Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 8/11/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of August 11, 2003
- Shaaban press conference on developments
Sirector of the foreign media department at the Syrian foreign ministry, Butheina Shaaban has indicated that President Bashar al-Assad reiterated during his meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Joseph Burns Syria's firm stances regarding all the Arab issues. Syria-USA, Politics, 8/16/2003 - Libya admitts responsibility at UN security council; Washington abstains from voting, keeps sanctions
The UN sanctions crisis imposed on Libya has reached the final phase for solution yesterday with the confirmation made by American officials that Tripoli gave a message of recognition to the UN Security Council in which it vows to "accept responsibility for the acts of its officials" in the blowing up incident of the Pan Am plane over the Scottish Lockerbie town in 1988. Libya-USA, Politics, 8/16/2003 - Morocco takes note of release of 243 Moroccan detainees in Tindouf
"While lauding the return of these 243 Moroccan nationals to their country and to their families," Morocco said "the resort, once again, to the liberation of Moroccan detainees by the groups confirms the immorality (of their acts) and decried approach adopted by the enemies of the Kingdom's territorial integrity in blatant violation of the international humanitarian law and of the United Nations Security Council resolution, particularly resolution 1495, dated July 31, 2003." Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/16/2003 - Sudanese peace talks almost collapsing
The southern Sudanese rebels have rumored of pessimistic atmospheres in the fifth day of the Sudanese peace talks in Kenya as they announced that the negotiations are "facing a blocked road and are almost collapsing." Sudan, Politics, 8/16/2003 - London expels a Saudi diplomat at bribe claim
The British foreign office yesterday announced the expulsion of a Saudi diplomat described as an intelligence officer accused of bribing a police officer in London. Saudi Arabia-UK, Politics, 8/16/2003 - Al-Baz calls for ending the American occupation of Iraq
Political Advisor of Egyptian President, Osama al- Baz called yesterday in Alexandria for ending the American occupation to Iraq as soon as possible in order to enable the Iraqi people to practice their right to self-determination. Egypt-USA, Politics, 8/16/2003 - Australia joins western warnings against traveling to Riyadh
Australia yesterday ( Friday ) joined the US and Britain in warning its citizens from traveling to Saudi Arabia because of what it described as terrorist threats for western interests in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia-Australia, Politics, 8/16/2003 - An explanation to Syria's abstention from voting UN resolution 1500
The Syrian Arab news Agency SANA said the following: Syria's abstention from voting in favor of the UN Security Council resolution 1500 came in the framework of Syria's commitment to the Arab position adopted by the foreign ministers members of the Arab Follow up Committee which met in Cairo on Aug 5th, 2003. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 8/16/2003 - Moussa confers with US congress delegation
Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa has stressed the necessity for reaching a just peace on the Lebanese and the Syrian tracks in line with the international resolutions and "land for peace" formula. Regional-USA, Politics, 8/16/2003 - Aujourd'hui le Maroc: Algerian central sahara could have witnessed same situation as Moroccan sahara, Moroccan jurist
He assured that democratic Morocco is determined to denounce and fight so that the international community knows that there will be a fair solution to the Sahara question when the Algeria of Bouteflika stops to hide under the "defense" of beautiful fallacious principles, and accepts via a bilateral dialogue with Morocco, to untangle a problem of which it is the major artisan. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 8/16/2003 - UN charter binds international community to decide on Moroccan identity of sahara, Moroccan researcher
Article 11 of the United Nations charter dealing with peoples who do not enjoy autonomy, binds the international community to rule on the Moroccan identity of the Sahara, said Moroccan searcher, Saad Regragui. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/16/2003 - Increased Shiite rejection of occupation
The Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sader has strongly denounced the position of the American- British occupation forces concerning the clashes which erupted this week in al-Sader city in the outskirts of Baghdad. Iraq-USA, Politics, 8/16/2003 - La Voz de Galicia: French foundation slams detention of Moroccan POWs in Algeria
"France Liberte" foundation drew up a 52-page report wherein it denounces the harsh detention conditions of some 1,157 Moroccan prisoners of war who are held in the camps of Tindouf (southern Algeria) as well as the embezzlement of international humanitarian aid destined to Sahrawi populations. Algeria-France, Politics, 8/16/2003 - Libya accuses France of blackmail to lifting the UN sanctions
