Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 3/25/2002

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of March 25, 2002

• Mubarak holds talks with King of Bahrain
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held a session of talks on Thursday with King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, who arrived in Sharm Al-Sheikh early Thursday. Egypt-Bahrain, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Iraqi minister and the reconciliation with Kuwait Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Israeli forces stormed into al-Aqsa mosque Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Al-Assad, Saleh review developments, Israeli attacks against Palestinians Syria-Yemen, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Egypt summons US, Russian and EU ambassadors
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher yesterday summoned the ambassadors of the United States, Russia and EU for discussing the sorrowful developments and the Israeli attack against the Palestinian President's headquarters. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Arab summit presidium calls for deterring Israel Regional-Israel, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Message of appreciation from Crown Prince Abdullah to President Mubarak Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/30/2002
• King Mohammed sends message to president of Mauritius Morocco-Mauritius, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Saudi crown prince: no human being will accept Israel's aggression
  US Secretary of State Colin Powell said yesterday that he has Israeli assurance that Palestinian Authority chairman Yasser Arafat will not be harmed, killed or captured by the Israel aggressions against the Palestinians. Palestine-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Al-Shara, Hammoud hold consultations on steps of the Summit's follow up committee Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Saudi FM praises Egypt's role in backing peace initiative
  "Egypt was the first to announce its support for the initiative and created an international backing to it," Saud Al-Faisal said Saudi Arabia-Egypt, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Egypt urges UN human rights commission to denounce Israeli violations
  Egypt has urged the United Nations Human Rights Commission to denounce the Israeli human rights violations in Palestine, the Syrian Golan and Lebanese Shebaa Farms. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 3/30/2002
• An Italian parliamentary delegation arrives in Damascus Syria-Italy, Politics, 3/30/2002
• King Mohammed holds intensive contacts with Arab leaders over situation in palestinian territories
  Following the serious developments in the Palestinian territories, king Mohammed VI, chairman of Al-Quds committee, has been intensifying contacts with Arab leaders in Beirut and international moves. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Yemeni president cancels visit to Egypt because of Palestinian developments
  Yemeni President urged the Arab and Islamic states on Friday to give immediate support for the Palestinians. President Saleh added in statements to the Arabs and Muslims to "provide immediate and effective backing to the Palestinians in order to enable them maintain resistance and steadfastness before the aggressions conducted against them and their leadership." Yemen-Palestine, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Wide Arab and international criticism to the Israeli aggressions
  A European diplomatic source said that the Spanish foreign minister Jose Maria Aznar whose country is assuming the current presidency of the European Union has phoned the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat and informed him that the EU is embarking on formulating a strong statement condemning the Israeli attack and calls for immediate Israeli withdrawal from Ramullah. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Call for an Arab court on Human Rights
  we do express our hope to the foundation of an Arab court for human rights similar to those that exist in other areas of the world Regional, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Sarid: Israel's attacks as "terrorist"
  Israeli opposition leader Yossi Sarid, Leader of Meretz Party, voiced hope that negotiations would be resumed between the Palestinian and Israeli sides as soon as possible, either in Washington or in the area. "This would restore stability and security to the Middle East region," said Sarid. Israel-Palestine, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Egyptian contacts go far beyond Arafat, Bush
  Contacts being maintained by Egypt seek to put an end to the grave deterioration in the region, said Presidential Advisor Osama El Baz. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Bush actively involved in monitoring, assessing mideast developments
  US President George Bush is actively involved in "monitoring and assessing" the developments in the Middle East from his ranch in Crawford, Texas where he is spending the Easter weekend, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe told reporters Palestine-USA, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Morocco denies projects to build nuclear plant
