Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 12/22/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of December 22, 2003
- Okaz: Saudi Arabia: appoints a minister for the Shoura council affairs
The Saudi King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz on Tuesday appointed Saud Bin Saed al-Matahami as a minister of state for relations with the Shoura council. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/27/2003 - Launching second meeting for national dialogue in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi news agency said that what is called "the second intellectual meeting for national dialogue" will be launched today, with the participation of more than 60 scholars and intellectuals and other 15 researchers in the political, cultural and media fields. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/27/2003 - Lukashenko criticizes US policy as belligerent; international security needs new system
President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko criticized the U.S. policy towards other countries of the world, accusing Washington of aggressively declaring a right to use military power against nations who dare to adopt internal or foreign policy independent of the U.S. policy. Regional-Belarus, Politics, 12/27/2003 - BBC: Shaaban: Syria ready for freeing the whole region from weapons of mass destruction
"Syria signed the Treaty of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, NPT, but Israel didn't sign it," Shaaban said, adding "inspite of that, Israel was not asked once to abandon the mass destruction weapons." She stressed that the Middle East region can be transformed into a region free from weapons of mass destruction, if Israel was made to ovserve international law and not be above it." Syria-Regional, Politics, 12/27/2003 - Turkey renews warning to the Kurds: we do not want new adventures
The Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul renewed his country's warning to the Iraqi Kurds against any attempt to expand the self-rule area in northern Iraq. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 12/27/2003 - Libyan Muslim Brothers criticize decision to give up armament programs
The banned Muslim Brothers groups in Libya considered the announcement made by Tripoli government to give up armament programs of non traditional weapons as an attempt to solve its external problems at any price. Libya, Politics, 12/27/2003 - Fadlalla deplores Israeli massacres against the Palestinians
Fadlallah underlined Israel's pretence to search for a settlement and truce with the Palestinians, "while perpetrating brutal massacres in Rafah, Gaza strip and the West Bank." Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 12/27/2003 - BBC: AL official and the Israeli practices in occupied territories
Kamal said in an interview with the BBC that talk of "good-will gestures" was meaningless under Israel's current policy of rejecting withdrawal to June 4th 1967 border lines, or abiding by the land-for-peace formula. Regional-Israel, Politics, 12/27/2003 - EU envoy stresses need to resume negotiations on Syrian- Lebanese tracks
European Envoy for Middle East peace Marc Oti has stressed the necessity for resuming negotiations on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks in order to realize just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Syria-European Union, Politics, 12/27/2003 - Lahoud briefed on preparations to construct Syrian- Lebanese joint dam project Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/27/2003
- Lebanese clergy confers with Mistura on continued Israeli attacks of south Lebanon Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 12/27/2003
- Ma'ariv: Turkish- Israeli agreement to fight terrorism
The Israeli minister of the interior, Tsahi Hanighbi, signed during his visit to Ankara on Thursday with the Turkish minister of the interior Abdul Qader Akso an agreement for cooperation on fighting terrorism, and proposed that Turkey mediate between Israel and Syria. Turkey-Israel, Politics, 12/27/2003 - Abul Gheit: UN's ARAB group to debate WMDs- free Mideast in UNSC Regional, Politics, 12/27/2003
- Al-Jazeera correspondent in Sudan released
The Sudanese authorities announced yesterday the release of Islam Saleh, the director of al-Jazeera office in Khartoum, under personal guarantee, after he was detained for one week over being accuses of broadcasting programs that the government said "include misleading information, biased analysis and distorting the image of the country." Sudan-Regional, Politics, 12/26/2003 - Algerian government refuses to lift restrictions on Balhah
The Algerian authorities refused a request proposed by an Islamic party, to lift the sanctions off Ali Balhah, the deputy chairman of the banned Islamic Front For Salvation, who was released July this year, after he had spent 12 years in a military jail. Algeria, Politics, 12/26/2003 - Hedallah lawyers expect sentence decision on Sunday
