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February 27, 2004 |
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THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA DUBS THE BARRIER WALL CURRENTLY BEING BUILT BY ISRAEL IN THE WEST BANK AS ILLEGAL AND IN BREACH OF THE INTERNATIONAL LAW. THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS RE-FORMS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS AUTHORITY. THE CROWN PRINCE: THE SAUDI GOVERNMENT IS PRESSING AHEAD WITH GRADUAL REFORMS. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has donated SR50 million to the Anti-Poverty Charity Fund. This donation has culminated the fund raising campaign for the year 1425 H. Dr. Ali Al Namlah, the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the fund, expressed thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for this generous donation. On the other hand the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has called for performing Istiska (rain-seeking) prayers throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On Thursday, February 26, 2004 Muslims all over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia performed the rain-seeking prayer. The prayers were led by governors of each region. A royal court statement said the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz called for performing rain-seeking prayer, in all regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in pursuit of the Sunnah (sayings) of Prophet Mohammed, (Peace Be Upon Him) and due to country's need for rain. Meanwhile the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has sent a cable of congratulations to Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah on the occasion of his country's national day. In his own name and on behalf of the Saudi government and people, King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz wished the Emir permanent health and happiness and the brotherly people of Kuwait steady progress and prosperity, praising distinguished relations binding the two countries and their peoples in all fields. Similar Cables were also sent by Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard and Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. On the other hand Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard chaired the cabinet's weekly session at Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh. At the outset of the session, the Crown Prince congratulated the Muslim nation in particular and the world in general on the start of the new Hijra year, looking forward to the spreading of security, justice, stability and peaceful coexistence for all. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz briefed the Cabinet on the contents of talks, messages contacts and meetings held in the previous days with some leaders and envoys of brotherly and friendly countries. These contents focused on the latest developments in the region and the world. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, the Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Fuad Ibn Abdul Salam Al-Farsi pointed out that the Crown Prince informed the Cabinet of the outcome of the meeting of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz and the Crown Prince with Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Salih which dealt with the Palestinian issue, the situation in Iraq, aspects of cooperation between the two countries and ways of their enhancement in all fields. On the Palestinian issue, the Cabinet discussed the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories including the continual Israeli aggressions against the Palestinian land and people, while the world is looking forward to the achievement of justice and peaceful settlement of this dispute. The Cabinet stressed the necessity that the world should take a serious and firm stand to prevent Israel from carrying out its objectives incontinually aborting any pursuit for the achievement of peace in the region. The Council of Ministers affirmed that the Kingdom is noting with great concern the case of the racial segregation wall established by Israel in the West Bank. The World Court of Justice started discussion of the case in accordance with the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly at its extraordinary session on September 8, 2003 which requested the Court to show its urgent legal opinion on the consequences of the wall. In this regard, the Kingdom officially submitted its legal memorandum to the Court on January 27, presented a statement at the Court and participated in its proceedings. Dr. Al-Farsi said that the Cabinet praised the agreement between India and Pakistan on a Peace Road Map to settle all outstanding issues between the two countries, including the vital issue of Jammu and Kashmir, and to achieve a lasting peace, hoping that the two neighboring countries will crown their agreement by ending the dispute. The Minister of Culture and Information said the council reviewed a number of domestic issues of interest to the concerns and services of citizens, underscoring the importance of expediting and facilitating the peoples' different needs. He said the council then discussed the items on its agenda and took a number of decisions: The Council of Ministers approved the touristic cooperation agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen which has initially been signed in Sanaa during the 15th session of the Saudi-Yemeni Coordination Council on the 6th of July, 2003. The Board of Directors of the Food and Drugs Authority was re-formed as follows: 1. The Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General as Chairman 2. The Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs as Vice Chairman 3 - 9. The Ministers of: Interior; Health; Commerce & Industry; Agriculture; Water & Electricity; Finance; and Economy and Planning as members 10. The Chairman of the Food and Drugs Authority as member 11. The Director General of the Saudi Standards Organization as member 12. The Chairman of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry as member 13. An expert in the food and drugs affairs as member. The Council of Ministers approved a recommendation submitted by the Shoura Council to transfer the Pensions General Authority to a private organization of a legal character. The current board of directors will proceed with its duties, pending the formation of a new one. The current regulations will also be in force until enacting, no later than three months, new regulations. The Council of Ministers approved the final account of the Saudi Railways Establishment for the fiscal year 1422 - 1423 H. The Council of Ministers approved the appointment of Ahmed bin Salih Ibn Zamil Al Sagheer as Director General of the Administrative and Financial Affairs at the Riyadh Governorate; Dr. Abdul Wahab Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Wahab Baghdadi as Assistant Undersecretary for External Information at the Ministry of Culture and Information; and Ibrahim Ibn Abdul Kareem Ibn Ali Almuhaimeed as Director General of the Finance Minister's office. