Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 5/3/2004
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of May 3, 2004
- Syria releases nine university students
The Syrian authorities have released nine out of the 11 students who were detained on April 24 in Damascus. Syria, Politics, 5/7/2004 - Europe condemns execution sentences in the AIDS case in Libya: Six Bulgarians, one Palestinian
The Bulgarian government strongly condemned the sentence of the court of cassation in Benghazi in Libya to execute one doctor and five female nurses from Bulgaria and one Palestinian doctor over being condemned of transferring deliberately the HIV Virus which causes AIDS to Libyan children. Libya-European Union, Politics, 5/7/2004 - Bush makes assurances to King Abdullah over the peace process
The Jordanian King Abdullah II made talks in Washington with the US President George W. Bush in an attempt to get assurances concerning final settlement issues for the Palestinian question, especially the rights of more than 1.7 million Palestinian refugees with the majority of them live in Jordan since 1948. Jordan-USA, Politics, 5/7/2004 - Sudan criticizes Washington's record in human rights field
Sudan has replied strongly yesterday to the US, when it attacked its human rights record because of its abuse of the Iraqi prisoners. This, however, came after Washington condemned it earlier because of what it had described the Sudanese government commitment of crimes against the Sudanese people. Sudan-USA, Politics, 5/7/2004 - Human rights council hands 1st report to King Mohammed
Morocco's King Mohammed VI received Thursday, the chairman of the Consultative Council of Human Rights (CCDH), Omar Azziman, who submitted to the monarch the 2003 report on the situation of human rights in Morocco. Morocco, Politics, 5/7/2004 - Syria's interventions at Dublin's meeting by al-Shara
The European - Mediterranean Countries Association Foreign Ministers held in Dublin on Thursday a final session with the participation of Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara. Syria-European Union, Politics, 5/7/2004 - Arab foreign ministers start preparations for the postponed summit
The Arab foreign ministers will meet in Cairo tomorrow ( Saturday) to discuss final preparations for the long waited Arab summit. Regional, Politics, 5/7/2004 - Al-Ibraheimi arrives in Baghdad
The UN special envoy to Iraq, al-Akhader al-Ibraheimi, arrived in Baghdad yesterday to continue his consultations to form a provisional government that will assume the authority on June 30. Iraq-UN, Politics, 5/7/2004 - Al-Qaida proposes rewarding assassination of Bremer, Annan
In a statement alleged to be attributed for al-Qaida, the leader of al-Qaida organization Osama Bin Laden proposed a reward for the one who kills the American administrator in Iraq Paul Bremer and the UN secretary general Kofi Annan. Regional-USA, Politics, 5/7/2004 - King and Queen of Malaysia Arrives in Damascus Syria-Malaysia, Politics, 5/7/2004
- Syrian PA's foreign affairs committee meets with US- Arab anti discrimination committee Syria-USA, Politics, 5/7/2004
- Syria, Iceland establish Diplomatic relations Syria-Iceland, Politics, 5/7/2004
- Morocco supports Sahara solution respectful of its fundamental bases, Minister Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/7/2004
- Yemeni- Saudi border committee missions almost completed Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/6/2004
- Mubarak calls for honoring the Iraqis: The summit will set a strategy for reforms
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak yesterday called for "full guarantee of human rights in Iraq " and the return of " sovereignty and dignity" to the Iraqis in the date set on June 30. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/6/2004 - Al-Assad confers with Sudanese delegation, a message from al-Bashir Syria-Sudan, Politics, 5/6/2004
- Powell: the Jordanian king will get the guarantees Jordan-USA, Politics, 5/6/2004
- Clashes re-erupted in Darfour
Sudanese security and military sources said that fighting erupted between the government forces and the rebels in Darfour district ( West Sudan) despite signing a cease- fire agreement in April, while a delegation representing the Arab League started a visit to the district to evaluate humanitarian needs. Sudan, Politics, 5/6/2004 - Dutch and German flexibility, the complex is with Britain, Partnership with Syria to be discussed on May 17
The issue of Syria's joining the list of countries which signed the Association Agreement AA with the European Union came back to the front of Inter- European discussions during the meeting of the foreign ministers council to be held on May 17 in Brussels. Syria-European Union, Politics, 5/6/2004 - GCC, Morocco to create FTZ
Moroccan foreign affairs minister, Mohamed Benaissa, said the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has approved Morocco's request to create a Free Trade Zone between the two sides. Morocco-Gulf, Politics, 5/6/2004 - Mofaz refrains talking about prisoners exchange Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/6/2004
- Syria bans four Israeli ship and 9 companies
