Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 1/3/2005

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of January 3, 2005

• Palestinian elections campaign concluded, Abbas chooses Qurei as a prime minister
  The PLO chairman Mahmoud Abbas, the candidate of the Palestine national liberation movement Fatah for the elections of the Palestinian national authority presidency, said that there is no big difference between the Palestinian groups on fundamental issues concerning the Palestinian question. Palestine, Politics, 1/8/2005
• Occupation forces detains Barghouthi
  The Israeli occupation forces yesterday detained in East Jerusalem Mustafa al-Barghouthi, the independent candidate for the Palestinian Authority presidency which will be held next Sunday. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/8/2005
• Abbas abrogates campaigning in east Jerusalem
  Chairman of the PLO Mahmoud Abbas yesterday abrogated an election tour in East Jerusalem so as not to appear surrounded by the Israeli security men. A matter which may give a negative image about him with voters, especially as the occupation authorities had prevented the late Palestinian president Yasser Arafat from going there. Palestine, Politics, 1/8/2005
• American team to monitor Palestinian Presidential elections
  Former US President Jimmy Carter arrived in the Palestinian territories on top of an American delegation in order to monitor the elections. Palestine, Politics, 1/8/2005
• Freed Syrian prisoner returns back from Israeli jail
  Syrian citizens in the occupied Golan town of Majdal Shams on Friday held a public reception ceremony celebrating the freed Syrian prisoner Hayel Abu Zeid who spent 20 years in Israeli jails. Syria-Israel, Politics, 1/8/2005
• Hussein Fadlallah and Syrian- Lebanese relations
  Sheikh Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah said "The existing relation between Syria and Lebanon represents a state of organic connection and overlapping of joint interests and vital causes." Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 1/8/2005
• A new Somali government chaired by Jeidi was appointed
  Somalia's prime minister Ali Muhammad Jeidi has announced the formation of the new interim government, just one month after the parliament had toppled his previous government by a no-confidence memorandum ratified by the majority of the Parliamentarians. Somalia, Politics, 1/8/2005
• Annan does not see a quick solution for the crisis in Darfur
  The UN secretary general Kofi Annan expressed his optimism over the prospects of finding out a quick solution for the crisis in Darfus, considering that the situation there reached a deadlock because of the increased violence and transferring it into other adjoining areas. Sudan-UN, Politics, 1/8/2005
• Iraq looks for distractions, blames ills on neighbors
  Defense minister in the Interim Iraqi government Hazem al-Shalan renewed his accusation to each of Iran and Syria over supporting the armed operations inside Iraq by weapons and money. He threatened to transfer the battle to the lands of the two countries. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 1/8/2005
• On the file of the Iraqi elections
  Concerning the elections due by the end of the current month in Iraq, the US President George W. Bush described the elections as a historical moment, admitting that the organization of the elections under the current conditions is very difficult. Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/8/2005
• Egyptian Foreign Minister's Statement on Iraq
  Egypt said it would host on Tuesday senior officials from Iraq's neighboring countries for talks on how to follow-up on December meeting of Sharm El-Sheikh on Iraq and to discuss the situation in the country. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 1/8/2005
• Egypt denies conducting nuclear tests in Turkey
  Egypt doesn't own any nuclear program for military purposes, a senior Egyptian diplomat told a Turkish newspaper yesterday. Egypt, Politics, 1/8/2005
• Garang thanks Qathafi for peace role in Sudan Libya-Sudan, Politics, 1/8/2005
• Illegal migrants number reaching Spain dropped in 2004
  The number of illegal immigrants reaching Spain on make-shift boats dropped 18 per cent in 2004, compared to 2003, figures released Friday by the Spanish Immigration State secretariat show. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/8/2005
• Al-Qabas: Al-Huss and Implementation of the UN resolutions Lebanon-UN, Politics, 1/8/2005
• Kerry is in Damascus Syria-USA, Politics, 1/8/2005
• Saudi Arabia asks Libya's ambassador to leave the kingdom