  Aourid, who said he was astonished by the article, says Morocco's real battle, under the leadership of king Mohammed VI, is against poverty, ignorance and all causes of under-development Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Hariri discusses with Palestinian delegation tense situation in Palestine
  Lebanon's prime minister Rafiq al- Hariri yesterday in Beirut discussed with members of the Palestinian delegation which took part at the deliberations of the Beirut's Arab summit concluded on Thursday the tense situation in the Palestinian territories. Following the Israeli invasion of Ramullah city in the West Bank and the headquarters of the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat. Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Maher: Arab peace initiative to get full Egyptian support
  Maher stressed the importance of the role played by Egypt under the leadership of President Hosni Mubarak, particularly as regards the Palestinian cause. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Al-Hariri confers with US ambassador to Lebanon
  The Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri discussed on Friday during his meeting in Beirut with the US ambassador to Lebanon Vincent Battle the situation in the Middle East region and results of the Arab summit conference recently concluded in Lebanon. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 3/30/2002
• Mubarak phones Bush Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/29/2002
• Al-Assad confers with UAE information minister Syria-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 3/29/2002
• King Mohammed meets participants in Arab summit Morocco-Regional, Politics, 3/29/2002
• Telephone call between President Mubarak, Yemeni peer Egypt-Yemen, Politics, 3/29/2002
• Lahoud telephones Mubarak and Arafat Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 3/29/2002
• The Beirut Arab Summit declaration
  An Arab summit in Beirut unanimously endorsed a plan for Middle East peace on Thursday, offering Israel normal ties and full peace in exchange for complete withdrawal from occupied Arab land. Regional, Politics, 3/29/2002
• Historical embrace between Crown Prince Abdullah, Iraq's Ibrahim
  The Saudi crown prince Abdullah and the deputy chairman of the revolution's council in Iraq Izzat Ibrahim on Thursday entered the conference's hall and embraced each other amid the applause of the Arab conferees before the opening of the closing session of the summit in preparation to declare the final statement. Regional, Politics, 3/29/2002
• Beirut's summit perpetuates the Saudi key role
  Despite the state of disorder which prevailed the Arab summit convened in Beirut on Wednesday, however, the Beirut summit has taken resolutions that will be remembered for long by history. Resolutions that will strengthen the Saudi key role in the Arab states. Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 3/29/2002
• Israel responsible for consequences of its barbaric attack, Maher
  Egypt asked Israel to immediately end its aggression on the Palestinians, warning that the new and repeated invasion of Palestinian lands would have grave repercussions and would push things towards a vicious cycle of violence. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 3/29/2002
• The text of the case between Iraq, Kuwait
  The following is the full text of the two articles relating to Kuwait and Iraq. They are " the case between Kuwait and Iraq," and the "threats of attacking certain Arab states" stated in the final declaration approved by the Arab summit in conclusion of its works on Thursday in Beirut. Regional, Politics, 3/29/2002
• Israeli soldiers shoot journalist in cold blood
  On the injury of her husband, Asaad told MENA that Israeli soldiers suddenly opened fire at the Nile News van while they were covering the Israeli crimes in Ramallah. A bullet penetrated Handal's jaw and came out the other way, severing the main artery feeding the brain. Israel-Egypt, Politics, 3/29/2002
• King Mohammed calls for international protection to Palestinian people
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, on Friday decried the invasion by the Israeli occupation forces of Palestinian cities and institutions and called for an international protection to the Palestinian people. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 3/29/2002
• Al-Assad receives Yemeni president, discussed with Lahoud, Salad Hassan Summit reults
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday evening at the Damascus Presidential palace received the President of the Yemeni Arab republic Ali Abdullah Saleh. Syria-Regional, Politics, 3/29/2002
• King Mohammed renews full backing to President Arafat
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, renewed in phone talks Friday with Palestinian President, Yasser Arafat, Morocco's full backing and solidarity with the Palestinian people and leadership against the new Israeli escalation waged by the occupation forces in blatant defiance to Arab and international will to establish peace. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 3/29/2002
