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US
Visas for Saudi Students
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 "..Saudi
students approved for US scholarships by the Ministry of
Higher Education can expect to receive notices by the end of
this month, said a US Embassy official in Riyadh.
In a presentation given yesterday at the Dar Al-Hekma
College for girls urging students to apply for US
universities early, Vice Consul Carrie Giardino said that
officials at the embassy had been told by the ministry that
names of students approved for 10,000 US scholarships
announced months ago would be disclosed at the end of
November. The ministry plans to announce the names in groups
every two weeks. The problem arose when the ministry
announced scholarships, which caused the embassy to block
appointment times for students in order to process their
visas as quickly as possible thus reducing the number of
interviews for other types of visas from the usual 200 a day
to 80 a day. This created a backlog of interviews for other
visas and many people complained that it took months just to
schedule an interview.."
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| On
the Web - AUSPC On-line Audio Archive
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 Web - AUSPC On-line Archive
Arab-US
Policymakers Conference (AUSPC) 2006
Washington, DC -- October 30-31, 2006
Listen
to panels on Saudi-US relations -- AUSPC presentations are
now available in streaming audio on-line, courtesy of ArabiaLink.com:
| Day
One - Taking Stock of the Saudi Arabian-US
Relationship: Examining the Implications for
Interests and Policies
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Oct 30 - Taking Stock of the Saudi Arabian-US
Relationship
- Ms. Afnan Al-Shuaiby
- H.E. Abdalla A. Alireza
- The Hon. Robert Jordan
- H.E. Dr.
Khalil Al-Khalil
- Dr. Eleanor
Abdella Doumato
- H.E. Bandar al-Aiban
- Panel
Questions and Answers
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Oct 30 - Regional Strategic Issues: Challenges
and Opportunities
-
Dr.
Hussein Al-Athel
-
Dr.
Daniel Yergin
-
Mr.
Nawaf Obaid
-
Dr.
Rachel Bronson
-
Dr.
Nahed M. Taher
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Oct 30 - Luncheon Keynote Address - Vision for
the Future
HRH
Prince Turki al-Faisal
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Oct 30 - The Energy Outlook: Independence or
Interdependence?
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Oct 30 - What Went Wrong, What Went Right, and
the Way Forward -- Mistakes Made, Lessons
Learned
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| Day
Two - The 25th Anniversary of the Gulf
Cooperation Council: A Forum on the
Future of the GCC |
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Oct 31 - The Gulf Cooperation Council: 25
Years of Accomplishments and Challenges
-
Rear
Admiral Harold J. Bernsen, (USN, Ret.)
-
H.E.
Shaikh Terky bin Rashid Al-Khalifah
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Dr.
Michael Collins Dunn
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Dr.
Kenneth Katzman
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Dr.
Joseph Moynihan
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Oct 31 - What Future for the GCC Region?
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Oct 31 - Luncheon Keynote Address: A Vision of
the Future of the GCC
-
Dr.
Hussein Al-Athel
-
HE
Nasser bin Hamad bin Mubarak Al Khalifa
-
Lt.
Gen. David Barno (USA, Ret.)
-
The
Hon. W. Chas Freeman, Jr.
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| Keeping
Track - Recently
on SUSRIS |
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Rollover
image for info |
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Dominican
Republic Wants Saudi Arabia to Build Oil Refinery [Nov 25]
"Dominican officials are pushing for Saudi Arabia to build an
oil refinery in the Caribbean country, hoping to end chronic fuel
shortages and take advantage of an impending U.S. trade deal.
