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January 12, 2007 |
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***** The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has sent a cable of condolences to the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the victims of the Indonesian passengers plane which had earlier crashed. The king expressed his heartfelt feelings to the Indonesian president and families of the victims. A similar cable of condolences was sent to the Indonesian president by Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has received a telephone call from President Jacques Chirac of France who congratulated him on the blessed Eid Al-Adha. During the conversation, they also discussed the latest developments at the regional and international arenas, topped by the situation in the Middle East in addition to bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz reviewed with the Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in a telephone call to him, bilateral relations between the two countries and regional and international developments. Turkey's Prime Minister warned that growing sectarian tensions in Lebanon will affect the entire Middle East if left unchecked and offered to mediate in the political crisis if asked by rival factions. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Lebanon on a one-day visit for talks with Lebanese leaders on the country's deepening political crisis. Shortly after his arrival, Erdogan met with Lebanese premier Fuad Saniora. "I told Saniora that sectarian differences will leave repercussions on the region," Erdogan told reporters. "I also told him that all parties in Lebanon and all states in the region must act to solve this problem," Erdogan said, stressing that a solution to the Lebanese crisis should be reached through dialogue. Erdogan, said Turkey was not mediating in the Lebanese crisis but was ready to do so if asked to help. Saniora said because of its close ties with the Arab world, Turkey can play "an important role" in promoting a solution to the Lebanese crisis. "We stressed on stability in Lebanon and its impact on the region," he said. Before meeting with Lebanon's president and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Erdogan flew by a Turkish military helicopter to southern Lebanon where he inspected Turkish troops serving with the U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL. He reviewed an honor guard, thanked troops for their service and had lunch with military officers. Erdogan also met with legislator Mohammed Raad, head of Hezbollah's 11-member parliamentary bloc, with the Head of the Future Saad Al Hariri and with President Emile Lahoud. President Hosni Mubarak affirmed to Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert, during a meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh Egypt's rejection of the ongoing Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Mubarak told Olmert that such Israeli practices hinder Egypt's efforts aiming at achieving progress in Middle East peace process. During a joint press conference with Olmert, Mubarak affirmed that the Palestinian and Israeli peoples seek peace which, he said, is a key to security and stability of the region. Mubarak said that Egypt has opened the door of peace and will continue its good offices for achieving a just and durable peace in the Middle East. Mubarak said that the Egyptian efforts aimed at breaking the deadlock in the peace process and going ahead with trust-building measures to pave the way for resuming negotiations. Mubarak said that he informed Olmert of Egypt's resentment over the raid launched by Israeli troops on Ramallah, pointing out that the security of Israel and the region could only be achieved through just peace and refraining from any practices hindering peace efforts. For his part, Olmert said he discussed with Mubarak Egyptian-Israeli relations, adding that he appreciated Mubarak's efforts to release the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The Israeli Premier said that his talks with Mubarak also touched on means to resume negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The Israeli Prime Minister said he expressed to Mubarak Israeli concern over what he called smuggling of weapons and funds to the Palestinians through Salahuddin or the Philadelphia corridor. He made a reference to a ceasefire he had reached with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, saying that Israel was keen on the ceasefire although there were "terrorist elements" seeking violation of the agreement. Commenting on Olmert's statements, Mubarak said that Egypt's laws allow the entry of funds as long as they are declared and "we enforce the Egyptian laws and we will not enforce any other laws." On the smuggling of weapons, Mubarak said "we do our best to prevent the smuggling of weapons, but no country in the world can prevent the smuggling and I think the liaison committees could play a role in this respect". President Mubarak said that he held frank and constructive consultations with the Israeli premier on the Middle East peace process and ties between the two countries. Asked about the seriousness of Syrian proposals: achieving durable peace with Israel, Mubarak said that any Syrian peace proposal should not be turned down. He said both Israel and Syria have doubts about the seriousness of each other to achieve peace. Thus, the only solution is to sit to the negotiating table in order that each side can prove they are serious in achieving peace, Mubarak noted. Mubarak warned that the current stalemate in the peace process posed