The secretary of the Libyan people's general committee for foreign contacts and international cooperation Abdul Rahman Shalqam has accused France of practicing what he described "the policy of unaccepted pressure and blackmail" concerning lifting the UN sanctions imposed on Libya. Libya-France, Politics, 8/16/2003 - Details of the agreement with Libya concerning Lockerbie issue
It is decided that Libya will hand over to the chairman of the UN Security Council -- who is currently Syria's representative Mikhael Wahba -- a message in which it admits responsibility over the incident and define conditions for paying financial compensations for the victims and Tripoli confirms it will recognize only civilian responsibility. Libya, Politics, 8/16/2003 - Iraqi intellectuals call for freezing Iraq's membership to the Arab league
Hundreds of Iraqi intellectuals yesterday addressed a message to the transitional governing council to "freeze Iraq's membership at the Arab league" for an indefinite time until the AL admits its tremendous mistake against the Iraqi people, apologize for that, and correct its bad stances towards the council and Iraq." Iraq-Regional, Politics, 8/16/2003 - Israeli warplanes flew over the Syrian Presidential palace in lattakia Syria-Israel, Politics, 8/16/2003
- Syrian message to the UN on Israeli current escalation in Lebanon Syria-UN, Politics, 8/16/2003
- Mahater Muhammad tomorrow in Damascus Syria-Malaysia, Politics, 8/16/2003
- Turabi imprisonment term expires according to 'emergency law'; Khartoum: detainees file to be closed shortly
The paper quoted the Sudanese minister of Justice Ali Othman Yassin as saying that "decrees will be issued within days to release all political detainees with the aim to close the file of preventive detention in Sudan Sudan, Politics, 8/15/2003 - Abul Ragheb government wins confidence; new parties law drafted
The Jordanian parliament yesterday vowed confidence in the government of the prime minister Ali Abul Ragheb with majority vote of 84 against 23 parliamentarians who voted no confidence and one abstainee, at a time when Abul Ragheb strongly criticized the Islamic parliamentarians, denouncing "calls for freedom and democracy, and stressing "challenging for all those who try to violate the law." Jordan, Politics, 8/15/2003 - Al-Assad confers with Burns on ME developments
Concerning the last escalation on the Lebanese front, the president stressed that it is unavoidable to look at the picture completely, instead of just selectively looking at the events linked to Arab side only. It is unacceptable to disregarde the killing and assassinations acts perpetrated by Israel, whereas, Lebanon is being demanded to be silent and to have self-control. Syria-USA, Politics, 8/15/2003 - Libya confirms reaching some agreement on Lockerbie
Libyan sources confirmed yesterday news of reaching a settlement agreement with the US and Britain concerning the Lockerbie case following the Tripoli's announcement to pay compensations for the families of the victims of the case. Libya-France, Politics, 8/15/2003 - Sudanese government - SPLM negotiation goes ahead
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail on Wednesday called on the media to create a positive atmosphere to help render a success the current round of talks held in Kenya between the government and Sudan people's Liberation Movement (SPLM). Sudan, Politics, 8/15/2003 - Shiite rejection to Saddam's call to declare Jihad against occupation forces
The Shiite religious "Hawza" in al-Najaf has rejected the call made by the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in a message to the Shiite population on Wednesday in which he called for the armed struggle against the occupation forces. Iraq-USA, Politics, 8/15/2003 - UN security council 'welcomes' but does not legalize the 'governing council' in Iraq; Syria abstains
Following weeks of negotiations, the UN Security Council yesterday reached a middle solution between the American request to recognize the transitional Iraqi governing council and the rejection expressed by several UN security council members, especially permanent members for such a recognition. Iraq-USA, Politics, 8/15/2003 - Egyptian delegation on urgent mission Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 8/15/2003
- Maghreb union construction goes to respecting bodies' charter, Moroccan fm says
It is true that all Arab states are, more or less, paralyzed by differences with their immediate neighbors, but Algeria is doubly handicapped by its internal crisis, which did not prevent Algiers from fomenting a tension spot with Morocco over the Kingdom's territorial integrity, said the foreign minister. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/14/2003 - Greek official hold Israel responsible for deterioration in occupied lands
Member of the Political Secretariat and official of the Foreign and European policy at the Greek leftist coalition Party, Nichos Khondes, has held Israel responsible for the deteriorating situation in Palestine. Palestine-Greece, Politics, 8/14/2003 - Saddam Hussein praises Shiite call for armed struggle, UN vote on governing council
