Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 2/10/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of February 10, 2003
- UN: No illicit weapons found so far
After 11 weeks of inspections, United Nations monitors have not found any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, but Baghdad still needs to show "credible" evidence that such arms do not exist, a top UN disarmament official told the Security Council today. Iraq-UN, Politics, 2/15/2003 - IAEA chief: no proof of illegal nuclear in Iraq
Reiterating that no evidence of prohibited nuclear activities has been found in Iraq so far, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told the UN Security Council today that a number of issues still remain under investigation and that no conclusions could be drawn about them. Iraq-UN, Politics, 2/15/2003 - After hearing UN inspectors' reports, Security Council debates Iraq
Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said France was convinced that the option of inspections had not been taken to the end and that it could provide an effective response to the imperative of disarming Iraq. The use of force would be so fraught with risks for people, for the region and for international stability that it should only be envisioned as a last resort. "War is always the sanction of failure," he said Iraq-UN, Politics, 2/15/2003 - Aziz meeting the Pope: Washington seeks to redraw regional map
He added "in addition to taking and controlling our oil resources, we are convinced that President George Bush seeks to redraw the map of Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia through dividing them to smaller and weak entities that are unable to preserve their independence with the aims to facilitate it for Israel and the US to control the region." Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/15/2003 - Mubarak calls Arab leaders to hold extraordinary summit next week
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak Friday evening urged Arab leaders to hold an extraordinary Arab summit to probe the Iraqi crisis in a bid to find a peaceful solution that can avert military action. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 2/15/2003 - Egypt calls for an urgent Arab summit on Iraq
The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Maher has asked the secretary general of the Arab League AL to call for convening an urgent Arab summit at the headquarters of the AL in Cairo as soon as possible in order to discuss the implications of the Iraqi crisis. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 2/15/2003 - Mubarak, Hamad discuss Iraqi crisis and Palestinian cause Egypt-Bahrain, Politics, 2/15/2003
- The US aggression aims at controling Iraq's oil, securing the zionist entity: says ad-douri Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/15/2003
- World wide demonstration in protest of attacking Iraq, today
Damascus is due to witness a massive demonstration today, Saturday, in protest against US threats to the Iraqi people and in support of the Palestinian Intifada. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 2/15/2003 - European refusal of war on Iraq 'sound stand', says Moussa
The Arab League's Secretary General, Amr Moussa, on Friday termed as a "sound stand" the refusal of European countries to engage in a war against Iraq. Regional-European Union, Politics, 2/15/2003 - HRW: Belgian ruling key precedent for human rights
The Belgian Supreme Court decision permitting an inquiry into the 1982 massacre of civilians in the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatilla is a landmark step for international law, Human Rights Watch said today. Israel-Belgium, Politics, 2/15/2003 - Annan welcomes Arafat's intention to appoint Prime Minister Palestine-UN, Politics, 2/15/2003
- South Africa's Mbeki urges quick settlement of Sahara issue
"We hope that the deadlocked issue of the Western Sahara, will be resolved without any further delay," said Thabo Mbeki in a speech delivered in Cape Town on Friday before the parliament Morocco-South Africa, Politics, 2/15/2003 - Washington calls for release of all remaining Moroccan POWs detained by Polisario
The United States called on Friday the Polisario secessionist movement to immediately release "without conditions, all remaining Moroccan prisoners" it is detaining in camps, in South-Western Algeria. Morocco-USA, Politics, 2/15/2003 - Russian envoy tours north africa over Sahara issue
Head of the Middle East and North Africa department at the Russian foreign ministry, Mickhael Bogdanov, has left Moscow this Friday for Algeria, first leg of a tour in Mauritania and Morocco. Algeria-Russia, Politics, 2/15/2003 - Mubarak to visit Germany Egypt-Germany, Politics, 2/15/2003
- Syrians in the occupied Golan celebrate strike 21st anniversary
Syrian citizens of the Golan, under Israeli occupation, on Friday celebrated the 21st anniversary of the open strike in protest of Israeli occupation authorities decision of annexing the Golan and imposing Israeli identity cards on its Syrian citizens. Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/15/2003 - Annan believes settlement of Cyprus problem by deadline possible, UN envoy