• The Press conference held on the sideline of the Beirut's summit
  al-Faisal said that Beirut's summit is one of the most successful Arab summit and that the Saudi initiative has become an Arab initiative, and that the case between Iraq and Kuwait and the new developments eased the conditions. al-Faisal said:"If Israel wants peace and seeks peace, it can not keep the lands and ask for peace and if it wants security it has to pull out from the occupied Arab territories and to restore the legitimate rights of the Palestinian Arab people." Regional-Israel, Politics, 3/29/2002
• An international conference in Ashbelya
  The London- based al-Hayat daily said in its Thursday's issue quoting sources at the UN that the UN secretary general Kofi Annan received an American green light from the US administration to strongly interfere in the peace process. Regional-USA, Politics, 3/29/2002
• Arafat presides over security meeting for Palestinian police, security chiefs
  The chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat on Wednesday evening presided over a meeting for leaders of the Palestinian police and security departments. Palestine, Politics, 3/29/2002
• Sharon threatens to expel Arafat from the Palestinian territories
  The Israeli radio said that the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon informed the American administration on the possibility of expelling the chairman of the Palestinian Authority from the Palestinians areas Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/29/2002
• Morocco officially asks Switzerland and Geneva convention signatories to act for release of 1,362 Moroccan POW's
  Morocco's permanent mission in Switzerland has sent to Switzerland a letter asking Swiss authorities to interfere with Algerian authorities to remind them of their obligations, as signatory to the four Geneva conventions and ask them to release these prisoners held on their territory, some of them for more than 20 years. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 3/29/2002
• King Mohammed sends message to Cameroon's Biya
  President Biya and Chbaatou discussed a set of regional and international issues and underscored the excellent relations existing between the two African countries. Morocco-Cameroon, Politics, 3/29/2002
• US pulls military equipment from Saudi Arabia to Qatar
  American military spokesmen on Wednesday announced that the US will transport equipment from "Prince Sultan" military base, the greatest military base in Saudi Arabia to Qatar but will stay available in the Kingdom, noting that this is not linked to the tension with Iraq. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 3/29/2002
• Al-Assad reiterates commitment to just and comprehensive peace
  the President outlined, are '' the full withdrawal from the occupied territories of 1967, the Palestinian State with east Jerusalem as its capital, the right of return, asserting that the initiative asserts Arabs' desire for peace and exposes the Israelis who don't desire peace.'' Syria-Regional, Politics, 3/28/2002
• Beirut summit, a successful model for Arab summits, Moroccan FM
  Commenting on the development, Kuwaiti foreign minister, Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, said his country "is 100 percent satisfied" over the Iraqi commitment. Regional, Politics, 3/28/2002
• Maher confirms reaching formula to settle Iraq-Kuwait issue
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher Wednesday said that a formula was reached to settle the Iraqi-Kuwaiti issue. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/28/2002
• Iraqi authorities released one Kuwaiti Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 3/28/2002
• Arab demonstrations support weapons, rather than initiatives towards Israel
  Thousands of Arabs in Libya, Syria, Egypt, Iraq and Jordan have demonstrated calling for resorting to weapons instead of peaceful initiatives to challenge Israel, in a step which revealed the rejection of the Arab citizens for the Arab summit in Beirut to open the road before establishing normal relations with Israel. Regional, Politics, 3/28/2002
• Moroccan association for support to Palestinians calls Arab leaders to back Intifada
  The association also underlined the need to reject any potential attack against Iraq or any Arab state, revive and enforce the Arab agreement of common defense, and put an end to the Arab states' embargo against Iraq. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 3/28/2002
• UN Human Rights rapporteur underscores Israeli occupation is the first cause of violence
  Special rapporteur of the United Nations human rights commission on the occupied Palestinian territories, John Dugard, said the first reasons and causes of violence and human rights breaches in these territories are the Israeli occupation and insisted that the only means to stop the violence is to end occupation. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/28/2002
• Al-Aqsa groups is on the US terrorism black-list Palestine-USA, Politics, 3/28/2002
• Toujan al-Faisal released, still legally sued
  The state security court in Jordan on Wednesday released ex- parliament member Mrs Toujan al-Faisal after 12 days of holding her in custody in the case of "publishing false statements that may defame the state and its officials." Jordan, Politics, 3/28/2002
