Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 12/30/2002
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of December 30, 2002
- Algerian-Moroccan problems continue to hinder holding Maghreb summit
Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, said in Algiers Saturday that the date of a Maghreban summit will be set by the five states' heads of state. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 1/4/2003 - U.S.A. Churches delegation concludes visit to Iraq; American threats illegal and unchristian
The WCC deplores the fact that the most powerful nations of this world continue to regard war as an acceptable instrument of foreign policy, in violation of both the United Nations Charter and Christian teachings. Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/4/2003 - Saudi opposition: Hunger strike by detained Islamists
Sources of the Saudi Arabian opposition abroad said that more than 40 persons suspected to having links with al-Qaida organization started since one week a food strike in al-Rweis prison in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/4/2003 - Demonstration in Bahrain, Pakistan in soliderity with Iraq
the demonstrators chanted slogans and raised banners denouncing the American policy and expressed their rejection to the presence of the American forces in the Gulf region. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 1/4/2003 - Threatened humanitarian and charity societies prepares for first conference
The preparatory statement of the conference reads "September 11 for the humanitarian societies in the North was just a date, but as for southern societies, especially the Islamic ones it was a catastrophe by all means. The matter has changed from just mere harassment into unprecedented actual war by the US administration against all societies of Islamic traits." Regional, Politics, 1/4/2003 - Yemeni president renews rejection to striking Iraq
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has renewed his rejection to a military attack against Iraq and interfering in its internal affairs. He stressed that there are no justifications to direct such an attack after Baghdad has responded to international resolutions and received the UN inspectors. Yemen-Iraq, Politics, 1/4/2003 - Hariri, Hammoud discuss with Qaddoumi developments; Lebanon committed to support the Palestinians
The Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri discussed with the chairman of the PLO political department the development of conditions on the Palestinian arena as well as the American military build up in the Gulf region. Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 1/4/2003 - Sudanese rebels attack government army
The Sudanese army has announced that the rebel forces attacked a position for workers in the al-Leir-Nanito road last Tuesday and killed three workers and wounded several army soldiers who were guarding the machinery working in construction of the road. Sudan, Politics, 1/4/2003 - Morocco's fm sees any contact with Spain as positive step
The Moroccan official further said in connection to the Moroccan Sahara issue that he sensed during his recent visit to Madrid "willingness on the part of our Spanish interlocutors to understand the Moroccan stand, bearing in mind that Spain will become (starting this month) a member in the Security Council and will have to address this issue." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/4/2003 - Maher meets US Senator on bilateral in relations, Iraqi issue
Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher conferred late on Friday with visiting US Senator Arlen Specter on furthering bilateral relations, the situation in the Middle East and the Iraqi issue. Egypt-USA, Politics, 1/4/2003 - Britain to inform its ambassadors about the Iraqi crisis
Most of British ambassadors working outside estimated at 200 were summoned to London to take part on January 6 and 7th in a conference dealing with the Iraqi crisis. Iraq-UK, Politics, 1/4/2003 - Turkish prime minister in Damascus to discuss bilateral relations, ME developments Syria-Turkey, Politics, 1/4/2003
- Cairo, Khartoum agree to revive integration projects Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 1/4/2003
- Milliyet: Turkey for a Swiss system in Iraq Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 1/4/2003
- Yemeni government orders military men to shave their beards Yemen, Politics, 1/4/2003
- Crocker visited Israel Israel-USA, Politics, 1/4/2003
- US Department Of State official to visit Morocco Morocco-USA, Politics, 1/4/2003
- Washington rejects implicitly Lebanon's contact with Canada over Hizbullah Lebanon-USA, Politics, 1/4/2003
- Moroccan government says no delay in communal elections
the electoral system will differ from one commune to another according to its demographic density: the proportional list voting system will be adopted for communes where the population exceeds 25,000 inhabitants and the uni-nominal voting system with the proportional majority will be used for communes whose population is less than 25,000 inhabitants Morocco, Politics, 1/3/2003 - Arab Maghreb federation discusses convening a summit
Diplomatic sources in Algeria said that the long-waited summit of the leaders of the Arab Maghreb federation is on the front list of the work agenda of the meeting of the foreign ministers of the federation's five member states meeting today in Algiers. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 1/3/2003 - 14 members of the Muslim brothers leaders arrested in Egypt Egypt, Politics, 1/3/2003
- Moroccan NGO sees continuation of Intifada as unique alternative to face Zionist arrogance
The association further conveys an urgent appeal issued on December 19th to the Moroccan people "from Palestinian widows, orphans, sick people, students and the unemployed who suffer from poverty and exclusion and are in need of assistance." Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 1/3/2003 - Ghoule starts in Syria an Arab tour; Turkish trade delegation to Iraq
