Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 12/2/2002

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of December 2, 2002

• Arab League asks Washington to clarify its position on Jerusalem, Palestinian resistance to occupation
  The Arab League (AL) has expressed its concern over the US voting on Tuesday against the UN Security Council resolution which regards the Israeli Government's decision to considering the city of Jerusalem as a capital for Israel as void, and called on Washington to clarify its position concerning the holy city. Regional-USA, Politics, 12/7/2002
• Morocco promises open media policy
  The Moroccan government has promised to communication and media professionals an open policy, marked by efficiency and heedful to citizens' expectations and concerns. Morocco, Politics, 12/7/2002
• Jordanian opposition calls for government's resignation
  The Jordanian national forum of political opposition figures and parties called for the evacuation of the government and called on the Jordanian King Abdullah II to appoint a "good government" for national reconciliation instead of the government of Ali Abul Ragheb. Jordan, Politics, 12/7/2002
• British officials welcome al-Assad's visit to Britain
  British officials have commended the key strategic role played by Syria in the Middle East and stressed the care of the British prime minister Tony Blair to continue dialogue with President Bashar al-Assad. Syria-UK, Politics, 12/7/2002
• On appointing Turkey al-Faisal as a Saudi ambassador to Britain
  Adel al-Jubeir, the political advisor for the Saudi crown prince, stated that Saudi Arabia intends to nominate the former chairman of the Saudi intelligence to be its ambassador to Britain. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 12/7/2002
• Iraqi opposition member confirms Baghdad had liquidated al-Mayahi
  An Iraq opposition member on Friday accused the Iraqi intelligence of killing another Iraqi opposition member who was found strangled in the Lebanese city of Tyre, south Lebanon. Lebanon-Iraq, Politics, 12/7/2002
• Mozambique wants stronger ties with Morocco
  President Chissano lauded the friendship and brotherhood ties binding Rabat and Maputo, and which date back to the era when Mozambique was struggling for independence. Morocco-Mozambique, Politics, 12/7/2002
• Rice says values of islam, democracy, human rights mutually reinforcing
  U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said Islam is a great faith that inspires people to lead lives based on honesty, justice and compassion and reinforces the values of democracy and human rights. Regional-USA, Politics, 12/7/2002
• Lebanese rejections for Sharon's allegations on sheltering al-Qaida members
  The Lebanese president explained that statements by the Israeli prime minister fall in the framework of using the current environment in order to divert the attention from the continued Israeli aggressions against the Palestinian people. He stressed Lebanon's ability to withstand the Israeli provocation. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 12/7/2002
• Kuwait arrests four Iraqis entered its territorial waters
  This incident, however, comes just two days following an incident between two boats, one for the Kuwaiti coasts guard and an Iraqi boat to the north of the Gulf. Kuwait then announced that the Iraqi boat opened fire on the two boats of the coasts guard, while Iraq had deliberately denied such an attack. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 12/7/2002
• US abstains from UN voting over Jerusalem Palestine-USA, Politics, 12/7/2002
• British ambassador calls for halting Israeli settlement Palestine-UK, Politics, 12/7/2002
• Palestinian resistance vow continued struggle Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/7/2002
• Extending Iraq's oil for food program for six months Iraq, Politics, 12/7/2002
• Algeria supports an emergency Arab summit
  Algeria has stressed it follows up with great concern the recent developments of the Arab arena and the current consultation to convene an extraordinary Arab summit. A statement by the Algerian foreign ministry issued on Wednesday stressed Algeria's support for the efforts aiming at unifying the ranks and defending the supreme interests of the Arab nation. Algeria-Regional, Politics, 12/6/2002
• Maan forum holds the government responsible
  The third Jordanian national forum in Maan held the Jordanian government responsible for the events which took place in the city and the fall of many victims. In a statement circulated on Wednesday in Amman in the meeting held for that purpose, the Forum called for a national reconciliation government that can represent all the Jordanians, according to the statement. Jordan, Politics, 12/6/2002
• Syrian defense minister visits military formations
  Under the directives of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Deputy Commander in Chief of the Army and Armed Forces, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, Moustafa Tlass, on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, visited a military formation in Lebanon. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/6/2002
