RIYADH, 21 April 2004 — British Ambassador Sherard Cowper-Coles underlined the determination of Britain and Saudi Arabia not to give in to terrorism. The envoy was speaking to Arab News at a reception to mark the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II.
Deputy Governor of Riyadh Prince Sattam, a number of guests from the diplomatic corps, government and non-governmental organizations and the private sector and members of the British community were present.
The British Consul General in Jeddah, Carsten Piggot, hosted a similar function at the consulate yesterday, which the ambassador attended.
“This year has been a difficult one for many in Saudi Arabia and I believe that by holding this celebration, we have shown our shared determination that neither of us will give in to terrorism,” Cowper-Coles said.
Terrorists carried out attacks in Riyadh twice last year. On Nov. 9, they attacked the Muhayya residential compound, killing 18 people and injuring more than 80. This followed coordinated bomb attacks against residential compounds on May 12 which killed more than 30 people, including two British nationals.
Britons in Saudi Arabia were warned by the Foreign Office to keep a low profile, avoid public gatherings and maintain a “high level of vigilance” in hotels, restaurants and shopping areas.
“This event not only marks the birthday of Her Majesty but also the strong bond of friendship that exists between the two countries,” said Cowper-Coles.
The UK and Saudi Arabia have a number of cultural and educational links and there is also a large sports cooperation program involving 55 training exchanges annually.
The Chevening Scholarship Scheme and the Prince of Wales King Faisal Foundation Scholarship provide for an exchange of British and Saudi students.
Saudi Arabia is Britain’s largest trading and investment partner in the Middle East. Trade in goods and services between Saudi Arabia and the UK is about $7.5 billion (SR28 billion) a year. The value of UK goods exported to Saudi Arabia in 2002 was over $2.2 billion.
British investment in the Kingdom is estimated at around $3.5 billion.
There are some 150 UK-Saudi joint ventures in the country as well as more than 30,000 British citizens living and working here. British companies with a presence in the Kingdom include GlaxoSmithKline, Shell, BP, Rolls Royce, Marconi, BAE Systems, Tate & Lyle, Unilever, Taylor Woodrow, Amec, Harvey Nichols, Marks & Spencer and Debenhams.
