Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 5/27/2002

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of May 27, 2002

• Algeria: the national liberation front wins elections
  The Algerian minister of the Interior Nour eddine Yazid Zarahouni announced on Friday that the National Liberation Front won the total majority in the legislative elections that took place on Thursday. Algeria, Politics, 6/1/2002
• At the invitation of President al-Assad, King Muhammad starts an official visit to Damascus Syria-Morocco, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Syrian - Moroccan relations, progressing throughout history
  Syrian- Moroccan relations are deeply rooted in history. One who seeks to trace back the beginning of these relations will find it difficult to catch the starting point. Should he start with the Arab migration waves from the Arab peninsula when Syria was the main station to head for the Arab Maghreb ? or from the Phoenicians on the Syrian coasts, with their trade and seafarers travels to the Arab Maghreb states or rather from the Islamic conquests which were launched from Damascus, then,the capital of the Islamic Empire, stretched from the Arab Orient to the Occident and beyond. Syria-Morocco, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Sharon confers with al-Baz Egypt-Israel, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Syrian security denies to have kidnapped Nizar Nayouf
  Well-informed Syrian sources have denied Syrian security to have chased journalist Nizar Nayouf, noting that the "story of his kidnapping" is a fabrication of his ill imagination. Syria, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Sudan for settling border disputes with several neighboring countries
  Sudan has agreed with each of Central Africa and Chad to draw a mechanism to deal with and contain problems resulting from border intermingling among these countries which ended in rows among shepherds on these borders. Sudan-Regional, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Maghreb union, an irreversible choice, Tunisian, Mauritanian pms
  Tunisian and Mauritanian prime ministers, Mohamed El Ghannouchi and Cheikh El Afia Ould Mohammed Khouna stressed in Tunis Thursday that "the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) is an irreversible strategic choice." Maghreb, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Moroccan premier: Socialist International Session in Morocco, a backing to Palestinian cause
  The holding in Morocco of the Socialist International council will not harm the Palestinian cause but, on the contrary, it is a backing to this cause, said Moroccan premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi who, in his capacity as first secretary of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), is vice-president of the association. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Syria assumes today the presidency over the UN security council
  Syria today assumed the rotating presidency of the UN security council for the first time since almost 32 years. Syria-Regional, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Museveni praises Mubarak's efforts to develop Africa
  Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni-praised President Hosni Mubarak's efforts to develop Africa. Egypt-Uganda, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Moussa embarks on European tour
  Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa left Cairo Thursday for Italy, at the start of a European tour taking he also to France and Malta, to complete consultations with the European governments on situation in the region and Israel military operations against the Palestinians. Regional-European Union, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Solana discusses with Lebanese officials ME developments
  The speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri on Friday in Beirut discussed with the higher representative of the foreign policy at the European Union Javier Solana developments in the region and the efforts made to relaunch the ME peace process on the ground of international legitimacy principles and the land for peace formula. Lebanon-European Union, Politics, 6/1/2002
• US administration welcomes Mubarak's visit to Washington
  The US administration has expressed its interest in President Mubarak's visit to the United States next Wednesday and his meeting with President George Bush in Camp David on Friday. Egypt-USA, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Mubarak discusses with Burns US proposals on final settlement between Palestinians and Israel
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak discusses with Burns US proposals on final settlement between Palestinians and Israel Egypt-USA, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Palestinian, Israeli delegations laud SI Mideast Resolution
  The Palestinian and Israeli delegations, attending in Casablanca the meetings of the Socialist International (SI), lauded a resolution passed Friday by the organization on the Middle East. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Javier Solana: role of President Mubarak extremely significant
  In an exclusive interview with Al-Ahram, Javier Solana EU Political and Security Commissioner highlighted the pivotal role of Egypt and President Mubarak in the Middle East peace process, and termed the coming visit of President Mubarak to the USA as most significant. Excerpts: Egypt-European Union, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Moussa receives EU Security Chief
  Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa on Thursday received European Union Security Chief Javier Solana who is currently on a tour to the Middle East to stand on the next political step to deal with the situation in the region. Regional-European Union, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Mubarak discusses with Solana, Burns Middle East peace
