Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 10/6/2003

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of October 6, 2003

• Parliament fall session opening: King Mohammed surveys reforms of the family law
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI announced a series of reforms to the proposed "Mudawana (Family law)" at the opening in Rabat Friday of the parliament fall session. Morocco, Politics, 10/11/2003
• No progress possible if women' rights are violated, says king
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI of Morocco has defended the right to equality between Moroccan men and women, and urged for a reform of the family law and the woman status "Mudawana." Morocco, Politics, 10/11/2003
• King Mohammed voices resolve to set democratic process on the right track
  Morocc's King Mohammed VI voiced in Rabat Friday resolve to set the democratic process on the right path, insisting that it is an irreversible choice, whatever the challenges ahead, locally or at international level. Morocco, Politics, 10/11/2003
• Campaign of pressure and threats target Saudi reformers
  Saudi Arabia has started, under alleged pressures from religious extremists, to silence certain reformers by banning them from forums to disseminate article that defy the religious establishments. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 10/11/2003
• Bashir announces partnership with the rebels
  The ruling National Congress party in Sudan has called on the Sudanese parties to commit to democracy in the post peace phase. He expressed readiness to boost public freedoms and end the state of emergency. Sudan, Politics, 10/11/2003
• Chirac opposes sanction against Syria
  France stressed yesterday its opposition to impose sanctions against Syria. In a statement to the press in Morocco, President Jacque Chirac of France asserted that France is in general very reserved or rather opposes all the sanctions measures which prove, historically, that they are inefficient and create many difficulties. Syria-France, Politics, 10/11/2003
• Keftaro deplores the Congressional 'Syria accountability act' legislation
  Syria's Grand Mufti, Sheikh Ahmad Keftaro, has denounced the so-called "Syria Accountability Act" legislation by the US Congress that is being considered to sanction Syria. Syria-USA, Politics, 10/11/2003
• Lahoud conferred with US ambassador on developments
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud underlined that the latest Israeli aggression on Syria and Lebanon are further proof that Israeli government does not only work against peace but also foil all initiatives to uphold calm and stability in the region. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 10/11/2003
• King Mohammed deplores low number of elected women in local polls
  In his speech opening the parliament fall, Morocco's King Mohammed VI deplored the low number of women elected during the local polls held in the country last September 12. Morocco, Politics, 10/11/2003
• King Mohammed calls for nation-wide mobilization for territorial integrity
  "The sacred cause of the Kingdom's territorial integrity must remain the overriding issue that warrants total mobilization nation-wide," King Mohammed VI said Friday. Morocco, Politics, 10/11/2003
• Morocco produces daily evidence that civilizations clash is not inexorable, Chirac
  "Morocco, land of tolerance which has, for six thousand years, culled the best of all the cultures that interacted with it, produces each day clear evidence that the clash of cultures is not inexorable," said here French president, Jacques Chirac, who is currently on a 3-day visit to Morocco with his spouse Bernadette. Morocco-France, Politics, 10/11/2003
• Nasrullah threatens Israel of maching 'madness for madness'
  The secretary general of the Lebanese Hizbullah party Hassan Nasrullah considered that the negotiations to exchange prisoners and detainees will be given a new impetus in light of the decision of the mini Israeli cabinet to continue negotiations. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 10/11/2003
• Demonstrations in the Galilee against the strike on Syria
  The Arab movement "the change," led by the Arab parliamentarian in the Israeli Knesset Ahmad al-Teibi yesterday organized several demonstrations on crossroads in the Galilee in protest of the recent Israeli air raids against the Syrian territories, in which hundreds demonstrators took place. Syria-Israel, Politics, 10/11/2003
• Syria statement before the UN Security Council on Israel's seperation wall
  Being the Arab member at the UN Security Council and the head of the Arab group at the UN for this month, Syria called on the Security Council yesterday to hold an immediate session to discuss the Israeli government decision to continue building the racial separation wall in the occupied territories including Jerusalem. Regional-UN, Politics, 10/11/2003
• New York Times: White House strips those accused of terrorism of any due process
  former chief judge of the federal appeals court in Philadelphia saying "The idea that American executive branch personnel, particularly military personnel, can detain people beyond the reach of habeas corpus is just repugnant to the rule of law." Regional-USA, Politics, 10/11/2003
• Egyptians demonstrate in support to Syria Egypt-Syria, Politics, 10/11/2003
• Annan: Donor conference may be delayed until a good resolution is adopted Iraq-UN, Politics, 10/11/2003
• Human rights organizations urge Butaflika to re-try a political activist
