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The following is a selection of entries from daily reports over the last week.
From the MEMRI Blog www.memriblog.org/
*Reform
Death Threats, Al-Qaeda Fatwas Against Syrian Writer
Syrian writer and researcher Nabil Fayadh has announced that he will emigrate to Europe following death threats and following the posting on Al-Qaeda websites of fatwas calling for his assassination.
The threats and fatwas followed the publication of a book by Fayadh that included stories of disputes between the wife of the Prophet Muhammad, 'Aisha, and Caliph Uthman bin 'Afan Ali bin Abu Taleb.
Source: Alarabiya.net, January 16, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4668.htm
Report: Sharp Decline In Human Rights In Syria
In its annual report, the Syrian Human Rights Committee stated that the past year has seen a sharp decline in human rights in the country.
According to the report, the decline is manifested in the arrest of civil society and human rights activists, and in harsh rulings against them.
The report pointed out that Syrian security forces this year adopted new methods of breaking up demonstrations, including blows and live fire, and that the country's interrogation centers, detention centers, and prisons regularly use torture that in some cases has led to deaths.
Source: www.shrc.org.uk, January 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4642.htm
Syrian Mufti: May Allah Curse Anyone Who Kills An Israeli Child
In a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Syrian Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Badr Al-Din Hassoun came out with a surprising call: "May Allah curse anyone who kills a Palestinian, Israeli, or Iraqi child or man, because he is killing a person whom Allah honored without connection to his religious belief."
The mufti added that if the Ka'ba, the Church of the Nativity, or the Al-Aqsa Mosque were to be destroyed, someone would rise up to rebuild them, but when a person was killed no one could bring them back to life.
Source: champress.net, January 16, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4636.htm
Arab Human Rights Convention Now In Force
The director of the human rights department in the Arab league, Muhammad Rashed, has announced that the Arab Human Rights Convention is now in force.
The convention is the first of its kind in the Arab world.
He said that Egypt and Yemen will join the convention, which has already been ratified by seven Arab countries – the UAE, Jordan, Algeria, Bahrain, Libya, Syria, and the Palestinian Authority.
Source: Al-Ahram, Egypt, January 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4632.htm
Human Rights Activists Arrested In Syria
The Committees for the Defense of Democracy Freedoms and Human Rights in Syria reported that two major Syrian human rights activists were arrested on January 12.
The two are Mazen Darwish, head of the Center for Freedom of the Media and Expression and member of the Committees secretariat, and Hassan Kamal, administrative director of the Center.
Source: www.cdf-sy.org, January 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4597.htm
Senior Saudi Cleric: Suicide Bombers Doomed To Eternal Torment In Hell
Sheikh Dr. Salah bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, member of the Senior Ulamaa Council and of the Saudi Fatwa Committee, said that anyone who carries out a suicide attack and calls it jihad in the path of Allah while hoping to die as a martyr is judged as someone who kills himself, and his punishment is eternal torment in hell, because jihad is innocent of such operations.
Source: Al-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 12, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4565.htm
Egypt's Ministry of Religious Endowments To Oversee Mosques
Egyptian Minister of Religious Endowments Dr. Muhammad Hamdi Zaqazouq has announced that during 2008 all mosques in Egypt will be placed under the oversight of his ministry.
The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt criticized the move, saying that a dictatorial political trend aimed at politicizing religion was behind it.
Source: Al-Hayat, London, January 6, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4444.htm
*Other
Sudan President Appoints Janjaweed Commander As Gov't Advisor
Sudan President Omar Al-Bashir has appointed Janjaweed militia leader Musa Hilal as federal government minister in his government.
Hilal is known for leading the battle of the Arab Janjaweed militias against the African tribes in Darfur.
The U.N. estimates that the victims of this battle numbered 200,000.
In April 2006, the U.S. and the U.N. Security Council placed restrictions on Hilal's movements.
Sources: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London; SudanTribune.com, France, January 17, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4665.htm
Lebanese Paper: Syria Behind Attacks On U.S. Embassy Vehicle In Lebanon
In an editorial, the Lebanese daily Al-Mustaqbal stated that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad was behind the January 15 attacks on a U.S. Embassy vehicle in Lebanon.
According to the editorial's author, Fares Khashan, the Syrian regime was aiming to harm U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feldman, whom it despises, and that the Syrian regime had the means to carry out such an attack.
The editorial added that the attack was a bloody message to elements threatening to transfer the handling of the Lebanon crisis to the U.N. Security Council, to Lebanese presidential candidate Michel Sleiman, and against the Arab foreign ministers' initiative for resolving the Lebanon crisis, primarily against Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Lebanon, January 17, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4659.htm
Egyptian Parliamentary Speaker Threatens To Cut Off Diplomatic Relations With European Parliament
In advance of the vote to be held today in the European Parliament over the bill to condemn Egypt's human rights violations, Egyptian parliamentary speaker Ahmad Fathi Srour said that the Egyptian parliament would consider cutting off relations with the European Parliament and with the Europe-Eastern Mediterranean council.
He said that the vote is gross interference in Egypt's internal affairs, and that Egypt is opposed to the patronizing language of the bill and does not see the European Parliament as a court.
Source: Al-Ahram, Egypt, January 17, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4649.htm
Cartoon In Qatari Paper On U.S. Frightening Arabs With Iran's Nuclear Program
On missile: "Iranian Nuclear Reactor."
Source: Al-Raya, Qatar, January 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4635.htm
UAE To Get French Military Base
France is to set up a military base in the UAE, for the use of its naval and air forces in the Persian Gulf and in nearby regions.
Several hundred troops will be posted to the base.
The move comes as part of the existing defense agreement between the two countries, that has been in force since 1995.
