HRH Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Kingdom's Ambassador to the United States, in response to questions regarding Thursday's release of the bin Ladin tape stated the following:
The Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Washington DC released a report today outlining actions the government has taken since September 11 to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism activities. The report was released by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA), the Kingdom's central bank. SAMA supervises commercial banks, manages the Kingdom’s foreign exchange reserves and conducts monetary policy.
In response to recent media reports that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has not cooperated with the United States in the fight against terrorism, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia refers to two recent press conferences where top Bush Administration officials reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to U.S. efforts:
Wednesday, November 28, 2001
White House Press Briefing with Press Secretary Ari Fleischer:
His Royal Highness Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with President George W. Bush at the White House today.
His Royal Highness described the meeting, which covered a range of issues, and in particular the current situation in Afghanistan and the Middle East peace process, as “positive and productive.”
In an interview published today in the English-language Saudi Gazette, Shaikh Saleh bin Luheidan, Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and member of the senior council of ulema (religious scholars), has strongly criticized Osama bin Ladin and his followers for their call to jihad [holy war] and for linking the security of Palestine with the security of the American people.
"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stood wholeheartedly by the brotherly Afghani people during their heroic struggle to achieve independence. This struggle accorded Afghanistan a special status in the hearts of the supporters of the rights of people everywhere to freedom and independence, until God Almighty made possible the victory and Afghanistan regained its independence and freedom.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today issued the following statement:
In light of the recent tragic events in the United States, Saudi Arabia has cancelled all of our National Day celebrations scheduled around the world for September 23. We have done this in sympathy for the victims, out of hope for the injured and out of respect for all the people of the United States of America. As we grieve with you, Saudi Arabia would like every American to know that we condemn these terrorist attacks and seek to bring those responsible to justice.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has condemned the "regrettable and inhuman bombings and attacks" which took place today at the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York, and the Pentagon building in Washington DC. An official statement issued today said that Saudi Arabia strongly condemns such acts, which contravene all religious values and human civilized concepts; and extends sincere condolences to the families of the victims, to U.S. President George W. Bush and to the U.S. people in general.
An official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued the following statement: