Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 5/6/2002

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of May 6, 2002

• Bahrain elections: women need to build on their newly gained rights
  This new experience for women was described by one person as a great step forward and it indicates that women will need to develop the needed political skills; as women demand nothing more than "equal treatment and opportunity under the law" and to fail or succeed based on their abilities. Bahrain, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Algerian president wants consolidation of democracy Algeria, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Syrian, Saudi, Egyptian summit on developments, united Arab position
  A Syrian, Saudi and Egyptian summit is expected to be held, including the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. Regional, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Egypt's warning to Israel
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher warned Israel of its threats to wage a wide-scale incursion into Gaza Strip, on the borders with Egypt, adding that Israel has seen that its acts of aggression in the West Bank did not achieve any objectives. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Mubarak, Abdullah probe Palestinian situation, int'l issues
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak holds Sunday two sessions of talks with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz on the current developments in the Palestinian territories as well as regional and international issues and bilateral relations. Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Al-Shara holds phone calls with Egyptian, Iranian peers Syria-Egypt, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Omani- Yemeni agreement to demarcate sea borders Oman-Yemen, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Moussa warns of serious situation in Arab region
  The Arab League chief also warned of schemes to "rearrange" the region, under which Arab peoples would live without being masters of their own destiny. Regional, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Sudanese president to visit Cairo on Wednesday Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Iraq appreciates Belgian stand on sanctions Iraq-Belgium, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Sudan to host OIC meeting Regional-Sudan, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Amnesty International: reprisals against persons and property are prohibited by 4th Geneva Convention Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Al-Bashir to visit Addis Ababa on May 20
  Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir will pay an official visit to Ethiopia on May 20. The visit will last for two days. Sudan-Ethiopia, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Mubarak sends two messages to Bush, Sharon on developments in Palestine
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak sent two urgent messages to U.S. President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on developments of the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Morocco denies army officers arrest for smuggling Morocco-Spain, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Jordanian king calls for active US participation to reach peace in ME
  The Jordanian King Abdullah II called on the UN to interfere actively in order to achieve peace in the Middle East; peace that can solve fundamental problems instead of resorting to the step-by-step policy concerning the Palestinian issue. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Iran for boosting relations with the Arab states
  The first deputy for the Iranian President Muhammad Rida Aref has stressed that Iran's policy is based on eliminating tension, building confidence and developing cooperation relations with the Arab and Islamic states. Bahrain-Iran, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Moroccan official meets Japanese parliamentary secretary Morocco-Japan, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Iraq accuses the US of preventing improved relations with UN
  Iraq on Friday accused the US of working to block the way before any opportunity to correct the relation between Iraq and the UN, noting that is with the aim to continue the sanctions imposed on Iraq Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Britain wants UN consent for striking Iraq
  In its Friday's issue, the British daily the Independent said British prime minister "Tony Blair has privately reassured his Labour Party critics that Britain will not back US military action against Iraq unless it wins the backing of the United Nations Security Council." Iraq-UK, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Pakistani president to visit, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco Regional-Pakistan, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Palestinian officer: the exiled, evacuees will not be arrested, detained
  A high ranking Palestinian officer said that the 13 Palestinians who were transported to Cyprus will not be jailed in the countries where they will be exiled to. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Former German chancellor arrive today in Israel Israel-Germany, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Luxembourg denies receiving Palestinian evacuees
