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April 30, 2004 |
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***** The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has issued his directions to provide a number of governmental departments, embassies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, centers and Islamic organizations inside and outside the Kingdom with One million 120,800 version of the Holy Quran in different languages including Spanish, French, Turkish, English, Chinese, Somalian, Tamil and other languages. The Quran is the published by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Quran Complex in Al Madinah Al Munawarrah. The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endownment, Call and Guidance Sheikh Saleh Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Al Sheikh said the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques included providing girls schools and prisons with the Quran. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has sent a cable of congratulations to Mahinda Raja Baksi on the occasion of his appointment as new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. In his cable, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques wished Baksi continuous health and happiness and every success and his people steady progress and prosperity. Similar cables were sent to Baksi by 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 Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz thanked the Minister of Labor Dr. Ghazi Ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Gosaibi for the good feelings he expressed on the occasion of his appointment as Minister of Labor. In a reply cable, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques affirmed his confidence that Dr. Al-Gosaibi will achieve the objectives for the service of the country and its citizens, wishing him all success. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has sent cables of congratulations to the leaders of Sierra Leone, Togo and South Africa on the occasion of the national days of the three countries. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques wished the leaders of the three countries good health and happiness and their peoples steady progress and prosperity, and highlighted the existing friendly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the three countries. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has addressed his thanks to the administrative department at King Faisal Specialized Hospital and the group of doctors who performed the heart and lung transplant operation for the United Arab Emirates girl who was admitted at KFSH. In a reply letter to Dr Al Jabarti the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques praised the work of the group. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, has addressed his thanks to the administrative department at King Faisal Specialized Hospital and the group of doctors who performed the heart and lung transplant operation for the United Arab Emirates girl who was admitted at KFSH. In a reply letter to Dr Al Jabarti Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz praised the work of the group. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and the accompanying delegation. The US official conveyed to the crown prince greetings of US president George W Bush. In turn, the Crown Prince sent his greetings to the president. The audience was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, and other officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received a message from U.S. President George W. Bush. The message was delivered to the Crown Prince during an audience here today with U.S. Charge' d'affaires Gary Grappo. The US official conveyed to the Crown Prince greetings of President Bush. In turn, the crown prince sent his greetings to the President. The audience was attended by Abdul Mohsin Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Tuwaijeri, Advisor at the Crown Prince's Court. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received the Chairman of Board of Directors of French Companies Union Patrick Doss and the accompanying delegation participating in the first meeting of Saudi-French Business Council held in Riyadh. The audience was attended by Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of State, Cabinet Member and Chief of the Court of Cabinet's Presidency; Dr. Hashim Ibn Abdullah Yamani, Minister of Commerce and Industry and other officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received Niger's Islamic University Chairman of Board of Trustees Nasser Al-Hamdan accompanied by Board's Deputy Chairman Abdulrahman Al-Jarwan and the University's Director Dr. Abdulali Al-Woudghiri. The audience was attended by Abdul Mohsin Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Tuwaijeri, Advisor at the Crown Prince's Court. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received Thailand's Foreign Minister Surakiat Sathianthai and his accompanying delegation. During the audience, the Thai foreign minister conveyed to the Crown Prince greetings of Thailand's King Phumiphon Adunyadet and Premier Thaksin Chinnawat. In turn, the Crown Prince sent his greetings to the Thai leadership. The audience was attended by Assistant Foreign Minister Dr. Nizar Ibn Obaid Madani. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received the Secretary of Federal Russia's Security Council Igor Ivanov and his accompanying delegation. During the audience, the Russian official conveyed to the Crown Prince greetings of Russia's President Vladimir Putin. In turn, the Crown Prince sent his greetings to the President. They also discussed bilateral cooperation in all fields, its enhancement to strengthen friendship relations between the two countries and their friendly peoples, and the latest developments at regional and international arenas. The audience was attended by Assistant Foreign Minister Dr. Nizar Ibn Obaid Madani and Russia's Ambassador to the Kingdom Andrei Baklanov. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard thanked the Minister of Labor Dr. Ghazi Ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Gosaibi for the good feelings he expressed on the occasion of his appointment as Minister of Labor. In a reply cable, Crown Prince Abdullah affirmed his confidence that Dr. Al-Qusaibi will ably achieve the objectives for the service of the country and its citizens, wishing him all success. The Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz programme for medical and educational communications Medunet provides advanced technology solutions such as telemedicine and distance learning throughout the Arab World. By bringing the powers of modern technology, such as video-conferencing and internet access to the region, Medunet gives voice to the creative and intellectual abilities of many millions. Medical and educational resources that were once under- utilized in some regions and scarce in others will be made available through the Internet and via video- conferencing to communities across the region. Medunet deploys satellite, fiber- optic cable and digital microwave telecommunications facilities to provide access to even the remotest village in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This access allows previously impossible information exchanges between individuals across the country or around the world. MeduNet has established a state of art Health Information Network, the HealthNet, for unrestricted delivery of: Telemedicine, Health Information Systems, Distance Learning and Content Providing (medical) services throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Arab world for the coming decade. Medunet relies on the Integration of Telecommunication, Computing, and Information technologies to interconnect and ensure the interoperability of Major healthcare institutions, Educational establishments, and Administrative organizations, regardless of their physical and administrative diversity, and irrespective their geographical location. Medunet services include Telemedicine Modalities, Tele- radiology (DICOM compliant), Tele- pathology, Tele- ophthalmology, Tele- otology, Tele- dentistry, Tele- endoscopy, Tele- cardiology, Tele- psychiatry and Video and Audio Conferencing. Health/ Hospital Information Systems are mission critical for MeduNet in that they determine the level of inter/ intra- institution integration. The success of HealthNet relies to a large extent on proper automation of major medical institutions of the Kingdom. MeduNet promotes state of the art solutions in Hospital/ Health Information Systems, to secure their successful implementation, and to guarantee their subsistence. To achieve this goal MeduNet has established a system for Distance Learning which supports and relays continuous education classes and medical events from external sources Sponsor and organizes training and education activities from local sources Educational programs, from building a virtual medical school to developing on- line courses. It hosts and provides access to healthcare knowledge bases (medical, pharmaceutical, research, etc.) Hosts general public healthcare information (use groups, open forums, etc.) Hosts and organize healthcare management and administrative support systems (electronic- office/ commerce, incl. Healthcare professional registries, custom CME programs, consolidated purchasing functions, etc.) while it sustains Audio/ Video/ Data Traffic between: Fixed Locations such as Terrestrial Links (metro areas, cross- country) Aerial Links (metro areas); Satellite Links (cross- country, cross-continents) and Mobile Units. MeduNet is building the HealthNet backbone. Major healthcare institutions are being interconnected through HealthNet. Hospital Information System standards are being settled. State of the art telemedical instrumentation is being introduced. Distance learning programs are being designed and tested. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General has addressed his thanks to the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Call and Guidance and General Supervisor of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Complex for Printing the Holy Quran Sheikh Saleh Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Al Sheikh for the new printed version of the Holy Quran, which was printed for the old ages and for those with visual impairment. The Minister had addressed a letter to the Second Deputy Prime Minister with the Quran, which was printed according to the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Interior Minister, has approved issuance of a personal identity card for the citizens, the card of the civil affairs, under its new name of ' The National Identity Card', effective 15/3/1425AH (May 4, 2004). An official source at the Interior Ministry said the issuance of the national identity card comes in line with advances witnessed by the identity cards in several countries of the world. Forgery attempts will be very difficult in the new cards which will contain a very clear coloured-photograph, and it will be possible to add finger prints and other documents like driving license and passports. The official source pointed out that the new identity card will gradually replace the current identity card. In the first stage, the new card will be issued in Riyadh and then, it will be issued in other regions of the Kingdom within three months. Its issuance will coincide with the issuance of the family book under its new name of ' The Family Record'. Meanwhile, the expatriates will be provided with new residence permit cards instead of the existing ones effective 28/3/1425 AH (May 17, 2004). Any forgery attempts in the new residence permit cards, which will be of the same size of the civil affairs card, will be very difficult. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, visited the families of those who were killed in the terrorist explosion at the General Department of Traffic in Riyadh. Prince Naif condoled the families of a female child Wijdan Nasser Al-Kandiri; private Hussein Maha Faqihi and Captain Ibrahim Mubarak Al-Dossari. In remarks, Prince Naif called on all individuals of the deviant group to recant and surrender to authorities. Prince Naif stressed that all citizens are in the service of their religion and country, also affirming that individuals of this deviant group have neither religion nor humanity. The Prince emphasized that all peoples are responsible for preserving the security of the country. He added that if they watch such suspects they should inform security authorities. He noted that anyone who stands behind criminals, helps or sympathizes with them, is a criminal worse than them. In a press statement, Prince Naif noted that investigations into Riyadh blast incident take some time and will finish at an appropriate time. As regards the latest news on terrorists fleeing to Qassim and Al-Thumamah, Prince Naif said that tracking down has been continuing. Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh region, received the Palestinian ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Hashim Al-Sheikh Mustafa Deeb. On the other hand, Prince Salman received the Deputy Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Christina Niman and the accompanying delegation. Issues of mutual interest were reviewed at the two meetings. Prince Sultan Ibn Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Secretary General of the Higher Commission for Tourism, has affirmed the depth of Saudi-French relations. "The next phase will witness wide-range tourism cooperation between the two countries," he added. In a speech at the first session of the Saudi-French Businessmen Council, Prince Sultan Ibn Salman reaffirmed the benefits of a strategy, already under implementation in the kingdom to develop the national tourism for Saudi, Arab, Islamic and international tourists through well-devised marketing programs, especially an extended program for Umrah (the minor pilgrimage) performers. On his part, Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr. Hashem Ibn Abdullah Yamani pointed out that there are 94 joint ventures between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France, involving a total investment of SR3.8 billion. Prince Saud Ibn Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Kingdom's ambassador to Spain, said last night that what has been circulated on the arrest of a Saudi national last Thursday (April 15, 2004) who was suspected as a link to the latest Madrid bombing, results of an investigation showed on Tuesday (April 20,2004) that there was no connection between the Saudi suspect with the incident. Accordingly, he was released. Prince Saud pointed out that the Saudi embassy in Madrid had been in close and constant contact with Spanish officials to follow up the investigation and its outcome as regards the detained Saudi national. Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said has received a written message from Ali Abdullah Saleh, President of the Yemeni Republic, dealing with the continuous consultations and coordination between the two brotherly countries in various fields and issues of joint interest. The message was delivered to Sultan Qaboos when he received Dr Abu Bakr Abdullah Al Qarbi, Foreign Minister of the Yemeni Republic, at his office in Bait Al Barakah. They discussed the sound bilateral relations in various fields with a view to enhancing further the interests of the brotherly Omani and Yemeni peoples. Al Qarbi also conveyed greetings of President Saleh, the Yemeni government and brotherly people to the Sultan, the government and Omani people along with the president's best wishes of good health, happiness and a long life to Sultan Qaboos as well as to the Omani people's progress and prosperity under His Majesty's wise leadership. Sultan Qaboos asked Al Qarbi to convey his best wishes of good health and happiness to President Saleh along with his best wishes for the progress and prosperity of the Yemeni people. The audience was attended by Yousuf Ibn Alawi Ibn Abdullah, Minister responsible for foreign affairs and the Yemeni Ambassador to the Sultanate. Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Abdullah Al-Hinai, Oman's Justice Minister received at his office the Saudi judicial delegation led by Judge Abdullah Ibn Abdul-Rahman Al-A'athimi, head of Court of summary jurisdiction at Jeddah Governorate. The two men had cordial conversation on matters of common concern. They reviewed ways of enhancing bilateral cooperation in judicial field. The guest briefed the Minister on judicial status in Saudi Arabia. Sheikh Ishaq Ibn Ahmed al-Busaidi, President of the Supreme Court received the Saudi judicial delegation. He briefed them on judicial work in the Sultanate of Oman. The two sides discussed judicial cooperation between the two countries and how to enhance it. Members of the Saudi delegation also visited the Administrative Judicature Court where they met with its President Ali Shahatah Mohammed and toured its various departments. The Justice Minister also received at his office a Malaysian delegation led by Dr. Mohammed Azmi Omar, Vice- Chancellor of the Islamic University for academic affairs. He reviewed with the guest matters of common concern on training and post graduate studies fields. The Minister praised the strong bilateral relations and stressed the need to further enhance them through exchange of visits and expertise between the two countries. He expressed the Ministry's desire to utilize the Malaysian University's expertise to train judges and utilize post graduate studies opportunities available at it. The Malaysian delegation briefed the Minister on the academic system of the university. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Zahir Ibn Abdullah al-A'bri, Ministry undersecretary, the Malaysian Ambassador to the Sultanate and other Ministry officials. Saudi Culture and Information Minister Dr Fouad Ibn Abdul-Salam Al-Farsi arrived in Cairo on an official visit to Egypt in response to an invitation from Egyptian Culture Minister Farouq Hosni. Dr. Al-Farsi discussed with Farouq Hosni a number of bilateral issues and means of enhancing the distinguished cultural relations between the two countries. Dr. Al-Farsi was received on arrival at Cairo's airport by the Egyptian Culture Minister and Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Ibrahim Ibn Saad Al-Ibrahim, who is also the Dean of the Arab Diplomatic Corps in Cairo as well as Health Attache at the Saudi Embassy Dr. Salman Al-Farsi. The Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Fouad Ibn Abdul Salam Al-Farsi signed with his Egyptian counterpart Safwat Al-Sherif a contract for devoting a satellite transponder to broadcast of Saudi channels via the Egyptian satellite "Nilesat". In speeches on the occasion, the two ministers praised the Saudi-Egyptian media cooperation. The contract signing was attended by a number of officials. Dr. Fouad Ibn Abdul Salam Al-Farsi said that Saudi-Egyptian coordination on ferocious attacks on Arabs, Islam, and Muslims is at the best and the highest levels. In a statement to the Egyptian and Arab media following the signing of a contract for assigning a satellite channel on Egypt's "Nilesat" to transmit Saudi channels, Dr. Al-Farsi cited, in regard of coordination, continuous and brief visits paid by Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak to the Kingdom. He called on Arab and Islamic countries to adopt a serious and strong stand on defending Islam and vital issues of Arab and Muslim worlds topped by the Palestinian issue and the situation in Iraq. Dr. Al-Farsi noted that a meeting including information leaderships in the two countries will be held in October to develop and coordinate information relations between the Kingdom and Egypt. On his part, Egypt's Minister of Information Safwat Al-Sherif expressed his great pleasure over the current information relations between the two countries. The World Food Program in Syria received a 1,100 ton-shipment of palm dates from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as assistance to the program.The assistance will be distributed among the needy and the victims of drought in some regions of Syria. Sultan Qaboos, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, presided over a ceremony marking the graduation of a new batch of pilots and air officers from the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) at Ghala Air Base and Sultan Qaboos Air Academy. Upon arrival, the Sultan was received by Air Vice-Marshal Yahya Ibn Rasheed al Jumaa, the RAFO Commander, Commodore Hamad Ibn Nasser Ambusaidy, Commander of Ghala Air Base and Commandant of Sultan Qaboos Air Academy. After the Royal Anthem was played, the new graduates saluted the Sultan. The commander of the parade column came forward to obtain the Sultan permission to start the show. The graduates marched before the Royal Dais, saluting Sultan Qaboos. The Sultan then presented the Sword of Honour to top graduate of the air officers' course and pinned pilot badges on the new officers. The new graduates took the oath of loyalty and allegiance and gave three cheers for the Sultan's long life. Then the Royal Anthem was played. After drinking Arabic coffee with RAFO officers, Sultan Qaboos accepted a commemorative gift presented to him by the RAFO commander at the Officers Club. At the conclusion of the Royal visit, commemorative photos of the Sultan with the new batch of pilots, air officers and senior RAFO officers were taken. The ceremony was attended by Gen Ali Ibn Majid al Maamari, Minister of Royal Office; Sayyid Badr Ibn Saud al Busaidy, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs; Lt Gen Malik bin Sulaiman al Maamari, Inspector-General of Police and Customs; Gen Abdullah Ibn Saleh al Habsi, Head of the Internal Security Service; Lt Gen Ahmed Ibn Harith al Nabhani, Chief of Staff of the Sultan's Armed Forces; Major General Said Ibn Nasser al Salmi, Commander of the Royal Army of Oman; Rear Admiral Salim Ibn Abdullah al Alawi, Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman; senior RAFO officers and invitees. The RAFO commander in a statement expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation for the Sultan for presiding over the graduation ceremony, noting that the occasion had great impact on the morale of the air force personnel. He stressed that the care accorded by Sultan Qaboos to the Armed Forces in general and RAFO in particular had been a major boost for progress and resulted in enhancing arms capabilities, introducing new combat helicopters and the construction of Al Musanaa air base. He noted that these were small examples for what RAFO gets in terms of support from His Majesty. "The world always progresses and changes, we also cope with that progress and change and within this context, technical personnel are qualified and modern technology is introduced in RAFO", he pointed out. Lebanese President Emile Lahoud expressed deep concern over the deteriorating and dangerous situation In Iraq. During meetings held in Beirut, Lahoud stressed the necessity for UN to assume a main role in Iraq in order to enable Iraqis determine their national alternatives away from any foreign pressures. He added that the forthcoming Arab Summit should be convened away from any difference in order to reactivate the resolutions adopted in Beirut Summit. The Director of General Security General Said Ibn Abdullah Al Qahtani paid a visit to the injured as a result of the Riyadh bombing at the Security forces hospital. He was received by Dr Mohammed Hassan Mufti the Director General of the Hospital. General Said Ibn Abdullah Al Qahtani spoke with the wounded and conveyed to them the endeavour of Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of the Interior and his Deputy to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of the security men as well as the citizens and expatriates. He emphasized the important role the security forces play in order to protect the country and the people. At the end of his visit he also thanked the hospital for the care