The Middle East articles from April 2004

The Middle East archives from April 2004

Comment.(Editorial)
April 1, 2004... As the full horror of the Madrid train bomb unfolded, rumours the attack was the work of Al Qaeda, swiftly began to circulate. Spanish administration officials, swayed perhaps by the imminence of government elections, initially blamed the...

Is the world running out of oil?(Current Affairs)(Cover Story)
April 1, 2004... THE ERA OF "CHEAP" oil is gone for good. The world's oil reserves could be 80% lower than predicted, according to scientific studies. The experts say production levels will peak around the turn of this decade after which time the price of...

With the courage of her convictions ...: earlier this year a senior figure in Britain's Liberal Democrat Party, the UK's third largest political group, was fired for empathising with the plight of Palestinian suicide bombers. In this interview with The Middle East.(Palestine)
April 1, 2004... Speaking at a meeting of a pro-Palestinian lobby in January, Dr. Jenny Tonge, Liberal Democrat MP and, at the time, Spokeswoman for Children, made remarks that led to her being sacked by her party leader Charles Kennedy and sparked a...

It's not over yet; Iranian hard liners got the election result they wanted, a conservative landslide but to consider the reformist movement defeated would be a big mistake.(Iran Elections)
April 1, 2004... When the results of the recent Iranian elections were returned, the general feeling among western journalists seemed to be that liberal reform within the country was now dead. That groundswell of resistance to the mullahs' rule had petered out...

Under the microscope: Richard Seymour looks at the panel selected to conduct a full examination into pre-invasion information that persuaded the United States and Britain of the need to go to war against Iraq.(Current Affairs)
April 1, 2004... When President Bush began assuring the world that weapons of mass destruction (WMD) "related programmes" had been found in Iraq by the Iraq Survey Group, many wondered what bad happened to the "massive stockpiles" of weapons that the president,...

Tightening the net: evidence continues to emerge of further global terrorist network links. While Al Qaeda looms large in the public conscience other, equally concerning organisations are coming under scrutiny.(Current Affairs)
April 1, 2004... Abderrazak Mahdjoub is the man every intelligence officer in western Europe wants to talk to these days. The 30-year-old Algerian known as "the Sheikh" is being held by German authorities who believe he heads a continent-wide terrorist...

The nuclear weapons bazaar: a sophisticated underground network of nuclear material traffickers is under investigation.(Current Affairs)
April 1, 2004... Domestic and international audiences listened, rapt, as Abdul Qadeer Khan, Pakistan's top nuclear weapons scientist, addressed state television to plead for forgiveness for passing on nuclear weapons technology secrets to foreign nationals....

The battle for Gaza: as Israel's Prime Minister Sharon decides on a strategy for withdrawal from Gaza, others contemplate their role in the post retreat territory.(Current Affairs)
April 1, 2004... As Ariel Sharon's plans for an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip take shape, the struggle for who will control the impoverished and turbulent territory on the edge of the Sinai Desert is intensifying. The outlook is bloody. The Israelis,...

Saddam's missing billions: former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is believed to have salted away billions of US dollars in banks around the world during his reign of terror. Finding the cash is tricky enough but then proving its provenance is virtually impossible.(Business & Finance)
April 1, 2004... The US military got their man in a relatively short period but getting their hands on Saddam Hussein's money has proved a more difficult task. As countries such as Switzerland and Syria block Washington's efforts to retrieve the ex-dictator's...

The price of peace v. the cost of war: of the myriad problems that beset Israel, its economic situation rarely makes news headlines around the world. However, to millions of Israelis, it is the stark reality of recession, rather than the current Intifada, that dominates daily life.(Business and Finance)
April 1, 2004... Record unemployment, rising rates of suicide, conscientious objectors refusing to join the army, and increasing numbers of people living below the poverty line now blight Israeli society as much as suicide bombers. With more and more children...

US and Morocco conclude FTA.
April 1, 2004... * The US and Morocco have reached agreement on a comprehensive and groundbreaking Free Trade Agreement (FTA) designed to strip away barriers and facilitate trade and investment between both countries. The US-Morocco FTA is an integral part of...

Seoul hosts International Credit Bureau Conference.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... * Arab bank officials were among more than 350 experts of 40 countries from banking, government and the academic world who met at the 'International Credit Bureau Conference 2004 Seoul' to exchange views on implementing full-scale positive...

