Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 1/20/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of January 20, 2003
- Mubarak visits three Gulf states today Egypt-Gulf, Politics, 1/25/2003
- Mubarak receives phone contact from Qathafi Egypt-Libya, Politics, 1/25/2003
- Istanbul meeting for peaceful solution to Iraqi crisis
The Foreign Ministers of Syria, Turkey, Iran, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have expressed support to the unity and sovereignty of the Iraqi territories, and to the finding of a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis whereby the destructive consequences of the war would be averted. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 1/25/2003 - Moroccan ngo to stage solidarity demos with Iraq Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 1/25/2003
- Mubarak: real and serious Arab unification starts with an Arab common market Egypt-Regional, Politics, 1/25/2003
- La Verite: Algerian fm to visit Morocco shortly
Algerian Foreign Minister, Abdelaziz Belkhadem, will visit Morocco shortly, Moroccan Prime minister, Driss Jettou announced on Friday. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 1/25/2003 - Syria- Algeria for boosting economic relations Algeria-Syria, Politics, 1/25/2003
- Al-Shara, Fischer: UN is the only forum for Iraqi issue
Syria's Foreign Minister, Farouk al-Shara, received at his residence in Istanbul yesterday the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joschka Fischer. Syria-Germany, Politics, 1/25/2003 - Washington welcomes resumption of Sudanese peace talks in Nairobi
The US has welcomed the resumption of peace talks in Sudan. However, the spokesman for the US Department of State Richard Boucher expressed Washington's concern over what he called the violations of the government forces to the cease fire declared since four months Sudan-USA, Politics, 1/25/2003 - Arab efforts to reconcile Sudanese coalition and the government
There are signals that a meeting will be held between the Sudanese government and its opposition in exile under the supervision of the Arab League (AL). Sudan-Regional, Politics, 1/25/2003 - Moroccan-Spanish ties called to return to normal
Economic ties are the basis on which Moroccan-Spanish relations should be built, Jettou said at a meeting in Rabat with Moroccan and Spanish economic operators. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/25/2003 - Morocco says it wants to preserve its security while respecting legality
Moroccan Prime Minister, Driss Jettou, on Friday said Morocco is keen to be endowed with legal means to preserve its security, noting that "present laws do not protect the country against drifts." Morocco, Politics, 1/25/2003 - Washington warns against attacks by Islamist cells in Kuwait
there are many Osama bin Laden sympathizers in the Arab states, because they despise US policy towards the region, and see in Osama bin Laden a hero for standing up to the USA. Some polls last year showed some 95 percent in Saudi Arabia support Bin Laden, while 74 percent in Kuwait view Bin Laden as a hero. Kuwait-USA, Politics, 1/25/2003 - US to reduce number of embassy staff in Kuwait
An American official said in Washington on Thursday that the US Department of State is discussing the possibility of reducing the number of the American embassy staff in Kuwait and to recommend that US citizens leave Kuwait because of the risks of the occurrence of new attacks. Kuwait-USA, Politics, 1/25/2003 - Security Council members agree to extend mandate of UN mission in Sahara
Members recalled the need to release without further delay all remaining prisoners of war in compliance with international humanitarian law and urged full compliance, as established under a Council resolution, Ambassador de La Sabliere said. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 1/25/2003 - First Palestinian dialogue since 20 years opens in Cairo under Egyptian patronage
Representatives of 12 Palestinian factions opened yesterday their dialogue for the first time since 20 years. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 1/25/2003 - US plans to secure Iraqi oil fields Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/25/2003
- Human Rights Watch in Riyadh: Saudi Arabia studies vast reforms
Human Rights Watch organization said yesterday that Saudi Arabia is studying seriously ways of implementing vast political and social reforms in an attempt for adaptation and to overcome the implications of US September 11 attacks, which provoked strong American accusations against Riyadh, holding it morally responsible for these attacks. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/24/2003 - Shara and Yakis: We reject war against Iraq
Syria's Foreign Minister, Farouk al-Shara, received at his residence in Istanbul yesterday his Turkish counterpart, Yasar Yakis. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 1/24/2003 - Bin Ali calls for political settlement to the Iraqi question Tunisia-Iraq, Politics, 1/24/2003
- ABC: Saadi refuses to defect from Iraq Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/24/2003
- Gul meets Arab FMs in Istanbul's ministerial committee
Turkish Prime Minister, Abdullah Gul, received in Istanbul yesterday the foreign ministers participating at the ministerial meeting of Istanbul. Turkey-Regional, Politics, 1/24/2003 - King of Bahrain discusses Iraq and Palestine with Burns
