~~GULFWIRE DIGEST~~ #169~~WEEK OF NOVEMBER 4-10, 2002~~ (fwd)

["Clement M. Henry" <chenry@mail.la.utexas.edu>]

I know this is overwhelming but there are some interesting items such as
Saudi Aramco's statement that it can produce up to 10 million barrels per
day and will assure a steady oil supply - currently I gather that it is
producing only 7 million so there is a 3 million cushion - unless of
course Al Qaeda or Iraq manage to do some damage in the event of war--CH


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002 16:30:25 -0600
From: GulfWire e-Newsletters <GulfWire@arabialink.com>
To: "<<GULFWIRE>>" <GulfWire2@arabialink.com>
Subject: ~~GULFWIRE DIGEST~~ #169~~WEEK OF NOVEMBER 4-10, 2002~~

GulfWire Digest
      GulfWire Digest
      A weekly newsletter from the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations &
      the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee
      Issue #169
November 4-10, 2002


--------------------------------------------------------------------------


            IN THIS ISSUE


                  Al Jazeera is not only reporting news, it's making news.
Check this GulfWire Digest for reports on the satellite broadcast channel's
advances and setbacks.

            About GulfWire

                  GulfWire is a public service of the National Council on
U.S.-Arab Relations and the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee

                  Publisher
                  Dr. John Duke Anthony
                  Editor-in-Chief
                  Patrick W. Ryan
                  Deputy Editor
                  Connie R. Trisdale

                  Info: GulfWire@ArabiaLink.com

                  National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
                  President and CEO: Dr. John Duke Anthony
                  U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee
                  Secretary: Dr. John Duke Anthony
                  1140 Connecticut Avenue, NW
                  Suite 1210
                  Washington, DC 20036
                  Tel: 202.293.0801
                  Fax: 202.293.0903

                  The GulfWire family of e-newsletters and web site are
developed, produced and maintained by Ryan & Associates

                  Independent commentary provided in 'GulfWire' and
materials contained in the linked Internet sites do not necessarily reflect
the views of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations or the U.S.-GCC
Corporate Cooperation
                  Committee.  News extracts and links contained in GulfWire
have been reported in various media.  GulfWire and the National Council on
U.S.-Arab Relations/U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee have not
independently verified the accounts referred to and do not vouch for their
accuracy or the
                  reliability of Internet links.

                  Internet links were active the day of publication in
GulfWire.


            Navigation Note

                  ~~GulfWire Links~~
                  The GulfWire Links that appear at the end of Digest
reports transport you to related GulfWire Digest reports available through
the GulfWire 2002 members' on-line resource.  A click on the link will bring
you to the sign-in page.
                  The private user-ID and password that comes with the
GulfWire 2002 CD gives you access to thousands of archived reports published
in GulfWire every week
                  since 1999. They provide the background and context you
need to understand current developments.  To obtain your GulfWire 2002 CD,
which includes access to the members-only site visit: CLICK HERE

                  SPECIAL NOTE:
                  The GulfWire Links are available to all GulfWire readers
for a limited time.


            About Your Support

                  CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON U.S.-ARAB
RELATIONS. You can charge a donation to support NCUSAR's programs, including
the Model Arab League program for college and high school students,
delegation visits to the Arab world, conferences addressing contemporary
issues, student travel programs to the Arab world, the GulfWire family of
newsletters and much more. The NCUSAR has been granted charity status in
accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All
donations are tax-deductible as permitted by law. Your support enables the
continuation of programs critical to building an understanding between the
U.S. and the Arab world. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL
ON-U.S. ARAB RELATIONS

                  TO SUPPORT GULFWIRE AND THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON U.S.-ARAB
RELATIONS:  CLICK HERE








     ***Special Access***


                  The GulfWire on-line archives are available for a limited
time to any GulfWire reader to access the "GulfWire Links" in this Digest as
well as the hundreds of other newsletters and Gulf resources.  Simply click
on the GulfWire Links in this newsletter to review background material for
context on current developments, or visit
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport to access the complete GulfWire 2002
on-line resource.

                  News - Region



            GCC FOREIGN MINISTERS TO MEET
            "The GCC foreign ministers will hold a meeting in Doha on
November 20th to prepare for the GCC summit… …[GCC] Secretary General
Abdulrahman Al-Atteyah… said that the upcoming GCC summit is of a great
importance due to the
            critical phase that the region is passing through…"  Source:
KUNA
            Also:
            IRAQ CRISIS ADDS SIGNIFICANCE TO GCC SUMMIT
            ~~GulfWire Link~~
            THE GCC'S 22ND SUMMIT by John Duke Anthony ~~ GulfWire
Perspectives - Jan. 8, 2002
            FINAL COMMUNIQUE OF THE GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL SUMMIT,
DECEMBER 30-31, 2001, MUSCAT OMAN ~~ GulfWire Special - Jan 2, 2002

            GCC BEGINS COUNTDOWN FOR HISTORIC CUSTOMS UNION
            "...with a flurry of meetings before the summit of their heads
of state in December to clear remaining obstacles and ensure the project
will not be put on the back burner again… …A single economic bloc
encompassing giant oil producers will push them into history but economists
argue whether the six
            members will be able to make history…"  Complete report...
            ALL OBSTACLES TO GCC CUSTOMS UNION 'REMOVED'
            ~~GulfWire Link~~
            GCC FINALLY AGREES ON TIMING OF TARIFF UNIFICATION AND COMMON
CURRENCY ~~
            GulfWire Digest #130 - Jan. 14, 2002
            GCC STATES ON TRACK FOR ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
            GulfWire Digest #153 - Jul. 1, 2002

            U.S. REFINES RESOLUTION ON IRAQ AS HOPES RISE
            "Bush administration officials worked [Nov. 4] in Washington to
put the finishing touches on a Security Council resolution for tough weapons
inspections in Iraq, and major Council nations said they were optimistic
that the measure would be adopted soon and with broad support..."  Complete
report...