Source: Elaph.com, January 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4612.htm
Algerian Security Forces Weigh New Anti-Missionary Program
An Algerian security forces team is examining a new program for fighting missionary activity, to be submitted to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
The program, which was prepared by clerics, includes encouraging citizens to report missionary activity and efforts to raise funds to support indigent individuals considering converting to Christianity, and counterpropaganda in order to point out the contradictions and heresy in Christianity and Judaism.
The main region of concern is Kabylia, but missionary activity is taking place also in other regions of the country.
Source: El-Khabar, Algeria, January 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4602.htm
Cartoon In Palestinian and Qatari Papers: "Bush Sows Civil War Between Iran, Arab Countries"
Sources: Falastin, Palestinian Authority; Al-Sharq, Qatar, January 14, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4423.htm
Sudanese Foreign Ministry Responds To Hillary
A Sudanese Foreign Ministry spokesman called the plan of U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to use force to resolve the crisis in Darfur "void statements."
He said that Sudan's domestic policy shouldn't play a role in U.S. elections, especially since it is known that candidates in the West tend not to keep their campaign promises once elected.
In an editorial, the Sudanese paper Al-Sahafa warned that if Senator Clinton were to be elected U.S. president, she was likely to fire Tomahawk missiles on Sudan just as her husband did when he was president.
Sources: Al-Sudani, Al-Sahafa, Sudan, January 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4595.htm
Unprecedented Rise In Cost Of Basic Commodities In Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Human Rights Association has sent an official letter to Saudi Industry and Commerce Minister Dr. Hashem Yamani after it received numerous complaints from citizens on an unprecedented increase in goods and basic commodities, including milk.
Association representatives demanded that the minister increase oversight of merchants and step up consumer protection.
Source: Al-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 14, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4592.htm
Saudi Religious Police Beat Youth Into Unconsciousness
In a clash with a group of youths in the Najran region in Saudi Arabia, religious police beat one youth into unconsciousness.
The family of the youth, who has regained consciousness but remains in hospital, states that even after he was in serious condition religious police did not bring him to hospital but handed him over to police in the region.
The religious police said that they would issue an official response in the matter today, January 15, but have not yet done so.
Source: Al-Watan, Saudi Arabia, January 14, 2008, January 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4588.htm
Muslim Brotherhood On Bush Visit To Egypt: We Don't Receive Murderers
In a communiqué titled "We Won't Welcome Murderers," Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt movement expressed opposition to President Bush's anticipated visit to Egypt.
Also, Egyptian Jihad movement attorney Sa'd Hasballah announced that his organization would not welcome Bush and views him as a war criminal and an enemy of Islam.
Source: Al-Masri Al-Yawm, Egypt, January 13, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4577.htm
Daughter Of Fath Al-Islam Leader: Recording Not My Father's Voice
Following the release by Islamist websites of a recording in the voice of the leader of the Fath Al-Islam organization, Shaker Al-'Absi, Al-'Absi's wife claimed that her husband is dead and that his body is at a hospital in Tripoli, Lebanon.
His daughter stated the voice on the recording is not her father's.
Source: 'Okaz, Saudi Arabia, January 14, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4566.htm
Hizbullah Leader Nasrallah: Proud To Be Enemies Of The Great Satan
In response to statements by President Bush accusing Hizbullah of terrorism, Hizbullah Sec.-Gen Hassan Nasrallah said, "When Pharaoh and the Great Satan accuse us and label us in the category of [its] enemies, we are proud."
He added, hinting at the March 14 Forces, that it is humiliating for someone to be used as a tool by the Great Satan, i.e. the U.S.
Source: www.ghaliboun.net, January 14, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4564.htm
Iraq Seeks To Join GCC
In an announcement on behalf of Iraq's president, Iraqi Vice President Tareq Al-Hashemi discussed, during his visit to Kuwait earlier this month, Iraq's joining the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Hashemi said in his own name, "Iraq is a Gulf country, whether we like it or not."
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, January 14, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4559.htm
Kuwait, Iran FMs To Discuss Border Dispute, Economic Cooperation
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Muhammad Al-Sabih has said that at his meeting tomorrow in Tehran with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki, the two will discuss, in the framework of a joint committee of the two countries, how to resolve the dispute over the borders, in addition to economic cooperation.
Source: Al-Jaridah, Kuwait, January 14, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4558.htm
Why Did Turkmenistan Stop Supplying Gas To Iran?
In a speech in Shiraz that was not widely reported, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated that he had information that "a number of people in Iran had asked the Turkmenistan authorities to stop exporting gas to Iran."
He said that he would not reveal their names out of respect for several high-ranking regime officials. It is estimated that these senior officials are connected to those to whom Ahmadinejad referred in his speech.
The London daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported that as of December 31, 2007, Turkmenistan had stopped exporting gas to Iran, giving no explanation.
Sources: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, January 12, 2008; Asr-e Iran, Etemad-e Meli, Iran, January 13, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4552.htm
U.S.-Sudan In Talks Over Increasing Tension Between Them
U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield who is currently visiting Sudan, met yesterday with Sudanese Foreign Minister Ding Alur on the issues of speeding up the deployment of international peace force in Darfur, improving relations between the two countries, and tightening security around the U.S. Embassy in Sudan.
The Al-Sudani daily reported that the real aim of Thomas-Greenfield's visit was to remove the difficulties placed by the Sudanese government over the construction of the new U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, due to fears that the new building would also be used for military and intelligence purposes.
Sudanese Treasury Minister Al-Zubayr Ahmed Al-Hasan clarified to Thomas-Greenfield that that the Sudanese government would refuse to release containers being held up at Port Sudan containing equipment for building the embassy as long as the U.S. continued to hold expropriated Sudanese funds.
