SUSRIS Daily News – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]
US to Expand Covert Ops in Mideast [May 26]
“The top American commander in the Middle East has ordered a broad expansion of clandestine military activity in an effort to disrupt militant groups or counter threats in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and other countries in the region, according to defense officials and military documents. The secret directive, signed in September by Gen David Petraeus, authorizes the sending of American Special Operations troops to both friendly and hostile nations in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Horn of Africa to gather intelligence and build ties with local forces. Officials said the order also permits reconnaissance that could pave the way for possible military strikes in Iran if tensions over its nuclear ambitions escalate..” [Complete Report]
Merkel Seeks to Boost Trade With Gulf [May 26]
“German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who arrived in Jeddah Tuesday evening, pledged to boost trade across the Gulf region, even as the euro zone struggles with its most serious economic crisis. She was received by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Foreign Minister, at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah. Merkel visited the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal where she was received by KAUST President Professor Choon Fong Shih. Later in the evening, King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, hosted a banquet in her honor.. ..Merkel tried to keep the focus on bolstering economic links with the region — repeatedly noting Germany’s interest in expanding the estimated 60 billion euros ($74 billion) in two-way trade between Germany and the entire Middle East. ‘While political ties and initiatives are important, it ultimately comes down to creating investment opportunities,’..” [Complete Report]
First Women’s Sports and Entertainment Club Opens [May 26]
“A new all-women sports, health, and entertainment club was launched Tuesday in Jeddah at the Princess Fawziah Center for Women and Children. The club is the first of its type in the Kingdom.. ..Earlier this year, health authorities in Jeddah shut down an ‘illegal’ women’s fitness center attached to a hospital, closing one of the few venues where women are able to exercise. However, a number of stand-alone women’s gyms, some attached to, or inside hospital premises, continue to function..” [Complete Report]
Saudi Foreign Assets Decline on Stimulus [May 26]
“Saudi Arabia’s foreign assets edged down slightly in April for the first time in eight months over spending to stimulate economy, official statistics revealed. While investments in securities grew by around 1.3 percent, deposits with banks abroad by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA), the Kingdom’s central bank, dipped by nearly SR24 billion at the end of April, compared to the previous month, it said in its April bulletin. In its latest note, Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF) said the Saudi government continues to take the role as primary financier for strategic projects in the country as private sector firms linger on the sidelines.. ..despite all of the ‘ingredients for a perfect recipe’ of bank credit revival appearing to be in place, lending continues to be listless apart from a pick up in April. It said two key reasons for the slow credit are that banks are implementing tighter conditions on relationship lending and private-sector firms are not seeking loans as they focus instead on reducing their debt positions..” [Complete Report]
Honorary French Consulate in EP [May 26]
“France recently opened an honorary consulate in the Eastern Province and named prominent Saudi businessman Samir Ahmad Albinali as its head. At the inauguration ceremony in Alkhobar, French Ambassador Bertrand Besancenot said he was delighted at the opening of the new consulate in the Eastern Province. ‘We realized it was important to open this office because of the increasing economic, cultural and social activities in this region,’ he said. ‘And since around 200 French citizens are working in this province with various companies, this consulate will come as a great relief to them.’ Besancenot said the new office will act as a bridge between French nationals and Saudis. ‘I believe the consulate here in Alkhobar will link the French community with the French Embassy in Riyadh and bring together the trade missions of both countries,’ he said. ‘The new consulate will also support and promote cultural events.’..” [Complete Report]
Qatar Frees Saudi Prisoners [May 26]
“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah received here Tuesday Ali bin Saleh Abulailah, head of the Ghafran tribe from Al-Murrah, and Saudi prisoners released by Qatar. Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani issued an amnesty on Tuesday to release the prisoners who were arrested in February 1996 for taking part in a coup attempt, which was foiled by the Qatari forces. According to a statement issued by the Qatari Foreign Ministry, the prisoners were released at King Abdullah’s request. The prisoners returned to the Kingdom with Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, deputy commander of the National Guard. King Abdullah thanked Sheikh Hamad for his gesture. Qatar sentenced 19 of the accused in the coup attempt to capital punishment and 20 to life imprisonment while 29 suspects were set free, according to a report posted at Al Arabiya satellite television’s website..” [Complete Report]
