Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 11/17/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of November 17, 2003
- Lahoud's speech on Lebanon's independence day
Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud warned that the Middle East had come under dangerous and crucial plots, the latest of which was the attempt to deny the Palestinian the right to return home and to settle them in their host countries. Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 11/22/2003 - Garang hopes for peace in Sudan by end of year
The leader of the southern rebels in Sudan, John Garang, considered yesterday that there is great opportunity to reach a peace agreement by the end of this year, but he refused to say that this date is final and definite. Sudan, Politics, 11/22/2003 - Iran vows: 'No' to decisions suppressing its nuclear energy rights
"Former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani here on Friday refreshed vows that Iran would not accept any "oppressive" decision coming out of the meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) later in the day," IRNA reported yesterday. Iran-UN, Politics, 11/22/2003 - Innovation is key element of U.S. foreign policy, official says
While continuity in foreign policy is essential to reassure allies and win domestic support, policy also must respond, through innovation, "to changes in the environment of both threat and opportunity," says the US State Department's director of policy planning. Regional-USA, Politics, 11/22/2003 - Palestinian Yermouk camp-demonstration marking World Jerusalem Day Syria-Palestine, Politics, 11/22/2003
- Lebanon's strongly opposes plans to settle Palestinians in Lebanon Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 11/22/2003
- Austrian official: Syria Accountability Act is wrong way to ME peace Syria-Austria, Politics, 11/22/2003
- Australia freezes Hamas assets
The Australian government froze the assets of 6 leaders of the Islamic Resistance movements (Hamas ) including the founder of the movement Sheikh Ahmad Yassin. Palestine-Australia, Politics, 11/22/2003 - Mubarak's address to the Parliament: rule of law as a fundamental approach
Adoption of the rule of law as a basic approach to national and executive work has enhanced the march of political and democratic reform and entrenched the concept of the State of Institutions. Egypt, Politics, 11/21/2003 - Russian decree to lift sanctions imposed on Libya
Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday signed a decree for lifting all sanctions imposed on Libya. Libya-Russia, Politics, 11/21/2003 - Jordanian Ambassador: Jordan won't support economic project damaging Egypt's interest
Jordan's Ambassador in Cairo Hany Al-Mulaga said that his country will not support any Israeli project that damages the Egyptian economic interests. Jordan-Egypt, Politics, 11/21/2003 - Amnesty international urges Egypt to end torture
Amnesty International on Thursday urged Egypt to take immediate measures in order to end use of torture, saying that it has reports that clearly show the systematic torture in the country. Egypt, Politics, 11/21/2003 - New reconciliation commission's mission is to establish truth in past human rights violations
Secretary general of the Moroccan human rights advisory council (CCDH), Driss Benzekri, said the newly-created Justice and Reconciliation commission will seek the truth in cases of disappearance, deaths and other human rights violations under a new approach that enhances transparency. Morocco, Politics, 11/21/2003 - Egyptian papers consider Mubarak's health problem as a take over to Gamal, Mubarak did not attend 'Fate Nigh' celebration
The Egyptian dailies issued yesterday played down the importance of the sickness President Hosni Muabark suffered that effected his live speech on Wednesday, while his son Gamal Mubarak, appeared before the leaderships of the Democratic National Party, stressing to them that the President of the republic is in a good health condition. Egypt, Politics, 11/21/2003 - Jordan postpones al-Wahda dam inauguration
A source at the Jordanian royal court said that the meeting which was due yesterday between the Jordanian King Abdullah II and the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to lay the foundation stone for al-Wahda dam project was postponed to a later date because of reasons pertinent to programs of each of the two leaders. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 11/21/2003 - Cyprus continues to be a back base for weapons experts in Iraq
The Cypriot government yesterday extended until October 2004 an agreement with the UN states to use a back base in case of the return of the UN weapons experts to Iraq. Iraq-Cyprus, Politics, 11/21/2003 - Lebanese army chief for co-operation with the Syrian army Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 11/21/2003
- Qathafi receives President Isaias Afwerki Libya-Eritrea, Politics, 11/21/2003
- UN approves Russian draft on Mideast peace roadmap Palestine-UN, Politics, 11/21/2003
- Algerian president: Maghreb Union, best framework for cooperation and integration, al Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 11/20/2003
- Amir of Qatar opens Shoura council session