Sudanese presidential advisor Mustafa Othman Isma'il blamed the U.S. for the increasing tension between the countries, stating that the U.S. had promoted a proposal to condemn Sudan in the U.N. Security Council for an incident last week in which a U.N. convoy in Darfur was fired on.
Sources: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London; Al-Sudani, Sudan, January 13, 2008; Al-Rai Al-'Aam , Al-Sahafa, Sudan, January 14, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4550.htm
Cartoon In Bahraini Paper On Bush's Visit To Israel
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Olmert, Bush, and Abbas on cliff. On Abbas's balloon: "Illusions of a Palestinian state."
Source: Akhbar Al-Khaleej, Bahrain, January 11, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4547.htm
From MEMRI TV: http://www.memritv.org/
Clip No. 1657 – "Saudi Women's Rights Activist Wajiha Al-Huweidar Criticizes Middle Eastern Men and Saudi Society and States: The Condition of Saudi Women Is Worse Than in Guantanamo"
To view this clip, visit http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/1657
Clip No. 1656 - Former Dean of Islamic Law at Qatar University Abd Al-Hamid Al-Ansari: The Innocent Pay the Price for the Incitement by the Preachers of Hatred
To view this clip, visit http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/1656
Clip No. 1654 - Hamas "Welcomes" Bush on His Middle East Visit with the Burning of Effigies and Flags, and Chants of "Death to America"
To view this clip, visit http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/1654
Clip No. 1653 - Incitement on Hamas TV against President Bush during His Middle East Visit
To view this clip, visit http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/1653
Clip No. 1651 - Islamist Sheik Omar Bakri, Who Fled from London to Lebanon, Declares His Support of Al-Qaeda, Criticizes Hizbullah and States: The Prophet Muhammad Also Killed Civilians
To view this clip, visit http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/1651
Clip No. 1650 - Report: Al-Qaeda Controls U.S. Prisons in Iraq
To view this clip, visit http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/1650
Clip No. 1649 - American Al-Qaeda Operative Adam Gadahn Calls on Mujahideen to Receive Bush in the Middle East with Bombs and Tears Up His U.S. Passport
To view this clip, visit http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/1649
From The Islamist Websites Monitor Project
Al-Qaeda in Yemen Launches New E-Journal – Sada Al-Malahim
On January 13, 2008, Islamist websites posted the first issue of Sada Al-Malahim [Echo of Wars], the e-journal of Al-Qaeda in Yemen. According to its editor, the journal was established in response to a call by Ayman Al-Zawahiri, who urged "[those] who are engaged in Islamic media jihad to strengthen their resolve... in the face of the fiercest Crusader attack that the Islamic nation [has ever known]."
To View The Full Post On The Islamist Websites Monitor Project Website Visit:
http://memriiwmp.org/content/en/blog_personal.htm?id=344
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4640.htm
Al-Ekhlas Announces New Version of "Mujahideen Secrets" Software
On January 13, 2008, the Islamist forum Al-Ekhlas (http://ek-ls.org, hosted by NOC4Hosts Inc. in Florida, USA), announced the imminent release of a new version of the "Mujahideen Secrets" software.
To View The Full Post On The Islamist Websites Monitor Project Website Visit:
http://memriiwmp.org/content/en/blog_personal.htm?id=342
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4551.htm
From the MEMRI Urdu-Pashto Media Blog – Coming Soon
Foreign Ambassadors Briefed Over The Security Of Nuclear Assets
Islamabad: The ambassadors of some European and Western nations based in Pakistan were briefed on Wednesday about the steps taken for the security of Pakistan's atomic assets and the structure of command and control authority. The briefing took place in the Strategic Plan Division. According to the Foreign Office and military sources, the chief of Strategic Plan Division Lt. General (R) Khalid Qidwai briefed the ambassadors.
The ambassadors belonged to those nations whose government leaders have been issuing statements about the nuclear assets of Pakistan. Sources said that Lt. Gen. (R) Khalid informed them that there was no truth in the Western media's propaganda that Pakistan's nuclear assets are not safe.
Source: Roznama Ausaf, Pakistan, 17 January 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/urdupashtu/blog_personal/en/4652.htm
'Postponing Elections Will Threaten Pakistan's Breakup'
Swabi, North-West Frontier Province: The chief of Awami National Party, senator Asfandyar Wali Khan has said in clear terms that if the government tried to postpone the February 18 general elections, his party will launch nationwide protests...
He was addressing a big rally. He said that postponing elections will be tantamount to breaking up Pakistan; the rulers should ensure the holding of free and fair elections and whichever party wins majority seats should be handed over the reins of power. If the government did not do this, there will threats to the country's territorial integrity.
Source: Roznama Jang, London, 15 January 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/urdupashtu/blog_personal/en/4621.htm
'Solution for All Pakistan's Problems in the Koran'
Oldham, United Kingdom: Leaders of Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadees, Maulana Sanaullah Silakoti, Shafiqur Rahman and others, have said that a solution for all the problems of Pakistan is in the implementation of the Koran and Sunnah. They said that Pakistan is sadly conflicted today with political, religious, cultural and economic problems. There is no system of justice; every [government] department is promoting injustice and tyranny. The poor can't get water and flour; politically all parties have failed in resolving people's problems. The solution of all the problems, therefore, is in the implementation of the Koran and Sunnah in the country.
Source: Roznama Ausaf, London, 14 January 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/urdupashtu/blog_personal/en/4620.htm
Conspiracy To Make Pakistan A Failed State: Qazi Hussain
Lahore, Pakistan: The chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Qazi Hussain Ahmad has said that we [Pakistanis] are passing through the worst turmoil in the nation's history. Conspiracies are being hatched through terror attacks to prove Pakistan to be a failed state. Plans are being devised to capture our nuclear assets. There are talks of attacks on western border areas [tribal areas].
