The Middle East articles from June 2003

The Middle East archives from June 2003

Rebuilding Iraq: what role will Arabs play? US firms may have one major Iraq reconstruction contracts, but economic and political realities are compelling them to turn to Arab banks shippers and other sub-contractors to get the job done. (Current Affairs).
June 1, 2003... Iraqi tanks were still burning on Route 8, the main highway leading into Baghdad from the south, when the Bush Administration awarded its first reconstruction contracts. Not surprisingly, the big winners so far have been American firms: Bechtel...

Iraq debts. (Current Affairs).
June 1, 2003... "The reconstruction of Iraq will largely pay for itself," said US Deputy Secretary of Defence Paul Wolfowitz on morning television talk shows before the onset of the war. "One thing that is certain is that Iraq is a wealthy nation." White...

Comment.(analysis of U.S. Secretary of State Collin Powell's visit and Middle East peace plan)(Editorial)
June 1, 2003... Speaking in Israel, US Secretary of State Colin Powell urged immediate action on the latest Middle East peace plan, the internationally endorsed "road map" to peace. Let's not wait a moment longer he implored: "It is time for us to get down to...

US rattles the sabre at Syria: following its "success" in Iraq the US appears to have turned towards Damascus. (Military).
June 1, 2003... The striking success of the US assault on Iraq has doubtless convinced US military planners that, after their similar successes in Afghanistan, they can now wade at will into other countries on or connected to the 'axis of evil'. And it seems...

Missile madness: as Middle East tensions increase the menace of a new arms race by regional powers sharpens. (Armaments).
June 1, 2003... With the Middle East once again swept by war and turmoil and the Bush administration seeking to reshape the region, western concern about missile proliferation there has sharpened considerably, with allegations that Iraq and Libya have been...

Snapshots from Iraq: Mariam Shahin has been a frequent visitor to Baghdad over recent years. After the fall of Saddam she returned to the Iraqi capital to find the city in disarray. At the time of going to press Barbara Bodine had gone, General Jay Garner was expected to leave any day and all hopes for an end to the anarchy were pinned on Paul Bremer. Meanwhile, the Iraqi people remained confused. (Current Affairs).
June 1, 2003... Thugs in the suburbs Tracking down the former head of the Iraqi Women's Federation in Baghdad turned out to be an exercise in neighbourhood policing. Less than five days after the now famous statue of Saddam Hussein fell in Baghdad's...

Federalism first: debate about what the Iraq of tomorrow will look like is ongoing and likely to continue for some time. The Kurds put forward a draft constitution last year. Chris Kutschera talked to several PUK and KDP politicians about their aspirations and the chances of achieving them. (Kurds).
June 1, 2003... The main issue, for the Kurds, is their status in the future Iraq. For once unanimous, the Kurdish political parties conceive only one solution: federalism. "Now we are independent, and we are asking for reunification. Federation is the only...

Entertaining a new epoch: Adel Darwish reports on developments on the streets of Baghdad and Basra. (Iraq).
June 1, 2003... Less than three weeks after the shoes of ordinary Iraqis slapped images of the face of Saddam Hussein who, for over two decades, looked down on them from gigantic posters--300 Iraqi delegates, representing the widest possible spectrum of...

Not just about oil: Richard Seymour looks at the importance of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the formation of a post-Saddam Iraq. (Iran).
June 1, 2003... It has been said of Iraq that if the country produced no more than oranges and lemons, the United States would never have declared war on it. The implication being, of course, that oil is the single most motivating factor behind the conflict....

In my opinion: in an occasional feature in which the Middle East invites the opinion of a guest columnist, Adam M. Smith, a political economist at the United Nations, and a former staff member of the World Bank and the OECD, comments on the democratisation of Iraq which may prove problematic but is not without precedent.
June 1, 2003... Critics contend that establishing democracy in Iraq will prove the most arduous part of building a post-Saddam state. According to some, Iraqis either won't embrace such a system, or, if they do, democracy will languish due to social...

Fearless investors storm the beaches of the gulf. (Business & Finance).
June 1, 2003... Bombs over Baghdad and rumours of more war are not the ideal ingredients for a bull market. But investors on the stock exchanges of the Gulf are positively euphoric. With the exception of Bahrain, whose stock exchange has been anaemic for...

The beginning of the end? Although a number of peace deals have been brokered and then broken over the past decade, the latest talks on Sudan, held in Nairobi over the past 18 months, are being hailed as a real breakthrough for reconciliation and economic prosperity. (Sudan).
June 1, 2003... The bloody civil war in Sudan has made the country one of the world's most intractable trouble spots. The conflict between the largely Christian and animist south and the mainly Muslim and Arabic speaking north of the country has resulted in...