Defense lawyers for the former President of Mauritania Muhammad Khouna Weld Hedallah expected the court to pronounce its verdict on Sunday regarding the accusations against him. Mauritania, Politics, 12/26/2003 - Two jailed Moroccan journalists, in good health, says minister
The two jailed Moroccan journalists are in good health and enjoy all the rights guaranteed by the law, insisted on Wednesday night, the Moroccan minister of Justice. Morocco, Politics, 12/26/2003 - Qatar, Mauritania sign several important agreements
Qatar and Mauritania signed several bilateral agreements in the areas of trade, the economy and aviation. This came after the visit made by the President of Mauritania Mu'aweya Wild Taye' to Doha, during which he met with the Amir of Qatar, Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani. Qatar-Mauritania, Politics, 12/26/2003 - Sudanese, Ethiopian, Yemeni summit next Monday
The foreign ministers of the Sanaa coalition will hold a meeting on Sunday in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa in order to approve works of the tripartite summit between Sudan, Ethiopia and Yemen. Regional-Ethiopia, Politics, 12/26/2003 - Moussa discusses with Zibari the Arab League role in Iraq
The secretary general of the Arab League ( AL), Amr Moussa, stressed that he has discussed with the Iraqi foreign minister Hoshiar Muhammad Zibari current conditions in Iraq, and the role that might be played by the AL in this country. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 12/26/2003 - Hakim vows to end occupation, missile attacks continue in Baghdad
News reports said that at least three mortar shells fell near the headquarters of the American occupation leadership in the downtown of Baghdad. No reports were made immediately on the size of losses, but warning whistles and explosions were heard inside what is known as the green zone after a brief period from the attack. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 12/26/2003 - S. Korean, Moroccan Human Rights activists meet in rabat
A visiting delegation of the South Korean National Human Rights Commission (CNDH), held, in Rabat Wednesday, a meeting with officials of the Moroccan Human Rights Consultative Council (CCDH). Morocco-South Korea, Politics, 12/26/2003 - Arab League condemns the Israeli massacre in Rafah
Arab League's Council condemned on Thursday the Israeli brutal massacre perpetrated against the Palestinian camps in Rafah city. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 12/26/2003 - Egyptian Christian clergy deplores Israel practices against Palestinians
Chairman of the Bishopric Church in Egypt, Muneer Hanna Anees, denounced the Israeli aggressive and "inhuman practices against the Palestinian people," stressing that these practices contradict international law, human values, and religious doctrine. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 12/26/2003 - Mauritania defends normalization with Israel
Mauritania's foreign minister Muhammad Val Weld Bilal has defended his country's relations with Israel. He said in a press conference in Doha that Nouakchott's relations with Tel Aviv do not contradict with the interests of the Palestinian people. Mauritania-Israel, Politics, 12/26/2003 - Demonstration in Cairo calling for political reform
Some 100 members of the leaderships of the Egyptian opposition parties and civil society organizations gathered in al-Tahrir square in Cairo demanding the introduction of comprehensive political reforms. Egypt, Politics, 12/25/2003 - Mubarak, al-Assad meeting in Sharm esh Sheikh
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak held a bilateral meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Wednesday attended by high level officials on both sides. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 12/25/2003 - Building Maghreb union requires courage, Moroccan fm
Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohammed Benaissa, said building an active and dynamic Maghreb Union requires "courage" to remove difficulties. Morocco-Maghreb, Politics, 12/25/2003 - Mauritania's president in Qatar to enhance cooperation
President of Mauritania Mu'aweya Wild Taye' arrived in Doha yesterday in an official visit for two days, with the aim to strengthen relations and develop them. Qatar-Mauritania, Politics, 12/25/2003 - L'Opinion: Belgian ambassador calls for release of Moroccans sequestered in tindouf
Belgian ambassador to Rabat, Christina Funes Noppen, has called for the release of the Moroccans native of the Sahara held against their will in the camps of Tindouf (southwestern Algeria), by the Algerian-backed separatist movement "Polisario." Morocco-Belgium, Politics, 12/25/2003 - Sahara will top next Maghreb summit, says Qathafi
The Sahara issue will top the agenda of the next Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) summit, to be held after the Algerian presidential elections, said, in Tripoli Tuesday, Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi. Maghreb-Maghreb, Politics, 12/25/2003 - UN General Assembly approved resolutions on sovereignty of Golan resources
