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~~GULFWIRE DIGEST~~#161~~WEEK OF AUGUST 26-SEPTEMBER 1, 2002~~ (fwd)



Some of you may want to subscribe to this to get a better idea about
politics in the Persian Gulf where much of the world's oil lies.

*****************************
Clement M. Henry
Professor of Government
University of Texas at Austin
Austin TX 78712
tel 471-5121, fax 471-1061

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 10:30:19 -0500
From: GulfWire e-Newsletters <GulfWire@arabialink.com>
To: "<<GULFWIRE>>" <GulfWire2@arabialink.com>
Subject: ~~GULFWIRE DIGEST~~#161~~WEEK OF AUGUST 26-SEPTEMBER 1, 2002~~

*********************
***GULFWIRE DIGEST***
*********************

A WEEKLY e-NEWSLETTER
(Number 161)
INFORMATION AND INSIGHTS ON MIDDLE EAST DEVELOPMENTS

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON U.S.-ARAB RELATIONS AND
THE U.S.-GCC CORPORATE COOPERATION COMMITTEE

WEEK OF AUGUST 26-SEPTEMBER 1, 2002

===========================================================================

o NEWS
· REGION
- IRAQ PUSHES TO ISOLATE BUSH
- WAR THREAT WOULD FADE IF IRAQ ACCEPTED UN INSPECTORS: BRITAIN
- BRITAIN DIFFERS WITH U.S. OVER IRAQ PLAN
- IRAQ THROWS "FAILURE" TAUNT AT US AS KEY BUSH ALLY WARNS OF PERIL
- A TIMELY WARNING TO THE WHITE HOUSE
- WHITE HOUSE REITERATES REGIME CHANGE IN IRAQ IS U.S. POLICY
- ON IRAQ, BUSH TO CONSULT WITH ALLIES AND CONGRESS
- SADDAM 'HARBORING AL-QAEDA MEN'
- U.S. PLANES ATTACK RADAR SITE IN NORTHERN IRAQ
- IRAQ SAID TO PLAN TANGLING THE U.S. IN STREET FIGHTING
- U.S. TAKES CASE FOR WAR TO IRAQI PEOPLE
- ARABS SEEK CLARITY IN QATAR'S VIEW ON IRAQ
- US TO LAUNCH PROGRAM TO PROMOTE DEMOCRATIC REFORMS IN MIDEAST:
OFFICIALS
- BUSH, SAUDI AMBASSADOR TO TALK
- SAUDI MESSAGE TO BUSH MAY HELP NORMALIZE RELATIONS
- ISLAMIC COLA 'SELLING WELL
- ARAB UNION ENDORSES $10B PLAN TO CREATE SPACE AGENCY
- MAGAZINE TAGS U.S. ANALYST AS LIAR
- KUWAIT SEIZES 50 SAUDI SHRIMP BOATS: REPORT
- GULF JOURNALISTS REJECT IPRA 'CORRUPTION' CHARGES
- FACING UP TO GLOBALIZATION
· BAHRAIN
- BLUEPRINT FOR BAHRAIN POLLS
- BAHRAIN SLAMS DOOR ON TERROR
· OMAN
- OMAN CONFIRMS AL-QAEDA MEN'S ARREST
· QATAR
- QATAR'S ROLE TO BE KEY IN IRAQ CONFLICT
- U.S. EXPANDS AIRBASE IN QATAR
· SAUDI ARABIA
- IRAQ URGES KINGDOM TO RESTORE TIES
- SAUDI MOVES TO SHIFT MONEY OUT OF US RAISE CONCERNS
- SAUDI PRINCE DENIES US ASSET CUTS
- DISPUTE OVER SIZE OF SAUDI PULL-OUT FROM US
- SAUDIS NOT REPATRIATING MONEY FROM US
- SYRIA RALLY TO SUPPORT US-PRESSURED SAUDI, EGYPTIAN REGIMES
- SAUDI LAWYER SUES OVER 11 SEPTEMBER
- 9/11 SUSPECT SURRENDERS TO SAUDI OFFICIALS
- KINGDOM TO TRY SAUD IF TERROR LINKS ESTABLISHED
- SAUDI ARABIA DENIES REPORT IT FUNDED AL QAEDA
- NEW HEAD FOR COMMISSION FOR THE PROMOTION OF VIRTUE AND PREVENTION
OF VICE
- SAUDIS MISSING IN AFGHANISTAN WILL BE TRACED: ENVOY
- NOVEMBER LAUNCH FOR SAUDI-MADE SATELLITE
- 4,800 DEAD, 32,000 INJURED ON KINGDOM'S ROADS: REPORT
· UAE
- MANY DEAD, HURT AS UAE POWER PLANT ROOF CAVES IN
- UAE DEFENSE SPENDING LOWEST IN GCC
- UAE TO HIGHLIGHT COUNTRY'S GAINS AT GLOBAL SUMMIT
- PERSONAL STATUS LAW LIKELY SOON
o GULFWIRE FLASHBACK – OVER THREE YEARS OF GULFWIRE
o LINK OF THE WEEK -
o BUSINESS & FINANCE NEWS
· REGION
- ENERGY FUTURES – 08.23.02
- CRUDE OIL CLIMBS ABOVE $30 A BARREL
- IEA URGES OPEC TO EASE CUTS AHEAD OF WINTER
- OPEC CAN BOOST OUTPUT IF IRAQ ATTACKED – KUWAIT
- AGCC BOURSES MOVE TO TACKLE INSIDER TRADING
- ARAB BANKS URGED TO SET UP ADVANCED SYSTEMS TO MONITOR MONEY-
LAUNDERING
· BAHRAIN
- AUSTRALIAN FIRM BIDS FOR KEY ALBA CONTRACT
- 3 FINANCIAL FIRMS TO BE SET UP IN BAHRAIN
· KUWAIT
- TRANSPORT AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED BETWEEN KUWAIT AND JORDAN
· OMAN
- OMAN'S FOREIGN TRADE PLUNGES 10PCT
- OMAN DEVELOPS TWO AIRPORTS
- PORT SULTAN QABOOS MULLS TARIFF REVISION
- OMAN AIR EXPLORING FAR EAST, LONDON ROUTES
· QATAR
- QATAR ACHIEVES $549 MILLION SURPLUS IN Q2
· SAUDI ARABIA
- GCC INSIGHTS: SAUDI GAS INITIATIVE HIGHLY AMBITIOUS AND COMPLEX
- US H1 EXPORTS TO SAUDI ARABIA PLUNGE TO 12-YEAR LOW
- MADE IN USA: A HARD SELL?
- SAUDI GOVT ACTS TO CURB DUMPING OF STEEL
- SAUDI COMPUTER MARKET CRASHES
- TRADE FRAUD CAUSES LOSS OF OVER SR1B TO BUSINESSMEN
- NEW RULES MAKE KINGDOM 'MORE INVESTOR FRIENDLY'
- MAJOR PROJECTS AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
- KINGDOM READIES FOR OIC TOURISM MEETING
- CASH TAKES A BACK SEAT AS CARDS COME TO THE FORE IN SAUDI
- PERFORMANCE OF SAUDI BANKS DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 2002
- SAUDI TO HOLD FAIR IN IRAQ
- 440 RECRUITMENT FIRMS MERGING TO REGULATE MARKET
· UAE
- FOREIGN TRADE IN SHARJAH INCREASES BY 23.8% IN 2001
- TOURISM CHIEF WELCOMES SURVEY THAT RATES DUBAI AS WORLD'S BEST
- ETISALAT & PHILIPS TO CREATE ARABIC VOICE RECOGNITION SOLUTION
o LAST LINES

