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April 23, 2004 |
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***** Before the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz on the occasion of their appointment to the new posts. The Minister of Labor Dr. Ghazi Ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Gosaibi, the Minister of Social Affairs Dr. Ali Ibn Ibrahim Al-Namlah and the Minister of Water and Electricity Engineer Abdullah Ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Hosain were sworn in. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques directed them to be keen on performing their jobs sincerely, wishing them all success to serve their country and its people. On their part, the ministers thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the royal directives. King Fahd also received the Governor of Investment General Authority Amro Ibn Abdullah Al-Dabbagh on the occasion of his appointment to the new post at a minister rank. The swearing-in ceremony and the audience were attended by Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of State, Cabinet Member and Chief of the Court of Cabinet's Presidency and other officials. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, received a message from Ethiopian Premier Meles Zenawi. The message was delivered to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz by Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin during an audience. The audience was attended by a number of princes and senior officials. In line with the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz to extend assistance to the Sudanese Government, a relief plane carrying tents weighing 24320 pounds left Riyadh for Sudan. The tents will be distributed to people displaced by fighting in the Sudanese Province of Darfur. The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has issued his directives to provide some Islamic institutions and organizations as well as Saudi embassies in a number of Arab and European countries with 42,426 copies of the Holy Quran and the translations of its meanings. The copies of the Holy Quran and the translations of its meanings are printed by Madinah-based King Fahd Holy Quran Printing Complex. Translations of the meanings of the Holy Quran are in English, Urdu, German, French, Indonesian, Turkish, Persian, Chinese and Russian. This was announced by Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance Al-Sheikh Salih Al Al-Sheikh. The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has sent a cable of congratulations to President Bashar Al-Assad of Syria on the occasion of the Evacuation Day. The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques expressed his good wishes to the President and people of Syria, and highlighted the existing fraternal relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Syria. Similar cables of congratulations on the occasion were sent to the Syrian President by Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, and Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, has sent a cable of congratulations to Queen Margaret II of Denmark on the occasion of her country's national day. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques expressed his good wishes to the Queen and people of Denmark, and highlighted the existing friendly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Denmark. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received a message from Ethiopian Premier Meles Zenawi. The message was delivered to the crown prince by Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin during an audience. The audience was attended by a number of princes and senior officials. On the fringes of the Cairo-based annual festival of the 11th Horse Race Cup of Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard Saudi Ambassador to Egypt and the Dean of Arab Diplomatic Corps Ibrahim Al-Saad Al-Ibrahim has praised deep relations binding the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt in political, economic, sports and cultural fields. In a statement to the Saudi and Egyptian press, Al-Ibrahim said that the greatest evidence of deep relations is shown in the Crown Prince's keenness on holding this race in Egypt. He pointed out that economic relations between the two countries are growing, noting that trade exchange has amounted to 2.25 billion Egyptian pounds and the Kingdom's investments in Egypt reached 5.5 billion pounds. As regards the current reforms in the Kingdom, Al-Ibrahim stressed that the process of reform has been continuing since the Kingdom's foundation. He stressed that the best reform should come from inside since it takes into consideration the country's local conditions, religion, traditions and values. The 21st annual horse racing on the cup of Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, was held in Egypt. The Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Ibrahim Al-Saad Al-Ibrahim handed the cup to the owner of the winner horse. In a press statement after the race, Al-Ibrahim said that this festival shows the Crown Prince's interest in horse racing. He hailed the good organization of the six-round race. