The Foreign Minister, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, reiterated the great attention accorded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to developments of the situation In Iraq.
In an address to the weekly press conference on Tuesday, Prince Saud said that the Kingdom has been following the situation in Iraq with a great anxiety. “The Kingdom is keen to prevent a military confrontation. We do not want the military option to be considered the only means for settlement of the problem,” he said. He expressed satisfaction with the statement of U.S. President George W. Bush, in which he said that the military solution would not be the final solution. “We do feel optimistic because the problem has been referred to the UN for resolution. Even if the UN Security Council decides on war, in accordance with article seven of its Charter, we hope that Arab countries will still be given a chance to reach a peaceful settlement.” Prince Saud warned against the adverse impact of war on countries of the region, particularly Iraq.
Prince Saud noted the tense situation in Palestinian occupied territories, and the repressive measures taken by Israeli authorities against the unarmed Palestinian people. “In the light of the Arab peace initiative, approved by the Arab Summit held in Beirut last year, and efforts exerted by the 4-member committee, we can say that opportunities for peace remain, provided that the concerned parties positively respond to these efforts and genuinely work for peace.” He expressed hope that Israel would be persuaded to pursue a path of peace, and said that forthcoming elections in Israel would change nothing, except that they may lead to further extremism.
Prince Saud said that the visit of the Bahraini Foreign Minster, Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak, to the Kingdom, was part of ongoing consultation between the two Kingdoms.
He said that during the visit of Pakistani Premier Zafarullah Jamali to the Kingdom, the Pakistani Premier discussed with a number of senior Saudi officials, including Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, aspects of cooperation between the Kingdom and Pakistan, and bilateral relations.
Warning again the woes of the war, Prince Saud said that Iraq is the most influential party in the decision to go to war, adding: “We all hope that it will be possible to avoid war. It is hoped that Iraqi policy will lead to a peaceful settlement, and will not create further complications.”
Prince Saud categorically denied that the Kingdom would extend facilities to U.S. forces in the circumstance of a war being launched against Iraq.
With regard to his recent visit to Sudan, Prince Saud said: “My visit to Sudan does not indicate that we are working to achieve new alliances. The Kingdom and Sudan are members of the Arab League, and the visit aimed at exploring means for enhancing bilateral relations.” He noted that the Kingdom, as Sudan’s neighbouring country and part of the Arab nation, is concerned about developments in Sudan, which has been facing the menace of civil war, and added: “We hope that this war will come to an end.” Prince Saud expressed gladness with the affirmation by Sudanese officials of the possibility of ending the war in their country.
Prince Saud emphasized the Kingdom’s strong relations with the United States, particularly at official levels.
When asked if there was an Arab initiative for resolving the Iraqi problem, Prince Saud said that there is no Saudi initiative in this respect, and added: “A political solution would be highly preferable to any military action.” He noted that a political solution would not result in the creation of a political vacuum that paved the way for civil war.
Prince Saud reiterated the keenness of the Kingdom to preserve stability in the oil market.
He denounced the biased campaigns launched against the Kingdom by certain sections of the Western media.
If the U.S. received confirmation of the possibility of using Prince Sultan Base for launching a unilateral war against Iraq, Prince Saud said that the base would include planes from Britain, America and France, whose mission is confined to surveillance of the no-fly zone in Iraq, in accordance with agreement of Safwan.
Source: SPA
