The Middle East articles from November 2002

The Middle East archives from November 2002

Comment.(Bali bombings)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Following the Bali night-club bombings, which claimed the lives of over 200 people, most of them young westerners, President Bush put the world on red alert and Osama bin Laden was back at the top of the US list of people to obliterate. At a...

Who wants this war? President George Bush continues to press for `regime change' in Iraq.(George W. Bush)
November 1, 2002... Since Saddam Hussein shows no signs of going voluntarily this means only one thing--war. January 2003 is the date being bandied about by usually informed sources in the region. However, with the exception of the US Administration and Britain's...

A hugely unpopular war: remembering the 1991 Gulf War, many Turkish politicians and business leaders--as well as ordinary Turks--have deep concerns about what might happen if there is another conflict. (Current Affairs).
November 1, 2002... "No problem" is how Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit described his country's relationship with southern neighbour Iraq in late September. Yet, as a vital strategic ally for the US and a potential front line state in any upcoming war,...

The human bombs: the Palestinian suicide bomber has become a 21st century political phenomenon, which divides public opinion in the Arab world and beyond. Are these bombers martyrs to the cause or murderers of innocent civilian targets? (Middle East).
November 1, 2002... Israel's security operations against the Palestinians, unprecedented in scale and firepower in the history of the region, have curbed for the moment, the Palestinians' ability to use their most potent weapon against an increasingly harsh...

Gaza next. (Current Affairs).
November 1, 2002... Palestinians feel the mounting wave of Israeli rage and hatred in their bones. As international interest in events in Palestine fizzled out in October, it became clear that the continuing daily Israeli assaults on Palestinian "targets" would...

The Arab Human Development Report: for the first time a number of international agencies have worked together on producing the Arab Human Development report. (Current Affairs).
November 1, 2002... This year saw the first ever Arab Human Development Report (HDR) by the UN Development Programme and (UNDP) and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD). The report broadly follows the format of the UNDP's annual worldwide...

It's all about oil: George Bush can talk all he wants about the threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. Ask any Texas oil executive and he will tell you it's Iraq's oil the President is after. (Current Affairs).(George W. Bush)
November 1, 2002... President George W Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney were both oil company executives before entering politics, as was half the present US administration. Little wonder then that American oil companies are salivating at the thought of `regime...

Nuclear secrets: as the investigation of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programmes draws nearer, so more light is being shed into Israel's `nuclear opacity'. (Current Affairs).
November 1, 2002... Israel's standard response to military threat is massive retaliation. It is a doctrine exemplified by its current prime minister who, in the latest stage of his long career, has reportedly told the Bush administration Israel will not hold back,...

Assessing the risks: two recently published reports set out to assess the extent of the threat Iraq presents to the West. (Iraq).
November 1, 2002... In recent weeks two important documents on Iraq have been published, both of them intended to inform the debate on whether or not a US attack on Iraq is desirable. On 25 September the British government published its long-awaited intelligence...

Telecom trouble: Arab governments have been delaying announced plans to privatise state-owned telecom operations, hoping global equity markets will rebound and boost prices for the shares they plan to sell. But the strategy could backfire, leaving Arab telecoms financially and technologically bankrupt. (Communications).
November 1, 2002... From Morocco to the Gulf, Arab telecom markets are in turmoil. Although most show promising growth, the pressure is on for governments to relinquish direct ownership of this sector. That pressure is both economic and political. Many cannot...

Arabia Online's Chairman.(Ramzi Zeine)
November 1, 2002... * Arabia Online's Chairman and CEO Ramzi Zeine has resigned from his post, following the reconvening of the company's Board of Directors. It is also rumoured that Ossama Al-Sharif, general manager of Arabia Online, has also submitted his...

Iran's Khodro Manufacturing enters joint venture in Asia.(Kazakhstan's Electrotrans Company)
November 1, 2002... * Iran's Khodro Auto Manufacturing Company and Kazakhstan's Electrotrans Company have agreed to collaborate on a bus assembly project. The new factory will have an annual output level of 250 vehicles.

