Saudi Arabian Television recently showed pictures of Crown Prince Abdullah meeting a group of Saudi intellectuals. They were presenting their vision for reform.
We remember of course that the Kingdom has already launched its own initiative calling for reform in the Arab world. The Saudi initiative to be submitted to the next Arab summit in March calls for self-reform and developing political participation in Arab countries. Viewed in this context, the meeting signals a strong desire on the part of the country’s leadership to adopt a new approach whose main feature will be the development of political participation.
This conclusion is not based solely on the link between the Kingdom’s initiative and the crown prince’s meeting with the intellectuals. It is based as well on the assumption that by launching its own initiative, the Kingdom will naturally be the first to adopt and implement the principles contained in it. It is obvious that the Saudi leadership is serious in the new approach to reform. Their desire is to build the country’s capabilities and create conditions favorable to certain changes and reforms. This calls for more positive public participation, the encouragement of creative and innovative thinking and for dealing in a realistic and objective way with international developments.
In its simplest form, political partnership means giving all sectors of the population, through their representatives, the chance to participate in the administration of both domestic and foreign affairs. Such participation calls for a change in the way various councils are formed as well as a change in the philosophy behind their objectives. The views expressed in these councils must reflect public desires and needs. This in turn calls for the councils to be elected instead of appointed. Assuming that this explanation is correct, it is by no means certain that the process will be a simple one. The question is whether it will be implemented gradually and step-by-step, starting from the bottom or beginning at the top and moving down.
Shall we start by reinstating the old system of electing university and other such councils and then move on to elect municipal and provincial councils? Then we might end by moving to an elected Shoura Council which possesses full authority over legislative matters and the capability of pressing ahead with its role as a body for reform? Or shall we adopt the reverse course, starting from the top by electing a Shoura and then proceeding down to elect other bodies? That might be much easier to do. Should we adopt a strict schedule and time limit to ensure that political participation is achieved as planned before proceeding to other elements of reform?
My reading of the unfolding developments suggests we are about to witness the dawn of reform. We pray to the Almighty to help us succeed in this course and serve the interests of our country and our nation.
Arab News From the Local Press 8 February 2003
