Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 5/5/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of May 5, 2003
- Efforts in Egypt to agree on reform agenda; opposition agree on program
At a time when the son of the Egyptian President Gamal Mubarak, the secretary of policies in the ruling national party in Egypt, continues vast moves aiming at making contacts for the "agenda of reforms,"an agenda that started with the agenda to end the state security court system and extended to the creation of a higher council for human rights, and canceling the hard labor penalty. Egypt, Politics, 5/10/2003 - Report on the state of the press in the Arab states
The recent annual report of the Reporters Without Borders has depicted conditions of the press and the media in 139 countries during 2002, concerning imposed prescribed laws restrictions and the quality of sanctions and the extent of the state's monopoly of the press and the nature of violations which impede the freedom of the press and expression. Regional, Politics, 5/10/2003 - Mauritania's seculars call for releasing the detainees
Senior Mauritanian scholars yesterday issued a statement to Mauritania's President Mu'aweya Weld Sedi Ahmad al-Taye' in which they expressed their " rejection of "jailing Imams and men of religion and preventing them from performing their rituals." Mauritania, Politics, 5/10/2003 - US admits duty as occupation power in Iraq, calls for lifting sanctions
Amid increasing international concern regarding the deteriorated humanitarian condition in Iraq, one Iraqi citizen was killed yesterday by an American military patrol in Baghdad. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/10/2003 - Algeria Oyahya forms his government
The new Algerian prime minister, Ahmad Oyahya, yesterday announced the formation of his government which does not include large changes regarding the already expired government. Algeria, Politics, 5/10/2003 - Mubarak takes part in G-8 Summit in Evian
Swiss President Pascal Couchepin was scheduled to meet with US President George W. Bush for talks upon the latter's arrival at Geneva Airport but was cancelled due to security reasons. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/10/2003 - King Mohammed wants Moroccan diplomacy to highlight solidarity, humanitarian values, official
Morocco's King Mohammed VI sees to it that the Moroccan diplomacy embodies solidarity and humanitarian values for an efficient contribution to defending South countries' development issues. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 5/10/2003 - Inter- Sudanese peace talks resumed on Saturday in Kenya
The inter governmental commission for development "IGAD" yesterday announced that the Sudanese government and the southern rebels will start today the fifth round of peace talks which aim at ending decades of civil war in Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 5/10/2003 - King Mohammed sends message to German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder
Morocco's Foreign Affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa met in Berlin on Friday with German peer, Joschka Fischer to whom he handed a message from King Mohammed VI to the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, currently on a trip abroad. Morocco-Germany, Politics, 5/10/2003 - Bashir fires officials in areas exposed to rebel attacks in Darfour
The Sudanese governmental TV said that Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir made major changes in the local governments in Darfour,in west Sudan, as a result of what relates to the attacks recently launched by the rebels against that area. Sudan, Politics, 5/10/2003 - On Kharazi's statements in Italy
Iranian Foreign Minister, Kamal Kharazi, criticized vehemently the U.S. double standard policy towards the Arab-Israeli struggle. In a statement in Rome on Thursday, Kharazi underlined that the U.S. supports Israel which is an occupation force in the occupied Palestinian territories. Iran-USA, Politics, 5/10/2003 - Moroccan thinker pleads for reforming Arab regional system
Abdelhadi Boutaleb, a renowned Moroccan thinker, on Thursday called for hastening the reform of the Arab League and enable it better face up challenges thrown at Arab countries. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 5/10/2003 - ALO's support for Syria, Lebanon Organization / Syria and Lebanon Regional, Politics, 5/10/2003
- Iraq, Moroccan Sahara, major content of King Mohammed VI's message to President al-Assad Morocco-Syria, Politics, 5/10/2003
- Canadian MPs in Morocco May 10-12
A delegation from the Canadian House of Commons' permanent committee of foreign affairs and international trade will visit Morocco May 10-12, the Canadian embassy announced in a release. Morocco-Canada, Politics, 5/10/2003 - First shipment of Syrian aid to Iraq Syria-Iraq, Politics, 5/10/2003
- Mubarak will meet Monday Powell Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/10/2003
- Calls to avert terrorism dangers in Arab region
