JEDDAH, 13 September — Prince Abdullah, the regent, has said that the “perpetrators of the Sept. 11 terror attacks against the friendly American people were, by their criminal acts, actually targeting the entire mankind, and wanted their evil deeds to be the spark that would ignite a bloody clash among religions and civilizations.”

This came in a message he sent to US President George W. Bush on the first anniversary of the terror attacks. Following is the full text of the message:

“Your Excellency and Dear Friend Mr. President George W. Bush, President of the United States of America,

Greetings on the first anniversary of the despicable terror attacks against the friendly American people, I would like to express, on behalf of the Saudi people and myself, sincere condolences and sincere feelings of sympathy to Your Excellency, the families of the victims of the terror acts and the American nation.

“No-one will ever forget the terrible scenes when fire was spreading everywhere, and smoke covering the horizon, and the innocent people throwing themselves out of the windows. In those difficult hours, the entire world had stood with the American people in a wonderful unity that challenged the differences and enhanced human sympathy.

“Those who had planned these vicious attacks thought that they could frighten and humiliate the American people, but this nation is great by its people, its civilization achievements and its liberties. However, the nation has proven to be stronger than the hatched plots of evil, and the painful experience has made the nation even much stronger.

“The terrorist perpetrators who hatched this criminal plot were targeting the entire mankind, and wanted their evil deeds to be the spark that ignites a bloody clash among religions and civilizations. But their evil caught up with them and thus all nations have unanimously agreed to combat terrorism, and the wise everywhere agreed that terrorism knows no religion and nationality, but it is pure evil of which all divine religions and human civilizations are innocent.

“Mr. President, it pains us very much that a few of our Saudi people were misled and persuaded to shun tolerance that is advocated by their religion and stripped from their country whose policy is characterized by moderation, to become tools of abuse for insulting Islam and Muslims, and for undermining the historical and ideal friendship between the American and Saudi peoples.

“I would like to reiterate that the sincere sons of Islam will never allow a few deviating extremists to become spokesmen for Islam and defame its tolerant spirit. I would like to confirm to you and to the American people that your friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have deplored and condemned these attacks in the same way those have been condemned by the American people. For, your friends here firmly believe that, under no pretext, blood shedding, killing and frightening the innocent, is condoned. While expressing sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the terror acts, we are not only content by expressing these feelings, but reiterate that we are determined to exert all possible efforts to combat and root out this evil plague everywhere.

“Driven by its belief that terrorism is a fatal disease threatening every society and that all efforts should be exerted to eliminate it, the Kingdom will remain committed to its solid and decisive stand vis-a-vis terrorism, and will, alone and in cooperation with the international alliance you are leading, go ahead on the path of launching unabated war against terrorists.

“My dear friend, in conclusion, I would like to say that the wisdom of Almighty Allah tests the belief of the people through exposure to disasters and hardships, but at the same time the Almighty Allah has bestowed on us belief, determination and patience that have made us capable of turning tragedies into accomplishments, and crises into opportunities.

“I hope, and you will join me in this hope, that a new world will emerge from the debris, a new world in which all human beings, without exception, enjoy the bounties of liberty, welfare and friendship.

“Accept, Mr. President, my best regards.”

In his reply, President Bush thanked Prince Abdullah for the sentiments and support expressed by him. (SPA)