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March 19, 2004 |
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SAUDI ARABIA TRANSFERS IT FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR FEBRUARY AND MARCH TO THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY. SHARON'S DECISION TO RULE OUT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE PALESTINIANS IS "A VERY GRAVE DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL NOT ADD ANYTHING TO THE EFFORTS TO REVIVE THE PEACE PROCESS, BUT WILL ONLY ADD TO THE COMPLEXITIES." THE IRAQI GOVERNING COUNCIL IS DIVIDED ON THE ROLE OF THE UN. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard held a meeting at his palace with Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad. During the meeting, they discussed all situations in the region notably the development of the Palestinian issue and the situation in Iraq, the latest developments at Arab, Islamic and international arenas and the stands of the two countries towards them. Aspects of cooperation between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in all fields were also reviewed. On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Miteb Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Nawaf Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister and Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Vice Governor of Riyadh Region. On the Syrian side, the meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Farouq Al-Shara, Syria's Ambassador to the Kingdom Dr. Ahmed Nizamuddin and other officials. Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad arrived in Riyadh on a visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. At Riyadh Airbase Airport, President Al-Assad was received by Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard; Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Miteb Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Nawaf Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Chief of General Intelligence; other princes; ministers and senior officials. The Syrian president was accompanied by a delegation including Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Farouq Al-Shara and other officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, held at his palace a luncheon party in honor of Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad and his accompanying delegation. The party was attended by Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Miteb Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Bandar Ibn Mohammed Ibn Abdul Rahman; Prince Nawaf Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Vice Governor of Riyadh Region; other princes; ministers and senior officials. Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad left Riyadh after a brief visit to the Kingdom. At Riyadh Airbase Airport, the Syrian President was seen off by Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard; Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Vice Governor of Riyadh Region; other princes; ministers and senior civil and military officials. Also Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received at Al-Yamamah palace Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and his accompanying delegation. During the audience, Jack Straw conveyed to the Crown Prince the greetings of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Prime Minister Tony Blair. In turn, the Crown Prince sent his greetings to the British leadership. The audience was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, princes, officials and Britain's Ambassador to the Kingdom Sherard Cowper Coles. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received the British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. The meeting was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, and British ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Sherard Cowper-Coles and Straw's accompanying delegation. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, received Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them and exchanged opinions on regional and international issues of mutual interest. The meeting was attended by a number of officials and Britain's Ambassador to the Kingdom Sherard Cowper Coles. British Foreign Minister Jack Straw and his accompanying delegation arrived at King Khaled International Airport, and were received by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, the British Ambassador to the Kingdom Sherard Copper Colls, and other officials At the residence of the British ambassador in Riyadh Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary Jack Straw awarded 13 Saudi students the Chevening scholarship for postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom. The 13 Saudi students, included nine female students. The Chevening Scholarships Program for the Academic Year 2004-2005, used to be awarded by the British Government to foreign students worldwide. It is worth mentioning that the aforesaid scholarships make it possible for foreign students to join higher studies at the British universities for studying a number of specializations including international law, health management, educational planning, communications and design. Shourug Zakriyah who has a BA in nursing, was one of the students to be awarded the scholarship. She will study Risk Management at a UK university. I am very excited to be given this opportunity to study in the United Kingdom. I hope they start scholarship programs like these here to allow more students to study abroad, she said. Nine out of the 13 Saudi students selected are women. Nasser Al-Kaud who works at the Ministry of Education in Riyadh, will study e-Commerce in the UK. She said her husband and two children will accompany her. I have studied abroad before, in the US, but look forward to gaining more experience. It will also be a good experience for the family. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, and visiting Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw have also held a joint press conference in Riyadh, with the presence of Britain's Ambassador to the Kingdom Sherard Cowper Coles. At the outset of the conference, Prince Saud welcomed the British Secretary and confirmed that ties binding the two countries are firm, close and deep-rooted. "We would like to build on this to reach wider and full-fledged relations", he told reporters. He said he discussed with Straw the situations in the Middle East and Iraq in the presence of Lens Rock, Britain's special envoy to Iraq who, Prince Saud said, has seized the opportunity to brief the meeting on the situation in Iraq. Prince Saud added that the two kingdoms' share identical viewpoints and are ready to help make Iraq a stable and prosperous country. On his part, Straw thanked Prince Saud for his remarks and noted that this is his second visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He said he discussed relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Britain, noting that he spoke with a number of intellectuals, Muslim scholars and members of the Shoura Council on a wide range issues. Straw praised the increasing cooperation between the Shoura Council and Britain's House of Commons and said Prince Saud and he discussed the issue of Iraq and of Palestine. In response to a question on whether they discussed the issue of the so-called Saudi opposition in exile, particularly the London-based Mohammed Almasa'ary, Prince Saud told newsmen that discussion has covered all issues of mutual concern. He said there is agreement that the two parties are seeking the solution of all pending issues within the prevailing situations in each of the two counties, preferring therefore not to address the issue further. Asked to comment on Spain's decision to withdraw from Iraq after the transfer of power to Iraqis, Straw said he will discuss the matter with Spanish officials in Spain in the coming weeks. He appreciated the Kingdom's efforts in fighting terrorism and said he is looking forward to more cooperation in this field. British Foreign Minister Jack Straw said he believes that the new Spanish government s determination to pull out of Iraq will not change the Spanish people stand against terrorism. Addressing the press conference with Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Straw said, The whole world and all the Spanish people, regardless of their political opinions, are determined to show terrorism does not work. In response to a question on what he thought would be the impact on coalition forces in Iraq from the decision of the new Spanish government to withdraw its forces and whether the message from Madrid implied that terrorism works, Straw said, I have only seen the reports of remarks from Jose Luis Zapatero, the new Prime Minister elect in Spain, but I have taken note of the fact that there was a reference to the United Nations. It is something I suggest we will be discussing with our Spanish colleagues and the new Spanish government in the weeks ahead. I am very clear that what ever feelings the new Spanish government will have, they will be as committed, as is the whole European Union, to ensuring as calm and peaceful a transition from the Saddam years to a representative government as is possible, and to accepting their continuing responsibilities. About the UK's position on Saudi Arabia s role in fighting terrorism, Straw stressed, We greatly value the determination of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its government to fighting terrorism in all its forms. We have been seeking to increase and deepen the practical corporation we and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have. The British Foreign Minister was asked whether he had discussed in his talks earlier in the day with his Saudi counterpart any proposal or initiative for peace in the Palestinian territories. He replied, we do not have a new initiative. We want to see new life and movement breathed into the Road Map to which we are completely committed. Alongside that, we have been working with the Palestinian Authority in support of their Palestinian security plan in the hope and expectation that security within the occupied territories can be improved which is one of the preconditions towards achieving greater stability. Straw continued, We are committed to doing everything that we in the United Kingdom can to enhancing the process. It is a grim situation that has cost many lives of Palestinians and Israelis. It is something that causes dissent and conflict across the whole of the Middle East and elsewhere in the world. There is a limit to what any party out side the immediate occupied territories and Israel can do, but we will be doing everything that we can. Prince Saud Al-Faisal added, We talked about possible cooperation between the Arab countries and the European Union and the United States in urging a return back to peaceful negotiations and the Road Map. We are happy with the ideas his Excellency brought to the negotiating table and I hope this will lead to further cooperation in this regard. Regarding reforms in Saudi Arabia and the priorities of change, Prince Saud Al-Faisal said, It is obviously to respond to the requirements of better governance for the Saudi citizen, where everybody is equal in the eyes of the law, and his interest and participation in the decisions about his life. These are the important issues; any reform is for the service of the people. On the other hand Chairman of Shoura Council, Sheikh Dr. Saleh Ibn Abdullah Ibn Humaid met with Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, Dr. Ibn Humaid emphasized the importance of bilateral relations binding the two friendly countries for decades, noting that these relations have been established on mutual respect and common interest. The meeting was attended by the Council's Deputy Chairman Bakri Shata and Britain's Ambassador to the Kingdom Sherard Cowper Coles and other officials. The British Secretary also met today with chairman and members of the Council's Foreign Affairs Committee. During the meeting, they discussed the situations in the region and developments in Iraq and Palestine. Straw said that Britain has paid great attention to its relations with the Kingdom for its role in the region, Arab and Islamic countries and its efforts in stabilizing the world oil market through OPEC. He emphasized the importance that reform and modernization should come from inside countries and no one should impose on others the movement to make a reform and a development. The British Foreign Secretary indicated that the solution to Palestinian-Israeli conflict lies in the set up of two countries coexisting peacefully. On a different scale Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed opened the annual COMDEX, the Kingdom's global technology marketplace, at the Jeddah International Exhibition and Convention Center yesterday. The event, which is open to businessmen and IT professionals focuses on five technology segments that are at the forefront of