Saudi Leaders Restate Commitment to War on Terrorism

on Anniversary of September 11

Saudi Arabian leaders sent messages to President George W. Bush on the first anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States, condemning the heinous acts, expressing sympathy for the relatives of the victims, and reiterating the Kingdom’s commitment to do its utmost to combat and uproot this evil.

In his message to President Bush, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz once again condemned and deplored the criminal attacks, saying that the aim of those who carried them out was to incite feelings of hatred among nations and civilizations. “On account of repercussions of these painful incidents,” he said, “including campaigns of skepticism and false allegations aimed at undermining Saudi-American relations, the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia takes the opportunity of this anniversary to reaffirm the strong relations that link the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the United States, and to reiterate that such challenges will only further strengthen these relations.

“We express, once again, our deep condolences and sincere feelings of sorrow and sadness to the American nation.” Restating Saudi Arabia’s determination to continue to stand beside the international alliance in confronting all forms of terrorism, King Fahd concluded by saying: “Mr. President, your unshakable leadership, and sound judgment and farsightedness constitute important elements in enhancing the international alliance against terrorism, and in maintaining its coherence and firmness so as to realize the noble goals with which the interests of the nations and countries are linked.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz  also sent a message to President Bush, in which he said: “On the eve of the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the American people, I take the opportunity to renew to you and the families of the victims, and indeed the entire American nation, the sincere condolences and sympathy of the Saudi people and myself.

“As long as I live, I shall never forget the horrible scenes of carnage, the raging fires, the smoke that covered the horizon, and the innocent people who jumped out of the windows in their attempt to escape. On that fateful day, the whole world stood with the American people in unprecedented solidarity that made no distinction as to race, religion or language.

“It was the perverted hope of the perpetrators of this heinous crime that they could bring humiliation to, and terrorize the American nation. But the brave people of the United States of America, whose greatness lies in the strength of its brave sons and daughters in facing adversity, and which is enriched by their remarkable achievements, all of this will make them ever stronger than the designs of the evildoers. Instead of being terrorized by this catastrophe, they became more steadfast and determined.

“The target of the terrorists who engineered this crime was humanity at large. They hoped that this outrageous act would incite and ignite bloody strife among different faiths and civilizations. But their evil was turned against them, for all humanity united to fight terrorism and wise voices from all corners of the world arose to echo your declaration that terrorism has no religion or nationality; that it is pure evil, condemned and abhorred by all religions and cultures.

“Mr. President, we in Saudi Arabia felt an especially great pain at the realization that a number of young Saudi citizens had been enticed and deluded, and their reasoning subverted to the degree of denying the tolerance that their religion embraced, and turning their backs on their homeland, which always stood for understanding and moderation.

“They allowed themselves to be used as a tool to do great damage to Islam, a religion they espoused, and to all Muslims. They also aimed at causing considerable harm to the historic and strong relationship between the American people and the people of Saudi Arabia. I would like to make it clear that true Muslims all over the world will never allow a minority of deviant extremists to speak in the name of Islam and distort its spirit of tolerance.

“Your friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia denounced and condemned the September 11 attacks as strongly as did the American people. We, like you, are convinced that nothing can ever justify the shedding of innocent blood or the taking of lives and the terrorizing of people, regardless of whatever cause or motive. Therefore, we do not simply reiterate sincere and true condolences to the relatives of the victims, but assure all of our continued will and determination to do our utmost to combat this malignant evil and uproot it from our world.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to stand solidly against terrorism. We shall act, independently as well as collectively, with the U.S.-led international coalition to wage a fierce and merciless war against the terrorists in order to eradicate this deadly disease that threatens all societies.”

He concluded by saying: “I only hope that, with your cooperation and leadership, a new world will emerge out of the rubble of the World Trade Center — a world that is blessed by the virtues of freedom, peace, prosperity and harmony.”

Terrorism was also strongly condemned by Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector-General Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz. Speaking at a press conference in Jeddah on September 9, Prince Sultan emphasized that both the leaders and the people of Saudi Arabia are against terrorism and evildoers, adding: “Islam rejects and condemns all acts of terrorism and every terrorist. Moreover, an evil act is considered a contradiction of both Islamic Shari’ah [law] and human logic. The Kingdom has suffered greatly from the events of September 11, which caused such great pain for all mankind.”

Prince Sultan concluded by saying those who take part in terrorist attacks are traitors to their nation, their religion and to all humanity.

In Messages to Saudi Arabian Leaders
President Bush Stresses Depth of Relation and Cooperation

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz received a cable from U.S. President George W. Bush on the occasion of the Kingdom’s National Day on September 23 that noted the joint efforts of the two countries in the war against terrorism and the strong relations they enjoy. In the cable, President Bush expressed his gratitude, and that of the American people, for Saudi Arabia’s contribution to peace and to the war against terrorism. The American people, he said, are grateful to King Fahd and to the Saudi people for their valuable contribution to the campaign that seeks to eradicate terrorism from the world.

President Bush went on to confirm that the two nations enjoy strong and friendly relations based on common values, adding that challenges over the years have only strengthened and enhanced them. He commented that although it was the United States that was directly attacked on September 11 last year, terrorism threatens the people of Saudi Arabia as it does the American people. In conclusion, he declared, the United States is particularly grateful for the Saudi contribution to peace, freedom and prosperity; and, through endurance and courage, he said, their common objectives will be achieved.

President Bush sent a similar cable to Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.