Participants to the 5th Arab conference of security information officials which closed in Tunis Thursday called for programs to define the concept of terrorism and means to ward off its dangers, by inciting citizens to back security efforts against the phenomenon. Regional, Politics, 5/10/2003 - US: international law as a hindrance to resolving world problems
The US, in line with previous practice, continues to clearly indicate that international law is a hindrance to solving world problems, and that back door politics are a better way than straight and open talk. Regional-USA, Politics, 5/9/2003 - Al-Assad gets a message from Moroccan King Mohamed VI Syria-Morocco, Politics, 5/9/2003
- Washington calls UN to lift sanctions on Iraq, asks for annual authorizations
The US yesterday asked the UN security council to recognize the American- British occupation of Iraq for one full year and to approve the founding of a fund where oil revenues in Iraq are deposited, and the sums to be spent at a decision by the occupation authorities and in consultation with a provisional Iraqi government which has not been formed yet and is still facing challenges and question marks concerning names and forces proposed to join it. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/9/2003 - Ivanov, al-Faisal call for accelerating implementation of the roadmap
The Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov and his Saudi counterpart prince Saud al-Faisal, currently visiting Moscow called for the implementation of the Roadmap in order to find out a solution for the Palestinian Israeli conflict as soon as possible. Saudi Arabia-Russia, Politics, 5/9/2003 - King Mohammed sends message to Russia's Putin
Moroccan state minister, Abbas Fassi, currently on visit to Moscow, on Thursday handed Russia's Foreign Affairs minister, Igor Ivanov a message from King Mohammed VI to President Vladimir Putin. Morocco-Russia, Politics, 5/9/2003 - AL delegation visits Garang; Khartoum renews accusation to Israel of supporting its rebels
A delegation representing the Arab League held talks with the leaders of the rebel movement in southern Sudan for the first time since 1953, while the spokesman for the Sudanese forces Lt. Gen. Muhammad Bashir Suleiman renewed accusations against Israel of supporting the southern rebels led by John Garang. Sudan-Regional, Politics, 5/9/2003 - Siaset Rose: Support for Syria's ME stances voiced
The Iranian Newspaper Siaset Rose has praised Syria's "brave" stances in defending causes and rights of the two Arab and Islamic worlds including the Palestinian and the Iraqi issues. Syria-Iran, Politics, 5/9/2003 - Six Palestinians killed by Israel; Palestinian blows up himself at an Israeli check point
Sources at the Palestinian police and eye witnesses said that an Israeli helicopter fired two missiles at a car in Gaza and this resulted in murdering Ayyad al-Beck ( 27 year old), of the Hamas movement. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/9/2003 - Palestinian group absent of Moroccan festival, failed to obtain Israeli authorization
A release of the general coordinator of the festival said the manager of the Ramallah group apologized for not being able to attend. Palestinians do not have the right to go abroad if they do not obtain an authorization, he said. Palestine-Morocco, Politics, 5/9/2003 - Al-Shara gets a phone call from Obeid Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 5/9/2003
- Jordanian King to hold talks with the American President in June Jordan-USA, Politics, 5/9/2003
- Turkish papers call for improving relations with Syria Syria-Turkey, Politics, 5/9/2003
- Moroccan fm praises similarity of Moroccan-Mauritanian standpoints
Moroccan Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister, Mohammed Benaissa, on Wednesday praised the convergence of Moroccan and Mauritanian views regarding several issues. Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 5/9/2003 - Government committed to apply social dialogue deal
The minister pointed to difficulties in recruiting more civil servants especially that 12.5% of the national revenue is earmarked for them, and 58 billion Dirhams ($5.8 billion) of the 78 billion ($ 7.8 billion) running costs go to salaries, i.e. two folds the kingdom's investment budget. Morocco, Politics, 5/9/2003 - An American force to fighting terrorism in Djibouti
American officials announced yesterday that the unit of terrorism fighting operations in the African Horn area is transferring its headquarters to the land in Djibouti on a high- tech ship and is sending additional forces to the region. Djibouti-USA, Politics, 5/9/2003 - Positive ties between Morocco's NGOs, government praised
The Arab Association of Civil Society Network praised the healthy and positive ties between NGOs and the State in Morocco. Morocco, Politics, 5/8/2003 - To eliminate American pretexts against Syria, Palestinian groups propose closing offices
Palestinian groups in Damascus expressed their readiness to close their offices in the Syrian capital in a step aiming at dismantling the American pretexts against Syria. Syria-USA, Politics, 5/8/2003 - Arab- Kurdish clashes North of Baghdad, Cholera in al-Basra
