RIYADH, 24 September — Saudi Arabia yesterday denounced Israel’s brutal aggression on the Palestinian Authority headquarters in Ramallah and called on the international community to intervene quickly to end the siege on Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and revive peace talks.
Prince Abdullah, the regent, presiding over the weekly Cabinet meeting, said the escalation of Israeli brutality in the occupied territories once again proved the Jewish state’s antipathy toward peace. He reaffirmed the Kingdom’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people.
Prince Abdullah made the comment while briefing the Cabinet on the outcome of his talks by telephone with Arafat, who had informed the regent of the dangerously deteriorating situation in the occupied territories.
Information Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy said Prince Abdullah called on Arab countries to take a united stand against the continuing Israeli aggression on Palestinian people and institutions.
"The regent urged the international community to take a decisive stand on the Israeli aggression and force the Jewish state to take part in peace negotiations," Al-Farsy said.
Referring to Saudi Arabia’s National Day, which was observed throughout the country yesterday, Prince Abdullah highlighted the significance of the day as it reminded Saudi people of the great endeavors made by King Abdul Aziz and his men to unify the Kingdom.
He underscored the remarkable progress achieved by Saudi Arabia over the past years without deviating from Islamic faith and its teachings. He urged Saudi citizens to play an important and responsible role to boost the country’s development and prosperity.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, Prince Abdullah and Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation yesterday received messages of greetings from world leaders on the occasion of the National Day.
The Cabinet approved opening of branches of Bahrain National Bank in Riyadh and Kuwait National Bank in Jeddah. It instructed the two banks to follow the Kingdom’s rules and regulations.
The Cabinet granted permission to Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency to become a member of the Council of Islamic Financial Services and authorized SAMA governor or his deputy to sign the council’s constituent regulations.
The Cabinet decided impose tough punishment on farms using antibiotics in fodder.
"The meeting banned sale and re-sale of eggs and chicken produced at unlicensed farms as well as their consumption by restaurants," Al-Farsy said.
First time violators will be fined SR20,000 to SR80,000. If the violation is repeated for a second time, a fine ranging between SR100,000 and SR200,000 would be imposed.
Third time violators would be asked to pay a fine between SR250,000 and SR500,000. Poultry farms committing violations three times in a single year or five times in three years would be closed down.
Al-Farsy said fines would be imposed on the basis of a decision taken by a three-member committee set up by the Agriculture Ministry, after hearing the defendants’ views.
Individuals and firms fined by authorities would have the right to appeal at the Court of Grievances within 60 days after the decision.
Any decision to close a project should be approved by the Court of Grievances, the Cabinet said. The decision to confiscate products of erring farms should be taken by the Agriculture Ministry.
Al-Farsy said the Cabinet included the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs among the agencies responsible for monitoring imported poultry.. The Cabinet advised monitoring authorities to intensify inspection of poultry farms, meat factories and shops and test samples of poultry products at labs to ensure they comply with Saudi standards.
It advised the Agricultural Ministry to stop licensing new centers for plucking chicken feathers. Existing facilities have been given four years to close down. In the meantime, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs will make arrangements with the private sector to establish modern slaughterhouses for the sale and cleaning of chicken. The Cabinet also decided to strengthen the capabilities of the Ministries of Agriculture, Commerce and Municipality and Saudi Standards Organization to trace remains of hormones and antibiotics in chicken.
These ministries and SASO will be given necessary finances to establish laboratories in various parts of the Kingdom to trace hormones and antibiotics in meat.
The Cabinet also appointed Jarallah ibn Suleiman Al-Khateeb as director of administrative affairs at the Ministry of Defense and Aviation, and Ahmad ibn Mohammed Abdul Qader as director of the department of companies at the Commerce Ministry.
