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February 11, 2005 |
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**** The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has sent a cable of congratulations to Governor General Dame Silvia Cartwright on New Zealand's National Day. In his cable, King Fahd expressed his good wishes to the Governor General and people of New Zealand, and highlighted the existing friendly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and New Zealand. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has sent a cable of condolences to his brother Prince Mishaal bin Abdulaziz on the demise of his son Mohammed. In his cable, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques expressed his deep sorrow over the death of Prince Mohammed and offered his condolences to his family, praying to Almighty Allah to bless the soul of the deceased Prince. Similar cables of condolences were also sent to Prince Mishaal by Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, and Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. Prince Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz for the cable of condolences he had sent to him on the demise of his son Prince Mohammed Ibn Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz. In a reply cable to the monarch, Prince Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz said he has received with gratitude the condolences of King Fahd on the sad demise of Prince Mohammed Ibn Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz, noting that this gesture helped him and his family to further tolerate the shock. Similar cables of thanks were also forwarded from Prince Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz to Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, and Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received a message from President Aleksander Kwasniewski of Poland. The message was handed over to the Crown Prince during his audience at the royal court at Alyamamah palace in Riyadh with Polish Ambassador to the Kingdom Adam Kolach. During the audience, the ambassador also conveyed to the crown prince the greetings of the Polish President. On his part, Crown Prince Abdullah sent his greetings to the president. The audience was attended by Prince Dr. Bandar Ibn Salman Ibn Mohammed Al Saud, Advisor at the Crown Prince's Court and a number of officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, received at the royal court at Al Yamamah palace in Riyadh the Romanian Ambassador to the Kingdom Dr. Dan Mihai Barliba who bade farewell to the crown prince at the end of the Ambassador's term of office in the Kingdom. During the audience, the ambassador conveyed to the Crown Prince the greetings of Romania's President Traian Basescu. On his part, Crown Prince Abdullah sent his greetings to the president. The audience was attended by Prince Dr. Bandar Ibn Salman Ibn Mohammed Al Saud, Advisor at the Crown Prince's Court, and a number of officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, received at the royal court at Al Yamamah palace in Riyadh the Secretary General of the Jeddah-based Organizaiton of Islamic Conference Dr. Akmaluddin Ihsan Oghlo and accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they exchanged views on the agenda of the International Conference on Terrorism currently ongoing in Riyadh. The audience was attended by Prince Dr. Bandar Ibn Salman Ibn Mohammed Al Saud, Advisor at the Crown Prince's Court, and senior protocol officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, received at the royal court at Al Yamamah palace in Riyadh princes, ministers, senior officials and citizens who came to greet him. Later, the Crown Prince received also a delegation of the Al Mazayrah tribe, an affiliate of Bani Rasheed mother tribe, itself a Region of Qassim tribe, who expressed denunciation of the acts perpetrated by the deviant group. On their part, the delegation members expressed support for the efforts exerted by the Kingdom to fight terrorism. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Counter-terrorism International Conference, received the Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Sodiq Safoyev. During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed security topics of mutual concern. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Higher Hajj Committee praised the efforts exerted by Prince Abdul Majeed Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Chairman of Hajj Central Committee, who is also Governor of Makkah Region, and by the Secretariat of the Hajj Central Committee. This was mentioned in a cable sent by Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz to Prince Abdul Majeed Ibn Abdul Aziz, who thanked Prince Naif and promised to continue their efforts according to the directives of the leadership in serving the pilgrims. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Higher Hajj Committee praised the efforts exerted by the presidency of the youth welfare and in the service of pilgrims. This was mentioned in a cable sent by Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz to Prince Sultan Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, after he received the guide issued by the 29th scout center for serving the pilgrims which is affiliated to the General presidency for youth welfare. Prince Naif praised the efforts of the General presidency for youth welfare who complete their service according to the directives of the leadership in serving the pilgrims. Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh region and Chairman of Prince Salman charitable project for housing has signed a contract for the foundation of the 4th compound of the project in Al Sultana district in Riyadh. The total expenses of the project are SR 24,400,000 and would be completed in 24 months on 24,336 m2. The compound contains 130 housing units along with a number of facilities including a mosque, a park, play grounds and a club for men and women. The event was attended by Prince Dr Abdul Aziz Ibn Mohammed Ibn Ayaf Al Miqren, Secretary General of Riyadh city and Dr Abdul Aziz Ibn Ahmad Al Masoud Assistant Secretary General of the project. Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal received his Uzbekistan's Counterpart Sodiq Safoyev. They signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between the Saudi and Uzbekistani Foreign Ministries on political consultations. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, stressed that the delegations participating in the International Counter-terrorism Conference expressed their support for the proposal of Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, to set up an International Center for Combating Terrorism and emphasized its significance within a comprehensive framework to internationally combat the phenomenon of terrorism in a specializing way of activating the international cooperation. Prince Saud noted that the delegations have unanimously stressed the importance of enhancing the role of the United Nations in fighting this phenomenon. Prince Saud pointed out that the conference's deliberations affirmed that any international efforts would be incapable of confronting the phenomenon of terrorism if they were short of a collective work and a comprehensive strategic perspective in dealing with it. The delegations also called for the crystallization of these efforts in setting an international strategy to combat terrorism through international mechanisms and a unified and complete international system to exchange information, experiences, expertise and technology, he said. He added that the deliberations also emphasized the significance of dealing with all aspects, forms, roots and motives of this phenomenon, stressing the unification and intensification of the international efforts to combat and eradicate terrorism. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented a paper on the reasons behind the third wave of international terrorism where it pointed out to the role of the policy of international double standards and the weakness of the role played by international organizations in creating a feeling of disappointment and oppression. The paper said terrorism went through three phases in the modern era. The first phase was at the end of the 19th century, the second followed the second world war and the third appeared in the 1990. The paper added that the dangers of the third wave are that it aims at killing many victims in addition to its ability to acquire and use prohibited weapons. The paper said the reasons behind the appearance of the latest wave of terrorism are foreign occupation, oppression, and exploitation policy. It added that all this leads to the prevailing of national, and religious feelings which in turn are exploited by terrorist groups whose aim is to mobilize youth to commit violent organized and non-organized crimes against civilians. The paper pointed out to some examples such as Northern Ireland, Spain and Sri Lanka. The paper said the second factor is the policy of double standard and the failure of international organizations in solving many international conflicts such as the Palestinian issue, Kashmir and Ireland. The third factor the paper said are the Ideological and cultural differences which presents other civilizations as being dangerous. That in turn led to an increase political conflict amongst international poles who in turn created groups to face the others, and these group continue to threaten everyone. Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minster of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs, the Tai Kwan Do, hand ball and basket ball. Prince Khalid delivered certificate to members of the teams. The Director General of sports in the armed forces Staff Brigadier General Badr Al Shaie thanked Prince Khalid and praised the care given to sports in the Armed forces. Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minster of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs, received the United Arab Emirates Minister of Health Hamad bin Abdul Rahman Al Mudfa'a who conveyed to him a message addressed to Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier, Minster of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, from General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Heir Apparent of Dubai and Minister of Defense of the UAE. The meeting was attended by Dr. Hamad Almane'a, the Minister of Health, and Saeed bin Hamdan Alanqbi, the UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has been successful in changing the idological thinking of more than 250 Al-Qaeda sympathizers, the Kingdom's Islamic Affairs Minister Saleh Al-Al Sheikh said. "We have reached out to them and have succeeded in convincing more than 250 to change their ways," he said, speaking of his ministry's counterterrorism program conducted over the Internet. The program includes direct counselling as well as a hotline for families who are worried that their sons may be drawn toward the Al-Qaeda terror network. "We conducted a dialogue with 800 of them and more than a quarter were convinced. We are continuing our efforts with the rest," he told delegates attending an international counterterrorism conference. "The Internet is a fertile field. We have used many Islamic and cultural sites to increase awareness of the dangers of terrorism." Since a triple suicide bombing in Riyadh in May 2003, the Kingdom has cracked down on Al-Qaeda militants and the religious scholars who have publicly supported them. It has also waged a media campaign to turn Saudis against violence and to persuade parents to be more aware of signs that their sons are being drawn to militants, either in Saudi Arabia or in Iraq. Militants have also made extensive use of the Internet and there are at least two Al-Qaeda-affiliated web magazines, which have prompted alarm among some security experts who say militants are turning the web into a virtual classroom. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), hosted a luncheon in honour of Sultan Qaboos bin Said. It was attended from the Omani side by ministers and advisers accompanying the Sultan and the Sultanate's ambassador to the UAE. It was also attended from the Emirates side by sheikhs, ministers, members of the executive council and senior armed forces and police officers and the UAE ambassador to the Sultanate. Earlier, Sheikh Khalifa led the welcoming party when Sultan Qaboos arrived at the UAE on a two-day visit. Sultan Qaboos was also received by Air Chief Marshal Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the armed forces; Sheikh Haza'a bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Lt-General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, interior minister; Mohammed Said Al Kindi, president of the Federal National Council; sheikhs, ministers, members of the executive council and senior armed forces and police officers. Sultan Qaboos was accompanied by Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, minister of the diwan of Royal Court; General Ali bin Majid Al Ma'amari, minister of Royal Office; Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Hareb, minister responsible for defence affairs; Major-General Sultan bin Mohammed Al Numani, secretary-general of the royal court affairs; Sayyid Saud bin Ibrahim Al Busaidi, interior minister; Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Hinai, justice minister; Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council; Dr Mubarak bin Saleh Al Khadouri, special adviser to Sultan Qaboos; Abdul Aziz bin Mohammed Al Rowas, cultural affairs adviser to Sultan Qaboos; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Marhoon Al Ma'amari, Sultanate's ambassador to the UAE. The visit comes within the context of the excellent brotherly bilateral relations, which Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Khalifa are keen to enhance in the interest of the two brotherly peoples. Sultan Qaboos arrived in the UAE by road. Sultan Qaboos was received with his delegation at Khatmat Al Shiklah by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister and minister of state for foreign affairs, head of the mission of honour accompanying His Majesty during his visit and senior UAE officials. Bahrain's Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa received former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafeeq Al Hariri, who was visiting the Kingdom to attend the 11th Islamic Forum for the Private Sector. The Premier expressed appreciation over Hariri's participation in this important event, praising Hariri's statue as political and economist pioneering personality and his efforts in his country as in the Arab joint cooperation. The Premier said this forum represents an opportunity to exchange views and expertise among businessmen and economists on means to boost trade exchange among Islamic countries and coordinate their stances, mainly in the existence of regional economic blocks. Both sides also reviewed latest developments at the regional and international arenas and issues of joint concern. From his part, Hariri said his country's is looking for further cooperation with the Kingdom of Bahrain in various fields, mainly the economy and investments, hailing the arrangements provided by the Kingdom for hosting such important functions. He also underlined Bahrain's significant economic status in the region and the investment climate and environment that attracted the largest foundations and businessmen to it. The meeting was attended by a number of ministers and officials at the Premier's Court. President Bashar al-Assad and Jordan's King Abdullah II underlined the importance of reviving the Arab peace initiative that was adopted by the Arab summit of Beirut in 2002. The two Arab leaders called to reactivate the international legitimacy resolutions to establish the just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East and achieve stability and security. Both sides have announced support to the new Palestinian leadership and the