King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, said Saturday in a speech telecast across the country that “responsibility is an uncompromising trust with which we preserve our freedom and define our goals.” Choosing to speak from the heart in his address marking the start of the Shoura Council's fourth year, the King said freedom is manifested in thought and fair, constructive criticism. “By virtue of this freedom and responsibility, we tell the world these are our values and noble characteristics derived from our faith,” the King said. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General attended the inauguration. Dr. Saleh Bin Abdullah Bin Humaid, Chairman of the Shoura Council, received the King on his arrival at the venue. The King's annual address to the fourth session of the Shoura Council, a consultative body of nominated members, is an evaluation of the affairs of State.Two choices This year, King Abdullah chose to start his speech differently. He said he had two choices. One was to review the achievements made in the past year in terms of policies and systems put in place and programs and projects embarked upon in the interest of the country and citizens. The other was to have a heart- to-heart talk, away from figures and achievements that every citizen in the country knows – and that was made available to the members in advance. King Abdullah emphasized to the Shoura members the significance of the occasion – the place and time of their meeting. “It is a day of hard work and appreciation for all the ideas put forth to serve our beloved country, in this place, one of the houses dedicated to respect of freedom and realization of responsibility.” The King said: “Responsible freedom is the right of every one who loves this country and its material and spiritual achievements that preserve the dignity of our country and keep it exalted and prominent at a time when there is no room for the weak and hesitant.”Self criticism King Abdullah said that nation was founded on Allah's will and the determination of great men who stood steadfast shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand behind the leader of their unity – King Abdul Aziz (may Allah bestow His mercy on him) – who led the march of the country. King Abdullah went on to say that he has never ever hesitated to be self-critical, to the point of being harsh on himself, for such is the responsibility he shoulders. He said that if he can direct harsh and objective self-criticism to himself, he is very well capable of deriving strength from it to reject injustice and uphold justice. The Monarch said political stability is an essential demand to preserve the State, achieve development and protect such achievements. “From here we have worked out a mechanism for succession by issuing the Allegiance Commission System and its executive regulation. “Besides, we have allocated SR7 billion for the development of the judicial system in the country.” In the economic field, the King said the government has worked hard to improve and develop existing infrastructure besides approving new projects in different sectors so as to realize balanced development all over the country. Towards this end, an amount of SR165 billion has been allocated in this year's budget for new and existing projects that the King said would contribute to a higher economic growth rate and would create new job opportunities. In education and training, which have received due attention, the King hoped that the project for development of general education would help upgrade the talents and aptitudes of students so that they absorb the latest scientific developments. General education, the King said, is the base for genuine scientific advancement and real development. The King noted that higher education has taken a quantum leap with a significant increase in the number of universities in all regions.Energy, environment King Abdullah said due attention has been given to energy and environment, as manifested in the convening of the 3rd Opec Summit in November, when the Kingdom announced an allocation of $300 million to finance projects pertaining to energy, environment and climate change. When the government draws up its policies and programs, it takes into consideration public interest, probes the needs of citizens and confronts any problem that may emerge in Saudi society. “Owing to this, a number of commissions, government departments and national associations dedicated to citizens' affairs and interests were established. These include the National Anti-Corruption Commission, General Authority for Housing and Society for the Protection of Consumers.” In addition, a major agency was established at the Ministry of Commerce to deal with consumer affairs. The King reiterated that government would continue to work for the prosperity of the citizens and upgrade the standard of their living and quality of their life.Security men commended King Abdullah than spoke about the deviant group that has tried to be more destructive, inflict great damage to the country and expand its support base, saying that the Kingdom is determined to confront this group. The King commended the security men for their bravery and successive achievements in dismantling the deviant cells, drying up their financial resources and exposing the reality of their flawed ideology. King Abdullah expressed his thanks and appreciation to them and prayed to Allah to bestow mercy on the martyrs. Speaking about regional matters, the King said the Palestinian issue has in recent months witnessed developments that he hoped would strengthen the peace option. He reaffirmed the support of the government and people for the Palestinians until they achieve their legitimate rights and stressed the Kingdom's adherence to the Arab peace initiative. King Abdullah said that when he urges the people to fear Allah, he advocates the principle of the nation's unity and turns a deaf ear to the calls of the ignorant who aim to disseminate doctrinal extremism, tribalism and regionalism. He said that the Kingdom, unified and strong, would continue be stronger than all the challenges to it. He said it is for all within and outside the country to know that chaos and disunity was completely eliminated by the founder King Abdul Aziz and would never return. “It remains in our minds to consolidate the concept of loyalty and attachment to this country – an attachment that recognizes all difficulties and turn them into determination, will and change,” the King said. __