• Exiled Iraqis discuss future of Iraq
  Exiled Iraqis, who met to plan for the form of life in Iraq following any war that will result in toppling President Saddam Hussein, said that the country might need every thing, including a new currency to mobile telephone networks. Iraq, Politics, 12/6/2002
• Al-Assad-Sezar hold telephone talks Syria-Turkey, Politics, 12/6/2002
• Qathafi gets a message from al-Bashir Sudan-Libya, Politics, 12/6/2002
• US Under-Secretary expected Monday in Morocco Morocco-USA, Politics, 12/6/2002
• Israel suspends its air flights to Cyprus Israel-Cyprus, Politics, 12/6/2002
• Over 100 countries participate in international forum on reinventing governments
  The Fourth Global Forum on Reinventing Government "will deliver a strong message in favor of good governance and partnerships for democracy and development," said Guido Bertucci, director of the UN Division for Public Economics and Public Administration Regional, Politics, 12/6/2002
• UN team inspects former chemical weapons facility in Iraq Iraq, Politics, 12/5/2002
• Al-Rai al-Aam: The new Kuwaiti vision for Iraq
  Kuwait's first deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has stressed that Kuwait's attitude to the current Iraqi regime will be changed if Iraq's behaviour will be changed and recognize, honestly, Kuwait's borders, sovereignty and security. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 12/5/2002
• Discussions at the Arab League on the Somali situation
  The secretary general of the Arab League Amr Moussa has discussed with Somalia's foreign minister and minister of finance Youssef Hassan Ibrahim and Hassan Mahmoud Sheikh, respectively, latest developments concerning the situation of the Somali area Somalia-Regional, Politics, 12/5/2002
• Powell welcomed declared Saudi measures on fighting terrorism
  US Secretary of State Colin Powell has welcomed measures announced by Saudi Arabia in the framework of fighting terrorism and considered that they constitute a new effort by Riyadh. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 12/5/2002
• Washington seeks Turkish official support over Iraq
  The Turkish daily Daily News yesterday quoted sources at the Turkish cabinet as saying that Washington had sought to get an official commitment from Turkey to collaborate with it, and that it has received this commitment partially during the visit of the US under defense secretary and the assistant for the secretary of state to Ankara, noting that the extent Turkey will proceed in such a cooperation will be made clear through the negotiations to be held between Turkey and the USA in the coming days. Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/5/2002
• Deputy secretary of defense characterization of his talks in Turkey regarding Iraq
  Q: We had an opportunity to have an exchange with the Foreign Minister yesterday. And he articulated Turkey's position as follows: He said fairly explicitly that Turkey would require a second UN Security Council Resolution before any military campaign could be launched from Turkish soil -- a position his political advisor in the party reiterated. Turkey-USA, Politics, 12/5/2002
• Clashes between Iraqi Kurds and Islamists
  Some 20 persons were killed or wounded from the fighters of the Kurdistani National Federation in armed clashes that took place yesterday morning against armed Islamists believed to have links to al-Qaida organization near Halabja city to the north of Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 12/5/2002
• American- British military maneuvers in Qatar
  A spokesman for the British embassy in Qatar said that some 800 British troops are taking part in the maneuvers of the American army that are coordinated with Qatar. Qatar-USA, Politics, 12/5/2002
• Bahraini ministry to fight corruption Bahrain, Politics, 12/5/2002
• Yemeni president pardons prisoners Yemen, Politics, 12/5/2002
• Israel: preparations for an Iraqi attack Iraq-Israel, Politics, 12/5/2002
• Morocco's justice minister calls for lifting exceptional nature of special court of justice
  The Moroccan Justice Minister on Tuesday stressed the need to reform the laws and procedures governing the Special Court of Justice, laws that he termed as "outdated." Morocco, Politics, 12/5/2002
• US renovates Iraqi embassy in Washington
  The US has been renovating the blocked headquarters of the Iraqi residence in Washington to repair its ceiling from which there is a water leak. Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/5/2002
• Saad Eddine Ibrahim released, waiting for a third trial
  The Egyptian- American human rights activist Saad Eddine Ibrahim yesterday received his 64th birthday anniversary gift which falls yesterday by his release according to a decision by the "Egyptian court of cassation," which accepted his appeal to the decision of sentencing him for 7 years and retrying him for the third time in less than two years. Egypt, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Algeria: Balhah will not be released before Eid al-Fiter
