Reading the Middle Eastern and South Asian Press

By Sandip Roy, Pacific News Service. Posted May 28, 2002.

Editor's Note: This roundup assembles from regional news sources a collage of headlines and viewpoints that have gone missing in action in the U.S. press.

Iran Rocked by "Cyprus-Gate"

Iran's intelligence service has been asked to investigate allegations of behind-the-scenes talks with the United States. Deputy speaker of the parliament, Mohsen Armin told the daily Nouruz that "apparently some secret talks have been held by some Rasfanjani men." It was alleged that Mehdi Hashemi Rasfanjani, the former Iranian president's son, and Hossein Mousavian, Rasfanjani's top foreign affairs adviser, had met with U.S. officials in Cyprus. The meeting, being referred to as Cyprus-gate, has been denied by Rasfanjani's office. --Gulf News, Dubai, UAE, May 17

"Terror" Law Hampers Arab Israeli Parties

The Israeli Knesset has passed a law that prohibits the election of any person who supports "terrorism." Critics say the law aims to prevent some Israeli Arab parties that oppose the Israeli policies from entering elections. The bill was introduced by a deputy from Sharon's Likud Party who is waging a campaign to prevent prominent and outspoken Arab Israeli Knesset members from returning to parliament. The Israeli Supreme Court will have the ability decide who supports terrorism. --Al-Jazeera Television, Doha, Qatar, May 16

Arafat's Popularity Plummets After Bethlehem Deal

Arafat's approval ratings, which soared to 80 percent when he was under siege, are now falling back toward pre-crisis levels of 25 percent. Palestinians are apparently expressing their criticism of the deals that Yasser Arafat made to secure the lifting of the siege on his compound in Ramallah and the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem. "He is free to leave his headquarters but we are still imprisoned and blockaded in our cities and towns," said one Jerusalem resident. The church deal that sent the men into exile in Cyprus is seen by many as a betrayal of the men who fought the Israeli army. --Al-Ahram Weekly, Cairo, Egypt, May 16-22

U.S. Officials to Meet With "Terrorist" Syria

Even as American legislators expand sanctions against Syria through the Syria Sanctions Act of 2002, a delegation of 10 Syrian diplomats and students traveled to Houston on May 18, in preparation for unofficial exchanges between U.S. and Syrian officials at Houston's Rice University from May 20-23. Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa is expected to attend. Syrian President Bashir Asad agreed to the talks when he met American diplomat Edward Djerejian in January. --Al-Hayat, London, U.K., May 15

Hamas: Suicide Attacks Will Continue

Hamas leaders have denied any agreement with Saudi Arabia to end attacks inside Israel. A Palestinian Authority figure in Ramallah had previously stated that Hamas had told the Saudis they would halt attacks inside Israel to allow the peace process to move forward. Saudi and Hamas leaders such as Khaled Meshaal have stepped up meetings lately, but Ismail abu Shinab of Hamas said the attacks would continue as long as the occupation did. --Al-Jazeera Television, Doha, Qatar, May 16

Islamic Centers Planned for U.S.

In order to correct misconceptions about Islam worldwide, the government of Dubai is planning to establish centers for Arab and Islamic studies in the United States and Australia. Sheikh Hamdan, deputy ruler of Dubai, plans to establish centers in San Diego and Kentucky. The Sheikh said that although building mosques was a good idea, an Islamic center could offer more services, since Muslims and non-Muslims could study there. In Australia, a center is planned for the Australian National University through an annual contribution of $100,000 from the Sheikh. --Gulf News, Dubai, UAE, May 17

Egypt Cracks Down on Palestinian Activists

Though Egypt has publicly supported the Palestinian cause, several Palestinian solidarity activists have been arrested in Cairo and Alexandria. Six activists from two Popular Palestine Solidarity Committees were arrested in one week, and charged with possessing leaflets intending to disrupt public order. Other members of the Egyptian Popular Committee for Solidarity with the Palestinian Intifada were accused of collecting donations without permission. The Egyptian government has expressed concern about plans for a "One Million Man March" in Alexandria. --Al-Ahram Weekly, Cairo, Egypt, May 16-22

Saddam Celebrates Air Force, Martyrdom

As talk about new attacks on Iraq circulate, the Iraqi military briefed Saddam Hussein on the "latest scientific and technological achievements" of air force pilots and engineers as part of his 65th birthday celebrations. While the exact nature of the achievements were not specified, Hussein told the officers, "Martyrdom in defense of the homeland is the soldier's choice." --Albawaba.com, Amman, Jordan, May 16

PNS Associate Editor Sandip Roy (sandiproy@hotmail.com) is host of "Upfront" -- the Pacific News Service weekly radio program on KALW-FM, San Francisco.

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