Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 12/15/2003

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of December 15, 2003

• Workshop in Egypt on human rights in the Gulf states
  Deliberations of the workshop on human rights conditions in the Gulf states are continuous in Cairo. It was opened on Thursday with the participation of several human rights activists in these countries. Gulf-Egypt, Politics, 12/20/2003
• Syrian expatriates minister lectures at Michigan university
  Minister of Expatriates Butheina Shaaban stressed on Friday that Ending Israeli occupation of the Arab lands and American occupation of Iraq are the only way to get the Middle East out of the spiral of violence and killings. Syria-USA, Politics, 12/20/2003
• Moroccan justice qualified for implementing new family code
  Morocco's Justice Minister, Mohamed Bouzoubaa, said Thursday that "Moroccan justice is well qualified for a better implementation of the family code." Morocco, Politics, 12/20/2003
• Morocco committed to work with UNHCR to loosen the vice on Moroccans held by Polisario
  The Moroccan government has voiced commitment to implement the humanitarian measures proposed by the United Nations High Commissioner for refuges (UNHCR) to "loosen the vice" on Moroccans native of the Sahara, held against their will by the separatist movement "Polisario." Morocco-UN, Politics, 12/20/2003
• Qathafi agrees to let in international weapons inspectors
  Each of Libya, the U.S. and Britain yesterday simultaneously and unexpectedly announced the consent of Libya to give up any banned weapons and to join the international agreements on nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and to limit the range of its missiles. Libya-USA, Politics, 12/20/2003
• Butaflika meets Chirac: I do not support death penalty for Saddam
  Butaflika said "I belong to a culture that does not allow stabbing a camel with a knife after his collapse." Algeria-France, Politics, 12/20/2003
• al-Ra'i al-Aam: Al-Fayez: Syrian- Jordanian relations are good
  Jordanian Prime Minister, Faisal al-Fayez has stressed that the Syrian-Jordanian relations are good, describing these relations as historic and firm. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 12/20/2003
• Interior minister desribes relations with Turkey as positive
  Interior Minister Ali Hammoud and an accompanying delegation concluded yesterday a three-day official visit to Turkey. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 12/20/2003
• Differences over sharing oil revenues obstruct Sudanese peace negotiations
  Current peace negotiations in Kenya between Sudan's (First) Vice-President, Ali Othman Muhammad Taha, and leader of southern rebels, John Garang, stumbled yesterday over sharing oil resources. Sudan, Politics, 12/20/2003
• Sudanese government confirms it closed al-Jazeera office
  The Sudanese government yesterday announced it closed the office of the Qatari satellite TV station of al-Jazeera and arrested the director of its office for investigation. Sudan-Regional, Politics, 12/20/2003
• UN Security Council confirms killing of Kuwaiti missing in Iraq
  The U.N. security council on Thursday confirmed the killing of 605 persons that Kuwait says had been missing since the Iraqi invasion of its land in 1990. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 12/20/2003
• Saudi crown prince threatens to exterminate terrorists
  Saudi Arabia's crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz yesterday stressed the determination of the Saudi authorities to exterminate terrorism from the kingdom, saying that "we have to exterminate them ultimately." Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/20/2003
• UN General Assembly measures aim to enhance its authority
  The UN General Assembly yesterday voted for measures aimed at revitalizing its work and enhancing its authority amid concerns from Member States that other United Nations bodies, including the Security Council, are reducing its traditional role. Regional-UN, Politics, 12/20/2003
• Baghdad favorably welcomes Morocco's participation in Iraq's reconstruction
  Iraqi foreign minister has said that his country welcomes favorably Morocco and other Arab states' participation in reconstruction efforts in this war-torn country. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 12/20/2003
• Israel soldiers shoot Mohammed Ghazi in the head; Qurei' disappointed with Sharon's speech
  Palestinian medical sources said that the citizen Mohammed Ghazi, 18, was shot with a live bullet in the head. He was urgently rushed to Raphedia hospital in critical condition Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/20/2003
• NDP goes on meeting with Egyptian party leaders next week Egypt, Politics, 12/20/2003
• Female Employers in the AGCC - Gathering Gulf-Oman, Politics, 12/20/2003
• Belgian senate commission report hailed the new family law Morocco-Belgium, Politics, 12/20/2003
• World Court hearings on building of wall in Palestinian territory set for February Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/20/2003
• Saudis patition crown prince Abdullah for a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary elections
