July 9, 2004

PRINCE ABDULLAH TO CALLERS: EDUCATE PEOPLE, BECAUSE SOME OF THEM ARE IGNORANT AND MISGUIDED. WE KNOW WHAT IS BEHIND ALL THESE INCIDENTS. PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL: COMMITMENT TO THE FOREIGNERS' SECURITY AND SAFETY ARE PART AND PARCEL OF THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF THE KINGDOM AND ITS CITIZENS. POWELL STRESSES SAUDI ARABIA'S FULL PARTNERSHIP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received princes, ministers, and senior officials who came to greet him. The Crown Prince also received delegations from Makkah led by Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Qader Faqih; Jazan Region led by Dr. Ibrahim Ibn Yahya Ibn Mohammed Ateef; Al-Ahsa Governorate led by Sulaiman Ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Hamad; and Ulema led by Sheikh Dr. Ayidh Al-Qarni In their speeches, the leaders strongly condemned the terrorist acts that recently took place in the kingdom by the deviating group and expressed their full support for the government and they denounced the killing of innocents, the intimidation of the secure people, destabilization of security and the damaging of properties. They stressed their stand by, support for and loyalty to the government to fight the deviant group that has perpetrated these acts. They also praised the pardon granted to individuals of the deviating group to repent and comeback to the right track. In his remarks, the Crown Prince thanked them for their stand against the deviating group and their support for the government, noting that they and their ancestors are loyal to the religion and their country. The Crown Prince stressed that the deviating group will be eliminated, but we should be patient. He noted that the pardon is granted by all Saudi people. The pardon came from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz. He said, ''Our intention is sincere and emanates from religion,'' and noted that it is a pardon of the government and people. The Crown Prince added that should anyone of the deviating group voluntarily surrender himself within a month, Islamic Sharia will have mercy on all; but should anyone commits mistakes, he will be punished. He affirmed that should they continue on their Satanic track, they will be confronted strongly. The Crown Prince called on Ulema to educate people, because some of them are ignorant and misguided. He added,'' We know what is behind all these incidents.'' The receptions were attended by a number of princes. On the other hand Interior Minister Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz insisted a limited amnesty for extremists was a sign of the Kingdom's strength. "The (amnesty) granted by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz is a sign of strength," he said in remarks "It was intended to tell these errant people to come to their senses and return to their parents, families and homes and to their religion," Prince Naif told delegates from various provinces of the Kingdom in Jeddah. Last week, King Fahd gave the terrorists one month to turn themselves in or face being killed. King Fahd guaranteed personal safety of those who surrender, who would be tried under Shariah law. This means it could be left to the families of their victims to decide what will happen to them, according to remarks by Saudi Ambassador to Britain Prince Turki Al-Faisal published earlier. The announcement came five days after security forces in Riyadh shot dead the suspected head of Al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia, Abdul Aziz Al-Muqrin, and three associates hours after they beheaded an American hostage in the latest of a spate of attacks on foreigners. Twelve terrorists were arrested in the operation that took place in the capital's Al-Malaz district. Prince Naif stressed Saudi Arabia was an Islamic state and that "whoever makes efforts to serve the nation must know the basic immutable principles. We look forward to progress, but our core base is Islam, to which we hold firmly," he said. The minister said the amnesty came at a time when the strength of the Saudi security forces was at a peak. "This is a chance for all those who want to come back to the right path. I believe every one supports this move, which did not come from weakness but was a sign of strength," It was natural "for the leadership of this country to grant an amnesty to those who stray from the right path and open for them the door to come to their senses, but if they persist on their stubborn and unreasonable course the state will stand strong with the help of Almighty Allah," he said. Prince Naif said the focus now should be on pursuing the support network of terrorists, "whether in the Kingdom or abroad and whether they are Saudis or non-Saudis." The prince renewed his praise for the performance of the security forces saying they sacrificed their lives for the sake of their religion and country. "These are your children, and it was their fate to assume this responsibility," he said. "They bravely and effectively shouldered the burden. Their effectiveness was recognized by the foes before (it was recognized by) friends," Prince Naif told his audience. A number of security officers were killed