The Turkish prime minister Abdullah Ghoule will head for Damascus tomorrow marking the beginning of an Arab tour which is his first since he assumed the Presidency of the Turkish government two months ago. The tour will also cover Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Regional-Turkey, Politics, 1/3/2003 - Qaddoumi meets Palestinian officials in Damascus
The chairman of the PLO political department Farouk al-Qaddoumi yesterday in Damascus discussed with representatives for Palestinian organizations "the difficult situation in the Palestinian territories." Syria-Palestine, Politics, 1/3/2003 - Sudanese peace talks to be resumed in Kenya this month
The Sudanese rebels announced that the peace talks with the government will be resumed in the mid of this month in Kenya, in an attempt to reach a final solution for the civil war which has been taking place in the country since 19 years. Sudan, Politics, 1/3/2003 - Moussa, Arab states deliberate rejection to striking Iraq
The secretary general of the Arab League (AL) Amr Moussa has renewed the deliberate rejection of the Arab League and the Arab states for any military act against Iraq. He called for reaching a peaceful solution for the Iraqi issue in the context of the international law and the UN security council resolution no 1441, and in light of Iraq's complete cooperation with the UN inspection teams. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 1/3/2003 - Mubarak, Blair discuss in Sharm esh Sheikh the Iraqi crisis, the peace process
The British prime minister Tony Blair held unofficial talks with President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt in Sharm Esh Sheikh resort which overlooks the Red Sea that dealt with the Iraqi crisis and the Middle East peace process. Regional-UK, Politics, 1/3/2003 - British politicians and Iraq
Lord Helly has urged the British prime minister against the catastrophic consequences of attacking Iraq and called for avoiding the mistake committed by Former British Prime minister Sir Anthony Eden when he took part in the tripartite aggression against Egypt in 1956. Iraq-UK, Politics, 1/3/2003 - Arabs have the right to demand Israel join the NPT, expert
He spoke of the US use of the veto at the UN security council when resolutions relate to Israel and its nuclear establishments and activities, stressing the right of the Arab states to demanding the making of the Middle East region free from all mass destruction weapons. Israel-Regional, Politics, 1/3/2003 - Turkey for a peaceful solution to the Iraqi issue Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 1/3/2003
- Blair visited Jordan for two hours Jordan-UK, Politics, 1/3/2003
- Some 900,000 Moroccans turned back at Melilia's checkpoint in 2002 Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/3/2003
- Egyptian parliament rejects attacking Iraq
The Arab affairs committee at the Egyptian parliament has stressed categorical rejection for any aggression against Iraq, warning that any military attack against Iraq will not only affect the Iraqi people, rather, its negative consequences will target the Middle east region as a whole. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 1/2/2003 - Sudanese rebels accuse government of violating truce; Bashir promises a just peace
Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has promised working for maintaining a peace agreement with the southern rebels movement. This agreement guarantees vast participation in decision making and sharing the authority. Sudan, Politics, 1/2/2003 - Mubarak calls for settling the Iraqi issue according to UN resolutions
President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has renewed his country's total rejection to any military act against Iraq or undermining its unity and territorial integrity. He warned that any attack against Iraq will inflect losses on the region as a whole. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 1/2/2003 - One Iraqi killed, two wounded in American, British bombardment of southern Iraq
An Iraqi military spokesman said that one Iraqi citizen was killed and two others wounded in American and British planes bombardment yesterday of civilian and service institutions near al-Basra in south Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/2/2003 - UN weapons inspectors continue probe in Iraq
Pressing forward with their non-stop series of surprise inspections since arriving in Iraq late last year, United Nations arms experts today probed sites suspected of involvement in the country's weapons programme. Iraq-UN, Politics, 1/2/2003 - Iraqi professionals discuss the future of local government and oil
The US said: two working groups, one dealing with local government, the other with the oil and gas industry, of the Future of Iraq Project met for the first time in Washington in late December under the auspices of the State Department. Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/2/2003 - Yemeni president intensify efforts chasing the killers; FBI team part of the investigations
The Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has called on the security forces to intensify efforts in chasing what he had described as terrorists and those who violate security and to bring them into justice. Yemen, Politics, 1/2/2003 - Lebanon warns against the Israeli schemes
The commander of the Lebanese army Lt. Gen. Michael Suleiman has warned against Israel's exploitation of regional developments in order to launch an aggression against Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 1/2/2003 - U.S. efforts to convince Turkey regarding Iraq
The United States gave vague answers about the status of Turkey's position regarding Iraq as the US held talks to provide financial assistance to Turkey. Turkey-USA, Politics, 1/2/2003 - The Pope expresses concern over ME conditions