Source: Roznama Jang, London, 14 January 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/urdupashtu/blog_personal/en/4618.htm
500 Religious Leaders Barred From Leaving Districts in Muharram
Islamabad: After the Lahore bomb blast [of 10thJanuary] plans for new security measures have been given final approval. The Interior Ministry has issued a new order to all provinces in this regard. Under this order, about 500 Ulema [religious leaders] have been barred from leaving their districts with respect to the month of Muharram [which is considered holy by Shi'a Muslims and security sensitive].
Source: Roznama Jang, London, 14 January 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/urdupashtu/blog_personal/en/4614.htm
'British Muslim community Has Right to Decide Religious Policies'
Birmingham, United Kingdom: The British Muslim community will itself decide policies about the management of mosques, responsibilities of Ulema [religious leaders], religious and educational needs of the Muslim community, especially Islamic education and training for Muslim youths. The representatives of the Muslim community will provide leadership to the institutions of the British government in this regard.
This was stated by Muslim leaders during a conference here on the issue of the draft standard and constitution of the Mosque and Imam National Advisory Board.
Source: Roznama Jang, London, 14 January 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/urdupashtu/blog_personal/en/4613.htm
If No Aid, the U.S. Should Find Other Allies: Pakistan
Paris: President Pervez Musharraf has said that if the U.S. does not want to offer further aid to Pakistan, then it should seek assistance in the War on Terror from some other nations; [he said] in such a situation, it should also look for other Allies. The President said that the Pakistani economy was strong and could stand on its feet even without the U.S. aid. He asked the U.S. administration: Do you think that if no aid was given, Pakistan will end?
In an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro, he warned that if aid was denied to Pakistan, it will adversely affect the War on Terror. President Musharraf said that during the past six years, the U.S. had given us $9 billion, half of which was given in relation to the War on Terror.
Source: Roznama Jang, London, 13 January 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/urdupashtu/blog_personal/en/4576.htm
160 Million People Ready To Defend Atomic Assets: Pakistani Leader
Islamabad: The president of opposition Pakistan Muslim League (N) Shahbaz Sharif has said that 160 million people are ready to defend Pakistan's nuclear assets, and there is no need for international aid for their security. He was speaking to reporters here.
Source: Roznama Jang, London, 13 January 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/urdupashtu/blog_personal/en/4575.htm
Pakistan is Becoming World's Faultline: Zardari
New Delhi: Husband of assassinated Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto and co-chairman of Pakistan People's Party Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan is becoming the world's faultline and that its survival is in establishing good relations with India.
In an interview with the Indian magazine Outlook, Asif Zardari said that any radical change, violence/break-up or Talebanisation activities in Pakistan will directly affect India; therefore being a big power in the region, India should fulfill its responsibilities and play a big role.
Source: Roznama Ausaf, London, 12 January 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/urdupashtu/blog_personal/en/4573.htm
Bishop's Statement is Hatred Against Muslims: Jamiat
Manchester, United Kingdom: The president of Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Pakistan (UK Branch), Syed Zahid Hussain Rizvi, has condemned the statement by the Bishop of Rochester Michael Nazir, describing it as provocative, misleading and contrary to realities. He said the Bishop's statement [that there are no-go areas for non-Muslims in the UK] was open demonstration of his hatred of Muslims.
Jamiat vice-president Hafiz Fazl Ahmad Qadri said that the bishop's statement was extremely irresponsible and was a sad step towards creating differences rather than harmony between different civilizations.
Source: Roznama Jang, London, 12 January 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/urdupashtu/blog_personal/en/4571.htm
Residents Fleeing Pakistan's Tribal Areas
Situation is worsening in Pakistan's tribal areas. According to informed sources, after the bombing of Taleban positions, the inhabitants of Mohmand Agency are migrating. In these areas there are also reports coming of [impending] U.S. forces' involvement in operations against the Taleban and Al Qaeda. Although Pakistan and the U.S. governments have rejected reports in the Washington Post and New York Times newspapers, still the inhabitants of the affected areas do not agree with them and are fleeing in large numbers... The [former] member of the National Assembly from parliamentary seat number NA36, Shahbaz Yasir Ali, said that from Monday [7 January] night about 100,000 people left their homes following an operation by security forces. He said that the Taleban are local people who have taken up guns against the injustices and discriminations by the local administration.
Source: Roznama Nation, Weekly Edition, London, 12-18 January 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/urdupashtu/blog_personal/en/4569.htm
From the MEMRI Iran Blog www.thememriblog.org/iran
Chinese Official: No Place For Pressure, Sanctions Against Iran
In advance of the meeting of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany next week in Berlin, a Chinese Foreign Ministry official met with Iranian Supreme National Security Council secretary Saeed Jalili, who is visiting China.
During the meeting, the official, Director-General of the Department of West Asian and North Africa of Chinese Foreign Ministry Song Aiguo, said, "Despite pressure from the U.S. and a number of Western countries, Beijing believes that there is no place for pressure and sanctions on Iran in the matter of its nuclear dossier."
Source: IRNA, Iran, January 17, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4666.htm
IRGC Weekly "Sobh-e Sadeq": Iranian Security Forces Arrest American Spies At Iran-Pakistan Border
The Iranian weekly Sobh-e Sadeq, the mouthpiece of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei circulated among the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), stated that Iranian security forces have arrested a number of American spies at the Iran-Pakistan border. It said that the spies entered Iran illegally.
