Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 11/4/2002

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of November 4, 2002

• Approval following fundamental changes in US draft resolution on Iraq; Syrian efforts block road before war, received guarantees
  Syria has come out of these contacts that the international system as a whole was vulnerable through continued consolidation of the one-pole hegemony and Syria found the need of foiling the policy of war advocates at the UN through revitalizing the role played by the UN and its resolutions, based on the UN charter and preserving states sovereignty and territorial integrity. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 11/9/2002
• Chirac, Annan talk with al-Assad on US resolution on Iraq; desire to Syria's consent
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad yesterday received a telephone call from the French President Jacques Chirac during which talks dealt with the amendments introduced to the American draft decision in a way that prevents the use of force as a pretext to attack Iraq and all sides to abide by UN resolutions. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 11/9/2002
• Syria and voting on the US- British draft bill
  News reports quoted the assistant of the Syrian ambassador at the UN Faisal Miqdad as saying to the press that some of his country's proposals concerning voting on the US- British draft bill concerning Iraq yesterday were accepted, but he is still waiting for instructions from Damascus. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 11/9/2002
• Maher meets first Chinese Middle East envoy
  Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher met on Thursday with Wang Chi Geh, the first Chinese envoy to Middle East, to compare notes on the latest developments in the region and efforts exerted to resume the peace process. Egypt-China, Politics, 11/9/2002
• Saudi Arabia hold, evacuates thousands of Yemenis
  Sources at the Yemeni opposition unveiled that the Saudi authorities carried out a campaign to chase Yemenis living in it last week. The sources said that this campaign resulted in detaining thousands of those Yemenis, noting that the Saudi authorities put the Yemeni citizens in collective detention centers Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 11/9/2002
• Talibani: relations with Syria are principled, strategic
  The leader of the Kurdistani National Party, Jalal Talibani, has stated "our consultations with the Syrian leadership are continuous and our relations with it is principled and strategic in this phase and will continue commitment to these relations because of the support Syria signifies for us and the good deeds it had on us." Syria-Iraq, Politics, 11/9/2002
• Divisions increase among Iraqi opposition
  Splits in the lines of the Iraqi opposition have been escalated; while an opposition group accused in a statement its opponents of serving the interests of the Iraqi intelligence and attempting to benefit from the bloodshed of the Iraqis. Iraq, Politics, 11/9/2002
• Jordanians evacuated from the Philippines
  The Philippines authorities yesterday evacuated two Jordanian suspected to have links to what it called terrorist groups but failed to find enough evidence to convict them. Jordan-Philippines, Politics, 11/9/2002
• Mubarak receives phone call from new Israeli Defence Minister Egypt-Israel, Politics, 11/9/2002
• List of Morocco's new government officials
  The new government comprises 39 members (including the prime minister). Morocco, Politics, 11/9/2002
• Demonstrations in Brussels denouncing the Israeli acts against the Palestinians Palestine-Belgium, Politics, 11/9/2002
• An American soldier died in the Kuwaiti desert Kuwait-USA, Politics, 11/9/2002
• Sharon confers with US ambassador to Israel Israel-USA, Politics, 11/9/2002
• New government includes twenty two newcomers
  The new prime minister said he will be continuing in the same path, in accordance with the King's will to make of Morocco a modern state that is attached to its authenticity and values while being engrained with the values of democracy and social justice and enjoying a strong and open economy. Morocco, Politics, 11/8/2002
• Al-Shara conversation with de Villepin, and talks with Larsen on Iraq
  The Foreign minister Farouk al-Shara yesterday received a telephone call from the French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin and discussions dealt with the current UN Security Council deliberations concerning Iraq. Syria-France, Politics, 11/8/2002
• Cairo denies preventing visits of three jails including extremist Islamists
  The Egyptian" organization for human rights" has accused the Egyptian prisons authorities of closing three jails in Cairo for visitors, including detainees who are leaders and supporters of the extremist Islamic groups. Egypt, Politics, 11/8/2002
• Ben Ali provides new benefits for presidential candidates
  Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has renewed his commitment to the "pan reforms policy" which is "not confined to cope with changes but prepare for the aftermath." Palestine, Politics, 11/8/2002
• Chinese ME delegate meets with Maher, Moussa
