Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 6/16/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of June 16, 2003
- Syrian communist parliamentarian calls for political parties law
Communist member of the Syrian parliament Hnein Nimer ( of Youssef al-Faisal wing) has called on the Syrian government to work for separating authorities and for issuing a law for parties after the "internal condition has become mature enough." Syria, Politics, 6/19/2003 - Crown prince Abdullah calls for a national dialogue
One of the participants in the national dialogue conference which was held at the initiative of the Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah said that the conferees also called for vaster participation in the political life, and for more independence at the level of the judicial system, and for fair sharing of resources. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/19/2003 - Syrian institute to qualify government employees
The National Institute For General Administration started its works yesterday under the motto of "making the cadres of future." Syria, Politics, 6/19/2003 - Mauritania: Detention and quitting a governor
Mauritania's authorities have arrested the former minister in charge of women's affairs, Mantata Bint Hadid ,and the head of the supreme court, Mahfouz Weld al-Murabet, in the context of the current investigation to disclose the implications of the recent military coupe against the president last week. Mauritania, Politics, 6/19/2003 - Morocco, Algeria study means for deeper anti-terrorism cooperation, moroccan minister
"It is clear that the improvement of relations will open better perspectives to build a large Maghreb to which we have been aspiring for so long," he said. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/19/2003 - Al-Assad meets with French intellectual, chief of Syrian- American club
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad received in Damascus yesterday Chairman of the Arab World Institute in Paris, Denis Bauchard. Syria-Regional, Politics, 6/19/2003 - Russian envoy confers with Lebanese figures on developments
Russian Envoy to the Middle East Andre Vidovin stressed yesterday in Beirut the importance of intensifying diplomatic and political efforts to include the Syrian and the Lebanese tracks for peace in the region. Lebanon-Russia, Politics, 6/19/2003 - US forces open fire at Iraqi demonstrators; Three US soldiers, three Iraqis killed
Three American soldiers were killed yesterday in Baghdad, one of them was in a fire shooting from a car in downtown of Baghdad while another was wounded according to an American military spokesman. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/19/2003 - Turkey closes crossing point with northern Iraq
Turkey yesterday closed the main border crossing point with northern Iraq before the trade traffic. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 6/19/2003 - Egyptian worker attacks American soldier in the head
News reports in Cairo said yesterday that one of the American Marine soldier working in the American embassy in Cairo was exposed to an attack by an Egyptian citizen and the soldier was admitted to hospital in a very grave situation. Egypt-USA, Politics, 6/19/2003 - No link at all between mosques and terrorism, minister
Moroccan minister of Habous (Islamic endowments) and Islamic affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, said Tuesday there was no link at all between Mosques and terrorism. Morocco, Politics, 6/19/2003 - Arab Human Rights Committee meets in Cairo Regional, Politics, 6/19/2003
- Saudi public service minister meets Moroccan officials Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/19/2003
- El Mundo: Madrid encourages spanish investments enhancement in Morocco
The Spanish government has called Spanish businessmen to enhance their investments in Morocco, the daily El Mundo reported. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/19/2003 - Least developed countries hold conference in Rabat
The conference is also part of Morocco's decision to annul the debts of the African least developed countries and allow a free access of their exports to the Moroccan market Regional-Morocco, Politics, 6/19/2003 - Syria: Human rights society criticizes pace of continued recession
The Human Rights Society in Syria yesterday criticized continued "oppressive detention" in the country at a time when Syrian officials statements have been increasing on the "development" of human rights conditions. Syria, Politics, 6/18/2003 - EU official: Morocco an exceptionally important partner for EU Morocco-European Union, Politics, 6/18/2003
- Independents win majority of seats in Jordanian elections