  Luxembourg on Friday denied news that it had approved to receive many of the 13 Palestinians who were expelled from the West Bank after the Israeli army had lifted the siege imposed on the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem. Palestine-Belgium, Politics, 5/11/2002
• Israeli minister to visit Moscow
  It was announced in Moscow on Friday that the Israeli minister of culture Mathan Filnan will pay a visit to Russia on May 13th. Israel-Russia, Politics, 5/11/2002
• The first issue of reviving civil society magazine
  under the tile "Citizen's bulletin, for what?" considering it a means to conveying the "views and opinions, stances and necessary expertise for his return ( the society) to the public service and its direct activities as a relatively independent entity from the existing political representation." Syria, Politics, 5/10/2002
• Bahrain: Good turnout for the municipal elections
  The Bahraini people on Thursday cast their votes for electing five independent municipal council each is composed of 10 members in the context of democratic reforms for the first time since 1975. Bahrain, Politics, 5/10/2002
• The first trial session of Dalila, Saleh trial
  The first session of the trial of both the Syrian economy researcher Arif Dalila and the founder the "dialogue forum" in Tartous Habib Saleh started on Thursday amid an absence for the representatives of Arab and foreign media and foreign diplomats accredited in Damascus from the events of the trial. Syria, Politics, 5/10/2002
• Al-Assad hold phone calls with Mubarak, confers with Berri
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday evening received a telephone call from Egyp's President Hosni Mubarak during which discussions dealt with the expected Syrian- Saudi, Egyptian summit. Syria-Regional, Politics, 5/10/2002
• Strategic studies Institute: Saudi crown prince initiative filled a political gap
  In its annual report, the International Institute For Strategic Studies said that the US will have to have greater participation in settling the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians as it has to play a mediating role and to even provide a peace keeping mission. Regional-USA, Politics, 5/10/2002
• Parliamentarian of Syrian origin provokes party crisis in Germany
  German Parliament member of Syrian origin Jamal Qarisli has made a break in the party relations in the parliament of Dosoldove city, because of his resignation from The Green party, in protest of the policy pursued by the German foreign minister Yushka Fischer towards Israel, and he joined the Liberals party, as his new membership is faced by strong rejection of the "Jewish Lobby," inside that party. Regional-Germany, Politics, 5/10/2002
• Fallman rejects any pullout from the Golan
  Chairman of the so-called settlements council in the occupied Syrian Golan heights Ehuda fallman has stressed his cling to continued occupation of the Syrian Golan regardless to conditions. Syria-Israel, Politics, 5/10/2002
• Norway is ready to send peace force observers to the Palestinian territories Palestine-Norway, Politics, 5/10/2002
• GCC special ministerial session to be held on Wednesday in al-Riyadh Gulf-Regional, Politics, 5/10/2002
• Some Arab states citizens may be banned in future from entering the USA Regional-USA, Politics, 5/10/2002
• Bahrain: municipal elections are a test for political reforms
  Bahraini citizens head today ( Thursday) for the first time since 23 years to select members of the municipal council in elections viewed as a test for democratic reforms in Bahrain. Bahrain, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Abyad- Aswad the first political periodical in Syria
  The Syrian prime minister Muhammad Mustafa Miro offered the first licensing for a comprehensive political weekly bearing the name ( Abyad- Aswad ) "Black and White," in addition to licensing another magazine specialized in computer affairs. Thereby number of periodicals which have been so far licensed according to the new legislative decree of the press law in Syria increased to four, but not one of them has been yet, published. Syria, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Mubarak welcomes a visit to President al-Assad at any time Egypt-Syria, Politics, 5/9/2002
• An Arab mini-summit to be held in Sharm esh Sheikh Regional, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Syrians Aref Dalila, Habib Saleh to be tried today
  Trial of the economist researcher and the spokesman for civil society defense committees Aref Salila and the founder of the "Dialogue Forum" in Tartous Habib Saleh starts today (Thursday) at the state security court, just few days after the beginning of trial for lawyer Riyadh al-Turk. Syria, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Toujan al- Faisal's defendant team give up her case; arrest of al-Shameylah
  Al-Radeyadah also said that the decision of the court limits the freedom of defense and violates the law. Jordan, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Al-Assad discusses with Saudi foreign minister the visit of Saudi crown prince to Washington, coordination
