~~GULFWIRE DIGEST~~#170~~WEEK OF NOVEMBER 11-17, 2002~~ (fwd)

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

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Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 20:35:56 -0600
From: GulfWire e-Newsletters <GulfWire@arabialink.com>
To: "<<GULFWIRE>>" <GulfWire2@arabialink.com>
Subject: ~~GULFWIRE DIGEST~~#170~~WEEK OF NOVEMBER 11-17, 2002~~

GulfWire Digest - Information and Insights on Gulf AffairsGulfWire Digest
      A family of e-newsletters from the National Council on U.S.-Arab
      Relations & the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee
      Issue #170                                                November
11-17, 2002

      Information and Insight on Gulf Affairs




            Of Note


            U.S. invasion plans are said to be ready if UNSC efforts to
disarm Iraq fails.
            Details in this week's Digest.  Also check our recent
Perspectives on UNSC Resolution 1441 for more.   See the Perspectives List
below

             GulfWire On-Line Archive

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access by GulfWire members -- those who have purchased the GulfWire 2002
CD-ROM.  For a limited time they are available for you to browse.  Recent
Gulfwire Perspectives essays and reports, listed below, are among the
resources available for your use. Click Here
            or visit the On-Line Archive Home Page

            About GulfWire

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U.S.-Arab Relations and the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee

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            GulfWire Perspectives

            The GulfWire On-Line archives are usually password protected for
access by GulfWire members -- those who have purchase the GulfWire 2002
CD-ROM.  For a limited time they are available for you to browse.  The
following Gulfwire Perspectives are among the resources available for your
use.
            GulfWire Perspectives - November 9,2002
            BAHRAIN TOO, GOES TO THE POLLS [Part II] --  BY SCOTT DAVID
McINTOSH
            GulfWire Perspectives - November 8, 2002
            SECURITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY AGREES TO RETURN UN WEAPONS
INSPECTORS TO IRAQ
            GulfWire Perspectives - November 8,, 2002
            BAHRAIN, TOO, GOES TO THE POLLS (I) --    BY JOHN DUKE ANTHONY
            GulfWire Perspectives - October 27, 2002
            QATAR'S HEIGHTENED PROFILE
                 BY JOHN DUKE ANTHONY
            GulfWire Perspectives - October 24, 2002
            IRAQ AND THE UNITED STATES: HOW THREATENING A STORM?
            BY JOHN DUKE ANTHONY
            GulfWire Perspectives - October 22, 2002
             STRATEGY IN THE MIDDLE EAST: THE GAP BETWEEN STRATEGIC
            THEORY AND OPERATIONAL REALITY
            BY DR. ANTHONY H. CORDESMAN
            GulfWire Perspectives - October 13, 2002
            THE AMERICAN-SAUDI ARABIAN RELATIONSHIP: A BRIEFING BY HRH
PRINCE SA'UD AL FAISAL, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
            BY JOHN DUKE ANTHONY
            GulfWire Perspectives - October 12, 2002
            A LOOK AT IRAQ'S FUTURE:  WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF REGIME
CHANGE? A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION AT THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND FUTURE
STUDIES,
            KUWAIT UNIVERSITY
            GulfWire Perspectives - October 10, 2002
            A FIRSTHAND LOOK AT SAUDI ARABIA SINCE 9-11 - GULFWIRE'S
INTERVIEW WITH DR. ANTHONY CORDESMAN IN SAUDI ARABIA
            GulfWire Perspectives - October 3 2002
            SAUDI ARABIAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS: A SPECIAL VIEW
            GULFWIRE'S INTERVIEW WITH COLONEL BERNARD DUNN
            GulfWire Perspectives - September 18, 2002
            HAS USAMA BIN LADEN SPRUNG FROM THE WOMB OF 'WAHHABISM'?"
            BY ABDALLA M. MOHAMMED, Ph.D., MOHAMMED A. AL-SHEIKH, MOHAMMED
AHMED Ph.D., MOHAMMED S. OLIMAT, Ph.D.
            GulfWire Perspectives - September 17, 2002
            THE WAY ONE LOOKS: IMPLICATIONS FOR ARAB-U.S. RELATIONS -- A
RADIO TALK SHOW INTERVIEW WITH DR. JOHN DUKE ANTHONY
            GulfWire Perspectives - September 16, 2002
            REVISITING ARAB-U.S. RELATIONS:
            THE 11TH ANNUAL ARAB-U.S. POLICYMAKERS CONFERENCE IN VIEW BY
BARBARA FERGUSON, ARAB NEWS
            GulfWire Perspectives - September 13, 2002
            DECONSTRUCTING THE U.S.-SAUDI PARTNERSHIP? -- BY RUSSELL A.
JAMES
            GulfWire Perspectives - September 12, 2002
            U.S., SAUDIS, HAVE A DEEP, MULTI-FACETED RELATIONSHIP
            BY AFSHIN MOLAVI
            GulfWire Perspectives - September 6, 2002
            SAUDI ARABIAN-U.S. RELATIONS IN CONTEXT
            BY JOHN DUKE ANTHONY






