Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 10/11/2004
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of October 11, 2004
- Former Algerian party leader: 'outbidding' over Sahara Issue aims at sowing hatred
The Sahara is Moroccan and what is happening currently is just "outbidding" over the issue to "sow hatred and animosity between two peoples," said Abbassi Madani, former Secretary General of the Algerian "Islamic Salvation Front" party (FIS - now dissolved). Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 10/16/2004 - Syrian- Jordanian agreement on border demarcation Jordan-Syria, Politics, 10/16/2004
- Barazani arrives in Damascus Syria-Iraq, Politics, 10/16/2004
- Qathafi asked the US to withdraw from Iraq, Schroeder commends Libya's openness policy
During his first visit to Tripoli yesterday, the German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder met with the Libyan leader Muammar Qathafi, commended the "Libyan openness policy" and the recent changes made by Tripoli on its foreign policy and invited al-Qathafi to visit Berlin. Libya-Germany, Politics, 10/16/2004 - Lebanese foreign minister confers with Russian ambassador on common issues Lebanon-Russia, Politics, 10/16/2004
- American court sentences al-Anoudi for 23 year imprisonment over dealings with Libya
An American federal court on Friday sentenced the prominent American Islamic activists Abdul Rahman al-Amoudi to 23 year imprisonment after he was convicted of accusations on illegal financial dealings with Libya, disclosed an alleged Libyan conspiracy to assassinate the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. Libya-USA, Politics, 10/16/2004 - Mini summit on Sudan Sunday in Libya
A source close to the Egyptian Presidency said that a mini summit on Darfur will be held tomorrow Sunday in Libya to discuss reaching a political solution for Darfur crisis. Sudan-Libya, Politics, 10/16/2004 - Syria is to rehabilitate media establishments
Syria's Minister of Information, Mehdi Dakhellalla, on Thursday night announced the budgetary investment for the rehabilitate of the Syrian media. Syria, Politics, 10/16/2004 - Sahara Moroccanity a constant postulate of the Kingdom, Prime minister
The Moroccanity of the Sahara is one of the constant postulate of the Kingdom, King, government and people, insisted Moroccan Premier, Driss Jettou adding that in the Sahara "we are on our territory, among our citizens, full of our attachment to national constancies..." Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 10/16/2004 - AIHR Chief praises Moroccanexperience in human rights violation Settlement
Director of the Arab Institute of Human Rights (AIHR), Abdelbasset Ben Hassan, praised the Moroccan efforts to close the dossier of human rights violations through the creation of the Equity and Reconciliation Instance (IER). Morocco-Regional, Politics, 10/16/2004 - Somali president starts consultations to form the interim government
The new Somali President Abdullah Youssef Ahmad started consultations to chose a prime minister for his government in the beginning of a difficult mission to achieve political stability in Somalia, after 14 years of chaos and armed conflicts. Somalia, Politics, 10/16/2004 - Libya wants WWII German mines cleared
"The Leader of the Revolution, stressed during his meeting with the German Chancellor, the damages and tragedies left by thousands of land mines planted by belligerent forces during the Second World War, inflicted on the Libyan people, because of the landmines of that war in which Libya had nothing to do with," JANA reported yesterday. Libya-Germany, Politics, 10/16/2004 - Somali president takes oath in Nairobi
Designated Somali President Abdullah Youssef in Nairobi yesterday took the constitutional oath to assume the mission of restoring stability to Somalia, after one decade of the absence of the central government. He called on the international community to send peace keeping forces to his country. Somalia, Politics, 10/15/2004 - After 9 years of in exile, former ruler of Qatar returns back for his wife's funeral
After nine years in exile after he was toppled by his son, the current ruler of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani in the Summer of 1995, the former ruler of Qatar Sheikh Khaleifa Bin Hamad al-Thani returned back to his country yesterday to take part in the funeral ceremony of his wife, according to the Qatari news agency statements. Qatar, Politics, 10/15/2004 - American planes expand bombardment of Falluja city
