Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 11/8/2004
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of November 8, 2004
- Arafat's funeral today in Cairo
Egypt has announced it will hold a military funeral for the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Cairo. His body arrived there from Paris on board of a French plane. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 11/12/2004 - A smooth transfer in the rule in succession of Arafat
Succession of the late Palestinian President was arranged quickly for the presidency of the PLO, presidency of the Fatah movement and the presidency of the Palestinian Authority. Since Wednesday, the PLO executive committee, the highest Palestinian political representation for the Fatah movement inside and outside Palestine chose former prime minister Mahmoud Abbas ( Abu mazin ) for its presidency in a meeting in Ramullah. Palestine, Politics, 11/12/2004 - Arab and international reactions on Arafat's death
Lebanon and Tunis on Thursday declared official mourning for three days over the death of the Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 11/12/2004 - Shalom: Barghouthi will not take part in the new Palestinian leadership
The Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom yesterday denied the possibility that the Palestinian parliamentarian Marwan Barghouthi, who was sentenced to imprisonment by Israel, to take part in the new Palestinian leadership. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/12/2004 - Saudi Arabia releases suspected persons who surrendered voluntarily
The Saudi Arabian authorities announced it had released all suspected persons who surrendered themselves, according to the royal pardoning issued by King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz in June. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/12/2004 - Human rights abuses victims to testify at public hearings
The Justice and Reconciliation Commission (IER), an independent body set up last January to seek out-of-court settlement for past human rights violations in Morocco, announced on Wednesday it will hold, starting mid-December, public hearings for victims to testify on "human rights violations committed between 1956 and 1999." Morocco, Politics, 11/12/2004 - Algeria's labor party says it does not support Polisario
Spokesperson of the Algerian labor party (PT), Louisa Hanoune, said the PT does not support the Polisario, a separatist movement backed by Algerian authorities and does not support the Baker plan. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 11/12/2004 - European Commission distances itself from Commissioner's remarks on Morocco
The European commission distanced itself from the remarks made by European commissioner, Dutch Frtis Bolkestein, questioning Morocco's involvement in the fight against terrorism and calling the Kingdom to take a clear stand on terrorism. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 11/12/2004 - Algeria undertakes another desperate attempt on Sahara issue at UN
Algeria has undertaken on Wednesday another desperate attempt, at the 3rd commission (humanitarian affairs) of the United Nations general assembly, to revive the Baker's settlement plan for the sahara that was rejected by Morocco. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 11/12/2004 - Al-Assad, Shara confers with Lebanese foreign minister Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 11/12/2004
- Forum for the Future meeting in Morocco will be a success, US official
The United States is convinced that the first meeting of the "Forum for the Future" meeting, to be held in Morocco next december 11 will be a success, said in Washington Wednesday, US under-secretary for economics, business and agricultural affairs Alan Larson. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 11/12/2004 - US State secretary hails economic and political reforms in Morocco Morocco-USA, Politics, 11/12/2004
- Palestinian President Yasser Arafat dies
It was officially announced the death of the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Percy hospital in France where he was staying. Palestine, Politics, 11/11/2004 - Arab, foreign leaders to attend Arafat s funerals
The Palestinian deputy foreign minister Majdi al-Khalidi said yesterday that the leaders of Jordan, Yemen, Algeria, South Africa and Brazil will be attending the funeral of the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat due in Cairo. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 11/11/2004 - Tunisia: Ministerial reshuffle includes the ministries of foreign affairs, the interior and justice
Two weeks after his reelection, the Tunisian President Zine al-Abidin Ben Ali made yesterday a ministerial reshuffle that targeted the ministries of foreign affairs, the interior and defense. Governmental sources considered that it aims at giving "a new impetus " for Ben Ali's election programs, while the opposition played down its significance. Tunisia, Politics, 11/11/2004 - Albania withdraws recognition of puppet Sahrawi republic
