Newsletter - July 4-10, 2005 - #116

In This Issue

In the News

Terror in London - Reactions

Kingdom Offers Support to Find London Bombers
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News

"JEDDAH, 10 July 2005 — Saudi Arabia yesterday offered all-out support to Britain in its bid to track down the criminals behind Thursday’s London bombings. It also called for joint international efforts to dry up sources of terrorism.  “On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and myself, I strongly condemn this heinous crime and express the Kingdom’s full readiness to extend whatever help required by our friends in Britain,” Crown Prince Abdullah told British Prime Minister Tony Blair.  During a telephone conversation yesterday, Prince Abdullah and Blair reviewed the aftermath of the blasts that claimed several innocent lives. “These acts reflect the cowardice and meanness of their perpetrators, irrespective of their ideologies,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the crown prince as telling the premier.  Blair thanked the crown prince and commended Saudi Arabia’s bold stand against terrorism.."

Saudi Ambassador to the UK Statement
"On behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I wish to assure the people of the UK that our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the terrible crimes that took place in London this morning.  In Saudi Arabia we have suffered at the hands of terrorists and we stand by the UK in every effort to bring the perpetrators of terrorism to justice. Saudi Arabia has always and continues to condemn all terrorism wherever it may be and whatever its cause.."

Religious leader, government, and GCC all condemn London attacks - Official Report
"The Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued a forthright statement against the perpetrators of yesterday’s terrorist attacks in London.  Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh said that the killing and terrorization of innocent people and the destruction of property ran counter to the teachings of Islam. 'It is high time for Muslims to announce that Islam has nothing to do with such vicious acts,' he said.."

Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. Condemns Attacks in London
"Saudi Ambassador to the United States Prince Bandar bin Sultan expressed his sorrow at the death of civilians in today's terrorist attacks in London. Prince Bandar condemned the attacks as vicious crimes carried out by cowards, and extended, on behalf of the people of Saudi Arabia, the 'deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the attacks.'.. ..Prince Bandar further added that the criminal attacks in London are a sad reminder that no nation is immune from terrorism and encouraged the international community to continue to work together and remain vigilant in combating terrorism.."

 Item of Interest

Saudi Ambassador to UK Discussed Terrorism Threat Last Week

Prince Turki Al-Faisal: “The Saudi people reject and abhor terrorists, their ways, and their ideology”

"..HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal – speaking to the Third Homeland Security Round Table: Threats, Responses, and Counter Attacks meeting at Armourers’ Hall yesterday (29 June) – told the delegates that Saudi Arabia’s experience of the 'War on Terror' had shown that the current groups were much more dangerous than previous terrorist organizations. The current form of terrorism, he said, was not linked to regional conflicts or aimed purely at subverting regional leadership, but was truly international in its scope for operation. 'Al-Qaeda is a global network of operatives,” he said. “It is supranational, but it is regionally autonomous.'”

Item of Interest

Our Women vs. Our Image!
Dr. Khaled Batarfi, kbatarfi@al-madina.com

"Women issues have always been hot buttons in Saudi Arabia, just as abortion is in America and immigration in Europe. You push a button and receive instant passionate responses. I wrote a couple of articles about women under stress and heard from so many.

"Most respondents agreed with my position, some have interesting perspectives. Few Westerners sound like “how lucky we are to live in a civilized world. What a pity you don’t!” Muslims, especially women, are happy we opened the files, but some are concerned that the stigma might be attached to Islam rather than to misbehaving Muslims."

In the News

Clerics Who Justify Terrorism Face Trial

Saudi Arabia is set to release a list naming clerics who will be tried on terrorism charges for issuing fatwas, or religious edicts, which justify terrorist acts. The Saudi newspaper Arab News cites the Saudi interior minister Prince Nayef as saying they will be tried as terror accomplices. He also revealed that authorities are trying to trace additional clerics, whose names do not appear on the list.

It is thought hundreds of Saudis have traveled to Iraq in recent months to join the Jihad or holy war there. Saudi newspapers have carried interviews with several young men who turned back after receiving a fatwa from one senior Saudi cleric warning that only Iraqis should take part in the Jihad. Another young Saudi said he and his friends returned on discovering their only purpose would be as suicide bombers.

Prince Nayef told a meeting of the Supreme Tourism Authority this week that the plans to try the clerics are part of their effort to identify individuals who are financing terror operations in the kingdom.

On the Web

www.CSIS.org

Saudi Aramco: Production Capacity Expansion
Khalid Al-Falih, senior vice president of gas operations at Saudi Aramco, discussed the company’s plans to increase production at a CSIS Forum on June 28. He focused on plans to raise its production capacity to 12.5 million barrels per day (mmb/d). Al-Falih highlighted changes in market landscape, new upstream and natural gas developments, and investments in export facilities and refining capacity.

