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October 15, 2004 |
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PRINCE SULTAN IBN ABDUL AZIZ: THE KINGDOM IS BESTOWED BY MANY BLESSINGS INCLUDING THE HOLY PLACES AND SECURITY. THE KINGDOM WILL ALWAYS SERVE THE RELIGION AND CITIZENS. THE SYRIAN PRESIDENT UNVEILS THE EXTENT OF THE WESTERN CAMPAIGN AGAINST HIS COUNTRY. A UN REPORT: ISRAEL HAS DEMOLISHED AT LEAST 120 RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS EACH MONTH THIS YEAR, LEAVING 24,547 PALESTINIANS HOMELESS AND KILLING MORE THAN 45 CHILDREN. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has sent his thanks and gratitude to the Secretary General of the Muslim World League Dr Abdullah Ibn Abdul Mohsen Al-Turki, members of MWL's council and the staff for their sincere feelings towards the Kingdom, its government and people for the support Saudi Arabia provides to the Muslim World League. This came in a cable of reply addressed from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Dr Abdullah Ibn Abdul Mohsen Al-Turki on the occasion of the 38th session of MWL council held in Makkah Al Mukaramah between the 4th and the 6th of Sha'aban 1425H. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has sent a cable of congratulations to King Juan Carlos I of Spain on his country's national day. In his own name and on behalf of the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Fahd wished the king of Spain continuous health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity. King Fahd also lauded the good relations binding the two countries and their friendly peoples Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, chaired the weekly Cabinet's session at Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh. In the name of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz and in his own name, the Crown Prince congratulated the Saudi people and Arab and Islamic nations on the advent of the blessing month of Ramadan, noting that this month embodies the realities of unity, solidarity and cooperation in good deeds. The Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the contents of messages, contacts, talks and consultations held over the previous days between the Kingdom and brotherly and friendly countries on the latest developments in the region particularly the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian occupied territories and Iraq. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, the Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Fuad Ibn Abdul Salam Al-Farsi said that the Cabinet warned of the tragic situation in Gaza Strip which forebodes a humanitarian catastrophe if Israel's occupation authorities continue the annihilation campaign against the Palestinian people in the Strip and other Palestinian territories. The Cabinet stressed that the situation will dangerously escalate following the failure of the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution against these brutal acts which made the Israeli authorities continue their systematic annihilation war against the Palestinian people. The Cabinet also cautioned against the tragic situation in Iraq, calling on the world community represented by the United Nations to play a more active role to stop daily bloodshed resulting from insecurity. Renewing the Kingdom's condemnation of the terrorist act in Taba city, Egypt, the Cabinet affirmed the Kingdom's stand by and solidarity with Egypt to confront these terrorist operations. Dr. Al-Farsi noted that the Cabinet praised the great interest extended by the government to the health sector in the Kingdom. He added that the Crown Prince's patronage of the inauguration of Riyadh-based King Fahd Medical City comprising the 1095 bed hospitals and the launching of the national medical network come within the Kingdom's great interest in this sector to improve the level of health services. He also pointed, in this field, to the continuation of setting up 2000 health centers in various regions within the framework of King Fahd's project. Dr. Al-Farsi said the Cabinet then reviewed the local items on its agenda and issued the following decisions: The Cabinet extended the period of temporary reassignment of drivers to the general logistics departments of land army brigades from "not more than 60 days" to "not more than 90 days," exempting them from the provisions of a Cabinet's previous decision. The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Culture and Information or his deputy to discuss a memorandum on cooperation in the field of exchange of news between the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and the independent Media Service Management of the Republic of Venezuela (Venpress). The Council of Ministers authorized the Minister of Transport or his deputy to sign a draft agreement on cooperation between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of South Africa in the field of maritime transport. The final version of the agreement will be forwarded for further authentication. The Cabinet approved the appointment of Abdullah Ibn Mohammed Al Obaid Al Namlah as Ambassador at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ahmed Ibn Mohammed Al Sidairi as Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Mansour Ibn Abdullah Al Ghifaili as Director General at the Ministry of Civil Service. On the other hand Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, met with servicemen of the armed forces branches in the Eastern Region. Prince Sultan was accompanied by Prince Mohammed Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of the Eastern Region. Upon arrival at the venue, Prince Sultan was received by commanders of the army branches. A speech ceremony was held on this occasion. Addressing the ceremony, Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz said that he has full confidence in the armed forces branches, the National Guard and Public Security men who have exerted great efforts to preserve security in the Kingdom. He noted that the Kingdom is bestowed by many blessings including the Holy places and security and it has been envied by others, stressing that the Kingdom will always serve the religion and citizens. Later Prince Sultan graced a luncheon party held in his honor by the Command of the Eastern Region. The ceremony and the party were attended by a number of princes and senior officers. Meanwhile in the Sultanate of Oman Sultan Qaboos Ibn Saeed received at Bait Albarakah palace in Muscat visiting Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, Prince Sattam conveyed to Sultan Qaboos and the people of Oman the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, and Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. He thanked the sultan for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to him and his accompanying delegation. Then Sultan Qaboos and Prince Sattam held a closed-door session. The reception was attended by senior protocol officials and Prince Sattam's accompanying delegation. Oman's Minister of Interior Saud bin Ibrahim Albousaeedi received at his office in Muscat Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they discussed issues of mutual concern, aiming at enhancing relations between the two countries. The meeting was attended by Prince Sattam's accompanying delegation, and Omani senior protocol officials. Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, attended a dinner party held in his honor by the Saudi embassy in Muscat. The event was attended by a number of government officials, Prince Sattam's accompanying delegation, and a number of Arab diplomatic corps members. Later, Prince Sattam paid get-acquainted visits to the Sultan armed forces tourism and the Sultan Qaboos Great mosque. The Omani Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Affairs Fahd bin Mahmoud Al-Saeed and the Omani Minister of State and Governor of Muscat Al-Mutasim bin Hamoud Al-bousaidi, received e separately Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Vice Governor of the Kingdom's Riyadh region, and his accompanying delegation. On his part, Al-Saeed requested Prince Sattam to convey his greetings and appreciations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Crown Prince and the Second Deputy Prime Minister. On his part, Prince Sattam conveyed to Al-Saeed greetings and appreciations of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Crown Prince and the Second Deputy Prime Minister. Prince Sattam also expressed thanks and appreciations for the warm welcome and generous hospitality offered to him during his stay in Muscat. On the other hand Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf received at his office Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs, who is currently visiting Pakistan. At the outset of the meeting, the president welcomed the prince and wished him good stay in Pakistan, lauding the distinguished relations binding the two countries at all levels. During the meeting, Prince Khalid conveyed to President Musharraf and the people of Pakistan the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, and Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. He thanked the president for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to him and his accompanying delegation. He confirmed that the Saudi Pakistani relations are firm and strong and considered distinguished. He said officials of the two countries are gearing forward to increasing this level of cooperation at all levels. The reception was attended by ministers, senior government officials and Prince Khalid's accompanying delegation. Pakistan's Minister of Defense Rao Sikandar Iqbal received at his office Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs. During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed a number of issues of mutual concern. Then Prince Khalid visited the Military Production Minister Habeebullah Worach at his office. They exchanged cordial talks and reviewed aspects of cooperation between the two countries. The two meetings were attended by Prince Sultan's accompanying official delegation, the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan Ali Awad Aseeri, and Pakistani senior officials. Pakistan's Minister of Defense Rao Sikandar Iqbal has held a dinner party in honor of visiting Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs, and accompanying delegation. During the party, which took place last night, the host and his guest exchanged cordial talks, confirming the depth and warmth of the Saudi Pakistani relations. The party was attended by ministers, senior government officials and Prince Khalid's accompanying delegation. Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Awad Assiri gave a dinner party in honor of visiting Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs, and accompanying delegation. The party was attended by ministers, senior government officials. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz received Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs, at his office in Islamabad. During the reception, they exchanged talks on a number of issues of mutual interest. The reception was attended by Pakistan's Minister of Defense Rao Sikandar Iqbal, Minister of State for Defense Affairs Zahid Hamid, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defense for Military Production Zahid Anis and Prince Khalid's accompanying delegation. Labor Minister Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi has announced the government's plan to cut the number of foreign workers by not less than 100,000 every year. Addressing the Shoura Council last Sunday, he said the ministry had adopted a three-pronged strategy to solve the country's growing unemployment problem by rationalizing recruitment, training Saudis and increasing the cost of foreign manpower. The minister was answering questions of the Shoura members related to the new labor law. "No law can satisfy the wishes of all parties," he said, adding that the new labor law was an effort to accommodate changes in the labor market and protect the acquired rights of both employers and employees. The labor minister strongly defended the end-of-service benefits (ESB) being distributed to workers. "The ESB has become part and parcel of work conditions in the Kingdom. Over the years, it has become a right which cannot be infringed upon," he said, while thanking the committee that drafted the law for retaining the ESB clause without change. "The ministry considers ESB an issue that cannot be bargained or backed down on," he told opponents of the provision. Al-Gosaibi made certain observations about the current law, which exempts five categories from its purview members of an employer's family including his wife, children and parents who work in his firm; 2) domestic servants; 3) workers in ships with a tonnage less than 500 tons; 4) expatriates recruited for temporary jobs for a period not exceeding two months; and 5) players and coaches of sports clubs and associations. He said the exemption of millions of household helps from the purview of law would leave them without any protection. He also expressed reservations on reinstating a worker terminated from service as per Article 78 of the law, saying the return of a worker against the will of his employer might cause endless problems. The minister proposed establishment of of a special fund from fines collected as per the law and using it to improve conditions in workplaces. Al-Gosaibi emphasized the need to solve the problem caused by the inflow of cheap foreign manpower. "This can be done only by increasing the cost of recruitment," he said and hinted at plans to impose a new charge on recruitment. He opposed the idea of putting unemployed Saudis on the dole, saying it would hamper the ongoing Saudization drive. Expecting a six percent growth rate this year, Gosaibi said the economic upswing would create new job opportunities for Saudis in the private sector. Asked about the prospect of fixing salaries for Saudis working in private companies, he said: "We cannot ask an employer to give a worker what he requires." "Intermediate and secondary certificates have no value in the job market now and we cannot introduce impractical salary scales for those holding them," the Saudi Press Agency quoted Al-Gosaibi as saying. In Damascus President Bashar al-Assad opened the two-day Syrian Expatriates Conference titled "With Expatriates for Development". President al-Assad delivered a speech in which he reviewed internal topics and the latest Arab, regional and international developments. In his speech President al-Assad warmly welcomed participants to the conference, hoping that this conference will serve as a starting point for continuous meetings and deep-rooted relations between expatriates and the motherland. He said that nowadays we are living in a world under a state of chaos of wrong concepts and false idioms, which increase the division among cultures and prepare for further wars and bloodshed. "These concepts reversed facts where persons who are defending themselves and their homes were branded as terrorists, and those who are making and practicing terrorism were looked at as combatant against terrorism." President al-Assad said. "The international institutions which were founded for benefit of the world and achieving peace and justice were transformed into tools in the hands of the super powers at the expense of smaller states to interfere in their internal affairs and bilateral relations of those countries." He added. The President added that under these conditions, the ( UN Security Council) resolution 1559 was issuedit was a surprise for many that such a draft resolution was presented to the CouncilSyria is known for its constant support to the UN and its affiliated bodies, but this doesn't mean that we don't criticize the mistakes when there are any, particularly the double-standard policy when implementing those repositions, including the resolution 1559 which depicted as if it was issued to protect Lebanon's independence." The President asserted that the nature of existing relations between Syria and Lebanon is based on strong bonds of history and geography that gathered the two societies as well as the common sacrifices they offered throughout different periods. He reiterated that Syria had already said it would not intervene in the presidential affairs in Lebanon, adding that this stance was explained to the Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and other Lebanese officials. On Iraq, the President said Syria is bound by common history, kinship and fraternity with that country. "All Iraqis know that we stood firmly against the aggression on Iraq, and still stand against its occupation. We saw that launching the war on Iraq mean that the region and the world would enter into the unknown." He added that the accelerating events in Iraq and the state of killings and destruction reflected the size of crisis and ignorance of how to get rid of the dilemma, adding that this has proved authenticity of the Syria points of view over the dangers of Iraq war and its catastrophic consequences. Al-Assad said that "We assert today that we do our best to preserve the unity of Iraq and secure its stability to help the country restore its full sovereignty.This requires enacting a constitution that reflects the will of the Iraqi people and aspirations, and the withdrawal of the foreign troops from their lands.". On the Middle East peace process President Assad said "the