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March 31, 2006 |
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PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL CHAIRS THE SAUDI DELEGATION TO THE SUMMIT. MINISTER GHAZI AL-GOSAIBI IN THE KINGDOM SPEECH: THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA, THE CHAIR OF THE NEXT ARAB SUMMIT, WELCOMES ARAB LEADERS TO THE UPCOMING SESSION IN 2007 TO BE HELD IN THE COUNTRY OF THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARAB LEAGUE. The 18th session of the summit conference of the Arab League began at the Friendship Hall in Khartoum last Tuesday. The summit was attended by the Arab heads of state and government and representatives of governments and the Secretary General of the Arab League besides representatives of the various regional and international organizations. At the outset of the opening session of the summit, Algerian President Abdelaziz Boutaflika, chairman of the 17th session of the Arab League, handed over the chairmanship of the summit to President of the Republic Field Marshal Omar Al-Bashir. Algerian President Abdelaziz Boutaflika has called for realization of peace in Darfur, commending the efforts exerted by the Sudanese government in this regard and urging the international community to extend support to these efforts. Addressing the inaugural session of the Summit Conference of the Arab League in Khartoum, the Algerian President asserted the importance of realizing Arab solidarity, referring to the comprehensive reform programme for the Arab League, which was adopted by the previous summit in Algiers to cope with the international developments. He called for consolidation of democracy and the culture of tolerance. The Algerian President stressed the importance of establishment of Arab common market for realizing free trade exchange among the Arab states. President Boutaflika, who chaired the previous session of the Arab summit, stressed the need for enhancing national Arab capabilities and coordination in the sphere of scientific research. He reviewed the accomplishments of the Arab League during the previous period including the establishment of the Arab Parliament and what has been achieved in the field of structural reform for the Arab League, commending what was realized by the Secretary General of the Arab League, Amre Mussa. On Iraq, the Algerian President reiterated the Arab League's initiative aiming at convening Iraqi reconciliation conference, hailing the Iraqi response to the initiative. He reiterated the Arab League's adherence to making the Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction. The President of Sudan Omar Al-Bashir has reaffirmed that the liberation of the occupied Palestinian territories, the return of the Palestinian refugees and the establishment of the Palestinian State whose capital would be Al Quds remain the goal the nation would hold to and over which it would never disagree. Addressing the opening session of the Khartoum Arab league Summit, Al-Bashir said the Arab Nation seeks a just, comprehensive and permanent peace in the region. He said this was the demand put forward by the United Nations in its various resolutions. He stressed that the Arab Nation has clearly stated that position of holding and committing to the resolutions of the United Nations and of accepting the principle of land for peace. He called on the international community to exercise pressure on Israel to respond to these resolutions and to end all forms of violence against the Palestinian people. The President renewed the backing of the Arab league to the Palestinian people, the Palestinian authority and the institutions of its choice, calling on the International Community to respect the will and choice of the Palestinian people and to shoulder its responsibility towards the Palestinians. The President expressed hope that the Palestinian factions would unite under specific national objectives. The President welcomed the initiative of the Secretary General of the Arab League for holding an Iraqi reconciliation conference, expressing hope that such a conference would come out with results that would restore safety and stability in Iraq. He added that Arab solidarity necessitates backing of Syria and Lebanon in face of pressures they were under through the unjust laws such as the Syrian accountability law. The President commended the wise stands of the leadership of the Untied Arab Emirates (UAE) regarding the three islands expressing hope that stability and peace would be achieved in that region. The President has commended the developments of the Somali initiative and the Aden Declaration expressing hope that the Somalis would soon complete the reconstruction of their state's institutions and reinforce reconciliation among the various Somali factions and restore stability therein. The President called on the Arab states and the International Community to provide the necessary assistance and backing for the restoration and reconstruction of Somalia. The President praised the positive developments the Comoro islands witnessed, expressing hope that donors would provide assistance to this country. The Secretary General of the Arab League, Amre Moussa, affirmed that claims of genocide and ethnic cleaning in Darfur were over exaggerated