RIYADH, 12 June — Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, painted a promising future for the region, while pinpointing Israel’s intransigence as the only major threat to peace in the Middle East.
In an interview with the German magazine “Der Spiegel”, Prince Abdullah said that the Middle East is heading toward a promising future and that there was no real threat to the region except for Israel’s determination to damage peace efforts with its neighbors by coveting control and power. The interview was published in Der Spiegel’s Monday issue.
Prince Abdullah added, “There is no way out for Israel but to coexist with its neighbors peacefully, if it wanted to have an existence in the area.
Extracts of the interview:
Q: Your visit to Germany comes at a very difficult time in the Middle East where it seems that there is no hope for a solution to end the blood baths witnessed on a daily basis in the area. How do you see the current situation?
A: I think that the German citizen is like any other ordinary human being on this small planet who too has seen what you have aptly described as “blood baths”. The region has never witnessed such scale of violence as we see today by the Israeli war machine against helpless people, whose only recourse against such heavy arms are rocks.
Modern history has never seen such a case when a country has unleashed all its military might from tanks, airplanes, guns and the best of what modern technology has created in weapons against a helpless nation. And if human spirit and its honor is the most precious thing in life then Israel has not left out farms, homes or any other method for surviving without destroying, demolishing or killing it. In my opinion, no other nation has been ethnically cleansed such as the Palestinian people. They have been deprived from every source of life.
I ask anyone who has a conscience, what would you do if members of your family were killed, your farm destroyed and you deprived from all sources of living? I have told the Jews and the others I have met that Israel is running a school that graduates freedom fighters when it closes the doors of hope and work to Palestinians. There is Palestinian violence, but it is nothing more than an unorganized expression of oppression and hopelessness. As for the Israelis, we and the entire world see the use of its most sophisticated weapons and most organized methods of destruction as an act of terrorism of a nation
Q: Many questions have been raised about President Bush’s acceptance to meet Sharon, but his refusal, until now, to receive Arafat. Do you think that the new US administration has no interest in such a meeting, and do you wish to mediate between the US and the PA to set up a Bush-Arafat meeting?
A: We do not tell the US president or any other leaders whom to meet or not to meet, or what he shall or shall not do. But on the basis of friendship and common interest, the issue could be raised with the US administration in a peaceful manner where we could present our point of view and also focus its views on the issue that could not have been considered by them. Anyway, the new US administration has yet to provide solid grounds on its policies and strategies toward this exploding issue. However, events are happening so rapidly and we are losing control to shape events. But there is an immediate need to stop these blood baths that you have spoken about.
In my opinion, any balanced views to things comes by listening to both parties, and that is what has been going on in the past couple of days. We are hopeful that a special envoy will be deployed to the area who has knowledge of what has been going on. We hope that his efforts would represent the responsibility of the United States in taking a dynamic role in this crisis, for it is the largest power that has the most interest in the region and it has always stood for human rights. America, and its role in the region, should not be held back by internal political restraints that is represented by a lobby which only presents one point of view.
Q: Saudi Arabia is considered one of the best friends or a close ally of Washington in the region. Will the US take any action that angers the Kingdom?
A: We don’t look at things with this perspective. We have never thought that the US would try to antagonize us. We understand the pressures on the American administration. But we believe that a balanced US stand would serve the interests of all parties as well as the higher US interests which are not centered on a particular country. We understand from media that the majority of Jews do not agree with the policies of (Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon or the extremist Israeli rightists. They believe that Sharon’s methods would harm Israeli interests and that he poses a threat to Israel’s future. For in the end, the Israelis have to coexist with their neighbors if they want to have a natural entity in the region. Logic says that the support received by a country from others will not continue for ever. We are looking at the peace proposals made by the Mitchell Commission and at the Egyptian-Jordanian initiative with cautious optimism. If the Israelis think that they can be selective in accepting or rejecting those proposals, then peace and stability in the region would be very difficult to achieve. I have an observation to make here. The Mitchell report was not the creation of intifada leaders. It was prepared by Western leaders and think-tanks. The Palestinian Authority does not have any magic key to stop intifada. But one thing is sure that the position of PA and peace loving countries would be stronger if Israel agrees to withdraw its forces from Palestinian cities and villages, stops the cancerous expansion of Jewish settlements and returns to the negotiation table with good intention and commitment to past agreements. Agreements would be worthless if a party knows that the other party would not comply with them. By creating such a situation, we destroy the credibility of all international charters and commitments and bury the hopes for real peace, keeping alive the fire of suspicion and fear and leaving all options open.
