Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 4/1/2002

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of April 1, 2002

• In protest of not implementing Arab summit resolutions, al-Shara abstains Arab FMs meeting Syria-Regional, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Bahrain's prime minister arrives in Damascus
  on top of an official delegation in a visit to Syria during which he will preside over the Bahraini side to the meetings of the Syrian- Bahraini joint higher committee which will be held in Damascus on April 7 and 8th. Syria-Bahrain, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Morocco says it is premature to envision its ambassador's return to Madrid
  Morocco has said that it is premature to envision the return of its ambassador to Spain to his post in Madrid, although it conceded that positive signals exist in this connection. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Al-Shara discuss Palestinian conditions with Arab peers Syria-Regional, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Mubarak receives Saudi FM Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Some 20,000 Bahraini demonstrate against the US, Israel Bahrain-Palestine, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Demonstrators attack the Jordanian embassy in Damascus
  The London based al-Hayat daily issued on Friday said in a report from Damascus that several demonstrators attacked the headquarters of the Jordanian embassy in Damascus by throwing stones at its doors before the arrival of scores of order keeping force to prevent the flow of demonstrators to the headquarters of the Egyptian and Jordanian embassies at Abu Rummaneh streets. Syria-Regional, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Israeli forces fire at reporters Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/6/2002
• US explains reasons behind military equipement pull ou from Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Saudi police disperse massive demonstration in support of Palestinians
  The chairman of the Saudi people's committee in support of Palestine Abdul Hameed al-Sheikh has announced that the Saudi police on Friday prevented thousands of demonstrators from gathering in front of the US consulate in al-Zahran, to the east of Saudi Arabia, and arrested several persons. Saudi Arabia-Palestine, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Demonstrations of anger sweeps Jordan
  Large demonstrations prevailed the Jordanian cities and started from mosques and public squares following Friday's prayers as an expression of the anger of the Jordanian masses by all their groups over the fierce Israeli aggression officially backed by the US administration. Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Moroccans march sunday in solidarity with Palestinian people
  The Moroccan association of support to the struggle of the Palestinian people, supported by several political parties, trade unions and non-governmental organizations, will stage on Sunday in Rabat a march in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Powell to meet soon Mubarak and Saudi Crown Prince
  U.S Secretary of State Colin Powell will proceed to the Middle East Sunday in a bid to stop the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian lands. Regional-USA, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Zinni, Powell confer with Arafat
  An American official has announced that the US envoy to the Middle east started on Friday his meeting with the chairman of the Palestinian authority Yasser Arafat in Ramullah. Palestine-USA, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Powell's mideast mission, a very strong signal, morocco
  The trip US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, will make next week to the Middle East is "a very strong signal," Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa, told the New York Times on Friday. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Powell cancels visit to Germany after he was assigned to head to ME
  An official at the US state department said on Friday that the US secretary of state Colin Powell has canceled a visit to Germany next week, as he was presumed to give a lecture on the relations between the two sides of the Atlantic, after he was assigned to head for the Middle East. Regional-USA, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Morocco renews decry of Israeli invasion
  Morocco on Friday renewed its denunciation of the Israeli invasion of the Palestinian territories and of the siege imposed on Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 4/6/2002
• World Writers' Association, Israel commits Nazi crimes
  What the Israeli army is doing in the occupied Palestinian territories is nothing but a copy of what the Nazi did in the World War II. We must ring alarm bells all over the world to stress that what Palestine witnesses is a crime that must be stopped, said the Portuguese man-of-letters Jose Saramago, winner of the Nobel Prize of Literature 1998. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Arafat holds telephone calls with Abu al-Ragheb
  The chairman of the Palestinian authority Yasser Arafat on Friday discussed with the Jordanian prime minister Ali Abu al-Ragheb the grave conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories during a telephone call he received from him on Friday. Palestine-Jordan, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Powell can only meet with Arafata
  Israeli premier Ariel Sharon continued to opt for military solution without recognizing that such solution will never bring him any political or security gains, Palestinian cabinet Secretary Ahmed Abderrahman said. Palestine-USA, Politics, 4/6/2002
• American embassies in Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon call on Americans to be careful Regional-USA, Politics, 4/6/2002
