Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 8/12/2002

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of August 12, 2002

• Abul Ragheb visits Damascus on Monday Jordan-Syria, Politics, 8/17/2002
• Maher wants action and not words from Israel Egypt-Israel, Politics, 8/17/2002
• Sudanese FM confers with American delegation Sudan-USA, Politics, 8/17/2002
• Al-Sharq al-Awsat: Jordanian lawyers to defend those accused in smuggling weapons to Palestinians
  The Jordanian bar association has decided to form a defendant commission to defend 10 Jordanians detained after the Jordanian authorities had arrested them for having weapons they planned to smuggle to the Palestinian territories to enable the Palestinians to escalate their resistance against Israel. Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 8/17/2002
• Al-Rai al-Aam: Sudanese opposition coalition to meet with government's delegation Sudan-Eritrea, Politics, 8/17/2002
• Israeli Organization warn Israel of war crimes trials Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/17/2002
• Al- Lewa': Syrian efforts to prevent striking Iraq
  The Lebanese daily al- Lewa' quoted well-informed diplomatic sources in Damascus as saying that the Syrian leadership is making intensive efforts with international parties in order to urge the US to stop the possible launch of a military attack against Iraq. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 8/17/2002
• Maher underscores Egypt's keenness on Sudan's territorial integrity
  Regarding worries by some African countries that splitting Sudan would lead to disturbances in some African countries that suffer from similar problems, Maher said: "This is why everybody is calling for the unity of Sudan." Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 8/17/2002
• Maareve: Most Israelis for an American attack against Iraq Iraq-Israel, Politics, 8/17/2002
• The US and Masoud al-Barazani
  Sources at the US President George Bush administration has attributed the reason for the absence of Kurdish leader Masoud al-Barazani from attending a meeting for the Iraqi opposition, held in the White House last week, to problems relating to travel. Iraq-USA, Politics, 8/17/2002
• The Independent: Assassination attempt on Qusi Saddam Hussein
  Iraqi opposition sources in London said that one of its members inside Iraq had opened fire at Qusi, the son of the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, and wounded him in an attempt carried out by a resistance group aiming to assassinate the younger son of the Iraqi president who is speculated to be the likely successor for his father. Iraq, Politics, 8/17/2002
• Nelson Mandella will not attend Barghouthi's trial
  South Africa's militant leader and ex-president Nelson Mandella said on Friday he will not attend the trial to be held for the secretary of the Fatah movement in the West Bank and member of the Palestinian Legislative council Marwan Barghouthi. But Mandella called for fair judicial measures by Israel against him. Palestine-South Africa, Politics, 8/17/2002
• Al-Rai al-Aam: Plan for comprehensive solution to Palestinian issue
  The Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am issued on Friday said that high ranking Palestinian sources unveiled an under-study Arab work plan by the American administration that includes a solution to the Palestinian question as a whole and the establishment of a state before the mid of 2005. Palestine-USA, Politics, 8/17/2002
• Peres to visit Finland, Norway Israel-Finland, Politics, 8/17/2002
• Calls for international action in favor of Moroccans jailed in Algeria
  A group of Moroccan NGOs, attending in Geneva the meetings of the United Nations Human Rights sub-commission, on Friday renewed calls for an urgent international action to put an end to the ordeal of Moroccan nationals, sequestered in the Algerian south-western camps of Tindouf. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/17/2002
• Jordanian King postpones legislative elections until spring, 2003 Jordan, Politics, 8/16/2002
• Message from President al-Assad to Musharraf conveyed by al-Shara
  President of the Islamic republic of Pakistan Musharraf on Thursday morning received the Syrian deputy prime minister and foreign minister Farouk al-Shara who delivered him a message from President Bashar al-Assad relating to latest conditions in the Middle East region and the steadfastness of the Palestinian people in the face of the "Israeli military machine." Syria-Pakistan, Politics, 8/16/2002
• Arab, Moroccan intellectuals visit area overlooking Tourah islet Regional-Spain, Politics, 8/16/2002
• King of Bahrain visits Tehran tomorrow
