JEDDAH, 5 July — Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, yesterday warned Israel that the foreign aid it is receiving now would not continue forever. He also said that Israel would be a big loser if it rejects the olive branch extended by Arabs.
In a message to President Hosni Mubarak at the conclusion of a three-day visit to Egypt, the Saudi leader said the Arab and Islamic world was at a crossroads today. “Our Ummah is now facing overt and covert dangers and conspiracies,” he added.
He condemned the arrogance of the Jewish state and said Israel drew its “strength from the aid received from abroad,” in reference to the United States and other Western powers. “This aid could continue for the time being, but it will not go on forever,” he added. Prince Abdullah, who returned to Jeddah yesterday at the end of a trip which also took him to Syria, Germany, Sweden, Morocco and France, met with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd at Al-Salam Palace and briefed him on the outcome of his talks with leaders of the six countries.
The crown prince used his trip to bring the Palestinian issue into world focus and urged the international community, especially the United States and Europe, to play an effective and balanced role to establish a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
In his message to Mubarak, the crown prince said the Arab and Islamic Ummah is capable of facing any challenge or overcoming any obstacle “if they have the determination and good intention and if they stand united and developed mutual confidence.” He said the realization of such noble goals was not beyond a great and ancient nation like Arabs whose “inherent qualities and capabilities will not be evident except at times of trials and tribulations.” He blasted the Israeli atrocities in Palestine. “Israel has crossed all limits. It flexed its muscle, showed arrogance and unleashed its unjust and aggressive practices on the land of Palestine, without showing any mercy to the aged and children.” Prince Abdullah reiterated that Israel’s power would not last forever. “Israel is in need of peace more than Arabs, and it will be making a fatal mistake if it misses the chance to make peace and turns down the olive branch of peace offered by the Arabs,” he stated.
Prince Abdullah arrived in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria last Monday from Paris after meeting with US Secretary of State Colin Powell in the French capital. In Alexandria, he held separate talks with President Mubarak and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.
Prince Abdullah told Powell that Israel could not expect the Palestinians to guarantee security in their areas if the Israelis kept undermining their efforts. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, who briefed reporters after the two met in Paris, quoted the crown prince as telling Powell: “The perception now exists that the Israelis have turned their backs on peace.”
Prince Abdullah was greeted at Jeddah airport by Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, Prince Miteb, minister of public works and housing, Prince Badr, deputy commander of the National Guard, Prince Naif, interior minister, and other high-ranking civilian and military officers.