  The spokesman for the Arab committee for human rights, Haitham Manaa, has warned against the deterioration of the health conditions of the Algerian activist in the area of human rights, Salah Seidhum. Algeria, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Chirac: best weapons against fanaticism are education, jobs and hope
  Visiting French president, Jacques Chirac hailed Morocco's "bold and exemplary political transition" under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, at a dinner banquet hosted in his honor, Thursday evening in Fez, by the Moroccan monarch. Morocco-France, Politics, 10/10/2003
• French president voices 'total support' to Morocco's stand on the Sahara
  French president said, in Fez Thursday, his country totally and infallibly supports the Moroccan stand regarding the Sahara issue and the Kingdom's territorial integrity. Morocco-France, Politics, 10/10/2003
• King Mohammed pays tribute to French president as a 'committed' statesman
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI paid tribute this Thursday to visiting French president, Jacques Chirac, as "committed head of state," "a man of conviction" and to France "the homeland of the Declaration of the rights of man and citizen." Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Al-Assad confers with Larsen; Syria praised for using diplomacy
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad received on Thursday the international Peace Envoy to the Middle East, Terje Roed-Larsen and an accompanying delegation on the Israeli aggression on Syrian lands. Syria-UN, Politics, 10/10/2003
• War in Iraq forces UN to face 'fundamental questions',Frechette
  "Some countries see terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, transnational criminal networks and the ways in which these may be coming together to reinforce each other as self-evidently the dominant threats to peace and security," Frechette said. But, she said, others see a greater danger in civil wars, AIDS, poverty, environmental degradation, oppression and violations of human rights. Regional-UN, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Arab League warns of consequences to US sanctions on Syria
  Arab League has stressed that an adoption of the so-called "Syria Accountability Act" sanctions legislation, and the US accusations against Syria, will increase tension situations in the Middle East and will block the way for peace. Regional-Syria-USA, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Demonstration of protest in Damascus
  In the first people's reaction to the Syria's accountability law and the Israeli raid against the Syrian territories, more than 500 Syrian citizens representing parties and non- governmental organization yesterday took the streets in Damascus in a protest demonstration calling for boycott of American goods. Syria-USA, Politics, 10/10/2003
• EU will not impose sanctions on Syria similar to the American's
  The European Commission has announced that EU doesn't agree on USA's new direction to impose sanctions on Syria clearing that the EU's stance towards Syria didn't change. Syria-European Union, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Gabon warns against serious dangers of Baker's new plan for the Sahara
  Gabon warned on Wednesday against the serious dangers underlying the new plan for the Sahara mooted by the UN secretary general's personal envoy for the Sahara, James Baker, and called for continuing negotiations to reach a settlement accepted by all parties to the conflict Morocco-Gabon, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Sahrawi delegation exposes to Chilean officials reasons of their refusal of baker's plan on sahara
  A delegation of Moroccan southern provinces wound up a four-day visit to Chili where their briefed Chilean officials on the latest developments of the Sahara issue with a particular empahsis on the rejection by the people of these provinces of the latest peace plan mooted by the UN secretary general's personal envoy for the Sahara, James Baker. Morocco-Chile, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Arafat advisor denied Qrei's resignation
  Nabil Abu Rudeineh, special advisor to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, denied that the designated prime minister Ahmad Qrei had submitted his resignation. Palestine, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Qrei wants relief from forming a Palestinian government
  The news added that the council refuses ratification of the government unless President Arafat changes the presidential decree of trying to create an emergency government, noting that a strong dispute erupted over this matter between Arafat and the central committee of Fatah. Emergency governments exist many Arab states, and are used as a pretext to constantly to deprive citizens of stated constitutional rights. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Israeli pilot kicked out of air force for saying Israeli acts are immoral
  Israeli film producer Grienstehl said"the government of Sharon is a war one and it carries out everything that escalates the situation and complicates it, because it's afraid of peace more than war." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Lahoud's statements on Syrian, Lebanese complaints at the UN security council against Israeli aggression Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 10/10/2003
