|
July 2002 Headline News |
||
|
|
July 29, 2002 17 Chechens and 2 Russians killed in various confrontations in Chechnya. About 4,249 killed since Russia has started military campaign against the break away republic, in July 1999. UN Security Council discusses the Western Sahara problem, on Wednesday. The four options that will be discussed are: a referendum on independence or temporary autonomy, unification with Morocco, dividing the area between Morocco and the Polisario, and announcing the withdrawal of the UN from mediating the conflict. US and British planes bomb civilian installations in southern Iraq. The planes came from Kuwait and were supported by AWACS guidance from Saudi Arabia. The head of the Jordanian Muslim Brothers organization, Dhunaybat, believes that the August Jordanian-US military exercises are part of the US preparations to attack Iraq. King Abdallah of Jordan denies Jordan's participation in any attack on Iraq. He said that dialogue is better than force, and Jordan joins other nations in this stance, particularly China, Russia, EU, and Arab states. One more scenario about attacking Iraq: an air campain, followed by naval landing from US and Britiah ships. This will make it simiar to the 1956 Suez Campaign, in which colonial Britain and France occupied the Egyptian suez canal. The campaign failed and marked the end of Britain and France as world super powers. A Sunday Times survey: 49% of the British believe that Blair has become as George Bush's dummy because he refuses to discuss the British participation in the attack on Iraq. The British Labor Member of Parliament, Tony Ben: Sharon is the major force behind the attack on Iraq because of Iraq's support for Palestinians. Condileezza Rice to a senior British military officer, last week: The war on Iraq will be during the fall: You're either with us or against us. US senior officials in the Pentagon, State Department, and the CIA are against war on Iraq. Only pro-Israel hawks, like Richard Pearle and Paul wolfowitz are pushing for it. The major Palestinian organizations discuss forming a shadow government that lead the Palestinian people on the ground after the Israeli destruction of the Palestinian Authority (alquds alarabi, 7/29/02). July 28, 2002 Shielding Israel from any UN pressures, the US will use its veto to stop any Security Council resolutions that do not condemn Palestinian organizations. The US will also use the veto if Israel is asked to withdraw from the Palestinian territories (Alittihad, 7/28/02). The UAE President, Shaikh Zayed, visited by several leaders in his residence in Geneva. These included President Mubara, King Abdallah, President Chirac, and President Boutafliqa (Alittihad, 7/28/02). Colon Powell may meet with the North Korean Foreign Minister when he visits Brunei (Alittihad, 7/28/02). A
documentary film on the Israeli massacre of Palestinians in the Jenin
refugee camp was shown here last
night at the British Academy of Film and Television Art (Bafta).
July 27, 2002 The Sudanese President, Omar Al-Bashir, met with the southern Sudanese rebel leader, John Garang, in Kampala, Unganda, as a confirmation to the breakthrough that was achieved in Kenya last week. The two warring parties have agreed to major issues which were obstacles in the past. A major agreement was on dividing oil revenues and autonomy for the south (Abu Dhabi TV, aljazeera.net, 7/27/02). A rebel group in Tyaret, Algeria, killed 2 people and injured six of their children as a show of disobedience to the government (alquds alarabi, 7/27/02). A new scenario about the US attack on Iraq: a small operation that aims at closing Iraqi ports, airports, and communications. The goal is forcing the Iraqi government to accept the return of UN inspectors, not chnging the Iraqi government. This scenario came from the US military magazine, "Genes." It seems to be part of the disinformation campaing (Alquds, 7/26/02). The US sends Al-Qaeda prisoners to Egypt, Jordan, and Syria for investigation there. Investigators in these countries use torture as their main method of investigation. This could be a historical precedence in which torture is subcontracted (alquds alarabi, 7/27/02). The Palestinian Return Brigades organization lists 20 Israelis, as its death list. These include