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April 9, 2004 |
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PRESIDENT MUBARAK: NO PROBLEMS WITH REGARDS TO WHERE THE SUMMIT WILL BE HELD BUT IT SHOULD RECONVENE. PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL: NOW THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IS TO UNIFY VIEWS. MOST OF THE CLAIMS AGAINST CHARITIES ARE BASED ON WRONG CLAIMS. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, arrived in Moroccan city of Casablanca. He was received at King Mohammed V airport by Moroccan King Mohammed VI of Morocco; Prince Rasheed Ibn Al Hasan II; Saudi Ambassador to Morocco Dr. Abdul Aziz Khoja; and senior government officials. Following a short stop at the airport's VIP lounge, King Mohammed VI escorted his guest in an official convoy to the royal palace in Anfa District of Casablanca. There, Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz was accorded an official welcome. Crown Prince Abdullah and King Mohammed VI held a bilateral meeting during which they discussed the overall developments at the Arab and international arenas and the necessary steps to be taken to create an appropriate atmosphere to hold the Arab summit at the earliest. They reviewed aspects of cooperation between the two countries and ways of enhancing them. Then Prince Rasheed Ibn Al Hasan II escorted Crown Prince Abdullah to his guest residence. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz was accompanied by Prince Nawaf Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Abdul Ilah Ibn Abdul Aziz, other princes, ministers and his official accompanying delegation. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard had arrived in Vienna on a visit to Austria. At Vienna International Airport, the Crown Prince was received by Austria's President Dr. Thomas Klestil and a number of officials. Upon arrival at the presidential palace, Crown Prince Abdullah was received by ministers and senior officials. The Crown Prince is accompanied by Prince Nawaf Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister;a number of princes, ministers and senior officials. The Austrian President awarded a medallion to the Crown Prince who in turn awarded the President a medallion of King Abdul Aziz. In presence of the Crown Prince, Austria's President and Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister and Austria's Minister of Economic Affairs and Labor Martin Bartenstein signed an agreement on cooperation in economic, commercial, industrial and technological fields. Then the Crown Prince and the Austrian President held a meeting during which they discussed all events and latest developments at international arenas, the stances of the two friendly countries towards them, and enhancement of aspects of cooperation in all fields. On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by the delegation accompanying the Crown Prince. On the Austrian side, it was attended by the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and a number of ministers. Austrian President Dr Thomas Klestil a dinner party in honor of Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Klestil highlighted the existing friendly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Austria. He underlined the importance of further enhancing the pillars of understanding, tolerance and mutual respect as well as the respect of human rights and exerting efforts for solving the pending problems. Klestil called for exerting more efforts for the settlement of the Middle East problem in the light of the resolutions of the UN's Security Council. 'Austria, in cooperation with the friendly countries at the European Union, has been exerting efforts for giving an impetus to the process of peace in the Middle East region and other regions of the world', he added. Klestil pointed out that the current situation in Iraq constitutes a challenge to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab region as well as the entire international community. He noted that the Kingdom and Austria do believe in the important role that should be paled by the UN in this respect. Warning against the menace of terrorism, the Austrian President said intensive joint efforts should be exerted to fight terrorism. 'Terrorism is an international phenomenon, and we have refused the phrase of 'Islamic terrorism', he said. Klestil said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is capable of playing a crucial role in the domain of dialogue of religions and cultures in its capacity as the cradle of Islam. Meanwhile, Klestil said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia constitutes the most important economic partner of Austria in the Middle East region. On his part, Crown Prince Abdullah highlighted the significant historical role played by Austria, and said Austria stands as a good example for authenticity and modernism. 'I would like to reiterate the fact that Islam is the religion of peace, love and tolerance, and terrorists who perpetrate criminal acts have nothing to do with Islam', said Crown Prince Abdullah. He noted that the Muslim World as well as other countries of the world had suffered a lot from evils of terrorism, and added 'I am confident that forces of moderation and tolerance, with the grace of Almighty Allah. will be capable of defeating forces of hatred and fanaticism'. The dinner party was attended by Crown Prince Abdullah's accompanying delegation as well as a number of Austrian senior officials and members of the diplomatic corps in Austria. On the other hand Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received at his guest residence the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Dr. Mohammed El-Baradei. The meeting was attended by the accompanying delegation of the Crown Prince. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received the accredited Arab ambassadors to Austria. Speaking on the occasion, Omani ambassador to Austria and Dean of the Arab diplomatic corps Saleem Al-Riyami, highlighted the intensive efforts exerted by Crown Prince Abdullah to close the Arab ranks and to hold the Arab Summit. On his part, Crown Prince Abdullah welcomed the ambassadors, and briefed them on the outcome of his meetings with the Austrian officials. Crown Prince Abdullah urged the Arab ambassadors to work for strengthening bonds of friendship between the Arab countries and Austria, hoping that their efforts in this respect would yield positive results. The audience was attended by the Crown Prince's accompanying delegation. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received at his guest residence the Austrian President Dr. Thomas Klestil and United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. During the meeting, they discussed the overall international developments, led by the Palestinian issue and the sufferings the Palestinian people are facing including the killings, displacement, and demolition of its properties in addition to the situation in Iraq. The meeting was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; Dr. Ghazi Ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Gosaibi, the Minister of Water and Electricity; Dr. Ibrahim Al Assaf, the Minister of Finance; and the Saudi Ambassador to Austria and the kingdom's permanent representative to the United Nations organizations Omer Kurdi. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received at his residence a number of Saudi citizens residing in Austria who came to greet him. The meeting was attended by the Crown Prince's accompanying delegation. Visiting Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received at his guest residence the Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero Waldner. During the meeting, they reviewed the latest incidents and the overall international development. The meeting was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; Dr. Ghazi Ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Gosaibi, the Minister of Water and Electricity; Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf, the Minister of Finance; and the Saudi Ambassador to Austria and the kingdom's permanent representative to the United Nations organizations Omer Kurdi. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received at his guest residence Austrian President Dr. Thomas Klestil. From there, Dr. Klestil escorted Crown Prince Abdullah in an official convoy to the headquarters of the Spanish School for Equestrian Activities where they were received by the school's principal. During their visit, they were shown an equestrian splendid show. Then they moved to the presidential palace where the president gave a luncheon party in honor of Crown Prince Abdullah and his accompanying delegation. The president escorted his guest back to his residence. Austrian President Dr. Thomas Klestil received at the presidential palace in Vienna Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard. They held a bilateral meeting during which they resumed talks which they had earlier. Then Crown Prince Abdullah left for Morocco following a three-day official visit to Austria. He was seen off at an official farewell ceremony by President Klestil and his spouse. During the ceremony, the national anthems of the two countries were played and the guard of honor was inspected by Crown Prince Abdullah and his host. Klestil then escorted Crown Prince Abdullah in an official convoy to Vienna international airport. Crown Prince Abdullah was accompanied by his official delegation. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, made a telephone call with President Abdul Aziz Bouteflika of Algeria. During the conversation, they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and the latest developments in the region. On the other hand Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, held a press conference at the guest residence of visiting Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, in Vienna. Commencing the press conference, he read the following statement: "Yesterday the Crown Prince had a discussion with the Chancellor and the Prime Minister, today with the President, where he expressed his appreciation for the warm and friendly reception of the Austrian people and the Government throughout the period of the visit. This reflects the strengthened depth of the relations between the two countries as well as reflects the political will of both countries to expand the already great relations in all fields, economic, political, cultural and security fields. A framework agreement was signed in order to achieve these goals, which will have its impact on trade and investment prospects in both countries. In the political sphere, both sides expressed their great concern regarding the unilateral policies and practices of Israel in the occupied territories; the repression, persecution and targeted assassination in an effort to scuttle the peace process before it even starts. This was done in the hope of creating new realities in the occupied territories and making any renewed negotiation futile. By voiding the Road Map of its content, i.e. the creation of a viable Palestinian state along side with Israel, with