Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 11/15/2004
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of November 15, 2004
- Nouakchott: Demonstration protesting the detention of Islamists
Hundreds of Mauritanians demonstrated yesterday in protest of detaining three Islamic leaders accused of distributing fake pictures of tortured prisoners. Mauritania, Politics, 11/19/2004 - In a unanimous draft resolution, UN Security Council promises Khartoum help for peace
In its special session in Nairobi, the UN Security Council reached a unanimous agreement on a draft resolution to establish peace in Sudan on the ground it will be adopted today ( Friday) in conclusion of the special meeting to be held in Nairobi, Kenya. Sudan-UN, Politics, 11/19/2004 - Sharon apologizes for Mubarak, Egypt strongly deplores the killing of its soldiers
Egypt has strongly condemned the killing of three of its soldiers by an Israeli tank shelling on the Egyptian borders with Gaza and described by the Egyptian foreign ministry as an irresponsible act. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 11/19/2004 - Egypt inquires Israel in the killing of three of its soldiers
The Egyptian foreign ministry addressed an urgent message to Israel demanding an official explanation over the killing of three soldiers on the Egyptian territories by the fire of the Israeli tank positioned in southern Gaza. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 11/19/2004 - Lebanese premier and Syria's presence in Lebanon
The Lebanese premier underlined that Israel was the aggressor due to the proof that it did not stop its threats nor its daily aggression on Lebanon saying no day is passing without seeing a breach of our regional water and our sky. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 11/19/2004 - Syrian-Turkish relations in the eye of Egyptian researcher
Egyptian researcher Awad Othman on Thursday stressed the importance of development which has been witnessed by the Syrian-Turkish relations. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 11/19/2004 - Morocco esteems Ecuador withdrawal of recognition so-called SADR
Morocco has esteem for Ecuador thanks to the decision of this Latin American country to withdraw recognition to the so-called Sahrawi "SADR" republic proclaimed by the Polisario movement which has been seeking separation of the Moroccan southern provinces retrieved in 1975 following the end of Spanish colonialism of the Saharan territory. Morocco-Ecuador, Politics, 11/19/2004 - Blair, Chirac agree on supporting peace in the Middle East
The British prime minister Tony Blair and the French President Jack Chirac admitted continued bilateral differences between their countries over Iraq, but they expressed satisfaction over what observers described as an attempt to close the file of this difference. Regional-European Union, Politics, 11/19/2004 - Israel releases one Hamas leader, Abbas vows to maintain security
The Israeli authorities yesterday released one of the main leaders of the Islamic resistance movement ( Hamas ) in the West Bank after two years of holding him in the Israeli jails under the accusation of being a Hamas member. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/19/2004 - Past General Assembly presidents voice concern at threat of UN's marginalization
A group of past Presidents of the General Assembly yesterday voiced their concern at the growing threat of marginalization of the United Nations and called for its main deliberative and legislative body to uphold the principle of international legitimacy by requiring Member States to comply with UN resolutions. Regional-UN, Politics, 11/19/2004 - 8,000 Gulf citizens' signatures to release reformer; five Islamists arrested
The Saudi Arabian ministry of the interior announced yesterday that one police man was killed and other nine injured, and five Islamists were detained in a fire exchange that took place on Tuesday evening between the security forces and gunmen to the north of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/18/2004 - Lebanese minister highlights relations with Syria Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 11/18/2004
- Syrian senior party official visits Turkey today Syria-Turkey, Politics, 11/18/2004
- Moussa calls for abiding by 2005 as a year for the Palestinian state Regional-Palestine, Politics, 11/18/2004
- Sorour receives Jordanian FM for bilateral cooperation talks Egypt-Jordan, Politics, 11/18/2004
- First UN Security Council meeting since 1973 outside New York dedicated for Sudan
The UN Security Council holds today and tomorrow in Nairobi a unique meeting which is the first of its kind outside New York since 1973 in which the general situation in Sudan will be discussed and the negotiations between the Sudanese government and the southern rebels and the issue of Darfur, with the aim of intensifying international pressure on Sudan, as well as other African issues. Sudan-UN, Politics, 11/18/2004 - Tripoli: Seven Italians of Libyan origin arrived
Seven Italians arrived yesterday in Tripoli after 34 years of displacing them from Libya with more than 20, 000 of their citizens in the second year of al-Fateh revolution of September 1969. Libya-Italy, Politics, 11/18/2004 - Egypt hosts 1st conf. for Human Rights Councils in the Arab states
The National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) in cooperation with the Arab League will organize a regional conference on the status of human rights in the Arab states. Regional-Egypt, Politics, 11/18/2004 - Al-Gomhuria: Egyptian foreign policy favors Arab, African ties
Abul Gheit expounded that Egyptian foreign policies are based on five main pillars, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, Egyptian interests in cooperation with Nile Basin members and cooperation with Euro-Med states. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 11/18/2004 - BBC: French President: situation in Iraq is now more risky