     In This Issue


            o   NEWS
              ·   REGION
                  - U.N. ORDERS IRAQ TO DISARM
                  - WAR PLAN FOR IRAQ IS READY, SAY OFFICIALS
                  - IRAQ PARLIAMENT SPURNS INSPECTORS
                  - ARAB MINISTERS WELCOME U.N. RESOLUTION ON IRAQ
                  - DON'T PLAY AROUND WITH NEW RESOLUTION: GULF PAPERS TELL
IRAQ
                  - U.S., EUROPE DIVIDED OVER MIDDLE EAST STRATEGY
                  - BLAIR TO CHALLENGE US ON NEW MIDEAST TALKS
                  - Q&A: INSPECTING ARMS IN IRAQ
                  - BUSH'S PLAN FOR PEACE IN MIDDLE EAST STALLS
                  - MILITARY FACES PLANNING DILEMMA
                  - AL-RAYA: SAUDI MEDIA WAR AGAINST AL-JAZEERA
                  - KUWAIT AND AL-JAZEERA TV
                  - ARAB WOMEN DEMAND QUOTAS
                  - US PRESIDENT GREETS MUSLIMS ON RAMADAN
                  - U.S. WANTS PRINTS OF MUSLIM VISITORS
                  - ARABS WATCH POLLS FOR MESSAGE ON IRAQ
                  - WORLD 'MOVING CLOSER TO CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS'
                  - EMERGING TASKS OF THE GULF PRIVATE SECTOR
                  - MISSILE STRIKE CARRIED OUT WITH YEMENI COOPERATION
                  - POLITICAL CRISIS DEEPENS IN IRAN
                  - SPIRITED EXCHANGE MARKS FORTUNE GLOBAL FORUM
                  - IRAN CLAIMS DEVELOPMENT OF CRUISE MISSILES
              ·   BAHRAIN
                  - BAHRAIN'S GOVERNMENT RESIGNS TO MAKE WAY FOR NEW CABINET
                  - PM EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE OF PARLIAMENT
                  - ISLAMISTS DO WELL IN BAHRAIN
                  - BAHRAINI ROYAL BEING HELD IN CUBA CAMP
                  - BAHRAIN WOMEN'S UNION OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED
                  - OFFICIALS TOLD TO REJECT ISLAMIST DICTATES
                  - PRESS LAW MAY BE REVIEWED
                  - BAHRAINI JOURNALISTS PROTEST PRESS CODE
                  - BAHRAIN BANS SALE OF ALCOHOL TO MUSLIMS
              ·   KUWAIT
                  - KUWAITIS BACK ATTACK TO TOPPLE SADDAM
                  - KUWAIT SUSPECTS RECANT CONFESSIONS
                  - TRIAL OPENS FOR TWO KUWAITIS ACCUSED OF PRAISING GUNMEN
                    WHO KILLED US MARINE
              ·   OMAN
                  - OMANI RESIDENTS TO BE ISSUED IDENTITY CARDS
              ·   QATAR
                  - ENVOY DENIES QATAR INTENDS TO WITHDRAW FROM ARAB LEAGUE
                  - QATAR MULLS RUSSIAN REQUEST FOR CHECHEN ENVOY'S ARREST
                  - QATAR TO ESTABLISH COMMITTEE TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS
                  - SMOKING PROHIBITION BOOSTS ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN
                  - QATAR'S FIRST WOMAN MINISTER IS EMIR'S SISTER
              ·   SAUDI ARABIA
                  - EMPOWERMENT OF SHOURA COUNCIL LIKELY — SHATTA
                  - SAUDIS TURNING THEIR BACKS ON U.S. VARSITIES
                  - SAUDIS TEST LIMITS OF FREEDOM
                  - SAUDI TEAM'S IRAQ VISIT DUBBED A GRAND SUCCESS
                  - CONSULTATIVE AGENCY FOR WATER TO BE ESTABLISHED
                  - 25% SAUDIS ARE DIABETIC, NEW STATISTICS REVEAL
                  - LABOR MINISTRY GIVEN SIX MONTHS TO TAKE CHARGE OF
FOREIGN
                    RECRUITMENT
              ·   UAE
                  - US, UAE LAUNCH STRATEGIC DIALOGUE ON GULF SECURITY
                  - MAKE ISRAEL COMPLY, UAE URGES UN
                  - UAE INVESTS $60B OVER LAST FOUR YEARS
                  - MOHAMMED UNVEILS HEALTHCARE CITY PLAN
                  - AMNESTY TO BEGIN ON JANUARY 6
                  - DUBAI RATED AMONG TOP THREE CITIES OF DECADE
            o   LINK OF THE WEEK - GLOBAL FORUM
            o   GULFWIRE FLASHBACK – OVER THREE YEARS OF GULFWIRE
            o   BUSINESS & FINANCE NEWS
              ·   REGION
                  - ENERGY FUTURES – 11.08.02
                  - WAR IN IRAQ AND THE ECONOMY
                  - OIL PRICE PREDICTED TO FALL TO $18-$22 LEVEL
                  - OPEC MEMBERS ABANDON QUOTAS, SAYS IEA
                  - OIL GROUPS POISED TO PICK OVER THE SPOILS OF IRAQI
BATTLEFIELD
                  - ARIG $100M OFFER WITHDRAWN AFTER UAE, LIBYA PULL OUT
                  - MIDEAST CRUDES WEAK
              ·   BAHRAIN
                  - GCC INSIGHTS: BAHRAIN CONSOLIDATES ITS POSITION AS
CENTER OF
                     ISLAMIC FINANCE
              ·   OMAN
                  - OMAN LNG CLINCHES DEAL WITH TOTAL FINA ELF
                  - OMAN EXPRESSES INTEREST IN JOINING NORTH-SOUTH CORRIDOR
                    PROJECT
                  - NATIONAL IT PANEL MEETS
                  - OMAN ISSUES NEW PUBLIC SHAREHOLDING BOARD LEGISLATION
              ·   QATAR
                  - SURGE IN OIL, GAS PRODUCTION TO FUEL ECONOMY
                  - QATAR PETROLEUM, OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM OF US SIGN $778M
                    ACCORDS
                  - QATAR TAKES ON OIL MERCHANTS
                  - QATAR AND CUBA TO COOPERATE IN HYDROCARBON SECTOR
              ·   SAUDI ARABIA
                  - RIYADH TO PRIVATIZE 20 VITAL SECTORS
                  - COMPANIES SEEK SOLUTIONS FOR STALLED SAUDI GAS PROJECT
                  - IMF URGES SAUDIS TO IMPOSE INCOME TAX, LIFT BARRIERS
                  - BANKERS SEE NOTHING NEW IN SAMA MOVE TO STAVE OFF
ILLEGAL
                    DEALS
                  - TOTAL SAUDIZATION OF GOLD SECTOR BY MARCH ORDERED
                  - NEW LOOK JEDDAH AIRPORT BY 2006
                  - AL-FAISALIAH JOINS HANDS WITH HRDF TO TRAIN AND EMPLOY
OVER
                    500 SAUDIS
              ·   UAE
                  - UAE, SYRIA SIGN PACT TO SET UP HOLDING FIRM
                  - NEW LAWS TO PROTECT CONSUMER RIGHTS
                  - ETISALAT AWARDS DSL CONTRACT TO U.S. FIRM

