Nov 25 -Dec 1, 2007

~~~~~~~~ [ Dec 1] ~~~~~~~~~

Saudis on High Terror Alert Before Hajj [Dec 1]
"Saudi Arabia's announcement of its largest anti-terror sweep ever was timed ahead of the Muslim Hajj as a warning to those who might be plotting attacks during the pilgrimage, a security official said Thursday. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, said the arrests of more than 200 al-Qaida-linked militants was 'a warning' to those who seek to abuse the December event to 'disturb' the pilgrims and to 'damage the image of a forgiving Islam.' The kingdom said Wednesday it had arrested 208 suspected terrorists in six cells.. ..The announcement came less than three weeks before the Hajj, when more than 2 million Muslim pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia each year.." [more]

Saudi Unsure if Oil Output is to be Raised [Dec 1]
"World oil consumption is set to rise over winter, but it is unclear if OPEC needs to raise output to meet the demand, top world oil exporter Saudi Arabia�s oil minister said on Saturday. Asked whether he expected demand to increase during the winter period, Ali Al Naimi said: 'That is what it normally does, every winter the fourth quarter is always higher than the third quarter.'.. ..But Naimi said he did not know if this means OPEC ministers will agree to raise output when they meet in the UAE on Wednesday. He said, 'That we don't know yet, we have to look at the information.'.." [more]

Saudi Shares Rally in November [Dec 1]
"Saudi shares made strong gains in November on the back of abundant liquidity, as stock markets in other energy-rich Gulf states eased on profit-taking and speculation. The Saudi Tadawul All-Shares Index, which surged 10% in October, rose by 9.8% in November, to close the month on 9,464.40 points.. ..Traders attributed the recovery in the Saudi bourse, the largest in the Arab world, to abundant liquidity.. ..Kuwaiti economist Ali al-Nimesh said trading in the Saudi and other Gulf markets was mostly speculative with the aim of compensating last year�s huge losses.." [more]

National Security Meet Starts Today [Dec 1]
"Crown Prince Sultan will open a conference on technological developments in national security efforts. The four-day conference, titled �Information Technology and National Security,� is being organized by the Presidency of General Intelligence, which is headed by Prince Muqrin. In a statement issued on the eve of the conference, Prince Muqrin said this event would be a historical first in the annals of the Saudi intelligence since the event coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Presidency of General Intelligence. A number of experts, researchers, academics and persons concerned with information technology and national security from across the world are slated to participate in the conference.." [more]

No Torture of Detainees � Prince Naif [Dec 1]
"Minister of Interior Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz refuted allegations that arrested terrorist suspects are tortured to extract confessions from them. He said this ministry, on the contrary, uses modern scientific methods of interrogation to reach facts. Prince Naif made the statements over the telephone in response to questions posed by Saudi Gazette/Okaz in the wake of last Wednesday's announcement of 208 suspects arrested in a month-long security sweep across the country.. ..Torture is prohibited under Saudi law and international human rights law. In October 1997, Saudi Arabia became a state 
party to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the convention's provisions became part of Saudi domestic legislation.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Nov 30] ~~~~~~~~~

GCC to Focus on Security, Energy and Foreign Labour [Nov 30]
"Gulf security, energy policies and foreign labour will top the agenda of the talks among the six Gulf leaders at the Summit opening here on Sunday, analysts said. The two-day meeting that will take place on December 3 and 4 will be preceded by ministerial consultations on Sunday that will put the final touches to the programme of the discussions. King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, who boycotted a GCC summit in Qatar in 2002 due a row between the two countries over Al Jazeera's controversial news coverage of Saudi affairs, is now expected to take part in the summit.." [more]

Oil Falls Below $90, Opec Meeting Back in Focus [Nov 30]
"Oil fell to a one-month low below $90 a barrel on Friday as attention returned to next week's Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) meeting. US crude fell $1.11 to $89.90 a barrel by 1026 GMT, off lows of $89.52, a level not seen since October 31. Brent crude was $1.26 down at $88.96 a barrel. 'Now that we have broken $90, the momentum is starting to go to the downside. Technically, $90 is a really key support level,' said Olivier Jakob of Petromatrix. 'There is room for the downside now. This is more of a structural correction,' he added.." [more]

German Women Lawmakers Write to Saudi King Over Rape Victim [Nov 30]
"Thirty-five German women lawmakers published an open letter to Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah on Friday to protest at the sentencing of a Saudi gang rape victim to six months in jail and 200 lashes. 'We call on King Abdullah to intervene to ensure that the verdict is withdrawn,' the cross-party group of lawmakers said in a statement. German Research Minister Annette Schavan of the conservative Christian Democratic Union was among the signatories.." [more]

Arab Monetary Fund Urges Gulf to Drop Pegs [Nov 30]
"The Arab Monetary Fund has called on Gulf Arab states to drop their pegs to the tumbling U.S. dollar, saying revaluations would not solve the problem of soaring inflation, a Dubai newspaper reported on Friday. Hassem Al-Mannai, chairman of the Arab Monetary Fund, had advised Gulf countries to switch to a managed float or peg their currencies to a basket, including the euro, sterling and yen, Emarat al-Youm reported. The newspaper gave no direct quotation for this. The fund, sponsored by 22 Arab states, is based in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates.." [more]

216,000 Birds Culled After New Flu Outbreak [Nov 30]
"Saudi Arabia on Thursday moved to destroy 216,000 birds following the discovery of a new outbreak of bird flu, taking the total number of birds culled to nearly four million. 'All necessary measures were taken to cull all birds' in the farm in the Al Kharj region, 80km south of Riyadh, the Saudi Agriculture Ministry said .. ..The ministry said 14 outbreaks of bird flu have been detected since November 12, including the latest among 216,000 birds.." [more]

Fourth Saudi Underground Storage Open [Nov 30]
"Saudi Arabia has opened its fourth underground oil-storage terminal to enable the kingdom to deliver oil products in emergency situations. The facility, inaugurated on November 26, is in the west of the country in Medina, close to the Yanbu refinery on the Red Sea. It is part of the Saudi Strategic Storage Programme.. ..The underground caves can store gasoline, jet fuel and diesel, Saudi Aramco said, without disclosing the size of the facility.." [more]

Kingdom Seeks French Role in 3 Growth Sectors [Nov 30]
"Amr Abdullah Al-Dabbagh, governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), has said they are focusing on a marketing strategy based on three strategic sectors: energy, transportation and knowledge-based industries (KBIs) and invited France to participate in them. In an interview on the occasion of the French Technology Exhibition 2007 which concluded recently, the SAGIA Governor said � we have identified $300 billions worth of investment opportunities, and in transportation and KBIs $100 billions are awaiting investment opportunities in each of those sectors. So we are speaking about a total investment of around $500 billions until 2020.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Nov 29] ~~~~~~~~~

Olmert Warns of End of Israel [Nov 29]
"Olmert has said failure to negotiate a two-state solution with the Palestinians would spell the end of the State of Israel. He warned of a 'South African-style struggle' which Israel would lose if a Palestinian state was not established. Mr Olmert was returning from the Annapolis conference in the US where he and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas pledged to launch formal peace talks.. ..'If the day comes when the two-state solution collapses, and we face a South African-style struggle for equal voting rights, then, as soon as that happens, the State of Israel is finished,'.. ..According to the agreement, the Israeli and Palestinian leaders will meet every other week and teams of negotiators led by a joint steering committee will meet on 12 December.." [more]

Saudi Oil Plants Targeted in Missile Plot [Nov 29]
"Saudi Arabian security forces have arrested about 200 suspected terrorists who were said to be plotting to disrupt the kingdom's oil industry. Saudi authorities said there had been 'pre-emptive' raids on members of extremist cells countrywide. About half of those seized were said to have fought in Iraq. Officials said there were plans to attack oil industry targets and preparations were being made to smuggle missiles into the country.. ..The most serious threat appeared to involve plans to import eight rockets. It was said to have been led by an expert in such attacks who had slipped into the country. Eighteen people were arrested in connection with this alleged plot. Another 22 were part of a group that plotted to assassinate clerics and security forces.." [more]

Saudis Played Key Role Behind the Scenes [Nov 29]
"Much of the spotlight at and credit for Annapolis has gone, quite rightly, to George W. Bush. The first U.S. president to promise a Palestinian state, he has adopted a high-risk strategy.. ..But there has been another remarkable development, mostly behind the scenes. It's the pivotal role being played by Saudi Arabia. The summit simply would not have taken place in the credible manner it did without the Saudis. King Abdullah helped convince Bush that Palestine is one of the main sources of Muslim radicalism, and the best way to wage war on terrorism is to make peace between the Israelis and the 
Palestinians. He also had heavy input into the Annapolis agenda. And he delivered a united Arab front, including Syria. He even got the backing of Israel's Ehud Olmert, principally because of their mutual fear of Iran, a concern shared by Bush.." [more]

Charges Dropped in Case Against Saudi Religious Police [Nov 29]
"A Saudi court has dropped charges against two members of the religious police who had been charged with the death of a man in their custody, local press reported Thursday. Al-Watan newspaper reported that the judge presiding over the case said Wednesday that there was not sufficient evidence against the two religious police members to convict them. The two religious police members were accused of killing Salman al-Aridi after arresting him in May because he allegedly had consumed alcohol.. ..Wednesday's decision was the second in recent months in connection with the powerful force, long resented for intimidating people as it enforces Saudi Arabia's strict version of Islam. In the first case, a Saudi court dropped charges against three members of the religious police and a regular police officer in connection with the death of a man, also in custody, shortly after his arrest in June.." [more]

Saudis See Potential for Influence in Sharif [Nov 29]
"Saudi Arabia blindsided the Bush administration in rapidly returning former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan Sunday -- a reflection of how regional powers are subtly jockeying for influence in Pakistan as its leadership looks shaky. Saudi Arabia's actions 'surprised' the White House and State Department, said a U.S. official, as Washington hadn't expected Mr. Sharif's return ahead of National Assembly elections scheduled for Jan. 8 in Pakistan. The move came just days after Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf flew to Riyadh to plead with Saudi officials -- including King Abdullah -- not to allow Mr. Sharif's return.. ..U.S. and Pakistani officials said they viewed Saudi Arabia's action as a clear sign that the Middle East power is beginning to position itself for political influence inside Pakistan at a time when Mr. Musharraf's power is ebbing and there are real threats to his continued role in power.." [more]

Saudi Suffering Huge Shortage of Engineers [Nov 29]
"Saudi Arabia is suffering a massive shortage of qualified engineers needed to execute the numerous mega projects the government has planned for the kingdom, the head of a leading university has warned. Abdullah Al-Othman, rector of the Riyadh-based King Saud University (KSU), said on Wednesday the Saudi market is in need for 240,000 engineers but that there are only 110,000 currently employed in the kingdom, of which Saudis make up only 20%.. ..KSU has wrapped up agreements with several world class universities, including the universities in Michigan, California, and Singapore, to upgrade its engineering courses, but wider measures need to be taken if the kingdom is to solve the problem.." [more]

Saudi-US Gathering in Abha Billed a Big Success [Nov 29]