Q: It has been observed that there is some sort of a stand off between Riyadh and Washington. Please comment on it.
A: “No. I don’t share your opinion. The ties of friendship and interests between both the countries are beyond a stand off.” It is quite natural to have differences of perception and judgment at times between even the closest allies. However, we believe in dialogue with US administration and the people to convince them of the ground realities. “We, who are in the region, live with the pains of our Palestinian brothers. We feel the searing heat of their war and tragedy. There is no meaning or purpose for a friendship between two parties if one of them cannot explain the real state of affairs to the other party. It is the duty of one of the party to warn the other about the impending danger enveloping the region. The region today is placed on the top of a powder keg about to blast. Any negligence to defuse it means destruction not only to Palestinians, but to the region and even to the whole world. Moreover, the US’s lead position in the current world order makes it binding on that country to tackle the crises before they spiral out of control. By real friendship we mean dialogue and frank speech as we always say “your true friend is the one who tells you the truth and not the one who agrees with whatever you say.”
Q: During the recent visit of the American secretary of state to the Kingdom he discussed only Iraq and not Palestine. What is your response?
A: In any meeting with the US officials we discuss sufferings of the Palestinian people. We do the same in meetings with other international officials as well.
Q: Will the American intention to impose smart sanctions on Iraq help resolve the issues?
A: The Saudi stand for over three years has been to end the sufferings of the Iraqi people while retaining the control over the regime’s potential for weapons of mass destruction threatening its neighbors. Our ties with the Iraqi people is beyond which words can describe. On the other hand, the act of the Iraqi regime’s head was no mistake but a gross crime. It is not easy for us to forget the missiles that fell on our homes and cities. It is the responsibility of the Iraqi regime to rebuild confidence in itself, to prove its good intentions and thus wipe away the painful memories.
Q: Is it to true that the air-strikes at Iraqi targets are carried out by US and British planes taking off from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait?
A: This is a totally false charge. Kingdom’s territories are not used for air raids. Iraq knows from where they come.
Q: Do you believe that it is possible to reach an agreement with Iraq while Saddam heads the regime or a change of regime a condition before any agreement can be achieved?
A: Any president remaining in power depends on the will of his people. We wish our Iraqi brothers welfare and progress. It is hard for any of us to forget the crime committed by the Iraqi president on his neighbors and the Ummah. We have been suffering from its evil consequences till this moment. He struck at the basic structure of the Arab cooperation and solidarity which the Ummah needs badly to face far greater challenges. It is with the people of Iraq, and not any ruler, that we want to coexist with.
Q: The situation in the region is terrifying. Where are matters moving while there are extremism and terrorism with Islamic labels?
A: The region is heading for a future with progress and prosperity. There is only one real danger — Israel’s insistence to scuttle all peace opportunities and its policy of dominating its the neighbors. On the other hand, Islam is our religion which has in the course of time succeeded in producing a civilization and culture unique in the history of mankind marked with toleration and openness. Extremism is foreign to Islam. This menace is not of a Middle Eastern or of an ethnic origin, but some people like to use it to justify their political goals. The liberal and Marxist West and East are full of extremist movements of various hues. What is important is to strive together to increase the scope of hope so that the frustration which generally leads to extremist ideals, is narrowed down.
Q: Were any foreign hands involved in attacks that have been launched against American Force bases that have resulted in many deaths?
A: There were two incidents, one in Riyadh and the other in Alkhobar. As for the one in Riyadh, the people who were involved have been arrested and tried and all information regarding the case has been announced. As for the Alkhobar incident, investigations are not yet complete because some of the people involved in the case are abroad. As soon as the investigations are finished the results of it will be announced.
Q: For peace in the Mideast region what is supposed to happen and what are the conditions of peace?