  A group of 116 Saudi Arabian businessmen, intellectuals, university professors and scholars, leaders of civil societies and constitutional reforms announced a "national appeal for constitutional reform" to Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz dated December 16, 2003. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Sudanese authorities close al-Jazeera office in Khartoum
  The Sudanese authorities decided to close al-Jazeera office in Khartoum giving no justification for this decision. The Sudanese security forces also detained the director of the office Islam Saleh. Sudan-Regional, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Mauritania accuses Libya of financing Weld Hedallah coupe
  The Mauritanian security officially accused the Libyan intelligence officially of financing an alleged plan to topple the ruling regime in Mauritania. A statement by the judicial police said on Wednesday that the former President Muhammad Khouna Weld Hedallah received from Libya a sum of more 900,000 dollars in two shifts before the elections which took place on November. Mauritania-Libya, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Al-Baath: Weldheim's worried over the situation in ME
  UN former Secretary General Kurt Weldheim said that he is deeply worried over the conflict between "the logic of force" and the "power of logic" prevailing nowadays, asserting that the world is becoming less tolerant but more arrogant and stubborn. Regional-Austria, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Iraqi court releases al-Jazeera photographer
  The investigation court of the Iraqi criminal central court sentenced the release of al-Jazeera photographer in Baqouba, Salah Hassan, because evidence against him was insufficient. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Al-Fayez A summer fog disturbs relations with Syria
  The Jordanian prime minister Faisal al-Fayez said that there are several matters that interfere with the relations between his country and Syria, but he stressed that all these are just "a summer fog." Jordan-Syria, Politics, 12/19/2003
• British Foreign office highlights relations with Syria
  British Foreign Ministry Spokesman described on Thursday the relation between Britain and Syria as good and based on a serious and constructive dialogue. Syria-UK, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Saddam Hussein portait as begging to meet with Chalabi
  The Iraqis yesterday hurried to buy al-Mu'tamar (the conference) paper, mouthpiece of the Iraqi National Congress led by Ahmed Chalabi, in which the paper frontpaged his picture with the former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein with a title saying "Saddam begs his jailors to meet with Chalabi." Iraq, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Five Iraqis, American soldiers killed, revenge assassination raises fears of sectarianism
  The American occupation army in Iraq considered that number of attacks against the Iraqi policeto have increased in December while the level of the occupation forces remains the same. Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Arab League dispatches a delegation to visit Iraq
  News reports in Cairo said that a delegation representing the Arab League will head today to Iraq via Syria in a visit, which is the first of its kind for an Arab delegation, since the occupation of Iraq. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 12/19/2003
• An explosion in the Higher Council For Islamic Revolution in Baghdad
  News reports in Baghdad said that one woman was killed, and two other persons injured, in a large explosion in the Islamic Dawa ( information) house which belongs to the Higher Council For Islamic Revolution in Iraq, today morning. Iraq, Politics, 12/19/2003
• 'The Three Cultures Foundation' NGO efficient for promoting spanish - moroccan understanding
  "The three cultures Foundation" (Mediterranean NGO) is an efficient channel for reinforcing relations between Moroccan and Spanish civil societies which share a common historical background, said in Seville, Wednesday, the president of Spanish regional government of Andalusia. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Maher confers with Israeli opposition member
  The secretary general of the Israeli Labor party Ofeir Benis said, after talks he had held with the Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Maher, that the evacuation of main Jewish settlements in Gaza should take place in the context of "unilateral measures" in the interest of the Israeli and Palestinian sides. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Moroccan-Chinese trade exchanges valued at us $400 mln in 2002
  Moroccan-Chinese trade exchanges were valued at $400 million (4 billion Dhs) in 2002, Moroccan exterior trade minister, Mustapha Mechhouri, said in Casablanca Wednesday, deploring the weakness of exchanges between the two countries. Morocco-China, Politics, 12/19/2003
• G-77 countries claim equal chances in international trade