The American warplanes launched more raids against several quarters in Falluja city on Thursday evening giving so far no details on the number of casualties or damages. Iraq-USA, Politics, 10/15/2004 - Ruling party in Sudan reached an agreement with Mahdi al-Mubarak party
The ruling National Congress party in Sudan reached an agreement with the Ummah party, the wing of reforms and renovation led by Mubarak al-Fadel al-Mahdi over the position of members of the party in the government. Sudan, Politics, 10/15/2004 - Moroccan Sahara: UN Committee postpones probing Algerian draft resolution
The 4th committee of the UN General Assembly put off, on Thursday, once again probing the Algerian draft resolution on the Sahara question. Morocco-UN, Politics, 10/15/2004 - Iraqi assets in Syria to return back to Iraqi government
"Frozen Iraqi assets amounted to $ 261 million would return back to the Iraqi government," Director General of the Syrian Commercial Bank, Duried Dergham on Thursday told the press. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 10/15/2004 - Washington renews efforts to withdraw the Syrian army from Lebanon, within a UN resolution
The US is preparing to submit a new draft resolution to the UN Security Council demanding the withdrawal of the Syrian forces from Lebanon. Syria-USA, Politics, 10/15/2004 - European MP condemn Israel's cruelty
Member of the European Parliament Yorgis Tossas, from Greece, on Wednesday condemned the Israeli practices against the Palestinian people. Israel-European Union, Politics, 10/15/2004 - Arab states move towards fighting money laundering
Jan Louis Fort, the chairman of the special work unit on fighting money laundering which takes Paris as a headquarters stressed yesterday that some 10 countries from the Middle East and North Africa will form a group to support its backing for fighting illegal money flows. Regional, Politics, 10/15/2004 - German chancellor in Libya Libya-Germany, Politics, 10/15/2004
- King Mohammed VI receives Mauritanian interior minister Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 10/15/2004
- Barazani in Jordan Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 10/15/2004
- $ 30 million to investigate in accusation on 'oil for food' in Iraq Iraq-UN, Politics, 10/15/2004
- Damascus: Demographic difficulties obstruct border settlements with Jordan
Meetings of the "Syrian- Jordanian joint security committee" were concluded yesterday in Damascus without reaching a final settlement in the border file between the two states, according to well-informed Syrian sources. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 10/14/2004 - Jerome Bonnafont: Mubarak, Chirac discuss Middle East, Iraq, Iran,
"French President Jacques Chirac and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak discussed in Paris Wednesday developments in Iraq, "French Presidential spokesman Jerome Bonnafont said. Egypt-France, Politics, 10/14/2004 - Moratinos: Morocco should benefit of the most advanced status possible with EU
Visiting Spanish Foreign Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, said, in Tangier Wednesday, Morocco should benefit of the most advanced status possible in its relations with the European Union (EU). Morocco-Spain, Politics, 10/14/2004 - Sahara issue: Spain pleads for final solution acceptable by all parties
Visiting Spanish Foreign Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, pleaded, in Tangier Wednesday, for a final solution to the Sahara conflict, and for a settlement "acceptable" by all concerned parties. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 10/14/2004 - List of co-sponsors of Algerian resolution on Moroccan Sahara rapidly falling apart, diplomats
The list of the co-sponsors of the Algerian resolution on the Moroccan Sahara dossier presented to the UN General Assembly fourth committee is rapidly falling apart, diplomatic sources said in New York on Tuesday. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 10/14/2004 - Spain, working with France and U.S. for resolution on Sahara, Moratinos
Spanish Foreign Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, announced, on Wednesday, that his country is working in "consultation" with France and the United States for a resolution on the Sahara question, a resolution, he said, that is due to be adopted by the Security Council at the end of the month. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 10/14/2004 - Al-Shara receives Palestinian counterpart, Shaath
Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Wednesday received Minister of the Palestinian Authority Foreign Affairs Nabil Shaath. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 10/14/2004 - Jordanian King confers with two Iraqi ministers
