Jan 27 - Feb 2, 2008

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 2] ~~~~~~~~~

Bomb Hits Residence of Saudi Ambassador to Chad's Residence, Killing 2  [Feb 2]
"A bomb hit the residence of the Saudi ambassador to Chad on Saturday, killing the wife and daughter of an embassy staffer taking shelter from the fighting between the government and rebel forces, according to a foreign ministry statement. The statement carried by the official Saudi press agency quoted an unnamed official as saying that all members of the Saudi mission to Chad had gathered with their families at the ambassador's home as they waited to be evacuated because of the violence.. ..The nationality of those killed was not immediately known.." [more]

Lebanese Druze Leader to Meet Saudi King [Feb 2]
"Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt will discuss the country's deepening political crisis with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia this week, Lebanon's information minister said on Saturday. Jumblatt, a prominent lawmaker from the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority and leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, arrived in the oil-rich kingdom late on Friday for a three-day visit, Lebanese Information Minister Ghazi al-Aridi told AFP. Jumblatt is expected to meet the Saudi monarch on Sunday for talks on the 'latest developments in Lebanon,'.." [more]

Saudi Air Force to Participate in Military Exercise in US [Feb 2]
"In line with the approval of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, the participation of the Royal Saudi Air force in the exercise of the Red Flag-3, 2008, due to take place at Niles base in the United States, the Royal Saudi Air Force Planes which will participate in the Exercise arrived on Friday at the Base. The planes were received by commander of the group of the Royal Saudi Air Force for the mission of the Red Flag-3, 2008.. ..Highlighting the efficiency and capability of the Saudi pilots, al-Assiri said this participations is the third participation for the Royal Saudi Air Force in the exercises of the Red Flag.." [more]

Middle East Sets Focus on Asia [Feb 2]
"..Shifting geographical priorities are combining with the weak US dollar to persuade cash-rich Middle Eastern investors to refocus their portfolios on Asia, including established markets such as Japan, the giant Chinese market and emerging markets such as Vietnam.. ..Energy-hungry Asian countries are desperate to root themselves in the oil-rich Gulf, which will probably produce the world's last barrel of oil. Meanwhile, Gulf states have looked on askance at the rising tide of rhetoric from some Western nations regarding the apparent lack of transparency of sovereign wealth funds.." [more]

No Need to Change Oil Output � Al-Naimi [Feb 2]
"Saudi Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi said he saw no need to change OPEC's output ceiling during its ministerial meeting Friday, as crude prices tumbled on fears of an economic slowdown.. Most members of OPEC, which pumps 40 percent of world oil, said Thursday that they wished to see official daily output kept at 29.67 million oil barrels. A freeze would be a snub to the United States, the world's biggest energy consumer, after President George W. Bush recently urged OPEC to hike output to help bring down high oil prices that stunt economic growth and fuel inflation.." [more]

Naif Surprised by Inaction on Int�l Anti-Terror Center [Feb 2]
"Minister of Interior Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz on Thursday expressed surprise over world inaction on a Saudi proposal for setting up an international center to combat terrorism under the umbrella of the United Nations. The proposal had received worldwide welcome when it was first presented by King Abdullah, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, at the International Anti-Terrorism Conference hosted in Riyadh in 2005. Prince Naif said the fight against terrorism should not focus on terrorist operations but rather on the roots of the scourge. If the roots of terrorism were not dried up, the problem would continue to persist.." [more]

Chairman of Saudi Arabian Parliament to Visit Azerbaijan [Feb 2]
"..the chairman of the Saudi Arabian Parliament will visit Azerbaijan by invitation of Azerbaijani Milli Medjlis speaker Oqtay Asadov. The visitor from Saudi Arabia will take part in jubilee arrangements on the creation of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic as well as the 90th anniversary of Azerbaijani parliament to be marked in May of 2008. Sheikh Salekh will hold a number of meetings with Azerbaijani officials, including with President Ilham Aliyev, and discuss issues of development and deepening of bilateral relations between the two countries.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 1] ~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Women Face Systematic Discrimination -- UN Report [Feb 1]
"Women in Saudi Arabia are victims of systematic and pervasive discrimination across all aspects of social life, a United Nations report said on Friday. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women urged the Saudi government to take concrete steps to enforce gender equality and end violence against women.. ..Saudia Arabia is governed by Wahabism, a strict interpretation of Islam that -- in the name of Sharia law -- imposes almost complete separation of the sexes. As such, it is illegal for a woman to be in the company of a man who is not in her immediate family. Women suffer from domestic violence, poor healthcare provision and high levels of illiteracy, the committee said in its report.They are also shackled by the obligation to have a male "tutor" or guardian to accompany them for many daily tasks, it found.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Insists It Will Not Depeg Riyal [Feb 1]
"Hamad Al Sayyari, the governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA), has reiterated the Kingdom's current policy of pegging the riyal with the dollar. He said the slowdown in the US economy will not have much effect on Saudi Arabia. Al Sayyari said there was no change in the Saudi currency exchange rate. 'There is no change in the current policy of the riyal exchange rate,' he said while addressing a forum on financing small and medium-scale enterprises in Riyadh.. ..Asked about what the Saudi authorities will do in case the US Federal Reserve again cuts interest rates by 50 points, Al Sayyari noted that if this happens it will immediately be studied and a decision will be taken.." [more]

Saudi Mortgage Law Nearly Ready [Feb 1]
"Saudi Arabia's advisory Shura Council is examining draft proposals for a long-awaited mortgage law and mortgage financing regulations that will allow more Saudis to own property, the finance ministry said. 'The issuing of mortgage financing regulations, which have been drafted by committee... and are currently being reviewed by the Shura Council... will help establish the whole regulatory framework for the financing of this sector,'.. ..The mortgage law is expected to allow much wider access to property ownership, in a country where only one out of five Saudis owns a home.." [more]

Internet Disruption May Last 10 Days [Feb 1]
"Disruption to communications in Saudi Arabia and throughout the Middle East and South Asia continues due to a cut in two submarine cables in the Mediterranean Sea. Both the FLAG and SEA-ME-WE 4 undersea cables have been cut, off the coast of Egypt near Alexandria.. ..Several Saudi businessmen reported that yesterday afternoon, when placing telephone calls to Europe, their efforts were met again and again with the recorded message 'all lines in this route are busy.' In the coming week, communication across the region will be challenging. It is expected that the problem will grow as companies return to business in Saudi Arabia on Saturday and try to use online services.." [more]

Women-Only Hospitals [Feb 1]
"..Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, the grand mufti of Saudi Arabia, recently proposed the establishment of women-only hospitals during a symposium in Riyadh entitled 'Applying religion in medical issues.' Describing intermingling of sexes at hospitals as a �disaster� that infringes upon the modesty of Muslim societies, the mufti said medical professionals should only treat patients of the same gender except in time of emergencies.. ..The idea of having single-gender hospitals has attracted mixed reactions from women. Some women feel such hospitals would be convenient, while others are against them.." [more]

Oil Scene: All Options Are Open at OPEC Talks [Feb 1]
"The 147th (extraordinary) OPEC ministerial moot in Vienna today is taking place amid contradictory push and pulls and in a sensitive environment. OPEC ministerials are often under microscope, and this time too it is no different. The world is awaiting the outcome. With President Bush, Samuel Bodman, the IEA, all in chorus for the cartel to open its taps, it�s definitely a tough call. Only a couple of days back the US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman made it clear that the US would be able to make do if OPEC declined to boost oil production. If OPEC nations fail to raise production, �then that�s what they decide and we�ll move forward,� Bodman said. Clearly OPEC doesn�t want high oil prices to kill the world economy since that would cut crude demand. But if production is increased and the economy stalls anyway, oil prices could collapse � a dicey situation indeed.." [more]

Work Out Change From Within � Brundtland to Saudi Women [Feb 1]
"Former Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland, who is also the Special Envoy on Climate Change for the United Nations Secretary-General, visited Saudi Arabia last week to speak at the Global Competitiveness Forum. Brundtland spoke to Arab News about the condition of Saudi women.. ..Brundtland is aware of the happenings in the Middle East and the talk of reform in Saudi Arabia. In terms of democracy and bettering women�s conditions in developed countries, the UN can play an important role in opinion making, she said. However, she strongly believes that change should come from within. 'There is no one outside that can force change on Saudi Arabia. The change should come from Saudis themselves,' she said, adding that young Saudis could start change by asking difficult questions.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 31] ~~~~~~~~~

OPEC Favors Holding Output Amid US Pressure for Hike [Jan 31]
"OPEC ministers might debate whether pumping more oil would help revive the world economy when they meet here even though ministers favored no change, the cartel's chief said on Thursday. US President George W. Bush recently called on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to increase output at its production meeting in the Austrian capital due Friday, to help reduce high oil prices which he claims are weighing on an already weak economy.. ..On Wednesday, OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest crude producer, voiced satisfaction at the present levels of crude supply and demand, while other key members said they did not believe there was a need to change output. 'The fundamentals are sound,' Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Nuaimi had told reporters.." [more]

Saudi Women See a Brighter Road on Rights [Jan 31]
"Buoyed by recent advances in women's rights, advocates for the right of women to drive in Saudi Arabia -- the only country in the world that prohibits female drivers -- say they believe the ban will be lifted this year.. ..Since taking the throne in 2005, Abdullah has championed women's right to work and often takes official trips overseas with delegations of female journalists and academics. The king has said that he does not oppose allowing women to drive but that society needs to accept the idea first.. ..In November, the foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, told Britain's Channel 4 news that there was no Saudi law prohibiting women from driving.." [more]