Syria has banned anchoring four ships from Greece, Denmark and Malta in its ports because of their dealing with the Israeli ports, and listed names of nine Israeli companies on the boycotting list, according to a statement by the Syrian ministry of the economy. Syria-Israel, Politics, 5/6/2004 - Ethiopian Ambassador: Egyptian-Ethiopian relations strong
The Ethiopian Ambassador in Cairo Abdi Doulal Mohamed asserted the depth of relations between Egypt and Ethiopia, noting that those ties have recently witnessed a steady development. Egypt-Ethiopia, Politics, 5/6/2004 - Restructuring religious realm to guarantee development in healthy conditions, minister
The restructuring of the religious field is a global philosophy aiming at securing spiritual stability and achieving development in healthy conditions said Wednesday Moroccan minister of Habous and Islamic affairs, Toufiq Hjira. Morocco, Politics, 5/6/2004 - Bush deplores acts at Iraq prison, demands investigation
US President George W. Bush expressed his disgust with the reported practices in Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad and said that he has demanded a complete investigation into all allegations of improper conduct on the part of U.S. forces in Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/6/2004 - Powell: I assure President Mubarak, Arab peoples situation in Iraq will improve after authority transfer
US Secretary of State Colin Powell said he is shocked at the violence and abuses committed by some American soldiers against the prisoners of Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/6/2004 - A demonstration in Baqouba over changing the flag
Scores of Iraqis demonstrated yesterday over changing the Iraqi flag in Baqouba and they fired bullets in air. Iraq, Politics, 5/6/2004 - Israeli planes bombard south Lebanon
News reports in Lebanon said that the Israeli military planes bombarded three positions in south Lebanon in Zibqin town in Tyre's district in Shahin area and Beit Leif valley. All these area are situated outside Shebaa farms which are occupied by Israel. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/6/2004 - Egypt welcomes quartet meeting reiteration of Palestinian-Israeli borders
A spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency welcomed on Wednesday the statement issued by the Quartet in New York on Tuesday. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 5/6/2004 - Palestinian legislative council recommends the resignation of Monetary authority chief
Following a voting yesterday, the Palestinian legislative council recommended the resignation of the chairman of the monetary authority ( the central bank ) Amin Haddad, criticizing his way in dealing with a stumbled private bank issue that falls under the control of the monetary authority in 1999, but Haddad said he does not intent to resign. Palestine, Politics, 5/6/2004 - Shaaban meets with American anti- discrimination committee
Expatriates Minister Buthaina Shaaban on Wednesday conferred with a delegation of Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee in USA on means of enhancing activities between Arab associations in America and women organizations in Syria and Arab world. Syria-USA, Politics, 5/6/2004 - Qatar's FM asks Washington to stay in Iraq
The foreign minister of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jabber al-Thani on Monday asked the US to abide by staying in Iraq until stability is restored. He also urged the administration of the US President George W. Bush to permit former members of the Baath party to take part in running the affairs of the country. Qatar-USA, Politics, 5/5/2004 - International and Arab human rights organizations Sit-in in Beirut
Officials representing different international and Arab Human Organizations held in Beirut on Tuesday a sit-in in front of the "UN Economic and Social Committee of West Asia" ( ESCWA), protesting the brutal torture practices of the US - British occupying troops in Iraq. Regional-USA, Politics, 5/5/2004 - Bush refused to give King Abdullah guarantees to compensate the Palestinians
Officials in the US administration said that the American President George Bush refused during this week a request proposed by the King of Jordan Abdullah II, with whom he will be meeting tomorrow, over issuing a written document to offer compensations for the Palestinians expelled form their houses and lands in case a peace agreement is signed between the Palestinians and Israel. Jordan-USA, Politics, 5/5/2004 - Al-Ateyah rules out sending Gulf forces to Iraq
The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ruled out sending forces to Iraq by the GCC. Gulf-Iraq, Politics, 5/5/2004 - GCC states sign a terrorism fighting agreement
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states in Kuwait yesterday signed a security agreement for fighting terrorism. It is the first agreement of its kind calling for the exchange of information in the field of intelligence and vowed to escalate the battle against the growing threats. Gulf, Politics, 5/5/2004 - Moussa is pleased over the summit, rejects American reforms