Moody's: Tunisia displays record economic reforms.
November 1, 2002... * Moody's Investors Service said the Tunisia's Baa3 long-term foreign currency ceiling and positive outlook reflect the government's record of economic reforms reaching back more than a decade, and the positive economic and social impact of...

Heineken acquires majority stake in Lebanese brewery.(Almaza Brewery)
November 1, 2002... * Netherlands' Heineken will acquire a majority stake in Lebanon's Almaza Brewery. The European company has held a 10% stake in the firm since 1960 and will now increase its holdings to 79%.

Government sets price range for Jordan Telecom IPO.(initial public offering)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... * The Jordanian government has announced the price range for the planned initial public offering of shares in Jordan Telecom. The Government is selling 37,500,000 shares in Jordan Telecom, representing 15% of the company's issued share capital....

Riyadh recalls ambassador from Qatar over Al Jazeera row.(Saudi Arabia)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... * Riyadh has decided to recall its ambassador to Qatar for consultation. Acrimony between the neighbouring Gulf States had arisen over broadcasts in the Doha-based Al Jazeera satellite television station, perceived by Riyadh as critical of the...

The Republic of the future. (Tunisia--15 years of The Change).
November 1, 2002... On the 7th of November, Tunisia celebrates 15 years of The Change. These 15 years have seen one of the most remarkable transformations in the modern history of the world. From a country teetering on the brink of social, economic and political...

Pipeline dreams? After years of debate it seems the $3 billion Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project will go ahead, or will it? Some industry experts remain unconvinced. (Oil).(Turkey)
November 1, 2002... "It's no longer a dream, the dream has become a reality," announced Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer at the historic ground breaking ceremony for the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, in September. His words summed up the feelings of many...

French bank becomes strategic partner of Tunisia's UIB.(Societe Generale, Union Internationale de Banques)
November 1, 2002... * French banking group Societe Generale (SG) has paid an estimated 100 million Tunisian dinars ($72 million) to the Tunisian government for the purchase of a 52 % stake in the capital of the local commercial bank Union Internationale de...

NBB net income up by 11% in third quarter.(National Bank of Bahrain)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... * National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has achieved an 11% increase in net income for the nine months of 2002 rising to 16.11 million Bahraini dinars ($42.73 million), against a net income of BD 14.51 million in the comparable period of 2001.

NBK net profit $280 million for first nine months of 2002.(National Bank of Kuwait)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... * Kuwait's largest financial institution, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), has reported a net profit of KD83.7 million ($280 million) for the first nine months of 2002. Return on equity reached 25.7 % putting NBK among the most profitable banks...

Heroin trade on the increase: since the fall of the Taliban Afghanistan's multi-billion-dollar drugs trade has soared. (Business & Finance).
November 1, 2002... In the weeks leading up to the bombing of Afghanistan, the US and British governments were demonising the Taliban as drug dealers and promoters of the heroin trade. "The Taliban regime of Mullah Omar earns hundreds of millions of dollars from...

PIF loans Jubail Chevron Philips $360 million.(Public Investments Fund, Saudi Arabia)
November 1, 2002... * The Saudi Public Investments Fund will grant the Jubail Chevron Philips Company a $360 million loan. The company is scheduled to start production at its new plant by 2006. The venture has a total capital investment of approximately one...

Israel hopes to become oil corridor to Asian markets.
November 1, 2002... * Israel has initiated a plan to transport crude oil from Russia and Central Asia to Asian markets. Part of a larger oil traffic design undertaken in cooperation with strategic ally Turkey, the scheme aims to develop an alternative to...

Bahrain enacts trade union law.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... * A trade union law has been ratified in Bahrain by King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa. The law considers strikes a legitimate means for workers to defend their rights. The King also declared I May, the international Labour Day, as an official...

OPEC output surges in September as Iraqi volumes rise.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... * OPEC's crude output surged by 520,000 bpd to 25.91 million bpd in September. A recovery in Iraqi volumes and exports accounted for 300,000 bpd of the additional production.

