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Saudi Press Highlights 21 Aug 05

Posted on: Tuesday, 23 August 2005, 15:00 CDT

The following are highlights of the Saudi press on the Internet on 21 August 2005:

I. International issues

1. Iraq

a. Al-Riyad newspaper website carries an editorial entitled: "Iraq: A National Unity State or Diaspora!" in which it says Iraq would be more successful and stronger if it remained united instead of partitioned into several ethnicity-based states. It adds the "changeable" US policy should compel the Iraqis to maintain national unity. (400 words)

2. Terrorism

a. Arab News newspaper website in English carries an editorial entitled: "New Front." It says: "The rocket attack on two US naval vessels docked in the Jordanian port of Aqaba opens a new front in Al-Qa'idah's campaign against the Americans and their involvement in Iraq. Crude though the three rockets may have been, no one disputes that one of them came within a few feet of hitting the USS Ashland." (530 words)

b.Ukaz newspaper website carries a commentary by Dr Talal Slaih Banan entitled: "Al-Aqaba Events: Terrorist Fireworks," in which the writer says the rocket attack on Jordan was a "desperate attempt by the terrorist groups to prove themselves" and had political objectives. He adds this attack proves terrorism has the ability to attack with an "element of surprise." (500 words)

3. Iran

a. Al-Jazirah newspaper website cites Manuchehr Mottaki , the foreign minister-designate of Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad's Government, as saying talks with Europe about Iran's nuclear programme could resume, provided they remained unconditional. (350 words)

II. Local issues

1. Security and terrorism

a. Arab News carries a commentary by Dr Khaled Batarfi: "Extremists Do Not Know the Harm They Do." It says: "But first, we should review, study and carefully observe the qualifications and attitudes of existing imams, religious educators and preachers. If needed, we should re-educate, reorient and enlighten the willing. Those who insist on their Dark Ages ways should keep their thoughts to themselves." (770 words)

b. Saudi Gazette newspaper website carries an editorial: "A Chance to Consolidate." It says: "WITH the killing of the third leader of Al-Qa'idah in the Arabian Peninsula in 17 months, Saudi security forces appear to have thrown the outfit into disarray and gained valuable time to further consolidate their tough approach to local terrorism." (410 words)

c. Al-Watan newspaper website cites Al Saqr tribe leader Shaykh Hayf Bin-Sa'd Bin-Salim Al Salim in Ubaydat Qahtan denouncing the fact Sa'd Abdallah al-Qahtani, who is in police custody, has allegedly harboured terrorists in his house in Riyadh. (150 words)

2. Economic issues

a. Arab News carries a report by Ibtihal Mubarak in Jedda: "Demands on Workplace Conditions Exasperate Women Jobseekers." It says: "A clear bold decision made by the highest authorities in the country is being mysteriously interpreted a year later by the Ministry of Labour." It adds: "The minister [of labour] listed nine mandatory conditions in work places. The most controversial condition was that women were not to work night shifts." It continues: "This specific rule clearly contradicts a rule issued last June by the Ministry of Labour which concerns employing Saudi women in shops selling women's goods." (690 words)

b. Arab News carries a report by P.K. Abd-al-Ghafur in Jedda: "Water & Electricity Ministry Sets Out Privatization Plan." It says: "The Water and Electricity Ministry has set out a strategy to privatize water and sewage projects in the Kingdom within the next five years as experts said new expansion projects in the sector would require SR60 billion in 20 years." (440 words)

c. Ukaz newspaper website carries a report citing Muhammad al- Hamdan, Labour office director in Eastern Province, saying Saudization was among his top priorities. He denies any disagreement with businessmen in the province. (200 words)

d. Al-Watan reports on the state of abject poverty and destitution among Saudi families in Al-Qunfudhah governorate in Mecca Fayfa. (1,500 words)

e. Al-Watan carries a commentary by Abdallah Dahlan entitled: "Increasing Income Is the Most Important Goal of the Economic Strategy," in which the writer says raising the standards of living of the Saudi people is among the most important issues and challenges facing the new leadership. (1,200 words)

f. Al-Watan reports the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Mecca is planning to set up a women's section and an independent neighbouring building to provide Saudi businesswomen who are members of the Chamber with direct services. (200 words)

3. Crime

a. Saudi Gazette carries a report by Rima Memon in Jedda: "Begging Becoming a Menacing Problem." It says: "The menace of begging is increasing in Saudi Arabia and both expatriates as well as Saudi nationals are involved in the trade. A recent survey conducted by Dr Abdullah Al-Yousuf, of Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud University of Riyadh, indicates 69 per cent of child beggars in Riyadh are Saudis 56.6 per cent of child beggars are girls." (1300 words)

4. Social issues

a. Al-Jazirah reports on a survey conducted by the higher commission for the development of Riyadh in which it found 34 per cent of the capital's residents were non-Saudi, 34 per cent of whom were below 15 years of age. (250 words)

5. Education

a. Al-Riyad reports the Ministry of Education will distribute booklets on the biography of late King Fahd to be appended to history books for all school stages. (250 words)

b. Al-Watan reports more than 1,100 teachers' college and university graduates demonstrated before the Education Ministry building in Riyadh for the second to demand jobs. (500 words)

III. Negative selection

a. Al-Yawm internet website

Sources: As listed

Source: BBC Monitoring Middle East

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