Middle East back issues from December 2006:
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Dec 01, 2006; ... It is the policy of The Middle East magazine not to publish excessively gory photographs. On the whole, readers do not want to see the remains of decaying bodies, or the vast pools of blood that testify to the site of yet another massacre of ordinary civilians going about their everyday ...
US DIRTY TRICKS
Dec 01, 2006; ... The meddling 'midwives of democracy', the Bush administration is on the regime-change trail again, and this time the target is the beleaguered Hamas-led government in Palestine. Currently, the Palestinian Authority (PA) is on the cusp of falling apart because the US and its friends have, since ...
Siege of Gaza
Dec 01, 2006; ... FOR EVERY HAMAS FIGHTER KILLED, 10 MORE SPRING UP IN HIS PLACE AND NOTHING TO DATE HAS STOPPED THE QASSEM ROCKET ATTACKS Mel Frykberg reports from Bein Hanun, where nearly 60 Palestinians were killed in the first of two raids on Beit Hanun in early November, and a further 18 died days ...
The worst case scenario
Dec 01, 2006; ... Iraqi Kurds are increasingly restless about the future of the region, the promised referendum and the debate over withdrawal of western troops. Chris Kutschera reports THE FATE OF Kirkuk, Khanakin and Sinjar and their eventual reintegration into the Kurdish region continues to hound ...
It's a mad MAD world
Dec 01, 2006; ... Iran and Israel are not the only Middle East countries chasing a nuclear capability. Thomas Land analyses the atomic race taking place throughout the region. IRAN HAS JUST inaugurated facilities tor the production ot plutonium. Israel has announced the purchase ot nuclear-capable ...
From small acorns
Dec 01, 2006; ... Intelligence failures that allowed the 11 September and subsequent terrorist attacks to take place created a great deal of insecurity for security agencies. In declaring that the next big threat will come from the Sahara, are these agencies seeing threats that do not exist? Eamonn Gearon ...
Musharraf's game
Dec 01, 2006; ... UNLIKE SADDAM HUSSEIN, who was sentenced to death by an Iraqi court last month for 'crimes against humanity', Pakistan's strong leader President Pervez Musharraf prefers not to bomb his own citizens. Sounds simple? Not quite when you are trying to outsmart an American President ...
Towards enlightenment
Dec 01, 2006; ... TUNISIA 18TH SYMPOSIUM OF THE DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTIONAL RALLY THE 18TH SYMPOSIUM of the Democratic Constitutional Rally held in Tunis in November was, according to most of the delegates present, the most successful ever staged in the country. The number and calibre of speakers, as well ...
Wanted: The Iceman
Dec 01, 2006; ... The last of Saddams inner circle still at liberty continues to taunt his would-be captors with frequent sightings and leads a ruthless band of Ba'athist insurgents. THE MOST WANTED man in Iraq these days Ls a frail 64-year-old former schoolteacher who suffers from leukaemia and diabetes ....
Judging Saddam
Dec 01, 2006; ... The death sentence passed on former tyrant Saddam Hussein could worsen Iraq's bloodletting - and bury embarrassing questions about how the US armed Saddam and kept him in power. By Ed Blanche THE SENTENCE OF death passed on Saddam Hussein on 5 November for crimes against humanity was ...
GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL GOES FOR GROWTH
Dec 01, 2006; ... High-growth Gulf economies are poised for continued robust expansion in 2007 and beyond. The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) could develop into the world's 10th largest economic power within a ...
Marubeni powers up in the Gulf
Dec 01, 2006; ... Japanese firm Marubeni is steaming through the Gulf, securing a chunk of multibillion dollar power sector deals. Its latest contract is to develop a $2.3bn plant in Qatar. Neil Ford investigates WITHIN TWO YEARS of securing multibillion dollar power sector contracts in both Saudi Arabia ...
BUSINESS & FINANCE: BRIEF
Dec 01, 2006; ... SGC CRUISES TO SUCCESS Mohamed Sakhr El Materi, the head of Goulette Shipping Cruise (SGC), a subsidiary of the group "Princesse El Materi", gave a welcome boost to cruise tourism in Tunisia by gaining the concession to carry out an ambitious development plan at Goulette port, including ...
Dolphin ready for take-off
Dec 01, 2006; ... The $10bn Dolphin gas project to pipe gas from offshore Qatar to the UAE, Oman and beyond, is due to yield its first supply, reports Neil Ford. AFTER YEARS OF planning and preparation, the first phase of the Dolphin Project to transport gas from Qatar to the UAE and beyond is finally ...
