Saudi-US Relations Information Service

Keeping Track - Recently on SUSRIS


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Bush Meets Saudi FM at White House [Feb 16]
"US President George W. Bush held talks here Friday with Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal on what was expected to touch on the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and Lebanon, officials said. White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said Bush planned to meet the Saudi foreign minister in the Oval Office in the morning, with another official confirming that the meeting actually took place. Bush 'looks forward to discussing with him a wide range of regional issues including the president's recent trip to the Middle East, to the region, the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the situation in Lebanon,' Stanzel said. A spokeswoman for the National Security Council later confirmed that the meeting between the president and Prince Saud took place but declined to provide any details about what was discussed. The Saudi embassy in Washington also declined to comment.." [more]

Rights Group Attacks Arab Media Charter [Feb 16]
"A new Arab "charter" to coordinate media control is an attempt by autocratic governments to squash already limited freedom, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said on Saturday. Arab governments, led by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, last week adopted a satellite broadcasting charter, which will entrench state control over broadcasts and curtail political expression on the airwaves across the region of some 300 million people. The charter, signed by information ministers in Cairo, bans broadcasting material seen as undermining "social peace, national unity, public order and general propriety", criticising religions or defaming political, national and religious leaders.." [more]

King Abdullah Urged to Spare Saudi Witchcraft Woman’s Life [Feb 16]
"A Saudi woman condemned to death for 'witchcraft' is still clinging to hope that King Abdullah will spare her life after Human Rights Watch appealed her sentence. Fawzi Falih faces imminent beheading for sorcery unless the King issues a rare pardon. But the influential rights group has stopped short of asking for intervention from foreign governments in the case, which has captured international attention and highlighted discriminatory aspects of the Saudi justice system, where courts often fail to follow due process. Such was the case in the trial of Ms Falih, Human Rights Watch argues. Religious police arrested the illiterate woman in 2005, allegedly beating her before forcing her to fingerprint a false confession.." [more]

Saudis to Discuss Revaluing Riyal on Sunday [Feb 16]
"A Saudi Arabian council that advises the king will discuss revaluing the riyal against the dollar at a meeting on Sunday with the finance minister and central bank governor, a newspaper reported on Saturday. Reviewing the exchange rate of the riyal versus the U.S. dollar is a 'necessity', daily al-Eqtisadiah quoted Osama Abu-Gherara, deputy chairman of the Shura Council's finance committee.. ..It would take a precipitous decline in the dollar for Saudi Arabia to revalue, Mohammed al-Jasser, vice governor of Saudi Arabia's central bank, said last month. Saudi Arabia has been trying offset the impact of price rises on its 25 million people through measures including a plan announced last month to raise wages, welfare payments and subsidies.." [more]

Saudi Arabia to Set Up International Translation Center [Feb 16]
"Saudi Arabia has announced plans to set up an autonomous international translation center with a mandate to translate references, textbooks, international literature and scientific materials to be used by individuals as well as local and international institutions. The proposed center will also help bridge the gap between Arab and Western cultures, boost the process of Arabization and also address the problems of shortage of translators and interpreters.. ..Also, the center will help engage in dialogue with non-Muslims in different countries to clarify any misconceptions about Islam.." [more]

Thai Foreign Minister Plans Restored Relations with Saudi Arabia [Feb 16]
"Thailand will implement a proactive foreign policy spearheaded by both political and economic aspects,
including restoration of the former warm relations enjoyed with Saudi Arabia before diplomatic ties were
strained by the 1980s gems scandal, according to Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama.. ..The ministry prepared to restore the relationships with foreign countries after formerly strong ties were strained by the coup in 2006, he said. Mr. Noppadon said plans to normalise diplomatic relation with Saudi Arabia by concluding the Saudi diamond case and the murder of four Saudi businessmen and the disappearance of one Saudi businessman. The case dates to the late 1980s.." [more]

Ministry Plans to Assess Quality of Education in Kingdom [Feb 16]
"In an attempt to improve the quality of education in the Kingdom, the Ministry of Education is planning to assess the curriculums used in the system.. ..The assessment will review different sample groups of students: three grades in the first phase of the survey. The fourth, eighth and twelfth grades (boys and girls) will be assessed next year. The courses to be assessed are: Islamic studies, Arabic, mathematics and science. 'These are the courses that are important for academic advancement,' Al-Shamrani said.." [more]

