Mar 25-Mar 31, 2007

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 31  ] ~~~~~~~~~

Saudi King's Remarks Anger U.S., But May Build Arab Credibility [Mar 31]
"King Abdullah's harsh - and unexpected - attack on the U.S. military presence in Iraq could be a Saudi attempt to signal to Washington its anger over the situation in Iraq and build credibility among fellow Arabs. The kingdom has taken an aggressive leadership role to quiet Mideast troubles, and wanted to show other Arabs it was willing to put their interests above its close ties to the United States.. ..The next day, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani bristled at the comment in his speech to the summit, saying the term occupation has "negative implications" and is "in contradiction" to the vision of "Iraqi patriotic and national forces." A Saudi official said the king was speaking as the president of the summit and his remarks reflected general frustration with the "patchwork" job the Americans were doing to end violence in Iraq. The king also wanted to send a message that Iraq is an issue that Arabs cannot turn their back on, the official said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.." [more]

Saudi Arabia to Supervise Resolution of Darfur Crisis [Mar 31]
"Sudan should deal on Darfur crisis file with the United Nations and the international community through the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in order to avoid confrontation over the deployment of UN-AU forces in Darfur.. ..According to the Arabic language al-Hayat, It was agreed on a meeting on the sideline of the Arab summit on March 28 that the file of the Darfur crisis be placed under the supervision of King Abdullah and that the Sudanese Government should coordinate its dealings with the United Nations and the international community through Saudi Arabia, so that no direct confrontations take place with the international community, and in order to avoid pressures exerted on it at present on the issue of deploying international forces in the province which is witnessing an armed conflict.." [more]

Kenya and Saudi Governments Agrees to Jointly Fund Coast Province University [Mar 31]
"The Governments of Kenya and Saudi Arabia on Saturday March 31, 2007 agreed to jointly fund the establishment of a University in the Coast Province and the construction of Garissa Modogashe-Wajir Road. At a meeting between President Mwai Kibaki and the Saudi Minister of Finance and chairman of the Saudi Fund Hon Ibrahim Al Saf, the two Governments agreed that Kenya would provide an initial 5 million dollars for the construction of the Garissa-Wajir road while the balance will be provided by the Saudi government. Speaking at the function, President Kibaki noted that the projects were of great significance to Kenya and singled out the establishment of a fully fledged University in Mombasa as long overdue.." [more]

Russia, Saudi Arabia Sign $100-mln Contract to Build Oil Pipeline [Mar 31]
"A Russian company signed Saturday the first ever contract, worth more than $100 million, to build an oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia with a Saudi company. Stroytransgaz, a construction arm of Russia's energy giant Gazprom [RTS: GAZP], and Saudi Aramco concluded the contract in Dhahran. This is a breakthrough for Russian business to a totally new market, which is the most attractive in the Middle East.. ..It is expected that the construction of the Sheyba-Abkayk oil pipeline, whose length exceeds 200 km (124 miles), will start in June and will be completed in 18 months. The construction will be 
conducted in the world's biggest sand desert, Rub al-Khali, known for its record high summer  temperatures, quick sands and dust storms. The project will be fully implemented by the Russian company, but workers from other countries would also be employed.." [more]

Profit-Taking Sends Saudi Stocks Plunging [Mar 31]
"The Saudi stock market plunged last week that was fueled by profit-taking pressures on the part of scared investors who wanted to evade further losses. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) plummeted 7.84 percent last week, closing at 7,889.74 points, down from 8,560.82 points previous week. The Riyadh-based Bahkeet Financial Advisors (BFA) expected the first quarter results, particularly of blue chip firms, to represent the market's "driving engine" for the coming few weeks.. ..analysts blamed "rumors about imminent collapse of the market" for last week's plunge. Salman Al-Nuwaiser, a stock market dealer, said the recent developments would only lessen confidence in the market.." [more]

Olmert Reaches Out to Saudis Over Arab Peace Initiative [Mar 31]
"The Israeli prime minister said he was ready to hold talks with Saudi Arabia and other Arab states about their renewed peace plan but rejected any return of Palestinian refugees as 'out of the question'.. ..'There is a significant chance that in the next five years Israel can get to a comprehensive peace,' Olmert said.. ..'There are interesting ideas there [in the Arab plan], and we are ready to hold discussions and hear from the Saudis about their approach and to tell them about ours,'.." [more]

Parental Opposition Spawns Secret Marriages [Mar 31]
"Many young Saudi women are finding themselves in a knot after secretly marrying.. ..Such marriages are illegal according to Sharia principles. Experts say such marriages are becoming popular because of repeated refusals by the fathers or other family members. Secret marriage contracts in Saudi Arabia is estimated to account for 9 per cent of all marriages.. ..Dr Safar said many officials who are authorised by the Ministry of Justice to finalise marriage contracts are violating their professional code of conduct."
[more] 

Academics Working on Education Strategy [Mar 31]
" team of academics are currently working on an ambitious project to set out a 25-year strategy to develop Saudi Arabia�s higher education system in tune with the country�s development and job market requirements.. ..The Ministry of Higher Education spearheaded the project to fulfill the challenges of a sustainable, first-class academic development process. �Among these challenges are academic excellence, high population growth rate, global influence on education principles, ever-increasing funding demands, labor market needs for highly qualified graduates,� Al-Ouhali said. The ministry has designated the Research Institute at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) to present a detailed study for the preparation of a futuristic and effective higher education plan." [more]

Aramco in $5bn China Deal [Mar 31]
"Sinopec, ExxonMobil and Saudi Aramco yesterday held an inauguration ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to mark the formal government approval of contracts and granting of business licenses for their two joint ventures in Fujian province � Fujian Refining & Petrochemical Company Limited and Sinopec SenMei (Fujian) Petroleum Company Limited. The two joint ventures, with a total investment of about $5 billion, are the first fully integrated refining, petrochemicals and fuels marketing project with foreign participation in China. The Fujian refining and ethylene joint venture project, located in Quanzhou, will expand the existing refinery from 80,000 barrels per day to 240,000 barrels per day. The upgraded refinery will primarily refine and process sour Arabian crude.." [more]

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 30  ] ~~~~~~~~~

U.S. Caught Off Guard by Saudi King's Criticism [Mar 30]
"King Abdullah's sharp criticism of the American presence in Iraq raised eyebrows in Washington, but experts say that the Saudi Arabian monarch's intentions probably complement, rather than conflict with, U.S. goals in the region. Abdullah made his comments during opening ceremonies at the Arab League summit meeting in Riyadh, calling Iraq a place where 'blood is spilled between brothers under an illegitimate foreign occupation and despicable sectarianism that threatens civil war.' Some analysts said the king's statements reflected deep frustration and resentment of U.S. policy in Iraq 
and pressure on Arab states to confront Iran. 'I think the king is really fed up with this situation. He's trying to find another way, because he cannot confront Iran (militarily) directly'.." [more]

Olmert Praises Peace Revolution [Mar 30]
"Israel's premier has lauded Arab peace moves as 'revolutionary', but stressed he did not accept the entire Arab plan. Ehud Olmert gave a series of interviews with Israeli newspapers in response to the revival of a 2002 Saudi peace plan, adopted at the Arab summit in Riyadh. He said: 'We do not delude ourselves - they want us to go back to the 1967 borders and also the right of return'. Returning the 1948 Palestinian refugees to what is now Israel, is 'something we certainly can't agree to'. Israel rejected the Saudi plan out-of-hand when it was first proposed five years ago.." [more]

Reassess Stance if Israel Rejects Offer [Mar 30]
"The 19th Arab summit concluded yesterday after revival of the five-year-old peace initiative with Israel. Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal and Arab League Secretary General Amr Mousa said Arabs will have to 'assess' the situation if Israel keeps rejecting the offer.. ..Mousa also criticised the Israeli reaction and said 'Israel wants only normalisation. They don't want to solve the other issues. There is nothing for free, and there should be nothing for free.' 'Enough time' will be given to Israel and the US, the key-sponsor of the peace process in the Middle East, before Arabs 'assess the 
situation' as well as their positions after their reiteration of the peace offer produced nothing, Mousa said.." [more]

Rice Calls Saudi Ambassador to Discuss Monarch's Criticism of U.S. [Mar 30]
"U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telephoned Saudi Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir to discuss critical remarks about U.S. policy toward Iraq by Saudi King Abdullah at this week's Arab summit in Riyadh. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack gave no details of the conversation.. ..McCormack said the United States has "good, sound relations" with Saudi Arabia and with the king in particular. He added that the United States and Saudi Arabia share the same goals in Iraq.." [more]

Kingdom Warns Against Iran Strike [Mar 30]
"Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal warned of the consequences a strike against Iran regarding its nuclear program would have on the Middle East region. 'The news of any war in the Gulf would have a large impact on the region,' he said, adding that every country in the region was taking 'its own precautionary measures' to defend itself.. ..Asked about the Kingdom�s stance on the 15 British soldiers who are withheld with Iranian officials, Prince Saud described it as 'unfortunate.' 'We do not need any things to add to the already inflammatory situation in the region,'.." [more]

Sudan Agrees to UN-African Darfur Force: Saudi [Mar 30]
"Saudi Arabia said yesterday Sudan had agreed to a joint UN-African Union force in Darfur after a meeting with United Nations, African and Saudi officials on the sidelines of an Arab summit. "Sudan has now agreed for the UN to provide logistical support to help African forces," Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, said at a news conference. 'This means there will be some non-African forces there and this is a breakthrough that never happened before and we hope it leads immediately to a solution to the humanitarian tragedy in Darfur as soon as possible.'.." [more]

Mideast Women Hone Business, Legal Skills in United States [Mar 30]
"Thirty-six women from the Middle East and North Africa are in the United States to participate in six-month fellowships intended to develop their educational and leadership skills. The fellows selected from more than 500 applicants will work at major companies and law firms in the United States. The participants, who range in age from 22 to 32, come from Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, the Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.. ..The fellowships were awarded under the Department of State's Middle East Partnership Initiative ( MEPI ). MEPI was established in 2002 to support economic, political and 
educational development in the Middle East and to promote opportunities for women in the region.." [more]

