FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY

Prince Naif denies Al-Qaeda links in Kingdom

By Khaled Al-Maeena, Editori in Chief & Javid Hassan, Arab News Staff

RIYADH, 21 October — Interior Minister Prince Naif denied yesterday that the Al-Qaeda organization of Osama Bin Laden had any links in Saudi Arabia. He also said that no pro-Bin Laden demonstrations had taken place in the Kingdom.

Addressing a press conference, Prince Naif, however, disclosed that police had detained a number of suspected Bin Laden supporters for questioning. “A small number of Saudis have been detained for interrogation. But they don’t have any links with the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States,” he added.

The press conference covered issues ranging from Afghanistan, Palestine and detention of Saudis to the future of charity organizations, terrorism, jihad, media campaign and the recent bomb blast.

“Security agencies have noticed that the Al-Qaeda is receiving limited support from citizens. These individuals do not pose any security threat. If they pose any danger we will deal with them forcefully,” he warned.

Highlighting the Kingdom’s ‘open door policy’ toward foreign media, Prince Naif said all Saudi diplomatic missions have been instructed to expedite issuance of visit visas to foreign journalists. This would enable them to view the situation without the blinkers of prejudice.

Prince Naif also said that the second phase of the fund-raising drive for Afghan refugees will be launched soon. All donations will be earmarked for the Afghan people to help weather the rigors of the harsh winter in their country.

The campaign has already netted SR135 million in donations led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, and Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation

. He said the Kingdom would welcome any move to create Islamic channels that will project Islamic teachings and views. He reaffirmed the Kingdom’s firm adherence to Shariah and said the government will not be deterred by smear campaigns. “Our stand is Islamic and humane. We are in the forefront of any effort to support a just cause,” Prince Naif declared.

The interior minister also stated that charitable organizations in the Kingdom would be allowed to work unfettered as long as they engaged in humanitarian activities. He said the onus of providing evidence to the contrary rested on the critics. “We ask those who have any information to provide us facts relating to any wrongdoings.”

The Kingdom has around 146 charitable societies registered with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Of these, 126 societies cater to the needs of men and 20 to women. There are also about 60 charitable societies for memorizing the Holy Qur’an. Together, they run 9,866 Qur’an classes all over the Kingdom.

Referring to the Kingdom’s stand on Afghanistan, Prince Naif said the government will not swerve from the path of bailing the Afghan people out of their current plight. “We are not happy with what is going on in Afghanistan. All we ask for is to avoid harm to the innocents and focus on terrorists,” he said.

He pointed out that the catastrophic events in Afghanistan could have been staved off had Taleban heeded the Saudi call. “The Taleban refused to listen to the voice of reason. In fact, their actions were detrimental to the interests of Saudi Arabia. They are responsible for the present plight of the Afghan people.”

In reply to a question, Prince Naif said there are no accounts connected with Osama Bin Laden or his Al-Qaeda terrorist outfit. Saudi commercial banks, he observed, are free to conduct any transactions. “But if we find any evidence of wrongdoing, we will investigate and deal with it in accordance with our laws. We will not let our country to become a base for any illegal activity.”

Asked about the role of the US media in targeting Saudis, Prince Naif said their coverage was unfair and disturbing to many Saudis. “These media attacks don’t bother us, because our trust in God is firm and unwavering. Moreover, our economic growth is steady. If the objective behind this media onslaught is part of a pressure tactic to force a change in our ideology, then we reject it categorically.”

The Kingdom’s policy, he pointed out, is based on higher principles and enduring values. “We care for the welfare of the people and their needs. We will always be in the forefront of efforts for the welfare of humanity.”

Prince Naif said: “We do not defend those who violate the laws or indulge in terror. The Saudis must be treated properly and not be indicted without any solid evidence. We have asked for information and facts. The reply has not been up to the mark.”

In this context, he cited the case of Saudi businessman Yassin Abdullah Al-Qadi who has figured in a FBI list for his alleged links with the Al-Qaeda network. “Yassin Al-Qadi has been wronged. He has no connection with any terror group. Outside the Kingdom he can raise the issue with concerned authorities.”

Referring to Saudi detainees in the US and other countries, he said: “We have not received any information that any Saudi detained has been indicted,” he added.

Prince Naif lambasted the Zionist media for its slanderous attacks against the Kingdom. “We are not surprised that the Zionists are against the Kingdom. We have the honor to be in the forefront of the struggle for Palestine and Al-Quds and in seeking a just peace within the framework of the UN Security Council resolutions,” he said, adding that the US needs to improve its image in the Arab world on the Palestine issue.

The following were the other points raised at the press conference:

Tony Blair’s visit: The British Prime Minister’s visit was not canceled but only postponed

Alkhobar blast: Investigation into the latest Alkhobar bombing is still under way. The US has not asked the Kingdom to hand over suspects in the 1996 blast. We do not hand over our citizens to any country.

WTO entry: Negotiations are progressing for the Kingdom’s entry into the WTO. Our primary concern is the interest of the Kingdom and its people. Our admission to WTO will not be at the cost of our basic principles.

Shariah: Many questions arise as a result of the attacks against the Kingdom in the Western media. Why is the Kingdom being targeted? Is it because we apply the Shariah? If there is any evidence that we have violated the Qur’an and the Sunnah, the relevant proof should be furnished.

Jihad: We have never encouraged our young people to go for Jihad. We only exhorted them to support the Mujahedeen.

Terrorism: If a few Saudis commit terrorist acts, this does not mean that all Saudis should be tarred with the same brush.

Security: Security is prevalent in the Kingdom. The citizens themselves are the guardians of security. If any incident happens, we will be the first to publicize it. We have nothing to hide.

Freedom of travel: Our airports are open. People from all over can travel freely without any fear.

-- bogsworth (running@on.8cylinders), October 21, 2001

Answers

UMMMM MR.PRINCE,HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PAYING BLACKMAIL $$$$$$$$$$? you are more afraid of terrorism,than we are*wink*

-- al-d. (dogs@zianet.com), October 28, 2001.