Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 12/8/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of December 8, 2003
- Saddam Hussein captured by US occupation forces
Saddam Hussein was captured uninjured, along with two unidentified companions, December 13 about 8:30 p.m. local time by about 600 coalition forces in a small town some 15 kilometers south of his hometown of Tikrit Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/12/2003 - Moroccan education department and transparency Morocco agree to cooperate in fighting corruption Morocco, Politics, 12/12/2003
- Kuwaitis ask for reform to establish democracy
The Kuwaitis, following the collapse of the regime of Saddam Hussein which ever threatened their country, are seeking to work strongly to make deep political changes to establish democracy in this country. Kuwait, Politics, 12/12/2003 - Muslim brothers members detained in Egypt
The number of the Ikhwan al-Muslimin (Muslim Brothers) members, who were arrested by the Egyptian authorities this week, increased to 36 after these authorities detained yesterday an additional 13 members of the banned group. Egypt, Politics, 12/12/2003 - Radya Nasrawi stops hunger strike
The Tunisian lawyer and human rights activist Radya Nasrwai said she had stopped her food strike she started 57 days ago. Tunisia, Politics, 12/12/2003 - Cultural dimension, fundamental aspect in economic development, social progress, King Mohammed
The message further highlighted that difference and ability to interact with other civilizations and contribute to human civilization enrichment "is the meaning to be given to the culture stemming from the principles and teachings of Islam, which are among the universal foundations of culture." Regional-Morocco, Politics, 12/12/2003 - Full text of the message sent to the conference on inter-civilization dialogue
Given this dangerous drift, which may well jeopardize mankind's aspiration for a better future, there is an urgent need for universalism to recover its original meaning, namely that all human beings are equal before the law. And in order for universalism to be constructive, the various cultural elements composing it must be recognized. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 12/12/2003 - Turkey al-Faisal: Iraq has become an area for terrorism attraction
The Saudi ambassador to Britain, Prince Turkey al-Faisal, said that the war launched by the American president George W. Bush against Iraq did not defeat the terrorist threats, rather brought in new threats of that sort. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 12/12/2003 - Inter- Sudanese peace agreement to be signed before December 25th
An official at the US Department Of State expected reaching a peace agreement in Sudan before December 25th, following the realization of progress in the negotiations taking place in Kenya between the two delegations of the Sudanese government and the southern rebels. The US under secretary of state for African affairs, Charles Snider, said on Wednesday that the negotiations are currently held in Kenya achieved a progress to the extent it might result in " a comprehensive agreement" before December 25th. Sudan, Politics, 12/12/2003 - Kuwait provides Iraq with one million liters of benzene daily
Kuwaiti energy ministry secretary Issa al-Aoun announced yesterday that Kuwait approved to provide Iraq, who has the second largest oil reserve in the world, with additional amounts of Benzene to help it in withstanding a great fuel shortage. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 12/12/2003 - Washington not to impose plan or solution on parties of sahara conflict, US senators
Washington will not impose any plan or solution on parties to the Sahara conflict, said in Marrakesh Thursday US senators Chuck Hagel (republican) and Jack Reed (Democrat), who are currently visiting Morocco. Morocco-USA, Politics, 12/12/2003 - Human Rights Watch: One thousand Iraqis are the victims of American neglect
A report published by the human rights monitoring group, Human Rights Watch, in Washington stressed that more than 1000 Iraqi civilians were killed or injured during the American- British invasion of Iraq, because of the neglect of the invading forces, and its use of cluster bombs indiscriminately in the populated areas. Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/12/2003 - Syrian Expatriates minister continues tour in the US
Expatriates Minister Buthaina Shaaban met in Houston on Thursday the Arab and Syrian Community. Syria-USA, Politics, 12/12/2003 - Al-assad receives Iraqi tribes chief Syria-Iraq, Politics, 12/12/2003
- Acharq Al Awsat: Spain could Support Moroccan-Algerian negotiations over Sahara Dispute (Minister) Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/12/2003
- Sahrawi HR associations received at French national assembly Morocco-France, Politics, 12/12/2003
- Dieter Pfaff: ICC and human rights law will further limit culture of impunity for perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide
He added that as an institution, ICC represents a permanent implementing tool of jurisdiction, an instrument to sanction war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. In other words, it will further limit what has been called the "culture of impunity" for perpetrators of such crimes. Syria-Regional, Politics, 12/11/2003 - Message from Mauritania President to Moroccan King Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 12/11/2003
