Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 6/14/2004

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of June 14, 2004

• Calls to reconsider discrimination against women in nationality code
  A conference held in Rabat Friday on Morocco's nationality code urged for reconsideration of provisions seen as unjust towards women and their children of foreign fathers. Morocco, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Syria: Draft law to punish the US
  News reports quoted well informed sources as saying that more than half members of the Syrian people's assembly ( parliament) signed a draft law aiming at imposing sanctions on the US in retaliation to the sanctions imposed by Washington on Damascus one month ago. Syria-USA, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Ecuador withdraws recognition of self-proclaimed Sahrawi Republic
  Ecuador has decided to withdraw its recognition of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab democratic Republic (SADR) that it has recognized in 1983, MAP has learnt from the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. Morocco-Ecuador, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Al-Qaida announces the killing of the American hostage in Saudi Arabia
  The kidnappers of the American hostage Paul Marshal Johnson yesterday evening fulfilled their threats and killed their hostage after the end of a grace period they gave to the Saudi Arabian authorities to release detainees from al-Qaida organization. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Al-Qaida leader in Saudi Arabia killed, Washington deplores the execution of Johnson
  Leader of al-Qaida organization in Saudi Arabia, Abdul Aziz al-Muqarran, was killed yesterday evening ( Friday) besides two other members of the organization and another one was injured during confrontations with the Saudi security forces during attempts to dispose of the body of Johnson. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Darfour: thousands of children suffer the war
  The UN World and Food program announced that thousands of the Sudanese children suffer malnutrition in Darfour districts where continued violence and other obstacles cause the delay of the arrival of urgent food supplies for the hungry people. Sudan, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Clark: Mubarak's warning on Iraq came true
  President Hosni Mubarak's expectations that waging war on Iraq would create scores of Al-Qaeda-style terrorist organizations have turned out to be true, said Richard Clark, the terrorism combat department chief during Bill Clinton and George W. Bush's administrations. Egypt-USA, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Morocco lauds return to normal of Rabat-Belgrade ties
  The Moroccan foreign department lauded the "return to normal" of the "old, balanced and friendly" relations binding Morocco and Serbia-Montenegro. Morocco-Serbia-Montenegro, Politics, 6/19/2004
• European Union underlines Syria's pivotal role to making ME peace
  EU Leaders stressed Thursday that the just and comprehensive peace can't be achieved without Syria and Lebanon, saying " peace can be realized through negotiations among concerned parties." Syria-European Union, Politics, 6/19/2004
• King's visit to Gabon: an opportunity to match economic ties with excellent political relations
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI started this Friday a visit to Gabon, with on top of the agenda consolidation of economic ties that remain well below the excellent and privileged political bonds, the considerable potentials in the two African countries, and the aspirations of the two peoples. Morocco-Gabon, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Sudan accuses Eritrea of obstructing peace in the south
  Sudan has accused its neighbor Eritrea yesterday of attempting to undermine an agreement to end the civil war in southern Sudan, and called on the UN Security Council to put an end to what is being carried out by Asmara to this effect. Sudan-Eritrea, Politics, 6/19/2004
• French Foreign minister arrives in Cairo tomorrow
  The French Foreign minister Michael Barnieh will arrive in Cairo tomorrow in his first official visit to Egypt which will be dedicated to discuss the Egyptian role in Gaza in case of an Israeli withdrawal from it. Egypt-France, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Nader criticizes US bias to Israel
  The Independent Candidate for the presidential American elections Ralph Nader on Friday vehemently criticized the American policies towards the Middle East and Washington's full bias to Israel. Regional-USA, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Former member in the Iraqi governing council wanted in a killing case
  Well-informed politicians and lawyers said yesterday that one of Iraq's judges appointed by the US issued a decision provided for detaining Abdul Karim al-Muhammadawi, the former member in the Interim Governing Council, in a case of killing. Iraq, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Haaretz: Arafat vows to control Gaza and confronts resistance