  Algerian government sources said yesterday that the second highest ranking man in the banned Islamic Salvation Front, Ali Balhah, will stay in prison until agreeing on a way to releasing him, denying news that Balhah had met with envoys for the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika to discuss the bases on which he will be released. Algeria, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Moroccan-French strategic partnership tops bilateral summit talks in rabat
  President Jacques Chirac of France on Monday paid a short visit to Morocco, during which he held tete-a-tete talks with King Mohammed VI in Casablanca. Morocco-France, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Al-Hayat: Plenary conference for the National Progressive Front in Syria
  The London- based al-Hayat daily in its yesterday's issue quoted well-informed Syrian sources as saying that a plenary meeting will be held for the parties of the National Progressive Front will be held in Syria on December 21 and 22 with the participation of 200 persons representing the parties fall under the banner of the front. Syria, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Al-Assad to visit Britain
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and wife are scheduled to pay a three-day official visit to Britain in mid of current month. The visit will be made at the invitation extended by British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Syria-UK, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Al-Shara holds consultations with Hammoud, Moussa on Arab conditions, inspection operations in Iraq
  Syria's foreign minister Farouk al-Shara yesterday received a telephone call from his Lebanese peer Mahmoud Hammoud during which they exchanged views and consultations on latest developments in the region and inter- Arab conditions. Syria-Regional, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Syrian- Italian economic relations relations
  Prime Minister Mohamad Mustafa Mero received today vice president of the Italian parliament Mr.Clemente Mustella and an accompanying delegation. Syria-Italy, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Bush appoints a new ambassador to the Iraqi opposition
  A statement by the White House on Monday said that the US President George Bush appointed Zalmai Khalil Zaad as an ambassador for the Iraqi opposition. Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Al-Watan: Saudi Arabia, the US are about to settle princess issue
  The Kuwaiti daily al-Watan said yesterday according to diplomatic sources that Riyadh and Washington are about to eliminate the "crisis of princess Haifa" through reaching a political agreement that will clearly specify steps to which the two sides are committed. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Chinese delegation visits Quneitra
  The visiting Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister, Yang Win Chang and the accompanying delegation on Tuesday visited the liberated city of Quneitra (60 Kms southwest Damascus). Syria-China, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Al-Sharq: American conditions to the Palestinian authority to settle the Arab- Israeli conflict
  The Lebanese daily al-Sharq issued on December 2nd the text of an American message which had reached the Palestinian authority and includes American conditions to settle the Arab- Israeli conflict. Palestine-USA, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Iraqi boat opened fire at two coast guarding Kuwaiti boats
  A security source at the Kuwaiti ministry of the interior said that one Iraqi boat opened fire yesterday near Warba island at two boats for the Kuwaiti coasts police. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Khaddam confers with Italian Senate delegation Syria-Italy, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Information minister confers with a Russian delegation Syria-Russia, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Al-Wahda: Americans leaving Jordan Jordan-USA, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Pray to internal feuds, polisario wants to hold secret congress Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Ethiopia: some 41 persons killed in a camp for Sudanese refugees Sudan-Ethiopia, Politics, 12/4/2002
• Algeria might release Ali Balhah before Eid al-Fiter
  The Islamic Salvation Front announced on Sunday that the Algerian government is considering the release of the deputy chairman of the front, Ali Balhah, from prison where he had been since 1992. Algeria, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Amnesty calls for the release of Saad Eddine Ibrahim; Egypt releases scores of Muslim brothers activists
