Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 8/29/2005
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of August 29, 2005
- Mauritania political pardon, prisoners released
Col. Ala' Muhammad Weld Faal, chairman of the military council for justice and democracy in Mauritania on Friday evening announced "total and complete pardon to all detainees convicted of political crimes and minor crimes." Mauritania, Politics, 9/3/2005 - Sudanese FM praises Egypt's role in stabilizing Sudan
Sudanese Foreign Minister, Mostafa Othman Ismail, said on Friday that Sudanese First Vice-President Salva Kiir's visit to Cairo on Thursday was an affirmation of the major role played by Egypt in the stability and development process in Sudan. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 9/3/2005 - Human Rights Watch: Limited progress in Egypt elections
Human Rights Watch said yesterday that "Egypt's first-ever multi-party presidential election on September 7 has helped to open up public debate in the country.. But the main features of decades-long authoritarian rule remain in place, making a truly free and fair election at this moment beyond reach." Egypt, Politics, 9/3/2005 - Egypt judges to monitor the presidential elections
Deputy chairman of the court of cassation in Egypt, advisor Hisham al-Bastaweisi, said that the general assembly for Egypt's" Judges Club" agreed by a simple majority to supervise the presidential elections due next Wednesday. Egypt, Politics, 9/3/2005 - Palestinians of the Arabs of 1948 begin visit Syria
Head of the Palestinian delegation of "1948 Arabs" hailed yesterday "Syria's support to our steadfast folks under the brutal Israeli occupation." Palestine-Syria, Politics, 9/3/2005 - HRW on the Algerian amnesty law
The Charter makes good on the pledge first made by President Butaflika on October 31, 2004, to submit to the electorate a new amnesty plan designed to further what he describes as the peace and national reconciliation process begun by his 1999 Civil Harmony Law Algeria, Politics, 9/3/2005 - Nasrullah against pressure on Hariri UN investigation committee
The secretary general of the Lebanese Hizbullah party Sheikh Hassan Nasrullah called for not placing pressures on the work of the UN investigation committee to the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri. Lebanon, Politics, 9/3/2005 - Lahoud's opponents assess his position as threatened
A Lebanese parliamentarian, opposing the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud, considered that the position of the latter has become disappointing, after accusations were officially addressed to four senior officers close to him of being involved in planning for the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri. Lebanon, Politics, 9/3/2005 - Saddam Hussein trial after the constitution's approval
A source in the Iraqi government said that the trial of the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein will start on October 19th. Iraq, Politics, 9/3/2005 - Blair ignores al-Qaida 's claim for the attacks on London
The British prime minister Tony Blair refused to comment on the announcement attributed to al-Qaida leader over the its claiming responsibility for London's explosion despite the persistence of journalists in a press conference held on Friday. Iraq-UK, Politics, 9/3/2005 - Washington Post: Rice plans to isolate President al-Assad in New York
The USA is planning to intensify pressure on Syria in order to prevent it from interfering in the Lebanese affairs. Towards this end, the US intends to convene a conference for the Middle East and European leaders on the sidelines of meetings of the UN General Assembly in New York in mid September. Syria-USA, Politics, 9/3/2005 - Palestine, Iraq top of Arab FMs agenda
An official source in the Arab League in Cairo said that the Palestinian and Iraqi files and the situation in Mauritania will be on top of agenda of the ordinary meeting of the Arab foreign ministers on September 8 and 9th in Cairo. Regional, Politics, 9/3/2005 - Arabs reject relations with Israel until full withdrawal
Arab League Secretary General's Advisor Hesham Youssef said Thursday that "Israel is not worthy of the move which Pakistan has taken to hold diplomatic communications with it," adding that the Israeli government didn't make any concessions in return for this move. Regional-Israel, Politics, 9/3/2005 - Egyptian initiative to combat terror
Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit has sent a message to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan indicating that Egypt will present an initiative on combating terror during the 60th UNGA meeting to open this month in September. Egypt-UN, Politics, 9/3/2005 - Yediot Ahronot: Trade-diplomatic Israeli representation in Dubai
Yediot Ahronot said that part of the diamonds which is sold in Dubai is from Israel. United Arab Emirates-Israel, Politics, 9/3/2005 - Turkish peace association expresses support to Iraqi resistance Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 9/3/2005
