Saudi-US Relations Information Service

Keeping Track - Recently on SUSRIS










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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Women Work Force Key to Kingdom’s Advancement [Jan 17]
"The lack of employed women in the Saudi labor force creates an imbalance in which only thirty percent of the population provide financial support to the great majority, said chairman Saleh Al-Turki of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) yesterday. 'Even in a country like South Africa, women’s participation in the job market is higher than any other country in the Middle East,' he said. 'In order to achieve competitiveness of economy, we need a highly qualified labor force to increase productivity and therefore increase the general income of the country,' Al-Turki said during a presentation at the JCCI on the importance of working women in Islamic history. He noted that to be able to achieve economic competitiveness, employment should be based on qualifications and not on gender.." [more]

Lower Inflation: Saudi Arabia [Jan 17]
"Saudi economists have stated inflation is set to lessen in the second half of this year despite continued price increases for rent and essential food products. Economists in the kingdom have said they believe a reduction in global inflationary pressures and domestic supply bottlenecks will ease the problem in the latter half of 2008. Record levels of price increases have caused concern among the government and public alike. Inflation reached 4.4% by the end of 2007, up from 2.2% the previous year. Some larger cities have endured levels as high as 6%.. ..according to the ministry of commerce and industry, prices of food products - a prime indicator of inflation, particularly for middle income families - could go up by a further 20% to 30% this year due to a worldwide shortage.." [more]

Lotus Engineering To Help Saudi Arabia Rev Up Its Nascent Auto Industry [Jan 17]
"All eyes may have been on the Motor City this week, but Lotus Engineering has turned its firepower in another direction: toward Saudi Arabia. Lotus Engineering on Wednesday announced that it has entered into a joint cooperation program with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) "with the intention to promote the establishment of an ecologically driven automotive technology capability in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." In other words, Saudi Arabia apparently has ambitious plans to develop a Middle Eastern version of Detroit.." [more]

U.S. Lawmakers Try to Stop Boeing Sale to Saudis [Jan 16]
" U.S. lawmakers announced legislation on Tuesday to block a planned sale of Boeing Co bomb-guidance kits to Saudi Arabia and said they would urge the chairman of a key House panel to allow a vote. Calling the Bush administration's plans to sell the sophisticated weaponry to Saudi Arabia 'folly,' Democratic Representatives Anthony Weiner and Robert Wexler said Riyadh had been more of an enemy than an ally in the war on terror. They have 51 co-sponsors in the 431-member House for their resolution to block the $123 million transaction. But they acknowledged they faced an uphill battle, because the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Tom Lantos, has said he has no plans to schedule such a resolution for a vote, bottling it up in the committee.." [more]

Saudi Arabia, US Reiterate Support for Arab Peace Plan in Lebanon [Jan 16]
"Saudi Arabia and the United States have reiterated their support for the Arab League peace plan for Lebanon and called for electing the candidate with the national consensus. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and his US counterpart Condoleezza Rice condemned, in a joint press conference Tuesday, the blast which occurred in Beirut and targeted a US embassy vehicle driving along the northern seaside highway out of Beirut. He said that the incident will have no effect on the Arab peace plan for Lebanon. For her part, Rice underlined the common denominators between the Saudi and US visions for peace in the area. She called for 'letting the Lebanese elect their president because the situation in Lebanon requires a president to be there.'.." [more]

Saudi Dec Inflation Hits 6.5 Pct as Rate Cuts Loom [Jan 16]
"Saudi inflation hit 6.5 percent in December, its highest level in at least 12 years, leaving the world's top oil-exporter with negative interest rates as its central bank faces the prospect of matching more U.S. rate cuts. Inflation in the largest Arab economy, which has been rising since May, accelerated from 6 percent year-on-year in November when rents surged more than 15 percent, data provided by the Central Department of Statistics showed on Wednesday. The cost of living index was 110.2 points on Dec. 31 compared with 103.5 points a year earlier, an official at the Ministry of Economy and Planning said, declining to be identified. He would not give details. The central bank is constrained in the fight against inflation by the riyal currency's peg to the dollar, which forces it to track U.S. monetary policy at a time when the U.S. Federal Reserve is cutting interest rates.." [more]

Saudi Landbridge Contract to be Awarded by March 2008 [Jan 16]
"The Saudi Railways Organization (SRO) is expected to award the estimated US $5 billion BOT contract for the Landbridge project within the next two months according to one of the bidding consortia. Bids for the project are currently under evaluation. Four bidders that were pre-qualified to participate in the tender for the Saudi Landbridge Project have submitted their bids.. ..It will have the capability to move large quantities of cargo over long distances at competitive rates and will offer safe and comfortable overland passenger transport. The Landbridge will connect the port cities of Jeddah, Dammam and Jubail and will pass through the capital city Riyadh, serving its dry port.." [more]