Global Real Estate Development signs construction contract with Al Habtoor.(Engineering Global Real Estate Development; Al Habtoor Engineering Enterprises Company Private Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * Engineering Global Real Estate Development has awarded the United Arab Emirate's Al Habtoor Engineering Enterprises an estimated Dh 150m contract to build, complete and service the residential high-rise Al Seef Tower.

Ma'aden signs contract with Bechtel for feasibility study.(Saudi Arabian Mining Co. )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) has signed a SR30m ($8m) contract with Bechtel to conduct a feasibility study on a $3.2bn project to set up a 1.4m ton capacity alumina refinery and a 620,000 ton capacity aluminum smelter plant.

SABIC first quarter 2003 profits up 358%.(Saudi Basic Industries Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) reported first quarter profits of SRI.396 bn ($372.2m), an increase of 358% compared to the same period in 2002. Production volume in the first quarter increased to 10.4m metric tons, an increase of...

Cyber threat! Although there were no major catastrophic cyber attacks during the war on Iraq, as some had feared, an increase in hostile electronic strikes was registered during the term of the conflict.(Business & Finance).
June 1, 2003... It was more a case of cybervandalism than cyberterrorism. However, the phenomenon of cyberwar--electronic attacks via the Internet--though not employed in this instance, is increasingly recognised in government, military and business circles as...

World Bank loan to fight poverty in rural Algeria.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * The World Bank has approved a $95m loan to the Government of Algeria to generate employment in low-income, rural mountainous areas of northwest and north-central Algeria.

First Islamic Investment Bank offers $75m bond issue.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * Bahrain-based First Islamic Investment Bank and The Securities House of Kuwait have announced that the Securities House will act as the Mudarib (managing trustee) and Lead Investor in the issuance of $75m of Islamic bonds, known as First...

BMA grants brokerage licence to Kuwaiti firm.(Bahrain Monetary Agency; Global Investment House)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * The Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA) has granted a Securities Brokerage licence to a Kuwaiti investment and brokerage company. The Bahrain subsidiary of Global Investment House will be capitalised at 500,000 Bahraini dinars($1.35m).

DIB reports 15% net profit growth for first quarter 2003.(Dubai Islamic Bank)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * The Dubai Islamic Bank reported a 15% rise in profits and a 27% increase in assets for the first quarter of 2003. Net profits rose to Dh 149m from Dh 130m in the first quarter of 2002.

GACIC awards Butanediol project to Aker Kvaerner.(Gulf Advanced Chemical Industries Co.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * The Gulf Advanced Chemical Industries Company has confirmed its intent to enter into a contract with Aker Kvaerner to provide engineering, procurement and construction for a 75,000 ton per annum Butanediol plant in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

GE supplies equipment for Oman LNG plant expansion.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * GE Oil & Gas has won a contract of more than $94m to supply two gas turbine-driven compression units and two additional gas turbines for power generation, to be used for the expansion of a liquefied natural gas plant in Oman.

Centurion attributes revenue rise to Egyptian and Tunisian operations.(Centurion Energy International Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * Canada's Centurion Energy International Inc. announced results for financial year 2002, led by a 134% increase in revenues and nearly tripled production volumes. Earnings for the year were $6.5m ($0.10 per share) compared to $3.3m ($0.05 per...

OPEC Fund grants $300,000 to FMD control in Arab world.(Foot and Mouth Disease)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * The OPEC Fund for International Development have approved a grant of $300,000 to support the first phase of an initiative to control the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Arab region, spearheaded by the Arab Organisation for...

Mena leads the way: before commiting themselves to large scale investment in IWPPs, investors need assurances of success. (Business & Finance).(independent water and power projects)
June 1, 2003... Largely through necessity, the Middle East has become one of the world's leading centres for the development of desalination technology. Low or non-existent rainfall coupled with rapid population growth has prompted investment in developing new...

Al Khaleej gas phase I launched in Qatar.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * The State of Qatar, Qatar Petroleum (QP) and ExxonMobil Middle East Gas Marketing (EMMEGML) have announced the launch of phase one of Al Khaleej Gas (AKG-I). The first gas is scheduled to come on line in the fourth quarter of 2005. Total...

Which way now for OPEC? In the post-war period, too much oil in the markets could spell future problems for the OPEC cartel. (Business & Finance).
June 1, 2003... As expected, after the dismantling of the "war premium", crude oil prices have dropped steeply. Following the demise of Saddam Hussein's regime and a speedy end to hostilities--carefully planned to avoid collateral damage to Iraq's energy...

