JEDDAH, 19 March 2003 — The Kingdom does not plan to set up political parties, Interior Minister Prince Naif announced yesterday. “We have never thought of establishing political parties,” he told reporters.
However, the minister acknowledged that a group of Saudi intellectuals had presented the idea to Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, during a meeting about two months ago.
“This is quite natural. But nothing should be given undue importance. I personally believe that we should now concentrate on how to face the present situation and how to protect the nation’s security and stability,” the prince said.
Referring to reform proposals, Prince Naif said he was against changing the existing good systems “because by change you mean to change the existing systems which are basically good. But we need progress in all spheres in tune with modern developments.”
Prince Naif did not rule out reports that several Saudi volunteers had traveled to Iraq via Jordan to fight against American forces. “We have no information about this. At the same time we cannot deny it totally. Saudis travel abroad as they wish and I see no point in their participation,” he added.
He also ruled out any plans to evacuate Saudis living close to the Iraqi border if war should break out. The prince said the border guards were capable of handling any refugee crisis.
Earlier, speaking to Okaz daily, Prince Naif urged Saudis to stand united behind their leadership and shun actions that would endanger their country and undermine its security.
“This country is our first responsibility and we must avoid anything which endangers it, and whoever believes this is an opportunity to put their interest before that of the country is gravely mistaken,” he told the Arabic daily.
