Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 4/15/2002

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of April 15, 2002

• Palestinian cause a priority in King Mohammed talks in Washington, fm
  The Palestinian cause will be among the priority topics to be discussed in Washington by King Mohammed VI with President George W. Bush, Moroccan foreign and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa said. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Ukraine president arrives today in Damascus Syria-Ukraine, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Mubarak, Chinese Premier probe situation in Palestinian areas Egypt-China, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Maher contacts several Arab opposite numbers on hot issues Egypt-Regional, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Syria will not attend Euro- Mediterranean conference; Israel cited
  Syria found out that it is her duty to inform the president of the European Union its inability to attend a meeting which is attended by a side which at any way is not concerned with any sort of constructive dialogue. A matter which makes this conference not only futile, rather can be considered by the Israeli government as a subjugation to its policy and a reward for its defiance to the will of the international community. Syria-European Union, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Al-Shara consultations with Hammoud, Maher, Balkhadem and Moussa on Israeli aggression, Valencia meeting Syria-Regional, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Moussa presses for neutral mediator in Middle East
  "The Arabs will not spend another ten years trapped inside a vicious circle giving Israel time to build more settlements and impose a status quo," Moussa stressed. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 4/20/2002
• King Mohammed VI Awarded Arab Presidential Ecu for Development Efforts Morocco-Regional, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Mubarak to receive Qatar's foreign minister today
  News reports in Doha said that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will receive today Qatar's foreign minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jaber al-Thani who arrived in Cairo on Friday evening in a visit which will last for two days. Egypt-Qatar, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Maher heads Egypt's delegation to Euro-Mediterranean conference Egypt-European Union, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Reports warn against terrorist operations in several Arab states
  European security reports have warned against terrorist operations to be taken place in several Arab states during the coming phase. Regional-Israel, Politics, 4/20/2002
• American scenario for the region
  The Lebanese daily al-Deyar said Friday that information collected within the past 48 hours indicate of a scenario that it is under preparation in the region Regional-USA, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Morocco welcomes Annan's proposal to deploy multinational force, protect Palestinians
  Morocco welcomed the UN secretary General's initiative to dispatch a multinational force to the occupied Palestinian territories, and stressed the need to rescue the people in Palestine and called for an investigation into the Jenine mass slaughters. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Bush's statement described as strange and incomprehensive
  Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa described as strange and incomprehensible US President George Bush's statements in which he praised Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon as a man of peace. Regional-USA, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Sharon, Katsav accuse European leaders of anti Semitism
  The Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon has accused leaders of the European states to shoulder the responsibility for what he described as increasing anti- Semitism in Europe. Israel-European Union, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Yemeni president for continued support to the Palestinians
  The Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has called on the Yemeni citizens to continue their support for the Palestinian people until they restore back their complete rights and establish their own independent state with Jerusalem as a capital. Yemen-Palestine, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Security Council votes to send fact-finding team to Jenin
  The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously late Friday to dispatch a fact-finding team to investigate events in the Palestinian refugee camp in Jenin during the recent Israeli military invasion in the West Bank. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Solana: The Palestinians, Israelis will agree on sending UN observers to the region, shortly
  The official in charge of the foreign policy and security in the European Union Javier Solana on Friday expressed his conviction that the Palestinian and Israeli sides will reach an agreement concerning sending UN observers to the region, shortly. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Some 12 Palestinians killed Friday; Some 400 Jenin victims
  in Beitonia village the Palestinian child Mahmoud Abu Khadra ( 9 year old) died of a bullet in the head. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Multinational force can help restore trust between Israelis, Palestinians, UN envoy says
  United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's proposal for a multinational force in the Middle East would help restore trust between the Israelis and Palestinians that is essential for ensuring the security goals of both sides and restarting the political process, Annan's top envoy to the region said Friday. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Iran and the Israeli crimes
