Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 12/27/2004
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of December 27, 2004
- Bashir declares the end of the south war in Sudan
Both the Sudanese government and the southern rebels dropped the curtains on a civil war that lasted for 21 years. Sudan, Politics, 1/1/2005 - Qathafi denies the need for mediation with Saudi Arabia
The Libyan leader Muammar al-Qathafi denied what was rumored that Tripoli is in need for help in order to maintain the relations with Saudi Arabia, after Riyadh had summoned its ambassador because of allegations over a conspiracy to assassinate the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz. Libya-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/1/2005 - Lebanese Foreign Minister, Qabalan and Syria's role in Lebanon
Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud stressed that Syria has protected Lebanon and helped it in the most critical stages of its modern history, pointing out that stability in his country is the result of Syria's care for Lebanon's unity and freedom. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 1/1/2005 - Allawi's continued warning to neighboring states
Regarding the continued deteriorated security conditions ion Iraq, the Interim Iraqi prime minister Eyad Allawi asked the neighboring states to prevent the sneaking of gunmen. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 1/1/2005 - On the Palestinian presidential elections
With the beginning of the countdown for the Palestinian presidential elections due on January 9th, the chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Mahmoud Abbas said he will continue the path perused by the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat "until liberation and the foundation of a Palestinian state." Palestine, Politics, 1/1/2005 - Mubarak receives Bahraini Monarch Egypt-Bahrain, Politics, 1/1/2005
- Canadian premier praises 'remarkable progress' achieved by Morocco Morocco-Canada, Politics, 1/1/2005
- Nazif: Protection of low-income brackets top government's priorities Egypt, Politics, 1/1/2005
- Egypt announces success in the mediation between Libya and Saudi Arabia
The Egyptian Middle East news Agency said on Thursday that Egypt has succeeded in convincing each of Saudi Arabia and Libya to stop reciprocated media attacks in an attempt to contain relations of tension between the two states. Libya-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/31/2004 - Khartoum, southern rebels eliminate last pending issue
It was announced in Kenya that the Sudanese government and the southern rebels agreed on the last main pending issues before finalizing a comprehensive peace agreement between the two sides. Sudan, Politics, 12/31/2004 - State Higher Security Court on Mezza act of terrorism sentences
The State Higher Security Court on Thursday sentenced to death Ahmad Shlash Hassan and Izzo al-Hussein for acts of terrorism in the Mezza neighborhood of Damascus last April. Syria, Politics, 12/31/2004 - Egypt: One persons is killed between the Copts and Muslims
The Egyptian police announce yesterday that one Muslim was killed during confrontations between Muslim youths and Copts in Upper Egypt on Wednesday. Egypt, Politics, 12/31/2004 - Moroccan human rights organizations in Europe welcome results of meetings with authorities
The "Al Haqiqa" group, comprising Europe-based Moroccan human rights organizations welcomed the outcome of the meeting held on Tuesday with officials from the interior ministry and justice minister, Mohamed Bouzoubaa. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 12/31/2004 - Collective resignation of elections employees; more acts of detentions in Iraq
News reports in Iraq said that all employees of the independent higher commission of the elections in Musil, numbering 700, gave their resignation. They justified that to the threats they had received during the few past days and the withdrawal of the Iraqi Islamic party from launching the elections which are decided on January 30, 2005. Iraq, Politics, 12/31/2004 - Citizens urged to take part in elections; on the file of kidnapped in Iraq
In Karkouk, the Iraqi police announced the detention of the Major in the former Iraqi intelligence, Khalaf Ali Hammoud, who is suspected of leading one of the armed cells inside the city. Iraq, Politics, 12/31/2004 - Mauritania accuses the opposition of provoking civil war
Mauritania prime minister Saghir Weld Mubarak yesterday accused the opposition of "provoking for a civil war." He also accused each of Libya and Burkina Faso of their attempt to make what he called "conspiracies" against the country. Mauritania, Politics, 12/31/2004 - Columbian paper unveils human rights violations in Polisario-controled camps
Columbian mass circulation paper "El Nuevo Siglo," has recently published an article unveiling the human rights violations and sufferings sustained by Moroccans sequestered by the Polisario in the Tindouf camps, southern Algeria. Morocco-Colombia, Politics, 12/31/2004 - Al-Assad confers with Ismael on NPF reforms Syria, Politics, 12/31/2004
- End of HCR visits exchanges between Moroccan families in Southwestern Algeria and those in Morocco