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===========================================================================

************************
NAVIGATION NOTE
************************

**GULFWIRE LINKS**
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related GulfWire Digest reports available through the GulfWire 2002 members'
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The private user-ID and password that comes with the GulfWire 2002 CD gives
you access to thousands of archived reports published in GulfWire every week
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**WRAPAROUND "LINK" NOTE**
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===========================================================================

************************
NEWS
************************

· REGION

IRAQ PUSHES TO ISOLATE BUSH
"Iraq is to launch a diplomatic offensive to persuade Arab leaders that an
American strike against Baghdad would represent an attack on their countries
too. Baghdad intends to seize the moment as international reservations
about a military campaign against Iraq grow and relationships between the US
and some of its traditional Arab allies enter a rocky phase..." Complete
report...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2214294.stm
See Below: IRAQ URGES KINGDOM TO RESTORE TIES
~~GulfWire Link~~
WHITE HOUSE PUSH FOR IRAQI STRIKE IS ON HOLD ~~ GulfWire Digest #160 -
August 19, 2002
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWArchives2002/GWD/GWD_2002_08_19.htm#NR
1

WAR THREAT WOULD FADE IF IRAQ ACCEPTED UN INSPECTORS: BRITAIN
"Britain followed US President George W. Bush in playing down the threat of
a war on Iraq, saying Saddam Hussein could reduce the chances of an attack
by allowing the return of weapons inspectors..." Complete report...
http://www.arabia.com/afp/news/mideast/article/english/0,10846,271755,00.htm
l

BRITAIN DIFFERS WITH U.S. OVER IRAQ PLAN
"Britain set itself apart from top ally the United States, which has made a
"regime change" in Baghdad a priority, saying yesterday its main aim in Iraq
was to get weapons inspectors back in. In comments that underlined
differences between U.S. President George W. Bush and London, Foreign
Secretary Jack Straw said the main threat was from Iraqi President Saddam
Hussein's suspected capability with weapons of mass destruction..."
Complete report...
http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/news.asp?ArticleID=61324
~~GulfWire Link~~
GROWING UNEASE ON IRAQ WAR THREAT IN UK ~~ GulfWire Digest #160 - August 19,
2002
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWArchives2002/GWD/GWD_2002_08_19.htm#NR
11

IRAQ THROWS "FAILURE" TAUNT AT US AS KEY BUSH ALLY WARNS OF PERIL
"Iraq taunted Washington for failing to win world backing for war... ...
Meanwhile, US President George W. Bush, who appears to have publicly
back-pedaled in his policy of overthrowing the Baghdad regime, may not have
felt comfortable reading a warning from James Baker... 'Although the United
States could certainly succeed, we should try our best not to have to go it
alone, and the president should reject the advice of those who counsel doing
so,' Baker wrote in the New York Times..." Complete report...
http://www.arabia.com/afp/news/mideast/article/english/0,10846,273313,00.htm
l

A TIMELY WARNING TO THE WHITE HOUSE
"Short of George Bush's father taking up his pen himself, no US Republican
could have issued a more authoritative or a more public warning to the
administration's Iraq hawks than the one that was delivered by James Baker
in the New York Times [August 25]. As the secretary of state during the Gulf
war and as the Bush dynasty's veteran consigliere, Mr Baker is the most
senior Republican yet to have cautioned publicly against the Iraq strategy
favored by the go-for-broke unilateralists in the US administration. His
article is the clearest sign yet of the extent of the real and increasingly
destructive internal crisis in the Republican establishment over Iraq. His
words are also a blast of cold reality against the fanatical and scornful
tone that is now routinely adopted by the president's closest Iraq advisers
and cheerleaders towards those who advocate anything less than 100%
unilateral US belligerence towards Saddam Hussein..." Complete report...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,780735,00.html
Related Material:
"The Right Way to Change a Regime," By JAMES A. BAKER III
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/25/opinion/25BAKE.html
~~GulfWire Link~~
US DOUBTS GROW OVER IRAQ ATTACK ~~ GulfWire Digest #160 - August 19, 2002
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWArchives2002/GWD/GWD_2002_08_19.htm#NR
10

