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December 2, 2005 |
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CROWN PRINCE SULTAN IBN ABDUL AZIZ:WE HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE THAT REASON WILL PREVAIL AND IRAQ RESTORES ITS SECURITY AND STABILITY. PRINCE SULTAN RECEIVES THE ASSISTANT U.S. PRESIDENT FOR HOMELAND SECURITY AND DEPUTY ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS AND THE DELEGATION OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE BRITISH HOUSE OF COMMONS. PRINCE SULTAN APPROVES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FUND FOR THE PRESERVATION OF FALCONS AND DONATES SR 500.000. THE OIC MINISTERIAL COUNCIL MEETS IN PREPARATION TO THE SUMMIT IN MAKKAH AL MUKARRAMAH. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received at the Royal Court at Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh Iraq's Prime Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Jaafari and the accompanying delegation. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques welcomed the Prime Minister, wishing him and his accompanying delegation a good stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On his part, the Iraqi Prime Minister thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his continual interest in the stability of the situation in Iraq and his keenness on its territorial integrity and security. During the meeting, they reviewed the overall developments at the Arab arena led by the situation in Iraq. Aspects of cooperation between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in all fields for the benefit of the two countries and peoples were also discussed. The audience was attended by Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and Prince Dr. Bandar Ibn Salman Ibn Mohammed Al Saud, Advisors to the King; Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of State, Cabinet Member and Chief of the Court of Cabinet's Presidency; a number of ministers and officials. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received at Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the British House of Commons. The audience was attended by a number of princes and senior officials. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud received at the Royal Court at Al Yamamah palace in Riyadh a group of citizens who came to greet him. The audience was attended by Prince Talal Ibn Abdul Aziz, President of Arab Gulf Program for United Nations Development Organizations (AGFUND); Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the Governor of Assir Region; Prince Bandar Ibn Fahd Ibn Saad; a number of princes and officials. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received a message from President George W. Bush of the United States of America. The message was conveyed to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques during an audience at his palace with Francis Townsend, Assistant U.S. President for Homeland Security and Deputy Advisor to the President for National Security Affairs. Townsend also conveyed the greetings of U.S. President to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques who in turn sent his greetings to the President. The audience was attended by Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence and Adel Al-Jubair, Advisor at the Royal Court. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received at his palace the US Congress delegation led by Senator Chuck Hegel. During the audience, aspects of cooperation between the two friendly countries were reviewed. The audience was attended by Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence; Dr. Salih Ibn Homaid, Chairman of Shoura Council; Adel Al-Jubair, Advisor at the Royal Court and U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom James Oberwetter. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has also sent a cable of congratulations to Romanian President Traian Basescu on his country's National Day. King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, on behalf of the Saudi government and people, expressed his sincere wishes of happiness to the President, and more prosperity to his people. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has sent a cable of congratulations to President Francois Bozize of the Central African Republic on his country's National Day. In his own name and on behalf of the Saudi government and people, King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz wished the President continuous health and happiness and his people more prosperity. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received at his palace Iraq's Prime Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Jaafari and the accompanying delegation. The Crown Prince welcomed the Prime Minister, wishing him and his accompanying delegation a good stay in their second country, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On his part, the Iraqi Prime Minister expressed his appreciation of and thanks to the Crown Prince for a warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to them since their arrival in Kingdom, wishing King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz steady progress and prosperity. During the meeting, they reviewed the overall developments at the Arab and international arenas led by the situation in Iraq. Aspects of cooperation between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in all fields for the benefit of the two countries and peoples were also discussed. The Crown Prince was briefed on the latest developments in Iraq. Iraq is in our hearts, he said and prayed to Almighty Allah that the Iraqi people be united for the benefit of their homeland and be protected from any harm. In his remarks, the Prime Minister renewed his appreciation for the Kingdom's stands under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and the Crown Prince with regard to maintaining Iraq's unity and territorial integrity. The meeting was attended by a number of Saudi senior officials and the delegation accompanying the Iraqi Prime Minister. In a press statement, the Crown Prince wished the Prime Minister, his delegation and the Iraqi people all success and progress. He pointed out that the Iraqis have their opinions