GACIC awards Butanediol project to Aker Kvaerner.(Gulf Advanced Chemical Industries Company)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * Gulf Advanced Chemical Industries Company has confirmed its intent to enter into a contract with Aker Kvaerner to provide engineering, procurement and construction for a 75,000 ton per annum Butanediol plant in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

Cyprus Airways Dubai-Beirut flights set for take-off.(Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Beirut, Lebanon)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * Cyprus Airways is set to fly Dubai-Beirut return five times a week from the beginning of July. This is the biggest expansion of flights in the Middle East by Cyprus' national carrier since it commenced operations in the Gulf 26 years ago.

Qatar Airways to invest $150m in Doha International expansion.(Doha, Qatar)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * Qatar Airways will invest $150m in the second half of this year in the second phase of the Doha International airport expansion. This second phase will include expanding the arrivals terminal to increase its capacity from 3.5m to 6m...

Middle East economy airline to take off from Sharjah.(MenaJet; Sharjah, United Arab Emirates)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * The Middle East's first no-frills airline, menaJet, is to be launched in Sharjah in December. The carrier to be based at Sharjah International Airport will operate low fare scheduled services, initially utilising two Airbus A320 aircraft each...

Pipelines or pipe dreams? Ed Blanche investigates the prospects of new oil deals between Iraq and Israel. (Iraq).
June 1, 2003... Israel stands to benefit greatly from the US conquest of Iraq, primarily by getting rid of an implacable foe in Saddam Hussein. But it seems the Israelis have other things in mind that give added weight to concerns in the Middle East that, with...

ZIIC's net profits up 14% in first quarter 2003.(Zamil Industrial Investment Company)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * The Zamil Industrial Investment Company recorded net profits before Zakat allowances of SR7.4m in the first quarter of 2003, an increase of 13.6% compared to the same quarter of 2002.

Alba appoints Alstom Power as EPC contractor.
June 1, 2003... * Aluminium Bahrain has appointed Alstom Power as their Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contractor for the power-station portion of the Line 5 Project. The $330m Line 5 power station project is part of the $ 1.7bn expansion.

Hope springs eternal: Jon Gorvett reports from Istanbul on the international launch of Turkey's privatisation sale and the latest efforts to kick-start the ailing economy. (Turkey).
June 1, 2003... Arriving in London at the end of April, Turkish Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan had brought with him a whole bag of goodies to present to potential City investors. An airline, a tobacco and alcohol giant, petrochemical firms and mining...

Four marinas to be built at The Palm.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * Dubai Palm Developers LLC have showcased their plans for The Palm's marina facilities at the Dubai International Boat Show. Four marinas will be built on The Palm--two on each island--capable of berthing several hundred boats. The Palm...

Weighed down by debt: Al Hariri observed: "This budget is the beginning of the way out of the debt crunch." He may well be right but there is a long way to go and right fiscal policy will probably have to be maintained for at least the next decade if the country is to extract itself from its debt burden. (Lebanon).
June 1, 2003... Although physical and economic reconstruction programmes are helping rebuild Lebanon, the loans taken out to fund such schemes are threatening to overwhelm the country. The economy was devastated and much infrastructure destroyed during the...

Motorola wins Fastlink expansion contract.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * Motorola's Global Telecom Solutions Sector has signed an expansion contract with Jordan's Fastlink mobile network. The total value of the contract is approximately $19m and includes hardware as well as software and services.

Alcatel to expand Spacetel Yemen's GSM mobile network.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * Spacetel, one of the two mobile operators in Yemen, has chosen to proceed with Alcatel's, GSM-900 MHz solutions to expand its GSM based mobile network. This multi-million euro contract foresees the supply of Alcaters Evolium solution.

Middle East companies demand better support for technology solutions.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * Demand for business solutions in the Middle East continues to expand, with many of the region's leading enterprises poised to increase their IT investments over the next 12 months in a market with a predicted turnover of $158m in 2004.

Zenitel wins coastal radio communication contract in Algeria.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * Belgium's Zenitel has won a contract to deliver a Coastal Radio Communication system in Algeria. The 2.4m [euro] deal includes the delivery and installation of Coastal Radio Communication and Navigation Control in the first quarter of 2004.

Samsung's sales reach $1.5bn in the Middle East.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * Samsung Electronics recorded $1.Sbn in sales for 2002 in the Middle East and Africa region. The company aims to increase its revenues by 27% to $1.9bn in the region this year. System Integration services are the single largest IT services...