Saudi Wage Boost to Cost $16bn [Jan 31]
"Increases in public sector wages, pensions and welfare benefits announced by Saudi Arabia this week will cost the government 60 billion riyals ($16bn), the finance minister said yesterday. Ibrahim Al Assaf said that wages and pensions for public sector employees would be increased by five per cent per year for the next three years. These increases will take immediate effect starting January, he said. The original announcement had said the increases would take place over the next three years without giving details. Saudi Arabia also raised social insurance benefits by ten percent over a three-year period.." [more]

Saudi Investment Rules Attract Foreign Backers [Jan 31]
"Saudi Arabia's investment climate draws international intrest, particularly after its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) two years ago.. ..With the booming economy and increased cash flow, the Saudi purchasing power is stronger than ever, he said. 'The high purchasing power in any market means that such a market is strong and healthy. Therefore, it offers any corporate entity the opportunity to avail of the enormous investment potential as consumer needs normally grow in line with the growth of the purchasing power. This positive feature of the Saudi market places it among our most promising global markets,'.." [more]

Emal to Set up $5 Billion Smelter in Saudi Arabia [Jan 31]
"Emal International, a joint venture between Abu Dhabi�s Mubadala Development Company and Dubai Aluminium Company (Dubal), will set up an aluminium smelter complex in Saudi Arabia at cost of $5 billion. The plant�s production capacity will be 700,000 tonnes of raw aluminum in the first phase. The companies have signed an agreement Emaar Economic City to set up the project in the latter�s King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) development, according to a joint statement. The agreement has the approval of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (Sagia).." [more]

Petrochemicals Boost Saudi Stock Index [Jan 31]
"Saudi Arabia�s Tadawul all share index closed higher for a second consecutive day, helped by gains in Saudi Kayan Petrochemicals Co and Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC). The benchmark, which gained more than 40 percent last year, closed up 1.36 percent at 9,675.02 points. But it is down almost 18 percent since Jan. 15. Kayan gained 6.93 percent and SABIC 0.61 percent.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 30] ~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Probe Put Al-Qaeda Info at Risk [Jan 30]
"Vital information on Al-Qaeda would have been lost if an investigation into alleged corruption by BAE Systems during an arms deal with Saudi Arabia was pursued, Britain�s head of overseas intelligence warned ministers, according to a report released Tuesday. An annual report by the UK�s Intelligence and Security Committee revealed ministers were told the inquiry could have had damaging repercussions on the fight against terrorism, and that British lives would be put at risk if Saudi Arabia ended intelligence-sharing.. ..According to the report MI6 had raised objected to the investigation before the SFO decided to drop the case. Its head, John Scarlett told the committee 'There were threats made to the existence of the cooperation (and) there was reason to take those threats seriously.'.." [more]

Saudi Claims Inflation Will Stabilize at 4% This Year [Jan 30]
"Saudi Arabia's central bank governor said on Wednesday he expected inflation in the world's largest oil exporter to "stabilise" this year at last year's 4.1%.. ..Average inflation in Saudi Arabia, which pegs its riyal to the US dollar, hit a 16-year high of 6.5% in December, partly driven by a rise in global commodity prices and the declining US currency. Al-Sayyari said the kingdom would revise its reverse repurchase rate, which it uses to track US Federal Reserve policy moves, depending on economic conditions. The governor's prediction contrasts with that of investment bank Merrill Lynch, which on Sunday warned that inflation in the kingdom could average 6% this year, up from an average of 4% in 2007.." [more]

HK Offers Saudis 1-Month Free Visa to Woo Investment [Jan 30]
"Starting from next Monday, all Saudi citizens will have the opportunity to receive a one-month free visa to Hong Kong in a move aimed to encourage locals and businessmen to visit the Asian business hub, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Donald Tsang said yesterday. Tsang, who arrived on Monday in the Kingdom on his first visit to the country, met Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah in Riyadh. Accompanied by dozens of top executives representing the finest of Hong Kong's business enterprises, his mission was to boost bilateral cooperation and seek joint business ventures in the Kingdom.." [more]

OPEC Won't Raise Quota, May Consider Cut [Jan 30]
" OPEC won't raise output quotas at a meeting this week and may need to cut production in the months ahead because of slowing world economic growth and rising oil inventories, Qatar's energy minister said. `'The world has sufficient supply, even oversupplied in some places,'.. ..The 13-nation group, dominated by its largest producer, Saudi Arabia, will discuss output targets on Feb. 1, then again in Vienna on March 5. An economic slowdown risks further curbing demand for OPEC oil, which declines anyway during the second quarter as the end of winter in the Northern Hemisphere reduces heating needs.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Kills 158,000 Chickens After Detecting Bird Flu Virus [Jan 30]
"Saudi Arabia said it had killed some 158,000 chickens after the deadly H5N1 bird flu strain was found at an infected farm. The birds were killed in Kharaj province, south of the capital, Riyadh, according to a statement by the Agriculture Ministry. About 475 workers were tested, but no human infections were found. The ministry also said more than 4.5 million fowl have been killed in provinces around the capital, but it did not specify when the killing took place. Bird flu resurfaced in November in Kharaj province, in another blow to Saudi Arabia's $10 billion poultry industry.." [more]

Aramco Ranked No. 1 in the Muslim World [Jan 30]
"Saudi Aramco, the world�s top oil producer, is once again the largest business enterprise in the Muslim world, according to business strategy e-magazine Dinar Standard. Its DS100, a ranking of the Top 100 businesses in the 57 member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), is published annually.. ..The ranking showcases the continuing growth of the Muslim world economies with $1.08 trillion in total revenues and a healthy 14.6 percent in revenue growth compared to the previous year. Due to rising oil prices, which are hovering around $90 a barrel currently, the 20 integrated oil and gas companies on the list continued their dominance representing 65 percent of the total DS100 company revenues.." [more]

Recruitment of Foreign Manpower Jumps 35% [Jan 30]
"The number of visas issued by the Labor Ministry for the recruitment of skilled foreign workers increased by 34.57 percent last year compared to visas issued in 2006, Labor Minister Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi said. Gosaibi attributed the increase in recruitment visas to growing development and industrial projects across the Kingdom.. ..The tremendous increase in recruitment visas comes in response to the growing demand for skilled foreign manpower to carry out new industrial, educational and real estate projects in various parts of the country and implement the recently launched mega-economic cities in Rabigh, Hail, Madinah and Jizan. The increase was also a response to the complaints of foreign investors that they had no skilled workers to carry out their projects in the Kingdom.." [more]

GE Unveils Multibillion Growth Strategies in the Kingdom [Jan 30]
"General Electric Company (GE), the $173 billion diversified technology giant, will support Saudi Arabian Airlines� ambitious plan to launch overhaul services of engines, which will finally lead to the building of a new state-of-the-art facility at the Jeddah-based King Abdul Aziz Airport within the next 18 months, Jeffrey R. Immelt, GE�s board chairman & chief executive officer, said here yesterday during a press conference. Under the agreement, valued at about $1.4 billion, GE will supply materials to the Kingdom�s national carrier for 14 years from the start of the new overhaul facility. Immelt said 'the new state-of-the-art facility would serve the Kingdom, the Middle East and Africa regions, where our cumulative revenue has gone up by 45 percent to $8 billion in 2006.'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 29] ~~~~~~~~~

Saudi to Step Up Welfare Payments [Jan 29]
"Saudi Arabia will raise wages, welfare payments and subsidies to counter rising inflation. Resentment over the cost of the living led the king's advisers to summon the central bank governor and finance minister next month to discuss the peg, which has forced the central bank to slash rates by 150 basis points since September.. ..The cabinet also agreed to raise social insurance benefits by 10 per cent and subsidise half the cost of shipping and some administrative expenses including those for driving licences and passports.. ..Unable to raise interest rates, many of Saudi Arabia's neighbours are also 
resorting to subsidies and price controls to cushion their populations from rising prices.." [more]

UAE Waits for Saudi Signal on Revaluation [Jan 29]
"King Fahd of Saudi Arabia is to convene a meeting of the Shura council on February 10 to hear presentations from senior officials about the revaluation of the riyal and future of the dollar-peg. It is highly likely that the UAE and the three other dollar-linked GCC states will follow any Saudi move, if it happens. What hastened the consideration of the dollar-peg and revaluation - apart from mounting inflation - was probably the surprise interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve last week which weakened the dollar again, and through the dollar-peg all the Gulf currencies. The idiocy of having the interest rates of the booming GCC economies set at a wholly inappropriate level by the slowing US economy is clear once again for all to see.." [more]

Saudi Plans Airport Cities Near Major Airports [Jan 29]
"Saudi Arabia plans to develop 'airport cities' around the kingdom's three major airports under private sector participation schemes.. ..Abdullah M N Rehaimi, president of Saudi Arabia�s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), and Lars Thunell, executive vice president and CEO of IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, today signed an advisory agreement to help mobilise private investment for sustainable, commercially oriented developments around the airports. The projects will help the airports make better use of the assets within their boundaries, improving operations and creating jobs while 
helping GACA achieve financial sustainability.. ..'IFC is helping Saudi Arabia to diversify its economy by increasing private sector participation and by developing its airports into economic hubs for the country.'.." [more]

Birds Culled in Saudi as New Bird Flu Case Found [Jan 29]
"Saudi authorities have culled nearly 160,000 birds after a new case of the deadly strain of bird flu was found on a farm outside Riyadh.. ..Authorities killed thousands of birds in al-Kharj and other sites near Riyadh in November, as inspection teams combed farms and markets around the city of about 4 million people. In March, Saudi Arabia said the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu had been discovered in peacocks, turkeys, ostriches and parrots at a house in the east of the kingdom and that an unspecified number of birds in the area had been culled. The Saudi government says it has large stocks of Tamiflu anti-flu tablets in case the virus spreads to humans.." [more]