Mobile services roll out in Iraq; For so long denied access to a mobile telephone network, Iraq has three providers and much to discuss.
April 1, 2004... Finally after a lengthy period of contractual and political squabbling, mobile telephone services in Iraq commenced operations in February 2004. This follows the award of regional mobile contracts--a first for the Middle East, where national...

Israel approves $1.1bn Phalcon sale to India.
April 1, 2004... * The Israeli security cabinet has approved the sale of three advanced Phalcon spy planes to India. The transaction is valued at $1.1bn. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon finalised the details of the purchase agreement during a visit to...

International firms applied for $900m Kuwaiti aromatics complex contract.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... * Some nine international firms applied to pre-qualify for an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) tender to construct a $900m petrochemical plant in Shuaiba, Kuwait.

Designer Giorgio Armani signs $1bn luxury hotel venture with Emaar.(Emaar Properties)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... * Italian designer Giorgio Armani has signed a Letter of Intent with Dubai's Emaar Properties for the establishment of a worldwide collection of luxury hotels and resorts with an estimated total investment of more than $1bn.

Which way for Iranian gas? With global demand for gas increasing, Iran--home of the World's second largest reserves--is poised to become an important provider.(Business & Finance)
April 1, 2004... With the world's second biggest gas reserves, Iran has long threatened to become a major player in the international gas market. Global demand is rising relentlessly and the country is well placed to supply markets in East Asia and the European...

Fluor awarded $154m in Iraqi power restoration projects.(Fluor Corporation)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... * The Fluor Corporation has been awarded three separate task orders worth $154m by the US Army Corps of Engineers for electrical power restoration work in Iraq. The task orders call for Fluor to rehabilitate multiple power generation facilities...

NBK raises capital to $523m.(National Bank of Kuwait)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... * The National Bank of Kuwait's general assembly has approved raising the bank's capital to KD 154.8m ($523m) from KD 147.4m. The bank will invest up to $25m in its Iraq-based branch, the highest investment limit allowed in the country.

Zamil Group founds new $400m petrochemical company.(Sahara Petrochemical Company)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... * Saudi Arabia's Zamil Group has taken the necessary steps to form the Sahara Petrochemical Company which is capitalised at SR 1.5bn Saudi riyals ($400m). The private placement of shares was greatly over subscribed.

IFA and Nakheel sign $42m Palm hotel agreement.(IFA Hotels & Resorts Kuwait )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... * Property developer Nakheel and Kuwait's IFA Hotels & Resorts Kuwait have announced the fifth agreement between their companies for the purchase by IFA of 150,000sq metres on the crescent at Palm Jumeirah at a cost of $42m.

GE wins $200m turbo compressor contract for Qatargas II LNG Project.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... * GE Energy has been awarded a contract valued at $200m by Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil to supply three turbo compressor strings for main refrigerant duty in the Qatargas II liquefied natural gas Expansion Project.

Iran-Japan $2bn oil deal goes ahead; despite intense and protracted pressure from the United States a consortium of Japanese companies has signed a $2bn oil deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Milan Vesely reports from Washington.(Business & Finance)
April 1, 2004... Japan's insatiable requirement for new energy sources has overcome its concern at American objections and signed a $2bn oil deal with Iran. And, with more than 88% of Japan's oil importation now coming from the Middle East, namely Saudi Arabia...

Oman's Al Jazeira Services announces 42% dividend for second consecutive year.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... * Oman's Al Jazeira Services has reported a profit of OR3.025m ($7.8m) for financial year 2003, 52% of the paid up capital. A dividend of 42% for the second consecutive year was also announced.

Shaw Group opens Baghdad office.
April 1, 2004... * US-based Shaw Group has opened an office in Baghdad, Iraq to support its increasing activity in the Arab state including anticipated US government projects under the $1.5bn US Central Command award announced in January.

The final curtain? It has been a tragedy in at least five acts, with a few additional scenes and the odd false curtain call, but the drama of the rise and fall of one of Turkey's top business dynasties does now seem to be finally drawing to a close.(Business & Finance)
April 1, 2004... In February, officials from the country's Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) seized control of some 219 companies belonging to tire controversial Uzan family. Owners of business interests as varied as cement and television, the Uzans have...

AUB Bank profits rise to $87m.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... * Ahli United Bank (AUB) has announced a net profit of $87. I in for the financial year ending December 31, 2003, representing an increase of 46% or $59.7m over the same period in 2002. Gross operating income during the same period was $195.4m,...