President Leonel Fernandez hosted the Saudi ambassador to the
United States, Turki al-Faisal, for an official lunch at the
national palace on Friday.. ..Al-Faisal and the president had
discussed a possible refinery, which would supply the eastern
United States and the Dominican Republic.." [more]
Saudis May
Pull Out of Eurofighter Contract Over Fraud Probe [Nov 25]
"Saudi Arabia may pull out of a contract to buy 72 new
Eurofighter aircraft from British firm Bae Systems because of a
row over an investigation into an alleged slush fund. The Saudis
could pull out of the 76 billion pound (147 billion dollars)
contract and take their business to France, with the potential
loss of up to 50,000 jobs.. ..Mike Turner, the company's chief
executive, told the sun that the investigation had 'been going on
long enough'.." [more]
Saudi Envoys
Gather for a Crucial Meeting [Nov 25]
"Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal will chair a one-week
periodical meeting of Saudi ambassadors in Riyadh Saturday. All
Saudi ambassadors outside the Kingdom are participating in this
crucial meeting where important issues and policies will be
discussed.. ..The ambassadors will discuss political, economic,
media and cultural issues besides chancery services and other
financial, economic and IT matters with an objective of improving
and upgrading the quality of the diplomatic work.." [more]
King Donates
SR36 Million for Nanotechnology [Nov 25]
"King Abdullah donated SR36 million to the three leading
universities in the Kingdom for research studies in nanotechnology..
..the facilities would serve as the nucleus for the establishment
of advanced institutes of nanotechnology in the three universities
where Saudi experts will be trained in this new branch of science.
These institutes will chalk out programs for their partnership and
cooperation with international institutes in the field.." [more]
Saudi Stocks
Rebound on Attractive ‘Buy Levels’ [Nov 25]
"The Saudi stock exchange, which was the scene of a series of
plunges since the last week of October, was the only Arab bourse
that recorded a rebound last week. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI)
gained 3.6 percent last week, closing at 8,701.53 points, up from
last week’s close at 8,400.88 points. The index gained 300.65
points or 3.58 percent in a week. The TASI is currently 47.9
percent lower than the year’s start.." [more]
Cheney to
Leave for Saudi Arabia [Nov 24]
"Vice President Dick Cheney is expected to meet on Saturday
with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah for talks on developments in the
Middle East, including Iraq. Cheney was scheduled to leave Friday
for Saudi Arabia.. ..The trip comes ahead of President George W.
Bush's planned visit to Amman, Jordan, for talks with Iraqi Prime
Minister Nouri al-Maliki.." [more]
Children’s
Rights and Health Issues Come Under Focus [Nov 24]
"The Third International Conference on Child Health ended
yesterday with calls to ensure children’s rights and health..
..Around 1,500 participants attended the lectures by 120 doctors
and experts from various countries including Europe, America and
East Asia.. ..The event, launched on Sunday to mark the Saudi
Child Day, discussed many issues concerning children’s rights in
Saudi Arabia.." [more]
Region Fast
Becoming a Global Petrochemical Hub [Nov 24]
"Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle East is well
positioned to become a global petrochemical hub, according to a
senior executive of a major chemical company. 'Saudi Arabia’s
vision of attracting downstream customers to build production
plants is a very good one, but will not be easy to execute,'
Michael Gambrell, executive vice president of the Dow Chemical
Company, told Arab News.." [more]
Cheney to Meet
With Saudi King Ahead of Iraq Summit [Nov 23]
"Vice President Cheney will fly to Saudi Arabia tomorrow and
hold talks with King Abdullah on Saturday amid a flurry of
diplomatic activity over Iraq that reflects the wider scramble to
shape the war-torn country's future at a critical juncture. The
White House said Cheney will discuss regional issues but provided
no details about the hastily organized mission to Riyadh. The
trip, however, comes on the eve of a summit between President Bush
and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Jordan next
week.." [more]
Saudi IPO
Summit Relocates to Dubai from Riyadh [Nov 23]
"Conference organiser IIR Middle East has reconvened Saudi
IPO Summit 2006 in Dubai after it was forced to postpone the
conference, which was originally planned to take place in Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia, earlier this week. The summit will now be held at
the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel in Dubai from December 4-6. The
organisers said they could not hold the summit due to
administrative issues.." [more]
Saudi Presence
at Cityscape to Double [Nov 23]
"Property developers in Saudi Arabian are increasingly
turning to Cityscape Dubai to showcase their products, according
to the latest figures released by the organisers. Saudi Arabia's