Preliminary results of the legislative elections announced by the Jordanian ministry of the interior yesterday evening showed that independents close to the authority have won the majority of seats at the new Jordanian parliament. Jordan, Politics, 6/18/2003 - Moroccan PM, EC president underscore Morocco's privileged status in its ties with EU Morocco-European Union, Politics, 6/18/2003
- Efforts to boost Libyan, French relations Libya-France, Politics, 6/18/2003
- Appeal Court Sentences Journalist Ali Lmrabet to 3 years in Jail
The court of appeal of Rabat sentenced this Tuesday journalist Ali Lmrabet to 3 years in jail and maintained the ban of his twin satirical publications “Demain” in French and Douman in Arabic. Politics, 6/18/2003 - Assabah: Jordanian FM calls more Arab states to join Agadir declaration Jordan-Regional, Politics, 6/18/2003
- Sahara: Morocco supports comprehensive political solution that respects its kingty
Morocco supports a comprehensive political solution to the Sahara issue that preserves its territorial integrity and respects its sovereignty, said on Monday Moroccan communication minister and government spokesman, Nabil Benabdellah. Morocco, Politics, 6/18/2003 - AL chief confers with Ashrawi Regional-Palestine, Politics, 6/18/2003
- Butaflika for Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, Syria
Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika who yesterday started an official visit to Austria called for Israel's withdrawal from the occupied Syrian and Lebanese territories "in order to establish complete peace in the region." Algeria-Regional, Politics, 6/18/2003 - Report from Damascus on relations with America: occupation problems in Iraq reduced the crisis
The Syrian leadership has restored back its calm often known of having it the face heated developments. This however, after the storm of direct threats made by the American administration upon launching its war of Iraq and continued for three months; Threats that all American officials took part starting from President George W. Bush until the last advisor at the US Pentagon. Syria-USA, Politics, 6/18/2003 - Al-Shara, confers with Vidovin
Syria's Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara received in Damascus yesterday the Russian Special Envoy of peace process in the Middle East Andre Vidovin and an accompanying delegation. Syria-Russia, Politics, 6/18/2003 - Government spokesman: monarchy, foundation of Moroccan nation unity
The monarchy is the major foundation on which the unity of the Moroccan nation lies and which enables it to move towards modernity and democracy, said here on Monday communication minister and government spokesman, Nabil Benabdellah. Morocco, Politics, 6/18/2003 - LCI TV: International network behind Casablanca attacks, minister
Moroccan communication minister and spokesman for the government, Nabil Benabdallah, told Monday French TV channel LCI an international terrorist network is behind the May 16 blasts that actually targeted the modern and democratic society project Morocco is building. Morocco, Politics, 6/18/2003 - Israel denies Palestinian reports on possibility of releasing Barghouthi shortly
The Palestinian radio said that the Israeli authorities will release member of the Palestinian legislative council Marwan Barghouthi during the next 48 hours. A matter which was denied by the Israeli government which cling to proceeding with measures to trying him. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/18/2003 - Gulf states calls for the foundation of a central Iraqi national government Gulf-Iraq, Politics, 6/18/2003
- Australia bans Hizbullah party
Australia's attorney general Daril William has stated that Australia decided to ban the Lebanese Hizbullah Party. Lebanon-Australia, Politics, 6/18/2003 - A Dutch to succeed Moratinos
European diplomats said yesterday that the European Union nominated candidates to have one of them succeed the Spanish EU ME special envoy Miguel Moratinos whose term of office ends in June. Regional-European Union, Politics, 6/18/2003 - Al-Arab al-Youm: Iraqi Jews return back to buy Real-estates in Baghdad Iraq, Politics, 6/18/2003
- Jordan: elections today, Islamists fear to be harassed
Eligible Jordanian voters will head today for the ballot boxes to choose their representatives in the 14th parliament following an absence of the Parliamentary life in Jordan for 6 years. Jordan, Politics, 6/17/2003 - People's Assembly approves draft law on setting up Human Rights Council
A draft law to establish National Human Rights Council was approved by the People's Assembly (PA), chaired by Speaker, Ahmed Fathi Sorour, yesterday. Under the law the new council will be affiliated to the Shura Council and is aimed at conserving and promoting human rights. Egypt, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Israel was ready to bargain the Golan by Comprehensive peace with Syria ? Syria-Israel, Politics, 6/17/2003
