March 26, 2004

THE CROWN PRINCE BRIEFS THE CABINET ON THE OUTCOME OF HIS TALKS WITH SYRIA'S PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD. THE SAUDI COUNCIL OF MINISTERS APPROVES THE SEPARATION OF THE MINISTRY OF LABOR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS INTO THE MINISTRY OF LABOR AND THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS. PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL CONVEYS A MESSAGE FROM THE CROWN PRINCE TO THE PRESIDENT OF YEMEN. THE SAUDI MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: THE PROCESS OF REFORMS' AIMS IS THE SERVICE OF THIS COUNTRY. WE WORK IN THE GOVERNMENT TO SERVE THE PEOPLE. THE GRAND MUFTI: THE REAL ENEMIES ARE THOSE WHO ACT AGAINST THE LEADERSHIP. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has appointed Amr Al-Dabbagh, a prominent Jeddah businessman, chairman of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA). Dabbagh replaces Prince Abdullah Ibn Faisal Ibn Turki, who was "relieved of his duties" at his request, a Royal Court statement said. Prince Abdullah told the AFP news agency he was bowing out to spend more time with his family. "Amr Ibn Abdullah Al-Dabbagh has been named head of SAGIA in the rank of a minister," the king said in his decree. The appointment was made on the recommendation of Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard. Dabbagh chairs the Jeddah Marketing Board, and is President and chief executive officer of the Jeddah-based Dabbagh Group of Companies, which comprises 28 firms operating in 30 countries. Another royal decree issued yesterday appointed Dr. Nasser ibn Muhammad Al-Salloum Secretary-General of the recently established Commission for the Development of Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites. 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 Cabinet expressed its concern and deep sorrow for the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories as a result of Israel's continual crimes against the Palestinian people and assassination of Martyr Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in an outrageous aggression firstly targeting the abortion of international endeavors aiming to revive the peace process in the Middle East. The Kingdom strongly condemned this criminal act that contravenes all international and humanitarian norms, laws and rules. The Kingdom called on the world community to shoulder its responsibilities towards the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, provide international protection for the Palestinian people and halt Israel's continual offensive policy and its disregard for the souls of the Palestinian people. This Israeli policy will only lead to more violence and deterioration in the occupied Arab territories and to the obstruction of any efforts aiming at putting and end to this bloody conflict. The Kingdom expressed its condolences to Palestine's President Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian people and the family of Martyr Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. 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 contents of talks, messages, meetings and contacts held in the previous days with a number of leaders and envoys of brotherly and friendly countries which focused on the latest developments in the region and the world. The Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the outcome of meetings with Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad which dealt with aspects of cooperation between the two countries in all fields, ways of enhancing them and the latest developments at the Palestinian and Iraqi arenas. The Crown Prince also briefed the Cabinet on the contents of talks held with Poland's President Aleksander Kwasniewski and a number of envoys of other countries. The talks dealt with relations binding the Kingdom with these countries, ways of enhancing them, the development of events at the international arena and the world efforts towards these developments, particularly Israel's continual aggressions against the Palestinian people. Dr. Al-Farsi said the cabinet then reviewed the local items on its agenda and issued the following decisions: Upon a recommendation by the Ministerial Committee for Administrative Organization, headed by Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, the cabinet approved the separation of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs into two: the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Social Affairs. Accordingly, the Workforce Council was dissolved, and its authorities are transferred to the Ministry of Labor which will also run all activities relating to labor and laborer affairs currently run by the Department of Labor of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, including the enforcement of labor and laborers system, labor disputes affairs, recruitment of workforce within the private sector and recruitment of foreign employees from abroad, the Cabinet said. The cabinet's statement added that the new Ministry of Social Affairs will undertake the responsibility of activities regarding social affairs currently run by the social insurance, including social insurance affairs, social welfare, social development affairs, cooperative and charities affairs, social studies and research and popular housing. The Cabinet decided to amend articles 14, 25, 26, 34 and 50 of the Hajj-related vehicles syndicate to guarantee improved performance of the organization which supervises the traffic of Hajj large transportation companies. The Ministry of Hajj was assigned to forge the appropriate mechanism of distribution of pilgrims over registered public transportation companies. According to the new regulation, small companies and individuals are also allowed to enter the Hajj transportation market upon certain conditions. The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Foreign Affairs or his deputy to sign the cooperation agreement in the economic, commercial, industrial and technological fields between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the Federal Republic of Austria. The Cabinet approved an agreement on exploration for non-associate gas, its development and production and its appendices between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and each of Saudi Arabian LUKOIL Company for Energy, LUKSAR Company for energy Ltd, Saudi SINO for gas Ltd and ENER ISA for gas Ltd. The Cabinet approved the appointment of Mohammed Ibn Abdul Rahman Ibn Ibrahim Al Shaye and Dr. Abdul Rahman Ibn Mohammed Ibn Judae Al Judae as ambassadors at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dr. Ali Ibn Salih Ibn Saeed Al Khabti as Director General of Education of Riyadh Region at the Ministry of Education. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received Prince Sultan Ibn Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Secretary General of the Tourism Higher Authority and former and new members of the authority who came to greet him. The audience was attended by Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the Saudi Ambassador to Britain; Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and Prince Bandar Ibn Salman Ibn Mohammad Al Saud, the Advisors at Crown Prince's Court and other officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received the President of Ura Shiya firm Dr. Ian Bremer and a number of U.S. businessmen who are currently visiting the Kingdom. The audience was attended by Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Prince Dr. Bandar Ibn Salman Ibn Mohammad Al Saud and Abdul Mohsin Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Tuwaijeri, the Advisors at Crown Prince's Court. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received the head of the Human Rights National Association Dr. Abdullah Al-Obaid and female members of the association who came to greet the Crown Prince. During the audience, the Crown Prince made some remarks in which he highlighted the importance of the association. The head and female members of the association expressed thanks to the crown prince for the meeting. On another scale Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, who is also the chairman of the committee charged with development and review of curricula, denied a report published by Al Madinah newspaper on alleged new curricula plans. In a statement to Saudi Press Agency, Prince Sultan said the report by Al Madinah newspaper was totally incorrect and described it as lies. He explained that no news on the curricula plans has been released neither by the committee he chairs nor by any official source. He stressed that curricula plans are currently being discussed carefully by Islamic scholars and other experts. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received at his palace the new designate members of the board of directors of the Tourism Higher Authority as well as old members whose terms of office have expired. During the audience, Prince Sultan thanked the old members for their significant efforts wishing the new members good luck. The audience was attended by Prince Sultan Ibn Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Secretary General of the Tourism Higher Authority. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, also received at his palace Sheikh Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdullah Al-Al Sheikh, the Grand Mufti, Chairman of the Ulema Council and the Directorate of Scientific Research and Ifta. The audience was attended by Prince Saud Ibn Abdul Mohsen, the Governor of Hail region. Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal slammed Washington's calls for reform in the Middle East and said Arab countries could tackle their problems by themselves. The US proposals "include clear accusations against the Arab people and their governments that they are ignorant of their own affairs," the Saudi Press Agency quoted Faisal as saying in the Yemeni capital. Those behind these plans ignore the fact that our Arab people have cultures rooted deep in history and that we are able to handle our own affairs," the Saudi Foreign Minister said. Prince Saud said calls for Arabs to join the modern world were being made "as if for all these years we had not been doing anything and had just been waiting for direction from outside". He said any foreign help should be concentrated on settling the Palestinian-Israel conflict and forming a "genuine economic partnership" with the Arab world. Prince Saud's statement comes two days after his talks in Riyadh with US Secretary of State Colin Powell. Prince Saud earlier held talks with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and senior government officials. The talks focused on the Arab summit agenda and US plans. The Prince handed a message from Crown Prince Abdullah, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, to the Yemeni President. During a meeting, Prince Saud and his Yemeni counterpart Abu Bakr Al-Kurbi underlined the need for inter-Arab reforms that harmonize with the resolve of the region's peoples and are not imposed by foreign parties. Al-Kurbi said that his country was not against the US initiative. "We do not see negatively any views about reform in the Arab world. We welcome them and believe that the final word on them are at the hands of the Arab peoples and governments," he said. Yemeni Prime Minister Abdul Qader Bajammal also emphasized the need for reforms. "There are changes in the world and we must live in tune with these changes," but he stressed that any reforms must meet the people's expectations. Bajammal said his meeting with Prince Saud covered "security cooperation and the struggle against terrorism." The Saudi-Yemeni talks began under the co-chairmanship of Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, and his Yemeni Counterpart Dr Abu Bakr Al-Kurbi. Addressing the inaugural session, Dr Al-Kurbi said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Yemen will review means for further enhancing bilateral relations, and added that 'the two countries are in one trench for fighting terrorism and developing their national economies as well as establishing a genuine partnership in their capacity as the biggest economic partners in the Arabian Peninsula'. 