Reformists Denounce Rights Abuses in Saudi [Jan 29]
"Saudi reformists are to send a new petition to King Abdullah calling for the release of fellow activists and an end to the harassment of bloggers and journalists, one of them said. The petition also demands the promulgation of a law "guaranteeing people's rights and freedom... on the basis of Islamic tenets," said Mohammed bin Hudeijan al-Harbi, one of 12 Islamist reformists who drafted the document. The petition, which complains that the scope of freedom and 'peaceful expression' in the ultra-conservative kingdom has narrowed over the past year, is timed to mark one year since nine reformists were 
arrested.." [more]

Institute Takes Saudi Arms Deal to the American People [Jan 29]
" In its ongoing opposition to the proposed $20 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, the Institute on Religion and Public Policy has launched a new online petition demanding that Congress halt the deal. The petition can be found at www.religionandpolicy.org. 'While news reports and analysts remain skeptical that Congress will block the deal, we have faith that the American people will voice their inherent opposition to a deal that threatens American security, destabilizes the region, and arms a country that is ideologically and practically opposed to all America values,' commented Institute on Religion and Public Policy President Joseph K. Grieboski. The petition, addressed to the leaders of the Senate and House and available at www.religionandpolicy.org, 'respectfully demand[s you remember the words President Bush has forgotten and vote NO on authorizing the $20 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia� We've made this mistake before - let's not make it again.'.." [more]

Saudi Arabian Bank Profits Fall 14.5% [Jan 29]
"Profits of Saudi banks declined by 14.5 per cent in 2007. Eleven banks realised net profits of 30.21 billion Saudi riyals compared to 35.34 billion Saudi riyals in the previous year. The profits of banks in 2006 increased by 31.2 per cent over 2005. Four banks - Al Jazira, the Saudi Investment Bank, Al Saudi Al Hollandi and Al Bilad reported a decline of more than 50 per cent in profits in 2007.. ..The profits of the ten banks listed on the Saudi stock exchange have declined by 16.8 per cent in 2007. The profits of these banks amounted to 24.1 billion Saudi riyals compared to 29 billion Saudi riyals in 2006. Riyad Bank is the only Saudi bank that reported an increase in its profits in 2007.." [more]

Kingdom Encourages Use of High-Tech on Climate Change [Jan 29]
"Saudi Arabia has been encouraging greater usage of high-tech solutions to deal with climate change, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, assistant minister of petroleum and mineral resources for petroleum affairs, said. 'These solutions include the advanced technology for separation and storage of Carbon dioxide, especially after fossil-fuel proved to be the first option that will dominate the world market during the 21st century,'.. ..'Although the Kingdom will not need the technology of separation and storage of carbon dioxide for the enhanced extraction of the oil in the upcoming years, but it will make many researches and upgrade this technology to have its fair share in confronting the climate change,' he said. 'The oil industry in the GCC states are in need of building partnership with research institutions in order to find solutions in the field of geological storage and increase oil production as well as to reduce the cost of separating carbon dioxide from immovable resources,'.." [more]

GCC Should Not Drop Dollar Peg [Jan 29]
"Gulf Arab nations should hold back from dropping their dollar pegs or revaluing their currencies because supply constraints rather than more expensive imports are driving inflation, HSBC Holdings Plc Middle East CEO said. 'Most of the inflationary pressures are not because of the dollar peg, but because of supply constraints ... a lack of raw materials and workers,' Chief Executive Officer Youssef Nasr told Reuters yesterday on the sidelines of an infrastructure conference in Dubai.. ..Any revaluation might undermine investor confidence in the region, Nasr said.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 28] ~~~~~~~~~

Hamas Leader Meshaal in Saudi, Discusses Gaza [Jan 28]
"Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal met Saudi officials in Riyadh on Monday as part of a Saudi bid to mediate the return of Gaza, under Israeli blockade, to Palestinian Authority control, Saudi and Palestinian officials said. The Syria-based leader of Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist group which controls the Gaza Strip, held talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal after arriving in Riyadh on Sunday night, a Saudi source said. Arab efforts are under way to return control of the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt to the Fatah group of Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas.. ..There has been no mention of Meshaal's trip in the Saudi state media and it was not clear if he would meet King Abdullah.." [more]

U.N. Rights Expert Will Examine Violence Against Women in Saudi Arabia [Jan 28]
"..Yakin Erturk, the U.N. special investigator for violence against women, will visit the kingdom from Feb. 4-13 and meet with government and civil society representatives in Riyadh, Jeddah and Damam, according to a statement by the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights.. ..Earlier this month, Saudi officials told the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women that the kingdom would likely lift the ban on women driving in the near future and was taking measures to address the issue of domestic violence. A report last year by New York-based Human Rights Watch found many female foreign workers in Saudi Arabia are physically abused by their employers.." [more]

Saudi to Debate Riyal-Dollar Peg [Jan 28]
"Saudi Arabia's finance minister and central bank governor will appear before a council to discuss the riyal's peg to the US dollar and a surge in inflation, a council member said yesterday. Inflation in Saudi, which pegs its riyal to the dollar, rose to a 16-year high of 6.5 per cent in December, partly driven by a rise in global commodity prices and the declining US currency.. ..'The finance minister and the central bank governor were invited to debate these issues, discuss this dollar peg debate, its repercussion and what the government plans to do about it,' Zulfa said. The 120-member Shura can review draft legislation and make recommendations, which are not binding on the government. Saudi Arabia has been trying to offset the effect of higher prices on its 25 million people through measures such as subsidies on imported rice and baby milk, introduced last month by order of the king.." [more]

US Roadmap Monitor Meets Israeli FM [Jan 28]
"Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Monday met a former US general appointed by US President George W. Bush to monitor compliance with the Middle East peace blueprint known as the roadmap. During the talks with Lieutenant General William Fraser, Livni reiterated Israel's position that the Palestinians must crack down on militants in order to implement any peace deal, her ministry said in a statement. 'The implementation of the roadmap is crucial for the success of the process... because the road to the creation of a Palestinian state runs through guaranteeing Israel's security,' Livni was quoted as telling Fraser. Bush earlier this month appointed Fraser to monitor the implementation of the first stage of the 2003 internationally-drafted blueprint, which calls for Palestinians to end violence and for Israelis to freeze settlement construction in occupied Palestinian land.." [more]

PetroRabigh Opens Trading With a Bang [Jan 28]
"Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Co. (PetroRabigh) shares began trading Sunday with a major bang, making up almost half of the day's trading volume even as the stock closed almost 150 percent higher from its initial public offering (IPO) price. At closing bell, PetroRabigh was at SR52.25 per share on a turnover of 228,520,778 shares or 49.9 percent of the 457,547,779 total shares traded for the day. The Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) gained 356.58 points to 9,789.07 points on a total value turnover of SR19.689 billion and with 103 of the 110 shares traded posting gains. PetroRabigh, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Japan's Sumitomo Chemicals with a 37.5 percent interest each, sold the remaining 25 percent or about 19 million shares to Saudi nationals this month at an IPO price of SR21 per share.." [more]

Women�s Rights Body in Pipeline [Jan 28]
"Women�s rights activists in the Kingdom are eagerly anticipating the establishment of Ansar Al-Marah � the first civil society dedicated to supporting women�s rights in Saudi Arabia. Suliman Al-Salman, founder of Ansar Al-Marah, told Arab News that the society aims to create institutional and individual change that would improve the lives of women in the Kingdom.. ..Regarding the criticism of some people who may feel that the society aims to Westernize Saudi Arabia, Al-Salman said, 'Helping women to get their rights, which are ignored or suppressed by law or customs doesn�t conflict with Islam, which does not prevent women from utilizing their own money, driving or choosing their own husbands.'.." [more]

US University Explores Possible Links [Jan 28]
" high-level team from the University of Colorado is in the Kingdom to explore the possibilities of collaborating, and developing joint programs, with Saudi universities. Invited by Zuhair Hamed Fayez, an alumni of the university and president of Zuhair Fayez Partnership, the Jeddah-based architectural and IT consultants, the team is led by Dr. M. Roy Wilson, chancellor of the university�s campus in Denver.. ..One area in which Dr. Wilson is particularly interested in establishing collaboration is medicine. Colorado University at Denver is currently building a multibillion-dollar dedicated medical campus on a former military base in nearby Aurora. When finished, it will be one of the largest and most prestigious education, patient care and research centers in the US.." [more]

GCC Officials Discuss Nuclear Energy Plans [Jan 28]
"Delegates from the GCC countries began discussions on the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes at a regional meeting in Doha yesterday. The participants said they would issue recommendations tomorrow at the end of their meeting.. ..in Doha last month. A �historic� decision to establish a committee to study the feasibility of the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes was also taken at the meeting. Al-Ali told the delegates: 'There is a huge responsibility on your shoulders as the decisions you take here would be the first step towards building such a vital and strategic project. I am sure you are going to live up to the responsibility.' He said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has endorsed the feasibility of the project to produce electricity and desalinated water.." [more]

Peak water in Saudi Arabia [Jan 28]
"..Peak water may have taken place in Saudi Arabia already more than 10 years ago. According to recent news from Reuters (2008) the Saudi government has decided to stop all subsidies to agriculture. It means abandoning a policy that had obtained self sufficiency in food production and that had allowed Saudi Arabia to be a major food exporter in the past. According to Reuters, 'The kingdom aims to rely entirely on imports by 2016'. The desert is going to win back the land it had ceded to agriculture.. ..It seems that the depletion of the aquifers has left Saudi Arabia with few options other than transforming oil into food. Selling oil and using the profits for importing food is the only possibility in the short term. In the future, however, it may be possible to replace aquifers with water from desalination.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 27] ~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Council to Quiz Finance Minister, Central Banker on Peg [Jan 27]
"Saudi Arabia's finance minister and central bank governor will appear before a council that advises the king to discuss the riyal's peg to the U.S. dollar and a surge in inflation, a newspaper reported on Sunday. Inflation in the world's biggest oil exporter, which pegs its riyal currency to the dollar, surged to a 16-year peak of 6.5 percent in December, partly driven by a rise in global commodity prices and a weak U.S. currency. The Shura Council, whose members are appointed by King Abdullah, will hold a meeting next month with Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf and Hamad Saud al-Sayyari, the governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency.. ..'The session will raise key financial and economic issues, mainly the debate over de-pegging the riyal currency from the U.S. dollar and the rise in inflation rates,'.." [more]

