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July 22, 2005 |
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PRINCE SULTAN RECEIVES A MESSAGE FOR THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES FROM THE SPANISH MONARCH AND REVIEWS WITH THE SPANISH MINISTER OF DEFENCE WAYS OF ENHANCING CO-OPERATION. THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEETING OF THE INTERIOR MINISTERS OF IRAQ'S NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES WITH AN AGREEMENT TO ACTIVELY MONITOR BORDERS. PRINCE NAIF: VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM HAVE ESCALATED AND THIS COMPLICATE OUR MISSION. THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL ORDERS SOME GOVERNMENTS TO FREEZE THE ASSETS OF SAAD AL-FAQIH. THE FORMATION OF THE NEW LEBANESE CABINET WITH 24 MINISTERS AND LAHOUD SIGNS AN AMNESTY PARDONING SAMIR GEAGEA. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, held at his palace a meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein . During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments and situations at the Arab, Islamic and international arenas particularly the Palestinian issue and the situation in Iraq. Aspects of cooperation between the two countries 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, 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, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Nawaf Ibn Abdul Aziz, Special Advisor to the King; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; Prince Abdul Ilah Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Vice Governor of Riyadh Region. On the Jordanian side, it was attended by Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received the Spanish Minister of Defense Jose Bono. During the meeting, the Spanish minister delivered to Prince Sultan a message to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz from King of Spain Juan Carlos. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, held a meeting with Spanish Minister of Defense Jose Bono. During the meeting, Prince Sultan and the Spanish minister exchanged cordial statements and discussed issues of common interest and the most important issues at the regional and international arenas. They also reviewed areas of military cooperation and realization of common interests between the two countries. The meeting was attended by officials of the two sides. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, has said that the Kingdom's armed forces have plans and programs of development, adding that Saudi Arabia would opt for new advances from all countries without restricting to a specific country. In a joint press statement along with Spanish Defense Minister Jose Bono, Prince Sultan said "in the past and in the current phase, we have been promoting constant cooperation with Spain. Moreover, a Saudi delegation will go to Spain to inspect the extent of cooperation through economical balance." On his part, Bono described the bilateral relations between the two countries as "strong and historic" and said "both countries have suffered from terrorism and opted for additional steps (in combating this phenomenon)." "It is mistaken to link terrorism to Islam which calls along with Christianity to brotherhood not to death," Bono said. The Kingdom's Defence Minister emphasized plans to strengthen its armed forces by acquiring modern weaponry but insisted that it was not committed to purchasing its arms requirements from any particular country. "We will take the latest from every country; we are not restricted to purchasing them from a particular country. We have links of friendship with every country," said Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. Speaking to reporters after official talks with visiting Spanish Defense Minister Jose Bono in Riyadh, Prince Sultan hinted at starting an economic offset program with Spain. "A delegation will go to Spain to study prospects of strengthening (military) cooperation through an economic offset program," he said when asked about new developments in military ties between the two countries. The discussions between Prince Sultan and Bono focused on strengthening military cooperation as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern. "I hope Bono's visit will keep up the fruitful cooperation," said Prince Sultan, describing Arab-Spanish relations as "distinguished." The meeting was attended by defense and military industry officials from both sides. Bono, who arrived in Saudi Arabia late Monday, emphasized the strong and long-standing relations between the Kingdom and Spain. "I feel at home in Saudi Arabia," he stated. He hoped that a Saudi military delegation would visit Spain soon to strengthen cooperation. When informed about Al-Qaeda network's threat to carry out terror attacks inside Europe if European countries failed to withdraw troops from Iraq, Bono said: "Spain has no troops in Iraq." Spain's Minister of Defense Jose Bono and his accompanying delegation left here today after an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On departure, he was seen off at Riyadh Air Base airport by General Saleh Bin Ali Al-Mohayya, the Chief of the General Staff, high-ranking