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Prince Saud al Faisal addressing the Shoua Council on Saudi foreign pollicy. (SPA)

Saudi Arabian Foreign Relations: Saud al Faisal

Saudi Arabia Is Not a Puppet State: Saud
Raid Qusti, Arab News

RIYADH, 3 March 2008 � Saudi Arabia will never change its domestic or foreign policies under pressure from the United States, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said here yesterday.

Addressing a closed session of the 150-member Shoura Council in the capital, Prince Saud said the Kingdom's policies were steady and not dictated by the superpower or any other country. "We have never been a puppet state," a Shoura member quoted Prince Saud as saying.

He said the United States and Saudi Arabia have been sharing "strategic" relations over decades, but the relationship was built on national interests.

Speaking about the American bias toward Israel, the prince said the Kingdom had exerted every effort to persuade the US administration to honor its commitments to peace in the Middle East region.

"What have you done after Annapolis?" was a question directed at US President George W. Bush by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah during his visit to the Kingdom in January, the prince was quoted as saying.

Speaking about Saudi Arabia's stance on a number of regional matters such as Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon and Iran, the prince said the Kingdom's policies on these issues were "rational." He said, being the cradle of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest mosques, it was the Kingdom's fate to have an important role in the Arab and Islamic world.

Asked about the Kingdom's response if Iran was attacked over its nuclear program, Prince Saud said every country dreaded another war in the region, whose impact could be devastating. However, if a war broke out, Saudi Arabia would be forced to protect its interests, he said.

Regarding the negative image projected by certain media outlets about Saudi Arabia in the West and the need to improve the country's image abroad, the foreign minister said it was unfortunate that Western media outlets continue to print misleading facts about the Kingdom. He said the Kingdom was moving forward to correct misconceptions about the country by promoting more cultural exchange with foreign states.

Regarding steps to improve living conditions of Saudis working in the diplomatic corps, Prince Saud said the Kingdom was keen on safeguarding their interests, as they are citizens representing the country abroad. He said a new wage scale diplomats and support staff was currently being looked into by senior officials.

Prince Saud also spoke about the upcoming Arab summit in Damascus and Saudi Arabia's efforts to strengthen Arab unity. "The Kingdom offers solutions and presents proposals through the Arab League to achieve political and economic stability in member countries and settle conflicts," the prince told the Shoura.

He said Arab foreign ministers will discuss all aspects related to the Arab summit in Damascus, adding that Riyadh sees the summit as a venue to unify Arab ranks. He also referred to the Kingdom's efforts to stop Israeli violations against the Palestinians and settle the Lebanese crisis.

Source: Arab News

Shoura Council holds session attended by Foreign Minister

Riyadh, March 02, SPA--Presided over by its Chairman Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Homaid, the Shoura Council held its 76th session here today.

The session was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister.

At the outset of the session, bin Homaid commended the attendance of Prince Saud to reply to questions to be raised by the Council's members on matters relating to the report of the Foreign Ministry for fiscal year 1425/1426H and 1426/1427H.

In his speech, Prince Saud briefed the Council on matters relating to the performance of the Foreign Ministry and shed light on the foreign policy pursued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on many issues and events at international and regional arenas particularly the situations in the Arab world, the Middle East and the Islamic world and on the role played by the ministry and the Kingdom's weight and position at the international and regional arenas.

Replying to a question on the Kingdom's employment of its strategic relations with a number of countries particularly the United States of America, Prince Saud said," Kingdom's relationship with the United States of America emanates from a parity level in dealing since the era of late King Abdulaziz. Observer can notice this, as emanating from the weight and position enjoyed by the Kingdom in various issues. Of course, the United States of America is a superpower and has a big influence. Focus through these strategic relations is on supporting the common interests between the two countries as well as issues of concern."

On the Arab situation and the forthcoming Arab summit, Prince Saud said that the Kingdom is fully keen on the stability of the Arab situation and distinction of relations gathering states and on continuous seeking through the Arab League to provide solutions and proposals aimed to achieve stability of Arab political and economic situations, to distance them from conflicts, to exert efforts for bringing Arab brothers together, to keep them away from disruption and to contribute to achieving the unity of Arab ranks. A future meeting of the Council of the Arab League is expected to discuss all matters relating to the convention of the Arab summit. The Kingdom considers this summit as cohesion of Arab ranks and unity.

Prince Saud briefed the Council on the great efforts undertaken by the Kingdom externally about issues and events witnessed by the Arab arena, particularly the Palestinian situation and the Israeli violations against the Palestinians and the efforts aiming to stop such violations, in addition to the situations in Lebanon and ways of its stability, Iraq and other Arab areas.

He pointed to the support provided by the Council for the Foreign Ministry to perform its works.

Source: SPA

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