RIYADH, 27 May 2003 — The Council of Ministers yesterday emphasized the need for Saudis to stand united in the fight against terrorism by cooperating with the security agencies to track down criminals who try to undermine the country’s security and stability.
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, also commended the solidarity expressed by Saudis with the Kingdom’s leadership following the May 12 terrorist bombings in Riyadh.
“Saudis from all regions have condemned the terrorist attacks by sending messages and during their meetings with Saudi leaders,” a Cabinet statement said.
“This reflects the unity of the nation and its citizens in the fight against terrorism as well as their cooperation to uncover those who try to undermine the country’s security and stability,” the statement added.
The Cabinet conveyed its condolences to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika as well as to the Algerian government and people on the deaths caused by a devastating earthquake in the northwest African country.
The crown prince briefed the ministers on the outcome of his talks with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, saying that the talks focused on strengthening relations.
According to a report carried by Okaz yesterday, Prince Abdullah will take part in the G-8 summit scheduled for June 1-3 in France. The paper said the crown prince received an invitation from French President Jacques Chirac to attend the summit. Prince Abdullah will meet with leaders of the countries taking part in the summit and discuss major global and regional issues.
The summit will be attended by leaders of the United States, Russia, Britain, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada.
The summit will include a round of meetings with Crown Prince Abdullah, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and King Abdullah of Jordan, according to a New York Times report.
The Cabinet meeting authorized the president of King Abdul Aziz City of Science and Technology to hold talks with his counterparts in Japan and Russia to sign memoranda of understanding.
It endorsed the agreement with Libya for cooperation in economic, commercial, investment, technical and cultural areas as well as in sports and youth welfare. The agreement was signed in Jeddah on Sept. 3, 2002.
The Cabinet approved another agreement with Morocco for cooperation in marine transport. It also decided to hold talks with Russia to conclude an agreement for cooperation in sports.
Addressing the Shoura Council, Labor and Social Affairs Minister Dr. Ali Al-Namlah said the government had allocated SR100 million for a strategy to fight poverty in the Kingdom.
He said the government would provide SR250 million to the fund to combat poverty. “The anti-poverty strategy will also help solve unemployment problem by establishing small-scale projects,” he said.
The minister said Saudization in 22 new categories had started and provision of financial assistance to the unemployed was possible. He stressed the importance of rationalizing recruitment of foreign manpower.
Al-Namlah said the General Organization for Social Insurance would receive SR750 million shortly. At present GOSI spends more than SR3 billion on social insurance.
