King`s interview with La Repubblica Newspaper

Rome/Casablanca, July 16, SPA -- The Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques King, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has affirmed that the current
international circumstances under the crises being witnessed by the
human communities and the growing challenges which show more
economic, political and social problems in a manner that deepen the
human suffering, make dialogue necessary among followers of religions
and cultures.

The King expressed aspirations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for
the prevalence of harmony and peace not only among the Muslims with
their various sects, but also among the nations of the world with all
their beliefs.

The remarks of the King were made in an interview with the Italian
'La Repubblica' Newspaper, published today.

Following is the full text of the interview of the Custodian of the
Two Holy with La Repubblica Newspaper:

QUESTION 1: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin
Abdul Aziz: What prompted you to call for the convening the Madrid
conference on dialogue of religions, and to invite believers of
different religions and cultures from all over the world? What are
the results you hope for? What makes you so concerned about the fate
of humanity in this world?

ANSWER 1: The need for dialogue; between believers of different
religions and cultures is called for by the current World conditions
and the many crises faced by human communities. Also, the growing
challenges that threaten to worsen existing economic, political and
social problems and to deepen human suffering. Such condition
prevails at a time characterized by wide spread of injustices,
corruption and immorality, and the breakup of the family – the basic
unit of all societies. Humanity is moving away from noble values and
principles that form the essence of all religions and beliefs.

We are part of this world. We influence and are influenced by it. We
are a nation of a sublime mission and deeply rooted cultural
heritage. Our religion urges us to embrace the principle of dialogue
and call upon us to cooperate and coexist in peace with others, and
promote understanding, peace, accord and good values among all
humans. My optimism stems from the broad positive response to the
call for dialogue on the part of many circles, both inside the Muslim
world and at all level of various religious and cultural levels
around the world.

QUESTION 2: You have organized an International Islamic Conference in
Makkah. Do you see that Conference as one that provided an
opportunity to improve relations between Muslim countries, as well as
those between Sunnis and Shiites? You entered the Conference Hall
holding the hands of the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, and the former
Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjan. Does this picture symbolize
better understanding between the two countries and the two states?

ANSWER 2: We always look forward to establish accord and peace
not only among Muslims with their various sects, but also between the
peoples of the world with all their beliefs. Muslim scholars have not
encountered difficulties in their Islamic Conference in Makkah in
terms of stressing the principle of dialogue, since dialogue is an
integral part of our Islamic teachings. God ordered us to have
dialogue in the Quran, and Our Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) also urged
us to do the same. The policy of Saudi Arabia is also based on these
principles.

QUESTION 3: What is the current status of dialogue with the Vatican
after your historic visit to Pope Benedict XVI? Do you expect the
coming dialogue to help heal up the deep wounds suffered by both
sides, and ally Muslims' fear of new crusades, and Christians' fear
of extremists who threaten values and cultures of the West? What is
your response to al-Qaeda's denunciation of the dialogue among
religions?

ANSWER 3: We can remove mistrust and suspicions from our minds
through principle of dialogue. A dialogue that underscores human
commonalities which find their expression in all religions, beliefs
and cultures. The all call for good in all its forms, and reject evil
in all its manifestations. We will then realize that values and
principles that unite us are more than those dividing us.

The differences that exist between cultures and societies in general
are a matter of course and an eternal fact of the universe. But it is
forces of extremism, injustice and darkness that often seek to
exaggerate and exploit these differences for the purpose of
instigating conflicts and wars, thus brining about a chaotic
situation around the world. That is why we find them always in panic
when they feel that there is an effort to engage in dialogue and
promote understanding instead of confrontation and rivalry. These
same forces know that dialogue is the effective way to abort their
evil plans that are contrary to all religions and human beliefs, and
inherent human nature.

QUESTION 4: The G8 met after the Jeddah Energy Meeting, in an attempt
to resolve the crisis of hiking prices of crude oil. But expectations
are not optimistic and prices are continuing to rise. What bothers
you most about the consequences of this international crisis? And
what are, in your opinion, the main reasons for the continuous rise
in oil prices?