Sharon, Barak, top military officers, and some cabinet members (alquds alarabi, 7/27/02). North Korea announces its readiness to receive a US official delegation to resume talks about issues of bilateral concern (alquds alarabi, 7/27/02). The youngest son of the former Indonesian President, Tommy Soharto, is convicted for killing a supreme court judge (alquds alarabi, 7/27/02). As the US is growingly playing the role of the UN, India and Pakistan are waiting for Colin Powell's visit to ask him to pressure each other (alquds alarabi, 7/27/02). A French study about immigration shows that Europe is aging and needs qualified immigrants. Most of these are from Turkey and north Africa and concentrate in Germany, France, and Britain (alquds alarabi, 7/27/02). The Tunisian activist, Hami Al-Humami, was imprisoned in February for three years, for his affiliation with Tunisian Communist Labor Party. His wife, Radhya Al-Nasrawi (48), has started a hunger strike since June 26, 2002. Supporters and human rights activists have been coming to her apartment showing support, ever since (alquds alarabi, 7/27/02). Two Israeli and Palestinian human rights groups file a joint complaint before the Israeli supreme court against the policy of the Israeli government that uses assassination of Palestinian activists (Al-Hayat Aljadeda, 7/26/02). July 26, 2002 68% of Israeli settlers are willing to leave the Palestinian occupied territories to Israel if the government orders and compensates them Hamas announces that its war is with Israel. It won't target the US or its interests. France, Britain, and Russia warn Iraq from the consequences of rejecting the return of UN inspectors Saudi commodities in Iraqi markets open the door for more improvement in political relations between the two Arab states Members of the UN Security Council critisize the Israeli attack on Gaza, but the US warns to veto any resolution that condemns Israel. Colin Powell is frustrated and may resign in protest to the incoherent Bush policies The UN adopts protocols against torture with a majority of 35 votes against 8. The US abstained. Abul Kalam (71) is sworn as India's Muslim president. July 21, 2002 An agreement that ends the civil war in Sudan: 6-year interim period, then self-determination for the South Spain withdraws its forces from the Moroccan Island of Laila, as a result of a US inolvement July 20, 2002 13 civilians killed by rebels in Algeria 5 Iraqis killed and 17 injured when US planes bombed a residential area in southern Iraq Britain calls its military reservists in September, in preparation for attacking Iraq French sources: The attack on Iraq could be in August, as a surprise Anti-US demonstrations in Tehran, in protest on the US threats President Bush meets with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan Egyptian and Jordanian security officers to reorganize Palestinian security department The Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, in a one-day visit to Geneva, to meet with King Fahad and Shaikh Zayed UN Security Council urges Palestinians and Israelis to cooperate in reaching peace One Palestinian killed in Silat Al-Dhaher, and several injured when Israelis bombed two residential areas in Gaza Strip The US-based International Solidarity for Human Rights group has sued the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, as a war criminal, before a US court in Washington, D.C. The group also sued President Bush and Secretary Powell for the US government support of Israel July 19, 2002 Several Israeli soldiers and settlers arrested for selling ammunition to Palestinians 21 European and US experts arrive in Palestine to arrange for the January 2003 elections July 18, 2002 The Iranian former President, Rafsanjani, warns the US not to attack Iran. Otherwise, Iran will launch a counter attack in the US (alquds alarabi). Qaddhafi visits several African countries with 400 guards and 200 more companions. People applauded him as he threw away money to them.(alquds alarabi). July 17, 2002 A Palestinian attack on Israeli settlers in Imanuel settlement, in the West Bank, results in killing 7 and injuring 25 of them (alquds alarabi, 7/17/02). 