The operation of visits exchange between families sequestered in the Polisario-controled camps of Tindouf (southwestern Algeria) and those in Moroccan southern provinces (Sahara) ended on Wednesday after 1.476 persons had the opportunity to see their relatives. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 12/31/2004 - The Guardian: on Israeli practices Israel-UK, Politics, 12/31/2004
- Jordan's invitations for Iraq's neighboring states conference Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/31/2004
- Justice Ministry vows to 'regularize' situation of former detainees
Moroccan Justice Minister, Mohamed Bouzoubaa, has vowed to "regularize" the situation of former political detainees and exiled persons, at a meeting, in Rabat Wednesday, with a delegation of Human Rights associations based abroad. Morocco, Politics, 12/30/2004 - Ferzli's interpretation of UN resolution 1559
Lebanese Minister of Information Eli Ferzli said Wednesday the aim of the UN Security Council resolution No. 1559 is to interfere in Lebanese internal affairs and to separate the Syrian peace track from the Lebanese one. Lebanon-UN, Politics, 12/30/2004 - Moussa: the Arab states won't dispatch troops to Iraq under US military command
Moussa warned that the current state of affairs of Arab-American relations did not serve both sides' interests. "The US should listen to the voices of the moderate in the region, otherwise it will have to deal with extremists of the region," said Moussa. Regional-USA, Politics, 12/30/2004 - Minister of Information confers with Italian official
"The U.S. unconditioned support to Israel represents a real danger threatening the Middle East since it increases Tel Aviv's intransigence and rejection of peace and its requirements," he added. Syria-Italy, Politics, 12/30/2004 - Merging Iraqi national guards with the army
Iraq's minister of defense Hazem al-Shalan said yesterday that the ministry decided to merge the Iraqi national guards forces in the lines of the Iraqi army during celebrations of the Iraqi army day on January 6th. Iraq, Politics, 12/30/2004 - Damascus returns back $ 3.5 million to Iraq
Well-informed Syrian sources said that the Syrian government returned back a sum of $ 3.5 million to the Iraqi authorities after it was agreed to return back this sum in earlier meeting with Iraqi officials. The sources explained that this sum was not a matter of controversy between the two sides. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 12/30/2004 - Moroccan FM: Spain observes neutrality in Sahara issue
Spain is adopting a neutral stand in the Moroccan Sahara issue, as part of international efforts and the UN Security Council resolutions to find a political, consensus-based and final solution to the issue, said Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/30/2004 - Secretary General of the OIC and the occupation of Jerusalem
Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference OIC Akmal al-Din Ihsan Oglo has underlined that occupied Jerusalem is a substantial issue to the OIC, asserting that peace is impossible without establishing the Palestinian independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 12/30/2004 - Palestinian's people's front supports Mustafa al-Barghouthi, Israel obstructs movement of candidates
The People's Front For the Liberation of Palestine on Wednesday called on all its cadres and supporters to back Mustafa al-Barghouthi, the independent candidate for the Palestinian presidential elections, due on January, 2005. Palestine, Politics, 12/30/2004 - Mubarak, Blair discuss pushing forward ME peace efforts Egypt-UK, Politics, 12/30/2004
- Mubarak probes with Qathafi conditions in the Arab states, Africa Egypt-Libya, Politics, 12/29/2004
- Government passes draft law criminalizing torture
The Moroccan Government on Tuesday approved a draft law criminalizing torture, during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Driss Jettou. Morocco, Politics, 12/29/2004 - Interior Ministry pledges to stop harassments against former exiled, political detainees
The Moroccan Interior Ministry on Tuesday pledged to stop all forms of harassments against former political detainees and activists who were living in exile. Morocco, Politics, 12/29/2004 - Morocco signs Arab human rights charter
It also consecrates the right of each individual to freedom of religion, thought and opinion as well as the right to practice their religion and perform rites and education without harming others rights and guarantees the rights of minorities to enjoy their culture and their religion and perform their rites Morocco-Regional, Politics, 12/29/2004 - Modernization policy in Syria is based on political and economic reform
Syria's Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Otari on Monday evening said the strategy of modernization and development followed by Syria under the leadership of President Basahr al-Assad is based on political as well as economic and administrative reform. Syria, Politics, 12/29/2004 - Bashir stressed commitment to peace with southern rebels
Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has stressed that his government clings to finalizing a final peace agreement with the southern rebels at the set date agreed upon earlier between the two sides. Sudan, Politics, 12/29/2004 - Egypt, Bahrain agree on boosting cooperation programs