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            News - Region

            U.N. ORDERS IRAQ TO DISARM
            The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a tough new
disarmament mandate for Iraq [Nov. 8], warning President Saddam Hussein he
must scrap
            his weapons programs or face "serious conse- quences" that
almost certainly would be a U.S.-led war against his government..."
Complete report...
            WAR PLAN FOR IRAQ IS READY, SAY OFFICIALS
            "The Bush administration has settled on a plan for a possible
invasion of Iraq that envisions seizing most of the country quickly and
encircling
            Baghdad, but assumes that Saddam Hussein will probably fall from
power before U.S. forces enter the capital, senior U.S. military officials
            said..."  Complete report...

            IRAQ PARLIAMENT SPURNS INSPECTORS
            "Iraq's parliament has voted unanimously to reject a UN
resolution requiring the return of weapons inspectors, but has left the
final decision to
            President Saddam Hussein..."  Complete report...

            ARAB MINISTERS WELCOME U.N. RESOLUTION ON IRAQ
            "A joint statement from an extraordinary Arab foreign ministers
meeting at the Arab League in Cairo said the ministers "welcome what was
mentioned in Resolution 1441 stating that the Security Council is the only
appropriate
            body which can evaluate the reports written by inspectors…"
Complete report…

            DON'T PLAY AROUND WITH NEW RESOLUTION: GULF PAPERS TELL IRAQ
            "Gulf countries called on Iraq [Nov.9] to accept the new UN
resolution on disarmament quickly to avoid a US-led war that would hit the
whole region…" Complete report…

            U.S., EUROPE DIVIDED OVER MIDDLE EAST STRATEGY
            "Lurking behind the Iraq issue lies a much deeper conflict
between the United States and its European allies: what to do about Israel
and the
            Palestinians..."  Complete report...

            BLAIR TO CHALLENGE US ON NEW MIDEAST TALKS
            Tony Blair will urge President George W. Bush on Monday to
revive peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, seizing on the
aftermath of the
            US mid-term elections and the United Nations resolution on Iraq
to call for a political as well as security strategy for the Middle East..."
Source: FT.com

            Q&A: INSPECTING ARMS IN IRAQ
            "A United Nations team is preparing to return to Iraq to search
for weapons of mass destruction. Former weapons inspector Chris Cobb-Smith,
who
            organized operations in Iraq for two and a half years, answers
key questions about the team's mission..."  Complete report...

            BUSH'S PLAN FOR PEACE IN MIDDLE EAST STALLS
            "President Bush's three-year plan for Middle East peace,
outlined more than four months ago in a major policy address, is moribund
because of Israeli indifference, Palestinian violence and the
administration's preoccupation with Iraq, administration officials, analysts
and diplomats said..." Complete report...

            MILITARY FACES PLANNING DILEMMA
            "On the one hand, they must avoid rushing too many invasion
forces to the Persian Gulf region, where troops could end up sitting and
waiting while
            inspections play out, risking losses in efficiency and morale
and straining relations with Arab host countries. On the other hand, they
must ensure that enough forces are in place to keep the pressure on the
Iraqi government and to respond rapidly should inspections fail or should
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein provoke a conflict..."  Complete report...

            AL-RAYA: SAUDI MEDIA WAR AGAINST AL-JAZEERA
            "…the Qatari daily al-Raya accused Saudi Arabia of running a
"hidden war" against the Qatari satellite al-Jazeera TV station…"  Complete
report…

            KUWAIT AND AL-JAZEERA TV
            "…The first deputy prime minister in Kuwait and the foreign
minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad described the al-Jazeera office in Kuwait as
a "shop" and it was closed for security reasons especially in this critical
phase the region
            is passing…"  Complete report…

            ARAB WOMEN DEMAND QUOTAS
            "Arab suffragettes attending this week's Women's Summit in
Jordan have launched a campaign that would push Arab governments to adopt a
civil rights tool to help the disenfranchised: quotas – in this case, for
women seeking
            to enter Parliament…" Complete report…

            US PRESIDENT GREETS MUSLIMS ON RAMADAN
            "US President George W. Bush on [Nov.5] sent greetings to
Muslims worldwide as they observe the Holy Month of Ramadan, which will
start on [Nov. 6] in several Arab countries." Source:  Jordan Times

            U.S. WANTS PRINTS OF MUSLIM VISITORS
            "The Justice Department announced [Nov.6] that it will require
thousands of students, workers and other men from five Muslim [Iran, Iraq,
Libya, Sudan and Syria] countries who are temporarily residing in the United
States to be fingerprinted and photographed… …the program will be expanded
to include male citizens of those countries who entered the United States
before Sept. 11, 2002, and plan to stay until at least mid-December…"
Complete report…

            ARABS WATCH POLLS FOR MESSAGE ON IRAQ
            "Arabs said [Nov. 6] they believe that Republican success in the
U.S. midterm election will hasten the day when President Bush launches
military
            action against Iraq. 'The possibilities of waging war on Iraq
are now greater than ever,' Saudi political analyst Khaled al-Ghamdi
said..."
            Complete report…

            WORLD 'MOVING CLOSER TO CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS'
            Participants in an international symposium here this week
stressed that the world has moved closer towards radicalization and "clash
of civiliza- tions" after September 11, but at the same time witnessed
serious calls for dialogue between nations.  Intellectuals and experts from
Germany, France, Switzerland, Britain, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen met in
a three-day symposium to discuss how September 11 has led the Islamic
opposition to the extreme in resisting the authoritarian regimes and the
Western hegemony..." Complete report...