French President Jacques Chirac says he is "not at all sure" the world has become safer with the removal from power of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Iraq-France, Politics, 11/18/2004 - Syrian Intifada Support Committee provides more aids Syria-Palestine, Politics, 11/18/2004
- Al-Assad, Mubarak discuss the situation in Iraq, Palestinian elections
The Syrian President Bashar al-Assad yesterday made a telephone call with the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and discussed with him the situation in Iraq and the Palestinian Presidential elections. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 11/18/2004 - Straw denies the killing of 100,000 Iraqi civilians since the beginning of Iraq's invasion
The British foreign office secretary Jack Straw yesterday denied estimated announced by British experts in the field of health which said that some 100,000 civilians were killed in Iraq since the beginning of the invasion of Iraq. Iraq-UK, Politics, 11/18/2004 - Turkish security report reveals Israel's policy in Iraq
High-level Turkish security bodies have drawn up a report that evaluates Israel's polices on the ground in light of the continued US occupation of Iraq. Iraq-Israel, Politics, 11/18/2004 - France calls for accelerating the establishment of a Palestinian state
In a new bid to reactivate the peace process, French Foreign Minister Michael Barnier has expressed hope for launching a joint dialogue among Europe, the United States, the United Nations and the Middle East countries for embarking on a joint action for settling the Arab Israeli conflict. Palestine-France, Politics, 11/18/2004 - Inter- Palestinian dialogue and the elections
The chairman of the PLO executive committee Mahmoud Abbas failed during his talks which ended in Gaza on Wednesday with the Palestinian groups to get a commitment from these groups to halt the attacks against Israel during preparations for the elections. Palestine, Politics, 11/18/2004 - Abbas vows to end armed manifestations before the elections
Chairman of the PLO executive committee Mahmoud Abbas vowed to take tangible steps in order to end all armed manifestation and put an end to the state of chaos in the Palestinian territories as well as to ensure calm before the presidential elections which are due on January 9th, 2005. Palestine, Politics, 11/18/2004 - Spanish mayor launches campaign against Sharon
Mayor of a Spanish town on Wednesday launched a special campaign to "bridle in the brutness" of the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon by raising banners in this regard as well distributing t-shirts on the town citizens. Israel-Spain, Politics, 11/18/2004 - NGO calls for lifting the siege on Moroccans sequestrated in Polisario camps
A Moroccan Ngo on Tuesday called on the International Community, notably the UN Secretary General, to act to lift the siege on the Moroccans sequestrated in the Polisario camps close to Tindouf, Southwest Algeria, and to help free the POWs detained in these camps. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/18/2004 - Israeli delegation in Nouakchott
The government of the president of Mauritania, Mu'aweya Weld al-Taye, continued its reactivation of relations with Israel, as one Israeli delegation started a visit to Nouakchott amid strong security measures. Mauritania-Israel, Politics, 11/18/2004 - US report: $ 21 billion for Saddam Hussein from smuggling oil
An investigation carried out by a committee affiliates to the US senate made on Tuesday said that the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein won more than $ 21 billion from commissions and smuggling operations before and during the UN "food for oil" program. This represents two folds of the sum indicated in earlier estimation. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/17/2004 - Al-Qaida defies Saudi Arabia, recruit its members via the Internet
Saudi analysists said that the resignation of the US secretary of state Colin Powell is presumed not to affect Washington's commitment for Saudi reforms because this is a policy that serves its interests in fighting terrorism. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 11/17/2004 - Dahlan supports the nomination of Abbas, a hesitant position for al--Aqsa martyrs groups
The military wing of the Fatah movement said it will support a truce of 60 days with the occupation under the condition that the occupation will honor it. Palestine, Politics, 11/17/2004 - Hamas, Islamic Jihad refuse truce, participation in the elections
The two Islamic resistance movement ( Hamas) and the Islamic Jihad announced their rejection to take part in the elections to be organized on January 9th, 2005 to choose a new President for the Palestinian Authority. Palestine, Politics, 11/17/2004 - Sahara issue: Moroccan people should be consulted on level of autonomy (minister)
The "intense disturbance" of the Algerian diplomacy concerning the question of the Moroccan Sahara has created "tension" but in Morocco, which is "serene and looking towards the future," the Royal speech of November 6 "establishes the principle of a political solution accepted by everyone and which preserves, before all, the interests of the nation (Morocco), said the First Secretary of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), Mohamed El yazghi. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/17/2004 - Syria's New Ambassador to Germany
German President Horst Kohler on Tuesday received the credentials of Syria's new Ambassador to Germany, Hussein Omran. The German president stressed care to boost bilateral Both sides reviewed the Syrian-German relations on all levels and means of developing those relations in the interest of the two friendly countries. Syria-Germany, Politics, 11/17/2004 - Allawi denies, International Amnesty confirms the killing of civilians in Falluja