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Wednesday received Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal. The meeting was attended by the Syrian deputy Premier and foreign minister Farouk al-Shara and the Saudi ambassador in Damascus. Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Yemen denies to have had given military facilitation to the US Yemen-USA, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Mubarak: Exclusion of Arafat to be determined by the Palestinians
  "We haven't received a copy of this subject .We held several conferences before but what matters is the implementation...There've been many large conferences and agreements, but none were implemented. Should they have been ,there will no need for any further conferences," President Mubarak said. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Preparations for visit of Saudi foreign minister to Damascus
  The Saudi daily al-Watan on Wednesday said that contacts are underway between Damascus and Riyadh at the meantime to arrange for a meeting to be held to Syria by the Saudi foreign minister prince Saud al-Faisal. Saudi Arabia-Syria, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Berri today in Damascus Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 5/9/2002
• A special session for the Gulf foreign ministers Gulf-Palestine, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Asked by Assembly, UN Secretariat will report on Jenin, other Palestinian
  The United Nations Secretariat will work expeditiously to prepare a report on recent events in Jenin and other Palestinian cities, as requested by the General Assembly, a UN spokesman announced today. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/9/2002
• UN General Assembly condemned assaults by Israeli occupying forces against the Palestinian people
  The General Assembly condemned the assaults by Israeli occupying forces against the Palestinian people, particularly in the Jenin refugee camp, as it adopted a resolution Tuesday evening. Ê Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Mubarak and Bush underline the need for sustaining efforts for solving Middle East crisis
  president Mubarak underlined the need that all settlements should be within the framework of commitment to international legitimacy, the resolutions issued by the security council, commitment to the principle of land for peace mitigating down the sufferings of the Palestinian people and redressing the damage afflicting Palestinian infrastructures. Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Jewish Rabbi: Israel a state against God!
  A prominent Jewish rabbi considered Israel as a state standing "against God, against Torah, and against the Jewish religion." He added that it caused many tragic events to both Palestinians and Jews. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/9/2002
• On the Jordanian parliamentary elections
  The media spokesman for the Muslim brothers group in Jordan Yahya Shaqra has expressed the desire of his group to postpone the parliamentary elections in Jordan. Jordan, Politics, 5/9/2002
• New changes to be introduced to the Syrian ministry of information
  Well-informed sources told the Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am that the Syrian prime minister Muhammad Mustafa Miro has licensed two new magazine in Syria. Syria, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Arafat is legitimate president democratically elected by Palestinians
  Maher said that attempts against Arafat by those make-belief democrats are just an addition to their aggression on the Palestinians and an evidence proving that they do not at all believe in the people's right to choose their leadership in the same way as they do not believe in international legitimacy and in the United Nations Charter and International treaties. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Convention of peace conference depends on attendance of Arafat and all parties concerned
  At its meeting Tuesday under Prime Minister Atef Ebeid, the cabinet underlined the need for convening the proposed peace conference with the participation of all parties concerned, especially Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Austrian defence minister praises Egypt's stance
  In an interview to Al-Ahram daily, Austria's defence Minister Herbert Schibner, tackled several items regarding the current developments in the Middle East. Egypt-Austria, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Sharon puts conditions on Saudi Arabia
  The Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon on Tuesday evening in Washington called on Saudi Arabia to halt its financial support to "terrorists and to families of those who commit suicide (attacks)," and stipulated that Riyadh should suspend financial transfers to these sides so as to be able to be in the proposed peace conference. Saudi Arabia-Israel, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Al-Hariri confers with Mahateir Muhammad
  The Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri on Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur discussed with Malaysia's prime minister Mahateir Muhammad in a lunch meeting bilateral relations between Lebanon and Malaysia and regional issues. Lebanon-Malaysia, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Contacts between Maher, Hammoud and Solana
