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Iran to Compensate Over Role in Bombings [Dec 23]
"The Iranian government has been found guilty of financing a 1996 terror attack in Saudi Arabia which killed 19 Americans and must pay $254 million to the victim’s families, a federal judge ruled on Friday.. ..US authorities have long alleged that the bombing was carried out by a Saudi wing of Hezbollah, which receives support from Iran and Syria.." [more]

Saudi Dissident's Son Refuses Court Order [Dec 23]
"..Majid al-Massari might be deported to his native Saudi Arabia. A federal appeals court has ruled that he can be removed while it reviews his case.. ..The son of a famous Islamic dissident who advocates the overthrow of the Saudi ruling family, al-Massari maintains he will be tortured if he is forced to return to his native land. Immigration and Muslim advocacy groups have rallied to his cause.. ..The elder al-Massari's organization, the decision alleges, helped Osama bin Laden organize a London office for Al Qaeda and provided him with satellite telephones. The ruling cites an article quoting the father describing his organization as the "ideological voice" of Al Qaeda.." [more]

Royal Intrigue, Unpaid Bills Preceded Saudi Ambassador's Exit [Dec 23]
"Prince Turki al-Faisal's goodwill tour, instead, produced millions of dollars in unpaid bills -- and a tale of
murky intrigue in the enigmatic desert kingdom.. ..Saudi experts say differences within the royal family, like virtually everything having to do with the House of Saud, are heavily nuanced.. ..After a year of internal tensions and failure to pay bills, Turki was not invited to Riyadh for Cheney's visit, Saudi sources confirmed. And Bandar returned to Washington again right after the meeting to discuss the specifics of the joint efforts. Two weeks later, Turki quit.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Can Mold A New Economic Future [Dec 23]
"Sheikh Suleiman said Saudi Arabia has strategically moved toward developing economic cities and away from the oil sector, with the ambition of being one of the leading nations in the field of developing this category of mega-project by 2010.. ..Al-Majid said these economic cities will greatly enhance the country’s industrial and service sector, including the infrastructure for transportation, allowing for the Kingdom to play an effective role in molding a new economic future for the region.." [more]

25% of Saudi Marriages End in Divorce [Dec 23]
"Nearly one in four marriages in the conservative Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia ends in divorce, a newspaper quoted the Justice Ministry as saying on Saturday.. ..'It is impossible to have healthy relationships in Saudi Arabia. The laws have given men full authority while women are deprived of their rights and freedom,' rights activist Wajiha al-Howeidar told Reuters.. ..While a few women have grown up in relatively liberal homes and refrain from marriage at an early age, many see in marriage a way out of protective parental homes, al-Howeidar said.." [more]

US Law Enforcement Gets Lessons on Islam [Dec 23]
"Nawal Ebrahim, a 27-year-old Saudi woman, shared her experiences in building awareness about Islam among senior US police and intelligence officials with a group of journalists, including Gulf News, while visiting her family in the city. 'Our lectures have contributed substantially in ensuring fair dealings for Muslims at the hands of US investigating officials,' she said.." [more]

Abdullah’s Visit to Boost Saudi-Oman Relations [Dec 23]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s landmark visit to Oman, beginning today.. ..This is Abdullah’s first visit to Oman after taking over power in August 2005. The visit follows the successful Dec. 9-10 summit in Riyadh that brought together all GCC leaders including Sultan Qaboos. King Abdullah held talks with Qaboos on the sidelines of the summit.. ..Increasing trade exchange is likely to figure high at the Saudi-Oman summit talks in Muscat as the present volume of trade accounts for only 7.6 percent of the total trade exchange between the Kingdom and GCC countries.." [more]

New Saudi Envoy to US is King’s Adviser [Dec 22]
"Saudi Arabia’s new ambassador to the United States will be Adel al-Jubeir, a close adviser to King Abdullah, a report said yesterday, less than two weeks after the previous envoy’s sudden resignation. Jubeir is well known in Washington and the West, and will replace Prince Turki al-Faisal, who told his staff on December 11 he was leaving for personal reasons.. ..Saudi diplomats here said there was so far no confirmation of the appointment from Riyadh.." [more]