officials and Spanish ambassador to the Kingdom Ramon Ansosain. In Istanbul Interior, ministers from Iraq and its neighbors concluded their conference pledging to boost cooperation over border security and on exchanging security information to bolster border control and prevent the flow of insurgents to and from Iraq. Interior ministers from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Syria and Turkey expressed in a final joint declaration their solidarity with the Iraqi government, affirming the importance of the first conference's resolutions of Tehran last December. The declaration also stressed that bringing security and settlement into Iraq is a vital issue for Iraq's infrastructure and its neighbors' economy. The ministers also highlighted the importance of prosecuting the former Iraqi dictator and his ousted regime for their crimes against Iraq, Kuwait and Iran. They denounced international terrorism, saying they will fight it by a unified strategy at the local, regional and international levels. The declaration also condemned the assassination of the head of the Egyptian diplomatic mission in Iraq, and attacks on Bahraini, Pakistani and Iranian diplomats, wishing that Iraqi authorities will arrest "terrorist behind such operations and bring them to justice." - The final statement denounced attacks that shocked London and Turkey recently, and condemned "terrorist attacks" targeting civilians, children, humanitarian organizations, foreign workers, diplomatic missions, international organizations and sacred sites in Iraq. "Terrorism does not reflect a particular religion, race, gender, or region, " the statement said. The ministers stressed the need for appropriate measures to prevent "terror groups" from using the territory of states as bases for presence, recruiting, training, financing, planning, inciting or launching of terrorist operations against other states. They called for effective monitoring of borders, strict control of border entry points and cross-border movement, and exchange of intelligence information with national Iraqi authorities with the primary aim of eradicating "terrorists and other illegal infiltrations to and from Iraq." The ministers expressed full readiness to train Iraqi security and border forces, welcoming a Turkish suggestion to add a security protocol among the states participating in the conference. They appreciated the UN efforts to bolster political conditions in Iraq and thanked Turkey for hosting the conference, welcoming the Saudi invitation to host the third forthcoming conference at a time that had not been specified yet. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, has described as 'good' the outcome of the 2nd meeting of Interior Ministers of Iraq's neighboring countries, which concluded its deliberations in Istanbul city. "The Ministers' views were in conformity with the joint stand to support Iraq and its authorities as well as prevent the infiltration through Iraqi borders," Prince Naif said on his return home last night from Istanbul, where he led the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the meeting. "Moreover, the Ministers have discussed the establishment of the meeting's secretariat, to be based in Iraq and to follow up decisions," Prince Naif said. In response to a question if the Iraqi Interior Minister informed him about Saudi detainees in Iraq, Prince Naif said that his Iraqi counterpart told him that there may be some Saudis. Prince Naif added that he met with his Iraqi counterpart and agreed on comprehensive cooperation in all fields. Answering another question if he discussed with the Iranian and Syrian Interior Ministers the handing over of the militants who are crossing the borders, he replied that they did and agreed on this. He added that there was an implied accord on handing over of wanted individuals with all the interior ministers. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior, led the Kingdom's delegation to Iraq Neighbors Meeting 2, which opened in Istanbul on Tuesday. Addressing the inaugural session, Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz said, this is our second meeting held for the sake of Iraq, the Iraq whom we had hoped would be in a better state today. Our brothers in Iraq have achieved notable progress as they now have an elected government, but the intensity of the wave of violence and terrorism has increased dramatically, meaning that we will have to cooperate closer as our mission has become harder. And if we look into what we have achieved since our meeting in Tehran, we will find nothing big has been done. However this makes it inevitable for us to exert greater efforts in order to assist Iraq to overcome its ordeal, the consequences of which will definitely be relayed on us. The real help we can extend to our brothers in Iraq is our firm commitment to fighting terrorism by exchanging information and thoroughly monitoring our shared borders, besides starving the resources of terrorism. Prince Naif appealed to the international committee to join hands and put shoulder to shoulder to fight terrorism in all its shapes and forms to attain the goal behind this meeting. As we condemned strongly the terrorist attacks executed in London last week, the official stand maintained by the British government towards the Muslim community in Britain deserves special mention. Islam, which advocates tolerance, moderation and flexibility strongly opposes bloodshed and the cold-blooded killing of innocent people. Prince Naif indicated that all interior ministers participating in the meeting have strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks carried out in Turkey and the assassination of the head of the Egyptian diplomatic mission in Iraq, stressing that these criminal acts will never prevent them from helping Iraq to overcome its crisis. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior, had left Riyadh for Turkey to attend the 2nd meeting of interior ministers of Iraq neighboring countries in Istanbul. He was seen off at Riyadh Airbase by a number of princes and officials. Prince Naif was accompanied by an official delegation. At Istanbul International Airport, he was received by Turkey's Interior Minister Abdul Qadir Aksu, a number of officials, Saudi Ambassador to Turkey Mohammed Al-Bassam and Saudi Consul General in Istanbul Ambassador Mohmmed Jameel Hashem. Prince Naif was accompanied by an official delegation. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, received at his guest residence Iraq's Minister of Interior Baqir Solagh Al-Zubaidi on the fringes of the 2nd meeting of interior ministers of Iraq neighboring countries. During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed topics of mutual interest. The reception was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Turkey Mohammed Al-Bassam and Acting Director General of the Prince's Office for Studies and Research Major General Saud bin Salih Al-Dawood. Prince Naif attended a banquet held by Turkish Minister of Interior Abdul Qadir Aksu in honor of interior ministers of Iraq's neighboring countries. The banquet was attended by Saudi ambassador to Turkey Mohammed Ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Bassam. Speaking on the occasion Aksu noted the latest developments in the world that prompt cooperation and exchange of information and expertise. Turkish Minister of Interior Abdul Qadir Aksu called on neighboring countries to Iraq to play an effective role as to make the political process in Iraq a "success," saying that it won't be achieved without security. In a speech to the ministerial meeting of the interior officials in neighbouring countries to Iraq, Aksu underlined the need to " boost border security and give a practical meaning to the initiative that launched last year in Tehran to find solution to the infiltration issue through borders in light of its being one of the most persistent causes facing the region." The Turkish minister called to ink a protocol for regional security cooperation among countries taking part at the meeting, and said "Turkey is ready to prepare the protocol minute to be presented to the upcoming meeting of interior ministers for neighboring countries to Iraq." He said the threat of terror directed from Iraq to the outside was because of the "vacuum in the current authority in Iraq." The minister rejected the saying that links Islam to terrorism noting that these accusations would pose as "injustice to Islam." Internal Minister Ghazi Kanaan and his Turkish counterpart Abdul Qadir Aksu on Monday discussed means of enhancing cooperation and coordination in facing the standing challenges. Both sides expressed "keenness on Iraq's unity in achieving stability in the region". They also voiced "keenness on continuing cooperation and coordination between them and on activating cooperation in all economic, political and cultural fields". Both sides' points of views were "identical" regarding issues of mutual interest. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, received at his guest residence in Istanbul the Syrian Minister of Interior Major General, Ghazi Kanan on the fringes of the 2nd meeting of interior ministers of Iraq neighbouring countries. During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed topics of mutual interest. The reception was attended by Undersecretary of Interior Ministry Dr. Ahmad Al-Salem and Acting Director General of the Prince's Office for Studies and Research Major General Saud Ibn Salih Al-Dawood. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, also received at his guest residence Iraq's Minister of Interior Baqir Solagh Al-Zubaidi on the fringes of the 2nd meeting of interior ministers of Iraq neighboring countries due to start in Istanbul on Monday. During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed topics of mutual interest. The reception was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Turkey Mohammed Al-Bassam and Acting Director General of the Prince's Office for Studies and Research Major General Saud Ibn Salih Al-Dawood. A two-day conference on reconstruction in Iraq, bringing together the United Nations, the international donor community, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), ended in Jordan Tuesday with a strong emphasis on Iraqi leadership of the process. "We will now go forward in the next six months with clear key priorities to