enterprise innovation. They include wireless, security, real-time and automatic enterprise, integration, web services and digital convergence. The governor was visibly impressed by various exhibits and praised the rapid strides being made in the IT industry. The organizers have also described the exhibition as the starting point toward e-commerce, which could be an engine driving the economy in the Kingdom and the region. The show offers wireless Internet services and visitor's data insertion through the Local Area Network (LAN) server. Together, the various segments represent the fastest growing areas of technology advancement that will drive the majority of market innovations in support of user needs. The forum provides an opportunity for participating industry vendors and solution providers to hold face-to-face meetings. They include Canon, Kodak, IBM, Samsung, Microsoft Arabia, Sony, Acer and the Canadian Embassy. "We display catalogues from 10 companies about their products in different sectors of the IT industry," said Imad Arafat, commercial officer at the Canadian Embassy. The event will deliver a platform for collaboration, communications and commerce to the largest IT market in the Middle East-Gulf region. "Our goal is to provide the best opportunities for influential buyers and sellers around the world. The Kingdom's market, which comprises virtually half of the region's overall market, is projected to grow by more than 20 percent in 2004," the organizers said. In addition to the conference program, COMDEX offers an opportunity to learn about shopping software, hardware and PC accessories from the industry's leading vendors. It is expected to draw over 18,000 qualified professional trade visitors to meet, discuss and make vital technology decisions with the Kingdom's leading technology specialists. MidiaLive International, with its partner DIT Events, is presenting the IT industry's showcase where technology and business professionals from the Kingdom, the rest of the Middle East and elsewhere in the world, have come together to exchange ideas, build relationships, see the latest technologies and make decisions that will empower their businesses, said Kim Myhre, the president of MediaLive International. Since its inception in 2000, COMDEX has strived to bring the highest quality IT trade show to enhance the technology market in the Kingdom, according to Nasser Diab, project manager, COMDEX Saudi Arabia, DIT Groups-Events. Samsung, Saudi Arabia, is the main sponsor. Also exhibiting is Saudi Business Machines (SBM) alongside IBM, which has been a leading IT provider in the Kingdom for over 50 years. It provides state-of-the-art IBM products, services and solutions offerings to individuals and enterprises in both the private and public sectors, according to General Manager Hasan Barraj. Dr. Khaled Al-Dhaher, GM, Microsoft Arabia said COMDEX was an "excellent and extensive" platform for introducing businessmen and their partners to Microsoft's latest products and solutions. Meanwhile Prince Sultan Ibn Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Secretary General of Tourism Higher Authority has addressed his thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, 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 Defence and Aviation and Inspector General for their continuous support to the General Strategy for the Development of Tourism, adding that it will be implemented over 20 years to develop the tourism sector. On the other hand Prince Sultan Ibn Salman called for the set up of a Gulf Architectural Heritage Ad Hoc Society. Addressing the International Conference of Architectural Preservation between Theory and Application here today, Prince Sultan Ibn Salman pointed out that the Society will adopt practical initiatives on architectural heritage in the region, spread awareness about its importance and be a link between experts and specialists in architectural heritage in Arab Gulf states on one hand and Arab, Islamic and international organizations on the other hand. The Prince also reviewed the Authority's role in preserving the architectural heritage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Czech signed an understanding memorandum for enhancing scientific and technological cooperation. The understanding memorandum was signed by Dr Salih Al-Azl, the President of King Abdulaziz City for Sciences and Technology (KACST) , and Dr Helena Nirova, the President of the Academy of Sciences in Czech. Dr Al-Azl said the understanding memorandum was signed within the framework of the agreement signed by the two countries on March 2, 2002. He expected that the 3-year understanding memorandum would positively contribute to further enhancing cooperation between the Kingdom and Czech in the field of sciences and technology The Shoura Council approved in its 73rd ordinary session, held under the chairmanship of its Chairman Dr. Salih Ibn Abdullah Ibn Homaid the new system of the Saudi Credit and Savings Bank and installment sale. Dr. Abdul Aziz Al Badr, Shoura Council's Secretary General, said studies are underway regarding lease system leading to ownership. Chairman of Shoura Council, Sheikh Dr. Saleh Ibn Abdullah Ibn Humaid, has also received Argentina's Ambassador to the Kingdom, Luis Domingo. During the reception, they exchanged cordial talks and the means of enhancing bilateral relations. Dr. Salih also received Cote d'Ivoire's Ambassador to the Kingdom, Hamza Salah Bin Abdulqader. Meanwhile The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs is seriously discussing establishment of a coastal zone management authority to govern and oversee the use, exploitation, disposition and overall development of Saudi Arabia's coastal zones, the technical advisor of the Municipality of Dammam said. Mohammed Al-Humaidhi, who drafted the proposal for a coastal zone management authority, said that the ministry has studied and thoroughly deliberated the proposal. It will be submitted to the Shoura (Consultative) Council for consideration. If endorsed, the proposal will be forwarded to the Council of Ministers for approval after exhaustive examination of all issues and concerns. The overall development of our coastal zones and their use, exploitation, disposition, and management is very important for our existence and future development goals because it has an overwhelming impact on marine environment, the eco-system of the sea and its surroundings, and on the economic development thrusts of the nation, Al-Humaidhi told the Jeddah-based Saudi Gazette. On the other hand the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has transferred $ 15, 400 million to the account of the Palestinian Authority. The Saudi permanent delegate to the Arab League Ambassador Faisal Trad said the amount covers payments for February and March 2004 in support of the Palestinian Authority. Meanwhile Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ruled out negotiations with Palestinians, accusing them of doing nothing to stop attacks a day after twin suicide bombs killed 10 Israelis. Addressing parliament, Sharon said the attack at Ashdod "reinforces the understanding that there is no Palestinian leader with the courage, the ability, to struggle against terrorism. Clearly, in this situation, there will be no political negotiations." The declaration dealt a blow to efforts to restart peace talks. Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat called Sharon's declaration "unfortunate." and "a very grave development which will not add anything to the efforts to revive the peace process, but will only add to the complexities." Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon convened his security cabinet on Tuesday for the first time in six months, while his IOF troops poised on the Gaza border as his lieutenants threatened to unleash unprecedented military might on the Strip and announced plans to "target" Palestinian political leaders. Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat denounced the airstrike on Gaza. "What's needed to break the vicious cycle of violence is not the mentality of revenge but mentality of reconciliation and negotiations," he told The Associated Press. Erekat said Israel's new military escalation would only perpetuate the cycle of violence. "At the same time that Sharon freezes negotiations, he unleashes missiles and tanks still believing that the problem can be solved through military solutions," he told Reuters. "We call on him to return to negotiations, because only this will lead to an end to the cycle of violence." On the Iraqi arena officials from Iraq's Governing Council say they have sent the United Nations a letter asking for help in guiding Iraq's transitional political process. But it is not clear how much support for a UN role there is from influential leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Meanwhile, continuing security problems, punctuated by another terrorist bombing, are likely to prevent any major UN efforts in Iraq in the near future. The Iraqi Governing Council has agreed to ask the United Nations to assist in the process of setting up an interim government by 30 June, but there are reported to be reservations among key Shi'a leaders. The council decided to formally ask for the UN's help. The next step would be another visit to Iraq by UN experts, led by special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, to begin discussions on a political road map. "Security is a real constraint. It's a constraint not just for us. It's a constraint for reconstruction efforts. "But a revived UN role remains clouded by the position of some leaders of the majority Shi'a in Iraq. Ahead of yesterday's announcement, some Shi'a officials said they did not wish to see Al-Ibrahimi return. They were reported to be displeased with the report he issued last month advising against elections by 30 June, which had been sought by top Shi'a cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Al-Ibrahimi 's report said the earliest practical staging of elections should be eight months after a framework was agreed. That is a timeframe favored by Washington, which is to hand over power to Iraqis on 30 June. Al-Ibrahimi told reporters on 16 March that an aide to al-Sistani had sent a written message to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan saying the ayatollah was not associated with the negative comments from Shi'as directed toward the UN. But news agencies yesterday quoted aides to al-Sistani saying he never sent such a message. The issue became further complicated yesterday when UN spokesman Fred Eckhard told reporters that the message from al-Sistani to Annan was not in writing. "When I saw that press report [on the denials] this morning, I asked Mr. Brahimi and he told me that it was a telephone message from an aide working for Ayatollah al-Sistani who said he was conveying a message from the ayatollah to the secretary-general," Eckhard said. A spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, Dan Senor, said that the invitation letter from the council would be accompanied by a similar one from the United States welcoming the return of the United Nations. Annan told the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations this week that a UN team is poised to help Iraqis on constitutional and electoral issues. "Once we go in, if they so desire, we will not limit ourselves to the efforts to establish a government by 30 June but go beyond that and hopefully work with them to establish the legal framework for the elections that will be required next year, the national elections, to establish a fully fledged and internationally recognized government," Annan said. But Annan said any broader UN involvement -- such as institution-building and reconstruction -- would be contingent on the improvement of the precarious security situation. Annan's comments came one day before the bombing in central Baghdad, which killed nearly 20 people. "Security is a real constraint. It's a constraint not just for us. It's a constraint for reconstruction efforts. It's a constraint for average Iraqis in certain cities. Attempts being made to secure the environment are absolutely essential because if we do not secure the environment we are not going to be able to do all the wonderful things we've promised the Iraqis," Annan said. The Security Council has passed resolutions authorizing the U.S.-led multinational occupation force in Iraq. But there will likely be a new council resolution endorsing the next phase of Iraq's political transition on 30 June and specifying the role of international military forces. Spain's new Socialist leader says he would withdraw the country's 1,300 troops by 30 June if the United Nations does not assume a leading role legitimizing the international presence in Iraq. A UN Security Council diplomat said that his mission considers the comments of the next Spanish prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, to be "more confusing than helpful. |
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