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April 23, 2004 |
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THE KING OF BAHRAIN: SAUDI ARABIA PLAYS A STRATEGIC ROLE IN SAFEGUARDING SECURITY AND STABILITY IN THIS IMPORTANT AREA OF THE WORLD. THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY RECEIVES AN INVITATION FROM THE TUNISIAN PRESIDENT TO ATTEND THE ARAB SUMMIT . THE SAUDI CABINET: VIOLENCE BREEDS VIOLENCE AND THE OPTIMAL SOLUTION IS TO HEAD BACK TO THE INTERNATIONAL LEGITIMACY. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz received at Al-Yamamah palace Bahrain's King Hamad Ibn Isa Al Khalifa and his accompanying delegation. During the reception, they discussed the situations at Arab, Islamic and international arenas particularly the Palestinian issue and the situation in Iraq. Aspects of cooperation between the two brotherly countries and ways of their enhancement were also reviewed. The reception was attended 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; Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region; Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Fahd, Minister of State, Cabinet Member and Chief of the Court of Cabinet's Presidency; and senior officials. On the Bahraini side, the reception was attended by the delegation accompanying the Bahrain King including Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa and other officials. Bahrain's King Hamad Ibn Isa Al Khalifa arrived in Riyadh on a visit to the Kingdom. At Riyadh Airbase Airport, King Hamad 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; Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region; other princes; ministers and senior officials. The Bahraini King was accompanied by a delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Mubarak Al Khalifa and other officials. In an arrival statement, King Hamad said that his visit aims at continual consultation and coordination with the Saudi leadership on the latest developments at regional and international arenas notably the just issues of the Palestinian and Iraqi peoples and the facilitation of all conditions for the success of the forthcoming Arab Summit. The King of Bahrain expressed his appreciation of the Saudi efforts in combating terrorism, renewing his country's full support for the Kingdom in this regard. King Hamad declared that an effective Arab stance was vital at this "critical time". Speaking in Saudi Arabia, where he held talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahad Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud, he urged urgent action in support of just causes. "These are Palestine and Iraq, where a people's legitimate rights are being taken by force, their leaders assassinated, and Iraq's independence, unity and security threatened." The Monarch said that meetings with Saudi brothers reflected a deeply-rooted conviction that a continuing dialogue at such times was important. It reflected relations that have been consolidated generation after generation resulting in joint action within the framework of the Arab League and GCC states. He said that Saudi Arabia plays a strategic role in safeguarding security and stability in this important area of the world. King Hamad also held talks with Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and with Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Defence and Civil Aviation and Inspector General, principally about the reconvening of an Arab Summit. "Bahrain avails itself of this opportunity to extend its admiration of the cohesion and unity of the Saudi leadership and the Saudi people with regards to the various current challenges which are being faced in an atmosphere of sincere national dialogue in line with the comprehensive development process which has never been hindered based on the efforts of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the civilised and concrete achievements being witnessed as an evidence of the construction and moderation approach and the violence rejection policy adopted in Saudi Arabia." He said. 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 Bahrain's King Hamad Ibn Isa Al Khalifa and his accompanying delegation. The party 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 Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region; other princes; ministers; and senior officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard held a meeting at his palace with Bahrain's King Hamad Ibn Isa Al Khalifa. During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments in the region particularly the Palestinian issue, the situation in Iraq, facilitation of all conditions for the convention of the Arab Summit as soon as possible, and current Arab, Islamic and international issues. Aspects of cooperation between the two brotherly countries in all fields and ways of their enhancement were also reviewed. The meeting 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 Nawaf Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region and Prince Abdulilah Ibn Abdul Aziz. On the Bahraini side, the meeting was attended by the delegation accompanying the Bahraini King including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Mubarak Al Khalifa and other officials. Bahrain's King Hamad Ibn Isa Al Khalifa left Riyadh after a brief visit to the Kingdom. At Riyadh Airbase Airport, King Hamad was seen off by Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard; 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 Nawaf Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region; other princes; ministers and senior officials. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz received a message from Tunisia's President Zein Al-Abedine Bin Ali inviting the Kingdom to attend the forthcoming 16th Arab Summit due to be hosted by Tunisia. The message was delivered to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques during an audience with Tunisia's Foreign Minister Al-Habib Bin Yahia. The minister conveyed greetings of the Tunisian President to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, who, in turn, sent his greetings to the President. The audience was attended by Prince Ibn Abdul Aziz Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of State, Cabinet Member and Chief of the Court of Cabinet's Presidency and senior officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Commander of National Guard, received the Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs Al-Habib Bin Yahya and his accompanying delegation. Bin Yahya conveyed the greetings of President Zein Al-Abedine Bin Ali of Tunisia to Crown Prince Abdullah. The reception was attended by Assistant Foreign Minister Dr. Nizar Obeid Madani and Tunisian Ambassador to the Kingdom Salah Al-Dein Maawi. Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs Al-Habib Bin Yahya said it has been a pleasure meeting the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard. The Tunisian minister told (SPA) that the message which he delivered to King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz includes an invitation to attend the Arab Summit that will be held in Tunisia next month. He also said that he conveyed Tunisian President's wishes of good health and continuous happiness to King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz. Bin Yahya confirmed the Keenness of Tunisia to continue consulting with Saudi leadership to make the Arab Summit a success. Tunisian Foreign Minister Al Habib Bin Yahia had arrived in the Kingdom. At King Khaled International Airport, he was received by Dr. Nizar Ibn Obaid Madani, the Assistant Foreign Minister, and Tunisian Ambassador to the Kingdom Salahuddin Muawiyah. On the other hand Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard chaired the cabinet's weekly session at Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh. At the outset of the session, the Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the contents of talks held by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz and the Crown Prince with King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain which focused on the latest developments in the region and the world and the necessary steps to facilitate all appropriate conditions and preparations for the Arab Summit to convene at the earliest opportunity. The Cabinet noted the Kingdom's surprise as a result of statements and opinions voiced at the press conference held by U.S. President George W. Bush and Israel's Premier Ariel Sharon. The Cabinet pointed out that these statements will obstruct the peace process, lead to further violence and deterioration in the occupied Arab territories, and lay obstacles on the track of any efforts aiming at putting an end to the this conflict. The Kingdom stressed that violence breeds violence and the optimal solution is to head back to the international legitimacy. On the other hand, with regard to the martyrdom of Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Rantissi (may Almighty Allah bless his soul), the Kingdom expressed its sincerest condolences to Palestine's President Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian people, and the martyr's family. The Kingdom emphasized that the continuous policy of Israeli occupation authorities of assassinations and physical liquidations of the Palestinian leaders, the latest one being Dr. Al-Rantissi, will further complicate the situation in the region and increase violence. 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 Cabinet expressed its extreme sorrow for the increasing confrontations in Iraq whose terrible effects, owing to the absence of security, stability, and the simplest necessities of human life, have been suffered by the brotherly people of Iraq. The Cabinet called on the United Nations to play a major role in putting an end to the deterioration of security in Iraq which will greatly impede any efforts to achieve construction, growth, and regaining of sovereignty to the Iraqis. On domestic affair, the Minister of Culture and Information said that the Crown Prince talked about terrorism, the wreaking of havoc in the earth, and aggression committed by the deviant and evil group. The Crown Prince stressed that this group of terrorists, which is targeting the Kingdom's security and stability and aiming at intimidating the safe people, will enhance the Kingdom's cohesion, unity, and commitment of all citizens, including security men, to confronting anyone who tries to harm its capabilities and security. The Crown Prince also re-affirmed that every citizen is a security officer and an aide to the security officers who sacrifice their lives to protect the country and its citizens from the powers of evil and wicked aggressors. The Crown Prince noted that the Kingdom and its people will always remember the martyrs and the injured in their brave defense of religion, country, and citizens against those who are stripped of all Islamic and human values, praying to Almighty Allah to bless the martyrs' souls and wishing the injured a quick recovery. Al-Farsi told SPA that the meeting then reviewed the local items on its agenda and issued the relevant decisions: The cabinet approved the accession of the Kingdom to a memorandum of understanding on the Protection and Management of Sea Turtles and Their Sanctuaries in the Indian Ocean and East Asian waters. The Minister of Higher Education or his deputy was authorized to sign a draft memorandum on scientific and educational cooperation between the Ministry of higher education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of National Education and Higher Education of the Republic of Djibouti. The final version will be forwarded for further authentication. The cabinet approved the appointment of Firaij Ibn Saeed Ibn Firaij Al'owaidi Alharbi and Marzouq Ibn Naif Ibn Ayed Alahmadi as ambassadors