The two sides agreed on handling the problems facing development in the Arab region, promoting inter-trade exchange and enhancing trade exchange and investments among the Arab states. Bahrain-Egypt, Politics, 12/29/2004 - Armitage discusses in Damascus the participation of Iraqi Sunni in the elections
The administration of the US President George W. Bush yesterday renewed its accusations to Syria to that it helps the Iraqi resistance and provides shelter to several members of the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Syria-USA, Politics, 12/29/2004 - Two Qatari Newspapers and the Iraqi issue
The two Qatari newspapers 'al-Raya' and 'al-Watan' stressed that the occupation use of excessive force in Iraq has failed to achieve security and stability there. Iraq-Qatar, Politics, 12/29/2004 - NGOs inquire about fate of disappeared persons in Tindouf camps
Two Europe-based NGOs have recently visited Mauritania where they met several officials to inquire about the fate of prisoners and missing persons in Tindouf camps, in Algeria. Algeria-Sweden, Politics, 12/29/2004 - Cairo rules out the return back of its ambassador to Israel
Egypt has ruled out the return back of its ambassador to Israel under the current conditions "as reasons behind the withdrawal of the ambassador are still existent." Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/29/2004 - Palestinian factions and the 'right of return' home
The Palestinian factions stressed adherence to the option of resistance and Intifada to force out the Israeli occupation and establish the Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 12/29/2004 - On the Palestinian elections
At the Palestinian political level, the chairman of the PLO and presidential candidate Mahmoud Abbas vowed to follow the steps of the later Palestinian President Yasser Arafat stressing that he will seek to found an independent state during the peace talks with Israel. Palestine, Politics, 12/29/2004 - 13.7 percent of Moroccan population live below poverty line, Minister
Nearly 13.7 percent of the Moroccan population currently live below poverty line with less than 3,500 Dhs (around US $388) per year, revealed the Moroccan Social Development, Family and Solidarity Minister. Morocco, Politics, 12/29/2004 - Haaretz: Tunis facilitates the entry of Israelis
The Israeli daily Haaretz said yesterday that the Tunisian president Zine al-Abidin Ben Ali ordered the facilitation of the measures provided for the entry of Israelis wishing to visit Tunisia. The Israeli daily said that this decision was taken at a request by the Grater Rabbi in France Youssef Setroiuk and the Jewish- French businessman Pierre Beisnano. Tunisia-Israel, Politics, 12/29/2004 - Amal Movement highlights Syria's role Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/29/2004
- Berri talks with the US Ambassador about Lebanon joinning the World Trade Organization Lebanon-USA, Politics, 12/29/2004
- Riyadh is confident to be handed over al-Faqih
One Saudi diplomat in London said yesterday that he is "confident" that Britain will hand over Riyadh the leader of the opposition Saudi Islamic reform movement Saad al-Faqih who lives in London. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 12/28/2004 - Bahraini- Saudi meeting to discuss trade disputes
The Saudi crown prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz met with the King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khalifa in al-Dammam yesterday in an attempt to solve the differences over the free trade agreement finalized by Manama with the USA. A difference that overwhelmed the GCC summit held last week in Manama and was boycotted by crown prince Abdullah. Saudi Arabia-Bahrain, Politics, 12/28/2004 - Libyan ambassador leaves within 19 hours
Well-informed Saudi sources expected the Libyan ambassador in Riyadh Muhammad Saeed al-Qasshat to leave the Kingdom within 24 hours at most. Saudi Arabia-Libya, Politics, 12/28/2004 - Public hearings, a consecration of freedom of expression, IER chairman
Chairman of the Justice and Reconciliation Commission (IER), Driss Benzekri, a body that started last week the first sessions of public hearings into past human rights violations (between 1956 and 1999), said this move is "a precedent as it consecrates publicly and comprehensively freedom of expression, one of the fundamental principles of democratic institutions." Politics, 12/28/2004 - Mauritania detains opposition leaders under the charge of supporting coupe
Judiciary in Mauritania ordered the detention of the former President of Mauritania Muhammad Khouna Weld Heydala and the former candidate for the Presidency Ahmad Weld Dada as well as the leader of the unlicensed "Democratic Forum party" Sheikh Weld Harma awaiting their trial under the charges of supporting an armed rebellion movement. Mauritania, Politics, 12/28/2004 - Syria is committed to the firm national stances and just peace: al-Shara, vice president
Syria's Vice President and Deputy Chairman of the National Progressive Front, NPF, Mohammad Zoheir Masharqa on Monday renewed Syria's commitment to its national principled stances. Syria-Regional, Politics, 12/28/2004 - Iraqi Islamic party withdraws from the elections
The Iraqi Islamic party officially announced its withdrawal from the elections due to be held on January 30, 2005. In a press conference held on Monday the party said that the reason behind the withdrawal is that no appropriate conditions are available for carrying out the elections. Iraq, Politics, 12/28/2004 - American intelligence expects the correctness of Bin Laden tape