            U.S. CITES U.N. GULF WAR RESOLUTIONS
            "The latest U.S. quest for Security Council action on Iraq is
based on previous Gulf War resolutions that it believes still authorize
attacks on Baghdad… …'It all boils down to whether the cease-fire is still
in effect,'
            said one council diplomat... 'Either you believe the war hasn't
ended and thus the authorization still exists or you believe that Iraq's
original acceptance of the terms of the cease-fire shuts down the
authorization....'"
            Complete report...

            U.S. PILOTS IN GULF USE SOUTHERN IRAQ FOR PRACTICE RUNS
            "Navy pilots are conducting mock strikes against airfields,
towers and other military sites in Iraq, acquainting themselves with targets
they may be called on to strike as the Bush administration prepares for a
possible
            military campaign to topple Saddam Hussein... ... The Lincoln is
the only aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, but more are expected to
arrive. The Constellation and the Harry S. Truman are scheduled to leave
ports in the
            United States and could reach the gulf by December. The George
Washington is in the Mediterranean, but could quickly reach the Persian
Gulf...."
            Complete report...

            POWELL DROPS PLAN FOR MIDDLE EAST SPEECH
            "Secretary of State Colin L. Powell has dropped plans for a
speech... on democracy and reform in the Middle East because the educational
exchange program he wanted to announce has already started..."  Complete
report...

            KUWAIT, BAHRAIN SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT
            "Kuwait's and Bahrain's Joint Supreme Economic Committee on
[Oct. 29] signed an agreement for bilateral cooperation in various fields,
political, economic, social and educational…"  Source: KUNA

            MUSLIM COUNTRIES AGREE BANK WATCHDOG
            "The heads of the central banks of eight Muslim countries have
launched a new body to regulate Islamic financial institutions. Malaysia,
Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Sudan, Bahrain and Kuwait are all
represented at the Islamic Financial Services Board. The new body will set
common standards which member countries will be encouraged to adopt and
promote financial services that respect Muslim beliefs… …analysts say it
will set tougher rules for accounting and transparency and that will make
money
            laundering more difficult…"  Complete report...

            GULF STATES GO ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS
            "Judging by the number of conferences and exhibitions, the
hundreds of people attending them and the hotel occupancy rates, the Persian
Gulf does not look like a region that may be on the verge of war..."
Complete
            report...

            ARAB WOMEN LIFT THE VEIL ON BUSINESS
            "When Laura Collins announced she would marry a Saudi man, her
father extracted one promise from her future husband. 'My father made him
swear on his life that he would always allow me to work,' she says. The
promise was
            kept. Ms Collins, an American by birth, now runs a consultancy
in Saudi Arabia, helping women to set up their own businesses… …'We
acknowledge there is more work to be done, but what we have achieved is
phenomenal…'"
            Complete report…

            WOMEN'S SUMMIT OPENS
            "First ladies of several Arab countries are meeting in Amman
early next week to discuss ways of empowering women and enhancing their
roles in social development… …Entitled "Arab Women - New Vision", the
conference will be
            held in accordance with the resolution of the first summit held
in Cairo in November 2000, which called for holding a summit every two years
to coordinate policies related to women…"  Complete report...

            MOVE AWAY FROM 'NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF SEPTEMBER 11'
            "GCC Secretary General Abdul-Rehman Hamad Al Attiyah has called
for a comprehensive understanding with the United States and the European
countries… …'I think the time has come to move away from the negative side
            of the September 11 attacks,' he said, adding that, 'we should
not create obstacles that would keep us far from each other...'"  Complete
report...

            AL-JAZEERA TO LAUNCH ENGLISH LANGUAGE CHANNEL IN EUROPE
            "The Arabic television news station Al-Jazeera is planning to
target the English language market for the first time… …the Qatar-based
station will, in the first quarter of 2003, begin dubbing its news,
commentaries and
            current affairs programs into English for non-Arabic
speakers… …'First we will do the dubbing. Then based on the feedback we get
from the audience in the West, we have a plan to do an English language
channel...'" Complete report...