in a series of bloody clashes with terrorists since May last year. "Our hearts bleed and so do the hearts of the security men when they point their weapons at the chests of young Saudi citizens hailing from different parts of the Kingdom. But what can we say? It is the rule of God that the rotten part must be amputated so as not to poison and kill the body," he said. Prince Naif said the special place the Kingdom occupied in the hearts of Muslims all over the world as the cradle of Islam and home to its two most sacred sites, the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, meant that all Saudis "must feel the responsibility and honor bestowed on them to serve their country as best as they can." The prince said terrorism was not a new phenomenon, and disruption occurred even during the reign of the rightly-guided Caliphs. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, received dignitaries of Makkah region led by Dr. Mohammad Abdo Yamani, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Qader Faqih, Dr. Suhail Ibn Hassan Qadi, and a delegation of Jazan region headed by Sheikh Ali Ibn Mideaush Bajawi and Dr. Hashim Ibn Abdo Hashim. During the reception, the delegations condemned the events that took place in some parts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which were perpetrated by the deviant people. They also expressed the loyalty and the obedience to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, stressing their firm and united stand in support of the state to confront terrorism. On his part, Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an Islamic state, stressing that "whoever makes efforts to serve the nation, must know the basic principles that will remain unchanged." "We look forward for the progress and advancement, but our core base is Islam which we hold firmly and preserve it. We can not change anything in Islam except what almighty Allah has ordained us to do," he added. "However, we can not allow anything which is forbidden, nor we can prohibit anything which is not forbidden. This is a general principle, which we hope that everyone will tread on this path. As such, we have closed doors for those who are targeting us." Prince Naif said: "We must be aware that Islam is now a target of superpowers." He pointed out to the general pardon granted to the deviant people, stressing that it came from the Kingdom's strength. "But the most important directive is to those who are behind the deviants, whether they are Saudis or non-Saudis in the Kingdom or abroad that this country rejects this matter." Meantime Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, held a meeting with members the Western diplomatic corps and representatives of the foreign communities in the Kingdom. In his statement, Prince Saud said that during the meeting he re-expressed the Kingdom's condolences to the victims of the terrorist acts that have occurred in the Kingdom, stressing the Kingdom's keenness on and commitment to the foreigners' security and safety which are part and parcel of the security and safety of the Kingdom and its citizens. Prince Saud affirmed that religion, heritage and traditions call for protecting foreigners who are under an agreement. Prince Saud noted that we have been shocked by the terrorist acts in the Kingdom since they are alien to our society and culture; and they are contrary to our religion and principles. He stressed that this is an exceptional circumstance which the Kingdom has firmly and seriously dealt with to uproot and eradicate. To achieve this goal, the Kingdom has pursued strict policies and security measures; and citizens and residents are strongly united against these wicked and criminal acts. In this regard, we noted the speech of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques which was delivered on his behalf by the Crown Prince. The recent incidents have proved the effectiveness of the security measures taken by the Kingdom, Prince Saud said and added that a large group of terrorists has been eliminated and apprehended. Fugitives of terrorists and their cells have been hunted down and eliminated. He pointed to the breaking up of their efforts and the abortion of a number of terrorist operations. Should these operations take place, they would not be less catastrophic than the ones which occurred, if not more dangerous and violent, he said. Prince Saud pointed out that the Kingdom's success in confronting these terrorist acts emanated from studied plans within a strategic framework of taking the initiative and working before the occurrence of the incidents. This policy has taken into consideration the safety of citizens, residents and visitors as a major objective. Prince Saud stressed that we will deal with foreigners in accordance with our heritage and traditions as honorable guests. We will perform our duties particularly the preservation of their security and safety not less than our citizens. Then Prince Saud replied to reporters' questions. He noted that most questions of the community were dealt with how to stay, but not about the reasons that call for departure. He stressed that foreigners are committed to combating terrorism. The only way lies in combating terrorism which