'I am confident that the security and stability of the two countries will have a positive impact on their economic relations', he said and added 'it is hoped that the Saudi-Yemeni talks will yield positive results and meet the aspirations of the Saudi and Yemeni people as well as the aspirations of the Arab and Muslim nation. On his part, Prince Saud Al-Faisal confirmed the determination of the Saudi and Yemeni leaderships on cementing bilateral relations. He noted that ideas and proposals presented by certain quarters for reforming the Arab situation reflect flagrant accusations by these quarters to the Arab governments and people, and added that the quarters which stand behind these ideas and proposals ignore the fact that the Arab nation is a nation of deep-rooted civilization. 'The awakening which is awaiting the Arab world comes despite problems and difficulties created by the colonial rule in the region', said Prince Saud, and added that 'this awakening is not a result of foreign pressures'. Prince Saud said the assistance the Arabs are waiting for should be concentrated on the settlement of the Palestinian problem under the umbrella of the international legitimacy, and on a genuine economic partnership that leads to the opening of markets and flow of investments in a manner that serves mutual interests. 'Otherwise, with the Grace of Almighty Allah, the Arabs are aware of their duties and rights', Prince Saud noted. He said that the Arab governments are going ahead on the path of fruitful reform in a way that preserves the national unity of each Arab country, and added 'this vision should be clear for our friends and non-friends'. Prince Saud pointed out that the approval of the draft of reforming the Arab situation by the Arab countries has provided a clear evidence for their determination on going on the path of building strong and coherent Arab-Arab relations. Prince Saud called for further coordination among the Arab countries at various forums, and said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Yemen will be working for the service of the Arab and Muslim causes. Yemen's Premier Abdul Qader Bajamal met with Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister and his accompanying delegation currently on a visit to Yemen. In a press statement, Prince Saud said that they discussed all issues of mutual concern particularly the measures taken by the two countries to combat terrorism and the joint coordination towards issues that will be submitted to the forthcoming Arab Summit in Tunisia. On his part, the Yemeni Premier noted the security and political challenges faced by the two countries within the framework of a war on terrorism. The meeting was attended by Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Abu Bakr Al-Qurabi, Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed bin Mirdass Al-Qahtani and other officials. Meanwhile the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, sent a message to Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Salih pertaining to the brotherly and distinguished relations, joint cooperation between the two countries, the development of events in the region and the joint Arab action. The message was delivered by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister during a meeting with the Yemeni President. During the meeting, President Salih sent his greetings to the King and the Crown Prince, wishing them a permanent good health and happiness and the Saudi people steady progress and prosperity. They also discussed a number of topics of mutual concern to the two countries and the Arab nation particularly the situations in Palestine and Iraq and Arab visions on reforms in the region. The meeting was attended by Prince Mishaal Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz; Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Ibn Mirdass Al-Qahtani; Yemen's Foreign Minister Dr. Abu Bakr Al-Qurabi and other officials. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, concluded the several-hour visit to Yemen and was seen off at Sanaa Airport by Yemen's Foreign Minister Dr. Abu Bakr Al-Qurabi; Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Ibn Mirdass Al-Qahtani and Yemen's Ambassador to the Kingdom Khalid Al-Akwa'a. In another development, the Kingdom's Interior Ministry handed over eight Yemenis to Sanaa in return for five Saudis. "Five Saudis were handed over to us by Sanaa," the Saudi Press Agency said quoting a ministry official. On the other hand Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received at his palace in Riyadh U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and his accompanying delegation. During the reception, Powell conveyed to Crown Prince Abdullah the greetings of U.S. President George W. Bush. On his part, Crown Prince Abdullah sent his greetings to President Bush. They also discussed the overall situations and regional and international developments and matters of concern to relations between the two countries. The reception was attended by the Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. Prince Bandar Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz and U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom James Oberwetter. US Secretary of State Colin Powell said he was satisfied the Kingdom was doing its best to stamp out terrorism. But in talks with Saudi leaders he also raised US concerns over the arrests of several Saudi reformists. Powell, who arrived in the Kingdom from Kuwait after an unannounced visit to Baghdad, was speaking at a press conference with Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal at Riyadh Airbase. Powell congratulated the Kingdom on its efforts to combat terror. He also said he expressed concern over the detention of some 10 reformists during his talks with Prince Abdullah and Prince Saud. "We have concerns when people who are trying to express their views, and do it in an open and democratic way, are not able to do so," Powell said. Responding to Powell's statement, Prince Saud said: "Friends can discuss anything. From our point of view what happened was something that concerns this country." The reformists "sowed dissension when the country was looking for unity and a clear vision, especially at a time when it is facing the terrorist assault," he