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February 2, 2007 |
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PRINCE NAIF IBN ABDUL AZIZ: PRESIDENT ALI IS FULLY COMMITTED TO THE ENHANCEMENT OF SECURITY RELATIONS. THE FINAL STATEMENT OF THE MEETING ADOPTS THE GRADUAL 5TH DRAFT PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ARAB STRATEGY OF THE FIGHT AGAINST THE ILLEGAL USE OF DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC MATERIALS. THE TUNISIAN PRESIDENT CALLS FOR CONVENING AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR COMBATING TERRORISM. Under the patronage of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, Arab interior ministers council started in Tunis its two-day 24th session . Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of the Interior, who is also Honorary President of the Council, leads Saudi delegation to the meeting. The opening session of the two-day meeting started with the address delivered by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and read out on his behalf by Interior and Local Development Minister Rafik Belhaj Kacem. In his address, President Ben Ali highlighted Tunisia's sustained attachment to strengthen the foundations of Arab joint action, as part of the consolidation of the values of solidarity and co-operation between the Arab states. He stressed the important role of the Arab Interior Ministers' Council in strengthening the Arab countries' comprehensive development process on the path of invulnerability, progress and well-being. The President of the Republic commended the valuable work and contributions provided by The Prince Naif Arab Academy for Security Sciences to promote the Arab security function, underscoring the need to intensify co-operation and co- ordination between the Arab countries, in the field of fight against terrorism. In this context, he reminded of Tunisia's call for the holding of an international conference, under the auspices of the United Nations, for the adoption of an international anti-terrorism code of conduct to which all parties shall be committed. President Ben Ali also paid tribute to the efforts exerted by the secretariat general of the Council in the fight against drugs and psychotropic materials. He also underlined the need to implement joint programmes, reinforce co-operation among Arab associations concerned with road safety and consolidating the formulas for the exchange of expertise and experiences in this field among Arab security structures. President Ben Ali also expressed the hope that the first gradual plan in civil protection and defence will contribute to intensifying the efforts of the various Arab civil protection institutions, and to consolidating co-ordination and solidarity among them, and also with regional and international organisations and bodies concerned with the prevention and fight against catastrophes. Following the full text of the address : "In the name of god, merciful and compassionate, Your Royal Highness Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Your Excellency chairman of the session, Your highnesses, Your excellencies, Your Excellency Mr. secretary general, Gentlemen, It is my distinct pleasure, at the opening of the 24th session of the Arab interior ministers' council, to extend a warm welcome to their highnesses and excellencies the ministers and the delegations accompanying them, as well as to all the distinguished guests and participants in this session held in their second home-country, Tunisia, which is constantly keen on consolidating the foundations of joint Arab action and promoting the values of solidarity and co-operation among Arab countries. I also wish to welcome to this meeting His royal highness Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, president of honour of your honorable council, and to express to him my deep consideration for the care and support he offers to this prestigious Arab institution. Your council, which is considered today as a crucial mechanism for joint Arab action, has managed to achieve tangible results, illustrated through the joint agreements, the pilot legislations, and the executive plans and strategies established in the various fields falling under your competence. This in addition to the constant efforts deployed to upgrade Arab security mechanisms and enhance the quality of their services; the aim being to consolidate the feeling of security and serenity among citizens, and to promote the process of comprehensive development in our countries, on the path toward invulnerability, progress and well-being. I avail myself of this opportunity to pay tribute to the secretariat general for its determination to follow up the various decisions and recommendations of this council, as well as to enhance the action of the specialised bureaus and promote their performance, sustained in this regard by the valuable work and contributions provided by The Prince Naif Arab Academy for security sciences to promote the Arab security function. While commending your efforts to study the various phenomena of criminality and dangers threatening our societies, and your determination to find appropriate solutions to guard against these phenomena and tackle them, I would like to underline the fact that the rapid changes and the new forms of criminality emerging in the world today in all fields and sectors make it necessary to step up efforts, so as to make sure the security mechanisms are constantly up to the missions entrusted to them, in tune with these changes, and keeping pace with modern technologies and scientific methods; thus guaranteeing prevention and ensuring the efficiency of their interventions in combating criminality in all its forms and aspects. Your council has accorded a particular attention to the issue of terrorism which ranks high among our concerns, and has been a precursor in establishing an Arab agreement in this field. While commending your efforts in assessing the third gradual plan for the Arab anti-terrorism strategy, and in formulating a fourth gradual plan that takes into consideration the main regional and international developments, we underline today the need to intensify co-operation and co-ordination among our countries in all the fields covered by this convention, particularly as regards the exchange of information, expertise and experiences, and to offer specialized training opportunities for those working in this sector. The current realities, in fact, do require promoting co-ordination and co-operation in this field, within the framework of the international community, by limiting the movements of terrorists, revising the provisions pertaining to the granting of political asylum, and preventing its exploitation by terrorist groups and symbols. It is within this context that Tunisia launched its call for the need to hold an