process, as you know has stopped for yearsas a result of Israel's rejection to resume the negotiationsand its continued occupation of the Arab landsand its continued aggression on the Palestinian people. It is also because the international powers didn't commit themselves to their obligations towards the peace process, and because they are not serious about implementation of the international legitimacy resolutions when it comes to Israel." As for the association with the European Union, President Assad said "Syria has reached an understanding to establish the association agreement once the obstacles to it have been bypassed, especially those regarding weapons of mass destruction where we reached a joint formula that goes parallel to our stance concerning non-proliferation of those weapons as part of our joint aim in turning the whole Middle East region into an area free of WMD." On the other hand President Bashar al-Assad and the Iranian President Mohammad Khatami discussed best ways and means to form a new anti-American-Israeli axis to take off pressures Washington and Tel Aviv are putting on them. The Iranian President confirmed that the two countries would expand their cooperation in the face of mounting pressures from the United States and Israel as well as foster peace in the troubled region of Middle East. The Iranian President arrived in Damascus early Thursday morning at the end of an official visit to the neighbouring kingdom of Muscat and Oman, the last leg of a weeklong trip to African Arab nations of Algeria and Sudan. "These pressures have always existed and we have to neutralize them through our cooperation", the official news agencies of both countries reported Khatami as saying in Damascus at the start of his visit to Syria. In Muscat Sultan Qaboos presided over the annual session of Council of Oman. Sultan Qaboos reaffirmed his government"s commitment to achieving the goals of comprehensive national development through a greater emphasis on economic diversification and human resources development. Addressing the annual session of the Council of Oman, the Sultan also highlighted the potential benefits in additional national revenue and employment generation linked to the development of tourism and non-oil projects in the Sultanate. Further, he urged respect for international law, tolerance between communities, and the settlement of international conflicts through dialogue. Earlier, arriving at the Council of Oman, Sultan Qaboos was accorded a ceremonial welcome as the Royal Guard of Oman (RGO) played the Royal Anthem. The Sultan then proceeded to the main hall of the Council. Sultan Qaboos began his address with a firm avowal of the government"s determination to work assiduously towards exploring new horizons for achieving the country"s "sustainable comprehensive development". This, he stressed, was possible only through the acquisition of knowledge, hard work, and a willingness to keep abreast of modern developments in all spheres of life. Espousing the vision of a nation well-integrated into the global community, he said: "We should be fearless when communicating with different civilisations and cultures around the world, and in exploring the accomplishments and developments in those communities, in order to enhance our position in a world which no-one doubts, thanks to the latest scientific advancements, has become smaller, like a village, where no society can isolate itself without interacting and communicating with others, that is if that society seeks to achieve prosperity and welfare for its citizens." In fact, Oman"s desire to reach out to the rest of the world goes well back in time, His Majesty said, citing in this regard the travels of "our Omani ancestors" to different parts of the world. "They extended the hand of friendship to all and looked forward with optimism to the mutual exchange of interests with other communities without taking sides," he said. In his address, Sultan Qaboos listed two key objectives behind the implementation of the government"s five-year developmental plans: to complete the main infrastructure of a modern state, and to raise living standards in all parts of the country. "This is being accomplished in accordance with specific programmes, which have been studied very carefully, and which are aimed at increasing the ratio of economic development with more emphasis on the diversification of the sources of national income and the development of human resources," His Majesty said. In this regard, he lauded the outcome of government policies aimed at boosting non-oil sectors, as was becoming evident in the materialisation of a number of projects that are either completed or under development. These ventures, the Sultan stressed, would help open up new revenue streams, generate job opportunities, and create opportunities for young Omanis to pursue new skills. Sultan Qaboos singled out the tourism sector as particularly promising with regard to its potential to contribute to national goals. This optimism is reflected in the government"s decision to create a separate ministry to oversee the development of this key sector, he said. "We have a strong belief in the importance of the tourism sector, since it is an emerging industry at the international level where it has become one of the main sources of revenue in many developed countries. And because God has bestowed our country with an environment and geographical diversity, as well as other essential elements, that makes it a favourable tourist destination in the region, we took the decision to establish a Ministry of Tourism to administer this vital and important sector." He voiced hope that the new ministry would work to develop the potential of this sector in co-ordination with other government departments and the private sector. Turning to regional and international