Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 11/24/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of November 24, 2003
- Mauritania: Weld Hedallah's son denies getting Libyan money
One of the sons of the Mauritanian opposition figure Muhammad Khouna Weld Hedallah; Seidi Muhammad, had strongly denied that he had received a sum of 1 million dollars from Libya, as stated by one of his lawyer Ibrahim Weld Abati yesterday. Mauritania-Libya, Politics, 11/29/2003 - Chirac visits Tunisia next week Tunisia-France, Politics, 11/29/2003
- Mubarak to receive Maltese President Egypt-Malta, Politics, 11/29/2003
- Brazil eager to strengthen Relations with the Arab states
Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said, in Brasilia Thursday, his coming tour in some Arab states, starting December 2, aims at strengthening political, trade and cultural relations with the Arab states. Regional-Brazil, Politics, 11/29/2003 - Brazil opposes American unilateral sanctions against Syria
Brazil's foreign minister Celso Amorim announced that his country opposes any sort of "unilateral sanctions." This was a reply to a question on his country's stances concerning the American sanctions against Syria. Syria-Brazil, Politics, 11/29/2003 - Ceasefire agreement extended for two months in Sudan; peace negotiations tomorrow
IGAD's mediator Lazaraos Simbayo announced that Khartoum and the sudanese southern rebels signed yesterday an agreement to extend the existing ceasefire, signed 6 months ago, for an additional two months, just two days before the resumption of peace negotiations in Kenya. Sudan, Politics, 11/29/2003 - Algeria and Spain agree on speeding up Maghreb construction
Algeria and Spain have agreed on the need to speed up the edification of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), a north African regional grouping made up of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania and Libya. Algeria-Spain, Politics, 11/29/2003 - Prime minister of the Somali provisional government quits
The prime minister of the provisional Somali government, Othman Jama, announced that he had submitted his resignation to the Somali President Abdul Qasem Salat Hassan, who accepted the resignation. Somalia, Politics, 11/29/2003 - Tiempo: Aznar's external strategy partly relies on strengthening relations with morocco
The Spanish weekly "Tiempo" wrote this week that Spanish Premier Jose Maria Aznar needs to consolidate Spain's position inside the European Union and strengthen relations with Morocco in the two coming weeks to consolidate his heritage of external policy. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 11/29/2003 - Bush telephones Saudi crown prince Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 11/29/2003
- A-Shorouk: Syrian expatriates minister underlines Arab presence abroad
Syria's Minister of Expatriates, Butheina Shaaban has underlined the importance of Arab presence on the US. and European arenas to explain the Arab causes and points of view particularly to the US media, people and politics. Syria-USA, Politics, 11/29/2003 - diplomatic activity for full truce between Palestinians and Israelis Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 11/29/2003
- Reform of family law proves no incompatibility between Islam and democracy, ambassador
The new Family law announced by Moroccan King Mohammed VI at the opening of the parliament session last month, proves that there is "no incompatibility between Islam, a religion of justice, and democracy" for which Morocco has opted since its independence, said, in Washington Monday, Moroccan ambassador to the United States. Morocco, Politics, 11/29/2003 - Associates to president of the Greater Comoros island detained
Comoros islands police in Moroni detained five persons, close to the President of the Greater Island of Comoros, Abdo Soli al-Baq. Comoros, Politics, 11/29/2003 - Hilary Clinton in Baghdad: internationalize the problem; mistakes are being made
After less than 24 hours from the unexpected visit by the US President George W. Bush to Baghdad, Hilary Clinton, member of the US Senate and wife of former US President Bill Clinton arrived in Iraq. She was accompanied by the democratic Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island in a visit that lasted for one day. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/29/2003 - Ben Ali calls on the UN to ensure protection for the Palestinian people
Tunisia's President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has called on the international community to stand firm to put an end to the aggression against the Palestinian people, urging the Israeli government to abide by international law. Tunisia-Palestine, Politics, 11/29/2003 - Israel not complying with General Assembly demand to halt barrier, Annan
Israel is not in compliance with a demand by the United Nations General Assembly to halt and take down a barrier on occupied Palestinian land, and the construction in present circumstances cannot be seen “as anything but a deeply counterproductive act,” Secretary-General Kofi Annan says in a report released yesterday. Palestine-UN, Politics, 11/29/2003 - America and the Muslim world do not know each other in their reality (ambassador)
America and the Muslim world "do not know each other in their reality" and have a tendency to judge each other through stereotypes based on "acts and declarations of a fringe group," of their respective societies said Moroccan ambassador to the United States. Regional-USA, Politics, 11/29/2003 - 427 Palestinian refugees stuck between Jordan and Iraq