• American- Kurdish meeting
  In a statement, the Kurdistan Democratic Party announced that a delegation representing the US State Department has recently met with several Iraqi Kurds officials in North Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/6/2002
• UN resolution 1403 calls for Israeli forces withdrawal from the Palestinian cities
  Following the Syrian amendments, the UN security council unanimously approved the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the Palestinian cities without a delay and backed the decision taken by the US President George Bush to delegate his secretary of state Colin Powell to the region. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Alarmed by Palestinians' plight, UN rights body sends Robinson to occupied territories
  Condemning the "frightening" increase in the loss of life in the occupied Palestinian territory, the main United Nations rights body on Friday requested the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, to lead a high-level fact-finding mission to the region immediately and report back on its findings. Palestine-International, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Observers and Bush's declaration
  The Monte Carlo radio correspondent in occupied Jerusalem quoted observers in the Palestinian territories as saying that avoiding linking the call made by the US President George Bush for the Israeli withdrawal from all cities of the West Bank to the word " immediate" and delaying the arrival of the US secretary of state Colin Powell to the Middle East until next week offers Israel a period of time of 4 to five days to continue its "open aggression against the Palestinian people. Palestine-USA, Politics, 4/6/2002
• NGOs group unveils ordeal of Tindouf sequestered population
  A group of non-governmental organizations from the Moroccan southern provinces has recently held a large-scale campaign in Geneva to shed light on the ordeal of the population detained forcibly by the Polisario separatists in the Algerian south-western rear base of Tindouf. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Palestinian civilians in desperate need of aid, head of UN relief agency warns
  The head of the United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees urged Israeli authorities on Friday to heed repeated UN appeals for access by humanitarian workers to the civilians who are in desperate need of life-saving aid in the occupied territories. Palestine-International, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Catholic church in Morocco decries situation in Palestinian territories
  The Catholic church in Morocco on Friday denounced the situation currently prevailing in the Palestinian territories. Morocco-Morocco, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Jordanian prince and the American efforts
  Former Jordanian crown prince and brother of the late Jordanian King al-Hussein Bin Talal has warned that the American efforts for mediation to reach a cease fire in the Middle East is doomed to failure in case Washington ignores the economic and social problems in the unstable region. Jordan-USA, Politics, 4/6/2002
• Nobel's regrets on Peres award Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Baz: Israel loses if it launches regional war
  If Israel seeks to launch a regional war in the Mideast, it will be the loser in all economic, military and political fields, said presidential advisor for political affairs, Osama Al-Baz. He added that Israeli knew that well. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Damascus: Five year imprisonment for Riyadh Seif
  Seif entered the court escorted by police men. He was received by strong applause from some of the audiences. When one of the audiences greeted him he said "Nothing is for free and that freedom has a price." Syria, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Yasser Arafat, in Baghdad Iraq-Palestine, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Al-Assad calls for actual peace, not peace on papers
  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday stressed the need of dealing with the "essence of the conflict" in the Middle East region in order "to achieve a just and comprehensive peace on reality rather than on papers." Syria-USA, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Russia considers Arafat as sole legitimate representative of palestinian people Palestine-Russia, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Mubarak warns of dangerous risks to int'l peace
  Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak on Thursday warned of the dangerous risks to internatinooal peace in case Israel maintained its hostile policy and attempts to impose a settlement by force. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Special meeting today of the human rights committee on the Middle East Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Telephone call between crown prince Abdullah, Colin Powell
  Saudi crown prince on Thursday discussed in a telephone call with the American secretary of state Colin Powell "the developments of deteriorated conditions in the Palestinian territories." Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 4/5/2002
• A people committee organizes a demonstration in al-Zahran today, Saudi authorities ban demonstration
  The Saudi Arabian authorities on Thursday warned it will not permit holding demonstrations in the Kingdom. This decision came after demonstrators on Monday burnt the Israeli and American flags in protest of the Israeli military campaign in the West Bank. Saudi Arabia-Palestine, Politics, 4/5/2002
• 'Boycott US' call to Muslim countries
