71.   Last December, King Norodom Sihanouk called on the government not to include prison terms in the press law but rather to resolve disputes under civil law.

72.   Last week, the National Assembly passed a press law protecting the right to express opinions.

73.   Last October, the government amended the press law to widen the scope of prohibited reporting and increased sentences for violators.

74.   Last week, the outgoing Parliament dominated by hard-liners tightened an existing press law, granting greater powers of prosecution against writers and publishers.

75.   Local and foreign journalists associations have denounced the press law proposed by the government as too rigid and harsh.

76.   Misdemeanor Court Judge Tareq el-Wakil rejected the defense argument that the press law was unconstitutional.

77.   Mubarak also promised a new press law within three months, and introduced restrictions on prosecution officials if they carry out the law.

78.   Nafie, speaking at the opening session of the conference, called on Arab governments to guarantee public freedoms by improving and upgrading press laws.

79.   One talks about a paid-up capital for political parties in a move similar to that incorporated into the press law.

80.   One of their last undertakings in the previous legislative session was to force through the press law.