Oil Over $66 on Iran Situation [Mar 30]
"Crude oil futures rose back above $66 a barrel in late-morning trading Friday with the market still on edge as the dispute between Iran and Britain over captured Royal Navy personnel showed no signs of any quick resolution. Gasoline futures tumbled in volatile trading as pre-expiry selling for April delivery gasoline weighed on values.. ..A rumor of armed conflict breaking out between the U.S. and Iran caused Tuesday's late but brief surge to $68.09 that put the front-month crude price at its highest since prices reached $68.85 on Sept. 6.." [more]

Terror Suspect Tortured by US [Mar 30]
"A Saudi man held in US custody for five years has told a military hearing he was tortured into confessing a role in the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000. Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, 41, said he had faced years of torture after his arrest in 2002, a Pentagon transcript from the closed-door hearing said. Mr Nashiri said he made up stories to satisfy his captors, the transcript said, but gave no details of torture. He was among 14 "high-value" detainees moved to Guantanamo Bay in September.. ..The US has accused Mr Nashiri of being the leader of al-Qaeda's operations in the Gulf at the time of the attack in Yemen, which killed 17 US sailors and almost sunk the warship. He was tried in absentia in a Yemeni court in September 2004 and sentenced to death.." [more]

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 29  ] ~~~~~~~~~

Deep Cynicism Exists Among Palestinians Over Saudi Peace Plan [Mar 29]
"The Arab League unanimously reaffirmed Wednesday its support for a five-year-old Saudi peace proposal that the U.S. and Israel have recently decided might be the best vehicle to revive the Middle East peace process, which has been in a deep coma since 2000. However, with Israel and the Palestinians' Hamas-led government still far from agreeing on terms that might allow them to even speak with each other, there was deep cynicism in the Palestinian provisional capital Wednesday regarding the land-for-peace deal that Arab leaders were speaking enthusiastically about at their Riyadh summit.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Welcomes First Israeli Journalist [Mar 29]
"Saudi Arabia admitted an Israeli journalist for the first time. Orly Azoulay, the Washington bureau chief of the Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot, flew to Riyadh earlier this week as part of a press delegation accompanying U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the Arab League summit. Azoulay, a dual French-Israeli citizen, was the only journalist in Ban's entourage to whom the Saudis denied a visa.. ..Last Sunday, while still in Jerusalem, the UN secretary general called the Saudi Foreign Minister, Saud Al-Faisal. Ban asked him to grant Azoulay a permit. According to Azoulay, just a few hours prior to departure an email arrived from the Saudi minister's office, confirming she was invited to the summit.." [more]

Inflation: How High Will It Go in Saudi Arabia? [Mar 29]
"After over a decade in which overall prices barely moved, inflation has begun to emerge in Saudi Arabia. Annual consumer inflation climbed to 2.9 percent in December 2006.. ..Inflation has historically been very low in Saudi Arabia. Since the end of the first oil boom in the 1970s, annual inflation has exceeded 1 percent in only three years: 1990, 1991 and 1995. For the first two of these years, prices were pushed up by the first Gulf war. Inflation jumped in 1995 as concerns about a widening budget deficit stemming from low oil prices led the government to sharply increase the domestic retail price of fuel, electricity and various related products.." [more]

Prince Accused of Drug Trafficking [Mar 29]
"A Saudi Arabian prince used his private Boeing 727 to smuggle $15 million (�7.6 million) of Colombian cocaine into France under the cover of diplomatic immunity, a court was told yesterday. Prince Nayef Bin Fawaz al-Shaalan, a member of Saudi Arabia�s ruling family, has been accused, along with ten others, of organising a vast drug-trafficking operation. If convicted, he faces ten years� imprisonment and a ban from setting foot on French soil after serving his sentence.. ..Prince Nayef, a grandson of Saudi Arabia�s founding monarch, Abdulaziz, is accused of involvement in the plot to import two tonnes of cocaine into France in 1999.." [more]

Saudi Arabia�s Human Rights Report Postponed [Mar 29]
"Member of the Shura Council and President of the Saudi National Human Rights Association (NHRA), a non-governmental organization (NGO), Dr. Bandar al Hajjar has yet to set a date for the issuance of Saudi Arabia�s first human rights report. This comes almost three months after the date the NHRA had initially announced at the beginning of this year.. ..'Delays are a result of the continuous amendments in the report. The association�s objective is to issue a report that includes all the issues related to human�s rights that were addressed or supervised by the association,' he said. A number of the association�s members have divulged that the report will abide by international human rights standards as well as the edicts that were ratified by the Saudi government relating to human rights.." [more]

Mideast Risks War if Peace Plan Fails [Mar 29]
"The 'lords of war' will decide Israel's future if it rejects a blueprint for peace crafted by the entire Arab world, Saudi Arabia's veteran foreign minister warned. Prince Saud Al Faisal told The Daily Telegraph that the Middle East risks perpetual conflict if the peace plan failed.. ..Prince Saud delivered an unequivocal warning to Israel. 'If Israel refuses, that means it doesn't want peace and it places everything back into the hands of fate. They will be putting their future not in the hands of the peacemakers but in the hands of the lords of war,' he said.." [more]

Abdullah Calls For a New Beginning [Mar 29]
"..King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia asked during his opening speech. 'I don't want to blame the Arab League because the league reflects our real situation, so the blame should fall on us. We, the leaders of the Arab nations, our permanent differences, and our refusal to go on the path of unity - all that has made the nation lose confidence in our credibility as well as hope in today and tomorrow,' the king said after opening the 19th Arab summit, the first to be held in Saudi Arabia.." [more]

On the Summit Sidelines [Mar 29]
"President of the UN General Assembly Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa became the first woman to address an Arab summit since the creation of the Arab League in 1945, as she took the podium at the opening of the leaders� gathering in Riyadh yesterday. The Bahraini lawyer and diplomat said she was very happy to attend the summit.. .. Al-Khalifa urged Arab countries to remove barriers to ensure the free flow of goods, investment and ideas. She called upon Arab leaders to develop the Arab world into a political and economic force that can enter into dialogue with other countries and cultures.." [more]

Saudi Stock Index Falls Below 8,000 [Mar 29]
"Saudi Arabia�s stock index ended below 8,000 points for the first time since Feb. 14 spurred by declines in its largest stock.. ..The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) fell for a third day, dropping 1.57 percent to 7,889.74 points, its first time closing below 8,000 points since Feb. 14, and extending three days of losses to 8.5 percent. Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC), the world�s largest chemicals firm by market value, led declines, falling 2.52 percent. 'There are a lot of market rumors that the index will drop because it has rallied so much, which is leading retail investors to sell'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 28  ] ~~~~~~~~~

Analysis: All Eyes on Saudi Arabia [Mar 28]
"All eyes will be turned towards Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital Wednesday and Thursday, as the Arab world's leaders gather amid high hopes that a peace deal will result from the summit meeting. Indeed, summit host King Abdullah will be working hard to convince his fellow Arab leaders to make an offer of peace to Israel, amid equally high hopes that Israel will accept such an offer and reciprocate.. ..But the road to peace in Palestine is obstructed by a number of hurdles blocking the way to a lasting agreement between Palestinians and Israelis. For decades, negotiators have stumbled on three major sticking points, unable to find a way around them. First: Arab recognition of Israel's right to exist and Israeli recognition of a Palestinian national home behind secure borders. Second: Palestinian refugees' demand for their 'right of return.' Third: Jerusalem's status as the capital of a future Palestinian state.." [more]

Heads of 16 States Expected to Take Part in Deliberations [Mar 28]
"Kings, shaikhs and presidents of the majority of Arab countries arrived in Riyadh yesterday to attend the 19th Arab summit, starting today, which is expected to revive a five-year-old Arab peace initiative with Israel. Heads of 16 states are expected to participate, while four countries (Morocco, Tunisia, Oman and Somalia) are represented by envoys or deputies to their leaderships. It was not clear yesterday afternoon who will to represent Mauritania. Libya is the only Arab country to boycott the summit.. ..Saudi authorities have facilitated the arrival of nearly 500 journalists from around the world to cover the Arab summit to correct the image of Saudi Arabia, and remove 'misunderstandings.'.." [more]

Saudi King Slams Illegitimate Occupation of Iraq [Mar 28]
"Saudi King Abdullah, whose country is a close US ally, slammed Wednesday the 'illegitimate foreign occupation' of Iraq in an opening speech to the annual Arab summit in Riyadh.. ..'In beloved Iraq, blood is being shed among brothers in the shadow of an illegitimate foreign occupation, and ugly sectarianism threatens civil war,' Abdullah said. He also said that Arab nations, which are planning to revive a five-year-old Middle East peace plan at the summit, would not allow any foreign force to decide the future of the region. In the past, Saudi leaders including foreign minister Prince Saud Al Faisal have often criticized US policy in Iraq but have never described its presence there as 
'illegitimate'.." [more]

World Media Converge on Riyadh [Mar 28]
"Several hundred journalists, including women, from some 20 Arab and Western countries have arrived for media coverage of the 19th Arab summit, which begins here today.. ..Speaking at the media center, Afshin Molavi, fellow, New America Foundation, said the Saudi Embassy in Washington had streamlined  visa issuance. He said the summit reflected Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah�s vision in unifying the ranks of the Muslim Ummah for overcoming the challenges. 'This summit makes it clear that the Arab world would like to solve its own problems, since it has found the US ineffective in this regard'.." [more]

Summit�s Draft Resolutions [Mar 28]
"The following are excerpts from draft resolutions before Arab leaders attending the summit: Palestine: The Arab League proposes reactivating the Arab peace plan offering normal ties with Israel if it fully withdraws from all land it occupied in 1967, permits an independent Palestinian state and allows the return of Palestinian refugees.. ..Syria: Rejects the so-called �Syria Accountability Act� and urges the United States to reconsider it.." [more]