3 Palestinians killed, several injured by Israeli occupation soldiers, in various Palestinian areas (Alquds) Israeli occupation forces blow up the Palestinian Internet network in Ramallah, leaving 24,000 Palestinian institutions, companies, and individuals isolated from each other and the world (alquds alarabi) Israeli sources: The US strategy in the Middle East aims at changing the governments of Palestine, Iraq, and Iran and installing Western democracies in their place, as a way to fight terrorism (Alquds) Wolfowitz promises economic and military assistance in return for Turkish participation in the coming US attack on Iraq (alquds alarabi). The Bush administration intends to hire 4 % of Americans (11 million people) as spies, according to homeland security policy (alquds alarabi). The Quartet Commitee: The US insists on discussing the future of Arafat as the principal topic, instead of ending the Israeli occupation of Palestine (alquds alarabi). Yemen: 120,000 computers and 250,000 people using them (alquds alarabi). Tensions continue between Morocco and Spain over the Laila Island following the Moroccan police presence on the island, last week (alquds alarabi). Paraguay: Protests against government economic policies are met with police crackdown on demonstrators in several cities (alquds alarabi). July 16, 2002 The Iranian President, Muhammed Khatami, warns President Bush of slipping into a more complex war than Vietnam. He also invited Americans to pressure their government to relinquish wars as a means to resolve international conflicts (alrai, 7/16/02). Iraqi dissidents in London confirm the US support for the return of the Hashemite monarchy to Iraq in return for allowing the US to use Jordan as a base to attack Iraq. This came as a follow up to the appearance of Prinice Hassan of Jordan in the London conference this week (alquds alarabi) US war planes bomb an Iraqi position killing an Iraqi civilian and injuring six others in southern Iraq (alquds alarabi) The Israeli Defense Minister, Ben Eliezer, meets with President Mubarak of Egypt. They agree that Arafat stays but as a symbolic leader. Mubarak agrees that Israel should find another Palestinian to talk to than President Arafat (alquds alarabi) Bin Laden recovered from a surgery in his soldier, condutcted by Ayman Al-Dhawahiri (alquds alarabi) Israeli occupation soldiers burn a sponge factory in Qalqilya while workers are inside, which resulted in killing the worker Mahmood Hilal (23) and injuring 13 othrer workers. The Israeli soldiers threw two bombs that led to setting the factory on fire (alquds alarabi) The Palestinian Bureau of statistics: 85% of Palestinians in Gaza live below poverty line as a result of the Israeli siege, closure, and destruction of the Palestinian economy (alquds alarabi) Qaddhafi criticizes the Afro-European economic partnership (alquds alarabi) India indicates intentions to give Kashmir an autonomy (alquds alarabi) July 15, 2002 Israeli occupation forces arrest five French activists, for protesting the Israeli closure of the Palestinian University of Jerusalem (Alquds). Three Israeli senior officials from the Labor Party visit Egypt conveying their Party's plan to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict (Alquds). The US government pushes for a new Palestinian constitution that gives real authority to a prime minister, who is selected by the elected legislature. The objective is depriving Arafat of power even if he is reelected (alquds alarabi, 7/15/02). Jordan imposes tight visa restrictions on Palestinians who want to enter Jordan from the West Bank. New visas require a Jordanian sponsor who must provide a financial guarantee of $7,000-$15,000 that he will lose if entrant does not return to Palestine (alquds alarabi, 7/15/02). Indications of the US attack on Iraq increase everyday: Wolfowitz in Turkey, Iraqi dissident military officers announce a council in London, the Jordanian Prince, Hassan, appear with the Iraqi dissidents, and Ihud Barak calls nonstop for going ahead with attacking Iraq (alquds alarabi, 7/15/02). The former chief of the Iraqi military intelligence, Al-Samara'i, warns the US that a total attack on Iraq may lead to the use of weapons of mass destruction (alquds alarabi, 7/15/02). The more financial scandals and economic problems in the US, the more talk about attacking Iraq (alquds alarabi, 7/15/02). July 14, 2002 