- Damascus: a sit in on the occasion of human rights Day
Damascus witnessed yesterday a symbolic sit-in, which was the first of its kind, carried out by a group of unlicensed political forces on the occasion of the International Day for Human rights. Syria, Politics, 12/11/2003 - First Egyptian- Iranian summit in a quarter century
The Iranian President Muhammad Khatami and Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak yesterday in Geneva held a first summit between the two countries, since one quarter of century, on the sideline of the meetings of information society, hosted by Switzerland. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 12/11/2003 - Al-Assad, Lukashenko warp up talks, visit concluded
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko held a meeting yesterday at Tishreen Palace to complete their talks which began yesterday, and dealt with the bilateral relations and the regional situations in the Middle East and Europe. Syria-Belarus, Politics, 12/11/2003 - Qathafi welcomes Brazil's president; da Silva remembers his friends
"The earth is the property of everybody and the sun rises for everyone and air is needed by all. But there are those who try to monopolise these essentials but that is impossible. The sun will rise on all nations and we will prove that the earth is for all of us. It is they who want to make the earth their private property and they want the sun to rise for them only and the air becomes their only. That is unfair, it is unjust," said Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi while welcoming Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Regional-Brazil, Politics, 12/11/2003 - European Union commends EU-Syria finalizing Association Agreement
The European Union on Wednesday welcomed the Syrian-European success in achieving the partnership negotiations between them, hoping to reach a Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement before the end of the year. Syria-European Union, Politics, 12/11/2003 - Morocco vows cooperation with UN against corruption
Morocco will cooperate with the United Nations for the implementation of the newly signed UN anti-corruption convention, pledged, in Merida, Mexico, on Wednesday, Moroccan ambassador to Canada and head of the Moroccan delegation to the high-level political conference for the signing of this convention (Dec 9-11). Morocco, Politics, 12/11/2003 - Human rights associations hail EU decision to investigate aid embezzlement in Tindouf camps
A group of human rights-advocacy associations in the Sahara has welcomed the decision by the European Humanitarian Aid Office to send a fact-finding mission to the Polisario-controlled Tindouf camps in Southwestern Algeria to investigate allegations of humanitarian shipments embezzlement. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 12/11/2003 - Damascus regrets Abdullah statement; al-Fayez telephone call with Otri improved the atmospheres
A Syrian media source considered that the telephone call made by the Jordanian prime minister Faisal al-Fayez on Tuesday with his Syrian peer Naji Otari had improved the atmosphere of Jordanian- Syrian relations, that came under tension following accusations started by the Jordanian press and the Syrian paper's replies to it. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 12/11/2003 - Arab Social Affairs Ministers concluded meetings in Cairo
At the end of the meetings of the 23rd session of the Arab Ministers of Social Affairs Council, the Council endorsed a project of the Arab Strategy for combating poverty. Regional, Politics, 12/11/2003 - Congress ratified new ambassador to Syria
The US Congress on Tuesday evening ratified a decision for appointing Margaret Scooby as an ambassador for the US to Syria. Syria-USA, Politics, 12/11/2003 - Israel kills two Lebanese hunters; Lahoud, Annan: killing was inside Lebanese territories
Lebanon, yesterday and through UNIFIL, recovered back the bodies of the two Lebanese young men, Khuder Mustafa Orabi ( 22 year old) and Mahmoud al-Hadi ( 23 year old), who were killed by the Israeli forces on Tuesday while they were hunting in the liberated part of al-Wazzani river. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 12/11/2003 - Stability in Maghreb and Morocco's reforms on agenda of two US senator's visit
The stability in the North African region of the Maghreb, as well as political and economic reforms will be topping the agenda of the current visit to the kingdom of two US senators, a release from the US embassy in Rabat said Wednesday. Morocco-USA, Politics, 12/11/2003 - Mubarak receives Silvan Shalom
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak met yesterday with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom. Following the meeting, Shalom described the audience as having been extremely good. Israel-Egypt, Politics, 12/11/2003 - Annan recommends extension for UNDOF
The UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, yesterday recommended the UN Security Council to renew the mission of the UN Deterrent and Disengagement Force in the Golan, UNDOF, for 6 months. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/11/2003 - Syria - Saudi Arabia cultural program cooperation Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/11/2003
- Majlis A'shura President Receives British Official Oman-UK, Politics, 12/11/2003