The Jordanian king Abdullah II stressed during his meeting in Amman yesterday with the Iraqi minister of the interior Falah al-Naqib and the minister of defense Hazim al-Shalaan the need to halt the cycle of violence in Iraq so as to be able to make the elections in the country. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 10/14/2004 - A difference in al-Ummah party over the government, EU delegation looms of sanctions against Khartoum
The Dutch foreign minister Bernard Pot who visited Sudan yesterday on top of an EU delegation said that Khartoum has failed to ensuring enough security for civilians in Darfur but he said that the Sudanese government has adopted " an open and positive position" to reach a solution in the district. Sudan, Politics, 10/14/2004 - Lahoud confers with American Delegation
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said on Wednesday that the just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East ensures stability and security, adding events had proven that force couldn't be the resolution. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 10/14/2004 - Two Lebanese hostages in Iraq are released
The al-Tawhid Wal-Jihad group in Iraq on Wednesday released two Lebanese who were kidnapped since 27 days. Sharbel Karim al-Haj and Aram Nalbidian said they were released after the kidnappers were assured that they are not working for the American forces. Iraq, Politics, 10/14/2004 - Allawi calls for handing over al-Zarqawi
At a time when negotiations between the Interim Iraqi government and the people of Falluja achieved big strides, the prime minister of the interim Iraqi government Eyad Allawi threatened to launch a military operation against the city if it will not hand over Musab al-Zarqawi and his group. Iraq, Politics, 10/14/2004 - Egypt discusses link to Sinai explosions for detainees in Libya
One Egyptian official having connection to current investigations over the Sinai explosions said that the Egyptian authorities is looking into the possibility of the involvement of 17 persons suspects of being involved with al-Qaida organization -- detained over illegally entering Libya for carrying out the explosions. Egypt-Libya, Politics, 10/14/2004 - Syrian army official: Israel is the reason behind differences with US
Under the patronage of the General Commander of the Syrian Army and Armed Forces, President Bashar al-Assad, a new batch of the Military Air College students was graduated on Wednesday. Syria-Israel, Politics, 10/14/2004 - British Ambassador in Beirut and relations with Syria
British Ambassador in Beirut James Watt said on Wednesday that his country always seeks to have positive and constructive relations with Syria. Syria-UK, Politics, 10/14/2004 - Israeli maneuvers in Negev
The maneuvers showed new exercises on fighting inside the cities, in parallel to the old Israeli practices on fighting, and the Israeli forces destroyed "Syrian fortifications" before the occupation of a Palestinian town in which a tableau was raised showing the Palestinian President smiling. Regional-Israel, Politics, 10/14/2004 - Iraq restores back its vote at the UN
Officials at the UN said on Tuesday that Iraq has restored back its vote in the international organization after the UN General Assembly has realized that this country can not afford its due fees due to reasons beyond its control. Iraq-UN, Politics, 10/14/2004 - King Mohammed VI receives Spanish FM Morocco-Spain, Politics, 10/14/2004
- Berri : UN must be effective on Israeli aggressions Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 10/14/2004
- Mubarak: Iraq conference agenda has not been decided yet Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 10/14/2004
- Continued dismantling of al-Sader army weapons
The process of dismantling weapons of al-Mahdi army of the Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sader witnessed yesterday great expansion contrary to what had happened on Monday. Iraq, Politics, 10/13/2004 - Mauritanian authorities release wife, brother of Hanana
The authorities in Mauritania released the wife and brother of the Mauritanian officer Saleh Weld Hanana who is accused of leading three coupe attempts against the regime. Mauritania, Politics, 10/13/2004 - Two relief workers killed in an explosion in Darfur
The "Save The Children" organization said that one British relief workers and another Sudanese working in the said organization were killed when their car ran over a landmine in Darfur district to the west of Sudan in the first incident in which a Western relief worker is killed during the rebellion which has been continuous since 20 months. Sudan, Politics, 10/13/2004 - Libya welcomes lifting European weapons banning