            EMERGING TASKS OF THE GULF PRIVATE SECTOR
            "…with the rapid and enormous expansion in the economies of the
regional countries and population growth that coincided with the decline in
the value of oil revenues in real terms have brought about an imbalance
between the infrastructure projects and the governments' ability to meet
such
            requirements…"  Complete report…

            MISSILE STRIKE CARRIED OUT WITH YEMENI COOPERATION
            "The U.S. missile attack launched from a Predator drone aircraft
that killed six suspected al Qaeda terrorists traveling in a vehicle in
Yemen on Sunday was carried out with the cooperation and approval of that
country's leadership, U.S. sources said [Nov. 5]..."  Complete report...

            POLITICAL CRISIS DEEPENS IN IRAN
            Iran's political crisis deepened on Monday following a warning
by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader, that he would use the "force
of the people" if rival reformist and conservative factions failed to
negotiate a settlement of their long-running power struggle..."  Source:
FT.com

            SPIRITED EXCHANGE MARKS FORTUNE GLOBAL FORUM
            "...Dialogue was lively, if not passionate: Responding to a
comment about increased democratization in Saudi Arabia, Lubna Suliman
Olayan, CEO of the Saudi-based Olayan Financing Company, acknowledged:
'Improvements need to be
            done. But democracy defined by the US is not necessarily what we
need in Saudi Arabia. Our version of 'democracy' has to come from
within...'" Complete report...

            IRAN CLAIMS DEVELOPMENT OF CRUISE MISSILES
            "...Officials said the Nur cruise missile was successfully
launched earlier this year. The cruise missile was then manufactured.
Teheran has already procured a naval and ground version of the Nur. The
range of the missile was not dis- closed..."  Complete report...


            News - Bahrain

            BAHRAIN'S GOVERNMENT RESIGNS TO MAKE WAY FOR NEW CABINET
            "Bahrain's government of Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin
Sulman al-Khalifa resigned on [Nov. 10] to make way for a new cabinet
following the kingdom's first legislative polls... ...The prime minister
tendered his resignation along with that of all his ministers to King Hamad
bin Issa al-Khalifa after the weekly cabinet meeting. Islamists, mostly
Sunnis, grabbed nearly half
            the seats in the new parliament elected in two run-offs last
month, the first of its kind in around three decades in the Gulf Arab state.
A new
            government is expected to be formed by [Nov. 12]. The king would
appoint the cabinet 'in the coming days.' local press said..."  Source:
Xinhua
            PM EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE OF PARLIAMENT
            "The Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa,
expressed complete confidence in the forthcoming stage of Bahrain's progress
and
            promised full cooperation between the Government and the Chamber
of Deputies to achieve the objectives of the national project for further
prosperity and development in the Kingdom.  Talking to the media on the
sidelines of his
            inspection visit to the Shura Council and Chamber of Deputies
buildings [Nov. 6], Shaikh Khalifa hoped the introduction of parliamentary
life will
            reinforce the bases of democracy, reflecting through it an
environment of freedom and transparency while taking into consideration the
aspiration of all sections of society..."  Source: Bahrain Tribune

            ISLAMISTS DO WELL IN BAHRAIN
            "Bahrain's main Shi'a political group, the Islamic National
Accord Association (INAA), as well as three other secular and religious
parties,
            boycotted the parliamentary elections on 24 and 31 October – the
first since 1973 -  to protest a constitutional amendment dividing
legislative power equally between the elected parliament and a consultative
council appointed by King Hamad. (How this arrangement will work out in
practice is anything but clear). So although Shi'as are estimated to form
some 60% of Bahrain's popula- tion, it was hardly surprising that 27 of the
forty parliamentary seats went to Sunnis or that the disparity was even more
marked among the 16
            Islamists elected, 14 of whom are Sunnis. Neither this nor the
higher than expected turnout (at 53%) appeared to bother the INAA leader,
Shaikh 'Ali
            Salman, who said on 1 November that he was not worried by the
Sunnis' majority in parliament "because our program is national" and
stressed that the strong showing by Islamists 'reflected the social reality
in Bahrain and should be welcomed.'"  Source: MEES

            BAHRAINI ROYAL BEING HELD IN CUBA CAMP
            "A member of Bahrain's royal family is among suspected members
or sympathizers of the Al-Qaeda terror network detained at a US base in
            Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, his father said [Nov. 7] in an Arabic
newspaper. Sheikh Salman ibn Ibrahim Al-Khalifa is "accused of sympathizing
with
            Al-Qaeda," Sheikh Ibrahim ibn Muhammad Al-Khalifa told the
London-based daily Asharq Al-Awsat..."  Complete report...
            MERCENARIES 'FRAMED BAHRAINI STUDENT'

