April 7, 2006

THE CABINET CONSIDERS THE ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES AT THE SHOURA COUNCIL A HISTORICAL VISION TO BE PURSUED AS A GUIDANCE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE KINGDOM. PRINCE NAIF IBN ABDUL AZIZ MINISTER: SAUDI ARABIA WILL SOON SET UP THE STATE SECURITY COURT TO TRY MILITANTS HELD FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN TERRORIST ATTACKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE YOUTH BUSINESSMEN FORUM INCLUDE THE FORMATION OF THE HIGHER ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN AFFAIRS AND THE RE-STRUCTURING OF THE SAUDI CREDIT BANK. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's weekly session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. On the occasion of the commencement of the second year of the fourth session of the Shoura Council, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques expressed his appreciation of the important role the council has been playing in the march of development through voicing its opinions and providing relevant regulations. The Monarch also expressed his continual confidence in the councils ability to shoulder responsibilities towards the homeland and its citizens. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, the Minister of Culture and Information Iyad Ibn Amin Madani said that the Cabinet considered the annual address of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques at the Shoura Council a historical vision that should be pursued as a guidance for the strategies, objectives and plans of the state, governmental bodies, public institutions and all sectors of the society. The address placed stress on the government's unwavering fundamentals of commitment to Sharia: the promotion of unity: adherence to the Islamic way inherited from ancestors to successors: the spread of justice indiscriminately among people: and the renewal of determination to eradicate the deviating group. It also emphasized the continual work on achieving citizens' prosperity: continual process of development and balanced growth: the deepening of the national dialogue: liberalization of economy: commitment to fighting corruption: elimination of red-tape: and raising of the efficiency of governmental works. The address also underlined the kingdom's commitment to the bonds with Arab brothers and the defence of their legitimate rights, as well as its commitment to the stands of friendship and cooperation with all, and to the belief that the world's prosperity is indivisible. Then Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister and Head of the Kingdom's delegation to the 18th Arab Summit held in Sudan last week, briefed the Cabinet on the summits decisions and deliberations. In this regard, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques welcomed the enhancement of joint Arab action and the strengthening of a unified Arab approach to various issues in the region and the world. The Cabinet hoped that Khartoum summit would be a step forward to the unity of the Palestinian action, a protection of Iraq's integrity and security, an incentive for Lebanon's stability, and a major contribution to the Defense of all Arab issues. The Minister noted that the King briefed the Cabinet on the contents of contacts and consultations held over the previous days on bilateral relations and regional and international issues. Minister Madani said the Cabinet then reviewed the local items on its agenda and issued the following decisions: The Minister of Culture and Information or his Deputy was authorized to sign a draft memorandum of understanding to enhance cultural exchange between the ministry of culture and information of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Sciences and Technology of Japan. The signed version will be forwarded for further authentication. The Cabinet approved a proposal presented by the Minister of Finance to enforce the resolution issued by the GCC summit meeting held in Bahrain on 8-9 Zul-Qa'eda 1425 H. Regarding the adoption of the regulation along with its executive statutes on the standards of noise levels of the internal and external environment of the GCC member states and the adoption of the unified standards of air quality surrounding the GCC countries: these should be taken to be the minimum requirements for future adoption or development of national standards by any member state of the group. Upon recommendations of the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources on the regulations of exploiting silica (sand and white rocks), the Cabinet approved the sites indicated on the map provided by the ministry, and considered all sites of crude silica, regardless of which government body owns it, a national property , and the ministry of petroleum and mineral resources will discuss the matter with those who occupy such sites and ways of exploiting them for the national benefit. The Cabinet approved the appointment of Abdul Aziz Bin Saad Bin Mohammed Al'anqari as Consultant at the Supreme Judiciary Council, and Mohammed Bin Ibrahim Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Fowzan as Educational Expert at the Ministry of Education. On the other hand Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz Minister of the Interior said Saudi Arabia will soon set up a special court to try Al-Qaeda militants held for their involvement in terrorist attacks across the country. "It can be called state security court," Prince Naif said in reports published by the Arabic press yesterday. The court would be set up in coordination with the Justice Ministry to ensure a fair trial, he added. The minister said the Kingdom's security forces had foiled about 90 percent of attacks planned by Al-Qaeda terrorists. Last week, police arrested 40 suspected militants and seized an arms