DUBAI, 30 October — Prince Alwaleed ibn Talal yesterday dismissed as "too complicated" any plan to launch a television channel to help improve the perception of Arabs and Muslims overseas.
"That is too complicated. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We need to go there, give our views and open dialogue with the US media and try to influence them," Alwaleed said while addressing the Dubai Strategy Forum here.
The prince rounded on the US media for a warped portrayal of Muslims and Arabs. "Every month we’re getting a different theme adopted by influential US newspapers," he said, insisting however that dialogue at the highest official levels was "entrenched and ongoing".
Prince Alwaleed said there "were no doubts things after 9/11 have changed dramatically ... After 9/11, there was a big gap between Saudi Arabia and the United States.
"As Arabs, Muslims, and particularly Saudis, we must try to build bridges with the West in general and the United States in particular. Ties were damaged but not without the possibility of repair," he said, adding however that there had been no concerted repair effort by Arab governments. "America was wounded, wounded badly on 9/11. We should not underestimate it. We have to do more," said the prince.
The prince said he would still be looking to invest in the United States. "If you’re looking for wealth, look west to the US, the heart of capitalism," he said. "China is a sleeping giant that’s waking up. But that will take some time to match the US and Europe. It will not be quick or easy."
