Saudi-US Relations Information Service

"..Tragedy visited pilgrims participating at the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia on Thursday as at least 345 people were killed and more than a thousand injured when a stampede occurred during a rite at Jamarat bridge. The accident, which took place at the site of the symbolic stoning of pillars representing the devil, occurred after some pilgrims tripped over luggage.." [SUSRIS Initial Special Report] [Additional Reporting Below]

"..As they say, it takes two to tango, and our US-Saudi relationship must not be based solely on economic interests, but on mutual benefit for both of our nations. It will take the full cooperation of everyone from all sections of both societies including the academia, the media, the religious and business communities, the government, the congress, the senior citizens, the youth, and the public at large for this to succeed.." -- Amr Khashoggi

MAKKAH, 14 January 2006 — Thursday’s Mina stampede, which killed at least 363 people, was caused by pilgrims carrying a lot of baggage while going to perform the stoning ritual, Crown Prince Sultan said yesterday.. ..Prince Sultan said the government had mobilized all its resources to ensure the security of pilgrims, adding that pilgrims were performing the stoning ritual without any problem. “What happened was that more than 12 people carrying a large quantity of baggage on their backs fell on the ground one on top of the other as a result of overcrowding,” he said.

JEDDAH, 14 January 2006 — Thursday’s deadly stampede in Mina that marred this year’s otherwise successful Haj operation was unavoidable as a large sea of pilgrims, some carrying huge baggage, were moving forth to the Jamrat at noon to perform the stoning ritual despite warnings. “It was as if a huge wave from the sea came gushing down on the pilgrims,” said an Arab pilgrim who had just identified the wife of his friend among the dead. Many pilgrims were unaware of or ignored the religious edict issued by scholars that they can perform the ritual before noon. At the time of Dhuhr prayer on that day, nearly one million pilgrims were present in and around the Jamrat. It was really frightening.

MINA, 14 January 2006 — Each photo has a number. A grieving relative notes this number and gives it to hospital staff in order to see a corpse. This process was repeated hundreds of times at the Muaisem Emergency Medical Center near Mina yesterday.

Yet again, hundreds have been trampled to death on the Jamrat Bridge during the ceremonial stoning of Satan even though the authorities have spent millions on improvements to the stoning area to prevent such an accident occurring. People will ask why this happened. There will be many who will be fatalistic about it, pointing out that it is not the first time that pilgrims have been crushed to death during the stoning, and, given the massive numbers involved, it will not be the last, no matter what the authorities try to do to prevent it.

MINA, 11 January 2006 — Officials managing Haj arrangements said yesterday that pilgrims should behave responsibly and avoid carrying unnecessary stuff with them during the symbolic ritual of stoning the Satan at the Jamrat. The stoning ritual is the one in which hundreds of people have died in stampedes in the past. Officials in charge of crowd control say one of the major obstacles in smooth flow of pilgrims toward the Jamrat are the pilgrims themselves. They are those pilgrims who carry heavy luggage with them causing immense problems all through the way for others.

Last month, after 12 years of negotiations, Saudi Arabia joined the World Trade Organization. To comply with WTO rules, the kingdom had to make concessions and reforms that, some analysts say, signal Saudi Arabia is opening up to the world. And, they expect more changes to come.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Charles Freeman says the kingdom's accession to the WTO shows it is embracing international trade standards for the first time. "WTO accession really marks the end of an era in many respects. That was an era where some people quipped, the national motto in Saudi Arabia was 'progress without change.' This era has come to an end, and much change is in store," he said.

"The President has asked the Vice President to travel to Egypt and Saudi Arabia next week. These visits were originally scheduled as part of the Vice President's travel to the region in December, but were postponed because he had to return to Washington to vote on the budget.

The Vice President will meet with President Mubarak of Egypt and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, January 17, 2006."

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad made surprise journeys to Saudi Arabia and Egypt [Jan. 8], seeking support from Arab leaders as he faces an unprecedented challenge from a defecting ex-vice president and alleged Syrian involvement in the assassination of a former Lebanese leader. [more]

JEF Vision: JEF will become a continuous program of activities attended by interested parties – men and women – from both the Government and private sector with a common interest in the economic development of the Middle East and The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

JEF Mission: “To examine, formally at the annual Jeddah Economic Forum and informally at other complementary events, the key issues, both short and long-term, which most effect the ability of the Middle East in general and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular to enjoy sustained economic growth generating new work opportunities and a stable business environment. To identify and prioritise the actions necessary to achieve these goals and to publish an annual report on the results of these discussions within three months of the Jeddah Economic Forum.”