"A Saudi-American gathering tackling educational and economic issues ended in Abha yesterday.. ..Officials explained to the gathering how to get a US visa and the procedures that Saudis need to follow to study in the United States. The deputy of the board of directors the Abha chamber, Muhammad Abdul Aziz Al-Amir, said that many businessmen from the are are willing to invest in US companies. He also said that many students from the region hoped to pursue their education in America. The American delegates said they were surprised with the huge number of people gathered at the event, especially that many women showed up. According to Al-Amir, people of different social and educational backgrounds came to the gathering. On the second day, more than 4,000 people attended.." [more]

Naimi Sees Mismatch in Oil Prices [Nov 29]
"The world oil market is well supplied and fundamentals do not support high prices, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi said yesterday as OPEC announced a massive investment package over the next five years to boost production. 'There is no relationship between the fundamentals today and the price of oil. There is a mismatch,'.. ..Asked whether Saudi Arabia, the world�s biggest oil exporter, will push for an increase in crude production at OPEC�s meeting next Wednesday, he said the group needed to see data first. 'You are trying to get a premature answer. We need to meet first, we need to look at the data and then decide accordingly,' he said.." [more]

Saudi Stocks Recover After Falling Over 2% [Nov 29]
"The Saudi Stock market recovered yesterday after making its sharpest one-day fall in 11 weeks on Tuesday. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) increased 96.53 points to close at 9,464.40. The index plunged over 2 percent on Tuesday. The market was in a positive mood as shares of only nine companies were down while shares of 77 companies increased. The stock market turnover was at SR7.79 billion.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Nov 28] ~~~~~~~~~

Saudis Back New Peace Drive, Shun Israel Call for Ties [Nov 28]
"Saudi Arabia backed Tuesday's launch here of a new Middle East peace drive, but shunned Israel's call for the Arab world to normalize ties with it even before a deal with the Palestinians. 'We have come to support the launching of serious and continuing talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis that will address all the core and final status issues,' Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said in a statement to the peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland.. ..Saudi Arabia, a principal patron of the Palestinians and an influential voice in the Muslim world, demanded Israel take concrete step towards ending the occupation of the Palestinian territories and making peace.. ..After reluctantly yielding to US pressure to attend the conference, the Saudis offered a cold shoulder to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's call for the Arab world to normalize ties with the Jewish state even before a peace deal is clinched. 'Normalization happens after there is peace,'.." [more]

Saud Distances Government From Rape Ruling [Nov 28]
"A senior Saudi official has sought to distance his government from a court's decision to sentence a woman who was gang-raped to 200 lashes. 'Unfortunately, these things happen. Bad judgments occur in legal systems,' Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal told reporters while in Washington to attend a Middle East peace conference in Maryland. The case has drawn international attention and stirred criticism from human rights groups and US officials.. ..Faisal said the judgement was being used to vilify the Saudi government even though it was not responsible because the courts are independent.." [more]

Saudi Riyal Hits 21-Year High [Nov 28]
"The Saudi Arabian riyal hit a 21-year high and the Qatar riyal a five-year high after a Dubai-based magazine said the United Arab Emirates could allow the dirham to appreciate 3 to 5 percent as early as Sunday. Bids on the dollar-pegged Saudi riyal were as high as 3.6900 per dollar, the strongest since 1986, and bids on the Qatar riyal hit 3.6250 per dollar, the highest since November 2002.." [more]

Saudi Unlikely to Depeg From Dollar [Nov 28]
"Two events next month could trigger more pressure on the Saudi riyal: The postpone of the planned introduction of a GCC single currency and the US Fed cut of the interest rates by another 25 basis points; however, ending the Saudi Riyal peg to the dollar is unlikely, said a leading economist at a major Saudi investment firm. Brad Bourland, chief economist and researcher at Jadwa Investment, said that the costs of altering the peg greatly outweigh the benefits for the moment particularly as imported inflation is an insignificant part of the current inflation story in Saudi Arabia.." [more]

Chinese Firms Win $443mn Saudi Port Deal [Nov 28]
"Two Chinese companies have won contracts to construct the massive third terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP), Saudi Arabia�s oldest and largest port. Saudi Trade and Export Development Company (Tusdeer) signed a deal on Monday with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to build the �Red Sea Gate� terminal over 22 months, beginning in January 2008. The new terminal will be built based on designs made by the British engineering consultancy Halcrow and is scheduled to begin operating fully in the fourth quarter of 2009. Designed to handle 1.5 million containers annually, it will increase the port�s overall capacity by 45%.." [more]

Saudi Based Developer Dar Al Arkan in $8.1bn IPO [Nov 28]
"Saudi based property developer Dar Al Arkan will float in December in an initial public offering thought to be worth $8.1 billion. A spokesman for the IPO lead company said the shares would be offered at 56 Saudi Riyals each and open only to Saudi investors. The offer, which will see 59.45 million shares (11.01 per cent of the company) sold, begins on Saturday, December 1.." [more]

HRC: Kingdom to Change Sponsorship Law Soon [Nov 28]
"Saudi authorities are currently looking into ways of changing the Kingdom�s sponsorship law, which would see private companies being given sponsorship rights in place of individual citizens, said Saudi Arabia�s governmental Human Rights Commission (HRC).. ..Al-Sudairi said he supports the change in law, which would bring an end to the existence of sponsors. 'I support it. I think it would be better and easier for laborers and for the country,' he said. The top HRC official said that the Ministry of Labor, in an attempt to create awareness among foreign workers of their responsibilities, duties and labor rights, has already begun issuing pamphlets to foreign workers arriving in the Kingdom.." [more]

Overseas Investments of Arabs Reach $1.7 Trillion [Nov 28]
"The Arab region�s overseas investments reached $1.7 trillion and the sovereign wealth funds are set to rise to $20 trillion by 2020, an expert told energy sector meeting yesterday.. ..'The sustainable returns on investments of sovereign funds will essentially enhance the GDP which will directly usher in a new era of prosperity and development. These assets can be used to mobilize more resources which can help to reduce the poverty in any economy.'.." [more]

We�ve the Same Dreams as Women Everywhere [Nov 28]
"Women driving, the hijab, education, Islam and other cultural and religious matters were part of an animated discussion between a group of 25 American educators and Saudi women yesterday at Effat College. 'We want the world to know that we�re not terrorists,� said Maha Juffali, director and supervising trustee of Help Center, a philanthropic non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of children with mental disabilities. �Women are the same everywhere. We have the same dreams and aspirations for the future.' Saudi Aramco hosted the group of teachers, specialists and directors from various educational institutions in the US.. ..they stated their interest in knowing more about Saudi Arabia to uncover the reality behind many misconceptions and learn about women�s role in Saudi society.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Nov 27] ~~~~~~~~~

Saudis Hold Key Role in Today's Gathering on Mideast [Nov 27]
"..the Bush administration that is courting Abdullah's support for an international initiative, to be launched today in Annapolis, Md., that US officials hope will reopen the chances for a comprehensive peace. The United States badly needs the help of Saudi Arabia and other Arab allies to bolster the weak, fledgling government in Iraq and to counter the rising threat of Iran, a Shi'ite Muslim neighbor that US officials believe is trying to build a nuclear weapon. Many analysts see the new regional context as the real reason behind the Bush administration's change of heart about involving itself in the struggle to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.." [more]

What the Saudis Want From Annapolis [Nov 27]
"Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal tells TIME magazine that he is optimistic about this week�s Middle East peace conference in Annapolis because of what he calls US determination �to see this through.� Continuous US mediation in post-conference negotiations, including pressure on Israel, he says, �can turn things around� and lead to a comprehensive settlement before US President George W. Bush�s term expires in 13 months. But, speaking in Paris to Time correspondent Scott MacLeod just hours before his scheduled arrival in the US, Prince Saud warned Israelis that they would have no peace until Israel withdrew from Arab territories captured in the 1967 war. Saud, who will be the highest ranking Saudi to ever attend a peace conference with the Jewish state.." [more]

Oil Falls More Than $3 on Increased Saudi Arabian Production [Nov 27]
"Crude oil fell more than $3 a barrel in New York after Saudi Arabia's oil minister, Ali al-Naimi, said the country has increased production to the highest this year. Saudi Arabia, the biggest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, is pumping 9 million barrels a day, al-Naimi said in Singapore today. Prices also fell on speculation that slower economic growth in the U.S. and Europe will cut fuel consumption.." [more]

Saudi FM Says Rape Victim Sentence Under Review [Nov 27]
"Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said the kingdom's judiciary was reviewing a sentence of six months in jail and 200 lashes handed down to a gang rape victim, official media said on Tuesday. 'There is currently a review process being carried out into the ruling by the judicial system,' the SPA news agency quoted Prince Saud al-Faisal as telling reporters from the US-hosted Middle East peace conference. The sentence against the 19-year-old girl in the ultra-conservative Muslim state has attracted widespread international condemnation, including from human rights groups and the White House. 'What is aggravating in this matter is that individual acts like these are used to attack the Saudi people and its government," [more]

Iran Raps Saudi Over Annapolis [Nov 27]
"Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad chided Saudi Arabia for taking part in a US-hosted Middle East peace meeting, after Arab participation in the event left Tehran isolated, media reported yesterday. Ahmadinejad bluntly told Saudi King Abdullah in a telephone conversation that he wished the kingdom was not attending the conference alongside Israeli and Palestinian leaders starting today in Annapolis outside Washington.. ..'Arab countries should be watchful in the face of the plots and deception of the Zionist enemy,' he added. Iran � which has made non-recognition of Israel one of its main ideological themes � has been left isolated by the attendance at the meeting of its chief regional ally Syria as well as Saudi Arabia.." [more]

SembMarine to Set Up Shipyard in Saudi Arabia [Nov 27]
"SembCorp Marine has set up a joint venture to start a shipyard in Saudi Arabia. This will be its first investment in the Middle East. SembMarine will invest US$6.6 million for a 60 percent stake in the venture to build, own and operate a floating dock for shipbuilding and ship repair. The remaining stake will be held by its Saudi Arabian partner.. ..It will be fully operational by 2009. Besides Singapore, SembMarine has yards in Indonesia, China, Brazil, the US and India.." [more]

Saudi Authorities Finalise Haj Plans [Nov 27]
"Various authorities in Saudi Arabia began their final round of meetings to put finishing touches to this year's plans for the Haj season. This year the pilgrimage season will end on December 23.. ..More than 60,000 security men would take part in maintaining security this year, Major General Mansour Al Turki, Saudi interior ministry security spokesman, told Gulf News. He said the Saudi government is concerned about the security and safety of the pilgrims, and wants to ensure that they perform their ritual in peace and return to their respective countries safely.." [more]

UK Schools Seek Saudi Students [Nov 27]
