Crown Prince Abdullah Continues Efforts To Help Achieve 

A Just And Lasting Mideast Peace

Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has been in constant contact with U.S. President George W. Bush, as well as with Arab leaders, in an effort to maintain the recent momentum achieved in pushing forward the Middle East peace process. Following his meeting with President Bush in Crawford, Texas, on April 25, Crown Prince Abdullah traveled to Casablanca, Morocco, where he consulted with Arab leaders and expressed optimism that his visit to the United States would have a positive impact on the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli crisis.

In Casablanca, the Crown Prince received a telephone call on May 7 from President Bush, with whom he discussed the current situation in the Middle East. On May 11, he attended a tripartite summit in Sharm Al-Shaikh, Egypt, with Egyptian President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. After discussing the Crown Prince’s visit to the United States, the leaders issued a joint communiqué that reaffirmed the Arab world’s genuine desire for peace, while denouncing all forms of violence, reiterating adherence to the peace initiative endorsed by the 14th Summit of the League of Arab States in Beirut on March 28 and affirming that it should be the basis for any Arab move toward realization of a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

The communiqué praised the struggle of the Palestinian people, and deplored the massacres perpetuated by the occupying Israeli forces, stressing the importance of implementing the UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions pertaining to a fact-finding mission to Jenin. The three leaders spoke of Arab solidarity and called on peace-loving nations to support the just Arab cause, urging them to put pressure on Israel to force it to withdraw from all occupied Arab territories.

Back in Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Abdullah met with several visiting U.S. officials. On June 11, he received a telephone call from President Bush, during which they exchanged views on the latest developments in the Middle East. On June 16, Crown Prince Abdullah made a telephone call to President Bush to discuss international efforts to find a solution that ensures security, justice and stability in the region.

Through May and June, Crown Prince Abdullah took every opportunity to meet with decision makers from around the world and present his ideas for peace in the Middle East.

In an interview with the London-based Arabic-language daily Alsharq Alawsat published on May 11, Crown Prince Abdullah outlined the Kingdom’s position on establishing diplomatic ties with Israel. He said Israel will have to withdraw its forces to the pre-1967 borders, end the occupation of East Jerusalem, which will be the capital of the new Palestinian state, and address the plight of refugees on the basis of United Nations Security Council Resolution 194. Moreover, Syria should get the Golan Heights, and Lebanon its remaining occupied land.” The Crown Prince went on to remark that for the Arab states involved, “If this can end the plight of five million Palestinians and restore the lands of three countries, ensuring stability in the region, wouldn’t [full diplomatic relations with Israel] be a price worth paying?” 

Crown Prince Abdullah spoke of his frank and open talks with President Bush during their meeting in Texas, saying: “My intention was to get the Saudi, Arab and Islamic voice — and especially the voice of the Palestinians — heard by the decision-makers in the United States. I was fully convinced that there is no conflict between U.S. and Arab interests. … I did not go to Houston with the intention of presenting negative ideas. I am by nature optimistic and I don’t know despair.”

Crown Prince Abdullah confirmed that his talks in the United States focused on two issues: the siege of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and the Israeli crimes in Jenin. He went on to remark that Saudi Arabia wants its relations with the United States to be based on mutual respect, as has been the case for over 60 years. He said he explained to the Americans that Arafat is the elected president of the Palestinian people and is not talking for himself alone. “We understand the political situation in America and we don’t want to comment on it. President Bush called for the establishment of a Palestinian state. He is the only U.S. President to make such an announcement. We want to push things in this direction peacefully and will not give in to any obstruction,” he stated.

Asked when the State of Palestine would be realized, the Crown Prince said: “We cannot make any promises. What we are doing is to try our best in the interest of the Muslim community. We will not be disappointed by crises. We have strong faith in God.”  On future talks, he declared: “The priority is now to alleviate the suffering of our brethren in Palestine. We will exert our efforts to restore full Arab rights.” 

On the U.S. plan to attack Iraq, Crown Prince Abdullah said there is no need to declare war against any country if that country complies with international laws, and called on Baghdad to implement all United Nations Security Council resolutions. Asked whether the Kingdom would play a mediating role between Washington and Baghdad, Crown Prince Abdullah stated: “We are trying to cool down the situation, but we believe that only the Iraqi leadership can solve this crisis and foil the efforts of those who try to escalate the conflict.” He reiterated the Kingdom’s opposition to any attack on Iraq and expressed his hope that things would not reach that stage. 

As for September 11, the Crown Prince said he had not discussed this with President Bush. “The United States knows,” he declared, “that we have condemned the attacks. Saudis are not known for terrorism, although there are exceptions in every society. We have suffered a lot because of terrorism, like the U.S. and other countries.” He added that the Saudi government had passed a number of laws to organize relief and humanitarian work to reach those in need. He denounced the anti-Islamic campaign waged by some segments of the media, reaffirming that Islam is against aggression and terrorism.