developments, Sultan Qaboos said the Sultanate"s foreign policy was guided by "certain fundamental principles" which the government has unswervingly adhered to. Oman, he stressed, has always sided with "rightness, justice and joint efforts with other peace-loving nations to settle international conflicts through dialogue and negotiations so that security and stability may prevail and all nations on Earth will be able to reap the benefits thereof". In this context, he urged an end to the "daily suffering" of the Palestinian people and to enable them to achieve their aspirations to statehood. He also called for the return of Arab lands under occupation, and voiced hope that security and stability would prevail in Iraq. Sultan Qaboos concluded his address with an appeal for adherence to the rule of law and for the achievement of global harmony. "We also call for respect for international law and the principles and conventions upon which it is based, and for tolerance between communities and races," he said. Meanwhile from the occupied territories Reuters reported that Israeli air strikes killed five Palestinians in Gaza last Thursday as the Palestinian death toll rose to 100 in a 16-day-old army offensive aimed at crushing militants behind rocket salvoes into Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon seeks a decisive triumph over militants to overcome rightist opposition to his plan to "disengage" from conflict with Palestinians by evacuating all Jewish settlers from Gaza and a few from the West Bank in 2005. Polls show most Israelis support Sharon's withdrawal strategy, regarding Gaza as too costly in lives and money, and he plans to submit his plan to a parliamentary vote on Oct. 25. Hawks inside and outside Sharon's fraying coalition reject any pullback from territories Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war as "appeasement of Palestinian terrorism." Settlers and their political patrons planned a series of protests around Israel later Thursday. Officials with the U.N. agency caring for Palestinian refugees said Israeli armored bulldozers demolished about 30 houses in Rafah, leaving about 40 people homeless. The camp is, like Jabalya, a frequent tinderbox in the four-year-old Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation. Israeli forces often raze Palestinian buildings they say harbor militants who fire at them or, in Rafah's case, camouflage smuggling tunnels. Palestinians and human rights groups denounce the practice as collective punishment. Troops hunting elusive Hamas rocket squads in the north Gaza town of Beit Lahiya carved a trail of destruction. About 20 houses were wrecked or seriously damaged and tanks broke up asphalt roads and water pipes, squashed cars and taxis, churned up dozens of hectares of olive and strawberry groves, and downed electricity and telephone lines. "Rockets were never fired from among our houses and not from my garlic store," said Anwar al-Shafai, 60, gazing at the rubble of his business. "It seems to us that Sharon's so-called unilateral withdrawal will be only an illusion." "An Israeli bulldozer uprooted the graves of my mother and uncle. I will have to rebury their remains. Unbelievable," said Omar Khalil Omar, a local poet. Meanwhile the United Nations has issued a special report warning of an impending humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The report predicts that by the end of 2006, 72% of Palestinians will be suffering poverty as a result of the Israeli policies and military operations, and that Israel will be hampering emergency aid deliveries. Israel's recent offensive has killed 82 Palestinians, including 26 children in Gaza Strip, the report says. The report urges Israel to give UN agencies free access throughout Gaza. "The UN organisations recognise Israel's legitimate security concerns, particularly the need to stop Palestinian rocket and mortar attacks into civilian areas, however its actions should be in conformity with international humanitarian law and it should not use disproportionate force," the report says. The report also says that as a result of the Israeli travel restrictions and roadblocks, Palestinians are facing difficulty in finding work, exporting goods, moving around Gaza and sending their children to school. 66% of Palestinians in Gaza live below the UN-defined poverty line. The report says that Israel should "respect its obligations under humanitarian law by ensuring the safety of the Palestinian civilian population". Twelve UN agencies - under the auspices of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs compiled the report showing that the situation in Gaza was more severe than they initially thought, said David Shearer, the head of OCHA's Jerusalem office. Shearer adds that, earlier, the poverty rate was expected to reach 72% by 2006, but now it appears it could go higher as a result of the deteriorating situation. "We were concerned it may even go beyond that, which is a serious concern," Shearer said. According to the UN Israel has demolished at least 120 residential buildings each month this year, leaving 24,547 Palestinians homeless. Also the report shows that chronic malnutrition among children under 5 years old is 12.7% in the Gaza Strip, and is expected to rise. The report comes amid Israel's mounting violence in Gaza Strip. Israel maintains that its bloody military operations in Gaza are only aimed at stopping Hamas fighters from firing Qassam rockets at Israeli towns. About 1.4 million Palestinians live in Gaza, of which 900,000 are refugees from previous conflicts with Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is trying to move forward with his disengagement plan that envisages withdrawing from Gaza and four small West Bank settlements, which Israel has occupied since 1967. |
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