US Starts Largest Exercise Since War [Mar 28]
"The US navy is staging major war games in the Gulf involving two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and their strike groups in the most intense military buildup since the 2003 war on Iraq. 'This marks the first time the (carriers) John C. Stennis and Dwight D. Eisenhower strike groups have operated together in a joint exercise while deployed to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet,' Lieutenant Commander Charlie Brown.. ..The sea and air exercises will be conducted amid growing tension in the region following Iran's capture of 15 British sailors and marines, including one woman. But Brown denied that the exercise was aimed at exerting pressure on Iran or any other country.." [more]

TV Show to Take Up Women�s Rights [Mar 28]
"Haifa Al-Mansour caused a storm of controversy behind the camera. Now she�s moving to the other side. The award-winning Saudi filmmaker will host a new LBC show, 'A Woman and More.' The series aims to tackle many divisive topics affecting Saudi women, including the lack of women in decision-making positions, the absence of female judges, women driving, incest and rape. The show will premiere on April 1.. ..'Through the program we hope to educate Saudi women about their rights,' she said. 'Arab women, in general, and Saudi women, in particular, have a profound need to know what their rights are, and the mainstream media has generally neglected to educate them'.." [more]

Empowerment of Women Key to Future Prosperity [Mar 28]
"At a recent forum looking at the role of Saudi women in the year 2020, the discussions were candid, the potential was exciting and the reality often disturbing. The event was organized by the Khadija bint Khuwailid Center for Businesswomen at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), and it was clear that women have an important role to play in the future of Saudi Arabia.. ..The greatest impediments to Saudi women today are religious extremists who have exerted an intolerant stranglehold on the social and educational environment for a very long time. They continue to resist the implementation of reforms and accuse government reformists of adopting policies that fall beyond the 
narrow bounds of their so-called 'Muslim' way of life.." [more]

OPEC: Supply Fine, Price Hike Geopolitical [Mar 28]
"Oil prices have risen because of political tension over Iran and there is no need for OPEC to pump more oil, the exporter group's secretary-general said Wednesday. Oil was trading above $64 a barrel Wednesday, with traders still rattled by a $5 spike overnight on a rumor - quickly dismissed by the United States - that a U.S. naval vessel had clashed with Iran. 'The increase is due to the geopolitical situation. This is a risk premium. I hope the situation will be resolved peacefully very soon,' Abdullah al-Badri told Reuters by telephone from OPEC's Vienna headquarters. 'As far as we are concerned, the supply and demand situation is balanced, it's fine. There is plenty of oil in the market'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 27  ] ~~~~~~~~~

Olmert and Abbas Agree to Regular Talks, says Rice  [Mar 27]
"Israeli and Palestinian leaders have agreed to meet every two weeks and will discuss initial steps that could eventually lead toward a Palestinian state, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Tuesday.. ..Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had previously ruled out talks on Palestinian statehood with President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah after he formed a unity government with Hamas Islamists.. ..Israeli and Palestinian officials had no immediate comment.." [more]

Arabs Head to Saudi Summit to Endorse Mideast Peace  [Mar 27]
"Palestinian Foreign Minister Ziad Abu Amr said on Tuesday the time was right for Arab states and Israel to frame a settlement of their conflict with broad international backing. Arab leaders arriving in Riyadh were expected to relaunch a peace initiative that offers Israel normal ties with all Arab states in return for full withdrawal from land it occupied in the 1967 Middle East war. Israel rejected the plan in 2002, but along with the United States has recently shown more interest.. ..The draft resolution sets up a mechanism to promote the peace plan that could pave the way for Arab countries with no ties to Israel to open up their own official diplomatic channels -- a long-time goal of U. S. administrations.. " [more]

Arab Analysts Skeptical Over Rice�s Peace Moves  [Mar 27]
"US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice could be carrying proposals for pushing forward the Arab-Israeli peace process, but governments of the region should avert 'excessive optimism' as to the outcome of the new US round of diplomacy, Arab politicians and analysts said yesterday. They pointed out that the time was 'ripe' for putting pressure on the US administration to exert serious efforts toward the conclusion of a peaceful settlement between Israelis and Palestinians, given Washington�s 'plight' in Iraq and the standoff with Iran.." [more]

Saudi Has Sharpest Plunge in 8 Months  [Mar 27]
"The Saudi stock exchange, the Arab world�s largest bourse, made its sharpest one-day decline in more than eight months yesterday paced by its biggest company Sabic.. ..The Saudi index fell 6.05% to 8,098.63 points, its lowest close since February 19. The last time the Saudi bourse fell more than 6.05% in one day was in July 2006. Saudi Basic Industries Corp (Sabic) dropped 6.9% and Saudi Electricity Co lost 8.47%.. ..Analysts said that there was no news about Sabic or other blue chip companies that weighed on their stocks.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Sets Jail Penalties For Cybercrimes  [Mar 27]
"Saudi Arabia said on Monday it will impose one-year prison sentences and fines of 500,000 riyals ($US133,000) for internet hacking and misuse of mobile telephone cameras, such as taking unauthorised pictures. The cabinet said in a statement it approved a bill on information technology crimes proposed last year by the kingdom's quasi-parliament, the advisory Shura assembly. The measure is to go to the king for ratification. The bill would penalise 'illegal entry into an internet site or entering a site in order to change its design, destroy it or amend it', it said in a statement published by state media. It also defines as a crime 'infringing upon private lives through misuse of mobile telephones equipped with cameras and similar devices with the purpose of defaming or harming people'.." [more]

Aramco, Sinopec and Exxon to Sign Deal  [Mar 27]
"Saudi state oil giant Aramco, US major ExxonMobil and China's Sinopec will hold on Friday a formal signing ceremony for a multi-billion dollar joint-venture in China's Fujian province. They announced they had finalised the deal to triple the capacity of the Fujian oil refinery in February, pending government approval in both Saudi Arabia and China. When it was agreed in 2005, the project had a price tag of $3.5 billion.. ..The deal gives Aramco and Exxon a foothold in China's sector, dominated by state giants Sinopec and PetroChina.." [more]

Oil Eases After Hitting 2007 High, Iran in Focus  [Mar 27]
"Oil dipped further below $63 today after hitting a 2007 high the previous day on the widening political dispute between Iran and the West and concerns over supply in the US due to refinery glitches. US light, sweet crude for May delivery was trading down 23 cents.. ..The stand-off between Western nations and the world�s fourth-largest oil producer has compounded market supply fears, although there has been no disruption to Iran�s daily exports of about 2,2-million barrels. 'The market reacted immediately to the political tension,'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 26  ] ~~~~~~~~~

A Saudi-US Fence Around Iran [Mar 26]
"Iran sent a belligerent warning last Friday: It seized 15 British sailors and marines in the Persian Gulf. The hostile move wasn't aimed only at London. It came just before anti-Iran moves by the UN Security Council and Sunni Arab nations. The real message? 'Don't fence us in.' Tehran's radical Shiite regime faces an unusual partnership of foes opposed to its regional and nuclear ambitions. The United States and Saudi Arabia, either working separately or together, have rallied friends and allies to isolate Iran by adept diplomacy.. ..A bolder Saudi Arabia and a more diplomatic US could make a good team in curbing radical Islamists in the Middle East.." [more]

Saud Allays Arab Fears [Mar 26]
" Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said yesterday that Arab states would not amend their 2002 offer to Israel of normal ties in return for Tel Aviv withdrawing from occupied land. The Arab initiative offers Israel normal relations with all Arab states in return for withdrawal from land occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East War and a just and negotiated settlement for Palestinian refugees. Israel has repeatedly rejected the plan and says the Arabs may use it to impose a settlement on refugees and borders.. ..A Western diplomat said Israel and the United States want Arab countries to hold direct talks with Israel over peace terms rather than stick to the existing initiative, which sets Israeli withdrawal from land occupied in 1967 as a condition for peace.." [more]

Saudi Basic Plans To Bid For GE Plastics [Mar 26]
"Saudi Basic Industries Corp. or Sabic, the largest public company in the Middle East, is planning to bid for Fairfield, Connecticut-based diversified conglomerate General Electric Co.'s plastics division in a deal that could be valued at up to $12 billion, sources reported on Monday. GE had said in January it was considering the sale of its plastics division as it focuses on higher-margin growth businesses. GE Plastics supplies plastic resins used in automotive, healthcare, consumer electronics, transportation, construction, telecoms and optical media applications.." [more]

Saudi Aramco Partners with Energy Institute [Mar 26]
"Saudi Aramco, through its Dutch-based affiliate Aramco Overseas Co. B.V. (AOC), announced recently it has joined the Energy Institute (EI) as one of its new technical partners. The partnership means Saudi Aramco will support the work of EI in developing industry standards, guidance and codes of practice, according to a report carried by Saudi Aramco web-site. As an international petroleum company with the world's largest oil reserves, Saudi Aramco has a stake in the continuous improvement of industry practices.. ..The EI works with industry and government, and in association with its technical partners, to provide a broad scientific and technical program, disseminating information to the energy industry through its publications and events.." [more]

WFP Hails Generous Donation from Saudi Arabia to Mauritania [Mar 26]
"The United Nations World Food Programme today hailed a second generous donation in the space of seven months from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its operation in Mauritania, which is strongly directed towards saving young children from the ravages of malnutrition. The US$2 million donation comes at a critical time ahead of the annual 'lean season' when the poorest families struggle to meet their food needs as they wait for the next harvest. It is also a vital boost to an operation, which has struggled for funding in recent months.." [more]

New Sectors Opened to Foreign Investors [Mar 26]
"Saudi Arabia�s Supreme Economic Council yesterday issued a landmark decision allowing foreign investment in such vital sectors as insurance services, wholesale and retail trade, air and train transport, and communication services. 'The SEC has revised the list of economic sectors in which foreign investment will not be allowed, thus allowing foreigners to invest in new areas,' said Abdul Rahman Al-Tuwaijeri.. ..The negative list of investment was also revised to comply with Saudi Arabia�s commitments under the regulations and conditions of the World Trade Organization. The Kingdom became the 149th member of the WTO in December 2005.." [more]