            KUWAIT SHUTTERS AL-JAZEERA OFFICE
            "'The government informed me that the bureau is closed because
Al-Jazeera channel is not objective,' Saad al-Enezi, the station's bureau
chief, told The Associated Press. He said he was not given any detailed
information
            about the decision… …Al-Jazeera has run into problems with
authorities in other Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and it
has been banned from operating in Bahrain and Jordan…"  Complete report...
            ~~GulfWire Link~~
            SAUDI ENVOY RECALLED FROM QATAR ~~ GulfWire Digest #164 - Sep.
23, 2002
            JORDAN CARPETS QATAR OVER TV ~~ GulfWire Digest #159 - Aug. 12,
2002
            BAHRAIN BANS AL JAZEERA TV ~~ GulfWire Digest #146 - May 13,
2002



            News - Bahrain

            BAHRAIN'S ISLAMISTS VOW TO UPHOLD CONSTITUTION
            "Bahrainis and other communities living in the kingdom should
not be intimidated by media reports attempting to portray Islamist
politicians, who won big in the first round of the national elections, as
'enemies of
            freedom,' said parliament-elect Dr. Jassim Al-Mutawae… …Of the
42 candidates in the second round [Oct. 31], 11 more Islamists [were]
expected to win. This would give them a comfortable majority in the
40-member House of
            Deputies… …The election results, he said, show that Bahrainis
have rejected 'secularism…'"  Complete report…
            ~~GulfWire Link~~
            BAHRAIN ISLAMISTS SWEEP FIRST VOTES ~~ GulfWire Digest #168 -
Oct. 28, 2002

            FEMALE CANDIDATES LOSE BAHRAIN RUNOFF VOTES
            "...They were the only two of eight female candidates making it
into [Oct. 31] second-round voting for the 40-seat legislature, the first to
be democratically elected in nearly 30 years… …Commenting on the failure of
the
            two women to win seats, Information Minister Nabil al-Hamer
said, 'I am personally very sad at the outcome. But ... we accept the
results...'"
            Complete report...
            ~~GulfWire Link~~
            BAHRAINI WOMEN ONE STEP CLOSER TO ELECTED OFFICE ~~ GulfWire
Digest #168 - Oct. 28, 2002

            BAHRAIN ISSUES NEW PRESS LAW
            "A new press and publishing law, issued by royal decree in
Bahrain [Nov. 3], has abolished a controversial jail punishment for
journalists convicted of transgressions except those who call for
overthrowing the regime, defaming Islam or criticizing the king..."
Complete report...

            BAHRAIN HOSTS THE ISLAMIC-CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE CONFERENCE
            "A conference on Christian-Islamic conference started (Oct. 28)
in Bahrain, calling for peaceful coexistence between various countries and
religions…" Complete report…



            News - Kuwait

            US CAN USE KUWAIT BASES FOR UN-BACKED IRAQ WAR
            Kuwait said on [Nov. 4] the United States, whose forces freed it
from Iraqi occupation 11 years ago, could use its military facilities in a
war against Iraq if it were sanctioned by the United Nations... ...But the
Gulf State's
            foreign minister, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, said his
country's armed forces would not take part in any military operation against
its neighbor..."  Complete report...

            KUWAIT SEALS OFF QUARTER OF COUNTRY
            "...including the area near the Iraqi border… …authorities say
the move, which takes effect [Nov. 2], is intended to safeguard the public
during ongoing military exercises in the country's northwestern
desert… …officials
            say privately that the closure is also designed to protect U.S.
troops after
            shooting incidents in which one U.S. Marine was killed…"
Complete report...

            4 SOUGHT AFTER SHOTS FIRED IN KUWAIT
            "Kuwaiti police searched [Nov. 2] for four people who fired guns
near U.S. troops in the latest shooting involving American forces. But a
U.S. diplomat played down the incident, suggesting the shots may have come
from sport
            shooters… …an American diplomat, speaking on condition of
anonymity, described the shooting as a 'recreational incident' involving
young Kuwaitis firing weapons in the desert near Oraifijan, 35 miles south
of Kuwait City."
            Complete report...

            KUWAITIS HELD IN KILLING OF US MARINE CONFESS LOYALTY TO BIN
LADEN
            "One of six suspects still in the custody of the public
prosecution said he had met Bin Laden and Al Qaeda spokesman Suleiman Abu
Ghaith in Al Faruk camp in Afghanistan and that he swore loyalty to Bin
Laden… …The suspects were arrested after a US marine was killed and another
wounded on Oct. 8 during war games on Failaka Island… …The suspects formed
an 'organization' that was planning to strike at five other US and foreign
targets…"  Source: Jordan Times

            KUWAIT DENIES PROTECTION OF AMERICANS BEFORE INTERNATIONAL
CRIMINAL COURT
            "An official Kuwaiti source has denied... that Kuwait is
preparing to sign an agreement with the USA on immunizing American citizens
who are brought before the International Criminal Court on charges of war
crimes and crimes
            against humanity..."  Complete report...
            KUWAIT EXCLUDES THE AMERICANS OF BEING CHASED BY THE CRIMINAL
COURT



            News - Oman

            MINISTER: OMAN TO PRIVATIZE POSTAL SERVICES
            "In a bid to keep pace with postal reforms worldwide, Oman is
planning to privatize its postal services, Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki,
minister of national economy and deputy chairman of the Financial Affairs &
Energy
            Resource Council, told the Times of Oman..."  Complete report...