Saudi’s Stance on Tariffs Blocks Gulf Customs Union, Says UAE [Dec 22]
"Saudi reluctance to reduce tariffs on goods such as steel and textiles is hampering implementation of a Gulf Arab customs union agreement, the head of the UAE customs authority said yesterday. A delay in completing customs union, now by almost a year, is one reason why Oman said this month it would not be able to join with the introduction of a single Gulf Arab currency by January 1, 2010. 'Saudi is still protecting its local industry by imposing additional tariffs'.." [more]

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Addresses the United Nations [Dec 22]
"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia confirmed its support for the statement recently issued by the nonalignment movement on the racial separation wall installed by Israel as it contradicts the international law. In a speech before an extraordinary session of the united national general assembly in New York yesterday, Saudi Arabia's Representative Abdullah Saud Al-Enizy called on Israel to put an end to its violations of its international commitments and stop work on the wall. The session was to discuss the illegal Israeli acts in Alquds and Palestinian territories.." [more]

Some Ex-Guantanamo Inmates Convicted on Return Home [Dec 22]
"Saudi authorities released 11 Saudis who were detained in their homeland for investigation after their release from the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay in mid-2006.. ..Ministry spokesman Lt Gen Mansour Al Turki said 28 detainees who were released from Guantanamo in May and June confessed to "committing legal violations. They stood trial, and the court issued different sentences against them.." [more]

Kingdom to Spend SR32bn on Scientific Research and Development [Dec 22]
"The Kingdom will spend over SR32 billion ($8.6 billion) on research and development as part of its 20-year National Science and Technology Plan.. ..Al-Athel said the government would install in the near future the so-called “technology incubators” at five Saudi universities as part of its program to promote applied research in the Kingdom.." [more]

Arafat Standing on Dec. 29 [Dec 22]
"The Standing at Arafat, the central part of Haj rites, will take place on Friday, Dec. 29, while this year’s Eid Al-Adha will occur the following day, according to a statement of the Supreme Judiciary Council yesterday.. ..More than 2.5 million believers from the four corners of the world are expected to converge at the Arafat plain, 12 kilometers southeast of Makkah, on that day.." [more]

Al-Jubeir Reported to be New Saudi Envoy to U.S [Dec 21]
"Adel al-Jubeir, a foreign policy adviser to Saudi King Abdullah, is expected to be named Riyadh's next ambassador to the United States, it was reported on Wednesday. Jubeir, who became the public face of his country in the U.S. media after the September 11 attacks, will replace Prince Turki al-Faisal, who recently resigned as Saudi Arabia's ambassador in Washington after 15 months in the post.. ..The impending appointment represents a meteoric rise in Saudi diplomacy for a man who last served in Washington as special assistant to Prince Bandar bin Sultan.." [more]

Saudi Announces Eid al-Adha on Dec 30 [Dec 21]
"Saudi religious authorities have announced that the Muslim Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, which follows the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca will start on December 30. The hajj culminates on December 29 when Muslim pilgrims from around the world will converge on the revered Mount Arafat near Mecca in Saudi Arabia.." [more]

Saudis Free 11 Former Guantanamo Detainees [Dec 21]
"Saudi Arabia has freed 11 former Guantanamo Bay detainees after they completed their jail sentences, the Interior Ministry said yesterday. It said the men were among 28 Saudis handed over this year by the United States from the Guantanamo Bay naval base in Cuba. 'The cases of the rest of the accused are still under review'.." [more]

Integrated Health Plan During Haj to Prevent Outbreaks [Dec 21]
"Dr Hamad Abdullah Al Manea, the Saudi Health Minister, said his ministry has drawn up an integrated plan to prevent spread of epidemic diseases during Haj.. ..Al Manea said the health authorities at the kingdom's entry points were also instructed to quarantine pilgrims suspected of having the disease and those who fail to produce vaccination certificates. 'As a precautionary measure all liquid and food not packed in cans brought by pilgrims will be confiscated'.." [more]

Oasis Signs $130m Deal with Saudi Arabia's NAS [Dec 21]
"Oasis International Leasing signed a $130 million deal yesterday to sell an Airbus A319 to Saudi-based National Air Services (NAS) and lease it five more business jets. Gordon Dixon, Chief Executive Officer of Oasis, said the agreement is a first for Oasis in the thriving business and corporate jet market.. ..This is the first time that Oasis has ventured into the business jet market, which is growing strongly in the region.." [more]