OPEC Dictates Higher Prices [Mar 26]
"Saudi Arabia is shipping less oil to customers. OPEC by February reduced daily output by 1 million barrels. Global inventories this year fell the most in a decade. Credit Ali al-Naimi, oil minister of Saudi Arabia, the world's largest exporter, who told OPEC members that production cuts would stop a six-month decline in oil. Crude this year rebounded 26 percent from a 20-month low to $62.81 a barrel. We are happy with the level of compliance,'' Mohamed al- Hamli, president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, said in an interview in Bangkok on March 22. OPEC's unity may keep oil from dropping below $50 a barrel for years to come, energy experts say.." [more]

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 25  ] ~~~~~~~~~

No Plans to Modify Arab Peace Initiative � Moussa [Mar 25]
"Arab states have no intention of modifying an Arab initiative for peace to make it more palatable to Israel when they convene at a summit in Saudi Arabia next week, the head of the Arab League said on Saturday. 'We fail to understand why we should modify such a peace offer, and make it less objective and less positive. We are not going to fall into this trap,' Secretary General Amr Moussa told a news conference with visiting United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. 'Our hand will continue to be extended on the basis of that initiative,'.." [more]

Arabs to Hold Bi-annual Consultative Summit [Mar 25]
"The final communiqu� of the Arab Summit, to be held here tomorrow and on Wednesday, will include a decision to hold a bi-annual Arab consultative summit similar to the GCC consultative summits.. ..'There are a number of concepts for the consultative meetings as some countries, including Egypt, suggested 'mini-summits' to be convened whenever there is a need to discuss issues of importance,' the diplomatic source said. The source, who asked not to be named, said that the region is developing at a fast pace and that important issues could not be delayed till the convening of the annual summit.." [more]

Rice Seeks Renewed Mid East Push [Mar 25]
"The US Secretary of State has called on the Palestinians and Israel to agree a "common agenda" to move forward on establishing a Palestinian state. 'Now we are in a situation in which I think a bilateral approach, in which I talk in parallel to the parties... is the best way,' Condoleezza Rice said. She also called for renewed effort from Arab and Western states on the issue. Ms Rice was speaking after talks in the West Bank town of Ramallah with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.. ..But she said it was essential that the Palestinian government accept international demands to renounce violence and recognise Israel.." [more]

Roh, Abdullah Discuss Mideast [Mar 25]
"South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun arrived yesterday in the capital on a two-day visit to the Kingdom. His visit is the first by a South Korean head of state in 27 years.. ..the president held talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on a wide range of issues, according to the South Korean Embassy. Discussions included the escalation of violence in Iraq, the Middle East peace process, tensions in Lebanon and the North Korean nuclear standoff. The two leaders also discussed ways to boost Saudi-Korean relations. A spokesman of the embassy said that during Roh�s visit three memorandums of understanding (MOUs) will be signed between the two countries. They will be on higher education, information technology and electronics and avoiding double taxation.." [more]

S. Korea's Construction Orders in Saudi Arabia to Top US$3 Billion [Mar 25]
"South Korean contractors' construction orders in Saudi Arabia are expected to top $3 billion this year, Seoul's Construction and Transportation Minister Lee Yong-sup told reporters Sunday. 'Korean companies have already secured at least $3 billion in orders for various Saudi infrastructure, including petrochemical and power plants, this year,' said Lee, who arrived here Saturday as part of the entourage of South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun on his official visit to Saudi Arabia. In 2006, South Korea was the world's biggest winner of Saudi construction orders, with its annual volume of orders here totaling $3.6 billion.." [more]

Motorola Gets Ready for Saudi Blitz [Mar 25]
"Motorola is preparing for a massive push to take market share in the Kingdom during this year. With new infrastructure solutions to support operators in meeting customers� growing demand for data connectivity, and the delivery of compelling mobile experiences through a new portfolio of devices, Moto�s local executives believe they finally have the tools to dislodge Nokia from the top spot in Saudi Arabia.." [more]

Changes in Gov�t Bodies Bode Well for Reforms [Mar 25]
"On the heels of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah�s recently announced changes to some government bodies, members of the Shoura Council and ministers said that the King was making a powerful commitment to injecting new blood into the nation�s decision making. Several ministers said that the moves were expected, but not over, as the individual ministers � who were themselves reappointed to new terms last week � were put on notice to restructure their administrations. The Kingdom is in the middle of its eighth five-year development plan, which ends in 2010, and emphasizes housing and reducing government waste and corruption.." [more]

US Consulate Attacker Arrested [Mar 25]
"The Ministry of the Interior has announced that the man convicted in the death of a Saudi police officer last year was also responsible for attacks on the US Consulate in Jeddah earlier that year. Investigators concluded through material analysis that the man, who confessed to killing Corporal Muhammed Mesfr Al-Zahrani last Ramadan, also fired on guards at the American compound last April. By determining the methods he used in carrying out his crime, after which he left the region for Baha and hid weapons in one of the mountains there, investigators were able to link the two incidents.." [more]

Riyadh Proposes Postponement of Arab Custom Union Launch [Mar 25]
"Saudi Arabia proposed Saturday postponement of endorsement of the timetable to launch the Arab Custom Union to the Arab summit in 2008 because of measures to establish the Arab free trade zone were incomplete. Minister of Finance Ibrahim Al-Assaf, rotating chairman of the Arab economic and social council, said the proposal was made because some member states of the Arab League failed to implement all phases that would lead to the full establishment of the free trade zone, which entered force in 2005.." [more]

Mar 18-Mar 24, 2007

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 23  ] ~~~~~~~~~

Amman Says Arab Initiative Serious Offer [Mar 23]
"A dormant five-year-old Arab initiative for peace with Israel is a serious offer and will be the cornerstone of discussions at next week�s Arab summit, Jordan�s foreign minister said yesterday. �The Arab initiative represents a constructive Arab position and a serious peace offer,� Abdel Ilah Khatib said.. ..Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said yesterday his country is ready to make 'big and painful' concessions to advance the peace process and that Arab initiative could be a starting point.. ..'The Saudi initiative is interesting and contains many parts I would be ready to accept... not all of them'.." [more]

Nominee to Be US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Appears Before Congress [Mar 23]
"President Bush's nominee to be the next U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia says, if confirmed, he will work with the Saudis to further anti-terrorism efforts.. ..At a confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Fraker said Saudi Arabia has made and continues to make progress in the fight against terrorism. 'Hundreds of terrorists have been arrested and killed in the last three years,' said Ford Fraker. 'I believe the Saudis have come to understand the need to address the roots of extremism that underlie terrorism, especially the need to aggressively deny financial support for 
terrorist organizations. If confirmed, I will be committed to expanding and deepening our efforts in these critical areas'.." [more]

Saudi King Abdullah Keeps Cabinet, Including Al-Naimi [Mar 23]
"Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has reappointed all the government's cabinet members, including Minister of Oil Ali al-Naimi.. ..Naimi, who has served as oil minister for a dozen years, will guide the world's largest oil exporter at a time when the two next biggest producers in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Iran and Venezuela, are engaged in a military or political standoff with the U.S., Saudi Arabia's closest ally. Abdullah has made no changes to his cabinet since taking power in August 2005 from his deceased half-brother King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz al-Saudi.." [more]

Bird Flu Discovered in Eastern Saudi Arabia [Mar 23]
"Saudi Arabia's agriculture ministry has said the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu had been discovered in birds at a house in the east of the kingdom.. ..the virus was found in peacocks, turkeys, ostriches and parrots at the house last month after a man phoned the ministry about deaths of birds. All birds in the area had been culled.." [more]

Doctor Says Sex Correction Cases Need Societal Support [Mar 23]
"More than 325 "gender correction" operations were conducted in one Saudi hospital over the past 25 years, medical doctors in Saudi Arabia said. The operations, viewed as personal secrets in the conservative Kingdom, were conducted at King Abdul Aziz hospital in Jeddah.. ..He noted that sex change is illegal according to Islamic Sharia but sex correction is legal. He urged the public to support this segment that has been victim of wrong diagnosis at birth. Saudi Arabia does not allow surgery for transsexuals, but permits operations on people with an intersex condition.." [more]

Not Much Expected from Arab Summit � Analysts [Mar 23]
"Failures of previous Arab summits appear to have dimmed the expectations from the Riyadh gathering of 22 Arab heads of state next week. Despite their general optimism, many Saudi political analysts are not expecting much from the March 28-29 Arab League summit. Hussein Shobokshi, a writer and a political analyst, said people are expecting a lot out of this summit especially that it comes at a critical moment when the Arab region is passing through tough times and the volume of foreign troops in the region is on the rise. He does not expect any magic solutions. But he is optimistic considering the fact that the present situation necessitates at least coordination among Arab countries to overcome such crises.." [more]

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 22  ] ~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Arabia, Jordan in Pre-Summit Talks [Mar 22]
" Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah held talks with Jordan's King Abdallah on major regional issues including Palestine and Iraq as part of his efforts to make the March 28-29 Arab summit in Riyadh a success.. ..The Jordanian king has called for the relaunch of the Arab peace plan that offers normalization of ties with Israel in exchange for its withdrawal to pre-1967 boundaries and the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Saudi Arabia has stepped up preparations for the summit, which is expected to open a new era in Arab joint action.." [more]

Saudi Railways Organisation Postpones Rail Project [Mar 22]
"Build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract, involving construction of a 950-kilometre rail link and a 115-kilometre connection between ports and industrial cities. Total budget for the project is estimated to be USD5 blns. This project has been postponed indefinitely, as the client is experiencing difficulties to co-ordinate between the Ministry of Transport & Municipalities and local authorities to acquire the corridor of land required.." [more]

Saudi Plunges on Profit-Booking [Mar 22]
"Saudi Arabia�s stock market, the Arab world�s largest, suffered its biggest one-day drop in 10 weeks yesterday as investors booked profits from a six-day rally.. ..The Riyadh benchmark was the biggest decliner in the Gulf Arab region, where five of the seven markets posted gains. The index became the Gulf�s best performer this year after rallying more than 26% from a year low on January 30. The index fell 2.53% to 8,560.82 points, its biggest one-day drop since January 10.." [more]

