Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 2/7/2005

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of February 7, 2005

• Egypt arrests deputy chairman of al-Ghad party
  The Egyptian security forces on Tuesday detained deputy chairman of the Egyptian opposition al-Ghad party, Mousa Mustafa, just less than two weeks after the detention of the party s deputy chairman Ayman Nour. Egypt, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Bahraini opposition societies convene conference over the constitution
  Four opposition societies which boycotted the legislative elections two years ago in Bahrain convenes today about the constitution. It is the second meeting of its kind held within this context. Bahrain, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Sharon ready to visit Ramullah, intends to withdraw from West Bank cities
  Amid atmospheres of caution in the region waiting for the results of Sharm al-Sheikh summit on the ground, sources close to the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon said that he is ready to meet with the chairman of the Palestinian authority Mahmoud Abbas in Ramullah in the West Bank. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Islamic group accuses Kuwaiti of killing al-Anzi
  An Islamic group defending Islamists issues on Wednesday accused the Kuwaiti security forces of "killing" the leader of "al-Jazeera lions cell" Amer Khaleif al-Anzi while he was in detention. Kuwait, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Arab, international welcome of Sharm al-Sheikh Summit
  Most international reactions have welcomed the results of Sharm al-Sheikh summit in considering it the beginning to revive the peace process. Regional, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Creation of Algeria-Morocco economic zone will make border issue 'futile', Algerian political leader
  "If Morocco and Algeria manage to create an economic zone at their borders and if Algeria and Tunisia succeed in doing the same, the borders issue will become quite futile, said Houcine Ait Ahmed, leader of Algerian Socialist Forces Front (FFS). Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Berri and OIC Union Council
  Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri on Wednesday reiterated his country's commitment to the international resolutions, stressing that the UN resolution 1559 constitutes intervention in Lebanon's internal affairs. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Egypt deploys hundreds of soldiers on Gaza borders
  The two foreign ministers of Egypt Ahmad Abu al-Gheit and his Israeli counterpart Silvan Shalom will sign today in Cairo a memorandum of understanding to deploy forces of the Egyptian border guards along the borders between Egypt and Gaza. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Palestinian groups doubt Israel's commitment to halting military operations
  The Palestinian groups took the position of doubting Israel's commitment to halting the military operations, as concluded in the Quartet summit in Sharm al-Sheikh. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/10/2005
• The ambassadors of Egypt, Jordan return back to Israel within two weeks
  The spokesman for the Egyptian cabinet Majdi Radi said that Egypt's ambassador to Israel will return back to Tel Aviv within one week or ten days just four years after his withdrawal from Israel by the beginning of the Palestinian Intifada. Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Morocco, Algeria should work together to settle Sahara dispute, British MPs
  A visiting delegation of British MPs has called on Morocco and Algeria to find a solution to the three-decade long Sahara dispute opposing the kingdom to the separatist movement "Polisario." Morocco-UK, Politics, 2/10/2005
• UN chief report on Sahara confirms persisting difficulties to settle the dispute, Minister
  The latest report of United nations' Secretary General Kofi Annan on the Sahara confirms the persistence of difficulties facing the search for a solution to the three-decade long dispute opposing Morocco to the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario," said, in Rabat Wednesday, the Moroccan Minister of communication and Government spokesman. Morocco-UN, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Al-Sabah: Russian ambassador: Syria has right to get defensive weapons Syria-Russia, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Al-Assad Receives a Message from Putin Syria-Russia, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Mrs. Mubarak received Yemeni Minister of Human Rights Egypt-Yemen, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Mexican President expected Friday in Morocco Morocco-Mexico, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Mubarak stresses the need of Peace Negotiations on the Syrian Track Egypt-Syria, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Gul: Turkey supports the Palestinians Palestine-Turkey, Politics, 2/10/2005
• On the results of the Iraqi elections Iraq, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Britons support troops withdrawal from Iraq Iraq-UK, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Workshop to develop civil society opens in Damascus Syria, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Lavrov stresses necessity of resuming peace process in ME Regional-Russia, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Egypt, US step closer to free trade negotiations Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/10/2005
• Shaath: Sharm al-Sheikh summit start of implementing Roadmap
  Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath described Tuesday's Sharm al-Sheikh summit as a start for both the Palestinians and Israelis to abide by a bilateral cease-fire and implement the Roadmap peace plan. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Abbas, Sharon announce truce
  The Quartet summit which was held in Sharm al-Sheikh was concluded on Tuesday with the announcement made by the chairman of the Palestinian authority Mahmoud Abbas and the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon to halt "acts of violence" each against the other. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Suleiman Awwad: summit gave both sides chance to hold talks at leaders' level
  "The aim of the Sharm el-Sheikh four-way summit is to give the Palestinians and Israelis a chance to hold talks at the leaders' level, "said Egyptian Presidential spokesman ambassador Sulaiman Awwad. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Mubarak calls to resume Mideast peace talks
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called on Tuesday for the resumption of negotiations on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks to reach a just and comprehensive solution to Middle East. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Riyadh: ministerial reshuffle includes the ministries of information, al-Haj education and social affairs
  The Saudi king Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz yesterday made a ministerial reshuffle according to which he exempted the two ministers of education and social affairs from their posts and changed the two ministers of al-Haj and information. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Amid rumors on the deteriorated health conditions of King Fahd, Riyadh: authority transfer will be simple Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Lahoud stresses strong ties with Syria
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Tuesday underlined importance of implementing the relevant UN resolutions without selectiveness, adding that the UN should put into force resolutions regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Berri, Karami for good relationship with Syria
  Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri stressed importance of commitment to al-Taif Agreement on Lebanon and the unity of track and destiny with Syria. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 2/9/2005
• France: Sahara conflict resolution crucial to improve Morocco-Algeria relations
  Spokesman of the French foreign Ministry, Herve Ladsous, deemed that the resolution of the Sahara conflict is crucial for the improvement of Moroccan-Algerian relations. Morocco-France, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Taha, Garang proposes the peace agreement to the UN Security Council Sudan-UN, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Arab media called to lobby for release of Italian abducted journalist
  Italian daily "Il Manifesto," launched an appeal to all news agencies and media outlets in the Arab world to play a part in freeing Italian journalist Guiliana Sgrena, kidnapped February 4 in Baghdad. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Poland supports UN initiatives on Moroccan Sahara issue, Polish official
  Polish Senate Speaker, Longin Pastusiak, voiced here Tuesday his country's support to UN Secretary-General's initiatives to find a solution to the Sahara issue. Morocco-Poland, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Syria campaigns its true image in public relations
  Syria has chosen public relations in order to present its "true image and the image of its people to the world professionally, at a time when it has been exposed to a fierce media campaign." Syria, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Terrorism conference adopts Crown Prince Abdullah proposal
  The international conference for fighting terrorism which was attended by security officials from 50 countries including the USA wrapped up its deliberations in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday by adopting a resolution of the Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz providing for the establishment of an international center to fight terrorism. Regional-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/9/2005
• US secretary of state: there are horizons for Mideast peace
  US Secretary Of State Gondoleezza Rice called on Tuesday the international community to work as to achieve the just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East and to revive peace process on all tracks including the Syrian and Lebanese. Regional-USA, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Egypt, Jordan return back ambassadors to Israel Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Defense lashes out at US treatment of Moroccan former Guantanamo detainees
  The defense of the Moroccan former detainees in Guantanamo lashed out Monday at US the authorities' treatment of the five men who were transferred to the US base after their arrest in Afghanistan, and handed over to Moroccan authorities last August. Morocco-USA, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Shaath in Damascus Syria-Palestine, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Morocco, Poland's 'strategic partner', Speaker Morocco-Poland, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Bakradoni rejects resolution 1559 Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Moroccan MPs urge British peers to help release prisoners in Tindouf Morocco-UK, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Sharon renews conditions Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2005
• Sharm al-Sheikh summit starts today
