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~~~~~~~~ [ Aug 4 ] ~~~~~~~~~
Kingdom Drops Plan to Ban Garuda Flights [Aug 4]
"Saudi Arabia has withdrawn its proposal to ban Garuda Indonesia from its airspace on safety considerations. The
European Union recently barred 51 airlines certified in Indonesia from European airspace, citing safety worries.
Last month, Indonesia’s Transport Ministry received a letter from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority on Civil Aviation
warning of a possible ban since the body normally followed EU aviation policy. The Kingdom since announced its stand
that the ban plan had been put off pending the visit of a team of experts to Jakarta for a review and inspection of
its facilities and operations.." [more]
Saudi Scouts Showcase Arab Culture at Jamboree [Aug 4]
"Saudi scouts presented folk dances and songs representing seven regions of the Kingdom at the Scout Jamboree near
Chelmsford, in Britain’s southeastern county of Essex, on Thursday. They also distributed popular Saudi and Arab
dishes, dates and Arabic coffee to visitors to the Saudi pavilions and programs organized by the Saudi Boys Scouts
Association (SBSA). On Wednesday, more than 28 million scouts around the world started celebrations marking the
founding of their movement 100 years ago by British army officer Robert Baden-Powell.."
[more]
Experts Call for GCC Stock Market [Aug 4]
"Financial analysts have called for a joint stock market for Gulf Cooperation Council member states according to a
report by Kuwaiti news agency KUNA. The move would consolidate efforts for an integrated economy between the six Gulf
countries and accommodate the huge liquidity traded on a daily basis, the report says. Analysts told the agency GCC
investors were becoming more aware of investment principles, and said officials should think seriously about absorbing
liquidity and re-investing in the region instead of allowing it to migrate to foreign markets where risks were higher.." [more]
Opec July Output Rose 445,000 Barrels [Aug 4]
"Crude-oil production in July by members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries rose 445,000 barrels a
day, led by gains in Iraq and Nigeria, a Bloomberg News survey showed. Output averaged 30.48mn barrels a day,
according to the survey of oil companies, producers and analysts. It was the biggest gain since January, when Angola
joined the producer group. Excluding Angola, it was the largest monthly rise since September 2004. 'More oil is more
oil so this will increase supply and is bearish for the market,' said Tim Evans, an energy analyst at Citigroup in New
York. 'The most dramatic increases were from Iraq and Nigeria, so they could be fleeting.'..
..Opec ministers are
scheduled to hold their next conference on September 11 in Vienna.." [more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Aug 3 ] ~~~~~~~~~
GE Wins EU Approval to Sell Plastics Unit to Saudi Company [Aug 3]
"General Electric won EU approval Friday to sell its Pittsfield-based plastics division to petrochemicals manufacturer
Saudi Basic Industries for about $11.6 billion. The European Commission found no antitrust problems with the
transaction, saying the companies’ product ranges were complementary - with Saudi Basic Industries Corp. focusing on
raw materials and GE Plastics specializing in refined engineering plastics. Regulators also looked at how the deal
might affect the supply chain but said neither was big enough as a supplier or a customer to shut off access to supply
or demand to rivals.. ..The deal is expected to create a net gain, after taxes, of $1.5 billion.."
[more]
Saudi Official Defends Nation's Role in Iraq [Aug 3]
"Reflecting simmering tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Bush administration, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister
yesterday publicly insisted his country was doing all it could to block militants from crossing the border into Iraq
as insurgents and said he was "astounded" at recent criticism of its efforts by a senior US official. The comments by
Saud al-Faisal, made at a news conference while flanked by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary
Robert M. Gates, came during their visit, which is aimed at pushing Saudi and other Sunni Arab allies to do more to
help the Shi'ite-dominated Iraqi government.." [more]
China Refinery Work Delay May Hit Saudi Oil Deal [Aug 3]
"Sinopec Group will delay the startup of a $1.2 billion refinery in east China by at least nine months, adding
uncertainties to a joint-venture and oil supply deal with Saudi Arabia, industry sources said.
