Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 7/14/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of July 14, 2003
- Sheikh Jaber opens the Kuwaiti Ummah council today Kuwait, Politics, 7/19/2003
- Human rights organization makes mitigated assessment of rights respect in Morocco
The Moroccan human rights organization (OMDH) praises progress covered in Morocco in the promotion of political and cultural rights and calls for a definitive settlement of pending issues related to serious past human rights abuses. Morocco, Politics, 7/19/2003 - Bitterlin outlines France stances towards Arabs, in a lecture Regional-France, Politics, 7/19/2003
- Arab government urged to develop action plan for human rights promotion
Participants in a colloquy held by the Arab human rights organization in Casablanca this week on economic, social and cultural rights called Arab governments to set forth a comprehensive action plan to promote human rights in the Arab states. Regional, Politics, 7/19/2003 - Danforth: we have reached the end of the game in Sudan
The special envoy of the US President George W. Bush in Sudan, John Danforth, yesterday warned the government of Khartoum and the rebels that they have just several weeks to prove their since intention to end the war. Sudan-USA, Politics, 7/19/2003 - First campaign against Iraq's transitional governing council
Imams of the Sunni mosques in Baghdad yesterday launched a campaign against the transitional Iraqi Governing Council calling on Iraqis not to recognize it and to reject its decisions, while a commission for their scholars criticized the "sectarian and ethnic" composition of the council which "gives a certain sect a majority at the expense of the Iraqi people group and without a referendum." Iraq, Politics, 7/19/2003 - Morocco and Pakistan sign package of agreements
Morocco's King Mohammed VI and President Pervez Musharraf co-chaired in Rabat on Friday at the Royal Palace the signing of three cooperation agreements between Morocco and Pakistan The agreements were signed on the second day of the Pakistani president's official visit to Morocco. Morocco-Pakistan, Politics, 7/19/2003 - Lebanese president confers with US Ambassador Lebanon-USA, Politics, 7/19/2003
- Keftaro meets with reactor of al-Azhar University Syria-Egypt, Politics, 7/19/2003
- Egyptian prime minister visits Sudan today
The Egyptian prime minister Atif Obeid will head for Khartoum today on top of a ministerial delegation in a visit which will last for two days during which he will preside over the Egyptian side to the meetings of the 3rd session of the Egyptian- Sudanese higher committee. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 7/19/2003 - One American soldier killed, 611 Iraqi, including 62 former officials detained
The US army yesterday announced the killing of one of its soldiers in an attack by the Iraqi resistance, and that 611 Iraqi persons were arrested in a new operation for its forces, at a time when the largest rescue operations for the American wounded has started since Vietnam war. Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/19/2003 - Iraqi ambassador in China refuses to leave the embassy
The former Iraqi ambassador to China, Muwafaq al-Ani, has refused to leave the building of the Iraqi embassy in Peking and ignored instructions from the occupation administration in Iraq to return back to Baghdad in mid June, according to news reports. Iraq-China, Politics, 7/19/2003 - Abbas visits Egypt, and Jordan before Washington
Israeli occupations forces yesterday at dawn demolished the houses of two Palestinians in Beir Rima village near Ramullah, for Ahmad Bjes and Ramez Turkey who were arrested several days ago on charges of kidnapping an Israeli driver. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/19/2003 - Four persons killed in new acts of violence in Algeria
Four persons were killed in a new armed attack on Thursday evening at a check point near Skikda city to the east of Algiers. The authorities said that what they called armed Islamists are responsible for the attack. Algeria, Politics, 7/19/2003 - Morocco denies it is hindering Sahara settlement plans
He explained that Morocco has also reserves on "the referendum" as this proposal had, in the past, been fruitless. "Why go back to this option, if we are to discuss a political solution that secures to each party its rights and, at the same time, guarantees security and stability?, he wondered. Why bring up again an option on which all parties had reserves and that the United Nations did not succeed to set forth"?, he went on. Morocco, Politics, 7/18/2003 - Morocco: we are always willing for normal and deep relations with Algeria
Morocco has always been keen on having normal, fruitful and deep relations with Algeria, said this Thursday Moroccan communication minister and spokesman of the government, Nabil Benabdellah. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 7/18/2003 - Iraqi police detains al-Jazira correspondent in al-Ramadi
The Iraqi police have arrested the correspondent of al-Jazira TV in al-Ramadi together with a photographer and a driver working for al-Jazira office in the city. The police accused the correspondent of provoking violence. Iraq-Qatar, Politics, 7/18/2003 - Most Security Council members oppose Baker's plan on Sahara