IDC Broadband to drive Internet access revenue growth in GCC.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * Internet access connections in the six Gulf countries grew by 33% during 2002 and their revenue rose an impressive S3%, according to IDC's latest study, which forecasts that by 2007 the largest driver of growth in connections and revenue will...

Looters plunder Iraqi heritage: given the chaos and scenes of horror that followed the US invasion of Iraq, some sections of the international media were scorned for the attention they devoted to the looting of ancient Iraqi artefacts from the National Museum in Baghdad. However, the loss of these unique relics from the acknowledged "cradle of civilisation" is a loss not only to Iraqis but to us all. (Mosaic).
June 1, 2003... It now appears that the looters who ransacked the Baghdad Museum after the invasion of the city by US troops got away with considerably less than was first thought. Teams of American investigators searching the city have recovered more than 700...

Istanbul Film Festival 2003: since it first began 22 years ago, the Istanbul International Film Festival has established a solid reputation on the global movie festival circuit, while also becoming a landmark moment in Turkey's domestic calendar.
June 1, 2003... Run by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IFCA), the festival has always seen itself as a major cultural transmission belt for the 'seventh art', bringing to discerning audiences films selected for their multinational and...

Behind the tinsel. (Mosaic).(profile of Turkish film Director Nuri Bilge Ceylan, winner of the 2003 Istanbul International Film Festival)
June 1, 2003... Lifting the prize for the best Turkish film at this year's Istanbul International Film Festival was a director whose cinema seems about as far removed from the razzmatazz of showbusiness as it is possible to get. Nuri Bilge Ceylan would...

The Atlas of War and Peace.(Book Review)
June 1, 2003... By Dan Smith published by Earthscan ISBN 1 84407 000 x price 11.99 [pounds sterling] paperback At rare moments it seems a new era is starting before our eyes and history is about to change very fast. The events of 11 September 2001, was...

A History of Israel.(Book Review)
June 1, 2003... By Ahron Bregman published by Palgrave Macmillan ISBN 0 333 67632 7 price 13.99 [pounds sterling] paperback This book explores Israel' s turbulent history from the first Zionist Congress of 1897 to the present day. Drawing on his experience...

Arabian Flavours: Recipes and Tales of Arab Life.(Book Review)
June 1, 2003... by Salah Jamal published by Souvenir Press ltd ISBN 0 285 63674 x price 14.99 [pounds sterling] hardback Arabs, like the Italians, invest so much of their culture in food and eating that every bite they eat is a memory of their history....

Iraq Under Siege: New Edition the Deadly Impact of Sanctions and War.(Book Review)
June 1, 2003... edited by Anthony Arnove published by Pluto Press ISBN: 0 7453 2033 3 price 12.99 [pounds sterling] paperback In this critically acclaimed collection, leading voices against the sanctions document the human, environmental, and social toll...

Short Arabic Plays: an Anthology.(Book Review)
June 1, 2003... edited by Salma Khadra Jayyusi published by Interlink publishing group, Inc. ISBN 1 56656 469 7 price $25.00 paperback It is only in fairly recent times that Arab writers have turned their hands to the theatre. This collection of 20 short...

In a Sea of Knowledge: British Arabists in the Twentieth Century.(Book Review)
June 1, 2003... by Leslie Mcloughlin published by Ithaca press ISBN 0 86372 2881 price 29.95 [pounds sterling] hardback This book appears at a time when the United Kingdom is heavily involved in the first war of the 21st century, a war of the most direct...

Parallels and Paradoxes: Explorations in Music and Society.(Book Review)
June 1, 2003... conversations between Edward Said and Daniel Barenboim Edited by Ara Guzeltrnan published by Bloomsbury ISBN 0 7475 6376 4 price 16.99 [pounds sterling] hardback Classical music, politics and contemporary society are the central topics in...

Islam, Postmodernism and Other Futures.(Book Review)
June 1, 2003... A Ziauddin Sardar Reader Edited by Sohail Inayatullah and Gail Boxwell published by Pluto Press ISBN 0 7453 1984 X price 14.99 [pounds sterling] paperback ISBN 0 7453 1985 8 price 50.00 [pounds sterling] hardback Ziauddin Sardar is a...

The last Baathist State unveiled: respected Middle East specialist George Joffe comments on a timely new book on Syria. (The Last Word).(Syria: Neither Bread Nor Freedom)(Book Review)
June 1, 2003... This is a very timely book, published just as the war against Iraq is ending and American anger is being redirected against its neighbour, Syria, now the world's last remaining Baathist state. It is also an excellent study, not only of the...