- Algeria: No insurmountable problem in Morocco-Algeria relations
"There is no insurmountable problem in the development of Morocco-Algeria relations and we are completely ready to establish a model cooperation with Morocco," Algerian foreign affairs minister, Abdelaziz Belkhadem, said here on Sunday. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Moroccan FM underscores political will to re-open Moroccan-Algerian land borders
Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, underscored on Saturday the existence of a political will in both Morocco and Algeria for the reopening of land borders and for fostering bilateral economic, political, social and cultural ties. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Moroccan FM meets Algerian President
Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa, met here on Saturday Algerian president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Morocco, Algeria agree to create three committees to reinforce cooperation
Morocco and Algeria agreed to set up three committees to maintain contacts between the two Maghreban states and enhance joint action, says a joint statement released at the end of a visit to Algiers over the week end by Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Maher, Bolton take up Israel's nuclear program Egypt-USA, Politics, 6/17/2003
- Morocco's prime minister meets French president
Moroccan prime minister, Driss Jettou, met here this Monday French president, Jacques Chirac, in the presence of Morocco's ambassador in France, Hassan Abouyoub. Morocco-France, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Lebanese minister holds with Syrian officials in Damascus
Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara received in Damascus yesterday his Lebanese counterpart, Jean Obeid. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Egypt, Tunisia sign secret agreements to exempt Americans from the international criminal court
The US Department Of State announced yesterday that other five countries approved to exempt American soldiers from being subject to the International Criminal Court. This came in the day when this court's power came to effect with the appointment of its first attorney general in his post of office yesterday. Egypt-Tunisia, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Sheikh Hamdan gets a message from Sudan's FM United Arab Emirates-Sudan, Politics, 6/17/2003
- Libya, Ghana for boosting relations Libya-Ghana, Politics, 6/17/2003
- Work Council to reactivate Syrian- UAE cooperation Syria-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 6/17/2003
- Egypt bids to salvage Mideast peace plan Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 6/17/2003
- No Islamic extremism threat looms on Morocco, prime minister
Moroccan Premier, Driss Jettou, said Monday Morocco, which embraced Islam 14 centuries ago, is not facing any threat of "Islamic extremism." Morocco, Politics, 6/17/2003 - International Criminal Court assigns its first prosecutor
Prominent Argentinean litigator Luis Moreno Ocampo was sworn in yesterday as the chief prosecutor of the world's first permanent war crimes court. Regional, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Mauritania removes naval forces commander
President of Mauritania Mu'aweya Wild Taye' said yesterday that the commander of Mauritania's naval force Col. Abdul Rahman Weld al-Kour was removed from his position in the course of a series of reforms in the military establishment which targeted those who were involved in the coupe attempt which took place on June 8th. Mauritania, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Ras al-Kheima crown prince in Oman
Well-informed sources said yesterday that the removed crown prince of Ras al-Kheima Khaled Bin Saqer al-Qasimi had left for Oman. United Arab Emirates-Oman, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Egyptian mediation extracts a silent consent from Hamas on a Truce
The attempts to reach a "truce" between the Palestinian groups and Israel reached its peak yesterday with the success of the Egyptian delegation in getting a silent approval from Hamas to halt its military operations. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 6/17/2003 - Kuwait, Iran for boosting relations Kuwait-Iran, Politics, 6/17/2003
- Syrian friendship societies with Ukraine, China, France Syria-Regional, Politics, 6/16/2003
- Ministerial reshuffle in Libya, Shukri Ghanem is prime minister
Libya has made a ministerial reshuffle according to which former minister of the economy and oil exports Shukri Ghanem became prime minister to replace Mubarak al-Shamekh. Libya, Politics, 6/16/2003 - People's Assembly's special session on the Cabinet's policy and agenda