Kingdom to Take Delivery of Eurofighters Next Year [Jan 27]
"Saudi Arabia will receive 72 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft next year, said Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation for Military Affairs Prince Khaled ibn Sultan. The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine multipurpose canard-delta strike fighter aircraft. The aircraft is used by the German Luftwaffe, the Italian Air Force, the Spanish Air Force and the UK�s Royal Air Force. It is built in Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain by a consortium involving BAE (BAE Systems), EADS (The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company) and Finmeccanica. The 4.43 billion pound ($8.86 billion) agreement was signed by the government of Saudi Arabia and Britain on Sept. 11 last year.." [more]

Israeli PM and Palestinian President to Discuss Border Crisis [Jan 27]
"Israeli prime minister and Palestinian president are expected to meet on Sunday and discuss the border crisis. Meanwhile, both Hamas and Fatah have accepted invitations to hold separate talks with the Egyptian government to discuss the Gaza border, which has been breached to allow blockaded Palestinians into Egypt. The border, which was initially breached by Hamas fighters, remained open for the fifth day on Sunday, though Egyptian security forces blocked Gazans from driving beyond the border town of Rafah.." [more]

Trend Micro Hosts IT Security Event for Growing Jeddah [Jan 27]
"New technology from Trend Micro, a leader in network antivirus and Internet content security software and services. Saudi Paramount Computer Systems and Trend Micro will extend their expertise to end-users in the Kingdom with an exclusive security update and solutions event on Monday, 28th January, at the Le Meridian hotel, Jeddah.. ..Security experts from Trend Micro will present the latest security solutions and product information for enterprises and SMBs.." [more]

BMG Saudi Index Starts the Week Up by 1 Percent [Jan 27]
"The BMG Saudi Index switched its performance; rising in yesterday�s trading session by 1 percent to 509.78 points after the fourth quarter of 2007 rebalance took place. The market turnover, however, decreased to SR6.9 billion ($ 1.8 billion), down by 1.4 percent from SR7 billion ($1.9 billion) in Wednesday�s trading. The rebalance of the BMG Saudi Index introduced 3 new sectors; the Banking sector, the Electricity sector, and the Telecommunications sector. Only the Insurance sector ended the first trading session of this week on a negative note, declining by 5.4 percent, while the Electricity sector stood still. The best performer was the Services sector, rising by 2.6 percent, whereas the Telecommunications sector advanced by 1.8 percent.." [more]

Saudi Hawks Lure Aerobatics Fans With Spectacular Al Ain Show [Jan 27]
"The Saudi Hawks team today wowed thousands of spectators at the Al Ain International Aerobatics Championships � which is being held under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Formed. In a routine which incorporates 24 different formations, the Saudi Hawks are the only team to have ever lifted consecutive gold awards in Al Ain, with their 2004 and 2005 triumphs gaining the team 
worldwide popularity.." [more]

Jan 20 - Jan 26, 2008

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 26] ~~~~~~~~~

As U.S. Thirsts for Oil, OPEC Might Tighten Spigot [Jan 26]
"Talk about lousy timing. President Bush and his energy secretary, Samuel Bodman, separately traveled through the Middle East earlier this month asking Saudi Arabia and other big oil exporters to boost output -- just in time for the supply-demand backdrop to change. Indicators are now pointing to an upturn in global oil supplies, and forecasters are saying demand won't be as strong as they previously thought, as the global economy slows. upshot: When the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries meets Friday in Vienna, the group probably won't heed the administration's loud call for a 
production boost. Quite to the contrary, some players within OPEC are talking now about the potential need to cut production, if not at this gathering, then perhaps at the club's regular session in March.." [more]

Gulf's Superfunds Outperform Market [Jan 26]
"The year 2007 was far from perfect for regional bourses with many fund managers taking it on the chin as volatility hit them repeatedly. But the last few months swept away much of the loss and all the funds in the Zawya Mutual Funds Monitor were back in the black by the end of the year.. ..Four of HSBC Saudi Arabia's funds were among the ten best performing funds in 2007. The bank's Amanah GCC Equity Fund did nearly twice as well as its benchmark, with returns of 83.57 per cent, compared to the Shuaa GCC benchmark of 43.41 per cent. HSBC Saudi Arabia fund managers also took second spot with Amanah Saudi Industrial Companies Fund, which did extremely well on the back of high energy prices, netting a return of 81.23 per cent, although it was only marginally better than its Saudi industrial benchmark.."[more]

Abdullah, Siniora Discuss Crucial Issues [Jan 26]
"..King Abdullah yesterday held talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora at his Janadriya ranch outside Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency said. "The talks focused on the present crisis in Lebanon and Arab League's efforts to solve it," the agency said.." [more]

Saudi Tightens Grip on Internet Use [Jan 26]
"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has begun implementing new laws for controlling the use of technology for terrorism, fraud, pornography, defamation, violating religious values and disregarding public etiquette. The new information technology law contains 16 articles, and provides a maximum penalty of 10 years and a SR5 million fine for persons found guilty of running web sites in support of terrorist organisations. A maximum penalty of three years and a SR500,000 fine will be handed to anyone found guilty of financial or data fraud, or found guilty of attacking the private life of another subject.. ..The new law comes into effect as Saudi Arabia faces the world's attention for its treatment of Saudi blogger Ahmad Fouad Al-Farhan. Al-Farhan was arrested for violating �non-security regulations", and is believed to be the first online critic to be arrested in the kingdom.." [more]

IEA Urges Opec to Raise Production [Jan 26]
"Opec should pump more oil to replenish inventories and ease high prices, while state-owned oil companies must keep up the pace of investment in new capacity, the head of the International Energy Agency said. Oil stockpiles are still "very tight," IEA executive director Nobuo Tanaka said in an interview on Friday in Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum. 'The price level is quite high, so we want Opec to see the current situation and get the market signals right. But we cannot order them to produce more.'.. ..In its annual World Energy Outlook in November, the IEA said a supply crunch in the period to 2015 cannot be ruled out. The best way to tackle climate change is to improve energy efficiency.." [more]


KAUST Partners with Munich University [Jan 26]
"The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has partnered with Munich University for scientific research on applied engineering, nanotechnology and solar energy. Dr. Nazmi Al-Nasseri, KAUST acting vice chancellor, said the cooperation between the two universities will also involve the establishment of research centers and construction of laboratory facilities in KAUST, and the sharing of expertise and the exchange of teaching staff.. ..Munich University is one of the world's leading universities in the field of applied engineering research.." [more]

Saudi Arabia�s First Girls� Soccer Match [Jan 26]
"The first soccer match between female teams has taken place in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, the Al-Watan newspaper said. No men were allowed in the stadium, and the referee and her linesman, as well as the fans, were also female. The Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University team defeated their guests, the Al-Yamamah College.. ..Saudi Arabia's male national soccer team is one of Asia's most successful teams, currently ranking 57 in the FIFA ratings and has taken part in the last four World Cups. It is unclear if a female Saudi national soccer team is in the offing and whether they would participate in international competitions.." [more]

Much-Awaited Railway Project on Track [Jan 26]
"The winner of the contract for the much-awaited land-bridge project to link the Kingdom�s east with its west will be announced in April, Transport Minister Dr. Jabara Al-Seraisry said yesterday. The total cost of the project is estimated at $5 billion. 'Four consortia have been qualified to carry out the project. They will present their offers in the second half of next month and the winner of the contract will be announced in April,' he said.. ..The land-bridge project involves construction of 950 km of new railway tracks between Riyadh and Jeddah and another 115-km line between Dammam and Jubail. It is the cornerstone of a massive multibillion-riyal railway expansion project and will be the first rail link between the Red Sea and the Gulf.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 25] ~~~~~~~~~

Beyond Literacy in the Arab World [Jan 25]
"Education in the Arab world is a mixture of good and bad news. On one hand, literacy continues to improve across the region, with some countries progressing more than others. On the other hand, the Arab world continues to lag behind most of the world and is producing citizens ill-equipped to participate in the rapidly evolving global market. As a result, structural unemployment is a major dilemma. Educational reform is urgently needed.. ..Arab graduates find themselves at an increasing disadvantage as they seek entry into their respective labour markets, where their skills are often mismatched with the needs of the marketplace. For example, in Saudi Arabia, approximately 5.5 million foreign workers play an essential role in the Saudi economy � particularly in the service and oil sectors. Yet despite the government's aggressive policy to encourage the employment of Saudi nationals, the official (and persistent) unemployment rate of Saudi males is 13 percent, and many independent experts believe that the rate may be as high as 25 percent.." [more]

India and Saudi Arabia Sign New Bilateral Air Services Agreement [Jan 25]
"India and Saudi Arabia have signed a new bilateral air services agreement on 23 January, 2008, allowing for more passenger flights between the two countries and removes all restrictions on cargo services. The agreement also allows for more designated airlines from the two sides, and enhances the existing traffic entitlement of 8,500 seats per week to 20,000 seats per week with immediate effect. Saudi Arabia's airlines can now serve to Bangalore, Calicut and Lucknow, and India's airlines will be able to operate to Madina.." [more]