  Bahrain's foreign minister Sheikh Muhammad Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa said that King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa will meet during his visit to Iran which will start tomorrow and continue two days with the President Muhammad Khatami and the Guide of the Iranian Revolution, Ayatullah Khamesini. Bahrain-Iran, Politics, 8/16/2002
• Sudan cares for Egypt's role in peace Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 8/16/2002
• Saad Ibrahim imprisonment halt further US aid, Egypt rejects pressure
  The US President George Bush has decided not to give new aid to Egypt in protest of sentencing Saad Eddine Ibrahim, a researcher and human rights activist, according to American officials on Thursday. Egypt-USA, Politics, 8/16/2002
• Sudanese reservations over Canadian peace envoy to Sudan Sudan-Canada, Politics, 8/16/2002
• Al-Watan: intellectuals stress Saudi Arabia's unity, condemns US intervention
  Several intellectuals in Saudi Arabia are embarking on collecting signatures of a draft statement under the title "together in the trench of honored," in which they reject all forms of intervention in the internal affairs Saudi Arabia, Politics, 8/16/2002
• King Abdullah: Jordan will not talk on behalf Palestinians
  The Jordanian King Abdullah II has stressed his country's stand in supporting the Palestinian people in all international forums and circles so as to restore back their lands and establish their independent state with Jerusalem as a capital. Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 8/16/2002
• AL, Egypt underline importance of preserving Sudan's unity
  The Secretary General of the Arab League (AL) Amr Moussa has stressed the need of taking effective measures in order to ensure Sudan's unity and territorial integrity through revitalizing the AL's Sudan reconstruction fund and mobilizing Arab efforts in support of Sudan's unity. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 8/16/2002
• Calls for Liberation of Moroccans Sequestered in Tindouf Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/16/2002
• Sheikh Yassin receives Arafat's rival candidate
  The founder of the Hamas movement Sheikh Ahmad Yassin on Wednesday in Gaza received Husam Nazzal, who intends to nominate himself for the Palestinian Presidency in the next elections. Palestine, Politics, 8/16/2002
• Israel cancels meeting, continued acts of arrest, demolishing, Palestinian child killed by Israelis
  The Israeli forces on Thursday continued attacks against the Palestinians. The Israeli tanks incurred for long distances into Gaza valley opening fire in all directions. The same Israeli incursion was made into the area situated to the north of Khan Younis and this resulted in killing the Palestinian child Aymen Basem fares and demolishing vast area of the agricultural lands. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/16/2002
• Israel: Arafat's personal wealth is $ 3.1 billion Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/16/2002
• Maghreban-Argentine Days in Buenos Aires Regional-Argentina, Politics, 8/16/2002
• Ten Algeria gunmen killed, 14 arrested
  The Algerian La Tribune said on Thursday that ten armed Islamists were killed on Wednesday by the security forces in Boultas mountain in Seidi Bala'abas area. Algeria, Politics, 8/16/2002
• Le Soire: One Palestinian deportee suffers loneliness in Belgium
  The Palestinian Khalil al-Nawara, who is one of the Palestinian resistance men exiled in the framework of the agreement to end the siege on the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, on Tuesday expressed his feeling of loneliness and depression. Palestine, Politics, 8/16/2002
• Al-Assad cabinet meeting on improving administrative performance
  President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday presided over a meeting for the Cabinet held at al-Shaab (the people) palace. It was attended by the prime minister Muhammad Mustafa Miro, the deputies for the prime minister and the cabinet ministers and dedicated to the issue of administrative modernization in Syria and proposed means to revitalize it. Syria, Politics, 8/15/2002
• Amnesty commends release of Naal, calls for release of others
  Amnesty International yesterday commended the Syrian authority's release of the communist Haitham Naal but also called for the release of other three Syrians who suffer health problems. Syria, Politics, 8/15/2002
• Al-Shara convey message from al-Assad to Indian premier
  The message also states the care of the Syrian leadership to exert most efforts in order to avoid the war between India and Pakistan, the two neighborly countries which are linked by firm historical relations with Syria. Syria-India, Politics, 8/15/2002
