Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 4/4/2005

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of April 4, 2005

• Mubarak hails Pope's role in supporting Arab rights, peace efforts Egypt-Vatican, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Unidentified group claims responsibility for Cairo explosion
  the Egyptian opposition strongly deplored al-Azhar quarters explosions and called on the government not to exploit it in order to obstruct the political reforms in Egypt. Egypt, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Mubarak, Qathafi discuss regional situation over phone Egypt-Libya, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Syrian official source and al-Assad- Katsav shake hands Syria-Israel, Politics, 4/9/2005
• On the Iraqi government schedule and the constitution
  Current consultations carried out by the designated Iraqi prime minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari to form the government coincided on Friday with the call advocated by the representative of the Higher Council For The Islamic Revolution In Iraq, Sheikh Sader Eddine al-Qabanji, in Friday's sermon, to write a new constitution for the country and to be accepted by all, foremost the religious leaders." Iraq, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Turkish president is to visit Syria next week Syria-Turkey, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Calls for demonstrations on the second anniversary of the invasion of Baghdad
  Iraqi Sunni and Shiite clergies in Baghdad on Friday called on the Iraqis to demonstrate against occupation today, Saturday, on the occasion of the second anniversary of the occupation of Iraq on April 9th, 2003. Iraq, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Tunisian police bans a demonstration against Sharon's visit
  Once again, the Tunisian police banned an opposition demonstration in protest of inviting the Israeli prime minister Arial Sharon to visit Tunis in order to take part in the world summit for the information society in November this year. Tunisia-Israel, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Junblat considers the Taif Accord as a guarantee for lebanon Lebanon, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Lebanon calls for a quick investigation of Hariri assassination
  The moves on ground regarding the withdrawal of the Syrian forces from Lebanon, coupled with accelerated developments at the political level following the issuance of UN resolution 1595, provided for the formation of an international investigation committee on the assassination of the Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri. Lebanon-UN, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Syria pays sp 200 million for Golan apple farmers
  Syria's Ministry of Finance offered the General Institution for Freezing, Storing and Marketing a loan of SP 200 million to pay the price of apples bought from Syrian citizens of occupied Golan, a newspaper said on Friday. Syria, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Khatami: Syria's decision to pull out forces from Lebanon is wise
  "Syria's decision to pull out its forces from Lebanon is a wise decision, Iran's president said on Friday. Syria-Iran, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Djibouti police disperse demonstrators against presidential elections Djibouti, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Britain closes its embassy in Yemen because of Saadah conditions
  The British foreign office closed its embassy in Yemen for an undetermined time after receiving security threats. Yemen-UK, Politics, 4/9/2005
• U.S. pressing for allied assistance at Sudan donors' conference
  The U.S. government hopes to use the international momentum of humanitarian and development assistance in response to the tsunami disaster in South Asia to spark a similar outpouring of support for Sudan at an international donors' conference in Oslo, Norway, April 11-12. Sudan-USA, Politics, 4/9/2005
• UN, African Union condemn attack on Darfur village by armed militia
  United Nations and African Union representatives yesterday condemned a "senseless and pre-meditated savage attack" Thursday on a town in the western Darfur area of Sudan by more than 350 armed militia while the Government dragged its heels in designating land for the AU monitoring force meant to deter such incidents. Sudan-UN, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Demonstrators denounce Polisario crimes, in Geneva nations square
  A demonstration was staged in Geneva Friday morning at the Nations square to denounce the crimes and violations perpetrated by the Algeria-backed Polisario against the populations of Tindouf camps, South-West Algeria. Morocco-Switzerland, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Some 465 tons of food products sent as aid to palestinians Syria-Palestine, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Brazilian president commends Arab-Latin summit Regional-Brazil, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Pope John Paul II's burial ceremony completed Regional-Vatican, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Arab-Australian meeting voices solidarity with Syria Syria-Australia, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Arab justice ministerial council to discuss anti-terror agreement on Sunday Regional, Politics, 4/9/2005
• Arab leaders congratulates Talbani on election as president of Iraq