- Syria -Yemen signed cooperation agreement Syria-Yemen, Politics, 12/11/2003
- Italian FM warns Israel against security wall consequences Israel-Italy, Politics, 12/11/2003
- Saharan NGOs denounce Polisario abuses
A group of human rights advocates from the Sahara (Southern Moroccan provinces) has denounced what it described as the "inhuman practices" by the separatist movement "Polisario" against Moroccans sequestered in Tindouf (Southwestern Algeria). Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 12/11/2003 - Brazil President confers with AL chief in Cairo Regional-Brazil, Politics, 12/10/2003
- Calls on Libya to disclose fate of al-Kekhya, on tenth anniversary of disappearance
Several international organization and Libyan human rights groups abroad urged the Libyan government and the world, to disclose the fate of the Libyan foreign minister and its representative at the UN Mansour al-Kekhya, on the 10th anniversary of his disappearance. Libya, Politics, 12/10/2003 - Qathafi meets Brazil's president in al-Azezeyah; Lula proposes an Arab- Latin American integration
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced yesterday that the Arab- Latin summit which will be held next year in Brazil aims at fostering ties and political cooperation between the Arab states and the Latin American states, and to renew cooperation between them and create a new political geography for the world so that "the third world will have an important role in this world." Libya-Brazil, Politics, 12/10/2003 - Al-Assad meets Lukashenko; press interview with the Syrian al-Baath daily
Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has stressed the necessity for the establishment of just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East on the basis of UN. Security Council resolutions. Syria-Belarus, Politics, 12/10/2003 - Al-Assad meets with British Baroness on developments
The Minister at the British Foreign Office for the Middle East Affairs and Prime Minister's Envoy, Baroness Elizabeth Simons underlined that her talks with President Bashar al-Assad and Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara dealt with issues of mutual concern, bilateral cooperation, describing the talks as good and constructive. Syria-UK, Politics, 12/10/2003 - Spain backs special relationship between Morocco and EU
Spain on Tuesday voiced support to a "special relationship" between Morocco and the European Union. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/10/2003 - Qathafi: settling the file of the French plane victims is near
Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi expected a nearby settlement for the file of the victims of the French Plane ( Yuta) which was blown up over Niger in 1989. In press statements issued yesterday he said that he expects a nearby progress to close this file ultimately. Libya-France, Politics, 12/10/2003 - IGAD urges Somali leaders to attend reconciliation conference
The "governmental commission for the development of East Africa" (IGAD) called on the warring Somali factions to attend a reconciliation conference to be held in Kenya on December 18. Somalia, Politics, 12/10/2003 - Jordan FM postpones visit to Kuwait, Amman denies a crisis
Jordanian official sources denied the existence of any political crisis with Kuwait that pushed the Jordanian Foreign minister Marwan Muasher to postpone his due visit to Kuwait. Jordan-Kuwait, Politics, 12/10/2003 - al-Anbaa: Al-Jafaari: Kuwait agreed to resume diplomatic relations with Iraq
Member of the interim governing council in Iraq Ibrahim al-Jafaari said yesterday that Kuwait agreed to resume diplomatic relations with Iraq. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 12/10/2003 - 60 Americans injured in attack; trial for Baathists in days on TV
The American forces in Iraq yesterday received three blows, with one hour difference among netween them, leading to 60 soldiers being wounded in an operation targeting a base for the US forces in Tel Affar town, near Musil, and in another operation at the occupation base in northern Baghdad, while one American reconnaissance was downed by missile. Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/10/2003 - Iraqi governing council expels Mujahidee Khalq, Washington denies a deal
The interim governing council in Iraq "has unanimously decided to expel members of the armed opposition " Mujahidee Khalq, the main opposition for the regime in Iran, from Iraq "within a period of time not to exceed the end of the current year" because of "the black history of this organization." Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/10/2003 - Israeli FM meets Mubarak today
Israeli officials said yesterday that the Israeli foreign minister Shalom Silvan will be meeting today with the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Geneva to discuss efforts to revive peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Israel-Egypt, Politics, 12/10/2003 - Al-Fayez and Otri discuss Syrian- Jordanian cooperation on a telephone call Syria-Jordan, Politics, 12/10/2003
- Al-Shara and Moussa hold phone talks Regional-Syria, Politics, 12/10/2003
- On al- Assad's coming visit to Greece Syria-Greece, Politics, 12/10/2003
- Sudan agreement on a general amnesty
Bashir stressed that the peace negotiations are proceeding smoothly, promising to reach a final agreement. Sudan-USA, Politics, 12/9/2003 - Algeria: proposal to parliament to remove suspicion in election results