Albania has decided to withdraw its recognition of the self-proclaimed "Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic" (SADR), officials sources announced Tuesday in Tirana. Morocco-Albania, Politics, 11/11/2004 - Two messages from Allawi to Mubarak and Abdullah
The Saudi official news agency said that the Iraqi foreign minister Hoshiar Zebari yesterday made an undeclared visit to Saudi Arabia and was received there by the Saudi crown prince Abdullah and handed him over a message from the Iraqi prime minister Eyad Allawi. No reference was made to the content of the message. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 11/11/2004 - Lebanese president stresses Iraq sovereignty
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Wednesday expressed hope that the Iraqi people overcome the ordeal they are passing through, and that Iraq restores sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity to play its natural role in the Arab region. Lebanon-Iraq, Politics, 11/11/2004 - Lantos inspects sites for the American embassy: relations with Libya to be resumed in 2005
Deputy chairman of the "foreign relations committee" in the US Congress, Tom Lantos, said yesterday upon his meeting with the Libyan leader Muammar al-Qathafi in Tripoli that American- Libyan diplomatic that relations will be resumed either in march or June 2005 Libya-USA, Politics, 11/11/2004 - Al-Assad receives Ferzli Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 11/11/2004
- Al-Shara meets with senior Iranian officials Syria-Iran, Politics, 11/11/2004
- Al-Qaida denies the killing of al-Oufi Nayef
The Saudi minister of the interior prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz said yesterday that the security forces in his country overcame in fighting terrorism in the Kingdom the ability "to deprive the terrorist from all components of criminal acts," He told the Saudi daily Okaz, Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/11/2004 - Morocco rejects strongly statements of Dutch EU commissioner
Morocco rejects strongly the statements made by Dutch European Commissioner, Frits Bolkestein, who made unacceptable judgements on some alleged responsibility of Morocco in the tragic murder, November 2nd, of Dutch film director, Theo Van Gogh, said Wednesday Moroccan delegated foreign minister, Taib Fassi Fihri. Morocco-Netherlands, Politics, 11/11/2004 - Bush relies on a new Palestinian government
On the future of peace in the Middle East after Arafat, the US President George W. Bush said that a new Palestinian leadership will enhance the opportunity of reaching peace in the Middle East. Palestine-USA, Politics, 11/11/2004 - Baradei and the Israeli Nuclear Weapons
General Manager of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohammad al-Baradei has stressed that dismantling Israeli nuclear weapons is a basic condition for achieving peace in the Middle East. Israel, Politics, 11/11/2004 - Israel: Abu al-Gheit visit postponed Egypt-Israel, Politics, 11/11/2004
- Chinese scholar praises King's efforts to promote a tolerant Islam
A Chinese religious scholar has praised efforts by Morocco's King Mohammed VI to promote a tolerant Islam in the world. Morocco-China, Politics, 11/11/2004 - Two security and humanitarian protocols on Darfur signed
The Sudanese government responded to international pressure and signed with Darfur rebels in Abuja yesterday two protocols on security and humanitarian conditions in the district after it had accepted the condition of a "no-fly zone" over Darfur. Sudan, Politics, 11/10/2004 - Shaath: Arafat still alive, arrangements for burial in Ramullah underway
The Palestinians national authority ended the contradiction overwhelmed in recent days over the health condition of the Palestinians president Yasser Arafat. The Palestinian foreign minister Nabil Shaath announced that Arafat is still alive and that his heart, brain and lungs are still working but he suffers brain hemorrhaging. Palestine, Politics, 11/10/2004 - Minister of Information outlines Syria's development process
Minister of Information Mahdi Dakhlullah stressed that the Correctionist Movement led by Late President Hafez al-Assad was the solid base for a modern Syria in all domains. Syria, Politics, 11/10/2004 - Message from al-Assad to Turkish counterpart
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on Tuesday received Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara who handed a message from President Bashar al-Assad on the latest developments in the region. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 11/10/2004 - Al-Shara meets Iranian president on conditions in the region
Syria's President Sayed Muhammad Khatami of Iran received Tuesday Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara who handed him a message sent by President Bashar al-Assad on the latest developments in the region. Syria-Iran, Politics, 11/10/2004 - Morocco-Algerian dialogue inescapable to settle Sahara dispute, ambassador
