Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 11/29/2004
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of November 29, 2004
- Morocco inaugurates new phase in human rights development, Moroccan Red Crescent Organization
Chairwoman of the Moroccan Red Crescent Organization (OCRM), Princess Lalla Malika, said on Thursday Morocco has started a new phase in the promotion of human rights culture and enhancement of its principles. Morocco, Politics, 12/4/2004 - Rape, fighting continue in Sudan's Darfur region despite accords, UN
Despite agreements signed between Sudan's Government and rebels in the country's Darfur region, recent reports of sexual violence and rape persist, contributing to a tremendous sense of insecurity among internally displaced persons (IDPs), the United Nations human rights agency said yesterday. Sudan-UN, Politics, 12/4/2004 - Morocco, Chile to endeavor for a greater rapprochement
Morocco and Chile have voiced resolve to carry on political consultations and maintain a permanent dialogue for a "greater rapprochement" between the two countries. Morocco-Chile, Politics, 12/4/2004 - Morocco, Chile sign cooperation agreements
Visiting King Mohammed VI of Morocco and the president of Chile chaired, in Santiago Thursday, the signing ceremony of a framework agreement in culture and three memos of understanding on cooperation in agriculture, forests, animal and plants health, fisheries and aquaculture. Morocco-Chile, Politics, 12/4/2004 - Mubarak discusses Palestinian, Iraqi issues with US congress delegation
President Hosni Mubarak received yesterday in Sharm el- Sheikh US Senator Joseph Biden and his accompanying delegation and the meeting was attended by the US Ambassador in Cairo David Welch. Biden appreciated efforts by the government on the Palestinian and Iraqi arenas. Egypt-USA, Politics, 12/4/2004 - Government policy statement includes realistic programs to enable low-income brackets afford living costs
The Egyptian government will brief President Hosni Mubarak on the main features of its policy statement due to be delivered by Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif to the People's Assembly on December 19. Egypt, Politics, 12/4/2004 - One Hamas official arrested, vast moves to provide Palestinian elections a success
The Israeli occupation army yesterday arrested 12 Palestinian activists in the West Bank including one local official in the Islamic Resistance Hamas movement. Palestine, Politics, 12/4/2004 - Iraqi president al-Yawer to meet with Bush in Washington Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/4/2004
- Annan urges greater efforts to rid world of landmines
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed progress in clearing antipersonnel mines in recent years, but warned that these indiscriminate weapons continue to exact a heavy civilian toll. Regional, Politics, 12/4/2004 - Three Iraqis arrested in Germany over suspicion on assassination attempt against Allawi Iraq-Germany, Politics, 12/4/2004
- Moroccan PM calls for Arab unified coalition
Moroccan prime minister, Driss Jettou, called in Marrakech on Wednesday, to "establish an Arab unified coalition based on the same religious, linguistic, cultural and civilizational references." Regional-Morocco, Politics, 12/3/2004 - China backs Egypt's efforts to get UN Security Council seat
Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Wu Sike yesterday stressed his country's appreciation for the strenuous efforts exerted by President Hosni Mubarak and the Egyptian government to settle the Palestinian issue and positive role in solving the Darfur problem. Egypt-China, Politics, 12/3/2004 - Nazif vows to achieve economic reform in two years
Egypt's Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif vowed to achieve economic reforms within two years, saying that the government was resolved to meet its commitments. Egypt, Politics, 12/3/2004 - Syria rejects conditional dialogue with Israel
Syria has rejected statements made by the Israeli prime minister in which he expressed his readiness to meet with the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad but under certain conditions, considering that this is not in line with the Syrian proposal to resume peace negotiations. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/3/2004 - President Butaflika formally recognizes Algeria's role in 'Sahrawi Republic' recognition campaign
Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika formally recognized on Wednesday that his country had played a decisive role in the campaign to drum support for the recognition by several states of the puppet Sahrawi Republic, based in Tindouf (southwestern Algeria). Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 12/3/2004 - Hammoud underlines need for peace on two tracks
Lebanese Expatriates and Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Hammoud, has stressed the necessity for launching the peace process on the Lebanese and Syrian tracks at the same time because of the inseparability of the two tracks that ensure the same destiny for both states. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 12/3/2004 - Sudan allocates half of the south's oil revenues for development of the area