international conference, under the auspices of the United Nations, for the adoption of an international anti-terrorism code of conduct to which all parties shall be committed. Your highnesses, Your excellencies, Gentlemen, Your council has also taken interest in the issue of combating the illegal use of drugs and psychotropic materials. This reflects a keen determination to preserve our societies and our youth against these risks and protect them against the dangers and currents that threaten their physical and mental health. While commending the efforts exerted by the secretariat general of the council and the specialized security mechanisms in all Arab countries, we call, during the implementation of the fifth gradual plan for the Arab strategy for the fight against drugs and psychotropic materials, for intensifying and coordinating these efforts, and for mastering the best methods of combating this phenomenon, in order to bring it under control at the levels of production, distribution and consumption. You have also included in your agenda the issue of road safety, which does remain a matter of crucial importance, as the right to life lies at the core of human rights. Preserving this right requires all of us to continue to explore the most efficient ways and means whereby to reduce the number of human victims and the social and economic damages caused by road accidents. No doubt, implementing joint programmes, reinforcing cooperation among Arab associations concerned with road safety, and consolidating the formulas for the exchange of expertise and experiences in this field among Arab security structures, particularly at the levels of sensitization, prevention and first aid, will help further reduce the dangers of this social scourge. On the other hand, the due attention granted to the issue of civil protection and defence, through the establishment of a first gradual plan in this field, does, in fact, give grounds for satisfaction. We hope this plan will contribute to intensifying the efforts of the various Arab civil protection institutions, and to consolidating co-ordination and solidarity among them, and also with regional and international organisations and bodies concerned with the prevention and fight against catastrophes. No doubt this Arab and international co-operation will be further enhanced through a better use of the practical mechanisms for the exchange of data, experiences and the results of relevant research and studies, as well as through intensifying joint white operations on the ground, in the various fields of civil protection, in order to promote the capacities of the Arab institutions in this regard. Your Highnesses, Your excellencies, Gentlemen, The resolutions and recommendations that will emanate from this session will certainly contribute to strengthening the bonds of co-operation, and will, therefore, consolidate the foundations of stability and development in our Arab countries, and enhance the process of security and peace in the world. I wish you all success in your proceedings." For his part, Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Saudi interior minister and honorary president of Arab Interior Ministers' Council, extended his thanks to President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali for the solicitude he lavishes on the Council and its secretariat-general. The Prince emphasized the intellectual and cultural dimension of fight against criminality, under all its possible shapes, given the changes and transformations the Arab world has witnessed and the emergence of such destructive trends of thought which are bent on undermining the authentic foundations of the Arab nation and establishing a culture of violence and confrontation, under the mask of false slogans disseminated by sides who manipulate mercenaries, drifters and the ignorant. He asserted that the security policy, be it preventive and repressive of the criminal phenomena, is a collective responsibility which necessarily requires sustained efforts from all components of civil society and its different structures. Civil society's contribution, he explained, consists in immunising the young generations against the dangers surrounding them, sensitising them at the scope of the future challenges, helping them shape their authentic personality and make the most of the era's progresses. For his part, Mr. Mohamed Ben Ali Kuman, Secretary- General of the Arab Interior Ministers' Council, voiced in his address the feelings of consideration and thanks to President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali for the constant interest he grants to Arab joint security. He pointed out that this session is held at a critical juncture which requires the joining of all energies and potentialities, to face up the grave dangers which threaten the Arab countries and peoples. He denounced, in this connection, the plans worked out by the enemies of the Arab nation to feed discord and conflict in the region. The Arab Interior Ministers' Council Secretary- General emphasized the need to act swiftly and efficiently to counter these plans, with consciousness, moderation, clear-sightedness and co-operation among all parties. He reviewed the main dangers which threaten the Arab world, citing in particular criminality under all forms, organised crime and the phenomenon of terrorism. He underscored the need to fight these phenomena in a comprehensive way, in association with all international bodies and the different components of civil society. He stressed the imperative to combine the economic, social, educational, cultural and development conditions that would secure real development opportunities, bolster social stability, wipe out ignorance, illiteracy, unemployment and exclusion. The 24th session of the Arab Interior Ministers' Council carried on works, under the chairmanship of Mauritanian interior, postal services and transport minister Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed, listening to the addresses of the heads of delegations and representatives of regional and international organisations. Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) Secretary-General Habib Ben Yahia said that the opening address of President Ben Ali clearly testified to the will of the Head of State and the other Arab leaders to reinforce inter-Arab co-operation in matters of security to protect the societies of the region and increase their cohesion, efficiently fight against crime and terrorism and stand in the way of nihilist and destructive trends. He reminded that the AMU countries had warned, since the 90's, against the dangers of terrorism and very soon called for joining efforts and working out regional, Arab and international plans and programmes to fight against extremism and terrorism, eradicate their root causes and put the available potentialities at the service of construction, stability and building up. Jordan's interior minister Aid El Faiz hailed, for his part, the opening address of the President of the Republic and called for adopting it as working document ; he also lauded Tunisia's support to the activities and programmes of the Arab Interior Ministers' Council general secretariat. He affirmed that the terrorist attacks that have targeted several Arab states implied to reinforce co-operation at bilateral and multilateral levels and increase dialogue among all the governmental and non- governmental institutions, the media and the components of the civil society to tackle this scourge and consecrate a radiant image of the sublime Islamic religion. The Arab interior ministers, who took the floor in turn, warned against the danger of terrorism, stressing the close links between terrorist groups and the networks of organised crime, such as money laundering, and illegal goods smuggling and trafficking. Besides, they called for taking further care of the issue of illegal immigration and to adopt in this field a human approach based on the development of the countries of origin. They also stressed the need to further coordinate the action of security services in the different Arab states in order to ensure follow-up of conventions, strategies and plans organising Arab joint action in matters of fight against crime. The Arab ministers insisted, in this context, on the need to take due care of the issue of security in boosting the development which all Arab peoples long for. Additionally, they pointed out that the security and stability of Arab countries depend on the respect of states' sovereignty and the suspension of all forms of interference with their internal affairs through the use of ethnic or confessional differences as an excuse to affect peoples' interests. On the agenda of the 24th session of the Arab Interior Ministers' Council were several items including notably the draft 5th plan of the Arab strategy of fight against the illegal use of drugs and psychotropic drugs, the draft 4th plan of the Arab strategy of fight against terrorism and the draft first plan of the Arab strategy of civil defence. Reports on the implementation by Arab states of the council resolutions and recommendations was submitted during the session works. Fraternity and co-operation relations binding Tunisia and Saudi Arabia and the current Arab issues were the focus of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's meeting, with Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Saudi Arabia's Interior Minister and Honorary Chairman of the Arab Interior Ministers' Council. Prince Naif emphasized the solidity of relations between the two sisterly countries, which he described as excellent. He said that he had extended to the President of the Republic the greetings and consideration of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, and Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz. He specified that the meeting had provided the opportunity to discuss several issues, including those related to security and co-operation between the two countries and developments on the Arab scene, notably in Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon. The Saudi interior minister underscored the two countries' similarity of views on these issues and President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's consideration for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' efforts in this regard. The meeting was attended by the interior and local development minister and Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Tunis. Placed under the high auspices of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, works of the 24th session of the Arab Interior Ministers' Council, held on January 30-31 in Tunis, ended last Wednesday. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, extended his thanks to President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali for the continuous follow-up of the Arab Interior Ministers Council's works and its resolutions, materialising in this way the Head of State's unwavering will to boost Arab joint action. The 24th session of the Arab Interior Ministers' Council concluded with a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening and developing the various aspects of the Arab security process. In this context, the Council adopted the gradual 5th draft plan for the implementation of the Arab strategy of the fight against the illegal use of drugs and psychotropic materials and the 4th gradual plan of the Arab Civil Defence Strategy. The Council also adopted the recommendations issued by the conferences and meetings held by the Secretariat-General in the year 2006 and which touch upon the Arab police chiefs, officials of the anti-terrorism fight, the structures of fight against drug-trafficking of borders, airports and ports security, emigration, passports, nationality and tourism security, in addition to the adoption of the special report pertaining to the action of the Naif University of Security Sciences. Participants in the session unanimously renewed Mr. Mohamed Ben Ali Kuman appointment as the Council's Secretary-General for the next three years. Prince Naif delivered a speech at the final session in which he hoped the situation in Iraq would become quiet and the Palestinians would reach satisfactory solutions and Lebanon would realize stability and solve all problems. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali received a message of consideration from the participants in the Arab Interior Ministers Council's 24th session, held on the 30th-31st instant in Tunis. Signers of the message extended to President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali their high consideration for the content of his important address to the participants and which constitutes a comprehensive action plan aiming to materialise the attributes of security and stability in the Arab region and to help it take up the rising challenges it faces. They also hailed the vanguard achievements carried out in all fields and all sectors under President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's clear sighted leadership, and thanks to his insightful choices which have made possible a comprehensive development on the path of progress and prosperity. Besides, the Arab interior ministers paid tribute to the President for support of the Arab causes and for his sustained efforts meant to stimulate Arab joint action, as part of reinforcing solidarity, mutual aid and co-operation among the Arab States. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Saudi Interior Minister, was awarded the international golden shield 2006 presented by the International Organization for Prevention from Road Accidents in recognition of the efforts exerted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the field of safety and security of pilgrims and the role of Prince Naif personally in his capacity as chairman of hajj higher committee. In its citation of the shield, the international agency cited that the kingdom hosts more than three million people in a limited area at one time every year, making it the world's largest gathering. The organization said the honoring comes for the personality of Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz in recognition of this unprecedented effort and the kingdom's status and ability to efficiently run this international event without any foreign help. The decoration ceremony was attended by Tunisia's Interior and Local Development Minister Rafik Belhaj Kacem; Dr. Abdul Aziz Saqr Al Ghamdi, President of Prince Naif Arab University for Security Sciences; Dr. Mohammed Bin Ali Kuman, Secretary General of the Arab ministers council; and senior officials. Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of the International Organization for Prevention from Road Accidents said he came to honor a prominent personality who enjoys Arab and international appreciation, that is Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who is also chairman of hajj higher committee and who also has been chosen by the organization for the international prize in the field of traffic safety for 2006. This is also in recognition of the efforts exerted by the ministry of interior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Hajj higher committee to provide security and safety requirements for more than three million people who come from more than 187 countries to the world's largest gathering that necessitates continuous movements for pedestrians and passengers, he added. He said members of the delegation visited the kingdom recently to take part in the education and safety conference, organized by the Riyadh-based Prince Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in cooperation with GCC member states bureau for education and the Arab Organization for Traffic Safety who reviewed a report presented by the deputy chairman of the Arab Organization for Traffic Safety in charge of the Arab Gulf Region on safety and prevention system. On the other hand the Saudi Interior Minister Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz stressed the need for taking into account the intellectual, cultural and legal dimensions concerning terrorism in parallel with persistent Arab security work to combat terrorism. He stated that security work alone will not be useful if the deviant thought is not fought adding that efforts at the intellectual, cultural and legal levels should be exerted. He said that Arab interior ministers is adopting this approach. In a press statement he made in Tunis where he was leading the Saudi delegation to the meetings of Arab Interior Ministers Council he said security issues are at the forefront of the priorities of Arab interior ministers including terrorism. The Interior Minister expressed satisfaction over Arab efforts in the field of combating terrorism and narcotics, adding that Arab efforts in this field achieved successes up to 90%. The minister told reporters that the Arab interior ministers will do their utmost to fight terrorism and narcotics, stressing the need for more Arab cooperation in this field. Saudi Interior Minister Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, who is also the Honorary President of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, graced a dinner party hosted by Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Tunisia Saad Ibrahim Al-brahim. The party was attended by the official delegation accompanying the Saudi Minister of the Interior, a number of Arab Interior Ministers who are participating in the Council's meetings, the Council's Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed Ali Kuman, Arab ambassadors accredited to Tunisia and high-ranking Tunisian officials as well as delegates of Arab and international organizations. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister Of Interior arrived in Tunisia to lead the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the 24th session of Arab Interior Ministerial Council. Upon arrival at Carthage International Airport in Tunis, Prince Naif was received by Tunisian Minister of Interior and Local Development Rafik Belhaj Kacem, Saudi Ambassador to Tunisia Ibrahim Al Saad Al Ibrahim, the Council's Secretary General Dr. Mohammed Bin Ali Kuman, President of Naif Arab University for Security Sciences Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Saqr Alghamdi and a Number of Officials. Saudi Interior Minister Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, who is also the Honorary President of the Council of the Arab Interior Ministers received separately the Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad Al-Bulani and Daho Ould Kabila, and the Algerian Minister-Delegate to the Minister of State for Interior and local Governments. During the receptions, they discussed a number of issues related to security and the proceedings of the 24the session of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. The receptions were attended by a number of high- ranking officials. Meanwhile, Prince Naif attended last night the dinner party hosted by the Secretary General of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, Mohammed Ali Kuman in honor of the Arab ministers of Interior. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Saudi Minister of interior, met in Tunis with his Syrian counterpart Major General Bassam Abdul Majeed. During the meeting, they discussed issues of mutual concern and the outcome of the 24th session of the Arab interior ministers council. On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by the Saudi Ambassador to Tunisia Ibrahim Al Saad Al Ibrahim, the Under Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Dr. Ahmed Al Salem ; Dr. Saed Al Orabi Al Harthi, advisor to the minister of interior; and senior officials. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Saudi Interior Minister and Honorary President of the Arab Interior Ministers Council, and members of the Arab Interior Ministers Council, graced a dinner party held in their honour by Tunisia's Minister of Interior. The event was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Tunisia Ibrahim Al Saad Al Ibrahim, Prince Naif's accompanying official delegation and a number of officials. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Interior Minister left Tunisia after having led the Saudi delegation to the meetings of Arab Interior Ministers. At the airport, he was seen off by Saudi Ambassador to Tunisia Ibrahim Al Saad Al Ibrahim and other officials. |
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