Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 9/8/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of September 8, 2003
- Otri continues consultations to form the new Syrian government
Syria's Parliament Speaker, Naji Otri, who was asked to form a new government, resumed talks with several educational, economic and cultural activities in the framework of a series of consultations for forming a new government. Syria, Politics, 9/13/2003 - French FM stresses importance of Mubarak's visit to France Egypt-France, Politics, 9/13/2003
- Mubarak, Ciampi call on Israel not to touch Arafat Egypt-Italy, Politics, 9/13/2003
- King Mohammed warns Israel of consequences of expelling arafat Morocco-Israel, Politics, 9/13/2003
- Al-Assad visits Malaysia in October Syria, Politics, 9/13/2003
- Mubarak- Chirac forthcoming summit discuss the developments of Palestine, Iraqi issues
In a statement, the Elysee place announced that the forthcoming summit between Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak and President Jacque Chirac in Paris will be held on Monday to deal with two urgent issues on the international arenas. They are the Middle East question and the development of conditions in Iraq. Egypt-France, Politics, 9/13/2003 - King Mohammed receives head of advisory body in charge of family code reform
Morocco's King Mohammed VI received in Tetuan Friday at the Royal Palace M'hamed Boucetta, Chairman of the Advisory Commission in charge of the Family Code (Mudawana) Reform. Morocco, Politics, 9/13/2003 - UN Security Council lifts sanctions from Libya
With a great majority the UN Security Council yesterday voted for a resolution to lift sanctions imposed on Libya 15 years following the explosion incident of the American Pan Am plane over Lockerbie town in Scotland. Libya-France, Politics, 9/13/2003 - France hosts Mubarak at Le Palais De Marigny
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak will be accommodated at Le Palais De Marigny during his visit to France that starts today. Egypt-France, Politics, 9/13/2003 - Inter- Sudanese talks stumble because of two sides' stubbornness
Talks between the Sudanese Vice President Ali Othman Taha and the leader of the southern rebels John Garang are facing a difficult phase with the cling of the two sides to their positions. However, officials said that it is likely that the two sides will reach an agreement. Sudan, Politics, 9/13/2003 - Maher calls on Powell to translate Washington's rejection of Arafat's expulsion into action
Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher has stressed the risks of the Israeli government's decision to expel Palestinian President Yasser Arafat from the occupied territories. Egypt-USA, Politics, 9/13/2003 - Israel's decision to expel Arafat backfires
The decision taken by the government of Ariel Sharon to expel the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat backfired against Israel, and turned into a referendum which reconfirmed the leadership of the Palestinian President at the Palestinian, Arab and international levels. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/13/2003 - EU lauds modernization and openness drive in Morocco
President of the European Commission and the European high Representative of foreign policy, respectively Romano Prodi and Javier Solana lauded the modernization and openness drive launched by Morocco. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 9/13/2003 - Uganda accuses Sudan of supporting north's rebels
Uganda has for the first time accused Sudan of resuming support for the north's rebels in a violation to the border cooperation agreement, but added it will hold talks with Khartoum next week to settle this issue. Sudan-Uganda, Politics, 9/13/2003 - Romanian PM visit to Morocco postponed Morocco-Romania, Politics, 9/13/2003
- New tape for al-Qaida; al-Ghamidi reads his own will
Al-Jazeera TV yesterday broadcasted a televised tape showing Saeed al-Ghamidi, one of the executors of September 11 attacks against the USA two years ago, while reading his own "will" in which he commended the martyrdom operations in Palestine against the Israelis, adding that these operations have "moral effect" on the Arabs and he threatened the Americans of more attacks. Regional, Politics, 9/13/2003 - Moroccans vote for local representatives Friday