  An Egyptian judicial source said yesterday that the attorney general on Sunday ordered the release of scores of the activists of the banned Ikhwan al-Muslimin (Muslim Brothers) groups after they were jailed for several periods of time. Egypt, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Al-Assad confers with Chinese envoy
  Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad yesterday received a letter from the Chinese President Jiang Zemin. The letter was handed to President al-Assad by the Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister, Yang Win Chang, during his meeting with al-Assad in the presence of Foreign Minister Farouk Al-Shara and the Chinese Ambassador in Damascus. Syria-China, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Arab-Turkish relations to further develop under AK government Regional-Turkey, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Muasher and the meeting of the Arab follow up committee
  Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marwan Muasher has denied that he had withdrawn from the meeting of the Arab follow up committee held at the level of the foreign ministers in Damascus on November 20 and 21st. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Khartoum welcomes American support to the negotiations
  Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismael yesterday welcomed the American efforts made to arrange for the talks in Washington between the government and the rebels of John Garang, while Khartoum had criticized the announcement made by the rebels to demonstrate the new Sudanese currency "Pound" which is linked to the US dollar to be used in the areas that fall under its control in the south, despite the continuous peace process in Mashakos. Sudan-USA, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Al-Mustaqbal: Al-Qurabi warns against Israel's attempts to control the Red Sea
  The Yemeni foreign minister Abu Baker al-Qurabi has warned against the Israeli attempt to control the Red Sea. Attempts which might lead to instability in the region and will negatively affect the trade navigation in this sea. Yemen-Israel, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Talibani in Kuwait, Moussa received al-Barazani representative
  Kuwai'ts minister of foreign affairs Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah met with the leader of the Kurdistani National Federation Jalal al-Talibani in the presence of the minister of state for foreign Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled al-Sabah. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Al-Rai al-Aam: On the Iraqi opposition conference
  The Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Aam has stressed quoting opposition Iraqi sources that the number of participants in the Iraqi opposition conference in London on the 10th of this month will exceed 300 persons. The paper said that this conference resembles the "well-known Berlin conference which was held by the Afghani groups before the collapse of the Taliban movement." Iraq, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Maher talks with Katz tackle situation in Palestinian areas
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said he had talks Sunday with Israeli Knesset member Yossi Katz on the policies of the new leader of the Israeli Labour Party Amram Mitana, adding Katz conveyed a message from Mitzna to President Hosni Mubarak, in which he commended the President's peace efforts. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Al-Quds al-Arabi: Britain and the new Saudi ambassador
  The London- based al-Quds al-Arabi daily said that Britain is hesitant in accepting Prince Turkey al-Faisal as an ambassador for Saudi Arabia in London in succession for the former ambassador Ghazi al-Queseibi, after Prince Turkey was summoned by an American court over helping to financing the Taliban regime in Afghanistan when that regime was giving shelter and protection for al-Qaida organization which is led by Osama Bin laden. Saudi Arabia-UK, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Arab League puts forward list of Arab candidates for inspection team in iraq
  Secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, has asked director of the Arab atomic energy agency, Mahmood Nasressdine, to propose a list of Arab experts to integrate into the United Nations inspection team in Iraq. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Algeria sends gas assistance to Morocco Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Al-Anbaa: Egyptian- Israeli nuclear reactor
  The Kuwaiti daily al-Anbaa has disclosed intensive Egyptian- Israeli diplomatic contacts concerning what was announced by the Israeli infrastructure minister Effie Eitam on installing a new nuclear reactor in Shabta area in the Negev desert, which is 10 kilometers from the borders with Egypt. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/3/2002
• King Mohammed thanks president Bouteflika for Algeria's solidarity with flood-hit Morocco Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 12/3/2002
