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July 1, 2005 |
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TALKS WITH THE PAKISTANI PRESIDENT DEALT WITH BILATERAL RELATIONS AND THE SITUATION ON THE ISLAMIC ARENA. A CABLE OF THANKS TO PRINCE NAIF IBN ABDUL AZIZ FOR THE ASSISTANCE AND RELIEF PROVIDED BY THE KINGDOM FOR THE TSUNAMI VICTIMS. PRINCE TURKI AL-FAISAL AND THE PRINCE OF WALES PATRONIZE A POLO MATCH NAMED AFTER FORMER LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER RAFIQ HARIRI. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, chaired the cabinet's weekly session at Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh. At the outset of the session, the Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on his talks with Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf, which dealt with the latest developments at the international arena and the stands of the two countries towards them. The talks also focused on aspects of bilateral cooperation and ways of their enhancement to serve the interest of Muslim nations and to strengthen the Islamic solidarity and joint actions. The Crown Prince also informed the Cabinet of the talks held with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, which dealt with bilateral relations between the two countries and the region's issues particularly the Palestinian cause, the situation in Iraq and the combating of terrorism. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz expressed his satisfaction over the fruitful and constructive cooperation existing between the two countries. The Crown Prince also briefed the Cabinet on the contents of consultations, meetings and contacts held over the previous days with some leaders of brotherly and friendly countries on the latest developments and events in the region and the world, topped by the situations in Iraq and Palestine. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, Iyad Ibn Amin Madani, the Minister of Culture and Information, said that the Cabinet reviewed the Conference for Supporting Iraq which was recently held in Brussels, Belgium. In this regard, the Kingdom expressed its appreciation of the European Union and the United States of America for their efforts in preparation for this conference. The Cabinet stressed the clear vision adopted by the Kingdom in all meetings in which it has participated since the onset of the Iraqi crisis. Such meetings should aim at achieving Iraq's independence, unity, security, stability and prosperity to live in peace with its neighbours. The Kingdom laid stress on its call on all for commitment to non-intervention principle in Iraq's internal affairs and the necessity of maintaining its territorial integrity. Briefed on a report on Asian-Middle Eastern Dialogue recently held in Singapore, the Cabinet renewed the Kingdom's affirmation in its speech at the conference that the world today is in a pressing need for uniting the international efforts to deepen dialogue, to raise the level of contacts and understanding between nations and civilizations, to strengthen the culture of peace for mutual respect, to enhance the principles of justice, tolerance and equality, and to renounce violence, injustice and racial discrimination. On another topic, the Cabinet welcomed the announcement of the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources that Saudi Arabian Oil Company '' Saudi Aramco'' has newly discovered important quantities of gas and condensates in a well, 95 kilometers west of Dhahran city. The Minister of Culture and Information said the Cabinet then reviewed the local items on its agenda and issued the following decisions: The Cabinet endorsed a decision by the Shoura Council to join the International Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants which was passed by the Commissioners conference held in Stockholm from 22-23 May 2001. The Cabinet also ratified an Arrangement on Customs Cooperation between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Yemen. The Cabinet approved a proposal submitted by the Minister of Agriculture on the accession of the Kingdom to the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture according to the organization's statute. The Cabinet approved a proposed amendment of Article 1 of the Social Care Houses to read as follows: "Social Care Houses aim at taking care of juveniles whose age is no less than 12 and nor more than 18, unless otherwise decided by a judge or what could be ruled by an investigative body that a juvenile should be kept in a social care house. The Cabinet approved the appointment of Mohammed Ibn Sulaiman Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Ribdi as Assistant Undersecretary of the Northern Border Governorate at the Ministry of Interior; and Eng. Sulaiman Ibn Abdul Malik Ibn Ibrahim Al Al Sheikh as Director General of Computer Department at the Ministry of Justice. On the other hand Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf arrived in Saudi Arabia on a visit to the Kingdom. At Riyadh Airbase, the President was received by Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard; Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Miteb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; a number of princes; ministers and officials. President Musharraf was accompanied by a delegation including Defense Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal and other officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard held at his palace here today a luncheon in honor of Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf and the accompanying delegation. The luncheon was attended by Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Bandar Ibn Mohammed Ibn Abdul Rahman; Prince Miteb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, Vice Governor of Riyadh Region; a number of princes; ministers and officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard held at his palace a meeting with Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf. During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments and events at the Islamic and international arenas particularly the Palestinian cause and the situation in Iraq. Aspects of cooperation and ways of their enhancement in all fields were also reviewed. On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Miteb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, Vice Governor of Riyadh Region; Dr. Fuad Ibn Abdul Salam Al-Farsi, the Minister of Hajj; Dr. Nizar Obaid Madani, Assistant Foreign Minister and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Ali bin Awadh Assiri. On the Pakistani side, it was attended by the delegation accompanying the President including Defense Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal and other officials. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf arrived in the Saudi capital on a one-day visit to meet Saudi leaders and discuss issues of mutual interest. One topic for discussion was the reconstruction of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), according to the president's press secretary, Gen. Shaukat Sultan. The president, he said, would not be discussing the issue of Pakistan seeking a seat on the UN Security Council. Regarding Saudis being detained in Pakistan on terror charges and cooperation between the two countries in the fight against terror, he said both countries were members of the international coalition on the war on terror. As for Bin Laden's whereabouts and whether he was still in Pakistan, the press secretary said, "No one is ever sure where Bin Laden is. The president has always said that he could be in the border region. He has always said that if someone knows where Bin Laden is, he should come and tell us. As per our information, he is not there. If he were in Pakistan, he would have been caught by now." Regarding terrorist activities in Pakistan and the measures taken to thwart attacks, the press secretary said: "Since the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Shuakat Aziz last year, there has been no Al-Qaeda-related terrorist activity in Pakistan." He said whatever attacks have occurred since then in the country have been domestic rather than international. He said strong measures had been taken by the Pakistani government to prevent terrorists from entering the country, including "strict immigration procedures and a computerized registration and passport system." Gen. Sultan said the Pakistani president had also discussed with Saudi leaders trade opportunities between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. "Pakistan has had phenomenal economic growth this year. It is the second highest economic growth after China 8.3 percent. It offers big opportunities for investors from Saudi Arabia to come and invest there." The general pointed out, "Pakistan is a moderate society. There is no place for radicalism and extremism in Pakistan. And we hope that the next elections will prove that radicals have no place in Pakistani politics," he said. The press secretary said President Musharraf also discussed the issue of Kashmir with the crown prince. "Pakistan would like to see the solution of the Kashmir problem through peaceful negotiations, of course, within the parameters of Security Council resolutions. President Pervez Musharraf left Riyadh for Jeddah on his way to Makkah to perform Umrah. At Riyadh Airbase, the President and his accompanying delegation were seen off by Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Vice Governor of Riyadh Region and a number of officials. Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf and his accompanying delegation arrived in Jeddah to perform Umrah rituals. At King Abdul Aziz International Airport, they were received by Prince Mishaal Ibn Majid Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Jeddah and a number of officials. President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and his accompanying delegation performed Umrah (the minor pilgrimage). He was received at the Holy Mosque by a number of senior officials. President General Pervez Musharraf and his accompanying delegation left here last night after a two-day visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He was seen off at Prince Mohammed Ibn Abdul Aziz Airport by Prince Meqrin Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Madinah region, Minister of Hajj Dr Fou'ad Ibn Abdul-Salam Al-Farsi, and a number of senior officials. President Musharraf visited the Prophet's Mosque. On the other hand Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior who is also General Supervisor of the Saudi Philanthropic campaign for assisting the Tsunami victims in south east Asia, has received a cable of thanks from the Minister of Construction, Housing, Industry and Development of Irrigation and Education in the Eastern Region of Sri Lanka, for the assistance and relief provided by the Kingdom for the Tsunami victims in Sri Lanka. In his cable, the Sri Lankan minister described the Kingdom as the Kingdom of Humanity. On another scale Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs patronized the graduation of the 19th batch of students at the Industrial Institute and the sessions of industrial training, and honoured those who spent 25 years in the service of General Organization for Military Industries, at the headquarters of the Organization in Al Kharj. Prince Khalid was received by the Chief of the General Staff General Saleh Al Mohayya and General Prince Mohammed Al-Fahd Al-Faisal Director General of the Organization and a number of high-ranking officials. The ceremony started with readings from the Holy Quran then Prince Mohammed Al-Fahd Al-Faisal delivered a speech, briefing the attendance on the Organization. Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan honoured the graduates and then opened the industrial exhibition held on the occasion. Prince Charles of Wales, the British Crown Prince, and Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the Saudi ambassador to the Untied Kingdom and Ireland, graced in London a Polo match between the teams of Prince Charles and the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The match named after former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, was played for the Gulf polo Charitable Cup. The GCC team defeated the Prince Charles team with a score of 7/5. Later Prince Turki Al-Faisal received Prince Charles and his team and handed over to them memorial gifts. Prince Turki also handed over the cup to the leader of the GCC team. Head of the match's organizing committee Basil Al-Ghalayini said the organization of the match aimed at supporting charitable works and societies. 'The Gulf Polo Cup provides a good opportunity to enhance Arab-British relations', he said. For the ninth successive year, the GCC Polo Cup organized by the Jeddah-based BMG Foundation was set to raise money for charity. This major event on the calendar of the polo world sets an invitation team captained by Prince Charles against a GCC team led by prominent Saudi businessman Mohammed Al-Hamrani. The event at the Guards Club took place on Windsor Great Lawn on June 25. Traditionally the event raises money for designated charities with much of it donated to, and re-distributed, by the Prince's Trust, a UK-based charity headed by Prince Charles. "We donate most of the pool of funds to them and we support individual charities as well," said Basil Ghalayini, head of BMG Financial Advisors. "The Disabled Children's Association of Saudi Arabia, for example, as well as charities in Lebanon and Pakistan and the Council for Arab-British Understanding." The BMG Foundation supports a wide range of charities in communities where the company operates. Next year, the foundation will launch a support program for able students who want to continue their education at leading universities. Currently it funds a program, through its Art Alive Exhibitions, to support talented Arab artists who are living abroad but unknown in the Arab world. The foundation supports a range of charities, regardless of race, religion or nationality. Ghalayini believes that organizing a charitable event around a polo game is a productive way of attracting the interest of high profile supporters with charitable intent. "Polo is an interesting game with roots in the ancient Middle East. Nowadays, we can use it to raise money for charity," said Ghalayini. He said there were very few events in the Arab world where charity was the sole function but such fund-raising events were common in the west where they are both popular and respected. A bonus, he thought, was the positive public relations for the Kingdom that comes from association with the event and its charitable aims. The special focus of this year's event is the School of Traditional Arts which will be one of the recipients of funds. The guest of honor on the day will be Bahaddin Hariri, the son of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri who was assassinated in February this year. "Rafiq Hariri is not as well known in the UK as in France and elsewhere," said Ghalayini. "The event is an opportunity to reflect on his contributions to charity and to mark the respect that many in the Middle East have for him as a man from humble beginnings who rose to become a high figure on the world stage." Meanwhile the wife of Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed and president of the Higher Female Committee for Human and Social Services, Princess Sara, praised Crown Prince Abdullah's initiative to fight poverty and establish homes for the poor. Princess Sara said that Prince Abdullah's order to allot SR2 billion from the national budget to establish homes for the poor and fulfil their needs shows his care for the people of Saudi Arabia. Princess Sara said that the committee accomplished some achievements in the field of fighting poverty and establishing homes for the poor. She said that the committee spent more than SR165 million, most of it on fighting poverty, establishing homes and supporting the main social and health infrastructure for limited income people. She said that the committee established the first village for the poor and transformed that community, which lacked basic needs, into a unique one that provides all the necessary needs for the poor. Princess Sara reviewed the accomplishments of the committee, saying that the committee continued building more than 400 homes for the poor, with all the services of water, electricity and sewerage system. The new village will serve more than 480 poor families, or more than 3,000 individuals. Residents of the village thanked the efforts undertaken by Princess Sara. |
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