The Foreign Minister, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, expressed the Kingdom’s growing concern over the collapse of security in Iraqi cities, resulting in chaos, looting and plundering. He warned that the continuation of this situation could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.
In his weekly briefing held here today, Prince Saud emphasized the importance of protecting innocent Iraqi civilians and their property. He noted the special status of Baghdad in Arab and Islamic history; thus, the city’s historical and civilizational features should be preserved.
Prince Saud stressed the importance of ending the military occupation of Iraq, and allowing the Iraqi people the opportunity to administer their affairs. He attributed looting in Iraqi cities to the shortage of foodstuffs and essential materials, and called for the application of urgent efforts by the international community to administer the distribution of aid to the Iraqi people.
Prince Saud said that events in Iraq should not distract UN attention from the deteriorating situation in the occupied Palestinian territories as a result of incessant Israeli aggression against the unarmed Palestinian people. He stressed the necessity of commitment to the statements of the British Prime Minister and the U.S. President in Belfast regarding implementation of the “Road Map” for peace in the Middle East, which includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
When asked whether the Kingdom would recognise a U.S. installed military government in Iraq, Prince Saud said that Saudi Arabia would deal with the government chosen by the Iraqi people. “This is a matter that concerns not only ourselves, but international legitimacy. We will accept the situation chosen by the Iraqi people.”
Replying to a question on the Kingdom’s role in determining Iraq’s future, Prince Saud said that when the Iraqi people establish their state, “We will deal with it.”
In response to a question on the humanitarian aid promised to Iraq by the Kingdom, Prince Saud pointed out that he, personally, had expressed the Kingdom’s desire to send aid in cooperation with the Iraqi Red Crescent at the recent meeting of the Arab League, but the Iraqi response to the Kingdom and all Arab countries was that when Iraq needs aid it will apply to the Arab League. He added the aid would now be delivered via the Saudi Red Crescent. An initial sum of SR300 million has been appropriated for this purpose. Prince Saud stressed that the aid is available and it will be delivered when circumstances allow it to reach the designated destinations.
In response to a question on the possibility of the participation of the Kingdom in the reconstruction of Iraq, and its cooperation with the U.S. and Britain in this regard, Prince Saud said that before the establishment of a legitimate Iraqi government that receives international recognition, the issue of reconstruction cannot be effectively discussed. “The first and basic step is to give the Iraqis the opportunity to choose its government, before reconstruction or normalization can take place.”
Prince Saud confirmed that the Kingdom would attend an OPEC meeting, were it to take place.
Asked whether the Arab Foreign Ministers are scheduled to discuss threats against Syria and Iran, he said that he did not consider the statements issued by some U.S. officials as threats against Syria. “Let us end this fighting before thinking of another war,” he said.
Commenting on the possibility of the division of Iraq, or that the Iraqi opposition factions have agreed not to divide the country, Prince Saud stated that he has no idea what the Iraqi opposition is proposing. “But the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a firm stance in this regard,” he said. “We are insisting that Iraq should maintain its territorial integrity, independence and national security.”
When asked if the Kingdom has a proposal for the future of Iraq, he said that the issue is being discussed in the international arena. He stressed the importance of the role of the UN in reconstruction, to affirm international legitimacy.
When asked to comment on the notion that reform and democracy should be introduced to the Middle East, Prince Saud said: “If the introduction of democracy to the Middle East is a threat, then what is the meaning of democracy? Is the participation of people in choosing their governments considered a threat to them? The real threat to the region is posed by weapons, bombs and the views of others that the region’s wealth should be exploited for the benefit of others.”
Asked about the position of the Kingdom towards the issue of weapons of mass destruction, Prince Saud said that the Kingdom and other Arab countries were calling for the elimination of weapons of mass-destruction from the Middle East, including Iraq and Israel.
In response to a question regarding the fate of Saudi-U.S. military cooperation in the aftermath of the war, Prince Saud said that the Kingdom has no military pacts or agreements other than the UN-sponsored Safwan Agreement regarding the no-fly zone in southern Iraq. “These are the facilities provided by the Kingdom upon a United Nations resolution. Had there been other treaties, we would have announced them,” he said.
When asked whether he would call for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. and British troops from Iraq upon the realization of ceasefire, he said that he would urge immediate action to prevent the collapse of security and infrastructure in the country, in order to enable the provision of food, water and medical supplies to the Iraqi people.
Source: SPA
