Ain-Al-Yaqeen - August 12, 2005

		August 12, 2005

THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES AND THE CROWN PRINCE RECEIVES CONDOLENCES AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IN JEDDAH.
CROWN PRINCE SULTAN IBN ABDUL AZIZ SETTLES THE BEDOUINS AND ASSISTS THEM TO ESTABLISH MODERN FARMS DURING THE COUNTRY'S MARCH TOWARD DEVELOPMENT.
THE PRINCE'S HUMANITARIAN AIDS COVER THE WHOLE WORLD.
PRINCE KHALID IBN SULTAN: TERRORISTS CAN NOT DAMAGE SAUDI-AMERICAN RELATIONS.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, received a number of princes and senior officials.

The audience was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.

The king also received a number of foreign officials who came to offer condolences on the death of King Fahd.

The king also received scholars, sheikhs and citizens who came to offer condolences on the death of King Fahd and pledge allegiance to King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan.

The meetings were attended by a number of princes.

The custodian of the Two Holy Mosques also received Prince Al Hassan Ibn Talal, Prince Hisham Ibn Abdullah Ibn Mohammed V, the Deputy Prime Minister of Cameroon Amadou Ali and a delegation from the Jordanian parliament under the chairmanship of Abdul Salam Al Majali as well as member of the Yemeni Consultative Council Sheikh Naji Al Shayef and a delegation from King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud organization in Senegal.

They offered their condolences and those of their countries and people to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz.

The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has sent a cable of congratulations to President Idriss Debbi of Chad on the occasion of his country's Independence day.

The Monarch expressed his good wishes to the President and people of Chad, and highlighted the existing fraternal relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Chad.

On the other hand the US has welcomed a decision by Saudi Arabia's new king to pardon a number of political activists who were jailed for demanding democratic reforms.

They include three intellectuals given sentences of up to nine years.

State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said the pardons were a significant move which showed King Abdullah was a forward-looking leader.

King Abdullah also pardoned a member of the dissidents' defence team, who was detained after criticising the judiciary during the men's trial.

"We applaud this decision. President Bush has said that Saudi Arabia can demonstrate its leadership in the region by expanding the role of the Saudi people," Mr Ereli said.

Meanwhile Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, arrived in Jeddah coming from Riyadh.

At King Abdul Aziz international Airport, he was received by a number of Princes, Ministers and Military Officials.

Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, had left Riyadh.

He was seen off at King Khalid International Airport by Prince Fahd Ibn Mohammed Ibn Abdul Aziz, Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, other princes and senior military and civil officials.

Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General was born in Riyadh in 1928 and educated at the Royal Court, HRH Prince Sultan became Minister of Agriculture in 1953 and Minister of Communications in 1955. He has been Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General since 1963.

In 1982, on the accession of King Fahd, Prince Sultan was named Second Deputy Prime Minister.

On the death of King Fahd on 1st August, 2005, Prince Sultan became Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister.

Crown Prince Sultan began public service when he was appointed Governor of Riyadh in 1947. In 1953, when the Council of Ministers was formed, he became Minister of Agriculture. In 1955, he was appointed Minister of Communications in which position he made a major contribution to the development of the Kingdom's road and telecommunications networks. At that time, he also oversaw the construction of the Kingdom's rail link between Dammam and Riyadh. He is currently Chairman of the Saudi Railways Organization.

In 1963, Crown Prince Sultan was appointed Minister of Defence and Aviation, an appointment he still holds. In this role, Crown Prince Sultan has presided over the development of Saudi Arabia's army, navy and air force, providing the Kingdom with a modern, well-equipped and well-trained defence capability, based on a network of military cities across the Kingdom.

Crown Prince Sultan is also Chairman of the Board of Saudi Arabian Airlines, the Kingdom's national airline.

Crown Prince Sultan has shown a particular interest in the conservation of wildlife indigenous to the Kingdom. He is Chairman of the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation, an organization he founded in 1986.

In addition to his other responsibilities, Crown Prince Sultan is Chairman of the Higher Council for Islamic Affairs (an organization committed to the service of Muslim communities and Muslim minorities around the world). He is the founder of the Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Charity Foundation, established in 1995 to provide social and health services and rehabilitation for the disabled.

On the international front, Crown Prince Sultan has conducted a number of official visits to Arab and other Muslim countries, and to many other countries around the world. He led the Saudi delegation to the 40th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 1985, and again to the 50th anniversary in 1995.