information. Addressing the opening session of the Arab Summit meeting, the Secretary General of the Arab League pointed out that the Arab league works in collaboration with the African Union in Abuja peace talks, on the basis of the AU has principles of respecting the sovereignty of the Sudan and getting its prior consent on the issue of the UN forces. He called for provision of assistance to the African Union to discharge its mission in Darfur to the best possible level. He said the success of Abuja peace talks was possible and that such a success would change the picture in the interests of the security and stability of the situation in Darfur. Moussa said the Arab League is an essential partner with the international organizations and associations in discussing and reviewing of all problems and questions that face the international community. He pointed out that the Arab Ministers for Economy who met in preparation for the Summit have called for the freedom of movement of service commodities and the creation of an Arab joint customs union in accordance with the international economic development. He urged the summit to reach a consensus in dealing with the question of terrorism and natural catastrophes. On the social and cultural domains he called for revision of the Arab educational structure and for the establishment of an education and scientific organization. He said the Arab countries have the right to possess nuclear energy to be used for peaceful purposes. He said the Arab league was now standing on a hot plate and that therefore cooperation with other people was needed to achieve scientific, cultural, economic and military progress. On the Iraqi question the Secretary General called on the summit to assist the political development in that country within the context of the Iraqi national understanding irrespective of any religious, racial or ethnic lines saying an Iraqi national accord conference was to be convened soon under the chairmanship of the Jordanian monarch in collaboration with the Arab League next April. Moussa said the peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis was not progressing and was actually at loss, saying the establishment of two governments would push for a comprehensive settlement. On the Syrian Lebanese dialogue the Secretary General said it should be within the context of the constitutional framework and establishment of the healthy positive relationship between Syria and Lebanon. Commenting on the Iranian UAE islands disputes, the secretary general has called for settlement of this dispute within the context of the international laws principles and the understating between the UAE and Iran. The UN asserted the importance of reaching to an immediate agreement by all parties participating in the Inter-Sudanese Peace Talks in Abuja, to reach agreement more speedily, including on a workable ceasefire, to strengthen the AU force and to prevent any further deterioration of humanitarian and security situations. "I am pleased that the African Union, which has done a valiant job, has agreed to support in principle the transition from AMIS to a United Nations operation, within the framework of AU/UN partnership. Let me also stress that this transition means building upon the existing AU mission so as to make the UN successor mission in Darfur larger and more mobile. I expect that a significant number of AU personnel would have to be absorbed into the UN force, to ensure that the transition is effective. "The UN Secretary _ General Kofi Annan said in his message to the Arab Summit read by UN Under Secretary for Poltical Affairs Ibrahim Gambari. He expressed his respect for the Palestinian decision "I respect the decision of the Palestinian people in January's parliamentary elections, whose conduct was a credit to Palestinian democracy. I hope that the new government now being formed in the occupied Palestinian territory will address the Palestinian people's aspirations for peace and statehood". The affirmation by the new Palestinian cabinet of the Arab Peace Initiative would be a first and welcome step towards the reaffirmation of Palestinian commitment to the principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel's right to exist, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap." Anan asserted that a comprehensive political process is now going on in Iraq to provide the best opportunities for improving security , to protect the human rights and to the supports the achieved gains to guarantee the achievement of democracy. The Commissioner of the African Union (AU), Professor Alpha Oumar Konare, has stressed the need for the success of the African Union mission in Darfur, western Sudan, saying a chance should be provided for the AU to see to the success of the on going Abuja peace talks between the government of Sudan and the armed groups in Darfur. Speaking before the opening session of the Arab League summit, Professor Konare said cooperation between the Arab World and African World remained formal and bureaucratic, because of lack communication and the mechanisms that would help in achieving this cooperation. He said he was of the view that this cooperation lacks the political will and desire and that this was why it remained at the bureaucratic level despite the success that