Moroccan electors nationwide will be heading Friday to polling stations to choose 23,689 councilors among 112,658 candidates, in the first local elections held under the reign of King Mohammed VI who ascended to the throne in July 1999 and the eighth since Morocco's independence. Morocco, Politics, 9/12/2003 - Al Qathafi: Arab leaders are fraud; recommends pull out from the Arab League
Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi yesterday called on the Libyans to approve pulling out from the Arab League, considering that the Arab leaders are not committed to the Arab future and that all they do is talk about an Arab union when they have no intention to implement it. Libya-Regional, Politics, 9/12/2003 - Arab parliamentarians agree on creation of Arab Parliament
The joint Arab parliamentarian meetings of the political and justice committees were concluded in Khartoum yesterday. The participants agreed on the establishment of an Arab Parliament. Regional, Politics, 9/12/2003 - Security arrangements obstruct progress in Sudanese peace talks
The Sudanese peace talks which are being held in Kenya entered its second week yesterday, achieving no progress in security matters that pave the way to move on other issues. Sudan, Politics, 9/12/2003 - Paris accepts 'declaration of intentions' from Libya on plane bombing compensation
Sanctions to be lifted today from Libya France yesterday paved the way before lifting international sanctions imposed on Libya in a voting which is presumed today at the UN security council, when it announced an agreement finalized by families of the victims of the French Uta plane which was downed in the airspace of the Greater Desert in 1989 and between al-Qathafi charity foundation led by his son. Libya-France, Politics, 9/12/2003 - Al-Assad confers with Cypriot official
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad received on Thursday the leader of the Cyprus Socialist Party, Yanakis Omiro and an accompanying delegation Syria-Cyprus, Politics, 9/12/2003 - Jordanian king to meet Bush; halting Israeli provocation a must for Qrei's success
The Jordanian King Abdullah II said yesterday that his next week's visit to the US aims at "ensuring support for the Palestinian position" amid the current deterioration of conditions, noting that the US has to pressure Israel to stop its provocations of the Palestinians, should it seek the success of the Ahmad Qrei government. Jordan-USA, Politics, 9/12/2003 - Southern Moroccan delegation tours Europe
A delegation representing Moroccan southern provinces is currently touring Europe to express refusal of any solution to the Sahara conflict that does not take into account Morocco's full sovereignty over its territories and that is likely to jeopardize stability in the region. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 9/12/2003 - Pakistan: Israeli - Indian relations a great threat
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday said Israel's visit to India is as "extremely" threatening to Pakistan's interest and "if they are trying to unite to create an anti-Muslim military alliance, it is the saddest day in the history of the world, he told BBC Reddiff.com reported. Regional-Pakistan, Politics, 9/12/2003 - Spanish FM: Ties with Morocco are more than privileged
Spanish foreign minister, Ana Palacio, said Thursday her country enjoys more than privileged relations with Morocco, a country that has clearly opted for democratic values Morocco-Spain, Politics, 9/12/2003 - Arab Assembly on backing Palestine and Iraq: a statement
The Arab Assembly on Backing Palestine and Iraq has called for supporting Syria's and Lebanon's firm stances in confrontation of the current challenges. Regional, Politics, 9/12/2003 - EU adds Hamas to list of terrorist organizations
The European Union member states yesterday decided to list the political wing of the Hamas movement on the European list of "terrorist organizations." Palestine-European Union, Politics, 9/12/2003 - Al-Shara confers with Russian deputy FM Syria-Russia, Politics, 9/12/2003
- AL chief holds Israel responsible for Palestinian conditions deterioration Regional-Israel, Politics, 9/12/2003
- Iraq 'privatization' within two years
The new Iraq’s minister of finance Kamel al-Keilani under the interim governing council announced that a clear work plan will be drawn to privatize industries owned by the government within two years Iraq, Politics, 9/12/2003 - Al-Ra'i al-Aam: Ateya and the drastic situation in the Palestinian territories Gulf-Palestine, Politics, 9/12/2003
- Egypt: Trying the two Libyans who attacked al-Faisal Egypt-Libya, Politics, 9/12/2003
- On the new Syrian government
