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April 14, 2006 |
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***** The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud received a telephone call from Syria's President Dr. Bashar Al-Assad. During the call, they discussed the latest developments at the regional arena and bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud received a message from India's Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. The message was handed over to the monarch by India's Secretary General of National Security Council M. K. Narayanan during an audience at the monarch's palace in Riyadh. The Secretary General also conveyed to the monarch the greetings of the Indian leadership. In turn, King Abdullah sent his greetings to the Indian leadership. The audience was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Bandar Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Secretary General of National Security Council and India's Ambassador to the Kingdom Mohammed Othman Farouk. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud has sent a cable of congratulations to President of Senegal Abdoulaye Wade on the occasion of his country's national day. In his own name and on behalf of the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah wished the President continuous good health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud has received a message from King Mohammed VI of Morocco. The message was delivered to the monarch by Morocco's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Abdul Karim Al Sammar during an audience at the monarch's office at the royal court at al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh. The Ambassador also conveyed to the Monarch the greetings of King Mohammed VI. In turn, King Abdullah sent his greetings to the king of morocco. the audience was attended by Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Advisor to the King, Prince Dr. Bandar Ibn Salman Ibn Mohammed Al Saud, Advisor to the King, Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet and Chief of the Court of the Cabinet's Presidency, and a number of officials. Minister Of Health Dr. Hamad Al Manea' announced that Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, has approved giving annual air tickets with a 50 discount rate of the Dhiafah (guest) class fare to Saudis who donate parts of their liver in the same current way applied to donors of kidneys. Saudi Arabian airlines gives a 50 discount rate of the Dhiafah (guest) class fare to donors of kidneys in addition to a 25 discount rate of domestic flight tickets to patients with organ transplants. Under the supervision of Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of the Interior, the hospital of the security forces in Riyadh will organize in September 16, 2006 the International Symposium for Patients Safety. Dr Sulaiman Al Suhaimi Deputy Director of the Hospital and Chairman of the organizing committee said the Symposium will discuss many areas in addition to many workshops. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz General Supervisor of the Charitable Campaign to help the victims of the earthquake and the Tsunami that hit East Asia has delivered the sum of SR 5,625,000 the equivalent of $ 1,500,000 to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to help it in its relief program to orphans in Aceh, Indonesia. Minister of Interior Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz received the Pakistani Minister of Labor Ghulam Sarwar Khan. During the meeting, the Pakistani minister delivered a message to Prince Naif from Pakistan's Prime Minister. The Pakistani Minister also expressed thanks for the Saudi aid to earthquake victims in Pakistan. In turn, Prince Naif thanked the Pakistani minister for his good feelings in this regard. Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh region, arrived in Alghat province and inaugurated a number of developmental, service and philanthropic projects in the province. Upon arrival at Alghat Air Base, Prince Salman was received by Prince Sultan Ibn Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Secretary General of Tourism Supreme Authority, Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdullah Al Sidairi, other princes, ministers and senior officials. During the tour, Prince Nassir Ibn Saad Al Sidairi 30-bed hospital, Prince Turki Ibn Ahmed Al Sidairi Charity Centre for Kidney Dialysis and Physiotherapy, and Crown Prince Sultan Project for Housing. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Hamad Alman'a, the Minister of Health, said more than SR3 Billion were allocated over the last three years for health projects in Riyadh region, contributing to the increase of the bed capacity of all hospitals in the region to 1900, building of 262 health centres and a number of hospitals in Hotat Bani Sidair, Alzulphi, Shaqra'a, Artawiya, Muzahmia, Dharma, Quwai'ya, Murat, Dawadmi, Al-Kharj, Al-Hareeq, Aldalam and Wadi Aldawaser. The completion of these projects will turn Riyadh region to a complete health network, he said. Later, Prince Salman left Alghat province. Prince Khaled Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation for Military Affairs, received a delegation from Lebanon's Shihab Command and staff college led by its Commander Brigadier George Yaqub. They reviewed issues of mutual interest. Princess Fadwa wife of Prince Mohammad Ibn Nawaf Ibn Abdul Aziz, Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Ireland visited King Fahd Academy in London. During the visit, she was briefed on the activities of the academy by its dean Dr Khaled Ibn Saleh Al Dhaheri. Saudi Arabia has won five medals in the International Exhibition for Inventions, which was held in Geneva. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia took part in the 34th international exhibition for inventions, with 775 exhibitors from 45 countries. Saudi Arabia's third participation in a row comes this time with the contribution of Lebanon, Morocco and Egypt. King Abdul Aziz for the welfare of the talented is supervising the Saudi pavilion. More than 1,000 inventions were exhibited in the event, which lasted for five days. The Secretary of Scientific Invention Prize of King Abdul Aziz Foundation and his Companions for the gifted Dr. Khalid Ibn Mohammed Al-Sulaiman announced 32 winners of the prize. In a press conference, he said that an honouring ceremony of the winners will be held in the Eastern Region on Rabie Al-Awal 28, 1427H. Under the patronage of Prince Mohammed Ibn fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of the Eastern Region. The conference was attended by Prince Dr. Bandar Ibn Abdullah Al-Mishari, member of the prize's secretariat. As many as 600 participants took part in the prize in its second year for 1425/1426H. The Under Secretary of Interior Ministry Dr. Ahmed Ibn Mohammad Al-Salem received at his office the President of International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) Jackie Selebi accompanied by Assistant Director of the Organization's Middle East and North Africa branch department currently on a visit to the kingdom. During the meeting, they discussed support for the organization. Dr. Al-Salem stressed the keenness of Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, his deputy and his assistant for security affairs on enhancing cooperation and coordination with the organization to besiege criminals, corner them and prevent them from a safe haven everywhere. On his part, the Interpol President expressed his appreciation for the efforts of Saudi Interpol bureau within the framework of a joint action with the organization. Dr. Abdul Wahed Al-Homaid, the Under Secretary of Labor Ministry for Planning and Development met with Pakistan's Labor Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan who is on a visit to the kingdom. During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues in the field of labour and topics of mutual interests. Lawyers for the family of British filmmaker James Miller, killed in Gaza three years ago, are pressuring the British government to demand the extradition of an IDF officer to stand trial for murder, after a London court last week ruled his killing a homicide. The 10-member jury at the St. Pancras Coroner's Court in London on Thursday ruled that Miller's death was an "unlawful killing" and an "intentional act of murder", the solicitor for the Miller family, Louise Christian, told The Jerusalem Post. Miller's death was a "breach of the Geneva Conventions" Christian said, and "we are inviting the attorney-general to institute proceedings against Lt. Haib in this country and to demand his extradition," she said. The jury heard testimony that Haib, the leader of the IDF patrol on May 2, 2003 in Rafah, shot and killed the unarmed Miller, whom witnesses said was approaching Haib's patrol while holding a white flag at the time of his death. British police investigating the incident told the inquest they found no evidence that Miller posed a threat. However, Detective Inspector Robert Anderson told the court the IDF had been "uncooperative with the Metropolitan Police in that they haven't allowed us access to interview soldiers and witnesses." The Deputy Governor of Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency Dr. Mohammad Ibn Solaiman Al Jasir, head of the negotiation team of the kingdom's credit rating process, said that the credit rating of the kingdom by Standard & Poor's Rating Services was raised from 'A' to 'A+' asserting the status and strength reached by the Saudi economy. Dr. Al Jasir expressed happiness for this distinguished assessment of the performance of the Saudi economy and economic policies adopted by the government of the Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud in this area. Dr. Al Jasir said this high grade of international rating of the kingdom reflects the credibility and strength of the Saudi economy and the reputation of the kingdom as an investment attractive destination enjoying stability and wise financial, political and economic strength. Dr. Al Jasir explained that the kingdom's winning of this high rating grade will facilitate for Saudi companies attraction of investments and gaining financing domestically and externally with a lower cost. In this context, Dr. Al Jasir expressed happiness also for the report's emphasis of strength elements in the Saudi economy reflected in good financial performance in the kingdom during the past period which resulted in a major cut in public debt and marked increase in the state's reserves of foreign currencies boosting the financial strength of the kingdom and providing great flexibility for the state and great support for growth. Dr. Al Jasir was pleased that the report concluded that the kingdom and its economy enjoy strength and safety protecting them from negative external effects. The Secretariat of the Arab Parliamentary Union has received the contribution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Union's budget. The Secretary General of the APU received the Kingdom's contribution from the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Syria Ahmad Ibn Ali Al Qahtani. He thanked the Kingdom and praised its support to the APU. Presided over by its Chairman Dr. Salih Ibn Abdullah Ibn Homaid, the Shoura Council held an ordinary session in Riyadh. At the outset of the session, Dr. Salih thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and the cabinet for hailing the Shoura Council in the cabinet's session last week. Following today's session, the Secretary General of the Shoura Council Dr. Salih Ibn Abdullah Al Malik said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency that during the session, the council approved a draft regulation of agricultural cooperation and a draft protocol on cooperation in the fields of oil, gas and minerals between Saudi Arabia and China. The council discussed a number of other issues and decided to continue discussions of them in future sessions. A part of the session was attended by visiting King Juan Carlos of Spain. Thousands of tribesmen rallied in northwest Pakistan, demanding the military's withdrawal following intense fighting this week that authorities say killed dozens of militants. In Mir Ali, near North Waziristan's main center of Miran Shah, tribal elder Abdul Rahman condemned the military operation in the North Waziristan village of Shawal and said the army killed ``innocent people.'' And Arbab Shahzad, the top administrator for the tribal regions that border Afghanistan, told The Associated Press that the ``overwhelming majority of tribesmen are extending full support to the government and the army in the war on terror.'' In the assault, Pakistani troops backed by helicopter gunships attacked militant positions after rocket-firing rebels killed four soldiers. Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan said 16 militants were killed and 19 captured. Shah Zaman, an administrator of the tribal regions, claimed 40 fighters were slain. Pakistan has deployed about 80,000 troops in North Waziristan and nearby areas, the scene of scores of operations against remnants of neighbouring Afghanistan's toppled hard-line Taliban regime, Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terror network and their local supporters. The attack followed weeks of intensified fighting in the area between troops and Taliban-allied militants, whose leaders as well as al Qaeda's bin Laden and his deputy Al Zawahri are believed to be hiding along the porous and mountainous Pakistan-Afghan border. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy said in a report on Islam in Europe from dialogue to action that this is an absolutely crucial moment in intercultural and interfaith relations in Europe. At a time when many are questioning what constitutes a "European identity" and we are reflecting on the future of the European Union, Europe's religious communities play a more important role than ever. The European Commission is fully committed to fostering dialogue with Europe's major religions and communities of conviction. It is particularly important that the Islamic communities of Europe hear that message at the moment, when there is renewed attention to the so-called clash of civilisations. I say "so-called" because this term is a misnomer. What we are facing today is not a clash of civilisations, but a clash of ignorance. After all, we have our roots in the same civilisations. Our major religions stem from the same root, belief in one God and the revelation. But unfortunately these commonalities are too-often overlooked. In today's uncertain times, the need to enhance cooperation and deepen understanding between peoples, cultures and faiths has never been more pressing. Europe is home to an estimated 20 million Muslims. So it is clear that Islam is as much a part of modern day Europe as it has been part of its history. Europeans are proud of our religious, cultural and linguistic diversity, and yet "unity in diversity", the EU's motto, has still to be achieved. The reaction to the cartoons depicting Prophet Mohammed were just the latest example of the gulfs of misunderstanding within Europe and beyond. Freedom of religion is non-negotiable. It is a fundamental right of individuals and communities and entails respect for the integrity of all religious convictions and all ways in which they are exercised. Similarly, freedom of expression is central to Europe's values and traditions. It is also non-negotiable. But it does come with responsibilities and should be exercised with the necessary sensitivity to others.We are already using the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and the European Neighbourhood Policy to increase our channels for dialogue. The Commission has a new 10 point plan for intercultural dialogue in the EuroMed partnership. Meantime a report issued by the External Affairs Commission said that the 2005 did not witness a good progress in the relations of the EU with the Middle East and Arab countries. The UN Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs warned that if Israel follows a unilateral measure for borders demarcation it would make the peaceful solution for the Palestinians a difficult option. Ehud Olmert, the acting Israeli prime minister, had said that Israel would set its final borders after internal debate and consultations with the United States but without necessarily asking the opinion of Palestinians. "We should decide on our borders in order to separate ourselves from the Palestinians," said Olmert. President Bush said that force is not necessarily required to stop Iran from having a nuclear weapon, and he dismissed reports of plans for a military attack against Tehran as "wild speculation." Bush said his goal is to keep the Iranians from having the capability or the knowledge to have a nuclear weapon. "I know we're here in Washington ... (where) prevention means force," Bush said. "It doesn't mean force necessarily. In this case it means diplomacy." Several reports published over the weekend said the administration was studying options for military strikes, and an account in The New Yorker magazine raised the possibility of using nuclear bombs against Iran's underground nuclear sites. Bush did not directly respond to that report but said, "What you're reading is just wild speculation." But Bush said he was correct to include Iran in the "axis of evil" with Iraq and North Korea and he's glad to see other countries taking the threat from Iran seriously, too. |