JEDDAH/PARIS, 29 June — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd sent a cable of congratulations to Gen. Pervez Musharraf on the occasion of his assuming the office as president and chief executive of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. King Fahd expressed best wishes to the president and progress and prosperity to the people of Pakistan. Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, and Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation have also sent greetings to the Pakistan president.
Meanwhile, French President Jacques Chirac received yesterday Crown Prince Abdullah at the Elysee Palace. The crown prince arrived in Paris last evening from Casablanca. The two leaders had a closed-door meeting for some time. They discussed the Palestinian crisis and other important Middle Eastern and international issues.
The talks also included bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them in all areas. Chirac hosted a dinner in honor of the crown prince at the palace. The dinner was also attended by Prince Nawaf, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and other princes accompanying the crown prince and several French officials.
Today, the crown prince is expected to meet with US Secretary of State Colin Powell who is stopping over in Paris only to meet the prince. According to diplomatic sources, Powell is expected to hear some strong and candid talk from the Saudi crown prince. An American source said it understands well the position of the crown prince.
Earlier on his arrival at the Orly airport, Prince Abdullah was received by the French labor and social affairs minister.
