Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 3/3/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of March 3, 2003
- La Vie Economique: New family code to be ready in 3-4 months
Mudawana, said "when the family code will be promulgated, there will be a large communication and awareness campaign." Morocco, Politics, 3/8/2003 - Jamal Mubarak speaks of political reform in Egypt
Jamal Mubarak, who presides over the political committee at the ruling national party has announced the intention to put an end to the state security courts in Egypt, noting that this measure is in the context of several political reforms measures in the country. Egypt, Politics, 3/8/2003 - Crown prince Abdullah telephone call from al-Hariri Saudi Arabia-Lebanon, Politics, 3/8/2003
- Escalated wide world opposition to a war on Iraq
French President Jacque Chirac and his Chinese counter part Jiang Zemin stressed their countries opposition to war against Iraq and called the international community to exert efforts to solve the Iraqi crisis peacefully. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 3/8/2003 - Syria's speech at the Security Council meeting on Iraq and Kuwait
Al-Shara: These appeals were crowned by the message the emissary of the Holy Sea (Vatican) carried two days ago to the American President in which he, without any vagueness, considered the war against Iraq illegitimate and unjust.... If this is the case, then, are we before a just cause or before an armed robbery, no more or less ? Syria-Iraq, Politics, 3/8/2003 - Security Council members speak on the Iraqi crisis
Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said France, as a permanent member of the Security Council, would not allow passage of a resolution that automatically authorized use of force. He proposed a three-point plan for continued inspections: that inspectors set a priority list of disarmament tasks, that they give a progress report every three weeks and that full implementation be assessed after 120 days as prescribed by Council resolution 1284, or even sooner if inspectors deem it feasible. Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/8/2003 - Qatar's foreign minister; Washington did not ask the use of al-Aideed base Qatar-USA, Politics, 3/8/2003
- Nuclear agency sees progress in identifying Iraq's nuclear capabilities
"After three months of intrusive inspections, we have to date found no evidence or plausible indication of the revival of a nuclear weapons programme in Iraq," IAEA Director-General said. Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/8/2003 - Blix welcomes accelerated cooperation by Iraq, but says unresolved issues remain
Top United Nations weapons inspector Hans Blix told the Security Council today that over the past month Iraq has displayed "active" or even "proactive" cooperation, which has allowed the inspection process to make significant progress, although a number of key disarmament tasks remained to be resolved. Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/8/2003 - Iraqi national congress wants peace with Israel Iraq-Israel, Politics, 3/8/2003
- Rabat, Maputo endorse U.N. efforts for peaceful settlement of Sahara issue
The two African countries hoped "that obstacles will be overcome so that Morocco can participate, along with the whole of Africa, in the new African Union (AU)," the source went on. Morocco-Mozambique, Politics, 3/8/2003 - Yediot Ahronot: Israel makes territorial claims on disputed sea area with Egypt
A diplomatic crisis has been loomed in the horizon in the "sensitive" relations between Egypt and Israel after Tel Aviv had decided "ultimately" to consider one naval area under dispute, situated on the Egyptian- Israeli borders and named "the naval triangle" as an Israeli area. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 3/8/2003 - UK proposes 17 March deadline for Iraq to comply with UN disarmament demands
The United Kingdom, along with Spain and the United States, yesterday introduced a revised draft of a resolution that presents Iraq with a 17 March deadline to cooperate fully with Security Council demands to rid itself of weapons of mass destruction. Iraq-UK, Politics, 3/8/2003 - World rejection of War On Iraq
Pointing out that the Iraqi issue is better solved peacefully, France, Germany and Russia have stressed their refusal to any new resolution that allows the United States to use military forces against Iraq. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/7/2003 - Arab summit committee heads for the UN concerning Iraq
An official at the Arab League (AL) announced yesterday that members of the committee stemmed from the recent Arab summit headed to New York to meet with the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/7/2003 - Saudi scholar forbids taking part in attacking Iraq
