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December 23, 2005 |
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CROWN PRINCE SULTAN IBN ABDUL AZIZ RECEIVES A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF CHAD AND RECEIVES THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNOR GENERAL. PRINCE NAIF IBN ABDUL AZIZ FOLLOWS UP AID PROGRAMS TO THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AND THE VICTIMS OF THE EARTHQUAKE IN PAKISTAN. PRINCE SALMAN IBN ABDUL AZIZ REVIEWS TOURISM, HEALTH AND EDUCATION PROJECTS IN RIYADH. The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received at the royal court at Al-Yamamah palace members of the presidential commission of King Abdul Aziz Center for national dialogue headed by Sheikh Salih Ibn Abdul Rahman Ibn Al-Hussain, General President of The Grand Mosque and the Prophet's mosque affairs and Chairman of 5th National Intellectual Dialogue Forum: his deputies Dr. Rashid Al-Rajih Al-Shareef: Dr. Abdullah Omar Nassif: Dr. Abdullah Ibn Salih Al-Obaid, Minister of Education: Faisal Ibn Abdul Rahman Ibn Muammar, Advisor at the Royal Court and the Center's Secretary General and participants in the forum held in Abha titled "We and others, national vision on dealing with world cultures". The audience was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense And Aviation And Inspector General. Addressing the audience, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said that you are an elite of citizens of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, wishing them all success. I start talking about your adherence to the religion and the homeland, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said and emphasized solidarity among all strata of the society. King Abdullah expressed his great satisfaction and every Arab and Muslim's satisfaction over their dialogue titled. You seek to enlighten and educate your society and families in every home, the King said. As you know in the past severity and violence took place among members of families. Praise Be To Almighty Allah that dialogue came and entered every home and every family. Understanding prevails among the young and the old, the King added and stressed that the national dialogue will continue. The King urged them to be patient and ask for what is possible. The audience was also attended by prince Dr. Bandar Ibn Salman Ibn Mohammed Al Saud, Advisor to the King: Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of State, Cabinet Member and Chief of the Presidency Court: Iyad Ibn Amin Madani, Minister of Culture and Information: Abdul Mohsin Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Tuwaijri, Advisor to the King and Khalid Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Tuwaijri, Chief of Royal Court. Sheikh Saleh Al-Hussain, the head of the King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center, began the opening speech by summarizing what was discussed at the forum, whose purpose was to address how Saudis should engage outsiders politically, economically and culturally. "Our meeting with the king lasted two hours," said Rashed Al-Rajeh, vice president of the center. Al-Rajeh said that the center established a follow-up committee to ensure implementation of the forum's recommendations. He explained that participants from different sectors of Saudi society had been chosen to address the king. Those chosen were: Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Humayed, Abdul Aziz Kamel, Sheikh Hasan Al-Nimer and Yahya Al-Mansour; and representing the women's side were: Dr. Hayat Sindi, Omaima Al-Khumayes and Asma Al-Rowaished. For the first time the National Dialogue Forum was televised across the Kingdom. According to Al-Rajeh, the king said that even if nothing else came from the forum, it was admirable that it had reached every house in Saudi Arabia. All the participants both men and women were present, though the women's participation was on closed-circuit television. After the speeches had been made, the king met the women in person and talked to them. Sheikh Al-Nimer from the Eastern Province said in his speech before the king that national unity could only be achieved after a realization of the diversity within the country. He said that all Saudis, no matter what their similarities or differences, belonged to the country. Dr. Sindi, one of the three women speakers, emphasized the role of Saudi women abroad in helping bridge cultural gaps with outsiders. She went on to describe her efforts to alter the stereotype of Saudi women. She said that establishing the King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center had played an important role in encouraging dialogue among Saudis, and she thanked the king for giving women a chance to participate. Dr. Sindi asked King Abdullah to give women more chances inside the Kingdom even though her own success had been achieved on her own outside the Kingdom. "I asked the king to transform our recommendations into practical reality," said Yahya Al-Mansour from Najran. He explained that it would be useless if all that had been discussed and recommended ended up being kept in locked drawers, out of sight and out of mind. He said that even if only two percent of the recommendations were implemented, that would be fair enough. Al-Mansour also stressed the importance of the meetings being televised live. According to him, that had a great impact in seeing that "our internal differences are a source of strength as we move to a more prominent position in the international arena." The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received at his palace in Riyadh the Australian Governor General Michael Jeffery. During the meeting, the monarch welcomed the visit of Australian Governor General, wishing him good stay in the Kingdom. On his part, Jeffery thanked King Abdullah for warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to him and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, overall situations and developments at the regional and international arenas were reviewed and aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries were discussed. The meeting was attended by Dr. Saud Al Mutahami, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet, who was guiding the delegation; Adel Al -Jubeir, Advisor at the Royal Court; Saudi Ambassador to Australia Hassan Nazer; and Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ian Biggs. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received at his palace in Riyadh Ghassan Tueni, Editor-in-chief of the Lebanese newspaper of Al Nahar, and Chairman of Al Nahar House for Press and Publishing. During the audience, Tueni was accompanied by his family. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received a telephone call from Iraq's Prime Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al Jaafari. During the conversation, they discussed fraternal relations binding the two countries and latest developments at the regional and international arenas. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz , the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received the Australian Governor General Michael Jeffery. They reviewed issues pertaining to bilateral relations. The meeting was attended by a number of senior officials. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz , the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, has received a written message from Chadian President Idriss Deby. The message was delivered to Prince Sultan by Abu Bakr Minani, the Special Advisor of the Chadian President, during a meeting which was attended by Deputy Chief of the Court of the Crown Prince Hamad Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Suwailim, and Chadian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mohammed Nouri. On the other hand Crown Prince Sultan instructed authorities to restore the centuries-old Osaifreen Mountain in Madinah as part of the government's efforts to protect historic monuments across the country. Prince Sultan's intervention came after municipal authorities started demolishing the site, which is part of the region's history. There was a mosque near the mountain where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prayed. "The Crown Prince has issued instructions to keep Osaifreen Mountain as it was after appropriating the land from its current owner," Madinah Governor Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Majed told the Saudi Press Agency. The governor said Prince Sultan stopped demolition of the historic site in response to the demand of people living in the area who wanted to protect the site. The Madinah Municipality had caused another controversy when it pulled down the Aqiq Valley Bridge, part of the historic Hejaz Railway, in August this year. Prince Sultan Ibn Salman, Secretary-General of the Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT), had then said that the demolition of the bridge was an unacceptable mistake. There are some 1,000 tourist sites in Madinah with Islamic monuments representing about 50 percent. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Riyadh and Chairman of the Committee of the prize of community service in the chamber Abdul Rahman Ibn Ali Al Joraisi accompanied by members of the prize. During the audience, the Crown Prince was briefed on the prize and its role in encouraging social and charity program to serve the society. The Crown Prince expressed appreciation for the work of the committee to serve the society and called for supporting the prize. On the other hand the General Secretariat of Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz International Prize for the Prophet's Sayings and Deeds and Contemporary Islamic Studies has started forming the first examination committee for the research of the prize in its second year. The General Secretariat received many distinguished works for this year's prize, Dr. Said Al Orabi Al-Harthi, Secretary General of prize, said. Meantime upon the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, and the instructions of Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, who is also the General Supervisor of the Saudi Arabian Committee for the Relief of the Palestinian People, Dr. Said Al Orabi Al-Harithi, Advisor to the Interior Minister and the committee's Chairman, signed a Agreement on Cooperation between the committee and UN Developmental Program for Assisting the Palestinian People to implement building 300 residential unites for the needy in the Palestinian city of Rafah. Mina Elizabeth Turco, Representative of the Director General of the program; Dr. Mustafa Al Milaih, Riyadh-based Resident Coordinator of the program; and Mustafa Al Sheikh Deeb, Ambassador of the Palestinian Authority to the Kingdom, also attended the meeting. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the singing ceremony, Dr. Al-Harithi said the project's cost amounted to SR41,077,702.50. He added that work on the project will start immediately. On the other hand Eighteen Saudi youths, including three girls, were awarded certificates of merit in recognition of their achievement at the final MSc examination in sports science at London universities. The awards were presented by the British Sports Minister Richard Caborn at a colorful ceremony held in the presence of Prince Sultan Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, head of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW), British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, and BAE Systems' Program Director Peter Waddell. "The recipient of these awards were postgraduates who have passed through the first-ever program conducted by Manchester Metropolitan University, Loughborough University and Bath University," Caborn said, adding that the formal graduation ceremony will be held in London shortly. The program was carried out under the Saudi-British Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Sports and Youth Welfare. The Sports Memorandum was signed by the two governments in 1987 to promote cooperation in sporting and youth welfare through a series of exchanges and visits. Since 1987, the program has grown dramatically. In 1991 there were three exchanges. This year there were an outstanding 56, bringing together young people from our two countries to compete, to train, to teach and to learn, he said, adding that there will be 72 such programs next year. "These exchanges have given the participants a valuable opportunity