• Saudi Crown Prince seeks global backing for his initiative
  Israel would be mistaken if it imagined that it could impose an unjust peace on the Arab states by military force, Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdel Aziz told the opening session of the Arab summit Wednesday. Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 3/28/2002
• Egypt optimistic over Beirut Summit
  Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Ebeid, said on Wednesday Egypt is optimistic over the results to be reached by Beirut summit. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/28/2002
• Arab Summit deliberation, a formulation committee for crown prince Abdullah
  The Arab Summit which started its deliberation on Tuesday morning in Beirut unanimously approved a proposal made by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad provided for setting up a committee to formulate the Saudi initiative. Regional, Politics, 3/28/2002
• On Saudi crown prince meeting with Bush
  Former US secretary of State Colin Powell said that the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz will be meeting with the US President George Bush in April in Washington in order to discuss introducing amendments to the Saudi peace initiative as a beginning to implement it. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 3/28/2002
• World Bank commends Morocco's progress in social realms
  The educational sector is unable to train skilled human resources needed on the employment market Morocco, Politics, 3/28/2002
• Egypt welcomes Saudi initiative
  Prime Minister Atef Ebeid, who leads the Egyptian delegation at the Arab summit conference which opened Wednesday, said that Egypt supports the Saudi initiative "because it affirms Arab constant principles and combines between right and justice." Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/28/2002
• Beirut summit final drafting of the Arab peace initiative
  He thanked UAE President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan for granting Lebanon priority in hosting the summit as a token of upholding its role in fighting the Israeli occupation. Regional, Politics, 3/28/2002
• King Mohammed meets Arab League chief
  He voiced appreciation for the sovereign's ideas and orientations and expressed hope that a new impetus will be given to the Arab League in line with the developments of the new century. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 3/28/2002
• OIC chief hails Arafat's courage, welcomes Saudi initiative
  In his word before the opening session of the Arab summit, secretary-general of the organisation of Islamic conference (OIC) Abdel Wahed Belgaziz praised the steadfastness and courage of Palestinian president Yasser Arafat in the face of the Israeli aggression. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 3/28/2002
• American woman diplomat visited al Quds radio station in Damascus
  A woman diplomat at the US embassy in Damascus and one local staff employee in February paid a visit to " al-Quds " radio which is run by the People's Front For the Liberation of Palestine, which is black-listed by the US. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 3/28/2002
• Sharon rejects Saudi crown prince initiative Israel-Regional, Politics, 3/28/2002
• Call for creation of a lobby for women's massive participation in elections
  An Africa-Asia parliamentary forum on human security and gender issues called for the creation of a lobby for women's massive presence on electoral rolls. Regional, Politics, 3/28/2002
• Reasons for King Abdullah's absence from summit
  A Jordanian official said that the reason who the Jordanian King did not attend the summit was because of health reasons, stressing that there is no political dimensions for his being absent. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 3/28/2002
• The withdrawal of the Palestinian delegation, rejoining
  By the end of the first day of the Arab summit conference on Wednesday it was possible to "eliminate" the problems of the withdrawal of the Palestinian delegation which resulted when the Lebanese President did not permit hearing the speech of the chairman of the Palestinian authority Yasser Arafat directly via Satellite from his headquarters in Ramullah. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 3/28/2002
• Arab summit starts deliberations today in Beirut
  Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh called for lifting the sanctions imposed on Iraq unilaterally and called on the Arab leaders to take a collective initiative to this effect. Regional, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Palestinian delegation to Beirut summit pulls out Palestine-Regional, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Sabri: Iraq is ready to recognize Kuwait
  The Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri has stressed that his country is ready to recognize Kuwait, its independence and border. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Al-Faisal denies the Saudi delegation to have had withdrawn from the summit Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 3/27/2002
