Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 11/3/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of November 3, 2003
- Morocco ready to contribute to consensual, realistic and final settlement of Sahara issue
Morocco stands ready to "contribute effectively to efforts being made to find a consensual, realistic and final political solution (to the Sahara issue) which accommodates its legitimate right to protect its sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity," said, in Meknes Thursday, King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/8/2003 - Libyan leader informs Morocco's king on libya's action with Algeria to release several moroccans Libya-Morocco, Politics, 11/8/2003
- Mauritania's authorities release Weld Hedalah
A source in Mauritania's police said that the candidate for the Presidential elections, former President Muhammad Khona Wild Hedalah who was detained on Thursday afternoon was released the same day in the evening but the fate of six persons who were close to him and detained with him, is still unknown. Mauritania, Politics, 11/8/2003 - Damascus denies statements attributed by Talibani to al-Shara
The Syrian foreign ministry yesterday rejected accusations raised by the Interim Governing Council in Iraq Jalal al-Talibani to the Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara in including the Kurds to the list of beneficiaries from the fall of the Iraqi regime in addition to the US and Israel. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 11/8/2003 - Egypt: One Muslim brother members died under torture Egypt, Politics, 11/8/2003
- King Mohammed okays inception of justice and reconciliation commission
Morocco's King Mohammed VI okayed the creation of a "justice and reconciliation commission" recommended by the Human Rights Advisory Council (CCDH) in its 20th session held last October 14, says a press release of the Royal office. Morocco, Politics, 11/8/2003 - Khaddam confers with Iraqi delegation Syria-Iraq, Politics, 11/8/2003
- Morocco to submit report to UN committee on measures against torture
Morocco will submit on November 12-13 its third periodic report to the UN committee against torture to shed light on measures adopted by the kingdom to implement provisions of the international Convention against torture. Morocco-UN, Politics, 11/8/2003 - Lebanese minister says Syria is firm in its position
Lebanon's Information Minister, Michel Samaha has asserted that the US threats and pressure on Syria will not affect her firm stance vis-a-vis different issues in the region. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 11/8/2003 - France hails upcoming release of Moroccan POWs in Tindouf
France hailed Friday the upcoming release of Moroccan prisoners in Tindouf (southwestern Algeria) following a Libyan mediation with Algerian authorities. Algeria-France, Politics, 11/8/2003 - Release of Moroccan POWs in tindouf is top humanist objective, Euro-deputy
The release of all Moroccan prisoners of war (POW) who are still detained in Tindouf camps (southwestern Algeria) is a top priority humanist objective, European deputy, Anne Andre Leonard, told Thursday a press conference held at the European parliament here. Algeria-European Union, Politics, 11/8/2003 - Morocco builds itself well, says minister
Morocco "builds itself well," asserted, here Wednesday, Moroccan minister delegate to the Prime Minister in charge of economic and general affairs and the Upgrade of the economy. Morocco, Politics, 11/8/2003 - First killed Polish in Iraq, two US killed, detentions of families of the resistance people, US rotates forces
Britain has warned that the American- British occupation forces is heading for a "difficult winter" in Iraq. This was at a time when the first Polish man was killed, while two American soldiers were killed in two separate attacks. Also, the occupation forces resorted to arresting relatives of the resistance fighters in order to force them to surrender, a tactic similar to that carried out by Israel against the Palestinians. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/8/2003 - Arab League chief criticizes US Middle East policy
Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa has stressed that any aggression or threat against Syria is an aggression on all the Arab states adding that Arab solidarity and coordination are the way to protect Arabs and keep their security and stability. Regional-USA, Politics, 11/8/2003 - The story of Saddam's survival from al-Mansour quarters bombardment
The former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein survived, according to former Iraqi officials, an American bombardment that had targeted a house he was to be meeting in with four of his associates on April 7th when he had realized that one of them leaked information about the place of the meeting just a quarter of an hour from the moment of the bombardment. Iraq, Politics, 11/8/2003 - Okaz al-Mustaqbal: Proposal to divide Iraq to 9 provinces
One Iraqi paper said yesterday that the Governing Interim Council agreed on proposals proposed by the constitution's formulation committee to divide the country to 9 almost independent states. Iraq, Politics, 11/8/2003 - Accusation of a coup plan as Mauritania's election nears
The director of the elections campaign for the President of Mauritania said that he found a document that proves that Muhammad Khouna Weld Hedallah, the candidate of the opposition to the Presidential elections was planning to take over government by force if he does not win the elections, and this will be in support of national and Islamist groups. Mauritania, Politics, 11/6/2003 - Saudi judicial council chairman calls for suppressing demonstrators