Following consultations this week in New York, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Adviser for Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, returned to the island yesterday in time to host a meeting of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, and the Greek Cypriot leader, Glafcos Clerides. Regional-UN, Politics, 2/15/2003 - Hussein bans the production, imports of mass destruction weapons
The Iraqi President Saddam Hussein yesterday issued a Presidential decree according to which he banned dealing with the chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, processed, or imported, just hours before the reports of the two UN inspectors and in implementation of previous international demands. Iraq-UN, Politics, 2/15/2003 - Washington expels an Iraqi journalist
A spokesman for the Iraqi foreign ministry said yesterday that the USA expelled the correspondent of the Iraqi news agency in New York, Muhammad Hassan Allawi, and his family from its territories over carrying out activities considered as "damaging for the American national security." Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/15/2003 - Prominent French official: Mubarak's participation in France-Africa Summit gives it Arab dimension Egypt-France, Politics, 2/15/2003
- Mofaz: the war against Iraq is not before the end of February
The Israeli defense minister Shaoul Mofaz yesterday expressed his conviction that the USA will not launch an attack against Iraq before the end of February. Iraq-Israel, Politics, 2/15/2003 - On the parliamentary elections in Syria
The Syrian minister of the interior Ali Hamoud has announced that his ministry "has completed all necessary measures for the election operation due in March," while more than 10,000 candidates for the Parliamentary elections are preparing to debate their programs before the voters. Syria, Politics, 2/14/2003 - France calls for release of all Moroccan pows
France called this Thursday for the release of all Moroccan prisoners of war still held by the Algeria-backed secessionist "Polisario" movement. Morocco-France, Politics, 2/14/2003 - Iraqis in exile oppose the war
Iraqis in exile have expressed rejection to any war against Iraq and called for the establishment of a democratic regime by peaceful means. This was expressed during the general annual meeting for the Iraqi National Alliance at the end of last week in Paris. Iraq, Politics, 2/14/2003 - Contacts to convene an Islamic summit on Iraq
It was stated in the Qatari capital, Doha, that there are underway contacts among the 57 member states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference with the aim to convene a special summit on Iraq, which was called for by Qatar. Qatar-Iraq, Politics, 2/14/2003 - Five point American plan to place Iraq under military rule, to satisfy Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt
The US has drawn a plan of five points aiming at ruling Iraq after the war through an American military rule supporting an Iraqi consultation council appointed by Washington, according to what was disclosed by the Canadian "Club and Mail" in a report to its correspondent in al-Sulimaneyah, which is under the control of the Kurdistani National Federation, issued on Thursday's issue. Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/14/2003 - 22,000 Gulf troops to Kuwait; but will not take part in any war against Iraq
Gulf military units of the "al-Jazeera Shield " will be deployed within the two next days in Kuwait, totaled 22,000 troopers to protect it against any Iraqi attack, despite the Saudi confirmation that these forces "will not take part in any military operation against Iraq." Saudi Arabia-Kuwait, Politics, 2/14/2003 - Morocco renews need for increased cooperation to fulfill social development objectives
Morocco, speaking on behalf of the G77 group, renewed on Monday the need for increased cooperation to fulfill the social development goals as developing countries are increasingly facing shortcomings of globalization. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 2/14/2003 - Barazani, Talibani open two new offices
The two rival Kurdish groups who control northern Iraq, have strengthened their interests by opening, each of them, an office in the area where the other has control. Iraq, Politics, 2/14/2003 - Western Sahara: UN envoy welcomes decision to release 100 Moroccan POWs
A top United Nations envoy for Western Sahara yesterday welcomed the announcement by the Polisario of its decision to release 100 Moroccan prisoners of war to mark the day of Eid-al-Adha. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/14/2003 - News on Arafat's approval to appoint a prime minister; Israel arrests scores of Palestinians