cache. Eight of those arrested were linked to Al-Qaeda attack on the oil processing plant in Abqaiq in February. He said Saudi and Iraqi authorities were cooperating on the extradition of Saudi militants crossing into Iraq. "(They are used) as explosive devices or suicide bombers," he said about the Saudi fighters in Iraq. Some 3,000 Saudis have reportedly sneaked through the porous borders to fight the US-led forces in Iraq. The Kingdom has been battling Al-Qaeda terrorists for the past three years. Officials say about 144 foreigners and Saudis, including security forces, and 120 terrorists have died in attacks and clashes with police since May 2003. "We are glad when we capture alive someone who's wanted by the security (authorities) because of the possibility that he could be rehabilitated and the possibility of obtaining information that could be useful to security and perhaps leads us to capturing other members of the misled group or reveal terrorist plots," he said. Prince Naif warned those who support and sympathize with Al-Qaeda terrorists. "All those who try to mislead youth or push them into committing acts that are in no way connected to Islam would be liable to a legal penalty," he added. Prince Naif called for joint international efforts to combat terror. "The danger of terrorism will remain as long as there are foreign parties that feed them, exploiting the weak-minded people," he said. The minister said the Kingdom's security forces would continue their campaign to flush out terrorists and their supporters from the country. "We have arrested recently some people who have been supporting terrorists and collecting money for them," he added. On the other hand Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the governor of Riyadh region patronized the inauguration ceremony of the Business Youth Forum organized by business youth committee of Riyadh-based Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Upon arrival at the venue, Prince Salman was received by Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr. Hashim Bin Abdullah Yamani: Chairman of the Chamber's Board of Directors Abdul Rahman Bin Ali Al-Jeraisi: and the board's members. A speech ceremony was held on this occasion. In his speech, Prince Salman stressed his confidence in the capabilities of youth to make the future and to contribute to its development, noting that the state under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and the Crown Prince has prepared an appropriate climate for investment. The Prince emphasized the importance of the forum to draw a future way for the youth, wishing that the forum would yield positive results in the service of the homeland and its citizens. Addressing the ceremony, Al-Jeraisi commended Prince Salman for supporting the business sector and the chamber as an integrated part of the civilized edifice in Riyadh region. Then Prince Salman honored the forum's sponsors and handed over two memorial gifts to the Minister of Commerce and Industry and the Chairman of Chamber's Board of Directors who in turn presented a memorial gift to Prince Salman. Prince Salman also inaugurated an exhibition held on the fringes of the forum. The ceremony was attended by Prince Sultan Bin Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Secretary General of Supreme Commission for Tourism, a number of princes and businessmen. Prince Salman urged young Saudi businessmen to learn from the hardships that their fathers and grandfathers had gone through. Addressing the first "Youth Businessmen Forum," the governor said patience and hard work were the prerequisites for achieving success. "Opportunities are available everywhere and the youths should not wait for success but acquire it by hard work," Prince Salman told nearly 200 young businessmen attending the forum. He said he was confident that the youths of today would be able to add to the achievements of yesterday's generation. "There is no doubt that the youths are the backbone of society. They are its present and they are its future. The responsibility on their shoulders is great. They should take education as their shield and learn sciences in order to contribute to the country's development." Prince Salman said that he hoped the forum's workshops and discussions would be candid and provide solutions to the many problems facing young businessmen. "Our youths should be aware of the market situation and be able to weather any challenges, particularly in the face of global competition," he added. Prince Salman said he was confident that government and private agencies, including consultancies and financial institutions, would not hesitate in supporting young businessmen and women to achieve their ambitions. Commerce and Industry Minister Dr. Hashim Yamani and RCCI President Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy said the Kingdom hopes to invest $624 billion in the next 15 years in various business ventures. "Many of these ventures are in sectors where young businessmen could invest," he said. He said the Kingdom witnessed an unprecedented economic boom in the past four years. "The results of 2005 were better than 2004," he pointed out. Al-Jeraisy said that RCCI invited many experts and representatives of government and private institutions to shed light on the challenges facing young Saudis. He said he hoped the forum would give young businessmen a perspective of the vast changes in the economic world in the age of globalization. The Business Youth Forum ended its deliberations issuing a number of recommendations amongst which the restructuring of the Saudi Credit Bank in order to create a section for financing youths' projects and supporting them as well as encouraging and supporting women participation in the economic development through the establishment of a higher organization for women's affairs.