have been scored at the level of bilateral ties and the establishment of cooperation organizations between the two sides. Konare has urged for convening of a joint Afro-Arab summit to revitalize cooperation between the two sides saying they now face huge challenges that necessitates formation of a join Arab-African space. He cited some of these challenges which include shortage in drinking water, food dependency, lack of financial investment assistance, terrorism, debts, intolerance for others, fundamentalism and rejection of others. The Representative of the European Commission expressed EU readiness to contribute in the Iraqi national reconciliation conference pointing out in the opening session of the Arab league Summit meeting in Khartoum that the EU was keen go have good relations with the Arab world based on mutual respect and dialogue. She pointed out that the latest meeting of the EU has decided that this year should be devoted to dialogue with the concerned quarters, media, civil society organizations and other bodies. She said the Union has clear-cut lines with regard to the relations with the Middle East and that it was ready to establish relations that reflects the desire of the world community and the United nations for a peaceful and stable world. She called on the Arab states to adopt good governance, and to lay down the foundation for democracy. She said the commission was ready to boost relation between the Arab and European worlds based on mutual respect, understanding. On that occasion the Japan's Special Envoy for Peace in the Middle East, Dr, Tatsuo Arima issued in statement the efforts accomplished by Japan to support solving the challenges and crises that face the region. The Palestinian- Israeli conflict is the most hot issue in the Arab region since long years, and the support for Palestinian's nation building is made. The Iraqi people are making earnest effort to build a peaceful and democratic nation on their own without yielding to terrorism. As a responsible member of the international community, Japan has been proactively extending its support for the Iraqi people to build such a nation. The statement went on reviewing the efforts exerted by Japan in reconstruction of Iraq out of Japan's assistance package totalling up to $5 billion we have pledged, we have already obligated and disbursed more that 1.5 billion dollars of grant aid to various projects including those for capacity building and most of them have come to fruition in such areas as power generation, education, water and sanitation, health and employment as well as those related to the improvement of security. In addition to these contributions through official development assistance, Japan have dispatched our Self-Defence Forces strictly for the purpose of carrying out humanitarian and reconstruction assistance activates. We hope this summit will issue a strong message supporting the political process currently underway in Iraq. The Sudan, the host of this summit, is a country with rich natural resources and a high potential for development. The statement added that in part of consolidation of Peace in Sudan. Moreover, Japan is supporting the recovery and reconstruction process in the Sudan by offering technical cooperation for human resource development, in addition to helping to finance the UN project for disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of ex-combatants (DDR). Further, Japan has provided emergency assistance for de- mining activities in the South Sudan through the United Nations Mine Action Service (SNMAS). Japan continuously intensifying its humanitarian assistance based on the concept of "Human security" by empowering the individuals to cope with their difficult security, political and economic predicaments, specifically in such areas as water and sanitation, Japan shares grave concern over Darfur with the international community. Japan extended a financial assistance of approximately $5 million to support the African Union's efforts in resolving the Darfur crisis the statement said. The statement declared that Japan considered r the peace and the prosperity of the Middle East inseparable from their own, and belief that this summit will again demonstrate the commitment of the Arab states to continue their vigorous efforts in the area of assistance to the Palestinians. . . The Moroccan Monarch King Mohammed VI said: There is need to foster an atmosphere conducive to dialogue and clarity of positions to face the threats looming over the Ummah and rise to the challenges confronting it, to preserve the right of every nation to its territorial integrity and national sovereignty, and to good neighbourliness. In his speech addressed to the 18th Arab Summit, in Khartoum, the King said dialog should help "transcend bilateral disputes and overcome momentary as well as objective obstacles. This should help us find solutions to protracted disputes, in ways that preserve the right of every nation to its territorial integrity and neighbourliness." The Sovereign said he appreciated that Arab Summit sessions have been held on a regular basis and have sought to address key issues relating to the Arab region's security, stability and development. "What matters more than anything else, however, is to implement the decisions reached, and