The King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, on Wednesday held talks with the US envoy to the Middle East William Burns on Iraq and the Middle East question before a forthcoming visit the king will hold to Washington. Bahrain-USA, Politics, 1/24/2003 - Palestinian dialogue in Cairo; Hamas, Islamic Jihad: we will not accept cease fire
Some 12 Palestinian groups start today a comprehensive dialogue aiming at reaching a joint work program and will discuss several proposed documents mainly the Egyptian document which works for freezing armed struggle for one year, while simultaneously stressing the right of resistance by all means. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 1/24/2003 - Washington 30 billion dollars to bribe allies neighboring Iraq
Officials said that the US administration is working to complete aid programs to each of Israel, Turkey and Jordan that might reach a volume of 30 billion dollars for several years of which 12 billion is for Tel Aviv, in an attempt to alleviate the economic consequences of a likely war against Iraq. Turkey-USA, Politics, 1/24/2003 - Bandar stresses firm relations with the USA: Do not believe what you read
The Saudi ambassador to the USA, Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, on Wednesday said that relations between the US and Saudi Arabia have not been weakened following the attacks of September 2001 "rather reinforced, because the relations itself was the target of the attack." Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 1/24/2003 - Abdullah meets with Francs, Burns, Jordan asks for American missiles
The Jordanian King Abdullah II yesterday asked the US for an air defense system during talks in Amman with the commander of the American forces in the Gulf region Tommy Francs and US Department of States Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs head, Assistant Secretary William Joseph Burns. Jordan-USA, Politics, 1/24/2003 - Canadian delegation meets elected representatives, civil society in southern Laayoune
Head of the Canadian delegation, Bernard Patry, deemed "inadmissible, and it is an official stand of Canada," that Moroccans be still detained on Algerian soil, recalling his country's support to the UN secretary general's efforts to find a political solution to the Sahara issue. Morocco-Canada, Politics, 1/24/2003 - Talks on the missing between Iraq, Kuwait ends without results
Iraqi and Kuwaiti experts have ended two days of intensive talks in Amman yesterday under the patronage of the ICRC and with the participation of Saudi Arabian observers without reaching crucial results on the fate of missing and prisoners in each of the two states following the Gulf war in 1991. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 1/24/2003 - UMA sees Libya's election as chair of UN human rights commission as victory
Secretary General of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), Habib Boulares, said Libya's election as chair of the United Nations Human Rights Commission is a victory for the UMA and the whole Arab world. Libya, Politics, 1/24/2003 - Syrian- Pakistani security cooperation
Syria's Interior Minister, Ali Hamoud, received in Damascus yesterday the Pakistani Interior Minister, Makhdom Sayed Saleh Hyatt. Syria-Pakistan, Politics, 1/24/2003 - Syria-Yemen joint committee to meet in Damascus
The Yemeni Prime Minister, Abdul Qader Bajamal, is due in Damascus next Friday in a few-day visit to Syria. Yemen-Syria, Politics, 1/24/2003 - Saudi Arabia to address human rights concerns through new laws
The Saudi news agency added that the Sheikh explained to the organization's representative the new introduced legislation adopted in 2002 with the aim of improving the measures to protecting human rights. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/23/2003 - UAE President decree on formation of the Federal National Council members United Arab Emirates, Politics, 1/23/2003
- Al-Assad confers with Spanish foreign minister
Al-Assad underlined that Syria supports the international unanimity and the activation of the UN role stressing the importance of Spain's role through the EU and its relation with US to stress the importance of the peaceful solution and the dangers of war on the region and the world. Syria-Spain, Politics, 1/23/2003 - Muasher criticizes Israel
The Jordanian foreign minister Marwan Muasher criticized statements made by the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon in which he rejected any role by the so-called Quartet committee to solving the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 1/23/2003 - Al-Shara conveyed a Syrian message to Lahoud, held a press conference
Regarding Turkey's stand on averting a war and its exerted efforts with the Arab neighbors to prevent a war, he said that this "is a very positive thing which is observed by the Arab and Muslim public with a great satisfaction." Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 1/23/2003 - UAE president confers with Ukraine's counterpart United Arab Emirates-Ukraine, Politics, 1/23/2003
- Al-Faisal: there is no need for the war
The Saudi foreign minister prince Saud al-Faisal stressed yesterday that the 6 Islamic states which will hold a ministerial meeting in Istanbul today may hold a meeting at the summit level, if it is necessary. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 1/23/2003 - William Burns's talks in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates-USA, Politics, 1/23/2003