"A group representing 42 UK universities is touring Gulf Cooperation Council countries to promote UK higher education. EDUKEX 2007 began its tour of the region on Nov. 17 in Abu Dhabi before moving on to Dubai and is currently in Saudi Arabia. EDUKEX 2007 will take place in Jeddah for three days beginning at 4 p.m. today on the British Council premises in the Farsi Center. 'The exhibition is being held in Saudi Arabia for the second time,' said William Patey, British ambassador to the Kingdom. 'In the UK there are already around 10,000 students from the region studying at British universities, and we are hoping as a result of this exhibition to encourage more students to join our institutes. The 
attendance is noticeable.'.." [more]

More Bird Flu Cases at Saudi Poultry Farm [Nov 27]
"More cases of a deadly strain of bird flu have been found at a poultry farm in Saudi Arabia just weeks before the Muslims flock to Mecca for the annual haj pilgrimage, the Ministry of Agriculture said on Monday. A statement published on the official Saudi Press Agency said all birds at the farm at Al Kharj, 150 km south of Riyadh, were culled on Thursday after the H5N1 strain was found there. It gave no more details.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Nov 26] ~~~~~~~~~

Arab Stand Unchanged [Nov 26]
"The Arab League�s participation in the upcoming US- hosted Middle East peace conference does not signal a change in the Arab position nor does it mean that normalization with Israel is unconditional, League chief Amr Moussa said yesterday. Speaking to the press at Cairo�s international airport before departing for the US at the head of a League delegation, Moussa said there would be no normalization of relations with Israel 'unless it�s in the context of comprehensive peace'.. ..Arab leaders agreed in March to relaunch the 2002 Arab initiative, designed by Saudi Arabia, which promises normalization with Israel and Arab recognition of the Jewish state in return for a full Israeli pullout from the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967, including Jerusalem, and a withdrawal from the Golan Heights in Syria and some territories in southern Lebanon.." [more]

Iran Rebukes Saudi Arabia Over Mideast Conference [Nov 26]
"Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has chided Saudi Arabia for taking part in a US-hosted Middle East peace meeting, after Arab participation in the event left Tehran isolated, media reported on Monday. Ahmadinejad bluntly told Saudi King Abdullah in a telephone conversation that he wished the kingdom was not attending the conference alongside Israeli and Palestinian leaders starting on Tuesday in Annapolis, Maryland. 'I wish the name of Saudi Arabia was not among those attending the Annapolis conference,' Ahmadinejad told the king late Sunday, according to state news agency IRNA. 'Arab 
countries should be watchful in the face of the plots and deception of the Zionist enemy,' he added.." [more]

Saudi Rape Victim Having Affair [Nov 26]
"Saudi justice officials say a woman who was sentenced to prison and flogging after she was gang-raped has now confessed to an extramarital affair.. ..The justice ministry statement rejected 'foreign interference' in the case. It insisted the ruling was legal and that the woman had 'confessed to doing what God has forbidden'. The statement carried by the official press agency late on Saturday said the sentence would be carried out in accordance with Saudi law.. ..Several governments and human rights groups have condemned her sentence and urged it to be lifted. Canada described it as 'barbaric'. The US, a major Saudi ally, declined to condemn to sentence, but did call it 'astonishing'.." [more]

Huckabee: America Enslaved to Saudi Oil [Nov 26]
"Consumers are financing both sides in the war on terror because of the actions of U.S. ally Saudi Arabia, Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee said Sunday. The former Arkansas governor made the comments following what he suggested was a muted response by the Bush administration to a Saudi court's sentence of six months in jail and 200 lashes for a woman who was gang raped. 'The United States has been far too involved in sort of looking the other way, not only at the atrocities of human rights and violation of women,' Huckabee said on CNN's 'Late Edition.' 'Every time we put our credit card in the gas pump, we're paying so that the Saudis get rich � filthy, obscenely rich, and that money then ends up going to funding madrassas,' schools 'that train the terrorists,' said Huckabee. 'America has allowed itself to become enslaved to Saudi oil. It's absurd. It's embarrassing.'.." [more]

China's Chalco to Pay 1.2 bln usd for 40 Percect of Saudi Aluminum Smelter [Nov 26]
" China's top aluminum producer, will spend 1.2 bln usd to take a 40 pct stake in an aluminum smelter joint venture in Saudi Arabia with Malaysia's MMC Corp and Saudi Binladin Group, China's Ministry of Commerce said. The venture will export some products to China.. ..Construction of the plant, located in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, is slated to start next year, the ministry said. The smelter will be built in three phases.." [more]

1,500 Extremists Released by Saudi [Nov 26]
"Saudi Arabia has released 1,500 reformed extremists who had been detained on charges of embracing and spreading takfeer, an ideology branding other Muslims as apostates in order to legitimize violence against them. The 1,500 were among 3,200 militants with whom a government-appointed 'counseling committee' met around 5,000 times as part of their rehabilitation.. ..'After several graded sessions with the committee, and having been convinced of their misguided vision, they renounced their erroneous ideologies, including the concept of driving out all infidels from the Arabian Peninsula,'.. ..The paper 
did not clarify if the remaining 1,700 militants had refused to renounce the ideology of takfeer.." [more]

Suicide Cases on the Rise Among Expats [Nov 26]
"Suicide cases in Saudi Arabia are on the increase. The Health Ministry reported recently that at least 266 people, including expatriates, took their own lives in 2006. During the same period, 295 were murdered.. ..Expatriates accounted for 77 percent of suicides last year with Indians (203) taking 43 percent, followed by Bangladeshis (155), Pakistanis (141), Yemenis (102) and Egyptians (97). 'Of the total deaths last year, 957 or 50.1 percent were not natural and suicides represented 27 percent of such deaths,' the report said, adding that the reasons for 93 deaths were not known. The ministry pointed out that 79 percent of people (212) who committed suicide were men.." [more]

Saudi Stocks Keep Upward Momentum [Nov 26]
"The Saudi stock market continued to rise on the second day of trading this week. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) closed 16.54 points higher at 9,649.93. The index is higher by 21.64 percent so far this week after falling over 52 percent last year. As the stocks showed upward trend, analyst Fahd Al-Salman said the total value of stocks that were transacted on Saturday was very high. 'This again reflects the strength of the Saudi stock market and its determination to make further gains,' he said and added that he expected a considerable rise in the Saudi stock index in the coming days.." [more]

Abdullah Calls for Understanding Among Faiths [Nov 25]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday called upon the followers of different faiths to uphold their shared values to promote world peace and understanding. 'If different communities and cultures would turn to their great principles (taught by their religions) then they would find many things that bring them closer, keep them away from conflicts and improve their human qualities,' the king said. King Abdullah made this comment while receiving Chief Executive of World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab and Middle East Director Sherif El-Diwany. He also stressed that corporate as well as individual activities should be based on moral values that create perfect human beings.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Nov 25] ~~~~~~~~~

King Abdullah II Heads to Saudi Arabia [Nov 25]
"His Majesty King Abdullah II headed to Saudi Arabia on a few-hour visit to meet with the Saudi Monarch King Abdullah Ben Abdul Aziz. The two leaders will discuss the current exerted efforts to achieve a unified Arab stand before the Annapolis peace meeting which will be held next Tuesday. The two leaders will also discuss bilateral cooperation and means of further enhancing them in the various fields. The visit comes within the framework of the King's coordination with the Arab leaders ahead of Annapolis peace meeting.." [more]

Kingdom to Restructure Intelligence Operations [Nov 25]
"Saudi Arabia�s intelligence operations are set to undergo restructuring to cope with international information challenges, head of the Saudi Intelligence Prince Muqrin said yesterday at a press conference held to announce an upcoming national security conference. Under the new system he said, 'Saudi Intelligence will compete with international intelligence agencies ... This requires that we restructure our work to cope with global information and knowledge.' The prince announced details of the international symposium, which will take place on Dec. 1-4.. ..'Our research has shown that the 
world in the new millennium is moving toward space security,' he said, adding that it was important for Saudi Arabia to be a 'participant' rather than a 'consumer' in information technology relating to national security.." [more]

Aramco Splashes $1.49bn to Revamp Distribution [Nov 25]
"Oil giant Saudi Aramco said on Saturday it has signed 5.6 billion Saudi riyals ($1.49 billion) worth of contracts with local fuel transportation companies to enhance its distribution network in Saudi Arabia. The 10-year contracts for fuel transportation will cover the delivery of Saudi Aramco refined fuel to and from 37 distribution centres across the kingdom, including the company�s distribution centres at all major Saudi airports.. ..Saudi Aramco has a complete monopoly over fuel distributions in the Kingdom as it owns and operates the kingdom�s nationwide petroleum product distribution network. Saudi Aramco�s executive manager for distribution Ahmad Al-Seidi said in a statement that his company aims to provide more opportunities for local transportation companies with the new contracts.." [more]

GCC States Urged to Sue Tobacco Companies [Nov 25]
"A senior Gulf Cooperation Council health official has urged the member states to follow the example of Saudi Arabia in suing tobacco companies. Dr Tawfiq Khoja, Director General of the executive bureau of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Council of Health Ministers underlined that the GCC health ministers reject the twisted practices followed by tobacco companies to market and promote their products such as the holding of exhibitions and taking part in sports competitions.. ..In March the Saudi Health Ministry announced that the high court in Riyadh accepted reviewing of a lawsuit filed by the ministry against representatives of 14 tobacco-producing companies in the kingdom. The ministry is demanding 10 billion riyals (about Dh9.9 billion) in compensation, saying that the ministry has spent a billion riyals in treating smoking-related diseases.." [more]

10 Percent of 5.6 Million Tourists in Dubai are Saudis [Nov 25]
"As high as 10 per cent of the total number of 5, 600, 000 tourists who visited Dubai last year were Saudis, the Tourism and Marketing Department in Dubai has estimated. The number of Saudi tourists who visited Dubai last year was 600, 000, said the executive manager for operations at Dubai Shopping Festival, Ibrahim Salih in Riyadh on Saturday, according to the Saudi Press Agency. He lauded the strong relations that link peoples of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE.." [more]

Kingdom�s 4th Strategic Oil Storage Facility Set [Nov 25]
" Saudi Arabia�s fourth strategic petroleum storage facility is now ready in Madinah. Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Majed, governor of the region, will open the facility tomorrow on behalf of Crown Prince Sultan, chairman of the Saudi Strategic Storage Program (SSSP). The Madinah storage site was formally handed over to Saudi Aramco in February this year. As many as four million metric tons of rock have been removed to establish the facility whose underground tunnel has a length of 30 kms. Some 130,000 steel bars, 600,000 metric meters of reinforced concrete, 70,000 tons of iron, 150 kms of pipes, 3,000 kms of electric cables and 177 kms of optical fiber cables have been used to build the facility.." [more]

Alfaisal Academy Forges Alliance With Canadian Institute to Train Teachers [Nov 25]
"Alfaisal International Academy here has signed a strategic alliance with GlobalVillage of Canada to train Saudi and non-Saudi teachers for handling English language and science courses in government and international schools as well as for private tutoring. The new measure by the academy, a member of the Arabian Education and Training Group (AETG), comes on the backdrop of some major initiatives launched by the Kingdom that would see Alfaisal University up and running in Riyadh by next year and King Abdullah University for Science and Technology in 2009. The thrust of the educational reforms is also on bringing about a qualitative change in the teaching methods and paying greater attention to English language in the school curriculum.." [more]

Nov 18 -Nov 24, 2007