            OMAN CONSIDERS LEGISLATION TO PROTECT NON-SMOKERS' RIGHTS
            "'We are not talking about a complete ban on smoking but
creating separate areas for smokers, especially in public places…'"
Complete report…


            News - Qatar

            QATAR SEEKS TO BOLSTER SECURITY
            "In the lobby of the Sheraton Hotel, Westerners in suits and
Arabs in long robes shuffle past a life-size dummy in a chemical warfare
suit and gas mask. A sign shows a cartoon bomb with burning fuse and asks:
'Are you ready for this?'..."  Complete report...

            QATAR DENIES COUP RUMORS
            "Qatari officials [Oct. 29] denied rumors of a coup attempt in
the state, seen as a possible launch pad for any US attack on Iraq… … 'This
is rubbish,' said an official at the emir's court… …Gulf-based diplomats
said they had no information of any coup attempt…"  Complete report…


            News - Saudi Arabia

            NO DECISION YET ON LETTING U.S. USE BASES, SAUDI SAYS
            The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, said [Nov. 4]
that the kingdom had not decided whether it would make its airspace and air
bases available to the United States in the event of war with Iraq.
Speaking by
            telephone from Riyadh, Prince Saud sought to amend remarks he
made in a CNN interview over the weekend, in which he appeared to state that
Saudi Arabia would not allow an American-led coalition to use Saudi air
bases and
            airspace to attack Iraq. The remarks on CNN caught Bush
administration officials by surprise. They conducted urgent consultations
with Saudi officials today before formulating a response indicating that
Washington did
            not think Saudi Arabia had closed the door to providing American
forces with military support. Today, Prince Saud said there had been a
misunderstanding about his use of the word "no" when asked in the CNN
interview if Saudi bases could be used in a military operation against Iraq.
He said today that
            if Iraq "refuses the implementation" of the United Nations
resolutions "concerning inspections" of its programs for weapons of mass
destruction, Saudi Arabia would be obliged to "cooperate" with the United
Nations..." Complete report... [Registration may be required to this free
access site.]
            SAUDI SAYS U.S. CAN'T USE FACILITIES FOR WAR
            SAUDIS: NO AIRSPACE, BASES FOR IRAQ STRIKE

            IRAQ HAILS SAUDI FOR SAYING WON'T HELP A US ATTACK
            "Iraq hailed Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. regional ally, on [Nov. 4]
for saying it would not allow the United States to use its territory to
launch a military attack against Iraq..."  Complete report...

            SAUDI CROWN PRINCE SHUNS EXTREMISM IN ISLAM
            "Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah on [Nov. 2] threw his
weight behind moderate Islam and urged Muslim youth around the world to shun
extremism. 'There is no extremism or forcing in religion,' the de facto
ruler of the oil-rich kingdom said during a meeting at his palace with
members of the World Assembly of Muslim Youths..."  Complete report...
            SHUN PROVOCATIVE ACTIONS, ABDULLAH URGES MUSLIMS

            SAUDIS HIT BACK OVER TERROR CLAIMS
            "Crown Prince Abdullah said Saudi Arabia was being deliberately
targeted by those who hate Islam… …He spoke of a Western media campaign to
smear not just Saudi Arabia, but the whole of Islam. The campaign, he said,
was orchestrated by 'certain known quarters', presumably a reference to
Israel and the Jewish lobby, widely held in the Arab world to control the
American media..."  Complete report...

            SALMAN REJECTS TERRORISM CHARGES AGAINST CHARITIES
            "Riyadh Governor Prince Salman has rejected in unequivocal terms
the malicious charges against Saudi charitable societies that they backed
terrorism… …'I have participated in and headed a number of charitable
societies and know personally that they are engaged only in charitable
activities. If some individuals have been attempting to turn charitable work
            into evil acts, the Kingdom cannot be held responsible for
that...'" Complete report...

            PRINCE NAYEF: NO SPLITS INSIDE SAUDI ARABIA
            "Saudi Arabia's minister of the interior, Prince Nayef Bin Abdul
Aziz [Oct. 30] stressed that there are no splits inside Saudi
Arabia… …minister Nayef said that the thinking that the religious influence
inside Saudi Arabia is
            [damaging] 'is a grave mistake…'"  Complete report...

            DALLAH GROUP PLANS MEDIA BLITZ
            "Saudi Arabia's Dallah Albarakah Group (DBG) is planning to
launch a $100 million media blitz in the United States and Europe to counter
anti-Arab publicity in the West.  'There is a project to establish
(television)
            channels in English, and to set up a news agency,' DBG Chairman
Saleh Kamel told reporters.  'Now is the time to explain to them about
Islam. We think we didn't do our duty to have a bridge with other
states...'"  Complete report...
            ~~GulfWire Link~~
            CALL TO CONVEY CORRECT PICTURE OF ARAB WORLD TO WEST ~~ GulfWire
Digest #164 - Sep. 9, 2002

            TURKI CALLS ON GULF STATES TO FOCUS ON DEMOCRACY
            "Prince Turki Al-Faisal, former director of Saudi intelligence,
has commended Yemen's democratic achievements and called upon Gulf countries
to focus on democracy and political reforms. 'Reforms, democratic process
and
            human rights are the main topics in the Arab Gulf countries in
the current phase,' Al-Riyadh newspaper quoted the prince as telling a
seminar in the Yemeni capital…"  Complete report...

