Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 1/5/2004

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of January 5, 2004

• Al-Gomhuria : Moussa: Arab League restructuring to be discussed before Arab Summit; some Gulf state oppose a strong Arab League
  Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Amr Moussa said that the coming Arab summit, due in Tunis in March, will discuss proposals on restructuring the AL and reforming the Arab joint action institutions. Regional, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Seven Muslim Brothers members released in Egypt
  Judicial sources in Cairo said that the Egyptian authorities released seven members of the banned Ikhwan al-muslimin (Muslim brothers) groups, including a former parliamentarian jailed four months ago. Egypt, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Chirac hopes for strong relations with Libya with end of compensation issue
  Libya and France yesterday closed an issue that has lasted 14 years, over the blowing up a French DC 10 plane, after the two countries had signed an agreement according to which Libya pays 170 million dollars as compensations for the families of the victims. A sum which is close to that paid to the families of the victims of the Pan American plane of Lockerbie incident. Libya-France, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Libya denies preventing Egyptians from entering its territories
  Egyptian officials at al-Salloum border crossing with Libya said that the Libyan authorities have banned since yesterday midnight the entry of Egyptians who do not have a prior entry visa, and this resulted in hundreds of passengers stuck at the site. Libya-Egypt, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Algerian peace society movement supports Butaflika's nomination
  News reports in Algiers said that the Algerian peace society movement is about to announce its support for the nomination of the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika for a second term of office. Algeria, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace report: WMD in Iraq, evidence misrepresented, war not best option
  A new study from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace "WMD IN Iraq, Evidence and Implications" said that intelligence and facts were misrepresented by the US government to the American people and the world, and that war was not the best option to achieve the objectives. Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Moroccan, Algerian dialogue crucial to settle sahara conflict, Danish deputy
  A Moroccan-Algerian dialogue is necessary to solve the Sahara conflict. The two countries "should at least agree on the existence of a disagreement," said here Thursday Danish deputy, Jens Hald Madsen, who is leading a Danish parliamentary delegation on a three day-visit to Morocco. Morocco-Denmark, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Lebanon refutes Rumsfeld on existence of terrorists in the Bekaa
  Lebanon has refuted statements attributed to the US secretary of state, Donald Rumsfeld, on the existence of what he called terrorists in the Bekaa area, considering such statements as mere illusions. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 1/10/2004
• The US treat Saddam as a prisoner of war
  The US administration announced officially that the former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein is a "prisoner of war," after more than one month of his detention. Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Keftaro meets with Italian Institution priest
  For his part, Bin Benjamin praised Syria's "pro-peace policy," and her stances towards "just and comprehensive peace," calling on the Islamic and the Christian worlds to show solidarity and coordinate efforts to face up to "warmongers," pointing out to the Iraqi people's sufferings under occupation. Syria-Italy, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Rice: No evidences on transfer of mass destruction weapons from Iraq to Syria
  The White House announced that it has no confidential evidence on transfer of mass destruction weapons from Iraq to Syria by the beginning of 2003, prior to the toppling the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Syria-USA, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Talk on federation and election requirements in Iraq
  Kurdish member in the Iraqi governing council, Dara Nour Eddine, announced the consent of the council to the confederation principle. He stressed that the constituent Iraqi law will state this, prior to the organization of the elections expected by the end of 2005. Iraq, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Large funeral for al-Hudeibi; Muhammad Hilal is new guide for the Muslim Brothers in Egypt
  A huge funeral was held yesterday for Mamoun al-Hudeibi, the general Murshid (guide) of the Ikhwan al-Muslimin (Muslim brothers) in Egypt, in Rabeya al-Adaweyah mosque in Naser city in Cairo following Friday's prayers. Thousands of Egyptian took part in the eulogy ceremony, while large number of Egyptian police were deployed around the mosque. Egypt, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Egypt criticizes Norway's closure of its embassy in Cairo
  The Egyptian foreign minister, Ahmed Maher, has described Norway's decision to close its embassy in Cairo for security reasons as a wrong and unjustified. Egypt-Norway, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Mubarak, King Mohammed VI co- chair Higher Egyptian- Moroccan Joint Committee meetings Egypt-Morocco, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Yediot Ahronot: Shalom: contacts includes Arab states including Libya