Sinopec, parent of
Asia's top refiner Sinopec Corporation, aimed to start the 200,000bpd refinery in the coastal city of Qingdao around
September next year or later, they said, versus the firm's original target of the end of this year.. .. delay means
Aramco will have to readjust its supply plans into Asia, with China its main buyer in the region. Riyadh was expected
to take a 25pc stake in the Qingdao plant, its second China refinery deal, and supply up to 80pc of the plant's crude
requirement. "It's not certain now - the deal with the Saudis," said one source. The deferment is expected to put a
damper on China's hefty crude oil imports.." [more]
CUP Pays Damages to Saudi Sheikh [Aug 3]
"Cambridge University Press has been forced to pay compensation and pulp its 2006 title Alms for Jihad, which accused
a Saudi businessman of funding terrorism.. ..Sheikh Khalid Bin Mahfouz, a philanthropist and former director of Saudi
Arabia’s National Commercial Bank, began libel proceedings against CUP in April 2006 following the publication of J
Millard Burr and Robert O Collins’ Alms for Jihad.. ..Bin Mahfouz will donate the compensation money, which Taylor
said “was not a staggering amount”, to Unicef. The publisher is also destroying all 1,500 copies of the book.."
[more]
Construction Hit by Lack of Skilled Personnel [Aug 3]
"With a massive construction boom sweeping the Kingdom and other Gulf states, the construction industry in the region
is struggling to find skilled personnel in this sector, according to recent research released by
GulfTalent.com, the
leading online recruitment portal in the Middle East. The situation in the Kingdom’s case is further compounded by the
Labor Ministry’s restrictions on the recruitment of overseas manpower and also the transfer of sponsorship. As a
result, salaries of qualified and experienced engineers have shot up by 30-35 percent, while those of unskilled labor
are up by over 10 percent.." [more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Aug 2 ] ~~~~~~~~~
Saudi Support for U.S Middle East Peace Plans Raises Cautious Optimism [Aug 2]
"Saudi Arabia may soften its longstanding hostility towards Israel by participating in a U.S.-sponsored Middle East
peace conference that the Jewish state will also attend this fall.. ..However, the Saudi enthusiasm for such a summit
came with an important caveat. The sheikdom was only interested in such a meeting if it 'deals with the heart of the
peace process, the issues of peace, core issues, not one that is just a podium for meetings and talks that do not
enrich peace'.. ..If Saudi Arabia attends the peace summit, which may take place in New York sometime between
September and November, it would mark the first time that the keepers of Islam's holiest sites will have sat down
across a table from Israeli officials.." [more]
Condi's Saudi Arabian Visit Brings Little Accord on Iraq [Aug 2]
"Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates failed yesterday to bridge differences with
Saudi Arabia in a growing public dispute over allegations of Saudi support for insurgents in Iraq. Saudi Foreign
Minister Saud al-Faisal expressed astonishment at recent Bush administration charges that Saudi Arabia is providing
cash, equipment and manpower to Iraq's Sunni-led insurgency, and he rejected an appeal by Rice and Gates to publicly
back the Shiite-led government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. 'I think what is needed is action on the other
side. The trafficking of terrorists, I can assure you, is more of a concern for us from Iraq, and this is one of the
worries our government has,' al-Faisal said.." [more]
Saudi Prince Considers Private Equity Fund with Fosun [Aug 2]
"Billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal may join hands with China's largest conglomerate Fosun International
to establish a private equity fund, our source revealed. According to China Securities, Vice-chairman of Fosun Liang
Xinjun let on that this is in part the company's strategy to diversify and propel them into asset management. In
addition, Sarmad Zok, the top official of Prince Al-Waleed's Kingdom Hotels Investments
(KHI) said that KHI will
continue to invest in China. The latter had already established a representative office in Shanghai to further develop
the mainland's thriving industry. It will hold firm to their major agenda which was the China concept and are poised
to sink in US$1 billion for any potential viable investment.." [more]
Breaking Repression, Saudi Style [Aug 2]
"Using spray paint cans, they defaced public property, and complained that youths didn't have a voice in Saudi Arabia.