  Religious scholars urged boycott of US products, as Washington is main ally of Israel "which is conducting a campaign to exterminate the Palestinian people," Bahrain's Gulf Daily News reported today. Regional-USA, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Bush speaks on the current peace crisis
  US President Bush is sending Secretary of State Colin Powell to the Middle East next week in an effort to end the escalating violence between Israelis and Palestinians and lay a foundation for political talks. Regional-USA, Politics, 4/5/2002
• U.S. to act as Middle East escalations may reach critical defining points
  A senior Bush Administration official said the deteriorating situation in the Middle East had prompted the president to send Secretary of State Colin Powell to the region to try to "stop what we saw as a spiraling level of violence that might expand beyond the current area." Regional-USA, Politics, 4/5/2002
• King Mohammed confirms visit to Russia before end of year
  King Mohammed VI also renewed Morocco's rejection of any idea to partition its Sahara Morocco-Russia, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Al-Mashaar heads for Washington carrying a message from King Abdullah to Bush
  The Jordanian foreign minister Marwan al-Mashaar left Amman on Thursday for Washington carrying a message from the Jordanian King Abdullah to the US President George Bush concerning the deteriorated conditions in the Middle East. Jordan-USA, Politics, 4/5/2002
• US's Richard Murphy discuss issues in roundtable meeting
  Q:): Mr. Murphy, as an expert on the American policies in the Middle East, do you see that U.S. foreign policy towards what's happening in the Occupied Territories, or towards what we hear about a possible military action against Iraq, do you think that this American position helps American interests in the long term? Regional-USA, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Al-Assad confers with chairperson of the Spanish parliament
  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday upon his meeting with the chairperson of the Spanish parliament Mrs Lweisa Firnanda Roddy said that Syria was and is still with a just and comprehensive peace, even under worst conditions, because her principle is unwavering. Syria-Spain, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Moroccan premier meets Canadian peer
  Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane youssoufi, conferred Wednesday evening in Rabat with Canada's prime minister, Jean Chretien on a set of issues with special emphasis on the Sahara issue and the situation in the Middle East. Morocco-Canada, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Morocco satisfied at Russia's understanding of the sahara issue
  Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, expressed Wednesday Morocco's satisfaction at Russia's understanding regarding the Sahara issue. Morocco-Russia, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Powell exposed to pressures
  The US secretary of state Colin Powell was quoted on Thursday as saying that he was exposed to great pressures because of his position which supports the establishment of a Palestinian state. Regional-USA, Politics, 4/5/2002
• U.S. committed to combating war crimes
  The United States remains committed to combating war crimes around the world even though it will not participate in the International Criminal Court (ICC), says the U.S. ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues. Regional-USA, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Arab group at the UN pressures for releasing a new UN resolution
  The Palestinian representative at the UN announced on Thursday that he will continue efforts so as the UN Security Council will issue a resolution enhancing pressure on Israel, despite the announcement that the US secretary of state Colin Powell will start a tour on the region next week. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Morocco's upper chamber condemns Sharon's aggression and barbarous crimes against Palestinian people
  The advisors, who called this policy "the worst crimes against humanity" and "a violation of human rights principles" called humanitarian and human rights organization, the UN security council and parliaments worldwide to endeavor for bringing for trial authors of this Israeli policy. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/5/2002
• German parliamentary delegation in Morocco
  Benaissa also "surveyed the intense diplomatic efforts made by Morocco to stop the massacre of the Palestinian people" Morocco-Germany, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Some 13 Israeli army reserve soldiers jailed Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/5/2002
• Mubarak receives phone call from Gaddafi Egypt-Libya, Politics, 4/4/2002
• Mubarak holds phone conversations with Chirac Egypt-France, Politics, 4/4/2002
• Egyptian demonstrations against Israel Egypt-Israel, Politics, 4/4/2002
• Damascus and Beirut agreement for redeployment of Syrian forces under Taif Accord
  The military committee of the Syrian- Lebanese higher council which is composed of the leaderships of the two armies in Syria and Lebanon met at the headquarters of the Lebanese army in al-Yarzeh. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 4/4/2002
• Bahrain appoints an Ambassador in Iraq Bahrain-Iraq, Politics, 4/4/2002
• Yemen: One million citizens call for trying the Arab leaders
  The Yemeni capital sanaa on Wednesday witnessed marches in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The Participants in the demonstrations expressed their protest against the stances of the US in supporting Israel and called on the Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to end his isolation and resume his Arab role in support of the Palestinians. Yemen-Regional, Politics, 4/4/2002