~~~~~~~~ [ Nov 24] ~~~~~~~~~

US Welcomes Saudi Summit Pledge [Nov 24]
"US officials have welcomed the decision by Saudi Arabia to attend next week's Middle East peace conference at Annapolis in the US. 'This is a signal that they believe this will be a serious and substantive meeting,' the US state department said. Speaking at an Arab League meeting in Cairo, the Saudi foreign minister said he would go but ruled out a 'theatrical show' with Israeli officials.. ..Prince Saud confirmed his attendance but admitted there had been opposition. 'I'm not hiding any secret about the Saudi position. We were reluctant until today. And if not for the Arab consensus we felt today, we would not have decided to go,' he said.." [more]

Saudi, Jordan Kings to Meet Ahead of US Conference [Nov 24]
"The kings of Saudi Arabia and Jordan will meet in Riyadh on Sunday, two days before a Middle East peace conference in the United States which their countries will attend, official media said Saturday cited by AFP. Jordan's King Abdullah II will visit Riyadh for talks with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia on "regional and international issues of common concern," in addition to ties between their two countries.. ..It did not give details, but the planned meeting precedes the conference aimed at reviving stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations which will be held in Annapolis, Maryland on Tuesday.." [more]

Saudi Cuts Key Deposit Rate as Markets Test Dollar Peg [Nov 24]
"Saudi Arabia cut some borrowing costs on Saturday to relieve pressure on its dollar-pegged currency that has mounted on growing bets Riyadh will allow the riyal to appreciate, bankers said. The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA), the central bank of the world's largest oil exporter, reduced the reverse repurchase rate by 50 basis points to 4.25 percent, three bankers in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said.. ..'They are doing this to calm down the market and prevent speculation on the local currency,' said John Sfakianakis, chief economist at SABB, HSBC's Saudi affiliate. 'Investors will find it less attractive to hold deposits in riyal,' he said. The Saudi riyal hit a 21-year high on Thursday of 3.70 and investors are betting on an appreciation of as much as 3.2 percent appreciation in the riyal in a year.." [more]

Saudi Financial System in an Era of Change [Nov 24]
"..the woes in international financial markets might induce more Saudi investors to repatriate funds to safer havens in terms of returns and the Saudi banks continue to report increase in their deposits. As such, their ability to fund Saudi or regional projects on a co-financing basis, will not be affected by the global credit crunch. What could affect them is a perceptible and sharp recession in the US that will lead to lower demand for Saudi oil and petrochemical exports, leading to domestic tightening of credit allocation to non-prime borrowers.." [more]

Seasonal Workers Descend in Droves [Nov 24]
"The Haj is known to be the world�s largest annual gathering, where millions of Muslims come to fulfill their religious obligation. But the Haj brings another kind of pilgrim, too: the seasonal worker.. ..City officials estimate that at least 25,000 additional jobs are created during the Haj season, many of them as guides and drivers for the Tawafa organizations, the licensed Haj guilds. Other jobs include street vendors and municipal cleaners.." [more]

7 Million People Covered in Drive Against Measles [Nov 24]
"A senior Health Ministry official announced yesterday that 7.1 million people in the age group of nine months to 18 years were covered by the massive vaccination drive against measles that ended on Wednesday.. ..In accordance with the comprehensive national plan set out by the GCC Health Ministers Council in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO), the ministry is determined to wipe out measles from the Kingdom by 2010, according to Mishkas. Mishkhas said that measles was eradicated in the Americas in 2000 and that Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean have set 2010 as the time limit for eradication. The Western Pacific has fixed a 2012 target.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Nov 23] ~~~~~~~~~

Saudis to Attend Mideast Conference [Nov 23]
"Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said today he would attend a conference to restart talks on ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Prince Saud al-Faisal made the announcement at a news conference which followed an Arab League meeting in Cairo. Asked if Saudi Arabia would attend the Annapolis talks on a ministerial level, Prince Faisal said: 'As long as there is an Arab consensus to attend, and at the ministerial level, then the kingdom will follow the attendance and the Arab consensus in this context.' Saudi Arabia and Israel have no diplomatic ties, but an Israeli government spokeswoman welcomed the participation of Prince Faisal.. ..The influential Saudis add credibility to any future deal among Palestinians, and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will be able to say a deal holds out the prospect of wider peace with the Arab world.." [more]

Sovereignty of All Countries Must Be Respected: Sultan [Nov 23]
"Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, was awarded yesterday an honorary doctorate at the prestigious Moscow State University of International Relations University in appreciation of his efforts to promote international cooperation and security.. ..Reiterating the Saudi policy of nonintervention in the affairs of other countries, the prince said: 'The Kingdom has adopted its foreign policy based on the sovereignty of all countries and nonintervention in the internal affairs of other countries.' After receiving the doctorate, Prince Sultan underscored the close cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation.." [more]

Riyadh to Compensate Poultry Firm Owners [Nov 23]
"Saudi Arabia announced that it would compensate owners of poultry farms whose birds were culled on suspicions of catching the deadly bird flu virus. 'In line with the directives of the Council of Ministers, the government will pay 80 per cent of the losses [incurred] by owners of poultry farms,' Minister of agriculture Fahd Balghunaim said in statements yesterday. The authorities said more than 3 million birds have been culled so far to contain the spread of the H5NI virus.. ..He noted that the disease is still confined to limited areas as the kingdom has more than 341 poultry farms, with only 108 located 
in the Riyadh region.." [more]

Saudi Arabia's Tadawul Gains 1,360 Points in Four Weeks [Nov 23]
"The Saudi stock market has gained around 1,360 points or 17 per cent in the last four weeks. The Tadawul All Share Index started this week with a slight drop shedding about 130 points or 1.4 per cent. The index, however, recovered to close at 9,518.87 points on Wednesday, the last trading day of the week. It ended up 2.7 per cent from last week. Trading value reached 49.8 billion Saudi riyals, up from last week's 45.3 billion riyals.. ..The Tadawul index has seen a steady rise of 22 per cent since October 6 backed by the positive performance of listed companies.." [more]

