SUSRIS Daily News – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]
King, Merkel to Discuss Mideast, Bilateral Ties [May 24]
“King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is scheduled to discuss with German Chancellor Angela Merkel Monday a range of issues topped by the Middle East following the beginning of indirect Palestinian-Israeli talks. The discussions are also expected to address means of strengthening Saudi-European relations and Riyadh-Berlin political, economic and trade ties. Speaking ahead of the chancellor’s visit, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said the Kingdom had a ‘pioneering’ role in achieving peace in the Middle East. ‘Riyadh has been and still is keen to ensure security in the region,’ Westerwelle told Okaz. ‘There is no alternative to the option of the two states of Palestine and Israel.’ According to Westerwelle, the Palestinians ‘have the right to live in a workable independent state’..” [Complete Report]
GCC Backs Efforts to Solve Iran N-Issue [May 24]
“The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Sunday supported the efforts of Turkey and Brazil to find a peaceful solution to Iran’s nuclear standoff with the West. It also emphasized the right of countries in the region to use nuclear power for peaceful purposes within the framework of international agreements. In a final communiqué issued by GCC foreign ministers following their meeting in Jeddah, the group emphasized the need to keep the Middle East – including Israel – free of nuclear and mass destructive weapons. ‘The ministers praised the efforts of Turkey and Brazil to help reach a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear program within the framework of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and related UN Security Council resolutions,’ the communiqué said..” [Complete Report]
$350m Bahrain-Saudi Pipeline Plan on Track [May 24]
“The design and route of a massive new pipeline to bring crude oil from Saudi Arabia to Bahrain will be completed later this year, Oil and Gas Affairs Minister and National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga) chairman Dr Abdulhussain Mirza said yesterday. The $350 million project, which is expected to be completed within a year, will ensure that the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) refinery in Sitra receives around 350,000 barrels of oil a day, said Dr Mirza. Speaking after opening the Middle East Petrotech 2010 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIEC), he said the project is being undertaken to expand and replace the existing capacity and an old pipeline. ‘The 114-km pipeline will use a safer route that avoids going through inhabited areas and will also use state-of-the-art technology.’..” [Complete Report]
Saudi Central Bank Sees No Change to Gulf Money Union Strategy [May 24]
“Four Gulf states planning a single currency will not change their strategy because of the Greek debt crisis facing the euro, Saudi Arabia’s central bank governor Muhammad al-Jasser said today. ‘There’s not been a change in our strategy as scenarios such as the Greek crisis have already been factored in,’ al- Jasser, who is also chairman of the Monetary Council, said in an interview today..” [Complete Report]
Fluor to Book $3 Billion in Work From Saudi Aluminum Project [May 24]
” Fluor Corp. said it will book some $3 billion in work this quarter from contracts won as part of a $10.8 billion project to help a Saudi Arabia mining joint venture develop an aluminum complex. Saudi Arabian Mining Co. and Alcoa Inc. are creating the facility, which will include a bauxite mine with an annual capacity of 4 million tons, a 1.8 million tons-per-year refinery as well as a smelter and rolling mill. Fluor’s part in the project will include engineering, procurement and construction management. ‘The mining and metals sector continues to be a bright spot for Fluor and the commencement of this significant project in a key region of the world is another sign of the strengthening global economic recovery,’ said David Seaton, chief operating officer of the engineering and construction firm. Fluor said two weeks ago its first-quarter profit fell 33% as revenue decreased amid weakness in the oil-and-gas sector..” [Complete Report]
Demand for Saudi Organic Food Grows in Europe, Asia [May 24]
“As Saudi Arabia’s investments in organic food sector reached $267 million last year, the demand for this natural Saudi product is growing in Europe and Asia. Taking a cue from Saudi Arabia other GCC countries have also announced initiatives to increase the region’s share in the $220 billion global organic food market. Saudi Arabia has been leading regional efforts to grow the organic foods business further. The country’s private sector has already established a Saudi Organic Farming Association in cooperation with the Gtz, the German Embassy’s cooperative arm to oversee the development of organic food, using a SR15 million seed fund.. ..The Gulf’s own market is estimated at around $300 million, with Saudi Arabia, the area’s largest food consumer, representing almost 90 percent of the sector..” [Complete Report]
Saudi Cleric Says Sport Corrupting Women [May 24]
“A leading Saudi cleric has urged the government to uphold a ban on allowing women’s sports in the kingdom, it has been reported. Sheikh Abdul Karim al-Khudhair, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars, said sports were ‘corrupting’ and ‘satanic’ for women and they should stay at home instead, the Associated Press reports. The news agency said Al-Khudair’s comments come amid increasing calls for restrictions to be eased to help address the country’s growing obesity problem. The Saudi government had previously chosen to turn a blind eye to unlicensed women’s gyms in order to avoid criticism from religious scholars. It is still illegal for women’s gyms or fitness centres to operate in the country, but many underground venues exist and these are becoming increasingly popular..” [Complete Report]