JEF 2006: Theme - Seeding Potentials for Economic Growth - Honoring Identity And Celebrating Common Grounds

This year's conference calls for the honor and recognition of culture, identity and diversity as the building blocks for a world of "common grounds' rather than a global economy of "one size fits all". The conference will further seek to underscore stories of success and actionable solutions both within and outside the context of Saudi Arabia. Whether locally, regionally or globally, we seek to highlight and celebrate achievements that are special and inspirational about the human quest for inclusion and participation in the building of one world: our world, our tomorrow.

Honoring identity means honoring diversity as well. Identity and diversity are two sides of one coin. Identity is indeed an all encompassing word allowing for many voices in culture, not only in race, gender and age, but also in thought, perspective, and orientation.

Among the questions to be answered in this year's conference is how can identity, and hence diversity, within society and across societies be respected while building a world that we all can be proud of? Is an economy of common grounds possible? Where are we on the quest to allowing more voices in the dance of what is truly human and truly productive? What of missing voices, such as the voices of the poor and the very young? Where do they fit in the shaping of the economy and society of the future? Are there stories of successes to be told on all these quests or is it all "gloom and doom" out there?

No two would argue about the current imbalances in the macro global picture both economically and socially. The question moving forward is what to do about it? The answer for us is simple: Honoring identity and celebrating common grounds.

Contact: Jeddah Marketing Board
P.O.Box 1500 , Jeddah 21431, Saudi Arabia
Tel. +966 - 2- 6570001, Fax +966-2-6571415
E-mail: [email protected]

Jeddah Economic Forum 2005 Opens - Capacity building: Developing people for sustainable growth - SUSRIS NID - Feb 18, 2005

Jeddah Economic Forum 2005 - Capacity building: Developing people for sustainable growth - JEF Outlines Challenges of 21st Century - SUSRIS NID - Feb 20, 2005

Top World Leaders to Address Jeddah Economic Forum - SUSRIS IOI - Jan 29, 2005

Saudi Women and the Jeddah Economic Forum - SUSRIS IOI - Feb 12, 2004

Saudi Privatisers to Woo Scottish Investors [Jan 15]
"Saudi Arabia's government is sending a high-profile delegation to Edinburgh this month in an attempt to lure Scottish companies into a $1,400bn (£795bn) drive to open up its industries to foreign investors - one of the biggest privatisation programmes the world has ever seen. Electricity, water, telecoms and infrastructure projects are all part of the 15-year investment programme, along with a limited exposure to the kingdom's enormous oil industry.." [more]

Culture an Obstacle to Women’s Career Development: Study [Jan 15]
"Saudi culture is an obstacle to women’s career development, according to a recent research by Sanaa Halawani. Halawani says most Saudis are not ready to accept women as professionals. In research for her just-completed MBA in England, she investigated the current situation concerning women’s employment in the Saudi private sector.." [more]

Haj: Some Lessons for the World [Jan 15]
"Haj was an educating and ennobling experience. Like my last three holy journeys, I learned a lot about myself, ourselves and the world we live in. Here are some of the lessons. Haj is an occasion where people of all colors, races and backgrounds live together, move as one, and do the same thing, the same way, at the same time.." [more]

Taxation Treaty with S. Arabia Next Month [Jan 14]
"Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Saturday finalized amendments in the agreement for avoidance of double taxation in respect of income between the two countries.. ..Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had initialled the draft agreement on April 29, 2004 in Islamabad, which was awaiting final signing and ratification by both countries. According to the official, all the minor changes in the draft agreement proposed by Saudi Arabia were finalized by the two sides during the last two days of the negotiations.." [more]