            9/11 RELATIVES, SUING SAUDIS, TO PROTEST
            "Relatives of people who died in the terror attacks on the World
Trade Center and the Pentagon are scheduled to hold a rally at the U.S.
Capitol [Oct. 31] to protest what they fear are plans by the Bush
administration to
            delay or block their lawsuit against prominent Saudi individuals
for an alleged role in financing al Qaeda… … The suit… …has caused concern
among U.S. officials, who believe it could damage relations with Riyadh,
government sources said…"  Complete report...
            ~~GulfWire Link~~
            U.S. MAY ASK COURT TO DISMISS A $1 TRILLION SUIT LINKING SAUDIS
TO AL QAEDA AND 9/11 ~~ GulfWire Digest #168 - Oct. 28, 2002

            SAUDI TYCOON DEFENDS MUSLIM CHARITY
            "A Saudi tycoon and pioneer of Islamic banking on [Nov. 2]
denied accusations that Muslim charities were financing terrorism, and said
linking the groups to terror was undermining traditional donations Muslims
make to the poor..."  Complete report...

            AL-TURKI REFUTES RUSSIAN CHARGES
            "The former Saudi minister for Islamic affairs… … rejected
Russian allegations that Chechen rebels who seized a Moscow theater last
week had been funded by charities based in the Kingdom… …'There are no
charities in
            Saudi Arabia that will help terrorism or sponsor it...'"
Complete report...

            NO INFORMERS OR WOMEN EMPLOYED BY ANTI-VICE BODY
            "The Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice
has denied employing secret informers and women to report about the
activities of the public… …The commission's chief, Ibrahim ibn Abdullah ibn
Ghaith, said
            social reformation was the objective of his organization, which
often faces allegations of beating and humiliating people…"  Complete
report... Also:
            BE LENIENT, NAIF TELLS ENFORCERS OF PUBLIC MORALITY

            ARAMCO GUARANTEES STABLE OIL SUPPLY
            "Abdullah Bin Saleh Jumah, Saudi Aramco president and CEO… has
assured that Saudi Aramco could guarantee a stable supply of oil to the
world market in the event of a crisis… …He said Saudi Aramco has a maximum
sustained
            production capacity of 10 million barrels per day. 'That gives
the company the ability to tap an excess of three million barrels per day
above the current production rate, to be used as needs dictate…'"  Complete
report…

            SAUDI ARABIA PREPARES TO JOIN WTO
            "Saudi Arabia, one of the most prominent nations in the field of
international trade, is preparing to join the World Trade Organization
(WTO), Commerce Minister Osama Faqeeh said on [Nov. 3].  During the opening
            of the "Trade Services General Agreement" seminar, the minister
said that Saudi Arabia was ranked 14th internationally in regards of value
of export... The seminar... is designed to gain familiarity with the trade
services general agreement and what it entails from implementation and
rights to all parties involved."  Source: KUNA [Nov. 3]
            KINGDOM KEEN TO MOVE WITH THE TIMES: FAQEEH


            News - UAE

            UAE TIGHTENS 'TERROR MONEY' RULES
            "The central bank of the United Arab Emirates has started to
tighten regulations on the informal money transfer system known as "hawala",
in an attempt to curb money laundering. The bank said it would start
registering and certifying hawala brokers from [Nov. 4], with the aim of
bringing them
            loosely within its regulatory net..."  Complete report...
            ~~GulfWire Link~~
            JOINT BID BY GCC TO CURB SUSPICIOUS DEALS ~~ GulfWire Digest
#168 - Oct. 28, 2002

            UAE TOURIST ARRIVALS TO MALAYSIA UP 500 PER CENT
            "Tourist arrivals from the UAE to Malaysia have multiplied in
recent years with an increase of a staggering 500 per cent and the number is
expected to increase further in future, according to Malaysian Minister of
            Information... ...Speaking on bilateral trade between the two
countries, the minister said that the UAE had emerged as Malaysia's biggest
trading partner in West Asia and ranked as Malaysia's 17th largest export
market with total exports amounting to US$833 million..."  Complete
report...


                  Link of the Week



               THE DEBATE ABOUT IRAQ @ WASHINGTONPOST.COM

                        STANDOFF WITH IRAQ - NYTIMES.COM

                  GulfWire Flashback


            <<ONE YEAR AGO – FROM GULFWIRE DIGEST (#120)WEEK OF NOVEMBER 5,
2001>>

            POWELL PLEASED AT SAUDI SUPPORT FOR WAR ON TERRORISM
            The US State Department has lauded Saudi Arabia for its
cooperation in international efforts to stamp out terrorism after the Sept.
11 attacks on New York and Washington. Secretary of State Colin Powell said
on Wednesday that he was pleased that Riyadh had moved to freeze bank
accounts of suspected terrorists and their supporters. Powell said
well-publicized complaints from some in the United States that Saudi Arabia
was not
            cooperating with US efforts were incorrect. He said Riyadh had
complied with every request Washington had made in the fight against
terrorists and he commended recent financial steps taken by the Kingdom to
block their assets. "They have now come forward and taken additional action
that we had hoped that they would take," Powell told reporters when asked
about reports the Saudis had ordered specific bank accounts frozen in
response to US requests. "I am pleased that they have taken that action," he
added. "The Saudis have
            been responsive on all of the things that we have asked them to
do"…

            <<TWO YEARS AGO – FROM GULFWIRE DIGEST (#70) WEEK OF NOVEMBER 6,
2000>>

            ELECTION TEST FOR OMAN
            "Omanis are voting for a new advisory council, in elections seen
as a test of the democratic process in the conservative Gulf region. Turnout
was reported to be strong early on [Sep. 14]..."