Religious Police to Learn Diplomatic Skills [Jan 25]
"Members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice will be trained on how to deal with diplomats and foreign non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia. The training course will be organised by the Riyadh-based Institute of Diplomatic Studies, an affiliate to the Foreign Ministry.. ..The religious body is often criticised by international human rights organisations. The new training programme aims at enlightening the commission members on how to deal with diplomats and non Muslims working or coming to visit Saudi Arabia. Last week, Saudi Arabia decided to establish �community police� stations in the kingdom. The move was regarded by some people as a step for containing the wide role of the religious police.." [more]

The Economies of the Middle East [Jan 25]
"On February 24, 2003, in the Islamic Financial Forum in Dubai, Brad Bourland, chief economist for the Saudi American Bank (SAMBA), breached the embarrassed silence that invariably enshrouds speakers in Middle Eastern get-togethers. He reminded the assembled that despite the decades-long fortuity of opulent oil revenues, the nations of the region - excluding Turkey and Israel - failed to reform their economies, let alone prosper. Structural weaknesses, imperceptible growth, crippling unemployment and deteriorating government financing confined Arab states to the role of oil-addicted minions. At $540 
billion, said Bourland, quoted by Middle East Online, the combined gross domestic product of all the Arab countries is smaller than Mexico's.. ..Not surprisingly, most of the members of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council have joined the World Trade Organization a while back. But their citizens are unlikely to enjoy the benefits at least until 2010 due to obstruction by the club's all-powerful and tentacular business families.." [more]

Oil Prices Shoot Above 90 Dollars [Jan 25]
"The price of oil jumped back above 90 dollars on Friday, helped by a recovery in global stock markets on the back of plans to prevent the US economy falling into recession, traders said. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in March, gained 54 cents to 90.44 dollars per barrel. Brent North Sea crude for March rose 78 cents to 89.85 dollars. 'Crude futures were firmer, extending last night's rally,' said Sucden analyst Andrey Kryuchenkov. 'Oil prices are continuing to follow gains on the broader market and especially on equity markets,' he added.. ..Elsewhere the oil market was looking ahead to next Friday's meeting of the OPEC oil-producing cartel in Vienna. Analysts expect the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries to resist calls from oil consumers to increase output to help to bring down prices further. Analysts are even suggesting that OPEC may soon decide to cut output because its members are unhappy about earnings being reduced by oil price drops.." [more]

Experiences of Saudis Studying Abroad [Jan 25]
"Our country is currently undergoing an encouraging educational boom. Instead of building more private and public colleges, universities and institutions for young men and women, there�s a trend to send students abroad to study in different Western, Eastern and Arab countries. We hope that these students will come home with valuable and useful degrees and qualifications that will help in the advancement of the country and boosting its economy. They should be prepared academically and psychologically in advance to live through this beneficial yet difficult experience. What matters in the experience isn�t just only academic success, but also maturity and personal development by which the young man or woman lives an independent lifestyle and thinks seriously about handling residence issues, finances, friendships and how to survive. However, one shouldn�t deprive himself or herself of the joy of getting to know the good in other cultures instead of what is destructive physically or emotionally.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 24] ~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Activist Still Held Without Charge a Year After His Arrest [Jan 24]
"A prominent Saudi political activist and academic remains in solitary confinement 'without charge and without access to counsel' a year after he was arrested, his lawyer said Wednesday. Saud Mokhtar al-Hashemi, 45, was among 10 men arrested last February and accused of illegally collecting funds and sending fighters to Iraq. His lawyer and supporters say the detentions were a government attempt to silence demands for democratic reform in Saudi Arabia.. ..Hashemi was working to form a civic rights group, the National Reformist Grouping. He was arrested the day a petition by some of the men involved in the group was made public. The petition called for an elected advisory council to help rule the country, curbs on Interior Ministry powers and a more equal distribution of the country's land and wealth.." [more]

Saudi Sees FX Change Only After Sharp Dollar Drop [Jan 24]
"Saudi Arabia said on Thursday it would take a 'precipitous' decline in the dollar for it to change the value of its riyal against the U.S. currency, which has been fixed since 1986. The dollar has fallen 16.2 percent against a basket of major currencies from two years ago, dragging the Saudi riyal lower against the currencies of Europe and many Asian countries from which Saudi Arabia imports. The largest Arab economy does not intend to change its currency policy, Mohammed al-Jasser, vice governor of Saudi Arabia's central bank, told Reuters in Davos, Switzerland. Asked if a 30 percent decline in the dollar's value would prompt Saudi Arabia to shift its currency policy, he said: 'If there are changes in (the composition of) exports and imports, and the simultaneous precipitous decline in the dollar, of course that's a change in circumstances.' This is the first time a Saudi official has said publicly that there could be circumstances under which it would consider changing the riyal's exchange rate.." [more]

Democracy Essential for the Middle East says Rice [Jan 24]
"Democracy is essential for political and economic development in the Middle East, said Condolezza Rice, US Secretary of State told delegates at the World Economic Forum in Davos. 'The emphasis on democracy in the Middle East is controversial and some argue that is has made the situation worse, but I ask worse than what?'.. ..She linked economic development to democracy, pointing out that 'some states are growing economically through a kind of �authoritarian� capitalism. But it is an open question whether this is sustainable for a government to respect people�s talents but not their rights'.. ..As she 
laid out this list of principles for American foreign policy, she recognised that it would be controversial in many areas of the world. She insisted that it was important for the USA to stick to its principles and put them into action.." [more]

Saudi Plans First Sovereign Wealth Fund [Jan 24]
"Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil producer, plans to start its first sovereign wealth fund with about $6bn, channeling surplus cash from crude-oil revenue into foreign companies, reported Bloomberg. The Saudi monetary authority, known as SAMA, is the nation's central bank and manages the kingdom's currency reserves. The Public Investment Fund provides loans to ventures that will develop the Saudi economy.." [more]

Together Let�s Keep the World Going, Says Walter Mead [Jan 24]
"Walter Russell Mead, Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow in US Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, said that the war on Iraq is a lesson that is going to make a historic change in both the East and the West. 'Working with Arabs, trusting them and building relationships with them is the key to protecting their lives. God makes good come out of evil. Maybe the long-term consequences of this terrible war are going to be better than we expected,'.. ..'I�ve wanted to visit Saudi Arabia since 9/11. As a member of the largest think tank on foreign relations in the US, I feel that my education and knowledge isn�t complete without visiting the Kingdom,' said Mead. 'People now understand the US in a new way. Our strategies are not having the results we wanted. But I don�t think our learning process or policy reform has finished. Americans want a better relationship with the Middle East.'.." [more]

Mining Expo in Jeddah Eyes Investors [Jan 24]
"The first international exhibition for mineral exploration and applications opened at the Jeddah International Convention Center on Tuesday night, with Jeddah Gov. Mishaal ibn Majed describing MENA-EX 2008 as 'the gateway for potential investors.' Around 190 companies from 16 countries are taking part in the four-day exhibition, some of them with their latest mining and geological equipment.. .. 'our objective is to place Saudi Arabia in the forefront of the mining sector and develop it as the biggest mining market in the world.' It is also the Kingdom�s strategy to diversify its investments into non-oil mineral resources and provide its youth with employment opportunities in alternative sectors. The 40-year exploration by various organizations and companies operating in the Kingdom has led to the discovery of about 2,500 metallic minerals. Currently, Maaden is operating four gold mines.." [more]

Saudi Arabian Airlines Planning to Go Public [Jan 24]
"Khaled Almulhim, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines, announced yesterday that the aviation sector of the airline could be privatized within two years. 'We have already started privatization of the airline with the catering sector,' the Saudia chief said, adding that the airline would sell 30 to 40 percent of its shares in its strategic units.. ..'The next strategic unit slated for privatization is cargo,' the Saudia chief said. It will be followed by privatization of the ground service unit and maintenance unit. 'The civil aviation service, which is the core activity of the airline, will be the last to be privatized,' he added. He said the participation of strategic partners in the new companies would strengthen the airline, adding that the selling process would be carried out in a transparent manner.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 23] ~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Arabia Executes Three Myanmar Men for Burglary [Jan 23]
"Saudi Arabia took the unusual step on Wednesday of executing three men for burgling a home and robbing its owner at knifepoint. The three men from Myanmar were put to death in Makkah for stealing gold jewellery from the house of a woman who they had tied up to prevent her calling for help and threatened with knives.. ..Saudi Arabia usually carries out executions by public beheading for murder, rape, drug smuggling and increasingly armed robbery.." [more]

Saudi Economic Reform to Accelerate in 2008 [Jan 23]
"King Abdullah's instruction that government departments step up their performance by simplifying procedures and maintaining regular contact with those who receive their services is a strong indication that economic reform is to be accelerated. The King has been a central figure in the country's modernisation process by encouraging the efforts of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) to stimulate domestic and foreign investment, streamlining privatisation moves and acceding to the World Trade Organisation.. ..At the same time the Kingdom is gradually opening up sectors for 
investors including telecommunications, airlines and insurance and is continuing to support the main engines of economic growth by encouraging local and foreign private sectors to contribute to development of Saudi Arabia's new economic cities.." [more]

Gulf, Asian States to Fight Labour Abuse [Jan 23]
"Gulf Arab states heavily dependent on an Asian labour force agreed yesterday with labour-sending Asian countries to join forces against the exploitation of expatriate workers from Asia. Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) labour ministers and counterparts from Asia are to propose an action plan to protect the welfare of Asian workers, according to their Abu Dhabi Declaration. The ministers have recommended the drawing up within three months of the plan aimed at �preventing illegal recruitment practices� both at the country of origin and in host countries.." [more]