it provides. The Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has called on the United Nations to intervene to put a halt to Israeli threats against Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The Security Council should take urgent measures to stop the threats from Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon who "will pursue his crimes and massacres against the Palestinian people and their national symbols" for as long as the world body remains silent, said Abdul Rahman Al-Attiyah, the Secretary-General of the six-nation GCC, in a press statement. The threats would "plunge the region into a cycle of violence" and undermine peace and international security," Attiyah warned, stressing GCC solidarity with the Palestinian people and its "elected leadership as represented by Yasser Arafat." In a veiled threat, Sharon said the veteran Palestinian leader "no longer has immunity from attack." King Abdullah II postponed a White House meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush this week. The White House said the meeting with the Jordanian King was rescheduled to the first week of May "because of developments in the region." "The king decided this week it was better for him to be in Jordan and we understand that," Sean McCormack, spokesman for the National Security Council spokesman, said in Washington. A statement from the palace said King Abdullah II had instructed his foreign minister to remain in Washington to continue discussions with officials in the Bush administration and to prepare for the king's return to the United States in May. The palace statement said the Abdullah-Bush meeting would not be held "until discussions and deliberations are concluded with officials in the American administration to clarify the American position on the peace process and the final situation in the Palestinian territories, especially in light of the latest statements by officials in the American administration." PNA condemned Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon threat that he is no longer bound by a promise to US President George W Bush not to Physically harm president Arafat. Sharon told Israel TV's Channel Two that he had told Bush about his change of position in a meeting in Washington. His comments, came as four Palestinians were killed in botched arrests in the northern West Bank, while Israel wrapped up an operation in the Gaza Strip in which as many as 16 Palestinians died. "I promised (US) President George W Bush three years ago not to attack Arafat, but I am no longer bound by that promise, and (Arafat) no longer has immunity," Sharon said. " I freed myself from this obligation not to physically harm Arafat," Sharon said "President Arafat said he was not frightened by Sharon's statement" Tibi Ahmed Tibi, an Israeli-Arab member of Israel's parliament who has often corresponded with the president Arafat, said he had called president Arafat personally after Sharon made his comments where president told him that he takes Mr Sharon's comments seriously but not frightened by Sharon's statement. President Arafat told him "I am a believer. I am not afraid of Sharon's threats. He has a history of attempting to target me." Senator Enrique Jackson Ramírez, Chairman of the Mexican senate and President of the Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union condemned the terrorist acts that took place in Riyadh. He described the incident as blatant crime. He also extended his condolences to the leadership and people of the Kingdom and the families of the deceased and sympathy towards the other victims. Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov's convoy came under attack by gunmen during a surprise visit to his country's forces in the southern Iraqi city of Kerbala, the Defence Ministry says. The ministry said the president was not hurt in the attack on his convoy which was fired on as it travelled between the camps of Bulgarian and Polish troops in the flashpoint city, where Shi'ite militants have stepped up attacks against U.S.-led forces in recent weeks. "The president's car was shot up. No one was hurt," Defence Ministry Spokeswoman Rumiana Strugarova said. "The attack took about five minutes, and we suppose the attackers were Shi'ite militants. The president returned to Bulgaria in the early hours of the morning." Parvanov's visit, coming just one day after a Bulgarian soldier was killed in an ambush in Iraq, has added fuel to an already intense debate in the new NATO member state over the safety of its 450-strong light infantry battalion in Kerbala. Parvanov returned home with the soldier's body and eight other troops, Strugarova said. Most of them are suffering from shell shock after coming under mortar, machine-gun and rocket-propelled grenade attack since earlier this month. Afghan police have arrested a man who was allegedly preparing to throw a grenade at the passing convoy of President Hamid Karzai in the city of Kandahar, security officers said. "A suspect was arrested with a grenade this morning in Shekar Tur Bazaar, close to a road which was to be used by the presidential convoy a few minutes later," provincial military spokesman Abdul Lali told AFP. "The individual was hiding behind a house close to the road. He was probably waiting for information from his accomplices on the movement of the convoy," he added. Karzai escaped an assassination attempt in the southern city in September 2002 when a guard opened fire on the president's vehicle as he was leaving the governor's residence. Four people, including the attacker, were killed in that assassination bid. Karzai, who had been in the southern Afghan city since Saturday, was returning from his home village of Karz, around 20 km (12 miles) south of the city, where he had been visiting his father's grave. The apparent assassination attempt was foiled at around 10.30 a.m., just minutes before Karzai's convoy was due to pass. Military commander of Kandahar province and commander of the Afghan 2nd corps, Gen. Khan Mohammad, also confirmed the foiled attack. |