participation has increased by 110 per cent, said the organisers
of the B2B real estate event. 'We are overwhelmed by the response
from Saudi Arabia as a rapidly emerging investment opportunity in
the worldwide property market'.." [more]
Corporate
Social Responsibility and the Private Sector [Nov 23]
"It is a known fact that the main objective of businesses is
to make profit. That is why many have the
misconception that business concerns and social concerns are
incompatible. Advocates of corporate social responsibility (CSR)
are working hard to prove the alternate.. ..'The Saudi model of
CSR must focus its efforts in human development. We are going
through an economic boom, and it is only rational to use our
current resources and invest it back in our society'.." [more]
On a High [Nov
23]
"While there are no exact figures on drug use, officials at
the National Committee for Combating Drugs have noticed a
significant increase in drug use, arrests and narcotics dealing in
the Kingdom. According to statistics, 85 percent of drug dealers
in the Kingdom are foreigners. The Saudis who deal in drugs are
also users to earn cash for their drug addiction.. ..Alarming
statistics were presented by Mona Al-Sharbini from the National
Drug Combat Department. In a study conducted by King Abdul Aziz
University in Jeddah 4.4-11.5 percent students from school and
university levels admitted to sniffing glue, nail polish or
benzene.." [more]
Kingdom, India
to Boost Cooperation in Health [Nov 23]
"Saudi Arabia and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) in New Delhi to increase cooperation in health sector, the
Saudi Health Ministry announced yesterday.. ..The MOU covers areas
such as hospital consultancy and management of hospitals;
recruitment of Indian doctors and paramedical staff for Saudi
hospitals; import of Indian pharmaceuticals into Saudi Arabia;
treatment of Saudi nationals in specialized hospitals in India and
training of Saudi Arabian nurses in India.." [more]
Saudi Steps On
To World Property Stage [Nov 22]
"Participation by Saudi Arabian property developers at
Cityscape Dubai has leapt by a massive 110 per cent, in just one
year. The organisers of the world's largest international B2B real
estate event are said to be overwhelmed by the response from Saudi
Arabia as a rapidly emerging investment opportunity in the
worldwide property market.." [more]
NGV Tech Gets
US$70m Saudi Vessel Contract [Nov 22]
"NGV Tech Sdn Bhd has secured a US$70mil contract to design,
build and supply seven vessels to Saudi Arabia-based Bakri
Navigation Co, its chairman Zulkifli Sharif said. The orders are
for two 35.8m 65-tonne bollard pull ASD offshore terminal docking
tugs, one 29.7m 35-tonne bollard pull VSP offshore mooring vessel
and four 60m 60-tonne bollard pull anchor handling tug supply
vessels.." [more]
Saudi Arabia's
Anti-terrorism Campaign to Target Students [Nov 22]
"The Ministry of Interior is working on a comprehensive plan
to make the younger generation adhere to the moderate stance of
Islam and ward off extremist and deviant thoughts. The ministry
will launch awareness campaigns through seminars and lectures
targeting schools, colleges and universities.." [more]
Lessons From
the Saudis [Nov 22]
"While the nation debates what to do about the disaster in
Iraq, I have been pondering a disaster that hasn't happened -- in
Saudi Arabia. There are some lessons in the Saudi story that may
help clarify the Bush administration's choices as it nears crunch
time in the region.. ..What are the lessons in Saudi Arabia's move
back from the brink of potential disaster? The most important is
that the Saudis decided to take charge of their own security
rather than relying on an America that many in the kingdom
resented.." [more]
Gosaibi
Announces Plan to Spur Job Growth for Saudis [Nov 22]
"Labor Minister Ghazi Al-Gosaibi yesterday announced a
25-year strategy to fight unemployment among Saudis, which
according to latest official estimates, is 9.1 percent among men
and 26.3 percent among women. 'We will implement 26 policies
through 108 mechanisms in order to reduce unemployment in the
short- and long-terms,' he said. The minister called for stringent
measures to cut the unemployment rate and for reducing the
country’s addiction to foreign labor.." [more]
Moody's
Upgrades Nine Saudi Arabian Banks [Nov 21]
"Moody's Investors Service has upgraded to A2/Prime-1 the
foreign currency deposit ratings for nine Saudi Arabian banks..
..With the exception of Saudi Investment Bank, whose ratings carry
a stable outlook, the outlook for the foreign currency deposit
ratings of the other banks is positive, reflecting the outlook for
the country ceiling. None of the banks' financial strength ratings
are affected by this rating action.." [more]
Saudi King to
Open Fifth Economic City [Nov 21]
"Saudi Arabia’s fifth economic city will be in the northern
region of Tabuk and will be launched during the upcoming visit of
King Abdullah to the region, Arab News said. The new city, which
is set to draw billions of riyals in investment and create
thousands of new jobs, will boost Tabuk’s overall development..