WHITE HOUSE REITERATES REGIME CHANGE IN IRAQ IS U.S. POLICY
"President Bush is committed to a policy of regime change in Iraq,
White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters August 19
when asked about Iraq... '...I tell you, the President doesn't look at the
many voices that he's hearing about Iraq as critics; he looks at them as
thoughtful people who have a lot of experience, who also recognize the
menace that's posed by Saddam Hussein, the threat that is posed....'"
Complete press release...
http://usinfo.state.gov/cgi-bin/washfile/display.pl?p=/products/washfile/geo
g/nea&f=02081903.tne&t=/products/washfile/newsitem.shtml
~~GulfWire Link~~
RICE LAYS OUT CASE FOR WAR IN IRAQ ~~ GulfWire Digest #160 - August 19, 2002
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWArchives2002/GWD/GWD_2002_08_19.htm#NR
3

ON IRAQ, BUSH TO CONSULT WITH ALLIES AND CONGRESS
"President Bush said today that the United States would act in consultation
with Congress and its allies overseas in attempting to overthrow Iraqi
President Saddam Hussein and would 'look at all options and . . . consider
all technologies...'" Complete report...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46821-2002Aug21.html

SADDAM 'HARBORING AL-QAEDA MEN'
A number of senior Al-Qaeda figures have taken refuge inside Iraq and are
being sheltered by Saddam Hussein, it was claimed [August 21]. The claim
came as President George W. Bush met with his senior military advisers in
Texas and said that the removal of the Iraqi president 'is in the interests
of the world...'" Complete report...
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=17987

U.S. PLANES ATTACK RADAR SITE IN NORTHERN IRAQ
"U.S. warplanes bombed an air defense site in northern Iraq [August 23]
after being targeted by an Iraqi missile guidance radar system, the U.S.
military said..." Complete report...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55412-2002Aug23.html

IRAQ SAID TO PLAN TANGLING THE U.S. IN STREET FIGHTING
"President Saddam Hussein of Iraq will try to compensate for his armed
forces' glaring weaknesses by raising the specter of urban warfare if the
Bush administration moves to attack the Iraqi government, according to
Pentagon officials and former United States government experts..." Complete
report...
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/26/international/middleeast/26MILI.html

U.S. TAKES CASE FOR WAR TO IRAQI PEOPLE
"The Bush administration took its case for war on Iraq directly to the Iraqi
people [August 23], broadcasting an interview with the Pentagon's
third-ranking official calling on Iraqis to topple Saddam Hussein. 'The
future that we see for Iraq is a future that would be based on the Iraqi
people freeing themselves from the oppression they are now suffering,'
Undersecretary of Defense Doug Feith told Radio Sawa, a newly formed AM
radio station broadcast from Kuwait..." Complete report...
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20020823-025711-9602r
~~GulfWire Link~~
POP PSYCHOLOGY - RADIO SAWA ~~ GulfWire Digest #158 - August 5, 2002
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWArchives2002/GWD/GWD_2002_08_05.htm#NR
18
VOA'S MIDDLE EAST RADIO NETWORK ~~ GulfWire Digest #143 - April 22, 2002
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWArchives2002/GWD/GWD_2002_04_22.htm#NR
13

ARABS SEEK CLARITY IN QATAR'S VIEW ON IRAQ
"The six-member Gulf Co-operation Council, of which Qatar is a member,
reiterated at the weekend that it was opposed to any attack on Iraq. However
Qatar has said little on its own account since George Bush, the US
president, raised the prospect of regime change in Baghdad, diplomats in
Doha say. That is likely to change when Hamad bin Jassem Al Thani, the
Qatari foreign minister, visits Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, on [August
26]..." Complete report...
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c
=StoryFT&cid=1028186012736&p=1012571727172
See Below:
QATAR'S ROLE TO BE KEY IN IRAQ CONFLICT
U.S. EXPANDS AIRBASE IN QATAR

US TO LAUNCH PROGRAM TO PROMOTE DEMOCRATIC REFORMS IN MIDEAST: OFFICIALS
"The United States plans to launch a program to promote democratic reforms
in the Middle East later this year in a bid to lessen anti-American
sentiment in the region, US officials said..." Complete report...
http://www.arabia.com/afp/news/mideast/article/english/0,10846,271298,00.htm
l

BUSH, SAUDI AMBASSADOR TO TALK
"President Bush will discuss peace in the Middle East and other issues with
Saudi Arabia's ambassador at a meeting at his Texas ranch next week...
...Fleischer said, 'Saudi Arabia is a stalwart ally in the war against
terrorism... Saudi Arabia has also played a very constructive role in trying
to bring peace to the Middle East, so the president is looking forward to
the visit,' he added..." Complete report...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57843-2002Aug24.html

SAUDI MESSAGE TO BUSH MAY HELP NORMALIZE RELATIONS
"Prince Abdullah, the regent, will send an important message to US President
George W. Bush [August 27] which analysts said would help normalize strained
Saudi-US ties. Saudi Ambassador to Washington Prince Bandar ibn Sultan will
deliver the message during a meeting with Bush at the president's Crawford
ranch. Saudi daily Okaz quoted unnamed sources as saying the letter would
deal with US-Saudi relations, which have been sorely tested in the aftermath
of the Sept. 11 terror attacks..." Complete report...
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=18083

ISLAMIC COLA 'SELLING WELL
"An Iranian soft drink named after a holy spring in Mecca is said to have
won an enthusiastic reception in Saudi Arabia. Zamzam Cola, an alternative
to US brands Coca Cola and Pepsi, has gone on sale at the same time as a
campaign to boycott American goods gathers momentum..." Complete report...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2207565.stm

ARAB UNION ENDORSES $10B PLAN TO CREATE SPACE AGENCY
"The Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS) endorsed in its
fifth conference, which concluded in Amman on Thursday, a preliminary plan
to establish an Arab Space Research Agency (ASRA)..."
http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=3638
See Below:
NOVEMBER LAUNCH FOR SAUDI-MADE SATELLITE