  The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Maher discussed in a telephone call he made on Wednesday with his Lebanese counterpart Mahmoud Hamoud "the developments of explosive conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories amid the brutal Israeli military escalation against the Palestinian people." Lebanon-Egypt, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Egypt's Statement at U.N General Assembly on situation in Palestinian territories
  The world community, but the entire mankind, has witnessed in the past few weeks the sad events and human violations in the Palestinian territories, towns and villages. The General Assembly meets today to rescue the United Nations from this utter failure that befell lately the Security Council's disability in undertaking its responsibilities for depending the U.N. Charter, principles of the human international law, the 4th Geneve Convention and the world declaration of human rights. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Al-Refai discuss with German delegation ME conditions
  The chairman of the Jordanian al-Ayan council ( upper house ) discussed during his meeting on Wednesday with the German parliamentary delegation latest developments of conditions in the region, especially the current situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and regional and international issues of mutual concern. Jordan-Germany, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Committee to protect journalists denounces Israeli violations
  The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) denounced Israel's violations of journalists' rights and the restrictions its army imposed on their work during the invasion of the Palestinian territories. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Morocco elected chairman of APU ad-hoc committee
  The 40th session of the executive committee of the African Parliamentary Union (APU), held in Addis Ababa, set up an ad-hoc Committee entrusted with amending the personnel statute of the pan-African institution. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Iraq resumes oil pumping
  Iraq on Wednesday resumed pumping of crude oil for the exportation ports on the Arab Gulf sea and the Mediterranean after it had ended one month of embargo of oil exports. Iraq, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Islamic-Christian panel condemns Israeli atrocities
  The conference, "Citizenship in a Changing World", organised by the Anglican Social Services Society and the Ministry of Waqfs (Religious Endowments), was attended by Governor Moustafa Kamel, prominent figures in Muslim and Christian communities, university students and academics. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 5/9/2002
• OIC warns against Israeli practices
  The Islamic countries on Wednesday warned Israel against its continued occupation of the Palestinian territories, noting that constitutes a threat to the Islamic world. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 5/9/2002
• Popular awareness on boycotting Israel and its supporters
  Participants of the conference on supporting Mujahideen in Palestine titled "oh! Jerusalem", stressed the necessity of beefing up the Arab and Islamic world potentials so as to have an active international leverage when taking any resolutions in the international gatherings. Regional-USA, Politics, 5/8/2002
• Difficult battle faces Bahraini women candidates for municipal elections
  The citizens of Bahrain head tomorrow to the voting ballots to choose members of five municipal councils in elections, both the ruling authority and the opposition, alike want to provide a success, in preparations for the legislative elections which will be organized in October to reactivate the parliament which was dissolved 27 years ago. Bahrain, Politics, 5/8/2002
• Arab Gulf women struggle for political equity
  In a relatively short period of time, the women of the Arab Gulf region achieved a large stride toward making their own way to attain a greater position in the society, their mothers would have never dreamt of. Gulf, Politics, 5/8/2002
• Moroccan parliament adopts new electoral law
  The House of Representatives (lower Chamber of the Moroccan Parliament) unanimously adopted Monday a new electoral law that introduces the list voting system instead of the uninominal vote. Morocco, Politics, 5/8/2002
• Saudi crown prince moves towards Hamas, Islamic Jihad to give up suicide operations Saudi Arabia-Palestine, Politics, 5/8/2002
• Saudis boycott American products and services
  An agent for American luxury cars has had to offer huge and unprecedented discounts to encourage customers to buy what used to sell like hot cakes in the Gulf states Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 5/8/2002
• Intensified calls for Arab boycott trigger controversies
  Ismail said that the Federation has called for rationalizing importation from the United States, mainly the commodities which have alternatives in friendly states. Regional-USA, Politics, 5/8/2002
• US and British vengeance to destroy and control a nation's potential and development
  The US had said that it views Iraq as an impediment and a threat to the implementation of US policy in the region. This threat is not only at the regional geo-strategic level, and future potential, but also to such an extent, that even for Iraq to merely have well developed scientists is viewed as a threat, all under the guise of their potential for so-called dual-use (commercial-military) purpose, a pretext that is also used to prevent commercial industrial capabilities and needs. Experts note that such a policy is aimed at the heart of Arab and Iranian development as well. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/8/2002