EC to increase support to UNRWA to 2237 million [euro].(European Commission, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East)
November 1, 2002... * The European commission will sign a new funding convention this week with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The European Union (EU) will increase its support to UNRWA's general fund to...

Oman and South Africa sign double taxation pact.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... * In a bid to increase trade relations, the governments of Oman and South Africa have signed an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation. The initiative is forecasted to encourage air transport and shipping activity.

Oil embargo not likely! The oil weapon, employed by Middle Eastern producers in the 1970s to such effect is, it seems, not a 21st century option. (Resources).
November 1, 2002... As George "Dubya" Bush polishes his guns in preparation for a war on Iraq, the talk among armchair generals is of a new oil embargo. They're wrong. Yes, a conflict will cause a temporary and perhaps quite severe price spike, but the Gulf oil...

Orascom rebuffs Algerian probe into GSM licence award.(Orascom Telecom Holding, global system for mobile communications)
November 1, 2002... * The Cairo-based Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH), regional operator of mobile telecom and Internet services, issued a statement claiming it has not been officially notified of the launching of a judicial investigation into the award of Algeria's...

Qatar's sovereign rating upgraded by CI.(Capital Intelligence)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... * Emerging markets rating agency Capital Intelligence has raised Qatar's sovereign long-term rating to A- from BBB+, reflecting Qatar's substantial hydrocarbon wealth, considerable export potential and improvements in economic management.

French oil firm signs EPIC contract in Libya.(Bouygues Offshore)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... * France's Bouygues Offshore has signed a contract for a subsea production system, on an EPIC basis, offshore Libya with Agip Gas BV-Libyan Branch, a company operating on behalf of the Libyan National Oil Corporation and Agip North Africa BV,...

Gulf water: a multi billion dollar business: the developing water sector across the Middle East and North Africa will attract investment of between $45-$60 billion through public private partnerships (PPPs) over the next 10 years with the Gulf states at the forefront. (Business & Finance).
November 1, 2002... A long with oil, water is the most vital industrial sector in the Middle East today. The region has the lowest per capita availability of water in the world and one of the fastest growing populations. Fortunately, many states in the region also...

Zamil Steel to construct $32 million Omani poultry farm.
November 1, 2002... * Saudi Zamil Steel has been awarded a 12.$ million Saudi riyal ($32 million) contract by Oman's Asaffa Poultry Farms. The company has been commissioned with providing Asaffa with steel buildings for its new project in Dhofar.

Morocco's phosphate production level reached 22.5 million tons in 2001.(Moroccan Phosphates Corporation)
November 1, 2002... * The Moroccan Phosphates Corporation (OCP) produced 22.5 million tons of phosphates in 2001 compared to 21.9 million tons in 2000. The company's exports increased by 2.7% last year with a turnover reaching $1.36 billion.

Ducab completes $32.6 million expansion project.(Dubai Cable Company, United Arab Emirates)
November 1, 2002... * Dubai Cable Company has completed a major expansion worth over 120 million Emirati dirhams ($32.6 million), for upgrading the manufacturing capability of its two Medium Voltage cable-manufacturing lines.

Russia secures LUKoil's investments in Iraq.
November 1, 2002... * Russian President Vladimir Putin has guaranteed the nation's largest oil producer, LUKoil that its assets in Iraq will be safeguarded in the event that Saddam Hussein be ousted from power.

OCI to issue share dividend for first half of 2002.(Orascom Construction Industries, Cairo, Egypt)
November 1, 2002... * The shareholders of the Cairo-based Orascom Construction Industries (OCI) approved an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held this week to increase the company's issued capital from 86.625 million Egyptian Pounds ($18.64 million) to EP...

Light at the end of the tunnel? Against all the odds and most predictions Turkey appears to be showing small but consistent signs of an economic upturn. (Turkey).
November 1, 2002... The financial crisis that hit Turkey last February may have left unemployment rocketing, industrial production falling and the value of currency in tatters but, recent figures show that something quite unexpected may also now be in sight: a...