Luxembourg Crown Prince Arrives [Feb 16]
"Prince Guillaume, crown prince of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, will arrive here today on a four-day visit to the Kingdom at the head of a 30-member trade delegation including Jeannot Krecke, minister of economy and foreign trade. “This is the first ever delegation from Luxembourg,” Michel Lastschenko, Belgium ambassador, told Arab news yesterday, adding that the purpose of Guillaume’s visit is to boost the bilateral trade and identify new areas of interests that would mutually benefit Luxembourg and Saudi Arabia. The envoy pointed out that the prince would begin his official round of talks with Saudi officials tomorrow.." [more]

Saudi Stocks Expected to Recover Slowly [Feb 16]
"..According to the weekly report of the Riyadh-based Bakheet Investment Group (BIG), the Saudi stock market witnessed a slowdown amid trading value decreases to an average of SR8.8 billion daily, 30 percent lower than previous week. The value of traded shares reached SR 44.2 billion, down against last week’s SR63.69 billion. Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Co. (Petro Rabigh) dominated trading value at 17 percent followed by Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co. at 13 percent and SABIC at 7 percent. The BIG report expected Saudi stocks to recover 'slowly' following the recent series of plunges as investors turn to blue chip shares, the prices of which have gone down tangibly.." [more]

$20 Million Saudi Gift Is Questioned [Feb 15]
"A Virginia congressman has asked Georgetown University to explain how it used a $20 million donation from a Saudi prince for its academic center on Muslim and Christian relations. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R) sent a letter yesterday to university President John J. DeGioia expressing concern about the donation and asking whether the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding has ever produced any reports critical of Saudi Arabia. Wolf has been critical of Saudi Arabia and what he calls its influence on U.S. affairs for some time.. ..Georgetown spokesman Julie Green Bataille issued a statement saying that the school had received the letter and that university officials would
respond to Wolf.." [more]

Al-Jazeera Slams Arab Media Restrictions [Feb 15]
"Al-Jazeera television on Friday lashed out at a set of recommendations adopted by the Arab League that seek to stop Arab satellite channels from offending governments in the region. 'Al-Jazeera considers the adoption of the charter... a risk to the freedom of expression in the Arab world,' the Qatar-based pan-Arab television network said in a statement. Information ministers of the 22-member Arab League on Tuesday voted in favour of the guidlines, with Qatar the only dissenting vote. The document, which is not legally binding, was principally backed by Egypt and Saudi Arabia and calls for the stations 'not to offend the leaders or national and religious symbols' of Arab countries.. ..The document authorises signatory countries to 'withdraw, freeze or not renew the work permits of media which break the regulations'.." [more]

Ensuring Energy Security Is a Costly Affair [Feb 15]
"Oil is a costly affair. When US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman was last here in Riyadh, he stressed on the need to invest “billions of dollars” in the industry annually, so as to achieve 'global energy security.' The International Energy Agency estimates that $22 trillion of investments would be needed between now and 2030 if the world is to meet expected energy demand. While the debate about ongoing investments in the upstream sector continues, recent reports indicate that despite clouds on the horizon for crude demand, OPEC states have embarked upon substantial upstream and downstream investments.. ..OPEC heavyweight Saudi Arabia is investing $50 billion plus in attempts to meet the growing demand of the consumers. Plans to bring on stream 12.5 million bpd capacity by 2009 are reported on track.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Could See About 110 IPOs [Feb 15]
"Morgan Stanley expects about 110 initial public offerings (IPOs) in Saudi Arabia by the end of next year as companies seek funds to expand and benefit from surging economic growth in the world's biggest oil producer. 'There is enormous pent-up demand to sell shares,' Fahad A. Al Mubarak, chairman, Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia said in Dubai on Thursday. 'Companies are maturing, there has been a change in generation in some cases, and there is economic growth.'.. ..Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia has mandates to manage seven IPOs this year, including an offering by Saudi Basic Chemical Industries (Sabic) that may raise 300 million riyals ($80 million), Al Mubarak said. Two share sales slated in the first half of the year are by financial service companies. 'Investing in IPOs is very attractive in Saudi Arabia and most shares have doubled after listing,'.." [more]