grave dangers. Asked about the possibility of holding a four-way summit grouping Mubarak, Olmert, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordanian King Abdullah II, the President noted that such meeting was possible to sum up the outcome of talks. The Israeli Premier has suggested holding a meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh after crystallizing the situation on the detainees both sides, he added. Mubarak noted that any terrorist attack should not block efforts to return to the negotiating table. Peace is the ultimate goal which requires efforts to seek means to return to the negotiating table as the only way for achieving peace, he added. President Mubarak stressed that peace would guarantee achieving security for both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. Asked about the presence of some elements in the Palestinian government who refuse to recognize Israel and hold negotiations with it, Mubarak said that Egypt was holding dialogue with the Palestinian Authority, which is authorized to hold peace negotiations. Mubarak said that some parties would always be bothered by reaching a peace agreement. On the firing of the Qassam rockets into Israel and the possibility of achieving peace, Mubarak noted that the peace process should be going on regardless of the hindrances. Mubarak said that Egypt has a clear stance on the weapons of mass destruction since early the 1970s. We are pressing for rendering the Middle East region free from all nuclear, biological and chemical weaponry, Mubarak said. He noted that the presence of nuclear weapons to defend themselves. Asked about Israel's nuclear capabilities which risk to spark nuclear weapons is threatening the whole region, he voiced support to a UN Security Council resolution on imposing sanctions on Tehran. Lebanese Premier Fouad Siniora received Abdul Aziz Khoja, the Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon. They discussed the latest developments in the region as well as means for further enhancing bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh received Secretary General of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdul Rahman Al-Atiyyah. They reviewed aspects of cooperation between Yemen and the GCC states in various domains. Speaking on the occasion, Al-Atiyyah highlighted the outcome of the London donors conference, and reiterated the adherence of the GCC states to the decisions taken by the conference through extending the required support to the development programs in Yemen. Al-Atiyyah briefed Saleh on the on-going arrangements for convening a conference for exploring investment opportunities in Yemen, due to be held in Sanaa next February. Al-Atiyyah confirmed the keenness of the GCC and Yemen on making the conference successful. On his part, Saleh expressed appreciation for the heartfelt feelings spelt out by the GCC leaders at their recent summit held in Riyadh under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. Saleh said that this development reflects the keenness of the GCC leaders on rehabilitation of the Yemeni economy and enabling it to integrate along with the GCC economies in a manner that realizes the desired integration and partnership. The Yemeni President welcomed the gulf investments in Yemen and said all required guarantees will be extended to them. President Bashar al-Assad reviewed with British -European Parliamentary delegation the current events in Iraq, Lebanon and occupied Palestinian territories, in addition to the peace process in the Middle East and reasons behind its faltering. Prospects of the European-Syrian partnership agreement under the current situation also discussed. President Assad underlined firmness of the Syrian stances in support of the political process in Iraq and of what the Palestinians agreed upon it, as well as in backing up the Lebanese people agreement away from the foreign influences. President Assad also underscored the importance of peace in the region which would contribute to achieving the security, stability, development and prosperity for peoples of the region. On behalf of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, deputy prime minister for the Council of Ministers received yesterday Professor Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary-general of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), who was taking part in the meeting of the Permanent Ministerial Committee on Scientific and Technical Cooperation (COMSTECH) emanated from the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC). Sayyid Fahd praised the distinct role played by the organisation in strengthening communication between the Muslim peoples in the fields of culture and science. Sayyid Fahd also briefed him on the Sultanate's policy in the scientific fields, which aims at preparation of a generation capable of fulfillment of the requirements of the forthcoming stage of comprehensive development march. The meeting touched on the role of the organisation in enhancement of cooperation among the member states in the economic, social and scientific spheres. They also discussed ways of support of the OIC committees, particularly the Permanent Ministerial Committee on Scientific and Technical Cooperation (COMSTECH), due to the vital role it plays in the field of scientific research for development of human resources and maintaining of better productivity that help increase the rate of growth and prosperity for the Muslim peoples. Prof. Ekmeleddin expressed his appreciation on the visit and the Omani pioneering experiment under the royal care of Sultan Qaboos bin Said and its positive reflection