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May 14, 2004 |
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RESPONDING TO THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST SAUDI ARABIA HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE CLARIFICATION OF THE IMAGE, BUT MORE ARAB AND MUSLIM EFFORTS ARE NEEDED. THE AIMS OF THE CAMPAIGNS ARE TO EFFACE THE TRUTH, FORGE HISTORY AND PRESENT ARABS AND MUSLIMS AS TERRORISTS. ENMITY AGAINST AMERICA EXISTS IN THE ARAB WORLD AND MOST DANGEROUSLY IT INCREASES AND WILL TAKE US DECADES BACK IF NOT DEALT WITH PROPERLY. OUR RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN ARE HISTORICAL AND PROGRESSING ON ALL SCALES. EUROPE IS A RISING GIANT AND REALIZES MORE THAN BEFORE THE DANGERS OF THE PALESTINIAN CAUSE AND ITS IMPACT ON PEACE AND SECURITY. Amine Sibai: Al Afkar The Middle East is going through one of the most dangerous and tense periods of its history. Experts and analysts all over the world are almost unanimous and think that the circumstances in the Middle East, especially in Iraq, Palestine and neighbouring countries are extremely critical and threaten more than one country in the region. One of the independent and objective western analysts was right when he said that the Middle East is sitting on a time bomb and that terrorist activities are a normal result of the policy of violence implemented by the Americans and the rightist government in Israel, and that some countries in the world are almost sure that their security and stability will be targeted with violent reactions because of the American and Israeli policies especially after the guarantees provided by President George W. Bush to the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the United Kingdom and Ireland was as usual very accurate in his diagnosis and in specifying all responsibilities when he told "Al Afkar" magazine that the Jewish lobby, which has spread illusions and delusions far from the truth in the west, is the main obstacle facing our presentation of the Arab causes in a way that can prevent this lobby from hiding the truth, forging history and stigmatizing Arabs as terrorists, killers and fanatics. Prince Turki Al-Faisal was and still is responsible for serving Arab and Islamic issues either as an official in the Kingdom or on the international arena. He lived with the events and their developments for over thirty years, thus his judgement and views emanate from his expertise and from taking part in the events and not as an outside watcher. Prince Turki Al-Faisal thinks that it is not worth trying to analyse or prove what is wrong with regards to the postponement of the Arab Summit in Tunisia, because what happened is a normal matter and the postponement of the Summit will not block the way of the joint Arab work. Prince Turki Al-Faisal added in his interview that the concept of clash of civilizations with its negative meaning is refused by everyone and if we say that there is not a feeling of enmity in the Arab world towards America we will be like the ostrich which buries its head in the sand. The fact is that this enmity exists and most dangerously that it increases and will take us decades back if not dealt with properly. Prince Turki Al-Faisal described Europe as the rising giant and says we rely a great deal on the European support to the Palestinian issue. Following is the interview: Q: Does Your Highness think that the efforts you and all Saudi institutions exert to inform the world about the true situation in the kingdom gets its fruitful and hoped for results? In your view what is required for a clear and comprehensive image to be shown to the western public opinion and decision making centres? A: We might be exaggerating if we say that the results are equal to the hopes, but there is no doubt that the media and diplomatic efforts exerted abroad have contributed in the clarification of the image before the western public opinion and decision making centres. We all know that what is being said about the Kingdom and all the accusations are far from the truth, but this is not enough, efforts to reveal the truth must be exerted on the media, diplomatic and political levels. We have achieved a great deal in this field and this could be read in the statements of the world's political leaders, as well as from the western media in which the Saudi and Arab voices are rising and being heard expressing their views and stands. This is a good sign that proves the importance of continuing the momentum and the importance of the participation of all Arabs and Muslims concerned, because what is happening does not only touch the Kingdom but also the image of all Arabs and Muslims. Intensifying Arab efforts and the activation of the work of Arab and Muslim communities abroad might help in showing a different image to that drawn by the media and centres of influence in the western world. Q: Your Highness has launched sometime ago a site on the Internet to provide students in the United Kingdom with general information about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. What are your plans so that this system would cover other areas in the world and do you think that it will achieve the required results? A: The leadership in the Kingdom realizes that this is the era of the media and information and that it is important for any country which wants to be part of this world to interact with