• A meeting is expected between Iraq, Kuwait foreign ministers
  The correspondent quoted the spokesman for the Arab summit as saying that an atmosphere of amity prevailed during the speeches made by the two ministers. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Saudi initiative formulation committee Regional, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Arab Summit deals with comprehensive peace, Iraq - kuwait, regional political and economic challenges
  The agenda of the summit includes the final draft of Prince Abdullah initiative for achieving peace in the Middle East, the risks facing Palestinians, ways of rallying support for the Palestinian people in the face of the Israeli intransigence under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the Iraq- Kuwait state of affair, international threats to attack Iraq and risks facing the stability of the region as whole Regional, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Qatar declares legislative elections, and a constitution
  The ruler of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani on Tuesday announced that his country will have an elected parliament and this will be in the course of the democratic process taking place in Qatar. Qatar, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Lebanese president confers with Egyptian foreign minister Lebanon-Egypt, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Al-Assad arrived in Beirut by land
  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived in Beirut on Tuesday evening by land in order to take part in the ordinary Arab summit which starts deliberations today. Syria-Regional, Politics, 3/27/2002
• AL chief confers with Izzat Ibrahim Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Mubarak on issues surrounding the Arab Summit
  Egypt lost 120,000 lives and LE. 100 billion in wars, said Mubarak. He added that there should be a strong reason to wage war. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Saudi crown prince gets a message from Cheney Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Canadian Premier in Morocco Morocco-Canada, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Draft resolutions relating to Lebanon, Palestine and the Golan
  The following is the full text of the draft resolutions which will be submitted at the Arab summit today ( Wednesday). These deal with various current Arab issues. The Arab leaders are expected to approve these draft decisions, while the summit will also discuss the Kuwait- Iraqi case and also the Saudi initiative. Regional, Politics, 3/27/2002
• King Mohammed calls Arab states to back Saudi peace initiative
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI called this Wednesday Arab states to back the peace initiative put forward by the crown prince of Saudi Arabi, Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz, and recalled that Morocco has given its blessing to this "pertinent" and "enlightened" initiative. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Israel trying to impose unacceptable terms on Arafat
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said Tuesday that the reason President Hosni Mubarak advised Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat not to leave Ramallah was that he believed that Israel will use this issue to impose its terms which are totally "unacceptable', Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Mubarak's advice to Arafat to stay away from the Arab summit
  The President denied rumors that his absence from the summit has something to do with the peace initiative of Saudi Crown Prince Abdallah bin Abdel Aziz. I have been one of the strongest supporters of the initiative, he said, noting that he only wishes peace to prevail in the region. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Arafat and the summit Palestine-Regional, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Bush asks Sharon to permit Arafat attending the summit Palestine-USA, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Qatar's foreign minister and Sharon Qatar-Israel, Politics, 3/27/2002
• We call for a more fair American role
  Maher said the Beirut summit is held to reaffirm Arab rights, "this is our permanent goal and we try to find a new way to achieve it," he said. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Saudi defense minister gets a message from Kazakhstan's counterpart Saudi Arabia-Kazakhstan, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Aznar, Solana will attend the Arab summit Regional-European Union, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Mubarak to Arafat: stay or Sharon will destroy your place
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak recommended the chairman of the Palestinian authority Yasser Arafat not to travel to Beirut if the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon will be obliged to permit him to return back to Ramullah. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Chinese PM calls for resuming negotiations between the Israelis, Palestinians Palestine-China, Politics, 3/27/2002
• More demonstrations in Yemen in support of the Palestinian Intifada
