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April 7, 2006 |
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KING ABDULLAH IBN ABDUL AZIZ: YOU HAVE BEEN SINCERE AND FAITHFUL TO THE PLEDGE, YOU WILL FIND ME, GOD WILLING, SINCERE TO MY RELIGION, HOMELAND, CITIZENS AND THE PLEDGE. WE WILL FIGHT POVERTY AND PAY ATTENTION TO REGIONS THAT HAVE NOT GAINED THEIR SHARE OF DEVELOPMENT ACCORDING TO WELL-THOUGHT DEVELOPMENT PLANS. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHOURA COUNCIL: THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES REPRESENTS THE PEOPLE OF FAITH, VIRTUE AND SINCERITY. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz patronized the inaugural ceremony of the activities of the second year of the fourth session of the Shoura (Consultative) Council. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was welcomed by Dr Saleh Ibn Humaid, the Chairman of the Shoura (Consultative) Council, Eng Mahmoud Taibah, the Council's Vice-Chairman , Dr Saleh Al-Ali, the Under Secretary at the Council, and Dr Saleh Al-Malik, the Council's Secretary General. In an address at the opening session, Dr Ibn Humeid expressed happiness over the prevailing security, stability and prosperity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and praised the existing solidarity of the people with their leadership. Dr Ibn Humaid highlighted the significant role played by the late Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz for the development of the country. He also pointed out that every year during this time the Shoura Council celebrates the end of a year and the advent of a new year. Dr. Ibn Humaid pointed out that Saudi Arabia overcame the regretful events carried out by a deviant group. He highlighted the important occasions and national achievements made by Saudi Arabia during the last year. He praised progress of Saudi economy and stock market and highlighted the Shoura Council's activities and regulations approved last year. Then, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz delivered a speech in which he announced the opening of the second year of the fourth session of the Shoura (consultative) Council. He stressed Saudi Arabia's adherence to Islam, which calls for justice and brotherhood. He said Saudi Arabia will endeavour to bolster brotherhood and called for solidarity among Arabs and Muslims. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said Saudi Arabia will always support Arabs' just causes especially the rights of the Palestinians. He added that Saudi Arabia is part of the international community and that its stands will remain to be based on friendship, cooperation and spread of peace. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques stressed that Saudi Arabia will continue its moderate policy on oil production and pricing and protection of the world economy from jolts. King Abdullah said Saudi Arabia will continue to seek comprehensive development for its people providing them with the means to have housing, work, education, medical treatment and other services and utilities. It will fight poverty and pay attention to regions that have not gained their share of development according to well-thought development plans, the king said. King Abdullah added, "We cannot stay standstill while the world around us changes. Hence, we will continue the process of development, national dialogue, economic liberalization, corruption fighting, bureaucracy elimination, raising governmental work efficiency and utilizing efforts of all sincere working men and women. All of this will take place within a framework of moderate graduation in line with wishes of the society and Islam. "You know, development can only be achieved in a climate of security and safety. So, we reiterate our resolve to annihilate the deviant group of murderous terrorists and fight the deviant thought with a sound one. There is no room in the country of the Two Holy Mosques for extremism. We are a moderate nation which is distanced from extremism or immoderation. From this platform, we greet our brave security men and other courageous forces. We praise their heroism and pray to Almighty Allah to bless their martyrs' souls,'' the King said. The Monarch addressed the Council saying, "By your wise opinions and regulations, you have greatly helped development. There is no doubt that you will continue your important role in shouldering your responsibility before Allah, the homeland and citizens''. Addressing male and female citizens, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said, "Over the previous years, we have known each other. You have been sincere and faithful to the pledge. You will find me, God willing, sincere to my religion, homeland, citizens and the pledge. In pleasure and adversity, you will find me a sincere brother, a father, and a friend. I will be among you in the same march to raise the word of Islam and the glory of the homeland." The inaugural ceremony was attended by Prince Abdul rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Miteb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Abdullah Ibn Mohammed Al Saud; Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh Region; Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Governor of Assir Region; Prince Khalid Ibn Fahd Ibn Khalid; Prince Mohammed Ibn Saad Ibn Abdul Aziz, Advisor to Interior Minister; Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence; a number of princes; ministers; senior officials and members of diplomatic corps accredited to the Kingdom. The President of the Shoura Council Sheikh Saleh Ibn Humaid lauded the role of the late King Fahd in supporting the council's legislations and his authorizing that its role be expanded. He also said that King Fahd played a large role in supporting Arab and Islamic causes throughout his reign. He said that the Kingdom had gone through a rough period last year due to the actions of "some deviant people who were brainwashed" but managed to be steady and gather around its leadership. "In addition, security and ideological efforts were combined to terminate what was left of this deviant ideology that defies the principles of tolerance our religion calls for," he said. He mentioned some of King Abdullah's several accomplishments that the Kingdom and the world have witnessed in a short period of time such as his call for the holding of an Islamic summit in Makkah, which discussed several of the challenges the Muslim world was facing. Moreover, he highlighted King Abdullah's successful trips to several Asian countries, which further opened many