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ABOUT
GULFWIRE
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GulfWire
is a public service of the National Council on
U.S.-Arab Relations and the U.S.-GCC Corporate
Cooperation Committee
Publisher
Dr. John Duke Anthony
Editor-in-Chief
Patrick W. Ryan
Deputy Editor
Connie R. Trisdale
Editorial Assistant
Margaret Philpot
Research Assistant
B. F. Hammock
GulfWire@ArabiaLink.com
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Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
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U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee
Secretary: Dr. John Duke Anthony
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News
- Region
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US
BEGINS HUGE IRAQ FORCES SWITCH
"The US has begun rotating its
forces in Iraq in one of the largest
movements of American troops since World
War II. About 250,000 military
personnel will move in and of the
country over the next four months..
..Troops are also being replaced in
Kuwait and Afghanistan, where 11,000
soldiers are on active duty.." Complete
report..
US
WITHDRAWS IRAQ WEAPONS TEAM
"The Bush administration has
confirmed that a 400-strong team of
weapons disposal experts was withdrawn
from Iraq but insists their job was
done. President Bush's spokesman also
stressed that the hunt for weapons of
mass destruction continues.." Complete
report..
IRAQ
EYES FEDERAL SYSTEM FOR POSTWAR RULE
"The Governing Council is close to
agreeing on a federal system for Iraq
and will defer until next year the
explosive issue of whether to give
greater autonomy to the northern Kurdish
region.. ..Dividing Iraq into federal
states along ethnic and religious lines
is a sensitive matter for Iraqis as well
as for others in the region who fear
such separations will lead to the
disintegration of the country.." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
NEW
IRAQ 'WELL ON WAY TO BECOMING ISLAMIC
STATE' - GWD Nov 3, 2003
POLITICIAN
ASKS KUWAIT TO LEASE IRAQ TWO ISLANDS
"Kuwait should lease its former
occupier Iraq two islands in the Gulf..
.. 'Iraqi-Kuwaiti problems were created
by the British who demarcated the
borders, depriving Iraq of an important
terminal on the Arabian Gulf,' Mudhar
Shawkat told Kuwaiti daily Al-Rai Al Aam..
..The same demand was made in the early
1980s by deposed Iraqi president Saddam
Hussein at the start of the Iraq-Iran
war, which ended in 1988. Kuwait, which
backed Iraq during the war, had turned
down the request.." Complete
report..
ARAB
THINK TANK TO PROMOTE REGIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
"Crown Prince Abdullah.. ..[Jan 6]
met with Mervat Tellawi,
undersecretary-general of the United
Nations. Tellawi, who is also the
executive secretary of the UN Economic
and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA),
and the crown prince agreed to set up a
regional think tank, which will advise
the governments of the 12-member ESCWA
including Saudi Arabia on how to promote
regional economic and social
development.." Complete
report..
ARAB
WORLD READY TO EXPERIMENT WITH
LIBERALISM
"In spite of the popularity enjoyed
by Islamist parties in the region, the
failure of political Islam to address
economic and social issues has led to
willingness by the people to experiment
with liberalism and democracy, according
to a Kuwaiti academic.. ..Shafeeq
Ghabra, President of the American
University of Kuwait, told Paris-based
Arabies Trends magazine. 'Differences
are aired. Liberals and Islamists attack
each other all day long in the Kuwait
press. This is much healthier than
having no public debate in an atmosphere
that might encourage terrorism'.." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
INTERVIEW:
REGION MOVING TOWARDS REFORMS - GWD May
19, 2003
FIRST
JAPAN GROUND TROOPS MAY BE IN IRAQ ON
JAN 16
"Japan may send an advance team of
ground troops to Iraq as early as
January 16, a leading Japanese daily
said on Monday, for what is likely to
become Japan's biggest and most
dangerous military mission since World
War Two.. ..The team, which will spend
several days in Kuwait to acclimatize,
will study security conditions in
Samawah and make other preparations for
the arrival of a larger force later in
January.." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
JAPAN
BACKS IRAQ TROOPS DISPATCH - GWD Dec 15,
2003
ARAB-KURD
COMPROMISE NEARS
"After two days of talks between
Arab and Kurdish leaders in Iraq, a
compromise is taking shape that would
allow the minority Kurds to keep their
ministate within a united Iraq after the
U.S. occupation ends.. ..But some Arab
leaders and U.S. officials are
particularly concerned about Kurdish
proposals during the talks to address
two ongoing flashpoints -- internal
security and the status of oil-rich
Kirkuk. Both are potentially explosive
problems.." Complete
report..
US
TO FREE HUNDREDS OF IRAQIS
"As it prepares Iraq for self-rule
in June, the United States said it would
free hundreds of prisoners in Iraq and
quadruple funds for the political
transition. But one of Iraq's most
respected religious leaders criticized
the plans for the handover of power..
..Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, the most
senior cleric in the majority Shiite
community, said a transitional
government in June and elections next
year 'doesn't ensure in any way the fair
representation of the Iraqi
people'.." Complete
report..
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News
- Bahrain
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BAHRAIN
OPPOSITION GROUP GEARS UP FOR ELECTIONS
"Bahrain's leading opposition group
Al Wefaq Society is set to elect its new
board this week, in a move that may
influence the kingdom's newly-born
democratic process.. ..The group,
established in November 2001 by Shiite
clerics and former exiled dissidents, is
considered the biggest political entity
in the country with around 2,000 active
members. It led the boycott movement
during the October 2002 national
elections.." Complete
report..