  Developing countries, participating in Marrakech in the high level G-77 plus China conference, reiterated Wednesday their call for equal chances in international trade, particularly within the World Trade Organization (WTO). Regional, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Arab ministers discuss draft agreements on corruption Regional, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Text: U.S. to Fund "Redirection Training" for Former WMD Scientists in Iraq
  The State Department December 18 announced a 2-year program to support the peaceful, civilian employment of Iraqi scientists, technicians and engineers formerly working on weapons of mass destruction programs and to discourage emigration of this community from Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Iraqi foreign minister arrives in Morocco Iraq-Morocco, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Saudi Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz arrives in Morocco Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Tlass confers with Austrian counterpart on ME developments Syria-Austria, Politics, 12/19/2003
• IAEA signs accord for enhanced UN nuclear inspections in Iran
  Iran signed an agreement yesterday with the United Nations nuclear "requires States to provide an expanded declaration of their nuclear activities and grants the Agency broader rights of access to sites in the country," the IAEA said. Iran, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Expatriates minister continues meetings in New jersey Syria-USA, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Morocco deplores non ratification by rich countries of migrant workers rights convention
  The Moroccan human rights minister has deplored the non ratification by some rich countries of the International Convention on migrant workers rights, who were keen to adhere to other "less important" conventions. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 12/19/2003
• Human rights committee waits for Saudi consent to launching it
  Two Saudi Arabian reforming activists announced in Bahrain yesterday that 53 of their activists colleagues and intellectuals, including 10 women, are waiting for the reply of the Saudi government to its request to annouce a Saudi national committee for human rights they had applied for nine months before. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/18/2003
• Algerian fm: King Mohammed strongly committed to Maghreb edification
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI is firmly committed to edification of the Maghreb Union (UMA) said Tuesday Algerian foreign minister, Abdelaziz Belkhadem, who conveyed the sovereign a message from President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 12/18/2003
• Bahrain: clashes between the police and demonstrators on Martyr day
  The police in Bahrain yesterday detained four demonstrators during a massive demonstration in Snibes quarters, near the capital al-Manama, called upon by "the national committee for the martyrs and victims of torture in Bahrain" to deplore previous human rights violations in the country. Bahrain, Politics, 12/18/2003
• Khartoum, Dar four rebels announce the failure of negotiations
  The Sudanese government and "Sudan's Liberation Army," one of the two rebels movement in Darfour state, said that the peace talks aiming at putting an end to rebels in the area failed. The government and the Liberation Army exchanged responsibility for the failure of the negotiations. Sudan, Politics, 12/18/2003
• Al-Assad wants good relations between Greece and Turkey; a region free of nuclear weapons
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and the Greek Prime Minister Constantinous Costa Simitis held a meeting attended by members of the Syrian delegation and the Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, his Deputy and the Greek Ambassador to Syria. Syria-Greece, Politics, 12/18/2003
• Kuwait: Preliminary meetings for the Gulf summit
  Participating delegations said that the 6 states will announce in Kuwait, which hosts the summit for the third time since the second Gulf war, their position regarding Iraq's request to join the GCC Gulf-Kuwait, Politics, 12/18/2003
• al-Rai: Jordan: a plan targeting the ruling regime disclosed
  in al-Zarqaa area to the west of Amman, complained in a strong expression against the short visits permitted to them, and this was expressed in stabbing themselves by knives in a protest which is the first of its kind in the Jordanian prisons Jordan, Politics, 12/18/2003
• Damascus, Ankara sign security understanding memorandum
  Turkish minister of the interior added "we have faced certain tension in the past in our bilateral relations, but this is behind us now. We now concentrate on the future." Syria-Turkey, Politics, 12/18/2003
• Sudanese security forces broke into al-Jazeera office in al-Khartoum
  A Sudanese security and police force on Tuesday evening broke into the office of al-Jazeera TV station in Khartoum, giving no reasons for doing so. Sudan, Politics, 12/18/2003
• Rifaat al-Saeed chairman of the Egyptian coalition party
  The general conference of the Egyptian Unionist Progressive National Coalition party yesterday announced that its secretary general, Rifaat al-Saeed, won the post of the chairman of the party in succession to Khaled Mohey Eddine. Egypt, Politics, 12/18/2003