• Islamic organizations in London warn the US, Britain
  Leaders of extremist Islamic organizations in London strongly warned the US and Britain that the two countries will be exposed to terrorist attacks similar to those of September 11 launched against the US if they will be persistent to launch a war against Iraq. Regional-UK, Politics, 8/15/2002
• King Fahd heads for Marbaya
  Saudi Arabia's King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz on Wednesday headed for Marbaya in Spain after he had spent more than two months in Geneva, Switzerland. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 8/15/2002
• UN envoy optimistic about return of Kuwaiti archives from Iraq
  Richard Fouran, the envoy of the UN secretary general for the Kuwaiti documents and records affairs which were lost during the Gulf war in 1991, on Wednesday in Baghdad praised the Iraqi cooperation in organizing the return of the Kuwaiti national archive. He said he expects the return back of the Kuwaiti archive within weeks. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 8/15/2002
• Sabah: US secret delegation to East Turkey relating to Iraq
  The Turkish daily Sabah said on Wednesday that an American technical experts in the field of aviation arrived secretly in Deyar Baker military base to the East of Turkey and held an inspection tour on it in order to follow up all exercises carried out in the base by F-16 warplanes. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 8/15/2002
• Talibani to provide US with bases in northern Iraq for any attack
  The Iraqi Kurdish leader Jalal al-Talibani on Tuesday announced he is ready to give the bases his group controls in northern Iraq to Washington, in order to launch a likely American attack against the regime of the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Iraq-USA, Politics, 8/15/2002
• Barghouthi's trial postponed; court is illegal
  The Israeli court has postponed its first trial session for Marwan Barghouthi, the secretary of the Fatah movement in the West Bank, which was held in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, until September 5th. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/15/2002
• US opposes expulsion of Palestinians
  The US Department of State on Tuesday expressed its opposition to the Israeli policy aiming at expelling families of the Palestinian resistance men, who carry out operations, from the West Bank to Gaza. Palestine-USA, Politics, 8/15/2002
• Yemeni official regret behavior of US ambassador
  Meetings held by the American ambassador in Sanaa Edmond Hall during the two past days with chieftains of tribes in Mareb province raised the regret of the Yemeni officials, especially as the meetings came following a campaign launched by the official Yemeni papers against the American diplomat describing him as a "higher commissioner." Yemen-USA, Politics, 8/15/2002
• Israeli report on Arafat's succession
  Israeli intelligence sources expressed their conviction that the position of Yasser Arafat, the chairman of the Palestinian authority, has been damaged and it is probable that he will leave the Palestinian areas by the ultimate end. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/15/2002
• Australian poll on striking Iraq Iraq-Australia, Politics, 8/15/2002
• US military discussed coast guard operation in Yemen
  The Yemeni prime minister Abdul Qader Bajmal discussed with the leader of the American fifth fleet stationed in the Gulf area in Sanaa on Sunday the American support for the Yemeni coastal guards Yemen-USA, Politics, 8/15/2002
• Sudan: coming peace would be final Sudan, Politics, 8/14/2002
• Al-Shara in New Delhi: Israeli occupation caused deterioration in the region
  The Syrian deputy prime minister and foreign minister Farouk al-Shara on Tuesday in New Delhi held talks with the Indian deputy prime minister and the minister of the interior Lal Kreishna Adfani. The meeting was attended by the deputy foreign minister Suleiman Haddad, the Syrian ambassador to India Mohsin al-Khayyer, the director of the media department at the foreign ministry Butheina Shabaan and the director of Asia department at the Syrian foreign ministry. Syria-India, Politics, 8/14/2002
• Libya answers criticism over human rights record
  Libya has criticized warnings addressed by the Human Rights Watch organization for Libya's assuming the presidency of the UN human rights committee in 2003 to represent the continent of Africa. Libya, Politics, 8/14/2002
• Arab League backs Morocco's territorial integrity
  Arab League Secretary General, Amr Moussa, on Tuesday renewed backing to Morocco's kingty over the Mediterranean islet of Tourah, after a visit to the Benyounech area overlooking the island. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 8/14/2002