Oil started yesterday to flow to the Turkish port of Jeihan, for the first time since the beginning of the American war against Iraq, while the transitional governing council announced it has founded so far 23 ministries and that discussions are still continuous on the names of figures that will preside over these ministries. Iraq, Politics, 8/14/2003 - Claims of agreement for the Lockerbie issue
A lawyer said that Libya and lawyers representing families of the victims of the Lockerbie plane explosion yesterday signed in London an agreement to open a bank account to deposit compensations at a cost of 2. 7 billion dollars. Libya-USA, Politics, 8/14/2003 - Sahara issue: Washington backs solution accepted by all parties
US Ambassador to Morocco, Ms. Margaret Tutwiler, on Wednesday said her country backs a solution to the Sahara issue, acceptable by all parties concerned. Morocco-USA, Politics, 8/14/2003 - Burns in Damascus
US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Joseph Burns arrived in Damascus yesterday evening in an undeclared visit, aiming at holding talks today with high ranking Syrian officials. Syria-USA, Politics, 8/14/2003 - UN envoy sees rapprochement between Iraqi Council and Arab League
The top United Nations envoy in Iraq yesterday held out the prospect of breaking the regional isolation of the Iraqi Governing Council following his discussions with officials in Cairo last weekend, with a possible meeting next week between the United States-appointed body and the 22-member Arab League secretariat starting a rapprochement. Iraq-UN, Politics, 8/14/2003 - Yediot Ahronot: An Israeli delegation for Dubai in September
The Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot said yesterday that the Israeli finance minister Benjamin Netaniahu, will preside over the Israeli delegation which will head for Dubai to take part in the conference of the International Monetary Fund. United Arab Emirates-Israel, Politics, 8/14/2003 - Al-Assad confers with Lebanese ministers Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 8/14/2003
- Maher deplores Israeli aggressive practices Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 8/14/2003
- Al-Shara hold telephone talks with Bahrain peer, Hariri Syria-Bahrain, Politics, 8/14/2003
- German chancellor to visit Egypt Egypt-Germany, Politics, 8/14/2003
- Qathafi: Hegemony and arbitrariness rules international affairs today
Libya's Leader: What happened in Iraq is a serious precedent during this epoch. This takes us back to the era of the league of nations which collapsed through such behaviour. We know that it is Hitler who acted outside the charter of the League Of Nations and he caused the collapse of the League Of Nations and involved the world in the second world war. Libya-Regional, Politics, 8/13/2003 - UN treaty to fight corruption worldwide should be ready by autumn
A United Nations treaty to combat corruption worldwide should be ready by the autumn, following major breakthroughs in negotiations on the return of assets obtained through bribery and embezzlement to the country of origin, and on a broad series of preventive measures, the UN office in Vienna announced yesterday. Regional, Politics, 8/13/2003 - Ethiopian FM: Egyptian-Ethiopian relations strong
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Tuesday said that his country's relations with Egypt were strong and deeply-rooted. Egypt-Ethiopia, Politics, 8/13/2003 - Powell: U.S. works with Israel, Palestinians to keep momentum toward peace
US Secretary of State Colin Powell said the United States is working with Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) to bring the current situation under control and maintain momentum on the roadmap toward peace. Palestine-USA, Politics, 8/13/2003 - Italian presidency of the European Union condemns Hizbullah party
The Italian Presidency of the European Union has responded to Israeli demands yesterday and "strongly" condemned the Hizbullah party launching of anti aircraft missiles in retaliation of the Israeli violations of the Lebanese airspace, which resulted in killing one Israeli settler on Monday. Lebanon-European Union, Politics, 8/13/2003 - King of Bahrain arrives in Morocco Morocco-Bahrain, Politics, 8/13/2003
- Morocco sends humanitarian assistance to flood-stricken Sudan Morocco-Sudan, Politics, 8/13/2003
- Maher condemns Israeli practices against the Palestinians Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 8/13/2003
- Human rights organization in Syria welcomes release of exiled Syrians
A Syrian human rights organization has welcomed the release of 30 exiled Syrians who were arrested after their coming back to the country during the three past months. Syria, Politics, 8/12/2003 - Libya reforms in human rights and the penal code
The secretariat of the general peoples committee for justice and public security in Libya "has saluted to the al Qathafi International Foundation for Charitable Societies for the huge efforts it is exerting towards enhancing human rights at the world level and its attention to the human rights issue within the Great Jamahiriya," the official news agency reported yesterday. Libya, Politics, 8/12/2003 - Mubarak, Abdullah hold closing session of talks on Arab issues
