Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 6/9/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of June 9, 2003
- Qathafi calls for fundamental economic reforms
The Libyan mass media said yesterday that Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi urged for the implementation of fundamental reforms in his country's economy, in order to reach what he called "people's capital," calling for the abrogation of the public sector. Libya, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Lahoud underlines importance of Syrian- Lebanese unified stances Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 6/14/2003
- New conditions for partnership between the executive and legislative authorities in Syria
It is a well-established fact that the Syrian People's Assembly ( parliament) has not been in the heart of the political and economic life in Syria since a long time. This Assembly which is dominated by the Baathists since the 1960s is actually a basic alley for the government which also controlled by the Baathist leadership, and therefore differences have never occurred between the two sides in recent decades. Syria, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Qathafi requires public officials to be highly qualified; make use of globalization
Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi has renewed his call for the need to benefit of globalization and the investment of the money and technology by those who do not possess it, the official Jamahiriya news agency reported. Libya, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Moroccan pm's visit to France, opportunity to reassert Paris' solidarity with Morocco Morocco-France, Politics, 6/14/2003
- Asharq Al-Awsat: Issues of common concern tops Moroccan-Algerian talks in Algiers, Moroccan fm
Moroccan Minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, said Friday meetings he will hold during his visit on Saturday to Algiers will discuss questions of common concern. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Moroccan PM in Brussels for talks with EU officials Morocco-European Union, Politics, 6/14/2003
- First visit of its kind, Moussa in southern Sudan on June 30th
The Arab League has stated that its secretary general Amr Moussa will on June 30th pay a visit to Sudan in which he for the first time will head for the southern areas there. Sudan-Regional, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Arab states move towards smoother visa procedures
The Arab states will speed up and facilitate visa procedures, notably through the use of the fax and the internet to deal with visa applications. Regional, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Al-Shara speaks with Powell: Israeli occupation and assassinations are the problem
Al-Shara stressed that the continuation of the Israeli occupation and assassination of the Palestinian leaders is the basic reason for the escalation of violence in the region. Syria-USA, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Chirac, Hariri stress concern over deteriorated conditions occupied Palestinian territories
The French President Jacque Chirac and the Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri have expressed their concern over the escalated conditions in the Palestinian territories during their meeting in Paris yesterday. Lebanon-France, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Smaha underlines Syrian- Lebanese call for resumption ME peace process
Lebanon's minister of information Michael Smaha has stressed the Syrian and Lebanese call for resuming the peace process in order to reach a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 6/14/2003 - 80 Iraqis killed by American forces in one day, a fire at a main oil pipeline in Iraq
The number of persons killed in the American attack against what was described as a training camp for Iraqi resistance men situated in Rao town in the downtown of Iraq increased to 80 persons. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Kuwaiti fm meets Moroccan parliament speakers
Kuwaiti Foreign affairs minister and Interim minister of finance and planning, Sheikh Mohamed Sabah Salem As-Sabah, met in Rabat on Thursday the Speakers of the Moroccan House of Advisers and House of Representatives. Morocco-Kuwait, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Moroccan kingy, token of morality, authority, thinker says
The Moroccan monarchy is "a token of morality and authority, a capacity existing nowhere in the world except in Morocco," said Mohamed Arkoun, a renowned Arab thinker and professor at the French prestigious university of La Sorbonne. Morocco, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Al-Quds al-Arabi: Saddam orders foreigners to leave Iraq, threatens their countries with attacks
The London based al-Quds al-Arabi issued today a hand-written message attributed to the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in which he ordered foreigners to leave Iraq and threatens to launch attacks against the occupier's countries. Iraq, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Iraqi ambassador in Amman refuses to return back home
The Iraqi ambassador in Jordan Sabah Yassin, and the press officers at the Iraqi embassy in Amman rejected instructions to return back to their country and decided to stay in Jordan. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Tunisia denies news on Ben Ali poor health