necessity to mass the international community backing to her. "President Assad his part expressed relief over steps that recently took place in the Palestinian arena to boost the Palestinian national unity," a presidential announcement said. On the situation in Iraq, the two leaders stressed significance of keeping Iraq's unity and stability and the need to complement the standing political process there in the upcoming period. "This is to enable the Iraqi people to boost his national unity and preserve independence as well to formulate his future far away from any foreign interference," the announcement said. Syria and Jordan agreed on Wednesday to continue coordination and consultations over issues of concern to both countries as well over issues related to the Arab situation in general, a presidential announcement said. This came at the end of the summit meeting between President Bashar al-Assad and Jordanian King Abdullah II during the short work visit of President Assad to Jordan. "Talks have dealt with latest developments in the region, bilateral fraternal ties between the two sisterly countries and means of enhancing them in all domains," the Presidential announcement said. King Abdullah held a lunch banquette to honor President Assad. Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara and Syria's Charge d'Affaires Ghazi al-Deeb were present . President Assad and King Abdullah resumed during the banquette talks they have started earlier in a bilateral meeting. The Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah stressed that terrorists in Kuwait are an isolated few who would be brought down once and for all by the authorities. In remarks after the weekly cabinet meeting, Sheikh Nawaf said those still on the run, namely Khaled Al-Douseri and Mehsen Al-Fadhli, shall face justice. The public plays a key role on this issue as the security authorities need their cooperation to meet their objectives, he added. Cooperative citizens already enabled capture of most of the wanted, he said. Sheikh Nawaf also noted that he has given security personnel clearance to raid and search suspicious locations and again stressed all state institutions and ministers were urged to cooperate on this issue, each within their capacities, as stated by the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. President Ben Ali, current chairman of the Arab League Summit, sent messages to members of the Middle East Quartet regarding recent developments in the region. The Tunisian leader sent his messages to US President President George Bush, Russian leader Vladimir Putin as well as to UN secretary general Kofi Annan and European Union chief Jose Manuel Barrozo. In his messages, the Tunisian President reaffirmed The Arab Summit's call for a just and lasting peace as a strategic choice for the resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict, a clear message based on the Arab peace initiative, on the pertinent international resolutions, and on the implementation of the road map as adopted by the UN security council in its resolution 1515 of November 19th, 2003. President Ben Ali also said Tunisia has spared no effort in its commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the area, so as to put an end to several decades of suffering and conflict, guarantee the national rights of the Palestinian people and give all the peoples of the region the possibility of peaceful co-existence within a climate of security and stability in order to dedicate themselves to the work of reconstruction and development. President Ben Ali stressed the need for the intensification of international efforts in order to boost the peace process, in the light of recent efforts by the new Palestinian leadership in this direction. He also expressed his hope that the members of the Quartet will continue their efforts in order to encourage all parties concerned to meet their commitments towards the implementation of the roadmap, setting up of the foundations of peace in the area and the creation of an independent Palestinian State. Kuwaiti security forces surrounded a house outside of the capital and arrested five suspected terrorists in the country's latest confrontation with Islamic militants, official media reported. Kuwait Television quoted an Interior Ministry statement as saying the five were two Saudis and three Jordanians wanted by Kuwaiti authorities. The five surrendered after little resistance in Sulaibiyah, a mainly Bedouin area about 10 miles west of Kuwait City, state television reported. The operation was fifth confrontation this year between police and al-Qaida-influenced fundamentalists accused of planning attacks against Americans and Kuwaiti security forces. The surrender followed the burial Saturday of 1st Lt. Hamad Majed al-Samhan, who died from wounds sustained in a Jan. 31 shootout between police and wanted militants. Al-Samhan was the fourth police officer to lose his life during last month's crackdown on Islamic militants in Kuwait. Interior Minister Sheik Nawwaf Al Ahmed Al Sabah, who attended al-Samhan's funeral, told lawmakers this week during a closed door meeting that police have killed eight militants and detained 14 others, including the ring leader, in several police raids and four shootouts. Two suspected militants remain at large, the minister said, but it was unclear if they were among the five who surrendered. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says an attack on Iran over its nuclear program is "not on the agenda at this point." "We have many diplomatic tools still at our disposal and we intend to pursue them fully," Rice told a news conference after a meeting with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. "The question is simply not on the agenda at this point," said Rice, in reply to a question after having listed U.S. criticisms of Iranian policy. However, she warned that Iran must not "use the cover" of civilian nuclear power development "to sustain a program that can lead to a nuclear weapon." Rice had been at No. 10 Downing Street for talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair -- the first in a series of meetings with European and Middle East leaders. Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said on Sunday that military operations and assassinations against wanted members of the resistance have been temporarily frozen, and that he approved the release of the son of the jailed Palestinian legislator and Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi. The Israeli radio reported that Mofaz prepared a list of 300 resistance fighters who will not be sought after by the Israeli army. The statements of Mofaz came during the weekly government meeting; Mofaz said that he agreed with Mahmoud Dahlan on five levels of cooperation to be conducted after the Sharm Al-Sheikh summit. Mofaz also said that the Israeli ministerial team decided that Israel will release 900 detainees "who were not involved in killing Israelis or soldier", according to Mofaz. Yemen's Foreign Ministry has condemned the abduction of Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena in Iraq. "Yemen declares its condemnation of the abduction of the journalist as an act that is not only of no use to the Iraqi cause but also harms the Iraqi people," a foreign ministry statement said. It appealed to all Iraqi political forces to move to secure the release of the 56-year-old reporter for the left-wing daily Il Manifesto kidnapped Friday by gunmen who blocked her car outside Baghdad University.The statement also made a humanitarian appeal to kidnappers to release the hostage. During an extraordinary session, Arab League permanent delegates approved a proposal to establish a panel of adherence to and implementation of league's resolutions. The approval would be raised to the foreign ministers in a prelude for its endorsement by Arab leaders expected to meet in Algiers in March, league Assistant Secretary General for political Affairs, Ahmed Bin Helli said in a statement at the conclusion of the extraordinary meeting. In response to a question, he said the representatives are still discussing reservations brought forward on a draft law to amend the league's charter and its voting mechanism. He said another meeting of the representatives would be held next Wednesday to continue discussion of reservations. In Iraq, coalition and Iraqi troops continued to track down and detain suspected terrorists. Iraqi security forces captured three suspected terrorists while conducting a cordon-and-search operation in southeast Mosul. Officials said Iraqi commandos detained the three people, suspected of planting roadside bombs and attacking multinational forces. They remain in custody, and no Iraqi security force troops were injured, officials said. Troops from the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), detained 22 people in northern Iraq Feb. 5, officials said. Members of the 3rd Brigade, 21st Infantry Regiment, detained 13 people suspected of terrorist activities in northern Mosul. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, detained another nine suspects during cordon- and-search operations in Ninewah province, officials said. Syria's Information Minister Mehdi Dakhlallah reiterated the president's offer publicly in a press conference in Damascus that Syria was ready to negotiate with Israel, without any preconditions. Social Development Minister Dr Sharifa bint Khalfan Al Yahieyaiah left here yesterday for the United States at the head of the Sultanate's delegation to the 43rd session of the UN social development committee due to be held in New York on February 10 and 11. The meeting will discuss a number of topics, notably elimination of poverty, creation of jobs and promoting social integrity. The Sultanate took a major step in its campaign to introduce E-government with the signing of a consultancy agreement to develop 'E-legislation'. The deal was signed by Secretary-general of the National Economy and head of the executive committee for the 'National Information Technology' strategy Mohammed bin Nassir Al Khusaib with Said Al Shahry Law Office, which is in partnership for this project with law firm Baker & Mckenzie. An official statement said the agreement was part of the government's "endeavour to implement a national plan for Oman digital society and E-government designed to allow for a move towards electronic channels for delivering government services to citizens and the business sector." The pact involves drawing up laws in the Arabic and English languages that regulate electronic transactions and a comprehensive revision to the existing legislation to accommodate requirements of both the E-government and the broader digital society. |