• Lahoud: Israel continues human rights violations
  Lebanese President Emil Lahoud has stressed that any just and comprehensive solution for the region's question should be based on the need of implementing international legitimacy resolutions and releasing all Lebanese and Arab detainees from the Israeli jails. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 8/14/2002
• Barghouthi in court today
  Khuder Shqeirat, lawyer of Marwan Barghouthi, the secretary general of the Fatah movement in the West Bank said he will be brought today ( Wednesday) before a Tel Aviv court and that the court will extend his detention. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/14/2002
• Hamas approve document on strategy for resistance
  The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has approved the document, prepared by the formation committee in the higher follow up committee of the national and Islamic forces, which is based on three main points which are: defining the Palestinian struggle strategy; liberating the lands occupied in 1967, and forming a united national leadership for the Palestinian people after starting a dialogue that sets work mechanisms and resistance means. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/14/2002
• Katsav via al-Jazeera blames the Palestinians for current conditions
  In an interview on Tuesday with al-Jazeera TV satellite station, the Israeli President Moshe Katsav has invited the Arab leaders to "come to Jerusalem" in order to discuss means of reaching peace with Israel. He added that negotiations with the Palestinians will not be resumed unless violence is stopped against the Israelis. Regional-Israel, Politics, 8/14/2002
• Fiki voices concern Over Machakos Protocol
  Egypt's Head of the People's Assembly Foreign Relations Committee Moustafa Al-Fiki voiced concern over Machakos protocol signed last month between Khartoum and the Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPIA), saying it was a surprise. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 8/14/2002
• Moroccan UN expert warns against attempts to demonize Muslims
  Ms. Halima Warzazi, a Moroccan expert at the United Nations, on Tuesday warned against attempts to demonize Muslims. Regional, Politics, 8/14/2002
• Fadlullah forbids helping the US to attack Iraq
  A "Fatwa" (a religious instruction) was issued on Monday by the spiritual leader of the Shiite community in Lebanon Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah provided for forbidding supporting the US in a likely attack against Iraq, according to a statement issues by the Sheikh's press office. Lebanon-Iraq, Politics, 8/14/2002
• Europe pleased with al-Assad's reform, worried over human rights, detentions
  The European Union on Monday expressed satisfaction over the political and economic reforms taking place in Syria, and simultaneously expressed concern over issues pertinent to human rights in Syria and acts of arrests which targeted political activists and recent sentences taken against them. Syria-European Union, Politics, 8/13/2002
• Jordanian King, Saudi crown prince discuss Palestinian conditions Saudi Arabia-Jordan, Politics, 8/13/2002
• Syrian engineer quitted from service Syria, Politics, 8/13/2002
• Amsterdam hosts plenary conference of the Iraqi opposition Iraq, Politics, 8/13/2002
• Jordanian authorities expel Saudi Sheikh Salman al-Odeh
  A Jordanian official stressed on Monday that the Jordanian authorities expelled the Saudi Sheikh Salman al-Odeh by the end of last week just one hour before a lecture he was due to deliver at the vocational trade union complex in Amman under the title "the Islam of Jihad or terrorism?" Jordan, Politics, 8/13/2002
• Sudanese negotiations begin with the people's liberation army
  Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has stressed that Sudan will witness a phase of peace, stability and development, noting that people's choice is commitment to peace, giving up violence and fighting. Sudan, Politics, 8/13/2002
• Baghdad: UN inspectors have completed their work
  Baghdad on Monday asserted that the UN inspection team in charge of banned weapons in Iraq had "completed" its mission in Iraq in accordance to the UN security council resolutions. Iraq, Politics, 8/13/2002
• Barcelona process in Jeopardy, Arab League chief warns
  The Barcelona process of Euro-Mediterranean integration is currently jeopardized, Amr Moussa, Secretary-general of the Arab League, warned on Sunday. Regional-European Union, Politics, 8/13/2002
• Jalal Talibani rejects attacking Iraq