  Arab leaders sent congratulations to Jalal Talabani who was elected as a new interim president of Iraq. Regional-Iraq, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Mubarak intensifies efforts for comprehensive reconciliation in Sudan
  Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak discussed at his meeting yesterday with Sudanese Foreign Minister Moustafa Othman Ismail the developments in the Sudan mainly the Darfur crisis, the UN Security Council resolution on the Sudan and the six way summit on Darfur which will be held in Sharm el- Sheikh. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Lebanese figures stress unified track and joint destiny with syria
  Lebanese national forces and parties stressed Thursday attachment to a unified track and joint destiny with Syria. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Al-Hayat: Kharazi warns against vacuum in Lebanon
  Iranian Foreign Minister, Kamal Kharazi has said that Syria is serious regarding her withdrawal from Lebanon and described the withdrawal of the Syrian troops as a major development. Syria-Iran, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Somali president hails Egypt's support to his country
  Yusuf expected he would return to Mogadishu within three months, Tahtawi added. Egypt-Somalia, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Government, parliament greet Madagascar's decision to freeze recognition of so-called Sahrawi Republic
  The Moroccan Government and Parliament on Wednesday greeted Madagascar's decision to "freeze" diplomatic recognition of the so-called Sahrawi republic, a puppet state proclaimed by the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario" on the Algerian soil. Morocco-Madagascar, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Rice: settlement activity ought to stop; Abul-Gheit: Olmert statements not positive
  Statements by Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in which he claimed that territories between the Jordan River and the sea were the Jews' rights are not positive Egypt-Israel, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Shura Council to debate constitutional amendment Egypt, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Karami: new government by Monday Lebanon, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Lebanese parliamentarian stresses National Resistance in Lebanon Lebanon, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Mubarak receives phone call from al-Assad Egypt-Syria, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Central Asia's oil gets India's attention Regional-India, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Al-Qathafi receives Sudanese foreign minister Libya-Sudan, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Bahaa Hariri highlights relation with Syria Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Italian support for Arab summit resolutions Regional-Italy, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Khatami calls for foreign troops withdrawal from Iraq Iraq-Iran, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Lacovos Keravons: Egypt, Cyprus keen on boosting cooperation Egypt-Cyprus, Politics, 4/8/2005
• Iraq's Presidential Council sworn in before parliament
  Iraq's president Jalal al-Talibani and his two deputies Ghazi Ojeil al-Yawer and Adel Abdul Mahdi will take their constitutional oath of office today before the National Assembly (the parliament). Iraq, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Karami meets with Junbulat on elections
  Concerning the notable detente between the pro Lebanese government and the opposition forces, the leader of the Lebanese socialist progressive opposition party Walid Junblat and the designated Lebanese prime Minister Omar Karami discussed the date and means of holding the next elections in Lebanon. Lebanon, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Tunisian lawyers observe sit-in to release Muhammad Abou
  Tunisian lawyers have been observing an open sit-in since Tuesday in order to release their colleague Muhammad Abou who has been jailed since three months for protesting the invitation by Tunisia to the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon to take part in the World summit on the media society in Tunis. Tunisia, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Election of Iraqi presidential council commended
  The election of the Iraqi Presidential Council was welcomed by the international community. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Madagascar freezes recognition of so-called Sahrawi Republic
  Madagascar decided to freeze its recognition of the so-called Sahrawi republic "SADR," visiting Malagasy President Marc Ravalomanana announced in Rabat Wednesday. Morocco-Madagascar, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Destruction of Rass Ejdair gate seperating Libya and Tunis
  Today, coincides with "the 17th anniversary of the destruction of the artificial borders' gate of Rass Ejdair, set by colonialism to separate the Libyan and Tunisian peoples," JANA reported. Libya-Tunisia, Politics, 4/7/2005
• UN Security Council approves international investigation into Hariri assassination
  The UN Security Council is expected to approve today a draft resolution proposed by the USA, France and Britain to form an international investigation committee on the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri. Lebanon-UN, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Lahoud meets army chief
  Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud on Wednesday reviewed with Lebanese Army Commander Lieu. Gen. Michel Suleiman the latest security developments in light of the Syrian troops withdrawal process from Lebanon. Lebanon, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Kuwaiti papers criticize US intervention in Lebanon
  The Kuwaiti paper of al-Rai al-Am harshly criticized in an article Wednesday US interference in the Lebanese internal affairs, warning against dangers that come from shuttle tours made by US officials to Lebanon. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Imams, Rabbis call for synergies between religion and politics
  The Judeo-Muslim Permanent Committee, convened Tuesday in Marrakech, called for associating the political action to the efforts of the clergy to promote relations between Islam and Judaism. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Venezuela hopes Arab-Latin summit adopt principle of non-use of force
  Venezuela's Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel voiced hope to visit Egypt and he greeted Egypt's leadership and people. Regional-Latin America, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Tindouf camps 'forgotten victims' 'shame' on international community, conference
  "It is a shame that such a case of 'forgotten victims' by the international community can exist in the new millennium" aired, in denunciation of the Moroccans sequestered in Tindouf camps (Southwest Algeria), the representative of Centrist Democratic International (CDI) in Italy. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Morocco willing to help in Madagascar development, PM
  Moroccan Prime Minister, Driss Jettou, on Tuesday voiced Morocco's willingness to contribute to Madagascar development, at a meeting with visiting President Marc Ravalomanana. Morocco-Madagascar, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Al-Assad to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II Syria-Vatican, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Mubarak receives telephone call from his Sudanese counterpart Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Mubarak condoles with Vatican over death of Pope John Egypt-Vatican, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Palestinian protect al-Aqsa Mosque from Jewish extremists Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Nazif calls for benefiting from Russian technology Egypt-Russia, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Iraq neighboring countries meeting on April 18 Iraq-Regional, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Hossam Zaki: Moussa honored for efforts to boost Brazilian-Arab cooperation Regional-Brazil, Politics, 4/7/2005
• Talibani chosen president of Iraq
  It is expected to be announced today officially the formation of the Iraqi Presidential Council after the Shiite and the Turks on Tuesday reached an agreement on who would be nominated to the council. Iraq, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Lack of reform in the Arab states could lead to chaotic upheaval
  The report recommended to give "top priority to reforms in three sectors that cannot be delayed: abrogating the state of emergency (laws), eliminating (ethnic and religious) discrimination, and ensuring the independency of the judiciary." Regional, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Ayman Nour accuses the national party of obstructing his election campaign
  The leader of al-Ghad Egyptian opposition party, Ayman Nour, accused the ruling democratic national party of obstructing his campaign as a rival for President Hosni Mubarak in the presidential elections by portraying Nour as an American hireling. Egypt, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Libya appreciation of close ties to Morocco Libya-Morocco, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Amir of Qatar removes three ministers being investigated
  The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani, issued an Amiri decree for reshuffling the Cabinet. According to the decree, three ministers lost their posts: the chairman of the Amir's court, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Muhammad Bin Saud al-Thani; the minister of state for the Cabinet affairs, Muhammad Bin Issa al-Muhtadi; and the minister of al-Awqaf and Islamic trusts, Muhammad Abdul Latif al-Mane'. Qatar, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Moratinos hails Syrian move in Lebanon Syria-Spain, Politics, 4/6/2005
• British ambassador in Lebanon: Syrian withdrawal is a positive step Lebanon-UK, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Khatami: no talks on permanent suspension of uranium enrichment Iran-European Union, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Jordanian king assigns Adnan Badran to form a new government
  The Jordanian government chaired by Faisal al-Fayez on Tuesday submitted its resignation in preparation to form a new government. The Jordanian Official news agency Petra said King Abdullah II accepted the resignation as from Tuesday. Jordan, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Malagasy president pleads for 'freezing' recognition of self-proclaimed Sahrawi republic
  President of Madagascar, Marc Ravalomanana, pleaded in Rabat Tuesday, for "freezing" the diplomatic recognition of the Sahrawi republic "SADR" proclaimed by the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario." Morocco-Madagascar, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Larsen meets Lebanese officials; army to fill gaps
