- I look forward to one day seeing the GCC countries as a united power that enjoys dignity and awe all over the world.
- My own wishes are not different from those of the people who track the Kuwait GCC Summit… Ask them what they hope for to know what I aspire to.
- My instructions were clear and straightforward to our brave army. I ordered them to move into our land and not to intervene into Yemen's territories.
Monarch Abdullah Bin Abdullaziz, the Custodian of the two holy mosques noted that the Yemeni infiltrators into Saudi territories have been just puppets whose strings are pulled by a bigger force seeking evil ends and mischievous objectives. This force is not a secret for all the world. His Highness stressed that this aggressive group will be defeated sooner or later and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will survive.
In his interview with Ahmed Al-Jarallah, Editor in Chief of Al-Siyasa Al-Kuwaitia newspaper (Kuwaiti Politics), His Highness Monarch of Saudi Arabia stressed that infiltrators will be defeated, however powerful they are, and Kingdom will survive. His Highness also expressed his aspirations and ambitions for the GCC countries and said, "I look forward to one day seeing the GCC countries as a united power that enjoys dignity and awe all over the world. He thinks these ambitions can be easily achieved thanks to the elements of the unity that the Gulf six nations possess. The unity of GCC countries can be even better than the European Union". He confirmed that "My own wishes are not different from those of the people who track the Kuwait GCC Summit… Ask them what they hope for to know what I aspire to". Concerning Jeddah floods, he stressed that investigations are still ongoing to determine those who were involved in this crisis. He added that his orders were meant to eradicate careless and negligent officials.
Your Highness , custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, how do you view the work of the thirtieth Summit of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council which was held recently in Kuwait?
In the beginning it should be noted that the warm, welcoming, hospitable and gracious, reception shows the extent of noble origins and hospitality that characterize Kuwait. My brother, His Highness Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad ran the summit wisely and effectively. We found that Sheikh Sabah posses all the good feelings that reflect his noble qualities, good nature, and his pure love of our country and our family in Saudi Arabia. In this context, let me tell you that what binds us with Kuwait, its people, and its government is a fraternal and very deep relation. It acquires its meaning from our historical relationship. It is a true example of the interdependence and cooperation between all Arab brothers. Such sincerity characterizes idealistic ties.
Regarding the summit itself, it emphasized solidarity among the GCC countries. They are the countries that God has blessed with effective interaction and exchange of interests. Such cooperation guarantees them a high status at the Arab and international levels. The positions that were announced in the final statement and in the speeches of the leaders truly reflect the objectives which the GCC countries are trying to achieve. We in Saudi Arabia feel that as GCC countries we walk in the same path. Our work is based on good faith and working to make a better future for our peoples. The conference was another step in the path of construction, especially since some projects have been approved at the summit. They are vital projects that aim at serving the economic and construction progress and the sustainable development of the peoples of the region. True, they are important projects, but they are not all what we aim to achieve, or what our peoples are asking us to achieve…We want further achievements.
Your Highness , custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Are you satisfied with the conclusions of the summit, or do you think there should have been more results?
Let me try to explain my point of view. If we compare the relations between the countries of the European Union with those of the gulf countries – and God knows that I here speak honestly and truly of what I believe regarding this matter – we will find that the countries of the European Union have come a long way in terms of solidarity and unison that is based on shared interests, despite their customs, language and culture differences. I aspire to see the six GCC countries, which have the same religion and the same language, and even the same dialect, unit in a more better and strong way than that of the EU countries. They have all the necessary elements of interdependence that is based on shared interests, which allow them to unit in a better way than the EU countries.
We agreed at the summit that the GCC countries should be connected with each other, in terms of electricity, and water. We have approved the unified Gulf currency agreement. In addition, we have taken a decision to establish a railway link between the six countries. These projects represent a good start to a new phase in the life of the GCC, after 30 years have passed since its foundation. However, we look forward to more better achievements. For 30 years we have only been talking a saying that we were going to do so and so. We wanted our actions to precede our words. We look forward to what really reflects the strength and importance of the GCC countries and their real weight. These six countries are very important at many levels. Their peoples can't wait for development to be achieved. Time has no mercy. It is a sword that will decapitate the region unless the region breaks it first. Our countries have a rich humanitarian religious culture and civilization. They enjoy a great economy. Therefore they are able to achieve great leaps in the field of development and growth. They have to cope with modern developments so as not to fall behind the global development movement.