MAGAZINE TAGS U.S. ANALYST AS LIAR
"The controversy generated by a Washington Post report in which the U.S.
policy analyst, Laurent Murawiec, made derogatory remarks about the Saudis
took another turn [August 22]..." Complete report...
http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/news.asp?ArticleID=61323
Related Material:
STATEMENT BY RAND PRESIDENT ON ANALYST COMMENTS
http://www.itp.net/news/1030200805616.htm
~~GulfWire Link~~
BRIEFING DEPICTED SAUDIS AS ENEMIES; US BACKS OFF FROM SAUDI BRIEFING ~~
GulfWire Digest #158 - August 5, 2002
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWArchives2002/GWD/GWD_2002_08_05.htm#NS
1
THE U.S. DEFENSE POLICY REVIEW BOARD'S BRIEFING ON SAUDI ARABIA ~~ GulfWire
Perspectives - August 6, 2002
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWArchives2002/GWP/GWP_2002_08_06.htm

KUWAIT SEIZES 50 SAUDI SHRIMP BOATS: REPORT
"Kuwaiti coast guards have seized about 50 Saudi shrimp fishing boats,
apparently for violating the emirate's territorial waters, and arrested the
fishermen, a newspaper reported [August 25]. Al-Youm newspaper quoted Saudi
fishermen in the Eastern Province bordering Kuwait saying it was the first
time Kuwaiti authorities had seized such a large number of boats..."
Source: Zawya.com
~~GulfWire Link~~
KUWAITI-SAUDI TALKS ON TERRITORIAL CLAIMS ~~ GulfWire Digest #48 - June 5,
2000
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWCD2002/GWDigests/GWD2000/GWD_2000_06_0
5.htm#NR2

GULF JOURNALISTS REJECT IPRA 'CORRUPTION' CHARGES
"Journalists and advertising professionals in the Gulf region have rejected
accusations, from the International Public Relations Association, of
widespread corruption among journalists..." Complete report...
http://www.itp.net/news/10299302638635.htm

FACING UP TO GLOBALIZATION
"If there is anything remotely close to a wake up call for the Arab world,
it came on July 2, 2002. It came in the form of a brutally honest 133-page
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) report, which drew attention to
the failings of the 22 members of the Arab league. While the report
highlights advances made by the Arab world, it showed that at the cusp of
the new millennium, Arab states are still decades behind most other nations
on almost every economic front. That was the resounding consensus of a
number of the Arab intellectuals who published the first UNDP report on Arab
Human Development..." Complete report...
http://www.itp.net/features/10280062687166.htm

===========================================================================
**GULFWIRE 2002 CD-ROM ~~ NOW AVAILABLE AT SUMMER SALE PRICE**
FOR DETAILS, VISIT: http://www.arabialink.com/GWCD
===========================================================================

· BAHRAIN

BLUEPRINT FOR BAHRAIN POLLS
"Bahrain is to be divided into 40 constituencies for the parliamentary
elections on October 24..." Complete report...
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/arc_Articles.asp?Article=30600&Sn=BNEW&IssueI
D=25155
BAHRAIN ENTERS NEW PHASE WITH POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
GulfWire Digest #135 - February 18, 2002
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWArchives2002/GWD/GWD_2002_02_18.htm#NB
3
BAHRAINI WOMEN'S GROUPS BEGIN TALKS ON POLL STRATEGY ~~ GulfWire Digest
#152 - June 24, 2002
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWArchives2002/GWD/GWD_2002_06_24.htm#NB
1

BAHRAIN SLAMS DOOR ON TERROR
Bahrain yesterday slammed the door on anyone seeking refuge from
international justice. It backs the international war against terrorism and
will never open its doors to people linked to terrorist acts, said a senior
government official. He was speaking after Palestinian professor Mazen Al
Najjar was refused permission to fly to Bahrain, on his deportation from the
US..." Complete report...
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/arc_Articles.asp?Article=30930&Sn=BNEW&IssueI
D=25159

· OMAN

OMAN CONFIRMS AL-QAEDA MEN'S ARREST
"Oman confirmed [August 25] that it had arrested members of an Al-Qaeda cell
but denied reports that it extradited them to the United States. "No person
has been handed over to the United States," the official Oman News Agency
said. 'That is one of the principles of the Sultanate.' However ONA did not
deny that the authorities had uncovered and smashed an Al-Qaeda cell, as
Asharq Al-Awsat reported. The newspaper quoted American security sources as
saying 'they were transferred to the United States...'" Complete report...
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=18079

· QATAR

QATAR'S ROLE TO BE KEY IN IRAQ CONFLICT
"Faced with the loss of Saudi Arabia's large airfields for combat operations
and, in particular, the critical combined air operations center (CAOC) at
Prince Sultan AB, south of Riyadh (which is staffed with 1,500 top Allied
war planners), the U.S. has been building and enlarging bases elsewhere..."
Complete report...
http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2002/020819-iraq7.htm
~~GulfWire Link~~
QATAR IN DILEMMA OVER U.S. THREAT TO IRAQ ~~ GulfWire Digest #155 - July 15,
2002
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWArchives2002/GWD/GWD_2002_07_15.htm#NQ
1
SAUDI: U.S. CAN'T USE KINGDOM TO ATTACK IRAQ ~~ GulfWire Digest #159 -
August 12, 2002
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWArchives2002/GWD/GWD_2002_08_12.htm#NS
1
U.S. BASE IN QATAR SEEN CENTRAL TO ATTACK ON IRAQ ~~ GulfWire Digest #159 -
August 12, 2002
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWArchives2002/GWD/GWD_2002_08_12.htm#NR
11

U.S. EXPANDS AIRBASE IN QATAR
"...US officials do say they have been expanding their presence in Qatar...
...That base in Qatar is just one part of an infrastructure the US has been
building in the region for years... ...One military official points to that
commercial satellite imagery that already gives a partial picture of US
deployments. The official says that if the US begins a major buildup, there
is no way you're not going to know about it..." Complete report...
http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2002/020821-iraq2.htm
Related Material:
Al-Udeid Facility Information
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/udeid.htm
Imagery of Al-Udeid Airbase
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/al-udeid-imagery2.htm