  Lebanese Minister of Defense Abdulrahim Murad on Tuesday said Syrian troops are committed to implementing the Taif Accord, adding that the Lebanese army will fill the gaps after the Syrian forces withdrawal. Lebanon-UN, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Malagasy president's visit to Morocco evokes 'vivid, moving memories', says King
  The visit to Morocco of President Marc Ravalomanana evokes "vivid, moving memories," for Moroccans, according to King Mohammed VI who was speaking at an Exchange of Toasts at a dinner hosted in honor of the Malagasy leader Tuesday evening in Rabat. Morocco-Madagascar, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Hoss: Syria is the most harmed by Hariri's assassination
  Former Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss said on Tuesday Syria seems to be is the most harmed from the crime of assassinating former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Morocco pleads for negotiated political solution to Sahara issue, King
  King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Tuesday reiterated his country's resolve to reach a political solution to the Sahara dispute opposing the North African country to the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario." Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/6/2005
• UN Secretary-General gives list of Darfur war crimes suspects to international court
  In a concerted effort to end "the culture of impunity," United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan yesterday handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) a sealed list of 51 names of people blamed for war crimes in the conflict between the Sudanese Government, allied militia and rebels in the country's Darfur region. Sudan-UN, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Annan vows to make UN more accountable and transparent
  With the United Nations being "hammered" daily by attacks alleging fraud and mismanagement in some of its key programmes, Secretary-General Kofi Annan yesterday vowed to make the UN more accountable and transparent, and told staff that he wanted "us all to be proud of the Organization we work forÉand be determined to move ahead." Regional-UN, Politics, 4/6/2005
• NGOs stress the need to help sequestrated populations in Polisario camps
  Members of several Moroccan human rights NGOs stressed here Tuesday the need to upgrade their actions in favour of the populations held against their will in the Polisario Tindouf camps. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Lebanese parliament rejects foreign intervention Lebanon, Politics, 4/6/2005
• NGOs stage sit-in to denounce Ali Lmrabet statements
  Representatives of several Sahrawi human rights organisations staged in Rabat a sit-in to denounce the statements of journalist Ali Lmrabet ran last January by "Al Moustakil" weekly. Morocco, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Lebanese gougs sit-in near US embassy Lebanon-USA, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Chinese envoy calls for comprehensive peace in ME Regional-China, Politics, 4/6/2005
• US ambassador to Iraq Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/6/2005
• Accusation against Bahrain government of suppressing freedoms under pretext of fighting terrorism
  Six Bahraini judicial associations accused the authorities of hiding behind the draft plan on fighting terrorism "in order to perpetuate the desire to oppress what so has remained of relative freedoms in Bahrain." Bahrain, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Media welcomes Algeria's decision to lift visa requirements for Moroccans
  The Moroccan media on Monday welcomed the announcement by Algeria's President Abdel Aziz Butaflika to waive visa requirements for Moroccan nationals, a move that was described by a newspaper as the beginning of the normalization process between the two states Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Karami: new Lebanese government before end of the week
  Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Omar Karami stressed that the announcement on forming the new government will be before the end of this week. Lebanon, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Kuwaiti health minister announces intention to resign after accusations of corruption
  The Kuwaiti minister of health Muhammad al-Jar Allah announced he will submit his resignation after strong pressures he was exposed to at the hands of Islamic parliamentarians over what has become known as "the scandal of hospitals". Kuwait, Politics, 4/5/2005
• On the formation of the new Iraqi government
  Representatives of the Kurdish and Shiite lists and the list of the prime minister Eyad Allawi, whose term of office expired, resumed negotiations in order to elect a presidential commission and form a new government. Iraq, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Mubarak, Hamad tackle Arab issues, bilateral ties'
  "The summit meeting between President Mubarak and King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain on Monday tackled the overall regional situation," said Egypt's Presidential spokesman, Suleiman Awwad. Egypt-Bahrain, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Larsen expects positions evacuated by the Syrian army in Beirut
  In his second day of visiting Lebanon, the UN special envoy to the Middle East Terje Roed-Larsen inspected on Tuesday positions evacuated recently by the Syrian forces. Lebanon-UN, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Mubarak for summit on Darfur
