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Islam is innocent of criminal acts
Washington, 13th September 2001—
Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, the
Kingdom's Ambassador to the United States, stressed here on Thursday that the
Government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia utterly reject anyone with
terrorist connections.
In a press statement to the Saudi Press Agency
(SPA), Saudi television, CNN and CBS American television stations, Prince Bandar
rejected mass media descriptions of Osama bin Laden as a “Saudi”. Prince Bandar
pointed out that bin Laden's Saudi nationality had been withdrawn ten years ago
because of his irresponsible acts.
Prince Bandar expressed hope that the mass
media and politicians would not throw accusations arbitrarily against Muslims
and Islam
because Islam
has nothing to do with those who committed these criminal acts, acts which
violate of all divine religions and religious, moral and human values.
Prince Bandar added that there is no need for
fear about oil supplies because the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and members of OPEC
are committed to maintaining stable oil prices and to meeting the demand for
oil.
In response to reporters' questions about US
reaction in the Middle East following the terrorist attack, he urged everyone
not to anticipate events and to wait for the results of the investigations.
In reply to a question whether he had contacts
with the American Administration, Prince Bandar said he had been in contact with
Colin Powell, American Secretary of State, and Condalisa Rice, Advisor to
President George W Bush for National Security Affairs.
He offered Saudi Arabia's complete assistance
and cooperation in eradicating terrorism.
In response to a question that there is a
concern that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon would exploit recent events,
Prince Bandar expressed deep concern over Sharon’s acts, pointing to the
invasion of Lebanon in 1982 and the recent practices against the Palestinians.
He stressed that what is currently happening in
the Palestinian territories (the destruction of homes and the bombing of towns)
is unprecedented. The US had not destroyed the home of Timothy McVeigh when that
individual had perpetrated the Oklahoma bombing and British Prime Minister had
not bombed towns in Ireland when terrorists attacked 10 Downing Street,” he
added.
He emphasized that talks now must focus on the
huge disaster in a friendly country but the plight of the Palestinian people,
caused by the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, should not be
forgotten.
Prince Bandar noted that the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia has suffered from terrorism and fully understands the stance of the US
towards terrorist acts.
Source:
SPA©
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