December 1, 2006

CROWN PRINCE SULTAN BIN ABDUL AZIZ AND THE SINGAPORIAN PRIME MINISTER HOLD TALKS TO ENHANCE BILATERAL ECONOMIC AND TRADE RELATIONS. THE CROWN PRINCE INAUGURATES THE 2ND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR WATER RESOURCES AND DRY ENVIRONMENT. PRINCE SULTAN CAMPAIGN FOR HEALTH CARE IN JAZAN STARTS. PRINCE SALMAN BIN ABDUL AZIZ OPENS KING SAUD'S SYMPOSIUM. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, patronized the opening ceremony of the second conference on water resources and dry environment, and the awarding ceremony of Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz International Prize For Water. Crown Prince Sultan was welcomed by Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior; and Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation for Military Affairs, and other officials. Crown Prince Sultan handed over the prizes to the winners. Later Crown Prince Sultan graced the dinner party held on the occasion and laid the foundation stone for Prince Sultan Cultural Center at King Saud University. The function was attended by Prince Bandar Bin Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the governor of Assir region, other princes and senior officials. Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, patronized the opening ceremony of the second conference of water resources and the dry environment. Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General delivered a speech in which he welcomed Crown Prince Sultan. He said, "Praise be to God who created us and for the leadership who knows the way to achieve security and prosperity for the nation funder the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, King of hearts and who spared no efforts to implement humanitarian projects in the Kingdom east and west and Jazan project is not so far. He commended the work of the Crown Prince in the field of water and charity and noted few points: First. Prince Khalid said he will not stop of sounding the alarm about scarcity, pollution, desertification and the dangers of conflicts adding that these points have been exacerbated in seminars, researches and solutions, and allocating funds but in the end, the matter remains in the hands of people who have to learn how to improve their consumption. "Secondly: Prince Khalid said that statistics move hearts as now the situation is bad and what is ahead is even the worst. One billion people suffer from the difficulty in obtaining drinking water. The two billion, six hundred million people fall below minimum health standards in dealing with the sewage. Fifty per cent of the African continent's population suffer from various illnesses caused by water pollution. There are one million and eight hundred thousand children who die annually as a direct result of water pollution. Seventy million Arabs need clean water, safe and clean water the Prince added. Third: The problem of water scarcity and pollution is a disaster and what is happening in pollution of rivers and lakes and oceans from pollution is the best example, Prince Khalid bin Sultan said. Fourth: The term water security, reflects in reality the importance of water, it is an integral part of the national security of the State and should be given the necessary attention of all state bodies, the public and private sectors and the citizens and residents without exception. Prince Khalid concluded by extending his thanks and gratitude to those who sponsor the prize. Then, the Supervisor of the Prince Sultan Center for Environmental, Water and Desert Research and Secretary General of the prize, Dr. Ben Abdul Malik Bin Rahman Al Al-Sheikh, delivered a speech in which he said that the award aims to assess the efforts and researches of scientists and scientific institutions applied in the area of water throughout the world and reward them for their distinguished achievements which contribute to finding scientific solutions for water problems and minimize its scarcity while maintaining its sustainability. After that the Secretary General announced the names of the prize winners of Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, Global Water Award in its second session 2004 2006. The prize for Underground water of SR 250 thousand was equally divided between the Water Research Institute at the University of King Fahd for Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia and Dr. Abdel Qader Urabi from Morocco. The Prize for the Treatment and Re-Use of Sewage Water to the value of SR 500 thousand was awarded to Dr. Abdulatif Ahmed of Malaysia. The award for the Integrated Management And Sustainable Development Of Water Resources In Arid And Semi-Arid area to the value of SR 500 thousand was awarded to Dr. Howard Witers of Britain. After that speeches were delivered by the recipients of prizes. Crown Prince Sultan then Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz attended the dinner held on this occasion and laid the cornerstone for the Prince Sultan Cultural Center project, at King Saud University, which will cost SR 194 million. Crown Prince Sultan then left the headquarters. The event was attended by Prince Bandar Bin Mohammad Bin Abdul Rahman, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Asir Region, Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Saad, Prince Khalid bin Fahd bin Khalid, the President of the Shoura Council Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Hamid, Ministers and a number of senior officials. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received at Al Azizia Singapore's Premier and Finance Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the accompanying delegation. At the outset of the reception, Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, welcomed the premier, wishing him and the accompanying delegation a good stay in the kingdom. On his part, the Premier thanked the Crown Prince for the warm reception and generous hospitality accorded to him and his delegation. Then , Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz and the Singaporean Premier discussed overall developments at the regional and international arenas, aspects of cooperation between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in all fields. On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; Prince Dr. Bandar Bin Salman Bin Mohammed Al Saud, Advisor to the King; Minister of Finance Dr. Ibrahim Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Assaf; Minister of Planning Khalid Bin Mohammed Al-Qusaibi and a number of officials. On the Singaporean side, the meeting was attended by the delegation accompanying the premier and finance minister. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong sketched out an optimistic picture for the bilateral ties binding his country and Saudi Arabia and mentioned areas where the two countries could cooperate. "One area for deeper engagement is stronger people-to-people linkages to build mutual understanding. This afternoon, I am glad to announce that Singapore has eased its visa requirements. For all diplomatic passport holders, visa requirements will be waived starting next year," said Lee. Lee made the statement during a meeting at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) attended by RCCI President Abdulrahman Al-Jeraisy, Secretary-General Omar Bailawah of the Center for International Trade, other RCCI officials and businessmen. He added that people who need to regularly travel to Singapore could apply for long-term visas and would be issued with biometric cards, which allow them automatic immigration clearance. "We hope that this will encourage more exchanges among businessmen, government officials, students and tourists," said Lee, who is on a visit as head of a 32-member high-profile delegation that includes Foreign Minister George Yeo and Minister of Environment and Water Resources Dr. Yacoob Ibrahim, who is also in charge of Muslim affairs. The premier said Singapore and Saudi Arabia should look for opportunities to venture into third countries. He said that the two countries could serve as gateways for their respective regions. Saudi companies looking to enter China and India can explore partnerships with Singapore companies that have experience in these markets. "Our bilateral relationship has grown significantly in recent years. Working together, I am confident that we can further strengthen our economic ties and forge a strong and comprehensive partnership," Lee said. He added that Saudi Arabia is a key economy in the Middle East and that it has exerted great efforts to diversify its economy. On the other hand, the Prince Sultan campaign for primary health care implemented by the Department of Public Administration for the medical services of the armed forces began in Jazan and will last for two weeks. The campaign aims to provide medical services and preventive measures for citizens and to detect diseases among the population of the region and will include the various disciplines of medical clinics and ear, nose and throat, eyes and urology. The campaign will for the first time use medical evacuation aircraft to evacuate those in need of specialized health care to specialized hospitals in coordination with related departments, as there will be four medical teams to visit patients who do not have access to the campaign headquarters. The unlimited support from Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, his deputy and Assistant for Military Affairs should be noted. They are sparing no efforts by providing all the material and human cadres and the facilities required for the success of these campaigns. Prince Sultan campaigns for health care had a positive impact in the treatment of many citizens in need of medical care. The campaign will also be actively involved in the field of health education through the distribution of publications on health education. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, received the Executive Director of United Nations World Food Program James Morris and the accompanying delegation. The Crown Prince commended the efforts of the program's personnel, wishing them all success for their services being provided for all countries. On his part, the director praised the great support provided by the kingdom for the program. The audience was attended by minister of finance Dr. Ibrahim Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Assaf and chief of Crown Prince's Court Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Hideithi. On another development Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Tabuk opened the first seminar in internal medicine at the Northern Western region. He was received at the venue by the Director of the Department of Medical Services of the Armed Forces, Major General Dr