to vow and to make a pledge to our peoples to ensure every Summit meeting marks a qualitative leap in the process of Arab solidarity. Concurrently, we should strive to strengthen inter-Arab relations and foster common determination to achieve cooperation, building on a realistic approach that is based on joint action," the King went on to say. King Mohammed VI said the meetings should be used to ponder on ways and means to fulfil the aspirations of our peoples for unity, cohesion and effective coordination of development endeavours, adding Arab leaders should also consider the dangers and crises besetting the Arab nation, as well as the painful events, developments and constraints, the Arab region is regrettably confronted to. The Kingdom of Morocco will spare no effort to attain the highest possible degree of Arab integration, exploring ways and means and developing the needed mechanisms to use every opportunity and project in order to achieve genuine partnership, based on human development and improved living conditions for Arab citizens, men and women alike, said the King. "Yet, such a partnership requires, first, that we redress economic and trade imbalances between our countries, make up for the deficit in inter-Arab trade relations, and rise to the challenge of globalisation and free trade", the Sovereign said adding the aim is to set up a solid regional bloc in the Euro-Mediterranean region - to face the crucial tests ahead - and in the Africa hinterland, "in which my country so proudly belongs". The approach adopted by Arab countries in dealing with sub-Saharan African nations have had limitations, and even some failures, due to certain political circumstances, but also to a failure to adjust cooperation mechanisms to African specificities and conditions, the Sovereign said. Morocco has sought to give concrete substance to South-South cooperation, especially in Africa, adopting a solidarity-based approach which specifically targets the training of human resources and the tackling of problems in priority areas such as poverty reduction, medical coverage and assistance to marginalized populations, in a bid to consolidate human resource development. At the Arab summit, The Lebanese President Emile Lahoud delivered a speech on the meeting's second and final day. Addressing heads of state and ministers, President Lahoud said he was certain that his fellow Arabs supported the ongoing national dialogue between Lebanon's leaders. The President said Lebanon "is confident that its current quest for consensus and unity will be embraced and supported by the Arabs, starting with its neighbour Syria, the country that has always stood by its side." He continued: "This Arab support will strengthen the choices expressed freely by the Lebanese, foremost amongst which is Lebanon's commitment to its right to recover its remaining occupied territory in the South, notably the Shebaa Farms." Lahoud also spoke of the need to protect the national resistance, as "a symbol for steadfastness and dignity." "The summit affirmed Lebanon's right to maintain the resistance against Israeli occupation, using all means," Lahoud said. The Lebanese President Emile Lahoud called for providing all support for the Palestinian Authority to face Israeli pressures. He added that any just solution for the Arab-Israeli conflict will not be achieved without affirming the Palestinian refugees' right of return and not settling them in the countries they resorted to. President Lahoud affirmed the importance of following up the current political process in Iraq to guarantee its unity. He also hoped that the Iraqi elections would establish for a national government. He also condemned the terrorist attacks at holy sites in Iraq. The Head of the Tunisian delegation to the summit minister Mohammad al Ghanoushi affirmed the importance of pushing the peace efforts in the Middle East and urged the international society to pressure Israel to implement international legitimacy resolutions. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called in his message to the Arab Summit, which was read by Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abu Al-Ghait, for activating the joint Arab work in different fields particularly in trade, economic and investment and including of the Greatest Arab Free Trade Zone and to benefit from studies and activities of Council of Economic Unity and to support the private sector in enhancing inter border trade and investment in the Arab world. He asserted the importance of the annual Arab League meetings and called for convening an extraordinary consultative summit whenever there is an urgent issue. He declared that the Palestinian issue is passing through a difficult phase due to the changing of international policies, stating that the unstable international situation has affected the Arab region, Palestine, Iraq and the attempts of internationalizing Darfur issue. He called for a joint Arab Stance and a clear Arab vision to face challenges and to avoid the region from the impact of these situations of disaster He stressed the importance of supporting the Palestinian national unity to enable the Palestinians, the National Authority and the government to achieve internal security , to establish the independent Palestinian state and to maintain on all channels and mechanisms of consultation with the different forces President Mubarak confirmed the keenness of the Arabs to preserve the national unity in Iraq and integrity of its territories, calling on all people of Iraq to achieve national consensus to restore calm, stability and rehabilitation. On the Lebanese- Syrian relations, the President called to remove the tension between the two countries and to preserve the sovereignty and stability of each state. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stated in his message that the summit comes when the Sudan is celebrating the Fiftieth Anniversary of Independence, and first anniversary of signing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA ) between the North and South, expressing his hope that the negotiating parties in Abuja would reach to an agreement soon to pave the way for settling conflict , maintaining unity and lands integration. For his part, the Iraqi President Jalal Talbani called on Arab countries to support the Iraqi people and offer them help and aid to achieve security, stability and territorial integrity. He expressed his country's commitment to positively work in the framework of the Arab League in all fields to promote to the level of economic and political challenges the Arab nation is witnessing. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the chair of the next Arab Summit, welcomed Arab leaders to the upcoming session in 2007 to be held in the country of the headquarters of the Arab League as is stipulated by Arab Leaders' decision in the extraordinary Arab Summit held in Cairo in 2000. The decision states that all ordinary Arab summits are to be held in the country of the headquarters of Arab League unless the chair country of the summit wishes to host it. This was articulated in the speech of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the 18th Arab Summit that was delivered by Minister of Labor Ghazi Ibn Abdul-Rahman Al-Gosaibi in the open session held in Khartoum. The following is a translation of the speech: On behalf of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it is my pleasure to thank His Excellency President Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir, the President of the summit, his wise government and the Sudanese generous people for their hospitality. It is the pleasure of the government of Saudi Arabia, the chair of the upcoming Arab Summit, to welcome you all to the summit in March, 2007. According to the decision of Arab leaders in the extraordinary Arab summit held in Cairo in 2000, all ordinary Arab summits are to be held at the headquarters of the Arab league unless the country presiding over the summit sought to host it. In deference for the country of the headquarters of the Arab league, the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sees fit to hold the next Arab summit in the country of the headquarters of the Arab league. I congratulate Arab leaders for the positive decisions that the summit has adopted with the hope that these will serve the aspirations of the Arab nation. Chinese President Hu Jintau also expressed his country's adherence to boost friendship ties and expand cooperation and mutual interests as well as establishing an Arab-Chinese partnership based on complete cooperation between the two sides. "Cooperation between China and the Arab countries has witnessed great development in all fields as well it achieved positive outcomes," the Chinese Envoy to the Arab Summit said on behalf of the Chinese President. President Omar Hasan Al-Bashir of Sudan, for his part, said that Khartoum Declaration which was issued at the conclusion of the Summit included the crises and challenges which face the Arab nation. "The Declaration came in response to the minimum average of the Arab people aspirations for reform, modernization, development and openness to the world cultures and civilizations," President Al-Bashir added. He referred to the Arab solidarity and support to Sudan in its efforts to solve Darfur crisis in the framework of preserving the country's security and sovereignty as well as Arab back to the African forces in Darfur and offering them financial aid to boost efforts of peace in Darfur. Prince Saud Al Faisal, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who led his country's delegation to the Arab Summit, in Khartoum, Sudan, said that the pressure mounted by the United Nations and other foreign countries on the Sudanese government as regards the southern issue and Darfur aggravates the situation. In a press statement following the opening ceremony, Prince Saud Al Faisal drew the attention that already there was a serious desire by the parties to peacefully solve the issue of Darfur, noting that recently the warring tribes have reportedly reached arrangements. But we are all aware of the difficulty of controlling tribal conflicts, he said, adding that what is needed now is patience and wisdom rather than pushing the government of Sudan. He vowed that from now on all aspects of Arab cooperation, including economic or political will be taken as seriously as would be. He said there are reservations on the Arab justice court, drawing attention that the leaders would discuss the issue during this summit. |
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