and do not take opinions from others. We have full confidence that reason will prevail and Iraq restore its security and stability. On the new political experience in Iraq, the Crown Prince said it is difficult but it will be overcome by reasons and men in Iraq. On his part, Dr. Al-Jaafari said that his visit to Kingdom aims at enhancing close relations binding the two countries. He described relations as old and deep-rooted. The Iraqi Prime Minister added that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a neighbouring country and home to the Two Holy Mosques. He added that King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has honourably stood by Iraq in difficult circumstances. The Kingdom such as Iraq has been affected by Saddam Hussein's dictatorship and terrorism. Now our common enemy is terrorism, he said. Dr. Al-Jaafari noted that Kingdom has an Islamic and international weight. There are many joint matters between the two countries, he said and added if our viewpoints become closer, they will be reflected on the Arab and Muslim worlds and the entire world. He indicated that Saudi officials have shown excellent understanding of the situation in Iraq. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the British House of Commons. During the audience, they discussed issues of common interest. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, also received US Assistant President for Internal Security Affairs Francis Townsid and the accompanying delegation. They reviewed aspects of cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the US. The meeting was attended by Prince Mishal Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Ibn Musaed, the Supervisor of Studies at the office of Prince Sultan. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, received the US Congress delegation, led by Senator Hegel. They reviewed issues pertaining to bilateral relations. The meeting was attended by Dr Salih Ibn Humeid, the Chairman of the Shoura (consultative) Council, and US ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia James Oberwetter. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, arrived in Jeddah coming from Riyadh. He was received at King Abdul Aziz Airport by Prince Faisal Ibn Turki Al Saud; Prince Bandar Ibn Khalid Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Abdullah Ibn Khalid Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Abdul Majeed Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Makkah Region; Prince Saud Ibn Abdullah Al-Faisal; Prince Dr. Khalid Ibn Faisal Ibn Turki, the Under Secretary of the Western Sector of the National Guard; Prince Faisal Ibn Thamir Ibn Abdul Aziz, Advisor to the Governor of Makkah Region; Prince Mishaal Ibn Majed Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Jeddah Province; Prince Mansour Ibn Bandar Ibn Abdul Aziz, Commander of King Abdullah Airbase in the Western Sector; other princes; and senior military officials. Crown Prince Sultan was accompanied by a number of princes. The Crown Prince had left Riyadh heading for Jeddah. He was seen off at Riyadh Airbase by Prince Fahd Ibn Mashari Ibn Juluwe; Prince Bandar Ibn Mohammed Ibn Abdul Rahman; Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Abdullah Ibn Mohammed Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the Governor of Assir Region; Prince General Mit'eb Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Deputy Commander of the National Guard for Military Affairs; other princes, Ulema, ministers and senior civil and military officials. On the other hand, Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz agreed on the establishment the Prince Sultan Fund for the Preservation of Falcons. Dr Abdul Aziz Abou Znaida Secretary General of the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development said the Crown Prince donated SR 500.000 to support the fund and the preservation of falcons. Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh region, received members of the constituent committee for the higher plastic industries institute, due to be established at the second industrial city in Riyadh. The project of the institute will be implemented on an area of 60,000 square meters at the initiative of the ministry of petroleum and mineral resources and under the supervision of the general organization for technical education and vocational training. The project will be implemented at a total cost of SR 200 million. It will be financed by the private sector. The meeting was attended by Prince Faisal Ibn Turki Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Advisor at the ministry of petroleum and mineral resources, and other senior officials. Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh region, also chaired the second annual meeting for 1426 of the governors and officials of governorate of Riyadh region. They reviewed topics on the agenda including the security situation in the governorates of Riyadh region. Prince Salman urged the governors to do their best for promotion of services that are extended to the citizens. The meeting was attended by a number of senior officials. Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz Deputy Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General will inaugurate in Jazan the Prince Sultan Center for Kidney diseases at King Fahd central hospital in Jazan. The Hospital is being built on 3267 square meters and has facilities for men and women. On the other hand a 10 year crisis resolution plan for the Islamic world is the high point of the Makkah Declaration that will be announced at an extraordinary summit of Islamic countries on Dec. 7 in the holy city, a spokesman revealed. The plan, initiated by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, will be the first ever long-term crisis management program agreed upon by the 57 nations from Africa, Asia and Europe that make up the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). There is genuine desire that this summit will be the turning point in the history of Islamic common work, OIC spokesman Atta Mannan told the press. The agenda of the summit was agreed upon during the final meeting of the scholars in Makkah last month. This summit will coordinate policies in order to come to a common