• Sharon rejects the foundation of the Palestinian state Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/8/2002
• Ethiopian delegation in Israel Ethiopia-Israel, Politics, 5/8/2002
• Jordanian vision to solve the ME crisis
  Jordanian officials told the Jordanian weekly al-Hadath ( events) issued on Tuesday that the Jordanian King Abdullah II will propose to the American President during his current visit to the US an integrated Jordanian vision, based on involving directly the details of the final solution and to give up partial, gradual and provisional solutions for the Middle East crisis. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 5/8/2002
• King Abdullah to meet with President Bush today
  The Jordanian King Abdullah II on Tuesday warned that the danger of the Arab citizens will blow off at its highest levels if no hope will surface to finding a future vision to the conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories during the two next weeks. Jordan-USA, Politics, 5/8/2002
• King Mohammed receives former US president Bill Clinton
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI, who is on a visit to the USA, received on Tuesday at his residence in New York former US president William Jefferson Clinton. Morocco-USA, Politics, 5/8/2002
• King Mohammed hosts function for Arab, Islamic delegates to UNO
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI hosted on Monday at his residence in New York, where he is on a visit, a function in honor of Arab and Islamic delegates to the United Nations Organization. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 5/8/2002
• New press code adopted by house of representatives
  The Moroccan house of representatives (lower chamber) adopted on Monday a new press code replacing the old one, with modifications adopted by the chamber of advisors. Morocco, Politics, 5/8/2002
• Al-Qaddafi, Prodi discuss prospects of European- African cooperation
  Libyan President Muammar al-Qaddafi discussed with the chairman of the European Commission Romano Prodi in a telephone call on Tuesday prospects of cooperation relations between the European Union and the African federation and means of strengthening and developing them. Libya-European Union, Politics, 5/8/2002
• Al-Tureiki hold contacts on Arab issues
  The secretary general of the people's committee for Libyan African unity Ali Abdul Salaam al-Tureiki held telephone contacts with the secretary general of the Arab League and with several Arab foreign ministers centered on the developments of conditions in the Arab region and the "war of extermination and siege hatched against the Palestinians by the Israeli occupations forces." Libya-Regional, Politics, 5/8/2002
• King Abdullah hold talks with Powell on ME
  The Jordanian King Abdullah II met in Washington on Monday evening with the US secretary of state Colin Powell and the two reviewed recent developments in the Middle East. Jordan-USA, Politics, 5/8/2002
• Palestinian forces alliance leaders hold a press conference
  The leaders of the Palestinian forces alliance have stressed "continued legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people and their just struggle against the Zionist occupation until the liberation of the occupied Palestinian territories and the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of their own independent state with Jerusalem as a capital." Syria-Israel, Politics, 5/8/2002
• American coordination with Bulgaria, Romania to use their bases to strike Iraq
  A military expert and an advisor for European security and defense has disclosed to the Saudi daily al-Watan in its Tuesday's issue that American military coordination has started with each of Bulgaria and Hungary to use military bases and fuels and energy supply points especially in Romania in preparations for the military plan to strike Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/8/2002
• Morocco will participate in international conference on middle east and Palestine
  Morocco will take part in the (proposed) international conference on the middle east and Palestinian issues, said on Monday Morocco's permanent delegate to the United Nations Organization, Mohamed Bennouna. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 5/8/2002
• The Arab League and Somalia Regional-Somalia, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Kuwait: a trial for secretary general of al- Salafeyah movement
  The secretary general of the al-Salafeyah movement in Kuwait Hakim al-Muteiri on Sunday denied accusations addressed to him by the attorney general before the criminal court that he rumored false news against the security authorities during times of war. Kuwait, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Iran refuses Israeli measures against Arafat Palestine-Iran, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Saddam Hussein and Qatar Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/7/2002
• UN General Assembly to resume emergency special session on Middle East
