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March 3, 2006 |
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SAUDI ARABIA STRESSES ITS FULL COMMITMENT TO THE PEACE PROCESS AND HOPES THE INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE WILL NOT BE LINKED TO ANY CONSIDERATIONS EXCEPT THE URGENT NEED OF THIS PEOPLE. THE KINGDOM STRESSES THAT IT IS AGAINST TERRORISM AND AGAINST TERRORIST ACTIONS THAT TARGET HOLY AND WORSHIPPING PLACES. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, and visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held a joint press conference in Riyadh. Prince Saud Al-Faisal and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice dealt with the prominent issues discussed during the visit of the U.S. Secretary of State to the Kingdom, aspects of joint cooperation between the two countries in different fields and developments of incidents in the region, led by the peace process in the Middle East and the Palestinian issue in addition to the regional and international developments. At the outset of the conference, Prince Saud welcomed Rice in what seems the sixth meeting with him over the last six months, noting the deep-rooted friendship between the two countries within the current strategic relations and determination towards enhancing them in all fields at the bilateral level in addition to continuation of exchanging mutual view points and coordination on regional and international issues of mutual concern. Prince Saud pointed out that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has received a message from U.S. President George W. Bush shortly before Rice's current visit to the Kingdom, in which President Bush has confirmed the deep-rooted bilateral ties and the commitment to further develop them as per the agreement recently reached between the two leaders in Crawford, U.S., and yielded the set up of the Strategic Dialogue Committee which aims at formulating these relations in an institutional framework. He said the committee held two meetings on the foreign ministers level in the two countries alternately whereas the third meeting will be held in the U.S. in the coming few months. Subcommittees on cultural affairs and human resources have also convened, he added. Prince Saud Al-Faisal and Rice hold joint press conference 3 Riyadh Prince Saud said, "Dr. Rice's meeting with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was a good opportunity to review these topics and exchange viewpoints on the regional and international developments including the Palestinian cause and the peace process in the region. The Kingdom emphasized its full commitment to the peace process in the Middle East, the importance of respecting the free will of the Palestinian people and no hurry in issuing judgments in advance. The Kingdom condemned Israel's withholding of due funds from the Palestinian Authority. The Kingdom hoped for non-linking of international assistance to the Palestinian people with any considerations except the urgent need of this people. The Kingdom hoped for the continuation of the peace process according to the resolutions of the international legitimacy, the Arab initiative and the "Road Map". With regard to the situation in Iraq and the terrorist act that occurred there, we are generally against terrorism and against terrorist actions that target holy and worshipping places. We look forward that the next Iraqi government stops these acts to achieve the objectives of security, stability and prosperity in Iraq under the umbrella of its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, to strengthen its national unity that ensures equality among all classes of the Iraqi people before the law and to achieve the optimal benefit of its resources". On her part, Rice thanked the monarch for the time he allocated for her to discuss important matters. She said her meetings with the Saudi leadership come within discussion of bilateral issues between the two countries which enable them to enhance contacts between the two friendly peoples according to instructions of the two countries' leaderships. Rice said her talks with King Abdullah dealt with the challenges existing in the Middle East, led by the Palestinian issue, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and the matters relating to Iran, underscoring the importance of dialogue on all bilateral issues between the two countries. She described the events that took place in Iraq yesterday as tragic. She said that she is certain that the perpetrators wanted to divide the Iraqi people. They also intended to make troubles in the Iraqi society. The Iraqi leaders called for calm and unity of the Iraqi people against terrorism and such acts that target individuals and holy places, Rice said and added that this stage is important for the Iraqi people. She hoped that the Iraqi people will emerge from this difficult stage and stress their unity and determination for continuation of democratic development in their country. In response to a question on the offer presented by Iran to finance the Palestinian authority, led by Hamas and to what extent this would affect the organization's policy, Rice said there are basic requirements for governing. Hamas should meet these conditions to be able to lead the Palestinian people, she said. "We respect the Palestinian people's choice as they want change and improvement of their living standard. But the world community is united that the Palestinian cause would not be solved other than peaceful ways, so violence could not be allowed to emerge. There should be a solution based on two co-existing states according to all agreements, including the peace initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, she said. However, the United States realizes the needs of the Palestinian people and is ready to continue assisting them, Rice added. In this regard, she said the U.S. will not stop its vaccination campaigns for Palestinian children or providing the needy Palestinian people with food. She said the ball is in the court of Hamas if they wish to join the peace process and the world endeavor for peace or otherwise. As for the Iranian side, she said they can promise what they want to do. She stressed that there is a great need for assisting Palestinians. The matter is not just assistance but a good living that requires assistance from Israelis, she noted. Any Palestinian government should recognize that the best way to improve the people's living will be done through the way pursued by the world community over various years particularly the renunciation of violence, the solution for setting up two states, the peace process and embodiment of the outlines of the "Road Map". On his part, Prince Saud said, "We also assist the Palestinians through some assistance sent to the Palestinian people. How can we distinguish between humanitarian and non-humanitarian needs. There is a project in Gaza for infrastructure. The Palestinian people need humanitarian assistance and infrastructure and that is the reason to continue our assistance to the Palestinian people''. Replying to a question on Hamas, Rice said that we do our best to meet the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people. She asked how we can maintain the peace process alive if one party is not committed to peace. Palestinians in various agreements have committed to this peace, so has done the world community through various proposals and agreements including the "Road Map", she said. The elected Palestinian government should behave peacefully and seek for peace, Rice said and added that the Palestinian people, Israel, the region and the world will be better if all parties are committed to the Road Map and peace. She asked if Hamas is committed to the way of peace. Asked whether the U.S. would reject a UAE offer to operate some U.S. ports, Rice said the criterion is not the nationality of the bidder but whether he meets the U.S. security considerations. She described the UAE as a good partner in our war against terrorism and we believe that this ports deal serves the interests of the United States and its security and commercial interests as well. In reply to a question on the threat of Iran's nuclear program to the region, Prince Saud said, '' Iran is a very important country in the region pertaining to the region's security and stability. We hope that Iran fully meets these responsibilities. There is no evidence that Iranians are producing nuclear or atomic weapons. They have denied this many times. They said they need this technology for their own purposes''. Prince Saud added, '' We hope that the Iranians pursue our policy and the policy of Gulf Cooperation Council to make the Middle East free from nuclear weapons. This policy is more secure and peaceful. We hope Iran will play the role of achieving stability in the region, but not the role of aggravating the critical situation in the Middle East. On the Syrian Lebanese file, Prince Saud said the ball is in their court as they should evade further deterioration in their countries and the region. We hope they would resort to reason and agree on the measures that foil the crisis and we are ready to help them if we are requested to do, he added. In response to a question, Rice confirmed the commitment of the United States and its support for democracy in the region, citing the democratic process in Palestine and Egypt. On the recent trip by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to various East Asian countries, Prince Saud said that these countries represent half population of the world. He stressed that the trip was successful and opened many ways for joint cooperation. On the position of the U.S. Administration towards offenses to the symbols of peoples, Prince Saud said that the Danish newspaper has apologized twice. On her part, Rice hoped that all religions and peoples respect religious traditions of other parties. |
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