Pope John Paul II yesterday expressed his concern over the tense conditions in the Middle East. He called for work in order to establish peace. Palestine-Vatican, Politics, 1/2/2003 - Israel bans Azmi Beshara from taking part in next Israeli Knesset elections
The central elections committee in Israel decided to prevent the election list of the Democratic National Coalition and its chairman, Azmi Beshara, from taking part in the next elections of the Knesset. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/2/2003 - Israeli settlement with the Palestinians over releasing held money
Well-informed Israeli sources said that the Israeli government has reached a final settlement with the Palestinians concerning money held by Israel for the Palestinian authority. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/2/2003 - King of Bahrain concludes visits to UAE United Arab Emirates-Bahrain, Politics, 1/2/2003
- Rally in support of Iraq sweep into istanbul streets Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 1/2/2003
- Al-Rai al-Aam: Kuwaiti FM hopes military confrontation not to take place between the US, Iraq Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 1/2/2003
- Al-Ahram: Mubarak calls on Saddam not to provoke people against their governments Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 1/2/2003
- Arab League denies mediation over Iraq Regional-Iraq, Politics, 1/2/2003
- Iraq invites top UN inspector for talks
As inspections continued on the ground in Iraq, the United Nations Tuesday confirmed that Baghdad has invited the chief UN arms expert for further discussions on the international probe into the country's weapons program. Iraq, Politics, 1/1/2003 - Yemen: Questioning killers of American doctor; government accuses opposition of collaborating with al-Qaida
The Yemeni government has warned certain political parties and forces and social figures of their continued provided support for the "wanted terrorist elements" over committing destruction and terrorist acts targeted against national interests and citizens of foreign states. Yemen, Politics, 1/1/2003 - Syria's vice president, deputy premier confer with al-Qaddoumi
Syria's Vice President Abdul-Halim Khaddam received yesterday PLO Political Department Chief Farouk Qaddoumi. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 1/1/2003 - Moroccan NGOs to stage protest march against military strike in iraq
Soufiani reiterated his call for the boycott of American and British products Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 1/1/2003 - Sudanese president receives Syrian party official
Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir received in Khartoum yesterday Secretary General Assistant of Al Baath Socialist Party, Abdullah Al- Ahmar, and an accompanying delegation. Sudan-Syria, Politics, 1/1/2003 - Egypt gives priority to relations with Sudan
Egypt is closely following up the developments in Sudan and supports efforts to achieve peace and stability for the Sudanese people in a united Sudan, where all citizens enjoy equal rights, Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher told a gathering Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 1/1/2003 - Moussa: the Israeli peace camp has started to move
The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Maher said yesterday that "the peace camp in Israel has started to move." Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 1/1/2003 - Daily News: Ankara, Washington and the Kurds establish joint committee
The leader of the Kurdistani National Federation has unveiled that Turkish officials agreed to found a joint committee with the Iraqi Kurds and the USA to coordinate policies in case a Gulf war erupts in the region. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 1/1/2003 - Al- Assad meets with Lebanese prime minister Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 1/1/2003
- US started evacuating its citizens from Jableh, Yemen
The US started yesterday evacuation of its citizens from Jableh, 170 Km to the south of Sanaa which witnessed last Monday the assassination of three American doctors, according to the American embassy in Sanaa. Yemen-USA, Politics, 1/1/2003 - Pakistan's prime minister arrives in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia-Pakistan, Politics, 1/1/2003
- Morocco attends Maghreban foreign ministers meeting Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 1/1/2003
- UN chief: No justification for war against Iraq Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/1/2003
- Non- official discussions in Washington were positive, Sudan Sudan-USA, Politics, 1/1/2003
- Saudi deputy defense minister confers with US delegation Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 1/1/2003
- Governor of Amman warns trade unions Jordan, Politics, 1/1/2003
- Sharon praises Putin over fighting Islamic terrorism Israel-Russia, Politics, 1/1/2003
- Eritreans in Sudan to lose refugee status
With the end of refugee status for more than 320,000 Eritreans in Sudan, thousands of people are coming forward seeking continued protection while others are asking to be taken home or applying to remain as immigrants, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has reported. Sudan-Eritrea, Politics, 1/1/2003 - Riyadh denies any obligations to the American forces in fighting Iraq; security council tightens sanctions on Iraq
The UN security council yesterday tightened humanitarian sanctions imposed on Iraq when it approved with a majority of 13 votes and the abstention of Syria and Russia from voting, adding new items to the list of banned commodities for Iraq that require approval by the UN sanctions committee for their import. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 12/31/2002 - Al- Qaddoumi in Damascus
The chairman of the PLO political department Farouk al-Qaddoumi arrived yesterday in Damascus in a visit which lasts for three days in order to hold consultations with the Syrian officials. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 12/31/2002 - Aznar: Relations with Morocco are a priority for Spain
