Arabic News Weekly Edition for Syria, 10/5/1998
Weekly Edition, Syria - Week of October 5, 1998
- Syria is not eager to escalate tension with Turkey
An Egyptian daily quoted a high-ranking Syrian official as saying that against the increasing Turkish military buildup on the Turkish side along the Syrian border, which spans 700 km, there are only 1,000 men as border guards. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 10/10/1998 - Report: Israeli military men with Turkish army on the borders of Syria
Defense information circles in Britain on Thursday revealed the presence of Israeli military experts with the Turkish forces, which have been stockpiling since last week along the northern Syrian borders. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 10/10/1998 - Explosions in Syrian areas adjacent to borders with Turkey
Three Turkish dailies reported today that explosions, whose causes are not known, took place in Syrian areas, near its borders with Turkey. The dailies said the explosions resulted in several deaths and injuries. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 10/10/1998 - Turkish intelligence agents kidnapped
The French news bulletin "Top Urgent" said today that the sudden escalation between Syria and Turkey despite the recent repeated meetings between the two sides is linked to kidnapping by the Kurdistani Workers Party (PKK) of Turkish intelligence agents in Lebanon. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 10/10/1998 - Iranian FM describes meeting with President Assad as constructive, Sheikh Sabah: We will all be with Syria
Kharazi said: "I think there is a proper way to settle this problem and to eliminate barriers between the two countries as well as to reach an amicable solution in this respect." Syria-Iran, Politics, 10/10/1998 - Syrian minister of defense attacks Jordan
Syrian Minister of Defense Mustafa Tlass attacked the Israeli - Turkish alliance, saying that the new regional security axis reflects the provocative and aggressive efforts directed against Syria, which were proved by Turkish officials' recent declarations, which comprised "direct and obvious threats to Syria." Syria, Politics, 10/10/1998 - Syrian Mufti calls for boycott of Turkish products Syria, Politics, 10/10/1998
- Palestinian leaders in Syria condemn Turkish threats Palestine-Syria, Politics, 10/10/1998
- Ankara studies diplomatic methods of reconciling with Syria
Ankara has announced that it is studying an Egyptian proposal to reach a diplomatic solution to the crisis which had brought Damascus and Ankara to the brink of armed confrontation because of the Kurdistani Workers Party. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 10/9/1998 - Al-Assad receives a message from Khatami on Turkish tensions
Al-Sharaa discussed with Kharazi the "provocative and hostile positions adopted by Turkey against Syria and the role of the OIC presidency in dealing with this crisis that erupted between the two countries." Syria-Iran, Politics, 10/9/1998 - Syrian defense minister confers with PDRK army official Syria-North Korea, Politics, 10/9/1998
- In a telephone call with Indyk, al-Sharaa calls for balanced US position
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa on Thursday received a telephone call from US Undersecretary of State for Middle East Affairs Martin Indyk, currently visiting Cairo. Syria-Turkey-USA, Politics, 10/9/1998 - Wide condemnation of Turkish threats against Syria
The secretary-general of the Arab Journalists Union has condemned the Turkish threats against Syria and called for solving the dispute between Syria and Turkey through peaceful means. Regional-Syria, Politics, 10/9/1998 - There is always a chance for political solution, Turkish ambassador said
The Turkish ambassador in Amman, Muhammad Suha Amre, said that Turkey is ready to deal "militarily" with the current situation resulting from Syrian - Turkish disputes. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 10/8/1998 - Syrian FM confers with former Austrian counterpart
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa on Wednesday received former Austrian FM Louis Mock, who is a member of the Austrian Parliament. Syria-Austria, Politics, 10/8/1998 - Lebanese PM concludes consultation visit in Damascus
Al-Sharq radio correspondent in Damascus said on Wednesday that Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has concluded a quick visit to Damascus on Wednesday, during which he held talks with Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam, Prime Minister Mahmoud al Zou'bi and Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa on the latest bilateral, Arab and regional developments. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 10/8/1998 - Japanese assistance for Syrian power stations
To meet the drastic need for qualified engineers in Syria for the operation and maintenance of existing and future power stations, the Electricity Power Training Center will be opened Jandar with the economic cooperation of the government of Japan. Syria-Japan, Economics, 10/8/1998 - Syrian Golan citizens denounce Turkish threats against Syria
The Syrian people in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights have denounced the Turkish threats against Syria, and condemned the Turkish - Israeli alliance which only "serves Israel and encourages it to persist its intransigent and anti-peace policy." Syria-Regional, Politics, 10/8/1998 - Turkish official suggests crisis with Syria fabricated
