Speaking at a regular press briefing held today, the Foreign Minister, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, said that the arrival of a United Nations “fact finding mission” in Iraq is a positive development, and expressed his hope that it will contribute to restoration of the United Nations’ central role in assuring Iraq’s national unity and sovereignty.
Prince Saud called for intervention by the international community to confront Israel’s unilateral policies which threaten to undermine and further complicate the peace process.
On the issue of the Israeli ‘racist separation wall’, he said that the Kingdom submitted its official legal memorandum to the International Court of Justice on 27 January, and the Kingdom will deliver a statement on the subject at the opening of the Court’s deliberations on 23 February.
Prince Saud denied allegations that the Kingdom received demands that it alter educational texts on Jihad. He also refuted reports that the Kingdom and Yemen are currently engaged in disputes over border issues.
On Iran’s extradition of detained Saudi al-Qa’ida members to the Kingdom, he said that cooperation on extradition would benefit both countries.
Prince Saud said that his forthcoming tour of European countries is a response to invitations by the concerned countries to discuss bilateral relations, the Middle East peace process, the situation in Iraq following restoration of the role of the United Nations there, and cooperation between the Arab Group and the European Union in these regards.
Prince Saud said that Arab countries wish to activate the Arab peace initiative to advance progress towards a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The Arab Follow-up Committee will hold a meeting to discuss the topic and convey its stance to the United Nations, and to review the possibility of international cooperation to revive the peace initiative. The Arab initiative and the Quartet ‘Road Map’ initiative are complementary, he said.
Replying to a question on installing an electronic system on Saudi-Yemeni borders, he said that he has no knowledge of the project, for which the Interior Ministry would be responsible; but he believes that the two countries agreed to control the borders to prevent smuggling. He added that if there is such a project, it will undoubtedly yield benefits for both countries and protect their borders.
In response to a question on the meeting of Foreign Ministers of countries neighbouring Iraq in Kuwait on Saturday, Prince Saud noted that the Kingdom was among countries that called for the establishment of this group, and hoped that it would contribute to stabilising the situation and supporting the independence and sovereignty of Iraq. All statements issued by the group endorse the principle of non-interference in Iraq’s internal affairs. Iraq will attend the forthcoming meeting to inform participants of issues of concern and the needs of the Iraqi people. The presence of Iraq will be a rare and valuable opportunity within this framework, he said.
On Israel’s seeking to open an embassy in Baghdad, Prince Saud said that the Kingdom’s stance as regards Israel is clear: If it wants diplomatic relations with Arab countries, the Arab proposal endorsed at the Beirut Summit sets the principles for normalization of relations with Israel for the establishment of peace. Normalization will not be achieved unless there is a comprehensive peace settlement with Arab countries.
On the statement of U.S. President George W. Bush regarding the future administration of the Iraqi state, Prince Saud said that, as the President himself said, this is the President’s opinion and the future of Iraq is for the Iraqis to decide.
As regards Saudi-Egyptian preparations for the Arab Summit, Prince Saud said that there is continual cooperation between the two countries. He praised the distinguished relations between the two countries, stressing their keenness to reach agreement on measures to improve the Arab situation and to promote the Middle East peace process.
Source: SPA