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received the Mexican ambassador designate to the Kingdom Raul Leira. Prince Sultan also received Secretary General of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council Abdul Rahman Al-Atiyyah. They reviewed issues of mutual interests. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received the Senegalese Minister of Defense Becaye Diop and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and reviewed matters of mutual concern. The meeting was attended by Senegal's Ambassador to the Kingdom Modou Dia and other officials. Prince Sultan also received today Ethiopian Foreign Minister Siom Mesfen and his accompanying delegation. The Ethiopian minister handed Prince Sultan a message from the President of Ethiopia. During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and reviewed matters of mutual concern. The meeting was attended by the Assistant Foreign Minister Dr. Nizar Obaid Madani, Ethiopian Ambassador to the Kingdom Mahdi Ahmed and other officials. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, received Prince Faisal Ibn Farhan Ibn Abdullah Al Saud, the Acting Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Salam Limited Aircraft Corporation and members of the Partners' Council, who came to greet him and express their appreciation for his unlimited support for the corporation. Prince Sultan urged them to exert more efforts to achieve the goals of the corporation. The prince also received a memorial gift from the acting chairman. The meeting was attended by a number of officials. Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh region and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Darat King Abdul Aziz received at his office in Riyadh Omar Ibn Mohammed Affandi Al Abdul Hadi and his son Nabil who handed over to Prince Salman documents and letters exchanged between King Abdul Aziz Al Saud and his father Mohammed Affandi Al Abdul Hadi. Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz thanked them for the gesture. Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh region and honorary President of the Hamad Al Jasser charitable foundation received at his office Dr Abdul Aziz Al-Khuwaitar Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the foundation and members of the executive committee, Dr Ibrahim Al Awagy, Dr Ahmad Al Dabeeb, Dr Ayed Al Raddadi, Hamad Al Qadi, Mohammed Reda Nasrallah, Moein Ibn Hamad Al Jasser and the director of the center Sahm Al Da'ajani. Prince Salman was briefed on the achievements of the foundation and its future plans. He pointed out to the importance of taking care of the Sheikh Hamad Al Jasser legacy. Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh region, received at his office at Al Hokm palace the Minister of Hajj Iyad Amine Madani Deputy Chairman of Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz foundation for his parents for housing. At the beginning of the meeting Prince Salman welcomed the attendants, thanked them for their efforts in achieving the aims of the foundation. From his side the Minister of Hajj Iyad Amine Madani thanked Prince Salman and said the foundation is ready to develop areas chosen in Riyadh and Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz issued his directives to the Secretary of the Riyadh city to participate with the Minister of Hajj in drawing up a project with all the requirements for the developments of these areas. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Governor of Assir region renewed his call for businessmen in the Kingdom and in Assir to participate in charity works and donate to projects that needs to be implemented. Prince Khalid pointed out to the development achieved in Assir and to the six development centers implemented as part of 12 centers on the list. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, received the Ethiopian Foreign Minister Sejoum Mesfin. Prince Saud also received the U.N. Higher Commissioner for Refugees Affairs Mustafa Omar on the occasion of the end of his term of office in the Kingdom. Meanwhile, Prince Saud received the Resident Representative of the UNDP in the Kingdom Mansour bin Mileih, who presented his credentials to him. At the meetings, issues of mutual interest were reviewed. The Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Iran Dr Nasser Ibn Ahmad Al Buraik took part in the preparatory session for the second meeting of the special committee for the development of dialogue and cooperation amongst member states of the OIC. The session was held by the political and international affairs department at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the participation of Arab and Muslim Ambassadors of members states of the OIC. The second meeting will be held in Tehran on the 24the and the 25th of April. On the other hand the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Iran attended the dinner held by the Endowment and Charity Affairs department on the occasion. The GCC Advisory Authority gets new members. Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said has given Royal directives assigning new members to represent the Sultanate of Oman in the GCC Advisory Authority, according to a statement issued by Sayyid Fahd Ibn Mahmood al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Conferences. The statement said: "In the context of His Majesty the Sultan's keenness to ensure the success of the GCC march to realize the aspirations of the peoples of the region and fulfill their hopes for a better future and his belief in the GCC Advisory Authority's role in supporting these well-intended efforts and on the occasion of the start of the authority's new term, he has ordered the appointment of the following to represent the Sultanate in the Authority for the term commencing on April 18, 2004: "Shaikh Saif Ibn Hashil al Maskari, member of the Majlis Addawla; Shaikh Abdullah Ibn Salim al Rowas, President of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Samira bint Mohammed Amin Ibn Abdullah; Ahmed Ibn Abdullah Ibn Suleiman Muqaibil; and Shaikh Mohammed bin Said al Mahrouqi, members of Majlis Addawla. The Minister of Culture and Information Dr Fouad Ibn Abdul Salam Al-Farsi stressed the importance of the strategy for media tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia . The Minister said the Ministry of Culture and Information as member of the Tourism Higher Authority is following up all the developments achieved in this field. He pointed out to the results of the 10th meeting held last Sunday under the Chairmanship of Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General in pushing forward this strategy after the endorsement of the Cabinet of the General Strategy for Tourism. Dr Al-Farsi praised the support provided to tourism by 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. He also lauded the role of Prince Sultan Ibn Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz in this field. The National Society for Human Rights in Saudi Arabia has stressed the Kingdom's care about human rights according to the rules and principles of Islam. In a speech delivered by Dr Luban Al-Ansari member of the National Society for Human Rights at the 60th meeting of the Human Rights Committee in Geneva, Dr Al-Ansari spoke about the establishment of the Society , its activities and its work in the field. Dr Al-Ansari also spoke about the structure of the National Society for Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, which she said is part of the reforms being implemented in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Algeria signed an agreement on the establishment of a Saudi-Algerian Company for Investment. The agreement was signed by Saudi Minister of Finance Dr. Ibrahim Ibn Abdul-Aziz Al-Assaf and Algeria's Minister of Finance Abdullatif Ibn Shinho on the fringes of the meetings of Arab Monetary Agencies currently in progress. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Dr. Al-Assaf noted that this is the first company of its kind signed by the Kingdom in which the private sector takes part from the start of the company's establishment. The company's capital will be U.S. 110 million. The two governments will equally subscribe half of the capital, while the other half will be equally subscribed by establishments, institutions and individuals of the two countries. A joint session of talks between the Sultanate and Yemen concluded on the Interior Ministry premises of Yemen. The Omani side was headed by Sayyid Saud Ibn Ibrahim Al Busaidi, interior minister, while Major-General (Dr) Rashad Mohammed Al Alaimi, Yemeni interior minister, led his country's side. In a joint press statement, issued after the meetinf, they said the discussion was held in cordial and brotherly spirit. They said the session tackled a number of issues of common concern which were aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations in various sectors, especially in the field of security. Earlier a security cooperation agreement was signed by the two sides. The ministers hailed the achievements of the Oman-Yemen border authorities. "There are in conformity with the views on various issues between the two countries," Sayyid Saud said, adding that the security cooperation between the two countries would be extended to other fields as well so as to serve the interests of both nations. Alaimi hailed the identical views of Oman and Yemen on key regional issues. At the end of the session, the ministers signed the minutes of the meetings. In an article published by the Wall Street Journal, the Jordanian King Abdullah II said that the social reforms in the Arab states should come from the inside in order to succeed, warning against the negative consequences of the Arab- Israeli conflict. King Abdullah II said that "Most Arab leaders admit the inevitability of the reforms," comparing between the art of reforms and the art of punctuation, which both of them require lot of work. He added " this tremendous efforts is one of the reasons for the sake of which effective reform should come from inside our societies." King Abdullah II considered that " many of the Arabs do not have confidence, being wrong or rights, in the motives of the Arab reforms inspired from the West." He added that the Arab states incline towards the generous and humanitarian values of Islam and believe that the Islamic nations are able to give birth to peaceful and democratic regimes. He continued that to achieve this objective, the international community has to support peace and justice in the region. He said that this support includes peace and security for the Israelis and the Palestinians and founding a viable Palestinian state. Yemen has confirmed that borders demarcations with Saudi Arabia will be finalized at the end of the month. Dr Abdullah Al Fadhli Chairman of the Yemeni side in the Saudi Yemeni technical committee for borders demarcation said the work is being carried out according to the Jeddah agreement signed on the 12th of June 2000. He pointed out that the German company Hansloft which carries out the work is finalizing its work. He stressed that there are no differences or obstacles and confirmed that only 8 areas are left and that their demarcation will be finalized by the end of April. Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said has sent a cable of congratulations to James Alix Michel on the occasion of his inauguration as the new President of Seychelles. Sultan Qaboos wished the president success in leading the people to further progress and prosperity. The Sultan also wished the relations between the two countries further progress. Sultan Qaboos also sent a cable of greetings to President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe on the occasion of his country's independence anniversary. He wished the president good health and happiness and further progress and prosperity to the people. The minutes of the meetings held between Oman and China was signed by Sheikh Abdullah bin Salim al Rowas, President of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and the Deputy President of the Chinese Friendship Association. The Omani delegation also held talks with the deputy president. They discussed ways of enhancing bilateral relations and agreed to establish an Oman-China friendship association and an office for Chinese trade services in the Sultanate. The minutes signed stressed the need to promote industrial products produced in both the countries and to remove the obstacles facing the developing economic relations between the two countries. The recent visit of the Omani delegation to China was fruitful and would benefit the Sultanate in general and Omani businessmen in particular, Rashid bin Ahmed al Sawafi, Deputy Directorate-General of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and director of information and public relations department at OCCI, stated. The two sides signed a landmark agreement for co-operation and exchange of information between OCCI and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. Al Sawafi told Oman News Agency (ONA) that the visit served to identify investment opportunities and introduce Omani businessmen to their Chinese counterparts, noting that several agreements were signed between the two sides. The delegation, headed by Shaikh Abdullah bin Salim al Rowas, OCCI President, returned to Oman winding up its visit to China during which it met with officials of the public and private sectors. Sayyid Saud bin Ibrahim al Busaidy, Interior Minister, arrived in Sanaa on a visit to Yemen. Sayyid Saud told Yemeni News Agency Saba that during the visit various security issues of concern to Oman and Yemen will be discussed. Sayyid Saud was received by his Yemeni counterpart Major General Dr Rashad al Alimi, Major General Mattar Rashad al Masri, Deputy Interior Minister, Abdullah bin Mohamed al Badi, Sultanate's Ambassador to Yemen, and officials at the Yemeni Interior Ministry. The minister's delegation includes Major General Mohammed bin Abdullah al Riyami, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs for Operations. The Minister was also received by the Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The Head of the delegation of the Saudi Shoura (consultative) council Dr Abdul Rahman Al-Jaffari, has underscored the importance of enhancing dialogue among nations of the world so as to reach just settlements for disputes that impede the progress of the mankind. He also shed light on the political, economic, social and cultural dimensions of the international relations. In an address at the first session of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), in Mexico city, Dr Al-Jaffari said 'it is high time to announce that realization of justice and participation in the important decisions that concern the world as well as respect of beliefs of others and their aspirations constitute an essential element for realizing global stability and permanent peace. 'We view dialogue among various religions and cultures as an inevitable matter in the world of today', he said. Dr Al-Jaffari underlined the importance of enhancing the regional and international efforts for the settlement of disputes among various countries of the world. "The Palestinian problem, which has remained unsettled for more than 50 years, is one of the most important disputes in the world. 'It is high time to lift injustice imposed on the Palestinian people and reach a genuine reconciliation and partnership among the nations of the region', he said. "This dispute constitutes the prime cause of problems which will have an adverse impact on the global peace'. Dr Al-Jaffari noted that the international partnership for the settlement of the Middle East dispute should depend on the implementation of the resolutions of the international legitimacy which stipulate the withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Arab territories and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds as its capital. 