Saudi Rape Victim to Appeal Verdict [Nov 23]
"A Saudi woman sentenced to six months in jail and 200 lashes despite being gang-raped has vowed to challenge the ruling in a case that has received wide publicity, embarrassing the Saudi government. The case 'sums up the major problems that the Saudi judiciary faces,' said the young woman�s lawyer, Abdurrahman al-Lahem.. ..After the rape in October 2006, she was sentenced to 90 lashes for having been in a car with a man who is not a relative. The Higher Judicial Council granted a retrial but, on November 14, a court toughened her sentence to six months in jail and 200 lashes. The judges decided to punish the woman further for �'her attempt to aggravate and influence the judiciary through the media,'.." [more]

Lashing Saudi Rape Victim an Outrage: Clinton [Nov 22]
"Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential front-runner, yesterday called on George W. Bush, the U.S. President, to express disapproval at the sentence of 200 lashes and six months in prison meted out to a Saudi rape victim. 'This is an outrage,' she said in a statement, condemning the Bush administration for declining to call for a reversal of the sentence on the grounds it was an internal matter for its Saudi ally. 'I urge President Bush to call on King Abdullah to cancel the ruling and drop all charges against this woman. As president, I will once again make human rights an American priority around the world.'.." [more]

Blair Meets Saudi King [Nov 22]
"Saudi King Abdullah has met with Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair, the state news agency SPA said, amid a flurry of diplomatic activity ahead of an international conference in the United States.. ..Blair flew into Saudi Arabia from Egypt, where he discussed with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak 'ways of reviving the peace process ahead of the international conference' next week.. ..US officials say the meeting will launch the first full-fledged Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations since former president Bill Clinton tried to broker a final settlement near the end of his presidency in 2000. Arab foreign ministers are due to meet in Cairo to decide on their participation in Annapolis. Despite its close ties with Washington, oil-rich Saudi Arabia has declined to confirm its attendance at the meeting unless the core issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict are addressed.." [more]

Russia Can Play Vital ME Role: Sultan [Nov 22]
"Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, arrived here yesterday at the start of a landmark visit and stated that Russia can play a vital role in bringing about a just and comprehensive Middle East peace settlement.. ..He said cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Russia, being the world�s largest oil producers, would have a great impact in stabilizing the world oil market. 'Achieving world oil market stability is a joint responsibility of producers and consumers,'.. ..The three-day royal visit reflects growing relations between Riyadh and Moscow. According to diplomatic sources, the visit will strengthen Saudi-Russian military cooperation. Sultan is accompanied by a high-level delegation.." [more]

Nationality Plays Strong Role in Who Gets Freed From Guant�namo [Nov 22]
"In May 2006, the U.S. military delivered the news that Ali Muhammed Nasir Mohammed was desperate to hear: He was heading home from the prison at Guant�namo on the next plane to Saudi Arabia. There was just one problem. Mohammed is from Yemen. When he explained the mistake, the plane left without him. He remained in his cell for 18 months. Mohammed's case highlights the powerful role of nationality in determining who is released from Guant�namo. Saudi Arabia, a wealthy, influential U.S. ally, has seen more than 100 of roughly 130 citizens return home from Guant�namo, including dozens a military review panel found were security threats. But Yemen, a poor country that lacks close ties to Washington, has had only 13 of about 110 citizens repatriated, including the body of one who committed suicide.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Nov 22] ~~~~~~~~~

Lashing Saudi Rape Victim an Outrage: Clinton [Nov 22]
"Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential front-runner, yesterday called on George W. Bush, the U.S. President, to express disapproval at the sentence of 200 lashes and six months in prison meted out to a Saudi rape victim. 'This is an outrage,' she said in a statement, condemning the Bush administration for declining to call for a reversal of the sentence on the grounds it was an internal matter for its Saudi ally. 'I urge President Bush to call on King Abdullah to cancel the ruling and drop all charges against this woman. As president, I will once again make human rights an American priority around the world.'.." [more]

Blair Meets Saudi King [Nov 22]
"Saudi King Abdullah has met with Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair, the state news agency SPA said, amid a flurry of diplomatic activity ahead of an international conference in the United States.. ..Blair flew into Saudi Arabia from Egypt, where he discussed with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak 'ways of reviving the peace process ahead of the international conference' next week.. ..US officials say the meeting will launch the first full-fledged Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations since former president Bill Clinton tried to broker a final settlement near the end of his presidency in 2000. Arab foreign ministers are due to meet in Cairo to decide on their participation in Annapolis. Despite its close ties with Washington, oil-rich Saudi Arabia has declined to confirm its attendance at the meeting unless the core issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict are addressed.." [more]

Russia Can Play Vital ME Role: Sultan [Nov 22]
"Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, arrived here yesterday at the start of a landmark visit and stated that Russia can play a vital role in bringing about a just and comprehensive Middle East peace settlement.. ..He said cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Russia, being the world�s largest oil producers, would have a great impact in stabilizing the world oil market. 'Achieving world oil market stability is a joint responsibility of producers and consumers,'.. ..The three-day royal visit reflects growing relations between Riyadh and Moscow. According to diplomatic sources, the visit will strengthen Saudi-Russian military cooperation. Sultan is accompanied by a high-level delegation.." [more]

Nationality Plays Strong Role in Who Gets Freed From Guant�namo [Nov 22]
"In May 2006, the U.S. military delivered the news that Ali Muhammed Nasir Mohammed was desperate to hear: He was heading home from the prison at Guant�namo on the next plane to Saudi Arabia. There was just one problem. Mohammed is from Yemen. When he explained the mistake, the plane left without him. He remained in his cell for 18 months. Mohammed's case highlights the powerful role of nationality in determining who is released from Guant�namo. Saudi Arabia, a wealthy, influential U.S. ally, has seen more than 100 of roughly 130 citizens return home from Guant�namo, including dozens a military review panel found were security threats. But Yemen, a poor country that lacks close ties to Washington, has had only 13 of about 110 citizens repatriated, including the body of one who committed suicide.." [more]

Jihad and the Saudi Petrodollar II [Nov 22]
"BBC Middle East analyst Roger Hardy investigates Wahhabism, Saudi Arabia's austere brand of Islam, which is accused by its critics of funding religious extremism. In the second of his two-part series, he meets top US investigators who have had the frustrating task of finding out where Saudi cash ended up.. ..In 2004, at a joint press conference in Washington, the US and Saudi governments announced the closure of five branches of a prominent Saudi charity, al-Haramain. Eventually 10 branches - stretching from the Netherlands to Indonesia - were designated "financiers of terrorism" and shut down.. ..The Saudi ambassador to Washington, Adel Jubeir, told me the kingdom was not responsible for the overseas branches of its charities.." [more]

Bahrain May Opt for Saudi Riyal in GCC Shift [Nov 22]
"Oman could keep its rial pegged to the tumbling US dollar and Bahrain may choose to fix its dinar to the Saudi Arabian currency if their Gulf neighbours decide to abandon dollar pegs, Citigroup said yesterday. Expectations that Gulf countries will reform fixed exchange rates has mounted in the past week after the UAE central bank governor said he could track a basket of currencies in concert with Gulf neighbours to help contain inflation. The Saudi Arabian riyal hit a 21-year high this week after a source familiar with Saudi policy said that Riyadh could consider a revaluation to keep plans for monetary union with five other Gulf states alive. The source said Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia - but not Oman - could shift together to a common fixed exchange rate against the dollar to 'facilitate monetary union'.." [more]

Saudi Demand for Expat Workers Soars [Nov 22]
"Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Labour has said that it has issued 878,737 working visas in the first nine months of 2007 showing a 57% increase from a year earlier, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. The ministry, which uses the Islamic calendar, said that number of visas issued in the month of Ramadan (which started on Sept.12) for this year was 90,619 visas, signaling a 104% increase over the same month a year earlier. The ministry said that 50% of the working visas issued in Ramadan were for engineering professions. Services professions came next with 25% present and all other professions shared the remaining 25%.." [more]

Al Shaer Wins Big Contract to Expand Saudi Airport [Nov 22]
"Saudi Arabia has awarded Al Shaer Engineering a five-year contract worth 256 million Saudi riyals to expand the King Abdul Aziz Airport. The project seeks to raise the airport's capacity to 30 million passengers a year in the first phase. Al Shaer will also construct facilities to allow big jets such as the A380 superjumbo to land and dock at the airport. The latest contract is part of a 112 billion riyal overhaul of the airport, which includes doubling the capacity of the Haj terminal from 4.5 million to 9.2 million passengers by 2025.." [more]

Oil Could Fall to $75 if Opec Boosts Production [Nov 23]
"Oil could tumble as low as $75 a barrel if Opec decides to raise output at next month�s meeting and if the winter season is mild, former Saudi oil minister Ahmed Zaki Yamani said yesterday. But he warned that prices could surge as high as $200 if the US attacked Iran. 'If there are no disasters, then next year�s prices could fall to around $75 per barrel after the winter,'.. ..Oil rallied to a lifetime peak of $99.29 a barrel earlier yesterday. Yamani said prices could ease if Opec agrees to increase production further at its meeting in Abu Dhabi on December 5. The group has already pledged to raised output by 500,000 bpd from November 1.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Nov 21] ~~~~~~~~~

Bush Phones Saudi King Ahead of Mideast Meet [Nov 21]
"US President George W. Bush telephoned Saudi King Abdullah to discuss the Middle East on Tuesday, the state SPA news agency reported, as Washington began issuing invitations for a key peace conference. The two leaders discussed relations between the close allies, as well as 'regional and international developments, chiefly events in the Middle East,'.. ..Despite its close ties with Washington, oil-rich Saudi Arabia has declined to confirm its attendance at the meeting unless the core issues of the Middle East conflict are addressed. Arab foreign ministers are due to meet in Cairo on Thursday to decide on their participation at the US-sponsored conference.." [more]