Tunisian official sources denied a report stated by the French daily Liberation yesterday on rumors widely spread in Tunisia to that Zine El Abidine Ben Ali suffers poor health. A matter which has forced him to limit the number of his public appearances. Tunisia, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Terrorist attacks, breach to Islam's teachings, Morocco's theologians say
Morocco's theologians on Friday decried terrorist attacks as a violation of the teachings of Islam. Morocco, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Morocco's economic policy must meet EU cooperation requisites
The minister underscored the "importance of EU's role in accompanying Morocco's economic and social development process," recalling that Morocco's trade with the union makes 70% of the overall. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 6/14/2003 - Moroccan FM expected in Algeria Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 6/13/2003
- Jordan: Islamists and the Palace rearrange cooperations
This detente opens a news page in the relations and furnishes for the beginning of continued dialogues between the front and the king. This experience seem to have tought both sides a lesson. The Muslim Brothers learnt from their optional absence for six years from the parliament which is a long time for any people's party to be absent from authority, while the government has realized that there is no value nor a credibility for the council if the first and largest part in the country is out of it. Jordan, Politics, 6/13/2003 - Releasing Madani, Balhah in July
The chairman of the Algerian league in defense of human rights, lawyer Abdul Nour Aki Yahya, said yesterday that his two clients, the leading figures of the banned Islamic Front For Salvation, Abbasi Madani and Ali Balhah, will be released on July 2nd. Algeria, Politics, 6/13/2003 - Islah, Sharia overwhelm the elections campaign in Kuwait
The election campaigns of political groups was launched in Kuwait in preparations for the parliamentary elections which will be held on July 5th. Kuwait, Politics, 6/13/2003 - Morocco extends donation to Mauritanian government Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 6/13/2003
- Qatar denies mediation between Yemen, Djibouti
Qatar's foreign minister Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jaber al-Thani denied in a press statement any Qatari mediation between Yemen and Djibouti. This denial comes at a time when the Amir of Qatar, Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani started on Wednesday an official visit to Yemen for two days in the course of a tour during which he will also visit Djibouti. Yemen-Qatar, Politics, 6/13/2003 - Qathafi meets with Burkina Faso President
Wad reinvited Qathafi to visit Senegal "so as the people of Senegal will be able to welcome him as an African leader, working for the victory of the African continent causes for progress and prosperity of its people." Libya-Burkina Faso, Politics, 6/13/2003 - Hammoud for pullout of Israeli forces from occupied Syrian, Lebanese lands Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 6/13/2003
- France condemns Rantissi's assassination attempt Palestine-European Union, Politics, 6/13/2003
- EU condemns Israeli aggression on Gaza Strip Palestine-European Union, Politics, 6/13/2003
- King Mohammed meets Kuwaiti FM Morocco-Kuwait, Politics, 6/13/2003
- Syrian-Yemeni telecommunications relations boosted
Syrian Ambassador to Sanaa Farouk Taha discussed in Sanaa yesterday with Yemeni Minister of Communication and Information Technology Abdul Malek al-Malami means of enhancing bilateral relations between Syria and Yemen in the fields of communication and informational technology. Yemen-Syria, Politics, 6/13/2003 - Algeria commends Morocco's humanitarian aid to quake-stricken algerians
Algerian industry minister, El Hachemi Jaaboub, praised Morocco's humanitarian assistance to Algeria following the earthquake that hit several regions in the country last May 21 and left thousands of dead and injured. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 6/13/2003 - Nine out of 44 Iraqi diplomatic mission refuse to return home
The chairman of the committee in charge of following up works of the Iraqi foreign ministry, assigned by the Americans, Ghassan Hussein announced yesterday that nine heads of the 44 Iraqi diplomatic missions abroad, who were summoned by the ministry refused to return back to the country. Iraq, Politics, 6/13/2003 - Moroccan FM meets German parliamentary delegation Morocco-Germany, Politics, 6/13/2003
- Tishreen: EU stresses importance of Association Agreement with Syria
Chairman of the Middle East group and Gulf in the European Parliament, Sami Nair, has stressed that his talks with Syrian officials dealt with main points pertaining to the Syrian European partnership agreement and effects of signing the agreement on the Syrian economy and industry. Syria-European Union, Politics, 6/13/2003 - Escalation with US forces in Iraq, US planes shot down
The American central leadership admitted that a US Apache Helicopter was shot down yesterday by Iraqi fighters to the west of Baghdad, noting that all its occupants were rescued. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/13/2003 - Moroccan-Kuwaiti cooperation commission opens meeting in Rabat