Dozens of young Saudis in the coastal city of Jeddah have challenged the authorities with street graffiti which has
highlighted a growing generation gap in one of the world's most socially conservative countries. Powerful clerics
still enforce a strict code of public morals in Saudi Arabia where more than 60 per cent of the population is under
21.. ..Jeddah gangs benefit from being from powerful families. Ordinary Saudis who dare to paint graffiti can pay a
heavy price. A teenager in the northern desert town of Hafr Al Baten was sentenced in February to 60 lashes of the
whip and fined 2,000 riyals for defacing walls in his school.." [more]
IEA Urges Opec Again to Increase Oil Production [Aug 2]
"The head of the International Energy Agency urged Opec yesterday to increase production after the price of crude hit
a new record. Oil prices are very high because they are reacting to the announcement of American stocks, which have
fallen a lot more than expected,' Claude Mandil, the head of the energy watchdog told
AFP. 'I hope that everyone will
draw the consequences,” he said, in reference to Opec, which has resisted previous IEA calls to pump more crude to
keep oil prices down. Mandil was speaking after the price of New York oil soared to a record high of $78.77 a barrel
yesterday.." [more]
Malaysia's SAAG Wins 169 Million Ringgit Contract in Saudi Arabia [Aug 2]
"Malaysia's oil and gas company SAAG Consolidated (M) Bhd said Thursday its subsidiary SAAG Oil And Gas Sdn Bhd has
won a contract to build a 172-kilometre sewer network in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia worth about 169 million
ringgit. The
company said it won the job from Al Harbi Trading & Contracting Co Ltd. 'The agreed execution period is 24 months and
12 months maintenance period after provisional handing over,'.." [more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Aug 1 ] ~~~~~~~~~
Saudi Arabia to Attend Peace Conference [Aug 1]
"Saudi Arabia will attend a Middle East peace conference proposed by President Bush for later this year, the Saudi
foreign minister said Wednesday.. .."When we get an invitation from the minister (Rice) to attend, when this takes
place, we will discuss it and we will make sure that we attend" the conference, al-Faisal said. Saudi Arabia has no
diplomatic relations with Israel and its presence at a peace conference with the Jewish state would be a diplomatic
breakthrough.." [more]
Saudi Arabia to Send Peace Envoy to Iraq [Aug 1]
"Saudi Arabia has pledged to consider beginning diplomatic relations with the
Shia-led government in Iraq. The US has
long sought to get its Sunni-dominated ally to co-operate with the Iraqi government but Riyadh has so far refused.
Prince Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, told Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, that he would
send an envoy to Iraq.. ..Prince Saud also said that Saudi Arabia supported and would attend a Middle East peace
conference proposed by George W Bush which would bring the key Muslim country to the same table as Israel.."
[more]
Republican Joins Opposition to Saudi Arms Deal [Aug 1]
"Opposition to a massive military sale to Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern allies from the United States picked
up more steam Tuesday, when a Republican House member joined leading Democrats to block the deal in proposed
legislation. Reps. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), Robert Wexler (D-Fla.) and Mike Ferguson
(R-N.J.) gathered with members of
the Democratic leadership as well as House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel
(D-N.Y.) at a Tuesday
press conference to condemn the deal. “Fundamentally, they have not been an ally of the United States,” said Weiner,
referring to Saudi Arabia. Weiner and others are hoping to attract more support for their position by reaching across
the aisle.." [more]
Family Vows to Fight Acquittal of Commission Members [Aug 1]
"The lawyer of the family that saw members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice
acquitted on Monday in the death of a Saudi national said they will appeal the decision of the judges in the case..
