Turning to the bloody carnage in Kosovo and Chechnya, King Fahd noted that the world has not been able to provide security for the people in need; 'For them, security is still out of reach,' he said. King Fahd warned against designs to threaten the unity of the Muslim Ummah. In this context, he referred to various instances of civil strife in Muslim countries. 'In our Arab region, our brothers, the Palestinians, are still suffering from severe ordeals. This, despite the fact that the Palestinians have chosen a path to peace for themselves based on justice,' the Saudi monarch noted.
Turning to Iraq, King Fahd said the Iraqi regime has adamantly refused to learn from past mistakes, adding that 'We have supported every international effort aimed at restoring peace. This, we did for humanitarian reasons'.
Noting that the Gulf region has been endowed with unlimited bounties from God, King Fahd said; 'The region which is strategically located has been the focus of attention from all sides. We may not achieve a unified Arab power, but at least we should achieve overall military unity for our Gulf region, so that we can guarantee security for our peoples and ensure that we are not subject to the whims and fancies of international influences, which are not in our interests,' King Fahd observed.
The world today, despite conflicts and differences, is marching steadily toward open markets and borders in an all embracing tide of globalization. King Fahd said; 'We observe this tide and realize that we should not simply drift along with it as spectators. Instead, we should hasten to become part of it. In this way, we can exercise some control over its track, benefit from the good it carries and discard the harm associated with it.'
King Fahd said; 'It is hardly necessary to mention that we live in an age of large economic groupings, a tendency that has combined all of Europe in one block, unified the two Americas and joined parts of Asia together". We cannot deal with these giants on an equal footing except through a unified Gulf economic entity, followed by and associated with a united Arab economic entity,' the King added. Through unity and joint efforts, he said it has been possible to bring the falling oil prices back to normal. 'Considerable progress has been made towards the establishment of the common Gulf market, especially in the last two years, but the fast pace of economic changes taking place in the world does not allow us to move at the same old leisurely pace,' King Fahd added. 'Moreover, the objective factors favoring Gulf economic unity are real, valid and clearly evident. Whatever obstacle there may be, can be overcome with strong political will. From the two basic pillars of military power and economic unity, backed by full political co-ordination and joint efforts, we can forge ahead. In this way, we can deal with others without fear and accomplish for our peoples the security and prosperity they deserve,' the monarch said.
Source: SPA