JEDDAH, 27 October 2005 — Crown Prince Sultan hoped that the people of Iraq would unite in an independent Arab country following the adoption of a new constitution, which was vehemently opposed by the Sunnis.
“We can’t say yes or no to the constitution because this is a matter for the Iraqi people to decide and it is in our interest not to interfere,” Prince Sultan told reporters when asked about the new Iraqi constitution.
“But we do hope the Iraqi people will unite in an independent Arab country,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted him as saying. The charter was approved by 78 percent of Iraqi voters in a nationwide referendum but was overwhelmingly opposed in two Sunni majority provinces.
The 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference, which is based in Jeddah, said the adoption of the constitution would open a new chapter in Iraq’s history and strengthen its democratic process.
In a statement yesterday, OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu urged all Iraqi groups to overcome their differences and work together to establish peace and a democratic government.
Kuwaiti leaders also voiced the hope that the constitution would help the Iraqis achieve unity. “We express our sincere wishes for Iraq and its people to achieve progress and prosperity and lay strong foundations for democracy and equality,” Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Sabah said. Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah said he hoped for “more understanding, solidarity and unity” among the Iraqi people. Kuwait was invaded by Saddam Hussein’s forces in 1990, but was liberated seven months later by a US-led coalition.
In his wide-ranging press conference after attending a meeting of the board of trustees of Prince Sultan Charitable Foundation in Makkah, Prince Sultan also hoped that the Dec. 7-8 OIC summit in the holy city would strengthen Muslim unity.
“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has called for the summit to unite Muslims,” the crown prince said and hoped that the conference, to be attended by Muslim leaders, would be a resounding success.
Prince Sultan, who chairs the Saudi administrative reforms committee, also spoke about plans to expand job opportunities for Saudi women without affecting their children.
“The committee is studying a proposal to allow women to work in two shifts in order to provide jobs for more women. God willing, a decision will be taken shortly in favor of women,” he said.
Asked about the visit of King Abdullah last April to the US, while he was crown prince, and his meeting with President George W. Bush in his Texas ranch, Prince Sultan said, “It was a very fruitful visit. President Bush was impressed by the king’s frankness, positive approach and national spirit.”
The positive result of that visit could be visible in the US press and Congress, the crown prince said. “Things have changed compared to last year as truth will prevail and falsehood will disappear,” he added.
Speaking about the Badil Kheir Company, a charity which was established last year, he said it had raised SR75 million, adding that within three years it would collect enough funds to cover its charitable activities.
Prince Sultan has donated SR10 million to Waha Taiba, an endowment project of the Disabled Children’s Association in Madinah. A company has been given a contract to carry out the SR41.5 million project, a 14-story building close to the Prophet’s Mosque.