An Italian alliance
Dec 01, 2006; ... EGYPT Italian financial services group Sanpaolo IMI's takeover of Bank of Alexandria has kick-started Egypt's stalled banking privatisation programme. Neil Ford reports THE ECONOMIC REFORMS that were promised when Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak asked Ahmed Nazif to form a new ...
BRIDGING TWO WORLDS: The Aksum-Arabia Axis
Dec 01, 2006; ... The importance and influence of Aksum, an ancient empire that once held sway over both sides of the Red Sea, is explored by Stephen Williams. SEPARATED AT THE closest point by just the 50km width of the Bab Al Mamieb straits, southern Arabia and Africa have historic ties that date back ...
Regrets too few to mention
Dec 01, 2006; ... Pat McDonnell Twair visits Huguette Caland, the woman behind LA's historic Sovereign Threads exhibition of Palestinian embroidery (see TME October 2006) at her unique Venice, California home. IF ARTIST HUGUETTE Caland had a theme song, it would have to be 'My Way'. The daughter of the ...
THE WAR ON TRUTH
Dec 01, 2006; ... THE WAR ON TRUTH 9/11, DISINFORMATION, AND THE ANATOMY OF TERRORISM By Nafeez Mosadcleq Ahmed published by Arris Books ISBN 1 84437 059 3 price £12.99 paperback This book is a controversial critique of the US government's version of what happened on 9/11. Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed ...
AID, DIPLOMACY AND FACTS ON THE GROUND
Dec 01, 2006; ... AID, DIPLOMACY AND FACTS ON THE GROUND THE CASE OF PALESTINE Edited by Michael Keating, Anne Le More and Robert Lowe Published by Chatham House ISBN 1 86203 163 0 price £16.95 paperback International aid has played a major role in the Israeli-Palestinian peace and reconstruction process ....
LAW AND POWER IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD
Dec 01, 2006; ... LAW AND POWER IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD By Sami Zubaida published by IB TAURIS ISBN 185043 934 6 price £14.95 paperback Islamic law (the Shari'ah) and its application is a central issue in contemporary Islamic politics and culture. Starting from modern concerns, this book examines the origin ...
SYRIA
Dec 01, 2006; ... SYRIA A HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL GUIDE By Warwick Ball published by Melisende ISBN 1901764 46 X price £14.95 paperback Syria is a land of immense antiquity with a wealth of historical splendors, boasting cities and archaeological remains thai arc amongst the oldest in the world ....
LOSING IRAQ
Dec 01, 2006; ... LOSING IRAQ INSIDE THE POSTWAR RECONSTRUCTION FIASCO By David L Phillips published by Basic Books ISBN O 465 05681 4 price £9.99 Things didn't go wrong in post-war Iraq because the US lacked a plan. Things went wrong because the US was blinded by ideology and ignored planning that was ...
AN ENDURING FRIENDSHIP
Dec 01, 2006; ... AN ENDURING FRIENDSHIP 400 YEARS OF ANGLO-GULF RELATIONS Edited by Paul Tempest published by Stacey International ISBN 1 905299 18 4 price £19.95 hardback The affinity which draws together the British and the Arabs, above all the Arabs that belong to the desert tradition, is famous, ...
THE LAST WORD
Dec 01, 2006; ... For LEBANON, THE abyss beckons once more. Soon after the end of Lebanon's 15-year civil war in October 1990, I stood with Marwan Hamade, a prominent Druze who was then minister of health, in his office overlooking the devastation of central Beirut. As we stood by the window with a ...
Wfp And Islamic Relief In Joint Push To Help Poor And Hungry.(United Nations World Food Programme )(Islamic Relief Worldwide )
Dec 01, 2006 ... The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today signed a landmark agreement with Islamic Relief Worldwide to increase cooperation on a diverse range of vital humanitarian operations delivering emergency food aid to the hungry and the poor. "This is a team that can make a ...
UAE Community United for National Day Celebrations.(Conference news)
Dec 01, 2006 ... Watani, the national identity programme, yesterday hosted a gathering with the UAE key media, artists and social personalities to announce the schedule of the National Day celebrations organized next Saturday December 2nd at the Mamzar Park. The preparations for the 35th ...
Srilankan Airlines Enhances Services In Middle East.
Dec 01, 2006 ... SriLankan Airlines is enhancing its services throughout the Middle East and expanding its network by launching flights to Goa, with plans to commence services to Jeddah shortly. Barry Brown, SriLankan Airlines' Chief Commercial Officer, said: "As a competitive international ...