Oil Output Hike Only If Justified – Naimi [Jan 16]
"Saudi Arabia will increase crude output if such a rise is justified, Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi said Tuesday, a day after visiting US President George W. Bush said on arrival here that high oil prices were hurting the US economy. 'We will raise production when the market justifies it, this is our policy," Al-Naimi said at a press conference. "OPEC in its forthcoming meeting will of course look at all the available data such as the projected demand, the supply available and particularly the world inventory levels and decide accordingly,' Naimi said. OPEC is due to meet in February under pressure to calm prices after shrugging off calls to increase output at its last meeting in December.." [more]

Kingdom Represents 65% of GCC Pharmaceutical Market [Jan 16]
"Saudi represents 65 percent of the $2.7 billion GCC pharmaceutical market, Pharma World Holdings — the first 3PL provider within the GCC — said yesterday. Of the $1.7 billion Saudi market, therapeutic classes make up 80 percent, with systematic hormones making up $291 million, Alimentary T & metabolism represent $260 million, respiratory system comprises $162 million, G.U. system & sex hormones make up $145 million, nervous system covers $128 million, cardio system makes up $121 million and musculo-skeletal system constitutes $111 million, Pharma World said in a statement.." [more]

President Bush Presents Major Arms Sale To Saudi Arabia [Jan 15]
"US President George Bush, on his first visit to Saudi Arabia, presented a major arms sale Monday to the Saudi monarch as part of the US strategy to bolster the defenses of oil-producing Gulf nations against threats from Iran. Bush's talks with Saudi King Abdullah at his palace in Riyadh over dinner, were continuing until late on Monday, and are expected to cover peace between Israelis and Palestinians, democracy in the Middle East and rising crude oil prices. Saudi Arabia accounts for almost one-third of OPEC's total output.. ..Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states with majority Sunni Muslim populations, have deep concerns about growing military ambitions of neighboring Shiite Iran and its apparent designs to establish itself as a major power in the Middle East.." [more]

Bush Pushes Saudis for Help With Rising Oil Prices [Jan 15]
"President Bush used his visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to push for increased oil production to help the U.S. economy by forcing fuel costs down. Oil prices have peaked at $100 a barrel and are hovering just below triple digits, adding to fears that historically high fuel prices could help push the U.S. economy into recession.. ..King Abdullah huddled with Bush on Monday night, and the two leaders were to meet again Tuesday. 'We've got a lot of things to talk about, but I want to assure you it's in the spirit of friendship,' Bush said. The president also was expected to attend a "Roundtable with Saudi Entrepreneurs" hosted at the U.S. Embassy.." [more]

This Is Not the Time for Provocation: Saud [Jan 15]
"Saudi Arabia yesterday expressed its reservations about what it termed 'provocative' statements by US President George W. Bush on Iran during his current Gulf tour. 'I am talking about Saudi Arabia’s point of view. This is not the time for any provocation in the region,' said Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal while replying to a question about statements made by Bush in various Gulf countries regarding Iran. Bush, who arrived in the Kingdom yesterday after visiting a number of Gulf countries, described Iran as a global threat. Prince Saud said: 'We hope that Iran will comply with the demands of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). These are our wishes but things are not in our hands.'.." [more]

Saudi Prince Alwaleed Confirms Added Citigroup Investment [Jan 15]
"Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, a longtime Citigroup Inc. (C) shareholder, confirmed his participation in Citigroup's $12.5 billion private placement and public offering of preferred shares. The size of Prince Alwaleed's investment is in line with maintaining direct and indirect interest below the 4.9% ownership threshold, according to a release from his private office. This is the second time Prince Alwaleed has contributed capital to strengthen Citigroup's balance sheet, after pumping $590 illion into what was then known as Citicorp in 1991. Currently, Kingdom Holding, which is 95%-owned by Prince Alwaleed, owns a 3.6% stake in Citigroup.." [more]

Naimi Says OPEC Will Raise Output When Required [Jan 15]
"Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said OPEC will take crude-oil stockpiles in consuming countries into account when making its next output decision and will raise production if required. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries 'will raise production when the market justifies it'.. ..Saudi Arabia has held back about 2 million barrels a day of oil that could be supplied to the market if needed, Naimi said. Crude oil futures traded near $94 a barrel as analysts forecast that crude inventories rose in the U.S. for the first time in nine weeks. Oil has fallen about 6 percent from its record of $100.09 a barrel on Jan. 3.." [more]

