In This Issue

News - Region

'IMMINENT' SAUDI ATTACK WARNING
"Terrorists may be in the final stages of planning an attack in Saudi Arabia, the UK Foreign Office has warned.. ..It had already warned it believed terrorists were 'determined to carry out further attacks in Saudi Arabia.' ..The new warning comes after a British Airways flight to Riyadh, which had been due to fly on [Feb. 16], was cancelled amid security fears.." Complete report..

UN WARNS IRAQIS TO BE WARY OF CIVIL WAR
"A UN official sided with the United States in its dispute with Iraq's powerful Shiite clergy over elections, saying [Feb 13] it would be hard to organize a vote before the June 30 deadline to hand power to the Iraqis. But the United Nations' special envoy to Iraq said major changes will be needed in the US formula for creating the next Iraqi government..  ..The envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, also warned Iraqis to be wary of the risks of civil war as they compete for power in the future Iraq.." Complete report..
Also:
UN SUPPORTS SISTANI ON POLLS
BRAHIMI AIDE SAYS EARLY IRAQ POLLS IMPOSSIBLE
~~GulfWire Link~~
U.S. PLAN TO TRANSFER POWER IN IRAQ MAY SHIFT DRASTICALLY - GWD Feb. 9, 2004 
AL HAKIM: ELECTIONS MUST BE HELD BEFORE JUNE 30 DEADLINE - GWD Feb. 2, 2004 
IRAQIS DEMAND ELECTIONS; US SEEKS HELP FROM UN - GWD Jan. 26, 2004 
IRAQ GIVEN CONSTITUTION DEADLINE - GWD Sep. 29, 2003

'AL-QAEDA PLOT DISCOVERED IN IRAQ'
"Al-Qaeda is plotting to disrupt a power transfer in Iraq by pitting Sunnis against Shiites and plunging the country into civil war, senior US officials warned [Feb 9]. Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy operations chief for the US-led coalition in Iraq, said a memo had been seized detailing plans to target Shiite leaders to spark a violent backlash ahead of a June 30 deadline for self-rule.. ..Kimmitt said a 17-page memo detailing plans to attack Shiite leaders was "credible", confirming a New York Times report that Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian suspected of ties to Al-Qaeda, is believed to be the author.." Complete report..

US GEN. ABIZAID UNHURT IN ATTACK
"The head of the US Central Command, Gen. John Abizaid, escaped injury [Feb 12] after guerrillas hit an Iraqi civil defense force outpost that he was visiting with rocket-propelled grenades.. ..A defense official in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was likely that the insurgents had been tipped off to the presence of the senior general. However, US officials, briefing reporters at military headquarters in Baghdad, said they were not prepared to make such a link. One noted that rocket attacks in the Fallujah area were relatively common.." Complete report..

TRUCK BOMB AT IRAQI POLICE STATION KILLS DOZENS
"A truck packed with an estimated 225 kilograms (500 pounds) of explosives blew up [Feb 10] morning at a police station in Iskandariya, south of Baghdad, as dozens of would-be recruits lined up to apply for jobs, and a hospital official said at least 55 people were killed and 67 others wounded.." Complete report..

BAGHDAD CAR BOMB KILLS SCORES
"A second devastating suicide attack in as many days killed up to 47 people [Feb 11], pushing the toll in the back-to-back attacks to 100.. ..The US military put a $10 million bounty on the head of a Jordanian militant who may be organizing violence by foreign fighters and plotting acceleration in attacks aimed at sparking a Sunni-Shiite civil war in Iraq.." Complete report..

BREMER OPENS IRAQ HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTRY
"The U.S. administrator for Iraq, L. Paul Bremer, opened the nation's first human rights ministry [Feb 14], saying it will investigate atrocities committed during Saddam Hussein's rule. Bremer also said the Baghdad ministry will draft a human rights declaration and promote private groups that defend civil liberties in the country.." Complete report..

IRAQ GRANTED WTO OBSERVER STATUS
"Iraq has been granted observer status at the World Trade Organization (WTO), officials at the trade body have said. The decision was made by the 146 member states of the WTO at a meeting in Geneva on [Feb 11]. Iraqi authorities welcomed the move - which is a first step to gaining full membership of the body.. ..The United States had backed the bid which was approved unanimously by WTO members.." Complete report..