Spanish Premier, Jose Maria Aznar, on Sunday said Spain sees relations with Morocco as a "priority," voicing hope that Madrid and Rabat will develop "stable" ties marked by "deep friendship." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/31/2002 - Maher: Intifada, not on agenda of Palestinian factions
Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher said Monday that halting the Palestinian Intifada was not on the agenda of the meeting of the Palestinian factions in Cairo. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 12/31/2002 - Plenary meeting for Palestinian groups in Cairo next Sunday
Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Maher stressed that talks between the Palestinian groups sponsored by Cairo, which will resume next Sunday do not aim at halting the Intifada, rather continuing resistance in a different manner. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 12/31/2002 - Assahraa Al Maghribia: Morocco rules out fishing accord with EU for the time being
Morocco's fisheries minister, Mohamed Tayeb Rhafes, said "a new fishing accord with the European Union is not projected for the time being." Morocco-European Union, Politics, 12/31/2002 - Continued Turkish military up in northern Iraq
The Turkish daily Hurriyet said yesterday that the Turkish military build up has continued its flow into north Iraq through al-Khabour border Gate and that 100 military armored vehicles crossed the Gate on Saturday in addition to various types of weapons and military units in preparations for a military operation against Iraq. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 12/31/2002 - Iran, Russia will not offer Saddam Hussein asylum
Both Iran and Russia yesterday denied news rumored recently by the mass media on the possibility of offering the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein the right of asylum to one of the two countries in order to spare an American war against Iraq. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 12/31/2002 - The Times: Saudi Arabia allows Washington use its air bases in war against Iraq
The British daily The Times said yesterday that Saudi Arabia has agreed to allow Washington to use its air base if the US starts a war against Iraq. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 12/31/2002 - Association of human rights victims of polisario meets international hr federation
The association of victims of human rights breaches perpetrated by the Algeria-backed secessionist Polisario met in Paris last Friday secretary general of the international human rights federation, Driss El Yazami. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 12/31/2002 - Israeli daily and Qatar's alliances
The correspondent of the Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot in Qatar, Orali Kats, has stated that Qatar "keeps on dancing in all weddings." She explained that Qatar keeps its relations with Israel and maintains a dialogue with the US and Europe and on the other hand keeps liaison with the Arab states and lashes continuously from the channel of the Islamic organizations. Qatar-Israel, Politics, 12/31/2002 - Qathafi gets message from Bashir Libya-Sudan, Politics, 12/31/2002
- Al-Shara gets a telephone call from Sudanese counterpart Syria-Sudan, Politics, 12/31/2002
- Pan-Islamic body awards distinction to Mauritanian president Mauritania-Regional, Politics, 12/31/2002
- Al-Assad in Algeria; Common stances Algeria-Syria, Politics, 12/30/2002
- Sudan closes several papers
A statement by the internal security said that the Sudanese authorities ordered the closure of the Sudanese independent daily al-Watan and the "African horn company" which issues it. Sudan, Politics, 12/30/2002 - Egypt, Gulf states states to start economic negotiations
The Egyptian daily Akhbar al-Youm said Saturday that negotiations will start in Riyadh on January 14, 2003 between Egypt and the Gulf member states (GCC) on a collective draft agreement on economic integration. Egypt-Gulf, Politics, 12/30/2002 - New York Times: Saudi Arabia will permit US to use its airspace to attack Iraq
The paper indicated that the Saudis have permitted in secret since two months American planes stationed in Saudi Arabia to strike goals in southern Iraq, while such missions used to be launched earlier from Kuwait. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 12/30/2002 - Saudi - Sri Lanka's parliamentary talks
The chairman of the Saudi Shoura council Saleh Bin Abdullah Bin Hamid yesterday in Riyadh met with the speaker of Sri Lanka's parliament Joseph Bereira and members of the accompanying delegation. Saudi Arabia-Sri Lanka, Politics, 12/30/2002 - Jordanian parliamentary elections by the beginning of January
High ranking Jordanian political sources stressed that the Jordanian king Abdullah II will order the government in the first half of January to make the general parliamentary elections next spring. The elections which have been postponed more than one time and provoked internal and external problems. Jordan, Politics, 12/30/2002 - Sudanese president threatens force if negotiations with rebels fail
The Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has stressed he seeks to achieve an "honorable," peace but he warned he will work to end the civil war in the country by means of force if the talks fail. Sudan, Politics, 12/30/2002 - On the meeting between Taha, Garang
The Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismael has stressed that there are no prior arrangements between the Sudanese government and the rebels to convene a meeting between the first deputy for the Sudanese President, Ali Othman Muhammad Taha, and John Garang, the leader of the rebels. Sudan, Politics, 12/30/2002 - Saudi FM arrives in Khartoum Saudi Arabia-Sudan, Politics, 12/30/2002
- Yemeni official assassinated Yemen, Politics, 12/30/2002