US Diplomat Backs Plan for PA Control of Border [Jan 23]
"A senior US diplomat said yesterday the US backed the idea of letting President Mahmoud Abbas�s Palestinian Authority control main border crossings in Hamas-run Gaza to help ease local hardship. Israel has tightened restrictions on the movement of people and goods through the passages since Hamas violently took over the territory from Abbas�s forces in June. Gazans often describe the area, home to 1.5mn people, as a prison.. ..'Fayyad came up with this idea. We think it�s a good concept,' Jake Walles, the US consul general in Jerusalem, said about the proposal, which would mainly effect the main commercial crossing between Israel and Gaza at Karni, and the Rafah border station with Egypt.." [more]

Saudi Shares Dive as Fed cuts Rate [Jan 23]
"The Saudi stock market, by far the largest in the Arab world, dropped sharply at the end of trading Tuesday, shedding almost the maximum permissible 10 percent on economic concerns and profit-taking. The Tadawul All-Shares Index shed 9.7 percent to finish below the 10,000-point psychological barrier on 9,338.54 points. The maximum allowed drop in a single day is 10 percent. The TASI which closed last year up 40.6 percent, has so far dropped about 21 percent from its highest close this year of 11,895.47 points on Jan. 12. The decline was led by market leaders, petrochemicals giant SABIC, the banking and telecom sectors, all of which dropped close to the maximum 10 percent. It is the worst single-day loss in the market in almost two years.." [more]

Students Welcome Decision on Unions [Jan 23]
"The Shoura Council has passed a new University Law that allows the formation of student unions at Saudi universities. The unions will have a representative on the university council, the law said. The members of the unions will be elected by secret ballot and can serve for more than one term. Financing will be from the university budget, donations, gifts and revenue from their activities. University students and teachers have welcomed the decision to form student unions and said it would improve educational standard and create a healthy environment on campuses.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 22] ~~~~~~~~~

Singapore, Saudi Arabia Sign MOU to Improve Youth Exchange [Jan 22]
"People-to-people exchange between Singapore and Saudi Arabia has been given a boost with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the charities of both countries on Tuesday. It is expected to pave the way for an exchange of ideas that will eventually develop an entrepreneurial spirit among disadvantaged youth.. ..The programme aims to provide youth entrepreneurs with seed business loans and a mentoring programme with successful entrepreneurs. Both Hesham A Tashkandi, who heads The Centennial Fund, and Raymond Huang of the Heartware Network are also keen for youth exchange programmes. Youth Business Singapore plans to raise S$500,000 to fund its annual expenditure, including S$400,000 in business loans. It is also planning to set up a dedicated one-stop Youth Business Hub in Singapore.." [more]

Kingdom Slams Gaza Blockade [Jan 22]
"Saudi Arabia yesterday denounced the Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians in Gaza and West Bank and urged the Quartet to shoulder its responsibility toward protecting the human rights of Palestinians. The so-called Quartet is made up of the four main sponsors of the Middle East peace process � the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States. In a statement after the weekly Cabinet meeting, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, the Kingdom said it would intensify humanitarian aid for the Palestinians in order to meet their requirements.. ..'The Council of Ministers has been following with deep concern Israeli violations and its policy of imposing the worst forms of collective punishment in Gaza and West Bank,'.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Remains China's Top Crude Supplier [Jan 22]
"Saudi Arabia consolidated its place as China's top crude oil supplier in 2007 after its exports growth outpaced that of nearest rival Angola, data from the General Administration of Customs showed Tuesday. The Middle Eastern kingdom is now likely to pull further ahead, as it chases a target of exporting 1 million barrels of crude a day to China by the end of the decade. That would equal more than half of Angola's current total exports to international customers.. ..Saudi Arabia supplied 26.33 million metric tons of crude to China last year, equivalent to around 528,000 barrels a day, the customs 
data showed. Annual growth in imports from the world's largest crude producer of 10.3% was achieved despite a 3.2% fall in volumes sent to China in December.." [more]

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia Commence Joint Naval Exercises [Jan 22]
"Seven Royal Saudi Naval Forces ships Tuesday reached the Pakistani southern port city of Karachi to participate in the joint naval exercises with Pakistan's navy, codenamed "Naseem al Bahr." The exercise, ninth in the series of Naseem al Bahr manuevers and commenced from Tuesday afternoon, will involve participation of state of the art sea and air platforms besides Special Forces.. ..Highlighting salient features of the exercise, Commander Pakistan Fleet said that during Naseem al Bhar-XI the units will be actively involved in exercise under multi threat environments along with host of other 
operations related to counter terrorism, convoy protection, anti-air, anti-submarine, mine counter measure and intelligence based operations.." [more]

Stock Markets Tumble in Oil-Rich Gulf States [Jan 22]
"Stock markets in the energy-rich Gulf Arab states nosedived on Tuesday amid a slide in international stock markets on fears of an economic recession in the United States. The seven markets in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, which made a remarkable recovery last year, lost most of their gains on a nervous trading day. The slide was led by the Saudi stock market, the largest in the Arab world, that shed more than nine percent during trading and dropped below the 10,000-point psychological barrier. Trading in the market was to close at 12:30 GMT. 'The drop in international markets is certainly the main reason for the sharp slide in Gulf stock markets, mainly the Saudi market,'.." [more]

Alwaleed Grants $3m for Housing Project in Sudan [Jan 22]
"Kingdom Foundation (KF), under the chairmanship of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, donated $3,193,000 to Sudan�s Darfur region for building a complete village that will serve 500 families, complete with water station, clinic, school, police precinct, electric generator, mosque and mill. The contribution was in response to an earlier invitation from President Omar Hasan Bashir of Sudan to Alwaleed to attend the Arab Conference for Humanitarian Support to Darfur that was held in Khartoum on Oct. 21-30, 2007. The invitation was handed to Alwaleed by Sudanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mohamed Amin Alkarib during a meeting with the prince at his office in Riyadh.." [more]

JEF 2008 to Focus on Education [Jan 22]
"The ninth Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF) will focus on involving students in academic and economic interaction, leading educators said. Effat College, in cooperation with Duke University, designed the programs that will be discussed at JEF 2008, as Haifa Jamalallail, dean of Effat College, and Jane Sommers-Kelly, managing director at Duke University, said at a press conference held at the college yesterday.. ..Duke University has been a partner of Effat College for several years now. �Duke is delighted to continue its partnership with Effat College. Our role is to largely focus on designing the schedule of the forum so that the impact of the forum would be as great as possible,� Sommers-Kelly said. 'We listened to the programs proposed by our partners and decided which of them will be most effective programs, different and interactive.'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 21] ~~~~~~~~~

No Stopping Reforms: King [Jan 21]
"King Abdullah said yesterday that Saudi Arabia would continue proceeding with economic reforms, adding that they would have a positive impact on the economy and the well-being of Saudis. �The Kingdom has undergone several reforms and we will continue with these economic reforms,� King Abdullah said in a speech, which was read out on his behalf by Riyadh Governor Prince Salman at the opening of the 2nd Global Competitiveness Forum here last night. King Abdullah referred to the Kingdom�s judicial reforms, adding that he had allocated SR7 billion to upgrade judicial facilities. The reforms in the education system will cost more than SR11 billion, he added.." [more]

Saudi Disputes Latest US Insurgency Figures [Jan 21]
"Despite the US army's statements that Saudi Arabia and Syria are cooperating in the prevention of militant infiltration into Iraq, Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Mansur al Turki stated that concerning the decrease in figures of Saudi infiltrators into Iraq that, "[the information] is inaccurate and this area necessitates further research and investigation." Brigadier al Turki added that infiltration did not take place directly from within Saudi Arabia into Iraqi territory, "because Iraq is an open country and it is linked to other neighboring countries through its geographical borders, not just Saudi Arabia," he said. In his statement to Asharq Al-Awsat, he stressed that, "Saudis may be recruited through these [neighboring] states," and added "the issue of increasing or decreasing figures is not a matter that the Saudi Interior Ministry should be questioned about; rather, the source that made these statements should be questioned in whichever relevant country.".." [more]

The Economist Ranks KSA 7th in Higher Education [Jan 21]
"British magazine The Economist has placed Saudi Arabia ahead of France, Russia, Italy, Spain, Malaysia and many other countries in the field of higher education and scientific research, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Sunday. A recent issue of the global magazine placed the Kingdom on seventh place, SPA said. The Economist report said several factors helped in enabling the Kingdom to occupy this position. These include the number of universities considered among the top 500 in the world. The amount spent on each student in the field of higher education, the percentage of allocations for higher education in the general budget, the total number of external students, and the number of business administration institutes were among the other criteria for making the Kingdom occupy top position.." [more]

Saudi Women Can Now Stay in Hotels Alone [Jan 21]
"Women in Saudi Arabia can now stay in a hotel or a furnished apartment without a male guardian, according to a government decision that comes as the country faces increasing criticism for its severe restrictions on women. The daily Al-Watan, which is deemed close to the Saudi government, reported Monday that the ministry issued a circular to hotels asking them to accept lone women � as long as their information is sent to a local police station. The decision was adopted after a study conducted by the Interior Ministry, the Supreme Commission of Tourism and the religious police authority known as the Commission for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.." [more]

Russian Railways Wins $800 Million Saudi Project Tender [Jan 21]
"Russian Railways announced on Monday it had won an $800 million tender to build a 520-km (323-mile) rail line in Saudi Arabia. 'The company received an official letter of invitation to talks today from the Saudi Finance Ministry for a contract worth around $800 million,' the Russian railroad monopoly's press service said. The Russian company will build a line from Al Zabirah to the King Khalid international airport (Riyadh) in central Saudi Arabia, which will make up over one fifth of the North-South rail line in the Mideast state, which will have a total route of 2,400 km (1,500 miles).." [more]