ARAB FMS CONVERGE ON KUWAIT FOR KEY MEET ON POST-WAR IRAQ SITUATION
"Iraq's neighbors are gathering here for top-level talks opening on [Feb 14] on the post-war situation and the effects on the region of the war-ravaged country's prevailing insecurity.. ..The two-day conference, the fifth of its kind.. grouping the foreign ministers of Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Bahrain and Egypt.. ..The first meeting was held in January 2003 in Istanbul, two months before the launch of the US-led war on Iraq. Meetings were also held in Riyadh in April 2003 and in Tehran in May last year.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
ARAB FOREIGN MINISTERS WILL SEEK HALT TO WAR - GWD Mar. 31, 2003

US SETS JUNE LAUNCH FOR MIDEAST DEMOCRACY PLAN
"The Bush administration has launched an ambitious bid to promote democracy in the "greater Middle East" that will adapt a model used to press for freedoms in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.. ..Details are still being crafted. But the initiative, scheduled to be unveiled at the G-8 summit hosted by President George W. Bush at Sea Island, Georgia, in June, would call for Arab and South Asian governments to adopt major political reforms, be held accountable on human rights - particularly women's empowerment - and introduce economic reforms.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
BUSH SEEKS BACKING FOR 'GREATER MIDEAST' PLAN - GWD Feb. 9, 2004

US LAUNCHES ARAB TV CHANNEL
"From 14 February, satellite viewers in the Arab world will be able to watch a new US government-funded Arabic-language satellite TV channel called al-Hurra, meaning 'The Free One'. The channel sees its role as promoting democracy and winning over public opinion in the Arab world. Al-Hurra is aimed at the younger audience, which dominates most Arab countries.. ..At its headquarters in Washington, a mixed team of some 200 Arab and US journalists say they will try to harness US production and marketing skills attuned to Arab sensibilities in their output.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
DOLLARS OUT FOR MIDEAST TV - GWD Jul. 21, 2003
POP PSYCHOLOGY - RADIO SAWA - GWD Aug. 5, 2002

U.N. FINDS SECRET IRAN NUCLEAR DOCUMENTS
"U.N. inspectors sifting through Iran's nuclear files have discovered drawings of high-tech equipment that can be used to make weapons-grade uranium - a new link to the black market headed by the father of Pakistan's atomic bomb.. ..the revelations cast fresh doubt on Iran's commitment to dispelling suspicions it is trying to make atomic arms. But Iran insisted [Feb 12] that it was cooperating.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
UN REPORT SAYS IRAN HAS PLUTONIUM - GWD Nov. 17, 2003 
IRAN WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY FURTHER IAEA DEMANDS ON ENRICHMENT - GWD Nov. 24, 2003 
U.S. WARNS IRAN OVER NUKE PLANS - GWD Dec. 8, 2003

KINGDOM-YEMEN EMERGENCY TALKS SET OVER BORDER FENCE
"Saudi and Yemeni border authorities are to hold emergency talks in a bid to defuse tension over a so-called 'security screen' being erected by the Kingdom along the Yemeni frontier. A Yemeni delegation arrived in Jeddah [Feb 9] for talks on the subject.. ..The screen is part of a larger plan to erect what will be an electronic surveillance system along the entire length of the Kingdom's frontiers - land, air and sea.." Complete report..
Also:
SAUDI-YEMEN BORDER TALKS CONCLUDE
~~GulfWire Link~~
SAUDI-YEMENI BORDER AGREEMENT OF JUNE 12, 2000  - GW Perspectives 
KINGDOM, YEMEN AGREE TO TIGHTEN BORDER SECURITY - GWD Jun. 16, 2003 
PAPER: SAUDIS SEIZE ARMS AT YEMEN BORDER EVERY HOUR - GWD Aug. 24, 2003

SUDAN, UAE OBJECT TO NON-ARAB OBSERVER STATUS IN ARAB LEAGUE
"The United Arab Emirates and the Sudan dictatorship told the Arab League on Monday that they object to non-Arab countries being granted observer status in the body. The issue was to be addressed by league foreign ministers at a March meeting after Turkey, Ethiopia, Iran and Eritrea formally requested to be granted observer status late last year.. ..Sudan and the Emirates argued that offering membership, even observer status, to non-Arab countries was a violation of the league's charter, which has no provisions governing the entry of observer nations.." Complete report..