  The Palestinian President Yasser Arafat renewed his commitment to control Gaza after Israel's likely withdrawal from the sector. In an interview with the Israeli daily Haaretz, he said he will challenge the Palestinian groups which violate the law after withdrawal even if they are members in the Palestine national liberation movement ( Fatah ) which he leads. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Mubarak defuses rumors on his health conditions
  President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt yesterday resumed his activities by receiving the Palestinian prime minister Ahmad Qurei', and thereby defusing rumors on a grave deterioration of his health conditions. Egypt, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Tunisia deny intention to send forces to Iraq Tunisia-Iraq, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Maher: Egypt ready to train Iraqi army, police personnel Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Lahoud confers with American oil delegations Lebanon-USA, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Tunis: International cooperation seminar concluded Tunisia, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Morocco, US FTA, an important signal, US official Morocco-USA, Politics, 6/19/2004
• Speaker calls on Havana to review negative stance over Sahara issue
  Speaker of the Moroccan House of Advisors (upper parliamentary chamber), Mustapha Oukacha, voiced hope that "Havana will review its negative stance" over the Sahara dispute, saying that Morocco and Cuba need to establish dialogue to transcend differences. Morocco-Cuba, Politics, 6/18/2004
• Sherif: Mubarak wisely leads reform process
  Secretary General of Egypt's National Democratic Party (NDP) and Minister of Information Safwat El Sherif said that President Hosni Mubarak, the NDP leader, was wisely and courageously leading the process of reform in Egypt. Egypt, Politics, 6/18/2004
• Riyadh intensified searches for the American hostage, urges Washington for intelligence support
  The Saudi Arabian authorities intensified its efforts yesterday to find the American hostage Paul Johnson with the beginning of the countdown of the grace period given by the al-Qaida organization to execute him which expires today ( Friday) if the authorities will not release the organization's detainees in its jails. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 6/18/2004
• Washington warns against nearby attacks in Saudi Arabia, Americans to leave it
  The US renewed its call on the Americans not to travel to Saudi Arabia and also not to live in it, calling on the Americans there to leave the country as soon as possible. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 6/18/2004
• King Mohammed VI holds one-to-one talks with President Biya of Cameroon
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI, who is currently in the Yaounde, capital of Cameroon for a friendship and work visit, the third leg of his five-nation African tour, had one-to-one talks with president Paul Biya. Morocco-Cameroon, Politics, 6/18/2004
• Sudanese inter-peace talks resumed on Friday
  The secretary of the Sudanese foreign ministry Mutarraf Siddiq said yesterday that the negotiations between the government and the people's movement for the liberation of Sudan led by John Garang will be resumed on June 25 and will continue until July 19. Sudan, Politics, 6/18/2004
• Al-Qathafi: we have no interests in the Middle East
  Libya's Leader Muammar al-Qathafi said that the call for a Greater Middle East initiative is "a racist call aims at making a difference between the Arabs and non- Arab Africans. It is an old colonialist call we have destroyed by the establishment of the African federation." Libya-Regional, Politics, 6/18/2004
• Al-Ahram: The Egyptian government to quit by the end of June
  In today's issue, the Egyptian daily al-Ihram said that the government of the prime minister Atef Obeid is expected to submit its resignation to the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak before the end of June. Egypt, Politics, 6/18/2004
• Al-Baz Stresses that ME Peace is attainable by withdrawal of occupation forces
  Egyptian President Political Advisor Ossama al-Baz Thursday said the just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East would not be achieved without the Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab lands, hoping the resumption of peace negotiations on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 6/18/2004
• American criticism for Egypt over its attempts to own and develop its military arsenal
  Israel's supporters at the foreign relations committee at the US house of representatives made use of a session dedicated to the future of the American- Egyptian relations to launch a campaign against Cairo. Several members of the committee accused Egypt of developing its armed forces on the assumption that Israel is the enemy. Egypt-USA, Politics, 6/18/2004
• Maher rejects any attempt to change Arafat status as PNA president
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat is the legitimate elected president of the Palestinian National Authority, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said on Thursday. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 6/18/2004