Maher asserted that the Egyptian paper on activating joint Arab action was welcomed by all the Arab states, adding that the Egyptian and other Arab papers remained tabled. He said "the Egyptian-Saudi-Syrian paper sought to summarize the main principles featured in the different papers in just one." Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 8/12/2003 - Foreign ministers of Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia conclude meeting; rejection to recognize the Iraqi rule
The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Maher said that the Arab states will deal with the Iraqi transitional council which is appointed by the USA. But will not recognize it as a legitimate government Regional-Iraq, Politics, 8/12/2003 - New talks between Sudanese government and rebels; al-Khartou: no backing away from peace
In its 7th current round, the peace process in Sudan has entered a critical phase since the signing of Mashakos agreement in 2002, with the resumption of the negotiations between the Sudanese government and the rebels. Sudan, Politics, 8/12/2003 - For Algeria, Saharara question is linked to geo-strategic card to weaken Morocco, university professor
The Sahara issue has served as a geo-strategic card for Algeria to weaken Morocco, a leading Moroccan international expert said. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/12/2003 - No solution to sahara issue outside Morocco's kingty, Sahrawi tribe chiefs
Sahrawi Shioukhs, or tribe chieftains, and notables have rejected any settlement to the Sahara issue outside Morocco's kingty over all its territory, and renewed mobilization behind King Mohammed VI to continue the social and economic development of the Moroccan Saharan provinces. Morocco, Politics, 8/12/2003 - Le Matin du Sahara et du Maghreb: Algerian labor party rejects baker plan
The Algerian Labor Party (PT) rejects the new plan of United Nations Secretary General Personal Envoy, James Baker, and asserts that it is in favor of "the preservation of nations against all kinds of divisions that risks to undermine their sovereignty," PT member told a Moroccan newspaper. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 8/12/2003 - Algeria has to take into account Morocco's national interests, press
"Algeria has to stop its speech of good intentions and take into account Morocco's national interests," Assahara Al Maghribia daily wrote on Sunday, underlining that the Sahara is part and parcel of Morocco and will not be subject to any bargain. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/12/2003 - Mubarak meets Burns
The latest developments on the Iraqi arena and the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories were reviewed on Monday by Egyptian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Maher and Assistant Secretary of State for the Middle East Affairs, William Burns. Egypt-USA, Politics, 8/12/2003 - Separatists' camps: forced exile of kids, blackmail to break up families
The forced exile of children by Polisario secessionist group is part of a global policy for a political blackmail and for the breaking up of families to make them wait for the possible unlikely return of their kids, Bouchaib Yahdih, former Polisario cadre, said. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/12/2003 - British and Russian ambassadors in Beirut vow support to ME peace
Britain's ambassador to Lebanon Richard Kinchen has expressed his country's concern over the Israeli military escalation in South Lebanon. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 8/12/2003 - Lebanese circles denounce Israel's practices against Lebanon
Lebanese circles have condemned the continued Israeli aggression against Lebanon stressing that "this act is a terrorist one and a challenge to the Security Council resolution No. 425." Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 8/12/2003 - Saudi Crown Prince in Morocco Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 8/12/2003
- Maher calls for coordinating Arab stances towards different issues Egypt-Regional, Politics, 8/12/2003
- Tlass meets with Iranian Delegation Syria-Iran, Politics, 8/12/2003
- Al-Shara hold telephone talks with Shalqam Syria-Libya, Politics, 8/12/2003
- Al-Shara phone call from Spanish counterpart Ana Palacio Syria-Spain, Politics, 8/12/2003
- Sharon meets with US ambassador in Tel Aviv Israel-USA, Politics, 8/12/2003
- First visit by an Israeli prime minister to India in September
An Indian diplomat in Jerusalem said yesterday that the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon will pay a visit to India which is considered the first for an Israeli prime minister since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two sides in 1992. Israel-India, Politics, 8/12/2003 - Mubarak-Abdullah talks focus on Mideast peace, Iraq's future Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 8/11/2003
- Women before Jordanian parliament in protest over rejection of forced divorce, honor killing laws