  The Libyan official mass media said that Saudi Arabia asked the Libyan ambassador in Riyadh to leave the country. Saudi Arabia-Libya, Politics, 1/7/2005
• Some 46 Somalis killed in tribal fighting
  At least 17 Somalis were killed and 29 injured in tribal fighting that erupted on Thursday in the downtown of Somalia, despite the declared cease fire agreement. Somalia, Politics, 1/7/2005
• Military services in Syria reduced to two years
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad issued on Thursday Legislative Decree No 1 for the year 2005 limiting the period of the ordinary compulsory military service to two years. Syria, Politics, 1/7/2005
• Iraq's Neighboring Countries Foreign Ministers support the political process in Iraq
  Iraq's neighboring countries Foreign Ministers on Thursday expressed support to the political process and the forthcoming elections in Iraq in a way that achieves its sovereignty and independence through withdrawal of the occupation troops at the timetable determined by the UN Security Council resolution No. 1546. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 1/7/2005
• Doha is the headquarters for the human rights regional office
  Qatar's minister of state for foreign affairs Ahmad bin Abdullah al Mahmoud said in a press conference "the practical steps for this headquarters will be in October," noting that "the center's specialization will cover southern west Asia and the Arab region. Regional-Qatar, Politics, 1/7/2005
• Emergency law extended; French woman journalist disappeared
  The French Foreign Ministry yesterday confirmed news of the disappearance of the delegate of the French "Liberation" news paper to Baghdad, Florence Obeina. The paper said in a statement it had lost contacts with Obeina and her Iraqi translator Hussein Hanoun al-Saadi since they had left the hotel in Baghdad on Wednesday morning. Iraq-Africa, Politics, 1/7/2005
• Algeria proposes a project to amend the constitution: Arab summit on March 22nd
  One Arab diplomatic source in Cairo stressed yesterday that Algeria has proposed to the general secretariat of the Arab League of a project to amend the constitution of the Arab League to be debated to the next Arab summit which will be held in Algiers in March. Algeria-Regional, Politics, 1/7/2005
• Al-Assad talks with communist party Secretary General for reactivation Syria, Politics, 1/7/2005
• Sudanese official calls for distinguishing between terrorism and resistance of occupation Sudan-Regional, Politics, 1/7/2005
• Al-Rai Al-Aam: Jordanian King for enhancing Syrian-Jordanian Relations Jordan-Syria, Politics, 1/7/2005
• Nayef: the situation in Saudi Arabia is controlled
  The Saudi minister of the interior prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz stressed yesterday that the situation in Saudi Arabia "is under control." This was expressed during his meeting with the Tunisian President Zine al-Abidin Ben Ali in Tunis. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/7/2005
• Abul-Gheit: Egypt does not mediate to urge Sunnis participate in elections Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 1/7/2005
• Khameni voices support for the Palestinian people Palestine-Iran, Politics, 1/7/2005
• Mubarak continues reconciliation efforts between Libya, Saudi Arabia
  An Egyptian diplomatic source stressed that the visit held by President Hosni Mubarak to Saudi Arabia aimed at ending the disputes between Riyadh and Tripoli over an alleged conspiracy to assassinate the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz. Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/6/2005
• Turkish officials highlight al-Assad's historical visit to Turkey
  Turkey's party and media circles have consensus the Syrian-Turkish ties are distinguished and deep in light of the historical, cultural and social ties linking the two peoples in Syria and Turkey. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 1/6/2005
• FM: Egypt is not violating NPT
  Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul -Gheit said yesterday that Egypt is committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Egypt, Politics, 1/6/2005
• African forces to Somalia
  The UN security and peace council for the African Union approved initially to send forces to ensure the secure return back of the new Somali government to the capital Mogadishu. Somalia-Regional, Politics, 1/6/2005
• Qaddoumi highlights Syria's stances
  Senior Palestinian official on Wednesday praised Syria's "Steadfastness" as the biggest supporter of the Palestinians and backed a Palestinian leader depiction of Israel as the "Zionist enemy." Palestine-Syria, Politics, 1/6/2005