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher on Thursday said that President Hosni Mubarak separate talks on the Middle East peace process with Javier Solana, the EU official in charge of foreign policy and security, and William Burns, the US Assistant State Secretary were useful. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Israel's Labor, Meretz parties agree to sharing Jerusalem with Palestinians
  The Israeli Labor and Meretz parties voted for a resolution of the council of the Socialist International, currently held in casablanca, backing Jerusalem as capital for the Palestinian and Israeli States, and calling for a "fair settlement" to the refugees issue. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Liberia's Charles Taylor supports Morocco's settlement plan for Mano crisis
  Liberia's president, Charles Taylor, voiced support to king Mohammed VI's settlement plan for the crisis in the Mano river sub-region, the "New Liberian" daily said. Morocco-Liberia, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Moroccan speaker meets German state secretary
  Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives (lower chamber), Abdelouahed Radi, met in Rabat Thursday German state minister in charge of foreign affairs, Christoph Zopel, who is currently visiting Morocco. Morocco-Germany, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Polisario victims association opens new section in Tangier, Andalusia
  The Association of Victims of Human Rights Violations in "Polisario" Prisons has opened recently a new section in the Moroccan northern city of Tangier and the Spanish southern region of Andalusia, the association said Thursday in a release. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Israel: appointing Dani Eyaloun an ambassador in Washington Israel-USA, Politics, 6/1/2002
• Iraq supports Morocco's unity Iraq-Morocco, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Morocco, Mauritania upper legislative chambers create cooperation and group Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Arab League, Andalucia region sign cooperation agreement Regional-Spain, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Al-Turk: my trial is political not criminal; trial postponed
  Trial session of the first secretary of the Syrian Communist Party -- political bureau -- Riad al-Turk continued on Wednesday, despite an earlier threat by the defence lawyer to pullout from the case if the condition set by them for "an open trial" is not met. Syria, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Algeria: 23 persons killed, opposition boycotts elections, confrontations in al-Qabael
  The Algerians on Thursday experienced a new election test in the hope of ending past problems, but disagreement on how to solve them are still present. Algeria, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Jordan: elections to have honesty and transparency as recommended by the king
  Abu al-Ragheb said that the "elections will be held during this year and the government, for its part, completed special arrangements to run the elections with utmost standards of honesty and transparency as recommended by his RH the King and the directives of the government." Jordan, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Maher receives German official Egypt-Germany, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Rabat, Damascus determined to up ties
  The official visit King Mohammed VI to Syria is seen as a sign of the will of Rabat and Damascus to enhance their cooperation ties. Syria-Morocco, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Pope Shenouda highlights Egypt's religious tolerance; improvements needed
  Egypt's highest Coptic authority has praised religious harmony in Egypt, strongly dismissing Western media allegations about religious discrimination between Muslims and Christians in the country. Egypt, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Egyptian parliament debates two laws and parliamentary immunity
  The People's Assembly approved Wednesday night a bill on the establishment of exclusive economic zones and another protecting intellectual property. Egypt, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Sudanese forces liberate keisan city Sudan, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Jordan releases three Hizbullah party detainees
  The secretary general of the Hizbullah party Hassan Nasrullah has announced the release of the three detainees form the Hizbullah party in Jordan who arrived in Beirut on Wednesday at ( 7 p.m. local time ). Jordan-Lebanon, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Egypt, Sudan integration subject of parliamentarians discussions
  He explained that the Sudanese delegation met with Egyptian parliamentarians in the international fore, a matter which necessitates coordinating stances and consolidating efforts to enhance the official tendencies of the two states in order to realize a real integration between the two peoples and stabilize democracy. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Eritrea president: we will not join the Arab league, no tensions with Yemen
  President of Eritrea Asyas Afourki commended the positive results and the talks he held in Qatar with its ruler Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani. Qatar-Yemen, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Egyptian- Ugandan summit between Mubarak and Museveni
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held a session of talks yesterday with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni dealing with bilateral relations, developments of the situation in the Middle East, regional and international issues and ways of bolstering economic and commercial cooperation in the framework of COMESA. Egypt-Uganda, Politics, 5/31/2002
• OIC supports Libyan efforts in Indian-Pakistani crisis Libya-Regional, Politics, 5/31/2002
• US: Libya must comply with UN resolutions; denial of agreement on Lockerbie