- Shara, Spanish counterpart press conference
The Spanish foreign minister pointed out that her meeting with al-Shara was focused on the current situation in the Palestinian territories and on the Iraqi issue. Syria-Spain, Politics, 1/23/2003 - Iraq downs an American spy plane Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/23/2003
- Palestinian dialogue in Cairo includes Palestinian General Command, al- Saeqa
The two delegations of the People's Command for the liberation of Palestine- General Command, and al-Saeqa arrive in Cairo today to attend the Palestinian national dialogue conference which aims at drawing a united program for national action. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 1/23/2003 - Sudanese negotiations postponed until today Sudan, Politics, 1/23/2003
- US calls on its citizens in Saudi Arabia to be cautious; Kuwait arrests suspected Islamists
Kuwait yesterday stressed that its police is chasing, in collaboration with American military investigators, the executors of Tuesday's attack against Americans of whom one was killed and another wounded, adding that the Kuwaiti police has already questioned two persons suspected to be the two main convicts in the incident. Kuwait-USA, Politics, 1/23/2003 - US to open an office for AAID in Djibouti
The White House announced yesterday that the US President George Bush informed President of Djibouti Ismael Omar Jelle, currently visiting the USA, that Washington will shortly open an office for the American Agency for International Development in Djibouti. Djibouti-USA, Politics, 1/23/2003 - Oman, Armenia to enhance bilateral relations
The Omani and the Armenian foreign ministries on Tuesday signed a joint memorandum of understanding relating to bilateral relations and means of supporting and developing them. Oman-Armenia, Politics, 1/23/2003 - King Mohammed appoints new chairman of commission in charge of revising family code
King Mohammed VI urged the Commission members to exert more efforts and show jurisprudence to see to it that the provisions of the new family code reflect the Royal attachment to equality, equity and mutual assistance in accordance with the generous and tolerant precepts of Islam and with the Kingdom's constitutional commitment in favor of human rights as they are universally recognised. Morocco, Politics, 1/22/2003 - Al-Hayat: On the six- minister meeting
Well-informed Syrian sources told the London- based al-Hayat daily in its yesterday's issue that consultations are still ongoing to define the date for the meeting of the foreign ministers of countries, neighboring Iraq. The sources indicated that an agreement has not made yet to that effect. The sources added that the meeting might be held by the end of this week or the beginning of next week. Syria-Regional, Politics, 1/22/2003 - Volunteer human shields' to head for Iraq; US Marine's regrets
"We are on the verge of something big," said volunteer Christiaan Briggs, 26, from New Zealand. He argued that the stream of human shield volunteers was symptomatic of radicalizing anti-war opinion around the world. "People know this is wrong. It is just so blatantly transparent how the U.S. is trying to impose its hegemony." Iraq-Regional, Politics, 1/22/2003 - Iraqi, Kuwaiti representatives meet today on Gulf war missing
Representatives from Iraq and Kuwait will meet today to continue discussing the issue of the missing in the second Gulf war. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 1/22/2003 - Djibouti notes coordination with Yemen, USA over fighting terrorism
The President of Djibouti Ismael Omar Jelle has stressed full coordination between his country and Yemen. He revealed that the Djibouti and Yemeni government were before hand notified about the incident of the American plane which destroyed a car recently in Yemen, because one of al-Qaida member was in it. Djibouti-Yemen, Politics, 1/22/2003 - Moroccan and Canadian MPS Call for Free Trade Zone
The parliamentarians also called for swapping Morocco's debts towards Canada into investments, and exchanging more business missions. Morocco-Canada, Politics, 1/22/2003 - Assahraa Al Maghribia: Argentina does not recognize Polisario, denounces situation in Tindouf camps
The Argentinean diplomat added that his country welcomes Morocco's request to adhere to the South American market "Mercosur" that includes Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. Morocco's privileged geographic situation will allow Mercosur member states to market their products in African and Eastern Europe, he noted. Morocco-Argentina, Politics, 1/22/2003 - Sudanese peace negotiations to be resumed today
A Sudanese government delegation headed yesterday for Nairobi in order to resume peace negotiations today with the Southern Sudan rebels. Sudan, Politics, 1/22/2003 - Al- Muashar meets with Israeli Labor party delegation
Sources at the Jordanian foreign ministry unveiled yesterday a meeting took place between the Jordanian foreign minister Marwan Muasher and a delegation representing the Israeli Labor party. The Jordanian sources refused to state the time of the meeting and names of members of the Israeli delegation. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 1/22/2003 - UN envoy voices serious concern over demolition of palestinian property in west bank
The UN envoy also noted that such demolitions constitute a breach of Israel's obligations as an occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention. He called on the Government of Israel to stop further demolitions, including those carried out in connection with the construction of a security wall in the northern West Bank. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/22/2003 - One American soldier killed, another wounded in Kuwait
A Kuwaiti security source has announced that one American soldier was killed and another was wounded in a fire launching incident to the north of the city of Kuwait yesterday. Kuwait-USA, Politics, 1/22/2003 - UAE President, King Abdullah meet in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates-Jordan, Politics, 1/22/2003
- Al-Assad confers with US assistant secretary of state for ME affairs Syria-USA, Politics, 1/22/2003
- UAE defense minister confers with the Iranian foreign minister United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 1/22/2003
- Al-Shara made telephone calls with several Arab counterparts Syria-Regional, Politics, 1/22/2003
- Moussa confers with Turkish ambassador in Cairo Regional-Turkey, Politics, 1/22/2003
- US ambassador urges investigation into the killers of American soldier in Kuwait Kuwait-USA, Politics, 1/22/2003
- EC in Amman denies evacuating diplomats
The European Commission in Amman yesterday denied news saying that European states took decisions that provide for evacuating diplomats from Jordan before the mid of next month ( February) for fears that Iraq will be exposed to an American military attack. Jordan-European Union, Politics, 1/22/2003 - Draft family code submitted to king Mohammed
Morocco's King Mohammed VI received on Monday, Driss Dahak, chairman of the consultative commission in charge of the revision of the status code (Moudawana), who submitted to the sovereign a draft copy of the family code, says a communiqu? of the Royal household and chancellery. Morocco, Politics, 1/21/2003 - Muasher: Pan consent to take part in the foreign ministers meeting Jordan-Regional, Politics, 1/21/2003
- King Mohammed receives Prince sultane bin Abel Aziz Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/21/2003
- Moroccans protest US war threats against Iraq in front of us embassy
"The Initiative for Support for Iraq," mustering political parties, unions and associations, staged Saturday a demonstration near the US embassy in Rabat to protest war threats laid by the USA against Iraq. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 1/21/2003 - Al-Assad, Gul contacts; Turkey to host the FMs, the summit in Damascus
It was announced in Damascus yesterday evening that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad received a telephone call from the Turkish prime minister Abdullah Gul in which he thanked the president for the efforts made by Syria to ensure a regional consensus in order to avoid the American war against Iraq and the region. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 1/21/2003 - Annan:'collateral damage' of war terrorism on human rights
Even as the resolve of the international community is being praised, the Secretary-General noted that "important and urgent questions are being asked about what might be called the 'collateral damage' of the war of terrorism - damage to the presumption of innocence, to precious human rights, to the rule of law, and to the very fabric of democratic governance." Regional, Politics, 1/21/2003 - Arab human rights NGOs set up alliance
Arab human rights NGOs and activists who held a conference in Cairo to update the Arab human rights charter, decided to set up an alliance of Arab human rights-advocacy organizations. Regional, Politics, 1/21/2003 - Mubarak confers with Sultan Qabous's advisor Egypt-Oman, Politics, 1/21/2003
- Iranian official in Baghdad Iraq-Iran, Politics, 1/21/2003
- Abul Ragheb: Jordan will not take part in any military act against Iraq
The Jordanian Prime Minister Ali Abul Ragheb underlined the importance of Iraq's unity and its stability. He said that Iraq's stability and its territorial integrity are very important for the Arabs and the region. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 1/21/2003 - Moroccan women delegation denied visa to Algeria
A Moroccan delegation invited to take part in a meeting of Maghreban women associations this January 16-17 was denied entry visa to Algeria, Algerian papers reported Saturday. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 1/21/2003 - Blix: Points of agreement between Iraq and the UN
UNMOVIK chairman Hans Blix said yesterday that there are fundamental issued that are still pending that should be discussed between the UN and Iraq. He explained that these issues related to Skud missiles and the fatal gas nerve and Anthrax. Iraq-UN, Politics, 1/21/2003 - Several Arab, foreign officials visiting Beirut Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 1/21/2003
- Al-Khartoum: Sudanese government, rebels agreement on relief aid to all Sudanese areas
The Sudanese government and the rebels have agreed to continue the operations of allowing relief aid to reach all Sudanese areas. Sudan, Politics, 1/21/2003 - Syria's statement at the UN Security Council on the global war against terrorism
Syria's Foreign Minister, Farouk Al-Shara, on Monday gave a speech at the UN Security Council ministerial meeting on the so-called global war on Terrorism. Syria-Regional, Politics, 1/21/2003 - Libya elected head of the human rights committee