The Saudi Arabian scholar Sheikh Salman Bin Fahd al- Ouda has issued a Fatwa banning any individual, group or a country from taking part in attacking Iraq " in words, nor action, nor supplies and support." Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 3/7/2003 - Japan against military acts on Iraq
The Director of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Middle East Department, Arata Fuji, voiced his country's support for Syria's stand of refusal to launch any aggression on Iraq, reiterating the necessity of seriously seeking a peaceful settlement of the Iraqi issue that avert the war. Iraq-Japan, Politics, 3/7/2003 - Despite hardened positions on Iraq in Security Council, Annan looks for 'calm' discussion
Although positions in the Security Council are "hard," Secretary-General Kofi Annan said yesterday, the 15-nation body will have a chance to discuss how to proceed with the disarmament of Iraq "calmly" at a meeting today to hear an update by top United Nations weapons inspector Hans Blix. Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/7/2003 - Moroccan speaker meets Vietnamese president
The speaker expressed "Morocco's consideration to Vietnam for its stand on the Moroccan Sahara issue, particularly its support to United Nations efforts for a peaceful settlement that satisfies all parties and preserves Morocco's rights." Morocco-Vietnam, Politics, 3/7/2003 - Kuwait: Five extremists were arrested
The Kuwaiti ministry of the interior said yesterday that the Kuwaiti authorities arrested five persons with "extremists thoughts" including four Kuwaitis having weapons. Kuwait, Politics, 3/7/2003 - Arafat chooses Abu Mazin as a prime minister, power is undefined
A Palestinian official announced yesterday that the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat appointed the secretary general of the executive committee for the PLO Mahmoud Abbas ( Abu Mazin) to hold the post of Prime Minister to is to be created. Abu Mazin said he will not accept a symbolic position, calling for defining the nature of authorities he will enjoy. Palestine, Politics, 3/7/2003 - Washington wants 300 Iraqis out of 60 countries
Washington has called some 60 countries to expel several Iraqi diplomats working in them, this, after the US had taken a similar step on Wednesday by expelling two Iraqis out of 16 Iraqis working at the Iraqi mission at the UN in New York, considering they constitute "a danger" to US national security. Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/7/2003 - Lebanese - Syrian military talks
Syria's Army and Armed Forces Deputy Commander-In-Chief, Deputy Premier and Defense Minister, 1rst Lt. Gen. Mustafa Tlass received in Damascus on Thursday Lebanese Army and Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Gen. Ramzi Abu Hamza and an accompanying delegation. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/7/2003 - Syria announces results of parliamentary elections
These new dimensions also include the guarantee of the freedom and dignity of the citizen, and the activation of the role of the institutions, modernization of laws, administrative reform, and development of all sectors of the national economy, said Syrian minister of the interior Mahmoud Hammoud. Syria, Politics, 3/6/2003 - Yemeni legislative elections on April 27th Yemen, Politics, 3/6/2003
- Islamic summit rejects any military acts against Iraq
The special summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference announced in its final session in Doha its categorical rejection to launching a war against Iraq. It called in a statement on the Arab states not to take part in any military action aimed at Iraq or any Islamic country. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/6/2003 - El-Sherif leads one-million march Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 3/6/2003
- Al-Assad, Chirac hold telephone talks Iraq-France, Politics, 3/6/2003
- Qathafi opposes summoning the Libyan ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi has announced that he opposes summoning his country's ambassador to Riyadh, stressing that he was not informed about what had happened in this regard. Libya-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/6/2003 - Al-Assad British and Japanese officials regarding Iraq
Syria's President Bashar Assad received on Wednesday British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mike O'Brian who handed President Assad a letter from British Prime Minister Toni Blair connected with the Iraqi issue. Syria-UK, Politics, 3/6/2003 - Ivanov: Russia will vote against attacking Iraq
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov stressed on Wednesday that Russia will not allow issuing any new resolution that authorizes directly or indirectly use of force against Iraq. Iraq-Russia, Politics, 3/6/2003 - UAE president meets with King of Bahrain United Arab Emirates-Bahrain, Politics, 3/6/2003