OPEC output surges in September as Iraqi volumes rise.
November 1, 2002... * OPEC's crude output surged by 520,000 bpd to 25.91 million bpd in September. A recovery in Iraqi volumes and exports, apparently as a result of Baghdad having begun in August to phase out its illegal surcharge, accounted for 300,000 bpd of...

Bahrain enacts trade union law.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... * A trade union law has been ratified in Bahrain by King Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa. The law considers strikes a legitimate means for workers to defend their rights. The King also declared May 1, the international Labour Day, as an...

Moroccan-Kuwaiti firm establishes hotel in Casablanca.(Morocco-Kuwaiti Development Group)
November 1, 2002... * The Morocco-Kuwaiti Development Group has agreed to invest 338 million Moroccan dirhams ($30.7 million) into the construction and refurbishment of hotels in Casablanca. The investment will finance the construction of a hotel in the northern...

Algerian energy reform: more than just hot air: Algeria, already the world's third largest gas exporter, is making giant efforts to develop and promote further expansion of the industry. (Energy).
November 1, 2002... As with other members of Opec, Algerian attempts to increase oil production over the next few years are constrained by quota restrictions. As a result, the government has taken stock of the situation and decided to put huge efforts into...

Bahrain International Bank further downgraded.
November 1, 2002... * Capital Intelligence has downgraded the long-and short-term foreign currency ratings of Bahrain international Bank (BIB) to BB- and B respectively. The ratings were also placed on a negative outlook. BIB was downgraded previously to BB...

Dubal negotiates equity stake in Malaysian aluminium smelter.(Dubai Aluminum company)
November 1, 2002... * The Dubai Aluminum company (Dubal) has announced that it is in negotiation with the Malaysian government and other private companies to acquire a stake in a $2.1 billion aluminum smelter to be set up in eastern Malaysia's Sarawak state.

STC's ambitious valuation target may still be within reach.(Saudi Telecom Company)
November 1, 2002... * The Saudi Government has announced its plan to increase Saudi Telecom Company (STC) paid capital by 25 % and to offer 30 % of the monopoly operator for public subscription before the end of this year. Only Saudi nationals and organisations...

GE aircraft engines to power Kuwait Apache helicopters.
November 1, 2002... * GE Aircraft Engines has won a contract to supply GE T700-701C helicopter engines to the government of Kuwait. The new engines will power the government's new fleet of 16 Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters.

German firm signs deal with Kuwait Pipe Industries and Oil Services.(Bentek Company)
November 1, 2002... * The Kuwait Pipe Industries and Oil Services Company has agreed to co-operate with Germany's Bentek Company in oil rig reconstruction and repairs. The German firm will use KPIOSC's installations to manufacture and remanufacture oil rigs and...

QASCO launched e-business strategy with Oracle.(Qatar Steel Company)
November 1, 2002... * Qatar Steel Company (QASCO) is set to automate several of its core business processes as part of a new Oracle-based e-business strategy. Under the scheme, QASCO will implement Oracle E-Business Suite integrated modules including accounting,...

Messages from above: by early 2003 some airlines will be offering e-mail and Internet services onboard their aircraft. Although European airlines have taken an early lead, Middle East airlines are keeping a close eye on proceedings. (In-Flight).
November 1, 2002... Communicating from onboard an aircraft has progressed in leaps and bounds. Most airlines now offer telephone and facsimile services as standard and passengers will be able to access e-mail and the Internet by early 2003. The ability to connect...

Turkey lifts halt on Iranian gas imports.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... * Turkish Energy officials have agreed to resume importing Iranian gas after a 144-day purchase freeze. The Republic confirmed that the halt was imposed due to the poor quality of the gas being shipped. The two sides have not yet announced a...

Visa reports strong growth across Middle East for 2Q 2002.
November 1, 2002... * Visa International reported a 26 % surge in Middle East regional annual cardholder spending to total $34.7 billion. The number of transactions rose to 150 million per year ending 2002, representing an increase of 31%, while the region's...

Syria liberalises currency exchange regulations.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... * Syria's Ministry of Economy has authorised the purchase and exchange of foreign currency for non-commercial purposes. Currency exchange rates would be set by the Syrian Commercial Bank.

