Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 10/20/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of October 20, 2003
- New Jordanian government announced today
The Jordanian designated prime Minister Faisal al-Fayez announces today his new government which is composed of 21 ministers most of them are technocrats, keeping nine ministers from the previous government including the foreign minister Marwan Muasher. Jordan, Politics, 10/25/2003 - Saudi opposition prepares for demonstration in Ramadan
Chairman of the Saudi Arabian al-Islah (reform) movement,which takes London as a headquarters, Saad al-Faqih, has announced that the movement will work for organizing demonstrations in the coming days in a way that leads to a greater demonstration in the royal court during the holy month of Ramadan. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 10/25/2003 - Al-Assad concludes constructive visit to Qatar
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Friday returned back home concluding a fruitful and successful two-day visit to Qatar. Qatar-Syria, Politics, 10/25/2003 - Bashir: 2003 is the year of peace; IGAD supports Sudan
The Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir expressed before IGAD regional summit in Kampala his confidence in the success of the Sudanese peace process and the end of conflict by the end of this year. The date which the US Secretary Of State Colin Powell called for abiding by. Sudan, Politics, 10/25/2003 - United Nations lost its legitimacy
On yesterday's occasion of the United nations' anniversary, the official Libyan news agency said that only resolutions against African and Arab states are enforced, (as opposed to Israel and others). Libya-UN, Politics, 10/25/2003 - Lahoud confers with Chinese ME envoy
Lebanese President Emile Lahud stressed on Friday that Israeli continued aggressions against Syria and Lebanon aim at widening the scope of confrontation. Lebanon-China, Politics, 10/25/2003 - EU greets Morocco's 'positive reaction' to 'Enlarged Europe' initiative
The European Union (EU) on Thursday greeted Morocco's "positive reaction" to the "enlarged Europe initiative in all its dimensions." Morocco-European Union, Politics, 10/25/2003 - The polisario was born in Rabat, not in the Sahara, says ex-member
The separatist movement "Polisario Front" claiming independence of the Moroccan Sahara, was born in Rabat and not in the then Spanish colony, a former Polisario member revealed on Friday. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 10/25/2003 - Spain-Based NGO, French HR foundation discuss situation of Moroccan POWs in Tindouf
The situation of Moroccan prisoners in the Tindouf camps (southwestern Algeria) and the human rights violations committed by the Algeria-backed separatist group " Polisario" topped talks here Thursday between the Spain-based "Association of the Victims of Polisario" and the French foundation "France Liberte." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 10/25/2003 - Jordan denies handing over Iranian opposition members to Tehran
The Jordanian government yesterday denied reports that indicated that it had handed over five members of the Iranian "Mujahedi Khalq" opposition movement to the Iranian authorities. Jordan-Iran, Politics, 10/25/2003 - EU reiterates call for immediate release of Moroccan POWs Morocco-European Union, Politics, 10/25/2003
- Arab war veterans reject UN peace plan for sahara Morocco-UN, Politics, 10/25/2003
- Speaker of the Lebanese parliament to visit Syria next Monday Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 10/25/2003
- Keftaro meets with British clergy delegation
Syria's Grand Mufti, Sheikh Ahmad Keftaro received in Damascus on Friday a delegation of the Evangelical - Lutheran Church of Finland headed by pastor, Sepo Rizanin. Syria-Finland, Politics, 10/25/2003 - Hope pinned on al-Assad's visit to Qatar
Qatari Minister of Information has stressed that President Bashar al-Assad's visit to Qatar comes within the framework of persisting the exerted efforts to help the Arab situation and activate solidarity among the Arabs particularly within the difficult circumstance facing the Arab nation. Qatar-Syria, Politics, 10/24/2003 - Khartoum: Sudan insists on solving neighboring crisis for genuine peace
The Sudanese foreign minister warned that the Sudanese settlement "will fail unless it is viewed within the comprehensive regional framework. Security and political problems in these countries should be solved, otherwise the whole region will move into a negative direction." Sudan, Politics, 10/24/2003 - Egypt's government talks with opposition exclude Muslim Brothers
