RIYADH, 7 January 2003 — Saudi Arabia yesterday called for wisdom and prudence while applying international law in crisis-hit regions of the world.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd made the remarks while addressing a regular weekly session of the Council of Ministers at the Yamamah Palace here.
“The Kingdom has always been using its good offices with the brotherly and friendly countries and at all international forums to realize security and stability — the two goals cherished by all peoples of the world. Only comprehensive security and peace will lead to a steady progress that yields positive cooperation and constructive interaction among various nations,” King Fahd said.
The Kingdom, meanwhile, urged the United States to seek broad international support before launching any military operation against Iraq.
“We hope the decision to go that road should be a consensus,” Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said in an interview with Newsweek magazine on Sunday.
He said the Saudi government was appreciative of the position adopted by the administration of President George W. Bush, who believes war should be America’s last resort in dealing with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
“We are not a people who believe the United States wants war regardless of what the considerations are, and I think the president has shown wisdom and patience in his policy, and this is why we have optimism that war can be avoided,” the foreign minister said.
He added that the Saudis were concerned about the dire consequences the conflict could have not for the government of Saddam Hussein but for the Iraqi people.
The king briefed the council on the outcome of discussions and communications he and Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, had with the leaders and envoys of a number of countries on the latest international developments, particularly in the Middle East region, Information Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the council’s meeting.
Dr. Farsy said the king also briefed the council about his discussions with Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on important developments in the Islamic and international scenes. Jamali concluded a three-day visit to the Kingdom on Friday during which he held wide-ranging talks with King Fahd and Prince Abdullah.
The Cabinet authorized the head of the Youth Welfare Presidency or his deputy to sign an agreement of cooperation with Sudan in the sphere of sports and culture, Dr. Farsy said.
The Cabinet directed the commerce minister or his deputy to hold discussions with Sweden to prepare a draft agreement for technical cooperation in areas related to genetically modified food, market dumping and e-commerce.
The Cabinet also authorized the water minister or his deputy to discuss and sign a memorandum of understanding with the Bavarian ministry of economy, communication and technology in the area of water.
Finally the Cabinet passed the audited accounts of the King Fahd Causeway Corporation for the years 1999 and 2000, according to SPA.