Death Toll in Stampede Crosses 360 [Jan 14]
"Thursday’s Mina stampede, which killed at least 363 people, was caused by pilgrims carrying a lot of baggage while going to perform the stoning ritual, Crown Prince Sultan said yesterday. He expressed his deep sorrow over the deaths and injuries caused by the tragedy and conveyed the government’s condolences to the bereaved families.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Launches New Phase in International Trade Relations [Jan 14]
"Last month, after 12 years of negotiations, Saudi Arabia joined the World Trade Organization. To comply with WTO rules, the kingdom had to make concessions and reforms that, some analysts say, signal Saudi Arabia is opening up to the world. And, they expect more changes to come. Former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Charles Freeman says the kingdom's accession to the WTO shows it is embracing international trade standards for the first time.." [more]

Saudi King Opens Up $1 Trillion of Business to the West [Jan 14]
"Saudi Arabia has embarked on an unprecedented drive to open up to $1,400 billion (£795 billion) of its industries to foreign investment as it strives to scale back dependence on oil exports. The Kingdom, which is committed to lowering investment barriers as it enters the World Trade Organisation, has launched a $624 billion investment programme and has accelerated an $800 billion privatisation plan.." [more]

Cheney to Visit Egypt, Saudi Arabia [Jan 13]
"U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney next week will travel to Egypt and Saudi Arabia for meetings with leaders there, his office said on Friday.Cheney will meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, January 17.." [more]

Saudi King Abdullah To Visit Malaysia [Jan 13]
"Saudi King Abdullah Abdulaziz al-Saud is expected to visit Malaysia at the end of the month, which among others will further enhance ties between the two Muslim countries. The Saudi Arabian embassy confirmed the visit, but declined to elaborate. Foreign officials of the two countries are currently busy preparing for the visit, the first by Abdullah to Kuala Lumpur as the King of the oil-rich country.." [more]

Telecoms and Technology: Saudi Arabia [Jan 13]
"The majority state-owned Saudi Telecom has awarded three major contracts as part of its efforts to provide a broadband network to serve the country. The first of these contracts went to Alcatel of France.. ..Other contracts went to two US-based firms, Cisco Systems and Lucent Technologies.. ..The aim of these contracts is to create 250,000 new DSL lines (digital subscriber lines or broadband) to serve local telecoms consumers. The expansion programme is due for completion in 2006, and will mean that broadband services will be available in about three-quarters of the country.." [more]

345 Dead in Jamrat Tragedy [Jan 13]
"Nearly 350 pilgrims, mostly elderly men and women, lost their lives while carrying out the stoning of the devil ritual on the last day of Haj yesterday. Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki said 345 people were killed. According to a spokesman of the Saudi Red Crescent, more than 1,000 people were injured.." [more]

Nod for Draft Investment Pact with Saudi Arabia [Jan 13]
"The Government has approved a proposal for a bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement with Saudi Arabia. The decision comes as a prelude to the visit of Saudi King Abdullah who will be the chief guest at this year's Republic Day celebrations.." [more]

India to Sign Investment Protection Pact with Saudi Arabia [Jan 12]
"India proposes to sign an investment promotion and protection pact with Saudi Arabia to boost trade, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said here Thursday.. ..The salient features of the model Indian text include extending national treatment and most favoured nation (MFN) treatment for foreign investments and investors. It also allows for repatriation of all returns on investment without undue delay and on a non-discriminatory basis.." [more]

Global Relations in a New Era [Jan 11]
"..The US is currently involved in an internal tug-of-war regarding relations with the Kingdom. On one side are those who recognize America's dependency on Saudi oil and the need to maintain good relations to ensure the flow of energy resources.On the other hand, there are the neo-conservatives and some political action groups that want to dismiss the decades-old friendly relationship between the two countries and push their vision of what countries should do in the region — a tactic both shortsighted and risky for worldwide stability.." [more]

Orderly Stoning at Jamrat [Jan 11]
"Tens of thousands of pilgrims yesterday hurled pebbles at the Jamrat Al-Aqaba, one of the three walls representing Satan. The ritual was conducted in a very organized manner in this tent city. All previous tragedies occurred during this ritual.This year the Saudi government showed how organization and logistic support can save human lives.." [more]

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia Due in Pakistan on February-1 [Jan 11]
"King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz will pay a three-day official visit to Pakistan from February 1. President Gen Pervez Musharraf had extended him invitation when he visited the Kingdom last month to attend the extraordinary OIC Summit. Highly placed sources said here on Tuesday that the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques would embark on a five-nation tour from January 21. The visit will take him to China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and Pakistan.." [more]