• French president hails Morocco's 'bold and exemplary political transition' Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Al-Assad meets with Kuwaiti minister on boosting trade relations Syria-Kuwait, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Mubarak receives Pakistani Senate Speaker Egypt-Pakistan, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Butaflika receives General al-Kharoubi Algeria-Libya, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Solana calls on Arab states to revitalize Arab peace initiative Regional-European Union, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Egypt to boost trade with India, Kazakhstan Egypt-India, Politics, 10/10/2003
• South African minister of defense warns Regional-South Africa, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Calls for send peace keeping forces to Sudan
  A joint US- British statement called on the secretary general of the Arab League to start drawing detailed plans on the ability of the UN to help in maintaining an expected peaceful settlement in Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Pentagon offers security contracts in Iraq Iraq-USA, Politics, 10/10/2003
• New Israeli boat for the Indian naval forces
  The Indian naval forces yesterday announced the inauguration of an Israeli- made boat within its fleet. Israel-India, Politics, 10/10/2003
• Kissinger asked Israel to violate resolution 338, continue fight
  Classified US documents unveiled that former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger encouraged Israel not to stick to UN Security Council resolution # 338 that called for cease-fire during October 6, 1973 War. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 10/10/2003
• French president visits Morocco to display support and encouragement to the kingdom
  France, he added, is intent to bring backing to Morocco in the set of pressing challenges and threats it is facing Morocco-France, Politics, 10/9/2003
• French president: Morocco's choices will lead to economic development, social progress
  "Morocco has made a bold choice for modernity and democratization," said the French president who hailed the Moroccan experience "as a rare example of a country that chose to open onto the world while respecting its deep identity." Morocco-France, Politics, 10/9/2003
• Mauritanian expatriates not allowed voting in presidential election
  The Mauritanian nationals living abroad will not be allowed to vote in next presidential election, set for November 7, announced in Nouakchott Wednesday the Mauritanian Interior ministry. Mauritania, Politics, 10/9/2003
• France supports Sahara issue solution that takes into account Morocco's interests
  France supports a solution to the Sahara issue "that takes into account Morocco's interests and regional stability," said, here Wednesday, French President Jacques Chirac. Morocco-France, Politics, 10/9/2003
• King Abdullah: American policy is Naive; Jordan working behind the scene for settlement
  King Abdullah II of Jordan has described Washington's foreign policy as Naive and lacks cultural sensitivity "despite the fact that President George Bush is committed to achieve peace in the Middle East." Jordan-USA, Politics, 10/9/2003
• Al-Rai: Jordan: the decision to freeze Hamas assets was an administrative mistake
  The Jordanian daily al-Rai quoted the governor of the central bank of Jordan Umaya Touqan as saying yesterday that the decision taken to freeze the assets of Hamas movement and other groups by the beginning of September was an administrative error. Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 10/9/2003
• Work completed on UN treaty to fight corruption worldwide
  In a number of countries, corruption has led to the depletion of national wealth. Some of those countries, whose former dictators have stolen hundreds of millions, or even billions, of dollars, have made a great contribution to the search for new rules, including the Philippines and Nigeria. Regional, Politics, 10/9/2003
• Lahoud meets with Larsen on ME developments
  The Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Wednesday said that Syria and Lebanon's resort to the UN Security Council following continued Israeli violations and the aggression on the Syrian lands is a procedure that expresses unshaken trust in the international community's ability to curb the logic of force and prevent repetition of the Israeli aggression. Lebanon-UN, Politics, 10/9/2003
• France for swift transfer of sovereignty to Iraqi people
  French president, Jacques chirac, has urged the United Nations to play "a locomotive role" in ensuring a swift transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people, and to assist Iraqis in drafting their own constitution and in preparing elections. Iraq-France, Politics, 10/9/2003
• Qathafi warns Italy of damage to its interests in Libya
  Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi yesterday threatened Italy that it will loose "its interests in Libya," unless it pays compensations for the years of the Italian occupation of Libya. Libya-Italy, Politics, 10/9/2003
• Morocco among countries to benefit from French 'co-development' policy
  Morocco is among four African countries to benefit from the "co-development" policy initiated by the French government to help foreign communities settled in France invest in their native countries. Morocco-France, Politics, 10/9/2003
• National conference party opened in Khartoum with Syrian participation
  The Sudanese National Ruling Conference began in Khartoum yesterday deliberations with the participation of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party's delegation headed by Member of the Regional Leadership, Waleed al-Bouz. Sudan-Syria, Politics, 10/9/2003
• Mid-East Finance Corporation to provide loans to private businesses