Most members of the U.N. security council confided to MAP correspondent in the United Nations that they oppose the "Baker plan" as experts met on Wednesday to discuss a draft resolution approving the plan submitted last Friday. Morocco-UN, Politics, 7/18/2003 - Morocco, Sierra Leone agree to upgrade cooperation and consultations
Morocco and Sierra Leone signed in Rabat on Thursday a protocol setting up a mechanism of political consultations between the two countries' foreign ministries and agreed to create a joint commission for cooperation. Morocco-Sierra Leone, Politics, 7/18/2003 - Multi- phase process with a referendum in April, 2004, technical- political committee to formulate Iraqi constitution
Well-informed sources in Baghdad said that the Iraqi transitional Governing Council is intended to form a "technical- political committee" in order to formulate a new constitution in a multi-phase process that will end up with a referendum expected to be held in April in 2004. Iraq, Politics, 7/18/2003 - New tape for Saddam Hussein on Baath party anniversary
The Arab mass media broadcast a voice recording for the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on the 35th anniversary of the Baath party assuming authority in Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/18/2003 - US envoy confers with Sudanese president to salvage peace talks
The US special envoy for Sudan John Danforth has announced following his meeting with the Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in Khartoum yesterday that a peace agreement to end the Sudanese civil war will help to pave the way for normalizing relations between Washington and Khartoum. Sudan-USA, Politics, 7/18/2003 - Lahoud outlines Lebanese Cabinet on ME development
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud has stressed that the "Madrid terms of reference," relevant international resolutions and the resolutions of Beirut's Arab Summit held last year are the main aspects concerning Syria and Lebanon in the peace process. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 7/18/2003 - Egyptian envoy meets with chief of Mossad
Egypt's President Mubarak's envoy to the occupied territories Omar Suliman met yesterday with Chief of the Israeli Mossad Maier Dagan for talks on the current conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories and ways to implement the roadmap. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 7/18/2003 - EU suspends embargoing the political wing of Hamas
Diplomats disclosed yesterday that the European Union suspended measures to ban the political wing of the Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, despite the pressures made by the US and Israel, after the movement accepted a cease fire. Palestine-European Union, Politics, 7/18/2003 - Government spokesman renews Morocco's refusal of any proposal leading to yielding national kingty Morocco, Politics, 7/18/2003
- King Mohammed chairs official ceremony to welcome Pakistani president Morocco-Pakistan, Politics, 7/18/2003
- King Mohammed holds phone talks with British prime minister Morocco-UK, Politics, 7/18/2003
- Yemen for developing relations with Syria Yemen-Syria, Politics, 7/18/2003
- Bush plans to meet Palestinian and Israeli leaders in Washington Palestine-USA, Politics, 7/18/2003
- Israeli troops wound a woman in Rafah Egypt-Israel, Politics, 7/18/2003
- Saddam's wife, daughters are in the UAE Iraq-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 7/18/2003
- UN Security Council urges Ethiopia, Eritrea to cooperate with border demarcation
Yesterday's statement by the Council expressed its concern at delays in the demarcation process so far, saying this is contrary to the wish for lasting peace expressed in the 2000 Algiers Agreement Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 7/18/2003 - Syrian decree pardoning key opposition figures including Manna', al-Turk
A well-informed Syrian source said that a Syrian Republican decree was issued providing for full pardoning of several exiled and political detainees, Syrians as well as "opinion prisoners," including Haitham Manna' and Riad al-Turk. Syria, Politics, 7/17/2003 - Okaz: Sabah al-Ahmad: we should forget Iraq's aggression against Kuwait
The prime minister of the new Kuwaiti government, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, has drawn the outlines of his internal and external policy, mainly concentrating on Kuwait's Arab orientation and the desire to close the file of the past with Iraq, and to remark that the US will keep its military presence in Kuwait but the number of its troops will be decided following the formation of a government in Baghdad. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 7/17/2003 - Inauguration of Jordanian parliament with a row between Islamists, Royalists
The first session of the meetings of the Jordanian parliament convened in the framework of the non-ordinary session of the nation's council witnessed the first confrontation between the parliamentarians of Islamist inclination and the liberals on the ground of taking the constitutional oath, at a time when the parliament elected the independent parliamentarian, Saad Hayel as its chairman, who is close to the throne. Jordan, Politics, 7/17/2003 - Women associations call Moroccan government to honor its commitments