is a scourge that threatens not only the Kingdom, but all the world. Replying to a question on international cooperation to combat terrorism, Prince Saud said that terrorism is international in its nature. Terrorism will not be uprooted, unless its infrastructure is wiped out. This infrastructure is even present in Western countries. We demanded that the Western countries cooperate with us to eradicate this infrastructure of terrorism. As regards the carrying of weapons by residents in the Kingdom, he indicated that Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, has said in a press conference that all are permitted to carry weapons if they meet the conditions including the obtaining of licenses. A number of ambassadors had requested the meeting in light of the recent highly publicized spate of attacks against Western expatriate workers in the Kingdom. The meeting brought together Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Interior Minister Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz and senior diplomats and officials from 19 countries. It opened with Prince Saud Al-Faisal conveying his condolences to the families of terror victims and reiterating the Kingdom's "commitment to keeping foreigners safe, as their security is part of the security of the country as a whole," he told reporters after the meeting. This was consistent with both the religion and traditions of the Kingdom. While the Kingdom accepted terrorism as a fact it must confront, Prince Saud said the nation was shocked by recent events. "These incidents are exceptional," he said, "but we can bring them to a conclusion through the strict enforcement of security regulations and the cooperation of both citizens and the expatriate community." The recent successful strikes against terror cells by the security forces was evidence of this, he said. The presumed leader of Al-Qaeda in the Kingdom, Abdul Aziz Al-Muqrin, was gunned down by security forces in Riyadh together with other members of his cell hours after they beheaded US hostage Paul M. Johnson. The prince said a large group had now been eliminated and others were being pursued, resulting in the disintegration of their cells. Already, several planned terror operations had been foiled, some potentially more devastating than those that did take place. Echoing a recent speech by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, Prince Saud vowed the Kingdom would "deal with these people according to our traditions and values." Prince Saud said he was reassured by the general tenor of the meeting. "The majority of the questions from the expatriate community were how they can stay, not what reasons do they have to leave. This was to me very poignant," he said afterward. "They are as committed to fighting terrorism as the Saudi nationals or the Saudi government." He said it was clear to the meeting that there is no escape from terrorism. "They know it can only be faced, and that gives us further reason and urgency to deal with this scourge that has troubled this country and threatens the world," he said. The meeting focused on the spread of terror not only in Saudi Arabia but internationally. "You cannot get rid of terrorism unless you get rid of its infrastructure. This is true even in Western countries, and we ask Western countries to help us to do this," the minister said. Interior Minister Prince Naif recently announced that foreigners could carry guns. During the closed meeting, Prince Saud was asked twice whether this was to happen soon, according to sources. He said foreigners as well as Saudi citizens were free to apply for gun licenses, but gave no definite information as to the likelihood of success. "All are allowed to carry weapons according to conditions applied in the Kingdom," the sources quoted him as saying. On the other hand the Minister of Health Dr Hamad Al Manei has launched the Ministry of Health campaign to fight terrorism. The campaign includes raising the citizens awareness on the dangers of terrorist acts and asked the media to support it. Dr Al Manei stressed the role of women as doctors and nurses and the role of the Ministry of Health in dealing with the traumas of people victims of the terrorist acts. Meantime the Executive Committee of Parliamentary Relations Branch of the Shoura Council its 9th meeting presided over by the Council and the Committee's Chairman Dr. Salih Ibn Abdullah Ibn Humaid. Dr. Homoud Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Badr, the Council and the Branch's Secretary General pointed out that the meeting dealt with topics on its agenda including a report of the Parliamentary Branch for the Year 1424/1425H. The Shoura Council has also held its 18th ordinary session presided over by the Council's Chairman, Sheikh Dr. Salih bin Abdullah bin Humaid. In its statement, the Council praised the pardon initiative and safety opportunity granted by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, which was announced on his behalf by the Crown Prince to the individuals of the deviant group who have not been arrested in terrorist operations. The Council called on those involved in violence, crimes and criminal actions inside and outside the Kingdom to seriously seize