  Hundreds thousands of Yemenis on Tuesday took the streets of Sanaa for the third time in less than one month just one day before convening the Arab summit conference in Beirut, calling for the support of the Palestinian Intifada. Yemen-Palestine, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Member of British parliament says Sahara partitioning is unacceptable
  A British MP, member of the Conservative party, Derrick Conway, said Morocco's attachment to its territorial integrity is a rational attitude while Algeria's proposal to partition the Sahara is unacceptable. Morocco-UK, Politics, 3/27/2002
• Sharon: A barrel of dynamite on the border with Lebanon
  In an interview with the Israeli daily Yadhout Ahronot, issued today, the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon said that "Israel on the north sits on a barrel of dynamite. Iran has established a system of katyusha and missiles in south Lebanon, including infrastructure and there are talks that no less than 8000 missiles, which are able to strike Haifa and areas situated Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/27/2002
• National demonstrations slated in USA to end the occupation, end the violence for march 30
  Several US organizations are planning major demonstrations across the U.S.A in support of Palestinian rights on Palestinian Land Day, Saturday, March 30. Palestine-USA, Politics, 3/27/2002
• A message from Moroccan King, Putin to Lebanese President Lebanon-Morocco, Politics, 3/26/2002
• Al-Shara confers with several Arab peers in Beirut Syria-Regional, Politics, 3/26/2002
• Al-Qaddafi meets with Zenawi Libya-Ethiopia, Politics, 3/26/2002
• King Mohammed sends message to Ireland's premier Morocco-Ireland, Politics, 3/26/2002
• Beirut summit completes preparations, FMs discuss agenda, final statement
  Beirut has completed its preparations to receive the Arab leaders who will be taking part in the "summit of the right and national principles." Lebanese official sources stressed that the summit's agenda includes three session, besides the opening session and the closing session which will be followed by a press conference to be held by the Lebanese foreign minister Mahmoud al-Hammoud and the secretary general of the Arab League Amr Moussa. Regional, Politics, 3/26/2002
• Arab Foreign Ministers hold second closed session
  The draft resolution calls on Arab states to advance 330 million US dollars in support of the budget of the Palestinian National Authority, at the rate of 55 million dollars monthly Regional, Politics, 3/26/2002
• World intellectuals condemn Israeli occupation
  Noble Prize winner Saramaho compared the Israeli occupation to Auschwitz nazi concentration camps and answered to criticism by Israeli official and religious clerics by saying it is the duty of a writer to denounce injustice and draw attention to shocking situations. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/26/2002
• Eight Arab leaders will not attend Beirut's summit
  It was confirmed on Monday that the two rulers of Qatar and Kuwait, the Sultan of Oman, President of the United Arab Emirates will not attend the summit, after the absence of the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, the Libyan President Mu'ammar al-Qaddafi, President of Mauritania, confirmed they will not also attend the summit. Regional, Politics, 3/26/2002
• US interests in jeopardy if Iraq came under attack
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher warned that the US interests will be jeopardized if Washington embarks on dealing a military strike against Iraq or any other Arab states. Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/26/2002
• Positive changes taking place in Syria
  The London based al-Majallah magazine said in its recent issue quoting special news reports that the change currently taking place in Syria will target about ten directors general who are in the list waiting to have the decisive decision to be taken. This change will also target several governors and several Cabinet ministers. Syria, Politics, 3/26/2002
• King Mohammed Leaves for Arab Summit in Beirut, Visit to Jordan Morocco-Regional, Politics, 3/26/2002
• Qaddafi: I will not attend the Arab summit
  Libyan President Muammar al-Qaddafi said he will not attend the Beirut's Arab summit because the " Arab states because they do not honor their decisions," noting that the recent Arab summit decided to form a committee of seven states to study a strategic initiative he had proposed to solve the question of the Arab- Israeli conflict, but never did it. Libya-Regional, Politics, 3/26/2002
• Main features of Egypt's 2002-2003 plan
  The main axes of Egypt's 2002-2003 socio-economic development plan gained centre stage this week in line with Egypt's strenuous efforts to establish a solid production base and push forward its development drive. Egypt, Politics, 3/26/2002
• Qatar's prime minister takes part in the Beirut 's Arab summit Qatar-Regional, Politics, 3/26/2002
• King Mohammed sends message to Russia's Vladimir Putin
  Moroccan minister of employment, professional training, social development and solidarity, Abbas El Fassi, handed on Monday to Russian foreign minister, Igor Ivanov, a message from King Mohammed VI to president Vladimir Putin. Morocco-Russia, Politics, 3/26/2002
