JEDDAH, 12 March 2005 — Efforts are under way to establish a Saudi-American university in Riyadh, according to US Ambassador James C. Oberwetter. “King Faisal Foundation is now working with American businessmen to establish the university where courses will be provided in accordance with Shariah,” he said.
In an interview with Arab News, the ambassador said he expected a large number of Saudi students to apply for visas for higher studies in the US. “I want to correct the wrong impression that there is complication in visa procedures,” he said, adding that the number of visas issued to Saudis now is close to the levels prevalent before Sept. 11, 2001.
Oberwetter said economic reforms enhanced the Kingdom’s openness to the world. “Saudi Arabia’s efforts to join the World Trade Organization have served as a strong engine for its reform train and helped achieve economic transparency,” he said. New regulations introduced by the Kingdom will encourage foreign investment and boost foreign trade, he added.
“The US strongly backs Saudi Arabia in its efforts to become a member of WTO and we share the optimism expressed by Saudis that the outstanding problems could be solved soon,” said Oberwetter.
The US ambassador commended Saudi Arabia’s endeavors to root out terrorism. “I am quite satisfied, more than ever before, with the success achieved by Saudi security forces in destroying terror infrastructure. Their courageous and sincere sacrifices have made every citizen and expatriate feel safe,” he said and pledged US support to the Kingdom’s campaign to combat terrorism.
Oberwetter applauded the ongoing municipal elections and national dialogue as major political reforms. “The US and other countries have seen them as positive developments. We have also followed up the dialogue forums that discussed women’s issues with the participation of women,” he said, and hoped that the internal dialogue would act as a fillip to democratic reforms in the country.
The ambassador emphasized the significance of professional, charitable, educational and women’s organizations in strengthening the relation between the state and individuals and boosting economic, educational and social activities. He praised the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry for hosting the Saudi-American dialogue forum last week with the participation of academics and other prominent personalities from both sides.
He noticed considerable progress in the Kingdom’s efforts to provide good education to its citizens and provide them with jobs at a time when a large number of young Saudi graduates are ready to enter the job market. The ambassador estimated the Kingdom’s unemployment rate at 26 percent based on private studies. He said the Manpower Development Fund was instrumental in accelerating the Saudization drive.
Oberwetter also commended Saudi Arabia’s openness toward foreign journalists. “These days we see a lot of American journalists coming to the Kingdom and spending their time visiting various parts of the country and chatting with its people to write good reports,” he said and commended foreign journalists for their objective reporting.
“Despite the terrorist attacks in Riyadh, Alkhobar and Jeddah, American and other foreign journalists have succeeded in putting things in the right perspective, writing about their positive experiences here and giving a good picture of Saudi culture and traditions to their readers,” he explained.
Oberwetter, who was a student of journalism at the University of Texas and had worked as a public relations officer at Hunt Oil Company, stressed the importance of openness to media, saying “it’s an essential part of modern political, economic and social life.”
He commended the openness and the spirit of free and constructive dialogue in the Saudi press. “I have been keenly following up the press coverage of municipal elections and other local issues that affect Saudi people as well as the discussions on social issues in the press and on the Internet. I was also following up with interest the media campaigns for elections,” he said.
Speaking on President George W. Bush’s Middle East initiative, he said it would promote an atmosphere of freedom in the Arab world. The administration has so far allocated $293 million for strengthening democracy and civil society, boosting economy, creating jobs, promoting education and enhancing women’s role in society. He agreed that reform movements must be led by people not imposed from outside through foreign intervention.
Oberwetter emphasized Saudi Arabia’s religious and political position in the Islamic world. “Thanks to this position coupled with the huge natural resources it has, Riyadh plays a leading role in world affairs. The United States has understood this pivotal role of the Kingdom about 60 years ago and has tried to reinforce its relations with Saudi Arabia at political, economic, cultural and social levels,” he added.
