Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 4/26/2004
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of April 26, 2004
- Consolidating human rights culture, suitable means to fight terrorism, diplomat
Safeguarding democratic values and consolidating human rights culture, constitute " the only suitable means" to shield Morocco against extremism and terrorism, said, in Mexico Thursday, a high-ranking Moroccan diplomat. Morocco, Politics, 5/1/2004 - King announces new strategy to shield Morocco against terrorism
Morocco's King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Friday announced a three-part plan designed to overhaul and revamp the domain of religious affairs in order to "shield Morocco against the perils of extremism and terrorism." Morocco, Politics, 5/1/2004 - Bahrain detains signatures of a petition to constitutional amendments
The Bahraini authorities detained some 16 persons in a breaking in operation of centers for collecting signatures for the constitutional petition in various areas of Bahrain. Bahrain, Politics, 5/1/2004 - King appoints members of Higher Council of scholars
Morocco's King Mohammed VI of Morocco chaired in Casablanca Friday the ceremony of appointment of the members of the Higher Council and of the chairmen of the local Councils of Ulemas (scholars), including, for the first time, a woman. Morocco, Politics, 5/1/2004 - large scale condemnation for the American campaign against al-Jazeera TV, Qatar denies pressures
Qatar's first deputy prime minister of the foreign minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jaber al-Thani denied pressures to be practiced on his country over al-Jazeera satellite tv channel. Qatar-USA, Politics, 5/1/2004 - Khartoum admits violations in Darfour, accuses Garang
The Sudanese government admitted that its forces made certain violations in Darfour during the fighting with the rebels. Sudan, Politics, 5/1/2004 - Washington towards imposing sanctions against Syria
The US has announced it might declare shortly imposing sanctions on Syria, according to a decision approved with the aim to punish Damascus, which Washington accuses of supporting terrorism. Syria-USA, Politics, 5/1/2004 - British writers criticizes Blair policy in Iraq
British Writer Patrick Seale underlined that the American President, Israeli Prime Minister and British Prime Minister legalized what they call "terrorism" through their latest statements on the region and their practices in Iraq and in Palestine. Iraq-UK, Politics, 5/1/2004 - Falluja people welcomes security mission by former Lt
Hundreds of citizens of the people of Falluja welcomed yesterday ( Friday) the Lt. Gen. in the former Iraqi army, Muhammad Jasem Saleh al-Muhammadi, who entered the devastated city to the west of Baghdad to assume the leadership of a security force to replace the American forces which are redeploying. Iraq, Politics, 5/1/2004 - Poland for boosting trade, economic relations with Syria
Poland's Ambassador to Syria, Jacek Chodorowicz, on Friday described relations between Syria and his country as good especially in the economic, cultural and social domains. Syria-Poland, Politics, 5/1/2004 - Arab League deplores American torturing of Iraqi prisoners Regional-USA, Politics, 5/1/2004
- Syrian- Lebanese cooperation relations stressed to face challenges Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 5/1/2004
- Jordanian march led by Queen Rania to deplore terrorism
Some 40,000 Jordanians took part in an "official" demonstration led by Queen Rania al-Abdullah, wife of the Jordanian King Abdullah II to deplore an unprecedented attack the Jordanian authorities said a group of al-Qaida was intending to execute in Amman. Jordan, Politics, 4/30/2004 - Commission on defamation of political figures to act as advisory body, Minister
The Moroccan minister of communication on Thursday insisted that the new Government commission to probe defamation against past and present political figures, set up by the Prime Minister, will act as an "advisory body" Morocco, Politics, 4/30/2004 - al-Sharq al-Awsat: Minister of Information: recent incidents prove that Syria is also targeted by terrorists
Syria's Minister of Information Ahmad al-Hasan said that the terrorist attack that took place in Damascus two-days before has proved that Syria, like others, is facing terrorist acts. Syria, Politics, 4/30/2004 - Sudan: members in the ruling party called for the separation of the north from the south
A group of Sudanese politicians including members in the ruling national congress party in Sudan called for the separation of northern Sudan from its south, considering that the north had suffered much because of unity. Sudan, Politics, 4/30/2004 - Syria holds Islamists responsible for Damascus explosions