Your Highness, custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, what do you want these six countries to be?
My desires are no different from the wishes of the people who have followed the recent sessions of the GCC summit in Kuwait. Ask them ... They know better than me. Ask them what they want, and then you will know what I want. I'm one of them. I am certain that you know the aspirations of the peoples of the GCC countries. They say it out loud in their forums and in their communities. We're talking about the hopes and wishes of people who are fully aware of what it means to have solidarity and collaboration between leaders and between peoples and an exchange of interests between States.
These peoples want their leaders to move in unison. They want them the act together, either in international markets or international forums, rather than each state going its own way. Because if that happens we will be an easy prey for people with interests abroad, whether their interests stem from cultural agendas that they want to export to our societies, or from the economic interests posed by the strong on the weak.
You ask me what I would like the GCC countries to be? I want them to be one powerful force feared by everyone - an active united force that is moving in the same direction. This is what the GCC countries should be like.
Your Highness, after this council passed thirty years of age, how do you see the performance of its leaders and states? Are they improving?
Today is different from yesterday, because nothing stays the same. There is no doubt that changes in performance and relations among the leaders are different today from the past.
But as I said in my answer to an earlier question that we want better results. We want to achieve more or less what people say in their forums. This council has reached a solid position thanks to the solidarity between its people and leaders, and this is the most important aspect. It needs a lot of sincere work in order to advance and progress so we can leave to our future generations something we are proud of.
During the summit, I have stressed repeatedly on solidarity, and I say what is in my heart and what I feel. I have emphasized on solidarity, and how relations should be between states, their people and leaders of the council. Leadership is a burden, and a responsibility. May God enlighten our hearts and our way to achieve the best for the nation so we will be a strong and capable nation.
We should note that there is a troubled world around us, which experienced an economic storm that did not spare anything. We thanked God for passing it safely despite the panic it caused to the public. Now the world is talking about an environmental catastrophe that may have negative effects on earth, except some places that God might spare.
The world lived and will live problems that we could overcome some of them, and some others can be overcome. There are problems that are still under study. Amid this atmosphere, is not it our right to call for greater solidarity among us in the GCC countries, and among all the Arab countries?
If we do not join forces, we will be an easy prey for rivals, or we will yield to terms of some powers. The world will manipulate the weak and the Arabs should learn from the experiences of the past and look to the future with full responsibility. Although we aspire to much in the GCC, but the Arabs can learn from the achievements of the GC countries in the last thirty years. Moreover, it is the right of the Gulf states to be in solidarity to be the driving force so as not to be manipulated by anyone.
I have been frank with fellow leaders in the last summit in Kuwait when I said that the kingdom and its leaders are seeking the benefit of the GCC countries, and we want to see a solidarity that reaches the point of a union sense. It is no secret that we felt satisfied and solidarity when the leaders declared frankly at the beginning of meetings of the Summit their full support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the face of the intruders on our borders.
In this regard, we heard from the GCC leaders what we were waiting to hear. This issue brings self-comfort. We must also point out that those few infiltrators are not the real power that we fight to guard against their evil. But the question is: What is the real power that drives this group? The truth is known, and its targets are known as well, and the reason for their existence in this part of our country, but God always supports his faithful believers.
Your Highness, speaking of intruders in the territory of the Kingdom, is it assuring to the people of Saudi Arabia and the GCC people that you are doing fine?
Thank God we have completed the victory after defeating the infiltrators and they no longer exist on our land. I gave clear instructions to our heroic army, God be with him, to maneuver within the territory of the Kingdom and not to venture into any Yemen territories.
We told the army to expel the intruders and maintain security and sovereignty of our country's borders only. This was my instructions, because we do not interfere in the affairs of others, and we do not accept others to interfere in our affairs. The Saudi army managed the battle with a high national spirit that we appreciate from all sectors of the army, and victory comes only from God.
Your Highness, what is the purpose of intruders from infiltrating the territory of the Kingdom?
The whole world now knows the evil goals that this group tried to achieve from violating the Kingdom borders. This land was chosen by God Almighty to host the Two Holy Mosques. It is protected from God Almighty, and it will remain victorious over the evil people who do not know the peaceful path. So they are stirring up sectarian strife for evil purposes. But all of these goals will be defeated regardless the location of their owners, whether they are groups or governments. The kingdom will remain the land of goodness and faith, God willing, protected by the Saudi army. We have always held the army as our brave protector in the defense of the nation. It has defeated the oppressive groups and God saved our country and our families. And saving the country is a holy jihad.