  In an official statement issued on Wednesday Libya denied to have had proposed giving any compensations for the families of Lockerbie victims, in a settlement agreement at a cost of USD 2.7 billion to be paid in stages. Libya-USA, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Tunisia, Khartoum want regular meetings to strengthen relations
  The Tunisian foreign minister al-Habib Bin Yahya and his Sudanese counterpart Mustafa Othman Ismael on Wednesday signed a Tunisian- Sudanese memorandum of understanding aiming at strengthening consultations between officials in the two states. Tunisia-Sudan, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Mubarak receives German opposition leader
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met at the presidential headquarters in Heliopolis Wednesday with German Free Democratic Party (FDP) Chief and Leader of the Opposition in the Bundestag Guido Westerwelle who is currently visiting Egypt as part of a tour of the region. Egypt-Germany, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Lahoud confers with Weldheim, gets a message from Khatami
  President Lahoud commended Weldheim achievements at the level of attaining peace in the world despite the pressure he underwent especially from Israel and the Zionist movement and considered him a friend to the Arabs and their rightful causes especially that of Palestine. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Moroccan premier calls Socialist International to slam Israel
  "The SI cannot remain heedless to the ordeals of the Palestinian people," said Youssoufi, first secretary of the Moroccan Socialist Union of Popular Forces. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 5/31/2002
• US activists defy UN sanctions on Iraq; Voices in the Wilderness
  A delegation of World Conscience Association and Voices in the Wilderness Organization arrived in Baghdad Wednesday. The delegation, which organized a journey, coming by foot, in solidarity with the people of Iraq against the continued sanctions and US-British aggression Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/31/2002
• US continues to abuse its power against Iraq
  The Iraqi oil minister Amer Muhammad Rasheed on Thursday accused the US of suspending 673 oil contracts and agreements of a total value of $ 722 million, within the framework of the previous phases of the "oil for food" programs. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Al-Youseifi party succeeded in alienating the Israeli Labor party
  The International Socialism council holds its regular conference in the Moroccan Casablanca city today and tomorrow under the chairman of the former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Ghotepres. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Bahraini opposition asks for official apology from the US
  Major opposition groups in Bahrain, the Islamic national reconciliation society on Wednesday asked for an "American official apology" on the row that took place on Sunday between American soldiers and Bahraini citizens. Bahrain-USA, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Egypt's ambassador to US stresses importance of Mubarak's Washington visit
  Egypt's ambassador to the US Nabil Fahmi underlined the importance of President Hosni Mubarak's projected visit to Washington in the light of the dangerous situation in the occupied Palestinian lands. Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Mediterranean dialogue forum in Libya
  The Tripoli meeting is debating issues of interest to the ten countries (five European and five Maghreban countries bordering the Mediterranean sea, such as security, stability, economic integration and immigration. Regional-European Union, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Sudan rejects interference in distribution of its oil revenues
  The Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismael on Thursday refused any international interference regarding the distribution of the Sudan's national income from oil revenues. Sudan, Politics, 5/31/2002
• Morocco and Jordan kings call for Arab economic integration
  King Mohammed VI of Morocco and King Abdallah of Jordan insisted on the need to move forward in the process to set up a free-trade space on the basis the Agadir declaration, said here on Tuesday official spokesman of the Royal Palace, Hassan Aourid. Jordan-Morocco, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Mubarak confers with speakers of the Sudanese parliament Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Algerians vote for new parliament today
  Algerians who are eligible to vote, number 18 million will head today morning to the ballot boxes to choose their representatives for the new national people's council ( parliament). Algeria, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Telephone conversations between al-Qaddafi, Bin Ali Libya-Tunisia, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Kings Mohammed and Abdallah renew support to Arab peace initiative
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI of Morocco, on his official visit to Jordan, and King Abdallah of Jordan yesterday renewed support to the Arab peace initiative. Jordan-Morocco, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Al-Shara confers with Tunisian ambassador on concluding term of office Syria-Tunisia, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Amnesty International denounces Spanish ill-treatment of Moroccan children
  Amnesty International (AI) accused in its 2002 report released Tuesday, the Spanish authorities of ill-treatment and abusive expulsion of Moroccan minors from the occupied cities of Sebta and Melillia. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Moussa meets with German liberal democratic party chief Palestine-Germany, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Iraqis are suffering from the high deduction rate of compensation claims; call for temporary halt