The secretary general of the Arab League Amr Moussa said yesterday that he is satisfied over the possibility of the success of the Arab summit due in Tunisia on May 22 and 23, initially. But he expressed, in conclusion of his visit to Algeria, his rejection to any form of prescribed reforms from outside the Arab states. Regional, Politics, 5/5/2004 - Family code practical guide to allow good implementation of law
The practical guide draft submitted on Saturday by chairman of the drafting committee, M'Hamed Boucetta, to King Mohammed VI who approved it, was drafted in accordance with the royal instructions issued last October 10 and with the royal letter sent to the justice minister, and it is designed to ensure a good implementation of the new family code. Morocco, Politics, 5/5/2004 - Only a political settlement can solve Sahara Issue, experts
Only a political settlement is likely to solve the thorny issue of the Sahara, stressed international experts who met Monday evening in New York to discuss this subject and Algeria's role in this dispute. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/5/2004 - China rejects linking islam to terrorism
China stressed rejection to attribute terrorism to Islam, calling for drawing a clear distinction between the faith and the terrorism practiced by very few people who inflict harm upon the whole international community. Regional-China, Politics, 5/5/2004 - Lteif assumes the leadership of al-Falluja contingent, Saleh commends Marines' cooperation
The so-called Al-Mahdi Army yesterday threatened every and each American military barrier between al-Najaf and al-Koufa at a time when lt. Gen Muhammad Lteif assumed the leadership of al-Falluja contingent where many of his soldiers were deployed, while Lt. Gen. Muhammad Jasem Saleh commended cooperation of the Marines forces in implementing the cease fire agreement in the city. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/5/2004 - Sudan gets a seat at the human rights international committee
Sudan secured getting a seat in the UN human rights committee amid criticism from certain human rights committees. Sudan-UN, Politics, 5/5/2004 - Nearby agreement to release al-Qintar
Israeli media sources expected a nearby agreement between Israel and Hizbullah to release the Lebanese prisoner Samir al-Qintar for getting information concerning the Israeli pilot Ron Arad who is considered by Tel Aviv as missing since the downing of his plane in 1986. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/5/2004 - American army admits deaths, some because of torture in its detention centers Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/5/2004
- Armeitaj: Syria's accountability law will be enforced during this month Syria-USA, Politics, 5/5/2004
- Sans Frontiers Correspondents report on the freedom of the press, worrying violations in Lebanon.. Arab setbacks
In its annual report for 2003, the "Sans Frontier correspondents " organization said that the Middle East and North Africa recorded as the worst in the field of the freedom of the press. Regional, Politics, 5/4/2004 - Arab Organization for Human Rights deplores abuse of Iraqi prisoners under occupation
The Arab Organization for Human Rights condemned the American torture of the Iraqi people considering it as flagrant violation of the basic human rights. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 5/4/2004 - Information Minister: information is the mirror for reflecting facts
Syria's Information Minister Ahmad al-Hassan on Sunday said " information is the mirror that reflects facts and eliminates illusions." In a lecture at the international exhibition of Rashid Karami, al-Hassan indicated that the Arab geography and history are threatened underlining the important role of the Arab information to make our voice reach the world. Syria, Politics, 5/4/2004 - Gulf states sign today a terrorism fighting agreement
The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC), Abdul Rahman al-Ateyah, said that the GCC six member states will sign today in Kuwait an agreement on fighting terrorism and described this agreement as the most important " agreements since the founding of the council." Gulf, Politics, 5/4/2004 - Tlass retires on May 11
The Syrian defense minister lt. gen. Mustafa Tlass will be 72 on May 11, when he is expected he will be announced as retired as an army officer but will continue to keep his post in the Baath party as a leading figure. Syria, Politics, 5/4/2004 - Zogby criticizes depicting Arabs as anti- Semitic
Chairman of the Arab-American Institute in Washington James Zogby criticized depicting Arabs as anti-Semitic while ignoring the Zionist practices against Arabs and Muslims. Regional-USA, Politics, 5/4/2004 - Maher called on Palestinians and Israelis to return to the negotiation table
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher on Monday said any Israeli withdrawal, or any removal of the settlements from the occupied lands should come in a framework of the Israeli complete withdrawal from all occupied Arab lands. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 5/4/2004 - Al-Baja Jee, the new flag is not an Arab
Member of the governing Interim council in Iraq Adnan al-Baja Jee said he dislikes the new Iraqi flag because it is not "an Arab, enough." Iraq, Politics, 5/4/2004 - Arab League highlights EU new enlargement