BAHRAIN
GOVERNMENT UNDER FIRE FOR 'MISUSE' OF
PUBLIC FUNDS
"In speech after speech, Bahrain's
MPs [Jan 10] rebuked the government for
"intervening illegally" in
work of the kingdom's two social
security agencies and misusing their
funds, which led to millions of dinars
in losses. Their allegations came during
a five-hour extraordinary session held
[Jan 10] to discuss the findings of a
1,200-page report.. ..Another session
will be held on [Jan 15], at the end of
which MPs are expected to vote on the
reports findings and recommendations..
..The report.. ..accuses three ministers
of mismanagement, misusing the public
fund and venturing in failed investments
that cost the two bodies millions of
dinars.." Complete
report..
BAHRAIN
PLANS GENEROUS GRATUITY FOR EXPATRIATES
"Expatriates working for the
Bahraini government could get generous
gratuity when they leave the service,
according to a new proposal, expected to
be debated by the Parliament in two
months. Under the proposed scheme, an
expatriate who retries from the public
sector would be paid 15 percent of the
last annual salary, multiplied by the
number of employment years.. ..An
expatriate employee would pay to the
fund a monthly compulsory subscription
fee that equals seven percent of his
salary.." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
PLEA
TO PROTECT RIGHTS OF EXPATS - GWD Jun
30, 2003
BAHRAIN
TO HOST TUNISIA FESTIVAL THIS MONTH
"A 'Tunisian Week', aimed to
bolster ties between Bahrain and
Tunisia, is set to begin later this
month and would be followed by the
reactivation of a joint committee, which
has not met for five years.. ..The
event.. ..is scheduled for January
17-24.." Complete
report..
BAHRAIN
- CONSULAR INFORMATION SHEET
Recently updated
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News
- Kuwait
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KUWAIT
PREPARES SADDAM INDICTMENTS
"Kuwait has completed 178,000
indictments against Saddam Hussein and
his top aides for war crimes committed
during Iraq's 1990-1991 occupation of
the emirate.. ..Kuwait charges Iraqi
troops committed numerous war crimes
during the invasion, including the
killing of at least 1000 civilians,
detaining thousands of prisoners,
perpetrating wide scale torture and
confiscating property.." Complete
report..
MPS
DEMAND SEPARATE AREA FOR EXPAT BACHELORS
"A number of Kuwaiti MPs are urging
the government to establish a separate
'bachelor city' for expatriate
bachelors, whom they hold responsible
for 90 percent of the crime in the
country.. ..If the government approves
the proposal, the bachelor city will
most likely be established in Abu Fatera.."
Complete
report..
KUWAIT
EXPECTS RECORD SURPLUS
"OPEC member Kuwait is expecting a
record surplus in the current fiscal
year which ends March 31, its first
fiscal year since the overthrow of its
arch-foe, former Iraqi President Saddam
Hussein.. ..Figures posted on the
Finance Ministry website show that at
the end of last November, the eighth
month of Kuwait's 2003 2004 fiscal year,
the emirate had already made 1.965
billion Kuwaiti dinars ($6.55 billion)
in surplus. If maintained, the figure
would be the largest surplus in Kuwait's
history.." Complete
report..
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News
- Oman
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OMAN'S
GDP MAY POST MINUS GROWTH IN YEAR 2004
"Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki,
minister of national economy and deputy
chairman of the Financial Affairs and
Energy Resources Council, [Jan 4] said
the gross domestic product (GDP) would
post minus growth during the year 2004.
The minus growth is projected despite an
increase in oil price estimation at $21
per barrel for the current year compared
with $20 a barrel estimated in the
previous year's budget.." Complete
report..
QALHAT
IS OMAN'S FIRST HEALTHY VILLAGE
"The World Health Organization
(WHO) has declared Qalhat in the eastern
region as the first healthy village in
Oman.. ..The healthy village concept
urges the community to organize itself
and to have its efforts complemented
with support from government agencies
and WHO to resolve their developmental
problems.." Complete
report..
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News
- Qatar
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EMIR
TO OPEN US-ISLAMIC CONFERENCE
"The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin
Khalifa Al Thani will deliver the
opening address at the two-day 2nd Doha
Conference on The State of US-Islamic
World Relations at The Ritz-Carlton on
January 10.. ..An array of luminaries
will discuss different aspects of
relations between the Islamic world and
the United States.." Complete
report..
Also:
ISRAEL
AT CENTER OF ANNUAL U.S.-MUSLIM FORUM
QATAR
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE STARTS ACTIVITIES
"Qatar's committee for human rights
starts [Jan 5] its first activity by
convening a seminar under the title
'human rights between enhancement and
protection.' The seminar includes
research on the political and social
human rights, and human rights in Islam,
the role of non-governmental
establishments in strengthening human
rights, and papers about the state of
Qatar and international charters
concerned.." Complete
report..
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News
- Saudi Arabia
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NEW
US ENVOY TO SAUDI SWORN IN
"The new US ambassador to Saudi
Arabia.. ..will take up his post
'soon'.. .. Secretary of State Colin
Powell presided over James Oberwetter's
swearing-in ceremony on [Jan 8] and the
new envoy is expected to head to Riyadh
in the coming days.." Complete
report..