  The spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry Hameed Rida Asifi stressed Israel's responsibility for the "brutal massacres committed in the occupied Palestinian territories," noting that the only way to challenge the "Zionist entity" is through steadfastness and resistance. Iran-Israel, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Six nominees to succeed Arafat
  Palestinian sources in Ramullah have talked about the appointment of Yasser Arafat, the chairman of the Palestinian Authority of six Palestinians as successors for him in case of his sudden absence. Palestine, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Morocco calls for a nuclear-arms-free zone in mideast
  "The creation of such a zone requires that Israel, sole state in the region that has not yet joined the NPT, adhere to the convention and submit its nuclear installations to the system of the International Atomic Energy, said Morocco. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Sharon's office director resigns
  Israel's prime minister Ariel Sharon's office chairman Ori Shani gave his resignation on Friday because of differences and continued tension between him and Sharon's son, Omri. Israel, Politics, 4/20/2002
• Al-Faisal says Israel commited war crimes against Palestinians
  The Saudi foreign minister prince Saud al-Faisal in Moscow on Thursday described what had happened in Jenin camp of the Palestinian West Bank as "war crimes" and called for practicing pressures on Israel, similar to those pressures made on the chairman of the Palestinian authority Yasser Arafat. Saudi Arabia-Russia, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Saudi crown prince considers postponing visit to USA Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Yemeni president’s envoy arrives in Baghdad Iraq-Yemen, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Mahatir flew to Libya Libya-Malaysia, Politics, 4/19/2002
• European delegation sees results of sanctions on Iraq
  The Iraqi health minister Omid Medhat Mubarak on Wednesday discussed with a delegation representing Europeans the health situation in Iraq because of the sanctions imposed on Iraq since 1990. Iraq-European Union, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Al-Hariri and the international peace conference Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Malaysian PM satisfied over outcome of visit to Morocco
  "Enormous fields of cooperation remain untapped, particularly in new information technology, car-making, tourism and oil," Mahatir told the businessmen. Morocco-Malaysia, Politics, 4/19/2002
• UK parliamentarian: Sharon is a 'war criminal' Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Algeria violates human rights; Europe urged to play effective role
  Amnesty said "Since 1992, despite Algeria's obligations under domestic law and international human rights standards, successive governments have not only failed to take the necessary measures to ensure that thorough, independent and impartial investigations are carried out into grave human rights abuses, they have repeatedly blocked the attempts of international governmental Algeria, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Al-Shara receives Romanian delegation; talks with Tureiky on developments
  The Syrian deputy premier and foreign minister Farouk al-Shara on Thursday received a telephone call from the secretary of the Libyan people's committee for African unity in Libya Ali Abdul Salaam al-Tureiky during which views were exchanged "on the developments of conditions in the region, under the continued Israeli aggression in the occupied Palestinian territories." Syria-International, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Solana: The Four want Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt to be included Regional-European Union, Politics, 4/19/2002
• US continues obstruction of effective international law; multinational force concept made meaningless
  US Ambassador John Negroponte said yesterday that any peacekeeping force must have the consent of Israel -- effectively making Annan's idea meaningless. Worth noting that Israel continues to violate UN resolutions with the US vetoing all efforts that have any true effect of forcing Israel to comply with international law. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Association of Polisario victims unveils inhuman treatment in prisons
  Akadi, said Wednesday at a press conference the Algerian-backed "Polisario" is implementing a strategy of terrorism and repression, founded on the liquidation of persons, groups and tribes who said no to separation from the homeland and who opposed the idea to partition the Sahara (put forward by Algeria). Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Kuwait aware of Morocco's regional role
  Al-Sabah added that he listened to the King's advice regarding Arab solidarity, backing to the Palestinian people and settlement of inter-Arab differences. Morocco-Kuwait, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Iraq, Kuwait accord a step on the right path, Kuwaiti FM
  The accord concluded by Iraq and Kuwait during last month's Arab summit in Beirut (Lebanon), is "a step on the right path," Kuwaiti state minister for foreign affairs, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed said. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Two UN envoys tell of 'horrific' devastation in Jenin camp
  United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan yesterday said he was deeply disturbed by the report of "horrific" devastation he received from two top UN officials in the Middle East who had visited parts of the Jenin refugee camp earlier on Thursday. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Amnesty International reiterates calls for international inquiry of Israel