            BAHRAIN WOMEN'S UNION OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED
            "The Bahrain Women's Union was officially recognized [Nov. 6].
It has been an unofficial umbrella for women's non-governmental  organiza-
tions (NGOs) for over a year. The order to formally recognize the society
was issued by Labor
            and Social Affairs Minister Abd-al-Nabi al-Shu'lah. 'Not having
official recognition was hindering our ability to do our work,' said union
            preparatory committee head Mariam al-Ruay..."  Source: Gulf
Daily News web site, Manama, in English 7 Nov 02

            OFFICIALS TOLD TO REJECT ISLAMIST DICTATES
            "A pro-government newspaper yesterday warned the authorities of
giving in to what it called Islamist demands to restrict personal freedoms,
saying a similar alliance between the government and religious groups led to
dire consequences in other Arab countries…"  Complete report…

            PRESS LAW MAY BE REVIEWED
            "The Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, [Nov.
10] issued directives to the authorities concerned to study journalists'
observations and recommendations on the new law regulating Press and
publishing. At a meeting with the editors-in-chief and journalists of local
newspapers, who presented their views on the law issued by Royal Decree No.
47 for 2002, the
            Premier said the Government would study the suggestions and
reconsider the law to sort out the differences of opinion..."  Source:
Bahrain Tribune

            BAHRAINI JOURNALISTS PROTEST PRESS CODE
            "A press law decreed by Bahrain's King Hamad drew protests [Nov.
6] from journalists who charged it would limit their freedom of
expression… …The new
            law, stipulates, 'everyone is free to express his opinion and
broadcast it orally or in writing.'  But it adds that that opinion must not
'slight the
            Islamic faith, the unity of the people or the king, or create
division or religious differences…'"  Complete report…

            BAHRAIN BANS SALE OF ALCOHOL TO MUSLIMS
            "Muslims in Bahrain were banned from buying alcohol, starting
[Nov.4]… ...With the start of Ramadan, freestanding restaurants (outside
hotels) that sell alcohol will also be prohibited to serve alcohol during
Ramadan. 'This action is being taken for the first time…'"  Complete report…


            News - Kuwait

            KUWAITIS BACK ATTACK TO TOPPLE SADDAM
            "While millions of Arabs decry the U.S. military presence in the
Middle East and Washington's desire to attack Iraq, many Kuwaitis wouldn't
have it any other way – the country is an island of support for America..."
Complete report…
            KUWAIT SUSPECTS RECANT CONFESSIONS
            "Six Kuwaiti men detained in the fatal shooting of U.S. Marines
last month have told a judge they confessed to complicity in the attack
under duress, their lawyer said [Nov. 10]…"  Complete report…

            TRIAL OPENS FOR TWO KUWAITIS ACCUSED OF PRAISING GUNMEN WHO
KILLED US MARINE
            "Two Kuwaiti Islamists went on trial [Nov. 4] charged with
'purposely broadcasting, at a time of war, rumors and propaganda by praising
those who
            carried out the terrorist operation' that killed a US Marine and
wounded another..."
            Source:  Jordan Times


            News - Oman

            OMANI RESIDENTS TO BE ISSUED IDENTITY CARDS
            "Omani police officials announced in Dubai [Nov.5] that all
Omani citizens and residents will be issued multi-purpose identity cards
next year which they can use as a travel documents via the Sultanate of Oman
entry and exit points..." Source:  Khaleej Times
            News - Qatar

            ENVOY DENIES QATAR INTENDS TO WITHDRAW FROM ARAB LEAGUE
            "Qatar's delegate at the Arab League denied recent media reports
that Qatar intends to withdraw from the Arab League or suspend its
membership of the
            league in protest against the increasingly sharp Arab criticisms
of it on several issues. He also denied that his country submitted an
official
            request to the Arab League to hold an emergency Arab summit..."
Source: Al-Sharq al-Awsat web site, London, in Arabic 7 Nov 02
            QATAR MULLS RUSSIAN REQUEST FOR CHECHEN ENVOY'S ARREST
            "Qatar is considering the possibility of ending former Ichkeria
Chechen president Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev's stay in that country, Qatari
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmad Abdallah al-Mahmud told a
Channel One
            correspondent [Nov. 7]. In an interview in the Qatari capital,
the minister said the emirate's government was taking the measure in
response to a
            request for the arrest and extradition of that Chechen
separatist figure..."  Source: Channel One TV, Moscow, in Russian 1500 gmt 7
Nov 02

            QATAR TO ESTABLISH COMMITTEE TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS
            "Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani promulgated a
decree [Nov. 11] on the establishment of a committee to protect human rights
in the country. Official sources in Qatar said the National Committee for
Human Rights aims
            to achieve the goals of international human rights charters. The
committee will provide consultations to the state on human rights and
freedom issues
            and it would also look into any rights violations and find ways
to avoid them. It will include at least five members representing civil
society, in
            addition to representatives from several ministries..."  Source:
Deutsche Presse-Agentur - November 11, 2002

            SMOKING PROHIBITION BOOSTS ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN
            "According to "Gulf Times", though anti-smoking campaigners in
Qatar are jubilant with the decree prohibiting smoking in public places,
they have
            decided to intensify the drive to root out the evil habit from
society..." Source:  Info-Prod Research - November 5, 2002

            QATAR'S FIRST WOMAN MINISTER IS EMIR'S SISTER
            "A woman has been selected as a minister in the Islamic Gulf
state of Qatar, the emir announced Friday. The appointment is the first for
a woman in any of the Gulf states. Emir Hamad bin Chalifa Al Thani said in
Doha that his sister Hassa bint Chalifa Al Thani would become deputy
president of the highest leading council for family matters, a post with
ministerial status. In 1999, Qatar became the first Gulf state to grant
women voting rights at local elections..."  Source:
            Deutsche Presse-Agentur - November 8, 2002