  A quartet summit starts today in the Egyptian city of Sharm al-Sheikh on the Red Sea, during which it is expected to announce results of the resumption of Palestinian- Israeli peace negotiations in order to implement the Roadmap plan to peace. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Hamas is committed to unilateral truce
  Just few hours before the quartet summit, the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement ( Hamas) announced it is committed to a unilateral truce "to test the Israeli intention" hours before a conference in Sharm al-Sheikh between the Palestinians and the Israelis and in the presence of Jordan and Egypt. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Call to halt violence by Israelis and Palestinians expected in Sharm al-Sheikh
  Saeb Oreikat, the person in charge of the negotiations file at the Palestinian authority, announced on Monday that the Israelis and the Palestinians will issue in Sharm al-Sheikh a reciprocated announcement to halt violence. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2005
• National Council of Churches ends middle east visit, issues sobering statement
  "Barriers Do Not Bring Freedom," the delegation concludes, "A sliver of hope for peace does exist, but we feel strongly the moment must be seized now or the future will remain dim." Palestine-USA, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Somali parliament speaker returns back home in preparation for return back of the government
  Scores of thousands of Somalis lined up in the Somali capital Mogadishu to welcome the speaker of the parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden who arrived in the country on Monday on top of a mission in charge of preparing for the return back of establishments into Somalia. Somalia, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Teacher victim of torture in 80s: I preferred torture to hearing my students moan
  Abedlkader Souidi, a teacher from the Middle Atlas city of Azrou who was arrested in 1984 and tortured together with a group of student who went on strike to claim heating in the high school, said during his detention he preferred to be tortured than hear his students moan as a result of the sufferings they were inflicted. Morocco, Politics, 2/8/2005
• I was inflicted all forms of physical and psychological torture, human rights abuse victim
  Ms Fatema Ameziane narrated in the 5th session of public hearings in past human rights victims how she and her children were inflicted all forms of physical and psychological torture, including death threat. Morocco, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Former woman detainee says: 'the price to pay for the love of the motherland is extremely high'
  "The price to pay for the love of the motherland is extremely high and only the people whose homes were violated by night visitors know that," said Mrs Touria Tanani, arrested in 1984 for contribution to the creation in Fkih Bensaleh, Central Morocco, of a branch of the "Organisation de l'Action democratique populaire" (OADP). Morocco, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Former detainee: I lived with donations of good-doers after my husband's execution
  Fadma Oulkhlef, Former detainee and spouse of Ahmed Assil who was executed after the events of March 1973, stated during the 5th session of public hearings into human rights violations Morocco, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Fatema Zhiri: I almost miscarried under torture Morocco, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Sahara: Mexico for a solution 'satisfactory to all parties'
  Mexican president, Vicente Fox Questada, said his country encourages a solution to the Sahara conflict that is "satisfactory to all parties." Morocco-Mexico, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Riyadh conference on terrorism concludes today
  Works of the international conference on fighting terrorism held in Saudi Arabia will conclude by the call to expand measures of freezing assets which are used in carrying out terrorist attacks. Regional-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/8/2005
• The world is now aware the Sahara issue is a Moroccan-Algerian dispute, party leader
  The world is now aware the Sahara issue is a Moroccan-Algerian dispute and that the balance of power is in favor of Morocco, said Abbas El Fassi, secretary general of the Istiqlal party (PI). Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Iranian Defense Minister for Freeing the Mid East from WMD
  Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani underlined importance of freeing the Middle East from weapons of mass destruction (WMD), asserting necessity of curbing Israel which seeks to develop its nuclear capabilities and WMD. Iran-Regional, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Pakistani Information Minister Rashid Ahmed: No link between Egypt, Abdul-Qader Khan's network Egypt-Pakistan, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Hassan Younis: Egyptian nuclear program used for peacefull purposes
  Egypt's Minister of Electricity Hassan Younis affirmed yesterday that Egypt's nuclear program is used for peaceful purposes such as industry, agriculture and medicine. Egypt, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Istiqlal Party: Lemrabet's statements on Sahara profit only to Algeria
  Secretary General of the Istiqlal Party (PI), Abbas El Fassi, said the statements of journalist Ali Lemrabet on Sahrawi populations in Tindouf camps will only profit to one party, Algeria. Morocco, Politics, 2/8/2005