Moroccan ambassador to Venezuela, Brahim Hussein, said the settlement of the Sahara conflict should be inescapably reached through dialogue between Algeria and Morocco. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/10/2004 - Sahara population rejects any settlement out of Moroccan sovereignty
A delegation of Sahrawi women voiced in Berlin Monday the rejection by most Sahrawis of any solution out of Morocco's sovereignty. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/10/2004 - Message from King of Morocco to Zimbabwe President
Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, conveyed on Monday a message from King Mohammed VI to President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. Morocco-Zimbabwe, Politics, 11/10/2004 - Discussions on the Israeli practices at the UN headquarters
Syria's Permanent Representative to the UN Faisal Meqdad stressed that "the Middle East is still witnessing a series of wars due to the Israeli policy that is based on occupation and settlement." Syria-UN, Politics, 11/10/2004 - Egypt's National Human Rights Council Head meets EU delegation Egypt-European Union, Politics, 11/10/2004
- Mubarak receives telephone call from Yemeni President Egypt-Yemen, Politics, 11/10/2004
- Khaddam confers with Iraqi Minister Syria-Iraq, Politics, 11/10/2004
- AL chief deplores attack on Falluja Regional-Iraq, Politics, 11/10/2004
- Powell: Iraq's conference will be an occasion to talk to the Iranians, Syrians Regional-USA, Politics, 11/10/2004
- Russia and Sharm al-Sheikh Conference on Iraq Iraq-Russia, Politics, 11/10/2004
- Iraqi Muslim Scholars Commission: a war of extermination
Campaigns of condemnation over what is taking place in Falluja continued. The secretary general of the Muslim Scholars Commission in Iraq, Hareth al-Dari, appealed to UN secretary general Kofi Annan and the secretary general of the Arab league Amr Moussa Iraq, Politics, 11/9/2004 - Riyadh criticizes statement of 26 scholars on Iraq
The Saudi ambassador in London prince Turkey al-Faisal yesterday criticized the statement made by the 26th Saudi scholars in which it called for supporting " Jihad" in Iraq, noting that its signatories do not represent the great majority of the Saudi people. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 11/9/2004 - Al-Shara in Ankara
The Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara started yesterday a visit to Ankara to last for two days and discussed the situation in Iraq and Palestine with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 11/9/2004 - Palestinian delegation to Paris ignoring Suha Arafat's insults
Four senior Palestinian officials left the city of Ramullah in the West Bank on their way to Paris to know about the health condition of the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. This departure came hours after a spokesman for the delegation announced suddenly the postponement of the visit which it intended to pay to Paris on Monday following the accusations addressed to them by Arafat's wife. Palestine, Politics, 11/9/2004 - Islamic initiative to contain the situation in Darfur
The Mufti of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim Saleh al-Sharif, disclosed that the Muslim scholars in Nigeria proposed an initiative to contain the "crisis in Darfur" to prevent attempts to internationalize it and deter attempts made for "flagrant international intervention in the Sudanese affairs under the pretext of humanitarian intervention to protect the people of Darfur." Sudan, Politics, 11/9/2004 - Ninety percent of Algerians do not care about Polisario, Algerian politician
Almost all the Algerian people do not care about the Polisario, and the Sahara issue is a matter of regimes, said Said Saadi, former Algerian minister and secretary general of the opposition RCD ( for Culture and Democracy). Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 11/9/2004 - Turkey supports negotiated solution to Sahara issue, within UN frame
Turkey's ambassador in Rabat, Algan Akin, reiterated his country's stance in support of a negotiated solution to the Sahara issue, within the framework of the United Nations Organization. Morocco-Turkey, Politics, 11/9/2004 - Syria works to scrap US accusations of money laundry
Syria's Minister of Finance Mohammed al-Hussein on Monday expected a new round of talks to be held with the US financial officials as to follow up dialogue aimed at solving the standing problem with US financial accusations of money laundering. Syria-USA, Politics, 11/9/2004 - Alawi and the resumption of diplomatic ties with Syria Iraq-Syria, Politics, 11/9/2004
- Egyptian, Libyan officials meet on bilateral relations Egypt-Libya, Politics, 11/9/2004
- Saudi reformers accuse judiciary of unfairness
