The Middle East articles from April 2005

The Middle East archives from April 2005

Comment.(united states and war)
April 1, 2005... So, was George Bush right then? These winds of change that are sweeping through the Middle East have certainly prompted debate that the ends--freedom and democracy--justify the means which, lest we forget, began with an illegal war launched on...

The winds of change: from the purple fingered display of strength in Iraq to the 'cedar revolution' in Lebanon, it is clear the Middle East stands at what might prove to be the dawn of a new era. There is much international optimism that the first tentative steps down a path towards real democracy may have been taken. From Adel Darwish in Damscus.(Cover Story)
April 1, 2005... A RIPPLE OF CHANGE IS RUNNING through the Middle East, said British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the close of the London of the Palestinian Authority last month. "There is a genuine... ripple of change," said Mr Blair, "it is happening...

Interlocking influences find common ground: Alex Klaushofer examines how recent events in Lebanon--which has seen more than its fair share of religion-based conflict--have drawn together various parties from across the sectarian divide.(Lebanon)
April 1, 2005... RECENT EVENTS IN LEBANON ARE proving an unexpected litmus test for how well the country is doing in its long recovery from civil war. Far from revealing an appetite for another conflict, the assassination of Rafiq Hariri--the first major...

Battleground Iran: Iran has scornfully rejected the US-European initiative of economic incentives to come clean about its nuclear programme. Tehran insists it wants nuclear technology solely for civilian power generation, others believe--unless preventative measures are taken--the mullahs could have a nuclear bomb within five years.(Iran)
April 1, 2005... A MID THE TORNADO OF TALK about deals and inducements from the US and Europe, and US and Israeli pre-emptive strikes against Iran to prevent it acquiring nuclear weapons, consider this: US Special Forces are reported to be roaming Iran to...

Striking a workable balance: it is the politics of public rallies and official reaction to them that has focused international attention on Syria and its precarious swinging between the old guard and the new.(Syria)
April 1, 2005... ABOUT 100 REFORMISTS, INCLUDING lawyers, writers and Kurds, demonstrated in protest in Damascus, on 10 March, to mark the 42nd anniversary of the imposition of emergency laws, which remain firmly in place. Demonstrators were eventually...

The robot revolution: welcome to the 21st Century US soldier; programmed robots that can do anything from drive an ammunition truck to firing a M60 machine gun. American military planners predict such robots will in the future become the major fighting force in wars such as that currently being fought in Iraq.(Current Affairs)
April 1, 2005... THE SCENE IS FAMILIAR, THE INTERNET video tape grainy and slightly out of focus. A long line of US military vehicles is racing along the Baghdad airport road when suddenly one is enveloped in flames, the blast scatters pieces of palm tree and...

Rough justice: the hunt continues for Palestinians who have collaborated with the Israeli authorities, the deadly enemy within.(Palestine)
April 1, 2005... THE BODY OF 19-YEAR-OLD HASSAN Musalem was hurled from a speeding car in Gaza City a few weeks ago. On his corpse was pinned a note in Arabic saying he had been executed for helping Israeli forces assassinate nine Palestinian militants,...

Exodus from terror: Iraq's intellectuals, who had high hopes of a bright future in the post-Saddam era and should have been the country's salvation in the struggle to regroup and rebuild, are being driven out of their homeland by fear.(Iraq)
April 1, 2005... AT A RECENT CEREMONY IN NEW York, Abdul Al Latif Al Mayah, an Iraqi university professor and human rights activist, was awarded the Civil Courage Prize, "for steadfast resistance to evil at great personal risk", by the Northcote Parkinson Fund,...

Palestine: where there's a will ... the Palestinian economy, which once showed such promise, is in tatters after four-and-a-half years of the latest Intifada. However, if Ariel Sharon's government stays true to its word and pulls out troops and settlers from the area by July 2005, economic prosperity could be on the cards. Mariam Shahin reports from Ramallah.(Business & Finance)
April 1, 2005... ONCE THE GATEWAY TO JERUSALEM AND THE Palestinian hinterland, the port of Gaza stands empty and in ruins, whilst its airport in Rafah, one of the more tastefully designed architectural achievements of the post-Oslo era, is closed for business...

Libya ignores European overtures: by issuing numerous oil exploration permits to American companies, Libya showed how things have changed between the two countries. But what should British and other European countries understand from their bids being completely snubbed?(Business & Finance)
April 1, 2005... IN JANUARY 2005, ABDULLAH SALEM EL BADRI, THE head of Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC), announced the winners of the country's first new exploration licences since sanctions against the country were eased in 2003. The occasion also...

IFC provides $40m loan to Mazoon Petrogas in Oman.(International Finance Corporation)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... * The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, has agreed to provide long-term corporate financing of up to $40m to Mazoon Petrogas in Oman. Mazoon and its sister company, Petrogas, are the...