The paper said, "On the Americans were found half a million dollars, modern spy cameras, and maps of sensitive areas in Iran."
Source: Sobh-e Sadeq, Iran, January 13, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4589.htm
Iran Student Movement Expresses Concern Over Human Rights Violations
Following the arrest of a dozen students yesterday, January 15, by Iranian security forces, the Iranian student movement expressed its profound concern about the "human catastrophe" and the increase in human rights violations in the country.
Iranian human rights activists say that some 60 students are currently being held across the country, and that their situation is unknown.
Source: Rooz, Iran, January 16, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4631.htm
Iranian Authorities Ban Media From Covering Avian Flu
Iranian authorities have prohibited the country's media from covering the problem of avian flu in Iran.
Knowledgeable sources in the presidential institution told the reformist daily Rooz that "the reason for the censoring is that the crisis stems from the cold, and from the difficulties emanating from it."
According to Iranian press reports from the past few months, several people have become ill with the disease.
Source: Rooz, Iran, January 16, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4629.htm
Iran Atomic Energy Organization Official: Russia Will Soon Complete Shipment Of Nuclear Fuel To Bushehr
Iranian Atomic Energy Organization deputy chief Mohammad Saeedi has announced that Russia and Iran were expected to reach an agreement soon regarding the exact date of the launch of operations at the Bushehr nuclear reactor.
He said that in the coming weeks, Russia would be completing its shipment of another 63 tons of nuclear fuel for the reactor.
Source: IRNA, Iran, January 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4611.htm
Iranian Paper: UAE Leaders Will Pay Price For Bush Visit
In an editorial, the Iranian daily Jomhouri-e Eslami stated that the rulers of the UAE "will pay the price for permitting the Great Satan to distort [the image of] Iran" during his visit there.
The paper said that the UAE rulers "are ignoring Bush's crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan" and that Bush is "baring talons and teeth" towards Iran because Iran's nuclearization has become "a huge nightmare for him and for his partners."
Source: Jomhouri-e Eslami, Iran, January 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4610.htm
Iranian Gov't Body Asks Iranian Media To Present Bush Visit In Negative Light
The online reformist daily Rooz reports that the Supreme National Security Council has instructed the media to portray President Bush's Middle East visit as "unsuccessful and pointless."
The paper stated that in a previous incident, the council asked the media not to report that the resignation of Ali Larijani as council secretary stemmed from a dispute with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Source: Rooz, Iran, January 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4593.htm
Alef: Ahmadinejad's Spiritual Mentor To Step Down From Institute Leadership
The Iranian website Alef, which is affiliated with conservative MP Ahmad Tavakkoli, director of the Majlis Strategic Research Center, reported that the spiritual mentor of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi Mesbah-e Yazdi, is planning to resign his post as head of the Imam Khomeini Education & Research Institute, due to the serious migraines from which he suffers.
The site also reported that Mesbah-e Yazdi was unable to join last week's trip to Yazd by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei because of a worsening in his condition.
Source: Alef, Iran, January 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4590.htm
Iranian Presidential Officials Confiscate Reporters' Transcripts Of Ahmadinejad Speech
An Iranian reformist website reports that senior officials in the institution of the presidency have prevented the publication of a speech made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to preachers early last week, and have taken transcripts of the speech from correspondents who covered the event.
According to the website, the transcripts of Ahmadinejad's speech, which was on the subject of religion, were confiscated because his speech contained statements contrary to the positions of Iran's senior ayatollahs.
Source: Norooz News, Iran, January 14, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4586.htm
Iranian Daily: U.S. Media Says Columbia University Lecturers Deny Group Planning To Visit Iran To Apologize To Ahmadinejad
The Iranian daily Jomhouri-e Eslami reports that according to the U.S. media, Columbia University lecturers have denied the news that a group of lecturers from the university planned to visit the country to apologize to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Source: Jomhouri-e Eslami, Iran, January 10, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4581.htm
Hundreds Arrested In Bandar-Turkman
Iranian security and Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) forces have arrested over 350 people following rioting two weeks ago in the city of Bandar-Turkman, on the Caspian Sea.
The rioting had been in protest against the coast guard's killing of a local Sunni youth and the wounding of two of his friends.
The detainees' families were told that their relatives had been transported to the city of Zahedan, in the southeast of the country.
Source: Rooz, Iran, December 31, 2007, January 2, 2008 and January 13, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4557.htm
Protests Over Gas Shortage Greet Ahmadinejad On Visit To Northern Iran Province
On an unplanned visit to Mazandaran province in northern Iran this weekend, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad encountered a hostile reception by residents, who protested against the government's neglect in handling the cutoff of gas supply to the province.
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, January 12, 2008; Etemad-e Mali, Iran, January 13, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4553.htm
From the MEMRI Turkey Blog www.thememriblog.org/turkey
Turkey's Opposition Lashes Out At Erdogan, AKP Government
Opposition parties strongly criticized Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday for his statements in Spain about "lifting the ban on the Islamic headscarf even if it is worn as a political symbol."
Leader of the main opposition party (CHP) Deniz Baykal said that Erdogan's statement is a confession of how AKP really sees the turban issue. He said, "The PM used to deny that it is a political symbol. And now he says 'so what if it is a political symbol?' Using religion for political purposes is a crime and letting religious symbols to take part in political life cannot be tolerated in a secular and democratic country".
Baykal accused Erdogan for being overconfident because of the 47% of the votes that AKP received; for eroding the secular system; for creating a chaos of concepts and dragging Turkey to a dangerous place, adding "God help Turkey". Baykal said, "The PM thinks there is nobody to tell him that enough is enough, but democracy will certainly face him."