Syria said that what it had described as extremists were behind the recent attacks which took place to the west of the capital Damascus on Tuesday evening. Syria, Politics, 4/30/2004 - Nivasha negotiations were resumed, Europe calls for relieving Darfour
The European commissioner for humanitarian aid, Paul Nelson, urged the conflicting sides in West Darfour provinces in Sudan to permit the access of humanitarian aid to effected people. Sudan-European Union, Politics, 4/30/2004 - Abc: Polisario started to lose support within UN
The Spanish daily Abc wrote Wednesday that the Polisario separatists, which are claiming the independence of the Moroccan Sahara, have begun to lose support within the UN. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/30/2004 - Arab League warns against American escalation in Iraq
The Arab League warned on Thursday against the American escalation in Iraq. In a statement, Assistant Secretary General for the Political affairs Ahmad Ben Heli stressed the necessity for a UN pivotal role in the political process in Iraq as a preliminary step to transfer the sovereignty to the Iraqis. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 4/30/2004 - Marines start today withdrawal from al-Falluja, 12 American soldiers killed
The American occupation forces in Baghdad and its suburbs were exposed in the past hours to strong strikes that resulted in killing 12 soldiers. The strongest of these operations was an attack by a booby trapped car in al-Mahmoudeyah to the south of Baghdad resulted in killing nine soldiers and wounding other 2. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/30/2004 - Washington warns against attacks, and commends efforts of Arab states
In its annual report about terrorism the US Department Of State warned against large scale attacks targeting Americans and other targets in the world. Regional-USA, Politics, 4/30/2004 - King Abdullah, al-Qathafi discuss bilateral relations Jordan-Libya, Politics, 4/30/2004
- Lahoud and peace in the Middle East Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 4/30/2004
- al-Jazeera: Al-Assad: Assassination of Palestinian leaders in Syria, will be an aggression, Iraqi resistance is legitimate
In an interview with the Qatari al-Jazeera TV of which parts were screened yesterday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said that the armed operations against the occupation forces in Iraq is a legitimate resistance because it represents the majority of the Iraqis, warning Israel from assassinating Palestinian groups leaders in Damascus because Syria will deal with it as an aggression on it. Syria-Regional, Politics, 4/29/2004 - Syrian Official Source on Statement on Mezze incident
Syrian Interior Ministry official sources stated to SANA reporter that an armed group consisted of four attackers set off on Tuesday 4/27/2004 an explosive charge under a stationed car in Mezza district in Damascus. Syria, Politics, 4/29/2004 - Normal life returned to Mezze district
Syrian citizens in Mezza district resumed their daily life and the traffic and pedestrians returned as usual in Mezze streets. The specialized authorities on Tuesday sieged the region that was targeted by the terrorist group killing two of them and arresting the others following an exchange of gunfire. Syria, Politics, 4/29/2004 - Tourism Minister: Damascus explosion was an isolated incident
Syria's Tourism Minister Saad al-Allah Agha al-Qalaa on Wednesday said that the terrorist act which broke out yesterday in Damascus was an isolated incident and it has never witnessed such acts in syria for more twenty years, adding the Syrian tourism will not be affected by it. Syria, Politics, 4/29/2004 - Morocco reaffirms readiness to negotiate autonomy status of Moroccan sahara inhabitants
Morocco has reaffirmed sincere and complete readiness to negotiate a status of viable, credible and final autonomy of all inhabitants of the Moroccan Sahara, the ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation said in a release, subsequent to the publication of the UN chief of his report regarding the Sahara. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/29/2004 - Zapatero: spain will help reach a broad agreement over Sahara issue
Spanish premier, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, said in Madrid Tuesday Spain will contribute in constructive ways to reaching a "broad agreement" between all parties of the Sahara issue. Morocco-spain, Politics, 4/29/2004 - One Kuwaiti al-Salafeyah movement Sheikh was brought to judiciary
News reports in Kuwait said that the Kuwaiti authorities brought the former secretary general of the Salafeyah movement in Kuwait Sheikh Hamid al-Ali to the attorney general under the charge of criticizing the Arab leaders and accusing them of giving up Iraq. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 4/29/2004 - Maher: Sharon's statements show no commitment Egypt-Israel, Politics, 4/29/2004
- Ministry creates commission to probe measures against press defamation of political figures
Prime minister, Driss Jettou, has set up a ministerial commission to examine measures to be taken regarding publications' slandering and defamation of political figures, minister of Justice, Mohamed Bouzoubaa, said Tuesday. Morocco, Politics, 4/29/2004 - China backs Arab legitimate rights Regional-China, Politics, 4/29/2004
- Four are killed in an attack Syria linked to chaos in the region, Damascus foiled terrorist operation
Syria yesterday evening was exposed to a "terrorist operation" that resulted in killing four persons, including two of the executors of the operation in al-Mezze area to the west of Damascus. Syria, Politics, 4/28/2004 - Libya asks for chopping it from the American terrorism list
The secretary general of the Libyan people's general committee, Shukri Ghanem, said on Monday that the special laws in Libya will be abrogated quickly, expressing his hope that the US will lift Libya's name from the list of the terrorism supporting countries. Libya-USA, Politics, 4/28/2004 - Moroccan Human Rights Association Welcomes Creation of Equity and Reconciliation Commission
RABAT, Apr.27 (MAP)- The Moroccan human rights association (OMDH) has welcomed the official creation of the equity and reconciliation commission as a project likely to consolidate transition and build a democratic society. Politics, 4/28/2004 - conference with Prodi in Brussels, al-Qathafi stresses his country's looking forward to consolidate world peace
The Libyan leader Muammar al-Qathafi said that his country is determined to play a pioneering role in enhancing world peace. Libya-Belgium, Politics, 4/28/2004 - Powell meets with Qatar's peer, complains against al-Jazeera TV
The US secretary of state Colin Powell yesterday met in Washington with his Qatari counterpart Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jaber al-Thani and complained against al-Jazeera TV in Qatar in that it forms a "nagging " element in the relations between the two countries. Qatar-USA, Politics, 4/28/2004 - Powell: Libya is no longer a terrorism sponsoring country; denies to have thought of resignation over Iraq
The US Secretary of State Colin Powell denied that he had ever thought of resigning from his post because of the invasion of Iraq. He warned that the US will wait for a short period before it will decide on the use of force in Falluja. Libya-USA, Politics, 4/28/2004 - Garang proposes to help in settling the conflict in Darfour
The spokesman for the southern rebels said that the leader of the rebels movement in southern Sudan, John Garang, proposed to give aid in settling the conflict taking place since more than one year in Darfour area to the west of Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 4/28/2004 - Any solution to sahara issue should heed Morocco's territorial unity, party
Any solution to the question of Moroccan southern provinces should necessarily "respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Morocco, the Moroccan Istiqlal party (PI- in government) said. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/28/2004 - The formation of the new Algerian government
The following is the list if the Algerian government formation appointed by the Algerian President on Monday under the chairmanship if Ahmad O Yahya: Algeria, Politics, 4/28/2004 - Arab justice ministers reject terrorism
Arab Justice Ministers and Members of the Executive Bureau of the Arab Justice Ministers Council reiterated on Tuesday rejection and condemnation to all form of terrorism "on the top of which is the Israeli state terrorism against the Palestinian people in the occupied lands." Regional, Politics, 4/28/2004 - Moussa warns against Israeli practices to undermine Palestinian Rights Palestine-Regional, Politics, 4/28/2004
- Sahara issue: senegal supports solution that respects Morocco's territorial unity Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 4/28/2004
- ICRC visits Saddam Hussein Iraq, Politics, 4/28/2004
- Bahrain warns the opposition against demanding constitutional amendments
Bahrain's minister of the Royal court, Sheikh Khaled Bin Ahmad al-Khaliefa, yesterday warned the opposition in his country from violating the law and not to adopt any proposals concerning constitutional amendments. Bahrain, Politics, 4/27/2004 - Al-Qathafi visits Brussels today, meets with senior European officials
