Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 8/25/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of August 25, 2003
- Local poll catches headlines in Morocco
The local poll Morocco will hold on September 12 made the headlines of Morocco's Friday press which stressed that the ongoing electoral campaign is an opportunity to open a new page and forget an era marked by irregularities and errors. Morocco, Politics, 8/30/2003 - Mohammed Baqer al-Hakim killed in bomb explosion; wide condemnations
Abdul-Aziz Al-Hakim, has asserted death of his brother Leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, Mohammed Baqer al-Hakim. During a phone call with Lebanese Al-Manar TV on Friday, Abdul-Aziz asserted his brother's death in the bombing took place in Najaf yesterday. Iraq, Politics, 8/30/2003 - Local poll: 33 percent of candidates have secondary education level
Some 33 percent of candidates to the local elections, to be held September 12 in Morocco, have a secondary education level. Morocco, Politics, 8/30/2003 - Five percent of candidates to local poll are females
Five percent of candidates to the local elections Morocco will hold next September 12 are females. Morocco, Politics, 8/30/2003 - Libya agrees to compensate victims of German night club
Qathafi International Foundation for Charitable Associations which is headed by Seif al-Islam al-Qathafi, son of the Libyan leader, said that it agreed to pay compensations for the victims of the explosion which took place in 1986 in a Berlin Club which was used frequented by American soldiers. Libya-Germany, Politics, 8/30/2003 - Shaath starts official visit to India
Indian prime minister Atal Behari held talks in New Delhi yesterday with the Palestinian foreign affairs minister Nabil Shaath that dealt with conditions in the Middle East and bilateral relations. Palestine-India, Politics, 8/30/2003 - Al-Sabah: Tunisian paper calls for halting Israeli practives
The daily said that if America insists on its rejection to send American forces to the region it has to untie the hands of the international organization Tunisia-Palestine, Politics, 8/30/2003 - Mubarak's visit to France postponed Egypt-France, Politics, 8/30/2003
- Jordanian king visits Iran next week Jordan-Iran, Politics, 8/30/2003
- Mubarak, Putin discuss efforts to solve Palestinian crisis Egypt-Palestine-Russia, Politics, 8/30/2003
- Vedivin: continued Russian efforts to resume Palestinian- Israeli negotiations Palestine-Russia, Politics, 8/30/2003
- Al-Faisal exhorts Palestinians to stay unified Saudi Arabia-Palestine, Politics, 8/30/2003
- Local poll: candidate arrested for forgery
A candidate to the local elections Morocco will hold next September 12, was arrested in the Kelaat Seraghna province for forgery. Morocco, Politics, 8/30/2003 - Yemen calls for the foundation of Arab federation instead of the Arab league
Yemen has called for the foundation of an Arab federation replacing the Arab League and including an inter-Arab court to settle differences among the Arab states. This was according to an official suggestion dispatched by Sanaa to the Arab states. Regional-Yemen, Politics, 8/29/2003 - Morocco's political parties embark on local poll campaign
Morocco's sole Islamist authorized party, the Justice and Development Party (PJD) decided to participate in the coming poll, fielding 4,268 candidates, covering 50 to 60 percent of all constituencies all over Morocco. Morocco, Politics, 8/29/2003 - Over 122,000 candidates run for local polls in Morocco
Some 122,658 candidates mostly representing political parties, will vie for 23,689 seats in local urban and rural councils throughout Morocco, part of the polls, to be held on September 12. Morocco, Politics, 8/29/2003 - Visao: underlines King Mohammed's will to improve women's condition
The Portuguese magazine "Visao" underlined in this week's issue the importance of King Mohammed VI's speech wherein he called for a "new Revolution" of the King and the People, voiced firm will to improve women's condition. Morocco, Politics, 8/29/2003 - US congress delegation in Damascus continues what Djerjian had started
The official from the financial assets committee in the US congress Scott Lilly continued in Syria what was started by former US ambassador to Damascus Edward Djerjian in discussions to form better relations and better understanding between the Arab and American sides, but within a narrower angle, namely the Iraqi issue. Syria-USA, Politics, 8/29/2003 - Prince Bandar meets in Washington with Bush, the father, Dick Cheney
Saudi Arabia's ambassador in Washington, Prince Bandar Bin Sultan yesterday met with the US Cice President Dick Cheney following a sudden meeting with the former US president George Bush on Wednesday amid tension in the Saudi- American relations because of the American accusations to Riyadh of not being tough enough with Islamists, and not controlling the border with Iraq Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 8/29/2003 - New French threat postpones lifting sanctions; Libya announces negotiations with Germany
A French diplomat announced yesterday the determination of Paris to veto the British draft resolution to lift sanctions from Libya if it is put to a vote at the UN security council today. A matter which pushed Britain to announce postponing the vote on the draft resolution until next week. Libya-France, Politics, 8/29/2003 - Hudeibi calls for supporting the Jihad of Palestinians against occupation