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has dubbed the barrier wall currently being built by Israel in the West Bank as illegal and that it breaches the international law. In public proceedings before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Ambassador Fawzi Ibn Abdul Majeed Shobokshi, Saudi Arabia's permanent representative to the United Nations, also described the Israeli move as provocative and imbalanced. The Kingdom supported that the International Court of Justice issues an advisory opinion on the issue of Israel's plan to install a separation fence in the occupied territories and studies its adverse consequences, Shobokshi told the gathering. He said the Kingdom also rejects the argument that the court's advisory opinion on the Wall issue is at cross-purposes to the negotiation effort aiming at bringing about peace in the middle east which is today called the Road Map. Instead, the court's legal opinion would contribute to the target of eradicating terrorism and achieving a fair and lasting peace in the region, the Saudi ambassador said, adding that Israel has been and continues to deliberately enhance its position and change the territorial status quo to its benefit. It has been doing so since 1967. The wall is the most recent manifestation, Shobokshi said. The Kingdom warned that the Wall denies a viable Palestinian state, denies the right of self-determination and exacerbates the hatred that leads to increased violence. On fear of terrorism and using this as a justification to install the fence, the Kingdom renewed its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and expressed commitment to fight it. It also underlined the importance of working for addressing the motivation and the provocation that lead to terrorism. This international effort directed against terrorism will not eradicate this phenomenon if handled without addressing its roots, Shobokshi said. The proceedings also highlighted the Kingdom's stance and its interest in the success of the Road Map to reach the required peace. In this regard, the Road Map refers specifically to the initiative of Crown Prince Abdullah which was endorsed by the Beirut Arab League Summit of March 2002. In conclusion, the Kingdom reiterate it rejection of the argument that the advisory opinion of the court would lead to legal ramifications that would be at cross-purposes to the Road Map and would adversely affect the peace process and that the court ought to refrain from giving its opinion on the issue. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received a message from Morocco's King Mohammed VI. The message was conveyed to Crown Prince Abdullah by Morocco's Director of the Royal Court and King's Special Envoy Mohammed Al-Sharaibi during an audience with the Crown Prince at his palace in Riyadh. Al-Sharaibi conveyed to Crown Prince Abdullah the greetings of the Moroccan King. In turn, the Crown Prince sent his regards to King Mohammed VI. The audience was attended by Morocco's Ambassador to the Kingdom Abdul Kareem Al-Sammar. On another development the fourth forum of the Gulf Disability Society will be organized in Riyadh on March 29-31, 2004 by Al-Nahda Charitable Female Society under the patronage of Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Charitable Foundation. Dr Majed Al-Kasbi, the Director General of Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Charitable Foundation, said the participants of the forum will review issues pertaining to disability including preventive measures against disability and rehabilitation programs for the handicapped. On the fringes the forum, due to be attended by a number of regional and international experts, a show will be organized to display medical equipment used for the treatment of the handicapped. On his part, Dr Nasser Al-Mousa, the Supervisor General of the Administration of Special Education at the Education Ministry, highlighted the great attention given by the Saudi officials to the handicapped. He noted that a Royal order was earlier issued for establishing a higher council for the affairs of the handicapped under the chairmanship of Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard. Dr Al-Mousa pointed out that, according to a research conducted by Riyadh-based Prince Salman Center for Disability Research, the rate of disability in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia amounts to 6.83 percent among the under-16 children. He added that 'but according to reports of the World Health Organization (WHO) the rate of disability among the children in other places amounts to about ten percent'. On the other hand Prince Sultan Ibn Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Secretary General of the Tourism Higher Authority, stated that until now, the authority has identified 903 locations which can be developed for tourism investment in various parts of the kingdom. In a speech delivered on behalf of him by Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdullah, Deputy Secretary General for Investment and Marketing, at the third session of a Saudi-Lebanese conference currently being held here, Prince Sultan underlined the importance of the Saudi-Lebanese gathering in bolstering relations between the two countries. Prince Sultan explained that the kingdom adopted development of tourism as a strategic step to diversify and boost the national economy. Prince Sultan highlighted tourism's contribution to the economy and efforts by the authority in the field of local tourism. Meanwhile Saudi Arabia is set to start issuing tourist visas, saying it is putting the final touches to the tourism visa law proposed by the Supreme Commission for Tourism. "The new tourism law will see the light within a few weeks," said Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdullah, Deputy Secretary-General of the commission for investment and marketing. Passports Department officials in the Eastern Province confirmed that the new tourist system could be introduced "in several weeks." Saudi Arabia currently issues employment, visit, Hajj and Umrah visas, which can be difficult to obtain because of red tape. The tourism sector has for a number of years been calling for a relaxation of the Kingdom's visa policy to allow thousands of potential tourists from around the world to come here. The government has stepped up its efforts to promote domestic tourism. Summer festivals in Jeddah, Dammam and elsewhere attract a large number of visitors. According to Prince Abdul Aziz, the tourism