• Mubarak meets with Qurei' today, Israel to besiege Gaza by water
  President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt meets today with the Palestinian prime minister Ahmad Qurei' in Cairo after he had on Thursday cancelled the meeting for unknown reasons amid news on the deterioration of health conditions of the Egyptian President. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 6/18/2004
• Morocco denies plans to dispatch troops to Iraq
  Morocco has flatly denied news reports that the Kingdom has offered to send troops to Iraq. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 6/18/2004
• Damascus denies Khaddam's intention to resign Syria, Politics, 6/18/2004
• France denied arms deal with Israel
  The French defense ministry yesterday denied its intention to sign a large contract for armament with Israel, as stated by the Israeli daily Haartez on Monday. Israel-France, Politics, 6/18/2004
• Arab Socialist movement refuses to take part in preparations for the national congress Regional-Iraq, Politics, 6/18/2004
• Egypt's Muslim brothers take part in the founding of a human rights center
  The Muslim Bbrothers group in Egypt announce on Tuesday it had participated with figures representing various political trends from 15 countries in founding a new center for human rights. Egypt, Politics, 6/17/2004
• Human Rights promotion, main conditions for Rule of Law, Morocco-Benin communique
  King Mohammed VI of Morocco and his host President Mathieu Kerekou of Benin, on Wednesday, insisted on the need to promote and respect Human Rights in the continent, to achieve a "real" sustainable development. Morocco-Benin, Politics, 6/17/2004
• King Visit to Cameroon, a major event, ambassador
  The visit that king Mohammed VI of Morocco started this Wednesday to Cameroon is a "major event" for the country, said Cameroonian ambassador in Rabat, Mahamat Baba Sale. Morocco-Cameroon, Politics, 6/17/2004
• UNICEF is racing with Autumn to rescue the people of Darfour
  The United Nations Children Organization UNICEF has warned against a humanitarian crisis with the beginning of the rainfall season in Darfour area to the west of Sudan which has been witnessing tension since one year. Sudan, Politics, 6/17/2004
• China welcomes President al-Assad's coming state visit
  China on Wednesday warmly welcomed the forthcoming state visit of president Bashar al-Assad to China next week, hoping it would be fruitful for both countries. Syria-China, Politics, 6/17/2004
• OIC Foreign Ministers reject Syria Accountability Act
  Foreign Ministers of the Organization of the Islamic countries (OIC) stressed rejection of the so-called Syria Accountability Act, asserting solidarity with Syria in face of American sanctions. Regional-Syria, Politics, 6/17/2004
• After threats to execute the American hostage in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia vows to protect foreigners, rejects to negotiate with al-Qaida
  The Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz stressed that it is the duty of the Saudis to protect foreigners who are exposed to attacks at the hands of what he had described as extremists. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/17/2004
• Morocco's insistence on sovereignty over Sahara should be understood, US Congressman
  A US Congressman on Tuesday said he understood Morocco's "insistence" on its sovereignty over the Sahara, out of fear to see a terrorist entity created in the North West African region. Morocco-USA, Politics, 6/17/2004
• Egypt denies rumors on deteriorated health conditions of Mubarak
  The Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak yesterday appeared at the Egyptian TV, to deny thereby rumors disseminated on having a health crisis. Egypt, Politics, 6/17/2004
• Saddam's lawyer confirms that his client was tortured
  Muhammad al-Rashdan, the lawyer of the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein said that he had received a report from the International Committee of the Red Cross confirming that Saddam Hussein -- who is held by the American forces -- has painful wounds in various parts of his body. Iraq, Politics, 6/17/2004
• Al-Sader calls on his supporters to withdraw from al-Najaf; some 16 Iraqis were killed including 3 American soldiers
  One American military source said that three American soldiers were killed and other 25 injured including 8 soldiers in a bombardment that targeted a military base in Balad down to the north of Baghdad on Wednesday. Iraq, Politics, 6/17/2004
• Arab Peace Committee meets in Cairo Regional, Politics, 6/17/2004
• Sudanese Parliament approves four freedoms agreement with Egypt Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 6/16/2004
• Two year imprisonment for the chief editor of the Algerian 'Le Matin'
  One Algerian criminal court yesterday sentenced two- year imprisonment for the director of the Algerian French language "Le Matin" daily, Muhammad Bin Chico, after he was condemned of breaching currency exchange laws. Algeria, Politics, 6/16/2004
• Kurdish parties in Syria defy banning decision
  The Kurdish parties in Syria stressed determination to continue practicing politics despite the recent ban decision issued by the authorities concerning unlicensed parties. Syria, Politics, 6/16/2004