A vigorous and socially aware man, Crown Prince Sultan takes an active interest in the multitude of charities and organizations that carry his name.

Prince Sultan's life covers the entire history of the modern Saudi state. He was four years old when, in 1932, his father, King Abdul Aziz, finally achieved the unification of the Kingdom.

His early education was traditional Najd. Tutored in his father's palace, it embraced a combination of Islamic studies, language and natural philosophy. Part of the educational mix was instruction in physiognomy the study of physical characteristics and their relationship to personality. Prince Sultan's well-known ability to recognize and remember people he has not met for many years is said to have resulted from this most traditional aspect of his early education. While receiving education in formal subjects, he was immersed in the affairs of state going on around him and was often to be seen sitting in on meetings and the visits of foreign delegations.

Forever near his father's side in court, the young Prince Sultan met and listened to the key players, both Saudi and visiting foreigners, who helped shape the infrastructure of the modern history of Saudi Arabia. His early knowledge of the affairs of state and the internal workings of the bureaucracy needed to run the country was put to the test early. It was here that his now legendary ability to read and remember people's faces and their connections came to the fore.

At the age of 15 he was appointed chief of the Royal Guard. Although more an honorific than working appointment, it imbued the young prince with a feeling for military discipline and put his theoretical knowledge gleaned from court to the test.

Having acquitted himself well, at 19 he was made governor of Riyadh little more than a village at the time. Crown Prince Sultan however exhibited a talent for planning and organization and demonstrated it by devising and laying down the ground plans for the modern city.

Capitalizing on this burgeoning talent, he was moved through posts of minister of agriculture setting out massive irrigation projects and overseeing the resulting boom in food production minister of communications where he set up telecom networks and rationalized the revenue collections systems until in 1962 was appointed minister of defense.

He has held this post ever since, making him the longest serving minister in any political system anywhere.

A multi-faceted man, his interests are not bounded solely by his ministerial responsibilities. He has chaired a vast array of committees, covering social reform, education policy, Islamic Daawa, airlines and economic development to name but very few.

His lasting personal legacy will surely be his largely private creation of and contribution to charitable organizations throughout the world.

Deeply concerned with the welfare of the needy and older members of society, the Prince Abdul Aziz Charity Foundation is a family concern, chaired by Prince Sultan and with a board made up of each of his sons who are over 20 years of age.

The composition of the board and the huge financial liability of the foundation are physical demonstrations of the commitment Prince Sultan makes for himself and for his family to contributing to the welfare of Saudi citizens.

Amongst the more visible contributions are the 250 bed Medical City with a host of research and after care and disabled persons facilities, an Internet based on-line medical communications network, the funding of the Arabic Encyclopaedia and support and donations to Islamic development work and UNICEF.

These national and international activities are in stark contrast to what many people know about Prince Sultan, the man.

For many who benefit from his charitable work and who meet him face to face for a second time, never cease to be amazed by the one thing that affects their self-esteem most of all. He remembers their name. That simple yet invaluable talent humanizes the huge organizations and connects those who benefit with those who give and reinforce the element of personal contact that makes the foundation unique.

The Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Al- Saud Foundation crowns the many generous charities supported by Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, whose benevolence is acknowledged within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and around the world. The positive dimensions and long term perspectives of this giving includes the construction and care of Mosques, continuing education and aid to the sick and needy.

The Foundation undertakes the task of managing and coordinating a part of these charities for the benefit of the Kingdom and its Citizens.

The Foundation's projects fall within four main categories; medicine, science, technology and education.

With the completion of the Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Humanitarian City, a 1,200,000 square meter medical facility, the Foundation will strive to provide health and social care for the elderly, handicap and children with special needs. The Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Science and Technology Center is an innovative project under development that will provide opportunities for the Kingdom's and the Gulf's youth to learn about science and technology. Its programs are designed to make learning fun and interesting. This approach, in turn, enables them to play an effective role in the future of science and technology within the Kingdom.

In combining medicine, science and technology, Medunet (Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Medical and Educational Telecommunications Program), utilizes the latest state of the art telecommunications facilities. These facilities were created to provide access to medical research resources in cooperation with major universities and research centers around the world.

In order to provide education and understanding of the Arab and Islamic culture, the Foundation established the Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Continuing Education Program at the Gulf University in Bahrain and the Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Arab & Islamic Studies Program at the University of California, Berkeley.

Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, was surrounded by his father's care, as he was grew up on righteous values. Prince Sultan learned the Holy Quran, Arabic Sciences by the best scholars and continued his education too. This Islamic upbringing had great effect on his morals, behaviors, and consequently on his public life and relations with people, as well as his management and handling of matters related to the posts he has hold. Prince Sultan's close relation to his father, King Abdul Aziz, had a significance effect on gaining the knowledge and political experience. In addition, Prince Sultan was always accompanying his brother King Faisal Ibn Abdul Aziz in all his private and international trips that had a clear effect on Prince Sultan's doctrine in managing the tasks of posts he held. Where Prince Sultan carried on responsibilities and took over public posts at the early stage of his life. He has been always in the core part of the Saudi politics domestically and internationally.

His Father King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud had confidence in Prince Sultan and assigned him the Governor of Riyadh in 22 February 1947. Prince Sultan has contributed with his father in establishing a strong national administrative system based on social justice and implementation of Islamic Shari'ah Law. On 24 December 1953, when the first Council of Ministers was formed, Prince Sultan became Minister of Agriculture. In this post the most important project of Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz was settling the Bedouins and assisting them to establish modern farms. This project was regarded as the Country's direction in the march toward development.

On Saturday 5 November 1955, Prince Sultan was appointed Minister of Communications in that position he made a major contribution to the development of the Kingdom's roads and telecommunication networks. At that time, he also supervised the construction of the Kingdom's railway link between Dammam and Riyadh.

On Saturday 21 October 1962 Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz has been appointed Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. Since that date the armed forces and its all branches (Ground Air Navy and Air Forces Defense) have witnessed tremendous developments.

Besides, Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz oversaw the development of civil aviation and chaired the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabian Airlines, where Prince Sultan pays full attention to place the Company in the same category of other international airlines. Saudi Arabian Airlines has advanced fleet of various carriers.

The Saudi Arabian Airlines is dedicated to provide unique services maintaining abreast with the religious true instructions, our customs and traditions. Due to the expansion of Kingdom area, and the frequent travelling within Kingdom different regions the Airlines work out to achieve high operation percentage, especially in domestic flights. The Saudi Arabian Airlines occupies a leading position among international airlines.

On Sunday 21 Shaban 1402 H. corresponding to 13 June 1982, a Royal Decree issued and concluded the assignment of Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz as the Deputy Prime Minister.

During Prince Sultan's posts at the Ministry of Defense and Aviation, crucial events took place, where H.R.H. played direct and major role:

In 1967 when the war broke out between Israel and neighboring Arab Countries, Saudi Armed Forces immediately called for general mobilization and the striking ground forces moved with their full support of arms occupying the front lines across the Gulf of Aqaba. They took their fixed military positions to support the Arab countries in this Arab gulf.

In 1973 when October war broke out, the resolution of general mobilization for the Saudi Armed Forces issued. On the second day, 07 October 1973 the Saudi Armed Forces moved to the Syrian Front, their deployment continued for few days and nights. On the front, they engaged in battles with the enemy immediately after their arrival and confront an attack launched by the enemy on the Saudi Forces, where the enemy believed that this part is unprotected by the Arab forces.

As soon as the Iraqi aggression took place in Kuwait in 2 August 1990, the Saudi Forces declared emergency, and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques took a historical resolution requesting the support of friendly countries of Saudi Arabia. A leadership for joint forces and field operations were formed under the Command of Lieutenant General Prince Khaled Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, these forces included Saudi Arabia and the friendly countries, where the coordination continued between them and the American/European Forces until Kuwait is librated.

Saudi forces combat the extorting forces in the battle of honor in Al-Khafji, under the Command of Lieutenant General Prince Khaled bin Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, until the forces free Al-Khafji. The battle was under the supervision of H.R.H. the Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General and with the follow up of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, and ended with a crushing defeat of the attacking forces.

For a long time, Prince Sultan chaired the Supreme Committee for Education Policy, the Supreme Committee for Administrative Reform, Labor Force Council. Currently, he chairs the Supreme Council for Islamic Call, and the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development, the Ministerial Committee for Environment, and the Saudi-Yemeni Joint committee, which oversees the projects carried out by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Yemen. Besides, Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz chairs the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabian Airlines and the Board of Directors of the General Organization for military industries, and the Supreme Committee for Economic Balance. In addition, H.R.H. chairs the Board of Directors of the International Arab Encyclopaedia. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Saud is financing the Arab International Encyclopaedia from his private fund for the benefit of both Islamic and Arab worlds.