..The three judges presiding over the case ruled that the three commission members and a security guard were not
guilty of any wrongdoing in the death of Ahmed Al-Bulawi (no relation to the lawyer), a 50-year-old Saudi man who
collapsed and died in early June after being detained at a commission center in
Tabuk. Sources told Arab News that
judges at the court in Tabuk relied on an official medical autopsy report that stated that the man died from natural
causes.. ..The attorney said he believed the trial was conducted in an unjust way, as the three judges did not question the commission members regarding their actions in arresting the deceased.."
[more]
Saudi Electricity Ratings Outlook Raised to Positive From Stable [Aug 1]
"Fitch Ratings said it has changed the outlook on Saudi Electricity Company's (SEC) 'A+' long-term issuer default
rating to positive from stable. The upgrade follows the change in the outlook of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's
(KSA) 'A+' long-term IDR to positive from stable, Fitch said. The agency said SEC's ratings are aligned with those of the
KSA due to the government's strong tangible and intangible support for SEC. Fitch said SEC is the incumbent vertically
integrated electricity utility in the KSA and has affirmed its senior unsecured debt class rating at 'A+'.."
[more]
Soaring Food and Housing Prices Spur Saudi Inflation [Aug 1]
"Inflation in Saudi Arabia rose to a five-month high of 3.1 per cent in June as food and housing costs climbed,
official data showed yesterday. The cost of living index rose to 104.4 points in June, up 0.2pc compared with May, the
Central Department of Statistics said, without giving a comparative figure for June last year. The index was at 101.3
points in June last year, according to data posted on the website of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (Sama). The
department said the rise in June in inflation stemmed mainly from food products and rent prices. Inflation has been
gaining this year as windfall oil revenues boosted Saudi Arabia's economy, increasing demand for housing.."
[more]
Municipal Councilors to Have Role of Observers Only [Aug 1]
"Municipal councilors who won the 2005 elections that were held Kingdom wide
will only play the role of observers in collecting information from their constituencies and reporting back to their respective municipal councils, according
to the legislative framework that is currently in the works. “They will not be able to do anything to redress the
grievances of citizens who elected them from their constituencies,” Turki Faisal
Al-Rasheed, founder and CEO of the
website www.saudielection.com, told Arab News. In other words, they will not be able to deliver on their manifesto presented to the electorate in 2005.." [more]
Giant Prehistoric Gardens for Saudi Desert [Aug 1]
"Barton Willmore, a leading British architecture and planning practice; and civil engineers, Buro
Happold, have been
commissioned to create a futuristic Eden Project style oasis called The King Abdullah International Gardens in the
deserts of Saudi Arabia.The project, which draws on expertise from the Natural History Museum, will see the creation
of the single largest temperature-controlled garden in the world, dwarfing the giant bubbles of Cornwall’s Eden
project. It will incorporate cutting-edge techniques in power generation and water conservation designed to ensure the project is sustainable with minimal environmental impact. But most ambitious of all, the Barton Willmore and Buro
Happold teams aim to give visitors an experience in botanical time travel by re-creating a series of landscapes
showing how the planet and its plant life has changed over time.." [more]
Oil Flirts With Record Highs [Aug 1]
"Oil prices pushed toward record levels yesterday and hit an all-time closing high in New York as traders bet on
declines in US energy reserves that could further strain supplies. New York’s main futures contract, light sweet crude
for delivery in September, ended at $78.21, its highest close ever and up $1.31 from Monday. The price rose as high as
$78.24, just shy of its all-time record of 78.40 hit July on 13, 2006.. ..Traders were on tenterhooks ahead of today’s
crucial weekly inventories report from the US Department of Energy, which is widely expected to flag another decline
in American crude reserves.." [more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Jul 31 ] ~~~~~~~~~
Iran Attacks US Plans for Saudi Arms Deal [Jul 31]
"Iran on Monday accused the United States of seeking to create fear and cause divisions in the Middle East after
reports that it was preparing a major package of arms sales to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. A US defence
official said in Washington on Saturday the package could be worth some $20 billion over the next 10 years. The United
States is striving to assure Gulf allies, worried by the growing strength of Shi'ite Muslim Iran and war in Iraq, that
it is committed to the region and will stand by them, with arms sales part of that process.."