The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday approved a resolution that confirms the permanent Syrian Sovereignty on the natural resources in the occupied Golan, and the Palestinian sovereignty on their natural resources in the occupied territories, including Jerusalem. Israel-UN, Politics, 12/25/2003 - ICRC reiterates appeal for release of Moroccan POWs in Algeria
The International Committee of the Red cross (ICRC), has reiterated its appeal for the release "without any delay" of all remaining Moroccan prisoners of war (POWs), held captive by the Algerian-backed separatist movement "Polisario" in Tindouf (Southwestern Algeria). Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 12/25/2003 - al-Sharq al-Awsat: Syria's interior minister on the positive relations with Turkey
Syria's Interior Minister, Ali Hammoud, described as "historical and ancient" the relations between the two neighboring countries, Syria and Turkey. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 12/25/2003 - Lahoud and peace in the ME
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud stressed Wednesday that the countries concerned in peace process in the Middle East can't ignore the Syrian and Lebanese proposals for any solution in the region. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 12/25/2003 - Qathafi, Butaflika hold telephone talks
Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi discussed with the Algerian president Abdul Aziz Butaflika, during a telephone call on Tuesday evening, bilateral relations between the two states, and the issue of transferring the presidency of the Arab Maghreb federation to Libya. Libya-Algeria, Politics, 12/25/2003 - Sudan peace near in Nivasha, far in Darfour
Negotiations between the Sudanese government and the southern rebels achieved great progress in formulating the wealth-sharing agreement. Sudan, Politics, 12/25/2003 - Jordan denies placing limits on Saddam's two daughters
The official spokeswoman for the Jordanian Government, Asmaa Khuder, has denied news that Jordan had given placed conditions and restrictions on Raghada and Rana Saddam Hussein, the two daughters of the toppled Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, on any press statements over the capture of their father that they may issue. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/25/2003 - Sayyid Fahd receives gulf businesswomen
"Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, received at his office today participants in the AGCC Businesswomen First Forum which concluded here" yesterday reported the Omani News agnecy ONA.. Oman-Gulf, Politics, 12/25/2003 - Turkey warning the return of fears with the Federation
Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul sent a strong warning to the Kurds of Iraq, over the massive demonstration took place in the city of Karkouk demanding the annexation of the city to the Kurdistan district, in the course of promoting a federation governing Iraq. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 12/25/2003 - AL stresses the need of evacuating ME from mass destruction weapons
The secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, has stressed the need of evacuating the Middle East region from all types of mass destruction weapons. He criticized Israel's continued rejection of the demands set by the international community to get rid off its chemical and nuclear arsenal, which he said constitutes a grave threat to stability of the Middle East region. Regional-Israel, Politics, 12/25/2003 - US continued support to peace efforts in Sudan
The Sudanese foreign minister, Mustafa Othman Ismael, received a telephone call on Tuesday evening form Senator John Danforth, the special envoy of the US President George W. Bush for the peace process in Sudan . Sudan-USA, Politics, 12/25/2003 - Chalabi party criticizes Jordan
A spokesman for the Iraqi National Congress led by Ahmed Chalabi has criticized Jordan, accusing it of sheltering associates to Saddam Hussein, smuggling oil, and interfering in the internal affairs of Iraq. Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 12/25/2003 - al-Arab al-Youm: Jordan refuses to extend for al-Rweished camp for Iraqi refugees
Once again, the Jordanian government refused the request of the UNHCR to extend the period of stay in al-Rweished camp, which shelters hundreds of refugees from Iraq. This came after news which rumored on the failure of all negotiations to send residents in the camp to a third place, excluding Jordan and Iraq. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/25/2003 - Egyptian human rights organizations condemns Israeli massacre in Rafah
The Cairo-based Arab Human Rights Organization strongly condemned Israel's latest massacre in the Gaza refugee camp of Rafah, in which dozens of Palestinians were killed and wounded by Israeli soldiers, describing the carnage as a "war crime." Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/25/2003 - Yemen releases two British accused of terrorism
