JEDDAH, 19 September — The cultural attaché at the Kingdom’s embassy in Washington DC has started issuing one-way tickets to Saudi for those who wish to return home, Al-Madinah newspaper reported yesterday.
In the case of students, the attaché is acting in coordination with the universities where they are studying so that their absence will not adversely affect their grades. The attaché will also see that the students will not be deprived of their right to continue their foreign studies.
The embassy has not received any complaints from Saudi citizens that they have been denied reservations on domestic flights in the United States, the newspaper quoted an embassy source as saying.
Those who face such problems in the future should contact the Saudi missions in various cities throughout the country.
Concerning reports that Saudis are being harassed, particularly by FBI officials, the source said Secretary of States Colin Powell had asked the embassy to inform him personally of any such incidents, the newspaper added.
The Saudi Embassy in Washington has appointed lawyers to help Saudis under investigation in the Sept. 11 attacks. “We are following the legal issues very closely. The Americans are aware of this and are abiding by the procedures of American law in connection with detention and interrogation,” Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said over the weekend. “All Saudis in the United States should contact the Saudi Embassy or consulates if they face any problem,” he added.
