Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said that U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell held “constructive and important” talks with Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, on a number of key issues.
At a joint press conference with Prince Saud Al-Faisal in Riyadh, Powell said that he held extensive talks with Crown Prince Abdullah and Prince Saud on developments in the Middle East and the strategy for introducing democracy in the region. “We have experience in this domain, and we are capable of helping other countries to carry out reforms,” he said. “Reforms should, however, emanate from within these countries, and should never be imposed from abroad. We have spoken about reform in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, forthcoming elections, legal systems and other issues of concern,” he said, adding: “The Kingdom and other countries in the region have to take their own, unique path of reform and determine the required speed and pace for carrying out the reform process; nothing should be imposed on them from abroad in haste.”
On Saudi-American relations, Powell said: “Our relations are strong, and we appreciate the significant role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the fight to combat terrorism.” Powell noted that he had briefed Crown Prince Abdullah and Prince Saud Al-Faisal on the outcome of his south Asian tour, and said that they had also reviewed bilateral relations.
Powell expressed concern over the detention of a number of reformists in the Kingdom. “We have concerns when people who are trying to express their views, and do it in an open and democratic way, are not able to do so,” Powell said. Responding to Powell’s statement, Prince Saud Al-Faisal said: “Friends can discuss anything. From our point of view, what happened was something that concerns this country.” He said that some of those detained have been released, and others will face legal proceedings.
Powell said that he held consultations with Arab Foreign Ministers on the process of reform in the Middle East, and had explained to them the keenness of the U.S. to help Arab countries to realize reforms.
Prince Saud Al-Faisal said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has witnessed a constant process of reform to meet the country’s needs and ensure the interests of its people. He said that the reform process would take place in accordance with the Kingdom’s values, which include preservation of the unity and cohesion of Saudi society.
Source: SPA
