Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 4/28/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of April 28, 2003
- Powell in Damascus calls for 'understanding' of the new situation, reminds of Syrian accountability law
US Secretary Of State Colin Powell who arrived in Damascus yesterday, called on Syria to change its policies and take into consideration to the existence of "a new Iraq" on its borders. Syria-USA, Politics, 5/3/2003 - Lahoud: no justification for Powell's visit if it is for making threats
The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud said that there is no justification for Powell's visit to the region if his administration decides to practice "the logic of force" towards Syria and Lebanon. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 5/3/2003 - Trade unions laud social dialogue deal
Several Moroccan trade unions marked this year's May Day on a note of optimism, following the announcement of a deal on workers' grievances announced by the government in the evening of April 30. Morocco, Politics, 5/3/2003 - American forces arrest three former Iraqi officials
The central US military leadership yesterday announced the detention of three Iraqi officials from the government of the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/3/2003 - Briefing by Powell in Damascus today
So I look forward to a productive series of discussions here this morning. I also look forward to listening to the President as to his analysis of this changed situation, and I hope that we will both have candid exchanges of views and then take the time necessary to reflect both back in Washington and here in Damascus on the results of today's conversation Syria-USA, Politics, 5/3/2003 - King of Bahrain proposes to host an Iraqi conference
The King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, on Thursday announced Bahrain's readiness to host any Iraqi national conference for the Iraqi political factions, stressing the need that no side in Iraq should be prevented from expressing oneself. Bahrain-Iraq, Politics, 5/3/2003 - On al-Shara's visit to Lebanon
They also stressed the unified Syrian- Lebanese stance towards the current challenges facing the region. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 5/3/2003 - Jumhuriate: Turkey for closer relations with Syria
Turkish Jumhuriate newspaper stressed yesterday the importance of boosting the relations between Syria and Turkey due to Syria's importance for Turkish overture to the Middle East and the Arab states, and a vice versa. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 5/3/2003 - Maher meets head of Kurdish official
Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher receives Saturday the head of the Kurdish government in the northern Iraqi governorate of Sulaymaniya, Burcham Saleh, in the first contact after the collapse of the Iraq regime and efforts to set up an interim Iraqi government. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 5/3/2003 - Bin Ali announces increase of wages in Tunisia Tunisia, Politics, 5/3/2003
- Al-Qabas: Arabs mull revamping major institutions
A group of Arab states are in intense contacts to mull inter-Arab relations and the role of the Arab League (AL) in view of dramatic regional and international changes including the fall of the Iraqi regime, a Kuwaiti daily reported yesterday. Regional, Politics, 5/3/2003 - USAID reopens mission in yemen
USAID's Yemen office, under the direction of Douglas Heisler, will also support the country's decentralization policy and democratic institutions by providing training for local government officials and assisting with elections. Yemen-USA, Politics, 5/3/2003 - Larson says U.S. helping iraqis reclaim their future
The United States is working closely with the Iraqi people, the United Nations and other donor nations to help Iraqis "reclaim their future and rebuild their country" says Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs Alan Larson. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/3/2003 - Annan appoints four experts to investigate violations of Somali arms ban
The UN said yesterday: United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has appointed a four-person expert panel to investigate violations of the arms embargo against Somalia. Somalia-UN, Politics, 5/3/2003 - Morocco's government, unions agree on labor code draft on may day eve
The Prime Minister added the government and unions agreed on the mechanisms whereby social conflicts will be settled, a legal framework regulating strikes in such a way that guarantees the wielding of "this constitutional right on one hand and work freedom on the other." Morocco, Politics, 5/2/2003 - Yemeni president accepts resignation of Bajmal government
The Yemeni prime minister Abdul Qader Bajmal has submitted resignation to the Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh in preparation to form a new government following the recent legislative elections. Yemen, Politics, 5/2/2003 - Tension escalate in Falouja, Bush declares combats phase over in Iraq, US victory