Leaders of the main Iraqi groups will discuss today with the American officials in Baghdad arrangements of an interim government, the occupation authorities want to install in the country, while the American forces continue to appoint local administrations in various parts of the country, the most remarkable of these was appointing yesterday a governor in Salah Eddine governorate including the city of Takrit, the birth place of Ex-President Saddam Hussein. Iraq, Politics, 5/8/2003 - Saudi FM in Moscow, preparation for crown prince visit, Iraq agenda
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal starts today a visit to Moscow at an invitation he had received from his Russian counterpart Ingor Ivanov that will last for two days during which he will hold talks with high ranking Russian leaders concentrating on the development of conditions in the region especially in Iraq as well as bilateral relations between the two countries. Saudi Arabia-Russia, Politics, 5/8/2003 - Morocco's premier ends visit to Mauritania
Morocco's Prime Minister Driss Jettou ended on Wednesday a two-day official visit to Mauritania during which he co-chaired with Mauritanian peer Cheikh El-Afia Ould Mohamed Khouna the high joint commission 3rd session. Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 5/8/2003 - Syrian official spokesman denies secret talks with Israel
Syria's Foreign Ministry Official Spokesman on Wednesday said: Syria absolutely denied any secret meetings or messages between Syrian and Israeli officials in a bid to resume Syrian-Israeli peace talks. Syria-Israel, Politics, 5/8/2003 - Assafir: Nasrullah: American pressures are very serious, but will not push us to give up resistance option
The secretary general of the Hizbullah party Hassan Nasrullah has stressed that the general developments in the region reveal that the American pressures will be escalated against Syria and Lebanon in the coming phase, but he ruled out the occurrence of fundamental changes in the two states position concerning the major issues, considering that Hizbullah will maintain its option, because the reasons that pushed it to resistance are still there. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 5/8/2003 - Amir of Qatar discusses in Washington bilateral military relations
Amir of Qatar, Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, currently visiting Washington, discussed with the US defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the congressional leaderships bilateral military and economic relations as well as the conditions in the region, following the war on Iraq and the file of peace in the Middle East. Qatar-USA, Politics, 5/8/2003 - Sudan: resumption of peace negotiations in Mashakos
The Sudanese government and the rebels in of southern Sudan were due to have resumed peace negotiations in Kenya, at a time when the rebels denied providing any help to the rebels of Darfour ( Northern West). Sudan, Politics, 5/8/2003 - Mu'eya detention acts to suppress opposition
Calmly and away from the media and reaction to the occupation of Iraq, there is a fierce campaign against the opposition forces in Mauritania which includes Islamists, Baathists, Nationalists, preachers at mosques and opposition leaderships for normalization with Israel. Mauritania, Politics, 5/8/2003 - News on the existence of 200 Kuwaiti prisoners alive
Tareq al-Mikhyal, the second Kuwaiti citizen who volunteered in search of the Kuwaiti prisoners said that he has documents showing that there are between 150- 200 Kuwaiti prisoners who are still alive in Iraq. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 5/8/2003 - Morocco's territory development minister starts visit to Syria Syria-Morocco, Politics, 5/8/2003
- Moroccan state minister visits Russia Morocco-Russia, Politics, 5/8/2003
- Iraq resolution to come soon
After meeting with Secretary-General Kofi Annan today in New York, Secretary of State Colin Powell of the United States said a new resolution lifting sanctions against Iraq would be presented this week to the members of the Security Council, one that would also give the United Nations a vital role in the reconstruction of the war-ravaged country. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/8/2003 - Highest Egyptian judicial commission agrees to cancel state security courts
News reports in Egypt said yesterday that the highest judicial commission in Egypt approved a suggestion proposed by the ruling party aiming at canceling the state security courts law. Egypt, Politics, 5/7/2003 - Saudi king approves creation of non-governmental human rights organization
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal announced the creation of an independent human rights organization that will not be subject to governmental interference. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/7/2003 - Argentina eliminates visa duties for Moroccan nationals