Amir of Qatar, Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani opened on Tuesday the 32nd session of the Shoura council. In a speech he delivered on this occasion, he outlined the characteristics of the next phase of the comprehensive development operation taking place in the country. Qatar, Politics, 11/20/2003 - Past human rights breaches to be handled humanely, vows head of HR body
Chairman of the Moroccan human rights advisory council, Omar Azziman, said cases of past human rights breaches will be handled humanely on the basis of justice and equity in order to repair moral, psychological and social harm done to victims. Morocco, Politics, 11/20/2003 - Moroccan FM hopes tindouf camps torturers will be brought before international justice Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/20/2003
- Mubarak: 22 years of internal, external challenges
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak, 75 year old, is the fourth President for Egypt since the revolution of 1952, and is also the president who stayed the longest period in office, since he assumed office 22 years ago. Egypt, Politics, 11/20/2003 - Premier denies plans to buy new cars for ministers, collaborators Morocco, Politics, 11/20/2003
- Damascus, Ankara permit, once again border meeting
Syria and Turkey agreed to the periodical border opening in Eid al-Fiter holiday as preparations were completed to receive the families from both sides, according to Turkish diplomatic sources in Damascus. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 11/20/2003 - Lahoud confers with US task force Lebanon delegation
Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud said that "Israel is the party that should be held responsible for its continued aggressions on the region and world security and stability." Lebanon-USA, Politics, 11/20/2003 - The USA does not seek to impose on Morocco a solution to Sahara issue, US president renews
US president, George W. Bush, renewed in a message to King Mohammed VI that the USA does not seek to impose on Morocco a solution in the Sahara issue. Morocco-USA, Politics, 11/20/2003 - Egyptian president undergoes health problem during parliament's address
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt was exposed to a minor health problem when he was delivering a speech in the inauguration of the parliamentary session of the Shoura council and the parliament yesterday. A matter which obliged him to stop his address before he returned back once again to continue it after a while. Egypt, Politics, 11/20/2003 - American signals to Libya prepare on end of sanctions
American officials expected that the US will dispatch signals to Libya this week that if American concerns for terrorism and mass destruction weapons are satisfied, the USA may lift certain sanctions imposed on Tripoli. Libya-USA, Politics, 11/20/2003 - Italian demonstrations for fighting terrorism, rejections of wars
Around three million Italians from various political parties, state and opposition trade unions demonstrated in the northern city of Florence on Wednesday demanding peace in the world and calling for fighting terrorism and the rejection of violence and wars. Regional-Italy, Politics, 11/20/2003 - Qrei in Gaza for truce talks with the Palestinian resistance
One Palestinian armed man was killed, and three wounded in an operation in Wadi Araba. Israeli military sources said that the occupation forces killed one armed man who is from Jordan and who hit several tourists at a crossing on the border of Jordan near the Israeli Eilat port. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/20/2003 - US cancels entry visa for Junblat
The American embassy in Beirut cancelled an entry visa to the USA to the Druze leader and member of Parliament Walid Junblat because he had expressed his regret that the US under secretary of defense, Paul Wolfowitz, had survived an attack that targeted him in October in Baghdad. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 11/20/2003 - Baher al-Oloum asks for exporting the Iraqi oil via Kuwait
Following talks with his Kuwaiti counterpart, Iraq's oil minister Ibrahim Baher al-Aloum asked for permit to use the Kuwaiti ports in order to export the Iraqi crude oil. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 11/20/2003 - Libya stops illegal immigrants Libya-European Union, Politics, 11/20/2003
- Al-Assad, Lahoud meet on Lebanese issues, ME developments
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and Lebanese President Emil Lahoud held on Tuesday on the internal situation in Lebanon stressing Syria's standby Lebanon to enhance its national unity and to confront threats and challenges facing the two states. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 11/19/2003 - Asmaa Al-Assad and Andre Lahoud in Damascus Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 11/19/2003
- Morocco denies Amnesty International allegations on torture in Morocco
Morocco has rejected Amnesty International allegations over a sharp rise of human rights breaches in Morocco. Morocco, Politics, 11/19/2003 - For procedural reasons: no border visits between Syria and Turkey for this year
Turkish diplomatic sources in Damascus said that the open border meeting between the Syrian and Turkish families on the occasion of Eid al-Fiter was cancelled for this year for "procedural reasons," noting that the Syrian minister of the Interior Ali Hammoud will discuss this matter during his forthcoming visit to Ankara next month. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 11/19/2003 - British council director in Syria: efforts to enhance higher education; human resource development