The Sudanese government announced on Thursday that it had prepared a budget for 2005 that is in line with the agreements reached with the southern rebels which will be a base for a comprehensive peace agreement in the country. Sudan, Politics, 12/3/2004 - Al-Shara confers with Jordanian peer
Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al Shara discussed with his Jordanian counterpart, Hani Mulqi, on Thursday the latest developments in the region particularly in Iraq and in the occupied Palestinian territories and bilateral relations. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 12/3/2004 - Egyptian papers and ME Peace Process
The Egyptian news paper al-Akhbar said Thursday that Syria has been committed to the just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 12/3/2004 - Washington enhances its forces in Iraq sticks to elections date
The US has announced its cling to organize the elections in Iraq on its due date set for January 30, 2005, despite the deteriorations of security conditions in the country. Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/3/2004 - Egypt: American ambassador meets with spokesman for the opposition
The American ambassador in Cairo David Welsh yesterday met, for one hour, the spokesman for the coalition of the main Egyptian opposition parties, known as al-Tawafuk ( consensus party), Rifaat al-Saeed. Egypt-USA, Politics, 12/3/2004 - Mubarak calls on Palestinians to make headway in Sharon's era as he is capable of reaching a solution
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak called on Palestinians to unify their stands, and to renounce differences to maintain the unity of the Palestinian ranks as an initial step to keeping the interests of the Palestinian people. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 12/3/2004 - Okaz: Mousa's distinction between Terrorism and Resistance
Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa has stressed the necessity to distinguish between terrorism and resistance in order to not mix between the two concepts. Regional, Politics, 12/3/2004 - Abbas highlights Syrian-Palestinian Relations
Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Mahmoud Abbas Thursday described relations with Syria as strong and solid, adding that a delegation of the Palestinian leadership will head to Damascus next week. Palestine-Syria, Politics, 12/3/2004 - Fatah, Hamas agree to maintain dialogue, al-Aqsa supports Barghouthi
The Palestinian national resistance movement ( Hamas) disclosed that the sudden meeting which was held between the movement and the leadership of the Palestinian leadership in Gaza on Thursday evening came in the course of preparations for a series of meetings that will be launched within the two coming days between Hamas and Fatah and other groups to complete what was started of dialogue. Palestine, Politics, 12/3/2004 - Mubarak receives report on recommendations of Human Rights Council Egypt, Politics, 12/3/2004
- Al-Assad confers with Lebanese Minister of Defence Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 12/3/2004
- King Mohammed VI holds talks with Chilean president Morocco-Chile, Politics, 12/3/2004
- Gamal Mubarak presents Egypt's future vision Egypt-Germany, Politics, 12/3/2004
- Democracy, economy, education, key elements for change, King
King Mohammed VI of Morocco has insisted on democracy, economy and education as key elements for any "desired change" in the Arab states, in a message to participants in the third conference of the "Arab Thought Foundation" that opened here Wednesday. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 12/2/2004 - UN General Assembly overwhelming vote on Syrian Golan and Peace Process
The UN General Assembly on Wednesday called on Israel to withdraw from the occupied Syria Golan till the June 4th 1967 line as stated by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/2/2004 - Syrian official source denies Egyptian FM statement
A Syrian official source on Tuesday denied what had been said by Egyptian Presidential spokesman Majed Abdulfatah that Syria is not committed to "Rabin's deposit" or to what had been agreed on in the peace negotiations. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 12/2/2004 - Abu al-Gheit denies conveying a message from Damascus to Tel Aviv
The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit has denied that he had carried a Syrian message over negotiations with Israel, but he indicated that he notified Shalom of Damascus's readiness to resume these negotiations and received no answer to that. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/2/2004 - UAE president calls for a peaceful solution for the Islands question with Iran