Scores of women yesterday observed a sit-in in front of the Jordanian parliament in Amman in protest to the Jordanian parliament rejection of two provisional laws on the right of the woman to get divorced and protection from so-called "honor killing." Jordan, Politics, 8/11/2003 - Kuwaiti intellectuals call for reconsidering the constitution
Kuwaiti intellectuals and university graduates yesterday called for reconsidering the Kuwaiti constitution which has been laid since 40 years, noting that this should be made in the context of the political and economic reforms needed in Kuwait. Kuwait, Politics, 8/11/2003 - On al-Assad - Abdullah meeting
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad yesterday held a meeting with Saudi Prime Minister and Chief of the National Guard Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz on the regional and international situation including the situation in Iraq and the Palestinian territories. Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 8/11/2003 - Al-Ahram: On the wake of the Sudanese negotiations, Bashir suspects Garang's intention
Upon resuming the peace negotiations, the Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir announced that his government will not sign any unfair peace agreement with the southern rebels. He showed doubts on the intention of its leader John Garang. Sudan, Politics, 8/11/2003 - Syrian- Saudi summit significance widely highlighted
The Syrian- Saudi summit which was held yesterday in Damascus between President Bashar al-Assad and Saudi Arabia's Prime Minister and Chief of the National Guard Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz attracted the attention of the Saudi media. Saudi Arabia-Syria, Politics, 8/11/2003 - Moroccan, Algerian negotiations, sole means to settle sahara issue (moroccan official)
The Sahara issue can be settled if Algeria "makes the necessary effort," Moroccan delegate minister for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taieb Fassi Fihri, said on Friday. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/11/2003 - Creating small entities in the Sahara would be a dangerous precedent, FM
Creating small entities in the Sahara "would be adventurous and a dangerous precedent" because if separatism demons are unleashed, no country would be spared until the Red Sea, Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohammed Benaissa, said. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/11/2003 - Shiite clergy detained, confrontations in southern Iraq
The occupation forces yesterday detained Abdul Karim al-Madani ( 48 year old), the highest Shiite religious cleric in Deyali area in Baqouba city, 60 Km to the northern west of Baghdad. Iraq, Politics, 8/11/2003 - Al-Jazeera: Palestinians surprised by Kuwaiti request for apology
The Palestinian foreign affairs minister Nabil Shaath said that Iraq's invasion of Kuwait was a mistake. Shaath added in an interview with the Qatari al-Jazeera TV that the Palestinians were surprised over Kuwait's demands for an official apology and that none in the Kuwaiti side had asked that from them before. Palestine-Kuwait, Politics, 8/11/2003 - Assabah: Sahara issue, a cause for whole Moroccan nation, concerns but an elite in Algeria
On grounds of defending democracy, independence and peoples' right to self-determination, Algeria "seeks to divide the Maghreb, hamper its development and turn the region into spot of tension to set up foreign bases." Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/11/2003 - Burns in Tikrit
US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Joseph Burns yesterday arrived in Tikrit, the main center for the partisans of the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, where the American forces are establishing a base for its operations in the area. Iraq-USA, Politics, 8/11/2003 - Human rights watchdog denounces Polisario's crimes
A delegation of a watchdog grouping human rights associations in the Sahara, currently on a visit to Geneva, denounced the crimes perpetrated by the Polisario separatists against the innocent populations sequestered in the camps of Tindouf, Algeria. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 8/11/2003 - Al-Shara hold telephone talks with Lebanese peer Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 8/11/2003
- FM praised for boosting Egyptian-Chinese ties Egypt-China, Politics, 8/11/2003
- Moroccan-Russian talks in rabat Morocco-Russia, Politics, 8/11/2003
- Maher reiterates Egypt's position towards Arab issues Egypt-Regional, Politics, 8/11/2003
- Al-Assad confers with Egyptian former minister Syria-Egypt, Politics, 8/11/2003
- Moussa confers with De Milo Regional-UN, Politics, 8/11/2003
- Former Polisario military returns to homeland, Morocco Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/11/2003
- Libya denies story on Charles Taylor of Liberia
"An official source at Libyan Arab airlines denied a report in the Washington Post about the flights of President, Charles Taylor of Liberia to Libya on board one of its air planes," the official libyan news agency reported Saturday. Libya-Liberia, Politics, 8/11/2003