Officials in the American intelligence expect that Osama Bin Laden is behind the new voice tape which recognized Abu Mudab al-Zarqawi a "prince" for al-Qaida in Iraq and called for boycotting the Iraqi elections. Regional-USA, Politics, 12/28/2004 - Al-Barghouthi renews support for Abu Mazin
Palestinian former minister of security Muhammad Dahlan said that Marwan al-Barthouthi renewed his support for the candidate of the Fatah movement Mahmoud Abbas( Abu Mazin) and his call for a vast people's participation in the next elections. Palestine, Politics, 12/28/2004 - Israel releases Mustafa al-Barghouthi
The Israeli forces released the candidate for the Palestinian Presidential elections Mustafa al-Barthouthi after detaining him for a short period of time because of what it called "violating the entry licensing" which the Israeli police said was given for a transit for Jerusalem but not to stay in it. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/28/2004 - Israel releases 160 Palestinian prisoners
The Palestinian national authority has played down Israel's release of 160 Palestinian prisoners in an attempt Tel Aviv said is an appreciation for the release of the Israeli spy Azzam Azzam. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/28/2004 - King Mohammed VI host dinner in honor of French president Morocco-France, Politics, 12/28/2004
- Al-Assad confers with Lebanese party leader Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 12/28/2004
- Armitaj, Kerry to visit Damascus Syria-USA, Politics, 12/28/2004
- Al-Ahram: Moussa worried about future of the Arab states Regional, Politics, 12/28/2004
- Saad Eddine Ibrahim intends to monitor the elections
Egyptian activist Saad Eddine Ibrahim said on Saturday he intends to monitor the parliamentary and presidential elections due to be held in Egypt in 2005, though he was detained in the past because of his monitoring of voting operations in earlier elections. Egypt, Politics, 12/27/2004 - Rebels withdrew from the negotiations; Khartoum proposes federation for Darfur
The Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismael announced for the first time on Sunday that his government will propose, during the negotiations in Abuja with Darfur rebels, federal rule, as a framework for the political solution, at a time when rebels withdrew from the negotiations because of the "attacks" of the Sudanese forces in the district. Sudan, Politics, 12/27/2004 - Zeibari promises of fair trials, a request to release Aziz
The interim Iraqi foreign minister promised a fair trial for the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, considering it a basic matter to preserve the credibility of the new Iraqi government. Iraq, Politics, 12/27/2004 - Damascus denies Iraqi accusations, explosions renewed in Najaf
For the second time within one week the Najaf area has witnessed a booby trapped car explosion. This, however, coincided with Iraqi accusations to Damascus of being involved in these attacks. Iraq-Syria, Politics, 12/27/2004 - Fatah, Hamas win main Palestinian municipal seats
Vagueness still overshadow the number of municipal seats over which both the Palestine national liberation ( Fatah) and Islamic resistance ( Hamas) got in the first phase of the local elections in the West Bank which covered 26 municipal councils. Palestine, Politics, 12/27/2004 - Egyptian newspaper criticizes U.S. nuclear policy in Middle East
An influential Egyptian newspaper strongly criticized the American double-standard policy towards the Middle East through ignoring the Israeli nuclear arsenal which forms serious threat to the security and stability in the region, while putting strong pressures on Iran over its peaceful nuclear program. Egypt-USA, Politics, 12/27/2004 - Archbishop Hanna and the Palestinian Struggle
Spokesman for the Orthodox Church in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, Father Atallah Hanna, expressed pessimism over reaching a just settlement to the Palestinian issues. Palestine, Politics, 12/27/2004 - Israeli facilitations for candidates of Palestinian presidential elections
However, sources at the Palestinian central elections committee said that Israel has not so far provided a permission for two presidential candidates from Gaza and has not yet decided on permitting candidates to enter east Jerusalem. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/27/2004 - Abu Ghait and the Follow-up Meeting of Sharm Al-Sheikh Conference
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Ghait said his country was making contacts with countries which participated in the plenary conference in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh last month on Iraq to hold a follow-up meeting to carry out what had been agreed upon. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 12/27/2004 - Omar Suleiman in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia-Egypt, Politics, 12/27/2004
- Syrian official source refutes Iraqi accusations Syria-Iraq, Politics, 12/27/2004
- Jordanian daily criticizes US pressures on Syria Syria-USA, Politics, 12/27/2004
- Pope John Paul II: Call for peace for the holy lands Regional-Vatican, Politics, 12/27/2004