A group of women non-governmental organization called on Tuesday the government to live up to its commitments in women issues. Morocco, Politics, 7/17/2003 - Yemeni President: our dealings with Americans are in the open
The Yemeni President also called on his Arab peers to compromise on issues in order to maintain Arab unity and for reforming the Arab League so as to be similar to the European Union. He said he nominates the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to be the leader of the new federation Yemen-USA, Politics, 7/17/2003 - Morocco refuses any imposed solution on Sahara issue
Morocco reiterated on Tuesday its categorical refusal of any solution that would be imposed on it in the Sahara issue. Morocco, Politics, 7/17/2003 - Arab League's reform tops talks between Moroccan FM, Arab League's chief
The reform of the Arab League was the focus of discussions held in Rabat on Tuesday between Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa, and Arab League's secretary general Amr Moussa who arrived on a two-day visit to the kingdom. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 7/17/2003 - Al-Assad underlines UN role in Iraq
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad received on Wednesday United Nations envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Talks during the meeting dealt with UN exerted efforts to form the transitional governing council in Iraq. Syria-UN, Politics, 7/17/2003 - Arab League deplores Israel's decision on Gaza, West Bank as unoccupied territories
The Arab League has denounced the Israeli Knesset decision to consider Gaza Strip and the West Bank as unoccupied territories. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 7/17/2003 - Islamic World society deplores Israeli practices
Islamic World society has warned against the Zionist plans and aggressive practices aiming at displacing the Palestinians in Jerusalem in order to seize it and eliminate its Islamic and Arab character. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 7/17/2003 - Telephone call between al-Assad, Mubarak Egypt-Syria, Politics, 7/17/2003
- Mubarak receives Ivanov today Egypt-Russia, Politics, 7/17/2003
- Shara - Obeid hold telephone talks Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 7/17/2003
- Al-Shara confers with De Mello Syria-UN, Politics, 7/17/2003
- Arab National Conference and the transitional government council in Iraq Regional-Iraq, Politics, 7/17/2003
- Syrian-Turkish efforts to eliminate border Mines Syria-Turkey, Politics, 7/17/2003
- Damascus: Presidential pardoning cover al-Maleh
Lawyer Anwar al-Bunni has welcomed the decision taken by the military judiciary which includes his client, the chairman of the human rights society in Syria, Haitham al-Maleh, with a pardon issued by President Bashar al-Assad last week for small (minor) crimes. Syria, Politics, 7/16/2003 - Sabah al-Ahmad government held first meeting; reform challenge
The new Kuwaiti government yesterday held its first meeting under the chairmanship of Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah after it took the constitutional oath before Kuwait's Amir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, in preparations to discuss its program before the parliament in order to win confidence. Kuwait, Politics, 7/16/2003 - Al-Assad: the Roadmap does not include the Syrian track
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad received yesterday the Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and an accompanying delegation. Syria-Regional, Politics, 7/16/2003 - Al-Shara - Ivanov joint press conference on Iraq and bilateral issues
Replying to a question on Syria's stance regarding the interim Iraqi Governing Council formed recently in Iraq, al-Shara said "it is the first step and we can't give an evaluation except after it starts functioning and unless it is accepted by the Iraqi people. The council is in front of a test before the Iraqi people who aim at forming an elected government with internal legitimacy and international legitimacy." Syria-Russia, Politics, 7/16/2003 - Washington extends presence of its forces in Iraq; New council spends time on war crimes
He admitted that the council does not represent all political forces in Iraq. He added that there are real political forces which are not represented calling on them to practice constructive opposition and to realize that the current phase is a provisional one. Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/16/2003 - Jordan confiscates Iraqi assets to secure Jordan's interest
Jordan announced yesterday it will use the Iraqi financial assets it has to pay due sums for the Iraqi traders who exported commodities to Jordan, and these assets to be returned back after fulfilling the due Iraqi debts to Amman. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 7/16/2003 - Syrian forces start fourth redeployment in Lebanon
The Lebanese security forces announced that the Syrian army started on Monday evening a redeployment process for its forces positioned in Lebanon since 1976. This is the fourth in less than three years. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 7/16/2003 - Washington suspends Russian oil contracts with Saddam's regime
