Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs, described the first ministerial meeting of the Strategic Cooperation Forum between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Member States and the United States as positive and constructive. He also said that the meeting was held within the close ties between the two sides which are based on mutual respect and dedication to common interests in various political, economic, security and cultural fields and at formal and informal levels. Prince Saud made his remarks in the opening statement of the joint press conference which was held today at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Riyadh with the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Prince Saud said the discussions were focused on the crises and challenges in the region. 'One of the most important causes of the fragile security situation is the continuation of the Palestinian case unsolved as well as the continuation of the Israeli aggression policy against the Palestinian people. We have discussed, in the meeting, many issues, especially the heinous massacre against the Syrian people. We also discussed the latest developments in Yemen, and reviewed the overall developments and political situation in the Gulf region, the Middle East and North Africa, as well as their repercussions on the security and stability of the region and the world,' Prince Saud said. 'There is no doubt that the challenges and risks faced by the region do remain of the most important factors threatening its security and stability. Hence, emerges the importance of the strategic cooperation forum between GCC Member States and the United States, taking into account that the regional security in the Gulf region and the Middle East is of interest to regional and international powers. At the forefront of these challenges are the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, terrorism, and Iran's continued interference in the affairs of the countries in the region as well as its suspicious nuclear program,' Prince Saud added. On dealing with the security and stability in the region by GCC Member States, Prince Saud stressed the keenness of the GCC Member States on protecting their security and internal stability as integral parts of the security of the region, adding that the GCC Member States have pursued a policy of serious reforms and sustainable development of their societies and peoples; have built positive and constructive relationships with the countries of the region and the world based on mutual respect for sovereignty and independence; have served the common interests; and have pursued a policy of dialogue to resolve crises with regional and international parties. 'From this perspective, we hope that the region's countries and peoples will achieve their aspirations and hopes for a prosperous future, and preserve their security and safety under their sovereignty, independence and national territory integrity, but free from any external interference,' Prince Saud said, hailing the response of Yemeni people to the initiative of peaceful power transfer, and pointing out that Riyadh will host later next month the meeting of the Friends of Yemen. 'I think we have taken important steps in the fight against terrorism, and we are required to continue with these efforts to protect our communities from the evils of terrorism, and to eradicate its roots,' Prince Saud said. With regard to the issue of Syria, Prince Saud said 'I think we all agree that immediate cessation of the systematic killing should be a priority for permanent efforts in accordance with the Arab League plan and within the general framework of international legitimacy. However, we should keep in mind that the massacres of the Syrian regime have reached levels that can only be described as crimes against humanity, and the international community should not tolerate these under any pretext.' The U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a speech in which she expressed tanks to and appreciation of the GCC for organizing the meeting, saying that she was pleased that she has the opportunity to visit the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz yesterday. She also said that the partnership between the two countries dates back more than six decades. We are working together on a range of issues of common interest at bilateral and multilateral level. For example, the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia share an interest in ensuring that energy markets promote economic growth. We recognize and appreciate the leadership shown by the Kingdom and we are working together to increase prosperity in our countries and around the world, Clinton said. We hope that the Forum will be a permanent addition to the continued discussions between the United States and the GCC Member States in order to deepen and coordinate multilateral cooperation on common challenges such as terrorism, nuclear proliferation and piracy, Clinton added. Clinton spoke about some of the challenges facing the region. She said Iran continues to threaten its neighbors and undermine regional security through its support for the killings committed by the Assad regime in Syria as well as its threat against the freedom of navigation in the region in addition to its interference in Yemen. The whole world felt angry towards reports which confirmed that Iran has been weaving a plot to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to the United States and towards allegations that Iran is involved in the terrorist attacks that occurred recently in India, Georgia and Thailand. Regarding Syria, the U.S. Secretary of State said the leaderships of more than sixty countries will meet tomorrow in Istanbul in the second meeting of the Friends of Syria, and we heard this week from Kofi Annan, U.N.