  US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Elizabeth Cheney announced the establishment of the Middle East Finance Corporation, which will loan capital to small and medium sized business owners in the region as part of the larger Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). Regional-USA, Politics, 10/9/2003
• Three Israeli soldiers wounded near Nablus, Qrei backtracks the emergency government
  The new Palestinian prime minister Ahmad Qrei was subjected to pressures opposing the formation of an emergency government on the Palestinian arena, especially inside the Fatah movement, and decided to introduce his government today at the legislative council in order to win its confidence for an ordinary government. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 10/9/2003
• Al-Assad gets a solidarity message from Yemeni peer Yemen-Syria, Politics, 10/9/2003
• Al-Ta'akhi: US in Iraq remove tomb of Michael Aflaq
  An official in the Iraqi police said that the American forces removed the tomb of the founder of the dissolved Baath party, Michael Aflaq, and leveled it to earth, in implementation of the decision to desolve this party following the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime. Iraq-USA, Politics, 10/9/2003
• Al-Faisal reiterates denunciation of Israeli strike against Syria Saudi Arabia-Syria, Politics, 10/9/2003
• UAE: Hamdan Bin Zayed is a deputy Prime minister United Arab Emirates, Politics, 10/9/2003
• House committee approves imposing sanctions on syria
  The US House of Representatives' International Relations Committee overwhelmingly approved legislation October 8 that would impose limited sanctions against Syria. Syria-USA, Politics, 10/9/2003
• Malaysian economic delegation in Damascus Syria-Malaysia, Politics, 10/9/2003
• European MP calls for 'more than partnership' in Morocco-EU ties Morocco-European Union, Politics, 10/9/2003
• Al-Assad outlined Syria's foreign policy and positions
  al-Assad said "There is a contradiction in the US proposal. There was terrorism in Afghanistan and the Americans were not there. They came under the pretext of combating terrorism but so far they have combated nothing. They later attacked Iraq before combating terrorism and when they were inside Iraq, they say that some terrorists crossed Iraq may there is terrorism. Moreover, the battlefield of terrorism needs a society which is fertile ground for terrorism. The Iraqi society is not prepared for terrorism and was never known as terrorist. The saying be correct as terrorists exist in all world states. The US and Europe are full of terrorists, but does this mean that the two regions are venues of terrorism." Syria-Regional, Politics, 10/8/2003
• New Speaker for the Syrian people's Assembly ( parliament) Syria, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Saudi crown prince deplores Israeli strike against Syria Saudi Arabia-Syria, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Sultanate Condemns Israeli Air Raid on Syria Syria-Oman, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Al-Assad confers with several Arab dignitaries Syria-Regional, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Chirac condemns Israeli strike against Syria Syria-France, Politics, 10/8/2003
• French president on state visit to Morocco this week Morocco-France, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Continued denunciations of the Israeli strike against Syria
  The exiled Archbishop of Jerusalem, Hialrion Capucci, on Tuesday said Israel's aggression on the Syrian lands is a violation to the sovereignty of an Arab country and UN resolutions. Syria-Israel, Politics, 10/8/2003
• UN General Assembly President gives top priority this session to UN reform Regional-UN, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Iraqi Interim council rejects sending Turkish troops to Iraq; Three US soldiers killed
  Members of the Iraq's interim governing council Mahmoud Othman said that the council unanimously rejected sending Turkish forces to Iraq. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Moroccan political parties express support to Syria, condemn Israeli aggression
  Political parties in Morocco expressed support to Syria and condemned Israel following the air strike it carried out Sunday inside the Syrian territory. Morocco-Syria, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Barazani meets with senior Kuwaiti officials Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Syrian defense minister voices support to Iraqi, Palestinian issues
  Syria's Defense Minister Mustafa Tlass on Tuesday condemned Israel for its practices in the occupied Arab lands and escalation of acts of repression and terrorism against Palestinian innocents. Syria-Regional, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Al-Hakim discusses with Khatami the situation in Iraq
  The "Iranian Students News agency" said that the Iraqi Shiite leader Abdul Aziz al-Hakim met with the Iranian President Muhammad Khatami and discussed with him latest developments in Iraq. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 10/8/2003
• UN should protect people, not states, Annan
  Speaking at the opening of a seminar commemorating the 40th anniversary of the publication of "Peace on Earth," a worldwide letter from Pope John Paul XXIII, Annan said the letter demonstrated that the pope "understood that, although we are an organization of sovereign states, our founders acted in the name of the peoples of the United Nations." Regional-UN, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Obeid - Ivanov joint press conference
  Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov has expressed his country's concern over the Israeli escalation of tension in the Middle East and the expansion of the Israeli - Palestinian conflict to include neighboring countries. Lebanon-Russia, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Difficult and complex tour Sudanese peace talks; Powell visits Kenya to encourage negotiations
  The two delegations of the Sudanese government and the southern rebels have started a new round of peace talks in Kenya yesterday described by officials as difficult and complex, while officials at the US Department Of State said that its secretary Colin Powell might head during the current month for Kenya with the aim of encouraging the negotiations. Sudan-USA, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Kuwait for boosting economic relations with Syria Syria-Kuwait, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Just peace in ME should be based on Madrid terms of reference, minister
  He described this aggression as a clear expression of the Israeli dilemma particularly after Haifa's martyrdom operation which destroyed Sharon's lies of realizing security. "This aggression is an attempt to distract the internal crisis through expanding the circle of aggression" al-Hasan said. Syria-Israel, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Head of Cuba's inter-people friendship visits Morocco
  Head of Cuba's institute of inter-people friendship, affiliated to the communist party, Luis Morejon Soto, said his country wishes to promote ties with Morocco. Soto made the statement during a meeting with speaker of the House of Representatives (lower chamber), Abdelouahed Radi. Morocco-Cuba, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Russia eager to consolidate relations with OIC Regional-Russia, Politics, 10/8/2003
• One Lebanese child killed, Israeli bombardment of Shebaa farm; Sharon threatens, an Israeli alert on the Lebanese borders
  The Israeli bombardment was preceded by the killing of a 6-year old child and wounding of his brother as one Israeli shell dropped on their house in al-Houleh town in south Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Qrei government takes oath, resistance rejects emergency case
  He said he will challenged the Israeli attacks via dialogue and there will be no emergency laws. Palestine, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Morocco regrets failure of WTO's Cancun round
  The failure of the World Trade Organization's conference in Cancun shows that developed countries are not living up to the commitments they have made at the Doha round to place development at the core of trade interests, said on Monday Morocco's ambassador to the UN, Mohamed Bennouna. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Turkish parliament agrees to send forces to Iraq
  The Turkish government has won the pledge yesterday by a vote of the Parliament where the ruling "Justice And Development Party" enjoys great majority, following a close door session, after a governmental request calling for sending Turkish forces to Iraq in order to reinforce the American - British occupation forces there. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 10/8/2003
• Syria releases a Canadian citizen expelled by the Americans
  The Syrian authorities on Sunday released a Canadian citizen expelled to it by the USA after he had spent one year in prison. Syria-USA, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Syria to the UN: Israel continues to be above the law
  Syria's permanent representative at the United Nations, Faisal Miqdad, has stressed that the Israeli aggression on the Syrian civilian site is a flagrant violation of the United Nations charter, the international law and of the agreement of disengagement forces between Syria and Israel signed in 1974. Syria-Israel-UN, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Egypt continues releasing Islamic groups leaderships
  News reports in Cairo said that the Egyptian authorities released more than 1000 members and personnel of the Islamic groups including some leading figures, making the number of released persons of the group that are members of the Shoura council to be 8 out of 12 members. Egypt, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Continued wide condemnation of the Israeli attack against Syria
  Arab League's Council has condemned the Israeli aggression on the Syrian lands asserting that this aggression is considered a challenge to international law and charters. Syria-Regional, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Arab- French society deplores Israeli aggression
  ISECO stressed that "this aggression is considered a flagrant violation of the international law and state terrorism." Syria-Regional, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Syria summons ambassadors ofÊUN SC Permanent Members recruited in Damascus
  Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister, Walid al-Mu'allim on Monday summoned the ambassadors of the five states who are permanent members of the UN Security Council ( UNSC ) and briefed them on the letter which the Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara has sent to the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan and to Chairman of the UN Security Council (UNSC). Syria-UN, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Schroeder in Saudi Arabia hails outcome of Egypt visit; calls for peace
