USROM's
political, economic and defense news are updated daily, in-part. The news
cover Washington's policies towards Middle Eastern countries, and how these
countries explain their policies in Washington. Our sources include
the White House, Department of State, Department of Defense, Department
of Commerce, Congress, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund,
Middle Eastern ambassadors, thinktanks, companies, the media, and many
more.
| United
States |
Palestinian
and Israeli working delegations to meet in Washington area after Eid al-Adha,
Secretary Albright would have some input, involvement |
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Algeria
|
Algeria
accepts an invitation to join NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue that involves
Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia |
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Bahrain
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President Clinton
names Ronald Neuman as U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain |
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Egypt
|
President
Clinton to receive President Mubarak on March 28 during an official working
visit
General Electric and
Harris complete a $30 million national energy control center in Cairo |
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Iran
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President
Clinton signs into Law H.R. 1883 the "Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000" |
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Iraq
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Iraqi
oil exports into the U.S. double to $4 billion in 1999
Barzani and Talbani
receive a U.S. delegation and a Turkish observer visiting northern Iraq |
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Israel
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Israel
requests a possible sale of 41 AGM-142D air-to-ground missiles at $58 million |
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Jordan
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$35
million World bank loan for the Higher Education Development Project in
Jordan |
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Kuwait
|
Moody's
lifts the outlook for the financial strength rating of the Commercial Bank
of Kuwait, currently set at D, from stable to positive |
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Lebanon
|
"The
needs of Lebanon, Syria and Israel "are best addressed through negotiations,"
affirms State Spokesman, as Israel commits to withdrawing from south Lebanon |
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Libya
|
"We
have seen definite changes in Libya’s behavior, especially in declining
support for terrorism, and increasing support for peace process," -- Ambassador
Neuman |
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Morocco
|
King
Mohammed VI and Secretary Cohen to discuss expanding and enhancing military
cooperation |
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Oman
|
Sultan
Qaboos is presented with the Jewish American Committee peace award |
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Palestine
|
15,000
Palestinians and their supporters sign a petition that reaffirms the legal
and individual Palestinian right to return and regain property |
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Qatar
|
Secretary
Cohen will host an honor cordon to welcome Crown Prince Shaikh Jassim ben
Hamad al Thani to the Pentagon |
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Saudi
Arabia
|
Lucent
wins a $143 million contract from Saudi Telecom to meet customers’ Internet
and voice network needs
Technical and Management
wins a $6 million contract to provide for spares and repair development
in support of Saudi F-15 aircraft |
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Sudan
|
U.S.
Special Envoy for Sudan Harry Johnston travels to Khartoum between 4-7
March |
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Syria
|
Kvaerner
wins a $160 million contract from Conoco and Elf Aquitaine to build an
infrastructure for Deir Ez Zor Gas Project with a total cost of $430 million,
the largest U.S. investment |
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Tunisia
|
$33
million IBRD loan to support Tunisia-Transport Sector Investment II |
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Turkey
|
President
Clinton nominates W. Robert Pearson to be U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, has
a background in European and security issues
$25 million possible
IFC investment to boost Banvit, a leading integrated poultry producer in
Turkey |
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United
Arab Emirates
|
General
Electric wins a $400 million contract to provide "a higher-thrust derivative"
of F110 fighter engine to power UAE 80 F-16 aircraft |
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Yemen
|
$50
million in IBRD and IDA loans to support Yemen-Second Social Fund
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United
Nations
|
U.N.
Secretary-General deplores Israeli air strikes against civilian targets
in Lebanon, is deeply concerned at the escalation of hostilities that resulted
in the loss of life |
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This
section contains news commentary contributed by Mr. Farid El Khatib of
USROM. |
Copyright1998-2000
USROM. All rights are reserved.
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