Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 5/31/2004
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of May 31, 2004
- Khartoum, SPLM sign Nairobi peace Declaration
The Sudanese government and the southern rebels, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), signed on Saturday Nairobi Declaration on the final round of talks aimed at ending 21 years of civil war.The two sides also signed six peace protocols. Sudan, Politics, 6/5/2004 - Doha declaration calls for constitutional monarchies in the Arab states
Participants in a conference in Qatar on democracy and reforms in the Arab world have recommend that the Arab royal regimes to be converted into constitutional monarchies in which a separation is made between the royal hierarchy and executive authority. Regional, Politics, 6/5/2004 - Egyptian society warns against the assassination of the civil state
The Egyptian society in charge of legal support for the Egyptian human rights yesterday warned against the al- Salafeyah group possible assassination of researcher Ahmad Ismael after attacking him by beating and accusing him as a " non believer." Egypt, Politics, 6/5/2004 - My Judaism is questioned, as long as Palestinians are deprived of basic rights' King advisor
Andre Azoulay, advisor of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, asserted, in Fez Tuesday, "it is the Judaism I learnt in Morocco that I identify with (É) and as long as the Palestinians are denied their most basic rights, an essential part of my Judaism is questioned." Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 6/5/2004 - Ministers council chaired by king passes law project on audio-visual reform
The Minister's Council chaired Thursday, by King Mohammed VI of Morocco, approved a law project on audio-visual communication that is part of the reforms process initiated by the monarch. Morocco, Politics, 6/5/2004 - Weapons confiscated in Turkey are for Egypt
The Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul announced that the Egyptian authorities stressed that the weapons shipment discovered on the board of a ship in Istanbul on Thursday is owned by Egypt. Egypt-Turkey, Politics, 6/5/2004 - Sudan renews accepting sending aid to Darfour
Chairman of the UN office for coordinating humanitarian affairs Jan Egg-land announced that the Sudanese government has coordinated its pledge to permit sending aid to Darfour district during talks that took place yesterday in Geneva in the presence of groups representing the rebels and representatives for the European Union, the US and the African federation. Sudan, Politics, 6/5/2004 - Saudi al-Ifta committee calls for cooperation in fighting terrorism; Saudi police exchanges fire with gunmen in Jeddah
Security sources said that Saudi Arabia's police exchanged fire with gunmen suspected to be extremists Islamists today early morning in Jeddah city which overlooks the Red Sea and that the police are still chasing several cars trying to cordon them. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/5/2004 - An amended US- British draft resolution, a truce in al-Najaf
A spokesman for the US Department Of State said that the US will submit the new, and third, formula of an amended draft resolution on Iraq, but without defining a date for proposing it to voting at the UN Security Council. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/5/2004 - Palestinian-Israeli conflict: Morocco urges UN to support Roadmap
Moroccan state minister, Abbas El Fassi, exhorted in New York on Wednesday the United Nations to support the Roadmap to peace and put an end to Israeli practices in the occupied Palestinian territories. Palestine-Morocco, Politics, 6/5/2004 - Elyawer makes assurances on crown Abdullah's good health Iraq-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/5/2004
- Turkish Businessmen for enhancing Turkish-Arab trade Relations Regional-Turkey, Politics, 6/5/2004
- Spain's King supports Syria's efforts to modernization
King Juan Carlos of Spain on Tuesday evening reiterated Madrid's boosting Syria's efforts of modernization and development and thanked Damascus for solidarity against terror threats. Syria-Spain, Politics, 6/3/2004 - Al-Assad lauds Spain's position on Mideast conflict
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday evening expressed appreciation of Spain's impartial stances over the Mideast East conflict hoping to relaunch the peace process and lauding Madrid's support to EU-Syria association agreement. Syria-Spain, Politics, 6/3/2004 - Al-Ahram: Moussa: Success or failure of Tunis Summit contingent on implementing resolutions