Prince Sultan is the founder of Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Charity Foundation that renders humanitarian, social, and culture services. The Foundation was founded based on the Royal Decree issued on 20/8/1415 H. H.R.H. acts the president of the foundation and the Chairman of its Board. The major projects of the Foundation are:

1. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Project for Humanitarian Services

2. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Center for Science and Technology

3. Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Program for Medical and Educational Communication, which aims at achieving the following:

a. Provide health, and social care and comprehensive rehabilitation for disabled and aged people of both genders.

b. Create an outlet for recovery, rehabilitation, and nursing. As well as to provide high standard human capabilities and equipment.

c. Work out to foster awareness on the necessity of using essential means and equipment for social and home care for aged people, and provide these equipment when needed.

d. Provide compensatory and supporting devices, which assist disabled and aged people to adjust themselves with their circumstances.

e. Provide necessary potentials to carry out researches in the field of humanitarian services that are rendered by the Foundation.

Prince Sultan has visited a number of Arab, Islamic, and friendly countries, where he contributed to establish friendship and deepen relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and these countries. He attended several regional and international conferences and meetings. Prince Sultan headed the Kingdom delegation to the UN Meeting in Safer 1406 H. (1985), on this occasion where he gave an important speech. Furthermore, H.R.H. headed the Kingdom's delegation, which participated in the celebration of UN 50th anniversary, in October 1995.

In Riyadh Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh region and Chairman of the Board of Riyadh Charitable organization for Science has issued his directions to offer sponsorships at Prince Sultan University to 26 outstanding students.

On the other hand Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs, Arrived in Nellis Air Base in the US State of Nevada.

Prince Khalid attended a training exercise held at the base with the participation of Saudi Arabia, the US, Germany and Britain.

Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs paid a visit to Nellis Air Base in the U.S. State of Nevada.

During the visit, he attended part of a world annual air exercise organized by U.S. air forces entitled '' The Red Flag'' with the participation of air forces from from the United States, Germany, Great Britain, Denmark, Norway, Singapore, Canada and NATO.

The Saudi participation includes six F15 S attack aircraft along with 150 officers and servicemen of Saudi Royal Air Forces. Saudi pilots will conduct during a two-week exercise 80 day and night sorties.

In a speech ceremony held by the Saudi participating group on this occasion, Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan praised the role and efficiency of the group, also commending the advanced experience gained in the field of the military aviation from such practices.

Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation for Saudi Arabia, visited the base where the Royal Saudi Air Force is participating in the war exercises involving forces from several countries. It is the Arab nation's first participation in Red Flag in 25 years.

"This shows the solid relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Prince Khalid said outside the base's Air Warfare Center.

He said he was happy to witness the cooperation between the nations first in the Persian Gulf War and as they have continued through the terrorist attacks on New York.

"I must say that the 11th of September was a sad day for both countries," the prince said. "The purpose of those terrorists was to cut this relationship."

He said the Saudi air force's participation in the Red Flag war exercises shows that the relationship between the nations is even stronger than before.

The training started Saturday and continues through Sept. 2. It is the third such training Nellis is hosting this year.

Prince Khalid arrived to watch the exercises and meet with U.S. military officials. Warplanes sat ready for the exercises on the tarmac behind him.

Bruce Lemkin, deputy under secretary of the Air Force for international affairs, who greeted the prince at the base, said there is great demand for cooperative training. "We have a marvellous air force, the greatest air force in the world. But one of the lessons of 9/11 is that we can't do it all ourselves," Lemkin said.

"If we can train together, if we can learn to fly together, if we have to, we can fight together."

Lemkin said the Saudi partnership with the United States is important in fighting terrorism.

"I think it's a very strong relationship. I think the relationship has changed because the nature of the threat has changed," he said.

Maj. Gen. Stephen Goldfein, who commands the Air Warfare Center, said much of the training exercises would focus on integrated scenarios including not only flight crews but support personnel.

Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan added that the interaction among the personnel, Americans meeting Saudis meeting Norwegians, was a valuable part of the exercise.

"I think pilots learn from each other in many ways, not only from the exercises but in knowing each other," the prince said. "That is the most important thing."