Saudi Crown Prince to Discuss Iran's Nuclear Program in Visit to Russia [Nov 21]
"Saudi Crown Prince Sultan began an official visit to Russia Wednesday to discuss regional issues with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Middle East issues, including Iran's nuclear program. The royal court, in a statement, said the three-day visit, by invitation from President Putin, was as part of the kingdom's policy 'to maintain contacts with world leaders in the interest of the people of Saudi Arabia and the Arab and Islamic nations issues.' Aside from issues related to Iraq, Lebanon and the Middle East peace process, Saudi diplomatic sources said Prince Sultan will discuss the six Gulf Arab nations offer to Tehran to set up a consortium to provide Iran with enriched uranium to help resolve its conflict with the West over its nuclear program.." [more]

Musharraf Lands in Saudi Arabia [Nov 21]
"In his first trip out of the country since declaring emergency rule, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss the future of one of his main political rivals, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who lives in exile there. Saudi Arabia, one of Pakistan's closest allies, has indicated Sharif should be allowed to return to his homeland to take part in parliamentary elections, Pakistani officials and Western diplomats said.. ..Musharraf would be trying to dissuade the Saudis from releasing Sharif. "'rom the Saudi point of view, Benazir Bhutto is here, but Sharif is not allowed," Iqbal said. "By having him in Saudi Arabia, they become involved in party politics here, and they don't like that'.." [more]

Saudi Rape Victim Crushed by Ordeal [Nov 21]
"The husband of a Saudi rape victim sentenced to 200 lashes and six months in prison said his wife is "a crushed human being," and blamed one judge with a personal vendetta -- and not the Saudi judicial system -- for treating her as a criminal.. ..The case, which has sparked media scrutiny of the Saudi legal system, has drawn a strong reaction from Washington where State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said U.S. officials had "expressed astonishment" at the sentence, though not directly to Saudi officials. Human Rights Watch said it has called on Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah 'to immediately void the verdict and drop all charges against the rape victim and to order the court to end its harassment of her lawyer.'.." [more]

Qatif Case Verdicts Get Ministry�s Backing [Nov 21]
"The Ministry of Justice made its first public statement regarding the second verdict in the so-called �Qatif Girl� rape trial, justifying the decision to punish the victims with lashes and jail time on the basis of 'some proved charges.' The statement, which was released through the official Saudi Press Agency, said the ministry 'welcomes objective criticism that benefits the general good, away from emotional responses.'.. ..The decision to increase the punishments came after the woman�s lawyer, Abdul Rahman Al-Lahem, requested that the courts review the sentences issued to the rapists.." [more]

Shoura Calls for Quick Steps to Contain Bird Flu [Nov 21]
"The Shoura Council has urged the health and agriculture ministries to take quick measures to eradicate bird flu in the Kingdom and keep the public updated about the deadly virus. During a meeting in Riyadh, many Shoura members called upon the ministers of health and agriculture to explain to the public the reason for the bird flu outbreak in the Riyadh region.. ..Officials said this week 220,000 birds have been culled so far, as teams combed other areas near the capital, which has a population of around four million. Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Khaled Al-Mirghalani said it has large stocks of Tamiflu anti-flu tablets in case the virus spreads to humans.." [more]

Jeddah Motor Show Set [Nov 21]
"The Saudi International Motor Show (SIMS), Saudi Arabia�s 29th international event for motor vehicles, motorcycles, auto parts, accessories and garage equipment, is set at the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Center from Nov. 25-30.. ..Driven by the volume of new car sales � over 270,000 vehicles are imported annually � and its preowned car sector continuing to grow, the Kingdom is the largest market in the Middle East for auto parts, accessories, service and garage equipment.." [more]

Indian Trade Team Clinches Huge Deals in Saudi Arabia [Nov 21]
" A group of 40 Indian industry managers, currently visiting Saudi Arabia with the support of the Indo-Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IACCI), has signed multimillion-riyal trade, technology and investment deals, said Sushil Jiwarajka, IACCI chief, in a business conference on Monday night. The occasion also saw the launching of India Business Forum (IBF), an organization set up by the local Indian business leaders under the umbrella of the Indian embassy.. ..Established in 1980, IACCI has a mandate to provide a dynamic link for the promotion of commercial relations between India and Saudi 
Arabia on the one hand and between India and the Arab world on the other.." [more]

Cisco Plans to Invest $268 Million in Saudi Arabia [Nov 21]
"Cisco plans to invest $268 million in Saudi Arabia over the next five years and has set up an initiative to develop and recruit local network consulting engineers (NCE). In information made available to Khaleej Times here, the company said Jordan would act as a hub and cater to trainees across the Gulf Cooperation Council states the Levant and North Africa. It explained that the initiative to develop NCEs is part of a bid in emerging countries to employ and train 96 recruits in fiscal year 2008 and 200 by fiscal year 2009 at the professional and associate levels. Selected students will be put through a rigorous programme that combines theory, industry exposure and hands-on experience at regional Cisco technology academies.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Nov 20] ~~~~~~~~~

US Saudi Arms Package Faces Fight in Congress [Nov 20]
"Lawmakers are striking a note of alarm over reported US plans to sell sophisticated satellite guided bombs to Saudi Arabia, as part of a 20 billion dollar arms sale. A coalition of 188 members of the House of Representatives warned that if the technology fell into the "wrong hands" it could harm US forces in the Middle East and threaten Israel. 'Any sale of JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) technology to Saudi Arabia must come with guarantees backed by strict conditions notified to Congress followed by regular reporting,' the lawmakers said in a letter to President George W. Bush. They also called for tight congressional oversight of the sale, and intense US consultations with key US ally Israel.. ..Saudi Arabia remains in a formal state of war with Israel -- the preeminent democracy in the Middle East," the members of congress wrote in the letter. 'Additionally, Saudi groups continue to export Wahabi extremist ideology throughout the world -- an anti-American ideology we face on battlefields of the Global War on Terror.'.." [more]

Saudis To Sign Russia Arms Deal [Nov 20]
"Saudi Arabia�s crown prince is to travel to Russia tomorrow for talks that could pave the way for Riyadh to buy Russian weapons for the first time, a Russian diplomat said yesterday. Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, who is also defence minister, was invited to Moscow by President Vladimir Putin after the Russian leader visited Saudi Arabia in February, the diplomat said. The diplomat, who declined to be named, said he expected a 'framework agreement for military co-operation,' which would allow Russian weapons to be sold to Saudi Arabia, to be signed during Prince Sultan�s three-day visit. An official 
Saudi source confirmed the prince�s upcoming trip. Riyadh, a close US ally in the Middle East, has traditionally used Western defence systems, but is seeking to diversify its sources of weaponry.." [more]

Aramco Gas Pipeline Fire Toll Rises to 41 [Nov 20]
"The death toll in the Saudi Aramco gas pipeline fire rose to 41 after four new bodies were found on Tuesday. The death toll is expected to reach 48, according to informed sources. The giant state-owned oil company, Saudi Aramco, said in statement on Sunday that the fire erupted on a gas pipeline 30km from Al Hawiya gas plant in the eastern province of the Kingdom during routine maintenance carried out by one of its contractors. The bodies of victims were charred beyond recognition. Authorities have moved 37 bodies to Safwa hospital in Dammam, in the eastern part of the Kingdom, for DNA tests to identify the victims.." [more]

Enhanced Strategic Partnership With the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Nov 20]
"Under the auspices of the Royal Court, the United Nations World Food Programme has been discussing this week with the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ways to further strengthen their humanitarian partnership to help feed the hungry poor around the world.. ..The World Food Programme is a leading United Nations Agency in humanitarian action.. ..'A strategic partnership between the two in the area of humanitarian assistance is a natural alliance which would benefit millions of the world's most vulnerable and needy people', said WFP Deputy Executive Director John M. Powell who is leading the delegation's official visit to the Kingdom.. ..Since 2006, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has contributed over US$40 million in support of WFP's humanitarian efforts worldwide.." [more]

Saudi Authorities Trying to Arrange Meeting Between Musharraf and Former Prime Minister [Nov 20]
"Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has left for a visit to Saudi Arabia. Officials there tell The Associated Press that authorities are trying to arrange a visit between Musharraf and Nawaz Sharif -- the prime minister he toppled in 1999. Sharif was sent back to Saudi Arabia last month when he tried to return home from exile, even though the Supreme Court ruled he could not be kept out. There is no immediate indication Musharraf intends to visit Sharif, who told a Pakistani newspaper that no meeting was planned. Musharraf frequently visits Saudi Arabia, which is a close ally.." [more]

Singapore Strengthening its Business Ties With Saudi Arabia [Nov 20]
"A business delegation from Saudi Arabia is in Singapore to drum up investments in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia is seeking to build its non-oil sectors, such as infrastructure, mining, water desalination, power generation and high technology projects. Speaking at the second Saudi-Singapore Business Council forum on Tuesday, Minister of State for Trade and Industry Lee Yi Shyan said there are many opportunities in Saudi Arabia that Singapore can tap upon. He noted that there were various new initiatives by the Saudi Arabia General Investment Authority (SAGIA).. ..Last year, trade between Singapore and Saudi Arabia rose by 2.2 per cent to S$15.9 billion.." [more]

Malta, Saudi Arabia to Collaborate on Diplomatic Studies [Nov 20]
" Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation has been signed between the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies of the University of Malta and the Institute of Diplomatic Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia. The Foreign Ministry said the aims of the MoU are to establish and strengthen cooperation in the areas of information, research activities and training programmes and exchange documents, studies and expertise between the two parties.. ..Both parties also agreed to exchange invitations to specialists to attend workshops, symposia and conferences, expertise in areas related to library organisation, education and administration of educational institutions, exchange lecturers and students with the aim to upgrade their professional qualifications and promote meeting and discussions on issues of mutual interest with the participation of ministers, officials, diplomats, students and faculty members.." [more]

