RIYADH, 19 January 2004 — Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, held wide-ranging talks with Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov here Saturday night. The talks focused on how Saudi Arabia can help Russia solve political, economic and social problems in Chechnya.

Kadyrov, who wrapped up his four-day visit to the Kingdom last night, also handed a message of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Prince Abdullah.

Earlier during talks with Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Kadyrov proposed the establishment of a Chechen cultural center in Jeddah. Kadyrov said Prince Saud backed the idea, which was also discussed with Saudi businessmen and cultural leaders.

Kadyrov, who has played a key role in Moscow’s peace efforts in Chechnya, announced this while holding talks with officials and businessmen at the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The Saudi side in the talks was led by Abdurrahman Al-Jeraisy, CSCCI president.

“Saudi Arabia needs constant information on developments in Russia, including Chechnya,” said the Chechen leader while seeking support for his region.

The establishment of the center would help strengthen relations between Saudi and Russian academic and cultural organizations. There are two major Islamic institutes in Chechnya, in addition to some 400 mosques and cultural centers.

“We need support in reviving our oil industry and boosting our industrial sector,” Kadyrov said as he called on businessmen to invest in Chechnya. The Chechen leader allayed Saudi businessmen’s fears, saying investments in Chechnya would bring them substantial profits.

Al-Jeraisy said Saudi businessmen were keen to establish close contacts with their Russian counterparts not only in profitable ventures but also in restoring the economy. “We also seek to work together on social and cultural fronts,” he said.

Al-Jeraisy suggested the formation of working groups to be entrusted with enhancing commercial and cultural links. He pointed out that the recent visit to Russia by Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, had “removed all obstacles in the way of closer relations between the two countries, and now it is for businessmen and officials to lend support to efforts in boosting ties.”