JEDDAH, 2 June — Saudi Arabia is likely to take a decision today on the postponement or cancellation of an industrial exhibition in Canada, scheduled to be opened on June 13 to mark the visit of Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, to that country. Prince Abdullah has canceled the visit. Saudi Exhibitions Company sources told Arab News that it had not yet received any intimation from Saudi authorities on changing the exhibition’s opening date, adding that they were awaiting a decision on this matter today. More than 30 major Saudi companies including Aramco and SABIC were to participate in the show. Diplomats in Riyadh expected Prince Abdullah to take a tough stand over the uproar created about the alleged torture of William Sampson, a Canadian jailed in connection with a fatal bombing in Riyadh. Dr. Hamoud Al-Badr, secretary-general of the Shoura Council, yesterday commended the crown prince’s decision to cancel the Canada visit. He said Ottawa’s demand to release Sampson, who had confessed to his involvement in two Riyadh blasts, was a violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty.