- US Congress delegation arrives in Cairo Egypt-USA, Politics, 9/3/2005
- Iran provided nuclear agency with new information
An official Iranian news agency report said today: The UN nuclear watchdog chief Mohammad ElBaradei has acknowledged to Iran's cooperation with the Iran-UN, Politics, 9/3/2005 - Four Lebanese security leaders formely accused in Hariri assassination
The Lebanese attorney general officially accused four former security leaders, being held in the case of assassinating former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri. Lebanon, Politics, 9/2/2005 - Silva Kiir, Mubarak discuss Darfur, peace agreement
The First Sudanese Vice President, Silva Kiir, held talks in Cairo on Thursday with the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in his first official visit outside Sudan since he had assumed his post of office. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 9/2/2005 - Egypt's relation with Sudan: borders and the opposition
Egypt, which has vast land borders with Sudan is of special importance because it hosts part of the northern Sudanese opposition which refused so far portions given to it in the new interim parliament and has not decided yet to take part in the next unity government. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 9/2/2005 - Unity for success of negotiations in Sudan
The African peace negotiator Salem Ahmad Salem called on the two rebel movements in Darfur to unify their ranks to ensure the success of Abuja negotiations which will be resumed in two weeks. Sudan, Politics, 9/2/2005 - 423 Golanese in Syria for study, see relatives
"We hope our land will be liberated and the brutal occupation will be removed as well the Golan will be freed and the just and comprehensive peace will prevail in the region," a Syrian student said. Syria-Israel, Politics, 9/2/2005 - Human rights violations in Somalia, foreign sides involved
Al-Najjar- a Kuwaiti academic, stressed the importance of shedding light on such acts, expressing his concern of "using terrorism as a pretext to provoke and harass people." The Judicial experts considered that the condition of prisoners in Somalia are the "worst I have seen in the world." Somalia, Politics, 9/2/2005 - Possible Iraqi limited government reshuffle to contain crisis
The interim Iraqi government seeks to contain the consequences of the crisis that hit Iraq as a result of a stampede that caused the death of some 1000 Iraqis. Iraq, Politics, 9/2/2005 - Nazif: We fully cooperate with Human Rights Council
Egypt's Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif said the government is fully cooperating with the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) and will respond to all complaints presented via the council. Egypt, Politics, 9/2/2005 - Mehlis ready to visit Damascus in investigation of Hariri assassination
Chairman of the UN investigation committee to the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafik al-Hariri, Detlev Mehlis, expressed his readiness to head for Damascus to continue investigations. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 9/2/2005 - Zawahiri threatens westerns of London-like attacks
Siddiq held western citizens the responsibility for London, and Madrid explosions, and the US September 11 incidents because they "elect governments that commit crimes against humanity." He stressed that western citizens will not feel secure and will continue to be the target for such operations." Iraq-Regional, Politics, 9/2/2005 - Human Rights Council Essential to U.N. Reform, Bolton Says
Reform of the United Nations' discredited human rights activities is key to overall U.N. reform and key to the more effective promotion and protection of human rights, says U.S. Ambassador John R. Bolton. Regional-USA, Politics, 9/2/2005 - Egyptian official for resuming negotiations of peace process Egypt-Israel, Politics, 9/2/2005
- Israel, Pakistan agree to establish diplomatic relations
Israel and Pakistan announced following the first open meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries held in Istanbul an agreement to start steps for establishing full diplomatic relations between them. Israel-Pakistan, Politics, 9/2/2005 - Moussa meets delegation of Arab organizations in Latin America Regional-Sudan, Politics, 9/2/2005
- Iraqi Sunnis seek to amend the draft constitution
Concerning political developments regarding the Iraqi draft constitution, the Iraqi Islamic Party considered that it is still possible to modify many points of differences in the Iraqi draft constitution. Iraq, Politics, 9/1/2005 - Lebanon interrogates security leaders
The Lebanese authorities continued to keep in custody three former security leaders in addition to the commander of the Republican Guard after they were interrogated at the headquarters of the Internal Security leadership in Beirut on Wednesday while former parliamentarian, who was questioned, Nasser Qindil was released. Lebanon, Politics, 9/1/2005 - Egypt released five Muslim Brothers leaders, extends imprisonment for four