at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Dr. Mohammed Ibn Abdul Mohsin Ibn Khamis Alosaimi and Tareq Ibn Mohammed Ali Ibn Khalil Matar as Ministers Plenipotentiary, class A, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On the other hand President Yasser Arafat has reiterated that the Palestinian people will not abandon their goals of achieving freedom, independence and national sovereignty in the Palestinian independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. In a live speech broadcast by Palestine TV, Arafat said that "our fate is to defend our right to self-determination and the right to return to their homeland". Arafat also stressed that the Palestinian people has the right to defend their land and freedom to achieve a stable life away from the Israeli occupation. He also affirmed that the Palestinian people and its leadership will continue defending the holy Christian and Moslem sites. President Arafat also reiterated that peace could be achieved through the total ending of Israeli occupation and restoring the usurped Palestinian land as well as establishing the Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) also called on the Quartet Committee to adopt a clear stance and to obtain a clear written clarification from the American Administration concerning the Sharon-Bush exchanged messages. In a meeting headed by President Yasser Arafat and attended by the PLO Executive Committee and representatives of various Palestinian organizations, the Leadership stressed that the Palestinian elected leadership is the only authorized body to negotiate on behalf of the Palestinian people. The Leadership condemned the Israeli assassination policy against the Palestinian citizens in spite of internationally condemnation, stressing the necessity of the Quartet meeting. "Such Israeli acts increase tension and destroy the possibility of the resumption of negotiations and the peace process'', the PLO statement said. It also reiterated its commitment to the International legitimacy, and its rejection to any attempts to ignore the International resolutions and the "Land for Peace" principle. The Leadership concluded that the Israeli occupation will turn Gaza into a prison. "The Israeli PM Sharon''s plan is a violation of the final-status negotiations. Sharon will bring down the question of Jerusalem, borders, refugees settlements, water and others'', according to the statement. French president Jacques Chirac said he supports Israel's plan to pull out from the Gaza Strip but on condition that the withdrawal is made in negotiation with the Palestinians and will lead to an independent Palestinian state. "Naturally, the withdrawal is positive but it will be positive on conditions," Chirac told a joint news conference held after talks with visiting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak at the Elysee Palace. The French president said Israel's unilateral plan to pull out from the Gaza Strip, backed by US President George W. Bush, should have conditions attached. The plan should be integrated into the Middle East roadmap peace plan developed by the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia. It should be carried out with a complete consent of the Palestinian Authorities and should be regarded as a phase in the process of establishing an independent Palestinian state, Chirac said. The problems of the region, including those relating to Israel-Palestine borders and the return of Palestinian refugees, should be resolved by way of negotiation, he said. President Hosni Mubarak and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said that the Middle East roadmap must be followed and decisions should not be made "over the head of Palestinians." Mubarak, on a stopover after talks in Washington, said that questions over future borders and the return of Palestinian refugees must be negotiated with the Palestinian and Israeli sides. "The abandoning of the roadmap initiative could lead to a worsening of the situation and also to terrorist measures," he warned. At a joint press conference, Schroeder said that "Palestinians have a right to expect that decisions are not made over their heads." But the chancellor warned against rushing prematurely into negotiations on the final status of a Palestinian state which could "create prejudices." Mubarak flew to Hanover, central Germany, to brief Schroeder over his talks with US President George W. Bush earlier this week. Flouting successive United Nations resolutions, Bush said it was "unrealistic" to expect Israel to pull out from all land captured in the 1967 war. He also said Palestinian refugees should not be allowed to return to lands lost to Israel in 1948, when the Jewish state was created. His comments caused outrage in the Middle East and a cautious response from Europe. Critics claim that Israel's plans to maintain some settlements in the West Bank, while abandoning the Gaza Strip, is a unilateral effort to define future borders. The roadmap, drawn up by the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia, envisages a viable Palestinian state with mutually agreed borders in return for Israel's security. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak have said the Middle East roadmap must be followed and decisions should not be made without consulting the Palestinians. Mubarak, said questions over future borders and the return of Palestinian refugees must be negotiated with the Palestinian and Israeli sides. From his side British Prime Minister Tony Blair condemned the recent assassination of Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi, stressing that the Road Map is the best way to achieve peace in the Middle East. In a statement to the House of Commons on his recent US trip, the prime minister said: "We have to break out of this vicious cycle of suicide bombings and retaliation. Israel needs security, and the only lasting security will come from the stability of a solution to the Middle East Peace Process with two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side peacefully." Blair described Israel's disengagement policy as an opportunity to return to the Road Map and said "disengagement is not the final step but an important first step on the road to a final settlement." He said the quartet should also seize this opportunity to help the Palestinian authority take the necessary economic, political and security measures so that a viable Palestinian state becomes not just a concept but a real possibility. "I hope a (quartet) meeting can take place as soon as possible and in any event not later than May," he added. On Iraq, the prime minister said he would hold "absolutely" to the June 30 timetable for hand-over of sovereignty. "We will work with the UN Secretary General's representative, Mr. Brahimi, and all members of the UN Security Council to secure a new Security Council Resolution to set out the new arrangements," he said. Blair said it is essential the forces of reaction and terror in Iraq do not prevail. "The vast majority of Iraqis want a prosperous, stable, democratic Iraq, at peace with its neighbors," Blair said, adding: "That is exactly what the coalitions want. We are on their side against the small minority of those trying to disrupt this vision. And we have a political and military strategy to achieve it." The 22 members of the Arab League rejected Washington's new policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying it was a threat to security and stability in the Middle East. U.S. President George W. Bush said that Israel might be able to retain parts of the occupied West Bank and that Palestinian refugees should give up hope of regaining their homes in what is now Israel. At the request of Palestine, a full league member, the Arab League held a special session in Cairo at permanent representative level to respond to Bush. "The council...affirmed unanimously that it rejects the new American position, which is likely to wreck the peace process in the Middle East," an official statement said. "This position encourages Israel to persist in its aggression against the Palestinian people and its threats to security and stability in the region," it added. "The council calls on the United States to do what is necessary to prevent the collapse of the principles of the peace process," the statement said. The Arab League repeated the Arab position that no one but the Palestinians can renounce their right of return, which is enshrined in U.N. resolutions, and that Israel should withdraw to its borders on the eve of the June 1967 war. The statement said the Arabs remained committed to their peace initiative of 2002, which offered Israel peace and normal relations with all Arab countries in return for withdrawal. The Arab League Council has stressed the Palestinian people legitimate right to establish an independent state of their own on the soil of all the occupied territories with Jerusalem as its capital, and the return of Palestinian refugees to their homeland. It confirmed Arab countries adherence to the Arab peace initiative as a basis for ending the issue of the Arab-Israeli conflict with Israel's full withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories to the June 4, 1967 lines. þ At the conclusion of the emergency meeting at the level of permanent representatives, with the participation of Syria's Ambassador to Cairo Youssef Ahmed, and permanent representative to the Arab League, the Council rejected the US Administrations' position as expressed by US President George Bush in his letter to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. þ The Council warned that such position would destroy the peace process in the Middle East with all its terms of reference as represented in international legitimacy resolutions concerned, the principle of land for peace, and US letters of guarantees addressed to Arab countries in 1991. Such position, the Council added, would also encourage Israel to go far in its aggression against the Palestinian people, and threatening security and stability in the region. þ The Council also stressed the necessity of reaching a just solution to the Palestinian refugees problem in accordance with UN General Assembly resolution 194, calling on the US to take necessary steps to prevent the collapse of the peace process in the region, stressing the necessity of its commitment to international legitimacy resolutions concerned, the principle of land for peace, the Arab peace initiative and letters of guarantees offered to Arab countries. þ The Council called on members of the international four-man committee, especially the UN and European Union, to undertake their responsibilities for maintaining the Palestinian people inalienable rights and intervening strongly to prevent the collapse of the bases of the peace process in the region. þ Meanwhile a source from the Israeli Prime Minister's office said US President George W. Bush intends to pay a visit to Israel. The source said that Bush has asked his assistants to study the possibility of visiting Israel when he comes to the Middle East to take part in the NATO conference. If the visit takes place it will be the first visit paid by Bush since he became president four years ago. On the other hand the State Department said Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath postponed plans to meet Secretary of State Colin Powell this week. One U.S. official said this also appeared to be because of displeasure at last week's events. Israel assassinated top Hamas leader Abdul-Aziz al-Rantissi in a missile strike. "We had heard before (the death of Rantissi) that the visit was unlikely to happen to give the Palestinians a chance to think about things and digest them further," said the U.S. official. "(I imagine) Rantissi didn't exactly help matters." |
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