• Sudan, Iraq and the oil weapon Sudan-Israel, Politics, 4/4/2002
• Iraq is ready to use oil as a weapon against America Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/4/2002
• China for defending Arab rights Regional-China, Politics, 4/4/2002
• More Palestinians killed, Israeli forces besiege Nativity church, burns Omar mosque
  Hundreds of Israeli tanks and armored vehicles completed their occupation of Jenin, Bethlehem and Beit jala, Qalqilya and Selfeit in the West Bank and that other Israeli military amassing are stationed at the entrances of Nablus in preparation to break into it. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/4/2002
• Arab ministerial meeting postponed until Saturday
  The secretary general of the Arab league Amre Mousa announced on Wednesday that the Arab foreign ministers will on Saturday hold an emergency meeting in Cairo in order to "hold talks" on conditions in the Palestinian territories. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 4/4/2002
• Russia and the situation in the ME region Palestine-Russia, Politics, 4/4/2002
• American families evacuated from Israel Israel-USA, Politics, 4/4/2002
• Abbas denies any contacts with the Israeli side
  The secretary of the executive committee of the PLO Mahmoud Abbas has denied any contacts at the meantime with the Israeli side concerning conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/4/2002
• The Vatican summons the ambassadors of the US, Israel
  The spokesman for Pope John Paul II, Jawakim Navaro announced on Wednesday that the Vatican summoned the ambassadors of Israel and the US to it to discuss with them the " catastrophic " situation in Bethlehem. Palestine-Vatican, Politics, 4/4/2002
• Middle East Church Council condemns Israeli aggression
  The Middle East Church Council Wednesday lashed out latest Israeli military operations in the Palestinian territories as well as the killing and humiliation of Palestinians. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 4/4/2002
• Israel prevents Aznar from talking to Arafat
  The Israeli forces prevented the Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar, whose country presides over the current rotating presidency of the European Union from talking by telephone with the chairman of the Palestinian authority Yasser Arafat. Israel-European Union, Politics, 4/4/2002
• Mousa holds press conference with Papandreau
  The Secretary general of the Arab League Amre Mousa has called on the European states to take a firm and decisive stand concerning the brutal aggressions carried out against the Palestinian people. Regional-Greece, Politics, 4/4/2002
• Arab ambassadors in Amman voice solidarity with Palestinians
  The Ambassadors of the Arab states in Amman on Wednesday visited the headquarters of the Palestinian consulate in Amman "in solidarity with the Palestinian people against which Israel is launching a war of extermination." Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 4/4/2002
• Egypt suspends relations with Israel Egypt-Israel, Politics, 4/3/2002
• European report: Israel seeks to drag Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan to war
  European military men monitored an Israeli plan to drag the four Arab states into a military confrontation with it and a comprehensive war Regional-Israel, Politics, 4/3/2002
• King Mohammed sends message to Singapore's premier
  Moroccan state secretary in charge of foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, handed Singapore's prime minister, Goh Chok Tong, a message from King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Singapore, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Sharon, Bush and striking the Palestinians
  the Kuwaiti daily al-Seyasah in its Tuesday's issue quoted Arab Gulf diplomatic sources in Washington as saying that the US President George Bush granted the Israeli prime Minister Ariel Sharon the full liberty to total eliminate what he calls the "Palestinian terrorists" within a period of time not to exceed the mid of April Palestine-USA, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Jordanian opposition stands against the government over relations with Israel
  The secretary general of the Islamic Labor Front in Jordan, Abdul Latif Arabeyat has stated in an interview with the Monte Carlo radio on Tuesday " we do not hold identical views with the Jordanian government that protecting the occupied territories and the Palestinians as well as Jordan requires having a firm stand and not expelling the Israeli ambassador under the pretext of keeping a diplomatic channel opened with the Jews." Jordan-Israel, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Urgent message from Mubarak to Bush
  Egyptian President Mubarak, in a personal and urgent message to US President George Bush, underlined the need for an immediate move to halt the fierce military campaign waged by Israel for occupying the areas under Palestinian National Authority (PNA). Egypt-USA, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Al-Assad meets with Saudi crown prince, Murphy
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday received prince Khaled al-Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz, prince of the district of Aseer in Saudi Arabia and also the chairman of the Arab "intellectuals" forum and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Mubarak asks the government to prepare necessary aid for Palestinians
  Egyptian Minister of Information Safwat Al Sherif said following the meeting of the Political Group Wednesday that President Honsi Mubarak reviewed and discussed all points of view examined by the political group over the past two days and an assessment of the situation in the light of the sweeping attacks by Isreaeli forces against Palestinian towns. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Iraq: the Arab states discuss possibility of convening a new summit
