Saudi's Cleared in terror related lawsuits by Federal courts 1-19-05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2005
CONTACT:Saudi Information Office
(202) 944-5948
www.saudiembassy.net
SAUDI GOVERNMENT CLEARED FROM 9/11 LAWSUITS BY U.S. FEDERAL COURT
WASHINGTON [January 19, 2005] -- Saudi Ambassador to the United States, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, issued the following statement:

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is very gratified with the decision by the United States District Court of New York to dismiss lawsuits against the Saudi government, government officials, leading financial institutions and prominent businessmen, who were charged with financing the 9/11 attacks.

"The decision of the court is consistent with the findings of the 9/11 Commission, which concluded after exhaustive investigation that there is no evidence of involvement in or financial support for terrorism by the Saudi government or the Royal family.

"The court has dismissed claims against two government officials: Saudi Minister of Defense HRH Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz and Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom, HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal.

"The cases were also dismissed against a number of other parties including HRH Prince Mohamed Al-Faisal, CEO of three financial institutions in Saudi Arabia; Bakr, Omar, Tariq Binladin, current managers of the large engineering and construction company Saudi Binladin Group; Mohammad Abdullah Aljomaih's Estate, Saleh Abdullah Kamel, Abdulrahman bin Mahfouz, all prominent Saudi businessmen.

"The court also granted the motions to dismiss of three Saudi financial institutions: Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi American Bank and Al Baraka Investment Company.

"In the aftermath of 9/11, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been confronted with many false charges. As the real facts emerge, we hope we can all move forward in the spirit of cooperation and mutual support, which is so critical to winning the war on terrorism. The people of Saudi Arabia sympathize with all victims of terrorism, and Saudi Arabia will continue to lead efforts to eliminate terrorism worldwide."

(The Ambassador and his wife, HRH Princess Haifa Al-Faisal, were voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs from these lawsuits in 2004.)

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