Syria's People's Assembly marked yesterday the 3rd anniversary of the demise of the late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad. In its session headed by the People's Assembly, Speaker Naji Otari, and with the attendance of Prime minister Muhammad Mustafa Miro, Otari delivered a speech to the Assembly's members where he said that "on the 3rd anniversary of the moving away of the late President Hafez al-Assad, we highly appreciate our great leader's distinguished characteristics." Syria, Politics, 6/16/2003 - Moroccan FM meets Algerian peer
Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohammed Benaissa, who pays a working visit to Algeria, met in Algiers Saturday his Algerian peer, Abdelaziz Belkhadem. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 6/16/2003 - Military reinforcement deployed in Ras al-Kheima after a new crown prince was declared
The federal authorities in the United Arab Emirates yesterday sent military reinforcements to Ras al-Kheima Emirate to prevent the occurrence of riots in it after the alienation of its former crown prince to his half brother, according to witnesses. United Arab Emirates, Politics, 6/16/2003 - Developing Arab joint action organization meeting in Cairo Regional, Politics, 6/16/2003
- Jordan prepares for elections, Islamists threaten boycott
Jordanians are preparing to take part in the parliamentary elections which will be held next Tuesday. In contrary to previous elections which were boycotted by main opposition forces, especially the Islamic Labor Front, these forces are taking part in the elections, despite the continued enforcement of the "one vote system," which limits a person's vote to one's area, which had prompted these forces to boycott the previous election. Jordan, Politics, 6/16/2003 - Spanish FM in Mauritania Mauritania-Spain, Politics, 6/16/2003
- Gul: Syrian - Turkish relations are in an advanced stage
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has asserted that the Syrian-Turkish bilateral relations has reached to a very advanced stage stressing the necessity for a joint action in order to develop these relations. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 6/16/2003 - Maher receives Britain's envoy to Sudan Egypt-UK, Politics, 6/16/2003
- Kuwait's FM voices support for women issues
Kuwait's first deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has expressed his conviction that the next nation's council ( parliament) in Kuwait will approve the political rights of women. Kuwait, Politics, 6/16/2003 - Saudi - Iranian cooperation; al-Faisal: Israel obstructs road to peace
Saudi Arabia and Iran stressed their continued cooperation and the need of cooperation between all countries of the region to fight terrorism and extremism, according to the Iranian foreign minister Kamal Kharazi during his meeting with his Saudi counterpart Prince Saud al-Faisal in Tehran by the end of the week. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 6/16/2003 - Saudi civil service minister due in Morocco next week Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Politics, 6/16/2003
- Russian envoy confers with Maher
Russian Envoy, Andre Vidovin warned in Cairo yesterday against the dangerous repercussions of the deteriorated situations in the Palestinian territories and on the security and stability in the Middle East. Egypt-Russia, Politics, 6/16/2003 - The Sunday Times: Raghad Saddam Hussein: My father and brothers are alive
One of the daughters of the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein said that her father and two brothers Ode and Qusai are still alive, denying, simultaneously to have any contacts with them at the meantime. Iraq, Politics, 6/16/2003 - Mubarak for halting deteriorations in Palestinian territories
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak stressed the need for halting the state of deterioration the Palestinians suffer in the occupied territories. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 6/16/2003 - Ashrawy meets Moussa, Al Baz
Hanan Ashrawy, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council expressed her appreciation of Egypt's efforts by President Hosni Mubarak and the endeavors taken to unite the Palestinian factions and prevent divisions among them as Israel wishes. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 6/16/2003 - Egyptian delegation arrives in Gaza soon
An Egyptian delegation was due in Gaza today to help launch a dialogue between the Palestinian Authority and all the national and Islamic opposition factions in order to reach a common ground in the face of challenges. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 6/16/2003 - Morocco considers new immigration strategy, minister
Moroccan human rights minister, Mohammed Aujjar, said the government is considering a new migration strategy. Morocco, Politics, 6/16/2003