British Council Director and Cultural Attache in Syria Paul Doubleday has recently assumed his new post as a Director of the British Council in Syria. Syria-UK, Politics, 11/19/2003 - Powell discuss transfer of power to the Iraqis
US Secretary of State Colin Powell highlighted the emerging expectation within the Bush administration that the Iraqi leadership should be in a position to assume sovereignty over Iraq's affairs by June 2004. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/19/2003 - An Israeli official: Egypt is an enemy state
Chairman of the foreign affairs committee and security in the Israeli Knesset strongly criticized Egypt and considered it a state "hostile to Israel." A matter which reflects the doubts between the two countries despite the peace agreement linking them since 1979. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 11/19/2003 - Truce talks in Cairo after Ramadan holiday; two Israeli soldiers killed
The Egyptian government has started contacts with the Palestinian groups leaderships abroad in order to convene another round of talks on the inter-Palestinian national dialogue and means of declaring a new truce. Egyptian officials notified Palestinian leaderships that invitations will be extended shortly to them in order to hold the talks in Cairo after Eid al- Fiter holiday. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/19/2003 - Mubarak speech to parliament Egypt, Politics, 11/19/2003
- New American ambassador to Saudi Arabia
The White House on Monday announced that the US President George W. Bush chose one of the major industrialists working in the field of oil to be the US ambassador in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 11/19/2003 - Al-Assad gets a message from Amir of Qatar Qatar-Syria, Politics, 11/19/2003
- Maher: Israel plays needs to put words to action Egypt-Israel, Politics, 11/19/2003
- Belgian foreign minister visits Israel shortly Israel-Belgium, Politics, 11/19/2003
- Maher: Russia to submit draft resolution on Toadmap Egypt-Russia, Politics, 11/18/2003
- Lahoud, wife to visit Syria today Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 11/18/2003
- Ivanov and the Israeli threats against Syria Syria-Russia, Politics, 11/18/2003
- Moussa receives Comoros' foreign minister Regional-Comoros, Politics, 11/18/2003
- Al-Syasa: Iraq finance minister highlights relations with Syria Iraq-Syria, Politics, 11/18/2003
- Turkish health minister visits Egypt tuesday Egypt-Turkey, Politics, 11/18/2003
- Central African Communication minister arrives in Morocco Morocco-Central African Republic, Politics, 11/18/2003
- Moussa: Italian stance on Middle East raises concern Regional-Italy, Politics, 11/18/2003
- Al-Assad, King Abdullah to inaugurate al-Wahda dam on Thursday
An official in the Jordanian royal court announced yesterday that the Jordanian King Abdullah II and the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will lay the foundation stone for al-Wahda dam project which will contribute to dealing with the problem of water shortage in Jordan. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 11/18/2003 - Jordan: Abdullah nominates new al-Ayan council
Jordan's King Abdullah II yesterday issued a decree according to which it appointed 55 new members including 4 women, in a five seat increase over the former council, in the council of the new Jordanian Ayan, upper house of parliament, as a gesture to inaugurate its works by the beginning of December. Jordan, Politics, 11/18/2003 - Democracy cannot live without a free press, says minister
Moroccan minister of communication has emphasized the role of the press in the democratic process saying that democracy cannot live without a free press. Morocco, Politics, 11/18/2003 - Iraqi tribal delegation members describe visit to Syria as fuitful
Chairman of the Iraqi Tribal delegation, Hashem Al Srout, said that President Bashar al-Assad's reception of the Iraqi tribal delegation was fruitful and successful. Iraq-Syria, Politics, 11/18/2003 - Lahoud gets a message from Khatami
Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud on Monday received a message from his Iranian counterpart Muhammad Khatami on bilateral relations. The Iranian Ambassador in Beirut Massoud Idrissi Karamanshahi told reporters after handing over the message to President Lahoud that his talks with the Lebanese president centered on the situations in the occupied Palestinian lands and in Iraq. Lebanon-Iran, Politics, 11/18/2003 - Nasrullah: negotiations with Israel to be in secret
The secretary general of the Lebanese Hizbullah party Sheikh Hassan Nasrullah said that a new round of negotiations was held with the German negotiator in a deal for exchanging prisoners between the party and Israel. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 11/18/2003 - Suleiman met Arafat and Qrei for a truce between Israel; one Palestinian was killed
The Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and his prime minister Ahmad Qrei have concluded talks in Ramullah with the director of the Egyptian intelligence Lt. Gen. Omar Suliman dealing with a truce between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 11/18/2003 - European pressure on Israel coupled with Sharon 's visit to Italy