Apostolic Vicar to Saudi Arabia on Religious Freedom [Jan 15]
"On Monday Pope Benedict XVI received a first delegation in private audience here at the Vatican. Among them Bishop Paul Hinder, Apostolic Vicar to the Gulf Nations including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Bishop Hinder spoke about the challenges facing the Church in the region and the historic 2007 meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and of King Abdallah: 'I think King Abdullah’s visit to the Pope was a very very strong sign also, for the country itself, it was reported in national press, which wouldn’t have happened without agreement from top levels that the general public could be shown pictures of the Pope with the cross. These are signs which show a certain will, or intention to greater 'opening'. Now of course we, especially Europeans, we have a tendency to expect fruits immediately, I don’t think that’s the right way to approach the Arabian world and especially not Saudi Arabia, where we have to do with a very complex situation where it takes time and patience. There might be two steps forward and in certain situations there might also be a step backwards.." [more]

Return to Reason, Mr. President [Jan 15]
"..it is important that America portrays itself as the country that it really is — one that lives up to its Jeffersonian and Lincolnian principles. As for the Palestinians, set them free and prevail upon your friends and the Israeli lobby that Israel has no choice but to withdraw from the West Bank and Gaza — not to indulge the Palestinians but to save itself . The solution to the Palestine problem will go a long way to bring peace. The world is changing; America is changing. The Palestinians want freedom and they should get it. America can play a great role. We in the Gulf want to progress and, here too, a US role is important — not by intolerable military assault but by economic and diplomatic means. Mr. Bush, the time has come for you and America to play a historic role in letting down the curtain so a new act can follow, that can bring peace and prosperity for all.." [more]

Bush Arrives in Saudi Arabia [Jan 14]
"US President George W. Bush arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday on the latest leg of a regional tour aimed at fostering Middle East peace and isolating Iran. Bush, on his first visit to Saudi Arabia as president, was greeted on arrival by King Abdullah. The two leaders embraced before their national anthems were played and then reviewed the troops. The president aims to rally support from the regional powerhouse for his campaign to isolate archfoe Iran and for his target of an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal by the January 2009 end of his term in office. During a visit of less than 48 hours, Bush and Abdullah were to dine and then hold talks at the Riyadh palace which also serves as the king's personal residence.." ]more]

Bush Seen Facing Difficult Talks During Riyadh Visit [Jan 14]
"Saudi King Abdullah hosts US President George W Bush at his ranch outside Riyadh today, but despite the intimacy of the setting the two allies face “difficult talks” on Iran and the Middle East conflict, analysts and diplomats say. Saudi officials have expressed alarm at the mounting war of words between Washington and Tehran and pointedly called for restraint on both sides when a naval confrontation at the entrance to the Gulf sparked a new flare-up earlier this month. The king is also set to rebuff Bush’s call – issued in Israel on the first leg of his week-long Middle East tour – for Arab nations to 'reach out' to the Jewish state.. ..Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal set the tone on Wednesday when he said that the kingdom wants to maintain peaceful ties with Iran, despite the new tensions between Washington and Tehran.." [more]

France's Sarkozy Offers Saudi Arabia Nuclear Help [Jan 14]
"French President Nicolas Sarkozy has offered Saudi Arabia help in developing peaceful nuclear energy at the start of a Gulf tour he hopes will secure billions of dollars in contracts for French firms.. ..Sarkozy, who has already signed civilian nuclear deals with Arab oil producers Algeria and Libya, has made no secret of his view that all states have a right to atomic power. 'I have often said that the Muslim world does not have less right than the rest of the world to use civilian nuclear power to meet its energy needs in full conformity with the obligations that derive from international law,'.. ..The Gulf Cooperation Council -- a loose economic and political alliance of six Gulf Arab states including the UAE -- said last year it was studying a joint nuclear energy programme and has been in touch with the U.N. atomic energy watchdog about cooperating over such a scheme.." [more]

Pursuing Happiness Behind the Veil [Jan 14]
"To be the American wife of a Saudi is to forsake familiar freedoms — or enjoy them secretly — in exchange for a secure, family-centered life.. ..For American women married to Saudi men, such is life in this exotic, repressive and often beguiling society where tribal customs and religious fervor rub against oil wealth and the tinted-glass skyscrapers that rise Oz-like in the blurry desert heat. This is not a land of the 1st Amendment and voting rights.. ..Many American women, including those who converted before they arrived, have embraced the Koran; for others, the adoption of Islam is a pantomime act, the disguise of a second self to hold them over until they peel off their head scarves and travel to the U.S. for summer vacations. For both kinds of women, it is a life of sacrifices and measured victories.." [more]

