Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, who is currently on a three-day state visit to Japan, received today the Arab and Muslim Ambassadors accredited to Tokyo. Speaking on the occasion, the Crown Prince remarked on the success of his visits to Great Britain, France, the United States of America, China, and now Japan, noting that his talks with officials in these countries had covered the problems of the Middle East peace process as well as other Arab issues. Crown Prince Abdullah made it clear that whenever Saudi officials confer with their counterparts in other countries they concentrate not only on issues of concern to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but also on problems facing the Arab and Muslim worlds.

The Crown Prince reiterated that Arabs are "pursuers of what is right" and that the peace they seek is a just one based on firm principles. He declared that it is Israel that should be held responsible for the impasse of the Middle East peace process, adding that it is high time that Israel accept the peace that has already been accepted by the Arabs. "Fifty years ago", he said, "we Arabs were opposed to peace with Israel, and some years ago, no Arab official dared to shake hands with any Israeli; but now we are peace-loving, and if this peace process is undermined, then it will be difficult to find another alternative. The Arabs who have waited over fifty years for restoration of their legitimate rights, are now ready for peace; however, if this peace process collapses, they will not be ready to give up on these rights."

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