$100 Oil With Iran Strike [Mar 22]
"An attack on Iran would push oil prices beyond $100 per barrel, a former Saudi Arabian oil minister said in London. "If America or Israel attacks Iran ... the prices of oil will go three digits," former Saudi Oil Minister Sheikh Zaki Yamani said. Oil was around $60.15 Wednesday.. ..An attack on Iran could shut that country's market, which produces about 4 billion barrels per day, as well as have reverberating effects through the Middle East region.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Sets Up New Company to Manage Stocks [Mar 22]
"Saudi Arabia will establish a 1.2 billion-Saudi riyal company to manage matters related to trading in stocks and bonds. The decision was taken by the Saudi cabinet during its regular weekly session on Monday.. ..The company will be responsible mainly for providing and managing mechanisms to trade in stocks and bonds as well as making settlements and registering ownerships of financial documents and storing relevant information. Part of the company's shares will be offered to the public through an initial public offering (IPO) at a time determined by the company's extraordinary general assembly.." [more]

Ministry Rules Out a Specialist Family Court [Mar 22]
"The long-awaited step to establish traffic, family and real estate courts will no longer be taken as the Ministry of Justice has ruled out the idea. The ministry in a press statement released yesterday, a copy of which was sent to Gulf News, said such types of courts were not covered by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz's earlier directive to the ministry to establish specialist courts.. ..All family disputes in Saudi Arabia are currently handled by Islamic Sharia courts that are not specialised in family affairs.." [more]

JCCI Asks US Investors to Take Part in Booming Economy [Mar 22]
"The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) yesterday extended an invitation to American businessmen and investors to take part �more aggressively� in Saudi Arabia�s booming economy.. ..Giving an overview of the importance of Jeddah as the commercial hub in this part of the world, Batterjee said: 'Rabigh, north of Jeddah, will have the second biggest harbor after Jeddah and you can imagine the kind of commercial and trading activity that will be seen here.' The Kingdom has a new investment law and the investment climate is getting better by the day. 'We want you to encourage American businessmen to come and see how they can further increase bilateral trade and investment,' he added.." [more]

HKFW Concludes Productive Consultative Talks in Kingdom [Mar 22]
"The Hong Kong Federation of Women (HKFW) concluded a four-day visit to the Kingdom here yesterday.. ..During their visit, the delegation met with officials from Effat College, The Jeddah Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Xenel Group, the Saudi Binladin Group and the Supreme Commission for Tourism (STC).. .. The HKFW was founded in 1993 and has become one of the leading women non-government organizations (NGO) in Hong Kong.." [more]

Businessline: Alwaleed Tops List of �100 Powerful Arabs� [Mar 22]
"Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, has been ranked No. 1 in Arabian Business Magazine�s 2007 list of 100 Most Powerful Arabs for the third consecutive year. Prince Alwaleed has previously been called the �Arabian Warren Buffet� and the �most powerful investor on earth.� The list was published simultaneously by Arabian Business Arabic edition. According to the magazine, it had been another busy year for Prince Alwaleed. 'He has successfully maintained his position at the very top of this year�s Power List'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 21  ] ~~~~~~~~~

Summit to Relaunch Arab Peace Plan [Mar 21]
"The relaunch of the Arab peace plan to settle the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, measures to bring security and stability to Iraq and the need to make the Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) will figure high on the agenda of the 19th Arab League summit, scheduled to begin in Riyadh on March 28.. ..Leaders from 23 Arab League member countries will attend the conference, entitled �The Summit of Solidarity.�.. ..Arab foreign ministers have already discussed the summit�s draft resolutions, including the one addressing the laying out of an overall 2020 Arab strategy to acquire the technology to produce nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.." [more]

GCC Plans Pipelines to Offset Tehran Oil Threat [Mar 21]
"Gulf governments are planning oil pipelines that will bypass the world�s most vulnerable energy choke point, the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to avoid possible Iranian threats to global oil shipments, according to Dow Jones Newswires. If built, two pipelines could ferry as much as 6.5mn barrels of oil a day around the strait, an amount equal to nearly 40% of the daily exports currently shipped through the narrow channel at the entrance of the Gulf, says the DJN report. Construction of the first, smaller line is forecast to begin this year.." [more]

King Abdullah Receives Khaled Mashaal [Mar 21]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah received here on Tuesday Chairman of Hamas Political Bureau Khaled Mashaal and his accompanying delegation. In the course of the meeting, the two leaders discussed events in the Middle East and the new unity government in Palestine.. ..The Kingdom also issued a call to all influential nations to assist the new government, which is badly hampered by the refusal of many Western nations to provide much needed aid.." [more]

Local, Foreign Investments Help Create 255,000 Jobs in Saudi Arabia [Mar 21]
"Saudi Arabia General Investment Authority (SAGIA), Deputy Governor, Dr. Awad bin Saleh Al-Awad, said on Monday that more than 255,000 jobs had been created in the Saudi market as a result of increasing domestic and foreign investment. Al-Awad, who said that the private sector plays an important and growing role in advancing economic and social development in Saudi Arabia, added that the economic reforms undertaken by the Saudi government in recent years had played a major role in attracting investment. He pointed out that the balance of foreign investment in Saudi Arabia was in excesses of SR194 billion distributed in a variety of sectors, mainly oil and gas, petrochemicals and energy.." [more]

Saudi Arabia to Set Up Hospital in Jamia University Campus [Mar 21]
"India's leading university Jamia Milia Islamia will have an ultra-modern hospital in the campus with financial aid from Saudi Arabia. The university and the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Tuesday signed an agreement to set up the King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Health Center with an investment of Rs.22.5 million. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Jamia vice chancellor Mushirul Hasan and the Saudi embassy authorities at the university here.." [more]

Oil Prices Find Support From Declining Supplies in US [Mar 21]
"Oil steadied yesterday as traders balanced expectations for a drawdown in US gasoline stocks with lingering concerns over the health of the global economy. Oil prices have come under pressure from fears of a slowdown in the world economy sparked by troubles in the US housing sector and China's move to raise interest rates in an attempt to cool growth.. ..Prices have found support from declining gasoline supplies in the United States. 'This is a gasoline-led market right now and people are waiting to see what the inventories are going to be tomorrow,' said Chip Hodge of John Hancock Financial Services.." [more]

Banking, Investment Forum Set [Mar 21]
"An international forum for banks and investments is being held at the Jeddah Hilton from April 8-10.. ..Prince Abdul Majeed, told the media yesterday that the forum would mainly focus on investment opportunities in the Kingdom. The forum is set for opening on April 8. On its second day, the forum will discuss the new investment environment and how it reflects on banking services. It will have subsessions in the morning on the role of Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency and the jurisdiction of financial establishments, as well as hopes and expectations of banking establishments and services.." [more]

Swiss Schools Target Saudi Students [Mar 21]
"Swiss Consul General Adrien Evequoz hosted a Swiss education fair at his residence on Monday. The event showcased the programs of various academic and training institutions as well as facilities for summer and winter camps. 'We are not only looking at partnerships to promote our programs here, but also considering the opening of some of our prestigious institutions in this part of the world with local support,' Christopher Norton, director of marketing and communication.. ..Brillantmont International School, Leysin American School and Les Elfes Verbier SA were also here to promote their primary and secondary school programs, and summer camp facilities. Surval Mont-Fleuri was another participant that has a high school, women�s college and summer holiday course.." [more]

Austria Plans Heavy Duty Truck Assembly Plant [Mar 21]
"Austria is planning to set up a heavy duty truck assembly plant in Saudi Arabia. 'Our negotiations with local partners are in progress and we hope to succeed in establishing the plant in R iyadh,' Hartwig Seuchter, commercial counselor at the Austrian Embassy in Riyadh, told Arab News here yesterday. 'We are also gearing up for the Saudi-Austria joint economic commission meeting that is scheduled to be held in Riyadh this year,'.. ..Seuchter said that Saudi businessmen and investors had been showing increased interest in his country.." [more]

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 20  ] ~~~~~~~~~

Lebanese President Hopes Saudi Endeavors Can Solve Lebanese Crisis [Mar 20]
"Lebanese President Emile Lahoud hoped Monday that Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz could succeed in his endeavors of holding the Arab Summit to solve the political crisis in Lebanon.. ..The Lebanese leader also hoped the Saudi efforts could help in securing a solid ground for a sustainable peace and national conciliation based on the Taef accord. In his letter, President Lahoud expressed gratitude to the move by King Abdullah to formally invite him as the president of Lebanon to take part in the upcoming Arab Summit Meeting in Riyadh. He also expressed his hope that the Arab Summit, which is due to be held on March 28-29, would adopt a united Arab stand to confront challenges facing the Arab world.." [more]

GITEX Saudi Arabia 2007 [Mar 20]
"..The bustling, cosmopolitan Saudi capital Riyadh is a perfect place to hold the GITEX Saudi Arabia 2007 exhibition � which will be hosted in collaboration with the Dubai World Trade Center. Riyadh is Saudi Arabia�s busy governmental and corporate hub, rich with a variety of schools, universities and research institutes � all of which are helping propel internet and technology demand skywards.. ..IT decision makers are focusing in the Saudi IT sector. They are all going to be participating in GITEX Saudi Arabia 2007, seeking to seize a lucrative slice of the investment pie.." [more]

LPGA and FSA Bring Sports Diplomacy for Women to a New Level [Mar 20]
"The Ladies Professional Golf Association and Friends of Saudi Arabia have teamed up in a sports diplomacy initiative to bring Americans and Saudis together for sport and dialogue at the Friendship Invitational Woman's Pro-Am Golf Tournament and Forum in Orlando, Florida April 15-17, 2007. The event will bring sports diplomacy for women to a new level allowing women's empowerment and interaction to occur both on and off the green.. ..Forum speakers include: Ambassador Wendy Chamberlain, President of Middle East Institute and former UN high commissioner; Supermodel/Actress and activist, Amber Valletta; Saudi writer and TV Presenter, Lubna Hussein; California politician, Ferial Masry, the first Saudi woman to run for office; Ergonomics Researcher, Shatha Samman; and Pam Swensen of the Executive Women Golfers Association.." [more]