The General Guide of the Muslims Brothers in Egypt, Mamoun al-Hudeibi called yesterday on the Arab citizens to support the Jihad of the Palestinians and to boycott the American and Israeli goods. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 8/29/2003 - Israel wounds 16 Palestinians in Nablus, Palestinian authority freezes social organizations assets
In response to American and Israeli pressure, the Palestinian authority froze the assets of social foundations belonging to the Hamas movement in Gaza, while 16 Palestinians were injured in Nablus and Jenin by the Israeli forces which continued to impose curfew on the old town of Hebron and demolished five shops in Eastern Jerusalem. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/29/2003 - Saudi foreign minister arrives in Morocco Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Politics, 8/29/2003
- Al-Shara - Obeid hold consultation talks Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 8/29/2003
- Solana to pay a round visit on ME states Regional-European Union, Politics, 8/29/2003
- IGAD ignores an Arab request to attend negotiations; al-Bashir: 80% of differences settled
the political bureau of the Sudanese Umma party ( nation party), one of the main opposition parties said yesterday it had decided to boycott any dialogue with the government and other organizations "unless an appropriate atmosphere is provided," especially towards lifting the emergency law and abrogating laws which limit freedoms and releasing political detainees. Sudan, Politics, 8/28/2003 - Former Moroccan premier calls for banning use of money on polls
Abderrahmane Youssoufi, former Moroccan Premier and leader of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) on Tuesday called on Morocco's political parties to adhere to a moral charter banning the use of money in elections. Morocco, Politics, 8/28/2003 - Top Muslim cleric denies fatwa on IGC recognition
In statements to Middle East News Agency(MENA), Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawi said the Iraqi ulama (religious scholars) are the ones entitled to say their word on the recognition of the Iraqi Interim Governing Council (IGC) because they know better than us . Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 8/28/2003 - Grand Imam of Al- Azhar calls for conveying authority to Iraqi people
Grand Imam of al-Azhar Mosque, Mohammed Sayed Tantawi called on US and Britain to convey authority to the Iraqi people and enable them to run their country's affairs. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 8/28/2003 - Oman accepted governing council to be represented at AL; al-Jaafari: we have witnessed unprecedented Arab welcome
Oman yesterday notified the Arab League its support for the Iraqi transitional council to occupy Baghdad's seat at the AL, thereby Oman is the first Arab state to recognize the legitimacy of this council. Oman-Iraq, Politics, 8/28/2003 - Two Islamic bodies slam authorizing extremist Jews into al-Aqsa mosque
"The move is an aggression against the Mosque, harms the sacredness of the institution and defies the feelings of all Muslims," the two bodies said, adding the aggression coincides with the anniversary of the criminal arson of the holy Mosque by the Israelis. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/28/2003 - PLO political department denies replacing al-Qaddoumi by Shaath
The Political department of the Palestine Liberation Organization PLO has denied news which indicated replacing the foreign affairs minister Nabil Shaath by the chairman of the department's chairman Farouk al-Qaddoumi in the post of the Palestinian authority representative at the Arab League. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 8/28/2003 - Zayed center officially closed
The United Arab Emirates UAE announced officially yesterday the closure of the Arab League associated center named "Sheikh Zayed center for co-ordination and follow up " which takes Abu Dhabi as a headquarters "for reasons of taking part in a dialogue that clearly contradicts the principles of tolerance among religions," according to a statement issued by the office of the UAE President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan. United Arab Emirates-Regional, Politics, 8/28/2003 - Al-Dleimi: Iraqi interim governing council should not represent Iraq at AL
Chairman of Iraqi People Defense Committee, Mazhar Dleimi, has stressed that the Iraqi interim ruling council should not represent Iraq at the Arab League due to the national opposition to the council Iraq-Regional, Politics, 8/28/2003 - Intifada Support Committee meets in Damascus Syria-Palestine, Politics, 8/28/2003
- Maher calls on Israel to stop aggressive practices against the Palestinians Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 8/28/2003
- Moussa calls on Quarter to consider Palestinian drastic situations Regional-Palestine, Politics, 8/28/2003
- Sultanov stresses Land for peace formula for ME Israel-Russia, Politics, 8/28/2003
- FBI and IRS agents in Saudi Arabia to investigate financial affairs of Saudi citizens Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 8/28/2003