Saudi Arabia's Chairman of the higher judicial council, Sheikh Saleh Bin Muhammad al-Lheidan, yesterday strongly criticized the Saudi opposition and described demonstrations which took place in the Kingdom several weeks ago as "illegal," calling on the authorities to suppress them. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/6/2003 - Lahoud: unqualified US support to Israel makes Israel arrogant in challenging peace efforts
Lahoud stressed that Israel's aggression on Syria and Lebanon endangers stability in the region, saying that as long as Israel keeps enjoying U.S. support it would continue to thwart all international initiatives aiming at establishing just peace in the region. Lebanon-Italy, Politics, 11/6/2003 - Khartoum, Darfour rebels extend ceasefire
Chad's government said that the Sudanese government and the rebels of the Sudan's Liberation Front who are stationed in Darfour area decided to extend ceasefire Sudan, Politics, 11/6/2003 - Ardogan refuses to meet with Sharon
The Israeli embassy in Ankara announced yesterday that the Turkish authorities refused a proposal made by the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon to stop in Ankara upon his return back from Moscow, under the pretext of the preoccupation of the prime minister Rajab Tayeb Ardogan. Turkey-Israel, Politics, 11/6/2003 - Washington ready to support Moroccan efforts for lasting solution to Sahara issue, ambassador
The US ambassador-designate to Morocco pledged to "fully support" Morocco's quest for a lasting solution to the Sahara dispute. Morocco-USA, Politics, 11/6/2003 - Asharq Al Awsat: Former detainee in Tindouf tells of various types of torture in camps
Abdellah Lamani, who spent 23 years imprisoned by the Polisario in the Tindouf camps (southwestern Algeria), told a daily how the population sequestered in the camps are subjected to various types of torture, inhumane practices and forced labor. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 11/6/2003 - Israeli settlers cut hundreds of olive trees in the West Bank
Israeli extremist settlers have cut hundreds of olive trees in land cultivated by Palestinians in the West Bank, say Palestinian villagers in testimonies that were confirmed by Israeli sources. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/6/2003 - Sharon speaks of negotiating, Fatah's discusses formation of next government
Israel's prime minister Ariel Sharon arrived back on Wednesday after he had concluded a visit to Russia in which he had expressed desire to deal with the new Palestinian government after it is formed. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/6/2003 - An Arab delegation visits Iraq for the first time since its occupation
It was announced in Cairo that a high ranking delegation from the Arab League will visit Iraq next week, as the first of its kind since the US occupation in April. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 11/6/2003 - Egyptian ( Mesr al-Um): Pharos give up Arabization
Scores of Egyptian intellectuals and vocational members formed a party called "Egypt the motherland" ( Mesr al-Um) for dismantling Egypt from its Arab identity. Egypt, Politics, 11/6/2003 - Ethiopian primier receives Libyan foreign liaison secretary Libya-Ethiopia, Politics, 11/6/2003
- Egyptian consultative council deplores practices against the palestinians, voices solidarity for syria Egypt-Syria, Politics, 11/6/2003
- New US ambassador pledges to consolidate ties with strategic ally Morocco Morocco-USA, Politics, 11/6/2003
- al-Rai al-Aam: Maher, Kharrazi statements on Damascus meeting of Iraqi neighboring FMs
Egyptian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Maher stressed that the final statement of the Iraq's neighboring states' foreign ministers meeting was an expression of the Iraqis' desire to achieve their aspirations. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 11/5/2003 - Imprisonment of Liberty editor; Algeria: conference for Benflis opposition members
The ruling "correction movement of the national liberation front party," led by Algeria's Minister of State For Foreign Affairs Abdul Aziz Balkhadem, which is in support of the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika in confrontation of the chairman of the party Ali Benflis announced it will convene a conference in December in preparation for the presidential elections. Algeria, Politics, 11/5/2003 - Russian- Israeli differences over the Roadmap
The Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon has failed to convince Russia to give up a proposal it had submitted to the UN Security Council to make the Roadmap obligatory on the two Palestinian and Israeli sides. Israel-Russia, Politics, 11/5/2003 - Court hands down 18 months to 2 years prison terms against four people, including 3 journalists
The first instance court of Oujda (northeastern Morocco) handed down on Monday verdicts ranging between 18 months and 2 years in jail in the case of four persons, including 3 journalists, for charges of failure to observe respect due to the king, jeopardizing the monarchy system and inciting through publications to acts likely to endanger internal security. Morocco, Politics, 11/5/2003 - Bolton says International Criminal Court contrary to U.S. principles