President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khaleifa Bin Zayed al-Nahyan has called for a peaceful solution for the three Gulf islands Tanb the Great, Tanb the Small and Abu Mousa which are disputable with Iran. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 12/2/2004 - Final statement of Tehran's meeting of Iraq's neighboring states
Interior Ministers of Iraq neighboring countries underscored importance of maintaining the country's territorial integrity and national unity and enabling its people to lead a stable and secure life. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 12/2/2004 - Escalation of the attacks in Iraq, efforts to make the elections a success
The Pentagon announced the intention to dispatch members of the air-borne American 82nd squads to Iraq in order to take part in enhancing security before making the elections due in that country on January 30, 2005. Iraq, Politics, 12/2/2004 - UN: 15 were killed in attacks in Darfur
The spokeswoman for the UN envoy to Sudan, Ban Brunik, said that 15 civilians were killed and other 6 injured in acts of violence took place during the past six days in Darfur. Sudan, Politics, 12/2/2004 - Nearby Egyptian- Israeli agreement over Gaza border security
Egypt has demanded Israel to connect its plan to withdraw from Gaza to the Roadmap peace plan and to facilitate measures for the Palestinian elections, while Tel Aviv announced that a nearby agreement is approached on enhancing the Egyptian security arrangements on the border. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/2/2004 - Fatah, al-Aqsa groups reject Barghouthi's elections for Palestinian Presidency
The central committee of the Palestine national liberation front ( Fatah) deplored the nomination of the secretary general of the movement in the West Bank, Marwan al-Barghouthi, for the presidential elections due to be on January 9th, 2005. Palestine, Politics, 12/2/2004 - Chile supports political solution to Sahara issue, diplomat
Chile backs the United Nations' efforts to find an acceptable political solution to the Sahara dispute, and also any effort aimed at improving relations between Morocco and Algeria, said Chile's ambassador in Rabat, Alejandro Carvajal Tamayo. Morocco-Chile, Politics, 12/2/2004 - King Mohammed VI ends visit to Peru, heads to Chile Morocco-Peru, Politics, 12/2/2004
- Egypt says no change over Syria stance toward peace Egypt-Syria, Politics, 12/2/2004
- Moroccan official warns of terrorism peril of armed gangs presence in Sahara
The chairman of the provincial council of the Moroccan southern city of Tan Tan warned on Tuesday against the dangers posed by the presence in the Sahara of armed gangs and the risks of thriving terror for Europe and Spain particularly. Morocco, Politics, 12/2/2004 - Lebanese minister statement on demonstration Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/2/2004
- Lebanese premier confers with Syrian transport minister on cooperation Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/2/2004
- Syria denies giving up Rabin's deposit for negotiating with Israel
Syria has denounced what was announced by the spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency Majid Abdul Fattah over Damascus's giving up what was called "Rabin's deposit" in which the former Israeli prime minister Yitzahak Rabin vowed in 1994 to withdraw from the occupied Syrian Golan heights for full normalization of relations with Syria. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/1/2004 - Egypt proposes mediation between Syria and Israel
Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency Majid Abdul Fattah has stressed that Cairo is proposing to mediate between the two Syrian and Israeli sides. He called on Tel Aviv to follow Syria's example noting that "Israel knows well what it is wanted from it." Egypt-Syria, Politics, 12/1/2004 - Massive demonstration in Beirut in support of Syria, against UN resolution 1559
Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese demonstrated yesterday in the Lebanese capital Beirut, announcing their support for the Syrian presence in Beirut and rejection for the UN Security Council resolution no. 1559 which calls for the withdrawal of the Syrian forces from this country. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/1/2004 - Al-Assad, Lahoud phone conversation
A telephone call was made Tuesday evening between President Bashar al-Assad and President Emile Lahoud of Lebanon on the latest regional developments. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/1/2004 - Iraqi political moves in preparations for the elections
On the sidelines of political efforts to prepare for the Iraqi elections due by the beginning of 2005, the interim Iraqi prime minister Eyad Allawi arrived in Amman, Jordan, in order to convene meetings with Iraqi figures living there and convincing them to take part in the electoral process. Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 12/1/2004 - King says Morocco ready to cooperate with neighbouring states to solve Sahara dispute