• Syrian out-of- country voting for the Iraqi National Assembly election
  A press conference was held on Wednesday, January 5th, 2005 by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for Syrian local and international media to attend the inaugural press conference of the Syrian Out-of-Country-Voting (OCV) program for the Iraq National Assembly Elections. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 1/6/2005
• Spanish FM : difficult to conciliate stances of parties to Sahara issue
  Spanish foreign minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, currently on a visit to Algeria said this Wednesday stances of the parties directly involved in the Sahara issue are difficult to conciliate. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/6/2005
• Khartoum starts trial of 21 military men in the March coupe attempt
  The Sudanese news agency announced the beginning of the trial of 21 military men including six officers before the supreme military court in Khartoum yesterday under the charge of a coupe attempt in March 2004. Sudan, Politics, 1/6/2005
• Gul holds talks with Palestinian officials
  The Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul yesterday held talks with the Palestinian leadership that dealt with the next Palestinian elections and means of reviving the peace process with Israel. Palestine-Turkey, Politics, 1/6/2005
• Interim Iraqi president Ghazi Elyawer is being irrelevant Iraq, Politics, 1/6/2005
• Berri: external efforts aim at sinking the Lebanese people into sedition Lebanon, Politics, 1/6/2005
• Jordanian King and the Palestinian State Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 1/6/2005
• A nearby attack against Musil Iraq, Politics, 1/6/2005
• Israeli incursion in Rafah Palestine-Turkey, Politics, 1/6/2005
• Egypt committed to rotating UNSC seats for Africa Egypt-Regional, Politics, 1/6/2005
• Saudi women ask for half seats of the municipal councils
  Saudi women have called on the government to appoint women at the Saudi municipal councils which half of its members will be elected, after Saudi women were banned from taking part in it. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/5/2005
• Mubarak in Saudi Arabia for mediation between Riyadh, Tripoli
  President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has started a visit to Saudi Arabia on which Egyptian officials said came in the course of Egyptian and Arab efforts to settle the tension between the Kingdom and Libya, reached the situation of cutting diplomatic relations between the two sides. Saudi Arabia-Egypt, Politics, 1/5/2005
• Sherif: The year of democratic reforms in Egyt
  This year will be the year of democratic reforms and the continuation of inter-party dialogue, Egypt's Chairman of the Shura Council, Mofied Shehab and Secretary -General of the ruling National Democratic Party Safwat el-Sherif said yesterday. Egypt, Politics, 1/5/2005
• Two American soldiers killed
  Under the escalated security condition in Iraq, director of the Iraqi intelligence Lt. Gen. Muhammad Abdullah Shahwani estimated the number of fighters and their supporters in Iraq at more than 200,000. Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/5/2005
• Normalization opposition in Jordan are against supplies to the Americans in Iraq
  The "higher executive committee for the protection of the homeland and withstanding normalization with Israel" called on the Jordanian government to stop the exportation of Jordanian fruits and vegetables to the American occupation forces in Iraq. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 1/5/2005
• Kerry visits Jordan within a tour on the region
  The Jordanian king Abdullah II met in Amman on Tuesday the former candidate for the American Presidential elections Senator John Kerry who had arrived in Jordan on Monday starting a tour on the region covering Iraq. Jordan-USA, Politics, 1/5/2005
• Abbas deplores Beit Lahia massacre, Qrei asks international support
  Chairman of the PLO executive committee Mahmoud Abbas has condemned the "massacre committed by the Israeli occupation forces" in Beit Lahia town to the north of Gaza. The artillery bombardment of the occupation tanks against the area resulted on Tuesday morning in killing seven Palestinians and wounding other seven. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/5/2005
• Iranian daily and UN Resolution 1559 Iran-Lebanon, Politics, 1/5/2005
• News on kidnapping two Israeli soldiers Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/5/2005