The deputy chairman of the True Path Party (DYP) in Turkey, Hassan Akinji, has alleged that the Turkish government created the current crisis with Syria in order to cover scandals committed by gangs and to remove these scandals from the government's work agenda. Turkey-Syria, Politics, 10/7/1998 - Bedouins: the splendid life of chase, hunt and horsemanship
The desert entailed not only a simple life, but also the trial and education of the chase. The Umayyads, one and all, were huntsmen. Game was plentiful: lions existed in the Euphrates valley until the middle of the nineteenth century, and the large herds of gazelles which still range the steppes must in the days before cars have been even larger. Regional-Syria, Culture, 10/7/1998 - Euphrates waters an old point of dispute between Turkey and Syria, Iraq
AFP said the waters of the Euphrates constitute an old point of dispute between Turkey on the one hand and Syria and Iraq on the other, and a means of pressure used by Turkey against these two neighboring countries into whose territories the waters of the Euphrates river cross. Iraq-Syria, Politics, 10/7/1998 - A direct line between US and Turkey over tensions with Syria
the US had opened a direct line with Ankara to convince it against any military act against Syria, at a time when US President Bill Clinton is exerting great efforts to revive Palestinian - Israeli negotiations and, if these efforts succeed, to launch the Lebanese and Syrian tracks. Regional-Syria, Politics, 10/7/1998 - Syria, Egypt celebrate 25th anniversary of the October War
Syria and Egypt on Tuesday continued celebrations on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the October 6 war. Both Syria and Egypt took part jointly in launching the fourth Israeli-Arab war to restore the territories occupied by Israel during June war of 1967. Regional-Syria, Politics, 10/7/1998 - Celebrating the October 6 war, Syrian Golan citizens cling fast to homeland
Commemorating the silver jubilee of the October War of 1973, the Syrian people in the occupied Golan Heights on Tuesday held a mass rally in Majdal Shams. People attending the rally stressed their support for their homeland in confrontation of Turkish threats. Syria, Local, 10/7/1998 - Kuwaiti president telephones Turkish president
Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah yesterday made a telephone call to Turkish President Suleiman Demirel. Kuwait-Syria, Politics, 10/7/1998 - Morocco calls Syria and Turkey to self-restraint Morocco-Syria, Politics, 10/7/1998
- Widespread Arab denunciation of Turkish threats against Syria
Arab League Assistant Secretary General Ahmad Bin Hali said in his statement that the only beneficiary of this dispute is Israel, carrying out its aggressive policy. He asserted that the negative impact of the Israeli - Turkish military alliance had begun to affect the security and stability of the region. Regional-Syria, Politics, 10/6/1998 - Mubarak's plan to reconcile Turkey and Syria
The Turkish "Daily News" said that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who will arrive today in Ankara will propose a three-stage plan to defuse the crisis between Syria and Turkey. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 10/6/1998 - Mubarak highlights common Egyptian, Syrian destiny
President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has asserted the unity of the common objective and destiny between the Syrian and Egyptian armed forces. They worked together in the same trench with integrated plans and within the framework of deep faith and confidence to ensure the unity of the two peoples and the Arab states. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 10/6/1998 - UAE calls for peaceful resolution to Syria - Turkey tensions United Arab Emirates-Syria, Politics, 10/6/1998
- Syria - Iran trade Syria-Iran, Economics, 10/6/1998
- Greece blames Turkey for creating crisis with Syria Syria-Turkey-Greece, Politics, 10/6/1998
- Al-Assad and Hrawi discuss latest developments, Hariri heads to Saudi Arabia
President Hafez al-Assad on Monday received Lebanese President Elias Hrawi at the Damascus al-Chaab Palace. Talks dealt with the latest developments in the region as a result of the positions and statements released by "some Turkish officials." Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 10/6/1998 - Syrian-Jordanian joint ministerial committee to meet in Amman
Jordanian Minister of Trade and Industry Muhammad Saleh al-Hourani said on Monday that the Jordanian - Syrian joint committee on the ministerial level will hold a meeting in Amman on November 16. Syria-Jordan, Economics, 10/6/1998 - Syrian-Egyptian summit held in Damascus
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Sunday made a one-day official visit to Syria during which he and his companions held two meetings with their Syrian counterparts. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 10/5/1998 - Turkey deputy PM says Turkey seeks peaceful solution with Syria
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Yulant Ajawid said on Sunday that his country seeks to reach a peaceful solution to its conflict with Syria. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 10/5/1998 - Joint Jordanian - Syrian committee to discuss bilateral topics
The Jordanian daily al-Rai said on Sunday said that Jordanian - Syrian contacts had started recently with the objective of setting a date for the meeting of the Jordanian-Syrian joint committee on al-Wahda (Unity) Dam and other topics. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 10/5/1998 - Iran voices support for Syria Syria-Iran, Politics, 10/5/1998
- Jordanian activists, public figures voice support for Syria Jordan-Syria, Politics, 10/5/1998