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad yesterday accepted the resignation of the prime minister Muhammad Mustafa Miro and assigned the speaker of the Syrian parliament Naji Otari to form a new government. Syria, Politics, 9/11/2003 - Syrian government resigns Syria, Politics, 9/11/2003
- Madani prepares an initiative to stop violence in Algeria
The historical leader of the banned Islamic front for salvation in Algeria, Abbas Madanai, announced yesterday that he is working on formulating "an initiative" in order to put an end to violence which has been continuous in the country since 1992, which resulted in killing more than 100,000 Algeria, Politics, 9/11/2003 - Women representatives in local communities very insufficient, says NGO
The number of women representatives in local communities in Morocco does not exceed 0.34 per cent, compared to men, a percentage deemed "too much low" by women groups and human rights organizations. Morocco, Politics, 9/11/2003 - Sudanese defense minister heads for Kenya to discuss arrangements for transitional period
Sudan's defense minister Lt. Gen. Bakri Hassan Saleh, accompanied by a delegation representing senior military officials headed for Kenya to join the lengthy peace talks between the Sudanese government and the rebels. Sudan, Politics, 9/11/2003 - Contacts to convene an Iraqi national congress
News reports said that there are "calm" contacts underway in order to convene an Iraqi national congress including forces opposing the American occupation and the Iraqi interim governing council. Iraq, Politics, 9/11/2003 - Arab foreign ministers final statement
Arab Foreign Ministers have stressed the necessity for maintaining the unity of the Palestinians in facing the current challenges. Regional, Politics, 9/11/2003 - Al-Jazeera TV: Bin Laden, al-Zawahiri in a new video tape for al-Jazeera
The Qatari al-Jazeera TV yesterday broadcast a video tape showing each of Osama Bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaida organization and his main assistant Ayman al-Zawahri, while wondering in an unidentified mountainous area. Regional, Politics, 9/11/2003 - Qrei accepts the formation of a mini emergency government
the new Palestinian prime minister called on Israel to resume the talks with the Palestinians if it wants to end what he called violence. He said "killing of Palestinians and getting into the cycle of violence will not help Israel to get security." Palestine, Politics, 9/11/2003 - Asseyassa: al-Qaddoumi for unifying Arab stances
Political Department Chairman of Palestinian Liberation Organization Farouk al-Qaddoumi has expressed high appreciation over Syria's support to the Palestinian people. Palestine-Syria, Politics, 9/11/2003 - Demonstrations against price increase before the parliament
Scores of members of the opposition leftist "unionist progressive national coalition" demonstrated in front of the Egyptian people's assembly ( parliament ) in Cairo yesterday in protest for price increase in living conditions. Egypt, Politics, 9/11/2003 - Al-Shara meets French parliamentarians Syria-France, Politics, 9/11/2003
- Al-Shara meets with Norway's peace envoys on ME issues Syria-Norway, Politics, 9/11/2003
- Lebanese- Italian armies cooperation Lebanon-Italy, Politics, 9/11/2003
- Improved public governance in Middle East could boost economic growth, says
Public governance is typically weaker in countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region than in others at similar income levels, according to a World Bank report released Monday. Regional, Politics, 9/10/2003 - Islamic party says limited participation in local polls, a strategic choice
The decision to limit the participation of the Party of Justice and Development (PJD) to next Friday's local elections, is part of a "strategy" adopted by this party since 1997, said Saad Eddine Othmani, deputy secretary General of the party categorized as an "Islamist" party. Morocco, Politics, 9/10/2003 - Canada supports unconditional release of Moroccan POWs
"Canada supports the unconditional release of all prisoners of war," said here Monday Canadian deputy, Bernard Patry (liberal), as he was receiving a Moroccan delegation to conduct a campaign for the release of Moroccan prisoners held in the Tindouf camps (southeastern Algeria) by the Polisario mercenaries. Morocco-Canada, Politics, 9/10/2003 - Khaddam meets French parliamentary delegation