SWISS
ARREST EIGHT IN CONNECTION WITH MAY 12
RIYADH ATTACK
"In their first widespread raids on
alleged Al-Qaeda supporters, Swiss
police have arrested eight foreigners
suspected of links to suicide attacks on
Westerners in Saudi Arabia.. ..Those
arrested are being held on suspicion of
providing logistical support to a
criminal organization, the police said
in a statement.. .. Because of the
continuing investigation the police
declined to give further details, and
refused to disclose the nationality of
those arrested or say what was found in
the searches.." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
BOMBS
ROCK RIYADH - GWD May 19, 2003
TERRORISM
IN SAUDI ARABIA: CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS
"The repercussions from the
terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 have
affected the whole world. Perhaps no
country has experienced these
repercussions more acutely than the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that has been
labeled a place where terrorists and
acts of terrorism are tolerated.." Complete
report..
SAUD
WARNS AGAINST IRAQ'S ETHNIC RIVALRY
"Foreign Minister Prince Saud
Al-Faisal warned [Jan 6] that rivalry
between Iraq's ethnic groups would lead
to the country's partition and hurt its
neighbors.. ..Prince Saud said Iraqis
have the right to choose their own
government or regime when power is
transferred to them next year by the
US-led coalition currently governing the
country. But, he added, 'all regimes
founded on a communal or ethnic basis do
not help bring stability and territorial
integrity to a country'.." Complete
report..
BAKER
TO VISIT SAUDI ARABIA
"James Baker, the US special envoy
on Iraqi debt, will visit Saudi Arabia
on [Jan 10].. ..Baker intends to hold
talks with government officials.
Analysts say Saudi Arabia, which has
staked a claim against Baghdad for $30
billion, is key to finding a deal to
reduce Iraq's massive debt
burden.." Complete
report..
Also:
BAKER
TO DISCUSS IRAQ DEBTS
~~GulfWire Link~~
BUSH
NAMES BAKER ENVOY ON IRAQ DEBT - GWD Dec
8, 2003
U.S.
INDICTS SAUDI STUDENT
"A federal grand jury in Idaho [Jan
9] charged a Saudi graduate student with
conspiring to help terrorist
organizations wage jihad by using the
Internet to raise funds, field recruits,
and locate prospective U.S. targets --
military and civilian -- in the Middle
East. Sami Omar Hussayen, a doctoral
candidate in computer science in a
University of Idaho program sponsored by
the National Security Agency, is accused
of creating Web sites and an e-mail
group that disseminated messages from
him and two radical clerics in Saudi
Arabia that supported jihad.." Complete
report..
ELECTIONS
TO JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION POSTPONED
"Elections to the Saudi Journalists
Association's first board of directors
have been postponed to Feb. 26. The
elections, the first in 40 years, were
originally scheduled for Jan 8]. The
postponement comes after seven prominent
media personalities withdrew their
nominations.. ..The chief editors
withdrew their nominations citing
personal reasons. But the withdrawals
came after criticisms that their
presence on the board would not serve
the association's purpose.." Complete
report..
Also:
JOURNALISTS
ASSOCIATION TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF
EXPRESSION: AL-SUDAIRY
~~GulfWire Link~~
NEW
BODY FOR SAUDI JOURNALISTS - GWD Mar 3,
2003
CNBC
ARABIYA OPENS TV NEWS BUREAU IN RIYADH
"The Ministry of Culture and
Information has licensed CNBC Arabiya to
open a news bureau in Riyadh. It is the
first international news channel to be
granted a business license for reporting
from the Kingdom.. ..CNBC Arabiya is an
affiliate of the American satellite
channel, CNBC.." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
KINGDOM
TO LAUNCH NEWS TV CHANNEL - GWD Dec 22,
2003
BRITISH
AIRWAYS RESUMES FLIGHTS
"British Airways resumed flights to
Riyadh on [Jan 5] after they had been
suspended following a terror alert..
..The airline, which flies to the
Kingdom's capital three times a week,
canceled two of its scheduled flights
from London destined for Washington D.C.
and Riyadh, after the UK government
advised the airline not to operate the
flight for security reasons.." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
UK
SAYS SECURITY THREAT IN SAUDI, BA HALTS
FLIGHTS - GWD Aug 18, 2003
SAUDI CHARITY HEAD DISMISSED
"Saudi Arabia has dismissed the
head of a leading Islamic charity, which
has been accused by Washington of
funding terrorism. Saudi press reported
that Sheikh Aqil Al-Aqil, of the Al-Haramain
Charity, has been relieved of his duties
from the organization he ran for many
years.. ..The Al-Haramain Association
figures among a number of Saudi
charities accused by Washington of
financing militant Islamic
groups.." Complete
report..
Also:
SAUDIS
FIRE CHARITY HEAD OVER TERRORISM
INITIATIVES
AND ACTIONS IN THE WAR ON TERRORISM
~~GulfWire Link~~
SAUDI
ARABIA TAKES STRICT FINANCIAL MEASURES
TO CONTROL CHARITY ASSOCIATIONS - GWD
Aug 18, 2003
BOMB
DEFUSED IN RIYADH
"Security forces were [Jan 5]
patrolling a residential suburb of the
capital where police defused a grenade
on [Jan 4].. ..Al-Arabiya TV said police
foiled a bomb attack on an electricity
distribution unit in the area.." Complete
report..