Yemen has released two British Muslims who were jailed under accusations pertaining to terrorism after the expiry of their imprisonment period, of five years. Yemen-UK, Politics, 12/25/2003 - Amir of Qatar gets message from Yemeni president, Bosnia official Qatar-Yemen, Politics, 12/25/2003
- Justice and legislation committee's talks on family code draft very positive, minister Morocco, Politics, 12/25/2003
- Ebeid: Mubarak-Assad Summit very important Egypt-Syria, Politics, 12/24/2003
- Maghreb union must care for member states' territorial integrity, minister
Benabdellah reaffirmed the importance of the UMA building process underlining that in time of regional groupings, "We can not remain apart from this trend for we have wasted enough time." Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 12/24/2003 - Syrian - Moroccan party agreement Syria-Morocco, Politics, 12/24/2003
- Syrian- Egyptian premiers chair meeting for businessmen
Syria's Prime Minister Naji Otari and his Egyptian counterpart, Atef Obeid chaired in Damascus on Tuesday the meeting of the Syrian-Egyptian businessmen. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 12/24/2003 - Khatami hopes to end oddity with Egypt
the Egyptian weekly al-Musawar announced on Wednesday that normalization of relations between Cairo and Tehran, and Mubarak's meeting at Tehran's invitation, is linked to removing the name and picture of Khaled Islambuli who killed the former Egyptian President Anwar al- Sadat in 1981 in one of the Iranian capital streets. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 12/24/2003 - Jordanian parliament gives confidence to al-Fayez government
The Jordanian parliament yesterday voted confidence for the new government chaired by Faisal al-Fayez. This was in conclusion of a Marathon session that continued for 4 days, during which he renewed commitment to the content of the royal message, especially fighting unemployment, poverty, and corruption and accelerating the operation of political development and openness to all social strata. Jordan, Politics, 12/24/2003 - Al-Shara - Qatari hold telephone talks Syria-Qatar, Politics, 12/24/2003
- Bahrain denies knowing about threats to American interests
Bahrain's information minister Nabil Yaqoub al-Homor said that Bahrain does not know about threats of possible attacks occurring in the country. This, however, followed an American warning of attacks against the American embassy in Manama. Bahrain-USA, Politics, 12/24/2003 - Moroccan FM highlights need to engage in serious dialogue with Algeria on Sahara
Moroccan minister of foreign affair and cooperation, Mohammed Benaissa, has underlined the need for a "serious dialogue between Morocco and Algeria on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara," insisting that dialogue should lead to "a negotiated and consensual political solution between us and our brothers in Algeria." Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 12/24/2003 - Jordan lawyers urged AL to demand handing over Saddam to a neutral state
The Jordanian Bar Assosciation has urged the Arab League AL to demand handing over the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to a neutral state or to the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, and not to try him, and to permit his relatives to visit him in his prison. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/24/2003 - Seistani supports role for AL in transferring authorities to Iraqis
The assistant secretary general of the Arab League (AL) Ahmad Bin Hali said that the Shiite clergy Ayatullah Ali al-Seistani, informed the Arab League delegation, currently visiting Iraq, his support for a role to be played by the AL in the transfer of authority to the Iraqis. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 12/24/2003 - Saud al-Faisal on peace in the Middle East
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal described Israel's latest unilateral moves to isolate Palestinians and impose its own one-sided solutions as undermining peace efforts in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 12/24/2003 - Large explosions in Baghdad, 70 Iraqis arrested, sectarianism talk
Explosions and machine gun fire were heard in the south of Baghdad during evening time, after the American occupation forces clashed with Iraqi resistance fighters, in the context of what is called the "iron justice operation." Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/24/2003 - Iran to strongly retaliate if attacked by Israel
Iran's Minister of Defense and the Armed Forces Logistics Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani said on Wednesday that "Iran will give strong response if Israel ventures to attack Iranian nuclear installations," Iran's official news agency reported. Iran-Israel, Politics, 12/24/2003 - Association of Moroccan Sahrawis opens office in Spain Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/24/2003
