Saudi Arabian and British delegations headed by Foreign Minister Saud al Faisal and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw met this week in the second iteration of the "Two Kingdom's Dialogue" at the Royal Conference Palace in Riyadh. The April 19 meeting was described in an Arab News report of the press briefing by Prince Saud and Mr. Straw (below). This SUSRIS NID also includes a transcript of the ministers' briefing (below).

Prince Saud and Mr. Straw met last year in London to initiate the dialogue with the aim of bolstering their bilateral ties. Links to SUSRIS coverage of the first "Two Kingdom's Dialogue" session are below.

Arab News
April 20, 2006

..The press conference covered a range of issues including election of Hamas and its aftermath, the situation in Iraq, the fight against terrorism and the difficulties over Iran�s nuclear program. 

In his remarks, Prince Saud made a proposal for setting up a joint investment holding company with participation from the private sector in both countries. He said such an initiative would go a long way toward boosting bilateral investment. He said British investment in the Kingdom stood at SR4 billion and was set for further growth in the climate of economic and political stability that Saudi Arabia enjoys. The prince�s proposal was welcomed by Straw, who commended it to the attention of the business communities in the Kingdom and UK. 

Straw also agreed with Prince Saud that bilateral relations were healthy on the economic and educational fronts. The procedure for issuing visas for the UK has been streamlined and as a result, 90 percent of visas are issued within 24 hours. 

The British foreign secretary said he strongly agreed with the statement of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah who rejected the idea of a �clash of civilizations.� He mentioned the recent speech by Prince Charles at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in which the prince called for peaceful coexistence and dialogue as the only way to resolve differences. 

Referring to the Kingdom�s fight against terrorism, Prince Saud spelled out the various measures that Saudi Arabia had taken against terrorists and to dry up their sources of funding. He also mentioned the initiative of King Abdullah who, as crown prince, floated the idea of setting up an international center for combating terrorism. He hoped that Britain would lend its support to the Saudi initiative. Straw, while acknowledging the Kingdom�s fight against terror and its support to his country during the 7/7 terrorist attack in London, did not comment on the idea.

On Hamas� victory in recent elections and the suspension of financial aid to the Palestinian government, Prince Saud said this amounted to collective punishment of the Palestinian people. He noted European resistance to Nazi occupation during World War II and implied that Palestinians were similarly resisting Israeli occupation of their territory. 

Straw, while acknowledging that Hamas came to power in a democratic election, reiterated Britain�s view that it should recognize Israel and renounce the use of force before the international community could continue its financial aid. 

�Hamas should not equivocate on this issue and continue to condone acts of terror,� he said, referring to the bomb attack in Tel Aviv on Monday in which nine people were killed. 

He argued that terrorism could not be justified under any circumstances, adding that terrorist forces were mistaken if they believed that their actions could cause the anti-terror coalition to break up. On the contrary, it would strengthen the alliance, he said, pointing to the Saudi-British stance as a shining example of unity in the face of terrorist attacks.

On Iran�s efforts to divide the United States and its allies in their bid to halt its disputed nuclear program, the foreign secretary said it had had the opposite effect. �At each stage they (the Iranians) have calculated they can split the international community .. They have simply ended up with an international community more united in its concern to ensure full compliance by the Iranians,� Straw said.

Reprinted with permission.

Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal 
and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw 

Two Kingdoms: Friendship and Partnership Conference
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
April 19, 2006

Following is the full text of speech by Prince Saud Al-Faisal at the conference: 

Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen. 

Welcome to Riyadh, 

In this second conference for the two Kingdoms' friendship and partnership, I have the personal pleasure to greet Your Excellency and to share a place with you on this podium.. Seeing the familiar face of someone I am fortunate to consider as a friend always gives me a most needed sense of calm in an ever-changing world of crisis and turmoil. I always appreciate your astute insight and acknowledged wisdom. 

During the first session of this important and continuing dialogue which took place in London last year, I had stressed the value of the relations between our two countries and thought that the two Kingdoms were uniquely positioned to cooperate and play an effective role in dealing with major global issues facing us today. I specifically referred to certain religious, geographic, economic, and cultural factors enabling the two Kingdoms to acquire a certain position of influence. And notwithstanding the existence of a healthy difference and diversity, we can utilize these unique positions in a complementary manner that allows both of us to be more effective in our endeavours. 

It seems appropriate that in this current session, we should pause to reflect, evaluate, and reinforce what has been achieved during this past year. 

