Prince Turki Al-Faisal stresses close Saudi-US ties in Louisville

June 13, 2006 SAUDI ARABIA-US

In June 7 remarks to the World Affairs Council of Kentucky in Louisville, Saudi Ambassador to the US Prince Turki Al-Faisal Prince Turki noted that Saudi Arabia has undergone tremendous economic, social and political development, and cited programs to improve education, municipal elections and $650 billion in investment opportunities as examples. He also encouraged American companies to take advantage of those investment opportunities in the Kingdom.

Prince Turki stressed the strength of the Saudi-US relationship, and highlighted similarities between the two peoples. “We’re plainspoken and straightforward, and we both believe in the importance of faith and family,” he said.

Interior Ministry confirms deaths of two Guantanamo detainees

On June 11, the Ministry of Interior said that Saudi authorities have been notified of the deaths of two Saudi citizens at the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay. They have been identified as Manie bin Shaman bin Turki Al-Habardi Al-Otaibi and Yasser Talal Abdullah Yahya Al-Zahrani. A spokesman said that official procedures are underway to repatriate the bodies of the two men.
New campaign to fight breast cancer in the Middle East

First Lady Laura Bush announced a major women’s health campaign in the Middle East – the US-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research – in remarks at the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation 2006 Mission Conference in Arlington, Virginia June 13.

Organized by the State Department’s Office of Public Diplomacy and the Middle East Partnership Initiative, the partnership consists of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Partners will develop awareness and increase research, training and community outreach efforts.

Princess Nouf bint Fahd, the wife of the Saudi Ambassador to the US Prince Turki Al-Faisal, welcomed the campaign, and noted that such initiatives enhance ties between the Kingdom and the US.


EDUCATION

Ministry of Education to offer religious tolerance training for teachers

The Ministry of Education has announced that it will provide special training programs to promote religious tolerance for male and female Islamic Studies teachers, Asharq Al-Awsat reported June 8. One of the Ministry’s main priorities is increasing awareness and religious tolerance among teachers, Saad Al-Mady, the Ministry’s director general of training, told the newspaper. Some of the training programs will be available on the Internet.

OIL

Saudi Aramco releases key oil, gas figures for 2005

Saudi Aramco disclosed key energy figures for 2005. Recoverable crude oil and condensate reserves are estimated at 259.8 billion barrels. In 2005, average crude oil production per day was 9.1 million barrels. Annual crude oil production was 3.3 billion barrels. Gas reserves are estimated at 239.5 trillion standard cubic feet. Average gas production per day in 2005 was 7.87 billion standard cubic feet. Annual gas production was 2.87 trillion standard cubic feet.


FOREIGN POLICY

Cabinet condemns Israeli shelling of Gaza beach

At its weekly meeting June 12, the Cabinet condemned Israel’s shelling of the Beit-Lahia beach in Gaza, in which innocent Palestinians were killed or injured. Such actions undermine the peace process and are opposed to basic human values, the Cabinet said.

INDUSTRY

King Abdullah launches megaprojects at Jubail II

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz launched several petrochemical and infrastructure megaprojects at the Jubail Industrial City II on June 11. The projects include new facilities at the King Fahd Industrial Port, the Saudi International Petrochemical Company’s Butanediol plant in addition to a number of projects that belong to the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu as well as private companies.

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