Officials and diplomats have stated that the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat approved to appoint a prime minister for running the Palestinian affairs according to the "Road Map" peace plan, noting that due to the fact that other points within the peace plan are not settled yet, such an appointment will not be made soon. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/14/2003 - The Golan: an explosion wounds 24 Israelis
The Israeli occupation forces announced yesterday that 24 Israeli soldiers were wounded by a bomb explosion during "training" in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/14/2003 - Jordan agrees to establish two camps for the Iraqi refugees
A Jordanian diplomatic source said that Jordan has agreed to establish two camps on its territories to receive unlimited number of refugees in case of an American attack against Iraq. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 2/14/2003 - Syrian - Turkish peoples meet on borders to celebrate Eid al-Adha Syria-Turkey, Politics, 2/14/2003
- Annan set to begin two-week visit to Europe this weekend Iraq-UN, Politics, 2/14/2003
- US seeks to reduce number of embassy staff in Bahrain, Qatar
The US has taken measures to reduce members of its staff in its two embassies in Bahrain and Qatar, noting the increase of security fears with the flow of the American forces to the Gulf region in military threat escalation against Iraq. Gulf-USA, Politics, 2/14/2003 - Israel appoints two ambassadors to Egypt, Jordan
The Israeli government has appointed two new ambassadors Egypt, Jordan. The Israeli foreign ministry chose the Israeli diplomat Eili Shekeid as its ambassador in Cairo, instead of Jadoun Bin Ami who reached the retirement age. Israel-Regional, Politics, 2/14/2003 - Bahraini activists head for Iraq in a solidarity trip
A Bahraini activist has announced that 100 Bahraini activists will head for Iraq on the dock of a ship on February 17 in a one- week solidarity trip to Iraq. Bahrain-Iraq, Politics, 2/13/2003 - Khartoum releases 6 of al-Turabi partisans
The Sudanese authorities have released several detainees including members in the opposition People's National Congress party led by Sheikh Hassan al-Turabi. Sudan, Politics, 2/13/2003 - Pope's envoy meets with Aziz, Ramadan
The Pope's special envoy held talks yesterday with the Iraqi vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan and with the deputy premier Tareq Aziz. Iraq-Vatican, Politics, 2/13/2003 - Egypt: pardoning 861 prisoners on the occasion of the Eid
The Egyptian Middle East News Agency said that the Egyptian ministry of the interior yesterday decided to release 861 prisoners on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. Egypt, Politics, 2/13/2003 - Security Council to hold open meeting on Iraq Friday, with follow-up on 18th
The United Nations Security Council decided yesterday that an upcoming briefing on Iraq by the UN's top weapons inspectors will be open to non-Council members. Iraq-UN, Politics, 2/13/2003 - Qatar calls for an urgent Islamic summit
An official source at the Qatari foreign ministry has stated that the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani, who is also the current chairman of the 9th session of the Islamic Summit Conference has made and received contacts with many of his "brothers" leaders of the Islamic countries concentrated on developments, conditions and challenges. Several leaders of these countries asked the him to convene an urgent summit to reconsider these developments. Qatar-Iraq, Politics, 2/13/2003 - US seeks second UN resolution on Iraq
Diplomatic conversations are under way concerning the language of a follow-up to United Nations Security Council resolution 1441 on Iraq, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer confirmed yesterday. Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/13/2003 - Washington denounces violations of the Sudanese forces against civilians
The US administration has criticized what it described the repeated violations carried out by the Sudanese government of the cease- fire agreement concluded with the rebels. Sudan-USA, Politics, 2/13/2003 - House of representatives' committee starts examining anti-terrorism law
The justice, legislation and human rights committee of the House of Representatives will start next week examining a draft law on terrorism. Morocco, Politics, 2/13/2003 - Al-Jabbouri: Ode ' assistant disappeared in Lebanon
The leader of the opposition Iraqi al-Watan party, Mashaan al-Jabbouri, which takes Damascus as a headquarters said yesterday that one assistant for Ode Saddam Hussein, the official responsible for most of sport activities in Iraq and son of the Iraqi president, had disappeared in Beirut since four days when he was staying with a delegation of the Iraqi Olympic committee in one of the hotels in Beirut. Lebanon-Iraq, Politics, 2/13/2003 - Al-Shara reviews region's developments with De Villipin Syria-France, Politics, 2/13/2003
- Solidarity March in Damascus in solidarity with the Iraqis Syria-Iraq, Politics, 2/13/2003