  Amnesty International delegates in Jenin said "There is strong evidence that human rights and international humanitarian law were breached in Jenin by the Israeli Defence Forces." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Bush commends Sharon's war, redescribing him as 'a man of peace'
  Bush commended the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon and once again described him as "a man of peace," but the chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Oreikat strongly rejected Bush's description of Sharon, saying that this title is "an award for the state terrorism and the war crimes practiced by Sharon against the Palestinian people." UK Parliament member Gerald Kaufman had denounced Ariel Sharon as a "war criminal" the UK daily the Guardian reported. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Jordan calls Bush for firm stance against siege on the Palestinians
  In a telephone call on Thursday, the Jordanian King Abdullah II called on the US President George Bush to take firm stances in order to push Israel to end its siege of the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and to immediately pull out its forces from the Palestinian territories. Jordan-USA, Politics, 4/19/2002
• European rejection to alienate Israel from the Euro- Med Conference
  The European commission on Thursday rejected a Syrian and Lebanese proposal that calls for banning Israel from taking part in the conference of the foreign ministers of the European Union and the Mediterranean states due to be held next week in Valencia, Spain because of the Israeli aggression in the West Bank. Regional-European Union, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Syria, Lebanon still wait an answer on Israel's participation in the Euro-Med. Conference
  The Lebanese foreign minister Mahmoud Hammoud has stressed that Lebanon is still waiting for an official answer by the European Union on the Syrian and Lebanese request on suspending Israel's participation in the Euro- Mediterranean conference which will be held in Valencia, Spain on April 22nd. Lebanon-European Union, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Qatar holds consultations for emergency Islamic summit
  Qatar, acting chairman of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), is currently conducting consultations with the heads of state of the OIC member countries for the holding of an emergency Islamic summit, at the request of President Yasser Arafat of Palestine. Qatar-Regional, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Maghreb Union: a strategic option, maghreban consultative council says
  The edification of a unified Maghreb is a "historic responsibility, (assumed) by everyone, and requires more efforts at different levels to make up for the delay in the unification process," the council said in a release. Maghreb, Politics, 4/19/2002
• Riyadh permits Saudi workers to form trade unions
  The Saudi authorities have given permission to the Saudi workers to form a trade union that permits the initiating of a dialogue between the employees and employers, according to the Saudi dailies issued on Wednesday. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Mubarak to MENA: Injustice is source of problems, not the other way around
  "Injustice, in turn, leads to despair and frustration and when people reach this state, they do unreasonable and unbelievable things," Mubarak noted. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Egypt rejects Bush call Egypt-USA, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Al-Shara gets series of contacts with Arab, foreign counterparts Syria-Regional, Politics, 4/18/2002
• King Mohammed renews will to work with Arab leaders to back Palestinian resistance
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI has renewed determination to work with Arab leaders with a view to backing the resistance of the Palestinian people against the escalating Israeli aggression. Morocco-Syria, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Mubarak Aznar tackle regional scene Egypt-European Union, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Mubarak phones Powell Egypt-USA, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Arab states call for trying Sharon, Ben Eliezer Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Saudi - USA summit to discuss Israeli aggression, Iraq and terrorism
  The differences between Saudi Arabia and the US concerning the Middle East, Iraq and the so-called "war against terrorism" will be discussed during the summit which will be held between the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and the US President George Bush Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Mubarak denies any differences with Syria, contacts continue with al-Assad
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has stressed that he is continuously contacting President Bashar al-Assad in matters which are of concern to the two states especially the explosive conditions in the occupied territories. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Saudi crown prince congratulates Shavez on restoring back power
  The Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on Tuesday evening made a telephone call with Venezuela President Hugo Chavez. Saudi Arabia-Venezuela, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Two survivors of Tindouf make moving testimony before ngos in Geneva
  Two Sahrawi women who succeeded to flee the Tindouf sequestration camps in south Western Algeria made this Wednesday in Geneva a moving testimony of their ordeal before representatives of several women's ngos. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Catalonia supreme court annuls an act recognizing puppet Sahrawi republic
  The Supreme Court of Catalonia (north eastern Spain) has annulled an act whereby the Vallromanes municipality had recognized the puppet Sahrawi republic, deeming the act as liable to compromise Spain's international relations, reported the Spanish news agency EFE Wednesday. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/18/2002