NEXT
NATIONAL DIALOGUE TO FOCUS ON WOMEN'S
RIGHTS, SAYS AL-RAJIH
"Thirty women will participate in
the next national dialogue forum to be
titled 'Women's Rights and Duties Under
Shariah,' said Dr. Rashid Al-Rajih,
vice-president of the forum.." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
NATIONAL
DIALOGUE - GWD Dec 22, 2003
SAUDI
DOCTOR NAMED VISITING PROFESSOR AT JOHNS
HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
"A Saudi woman doctor has been
named a visiting professor at the
prestigious Johns Hopkins University in
the United States. Dr. Selwa A.F. Al-Hazzaa,
head of the ophthalmology department at
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and
Research Center, will become the first
Middle Easterner to travel to the US
several times in an academic year to
deliver lectures.." Complete
report..
HOLY
KAABA WASHED AHEAD OF HAJ
"Makkah Governor Prince Abdul
Majeed [Jan 7] led the ceremonial
washing of the Holy Kaaba ahead of Haj
as thousands of pilgrims lined up inside
the Grand Mosque to watch the ritual..
..The Holy Kaaba is washed twice a year
- to mark the beginning of Ramadan and
Haj. Top officials including Culture and
Information Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy
and diplomats from Muslim countries
attended the ceremony.." Complete
report..
MINISTRY
TO DEPLOY 40,000 OFFICIALS ON HAJ DUTY
"Haj Minister Iyad Madani has said
that his ministry would deploy some
40,000 officials and workers to organize
Haj, which is scheduled to start on Jan.
30.." Complete
report..
TIGHT
SECURITY AS PILGRIMS START POURING IN
"Saudi Arabia has stepped up
security for the hundreds of thousands
of pilgrims who have started arriving in
the country for Haj from all over the
world and warned anyone trying to
undermine Haj security and its peaceful
atmosphere.. ..More than 2.5 million
pilgrims are expected to perform Haj
this year.." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
MAKKAH
PILGRIMS GET BIG SECURITY BOOST - GWD
Nov 11, 2003
FOREIGN
AIRLINES TO OPERATE IN MADINAH
"Foreign airlines will be allowed
to operate Haj flights to Madinah for
the first time this year.. ..Previously,
pilgrims from abroad landed at airports
in Riyadh or Jeddah and traveled to
Makkah and Madinah overland. Makkah has
no airport.." Complete
report..
Also:
RIYADH
TO ALLOW FOREIGN AIRLINES TO FLY TO
MADINAH
ILLEGAL
LABORERS SWARM ON JEDDAH'S STREET
CORNERS
"Groups of casual laborers are
greatly in evidence on the streets of
some areas of Jeddah.. ..Despite regular
and high profile announcements by the
Passports Department that there will be
a drive to reduce numbers of illegal
immigrants who end up on street corners
looking for work, there has been no
visible effect.." Complete
report..
SAUDI
ARABIA - CONSULAR INFORMATION SHEET
Recently
updated
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News
- UAE
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MOHAMMED
BIN ZAYED IS EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DEPUTY
"His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin
Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu
Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of
the UAE Armed Forces, issued [Jan 6]
Emiri Decree Number 1 for the year 2004
appointing Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, the Deputy Crown Prince of Abu
Dhabi and Chief of the UAE Armed Forces,
as the Deputy Chairman of the Abu Dhabi
Executive Council.." Complete
report..
AMENDED
PRESS LAW GOES TO PARLIAMENT
"An amended press law that
guarantees journalists wide freedoms of
reporting and limits the cases under
which they can be prosecuted was
forwarded by the government [Jan 6] to
the parliament. The draft, an amended
version of the current Law 47, which is
opposed by most journalists, was turned
by the House of Deputies [Jan 6] to the
legal affairs committee.." Complete
report..
NEPAL
TO SET UP MISSION IN CAPITAL
"The Government of Nepal has
decided to establish a residential
diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi.. ..This
will be Nepal's third diplomatic mission
in the Gulf region after its missions in
Riyadh and Doha.." Complete
report..
'SISTER
CITIES' BOOST RELATIONS
"Dubai and Detroit [Jan 7] further
boosted their 'Sister Cities' status.
The Al Maktoum Charity Foundation and
the Detroit Islamic Center [Jan 7]
signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU),
under which the foundation will
financially contribute for the expansion
of the center's mosque and other
facilities.. ..He termed the MoU as one
of the fruits of the Sister Cities
agreement.." Complete
report..
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Link
of the Week / GulfWire
Flashback - Four Years of GW
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LINK
OF THE WEEK
Frontline:
"Forbidden Iran: Struggle for
Democracy"
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~~~Flashback~~~
..from the GulfWire archive..
|
<<ONE
YEAR AGO>>
GULFWIRE DIGEST (#179) WEEK OF JAN 13,
2003
SAUDIS
UNVEIL SURPRISE REFORM PLANS
"Saudi Arabia says it has launched
an initiative calling for major reforms
in the Arab world. The Saudi press has
published details of the proposals,
which advocate internal reform and
developing political participation in
Arab countries.."