News reports in Cairo said that the Egyptian authorities released five leading figures of the Muslim Brothers who were sentenced to five year imprisonment each, within the course of what was called the "organization of professors" in the banned group. Egypt, Politics, 9/1/2005 - Lahoud rejects settling the Palestinians in Lebanon
Lebanon's president, Emile Lahoud, has stressed his country's keenness to maintain fraternal relations of cooperation with Syria. Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 9/1/2005 - Tunisian newspaper says Israel relocating settle to occupied Golan
Tunisian newspaper 'al-Sabah' denounced Israeli decision to move settlers from Gaza Strip to the occupied Syrian Golan, asserting the need for Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Golan, as well as ending the settlement policy as a pre-condition to achieving peace, security and stability in the Middle East. Syria-Israel, Politics, 9/1/2005 - Stay politically engaged, Khalilzad urges Iraq's Sunnis
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad has appealed to Iraq's Sunni Arabs not to abandon the political process in the national referendum debate over the draft constitution and the subsequent elections. Iraq-USA, Politics, 9/1/2005 - Zarqawi threatens to avenge American bombardment of al-Qaem
Al-Qaida organization in Iraq, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, threatened in a statement issued on the Internet to avenge for the American air bombardment which targeted the Iraqi al-Qaem city last Thursday and inflected at least 56 persons as killed. Iraq-USA, Politics, 9/1/2005 - Egyptian forces will deploy between Israel, the Palestinians
The chairman of the Egyptian intelligence Omar Suleiman said that the Egyptian- Israeli agreement on deployment of Egyptian border guards along the Egyptian borders with Gaza will be signed next week. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 9/1/2005 - Syria licenses 17 magazines, newspapers Syria, Politics, 9/1/2005
- BBC: Qandil testifies before UN investigation committee Lebanon-UN, Politics, 9/1/2005
- Arab league expresses grief on Baghdad victims Regional-Iraq, Politics, 9/1/2005
- Syria, Libya-Firm Relations highlighted Syria-Libya, Politics, 9/1/2005
- Berri confers US Congress Delegation Lebanon-USA, Politics, 9/1/2005
- Sinioura-Larsen phone call on development Lebanon-UN, Politics, 9/1/2005
- Lavrov: A conference on ME to be convened Regional-Russia, Politics, 9/1/2005
- Iraqi Sunnis to foil draft constitution, US hints on amending it
Al-Mutlaq indicated efforts for cooperation and coordination with the Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sader in the very near future. He explained that the forces which stand against the draft constitution will shortly hold a national conference against the constitution project. Iraq-USA, Politics, 8/31/2005 - Qindil returns to Lebanon to face investigators of al-Hariri assassination
After he stressed that he had met with the leaders of the security departments to make sure that they are carrying out set duties, Sinioura said, addressing the Lebanese people, that "everyone will be under the umbrella of the law, and that the world will be turned upside-down on the heads of criminals." Lebanon, Politics, 8/31/2005 - Revenge or silencing assassinations fears in Lebanon
Saad Eddine al-Hariri, the son of the assassinated Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri, said that his existence since two weeks in Paris is because he was exposed to death threats, noting that that those who killed Rafiq al-Hariri may decide to kill all of the al-Hariri family. Lebanon, Politics, 8/31/2005 - Investigations into al-Hariri assassination cause fears in many
The acts of arrest came in atmospheres of tension in Lebanon after the UN investigation committee notified the Lebanese security authorities that there is a list, including names of Lebanese figures, being vulnerable for assassination, and this resulted in that many of those figures left Lebanon Lebanon, Politics, 8/31/2005 - Lahoud plays down the interrogation of Lebanese security officials in Hariri assassination
The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud played down the importance of summoning former Lebanese security officials to be brought as suspects before the UN investigation committee on the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri. Lebanon, Politics, 8/31/2005 - Former Lebanese premier warns of exploiting UN Hariri investigation findings
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss warned against unjustly accusing Syria of the consequences of the assassination of former Lebanese Premier Rafiq al-Hariri. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 8/31/2005 - Calls for Morocco to stop strike of west Sahara prisoners