KINGDOM TO TAKE PART IN GLOBAL FORUM ON ISLAMIC EDUCATION
"Saudi Arabia will participate in a global forum to discuss the issue of Islamic education in the Middle East and the Muslim world at large. 'More than 300 Islamic scholars from around the world will participate in the four-day conference in Jakarta from Feb. 23 this year,' said Djoko Santoso of the Indonesian Embassy. The conference will strengthen confidence-building measures, settle religious conflicts and foster mutual understanding and respect between Muslims and other communities, particularly those in the West.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
SAUDI EDUCATION SYSTEM - GWD Feb. 3, 2003 
AL-RASHEED VOWS TO CORRECT DEFECTS IN EDUCATION SYSTEM - GWD Jan. 6, 2003 

CHARLES IN RIYADH AFTER HISTORIC IRAN VISIT
"Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, arrived here [Feb 9] on a visit to the Kingdom after surprise visits to Iraq and Iran.. ..Earlier, Charles toured the quake-devastated Iranian city of Bam [Feb 9] following a historic meeting with President Mohammad Khatami on the first visit to the Islamic republic by a member of the British royal family.." Complete report..

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News - Bahrain

BAHRAIN CONFERENCE TO TACKLE 'CONSTITUTIONAL PREDICAMENT'
"Officials from Bahrain's opposition groups and independent activists and lawyers are set to meet for two days early next week to debate what they call 'the constitutional predicament' and attempt to find a way out of it.. ..The Constitutional Conference, scheduled to be held on [Feb 14-15], aims to 'tackle the constitutional predicament, which is the result of the introduction of the 2002 constitution,' according to a document prepared by the meeting's preparatory committee.." Complete report..
Also:
BAHRAIN 'CRISIS' PROVOKES KING
~~GulfWire Link~~
BAHRAIN TOO, GOES TO THE POLLS - GWP Nov. 9, 2002

BAHRAIN CAUTIONS US ON DEMOCRACY IN MIDDLE EAST
"Bahrain has said that the United States' proposal of fostering democracy in the Middle East could be a complicated task as no one model for democratization can work for all countries. 'One size fits all is not going to work across the whole region but we certainly support the general principles advocated by the reform process', Bahrain's Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa said at a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Colin Powell on [Feb 9].." Complete report..

BAHRAIN QUIETLY PUSHES REFORMS, DEMOCRATIZATION AS NEW ORDER EMERGES IN THE REGION
"In the shadow of the Iraq conflict and the tussle over reforms in neighboring Saudi Arabia, the island kingdom of Bahrain has made some quiet progress in reform and democratization.. ..Nevertheless, political reforms have yet to give the Shiite majority equal access to civil service jobs, much less the greater wealth and privilege enjoyed by the Sunnis in the pro-Western state, headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet.." Complete report..

SECOND BAHRAIN MP FACING CASH PROBE
"A second Bahrain parliament member faces having his immunity from prosecution suspended over alleged financial irregularities. A full extraordinary parliament meeting has been called for next [Feb 17].. ..MPs have been called back from a one-month break for the extraordinary meeting.." Complete report..

BAHRAIN GEARS UP TO BATTLE RE-EMERGING MARITIME PIRACY IN REGION
"Bahrain's Interior Ministry planes will be used to patrol the coasts to check the re-emerging piracy in the region, the ministry's top officer announced [Feb 10], three days after suspected pirates snatched a Bahraini-owned fishing boat.. ..an ocean crime watchdog has said acts of piracy are rising sharply and global shipping is increasingly prone to 'terrorist' attack.." Complete report..