Libyan leader col. Mu'ammar al-Qathafi visits today ( Tuesday) the headquarters of the European Union in Brussels in a context of a visit to Belgium which is his first for a western state since 15 years. The visit falls in the course of a speedy normalization of relations with the west. Libya-Belgium, Politics, 4/27/2004 - Sahara is Absolute priority of Moroccan Diplomacy, FM
"The Moroccan diplomacy has always defended and will continue to defend Morocco's territorial unity (Sahara issue) as an absolute priority," asserted Moroccan foreign minister, Mohammed Benaissa. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/27/2004 - Three Arab states ratified the International criminal court
Three Arab countries which are Jordan, Djibouti and Yemen have ratified the constituent of the International Criminal Court, while most of the other Arab countries signed the court's founding agreement, but did not ratify it for different reasons. Regional, Politics, 4/27/2004 - Darfour rebels call for transferring talks from Chad
Sudan's west rebels have called for transferring peace talks with the Sudanese government from Chad because they consider that President Idris Deibi is not a neutral mediator. Sudan, Politics, 4/27/2004 - Renowned Spanish writer favors new policy towards Morocco 'totally opposite' to Aznar's government
Renowned Spanish writer Juan Goytisolo has urged for a new policy towards Morocco that must be "totally opposite" to the one practiced so far by former Spanish Premier Jose Maria Aznar's government, in a article published by French daily "le Monde" in its latest issue. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/27/2004 - Syria - Turkish trade talks in Ankara
The first session of the official talks between Syria and turkey to establish a "Free Trade Zone" between the two countries began on Monday. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 4/27/2004 - Saddam's wife assigns a Jordanian lawyer to defend her husband
The prominent Jordanian lawyer Muhammad Najib al-Rashdan got an official authorization to defend the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein from his wife and Saddam's daughters who fell in the fist of the American occupation forces in December 2003, 8 months after his rule was toppled. Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 4/27/2004 - Al-Shara's Political Review on Regional developments
Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara stressed that the Arab nation has a heritage and strong bases to face the difficult reality and to deal wisely with the current challenges. Syria-Regional, Politics, 4/27/2004 - Islam and the Kurds is the identity of the new Iraqi flag
The Interim governing council in Iraq yesterday ( Monday) decided a new flag for the country instead of the previous one. The new flag is composed of a light blue crescent on a white back and a strip of yellow color with two blue lines at the base. Iraq, Politics, 4/27/2004 - Russian Thinker highlights Syria's pivotal regional role
The Russian thinker and social scientist, Serguei Cara Morza, stressed Syria is an important and pivotal country in the Middle East that seeks to guarantee stability in the region. Syria-Russia, Politics, 4/27/2004 - EU will not recognize changes to 1967 borders
The European Union Foreign Ministers said Monday that they would not recognize any changes to the 1967 borders other than that agreed upon by the parties concerned in the Middle East. Palestine-European Union, Politics, 4/27/2004 - Mubarak, Gathafi discuss arrangements for Arab Summit over phone Egypt-Libya, Politics, 4/27/2004
- Damascus 72nd conference of Boycotting Israel opened
The 72nd conference of the Arab Regional offices of Liaison Officers started deliberations in Damascus on Monday with the participation of 19 Arab states and Commissioner General of the Islamic Office. Regional-Israel, Politics, 4/27/2004 - Mubarak contacts UAE President Egypt-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 4/27/2004
- Lahoud expresses concern over situation in Iraq Lebanon-Iraq, Politics, 4/27/2004
- Tennis: Morocco's Arazi falls down in world ranking Morocco, Politics, 4/27/2004
- Second session of legislative elections started in Comoros
Voting operations for the second session of legislative elections to choose members of the federal council ( parliament) started yesterday in Comoros. Comoros, Politics, 4/26/2004 - Rabat and Madrid resolved to usher a new era of entente and cooperation, communique