The Moroccan human rights committee, one of the major human rights independent groups in Morocco, urged the government on Monday to start talks in order to end the hunger strike carried out by prisoners in the western Sahara demanding improvement of their detention conditions. Morocco, Politics, 8/31/2005 - Journalists condemn Tunisia ban on journalists' meeting
The International Federation of Journalists today accused the Tunisian authorities of delivering a "slap in the face of democracy" with its ban on the congress of the Tunisian Syndicate of Journalists, due to be held next week. Tunisia, Politics, 8/31/2005 - Sudan hopes to end Darfur conflict in next session
The Sudanese vice president Ali Othman Muhammad Taha said that his government authorized its delegation to the negotiations over Darfur to finalize a final agreement during the next round of talks in Abuja in the mid September. Sudan, Politics, 8/31/2005 - On a possible Morocco-Algeria summit in the US
US Department of State spokesman Sean McCormack said yesterday that he does not have news on a Moroccan - Algerian reconciliation summit to be held in the United States. Maghreb-USA, Politics, 8/31/2005 - Jaafari criticizes Arab League position on Iraq
The Iraqi prime minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari on Tuesday criticized the Arab League (AL) over its position for not paying attention to the Iraqi people and for not dispatching an ambassador or a minister or any official to Baghdad. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 8/31/2005 - Zahar: Consultations on new round of inter-Palestinian dialogue in Cairo
Mahmoud Al Zahar, a prominent member of Hamas political leadership, revealed that a new round of inter-Palestinian dialogue is to be held in Egypt. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 8/31/2005 - Kiir to visit Egypt next month Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 8/31/2005
- Algerian president supports Iranian nuclear program Algeria-Iran, Politics, 8/31/2005
- US urges Palestinians, Israelis to live up to Roadmap and Sharm el-Sheikh Accords Palestine-USA, Politics, 8/31/2005
- Iran calls for solidarity among Islamic countries Jordan-Iran, Politics, 8/31/2005
- US senator praises Mubarak's wisdom Egypt-USA, Politics, 8/31/2005
- Lebanon arrests four leaders in Hariri assassination investigation
The Lebanese authorities arrested three former senior security officers and the chairman of the republican guard, while a memorandum of arrest was issued for the arrest of a member of the Lebanese parliament. Lebanon, Politics, 8/30/2005 - Iraqi Islamic party rejects constitution
The Iraqi Islamic party announced rejection for the draft constitution because of what it called its violation of compatibility. Iraq, Politics, 8/30/2005 - US president optimism over Iraq's future
The US President George W. Bush expressed optimism over the future of Iraq, underlining the importance of differences on the Iraqi arena on the draft Iraqi constitution due to be debated for referendum on the mid of October. Iraq-USA, Politics, 8/30/2005 - Transparency and the Egyptian elections
Saada added that the fears of the power given to the government according to the emergency law resulted in that owners of companies refuse to rent equipment needed for the campaigning of candidates who are a rival to the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the elections. Egypt, Politics, 8/30/2005 - Turkmani: Syria pan-Arab stances not effected by those aiming to damage her Arab ties
He noted that these news were against "Syria's firm and principled pan-Arab positions and the national and pan-Arab stance of the Arab nation in a bid to clearly damage ties linking Syria with the Arab countries." The Defense Minister rebuffed "policies implemented by the U.S. and Israel to fulfill colonial aims in the region and steal its resources." Syria-Regional, Politics, 8/30/2005 - Imprisonment for two leaders of failed coupe in Mauritania eased
The military council in Mauritania ordered ending solitary confinment imprisonment which was imposed on Saleh Wedl Hanan and Rev. Abdul Rahman Weld Mini who are sentenced for life imprisonment. Mauritania, Politics, 8/30/2005 - Washington for UN monitoring of Egyptian elections
He added that one judge in Alexandria went to the headquarters of the committee he was chosen to monitor, and when he raised his objections on certain conditions, he was replaced by another judge. Egypt-USA, Politics, 8/30/2005 - Palestinians hail Egypt's role in supporting the Palestinian people
Palestinian National Security Adviser Jibril Rajoub said the visit by Minister Omar Solaiman to the Palestinian territories was meant to help resolve pending issues between the Palestinians and Israel. Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 8/30/2005 - Israeli government approves deployment of 750 Egyptian soldiers on frontiers