The Iraqi Interim prime minister Eyad Allawi alleged that he does not believe that there are civilians who were killed in the attack which resulted in killing 38 America soldiers and 6 Iraqi soldiers and more than 1200 gunmen. However, statements of witnesses contradicted with his statements. Iraq, Politics, 11/16/2004 - Rational Arab administration initiative to be announced in December
The initiative which will be launched in the conference with the participation of 16 Arab states at the level of prime ministers and nine regional and international commissions, aims at enhancing sustainable development through strengthening current rule administration to participation, transparency, the rule of judiciary so as to be an element complementary to the Arab reform programs Regional, Politics, 11/16/2004 - Lattakia governor and Antioch governor meet on border issues
Governor of Lattakia, Zahed Haje Mousa, and Governor of Turkish Antakya, Abdul-Qadder Sari, have stressed the necessity for the continuation of exerting efforts to boost bilateral relations between Lattakia and Antakya in all domains. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 11/16/2004 - Human Rights Watch calls on the UN to impose sanctions on Khartoum
The Human Rights Watch organization in charge of defending human rights on Monday called for imposing sanctions on Sudan especially in the field of weapons because of the "continued violence atmosphere " in Darfur district which has been witnessing a civil war. Sudan, Politics, 11/16/2004 - Moroccan socialist party: only respect of legality guarantees political settlement to Sahara issue
Supporting efforts by the UN secretary general and respecting international legality remain the only guarantee to reach a political, fair and lasting settlement of the Sahara issue, insisted the Moroccan USFP party Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/16/2004 - Hungary decided to withdraw its forces from Iraq
The Hungarian parliament made it obligatory for the government in Budapest o withdraw its forces from Iraq before the end of the current years in a vote that took place in the Hungarian parliament on Monday. Iraq-Hungary, Politics, 11/16/2004 - Kuwait tightens security measures on the border with Iraq
The Kuwaiti authorities are working to complete the "Steel door" a steel front of 217 km long to replace the soil wall which extends along the borders between the two states. Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 11/16/2004 - Powell to visit the region
The Palestinian foreign minister Nabil Shaath said yesterday that the US secretary of state Colin Powell will arrive next week to the West Bank to meet with the new Palestinian leadership. Regional-USA, Politics, 11/16/2004 - Candidates for the Palestinian presidential elections
Concerning candidates expected to take part in the Palestinian elections, sources close to the Palestinian billionaire Munib al-Masri said he is studying the possibility of nominating himself for the presidency of the Palestinian Authority in succession of Arafat. Palestine, Politics, 11/16/2004 - Al-Jihad announces boycott of the Palestinian elections
The Palestinian foreign affairs Minister Nabil Shaath said that there is a consensus inside the Fatah movement that Mahmoud Abbas, chairman of the PLO, will be the movement's candidate for the Palestinian Presidential elections which will be held on January 9th, 2005. Palestine, Politics, 11/16/2004 - Allawi accuses al-Jazeera of violating its work embargo in Iraq
The Iraqi interim prime minister Eyad Allawi renewed his criticism against al-Jazeera TV and accused it in his recent statement of violating the law that provides for banning it from working in Iraq. Iraq-Qatar, Politics, 11/16/2004 - Madrid rally of pro-polisario exposes extent of Spanish people's interest
After several months of lobbying and campaigning, a meeting, supposed to be "the great national rally" of pro-Polisario Spanish associations turned out to be a exposition, as only 3,000 persons, 4,000 according to the most optimistic estimates, showed up on Saturday in Madrid. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 11/16/2004 - Two NGOs call for shedding light on fate of hundreds of missing persons in Tindouf camps
Two non-governmental organizations have called the international community to take action to shed light on the fate of hundreds of persons reported missing in the Tindouf camps, in southern Algeria. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/16/2004 - Abu Mazin escapes assassination attempt in Gaza
Mahmoud Abbas, Abu Mazin, has escaped a failed assassination attempt on Sunday evening after three gunmen broke into the tent where condolences are offered for the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Gaza and chanted slogans deploring Abbas and Muhammad Dahlan, commemorating Yasser Arafat and then started to open fire Palestine, Politics, 11/15/2004 - Al-Masri al-Youm: Egypt: some 700 Islamists extremists are released
One Egyptian daily said yesterday that the Egyptian government released in recent days 700 members of the Islamic group which fought the government in the 1990s before it gave up violence after that. Egypt, Politics, 11/15/2004 - African forces proceed slowly to ease situation in Darfur
The African Union force of which some 700 troops were so far deployed in Darfur, west Sudan, is making all efforts to monitor the fragile cease fire and bring back security and order in the turbulent district, situated to the west of Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 11/15/2004 - France says Arafat's death should mark birth of Palestinian state
France stressed that the Middle East peace process has to be pushed forward in a way to establish a viable Palestinian state and make late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's dream come true. Palestine-France, Politics, 11/15/2004 - Israeli TV: contacts to finalize a tripartite deal including the release of Barghouthi Palestine-Israel, Politics, 11/15/2004