• Khartoum: South agreement is effective from Sunday, interim constitution in 6 weeks
  The first deputy for the Sudanese President Ali Othman Taha on Monday stressed that the peace agreement signed with the people's movement will be implemented after its final signature on January 9th in Nairobi. Sudan, Politics, 1/4/2005
• Mubarak in Saudi -Arabia for talks with Fahd, Abdullah
  Saudi sources said yesterday that President Hosni Mubarak will pay a visit to Saudi -Arabia within hours. Saudi Arabia-Egypt, Politics, 1/4/2005
• Sahara question should be solved in respect of Morocco's sovereignty, Sudanese diplomat
  The only "fair and just" solution to the Sahara dispute should be reached "in the respect of Morocco's sovereignty," said Sudan's ambassador in Rabat, Ahmed Mekki Yahya. Sudan-Morocco, Politics, 1/4/2005
• Syrian minister of interior holds talks with Iraqi peer in Tunis
  Syria's Minister of Interior Lt. Gen. Ghazi Kanaan discussed yesterday with his Iraqi counterpart Falah al-Naqib the latest development on the Iraqi arena and the tangible efforts which Syria is exerting to control the borders. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 1/4/2005
• Iran boycotts Iraq's neighbors conference
  Iran announced yesterday that its foreign minister will boycott Iraq's neighbors conference due to be held in Jordan on the ground that this conference aims at affecting the elections in Iraq and that Amman is involved in a conspiracy for the return back of the Hashamite royal regime there. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 1/4/2005
• Lahoud holds talks with Chinese official
  President Emile Lahoud of Lebanon on Monday expressed hope that the superpowers be committed to implementing the international resolutions to achieve peace and security in the world. Lebanon-China, Politics, 1/4/2005
• Shalan looms postponement of the elections, Washington clings to set date
  Washington renewed its support for holding the elections in Iraq on January 30th, at a time the pace of field confrontations are being increased between gunmen and the multinational forces and the forces of the interim Iraqi government. Iraq, Politics, 1/4/2005
• Iraq asks Egypt for help in elections
  Resigned US secretary of state Colin Powell warned against more attacks with the approaching date of the Iraqi legislative elections on January 30th, stressing the need of keeping large Iraqi security force to maintain security in the country. Iraq, Politics, 1/4/2005
• Three Britons killed in Iraq
  Three Britons working in a security company were killed in an explosion in Baghdad on Monday in the course of the bloody confrontations between the gunmen and the coalition forces and the national guard and the Iraqi police which also resulted in the killing or wounding of 111 persons most of them are from the police and National Guards forces. Iraq-UK, Politics, 1/4/2005
• Iranian papers criticize Israeli practices against Palestinians
  The Iranian 'Al-Wifaq' newspaper warned against Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's destruction of all opportunities of peace in the Middle East because of his continual terrorism against the Palestinian people and his bloody means. Iran-Israel, Politics, 1/4/2005
• Abul-Gheit receives Rabbi Douglas E.krantz
  Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul-Gheit received yesterday Rabbi Douglas E.Krantz, board member of the Americans for peace now. Egypt-USA, Politics, 1/4/2005
• Turkey proposes mediation between Israel, the Palestinian Authority
  Turkey has expressed its readiness to use its close relations with each of Israel and the Palestinian Authority in order to revive the Middle East peace process, considering that its close relations with the two sides make of it a privileged mediator. Turkey-Palestine, Politics, 1/4/2005
• Cairo: Three candidates for presidency to collect one million signature to amend the constitution Egypt, Politics, 1/4/2005
• New committee for human rights Egypt, Politics, 1/4/2005
• GCC secretary general: Israel should withdraw from Golan Gulf-Lebanon, Politics, 1/4/2005
• Cairo: the parliament nominates the President in May, referendum is in September
  The secretary general of the ruling party in Egypt Safwat al-Sharif said yesterday that the party will witness this year a vast political move and an intensive activity especially as it is the year for referendum on the Republic's presidency and the elections of the parliament. Egypt, Politics, 1/3/2005
• Iraqi minister of the Interior: Accusations against Damascus are irresponsible
