March 9, 2007

A SAUDI-IRANIAN SUMMIT BETWEEN THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES AND THE IRANIAN PRESIDENT DEALS WITH BILATERAL RELATIONS AND ISSUES OF THE REGION. SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAN SHARE COMMON VIEWS TOWARDS THE UNITY OF IRAQ AND ITS INDEPENDENCE AND THE NECESSITY TO END THE LEBANESE CRISIS. THE TWO COUNTRIES EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF OPPOSING ANY TREND TO CREATE DISUNITY AMONG MUSLIMS. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad co-chaired the official Saudi-Iranian talks. Speaking on the occasion, King Abdullah highlighted the importance of the existing Saudi-Iranian relations which are based on the bonds of neighborhood and unity of creed. On his part, the Iranian President lauded the pioneering role of the Saudi leadership in the service of the Muslim causes. King Abdullah and Ahmadinejad reiterated that the danger which is currently threatening the Muslim nation is the endeavors to create sedition between the Muslim Sunnah and Shiites, and said efforts should be exerted to confront such endeavors and to work for closing the Muslim ranks. The two leaders underscored the importance of closing the Palestinian ranks, and the Iranian president voiced support to the Arab peace initiative, approved by the Arab summit, held in Beirut in 2002. As regards Iraq, the two leaders reiterated the importance of implementing the plan of the government and to work for ensuring Iraq's independence and unity as well as the equality of its sons. The Iranian President said Iran has been following up and supporting the good efforts being exerted by Saudi Arabia to calm the situation in Lebanon and end its political crisis. The two leaders hoped that all Lebanese parties would positively respond with these efforts. King Abdullah and Ahmadinejad reviewed aspects of cooperation between the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran in all domains. On the saudi side, the meeting was attended by Prince Mishal Ibn Abdul Aziz, Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation, Prince Metib Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh region, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, Prince Abdul-Ilah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Prince Ahmad Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Interior Minister, Prince Bandar Bin Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Secretary General of the National Security Council, Iyad Madani, the Minister of Culture and Information, and Saudi Ambassador to Iran Osama Al-Sanousi. On the Iranian side the meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Manuchehr Motoki, Vice -President Rahim Mashaie, member of the Islamic Parliament and Head of the Saudi-Iranian Friendship Committee Sayyed Ali Riyad, Iranian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sayyed Mohammed Husseini, Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab and African affairs Sayyed Bakri, and Assistant Foreign Minister Sayyed Sheikh Attar. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz held a dinner party tonight in honor of President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadi Nijad and accompanying delegation. The function was attended by Prince Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Fahd Bin Mohammed Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Abdullah Bin Mohammed Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh region, Prince Abdul-Ilah Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Ahmed Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Interior, princes; ministers, and senior civil and military officials. Iran's President Mahmud Ahmadinejad arrived in Riyadh on a visit to the kingdom. At Riyadh Airbase Airport, he was received by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud who welcomed him and the accompanying delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Iranian President was also received by Prince Miteb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, a number of princes, ministers and senior officials. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad left Riyadh after a brief visit to the kingdom. Ahmadinejad was seen of by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, at the king's palace.. At the airport of Riyadh airbase, Ahmadinejad was seen off by Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh region; Prince Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Mohammed Bin Eyaf Al-Miqren, the mayor of Riyadh; Iyad Bin Ameen Madani, the Minister of Culture and Information; and a number of senior officials. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he had conducted comprehensive talks with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz on the Palestinian and Iraqi problems. In a statement to press following his return to Tehran from Riyadh, the Iranian President said Saudi Arabia and Iran have common views, and the two countries have emphasized the importance of opposing any trend to create disunity among the Muslims. In his statement carried by the Iranian news agency, Ahmadinejad said it has been agreed to coordinate for enhancing the Islamic unity and the status of the Muslims. Reiterating that his recent visit to Saudi Arabia was a good working visit, Ahmadinejad said Iran has been maintaining good relations with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and added 'it was an essential matter to exchange views on the current developments in the Muslim world'. Iran's Ambassador to the kingdom sayyed Mohammed Husseini described the current state visit of the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadi Nijad to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia as important and coming within the firm and good relations between the two countries. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Ambassador said the visit attains special importance as the kingdom and Iran are two great and important countries in the region due to their regional and international status and the cordial ties binding the two countries. He said there is room for further developing the deep-rooted relations between the two countries. He noted that the Iranian president's visit is a good chance for exchanging views and have consultation for more cooperation in all fields. The Iranian Ambassador pointed to the economic status of the two countries, qualifying them for playing bigger role in the development of their vast potentials and those of the region. He recalled that the Saudi cultural week held in Iran is yet another evidence of the continuing exchange of benefits. Husseini also pointed to the cooperation in the sports and youth field between the two countries. Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini on Sunday said that the meeting held between Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and his Iranian Counterpart Manuchehr Motaki during the visit of Iran's President Mahmud Ahmadi Nejad to the Kingdom on Saturday focused on holding Baghdad Conference. In statement to reporters, he said that Iran would support any efforts within the framework of achieving security in Iraq and supporting the Iraqi government in Baghdad Conference. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has received a telephone call from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of the Islamic Republic of Iran. During the conversation, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and developments of regional and international incidents. The Chairman of Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Abdul Raouf Al-Reidi described the Saudi-Iranian summit as a great step to heal rifts in the Muslim world and to contain attempts aiming to incite troubles between Sunnis and Shiites. In a statement, he said that the summit lays the ground for understanding on the region's problems for finding solutions to the situations in Iraq and Lebanon. Dr Nizar Madani, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at their talks in Riyadh last Saturday intensively reviewed issues pertaining to the Middle East. Madani who was speaking at a joint press conference along with GCC Secretary General Abdul Rahman Al-Atiyyah. Answering a question whether Saudi Arabia has received any official reply from Libya or any other Arab country about participation in the Arab Summit due be held in Riyadh later this month, Madani said Saudi envoys had delivered invitations to leaders of all Arab countries to attend the summit, and added 'we are awaiting for information about the formation of the delegations to the summit, but so far we have not received replies and expecting to receive these replies successively. Madani said the issue of intervention in the domestic affairs of Iraq is a matter of a great concern for Saudi Arabia and the GCC member states. '|Efforts are underway to confront this problem', he added. On his part, Al-Atiyyah welcomed the outcome of the talks held by king Abdullah and the Iranian president in Riyadh. Al-Atiyyah reiterated the concern of the GCC member states about intervention in the domestic affairs of Iraq. On the GCC nuclear program, Al-Atiyyah said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reiterated its readiness to provide the GCC member states with the required experience in this respect as long as the GCC nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and in line with the international standards. The Iraqi government welcomed the outcome of the recently-held summit between Iran and Saudi Arabia. A statement issued by Al-Maliki's office said that the meeting, which was chaired by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, aimed at achieving peace and stability, as well as wiping out terrorism in Iraq. It added that the Iraqi government highly welcomed the meeting between the two leaders that sought to support the Iraqi government and people. It said that the Iraqi government also welcomed outcome of the meeting that went in harmony with the Iraqi premier's security plan. The statement said such meeting between the two leaders would pave the way for the convening of the prospective international conference in Baghdad soon that was called for by the Iraqi government. The European Union praised the efforts of Saudi Arabia to bring about regional solutions to Middle East issues. The German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeir, whose country holds the European Union said in a statement during a press conference in Brussels following meetings of the foreign ministers of the European Union stressed the important role played by Saudi Arabia, in order to establish a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East and a breakthrough in the other regional files. He affirmed that the diplomatic efforts of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reflect the Arab will to activate the processes for establishing peace in the Middle East. He added that Europe is following these efforts and express the willingness to stand by those efforts. The minister announced the decision of the European Union to attend the international conference on Iraq scheduled to be held next Saturday in Baghdad along with permanent members of the Security Council and the neighboring countries. He said that the conference must be given the first opportunity for the Iraqis to translate the will of national reconciliation. For her part, the European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Waldner said that Europe will take part in the international conference on Iraq. Waldner announced on the other hand that the ministerial meeting of the Quartet on the Palestinian issue will be held in Cairo and stressed that the European Union has not determined its final position on the issue of dealing with the Palestinian national unity government. Meanwhile Press Spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Alaa El-Hadidi, stated that Egyptian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, received the Arab Foreign Ministers, who are members of the Iraq Committee, before the Committee's formal meeting at the Arab League. Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Gül, participated in the meeting. The meeting, which precedes the senior officials' meeting of Iraq's neighboring countries due to be held in Baghdad on 10th March, tackled this meeting's Agenda and its expected outcome. Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari, presented his notion of the mechanisms of the Baghdad meeting in which the ambassadors of the five permanent UN Security Council members will participate upon Iraq's invitation. The participants in the meeting agreed on the importance of the Baghdad meeting as it directs a solidarity message to the Iraqis through the support offered by the participants to Iraq in helping it build its institutions on a non-sectarian basis and achieving development and reconstruction. Aboul Gheit emphasized the importance of proceeding forward in Iraq. However the current situation remains far from the aspirations and hopes of the Iraqis, considering the violence, indignation and sectarian polarization in the country, and this requires solidarity and unity from all in confronting the risks of sectarianism and terrorism. The Foreign Minister underlined the importance of adopting tangible practical steps towards achieving national reconciliation and accord, indicating that this is the only way to overcome the current crisis in Iraq, and that any security or military solutions will not succeed unless accompanied by serious and constructive effort to achieve true national reconciliation between all political factions in Iraq, in which every party presents mutual compromises to boost the Iraqi national project. Aboul Gheit indicated that confronting and dismantling militias is a major priority to render any project for national reconciliation a success. Not less important also is reviewing and reconsidering some items of the constitution in order to broaden political participation without giving priority to the interests of a party or group on the expense of others. The Foreign Minister indicated that developing and improving the army and police forces on non-sectarian basis is an essential element in reconstructing the country. In this way, the confidence of all Iraqis can be won in order to preserve the security and independence of Iraq and provide the appropriate conditions for the withdrawal of the foreign troops. The spokesman added that all ministers participating in the meeting, called for by the Egyptian Foreign Minister, stressed that respecting Iraq's independence, sovereignty and unity is an essential element and constant policy in dealing with Iraq. Foreign Minister, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, affirmed that Egypt will participate in the senior officials' meeting of Iraq neighbouring countries, which is also expected to include representatives from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. The meeting is scheduled to be held in Baghdad on 10th of March 2007. Aboul Gheit added that the Egyptian participation reflects Egypt's interest in Iraq's issues and its keenness on supporting all Arab, regional, or international efforts to achieve peace and stability and stop blood shed in this country. In this context, Aboul Gheit asserted that all Iraqi political and religious factions, especially the Government, should adopt tangible steps towards achieving national accord. He also added that taking some measures in this direction will reduce the intensity of the internal conflict and will contribute to the success of the endeavours exerted to achieve national reconciliation, and this would be welcomed by all parties. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul underlined the importance of the maintaining the territorial of Iraq, saying," A separated Iraq would cause unpredictable consequences for the whole region." Gul, at his speech at the opening session of the foreign ministers meeting of the Arab League in Cairo, stated that a strong central government was important in building peace and stability. Stating that the oil-rich city Kirkuk is a home to Arabs, Turks and Kurds, he said that the city is the small microcosm of Iraq. He added that it is important to establish national consensus over the Kirkuk issue. "This is the day to show our solidarity to Iraq," he said. Gul also expressed his pleasure for the invitation of the Arab League meeting and thanked the Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa and his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Ali Aboul Gheit. Stressing the importance of relations between Turkey and the Arab League, Gul said he believed the Turkish-Arab forum would soon convene and be institutionalized. Underlining that the Middle East was going through to most troubled period in its history, Gul said that it was not possible to solve the problems in the region separately. He added the Palestinian