In an exclusive interview with Al-Ahram daily, Secretary General of the Arab League (AL) Amr Moussa said the summit issued important resolutions with respect to the Palestinian cause that called for adopting an obvious political stance so as to refuse any promises given to Israel at the expense of the Arab rights. Regional, Politics, 6/3/2004 - Khartoum, Darfour rebellions exchange accusations over violating the truce
The al-Adala and al-Musawat ( Justice and equity) movement accused the Sudanese forces of bombarding Darfour west area, to the west of Sudan and killing 24 persons, with all of them being civilians. Sudan, Politics, 6/3/2004 - King voices 'acting' support to new Iraqi leader
King Mohammed VI of Morocco has voiced the kingdom's "acting and constant" support to the new Iraqi leader, and resolve to usher in a "new era" the two countries' relations. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 6/3/2004 - Bush likens war on terror to World War Two, Cold War
US President George W. Bush described the global war on terror as a struggle between freedom and tyranny similar to the struggles of World War Two and the Cold War. Regional-USA, Politics, 6/3/2004 - AL approves Egypt's proposal on follow-up summit economic resolutions
The Arab Economy Unity Council approved Wednesday an Egyptian proposal to introduce a mechanism to follow up the implementation of the Tunis Arab Summit resolutions on economic aspects, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Fayza Abul Naga said. Regional, Politics, 6/3/2004 - United States, United Kingdom Revise Iraq Draft Resolution
The United States and the United Kingdom have presented amendments to their draft U.N. Security Council resolution on the restoration of Iraqi sovereignty in an effort to refine the role of the multinational force (MNF), including setting a time limit to its mandate. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/3/2004 - Four Iraqis are killed in an explosion in Baghdad; al-Ibraheimi: the Interim government represents most of the Iraqis
The UN secretary general envoy for Iraq al-Akhdar al-Ibrahimi said that the formation of the Iraqi Interim government represents a vast strata of the Iraqis, noting that those who are not represented in the government will be represented in the national congress which will be formed shortly. Iraq, Politics, 6/3/2004 - Three members of the security forces killed in southern east Algeria
Three members of the Algerian security forces were killed and other 11 injured in an ambush implanted by one armored group in a mountainous area in al-Auras, southern east of the capital. Algeria, Politics, 6/3/2004 - Paper editor gets 6 months in jail for defamation
The Rabat court of first instance on Tuesday condemned Anas Tadili, editor of the Arab-speaking weekly "Akhbar Al Ousboua" to six months in jail and a fine of 5,000 Dhs (US $555) for defamation against a member of the government. Morocco, Politics, 6/2/2004 - Spain's Foreign Minister highlights relations with Syria
" Syria is an important country in the Middle East. She is the key country for solving all causes pertaining to security and stability in this significant region." Spain's Foreign Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos said Tuesday. Syria-Spain, Politics, 6/2/2004 - Al-Assad in a two day eventful visit to Spain
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and Mrs. Asma al-Assad arrived Monday in Spain in a two-day official visit. They were welcomed at Madrid airport by the Spanish foreign minister Miguel Moratinos, the commander of the Spanish armed forces, the assistant for the Spanish King, the Syrian ambassador in Madrid and Arab ambassador accredited to Spain. Syria-Spain, Politics, 6/2/2004 - Head of Iraqi Governing Council to serve as interim president - UN envoy
United Nations Special Adviser Lakhdar Brahimi announced yesterday that Sheikh Ghazi Al-Yawar, the current head of Iraq's Governing Council, will be President of the interim government that will take over from the United States-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) at the end of the month. Iraq, Politics, 6/2/2004 - Bush Welcomes Newly Formed Iraqi Interim Government
US President George W. Bush said the naming of Iraq's new interim government brings Iraqis one step closer to realizing their dream of "a fully sovereign nation with a representative government that protects their rights and serves their needs." Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/2/2004 - Announcement of new Iraqi Government marks new start, Annan says