The Israeli government with a majority of 18 ministers and the objection of two approved the agreement under which 750 Egyptian soldiers would be deployed on frontiers between Gaza and Egypt (at Philadelphi passage). Egypt-Israel, Politics, 8/30/2005 - Nazif: Presidential elections historic step towards democracy Egypt, Politics, 8/30/2005
- Israel, New Zealand resume diplomatic relations
Israel and New Zealand on Monday restarted severed diplomatic relations 18 months following a scandal that resulted in arresting two Israeli spies in New Zealand. Israel-New Zealand, Politics, 8/30/2005 - Al-Qathafi seeks delay of UN reform agenda Libya-UN, Politics, 8/30/2005
- BBC: Moussa: Iraq's constitution recipe for chaos Regional-Iraq, Politics, 8/30/2005
- Assafir: Solana will not visit Lebanon today Lebanon-European Union, Politics, 8/30/2005
- Sharon: we will not negotiate with Syria not to alleviate pressures on it Syria-Israel, Politics, 8/30/2005
- Talibani supports Iraqi constitution draft, Sunnis opposed
The US President George W. Bush commended the new Iraqi constitution which was submitted to the parliament following heated debate among the political sides, describing it as a source of inspiration for the supporters of democracy, noting simultaneously that the next referendum may result in what he called a new wave of crimes, as he alleged. Iraq-USA, Politics, 8/29/2005 - Ministerial committees prepare for 'good government' in Mauritania
Mauritania Premier Weld Bu Baker inaugurated the works of three ministerial committees formed earlier this month to organize the Interim operation. Mauritania, Politics, 8/29/2005 - Al-Ahram: Silva Kiir: More to bolster Sudanese -Egyptian relations
Sudan's relations with Egypt are very strong, we in the popular movement for the liberation of Sudan maintains very good relations with Egypt. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 8/29/2005 - Syria to fully cooperate with investigation of Hariri assassination
Syria's Permanent Representative to the U.N. Faisal Miqdad has underlined on Saturday that Syria met all what the international investigators had asked for regarding the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 8/29/2005 - Daoudi regrets that Mehlis report points out to syria
Legal Counselor at the Syrian Foreign Ministry, Riad al-Daoudi, said it is regrettable that the report of UN investigator Detlev Mehlis claimed that Syria did not cooperate with the international investigation committee into the killing of former Lebanese Premier Rafiq al-Hariri. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 8/29/2005 - Egypt says NPT endorsement linked to regional, international developments
Egypt said on Friday that the signing of the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was linked to regional and international developments. Egypt-UN, Politics, 8/29/2005 - Syria opens consulate in Turkish Gazi Antep province
Opening the Syrian consulate in Turkish Gazi Antep Province is a positive step that facilitates lots of procedures for Turkish businessmen as well as contributes in developing the Syrian-Turkish bilateral relations, Head of the Executive Board in Gazi Antep Chamber of Commerce said Sunday. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 8/29/2005 - Attacks on the African forces and aides convoys in Darfur
The African Union and aides officials said that highjackers escalated their attacks against the Union's force and convoys for humanitarian aids in Darfur district, west of Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 8/29/2005 - US army frees 1000 Iraqi detainees from Abu Ghreib jail
The American army in Iraq announced it has released about 1,000 prisoners from Abu Ghreib jail in Iraq, at the request of the Iraqi government at a time the political sides were trying to reach agreement over the constitution. Iraq-USA, Politics, 8/29/2005 - Gull underlines Turkey's ties with neighboring states
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gull stressed Thursday the importance of Turkey's relations with neighboring and regional countries. Regional-Turkey, Politics, 8/29/2005 - Shalom calls Europe not to negotiate with Hizbullah
The Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom demanded after his meeting with the higher official at the foreign police in the European Union, Javier Solana, in Jerusalem on Sunday, on Europe not to make contacts with Hizbullah and the Hamas movement. Israel-European Union, Politics, 8/29/2005 - Amr Mousa stresses Iraq's Arabism Iraq-Regional, Politics, 8/29/2005
- Mauritania asks UN support for elections Mauritania-UN, Politics, 8/29/2005
- Hariri's son on the assassination investigation Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 8/29/2005
- Arab League to reject US unilateral sanctions on Syria Syria-Regional, Politics, 8/29/2005
- Iran to enhance relations with neighboring states Regional-Iran, Politics, 8/29/2005