[more]
King Abdullah Highlights Close Relations With Pakistan [Jul 31]
"In his address to the weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers yesterday, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King
Abdullah welcomed Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s recent visit to the Kingdom. 'The two countries have
close ties of religion, friendship and cooperation. We also share the same view of the political movements in Muslim
countries and the need to distinguish between the extremist movements that raise the slogan of Islam to hide their
deviant view of Shariah and between the forces that tread the path of Shariah acceptable to people and within the
framework of Islam.'.." [more]
Saudi Arabia Urged to Review Decision to Execute Sri Lankan Housemaid [Jul 31]
"A human rights group has urged Saudi Arabia to reconsider the death sentence given to a Sri Lankan maid accused of
killing a baby in her care, saying she was a minor at the time and cannot be executed under international law. Last
month, a Saudi court sentenced Rizana Nafeek, 19, to be beheaded for killing the infant two years ago. She has
appealed the conviction, which human rights groups say was based on a coerced confession. New York-based Human Rights
Watch, in a statement issued Monday, urged the appeals court to consider evidence that Nafeek was 17 at the time of
the incident, review her access to lawyers and translators during her interrogation and trial and examine the
conditions under which she made a confession.." [more]
Saudi Arabia Intensifies Reform Efforts to Improve Competitiveness [Jul 31]
"In its latest brief on economic and financial developments in Saudi Arabia, National Bank of Kuwait
(NBK) examined
the Kingdom’s investment programs and policies aimed at expanding production capacity across the oil and gas sectors,
and diversifying the economy by improving competitiveness and developing new industries. Central to these efforts are
a host of economic reform measures and investor friendly regulations. Over the short-term, the success of such efforts
may not be too obvious in light of the rise in oil prices by more than twofold since 2002 and unremitting growth in
oil production that raised oil’s contribution to the economy dramatically.."
[more]
Saudi Aramco to Invite Bids for US$10 Billion Manifa Oil Field [Jul 31]
"The Saudi oil company Aramco is expected to invite companies in August to help develop Manifa oil field, with a
potential production of 900,000 barrels of oil a day, sources familiar with the company's plans said earlier this
week. Aramco, the world's largest oil supplier, plans to invite prequalified companies to bid for an estimated US$3
billion (euro2 billion) worth of contracts on the company's largest-ever offshore project. The estimated US$10-billion
(euro7 billion) Manifa development program aims to add 900,000 barrels a day of heavy crude, 120 million cubic feet a
day of gas and 50,000 barrels a day of condensate to Aramco's production by mid-2011.."
[more]
Iran Imperative Spurs US Aid Move [Jul 31]
"In the Middle East, today's preoccupations can sometimes overcome yesterday's enmities. And when the preoccupation is
a nuclear-armed Iran, this can have surprising results. Hence we have the spectacle of an Israeli prime minister
saying he "understands" Washington's desire to sell state of the art weaponry to Saudi Arabia.. ..Israel, which is
traditionally wary of arms sales to its Arab neighbours, has welcomed Washington's $13bn (£7.5bn) package of high-tech
support for Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states.." [more]
Inflation Hits 3.1% in Saudi [Jul 31]
"Inflation in Saudi Arabia rose to 3.1% in June from 2.96% in May, according to figures from the Central Department of
Statistics. The department said the cost of living index reached 104.4 points in June. It gave no comparative figures
for the month of June 2006. According to the central bank's website, the index reached 101.3 points in June 2006. It
is the third consecutive month inflation has risen in the kingdom, after dropping in March for the first time in nine
months. Central bank governor Hamad Saud al-Sayyari has linked inflation to factors such as state spending and
property prices. Saudi Arabia is one of five Gulf states that has its currency linked to the US dollar, the value of
which has plummeted against other major global currencies.." [more]
Banking, Telecom Stocks Drag TASI Down [Jul 31]
"The Saudi stock market fell as shares of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), which made its debut on the Tadawul on
Sunday, dropped yesterday. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) declined by over one percent or 87.11 points to close at
7,506.45 yesterday. KHC shares declined 4.08 percent to SR11.75 on their second day of trading. Its shares rose 19.51
percent on first day. The banking sector suffered badly as shares of 9 banks edged lower while the only gainer was
Saudi Hollandi bank as its shares rose 1.78 percent to SR43 yesterday. Shares of Saudi Telecom Co.