            <<THREE YEARS AGO – FROM GULFWIRE DIGEST (#18) WEEK OF NOVEMBER
8, 1999>>

            SAUDI STOCK MUTUAL FUNDS OPEN TO FOREIGN INVESTMENT
            by Kevin Taecker
            "The list of regulatory changes to open and liberalize the Saudi
economy is growing at an accelerating pace. Last week, the Minister of
Finance Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf, announced that foreigners would be allowed to
own and trade in Saudi stock market mutual funds.  Other recent
liberalization decisions include the allowance of foreign ownership of real
estate and the offer of two year unsponsored multiple entry visas for
American businessmen. The announced measures to be passed by the new Supreme
Economic Council include a more liberal foreign investment law and a
corporate income tax cut.  Other measures under on the docket for adoption
reportedly include new
            corporate formation laws and a "due process" based legal
code..."


                  Business News - Region



            [GulfWire] ENERGY FUTURES – 11.01.02
            Light Crude (NYM)     $27.13 bbl UP from $27.05 bbl on 10.25.02
            Brent Crude (IPE)     $25.41 bbl DOWN from $25.46 bbl on
10.25.02
            Heating Oil (NYM)     $.7416 gal UP from $.7351 gal on 10.25.02
            Natural Gas (NYM)     $4.06 mmbtu DOWN from $4.188 mmbtu on
10.25.02
            Unleaded Gas (NYM)    $.7645 gal UP from $.7599 gal on 10.25.02
            Source: CNNfn

            OIL DIPS ON RISING SUPPLY
            "...Tight OPEC quotas and Iraqi war fears helped oil costs surge
50 percent to $30 a barrel in the first nine months of this year, but fading
quota compliance has shaved about 15 percent off in a month..."  Complete
            report...

            GCC POWER GRID DELAYED ONCE AGAIN
            " The Gulf interconnection grid is delayed once again as an
update of the first study is being undertaken which will be completed in
mid-2003. The interconnection project is now being scheduled for
implementation between
            2004 and 2010..."  Complete report...
            Also:
            PROGRESS ON POWER GRID TO BE REVIEWED
            …The $6 billion project, once implemented, will save $2.6
billion for the Gulf states as it will reduce the cost of power generation
on the one hand and facilitate its distribution on the other…"  Complete
report...
            ~~GulfWire Link~~
            WORK ON POWER GRID PICKS UP ~~ GulfWire Digest #168 - Oct. 28,
2002

            GCC, EU TO INK TRADE PACT BY NEXT YEAR
            "A long-awaited trade pact between the AGCC and European Union
is expected to be concluded before the middle of next year, Oman's Commerce
and Industry Minister said [Nov. 2] Maqbool bin Ali Sultan said the way for
the pact, which the two sides had been discussing for the past several
years, would be cleared when the AGCC customs union comes into force at the
beginning of 2003..."  Complete report...

            GULF ECONOMIC FORUM OPENS
            "Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, minister of commerce and industry said,
in a speech, the forum brought together experts from the Gulf region to
exchange ideas and hoped local and international expertise would interact to
offer creative solutions to challenges in the region. He said though
economic conditions in the GCC states might not be comparable with those in
the European Union, globalization could produce similar challenges for major
            economic blocs..."  Complete report...

            SAUDI PRINCE BACKS GLOBALIZATION
            "Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has called on the
Middle East to embrace globalization in order to shore up the region's
economy.  'It is obvious that self-sufficiency has become an obsolete notion
and the future holds greater promise for those who believe in, and adopt,
networking,' he added… … He said that Africa and the Middle East alone had
ignored the globalization trend, and that their economies had suffered
greatly as a
            result…"  Complete report…

            ARABS URGED TO TACKLE UNEMPLOYMENT
            "The UAE urged Arab states yesterday to take serious measures to
tackle their festering unemployment problem, and warned that failure to
reverse an upward jobless trend could give rise to political and social
turbulence in
            the region…"  Complete report...

            REGIONAL STATES NEED TO CATCH UP
            "General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of
Dubai and UAE Defense Minister, [Oct. 28] called on regional states to
consider the establishment of an economic cooperation organization that
brings together public and private sectors as well as experts and
intellectuals…"  Complete
            report…

            ISLAMIC RATING AGENCY SET UP
            "The first Islamic rating agency was established [Oct. 29 in
Bahrain] with the aim of supporting Shari'a-compatible banks and mutual
funds and helping them penetrate the international market… …The
establishment of the Bahrain-based International Islamic Rating Agency
(IIRA), with a $10 million capital - only $1 million of it is paid-up - was
announced at the end of its shareholders meeting in Manama [Oct. 29]… …An
internationally recognized rating will give these institutions the
credibility and the transparency they need to deal with the international
market…"  Complete report…

            WESTERN MARKETS 'CAN BE TAPPED'
            "'It appears that in two to three years we will start to see the
setting up of Islamic banks in the US and major European countries,' said
Mr. Al Bahar, chairman and managing director of Kuwait-based The
International
            Investor… …His view is that Islamic banks actually emerged
relatively strong after the terrorist attacks on the US…" Complete report...