  Following his meeting with the Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Maher yesterday in Cairo, the Chinese special envoy to the Middle East Wang Ching said that view points between Egypt and China are "identical." Egypt-China, Politics, 11/8/2002
• Larsen: Quartet committee to meet in December
  The UN ME peace coordinator Terry Rod Larsen announced yesterday that the Quartet committee which includes the US, the UN, Russia and the European Union will hold a meeting in December in Europe in order to discuss once again "the road map" in order to finding out a solution for the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 11/8/2002
• Lahoud, Moratinos discussed al-Wazzani issue; UN role is basic
  The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud yesterday received the EU-ME special peace envoy Miguel Moratinos. Lebanon-European Union, Politics, 11/8/2002
• Ardoghan: we will not take part in attacking Iraq
  The leader of the Justice and Development party in Turkey, Rajab Tayeb Ardogan, who enjoyed great success in the Turkish parliamentary elections last Sunday asserted Turkey's rejection to take part in any American military action against Iraq. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 11/8/2002
• Algerian government denies differences between Butaflika and the army; Algerian- US cooperation on terrorism
  The US under secretary of state for political affairs Mark Grossman on Wednesday in Algiers stressed, following talks he had held with the Algerian foreign minister Abdul Aziz Balkhadem that Washington supports the political and economic reforms carried out by the government of President Abdul Aziz Butaflika. Algeria-USA, Politics, 11/8/2002
• Four Iraqis wounded in US- British planes; Baghdad amnesty covered releasing 560 Arabs
  The Iraqi weekly al-Zawra' said yesterday that the general amnesty issued by the Iraqi President by the end of October covered the release of 560 Arab detainees from 12 Arab states, with six of them that were sentenced to death. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/8/2002
• Hamas confirms Cairo meeting with PA delegation
  In a statement, the Palestinian islamic resistance, Hamas, said that it was agreed to convene a meeting between the two delegations of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority during the few coming days in Egypt. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 11/8/2002
• Halevey: Toppling Arafat and Saddam within one year
  Former director of the Israeli intelligence ( Mossad ) Afraem Halevey has considered that the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein will be toppled within one year as from now. Regional-Israel, Politics, 11/8/2002
• Al-Shara confers with Yakhlaf Syria-Palestine, Politics, 11/8/2002
• Yemen: Persons killed in the explosion are from al-Qaida including an American Yemen, Politics, 11/8/2002
• Sahara issue settlement would be a major asset for integration in the region, US official
  Settling the Sahara issue would be a major asset for the Maghreb region, and would help it attract more foreign investments, US undersecretary of state of political affairs, Marc Grossman, said. Morocco-USA, Politics, 11/8/2002
• Qathafi, ruler of Qatar hold telephone talks Qatar-Libya, Politics, 11/7/2002
• USA assassinates Yemeni citizens without trial or jury
  Yemen, which is still under the shock of killing 6 members of al-Qaida organization on the ground of an attack said to be by the CIA, has urged its citizens who were driven to this organization ( al-Qaida) to give up violence, while some US press said that Yemen had before hand known about the attack and approved it. Yemen-USA, Politics, 11/7/2002
• Saudi, Lebanese ministers met on bilateral relations Saudi Arabia-Lebanon, Politics, 11/7/2002
• Chinese envoy starts in Egypt a tour on the region Egypt-China, Politics, 11/7/2002
• Somali factions meet in Kenya to draw a new constitution for the country
  Leaders of the Somali factions will be meeting in the Kenyan Aldourit city in order to draw a new federal constitution for the county which was torn by war. Somalia, Politics, 11/7/2002
• With political solution for sahara issue, referendum becomes obsolete, king Mohammed
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI stressed this Wednesday in a speech delivered on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the Green March that unanimous support rallied nationwide for regional democracy as a political solution to the Sahara issue has made obsolete the referendum formula, proposed under the initial UN settlement plan. Morocco, Politics, 11/7/2002
• Foreign ministers of the Arab follow up committee meet on Saturday in Cairo Regional, Politics, 11/7/2002
• Al-Assad discusses with Moratinos conditions in the region; consequences of war against Iraq
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad yesterday in Damascus received the EU ME special envoy Angel Moratinos. The foreign minister Farouk al-Shara attended the meeting. Syria-European Union, Politics, 11/7/2002
• Algerian FM meets with US under secretary of state Algeria-USA, Politics, 11/7/2002
• Al-Watan: Qatar looms to pullout of the AL