Libya has welcomed the decision of the European Union to lift the weapons sales embargo imposed on it since 1986. The Libyan official news agency considered this decision a new victory for Tripoli and a "steadfastness before foreign challenges." Libya-European Union, Politics, 10/13/2004 - Somaliland refuses to recognize President Youssef Ahmad
Somaliland which was declared unilaterally refused to recognize the authority of the President of Somalia Abdullah Youssef Ahmad and warned him against the attempt of annexing it to the Somali territories. Somalia, Politics, 10/13/2004 - President al-Assad confers with Mrs. Oakar, ADC president
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad received Mrs. Mary Rose Oakar, President of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) at al-Rawda palace on Tuesday. Syria-USA, Politics, 10/13/2004 - Algiers failed to have draft resolution on Moroccan Sahara adopted at the UN
Algeria failed to make members of the UN General Assembly 4th committee adopt its draft resolution on the Moroccan Sahara, as they preferred to put off making their decision 48 hours to allow parties reach a consensual text. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 10/13/2004 - King Mohammed VI reiterated willingness to find a way out to the Sahara issue
King Mohammed VI of Morocco reiterated his willingness to find a way out to the Sahara issue, opposing Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario movement that claims separation of the Moroccan southern provinces, a story ran by the Egyptian "October" weekly said. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 10/13/2004 - Le Soir: Confusing Islam with terrorism is dangerous simplism, Moroccan official
Confusing Islam with terrorism is a "dangerous simplism," said Moroccan minister-delegate in charge of expatriates, in an interview published Tuesday in the Belgian daily "Le Soir." Regional-Morocco, Politics, 10/13/2004 - British TV film on al-Quneitra Brutality of Israel Syria-Israel, Politics, 10/13/2004
- King convinced Juan Carlos' visit to Morocco would boost relations, (message)
King Mohammed VI of Morocco said he was convinced the visit, next January to the country, of King Juan Carlos of Spain would give a fresh impetus to bilateral relations. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 10/13/2004 - NGO makes urgent call to lift siege on population sequestered in Tindouf Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 10/13/2004
- Arab-Latin Summit consultative meeting Regional, Politics, 10/13/2004
- Riyadh: administrative reasons behind banning woman from taking part in the elections
One official in the Saudi municipal elections said yesterday that there are administrative reasons behind a likely decision on banning women from taking part in the elections which were declared by the Saudi minister of the interior Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz in Kuwait on Sunday. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 10/12/2004 - Cairo; demands to end the state of emergency in preparation for reforms
Egyptian activists including heads of parties called for ending the state of emergency announced since 1981 in the country in preparation for vaster political reforms. Egypt, Politics, 10/12/2004 - EU lifts arms embargo against Libya
The foreign ministers of the European Union agreed yesterday in a meeting in Luxembourg unanimously to lift weapons selling embargo imposed on Libya. Libya-European Union, Politics, 10/12/2004 - Shalom: peace with Syria is a strategic option
The Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom said yesterday that "peace with Syrian is a strategic option for Israel." He told the Israeli public radio; that peace with Syria "will also bring in peace with Lebanon, and this will eventually facilitate the negotiations with the Palestinians." Syria-Israel, Politics, 10/12/2004 - al-Jazeera: Sudanese opposition member fled abroad
News reports said that a prominent Islamic opposition member accused by the Sudanese security forces as the mastermind for the recent coupe attempt to topple the government had left the country. Sudan, Politics, 10/12/2004 - Al-Assad, Amir of Qatar meet on developments
Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, and his wife Sheikha Mouza Bint Nasser al-Musannad arrived in Damascus on Monday on a short visit to Syria. Syria-Qatar, Politics, 10/12/2004 - Algeria refuses any political settlement to the Moroccan Sahara issue, diplomat