            News - Saudi Arabia

            EMPOWERMENT OF SHOURA COUNCIL LIKELY — SHATTA
            "The government is expected to devolve more powers to the Shoura
Council enabling the consultative body to exercise its supervisory role in a
more
            effective manner, according to Bakri Shatta, vice president of
the council..."  Complete report...
            SAUDIS TURNING THEIR BACKS ON U.S. VARSITIES
            "As a result of the difficulties Saudi students face in the
United States after September 11 attacks... ...'The majority of them who
used to study in the United States and the United Kingdom now go for Asian
universities, especially Malaysia...'" Complete report…

            SAUDIS TEST LIMITS OF FREEDOM
            "...the political climate in Saudi Arabia is changing, and
actual censorship is being replaced by self-censorship…"  Complete report…

            SAUDI TEAM'S IRAQ VISIT DUBBED A GRAND SUCCESS
            "A Saudi trade delegation's recent landmark visit to Iraq was
described as a 'grand success'… …Iraq and Saudi Arabia, whose diplomatic
relations have
            been cut since the 1991 Gulf war over Kuwait, initiated a
rapprochement during an Arab summit in Beirut last March…"  Complete report…

            CONSULTATIVE AGENCY FOR WATER TO BE ESTABLISHED
            "Minister of Water Dr. Ghazi Al-Qusaibi has announced the
establishment of a Consultative Agency for Water. The Agency, whose mandate
is to assist the Ministry of Water in technical aspects of its mission, will
be headed by the water minister, and have as members two representatives
from each of the university research centers that focus on water affairs,
plus one representative from the King Abdulaziz City for Science and
Technology (KACST)."  Source: SaudiEmbassy.net - Nov. 5

            25% SAUDIS ARE DIABETIC, NEW STATISTICS REVEAL
            "The number of diabetics in the Kingdom is growing alarmingly,
with four million people — or 25 percent of the population — already
suffering from
            the debilitating disease…"  Complete report...

            LABOR MINISTRY GIVEN SIX MONTHS TO TAKE CHARGE OF FOREIGN
RECRUITMENT
            "Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the
National Guard, has approved a grace period of six months for shifting the
responsibility of foreign labor recruitment from the Interior Ministry to
the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs…"  Complete report…

            News - UAE

            US, UAE LAUNCH STRATEGIC DIALOGUE ON GULF SECURITY
            "The United States and the United Arab Emirates on [Nov. 5]
launched a 'strategic dialogue' that aims to improve security cooperation
between the
            two countries and boost security in the Gulf… …declined to
elaborate on the specifics of the strategic dialogue but did say Washington
had not asked the UAE for the use of any of its facilities in the event of a
possible US military operation in Iraq…"  Complete report…
            MAKE ISRAEL COMPLY, UAE URGES UN
            "…implement the UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and
425, as well as the UN General Assembly resolution 204, all of which
reiterate the rights and sovereignty of the Palestinian people and residents
of the Syria's Golan Heights and ban Israel from using the resources from
those lands…"  Complete report…

            UAE INVESTS $60B OVER LAST FOUR YEARS
            "The UAE has pumped more than $60 billion into oil, industry and
other sectors over the past four years to maintain economic momentum and
            investments are set to pick up… …'What is keeping the high pace
of private investment is the continuous expansion in the non-oil sectors,
government incentives and high return from such fields as real estate and
industry…'"
            Complete report…

            MOHAMMED UNVEILS HEALTHCARE CITY PLAN
            "As part of Dubai's 2010 strategic vision, the $1.8 billion
Dubai Healthcare City was announced [Nov. 5]… …The project will transform
Dubai into a global hub for specialized healthcare and a center for medical
education and research…"  Complete report…

            AMNESTY TO BEGIN ON JANUARY 6
            "A date has finally been fixed for the long- awaited amnesty,
paving the way for illegal immigrants to leave the country without fine or
punishment…" Complete report…

            DUBAI RATED AMONG TOP THREE CITIES OF DECADE
            "…chosen by the global property consultants Jones Lang LaSalle
as one of the most successful cities of the last decade, for attracting
investment, its
            favorable business environment and for providing the physical
infrastructure to match it…"  Complete report…

            Link of the Week


                            GLOBAL FORUM 2002
                         The Power of Leadership:
                       Mastering the New Realities
                          11 - 13 NOVEMBER 2002

                             GLOBAL FORUM 2002
                   THE ARAB COUNTRIES: ISSUES, ANSWERS,
                             AND OPPORTUNITIES


            GulfWire Flashback - 3 Years of GW

            <<ONE YEAR AGO – FROM GULFWIRE DIGEST (#121) WEEK OF NOVEMBER
12, 2001>>
            U.S. PRESSURES UN OVER WEAPONS INSPECTORS FOR IRAQ
            "The 'Financial Times' of 4 November reports that the U.S. has
been pressing the UN for renewed weapons inspections in Iraq. There is some
concern about Baghdad's programs to develop biological and other weapons of
mass destruction. The American effort, to come before the UN before the
            end-of-the-month deadline for renewing the UN-monitored
humanitarian program in Iraq, comes with what U.S. officials say 'is growing
evidence of contacts between Iraq and Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda
network.' …The U.S. believes that Iraq is closer to redeveloping deadly
weapons as UN arms inspectors have not set foot in the country since 1998.
Suspicions that Iraq may be in contact with the Al-Qaeda network only makes
renewed inspections more urgent.

            <<TWO YEARS AGO – FROM GULFWIRE DIGEST (#71) WEEK OF NOVEMBER
13, 2000>>

            KUWAIT SMASHES BIN LADEN PLOT
            "Kuwait has announced the seizure of a large cache of explosives
and the arrest of three of its nationals alleged to be linked with the
Islamist
            dissident Osama Bin Laden..."

