Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, met with President William Jefferson Clinton in the White House yesterday. Recalling the historic meeting in 1945 between King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, White House spokesman Mike McCurry said that the United States of America attaches great importance to its close relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He went on to say that the two sides have been working to enhance the peace process in the Middle East, adding that they are also concerned with the problem of tension in the Gulf region. He remarked that the talks Crown Prince Abdullah is having during his state visit to Washington DC provide a good opportunity for an exchange of views on issues of mutual interest at both bilateral and regional levels.

Spokesman McCurry noted that the talks were scheduled to cover not only the situation in the Gulf region, and ways to realize a just, durable and comprehensive peace in the Middle East in line with Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, but also Iran, Afghanistan, Kosovo, the world economy and the important role being played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the international petroleum market.
Following the meeting between Crown Prince Abdullah and President Clinton, Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. Prince Bandar Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz remarked that their talks covered all issues of concern to the Arab and Muslim world, and were positive in outcome.
Later, Crown Prince Abdullah met with U.S. Vice-President Al Gore, with whom he exchanged cordial talks and reviewed issues of mutual interest. The Crown Prince also met with Acting U.S. Defense Secretary John Hammer.
In the evening, Crown Prince Abdullah paid a visit to King Hussein of Jordan, and conveyed to him greetings from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz. Later, he received at Blair House Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, with whom he exchanged views on issues of mutual interest. He also received Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq Al-Shara, who conveyed to him greetings from Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad.
The Crown Prince is on a three-day state visit to the United States of America, part of a world tour of seven nations. It was announced today that in response to the invitation extended to him by the government of Japan, on October 21-23, 1998 Crown Prince Abdullah will pay an official visit to Tokyo, where he will hold talks with the Japanese Emperor and with Japan's Prime Minister.

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