  President Mubarak will address the invitation for holding a five-way African summit for following up the results of Tripoli summit which was held last October 17 in the Libyan capital and attended by the leaders of Egypt, Libya, the Sudan, Nigeria and Chad. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Sudanese tribes reject UN resolution on Darfur; UN urges Sudan to cooperate with International Criminal Court
  The council of Sudanese tribes Sunday slammed UN Security Council resolution 1593 on Darfur as "unjust." Sudan-UN, Politics, 4/5/2005
• UN committee to investigate Hariri assassination
  Diplomats at the UN expected that the UN Security Council will approve this week a resolution for the establishment of an international investigation committee to the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri. These diplomats said that the resolution will be careful to ensure the end to threats of the achievement of sovereignty for Lebanon. Lebanon-UN, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Lebanese figures deplore foreign intervention
  Head of the Social National Syrian Party in Lebanon, Jibran Arbaji, warned that foreign intervention in Lebanon aimed at disarming the national Lebanese resistance and turning the country into a weak entity that cannot face up to the ambitions of Israel or foreign powers. Lebanon, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Al-Azhar mourns Pope's death
  the Grand Imam said the death of the Pontiff is a great loss for the Orthodox Church and Muslim World as he was an icon of peace and love. Regional-Vatican, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Saddam Hussein has seen lawyer only once Iraq, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Adly: Security policies live up to reform steps Egypt, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Message from Morocco's king to UAE president United Arab Emirates-Morocco, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Abul-Gheit: Islamic, Arab civilization should be represented in UNSC if enlarged Egypt-UN, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Karami, Larsen discuss developments Lebanon-UN, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Dakhlallah meets Yemen's minister of expatriates affairs Syria-Yemen, Politics, 4/5/2005
• US welcomes Syria's forces pullout from Lebanon Syria-USA, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Prayers in Geneva for the release of Moroccan POWs in Southern Algeria
  More than 200 people gathered in a Notre Dame church in Geneva on Saturday to pray for the release of the remaining 408 Moroccan prisoners of war still being held by the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario" in the Tindouf Camps (south-western Algeria). Morocco-Switzerland, Politics, 4/5/2005
• Vatican announces Pope demise
  The Vatican announced yesterday the demise of Pope John Paul II (age 84). For 26 years he headed the Catholic Church advocating peace in the world. Regional-Vatican, Politics, 4/4/2005
• Al-Hosni is the speaker of the Iraqi parliament
  The representatives of the Iraqi Interim National Assembly ( the parliament) has chosen in their third session held on Sunday the candidate of the Arab Sunni, the minister of tourism in the Interim government, Hajem al-Hosni, as a speaker for the parliament, ending thereby a political dispute over who will occupy this post and paving the way towards forming a new Iraqi government. Iraq, Politics, 4/4/2005
• Saudi court postpones considering the case of three reformers
  Continuously, the accused men refused to answer accusations addressed to them and demanded an open trial. However, al-Dumeini decided on Sunday to give 25- page defending himself, according to one of his relatives who was permitted to attend the trial. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/4/2005
• Syria promises complete withdrawal from Lebanon by the end of April
  The UN special envoy to the Middle East Terje Roed-Larsen said that Syria will withdraw all its forces and security intelligence from Lebanon before the end of April 30. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 4/4/2005
• Abul -Gheit criticizes Israel's decoration of 'terrorist' Egyptian Jews
  Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit dismissed as "strange" the decoration by Israel of Egyptian Jews convicted of carrying out deadly bombing in early 1950's. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 4/4/2005
• Al-Shara; Larsen hold joint press conference
  UN Secretary General Special Envoy to the Middle East Terje Roed Larsen said on Sunday that he Syrian government informed him that Syria will withdraw all its troops as well as security bodies from Lebanon by the 30th of April 2005. Syria-UN, Politics, 4/4/2005
• Izzat Saad el-Sayyed: Egypt launches initiatives on Afro-Asian strategic partnership
  "An Egyptian delegation to the meetings of African and Asian officials preparing for an Afro-Asian summit in Jakarta on April 22-23 has forwarded a number of initiatives with the aim of supporting the Afro-Asian strategic partnership project, "Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Izzat Saad El-Sayyed said yesterday. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 4/4/2005
• President al-Assad receives Russian minister Syria-Russia, Politics, 4/4/2005
• Lebanese figures reject foreign intervention in Lebanon's internal affairs Lebanon, Politics, 4/4/2005
• Al-Shara, Annan discuss developments on phone call Syria-UN, Politics, 4/4/2005

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