this pardon opportunity, stressing that the pardon initiative emanated from a strong position. The council confirmed these criminal acts have served only the enemies of religion and the homeland. In a press statement, Dr. Homoud Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Badr, the Council's Secretary General said that the terrorism phenomenon was well studied by the Council which has formed a special committee that met with all parties and submitted its report to the Council. He noted that the Council also discussed a draft regulation on labor and laborers. The General Assembly of Parliamentary Relations Branch of the Shoura Council held its 2nd meeting presided over by the Council and the Branch 's Chairman Dr. Salih Ibn Abdullah Ibn Humaid. Dr. Homoud Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Badr, the Council and the Branch's Secretary General pointed out that the meeting dealt with topics on its agenda including a report of the Parliamentary Branch for the Year 1424/1425H. On the other hand in Washington United States Secretary of State Colin Powell met with four Washington-based Arab journalists on Thursday representing Gulf News, Al Ahram, Asharq Alawsat and Okaz. The discussion, which lasted for 30 minutes at the Secretary's office in the State Department, covered relations with Saudi Arabia, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan vis-a-vis the roadmap; Iraq and the transfer of power; the Greater Middle East Initiative; Arabia and Iran's nuclear capabilities. Following are excerpts: On US Saudi relations, the Secretary of State Colin Powell said the United States and Saudi Arabia are close friends. The basis is we have a mutual and shared interest to make sure that Saudi Arabia remains a free nation that can make its own choices for itself in accordance with its political system and that terrorists are not allowed to destabilise Saudi Arabia or to take advantage of Saudi Arabia in any way, and the United States will stand firmly with Saudi Arabia to keep that from happening. The Secretary of State went on to say that the Crown Prince has responded in a vigorous way and has made it clear that he is going after these terrorists. I am going to give you a period of time for amnesty, and after that we're going to get everybody, the Crown Prince said. That's doing what has to be done. But the Saudi leadership is doing other things. They are taking a look at how charitable money has been spent and they're putting controls on the flow of money and I think they are taking other steps that show that they are a full partner in the campaign against terrorists because now they are victims of terrorism just as so many other nations are. On a question about his meeting with the Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, Colin Powell said I was candid with him in saying that we know that there was some disagreement with us and disappointment in us when we made the initial announcement with Prime Minister Sharon. But I think in the weeks that have passed since then, we've been able to show our Arab, Palestinian and Muslim friends that we are fully committed to an independent Palestinian state that is contiguous, that is coherent, that will live in peace with Israel and the basic principles of 242, 338, roadmap, work of the Quartet, and final status issues resolved so negotiations between the parties remain intact. About his reaction to Congress adopting President Bush's endorsement of the Sharon plan, and specifically rejecting a return to pre-1967 war boundaries, and the Palestinian right of return. Colin Powell said the President made it clear that the line between the two nations, when we have a Palestinian state, will be a line determined by the two parties. That's a final status issue. It sounds like the resolution has reflected those realities in a stronger formulation, but the President's words are clear and that remains our position as he laid it out in his exchange of letters with Sharon. On the US position on the wall that cuts deep into the West Bank to connect the settlement of Arael and Israel, the Secretary of State said: We are concerned about the wall. We have expressed concerns about the wall directly to the Israelis and the route that the wall takes that might be seen as prejudging final outcome issues and affecting the lives and livelihood of Palestinian citizens and puts land previously in Palestinian hands away from Palestinian hands on the other side of the wall. On the transfer of sovereignty in Iraq Colin Powell said: It's up to these terrorists and these former regime elements and murderers to decide whether or not they will stop this activity and support their own leaders who are now in charge of their country, or whether they will continue to try to kill innocent people, policemen who are trying to protect the Iraqi people or, as in the case we saw a couple of days ago, two sisters coming home from work, working with an US organisation but that organisation was helping the Iraqis. On giving immunity to the US forces in Iraq, Colin Powell said I support the CPA Order Number 17 that was just issued. It was necessary to do this to cover this interim period coming up before there is a new elected