Oman unveiled: Netherland's artist Tonny Holsbergen had planned to go to Egypt until a friend persuaded her to change her plans and head for Oman. She developed what she describes as "an obsession" with the country; a passion that has resulted in more than 125 paintings and a recent exhibition of her work in Muscat. (Mosaic).
November 1, 2002... Camping in the desert near the Wahiba Sands with her husband Evert Holtzer Amsterdam-based artist Tonny Holsbergen could not sleep for the ideas that were teeming through her mind. "I had become obsessed with Oman and its people, particularly...

From behind Syrian bars: after more than eight years in prison Salameh Kaileh has returned to the political fray hoping to help right the wrongs of Syria's penal system. (Mosaic).
November 1, 2002... Salameh Kaileh and his wife Nahed were married on 7 March 1998. It was an unusual wedding, conducted by proxy. Salameh was locked inside the prison of Hadra, in Damascus. Nahed, the bride, was at home. Salameh had signed a power of attorney and...

The Last Crusade: the Palestine Campaign in the First World War.(Book Review)
November 1, 2002... By Anthony Bruce published by John Murray ISBN 0 7195 5432 2 price 22.50 [pounds sterling] hardback The full story of the dramatic campaign against the Ottoman Turks, which swept Allenby to Jerusalem and TE Lawrence to worldwide fame. ...

Censorship in Islamic Societies.(Book Review)
November 1, 2002... By Trevor Mostyn published by Saqi Books ISBN 0 86356 041 5 price: 16.95 [pounds sterling] ISBN 0 86356 098 9 price: 29.95 [pounds sterling] This timely work studies the turbulent question of freedom of expression in Islamic culture;...

Doing Business with Oman.(Book Review)
November 1, 2002... Edited by Philip Dew and Anthony Shoult published by Kogan Page ISBN 0 7494 3811 8 price 40.00 5 [pounds sterling] The Omani government has recently adopted a number of measures in seeking to diversify sources of national income--resulting...

Seductive Flavours of the Levant: Traditional Home Cooking from Lebanon, Syria and Turkey.(Book Review)
November 1, 2002... By Nada Saleh published by Robson Books ISBN 1 86105 446 7 price 18.95 [pounds sterling] hardback Seductive Flavours of the Levant presents a mouthwatering collection of traditional recipes from the shores of the Levant--Lebanon, Syria and...

Arabia Felix: an Exploration of the Archaeological History of Yemen.(Book Review)
November 1, 2002... By Alessandro De Maigret published by Stacey International ISBN 1900 988 070 price 22.50 5 [pounds sterling] hardback Written by a world-renowned archaeologist with infinite experience of research in Yemen. Widely respected in academic...

A Revolutionary Year the Middle East in 1958.(Book Review)
November 1, 2002... Edited by Wm Roger Louis and Roger Owen Published by IB TAURIS/Woodrow Wilson Center Press ISBN 1 86064 402 3 price: 35.00 [pounds sterling] hardback This enormously relevant book is the first to look at the most important year in the...

The Global Political Economy of Israel.(Book Review)
November 1, 2002... By Jonathan Nitzan and Shimshon Bichler Published by Pluto Press ISBN 0 7453 1675 1 price: 19.95 [pounds sterling] paperback ISBN 0 7453 1676 x price: 75.00 [pounds sterling] hardback Looking into the 21st century, the future of Israel...

The Replication of Violence: Thoughts on International Terrorism After September 11th 2001.(Book Review)
November 1, 2002... By Suman Gupta published by Pluto Press ISBN 0 7453 1952 1 price 14.99 [pounds sterling] paperback ISBN 0 7453 t953 x price 45.00 [pounds sterling] hardback An immense amount of media space has been devoted to the catastrophic terrorist...

A war correspondent of "the old school". (The Last Word).(Roddy Scott)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... At some point in the mid-1990s a young man began appearing in the London offices of The Middle East magazine. He was keen to get a start in photo-journalism and thought we might be able to help. There is generally no shortage of keen young men...