(STC) and Etihad
Etisalat also suffered heavy blows. STC shares dropped 1.89 percent to SR65 and Etihad Etisalat shares dived 3.19 percent to SR60.75.." [more]
Oil Up Slightly
"Benchmark oil prices inched upward Tuesday as market participants eyed the midweek release of U.S. government data
expected to show domestic refinery utilization rose for the sixth straight week. Along with expectations of increased
crude needs by refineries, renewed unrest in southern Nigeria accounted for the upward trend. Reports that gunmen
abducted a Pakistani construction worker refocused concerns about the country.. ..Investors are also closely watching
OPEC, whose officials have been giving mixed signals about whether the cartel will decide during a September meeting to boost production. Some officials of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries have recently suggested oil
is priced too high, and others have stated that there is no reason to boost production.."
[more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Jul 30 ] ~~~~~~~~~
Iran Attacks U.S. Plans for Saudi Arms Deal [Jul 30]
"Iran's Foreign Ministry accused the United States on Monday of seeking to create fear and divisions in the Middle
East after reports Washington was readying major arms sales to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.A U.S. defense official said in Washington on Saturday the package could be worth some $20 billion over the next 10
years. Washington is striving to assure its Gulf allies concerned by the growing strength of Shi'ite Muslim Iran and
the war in Iraq that it is committed to the region and will stand by them, with arms sales being part of that process,
U.S. officials say. Iranian defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said the United States was trying to 'create a
fake arms race in order to make their big arms companies survive'.." [more]
US: Saudi Arabia Destabilizing Iraq [Jul 30]
"The US ambassador to the United Nations has accused Saudi Arabia and other US allies in the Middle East of
undermining efforts to curb violence in Iraq. Zalmay Khalilzad's comments, during a CNN interview on Sunday, follow
reports that the US is set to announce the proposed sale of $20bn in weapons to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
Khalilzad said he was also referring to Saudi Arabia when he wrote in an opinion piece in the New York Times last week
that 'several of Iraq's neighbours - not only Syria and Iran but also some friends of the US - are pursuing
destabilising policies'.." [more]
Religious Police: Saudi Readers' Views [Jul 30]
"Saudi Arabia has recently imposed curbs on its religious police, after rare public criticism of the force's conduct.
The religious police enforce the country's strict moral codes. BBCArabic.com contacted three readers in Saudi Arabia
for their views.. ..Such abuse of authority by the religious police - which affects nearly every Saudi citizen - made
me believe that the religious police should be disbanded. I think the role of the religious police should be confined
to religious guidance and orientation, with no powers of enforcement.."
[more]
Saudi Arabia Leads Middle East Retail Boom [Jul 30]
"Saudi Arabia, its annual summer shopping frenzy in full swing with an incredible 55 million shoppers spending more
than US$4 billion in the 12 week summer period, is the highlight of a regional retail boom filling checkouts and
bringing smiles to retailers’ faces across the Middle East. With new, ever larger retail developments in Riyadh,
Dubai, Jeddah and elsewhere opening on a regular basis, the Middle East is the fastest growing global retail market, a
fact confirmed by new research undertaken by leading Middle East retail software supplier LOGO Business Solutions.
“The Middle East is in the midst of a retail boom. Consumer love foreign brands.."