• No conference before Israeli withdrawal
  "Israeli demands are well-known and they violate legitimacy, logic, right, justice and can not be accepted," said Maher. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Prayers in Moroccan mosques friday for Palestinian martyrs
  At the instruction of King Mohammed VI, prayers of the absent will be performed Friday in the memory of the martyrs of occupied Palestine immediately after the Friday prayers Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Powell fails, conditions worse, Israel breaks to new Palestinians areas, Sharon stresses US understanding
  Oreikat questioned that if the US administration will not force Sharon to abide by withdrawal from Ramullah and Bethlehem, how can the American administration convince the Arab states and the world that the US will force Sharon to withdraw until June 4, 1967 border lines in a future peace "through this conference or that." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Powell's remarks about his trip and the Palestinian situation Palestine-USA, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Robinson urges Israel to permit her fact finding commission to the Palestinian territories Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/18/2002
• One Egyptian killed trying to sneak into Gaza
  Egyptian medical and security sources said on Wednesday that one Egyptian youth was killed on Tuesday upon trying to sneak into Gaza through Salah Eddine Gate at the Egyptian borders, noting that he was carrying explosives. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Norway wants to know what happened in the Palestinian Jenin Camp
  Norway's prime minister said on Wednesday that his country is intending to know what had happened in the Jenin camp of the Palestinian refugees to the north of the West Bank which was invaded by the Israeli forces, but he linked making an investigation to what he called cease fire between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Palestine-Norway, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Egyptian woman dies from scenes of Israeli attacks against the Palestinians Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Amnesty urges immediate humanitarian assistance for Jenin
  "It is shocking that the authorities have not asked for help and that the international community is not offering it. Let this be the wake-up call that help is needed now to save what life there is left," the London-Based Human-Rights Organization said. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Ukraine president starts a regional tour
  It was announced in Kieve on Wednesday that Ukraine's President Leonade Kotchma will next Saturday make a tour on the Middle East region which will last for four days during which he will discuss the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and bilateral economic relations. Regional-Ukraine, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Arafat and the Israeli peace conference
  The spokesman for the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon said that Israel will permit the chairman of the Palestinian authority Yasser Arafat to attend the peace conference under the auspices of the US if he can prove "actual commitment to peace." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Moroccan MP delegation to visit Egypt Friday
  A Moroccan parliamentary delegation, headed by speaker of the chamber of advisors (upper house of parliament), Mostapha Oukacha, will start Friday a five-day official visit to Egypt, it was officially announced here. Morocco-Egypt, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Eritrean opposition member assassinated in Sudan
  Unidentified gunmen assassinated one of the key figures of the opposition Eritrean labor party, Muhammad Othman Idris, in front of his house in Wid Shreifi village in the Sudanese Kasla province on the borders with Eritrea. Sudan-Eritrea, Politics, 4/18/2002
• Washington threatens Arafat to ban the PLO; renews exemption
  The US administration has warned the PLO of the possibility of acting according to the law of 1987 which imposes sanctions on the Palestine Liberation Organization PLO in its being a terrorist state. Palestine-USA, Politics, 4/18/2002
• King Mohammed meets Kuwaiti fm Morocco-Kuwait, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Saudi crown prince gets a message from ruler of Kuwait
  The Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on Tuesday received a message from the ruler of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al- Sabah. No information were disclosed on the content of the message. Saudi Arabia-Kuwait, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Mubarak to new local councils: no deviation from democracy and reform
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak addressed a message to chairmen and members of Local Councils who were elected recently in which he said that Egypt is determined to go ahead with the process of political and democratic reform. Egypt, Politics, 4/17/2002
• UAE President gets a message from Jordanian King United Arab Emirates-Jordan, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Moufaz threatens to liquidate Palestinian leaderships in Damascus Syria-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Toujan al-Faisal before the security court for speaking her mind Jordan, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Al-Mashaar prevented from meeting with Arafat Jordan-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Ruler of Qatar, Saudi crown prince discussed in Casablanca current conditions