===========================================================================
**GULFWIRE 2002 CD-ROM ~~ NOW AVAILABLE AT SUMMER SALE PRICE**
FOR DETAILS, VISIT: http://www.arabialink.com/GWCD
===========================================================================

· SAUDI ARABIA

IRAQ URGES KINGDOM TO RESTORE TIES
Iraqi Vice President Taha Yasin Ramadan [August 21] called on Saudi Arabia
to resume diplomatic relations with his country. He also commended the
growing trade relations between the two countries in recent years.
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=17985

SAUDI MOVES TO SHIFT MONEY OUT OF US RAISE CONCERNS
"Moves by Saudi investors to shift tens of billions of dollars out of the US
have added to market concerns that global fund managers are becoming
increasingly disenchanted with the US, analysts said [August 21]..."
Complete report...
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c
=StoryFT&cid=1028185944097&p=1012571727172

SAUDI PRINCE DENIES US ASSET CUTS
"A senior member of the Saudi ruling family has denied investors are fleeing
the US and said he was increasing his investments there. Prince Al-Waleed
bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, the nephew of King Fahd, told the BBC that
there was no evidence of a Saudi pull-out..." Complete report...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2209503.stm

DISPUTE OVER SIZE OF SAUDI PULL-OUT FROM US
"Saudis on [August 22] issued conflicting reactions to estimates that up to
$200bn (£127bn) in non-government investments had been pulled out of the US
in recent months. While a senior official from the Saudi central bank
confirmed the reports, citing economic reasons, a prominent Saudi prince
downplayed the scale of withdrawals and said he was maintaining his US
holdings..." Complete report...
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c
=StoryFT&cid=1028185970886&p=1012571727172

SAUDIS NOT REPATRIATING MONEY FROM US
"According to a number of Saudi investment bankers, there are no signs that
Saudis are repatriating money from the US. This follows a report from
[August 21] Financial Times that stated that Saudi investors have withdrawn
$200 billion from the US. On Monday, Arab News reported businessman Abdul
Rahman Al-Zamil, chairman of Al-Zamil Group, as urging Saudi investors to
repatriate their US funds to the Kingdom. So far that has not happened and
Europe seems to be the popular option among Saudi investors..." Complete
report...
http://www.menafn.com//qn_news_story_s.asp?type=all&storyid=3556

SYRIA RALLY TO SUPPORT US-PRESSURED SAUDI, EGYPTIAN REGIMES
"Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shara wrapped up a tour to support Saudi
Arabia and Egypt in the face of US pressure over Iraq, human rights and
post-September 11 charges of terrorism..." Complete report...
http://www.arabia.com/afp/news/mideast/article/english/0,10846,271672,00.htm
l

SAUDI LAWYER SUES OVER 11 SEPTEMBER
"A lawyer in Saudi Arabia is planning to launch legal action against the US
Government in connection with the 11 September attacks, claiming unspecified
damages. It comes less than a week after US lawyers started proceedings for
massive damages from members of the Saudi royal family and charities in the
kingdom, accusing them of helping to finance al-Qaeda and its leader Osama
Bin Laden - the man accused of organizing last year's suicide hijackings..."
Complete report...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2208082.stm

9/11 SUSPECT SURRENDERS TO SAUDI OFFICIALS
A Saudi national who was identified this week in a worldwide alert issued by
the FBI as a possible accomplice of the Sept. 11 hijackers has surrendered
to Saudi officials, but his family questioned whether he had any connection
to the attacks..." Complete report...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58304-2002Aug24.html

KINGDOM TO TRY SAUD IF TERROR LINKS ESTABLISHED
"Saud Al-Rasheed, the young Saudi listed by the FBI as a terror suspect,
will be put on trial if he has any links to terrorism, the Interior Ministry
said [August 25], ruling out his extradition to the United States..."
Complete report...
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=18081

SAUDI ARABIA DENIES REPORT IT FUNDED AL QAEDA
An official Saudi source denied on [August 25] that Saudi Arabia had offered
any support to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network or funded any activities
linked to terrorism. The source was responding to a report in the Sunday
Times of London..." Complete report...
http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/08/25/saudi.usa.denial.reut/index.html

NEW HEAD FOR COMMISSION FOR THE PROMOTION OF VIRTUE AND PREVENTION OF VICE
Saudi Arabia appointed [August 21] a new chief of the Kingdom's Commission
for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice... ...a decree naming
Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Ghaith as president of the commission, a post with the
rank of a minister... ...The commission has a force of more than 3,500 men.
It has 13 branches throughout the Kingdom and is planning to open more to
expand its activities..." Complete report...
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=17979

SAUDIS MISSING IN AFGHANISTAN WILL BE TRACED: ENVOY
"Afghan Ambassador to the Kingdom Mohammed Anwar said that he will give
special priority to trace and repatriate Saudi nationals reported missing in
Afghanistan..." Complete report...
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=18022

NOVEMBER LAUNCH FOR SAUDI-MADE SATELLITE
"Saudi Arabia will launch a third communications satellite in November with
the help of a Russian rocket from Kazakhstan. Prince Turki ibn Saud,
supervisor of the Space Research Institute, told Arab News that the
satellite was designed and made entirely by a Saudi team. He said the
satellite will be used for purely commercial, non-military purposes..."
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=18051

4,800 DEAD, 32,000 INJURED ON KINGDOM'S ROADS: REPORT
"...Saudi Arabia's financial loss is over SR21billion annually on account of
the sharp increase in the number of traffic accidents..." Complete
report...
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=18085

· UAE

MANY DEAD, HURT AS UAE POWER PLANT ROOF CAVES IN
Many workers were killed and injured when the roof of a power plant under
construction in the United Arab Emirates caved in on [August 25]... ...the
power station in the Jebel Ali area was full of contractors when the
accident occurred... ... Hospital officials refused to comment on the
accident but one witness said at least six people had been crushed to death
and 100 injured..." Source: Zawya.com