  News reports quoted the Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri as saying that the Arab states discuss the possibility of convening a new Arab summit to withstand the deterioration of condition in the Middle East. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Morocco's living forces denounce Israel's crimes, upper chamber holds special session
  They equally denounced the backing of the United States and some European countries to these criminal acts that are a blatant violation to all international conventions and to basic human rights principles. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Russia's fm starts visit to Morocco
  Ivanov told reporters upon arrival his talks with Moroccan officials will focus on the serious developments of the situation in the Middle East, the Sahara issue and bilateral cooperation in fisheries. Morocco-Russia, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Sharon is the one who needs 'one-way out ticket'
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said the Arab contacts that have been ongoing along the day are designed to coordinate stances in the UN Security Council. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Moussa warns against expelling Arafat
  Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said undermining Palestinian President Yasser Arafat or expelling him out of Palestine would have very serious consequences Regional-Palestine, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Greek parliamentarians head for the Palestinian territories
  A group of Greek Parliamentarian and activists will head today for the Palestinian territories in a "symbolic initiative" as an expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people against the escalations of the Israeli aggression. Palestine-Greece, Politics, 4/3/2002
• UN's top human rights official urges mission to occupied Palestinian territories
  Reacting to the escalating death toll in the Middle East, United Nations human rights commissioner, Mary Robinson, on Tuesday called on the Geneva-based UN Commission on Human Rights to consider immediately sending a mission to the occupied Palestinian territories in order to gather information and make recommendations on a future course of action. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Sharon challenges Washington
  Israeli premier Ariel Sharon challenges the whole world, Washington in particular, Maher said in statements following his meeting with Welch late Tuesday. Egypt-USA, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Israel summons the ambassador of France, Belgium
  The Israeli foreign ministry on Tuesday summoned the French ambassador to Israel and presented him with a complaint over what it called feud shown by French people and official circles against Israel, recently. Israel-European Union, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Majority parties statement of support to the Palestinians
  Moroccan political parties of the majority said in a communique released at the end of "a meeting of the parties to examine the painful events in the Palestinian territories, following the barbarous aggression conducted by the Israeli forces Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Moroccan students, pupils take to the street to protest Sharon's slaughter of unarmed palestinians
  Hundreds of university students and school pupils took the streets Monday and Tuesday in different parts of Morocco to show sympathy with the Palestinian people and denounce the savage slaughter perpetrated by Israel, under the leadership of Ariel Sharon, against the unarmed Palestinians and their President Yasser Arafat. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/3/2002
• American embassy in Tel Aviv evacuates employees Palestine-USA, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Moroccan Jewish community dismayed by isolation imposed to Arafat
  Secretary general of the council of Israelite communities in Morocco, Serge Berdugo, voiced the Moroccan Jewish community's "dismay over the isolation imposed to the President of the Palestinian Authority." Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Families of US diplomats working in Jerusalem permitted to leave Israel Palestine-USA, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Saudi crown prince gets a telephone call from UN chief Saudi Arabia-International, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Bulgarian president gets message from King Mohammed Morocco-Bulgaria, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Israel, Egypt and Arafat Egypt-Israel, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Sharon looms to expel Arafat Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Concerned over crisis in occupied Palestinian territories, UN sends in relief aid
  The United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on Tuesday delivered urgently needed food and medical supplies to the Ramallah Hospital, while voicing deep concern about the worsening humanitarian situation in the West Bank following the Israeli military assaults on Ramallah, Bethlehem, Tulkarm and Qalqilya. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/3/2002
• Al-Shara confers with Murphy Syria-USA, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Resistance only way to stand up to Israeli acts Regional-Palestine, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Continued Russian cooperation with Iraq
  The chairman of the Russian committee for international and scientific cooperation with Iraq Yuri Shafranik has stressed the determination of both Russia and Iraq to coordinate a long term program for bilateral cooperation including 67 projects in the area of oil, gas, transport and telecommunications. Iraq-Russia, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Elections in Bahrain