  The ruler of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani on Tuesday evening met with the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz in Gasablanca. Saudi Arabia-Qatar, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Maher postpones visit to Moscow Egypt-Russia, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Lahoud, al-Hariri and peace Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Saudi crown prince visits the US, a Saudi - American difficult summit
  The Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, the engineer of the Arab peace plan for the Middle East will discuss next week with the US President George Bush the tension in the Middle East, the subject of disputes between the two countries. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Bush - Abdullah will deal with tense issues
  asked that "a growing number of Saudi officials are now praising these (suicide) bombings and what that tells us about the Saudi government?" Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Maher pursues contacts on situation in Middle East
  He added that the massacres, killing operations and shelling of Palestinian cities and villages as well as denying the Palestinians their right to live in dignity, would not stand in the way of Palestinians to attain freedom and independence. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Powell's statements on Syria and Lebanon
  The US secretary of state Collin Powell has stated he had felt during his two visits to Syria and Lebanon the determination of the two countries to avoid escalation on the Lebanese- israeli borders despite the strong criticism addressed by both Beirut and Damascus to Israel. Regional-USA, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Kuwaiti foreign minister hails Morocco's support to Arab causes
  Kuwaiti state minister for foreign affairs, Sheikh Mohamed Sabah Salem Al-Sabah, hailed Morocco's support to Arab causes, mainly the Palestinian issue and Morocco-Kuwaiti relations as "historical and strong" and "remarkably evolving." Morocco-Kuwait, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Iraq - Iran for increased cooperation
  IRNA said "Al-Rawi pointed to the call of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to launch an oil embargo on the allies of the racist Zionist regime, and said Baghdad had welcomed the call to suspend its oil exports to Tel Aviv's allies." Iraq-Iran, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Syria: due to Israeli participation, we boycott meetings of Euro-mediterranean industry ministers
  The Syrian minister of industry Issam al-Zaem has stressed that Syria's rejection to taking part in the meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean ministers of industry held recently in Malaka, Spain was "because of Israel's participation in the meeting and in protest of the brutal crimes committed by the Israeli forces against the Palestinian people." Syria-European Union, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Saudi foreign minister to visit Moscow
  The Saudi foreign minister prince Saud al-Faial will on Thursday pay an official visit to Russia during which he will be meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin and with his foreign minister Igor Ivanov. Saudi Arabia-Russia, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Israel terror cannot defer Palestinian rights
  Egypt's Permanent Delegate to the UN, ambassador Ahmad Abul Gheit said that the Palestinians were exposed to aggression, degradation and mass murder, which are all condemned by international law. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Sharon renews rejection to all international resolutions
  Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon renewed his rejection to all international resolutions relating to the region's question. He said that Israel will not accept the implementation of UN resolution 194 provided for the return back of the Palestinian refugees, noting that he wants those Palestinians to be settled in the areas where they do exist. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2002
• World calls to put Sharon to trial
  Amnesty International has called for an investigation to reveal all the circumstances surrounding the murder of hundreds of Palestinians in the West Bank which has been recently swept by the Israeli forces. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Moroccan speaker calls inter-parliamentary union to intervene for liberation of Palestinian leader
  Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives, Abdelouahed Radi, called the inter-parliamentary union to urgently intervene for the liberation of Marwane Barghouti, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, arrested on Monday by the Israeli occupation forces. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Pope John Paul II telephones Bethlehem
  Pope John Paul II in a telephone call on Monday with Ibrahim Faltas, who is responsible for Franciscan Clergies in the Nativity church in Bethlehem has expressed his great concern over the war and violence taking place in the holy lands and his support for the Palestinians. Palestine-Vatican, Politics, 4/17/2002
• European academics for boycotting Israel
  More than 400 European lecturers have signed petitions calling for boycotting Israel, academically because of its crimes committed against the Palestinians in the occupied territories. Israel-European Union, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Two western painters give receipts of paintings sale to Palestine
  Two western painters, France's Najia Mehadjia and Italy's Ruggero Giangiacomi have decided to give receipts of their paintings sale to the Palestinian people, who are facing occupation and aggressions by the Israeli army. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Al-Barghouti's wife appeals for his release Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2002
• Protesting continued Israeli aggression, Saudi crown prince cancels visit to the USA?