Reforms, development & progress: on a recent visit to London, the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Saud Al Faisal and his British equivalent Jack Straw spoke of their two countries' congenial association and their warm outlook for the future.(Business & Finance)
April 1, 2005... ADDRESSING THE GATHERED MEDIA AND dignitaries at Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office in central London at the end of February, the two men looked the best of friends, exchanging smiles and compliments as they reflected on the warm...

ALSTOM-led consortium wins 627m [euro] contract.(Saudi Electricity Company )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... * An ALSTOM-led consortium has won a 627m [euro] turnkey contract with the Saudi Electricity Company to add three generating blocks to the Saudi Arabian Shoaiba power plant, making it the largest power plant in the Middle East. The...

Taking production to a new level: oil industry analysts believe prices will return to more normal, although still buoyant, levels during the course of this year with decisions taken by Saudi Arabia likely to prove a determining factor.(Saudi Arabia)
April 1, 2005... SAUDI ARABIA'S ROLE AS A SAFETY VALVE in the world oil economy was brought to the fore once again in February, when the government decided to increase production capacity to 12.5m barrels a day (b/d) within four years. The kingdom has generally...

Zac wins multiple projects in Bahrain.(Zamil Air Conditioners )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... * Zamil Air Conditioners (ZAC), the leading Middle East and international manufacturer of air conditioning systems, has been awarded three new SR3m prestigious projects in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Almoayyed Air Conditioning, Cooline distributor...

Turkish property boom fuelled by foreign cash: as it prepares for admission to the European Union, Turkey is opening up to foreign property buyers. Jon Gorvett reports from Istanbul on how the country's financial sector is gearing up to provide mortgages.(Turkey)
April 1, 2005... ON TURKEY'S AEGEAN AND MEDITERRANEAN coasts, something is stirring. While long famous for its package holiday resorts and awesome ancient cities, these regions are now more alive with foreign languages and cultures than ever before. The reason...

Qatar awards $420m NDIA contract.(New Doha International Airport)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... * The New Doha International Airport (NDIA) Steering Committee has signed an agreement with a consortium of four companies awarding them the $420m dredging and reclamation works contract for Qatar's new airport project. The consortium is made...

Middle East toy market estimated at over $1.5bn.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... * The Middle East's toy market is worth more than $1.5bn, according to Uesse Frankfurt, organiser of the Middle East Toy exhibition. The show will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 28-30 May. A wide selection of products will be...

First Islamic announces $70.5m record results for 2004.(First Islamic Investment Bank )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... * First Islamic Investment Bank BSC, a leading Bahrain-based investment bank, has announced the bank generated a net income of $70.5m for the year ended 31 December 2004, which represents a 57% increase over the $44.8m achieved in 2003. Since...

LNG in the big league: a cleaner feedstock than coal or oil, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) has also become a more economic choice for consumers, while producers are attracted by the long-term pricing and contracts that normally accompany export deals.(Business & Finance)
April 1, 2005... THE RECENT LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG) deals between Iran and energy companies in India and China may finally allow Tehran to make the most of its massive gas reserves. A lack of investment in the sector and a combination of geographical and...

Oman invests $9.3bn in industrial park.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... * Oman is currently investing over $9.3bn in the Sahar Industrial Park, 200km from Muscat. Minister of the National Economy Ahmad Abdulnabi said that a number of gas-based projects are taking place in the park including a steel mill. Oman...

JBIC extends $311m buyer's credit to Bapco.(Japan Bank for International Cooperation )
April 1, 2005... * The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has signed a loan agreement totaling $311m with the Bahrain Petroleum Company BSC. (Bapco). The loan is co-financed with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking (HSBC) Corporation (the lead...

A new era of railways: from Morocco to Oman, Arab governments are preparing to invest billions of dollars in a new generation of rail and lightrail systems, which could have massive returns for trade and tourism in the region. All aboard? Not quite yet.(Business & Finance)
April 1, 2005... GRIDLOCK DURING RUSH HOUR IN THE EMIRATES is a sight to behold. Luxury stretch limousines, limping jalopies, and trucks of every description clog the expressways linking Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. If government planners have their way,...

Iran-Turkey trade up 15% to $2.761bn.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... * The Turkish State Statistic Institute has reported Iran-Turkey trade amounted to $2.761bn in 2004; the figure is 15.3% higher than 2003 which registered $2,395bn. In December 2004, Turkey's exports to Iran came to $75.387m whilst imports from...

Jordan's exports to US reach $1.92bn.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... * Jordan's exports to the US increased during 2004 by 62% to reach $1.92bn compared to $673m in 2003, according to the Industrial Development Department at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

SABIC reports net profit of $3.8bn.
April 1, 2005... * Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) has announced its un-audited fourth quarter and full year results for 2004. The net profit for the year stood at SR14.247bn ($3.8bn), an increase of 113% over 2003. The fourth quarter profit for 2004...