  The Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot quoted the Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom as saying on Thursday, during his visit to Ethiopia, that Israel is making secret contacts with more Arab states in North Africa and the Gulf, and not only with Libya. Libya-Israel, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Al-Baz: Egyptian-Iranian relations head to right direction Egypt-Iran, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Sudanese President visits Cairo to brief Mubarak on Naivasha agreement Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Chirac visits Egypt Egypt-France, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Maher says Israeli accusations against Syria show true intentions Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/10/2004
• Mauritanian authorities detain Islamic opposition member
  News reports in Mauritania said that the authorities detained the opposition Islamist leader, Muhammad Jamil Weld Mansour, on Wednesday evening while coming from Belgium, and took him to "Blaa" prison where he was detained before he had left the country seven months ago. Mauritania, Politics, 1/9/2004
• No democracy can be consolidated without fighting poverty, says premier
  isiting Moroccan Prime Minister has insisted on the fight against poverty as the only means to consolidate democracy in the Kingdom. Morocco-USA, Politics, 1/9/2004
• Resumption of Egyptian - Iranian diplomatic relations shortly
  Egypt said yesterday that the resumption of relations with Iran is a "natural" matter, and that declaring it might be made very soon, whereas Tehran stressed that this measure has entered the final "Protocol" phase. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 1/9/2004
• Libya pays 170 million for families of the French plane
  Libya approved to pay financial compensations estimated at 170 million dollars for the families of the victims of the French Yuta plane, as Libyans were accused of blowing it up. Libya-France, Politics, 1/9/2004
• On al-Assad's third day visit to Turkey
  Turkish "CNN Turk" TV station described President Bashar al-Assad's visit to Turkey as a historical visit which opens a new stage of the bilateral relations between the two countries in all fields. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 1/9/2004
• al-Hayat: Larsen commends Syria's peace initiative
  UN Middle East Special Envoy, Terri Road Larsen, expressed appreciation over President Bashar al-Assad's call to resume peace negotiations on the basis of the UN Security Council's resolutions Nos. 242 and 338 and "Land for Peace formula," calling Israel to comply with this call asserting that the international organization's stance regarding the Israeli settlement in the occupied Syrian Golan as illegal and illegitimate. Syria-UN, Politics, 1/9/2004
• Darfour rebels confirm the killing of their military leader
  An official in the Sudan's liberation movement, which is active in Darfour, to the west of Sudan, stressed yesterday that the movement's military leader, Abdullah Abkar, died because of his wounds. Sudan, Politics, 1/9/2004
• An attack against al-Arabia correspondent in Gaza
  The correspondent of the al-Arabia space TV channel in Gaza, Seif Eddine Chahine, in Gaza said that two veiled unidentified persons attacked him by sticks in Gaza. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 1/9/2004
• Seif al-Islam al-Qathafi: Israel does not threaten Libya's security
  Seif al-Islam al-Qathafi, son of the Libyan leader, denied recently rumored news on a meeting held between him and two members of the Israeli Knesset in Athens. Libya-Israel, Politics, 1/9/2004
• Qurei' threatens to declare a state of two nationalities
  The Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmad Qurei' threatened that the Palestinians will seek to establish a state of two nationalities, and would trequest the same rights if Israel executes its threats to confiscating lands in the West Bank. By this Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/9/2004
• Eritrea warns against a war with Ethiopia
  The foreign minister of Eritrea, Ali Saeed Abdullah, yesterday called on the international community to "convince Ethiopia to give up its rejection to accept the demarcation of the new borders between the two countries in order to avoid the eruption of a new war." Eritrea-Ethiopia, Politics, 1/9/2004
• Israel starts next week to bring into Israel 18,000 Flasha Jews
  The Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom announced by the end of his visit to Addid Ababa yesterday that Israel will start transporting all Flasha Jews so far remaining in Ethiopia to Israel, as from the beginning of next week, but the Ethiopian government warned that it will not permit this time the departure of the Falasha Jews in the form of a mass migration, through an air bridge, as happened earlier during the crisis that took place in Ethiopia in 1984 and 1991. Israel-Ethiopia, Politics, 1/9/2004
• AL chief stresses the need to evacuate ME from weapons of mass destruction Regional-Denmark, Politics, 1/9/2004
• Al-Assad opens Syrian tourism exhibition in Ankara Syria-Turkey, Politics, 1/8/2004
• Yeni Safak: Gul: Syrian- Turkish relations are increasingly progressing Syria-Turkey, Politics, 1/8/2004
• Khartoum signs wealth-sharing agreement with the southern rebels