  American officials said that the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has cancelled his visit set on April 22nd to the US because of the continued Israeli operations against the Palestinians and the Palestinian authority. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Al-Assad receives Powell, calls on the US for a clear peace vision
  Al-Assad continued that mere talking about peace can be only be made after the Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian territories and halting the massacres against the Palestinian people, and called on the US to have a clear vision for peace and to work accordingly and also to practically abide by the resolutions approved by the international community. Syria-USA, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Toujan al-Faisal trial started
  The attorney general of the state security court has brought the former member of parliament in Jordan Mrs. Toujan al-Faisal before the court under the charge of "violating the reputation of the state," according to judiciary sources in Amman on Monday. Jordan, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Saudi Arabia confirmed arresting Abdul Hameed al-Mubarak following demonstration
  The Saudi deputy minister of the interior prince Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz unveiled that the Saudi authorities arrested Abdul Hameed Mubarak after he had organized a demonstration of support for the Palestinian people and in denunciation of the Israeli aggression, in al-Khuber city to the Eastern part of Saudi Arabia ten days ago. Saudi Arabia-Palestine, Politics, 4/16/2002
• King Fahd: Israel violates human rights principles
  King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia has stressed upon presiding over Monday's meeting of the Saudi Cabinet that "Israel's continued daily massacres and aggressions in the occupied Palestinian territories, killing of innocents, hiding corpses and demolishing the Palestinian camps reveal its unwillingness to abide by the will of the international community and its persistence to exterminate the Palestinian people in a flagrant defiance of the simplest human rights principles and international legitimacy resolutions." Saudi Arabia-Palestine, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Mubarak gets message from Kuwaiti Emir
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak yesterday got a message from Emir Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah of Kuwait on the regional scene and bilateral ties. Egypt-Kuwait, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Powell telephones Mubarak Egypt-USA, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Maher to visit Moscow Egypt-Russia, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Al-Tureiki gets telephone calls from Kuwaiti, Yemeni peers Libya-Regional, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Morocco, Malaysia decry Israeli savage aggression against Palestinian people
  Youssoufi, who called for more efforts on the part of Muslim nations to compel Israel withdraw from the occupied territories, said Morocco and Malaysia are determined to spare no effort to make the Islamic Ummah (Nation) use all its weight to convince the international community to compel Israel into implementing the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Morocco-Malaysia, Politics, 4/16/2002
• After meeting Powell, Lahoud holds Israel responsible for deteriorations
  The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud has called on the US on the need of viewing objectively the situation in the region and not to be affected by the pressures made by Israel which shoulders the responsibility for the deterioration taking place because of its obstruction of all peaceful efforts to implement international legitimacy resolutions. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Arafat accepts the convening of a peace conference
  The chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat announced his readiness to accept the Israeli proposal to convene a regional conference for peace under the condition it will be under the auspices of the UN. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/16/2002
• UN rights body condemns Israel for 'mass killings'
  The United Nations top human rights body condemned Israel on Monday for "mass killings" of Palestinians and demanded it to end its military offensive in the occupied territories. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Arabs group for probes into Israeli abuses
  The Egyptian diplomat demanded prompt investigations into the Israeli abuses and the dispatch of monitoring peacekeeping forces Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Malaysian premier starts visit to Morocco
  Malaysian Prime Minister Mohamed Mahathir arrived on Monday in Morocco for a three-day official visit during which he will be holding talks with Moroccan officials, including premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi. Morocco-Malaysia, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Powell to meet Sharon today , Arafat tomorrow Palestine-USA, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Qaddafi gets a message from Mali counterpart Libya-Mali, Politics, 4/16/2002
• On Powell's visit to Syria, Lebanon
  The BBC correspondent in occupied Jerusalem said that the US secretary of state Collin Powell did not schedule, in advance his visit to Damascus and Beirut he held on Monday, rather he did so at the persistence of the government of Israel who wants Powell to convey to each of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and to the Lebanese government Israel's views concerning the implications and the continued attacks of the Hizbullah party at the Israeli military positions between Israel and Lebanon. Regional-USA, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Egypt's stance is effective and influential
  During a meeting at the leaders' promotion institute, Osama El-Baz, Political Advisor of President Mubarak asserted that the Egyptian stance towards the Palestinian cause is effective and influential, and is based on deeds not words. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Protesting Israeli aggression, Syria hesitates joining Euro- Mediterranean meeting