The US prepares the Eritrean port of Assab as a main base for attacking Iraq (Al-Khaleej, 7/14/02). Jordan confirms to the Arab League that it won't allow its lands to be used in attacking Iraq. Kuwait denies any consultations with the US about attacking Iraq (Al-Khaleej, 7/14/02). A seminar held in Damascus about Ghassan Kanafani, who was the first Palestinian writer to be assassinated by Israelis on July 8, 1972 (Al-Khaleej, 7/14/02). July 13, 2002 13 Muslims killed in Kashmir, including two leaders of Askar Taiba (alquds alarabi, 7/13/02). President Arafat sends a letter to the Quartet Committee promising to go on with reforms and demanding a pressure on Israel to end its military occupation. Colin Powell reiterates the US anti-Arafat position and demands an end of "terrorism" first (Alquds, 7/13/02). The Israeli military rampage results in killing six Palestinians, on Friday, including a journalist. Mubarak: I reject any attempts to involve Egyptian troops in security tasks in Palestine. Arafat is the "Father" of the Palestinians and they won't accept anybody else to replace him (Alquds, 7/13/02). Prince Hassan of Jordan attends a London Conference for Iraqi opposition, which reinforced rumors that Jordan has agreed to participate in changing the Iraqi government. This also refers to the Hashemite desire to rule Iraq in the future (alquds alarabi, 7/13/02). Moroccan-Spanish tensions increase as Moroccan police land on a disputed island in Gibralter strait. This came after disagreements on immigration and West Saharan problems between the two countries (alquds alarabi, 7/13/02). The US sends a 25-member team to observe the cease-fire in Sudan, which ended 19 years of civil war (alquds alarabi, 7/13/02). Ecivit admits that he may be forced to resign, but he still opposes early elections in Turkey (alquds alarabi, 7/13/02). Carter fails to mediate between Chavez and the Venezuelan opposition. Demonstrations continue against the government (Alittihad, 7/13/02). July 12, 2002 A German plan for peace between Israelis and Palestinians: establishing a Palestinian state next year, that will negotiate with Israel about final issues (Alquds) President Arafat sends a message to the Quartet Committee saying that reforms are impossible under Israeli occupation (Alquds) Senior Israeli military officers warn their government of a new explosion in the Palestinian territories if Israeli pressures continue there (Alquds) 1,000 Israeli soldiers refuse to serve in the Palestinian occupied territories in protest against their government policies (Alittihad) Israel exiles 15 Palestinians to Jordan although they have families in the Palestinian occupied territories (Alquds) The US attack on Iraq during the Fall 2002 will be supported by the Arab states, which are allowed to condemn the attack publicly while supporting it secretly (alquds alarabi) China opposes a US attack on Iraq and considers changing the Iraqi leadership as an Iraqi internal affair (alquds alarabi) Ahmed Jibril, Chairman of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine- General Command accuses Jordanian agents of assassinating his son on behalf of the Israelis (alquds alarabi) Norweygian Youth Workers sue the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, of crimes against humanity (alquds alarabi) The Israeli government decides to try the Palestinian member of parliament, Marwan Al-Barghuthi, in a civilian court (alquds alarabi) Kofi Anan expects peace in southern Sudan shortly (Al-Sharq). July 11, 2002 The Roman Orthodox Patriarch fires Father Atallah Hanna of Jerusalem for his pro- Palestinian statements. Palestinian Christians criticize the decision as an appeasement to the Israelis Iraqi opposition sources expect the US attack on Iraq during the Fall. Russia no longer objects. Hamas, Jihad, and the Popular Front tell Amnesty International that they will stop martyrdom operations (suicide bombing) as long as Israel does not target civilian Palestinians The leftist Turkish Foreign Minister, Ismael Gim, threatens to resign, which (if it happens) will lead to the collapse of Ecivit's government. Hizballah negotiates with Israel the exchange of a captured Israeli soldier for 17 Lebanese and 83 Palestinian prisoners, including Marwan Al-Barghuthi The pro-reform