- As refugees pour into Chad from Sudan, UN announces plans for safer camps
The UN said that with nearly 100,000 refugees from fighting in western Sudan's Darfur region pouring into remote areas of Chad this year the United Nations refugee agency today announced plans to move an initial group of 10,000 from the volatile border to a safer site further inland. Sudan-Chad, Politics, 12/24/2003 - No alternative to Maghreb Union, says Moroccan minister
The Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation has insisted on the vital importance of the Arab Maghreb Union, saying there is no alternative to such a Union provided it preserves each member country's territorial integrity. Maghreb-Morocco, Politics, 12/23/2003 - Algeria rejected Libyan request for two weeks postponement of UMA summit, minister
Algiers has rejected a Libyan request to postpone the summit of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) until January 6, because it was not sure the new deadline would guarantee the success of the summit, Algerian foreign minister, Abdelaziz Belkhadem, said here Monday. Algeria-Libya, Politics, 12/23/2003 - Maghreb summit postponed until indefinite time
News reports in Algeria said that the foreign ministers of the Arab Maghreb federation decided in their meeting in Algiers to postpone the convening of the Maghreb summit until an indefinite time. Maghreb, Politics, 12/23/2003 - Syrian - Egyptian committee statements
Otari, speaking at the start of the Syrian-Egyptian Higher Committee in presence of both states' delegations, added that the Arab states, under the absence of the international resolution and under the logic of force, have become targeted under pretexts of terrorism or under the claim of possession and development of mass destruction weapons. Such false pretexts are taken as justification to intervene Syria-Egypt, Politics, 12/23/2003 - Gulf summits denounces terrorism, presses ahead with economic unity
The 24th Gulf Cooperation Council GCC summit concluded its works in Kuwait following a close door meeting yesterday that lasted for two hours, by issuing a statement under the name "The Kuwait declaration." Gulf-Regional, Politics, 12/23/2003 - Sudan resource sharing agreement might be signed today
The Kenyan mediator in the Sudanese negotiations Lazaraos Simbayo said yesterday that the government and the southern rebels have approached a settlement for almost all their differences, on how to share resources as soon as peace is established. Sudan, Politics, 12/23/2003 - Iran appoints a charge de affairs in Iraq
The Iranian official news agency said yesterday that Tehran appointed Hassan Kazimi Qummi as the charge de affairs of the Islamic republic of Iran in Iraq. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 12/23/2003 - Al-Shara meets with Kaddoumi on ME developments
Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara received on Monday Chairman of the Political Department at the Palestinian Liberation Organization Farouk al-Kaddoumi. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 12/23/2003 - Nuclear agency to visit Libya next week to look at activities
The director general of the International Agency For Atomic Energy announced he will head for Libya next week to evaluate the Libyan nuclear weapons program. Libya-USA, Politics, 12/23/2003 - Polish president in Iraq suddenly, two American soldiers, Iraqi translator killed
The demonstrators who took the streets at the request of their parties, raised Kurdish flags and a large American flag but no Iraqi flag was seen. The Kurdish Badshmargha forces, at the sight of the American forces guarded the demonstrators who came from various cities of Kurdistan. Iraq-Poland, Politics, 12/23/2003 - Iraq suspends medicine imports
The director general of the general company for importing medicines and Iraqi medical requirements, Abdul Wadoud Mahmoud al-Taleibi, stressed that the Iraqi ministry of health abrogated most of medicine import contracts signed by the former regime in Iraq, in the framework of the "oil for food program," because of the bad quality of the imported goods. Iraq, Politics, 12/23/2003 - Palestine official, groups denounce attack on Egypt's foreign minister at al-Aqsa mosque
The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Maher has described the incident he was exposed to during his visit to al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem as "simple and of inconsequential." Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 12/23/2003 - Egyptian optimism following Sharon 's meeting, occupation forces continue invasion
Two Israelis were killed in an ambush implanted by Palestinian fighters near Kesovim settlement in the downtown of Gaza. A third was wounded in Hebron, while 12 Palestinians were wounded in Jenin, Nablus and Khan Younis by the occupation army which detained 15 Palestinians in the West Bank. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/23/2003 - Israeli soldiers to be dismisssed for saying war against Palestinians immoral