Morocco and Spain on Saturday voiced their "political will and their firm determination to usher a new era of entente and bilateral cooperation based on confidence, solidarity and mutual respect." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/26/2004 - Spanish premier promises constructive and positive stance on Sahara issue
Spanish prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, promised here this Saturday that Spain will adopt a positive and constructive stance on Sahara issue. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/26/2004 - Egyptian concern over Washington's policy in Palestine, Iraq; Mubarak welcomes Sharon's plan, criticizes Sharon's guarantees
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak who addressed an " urgent message" to the US President George W. Bush over the threats made by the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon to liquidate the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat expressed the demolishing of the Egyptian confidence in Washington's policy towards Palestine. This was expressed in a speech he had delivered on the occasion of Sinai liberation anniversary. Egypt-USA, Politics, 4/26/2004 - Saleh calls for an immediate withdrawal of the American soldiers from Iraq
The Yemeni President Ali Abdullha Saleh has called for an "immediate" withdrawal of the American soldiers from Iraq and warned the American authorities that it provokes the hatred of Muslim by supporting Israel in the conflict in the Middle East. Yemen-Iraq, Politics, 4/26/2004 - Court of appeal finds al-Jazeera correspondent as not guilty
The court of Appeal in Khartoum found as not guilty the correspondent of al-Jazeera TV in Sudan, Islam Saleh, of the accusation addressed to him according to the customs law, but found him guilty of the second accusation of publishing false news. Sudan-Regional, Politics, 4/26/2004 - Maghreb foreign ministers hold extraordinary session in Libya
An extraordinary session of foreign ministers of the five Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) countries opened in Tripoli this Saturday to examine means to activate the union institutions. Maghreb-Libya, Politics, 4/26/2004 - Sudanese peace agreement is expected within days
The Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Ismael announced that Khartoum is ready to give concessions in the negotiations it carries out with the people's movement for the liberation of Sudan, when these concessions are necessary. This was expressed at a time when the first deputy for the Sudanese President left back for Nivasha in order to resume talks with the leader of the movement John Garang. Sudan, Politics, 4/26/2004 - Turkish parliament speaker highlights relations with Syria
Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc on Saturday appreciated the results of President Bashar al-Assad's recent visit to Turkey and its positive impacts on the Syrian-Turkish relations. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 4/26/2004 - Damascus: Changes in media foundations
The Syrian official news agency SANA said on Saturday that several media and press establishments witnessed a change in the administration and several new directors were appointed to these establishments and many of them were transferred to work at the foreign ministry. Syria, Politics, 4/26/2004 - Howard visits his forces in Baghdad; Occupation forces kill 4 students, Truce observed in Falluja
Eye witnesses said that four Iraqi students were killed by indiscriminate bullets fired by the American occupation forces in al-Qanat street, to the east of Baghdad, following a bomb explosion implanted on the road in an American vehicle yesterday. Iraq-Australia, Politics, 4/26/2004 - Bishara and the American Support to Israel
The Palestinian intellectual Azmi Bishara stressed that American President George W. Bush ended his role in the peace process by adopting the Israeli stance, pointing out that the United States has changed its stance through assuming officially the Israeli position after being Israel's ally. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/26/2004 - British Ambassador in Cairo and ME Peace
The British Ambassador in Cairo Sir Derek Plumbley described the situation of the Middle East peace process as very difficult, particularly following Israel's assassination of Hamas leaders Sheikh Ahmad Yassin and Abdul Aziz Rantissi. Regional-UK, Politics, 4/26/2004 - UAE did not respond to Moussa's request to visit it United Arab Emirates-Regional, Politics, 4/26/2004
- Qurei' holds important talks with Mubarak Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/26/2004
- Procession of the Bulgarian President attacked in Iraq Iraq-Bulgaria, Politics, 4/26/2004