[more]
Saudi Team Blasts Final Foe, Heads to Williamsport Again [Jul 30]
"Ryan Al-Bawab stroked a three-run home run in the first inning Sunday, and Andrew Issa followed one batter later with
a two-run shot that propelled Saudi Arabia to a 7-1 victory over England champion London in the championship game of
Little League Baseball’s Transatlantic Regional.. ..Saudi, which as usual cruised through this regional undefeated,
made the International semifinals last year at Williamsport. But Saudi manager John Fitzmaurice said his squad will be
hard-pressed to duplicate that success this time. 'Williamsport is a whole different level,” he said. “Last year, we
had seven returnees. This year, we have one. We’re very young.'.." [more]
Rice's Mideast Visit Just Lip Service [Jul 30]
"Israel's former ambassador to Germany on Monday said that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit to the
Middle East is nothing more than lip service. Rice is expected to arrive in the Middle East to rally support for Iraq.
She is due to meet ministers of the Gulf Cooperation council and other officials in Egypt on Tuesday.. .."I have my
doubts about whether she will have the power of the president behind her to actually force a particular direction
because this new peace process needs to be forced," he said. Primor said that Bush's peace plan for Palestinians to
fight terrorism and for Israel to leave its settlements is 'a bit of a repetition'.."
[more]
Ranks of Saudi Scouts Swelling [Jul 30]
"One hundred and fifty Saudi scouts from across the Kingdom are currently participating in the 21st World Scout
Jamboree, which is being held in the United Kingdom. Over 155 countries are participating in the event to celebrate
the centenary of the scouting movement. The World Scout Jamboree began on July 27 and will conclude on Aug. 8..
..Speaking about the general situation of Saudi scouts, Abdullah Al-Fahad, secretary-general of the Saudi Boy Scouts
Association (SBSA) and deputy-president of the Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, said their numbers
are swelling due to support from families, schools, universities and sports clubs.."
[more]
Indian Body Seeks to Establish College in Kingdom [Jul 30]
"The Muslim Educational Society (MES), a leading Indian organization that runs 15 arts, science and professional
colleges in Kerala and other Indian states, is planning to set up an engineering college in the Kingdom.. ..The MES
president said preliminary discussions in Jeddah revealed a depth of interest among Indian expatriates, who would like
their children to pursue higher education in the Kingdom. He added that, tentatively, an engineering college could be
the MES’ maiden launch in the Kingdom, since India annually needs 500,000 engineers for its diverse and growing
economy.." [more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Jul 29 ] ~~~~~~~~~
Israel Says U.S. Aid to Saudi Military is Understandable [Jul 29]
"In a break from historic Israeli opposition to U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said
Sunday his country understands Washington's plan to supply state-of-the-art weapons to Riyadh as a counterweight to
Iranian influence. He said that alongside the arms deal, the U.S. is offering a sharp increase in defense aid to
Israel, assuring the Jewish state it will retain a fighting edge over its neighbors. 'We understand the need of the
United States to support the Arab moderate states and there is a need for a united front between the U.S. and us
regarding Iran,'.." [more]
Saudi King, Pakistani President Hold Talks [Jul 29]
"Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah held talks with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Saturday in the kingdom. Official
media in Saudi Arabia reported that the two met at a palace in Jeddah. News media say the leaders and their
delegations discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two nations. According to reports, King Abdullah also
held a lunch party for General Musharraf and his delegation.." [more]
Suzuki Saudia Reports 157% Sales Growth [Jul 29]
"Suzuki Saudia, the sole distributor of Suzuki vehicles in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and part of Bamarouf Group, has
recently announced a 157% growth in sales for its Alto automotive model during the first five months of 2007, compared
to the same period last year. The increase has been attributed to successful marketing strategies designed to tap into
niche market segments such as fast food companies, Suzuki suppliers and government agencies, which together accounted