• Maher: Talks with Eritrea's FM focus on boosting ties; Egypt to hep Eritrea - Ethiopia end problems
  Maher said he got specific instructions from President Hosni Mubarak to expand the scope of relations with Eritrea. Egypt-Eritrea, Politics, 12/18/2003
• Saudi sources deny near release of detainees
  A source, close to the mediators between the Saudi Arabian authorities and wanted Saudis, denied news on releasing 300 detainees suspected to be involved in what is called terrorism, during the few coming days, and stressed that the news are groundless. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/18/2003
• Maher to visit Tel Aviv next Monday
  Egypt' sForeign Minister Ahmed Maher said yesterday that he will visit Israel on Monday, to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Israeli President Moshe Katzav and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/18/2003
• Yemen looks forward to full membership of Gulf states Yemen-Gulf, Politics, 12/18/2003
• Al-Assad refuses to comment on Saddam's capture Syria-Iraq, Politics, 12/18/2003
• Any solution to Sahara issue should respect Moroccan Kingty Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 12/18/2003
• Moroccan speaker, Spanish FM laud new spirit in Moroccan-Spanish relations Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/18/2003
• Conference for Egyptian opposition demanding fundamental reform
  The Egyptian opposition parties are convening a gathering on December 24th demanding fundamental political reform. Egypt, Politics, 12/17/2003
• Al-Awaji: some 300 Saudi detainees accused of terrorism will be released shortly
  The Saudi lawyer Sheikh Mohsin al-Awaji said yesterday that about 300 persons out of 900 detained in the Saudi prisons over suspicion to have links to terrorism will be released in "the few coming days." Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/17/2003
• Bahrain opposition calls for restoring back the constitution of 1973
  The Bahraini opposition in Britain has called on King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to resort back to enact the constitution of 1973 and to stop violations of human rights which it says that the citizens of Bahrain are exposed to. Bahrain, Politics, 12/17/2003
• Maghreb union impossible without Sahara dispute settlement (diplomat)
  The objective of a united Maghreb is impossible without the settlement of the Sahara dispute, insisted a former Algerian diplomat. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 12/17/2003
• Greek president highlights relations with Syria
  Greece's President, Konstandinos Stephanopoulos, said both the Syrian and Greek people of the Mediterranean have had good relations for a long time ago, which are seen today as strong and growing, thanks, among other things, to the common circumstances, and to common vision about peace and stability, and other values the entire region has. Syria-Greece, Politics, 12/17/2003
• Al-Assad signs the Olympic Truce
  "It is not by accident that I have signed this truce in Athens É if we turn back to the joint history we share, we could see that the Greek and the Roman histories still exist in Syria and in GreeceÉ.We gave the Roman Empire five Emperors from Syria which means that we were able before 2000 years to set up a dialogue and following more than 1000 years of dialogue with the Hellenic civilization which reached our region and affected the Islamic civilization up till now," President al-Assad said. Syria-Greece, Politics, 12/17/2003
• King calls for more equitable, humane world order
  "We look forward to the emergence of a more equitable, more balanced and more humane world order, in which our distinct group is to be reckoned with, on account of its size as well as the quality of its contribution which reflects its complementary and solidarity," said the Moroccan monarch Regional-Morocco, Politics, 12/17/2003
• Iraqi refugees in Lebanon start to return back home
  An official source announced that Lebanon announced yesterday releasing some 273 Iraqis, who were in the Lebanese jails, because of their illegal entry to the Lebanese territories before the collapse of the Iraqi regime. Iraq-Lebanon, Politics, 12/17/2003
• Morocco committed to enforce retirement reforms by 2004
  Moroccan Prime minister, Driss Jettou, affirmed Monday that the government will concretize compulsory sickness insurance (AMO) and reforms in retirement schemes by 2004. Morocco, Politics, 12/17/2003
• American representative: Inter- Sudanese peace negotiations are not extendable
  The US administration has intensified pressure on the Sudanese government and the southern rebels in order to reach a peace agreement by the fall of next Friday. Sudan-USA, Politics, 12/17/2003
• Kuwait summons Yemeni ambassador over criticizing parliament members
  al-Ahmad accused certain members of the Kuwaiti parliament of talking about the past in order to provoke hate among the citizens of the Arab states Kuwait-Yemen, Politics, 12/17/2003
• Iraqi Council forms a reconciliation committee; prepares to try Saddam