The Moroccan-Kuwaiti High Joint Commission opened here Thursday its second session to study means to upgrade economic and commercial exchanges between the two Arab states Kuwait-Morocco, Politics, 6/13/2003 - Al-Nahar: Russia for a comprehensive solution to ME issues Regional-Russia, Politics, 6/13/2003
- Moroccan, German parties meet in Rabat Morocco-Germany, Politics, 6/13/2003
- Iraq failed to return most seized Kuwaiti property, Annan Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 6/13/2003
- Jordan: Legislative elections, a test for the role of woman
While Jordan is preparing for legislative elections that the country has been waiting for since years, on June 17, there is a heated debate on the significance of allocating 6 seats for women in the next parliament, in the conservative society. Jordan, Politics, 6/12/2003 - Sami Nair: Europe supports the march of modernization and democracy in Syria
Replying to another question on President Bush's initiative for the American- Mediterranean partnership, Nair said that this idea of partnership is great when it is built on honoring justice and the international laws. But should it be similar to the American partnership in Iraq "I will not welcome it.." Syria-European Union, Politics, 6/12/2003 - Bahraini societies criticizes information minister Nabil al-Homer
Six political organizations in Bahrain considered statements published by local papers on Monday by the minister of information Nabil Yaqoub al-Homer about the freedom of the press as "painful attack for public freedoms" in the country. The organization called on the minister to reconsider his statements. Bahrain, Politics, 6/12/2003 - Consultations between Sudanese government, rebels, and mediators to draft final agreement
The Sudanese government has disclosed that the few coming weeks will witness large scale consultations on the draft of the final agreement, noting the expected visit by the Kenyan envoy Lazaras to Khartoum to give proposal on the final draft agreement before debating it to sides concerned next week, remarking that issues on sharing the authority and resources should be fulfilled through elections. Sudan, Politics, 6/12/2003 - King Mohammed receives message from Spanish head of government
Aznar thanks king Mohammed VI for the clear and detailed presentation of the latest developments in the Sahara issue, saying he agrees with the sovereign's view that this issue should be settled for the sake of the region's stability, good neighborliness relations in northern Africa and perspectives of integration of the Maghreb Union. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/12/2003 - King Mohammed receives message from US president
Morocco's King Mohammed VI has received a letter from U.S. president, George W. Bush, in connection with the royal message which was sent to the American president through minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa. Morocco-USA, Politics, 6/12/2003 - Russian president: no alternative to political settlement of Sahara issue
Russian president, Vladimir Putin, stressed, in a message to Morocco's King Mohammed VI, that there is no alternative to a political settlement of the Sahara issue, as part of the United Nations Security Council germane resolutions. Morocco-Russia, Politics, 6/12/2003 - Some 45 American soldiers killed in Iraqi attacks post war
The number of American soldiers who were killed since the beginning of the war against Iraq, according to a new numbers circulated by the US defense department reached 183 killing until the 10th of June including 45 killed after the end of the main military operations on May 1st, as a result of attacks carried out by Iraqis, according to the ministry. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/12/2003 - Al-Faisal visits Iran to inquire about al-Qaida
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister prince Saud al-Faisal will head in the "few coming days" to Tehran to discuss the file of members of al-Qaida organization who are arrested in Iran, according to a diplomatic source in Riyadh yesterday. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 6/12/2003 - Mubarak calls for halting the Israeli aggression, criticizes al-Ranteisi assassination attempt
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has criticized "Israel's attempt" to assassinate Abdul Aziz al-Ranteisi, one of the leaders of Hamas, warning against the danger of the continued Israeli aggression against the Palestinians and its reflections on efforts aiming to revive the peace process. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 6/12/2003 - Egyptian efforts to convince the Palestinians of a truce
The director of the Egyptian intelligence Omar Suleiman has started his talks with the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Ramallah before his meeting with the prime minister Mahmoud Abbas. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 6/12/2003 - Life returns to normalcy in Mauritania Mauritania, Politics, 6/12/2003
- Shaloum shortens visit to Russia after Putin refused to meet him Israel-Russia, Politics, 6/12/2003
- King Mohammed receives French chief of staff Morocco-France, Politics, 6/12/2003
- Arab Labor Organization meets in Cairo Regional-Iraq, Politics, 6/12/2003
- European commission proposes 250 mln euro aid to third countries concerned by immigration