Economic growth remains strong: geopolitical rather than economic news about the Middle East dominated headlines in the international media over the past year. But on the economic front, overall developments were quite encouraging in the face of continuing sluggish growth in the Organisation for Economic and Development (OECD) countries.(Regional)
April 1, 2004... Increased concern following terrorist attacks in Casablanca, Riyadh and Istanbul, together with the spillover effects of the invasion of Iraq and the protracted Israeli-Palestinian conflict continue to case a shadow over the Middle East and...

Oman launches The Wave resort development project worth $805m.(Oman Tourism Development Company )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... * The Oman Tourism Development Company (OTDC) is now presenting this investment opportunity to investors. For the first stage, $82m (OR.32m) will be invested to reclaim land, develop the infrastructure and build a golf course and a marina with...

Gulf Finance House raises $53m for Kuwait's Gulf Development Real Estate.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... * Bahrain-based Islamic investment bank, Gulf Finance House has raised funds worth KD15m ($52.8m) through private placement for the Kuwait-based joint venture Gulf Development Real Estate.

GE wins $200m turbo compressor contract for Qatargas II LNG Project.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... * GE Energy has been awarded a contract of valued at $200m by Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil to supply three turbo compressor strings for main refrigerant duty in the Qatargas II liquefied natural gas Expansion Project.

$250m construction to begin at BFH.(Bahrain Financial Harbour)(Al Hamad Contracting Company)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... * Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH) has signed a Contract with Al Hamad Contracting Company for the Engineering and Construction of Phase One, the Financial Centre of BFH. Work is set to start this spring and is expected to be completed in three...

Orientalist art.(Mosaic)
April 1, 2004... In February 1990 an Orientalist painting by Jean-Leon Gerome depicting Bathsheba, the beautiful wife of Uriah the Hittite, fetched $2m at a Sotheby's auction in New York. This was a record price that was not to be equalled for nine years; the...

The Olive Harvest: Palestinian director Hanna Elias talked to The Middle East about the making of his latest international award winning film. Part Twair writes from Los Angeles.(Mosaic)(Interview)
April 1, 2004... Palestinian filmmaker Hanna Elias' The Olive Harvest garnered prizes in several international film festivals during 2003. In Cairo, it captured the Best Arab Film for producers Kamran Elahian and Hanna Elias and the Special Jury Award for...

Apartheid Israel: Possibilities for the Struggle Within.(Book Review)
April 1, 2004... APARTHEID ISRAEL POSSIBILITIES FOR THE STRUGGLE WITHIN By Uri Davis published by Zed Books ISBN 1 84277 338 0 price 49.95 [pounds sterling] hardback ISBN 1 84277 339 9 price 14.95 [pounds sterling] paperback In this book, Uri Davis provides...

The Great Terror War.(Book Review)
April 1, 2004... THE GREAT TERROR WAR By Richard Falk published by Arris Books ISBN 1 84437 002 x price 12.99 [pounds sterling] paperback The horror of the events of 11 September, 2001, remains indelible. The destruction of that day--and its causes and...

Turkey: the Quest for Identity.(Book Review)
April 1, 2004... TURKEY THE QUEST FOR IDENTITY By Feroz Ahmad published by ONEWORLD ISBN 1 85168 241 4 price 9.99 [pounds sterling] paperback Poised between three continents and caught between the ideologies of East and West, Turkey has a rich and...

Modern Arab Historiography: Historical Discourse and the Nation-State.(Book Review)
April 1, 2004... MODERN ARAB HISTORIOGRAPHY HISTORICAL DISCOURSE AND THE NATION-STATE By Youssef Choueiri published by RoutledgeCurzon ISBN 0 7007 1650 5 price 17.99 [pounds sterling] paperback This book deals with a vital yet neglected ingredient in modern...

The Road to Al-Qaeda: the Story of Bin Laden's Right Hand Man.(Book Review)
April 1, 2004... THE ROAD TO THE STORY RIGHT HAND MAN By Montasser Al Zayyat, translated by Ahmed Fekry and edited by Sara Nimis ISBN 0 7453 2175 5 price 10.99 [pounds sterling] paperback This book by an Egyptian human rights lawyer is an English-language...

The Middle East and North Africa 2004: 50th Edition.(Book Review)
April 1, 2004... THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 2004 50TH EDITION Published by Europa publications ISBN 1 85743 184 7 price 330 [pounds sterling] hardback The Middle East and North Africa 2004. Updated and completely revised every year this 50th edition...

Change: at our own pace.(The Last Word)
April 1, 2004... No Middle Eastern state excites the western media in quite the same way as Saudi Arabia. So fabulously wealthy; with airports, office buildings and even shopping malls so opulent that those in London, Paris and New York pale into...