Libya was elected this Monday chair of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, after Washington required that the decision be taken by secret ballot instead of the acclamation usually used in this UN body. Libya, Politics, 1/21/2003 - Al-Hurreya al-Sudaneyah: Bashir postpones visit to Kenya Sudan-Kenya, Politics, 1/21/2003
- The Arab League and Sudan
The delegate of the secretary general of the Arab league AL to Sudan Nadia Makram Obeid has stressed that the AL is exerting intensive efforts to halt the war currently taking place between the Sudanese government and the rebels and to calm the deteriorated conditions. Sudan, Politics, 1/21/2003 - Over 20 canadian legislators visit Morocco
A group of over twenty Canadian legislators are starting this Monday a one-week visit to Morocco to probe means to consolidate Moroccan-Canadian ties in legislative and democracy matters. Morocco-Canada, Politics, 1/21/2003 - UN: Israel rejects to hand over maps of mines planted in South Lebanon
The personal envoy of the UN secretary general to south Lebanon Steven De Mistora and the Greek ambassador in Beirut yesterday inspected the patch of land from which mines were dismantled where the Greek non- governmental organization is working in the surrounding of al-Shaqif castle and Arnoun town in southern Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 1/21/2003 - Kuwait, Armenia sign memorandum of understanding
Kuwait and Armenia signed yesterday a memorandum of understanding concerning the establishment of regular bilateral consultations in order to discuss means of expanding and deepening ties of cooperation in all fields. Kuwait-Armenia, Politics, 1/21/2003 - Mubarak, Qathafi discuss Arab moves to spare attacking Iraq
The Libyan official news agency has stated that talks between the Egyptian president, and the Libyan leader on Saturday in Tripoli concentrated on the diplomatic moves carried out by Cairo in order to avoid a war against Iraq. Libya-Egypt, Politics, 1/20/2003 - Al-Shara arrived in Riyadh, consent for the Damascus meeting
In the framework of the Syrian move to spare the danger of war and revitalize the position of the countries of the region in confrontation of standing challenges, Saudi Arabia's King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah and the Iranian President Muhammad Khatami received messages from Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on latest developments on the region, from the Syrian deputy Premier and foreign minister Farouk al-Shara. Saudi Arabia-Syria, Politics, 1/20/2003 - Jordanian parties threaten to boycott parliamentary elections
A coalition that includes Jordanian parties has loomed the possibility of boycotting the parliamentary elections due to be carried out this year if the government will not respond to the demand of initiating serious dialogue with these parties, amending the elections law, and setting a fixed date for these elections. Jordan, Politics, 1/20/2003 - UN announces progress in issue of Gulf war missing
The UN coordinator for missing and properties Yuli Forontsov announced on Saturday a breakthrough in the negotiations between Iraq and Kuwait concerning the issue of the missing. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 1/20/2003 - Okaz: Saudi intelligence denies preparing to topple Saddam Hussein
The chairman of the Saudi intelligence Prince Nawaf Bin Abdul Aziz has denied that his country had practiced pressure on Iraqi army officers to prepare for a coupe to topple the regime of Saddam Hussein. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 1/20/2003 - Al-Shara in Iran over the Iraqi issue
Iranian President, Mohammad Khatami, received in Tehran yesterday Syria's Foreign Minister, Farouk Al-Shara. He handed Khatami a letter from President Bashar Al-Assad pertaining to the latest developments in the region and bilateral relations between the two countries. Syria-Iran, Politics, 1/20/2003 - Fischer in an Arab tour to discuss the possibility of avoiding the war
With the approaching date for assuming the presidency of the UN security council by the beginning of February, Germany has been witnessing contradictions between its official stand in rejecting attacking Iraq militarily and the American pressures imposed on it. Iraq-Germany, Politics, 1/20/2003 - Palestinian shot by Israelis, settlers burnt Palestinian al-Awqaf headquarters
As the Israeli forces have arrested three Palestinians in Jenin and other three in Nablus and Toulkarem, on charge of resisting the occupation, the Israeli settlers burnt the Islamic al-Awqaf directorate in Hebron and set fire in several Palestinian houses and supermarkets at the guard of the Israeli army. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/20/2003 - Damascus Demonstration against attacking Iraq
Tens of thousands of all sectors of Syrian people participated on Saturday in a huge demonstration to express condemnation of the American threats to attack Iraq and support to the Palestinian brave Intifada. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 1/20/2003 - Al-Faisal in Cairo tomorrow, Maher heads Egyptian delegation to Damascus, Ankara meetings Saudi Arabia-Egypt, Politics, 1/20/2003
- Al-Ahram al-Arabi: Omran: Syria is witnessing tremendous information overture Syria, Politics, 1/20/2003
- Moroccan, Algerian housing agencies sign cooperation agreement Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 1/20/2003