  German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder lauded the outcome of his visit to Egypt and talks with President Hosni Mubarak, which mirrored identical views over a host of Arab and international issues discussed, in addition to bilateral relations. Regional-Germany, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Libya suffers because of its strong Arab stances
  Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi indicated that the Libya "presented the Arab union draft proposal, to salvage the Arab situation, but the Arabs ignored it as they are waiting for someone who comes to trod on them, similarly to what happened in Palestine and Iraq." Libya-Regional, Politics, 10/7/2003
• UNHCR agrees to refugee camps census, a long established Moroccan claim
  The United Nations High Commission For Refugees (UNHCR) has responded to a claim Morocco has been repeatedly calling for on the need to register refugees and conduct a census of refugee camps around the world, such as the Tindouf Camps (Southern Algeria) were Moroccans native of the Sahara (southern Morocco) are being held hostage by a the separatist movement Polisario. Morocco-UN, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Abul Gheit lashes out at Israel Egypt-Egypt, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Moroccan southern delegation starts South-American information tour
  A delegation of heads of tribes and notables representing inhabitants of the Moroccan southern provinces has started Sunday a visit to Chile, part of a tour in Latin American countries to give officials, NGOs and journalists insight about the reality in the Moroccan Sahara. Morocco-Chile, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Iraqi council studies mechanism to draw the constitution
  Member of the Interim Governing Council in Iraq Mahmoud Othman has stressed that the council will be meeting today to discuss several recommendations on the new constitution in the country. Iraq, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Sudan, Uganda extends an agreement for security cooperation
  Sudan and Uganda have renewed an agreement for security cooperation aiming at the expulsion of Ugandan rebels from southern Sudan after Kampala has accused its northern neighbor of resuming support for the rebels. Sudan-Uganda, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Hamas bombards Israeli settlements in retaliation to striking Syria
  The Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, said it had fired 16 mortar shells at Israeli settlements in Gaza on Sunday evening, in retaliation to the Israeli air raid against a camp for the Palestinian refugees in Syria. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Ethiopia rejects decision on border demarcation with Eritrea
  Once again, Ethiopia rejected a decision issued by an independent committee for giving to Eritrea a border village under dispute, just days after the UN notified the decision to Addis Ababa. Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Spanish colonel: armada's occupation of Tourah islet was disproportionate, inconsiderate
  After the failure of the intelligence services, Spanish Premier, Jose Maria Aznar, and his defense minister, Frederico Trillo, have not responded adequately to the stationing by Morocco of some soldiers, Spanish Colonel Amadeo Martinez Ingles said. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Al-Assad gets phone call from Mubarak and Bashir on Israeli attack Syria-Regional, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Al-Assad- King Mohammad telephone call Syria-Morocco, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Schroeder denounces the Israeli attack against Syria Syria-Germany, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Syrian president gets a message from Annan Syria-UN, Politics, 10/7/2003
• UN observer mission on Iraq-Kuwait border phased out Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Moroccan killed by Spanish civil guard at border
  A Moroccan man was shot dead end of last week by a Spanish civil guard on the borders with the Spain-occupied city of Sebta on Friday, in what Spanish authorities said was an accident. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 10/7/2003
• Shara's message to the UN on the Israeli attack
  al-Shara said "Syria has practiced the highest level of self-restraint realizing that Israel is trying to create pretexts here and there to export its internal crisis to the region and to escalate the situation." Syria-Israel-UN, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Wide Arab, foreign denunciation of Israeli attack against Syria
  Arab League Secretary general Amr Moussa has strongly condemned the Israeli aggression on the Syrian lands describing it as "state terrorism." Syria-Regional, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Arab, foreign solidarity with Syria against Israeli attack
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has denounced the Israeli aggression on the Syrian lands. Syria-Regional, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Two Omani woman elected to Shoura council
  Omani woman have managed to hold on to their but failed to make further gains at the Omani Shoura council with two women candidates winning seats of the council, according to partial results of the elections appeared yesterday for the elections which took place on Saturday. Oman, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Al-Jihad denies bases outside Palestine; Israel threatens more attacks on Syria
