman of the the committee in charge of human rights in Syria lawyer Aktham Nuueisah opposed the Arab Human Rights program offering a prize to the human rights society in Syria which is led by lawyer Haitham al-Maleh, ignoring thereby, as he said, the role played by his organization. Syria, Politics, 3/19/2002 - Tunisia: a great response to reforming the constitution
Tunisia is involving its citizens in an information campaign and political debate to be followed by a referendum, a process by which citizens directly approve or reject new laws or proposals, in order to amend Tunisia's constitution. Tunisia, Politics, 3/19/2002 - Syria- Egypt summit in Cairo on Wednesday
The Orient radio correspondent quoted Arab diplomatic sources in Cairo as saying that the Egyptian, Jordanian and Egyptian- Saudi talks will center on crystallizing the Saudi initiative so as to have it win an Arab unanimity during the Beirut Arab summit. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 3/19/2002 - Ramadan announces Iraq's readiness to receive UN inspectors Iraq, Politics, 3/19/2002
- Mubarak gets a message from King Abdullah Egypt-Jordan, Politics, 3/19/2002
- Saudi foreign minister gets a message from Russian peer Saudi Arabia-Russia, Politics, 3/19/2002
- Islamic world league to clarify position of Islam on human rights and freedoms
A statement issued in Mecca on Monday said that the conference will work to clarify the position of Islam regarding debated issues on the international arena and most of important of it is terrorism, peace and war, human rights and its freedoms, the dialogue of civilizations and coexistence among culture. Regional, Politics, 3/19/2002 - Arafat confers with Moratinos Palestine-European Union, Politics, 3/19/2002
- Arab summit to formulate Saudi ideas into initiative
Events in Palestine augur ill for occupation, said Maher, adding that when the occupation feels endangered, it becomes more aggressive but cannot survive. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/19/2002 - Peres welcomes the Saudi initiative Saudi Arabia-Israel, Politics, 3/19/2002
- Abu al-Ragheb arrived in al-Riyadh
The Jordanian prime minister Ali Abu al-Ragheb on Monday arrived in Jeddah leading an official delegation including the Jordanian foreign minister Marwan al-Mashaar. Saudi Arabia-Jordan, Politics, 3/19/2002 - German mediation for releasing Israeli detainees held by Hizbullah Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/19/2002
- Moussa: Arab summit comes in critical stage
The secretary general of the Arab League (AL) Amr Moussa has stressed that Beirut's Arab summit is being held in a grave and critical condition that requires taking decisions that will be up to national challenges to support the Arab rights. Regional, Politics, 3/19/2002 - Slight progress in talks between Palestinians, Israelis
A Palestinian official said that a slight progress was attained during security meetings on redeploying the Israeli army in Beit Hanoun and opening the main roads in Gaza, noting that the Israeli side did not commit to that, despite the fact the actual implementation of the pullout should have started on Monday evening. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/19/2002 - Egypt, Jordan discuss Saudi initiative, supporting Palestinians
Egyptian President Mubarak discussed yesterday with Jordanian Premier Ali Abu Ragheb the efforts exerted at various levels to put an end to the Palestinian people's tragedy and the carnage inflicted on them due to the Israeli aggressive policies. Egypt-Jordan, Politics, 3/19/2002 - Ruler of Kuwait confers with Cheney
The Ruler of Kuwaiti Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Monday in Kuwait received the US Vice President Dick Cheney and members of the accompanying delegation, currently visiting Kuwait. Kuwait-USA, Politics, 3/19/2002 - Continued dialogue between Sudan, the USA
the Sudanese minister expected Washington's direct interference to attain a political solution and establishing peace in the country Sudan-USA, Politics, 3/19/2002 - Sudan denies arresting an al-Qaida member on its territories
The Sudanese minister of the interior Lt. Gen. Abdul Rahim Muhammad Hussein has denied news stated by the British daily Sunday Times on Sunday that the Sudanese authorities arrested one important member in al-Qaida organization called Abu Anas (the Libyan). Sudan, Politics, 3/19/2002 - Results of presidential elections in Comoros
The electoral committee in the Greater Comoros islands on Monday announced the final results of the first presidential elections which indicate that colonel Othman Ghazali ranks in the first place. Comoros, Politics, 3/19/2002 - Israeli- Palestinian security meeting held in Jerusalem
An Israeli source in Jerusalem said that an Israeli- Palestinian security meeting was held in Jerusalem with the participation of the US. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/19/2002 - Democracy, best means to eradicate terrorism, extremism, King mohammed says
Morocco's King Mohammed VI has pointed out that democracy is the best means to eradicate terrorism, extremism and marginalisation, and called for seeking peaceful solutions to all tensions and disputes, everywhere in the world. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 3/18/2002 - Jordan arrests Toujan al-Faisal for 'dishonoring dignity of the state'
The Attorney General of the Jordanian state security Col. Muhannad Hijazi had ordered the arrest of Mrs Toujan Faisal, former member of the Jordanian parliament for 15 days for investigations after he addressed to her declaring statements that dishonor the reputation of the state of Jordan and defaming its people. Jordan, Politics, 3/18/2002 - American warning to Lebanon Lebanon-USA, Politics, 3/18/2002
- Sheikh Zayed rejects threats against Iraq United Arab Emirates-Iraq, Politics, 3/18/2002
- Sudan punishes newspaper editor for an exposing article
The Khartoum criminal court ( North) chaired by judge Muhammad Serr al-Khatem Gharbawi on Saturday issued a sentence provided for finning the chief editor of the Sudanese daily al-Watan Sayed Ahmad Khaleifa of 3 million Sudanese pounds for issuing an article on the travel of Sudanese officials to perform al-Haj rituals at the expenses of the government of Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 3/18/2002 - UAE President confers with Cheney United Arab Emirates-USA, Politics, 3/18/2002
