Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 1/17/2005
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of January 17, 2005
- King Fahd calls on Muslims to give up terrorism
The Saudi King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Abdullah have called on Muslims to give up terrorism. In a speech they addressed to the Saudi people and to the pilgrims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha holiday, they called for building bridges of amity among themselves. Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 1/21/2005 - Forum on Syrian-Russian Relations
The Academy of Diplomacy of the Russian Foreign Ministry, in cooperation with the Syrian embassy and community in Russia, on Thursday held a forum on "The Syrian-Russin Relations: Traditions and Prospects." Syria-Russia, Politics, 1/21/2005 - Al-Assad's visit to Moscow statements
Deputy leader of the Russian Communist Party Ivan Milinkov said that the upcoming visit of President Bashar al-Assad to Russia will play a great role in advancing the process of bilateral relations in different fields, particularly the political and economic areas. Syria-Russia, Politics, 1/21/2005 - On the Iraqi elections
The higher commission for elections in Iraq issued a new system in which it authorized its council of commissioners to settle disputes and issue sanctions over violations emerging between sides participating in the elections due on January 30th. Iraq, Politics, 1/21/2005 - Truce continued in Nouba mountain
The Sudanese government and the southern rebels of Sudan agreed to continue the mission of the International observers who supervise the cease fire in Nouba mountain. Sudan, Politics, 1/21/2005 - Sudanese investigation discloses violations in Darfur, denies genocide
Sudanese official investigation committee disclosed violations of human rights in Darfur district, in the west of Sudan, but denied the occurrence of ethnic cleansing or any collective rape operations. Sudan, Politics, 1/21/2005 - Eid al-Adha holiday and besiege
The Palestinians in the West bank and Gaza celebrated Eid al-Adha holiday amid atmospheres of sadness because of the continued siege of the Palestinian cities and towns and continued breaking in and detention operations and the destruction of houses. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/21/2005 - Hope to end the occupation by next al-Adha holiday
The Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas congratulated his fellow citizens on the fall of Eid al-Adha (holiday). He expressed in a statement to Journalists following Eid prayers in one of Gaza's mosques his hope that the Israeli occupation will be removed by the fall of Next al-Adha holiday" and peace will be established between the Palestinian and Israeli peoples. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/21/2005 - Al-Jazeera: Gul on relations with Syria Syria-Turkey, Politics, 1/21/2005
- A committee in defense of freedoms established in Syria
4 opposition Syria parties and associations announced in a statement following a two- day meetings in Damascus the formation of a national coordination committee in defense of basic rights and human rights in Syria. Syria, Politics, 1/19/2005 - Russia: relations with Syria needs to be even better than before
Syrian-Russian relations have witnessed a remarkable progress during last years, a report by Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said Tuesday. Syria-Russia, Politics, 1/19/2005 - Zyuganov on President al-Assad's visit to Moscow: relations are on concrete basis
Russian Communist Party Leader Gennadii Zyuganov said Tuesday peace in the Middle East will not be achieved as Israel still occupies the Syrian Golan. Syria-Russia, Politics, 1/19/2005 - Spain has particular interest in helping for Sahara settlement, King Juan Carlos
King Juan Carlos of Spain, currently on a state-visit to Morocco, expressed this Tuesday his country's readiness to help bring positions of the concerned parties in the Sahara issue closer in order to find a consensus-based, fair and final solution to the Sahara issue, stressing that such a solution has "a particular interest" for his country. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/19/2005 - King Juan Carlos: Spain follows with admiration democratic process in Morocco
King Juan Carlos of Spain on Tuesday praised the reforms ushered in Morocco, since the enthronement of King Mohammed VI (July 1999), stressing that his country is following with "admiration" the consolidation of the democratic process and public freedoms progress in the Kingdom. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/19/2005 - Akef: Jamal Mubarak will assume presidency
The general guide of the Muslim Brothers group in Egypt, Muhammad Mahdi Akef, said he expects the son of President Hosni Mubarak, Jamal, will be the president of the country but not at this time. Egypt, Politics, 1/19/2005 - Iraqi opposition collect one million signature against the elections
One Iraqi group said it gathered the signatures of one million Iraqis from various religions and communities and regions opposing the holding of the elections due on January 30 because of the presence of the American forces and the applied emergency law in the country. Iraq, Politics, 1/19/2005 - Continued attacks; minister warns of civil war in Iraq