U.S. Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow said in a statement issued yesterday that the US is ready to permit Russian companies to work in Iraq, but he stressed that the next Iraqi government will decide the fate of oil contracts finalized with Saddam Hussein's regime. Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/16/2003 - Jordanian prisoners in Israeli jails urges the king to interfere
Jordanian prisoners in the Israeli jails have urged the Jordanian King Abdullah II to interfere in order to release them. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 7/16/2003 - Abed Al Razeq: Snubs the Israeli Trial of Al Burghothi
"Palestinian National Authority (PNA) rejected vehemently the trial of Mr. Marawan Al-Burghothi, Fateh's Secretary in the West Bank and the member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Ð by Tel Aviv central court yesterday and asked for setting Al Burghothi free right away," IPC said. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/16/2003 - Telephone talks between al-Shara, al-Faisal Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 7/16/2003
- Amr Moussa: Restructuring Arab League, next summit priority Regional, Politics, 7/16/2003
- Maher probes with Danforth peace efforts in Sudan Egypt-USA, Politics, 7/16/2003
- Syrian - Bahraini parliamentary relations Syria-Bahrain, Politics, 7/16/2003
- Unidentified group claims attacks in Iraq; de Mello says elections in 2004
United Nations envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, has stressed that the Iraqi Governing Council which was recently formed in Iraq does not enjoy full legitimacy and that what he called actual legitimacy will be stemmed from the democratic elections which can not be formed before 2004. Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/16/2003 - Paris opposes any solution to Sahara issue without consent of all parties
France said on Tuesday it opposes any settlement to the Sahara issue that does not enjoy the consent of all the parties. Morocco-France, Politics, 7/15/2003 - King Mohammed holds phone talks with French president Morocco-France, Politics, 7/15/2003
- Al-Assad confers with a French delegation Syria-France, Politics, 7/15/2003
- King Mohammed holds phone talks with US president Morocco-USA, Politics, 7/15/2003
- Khartoum asks for Arab mediation, al-Bashir denounces IGAD proposals
The Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir called yesterday IGAD for providing an alternative for the peace proposals debated in the negotiations with the rebels, otherwise "leave us and go to hell." Sudan, Politics, 7/15/2003 - Kuwait: the formation of the first government outside the control of the crown prince
Kuwait's designated prime minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah yesterday formed his first Kuwaiti government. As usual, al-Sabah family kept the main posts in this Cabinet. This was upon the decision taken by Kuwait's Amir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah to separate the two posts of the crown prince and the presidency of the government. Kuwait, Politics, 7/15/2003 - King Mohammed receives Arab League secretary general Morocco-Regional, Politics, 7/15/2003
- Morocco denies news on security council decision over Sahara issue
Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohammed Benaissa, denied new reports that the UN Security Council took a decision over the Sahara issue, stressing that consultations are still ongoing. Morocco-USA, Politics, 7/15/2003 - Pope's stances are appreciated in the Arab states
The Vatican announced yesterday that the condemnation pronounced by Pope John Paul II of the American military interference in Iraq and his call for a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East were appreciated in the Arab states. Regional-Vatican, Politics, 7/15/2003 - Ivanov in Jordan to strengthen UN Security Council role
Russia has called for the implementation of the Roadmap comprehensively and to enhancing the role of the UN Security Council in the process of rebuilding Iraq, while Jordan has stressed the need of enhancing security in Iraq and avoiding "sectarian representation" of the Iraqi political forces in the institutions of the forthcoming authority. Jordan-Russia, Politics, 7/15/2003 - Canada recommends its citizens to avoid traveling to Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia-Canada, Politics, 7/15/2003
- Sequestered Moroccans in Tindouf arrested and tortured
A group of Moroccans sequestered in the Tindouf camps (southwestern Algeria) by the Polisario have recently faced a wave of arrests and torture after they rose up against inhumane practices in the camps, controlled by the Polisario secessionists. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 7/15/2003 - Al-Shara confers with UN program chief Syria-UN, Politics, 7/15/2003
- A Gulf tour for Abi Zeid
The commander of the US Central leadership, Army Lieutenant General John Abizaid, will hold a Gulf tour to be preceded by his first station in Turkey by the end of this week, after he had assumed the missions of his new post in succession of Gen. Tommy Francs. Gulf-USA, Politics, 7/15/2003 - Mubarak invites Avigdor Lieberman to visit Egypt
The Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot said yesterday that the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak intends to invite Israeli ministers including Avigdore Liberman who made hostile statements against Cairo, to visit Egypt in order to open "a new page in the relations with Israel." Egypt-Israel, Politics, 7/15/2003 - Israel demolishes a village in the Golan
The Israeli occupation forces in the Syrian Golan Heights have been demolishing houses of al-Khushneyah village, described by former Syrian parliamentarian and chairman of the Syrian detainees and prisoners in the Israeli jails, Midhat Saleh, "as an aggression expected aimed to totally demolish the village or prepare for adding a new Israeli settlement" to the already 40 established Israeli settlements in the Golan. Syria-Israel, Politics, 7/15/2003 - Belgian diplomat succeeds Moratinos Palestine-European Union, Politics, 7/15/2003
- A historical celebration on the birth of the Iraqi rule council
Baghdad witnessed yesterday the birth of the promised Iraqi "rule council" by an American "midwife" represented by the American administrator of Iraq, Paul Bremer, whose contribution was limited to applause and monitoring of the new council, while confirming that Saddam Hussein's regime has ended and declared the day when Baghdad fell on April 9th as a National Day in Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/14/2003 - Two private Syrian publications criticize the information and foreign ministries
The recently licensed private Syrian magazine Abyad Wa Aswad ( Black and White) has criticized the performance of the Syrian foreign ministry at the UN Security Council, while the other private magazine al-Mohawer ( the dialogue maker) also specified more than 40 pages of strong criticism to the media policy in the country. Syria, Politics, 7/14/2003 - Amir of Kuwait appoints Sabah al-Ahmad a Prime Minister
Kuwait's Amir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has issued a decree appointing the former prime minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah as a prime minister. This will be within political reforms demanded by the Kuwaiti political factions. Kuwait, Politics, 7/14/2003 - Morocco to cancel some reservations on international conventions
Moroccan human rights minister, Mohamed Aujjar, said on Friday his department is preparing a project to cancel reservations expressed by Morocco on some international conventions, provided that they do not contradict Islam and the constitution. Morocco, Politics, 7/14/2003 - Moroccan journalist gets one-year suspended sentence
The first instance court of Casablanca sentenced on Friday night, Mustapha Alaoui, manager of "Al Ousboue" weekly to one year suspended prison term and to a fine of 500 DH (US$ 52.6). Morocco, Politics, 7/14/2003 - Members of the provisional rule council in Iraq
The following is a short summary on the 25 Iraqi figures who are in the composition of the Iraqi provisional rule council. Iraq, Politics, 7/14/2003 - 15 Sudanese soldiers, 30 rebels killed in a new attack; Kenya's peace talks fail
The efforts of the Sudanese government and the rebels have failed to achieve peace in the country after the two sides failed to agree on issues of sharing resources and authority. Sudan, Politics, 7/14/2003 - Mauritania's president accuses Islamists of being involved in the coupe
President of Mauritania Mu'aweya Wild Taye' has linked between the failed coupe attempt which took place in June and the issue of the Islamists who called for Jihad against his regime. Mauritania, Politics, 7/14/2003 - Syrian - Iranian relations highlighted
Iranian First Vice President Mohammed Reda Aref has stressed that the Iranian-Syrian relations are good and strategic asserting the necessity for boosting these relations. Syria-Iran, Politics, 7/14/2003 - Ending mission of Syrian ambassador in Washington, Wahba transferred to Geneva
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad issued a decree for ending the mission of Syria's ambassador in the USA, Rostoum al-Zouibi, and no alternative was appointed to succeed him so far. Syria-USA, Politics, 7/14/2003 - De Milo and Salamah in Damascus tomorrow
News reports said that the special representative for the UN in Iraq, Serjio De Milo and his deputy, the former Lebanese minister of culture Ghassan Salamah will start tomorrow a visit to Damascus during which they will be meeting with the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and with the foreign minister Farouk al-Shara. It is however, decided that De Milo and Salamah to meet with al-Shara tomorrow and with President al-Assad on Wednesday. Syria-UN, Politics, 7/14/2003 - UN Security Council starts consultation on Sahara issue
The UN security council held on Friday a session behind closed doors to examine the Sahara issue. Morocco-UN, Politics, 7/14/2003 - Syrian - Greek parliamentary relations
Syria's Deputy Parliament Speaker, Mohammed Isam al-Jamal, pointed out to Syria's principled stance towards all regional and international causes stressing Syria's commitment to just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the international resolutions, "land for peace formula" and "Madrid terms of reference." Syria-Greece, Politics, 7/14/2003 - Cohesion between Syrian - Lebanese tracks underlined Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 7/14/2003