  United Nations General Assembly will resume tomorrow its tenth emergency special session to consider an agenda item on "illegal Israeli actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory," a spokesman for the President of the 189-member body announced today. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Turkey and a possible strike on Iraq Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Morocco urges UN Security Council continued fact-finding work on Jenin
  Regarding the massacres of Jenin, he said the whole world is traumatized by images of this humanitarian catastrophe that will forever remain in the memory of numerous Palestinian generations, stressing testimonies of international workers and human rights organizations have corroborated the serious crimes that were committed in this city of refugees while Israelis continue to deny all reports and put forward arguments of normal conduct of war operations. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Palestinians refuse to meet with US officials Palestine-USA, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Al-Shara phone calls with Hammoud, Moussa on developments
  The Syrian deputy premier and foreign minister Farouk al-Shara on Monday received a telephone call with the Lebanese foreign minister Mahmoud Hammoud during which views were exchanged on the developments of conditions concerning the next meeting of the Arab initiative committee due to be held in Beirut. Syria-Regional, Politics, 5/7/2002
• First Syrian products exhibit opens in Algiers
  The Algerian minister of trade Hameed Ghar will open today at the exhibition palace in Algiers the first exhibition for Syrian products. The exhibition which will last until May 17th, organized by al-Masri For Exhibitions, will be attended by some 75 Syrian companies.which will display latest Syrian produce and industries. Algeria-Syria, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Sharon arrives in the USA Israel-USA, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Morocco supports any Arab and international action in favor of palestinians
  Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, said Morocco supports any Arab and international action in favor of the Palestinian people. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Iraq prepared to resume oil exports today
  Iraq is preparing, according to the decision taking by the Iraqi cabinet on Sunday to resume exports of crude oil following cessation of producing almost 2 million oil barrels every day for 30 days, in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Iraq, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Czech minister for Israel to join the NATO Israel-Czech Republic, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Haider concludes visit to Iraq
  Former leader of the Austrian "Freedom party" Yurg Haider on Sunday evening concluded a visit to Iraq during which he held lengthy talks with the Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri. Iraq-Austria, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Oreikat and Sharon's report
  Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Oreikat on Monday described the report the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon intends to submit today to the US President George Bush against the chairman of the Palestinian Authority as fabricated and full of lies. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Palestinian groups form armed leadership Palestine-Lebanon, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Church of Nativity agreement states expelling six Palestinians, 35 for trials
  The statement stressed "we in the Hamas movement consider accepting the principle of expulsion, regardless to its reasons, as an unprecedented, that might target many others and is a set back after the success of the expelled Palestinians in Marj al-Zohour ( in Lebanon in 1992) in downing the expulsion policy as a means of punishment practiced by the Israeli forces against the Palestinians. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Ethiopia, Eritrea reopen borders
  A spokeswoman for the UN said on Monday that Ethiopia has reopened its borders with Eritrea after the UN peace keeping forces which was accused by the Ethiopian government of violating redeployment conditions, submitted an apology. Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Morocco attends meeting of African parliamentary union
  "we hail the membership of the Namibian and Somalian parliaments," Hafidi said, expressing satisfaction over the efforts made by the Somali government to establish peace and restore security in the country. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 5/7/2002
• Mubarak keen on closing ranks of Arab nation Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/6/2002
• UAE: May 11 world day to boycott USA products and services
  A vast citizen's national campaign to boycott the American products and services and company productions which support Israel, was launched in the United Arab Emirates in solidarity with the struggle mounted by the Palestinian people. United Arab Emirates-Regional, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Al-Assad calls on US to be objective