  The leader of the Kurdistani national federation Jalal al-Talibani has rejected any attack that damages the interests of the Iraqi people or inflecting destruction on its economic infrastructure. Iraq-USA, Politics, 8/13/2002
• Destruction of Nablus Old City,, a war crime, Palestinian minister
  Palestinian minister of culture and information, Yasser Abed Rabbo, condemned the latest Israeli efforts to cause irreparable damage to invaluable cultural and historical sites as war crimes and crimes against humanity, most notably in the Old City of Nablus. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/13/2002
• Arafat's rival calls for halting the Palestinian Intifada
  Rival of the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat to the presidency of the Palestinian authority in the next election, Husam Nazzal, has called for halting the Palestinian Intifada for 6 months in order to "prove the good intention of the Palestinians towards the Israelis." Palestine, Politics, 8/13/2002
• Syria: Communist opposition member released after 27 year in prison
  The Syrian authorities on Sunday released communist opposition member Haitham Na'aal after he had spent 27 in jail after he had suffered health problems. Syria, Politics, 8/12/2002
• Bashir bans embargo from parties's activities
  Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has lifted the embargo imposed on the activities of the Sudanese parties used to be represented in the parliament before 1984, including the communist party and the Baath Arab socialist party. Sudan, Politics, 8/12/2002
• Jordan summons its ambassador from Doha
  The Jordanian- Qatari crisis has been escalated following the decision taken by Amman to summon its ambassador from Doha. Jordan-Qatar, Politics, 8/12/2002
• Khartoum recommends its delegation to ensure negotiations success
  The Sudanese government gave the delegation taking part in Nairobi negotiations which start today recommendations provide for giving success to the negotiations with the people's army for the liberation of Sudan (SPLA). Sudan, Politics, 8/12/2002
• Jordanian Labor front calls for the elections, Muasher says striking Iraq
  The Jordanian foreign minister Marwan Muasher has stressed that an American attack against Iraq will take place ( one hundred percent). Jordan, Politics, 8/12/2002
• Bush: Iraq is enemy; Voices in Wilderness condemn US threats
  Chief of the Voices in the Wilderness Organization Kathy Kelly denounced the US accusations and threats against Iraq as an attempt to control oil and riches of the region. Iraq-USA, Politics, 8/12/2002
• Saud al-Faisal: we refuse the war against Iraq
  The Saudi foreign minister prince Saud al-Faisal has stressed that Saudi Arabia will not take part in the war against Iraq and he asked the US to give an opportunity to diplomatic efforts. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 8/12/2002
• Saud al-Faisal: we reject war against Iraq Politics, 8/12/2002
• UN will continue dealing with Arafat, Annan reiterates
  Reacting to comments in the Middle Eastern media, Secretary-General Kofi Annan last week clarified that the United Nations will continue dealing with President Yasser Arafat, the leader of the Palestinian people. Palestine, Politics, 8/12/2002
• Turkey buys from Israel 54 pilot-less planes
  The Israeli daily Jerusalem Post said quoting an important source at the Turkish ministry of defense that Turkey is preparing to sign a contract at a cost of USD 76 million to buy 54 new israeli pilot-less planes of " Yukav" type. Israel-Turkey, Politics, 8/12/2002
• Reports on Americans and Palestinians talks
  Commenting on statements by Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon in which he claimed that PNA elements are killers and terrorists, Maher said similar Israeli charges were leveled before against the PLO and the two sides sat at the end at the negotiations table. Palestine-USA, Politics, 8/12/2002
• Israel submission to nuclear inspection is international demand
  Egypt's Assistant Foreign Minister Mahmoud Mubarak returned home late Saturday from Japan wrapping up a weeklong visit during which he attended an international conference against the use of atomic and hydrogen bombs. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 8/12/2002
• Arafat makes changes in the Palestinian authority Palestine, Politics, 8/12/2002
• Saudi Arabia handed over 16 al-Qaida members from Iran Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 8/12/2002

Previous Week · Politics · Business and Economics · Local · Algeria · Bahrain · Comoros · Djibouti · Egypt · Iraq · Jordan · Kuwait · Lebanon · Libya · Mauritania · Morocco · Oman · Palestine · Qatar · Syria · Saudi Arabia · Somalia · Sudan · Tunisia · United Arab Emirates · Yemen