  The Syrian leadership is currently discussing the question of taking part in the EUROMED conference which will be held in Spain on April 22nd to discuss the future of economic, social and cultural co-operation between the European Union and the countries of the Mediterranean including Israel. Syria-European Union, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Malaysia's prime minister holds an Arab tour Regional-Malaysia, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Muslims, Christian Youth Associations Condemn aggressions on mosques, Churches
  The Central office of World Muslim Youth associations and the general organization for Christian youth association highlighted during the emergency meeting held yesterday their condemnation of violating religious sanctities, mosques and churches. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Rabat, Kuala Lumpur want to hoist cooperation
  The two countries signed on Tuesday two oil drilling contracts and an accord on investments guarantee. Morocco-Malaysia, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Commissioner on Human Rights Submits Status report on planned mission to Middle East
  High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson this afternoon presented to the Commission on Human Rights a status report on her planned visiting mission to the occupied Palestinian territories. She said that since the resolution was adopted, violence had escalated even further and there had been more suicide-bombings and further destruction and loss of life in the territories. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/16/2002
• UMA follow-up committee and consultative council bureau meet in Rabat
  The follow-up committee of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) will hold a session this April 17-18 in Rabat which is also hosting this Tuesday a meeting of the grouping's consultative council. Maghreb, Politics, 4/16/2002
• Al-Assad received Tunisian prime minister
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Sunday received the Tunisian prime minister Muhammad al-Ghanoushe, currently in an official visit to Syria to preside his country's delegation to the meetings of the 4th session of the Syrian- Tunisian joint higher committee. Syria-Tunisia, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Powell in Damascus Syria-USA, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Mubarak receives message from Kuwait's Emir Egypt-Kuwait, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Demonstrations to receive Powell in Beirut and then in Damascus; Lahoud rejects security guarantees
  The US secretary of state Collin Powel will arrive in Beirut today and will leave for Damascus in the same day in two "sudden" visits, the Israeli sources say these two visits are in coordination with the government of Tel Aviv, while American official references said that the aim of this visit was to direct a sort of warning to Lebanon and Syria Lebanon-USA, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Morocco resolutely embarking on reforms, official
  Morocco has resolutely embarked on an irreversible path of reforms, geared towards the consolidation of institutions and of political stability. Morocco, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Bahrain: increasing demands to expel the American ambassador Bahrain-USA, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Al-Assad confers with al-Hariri
  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday met with the Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri who paid a short visit to Damascus. Discussions dealt with conditions in the region and in the Palestinian territories as well as bilateral relations, according to the press office of the Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al- Hariri. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Arafat- Powell meeting positive
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Maher described Sunday's meeting between Arafat and the US. Secretary of State Colin Powell as positive despite the hesitation prior to it. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Israel violates human rights, derails peace process Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Powell telephones Mubarak Egypt-USA, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Kuwaiti official in Morocco with message to King Mohammed VI
  Kuwaiti state minister to foreign affairs, Sheikh Mohamed Sabah Assalem Al-Sabah, arrived in Rabat Monday with a message to King Mohammed VI from the ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah. Morocco-Kuwait, Politics, 4/15/2002
• EU Foreign Ministers to discuss measures for pressurizing Israel
  The Foreign Ministers of European Union will discuss in Luxembourg today a wide array of measures for pressurizing Israel withdraw its troops from the Palestinian territories. Palestine-European Union, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Iraq, Iran hold talks Iraq-Iran, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Moussa discusses providing protection for Palestinians
  Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa starts on Monday a our-day visit to Switzerland and Britain during which he is scheduled to hold talks with the UN Human Rights Commissioner and the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as well as with British Foreign Minister Jack Straw. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Israeli army buries killed Palestinians in the occupies Golan Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Amnesty international, human right groups slam Israeli practices
  If a state's army committed what Israel's have done, it should immediately be put on trial; Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Fears over Israeli operations against Lebanon, Syria Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Moussa updated on outcome of Arafat Powell meeting
  Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa met late Sunday with Palestinian Planning and International Cooperation Minister Nabil Shaath. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Vatican launches war against Israeli crimes