make a difference for the people of Iraq in their every day lives," Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Deputy Special Representative for Humanitarian, Reconstruction and Development Affairs in Iraq, Staffan de Mistura, said at the close of the fourth donor meeting of the International Reconstruction Trust Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI), held on the shores of the Dead Sea. International donors established IRFFI at the 2003 Madrid Conference to provide reconstruction assistance in a coordinated and effective manner. The IRFFI has two trust funds, separately administered by the World Bank and the UN in close coordination with the Iraqi authorities and donors. Chaired by Canada, the meeting brought together representatives of the IRFFI Donor Committee, comprising donors whose paid-in contributions to either or both of the trust funds amount to a minimum of $10 million per donor. There are 19 members. Over 400 delegates from 60 countries and organizations, including the UN Development Group (UNDG), the World Bank and the IMF, participated. To date, international donors have committed a total of $1 billion to the two trust funds. "The World Bank will intensify efforts to support Iraq in providing basic services and deliver results on the ground," Joseph Saba, World Bank Country Director for Iraq, said. "We work to prevent poverty and encourage job creation through economic growth." IRFFI's Donor Committee meets on a semi-annual basis to provide strategic guidance, review progress, coordinate efforts, and ensure coherence with Iraqi priorities. In New York the UN Security Council ordered governments on Tuesday to freeze the assets of the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA), a London-based Saudi opposition group accused of ties to Al-Qaeda. Britain, backed by the United States and Saudi Arabia, proposed adding the group's name to the council's list of organizations linked to the Taleban, Osama Bin Laden or his Al-Qaeda network. A council committee approved the proposal days after Washington added the group to its own compilation of such organizations. London ordered a freeze on any assets the group may have in Britain last December. The organization is run by Saad Al-Faqih, an exiled Saudi dissident who was put on the UN list of people associated with Al-Qaeda and the Taleban in December. Faqih uses the group to provide Al-Qaeda with recruits and public relations help, said Stuart Levey, the US Treasury Department s undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence. The group s website contained messages from Bin Laden and Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, the leader of Al-Qaeda's Iraq wing, Levey told reporters last week in Washington. Those justifications are rubbish. I am telling the American government to prove that our website is being used by Al-Qaeda or that I am their spokesman, Faqih said. The UN committee provided no explanation for its action. But the goal of its listing mechanism is to deprive suspected terrorists of the money and other resources they need to carry out attacks. The US government on July 14 froze the group s assets. Faqih uses MIRA to provide Al-Qaeda with recruits and public relations help, said Stuart Levey, US Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence. UN Security Council members last year agreed to impose sanctions against Faqih, who lives in London, over alleged links to Al-Qaeda. Designating MIRA will help stem the flow of funds to the organization, Levey said in a statement. The US Treasury named MIRA under a presidential order that allows US authorities to order a freeze on an organization s assets and forbids any US company from doing business with it. Lebanon formed a new cabinet headed by Prime Minister Fouad Seniora. It is the first Lebanese government since Syria withdrew forces from the country in April. The following is the line-up of the 24-member cabinet. Prime Minister: Fouad Seniora Deputy Prime Minister and Defense minister: Elias Murr Post, Telephone and Telegram Minister: Marwan Hamadeh State Minister for Parliament Affairs: Michel Pharaon Information Minister: Ghazi Aridi Public Health Minister: Mohammed Jawad Khalife Justice Minister: Charles Rizk Education Minister: Khaled Kabbani Interior and Municipalities Minister: Hassan Sabei Labor Minister: Tarrad Hamadeh Cultural Minister: Tarek Mitri Refugee Affairs Minister: Nehme Tohme Social Affairs Minister: Nayla Mouawad Public Works and Transportation Minister: Mohammed al-Safadi Power and Hydraulic Resources Minister: Mohammed Fneish Youth and Sports Minister: Ahmed Fatfat State Minister for Administrative Development: Jean Oghasapian Industry Minister: Pierre Gemayel Foreign Affairs and Immigrant affairs Minister: Fawzi Salloukh Tourism Minister: Joseph Sarkis Economy and Trade Minister: Sami Haddad Agriculture Minister: Talal Saheli Environment Minister: Yaacoub Sarraf Finance Minister: Jihad Kazoun Separately, the president signed an amnesty pardoning anti-Syrian Christian warlord Samir Geagea and nearly three dozen Muslim militants. Lebanon's parliament had approved the amnesty Monday. |
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