  The Saudi daily al-Watan said yesterday that Qatar loomed to withdraw from the Arab League in protest of what it described as Arab criticism made against Doha because of its stances concerning the file of Iraq or the "media issue," (a reference that refers to the criticism Qatar received because of its Al-Jazeera Satellite TV station). Qatar-Regional, Politics, 11/7/2002
• Turkish, Syrian observers at the Iraqi opposition meeting
  The Turkish daily "Daily News" yesterday quoted a source close to the Iraqi opposition groups that Syria, Turkey and Iran will send observers to the meeting of the Iraqi opposition which will be held in Brussels on November 22 in order to be acquainted with latest developments. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 11/7/2002
• Papal delegate to Jerusalem, Bethlehem
  Pope John Paul II yesterday renewed his call for maintaining peace in the world, and the Vatican announced sending a delegate to Jerusalem and Bethlehem carrying funds to help in challenging the displacement of the Palestinians who live in the holy lands. Palestine-Vatican, Politics, 11/7/2002
• Differences cordon preparations for the Iraqi opposition groups conference in Brussels
  Sources in the Iraqi opposition said that deep differences are surrounding preparations to convene a conference for the opposition conference due to be organized by Iraqi groups in Belgium later this meeting. Iraq, Politics, 11/7/2002
• Al-Qabas: Saddam Hussein revives 1991's offer from the Americans
  The Kuwaiti daily al-Qabas yesterday said, according to well-informed Iraqi sources that the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is seeking to revive an offer the US administration proposed to him in 1991, but his efforts are blocked by the unwillingness of the Bush administration to reconcile with his regime.. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/7/2002
• Al-Watan: Inter- Palestinian efforts to halt operations against Israel
  The Saudi daily al-Watan said yesterday that the interior minister at the Palestinian Authority Hani al-Hassan is making secret contacts with Arab and Islamic leaderships known for its relations with Hamas and the Islamic Jihad to convince them to halt the "suicide" operations against Israel. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/7/2002
• Hamas, Fatah to meet in Cairo next week
  A high ranking Palestinian official stated yesterday that meetings will be held between two delegation from the Fatah and Hamas movements in Cairo by the beginning of next week. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 11/7/2002
• Moroccans excluded from foreign seasonal workers in Spain
  Moroccans were excluded from the contingent off 32,000 foreign seasonal workers that Spain intends to recruit in 2002, according to statistics published in Madrid. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 11/7/2002
• Mubarak, al-Assad discuss the situation in the region Egypt-Syria, Politics, 11/6/2002
• Al-Shara, Kharazi discuss ME developments in a phone call Syria-Iran, Politics, 11/6/2002
• President Kumba Yala of Guinea Bissau visits morocco Morocco-Guinea-Bissau, Politics, 11/6/2002
• Al-Watan: Runways near the Kuwaiti military bases in northern areas Kuwait, Politics, 11/6/2002
• Ruler of Kuwait gets a message from Bush Kuwait-USA, Politics, 11/6/2002
• Iraqi- Iranian higher committee on trade, economic cooperation starts
  The chairman of the Iraqi side to the meeting Muhammad Mahdi Saleh said at the beginning of the talks that Iraq seeks to develop bilateral cooperation relations with Iran in all fields. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 11/6/2002
• Trial for two Kuwaitis for praising the killing of an American soldier
  The trial of two Islamists Kuwaitis started yesterday over that two men praised the killing of one US marine in Kuwait. Kuwait-USA, Politics, 11/6/2002
• Jordanian government warns trade unions from making the Jordanian street against the judiciary
  The Jordanian government has extended a strong warning for the vocational trade unions for the second time within ten days to that it will be obliged to resort, to issuing provisional laws for the trade unions, if the trade unions council will carry out its threats to provoke the Jordanian public because of the continued arrest of the chairman and members of the anti- normalization with Israel committee in Jordan. Jordan, Politics, 11/6/2002
• Khartoum permits Eritrean opposition to open offices in Sudan
  The Sudanese government has permitted Eritrea's opposition to open three offices in Khartoum and Port Sudan and Kasla in order to run political and media campaigns against the regime of Eritrea's President Asyas Afourki and the ruling People's Front in Eritrea. Sudan-Eritrea, Politics, 11/6/2002
• Jordan: Arresting of one Islamists claimed responsibility for assassinating Folley
  The Jordanian authorities arrested Naem Abu al-Louz after suspecting him of contacting the American embassy in Amman during which he claimed responsibility for killing the American diplomat Laurence Folley and threatened to launch more attacks. Jordan, Politics, 11/6/2002
• Mubarak approves the formation of the higher council for policies in the democratic national party
  Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has approved, in his capacity as the chairman of the Democratic National party, the formation of the higher council for policies in the party, chaired by his son Jamal Mubarak, member of the commission of the officce of the party's general secretariat. This is however the secretariat which was formed according to the new system initiated recently in September by the party's secretary congress. Egypt, Politics, 11/6/2002
• Russia, Gulf states commit to peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis
  Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states have called for settling the Iraqi crisis by political and diplomatic means. Gulf-Russia, Politics, 11/6/2002
• Ben Eliezer: peace with Palestinians is not possible without dismantling settlements
  The chairman of the Israeli Labor party Benyamin Ben Eliezer has admitted that a settlement with the Palestinians can not be materialized without eliminating the Israeli settlements erected in the occupied Palestinian areas. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/6/2002
• Yemen investigates in a car explosion carrying al-Qaida members
  Yemen said it is investigating the reason for the blowing up of a car which was carrying 6 persons presumed to have carried members of al-Qaida organization in Mareb province to the east of the country. Yemen, Politics, 11/6/2002
• Iraq shows openness to a new resolution, thanks Saudi Arabia for reject US use of its bases
  The Iraqi President Saddam Hussein yesterday announced that Baghdad " will consider " any resolution to be issued by the UN security council " that does not give a cover for the "bad American intentions" and " honors Iraq's sovereignty, security and independence." Iraq-Saudi Arabia-Austria, Politics, 11/5/2002
• Al-Shara gets a telephone call from Ivanov on Iraq Syria-Russia, Politics, 11/5/2002
• Morocco's fm visit to Brussels put off, European commission announces Morocco-European Union, Politics, 11/5/2002
• After meeting Qathafi, Butaflika: if quitting is a solution, we will all do so
  After meeting with Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi yesterday in Tripoli, the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika said he feels the "same regret Qathafi has towards the Arab League." He added "stemmed from Libya's decision to pull out from the Arab League, I have come to have consultations altogether. If quitting the AL is the solution, we will all quit." He stressed that his country will be an "ally for Libya in its stances and the measures it takes." Libya-Algeria, Politics, 11/5/2002
• Al-Sharq al-Awsat: Talibani seeks to maintain closeness to Syria
  The London- based al-Sharq al-Awsat daily said yesterday that the leader of the Iraqi Kurdistani national party Jalal al-Talibani is trying to be close to Damascus's regime following the protest he had received from Turkey and Iran. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 11/5/2002
• Hariri confers with Powell; political American support for Paris II
  The Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri has received an American support for the "Paris II" conference embodied in that the American side showing its readiness to take part in said conference but without giving any financial contribution. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 11/5/2002
• King Mohammed receives french defence minister Morocco-France, Politics, 11/5/2002
• Al-Raya: Saudi media war against al-Jazeera
  In its yesterday's issue the Qatari daily al- Raya accused Saudi Arabia of running a "hidden war" against the Qatari satellite al-Jazeera TV station. Saudi Arabia-Qatar, Politics, 11/5/2002
• Kuwait and al-Jazeera TV
  The first deputy prime minister in Kuwait and the foreign minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad described the al-Jazeera office in Kuwait as a "shop" and it was closed for security reasons especially in this critical phase the region is passing. Kuwait-Qatar, Politics, 11/5/2002
• Al-Rai al-Aam: Kuwaiti soldier tries to break into al-Doha camp
  The Kuwaiti security forces have foiled an attempt made by a Kuwaiti soldier who wanted to sneak into al-Doha camp where the American forces are stationed with the aim of attacking the American soldiers there. Kuwait-USA, Politics, 11/5/2002
• Washington apologizes over one US plane violation of the Syrian airspace
  The US yesterday apologized over one of its plane's violation of the Syrian airspace while flying over the so-called "no fly zone" in northern Iraq. Syria-USA, Politics, 11/5/2002
• Sudanese President confers with Eritrea's opposition delegation
  The Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on Sunday evening received the delegation representing the opposition Eritrea's national alliance currently visiting Sudan chaired by Abdullah Idris. Sudan-Eritrea, Politics, 11/5/2002
• Al- Hurriyah: Intelligence cells for Eritrea arrested in Sudan
  The advisor of the Sudanese President for political affairs Qutbi al-Mahdi has unveiled intensive acts of arrest in Sudan among Eritreans suspected to feed Eritrea with security reports especially in regard of the attacks on the Eastern front of Sudan. Sudan-Eritrea, Politics, 11/5/2002
• Kuwait's FM: US forces are in the bases; then how will they not use them?