NHRA proposes Allowing Women to Practice Law [Feb 15]
"The chairman of the government-run National Human Rights Association, Dr. Bandar Al-Hajjar announced that the Association has finished work on a bill allowing women to practice law in the Kingdom's courtrooms. The bill is now expected to wind its way through the legislative process with various government agencies weighing in on its merits.." [more]

Dialogue or No Dialogue? That’s the Real Question [Feb 15]
"I have always been a fan of the Saudi National Dialogues. To me, this creative brainchild of King Abdullah not only serves as an ideal public platform to jumpstart the process of our coming to terms with current and emerging issues in a post-9/11 Saudi Arabia; but it also is the necessary prerequisite for building the social capital of our nation.. ..It is at this critical juncture that I believe that this new process is forever changing the way we Saudis think, behave, and cooperate with each other as well as with the rest of the world.." [more]

Calls Mount for Time Limits on Workers in Gulf [Feb 15]
"Support is growing for time limits on the residency of the millions of expatriates living in the Gulf, seen by some of the region’s governments and nationals as posing a demographic threat. Foreigners make up about 13 million, or 37 percent, of the 35 million population across the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). They come mainly from the Asian sub-continent and fuel the booming economies of the oil-rich Arab bloc, which comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). GCC governments are becoming increasingly concerned that the rising number of outsiders, many of whom work as laborers on construction sites, could suffocate the indigenous cultures of the conservative Muslim states.." [more]

British Open Inquiry on Saudi Arms Deal [Feb 14]
"Britain's High Court began a judicial review Thursday of the government's decision to stop an investigation into allegations of corruption by BAE Systems in an arms deal with Saudi Arabia. The review was won by two pressure groups, Campaign Against Arms Trade and Corner House. The two groups argued that the decision to stop the inquiry was unlawful because Britain's Serious Fraud Office was pressured into doing so and because it contravened the anti-bribery convention of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.. ..Under the British court system, a judicial review can determine whether or not a decision was made lawfully. It does not judge whether the decision was right or wrong.." [more]

Shoura Warns of Dangerous Brain Drain [Feb 14]
"Shoura Council members want urgent government intervention to prevent what they say is a 'dangerous brain drain' caused by Saudi female graduates taking up lucrative job offers in other Gulf states. The members said that the government was losing out as it has invested in the education of these graduates 'who are the pillars of the country's present and future development.' 'The migration of these female graduates to the neighboring countries is very alarming,' said Hamdi Al-Jahni, member of the Administration, Manpower and Petitions at the Shoura Council. 'The whole matter needs to be thoroughly examined in order to reach a comprehensive solution to this problem.'.. ..Jobs are limited for women in Saudi Arabia because of religious restrictions. As a result, even administrative jobs in the private sector are generally not open to them. Saudi men are also taking flight to other Gulf countries, lured by reasonable salaries in teaching jobs.." [more]

Saudi Arabia to Execute Woman for Witchcraft [Feb 14]
"A leading international human rights organisation is calling on Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah to halt the planned execution of a woman accused of 'witchcraft'. The woman is due to be put to death on foot of a coerced confession and the statements of witnesses who said she had 'bewitched' them.. ..Human Rights Watch has described the charges against her as 'absurd' and says they have no basis in law. 'The fact that Saudi judges still conduct trials for unprovable crimes like 'witchcraft' underscores their inability to carry out objective criminal investigations,' said Joe Stork, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.." [more]

Saudi Education Development is Economic Priority [Feb 14]
"Saudi Arabia spent some $15bn on educational development in 2007, mainly to fund existing and open new universities as part of a priority programme to develop higher education.. ..There is an urgent need to expand the skills base since the Kingdom's educational structure has up to now not kept pace with economic demands. Many jobs are held by expatriates with the result that there is a high level of unemployment of around 11 per cent among young Saudis. Traditionally the government has provided jobs but bureaucracy is being steadily overhauled with the result that state jobs are likely to become fewer as the private sector increasingly becomes the main driver of economic activity in Saudi Arabia.." [more]

Saudi Vows to Reunite Divorced Couple: UN [Feb 14]
"Saudi Arabia has promised to allow a couple who were forced to divorce by a religious court to live together again, a UN official said yesterday, ending a case that has embarrassed the Islamic state abroad. Fatima Azzaz and Mansour al-Timani were forced to separate in 2006 after her brothers persuaded judges that her husband was not of sufficiently prestigious tribal stock. It is one of a series of cases that have drawn international criticism of human rights in Saudi Arabia, a key US ally which is also the world's top oil exporter.. ..The king said in October he wanted to reform the judiciary, dominated by clerics of hardline Wahhabi Islam. Plans are underway to put laws into writing, but reforms could take years.." [more]