<<TWO
YEARS AGO>>
GULFWIRE DIGEST (#130) WEEK OF JAN 14,
2002
U.S.
'FAILS TO UNDERSTAND ARAB, MUSLIM
PROBLEMS'
At an open discussion with a top
visiting U.S. State Department official,
Bahrain journalists and columnists have
expressed their frustrations in the
successive U.S. administrations' failure
to understand the problems of Arabs and
Muslims..
<<THREE
YEARS AGO>>
GULFWIRE DIGEST (#80) WEEK OF JAN 15,
2001
BOOST
FOR HIGHER ARAB EDUCATION
The first pan-Arab open university is
being set up with its headquarters in
Kuwait and is expected to start
enrolling students next year. The
project, which is being funded by a
regional development institution founded
by Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi
Arabia, aims to increase the provision
of higher education in the region..
<<FOUR
YEARS AGO>>
GULFWIRE DIGEST (#27) WEEK OF JAN 10,
2000
PETROLEUM
POLICY COUNCIL
Riyadh announced the formation of a
council headed by King Fahd to direct
petroleum and gas policy in the Kingdom
according to a Saudi Press Agency
statement cited by Reuters on January 5.
The "Supreme Council for Petroleum
and Mineral Affairs" would define
and approve petroleum and gas policies
according to the statement. The members
of the council include Crown Prince
Abdullah, Defense Minister Prince
Sultan, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al
Faisal, Oil Minister Ibrahim Al Naimi
and Finance Minister Ibrahim Abdel Aziz
Al Assaf.
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Business
- Region
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[GulfWire]
ENERGY FUTURES - 01.09.04
Light Crude (NYM) $34.31 bbl UP from $32.52 bbl on
01.02.04
Brent Crude (IPE) $30.96 bbl UP from $29.32 bbl on
01.02.04
Heating Oil (NYM) $1.0096 gal UP from $.9146 gal
on 01.02.04
Natural Gas (NYM) $7.287 mmbtu UP from $6.189
mmbtu on 01.02.04
Unleaded Gas (NYM) $1.0237 gal UP from $.9329 gal
on 01.02.04
Source:
CNNfn
The Best Energy Resource in the World:
Country
Analysis Briefs
by DOE/EIA
OPEC
PLANS TO KEEP OUTPUT AT CURRENT LEVELS
"OPEC plans to maintain oil production at
current levels at least until it meets in February
despite persistent high prices, a source close to
the organization told AFP [Jan 6].. ..In
particular, there is "no way" OPEC would
resort to an informal mechanism that provides for
production increases if oil prices exceed $28 a
barrel for 20 consecutive working days, which
occurred several days ago, he said.." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
INCOMING
OPEC CHIEF VOICES CONCERN OVER HIGH OIL PRICES -
GWD Dec 29, 2003
OPEC
CONTAINS PRICE RISE WITH SUPPLY LEAK
"OPEC is leaking extra supplies to contain
high oil prices and would prefer crude down about
$2 a barrel, OPEC President Purnomo Yusgiantoro of
Indonesia said.. ..OPEC faces a dilemma at a
meeting next month when it may need to cut
production quotas to counteract a seasonal fall in
demand in the second quarter. High world oil
prices could make such a move politically
difficult, drawing criticism from major importing
nations like the US.." Complete
report..
POWER
SHORTAGES IN SAUDI ARABIA, IRAQ SPARK
INTERNATIONAL SURGE FOR BILLION-DOLLAR BUSINESS
"International power specialist companies are
lining up for a slice of two of the world's most
potentially lucrative electricity markets, both in
the Middle East.. ..the huge markets of Saudi
Arabia and Iraq are increasingly more inviting.
This has been a major factor in the selling out of
space in record time of Middle East Electricity,
the region's leading expo' for the industry which
will be held in Dubai February 15-18.." Complete
report..
STATE-OWNED
COMPANY REPORTEDLY TO RUN IRAQI OIL INDUSTRY
"The Wall Street Journal reports officials of
the U.S.-led Provisional Authority in Iraq, as
well as Iraqi oil officials, favor setting up an
Iraqi state-owned company to run the country's
crucial oil industry.. ..the provisional
authorities have generally tried to privatize
Iraq's economy, but Iraqi political sensitivities
over control of the nation's oil make state
ownership worth considering and might reduced
criticism that the U.S.-led invasion was an oil
grab.." Complete
report..
1,100
EXHIBITORS TO TAKE PART IN 'REBUILD IRAQ TRADE
FAIR'
"A large contingent of 72 Saudi companies
will be among 1,100 exhibitors from 45 countries
that will participate in the 'Rebuild Iraq 2004
International Trade Fair' to be held in Kuwait
from Jan. 19-23.. ..The organizers of the
exhibition hope that the event would attract
overseas investors and get them to participate in
the reconstruction of Iraq.." Complete
report..
IRAQ
IS PLANNING EXPO TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT
"Iraq will host an international trade fair
in Baghdad in March, hoping to attract hundreds of
businesses from around the world to draw
investment despite a precarious security
situation.. ..the Iraqi-American Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (I-ACCI) said yesterday it
hoped to attract about 250 stands to
"Destination Baghdad Expo (DBX)" from
March 1 to 4.." Complete
report..