The Arab League depicted as a historical event the expansion of the European Union to include an additional 10 states. Regional-European Union, Politics, 5/4/2004 - Darfour tribes refuse al-Bashir call to convening a peace conference
Tribes leaders in Darfour district expressed their opposition for the security treatment of the problem, the Sudanese government was persistent to pursue for a time. They also expressed their opposition for the pan conference for peace, development and coexistence in Darfour, called upon by the Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. Sudan, Politics, 5/4/2004 - Anglican Churches deplore American and Israeli occupations
The Anglican Churches in the Middle East condemned practices of the American occupation troops against Iraqi citizens and their human right violations there. Regional, Politics, 5/4/2004 - Egypt: Judiciary refuses the foundation of the Egyptian- Israeli friendship society
The higher administrative court in Egypt yesterday approved simultaneously a sentence rejecting the foundation of the Egyptian- Israeli friendship society. The society which had started foundation efforts since almost two years. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 5/4/2004 - Baghdad accepts human rights minister resignation Iraq, Politics, 5/4/2004
- Al-Shara confers with Nasri Khouri Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 5/4/2004
- Lahoud confers with Italian parliament speaker on developments Lebanon-Italy, Politics, 5/4/2004
- Federation of Arab Journalists condemned violations of press freedom Regional, Politics, 5/3/2004
- Al-Assad extensive interview to the Qatari TV Al-Jazeera
On the very hot situation in Palestine where the Israeli prime minister has got promises from Washington and a current threat to harm Chairman Arafat and the assassination of Hamas leaders, The president indicated that there is an on going campaign of assassination where there is no difference except in time between the assassination of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, Dr. Rantisi and the massacres of Sabra and Shatila and other massacres committed in 1948 and prior to that date. Syria-Regional, Politics, 5/3/2004 - Algeria's leader keen to improve relations with Morocco Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 5/3/2004
- People's Assembly members submit tell-abouts on photos of Iraqi prisoners Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 5/3/2004
- Yemeni officials involved in torture, killing crimes
Yemeni governmental sources admitted that security officials tortured detainees in prisons to death, besides having committed crimes of corruption. Yemen, Politics, 5/3/2004 - Legal organization accuses Tunisia of harassing press freedom
The Tunisian human rights league has stressed that the authorities in Tunisia expanded the harassment campaign against the local mass media and that it mistreats journalists, jail them and censor news reports. Tunisia, Politics, 5/3/2004 - Syrian authorities expect criminality on al-Mezze incident
Investigations underway by the Syrian authorities on al-Mezze incident are inclined to the "criminal " element in the operation which attracted attention to Syria as being a "new" target for international terrorism. Syria, Politics, 5/3/2004 - Truce in southern Sudan extended; international warning of deteriorated humanitarian condition in Darfour
The world Food program WFP has warned against the escalation of humanitarian sufferings in Darfour, to the west of Sudan, if urgent measures are not taken immediately to improve and facilitate the arrivals of relief aid to citizens. Sudan, Politics, 5/3/2004 - Damascus criticizes Washington's doubts of al-Mezze incidents
The Syrian minister of expatriates Butheina Shaaban strongly criticized the doubts raised by two members of the US Congress in the attack which took place last Tuesday in Damascus as the two men described it as a play fabricated by the Syrian regime to win the world sympathy and alleviate the American pressures. Syria-USA, Politics, 5/3/2004 - Otari confers with Jordanian minister on bilateral co-operation
Syria's Prime Minister Naji Otari on Sunday received Jordanian Public Works, Housing and Transportation Minister Raed Abu al-Saud. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 5/3/2004 - Egypt, Sudan work to achieve food security in coming ten years
Sudanese Minister of Agriculture Magzoub al-Klalifa, who leads Sudan's delegation to the Egyptian-Sudanese Joint Higher Committee, highlighted necessity to enhance cooperation and integration between the two countries. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 5/3/2004 - Arab- Japanese dialogue forum opened in Doha, marking al-Jazeera TV inauguration of Tokyo's office
The Arab-Japanese dialogue forum which is organized by al- Jazeera TV in collaboration with Japan was held in Doha on the occasion of inaugurating al-Jazeera office in Tokyo. The forum aims at getting the Arab media onto the perspective of the Far East and getting closer to it. Regional-Japan, Politics, 5/3/2004 - Al-Shara welcomes EU enlargement
Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Sunday welcomed the joining of new countries to the European Union, referring to the historical ties between Syria and these countries. Syria-European Union, Politics, 5/3/2004