A word of caution must be introduced here. The objectives of our cooperation and partnership must not be viewed from a point of view of a corporate framework, where bottom-line results are expected almost immediately at the end of each fiscal year. It is in the nature of our endeavour that it acquires a life of its own, gathering momentum with time and achieving the sought results. As the Arabic saying goes: "The beginning of a deluge is a drop of rain." 

Having that in mind, I am pleased to report that Saudi Arabia is still the largest trading partner of the United Kingdom. In 2004, Saudi imports from the U.K. were (9,500) million Riyals while it had increased to (10,400) million in 2005. Volume of trades between our two countries in the last three years went from (10) billion Riyals in 2002 to (18) billion Riyals in 2005. U.K. capital invested in major projects in Saudi Arabia is estimated at (4) billion Saudi Riyals. This economic core interest is continuing and hopefully, as a result of this session, will continue to expand. 

Perhaps it is timely to consider seriously the establishment of an investment holding company between our two Kingdoms. This company would have an agreed upon capital and can be formed by the private sector of both countries. If needed, government participation on both sides can also be considered. I am hopeful that the discussion groups of this session will give serious attention to this proposal to ascertain its range and feasibility. 

Culturally, during last year, there have been many successful exchanges in the form of various exhibits, and the number of students from Saudi Arabia seeking further education in the United Kingdom is increasing annually. Surprising as it may seem to some members of the press present today, it is still a curious continuing phenomenon that many British nationals do enjoy living in Saudi Arabia. They are of course most welcome and we enjoy having them among us. I take this opportunity to express our appreciation of the efforts by the British Government to facilitate these exchanges and streamline the visa procedures. I also wish to thank a person who continues to have a positive effect on this regard; he is Her Majesty's Ambassador to Riyadh Sir Sherard, better known here as Abu Henry. 

I believe that during the past year, through intensive and candid consultations among us, and in the case of Saudi Arabia within the Islamic Conference and the Arab Summit, the two Kingdoms have clarified and crystallized their thinking and approaches to various global and regional political issues. 

We are full partners, with other nations, in the war against terrorism. All point to the fact that we are winning that war. I hope with the help of Almighty God that we shall be able to eradicate completely this pestilence of terror in the near future, so that we are able to look back and recognize it as an aberration, which hopefully shall never be repeated. Saudi Arabia is looking forward to the United Kingdom support for its proposal to establish an international counter terrorism center under the auspices of the United Nations. 

On issues relating specifically to the Middle East, the views of our two countries in support of peace, stability and prosperity have a lot in common. 

"It is clear to my government that the adoption of the Arab-League Peace Plan represents the only concrete plan that can offer an end to the longest conflict in modern history. We hope that both the Palestinian and the Israeli governments will endorse this plan, and take all the necessary steps to implement it forthwith. 

The Saudi Arabian Government believes that withholding economic aid from the democratically elected Palestinian government will only compound the misery and suffering of the Palestinian people, who are already living at subsistence level. This in turn would lead to further despair, extremism and violence. To have a positive effect on any individual or group logic dictates that continuous dialogue and engagement is the only sure way, rather than exclusion and isolation. 

It must be clear by now to the Israeli Government that unilateral solutions are doomed and they will only aggravate the crisis. It is counter productive to try and break the will of a valiant people and employ collective punishment measures in order to force submissiveness. Such measures galvanize and add resolve and defiance to the will of the people. The resolve and steadfastness of the gallant British people during the Second World War when subjected to daily civilian bombardment by the Nazi regime is a case of point. 

It is the belief of both our two countries that the suffering of the Iraqi people must come to an end, and that the formation of a strong and unified government representing all sectors of the Iraqi people is the only way to assure a unified and prosperous Iraq, avoid a sectarian civil war, and pave the way to ultimately end the presence of foreign troops on Iraqi soil. It is in this spirit that the Arab League encourages a continuation of the comprehensive national dialogue among all Iraqis, the first round of which was held in Cairo, and we hope that the second round will be held in Baghdad soon. 

Our two Kingdoms are in full agreement that the volatile region of the Middle East must be free of all weapons of mass destruction. If the international community is attempting to convince Iran not to develop nuclear arms, this should apply to Israel as well. I am always surprised that when Israel stockpile of nuclear weapons is mentioned, the international community opts to remain silent and seeks to shroud the fact with an obscure blackout. I believe further that we are in agreement as to the right of any nation to seek nuclear technology for civilian use under customary international supervision. Under all circumstances, we believe in this country that the present crisis should be resolved through peaceful negotiations. 