The US President George Bush announced the end of the main military operations in Iraq. From the board of the US Abraham Lincoln Carrier Bush said that the US and its allies achieved victory in the war. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/2/2003 - Syria is ready for dialogue with the USA
The Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara announced on Thursday in Beirut that Syria is ready to open a dialogue with the USA on the Middle East during the visit to be held by the US Secretary of State Colin Powell to Damascus. Syria-USA, Politics, 5/2/2003 - Maher denies Abu Mazin, Sharon meeting in Cairo; Egypt free to act on its land, water
Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Maher yesterday denied the existence of any arrangements to hold a meeting between Palestinian Abu Mazin (new appointed prime minister) and Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Cairo. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 5/2/2003 - King Mohammed congratulates Qatar's Amir on new constitution
Morocco's King Mohammed VI congratulated Sheik Hamad Ben Khalifa Al Thani on the approval by the Qatari people of the new constitution with the majority of 96.6 per cent during a referendum held last Tuesday. Morocco-Qatar, Politics, 5/2/2003 - Crown Prince Abdullah, Bush phone talks on Iraq, ME
The Saudi news agency said that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz on Thursday held telephone talks with the US President George Bush on the post-Saddam Iraq and the Middle East peace process. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 5/2/2003 - Social consensus marks May day in Morocco, press
May Day in Morocco is marked this year by a social consensus built following the comprehensive agreement struck by the government and its social partners (trade unions and employers) on Wednesday, write on Thursday Moroccan dailies. Morocco, Politics, 5/2/2003 - Lebanese premier confers with Iranian envoy
The Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri yesterday discussed with the Iranian envoy to Lebanon Muhammad Ali Sabhani issues to be discussed during the visit of the Iranian President Muhammad Khatami to Lebanon on May 12nd.. Lebanon-Iran, Politics, 5/2/2003 - Three Baathist leaders detained in Mauritania
The national Baath Party in Mauritania ( not recognized officially) said that the police on Wednesday evening arrested three leaders of this pan Arab party which supports Iraq. Mauritania, Politics, 5/2/2003 - Washington recommends US not to head for Saudi Arabia
The US Department Of State has warned American citizens yesterday from "unnecessary" trips to Saudi Arabia, where there is a prevailing conviction that terrorist groups "reached the final phase" of preparing for operations against the American community. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 5/2/2003 - Al-Shara in Beirut with message from al-Assad to Lahoud Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 5/2/2003
- Obeid: Syrian presence in Lebanon is regulated by al-Taif accord Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 5/2/2003
- Maher holds Israel responsible for escalations in Palestinian territories Egypt-Israel, Politics, 5/2/2003
- Rabat-Malabo determined to consolidate cooperation ties Morocco-Equatorial Guinea, Politics, 5/2/2003
- Palestinians sit-in at the Red Cross premises in Damascus Syria-Palestine, Politics, 5/2/2003
- US soldiers attacked and wounded in al-Falouja Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/2/2003
- Britain resumes diplomatic activity in Iraq after 12 years Iraq-UK, Politics, 5/2/2003
- ISESCO for boosting pan Arab- Islamic solidarity
The Islamic Organization of Education, Science and Culture, ISESCO, stressed on Thursday the necessity for boosting the Islamic solidarity in all fields. Regional, Politics, 5/2/2003 - First visit in 14 years; Mubarak: dividing Sudan is harmful to region
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak and Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in Khartoum yesterday stressed that "the two countries cannot be separated nor alienated from each other." Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 5/1/2003 - Birth of new association to defend democracy and modernity in morocco
A group of civil society militants announced on Tuesday the inception of a new association dedicated to defending democracy and modernity in Morocco. Morocco, Politics, 5/1/2003 - Congress party keeps majority at Yemeni parliament
The ruling Congress Party in Yemen has harvested the most seats of the parliament in the general elections which were held last Sunday. Yemen, Politics, 5/1/2003 - Bush releases roadmap to declaration of Palestine by 2005
The U.S. State Department April 30 released the text of the "roadmap" to a permanent solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The roadmap specifies the steps for the two parties to take to reach a settlement, and a timeline for doing so, under the auspices of the Quartet -- the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, and Russia. Palestine-USA, Politics, 5/1/2003 - US: state of Palestine to be declared in 2005