The minister of the People's Assembly and the Shoura council and the assistant secretary general of the ruling democratic national party Kamal al-Chazli said yesterday that the dialogue currently ongoing between the government and the opposition on political reform rules out the Ikhwan al-Muslimin (Muslim Brothers) group because it is not a legitimate party. Egypt, Politics, 10/24/2003 - Madrid: releasing Allouni under bond
The Spanish authorities yesterday released the correspondent of al-Jazeera satellite station in Qatar, Teiseir Allouni, who was accused by a Spanish judge of belonging to al-Qaida organization. Regional-Spain, Politics, 10/24/2003 - Maher: Egypt capable of defending itself
"How much longer will the world stand by as a spectator, and how long will some international parties continue encouraging Israel to carry on with its schemes?" Maher wanted to know. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 10/24/2003 - Syria, Qatar's FMs meet on ME issues
Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara met in Doha yesterday his Qatari Counterpart, Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jaber al-Thani. Qatar-Syria, Politics, 10/24/2003 - Libya, Turkey open a new page
A Turkish official source announced that Turkey and Libya will hold in January 2004, a meeting for their joint economic committee for the first time since 7 years with the aim to open "a new page" in their trade relations. Libya-Turkey, Politics, 10/24/2003 - Egypt: UNGA resolution sends warning to Israel
Egypt on Wednesday welcomed the UN General Assembly resolution demanding Israel to stop building its separation wall and pull down the parts of the wall that it has already set up in the occupied Palestinian territory. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 10/24/2003 - Government examines practical measures for new family law enforcement
The weekly Moroccan government meeting held this Thursday looked into the draft family code that was announced on Oct.10 by King Mohammed VI at the opening of the parliament's fall session. Morocco, Politics, 10/24/2003 - Washington calls Riyadh to speed reforms, Saudi demonstrations foiled
The Saudi Arabian security forces yesterday foiled a series of citizens' efforts that took place in Riyadh and several Saudi cities for the second time within one month, demanding for political reforms, despite the threats made by the authorities to punish those who respond to demonstration which was called on from London by the Islamic movement for reform. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 10/24/2003 - Morocco expresses strong reservation over latest UN secretary general's report on sahara
Morocco, which remains ready for dialogue and negotiations, expresses strong reserves over any solution that would undermine its territorial integrity and national sovereignty. Morocco-UN, Politics, 10/24/2003 - The Guardian: Memorandum of arrest against Muqtada al-Sader
Iraqi sources said that the occupation forces and Iraqi officials are preparing a warrant of arrest against Shiite clergy Muqtada al-Sader on his involvement in the case of killing Abdul Majeed al-Khou'e in April. Iraq, Politics, 10/24/2003 - Jordanian king receives Qrei and American delegation: The Palestinians have to abide by obligations
The Jordanian King Abdullah II who received yesterday in al-Aqaba a delegation representing the US Congress and the Palestinian prime minister Ahmad Qrei, urged the Palestinians to execute their security obligations, as stated in the Roadmap. Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 10/24/2003 - Al-Assad hold talks in Qatar crown prince Qatar-Syria, Politics, 10/24/2003
- Otari: reforms to activate private and public sectors. Syria, Politics, 10/24/2003
- Israel commends strategic importance of relations with Jordan
In a statement issued by the Israeli embassy in Amman, Israel commended "the strategic importance" of relations linking it with Jordan considering that the Hashemite Kingdom constitutes "an important cornerstone for reaching peace" between Israel and its neighbor in the region. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 10/24/2003 - Syria, Qatar sign several cooperation agreements Qatar-Syria, Politics, 10/24/2003
- Morocco calls for a quota system for immigration
Morocco has called for the regulation of immigration by establishing a quota system to help candidates to migration to Europe settle there in a legal way. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 10/24/2003 - US president praises king's reforms of family law Morocco-USA, Politics, 10/24/2003
- Maher calls on international community to end Israeli practices against Palestinians Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 10/24/2003
- A united passport for Gulf citizens