Leader of the nationalist MHP party Devlet Bahceli also responded with strong criticism yesterday to PM Erdogan, because of his habit of making controversial comments always when he is out of Turkey, and accused him of "dynamiting the chances for reaching societal compromise and concensus in Turkey on the turban issue." Bahceli said that this shows the extent to which the turban issue is being exploited by the AKP.
Chairman of the center-left DSP Zeki Sezer said, "With his statement the prime minister has shown his hidden agenda. The ladies that cover their heads and those who don't are all our women. Let the PM take his hands off our people's religion, faith and the headscarf".
The newly elected chairman of the center-right DP Suleyman Soylu said, "The issue of the turban ban in universities must be resolved, but Turkey must not move away from secularism, not even a millimeter".
Source: Hurriyet, Sabah, Turkish Daily News, January 16, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/4645.htm
Sudanese President To Visit Turkey
Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir is to visit Turkey next week as the official guest of Turkish President Abdullah Gül.
Al-Bashir will be welcomed with a military ceremony at the Çankaya Presidential Palace on January 21 and will stay at Camlı Köşk, where visiting heads of state are accommodated.
The visit marks a clear departure from Turkey's general stance of avoiding high-level contacts with Sudanese officials.
Source: Turkish Daily News, Turkey, January 16, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/4644.htm
PM Erdogan in Spain: "Even If The Turban Is Worn As Political Symbol, It Cannot Be Considered A Crime; We Will Soon Solve This Problem"
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is in Spain for a meeting of the Alliance of Civilizations, answered reporters' questions yesterday regarding the use of the turban in Turkey as a "political symbol." Erdogan said, "Even if the turban is worn as a political symbol, wearing a political symbol cannot be considered a crime. Can symbols and signs be banned? Where else in the world is there such a ban? It is now banned in a country where the population is 99% Muslim. We will solve this problem in the shortest time possible."
His statement, that started a hot debate in Turkey, is seen by many as an admission that the turban is indeed the symbol of political Islam in Turkey, and as a hint by PM Erdogan that the AKP intends to lift the turban ban in Turkish universities through the new constitution that it has drafted.
Sources: Hurriyet, Sabah, Cumhuriyet, Turkey, January 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/4627.htm
Alevi Student Beaten By Religion Teacher In Istanbul
At a vocational high school in Sisli, Istanbul, an Alevi student was beaten by the teacher of religion and was taken to hospital with life-threatening internal and head injuries.
In a series of recent events, Alevi students have been targets of humiliation, and sometimes physical assault, by teachers of the controversial religious studies that only teach Sunni Islam.
Source: Cumhuriyet, Turkey, January 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/4626.htm
Turkey's Parliament Has Concealed Hair Salon For Islamist Women
Turkish media reported about a special hair salon within the Turkish parliament that is serving covered Islamist women. This additional hair salon was discovered by opposition CHP MP Canan Aritman, who said that she had gone to the hair salon in the parliament and, seeing that it was full, tried to enter the added section, but found it locked. When the door was finally opened for her from within, she saw that it was a newer and better-equipped section, and saw a woman stylist doing the hair of a woman with a hijab who, she later learned, was the wife of AKP MP Halil Mazicioglu. Immediately upon her entry, a curtain was drawn to conceal the customer, behind which she covered her head.
The MP complained about what she found and said that women who wear the turban have the right to go to hair salons too, but that the parliament is not the place for such a practice. In an open letter to the parliamentary speaker Koksal Toptan, Aritman said that the nation's parliament is a public institution in which everyone has taken an oath to uphold the constitution and the secular nature of the Turkish Republic. She noted that this would set a wrong example and a precedent for similar attempts in other public institutions.
Aritman told the press that there was no point to debating whether or not Turkey would become like Malaysia, and she added, "Step by step Turkey is becoming an Iran, a Saudi Arabia. Soon enough our women will be denied the right to drive, like in [Saudi] Arabia."
Source: gazeteport.com, Hurriyet, Vatan, Turkey, January 14-15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/4625.htm
Turkey Hopes To Be Middle East's Uranium Enrichment Center
The largest Turkish daily Hürriyet said in today's front page headline: "Historic Decision for Uranium.." and in the article beneath it wrote that Turkey is to become an important actor in the field of energy and an energy supply center for the Middle East.
Hurriyet's report said that the recent energy deal signed with Iran and the willingness on the part of the U.S. to work jointly with Turkey on Iraqi oil and natural gas projects made Turkey an important actor in this field.
The report read: "There are discussions within the ministry of energy about plans to build nuclear energy stations in Turkey that would also enrich uranium. Building a facility for uranium enrichment in Turkey will likely be discussed at the international nuclear energy conference to be held in Istanbul on Friday. Iran's announcement last year that it might agree to the proposal of the enrichment of the uranium to be done in a third country, provided that it is in Turkey, sparked the new idea among Turkish officials. International nuclear energy officials and experts will soon discuss the issue in Istanbul. If Turkey became a uranium enrichment center, the U.S. would give its consent and countries in the region would be able to purchase the enriched uranium from Turkey."
Source: Hürriyet, Turkey, January 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/4624.htm
From the MEMRI Economic Blog www.MEMRIeconomicblog.org
Saudi Arabia Postpones Flogging due to Weather
Saudi King Abdullah instructed the Saudi Ministry of Finance to quickly provide assistance in kind to the citizens affected by the biting cold wave that hit many regions.
In Al-Sharqia, the wave of cold weather forced the adoption of exceptional measures, including the postponement of implementing flogging judgments against convicted citizens.