The UNHCR announced yesterday that more than 400 Palestinian refugees fled from Iraq are stuck on the border with Jordan, and called on the countries of the region, including Israel, to provide support. Palestine-Iraq, Politics, 11/29/2003 - Iraq: two American soldiers killed; two Iraqi female teenagers killed
Just few hours after the visit of the US President George W. Bush to the US forces in Baghdad, it was announced the killing of two American soldiers while a demonstration took place in the Iraqi capital under the American guarding, under slogans opposing "terrorism" and condemnation of Saddam Hussein and rejection of calls to the American withdrawal. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/29/2003 - Weld Hedallah accused of getting money from Libya
The defendant lawyer for the former President of Muaritania Muhammad Khouna Weld Hedallah, who is detained on charge of preparing for a military coupe, announced that he ( Heddallah ) is also being accused of getting money from Libya. Mauritania-Libya, Politics, 11/28/2003 - Resignations from Egypt's 'Ibn Khaldoun center' due to US finance controversy
Five Egyptian politicians and intellectuals submitted their resignation from the membership of the board of "Ibn Khaldoun Center For Developmental Studies " in protest of reports that the center will receive a part of the annual aid provided by the USA to Egypt. Egypt-USA, Politics, 11/28/2003 - Sahara: Spain wants agreement between parties
Spain said it wishes the Sahara issue to be settled through a formula that enjoys the agreement of concerned parties. Algeria-Spain, Politics, 11/28/2003 - Brazilian president to tour the Middle East
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and the chairman of the representatives of the south American common market named Mercosur, Edwardo Dohaldy, will pay a visit to the Middle East next week in a tour which will cover Syria, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Libya, respectively in order to sign trade agreements and others. Regional-Brazil, Politics, 11/28/2003 - Sanaa denied Saddam's wife, daughter, resort to Yemen
A Yemeni official denied that the wife of the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein resorted to Yemen with her younger daughter Hala, despite the offer given by the Yemeni authorities to her earlier to host them. Yemen-Iraq, Politics, 11/28/2003 - Bush in unexpeted visit to Iraq to celebrate thanksgiving with the troops
US President George W. Bush stressed yesterday, during his participation with the American soldiers in Thanksgiving celebrations in Baghdad, that the American forces will not withdraw from Iraq and will remain there until it completes its mission. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/28/2003 - West Sudan rebels kill 186 government militias
The rebels of west Sudan, with the support of citizens of villages, attacked fighters of government backed militias, and raided certain residential aggregations in west Sudan, and killed 186 members of the fighters of this militia. Sudan, Politics, 11/28/2003 - International liaison committee on Iraq include neighboring states and Egypt
The Secretary General of the UN Kofi Annan will preside on Monday the first meeting "of the Liaison group" on Iraq which was declared on Wednesday, with the participation of countries neighboring Iraq and the UN Security Council five- permanent members and four states which are not members in the Security Council. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 11/28/2003 - Al-Baath: Chechenean of Syrian origin is chairman of government
The Syrian daily al-Baath said on Wednesday that the Chechenian President Ahmad Qaderove appointed Muhammad Ziad Sabsabi, of the Syrian origin as a chairman of the presidency administration and the government in Chechenia. Syria-Russia, Politics, 11/28/2003 - New round of Syrian- EU talks Syria-European Union, Politics, 11/28/2003
- Saudi crown prince, al-Hariri discuss conditions in the region Saudi Arabia-Lebanon, Politics, 11/26/2003
- Sheikh Zayed receives Sabah al-Ahmad United Arab Emirates-Kuwait, Politics, 11/26/2003
- Tunisia describes statements of lawyer Radia al-Nasrawi as false
A Tunisian official described statements by the Tunisian lawyer Radia al-Nasrawi, who continues her food strike, as allegations. Tunisia, Politics, 11/26/2003 - Shara-Simons exchange views on ME developments, Syria stances Syria-UK, Politics, 11/26/2003
- Al-Mustaqbal: An Arab tour for the Lebanese foreign minister Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 11/26/2003
- Powell to visit Morocco early december Morocco-USA, Politics, 11/26/2003
- Jordan gets 10 of its prisoners from Israel
A source at the Jordanian foreign ministry announced that ten prisoners will be released by the Israeli authorities in the context of negotiations with the Jordanian government have arrived in Jordan yesterday. This is in the context of negotiations with the Jordanian government on the fate of 81 Jordanians held by Israel. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 11/26/2003 - Garang briefs Annan on the peace talks in Sudan
The UN announced that the leader of the southern rebel in Sudan, John Garang, on Monday briefed on the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, on the progress reached in the peace process in Sudan. Sudan-UN, Politics, 11/26/2003 - Morocco and Chile to increase trade exchanges
Morocco and Chile have agreed to increase trade exchanges and reinforce cooperation in agriculture and fisheries, said Monday speaker of the Chilean senate, Andres Zaldivar, who is currently on a week-long visit to Morocco. Morocco-Chile, Politics, 11/26/2003 - Iraqi Interim Governing Council submits to UN Security Council schedule for authority transfer