• Kassav invites Saudi crown prince to visit Jerusalem
  The Israeli President Moshe Kassav has described the initiative made by the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz as positive and implies a new proposal amid the escalation of tension in the region. Saudi Arabia-Israel, Politics, 3/26/2002
• Sudan government ceases fire at al-Nouba mounts
  The Sudanese government has started to implement the cease fire agreement in al-Nouba mounts in the southern Kurdvan state and set four centers to be monitoring centers for the cease fire. These are Kadiqli, Leibri, Um Surbah and Kasouh. Sudan, Politics, 3/26/2002
• Annan, Sabri to meet on April 18
  The UN has set April 18 as a date for the meeting between the UN secretary general Kofi Annan with the Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri in order to discuss the possibility of the return back of UN inspectors to Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 3/26/2002
• People's Assembly calls on Arab summit to support struggle of Palestinian
  The Assembly said that it is necessary to declare full solidarity with Iraq in facing an aggression on it or any foreign interference in Iraq's internal affairs. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/26/2002
• Arab summit is called upon rising above differences
  The Arab Foreign and National Security Affairs committee of the Shura Council called on the Arab summit, which will meet in Beirut Wednesday, to rise above side differences and to adopt a unified and constant attitude before the world Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/26/2002
• Cypriot minister's visit to Egypt a success
  Cypriot Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism Nicos Rolandis lauded President Hosni Mubarak role as a great leader with a dynamic personality in the Middle East region and a friend of Cyprus. Egypt-Cyprus, Politics, 3/26/2002
• Gulf states study a unified electronic repository for laws
  Experts from the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council states (GCC) will be meeting today in Riyadh (Saud Arabia) to study a project for a single electronic repository for laws and regulations of the GCC six member states. Gulf, Politics, 3/26/2002
• US will ask Israel to permit Arafat attending the Arab summit Palestine-USA, Politics, 3/26/2002
• Saudi crown prince: the initiative is a test for Israel
  The Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has stressed that he wants to test Israel's intention to establish peace, in his initiative to establish peace in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Moussa: Arab states will not allow striking Iraq
  Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said President Mubarak will take part in the Beirut summit. He said reports to this effect are baseless adding there were no reservations over the Saudi initiative. Regional, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Khaddam conveys message from al-Assad to Butaflika Algeria-Syria, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Mubarak to attend the Arab summit on Wednesday Egypt-Lebanon, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Mubarak sustains contacts Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Lebanese president confers with Saudi foreign minister
  The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud on Sunday in Beirut received the Saudi foreign minister Saud al-Faisal in the presence of the Lebanese minister of foreign affairs and expatriates Mahmoud Hammoud. Lebanon-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Saudi official concludes a visit to Libya Libya-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Maher: all issues will be tackled at the summit
  The ministers are expected to settle disagreement witnessed by the meeting of the senior officials at the foreign ministries of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Draft Beirut declaration affirms Arab solidarity and adherence to just peace
  it has been decided to issue a Beirut Declaration at the conclusion of meetings of the 14th Arab summit which opens Wednesday that deals among oher issues with the issues of Palestine, Iraq, economic integration. Regional, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Qaddafi may take part in the Arab summit
  Arab diplomatic sources in Beirut said that a surprise might happen in that the Libyan President Muammar al-Qaddafi will attend the Arab summit in Beirut. Libya-Regional, Politics, 3/25/2002
• King Mohammed sends message to Cameroon's Paul Biya Morocco-Cameroon, Politics, 3/25/2002
• High hopes are pinned on Egypt in Beirut summit Palestine-Regional, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Massive demonstrations in Damascus and Sanaa in support of the Palestinian Intifada
  Hundreds thousands of Syrians on Sunday morning took the streets of Damascus and gathered at the Damascus Umayyad's square. They called for supporting the Palestinian Intifada and denounced the Israel "terrorist" policy. Regional, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Cheney: no Iraq -terrorism connection Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Bush calls on Arafat to put an end to the Palestinian resistance Palestine-USA, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Message from Gaddafi to Mubarak