ANSWER 4: Stability of the world oil markets is the common goal of
both the producers and the consumers, and we are striving hard to
reach it. In spite of the fact that the Kingdom and a number of oil
producing countries have raised their production capacity, we have
not detected a positive response at the international oil market.
This demonstrates the extent of the effect of other causes and
factors on the market prices outside the framework of supply and
demand. Most importantly, speculations in the international oil
market, and the imposition in many oil consuming nations of
additional taxes on imported oil. Saudi Arabia called for a meeting
of oil consuming and producing countries in Jeddah to discuss the
current situation of the oil market. We believe that strengthening
cooperation between the parties in tackling the global oil situation
with all the variable that influence and impact the price of oil to
the consumer is the guarantor to stabilize international oil market.

We followed-up closely the meeting of the G8, and the resulting
resolutions, including a call for dialogue between producers and
consumers. It may be important to note here that a World Energy Forum
has already been established, with Riyadh hosting its
secretariat-general to achieve the goals of dialogue and to
coordinate between producers and consumers.


In the context of our endeavor to protect environment and, address
global climate change, Saudi Arabia had established King Abdullah
Center for Oil Research and Studies, in order to seek technology that
would preserve the environment on one hand, and contribute to global
economic growth on the other. These efforts include a fund for
energy, environment and climate change, as initiated by the Kingdom
and announced by during the third OPEC summit in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
contributed three hundred million dollars to this effort. I might add
that this program will fund research in many areas including carbon
emissions. We urge the G8 to support these existing programs and
projects rather than make duplicate efforts in similar programs.

QUESTION 5: Food shortage is the second crisis affecting the world
after the oil crisis. What is the scenario, which you see, that would
occur in the future regarding the scarcity of food and causes of food
shortage? Will Saudi Arabia follow the example of China and invest in
the fertile lands in other countries to ensure food security in the
future?


ANSWER 5: The world has to put this crisis on the top of its list
of priorities. It must double the effort internationally to address
the food crisis because it has a direct bearing on the life of every
human being. Saudi Arabia has dealt with this crisis at three main
levels:


Firstly: It has supported the World Food Program (WFP) with 500
million US dollars in response to the world appeal to cope up with
the increase in global fuel prices and food commodities.


Secondly: It is pursuing a medium-and-long-term strategy to launch
agricultural investment initiatives aiming at development and
enhancement of agricultural products in countries that have the
prerequisites for agriculture. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has
agricultural experience, technology, and capital to invest in this
area. The initiative is not only limited to buying land or even
leasing them, but it also includes technology transfer and exchange
of experience, and development of agricultural companies, and other
steps that would contribute to increasing agricultural crops and
providing food to the world in order to alleviate the crisis.


Thirdly: We have been working to strengthen international
cooperation to solve the crisis through our call at the Jeddah
Conference to launch the "energy for poor" initiative to enable
developing countries to meet the increasing energy costs. We called
on the World Bank to hold a meeting as soon as possible for
donors'countries, as well as regional and international financial
institutions, to discuss this initiative and put it into effect. We
proposed to the Council of Ministers of the OPEC Fund for
International Development to meet and consider the adoption of a
parallel program and allocate one billion U.S. dollars to it. Saudi
Arabia announced its readiness to financially contribute to these
programs within the framework to be agreed upon. Also, we have
allocated $500 million U.S. dollars of low-interest loans through the
Saudi Development Fund to finance projects that help developing
countries obtain energy and initiate other development projects.

Undoubtedly these objectives require efforts from all countries of
the world.

King's interview with La Repubblica Newspaper 6 Rome/Casablanca

QUESTION 6: The continuation of the Arab-Israeli conflict poses a
third challenge. In the case of failure of the Annapolis conference,
the only remaining peace a plan on the table is the Arab peace
initiative presented by you in 2002. What made you put forward this
peace initiative? Is this peace plan still in place and
implementable? After 60 years of establishing the state of Israel, is
it closer to live in peace with its Arab neighbors?