Saudis Admit Iraqi Pilgrims After Denying Them Entry [Dec 20]
"Saudi Arabia has agreed to admit hundreds of Iraqi pilgrims stranded at the border, where four have died, after the Iraqi government appealed to the Saudi king.. ..Last year Iraq accused Saudi Arabia of blocking some Iraqi pilgrims. But the Saudi interior minister, Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, rebuked the Iraqis for sending more than their quote of pilgrims. Neither Iraqi nor Saudi officials have divulged whether the stranded pilgrims were Shiite or Sunni Muslims.." [more]

Kingdom Won’t Take Sides in Iraq, Says Saud [Dec 20]
"Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said yesterday that Saudi Arabia would not take sides in Iraqi sectarian violence, denying press reports that Riyadh would support Sunnis in the wake of a US withdrawal from the war-torn country.. ..He confirmed the resignation of Saudi Ambassador to the US Prince Turki Al-Faisal on the basis of personal reasons. He praised Turki’s contributions in the service of the Kingdom during his tenure.." [more]

Review of GCC Forex Union Deadline Possible: Saudi [Dec 20]
"Saudi Arabia’s finance minister said yesterday the GCC states may have to review the 2010 target date for introducing a single currency after Oman said recently it would not abide by the deadline. 'All options are open, including the 2010 target,' Ibrahim al-Assaf said in an interview in Riyadh. Oman had said earlier this month that it was pulling out of the January 1, 2010, deadline because of delays in GCC-wide measures such as implementing a customs union agreement.. ..The six states have already agreed on fiscal and economic criteria for creating the currency.." [more]

Saudi Minister: 2007 Budget to Develop Vital Sectors [Dec 20]
"Saudi Finance Minister said that Saudi Arabia's 2007 budget seeks to improve vital sectors and projects including new universities, schools, hospitals, health centers and industrial cities as well as development projects of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and other holy sites.. ..The minister revealed the government's plan to reduce public debt further to reach SR310 billion.." [more]

Saudi Stocks Tumble on Slowdown Fears [Dec 20]
"Saudi Arabia’s stock market tumbled more than 4% yesterday, crashing below 8,000 points on news that the world’s largest oil exporter would report unexpectedly slow economic growth in 2006. Real GDP growth in the Arab world’s largest economy will drop sharply in 2006 to 4.2% from 6.54% last year, Saudi Arabia’s finance ministry said on Monday. The Arab world’s largest stock market snapped a six-day winning streak on the news.." [more]

Harvard University to Carry Out Case Study on SAGIA [Dec 20]
"Leading American university Harvard University will take up the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) as a case study, Arab News reported. A statement issued by Sagia said that Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government (KSG) has decided to conduct a case study on Sagia through the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation. This will be the first time a government organisation has been studied for governance in the Middle East by Harvard University. The study will be introduced in three phases.." [more]

Another Major Conference Canceled [Dec 20]
"Another major conference was canceled in Saudi Arabia.. ..The fourth Islamic Real Estate Finance-Middle East (IREF-ME) was scheduled to take place in Jeddah last week but was canceled by the organizers, a UK-based events manager, because they allege that their host, the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), did not fulfill its responsibility. A JCCI spokesman contacted by Arab News blamed the UK organizers. The IREF-ME conference is now rescheduled under the banner IREF-Jordan 2007.." [more]

Investment Climate Needs Changes, Say Experts [Dec 20]
"The Saudi leadership is committed to promoting investment opportunities in the Kingdom. However, the sluggish bureaucracy, lack of a strong work ethic, expertise and research centers in the capital market remain the stumbling blocks in the Kingdom’s drive to attract overseas investment. This message came out of the three-day international seminar inaugurated Monday night on behalf of Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman by his deputy Prince Sattam.." [more]

Riyadh Schools Adds American High School Diploma Program [Dec 20]
"Riyadh Schools for Boys and Girls has added to its academic services the American high school diploma program.. ..The new program is aimed at upgrading the student’s mastery of the English language. Full attendance, sociological skills and ability to accomplish tasks are some of the basic skills a high school diploma student is supposed to master.." [more]