on various sectors, particularly in the education sector. He also expressed appreciated for the continued support extended by the Sultanate to the COMSTECH. Health ministers of the six-member member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will hold a plenary meeting in Kuwait city this January 24. Besides the latest efforts to develop health-care services in member states, GCC health ministers will discuss a detailed progress report covering both the executive bureau activities and the progress on the implementation of passed resolutions and recommendations. GCC health ministers will discuss ways of upgrading primary health care services, invigorating the campaign against smoking and matters relating to medical examination of expatriate labour. Under the auspices of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the first national conference on e-commerce transactions will be held in Riyadh. The conference is organized by the Ministry of Communications and IT, the Finance Ministry, and the Organization of Communications and Information Technology from 24 to 27 Dhul Hijjah 1427 AH: 14 to 17 of January, 2007. The conference will take place at King Faisal Hall at the Intercontinental Hotel in Riyadh. The governor of the Organization of Communications and Information Technology Dr. Mohammed Bin Ibrahim Al Soel stressed that the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has paid great attention to e-government which gives significant benefits to the national economy. China told Iran's top nuclear negotiator that Tehran should abandon its defiance of U.N. sanctions and work for a swift return to talks to resolve the standoff over its nuclear program. The Chinese admonition, conveyed by the official news media, came in a meeting between Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and President Hu Jintao, who urged a "serious response" to the U.N. sanctions. In Germany's first foreign policy initiative since it took the helm of the European Union, Chancellor Angela Merkel has won the support of the United States and France for reviving the Quartet to try to rejuvenate Middle East peace talks. Making a lightning visit to Washington, her first official trip outside Germany since taking over the presidencies of the EU and the Group of 8 industrialized nations, Merkel spent several hours with President George W. Bush discussing the Middle East, which she has made a priority for Berlin's six-month turn in the EU presidency. Bush said later, "Madam Chancellor had a good idea to convene the Quartet, which I agreed to." The Quartet comprising the United States, the EU, the United Nations and Russia was established in 1999 to pursue international consensus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Over the past year, the Quartet has been sidelined and divided about how to end the violence and how to deal with Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic movement that won parliamentary elections last year. Bush, whom Merkel has repeatedly telephoned to discuss the Middle East, told a news conference, "I think the Quartet ought to meet at an appropriate time." He said he would send Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to the Middle East shortly, adding that Rice would "come back to report to not only me but also to the chancellor about how we can move this process forward." President Jacques Chirac of France also backed Merkel's initiative, calling for an international conference to revive the Middle East peace process under the Quartet. "Let us propose through the Quartet an international conference of a new type which, without setting out to dictate the terms of a settlement to the parties, would provide the guarantees to which they aspire," Chirac said in a New Year's address to diplomats in Paris. Chirac had been silent on the matter before Merkel's meeting with Bush. Meanwhile the Bush administration is set to ask Congress to allocate $86 million to support security forces loyal to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Following his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Bush said he was optimistic about reaching a two-state solution. In response to a question as to whether Saddam Hussein should have been executed, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said we should never forget the victims of the Iraqi leader's crimes. While the UN is against the death penalty, he said, it remained a matter for individual states to decide. "The issue of capital punishment is for each and every member state to decide. As Secretary-General, at the same time, while I am firmly against impunity, I also hope that the members of the international community should pay due regard to all aspects of international humanitarian laws." Mr. Ban said the Iraqi people and government, in executing Saddam Hussein, had taken steps to address their past. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has said pictures of the execution of Saddam Hussein were "revolting and barbaric" and that experts considered his trial under occupation illegal. In his first comments on the execution, which took place on the first day of Eid al-Adha, tMubarak told the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth the timing was "unreasonable." In the interview, he said he had written to President Bush asking him to postpone the execution, arguing that it would not be helpful at that time. He did not say how Bush responded. "Then the pictures of the execution were revolting and barbaric, and I am not discussing here whether he deserved it or not. As for the trial, all experts in international law said it was an illegal trial because it was under occupation. "Also, there was a conspiracy to carry out the execution before the end of the year," he added. The French Ambassador to Lebanon Bernard Emie stressed his country's support for the government of President Fouad Siniora, saying the government will lead Lebanon out from its crisis. While delivering a speech in the city of Sour in southern Lebanon, he called on the Lebanese to be united and enjoy Lebanon's stability and security and peace. He added that France will always seek to assist the people and government of Lebanon to overcome the crisis. We must be optimistic with the Paris-3 conference he said and expressed his hope for the success of this conference. On his part, the Commander of (UNIFIL) General Alain Pellegrini stressed the role of these forces in the implementation of the international resolution 1701 and to assist the state and the Lebanese army to extend their authority over all Lebanese territory in the south. President Bush nominated an intelligence veteran, former National Security Agency Director Mike McConnell, to be the country's second national intelligence director. In a reshuffling of his national security team, Bush also chose his former top spymaster, John Negroponte, to be deputy secretary of state. Each of them will do good work in their new positions, and it is vital that they take up their new responsibilities promptly," Bush said. "I would hope that they will be confirmed as quickly as possible," said the president, speaking to the new Senate now under Democratic control. The moves come as part of the White House effort to chart a new direction on Iraq and reshape Bush's national security strategy with two years left in his presidency. The President plans to announce his new strategy for the war in a speech that could come as early as the middle of next week. The U.S. Treasury Department blacklisted three Syrian government organizations accused by the United States of proliferating weapons of mass destruction (WMD). "Syria is using official government organizations to develop non-conventional weapons and the missiles to deliver them," said Stuart Levey, Treasury Department's under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence. "We will continue to take action to prevent such state-sponsored WMD proliferators from using the international financial system," Levey said. The three blacklisted government organizations are Syria's Higher Institute of Applied Science and Technology, Electronics Institute, and the National Standards and Calibration Laboratory. Under U.S. laws, any U.S. assets belonging to the three Syrian organizations will be frozen and U.S. citizens are banned from conducting business transactions with them. There is much understanding between Egypt and France on regional issues of mutual concern, said Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit. Speaking at a joint press conference with visiting French Foreign Minister Philippe Dousty-Blazy, Abul-Gheit said that talks tackled Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinian territories. Abul-Gheit noted that a donors' conference on Lebanon, scheduled in Paris on Jan. 25, was also discussed during the meeting. The Egyptian top diplomat received an invitation from Douste-Blazy to attend the meeting. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared illegal a Hamas security force in Gaza. Abbas said the Hamas Executive Force had not received official approval and demanded that it integrate into other more established Palestinian security services. "The 'Executive Force' has never been ... independent, we said it must be part of the security forces," Abbas said in Bethlehem. "Any force requires a decree and this has not been issued. Whoever says that (the Executive Force) is independent is defying the law and the constitution," Abbas added. Hamas created the force after forming a government last March. Wesley Clark, the former NATO commander who led the 1999 war in Kosovo, urged President George Bush not to send more troops to Iraq, saying the "surge" in forces being considered by the White House would be too little, too late and could only deepen the hole that the United States and its allies have dug themselves. Writing exclusively in The Independent on Sunday, General Clark said the time for a military solution was long past, that US troops lack the skills and the political legitimacy to pacify the conflict-ridden regions, and that the only way forward was a political initiative encompassing the entire region. "We've never had enough troops in Iraq," writes General Clark, who was the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces from 1997-2000. "In Kosovo, we had 40,000 troops for a population of two million. For Iraq, that ratio would call for at least 500,000 troops so adding 20,000 now is too little, too late." "What the surge would do is put more American troops in harm's way, further undercut US forces' morale, and risk further alienation of elements of the Iraqi populace," he added. Palestinian militants in Gaza freed a photographer from French news agency Agence France-Presse after keeping him captive for almost a week, officials said. Unidentified gunmen had kidnapped 50-year-old Jaime Razuri, a native of Peru, outside the agency's office in Gaza City. Palestinian security officers brought Razuri to Abbas's office. "The good efforts by all parties have succeeded in returning the Peruvian journalist," said senior Abbas aide Tayeb Abdul Rahim. "He is now free. The security services will continue their work to get to the captors." No one has claimed responsibility for his abduction. |