the interim Iraqi minister of the interior Falah al-Naqib warned against the eruption of a civil war in Iraq in case the Arab Sunni will not take part in the legislative elections which will be on Monday of this month. Iraq, Politics, 1/19/2005 - Bush holds telephone talks with Allawi over preparations for the elections
al-Hakim said the elections should be held in due time, noting the great turnout on this gathering constitutes a tangible evidence on clinging to such a date and rejection to postponing it. Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/19/2005 - Syria is to host Meeting for Arab descendants
Syria is studying prospects of holding a conference for Parliament Speakers descended from Arab origins to boost Arab causes in the international congresses, Colombia's Speaker Sulyama Hatem on Tuesday said. Syria-Regional, Politics, 1/19/2005 - Palestinian groups reject Abbas's call
Palestinian Authority President Mamud Abbas met Monday with The Geneva Initiative leaders, Yossi Beilin, MKs Amram Mizna, Yuli Tamir and Haim Oron, and former Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg along with Yasser Abed Rabu the architect of the Geneva Initiative, in which Abbas called for an end to violance. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/19/2005 - Sharon meets with army leader
The Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon met yesterday with the leaders of the Israeli army in Gaza to discuss means of halting the attacks of the Palestinian resistance against the Israeli settlements. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/19/2005 - Demonstrations in Algeria following the increase in gas prices
News reports in Algeria said on Wednesday that areas in the southern part of the country and al-Kbyle area witnessed violent demonstration because of the increase of the gas prices by the government. Algeria, Politics, 1/19/2005 - Al-Assad confers with Colombia's Parliament Speaker Syria-Colombia, Politics, 1/19/2005
- Former Lebanese captives call to liberate their friends in Israeli jails Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 1/19/2005
- WB notes progression of Morocco's social indicators Morocco, Politics, 1/19/2005
- Morocco's King calls for better understanding between Moroccan and Spanish peoples
King Mohammed VI has called for a better understanding between the peoples of Morocco and neighboring Spain, in an exchange of toasts with visiting King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain who started on Monday a three-day state visit to the kingdom. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/18/2005 - King Juan Carlos hails Morocco's reforms
King Juan Carlos of Spain greeted the reforms carried out by Morocco under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, to "make of Morocco a modern and democratic country, respectful of human rights." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/18/2005 - On president Assad's visit to Russia
Member of the Russian Federation Council Ramadan Abdullatifof said Monday the forthcoming visit of President Bashar al-Assad to Moscow will constitute a turning point in the bilateral relations between Syria and Russia. Syria-Russia, Politics, 1/18/2005 - First speech for Mahmud Abbas as the Palestinian President
As I address you today, I am full of pride over the Palestinian people's exceptional democratic achievement. Our people have stood in the face of the occupation to say - first and foremost to our selves but also to the whole world - that no matter how great the challenges may be, we will not give up on our national projectÉ That no matter how many obstacles may stand in our way, we will not be deterred from advancing our democratic process. Palestine, Politics, 1/18/2005 - Italian senator: 'We share Morocco's stance on the Sahara issue'
"We share Morocco's stance on the Sahara" issue said senator Valentino Perin who underlined the "political significance" of the visit he is paying to the Southern provinces, mainly Laayoune. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 1/18/2005 - Syrian - Turkish citizens to exchange feast visits
5600 Syrians from al-Hasaka region in north-eastern Syria are expected to visit Mardin region in south-east Turkey to exchange family visits during the upcoming al-Adha holiday, Syrian sources in Qamihili said on Monday. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 1/18/2005 - Columbian Parliamentary delegation visits the liberated city of al-Quneitra
Al-Quneitra Governor Nawaf al-Fares gave a detailed explanation to the visiting delegation on the strategic position and various resources of the Syrian Arab Golan touching upon "the brutal devastation, which included hospitals, humanitarian and social institutions perpetrated by Israeli occupation troops." Syria-Colombia, Politics, 1/18/2005 - Egypt, Chile sign cooperation agreements in education, energy, gas
Egypt and Chile yesterday signed co-operation agreements in education, energy and natural gas and called for boosting their trade exchange, an official statement said. Egypt-Chile, Politics, 1/18/2005 - Mubarak rejects settling the Palestinians in al-Ghardaqa
Egypt has refused a proposal to settle the Palestinians in al-Ghardaqa desert on the Red Sea in return for a generous financial deal. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 1/18/2005 - Annan sees sufficient time to convince Iraqis to participate in elections