to experience each other's cultures and traditions firsthand, through the medium of sport," he said, pointing out that the MOU reflects the close relationship between the UK and Saudi Arabia a relationship characterized by exchanges at all levels. Saudi youths have taken part in a wide range of sports, including football, tennis, squash, athletics, basketball, gymnastics and cycling. "They have undertaken courses in coaching and sports science up to MSc level for which certificates are given today," he said. He said that sailing and competitive angling would be added to the next year's program. While introducing the minister at a reception hosted at his residence Monday, Sir Cowper-Coles said Caborn was named the Sports Personality of the Year by the BBC. He said Caborn was re-appointed for the second consecutive time as sports minister because of his success as a sporting minister. Speaking at the reception, the minister thanked the Saudi government for voting for Britain at the contest held for the venue of the 2012 World Olympics. "Arrangements are being made well ahead for the global show," said Caborn. During his talks with the Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Abdullah Al Jasser, Caborn stressed the importance of having a cultural agreement between the two countries on the line of the existing MOU on sports. "Such an agreement would open new areas of cooperation in exchanging experience in organizing museums, educational institutions, book fairs and other matters of cultural interests. The visiting minister paid a courtesy call on Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz Governor of Riyadh region. He also visited the British School and the King Abdul Aziz Historical Center and also witnessed the soccer match between Al Hilal and Valencia before his departure to London. Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh region, received the Italian ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Eugenio D'auria. They reviewed bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest. Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh region, opened Prince Salman Center for Heart Diseases and Surgery at King Fahd Medical City. Speaking on the occasion, Prince Salman highlighted the important role that could be played by the Center in extending excellent medical services to the patients. He noted that the new general budget includes the implementation of a number of medical projects. Prince Salman lauded the support being extended by the state to King Fahd Medical City. On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region, opened here today the first international conference on the Saudi Building Code held at King Faisal Hall for Conferences in Riyadh. Addressing the meeting, Dr. Khalid bin Yousef Al-Khalaf, Chairman of the National Committee for Saudi Building Code, said the society is a package of administrative and technical regulations and acts pertinent to building and construction to assure the safety of buildings and confort of residents. On his part, Prince Salman underscored the importance of issuing a Saudi building code. He welcomed the participants in their second home: Saudi Arabia. Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region commended various tourist projects included in the executive plan for tourist development in Riyadh Region for the next year. Following presiding over a meeting to discuss the plan, Prince Salman called for cooperation between the governmental concerned bodies and the private sector to implement tourist plans. He considered tourism as one of the most important industries for supporting the national economy and providing job opportunities. The Kingdom has been witnessing development in various economic, social and cultural fields and enjoying political stability and security under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and the Crown Prince which contributed to attracting world investment to the Kingdom, the Prince said. He emphasized the importance of providing studied plans in the tourist field which will contribute to attracting the national capitals from abroad and creating many job opportunities. On his part, Prince Sultan Ibn Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Secretary General of Supreme Commission for Tourism said that the meeting was held within the context of the Saudi leader's directives on concentrating on implementation of tourist projects, noting that the 8th Development Plan approved tourism as one of the most important mechanisms of comprehensive development in the Kingdom. He stressed that the next year will be a year of implementing projects. The meeting was attended by Prince Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf Al Miqren, Mayor of Riyadh Region and a number of officials. On the other hand according to an order by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Supreme Commander of All Armed Forces, Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs, decorated the chief of staff of French naval forces admiral Adodo Dolfiel with King Abdul Aziz Medal of the Excellent Rank. The decoration reflected appreciation for the admiral's efforts to bolster cooperation between the two countries. In turn, the French official presented a memorial gift to Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan. Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul aziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs received the British ambassador to the Kingdom Sherard Cowper Coles. During the meeting they exchanged cordial talks and discussed a number of topics of mutual interest. On the other hand the Saudi popular campaign for the help of the victims of Pakistan's earthquake completed shipping relief aid donated by citizens and expatriates to held the victims of the earthquake which occurred in Pakistan recently. The first phase of the aid consisted of 98 containers delivered through a sealift ordered by Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Interior Minister and General Supervisor of the campaign. The president of the campaign Dr. Saed Al Harthi said the containers weighed more than 1960 tons including various relief supplies. |
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