Saudi Women Unemployment on the Rise [Mar 20]
"Speaking at a forum on women in business in Jeddah yesterday, Al-Homaid said that unemployment among women is gradually diminishing, however, Saudi Labor Ministry statistics show that unemployment of Saudi women increased from 21 percent in 2002 to 26 percent in 2006. However, 66 percent of Saudi university students are women. "These numbers show that the entrance of women in the working field is inevitable and needed," he said. He said that social obstacles including the transportation problems and unpleasant working environments are the major factors driving the unemployment.." [more]

Capital Market Company Approved [Mar 20]
"The Council of Ministers yesterday approved the establishment of the Saudi Capital Market Company with a capital of SR1.2 billion, converting Tadawul into a joint stock company fully owned by the state-owned Public Investment Fund, an official Cabinet statement said.. ..Abdul Rahman Al-Tuwaijri, acting chairman of the Capital Market Authority, said the establishment of the new capital market company would have a positive impact on the market as it would carry out executive responsibilities. �This is a decision that goes in line with international stock markets,� he added.." [more]

Women�s Empowerment a Must [Mar 20]
"Princess Adelah bint Abdullah ibn Abdul Aziz and Lubna Al-Olayan expressed their concerns and worries at the first session of the Khadija bint Khuwailid Forum yesterday. Both stressed that without utilizing 100 percent of Saudi society�s talents and abilities, the country would never develop, compete internationally or witness any real national economic growth.. ..Al-Olayan identified five major points which are vital to the success of businesswomen. They are: providing the education that is really needed; providing opportunities for training women equal to those available for men in banks and companies such as ARAMCO and SABIC; encouraging women to take the initiative and then rewarding them; ensuring continuous support and encouragement by family members and colleagues; having the same rights and benefits men have.." [more]

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 19  ] ~~~~~~~~~

Arabs Pin Hopes on Summit [Mar 19]
"People in the Arab world are enthusiastically looking forward to the March 28-29 Arab summit in Riyadh. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, the summit host, has voiced optimism that the two-day conference will strengthen Arab unity and be a source of effective resolutions. �This summit is held at an important time when the Arab world is facing several challenges such as the situation in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan and Somalia. I expect the summit will issue important resolutions to meet our political, economic and social challenges,� said Muhammad Bin Ahmed Tayeb, director general of the Foreign Ministry�s office in the Makkah region.." [more]

Assad Speaks on Cloudy Relations With Saudi Arabia [Mar 19]
"Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in an interview published on Monday that ties with Saudi Arabia had passed through a "cloudy" period, but he hoped this month's Arab summit will help patch up differences. Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah was enraged by the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, a Saudi ally.. .."We hope the Arab summit will be a new departure between Syria and Saudi Arabia and between the Arabs in general," he said, adding he had good personal relations with King Abdullah stretching back over a decade.." [more]

U.N. Secretary-General Calls Saudi Proposal Pillar in the Peace Process [Mar 19]
"U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon hailed the 2002 Middle East peace initiative by Saudi Arabia during an on camera interview with the Voice of America (VOA). "I think the Arab peace initiative of 2002 by Saudi Arabia is one of the pillars, which will facilitate the peace process in the Middle East," said Ban Ki-Moon in an interview with Voice of America Television. "We must build upon these good principles.".. ..Ban also observed that the response from the Palestinian coalition to the proposals of the Middle East Quartet (which includes Saudi Arabia, the United States, Russia and the European Union) was "disappointing" observing that, "Initial reports coming from this national unity government seem to be a little bit disappointing. They have not clearly stated they will abide by these three principles.".." [more]

Businesswomen Keen to Play Their Role in Saudi Arabia's Development [Mar 19]
"Saudi businesswomen are on the march. Emboldened by the policies of a reforming monarch, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, they are keen to play their role in contributing to the Kingdom's GDP and economic development. Empowerment and gender equality may be largely aspirational at this stage, but as the first-ever supplement of the Top 20 Saudi Companies run or owned by local businesswomen in today's Arab News shows, they are well on their way. This contribution speaks for itself. The Top 20 Companies listed in this supplement, for instance, employ more than 4,200 people, presumably women. In this respect they are creating real jobs for Saudi women, whose adult unemployment rate ranges from the official 30 to 40 percent to the unofficial 80 percent.." [more]

New Saudi Rules to Secure Maids' Rights [Mar 19]
"Saudi Arabia announced that it would soon release new regulations governing the contract and employment of its large number of foreign housemaids. The first of its kind, they are expected to organise relations between housemaids and their employers and set up the obligations and rights of both parties.. ..Thousands of housemaids in the kingdom run away from their employers ever year and seek refuge at their respective embassies. Most of the maids are from Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, but there are maids from a number of other countries like Bangladesh, India, Ethiopia and Eritrea. Maids leave their employers for a variety of reasons, including non-payment of wages and maltreatment by family members.." [more]

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 18  ] ~~~~~~~~~

All Eyes on Saudi King's Key Speech [Mar 18]
"Political and economic analysts are looking forward to the speech to be delivered by the Saudi king before the Shura (Consultative Council) on Thursday.. ..Gulf News has learned that the Saudi monarch's address, to coincide with the end of the 4th session of the second year of the Shura Council, will include a number of important decisions for the coming period. New domestic and foreign policies are expected to be announced by the king. Domestic observers expect the king's speech to focus on fighting corruption in the kingdom.." [more]

World Support Grows for Palestinian Cabinet [Mar 18]
"Palestinians installed a new coalition government yesterday in hopes of persuading the international community to end its isolation of the Palestinian National Authority and lift a year of bruising sanctions. The new alliance, which replaced a Hamas-led Cabinet, appeared to implicitly recognise Israel by calling for a Palestinian state on lands the Israelis captured in 1967. The European Union welcomed the government but said a resumption of aid would depend on an assessment of the new Cabinet's actions.." [more]

Israel Refuses Contacts With Cabinet [Mar 18]
"Israel will not deal with the new Palestinian government, a government spokeswoman said yesterday, after the Hamas-Fatah coalition laid out its programme to parliament. At the centre of the platform is a call for establishing a Palestinian state in landsIsrael occupied in the 1967 war. However, it falls short of explicit recognition of Israel and affirms that the Palestinians have a right to "all forms" of resistance against occupation.." [more]

Saudi Railway Organization Clinches Deals With US Firms [Mar 18]
"The Saudi Railway Organization (SRO) has entered into contracts with 20 American companies for the supply of train engines, heavy equipment and spare parts, its chairman Khaled Al-Yahya said.. ..Al-Yahya said the contracts also included training of Saudi personnel, both in the Kingdom and the US, in the operation and maintenance of the engines. The agreements also included joint research projects to handle some operational and technical problems faced by the SRO.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Routinely Frees Detainees [Mar 18]
"The analysis, based on government case files for Saudi detainees sent home over the past three years, shows inmates being systematically freed from custody within weeks of their return. It also raises questions on how detainees are selected for release: While some of the repatriated Saudis were accused of lesser offenses -- such as working for charitable organizations with alleged ties to al-Qaeda -- others were released in spite of standing accusations that they belonged to al-Qaeda or the Taliban, or even fought against U.S. or coalition forces in Afghanistan, records show. The case files also 
offer insight into the nature of U.S. evidence against the detainees.." [more]

Saudi Arabia - Attracting Investors to Become Part of Economic Growth [Mar 18]
"Since its inception in April 10, 2000, Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) has, so far, licensed 3608 projects (upto Mar-2006) amounting to SR292.7bn. Foreign investors, contributed 38.3%, i.e. SR112.2bn of the total licensed investments, whereas the Saudi share amounted to SR180.5bn i.e. 61.7% of the total investments In Jan-07, Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority announced its target to license investment projects worth more than SR300bn in 2007.. ..SAGIA's One-Stop-Shop (OSS) issued 505 licenses with a total value of SR72bn, a 107% rise over the same period last year when 219 licenses were issued at an aggregate value of SR35bn.." [more]

ICRC Official Estimates �a Few Dozen� Saudi Detainees in Iraq [Mar 18]
"The number of Saudi citizens who have been detained by US-led multinational forces in Iraq was estimated at �a few dozen,� according to a high official of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).. ..Jean- Michel Monod, head of regional delegation, ICRC, said that even though the Red Cross was able to visit Saudis detained by the multinational forces, they were still prohibited from visiting Saudi captives being held by Iraqi authorities because negotiations have still not been finalized with the Iraqi government.." [more]

Seven Firms Qualify to Bid for Kingdom�s 3rd Mobile License [Mar 18]
"Kingdom Turkcell, MTC & Partners, Samawat-Bharti, Oger Telecom, Tawasul-Digicel, MTN Saudi Arabia and Abdullah Abdul Aziz Al-Rajhi-Reliance have been qualified to bid for Saudi Arabia�s third mobile phone license, it was announced yesterday.. ..Saudi Arabia, considered the largest telecom market in the region, also plans to end the fixed line monopoly of Saudi Telecom Co. this year to liberalize the market. There are four million fixed-line users in the Kingdom, which has a population of 27 million including expatriates. Ten consortia led by leading international companies including Verizon Communications of the US and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. of India and China Telecom are competing for the Kingdom�s second land phone license.." [more]

US Ready for Non-Hamas Contacts [Mar 18]
"The US says it has decided that it will have contact with some of the new ministers in the Palestinian unity government, sworn in on Saturday. US consular official in Jerusalem said the US would maintain contact with ministers it feels it can work with. US officials deny this amounts to a shift in policy, saying they will still not deal with Hamas. Israeli PM Ehud Olmert urged the international community to have nothing to do with the new government.." [more]