  Iraq's minister of the Interior Falah al-Naqib told his Syrian counterpart Lt. Gen. Ghazi Kanaan during their meeting in Tunisia on Sunday on the sideline of the meeting of the Arab ministers of the Interior that the accusations made by the commander of al-Najaf police recently against Syria "are irresponsible." Iraq-Syria, Politics, 1/3/2005
• Mabeiki in Darfur for a new round of negotiations
  Two days after signing the special peace agreement on southern Sudan, President of South Africa Thambu Mabeiki arrived in Darfur in order to hold further talks in preparations for a new round of negotiations with the Sudanese government. Sudan, Politics, 1/3/2005
• Al-Shara holds talks with Armitage
  Regarding topic of security on the borders between Syria and Iraq Armitage said "Syria had achieved a real progress during the few last months on borders security." Syria-USA, Politics, 1/3/2005
• Armitage: for the implementation of 1559, non intervention in the Lebanese parliamentary elections
  Satisfaction prevailed Damascus yesterday following the visit carried out by the US under secretary of state Richard Armitage during which he commended Syria's cooperation in controlling the borders with Iraq, calling simultaneously for more efforts in order to stop "members of the former regime" from crossing the borders. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 1/3/2005
• Continued International support for inter- Sudanese peace agreement International
  Reactions welcoming the Sudanese inter- peace agreement continued on Sunday describing it as an important step on the road to establishing security and peace in the African continent. Sudan, Politics, 1/3/2005
• Abu Dhabi crown prince become a deputy commander for the UAE armed forces
  President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khaleifa Bin Zayed al-Nahyan, issued a decree provided for appointing Lt. Gen. Pilot, his brother Muhammad Bin Zayed al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi as a deputy commander for the armed forces. United Arab Emirates, Politics, 1/3/2005
• Magazine notes shift in US attitude in Sahara issue
  Washington supports Morocco's territorial integrity, writes "New African" magazine in its January edition quoting US under secretary of state, Richard Armitage. Morocco-USA, Politics, 1/3/2005
• Abu Zeid denies water war in Nile Basin
  Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mahmoud Abu Zeid denied categorically a possible war among the Nile Basin countries, pointing to the current cooperation among these countries to benefit from the Nile and reduce quantities of waste waters. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 1/3/2005
• Gul in Israel on Tuesday, tripartite maneuvers in the Mediterranean, US, Turkey take part
  The Israeli army announced on Sunday that Israel, the USA and Turkey will hold in the mid of January joint air and sea maneuvers in the international waters off the coasts of Palestine. Israel-Turkey, Politics, 1/3/2005
• Armitage's secret visit to Iraq
  The US under secretary of state Richard Armitage has ended on Saturday a visit to Iraq that lasted for two days during which he had met with the commander of the American forces in Iraq Gen. George Casey and several Iraqi politicians. Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/3/2005
• Kuwait minister of information resigns one day before his interrogation
  Kuwait minister of information Muhammad Abu al-Hassan gave his resignation from his post, one day before his questioning by the parliament over issuing licenses to hold musical evening which certain parliamentarians considered a violation to the traditions of the Kuwaiti society. Kuwait, Politics, 1/3/2005
• Abbas: I want to protect the Palestinian resistance from Israel
  In statements observers linked to the elections campaign, chairman of the PLO executive committee Mahmoud Abbas defended his appearance recently during his election campaign with members of resistance forces in Gaza to that he wants to protect members of the Palestinian resistance from Israel. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/3/2005
• A telephone call between al-Assad, Qathafi Libya-Syria, Politics, 1/3/2005
• Moussa highlights inter- Arab Economic Relations Regional, Politics, 1/3/2005
• Ferzli and Syria's role in Lebanon Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 1/3/2005
• President al-Assad confers with Armitage Syria-USA, Politics, 1/3/2005
• Syrian- Chinese talks on ME developments Syria-China, Politics, 1/3/2005

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