Source: Al- Watan, Saudi Arabia, January 16, 2008
http://memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?news=767
Syrian Statistics
The Syrian Central Bureau of Statistics has issued its annual report for 2007, which covers data from 2006 and preliminary data from 2007. The following is some interesting information:
Demographics: Unlike the rest of the Middle East, in Syria the number of males exceeds the number of females, 10,882 million vs. 10,778 million, or 101 males for every 100 females.
For the year 2006, 205,000 certificates of weddings were issued against 20,000 certificates of divorce, or a 10% divorce rate.
Labor force: There are 4,859 million workers distributed between the public sector (1,355 million) and the private sector (3,485 million). [Most private sector employment in Syria is in small family-run businesses or in the multitude of storekeepers and their family members.] The labor force comprises 4.2 million (86.4%) of males and 630,000 of females (13%).
Unemployment: 432,000 individuals are unemployed, including 168,000 individuals with a primary school certificate.
Water consumption: Three points were made. First, there was an increase in the number of people receiving drinking water; second, there was a growing waste of water in the distribution network from 248 million cubic meters in 2002 to 394 million cubic meters in 2006. Third, the average increase in the production of water has been below the demand. [Some of the "waste" is actually caused by water theft or by the refusal of consumers to pay their water bills. We have reported in the past about the use of the police to force people to pay their bills.]
Tourism: More than 6 million tourists entered the country, of which 4.8 million were able nationals and 1.78 million foreign nationals, with Turkish nationals leading at 480,000 tourists.
Foreign trade: Imports were 531,323 million Syrian pounds [$10.4 billion] against exports of 505,012 million Syrian pounds [$9.9 billion], a trade deficit of 26 billion pounds [$500 million].
Source: Al-Thawra, Syria, January 17, 2008
http://memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?news=757
Iran Decides to Construct Separate Gas Pipeline to Turkey
In a bid to reach a final solution to recurrent gas problems with Turkey, Iran has decided to construct a new pipeline dedicated to carry its natural gas to the Turkish market.
Iran had enough reserves to double the gas provided to Turkey, said a report by the Turkish newspaper Today's Zaman on Tuesday, quoting Ahmad Noorani, the undersecretary for economic and commercial affairs at the Iranian Embassy in Ankara.
However, as the current pipeline between the two countries was connected to Iran's domestic natural gas network, gas flow might drop depending on weather conditions and natural gas consumption, said Noorani.
The project is in the development stage for now and completion of the pipeline might take time, the report said.
Iran and Turkey signed a natural gas agreement in August 1996, allowing Turkey to purchase 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year from Iran for 25 years.
To View This on the MEMRI Economic Blog visit:
http://www.memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?news=728
Source: Fars News Agency, Iran, January 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4643.htm
Abu Dhabi to Set Up World's Greenest City
On January 13, The WWF [World Wildlife Fund in the U.S., and Worldwide Fund for Nature internationally] and Masdar, The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, launched a "Sustainability Action Plan" to deliver the world's greenest city – Masdar City – to be the first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city. The six square-kilometer city will abide by the 10 sustainability principles of "One Planet Living", a global initiative launched by the WWF with the direction of environmental consultancy from BioRegional.
Electricity will be generated by photovoltaic panels, while cooling will be provided via concentrated solar power. Water will be provided through a solar-powered desalination plant. Landscaping within the city and crops grown outside the city will be irrigated with grey water and treated waste water produced by the city's water treatment plant.
Abu Dhabi's multifaceted investment, the Masdar Initiative, is exploring the development and commercialization of future energy sources and clean technology solutions. The city, growing eventually to 1,500 businesses and 50,000 residents, will be home to international business and top minds in the field of sustainable and alternative energy.
A model of Masdar City will be unveiled on January 21 at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. Groundbreaking for the construction of the city is slated in the first quarter of 2008 and it is to be completed and fully functioning in 2015.
The announcement comes at the same time that Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company (ADNEC), Turret Middle East and event sponsor Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, are preparing for the inaugural World Future Energy Summit on January 21-23, which is set to attract more than 5,000 attendees-among them presidents, royalty and government officials from more than 25 nations.
Source: Arab News, January 14, 2008
http://www.memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?news=751
GCC Could Be Forced to Abandon Dollar Peg
According to participants at The Economist's World in 2008 Forum, GCC countries will be forced sooner or later to abandon their foreign exchange regimes, where they peg their currencies against the dollar. It was touted that inflation will increase the pressure to do so.
With more economic integration taking place between the GCC states, the decision to depart from the peg can become easier in the future, or maybe a scenario of de-pegging, revaluations, and then re-pegging can be expected, participants said.
It was also noted that recent investments of the Middle East's sovereign wealth funds in US assets are not expected to yield any returns in the short term, due to financial assets falling in value by about 69% since the outbreak of the subprime mortgage crisis and substantial write downs. The capital base of these assets is now deemed to be "weakened."
Source: Gulfnews.com, January 16, 2008
http://www.memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?news=750
Iranian Fuel Subsidies to End in 2012
Iran's government will eliminate fuel subsidies, which annually impose a huge financial burden on state coffers, in 2012. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has notified his special representative in charge of developing public transport and fuel management of the Comprehensive Public Transportation Development Law, which obliges the government to stop paying subsidies for gasoline and diesel within the next five years.
Iran has to spend huge amounts to import the heavily-subsidized gasoline since it lacks enough refining capacity to process the vast reserves it sits on. The parliament has approved the allocation of more than $23 billion for gasoline imports in the current fiscal year (ending March 20). [The figure of $23 billion seems inaccurately large in our estimate.]
The law also mandates the government to expand public transportation by developing railroads, unifying transportation management, revising prices and improving transport safety. Phasing out dilapidated vehicles, manufacturing cars and heavy vehicles with biofuel engines, increasing the number of filling stations offering compressed natural gas (CNG) and building new roads and highways are envisaged under the new law. The government is obliged to support inventions aimed at improving energy efficiency as well as the production of electric and hybrid light and heavy vehicles and motorcycles.