Algerian parties announced yesterday for the first time that they had proposed amending the election law so as to prevent members serving in the army from voting at their work sites, along with the police members, and the security official members, in order to avoid what they call as falsifications in the presidential elections in April, 2004. Algeria, Politics, 12/9/2003 - Kuwait welcomes Moussa's participation in the GCC summit
Kuwait's minister of information Muhammad Abu al-Hassan has stressed that differences with the secretary general of the Arab league Amr Mousa have been eliminated, and that his country welcomes Moussa's visit to take part in the Gulf GCC states summit. Kuwait-Regional, Politics, 12/9/2003 - On inter-Sudanese negotiations in Kenya
Negotiations resumed in the Kenyan province of Nivasha between the government, represented by the first vice president of the Sudanese President, Ali Othman Muhammad Taha, and the southern rebels, represented by its head John Garang, in an attempt to reach a peaceful and durable solution, amid news of progress in the two issues of Jabal al-Nouba and the Blue Nile. Sudan, Politics, 12/9/2003 - King of Bahrain meets with Zibari
King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa yesterday discussed with the Iraq's foreign minister Hoshiar Muhammad Zeibar who arrived in Manama on a Gulf tour, the situation in Iraq, according to Bahrain's news agency, while quoting a Bahraini source. Bahrain-Iraq, Politics, 12/9/2003 - Poignant testimonies by Polisaro victims at conference confound separatists
Poignant testimonies delivered on Saturday by victims of Polisario human rights violations, deportations and torture confounded the separatists and shattered lies and allegations presented at a conference held in the French capital in honor of the Polisario. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 12/9/2003 - Arab Ministers of Environment meets in Cairo instead of Benghazi, Libya
On the other hand, an Arab diplomatic source said that "Libya's apology to host the meeting of the Arab foreign ministers came in implementation of its policy not to take part in any Arab ministerial meetings since the beginning of the year." Regional-Libya, Politics, 12/9/2003 - Morocco and Spain willing to open new chapter in bilateral ties, Moroccan fm
Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, stressed this Monday the existence of a shared will by Morocco and Spain to "open a new chapter in bilateral ties." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/9/2003 - Darfour rebels: 700 government soldiers were killed
A group of rebels in west Sudan announced that it had killed 700 members of the government forces and pro government militias in an ambush, and forced them to retreat, after these forces tried to move forward inside the rebel areas in Darfour. Sudan, Politics, 12/9/2003 - Moroccan, Spanish prime ministers meet in Marrakesh
Moroccan prime minister, Driss Jettou, had here Monday evening tete-à-tete talks with head of the Spanish government, Jose Maria Aznar, who is leading an official delegation to a 2-day working visit to Morocco. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/9/2003 - Moroccan human rights minister holds talks with Jordanian officials
Moroccan human rights minister, Mohamed Aujjar, held in Amman Sunday separate talks with the Jordanian chairman of the national center of human rights, Ahmed Abidat, and political development minister, Mohamed Daoudia, on human rights in Morocco and bilateral relations. Morocco-Jordan, Politics, 12/9/2003 - Syrian parliamentary delegation in Iran
Iranian Speaker of Shura Council ( Parliament ) Mahdi Karrubi expressed appreciation the national and pan-Arab stances Syria adopts under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad in defending the Arab and Islamic causes. Syria-Iran, Politics, 12/9/2003 - Arab thought foundation to hold 3rd congress in Morocco
The Beirut-based Arab thought Foundation, chaired by Saudi prince Khaled Al Faysal, will hold its 3rd congress in Morocco. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 12/9/2003 - One Iraqi killed, cooperation forces collaborate with Baathists, Israel
One Iraqi was killed by a bomb explosion while he was implanting it on the main road trodden by the American vehicles in the downtown of Musil in the north of Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 12/9/2003 - Palestinian groups agree to continue dialogue
In their statements which were made in conclusion of their talks in Cairo on Sunday evening, the 12 Palestinian groups stressed the need of continued "Inter- Palestinian dialogue." Palestine, Politics, 12/9/2003 - Belarus President arrives today in Damascus Syria-Belarus, Politics, 12/9/2003
- Red Cross 28th conference supports morocco's calls for release of POWs in Tindouf Morocco-Regional, Politics, 12/9/2003
- Dentist from Karbala instead of Aqeela al-Hashimi Iraq, Politics, 12/9/2003
- King's call for dialogue over sahara issue, a strong message, says Palacio Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 12/9/2003
- No solution to Sahara dispute without dialogue between Algiers and Rabat Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 12/9/2003
- BBC: Tunis summit, a success, says Morocco's fm Morocco-Regional, Politics, 12/9/2003
- No solution should be imposed on Morocco over Sahara issue, says Chinese official Morocco-China, Politics, 12/9/2003