  Kuwait's first deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah said yesterday that the US can use the military bases in his country in launching an attack against Iraq if the UN approved so, denying that Kuwait has recently installed military foundations on its northern borders. Kuwait-USA, Politics, 11/5/2002
• Amnesty International: Israel committed war crimes in Jenin, Nablus
  The Amnesty International has accused the Israeli army of committing war crimes during operations launched during the spring of this year in Nablus and Jenin to the north of the West bank. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/5/2002
• Iran denies to have had arrested any of Bin Laden's sons
  The legal and parliamentary assistant for the Iranian minister of the interior Mahmoud Meir Louhy has denied what was published by the British Financial Times on that Iran had arrested Osama bin Laden's son. Iran, Politics, 11/5/2002
• Washington calls on its citizens in the Middle East to be cautious
  The US yesterday renewed its call to its citizens in the Middle East who desire to head for the region to be cautious because of threats of terrorist acts. Regional-USA, Politics, 11/5/2002
• Russia tell the Arab League its rejection of a new UN resolution on attacking Iraq
  Russia on Saturday informed the Arab League (AL) officially its decision which rejects any decision to be released by the UN Security Council that would permit the use of force against Iraq, spontaneously. Iraq-Russia, Politics, 11/4/2002
• Sudan warns against war extension to west; dealing with Affourki's opposition is justified
  The Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismael has announced that his country's dealing with Eritrea's opposition is justified as far as Eritrea is deploying its soldiers along the Eastern borders. Sudan-Eritrea, Politics, 11/4/2002
• Talibani: The US will try 30 Iraqi officials as war criminals
  The leader of the Kurdistani National Federation party Jalal al-Talibani has announced that the US administration has prepared a list including the names of 30 Iraqi officials to try them as war criminals in the Hague. Iraq-Syria, Politics, 11/4/2002
• Sudan, Yemen, Ethiopia for toppling Eritrea's regime
  Well-informed press sources in Sudan have stated that the recent summit meeting in Sanaa held between the Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, the Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and the Ethiopian prime minister Malas Zenawi had resulted in an initial agreement to take all measures including military measures, if necessary, to topple the regime of Asyas Afourki in Eritrea. Sudan-Eritrea, Politics, 11/4/2002
• Sudanese consulate in Kenya
  President of Kenya Daniel Arap Moi has officially approved the opening of a Sudanese consulate in the Kenyan city of Lukshiko from which humanitarian aids for Southern Sudan are sent. Sudan-Kenya, Politics, 11/4/2002
• Al-Jazira: Saudi Arabia denies Ar'ar crossing to have resumed activities
  The director general of the customs department in Saudi Arabia Saleh al-Barrak has denied Jdedat Ar'ar crossing on the Saudi- Iraqi border has resumed its activities recently. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 11/4/2002
• On the Tigris and the Euphrates
  The Turkish daily Star said Saturday that the Arab states led by Syria and in support of Iraq has practiced a continuous pressure against Turkey and succeeded in embarrassing it repeatedly at the international level especially concerning the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 11/4/2002
• An emergency meeting for the Arab foreign ministers
  A source close to the Arab League (AL)has stated that the AL council will hold an emergency meeting at the level of the foreign ministers next Saturday which falls November 9th in Cairo to be dedicated to the Palestinian and Iraqi issue. The source said that the ministers will hold large scale consultations concerning the situation in the Arab states especially in Palestine and Iraq. Regional, Politics, 11/4/2002
• A draft constitution for the Kurdish parliament
  The Turkish Jihan news agency said on Saturday that the Kurdish Parliament on Friday started discussions on two draft bills for the Constitutions stating to found an Arab- Kurdish federal state in Iraq and that the city of Karkouk will be the capital for the district of Kurdistan. Iraq, Politics, 11/4/2002
• Kuwaiti hunting camps dismantled
  The Kuwaiti security authorities on Saturday dismantled scores of camps instaled in the northern border area with Iraq which are used for hunting purposes and prevented the access of civilians to it. This measure was taken in order to use these camps in the joint military exercises and maneuvers with American military units. Kuwait, Politics, 11/4/2002
• Kuwait denies protection of Americans before International Criminal Court
  An official Kuwaiti source has denied what was announced in New York on Saturday that Kuwait is preparing to sign an agreement with the USA on immunizing American citizens who are brought before the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Kuwait-USA, Politics, 11/4/2002
• Palestinan authority statement on deteriorated Palestinian conditions
  In an official statement yesterday, the Palestinian authority called on the international Quartet committee for accelerating its efforts to halt the grave deterioration and the "daily Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people and their lands." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/4/2002
• Al Assad reviews bilateral relations with al-Hariri Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 11/4/2002
• Haartez: Indian- Israeli agreement in space researches
  The Israeli daily Haartez said yesterday that Israel and India have signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of space researches. Israel-India, Politics, 11/4/2002
• Mofaz approved to be defense minister in Sharon's government
  The Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon announced that the former Israeli army chief of staff Shaoul Mofaz agreed to join his ministry as a defense minister. Israel, Politics, 11/4/2002

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