The Real Estate Boom - KSA [Jan 11]
"..The boom has been attributed to the continuous repatriation of Saudi funds from overseas and increasing liquidity supported by soaring oil revenues. But the burgeoning market needs to be regulated and organized in order to avoid scams, of which there have been quite a few, as well as achieve continuous progress and maintain investor confidence.Real estate is the fastest growing sector in the Kingdom.." [more]

Saudi Cleric says Terrorism Used to Discredit Islam [Jan 11]
"A top Saudi cleric told Muslim pilgrims marking the climax of haj on Tuesday that the West was using the global phenomenon of terrorism to scare people away from Islam and discredit legitimate Muslim causes. Sheikh Abdulrahman al-Sudeis, the state-appointed preacher at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, also called for stability in Iraq and said Islam was innocent of the charge of 'terrorism'.." [more]

Scouts Set Up Website to Help Missing Children [Jan 10]
"For the first time, the Saudi Scouts Society is using a website to highlight missing children during the Haj season. The new web service displays pictures and full details of missing children, according to Naser Al-Khulaifi, an official at the scout society in Arafat. In Arafat 16 children have been found and six of that number have already been reunited with their families.." [more]

Working Shoulder-to-Shoulder for Better Saudi-US Relations [Jan 10]
"An open letter from a Saudi businessman, Amr Khashoggi, to Americans: Dear Americans
I am a Saudi who graduated from American universities. I liked it so much that two of my children (a girl and a boy) also graduated from American universities.." [more]

Two Million in Arafat for Haj [Jan 10]
"Marking the climax of the Haj, more than two million spiritually charged but physically drained pilgrims converged yesterday on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) preached his last sermon.." [more]

Hilton’s ‘Super Palace’ to Open Ahead of Plan [Jan 10]
"Hilton’s first palace property, Qasr Al Sharq, is opening in March, two months ahead of plan. The 46-all-suite opulent palace hotel is located adjacent to the Jeddah Hilton on the Corniche and managed by Hilton International.." [more]

Datawatch Investment in the Middle East is Paying-off [Jan 10]
"Datawatch, providers of report mining and BI solutions is reporting pay-off following the opening of its first office in the Middle East in 2005. They recently added Saudi Group of Medicine and Pharmacology and Al-Fayed Commercial Est to the growing customer base in the region.. ..The Saudi Group of Medicine & Pharmacology and Al-Fayed Commercial Est is a multifaceted organisation, operating in the Middle East and the UK. Its several divisions combine agriculture, contracting, media, interior design, pharmaceutical, polyclinics, security systems and technology.." [more]

Saudi Aramco Seeks Indian Tieups [Jan 10]
"The largest oil exploration company in the world, Saudi Aramco, is seeking a tie-up with Indian companies. The Saudi company is ready to share its laboratory facilities and technology with an Indian oil exploration company like ONGC.." [more]

PAL to Suspend Flights to Riyadh [Jan 10]
"National carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said Tuesday it will suspend flights to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 2 due to losses from competition from other airlines flying to the Middle East.. ..PAL said the price of aviation fuel has recently risen to record highs, adding a burden to the "massive" numbers of unsold airline seats to the Middle East. The airline said it will continue code sharing with Emirates and Qatar Airways to serve travelers to the region, and is in talks with other Middle East carriers to expand coverage of its code-share network.." [more]

Training for Saudi Women Planned [Jan 10]
"Nearly 500 Saudi women will be trained by the Saudi education and training establishment to work as saleswomen in lingerie shops, as security guards and electrical and electronic maintenance workers.. ..A survey conducted to seek women’s views regarding the training found that 81 per cent of them were unaware of it despite their desire to join, 91 per cent wanted to obtain training in the field of arts and cosmetics, and 53 per cent said they could not afford the costs of the training.." [more]

Saudi Arabia's Economy Set for Growth, but Challenges Remain [Jan 10]
"With oil prices likely to remain at high levels, Saudi Arabia's economy seems poised for yet another good year, while the expansionary budget for 2006 should help ensure growth stays strong, the Middle East Economic Survey reported yesterday.. ..Khan Zahid, chief economist at Riyad Bank, expects economic growth in 2006 to surpass 2004, Saudi Arabia's second-best year, but suggests that it may not equal the record set in 2005.." [more]