Kutab Bin Eid Al-Otaibi, Commander of the northern region, Major General Zabn bin Tulayhan Al Harbi and others. After that the Director-General of the Department of Medical Services of the Armed Forces, Major General Al-Otaibi made a speech in which he expressed appreciation for holding the symposium. After speaking, Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of the Tabuk said in a speech that it is an honor in this day to participate with everyone in this symposium, which should give the desired results for the interest the patients and the doctors together adding: I am assured that the Armed Forces Hospital in Tabuk region has a key role to play which is thankfully known to all the inhabitants of the region. Prince Fahd bin Sultan, announced a donation by Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, and that is he has signed to establish the Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at its own expense, pointing out that this donation will be a major breakthrough for this hospital and will serve as a major supporter after a year and a half from now, and will serve more than five hundred the patient annually. He stressed that these generosities are not alien to the Crown Prince, said it is a great honour to announce this donation and wish it to be a motive for the hospital administration to make a greater effort to increase the level of services in this hospital. On the other hand Princess Adila Bint Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz expressed great gratitude and appreciation to Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for his generous donation to the charity to support children suffering from cancer. She addressed the Crown Prince with profound thanks and gratitude for this generous support, which comes as an extension of the deeds of the Crown Prince, which covers all fields and areas of goodness and humanity within and outside the Kingdom. Prince Adila praised the Sultan Bin Aziz City for Humanitarian Services, which is considered the largest charity at the global level. The Princess noted that the association is involved in the provision of housing for the sick child and their affiliates, as well as transport for those coming to the big cities for the purpose of treatment. It also provides tickets for children and their escort who are unable to take care of themselves, in addition to providing some medicines, supplies and equipment. The association is also keen on the compensating for some sick children for interrupting their schooling during the periods of treatment. She said the services of the Organisation included many parts of the Kingdom and called on philanthropists to donate to help the Organization in fulfilling its services. On the other hand Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, the governor of Riyadh region, received Lee Hsien Loong, the Singaporean Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. They discussed issues pertaining to the bilateral relations. The meeting was attended by Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Dr. Khalid Al-Qusaibi, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Singapore Omar Kurdi, and the Singaporean Ambassador to the Saudi Arabia. Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh region, received Mohammed Ashur, the Tunisian Minister of Culture and Heritage. They discussed issues of mutual interest. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Minister of Foreign Affairs received separately the newly assigned Romanian Ambassador to the Kingdom Dr. Bon Duwair and Iranian Ambassador Sayyed Mohammad Hossaini who handed the Prince copies of their diplomatic credentials in preparation to be submitted to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud. The reception was attended by Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al-Noaiser and Head of the General Department of Western Affairs Ambassador Dr. Khalid Al-Jandan. Prince Saud Al-Faisal also received the Turkish Ambassador to the Kingdom Ugur Dogan who bade farewell to the prince at the end of ambassador's term of office in the Kingdom. The reception was attended by Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al-Nowaiser and Director of Asia Department Mustafa Kawther. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo who is currently on a visit to the Kingdom accompanying the Prime Minister of Singapore. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of their enhancement as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. On the other hand Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, chairman of the King Abdul Aziz Foundation for Research & Archives (Darah), inaugurated the first symposium on the history of King Saud Bin Abdul Aziz. The event was attended by officials, senior princes and princesses, as well as members of the Shoura Council and researchers and academics. The symposium includes a photo gallery gathered by the sons and daughters of the late king. The gallery is open for public attendance. Researchers, officials and authors from the Kingdom and other Arab countries will discuss the late king's life, his legacy in social, religious, economic, and political affairs. Over 57 research papers were discussed in the symposium. Princess Fahda bint Saud delivered the first presentation paper on the late king's legacy at the King Faisal Auditorium Hall. "When King