The UN secretary General Kofi Annan considered that there is plenty of time before the Iraqi government to encourage the Sunni Muslims and other Iraqis who are hesitant to take part in the elections. Iraq, Politics, 1/18/2005 - Mahmoud Abbas moves to halt armed Palestinian resistance
The Palestinian authority chaired by Mahmoud Abbas has taken a series of decisions aiming at halting armed resistance operations against the Israelis. A matter which raises fears of bloody clashes between the authority and the armed groups Israel has ever hope to. This was on the fall on Abu Mazin's visit to Gaza to discuss the question of the truce and the cease fire. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/18/2005 - President al-Assad to pay an official visit to Russia Syria-Russia, Politics, 1/18/2005
- Baz, Powell telephone Abu Mazen Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 1/18/2005
- EU lauds vibrant reforms in Morocco, EU official Morocco-European Union, Politics, 1/18/2005
- Egyptian FM meets Iraqi diplomats Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 1/18/2005
- Khartoum reconciles with the northern opposition in Cairo
The reconciliation agreement was signed on Sunday evening between the Sudanese government and the opposition democratic national coalition. Sudan, Politics, 1/17/2005 - Algerian government signs an agreement with tribal chiefs
The Algerian government signed a peace agreement with the delegation representing Tanseqeyat al-Aroush in al-Kbyle area to the east of the capital. The agreement is expected to help in ending the pending crisis between the two sides since four years. Algeria, Politics, 1/17/2005 - Syria: Aktham Nueiseh trial adjourned until April
The Supreme state security court in Syria yesterday adjourned the trial of the activist in human rights Aktham Nueiseh, who is accused of "opposing the objectives of the revolution," until April 4, while Nueiseh called on the Syrian authorities to stop his trial. Syria, Politics, 1/17/2005 - Bahraini opposition have reservations on ministerial reshuffle
Despite their consensus welcome that a second woman has joined the government of Bahrain, Bahraini opposition and parliamentarians stressed that the ministerial reshuffle which was made on Friday lacks comprehensiveness, demanding consultations with the parliamentarians and political forces in the future before introducing any amendment. Bahrain, Politics, 1/17/2005 - Mubarak in an interview with al-Arabiya: religious parties are prohibited,all can join parliamentary as individuals
President Mubarak said that peace could only be achieved through a real desire by the two sides, pointing out that violence would only end by sitting at the negotiating table. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 1/17/2005 - King Mohammed VI: the goal of human rights public hearings is to 'reconcile Morocco to its past'
Morocco's King Mohammed affirmed the goal of the public hearings, started last December, and made by the victims of past violations of human rights, is "to reconcile Morocco to its past." Morocco, Politics, 1/17/2005 - Kuwaiti Islamists deplore violence
Islamists in Kuwait with their different attitudes deplored the acts of violence which took place in Um al-Heiman and Houli area against the Kuwaiti security forces. Kuwait, Politics, 1/17/2005 - Saudi Arabia deploys 50,000 security men during al-Haj rituals
The Saudi ministry of the interior has deployed some 50,000 security members in Mecca on the occasion of the approaching al-Haj season as the city is expected to be visited during the coming days by one and a half million pilgrims. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/17/2005 - Djirjian visited Damascus secretly
News reports in Damascus quoted western diplomatic sources as saying that chairman of the Baker Institute for Studies, Edward Djirjian, who was the former US ambassador in each of Syria and Israel visited Damascus during the two recent days and met with its senior officials, expecting to include President Bashar al-Assad. Syria-USA, Politics, 1/17/2005 - King wishes Spain help Morocco by adopting a policy of positive neutrality on the Sahara issue
King Mohammed VI of Morocco wished Spain help Morocco "in a constructive manner by adopting a policy of positive neutrality" regarding the Moroccan Sahara, "like other friendly countries." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/17/2005 - Al-Shara confers with UN special envoy the situation in Iraq
Syria's Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara and the UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Iraq Ashraf Qaddi discussed on Sunday latest developments in Iraq and ways of helping the Iraqi people find an outlet for his current ordeal. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 1/17/2005 - Turkish parliament approves agreement with Syria Turkey-Syria, Politics, 1/17/2005
- Lebanese foreign minister and resolution 1559 Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 1/17/2005
- Ahmed Shafiq: Egypt denies violation of Israeli air space Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/17/2005
- Colombia announces support to Syria's positions Syria-Colombia, Politics, 1/17/2005
- Hizbullah UNSC criticizes 1559 resolution Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 1/17/2005
- Moussa to hold talks with Chilean President today Regional-Chile, Politics, 1/17/2005