More Concrete Legislation Required to Bolster Real Estate Sector Growth.(Conference news)
Dec 01, 2006 ... The tremendous growth witnessed over the past five years in Dubai's real estate sector should be bolstered with legislation aimed at regulating the market and driving strong future growth. This issue, as well as other relevant developments, was the focus of debate at Dubai Property Group's ...
Nakheel offers over 6500 residential units in International City for leasing.
Dec 01, 2006 ... Nakheel has announced that it is offering some of its International City units for lease. The project, which started construction in 2003, has been handing over buildings to owners since October 2006, with residents moving into allocated units.The management of International City is ...
Samsung Announces Samsung Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award.
Dec 01, 2006 ... Samsung yesterday launched the 15th Asian Games Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award program, and announced the Steering Committee for this year's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award during the official Media Welcoming Party. The Steering Committee will be responsible for nominating athletes for ...
DFC Offers Tremendous Scope To Central Asian & Iranian Perishable Goods Exporter.(Dubai Flower Centre )
Dec 01, 2006 ... Iran and other Central Asian countries are keenly looking at the Dubai Flower Centre (DFC), the only state-of-the-art regional transhipment centre for perishable goods, in order to boost their exports to Europe and Far East. This was conveyed to Mr. Ibrahim Ahli, Marketing ...
Defending champion grabs first leg advantage as classic encounter.(Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi)(Dubai International Rally today)(Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah)(Sheikh Suhail bin Khalifa Al Maktoum)
Dec 01, 2006 ... Defending champion Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi grabbed the initiative as the UAE's top three current drivers became engaged in a classic battle for victory in the Dubai International Rally today (Thursday). After completing the first leg's eight special stages, the 2004 Middle East ...
Sumer Group brings your Dream Home in India to you, sets up first base in Dubai.
Dec 03, 2006 ... Sumer Group, a leading Mumbai based property developer, announced the setting up of their first office, outside India, in Dubai to offer the best property solutions to NRIs in Dubai. To support this initiative, HDFC Ltd, the leading Indian Financial Institution will offer the best ...
CMCS to showcase specialized applications for the Real Estate sector at Cityscape 2006.(Collaboration Management and Control Solutions)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Collaboration Management and Control Solutions (CMCS) will showcase its broad and latest range of Primavera portfolio designed for the Real Estate sector at Cityscape 2006, the largest property investment and development event. The leading provider of project, portfolio and risk ...
'Real' family affair at Cityscape Conference.
Dec 03, 2006 ... The Cityscape Dubai 2006 Conference, which is taking place at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) on 4-6 December, attracts the most significant investors and developers as well as acclaimed architects and designers in the world. To underscore their market position, Cityscape ...
Dubai Lagoon launches another revolutionary plan.(investments)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Dubai Lagoon, the 3 billion AED high watermark of living, announced the launch of yet another innovative investment opportunity, "Pay 60% and Forget the Rest." This offer will be available only for three days exclusively at Cityscape from December 4th - 6th. This campaign ...
Abyaar to build Jumeirah's first freehold development.(Abyaar Real Estate Development)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Kuwait's Abyaar Real Estate Development, which recently entered the UAE market with capital investment of US $1.4 billion, is to build the first freehold development in the Jumeirah district of Dubai - one of the most sought after addresses in the emirate. Designed as a gated ...
Abdali psc. participates at Cityscape 2006.(Abdali Investment and Development Psc.)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Abdali Investment and Development Psc. is participating in grandeur this year at the region's foremost international property investment and development event, Cityscape 06, which will take place at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre during the period of December 4 to 6, 2006. ...
Abu Dhabi says 'Yas' to the world.(ALDAR Properties PJSC planning for Yas Island)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Leading property developer ALDAR Properties PJSC announced plans for Yas Island, one of the largest natural islands in Abu Dhabi. Yas Island will be a prestigious world-class leisure destination, with mixed-use tourist attractions including beaches, entertainment, shopping, hotels, ...
Star Giga makes 'Dreams' come true in Ajman.(Star Giga Establishment Limited's Goldcrest Dreams II)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Star Giga Establishment Limited, a joint venture enterprise between ETA Star Property Developers and Mazyood Giga International FZE, unveiled 'Goldcrest Dreams - Phase II' (Goldcrest Dreams II) at a press conference held in Dubai at Al Ghurair Giga Gold Refinery DMCC. Goldcrest Dreams II ...