Algeria refuses and hinders any political settlement to the Moroccan Sahara issue, Mohamed Bennouna, Moroccan permanent representative to the United Nations told the national radio on Sunday night. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 10/12/2004 - Qathafi meets with an Italian-Jewish origin delegation
Libya's leader Muammar al-Qathafi received an Italian Jewish delegation to discuss the possibility of paying compensations for the Jews who went outside Libya following the Israeli attack of 1967. It is considered the first official meeting held in Libya with representatives for 6,000 Libyan Jews who left the country after 1967. Libya-Italy, Politics, 10/12/2004 - Al-Mahdi army starts handing over weapons
Al-Mahdi army which belongs to the Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sader started handing over its weapons in al-Sader city in the course of an agreement with the Iraqi government. Iraq, Politics, 10/12/2004 - New Israeli attempt to assassinate Khaled Mashaal
Well-informed sources said that the Syrian security forces recently arrested four persons including one woman that admitted they were recruited by the Israeli Mossad to assassinate the chairman of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement ( Hamas). Regional-Israel, Politics, 10/12/2004 - Heinous crime by Israeli officer against 13 year old girl, fresh aggression
Israeli soldiers disclosed that an officer in the Zionist Army has sprayed the dead body of a l3-year old Palestinian girl, Iman Al-Hams. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 10/12/2004 - King chairs signing of Morocco-UAE agreement on Tangier-Mediterranean Free Zones
King Mohammed VI of Morocco chaired, Monday, the signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement relating to operations and commercialisation of the Tangier-Mediterranean free zones between the Moroccan Tangier Mediterranean Special Agency (TMSA), and the Dubai-based economic operator "Jbel Ali Free Zone International" (JAFZI). Morocco-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 10/12/2004 - Human Right delegation inspects prisoners' conditions
The National Council for Human Right NCHR delegation will inspect tomorrow the prisoners' conditions at the Prisons of Torah, Abu Zabel and Al-Khalifa to make sure that they are treated well according to the international criteria organizing the jails. Egypt, Politics, 10/12/2004 - King receives Libyan envoy Morocco-Libya, Politics, 10/12/2004
- Turkish Minister of Energy and achieving peace in the Middle East Regional-Turkey, Politics, 10/12/2004
- Yadhout Ahronout: Israel denied detention of Mossad's agents in Syria Syria-Israel, Politics, 10/12/2004
- Libya's people's congress makes pledges about the principals of government
Revolution is a declaration of freedom, and for man to be happy he must be free, politically, economically, and socially. We pledge to set up a society where the individual is free of all bondages, the family is free of every oppression, and where women and men are equal. Libya, Politics, 10/11/2004 - Somali President promises stability demands international forces
The elected Somali President, Abdullah Youssef Ahmad, has vowed to exert all efforts to rebuild Somalia, stressing in statements following his elections in Nairobi that he will quit if he fails to bring political stability to his country. Somalia, Politics, 10/11/2004 - Bahrain: Crown prince assigned to launch national dialogues
The King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa, on Saturday considered it is "bravery that the government will be frank with its people concerning problems," noting that he had assigned the crown prince, Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Bin Khaleifa, to launch national dialogues "to achieve political and economic development." Bahrain, Politics, 10/11/2004 - Prince Nayef: Women will not take part in the elections
Saudi Arabia's minister of the interior said yesterday in Kuwait it is not likely that woman will be permitted to take part in the municipal elections due to be held next year. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 10/11/2004 - Al-Mahdi army hands over its weapons, Falluja negotiates the government
A round of talks due to be held on Sunday in Baghdad between Iraqi officials and representatives for Falluja people was postponed. The talks are over spreading the authority of the Interim Iraqi government on the city before the elections in January 2005. Iraq, Politics, 10/11/2004 - Ben Ali: elections will be transparent, democratic