HRW: Saudi Arabia Blocks Access to Detention Facilities [Dec 19]
"..Human Rights Watch informed Saudi authorities of the detention facilities it wanted to visit on October 3, prior to its current visit to the country.. ..We’re pleased that Saudi officials have talked to us candidly about human rights in the Kingdom, but disappointed that they haven’t yet fulfilled their commitments to let us visit detention facilities,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch.." [more]

Intel Partners with Saudi Firms to Develop Electronic Quran [Dec 19]
"Intel has partnered with two Saudi Arabian software companies to develop an electronic version of Islam's holy book -- the Quran. Santa Clara-based Intel says the project are part of broader push to bring low-cost computing and Internet access to emerging markets.." [more]

Saudi Share Market Advances [Dec 19]
"Saudi Arabian shares including Emaar Economic City rose. A drop in shares of Saudi Basic Industries Corp, the world’s largest publicly traded chemical maker, limited the gain in the country’s benchmark index. The Tadawul All Share Index added 0.2% to close at 8247.64, advancing for a sixth straight session. Sixty-five stocks rose, 13 fell and four were unchanged.." [more]

Blair Faces Legal Challenge to Saudi Probe Halt [Dec 19]
"Anti-bribery campaigners said on Tuesday they would take the government to court over its decision to drop a corruption probe into dealings between Saudi Arabia and BAE Systems as part of a huge arms contract.. ..Lawyers for The Corner House and Campaign Against Arms Trade wrote to Blair, Attorney-General Lord Goldsmith and Robert Wardle, director of the Serious Fraud Office, saying the groups would formally seek a judicial review unless the government reversed its decision by January 2.." [more]

Saudi Surplus Will Hit Record $70.66b [Dec 19]
"Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, said yesterday it would run a record budget surplus of 265 billion riyals ($70.66 billion) in 2006, and would plough more than a third of that into paying back debt. The surplus, up 24 per cent from last year, is the fourth in a row after two decades of deficits when low oil prices left the government struggling to finance its welfare system.." [more]

Experts Mull Strategy for Regional Linkage [Dec 19]
"Development of interregional land-sea linkages between the Kingdom and surrounding countries to promote trade and tourism was the theme of a workshop that Deputy Minister of Transport Abdul Aziz Al-Ohali inaugurated here yesterday.. ..The workshop.. ..was meant to formulate a long-term strategy to develop interregional linkages within the framework of the WTO regime to globalize trade and commerce.." [more]

Saudi Study Finds Shiite State in Iraq [Dec 18]
"Iran has created a Shiite ‘state within a state’ in Iraq, according to a US newspaper report on Monday. Based on a security report commissioned by the Saudi government, the Washington Times reported that Iran provides both logistical support of armed groups as well as funds for social programmes.. ..'Where the Americans have failed, the Iranians have stepped in,' it said, quoting the report.." [more]

The Hajj: Keeping Pilgrims Safe [Dec 18]
"Over two Muslims are converging on the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia for The Hajj, Islam's annual pilgrimage to the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammad. The ritual has in the past been plagued by fires, stampedes and occasional riots.. ..However the Saudi Arabian authorities say they have put into place a wide range of measures aimed at averting any large scale tragedy. And say they are prepared to handle any outbreak of sectarian violence between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Awaits First Human Rights Report [Dec 18]
"Saudi Arabia is currently awaiting the release of a comprehensive report on the subject of human rights in the kingdom, to be issued by the National Association for Human Rights (NAHR), which is at present finalizing the anticipated report. Much secrecy has surrounded the report, which is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia. According to primary information provided by NAHR, attempts to soften the tone of the report have been the cause of its delay.. ..Human rights organizations all over the Arab world present a report on the state of human rights in the respective country on an annual basis.." [more]

Sabic Expansion Scheme Covers India and China [Dec 18]
"Sabic, which expects to produce about 51 million tonnes of chemicals and steel this year, plans to boost total capacity to 100m tonnes by 2015, building plants in China, India and Saudi Arabia, and acquiring companies in Europe and the US, Mady said. It has already committed to development plans worth at least $25 billion to boost capacity by a third to 68m tonnes in 2009, Mady said. In September, it agreed to buy the European operations of US chemical maker Huntsman Corp for $700m.." [more]