A: I do not think that there is a conflict between the principles and the conditions for securing peace. I believe that there is a common belief that this matter is based on international organizations decisions that are governed by the principle, “land for peace”. No matter what Israel does it can never have both land and peace. Peace, stability, and harmony, can either be a right for everyone or a dream that is hard to establish. And I would like to point out here about a fact that I am sure everyone knows; for a period of over 50 years, it was not possible for any Arab to even think that it was possible to live along with Israel. However, today, and with the many efforts carried out by peacemakers, the Arab world is more receptive to this idea of co-existence.We have come closer to the point where Arabs and Israelis could try to establish new relationships that would replace the language of bullets with the language of dialogue. I believe we are standing in front of a golden opportunity that would not repeat itself and it would not be for Israel, or its interest, to lose such an opportunity. Israel has no choice but accept the fact that its neighbors are Arabs. That is what history and geography tells us.
Blood has been shed on both sides, and more important — energy. Israel has only but one solution: to live and co-exist with its neighbors in a peaceful, stable and secure environment that precludes any attempts to enforce oppression.
Q: Do you think that such efforts would be wasted and that a war would break out between Arabs and Israelis?
A: We, along with all peace-loving people and seekers for stability, hope that a new war would not break in this region, which has undergone so much crises and destruction due to wars. Wars have hindered development and has done nothing but borne terror and extremism. We hear a lot about a new war in the region. On this I would like to issue a strong warning to whomever is concerned, that everyone would be affected by this war and the interest of all would be hurt. It is easy to ignite the war and it would not be difficult for any of the parties to claim an illusionary, or temporary victory. However, the aftermath of the war and its consequences of chaos, destruction, terrorism and direct and indirect lost of lives and property would not have been calculated by the perpetrators as we have learned throughout time.
Q: Many Arabs think that the European Union could help, do you think so, and how?
A: Yes, absolutely, the European Union could help with its political, moral, financial and strategical weight. Europe, being the neighbor to the Middle East, has knowledge of the area and the culture and habits of its people and it could have an effective role in the peace process. And it knows better than anyone, that the illusion of peace will only cause more suffering and violence. It also knows that a real peace that ensures everyone their rights is everlasting and stable. The hope of an everlasting and just peace was instituted in Madrid and several European officials and candidates participated in it in which they have presented their ideas and visions of peace. Perhaps the latest strong European presence in the peace process was in the report of facts, “Mitchell’s report”, where Europe had a strong presence. We therefore think that the participation of Europe is important and peace can not be established without its efforts in our region, especially since some of its countries hold historical and principal responsibility that goes back to the days of colonization and its role in dividing Palestine.
Q: You know that Germany is burdened by history because of the Nazi crimes against the Jews. Do you think Berlin would agree to pressure Israel to comply with international law?
A: We don’t want anybody to put pressure on anybody. We want the world to talk in one voice, clearly and frankly, and call a spade a spade. The crimes of the Nazis against the Jews should not be used as a pretext to commit similar crimes against the Palestinians. I would like to point out here that the Jews have always enjoyed peace and security in the Islamic world before Israel started its expansionist and aggressive policies.
Q: You have refused, as reported, to include the US in your current tour. What is the reason?
A: Such official visits have to be well planned in advance. Preparations for them go through stages and are subject to various considerations that the two parties are usually keen to ensure its success. Usually, there would be an agenda or specific issues that have already been discussed at various levels and which is finalized in such visits. This was not the case this time round. Saudi Arabia and the United States are old allies and linked together with huge network of interests. The visit will take place when the two sides see when the time is ripe for it.
Q: How do you see the Saudi-German relations. Would you like to purchase any German weapons for the Kingdom?
A: Saudi-German relations are based on friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding. We believe that there are a number of areas where we can benefit from German expertise. Germany has achieved a remarkable and leading position in the comity of nations and you have every right to be proud for the great achievements made by the country.
With regard to arms, this visit is not intended for such matters. When we have the need to buy weapons, the related Saudi authorities will discuss it with their German counterparts. We are looking forward to the forthcoming visit of the German chancellor and hope that it would boost bilateral relations.
Q: What is your opinion about Germany?
A: Germany is a great European country with a deep-rooted history. Its history is purely German, not a formal European history. Germany, with its philosophers, thinkers and business and political leaders, has been a center of influence for various intellectual, political and economic trends in the Arab world. The great history of Germany makes it the right choice for cooperation between the two countries in various fields. We see there is good scope for cooperation in modern technology. At the same time, Germany can make use of the viable investment climate in the Kingdom. It can also contribute to our educational, training and modernization programs. We are sincerely looking forward to meet with Chancellor (Gerhard) Schroeder and that visit would be a turning point in Saudi-German relations.