  News reports in Iraq said that the Interim Governing Council decided to form a committee under the name of "facts finding and national reconciliation" that aims at what it called closing the file of hatred created because of 35 years under the rule of the Baath party. Iraq, Politics, 12/17/2003
• Demonstrators denounce Saddam's capture; Bush: situation is difficult
  The American forces yesterday killed some 11 Iraqis while trying to implant an ambush against U.S. soldiers in Sameraa town to the north of Baghdad. This is at a time when the American president admitted that the occupation forces will continue to face difficulties in Iraq, even after the arrest of the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/17/2003
• Sweden-based NGO calls for solidarity with Polisario victims
  The Sweden-based association of defense of the sequestered of Tindouf (ADESETI) called Tuesday for solidarity with the victims of injustice and human rights violations perpetrated by the Polisario separatists in the camps of Tindouf (south-western Algeria). Morocco-Sweden, Politics, 12/17/2003
• King Mohammed receives Palestinian, Israeli former ministers
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI received in the royal palace of Marrakesh former Palestinian information minister, Yasser Abed Rabbu, and former Israeli Justice minister, Yossi Beilin, the chief negotiators of the Geneva peace initiative. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 12/17/2003
• Preparation for Mubarak al-Bashir summit
  The Sudanese Foreign Ministry announced that preparations are underway for a meeting to be held within a few days between President Hosni Mubarak and Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir with the Ministers of Interior in both states attending. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 12/17/2003
• Special court of justice to look into case of national fund of social security (minister) Morocco, Politics, 12/17/2003
• Syrian- Greek foreign ministers meet on bilateral relations Syria-Greece, Politics, 12/17/2003
• Arab women should integrate universal society of new technologies, Minister Regional-Morocco, Politics, 12/17/2003
• Syrian- Greek parliamentary relations Syria-Greece, Politics, 12/17/2003
• The International Criminal Court and enlarging the scope of International Humanitarian Law
  President of the International Criminal Court Philippe Kirsch said that the creation of the International Criminal court (ICC) is a major development; it is part of a boarder momentum in the 1990s towards the revival and development of the international criminal justice and of International Humanitarian Law. Regional-Syria, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Syrian- Greek presidents joint press conference
  Greek President Konstandinos Stephanopoulos on Monday said that Athens is willing to further develop its relations with the Arab states. Syria-Greece, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Al-Assad visit Greek parliament: the Mediterranean to be nuclear free zone
  President Bashar al-Assad paid a visit Monday to the Greek Parliament headquarters where he was received by the Greek Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis. Syria-Greece, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Hedallah trial suspended, waiting for witnesses
  News reports in Mauritania said that the chairman of the criminal court in Nouakchott decided to put the former President of Mauritanian Muhammad Khouna Weld Hedallah and his colleagues in custody, awaiting summoning on witnesses. Mauritania, Politics, 12/16/2003
• King Mohammed approves members of equity and reconciliation commission
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI has approved the composition of the Equity And Reconciliation Committee, a body set up last Nov. 6 to pursue out-of-court settlement of past human rights abuses related to forced disappearances and arbitrary detention and complete a fair and equitable rehabilitation of victims. Morocco, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Sudanese negotiation progress on resources sharing
  Sources close to the negotiations, ongoing in Kenya between the two delegations of the Sudanese government and the southern rebels, said that progress was attained on reaching an agreement on sharing resources. Sudan, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Marrakech G-77 conference to focus on peoples needs and development
  The G-77, founded to give a stronger voice to developing countries, said there was concern that the recent international emphasis on security issues meant development was being comparatively ignored Regional-Morocco, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Amnesty International for a just trial for Saddam Hussein
  In its reaction to Saddam Hussein's capture, Amnesty International welcomed the capturing of Saddam and said that he is accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. It stressed his right to International Law guarantees, including his right not to be mistreated or tortured, and his right to a just trial. Iraq, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Mubarak blames Iraqi intransigence for current conditions