The European commission proposed on Wednesday the allocation of a 250 million Euro aid over 2004-2008 period to third countries concerned by migration and asylum. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 6/12/2003 - Court to hand out sentence in journalist case next week Morocco, Politics, 6/11/2003
- Al-Assad interview with Al-Arabia TV discuss internal and foreign policy issues
Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad said the recent summit in Aqaba was designed for the Palestinian track. Syria was not invited to the summit and that Washington postponed talks on the Syrian-Lebanese tracks, he added. Syria-Regional, Politics, 6/11/2003 - Lahoud commends the Syrian army working in lebanon Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 6/11/2003
- King Mohammed holds phone talks with Mauritanian president Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 6/11/2003
- Algerian president gets a message from al-Bashir Algeria-Sudan, Politics, 6/11/2003
- Khatami: relations between Syria and Iran are strong, strategic Syria-Iran, Politics, 6/11/2003
- Amnesty International calls on Tunisia to halt human rights violations
Amnesty International has called on the Tunisian authorities to put an end to human rights violations. In its first main report about Tunisia since 1998, Amnesty International said that the Tunisian security authorities continue violations of international norms and laws of human rights through oppressive detention, torture, single imprisonment. Tunisia, Politics, 6/11/2003 - Algeria: release of main figure in Tansiqat al-Oroush
The Algerian radio said that Bal'eed Abarbaka, the main figure in Tansiqat al-Oroush which leads a protest movement on the situation of al-Qabayel area was released yesterday following 8 months of his detention in Teizi Ozo prison. Algeria, Politics, 6/11/2003 - Army in control in Mauritania, news of killing coupe leader
The Mauritanian army forces have tightened their control on the capital Nouakchott and deployed their units in the sensitive sites of it after defeating the coupe attempt which took part in the country two days ago and resulted in great destruction in government's installations. Mauritania, Politics, 6/11/2003 - Khartoum accuses rebels of evading Mashakos agreement
The Sudanese government has accused the rebels of the people's movement for the liberation of Sudan, led by Col. John Garang of escaping the Mashakos agreement about which the government said it had resolved the issues of the "state, the religion and the national capital." Sudan, Politics, 6/11/2003 - Funeral for the remains of a Kuwaiti prisoner in Iraq
A funeral was held yesterday for the remains of what Kuwait said was a Kuwaiti prisoner Saad Mashaal Aswad al-Anzi which was found in one of the mass graves in southern Iraq. Al-Anzi was one of the prisoners Kuwait used to demand the former Iraqi regime to have back. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 6/11/2003 - Occupation forces detain Sadoun Hammadi; Rumsfeld: overcoming resistance takes months
The US defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld has admitted that overcoming the pockets of the Iraqi resistance which belongs to Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq will take months. His statement coincided with a series of raids carried out by the occupation forces at sites for Iraqi resistance to the west of Baghdad that resulted in detaining 384 resistance fighters and wounding 4 Americans. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/11/2003 - After 45 years of toppling Iraq's monarchy, al-Sharif Ali in Baghdad
Al-Sharif Ali Bin al-Hussein, a descendent of the Hashemite family, returned back yesterday to Iraq, 45 years following the revolution which toppled the Monarchy in the revolution of 1958. He vowed to build a country of "dignity, freedom and democracy." Iraq, Politics, 6/11/2003 - Arab follow up committee meets in Manama
Arab Follow up Committee held in Manama yesterday a meeting on the Foreign Ministers' level with the participation of Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara. Regional, Politics, 6/11/2003 - Moroccan premier meets Brazilian culture minister Morocco-Brazil, Politics, 6/11/2003
- UAE, Iran for maintaining agricultural cooperation United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 6/11/2003
- Moroccan speaker meets Finnish women MPs Morocco-Finland, Politics, 6/11/2003
- Improving common Arab work
Concerning promotion of the common Arab work system, three documents were debated during the Manama meeting of the Arab Move and Follow up committee. The Saudi foreign minister proposed the initiative of the Saudi crown prince in details in order to revitalize joint Arab work; a proposal of thoughts and ideas proposed by the secretary general of the Arab League Amr Moussa, while the Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Maher presented proposals by President Hosni Mubarak to this effect. Regional, Politics, 6/11/2003 - Moroccan, Gibraltar employers association sign partnership convention Morocco-UK, Politics, 6/11/2003
- Saudi Arabia carries out a media campaign to improve its image in the USA Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 6/11/2003
- Jordanian attache in Tel Aviv Jordan-Israel, Politics, 6/11/2003