..in less than a year, King Abdullah has launched four economic
cities in Rabigh, Hail, Madinah and Jizan.." [more]
18 Projects
Selected Under Saudi Scheme [Nov 21]
"Eighteen projects have been selected under Saudi Arabia’s
National Industrial Cluster Development Program.. ..The cluster
development programme will give a boost to the non-oil GDP of the
Kingdom, which is currently well below the international average.
The program aims to boost the industrialisation efforts in the
country, generate gainful employment for its people and
substantially increase the non-oil-related GDP of the
Kingdom.." [more]
Minister
Denies Reports of Terror Attack During Haj [Nov 21]
"A top official has said reports that the Interior Ministry
has received intelligence information on a terror
attack during the Haj are mere rumours. 'We have so far not
received any such reports,' Saudi Deputy Interior Minister Prince
Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz said, referring to reports about militant
groups planning to sneak into the holy sites to perpetrate terror
attacks during the Haj.." [more]
Saudi
Corporate Earnings Grow in Line With Trend [Nov 21]
"Saudi corporate earnings grew 58 per cent in 2005,
continuing a trend that has seen an average growth of 55 per cent
for the last five years, Deutsche Bank said in a report. 'Record
oil prices and production levels have created an opportunity in
Saudi Arabia through a third successive year of budget surpluses.
The money is being spent to develop industrial capacity across a
number of sectors and to repay government debt and deepen
investments'.." [more]
Govt Offers
Financial Support to Land Bridge Project [Nov 21]
"Saudi Arabia’s prestigious land bridge project that links
the country’s east with its west by railway received a big boost
yesterday as the Council of Ministers offered the government’s
financial support to the project and decided to provide 50 years
operational rights to the consortium that wins the contract to
build the 950-km railroad.." [more]
Saudi Arabia
Only OPEC Member to Keep Promise to Cut Output [Nov 20]
"Saudi Arabia was the only OPEC member state to keep its
promise to cut production in November, said the Centre for Global
Energy Studies (CGES) in its monthly report. OPEC's members other
than Saudi Arabia seem to need another downward price shock before
they are prepared to act, rather than just talk, in defence of
their revenues.. ..one tanker tracking source suggests that OPEC
deliveries are increasing in November.." [more]
Deutsche Bank
Unveils First Research on Saudi Arabia [Nov 20]
"Deutsche Bank today announced it has created a research team
focusing on the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region with a
team of analysts led by Zahed Chowdhury.. ..The team, which will
publish research on companies and countries throughout the region,
expects to write research on the top 50 listed companies together
with regular country research, the first of which, on Saudi
Arabia, is launched today.." [more]
Going to
Saudi? Polio Drops Must [Nov 20]
"Are you visiting Saudi Arabia in the near future? Make sure
your immunisation certificate clearly says you have only recently
been vaccinated against polio. For the first time in history, it
is now compulsory for all those visiting Saudi Arabia from India,
"irrespective of their age and immunisation history", to
get two drops of the oral polio vaccine a month before they leave
India. They will once again be vaccinated when they land in Saudi
Arabia.." [more]
Saudi Arabia
to Maintain Investment Plans as Oil-Export Revenues Soar [Nov 20]
"Saudi Arabia's investment plans are set to continue next
year as oil export revenues reached $203 billion in 2006, Deutsche
Bank said in a report Monday. Record oil prices and increasing
crude production ensures that oil continues to dominate the $307
billion Saudi economy, providing 84% of annual revenues and
representing 32% of the country's gross domestic product. Deutsche
Bank predicts that hydrocarbons will make up the bulk of capital
expenditure, listing oil & gas, petrochemicals, power &
utilities and transportation as focal sectors.." [more]
Kingdom Denies
Plans to Build Fence on Border With Iraq [Nov 20]
"Deputy Interior Minister Prince Ahmed said here yesterday
that there was no plan to construct a fence on the Saudi-Iraqi
border. 'There is no fence... but efforts are being made to
decrease the flow of illegals from Iraq to the Kingdom and vice
versa'.. ..'It will not be established along the entire border,
but only in certain areas,' he explained. He said the new measures
were aimed at boosting security of both countries.." [more]
US Embassy
Expedites Visas for Saudi Students [Nov 20]
"Saudi students approved for US scholarships by the Ministry
of Higher Education can expect to receive notices by the end of
this month, said a US Embassy official in Riyadh.. ..Vice Consul
Carrie Giardino said that officials at the embassy had been told
by the ministry that names of students approved for 10,000 US
scholarships announced months ago would be disclosed at the end of
November. The ministry plans to announce the names in groups every
two weeks.." [more]
IPO Summit
Participants Disappointed [Nov 20]
"It could not have been more embarrassing. As 400 foreign
investors and businessmen from GCC countries, the US as well as
Asia and Europe arrived to attend the Saudi IPO Summit 2006, they
were refused entry to the venue. What they were told was: 'Entry
is prohibited. Permission has not been granted by the ministry'..