- UN to define remaining tasks for complete Iraqi disarmament
Top United Nations weapons inspector Hans Blix said yesterday that he expects to release by the end of the week a list of 29 remaining issues that Iraq needs to resolve in order to be in compliance with UN demands that it rid itself of banned weapons of mass destruction. Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/6/2003 - Morocco-Mozambique joint commission holds 1st meeting
Fassi Fihri voiced Morocco's readiness to cooperate with Mozambique in education and training, saying "this first session will be a major step in boosting bilateral relationship" in trade, investment and joint infrastructure and irrigation projects. Morocco-Mozambique, Politics, 3/6/2003 - EU requests Polisario to release without delay all Moroccan prisoners
The European Union called this Wednesday the Polisario to release without delay all Moroccan prisoners of war still held in Tindouf and urged for distinguishing between humanitarian aspects and political problems in the Sahara issue. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 3/6/2003 - Palestinian demonstration in Damascus in support of Iraq Syria-Iraq, Politics, 3/6/2003
- Israel, the EU for boosting relations Israel-European Union, Politics, 3/6/2003
- Morocco, Central African Republic to re-activate communication cooperation agreement
Koyambounou, who started this Wednesday a six-day working visit to Morocco, the two countries will institute an exchange framework in order to put Morocco's experience in the audio-visual sector at the disposition of CAR. Morocco-Central African Republic, Politics, 3/6/2003 - Holland to organize a conference for rebuilding Sudan
Holland will organize a conference for rebuilding Sudan on April 1st through 3rd, in the presence of international donors and representatives for the government of Khartoum and southern rebels. Sudan-Holland, Politics, 3/6/2003 - New York Times: Mexico would not accept any unilateral U.S. action to disarm Iraq Iraq-Mexico, Politics, 3/5/2003
- Arab message to New York in rejection of war option
It was announced in Damascus yesterday that the Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara will take part in the Arab- 6- member committee which will start tomorrow a tour on world capitals to convey the message of the recent Arab summit in Sharm Esh Sheikh in rejecting war against Iraq and confirming support for the stances of European states in supporting for a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/5/2003 - OIC summit today in Doha, an attempt to join anti- war forces
The special summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) starts today in Doha, Qatar, as the member states at the OIC will try to join voice to other voices to stand against any American war against Iraq. Regional-Qatar, Politics, 3/5/2003 - Al-Rai al-Aam: Kuwaiti minister regrets comments by Qathafi
The Kuwaiti first deputy premier and foreign minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad has expressed his regret over what was stated by Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi on that Kuwait is able to end the Iraqi crisis by just merely saying to America its does not want its protection. Kuwait-Libya, Politics, 3/5/2003 - Al-Sabah meets with Abdullah, Zayed
President of the United Arab Emirates UAE Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Kuwait's foreign minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah yesterday in Abu Dhabi discussed results of the recent Arab summit conference in Sharm Esh Sheikh. United Arab Emirates-Kuwait, Politics, 3/5/2003 - Al-Share al-Seyasi: Sudanese leaderships call for separation of south and North
The Sudanese daily al-Share al-Seyasi ( the political street) unveiled yesterday that 50 leading figures representing the ruling National Congress party and the Islamic movement in Sudan handed the Sudanese president a memorandum two days ago demanding him to take the initiative to declare the cessation of northern Sudan from its south. Sudan, Politics, 3/5/2003 - Iraqi Shiite opposition conference in Tehran is expected to fail
Member of the political bureau of the Islamic Call party, Jawad al-Malki, has expected that the "unifying of ranks" conference which is organized by the "preliminary committee" of the Shiite Iraqi opposition parties in Tehran will not succeed. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 3/5/2003 - Al-Rai: Jordan: American soldiers will not attack Iraq
A Jordanian official said yesterday that the American soldiers currently on the Jordanian territories will not take part in a possible attack against Iraq, denouncing the call by the Jordanian opposition to boycott them. Jordan-USA, Politics, 3/5/2003 - Al-Assad telephone call with Mahateir Muhammad Syria-Malaysia, Politics, 3/5/2003