GULF
TO BUY ARMS SLOWLY BUT STEADILY
"Regional threats will continue to drive
defense spending in the Gulf countries but at a
slower rate as procurements will largely revolve
around advanced systems including missile
development, common control networks and
importantly, integration of the GCC air defense
and training systems.. ..
Security is the overriding issue.." Complete
report..
ARAB
FREE TRADE ZONE PROGRESS FACES HURDLES
"The goal of creating an Arab Free Trade Zone
faces stumbling blocks which have hampered
progress towards a common market. This assessment
was delivered [Jan 4] by Mechel Daniat, the
general secretary of the World Customs
Organization (WCO).. ..Daniat said: 'It also
depends on the development of the economies and
the reforms that governments are willing to
implement. Customs and non-customs barriers should
be removed as these are very important for a free
trade zone and to facilitate trade'.." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
WTO
BACKS US PLAN FOR MIDEAST FREE TRADE ZONE - GWD
Jun 2, 2003
STEEL
SHORTAGE HITS MIDDLE EAST
"The Middle East will face an acute shortage
of steel beginning next month with suppliers from
Europe almost halving the amount they plan to send
to the region. European steel mills have opted to
divert supplies to the US following the removal of
protective tariffs.. ..As a result the prices of
some steel products - especially those used in the
construction industry - have jumped by 30 to 35
per cent.." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
STEEL
PRICES SET TO RISE ON DEMAND FROM IRAQ, DUBAI -
GWD Nov 24, 2003
SAUDI
FIRM WINS $150M F1 CONTRACT
"Riyadh-based AES Arabia has won a $150
million contract in the ongoing construction
activities of Bahrain International Circuit (BIC),
the official host of International Formula One
event in April 2004.. ..Fawaz Malki stated that
the company was presently carrying out the
construction of a water desalination plant for BIC
with total capacity of 1000 cubic metres per
day.." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
$50
MILLION A YEAR FROM RACETRACK! - GWD Sep 29, 2003
KUWAIT
FUND MAY FINANCE BBIC EXPANSION PROJECT
"A delegation from the Kuwait Fund for Arab
Economic Development visited the Bahrain Business
Incubator Centre (BBIC).. ..the BBIC is looking
for funding for its second phase expansion. The
fund also helped finance the first phase
development of the BBIC.. ..The BBIC opened last
April with a view to helping entrepreneurs and
creating more small and medium enterprises.."
Complete
report..
MNCS
PREVENTING GCC COUNTRIES FROM RAISING TOBACCO TAX:
MINISTER
"Qatar's Minister of Public Health H E Dr
Hajar Ahmed Hajar [Jan 5] made a stunning
revelation about some multinational tobacco
companies having succeeded in pressuring GCC
governments against hiking tobacco taxes.. ..He
added that the Qatar government had agreed last
year to implement the council's recommendation to
raise taxes to 150 percent but on the condition
that other GCC states would also implement it.
This has so far not happened.." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
NO
GCC MOVE TO RAISE TOBACCO TARIFF: MINISTER - GWD
Jun 9, 2003
2020
SCENARIO: OPEC WILL BE REPLACED
"It's 2020, and the energy ministers of the
Organization of Gas-Exporting Countries, known as
OGEC, the umbrella for the dozen or so nations
which dominate the market, gather in Madrid for
their annual get-together to determine production
quotas and price levels for the new primary energy
source that fuels the global economy - natural
gas, or more specifically liquefied natural gas,
known as LNG. That scenario may seem somewhat
fanciful right now, but.." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
AFTER
THREE DECADES OF DOMINANCE, ARE OPEC'S SHEIKHS
STARING DOWN A BARREL? - GWD Apr 14, 2003
WEAK
DOLLAR TO REVIVE US SHARE OF GCC MART
"A plunge in the dollar against the euro is
expected to revive the US market share in the
six-nation GCC after a sharp erosion in the past
three years.. ..But the plunge will also hit the
Gulf group's oil export earnings since they are
officially priced in dollar despite recurrent
calls for adopting a new pricing system.." Complete
report..
KEY
LABOR PACT WITH OMAN SET
"Bahrain and Oman will sign a labor affairs
co-operation agreement during a four-day visit to
Bahrain by Omani Workforce Minister Juma bin Ali
bin Juma, which begins[Jan 9].. ..Both Bahrain and
Oman face similar unemployment problems with
locals having to compete with very cheap imported
labor.." Complete
report..
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Business
- Bahrain
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BAHRAIN
HAS FREEST ECONOMY IN ARAB WORLD, MIDDLE EAST
"Bahrain is celebrating the New Year as the
most economically free country in the Arab world
and the Middle East, according to a global survey
conducted by the Heritage Foundation and the Wall
Street Journal.. ..According to the report,
Bahrain maintains a hospitable environment for
foreign business and seeks to improve its
regulatory procedures.." Complete
report..
TERROR
BLOW TO TOURISM
"Tourism in Bahrain is being badly damaged by
repeated international security alerts by foreign
governments, says an industry leader. It is losing
thousands of potential visitors from other GCC
countries.. ..Cancelled bookings at the Gulf Hotel
alone totaled 38,000 room nights last year, which
averages out at 3,166 per month.." Complete
report..