  Bahrain will be witnessing the first steps on municipal elections following a cessation that lasted more than 30 years, when the municipal councils in the 1960s were dissolved prior to the independence of Bahrain in 1971. Bahrain, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Serious developments in Palestine discussed at Moroccan-Syrian meeting Morocco-Syria, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Al-Qaddafi ridicules Arab armies and calls for sacking them
  Al-Qaddafi strongly criticized the Arab regimes. He questioned: " why do they (the Arab states) spend millions on their armies if they do not defend the Arab woman and the Arab child." Libya-Regional, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Arab ambassadors: Israel is practicing state terrorism Palestine-Regional, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Official statement by the French Foreign Ministry Palestine-France, Politics, 4/2/2002
• An inclination to revitalize Gulf states activities
  The secretary general of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council GCC Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad al- Ateyah has commended the positive developments on the case between Iraq and Kuwait following the Beirut summit and expressed his conviction that the next 15th Arab summit which will be held in the Kingdom of Bahrain will enhance the common Arab work. Gulf, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Al-Shara stresses in phone conversations with Moussa, Shaath, al-Qurabi severing relations with Israel
  Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara on Monday received a telephone call from the Palestinian minister of planning and international cooperation Nabil Shaath. Syria-Regional, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Egyptian commerce chambers association boycotts Israel
  Khamis stressed the importance of boycotting Israel politically and economically. He added, "as for the States, the matter needs drawing an Arab strategy for dealing with US administration. Such Arab strategy has to be forwarded collectively." Egypt-Israel, Politics, 4/2/2002
• A Japanese burns himself to death in protest of the Israeli practices
  A Japanese citizen set fire in himself in Tokyo's resort in protest of practices conducted by the Israeli occupation forces in the occupied Arab territories and he died instantly. Palestine-Japan, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Human rights group takes note of European Union's failure to adopt practical position on Palestinian issue
  The Moroccan Human Rights Association (OMDH) takes note of the European Union's failure to adopt a practical position vis-a-vis the Palestinian cause, despite its principle support to a peaceful and fair settlement, and expressed astonishment at the EU president's stance which contradicts the Union's previous ones. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Bush gives green light to Sharon to carry on with his aggression
  Palestinian Local Government Minister Saeb Erekst on Monday described the remarks of US President George W. Bush in which he urged Arafat to exert more efforts to stop violence as "the biggest force and the biggest joke in the history of international relations." Palestine-USA, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Israel's minister of interior calls for withdrawing Israeli nationality from the Arabs of 1948
  The Israeli minister of the Interior Elie Beshai on Monday considered that "all Arabs of Israel" who take part in "aggression" should be deprived of the Israeli nationality. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/2/2002
• General strike, demonstrations and calls for Jihad: Jordan denies expeling Israeli ambassador
  A high ranking Jordanian governmental official said on Monday that Jordan does not intend to expel the Israeli ambassador from its territories because the continuity of dialogue with Israel is useful for the Palestinians. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 4/2/2002
• King Mohammed receives Canada's prime minister
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI, who was accompanied by his brother Prince Moulay Rachid, received on Tuesday in the Royal Palace of Agadir Canada' prime minister, Jean Chretien. Morocco-Canada, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Russian fm: Russia supports political settlement to Sahara issue
  Ivanov who deplored the impact of the Sahara conflict on the situation in the (Maghreb) region and the integration process said the settlement of this issue will serve the interests of the Maghreban countries and all the international community. Morocco-Russia, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Egypt takes its decision in time; we do not need holding a summit
  The political ministerial group held two meetings yesterday at the Cabinet Headquarters under Prime Minister Atef Ebeid and attended by People's Assembly speaker Ahmed Fathi Sorour, and Shura Council Speaker Mustafa Kamal Helmi. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Lahoud denounced the US bias position
  The chairman of the Arab summit, the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud has denounced the international silence which encourages the Israeli prime to continue his policy which has threatened the region as a whole. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Mubarak was first to support Saudi initiative
  Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal underlined that President Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah of Jordan were the first to express support for Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah's Mideast peace initiative. Saudi Arabia-Egypt, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Tlass confers with Saudi environment minister