- Khartoum calls for referendum on peace agreement with rebels Sudan, Politics, 6/10/2003
- Egypt proceeds to cancel State Security Courts; all issues referred to civil courts
In an extended session that lasted for over four hours, the Shura Council agreed, in principle, to cancel Law 105/1980, as well as to amend certain items and articles in the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Law. Egypt, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Arab lawyers condemn Israeli illegal occupation and practices in Golan
The Permanent Bureau of Arab Lawyers Federation expressed appreciation over the steadfastness of the Syrian people and government and their commitment to the pan- Arab principles and their rejection of the Israeli plans. Regional-Syria, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Morocco's fm meets Qatari head of state Morocco-Qatar, Politics, 6/10/2003
- Arab lawyers call for liberation of Moroccans sequestered in Algeria camps
The permanent office of Arab Lawyers Union called for the liberation of all the people sequestered in Tindouf camps (southwestern Algeria) and who are victim of all kinds of torture. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Otari meets with European parliamentary delegation Syria-European Union, Politics, 6/10/2003
- Calm in Mauritania as Wild Taye' survives the coupe
President of Mauritania Mu'aweya Wild Taye' has survived a coupe and appeared on TV announcing the end of the coupe attempt carried out by army offices. Mauritania, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Spanish politicians satisfied with normalization of Moroccan-Spanish relations
The Spanish two major political parties were satisfied with the normalization of Morocco-Spain relations, and voiced hope to see the two countries conducting an open and frank dialogue on pending issues. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/10/2003 - King Mohammed chairs ministers council
Morocco's King Mohammed VI chaired this Monday at the royal palace of Agadir a ministers council that approved a series of draft-decrees, including one on promotion of the situation of women and children rights, a draft-decree providing for increases in allowances of security staff and local councils employees and draft-decrees on the schedule of elections. Morocco, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Berlusconi in Cairo
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is due in Egypt Tuesday on a two-day visit, during which he will meet President Hosni Mubarak, a senior Italian embassy official said in Cairo Sunday. Egypt-Italy, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Egyptian mediation between Palestinian government and factions Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 6/10/2003
- Italian FM's press conference in Damascus
Italian Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini, has stressed the necessity of realizing just and comprehensive peace which realize security, stability and economic development in the region. Syria-Italy, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Kuwaiti: constitutional movement calls for implementing Islamic Sharia; editor in court
chief editor of the Kuwaiti daily al-Watan, Muhammad al-Jasem, was brought yesterday before the public court in line with a notification sent to him on Sunday. Al-Jasem was summoned because he had criticized, during a political meeting of the candidate for parliament Jasem al-Omar on Saturday evening, the the government and the ruling family in Kuwait accusing them of interfering in the election operations, though financing candidates they want to win the elections. Kuwait, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Jordanian- Bahraini military talks Jordan-Bahrain, Politics, 6/10/2003
- Saudi Arabia, Yemen agree to fighting weapons smuggling
Saudi Arabia and Yemen on Sunday agreed to work together to fight smuggling of weapons amid increasing security fears following the explosions that took place in the foreigners' complexes in Riyadh in May. Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Russia for a just ME Peace Process Regional-Russia, Politics, 6/10/2003
- Two American soldiers were killed in attacks in al-Faloujam al-Qaem
News reports in Iraq quoted eye witnesses as saying that one American soldier was killed when an American armored vehicle was exposed to anti armored vehicles shelling on Sunday evening near al-Rafeydeen bank in the downtown of al-Falouja town to the west of Baghdad. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Egypt renews demanding a government in Baghdad representing the Iraqi people
The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Maher has stressed following his meeting with the American ambassador in Cairo David Welsh yesterday the need to enable the Iraqi people to form a government representing all its trends. Egypt-USA, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Al-Itihad: Seale and the war in Iraq
British writer, Patrick Seale stressed yesterday in Abu Dhabi that the war on Iraq was mere trick, asserting that US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair decieved the world with their allegations that Iraqi weapons threatened the security of the region and the world as a whole. Iraq, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Saudi official: no link found to date between Riyadh and Casablanca attacks