- UN agency postpones Iraqi repatriation from Iran because of terrorist bombing
The convoy of 100 returnees, a tiny fraction of the more than 200,000 Iraqi refugees in Iran - by far the largest group of Iraqi refugees in the world - had been expected to leave from Ashrafi refugee camp in Iran's southwestern Khuzestan province some time this week for Basra, Iraq's second largest city. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 8/28/2003 - Moroccan women encouraged to massively run for election in local poll
Several Moroccan political parties joined together to sign a "Pact of Honour" whereby they undertook to endeavour for a massive participation of women in the local elections Morocco will hold on September 12. Morocco, Politics, 8/27/2003 - Race for local seats in Morocco set to start
The local elections are deemed an enhancement of the fresh concept of authority encouraged by king Mohammed VI who said it is high time for local authorities to change their methods of administrative management and adopt a liable democratic policy in such a way as to promote their role as major socio-economic actors. Morocco, Politics, 8/27/2003 - Nouakchott gives provisional freedom for detained Islamists
News reports in Nouakchott said that Mauritania's authorities issued a decision on Monday for temporary freedom for 41 detained Islamists leaders and activists held since 4 months under pretext of conspiring against the constitutional regime in the country. But the detainees rejected this provisional freedom despite the fact they had left the prison. Mauritania, Politics, 8/27/2003 - Algeria wants to lay bridges of cooperation with Morocco, Bouteflika
"Algeria is determined to lay down bridges of bilateral cooperation and of brotherhood with Morocco," Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 8/27/2003 - Last American contingent leaves Prince Sultan base in Saudi Arabia
The last American contingent left yesterday Prince Sultan Air Base in al-Kharaj to the south of Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, ending thereby an American presence that lasted for 13 years. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 8/27/2003 - Al- Assad gets a message from King Abdullah conveyed by Jordanian premier
Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad received on Tuesday Jordanian Prime Minister Ali Abul Ragheb. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 8/27/2003 - Lebanese officials stresses strong Syrian- Lebanese stances
Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese Army, Michael Sulieman stressed yesterday the Syrian and the Lebanese peace tracks concomitance praising Syria's people and leadership who exerted intensified efforts in supporting and defending Lebanon. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 8/27/2003 - Kuwaiti FM holds talks with al-Shara
Kuwait's foreign minister, Sheikh Muhammad Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah has reiterated Kuwaiti support to Syria in the international forums and her call for Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab territories including Golan and South of Lebanon. Kuwait-Syria, Politics, 8/27/2003 - Sahrawi tribe notable flees separatist camps, returns to Morocco
A sheikh of the Sahrawi Azerguiyine tribe recently returned to Morocco after long years of sequestration in the camps of Tindouf, southwestern Algeria. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/27/2003 - Mechanism to convene constitutional conference in 45 days; al-Jaafari: the coming government is without defense, information
The current chairman of the Iraqi transitional governing council, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, said yesterday that the new Iraqi government will not include ministers of defense and information, while the chairman of the preparatory committee of the constitutional conference in Iraq, Fouad Masoum, said that the committee in charge of defining the mechanism for convening the constitutional conference will complete its work in 45 days. Iraq, Politics, 8/27/2003 - Talibani in Bahrain meets with viceroy
Bahrain's crown prince Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa has discussed with the chairman of the Kurdistani National Federation Jalal Talibani yesterday in Manama the situation in Iraq noting the "national role " played by the Kurdistani Federation," according to an official source. Bahrain-Iraq, Politics, 8/27/2003 - Moussa asks Arab states to decide on Iraq's Governing Council participation in AL
The secretary general of the Arab League (AL) Amr Moussa yesterday sent urgent messages to the Arab foreign ministers concerning the request of the transitional governing council in Iraq to take part in the meetings of the AL. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 8/27/2003 - Abbas notifies AL of appointing Shaath instead of al-Qaddoumi
The office of the Palestinian foreign affairs minister Nabil Shaath stressed yesterday that prime minister Mahmoud Abbas asked the AL to appoint Shaath as an official representative for the Palestinians in the meetings of the Arab League instead of the chairman of the PLO political bureau Farouk al-Qaddoumi. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 8/27/2003 - Israel hopes to exchange prisoners with Hizbullah shortly