WOMEN MAY BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR PASSPORT WITHOUT HUSBAND'S CONSENT
"Bahraini married women may soon be able to apply for a passport without needing to have the traditional consent of the husband, according to a bill proposed by the kingdom's Shura council. The bill was approved by the council's foreign affairs, defense and national security committee during a recent meeting, said a statement issued by the council [Feb 11].. ..The proposed bill is expected to be debated when the Shura Council, the appointed upper chamber of the National Assembly, reconvenes in early March.." Complete report..

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News - Kuwait

KUWAITI MINISTER DENIES ABUSE OF POWER IN IRAQ FUEL DEAL
"Kuwait's Energy Minister Sheikh Ahmad Fahd Al-Sabah [Feb 13] denied public funds had been squandered or there had been any abuse of power in a deal to supply fuel to the US military in Iraq through oil services giant Halliburton.. ..On [Feb 9], he asked the public prosecutor to look at allegations of misconduct on the part of executives at the state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corp. (KPC) and alleged exorbitant profiteering by a Kuwaiti subcontractor.." Complete report..
Also:
KUWAIT MINISTER DENIES HALLIBURTON DEAL CHARGES

POPE RECEIVES DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF KUWAIT
"John Paul II received the Deputy Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Moubarak Al Hamad Al Sabah, in private audience.. ..The Statistical Yearbook of the Church says there are 155,000 Catholics in the country.." Complete report..

U.S. MAY BASE TROOPS LONG-TERM IN KUWAIT
"As the United States military draws up long-term plans to leave Iraq, top officers are looking to the U.S. intervention in Bosnia's civil war as a model for an American exit strategy here. The United States will keep combat teams in Iraq for the next few years, pulling them gradually out of cities into the countryside, and then perhaps into Kuwait and other countries..
..The military's two-year disengagement plan could be upended by any number of events in Iraq.." Complete report..

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News - Oman

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News - Qatar

QATAR MEDIATES MOROCCAN PRISONER RELEASE
"The movement seeking independence for the Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara has released 100 prisoners of war following Qatari mediation. The Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia al Hamra and Rio de Oro (Polisario Front) agreed on [Feb 13] to coordinate with the International committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in repatriating the captives from its desert base in Algeria.. ..The front had asked Qatar to intervene with Morocco to 'obtain the liberation of Sahrawi soldiers and have light shed on what happened to those who have disappeared'.." Complete report..

UN WELCOMES QATAR'S OFFER TO HOST INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRACY FORUM IN 2006
"The United Nations General Assembly has welcomed Qatar's offer to host the sixth International Conference of New or Restored Democracies in November 2006. In a resolution adopted without a vote [Feb 9], the Assembly said it recognized the important role played by the UN in supporting nations' attempts to democratize as they develop. Qatar said it would host the forum in its capital, Doha, from 13-15 November 2006.." Complete report..

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News - Saudi Arabia

PEOPLE WARNED OF TERROR ATTACK
"The Interior Ministry [Feb 13] warned the residents in the capital against a possible terrorist attack. It said that a car laden with explosives registered to a wanted suspect could be used for the attack, the Saudi Press Agency reported.. ..The vehicle was last seen in Rabwa to the east of the capital.." Complete report..
Also:
REWARD OFFERED FOR CAR BOMB INFORMATION
~~GulfWire Link~~
SAUDI ARABIA URGES ALL-OUT WAR ON TERROR - GWD Feb. 9, 2004

MILITANTS STEP UP BATTLE FOR SYMPATHY IN SAUDI ARABIA
"Militants waging a campaign of violence in the kingdom have stepped up efforts to win public support but their media offensive suggests Al Qaida is losing sympathy in its war with authorities.. ..The fact that most of the victims of the November attack on an expatriate housing compound in Riyadh were Arabs or Muslims - despite the claims of the bombers - outraged many Saudis, even those who sympathized with Al Qaida's stated goal of ridding Islam's birthplace of "infidels". The release of the tape, and its broadcast by Al Jazeera television station, provoked official fury. Newly appointed deputy intelligence official Prince Abdulaziz bin Bandar said it was an incitement to terrorism.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
SAUDI TERROR CRACKDOWN TO BE TESTED