OPEC Would Raise Oil Supply if Needed [Jan 14]
"OPEC will raise oil output if needed at meetings on Feb. 1 and March 5, but supply is enough for now and speculation is the biggest factor driving prices, OPEC's secretary-general said on Monday. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has blamed reasons beyond its control, such as speculation and political tension, for a surge in oil prices that hit $100 a barrel for the first time earlier this month. 'We are sure there is enough supply in the market,' OPEC Secretary-General Abdullah al-Badri said in an interview at the group's Vienna headquarters. 'The ministers would not be hesitant to increase production if the market is in need of more oil,' he said, adding none of the OPEC member states would like to see a slowdown in the world economy.." [more]

Saudi Arabia, EU Near Accord to Curb Fake Products [Jan 14]
"Saudi Arabia and the European Union are holding talks on protecting their products in both markets. 'The talks are in the final stages,' Dimitrios Michas, Greek counsellor for economic and commercial affairs in Jeddah was quoted as saying by Arab News during the latter’s stay at the Greek island as a guest. He said the agreement would protect several important Saudi and European products in both markets. 'After this accord, we’ll not allow the circulation of fake Madinah dates in European markets.'.. ..The move to sign the new accord comes at a time when GCC and EU officials are putting final touches on a long-awaited free trade agreement, which is expected to boost trade between the two. At present GCC countries import products worth 47.4 billion euros from Europe, accounting for one third of the total imports. The GCC represents EU’s fifth largest trading partner.." [more]

246 Saudis Slipped Into Iraq in 2 Years [Jan 14]
" Data seized by US forces in Iraq reveal that 246 of 600 foreign militants smuggled into the country for so-called jihadist operation over the past two years were from Saudi Arabia, the Arabic daily Al-Hayat reported. The militants were reportedly smuggled across the Syrian border to join insurgents in Iraq fighting to establish the so-called 'Islamic state of Iraq.' The report said most of the volunteers were recruited from their home countries through contacts in mosques and universities or at the workplace. Some were reportedly recruited in Makkah during the Haj or via the Internet. The paper attributed the information to forms confiscated by the US army some time ago during military raids on militant sites in Iraq. The forms contained the full names of the recruits, telephone numbers of their relatives and friends who enlisted them, names of the persons in Syria who received them on arrival, and the names of those who helped smuggle them into Iraq.." [more]

Saudi to Keep Crude Sales to Asia Full for Feb [Jan 14]
"Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia will supply full contracted volumes of crude to Asia for February, steady to January levels as expected, three lifters said on Monday. 'We got no cut on our February Saudi grade liftings. We got the volume we nominated,' a lifter said, adding that there would be no additional volumes. Three lifters said they had yet to receive an official notification of full volumes.." [more]

Imminent Accession of Yemen as Seventh State in GCC [Jan 14]
"Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdul-Rahman al-Attiyah pointed to the imminent accession of Yemen as a seventh state in GCC. The Saudi al-Jazeera daily quoted al-Attiyah as saying that the Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul-Azizi's initiative to the GCC leaders to accept Yemen's accession in the Gulf council was approved by all the leaders.." [more]

How The Arab Press Sees Bush Trip [Jan 13]
"The President of the United States arrives in the Middle East saying he's trying to make peace one more time. At home, in a week of big political news, the story fights for airtime. But in the Middle East, on the growing galaxy of state and independent television channels, it was 'all Bush, all the time.' And, depending what you were watching, you could have been forgiven for wondering if what you were seeing was the same event. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is news.. ..Hisham Melhem works in the new growing world Arab media. 'The media landscape has changed radically in a revolutionary way,' he said. 'Today we have more than 250 satellite television stations, we have 19 new radio stations in the last few years. We have a different media reality that is taking shape in the Arab world, and the powers-that-be cannot ignore it'.." [more]

Sarkozy Begins Gulf Tour in Saudi Arabia [Jan 13]
"French President Nicolas Sarkozy flew in to Saudi Arabia on Sunday at the launch of a three-nation Gulf Arab tour, ready to share France's expertise in nuclear technology. He landed in Saudi Arabia as US President George W. Bush tours the region to rally support for his policy of isolating Iran over its controversial nuclear activities. Sarkozy is on his first trip to the region since taking office in May and will visit three energy-rich Gulf states.. ..Sarkozy described Saudi Arabia as a key ally of France and a 'pole of moderation and stability' in a troubled region. The aim of the visit to 'is to give a new dimension to our strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia,'.." [more]