Syria's Vice- President Abdulhalim Khaddam received in Damascus yesterday a French parliamentarian delegation headed by Chairman of the Syrian- French Parliamentarian Friendship Association Gerard Babette. Syria-France, Politics, 9/10/2003 - Arab FMs accepts governing council as to have Iraq seat at AL
Following intensive discussions, the Arab Foreign Ministers have reached a decision that accepts the demand of Iraqi Governing Council to occupy Iraq's seat at the Arab League with adequate conditions. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 9/10/2003 - The draft final statement of the Arab ministerial meeting on Iraq
The following is the draft resolution issued by the Arab foreign ministers in conclusion of their meeting yesterday evening in Cairo. Regional, Politics, 9/10/2003 - Chalabi visits Ankara, wants its forces
The current chairman of the Iraqi governing council Ahmed Chalabi is preparing to visit Ankara within days to inform it of the desire of the council to the deployment of 10,000 Turkish troops to Western Iraq. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 9/10/2003 - Paris obstructs lifting sanctions from Libya
The UN Security Council was subjected to a new French veto against a draft British resolution to lift sanctions from Libya who decided to postpone voting on the draft resolution until next Friday Libya-France, Politics, 9/10/2003 - Qrei: I will not be a prime minister under the Israeli instructions
Qrei who met with Abbas who submitted his resignation on Saturday said "I informed the Americans, the Arabs and the Russians. I have informed all that the situation cannot continue. I will not be subjected to the Israeli instructions. Do this and do not do that." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/10/2003 - Swiss lawyer sues Israel's army
The Swiss attorney Marcel Bosonnet said on September 5 that he filed a lawsuit against Israel, accusing four top Israeli military of committing war crimes against the Palestinian people. Israel-Switzerland, Politics, 9/10/2003 - Amnesty calls to end policy of closures and restriction of movement
"Israel must put an end to the imposition of disproportionate and discriminatory restrictions on Palestinians' movement in the Occupied Territories which have crippled the Palestinian economy and caused widespread poverty, unemployment and increasing health problems," Amnesty International said in a report published Tuesday. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 9/10/2003 - Booby trapped car in front of an American headquarters kills Iraqis in Irbil
A booby trapped car went off yesterday in front of an office used by the American forces in Irbil to the north of Iraq resulted in killing two persons believed to be Iraqis and wounding several persons in neighboring buildings including children, according to the Turkish CNN TV. Iraq, Politics, 9/10/2003 - Al-Faisal: They tried to attack me
The Egyptian attorney general decided yesterday to jail the two Libyan businessmen Mahmoud al-Bashir and Fatehi al-Masaad for four days for inquiries on their attempt to attack the Saudi Arabian foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal in the lobby of the hotel in Cairo on Monday evening where he was residing, before he had headed to the headquarters of the Arab League to attend the meetings of the Arab foreign ministers. Saudi Arabia-Libya, Politics, 9/10/2003 - Lahoud underlines the need to achieving peace in the region Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 9/10/2003
- Corriere Della Sera: Mubarak's : Israel's error in side stepping Arafat Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 9/10/2003
- Syrian- Iranian economic cooperation Syria-Iran, Politics, 9/10/2003
- Moroccan Anti-AIDS association criticizes WTO agreement on generic medicine
The Moroccan association against AIDS (ALCS) denounced the agreement reached on August 30 at the World Trade Organization on the importation by poor countries of generic drugs. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 9/10/2003 - Women sections of political parties unsatisfied with women participation in elections
Some members of the coordination commission of women members of political parties said they are unsatisfied with the low rate of 5% of women candidates to next Friday's local polls in Morocco Morocco, Politics, 9/9/2003 - Annan: Security Council needs restrustring Regional-UN, Politics, 9/9/2003
- Al-Shara holds talks with Kharazi
An official session of talks was held in Damascus on Monday between Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara and his Iranian counterpart, Kamal Kharazi. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 9/9/2003 - Lahoud calls for enhancing Arab Unity