Don’t Waste Women’s Potential – Erturk [Feb 14]
"A visiting UN official called Wednesday for greater participation of Saudi women in society so as to avoid 'an incredible waste of human resources here.' Yanik Erturk, the special United Nations rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on Violence against Women, said at a press conference here that while her 10-day visit to the Kingdom has given her hope about improvement in the condition of Saudi women, more is needed to be done. 'I have met many high-level educated women, and I see an incredible waste of human resources here,' said Erturk. 'Half of society can't contribute.'.. ..During the press conference, Erturk addressed the need for judicial reform, the overall participation of women in society, work force and decision-making, violence against women and the conditions of foreign female workers.." [more]

Iraqi Doctors to Be Trained in Riyadh [Feb 14]
" Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has instructed the National Guard Health Affairs to host 48 Iraqi doctors for intensive training in treating accident victims, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, director of the department, said yesterday. He said the Iraqi doctors to be trained at Riyadh’s King Abdulaziz Medical City would come from major first aid and emergency health care centers in the war-torn Arab country.." [more]

BMG Saudi Index Continues to Rise [Feb 14]
"The BMG Saudi Index was able to maintain its positive performance yesterday, after a downtrend seen earlier in the week. The index advanced by 1 percent, closing at 491.5 points, in the last trading session of this week. The market turnover also increased, to reach SR4 billion ($1.1 billion), up by 6.4 percent. The BMG index’s increase this week was attributed to the strong performance of four sectors: the banking sector, appreciating by 2.7 percent; whilst the insurance, electricity, and industrial sectors went up by 2.6 percent, 1.9 percent, and 0.5 percent, respectively.." [more]

Total to Decide on Saudi Refinery Before June [Feb 14]
"French oil and gas company Total will decide before the end of June whether to go ahead with a planned refinery in Saudi Arabia as it weighs the impact of rising industry costs, it said on Thursday. State oil company Saudi Aramco has signed a joint venture with Total for a 400,000 barrels per day refinery to cope with the country's growing crude output capacity. 'We will decide this year, before the end of the first half,' a Total spokeswoman said. 'We have withdrawn from exploration in Saudi Arabia so this is a project that we are keen on,' she added.. ..Higher labour and raw material costs have caused delays and cancellations across the world's oil and gas industry.." [more]

Public’s Role Vital for Confronting Extremist Ideologies: Al-Turki [ Feb 13]
"In light of globalization, Saudi society needs to play a more vital role in confronting extremist ideologies, said Interior Ministry Spokesman Gen. Mansour Al-Turki on Monday. Addressing a seminar entitled “Intellectual Security in the Kingdom” at the first forum held by ASIS International (American Society for Industrial Security) branch in Jeddah, he said people expose themselves to negative thoughts through different outlets without realizing where it might lead them. The ASIS is a global organization for security professionals. Al-Turki explained the link between the country’s security and people’s way of thinking and said that the latter is reflected in one’s outward behavior.." [more]

Afghan, Saudi Leaders Vow to Cement Bilateral Ties [Feb 13]
"Afghan President Hamid Karzai and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia have stressed for strengthening bilateral relations between the two Islamic states during a recent telephone conversation, a statement released by the Afghan presidential office said on Wednesday. In the telephone conversation on Tuesday night, the statement said, both leaders exchanged views on issues of bilateral relations, situation in Afghanistan as well as the issues in the region and Islamic world.. ..King Abdullah during the talks also reassured his government's continued support to the people of Afghanistan.." [more]

Saudi's Rawabi Holding Wins Congo Refinery Deal [Feb 13]
"Saudi Arabia's Rawabi Holding Company has won a 390 billion CFA franc ($868 million) contract to quadruple capacity at Congo Republic's CORAF refinery, the Central African country said on Wednesday. The expansion will take at least two years and should increase capacity at the plant to 100,000 barrels a day from current levels of 25,000, the presidency said in a statement.. ..Rawabi had also signed a deal to build a 19.5 billion CFA franc ($43.38 million) bitumen plant beside the refinery, with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes a year.." [more]