preacher of Asfahan, Taheri, critcizes Iranian conservatives and resigns in protest While there are expectations of the US use of Jordan as a base in attacking Iraq, the Jordanian Foreign Minister, Al-Mu'asher, denies any American military presence and confirms that Jordan will not be used as a base for attacking Iraq The Iraqi National Assembly (Parliament) will meet on Monday to discuss the US threats of attacking Iraq Algerian rebels kill 9 people from one family and 4 other policemen The Saudi Foreign Minister, Saud Al-Faisal, visits several Arab capitals to discuss the Arab position during next month's meeting of the Quartet (US, UK, UN, and Russia) about the Palestinian-Israeli problem. Israeli occupation soldiers indiscriminately kill a Palestinian young man, Muhammed Qattash, in front of his house, in Asker refugee camp, Nablus Israeli occupation forces close 850 Palestinian schools, depriving Palestinian children of education July 10, 2002 American-Arab relations suffer the consequences of the "War on Terrorism," particularly in education, tourism, business, and investments More African leaders sign the agreement on the African Union Israeli occupation forces assassinate Mu'amer Daraghmeh in Nablus, kill a Palestinian in East Jerusalem, and demolish four houses in Rafah Algerian rebels kill three soldiers and one civilian Israel has the highest proportion of hackers who try to enter computer systems of other countries Two Arab members of the Israeli parliament demand a UN intervention to protect the Arab citizens of Israel from the government racial discrimination The Kurdish leader, Talibani, visits Saudi Arabia to discuss the Iraqi problem Bahrain hosts a conference about an Islamic-Christian dialogue The Iranian President visits Malaysia on June 21 Shaikh Abdul Amir Al-Jamri had a stroke in Germany Israel closes the Palestinian University of Jerusalem The new Palestinian Minister of the Interior Affairs asks Hamas and Jihad to stop martydom operations (suicide bombing) The Iraqi crisis: Bush opens the door for attacking Iraq. Moscow warns of a disaster if the US attacks. The EU will demand evidence of Iraqi wrong doing before participation with the US. Iraq announces readiness to resist the attack July 9, 2002 8 Shepherds killed in Algeria, on Sunday, by a rebel group The Organization of the African Unity summit conference meets or the last time in Durban, South Africa. It will be replaced by the African Union, which will focus on more economic unity between the 53 African states Sharon asks the Bush administration to arrange for Israeli-Saudi talks Bir Zait University in Ramallah resumes education using the internet, in an attempt to adjust to the Israeli military occupation and curfews The Kurdish leaders oppose a US-backed military coup in Iraq The Iraqi crisis: France and Russia advice Iraq to accept the return of UN inspectors. Jordan denies the arrival of US troops and equipment. A world general expectation of a US attack on Iraq The Iraqi Babyl newspaper accuses the UN of complacency with the US plans to invade Iraq More humidity and less maintenance threaten buildings of the old city in Sana'a, Yemen The Moroccan royal wedding will be on July 12, but without much celebrations because of the tragic conditions of the Palestinian people In a London conference about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Prince Hassan of Jordan: What is needed is "peace," not a "peace process" that never ends. Edward Djirdjian: The Madrid formula is better than the peace process. Primakov: The Palestinian state should be imposed on Israel, because Sharon does not believe in it The Egyptian intelligence chief mediates between Palestinians and Israelis Arafat fires the West Bank security chief, Al-Rujub, amidest protests of the latter's followers Hundreds of US military experts arrived at a Jordanian military base Iraq returns Kuwaiti records shortly Carter in Venezuela, mediating between Chavez and the opposition Al-Manasrah, the new Palestinian security chief Al-Hariri: The Middle East is in crisis Israel assassinates the Hamas Engineer, Muhanad Al-Taher and his assistant Emad Darwazah European leaders confirm that they will deal with Arafat, if elected Jamal Mubarak supervises Egypt's elections replacing the old guard
|