The Iraqi Interim Governing Council submitted to the UN Security Council a schedule to transfer the authorities to the Iraqis and asked it to issue a new resolution defining a date for the evacuation of the American occupation. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/26/2003 - Jerusalem Mufti bans Palestinian from association with the seperation wall
Sheikh Ikrama Sabri, Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian lands, issued yesterday a Fatwa forbidding the Palestinians from working in the establishments of the "security fence" being built by Israel in the depth of the Palestinian territories. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/26/2003 - Arafat doubts Sharon's seriousness, Hamas renews rejection of the truce
The Palestinian President Yasser Arafat considered the Israeli threats by the Israeli Prime minister of making unilateral moves if the Roadmap fails, shows that the Israeli prime minister is not serious about the roadmap. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/26/2003 - EU hopes agreement with morocco to combat illegal immigration be a model
The European Union hopes that the conclusion of a future agreement with Morocco on the struggle against illegal immigration, will "serve as a model for the Maghreb and for the whole Mediterranean" region, said, in Rabat Monday, the spokesman of the European Commissioner for internal affairs and justice. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 11/26/2003 - Haaretz Nearby missile deal between Israel and India
The Israeli daily Haaretz said yesterday that the Israeli air industries company is about to sign a deal at a cost of 100 million dollars to provide India with missiles for protecting its gunboats. Israel-India, Politics, 11/26/2003 - Tunisia, Algeria mark their naval borders
Tunisia and Algeria on Sunday exchanged ratified documents on arrangements on marking the naval borders between them signed in February 2002. Algeria-Tunisia, Politics, 11/25/2003 - Trial of Hedallah, associates to be in December
Trial of the former Mauritanian President, Muhammad Khouna Weld Hedallah will start in December, together with persons detained with him, who are accused by the Mauritanian authority of preparing for a coupe. Mauritania, Politics, 11/25/2003 - Amnesty International: measures to ban torture in Egypt are not enough
Amnesty International on Saturday called for fighting the "phenomenon of continued torture and mal-treatment of prisoners." The organization which is concerned in defense of human rights stressed in a statement that despite of the positive steps taken by the ( Egyptian) authorities in the field of human rights, during 2002, it however, failed in preventing this persisting phenomenon. Egypt, Politics, 11/25/2003 - Passports for Gaza's refugees in Jordan
Jordan's prime minister Faisal al-Fayez announced that his government intends to offer passports to Palestinian refugees living in Jordan who are from Gaza in order "to facilitate for them measures, but without giving them the Jordanian nationality." The Jordanian prime minister said this during his meeting with the secretary general for parties on Saturday. Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 11/25/2003 - Equity and Reconciliation committee's aim to seek truth
The aim of the new "Equity and Reconciliation" committee set up by the Moroccan Consultative Council of Human Rights (CCDH) with the King's approval, is to seek truth and shed light on human rights violations committed in the past in Morocco, said, here Saturday, CCDH Secretary General. Morocco, Politics, 11/25/2003 - Moroccan southern provinces member of an international cooperation network
Moroccan southern provinces (Laayoune and Dakhla) have become member of an international cooperation network made up of the Canary Islands (Spain), Azores (Portugal) and Cape Verde (Africa). Morocco-Regional, Politics, 11/25/2003 - Fahd, Abdullah call for unity, not deviation from Islam; deny Saudi citizens bank account audits
Saudi Arabia's King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Abdullah called in a message addressed to Muslims on the occasion of the fall of Eid al-Fitr today to unity "against terrorism." Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 11/25/2003 - It is in the interest of Morocco, Spain to consolidate relations, Spanish official
Spain's general consul in Casablanca, Jose Rosello, has said his country and Morocco are "doomed to get along with each other" and "it is in their own interest to consolidate bilateral relations." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 11/25/2003 - Syrian- Lebanese relations highlighted
Lebanon's Minister of Works and Transport Najib Miqati stressed importance of Syrian-Lebanese coordination, particularly at this critical stage in the history of the region. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 11/25/2003 - Grossman: foreign policy must be alliance, coalition-based
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman says 21st century U.S. foreign policy is based on diplomacy, integration, alliances, coalitions, and, "the greatest military force every assembled." Regional-USA, Politics, 11/25/2003 - Powell visits the Arab Maghreb states next month
A spokesman for the American embassy in Algeria said yesterday that the US Secretary of State Colin Powell will visit Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia in December regarding the fight against what is called terrorism. Maghreb-USA, Politics, 11/25/2003 - Armitage says U.S. committed to plan for Iraqi sovereignty by 2004