Arab Nations Move to Regulate Satellite TV [Feb 13]
"Arab satellite television channels are to face tighter restrictions on the content they broadcast. A set of
regulations was agreed upon at a meeting in the Egyptian capital attended by information ministers from across the region. Qatar, the home of Al-Jazeera, was the only nation to voice reservations about the charter, citing legal reasons.. ..Some critics think the charter, which was sponsored by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, will limit broadcasters' ability to discuss political issues.. ..Others in the Arab world disagree - including Khaled al-Maeena, who edits the English language Saudi newspaper Arab News. He told Newsline that some regulation could be helpful.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Drafting New Law To Protect Women, Children [Feb 13]
"Saudi Arabia is drafting a new law that, when implemented, will go a long way in protecting women and children from violence. The Experts Commission at the council of ministers is expected to finish revising the draft next week, which defines child abuse, violence against women and punishment and penalties for these.. ..According to the draft law, fines or punishments or both may be imposed upon those found guilty of subjecting women and children to physical or mental abuse. The draft called upon the social affairs ministry to coordinate and cooperate with NGOs and with the education, health and culture and information ministries to launch public awareness campaigns against family violence.." [more]

Russia to Hold WTO Talks With Saudi Arabia [Feb 13]
"Russia is scheduled to hold a new round of talks with Saudi Arabia on the accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on February 18, 2008, Maxim Medvedkov, head of the Russian Economy Ministry's trade negotiations department, told journalists today. He pointed out that Saudi Arabia had sent a request to Russia on exported products, primarily dates, adding that the two countries were nearing an agreement on the matter. Moreover, Russia is to hold talks with Georgia on the operation of customs checkpoints on the boarder, as well as with United Arab Emirates on exchange of goods and services.." [more]

Saudi Society Is Opening Up, UK Delegation Told [Feb 13]
"Saudi society has broken taboos of the past when men and women opened their hearts and minds to discuss issues that relate to social development in a no-holds barred environment a group of Saudis at the King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue told a visiting delegation of British parliamentarians.. ..Ibn Muammar explained to the delegation that the idea behind establishing national forums for dialogue, which was called for by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah as part of his vision for political and economic reforms in the country, was to get local people express their views about crucial topics related to the Kingdom’s development goals.." [more]

Kingdom Asks World Powers to Curb Israeli State Terror [Feb 12]
"Saudi Arabia yesterday called upon the international community to stop Israel from continuing state-sponsored terrorism against the Palestinian people. It also denounced the crimes being committed by the Jewish state in defiance of United Nations resolutions.. ..the Kingdom expressed its deep concern over the worsening situation in the occupied Palestinian territories as a result of continuing Israeli atrocities against Palestinian civilians. 'The international community must take a decisive stand on what is currently happening in Palestine and adopt effective steps to protect the Palestinian people from Israeli state terrorism,”'.." [more]

Saudi Telecom Says to Borrow $2.6 bln for Oger Buy [Feb 12]
"Saudi Telecom Co 7010.SE (STC) said on Tuesday it would borrow 9.6 billion riyals ($2.56 billion) from local banks to finance its purchase of a 35 percent stake in Oger Telecom. 'We are at a very advanced stage of talks to borrow 9.6 billion riyals to finance this deal,' Chairman Mohammed al-Jasser said in an interview on Al Arabiya Television. The largest Arab telecoms firm by market value would take loans from local banks and could look at selling Islamic bonds in the future. Jasser is also deputy-governor of the kingdom's central bank which has been struggling to manage a surge in liquidity and inflation.." [more]

Saudi Arabia, UAE May Proceed With Common Currency [Feb 12]
"Plans to introduce a single currency for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries by 2010 seem to be failing as some member states are not ready yet. This is causing Saudi Arabia and the UAE to consider going it alone, a very similar scenario to the situation with the euro when France and Germany took the lead. The GCC member states are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar. For several years there have been talks on establishing a common currency to strengthen the regional economy. Despite the extraordinary economic growth the region is now experiencing, its economic power is relatively weak on a global scale.. ..A major headache for the GCC is that the foreign workers, who play a vital role in economic growth, are now earning less than they did and have less money to send home.." [more]