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud has stressed that the Arab unified stance will not be achieved unless Arab Leaders' stances were in accord with their people's aspirations. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 9/9/2003 - Al-Assad receives Kharazi Syria-Iran, Politics, 9/9/2003
- Sudanese FM expects a breakthrough; Kenya: Taha, Garang achieved 'tremendous progress"'
The Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismael and Kenya's mediator to the talks Lazaraos Simbayo announced they are optimistic over the possibility that the current negotiations between the Sudanese Vice President Ali Othman Taha and leader of rebels John Garang would attain results. Sudan, Politics, 9/9/2003 - Ghanean president underscores Rabat-Accra cooperation potential Morocco-Ghana, Politics, 9/9/2003
- Al-Assad confers with French parliamentary Delegation Syria-France, Politics, 9/9/2003
- Russian official underlines Lebanon, Syria role in ME peace making Syria-Russia, Politics, 9/9/2003
- Arab ministers reached a middle solution for Iraq's representation issue
The Arab ministers reached after a marathon meeting in Cairo continued until today at dawn amid differences a middle solution over the question of Iraq's representation at the Arab ministerial council which starts today, stating to allow the interim governing council the Iraqi seat for one year. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 9/9/2003 - Gulf states to discuss the governing council at the Arab League
The council of the ministers of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) yesterday concluded their ordinary session in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in a statement that voiced support for the Iraqi governing council and the Iraqi interim council but without recognizing them as a legitimate representative for Iraq. Gulf-Iraq, Politics, 9/9/2003 - European body ready to press for release of Moroccan POWs in Algeria
A European body said it will continue efforts for the release of all Moroccan prisoners of war still detained in the Tindouf camps (southwestern Algeria) by the Polisario separatists. Algeria-European Union, Politics, 9/9/2003 - Turkish military delegation in Syria
A Turkish military delegation will pay a visit to Syria within the framework of the executive program for the military agreement between the two countries which was finalized in 2002. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 9/9/2003 - Qrei agrees to assume the post of the Palestinian prime minister
The Palestinian President Yasser Arafat announced the consent of Ahmad Qrei to assume the post of the prime minister of the Palestinian government. This came following Qrei's meeting with the Palestinian President in his office in Ramullah when a Palestinian official announced that Arafat notified the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization of Ahmad Qrei's consent Palestine, Politics, 9/9/2003 - Israeli official visits Tunisia
The Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot said yesterday that an official at the Israeli foreign ministry is visiting Tunisia to discuss means of renewing diplomatic relations between the two countries and ending the warning over the travel of the Israelis to Tunisia. Tunisia-Israel, Politics, 9/9/2003 - Two Libyans try to attack al-Faisal in Cairo
The Egyptian police yesterday detained two Libyan businessmen after they had insulted Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal yesterday at the lobby of Four Seasons hotel and tried to attack him. Libya-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 9/9/2003 - Financial Times: Annan calls for reforming the UN Security Council
At this moment in the UN history, and with the problems the UN security council has caused, the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan told the Financial Times in an interview that it is time to reform the UN Security Council. Regional, Politics, 9/8/2003 - A message from al-Assad to Saleh conveyed by Khaddam
Khaddam said that after more than a half century of the establishment of the AL charter, there should be a review to this charter in line with new Arab vision that enables to Arabs to deal with challenges. Yemen-Syria, Politics, 9/8/2003 - Amnesty international calls Polisario to release remaining POWs