'The responsibility of the international community is the implementation of the resolutions of the international legitimacy and not bypassing them', he said. On the Iraqi issue, Dr Al-Jaffari said it constitutes a dangerous phenomenon on the global security and peace, adding that the absence of the ruling national authority and the existence of the occupying forces don't positively contribute to creation of the desired reconciliation atmosphere. 'It is an essential matter to accelerate solution of the Iraqi problem in a manner that enables Iraq to regain its sovereignty and its political unity', he noted. Dr Al-Jaffari said that the Iraqis are looking forward for the establishment of a government of national unity that enjoys the support of the international legitimacy. He also called for the disarmament of weapons of mass-destruction, fighting terrorism and international cooperation in this respect. 'The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which has suffered a lot from terrorism, has taken all legal, security and educational measures to fight this dangerous phenomenon', he noted. Dr Al-Jaffari pointed out that the Arab peace initiative , presented by Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, has been endorsed by the Arab countries. "It aims at international reconciliation in line with the principles of peace and justice in the light of the resolutions of the international legitimacy." "Any party which is keen on peace should make some concessions, otherwise it will gain nothing," he said. The group of Saudi lawyers handling detainees in Guantanamo Bay under the Chairmanship of Ahmad Mazhar have refused to take part in the follow up international committee recommended by the international symposium held in Sanaa on Aprile 10 and 11, which was organized by Amnesty International and the National Committee for the Defence of Rights and Freedom. A statement issued by Ahmad Mazhar said their mission is restricted to defending the Saudi detainees in Guantanamo and all other countries whose citizens are detained there hold their own contacts with Amnesty International. He stressed that the Saudi lawyers continue their mission with the support of the Saudi government and families of the detainees. He said the Saudi group of lawyers has explained its ways of handling the matter and that they have received news that in the near future some Saudi detainees will be handed over to their government. US national security adviser Condoleezza Rice said that the United States would not be surprised if Spain withdraws its troops from Iraq. "We know that the Spanish have been talking about, perhaps, pulling their forces out. I would not be at all surprised if they do," Rice said on ABC's "This Week" program. "We have 34 countries with forces on the ground. I think there are going to be some changes," Rice said. Michael Howard has thrown down the gauntlet to Tony Blair as the Prime Minister was prepareing for his Iraq crisis summit with President George Bush in Washington. The Conservative Leader fired off a letter to Downing Street calling on the Premier to appoint a high profile diplomat to head up the British mission in Baghdad, and to push for greater UN involvement in the crisis-wracked Middle East state. With long-term peace and stability at stake, Mr Howard contrasted the brilliant and dedicated work of the UK military in Iraq with the lack of British diplomatic and political punch in the country. "I am concerned that Britain's voice is not as strong as it should be, especially since Sir Jeremy Greenstock, one of our most experienced diplomats, stepped down as your Special Representative last month to be replaced by someone less senior," Mr Howard wrote. He told Mr Blair: "Britain needs a strong voice in Iraq. We need a senior figure of authority, plugged into the decision-making process. I hope you will be able to persuade the President that this person should be designated as deputy to Paul Bremer and his successor." And Mr Howard said the UN had a bigger role to play in bringing about a successful transfer of power from the American-led coalition to the Iraqis, suggesting the Prime Minister discuss "ways in which the UN role might swiftly be enhanced" when he meets Mr Bush in the White House. Sir Menzies, foreign affairs spokesman for the Lib Dems, the UK's third largest party, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it defied the evidence to suggest there was a direct connection between events like the Bali bombing and Iraq. "I think the risk of lumping all of these things together is that you believe that there is one solution which will deal with all of these difficulties," he said. He warned that flying helicopter gunships above residential areas of Iraq would not help win the "battle for hearts and minds". "The use of decisive force may well have the consequence of undermining the long-term political objective," he said. The aim had to be "to persuade the people of Iraq that they need to have a democratic society and that the present coalition, the occupying forces, are doing everything in their power to bring that about". One alternative was using more of the kind of negotiations which appeared to have brought ceasefires in some Iraqi areas, he added. |