JEDDAH, 8 August 2004 — Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, yesterday criticized Saudi reformists for making “impossible” demands but emphasized that the government would go ahead with its plan to bring about comprehensive social and political changes.
“By demanding reforms overlooking social reality, they are actually trying to put the wand of Moses in the government’s hand and this is not possible,” Al-Riyadh Arabic daily quoted the prince as saying. He said the government’s reform plan would consider social acceptance and readiness.
In a wide-ranging interview with the newspaper, Prince Sultan also underscored the unity and solidarity displayed by Saudi society in their fight against terrorism. “Some had thought that sporadic violence would lead to social division. But it never happened,” he said.
He said terrorists had failed to gain roots in the Kingdom. “Everybody rejected them as they do not want somebody to teach them how to become a Muslim in a country that takes care of Islamic institutions and supports the development of Muslim societies worldwide,” he added.
Prince Sultan said the Kingdom was not fighting Islamic thought and activities. “We are only against terrorism,” he said, adding that the country’s successful anti-terror campaign had won international applause.
He disclosed the Kingdom’s plan to develop the military and judiciary and emphasized the need to promote military education and acquire modern weaponry for the armed forces.
He said the government had set up a special panel to revise academic curricula without affecting religious studies.
He hoped that domestic and foreign investment would create more job opportunities for Saudis. He believed that surplus employment in state institutions would lead to “administrative flabbiness.”
Prince Sultan commended the idea of national dialogue initiated by Crown Prince Abdullah. “It’s an excellent idea as it promotes dialogue between members of society having different views, directions and demands. This will play a big role in strengthening national unity,” he said.
He stressed the need for qualified manpower and modern administrative systems to boost development. “We are also in need of a powerful media to project the true picture of Saudi society,” the prince said.
He also spoke on the economic reforms carried out by the government in recent months including the formation of the financial market authority and the issuance of licenses to set up non-banking financial institutions.
He said the Kingdom had taken a number measures to attract foreign investment. They include the financial market law, the tax law for foreign investors and the cooperative insurance law. He said the new industrial strategy aims to achieve continuous development in the sector.
The minister also referred to the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to join the World Trade Organization. “We have signed bilateral WTO agreements with most trading partners. Now the focus is on reaching an agreement with the US,” he said, hoping that Riyadh would win WTO membership soon.