Ministers of the interior in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states recommended in conclusion of a meeting that lasted for two days in Doha yesterday the adoption of a united GCC passport and decided to submit the recommendation to the next GCC summit in Kuwait. Gulf, Politics, 10/23/2003 - Jordanian King authorizes Faisal al-Fayez to form political development government
Jordan's King Abdullah II yesterday assigned the royal divan minister Faisal al-Fayez to form the new government in succession of the resigned prime minister Ali Abul Ragheb. Jordan, Politics, 10/23/2003 - Khartoum rejects US request to close Hamas, al-Jihad offices
Sudan has rejected an American request to close offices in Khartoum for the two Palestinian movements of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, according to the secretary general of the ruling National Congress party Ibrahim Omar. Sudan-USA, Politics, 10/23/2003 - Morocco holds Algeria responsible for violations against Moroccan POWs
Morocco is holding Algeria responsible for the serious breaches of the international humanitarian law against Moroccan servicemen held on its territory by the "Polisario" separatists. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 10/23/2003 - Mubarak receives Talibani
News reports in Cairo said that the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak yesterday in Sharm Esh Sheikh received the chairman of the Kurdistani National Federation and member of the Iraqi Governing Interim council Jalal al-Talibani. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 10/23/2003 - Al-Sharif Ali: Iraqi resistance prolongs occupation
The chairman of the Constitutional Royal Movement and chairman of the "Iraq conference delegation," al-Sharif Ali Bin al-Hussein on Tuesday considered that the Iraqi resistance perpetuate the American occupation who "uses this resistance as a pretext to continue its stay in Iraq." Iraq, Politics, 10/23/2003 - Tragic situation of Moroccan POWs in Tindouf exposed to Amnesty International and HCR
A group of Human Rights advocacy associations in the Sahara held, here Tuesday, meetings with officials from Amnesty International and the High Commissioner for Refugees (HCR) to discuss the tragic situation of Moroccan prisoners of war (POWs), persons sequestered in Tindouf (southern Algeria) and the problems of Sahrawis who disappeared in the camps of the Polisario separatist group. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 10/23/2003 - Morocco rejects 'erroneous' interpretation of UN resolution on Sahara
Morocco has rejected as "erroneous" the interpretation of the United Nations Security Council's Resolution on the Moroccan Sahara issue as contained in the recent report of UN Secretary general, as well as any attempt to impose a solution in the dispute without the agreement of the involved parties. Morocco-UN, Politics, 10/23/2003 - Morocco astonished at conclusions of Annan's latest report on Sahara
Morocco voiced astonishment at the conclusions contained in the UN secretary general's latest report on the Sahara and "rejects its recommendations," the ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation said in a release Wednesday. Morocco-UN, Politics, 10/23/2003 - Juan Carlos in Manama after Aleppo Bahrain-Spain, Politics, 10/23/2003
- Court adjourns to January journalist case Morocco, Politics, 10/23/2003
- Arab League deplores Israeli practices Palestine-Regional, Politics, 10/23/2003
- National dialogue starts today upon directives of Mubarak
Egypt's Secretary General of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and Minister of Information Safwat Al Sherif will Wednesday evening hold a series of meetings with leaders of other parties to open a national dialogue with political powers in Egypt in compliance with the call made by President Hosni Mubarak, NDP Chairman, at the first NDP annual congress held late September. Egypt, Politics, 10/22/2003 - Sultan Qaboos speech before the third session of the council of Oman
Sultan Qaboos said : Mankind will only enjoy happiness and a sense of security if there is justice and respect for all those things which guarantee human beings their legitimate rights. First and foremost of these is their right to honour, dignity and freedom from humiliation, and their right to liberty and independence. Oman, Politics, 10/22/2003 - Saudi opposition calls for demonstration tomorrow
The Islamic movement for reform ( al-Haraka al-Islameyah Lel Islah ) in Saudi Arabia which takes London as a headquarters has called for organizing new demonstrations tomorrow ( Thursday ) in several Saudi cities. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 10/22/2003 - Jordanian King assigns al-Fayez today to form the government