UAE DEFENSE SPENDING LOWEST IN GCC
"The UAE has the lowest defence expenditure in the six-nation GCC although
it has embarked on a drive to bolster its military capability for
self-protection, reports an English daily. Defence spending accounted for
4.7 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 1990 and contracted to
around 3.2 per cent in 1999..." Complete report...
http://www.wam.org.ae/2002/Aug/22/696988.htm
~~GulfWire Link~~
UAE MILITARY STRATEGY FLEXIBLE, VIBRANT - KHALIFA ~~ GulfWire Digest #160 -
August 19, 2002
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWArchives2002/GWD/GWD_2002_08_19.htm#NU
1

UAE TO HIGHLIGHT COUNTRY'S GAINS AT GLOBAL SUMMIT
"The UAE officials participating in next week's global development summit in
Johannesburg will tell the world that figures speak for themselves and what
has taken place in the UAE in just a few decades is tantamount to a miracle.
On several occasions, the UAE has acknowledged that the oil wealth was
instrumental in making such accomplishments a reality but has stressed that
money could be worthless if it is not used wisely. That is why the UAE
people and other countries and organizations credit such accomplishments to
President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan..." Complete
report...
http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/news.asp?ArticleID=61316

PERSONAL STATUS LAW LIKELY SOON
"Efforts are underway to issue a personal status law that will serve as a
guide to settle various family-related cases, including divorce and child
custody. Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Nahyan, Wife of
President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Chairperson of
the UAE General Women's Union, pointed out recently that the draft for a
personal status law to secure social rights for men, women and children, is
expected to be reviewed at the forthcoming Federal National Council
session..." Source:
Emirates Bulletin No. 188, Aug 25

===========================================================================

LINK OF THE WEEK

GLOBAL SECURITY
http://www.globalsecurity.org

GLOBAL SECURITY - TARGET: IRAQ
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq.htm

FROM THE WEBSITE:
"Mission --
GlobalSecurity.org is focused on innovative approaches to the emerging
security challenges of the new millennium. The organization seeks to reduce
reliance on nuclear weapons and the risk of their use -- both by existing
nuclear weapons states and those states seeking to acquire such
capabilities. GlobalSecurity.org aims to shift American conventional
military forces towards new capabilities aligned with the post-Cold War
security environment, and to reduce the worldwide incidence of deadly
conflict. The organization is working to improve the capabilities of the
American intelligence community to respond to new and emerging threats,
reducing the need to resort to the use of force, while enhancing the
effectiveness of military forces when needed. GlobalSecurity.org also
supports new initiatives utilizing space technology to enhance international
peace and security."

===========================================================================
**GULFWIRE 2002 CD-ROM ~~ NOW AVAILABLE AT SUMMER SALE PRICE**
FOR DETAILS, VISIT: http://www.arabialink.com/GWCD
===========================================================================

GULFWIRE FLASHBACK – FROM THE ARCHIVES OF GULFWIRE

<<ONE YEAR AGO – FROM GULFWIRE DIGEST (#111) WEEK OF AUGUST 27, 2001>>

BAHRAIN - EMIR ORDERS COUNCIL TO GIVE WOMEN GREATER ROLE IN SOCIETY
"Bahrain has established a council to promote the role of women in society
on the orders of Emir Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa… …The 14-member council, to
be headed by the emir's wife, Sheikha Sabika bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, will
"promote women in Bahrain to allow them to assume responsibilities and play
their role in the community." It will also "draw up a national program to
guarantee the end of all forms of discrimination towards women" in
Bahrain..."
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWCD2002/GWDigests/GWD2001/GWD_2001_08_2
7.htm#NB1

<<TWO YEARS AGO – FROM GULFWIRE DIGEST (#60) WEEK OF AUGUST 28, 2000>>

OIL PRICES RESUME CLIMB
"Benchmark Brent crude for October delivery was trading at $30.86 a barrel,
93 cents higher..."
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWCD2002/GWDigests/GWD2000/GWD_2000_08_2
8.htm

<<THREE YEARS AGO – FROM GULFWIRE DIGEST (#7) WEEK OF AUGUST 23, 1999>>

UAE - SUPPORT TO UNHCR FORMALIZED
The Zayed Foundation, a large charitable organization, will sign a
memorandum of understanding with the U.N. High Commission for Refugees
(UNHCR) in October. Nasr Ishak, the UNHCR's senior liaison official, said,
"This agreement will serve as something like a contract with the Zayed
Foundation to carry out rehabilitation and support work for the refugees."
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWCD2002/GWDigests/GWD1999/GWD_1999_08_2
3.htm#NR6

<<GULFWIRE NOTE: << To access archived GulfWire Digests and hundreds of
other GulfWire newsletters and resources order your copy of GulfWire 2002
CD. It includes access to the GulfWire Members Only Web Site.
For more info:
https://secure.ioncart.net/ryanandassoc/shopquery.asp?catalogid=2 >>
FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET YOUR COPY OF THE GULFWIRE 2002 CD VISIT:
http://www.arabialink.com/GWCD

===========================================================================
FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER TO YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES
===========================================================================

*************************
BUSINESS AND FINANCE NEWS
*************************

· REGION

[GulfWire] ENERGY FUTURES – 08.23.02
Light Crude (NYM) $28.63 bbl UP from $28.51 bbl on 08.16.02
Brent Crude (IPE) $26.99 bbl DOWN from $27.00 bbl on 08.16.02
Heating Oil (NYM) $.7494 gal UP from $.738 gal on 08.16.02
Natural Gas (NYM) $3.543 mmbtu UP from $3.15 mmbtu on 08.16.02
Unleaded Gas (NYM) $.7734 gal DOWN from $.79 gal on 08.16.02
Source: http://cnnfn.cnn.com/markets/commodities.html