• Jordanian parliamentary delegation discusses in Syria the question of the detainees
  News reports in Amman said that a Jordanian parliamentary delegation will visit Damascus within the few coming days to hold talks with Syrian officials to demand them releasing 270 Jordanians held in the Syrian jails. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 6/16/2004
• Al-Qaida threatens to execute the American hostage within 3 days, Crown prince Abdullah threatens; American criticism for Riyadh
  A statement by an Islamic web at the Internet attributed to " al-Qaida organization in the Arab peninsula " yesterday spoke of assassinating the kidnapped American hostage in Saudi Arabia if members of al-Qaida organization detained in the Kingdom will not be released within 72 hours, while the Saudi crown prince Abdullah threatened the extremists gunmen they will face shortly the security forces men. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/16/2004
• Sahara issue: only political dialogue can promote peace, security in Africa, says Benin president
  President of Benin said in an interview with MAP the stance of his country on the Sahara issue is crystal clear, noting that his country supports political dialogue which alone can lead to peace and security in Africa and in the whole world. Morocco-Benin, Politics, 6/16/2004
• Sudanese official: the peace agreement will not break the Salvation Movement
  Member of the leading commission of the ruling National Congress party in Sudan, Ghazli Salah Eddin, said that the negative aspects in the peace agreement which was signed between the Sudanese government and the southern rebels should be taken into account at its actual implementation. He added that implementing the agreement should lead to eliminating shortcomings made by the negotiators, noting that the next phase is more critical than the phase of the agreement itself. Sudan, Politics, 6/16/2004
• An open trial waiting for Saddam Hussein; Alyawer asks for the presence of occupation
  Two Iraqi civilians were killed in al-Ramadi and other five injured including one police man in clashes between unidentified gunmen and one military patrol for the American occupation forces exposed to missile shelling. Iraq, Politics, 6/16/2004
• Israel prepares a plan to intensify settlements in the West Bank; Al-Aqsa, al-Jihad claim responsibility for blowing up a car near Natsareim
  Israeli security forces disclosed that Israel intends to intensify building of settlement in the major settlements aggregations in the West Bank, so as the settlers who will be evacuated from Gaza in the context of the separation plan, set by the prime minister Ariel Sharon. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/16/2004
• Iraq neighboring countries's FM s meet in Istanbul
  The foreign ministers of Iraq neighboring countries Tuesday held a meeting in Istanbul with the participation the Special Representative of UN Secretary General in Iraq Lakhdar al-Ibrahimi. The ministers reviewed the latest developments in Iraq and the future situation in the country after June 30, the date of power transfer in Iraq. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 6/16/2004
• Egyptian-Ethiopian committee convenes for 1st time in 15 years Egypt-Ethiopia, Politics, 6/16/2004
• OSCE supports any equitable political settlement to Moroccan Sahara' Morocco-European Union, Politics, 6/16/2004
• Morocco, Syria and Saudi Arabia countries with 'most outstanding contribution to Islamic joint action' Regional, Politics, 6/16/2004
• King holds private talks with Benin's President Morocco-Benin, Politics, 6/16/2004
• Washington postpones transferring its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem Israel-USA, Politics, 6/16/2004
• Erdogan deplores Israeli Practices Turkey-Palestine, Politics, 6/16/2004
• Egyptian parliamentarians protest over preventing them from visiting detainees Egypt, Politics, 6/16/2004
• Saudi national dialogue accepts for the woman what does not violate religion
  Works of the national meeting for intellectual dialogue yesterday concluded its third phase in al-Madina al-Munawara. The meeting lasted for three days and was under the title " the woman.. her rights and duties and education connection to that." Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Saudi Arabia commends its citizens loyalty, campaign for the statement of the 6 men of religion
  The Saudi Arabian authorities continues search for the group which kidnapped the American hostages at a time when the Kingdom authorities underlined the importance of co-operation of its citizens in confrontation of the " corrupted terrorist groups." The authorities commends their loyalty to " religion, the king and the homeland." Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Libyan paper criticizes strongly the ruling family in Saudi Arabia
  The Libyan daily al-Zahf al-Akhdar strongly attacked the Saudi regime and the ruling family, while the Saudi daily Okaz talked about an Egyptian initiative to contain the crisis which is escalating between Libya and the Kingdom since 2003 as a result of the unmasking of the attempt to disclose an assassination attempt against the Saudi crown prince. Libya-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Turkish president receives al-Shara
  Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Monday met Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Arab League condemns the Israeli racial separation wall
  The Arab League on Monday reiterated its strong condemnation of Israel's building the apartheid separation wall in the occupied Palestinian lands, warning against the repercussions of the wall on the human conditions of the Palestinian people. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 6/15/2004
• King's African tour materializes Morocco's interest in Africa
  The tour that King Mohammed VI of Morocco will undertake this week in several African countries is a new occasion to highlight the kingdom's interest in Africa and its particular relations with African countries. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Several cooperation projects in the pipeline between Morocco and Benin
  Morocco and Benin have various cooperation projects in the pipeline, mainly in tourism and rural water, said in Cotonou, Morocco's ambassador to Benin, Hassan Bennani, on the eve of a visit by King Mohammed VI to the west African country, part of a tour to five African nations to start on Tuesday. Morocco-Benin, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Sahara issue: Spain seeks to improve conditions for solution accepted by all parties
  Spain is seeking to improve conditions to reach "a solution accepted by all the parties" to the Sahara issue, said in Tunis Saturday Spanish foreign minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Washington accuses Khartoum of obstructing Darfour relief aid
  The US on Monday accused Sudan of obstructing the humanitarian efforts in Darfour area to the western part of the country which lives a humanitarian crisis because of the tension overwhelming it since more than one year. Sudan-USA, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Over US$ 96 million end in Polisario leaders' pockets
  The Polisario separatists movement, which is claiming secession of Morocco's southern provinces, receives an annual financial support worth over US$ 96 million, which "ends in its leaders' pockets," reported on Sunday the Moroccan daily in Arabic Al Ahdath Al Maghribiya. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Morocco, a bright light of reform and moderation in the Islamic world, Zoellick
  The signing next Tuesday of a free trade agreement between Morocco an the United States will seal a " new and deeper economic and political partnership with Morocco, a bright light of reform and moderation in the Islamic world," said US trade representative, Robert Zoellick. Morocco-USA, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Iraqi government to be handed Saddam Hussein within two weeks; ICRC demands trying or releasing him
  The Iraqi prime minister Eyad Allawi said that the occupation forces will hand over the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to the Iraqi authorities to try him within two weeks. Iraq, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Israeli forces start annexation of Ariel settlement in the depth of the west bank, Israeli Apache assassinates one Palestinian
  Two Palestinians were killed, one of them is a member in al-Aqsa group and other three wounded when an Israeli helicopter fired a missile that hit their car in Balatah camp for the Palestinian refugees near Nablus in the West Bank. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Al-Assad gets a message from Cypriot counterpart Syria-Cyprus, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Mubarak, Mbeki probe African issues Egypt-South Africa, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Saudi Arabia, Egypt, oppose Turkey's candidate for the OIC
  Works of the conference of the foreign ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference started yesterday in Istanbul. Ankara is trying to pressure into appointing its candidate Akmal Eddin Ihasn Oglo ( 59 year old) in the post of the secretary general of the organization, in succession of Abdul Wahid Balqaziz, an attempt opposed by Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Regional-Turkey, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Baker's resignation, a 'failure' in his mission, Press Morocco-UN, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Washington Post: US demands Baghdad immunity for American contractors
  The Washington Post daily yesterday quoted Iraqi sources as saying that the new Iraqi government resists American demands to offer thousands of the American civilian contractors immunity from the Iraqi judicial authority similar to the immunity currently enjoyed by the American forces. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Al-Assad to visit China on June 21- 25 Syria-China, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Israel complains over bad treatment of its diplomats at Cairo airport Egypt-Israel, Politics, 6/15/2004
• Al-Ahram : Taha: Sudan's final peace agreement to be signed next August
  Sudanese First Vice President Ali Othman Taha said that the peace deal between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) would be finally signed in August in Nairobi, Kenya. Sudan, Politics, 6/14/2004
• Splits prevent the Kuwaiti parliament from reducing elections circles
  The political reform process in Kuwait underwent a stumbled start when strong differences among members of the Kuwaiti national council prevented the voting on Saturday on a draft resolution to amend the elections law. Kuwait, Politics, 6/14/2004
• Morocco, Algeria stress necessity of complementary partnership
  Morocco and Algeria stressed in Rabat Friday the necessity of a complementary partnership, based on the specific relations binding them. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/14/2004
• Al-Amoudi confirms his statement over al-Qathafi plans
  Abdul Rahman al-Amoudi, the detained in the USA, whom the New York Times disclosed on Thursday had unmasked to the American intelligence the plan of the Libyan leader Muammar al-Qathafi to assassinate the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, confirmed the rightfulness of the report, stressing that he is personally involved in this matter. Libya-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/14/2004
• Turabi was intending to quit his party's leadership; Southern Sudan printed its own currency
  The leader of the people's army for the liberation of Sudan, John Garang, announced that Southern Sudan, which has become closer to peace more than any time before, will shortly embark on a new currency in the context of the vast self- rule which will be declared in it for 6 years when peace is approved. Sudan, Politics, 6/14/2004
• Powell, Rice urge Saudi Arabia for more efforts to fight terrorism; Saudi Arabia denies finding a murdered man to the west of al-Riyadh
  A senior official in the Saudi police denied news of finding in one street of the capital Riyadh of the body of a man, diplomatic sources said earlier on Sunday to be for a western citizen. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 6/14/2004
• Gul on Turkish- Arab relations
  Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul described the Turkish-Syrian relations as excellent. Regional-Turkey, Politics, 6/14/2004
• Czech official-highlights Syria's role in the Middle East
  Head of the Foreign Relations Committee at the Czech Chamber of Deputies Vladimir Lastuvka described Syria as a very important country in the Middle East, saying he is looking forward to the meetings scheduled during his imminent visit to Damascus. Syria-Czech Republic, Politics, 6/14/2004
• Al-Shara confers with Palestinian minister
  Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara Sunday received the Culture Minister in the Palestinian National Authority ( PNA ),Yahya Yakhlaf, and the Minister of the Palestinian Presidency Affairs, Ramzi Khouri. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 6/14/2004
• Maher: Partnership initiative responds to our observations; Libya separates the Maghreb people from the Arab world
  The Libyan Presidency of the Arab Maghreb federation yesterday considered itself not obliged to abide by the partnership initiative approved by the G-8 summit in the USA last week on reforms and democracy in the Arab world by announcing that there is " no relations between the Arab Maghreb " and what is known the " Middle East region," at a time when the Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Maher considered that the initiative " responded to many of the Egyptian observations." Egypt-Regional, Politics, 6/14/2004
• Al-Sader intends the formation of a political party, might take part in general elections Iraq, Politics, 6/14/2004
• Al-Ibraheimi renews criticism for the Israeli occupation
  The UN special envoy to Iraq, Elakhder al-Ibraheimi, yesterday considered that the Israeli- Palestinian conflict " affects what is taking place in Iraq." Iraq-Palestine, Politics, 6/14/2004
• Amman denies the expulsion of a Jordanian delegation from Jenin
  The spokeswoman for the Jordanian government Asmaa al-Khuder on Saturday denied news that a Jordanian delegation was forced to leave the Palestinian town of Jenin under the threat of members of al-Aqsa group of the Fatah Movement. Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 6/14/2004
• King Mohammed holds talks with HM King Bin Issa Al Khalifa of Bahrain Morocco-Bahrain, Politics, 6/14/2004
• Morocco regrets resignation of James Baker, recalls laudable, sincere efforts
  The kingdom of Morocco learned "with regret" the resignation of James Baker as the United Nations' special envoy for the Sahara, recalling "his laudable and sincere efforts" to settle the issue over the Moroccan Sahara. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/14/2004
• Algeria; al-Salafeyah group announces war on foreigners
  "Al- Salafeyah group for al-Dawaa and al-Qital ( call and fighting )" in Algeria which is suspected to have links to al-Qaida organization announced yesterday it had approved to launch attacks against non Muslim foreigners and the western economic interests in the country. Algeria, Politics, 6/14/2004

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