Visiting King Mohammed VI of Morocco expressed, in Lima Tuesday, Morocco's readiness to cooperate with parties concerned and with the neighbouring states in order to find a solution to the three-decade long Sahara dispute Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 12/1/2004 - Moroccan speaker leaves Algiers after meeting with President Butaflika
The speaker of the Moroccan House of representatives (lower parliamentary chamber), left Algiers, on Tuesday, after taking part in the African parliaments union gathering, and meeting Algerian president, Abdul Aziz Butaflika. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 12/1/2004 - More Syrian dailies, periodicals licensed
Syria's Prime Minister Naji Otari on Tuesday licensed new periodical newspapers and magazines in Arabic and English in Syria. Syria, Politics, 12/1/2004 - Syria's ambassador to US statement at the UN General Assembly
Syria's Permanent Representative at the UN, Faisal Miqdad, said that despite all efforts by the international community represented by the UN, there is still no real hope that herald the end of the Palestinian people's ordeal or the establishment of their independent state and the return of their legitimate rights. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 12/1/2004 - Sherif receives Russian PM Egypt-Russia, Politics, 12/1/2004
- Morocco aspires to build 'special partnership' with Peru, King Morocco-Peru, Politics, 12/1/2004
- Forum for the Future to seek support, not to impose reforms in the region, US official
The Forum for the Future to be held in Rabat December 11-12 is meant to seek support to reforms in the Broader Middle East and North Africa region, and will not impose such reforms, insisted, in Washington Monday, American Under-Secretary for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs, Alan Larson Regional-USA, Politics, 12/1/2004 - Al-Wattan: European Union and the ME Peace Process Regional-European Union, Politics, 12/1/2004
- Turkish prime minister to visit Syria in December Syria-Turkey, Politics, 12/1/2004
- Al-Sharaq al-Awsat: Source at U.S. embassy in Damascus denies visa issuance suspension Syria-USA, Politics, 12/1/2004
- Council of Arab Ministers of Justice meets in Cairo
The Council of Arab Ministers of Justice stressed importance of Arab coordination at the international forums regarding procedures taken to fight terrorism, particularly on the UN draft agreements on fighting all forms of terrorism. Regional, Politics, 12/1/2004 - Al-Assad arrives in Sharm al-Sheikh today Syria-Egypt, Politics, 11/30/2004
- Prince Hussein is a crown prince in Jordan Jordan, Politics, 11/30/2004
- Syrian Minister of Interior: Syria is with Iraq's liberation Syria-Iraq, Politics, 11/30/2004
- Syria for a just and comprehensive ME peace Syria-Israel, Politics, 11/30/2004
- Morocco, UAE examine means to consolidate economic cooperation United Arab Emirates-Morocco, Politics, 11/30/2004
- Syria denies Cairo's mediation between Damascus and Tel Aviv
A Syrian official source denied on late Monday evening the existence of any mediation carried out by Cairo between Damascus and Tel Aviv. The source said the visit of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's visit today (Tuesday) to Egypt has no connection to this matter. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 11/30/2004 - Sudan asks SPLM to send their delegates to negotiations
The Sudanese government delegation to Naivasha negotiations asked the southern rebels, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) yesterday to send the rest of their delegates to the Kenyan city. Sudan, Politics, 11/30/2004 - Media should not be used as 'terrorism driving belt,' official
Speaking at the opening of a Moroccan-German forum, held under the theme "Terrorism seen by the media," Benabdellah defended, nonetheless, the freedom of the media because of "the important role it plays in combating terrorism." Morocco, Politics, 11/30/2004 - Al-Zawaheri threatens Washington, warns against repeating Baghdad 's scenario
The second ranking man in al-Qaida organization, Ayman al-Zawaheri, renewed his threats to the US and stressed that his organization will continue fighting America until it changes its policies towards the Arab states. Regional-USA, Politics, 11/30/2004 - American soldier killed in Iraq, Powell stresses that elections will be on time
In a statement issued today, the American army announced that one soldier was killed on Monday evening in a bomb explosion implanted on the roadside when one American military vehicle was running in the north of Baghdad. Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/30/2004 - Sudan postpones expulsion of aid agencies
Sudan has stated that decision to expel the heads of two aid agencies is administrative and will be postponed. The expulsion decision includes the country heads of two British aid agencies on Monday, citing administrative difficulties and humanitarian grounds, the state minister for humanitarian affairs said. Sudan, Politics, 11/30/2004 - US is still committed to Mideast peace, Boucher Regional-USA, Politics, 11/30/2004