Saudi Arabia May Abolish Sponsorship System For Foreign Workers Within 3 Years [Feb 12]
"Saudi Arabia may abandon its sponsorship system for foreign workers in the Kingdom within three years, media reports said citing a human rights group. Mufleh Al-Qahtani, vice president of Saudi Arabia's National Society of Human Rights, said the group carried out a study, which found the current kifala or sponsorship system to be invalid. The sponsorship system, in place in all Gulf Cooperation Council, or GCC states, is a heavily criticized set of regulations that limits workers movements, especially with regard to switching jobs. The system gives employers the right to terminate the work of foreign staff and prevent them from finding jobs in the country unless they fulfill a set of tough conditions. Further, employers can also hold employee's passports to prevent them from seeking other work for better pay. Human rights officials and groups within the GCC and abroad have condemned the system as akin to slavery.." [more]

Peak Oil: Simmons v. Saudis, Round Two [Feb 12]
"Both Nansen Saleri, former chief of reservoir management at Saudi Aramco, and Houston-based investment banker Matthew Simmons are feeling good these days about the famous–and weighty–debate they held four years ago at Washington’s Center for Strategic and Security Studies. Are Saudi Arabia’s massive oil fields in great shape—or falling apart? Can Saudi Aramco help slack the globe’s soaring energy thirst far into the century—or has that ability already peaked?.. ..Saleri says he’s convinced technology will help revive aging reservoirs all over the globe, and world oil production won’t hit peak until well after 2050. Simmons believes we may already have hit that peak. After his recent studies, he now fears he has “grossly underestimated how savage the post-peak oil reality will be.” [more]

Saudi Elenex 2008 [Feb 12]
"..The Kingdom's electricity sector is expanding by a whopping 7% a year. Over the coming 20 years, projects worth almost $120 billion are going to be undertaken to satisfy demand for electricity generation, distribution and transmission. These projects are going to create enormous demand, as well, for subsidiary electricity-related products and equipment. The Saudi government is currently spending billions of dollars on constructing and upgrading power plants.. ..An unparalleled array of investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia exists for electricity industry players from across the region and the world. Seize them at Saudi Elenex 2007.." [more]

Private Sector Draws Flak For Not Hiring Saudis [Feb 12]
"Saudi Labour Minister Dr Gazi Al Gosaibi has criticised the private sector for not supporting government policy in hiring more Saudi citizens in the private sector. Speaking at the Shura Council (Consultative) on Sunday, Al Gosaibi, whose statements were carried by the Saudi media yesterday, revealed that work visas issued by his ministry have risen to 1,700,000 in 2007. The ministry has been facing accusations from businessmen following its tight measures on issuing visas for recruiting foreign manpower. The ministry, on the other hand, accused businessmen of not backing its efforts of hiring more Saudis in the private sector.." [more]

Plan Ahead for US Visa, Embassy Tells Travelers [Frb 12]
"The US Embassy in Riyadh announced this week that anyone planning to travel to the United States this summer should apply for their visas and make appointments through the embassy’s website as early as possible in order to avoid unnecessary disappointments and delays.. ..'The embassy is encouraging people to plan early because demand for interview appointments for visas increases during summer months,' said Meghan E. Gregonis, a spokesperson for the US Embassy.." [more]

OPEC Transfers to Settlements for Oil From US Dollar to Euro [Feb 12]
"The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) can decline from settlements in US dollars and transfer to settlements in euro. OPEC secretary general Abdalla Salem El-Badri stated that the Organization can introduce a new scheme of settlements for oil within the next 10 years. Earlier the statements about transfer from US dollar to euro in oil trade operations were made by Iran. Russia is preparing an oil and gas exchange with settlements in Russian rubles. In case of realization of all these plans about 60% of oil operations will be conducted in euro.." [more]

Saudi Kayan, Shell Global in Start-Up Deal [Feb 11]
"Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Company has awarded Shell Global Solutions a contract to prepare its industrial complex for a smooth start-up. The three-year contract, at the Saudi Kayan industrial complex, calls for Shell Global Solutions to utilise its ‘Flawless-start-up’ programme to help identify the potential risks to a smooth production launch or to interruptions after start up. The Saudi Kayan industrial complex, located at Jubail Industrial City, will be one of the latest greenfield petrochemical projects to be started in the Middle East.." [more]