In consultation with the Iraqi Governing Council, the United States has now laid out a very explicit timeline, or roadmap, that will lead to full Iraqi sovereignty by June 2004, Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage said in a television interview on The Newshour with Jim Lehrer on November 21. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/25/2003 - Palacio: life in Baghdad is worse than under Saddam's rule
Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ana Maria Palacio yesterday considered that the daily life in Baghdad is "worse" than it was under the rule of Saddam Hussein because of the lack of security. Iraq-Spain, Politics, 11/25/2003 - Opinion poll on Algerian president
An old opinion poll in Algeria disclosed that the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika is a candidate for winning the elections of 2004 despite the opposition campaign against him. Algeria, Politics, 11/25/2003 - Israel releases 10 Jordanian prisoners
A high ranking Israeli official said that Israel will release 10 Jordanian officials later this week in what he described as a good intention measure towards Jordan on the occasion of Eid al-Fiter (Ramadan Holiday). Jordan-Israel, Politics, 11/25/2003 - Syrian- Iraqi transport relations Syria-Iraq, Politics, 11/25/2003
- Al-Miqrahi will spend 27 years in prison, at least Libya-UK, Politics, 11/25/2003
- Tunisian lawyers deplore authority practices
The Tunisian lawyers deplores the harassment they are exposed to and the human rights violations in Tunisia. Tunisia, Politics, 11/24/2003 - No viable settlement to Sahara issue without parties' agreement, Spanish fm
There will be no viable settlement to the Sahara issue without the agreement of concerned parties, said Friday Spanish foreign minister, Ana Maria Palacio. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 11/24/2003 - No one has the right to impose any Sahara settlement to Morocco, Chilean speaker
No one has the right to impose any solution to Morocco regarding the Sahara issue, said speaker of the Chilean Senate, Andres Zalvidar Larrain, currently on an official visit to Morocco. Morocco-Chile, Politics, 11/24/2003 - Algeria announces Maghreban summit for end of december
Algerian foreign minister, Abdelaziz Belkhadem, announced here on Saturday the summit of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) will be held end of next December. Algeria-Maghreb, Politics, 11/24/2003 - Al-Assad confers with US task force on Lebanon delegation
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday received in Damascus a Committee of Working for Lebanon's ( Task Force) delegation chaired by Thomas Nassef. Syria-USA, Politics, 11/24/2003 - Iraqi- Syrian relations are very good, member of Iraqi governing council says
A member of the Interim Governing Council in Iraq described his country's relations with Syria as "very good," saying Iraqi delegations and figures pay regular visits to Damascus. Iraq-Syria, Politics, 11/24/2003 - Taha accuses Turabi of violating peace talks on Darfour
Sudan’s (First) Vice-President, Ali Othman Muhammad Taha, has accused the People's Congress Party, which is led by Hassan Turabi, of violating peace talks with the rebels of Dafour, which are being held under the mediation of Chad . Sudan, Politics, 11/24/2003 - Mubarak receives message from Talbani
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak received Saturday a message from head of Iraq's Interim Governing Council (IGC) Jalal Talbani on the latest developments in Iraq. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 11/24/2003 - An Iraqi ambassador in Washington
Rand said that "Iraq's representation will be of a special feature because there has been no representation during the past 13 years," noting that she will seek to reflect a clear vision for the new Iraq, and to build new relations with the USA and all countries of the world. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/24/2003 - Sudan rebels delegation visits Algeria
Sources of the Sudanese southern rebels said that a delegation from the movement is currently touring several Arab and foreign countries. Sudan-Algeria, Politics, 11/24/2003 - Lahoud and Syria's role in Lebanon Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 11/24/2003
- Asharq Al Awsat: Spanish FM: Morocco and Algeria, cornerstone of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation Maghreb-Spain, Politics, 11/24/2003
- AL-Assad-meets with Lebanese public works minister Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 11/24/2003
- Al-Shara confers with Cypriot foreign minister Syria-Cyprus, Politics, 11/24/2003
- Spanish NGO calls for end of Sahrawi families' suffering in Tindouf camps Morocco-Spain, Politics, 11/24/2003
- Moussa signs agreement with german foundation Regional-Germany, Politics, 11/24/2003
- US on Thursday renewed call on citizens to avoid Libya
The US on Thursday renewed its call on the American citizens not to head for Libya despite the September 12 end of UN sanctions on this country. Libya-USA, Politics, 11/24/2003 - Some 11,000 held by the Americans in Iraq, including 307 foreigners
An American military official announced that the coalition forces are holding in Iraq some 307 persons suspected to be foreign fighters, most of them are Syrians and Iranians, in addition to a limited number from Chad, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the West Bank. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/24/2003