• AL chief to visit Russia Regional-Russia, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Jordan: no intention to change the ministry of information Jordan, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Palestinian official against attacking Israeli civilians Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Indonesia to evacuate its citizens from Iraq, neighboring states Iraq-Indonesia, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Katz visited Israeli spy Azzam Azzam Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Illegal immigration fight tops EU-Morocco talks
  Means to fight illegal immigration topped a meeting, held in Brussels on Friday, between European Union officials and Moroccan counterparts, who insisted on a global and balanced approach, based on shared responsibility. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 12/3/2002
• Al- Shara holds talks with al-Faisal on developments, the date for the Arab consultation meeting Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/2/2002
• Romania for boosting relations with Syria Syria-Romania, Politics, 12/2/2002
• Saudi Arabia apologizes for not receiving the Qatari foreign minister
  Arab diplomatic sources in Riyadh said that Saudi Arabia apologized for not receiving the Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani, while the Qatari minister of state for foreign affairs Ahmad Bin Abdullah al- Mahmoud is currently visiting the Kingdom with the aim to "cool down the atmospheres." Saudi Arabia-Qatar, Politics, 12/2/2002
• Al-Shara to the UN: Syria committed to helping the Palestinian cause
  Syria has affirmed her continuation in defense of the cause of the Palestinian People and their rights and appealed to the Security Council and the international community to pay attention to the "Israeli danger and practices in the occupied territories, in flagrant defiance to the resolutions of the UN and the international charters." Syria-Regional, Politics, 12/2/2002
• Mubarak calls on Israel to resume negotiations; An envoy for Mistnag meets with Maher
  Kats told journalists in conclusion of his meeting with Maher that the "aim of the visit is to convey a message from the chairman of the Israeli Labor party American Mitsang to the Egyptian President," Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/2/2002
• Algeria uses Sahara to settle scores with Morocco (international official)
  "While Morocco makes the door wide open (for human rights organizations), I can't see any reason for Algeria to refuse to do the same," said Madelin. "Algeria must open the doors of its jails, as Morocco already did," he insisted. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 12/2/2002
• American embassies get more logistic support
  The American embassies in each of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Yemen, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Israel, all in the Middle East received logistic support during the past 30 days that exceeds the continued support they had received following the incidents of September 11, 2001. Regional-USA, Politics, 12/2/2002
• Al-Sharq al-Awsat: Talibani: Iraq's Kurds are USA's partners against Iraqi regime
  The secretary general of the Kurdistani National Federation, Jalal al-Talibani, has stressed that the parliament of Kurdistan has approved the principle that the Kurds of Iraq, are the partners of the USA in the struggle against the Iraqi regime and for an independent and democratic Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/2/2002
• US seeks alternatives for Iraqi opposition, conference focus on Iraq's provisional administration
  The Iraqi opposition members have intensified their attempts aiming at unifying their ranks while they will convene their postponed meeting in London on November 13 through 15 in an attempt to reach agreement on the future of Iraq after Saddam Hussein. Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/2/2002
• Al-Hayat: Al-Yasiri and the coupe against Saddam Hussein
  The spokesman for the Iraqi military opposition council Maj. Gen. Tawfiq al-Yasiri has stated that the option of a coupe is the best outlet for the Americans and for the Iraqis. Iraq, Politics, 12/2/2002
• Mossad and Saudi Arabia
  In its yesterday issue, the British daily Sunday Times said that the Israeli Mossad department woke up the "sleeping cells" of its agents working in Saudi Arabia and Yemen in order to chase those responsible for the attacks that took place in Kenya recently against Israelis. Saudi Arabia-Israel, Politics, 12/2/2002
• Egypt: the American ambassador exposed to a vague incident
  A spokesman for the American embassy in Cairo said yesterday that the American ambassador to Egypt, David Welsh, was on Saturday exposed to an unspecified incident while he was in his car, under the protection of the Egyptian police. Egypt-USA, Politics, 12/2/2002
• Decree on ratifying agreement with UAE Syria-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 12/2/2002

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