transitional assembly and elected government. On Iran's nuclear capabilities the Secretary of State said I think it's in the interest of the region and in the interest of the world for Iran not to have a nuclear weapon. I think it would be very destabilising. I think we have succeeded in the last year to bring huge pressure to bear on Iran. On Israel and the nuclear issue, Colin Powell said I pray for the day when no one has any nuclear weapons, to include the United States. It won't happen in my lifetime, but we're moving in the right direction, all of us, and proliferation is something to be stopped. On the other hand the Office in-charge of following up conditions of Saudi citizens abroad is continuing its works to look after situations of all Saudi citizens who are detained in the United States of America, Guantanamo, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Chechnya and others and to search for those who have gone missing and to stay in touch with their families to comfort them about the efforts to bring them back. In a press statement issued here today, Dr. Saud Ibn Saleh Al-Musaibeh, the Director General of Relations at the Ministry of Interior said: "The office in the past period had received more than 600 letters from the detainees in Guantanamo which are addressed to their families and more than 700 letters from families for the detainees." He noted that most of the detainees in Guantanamo were either propagators, participants of charitable and humanitarian works or youth who are deceived by one way or another. He stressed that the office is in contact with the families on telephone no. 4014980 to receive their enquires and questions. He added: "Observers of the situations of detention and detainees, have found improvement in the situations which comes as a result of efforts of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz and follow-up of the 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, Aviation and Inspector General, within their care for the citizens wherever they are." He noted that the office was set up in line with directives of Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, in accordance with the continuous keenness of the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to care about its citizens. He pointed out to the visit of a Saudi team to the detainees in Guantanamo, saying that the team had found the detainees in good health generally and had held meetings with the concerned bodies and discussed with them different situations of the detainees. Within Turkey efforts to combat terrorism the Turkish counterterrorism police said that they had arrested four men suspected of being members of the militant Ansar Islam group that had planned and trained for suicide car attacks in Turkey. The arrests, during which a cache of bomb making material was confiscated, were the latest in a security sweep before the NATO summit meeting, a gathering that brought a host of world leaders, including President Bush, to Istanbul. A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the men planned to explode stolen cars or fuel tankers into buildings and had been practicing using remote-controlled bombs. The police said they had not determined if the NATO meeting was one of the men's targets. "They did not mention any specific plans in the near future, but given the confiscated equipment, we suspect they were in preparation to launch some major bomb attacks," the security official said. The men were captured in raids in Istanbul and Bursa, where nine men also linked to the terrorist group were arrested last month and charged with plotting to set off a bomb during the NATO summit meeting. American officials have said Ansar Islam, which was based in northern Iraq and once tried to establish a small Islamic state there, has been linked to al-Qaida. Although the group's camp was bombed in the invasion of Iraq, American military commanders have said the organization has regrouped and is responsible for some suicide bomb attacks there. Elaborate security arrangements were being made for the NATO summit meeting. Ships carrying hazardous or combustible materials, for example, were temporarily prohibited from using the Bosphorous, the strait that links the Black Sea and the Mediterranean and winds through Istanbul. "Security is factor number one for this summit. There must be zero errors," said Umur Apaydin, head of the committee organizing the meeting. NATO valley is on the European side of Istanbul, in the midst of the busy modern quarters of the city, and includes two major highways. The governor of the city, Muammer Guler, said there is no serious threat of terrorism. All motorized traffic, with the exception of official vehicles and shuttle buses, were banned from the security perimeter. All people who live or work in the zone have been checked and all their movements were controlled at checkpoints. In addition, 3,500 journalists and 35,000 service workers have been given accreditation for the summit. As a final precaution, each head of delegation was supplied with a bullet-proof limousine. And the government has said it will permit no demonstrations against NATO except in a few designated areas far from the conference center.