Saudi Telecom Assigned A+ Long-Term Foreign Currency CCR [Feb 11]
"Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has assigned Saudi Telecom Co (STC), which is 70 pct owned by the Saudi Arabian government, its 'A+' long-term and 'A-1' short-term foreign currency corporate credit ratings (CCR) with a stable outlook. The ratings are supported by STC's leading market position in the Saudi fixed-line telecom market, implicit state support, high operating profitability margins and very strong cash flows, S&P said. But the ratings are constrained by potential regulatory changes, which may negatively affect STC's competitive position and market shares.." [more]

No Red Roses for Saudi Sweethearts on Valentines Day [Feb 11]
"Saudi Arabia's religious police have banned red roses ahead of Valentine's Day, forcing couples in the conservative Muslim nation to think of new ways to show their love. The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has ordered florists and gift shop owners in the capital Riyadh to remove any items colored scarlet, which is widely seen as symbolizing love.. ..It is not unusual for the Saudi vice squad to clamp down ahead of Valentine's Day, which it sees as encouraging relations between men and women outside of wedlock.." [more]

Saudi Arabian Hail Baja Rally Set to Get Underway [Feb 11]
"International rally drivers, co-drivers, FIA officials, mechanics and members of the media from the UK, Germany, Russia, Holland, Cyprus, France, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Belgium, Hungary, the Czech Republic and countries within the GCC have arrived in Hail in the north-central region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to make their final preparations for the Saudi Arabian Hail Baja. The opening round of the 2008 FIA International Cup for Cross-Country Bajas is scheduled to get under way with a ceremonial start at the picturesque Maghwat conference facility, surrounded by the striking jagged peaks of the nearby mountain range, at 2pm on Tuesday.." [more]

Gulf States Poaching Skilled Foreign Workers from KSA [Feb 11]
"Employers in other Gulf countries are poaching highly skilled foreign workers, such as engineers and technicians, from Saudi Arabia, said owners and executives of Saudi companies here. They are being lured with higher salaries, attractive perks and better living conditions. The reason is that it has become increasingly difficult to recruit foreigners to work in the Gulf. The problems include the rigmarole of getting visas in the face of rising unemployment among nationals in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Besides, Gulf currencies pegged to the US dollar have fallen in value compared to those of labor-exporting countries.. ..'This poaching is tantamount to corporate sabotage,'.." [more]

Saudi Stock Index Plunges Below 9,000 Points Mark [Feb 11]
"The Saudi stock index plunged below the 9,000 points mark as banking and industrial stocks suffered badly yesterday. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) dropped 215.10 points or 2.35 percent to close at 8,919.03 points. The index is down 20.19 percent so far this year after rising over 40 percent in 2007. There was an addition of another company to the insurance sector yesterday. The SR10 shares of Al-Sagr Company for Cooperative Insurance, which started trading for the first time on Tadawul yesterday, closed at SR43.25 after rising as high of SR72 and low of SR42.50.." [more]

Prince Bandar Bin Sultan's Assets Frozen [Feb 10]
"Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, the former Saudi Arabian ambassador to America, has been hit by a court order in effect freezing some of his US assets, as part of a class-action lawsuit over bribery allegations at British defence giant BAE Systems. A Michigan pension scheme the City of Harper Woods Employees’ Retirement System has been granted a restraining order, according to documents filed in the US district of Columbia and seen by The Sunday Times. The order, granted last Tuesday, blocks Bandar from transferring out of the country any money he makes from the sale of property in America.. ..The latest move comes after the pension scheme launched a class-action suit on behalf of rebel investors last September against the BAE board, as well as former directors and Bandar.." [more]

Saudi Women Believe End to Driving Ban is Near [Feb 10]
"Buoyed by recent advances in women's rights, a group of women campaigning for the right to drive in Saudi Arabia, the only country in the world that prohibits female drivers, says it believes the ban will be lifted this year. The group has collected more than 3,000 signatures in the past five months and is hoping King Abdullah will issue a royal decree before the end of the year giving women the right to drive.. ..The king has said that he does not oppose allowing women to drive but that society needs to accept the idea first. 'I think the authorities want people to get used to the idea and will lift the ban before the end of the year,' said group co-founder Wajeha al-Huwaider, 45, an educational analyst.." [more]

