CABINET SESSION: IRAQ URGED TO
COOPERATE WITH UN INSPECTORS

SAUDI MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

November 18, 2002

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz presided over the meeting of the Council of Ministers at Al-Yamamah Palace here on Monday evening.

At the outset of the session, the King briefed the Council on the discussions he held with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. The discussions were focused on the latest developments in the Middle East region, including the Palestinian issue, and developments in Arab, Islamic and international arenas. King Fahd lauded the cordial and distinguished relations of the Kingdom with the two brotherly countries.

Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) after the meeting, the Minister of Information, Dr Fouad bin Abdulsalam Al-Farsi, said that the Cabinet welcomed Iraq’s acceptance of UN Security Council resolution 1441 and the return of UN inspectors to Iraq. It expressed hope that such a step will put an end to the tense situation in the region, and avert war and use of military force. The Cabinet expressed hope that the Iraqi government fully cooperate with the inspection committee and the parties concerned to abide by the conditions of the resolution.

It also called upon the United Nations to implement its resolutions with regard to the Palestinian issue, and to take the necessary measures to force Israeli compliance with these resolutions. Implementation will alleviate the injustice perpetrated against the Palestinian people, enable establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital, ensure the restoration of Arab territories to their pre-1967 borders, and thus achieve peace and stability in the region.

The Cabinet denounced the escalation of Israeli aggression and dangerous military operations against Palestinians, which do not differentiate between civilians and soldiers. He added that the recent operation carried out by Palestinians targeted only military personnel and did not affect any Israeli civilians.

The Cabinet then discussed other topics on its agenda and took following decisions:

The Cabinet reviewed a report presented by Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General, to approve amendments of items 25 and 96 of the officers’ service regulation issued under Royal Decree M/43, of 28/8/1393H. It also reviewed report 34/3144, dated 20/4/1422H, presented by the Interior Minister requesting approval for amendment of item 22 of the above officers’ service regulation. It considered Shoura Council resolutions: 65/77, dated 29/2/1423H, 7/12, dated 13/4/1423H, and 12/14, dated 20/4/1423H, which are related to this matter. The council thereafter decided the following:

It approved amendment of item 22 of the officers’ service regulation issued under Royal Decree M/43, dated 28/8/1393H, which was amended by Royal Decree M/9, dated 24/3/1397H, to read as follows: If the officer is ranked Major and below, has served 4 years in his rank in addition to the period stated in item 18 of this regulation, and if conditions for his promotion stated in item 21 did not prevail, then his services are terminated, and he is treated according to the regulations.

A new clause to item 25, under code E, of the officers’ service regulation issued under Royal Decree M/43, dated 28/8/1393H, amended by Royal Decree M/9, dated 24/3/1397H, is to read as follows: E - Exclusion of the two previous clauses is permissible by a decision from the relevant Minister when the interest of work necessitates the extension of service of a medical officer who holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel or Brigadier General, to two years, renewable several times. He could also be promoted whenever necessary conditions are fulfilled and he has not reached retirement age according to the military pension system.

Amendment of item 96 of the officers’ service regulation issued under Royal Decree M/43, dated 28/8/1393H, and amended by Royal Decree M/9, dated 24/3/1397H, is to read: An officer who is injured or afflicted by illness while on duty, and is thus temporarily prevented from working and was given sick leave of 1-1/2 years instead of the vacation stated on item 95, is then entitled to a full salary. If, however, he did not return to work after this period, his case should be presented to the medical committee to decide whether to send him to retirement or to extend his vacation. In such a case, the committee must define the extra vacation period, and the officer is entitled to a half salary. A Royal Decree was prepared for the above.

After reviewing the project of regulation of the Commission of Saudi Engineers, which was presented to the Cabinet by the Minister of Commerce, and considering Shoura Council resolution 48/46, dated 19/10/1421H, the Cabinet decided to approve the above project in its text as attached with the resolution. A draft Royal Decree was prepared in this connection.

The most goals of the system are: to upgrade the career of an engineer and to raise the level of this career through the Commission of Saudi Engineers; to form a General Assembly for the Commission from the principal members, who have paid annual subscriptions; to authorize a Board of Directors under Chairmanship of the Minister of Commerce to oversee administration of the Commission, which comprises Undersecretaries of related ministries, three members of staff of related universities and colleges, a representative of the Council of Chambers of Commerce and six members elected by the Commission’s General Assembly; to define the powers of the Board of Directors, to identify sources of Commission revenues, including membership subscription, grants, donations, revenues from Commission services and investments.

After reviewing a report presented by the Minister of Health on the national project to tackle the psychological disturbance of children, the Cabinet decided to agree to the above-mentioned project in its text attached with the resolution.

The Cabinet reviewed a report presented to the Cabinet by Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), in which he requested approval for SWCC representation on the Board of Directors of the Commission for Regulating Electricity Services. It also reviewed regulations of this Commission, issued under Council of Ministers resolution 236, dated 28/8/1422H. It then decided to approve the amendment of the first article of item 4 of the regulations issued under Council of Ministers resolution 236, dated 27/8/1422H, by adding an SWCC representative to the said Board of Directors.

The Council approved transfers and appointments on grade 14 as follows: Dr Abdul Raheem bin Mushana Al-Ghamdi is to be transferred from his present position as Advisor for Combating Terrorism to the post of Director General of legal affairs and international cooperation at the Interior Ministry; Mohammed bin Ali bin Nasir Al-Humrani is appointed as Director General of administrative and financial affairs at the General Bureau for Supervision.