- Germany warns citizens from traveling to Kuwait Kuwait-Germany, Politics, 2/13/2003
- Israel criticizes the EU concerning Iraq
A high ranking Israeli official said that the contradiction in the European positions concerning the crisis with Iraq has proved that it is not possible to place confidence in the European Union to help in reaching a solution for the conflict with the Palestinians. Israel-European Union, Politics, 2/13/2003 - More diplomats withdrawn, embassies closed in Baghdad
Portugal has announced it has closed its embassy in Baghdad because of security dangers in one of the greatest steps taken to withdraw diplomats from Iraq at a time when threats of war against Iraq are looming. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 2/13/2003 - Jordanian elections law amended; six parliamentary seats for women
The Jordanian King Abdullah II has ratified an amended law for the elections law of the Jordanian parliament, according to which, six women members will be added to women's share in the parliament which are expected to be elected later this year. Jordan, Politics, 2/12/2003 - Okaz: Riyadh: al-Jazeera Shield will not take part in the war against Iraq
The Assistant for Saudi Arabia's minister of defense and aviation Prince Khaled Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz has stressed that al-Jazeera Shield force which is in Kuwait, which is led by Saudi Arabia will not take part in any military action against Iraq. Saudi Arabia-Kuwait, Politics, 2/12/2003 - Portugal supports Morocco's claim for above-association status with eu
Portuguese Foreign Affairs minister Antonio Manuel De Mendonça Da Cruz said his country supports Morocco's desire for a status that is above the association agreement with the EU. Morocco-Portugal, Politics, 2/12/2003 - National Congress, Ummah agree on elections; Sudan- Uganda to strengthen cooperation
The Sudanese ruling National Congress party and its allied Umma party led by Mubarak al-Fadel agreed to contain the crisis which erupted between them recently on the Estates legislative elections due to take place in March this year. Sudan-Uganda, Politics, 2/12/2003 - Papandreau on Saturday in Cairo to meet with his Arab peers
The Greek foreign minister Georges Papandreau whose country assumed the current rotating presidency of the European Union announced yesterday he will head for Cairo on Saturday to meet with his Arab peers upon the convening of their meeting due to be held on Sunday. Regional-European Union, Politics, 2/12/2003 - Israel:US attack on Iraq is coming; Israel and US interests in lock step
The Israeli army chief of staff Gen. Moshe Yaloun expected yesterday evening that the US will launch a military attack against Iraq "within the coming weeks," as expressed in an interview with the private Israeli TV. Iraq-Israel, Politics, 2/12/2003 - King Mohammed approves use of Tifinagh alphabet for Amazigh writing
Morocco's King Mohammed VI approved the use of "Tifinagh" alphabet for Amazigh (Berber) writing, as recommended by the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture (IRCAM), announced on Monday a communique of the Royal Cabinet. Morocco, Politics, 2/12/2003 - Bin Laden's tape; US accusations and Al-Jazira TV's denial
Prior to broadcasting Usama Bin Laden's tape on Tuesday evening, the repetition of denials and accusations between Washington and al-Jazira TV channel continued. Washington had stressed that there is a tape for Bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaida organization, while al-Jazira denied to have any tape. Qatar, Politics, 2/12/2003 - Al-Assad gets phone call from Chirac on Iraqi issue Syria-France, Politics, 2/12/2003
- Arab opposition to war against Iraq escalated
Hundreds of Palestinians demonstrated in Rafah to the south of Gaza in solidarity with Iraq and in rejection of the war against it, calling on the Arab states to side by it and attack the American interests. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 2/11/2003 - Israel sacks 50 Syrian Golaneese teachers over rejecting Israeli identity
The Israeli occupation forces have recently sacked 50 Syrian teachers because of their rejection of the Israeli identity and suspended their wages, besides refusing to compensate them for the long years of teaching -- 20 years for most of them. Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/11/2003 - Al-Shara meets with Mashaal
Syria's Foreign Minister, Farouk al-Shara yesterday in Damascus received the Head of the Political Bureau of the Islamic resistance movement, HAMAS, Khaled Mashaal and the accompanying delegation. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 2/11/2003 - Saudi mufti stressed Arab- Islamic solidarity in confrontating challenges
The Saudi Arabian, Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah al-Sheikh, has stressed the need of inter- Islamic solidarity to withstand challenges facing the Islamic nation. He warned against "enemy schemes" which target the Islamic states. Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 2/11/2003 - Al-Assad- Gul discussions over the Iraqi issue Syria-Turkey, Politics, 2/11/2003