"The death toll of the Palestinian citizens killed on Sunday climbed to three, including two children in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus City, and the third suffocated by the tear gas canisters during the sixth day of Israeli military onslaught on the camp," the Palestinian IPC reported yesterday.' Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/23/2003 - UN Security Council extends for UNDOF in the Golan
The UN Security Council yesterday extended the mission of the UN forces serving in the occupied Syrian Golan heights for 6 months. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/23/2003 - Al-Assad confers with Egyptian FM Syria-Egypt, Politics, 12/23/2003
- Al-Assad confers with Moroccan party secretary Syria-Morocco, Politics, 12/23/2003
- Al-Shara holds telephone talks with Yemeni peer Syria-Yemen, Politics, 12/23/2003
- Bahraini official promisse best education practice Bahrain, Politics, 12/23/2003
- Israel, Turkey to sign tomorrow a terrorism fighting agreement
An Israeli source said yesterday that the minister of internal security Tsahi Hanighbi will sign tomorrow in Ankara a bilateral agreement in the field of fighting terrorism. Israel-Turkey, Politics, 12/23/2003 - Occupation forces detain Iraqi scientists
The Iraqi higher education Minister Ziad Abdul Razzaq al-Aswad said that the American occupation forces detained four days ago three Iraqi scientists from the technological university in Baghdad, and they are being subjected to intensive investigations relating to Iraq's mass destruction weapons during the rule of the toppled Iraqi regime. Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/22/2003 - Agreement on authority sharing in Comoros islands
Representatives of the federation of Comoros islands and representatives for the three islands which enjoy self- rule have reached an agreement on sharing authority in the framework of a regional summit in Moroni, aiming at settling the political crisis taking place in Comoros since 1997. Comoros, Politics, 12/22/2003 - CIA disclose cooperation with UK and Libya; Libya cancels Arab Maghreb meet
Officials in the CIA disclosed that a joint team representing the American and British intelligence paid secret visits to Libya for two weeks during October and December. Libya-USA, Politics, 12/22/2003 - Saudi crown gets a message from Bush
Francis Frajuice Townsed, deputy advisor for the US National Security For Terrorism fighting affairs on Saturday handed over a message from US President George W. Bush to the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 12/22/2003 - Khartoum, rebels embark on formulating resource sharing agreement
The spokesman for southern rebels of Sudan, Yasser Araman, said in a press statement that the committee representing the Sudanese government and the movement is currently embarking on formulating an agreement on sharing oil resources, concluded by the two sides on Saturday following difficulties the negotiations. Sudan, Politics, 12/22/2003 - Saddam was moving between 30 hides, he fled to al-Namash farm twice during 40 years
The odd thing in capturing Saddam Hussein is that his detention was made in the same farm he hid when he was a youngster in 1959, after his participation in the failed attempt to assassinate the former Iraqi President Abdul Karim Qasem. Iraq, Politics, 12/22/2003 - AL delegation meets Interim Council members
The spokesman for the Iraqi Interim Governing council Hameed al-Kanafani said that the delegation will hold talks with the governing council on Wednesday. The delegation visited several ministries of the governing council and met with several Iraqi officials. The delegation which started on Saturday its visit to Iraq also met with certain representatives of the political and Tribal forces in several governorates. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 12/22/2003 - Khaddam meets with Iraqi intellectuals delegation
Vice President Abdul-Halim Khaddam received in Damascus on Saturday a delegation of Iraqi artists, writers and intellectuals headed by Mohammed al-Shawaf. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 12/22/2003 - 'South-South Cooperation is not an Option but an Imperative', G-77 plus China Conference)
"South-South cooperation is not an option but an imperative to complement North-South cooperation in order to contribute to the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals," said Friday the G-77 plus China. Regional, Politics, 12/22/2003 - Al-Assad confers with Iraqi writers delagtions Syria-Iraq, Politics, 12/22/2003
- Qaddomi and peace with Israel Palestine-Syria, Politics, 12/22/2003
- UAE president confers with Saudi Shoura council chief United Arab Emirates-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/22/2003
- Moroccan speaker holds talks with Spanish defence minister Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/22/2003
- Blair telephones Qathafi Libya-UK, Politics, 12/22/2003