            GULF INVESTORS TARGET EUROPEAN PROPERTY
            "…Islamic investors are now getting the chance to invest in
commercial properties in France and the UK through a special fund that is
compliant with Sharia law… … Gulf Finance House (GFH), has set up a UK fund
with
            purchasing power of more than £200m ($313m)… …The terms of the
deal are complex, but GFH says it has found a structure which is tax
efficient, meets the security requirements of the UK lender and is suitable
for Islamic
            investors…"  Complete report...

            GCC NEEDS $48B FOR POWER, WATER EXPANSION
            "…Hisham Abdul Raziq, CEO of Gulf Organization for Industrial
Consultancy told the closing day of the three-day Dubai Strategy Forum that…
the GCC states were in desperate need of huge foreign direct investment in
electricity, water and petrochemicals… 'the 'GCC power and water sector
needs $40 billion and $8 billion respectively…'"  Complete report…

            GCC TO GIVE LEBANON $5B LOAN GUARANTEES
            "'Most of the GCC countries including the UAE have agreed to
provide the guarantees in a measure to help Lebanon overcome its debt
problem…' [Lebanese Finance Minister] Siniora said prior to a meeting of the
Lebanese prime minister with government officials here…"  Complete report…

            GOLD DEMAND LIKELY TO SOAR
            "The demand for gold in the Kingdom is expected to increase by
more than 20
            percent during the last quarter of this year, market analysts
said. They attributed the increase to a growing trend to invest in gold amid
fears of an imminent US attack on Iraq…"  Complete report…

            MIDEAST PASSENGER AIRCRAFT FLEET SET TO GROW BY 338 IN 15 YEARS
            "European aircraft manufacturer Airbus yesterday predicted that
the number of passenger aircraft operating from the Middle East would grow
by 338 airplanes in the next 15 years to keep pace with air traffic that is
set to double during the same period and treble in the next 23 years..."
Complete
            report...


            Business News - Bahrain

            BATELCO'S Q3 PROFIT UP 22%
            "The company's profit reached BD52.3 million ($139 million) in
the first nine months ending September 30 compared with BD138 million
($366.9 million)..."  Complete report...


            Business News - Kuwait

            KUWAITI DINAR WILL BE PEGGED TO DOLLAR
            "…starting January 1… …The Kuwaiti dinar is now pegged to a
basket of currencies dominated by the American dollar… …The measure is in
line with a GCC plan to achieve a single currency by 2010… …Kuwait is the
only member of the Gulf state alliance whose currency is not pegged to the
dollar…" Complete report…

            Business News - Kuwait

            OMAN A BIG SUCCESS IN PAYMENT CARDS
            "…[Visa International described Oman as] 'one of the most
striking success stories' in the region for its cards after revealing a
whopping 1,700 per cent increase in their numbers in the country in the past
five years.'  …[a Visa official] said the payment card industry in Oman had
benefited from the
            economic liberalization policies followed by the government,
also adding that banks here had shown "exceptional hard work and
determination to expand their card businesses…"  Source: Khaleej Times

            GERMAN COMPANIES KEEN ON JOINT VENTURES
            "Forty-two German companies are [in Muscat] as part of their
three-day visit to the Sultanate to explore business opportunities in
various privatization projects… …One of the major projects, likely to be
implemented in Oman with German participation, is a multimillion
petrochemical plant to manufacture methanol using natural gas…"  Source:
Oman Observer – Oct. 29

            OMAN AIR NINE-MONTH REVENUE UP 10%
            "Oman Air has achieved good growth rates in connection with the
revenues and passenger traffic during the first nine month of this year,
despite the crises faced by the aviation industry in the aftermath of
September 11
            incidents, the international economic recession and the US
threats to strike Iraq, said Abdul Rahman bin Harith Al Busaidi, chief
executive officer of the Oman Aviation Services Company..."  Complete
report...


            Business News - Qatar

            QATAR AIRWAYS EXPANSION
            "Qatar Airways plans to double fleet size to 35 by 2007 from 18
aircraft at present, and add 8-10 destinations every year to total 50 points
within two years. 'We are today the fastest-growing airline in aviation
history, and plan to continue aggressive expansion particularly over the
next three years,' Akbar Al Baker, CEO, said…"  Complete report...


            Business News - Saudi Arabia

            COPYRIGHT BILL CLEARED
            "…provides legal protection for all forms of art, audio-visual
and software products in the Kingdom. Secretary-general of the council,
Hamoud Al-Badr, said the 28-article bill will be sent to Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques
            King Fahd for endorsement..."  Complete report...

            STC SET TO LAUNCH IPO BY YEAR END
            "Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) will launch its initial public offering
of up to 30 percent of its shares before the end of this year… …worth some
$3.26 billion… …in the biggest state sell-off in 20 years…"  Complete
report…

            NEW PLAYERS LIKELY TO ENTER TELECOM SECTOR
            "Plans are under way to introduce more players to the Kingdom's
telecommunications sector. Two companies will be set up to compete against
the Saudi Telecom Company in the fixed and mobile telephone services…"
Complete report…

            MOVE TO PRIVATIZE SOME OF ARAMCO OPERATIONS
            "The government is studying the viability of privatizing some of
the operations of Saudi Aramco… …seeks to establish a holding company with
the aim of setting up support industries and services in the oil and energy
sector both in the Kingdom and international markets in collaboration with
            private investors… …privatization will involve sale of
government shares in private companies…"  Complete report...