- Moroccans wanted by Saudi authorities for terrorism charges probably illegally entered country Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/9/2003
- Al-Bashir confers with al-Mahdi Sudan, Politics, 12/8/2003
- People's movement delegation meets with Turabi in Khartoum
The delegation representing the southern rebels met with by leader of the opposition People's Congress party Hassan al-Turabi in his house in the capital Khartoum.The delegation discussed with Turabi means of developing dialogue between the two sides that started since three years when the two sides signed a memorandum of political alliance that resulted in detaining Turabi for more than 2 years. Sudan, Politics, 12/8/2003 - Mubarak receives message from Ethiopian PM Egypt-Ethiopia, Politics, 12/8/2003
- Egypt: trial of revolutionary socialists organization
The trial of five Egyptian activists, including four fleeing, accused of forming the "al-Ishtitakyeen and al-Thawreyeen" (revolutionary socialists) illegal organization to topple the regime, started on Saturday before the supreme state security court. Egypt, Politics, 12/8/2003 - Hunger strike by imprisoned journalist nothing to do with detention conditions, official
The hunger staged by the Moroccan journalist Ali Lamrabet in his prison cell in Sale (Rabat twin city) "has nothing to do with his detention conditions," said, in Rabat Friday, a communique of the department of penitentiary institutions of the ministry of justice. Morocco, Politics, 12/8/2003 - Al-Assad meets with Yemen's FM Syria-Yemen, Politics, 12/8/2003
- Al-Ahram: Mubarak, Da Silva discuss latest regional, international developments, bilateral relations
Brazil's President said: " In Brazil, we have great interest in the Middle East peace, but unfortunately I could not this time pay a visit to the Palestinian territories or Iraq and I wish I could visit them and discuss peace issues. I need simply to say that if the world paid attention before, for eradicating poverty and hunger, wars and terrors might not have taken place." Regional-Brazil, Politics, 12/8/2003 - Brazil's President meets Sheikh Zayed in Abu Dhabi: we are not hostile to America, rather demand sovereignty
President of the United Arab Emirates UAE Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan stressed during his meeting with Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva yesterday his country's care to develop its relations with aBrazil at a time when Lula stressed that "our policy is not based on confrontation with the USA," rather pursuing "a genuine sovereignty." United Arab Emirates-Brazil, Politics, 12/8/2003 - Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian FMs keen to achieve peace, cooperation
At the joint press conference following the extensive meeting of the Egyptian, Sudanese and Ethiopian Foreign Ministers, Maher asserted that the relations among the three countries are deep-rooted, noting that they were very keen on achieving peace, progress and cooperation. Egypt-Ethiopia, Politics, 12/8/2003 - Sultan Receives thanks cable from Mexican President Oman-Mexico, Politics, 12/8/2003
- Morocco-Spain relations: Spain wants to overcome difficulties and look to future with optimism
Head of the Spanish government, Jose Maria Aznar, who described himself as "a friend" of Morocco said Spain wants to overcome all difficulties with Morocco, look to the future with optimism and "work together" in all fields, without exception. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/8/2003 - Qathafi expects near solution for compensations of Yuta victims
Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi considered in Tunis that the dispute with France over compensations for the victims of the Yuta plane is on its way to solution. Libya-France, Politics, 12/8/2003 - al-Ayam: Bashir underlines significance of recent Arab summit resolutions Sudan-Regional, Politics, 12/8/2003
- Mauritania: Heddallah's son denies getting money from Libya
Son of the former President of Mauritania Muhammad Khouna Weld Hedallah, Seidi Muhammad, who has been tried with his father on charge of preparing for a coupe, described accusations of receiving money from Libya as "a lie." Mauritania, Politics, 12/8/2003 - Iraq might restore its membership in Gulf institutions
Kuwait's foreign minister Sheikh Muhammad Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah on Saturday announced that the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC states will discuss during its next summit by the end of the current month the issue of Iraq's return to certain institutions in the council. Iraq-Gulf, Politics, 12/8/2003 - Qatar and the realization of ME peace Qatar-Regional, Politics, 12/8/2003
- King Abdullah criticizes Syria in Washington and demands it to control its borders with Iraq
The Jordanian King Abdullah, who is visiting the USA, got himself involved in the campaign of the American accusations against Syria where he demanded Syria to control its borders with Iraq "so as to be secure as we want." Jordan-Syria, Politics, 12/8/2003 - French president: no solution to Sahara issue should be imposed by third party Maghreb-France, Politics, 12/8/2003
- Spain supports principle of negotiations between parties to Sahara issue Maghreb-Spain, Politics, 12/8/2003
- Arab mps call for balance between the poor and the rich Regional, Politics, 12/8/2003