            <<THREE YEARS AGO – FROM GULFWIRE DIGEST (#19) WEEK OF NOVEMBER
15, 1999>>

            QATAR POLITICAL REFORMS AFFIRMED
            "Emir Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa told the opening session of an
advisory council, "Our resolve to promote popular participation in decision
            making...is firm and irreversible," according to Reuters on
Tuesday.  He told the 35 member council which debates draft laws, "We are
proud that our
            country has gone through a democratic experience..."

            GULFWIRE NOTE:  To access archived GulfWire Digests and hundreds
of other GulfWire newsletters and resources order your copy of GulfWire 2002
            CD.  It includes access to the GulfWire Members Only Web Site.
For more info: CLICK HERE

            FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET YOUR COPY OF THE GULFWIRE 2002 CD
VISIT:
            http://www.arabialink.com/GWCD


            Business News - Region

            [GulfWire] ENERGY FUTURES – 11.08.02
            Light Crude (NYM)     $25.78 bbl DOWN from $27.13 bbl on
11.01.02
            Brent Crude (IPE)     $23.49 bbl DOWN from $25.41 bbl on
11.01.02
            Heating Oil (NYM)     $.6888 gal DOWN from $.7416 gal on
11.01.02
            Natural Gas (NYM)     $3.903 mmbtu DOWN from $4.06 mmbtu on
11.01.02
            Unleaded Gas (NYM)    $.7128 gal DOWN from $.7645 gal on
11.01.02
            Source: CNNfn
            ENERGY INFO RESOURCE - - > DOE/EIA COUNTRY ANALYSIS BRIEFS… GO
TO:  CLICK HERE

            WAR IN IRAQ AND THE ECONOMY
            "Will a war against Iraq cause major damage to the world
economy?..."  Complete report...

            OIL PRICE PREDICTED TO FALL TO $18-$22 LEVEL
            "Experts are pessimistic about the long-term sustainability of
oil prices at or above $25 per barrel.  Gulf countries will face major
challenges as the oil price is likely to remain in the $18-$22 per barrel
range after the current Middle East political crisis is resolved..."
Source: KUNA

            OPEC MEMBERS ABANDON QUOTAS, SAYS IEA
            "The OECD energy watchdog said the 10 OPEC members subject to
quotas last month produced 2.48m barrels a day above the ceiling of 21.7m
b/d that they reaffirmed during the month. Indeed output from the 10 grew by
760,000 during October. At the same time, Iraq - a member of OPEC but not
subject to quotas because of UN sanctions - boosted its exports by 910,000
b/d since September..."  Source: FT.com

            OIL GROUPS POISED TO PICK OVER THE SPOILS OF IRAQI BATTLEFIELD
            "…winning access to the riches under Iraq's soil in a
post-Saddam Hussein era is a rare opportunity… …The country's reserves… …are
exceeded only by Saudi Arabia's… …some industry specialists see Iraq
becoming the focal point
            of the oil world's next 'great game'…"  Source: FT.com

            ARIG $100M OFFER WITHDRAWN AFTER UAE, LIBYA PULL OUT
            "Bahrain-based Arab Insurance Group (Arig) has called off a $100
million rights issue that had been touted as a key step in a
recapitalization
            proposal aimed at recovering the loss-ridden company's financial
strength..."  Complete report...

            MIDEAST CRUDES WEAK
            "…Traders said concerns over thin demand and competition from
incoming arbitrage supplies were weighing on the market…"  Complete report…

            Business News - Bahrain

            GCC INSIGHTS: BAHRAIN CONSOLIDATES ITS POSITION AS CENTER OF
ISLAMIC FINANCE
            "In 2002 alone, monetary authorities undertook major steps to
expand the frontiers of Islamic banking and to consolidate Bahrain's
position as a
            center for Islamic finance… …Bahrain has been selected as the
host for a planned $1.5 billion infrastructure fund aimed at financing
infrastructure and privatization prospects in Muslim countries…"  Complete
report…
            Business News - Oman

            OMAN LNG CLINCHES DEAL WITH TOTAL FINA ELF
            "The deal covers the sale of 6 million tons of LNG for delivery
to the European and American markets during 2003.  The Chairman of Oman LNG
            described the deal as a major step towards consolidating the
already strong business relations between the two companies.  He also
highlighted the Sultanate's increasingly significant role as a supplier of
clean fuel to the global market."  Source:  KUNA
            OMAN EXPRESSES INTEREST IN JOINING NORTH-SOUTH CORRIDOR PROJECT
            "The agreement on the project was signed by India, Iran and
Russia in September 2000 to facilitate transportation of transit goods from
Asia and
            Europe... ...seven countries Kazakhstan, Belarus, Bulgaria,
Azerbaijan, Armenia, Tajikistan and now Oman have submitted their requests
for
            membership to Iran which acts as the trustee for other member
states... ...the North-South corridor is the largest transit based
intercontinental
            transportation agreement ever inked... ...if Oman is accepted as
a member state, then 'the country can play an effective role in the Persian
Gulf
            region in distribution of transit goods...'"  Source: IRNA news
agency, Tehran, in English 1649 gmt 9 Nov 02

            NATIONAL IT PANEL MEETS
            "According to 'Oman Observer,' the National IT Committee held
its 3rd meeting of the year under the chairmanship of Ahmed bin Abdulnabi
Macki,
            Minister of National Economy and Deputy Chairman of the
Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, in his capacity as committee
chairman. The panel discussed a memo on the agreement signed between the
Sultanate's government and Oracle and Microsoft companies for licenses to
use database
            software and develop other PC systems..." Source: Info-Prod -
Nov. 5