Saudi interior minister, Prince Nayef Bin Abdel Aziz, said no link has been established for the time being between the Riyadh and Casablanca terrorist attacks. Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Politics, 6/10/2003 - Moroccan women MP delegation ends visit to Germany
A delegation of Moroccan women parliament members ended an eight-day visit to Germany where they met several government officials, MPs and NGOs. Morocco-Germany, Politics, 6/10/2003 - News on defeating Mauritania's coupe, vagueness overwhelms
Mauritania's minister of information Hammoud Weld Muhammad said today that the coupe attempt which took place in the country was defeated and the "conspirators were arrested." Mauritania, Politics, 6/9/2003 - Al- Assad received a telephone call from Chirac on developments Syria-France, Politics, 6/9/2003
- Al-Shara gets a phone call from Bahraini peer Syria-Bahrain, Politics, 6/9/2003
- Italian Foreign minister, al-Shara meet on ME developments Syria-Italy, Politics, 6/9/2003
- Moroccan premier meets Cote D'Ivoire FM Morocco-Cote D'Ivoire, Politics, 6/9/2003
- Shura Council approves in principle draft law on human rights council
The Shura Council yesterday approved in principle a bill setting up National Human Rights Council. The Human Rights Council will be affiliated to the Shura Council and it will be set up with the aim of strengthening and developing human rights and deepening values of human rights and spreading them. It will be an independent body and will have its headquarters in Cairo and may open branches and offices in the governorates. Egypt, Politics, 6/9/2003 - Morocco's PM in France shortly Morocco-France, Politics, 6/9/2003
- French premier to visit Morocco soon Morocco-France, Politics, 6/9/2003
- Syrian- Jordanian agreement on al-Wahda dam project
Syrian side headed by Deputy Irrigation Minister, Mohammad Adnan Merza and Jordanian sides headed by Secretary General of Jordanian Valley Authority, Mohammad Dafer Al-Alem signed on Sunday a minute of the meetings of the Syrian-Jordanian joint committee of Al-Yarmouk. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 6/9/2003 - Akhbar Al-Youm: Egyptian-Sudanese unity becomes necessity
Egypt's Presidential Adviser Osama Al-Baz said that the Egyptian- Sudanese unity had become a necessity in today's world where small economic blocs could not stand competition with major ones. Speaking Saturday to the Independent Sudanese newspaper Akhbar Al-Youm, Al-Baz noted that Egyptian-Sudanese relations were still not up to the level hoped for Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 6/9/2003 - Arab League discusses new situation in Iraq
Well-informed sources in the Arab League reported yesterday that the Arab follow up committee of the Sharm Esh Sheikh summit will discuss in Manama, Bahrain, today the new situation in Iraq after incidents have over-lapsed the decision of the Arab summit to this effect. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 6/9/2003 - Second Iraqi person killed in al-Falouja, a Baathist official arrested in al-Musil
One Iraqi citizen was killed in al-Falouja city to the west of Baghdad which has been witnessing repeated armed attacks between armed Iraqis and the American soldiers. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/9/2003 - Iraqi health minister arrested; ICRC visits Iraqi war prisoners including former regime officials
The former Iraqi health minister Omed Mubarak Medhat was arrested by the coalition forces following a decision issued by the US administrator of Iraq Paul Bremer in which he banned leading figures of the former regime to occupy senior posts in the new Iraqi administrations, while the retired American gen. Jay Garner permitted Medhat to practice his mission until his arrest on May 2nd. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/9/2003 - Lahoud confers with Italian FM
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud stressed yesterday that any settlement to the Middle East question that leaves out Syria and Lebanon won't be comprehensive. It won't guarantee regional stability. Lebanon-Italy, Politics, 6/9/2003 - Al-Shara meets with the European parliamentary delegation
Syria's Foreign Minister, Farouk Al-Shara, received in Damascus yesterday the European Parliament Delegation headed by Sami Naer. Syria-European Union, Politics, 6/9/2003 - Syrian- Kuwaiti relations are strong, historical
Speaker of the Syrian People's Assembly, Naji Otari has described the Syrian-Kuwaiti relations as strong and historical. Syria-Kuwait, Politics, 6/9/2003 - Scores wounded, killed in confrontations near Khartoum
The people's committee for al- Jakheis suburb in Sudan said that 8 persons were killed and other 17 wounded in confrontations with the governmental authorities which are removing random houses for 30,000 citizens in the area. Sudan, Politics, 6/9/2003 - Jordan denies agreement with Israel to return Jordanian ambassador
The Jordanian Foreign minister Marwan Muasher has denied the existence of any agreement with Israel in order to bring back the Israeli ambassador to it. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 6/9/2003 - Al-Rai al- Am: Kuwait renews rejection to normalize relations with Israel Kuwait-Israel, Politics, 6/9/2003
- Khatami calls for EU role in ME issues Iran-European Union, Politics, 6/9/2003