Amnesty International reiterated on Friday its call for the immediate release and repatriation of the more than 900 remaining Moroccan prisoners of war still being detained by the Algeria-backed Polisario. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 9/8/2003 - Mauritania opposition call for not voting for Weld Taye'
Some 20 Mauritanian opposition members in exile have called in a statement on their citizens not to vote for the current President of Mauritania Mu'aweya Wild Taye', the candidate for the presidential elections to be held on September 7th. Mauritania, Politics, 9/8/2003 - Al-Shara confers with Qaddoumi on ME issues
Syria's Foreign Minister, Farouk al-Shara received in Damascus on Saturday The Political Department Chairman of Palestinian Liberation Organization Farouk al-Qaddoumi and an accompanying delegation. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 9/8/2003 - Khaddam, al-Shara meets with Obeid
Vice- President Abdul Halim Khaddam received yesterday Lebanese Foreign Minister Jean Obeid on the situation in Iraq and its repercussions on the region. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 9/8/2003 - Moroccan premier meets minister president of Belgian walloon region
Moroccan prime minister, Driss Jettou, met here Friday minister-president of the Belgian Walloon region, Herve Hasquin, who took part in the International Francophony conference, held here September 2-5. Morocco-Belgium, Politics, 9/8/2003 - Bayan Jaber leaves Damascus shortly for Baghdad
The only Iraqi minister, who lives in Syria, Baqer Soulagh Jaber al-Zubeidi will leave for Baghdad after two days to assume his post as a minister of building up and construction in the new Iraqi government, which was declared on September first. Iraq-Syria, Politics, 9/8/2003 - Zeibar to Cairo to attend the Foreign ministers meeting; 'an unofficial' Iraqi presence
The Arab League received from its Iraq's representation office yesterday a list of the names of members of the Iraqi delegation which will attend the meeting of the Arab foreign ministers in Cairo tomorrow, according to a source at the AL. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 9/8/2003 - Moroccan Jews community always served as bridge between Palestinians, Israelis, community leader
The Palestinian diplomat called the Moroccan Jews "who lived with Moroccan Muslims in dignity, brotherhood and harmony, to press the Israeli government into respecting Palestinians' basic rights so that brotherhood and friendship prevail in the region, without race, sex or religion discrimination." Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 9/8/2003 - Fatah recommends Qrei as Palestinian prime minister
A Palestinian official source announced that the central committee of the Fatah movement recommended yesterday ( Sunday) appointing the chairman of the Palestinian legislative council Ahmad Qrei to form the new Palestinian government in succession of Mahmoud Abbas. Palestine, Politics, 9/8/2003 - Okaz: Saudi dates with Israeli stickers
In collaboration with its embassies in certain European countries, the Saudi foreign ministry started studying measures that can be taken according the international trade regulations against Israeli exporters who used illegally the phrase of "Saudi product" (Made in Saudo Arabia) to campaign for Israeli dates in European markets, according to a source at the Saudi ministry of agriculture who told the Saudi daily Okaz. Saudi Arabia-Israel, Politics, 9/8/2003 - Al-Assad meets with Junblat Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 9/8/2003
- Jordanian king gets the credentials of Israel's new ambassador
The Jordanian King Abdullah II yesterday accepted the credentials of the new Israeli ambassador Yaqoub Haddas in an official ceremony held at Raghdan Royal palace. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 9/8/2003 - Sharon in India today, Falcon deal is postponed
An official at the Israeli foreign ministry expected that the visit of the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon to India will be fulfilled without signing a contract of 3 billion dollars to sell India three air-born Falcon Radar systems for warning and surveillance, already approved by the US administration in August. Israel-India, Politics, 9/8/2003 - Arabies: adamancy of King Mohammed vi to fight poverty, disparities Morocco, Politics, 9/8/2003
- Syrian request to be included on the agenda of Arab Foreign Ministers meeting in Cairo Syria-Regional, Politics, 9/8/2003
- Kharazi in Damascus today Syria-Iran, Politics, 9/8/2003
- Moroccan, Canadian officials ponder bilateral cooperation Morocco-Canada, Politics, 9/8/2003