responsibilities on both sides, while at the same time refusing the Arab Peace Process as a means that defines the end goal of the Road Map and defining peace between all the Arab States and Israel. Both countries agree that there is a great prospect for the peace process to be achieved through joint action and demarches between the Arab Countries and the European Union. Saudi Arabia also stressed the unity of Iraq and the respect of its sovereignty and independence. It also emphasized the great importance in sustaining the central role of the United Nations in Iraq, especially in the transitional period, including the transfer of power to the people of Iraq within the proposed timeframe, and on the foundation of national solidarity other than sectarian or ethnic basis. The Austrian side expressed appreciation for the efforts that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia exerted in the endeavor of fighting terrorism, particularly in the area of destroying its infrastructure. Both sides agreed to the necessity of international cooperation in fighting terrorism, money laundering, and narcotic traffic, since they are sides of the same coin. This gives you an indication of the extent and depth of the discussion that was held by the Saudi and Austrian delegations." Then Prince Saud Al-Faisal answered questions raised by attending journalists. A fresh Arab summit will now be held early this month, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said. Egypt has stepped in and offered to hold the summit, scrapped by Tunisia last week, to dispel the impression that Arab states are divided over the main agenda subjects Iraq, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a common response to the US campaign for Arab reform and democracy. Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak held talks with Arab heads of state over several days arguing the summit should reconvene as soon as possible. Prince Saud said there was no doubt an Arab summit would go ahead. "There will be a summit, undoubtedly, because there is a consensus," he told reporters in Vienna. "There is a decision to hold the summit meeting early this month, so it is a foregone conclusion that there will be a summit," the minister said. "What we must do now is to prepare the terrain," he said. Tunisia called off the scheduled summit some 36 hours before Arab leaders were due to meet, saying Arab foreign ministers, in a preliminary meeting, had failed to make adequate commitment to democratic reform, but delegates from other countries disputed the Tunisian explanation. Prince Saud said the Kingdom had no plan to present any new initiative for a Middle East peace. "The coming summit will discuss the existing plans," he said. One was the road map for peace put forward by the European Union, the United Nations, the United States and Russia. Referring to Prince Abdullah's talks with Austrian President Thomas Klestil and Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, Prince Saud said the two sides expressed their concern over Israel's actions in the occupied Palestinian territories. "Israel's oppressive practices and assassination of Palestinian leaders were aimed at aborting the peace process and changing the status quo of Arab territories," he said. "We have agreed to open new horizons for the peace process though the joint efforts of the European Union and Arab countries," the prince said. Prince Saud said his country and Austria agreed that sovereignty in Iraq must be restored as soon as possible. There was also agreement that the UN must have an important role in the rebuilding of the country. "The two sides also agreed on the importance of forging international cooperation to fight terrorism, money laundering and drug trafficking," he added The press conference was attended by the Saudi Ambassador to Austria and the Kingdom's permanent representative to the United Nations organizations Omer Kurdi. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, arrived in Rabat to have talks with senior Moroccan officials within the current endeavor orchestrating Arab leaders moves to hold the 16th Arab summit. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Prince Saud said what is important now is to forge a united vision among Arab countries. He said he will hold talks with Morocco's Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Issa and Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa. Encouraged by constructive and fruitful consultations he had with his Arab counterparts, the Saudi Foreign Minister said he felt that they are serious to overcome every difficulty to hold the summit and reach a strong unified stance. He wished the summit every success. He was received at the airport by his Moroccan counterpart and Saudi ambassador to Morocco Dr. Abdul Aziz Khoja and a number of officials. Meanwhile President Hosni Mubarak said the Arab leaders have underlined the importance of convening the Arab Summit as soon as possible adding it can probably be held in May. President Mubarak said in statements following his meeting with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad that the date of convening the summit depends on the decision of Arab leaders, indicating that the current tour by Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa aims at determining the date and venue of the Arab Summit. Answering a question on the outcome of current consultations and contacts President Mubarak is undertaking with other Arab leaders about the summit, Mubarak said that all the Arab leaders agree that the Arab Summit should be held in the nearest possible