for 73% of the Alto sales.." [more]
Inspired Iraq Claims Asian Cup Crown [Jul 29]
"Iraq delivered an inspirational victory Sunday by winning the Asian Cup with a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, a
beacon of hope for a nation divided by war. It was an extraordinary triumph for a team drawn together from all parts
of the Gulf and with its players straddling bitter and violent ethnic divides.. ..The jubilation over the team known
as the "Lions of the Two Rivers" gave Iraqis a rare respite from the daily violence. The victorious run sent men of
all ages cheering and dancing in Baghdad.." [more]
Saudi, Kuwait Markets End Down; Analysts See Bull Run [Jul 29]
"Markets in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the region’s biggest bourses, closed in the negative territory yesterday, but
analysts forecast a bull run ahead as the markets gather steam from a strong earnings season. Riyadh’s Tadawul All
Share Index lost 1.1% to close at 7548.75 as investors booked gains or held their cash ahead of Kingdom Holding
shares’ market debut today. “Most investors are awaiting the Kingdom shares to list. It should give the market a
boost,” said Rashid Al Fowzan, a Saudi market analyst. The 5% initial share sale of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s
Kingdom Holding raised 8.5bn riyals and was subscribed 2.6 times.." [more]
There is no Jihad, We Are Just Instruments of Death [Jul 29]
"The last time Ahmad Al Shayea was in the news, he was in the hospital at the Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad, being
treated for severe burns from the truck bomb he had driven into the Iraqi capital on Christmas Day 2004. Today, he
says, he has changed his mind about waging jihad, or holy war, and wants other young Muslims to know it.. ..At 22, the
new Ahmad Al Shayea is the product of a concerted Saudi government effort to counter the ideology that nurtured the
9/11 hijackers and that has lured Saudis in droves to the Iraq insurgency. The deprogramming, similar to efforts
carried out in Egypt and Yemen, is built on reason, enticements and lengthy talks with psychiatrists, Muslim clerics and sociologists.." [more]
No Clemency From Family in Rizana Case [Jul 29]
"A top level Sri Lankan delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Bhaila leaves the Kingdom today after
meeting with several Saudi officials to seek clemency for a young Sri Lankan woman who was found guilty of murdering
an infant child, opening the way for her to be publicly beheaded.. ..Now the question of whether Nafeek will be
publicly beheaded for murder is in the hands of a three-judge panel in
Al-Dawadmi. Around 550,000 Sri Lankans live and
work in Saudi Arabia, many of them as domestic helpers or drivers.." [more]
Saudization Bankrupts Taxi Companies [Jul 29]
"Demands by the Ministry of Transportation to completely Saudize the taxi industry have caused many taxi companies to
become bankrupt and have threatened the well-being of others. 'The decision to 100 percent Saudize the taxi sector,
which pays drivers a salary of SR2,000, was made without comprehending the outcome. A lot of companies have become
bankrupt because of this regulation,' said Abdul Hadi Al-Qahtani, head of the General Taxi Committee.. ..So far only
six Saudis have applied to work for taxi companies with the Labor Office providing another 28 Saudis. 'That number of
applicants is not enough to completely Saudize the taxi sector'.. ..Al-Qahtani believes that the percentage of
Saudization in the taxi industry needs to be eased.." [more]
Lack of Expertise Drives Women Out of Business [Jul 29]
"Even when equipped with money, motivation and feasibility studies, no one can start a business and expect immediate
dividends, or even long-term success. For Saudi women, who are faced with unique (and not so unique) challenges
related to workingwomen, starting a business can feel lot like entering uncharted waters without a compass or a map.
Some women interviewed recently by Al-Eqtisadiah daily discussed the challenges of women entrepreneurs..
..Rowaida Al-Ibrahim, a professor of business management at King Saud University, said women would be faced with a learning
curve in Saudi society for the time being as they slowly enter the workforce. Because of the relatively low amount of opportunity to be employed in workplaces, many Saudi women are taking the self-employment route, but, according to
Al-Ibrahim, they aren’t prepared for what it takes to start a business, such as doing a lot of feasibility research
beforehand.." [more]
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