- Mozambique's vice-FM visits Morocco Morocco-Mozambique, Politics, 3/5/2003
- Yemen's Arab national conference postponed from March until May Yemen, Politics, 3/5/2003
- Iraq's destruction of missiles 'positive' but still much more to be done, Annan
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan yesterday called Iraq's destruction of banned Al Samoud 2 missiles and its offer to provide more details on its VX nerve gas and anthrax a "positive development" but repeated the views of UN weapons inspectors that "there's much more to be done." Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/5/2003 - Annan voices optimism Cyprus deal can be finalized next week
Less than a week before he is to meet with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders in The Hague, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today voiced optimism that a solution can be found to enable a united Cyprus to join the European Union later this year. Turkey-Regional, Politics, 3/5/2003 - Polisario camp's survivor recounts detention plight
Rachid Ghaleb, a Moroccan who was imprisoned by the Polisario before managing to flee last January, recounts the plight of Moroccans detained by the Polisario and cruelty that does not spare even the dead, who are denied Muslims rite sepulture and are buried in waste dumps. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 3/5/2003 - Syrian parliamentary elections completed Syria, Politics, 3/4/2003
- Libya summons its ambassador from Saudi Arabia for consultation
An official Libyan source in Tripoli announced yesterday that Libya has decided to summon its ambassador from Saudi Arabia for consultation following the rift that took place during Saturday's press conference between Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz. Libya-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/4/2003 - First woman in Oman in a minister grade Oman, Politics, 3/4/2003
- Foundation for new Algerian- French relations
Yesterday, the French president said addressing the Algerian parliament who had an extraordinary meeting on the occasion of his visit that a treaty will be finalized between the two countries to materialize closeness and set a new Algerian- French alliance. This treaty will be, however, similar to the French- German friendship treaty which was signed in 1963 and opened the way before firm cooperation Algeria-France, Politics, 3/4/2003 - Al-Assad phones Musharaf on Iraq Syria-Pakistan, Politics, 3/4/2003
- French president urges for Maghreban regional integration Maghreb-France, Politics, 3/4/2003
- Gulf final statement supports UAE initiative to solve the Iraqi issue
The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) announced in conclusion of its meeting in Doha yesterday its support for the UAE initiative to solve the Iraqi issue and stressed the need for supporting this initiative into the Arab context for discussion and assessment. Gulf-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 3/4/2003 - Moussa denies differences with UAE over the initiative on Iraq
Arab reactions have continued concerning the initiative proposed by the United Arab Emirates, UAE, on having the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein step down from authority, as a peaceful solution for the Iraqi crisis. Regional-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 3/4/2003 - Sudanese peace negotiations resume, 25 persons killed by rebels
Unprecedented negotiations will start today in Nairobi between the Sudanese government and the rebels on the "neglected areas." The government delegation is led by the foreign ministry secretary Mutarraf Saddiq while the delegation of the rebels is led by Neyal Dinq Nayal. Sudan, Politics, 3/4/2003 - French president for immediate and total release of Moroccan pows held by Polisario
French president Jacques Chirac called for the "immediate and total release" of the 1,160 Moroccan pows still held by the Polisario in the Algerian southwestern camps of Tindouf. Morocco-France, Politics, 3/4/2003 - Iraq destroys six more banned missiles, to give UN VX and anthrax details
The UN said yesterday: Iraq destroyed six more banned Al Samoud 2 missiles today, bringing the total to 16 since the 1 March deadline set by United Nations chief weapons inspector Hans Blix for starting the destruction. Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/4/2003 - American- British raids on Iraq kill 6 Iraqis, 15 wounded
While an Iraqi military spokesman said yesterday that 6 Iraqis were killed and 15 wounded in an American- British bombardment targeted al-Basra area to the south of Iraq, news reports stressed that the US seeks with certain East European states to deploy American forces in these countries after the Turkish parliament had refused a government memorandum to deploy 64,000 American troops on the Turkish lands. Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/4/2003 - UN dismayed by indiscriminate shooting of schoolgirl by Israeli forces