  Due to the catastrophic conditions the Iraqi people suffer under the sanctions since 12 years and because a percentage of its oil revenues is being deducted, Iraq has renewed its call on the UN to halt these deductions -- specified to compensate claims as a result of the second Gulf war estimated at 30% of total revenues -- for five years in order to allow Iraq to meet the basic needs of the Iraqi people. Iraq, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Russia renews rejection to striking Iraq Iraq-Russia, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Moroccan king's visit to jordan to spur cooperation, fm
  The official visit of King Mohammed VI to Jordan will give a new impetus to Morocco's cooperation with this Arab state, Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa, said. Jordan-Morocco, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Moroccan health minister meets assistant SG of Baath party
  Moroccan minister of health, Thami El Kyari, who is also secretary general of the Front of Democratic Forces (FFD), met in Damascus assistant vice-secretary general of the Baath party, Abdellah Al Ahmar. Syria-Morocco, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Morocco's premier calls International Socialist to strongly condemn abuses against Palestinian people
  Moroccan prime minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, vice-president of the International Socialist (IS), called the member parties to express strong condemnation of abuses against the Palestinian people's rights and dignity. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Powell and the ME Palestine-USA, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Bush needs to hear Mubarak view, US legislator
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak received Tuesday member of the US House of Representatives Darrell Issa who voiced his appreciation for the efforts President Mubarak exerts to achieve peace in the region. Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/30/2002
• US is looking for a strategy on Palestinian-Israeli negotiations
  The Washington Post on Monday said "In a significant evolution of administration thinking, U.S. officials are debating whether to go beyond President Bush's endorsement last year of a Palestinian state and publicly detail terms for a final Middle East settlement, including a negotiating schedule for achieving an accord." Palestine-USA, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Weldheim arrives in Beirut
  Former President of the Republic of Austria and former UN secretary general Kurt Weldheim arrived on Wednesday in Beirut on a three day visit to lebanon. Lebanon-Austria, Politics, 5/30/2002
• German army officers in the Palestinian territories Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Libya to compensate victims of Lockerbie
  A high ranking American official in Washington announced on Tuesday evening that the Libyan government proposed to pay USD 2.7 billion as a compensation for the families of the Lockerbie incident victims. Libya, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Syria, the US to resume bilateral dialogue on terrorism, ME peace in September, in Damascus
  Syrian and American sides have agreed to resume bilateral dialogue on terrorism, the Middle East peace process and bilateral relations in the economic and cultural fields and public relations in Damascus in September. Syria-USA, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Moroccan group for preventing an Israeli delegation from taking part in International Socialism conference
  The Moroccan al-Muwatanah ( citizenship) group for the sake of Palestine has extended a message to the first secretary of the socialist federation party for the Moroccan people's forces Abdul Rahman al-Youseifi in which it called for preventing representatives of the Israeli Labor party from taking part in the "International Socialism conference" due to be held in Casablanca on May 31st. Morocco-Israel, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Palestinian prisoner in Israel commits suicide
  A spokesman for the commission of Palestinian prisoners said that one Palestinian committed suicide on Tuesday evening in al-Ramlah prison near Tel Aviv. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Human rights group: Palestinian detainees in Israeli detention center severely abused
  A Geneva-based human rights group that said Palestinian detainees in the Israeli Ofer detention center were being subject to severe forms of abuse, Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Democracy, resistance, sole path for free, democratic Palestine, hawatmeh says
  He slammed, in this connection what he called the Israeli-U.S. project to restructure the PNA. The project, which boasts to plead for transparency, merely seeks to maintain the Authority under control. This project is a conspiracy against the Palestinian people and will allow Israel to soak more Palestinian land through settlements to such a point that the Palestinians will have nothing to negotiate, warned Hawatmeh, who attended the meetings of a political party in Morocco. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Israel extends detention for Barghouthi
  The Israeli military court on Wednesday extended the detention period of Marwan Barghouthi -- the secretary general of the Palestinian Fatah movement in the West Bank -- for another 22 days under the pretext of completing investigations with him. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Demonstrations in separatists camps claim return to Morocco
  The Moroccan Assahra Al-Maghribya (Moroccan Sahara) reported Wednesday that demonstrations has been rocking the separatists camps in Tindouf (south-western Algeria, stronghold of the Polisario) to claim return to the homeland, Morocco. Morocco, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Grand Imam of Al Azhar calls upon world leaders to help establish Palestinian state