said. "They did so by using the names of reputable and respected people who objected. So these people were asked to come for questioning. Those who promised that they would not use the names of other people were immediately released. The others... are going to be turned over to the legal courts to see what needs to be done about them." Powell appeared conciliatory on President Bush's controversial "Greater Middle East Initiative" which seeks democracy in the region. "We have the means to develop the strategy for democracy in this region. We have ideas and experience as well as the means to help bring about credible reforms, but the reform has to come from within the region," Powell said. From his part Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, said US Secretary of State Colin Powell had 'constructive and important' talks with Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, on a number of key issues. Prince Saud Al-Faisal made these remarks during a joint press conference along with Powell in Riyadh. On his part, Powell said he had extensive talks with Crown Prince Abdullah and Prince Saud Al-Faisal on problems of the Middle East as well as the strategy of democracy. "We have an experience in this domain and we are capable of helping other countries to carry out reforms," he said. "However, reforms should come from within these countries and it should never be imposed from abroad." 'We have spoken about reforms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the expected elections as well as about the legal systems and other issues," he said, adding that "the Kingdom and other countries in the region have to go on their own way and to determine the required speed and pace for carrying out the process of reforms, and nothing should be abruptly imposed on them from abroad." On the Saudi-American relations, Powell said "our relations are strong, and we do appreciate the significant role being played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in fighting terrorism." Powell noted that he had briefed Crown Prince Abdullah and Prince Saud Al-Faisal on the outcome of his South-Asian tour and said they had also reviewed bilateral relations. On the issue of the ten persons detained in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Powell said "we have held talks in this respect with Crown Prince Abdullah and Prince Saud Al-Fasial, and I have expressed our concern in this regard." "I have no idea about the number, but I know that some of them have been released," he said. Powell noted that he had also reviewed the issue of sabotage, and said 'the Saudis may be busy with some legal and procedural matters toward these persons, and we have reviewed this issue." On his part, Prince Saud Al-Faisal said "Friends can discuss all matters, and as far as I know this matter concerns the Kingdom." "At a time when we face the menace of terrorism and work together for having a clear vision, we think that it is not the suitable time for carrying out such an act," he added. Prince Saud said "the detained persons had exploited names of some prominent personalities who had opposed exploitation of their names, and subsequently had filed lawsuits against them.""Those who have pledged that they will no longer exploit names of others have been released, but those who have refused to make such a pledge will be tried before the Shariah court', said Prince Saud Al-Faisal. "However, this is an internal issue and we have informed our friend about this fact." On his part, Powell said 'we are concerned about the fate of some persons who have tried to express their views in a frank and democratic manner, and we have discussed this matter in an open and a clear way." Powell said some of the detained persons will be released, and "we will know more about the remaining persons within the next few days." On the process of reforms in the Arab world and Middle East, Powell said that he had made contacts in this regard with a number of foreign ministers in the Arab region, and explained to them the keenness of the US on helping them for the realization of this goal. On his part, Prince Saud Al-Faisal said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been witnessing a process of reforms since a long time to ensure happiness of its people and meet the country's needs. "The process of reforms aims at the service of this country. Moreover, we work in the government to serve the people. Therefore, the reforms will be comprehensive to meet the needs of the people and the timing of implementing these reforms depends on what is possible and what is achievable. The unanimity about what we can achieve through these reforms, is to become a united strength and not a divisive force for preservation and coherence of our society. Prince Saud said "We want to maintain unity and cohesion of our society. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell had arrived in Riyadh on a short visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He was received at Riyadh Air Base Airport by the Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Saudi Ambassador to the US Prince Bandar Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz and other officials. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell left Riyadh following a brief official visit to the Kingdom. He was seen off at Riyadh Air Base by the Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom James Oberwetter and other officials. Meanwhile Sheikh Abdul Aziz, the Kingdom's highest religious authority, said a true Muslim who intended to serve Islam would never try to undermine the leadership and the Ummah and will follow the rules of Islam and be part of the unified Ummah. The world must know that Islam is the religion of peace and mercy and goodness; it is the religion of justice and guidance. It is a religion that prohibits all forms of injustice Islam has also called for the killing of anyone who attempts to undermine legitimate rulers or divide Muslims. He urged Muslims to strengthen their faith in God and live in accordance with His teachings for success in this world and the hereafter. Islam is a complete way of life and is suitable to all times and places.