ANSWER 6: The Arab comprehensive Peace Initiative reflects the
overall Arab sincere and serious will towards achieving a just,
lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East on the basis of
international legitimacy and laws. The Arab initiative is regarded as
one of the main points of reference in the peace process, which the
Riyadh Arab Summit re-emphasized. In addition to the Arab initiative,
there are several international initiatives aiming at advancing the
peace process in the region. But all these efforts and initiatives
are still colliding with an Israeli policy of rejection and of
continuous seize of more Palestinian land, building new settlements,
expanding existing ones, and imposing all kinds of unjust
restrictions and siege on the Palestinian people in clear defiance of
all international laws and ethical principles. Whenever the Arabs and
the world make a step forward towards peace, Israel embarks on
policies of injustice, aggression against the Palestinian people.
Therefore, the international community is urged, more than ever, to
deal seriously with the Israeli intransigence, so that the longest
crisis in modern history would find its way to solution.

QUESTION 7: Are you concerned about Iran's strengthening its power in
Iraq and presenting its new strength in the region?


ANSWER 7: Iraq is in a dire need of being free from external
interference in its internal affairs by any party, so that it can
move forward in its efforts to achieve security, stability and
prosperity and maintain its national unity and sovereignty, and
territorial integrity. The Iraqi people are capable of achieving
these objectives with a sincere and serious national will, and full
sense of one country among all Iraqis, regardless of ethnic
background and political and religious affiliations.

King's interview with La Repubblica Newspaper 8 Rome/Casablanca

QUESTION 8: Has Iran the right to continue its nuclear program? What
is the extent of damage caused by President Ahmadinejad's statements
concerning the elimination of Israel? Israel has recently conducted
military exercises simulating an attack on Iran. What are the results
of such an attack?


ANSWER 8: Nuclear proliferation in the region does not serve its
security and stability. We hope that all countries of the region
follow the policy of the GCC and the Arab League to make the Middle
East and the Gulf region free from all weapons of mass destruction
and nuclear weapons. As regards the Iranian nuclear issue, we call
for abandoning the language of tension and escalation, and the
adopting of diplomatic solutions to this issue. As long as diplomatic
efforts are still active and ongoing, I do not think there is room
for discussing other options. The responsibility about statements
made by certain countries lies in the countries making these
statements.

King's interview with La Repubblica Newspaper 9 Rome/Casablanca

QUESTION 9: Some people believe that the United States has lost its
traditional influence in the region, because of its policies and
because of the emergence of other competitors looking for a role.
What do you think of this? Has it become difficult for America's
friends to continue defending it?


ANSWER 9: We think that the situation in the region requires every
possible international effort in light of the difficult crisis it
faces. Whether this effort is American, Russian, European, Islamic or
Arab, we will not hesitate to support it as long as it is sincere and
serious in dealing with these crises, and as long as it aims at
achieving regional security and stability and prosperity, including
the legitimate rights of the people of the region. Our international
friendships are based on the defense of those rights and interests of
the region and its peoples and nothing else.

King's interview with La Repubblica Newspaper 10 Rome/Casablanca

QUESTION 10: What has been achieved so far in Saudi Arabia in
combating terrorism? Do you think that you have defeated Al-Qaeda and
rid the country of its supporters? Or is there a need for more
efforts to be exerted in this context? Is the world making enough
efforts to fight terrorism?


ANSWER 10: Observers of the Saudi efforts in fighting terrorism must
feel the significant achievements we have made in fighting this
scourge sedition over the past years. These achievements would not
have been possible without the blessing of God, and the courage and
sacrifices of the security forces, and the Saudi people standing
united in confronting this phenomenon extraneous to their religion,
society and culture. Since the beginning of recent terrorist attacks
in the Kingdom, we adopted a comprehensive strategy to fight it. This
strategy does not depend on its security side only, but also it
includes fighting financing of terrorism, and dealing with its
intellectual roots through the adoption of an integrated program for
defying the deviant thought and rehabilitating its followers and
giving counseling and advice to them. In this regard we called for an
international conference to combat terrorism, which was convened in
Riyadh. The conference called for the establishment of a
counter-terrorism center for the purpose of prompt exchange of
information, and adopt preemptive measure to prevent terrorist
action. However the proposed center is yet to be established in spite
of the support of many members of the world community. In addition we
are working assiduously towards closer regional and international
cooperation to confront the phenomenon. We are continuing with our
efforts in this strategy till completely eliminating this phenomenon
and drying up its sources, and the deviant thought leading to it. We
still believe that the international community can exert better
efforts in close cooperation and coordination to tighten the noose on
terrorist networks wherever they exist, and deprive them of any safe
heavens that could be used to threaten the international community.