The US continues to oppose joining or reforming effective international institutions that are not being subject to US domination, as some see it, the latest being the International Criminal Court. Regional-USA, Politics, 11/5/2003 - Turkey will remove mines along the borders with Syria
Turkey's deputy prime minister Abdul Latif Ciner said that his country is planning to use the fertile agricultural lands on the borders with Syria after the removal of thousands of landmines. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 11/5/2003 - Al-Baz stressed Egyptian support for Syria
Egypt has stressed support to Syria's firm and just stance asserting that any threat against Syria is a threat against Egypt. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 11/5/2003 - US designate ambassador to Syria: Accountability law sets behavior measurement
The designate American ambassador to Syria, Margaret Scooby, said yesterday that Syria has taken "positive steps, though not enough to improve border security" with Iraq and in order "to disclose the Iraqi assets in Syrian banks." Syria-USA, Politics, 11/5/2003 - Two American soldiers killed, a judge assassinated in Musil
News reports in Iraq said that unidentified persons assassinated the deputy chairman of the Court Of Appeal in Musil city, hours after the killing of another American soldier yesterday in Baghdad. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/5/2003 - Hamas notifies Egypt approval of conditional truce; Qrei government next week
The Palestinian prime minister Ahmad Qrei has announced that President Yasser Arafat assigned him to form the new government and that he accepted the authorization. He said he will complete the formation of this government and submitting it to the legislative council for ratification next week. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/5/2003 - Nasrullah: even with prisoners and Shebaa farm settled, we will be a side to the conflict with Israel
The secretary general of the Hizbullah party Hassan Nasrullah has welcomed the reports which talked about Israel's inclination to complete the prisoners exchange deal and withdrawal from the Shebaa farms. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 11/5/2003 - Arab parliamentarians express solidarity with Syria against US-Israeli threats Regional-Syria, Politics, 11/5/2003
- Muasher describes Damascus meeting as positive Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 11/5/2003
- Bush to provide 2.22 billion for Israeli military aid in fy 05
The Bush administration is seeking to provide Israel with $2.22 billion in military assistance in fiscal year 2005, according to a media note released November 3 by the US Department Of State . Israel-USA, Politics, 11/5/2003 - Syrian- Egyptian summit: al-Assad - Mubarak discuss regional issues
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak held in Damascus on Monday a meeting at al -Shaab Palace where they discussed the Arab situation, the proposed principles and opinions and the way of putting them in a suitable formula in the interest of the joint Arab action. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 11/4/2003 - Warnings against deterioration of prisoners conditions in Tunisia
The International Society in Support of Political Prisoners has warned against the dangers of the deteriorated humanitarian conditions of political prisoners in Tunisia as a result of what it called the bad treatment the prisoners undergo. Tunisia, Politics, 11/4/2003 - Morocco reiterates support to Syria against Israeli aggression
First deputy speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives, Noureddine Madyane, reiterated in Damscus on Sunday Morocco's "support to Syria and condemnation of the Israeli arrogance and violation of all international regulations" through its air raid against Syria last October 5. Syria-Morocco, Politics, 11/4/2003 - Protraction of Sahara conflict will squander Moroccan and Algerian resources, moroccan party leader
Leader of the Unified Socialist Left (GSU) party, Mohamed Bensaid Ait Idder, warned at a rally held in Laayoune Saturday that Moroccan and Algerian resources will be squandered should the Sahara conflict endure. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/4/2003 - Iraqi governing council welcomes Damascus meeting statement
The Interim Governing Council in Iraq welcomed yesterday the results of the meeting of foreign ministers of Iraq's neighboring states which was held at the end of the week in Damascus despite the big fuss raised on the non- participation of the Iraqi foreign minister Hoshiar Muhammad Zeibar in the meeting. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 11/4/2003 - Assafir: Al-Sader press center: the occupation remains an occupation and will be always rejected
In today's issue, the Lebanese daily Assafir said that a statement issued by martyr Muhammad al-Sader office explained that statements made by Muqtada al-Sader quoted by the German News Agency from the Iraqi daily al-Sabah. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/4/2003 - Kharazi statements on the situation in Iraq
Iranian Foreign Minister, Kamal Kharrazi, stressed that the formation of an Iraqi national government was one of the basic issues of the final statement of the Iraq Neighbor States' Foreign Ministers meeting. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 11/4/2003 - Washington commends the will of Damascus meeting