BMA
GRANTS LICENSES TO THREE FOREIGN BANKS
"The Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA) has
granted three new licenses for banks, while a
fourth application has been approved, in
principle.. ..With the granting of the new
licenses, the total number of financial
institutions regulated by the BMA will increase to
362, of which 186 are banks and banking-related
institutions, 163 insurance and insurance-related
firms and 13 capital market brokers.." Complete
report..
BAHRAIN
TO GET NEW $600 MILLION TOURIST RESORT
"A Bahrain-based finance house said [Jan 9]
it would build a $600M tourist resort in the small
Gulf kingdom, which is seeking to diversify
sources of revenue after running out of oil for
export.. ..Parts of the resort will be ready next
year, but it will take until 2007 for the whole
project to be completed.." Complete
report..
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Business
- Kuwait
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KUWAIT
PETROLEUM STILL EYEING PSO INVESTMENT
"Kuwait's Supreme Oil Council has recommended
further study into the possible investment by
state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corp. into Pakistan's
retail fuel market.. ..KPC is considering buying a
controlling stake in Pakistan's biggest oil
marketing company, Pakistan State Oil Co.." Complete
report..
PETROPLUS
WILL SELL PETROL STATIONS TO KPC
"Dutch oil refiner Petroplus said [Jan 9] it
plans to sell its self-service Tango petrol
stations to state-owned Kuwait Petroleum
Corporation (KPC) in a drive to restructure and
bolster its balance sheet.. ..Kuwait Petroleum
Corp (KPC) is in charge of upstream and downstream
oil sectors in Kuwait, which has 10 per cent of
global oil reserves.." Complete
report..
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Business
- Oman
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OMAN
FORESEES $1.3BN DEFICIT
"Oman has adopted a budget for 2004 that
foresees a deficit of 500 million riyals ($1.3
billion).. ..Ahmed Meki said the budget puts
spending at 3.425 billion riyals ($8.9 billion)
and income at 2.925 billion riyals ($7.6 billion).
Oil revenues account for 57 percent of
income.." Complete
report..
Also:
OMAN
TO KEEP DEVELOPMENT TEMPO DESPITE BUDGET DEFICIT
OMAN
INVITES BIDS FOR SECOND MOBILE FIRM
"Oman has invited international firms to
apply for a license to set up a mobile phone
company in the Gulf Arab state, ending a monopoly
by state-run Omantel.. ..the successful bidder
would sign a 15-year deal with the government to
own and operate the new firm with an option to
extend for another 10 years.. ..The deadline for
the bids is January 19.." Complete
report..
MOL
TO CO-OWN TWO ADDITIONAL LNG CARRIERS WITH OMAN
GOVERNMENT
"Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.. ..[Jan 6]
announced MOL's participation in a project with
The Government of the Sultanate of Oman (GOSO),
which will give MOL part ownership in two new
building LNG carriers for the transportation of
liquefied natural gas (LNG) for Oman's third LNG
liquefaction plant (production capacity 3.3
million tons per annum, to be completed by
2006).." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
OMAN
LNG EXPLORING NEW MARKETS - GWD Jun 23, 2003
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Business
- Qatar
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MEED
CONFERENCE TO SHOWCASE MAJOR PROJECTS IN QATAR
"The wide range of groundbreaking energy,
industrial, infrastructure and tourism projects
being developed in Qatar are to be showcased at
MEED's 2nd Major New Project Opportunities
conference to be held at the Doha Sheraton Hotel
on 13-14 January 2004.. ..Highlights of the
conference will include a comprehensive review of
oil and gas projects being undertaken by Qatar
Petroleum; a progress report about gas-to-liquid (GTL)
schemes being developed in Qatar and the status of
the Dolphin Project, the regional gas supply
project being implemented by Dolphin
Energy.." Complete
report..
QASCO
PLANS MASSIVE INCREASE IN PRODUCTION
"Qatar Steel Co (Qasco) aims at expanding its
facilities to achieve a production of four million
metric tons per annum, during the next 10 years,
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Thani, the company's
general manager, said.." Complete
report..
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Business
- Saudi Arabia
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STRONG
OIL PRICES EASE SAUDI ARABIA'S FINANCIAL PAIN
"Strong oil prices in the past three years
have eased Saudi Arabia's financial pains as they
revived its ailing economy and allowed it to cut
its debt and sharply boost cash reserves. But
economists warned that this reprieve is only
temporary and should not derail reform programs
initiated by the world's dominant oil power a few
years ago to repair severe economic damage caused
by volatile crude prices and a rising
population.." Complete
report..
EXPATS
REMITTED SR585 BILLION IN 10 YEARS
"Expatriate workers in the Kingdom have
remitted about SR585.4 ($156) billion during the
past 10 years.. ..Referring to the capital drain
caused by remittances of expatriate workers, the
ministry emphasized the need to replace
expatriates with qualified Saudi hands. It also
pointed out that the money sent abroad by the
expatriates from 1993 to 2002 was almost double
the amount they sent from 1983 to 1993.." Complete
report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
REMITTANCES
BY EXPATS, SAUDIS DRAIN ON ECONOMY, STUDY SAYS -
Nov 17, 2003
AUSTRALIA
SEEKS TALKS BEFORE RESUMING LIVESTOCK EXPORTS TO
KINGDOM
"Australia won't resume livestock exports to
the Kingdom until the two countries firmly agree
on health standards for the animals.. ..Saudi
officials refused to unload the 55,000 sheep from
the MV Cormo Express last August, claiming more
than 5 percent of the animals suffered from scabby
mouth disease, which violated a trade protocol
between the two countries. Australia said fewer
than 5 percent suffered from the disease, launched
a protest and suspended all shipments to the
Kingdom.." Complete
report..