Nabil al-Sharif, Jordan's minister of information said yesterday that the prime minister Ali Abul Ragheb will today submit the resignation of his government to King Abdullah II who will tomorrow assign the royal court minister Faisal al-Fayez the tasks of the prime minister. Jordan, Politics, 10/22/2003 - Al-Assad, King Carlos speeches stress cooperation, regional issues highlighted
In a speech he delivered yesterday in honor of the Spanish King Juan Carlos and his wife, President al-Assad said: I have a great pleasure in welcoming on behalf of the Syrian Arab People, on behalf of my wife and on my own behalf, Your Majesties and the distinguished members of the accompanying delegation, wishing you a happy stay in Syria which is proud of this visit and is hopeful that this visit will consolidate the relations between our two countries and peoples. Syria-Spain, Politics, 10/22/2003 - Sebta and Melillia must be retroceded to Morocco without haggling, Spanish former diplomat
The Spanish government must open "without haggling" dialogue with Morocco on the future of the two cities it is occupying, Sebta and Melillia, to reach acceptable solutions for both countries, said Maximo Cajal, a Spanish retired diplomat, currently international policy adviser at the Socialist Labor Party (PSOE). Morocco-Spain, Politics, 10/22/2003 - UN Arab development report calls for closing growing 'knowledge gap'
Arabs, coming from a knowledge-rich past, must urgently close a "growing knowledge gap" in the present by investing heavily in high-quality, analytical education, promoting open intellectual inquiry and developing an authentic Arab knowledge model, a new United Nations report says. Regional, Politics, 10/22/2003 - Iran insists on right to nuclear technology; looks for own interest
The official Iranian news agency IRNA said yesterday that "Iran will sign the additional protocol of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) before November 20, said Secretary of Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Hojatoleslam Hassan Rowhani here on Tuesday," adding that Iran "will not sign up to the protocol before October 31," the deadline given to it by the international atomic agency. Iran, Politics, 10/22/2003 - Iraqi refugees in Saudi Arabia return back to Iraq one shift every week
A new shift of 651 Iraqi refugees returned back to the governorate of al-Basra via Kuwait yesterday coming back from Saudi Arabia where they had spent 12 years in Rafhaa camp in the heart of the desert. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 10/22/2003 - Moroccan political parties reject UN referendum proposal for Sahara as serious escalation
A group of 13 Moroccan political parties have expressed refusal of the referendum in the Sahara proposed by UN secretary general's personal envoy, James Baker, saying "it is a serious escalation in an artificial conflict," rather than "a peaceful solution to a regional conflict." Morocco-UN, Politics, 10/22/2003 - Syrian- Moroccan industrial cooperation talks Syria-Morocco, Politics, 10/22/2003
- Baz deplores Israeli threats against Syria
Egypt has stressed its opposition of the Israeli aggression to Syria describing it as a flagrant violation of the international resolutions. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 10/22/2003 - Al-Abram: Powell visit to Kenya a positive sign Sudan-USA, Politics, 10/22/2003
- US views on UN reform; continued dodging of fundemantal reform
While the US criticized the UN for its multitude of issues and programs that it deals with, the US added yet another issue to the mix, and failed to address the single most important reform issue that is the key to making all the other reforms possible; The US continued what is seen as dodging and distracting the main issue of making the UN Security Council a democratic institution. Regional-USA, Politics, 10/22/2003 - EU's new neighborhood policy is no alternative to Euro-Mediterranean process, official
Morocco considers that the New Neighborhood Policy launched this year by Europe should not be an alternative to the Euro-Mediterranean process which is a reference, said here Tuesday an official from the Moroccan ministry of foreign affairs. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 10/22/2003 - Egypt bans a demonstration for democracy
The Egyptian authorities yesterday banned a demonstration intended by activists for democracy to be held tomorrow in Cairo demanding the introduction of political reforms in the country. Egypt, Politics, 10/21/2003 - Amman-Abu al-Ragheb resigns, al-Fayez forms the new government
A high ranking Jordanian official stressed that the Jordanian King Abdullah II will assign on Thursday the royal court minister Faisal al-Fayez as a new prime minister to replace the current prime minister Ali Abul Ragheb who assumes this post since June 2000. Jordan, Politics, 10/21/2003 - Syrian- Spanish relations highlighted