SAUDI MILITANT KILLED IN CLASH, PRO-QAEDA WEB SITE SAYS
"One of Saudi Arabia's most wanted militants, whose name was published in a government list of top 26 suspects last year, has been killed by security forces, a pro-al Qaeda Web site said [Feb 10]. The statement published in the name of the Al Qaeda Organization in Jazirat al-Arab (Arab Peninsula) said Amer al-Shihri had been killed in a clash in the Suweidi neighborhood of Riyadh. It did not say when Shihri died.." Complete report..
Also:
ONE OF SAUDI ARABIA'S MOST-WANTED IS DEAD

SECURITY FORCES GRAB SUSPECT IN BURAIDAH
"A wanted Saudi named Majed Al-Rushoodi was arrested by security forces [Feb 12].. ..The suspect, 28, had escaped from jail some time ago, the paper said. He did not put up any resistance.." Complete report..

SAUD ON EUROPEAN TOUR TO REVIVE MIDEAST PEACE PROCESS
"Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal will begin a European tour on Feb. 16. The tour is aimed at reviving the stalled road map for the Middle East peace process.. ..Prince Saud will visit Belgium, Poland and Switzerland where he will hold wide-ranging talks with his European counterparts and call on other high-ranking officials to discuss a host of regional and international issues including the situation in Iraq.." Complete report..

VIRTUE COMMISSION MEMBERS ASSAULTED
"Two members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice were hospitalized with stab wounds after an assault in Al-Aflaj near Riyadh on [Feb 10].. ..Many people Arab News spoke to about this incident were surprised at the attack. One, however, told Arab News, 'People are not exactly aware of what the commission is supposed to do. There is confusion as to how much power they have. It is hard to find out exactly what they are allowed to do. Where are the lines drawn? Without answers to these questions, misunderstanding about them will remain'.." Complete report..

AL-DAHAB WINS FAISAL PRIZE FOR SERVICE TO ISLAM
"Field Marshal Abdul Rahman Swar Al-Dahab of Sudan has won this year's prestigious King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam.. ..'Swar Al-Dahab is one of the outstanding Islamic personalities who have gained international fame," the King Faisal Charitable Foundation said in a statement. As chairman of the board of trustees of the Islamic Dawa Organization in Sudan, he initiated the construction of several schools, hospitals, clinics, orphanages and wells in the country'.." Complete report..

STOP FOREIGN HAJ REPEATERS: PRINCE SULTAN
"Regulations that prevent domestic pilgrims from repeating Haj more than once every five years must be extended to foreign pilgrims, Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, has said.. ..Prince Sultan was talking about new measures to make the annual pilgrimage safer. Two hundred and fifty-one pilgrims were crushed to death in a stampede at Jamrat in Mina, site of the symbolic stoning of the Devil, on the third day of Haj this year.." Complete report..

ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE IN RIYADH 
"A three-day conference to explore the executive regulations of the general environmental law, which was passed recently by the government, will start here on Feb. 28.. ..Prince Turki ibn Nasser, head of the presidency will open the conference, which aims at explaining the law's executive regulations - including types of violations and fines - as well as emphasizing the law's benefits in terms of protecting environment.." Complete report..

MINISTRY INTRODUCES PART OF NEW CURRICULUM
"As part of its educational reform plans, the Kingdom has introduced a portion of its new curriculum. The aim of the reforms by the Ministry of Education is to revise controversial chapters.. ..Some 400,000 teachers have been involved in the reform process. The ministry has issued instructions that the old curriculum is to be phased out and the new one implemented as soon as it is ready.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
EDUCATION SYSTEM REFORM TO PROMOTE MODERATION: SULTAN - GWD Dec. 8, 2003
AL-RASHEED VOWS TO CORRECT DEFECTS IN EDUCATION SYSTEM - GWD Jan. 6, 2003

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News - UAE

NATO ALLIES ESTABLISH MILITARY FLIGHT CENTER IN UAE
"NATO allies have agreed to establish a military air-training center in the United Arab Emirates. Britain, France and the United States have pledged to cooperate in forming the Air Warfare Center at the UAE air base at Al Dhafra. The air base will also be used by the United States to train UAE pilots on the new F-16 Block 60 aircraft.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
UAE PREPARES FOR DELIVERY OF FIRST F-16 RADAR - GWD Nov. 3, 2003
UAE BUILDS AIR BASE FOR F-16S - GWD Jun. 9, 2003

43 PASSENGERS DIED IN SHARJAH AIR CRASH
"A Kish Airlines [Iran] flight crashed near Sharjah International Airport [Feb. 10], killing 43 of 46 people aboard the aircraft. The twin-engined Fokker 50 aircraft.. crashed 3km from the airport complex at the Sharjah-Ajman border.. ..The scheduled flight was coming from Kish Island.." Complete report..