Following the formal release to the Israelis and the Palestinians April 30 of the international "roadmap for peace" in the Middle East, President George Bush urged both sides to end their violence and work with the United States, the international community "and directly with each other to immediately end the violence and return to a path of peace." Palestine-USA, Politics, 5/1/2003 - Bush declares end of combat; London groups for Iraqi conference; Rumsfeld in Baghdad after 20 years
US secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld entered yesterday into Baghdad to inspect the situation and promised Iraqis freedom, at a time when the American forces were shooting Iraqis who were demonstrating in protest of a massacre committed by the Americans in al-Falouja town several days earlier. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/1/2003 - Mubarak stresses right of Iraqis to choose own government
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak stressed on Wednesday the Iraqi people's right to choose their own government. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 5/1/2003 - A new government in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz yesterday formed a new government which is the third in three decades. The governmental reshuffle included abrogation of several ministries and founding new ones. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/1/2003 - Lebanese figures denounce accusations against Syria
The Lebanese Parliament has stressed unity of tracks between Syria and Lebanon denouncing the US unjustified accusations against Syria and that it is an attempt to force Syria abandon its pan-Arab positions. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 5/1/2003 - Morocco calls for stronger non-proliferation treaty
The official slammed Israel for its refusal to adhere to the NPT, noting that such an attitude raises concerns for Middle Eastern countries and for the international community. Israel is the only country having a nuclear military program in the region, he said. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 5/1/2003 - Palestinians and Israelis receive Mideast 'road map Palestine-USA, Politics, 5/1/2003
- Al-Shara confers with Japanese counterpart Syria-Japan, Politics, 5/1/2003
- Al-Assad received the Japanese Foreign Minister Syria-Japan, Politics, 5/1/2003
- Al-Assad confers with former US Senator Abu Rezk Syria-USA, Politics, 5/1/2003
- Ukraine to reopen its embassy in Iraq Iraq-Ukraine, Politics, 5/1/2003
- US funds to help recover Iraqi antiquities
The US Department Of State said yesterday that the US has allotted a sum of 2 million dollars to help in protecting and renovating the Iraqi archaeological sites and museums which were destroyed and looted following the American occupation of Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/1/2003 - Qataris approve a new constitution
With a great majority, the Qataris yesterday approved a constitution which makes the state of Qatar more democratic. Qatar, Politics, 4/30/2003 - US transfer of forces from Saudi Arabia to Qatar; 90 Iraqis, killed, wounded in al-Falouja massacre
It was just a demonstration for some 200 Iraqis calling for the withdrawal of the American forces from an elementary school they had occupied near al-Falouja town to the west of Baghdad. Some 100 of them returned back safe while the others fell among the killed or wounded by the bullets of the American soldiers. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 4/30/2003 - Al-Assad meets Gul
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad received yesterday Turkish Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and an accompanying delegation. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 4/30/2003 - Al-Shara - Gul's press conference on Iraq, developments
Concerning Syria's stance towards the current events in Iraq, al Shara stressed Syria's firm and principled stance before and after the war, asserting Iraqi territorial integrity, and safety as well as exercising the right of choosing the Iraqi government without any external interference. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 4/30/2003 - Syrian Turkish parliamentary talks
Speaker of People's Assembly, Naji Otri, received in Damascus yesterday the two members of the Turkish Nation's Council, Mohammed Basher Humaidi and Dia Eddine Akbolot accompanying Turkish Foreign Minister, Abdullah Gul. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 4/30/2003 - Tripoli takes civil responsibility for Lockerbie issue
Libya's secretary of the people's general committee for foreign relations and international cooperation, Abdul Rahman Shalqam, announced yesterday that Libya agrees to shoulder civil responsibility in the Lockerbie incident which took place in 1988. Libya-USA, Politics, 4/30/2003 - Morocco to hold local elections next september 12
Local elections will be held in Morocco next September 12, it was officially announced on Tuesday. Morocco, Politics, 4/30/2003 - Okaz: Saudi king pardons five thousands public right prisoners