- Morocco, Bahrain probe means to consolidate bilateral cooperation Morocco-Bahrain, Politics, 2/11/2003
- Portuguese FM visits Morocco Morocco-Portugal, Politics, 2/11/2003
- Al-Jazira TV banned from covering al-Haj rituals events Qatar-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/11/2003
- Iraq: UN inspectors press forward, visiting missiles sites and storage facilities
United Nations disarmament officials are to give an update to the Security Council, UN monitors in Iraq continued their inspections of various sites around the country yesterday. Iraq-UN, Politics, 2/11/2003 - Moroccan-Algerian work groups to meet next week
"The groups will have to endeavour as of next week to craft solutions to different bilateral issues, including the re-opening of borders," said the head of Algeria's diplomacy Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 2/10/2003 - New York Times: Saudi Arabia wants US military out; democratic elected councils and parliament
In its yesterday's issue, the New York Times reported that the leaders of Saudi Arabia have decided to end USA military presence in the kingdom and to make democratic reforms and limit the authority and influence of the extremist religious leaders. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 2/10/2003 - Egyptian- Syrian- Libyan summit in Sharem esh Sheikh
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad returned home on Sunday evening following a brief visit to Egypt where he took part at the Syrian-Egyptian-Libyan Summit which was held in Sharem Esh Sheikh. Regional, Politics, 2/10/2003 - Mubarak, Abdullah II: Efforts to avert regional war must continue
The two leaders also emphasised that UN weapons inspectors must be given more time to complete their mission. Egypt-Jordan, Politics, 2/10/2003 - Oyahya calls for active Democratic views to oppose Islamists influence Algeria, Politics, 2/10/2003
- GCC Jeddah meeting: A Saudi- Qatari row, al-Jazeera Shield in Kuwait, shortly
Kuwait on Monday welcomed the decision taken by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states in sending units from "al-Jazeera Shield" force to Kuwait in order to protect it, at a time when more than 50,000 American soldiers are deployed on its territories. Regional-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/10/2003 - Sudden Iranian- Iraqi talks in Tehran
The Iranian foreign minister Kamal Kharazi stressed yesterday during his meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Naji Sabri, who was in Tehran in a surprising visit that was linked to Baghdad's desire to be briefed on the talks Kharazi recently made on the Iraqi crisis, on that the region cannot bear a third war within two decades ( in remarks to the Iranian- Iraqi war and the second Gulf war) and on that the full Iraqi cooperation with the UN inspectors refutes the American allegations and need to use force. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 2/10/2003 - Cardinal Achighari today in Baghdad, delegated by the Pope
The French Cardinal Roger Achigari heads today, Monday, for Baghdad, delegated by Pope John Paul II, on a peace mission in an attempt to avoid the eruption of a war. Iraq-Vatican, Politics, 2/10/2003 - Chief UN monitors in Baghdad for further talks as inspections continue
As the chief United Nations disarmament officials returned to Baghdad for more talks with Iraqi authorities, UN monitors pressed forward Saturday with inspection activities at facilities around the country. Iraq-UN, Politics, 2/10/2003 - Mubarak receives massage from Saudi Crown Prince Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/10/2003
- Maher confers with French ambassador in Cairo Egypt-France, Politics, 2/10/2003
- Iraqi dissident groups delay meeting Iraq, Politics, 2/10/2003
- Signs Iraqis taking disarmament 'more seriously,' Blix says after talks in Baghdad
The top United Nations weapons inspector, Hans Blix, yesterday said he saw signs the Iraqi authorities were taking the disarmament issues "more seriously," reporting that a number of documents concerning biological weapons and missiles have been turned over to UN officials for analysis. Iraq-UN, Politics, 2/10/2003 - Nine Key Kurds killed in Ansar al-Islam ambush
Eight persons were murdered including a key figure in the Kurdistani National Federation party on Saturday in an ambush installed by a group representing by Ansar al-Islam ( Islam partisans) in one of the Kurdish villages to the North of Iraq, according to the party's political bureau which is led by Jalal al-Talibani. Iraq, Politics, 2/10/2003 - Several American diplomats leave Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Israel
The US Department of State has announced it has permitted certain American diplomats in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Israel to leave their work positions while the US is preparing for war against Iraq. Regional-USA, Politics, 2/10/2003