Mar 11-Mar 17, 2007

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 17  ] ~~~~~~~~~

Poor Policies Will Worsen Gulf Job Market [Mar 17]
"There are more jobs in the GCC than the number of citizens who want employment. Then why is there a problem of unemployment among nationals of these countries? 'It is a bizarre notion, says Kenneth Wilson, a professor of economics at Zayed University in Dubai.. ..At present there is a 'clear lack of framework' linking the education systems with labour market needs, Wilson said, adding that there can be no single GCC solution to the problem.. ..Experts agree foreign workers are needed in the GCC either to fill a gap in skills or to do low-wage and hard jobs that nationals of these countries normally shun. However, they insist that unemployment among national jobseekers is a problem that 
cannot be ignored.." [more]

Kingdom to Build SR75m Epilepsy Center in Sri Lanka [Mar 17]
"The Kingdom plans to build an epilepsy treatment facility in Colombo that will be the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, Saudi Ambassador Mohamed Mahmud Al-Ali told Arab News.. ..'This is not the first time that the Kingdom has come forward to assist the island nation through such projects. We have just completed the Neuro-Trauma Hospital in Colombo and we are currently building 1,000 housing units for the tsunami victims in the country'.." [more]

Rights Body Calls for More Prisoner Swap Pacts [Mar 17]
"The National Society for Human Rights has urged the government to sign prisoner-transfer treaties with countries that have a large number of their nationals working in the Kingdom, according to Dr. Bandar Al-Hajjar, president of the society.. ..He said the treaty would allow foreigners who have served six months in a Saudi jail to complete the remaining period of the jail sentence in their countries. He emphasized the need for signing such treaties with countries like India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Egypt that have large numbers nationals working in Saudi Arabia. There are about seven million foreign workers in the Kingdom and expatriates constitute more than 60 percent of inmates in some Saudi jails.." [more]

Venice Sinks in Saudi [Mar 17]
"The Saudi Arabian government has pulled the plug on the Islands of Venice real estate project due to financial and administrative irregularities suggesting possible fraud, reported the Saudi Gazette. The developer, the Saleh Abdul Rahman Al Dribi Group, managed to obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars from around 15,000 investors for the scheme which was meant to create artificial islands in the Red Sea.." [more]

Saudi Firm to Set Up $9.4m Company [Mar 17]
"Saudi Oil Services and Contracting Company is planning to set up a petroleum equipment manufacturing company in Bahrain with a paid-up capital of 25 million riyals ($9.4m), said company's CEO Sulaiman Nasser Al Waleed, reports our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej. He said that the company will open a branch office in Bahrain to oversee the construction work on the factory.." [more]

Profit-Taking Puts Pressure on Saudi Stocks [Mar 17]
"Saudi stocks witnessed gradual selling pressure last week over profit-taking following the noticeable increase in stock prices since the beginning of February. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) shed 1.93 percent last week, closing at 8,603.10 points, down from 8,772.44 points in the previous week. The index is currently 8.44 percent higher than the year�s start. The Riyadh-based Bakheet Financial Advisors (BFA) attributed last week�s decline mainly to the retreat of the banking sector, and particularly Al-Rajhi Bank, as well as the Saudi Electricity Co. (SEC). Both firms gained 46 percent and 30 percent respectively in the previous five weeks.." [more]

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 16  ] ~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Arabia Urged to Issue Investor-Friendly Regulations [Mar 16]
"Saudi Arabia has been urged to issue new laws to improve the country's investment climate. "New laws governing sponsorship and the treatment of foreign workers, laws concerning the Capital Market Authority, corporations and taxes on foreign investors are some of the areas that need amendments," according to Usamah Kurdi, member of the Shoura Council and former official of the ministry of trade and industry.. ..According to him, the Saudi economy needed to grow in six aspects: providing jobs and developing human resources (raising the living conditions of citizens); lowering the dependency on oil 
and diversifying the economy basis; developing the basic infrastructure; preserving social security; developing relations between the Kingdom and its international partners; and importance of foreign investment.." [more]

Most Saudi Terror Suspects Disown Deviant Thoughts [Mar 16]
"Saudi Arabia said that 90 per cent of those who have been detained for holding "deviant thoughts" have reformed and announced their repentance. Shaikh Saleh Bin Ganim Al Sadlan, member of the interior ministry ad hoc committee assigned to give counselling to extremist detainees, said that Saudi Arabia is planning to allow the detainees to return back to their studies or work after being set free. At the end of 2005, Saudi Arabia announced it had released nearly 400 detainees held for security reasons after providing them with intense counselling and making sure they were free of deviant thoughts.." [more]

Net Users in Arab World May Touch 50m in 2008 [Mar 16]
"Internet users in the Gulf and the rest of the Arab region might double to 50 million in two years turning the Web into the most influential mass medium for spreading information and freedom of expression in the region, media experts said here yesterday.. ..Ahmad Nassef, managing director of Maktoob.com, the largest Arabic web portal with more than 4.5 million registered users said at a conference. 'The internet can serve to ... build democratic values of tolerance, a major challenge for this part of the world'.." [more]

Opec Agrees to Maintain Output [Mar 16]
"Opec agreed yesterday to keep oil output restraints in place, balancing rapidly declining oil stocks in consumer nations against the risk recent selling in share markets could herald an economic downturn. Ministers confirmed the widely expected decision after talks lasting little more than three hours. Opec, which pumps over a third of the world's oil, had agreed cuts totalling 1.7 million barrels per day, or six per cent of supplies, at its previous two meetings. The emphasis now was on ensuring those reductions were implemented in full.." [more]

French Killings Hit Tourism in Al-Ula [Mar 16]
"The brutal murder of the four Frenchmen on Feb. 26 has resulted in over 200 cancelations of holidays to Madain Saleh. The bulk of cancelations being tourists from France, the US, the UK, Germany and Japan, according to Al-Watan newspaper. The attacks have destroyed attempts by the Kingdom to attract foreign tourists and encourage nonreligious tourism. In fact, for the only two hotels in the region � the Arac Al-Ula and Madain Saleh hotels � the attacks have resulted in great financial loss. On their part the hotels are somewhat pessimistic that they will overcome the decline in their business.." [more]

Walaa Insurance IPO Set to Begin [Mar 16]
"The Saudi United Insurance Company (Walaa Insurance), will start its IPO of 8 million shares tomorrow and close on 26th of this month. While Banque Saudi Fransi is its lead manager, Riyad Bank and Al-Rajhi Bank will be the underwriters. The IPO shares will be available at all the branches of these banks. The IPO occurs when the insurance sector in the Kingdom is set to make a major leap as a result of the rapid economic progress.." [more]

IEA Disappointed by Opec Decision [Mar 16]
"The International Energy Agency, an adviser to 26 nations, expressed disappointment over Opec�s decision to maintain its output targets yesterday, warning that inventories could fall rapidly. 'We would have liked to have seen greater reassurance that Opec will ensure markets are amply supplied,' said Lawrence Eagles, the lead author of the IEA�s monthly report. 'It doesn�t take long for stockpiles to fall from five-year average levels.'.. ..'Cutting production is not the way to deal with a slowing economy - it would hurt both producing and consuming countries'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 15  ] ~~~~~~~~~

Israeli Official Urges Arabs to Accept Saudi Peace Plan [Mar 15]
"Israel's foreign minister welcomed a revived Saudi peace plan Wednesday and called on Arab and Muslim leaders to establish ties with the Jewish state without waiting for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In an interview with the Arab television channel Al-Arabiya, Tzipi Livni said normalizing relations with Israel would send a message to moderates in the Palestinian Authority to push for normalizing relations 'and to accept the ideas of peace.' Last week, the Arab League said it would relaunch the 2002 initiative at a summit March 28-29 in Saudi Arabia in an effort to end the decades-long conflict with Israel.." [more]

Over 11,000 US Visas Issued to Saudi Students Last Year [Mar 15]
"The number of student visas for Saudis pursuing higher studies in the US shot up to over 11,000 last year, nearly three times more than the pre-9/11 figure of 4,359 in 2001, according to US Undersecretary for International Trade Franklin L. Lavin. The number of visas issued for all categories last year stood at 25,000, down from the pre-9/11 figure of over 60,000, he said. Lavin also announced at a press conference here yesterday that the US has proposed to the Saudi government that the duration of business visas be extended for up to three years. This would make it easier for the business community from both sides to have multiple-entry facilities instead of visas with three- to six-month duration.." [more]

Saudi's Naimi Says No Need to Change Oil Output [Mar 15]
"Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said in comments published on Thursday that there was no need for OPEC to change output at a meeting later in the day as the previous two cuts had been 'good and appropriate'. 'The state of the market is comfortable and there is no need to change output,' Naimi said in comments to the London-based al-Hayat newspaper in Vienna. Al-Hayat quoted Naimi, whose country is the world's top oil exporter, as saying that the market was under control and inventories were now declining.." [more]

Roh to Visit Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar on March 24-29 [Mar 15]
"South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar on March 24-29, seeking to enhance South Korea's economic relations with the Middle Eastern countries.. ..'Roh's upcoming trip is expected to provide an opportunity to expand South Korea's partnership and cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.. ..In his summit with Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Roh will ask Saudi Arabia to help South Korea secure a stable supply of oil and increase its construction orders in the Middle East. In addition, Roh will ask King Abdullah to help expand Saudi Arabia's investments in South Korea's energy industry.." [more]

U.S. Exports to Arab World Surging, Report Says [Mar 15]
"U.S. exports to Arab nations are forecast to reach a record $45 billion in 2007, shattering the previous high set last year, according to a report released on Thursday. 'We are charting new territory in America's trade relations with the Arab world,' David Hamod, president of the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. U.S. exports to 22 Arab countries increased 28 percent in 2006 to a record $35 billion, with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia accounting for more than half of the total. Sales vary by country, but 'cyclical demand for big-ticket items is on the upswing, including civilian aircraft, military systems and border security systems,' the report said.." [more]