Three Saudi reformers, who are currently brought before the judiciary, extended a message to the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz in which they complained against the conditions of their trial. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/8/2004 - Palestinian official: Arafat suffers liver failure, Palestinian meetings to maintain stability
One Palestinian source disclosed that the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat suffers liver failure and that his health condition is not improving. Palestine, Politics, 11/8/2004 - Suha Arafat accuses Qurei delegation of wanting to bury her husband alive
Suha Arafat, wife of the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, extended a call to the Palestinian people via al-Jazeera TV in which she described the Palestinian officials who want to head for Paris today as "handful of inheritors who want to bury Yasser Arafat alive." Palestine, Politics, 11/8/2004 - A message from al-Assad to Mubarak on regional issues
President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt received on Sunday the Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara who handed him a message sent from President Bashar al-Assad on the latest developments in the Arab region. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 11/8/2004 - Ali Islam: Egypt denies banned nuclear activity
Egypt denied on Sunday carrying out any banned nuclear activity, Vowing continued cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog in mutual confidence and transparency." Egypt, Politics, 11/8/2004 - Morocco to fully cooperate with UN officials and international community to reach political solution to Sahara dispute, King Mohammed VI
King Mohammed VI reaffirmed Saturday that Morocco will continue to cooperate fully and in good faith with the United Nations, its Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and with his Special Representative Alvaro de Soto, aided by effective support from partners in the region and from the international community, "to reach a final, negotiated political solution to the artificial dispute over Morocco's territorial integrity, one that is mutually acceptable to the parties concerned." Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/8/2004 - Attempts to revive inter-Sudanese negotiations
Mediators of the African Union are seeking to bring back the rebels of Darfur and the representatives of the Sudanese government to the stumbled negotiation table. Sudan, Politics, 11/8/2004 - Sudan holds the UN responsible for deterioration of conditions in Darfur
Sudan has accused the UN speial envoy in Sudan Jan Brunek of encouraging the rebels in Darfur district to violate the ceasefire. Sudan-UN, Politics, 11/8/2004 - Khatami and peace in the Middle East; Iran has right to peaceful nuclear energy
Iranian President Mohammed Khatami stressed that peace and stability in the Middle East cannot be achieved without the restoration of the Palestinian people's legitimate rights and the establishment of their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. Regional-Iran, Politics, 11/8/2004 - Saudi scholars: al-Jihad is a duty in Iraq; a call to avoid sedition
Some 26 Saudi scholars on Friday called in an open speech to the Iraqi people for unity and resisting the occupation, stressing in a statement issued on the Internet the legitimacy of resistance. Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 11/8/2004 - Washington Post: US concern over disappearance of 4,000 missiles in Iraq
In yesterday's issue, the Washington Post said that the American administration fears that some 4,000 missile of shoulder-borne type that might be used in downing planes had disappeared from Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/8/2004 - Al-Anbaa: Ford: Syrian-British relations are excellent
British Ambassador in Damascus Peter Ford described the Syrian-British relations as excellent. Syria-UK, Politics, 11/8/2004 - When withdrawal from Gaza is made, UN observers in Sinai are ready to protect the borders
The UN forces in charge of monitoring peace between Israel and Egypt announced yesterday that it is ready to help ensuring the protection of borders between Egypt and Gaza after Israel's withdrawal from this Palestinian sector. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 11/8/2004 - French daily and Sharon
French "Liberation" newspaper said that Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is under two kinds of pressures from Israeli settlers to stop carrying out the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza and an international pressure from Europe and the U.S. to commit himself to the establishment of two Israeli and Palestinian states. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/8/2004 - Egyptian presidency highlights Syria's positive stances Egypt-Syria, Politics, 11/8/2004
- Lebanese Minister for boosting ties with Syria Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 11/8/2004
- Jordan, Malaysia for a WMD free Middle East Jordan-Malaysia, Politics, 11/8/2004