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August 29, 2006

 

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King Abdullah on Issues of the Day

 

 

 

�Our Doors Are Open to Foreign Investors�
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News

JEDDAH, 27 August 2006 � Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah [Aug. 26] emphasized the strength of Saudi economy and welcomed foreign investors. �Our doors and markets are open to investors. They�re most welcome,� he said.

In a wide-ranging interview with Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic daily, a sister publication of Arab News, the king said Saudi Arabia favored �moderate� oil prices. He also emphasized Riyadh�s efforts to resolve crises through peaceful means. He spoke about the government�s plan to achieve greater progress in education, especially in science and technology. He said the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Riyadh, which is estimated to cost SR11 billion, would be open not only to Saudis but also to talented students from other Arab and Islamic countries.

The Saudi leader expressed his disappointment at the faltering Middle East peace process. It appeared that the king was seeking a new but concrete and applicable plan for peace in the Middle East. �Situations have changed and the world has now become more ill-defined, making it difficult to have a clear vision.�

King Abdullah urged the big powers to understand the problems of the Arab and Islamic world. �Unfortunately, some world powers do not understand the nature of problems facing Arab and Islamic countries.�

He decried the lack of a regional and international vision for protecting the region�s security. In this respect, he cited a lack of interest in pushing forward the Middle East peace process. He said Arab countries had extended their full cooperation to achieve a just and peaceful Middle East settlement.

The Arab peace initiative (proposed by Abdullah when he was crown prince) has received world acclaim and even the support of some political circles within Israel, the king said and lamented the indifference shown by influential countries in translating such initiatives into reality.

Speaking about inter-Arab relations, the king said he respected all Arab leaders. �I respect even those who differ with me as long as that difference is in the higher interest of the Ummah and not driven by narrow personal motives,� he explained. Abdullah reiterated the Kingdom�s support for Lebanon until it recovers from the present ordeal. �Backing Lebanon is everybody�s duty. Those who are negligent in supporting Lebanon are negligent in carrying out their Arab and humanitarian duty.�

He expressed his deep sorrow at the troubles and tribulations being suffered by the people of Iraq and expressed his hope that the war-torn country would soon regain its rightful position in the rank of Arab and Islamic countries.

Speaking about the government�s efforts to double the number of universities across the country, he said: �We want to provide quality education to our children. We believe that education is the basis of all progress.�

The king said his official visits to Asian countries such as China, India and Pakistan as well as to Turkey had not reflected any foreign policy change.

�Those who say that such visits send messages to some countries against others were wrong in their reading. The purpose of my visits was to serve the interests of Saudi Arabia. Our relations with other countries are based on our values. We wish peace for everybody.�

Talking about the Kingdom�s oil policy, he said his country was looking for moderate oil prices despite the benefits it gains from high prices. �Market plays a big role in prices. There is adequate supply and I am surprised at market fluctuations and the unjustifiable rise in prices.�

He emphasized the strong relationship between the Saudi people and their leadership. �Who are we without Saudi citizens? We draw our strength, after Allah, from our citizens,� he insisted.

He emphasized the Kingdom�s resolve to root out terrorism. �My faith in God makes me always confident as no despair enters in my mind,� he said.

King Abdullah personally intervened to ensure that the lives of militants were spared in the recent siege of a Jeddah building containing terror suspects.

�The operation was completed successfully and none of our brave security forces was lost. The lives of citizens are dear to us, including those in the group of deviants,� said the king.

�Although the security forces were keen (to storm the building), I asked them to wait and be patient, since there was no need to rush .. even the lives of the �deviant group� are precious to us,� he said.

[Reprinted with permission of Arab News]

 

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