Prince Saud holds briefing (Arab initiative, Israel, etc.)
www.spa.gov.sa/html/archive_e.asp?srcfile=614851&NDay=10/02/2004&wcatg=0

Riyadh, Feb. 10, SPA(Saudi Press Agency) -- Prince Saud Alfaisal, the
Foreign Minister, considered the arrival of United Nations' "fact finding
mission" in Iraq a positive development at the Iraqi arena, hoping it will
contribute to the restoration of
United Nations central role in Iraq.

In the periodic press briefing he held here today, Prince Saud hoped Iraq
would regain its national unity and full sovereignty over all its national
soil.

On another issue, he commented on the Palestinian situation and called for
immediate and decisive intervention to confront the unilateral Israeli
policies which could further complicate the peace process and reduce the
chances of reaching a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

On the issue of the Israeli-built Racial Segregation Wall, he said the
kingdom submitted its official legal memorandum to the International Court
of Justice on January 27, and the kingdom will deliver a statement on the
issue of the wall at the beginning of the court's deliberations on the issue
on February 23.

On other issues, Prince Saud denied allegations that the kingdom received
demands to alter educational texts on Jihad.
He also denied that there was a crisis between the kingdom and Yemen on
issues pertaining to their borders.

On Iran's extradition of detained Al-Qaeda Saudi members to the kingdom, he
said cooperation on the extradition would be beneficial to both countries.

On his forthcoming tour of a number of European countries, Prince Saud said
that the tour will be in response to old invitations. He will discuss
bilateral relations, peace process in the Middle East, the situation in Iraq
following the return of the United Nations there, and coordination between
the Arab Group and the European Union in this context.

As regards the presence of Saudi proposals to activate the peace process
within the Arab Peace Initiative, Prince Saud said that the Arab countries
are interested in activating the work of the Arab Initiative. Consequently,
the Arab Follow-up Committee will hold a meeting to discuss this topic and
convey it to the United Nations, and to review the possibility of an
international cooperation to revive the peace initiative in general. The
Arab initiative and the Quartet Initiative of the Road Map are
complementary. We hope for the success of these endeavors.

Replying to another question on installing an electronic system on the
Saudi-Yemeni borders, he said he has no knowledge of the project, adding
that one should ask the Ministry of Interior. But he believed that the two
countries agreed on controlling the situation at the borders to prevent
smuggling which concerns the two countries. He added that if there is such a
project, it undoubtedly will yield benefits to the two countries and protect
their borders.

In reply to another question on the meeting of the foreign ministers of the
countries neighboring Iraq in Kuwait on Saturday, Prince Saud noted that the
Kingdom was among the countries that called for the establishment of this
group, and hoped that this will contribue to the stability of the situation
in Iraq through non-interference in its internal affairs. All statements
issued by the group endorsed this principle. He added that Iraq will attend
this meeting which will be of great significance. Iraq will inform the
meeting on the situations there and the needs the Iraqi people ask of their
neighbors and brothers. The presence of Iraq will be a rare and valuable
opportunity within this framework.We hope that will lead to the activation
of the performance of this group to support Iraq, its legitimacy,
independence, and sovereignty.

On Israel's seeking to open an embassy in Baghdad, Prince Saud said that
opening embassies and establishing diplomatic relations are matters of the
sovereignty right. Our stand as regards Israel is obvious. If it wants
diplomatic relations with Arab countries, the Arab proposal endorsed at
Beirut Summit sets the principles for normalization with Israel prior to
peace. In terms of normalization, it will not be achieved unless there is a
comprehensive peace with the Arab countries. That is what the Arab countries
as a whole offered Israel. In order to normalize relations, we hope Israel
will accept this offer since it serves its interests more than it serves
those of the other parties .

On the statement of U.S. President George W. Bush about the form of the
expected Iraqi state, Prince Saud said that this is the President's opinion.
Finally, the decision on what will happen in Iraq will be for the Iraqis to
decide, as the President himself said. The final decision on the form of the
Iraqi state will be for the Iraqi people.

As regards Saudi-Egyptian movement to prepare for the Arab summit, Prince
Saud noted that there is a continual coordination between the two countries,
highlighting the role played by Egypt in the Arab world. He praised the
distinguished relations between the two countries, stressing their keenness
on agreeing on viewpoints pertaining to important topics such as the
improvement of the Arab situation and peace process in the Middle East.

In response to a question, the foreign minister said he could not rule out
the convening of a Saudi-Egyptian summit meeting as coordination between the
two countries is always at the highest levels.

Asked to comment on reports that U.S. officials recently highlighted what
they called democracy project in the Middle East, Prince Saud said the
middle east is a large area of different countries and information about the
so-called project are still sketchy.

He confirmed that a statement recently made by Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz,
the Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector
General, on plans to pardon detained teenagers who have been lured to take
part in terrorist acts in the Kingdom, is clear and needs no further
explanation.

As regards the links between Alqaeda organization and those detained for
committing or being involved in terrorist acts in the Kingdom, Prince Saud
cited a film recently released by Alqaeda to the media to have proved anew
that all statements issued by the Security authorities in the Kingdom on
this issue were absolutely correct.

He noted that the methods and tactics followed by Alqaeda activists
reconfirm the correctness of what has been done by the Saudi security
forces to confront those evil people.

He said tight measures are underway in the Kingdom to dry up terrorist
groups finance.
--SPA
2111 Local Time
1811 GMT