The Tunisian president Zine al-Abidin Ben Ali said yesterday that the presidential and legislative elections due to be held on October 24 will be held in a "democratic and transparent atmosphere." The president, who has been ruling Tunisia since 17 years, has been nominated for a fourth term of office together with other three candidates of the recognized opposition. Tunisia, Politics, 10/11/2004 - Al-Assad opens Expatriates Conference: some want to throw the region into a volcano
we have a right to ask where was all this keenness at the beginning of the civil war when Syria entered Lebanon to save the Christians in 1976 at a time when they were slaughtered, and when the massacre was about to be finished within two weeks under the name of reforming the political regime, justice, socialism and progress. And at that time President Hafez al-Assad was asked to postpone the entry of Syrian armed forces into Lebanon only for two weeksÉof course to give them time to finish off the jobÉbut of course he refused Syria-Regional, Politics, 10/11/2004 - Syrian Expatriates Conference holds Workshops
Several workshops on culture, economy, medical, social and environmental protection were held Sunday as part of the ongoing Syrian Expatriates Conference in Damascus and attended by cabinet Ministers and senior officials to boost relations between expatriates and their motherland and activate their role in the overall development in Syria. Syria, Politics, 10/11/2004 - Expatriates Conference recommends commitment to serve the homeland
Participants in the Syrian Expatriates Conference held on September 9 and 10 on Sunday in Damascus recommended to boost the efforts of the Ministry of Expatriates, in cooperation with Defense Ministry, to prepare a draft law that includes tangible amendments regarding the money payment and the military service abroad. Syria, Politics, 10/11/2004 - Mauritania: coupe mastermind arrested
The government of Nouakchott announced the detention of the former officer Saleh Weld Hanineh who is considered the mastermind of the two coupe attempts carried out in Mauritania in June 2003 and September this year. Mauritania, Politics, 10/11/2004 - Libya a group of al-Qaida members arrested
The Libyan minister of the interior Naser al-Mabrouk said yesterday that the Libyan security forces arrested a group accused of belonging to al-Qaida organization. Libya, Politics, 10/11/2004 - Rumsfeld concludes visit to Iraq; promoting the election
The US defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld left Iraq yesterday following a short visit in which he had met in Baghdad with the prime minister of the Interim Iraqi government Eyad Allawi and several government members, and discussed with them matters relating to security and elections due to be held in January 2005. Iraq-USA, Politics, 10/11/2004 - Morocco holds Algeria responsible for blocking search for a political solution to Sahara dispute
\"Algeria takes the heavy responsibility for blocking the process of search for a political solution, just like it obstructs the construction of the Maghreb," reaffirmed, in New York on Friday, Morocco's permanent representative in the United Nations. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 10/11/2004 - German judiciary rejects investigation in a complaint against Arab books
The German attorney announced on Monday that the German judiciary refused to open an investigation after a complaint was raised in the course of Frankfurt International Book Fair against Arab books suspected to provoke "hatred" to Israel. Regional-Germany, Politics, 10/11/2004 - Egypt keen on pursuing dialogue with Israeli Knesset members
Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit said on Saturday that Egypt was keen on listening to Israeli Knesset members and posting them on Egyptian views on the situation in the Palestinian territories and the Middle East peace process. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 10/11/2004 - Morocco calls UNHCR to shoulder responsibility of populations sequestered in Tindouf
Morocco's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Omar Hilal, said, on Friday, his country's call for the UN high commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to shoulder responsibility of populations sequestered in Tindouf (Algeria) aims to highlight Algiers responsibility in this issue. Morocco-UN, Politics, 10/11/2004 - Fischer hails the Arab participation as a guest of honor in Frankfurt Book Exhibition Regional-Germany, Politics, 10/11/2004
- Moroccan-Spanish partnership is unavoidable, Moroccan PM Morocco-Spain, Politics, 10/11/2004
- Six Egyptian students held in Israel to be tried today Egypt-Israel, Politics, 10/11/2004