Argentina's government has decided to eliminate visa duties for Moroccan nationals either tourists or businessmen, by virtue of a presidential decree published in the official bulletin (April 23th). Morocco-Argentina, Politics, 5/7/2003 - Sheikha al-Mahmoud, the first female Arab Gulf minister
Sheikha Ahmad al- Mahmoud, the Qatari minister of education yesterday took get oath before Amir of Qatar, Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani. The Amir issued a decree to amend the formation of the Cabinet and to appoint Sheikha al-Mahmoud as a minister of education. Qatar, Politics, 5/7/2003 - Justice Ministry finishes draft republican decree on setting up human rights council
Egypt's justice ministry finished a draft republican decree on setting up a human rights council. Egypt, Politics, 5/7/2003 - Al-Shara gets call from De Villepin
Syria's Foreign Minister, Farouk Al-Shara, received on Tuesday a phone call from French Foreign Minister, Dominique de Villepin. Syria-France, Politics, 5/7/2003 - Amir of Qatar starts official visit to the USA, France, Britain Qatar-Regional, Politics, 5/7/2003
- Gul commends Syria's stances on ME peace
Syria's Turkish Premier and Foreign Minister, Abdullah Gul, underlined the correctness of the Syrian position towards the peace process in the region. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 5/7/2003 - Atomic Energy wants to investigate theft claims in Iraqi facilities Iraq-UN, Politics, 5/7/2003
- Kuwait announces elimination of 'the fog' in the relations with Lebanon
Kuwait's first deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah yesterday announced that the "fog" which has clouded relations between Kuwait and Lebanon was eliminated. Kuwait-Lebanon, Politics, 5/7/2003 - Qatari FM official: No Qatari mediation between Kuwait, Amr Moussa
An official source at the Qatari foreign ministry said that the talks between the Amir of Qatar, Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the secretary general of the Arab League Amr Moussa dealt with the developments of current conditions and means of coordinating Arab stances to deal with these conditions, especially the situation in Iraq and means of alleviating the sufferings of the Iraqi people and enabling them to maintain self determination and choosing their government democratically as soon as possible as well as maintaining Iraq's unity and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Qatar-Regional, Politics, 5/7/2003 - Al-Assad meets with Syrian Martyrs' children
He pointed out that learning is the other face of martyrdom and called for knowledge and supremacy. Syria, Politics, 5/7/2003 - Saudi - Tunisian economic cooperation
Saudi Arabia's minister of trade and industry, Hashem Yamani, yesterday in Riyadh discussed with the Tunisian state secretary in charge of international cooperation and foreign investment at the Tunisian ministry of development and international cooperation Hammouda Hamdi. Saudi Arabia-Tunisia, Politics, 5/7/2003 - Syria celebrates Martyrs Day
Syria's Armed Forces of Army, Navy and Air Forces celebrated on Tuesday by the anniversary of the Martyrs Day. Syria, Politics, 5/7/2003 - Egypt and Iran share the desire to improve bilateral relations Egypt-Iran, Politics, 5/7/2003
- Calls in Morocco to foil G-8 summit
Activists of the Morocco section of an international anti-globalisation association joined together to call for foiling the upcoming summit of the Group of 8 (G-8), arguing the summit "only seeks to impose rich countries' will on the rest of the world." Morocco-Regional, Politics, 5/7/2003 - Occupation forces in Iraq continue to be targets of fire; update on Iraq situation
Five shooting incidents occurred in Iraq from May 4-6, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/7/2003 - UN: the Lebanese army is deployed in South Lebanon
A spokesman for the UN in South Lebanon said yesterday that the Lebanese army was actually deployed in the area formerly occupied by Israel. Lebanon-UN, Politics, 5/7/2003 - Sharon renews rejection of 'right of return' to Palestinians, Katsav for more settlers, continued aggressions
Once again the Israeli occupation forces incurred into several Palestinian cities and towns inflecting more destruction and casualties and imposed large scale terrorism measures. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/7/2003 - Ambassador Paul Bremer Named Presidential Envoy to Iraq
US President George Bush named Ambassador Paul "Jerry" Bremer to be presidential envoy to Iraq, the White House announced May 6. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/7/2003 - Cooperation relations between Libya, Belarus Libya-Belarus, Politics, 5/7/2003
- Australia's prime minister visits Qatar tomorrow Qatar-Australia, Politics, 5/7/2003
- U.S. Officials Help Search for $1 Billion Missing from Iraqi Central Bank Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/7/2003
- Three US soldiers were wounded in bomb explosion Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/7/2003
- Israeli foreign minister visit to Russia postponed Israel-Russia, Politics, 5/7/2003
- Egyptian National Council for Human Rights