            OMAN ISSUES NEW PUBLIC SHAREHOLDING BOARD LEGISLATION
            "Yahya bin Saud al-Jabri, the executive president of the Capital
Market Authority (CMA), said the new rules governing the election of members
of
            public shareholding companies boards which were issued recently
by the Minister of Commerce and Industry and CMA Board Chairman will apply
to the
            first election to be held after these rules were introduced.
Al-Jabri said the rules - issued by ministerial decree no 137 and published
in the
            official gazette on 2 November 2002 - were meant to improve the
efficiency of the money market and protect investors by laying an ideal
framework for
            the process of electing board members of a public shareholding
company..." Source: ONA

            Business News - Qatar

            SURGE IN OIL, GAS PRODUCTION TO FUEL ECONOMY
            "A surge in oil and gas production, favorable energy prices and
fiscal discipline will fuel Qatar's economy in the medium to long-term, an
expert has said.  Qatar Petroleum's efforts to boost the average oil output
to 1m barrels per day (b/d) in the next few years, and with the two LNG
            companies - Qatargas and RasGas - gearing up to achieve a
production target of about 22m tons by 2005, the overall economic situation
promises to remain stable at least in the medium term..."  Source: Gulf
Times web site, Doha, in English 2 Nov 02
            QATAR PETROLEUM, OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM OF US SIGN $778M ACCORDS
            "Qatar Petroleum and the US firm Occidental Petroleum on [Nov.
7] signed two accords worth a total of 778 million dollars to boost
production at an offshore oilfield, the state news agency QNA reported..."
Source: Agence France Presse - November 7

            QATAR TAKES ON OIL MERCHANTS
            "Can natural gas-based products compete with their oil
counterparts in the transportation fuels market? Qatar should soon find out.
With three
            gas-to-liquids (GTL) projects due to be wrapped up by end-year,
its ambition to become GTL capital of the world -- producing gas-derived,
sulfur-free
            road diesel on a commercial basis -- looks to be well within
reach... ...The ace Qatar can play as it angles to become the GTL capital of
the world -- and to make its GTL products competitive with their crude-based
counterparts -- is cheap feedstock gas: Its North Field contains some 900
            trillion cubic feet in reserves and is already supporting LNG
and gas pipeline export projects. And while developers concede that upfront
costs on
            GTL projects are high, they say that ventures would be
uneconomic only if the oil price crashes..."  Source: WorldGas
Intelligence - November 5, 2002

            QATAR AND CUBA TO COOPERATE IN HYDROCARBON SECTOR
            "Qatar and Cuba will set up a joint technical team to identify
the areas where the two countries can cooperate in the hydrocarbon sector,
HE Abdallah
            Bin-Hamad al-Attiyah, minister of energy and industry, said in
Doha [Nov. 2]..."  Source: Gulf Times web site, Doha, in English 3 Nov 02

            Business News - Saudi Arabia

            RIYADH TO PRIVATIZE 20 VITAL SECTORS
            "The government yesterday announced plans to privatize 20 vital
economic sectors including telecommunications, civil aviation, desalination,
highway management, railways, sports clubs, municipality services, health
services and hotels..."  Complete report...
            COMPANIES SEEK SOLUTIONS FOR STALLED SAUDI GAS PROJECT
            "The parties have been discussing final terms and conditions for
more than 18 months, but few expect a snap decision on the $25 billion
investment
            projects in the coming months…"  Complete report…

            IMF URGES SAUDIS TO IMPOSE INCOME TAX, LIFT BARRIERS
            "The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged cash-strapped
Saudi Arabia to impose income tax, tear down investment barriers and quickly
finalize a multibillion dollar gas initiative to revive its economy and find
jobs for its growing citizens…"  Complete report…

            BANKERS SEE NOTHING NEW IN SAMA MOVE TO STAVE OFF ILLEGAL DEALS
            "Saudi bankers have disclosed that there is nothing new in the
measures taken by Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency to prevent money laundering
and other illegal transactions. 'We have been following these measures for
the past several years...'"  Complete report...

            TOTAL SAUDIZATION OF GOLD SECTOR BY MARCH ORDERED
            "Interior Minister Prince Naif… …ordered the total Saudization
of jobs in gold and jewelry shops from the beginning of next Hijrah year
(March 4, 2003)… …Non-Saudi workers, who earn SR450 million annually from
the industry, hold most of the jobs…"  Complete report…

            NEW LOOK JEDDAH AIRPORT BY 2006
            "The project, which aims to increase the annual handling
capacity of the airport to 21 million passengers, involves the construction
of new
            international and domestic lounges in addition to developing the
present ones in the most modern manner…"  Complete report…

            AL-FAISALIAH JOINS HANDS WITH HRDF TO TRAIN AND EMPLOY OVER 500
SAUDIS
            "Describing the move as unprecedented, Prince Mohammed said it
is the first time that a major conglomerate has joined forces with the fund
by marrying its technical resources to the financial muscle that the fund
would provide…"  Complete report…

            Business News - UAE

            UAE, SYRIA SIGN PACT TO SET UP HOLDING FIRM
            "The UAE and Syria [Nov. 4] signed an agreement on the
establishment of a UAE-Syrian Holding Company that would be based in
Damascus.  The agreement... also included to explore the possibility of
setting up a UAE-Syrian bank..."  Complete report...
            NEW LAWS TO PROTECT CONSUMER RIGHTS
            "…will transform the Emirates Society for Consumer Protection
from an advisory body into one with authority to bring erring traders to
court…"
            Complete report…

            ETISALAT AWARDS DSL CONTRACT TO U.S. FIRM
            "ETISALAT has awarded the U.S.-based Zhone Technologies a supply
contract to support the corporation's comprehensive multi-service DSL
(digital subscriber line) end-to-end solution in the UAE..."  Source:
Emirates Bulletin No. 243, Nov 12




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