  The Sudanese government and the southern rebels signed yesterday, at Kenya's resort of Nivasha, an agreement on wealth sharing in Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 1/8/2004
• Political parties and human rights activists welcome king's pardon to 33 convicts, including journalists
  The pardon granted by Moroccan king Mohammed VI to a group of 33 convicts among whom seven journalists, including Ali Lamrabet, was widely welcomed by political parties, human rights activists and relatives of the concerned people. Morocco, Politics, 1/8/2004
• King Mohammed' speech on the occasion of the establishment of the Justice and Reconciliation Commission
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI inaugurated this Wednesday at the Royal Palace of Agadir, "the Equity and Reconciliation Commission," part of the sovereign's concern to settle once and for all the issue of past human rights abuses. Morocco, Politics, 1/8/2004
• O Yahya pleased over negotiations with Tansiqiyat al-Oroush
  The Algerian prime minister Ahmad O Yahya, yesterday announced that negotiations between the government and the Berber delegation of Tansiqiyat al-Aroush, the largest family in al-Qabayel area, concluded on Tuesday without reaching a final agreement, but had resulted in "breaking the ice" between the two sides. Algeria, Politics, 1/8/2004
• Khaddam meets with Iraqi tribe delegation
  Syria's Vice-President Abdul Halim Khaddam on Wednesday met a delegation of the Iraqi tribe of al-Jabbour headed by Said Saud al-Humeidan. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 1/8/2004
• AL chief denies Syria to have mass destruction weapons
  Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa Wednesday denied Syria possessing weapons of mass destruction, though it ( Syria ) has the right, as many other countries in the Middle East, to possess weapons to defend itself, in the face of Israel which is the only side that possesses such weapons. Syria-Regional, Politics, 1/8/2004
• Libya denies contacts with Israeli officials
  Libya officially denied news rumored concerning making contacts between Libyan and Israeli officials. The deputy chairman of the people's committee for foreign relations, Hasouna al-Shawish, said that official sides in his country made investigations that proved that what was published on such news is rumors and baseless. Libya-Israel, Politics, 1/8/2004
• Israel violates the rights of Palestinian women prisoners
  Palestinian women prisoners in the Israeli al-Ramla prison are being exposed to tough repressive acts, and live under very difficult humanitarian conditions, as they called on the Palestinian government and the Palestinian prisoner's rights group to help them bring their plight to the international community. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/8/2004
• Dutch prime minister in an unexpected visit to Iraq
  Dutch prime minister yesterday paid a sudden visit to Iraq in order to meet with the Dutch soldiers positioned in the south, in the framework of the international forces that rallied with the American occupation under British leadership. Iraq-Netherlands, Politics, 1/8/2004
• Israel threatens Syria of more raids
  The Israeli army chief of staff Moshe Yaloun has threatened Syria further Israeli air strikes, unless it halts activities of the Palestinian groups in its territories. Syria-Israel, Politics, 1/8/2004
• Al-Assad's interview on relations with Turkey
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has given an interview to the Turkish "CNN-Turk" TV station in which he dealt with relations between Syria and Turkey, and the current conditions in the region, especially the situation in Iraq. On Syria-Turkey relations, al-Assad said ties between the two neighbors are back to normal. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 1/7/2004
• Al-Assad, Sezer statements, following talks
  Syria's Presidents Bashar al-Assad and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Necdet Sezer on Tuesday evening held a plenary meeting attended from the Turkish side by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Ministers of Foreign Trade, Tourism and Finance. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 1/7/2004
• Sudanese agreement on wealth- sharing to be signed today
  The Kenyan mediator to the Sudanese peace negotiations announced yesterday that the government and the southern rebels will sign today the agreement on sharing oil revenues. Sudan, Politics, 1/7/2004
• Doha hosts a seminar on human rights on Islam
  A seminar was opened on Monday in Doha under the title of "Human rights in Islam." A topic which is debated for the first time in Qatar which recently founded a human rights committee. Regional-Qatar, Politics, 1/7/2004
• Tehran resumes diplomatic relations with Cairo
  News reports in Tehran said that Egypt and Iran ultimately agreed to resume full diplomatic relations between them. An official source in the Iranian leadership said that the two governments agreed to re-open their two embassies. Iran-Egypt, Politics, 1/7/2004
• Bin Hammoudah strongly criticizes Butaflika as abusing power
  The former secretary general of the National Liberation Front party, Bu'lam Bin Hammoudah, has criticized the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika, and accused him of "clinging to power by all means, and of "irresponsible behavior." Algeria, Politics, 1/7/2004
• Saudi foreign minister deplores Israel's decision on Golan
  Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Saud al-Faisal, condemned on Tuesday the Israeli decision to expand settlements in the occupied Syrian Golan, stressing that this decision is a continuation of Israel's unilateral anti-peace policies, at a time Syria announces readiness to continue peace negotiations within international peace initiatives. Saudi Arabia-Israel, Politics, 1/7/2004
• Al-Assad meets grand national assembly's speaker in Ankara
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and Turkish Grand National Assembly's Speaker, Bulent Ecerit, held Tuesday a meeting at the Turkish Parliament headquarter in Ankara that dealth with bilateral relations, particularly the parliamentary ones, and activating the parliamentary and public committees, and visit exchanges. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 1/7/2004
• Maher: No decision yet on ties with Iran
  Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said yesterday that contacts between Egypt and Iran were most definitely continuing since President Hosni Mubarak met with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami in Geneva. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 1/7/2004
• Saudi Arabia opens Madina airport to international traffic; al-Faisal: Sharon wants to make the Palestinians an Arab problem
  Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, yesterday announced the possibility of having a joint European- Arab move to restart the implementation of the Roadmap in order to settle the Palestinian- Israeli conflict. Saudi Arabia-Israel, Politics, 1/7/2004
• Hamas discloses contacts with the American administration
  Member of the political bureau of the Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, disclosed contacts and meetings that took place between the movement and the American administration in the past. But he gave no mention on the nature of these contacts, its location, or timing. Palestine-USA, Politics, 1/7/2004
• King Mohammed holds private meeting with Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/7/2004
• Mubarak stresses Syria's care for a just and comprehensive peace Egypt-Syria, Politics, 1/7/2004
• Moroccan king receives Iranian trade minister Morocco-Iran, Politics, 1/7/2004
• Al-Assad starts historic visit to Ankara today
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad starts today, Tuesday, a historical visit to Turkey which will last for three days. The first by A Syrian President since Syria's independence in 1946. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 1/6/2004
• Gul: al-Assad's visit is a starting point for a new stage of Turkish- Syrian relations
  Turkish Foreign Minister, Abdullah Gul has stressed that President Bashar al-Assad's forthcoming visit will be a starting point for a new stage between the two countries. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 1/6/2004
• Tehran, Cairo eliminate last differences: al-Durra instead of Islambuli, Musaddaq instead of Bahlawi
  The Iranian government yesterday took the last step towards resuming the severed diplomatic relations with Egypt, and asked the municipality of Tehran to change the name of the streets which carries the name of Khaled Islambuli, killer of the late Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat, to Muhammad al-Durra street ( the 12- year Palestinian boy who was killed by the Israelis). This Iranian measure was met by Cairo's changing the name of Bahlawi street to Musaddaq's street. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 1/6/2004
• Maher: Egypt, Iran differences are a thing of the past
  Egypt's foreign minister Ahmed Maher stressed that the late Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat's signing of the camp David agreement with Israel has become an issue that its time has past between Cairo and Tehran. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 1/6/2004
• Al Ittihad Al Ichtiraki: Peru backs Morocco in Sahara conflict
  Director of the Peruvian agency of international cooperation, Juan Granda Vera, has said his country backs Morocco's in the Sahara issue. Morocco-Peru, Politics, 1/6/2004
• Khartoum deters attack rebells in Darfour;: Sudanese postpone wealth- share agreement
  The signing of the agreement on the wealth- share file, in the framework of the Sudanese peace talks held in Nivasha resort in Kenya, was postponed. Sudan, Politics, 1/6/2004
• Syria's two messages to the UN on Israeli expansion policy in the Golan
  Syria's Permanent Representative at the United Nations Faisal Mikdad sent two messages to the UN Secretary General and to Chili Permanent Representative, the Chairman of the Security Council for this month, on the Israeli provocative decision of establishing new settlements in the occupied Golan and financing the project. Syria-Israel, Politics, 1/6/2004
• El Khalij: UMA construction requires respect of member states kingty, minister
  The construction of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) requires the enhancement of democracy and the total respect of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member states, Moroccan communication minister and government spokesman has said. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 1/6/2004
• Bremer's reservation on Kurdish Confederation project
  A source close to the Kurdish bloc in the Iraqi governing council said that the Kurdish confederation project was met with reservations from the American adminstrator of Iraq, Paul Bremer. Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/6/2004