After a 12-year-old girl was shot in the head while sitting at her desk in a United Nations school in the Palestinian territory, a top UN relief official in the region has expressed dismay at the Israeli military's indiscriminate use of force in civilian areas. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/4/2003 - Al-Shara reviews issues on Iraq with Straw Iraq-UK, Politics, 3/4/2003
- Destruction of Iraqi missiles continues under UN supervision
The UN said yesterday: The destruction of prohibited Iraqi missiles continued today under United Nations supervision, a spokesman for the world body reported in Baghdad. Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/3/2003 - Arab Summit rejects any military action
The final communique underlined the Arab states' rejection of participating in any military action against any Arab state, including Iraq. Regional, Politics, 3/3/2003 - To complete Sharm esh Sheikh mission, Moussa proposed to convene a 'resumed' Arab summit, again
The secretary general of the Arab League Amre Mousa said yesterday in Cairo that there is now a need for another Arab summit to complete the tasks of the Sharm esh Sheikh Summit which concluded its works on Saturday amid differences which were almost able to break the summit in the last minutes, following the argument between Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Libya's Leader Regional, Politics, 3/3/2003 - Saudi Arabia vows to have no part in war against Iraq
"The Arab-Israeli conflict erupted more than half a century ago. If we are thinking of a solution, we should be looking at toppling Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and not Iraqi President Saddam Hussein," Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister said. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 3/3/2003 - Qathafi provokes Saudi anger at Arab League summit
An open rift between existed at the Arab League summit Saturday as Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah clashed with Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi, with the Crown Prince angrily denying that his country was a US colony. Libya-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/3/2003 - UAE: The Arabs will remember Zayed's initiative after invasion of Iraq
Minister of information and culture in the United Arab Republic Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan has extended criticism to the Arab leaders and to the Arab League because the AL did not discuss in Sharm esh Sheikh Arab summit on Saturday a proposal from his country for the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to step down to avoid a possible war against Iraq. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/3/2003 - Moussa: UAE initiative was not on summit agenda
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa affirmed late Saturday that the UAE's initiative, on Iraqi President Saddam Hussein stepping down, was not on the agenda of the Arab summit that wound up work earlier this evening. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/3/2003 - Chirac starts a historical visit to Algeria
The French President Jacque Chirac yesterday started an official visit to Algeria for three days which is the first of its kind since Algeria's independence from the French occupation in 1962. Chirac worked in the French occupation army during the Algerian revolution years between 1954- 1962. Algeria-France, Politics, 3/3/2003 - Turkey's parliament rejects US troops deployment on its soil
Turkey's parliament in a much anticipated vote rejected US troops deployment on its soil. Turkey-USA, Politics, 3/3/2003 - Iraqi Republican guards completes preparations
The Iraqi President Saddam Hussein said on Saturday that Iraq will come out of the fighting with the USA "victorious" and that "Iraq is rightful, and the enemy is not." Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/3/2003 - Al-Barazani warns against a Kurdish revolution
Zalmai Khalil told US that Iraq will be ruled by a military ruler because we are not ready for this mission, and Washington also pressured them to accept giving great responsibilities for certain members who support Israel, preparing for protecting the oil wells for the USA and alleviate the Islamic influence in the new Islamic system. Iraq, Politics, 3/3/2003 - American military deployment map in the region
The American force deployed in the American region and in Afghanistan in the context of preparations for a possible war against Iraq tolled 225,000 troops provided with planes, helicopters, ships and tanks, to be joined by 48,000 British troops. Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/3/2003