Autodesk Building Systems streamlines construction process at Dubai Festival City.(software from Autodesk Inc.)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) announced that its Autodesk Building Systems software being used at the upcoming Dubai Festival City project is helping streamline the construction process and improving productivity. Autodesk, the leading software and services company for the manufacturing, ...
ADIH'S Entertainment City Investor Response tops off a Bullish 2006.(Abu Dhabi Investment House)
Dec 03, 2006 ... 2006 has been busy year for Abu Dhabi-based property developer Abu Dhabi Investment House (ADIH), who took the Middle East by storm in its first full year of operation, with four exciting new projects announced throughout the region worth almost US$4billion. Last week's (Sunday ...
KINESIS(tm) Personal 200 Exercises in One Square Metre of Design.(from Technogym)
Dec 03, 2006 ... It sings of style stitched together with innovation. This year in Milan at the 2006 Salone del Mobile, the world premier of Kinesis Personal by Technogym[R], introduces the "soft workout" ushering in a new era of home training and wellness with finesse. An interior design ...
STS announces selection of Hypercom's Optimum Technology by Iraq's SFS Aman.(Hypercom Optimum T2100)
Dec 03, 2006 ... STS, a leading regional integrated IT solutions provider, has announced that SFS Amman, the leading financial services company in Iraq, has selected and will install Hypercom's T2100 countertop card payment terminals and associated networking products at hundreds of retail locations ...
SODIC to Showcase Its Projects and Egyptian Real Estate Sector in Cityscape Dubai 2006.
Dec 03, 2006 ... SODIC, one of Egypt's leading real estate development companies announced its participation in the Cityscape exhibition to take place in Dubai from 4-6 December 2006. Over 35,000 industry professionals from over 85 countries will meet in Dubai this year for the largest international ...
RAK Properties showcases growth prospects of Ras Al Khaimah at Cityscape 2006.
Dec 03, 2006 ... RAK Properties, the largest property developer in Ras Al Khaimah, will underscore the growth potential offered by the property sector of the emirate at Cityscape 2006, the premier property investment and development event to be held at Dubai International Exhibition Centre from December 4 ...
M.H. Alshaya Co. takes lead role at Arab Strategy Forum.
Dec 03, 2006 ... M.H. Alshaya Co., the Kuwait-based retailer that owns and operates 1,200 stores across the Middle East and Europe, announced today that it will take a leading role in this year's Arab Strategy Forum. Not only will the company sponsor this high-profile event, which will be held in Dubai ...
Emaar showcases international projects of over AED 220 billion at Cityscape.(Emaar Properties)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Emaar Properties is showcasing its extensive international project portfolio of development value more than AED 220 billion (US$60 billion) at Cityscape Dubai 2006, the premier property development and investment event to be held at Dubai International Exhibition Centre from December 4 to ...
Oberthur Card Systems & Network International Partner Into Obernet To Bring Next Generation Card Technology To The Middle East Market.
Dec 03, 2006 ... Following the signing of their MOU in March 2006, Network International LLC and Oberthur Card Systems are pleased to announce today a Join Ventures agreement. The newly formed company named Obernet will become a more innovative, nimble and efficient card solution provider in the Region ...
Ethnic Cleansing and Israel's Racist Discourse.(Palestine)
Dec 03, 2006 ... "The term ethnic cleansing refers to various policies of forcibly removing people of another ethnic group. At one end of the spectrum, it is virtually indistinguishable from forced emigration and population transfer, while at the other it merges with deportation and genocide." ...
Batelco Jordan provides Internet Broadband ADSL Services free of installation fees.(Asynchronous digital subscriber line)(Brief article)
Dec 03, 2006 ... In a bid to boost the Internet Broadband subscriber base in the Kingdom, Batelco Jordan, the leading internet and telecommunication solutions provider, launched its latest end of year offer on Monday November 27th 2006. The "Wavering" offer exempts the 1 MB Broadband subscribers from the ...
Al Salam Bank signs agreement with AFS for credit card processing services.(Arab Financial Services Co)(Brief article)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Al Salam Bank Bahrain announced the signing of an agreement with Arab Financial Services Company (AFS) for Credit Card processing. Under the agreement, AFS will provide the Bank with a complete credit card issuing and processing solution. On behalf of Al Salam Bank, Mr. Nabeel ...
Mizin predicts Dh1.5b in sales at Cityscape 2006.(real estate expo)(Brief article)
Dec 03, 2006 ... The three-day Cityscape Dubai 2006 expo is expected to bring in some Dhs1.5 billion ($400 million) in plot sales for real estate development company Mizin, a member of Tatweer and, in turn, a member of Dubai Holding. Cityscape is the largest B2B real estate platform in the world ...