"Our agreement on these issues is important. What we need to do now is to convince others that these are rational practical solutions, and urge the international community to adopt and implement this approach. We must not pretend that we solve the issues by merely meeting and discussing them. We must work hard to devise a mechanism to bring our deliberations to reality. 

I conclude by thanking the Government of the United Kingdom for their valuable assistance in making it possible for Saudi Arabia to join the World Trade Organization, during their tenure at the presidency of the European Union last year. I also wish all the participants in this conference luck and success. And my special thanks to the Honorable Jack Straw for his presence today," Prince Saud Al-Faisal said. 

The Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, has spoken of Saudi Arabia's achievements in combating terrorism over the last three years as being 'most striking'. Mr Straw made his comments in a speech at the Two Kingdom's Conference in Riyadh. 

Following is the text of the Foreign Secretary's speech: 

Your Royal Highnessess,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Good Morning. The last time that we spoke on a stage was at the Royal United Services Institute in London. You ended your speech that day with a quotation from John Donne's Meditations. A year before that, you gave a hugely impressive speech at the Forum for the Future in Rabat where you referred not only to the great Islamic thinkers such as Avicenna, Al-Razi and Ibn Rushd but also to Western philosophers like Bacon, Locke, Rousseau and Goethe. When we launched the Two Kingdom's dialogue this time last year you quoted Alfred Lord Tennyson. So I knew today this was going to be a tough act to follow and so it has proved. 

Of course. We know that you do not use this deep knowledge and learning to show off your own erudition. You do it to make a real point. It is this: over the centuries different schools of thought from across the world have all contributed to our understanding of the world. As you said in Rabat, the idea of a "clash of civilisations" is a contradiction in terms because civilisation id the cumulative and collective product of human genius from many cultures. The Two Kingdoms Dialogue is an example of this; through common effort and joint thinking we are helping to overcome shared challenges. 

We would like to think that the United Kingdom is Saudi Arabia's oldest friend and ally. Today that partnership is stronger still, fostered by two-way ties of business, education and culture. And you mentioned all the data to support the strengthening of these ties. The extent of these ties was also emphasised by His Royal Highness Prince Charles during his important visit last month with the Duchess of Cornwall. Many people choose to live and work here in Saudi Arabia. And every year we welcome thousands of Saudis, of all ages, to the Unite Kingdom. We want them to keep on coming. In that regard, I have been told that we currently operate the best visa service in town: 98 per cent of visas issued within 24 hours. As you may know, we are now introducing new procedures world-wide. They should not affect the quality of our service, but if there are any problems then let us - the Ambassador - know. 

Your Royal Highness 

The partnership between our countries needs to be strong because the challenges we face together are real and they are pressing. Let me start by saying something about three of the most immediate: they are terrorism, regional security, and globalisation. 

First terrorism. Since we launched this dialogue a year age in London, we have seen further murderous acts both here and in Britain. When suicide bombers struck the London Underground network on 7th July last year, Saudi Arabia was among the first countries within hours to offer its help. That was deeply appreciated not just as a sign of solidarity but also because we knew how valuable in practice that help would be. 

Saudi Arabia's achievements in combating terrorism over the last three years have been most striking physically disrupting Al Qaeda's networks, but also crucially winning hearts and minds and mobilising Saudi society against extremists. This has made a concrete contribution to the safety of British citizens. It has taught us much about how we might work against terrorist radicalisation and recruitment back in the United Kingdom. 

The threat from terrorism will be with us for a long time to come. We know that there will be difficult time ahead. But working together we will face that threat down. The paradox which the terrorists can not resolve is this: their every effort to divide our peoples and to provoke violence actually has the opposite effect from that intended. Their violence brings us together rather than drives us apart. Every new atrocity in which innocent men, women and children, of all faiths, lose their lives, makes ever clearer that the extremists represent no religion, speak for no people and offer no solutions. We, the civilised world, reject them utterly and as one. 

The second challenge I want to speak about is regional security. It would be wrong to pretend that this and the first challenge of terrorism are not linked. Nothing can justify terrorism, our countries are agreed about that. And the terrorists offer no solutions to any of the problems in the Middle East. But if we can address the sources of conflict and tension in the region we will undermine the terrorists' propaganda and rhetoric. Above all this means finding a just settlement in which a viable Palestinian State lives in peace with an Israel secure within its borders. 