The US yesterday commended the will expressed by the countries neighboring Iraq at their Damascus meeting to strengthening monitoring of their borders with Iraq. Regional-USA, Politics, 11/4/2003 - Moroccan political leader warns against another (Berlin) wall between the two banks of the mediterranean
In terms of inhabitants, he explained, Brussels grants an average of half a Euro per inhabitant for the south and 100 times more for every inhabitant of East European countries. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 11/4/2003 - Nine-month pregnant woman held off at Israeli army checkpoint
A nine-month pregnant woman was held off on Sunday for four hours at an Israeli army check-point before being authorized to cross to a hospital in army-sealed Naplus, an Israel human rights group said. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/4/2003 - Al-Shara, Obeid phone call on developments Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 11/4/2003
- Al-Assad receives Kuwaiti, UAE parliamentarians Syria-Regional, Politics, 11/4/2003
- EU enlargement 'should not cut us' from our south Mediterranean Partners, says French politician Regional-European Union, Politics, 11/4/2003
- Saudi Arabia's TV to broadcast Shoura council deliberations
Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday that excerpts from "the Shoura council" discussions will be for the first time broadcast in a weekly TV program within the framework of the political openness in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/3/2003 - Arab Parliamentary Union: the Whole Arab Homeland is Syria statement
The 44th urgent session of the Arab Parliamentary Union Council concluded its deliberations in Syria on Sunday under the motto of "the Whole Arab Homeland is Syria." In a final statement, the Council expressed strong condemnation over the latest Israeli aggression on Syrian lands. Syria-Regional, Politics, 11/3/2003 - Final statement of Iraq's neighboring states FM s's meeting
The meetings of Iraq's neighboring countries' Foreign Ministers started in Damascus on Sunday with the participation of the Foreign Ministers Farouk al-Shara of Syria, Saud al-Fausal of Saudi Arabia, Marwan al-Muasher of Jordan, Kamal Kharazi of Iran, Ahmad Maher of Egypt, Abdullah Gul of Turkey and Mohammed Salem al-Sabah of Kuwait. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 11/3/2003 - Yemeni, Sudanese, Ethiopian meeting on terrorism; Bashir accuses Garang of obstructing peace
The foreign ministers of Yemen, Sudan and Ethiopia started in Sanaa on Saturday a meeting that will last for two days in preparation to convene the summit which will be held by the presidents of the three countries in Addis Ababa in December in order to enhance the work of the regional group to fight terrorism in the African horn, formed by the three countries in January this year. Yemen-Sudan, Politics, 11/3/2003 - Expatriate minister confers with Danish parliamentary delegation
Syria's Expatriates Minister, Butheina Shaaban on Saturday asserted Syria's continuous efforts for realizing just and comprehensive peace in the region in accordance with the international resolutions, "Madrid terms of reference" and "land for peace" formula. Syria-Denmark, Politics, 11/3/2003 - Muqtada al-Sader eager to cooperate: the Americans are guests and peace lovers
The Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sader had considered "Saddam Hussein and his followers as the enemy of Iraq, rather than the Americans," whom he described as "guests" in Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/3/2003 - Ben Ali calls for international protection of the Palestinians
Tunisia's President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has called for ensuring international protection for the Palestinian people from "the aggression it is exposed to daily" and called for preserving Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Tunisia-Palestine, Politics, 11/3/2003 - Talibani calls on neighboring states to close borders
The chairman of the Interim Governing Council in Iraq for December, Jalal al-Talibani, has called on Iraq's neighboring states to "close their borders and prevent terrorists from entering Iraq," while speculating that there is a link between the deputy chairman of the Iraqi Revolution Leadership Council in the former regime Ezzat Ibrahim al-Douri and the attacks against the American occupation. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 11/3/2003 - The Guardian: European poll names Israel as greatest threat to world peace
The UK daily The Guardian reported yesterday that "Israel has been described as the top threat to world peace, ahead of North Korea, Afghanistan and Iran, by an unpublished European Commission poll of 7,500 Europeans, sparking an international row." Israel-UN, Politics, 11/3/2003 - Two Palestinians killed, Qrei puts final touches for his government
Five Israelis were injured yesterday in Nablus, while two Palestinians were killed by the bullets of the Israeli soldiers, with news of a nearby agreement on a new Palestinian government chaired by Ahmad Qrei as the authority of his emergency government which he leads expires tomorrow. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/3/2003 - King congratulates Algeria for independence day Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/3/2003
- Al-Assad confers with Hariri Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 11/3/2003
- Al-Shara telephone talks with Bahraini peer Bahrain-Iraq, Politics, 11/3/2003
- Kuwait voices support for Syria Kuwait-Syria, Politics, 11/3/2003