The director general of the Saudi Arabia's prisons has announced that King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz ordered the release of some 5000 public rights prisoners. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/30/2003 - Sudanese rebels kidnap army officer Ibrahim Ismael in Darfour
The official spokesman for the Sudanese army Lt. Gen. Muhammad Bashir Suleiman said yesterday that the rebels of Darfour area kidnapped an army officer during an attack against al-Fasher city, the largest of north Darfour province which is situated to the West. Sudan, Politics, 4/30/2003 - Algerian military officials, polisario mercenaries sued in Belgium
A group of thirty former Moroccan detainees in Algeria have lodged a complaint with the Belgian justice against Algerian military officials and mercenaries of the separatists group Polisario. Algeria-Belgium, Politics, 4/30/2003 - Former Iraqi oil minister surrenders to occupation forces
The American forces announced they hold Amir Mohammed Rasheed, the former Iraqi minister of oil who was also the advisor of the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. In a statement, the US central leadership in Qatar said using the full name of the former Iraqi oil minister which was very often used "Amir Mohammed Rasheed al-Obeid surrendered on Monday and he is currently held by the coalition forces." The leadership gave no further details. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/30/2003 - Ghali calls for coalition forces withdrawal from Iraq Regional-Iraq, Politics, 4/30/2003
- Butaflika discussed with Kaddoumi ME and Palestinian issues Algeria-Palestine, Politics, 4/30/2003
- King Mohammed meets chinese army chief of staff Morocco-China, Politics, 4/30/2003
- Morocco-Niger voice will to beef up cooperation ties
Morocco and Niger voiced in Rabat on Monday will to consolidate their cooperation ties and hoist them at the level of the excellent political relations. Morocco-Niger, Politics, 4/30/2003 - Powell's visit to start May 1 to 3 Regional-USA, Politics, 4/30/2003
- Iraqi refugees in Norway to return back home
Norway announced yesterday that some 3500 Iraq refugees who do not have residency documents are facing expulsion shortly from the kingdom to Iraq. Iraq-Norway, Politics, 4/30/2003 - Yemeni elections strengthen Saleh's rule, Islamic reforms gains in the capital
Yemen has advanced an additional step towards enhancing its democracy through the legislative elections which took place on Sunday with the participation of all Yemeni parties. Yemen, Politics, 4/29/2003 - Two private magazines licensed in Syria Syria, Politics, 4/29/2003
- Iraqis besiege Garner and aides by demonstrations, doubts
The USA has accelerated steps towards forming an interim administration that is expected to stem from "a national congress" decided to be held after 4 weeks, at a time it still faces rejection of cooperation from main Iraqi factions and strong opposition by thousands of citizens who demonstrate on daily basis in protest of the American occupation of their country. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/29/2003 - Mauritania holds presidential elections next November Mauritania, Politics, 4/29/2003
- On Powel's visit to Syria
The BBC correspondent in Damascus said that in light of the intensive political and diplomatic moves, Damascus considers the great importance of the expected visit by the US secretary of state Colin Powell to Syria in light of which the future of Syrian- American relations will be determined. Syria-USA, Politics, 4/29/2003 - Abourezk underlines importance of Powell's visit to Syria
Former US. Senator James Abourezk has indicated that US. Secretary of State Colin Powell's visit to Syria gains special importance in the current complicated circumstances that have followed the war on Iraq and their dangerous repercussions on the region in general. Syria-USA, Politics, 4/29/2003 - Morocco, Algeria study water cooperation Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/29/2003
- King Mohammed receives Niger's premier Morocco-Niger, Politics, 4/29/2003
- Al-Shara confers with Russian deputy FM Syria-Russia, Politics, 4/29/2003
- Al-Shara gets a telephone call from Obeid on ME developments Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 4/29/2003
- Shaath: the Road Map will be presented next day of confidence vote to the new palestinian government Palestine-USA, Politics, 4/29/2003
- King Mohammed stresses Africa's prosperity depends on citizens and human resources upgrading
Morocco's King Mohammed VI stressed here on Monday that "Africans, their leaders and elite, are all aware that they share a common destiny. They know that their prosperity depends on how much we care about the African citizen and about the upgrading of the human resources that this continent boasts." Morocco-Regional, Politics, 4/29/2003 - Rumsfeld, Powell, and Spencer to visit Saudi Arabia