- Abu Ghait highlights Syria's call for peace Egypt-Syria, Politics, 11/29/2004
- Egyptian-Japanese consultations on coordination views toward several issues Egypt-Japan, Politics, 11/29/2004
- Brazilian president hails Morocco's role in restoration of peace, stability in the world
Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, hailed, on Friday, Morocco's contribution to restoring peace, stability and social justice in the world. Morocco-Brazil, Politics, 11/29/2004 - Da Silva: Moroccan king visit opens 'significant opportunities' for bilateral cooperation
The visit of king Mohammed VI to Brazil, second leg of his five-nation Latin American tour, will open "significant opportunities" for cooperation between the two countries, affirmed President Lula Da Silva of Brazil. Morocco-Brazil, Politics, 11/29/2004 - King commends da Silva's 'strong commitment' for just causes triumph
King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Friday commended what he described as a "strong commitment" of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's strong commitment for the triumph of just causes, during an Exchange of Toasts at a lunch hosted in his honour. Morocco-Brazil, Politics, 11/29/2004 - Trial session of Kurdish riots postponed Syria, Politics, 11/29/2004
- Lebanese source denies contacts with Israel Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 11/29/2004
- Pakistani president wraps up visit to Morocco Morocco-Pakistan, Politics, 11/29/2004
- Arab League supports syria's call for resumption of peace negotiations
Arab League Secretary General, Amr Moussa, said Syria's call for the resumption of peace negotiations reflected a sincere desire to reach a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Regional-Syria, Politics, 11/29/2004 - Positive results expected out of Fradkov's visit to Egypt Egypt-Russia, Politics, 11/29/2004
- King of Jordan exempts his brother from the post of the viceroy
In a sudden step, the Jordanian King Abdullah II Bin al-Hussein exempted his ( half brother ) Hamzeh Bin al-Hussein from the post of the viceroy ( the King's deputy). Jordan, Politics, 11/29/2004 - Negotiated solution to Sahara dispute will protect North Africa from terrorism, destabilization, King
Visiting King Mohammed VI of Morocco reiterated in Brasilia Friday Morocco's resolve to reach a negotiated political solution to the Sahara dispute that will "protect" the North African region of the Maghreb from "balkanisation and terrorism." Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/29/2004 - Morocco wishes preferential trade agreement with Brazil, comprehensive TFA with MERCOSUR
Visiting King Mohammed VI has voiced Morocco's hope to conclude a preferential trade agreement with Brazil, prior to a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with MERCOSUR countries. Morocco-Brazil, Politics, 11/29/2004 - Continued argument over the Iraqi elections
Concerning developments on the Iraqi elections due on January 30, 2005, the Iraqi Minister of Planning, Mahdo al-Hafez, who is close to Adnan al-Baqjaji said that the Interim Iraqi government will study within the few coming days the postponement of the elections. An idea which was refused by several Iraqi sides including the Shiite leaderships. Iraq, Politics, 11/29/2004 - British journalist criticizes western media
British journalist John Logland criticized the Western media's support to thousands of demonstrators protesting against outcomes of Ukrainian presidential election while ignoring the political will demonstrated by more than two million people who took to London streets against Iraq war. Iraq-UK, Politics, 11/29/2004 - Abul-Gheit to visit Israel Wednesday
Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit said on Saturday he will pay a whirlwind visit to Israel on Wednesday accompanied by Minister Omar Soliman. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 11/29/2004 - Al-Aqsa groups supports Abbas nomination for presidency
Al-Aqsa groups stemmed from the Fatah movement yesterday announced support for the decision taken by the Fatah movement to nominate Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazin) as chairman of the PLO to the Palestinian Presidential elections due on January 9th, 2005. Palestine, Politics, 11/29/2004 - Abbas: legislative elections in next May
Palestinian leaders made talks on Sunday in Egypt that dealt with the development of conditions following the death of the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Palestine, Politics, 11/29/2004 - Jettou: Morocco seeks counter-terrorism cooperation with Portugal
Morocco is attached to international counter-terrorism cooperation and coordination with friend countries like Portugal, said here, on Friday, Moroccan premier, Driss Jettou. Morocco-Portugal, Politics, 11/29/2004 - Syria - Sweden for boosting bilateral Cooperation
Syria and Sweden discussed on Sunday means of boosting the bilateral cooperation relations and activating the agreements signed between them in the different fields of transport. Syria-Sweden, Politics, 11/29/2004