Riyadh Residents to Get Two-Day Holiday for Arab Summit [Mar 15]
"Saudi Arabia has announced March 27 and 28 as official holidays for all employees and students in Riyadh. The days off coincide with the convention of the Arab Summit to be hosted by Saudi Arabia.. ..He added that avoidance of traffic jams in Riyadh city during the days of the Arab summit was behind the decision. Arab leaders, who will gather in the Saudi capital, will discuss a range of regional issues, including the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Iraqi issue. Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mousa has urged the international community not to stand by watching the situation in Iraq.." [more]

Opec Likely to Hold Output Level Steady [Mar 15]
"Opec is likely to hold output levels steady when ministers of the 12-nation group meet today, a senior Libyan oil official suggested on the eve of the gathering - comments that reflected producer satisfaction with present prices.. ..Asked if and when the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries might raise production ahead of the high-demand summer driving season, he said only: "If there is a need for more oil we will put in more oil." After two cuts in the four preceding months, the likelihood of Opec doing nothing makes sense from the organization's viewpoint.." [more]

Kingdom, South Africa to Boost Trade Ties [Mar 15]
"Saudi Arabia and South Africa have set out a new vision of political and economic relationships following summit-level talks on a range of issues. The two countries also agreed to give a new boost to trade and investment relations and, in the presence of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, signed an agreement on Tuesday to avoid double taxation.. ..King Abdullah and President Mbeki had exchanged views on a number of issues including the Middle East with particular focus on Iraq and Iran as well as the Palestinian situation.." [more]

Gifted Saudis to Compete in Global Talent Search [Mar 15]
"Gifted Saudi students will be participating in the 58th Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) to compete against students from countries across the world, according to an official at the King Abdul Aziz and His Companions Foundation for the Gifted (KACFG). ISEF is the world�s largest pre-college science competition in which almost 1,500 students from 48 countries will participate to earn $4 million worth of scholarships and prizes. The event is scheduled to take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States between May 15-19.." [more]

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 14  ] ~~~~~~~~~

EU Praises Saudi Arabia In Regional Peace Efforts [Mar 14]
"The European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia that the EU supports the current Saudi efforts to resolve the Lebanese political impasse. Solana added in Riyadh that they hope the Saudis would help to achieve national reconciliation in the war-torn nation. Solana, who arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday, met with Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal on Tuesday to discuss the developments in the region. He said Riyadh has played a role in easing tensions in the Middle East and the EU praised its contribution in brokering an agreement between Palestinian factions.." [more]

Saudi Foreign Minister Criticizes Israel On Peace Plan [Mar 14]
"Israel has come in for some sharp criticism from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for setting preconditions for Middle East peace talks and urged it to accept the proposal adopted by the Arab League in 2002 and then come forward for talks. The proposal calls for Israel's full withdrawal from all land captured in the 1967 six-day war plus a solution to the refugee problem based on United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194 in return for ties and a peace deal with Arab states.." [more]

Saudi Arabia is a Vital Market for HP in the Region [Mar 14]
"Francesco Serafini, senior VP & MD TSG HP EMEA, visited Saudi Arabia, the number one country in the Middle East in technology and communication, as part of HP�s long-term commitment to the region and to increasing its activities there. As part of its efforts in growing HP�s activities in the Middle East region, HP has entered the Saudi market with a number of services that would cope with the IT boom, which Saudi is currently witnessing. During his visit to the kingdom, Francesco Serafini has discussed the various activities/ services offered by HP to the different sectors in Saudi, such as telecom, banking, postal services, as well as the new economic city in the kingdom.." [more]

Doing Something - Saudi Arabia's Foreign Policy [Mar 14]
"Saudi Arabia, an important country in the Middle East, has recently taken the lead in a series of diplomatic maneuvers. On February 8, it helped Fatah and Hamas to reach the Mecca Agreement; on March 3, it held a high-profile reception for the visiting Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad; and on March 28, the summit of the Arab League will be held in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is the strongest economic power in the Middle East and the holy land of the Islamic world. However, it has not been as diplomatically active as other big countries in the Middle East for some time. Are its dazzling new moves reflective of a change in Saudi Arabia's diplomatic style?.." [more]

Illiteracy is on the Rise in Arab world - UN Officials [Mar 14]
"School drop-out rates are increasing in the Arab world where the number of illiterates is rapidly growing, UN envoys warned here yesterday. In 2004, there were more than 65 million adult illiterates in the region - 35 per cent of the population, compared to 62 million in 1990, but the demographic increase was only one of the causes, according to representatives of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).." [more]

Kingdom to Join ME Talks [Mar 14]
"The next meeting of the international Quartet focusing on the Middle East peace process will include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, according to Javier Solana, European Union foreign policy chief. Addressing a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal yesterday, Solana said the aim of involving the four Arab countries in the peace talks was to 'look at the problems with the same views in order to find solutions'.." [more]

Security Officers Warned Against Abuse of Power [Mar 14]
"Saudi Arabia�s security chief yesterday warned his officers that they would face tough punishment if they abuse people and misuse their power. 'We won�t show any leniency toward such officers,' local newspapers quoted Lt. Gen. Saeed Al-Qahtani, director general of public security, as saying after opening the newly built traffic department headquarters in Riyadh on Monday. 'If security officers are found mistreating individuals or misusing their power they will be given the toughest punishment'.. ..Qahtani�s statement came as the Court of Grievances in Al-Jouf sentenced five officers of the anti-drug department to 18 months after being convicted of misusing their power and allegedly beating to death a Saudi citizen.." [more]

SEC Plans SR15 Billion of Islamic Bond Sales [Mar 14]
"Saudi Electricity Co. (SEC) may sell as much as SR15 billion ($4 billion) of Islamic bonds during the next 10 to 15 years to help finance expansion, a company executive told Reuters yesterday. The official, who declined to be identified, said the bonds would be sold in no more than five batches with maturities of five to 10 years. The company will decide on the plan at a shareholder meeting next month. The first batch of bonds, called sukuk, will be sold in the second half of the year, the official said, declining to give details.." [more]

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 13  ] ~~~~~~~~~

2002 Saudi Plan Revived as Spur to Arab-Israeli Talks [Mar 13]
" Israeli officials, pressed by Washington, are suddenly finding much to praise in a Saudi peace proposal that was dismissed when it was offered in 2002, at the height of a series of Palestinian suicide bombings. In the last two days, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni have spoken of �positive� elements in the Saudi initiative, which was expected to receive a new endorsement from the Arab League at its summit meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 28. The initiative is a set of principles that would offer Israel full recognition and permanent peace with the Arab states in return for Israel�s withdrawal to 1967 lines.." [more]

Saudi Arabia to Cut Oil Supplies to Asia 2-3% [Mar 13]
"Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia will reduce its crude oil supply volumes to Asia for the next month by 2 percent to 3 percent compared the current month.. .. the world's top oil exporter has notified refiners in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China, which altogether buy half of Saudi oil exports, that the supplies of crude oil will be 10 percent lower than term contracts, compared to a cut of 7 percent in March. However, sources reported that Saudi Arabia's crude oil exports to European refineries will remain at their regular levels in April.." [more]

Interior Ministry Approval a Must [Mar 13]
"Saudi Arabia has started to implement new measures to curb extremism and extremist ideologies in schools.. ..the new measures stipulate that Saudis applying to the ministry of education for teachers jobs have to get the approval of the ministry of interior as precondition for processing their applications. This is a preventive measure to ensure that the applicant is not on the list of the wanted ones and that his record is clear of any ideological or extremism tendency, the statement pointed out. The measures, stipulated that any teacher found holding extremist tendencies is to be transferred to any non-educational post, sent to early retirement or dismissed from the job.." [more]

Kingdom Calls for Halt to All Forms of Intervention in Iraq [Mar 13]
"Saudi Arabia yesterday reiterated its opposition to foreign intervention in Iraq�s internal affairs. It also hoped that the recent Baghdad conference will bring about reconciliation among Iraq�s warring groups.. ..King Abdullah, emphasized that Iraq�s sovereignty and independence must be protected. �The Cabinet called for a halt to all forms of intervention in the internal affairs of Iraq and encouraged national reconciliation among all Iraqi groups.." [more]

SSPC to Publish Disney Magazines in Arabic [Mar 13]
"The Saudi Specialized Publishing Company (SSPC), a subsidiary of the Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG), has signed an agreement with the Walt Disney Company to publish six children�s magazines including Mickey Weekly and Monthly, Princess, Witch, Winnie the Pooh and Minnie in Arabic. The Saudi Distribution Company will distribute these magazines in the Gulf countries as well as in Yemen, Jordan and Lebanon.. ..Prince Faisal said the move was also intended to develop SRMG�s relations with major publishing and media houses in the world.." [more]

Arab-European Human Rights Dialogue Opens This Week [Mar 13]
"An Arab-European human rights dialogue, organised by the National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), opens on Friday. 'The conference, the first of its kind in the region, comes at a time when human rights in Iraq and Palestine are violated on daily basis. What is happening in these countries creates obstacles for human rights activists as it hampers efforts to raise awareness in this regard and weakens respect for human rights in the region,' NCHR Commissioner General Shaher Bak said.." [more]

~~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 12  ] ~~~~~~~~~

Al Qaeda Deputy al-Zawahiri Blasts Saudi Leadership [Mar 12]
"Ayman al-Zawahiri, number-two in the Al Qaeda terrorist network, accused the Saudi leadership of being "the deputies of the Americans" in the Arab world.. ..He lashed out at last month's Makkah agreement between Hamas and the rival Fatah faction of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to form a government of national unity. The agreement was reached under the diplomacy of Saudi King Abdullah. Khalil Abu Laila, a Hamas leader in Gaza, told reporters in response that Al-Zawahiri made 'many mistakes'.." [more]

Booz Allen Hamilton: The New Saudi Arabian Healthcare Market [Mar 12]
"..'Saudi Arabia's healthcare system is ripe for investment opportunities,' said Mr. Ziad Fares, Booz Allen Hamilton Health Expert. 'The growing affluence of Saudi Arabia and the GCC region as a whole will mean that the healthcare sys