Here both Saudi Arabia and Britain can and so make a difference. We are both pushing for peace: the Arab peace plan first proposed by his then Royal Highness, now king Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, is a cornerstone of diplomatic work. We are two of the largest bilateral donors to the Palestinian people. Something we wish, as you do, continues. 

About half of our aid goes to UN agencies and NGO's, the other half to the Palestinian Authority. Our aid to non-Palestinian Authority recipients continues without interruption. I want Britain to continue to deliver all our aid, as does my Ministerial colleague Hilary Benn. 

But the British people will need to be assured that our funding is not going to terrorists or those who support terrorism. We fully accept the results of the Palestinian elections; it was a free and fair democratic process in which the Palestinian people made a clear choice. But equally, the new Cabinet of the Palestinian Authority has a responsibility to govern in the best interests of the Palestinian people and in accordance with the fundamental principles of democracy. This does mean that Hamas must renounce violence, recognise the reality of an Israeli state within secure borders, and accept previous agreements reached by the Palestinian Authority. 

Only in that way can we move forward to a just settlement, which gives the Palestinians the state they deserve, living alongside Israel in peace. 

All of the demands now being placed on Hamas are ones which they could realistically accept if they chose to do so. Above all they need to accept that government is just different from opposition: the power obtained is matched in greater measure by responsibility. 

Oppositions the world over thrive on ambiguity. In government, however, you are on the spot: you have to decide. An all actions and positions have consequences. So it simply will not do for Hams to equivocate in the fall of an outrageous suicide bombing like that on Monday in Tel Aviv. Terrorism like this is not justified. It kills and injures innocents. It harms the cause of the Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority knows this. They should say so. 

There are other major tasks in the region alongside the Israeli/Palestine conflict. The Iranian regime claims that it is being bullied by the West into giving up its right to peaceful nuclear energy. We believe that is nonsense our concern is over the risk that they will develop nuclear weapons. I welcome the way in which Saudi Arabia has clearly and publicly stated that they share this concern. 

As a leading voice in the Islamic world, Saudi Arabia is a vital part of the international diplomatic effort with regard to Iran. At the same time, we share the objective that the whole Middle East Region, including Israel, should be free of Weapons of Mass Destruction. 

Meanwhile, the people of Iraq are facing a fierce struggle to defeat terrorism and to protect their fledgling democracy. That democracy has got off the ground only because of the decision of Iraqis, including Sunni, to take part in last year's constitutional referendum and parliamentary elections. We in Britain are fully committed to helping the Iraqi people build a better future for themselves. We will continue to do so. And hat will mean having our troops in Iraq as long as their government wants us to but no longer. 

Underpinning these joint efforts on regional security is our commitment to close a defence relationship. I particularly welcomed the agreement in December between our two countries to deepen and widen that relationship, including through huge investment in jobs and industrial development here is Saudi Arabia, and though the supply of modern aircraft with the training and weapons systems to match. 

Having dealt with terrorism and regional security, let me come onto the third immediate challenge rapid globalisation. This is the dominant priority in the European Union today we call it the "jobs and growth" agenda. We are grappling with how we can best keep Europe competitive, provide opportunity for our citizens and deliver social justice. In some countries (though, happily, not the United Kingdom) unemployment and youth unemployment in particular- are severe. I know that with so many young people entering the labour market every year, Saudi Arabia is facing similar challenges. 

We in Britain are leading a European response which will concentrate on increased investment in education and research and development with the aim of creating a modern, forward-looking European Union. This is exactly what you are doing, with your huge investments in education. Our co-operation in this field is close for example there are 3,000 Saudi students in the United Kingdom. And it is getting closer. My colleague, Bill Rammell, the Higher Education Minister, was here last months. He has told me how well that visit went so much so that some of the delegation have already been back and others are taking part in today's conference. 

At the same time, many in Europe recognise the need to make our markets as open and liberal a possible. Again, this is what you are doing too. We were delighted that, last December, Saudi Arabia became a member of the World Trade Organisation. It is a powerful symbol that this country is fully open for business. I look forward to agreement soon on a free trade agreement between the European Union and the Gulf Co-operation Council. And I am pleased that the Saudi-British joint Business Council met yesterday, and that there will be further discussion today on how to develop the commercial relationship, and meet the economic challenges we both face in a globalised world. 