A discussion on the new initiative proposed by the National Democratic Party (NDP) policies Committee for establishing the National Council for Human Rights was the focus of a seminar held at the Journalists Syndicate last Sunday. Egypt, Politics, 5/6/2003 - Al-Haeiri rejects forming a government under foreign umbrella
The American occupation forces have started to test ability to establish an Iraqi- self- rule authority in preparation for the set option of "international division" it has been discussing with its allies, while the director of the American civil administration Jay Garner is preparing for the groups of the London's conference to assume the interim rule in Baghdad during May and the beginning of June. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/6/2003 - Moussa denies from Doha Qatari mediation between him and Kuwait
The Secretary General of the Arab League (AL) Amr Moussa on Monday denied the existence of any Qatari mediation between him and Kuwait, considering that the Arab League was standing with Iraq, not with the former Iraqi regime. Regional-Kuwait, Politics, 5/6/2003 - Butaflika fires Benflis, brings back Oyahya, due to Algerian presidential elections
The Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika yesterday fired the Prime minister Ali Benflis after increased differences between them concentrated on the intention of Benflis to launch the Presidential elections due in 2004. He assigned Ahmad Oyahya to for a new government. Algeria, Politics, 5/6/2003 - Al-Shara hold telephone talks with Papandreou, Palacio
Syria's Foreign Minister, Farouk al-Shara received on Monday two phone calls from Greek Foreign Minister, George Papandreou, and from Spanish Foreign Minister, Ana Palacio. Syria-European Union, Politics, 5/6/2003 - Chalabi threatens the Jordanian King of Iraqi intelligence documents
Ahmed Chalabi, the chairman of the Iraqi National Congress, announced he has 25 tons of Iraqi intelligence documents some of which address accusations to the Royal family in Jordan. Iraq, Politics, 5/6/2003 - Deputies hail rise in women's parliamentary representation
Moroccan deputies hailed over the weekend in Kenitra, 50 km north of Rabat, the increase in the rate of women representation in parliament that went up from 0,6 per cent in the previous legislative term to 10,6 per cent in the current one. Morocco, Politics, 5/6/2003 - Amr Moussa to start Maghreban tour
Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, will start Tuesday a tour in Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. Regional-Maghreb, Politics, 5/6/2003 - Omran confers with Algerian culture minister
Syria's Minister of Information Adnan Omran received on Monday the Algerian Minister of Communication and Culture, Mrs. Khleeda Tomi. Algeria-Syria, Politics, 5/6/2003 - Gamal Mubarak can not prevent others from nominating him
Gamal Mubarak, son of the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said before University students that he is not planning to nominate himself to succeed his father to presidency, but he can not prevent others from nominating him. Egypt, Politics, 5/6/2003 - Awareness campaign in canada on Moroccan POWs in Algerian camps
The Association of the sons of Moroccan Sahara Martyrs and Disappeared persons announced Monday the launching in Montreal (Canada) of a campaign to foster awareness as the situation of Moroccan POWs in Algerian camps and those of the Polisario separatists. Morocco-Canada, Politics, 5/6/2003 - Passport for Freedom extended to longest-serving Moroccan POW in algeria
"The passport for freedom" will be extended Tuesday in the European parliament to Moroccan officer, Mimouni Zeggai, detained since 1976 in the Tindouf camps (south-eastern Algeria, where the Polisario separatists are based), announced Dominique Rambaud, coordinator of the European Union's "Passport for Freedom" initiative. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 5/6/2003 - New Israeli ambassador in Jordan
Jordan yesterday approved the decision of the Israeli government to nominate Yaqoub Haddas Handlsman to be its extraordinary ambassador to Jordan. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 5/6/2003 - Mubarak congratulates Katsav on the foundation of Israel
President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt yesterday extended a message of congratulations to his Israeli counterpart Moshe Katsav on the occasion of Israel's celebration of its foundation, which falls today according to the Hebrew Calendar. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 5/6/2003 - Baqradouni: Syria's presence in Lebanon is legitimate Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 5/6/2003
- Moroccan FM meets Gambian peer Morocco-Gambia, Politics, 5/6/2003
- Maher questions speed of interim government Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 5/6/2003
- Cote-D'Ivoire wants to benefit from morocco's craftsmanship know-how Morocco-Cote D'Ivoire, Politics, 5/6/2003
- Libyan- Sudanese follow up committee Libya-Sudan, Politics, 5/5/2003