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and Spain's King Juan Carlos held today a meeting at al-Shaab Palace. Talks dealt with the bilateral relations between Syria and Spain and the general situation in the region. Syria-Spain, Politics, 10/21/2003 - Malaysia proposes to change OIC name
"One approach is to get the views of the other members on whether we should change our name to take cognizance of the current situation so as to show that it is really an organization or network for cooperation and not just for holding conferences," he said. Regional-Malaysia, Politics, 10/21/2003 - First session for the Kuwaiti parliament after Saddam
Kuwait's prime minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah said that the country is in need of more reforms in order to restore back its earlier position in being a regional center and to withstand the challenges of globalization. Kuwait, Politics, 10/21/2003 - King Carlos meet with Muslim, Christian clergymen in Damascus
King of Spain Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia met in Damascus at their residence in Teshreen Palace a number of Islamic and Christian clergymen in Syria. Syria-Spain, Politics, 10/21/2003 - Al-Ahram: Taha: Presidential elections in Sudan, 6 years after transitional period
Sudan's (First) Vice-President, Ali Othman Muhammad Taha said in an interview published yesterday in the Egyptian daily al-Ahram that presidential elections will be organized in the country after the end of the provisional period which extends for 6 years as stated in the peace process. Sudan-USA, Politics, 10/21/2003 - Women grateful to Moroccan king for family law reform
A group of women figures representing women members of political parties, non-governmental organizations active in women and family issues and professional associations, expressed gratefulness to King Mohammed VI for "the particular interest" granted by the sovereign to the promotion of Moroccan women's rights. Morocco, Politics, 10/21/2003 - Al-Shara meets Russian ME envoy
Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara received in Damascus yesterday, Russian Middle East Special Envoy, Andre Vidovin at the occasion of ending his mission in the region. Syria-Russia, Politics, 10/21/2003 - Suzanne Mubarak, symbol of Arab, African culture
Chairman of the Middle East Strategic Studies Center of Shangahai University lauded the role of Egypt's First Lady Suzanne Mubarak in bolstering cultural and educational activities. Egypt-China, Politics, 10/21/2003 - Syrian vice president confers with Barazani
Syria's Vice President Abdulhaleem Khaddam received in Damascus yesterday Chairman of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and Member of the Iraqi Interim Ruling Council, Masoud Barazani and an accompanying delegation. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 10/21/2003 - Powell meets with Mubarak tomorrow in Sharm esh Sheikh
An American official said yesterday that the US Secretary Of State Colin Powell will visit Egypt tomorrow where he will be meeting with President Hosni Mubarak. Egypt-USA, Politics, 10/21/2003 - Polisario leadership exploits Sahara issue to gather wealth, former Polisario official
The leadership of the Polisario secessionist group are using the Sahara issue to obtain from Spain and the European Union (EU) aid that they are embezzling at the detriment of the people who should benefit from it, said Kaltoum Khayat, former Polisario official. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 10/21/2003 - UN, EU urged to act for immediate release of Moroccan captives in tindouf
Participants in a debate on the "humanitarian situation in Tindouf camps" (southern Algeria) called Saturday the United Nations Secretary General and the European Union to interfere for the immediate release of all Moroccan prisoners held in Tindouf and halt the suffering of the populations forcefully living in exile. Morocco-Regional-UN, Politics, 10/21/2003 - Physician killed by Israel kills while he tried to help wounded Palestinians
"Israeli jetfighters raided Sunday on several parts of Gaza Strip, killing 10 Palestinians and at least one hundred were wounded several of them critically," the Palestinian IPC news agency reported. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 10/21/2003 - Lebanese minister highlights Islamic Summit resolutions on threats against Syria, Lebanon Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 10/21/2003
- Baz calls on Arab states to observe self-restraint Egypt-Regional, Politics, 10/21/2003
- Saudi Arabia: partial Shoura council elections within three years