technology. Thus the site about discovering the Kingdom on the Internet is a step amongst others that are being implemented by Saudi Arabia to inform people about the Kingdom, its resources and its distinctive political, religious and economic situation in the region. No doubt the site will play a great part in providing information about the Kingdom, and I would not be exaggerating if I said that we received letters from institutions that wish to benefit from the site, such as the London Middle East Institute, which offered us to add Discover the Kingdom's site into their site because of the importance of the information it includes. The start is promising and we hope to achieve a great deal in this field. Q: It is clear that the Jewish lobby in the west has great potentials through which it influences the public opinion while the Arab efforts on this scale seem scattered and limited. What in your view is the suitable way to move to a more effective media that could influence the world for the benefit of Arab and Islamic issues? A: This is true and it constitute a major obstacle that faces the way we present our causes to the western masses which have been drowned by the Jewish lobby into a sea of illusions and delusions which are far from the truth. But this is an incentive for us to double our work in order to clarify our image and refute all those false sayings and claims launched against us as Arabs, Muslims and peace loving people. I say that the government of the Kingdom has to a large extent increased its efforts in the media and activated its political and diplomatic contacts to face this challenge that aims to efface the truth, forge history and present Arabs and Muslims as terrorists, killers and fanatics. No doubt that solidarity between the Arabs and unifying their ranks will have a great impact in this field. This should be achieved on the governments' level with a broad degree of co-ordination and support to the Arab League so that it could play a distinctive role as the umbrella that covers all the Arabs and defends their causes. We are living in an era of unity and we possess all the elements that can put us in the lead, what we need is the will and the insistence to deliver. Q: Before the start of your mission in Britain there was what was called the Arab Ambassadors' Council, we have noticed that the work of the council has diminished and it has been replaced by bilateral contacts, what are your suggestions in order to revive this council? A: The Arab Ambassadors' Council plays an important role in the unification of Arab efforts; I do not think that it is true that is has been replaced with bilateral contacts. The Council is still active and exerts all its efforts to serve the Arab causes within the diplomatic levels and other available activities. The Council is successful in gathering the Arab Ambassadors and unifying their efforts around joint problems of importance to the Arabs in the United Kingdom. It is normal that bilateral contacts play an important role but their role is to support the Council so that it could perform its role. Q: At the meeting of the Arab Thought Foundation held in Beirut you spoke about Arab-European relations. On which level do you place these relations? Do they really serve the Arab causes and how can their effectiveness be increased? A: The Arabs' fate is that they are close to Europe, and have to live with this legacy which is full of fears and doubts; either Europe's fears from Muslims like in previous centuries, or Muslims' fears from Europe and especially its legacy in Palestine. But today we live in a new era in which those who seek isolation and seclusion are losers, while others who seek co-operation and openness achieve success. Europe is close to us and we have to co-operate with it especially that it is capable of knowing our aspirations and our reality because of its thorough knowledge of the region and its positive stand towards the most important Arab issue which is the Palestinian issue. I say that the European Arab relations are developing, progressing and heading towards the best. All Arab countries seek better co-operation with Europe, try to sign the largest possible number of agreements and benefit from Europe in what they need. The Kingdom and other Arab countries are trying to enhance the bridges of communication with Europe and are opening their doors to all possible dialogue on all scales, amongst which dialogue between religions, fighting vice and increasing good, especially at the present time when we face huge problems especially terrorism and linking it to Islam. Enhancing contacts with Europe and strengthening trade relations, political ties and cultural dialogue would enormously serve the Arabs and their causes and also Europe in its causes and message. Q: European political circles were surprised by the unexpected decision to postpone the Arab Summit in Tunisia and Israel considered the decision a victory to its benefit. Do you think that the current Arab position is disconcerted, concerted and unable to fulfil its basic duties and where does the ailment lie? A: Let us be frank, the Arab nation is facing great challenges either on the domestic level or on the foreign level. The decision to postpone the summit whatever the reasons has different explanations in light of the international and regional complexities. I think that it is not beneficial to try to explain each analysis and find proofs with regards to the wrong explanations given by writers and journalists, because I think that what happened is normal in light of the current situation. The postponement of the summit is not the end of the road for joint Arab work. This is not the first time that the Arab summit faces a crisis like this one. The postponement could have its causes and each country has its reasons and views. What is important in my opinion is for the Summit to achieve success and bring benefit to the people. Thus it is important to be wise when considering the matter and follow up the efforts of the Arab leaders and more than any other time there should be insistence about convening the summit and agreement on a formula that guarantees its success and brings good to the Arab people. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from its side is active in this area. It exerts all its efforts in the service of the joint Arab work and its beneficial results to all Arab people. Q: From your experience in Britain how do you assess what is called the clash of civilizations? Do you think that this clash exists or is it a cover for the Israeli aggression against Arabism and Islam? A: The Clash of civilizations appeared in its negative form with the Samuel Huntington dissertation and his will to initiate clash between civilizations or in other world religions. Clash is not strange to humanity, we as Muslims understand it in a positive way as a competition that achieves the best results and brings good and benefit to human beings all over the world. But the negative kind of clash is this clash which represents people who have no other interests than denying others and trying to dominate them. We see this as the wrong type of clash and we stand against it, not only in defence of ourselves but in defence of others and their rights to express themselves. Let me say that cultural unity is not a guarantee for security. Cultural security has not protected Europe from wars. The most devastating wars were launched in Europe which is a cultural unity. There is no doubt that all government in the world refuse negative clashes and call for multiplicity and mutual understanding. The world had become a small village and each country has become multicultural especially in Europe and America in which many cultures and religions live side by side. This stresses the fact that Samuel's analysis is wrong and negative. Naturally, some circles against the Arab and Islam use it to serve their special purposes in an illogical enmity against Islam. Spreading this wrong explanation is also the responsibility of Arabs and Muslims as much as it is the responsibility of others. Since the creation, civilization has had one source and has moved from one place to the other where it flourishes and benefits from past experiences, now it is flourishing in Europe and America, but it will definitely move to another place and the build up will continue until the end of the creation. Q: Prejudiced people affirm and stress that enmity between America and the Arab and Muslim worlds will increase. Israeli circles insist on targeting Saudi-American relations in an attempt to demolish their bases, how do you see these relations and what is required to deter this campaign? A: If we say there is no enmity towards the Arabs in America we would be like those who bury their heads in the sand. Yes there is strong enmity and more dangerously it is increasing. If this issue is not dealt with properly it will drag us decades back on both the popular and leadership levels. No doubt this wave has set-up the fires of the Arab Israeli conflict and the different American administrations have failed to find a way to extinguish the fires that have increased with the current American administration to extents leading to the explosion. Iraq is another cause for the increasing hatred. The American administration finds itself in an impasse along with wise and peace loving people and leaders who realize the dangers of this situation. Naturally some areas in Washington find it beneficial to use this situation to damage the strong existing relations between the USA and Saudi Arabia, and they have succeeded to a certain extent because of the enormous media that they possess, the huge lobby that serves their causes and the events of September 11. But despite all that, although Saudi American relations have been affected they have been able to surpass this dangerous rift and this relies primarily on the awareness of both sides and the efforts of the kingdom in explaining its stances and its condemnation of terrorism against the American people. Q: Where in your view do the Saudi British relations stand? A: Relations between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have always been strong. These relations are built on mutual respect and joint interests. Our relations with Britain are historical and always progressing on the political, commercial, cultural and all other scales. Britain is one of our greatest trade partners and the Kingdom is one of the largest importers of British goods. We benefit greatly from the British expertise in the fields of technology, finance and business. We agree on many international issues, especially the Middle East and the ideal solution. We consider that our relations are strong and distinguished and our endeavour is to deepen these relations on the basis of mutual