Rwanda, Saudi Arabia Officials to Attend Conference at FSU [Feb 10]
"The president of Rwanda and the Saudi Arabian minister of state will speak at Florida State University on Monday as the schools aim to play a part in international politics. FSU is the leading U.S. college in the United Nations' new Alliance of Civilizations, which is an attempt to bridge religious and cultural divides around the world. Saudi Arabian Minister of State Abdullah Alireza and Rwandan President Paul Kagame will attend a forum hosted by the FSU Claude Pepper Center for Intercultural Dialogue. Aside from launching the alliance of colleges, it is also the first step in the construction of a school in Rwanda to be paid for with money raised by FSU students.." [more]

Saudi Arabia: National Water [Feb 10]
"In a bid to manage the privatisation of water services and save diminishing water resources, Saudi Arabia's Supreme Economic Council (SEC) has recently licensed the National Water Company (NWC). The creation of the company is another step in the government's plan to restructure the country's ground and sewage water sector. Earmarked in 2002 by the SEC for privatisation, it was decided in September 2006 that a complete overhaul of the water sector, via the creation of a national company, would best serve the Gulf state. The new company is expected to significantly improve the sector's performance, especially in the area of water conservation. Some 20% of water leaks out of desalination plants. The NWC, reported to have a capitalisation of $5.9bn, will have 2.2bn shares, each with a nominal value of $2.68, and a paid-up capital of $1.83bn with 684.88m shares.." [more]

Peace Deal Possible, Says Qurie [Feb 10]
"Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's top negotiator, Ahmed Qurie, told a US envoy yesterday that a peace deal with Israel would only be possible this year if commitments by both sides were met. Qurie told visiting Assistant US Secretary of State David Welch that Israel has not met its obligations under a long-stalled road mappeace plan, such as halting all settlement activity and uprooting outposts built without government authorisation in the occupied West Bank. "We talked about the possibility of achieving peace this year and an agreement with Israel this year. We said yes it is possible but with good will from both sides".. [more]

S Arabia to Invest $3bn in Bangladesh Energy Sector [Feb 10]
"Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia yesterday has signed a deal to invest $3bn to set up an oil refinery with a capacity to produce 300,000 barrels of oil products a day. Hi-Tech International Group (HTIG) of Saudi Arabia and Cosmopolitan Oil Refinery Management Limited (CPORML) of Bangladesh signed the deal to implement the project within the next 40 months, chairman of CPORML said.. ..The plant will be set-up with 100% foreign direct investment and it will import more than 5mn tonnes of crude oil from Saudi Arabia, Sultan said. The entire final product will be exported in neighbouring countries.." [more]

Saudi Human Rights Official Slams Vice Cops in Yara Case [Feb 10]
"The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR), Saudi Arabia’s non-governmental rights body, will address the Governorate of Riyadh regarding Yara, a 36-year-old Jeddah-based businesswoman who was apprehended by the religious police and thrown in Al-Malaz Prison on Monday.. ..The incident occurred on the same day that Yakin Ertürk, the special rapporteur of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Violence Against Women, arrived in the Kingdom on a 10-day visit. A member of the religious police apprehended Yara for the moral crime of “khulwa” (a state of seclusion with an unrelated man). The woman’s colleague, a Syrian financial analyst, was also arrested and released the following day.." [more]

Grand Mufti Slams Rights Panel Report [Feb 10]
"Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Aal Al-Sheikh, Grand Mufti and Head of the Senior Ulemas Authority, has slammed a recent report released by the United Nations Human Rights Committee on women's rights in Islam and Saudi Arabia. In his Friday sermon at the Grand Mosque in central Riyadh, the Grand Mufti described the UN report as "based on fallacies, errors and untrue information, which is spiteful for our religion and country." Sheikh Aal Al-Sheikh said the report was critical of matters at the core of the Shariah. 'This report is unfair,' the Sheikh said,'particularly the call to end patronage of fathers over their daughters - and labeling it as disparaging to women and a repression of their freedom.' The report was disrespectful, the Grand Mufti said.." [more]

Stocks Tumble as Trade Union Makes Strong Debut [Feb 10]
"The Saudi stock market tumbled as the initial public offering of Zain, the Kingdom's third mobile phone operator, began yesterday. Trading also began for the first time in another insurance company yesterday. Trade Union Cooperative Insurance Co. shares opened at SR85 and reached a high of SR92 before settling at SR48 during the trading yesterday. Trade Union became the 17th company in the insurance sector to be traded. A new insurance company, Al-Sagr Company for Cooperative Insurance, is set to begin trading on Tadawul today. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) plunged 350.28 points or 3.69 percent to 9,134.13 yesterday.." [more]

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