Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, pointed out that the Kingdom's wide contacts and talks held at Arab, regional and international arenas last week were in response to the current regional circumstances relating to the situation in Iraq.
In a press briefing here today, Prince Saud said the talks focused on the new situation imposed by the war on Iraq and its consequences for the security, safety and stability of the region and the world, noting that the Kingdom stressed the need to preserve Iraq's security, territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty.
Prince Saud added that the Kingdom's talks focused on the right of the Iraqi people to self-determination. A free and independent political future necessitates the end of the military occupation as soon as possible, the quick establishment of a transitional government in preparation for setting up an Iraqi broad-based constitutional government, and the enhancement of the United Nations role in support of the choices of the Iraqi people.
He affirmed the Kingdom's continual readiness to provide support and assistance not only in the humanitarian fields but also by contributing to the international efforts to build post-war Iraq, as expressed by the Kingdom and the regional conference held in Riyadh recently.
He said special attention had been given to the situation in the Middle East as it affects the overall issues in the region, underscoring the importance of alleviating the grievances faced by the Palestinians. "We expressed our hope that steps to publish the “road map” be expedited and that the “road map” be integrated with the Arab Peace Initiative", Prince Saud said. He said the Arab countries, particularly the Palestinian party, have contributed to the road map. The most important endeavor was the integration of the road map into the Arab peace scheme, expressed in the Beirut Declaration. "The Arab proposal had been inserted in the heart of the road map", he said, adding that "Israel’s so-called amendments were in fact attempts to derail the map and prevent its publication, while Arab requirements were designed to fit within the process of implementation of the road map". He said he believed the European group share the Arab countries' insistence that no amendments be made on the road map but that the Arab countries have demanded that the Golan Heights and the Lebanese occupied territories be integral parts of the solution. Asked for his opinion about the possibility that the dispute between President Yasir Arafat and the nominated premier will disrupt peace efforts in Palestine, he said: “The issue of leadership should be left for Palestinians and I am certain that they see the question of forming a government as an urgent one."
On the Arab stance towards the current interim leadership in Iraq, Prince Saud recalled that the statement issued by Garner, the U.S. hand-picked Interim Governor of Iraq, has called for expediting steps to set up an interim government and to maintain security to enable the people of Iraq to elect their legitimate administration. "This is also our position", he said.
In response to a question on whether there would be some kind of cooperation between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the U.S. administration on Iraq, he said we have to deal with the new situation in Iraq. He explained that this has nothing to do with the legitimacy or otherwise the government but is about practical measures for transferring power from the occupation forces to the legitimate authority which will be chosen by the Iraqis. He confirmed that there were no obstacles to the return of Iraqi refugees in Rafha, Saudi Arabia, to their country. "Talks will be held with the U.N. Refugees Affairs Commission to discuss the Iraqi refugees' demand to return", he said.
Prince Saud briefed reporters on the issues discussed during a meeting which took place in Riyadh yesterday between the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz and Egyptian President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak. He said the situation in Iraq and in Palestine were discussed, noting that the two leaderships focused on the importance of solidarity of Arab countries in this regard. He denied that some Arab countries have been marginalized and kept outside the sphere of political coordination whether in relation to the Iraqi crisis or other crises. He said: “There was a meeting of the countries around Iraq, i.e. Iran, Turkey and the Arab countries around Iraq. There are issues with which those countries are concerned. It is in the interest of all Arab countries to have consensus among these countries to protect the freedom, independence and sovereignty of Iraq. In this meeting, there was no marginalization. The Iraq issue is discussed at Arab institutions. No Arab party was marginalized in this regard."
On a question regarding the Iraqi people's displeasure with the American forces' presence in their country and whether there will be Arab interference if matters developed and clashes occurred, he said it is the responsibility of the occupation authorities to maintain security and let the Iraqis form their government. He added, "The American official said that they will not stay more than necessary to finish their job in paving the way for establishing security."