Saudi Arabia is proceeding to a political openness seen through the announcement to organize partial municipal elections by the end of 2004; expected to be followed by partial legislative elections; two years after that. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 10/20/2003 - Aleppo: some 200 defendant lawyers for 14 persons were brought for military court
Syrian businessman from Aleppo, Sameer Nashar, announced yesterday that more than 200 lawyers from various parts of Syria signed a petition in which they expressed their readiness to take part in a defending commission for 14 civil activists who were brought before the military court under the charge of being members in a secret society and provoking conflict and sedition within the nation. Syria, Politics, 10/20/2003 - Arab Human development report 2003: building Knowledge society
Arab states need to close a "growing knowledge gap" by investing heavily in education and promoting open intellectual inquiry, say the authors of the second Arab Human Development Report, published by the United National Development program on October 20. Regional, Politics, 10/20/2003 - Women activists praise deep reforms in family law
A Moroccan association grouping women activists from the main political parties hailed the reform proposals made last week by King Mohammed VI as "deep" reforms that "meet legitimate aspirations of Moroccan women and constraints of social evolution and democratic construction while being in total harmony with the Sharia (Islamic law)." Morocco, Politics, 10/20/2003 - Morocco bets on modernity and development, says ambassador
Morocco is convinced that by lifting the juridical discriminations which were hampering women emancipation, it is betting on modernity, development and the right leadership, said, in New York Friday, Morocco's Ambassador to the United Nations. Morocco, Politics, 10/20/2003 - Syria - Spain economic relations highlighted
Spain is one of the powerful European economies as its economy represents about 6.4 percent of Europe's GNP. It is also the 10th largest economy in the world in terms of GNP. Syria-Spain, Politics, 10/20/2003 - Chirac reiterates support to Morocco's king over Sahara issue
French president Jacques Chirac has reiterated his support to Moroccan King's efforts to reach a "realistic and lasting solution" to the Sahara dispute, in a message to the monarch at the end of his three-day state visit to Morocco last week. Morocco-France, Politics, 10/20/2003 - Seminar urges Arab states to implement humanitarian law
A regional seminar of Arab experts in International Humanitarian Law (IHL) has urged all Arab states, that haven't yet done so, to set up national structures in charge of implementing the IHL (Geneva Convention). Regional, Politics, 10/20/2003 - Otari meets Chinese envoy to Middle East
Otri stressed the deep-rooted Syrian-Chinese relations and the necessity for boosting them to the interest of both countries. Syria-China, Politics, 10/20/2003 - Iran voices support to Syria
The Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Hamid Rida Asifi on Sunday condemned the socalled Syria Accountability Act legislation passed by the U.S. Congress, saying "such measures (efforts) are not new and represent continued unilateral, illogical American policies rejected by the international society." Syria-Iran, Politics, 10/20/2003 - China for just peace in the Middle East
The Chinese Special Envoy on the Middle East, Wang Shijie, has stressed his country's firm stance towards the Middle East issue which is "restoring the legitimate Arab rights in order to achieve stability and peace in the world." Regional-China, Politics, 10/20/2003 - Demonstration backs Syria in Egypt
Scores of thousands of Egyptian students demonstrated at Al-Azhar University in Cairo yesterday protesting the so-called US Congressional Syria Accountability Act legislation and condemned the latest Israeli aggression against Syria. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 10/20/2003 - Turkey: sending troops to Iraq depends on Iraqi people's desire
Turkey's prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey was not and is still not encouraged to send troops to Iraq, and that the Turkish army will not go to any place it is not wanted or desired. This was in reply to the call made by Washington to wait concerning the issue of sending Turkish forces to Iraq. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 10/20/2003 - King and queen of Spain arrive in Damascus
At the invitation of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and his wife, the King of Spain, Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia arrived in Damascus on Sunday in an official visit to Syria. Syria-Spain, Politics, 10/20/2003