It should be remembered that those who sell their religion and their countries for money or to achieve some illusions in their minds will loose.
Once again, we affirm that the kingdom does not interfere in the affairs of any country and we do not accept that countries interfere in our affairs. The infiltrating group which violated our land knew that the Kingdom is tough in the face of intruders, regardless of their identities and power, so what a rebel group which draws its strength from a foreign source would do? Anyway, God gave us victory over them.
The Saudi economic model has grasped the attention of the GCC countries especially after the financial crisis has broken out throughout the whole world. KSA quickly recovered from the impact of this crisis on the Saudi economy. How do you evaluate the coming stage of the Saudi economy and the region as a whole?
First, I would like to underline an important fact that the Saudi economy is in a good state and that the impact of the global financial crisis on our economy was very limited. This impact arose from the state of horror that overwhelmed the public. It is a kind of natural fear which quickly diminished when people saw the measures that the government has taken to overcome the consequences of the financial crisis.
The economic crisis was very painful for many countries all over the world. Fortunately, our country survived the crisis with the least losses, thanks to the awareness of our economic systems. They took all necessary actions to overcome the crisis. Last year, our budget was higher than the current year budget. Of course this positively reflects on the Saudi economy which is generally in a good state. The Kingdom has a national awareness of investment promoted by an experienced public sector and professional private sector that is fully aware of the economic developments all over the world.
Regarding the international economies and what they suffer due to the global financial crisis, we think that these economies still suffer but they will recover soon. It is natural that this crisis had an impact on the Gulf states, however, this impact was very limited. Our Saudi sovereign funds are intact and the growth rate of our country is still on the rise, even if it was going at a slow pace. The important thing is that this growth rate never declined over the period of the global financial crisis. We now have a sound and vigorous economy, and both our public and private sectors experience a state of prosperity. Despite the global crisis, KSA still maintains a high level of attraction of foreign capitals. Thus the investment sector experiences a state of prosperity. The Saudi GDP has relatively improved and inflation has declined. All these factors strengthen our economy. This does not apply to KSA alone, but to all GCC countries as well. As I observe, the economic situation is in a good state. It is heading for more progress and improvement. This gives us more pleasure and delight!
As we expected early this year, the oil prices ranged between 75-80 US dollars per barrel. It is a fair price. We were right in our expectations. I think, oil prices are heading for more stability and perhaps for a rational rise.
Your Highness Custodian of the two holy mosques, we all, both the public and the authorities felt a kind of sincere rage in your decisions concerning Jeddah flood crisis. These were reformist orders that were meant to eradicate careless and negligent officials and those who would-be involved in this crisis. What are the latest developments in dealing with the consequences of such horrible crisis?
Investigations are still ongoing to determine those who were involved in this crisis and held accountable. Right, I was completely dissatisfied with what happened in Jeddah. Although these rainfalls and floods were a matter of fate, many of those in charge failed to take necessary precautions in order to avoid or even alleviate the consequences of these floods. I criticized lack of accountability and ordered to take necessary measures to avoid such crises in the future. We felt sorry for those who suffered from this crisis. But we refused to let the story end there. We ordered investigations to be made to determine who was responsible for what and we will not tolerate any kind of negligence or carelessness. We have learnt the lesson the hard way and the floods provided us with insights into what we should do in the future. The infrastructure whether in Jeddah or any other Saudi cities will witness more improvement over the coming period. The government has a lot to do concerning the infrastructure. And we should keep in mind that an opportunity lies in every crisis, and success can be achieved from setbacks. On the occasion of declaring the budget, I stressed at the Cabinet session that all the state systems ought to improve their performance in a way that serves our citizens' interests, and that the budget should be effectively and wisely spent. I will monitor and supervise all systems to guarantee the optimal level of performance.
Your Highness, Custodian of the two holy mosques, you've ordered Minister of Information to launch four TV channels with a religious focus, what is your objective, Sir?
The focus of these channels is to introduce Islamic culture and religion in a righteous way to the whole world; a way that concords with the teachings of our Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be upon Him). These channels will broadcast the true Prophet's way of life and the Holy Quran Interpretation (Tafsir). They are enlightening channels that try to communicate the true essence and content of our Islamic religion and protect its values and principles from being exploited or misinterpreted by those who seek their own interests. We pray that these channels will be beneficial for all people.