sector contributed some 8.8 percent of the gross domestic product in 2002. The industry will create 1.5 million to 2.3 million new jobs for young Saudis by 2020, he said. However, tourism remains overwhelmingly a domestic affair. The commission is planning to set up a national council for tourism marketing to promote Saudi Arabia in world markets. "There are more than 10,000 tourist attractions in the Kingdom," the prince said. The commission expects the Kingdom's tourist spending to reach SR80 billion by 2020 as against SR35 billion in 2000. A member of the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who is also member of the Tourism Committee, said it was imperative for the country to open its doors to foreign tourists. "Foreign tourists will bring huge revenue to the country. It is an untapped sector," he said on condition of anonymity. The Eastern Province has the facilities to process tourist visitors quickly and efficiently. On the Bahrain causeway, it takes just seconds to pass through passport control and no more than a couple of minutes at customs. There are no forms to fill in, unlike at Jeddah or Riyadh airports. People hand over their passports to an official, who checks details on the computer, stamps it and hands it back. Saudi writers have also called for opening up the Kingdom to foreign tourists. "Foreign tourists would love to enjoy swimming, tanning and water sports in our warm seas in fall and winter, and all-year activities like mountaineering, hiking, car racing, and conferences," writes Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi of Al-Madinah newspaper. The latest Statistics issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has disclosed that the number of licensed commercial establishments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reached 543,000 till the end of 1423H. The existing companies have increased to 11,662 with a capital that exceeds SR 171.4 Billion. The ministry has been keen on establishing more hotels and furnished residential units across the Kingdom in an attempt to promote domestic tourism as it is considered one of the important supporters of the national economy. Therefore, in 1423H, the ministry issued 861 hotel licenses with a capacity of 142,000 rooms. The total number of licenses for furnished residential units which were issued until 1423H stood at 1,063 in all cities of the Kingdom that have 22,749 furnished residential units. In addition to the role of supervision on markets, the ministry executes commercial and developmental rules and regulations. THE Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT) is also set to put all travel agencies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under its jurisdiction. The proposal is part of a master tourism development plan that has been submitted by the Commission to the Shoura (consultative) Council and is awaiting approval, according to Dr. Mohammad Al-Heezan, SCT media director. The Commission is optimistic that with the final approval of the Shoura Council on the master plan, it will bring about an improvement in the tourism section, including the travel business, Dr. Al-Heezan said. Travel agencies have welcomed the move. Under the present setup, travel companies and agencies come under the jurisdiction of the Presidency of Civil Aviation. There are more than 2,800 travel companies and agencies operating throughout the Kingdom, with a total investment of over SR2.8 billion. The Commission is optimistic that the travel industry can generate 2.3 million jobs for Saudis over the next 20 years. On the other hand a delegation of the Shoura Council, led by Yousuf Ibn Abdul Sattar Al Maymani, left Riyadh for Switzerland within a get-acquainted mission that will also take them to Germany and Austria. The five-member delegation is scheduled to meet with senior government officials and parliament speakers and members of the three European countries to explain the Kingdom's position on a number of issues of mutual concern. The delegation of the Shoura Council, led by Yousuf Ibn Abdul Sattar Al Maymani, had arrived in Vienna on a visit to Austria. During the visit, the delegation held talks with Austrian Parliament Speaker Andreas Kohl and other parliamentarian officials on aspects of cooperation between the two sides and ways of enhancing them. The Saudi Ambassador to Austria and the Kingdom's Permanent Representative to International Organizations Omar Ibn Mohammad Kurdy held at his residence a dinner party to honor the delegation of Shoura Council currently visiting Austria headed by Youssef Ibn Abdul Sattar Al Maimani. A number of embassy staff attended the party. The delegation will also visit Germany and Switzerland. On the other hand A group of French MPs concluded a three-day visit to Riyadh. According to members of the group, they left convinced that Saudi leaders were bent on pressing ahead with gradual reform. The five-member delegation, led by Jean-Louis Bernard, head of the Franco-Saudi Friendship Group in the French Parliament, arrived in Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Shoura Council. "You can tell that there is a will, chiefly on the part of Crown Prince Abdullah, to reform ... He favors gradual reforms" that will have a better chance of being accepted by a majority of the population, Bernard said. He said that the French MPs had not lectured Saudi leaders about the need for reform. "We did not come here to tell the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia what it should do. It is up to the leader and the people to take the decisions they deem appropriate.." he said. The group included Bernard and members of the French National Assembly Antoine Carré, Axel Poniatowski, Jean-Pierre Kusheida and Pierre Lellouche. Bernard said religious tradition continues to be of great importance in the Kingdom, the cradle of Islam. This explains, he said, why Saudi leaders exercise such great caution in instituting reforms. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received the U.S. Undersecretary of State for Economic and Agricultural Affairs Dr. Allen B. Larson. The U.S. official conveyed regards of U.S. President George W. Bush to the Crown Prince who, in turn, sent his best wishes to the president. The audience was attended by Prince Miteb Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Assistant Deputy Commander of the National Guard for Military Affairs, and the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom James C. Oberwetter. Meanwhile the Shoura (Consultative) Council in cooperation with Saudi Television began the transmission of deliberations of its weekly sessions on channel "One". The weekly program will be transmitted every Thursday and Friday at 2 p.m. (local time) for one-hour. |
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