Saudi Network Deal Worth $935m [Jan 21]
"Nokia Siemens Networks has won a $935 million turnkey contract with Zain of Saudi Arabia to roll out a greenfield mobile network in the Kingdom. NSN will supply a 2G and 3G mobile network, including core and radio networks, operations and business support systems and applications. The contract includes HSDPA and HSUPA based on the most modern base station design. The deal includes managed services for five years from a dedicated local network operations centre.." [more]

Opec Dismisses US Call to Boost Oil Production [Jan 21]
"Opec dismissed further calls to boost oil output from top consumer the US, saying the global market is well supplied and the producer group has little control over oil prices near $90 a barrel. US Energy Secretary Sam Bodman on Saturday urged top exporter Saudi Arabia and Opec to raise supply on a visit to the kingdom. His appeal came just days after President George W Bush asked the group for more oil on a separate visit to Riyadh, and less than two weeks before Opec�s next meeting on February 1. �I don�t think there is a need to increase because the market is well supplied,� Qatar�s Deputy Premier and Energy Minister HE Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah told reporters on the sidelines of a conference in Abu Dhabi yesterday.." [more]

Saudi Stocks in Steep Drop [Jan 21]
"Saudi stocks fell sharply Sunday on profit taking, spurred mostly by Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) missing fourth quarter earnings forecasts and ending a run of record profits that began in 2006. The Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) ended down 7.45 percent or 861.58 points to 10,697.88 points at the closing bell, its biggest one day loss since April 6 last year when it fell 521.47 points. Turnover was pegged at SR15.333 billion with 387.823 million shares changing hands from 109 symbols traded, with 107 of losing ground. "SABIC's below forecast earnings partly have to do with the drop in the Tadawul," John Sfakianakis, chief economist at SABB, said in a telephone interview with Saudi Gazette.." [more]

Military Solution Is No Solution, Says Hess [Jan 21]
"The increasing complexity of interaction between countries and cultures brought about by globalization will inevitably affect Saudi Arabia. It will require innovative diplomatic solutions to survive in a world where military intervention against states is proving decreasingly effective and the balance of power in the energy sector has the potential to shift away from the Middle East toward Central Asia. Such was the message delivered in an intensely focused and detailed lecture at Dar Al-Hekma College in Jeddah last evening by Andrew Hess, professor of international relations and director of the Southwest Asia and Islamic Civilization Program at the Fletcher School of Diplomacy at Tufts University, USA.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 20] ~~~~~~~~~

Senior Saudi Prince Offers Israel Peace Vision [Jan 20]
"A senior Saudi royal has offered Israel a vision of broad cooperation with the Arab world and people-to-people contacts if it signs a peace treaty and withdraws from all occupied Arab territories.. ..Prince Turki al-Faisal, a former ambassador to the United States and Britain and adviser to King Abdullah, said Israel and the Arabs could cooperate in many areas including water, agriculture, science and education. Asked what message he wanted to send to the Israeli public, he said: 'The Arab world, by the Arab peace initiative, has crossed the Rubicon from hostility towards Israel to peace with Israel 
and has extended the hand of peace to Israel, and we await the Israelis picking up our hand and joining us in what inevitably will be beneficial for Israel and for the Arab world.'.." [more]

MM Lee Says Saudi Arabia Needs to Pay Attention to Human Capital [Jan 20]
"Saudi Arabia must pay attention to human capital if it wants to be among the top ten globally competitive investment destinations by 2010, Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said during a visit to the kingdom's National Competitive Center in Riyadh.. ..The key challenges facing the kingdom includes the economy's dependency on oil, the risk of rising unemployment as a fast-growing young population enters into the labour market, and low labour productivity. The keys to addressing these challenges include providing a good educational system, high-quality transport and communications 
infrastructure, and a pro-business environment with minimal bureaucracy.." [more]

The Construction Site Called Saudi Arabia [Jan 20]
"..The project is Saudi Arabia�s boldest bet yet that this oil-rich kingdom can transform itself into an industrial powerhouse. The plant is part of a $500 billion investment program to build new cities, create millions of jobs and diversify the economy away from petroleum exports over the next two decades.. ..In Saudi Arabia, Riyadh looks like a boom town: sprawling over 40 miles, it is teeming with shopping malls, electronics stores and luxury boutiques. But while times are good today, many Saudis realize that their country is locked in a race against time to create industries that produce more than just oil in order to keep a young and growing population employed. The kingdom, which has a population of 24.5 million, including nearly 7 million foreigners, has what one analyst called a �human time bomb.� About 40 percent of Saudis are under 15, and because the country has one of the world�s highest birth rates, the population is expected to reach nearly 40 million by 2025.." [more]

Bodman Urges OPEC to Raise Output Amid High Demand [Jan 20]
"US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said yesterday that oil-producing countries, including Saudi Arabia, the top supplier, should increase their output to meet the rising energy demand. 'I think it is possible for an increase in supply over a period of time because there is adequate reserve in the Kingdom,' he told newsmen, adding that such a move would gradually ease the problem. 'In my judgment, the new energy reality means the world must develop safe, reliable ,clean, affordable and diverse energy supplies,' he said, stressing that the world needs a more diverse group of energy suppliers and a more diverse network of energy supply routes.." [more]

Saudi, Syria Cut Number of Fighters Getting Into Iraq: US [Jan 20]
"Syria and Saudi Arabia have reduced the flow of foreign insurgents crossing their borders to fight in Iraq, a US military spokesman said on Sunday. "Syria and Saudi Arabia have taken a number of steps to reduce the flow of foreign fighters into Iraq," US military spokesman Rear Admiral Gregory Smith told a press conference in Baghdad. 'In early 2007, 110 foreigners were coming into Iraq from Syria every month. That is now reduced to 40 to 50.'.. ..The United States has in the past accused Arab countries neighbouring Iraq of failing to do enough to stem the flow of foreign fighters sneaking into the country, especially from Syria.." [more]

Chinese Minister Arrives Today [Jan 20]
"Chinese Minister of Defense Cao Gangchuan arrives here Sunday two-day official visit at the invitation of Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. Cao and Crown Prince Sultan will hold talks on ways of boosting mutual cooperation between the two countries. In a telephone interview with Okaz, the Chinese Ambassador to the Kingdom said that the Saudi-Chinese bilateral relations are witnessing continued growth in various political, economic, cultural and military areas.." [more]

Saudi Women Respond to UN Questions on Rights [Jan 20]
"Saudi businesswomen on Saturday spoke up in defense of Islam but blamed the society for the country's questionable record on gender-equality.. ..Reacting to the questions raised by the 23-member UN committee of experts - most of them women - on Saudi norms that give men the right to twice the inheritance women are allowed, and make women obliged to have a 'Mehram' (male guardian) accompany them for many of life's daily tasks, Dr. Amira Kashgari, an outspoken voice for Saudi women's rights, told Saudi Gazette: 'Islam gave woman her rights 1,400 years ago but now we don't have these right just because of the society.'.. ..According to minutes of the meeting, one of the CEDAW experts asked the Saudi delegation: 'What is the legal basis in Saudi society that justifies this guardian system? ... Is it necessary to maintain this system in the 21st century?'.." [more]

King OKs SR430m Cancer Center [Jan 20]
"An advanced cancer treatment center will be established at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center in Riyadh at a cost of SR430 million.. ..Al-Qasabi said the new center would be designed to match world-class medical facilities. Every year about 8,000 cases of cancerous tumor are reported in the Kingdom, he said. He estimated that the number of cancer patients in the Kingdom would increase dramatically by 2020. 'This demands advanced diagnosis and treatment,'.." [more]

Qatif Girl�s Lawyer Gets His License Back [Jan 20]
"A disciplinary committee at the Justice Ministry in Riyadh yesterday returned the law license of the Saudi lawyer who represented the �Qatif Girl,� the 20-year-old woman who was kidnapped and raped by seven men last year. Lawyer and human rights activist Abdul Rahman Al-Lahem was returned his license, which was confiscated on Nov. 14 prior to a hearing at Qatif General Court, said Al-Lahem�s lawyer Khaled Al-Mutairi.. ..Al-Mutairi said that since the state prosecutor has not activated the case yet, the charges have become �reserved,� which does not mean that the charges have been dropped 
altogether. 'Legally the prosecutor has the right to file the same lawsuit again and schedule another hearing,'.." [more]

Jan 13 - Jan 19, 2008

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 19] ~~~~~~~~~

Bush Fails to Persuade Arab Allies [Jan 19]
"Even as smiling members of the Saudi royal family feted President Bush and his entourage this week, presenting the lame-duck leader with an ornamental sword, Saudi Arabia's most prominent English-language daily stabbed him with a pen over his aggressive Iran policy. 'Whatever threat Iran may constitute, now or in the future, must be addressed peaceably and through negotiations,' said an unsigned editorial in Tuesday's Arab News. 'In his confrontational remarks about Iran, [Bush] offers no carrot, no inducement, no compromise -- only the big U.S. stick,' it said. 'This is not diplomacy in search of peace. It is madness in search of war.'.." [more]

9/11 Lawsuit Against Saudis Argued Anew [Jan 19]
"After years of legal maneuvering, a huge lawsuit against the government of Saudi Arabia and key members of its royal family was put to a crucial test yesterday as lawyers for victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks urged a federal appeals court to reinstate the government of Saudi Arabia as a defendant. The Cozen O'Connor law firm of Philadelphia was the first to file suit against the government of Saudi Arabia in 2003, alleging that the desert kingdom bears responsibility for the attacks because it permitted Islamic charities under its control to bankroll Osama bin Laden and his global terror movement.." [more]