Abdul Aziz (may he rest in peace) unified the country, he made sure that he established a righteous home which fears God and tenders to the people's needs based on justice. King Saud was a member of that righteous house," Prince Salman said in his opening speech. "He was close to King Abdul Aziz and shared with his father many of the political and administrative responsibilities of the country," he said. Prince Salman said King Saud continued to build and develop the Kingdom as well as serve the cause of the Two Holy Mosques and support Arab and Islamic causes. "There is no doubt that this symposium documents these great achievements," Prince Salman said. According to Dr. Fahd Al-Sammar, secretary-general of the King Abdul Aziz Foundation for Research & Archives (Darah), the idea to establish scientific symposiums of the late kings of Saudi Arabia began ten years ago. The idea was later approved by the Darah's Chairman Prince Salman, "which gave a boost to the project and speeded up its accomplishment," he commented in his opening speech. In 2001, the Darah's board agreed to establish a series of symposiums that would reflect the lives of the kings of Saudi Arabia, starting with King Saud, the first king after the Kingdom's founder King Abdul Aziz. "King Saud has lived in the hearts of the Saudi citizen as well as the Arab and Islamic citizen and is still remembered for his humanity, love, peacefulness and his patriotism to his country and the Arab and Islamic cause," Al-Sammari said. King Saud is the first king to establish the Council of Ministers. He also was the father of education in Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom's first university was established during his reign. Twenty-six researchers and academics gave presentations about the life and legacy of King Saud, Saudi Arabia's second monarch. The symposium, inaugurated by Riyadh Governor Prince Salman is the first in a series of scientific seminars organized by the King Abdul Aziz Research Center on the lives of Saudi kings. Addressing men and women who gathered at the King Faisal Hall here, Princess Fahda bint Saud presented her paper "Studying the documentation of the history of King Saud." Princess Fahda noted many factors concerning gathering of documents, their sources and their importance in documenting the Saudi history. She mentioned how some of these documents have been gathered from Arab archives as well as American and European sources. The princess said collecting documents on Saudi history had many benefits. "It emphasizes the importance of writing our history from our perspective," she said. Dr. Ibrahim Al-Bishr, adviser in the Ministry of Justice, presented a paper entitled "The Justice System During the Reign of King Saud." He said it was King Saud who introduced the current justice system in the country. "King Saud also introduced the Court of Grievances and the Commission for Ministers Courts, in addition to central committees for combating commercial fraud," he said. Dr. Saleh Abu Arad from the Teachers College in Abha, presented a paper entitled "King Saud's Speeches and Their Effect on Saudi Society." The researcher gave examples of the late king's speeches and reflected on their importance in shaping the Muslim and Saudi character. Dr. Saleh Syed Ahmed from the King Saud University presented a paper entitled "Transcripts of Portuguese Diplomatic Letters: A Source for Saudi History in the Reign of King Saud." "Since King Saud took to the throne, his domestic and foreign policies have stressed the importance of security and propagating Islam with leniency and good will," he said. The researcher said the Portuguese transcripts that were translated into Arabic revealed that King Saud was keen on uniting the Arabs following his father's footsteps. The transcripts, he said, refers to the late king's visit to Ethiopia and the United States. Dr. Abdul Nasser Kaadan of Halab University in Syria presented a paper entitled "The Development of Medical Services in Saudi Arabia During the Reign of King Saud." The researcher said progress made in this area was obvious from the fact that the Kingdom was divided into six health care zones with a general manager to oversee each region. Dr. Anwar Eshki, president of the Middle East Institute for Strategic Studies, presented a paper entitled "King Saud and the Development of the Saudi Armed Forces." Dr. Eshki mentioned how the late king developed the Saudi armed forces at a time of global turbulence. "During the period in which King Saud reigned, many global changes took place. Colonization dominated the Arab and Islamic world, communism became rampant in several Arab countries and the war between the Arabs and Israelis deepened. King Saud made sure that in light of such changes, a strong military force was built to face these challenges," he said. Speaking to Arab News, Prince Musab ibn Saud, adviser in the Interior Ministry, said the symposium to document the late king's legacy was "a seed that will grow". He hoped that future events would include prizes for the best research presented. Asked what characteristics of the king influenced him most, the prince said despite his young age he could remember that his late father instilled a sense of patriotism in his children. "I was only six when he passed away. But I remember how he taught us to love our country and how much he loved his people."