An Israeli security source said that Israel hopes to reach an agreement to exchange prisoners with the Lebanese Hizbullah Party within months after returning back the remains of two of Hizbullah fighters on Monday. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 8/27/2003 - Al- Shara conveys a message from al-Assad to Amir of Qatar Qatar-Syria, Politics, 8/27/2003
- Iranian spokesman refutes American accusations Iran-USA, Politics, 8/27/2003
- Senegal set to deepen ties with African countries, especially Morocco Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 8/27/2003
- Bush remarks on 'terror'
Remarks by the US President George W. Bush to the 85th annual american legion national convention. August 26, 2003. Regional-USA, Politics, 8/27/2003 - Syria: government's reshuffle before the end of year
The notification made by President Bashar al-Assad recently to members of the Central Command of the National Progressive Front on that a governmental reshuffle will be made "in the coming phase" resulted into a heated dialogue on the form of the next government, its nature and the extent of reforms that should precede the new government. Syria, Politics, 8/26/2003 - Mauritania's authorities release prominent opposition figure
Mauritania's authorities have suddenly and surprisingly released the chairman of the opposition People's Front party and the former presidential candidate al-Shabeih Weld al-Sheikh Maa' al-Ayeneen who had been detained since April 2001. Mauritania, Politics, 8/26/2003 - Morocco's Islamist party calls for mobilization to face plots against Morocco's integrity
Morocco's sole Islamist Party, the Party of Justice and Development (PJD), called Saturday for a general mobilization to defend Morocco's territorial integrity and face the ignoble schemes of Morocco's enemies aiming to destabilize and balkanize the (Maghreb) region to achieve their expansionist aims. Morocco, Politics, 8/26/2003 - Iraqi transitional governing council delegation in Amman
The delegation representing the Iraqi governing council chaired by Ibrahim al-Jaafari arrived in Amman yesterday in the course of its current tour on several Arab states. Prior to the meeting, the Jordanian government confirmed receiving this delegation. Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 8/26/2003 - Al - Shara in Abu Dhab confers with Sheikh Khalifa
Abu Dhabi crown prince, Khaleifa Bin Zayed al-Nahyan received in Abu Dhabi yesterday Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara and an accompanying delegation. Syria-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 8/26/2003 - Al - Shara confers with Sheikh Sabah
Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah received in Kuwait yesterday Syria's Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara. Kuwait-Syria, Politics, 8/26/2003 - Morocco vows to transparency in local poll
"It is necessary to guarantee" a suitable climate for conducting communal elections within the transparency and credibility sought by king Mohammed VI," said governor director of elections department at the interior ministry, Brahim Boufous. Morocco, Politics, 8/26/2003 - Saudi Arabia deplores Israel's policy towards Palestinians, Arab rights
Saudi Arabia renewed today its condemnation of "the Israeli aggressive practices against the Palestinians." Regional-Palestine, Politics, 8/26/2003 - Tunisia: limited governmental reshuffle
An official source in Tunisia stated that President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali made a ministerial reshuffle that dealt basically with the "ministries of industry, energy and education." Tunisia, Politics, 8/26/2003 - Moussa confers with chairman of the Sudanese Umma party
The secretary general of the Arab League Amr Moussa yesterday in Cairo discussed with the chairman of the Sudanese Umma party al-Sadeq al-Mahdi current conditions on the Sudanese arena and the efforts made to achieve stability in Sudan and preserving its unity, and territorial integrity. Sudan-Regional, Politics, 8/26/2003 - Lahoud calls for peace based on 'land for peace' formula
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud has stressed the necessity for achieving just and comprehensive peace based on the "land for peace " formula and the implementation of international resolutions. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 8/26/2003 - Al-Baz stresses the need of Israel's pullout from Arab lands
Egyptian President's Political Advisor, Usama Al-Baz stressed yesterday in Cairo the necessity for complete Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories to line of June 4th 1967, calling for progress on the Syrian and the Lebanese peace tracks in line with the international resolutions and "land for peace" formula. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 8/26/2003 - Israel hands over Hizbullah two bodies of its fighters
The Lebanese Hizbullah Party announced it had received, yesterday the bodies of two of its fighters, held by Israel in an operation for prisoners exchange between the two sides. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 8/26/2003 - UN envoy condemns Israel's extra-judicial assassinations