  President Mubarak said in an exclusive statements to Ibrahim Nafie, the editor of AL Ahram in a comment on the capture of the ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein he hopes that this step would provide a good chance for transferring the authority to the Iraqi people. He said he hopes that such a transfer would take place according to a timetable so that Iraqis may govern themselves. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Saddam Hussein proposed negotiations, denied existence of mass destruction weapons
  Commander of the combat first brigade at the 4th infantry division, Brian Reed, said that the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein requested negotiations when his forces arrested Hussein in al-Dawr area near Tikrit. It was not clear what Saddam wanted to negotiate about. Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Baath party announces capture of its secretary general by biological effects
  In a statement published on the Internet site, the Baath Arab Socialist Party announces that its Secretary General, Saddam Hussein, was held captive in the hands of the American occupation forces with the help "of traitors," stressing "continued" resistance against occupation. Iraq, Politics, 12/16/2003
• al-Sharq al-Awsat: Syrian Information minister denied differences between Syrian, American peoples
  Al-Hasan said pressures practiced by Israeli government of Sharon are responsible for all the resolutions taken by the U.S. against Syria, along with some of the extremists in the American administration, in an attempt toweaken Syria's will and coerce Syria into offering concessions in the future. Syria-USA, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Arab league delegation in Iraq tomorrow
  An Arab diplomatic source announced yesterday that a delegation representing the Arab League will head tomorrow toIraq, for the first time since the collapse of the Iraqi regime in April, in order to hold talks with various political forces and religious leaders. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Tehran prepares international complaint against Saddam Hussein
  Ramadan Zada said "we want an international court to consider the crimes of this dictator, and this court should tell who armed this dictator, so as he was able to be behind three major crises in the region." Iraq-Iran, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Demographic change scares Israelis into supporting peace efforts
  The former Israeli minister Yusi Belin, a prominent opposition member, expressed the fears of the Israelis from the accelerating population growth rate among the Palestinians. He said "we will, not in a long time, have to face a position similar to racism in South Africa, in which the Palestinians will ask for one voice for each voter, and then it will be the end of Zionism." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Lahoud for enhancing solidarity with Syria to withstand challenges Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Egyptian, German talks to focus on Middle East peace Egypt-Germany, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Syrian- Yemeni cooperation relations Syria-Yemen, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Security reinforcement in Baghdad, demonstrations in Tikrit
  Baghdad has been witnessing strong security measures in an atmosphere of extreme caution. The Iraqi police is carrying out a full inspection campaign of cars, and installed check points on various roads. These measures are a precaution against any attack or demonstration that may take place after the announcement of the capture of the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein near Tikrit on Sunday. Iraq, Politics, 12/16/2003
• Qathafi to officials: you have corrupted the revolution; and are not listening and doing the citizens' will
  We have discovered that they are banned and prevented from laying down internal and external policies of the Jamahiriya for which they are responsible and are requested to lay down Libya, Politics, 12/15/2003
• Oman and Yemen sign sea border agreement
  "The Sultanate and Yemen signed at the Foreign Ministry today the Sea Border agreement during the meetings of the joint political committee," Oman's news agency ONA reported yesterday. Oman-Yemen, Politics, 12/15/2003
• Bahraini parliamentarians intend to propose law for licensing political parties
  First Deputy of Bahrain's Parliament Speaker, Abdul-Hadi Ahmad Marhoum, said that the bloc of the democratic nationalist parliamentarians which includes him together with the two parliamentarians Abdul Nabi Salman and Youssef Zeinal will propose a draft bill for permiting the foundation of political parties in Bahrain. Bahrain, Politics, 12/15/2003
• Attajdid: Algeria Islamist leader calls Sahara issue artificial
  Leader of the Algerian outlawed party, Islamic Salvation Front, Abbasi Madani, said the Sahara issue is an "artificial" one that is part of a colonial plan whose seeds were sown by western colonialists. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 12/15/2003
• Al-Assad interview to Greek TV address host of regional issues