respect and joint interests. Q: Can your Highness see a light of hope for an effective European stand far from the American position towards the Palestinian problem or the doors of the arena will stay wide open for American decisions and the realization of Israeli dreams? A: Europe is a rising giant that is becoming more powerful on the international arena, especially in the political field, but still more is expected from it. We rely a great deal on the European stand because it has always supported Palestinian rights and we hope that this stand will continue especially that Europe is more capable of understanding the region because of its closeness to it and the historical ties which bind it with the region. The US still has a greater impact because of its position as a superpower, but Europe realizes more than any other time the danger of the Palestinian cause, its impact on international security and stability and on Europe's many interests with the Arab world. This makes us feel more optimistic about the European role towards the Palestinian issue. Q: Some analysts expect that the Middle East will fall more into violence, destruction and wars, what is your view in this regard? A: No doubt the Middle East is living in critical and worrying conditions, especially after the American invasion of Iraq and the escalation of Israeli violence against the Palestinians and the denial of Sharon's government of Palestinian rights. We in the Kingdom have warned many times of the dangers, which occur from ignoring the Palestinian problem and from using the military solution in Iraq. Time has proved that we were right, as the killing of Palestinian people continues, their rights are still being ignored and continuous destruction is taking place in Iraq, which has been transformed into a battle ground and a fertile ground for terrorism, which attracts all those who seek revenge from the American policy. Words alone do not help, and an instant move should be implemented through the UN in order to end this dangerous decline which puts the region and its interests in a very dangerous position. Despite all the critics addressed to the International Organization, it is still the only apparatus - accepted by all parties with the exception of Israel that is capable of stopping this bloodshed and finding a solution for these incurable problems. Q: Do you think that the American administration has really folded up the Greater Middle East project and decided to let the Arab countries achieve reform or is this a tactical procedure for the elections? A: The American administration can introduce whatever projects it likes according to its views and convictions, but the matter does not depend on the US but on those concerned with it, they have the choice to accept or refuse. Countries deal on the basis of sovereignty and equality and those are basic principles that the US respects and can never ignore. Thus this project can not be seen without bearing in mind the principles of sovereignty and equality, and this is why we say that reform is an internal issue. We in the Kingdom have started reforms well before the American project and we follow the path according to our beliefs and visions. We do not accept issues to be imposed on us. Q: Are you worried about the future of Iraq and its unity and do you feel optimistic about the transfer of power to the Iraqis at the end of next June? A: Iraq is a brotherly country, to which we are linked by religion, language, relationship and neighbourly ties and we wish Iraq a flourishing and secured future. But we are really hurt about the declining situation in which our brothers in Iraq live and of course we are worried but we have great faith in the Iraqi people and their ability to surpass this crisis and achieve unity in order to build a new and prosperous Iraq. Regarding the transfer of power, according to the alliance which administers the country, it is going according to plan. From our side we hope that the transfer would be finalized as soon as possible so that the Iraqi people could make their own decisions. H. E Mr Lakhdar Ibrahimi has exerted his efforts to find a solution for the transfer of power from the actual situation to a transitional situation under the supervision of the UN then to a legitimate situation which represents all the Iraqi people and in which sovereignty and freedom of decision would prevail. Q: It is said that the war in Iraq has made the region move from one era to another and the inability to deal with the new era will enhance the trend towards violence, what is your view concerning this? A: I do not think that the war in Iraq has made the world move to another era, we still live in our era. If we look at what happened from a historical point of view we will realize that this is not an exception, it applies to any powerful country. No doubt that the Iraqi war has played a part in increasing extremism and we have warned about this and we are still warning on the results of using force and imposing the accomplished fact. But at the end what is right is right and we are optimistic about the capability of the world community to reach a united stand and decision so that peace and security would prevail in the world and rights would be returned to where they belong, because peace can not be reached without resolving all just and pending problems. |
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