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan yesterday hailed the announcement of Iraq's interim government as "a new beginning," while calling for continued vigilance about the country's security situation. Iraq-UN, Politics, 6/2/2004 - France's position in Sahara issue did not, will not change, FM
French foreign minister, Michel Barnier, who is on a two-day official visit to Morocco, affirmed Monday that France's position concerning the Sahara question did not and will not change. Morocco-France, Politics, 6/2/2004 - Scores killed in clashes to the west of Somalia
Some 31 persons were killed at least and other 40 wounded in clashes erupted yesterday at dawn between warring somali factions in Bulaharo city to the north of Somalia, adjoining the borders with Kenya. Somalia, Politics, 6/2/2004 - UN agency condemns Israeli tank fire on Palestinian school in Gaza Strip
Calling it a "violation of the sanctity" of schools, the main United Nations relief agency helping Palestinian refugees today condemned "in the strongest possible terms" Israeli tank fire that hit a school in Rafah in the Gaza Strip, wounding two 10-year-old boys. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/2/2004 - Morocco aspires to become export platform toward Europe, Arab states and Africa, official
Morocco is aspiring to become an export platform toward European, Arab and African markets, said Moroccan finance and privatization minister, Fathallah Oualalou, explaining that Morocco has opted for an open strategy based on gradual liberalization of its foreign trade and the conclusion of free trade agreements to diversify its outlets. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 6/2/2004 - Maher, Moussa discuss Arab Summit resolutions Egypt-Regional, Politics, 6/2/2004
- Al-Shara and Moratinos meeting Syria-Spain, Politics, 6/2/2004
- Moroccan FM optimistic about future of relations with Algiers
The Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister has voiced optimism as to the future of relations between Morocco and Algeria which, according to Algerian diplomatic sources, have expressed strong will to normalize their ties. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/1/2004 - French FM calls for dialogue between Rabat and Algiers over Sahara dispute
Visiting French foreign affairs Minister, Michel Barnier, on Monday called for a dialogue between Morocco and Algeria to try to find a solution to the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, known as Western Sahara. Maghreb-France, Politics, 6/1/2004 - King resolved to carry on modernization efforts, French FM
Visiting French foreign affairs minister, Michel Barnier, stressed in Agadir Monday King Mohammed VI's resolve to carry on the "reform and modernization process" in the Kingdom. Morocco-France, Politics, 6/1/2004 - Madrid 'really keen' to overcome past problems with Rabat, Speaker
The Spanish Government is "really keen" to overcome difficulties and past problems with Morocco, assured the Speaker of the House of deputies (Spanish Parliament). Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/1/2004 - Nasrullah accuses the American embassy of being involved in the acts of riots
The secretary general of the Lebanese Hizbullah party, Hassan Nasrullah, accused a group of persons linked to the American embassy in Beirut in trying to transfer the acts of riots which took place in the southern suburb of Beirut to other parts of Lebanon. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 6/1/2004 - American pressures to appoint al-Baja Je a President for Iraq
Member of the Iraqi Interim governing council Mahmoud Othman announced that Sheikh Ghazi Ijeil Elawer is the most likely to win the post of the Iraqi republic Presidency in order to run the affairs of the country after the authority will be handed over to the Iraqis on June 30. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/1/2004 - Seven Palestinians were injured, Sharon postpones voting on his plan
The plan advocated by the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon to withdraw from Gaza unilaterally witnessed a heated debate in Israel. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/1/2004 - Mubarak: Gaza is the beginning of withdrawal from Palestinian territories
Palestinians and Israelis have agreed on Egypt's plan on halting violence, assassinations and resumption of the peace process. President Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon yesterday discussed the Israeli plan for withdrawal from the occupied lands in Gaza strip under the road map peace plan. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 6/1/2004 - Mubarak calls UAE's Sheikh Zayed on Arab Summit outcome Egypt-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 6/1/2004