  Syrian deputy commander in chief of the army and armed force, deputy premier and defense minister Lt. Gen. Mustafa Tlass on Monday in Damascus met with the delegation of the Arab environment conference, currently held in Damascus, chaired by prince Turkey Bin Nasser Bin Abdul Aziz, the director general of meteorology and environment protection in Saudi Arabia. Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Pope John holds Israel responsible for violence in occupied lands
  Pope John Paul II of the Vatican on Monday held Israel responsible for the violent events in the Palestinian lands. Palestine-Vatican, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Moroccan-Syrian information commission meets in Rabat
  The minutes of the first meeting of the Moroccan-Syrian commission in charge of information, held in Rabat Monday were signed by Moroccan minister of communication and culture, Mohamed Achaari, and Syrian information minister, Adnan Omran. Morocco-Syria, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Egypt follows up Israel's siege of Arafat, invasion of Palestinian areas
  We are following up the situation to adopt stances in line with the aspired objective, that is terminating the Israeli occupation all Palestinian territories, not just area (A) said the foreign minister. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Morocco's premier meets UAE delegation
  Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi met in Rabat on Monday a United Arab Emirates delegation, that was led by chairman of Emirates carrier and of the UAE civil aviation, Sheikh Ahmed Ibn Saeed Al Maktoum, and that included UAE minister of communication, Ahmed Ettayer. Morocco-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Two new parties born in Morocco
  Two new political parties "Al-Ahd," and "Initiative, Development and Citizenship" were set up over the week end. Morocco, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Morocco, Bahrain sign employment cooperation agreement
  Morocco and Bahrain recently signed a cooperation agreement on employment, professional training and social protection. Morocco-Bahrain, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Angry international reactions to Israeli aggression
  Israel's all-out war on Palestinians triggered anger among international countries by and large. Palestine-International, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Islamic countries call on UN to provide protections for Palestinians
  Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad slammed the United States on Monday for exercising a "double standard" in its war on terrorism by supporting "terrorism" carried out by Israel against the Palestinians. Palestine-International, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Lebanese parliament speaker calls for an emergency summit for the Arab parliamentary union
  The speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri has called for convening a general session to the council today to discuss the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Sharon's practices are real-terrorism Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Sheikh Fadlullah justifies martyrdom operations for women
  Lebanese scholar Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah had a "Fatwa" which provides for justifying the Palestinian woman to carry out "martyrdom operations" against the Israeli forces in order to make a new history and a glorious history for the Arab and Muslim woman. Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 4/2/2002
• Baz: if Israel seeks regional war it would be the loser
  Egyptian Presidential Political Advisor Osama Al-Baz said that Israel would be the losing party, economically, militarily and politically should it seek a regional war in the Middle East. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Syrian governors sacked; new hospitals
  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has issued decrees Nos. 93 and 94 and 95 connected with sacking, transferring and appointing a number of governors. Syria, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Iraqi leadership signs rapprochement agreement with Kuwait
  Iraq, at top of its leadership levels has ratified the "rapprochement" declared last Thursday at the Beirut's Arab summit, with Kuwait. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Arafat calls from deploying UN forces to protect the Palestinians
  Arafat who is besieged by Israeli tanks at his headquarters stressed he will not surrender to the Israeli occupation regardless to the sacrifice. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Al-Assad, Saudi crown prince discuss Palestinian conditions
  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Saudi Arabia's crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz held a meeting at the "Honor Hall" of the Damascus International airport. Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Al-Assad, Khatami vow backing to the Palestinians Syria-Iran, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Saudi crown prince in Morocco Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Intensive Libyan contacts on conditions in the Palestinian territories Lebanon-Libya, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Al-Shara talks with Hammoud, Tureiki, Moussa on means of confronting Israeli aggression Syria-Regional, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Some 40 peace advocates westerners choose to stay with Arafat