  The Vatican launched a semi-official warfare against Israel terming its re-occupation of Palestinian territories as genocide against the Palestinian people, due to which the international community must intervene. Palestine-Vatican, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Maher: Washington will not permit the failure of Powell's mission
  The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Maher announced that the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon was defeated by the Palestinian resistance and the world's support for the Palestinian people. Egypt-USA, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Palestinians arrested in south Lebanon Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Powell describes his talks with Arafat as constructive
  The US secretary of state Collin Powell described his talks with the chairman of the Palestinian authority Yasser Arafat which lasted more than three hours at his besieged headquarters in Ramullah as "useful and constructive." Palestine-USA, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Annan calls for middle east force
  In a brief press encounter with reporters in Geneva Sunday, Secretary-General Kofi Annan was asked about the situation in the Middle East, and he discussed his concern about the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian refugee camps, saying, "Once we get access to the camps, I think we are all going to have a lot of work to do." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Syria denies to have summoned reserve army forces
  The London- based al-Hayat daily said in its Saturday issue that well-informed sources denied Syria to have summoned the reserve forces in the Syrian army. Syria-Israel, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Maher phones Arafat on situation in Palestinian territories
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher phoned Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Ramallah late Sunday. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Saudi donation campaign for Palestinians is not a provocation to violence: US
  The White House has stated that the donation campaigns organized by the Saudi TV for the interests of the Palestinian people doe not fall in the context of provoking violence. Saudi Arabia-Palestine, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Germany suspends military equipment sales to Israel Israel-Germany, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Khatami confers with al-Qaddoumi
  The Iranian radio said on Sunday that the Iranian President Muhammad Khatami on Saturday evening received the chairman of the PLO political department Farouk al-Qaddoumi, currently visiting Tehran. Palestine-Iran, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Saudi Arabia denies Swiss authorities to have frozen assets in the Kingdom
  A Saudi charity establishment which takes Riyadh as a headquarters has denied that the Swiss authorities have frozen its assets or asked to freeze its assets in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Palestinians are serious in observing their commitments of Israelis withdraw from West Bank
  Amidst indications that US diplomacy could succeed in putting an end to the current dilemma in the Palestinian territories, Secretary of State Colin Powell wound up his meeting at noon yesterday with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat at his besieged headquarters in Ram Allah with encouraging statements. Palestine-USA, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Abul Gheit stresses need to dispatch international troops to protect Palestinians
  Egypt's permanent delegate to the United Nations Ambassador Ahmed Abul Gheit urged the international community to take swifter steps to send international troops to the region to protect Palestinians from "the barbaric Israeli aggression." Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Hamas vows to continue resistance
  The Palestinian resistance movement ( Hamas ) on Sunday stressed that it will continue resistance as far as the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories continues. Palestine-USA, Politics, 4/15/2002
• European delegation in Baghdad
  The delegation includes 130 figures, parliamentarians, physicians, journalists, authors and university students in addition to British and French persons who took part in the US-led aggression on Iraq in 1991. Iraq-European Union, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Presidential elections in Comoros
  Presidential elections in Comoros started in Moroni, the capital of the greater Comoros island, the greatest island in the federation of Comoros island after President Othman Ghazali had submitted his resignation. Comoros, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Israel: imprisonment or expulsion for persons besieged in Nativity church
  Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon has put two options before the 200 Palestinians who are besieged In the Nativity Church either to be jailed or exiled for ever. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Eritrea approves border definition with Ethiopia
  Eritrea on Sunday approved the decision taken by the international committee concerning the border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia issued on Saturday in the Hague and considered it as final and can not be backtracked, besides being a victory for both countries. Eritrea-Ethiopia, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Britain bans weapons to Israel
  Britain for the first time since 20 years imposed a ban of British weapons it sells to Israel, according the British daily the Guardian in its Saturday's issue. Israel-UK, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Israeli economy paralyzed, amid increasing Arab calls for boycotting Israel
  Studies are under way to find out means of dealing with the pro-Israeli economies, Abu Ismail noted. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 4/15/2002
• Egypt resumes air flights to Israel
  An Egyptian official said on Sunday that the Egyptian Sinai airlines resumed on Sunday its flights to Tel Aviv after it had announced last week the suspension of its flights to Israel. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 4/15/2002

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