JEDDAH, 3 June 2003 — Saudi Arabia yesterday called on Israel to implement without delay and in full the road map for Middle East peace before two decisive summits scheduled by US President George W. Bush and Arab and Israeli leaders this week.
“Israel’s acceptance of the road map is an initial step that needs to be followed by serious and practical steps to prove its actual compliance and actual implementation of all its provisions,” the Council of Ministers said. “The implementation must be carried out without delays and bargaining,” the Cabinet said following its weekly meeting chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd.
The Cabinet meeting also strongly urged that Israel should accept the Arab peace plan proposed by Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, and endorsed by the Arab summit in Beirut last year.
Crown Prince Abdullah will represent the Kingdom at the first summit between Bush and Arab leaders at Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh resort today.
Tomorrow, Bush will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Premier Mahmoud Abbas in Jordan.
The Cabinet hoped that the application of the road map would lead to a just, comprehensive and enduring peace in the region and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The Cabinet also welcomed the UN resolution to lift economic sanctions against Iraq and hoped this would enable the Iraqi people to rebuild their institutions and help them decide their political future. It also reiterated the Kingdom’s rejection of all forms of terrorism and reaffirmed that terrorism had no religion, country or nationality.
The Cabinet rejected attempts to use the suicide bombings in Riyadh to accuse Islam of promoting terror. It stressed that those who carried out the attacks were deviants. The Kingdom pledged its support for international efforts to fight terrorism, establish lasting peace in the Middle East and bring about security in Iraq.
Addressing the Cabinet meeting, King Fahd noted the role played by Saudis as well as expatriates in thwarting criminal efforts to undermine the Kingdom’s security and stability. The king also praised security officers who tracked down suspected criminals. In the past week, Saudi security forces arrested a number of suspected Al-Qaeda sympathizers and operatives.
Culture and Information Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy said the Cabinet had approved an agreement with Ethiopia for air transportation. The meeting authorized Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal to hold talks with Libya to sign a memorandum of understanding between the two countries and to set up a follow-up and political consultation committee.
The Cabinet appointed Saleh ibn Muhammad Al-Dhaif security adviser at the Riyadh governorate, Misfar ibn Saad Al-Dossary, administrative adviser at the Ministry of Culture and Information, Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al-Isa administrative director of the Public Security Hospital, and Muhammad ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Moammar, director general of the branch office of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
