SAUDIBRIT Daily News – Excerpts from International Media Reports
/Provided as a service from the Saudi-US Trade Group, Washington, DC/
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]
10.22.2010 EDITION
Growing Trade in Goods Between Gulf Arab States Bodes Well For The Region: FINANCIAL TIMES
Abeer Allam | 10/21/10
“Fresh milk and yoghurt produced by Almarai of Saudi Arabia dot the shelves of grocery stores in Dubai, Riyadh and throughout the Gulf Arab states. From a humble start as a single milk processing plant in 1976, Almarai now counts more than 60,000 dairy cows at its facilities in the Saudi desert. The company provides 27 per cent of the region’s milk, 40 per cent of its yoghurt and 44 per cent of the market for laban, a yoghurt drink popular in the Gulf.”
Afghan Peace Council Wants Saudi Arabia’s Help: ASSOCIATED PRESS
10/21/10
The Afghan government’s newly formed peace council wants Saudi Arabia to play a key role in efforts to reconcile with the Taliban and find a political resolution to the war.
RELATED: “U.S.-funded development firms are beginning to shut down massive reconstruction projects because the Afghan government has refused to rescind a ban on their use of private security guards, according to U.S. officials and aid workers here,” Rajiv Chandrasekaran (Washington Post) reports.
Why Israel Silent On U.S.-Saudi New Arms Deal?: XINHUA
Adam Gonn | 10/22/10
“U.S. plans to sell highly- advanced weaponry to Saudi Arabia might trigger Israeli objections in the past, but when the United States announced Wednesday it would sell an estimated 60 billion U.S. dollars worth of advanced weapons to its Arab ally, U.S. officials do not foresee any objections from the Jewish state.” RELATED: Saudi Ambassador to the United States Adel Al-Jubeir said yesterday that the sale is a “testament to the strength of the US-Saudi relationship,” Arabianomics.com reports.
Young Saudis Use Expo To Promote Important Causes: ARAB NEWS
Fatima Sidiya | 10/22/10
“The Young Businesses Expo at the International Exhibitions Center in Jeddah is not just about business, as a group of young Saudis are participating to promote their own environmental and intellectual causes.”
Awal Bank Extends Bankruptcy Process To U.S.: REUTERS
Douwe Miedema | 10/21/10
“Bahrain-based Awal Bank BSC has filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States, part of a process kicked off last year when the bank was put into administration in Bahrain. Awal is controlled by Saudi businessman Maan al-Sanea and his Saad Group.”
Saudi Arabia Retail Sector Showing Incredible Growth: PRESS RELEASE
10/22/10
Retail sales “are expected to touch the figure of US$ 81 Billion by 2013.”
Firing Of Juan Williams For Muslim Comments Attacked By US Rightwingers: THE GUARDIAN
Ewen MacAskill | 10/22/10
“Sacked NPR man Juan Williams cheered on by US rightwingers including Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh and Mike Huckabee.”
“Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will stand for re-election next year despite rumors about his health, a senior ruling party official has said,” BBC News reports.
Since the ban on Israeli settlements expired, the rate of settlement construction has proceeded ahead at four times the pace prior to the freeze, Dan Murphy (CSM) reports. “The Israeli group Peace Now and the Associated Press estimate construction on 550-600 new homes in Israeli settlements has begun since the freeze expired Sept. 26.” RELATED: “Pro-Palestinian activists have driven more than 130 donated vehicles into the Gaza Strip in an overland aid convoy aimed at breaking the Israeli blockade,” the BBC News reports. “The aid, said to be worth $5m, was warmly welcomed by members of the Hamas government which runs the blockaded coastal strip.”
Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki “on Thursday wrapped up a regional tour, apparently designed to secure support for a second term in office, with a visit to Turkey, a country with a growing financial stake in Iraq,” Ernesto Londono (Washington Post) reports.
“In the third such session this year, the Obama administration and top Pakistani officials are meeting in Washington, and U.S. President Barack Obama reportedly met with the Pakistani delegation yesterday,” Katherine Tiedemann (FP-AfPak Channel) reports. RELATED: Imtiaz Gul (Informed Comment) asks, Are Pakistan’s Generals Finally Breaking with Taliban?
The parents of an American protester, Rachel Corrie, crushed to death by an Israeli military bulldozer in the Gaza Strip got their first chance Thursday to hear from the man who drove the vehicle that killed her, the AP reports.
The Army is digging in for the long haul in Afghanistan as evidenced by the continual construction and expansion of military bases, despite a promised 2011 drawback, writes Nick Turse (Salon). “Some go by names steeped in military tradition like Leatherneck and Geronimo. Many sound fake-tough, like Ramrod, Lightning, Cobra, and Wolverine. Some display a local flavor, like Orgun-E, Howz-e-Madad, and Kunduz. All, however, have one thing in common: They are U.S. and allied forward operating bases, also known as FOBs. They are part of a base-building surge that has left the countryside of Afghanistan dotted with military posts, themselves expanding all the time, despite the drawdown of forces promised by President Obama beginning in July 2011.”
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