Emaar to showcase $60 billion portfolio at real estate expo.(Emaar Real Estate Co.)(Cityscape 2006)(Brief article)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Real estate giant Emaar is expected to showcase an international project portfolio worth more than Dh220 billion ($60 billion) at the upcoming Cityscape 2006 real estate expo, the biggest B2B property expo in the world. "Emaar is extending its property development expertise ...
Dh2b in UAE property sales sought in upcoming auction.(Auction Alliance and DoveBid Inc. partnered)(Brief article)
Dec 03, 2006 ... South Africa-based Auction Alliance and US-based DoveBid have come together to hold its first auction in the UAE shortly, hoping to sell properties worth Dh2 billion by next year. "We are holding talks with real estate majors such as Emaar, Nakheel, Damac and Aldar Properties," ...
Al Areen to openBanyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort in Q1 '07.(Al Areen Holding Company)(Brief article)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Industry sources recently revealed that Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort will formally open during the first quarter of the coming year 2007. The Bahrain-based Al Areen Holding Company, which made the announcement, will also be participating in Cityscape 2006, the world's ...
RAK Properties to promote Ras Al Khaima at expo.(Cityscape 2006)(Brief article)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Ras Al Khaima's major real estate developer, RAK Properties, recently announced that it would underscore the growth potential offered by the property sector of the emirate at the upcoming Cityscape 2006 property investment and development event. "Ras Al Khaimah is a relatively ...
Culture Village to be showcased by Dubai Properties.(at the Cityscape Dubai 2006)(Brief article)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Dubai Properties will have two stands at the upcoming Cityscape Dubai 2006 in which the company will showcase its portfolio of projects including Business Bay, Culture Village, The Villa and the Jumeirah Beach Residence. The highlight of the exhibition will be Culture Village, ...
Tamweel head to lead discussion on critical trends in UAE property market.(United Arab Emirates)(Cityscape Dubai 2006)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Crucial issues currently facing the Middle East real estate market will be discussed on Monday at Cityscape Dubai on Monday by Adel Al Shirawi, Chief Executive Officer of Tamweel. Shirawi will examine both emerging trends and alternative futures for the regional property market ...
Kuwait's Al Tijaria Real Estate to display new projects.(Brief article)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Kuwait's largest real estate firm, Al Tijaria Real Estate Company, recently announced that it would display major new developments at the Cityscape exhibition. "Cityscape is the ideal exhibition to allow us to demonstrate our development capabilities and commitment to the GCC," ...
Kuwait's Al Massaleh Real Estate to present first UAE project.(Cityscape 2006)(United Arab Emirates)(Brief article)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Kuwait's Al Massaleh Real Estate will showcase their first project in the UAE, the development of a thirty level office complex, at Cityscape 2006. Each level of the new project will be 1,200 square meters, in addition to four levels of parking, according to Khaleej Times. ...
Dh275m invested Umm Al Quwain Rainbow Towers.(launched by Fugen Homes in which TAKtical Realty Group and Katalina Investments Ltd. invested)(Brief article)
Dec 03, 2006 ... An investment of over Dh275 million in Fugen Homes first development project in the UAE called Rainbow Towers was made by TAKtical Realty Group, a Dubai-based real estate brokerage and strategy firm and subsidiary of TAKtical International, along with investment and development company, ...
'Street Smarts 2' bags nomination in the 'Best Reality TV Programme' category for inaugural pan-Arab MEB Awards 2007.(Middle East Broadcasters)
Dec 03, 2006 ... 'Street Smarts 2', the hugely successful reality television show currently airing on Infinity TV, the Middle East's leading entertainment television network, has won a nomination in the 'Best Reality TV Programme' category for the first-ever pan-Arab Middle East Broadcasters' (MEB) Awards ...
World class Cityscape Dubai opens.
Dec 03, 2006 ... Cityscape Dubai 2006, organised by IIR Middle East, opens Monday at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) and runs through to Wednesday 6 December. This year's three-day event is not only the largest Cityscape event, it is now recognised as the biggest event of its kind in the ...
Ford Grants award US$600,000 to environmental projects across the Middle East in seven years.(Ford Motor Co.)
Dec 03, 2006 ... Thirteen groups and individuals have been selected as recipients of the 2006 Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants in the GCC and Levant countries. The winning projects were chosen by an independent panel of nine conservation and environment experts from around the region ....