http://www.theamsterdampost.com/apMiddleEast/index.htm The Amsterdam Post Middle East Pages 2005-01-12T11:17:52Z nl-NL http://www.theamsterdampost.com/apMiddleEast/2005/05/iran-to-resume-nuclear-activity.htm BBC NEWS | <em> "Iran says it will resume uranium enrichment activities within the next few days, in a move which could put talks with Europe in jeopardy. <br /> <br />Tehran has said for days that it plans to resume conversion of raw uranium into gas, but it has not said when. <br /> <br />Germany has said such a move could lead to Iran being referred to the United Nations Security Council. <br /> <br />The United States has accused Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran has strongly denied."</em> DD 2005-05-10T08:33:15Z "Iran says it will resume uranium enrichment activities within the next few days, in a move which could put talks with Europe in jeopardy.

Tehran has said for days that it plans to resume conversion of raw uranium into gas, but it has not said when.

Germany has said such a move could lead to Iran being referred to the United Nations Security Council.

The United States has accused Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran has strongly denied."]]> http://www.theamsterdampost.com/apMiddleEast/2005/03/springtime-for-mid-east-democracy.htm BBC NEWS |<em>"The elections in Iraq and the Palestinian territories and the 'Cedar revolution' in Lebanon show that events are on the march in the Middle East. Nobody, however, can say how far they will go. <br /> <br />They appear unlikely at the moment to produce the kind of revolutions which swept away the communist governments in Eastern and Central Europe."</em> DD 2005-03-08T08:04:57Z "The elections in Iraq and the Palestinian territories and the 'Cedar revolution' in Lebanon show that events are on the march in the Middle East. Nobody, however, can say how far they will go.

They appear unlikely at the moment to produce the kind of revolutions which swept away the communist governments in Eastern and Central Europe."]]> http://www.theamsterdampost.com/apMiddleEast/2005/02/egypt-announces-democratic-reform.htm BBC NEWS | <em>"Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak has asked parliament to change the constitution to allow multiple candidates in presidential polls. <br /> <br />In a move which surprised observers, Mr Mubarak said this was aimed at bringing the law 'in line with this stage of our nation's history'. <br /> <br />The amendment is to be put to a vote before September's presidential poll. <br /> <br />Currently, Egypt holds presidential referendums on a single candidate approved by parliament. <br /> <br />Mr Mubarak's National Democratic Party has dominated the assembly since political parties were restored in the 1970s and he was expected to use the system to secure a fifth six-year term in September."</em> DD 2005-02-26T14:18:01Z "Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak has asked parliament to change the constitution to allow multiple candidates in presidential polls.

In a move which surprised observers, Mr Mubarak said this was aimed at bringing the law 'in line with this stage of our nation's history'.

The amendment is to be put to a vote before September's presidential poll.

Currently, Egypt holds presidential referendums on a single candidate approved by parliament.

Mr Mubarak's National Democratic Party has dominated the assembly since political parties were restored in the 1970s and he was expected to use the system to secure a fifth six-year term in September."]]> http://www.theamsterdampost.com/apMiddleEast/2005/01/sharon-praises-palestinian-leader.htm BBC NEWS | <em>"Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said he is 'very pleased' with measures Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has taken to lessen the threat of violence. <br /> <br />Mr Sharon said conditions were right for a 'historic breakthrough' between Israel and the Palestinians. <br /> <br />Mr Abbas has brokered a temporary ceasefire with militants and banned Palestinians from carrying weapons. <br /> <br />Palestinians in parts of Gaza have meanwhile been voting in historic local polls for mayors and council members."</em> DD 2005-01-28T12:06:28Z "Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said he is 'very pleased' with measures Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has taken to lessen the threat of violence.

Mr Sharon said conditions were right for a 'historic breakthrough' between Israel and the Palestinians.

Mr Abbas has brokered a temporary ceasefire with militants and banned Palestinians from carrying weapons.

Palestinians in parts of Gaza have meanwhile been voting in historic local polls for mayors and council members."]]> http://www.theamsterdampost.com/apMiddleEast/2005/01/most-iraqis-remain-committed-to.htm Washingtonpost.com | <em>"An overwhelming majority of Iraqis continue to say they intend to vote on Jan. 30 even as insurgents press attacks aimed at rendering the elections a failure, according to a new public opinion survey. <br /> <br />The poll, conducted in late December and early January for the International Republican Institute, found 80 percent of respondents saying they were likely to vote, a rate that has held roughly steady for months."</em> DD 2005-01-25T14:55:48Z "An overwhelming majority of Iraqis continue to say they intend to vote on Jan. 30 even as insurgents press attacks aimed at rendering the elections a failure, according to a new public opinion survey.

The poll, conducted in late December and early January for the International Republican Institute, found 80 percent of respondents saying they were likely to vote, a rate that has held roughly steady for months."]]> http://www.theamsterdampost.com/apMiddleEast/2005/01/abbas-tells-palestinian-forces-to.htm The New York Times | <em>"Facing strong pressure from Israel, Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, on Monday ordered his security forces to try to prevent attacks against Israel, a move that could put him on a collision course with armed Palestinian factions. <br /> <br />An adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel, Zalman Shoval, described Mr. Abbas's move 'as a small but positive sign.' Israel did not lift the threat it made Sunday of a possible large-scale incursion into Gaza to stop rocket and mortar attacks there, but any such offensive appeared to be on hold, according to Israeli news reports."</em> DD 2005-01-18T11:27:59Z "Facing strong pressure from Israel, Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, on Monday ordered his security forces to try to prevent attacks against Israel, a move that could put him on a collision course with armed Palestinian factions.

An adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel, Zalman Shoval, described Mr. Abbas's move 'as a small but positive sign.' Israel did not lift the threat it made Sunday of a possible large-scale incursion into Gaza to stop rocket and mortar attacks there, but any such offensive appeared to be on hold, according to Israeli news reports."]]> http://www.theamsterdampost.com/apMiddleEast/2005/01/first-post.htm DD 2005-01-12T12:17:15Z