  Egypt's Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Mohamed Sayed Tantawi called upon all world officials, foremost of whom US President George W. Bush, to work arduously to help establish the Palestinian state as soon as possible. Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Walker: The US has not ruled out the war option against Iraq
  Chairman of the Middle East Institute in the US Edward walker, currently visiting Kuwait said that his country has not ruled out the option of war against Iraq, noting other alternatives to destabilize the Iraqi regime. Alternatives means cooperation with sides which have interests to toppling the Iraqi regime. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Israeli, Indian experts meet on fighting so called terrorism Israel-India, Politics, 5/30/2002
• Fischer visits Israel
  Haifa university on Wednesday presented the German foreign minister Yushka Fischer with an honorary doctorate certificate. Israel-Germany, Politics, 5/30/2002
• King Mohammed and king Abdallah hold private talks
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI and King Abdallah of Jordan held on Monday night tete-a-tete talks at the Royal cabinet in Amman. Jordan-Morocco, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Credible legislative institutions is the aim of September elections, Morocco
  the interior department launched a communication campaign, dubbed "Elections 2002," under the generic motto of transparency and credibility in line with the will expressed by King Mohammed VI "to endeavour for the honesty of elections as a major path to a credible legislative institution." Morocco, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Maher meets British envoy to Sudan Egypt-UK, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Bin Ali to consolidate rule of law, freedom, human rights, tolerance and solidarity
  He added that this phase will "consolidate the rule of law and strengthen the protection of freedom and human rights and principles of tolerance and solidarity." Tunisia, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Saudi Arabia: Iraqi mission to the Islamic conference
  Saudi Arabia has approved opening an Iraqi diplomatic mission to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Jeddah and thereby stressing the improvement of its relations with Iraq. Relations which were severed since the Gulf war in 1991, according to diplomats on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 5/29/2002
• The politics of terrorism has hidden agendas, Amnesty International
  The organization's secretary general Irene Khan said that several governments have jumped on the carriage of "fighting terrorism" and seized the opportunity to tighten repression and violate human rights protection and obstruct political opposition following the New York and Washington attacks. Regional, Politics, 5/29/2002
• On the American and Israeli pressures against Syria
  The Lebanese daily Assafir said Tuesday issue quoting sources close to Syria that Syria had set two preconditions during the Sharm esh Sheikh summit -- attended by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria -- in order to achieve the deal of the international conference Washington seeks to market through Saudi Arabia. Syria-USA, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Jordan wants to consolidate coordination with king Mohammed to settle Arab-Israeli conflict, Abdallah
  "Consultation between H.M. King Mohammed VI and all the heads of Arab states continues in an intensive and continuous manner, given H.M King Mohammed VI's capacity as Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee," said King Abdallah in an exclusive interview with MAP news agency. Jordan-Morocco, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Libya hosts mediterranean ministerial encounters
  Libya is hosting this week the annual ministerial dialogue 5+5 forum (northern and southern Mediterranean countries), says a statement of the French foreign department. Maghreb-Libya, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Israeli imprisonment sentences against Syrians in the Golan
  An Israeli court has sentenced on Sunday the Syrian citizen from the occupied Golan heights Hamad Hussein Abu Zeid for one year imprisonment and to pay a large financial fee. Syria-Israel, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Proposed Middle East conference raise questions
  The talk about holding conference on Middle East peace to end the current deterioration brought about by Israeli policies and practices raises concern and many questions, according to Mustafa al Fiqi, Chairman of the People's Assembly External Relations Committee. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Moroccan secretary of state represents king Mohammed in Comoro union's president swearing-in
  The election of president Azali crowns a two-year reconciliation process following the Anjouan Island secessionist attempts. The process was made possible after the former "Islamic federal republic of the Comoros," now called Union of Comoros, operated deep changes in its institutions. Morocco-Comoros, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Lebanon regrets Annan's considering Shebaa farms as Syrians
  In its Tuesday's issue, the Lebanese daily al-Nahar said that there is Lebanese regret over the persistence of the UN secretary general Kofi Annan to consider the occupied Shebaa Farms as Syrians. Lebanon, Politics, 5/29/2002
• A Syrian anti- Zionism society
  The Jordanian weekly al-Majd said in its recent issue that a group of Syrian intellectuals decided to form a citizen society that stands against Zionism and established a temporary board chaired by the retired judge and journalist Rajaa Nasser. Syria, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Enhancing Arab and African strategic interests is a must
  In his speech at the Arab-African Cooperation Seminar that started yesterday at the Arab League, President Mubarak's Political Advisor Osama El-Baz said that there is no conflict between the Arab national concept and the ideological link with the African countries. Regional, Politics, 5/29/2002