Private investors will be entitled to a discount in tariffs for importing fuel-efficient materials.
Source: Iran Daily, January 15, 2008
http://www.memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?news=748
Iraq Sets a Plan to Subsidize Ration Card Items
Iraqi Trade Minister Abd al-Fallah al-Sudani. Source: Al-Forat TV
The Iraqi Trade Ministry is studying a three-stage plan during a three year-period to subsidize the ration card items aiming at making the private sector responsible for providing foodstuffs, while changing the role of the trade ministry to a monitoring agency, the Iraqi Trade Minister Abd al-Fallah al-Sudani said on Monday.
The announcement, by the Ministry of Commerce, raised various reactions on the Iraqi street and the political and parliamentary blocs, which urged the Iraqi government to continue the foodstuffs provision through the ration card [current] plan.
The government of the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had adopted the ration-card system in 1994, following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent UN economic sanctions on Iraq in 1991.
The current system provides many basic foodstuffs for the Iraqi citizens in general at subsidized and low prices. Iraq currently imports all ration card items from abroad.
[Minister al-Sudani was accused by the "Integrity Committee" of the Iraqi parliament of corruption and accepting bribes. He denied the charges but an investigation is on-going.]
Source: Al-Sumaria, Iraq, January 15, 2008
http://www.memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?news=741
Arab Countries Import $10 Billion Annually of Food Commodities
Damascus will host, in the middle of next month, the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development to discuss the strategy for self-sufficiency in food production.
According to Dr. Rafiq Saleh, the head of the organization in Damascus, Arab countries import $10 billion worth of food products worth annually.
Source: Al-Thawra, Syria, January 16, 2008
http://www.memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?news=736
Saudi Arabia Signs Agreements for Research in Water Desalinization
The Saudi Water Desalination Authority has signed three agreements with two research institutions in Singapore and Japan, respectively, and a third agreement with Aramco [the Saudi national oil company] to carry out research on various aspects of water desalinization. The Saudi Water Authority is also negotiating with other research centers to strengthen the authority's status as one of the leading water desalinization agencies in the world.
Source: Al-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 14, 2008
http://www.memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?news=714
Forum of Businesswomen in Islamic Countries Opens in Doha
Sheikha Hessa al-Sabah, president of the Council of Arab Businesswomen, has called on decision makers in the Arab and Islamic states to support women's projects and to eliminate many of their work problems, including the increasing unemployment among them. She was talking at the opening of the Conference of Businesswomen in Islamic Countries in Doha, which saw the participation of 250 businesswomen from a number of prominent Islamic countries.
Sheikha Hessa asked the international and regional specialized organizations in the Arab and Islamic countries to review the laws that cover business licenses, government tenders and tax laws, which have mostly been fashioned for the requirements of the giant and large companies, but make it difficult for the recently established and inexperienced female-owned companies to compete.
Earlier, the Qatari finance minister said that female participation in businesses in Islamic countries does not exceed 10%, while statistics elsewhere show that the female participation in the economic activities and their ownership of companies of the total companies is about 24% in Europe, 23% in East and South Asia and 20% in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Source: Al-Qabas, Kuwait, January 14, 2008
http://www.memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?news=713
Syria, Iraq and Turkey Agree on Joint Water Development Projects
The Syrian prime minister discussed, with Turkey's environment and forestry minister and Iraq's water resources minister, the cooperation between their nations. According to the Syrian official daily, the three officials pointed out that their countries have identical views on the best way to use the shared water resources and the fair share and protection of these resources from pollution. They stressed that there are no water problems between their countries [This is hardly the view of Iraq, which has repeatedly complained about the many upstream dams constructed by Turkey and Syria on the Euphrates that have reduced sharply the flow of water downstream and affected the availability of water for Iraqi agriculture.].
The Syrian irrigation minister, who attended the meeting, pointed out that last year, Syria and Turkey had agreed to establish an early warning (system) to prevent floods in the rainy winter months and to construct a pumping station on the Tigris River. The two countries will also build the "Friendship Bridge" on Al-'Asi River (the Orontes River shared between Lebanon, Syria and Turkey) to provide the Turkish territory with water and electric power.
Source: Al-Thawra, Syria, January 11, 2008
http://www.memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?news=696
Egyptian Accounting Agency Criticizes Government Performance
Egypt's semi-official Accounting Agency has criticized the government's performance in the last two years for running a budget deficit and increasing national debt in addition to its failure to collect amounts due from state-owned and publication companies and to review carefully government investment projects. As a result the budget deficit has increased to 74 billion Egyptian pounds in 2007, compared with 34 billion in 2000.
The head of the Accounting Agency also criticized the use of foreign loans and grants and said 90% of state projects lack proper economic analysis and feasibility studies.
Source: Al-Sharq, Qatar, January 12, 2008
http://www.memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?news=695
Bahraini Bank Buys Dubai's New York Property for $1.4 Billion
Investcorp, a Bahraini-based investment bank said it had bought an office property in New York city, from the Dubai-government investment agency Istithmar for $1.4 billion. The purchase was in partnership with Broadway Partners, a New York real estate investment and management firm.
The real estate market in New York, especially that for office space is very active and has achieved attractive returns due to increasing demand, coupled with scarce availability of space, Investcorp Managing Director said in a statement.
Investcorp said it had more than $13 billion in assets under management on June 30. The company usually invests Arab wealth in the West, but has said it would start investing in the Middle East.
Source: Al-Arab Al-Yawm, Jordan, January 12, 2008