            TAXES: KINGDOM WEIGHS ACTION AGAINST EGYPT
            "Finance and National Economy Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf has
said that Saudi Arabia will take reciprocal action if Egypt continues to
impose taxes on the Kingdom's petrochemical exports…"  Complete report…

            SAUDI-JAPAN DESALT VENTURE ESTABLISHED
            "A Saudi-Japanese joint venture for the maintenance of
desalination and power plants, said to be the first of its kind in the
Kingdom, has been set up in Riyadh…  …the new joint venture would seek to
provide consulting
            services and execution of projects for rehabilitating water
desalination and power plants…"  Complete report…

            MOU FOR SAUDI-ITALIAN COMPANY
            "The signing of the MoU between the Saudi Arabian General
Investment Authority and Italian Foreign Investments Promotion
Corporation… … will have a $10 million capital divided between the Saudi and
Italian partners…" Complete report...

            LIMOUSINE COMPANIES CALL FOR PHASED SAUDIZATION
            "Several investors in the limousine business have appealed to
the authorities to Saudize the cabbies' job in a phased manner. They argue
that if the order is implemented in a phased manner, say in five years, the
companies will get sufficient time to readjust to new situation and minimize
their losses…"  Complete report...

            INDIAN IT GIANT SEEKS STRONG SAUDI BASE
            "India's largest IT company with a clientele of several Fortune
500 companies has entered the Saudi market with a 'commitment to build a
strong base in the Kingdom.'  Azim Premji, chairman of the IT company giant
Wipro
            Corporation and reputedly the richest Indian, [Nov. 2] announced
contracts worth over SR11 million with some major companies in the Kingdom's
petrochemical and health care sectors...."  Complete report...


            Business News - UAE

            DRAFTING OF DIFC CONSTITUTION BEGINS
            "Key topics discussed included the reception of the [Dubai
International Financial Center] concept by the global financial community
and the challenges, issues, threats and opportunities for DIFC, particularly
within
            the context of the current political situation…"  Complete
report…

            ABU DHABI'S INTEREST IN PETROCHEMICALS SURGES
            "Buoyed by the success of the UAE's first petrochemical plant,
the Abu Dhabi government is keen to further develop the sector, His Highness
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan said…"  Complete report…

            DUBAI TOURISM POSTS 26PC GROWTH IN FIRST SIX MONTHS
            "Dubai's tourism sector witnessed 26.5 per cent growth during
the first six months of the current year - and the outlook for the full year
indicates a further increase despite what has been a difficult period for
aviation,
            travel and tourism..."  Complete report...

            UAE AND EU REJECT ANY ATTACK AGAINST IRAQ
            "Abdullah Rashid Al Nuaimi, Foreign Ministry's Under Secretary
for Political Affairs [Oct. 29] received a European Union Parliamentary
delegation and exchanged views with it on ways of reactivating dialogue on
speeding up the
            establishment of a free trade zone as well as the situation in
the Gulf region and the Middle East…"  Complete report…

            SULTAN ORDERS SETTING UP OF TRANSPORT BODY
            "…to draw policy and control of public transport in the emirate
and provide
            transport services to commuters within the emirate and on
highways through a modern network…"  Complete report…

            SHARJAH PLANS NEW BODY TO SPUR GROWTH
            "A center for investment and strategic planning is likely to be
set up in Sharjah to help in economic development... ...Sheikh Tareq
[chairman of the Sharjah Department of Economic Development] said the
research and study center should be purely a governmental entity. He
stressed that such a center is urgently needed to help push forward economic
development..."  Complete report...

            UAE MAJOR CAPITAL EXPORTER IN MIDEAST
            "The UAE has remained a major capital exporter to fellow Arab
countries despite sharp fluctuations in oil prices and growing domestic
needs, pumping more than $2 billion in private investment over the past 16
years, according to official statistics..."  Complete report...

            DEWA SPENDING UP 17PC THIS YEAR
            "Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has experienced a
17 per cent increase in spending this year, said a top government official.
DEWA, in its efforts to increase the supply of emirate's power and water,
will
            continue to invest in new projects, said Saeed Mohammed Al
Tayer, general manager of DEWA. He also urged the business community to come
up with new ideas to reduce waste and conserve energy. The government body,
which is
            responsible for the development of the utility sector, will
continue to invest in new projects as required..."  Source: Emirates
Bulletin NO. 237,
            Nov 4









--------------------------------------------------------------------------

            CONTACT

            GulfWire
            Email: GulfWireGulfWire@ArabiaLink.com
            URL: http://www.ArabiaLink.com/GulfWire

            Publisher: Dr. John Duke Anthony
            Editor-in-Chief: Patrick W. Ryan
            Deputy Editor: Connie R. Trisdale

            The GulfWire e-newsletter and Website are developed, produced
and maintained by Ryan & Associates© 2002.
            All Rights Reserved. GulfWire