..Officials at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry were
unavailable for comment.." [more]
Saudi Aramco,
Dow to Sign New Plant MOU Soon [Nov 19]
"Saudi Aramco expects to sign an agreement with U.S. company
Dow Chemical Co for a $15 billion petrochemical plant at Ras
Tanura in early 2007, an Aramco official said on Sunday.. ..In
July the state oil firm chose Dow Chemical to discuss a
partnership to set up, own and operate a plant for chemicals and
plastics near the 550,000-barrels per day Ras Tanura oil
refinery.." [more]
Saudi Shares
Rise as New Guidelines Hearten Investors [Nov 19]
"Saudi Arabian stocks climbed for a second consecutive
trading day yesterday as new corporate governance guidelines
heartened investors.Lower valuations also lured investors back
into a market.. ..A set of guidelines issued by the bourse
watchdog, which took effect yesterday, could help reduce insider
trading said Jamil Matar, regional manager for Emaar Financial
Services. "The market was waiting for a corporate governance
law like the one that was passed," he said. 'The sentiment in
the market is positive and people are picking up shares at low
prices'.." [more]
Opec Cuts May
Be Lower [Nov 19]
"The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects Opec
to cut fourth-quarter output by just 800,000 barrels per day,
despite its decision to slash its output by 1.2 millionbpd, EIA's
chief said yesterday. 'We were assuming about 800,000bpd reduction
by Opec in the fourth quarter. That is largely based on track
record of promises of cuts,' Guy Caruso said in Dubai. 'But we
don't really have inside information of who is doing what'.."
[more]
Saudi APPC
Prices IPO Shares at SR10 [Nov 19]
"Saudi Arabia’s Advanced Polypropylene Co (APPC) plans to
float 66.37 million new shares at SR10 each ($2.67) to raise its
capital by 46.95 per cent, the company said yesterday.
Subscription for the new shares will be open only to Saudi
investors between November 25 and December 4.. ..A Gulf
International Bank’s source told Reuters last month that
APPC’s shares would be priced at 10 riyals because it was a
greenfield IPO.." [more]
Riyadh Summit
to Explore Ways of Bolstering GCC Ties [Nov 19]
"Leaders of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council will hold
their next summit in Riyadh on Dec. 9 and 10 to explore ways of
further bolstering cooperation and take up joint stances on major
regional and international issues, most importantly the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict and Iraq’s security and territorial
integrity.. ..King Abdullah.. ..A staunch advocate of empowering
the GCC, Abdullah has often urged member countries to stand united
to strengthen their position on the world stage.." [more]
Kingdom
Re-Elected to ITU Board [Nov 19]
"Saudi Arabia has been re-elected to the board of the
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for Asia during a
meeting in the Turkish city of Antalya.. ..'This international
support reflects the Kingdom’s reputation on the world stage and
development of the country’s telecommunications sector,' the
minister said, adding that his ministry would continue its efforts
in cooperation with the international community to further develop
the sector.." [more]
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here to read the "News-This Week."
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The SUSRIS
project -- an independent, private-sector information resource -
offers objective, comprehensive news and information on the
history, breadth and depth of the US-Saudi Arabia relationship.
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