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak yesterday received Abdullah Mansour the chairman of the Libyan radio organization. Egypt-Libya, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Message from King Mohammed VI to Mexican President
  Mexican president, Vicente fox, received on Friday Moroccan premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, who handed him a message from king Mohammed VI. Morocco-Mexico, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Arab foreign ministers hold consultations in Beirut
  Most Arab foreign ministers arrived in Beirut to convene their preliminary meeting in preparation for the summit, amid Arab official assertions and peoples' calls on the summit to come up with decisions that meet the ambitions of the Arab citizens and the challenges facing the Arab nation. Regional, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Mubarak gets American guarantees to attend the summit Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Meeting on cooperation between Arab states and Turkey
  A meeting was held in Istanbul at the invitation of Turkish intellectuals. The meeting was attended by several Arab ambassadors accredited to Turkey and chief editors of several main Turkish dailies and several academics. Regional-Turkey, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Several security council members reject Algeria's proposal to partition sahara, minister
  Several permanent and non-permanent members of the UN Security Council reject Algeria's proposal to partition the Sahara, said Moroccan minister of employment, vocational training, social development and solidarity, Abbes El Fassi. Morocco, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Senegal renews at OAU refusal of sahara partitioning proposal
  Senegalese foreign minister, Cheikh Tidiane Gadio, underscored before his peers at the Organization of African Unity (OAU) that the draft framework-agreement proposed by the UN secretary general's personal envoy for the Sahara, James Baker, and which enjoy the adherence of most influential countries is "the most adapted political solution" to the Sahara issue. Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Senegal protests against Algerian tendentious draft recommendation on sahara
  Senegal protested to the secretary general of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) against a disproportional, unbalanced and tendentious draft recommendation on Sahara that Algeria and its ally, the Polisario, tried to have it passed by the pan-African Organization. Algeria-Senegal, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Cheney: no meeting with Arafat
  US Vice President Cheney says Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat has not yet done enough to halt violence between Israelis and Palestinians to justify a return to the region for a meeting with the Palestinian leader. Palestine-USA, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Sharon refuses to permit Arafat to attend the summit
  The Israeli prime minister has announced that he will not permit the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat to attend the Arab summit conference in Beirut, under the pretext he did not do what is conducive to reducing what he called as acts of violence during last week. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Walls of Refaat al-Assad office in Damascus, removed
  In its Saturday's issue, the London based al-Hayat daily said that the Syrian authorities on Friday removed a huge cement security wall, used to surround the largest of the offices of Refaat al- Assad in al- Shalaan quarters in the downtown of Damascus. Syria, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Historian Martin Krefflid: Israel will not defeat the Palestinians
  The military historian Martin van Kreffland has said that the history of the Arab - Israeli conflict has proved that Israel will not be able to defeat the Palestinians, despite the tremendous military force it owns. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Arafat gets a message from Japanese prime minister Palestine-Japan, Politics, 3/25/2002
• 10,000 People Demonstrate in Paris in Support for the Palestinian People Palestine-France, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Israeli government ratified appointing Yaaloun as Israeli chief of staff Israel, Politics, 3/25/2002
• Iraq and the missed American pilot
  An official Iraqi source said on Sunday that his country is ready to receive an American delegation in order to investigate the fate of the American pilot who was lost during the Gulf war in 1991. Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/25/2002
• IPU council examines breaches of law-makers human rights
  The Inter-parliamentary Union council, an executive body of the world assembly of parliaments, examined at its session on Friday several resolutions related to law-makers human rights breaches worldwide. Regional, Politics, 3/25/2002

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