issue which lay at the center of the problems, was creating pessimism and expectancy of fundamentalism in the region. Gul expressed his happiness over the consensus that was reached in Makkah and thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and President Hosni Mubarak for their contribution. Gul said he believed a national unity government to be founded in Palestine would be an important step in the solution of the problem. Stating that the new government should attach priority to the interests of the Palestinian people, Gul underlined the need for the international community to support this government. Gul also commented on the situation in Lebanon and said, "We are ready to do everything in our capability to help build stability in Lebanon." Stating that sectarian disputes in the region were causing unrest, Gul said these kinds of disputes would have negative consequences. He added that they would work towards establishing cooperation between Turkey and the Arab League that would set an example. Turkish Foreign Minister Gul met the Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Moussa and discussed the regional developments. Gul, at a joint conference after his meeting with Moussa, stated that they work to establish a platform to boost relations between Arab League and Turkey in every area. "They have decided to support Turkey's candidacy for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council. I would like to express gratitude of Turkey and Turkish people for this," Gul said. Moussa said that they have earlier announced to establish a platform between Turkey and Arab League, adding that establishing a forum for high level contacts was targeted firstly. He said the parties have reached a mutual understanding to hold annual consultations between Turkey and Arab League. Asked about an international security meeting on Iraq which is planning in Istanbul, Moussa expressed his support by saying "yes" in Turkish. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Aboul Gheit, at a joint news conference with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, said the political process in Iraq should be inclusive to all the Iraqi people. "We don't want, at this time, to increase problems than those already exist," said Gul, noting that the fate of the northern city of Kirkuk was important to maintain unity and sovereignty of Iraq. Aboul Gheit said Egypt's position vis-a-vis Kirkuk was within the solution of all problems in Iraq. Kirkuk is an Iraqi city and is meant to be for all Iraqis, he added, and the Iraqis themselves should decide the future of this city. "Kirkuk is an Iraqi city after all," he said. Gul, said Turkey was planning to increase investments in Egypt. He anticipated investments to reach $1.2 billion. Aboul Gheit said he and Gul discussed the upcoming conference of Iraq's neighbors and how they were viewing the meeting. Russia's foreign minister warned Washington not to use force against Iran and criticized what he described as the United States' unilateral approach to other global crises in an interview published Wednesday. Russia was worried about Vice President Dick Cheney's recent comment that ``all options are on the table'' to stop Tehran from becoming a nuclear power, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. ``We are concerned about the possibility of a military scenario,'' Lavrov was quoted as saying, in the government daily Rossiyskaya Gazeta. ``We are observing a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf. Such a buildup of forces always threatens to trigger a military conflict, even by accident.'' Russia has repeatedly spoken out against the use of military force against Iran, and has warned that harsh punishment would be counterproductive. In December, Russia supported a U.N. Security Council resolution that imposed limited sanctions against Iran over its refusal to halt enrichment, but only after the council dropped an initial proposal to impose curbs on a nuclear power plant Russia is building in Iran. Senior diplomats from the five permanent Security Council members and Germany met last Monday in London to discuss ways to pressure Iran to suspend enrichment. Officials in London and Washington said new measures would likely include incremental restrictions on trade and arms. Lavrov asserted that the talks on the Iranian issue were deadlocked, saying both the United States and Iran were unwilling to compromise. ``It would be unforgivable to miss a chance to use every opportunity to start such talks because of a false notion of prestige, because of the unyielding stance taken by both parties,'' he was quoted as saying. Echoing recent comments made by President Vladimir Putin, Lavrov also assailed Washington for what he called a unilateralist approach to global issues. ``When they offer us a unilateral strategy and urge us to express solidarity in combating one or another evil ... that's not the behavior of a partner,'' he was quoted as saying. Lavrov added that Putin's harsh criticism of U.S. policy earlier this month voiced an opinion many other nations shared. Putin told a security conference in Munich Feb. 10 that the United States ``has overstepped its national borders in every way'' and accused it of triggering a global arms race. Lavrov praised Putin's blunt talk: ``Someone had to say it ... to show the need for candid talk about how to deal with global affairs.'' Russia can speak independently, he said, because of its resurgence following the troubled years after the 1991 Soviet collapse. ``we can allow ourselves to tell the truth, and not just reject unilateral calls for support but offer concrete constructive alternatives.''