KSA Heads Relief Efforts for Dhaka [Nov 20]
"Saudi Arabia led relief efforts for Bangladesh's cyclone victims on Monday, pledging $100 million in aid as US ships powered to the disaster zone with dozens of helicopters for evacuations. King Abdullah also ordered the dispatch of food, medical and other relief assistance to the victims in the disaster-prone South Asian Muslim nation, according to a statement from the royal court. The Jeddah-based Organization of the Islamic Conference has called on governments and civil bodies in its 57 member states to send urgent assistance to impoverished Bangladesh, battered by a colossal storm Thursday night that swept entire villages away. Soldiers and relief workers were racing to get aid to millions left homeless by the cyclone, as officials said the death toll had topped 3,100 and was certain to keep rising. According to the Red Cross, the final toll could be anywhere between 5,000 and 10,000.." [more]

Bird Flu Arrives in the Heart of Riyadh [Nov 20]
"A poultry market in the Aziziyah district of Riyadh was cordoned off after inspectors identified four cases of bird flu there yesterday during a random inspection. An emergency team, assigned by the Ministry of Agriculture to control the deadly virus, cordoned the market off. The team comprises officials from the police, the municipality, the ministries of health and agriculture and the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWD). 'There are 85 poultry shops in this market and each will have a minimum of 1,000 birds. The team plans to cull the birds and disinfect the whole area to stop the virus from spreading,.. .. the authorities have so far culled 222,000 birds in Al-Kharj, Durma, Muzamiyah and Al-Hayati.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Nov 19] ~~~~~~~~~

Pakistan's Musharraf to Visit Riyadh on Tuesday [Nov 19]
"Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf is to visit Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and meet with Saudi King Abdullah.. ..Musharraf and Abdullah would discuss bilateral relations and means of boosting ties between their nations in 'several domains, as well as regional and international issues of common interest,'.. ..The agency said Musharraf will also visit the holy city of Mecca for a minor Hajj pilgrimage. It did not give further details. Musharraf frequently visits Saudi Arabia for talks with the kingdom's ruler. Both nations are U.S. allies. Riyadh said Musharraf will brief Abdullah on the latest situation in Pakistan.." [more]

Iran Considers Saudi Plan to End Nuclear Impasse [Nov 19]
"President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has for the first time signalled that Iran may be interested in a facesaving way out of the international crisis triggered by its suspected nuclear weapons programme. The President said in Riyadh yesterday that he would discuss Saudi proposals for a consortium for uranium enrichment in a neutral third country such as Switzerland, which represents US interests in Tehran. The Iranian leadership had rejected similar Russian proposals. Mr Ahmadinejad did not reject the Saudi plan out of hand, telling Dow Jones newswires: 'We will be talking with our [Arab] friends about the scheme endorsed by the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council. He did not comment further.." [more]

Oil Prices Hold Onto Earlier Gains on News of Fire at Saudi Plant [Nov 19]
"Oil prices held onto earlier gains, underpinned by news of a fire at one of Saudi Aramco's facilities this weekend, and by calls from some OPEC members for oil to be denominated in a basket of currencies other than the dollar. Chief OPEC hawks Iran and Venezuela said at this weekend's OPEC summit in Riyadh that cartel members need to consider pricing oil in other currencies in order to safeguard their oil revenues. Although dollar weakness was not mentioned directly in the summit's final communique, the cartel has reportedly agreed to form a committee to study the issue.." [more]

Kingdom Explores Investment Prospects in Asian Oil Refineries [Nov 19]
"Saudi Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi said here yesterday that the Kingdom was scouting for investment opportunities in oil refineries in Asia within the framework of the Riyadh Declaration to maintain oil supplies.. ..The Kingdom was planning to double its own oil refining capacity from the current level of 3.2 mbpd to six million barrels per day (bpd) within the next five years, 'but we would also be interested in investing abroad. Already, we have set up or are establishing joint ventures in refineries in various Asian countries like China, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.' Though he did not mention India by name when he spoke about their interest in expanding these areas of cooperation, both countries are considering a proposal to set up an oil refinery in India as part of a joint initiative to boost their bilateral relations in the energy sector.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Gives 100 mln usd to Cyclone-hit Bangladesh [Nov 19]
"Oil-rich Saudi Arabia said it is giving Bangladesh 100 mln usd in emergency aid to help victims of a devastating cyclone which left thousands dead. King Abdullah also ordered the dispatch of food, medical and other relief assistance to the victims, according to a statement from the royal court. Soldiers and relief workers were racing to get aid to millions left homeless by the cyclone in Bangladesh, where officials said the death toll had topped 3,100 and was certain to keep rising.. ..The Jeddah-based Organisation of the Islamic Conference has called on governments and civil bodies in its 57 member states to send urgent assistance to Bangladesh.." [more]

Profits of Saudi Listed Firms Jump to SR23.26 Billion [Nov 19]
"The profits of the Saudi listed companies jumped to SR23.26 billion in the third quarter as compared to SR20.77 billion in the same period last year. The rise is skewed by the figures of Kingdom Holding Co., whose profits were not included in last year�s figures. For the nine months, the total profit increased by 8 percent to SR64.06 billion as compared to SR59.50 billion in the first nine months of 2006. That is an improvement over the first and second quarter of the year and is an indication of a recovery in the corporate performance, according to a Quarterly Corporate Update 3 by Al-Rajhi Financial Services Co.." [more]

Rape Victim�s Lawyer Refuses to Give In [Nov 19]
"The lawyer representing a Saudi rape victim in Qatif has criticized the second ruling issued by the Kingdom�s Higher Court of Justice doubling the woman�s punishment to 200 lashes and six months in jail, saying that the ruling 'sums up the major problems that the Saudi judiciary faces.'.. ..'Basic Islamic law states that an appeal shall not harm the person appealing,' said Al-Lahem, adding that lodging an appeal is the right of anyone accused of a crime and something crucial for a just trial. 'Once this rule is ignored, then people who appeal verdicts are only left terrorized. From now on people will be apprehensive to appeal fearing they might be punished or have their sentences doubled. That�s exactly what�s happened to the rape victim, who only wanted justice,.." [more]

Gulf States Ban Saudi Poultry [Nov 19]
"A recent decision by several Gulf countries to ban the import of poultry products from Saudi Arabia may cause huge losses to Saudi farmers and exporters, said Riza Al-Naghmoush, a poultry farmer in the Eastern Province. Kuwait and United Arab Emirates said they have imposed the ban following bird flu reports in the Kingdom. According to a source at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Manama is expected to follow suit.. ..Saudi Arabia annually exports 10,000 tons of poultry products to the UAE and Yemen. Meanwhile, Sultan Al-Fohaid, director of customs at the Al-Khafji border, said on 
Saturday that his office had not registered any trucks carrying Saudi poultry being refused entry into Kuwait.." [more]

OPEC Pledges to Harness Clean Oil [Nov 19]
"The 13 leaders of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) unanimously declared here yesterday that they would continue to support the importance of technology to enable the use of 'clean oil', notably carbon capture and storage, to help fight global warming. 'We insist on the importance of clean technologies for the protection of the world�s environment and insist on the importance of developing technologies that can help combat the problem of global warming, such as carbon sequestration,' a statement from the Riyadh final communiqu� read by OPEC Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Badri. Al-Badri said that OPEC countries would continue to work with other governments, international organizations and business communities on investments in the field.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Nov 18] ~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Gas Pipeline Fire Kills 28 [Nov 18]
"An explosion and fire killed 28 people working on a natural gas pipeline in eastern Saudi Arabia, the Saudi national oil company said Sunday. It said the cause of the fire was an accident during maintenance work and it did not expect a disruption in gas supplies. 'The fire broke out while contract workers were linking a new pipe' to the pipeline late Saturday, Aramco said. 'The company is taking all necessary measures to guarantee the continuation of the normal gas output.' It said 28 workers, including five Aramco employees, had died in the fire, which was put out early Sunday.." [more]

Iran Nuclear Compromise Not Discussed in Riyadh: Saudi [Nov 18]
" Iran has not discussed a Saudi-backed plan proposed by Arab states in the Gulf to create an international consortium to enrich uranium in a neutral country outside the Middle East, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said Sunday. 'They haven't discussed it. As a matter of fact, they refused it,' Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal told AFP. The plan was proposed by Iran's Arab neighbours in the Gulf at the beginning of November, but was swiftly turned down by Tehran. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was in Riyadh for a two-day summit of leaders.." [more]

Saudis Start Deploying Special Security Force [Nov 18]
"The first trained members of a security force dedicated to the protection of Saudi oil installations have started deploying, as the government pursues its counter-terrorism campaign despite a marked improvement in security.. ..According to General Mansour Al Turki, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry, 9,000 members of the force are now either deployed or trained and another 8,000 will be added every year, to reach full strength. The new force is now working with other existing forces, including the military and the national guard, but will gradually replace these as its numbers increase.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Mulls Revaluation [Nov 18]
"Saudi Arabia could consider revaluing the riyal with other Gulf oil producers, but has no plans to drop its peg to the sliding dollar to track a currency basket, a source familiar with Saudi currency policy said. Any revaluation by the world's biggest oil exporter would be 'very small' and designed to keep plans for Gulf monetary union alive, the source said, communicating the Saudi response to growing market expectations of a Gulf exchange-rate shift. 'Saudi Arabia will definitely not shift to a basket of currencies,' the source said.." [more]

Saudi Arabian Economy Will Probably Grow 5% in '07 [Nov 18]
"During the Regional Economic Forum for the Middle East and North Africa that took place in Saudi Arabia recently, a Saudi economist stated that the Kingdom's economy is forecast to grow by 5 percent, with the private sector projected to grow by about 8 percent in 2007, Arab News reported. The economist attributed the high inflation rate in the Kingdom, which reached 4.4 percent at the end of August of this year.. ..He also said that unemployment rate which stood at 8 percent in 2000 increased to 12 percent in 2006.." [more]