• No US details to Syria, Lebanon on the new US peace conference
  Well-informed diplomatic sources in Beirut have denied Syria and Lebanon to have had been informed from the US about any details concerning the new international conference for peace in the region despite the fact that information and news reports said that the existence of the Syrian deputy foreign minister Walid al-Muaallim in Washington was an opportunity for Syrian- American consultations on conditions to convene the conference. Regional-USA, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Arab states support international peace conference, if all success conditions are met, fm
  The Arab states support the proposed international Middle East peace conference, provided that "all requirements be met," Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, said. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Hammoud, al-Faisal for reviving the Arab peace initiative
  The Lebanese foreign minister Mahmoud Hammoud stressed that the Arab initiative should constitute the basic term of reference for any solution to the Middle East question. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Japanese foreign minister to visit the region Regional-Japan, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Six Jordanian opposition parties are accused of receiving funds from abroad
  The Jordanian al-Ansar (partisans) party which was recently forced to leave the higher coordination committee of the Jordanian national parties accused six Jordanian opposition parties of receiving financing from abroad. Jordan, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Ballot centers for Algerian community in Syria; part of legislative elections
  The Algerian community in Syria is taking part in the Algerian legislative elections which will start tomorrow, May 30. Syria-Algeria, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Mubarak receives Solana Thursday
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will receive Thursday Javier Solana, EU Foreign and Security Chief, who will pay a visit for talks on recent developments in the Middle East region, according to Cristina Gallach, a Spokeswoman for Solana. Egypt-European Union, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Washington appreciates Mubarak's leading role
  US Ambassador in Cairo David Welch expressed his country's appreciation of the leading positive role played by Egypt and President Hosni Mubarak's political influence. Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/29/2002
• British government welcomes the Arab peace initiative
  The official spokesman for the British government Gerald Rassel, who is also in charge of the Islamic media unit at the British foreign office highly appreciated the Arab peace initiative, stressing his country's welcome of this initiative because it shows the whole world the good intention of the Arab side. Regional-UK, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Prince al-Hassan Bin Talal invites for a religious conference in Amman, today, tomorrow Jordan-Regional, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Arafat cancels visit to Saudi Arabia
  Israeli political sources said on Tuesday that the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat has for several times postponed a visit which he was due to pay to Saudi Arabia of fears that Israel will not permit him to return back to the Palestinian Authority areas. Palestine-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Efforts to stop Palestinian martyrdom operations
  The French weekly news bulletin "TTA" said on Tuesday that efforts are being made now to halt "martyrdom operations" in order to resume political negotiations. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Peres: Barghouthi might succeed Arafat
  The Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres has expressed his conviction that the secretary of the Fatah movement Marwan al-Barghouthi, currently detained by the Israeli occupation forces, will succeed the chairman of the Palestinian authority Yasser Arafat. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Fighting erupted in Somalia
  Nine persons were killed at least on Tuesday morning in the northern part of Makadishu during battles between the Somali provisional government forces and one of the tribes. Somalia, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Moroccan Speaker meets NATO Peer, Bulgarian officials
  Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives (lower chamber), Abdelouahed Radi, met Monday in the Bulgarian capital city of Sofia, speaker of the parliamentary assembly of the North Atlantic Alliance Treaty Organization (NATO), Rafael Estrella. Morocco-Bulgaria, Politics, 5/29/2002
• Syria: State security court stresses its authority in al-Turk's case
  In its third trial session, events of trying the secretary general of the Syrian Communist Party- the political bureau -- Riad al-Turk were limited to a legal controversy concerning the authority of the court and the extent of its constitutionality. Syria, Politics, 5/28/2002
• Jordanian human rights publication issues first edition
  The first issue of al-Hurrieyah paper, specialized in human rights was issued on Monday by al-Hurrieyah house for the press, printing and publication in Amman. Jordan, Politics, 5/28/2002
• Egyptian- Sudanese parliamentary talks Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 5/28/2002
• Jordanian figures appeal for release of Toujan al-Faisal
  The signatories of the message sent to the King said that the decision taken by the Jordanian state security court to imprison al-Faisal for one and a half years "was based on a provisional law which violates the constitution in spirit and content." Jordan, Politics, 5/28/2002
• Anwar al-Sadat photo results in firing paper's chief editor