  A 40- member group of western peace advocates including the French activist Josip Boufet decided to stay at Arafat's headquarters, which they had arrived at despite the Israeli bullets fired at them to prevent them from getting into the headquarters. One American journalist was hit by one bullet in his back. He works as a correspondent for the Boston Globe. A car for two Swedish journalists was also damaged. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Brussels region council suspends cooperation agreement with Israel
  The council of Brussels region has decided to suspend the cooperation agreement signed with Israel in 2000, to protest the escalation of violence against the Palestinian people. Israel-Belgium, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Jospin fears crisis in ME Regional-France, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Al-Jadida Festival Suspended in Solidarity with Palestinians
  The Moroccan ministry of culture and communication has decided to suspend Al-Jadida's 3rd national festival of Abidat Arma (a local music genre typical to the central western regions of Morocco) in solidarity with the brave Palestinian people. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Maher: Situation in territories very dangerous
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher Sunday described as very dangerous the current situation in the Palestinian territories, as the Israeli government was acting in a "mindless and criminal" way. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Al-Assad confers with Italian speaker of parliament, US senator
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday evening at the Damascus al-Shaab palace received the speaker of the Italian parliament Pierre Ferdinando Gazini and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-Regional, Politics, 4/1/2002
• The Pope calls for halting the Israeli aggression Regional-Vatican, Politics, 4/1/2002
• OIC Denounces Israel's State Terrorism Regional-Palestine, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Lebanese president, Crown prince Abdullah review tense Palestinian conditions
  The Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on Sunday in Beirut discussed with the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud results of the contacts Lebanon had made in its capacity as the head of the Arab summit in order to deal with the grave and tense situation in the Palestinian territories. Lebanon-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Egypt denies British daily report on Arafat Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Moroccan king calls on Sharon to stop the invasion
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI has Called Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon to immediately put an end to military operations in the Palestinian territories, to lift the blockade imposed on President Yasser Arafat and to guarantee the Palestinian President's physical integrity. Morocco-Israel, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Saudi Arabia contacts to halt Israeli onslaught against Palestinians
  The Saudi Arabian minister of defense prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz has called on the world states to take a firm position against the Israeli aggressions conducted against the Palestinian cities and villages. Saudi Arabia-Palestine, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Egypt contacts to secure Israel's withdrawal from Palestinian territories
  "This is what we warn the Israelis from.. It seems as if it is a plot against Arafat. We warn of it...we warn the Israelis as reality proves that their policies would not bring in security. Since they have launched this aggression, several explosions took place in different areas", he added. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/1/2002
• OIC meetings start today in Malaysia Regional-Israel, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Jordan warns Israel
  The Jordanian foreign minister Marwan al-Mashaar has warned that Jordan will take measures against Israel if it will not pull out immediately from the Palestinian territories it had recently invaded. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Moroccan political parties and ngo's condemn barbarous aggression against palestinian president
  The "Koutla Dimocratia," a coalition of four Moroccan parties, condemned the "barbarous aggression" against Palestinian president, Yasser Arafat. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Blair decides not to expose damning Iraqi evidence Iraq-UK, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Maher, Vedrine discuss situation in Palestinian territories
  Vedrine told Maher that sending a European delegation to the Palestinian. Territories turned into a difficult matter because European Union Middle East peace envoy Miguel Moratinos was unable to reach Ramallah and the Palestinian territories. Egypt-France, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Moroccan-Syrian information commission meets in Rabat
  The Moroccan-Syrian commission in charge of information started a meeting in Rabat Monday to look into means to upgrade bilateral cooperation. Morocco-Syria, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Fighting between Sudanese and rebel forces
  The Sudanese army on Sunday announced it repulsed an attack launched by the rebellion movement at Niyal Dio to the north of Nanito city in the oil production area in the province to the west of the Higher Nile. Sudan, Politics, 4/1/2002
• Grand Imam of al-Azhar denounces Israeli practices
  Egypt's Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawi denounced the Israeli acts of aggression against the Palestinian people and leader Yasser Arafat and desecration of the Islamic sanctities. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/1/2002

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