===========================================================================
ENERGY INFO RESOURCE - - > DOE/EIA COUNTRY ANALYSIS BRIEFS… GO TO:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/contents.html
===========================================================================

CRUDE OIL CLIMBS ABOVE $30 A BARREL
The price of crude oil rose above $30 a barrel yesterday for the first time
in 15 months as traders worried about how a U.S. war with Iraq would affect
the flow of oil from the Middle East..." Complete report...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41833-2002Aug20.html

IEA URGES OPEC TO EASE CUTS AHEAD OF WINTER
"The International Energy Agency, representing the interests of the major
oil-consuming nations of the West, yesterday urged Opec to ease its supply
curbs ahead of higher winter demand... ... But Opec member Kuwait said this
week it did not expect the cartel to ease supply curbs, in place since 2000,
at a policy meeting on September 19..." Complete report...
http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/news.asp?ArticleID=61300

OPEC CAN BOOST OUTPUT IF IRAQ ATTACKED – KUWAIT
"OPEC member Kuwait's oil minister said in an interview published [August
21] that the group was ready to increase crude supplies to world markets if
the U.S. decided to go ahead with a military strike on Iraq..." Complete
report...
http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/news.asp?ArticleID=61210

AGCC BOURSES MOVE TO TACKLE INSIDER TRADING
"The AGCC states have drafted a joint law to coordinate action against
insider trading in their stock markets by forcing listed firms to provide
regular information about their financial position and warning dealers
against spreading rumours in the bourses, according to a report in 'Business
in Dubaimagazine'..." Source: Zawya.com

ARAB BANKS URGED TO SET UP ADVANCED SYSTEMS TO MONITOR MONEY-LAUNDERING
"The Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC), the Arab
organization that advises on financial and industrial policies in Gulf
states, has called for setting up a joint council to fight money-laundering.
The UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman have introduced legislation making money
laundering a serious crime, leaving it to financial institutions to
implement procedures concerning illegal financial transactions..." Source:
Zawya.com

· BAHRAIN

AUSTRALIAN FIRM BIDS FOR KEY ALBA CONTRACT
"An Australian company is bidding for an Alba contract which is up for
renewal in 2004. Weston Aluminum hopes to win the contract, currently held
by Aluserve, and build a $5 million recycling plant on the South Alba
Industrial Estate..." Complete report...
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/arc_Articles.asp?Article=30824&Sn=BUSI&IssueI
D=25158

3 FINANCIAL FIRMS TO BE SET UP IN BAHRAIN
"Three new pioneering financial companies will be set up in Bahrain... The
three companies, which will be the forerunners in the region with regards to
their structure, market positioning and business focus, will be named as
Overland Leasing Bank, Oasis Trust Management Company and Solidarity..."
Complete report...
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=17944

· KUWAIT

TRANSPORT AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED BETWEEN KUWAIT AND JORDAN
Jordan and Kuwait [August 22 was to] sign a bilateral land transport
agreement for goods and passengers..." Complete report...
http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=3519

· OMAN

OMAN'S FOREIGN TRADE PLUNGES 10PCT
"The Sultanate's foreign trade fell by 10.7 percent during the first quarter
of this year, according to a statistical bulletin issued by the National
Economy Ministry. The bulletin stated that the total value of Omani
commodity exports stood at RO953 million at the end of March this year
against RO1,066.7 million during the corresponding period in 2001..."
Complete report...
http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=3589

OMAN DEVELOPS TWO AIRPORTS
"The Omani company for the administration of airports will invest 100
million Omani Riyals, some $220 million, to develop and expand Al-Seeb and
Salalah airports... ...construction will begin by the middle of next year,
to be finished by the year 2006." Source: KUNA

PORT SULTAN QABOOS MULLS TARIFF REVISION
"Port Sultan Qaboos is planning to revise port service charges. Revised
rates are likely to be introduced before the end of the year..." Complete
report...
http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=3608

OMAN AIR EXPLORING FAR EAST, LONDON ROUTES
"Oman Air is exploring scopes to fly to the Far East and London. The airline
said a study to determine the viability of long haul operations to these
routes is in progress... ...The airline is also in the process of widening
its network to offering greater connectivity within and outside the
region..." Source: Zawya.com

· QATAR

QATAR ACHIEVES $549 MILLION SURPLUS IN Q2
"The surplus in Qatar's budget reached 2 billion Riyals ($549 million) in
the second quarter of 2002, compared to a budget deficit forecast of 1.8
billion Riyals ($494 million)... ...Qatar's Central Bank attributed the
results to the increase in oil prices in international markets. High oil
prices also increased the Gulf state's GDP by 27.7 percent, reaching 17.8
billion Riyals ($4.8 billion)..." Complete report...
http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=3553

· SAUDI ARABIA

GCC INSIGHTS: SAUDI GAS INITIATIVE HIGHLY AMBITIOUS AND COMPLEX
Saudi Arabia's national gas initiative has yet to make concrete progress due
to differences between international oil companies (IOCs) and the
government. The two sides held two rounds of negotiations in early August
but could not agree on a course of action to move forward..." Complete
report...
http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/news.asp?ArticleID=61347
~~GulfWire Link~~
"A NEW FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING THE 'SAUDI CONSENSUS ON FOREIGN ENERGY
OPENING'," by Kevin Taecker ~~ GulfWire Special Reports
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWCD2002/GWSpecials/GWS2000/GWS_2000_08.
htm
"FROM OLD ECONOMY TO NEW ECONOMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST," by Jan Kalicki,
December 18, 2000
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWCD2002/GWSpecials/GWS2000/GWS_2000_19.
htm

US H1 EXPORTS TO SAUDI ARABIA PLUNGE TO 12-YEAR LOW
"US exports to Saudi Arabia in the first half of 2002 plunged to a 12-year
low... amid strained relations between the traditional allies... The value
of [exports] reached 2.2 billion dollars on June 30, a drop of 30.5 percent
from the same period in 2001, the Foreign Trade Division of the US Census
Bureau said..." Complete report...
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm?id=ZAWYA20020822130649&Section=Markets&page=M
oney