  Egyptian parliamentary sources said that the chief editor of al-Meedan independent daily was fired because he published a photo for the corpse of the former Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat at the morgue after his assassination in October 1981. Egypt, Politics, 5/28/2002
• King Mohammed flies for Jordan
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI left Rabat Monday for Jordan, where he will start an official visit at the invitation of King Abdallah II. Morocco-Jordan, Politics, 5/28/2002
• King Mohammed's visit to Jordan to consolidate ties, Jordanian fm
  The official visit King Mohammed VI will start this Monday to Jordan will help consolidate ties between Rabat and Amman, Jordanian foreign minister, Marwane Al-Moasher said. Jordan-Morocco, Politics, 5/28/2002
• Al-Assad stresses to US delegation importance of pressuring Israel
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Monday in Damascus received the US Congressional delegation led by Darill Issa, member of international relations committee. Syria-USA, Politics, 5/28/2002
• A message for King Fahd from Putin
  The Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed "closer cooperation" with Saudi Arabia with the aim of guaranteeing the stability of conditions in the Middle East. This was expressed in a message Putin sent to the Saudi King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz. Saudi Arabia-Russia, Politics, 5/28/2002
• Moussa starts a work visit to Spain Regional-Spain, Politics, 5/28/2002
• Bahrain: Two Americans wounded in a demonstration against Washington
  A row over renting a bridal dress for one of the American soldiers in Bahrain has been converted into a demonstration in which scores of angered Bahrainis called for dismantling the American military bases in their country. Bahrain-USA, Politics, 5/28/2002
• Khatami gets a message from UAE President
  The Iranian President Muhammad Khatami on Monday in Tehran received a message from President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan dealing with bilateral relations and conditions in the Middle East region. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 5/28/2002
• King Mohammed to pay friendship visit to Qatar
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI will pay a friendship visit to Qatar part of a tour that the king will undertake to several Arab states. Morocco-Qatar, Politics, 5/28/2002
• Egyptian- French summit next week
  Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak will start a work visit to the USA on June 5th. Egypt-France, Politics, 5/28/2002
• More American pressure to close offices of Palestinian organization, Islamic movements in Damascus
  The Saudi daily al-Watan said that President Bashar al-Assad has received more American pressures in order to close the offices of the Palestinian Organizations and all Islamic movements in Damascus. Syria-USA, Politics, 5/28/2002
• Lebanese- Iraqi media cooperation agreement Iraq-Lebanon, Politics, 5/28/2002
• Mubarak's visit to Washington is of special importance
  Egypt's former ambassador to Israel and Shura Council member Mohamed Bassiouni underlined Sunday the importance of President Hosni Mubarak's visit to Washington at this time when the United States is evaluating the Middle East scene to come up with certain steps to solve the Palestinian issue. Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/28/2002
• Ethiopia lauds Mubarak's efforts to solve disputes in Africa and Palestine
  He also said that Ethiopia can never support any separatist movements in Somalia, pointing out that Ethiopia is keen to exchange information and opinions with Egypt all African issues, specially the issues of Sudan and Somalia. Egypt-Ethiopia, Politics, 5/28/2002
• Khartoum agrees to lift no-fly zone in the south Sudan, Politics, 5/28/2002
• Israel strengthens its apartheid system
  The British daily the Financial Times has stressed the Israeli forces have deliberately installed buffer zones in the Palestinian areas with the aim to damage the Palestinian economy and restrict the movement of the Palestinians. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/28/2002
• On the Somali reconciliation conference Djibouti-Somalia, Politics, 5/28/2002
• An Israeli delegation takes part in the International Socialism conference Morocco-Israel, Politics, 5/28/2002
• Some 400,000 Israeli mines implanted in south Lebanon
  The speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri discussed with the personal representative of the UN secretary general Steven De Mistora on Monday the Israeli violations of the Lebanese sovereignty. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/28/2002
• King Mohammed undertakes official visit to Jordan and Syria and work visit to Saudi Arabia Morocco-Regional, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Human rights, role of parliament elements in Tunisia's referendum
  The constitutional reforms project aims at strengthening human rights and founding the council of advisors besides the parliament and boosting the role played by parliament members in questioning the performance of the government. Tunisia, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Gulf leaders support Arab peace initiative, Iraq -Kuwait reconciliation
  The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation States (GCC) member states Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad al-Ateyah announced that GCC leaders listened during their fourth consultation meeting which was held in Jeddah on Sunday to a detailed report from the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and his meetings with the US President George Bush and high ranking American officials at the American administration. Gulf, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Algeria: No obstacles to building the Arab Maghreb federation