Saudi Arabia's Cellular Market Is Booming [Jan 9]
"Mobile phones have transformed Saudi Arabia's telecom market thanks to huge investments that it continues to attract. The Kingdom has emerged as the second biggest mobile market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This market has also experienced strong growth over the last three years.." [more]

Bashar Meets Abdullah [Jan 9]
"Syrian President Bashar Assad flew into Jeddah yesterday and held unscheduled talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. The two leaders discussed recent developments in the area and bilateral relations.. ..King Abdullah stressed on the importance of strengthening Syrian-Lebanese relations to protect the interest of both countries and maintain the security of the region.." [more]

World Media Converge on Mina [Jan 9]
"Over 100 media organizations representing 56 countries have converged on Mina to provide live coverage of the annual Haj pilgrimage.. ..The Haj is of course based on devotion, but faith alone cannot make it happen. For the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Haj is both a sacred trust and a logistical challenge which keeps its organizers busy year-round.." [more]

Gulf Stock Markets Are Expected to Witness a Flight to Quality in 2006 [Jan 9]
"The Gulf region is going through a period of prosperity unparallel in its recent history. The 40 percent rise in oil prices over the past 12 months did not as some have predicted, upset the world economy and slow world growth nor did it lead to higher inflation.. ..We have booming economic conditions not only in the oil sectors but also in the non-oil sectors of the Gulf countries with double digit nominal GDP growth.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Plans to Double Gas Production [Jan 9]
"Saudi Arabia's pivotal position as the world's leading oil producer is well known but its credentials in terms of gas resources are also impressive. The country's proven reserves of gas have doubled in 20 years to 6.7 trillion cubic metres. As a result, the Kingdom now has the third largest proven gas reserves in the Middle East and the fourth largest in global terms after Russia, Iran and Qatar.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Gives Shs 764 Million to Orphans [Jan 9]
"The International Islamic Relief Organisation (IIRO) has donated school fees worth $420,965 (about Shs764 million) for over 1,600 Muslim orphans in various orphanages. The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Charge de Affaires , Mr Majid Abudallah, said the donation proves strong relations between Uganda and Saudi Arabia. “ Our embassy is ready to assist the Uganda government to improve the lives of orphans in the country by providing them with education, health and social welfare,” he said.." [more]

$2.4bn Capital for Venture [Jan 9]
"The company set up to develop a multi-billion dollar Red Sea coast project in Saudi Arabia has fixed its capital at SR9 billion ($2.4bn), the consortium's lead partner said.. ..The project, near Jeddah, will include a new Red Sea port that will be among the 10 largest in the world, an industrial district, leisure facilities, and a financial centre. Construction began last month.." [more]

Number of Hajj pilgrims From Abroad Exceeds 1.5 Million [Jan 8]
"The number of pilgrims coming to Saudi Arabia from abroad to perform this year’s Hajj has reached 1,557,447, and represented 177 nationalities, the Ministry of Interior said today. Fifty-four percent of the pilgrims are male and 46 percent female.." [more]

Haj Pilgrims Begin Journey to Mina [Jan 8]
"An estimated 2.5 million Haj pilgrims began the annual trek yesterday from the holy city of Makkah to the valley of Mina with Saudi authorities on high alert to prevent another tragedy. The Haj starts three days after an aging hostel in the heart of Makkah collapsed, killing 76 people and wounding 62.." [more]

King Donates SR2bn for Housing Poor [Jan 8]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has donated SR2 billion for housing projects to provide decent housing for the Kingdom’s poor and needy.. ..this was the largest single donation to a charity in the Kingdom’s history. Yousuf Al-Othaimeen, secretary-general of the King Abdullah Charitable Housing Foundation, said the king had given land in Madinah worth SR2 billion to the foundation.." [more]

Saudi Stock Index Breaks 17,500 Barrier [Jan 8]
"Saudi stocks soared to a new record high yesterday as the Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) broke the 17,500 barrier and closed at 17,546.76, up 89.15 points from Thursday’s closing. The Saudi stock market will close for the Eid Al-Adha holiday after today’s morning session and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 16.." [more]

The SUSRIS project -- an independent, private-sector information resource – offers objective, comprehensive news and information on the history, breadth and depth of the US-Saudi Arabia relationship.
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