UN Committee Questions Saudi on Women�s Rights [Jan 19]
"Saudi officials have been questioned by the UN on the country�s record on gender-equality, according to an account of the UN meeting published in Geneva yesterday. At its opening session on Thursday the 23-member committee of experts � most of them women � that monitors implementation of the UN treaty to combat discrimination against women quizzed the Saudi delegation on the condition of women in the kingdom.. ..Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, has been ratified by 185 states which must regularly report on how they are implementing its provisions. Members of the committee asked the Saudi delegation why Saudi women do not have the right to 
drive.." [more]

Saudi SABIC Q4 Profit Rises, Below All Forecasts [Jan 19]
"Saudi Basic Industries Corp. 2010.SE (SABIC) made a fourth-quarter profit of 6.87 billion riyals ($1.83 billion), up 12.3 percent from the year-earlier period, missing all analysts' forecasts. Analysts' forecasts for SABIC's fourth-quarter profit ranged from 8.38 billion riyals to 9.1 billion riyals in a Reuters net profit survey last month. SABIC, the world's largest chemicals company by market value, reported a net profit of 6.12 billion riyals in the fourth quarter of 2006.." [more]

Over US$1 Trillion Committed to Developing the Region�s Leisure Landscape [Jan 19]
" staggering US$1.006 trillion (US$1006 billion) has been committed to Leisure projects across the region. Development of the �Leisure Landscape� is a critical part of a total travel and tourism investment of $3.63 trillion encompassing hotels, leisure projects, aviation developments, cruise lines, tourism promotion and supporting infrastructure, across the Middle East, according to the latest findings of a major region wide research programme unveiled today. The Middle East Leisure Landscape 2020 is the latest report from a groundbreaking research study by the think tank Fast Future and Global Futures and Foresight (GFF) on the Future of Travel and Tourism in the Middle East. The study covers 13 Middle Eastern countries for the period to 2020.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 18] ~~~~~~~~~

President Bush Questions Saudi Ability to Raise Oil Supply [Jul 18]
"In an ABC Nightline interview, President Bush recently said of Saudi Arabia, 'If they don't have a lot of additional oil to put on the market, it is hard to ask somebody to do something they may not be able to do.' According to TheOilDrum.com, this statement seems to indicate that George W. Bush, like many others, is skeptical of Saudi oil production claims. Forecasts of future world oil production by official organization like the IEA and the EIA assume OPEC can increase production by any desired amount; if OPEC's capability is limited, official production forecasts are optimistic because they are based on false assumptions.. ..If George Bush were the only one making statements about oil production problems, one might attribute his statement to a misunderstanding, or a slip of the tongue. We find, however, that the Wall Street Journal quoted Alan Greenspan on December 15, 2007, as saying that global oil supply peaked earlier and lower than previously contemplated.." [more]

Saudi Arabia and Syria Spar Over Lebanon [Jan 18]
"Arab League mediation on the presidential vote deadlock continued on Thursday even as Saudi Arabia and Syria got embroiled in a new row over Lebanon.. ..The meeting took place hours after Syria hit back at Saudi Arabia for criticising its role in Lebanon, saying Damascus could not force its Lebanese allies to accept a solution to the country's crisis.. ..'Reaching consensus in Lebanon is a joint Arab responsibility,' he said. 'Saudi Arabia plays a big role in Lebanon. It has allies who boast about their alliance with Saudi Arabia,'.. ..The comments came as an apparent response to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal's earlier call to Damascus to use its influence with its allies in the Lebanese opposition to carry out the Arab League plan to deal with the Lebanese crisis.." [more]

Saudi Arms Corruption Denied [Jan 18]
"Claims British civil servants had 'connived' in corrupt arms deals with Saudi Arabia for more than 30 years have been denied by Defence Secretary Des Browne. But recently-discovered documents in the National Archives show Ministry of Defence officials made clear in 1976 the Saudis expected "appropriately discreet arrangements" to be made for payments. The then head of defence sales at the MoD, Lester Suffield, said that although they were described as 'technical consultancy' fees, they were designed to 'sway' decisions on the award of arms contracts.. ..Asked whether, since the 1970s, British civil servants have been 'aware of, connived at, and have facilitated defence exports to Saudi Arabia tainted with corruption', he reiterated the MoD's assertion that such claims were 'totally unfounded'.." [more]

Japan's Mizuho Corporate Bank Considers Establishing Base in Saudi Arabia [Jan 18]
"Mizuho Corporate Bank is considering setting up a local unit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to target the growing wealth in the region due to surging crude oil prices, the Sankei Shimbun reported in its Friday morning edition. The institutional banking unit of Mizuho Financial Group Inc. (8411.TO) could set up an office in Saudi Arabia as early as this year, provided approval can be obtained from the Saudi authorities, the report said. This would mark the first time that a major Japanese bank has set up a unit in Saudi Arabia.." [more]

Arabian American Development Company's ALAK Joint Venture Receives Commercial License [Jan 18]
"Arabian American Development Co. today announced that the Company's joint venture, Al-Masane Al-Kobra Mining Company (ALAK), has received its official Commercial License dated January 15, 2008 from the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Commerce. The license formalizes the establishment of the joint stock company and allows it to conduct business in the Kingdom. ALAK has scheduled a meeting of the Board of Directors for January 26, 2008 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.. ..Arabian American owns and operates a petrochemical facility employing about 150 people located in southeast Texas just north of Beaumont, specializing in high purity petrochemical solvents and other solvent type manufacturing. Arabian American also has a mining project in the Al-Masane area of Saudi Arabia which is under development and is expected to produce economic quantities of zinc, copper, gold, and silver when it is put into production. There are about 20 employees at the mine site.." [more]

Saudi Ambassador Participates in New Delhi Symposium 2 [Jan 18]
"The Ambassador pointed out that a just and comprehensive peace in the region can only be achieved through full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories in addition to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty over the Palestinian territories as well as finding a just solution to the problem of Palestinian refugees.. ..The Symposium was attended by Indian Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahmed and a number of Arab ambassadors accredited to New Delhi.." [more]

Saudi Higher Education Reforms Raise Questions [Jan 18]
"..Under the leadership of reform-minded King Abdullah, the country has begun a massive overhaul of its higher education system. The Higher Education Ministry has opened more than 100 new universities and colleges in the past four years, funded by a $15 billion budget.. ..But critics both inside and outside the kingdom are skeptical that these new universities, even with Western faculty and Western-designed curricula, will be able to flourish in the restrictive Saudi environment.. .. 'If you want to build a Western-style university in Saudi Arabia, you have to remember that these institutions prospered because of the freedom of those societies. You have to be comfortable asking questions.' Even the special status accorded to KAUST by King Abdullah's sponsorship may not be enough to protect it from adversarial forces in Saudi society.." [more]

Saudi Markets Have Right Ingredients for Growth [Jan 18]
"The Saudi Arabian securities market is expected to witness a positive momentum throughout 2008, according to UAE-based investment bank Shuaa Capital. Shuaa said in its report on the Saudi equity markets, titled Vision 2008, that the gains are likely to be driven by a stronger earnings growth and a benign economic environment, supported by burgeoning optimism in the market at a time of lower interest rates and accumulating liquidity. The report forecast nominal gross domestic product (GDP) will grow at about 16 per cent to reach $435 billion (Dh1.59 trillion), with real growth of about 7.3 per cent. The Saudi equity market managed to record a convincing recovery in 2007 culminating in a 41 per cent gain for the benchmark Tadawul All Share Index.." [more]

SR654m to Be Disbursed to Fight Cold [Jan 18]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah ordered aid worth SR654 million to be distributed among social security beneficiaries to help them live through the extreme cold weather in the Kingdom, Minister of Social Affairs Abdul Mohsen Al-Akkas said yesterday. The royal order specified that the aid, in addition to the regular handouts, was to buy winter clothes to help people overcome the severe cold.. ..Since the beginning of this month, the ministry disbursed SR815 million in social security benefits, he added. At least 10 people and hundreds of animals have died as a result of unprecedented cold weather in different parts of the Kingdom.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 17] ~~~~~~~~~

UN Watch Challenges Saudi Arabian Testimony to UN Women�s Rights Panel [Jan 17]
"UN Watch expressed disappointment that Saudi Arabia today used its first appearance before a UN expert panel on women�s rights to mask the pervasive discrimination against women in the desert kingdom. 'Instead of sending massive delegations to the UN to pretend that Saudi women are not treated like chattel, Riyadh should focus on reforming the kind of discriminatory laws that sentence women rape victims to 90 lashes, and double if they appeal,' said Hillel Neuer, executive director of the Geneva-based monitoring group. As a newly elected member of the 47-nation UN Human Rights Council, said Neuer, 'it is high time for Saudi Arabia to live up to its solemn undertakings under international law to respect women�s equality.'.." [more]

Lee Visits Saudi Arabia From Jan 17-23 [Jan 17]
"Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew is visiting Saudi Arabia � namely, the cities of Jeddah and Riyadh � from 17 to 23 January. In Jeddah, MM Lee will meet senior government officials and be briefed on the King Abdullah Economic City. In Riyadh, Mr Lee will be speaking at the Global Competitiveness Forum, which is organised by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority. He will also meet members of the Saudi royal family, senior officials and leading businessmen.." [more]

Syria-Saudi Row Erupts Over Role in Lebanon [Jan 17]
"Syria hit back at Saudi Arabia yesterday for criticising its role in Lebanon, saying it could not force its Lebanese allies to accept a solution to the political crisis there. �Dealing with Syria as if it was still in Lebanon or as if its allies are a tool represents an insult to a large proportion of the Lebanese,� Information Minister Mohsen Bilal told reporters. 'Reaching consensus in Lebanon is a joint Arab responsibility. Saudi Arabia plays a big role in Lebanon. It has allies who boast about their alliance with Saudi Arabia,'.." [