The senior United Nations envoy for the Middle East, Terje Roed- Larsen, yesterday condemned Israel's extra-judicial assassination on Sunday of four Palestinians, when helicopter gun-ships fired missiles into a car in Gaza City, reportedly killing a Hamas militant and three Islamic University students. Israel-Palestine, Politics, 8/26/2003 - Abul Ragheb confers with al-Jaafari Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 8/26/2003
- Morocco, US likely to conclude Free Trade Agreement by end of 2003 Morocco-USA, Politics, 8/26/2003
- Vedotov highlights Russia's ME role Palestine-Russia, Politics, 8/26/2003
- Israel and the Iraqi oil pipelines
Israeli sources disclosed that the Israeli minister of infrastructure Yosef Paritzki will discuss during his forthcoming visit to Washington the possibility of reopening the oil pipeline which used to link the Iraqi city of Karkouk to Haifa port before 1948. Iraq-Israel, Politics, 8/26/2003 - Heitham Manaa ends 25 years in exile
Syrian opposition member Heitham Manaa ended 25 years in exile as he returned back home to Syria on Saturday and directly to his birthplace Daraa. Syria, Politics, 8/25/2003 - Lebanese- Syrian track unity highlighted Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 8/25/2003
- Mubarak receives message from Amir of Qatar Egypt-Qatar, Politics, 8/25/2003
- Al-Shara arrives in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates-Syria, Politics, 8/25/2003
- Al-Shara hold telephone talks with Saudi peer Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 8/25/2003
- Al-Wifaq: Deeply rooted Syrian - Iranian relations Syria-Iran, Politics, 8/25/2003
- Powell, Mubarak phone call on Palestinian conditions Egypt-USA, Politics, 8/25/2003
- Woman organization announce that more 400 Iraqi women were kidnapped
A woman organization working for the freedom of woman in Iraq announced yesterday that more than 400 Iraqi women were kidnapped, raped or sold since the collapse of the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein in April. Iraq, Politics, 8/25/2003 - Explosion kills 10 near Imam Ali Shrine in al-Najaf; al-Hakim wounded in assassination attempt
Ayatullah Muhammad Saeed al-Hakim, one of the prominent Shiite figures, was slightly wounded in the neck in an explosion in his house in al-Najaf, that resulted in killing three persons and wounding 10 others. Iraq, Politics, 8/25/2003 - Maher warns against continued deterioration in Palestinian territories Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 8/25/2003
- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) deplores Israeli practices against the Palestinians Gulf-Palestine, Politics, 8/25/2003
- Al-Assad meets with Djergian on ME issues
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad received yesterday Director of James Baker Institute for Public Policy and Chairman of the Consultative Group of the Arab and Islamic World's Public Diplomacy at the United States, Edward Djerjian. Syria-USA, Politics, 8/25/2003 - Al-Rai al-Aam: Al-Shara to visit Kuwait
The Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Aam issued yesterday said that the Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara will today ( Monday) pay a visit to Kuwait in the course of a Gulf tour which will cover Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Kuwait-Syria, Politics, 8/25/2003 - Maher meets with Iraqi figures
Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher met on Sunday with a number of Iraqi figures currently visiting Cairo. The one-hour meeting covered the situation in Iraq and efforts exerted to enable the Iraqi people rule themselves. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 8/25/2003 - Iraqi governing council holds official talks in Jordan, Yemen
Jordanian officials said yesterday that a delegation representing the governing council in Iraq, which is appointed by the USA will hold talks in Jordan on the developments of conditions in Iraq. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 8/25/2003 - Fatah fails to appoint an interior minister
The meeting of the central committee of the Palestinian national liberation movement ( Fatah ) to appoint a Minister Of the Interior has failed and was postponed indefinitely. Palestine-India, Politics, 8/25/2003 - Progress in prisoners file between Hizbullah and Israel
The secretary general of the Hizbullah Party Hassan Nasrullah has announced that progress was attained in the indirect negotiations between the party and Israel concerning the file of detainees, stressing that this file will be solved and completed shortly. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 8/25/2003 - Abbas removes Kaddoumi from representing Palestine at the AL
A member at the revolutionary council of the Palestinian national liberation movement ( Fatah ) said that organizational and political difference erupted inside the movement because of this decision. Palestine, Politics, 8/25/2003 - Omran meets with Arab information committee chief Syria-Regional, Politics, 8/25/2003
- US claims that behind the violence in iraq, progress is made
Even as he mourned the death of U.N. Special Envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello and others murdered in the bombing of U.N headquarters in Baghdad, L. Paul Bremer, administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), expressed renewed determination to defeat terrorism and continue the progress toward Iraq's recovery. Iraq-USA, Politics, 8/25/2003