The World's Reliable Energy Supplier
Remarks by Khaled Al-Falih
Senior Vice President, Gas Operations
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Washington, DC, June 28, 2005

On the Web

World Trade Organization Phobia in Saudi Arabia

"Several sectors of the Saudi public opinion and business sectors are in a state of expectation and doubt regarding the conditions and the implications of the accession of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to the World Trade Organization (WTO). It’s an ongoing and fluctuating situation since the start of the negotiations, nearly 10 years ago. It is an outcome of the lack of awareness about the nature of the organization, its laws, its scope of expertise on the one hand, and about conditions and negotiation mechanisms of the accession on the other hand. Finally, it is about the course and turning point of the Kingdom’s accession. The Kingdom’s announcement that it started the accession negotiations was greatly welcomed, especially since  the  public opinion took it for granted.." 

In the News

Saudi Arabia says ready to beat militants from Iraq
"Saudi militants returning from Iraq will be even tougher than the veterans of Afghanistan but the kingdom, which is battling a two-year wave of al Qaeda violence, is ready to defeat them, a senior minister said.  'We expect the worst from those who went to Iraq,' Interior Minister Prince Nayef said in remarks published on Sunday. 'They will be worse, and we will be ready for them.'.."

Saudi Aramco-ExxonMobil oil refinery JV launched in China
"China's largest oil refining and ethylene integrated joint venture, participated by Sinopec, Saudi Aramco and ExxonMobil, was officially launched in East Chinese Fujian Province.."

India Identifies Areas for Saudi Investors
"Commercial ties between Saudi Arabia and India are poised for a "giant leap," with India newly identifying areas for Saudi investors.."

Saudi Ministry of Education launches a project to eradicate illiteracy
"The Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia has drawn up a ten year plan to eradicate illiteracy and educate adult citizens it will implement at the start of the upcoming school year. This latest plan has been subjected to vigorous trials in the past two years. A source in the Ministry indicated the authorities 'want to stamp out illiteracy among the 10 to 45 year old by 2013.'..”

Trial of three Saudi reformists
"The trial in public of three Saudi reformists, who were sentenced to jail terms ranging from six to nine years for demanding constitutional reforms in the kingdom, will be decided by the court, according to a Saudi official.."

Move to boost Saudi tourism
"The Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT) has reached an agreement with the Haj Ministry to change the licences of Umrah firms so that these could be converted into tourism companies by the end of this year, according to Prince Sultan bin Salman, secretary-general of SCT.."

Windfall oil revenue offers Saudi Arabia a chance to invest in its future
"Based on a conservative estimate of an average price level of $40 per barrel, Saudi Arabia will see $120 billion from oil revenues alone in 2005. With expectations of stable oil prices at "$50 per barrel" (June 15 OPEC meeting), it is a golden opportunity for the Saudis to address their endemic problems of disproportionate public sector spending (60 percent of GDP), unemployment, and to reduce their reliance on oil.."

Canyon teacher sees Saudi Arabia up close
"Guides escorted the group through arid, flat-roofed cities, visits to local schools and shopping excursions to local markets. Hammon, a geography and art history teacher, said the group felt very safe and was well received.. ..'We would ask them questions and they would ask about how we did things in America,' Hammon said. 'Their attitude was, ‘We want to learn as much about you as you learn about us.’'.."

Saudi Stock Index Down 5.4 Percent
"The Saudi stock market was down for the second consecutive week despite rising oil prices. A Saudi banking expert, however, downplayed the impact of Thursday's terror attacks in London on the market. 'It was not affected by terrorist attacks within the Kingdom, so how can it be affected by the attacks in London?' he asked.."

CITC to Promote Computer Literacy Among Saudi Families
"One million PCs are to be sold to middle class Saudi families at competitive prices under an ambitious plan unveiled at a press conference here on Wednesday night.. ..Dr. Mohammed Al-Suwaiyel, governor of the Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC), said the CITC under its Saudi Home Computing Initiative (SHCI) will promote computer literacy among Saudi middle class families. The initiative is the result of a multi-sectoral partnership covering the banking, STC and the IT sectors.."

Saudi Arabia Seeks $624bn Investment
"Saudi Arabia is seeking foreign investment to carry out a large number of projects worth SR2.34 trillion ($624 billion) in vital sectors, according to Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the Kingdom's ambassador to the United Kingdom.. ..Addressing the Middle East Symposium 2005 titled "Commercial Diplomacy: A Force for Regional Prosperity" in London, Prince Turki said the new projects, which were approved by the government this year, would be implemented within the next 15 years.."

Saudi bank's profits soar to $480 million
"Samba Financial Group, Saudi Arabia's second-largest listed bank, said yesterday first-half profits rose 50 per cent to 1.8 billion riyals ($480 million) compared with the same period last year. The bank also said in a statement posted on the Saudi bourse website its second-quarter net profits hit a record 994m riyals.."

'Al-Qaeda chief' killed in Riyadh
"Saudi security forces say they have killed the country's most wanted man, al-Qaeda's leader in the kingdom.."

Privatization of Saline Water Body Under Way
"The first steps toward privatizing the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) are under way. Water and Electricity Minister Abdullah Al-Hussayen, who is also the chairman of SWCC, announced that the ministry is in the process of privatizing the organization and transforming it into a holding company, Al-Riyadh newspaper reported. Al-Hussayen said his ministry would choose specialized consultants to study the process from financial, legal and technical aspects.."

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