time. He said that he just wants the summit to be held and it does not matter whether its venue is going to be in Cairo, Tunis, or elsewhere. President Mubarak, noted that the summit would be held most probably in May due to the busy schedule of some Arab leaders during the month of April. The President explained that he will pay a visit to Washington this month and other Arab leaders will also be outside their countries during the month of April. Answering a question on differences among the Arab leaders regarding the issue of comprehensive Arab reforms and whether these differences led to the putting off of the summit, President Mubarak said that the issue of reforms was not a stumbling block for holding the summit. The coming summit will discuss the reforms, stressed Mubarak. President Mubarak and Bashar Al-Assad held a tete-a-tete meeting at the Presidential lounge at Cairo Airport immediately upon the arrival of the Syrian President. Then an expanded session of talks was held between the two sides. The Syrian President left Cairo after a few hours visit. The Syrian leader was seen off at the airport by Information Minister Safwat Al-Sherif, Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher and Syrian Ambassador in Cairo Youssef Ahmed. President Assad was accompanied during his flight visit to Cairo by Syrian Vice-President Abdel Halim Khaddam and Foreign Minister Farouk Al-Shara. On the other hand Tunisian President Zine Al-Abidine Bin Ali received in the Tunisian capital Tunis visiting Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa. In statements following the meeting, Moussa said that it was very important as it addressed the "Arab Summit, Arab relations and joint Arab action". Moussa said that consultations will continue until an agreement is reached on holding the summit as soon as possible. Moussa, who arrived in Carthage International Airport earlier last Friday and was received there by Tunisian Foreign Minister Al-Habib Bin Yahya, stressed that the summit will be held as there is no obstacle impeding its convocation. Moussa's official spokesman, Hisham Youssef, said that Moussa will then head for Morocco for talks with King Mohammed VI, Foreign Minister Mohammed Benaissa and senior officials, dismissing differences between the Arab Maghreb and Mashreq countries. Moussa will have talks with a number of Arab Mashreq countries following his Maghreb tour, said Youssef, noting that President Hosni Mubarak's efforts are highly appreciated. The spokesman for the Tunisian Presidency who attended the meeting between the Tunisian President and Moussa, repeated his country's unwavering position towards convening the summit, and its content which should be agreed upon in order to ensure its success in light of developments in the region. He added that Tunisia in its capacity as the President for this summit and its official hostess keeps its right to convene the summit on its own lands and declares its determination to continue consultations until an agreement is made over the debated issues and in particular defining a new date for the summit. He added that the meeting between Moussa and Ben Ali was an occasion for Ben Ali to highlight "Tunisia's continued care to stress Tunisia's deep Arab affiliation and its position in support of the nation's causes." The Tunisian minister of the interior, on the other hand stressed that Tunisia has the priority to convene the Summit, noting that the " most important now " is to maintain understanding over what will be discussed. However, Moussa said at Carthage International airport "God-willing will be held." He then described the meeting with Bin Ali as "very important" and said that the talks dealt with the Arab summit and the common Arab action. In Bahrain Nabeel Yacoub Al Hamer, Minister of Information of the Bahrain said the Bahrain is following up with great concern consultations going on to hold the Arab summit. He said in a statement to BNA that Bahrain is closely following the consultations and talks held by the Secretary General of the Arab League in the Arab Maghreb and with other Arab Ministers with regards to the Arab summit. On the other hand an American lawyer who is defending a number of charities and Saudi personalities said that news published in the media against charities are built up on wrong facts. To continue helping Muslims across the globe, Saudi Arabia has decided to create a body that will exclusively run charity work abroad. A royal decree said the Saudi Civil Council for Relief and Charity Work Overseas "would be set up and run by a group of citizens involved in charity work and renowned for their experience, integrity and good reputation." It would have the exclusive authority over "all charity and welfare activities overseas," said the royal court statement carried by the official SPA news agency. The decision, noted the statement, would enable the Saudi people to "continue assisting their Muslim brethren everywhere" in keeping with Islamic teachings while shielding Saudi welfare work from attempts to tarnish its reputation. The council would announce its statutes and modus operandi as soon as the procedures of its establishment are completed "within the next few weeks," it added. The Saudi government had recently decided to lay down "clear rules to regulate Saudi welfare work outside the kingdom," said the royal statement. Another lawyer and former member of the Congress said that the US is looking for a real partnership with Saudi Arabia and acknowledged the new body set up in Saudi Arabia. |
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