- On the Sudanese president's visit to Libya
The Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismael has stressed that the talks held by President Omar Hassan al-Bashir with Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi on Saturday dealt with bilateral relations, the march of peace in Sudan, the situation on the Arab arena, especially in Iraq and Palestine and means and ways of improving the current Arab conditions. Sudan-Libya, Politics, 5/5/2003 - Moussa in Qatar, postpones visit to Kuwait
The source added that among these basics is also abrogating the process of unanimous voting at the level of all AL organizations including the summit and the ministerial council as well as reconsidering joint Arab economic agreements, eliminating non-trade obstacles before the flow of commodity, services, sums and individuals and establishing a mini Ministerial council to run the Arab affairs. Regional, Politics, 5/5/2003 - Al Baz calls for US- British forces withdrawal from Iraq Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 5/5/2003
- Washington: No weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, US soldier killed
One American soldier was killed in northern Iraq after he was hit by a bullet mistakenly fired from his own weapon, US military sources said. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/5/2003 - AL chief calls for a just ME peace Regional-Palestine, Politics, 5/5/2003
- Mubarak's Khartoum visit 'injected new blood in integration agreements'
President Hosni Mubarak's ground breaking visit to Sudan, the first in more than 12 years, was historic. It injected new blood in integration agreements between Egypt and Sudan. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 5/5/2003 - On Powell's visit to Syria, Lebanon
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad received on Saturday morning U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and an accompanying delegation. Syria-USA, Politics, 5/5/2003 - Powell - Obeid press conference
US. Secretary of State Colin Powell yesterday described his talks with President Bashar al-Assad as frank and cordial. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 5/5/2003 - New Saudi cabinet ministers take oath before King Fahd
Some 27 Saudi Cabinet ministers on Sunday took their oath before the Saudi King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz to be loyal and committed to their king and country and not to disclose secrets of the state. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/5/2003 - Chairman of Kurdistani national federation briefs Damascus on developments in Iraq
The chairman of the "government" of the Kurdistani National Federation party, Barham Saleh, has announced during his visit to Damascus on Sunday that he briefed Syrian officials on "recent developments in Iraq." In a press conference, Saleh said "we have discussed with the Syrian officials the mechanism of forming an independent national government in Iraq." Syria-Iraq, Politics, 5/5/2003 - Al-Zamaan: New Turkish border gate with Iraq
The Turkish daily al-Zamaan said yesterday that the Turkish authorities are currently preparing to open a new border gate with Iraq in an area close to the Syrian borders. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 5/5/2003 - Preparations for the fifth biannual Gulf summit
al-Ateyah said that this summit comes at a very important and critical phase in the history of the GCC, noting that the GCC agenda is not limited and will be open to discuss all issues Gulf, Politics, 5/5/2003 - Muasher, hold telephone talks with al-Faisal, Maher
Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marwan Muasher yesterday discussed with the Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal and with the Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Maher in two telephone calls, various developments taking place in the region, especially the Iraqi and the Palestinian issues. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 5/5/2003 - Security Council informed on sahara issue parties' responses to proposals on political solution
James Baker, Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Sahara, on Friday conveyed to the UN Security Council the responses of the parties to the Sahara issue on the proposals of a political solution to the difference over the territory. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/5/2003 - Israeli detention operations, PA calls for implementing Road Map, Sharon to visit Washington
The official in charge of the Palestinian refugees affairs at the Israeli jails Qaddoura Fares said the Israeli forces detained since September 2000 some 25,000 Palestinians distributed on 11 Israeli jails. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/5/2003 - Morocco-Chad: vocational training cooperation probed
Morocco's Secretary of State in charge of vocational training, Said Oulbacha and Chad's Higher Education minister, Adoum Guemessou voiced here on Friday shared will to enhance cooperation in vocational training realms. Morocco-Chad, Politics, 5/5/2003