  If you like to draw a map of a certain road, then the road should be there in the first place; otherwise the map will be an illusory one." "This is one of the problems that we suffer from in the Middle East, particularly after the beginning of the peace process. Moving from one illusive initiative to another illusive initiative, causing frustration, obstacles, and difficulties; and these produce further complications and difficulties," the president said. Syria-Regional, Politics, 12/15/2003
• Invitation for Mubarak to visit Iran Khatami: there are still differences
  The Iranian President Muhammad Khatami said that there are still differences between Egypt and Iran despite the summit meeting they held in Geneva last week. This is at a time Tehran had extended two invitations for Mubarak to visit it by the beginning of 2004. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 12/15/2003
• King Mohammed chairs ministers' council on family code reform
  At the end of the meeting, Hassan Aourid, spokesman of the Royal Palace, said the sovereign recalled at the Council the importance of the amendments of the family code stressing that it will consolidate law, improve women conditions and establish an egalitarian and fair society. Morocco, Politics, 12/15/2003
• American forces shave the beard of Saddam Hussein
  The American forces yesterday displayed a video tape depicting the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein after his capture near his birthplace in Tikrit. A matter which put an end to a search campaign that had lasted more than 8 months. Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/15/2003
• Russian official for M.E. just and comprehensive peace
  Former Chairman of Russian Academy for Political Sciences, Oleg Peiryskin, called Sunday for the implementation of the international resolutions stipulating the Israeli complete withdrawal from all occupied Arab lands to the line of June 4, 1967, in order to achieve just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Regional-Russia, Politics, 12/15/2003
• Syrian citizens of Golan renew rejection of Israeli law
  Syrian citizens in the occupied Golan reiterated absolute rejection to extend the so-called "Israeli law" to cover the occupied Golan, renewing objection to Israel imposing "Israeli citizenship" on them, and describing the hostile practice as a plot to seize the land. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/15/2003
• Arab- American relations office criticize Syria Accountability Act, approved by Bush
  The Arab-American Relations Office ( AARF ) expressed dissatisfaction and frustration over the U.S. President George W. Bush's signing of the so-called "Syria Accountability Act." The Arab community in the U.S., in a statement issued by the AARF, said the Act would encourage Israel to have a more intransigent and arrogant stance regarding international law. Regional-USA, Politics, 12/15/2003
• Syrian information minister statement on capturing Saddam
  Syria's Information Minister Ahmad al-Hasan, commenting on the capture of the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, said Sunday that Syria's opinion regarding Iraq wouldn't be expressed through individuals. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 12/15/2003
• Satterfield succeeds in arranging a Palestinian- Israeli meeting
  A high ranking Palestinian official said that a meeting will be held today between Palestinian and Israeli officials, in order to discuss means of implementing the Roadmap peace plan, and prepare for the forthcoming meeting between the Palestinian prime minister Ahmad Qrei and the Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/15/2003
• UAE will hand over al-Sahaf under Iraqi request
  The charge de affairs of the United Arab Emirates UAE embassy in Iraq, Ali Seif al-Kaabi, said that his country will hand over the former Iraqi minister of information, Muhammad Saeed al-Sahaf, to the Iraqi judiciary in case Iraq asks for that. United Arab Emirates-Iraq, Politics, 12/15/2003
• Al-Assad, wife arrive in Greece Syria-Greece, Politics, 12/15/2003
• King Mohammed receives message from Mauritanian president Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 12/15/2003
• Khatami: Egyptian-Iranian viewpoints on Iraq, Palestine very close Egypt-Iran, Politics, 12/15/2003
• Sahel-Saharan communities council
  The 10th session of the executive council of the Sahel-Saharan Communities council (CENSAD started in Tripoli, Libya Thursday. Regional-Libya, Politics, 12/15/2003
• Mubarak urges US to resume peace negotiations on the Syrian side Egypt-USA, Politics, 12/15/2003
• Mubarak receives phone call from Bush Egypt-USA, Politics, 12/15/2003
• US Senate confirms Riley as ambassador to Morocco
  The US senate confirmed in a hearing held this week, Thomas Riley as US ambassador to Morocco, in replacement of Margaret Tutwiler who was nominated under-secretary for public diplomacy. Morocco-USA, Politics, 12/15/2003
• U.N. pays tribute to Morocco for its role in finalizing U.N. convention against corruption Morocco-UN, Politics, 12/15/2003

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