The Global Competitiveness Forum 2008 to Convene in Riyadh [Nov 18]
"Riyadh is set to grasp the global business realm's attention when hosting the Global Competitiveness Forum (GCF) 2008, a premier conference in the international business calendar, between 20 and 22 January 2008.. ..Themed 'Competitiveness as an Engine for Economic Growth' the two-day forum will bring together some 50 international businesses, corporate and political leaders who will debate and address a range of issues challenging the global and local economic landscape.. ..Mr. Amr Al Dabbagh, Governor of SAGIA said that the GCF play host to a wide array of leading speakers from the worlds of commerce, politics and academia who will address some of the primary international issues to help set reform priorities in the wake of recent world events.." [more]

Saudi Bourse in Biggest One-Day Decline in Two Weeks [Nov 18]
"Saudi Arabia's bourse, which has risen almost 20% since hitting a two-month low on Oct. 7, recorded its biggest one-day decline in more than two weeks yesterday as investors sold stocks that have rallied this month. The benchmark of the Arab world's largest stock market fell 0.57% to 9,212.32 points, its sharpest single day drop since Oct. 30. Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC), the world's biggest chemicals firm by market value, slipped 2.08% after gaining more than 13% this month to its closing price last week.." [more]

Petromin Sold to Dabbagh-Hinduja Alliance for $200m [Nov 18]
"The Dabbagh Group of Saudi Arabia, in partnership with Hinduja, a major Indian conglomerate, bought Petromin � a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Mobil Investments � for $200 million (SR750 million), a senior official of Petromin told Arab News on Friday. The Petromin takeover by Dabbagh Group and Gulf Oil International, a subsidiary of Hinduja, represents a significant trend in the oil sector that not only underlines growing investment in the Saudi downstream oil industry but also inflow of capital from India into the Kingdom�s energy sector. Petromin, the largest manufacturer of lubricants in the Kingdom, exports to over 20 countries. Prior to the takeover, it was a joint venture between Saudi Aramco (71 percent) and Mobil Investments (29 percent).." [more]

Business Talks With West [Nov 18]
"Some six American companies specializing in the commercial and industrial fields have met with Saudi businessmen and women at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI) recently. The American delegation, headed by the Director of the International Trade Office for the Development of Economic Relations in Virginia Mark Meyerk, aimed to open investment and joint venture opportunities with the Saudi owners and entrepreneurs.. ..'The Saudi businessmen and representatives of the American companies underscored the need to support trade and economic relations between the two countries, pointing out that the economic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the US are growing rapidly in the light of the availability of direct and rapid transportation,'.." [more]

Nov 11 -Nov 17, 2007

~~~~~~~~ [ Nov 17] ~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Minister Discourages Citing Dollar [Nov 17]
"..Oil is priced in dollars on the world market, and its depreciation has concerned oil producers because it has contributed to rising crude prices and has eroded the value of their dollar reserves. Cartel officials have resisted pressure to increase oil production to ease prices. 'The reality is that we have this problem. I think we should draft the declaration to reflect our concerns,' Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said during a pre-summit meeting here with fellow ministers from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. But Saud al-Faisal, foreign minister of U.S. ally Saudi Arabia, came out against the proposal with unusually frank comments. 'In my feeling, the mere mention that the OPEC countries are studying the issue of the dollar is itself going to have an impact that endangers the interests of the countries,' he said. 'We all should be worried if any action that we take will lead us to do some injury to our returns on our product.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Works the Vast Desert To Pump Out More High-Quality Oil [Nov 17]
"..Next year, Saudi Aramco, the state oil company, plans to boost production by 250,000 barrels a day, one step in an effort to expand the kingdom's oil-production capacity to 12.5 million barrels a day from the 11.3 million barrels.. ..The expansion plan is a reminder of just how vast Saudi oil reserves are and how little exploration is needed to maintain output. Last year, according to Saudi Aramco's annual report, the state-owned oil firm drilled just 13 exploration wells. In the United States, oil companies drilled 4,005 exploration wells.." [more]

Saudi Arabia in Focus as Oil Moves to the Top of the Agenda [Nov 17]
"..as the G20 ministerial gets underway in a sunny corner of the Western Cape. The heat of their collective gaze will be on Saudi Arabia's finance minister, Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Assaf, who is representing the world's biggest oil producer. After all, the Arab Kingdom is seen as wielding enough power in OPEC, the cartel of oil producers, to bring about some change. And, to make matters just a touch more interesting, OPEC is at the same time having its summit in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.." [more]

Saudi Arabia May Order 24 Eurofighter Jets [Nov 17]
"Saudi Arabia could order 24 Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets from BAE Systems for about 1.5 billion pounds ($3.06 billion), the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) reported on Friday. Saudi Arabia and Britain announced in September a 4.43 billion pound deal for 72 of the Eurofighters. 'The kingdom is set to decommission a number of aircraft and is thinking about a possible order for 24 more Eurofighters,' MEED quoted an adviser to the Saudi government, that it did not identify, as saying. 'There is a need for new aircraft given the situation in the region, particularly the issue of Iran,'.." [more]

Thousands of Chickens Die in Saudi [Nov 17]
"Around 90,000 chickens died at two farms in Saudi Arabia following a bird flu outbreak, Agriculture Minister Fahd Balghnaim was quoted as saying yesterday. Balghnaim did not confirm that bird flu was the cause of death. But the deaths occurred one day after his ministry announced that 50,000 birds were culled at a poultry farm in Al Kharj, 80km south of Riyadh, after the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu was detected there. The minister said around 50,000 chickens died in a farm in Al Mazahmiyah, about 80km west of the capital, and another 40,000 died at a nearby farm.. ..Saudi Arabia banned all live poultry imports after bird flu was last detected in the kingdom in March. In April, neighbouring Kuwait culled 1.7mn birds after the strain was found. There are no reports of the disease spreading to humans in either country.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Nov 16] ~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Envoy asks Canada to do More for Mideast Peace [Nov 16]
"Saudi Arabia's ambassador yesterday called on Canada to take an active role in resolving persistent problems in the Middle East -- notably the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- that are fuelling terrorism and instability.. ..Abdulaziz Al-Sowayegh noted that Canada has great credibility in the region. Because of its history of peacekeeping, its lack of colonial history and its support for developing nations, 'everyone really looks at Canada with respect and admiration,'.. ..He said the most important thing Canada could do is support the implementation of United Nations resolutions on the Arab-Israeli conflict, including demands for Israeli's withdrawal to its 1967 borders.." [more]

Output Hike May Not Cool Prices: Opec [Nov 16]
"Oil prices would probably not fall even if Opec raises production when it meets in Dec-ember, since the market is being supported by factors other than supply, the oil minister of Algeria said on Thursday.. ..Oil ministers have made clear they will not discuss output policy at the heads of state summit now under way in Riyadh, adding that they believe factors beyond Opec's control - such as speculation and geopolitical anxiety - are driving prices.. ..Opec officials at a summit of the producer group said there was no easy way to crack down on speculators whom they blame for sending oil prices to a record high near $100 a barrel.." [more]

Kingdom Ready to Invest in CO2-Reducing Technology [Nov 16]
"Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi joined other delegates at the OPEC Ministerial Council meeting yesterday in calling for greater efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and invest in new technology to curb environmental pollution. Al-Naimi was chairing a session on climate change on the second day of the Ministerial Council meeting ahead of the two-day OPEC summit that opens tomorrow.. ..On environmental pollution, the minister said: 'Since fossil fuels are going to be around for some time, we need to develop technology to reduce carbon emissions. We are all called upon to address the climate-change concern and find a balance that is a possible, comprehensive and cost-effective solution.. ..Saudi Arabia is willing to participate in any such project.'.." [more]

Rape Victim's Harsh Sentence Shocks Saudis [Nov 16]
"A Saudi court has more than doubled the number of lashes that a female rape victim was sentenced to last year after her lawyer appealed against the original sentence. The decision, which many lawyers found shocking even by Saudi standards of justice, has provoked a rare public debate about the treatment of women. The victim's lawyer, Abdul Rahman al-Lahem, a human rights activist, drew the court's ire because of his strong public criticism of the handling of the case. He has called his client's conviction unjust and said the sentences of the seven men who raped her were too lenient.. ..Mr Lahem's licence to practice law has been suspended and he is facing a hearing before a Ministry of Justice disciplinary committee on December 5 in Riyadh for appearing regularly on television and talking about the case. Judges of the Qatif General Court have accused him of trying to tarnish the court's image by talking to the media.." [more]

GCC Urged to Revalue Currencies [Nov 16]
"A revaluation of the GCC currencies is needed now and the region should begin preparations to shift their currencies away from the dollar peg to a basket of currencies with which the Gulf trades, a report released recently by Standard Chartered Bank revealed. The report titled 'Thought Leadership', emphasized that this shift in currency policy is needed not only to reflect the present vulnerable state of the dollar.. ..The report also looked in detail the Gulf�s condition in terms of the three Ds, i.e., diversification, demographics and the dollar.." [more]

JEF 2008 to Boost Kingdom�s Industrial, Service Awareness [Nov 16]
"Some 35 political leaders, economists and heads of multinationals companies from 22 countries have expressed their desire to participate as speakers in the 2008 Jeddah Economic Forum to be held on Feb. 23-26, Sami Bahrawi, president of the forum, said. They are expected to present 24 working papers as well.. ..The two sessions on the first day would discuss 'Kingdom�s New Development Vision' and 'the Economic Cities,' and the second day�s meetings would focus on 'the Energy' and 'Government � Private Cooperation'. The last day�s sessions are set for �From Boom