• Al-Ahram: Blair: Arafat as elected leader of Palestinians can never be denied
  The British ambassador to Egypt Derek Plumbly asserted that his country respects Palestinian President Yasser Arafat being the democratically elected one. Arafat's role in the peace process can never be denied. Hence, Britain is always keen on keeping contact channels open with him. Egypt-UK, Politics, 1/6/2004
• Qurei' no nearby visit to Suleiman to Ramullah, two Palestinian killed, 11 wounded in the West bank
  The Palestinian prime minister Ahmad Qurei' denied that he knows about a nearby visit by the Egyptian intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Omar Suleiman to Ramullah, whereas two Palestinians were killed one by the Israeli bullets, and the second was crashed by the car of one Israeli settler. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/6/2004
• Mousa: the next summit to discuss AL reforms Regional, Politics, 1/6/2004
• Moroccan minister holds talks with King Fahd,, saudi officials Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Politics, 1/6/2004
• Arab talk of easing inter-Arab visa requirements Regional, Politics, 1/6/2004
• Mubarak receives US senator William Nelson Egypt-USA, Politics, 1/6/2004
• Moroccan premier holds talks with US Senator Morocco-USA, Politics, 1/6/2004
• Bush renews sanctions on Libya Libya-USA, Politics, 1/6/2004
• Dialogue seminar calls for study extremism in Saudi Arabia
  In conclusion of its meetings in Mecca, the Saudi "national dialogue seminar" called for a deep study for the phenomenon of extremism in the Saudi society. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/5/2004
• Qatar human rights committee starts activities on Monday
  Qatar's committee for human rights starts today its first activity by convening a seminar under the title "human rights between enhancement and protection." Qatar, Politics, 1/5/2004
• First meeting between O'Yahya, Tansiqiyat al-Oroush fails
  The first meeting which included the Algerian prime minister, Ahmad O'Yahya, with the Berber delegation representing, Ransiqiyat al-Oroush, failed yesterday without any worthy results. This is, however, after the two sides failed to reach a solution for the problem of desolving the municipal councils of October 2002. Algeria, Politics, 1/5/2004
• Al-Assad meets with Kharazi
  Talks during the meeting dealt with the latest developments in the region particularly the situation in Iraq and in the occupied Palestinian territories, and touched upon the Syrian initiative submitted to UN Security Council to make the Middle East an area free of mass destruction weapons. Syria-Iran, Politics, 1/5/2004
• Arab Charter of Human Rights - extraordinary meeting
  The Arab Standing Committee of Human Rights (ASCHR) began its 3rd extraordinary meeting at the Cairo-based Arab League ( AL ) Sunday with the participation of delegations from all Arab states and a representative of the UN Higher Commission of Human Rights along with envoys from 18 Arab relevant organizations. Regional, Politics, 1/5/2004
• Mubarak, King Mohammed co-chair higher joint committee saturday
  The Higher Joint Egyptian-Moroccan Committee will meet on Saturday under the co- chairmanship of President Hosni Mubarak and King Mohammed VI of Morocco. The two sides will examine during the meeting setting up three projects and a joint bank. Egypt-Morocco, Politics, 1/5/2004
• Prodi invites Qathafi to Brussels; Libya: our measure are unappreciated by the USA
  Libya yesterday renewed its confirmation that there is no justification for the continued American sanctions against it, and considered that it had taken numerous measures that are worthy of appreciation conducive to improve its relations with the USA. It added that lifting the sanctions "will be in the interest of the American companies." Libya-USA, Politics, 1/5/2004
• Kuwait identifies the remains of 61 of its prisoners in Iraq
  Kuwaiti government sources said that the identity of 61 Kuwaiti prisoners was defined, whose remains were found in mass graves in Iraq, after they were detained during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 1/5/2004
• Libya denies opening its lands for American and British forces
  Son of the Libyan leader disclosed a Libyan, British and American agreement to training Libyan military personnel, but denied that this agreement means the establishment of military bases on the Libyan territories. Libya-USA, Politics, 1/5/2004
• Bin Laden warns against a religious war to control the Gulf region
  The leader of al-Qaida organization, Osama Bin Laden, said that Iraq's occupation is part of an economic and religious war launched by the west to control the Gulf states. Regional, Politics, 1/5/2004
• Two Iraqis killed, Jordanian wounded in vague incident; Blair in al-Basra: Islamic extremism is a virus
  In his speech before his British forces in al-Basra, the British prime minister Tony Blair accused what he called the "virus of the Islamic extremism" of threatening international security. Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 1/5/2004
• Syrian Citizens of Golan challenge Israel's expansion decision Syria-Israel, Politics, 1/5/2004
• Iranian call to reestablish relations with Egypt Egypt-Iran, Politics, 1/5/2004
• Moussa criticizes the Israeli decision on the Golan Regional-Syria, Politics, 1/5/2004
• Kuwaiti FM: We're indebted to Egypt, not the contrary Kuwait-Egypt, Politics, 1/5/2004
• British House of common chairman in Damascus Syria-UK, Politics, 1/5/2004

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