RIYADH, 2 April — Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, said the Kingdom did not back out on any plans for joint Arab action.
Prince Sultan was responding to foreign media reports which said the Kingdom was falling out of the Arab line concerning resolutions adopted at the Arab summit in Amman related to a proposed Kuwait-Iraq reconciliation.
Speaking to reporters after attending a function at Riyadh Schools on Saturday night, Prince Sultan said the Arab summit had entrusted Jordan’s King Abdallah to make efforts for reconciliation between Kuwait and Iraq.
On a question about skepticism in certain circles regarding the Kingdom’s support to the Palestinians, the prince responded: “Put the question to the Palestinians themselves.”
Prince Sultan denied that restrictions on setting up industries in the Kingdom had prompted businessmen to invest in other countries. “This is not true and the ministers of industry and commerce will explain the facts in detail,” he said.
On a question about recruiting women to work in Saudi Arabian Airlines, the prince said the issue would be left open after the airline’s privatization.
Earlier Prince Sultan urged students to adhere to the principles of Islam and follow the instructions of their teachers. He underscored the importance of hard work and perseverance in the service of their nation, fathers and forefathers. “The late King Abdul Aziz began with education because education is the basis of everything in religion and worldly affairs. We thank Allah for what we accomplished by now.”
Prince Sultan yesterday attended a function to raise funds for the Saudi Wildlife Fund. Foeign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and honorary members of the fund were present.
Welcoming the participants, Secretary-General of the National Commission for the Wildlife Conservation and Development Dr. Abdul Aziz Abuzinada said the first fund-raising meeting had generated SR17 million for the project.
He said the government had established 15 wildlife reserves and succeeded in protecting several animal species facing extinction.
Meanwhile, Prince Sultan received at his office here yesterday Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Andre Bekelanov.
The ambassador conveyed the prince a message from the Russian government.