SASO,
INDIAN COUNCIL SIGN COOPERATION PACT
"India's Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR) will help the Saudi Arabian
Standards Organization become a member of BIPM
(Bureau International des Poids et Mesures), an
international organization based in Paris that
seeks to ensure worldwide uniformity of
measurements - one of the requirements for
accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).."
Complete
report..
250
IT FIRMS TO TAKE PART IN JEDDAH COMDEX
"Some 250 international IT companies are
expected to take part in the fourth COMDEX Saudi
Arabia 2004.. ..the fourth COMDEX Saudi Arabia
will be held at the Jeddah International
Exhibition Center from March 14-18.."
Complete report..
Complete
report..
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Business
- UAE
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ARY
WINS LEGAL VICTORY IN US
"Dubai-based top jewelry group ARY has won a
$1.5 million legal victory in the US courts. The
Kansas Supreme Court ruled the owners of jewelry
chain Krigel's Inc were not entitled to $1.5
million in escrow funds after its proposed sale to
the Dubai group fell through.. ..Last year, ARY
sued IBJ Whitehall Bank & Trust Co., a
subsidiary of Industrial Bank of Japan, blaming it
for killing the deal.." Complete
report..
INTERNATIONAL
FIRMS SOUGHT FOR FUJAIRAH UTILITY PROJECT
"International companies have been invited to
invest in a major power project in Fujairah as the
government pushes ahead with plans to privatize
the fast developing sector. The Union Water and
Electricity Co, which controls several
hydro-electric facilities in the UAE, said those
interested should submit bids by February
1.." Complete
report..
DUBAI
NEEDS MORE POWER, WATER
"Double-digit growth in demand for power is
expected this year in Dubai, which will need 10
per cent more water, according to a top official
at the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa).
Demand last year grew 10 per cent for power and
nine per cent for water, which confirmed a pattern
of growth in consumption in seven years as Dubai
expanded its industrial base and the population
increased.." Complete
report..
EMIRATES
BANK TO ISSUE $250M BOND
"Emirates Bank has appointed HSBC and Morgan
Stanley to lead manage its second international
bond issue for about $250 million.. ..The UAE bank
said the issue will be a floating rate note and
expects to launch it and complete the fund raising
this month. The notes will have a five-year
maturity and represent the first international
offering by a GCC entity in 2004.." Complete
report..
RAK
UNVEILS TEN AMBITIOUS URBAN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
"The New Ras Al Khaimah Structure Plan
yesterday outlined 10 major projects, which will
give the emirate a facelift.. ..Work on some of
these projects has started, while work on the
others will start soon. The plan seeks to develop
the Ras Al Khaimah Metro area until 2015.." Complete
report..
PROSPECT
OF INDEPENDENT CREDIT BUREAU DRAWS NEARER
"The prospect of an independent credit bureau
in Dubai drew closer [Jan 6] after a Department of
Economic Development (DED) announcement. The
department confirmed [Jan 6] that a preliminary
study had been completed by a global credit bureau
operator and consultant, with experience in the
region. Leading banks, insurers, public utilities
and government bodies were consulted and had an
input into what could shortly lead to a blueprint
for an agency.." Complete
report..
DUBAI
DUTY FREE POSTS RECORD SALES
"Dubai Duty Free announced record sales of
1.37 billion dirhams ($380 million) for 2003, a 24
percent increase over the previous year.. ..Dubai
currently boasts five million visitors a year for
a population of 1.1 million, and is targeting 10
million by 2007 and 40 million by 2015.." Complete
report..
TABREED
GETS DH160M DEAL FROM DUBAI PEARL
"Dubai Pearl - the $850 million upscale
mixed-use property development coming up in and
around the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone -
has awarded Tabreed a 20-year, Dh160 million
contract to offer district cooling services for
the project.. ..Tabreed will design, build and own
the district cooling scheme at Dubai Pearl.."
Complete
report..
ABU
DHABI FIRM INKS DEAL FOR DH750M CAPITAL PLAZA
PROJECT
"The Real Estate Investment and Services
Company [Jan 6] signed a financial arrangement
with a consortium of Abu Dhabi banks led by
National Bank of Abu Dhabi, the First Gulf Bank,
Union Bank and Commercial Bank of Abu Dhabi to
construct a Dh750 million Capital Plaza Commercial
Development Project.. .. The Capital Plaza project
is a beginning of an ongoing investment, which
will continue for 12 years with new projects in
pipeline.." Complete
report..
EMIRATES
OFFERS THE WORLD'S FIRST INFLIGHT E-MAIL
"In another in-flight communications first,
Emirates airline has announced that soon it will
offer its passengers the world's first regular,
airborne wireless laptop service.. ..The
Dubai-based international airline will launch the
new feature in the first quarter of this year
onboard all of its new Airbus A340-500s.." Complete
report..
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