economic avenues for the Kingdom. Sheikh Saleh Ibn Humaid mentioned that the economy of the Kingdom was booming and lauded King Abdullah's call to invest much of last year's revenue into public services. Sheikh Saleh Ibn Humaid said that the Kingdom joining the World Trade Organization required that it move quickly with the changes required to compete with other countries of the world. "Circumstances have required the development of certain economic sectors such as tourism and transportation and adopting new measures to encourage local and foreign investment in the private sector," he said. Sheikh Saleh Ibn Humaid said that among the most visual aspects of growth in the Saudi economy was the growth in the Saudi stock market. "The number of people trading in the market has jumped from 250,000 in 2002 to three million in 2006, bypassing all expectations and hurdles and even legislative and development obstacles," he said. He said that the stock market could produce a huge wealth in providing liquidity and be a means for attracting investors from inside and outside the Kingdom. Sheikh Saleh Ibn Humaid said the Shoura Council needed more development and legislation "to live up to its role" sought by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques by being a council that gives wise advice based on scientific research. He said the council sought to be a "contributing factor along with other bodies in overseeing the performance of government bodies through the development of the council's supervision role." Sheikh Saleh Ibn Humaid noted the importance of the establishment of the human rights body and the role it plays in guaranteeing basic rights for citizens and residents through Islamic law and the Basic Ruling Constitution of the Kingdom. He said the council continued to convey the Kingdom's message and foreign policy whenever it visits other world parliaments. Among the new programs implemented by the council last year was extending several invitations to parliamentary and advisory council members of the Islamic world to perform Hajj. The President of the Shoura said that the council had approved 34 legislations last year. It also legislated 107 decisions in 77 sessions. Minister of Finance Ibrahim Al-Assaf said that the king's speech covered various aspects that concern the Kingdom, especially in the economic sector. "The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques commented on Kingdom's oil policy which is to seek stability in the oil market, which is in the interest of both the Kingdom and foreign countries," said Al-Assaf. The Secretary General of Gulf Cooperation Council Abdul Rahman Al Atiyya hailed the speech delivered today by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz at the opening of the second year of the fourth session of the Shoura (consultative) Council. In a statement to Saudi Press Agency, he described the speech as comprehensive containing all issues that interest Saudi Arabia and its people such as the firm principles and bases on which Saudi Arabia stands; its strong resolve to continue support for comprehensive development and political and economic modernization to serve Saudi citizens and help build and develop existing institutions; and support for Arab causes topped by the just Palestine cause. The Deputy Chairman of Shoura Council Eng. Mahmoud Ibn Abdullah Taibah commended the support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz for the Council's works. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on the occasion of the King's inauguration of the second year of the four-year fourth term of the Council, he emphasized the importance of the council's contribution to the march of reform and development pursued by the leadership. Eng. Taibah noted that the Council's achievements and works need more information openness along with contacts with citizens through the mass media and continual weekly programs. The Deputy Chairman indicated that the homeland is still involved in the epic of construction and reform led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, adding that the epic has been continuing in a reasonable and balanced way in all spheres through comprehensive development plans. The Assistant Chairman of Shoura Council Dr. Salih Ibn Saud Al-Ali lauded the support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz for the Council's works. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on the occasion of the King's inauguration of the second year of the four-year fourth term of the Council, he said the King's confidence in the Shoura Council has its positive impact on the effectiveness of the Council's contribution to taking appropriate decisions for the sake of people and nation. He recalled that the Kingdom has adopted Shoura (consultation) since the era of its founder late King Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdul Rahman Al Saud. During the reign of late King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, constitutional state institutions were consolidated by the issuance of the statute of ruling, Cabinet system, Shoura Council System and Regions System, together orchestrating the bases for a contemporary state, he said. Dr. Al-Ali said the royal decisions by King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz increasing the basic salaries of civil and military personnel as well as the retired have touched the needs of people and boosted the growing national economy. Secretary General of Shoura Council Dr. Salih Ibn Abdullah Al Malik commended the support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz for the Council's works. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on the occasion of the King's inauguration of the second year of the four-year fourth term of the Council, he expected that the King's speech would contain a number of aspects of political, administrative and social reforms amid the balanced reform steps taking place in the Kingdom. He recalled that the number of members of the Shoura Council has gradually increased from 60 in 1414 H. to 90 in 1418 H. to 120 in 1422 H. to 150 in 1426 H. Al Malik also illustrated the increase in number of the chamber's subcommittees, meetings, decisions, and scope of discussion over the years. He praised the Saudi media for regularly transmitting the Shoura Council's meetings to their readers, listeners and viewers. He welcomed media representatives and interested citizens wishing to attend parts of the sessions or visit the council's website on the internet. |
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