Arab Perspective: Prince Abdullah discusses ideas

A group of Saudi intellectuals presented last month a document entitled The Vision, to Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. The Vision lists a number of proposals for change and internal reform in Saudi Arabia. Prince Abdullah conferred with the group and discussed the ideas presented. Najla Al Rostamani of Gulf News Research Centre looks at how the Arab press perceived the move and what they had to say about it

The significance of what has taken place recently, writes Dr. Hassan Madan in Al Khaleej (UAE), is not the fact that a group has presented a document of ideas to the authorities. This has taken place before and on several occasions.

What is different this time, points out Madan, is the fact that Prince Abdullah called for and met this group for further discussion of their proposals. This reaction by itself, says Madan, reflects a true understanding of what has been called for inThe Vision.

The main thrust of The Vision is a call for the separation of powers and the need to establish a Shura (consultative) council that is directly elected by the people and which has the authority to oversee the other branches of government.

Other issues listed include the call for an independent judicial system, freedom of expression and that of the media, the guarantee of citizens' basic rights, and 'correcting' women's current status in society and giving them their rights.

The course of events leading to The Vision, says Madan, is an important development for Saudi Arabia. It highlights the difference in the way matters are dealt with. This corresponds to the many worldwide changes that have recently taken place, particularly in the region, as the seemingly imminent attack by the U.S. against Iraq will be followed by many changes in the region, mainly political in nature, says Madan.

This, indeed, is the challenge that will be faced by the region's countries, and the dossier on the need for political reform will be opened, an issue that Prince Abdullah is well aware of, explains Madan.

As we are living in an era of globalisation, the world has become more 'open', argues Madan. The 'internal matters' of any society and any country have been turned, in many cases, into matters of 'international concern'. Unquestionably, this has to be dealt with realistically and with a new perspective. And the steps taken thus far by Prince Abdullah are an example, concludes Madan.
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Ahmed Al Rab'ee fully agrees with this point. Writing in Asharq Al Awsat (UK-based), he says that the meeting is timely and should be examined with care and consideration.

Saudi Arabia is no longer an isolated society living in the barren desert, says Al Rab'ee. Today, Saudis have reached a level of education which has led to changes in the way of thinking on many issues.

As a result, people are no longer content with satisfying their basic needs for a decent living. Instead, their aspirations have extended to include making changes in legislative and judicial institutions, says Al Rab'ee. People would like to reach a political and legislative level that matches their level of awareness and aspirations.

All segments of society, including the intellectuals, agree on the form of governance and the goal to attain development, says Al Rab'ee. What has been presented in this instance, are approaches for further reform which conform with developments in the ruling system and society in general.

There is a need for national unison in the shadow of new and recent developments, both at the domestic and international levels, says Al Rab'ee.

Indeed, on more than one occasion, Prince Abdullah has expressed his aspirations for changing the legal and social structures within the Saudi society. This is in line with the belief of large segments of society in the importance of strengthening the society's social fabric, elaborates Al Rab'ee.

Hence, it is time for changes to take place when examining the nature of the Saudi consultative council, in order for it to play a bigger political role and to ensure that the goal of implementing the needed changes is achieved, says Al Rab'ee.

The path of life follows a natural course of development, believes Al Rab'ee. Hence, he expresses his opposition to any 'jumps' as far as such a course is concerned. Yet, at the same time, he insists that we should not be hesitant, as such a state does not enable people to build civilisations. Thus, a well studied, detailed, and transitional programme is needed for any intelligent community that seeks to develop and advance.

It is, therefore, time, concludes Al Rab'ee, for Saudi society to move to the next stage of development, having passed through many stages since its establishment. Now is the time for alteration of institutions and visions so that they correspond with not only the changes in the nature of the present times but also those that have taken place within Saudi society.
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Turki Abdullah Al Sudairi, Editor-in-Chief of the Saudi daily, Al Riyadh, applauded the recent meeting in an editorial. He also strongly criticised those who downplayed the importance of this event and dismissed the meeting as insignificant.

Although the recent meeting held by Prince Abdullah, says Al Sudairi, has grabbed wide media attention, such meetings are not new. As a matter of fact, they have become the norm since their initiation a couple of years ago when Prince Abdullah conferred with and listened to the elite of society, including businessmen, administrators, educationalists and religious figures.

Continuing along this path, says Al Sudairi, reflects Prince Abdullah's belief in the principle of transparency and dialogue.

But we have to always bear in mind, stresses Al Sudairi in his article, that all those who had expressed an interest in and desire for reform have insisted that such a course should be followed while holding on to two important realities – firstly, that any development foreseen for the society has to fall within an Islamic framework.

Secondly, the perception of the Saudi royal family as the representative symbol of national unity.
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Indeed, one of the main bases of successful governing is the link between the ruler and the people. The ruler, on the one hand, has a knowledge of the problems faced by those he governs.

And the people enjoy the security and the feeling of assurance that their ruler is well aware of their problems. Saudi Arabia is one society where such a procedure is followed, says Asharq Al Awsat (UK-based) in its editorial comment.

Saudi Arabia has the majlis system, which is open to citizens and accessible to many. In addition, the rulers continue visiting the different areas of the country, looking into the needs of the citizens. Furthermore, the Shura council plays an important role through its discussions of the various laws and procedures.

It is not surprising then, indicates the editorial, that Prince Abdullah continues his series of visits to many cities and neighbourhoods, as 'listening is not the same as seeing'. By doing so, Prince Abdullah rightly translates into reality this ideal link that should exist between the ruler and his subjects. And, as a result of his visit to