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June 17, 2005 |
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TALKS HELD BETWEEN THE CROWN PRINCE, PRINCE SULTAN, PRINCE NAIF, PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL AND THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF IRAN'S NATIONAL SECURITY SUPREME COUNCIL. PRINCE SULTAN IBN ABDUL AZIZ RECEIVES THE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. PRINCE NAIF IBN ABDUL AZIZ REVIEWS WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UAE THE DELOPMENT IN THE REGION AND DELIVERS TO HIM A WRITTEN MESSAGE FROM THE SAUDI CROWN PRINCE. PRINCE NAIF URGES EVERYONE TO PUT AN END TO THE CONTROVERSY OVER WOMEN DRIVING CARS, AND THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE ELECTIONS WILL BE DECIDED IN THE COMING SESSION. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has approved the provision of $ 1,500,000 from the amounts collected through a campaign of charity donations to assist those who are hit by "Tsunami" disaster. This amount will be delivered to the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and registered in the international organizations. This assistance comes in response to a clarification made by the OIC Secretary General after a meeting with Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, in which he said that the OIC needs urgently this amount to start its relief program and hopes that the Kingdom provides it. This suggestion was supported by Prince Saud Al-Faisal. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, has received a message addressed to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz from President Idriss Deby of Chad. The message was delivered to the Crown Prince during an audience by Abdul Rahman Moussa, Minister of Interior, Security and Decentralization. The Chadian official also conveyed to Crown Prince Abdullah the greetings of the Chadian President. In turn, Crown Prince Abdullah sent his greetings to the President. The audience was attended by Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, Prince Dr. Bandar Ibn Salman Ibn Mohammed Al-Saud, Advisor at the Crown Prince's Court, Abdul Mohsin Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Tuwaijri, Advisor at the Crown Prince's Court, and Chad's Ambassador to the Kingdom Taher Guinassou. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received at his office in Riyadh Prince Mohammed Ibn Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Al Baha; Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Al Madinah Al Munawarah; Prince Mohammed Ibn Nassir Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Jazan and Prince Faisal Ibn Khalid Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Governor of Assir Region. During the meeting, Prince Sultan received from them the 20-year-long tourism development strategy, which includes the detailed programs and plans for tourism development in the regions of the Kingdom. The report also includes the executive plans of the strategy to be implemented in cooperation with the governorates and private sector in the regions of Al Baha, Al Madinah, Jazan and Assir. The audience was attended by Prince Ahmed Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Interior, and Prince Sultan Ibn Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Secretary General of the Tourism Higher Authority. The fifth Prince Sultan campaign for primary medical care has started under the directives of Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General. Brigadier Dr Abdullah Ibn Abdul Malek Al Al-Sheikh has adopted the project in Al Ihsa region and provides services to citizens. He said the hospital is a series of mobile vehicles with Saudis staff. The field hospital in Al Ihsa will receive patients from 8 am to 12 pm and from 4pm to 8pm within Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz project for health care. On another scale Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received at his office Dr. Hassan Rouhani, the Secretary General of Iran's National Security Supreme Council and his accompanying delegation. At the outset of the meeting, Rouhani conveyed to Crown Prince Abdullah the greetings of Iran's Revolution Supreme Leader (Guide) Ali Khamenei; President Mohammed Khatami of Iran; and Hashmi Rafsanjani, the Chairman of the Expediency Council of Iran. On his part, Crown Prince Abdullah sent his greetings to the Iranian leadership. The audience was attended by Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior; Prince Mohammed Ibn Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs; Prince Abdulaziz Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Advisor at the Crown Prince's Court; Prince Dr. Bandar Ibn Salman Ibn Mohammed Al Saud, Advisor at the Crown Prince's Court; senior protocol officials; Interior Ministry senior officials; and Iran's Ambassador to the Kingdom Hussein Sadqi. The top Iranian official stated that his country's nuclear program was for peaceful purposes and did not target its neighbours. Dr. Hassan Rouhani, secretary-general of the Iranian National Security Council, also said he had discussed Iran's nuclear program and its objective with Crown Prince Abdullah. "Our nuclear program is peaceful and sound and will not affect the environment or our neighbours," the Saudi Press Agency quoted the official as saying. "Of course, we wanted to discuss the issue of our nuclear program with the Saudi leadership, especially with Crown Prince Abdullah, in a clear and transparent manner," Rouhani said in answer to a question. "We have explained our objectives and what we intend from having nuclear power," he said, adding that Iran would carry out its nuclear activities within the framework of international charters and regulations. Asked whether there was any agreement during his Riyadh meetings on the extradition of wanted Saudis in Iran, Rouhani said: "We don't have any Saudi detainees in Iran. In the past there were and we handed them over to Saudi authorities." Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received at his office Dr. Hassan Rouhani, the Secretary General of Iran's National Security Supreme Council and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and reviewed a number of issues of mutual concern. The audience was attended by Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior; Prince Mohammed Ibn Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs. Dr. Hassan Rouhani, the Secretary General of Iran's National Security Supreme Council and his accompanying delegation left after an official visit to the Kingdom. At Riyadh airbase, he was seen off by Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior; Prince Mohammed Ibn Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs; senior protocol officials; Interior Ministry senior officials; and Iran's Ambassador to the Kingdom Hussein Sadqi. In a departure statement, Rouhani said he discussed with the Saudi leadership bilateral ties and ways of implementing several agreements signed by the two countries, particularly in the security field. He told reporters that he reviewed with Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, Iran's nuclear program file and its objectives, noting that the program is solely peaceful and would never harm neighbours or environment. In response to a question on whether a deal was struck during the visit for Iran to extradite Saudi wanted persons, he said there are no longer Saudi prisoners in Iran. Those were in Iran in the past have already been extradited, he disclosed. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior stressed strong relations binding the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran. In a press statement upon the arrival of Dr. Hassan Rouhani, the Secretary General of Iran's National Security Supreme Council, Prince Naif emphasized the importance of Rouhani's visit within the framework of relations binding the two countries and their joint responsibilities in the region in the interest of the two friendly countries. He thanked Dr. Rouhani for accepting his invitation to visit the Kingdom. Prince Naif said that such meetings have been very useful for the two countries, affirming that the meetings are very necessary. Replying to a question on a claim by an Iranian newspaper on torturing Christian prisoners in the Kingdom, Prince Naif noted that these matters are internal and we do not allow anyone to talk about them, adding that not all sayings are true. On his part, Dr. Rouhani pointed out that the visit provides an opportunity for consultations on important joint issues between the two countries along with the issues in the region. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior and Dr. Hassan Rouhani, the Secretary General of Iran's National Security Supreme Council held a session of talks. In a press statement, Prince Naif pointed out that the talks dealt with the security in the region, joint security and security cooperation between the two countries, stressing the convergence of ideas of the two friendly countries. He added that Dr. Rouhani expressed all readiness for cooperation which will be for the interest of the two countries and the region. On regional security cooperation particularly on terrorism, Prince Naif said that it differs from one country to another and he looks forward to more cooperation, adding that the Kingdom is ready without reservation for cooperation with all countries in the region including GCC, Arab, Islamic and even other countries to effectively combat terrorism. He noted that the talks also dealt with the security in Iraq since the two countries are Iraq's neighbours. The session was attended by Prince Mohammed Ibn Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs and a number of officials. On the Iranian side, it was attended by Iran's Ambassador to the Kingdom Hussein Sadiqi, Advisor to President Ali Rabie and other officials. Saudi Arabia said it was seeking effective cooperation from all countries to combat terrorism. "We look forward to greater cooperation in this matter," Interior Minister Prince Naif told reporters in Riyadh after talks with Dr. Hassan Rouhani, secretary-general of Iran's National Security Council. "Saudi Arabia is ready to cooperate with all countries in the region, including the Gulf, Arab and Islamic states as well as other friendly nations in order to combat terrorism effectively." Prince Naif said his talks with Rouhani had focused on the security situation in Iraq as the two countries are neighbours of the war-torn Arab nation. "We have discussed security aspects of the Iraqi situation in detail," he added. Prince Naif said he had discussed with Rouhani all matters related to security cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. "Our meeting once again proved that our two countries have identical views on all matters," he added. Top officials including Prince Muhammad Ibn Naif, assistant interior minister for security affairs, Dr. Muhammad Al-Salim, undersecretary at the Interior Ministry, Gen. Mahmoud Bakhsh, director of general intelligence, and Lt. Gen. Saeed Al-Qahtani, director general of public security, attended the talks. Rouhani said he was visiting the Kingdom at the invitation of Prince Naif. "I take this as an opportunity to discuss important common issues as well as regional developments," he said. Asked about American intelligence reports on the presence in Iran of Ahmed Al-Maghsal an official suspected of involvement in the Al Khobar blasts, Rouhani said: "American intelligence was very weak even on matters inside the United States, let alone the correctness of this information in Iran." Rouhani denied that Saad Ibn Laden, Suleiman Abu Ghaith and Saif Al-Adel were present in Iran. "We don't know anything about them and I don't know from where you got these names," he said when a reporter asked about their possible trial in Iran within months. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior said that the trial of those who are accused of attempting to assassinate Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul-Aziz will be 'a regular one.' In a press statement after patronizing a graduation ceremony at King Fahd Security College in Riyadh, Prince Naif said "the deadline for the royal pardon of deviants, has already come to an end but whoever admits his mistake and surrenders on his own will be appreciated." He also referred to his talks with the Iranian official, stressing that these talks were very good and that they reached a good understanding on security cooperation. In response to a question about the issuing of a new list of wanted persons by the Interior Ministry, Prince Naif replied there is nothing about this so far. In his capacity as the Honorary Chairman of The Council of Arab Interior Ministers, he answered a question about Syria's announcement of "Al-Sham' terrorist cell and that if there are any news about the involvement of terrorists in Al-Hariri's assassination, by saying that "we did not receive anything so far." With regard to the existence of any Kuwaiti mediation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Prince Naif said, "I think that there was an earlier decision which called on Kuwait to settle disputes between the GCC countries if they are found. Moreover, Kuwait is now accomplishing it (this mission) as a routine task but there is no mediation, in reality, in this context." He affirmed that the issue of "Al Murrah" is an internal affair of Qatar. Asked to comment whether the Kingdom would demand that Ibn Laden and Al-Faqeeh would be handed over to it, Prince Naif said such a demand will depend only after their arrests. On the other hand, asked to say about King Fahd's health status, Prince Naif said "it is improving and we hope that he will not stay for a long time in the hospital." Commenting on a report by an Iranian newspaper about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Naif reaffirmed that this is very silly and baseless and that the Foreign Minister and his assistant have already spoken about this. "In addition, a statement was also issued by the Foreign Ministry in this context." Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, received, Dr. Hassan Rouhani, the Secretary General of Iran's National Security Supreme Council and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they discussed the bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries in various fields, ways of enhancing cooperation, and a number of regional and international issues. The meeting was attended by Assistant Foreign Minister Dr Nazar Obaid Madani, Interior Ministry's Under Secretary Ahmed Mohammad Salim and Iranian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Hussein Saadiqee. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, also received, the visiting Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister and Information Minister, Dr Nabil Shaat and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they discussed issues of mutual interest between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Palestine as well as the latest developments in the region. The meeting was attended by Assistant Foreign Minister Dr Nizar Ibn Obaid Madani and Palestinian ambassador to Saudi Arabia Moustafa Hashim Al-Sheikh Deeb. In Oman Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said granted an audience at Bait Al Barka to Dr Hassan Rouhani, secretary-general of the Supreme Council for National Security in the Islamic Republic of Iran. During the audience, they reviewed good bilateral relations and ways of boosting them in all fields. The audience was attended by Yousuf Ibn Alawi Ibn Abdullah, minister responsible for foreign affairs, as well as the delegation accompanying the guest and Iranian ambassador to the Sultanate. Sheikh Dr. Salih Ibn Abdullah Ibn Homaid, Chairman of the Shoura Council, received at his office Dr. Hassan Rouhani, the Secretary General of Iran's National Security Supreme Council and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations binding the two countries