• al-Shara confers with Larsen Syria-UN, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Al-Shara: Syria is committed to just peace Syria, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Prince Moulay Rachid holds talks with Malian president Morocco-Mali, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Hammoud, Primakov hold talks in Beirut Lebanon-Russia, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Mark Otti: talks in Syria are constructive Syria-European Union, Politics, 2/8/2005
• 8,000 students of Alexandria university demonstrate against Sharon's visit Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2005
• Moussa and the establishment of the Arab parliament Regional, Politics, 2/7/2005
• Women demonstration in Bahrain demand the resignation of attorney general
  Scores of women in Bahrain demonstrated on Saturday demanding the resignation of the attorney general Sheikh Abdul Rahman Bin Jabber Al- Khalifa and several judges in the courts and to issue the civil status law. Bahrain, Politics, 2/7/2005
• Al-Assad meets with Egyptian FM on developments Syria-Egypt, Politics, 2/7/2005
• Sunni's view on participation in writing the constitution
  Concerning political developments in Iraq, a group of Sunni Party in Iraq who boycotted the recent legislative elections claimed intention to help in formulating the country's new constitution. This came in conclusion of the talks supervised by a delegation from the national assembly with the leader of the independent democratic bloc Adnan al-Baja Jee. Iraq, Politics, 2/7/2005
• Amnesty International welcomes Morocco's draft law on torture Morocco, Politics, 2/7/2005
• Al-Shara-Abu al-Gheit's talks in Damascus
  Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara discussed with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Abu-al-Gheit the latest developments in the region. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 2/7/2005
• Controversy, differences in Riyadh conference over definition of terrorism
  Deliberations of the Riyadh conference for fighting what is called terrorism witnessed controversy between delegations taking part over the definition of "terrorism." The Iranian delegation, for example, rejected that the resistance to occupation is terrorism, in a clear sign to the Palestinian and Iraqi peoples. Regional-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/7/2005
• US commends Saudi Arabia efforts to fighting terrorism
  The American delegate to the Riyadh's conference on fighting terrorism, Francis Townsand, commended the Saudi efforts to fight terrorism, noting that these efforts achieved a fundamental progress. She cautiously welcomed the proposal made by the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz on establishing an international center to coordinate cooperation and exchange information. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 2/7/2005
• Five gunmen surrendered in a security raid in Kuwait
  Five wanted men in Kuwait surrendered themselves to the security forces after they were besieged in a residential area to the west of the capital. The Kuwaiti ministry of the interior introduced the five men in a statement circulated on that they are three Jordanians and two other Saudis. Kuwait, Politics, 2/7/2005
• American forces release 300 Iraqi prisoners
  The Iraqi human rights ministry announced that the American forces released more than 300 Iraqi detainees in Abu Ghreib prison which is situated on the outskirts of Baghdad on Sunday, so as the number of Iraqis released from this jail reached 800. Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/7/2005
• Larsen arrives in Damascus Syria-UN, Politics, 2/7/2005
• Egypt- Israel to sign a memorandum of understanding
  The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Abu al-Ghait and his Israeli peer Silvan Shalom will sign in Cairo on Thursday a memorandum of understanding on the deployment of some 700 soldiers of the Egyptian borders guards to monitor the borders between Egypt and Gaza, in the course of preparations to implement the unilateral Israeli withdrawal plan from Gaza. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/7/2005
• Qathafi, Elio Mary discuss Africa's conditions, France, Libya resume defense cooperation Libya-France, Politics, 2/7/2005
• Mubarak might visit Israel after Sharm al-Sheikh summit
  The Israeli army radio said that the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak might accept making his official visit to Israel after the Sharm al-Sheikh summit conference next Tuesday. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/7/2005
• Iran rules out US attack on its land
  Iranian Secretary Of the Supreme Council for National Security, Hasan Rohani, on Sunday ruled out USA will launch a military attack on Iran. Iran-USA, Politics, 2/7/2005
• Sahrawi human rights advocacy association protests Reporters sans frontieres release
  The Sahrawi human rights advocacy association (ASADEDH) expressed on Saturday "astonishment" and "indignation" over a "reporters sans frontiers" release saying that pro-government news media in Morocco are waging a campaign to disparage journalist Ali Lmrabet. Morocco, Politics, 2/7/2005
• Demonstration in Turkey against Rice's visit
  Hundreds of Turks demonstrated against the visit by U.S. Secretary of State Condaleezza Rice to their country, demanded cancellation of the visit as well as preventing the Americans from using military bases in Turkey. Turkey-USA, Politics, 2/7/2005
• Fifth session of public hearings into human rights violations this Sunday in Khenifra
  The 5th session of public hearings into most serious violations of human rights will be held this Sunday in the Middle Atlas city of Kenifra. Morocco, Politics, 2/7/2005
• Syrian defense minister in Qatar Syria-Qatar, Politics, 2/7/2005

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