JPC w Secretary Straw Riyadh 16-3-2004

Joint Press Conference
HRH Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia
And HE Jack Straw, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, UK
Riyadh, 16-03-2004
H.R.H .the Minister: My statement will be brief since His Excellency has a meeting within fifteen minutes, I want to welcome the British Foreign secretary and highlight the firm, deep-rooted ties between the two countries, and I want to mention that we would like to build on this to promote broader cooperation. I had discussed with his Excellency the developments in the Middle East, particularly the situation in Iraq with Grin Stock, British special envoy to Iraq.We and Britain share common viewpoints on how to promote the stability and prosperity of Iraq's future.
The British Foreign Secretary: I would like to thank H.R.H Prince Saud for his remarks and I want to mention that this is my second visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I had discussed with Prince Saud the relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Britain. This morning I had spoke with a number of intellectuals, Muslim scholars and members of the Shoura Council on wide range issues, and I would like to praise the increasing cooperation between the Shoura Council and Britain House of Commons .We also talked about the situation in Iraq and Mr. Grin’s offer. We discussed the situation in the Middle East regarding Palestine and Israel and the chances of the United Kingdomto achieve peace between them.
Many thanks to His Excellency the Secretary. We are now ready to receive your questions.
Question:There are many points of agreement but there are also some points of Disagreement, for example; the Saudi opposition or the so-called Al-Masary opposition.
Has this matter been discussed?
H.R.H the Minister: In fact in the framework of the bilateral relations we have dealt with all issues of common concern. This particular issue was discussed and we all agreed to endeavor to solve any remaining issues between the two countries and this is were I want to focus on this period and for the benefit of the case itself. I believe it is best to leave it at this level of response.
A Question for His Excellency the British Minister: On your own opinion, what is the influence on the alliance forces in Iraq specially after the Spanish forces declaration to withdraw their forces from Iraq and is this a message from Madrid indicating that all terrorist action has achieved there goals?
His Excellency the Minister: I have gone throw a few reports concerning some Julie Sis Apetres the recent Spanish elect prime minister and I observed that there is frame of reference given by the United Nations which I propose to discuss with our Spanish counter ports and the Spanish government during the coming weeks. I am sure that the Spanish government will be as committed as the European Union to insure a peaceful and a quiet transition from Saddam`s regime to a representative government as much as possible and to accept its continuous responsibilities.
As for the other Question, Our world and the Spanish citizens regardless of political opinions are determined to prove that tourism did not succeed.
A Question to His Excellency the British Minister: How does your Excellency evaluate Saudi Arabian efforts in fighting tourism especially in the light of the murder of the leader of the AlQaida cells in the YamaniGulf area Khalid Al-Hajj?
His Excellency the British Minister:
We extremely appreciate Saudi Arabia's determination and its government for fighting tourism in all its forms and we attempt to increase and deepen the workable cooperation between Britain and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
A Question to His Excellency the Minister: Do you have any suggestions or initiatives to drive the peace process forward in the Palestine’s occupied territories since we know that you have some ideas that you discussed with His Royal Highness?
His Excellency the Minister: there are no new initiatives. All what we want to see is a new life and new movement in the road plan which we all are committed to, more over; we are working with the Palestinian authority for supporting the Palestinian security plan. We have hops and expectation that the security in the Occupied Areas can be improved which is one of the first steps towards achieving more stability. We are committed to what ever the United Kingdom can do to reinforce this operation and this critical situation that caused numerous lost in Palestinian and Israeli souls, which is the most reason in causing dispute around the Middle East and the whole world. There is a limit for what any foreign party can do unlike what they can do in the Occupied Areas and Israel but we will do, like what we have done in the past, what ever we can to help.
H.R.H The Minister: remarking on his Excellency words, we also talked about the possible cooperation between Arab world, European Union and the United States in urging the parties in returning to the peace negotiations table and the road plan. We are very pleased with the ideas his Excellency gave on the negotiations table today which I hope will leads us to a wider cooperation in this filed.
Question: regarding to the reformation in the kingdom what are the most important things to be reformed first, and what is your comment as to killing the two wanted men yesterday?
H.R.H The Minister: regarding to the reformations we have to respond to the best government's requirements for the Saudi citizens where all are equal at the eye of the law, also giving attention to the participation in the decisions related to their life which is the most important issue, and any reformation must be for the people service, that is the kingdom perspective. As for yesterday's incident, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced its whole effort for plucking out the terrorist and their terrorist activities in our country, it also announced its cooperation in the international filed with all who fights terrorism and we are pleased with these successes though it did not ends the cause, but we will continue at the same way.