DUBAI RELAXES WORKER VISA RULES
"The Dubai government has changed rules, which required guest workers to leave the Emirate in order to renew their visas. The move follows a plane crash on [Feb 10], which killed 43 people, most of them making a so-called visa run journey.. ..In the past, most of Dubai's guest workers have had to physically leave the United Arab Emirates in order to convert their visit visas into resident visas when granted a work permit. Now rather than going to Oman, Bahrain, Qatar or Iran, they should be able just to pay an as yet undisclosed fee to the government over the counter.." Complete report..

PLAN TO RESTRICT NATIONALS MARRYING FOREIGNERS
"The government plans to restrict the number of nationals marrying foreign women as part of a shake up of marriage laws. Currently national men can marry foreigners, but local women face greater restrictions if they decide to tie the knot with foreigners. However, UAE diplomats based abroad are not allowed to marry foreign women in any circumstances. The UAE Marriage Fund has made a set of recommendation to the Cabinet for final approval.." Complete report..

UAE DONATES HALF-A-MILLION DOLLARS TO PAKISTAN TO FIGHT POLIO
"The UAE has donated half-a-million dollars to Pakistan in support of the latter's anti polio campaign.. ..UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi, presented here [Feb 13] a check of the amount to Pakistan's Minister of Health, Mohammed Nusair Khan, in the presence of a number of dignitaries.." Complete report..

E-GOVERNMENT TURNS TO TEXT
"More than half a million short message service (SMS) text messages have been sent by government departments to the public in the three months since Dubai eGovernment's SMS service, called "mDubai," was launched.." Complete report..

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Link of the Week / GulfWire Flashback - Four Years of GW

LINK OF THE WEEK

Journal of Arabic and Islamic Studies Useful Links

<<ONE YEAR AGO>>
GULFWIRE DIGEST #184 WEEK OF FEB 17, 2003

U.S. REACHES OUT TO YOUNGER READERS, IN ARABIC 
"..a 'consumer lifestyle' magazine, to be published in Arabic and sold at newsstands in the Middle East.. ..The magazine, as yet unnamed, and a companion Web site will avoid politics and instead focus on topics of common interest to American and Arab cultures, including education, careers, family, technology, music and health, according to Jane Ottenberg, president of the Magazine Group, a custom publisher in Washington that has won a State Department contract to produce the publication.. ..Although Ms. Ottenberg's company is the magazine's publisher, the State Department will be acknowledged as a sponsor, she said. The magazine, according to a State Department official, is meant to foster dialogue with young Arabs and dispel some of the 'misperceptions' they may have about the United States.."

<<TWO YEARS AGO>>
GULFWIRE DIGEST #135 WEEK OF FEB 18, 2002

AN INTRIGUING SIGNAL FROM THE SAUDI CROWN PRINCE
"Prince Abdullah, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, said in an interview last week with Thomas L. Friedman of The New York Times that he was mulling over the idea of making a speech declaring that if Israel withdrew from all the occupied territories, including the Arab quarters of Jerusalem, then the Arab states would offer full normalization of relations.."

<<THREE YEARS AGO>>
GULFWIRE DIGEST #85 WEEK OF FEB 26, 2001

IRAQ DEVELOPMENTS
"Iraq could produce nuclear weapons within three years, according to a German intelligence assessment.."

<<FOUR YEARS AGO>>
GULFWIRE DIGEST #32 WEEK OF FEB 14, 2000

LIBERAL GROUPS CALL FOR REFORMS
"The Kuwait Democratic Forum called for changes in top governments posts to better deal with internal problems.. ..The KDF holds only two of 50 seats in parliament but its positions are supported by other liberal members.."

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