  Al-Assad also wondered over the uselessness of the calls for negotiations. He questioned: "what we can negotiate on, and what can negotiations produce if there is no clear course... The required negotiations should consequently be known in respect to limits and disciplines." Syria-USA, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Al-Baz, Maher voice solidarity for the Palestinians Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 5/6/2002
• UN Security Council required to follow up on Israel's war crimes, Baz
  Baz said that the "Jennin massacre committed by the Israeli troops will not go away just like that," adding that the UN Security Council is required to follow up the issue of Israel's refusal to receive a fact-finding committee that it formed and adopt a binding resolution to compel Israel to approve to cooperate with it. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Iraq and handling the Kuwaiti archive
  Iraq has informed the Arab League on Saturday that in implementation of the Arab League resolutions of the recent Beirut summit, the Iraqi foreign ministry, in coordination with other Iraqi ministries and authorities concerned collected documents relating to the national archive of Kuwait and other documents pertinent to Kuwait to return them back to Kuwait. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Al-Qaddafi, Mougabi held telephone conversations Libya-Zimbabwe, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Arab League chief gets a message from Qatar's FM Qatar-Regional, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Syrian prime minister to visit Ankara
  The London- based al-Hayat daily said according to Turkish sources in Damascus that the Syrian and Turkish sides are preparing for a visit by the Syrian prime minister Muhammad Mustafa Miro to visit Ankara in order to sign political and economic agreements, with Damascus's preliminary consent to sign a military cooperation agreement in the area of training and the exchange of expertise and observers. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Arab peace initiative committee meets on Wednesday Regional-Palestine, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Yemen unity celebrations, regretting Israeli aggressions against the Palestinians Yemen-Palestine, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Iraq: talks between Sabri, Annan positive
  An Iraqi official on Saturday described the talks between the Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri and the secretary general of the United Nations which were held Last Wednesday and Friday as a positive step. Iraq-International, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Arab League, UN contacts on the Arab initiative; Moussa warns from peace conference
  Moussa stressed that with Israeli rejection to comply with international resolutions, it would be difficult for the Arabs to resume negotiations with Israel. Regional, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Al-Assad confers with Iranian official
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday in Damascus met with the chief of the International Relations Bureau at the office of Iran's spiritual leader Hassan Akhtari. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Lebanese- Iranian cultural agreement
  Lebanon and Lebanon on Saturday signed a cultural cooperation agreement between the two countries. Lebanon-Iran, Politics, 5/6/2002
• On Sharon's visit to Washington Israel-USA, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Four children killed by Israel
  Two Palestinian children and one women were shot by the Israeli bullets in the West Bank, according to eye- witnesses and Israeli military sources. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Nabil Amre quits post
  The official in charge of parliamentary affairs in the Palestinian authorities Nabil Amre has quitted his post during the meeting of the Palestinian Authority on Friday evening, according to the Israeli radio. Palestine, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Palestinian authority detains more members of People's Front For the Liberation of Palestine
  Member of the political bureau of the People's Front For the Liberation of Palestine Jamil al-Majdalawi stressed on Sunday that the Palestinian authority on Saturday arrested four members of the front. Palestine, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Turkish dailies and the ME international peace conference
  The Turkish dailies Milliet, Radical and al-Zamaan issued on Sunday said that officials at the level of the foreign ministries in Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Russia, the European Union, Norway and representatives for UN organizations and the Arab League will take part in the international peace conference on the Middle East to be held in Turkey. Regional-Turkey, Politics, 5/6/2002
• 21 Dutch agencies request Gov. to halt exporting arms to Israel
  Twenty-one Dutch agencies demanded closure of air transits between the US and Israel which are used for transporting arms via Holland. Palestine-European Union, Politics, 5/6/2002
• Middle East conference to be next summer in Turkey
  The Israeli radio said on Saturday that American officials informed Israel that the international conference on the Middle East sought by Washington will be held in Turkey next Summer. Regional-Israel, Politics, 5/6/2002
• German minister visits Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia-Germany, Politics, 5/6/2002

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