  A spokesman for the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon said that Tel Aviv might launch new attacks against Syria if Damascus continues to shelter "terrorist organizations preparing attacks against Israel." Israel-Syria, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Egypt's opposition coalition call for fundamental political reforms
  Egyptian ppposition parties that do not include the Ikhwan al-Muslimin (Muslim Brothers) and five legal organizations yesterday announced that they will organize a people's gathering in front of Abideen palace on October 22 to hand over the government a patition calling for making fundamental political reforms including direct elections of the president and "ending the emergency law" the country currently lives under. Egypt, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Al-Qathafi calls on Libyans to approve quitting the Arab League
  Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi has repeated his country's request to withdraw from the Arab League, expressing his disappointment to in reforming the current Arab position and disseminating the spirit of cooperation among the Arab states in support of the Iraqi and Palestinian issues. Libya-Regional, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Benflis: I work for reforms and democracy; 7 new ministers
  The final seperation was made reality between the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika and the former prime minister, secretary general of the ruling National Liberation Front, Ali Benflis, and the country has entered an unprecedented constitutional and political crisis, after the Front had announced the nomination of Benflis for the next presidential elections, in an extraordinary conference. Algeria, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Bahrain: provocation, extremism are inseparable
  Opposition political societies, the main representatives for the Shiite majority in Bahrain denounced the incident and considered it as a "sort of practice that use violence as a means that does not cope with the spirit of tolerance and dialogue, the people of Bahrain are known for." The societies called for considering this incident as "an irresponsible isolated act." Bahrain, Politics, 10/6/2003
• German chancellor holds talks in Cairo, Riyadh
  Saudi Arabia's King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Abdullah yesterday discussed with the German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder "prospects of cooperation between the two friendly countries," especially in the economic field "and conditions on the Arab and international arenas especially the Palestinian issue and the situation in Iraq," offical news said. Egypt-Germany, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Mubarak-Shroeder summit falls within sustained consultations, Egyptian diplomat
  Egypt's Ambassador to Germany Mohamed El Orabi said summit talks Sunday between President Hosni Mubarak and German chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, fall within sustained consultations between the two countries at the various levels to discuss major regional and international issues. Egypt-Germany, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Al-Shara gets phone calls from Moussa, Maher, Palacio
  Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara received in Damascus yesterday a phone call from Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa. Syria-Regional, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Taha briefs Riyadh on the recent progress, Sudanese talks resumed today
  Sudanese Vice President Ali Othman Muhammad Taha has informed Saudi Arabia's officials during a short visit to Riyadh on the progress attained by the peace operation in Sudan between the government and the Sudanese rebels. Sudan-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Al-Baz calling for ending Iraq's occupation, Palestinian rights
  Egypt called for ending the occupation of Iraq and transferring authorities and power to the country's institutions to do their part in the rebuilding process. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Oman for reviving recent Arab summit resolutions
  Oman's Minister of the Foreign Affairs, Yousef bin Alawi bin Abdullah, has stressed all Arab states desire the realization of peace and their support to all regional and international initiatives and efforts on the basis of Beirut Summit Arab Initiative. Oman-Regional, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Moroccan southern provinces delegation visits Chili, Mexico
  A delegation representing the population of the Moroccan Southern Provinces will start this Sunday in Santiago a visit to Chili and Mexico to explain the latest developments in the Sahara issue, particularly the dangers underlying the latest version of the Baker plan. Morocco-Mexico, Politics, 10/6/2003
• News on those missing in Iraq raise fears of the Kuwaitis
  News reports in Kuwait said that there is a state of sadness and concern in the Kuwaiti street following news that a mass grave was found for 100 Kuwaiti prisoners in al-Rasheed camp, southern Baghdad. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Qathafi: Syria's presence in Lebanon is legitimate Libya-Syria, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Hariri - Chirac talks on ME developments Lebanon-France, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Al-Shara holds phone talks with Canadian counterpart Syria-Canada, Politics, 10/6/2003
• Deploring Israeli air strike on Syrian territory, Annan warns that conflict could spread Syria-UN, Politics, 10/6/2003

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