The European union EU foreign minister discussed with his Israeli foreign minister bilateral differences concerning the sanctions imposed by Tel Aviv on its officials, the separation wall and the settlements as they met in Brussels yesterday during the European- Israeli partnership talks. Israel-European Union, Politics, 11/18/2003 - Jordan hands over Riyadh one of the Saudi plane high-jackers
Saudi Arabia's minister of the interior Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz said that Jordan handed over Saudi Arabia one of the highjackers of the Saudi plane that was hijacked to Baghdad three years ago. Jordan-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/18/2003 - Organizing flights to al-Aqsa provokes criticism in Jordan
An advertisement issued by Jordanian travel agencies for trips to visit al-Aqsa mosque during the holy month of Ramadan provoked the anger of Jordanians who oppose normalization, on the ground that this is considered a recognition of the "Zionist entity." Jordan-Israel, Politics, 11/18/2003 - Egyptian woman activist: Torture in Egypt reached criminality
Egyptian activist Aida Seif al-Dawla said that torture at the hands of the Egyptian security forces reached the rate of criminality and should be disclosed so that the government will act to eliminate it. Egypt, Politics, 11/17/2003 - Al-Assad outlines Syria's stand towards developments to Indian prime minister
Al-Assad: "We view your present visit with high estimation. In view of its significance and dimensions, and of the good feelings expressed in it towards Syria during this difficult period. We hope that your visit will give a push forward to the relations of friendship and cooperation already existing between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of India. Syria, Politics, 11/17/2003 - Vajpayee in Syria: We have been calling for peace based on UN resolutions
He underlined that Syria and India are looking for achieving similar purposes in the national development and modernization. Syria-India, Politics, 11/17/2003 - Al-Assad confers with Iraqi tribal delegation
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad met in Damascus on Sunday Iraqi Tribes' delegation chaired by Hashem Al Srout. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 11/17/2003 - Another official in the Mauritania's opposition arrested
Mauritania's security forces arrested Sheikh Weld Harma, one of the most prominent associates for the former Mauritanian's presidential elections candidate Muhammad Khouna Weld Hedallah and his representative to the " crisis committee " formed by candidates of the Mauritania's opposition. Mauritania, Politics, 11/17/2003 - Turabi to meet with Garang soon
The secretary general of the Sudanese opposition congress party Hassan al-Turabi on Saturday in Doha announced that he will be meeting "within days" in France, the leader of the southern rebels John Garang in order to discuss peace possibilities in Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 11/17/2003 - Pope condemns the Israeli acts
He also condemned the separation wall built by Israel and described it as an "obstacle in the face of peace." Palestine-Vatican, Politics, 11/17/2003 - Turabi meets in Qatar leaders of Islamic movements including chairman of the Palestinian Hamas's political bureau
Leader of the Sudanese opposition People's Congress party Hassan Turabi met in Doha yesterday several figures representing Islamic movements. Sudan-Qatar, Politics, 11/17/2003 - Okaz: Executor of al-Muhayya operation is wanted number 19 Saudi Arabia: al-Qaida is unable to foil the regime
The Saudi daily Okaz disclosed yesterday that the executor of al- Muhayya residential complex in Riyadh last week was one of the 19 wanted persons in the "terrorist list" declared by the Saudi ministry of the interior after Riyadh explosion in May this year. This came at a time when the Saudi authorities stressed that al-Qaida organization "will not succeed in toppling the regime," in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/17/2003 - Arafat calls for truce; campaign for supporting the Geneva peace initiative; Two Palestinians killed
Two Palestinians were killed by the Israeli forces during an incursion in Rafah city to the south of Gaza yesterday at dawn, while one eight-year old Palestinian was wounded in his stomach. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/17/2003 - Vajpayee concludes historic visit to Syria Syria-India, Politics, 11/17/2003
- A-Dousstour: Morocco will accept no settlement that does not confirm sahara moroccanness, king's adviser Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/17/2003
- Syrian Information Minister condemns attacks at Istanbul synagogues Syria-Turkey, Politics, 11/17/2003
- Indian foreign minister describes premier visit to Syria as 'very important'
India's Minister of External Affairs Shri Yashwant Sinha described the Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's current visit to Syria as very important for developing the standing bilateral relations and an important step in the way of India's support to the Arabs in general and to Syria and the Palestinian people in particular. Syria-India, Politics, 11/17/2003