Newsletter - August 29-September 4, 2005 - #124

In This Issue

King Abdullah calls President Bush to extend condolences, offer support

"King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz [Aug. 31] called U.S. President George W. Bush offering condolences to the victims of the disaster and the people of the United States from the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the loss of life and destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. King Abdullah affirmed that Saudi Arabia stands with the United States as it faces this tragedy, and is ready to provide assistance to mitigate its effects and consequences.."

Kingdom Ready to Hike Output: Naimi
Arab News

"Saudi Arabia [Aug. 29] announced its readiness to increase crude oil production to 11 million bpd if world market faces any shortage in oil supplies as a result of Hurricane Katrina.  “We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Katrina on US crude oil supplies, refining activity and oil prices,” said Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi.  “We continue to be in close contact with our customers, especially those in the US, to assist them during any shortfall in oil supplies,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the minister as saying.  He said the Kingdom was ready to increase its crude oil output immediately to 11 million barrels per day and sustain that level to offset any shortages in the market.."

Saudi Radio Gets First Woman News Anchor

“The news is read to you by Najwa Moemena.” That announcement broadcast last Monday by the Jeddah radio station marked the first time a woman served as a news anchor in Saudi Arabia. Moemena has presented numerous radio programs discussing social and political issues.

The National Council on US-Arab Relations announces:

14th Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference
"Restoring Arab-U.S. Trust in a Time of Turbulence and Reforms"

September 11-12, 2005
Marriott-Wardman Hotel, Washington, D.C. 

For information regarding conference registration and corporate as well as institutional cosponsorship, contact: Ms. Jennifer Sewell or Mr. Shawn Romer, Conference Coordinators: 202-293-6466; fax: 202-293-7770; email: [email protected]

For confirmed speakers list..

US Arab Economic Forum
Focus on Business as Instrument of Change
Fortune 500, SM/MED Businesses, US/Arab Gov. Officials Gather in Houston

July 11, Detroit - More than 1,500 American and Arab business leaders will gather in Houston September 14-16 for the 2005 U.S. Arab Economic Forum.  Supported by the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce, the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council, and organized by the American Middle-East Economic Affairs Committee (AMEAC), the Forum will focus on improving economic ties and economic development as a source of societal change.

Participants will hear from the Chairs of ExxonMobil, Chevron Corp., ConocoPhillips, Marathon Oil, Cisco Systems, Medialink, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers as well as the Energy Ministers from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.  

Among the many topics tackled at the Forum, transparency and accountability, human capacity building, trade infrastructure, public-private partnerships and empowering women through economics will take center stage.  

Other confirmed speakers include: Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa, Saudi Minister of State Abdullah Alireza, USAID Director Andrew Natsios, bestselling author Dr. Deepak Chopra, Houston Mayor Bill White, Baker Institute Director Amb. Edward Djerejian, Harvard Business Review Editor Thomas Stewart, Arab International Women's Forum Chair Haifa Al Kaylani, Timberland CEO Jeff Swartz, Link Group CEO Nijad Fares, Ghandi Institute Chair Arun Ghandi, MD Anderson Cancer Center President Dr. John Mendelsohn and BBC Global News Director Richard Sambrook.    

Forum proceedings are open to the media.  Members of the working press may register and get more information at  http://www.usaeforum.org  or contact Jennifer Salan 202-494-9857 [email protected] .

WHAT: U.S. Arab Economic Forum

WHERE: Houston, Texas, Hilton Americas

WHEN:  September 14-16, 2005

REGISTRATION/INFORMATION: http://www.usaeforum.org

In the News

Saudi Arabia Ready To Help US After Hurricane
"Saudi Arabia said it is prepared to help the US in any way it could to ease the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the official SPA agency reported. According to the agency, King Abdullah assured President George W. Bush in a telephone conversation of the 'support of the kingdom to its friend the United States during its misfortune.' He said that Saudi, the world's top oil exporter, is prepared to 'do everything that it can to help towards lessening the consequences of the hurricane.'.."

Indian Airlines Plans Flights to Saudi Arabia by Year-End
"Indian Airlines (IA), announced [August 30] to start its flights on the Saudi-India sector hopefully before the end of this year to fulfill the long-felt need of over 1.5 million Indian expatriates living in Saudi Arabia. IA will operate four flights a week to the southern Indian city of Hyderabad alone as per the airline's plan, which is awaiting the nod of the concerned regulatory agencies of the two countries.."

Saudi Arabia Ready To Pump 11 Million Bpd
"Saudi Arabia announced [Aug 30] it was ready to increase crude production to eleven million bpd in case the consequences of the "Katrina" hurricane cause a shortage in the market, said Saudi Oil minister Ali al-Nuami.. ..Since the "Katrina" hurricane, one of the most devastating in recent times hit the Gulf of Mexico coastline in the United States, international oil prices broke through the 70 US dollars pb benchmark. The Gulf of Mexico area generates a quarter of the US oil and gas production.."

Businesswomen to Take Part Directly in JCCI Elections
"Saudi businesswomen members of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI) will be voting directly for the first time in the forthcoming elections for the chamber's board of directors, but for some businesswomen that is still not good enough. In previous elections, businesswomen were allowed to vote only through a male legal representative (wakeel). This year they also have the option to vote directly themselves as was the case with the Riyadh Chamber elections held last year.."

Muslim Leaders Pin Hopes on Abdullah
"Prominent Muslim leaders have emphasized Saudi Arabia's significant role in spreading the message of Islam across the world, supporting Muslim minorities and strengthening Islamic solidarity. Dr. Muzammil Siddiqui, chairman of the Islamic Fiqh Council in North America, said American Muslims were looking to Saudi Arabia for its continued support for Islamic activities and Muslim causes and to defend the principles of the religion.."

Businesswomen Challenging Exclusion From JCCI Elections
"A group of Saudi businesswomen are challenging their exclusion from participating in the forthcoming elections for the board of directors of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI). Their challenge consists of filling out the forms and listing themselves as candidates. According to regulations, there is no rule stating that women cannot be nominated. Taking advantage of this loophole, about ten businesswomen members of the JCCI have submitted their applications for consideration as nominees.."

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