Abdullah to Visit Oman [Dec 18]
"King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is scheduled to pay an official visit next week to the Sultanate of Oman at the invitation of Sultan Qaboos.. ..King Abdullah’s visit comes within the sphere of the consultations and coordination between the two countries on the means to develop and strengthen bilateral relations. The two leaders would also discuss the ways to implement the resolutions and results of the just-concluded Jaber Summit in Riyadh. They will also discuss the developments in Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon .." [more]

Envoy Calls for Stronger Riyadh-Tehran Relations [Dec 18]
"A senior Iranian diplomat called for strengthening relations between Riyadh and Tehran in order to boost political efforts to solve regional problems. The diplomat made his remarks following talks with Prince Naif, interior minister; and Prince Salman, Riyadh governor.. ..Hosseini referred to Iran’s determination 'to develop relations between the two nations as a priority for foreign policy,' and hoped that by achieving that goal, both countries would gain fruitful results in line with their national interests.." [more]

US Court Throws Out Case Against Saleh Kamel [Dec 18]
" A significant decision by a New York judge last Thursday dismissed a lawsuit against Saleh Kamel and Albaraka Investment Bank. The accusations alleged they had been involved in support of the Al-Qaeda group suspected of backing the 9/11 terrorist attacks.. ..'This vindicates Sheikh Saleh’s position that he has nothing to do with financing international terrorism, and that he thoroughly rejects that concept of international terrorism'.." [more]

Saudi Stock Mart Watchdog Says Probing 25 Cases [Dec 17]
"The Saudi stock market regulator said yesterday it was investigating 25 cases, including alleged fraudulent transactions, few days after it fined an investor and took the unprecedented step of publishing his name. The cases include manipulation of transactions, trading during prohibited periods, providing unlicensed advisory and portfolio management services without proper authorisation and trading in stocks that have not been authorised, said Abdulrahmane al-Tuwaijri, head of the Capital Markets Authority (CMA).." [more]

Intel, Saudi IT Drive [Dec 17]
"The Intel Corporation is to support the Saudi Arabian government's efforts to extend the reach of IT in the kingdom's schools.. ..Intel and the kingdom's Ministry of Education are to collaborate on a venture to train 50,000 Saudi teachers on utilizing technology in the classroom. It is hoped about 1.5m students will benefit.." [more]

Saudi Speaker Sees No Curbs on Debate [Dec 17]
"The speaker of the Saudi Shura 'Consultative' Council stressed that members of the council have a free hand to discuss and raise any issue they feel is in public interest.. ..'Councils without powers will not be in a position to raise or discuss hot issues. In fact, this situation applies to some elected councils unlike the case of the unelected Saudi council whose members acquire full powers and are able to discuss and raise all issues no matter how delicate or sensitive'.." [more]

Politics Overshadowed Economy in Riyadh GCC Focus [Dec 17]
"The 27th GCC summit in Saudi capital Riyadh last week succeeded in making little but steady progress regarding the goal of integrating regional economies.. ..Clearly, regional political issues allowed GCC leaders meeting in the Saudi capital only tight room to realise a progress on economic matters. Undoubtedly, the heads of states could not overlook acute challenges encountering the entire Middle East region.." [more]

Kingdom Plans Two More Economic Cities [Dec 17]
"The Saudi government plans to establish two more economic cities in the north and east of the Kingdom as part of its efforts to achieve balanced development all over the country, according to Amr Al-Dabbagh, head of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA).. ..He said the economic city projects, initiated by his organization, was receiving tremendous support from the government. The four economic cities are expected to draw investment worth nearly SR300 billion ($80 billion).." [more]

Rice’s Questioning of GCC Plan Flayed [Dec 17]
"Saudis have strongly resented US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s questioning the prospects of civilian nuclear energy in the Gulf region.. ..Rice questioned why Saudi Arabia might want nuclear energy and asked for more information about the Gulf countries’ nuclear energy plans. 'The United States and Israel are planning to stop the Gulf countries from advancing technologically, they want us to rely on our agricultural economy,” responded Dr. Ali Al-Tawati, a political analyst.'.." [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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