Three US secretaries will be visiting will visit Saudi Arabia during the few coming days in order to hold talks with senior Saudi official. The US defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld will arrive Tuesday to Riyadh in the course of his tour on the region, he had already started on Sunday by visiting Abu Dhabi and Doha. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 4/29/2003 - American ambassador in Lebanon for good relations with Syria Syria-USA, Politics, 4/29/2003
- American and Russian officials to visit Jordan Jordan-Russia, Politics, 4/29/2003
- Pakistani president makes contact with UAE President, al-Hariri Regional-Pakistan, Politics, 4/29/2003
- Assefi voices support for the Palestinians Palestine-Iran, Politics, 4/29/2003
- Palestinian refugees from Iraq entered Jordan Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 4/29/2003
- Morocco invited to OECD ministerial meeting
Morocco was invited to take part in the ministerial conference of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) scheduled in Paris on April 29-30. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 4/29/2003 - Voting starts in Yemen amid tightened security measures
Member of the higher committee for the elections, Abo Muhammad al-Juneini, said that the turnout was great. He explained that for the first time Yemen is witnessing a competition at that volume and an electoral freedom as such. Yemen, Politics, 4/28/2003 - Qatari citizens start vote on referendumÊ
Qatari citizens who reside in the Sultanate cast their votes in a general referendum for the endorsement of Qatar permanent draft constitution at the Qatari Embassy here today, two-days prior to the referendum in Qatar which will be held on Tuesday. Qatar, Politics, 4/28/2003 - US forces detain Lt. Gen. Amin, and al-Zubaidi; Garner meets today
The US forces yesterday arrested Mohammed Mushin Al-Zubaidi who installed himself as a chairman for Baghdad's municipality. Captain David Conoly, the American military spokesman said that al-Zubeidi was arrested because he does not support the American forces and because he practices the post of the chairman of the municipality of Baghdad. A post which no one had appointed him in, noting that other 7 persons accompanying al-Zubeidi were also arrested, giving no more details. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/28/2003 - Lebanese figures deplore American accusations against Syria
Pan- Arab Action Organization in Lebanon has stressed the importance of the Syrian- Lebanon unity of stance in facing the "Zionist enemy colonialist plans and in liberating the occupied Arab territories." Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 4/28/2003 - Islamic Conference condemnation of US accusations against Syria
The Organization of Islamic Conference, OIC, has condemned vehemently the US accusations directed against Syria. Regional-Syria, Politics, 4/28/2003 - Chalabi: Saddam Hussein is still alive and is moving in Iraq
The chairman of the Iraqi national congress Ahmed Chalabi told Fox News yesterday that the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is still alive and is moving in Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 4/28/2003 - Algerian- Mali joint statement
The Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika and President Amadi Toumani of Mali have called for honoring the sovereignty of the Iraqi people and Iraq's territorial integrity and enhancing the role played by the UN and the international law to preserve world peace, security and stability. Algeria-Mali, Politics, 4/28/2003 - Sudanese president says Darfour is stable
The Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has described the events which took place in al-Fasher city the capital of northern Darfour, west Sudan, on Friday as isolated and unimportant and were carried out by outlaw groups to the norms of the Sudanese society. Sudan, Politics, 4/28/2003 - Al-Azhar calls for end to Anglo- American occupation Iraq
Grand Imam of al-Azhar Mosque, Mohammed Sayed Tantawi, has called on for the withdrawal of the Anglo- American forces from Iraq and has rejected any interference in the internal affairs of the Iraqi people who have the right to self- determination. Egypt-USA, Politics, 4/28/2003 - Sudanese - UAE investment projects
The United Arab Emirates UAE minister of oil and board chairman of the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Obeid Bin Seif al-Nasiri, discussed with the Sudanese minister of finance and the economy Al Zubeir Ahmad al- Hassan areas of joint cooperation between the two states and its various prospects. United Arab Emirates-Sudan, Politics, 4/28/2003 - Okaz: Saudi contingent join occupation forces in Iraq Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 4/28/2003
- Al-Assad meets with Kuwaiti FM on ME development Syria-Kuwait, Politics, 4/28/2003
- Moussa to hold an Arab tour, including Kuwait Kuwait-Regional, Politics, 4/28/2003
- Al-Assad meets with US senator Lantos Syria-USA, Politics, 4/28/2003
- Mubarak confers with Kuwaiti FM Egypt-Kuwait, Politics, 4/28/2003
- Lahoud confers with US ambassador to Lebanon Lebanon-USA, Politics, 4/28/2003
- Syrian presence at Washington's symposium Syria-USA, Politics, 4/28/2003
- British army staff secretary in Muscat Oman-UK, Politics, 4/28/2003