-Arab League joint envoy, that Assad's regime has accepted the initiative of the plan with six points, calling on the Syrian regime to withdraw its troops and weapons in addition to ceasefire and stopping interfering in peaceful demonstrations and allowing international observers, but the Syrian government remained as always, accepting some things but implement nothing. She added that it was agreed during the ministerial meeting to urge the special envoy to set a timetable for the next steps on Syria. She lauded the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the GCC Member States on the Syrian crisis, which supported the Syrian people. Then, the Minister of Foreing Affairs and U.S Secretary of State answered questions from journalists. On arming the Syrian opposition and whether the Kingdom seems that it rethink of this idea that we've heard much about in recent days, and how to ensure that this weapon would not reach the hands of terrorists or Al Qaeda: Prince Saud Al-Faisal said 'If we thought of this propaganda played by the Syrian regime, it means that there is no war in Syria, they are just terrorists who are making the chaos and that the Syrian regime is the only party fighting this terrorism,' The Syrian regime doen't want to recognize that there is a revolution in Syria, and we saw the shelling of tanks which continue their movements as if we are living in a world of mixing fact and fiction, he added. The Minister of Foreing Affairs also confirmed: 'It is clear for all of us that what is happening in Syria is the tragedy of terrible and tragic dimensions and that the Syrian leadership and regime decided that they will solve everything and continue controlling this revolution and containing everything through the use of military force, and that decisions to help the Syrians had not been implemented before, but now there should be a way to help them. ' He continued saying: 'The Syrians are being killed because they do not find a way out of their crisis, and we will not allow the continuation of murdering them and we will help them at least to defend themselves,'' Prince Saud Al-Faisal assured that 'No one is looking for the damage of Syria, and we are with the idea of ??arming the Syrian opposition, which is fighting for its life and freedom.' In turn, U.S Secretary of State Clinton answered the same question saying that the Syrian issue was discussed well in the primary meeting with the Kingdom, UAE, Qatar, and during the GCC-U.S. Strategic Cooperation Forum in preparation for meetings in Istanbul. She also pointed out that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has spared no effort to advocate the Syrian people. Also, the Saudi Monarch is an outspoken critic of the bloodshed ordered by President Al-Assad in addition to his commitement to assisting the Syrian people, Clinton confirmed. 'We call on the Syrian regime to fulfill its obligations it undertook with Kofi Annan and to implement the plans and allow the transition to democracy,'' she said. The U.S Secretary of State also made clear that the focus will be on four points topped by intensifying pressure through sanctions, providing international support of these sanctions, offering humanitarian assistance to Syrians in need and working to enhance the strength and unity of the Syrian opposition and to develop a clear vision of the opposition so as to be able to represent the alternative to Al-Assad's regime. Regarding the Iranian support for both Syria regime and terrorists in Yemen, Clinton said the GCC Member States believe strongly that in addition to the bilateral military cooperation between the United States and each Member State of them, we can do more to defend the Gulf region through cooperation in the ballistic defense systems and we are committed to the defense of the Gulf countries. On Yemeni issue, the U.S. Secretary of State commended the efforts of the Kingdom and the GCC Member States in the transition of power in Yemen. In turn, Prince Saud Al-Faisal made clear that Yemen needs help, noting it is a country with ancient and deep-rooted civilization and they (Yemenis) can stop the conflict among tribes, and that the recent election proved that most of Yemenis are supporter of the new president. He also said many countries want to help Yemen to achieve its stability and then the stability of the region as a whole. Answering a question on the negotiations with Iran and results of negotiations with Arab allies, the U.S. Secretary of State said: 'Issue of the negotiations of the Group (5+1) was discussed during the GCC-U.S. Strategic Cooperation Forum's meeting and we intend to reach a solution regarding Iran's nuclear program.' She added, 'our policy depends on prevention and not containment, but we are determined to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons, and that there is a time for diplomacy if Iran is ready and serious to negotiate, and we have a clear understanding of Iran's intentions and behavior, but it is up to Iran to prove through its actions and words that it is a responsible partner through negotiation,' 'But, I would like to emphasize that this opportunity of negotiations is not open, not infinite in front of Iran,' Clinton asserted. She also explained that the discussions and issues with the Gulf allies are sometimes agreeable and sometimes are not greeable, except that the general target and the common interest for all of us is to cooperate, especially in the field of security and the fight against terrorism. 'These issues have priority when we have questions about decisions that should be taken, so we try to reach agreement on such issues after reviewing them.'', the U.S. Secretary of State said.