  The Algerian foreign minister Abdul Aziz Balkhadem has stated that the dispute between Algeria and Morocco on the file of the western Sahara will not be an obstacle for building the Arab Maghreb federation, working for strengthening relations between the two states and extending the bridges of cooperation between them to be a solid nucleus for the Maghreb federation, considering that the Sahara file will be solved Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/27/2002
• King Mohammed receives Qatari foreign minister
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI, who was accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, received in Rabat this past Friday night Qatari foreign minister, Sheikh Hamad Ben Jabr Ben Jassem Al-Thani. Morocco-Qatar, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Al-Assad stresses implementation of all existing UN resolutions first; meets al-Taher, Chile delegation
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday received the chairman of the Arab Parliamentary Union Ahmad Ibrahim al-Taher, who is also the chairman of the Sudanese national council and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-Regional, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Ruler of Qatar confers with Mauritania's minister Qatar-Mauritania, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Hussein receives Lebanese Information Minister Iraq-Lebanon, Politics, 5/27/2002
• A message from UAE President to Iran's Khatami United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 5/27/2002
• King Mohammed received Algerian foreign minister
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI, who was accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, received in Casablanca this past Friday night Algerian foreign minister, Abdelaziz Belkhadem, who handed to the sovereign a message from Algerian president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Tunisians vote for constitutional reforms; extension of presidential terms limit
  The ballot centers on Sunday evening closed their doors after the Tunisians cast their votes on the referendum on making constitutional reforms in the country. The constitutional reform will open the door before President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali to nominate himself for a fourth term of office in 2004. Tunisia, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Qatar- Eritrea summit in Doha today
  The Qatari- Eritrean summit will be held today at the Emir's court in Doha with the participation of the ruler of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani and President Asyas Afourki of Eritrean who will be arriving in Doha at (11.30 a.m local time). Qatar-Eritrea, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Sudan hosts an Islamic conference Sudan-Regional, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Iraq's cooperation with the UN was in vain
  The Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan said on Saturday that Iraq seeks through its dialogue with the UN, whose third phase will start in July, to reach a just agreement away from giving concessions from any side and completely in compliance with the content and spirit of UN resolutions concerned especially resolution no. 687. Iraq, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Mubarak's visit to Washington to focus on Middle East
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said President Hosni Mubarak's talks with US President George Bush in Washington next month will focus mainly on settling Palestinian - Israeli problem. Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Maher meets Canadian Foreign Minister
  On the American -Israeli vision that sees a need for reforming the Palestinian authority, Maher said this decision was only up to the Palestinians themselves to take. Most of the time the Israelis press for changes as a pretext to dodge serious negotiations, he added. Egypt-Canada, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Egyptian, American parliamentarians meet on ME issues Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/27/2002
• American official and the Syrian- American dialogue
  A high ranking American official has described the dialogue which was held between Syrians and Americans in Houston, organized by the James baker Institute for public policy at Rice university and aiming at developing American - Syrian relations as very useful. Syria-USA, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Kuwait for convening the ME peace conference Kuwait-Regional, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Canada invites Mubarak to industrialised nations' meeting
  Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak yesterday received an invitation from Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien to attend a meeting of the major industrialised nations in June. The invitation was handed by the Canadian Foreign Minister, Bill Graham during a meeting with the Egyptian leader. Egypt-Canada, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Amnesty International calls for a commission of inquiry into mass arbitrary detention of palestinians
  Amnesty International deplores in a report released Friday a consist pattern of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment used by Israeli soldiers in its arrest of more than 8,500 Palestinians between February 27 and May 20, many of them arbitrarily detained. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Arafat and the exiled Palestinians
  The director of the Palestinian general intelligence in Bethlehem Abdullah Dawoud denied that the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat had played a main role in reaching an agreement to break the Israeli siege from the church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in the West Bank for expelling 13 Palestinians who were besieged inside it. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/27/2002
• Jewish center criticizes UNESCO Israel-USA, Politics, 5/27/2002
• A secret meeting between Tenet, Haleve Israel-USA, Politics, 5/27/2002

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