and discussed ways of boosting them. A number of officials from the two sides attended the meeting. On the other hand Interior Minister Prince Naif has criticized calls to lift a decades-old ban on women driving and said the issue was not a priority for the Kingdom, and their participation in the elections will be decided in the coming session. He said he was surprised the matter had been raised in the Shoura Council. Referring to the council member who brought the issue up, the prince said: "Does he understand what the priorities are? We consider this issue to be a secondary issue, not a priority. These matters are decided by taking into consideration the public interest and what is dictated by a woman's honor. I urge everybody to end this and not make an issue out of it, pitting one group against another." Prince Naif said Saudi Arabia would not rush to imitate changes elsewhere. "We should avoid being an echo of what is proposed in other countries. We are a society, which has its own viewpoints based on Islamic teachings," he explained. The interior minister also pointed out that opponents of the public interest were using the controversy to promote women driving as a viewpoint of society. He said women are held in high esteem in the Saudi society. "This is a public issue and must be tackled considering woman's interests and their situations. Women are dear to us and they have a prominent position. Nobody should doubt that. Our men sacrifice their lives to protect women's honor," he added. In an earlier statement, Prince Naif said women driving was a social issue and must be decided by Saudi society. "I believe that this is a controversy which has no meaning because it is a social matter to be decided by society. It looks as if some people want to make it an issue but it's not," the Saudi Press Agency quoted the prince as saying. On the other hand Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, arrived in the UAE on an official visit. He was received at Abu Dhabi International Airport by Sheikh Hamdan Ibn Zayed Al Nahayan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saudi ambassador to United Arab Emirates (UAE) Dr. Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Muamar and a number of officials. Prince Naif was accompanied by a number of officials. Sheikh Khalifah Ibn Zayed Al-Nahayan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, received Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Interior Minister and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed issues of common interest. Prince Naif conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz to Sheikh Khalifah. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Sultan Ibn Zayed Al-Nahayan, the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and a number of high-ranking officials. Meanwhile, Sheikh Khalifa hosted a luncheon in honor of Prince Naif, which was attended by Saudi Ambassador to the UAE Abdullah Ibn Muammar. Sheikh Khalifah Ibn Zayed Al-Nahayan, the President of The United Arab Emirates, held a closed-door meeting with Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Interior Minister. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Saudi Minister of Interior, received at his guest house General Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Zayed Al Nahayan, Crown Prince of Abu-Dhabi and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates, and Sheikh Hamdan Ibn Zayed Al Nahayan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE. During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed a number of issues of mutual interest and reviewed aspects of cooperation between the two countries. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Saudi Minister of Interior, graced a dinner party held in his honor by the Saudi Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Dr. Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Ibn Muammar. The function was attended by Sheikh Hamdan Ibn Zayed Al Nahayan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, General Sheikh Saif Ibn Zayed Al Nahayan, Minister of Interior, Sheikh Abdullah Ibn Zayed Al Nahayan, the Minister of Information and Culture, and a number of senior officials and diplomats. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Interior Minister has reaffirmed the brotherly relations linking Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In a press statement following a banquet hosted in honor of the Interior Minister by Saudi Ambassador to the UAE Abdullah Ibn Ibn Muammar, Prince Naif said that his meeting with Sheikh Khalifah Ibn Zayed Al-Nahayan, the President of the UAE, is not something new. "I am happy for Sheikh Khalifah's keenness on strengthening Saudi-UAE relations," the Interior Minister said. "Sheikh Khalifah was keen to ask about the health of King Fahd and also inquired about Crown Prince Abdullah and Prince Sultan," Prince Naif added. With regard to any dispute between the Kingdom and the UAE, Prince Naif said "this is absolutely a false claim, there is no dispute and there will be none." In response to a question if citizens of the two countries will be allowed to travel with I.D card instead of passport, he replied that " we are ready (for this)." Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Interior Minister, attended a luncheon hosted in his honor by Sheikh Hamdan Ibn Zayed Al Nahayan, the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. The luncheon was also attended by Gen. Saed Ibn Zayed Al-Nahayan, the UAE's Interior Minister, and a number of high-ranking officials. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, held a meeting with United Arab Emirates (UAE) Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamdan Ibn Zayed Al Nahayan. During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues of mutual interest as well as means of cooperation between the two countries and their enhancement in various fields. The meeting was attended by a number of officials from the two sides. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior, arrived in Riyadh after a three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He was received at Riyadh Airbase by Prince Ahmed Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Interior and a number of princes and officials. Earlier, Prince Naif left Abu Dhabi. He was seen off at Abu Dhabi Emir Airport by Sheikh Hamdan Ibn Zayed Al-Nahayan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Saudi ambassador to UAE Dr. Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Ibn Muammar and a number of officials. Saudi Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Dr. Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Ibn Muammar emphasized the importance of the visit paid by Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Interior Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to UAE. In a press statement, he noted that the visit embodies the distinguished relations between the two countries and comes within the framework of continuous contacts and consultations between the leaderships of the two countries. In Cairo the Saudi Egyptian Joint Committee concluded two-day meetings. The two sides agreed to establish a follow-up sub-committee to implement the recommendations issued by the committee. Ibrahim Al Khurashi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Consular Affairs, led the Saudi side while Mohammed Al Ghabari, Assistant Foreign Minister of Consular Affairs and Egyptian Expatriates, led his country's side. Ibrahim Al Khurashi, Undersecretary of the Saudi Foreign Ministry and Mohammad Al-Ghabari, Egypt's Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs and Egyptians abroad co-opened the Saudi-Egypt Consular Committee three-day workshop. In a statement Al-Ghabari said that the committee is working towards solving all problems facing citizens of the country, noting that at the end of this workshop a joint statement with be signed. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt signed an executive cooperation agreement in the field of education for the period from 2005-2007. The program, signed by Saudi Minister of Education Dr. Abdullah Ibn Salih Al-Obaid and Egyptian Minister of Education Dr. Ahmed Jamaluddin Mousa, states the exchange of modern education facilities, historical information, and a number of artistic works and the participation in educational symposia in the two countries. In Riyadh The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced that it would float shares worth SR22.5 billion in petrochemical and mining companies as part of its efforts to increase the participation of citizens in such firms. In a report published Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Ali Al-Naimi said his ministry had already reached an agreement with companies implementing petrochemical projects to float part of their shares for public subscription. In the first such move, he said, shares worth SR10 billion will be offered to Saudi investors. He said the stock offerings would be made after receiving approval from the Capital Markets Authority and after completing official procedures. Naimi's statement comes as efforts are under way to establish a number of new petrochemical projects to manufacture polyethylene, propylene polypropylene, polystyrene, glycol ethylene, methanol, butane and other products. The ministry has been studying additional petrochemical and mineral projects that could lead to the flotation of shares worth SR12.5 billion. Naimi's announcement coincided with the Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ministry's decision to allocate more natural gas feedstock to petrochemical projects. On its part, the state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco announced last month that it would offer stock in its planned joint venture export refinery in Yanbu. The Yanbu plant is one of three major Aramco projects to expand Saudi Arabia's refining network. Saudi Aramco and Japan's Sumitomo Chemical Co Ltd. will invest $6-7 billion to upgrade the Rabigh refinery and build a petrochemical plant. Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC) also plans domestic expansion projects worth more than SR30 billion in the petrochemical sector. The petrochemical giant said recently that it would float 35 percent of shares of the National Petrochemicals Company (Yansab) in Yanbu for public subscription. Yansab, a new joint stock company established by SABIC, will supply four million tons of petrochemicals, including ethylene, propylene, polyethylene and ethylene glycol. SABIC is now in the process of establishing the company with a fully paid-up capital of SR5.625 billion. |
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