- Saudi Arabia refuses its territories to be used to strike Iraq
The Saudi daily al-Watan issued on Sunday said that Saudi Arabia informed the US administration its rejection to permit the American forces to use its territories as a starting point to strike Iraq or any other Arab or Islamic state. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 3/18/2002 - Jordanian King warns against striking Iraq
The Jordanian King Abdullah II has warned against the consequences of the US striking of Iraq on the security and the stability of the Middle East region. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 3/18/2002 - France supports the forthcoming Arab summit Lebanon-France, Politics, 3/18/2002
- Thousands Jordanian demand ending the peace treaty with Israel
More than 5,000 Jordanians on Saturday called for abrogating the Israeli- Jordanian peace treaty and to declare Jihad against Israel. This was expressed in one of the largest demonstration against Israel in Amman. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 3/18/2002 - Palestinian authority welcomes UN resolution 1397 Palestine, Politics, 3/18/2002
- Egypt, Arab states to discuss Palestinian and Iraq-Kuwait problems
Mubarak will receive Syrian President Bashar Assad on Wednesday, and will today receive Ali Abul Ragheb the Jordanian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and will tomorrow receive Prince Saudi Al Faisal, the Saudi Foreign Minister. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/18/2002 - Qaddafi - Aziz discuss Palestine, Iraq problems
Aziz conveyed a message from President Saddam Hussein concerning coordinating stances between the two states on the issues that will be discussed during the Arab summit due to start in Beirut on March 27. Libya-Iraq, Politics, 3/18/2002 - Peres statements on Palestinian-Israeli conditions Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/18/2002
- Arab states deeply concerned by India's military cooperation with Israel
The British weekly specialized in the military and intelligence affairs has commented on the military and intelligence cooperation between India and Israel. It said in its recent issue that the Indian policy towards the Middle East has been inclined in recent years for the interests of Israel and New Delhi has alienated from its traditional support to the Arabs. Israel-India, Politics, 3/18/2002 - Palestinians consult with Saudis on peace initiative
The Monte Carlo radio correspondent in Amman said that Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt are embarking to draw a document including a simple formulation to the Saudi initiative which is based on the principle of land for peace. Saudi Arabia-Palestine, Politics, 3/18/2002 - Mubarak warns against Israeli attempts to settle the Palestinians in Jordan
In press statements issued on Saturday in Cairo, the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak strongly denied that Syria has any intention to provoke war in the Middle East region. He criticized what has been rumored on that the Hizbullah Party threatens Israel's security by Katyusha missiles. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/18/2002 - Two new political parties born in Morocco
Two new political parties were officially recognized by the authorities, as Morocco is readying for next September's legislative elections. Morocco, Politics, 3/18/2002 - The European Union calls for implementing UN resolutions
The European Union has called for urgent implementation of the UN Security Council resolution no.1397 which speaks to a Palestinian state and to lift all restrictions imposed on the move of the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat. Palestine-European Union, Politics, 3/18/2002 - Sudan FM nominated for chairman of the UNGA for 2004 session
The African Unity Organization has adopted the Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman as the first candidate for the UN General Assembly for its session of 2004. Sudan-Regional, Politics, 3/18/2002 - British parliamentarians oppose plans to strike Iraq
The number of British parliament members from the Labor party who oppose to any military act against Iraq has increased to 100, in a clear evidence to the mounting opposition inside the British house of commons to any of the American plans towards Iraq. Iraq-UK, Politics, 3/18/2002 - Special security arrangements for Israeli Knesset delegation in Marrakesh
Special security measures were taken for the Israeli Knesset delegation taking part in the International Parliamentary Union conference which started on Sunday in Marrakesh at a time when university students of al-Qaddi Ayyadh in the city lead a demonstration of protest over the participation of the Israeli delegation in the conference. Morocco-Israel, Politics, 3/18/2002 - An invitation to the Saudi crown prince to visit USA
The Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has received a message from the US President George Bush extending an invitation to the Saudi crown prince to visit the USA. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 3/18/2002 - Moussa criticizes the Israeli policy
The Secretary General of the Arab League (AL) Amr Moussa has stressed that the policy pursued by the Israeli government under the chairmanship of the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon is based on rejecting just and comprehensive peace and imposing the Israeli conditions and instructions on the Palestinians. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 3/18/2002 - Maghreban union secretarty general in Algeria
Boulares said upon arrival he wishes to meet Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to "hear his orientations and points of view regarding the actions to be conducted by the UMA Secretariat general to prepare for the meeting of the UMA Presidency Council, a meeting that is planned and wished." Algeria-Maghreb, Politics, 3/18/2002 - Moussa calls for more Arab action
Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said that the Arab nation faces serious problems in the light of the international situation which is not ripe for the Arabs. Regional, Politics, 3/18/2002 - Women MPs hold 7th session in Marrakesh
For chairwoman of the IPU council, Najma Heptullah, women have to be promoted into genuine partners in the promotion of democracy and enable them to fully enjoy their rights. Regional, Politics, 3/18/2002