The Saudi landbridge.(railroad construction)
April 1, 2005... ONE OF THE MOST AMBITIOUS RAIL PROJECTS in the Middle East could whisk passengers and freight across the Arabian peninsula by the end of the decade. The plan, known as the Saudi Arabian Landbridge, is one of four lines being developed,...

New 580m [euro] Siemens Power Generation deals.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... * Siemens Power Generation (PG) has received orders totalling 580m [euro] in Africa, India and the Middle East. The company was awarded a turnkey contract by the Algerian state-owned utility, Sonelgaz, and will work together with French-based...

UAE and US open FTA talks.(Free Trade Agreement)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... * The UAE and United States have opened negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which has the potential to lead to a multi-Sin growth in the areas of trade, investments and bilateral economic cooperation.

Technip awarded 14m [euro] contract in Algeria.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... * Technip has been awarded an engineering consultancy contract worth approximately 14m [euro] by NAFTEC, Algeria's National Oil Refining Company, (Algeria), for the revamping and expansion of its refinery in Arzew.

In the steps of the Pharaohs: as the mystery of Tutankhamen's death comes to a close--thanks to modern CT scanning--and murder is discounted, there is still an opportunity to understand more about this famous Pharaoh as well as Pharaohs in general and enjoy a tantalising insight into these mystical rulers.(Mosaic)
April 1, 2005... Rather than concentrating on one dynasty or one Pharaoh, the exciting exhibition Pharaoh at the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) in Paris brings together several dynasties, thus giving a broad view of Pharaohs in general. Monumental works and a...

In with a chance.(Mosaic)
April 1, 2005... ISRAEL'S FANATICALLY ENTHUSIASTIC gamblers have become adept at finding ways round the country's gambling ban. You can fly over the Mediterranean in a 747 converted into a casino; you can gamble on casino ships that sail on the Red Sea; you can...

An age-old amity renewed: the camel played an important part in the Arab world for generations as a source of food and a beast of burden but fell from favour in some areas with the discovery of oil and the wealth it generated. However, the bonds were never entirely broken and now the breeding and racing of a new strain of thoroughbred camel has revitalised interest across the board.
April 1, 2005... THE DESERT BEDU UNDERWENT A life-changing transformation in the 1960s with the arrival of oil. The initial wealth, which saw the arrival of expensive motor vehicles across towns, villages and even desert encampments also served to marginalise...

Al Jazeera: How Arab TV News Challenged the World.(Book Review)
April 1, 2005... AL JAZEERA How Arab TV News Challenged the World By Hugh Miles published by ABACUS ISBN 0 349 11807 8 price 10.99 [pounds sterling] paperback The story of Al Jazeera is not just the story of a news organisation. Al Jazeera has been so...

Road Through Kurdistan: Travels in Northern Iraq.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
April 1, 2005... ROAD THROUGH KURDISTAN Travels in Northern Iraq By A.M. Hamilton published by Tauris Parke Paperbacks ISBN 1 85043637 1 price 12.99 [pounds sterling] paperback In 1928, A.M. Hamilton travelled to Iraqi Kurdistan, having been commissioned...

A Reformer on the Throne: Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
April 1, 2005... A REFORMER ON THE THRONE Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said by Sergey Plekhanov Published by Trident Press LTD ISBN 1 900724 70 7 price 15.00 [pounds sterling] hardback An insightful portrait of Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman set against the...

Israel & Palestine: Why they Fight and Can They Stop?(Brief Article)(Book Review)
April 1, 2005... ISRAEL & PALESTINE Why they Fight and Can They Stop? By Bernard Wasserstein published by Profile Books ISBN 1 86197 558 9 price 7.99 [pounds sterling] paperback Zionism and Palestinian nationalism, arising from different roots, drawing on...

Historic Maps of Armenia: the Cartographic Heritage.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
April 1, 2005... Historic Maps of Armenia The Cartographic Heritage By Rouben Galichian published by IB TAURIS ISBN 1 86064 979 3 price 49.50 [pounds sterling] hardback Today's Republic of Armenia occupies only part of the traditional Armenian homeland....

Secrets of Healthy Middle Eastern Cuisine: By Sanaa Abourezk published.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
April 1, 2005... SECRETS OF HEALTHY MIDDLE EASTERN CUISINE By Sanaa Abourezk published By Stacey International ISBN 1 9009 8860 7 price 12.95 [pound sterling] paperback The objective of this book is to introduce lovers of good food to the healthy cooking...

Hunting Zarqawi.(The Last Word)(Abu Musab Al Zarqawi)
April 1, 2005... IRAQ'S INTERIOR MINISTER, FALAH AL NAQUIB, CLAIMED RECENTLY that US and Iraqi security forces were inexorably closing the net around Abu Musab Al Zarqawi, the Jordanian-Palestinian who is the most notorious--and elusive--of the insurgency...