vision about our issues in the international arena, he said. The Islamic countries should have one voice in international organizations like the United Nations and, ideally, a representative seat for that collective voice. The extraordinary summit is in response to an appeal made in Mina during the Hajj early this year by the then Crown Prince Abdullah, who urged OIC member countries to meet and review the situation of the Muslim world (ummah) and arrive at a comprehensive solution to their common problems. Mannan said the Makkah Summit would be different from other OIC summits in that its preparation involved several conferences by senior scholars (ulema) and thinkers from across the Islamic world. Among other concerns, the scholars have examined the possibility of setting up a high Islamic referential framework for dispensing fatwas, which would have the last word on important issues. Secretary General Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, in his guidelines for the preparatory conferences, also asked the scholars to promote ideas of moderation and equity in Islam, particularly in education and the media, while also paying attention to the question of good governance and the observance of public rights and freedoms. The Makkah Declaration will mark the adoption by member states of a moderate Islamic approach so as to project the true image of Islam, which has nothing to do with terrorism, Mannan said. The emphasis will be on giving Islam a good image by condemning terrorism and stressing on modernization and peaceful coexistence, he continued. Mannan, who is also director of OIC's political wing, said the Palestinian issue would remain the core issue for the ummah. Mannan said three committees would be formed to follow up on the Makkah Declaration and, especially, the 10-year plan for the political, economic and cultural revival of the ummah. The summit will also mark the launch of a comprehensive reform program for the organization, which was established in 1969, drawn up by Ihsanoglu. The secretary general has said that his reform program aims to energize the organization, enhance its efficacy and promote joint Islamic action so as to better project the religion, better serve the causes of the ummah and boost Islamic solidarity among the member states in all fields. Another change will include a new name for the group the Organization of Islamic States (OIS) Mannan said. OIC foreign ministers, led by Foreign Minister Prince Saudi Al-Faisal, will meet on December 6 in Jeddah to finalize the Makkah Declaration and also the summit joint communiqué. All 57 heads of OIC states have confirmed participation in the two-day Makkah Summit, as well as several international, Islamic, Arab and regional governmental organizations, Mannan said. King Abdullah, who assumed the throne following the demise of King Fahd on August 1, will inaugurate the conference in the newly built convention center in Makkah. In the presence of heads of state King Abdullah will also lay the foundation for the new OIC headquarters in Jeddah. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad has confirmed participation. It will be his first visit to King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Azizdom since his recent election victory. On the other hand Two women Lama Al-Sulaiman and Nashwa Taher created history yesterday by winning election to the board of directors of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In highly surprising and exciting results to the extremely competitive elections, the Lejeddah group, which included Lama Al-Sulaiman and Nashwa Taher, swept the 12 seats in the elections. A total of 17 women ran in the historic elections, but no one expected any of them to win. It was the first time ever that women were elected to the JCCI board. Many observers of the elections expected members of the Lejeddah group to win most of the seats due to their early start and well organized campaign. The group listed six nominees under the commerce sector and six under the industrialist sector. They ran on a seven-point platform: Developing Jeddah's economic environment, supporting small establishments, reviewing and facilitating government procedures, supporting businesswomen, supporting Saudization, supporting the chamber's initiatives nationally and internationally, and developing the chamber administratively and technically. The final tally of the votes was: Under commerce sector Ziyad Al-Bassam with 1,475 votes, Mohammed Al-Fadhl 1,248, Lama Al-Sulaiman 1,138, Nashwa Taher 1,015, Sami Bahrawi 943 and Abdul Ghani Sabbagh with 920 votes. Under the industrialist sector the tally was Mohammed Jameel with 1,946 votes, Saleh Binladin 1,658, Mazin Batarji 1,389, Abdullah Al-Muallimi 13,48, Mohyeddin Kamil 1,320 and Saleh Al-Turki with 1,268 votes. The Lejeddah group made a statement thanking God for their success, the voters for their confidence and the team members for their hard work. They also thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for providing the opportunity for the citizens to serve the commercial and industrial sectors. They thanked Makkah region governor, the minister of commerce and the public for their support, especially of women, and they reitgerated their commitment to the country's Islamic values. Five of the winners are members of the previous board of directors. The other seven are new to the board. The Ministry of Commerce will appoint six members to the 18-member board. This election was distinguished in being the first to include women candidates, to have the largest number of candidates and attracting the largest number of voters ever. Some 21,000 members of the Jeddah chamber, or about half the total membership, were eligible to take part in the polls. Election officials said both the turnout and the number of candidates were a record in the chamber's 60-year history. In their campaigns, both Al-Sulaiman and Taher vowed to back a center that assists businesswomen and to help women working from home. Victory "means we will have more work ... There's a lot for us to learn, but I'm sure we will manage," said Al-Sulaiman, who holds a doctorate in nutrition from King's College in London. |
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