Asked for his opinion about the Syrian government's acceptance of some American demands, he said, "The Syrian Foreign Minister Farooq Alshara spoke on this matter in a press conference."
Responding to a question on what will happen to Iraqi oil in view of continued American occupation of Iraq, he said, "if the occupation was a good occupation and led to security, independence and formation of a legitimate government in Iraq, then there would be no need for the occupation forces [to stay]. The country's natural resources would be kept for the Iraqis. All the charges we hear that America will control the oil will then be mere speculation. Iraqis should be left to determine their fate. No doubt, Iraq will enter the oil market but OPEC members took measures months ago regarding Iraq's resumption of oil exports.
Replying to a question on conveying the viewpoints of the foreign ministers of Iraq's neighboring countries to the United States following their meeting in Riyadh recently, Prince Saud Al-Faisal stressed that contacts with the United States have been continuing, and said he has not heard a U.S. official comment on the meeting. He added that U.S. officials had expressed their appreciation for the goals announced by the region's countries, noting that [the same] position had already been expressed by the U.S. and U.K. command. He added, '' We have just demanded Iraq's unity, independence and the choice of the state and government. Occupation forces should not differ regarding these principles. It is important these principles should be implemented.''
On his talks with the Pakistani foreign minister relating to the Iraqi crisis, Prince Saud said the talks were fruitful and the stances of the two countries were close in calling for the United Nations to have an essential role in the situation in Iraq. He added that there are practical aspects that can be done by the United Nations such as humanitarian assistance, control of security, and economic matters relating to Iraq’s reconstruction.
Asked if the U.S. Governor represented the transitional government in Iraq, Prince Saud noted that the governor said that he neither represents the Iraqi government nor is he an alternative to it.
On a question about whether the Saudi force escorting the Saudi relief convoy in Iraq is part of a peace keeping force, he said the Saudi force that was sent was a company for protection of the hospital from inside. He added that whether it will stay or not will depend on security circumstances in Iraq.
On developments between Syria and America, he said: “The two countries are inclined to negotiate. Secretary of State of the United States of America expressed a desire to visit Syria. I hope understanding will prevail between the two parties."
Regarding criticism of the Arab League, Prince Saud Al-Faisal said that the League is the core of Arab joint action and it is in the interest of the Arab countries to do everything to reform it and make it able to perform its role, adding that there is a proposal submitted by the Crown Prince on reform, which stresses that, in the interests of credibility, citizens and governments should accept the need to implement Arab resolutions. He added that the league should not be a platform for speeches and slogans; it should be a workshop for Arab cooperation in all the fields.
Commenting on a question on non-intervention of the occupation forces into the formation of the transitional government, Prince Saud said a transitional government authority will be derived from the occupation forces; later Iraq will have independent powers. He stressed the need for a legitimate Iraqi government to assume power after the return of security and services to normalcy, adding that Iraq's neighboring countries pledged not to exert any influence on that government which will be of Iraq's own choosing, dealing with Iraq’s own affairs.
Replying to a question on contacts to convene a meeting of Arab foreign ministers, he said he had not heard any call for such a meeting.
In response to a question on gas projects in the Kingdom, Prince Saud denied reports that Exxon Mobile had withdrawn from bidding, quoting a letter sent by the company's president that his group is still looking forward to further negotiations with the Saudi party. Prince Saud said the Kingdom is currently studying answers it has received from bidding companies. The war on Iraq has not affected the negotiations between the Kingdom and bidders, he said, adding that the Kingdom is looking forward to agreements that would guarantee the interests of the Kingdom and provide the required profits for the companies. Prince Saud expressed his belief that the coming negotiations would not take long. He said the projects of electricity, water and petrochemicals are parts of the projects under negotiation. "They are of great importance to the Kingdom," he said. He concluded that such projects are allocated to diversify the base of the economy, necessitating the creation of incremental investment from inside and outside the Kingdom.