MADE IN USA: A HARD SELL?
"Saudis and expatriates still talk of campaigners standing outside American
fast food chains and supermarkets, handing out flyers, and encouraging Arabs
to boycott American products. Consumers in the kingdom have reacted to the
escalation of violence in Palestine and perceptions of western collusion
with Israel—reflecting an upsurge of political consciousness. American goods
are being replaced with Japanese and European products, resulting in a sharp
decline of US exports to Saudi Arabia, according to analysts and
economists..." Complete report...
http://www.itp.net/features/102800559228620.htm

SAUDI GOVT ACTS TO CURB DUMPING OF STEEL
"Saudi authorities have denied entry to a number of foreign steel
consignments at the ports to prevent dumping and protect national
industries, an informed source told Arab News..." Complete report...
http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=3604

SAUDI COMPUTER MARKET CRASHES
"The Kingdom's computer market has collapsed as sales of personal computers,
laptops, diskettes and network accessories and other spare parts declined by
80 percent during the past six months..." Complete report...
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=17953

TRADE FRAUD CAUSES LOSS OF OVER SR1B TO BUSINESSMEN
"Saudi businessmen incur a loss of over SR1 billion as a result of trade
fraud including imitation of trademarks, according to Mohammed Al-Harbi,
director of the Commerce Ministry's office in Jeddah..." Complete report...
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=18053

NEW RULES MAKE KINGDOM 'MORE INVESTOR FRIENDLY'
Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) has clarified that its
recent amendment to the "Executive Rules of the Foreign Investment Act" was
intended to create a business-friendly environment for the investors by
strengthening the legal framework, particularly in relation to property
ownership, parity with national companies and avoidance of double
taxation..." Complete report...
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=18050
Related Site:
Saudi Arabia General Investment Authority Home Page
http://www.sagia.org/
~~GulfWire Link~~
INVESTING IN SAUDI ARABIA ~~ GulfWire Special Reports - Abdullah bin Faisal
bin Turki Al-Abdullah Alsaud - Governor of the Saudi Arabian General
Investment Authority
http://www.arabialink.com/CDSupport/GWCD2002/GWSpecials/GWS2000/GWS_2000_12.
htm

MAJOR PROJECTS AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
In its efforts to lessen its dependence on oil, the government is planning
to privatize Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden), the Kingdom's biggest
mining company within the next two years..." Complete report...
http://www.menafn.com/updates/research_center/Saudi_Arabia/Weekly/NCBMarket1
60802.pdf

KINGDOM READIES FOR OIC TOURISM MEETING
"Saudi Arabia has stepped up preparations for a major conference of Arab and
Islamic tourism ministers, scheduled to be held in Riyadh from Oct. 6 to 9,
to discuss prospects of promoting value-based tourism and exchanging
expertise in the field..." Complete report...
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=18084

CASH TAKES A BACK SEAT AS CARDS COME TO THE FORE IN SAUDI
"A growing trend of plastic cards taking over cash as the preferred means to
pay for goods and services has been reported from Saudi Arabia, where total
expenditure through Visa card transactions exceeded SR55 billion last
year..." Complete report...
http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=3511

PERFORMANCE OF SAUDI BANKS DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 2002
"The interim results of the nine listed commercial banks in Saudi Arabia
showed mixed outcome during the first six months o fthe year, with the
overall net income dropping by 1% to SR 4,157 million compared to SR4,199
million during the first half of 2001..." Complete report...
http://www.menafn.com/updates/research_center/Saudi_Arabia/Weekly/NCBMarket1
60802.pdf

SAUDI TO HOLD FAIR IN IRAQ
"The first Saudi Arabian trade fair to be held in Iraq since the 1991 Gulf
War will open on September 9... ...'The biggest Saudi companies' will be
represented at the event and offer foodstuffs, electrical and medical
equipment and textiles, Al Ittihad weekly said, quoting an official source
at the Iraqi trade ministry..." Complete report...
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/arc_Articles.asp?Article=30834&Sn=BUSI&IssueI
D=25158

440 RECRUITMENT FIRMS MERGING TO REGULATE MARKET
"A group of labor recruitment companies in the Kingdom has decided to
explore the possibility of merging into a large conglomerate... ...Abdullah
Al-Hammoud, who leads an action team to prepare the groundwork for the
merger of 440 labor recruitment companies, denied that the proposed company
would make a negative impact on the labor market or hamper the Saudization
of the market. He argued that the proposed company, on the contrary, would
expedite the Saudization process of the sector, which is now dominated by
expatriate workers..." Complete report...
http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=3558

· UAE

FOREIGN TRADE IN SHARJAH INCREASES BY 23.8% IN 2001
"Sharjah's imports rose by 19.1 percent to Dhs 6.07 billion ($1.6 billion)
in 2001 compared with Dhs 5.097 billion ($1.3 billion), while exports fell
3.7 percent to Dhs 871.5 million ($237.3 million) compared with Dhs 905.4
million ($246.5 million). India is Sharjah's largest exporter with Dhs
734.4 million ($199.9 million)... ...As for importing from Sharjah, Pakistan
comes first with Dhs 755.3 million ($205.6 million)..." Complete report...
http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=3551

TOURISM CHIEF WELCOMES SURVEY THAT RATES DUBAI AS WORLD'S BEST
"The head of Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing has
welcomed a UK survey, which rates the emirate as the world's leading long
haul destination for conference and incentive travel..." Complete report...
http://www.itp.net/news/102757776440791.htm

ETISALAT & PHILIPS TO CREATE ARABIC VOICE RECOGNITION SOLUTION
"The project will involve the Etisalat Contact Center in the UAE working
with Philips Speech Processing, the resulting product will be distributed in
a large-scale database project funded by the European commission..."
Complete report...
http://www.itp.net/news/10302764901645.htm
Related Site:
Etisalat Home Page
http://www.etisalat.com/index2.htm

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