Your Royal Highnesses, 

Those three immediate and specific challenges: terrorism, regional security and globalisation, have to be set in a broader context. It is context about which - as I mentioned at the beginning of my speech - I have often heard HRH Prince Saud speak. It was the theme of the wonderful speech which HRH Prince Charles gave last month at the Imam Muhammad bin Saud University here in Saudi Arabia. 

The broader context is this: at a time when many people see the differences between faiths and cultures as leading division and strife, we need instead to show that they can be a source of strength and inspiration. There are difficult problems to grapple with. Few of them are entirely new as anyone who is familiar with the history of my country - as Your Royal Highness is will know. In Britain it has been a long a drawn-out the process the build a society in which people with different, even opposing, beliefs can live peacefully side by side and at the same time contribute to a common national identity and interest. 

This is also something at which we know we have to keep working; the job is never over and finished. We were reminded of that truth in the wake of the attacks in London last year carried out by British citizens on British soil. So today, we are working hard to make sure that young Muslim men and women feel more involved in the political and economic process; that their views are taken into account and that their aspirations recognised. And that others recognise the contribution which minorities in the UK including the Muslim community, make to our society. Your excellent Ambassador in London, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nawwaf, recently saw for himself a new exhibition at Manchester town Hall, supported by the British Government - "1001 inventions" which gave an insight into the quite extraordinary achievements of the Arab renaissance which preceded and helped to power Europe's own, later, renaissance. At the same time we are being more active in debating and encouraging a sense of citizenship getting people of all faiths to recognise the benefits of living in a thriving, democracy like Britain which protects their right to follow their religion as fully and openly as they want. 

Your Royal Highness, in your speech in London in January, you described the process of change and reform here in Saudi Arabia. It is very clear that you are having much the same debate as we are on how best to adapt and modernise in a rapidly changing world, and, in particular, how best you can unleash the potential of all in Saudi society, especially the young and women. A lot has already started: the new municipal councils are beginning their work, the National Dialogue continues, the Majlis al Shura has expanded and is conducting an open and lively discussion on he issues of the day. Women have been elected to the chambers of Commerce in Jeddah. The Mecca Declaration agreed in December by the Organisation of Islamic Conference at an extraordinary meeting, which was initiated and chaired by His Majesty King Abdullah, spoke clearly of the drive throughout the Islamic world: "to achieve good governance, widen political participation, establish the rule of law, protect human rights, apply social justice, transparency and accountability, fight corruption, and build civil society institutions". 

These are universal values. But as your Royal highness said last year, the process of reform should be one which takes account of the distinct heritage and culture of individual peoples and countries. You want, quite rightly, to preserve those things which you and other most cherish about your society: strong social cohesion, a powerful sense of family and morality and a deep foundation in the great and noble faith if Islam. 

Engagement between different communities and faiths is not something which needs to happen only within our borders. To quote from the communiqu� issued after that December meeting of the OIC: "dialogue among civilisations between people, is a prerequisite for establishing a world marked by tolerance, co-operation, peace and confidence among nations". 

In an age of 24-hour media and of global telecommunications, ideas, words, images, can be shared across the world in an instant. We have seen in recent months the tensions that can provoke. Diversity of opinion, freedom of expression and freedom of the media are for many people in Europe and the United States tantamount to a moral imperative. That is not always understood in other parts of the world. But, equally, those who exercise that precious freedom of expression should take account of the consequences of what they say or do too often they do not realise the depth of the offence which they are needlessly causing. These gaps of perception can stoke and aggravate feelings of anger. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom can help stake out a common ground in which people can still disagree, sometimes passionately, but in which they also understand and respect the point of view and the concerns of others. The history of our relationship and this Dialogue demonstrate that it is quite possible to do so, and that we all gain as a result. 

Your Royal Highnesses 

There is much to discuss here. There are many experiences for us to share. Last year Prince Saud said that there was an Arabic saying for every occasion. In the spirit of today's dialogue, I have found one that works equally well in either language: "Laa Khab Man Istishar": "Two Heads Are Better Than One". 

Source: Ain Al-Yaqeen

• Two Countries: Facing the Challenges Ahead: UK - Saudi Conference - SUSRIS IOI - Mar. 19, 2005

• Overcoming Mutual Apprehensions: Prince Saud Al Faisal on Relations with the West - SUSRIS IOI - Mar. 19, 2005

• Reforms and Relations: Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Discusses Developments in the Kingdom - SUSRIS IOI - Feb 24, 2005

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