Bush to Unveil $20bn Saudi Arms Deal [Jan 13]
"The Bush administration is set to announce a $20 billion advanced weaponry deal with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states on Monday in an attempt to win support from the region for further sanctions against Iran. The weapons deal, which was first announced in July 2007, was postponed over opposition from the US Congress, but the administration is expected to notify Congress on Monday of its intent to conclude the deal as the US president lands in Riyadh as part of his regional tour.. ..The deals are designed to support US allies in the Middle East as a counterweight to regional power Iran, with the Bush administration stating last year that the common goal of the military aid packages and arms sales was to strengthen pro-Western countries as Iran seeks to extend its power in the region.." [more]

NUS President to Leave Post and Lead New Saudi University [Jan 13]
"Professor Shih Choon Fong has been chosen to lead a new research university in Saudi Arabia. The President of the National University of Singapore will leave NUS at the end of 2008. Professor Tan Chorh Chuan has been named as his successor. By 1 December 2008, 62-year-old Professor Shih will assume his duties as the Founding President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). He was picked by the Chairman of the university's Board of Trustees, Mr Ali Ibrahim Al-Naimi, after an extensive international search among top academic research leaders. KAUST is touted as a 'world-class, graduate-level scientific research university', which is still under development in Saudi Arabia.." [more]

Israel to Get Smarter US-Made Bombs Than Saudis [Jan 13]
"The United States has agreed in principle to provide Israel with better 'smart bombs' than those it plans to sell Saudi Arabia under a regional defence package, senior Israeli security sources said on Sunday.. ..The plan has angered Israel's backers in Washington, who say the JDAMs, which give satellite guidance for bombs, may one day be used against the Jewish state .. ..Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's government dropped its objections to the proposed Saudi deal in July after securing U.S. military aid grants worth $30 billion over the next decade. Two Israeli security sources said the United States further mollified the Olmert government with an 'understanding in principle' that future JDAM sales to Israel would include advanced technologies not on offer to Saudi Arabia.." [more]

No Saudi Launchpad for Attack [Jan 13]
"A leading Saudi newspaper yesterday ruled out any attempt by the US to use the kingdom as a launchpad for a possible war on Iran over Tehran’s disputed nuclear programme. Two days before a visit to Saudi Arabia by US President George W Bush, the daily Al Riyadh said: 'We refuse to be used to launch wars or tensions with Iran.' 'This issue can be solved through diplomatic means and through dialogue,' said the paper.. ..'If the president wants to obtain the solidarity of all the Arabs... he must focus, rationally, on the most important issue which is the question of peace,' Al Riyadh said.." [more]

Mass Boycott Starts [Jan 13]
"Saudi citizens began Saturday a five-day campaign to boycott all local dairy products in a bid to stop spiraling prices of dairy products in the Kingdom. 'Let them rot' was the name of the campaign, which gained momentum through SMS messages, emails and websites requesting citizens to join the boycott for five days - the shelf life period of a dairy product. The campaign hit many stores that reported a drop in dairy sales.. ..The row began when many of the dairy factories in Saudi Arabia decided to increase prices by as much as 20 percent. The move drew the wrath of Saudi citizens across the country.. ..The Saudi market is one of the best consumer markets in the world as far as dairy products are concerned. Latest statistics show that Saudi Arabia consumes 892 million liters of milk, flavored milk, and laban annually.." [more]

NCB Seeks Review of Riyal Peg to Dollar [Jan 13]
"Saudi Arabia needs to gradually change the riyal currency’s peg to the weak US dollar to protect the value of its reserves, most of which are invested in the United States, state-owned National Commercial Bank (NCB) said. The Kingdom’s central bank — Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency — has repeatedly ruled out changing the riyal’s exchange rate to the dollar.. ..The dollar peg forces the Saudi central bank to track US monetary policy at a time when the Federal Reserve is cutting interest rates and inflation in the Kingdom was at its highest in at least 12 years in October. The US dollar fell more than 10 percent against the euro last year and more than 6 percent against the yen, driving up the cost of Saudi imports from those countries and fuelling inflation.." [more]

Divorce in Saudi Society Symposium Planned in Riyadh [Jan 13]
"The divorce rate in Saudi Arabia has reached more than 30 percent of the total number of marriages in the year, the Ministry of Social Affairs announced yesterday. In a move aimed at focusing on the alarming number of divorces in Saudi Arabia, the ministry, upon receiving directives from Minister of Social Affairs Abdul Muhsin Al-Akkas, will sponsor the first symposium to discuss the problem at national level. Entitled 'Divorce in Saudi Society,' the symposium will be held at the Prince Salman Social Center in Riyadh. A panel of sociologists, psychologists, and religious scholars will discuss the topic, particularly its effects on society as well as its psychological and religious aspects.." [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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