JEDDAH, 28 June 2005 — Crown Prince Abdullah yesterday expressed his satisfaction over the “fruitful and constructive cooperation” between Saudi Arabia and the United States.
He made this comment while briefing the Cabinet meeting on the outcome of his talks with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Prince Abdullah said his talks with Musharraf, which took place in Riyadh on Saturday, would help strengthen Islamic solidarity and joint action as well as Saudi-Pakistan relations.
Referring to his meeting with Rice in Riyadh last Monday, the crown prince said it focused on major regional issues including Palestine and Iraq as well as efforts to combat terror.
It was Prince Abdullah’s first meeting with Rice after his historic talks with US President George W. Bush at his Crawford ranch on April 25.
The Council of Ministers praised the US and the European Union for organizing the international conference for supporting Iraq in Brussels and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s vision of an independent and united Iraq.
“In all such forums Saudi Arabia has presented its vision of an independent and united Iraq that enjoys security and stability and coexists with its neighbors,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the Cabinet as saying.
The Cabinet meeting heard a report on the Asia-Middle East Dialogue in Singapore and emphasized the need for promoting a culture of dialogue and peace in the world, discarding violence, injustice and racial discrimination.
Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani said the Cabinet expressed its delight on the discovery of a new gas field near the Eastern Province city of Dhahran.
The Cabinet approved the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the customs cooperation accord with Yemen, and the Kingdom’s admission to the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Madani said.
The Cabinet meeting also approved changes to the laws of the Social Observation Centers under the Ministry of Social Affairs. According to the altered law, these centers will take care of juveniles aged between 12 and 18, with the exception of those approved by a judge or an investigating authority.
Meanwhile, the Shoura Council met in Riyadh yesterday and completed its debate on the new electricity law, which stipulates privatization of the sector. Dr. Saleh Al-Malik, secretary-general of the Shoura, said the 150-member consultative body would vote on the law at its next session.
While discussing a report on the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, the Shoura called for the continuation of financial and administrative flexibility granted to the RC and other commissions, saying it would have positive effects on the national economy. The Shoura members also called for scientific and economic studies to develop systems for improving work performance.
