-Caveat Lector- http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=24107 Arab News SAUDI ARABIA'S FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY
US Missions Closed; UK Embassy Stays Open Javid Hassan, Arab News Staff Published on 23 March 2003 RIYADH, 23 March 2003 — While the US Embassy in Riyadh and the consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran remained closed yesterday out of security concerns over the war in Iraq, the British Embassy was functioning normally. The US Embassy’s temporary closure marked heightened security, particularly in the Diplomatic Quarter, where armed police patrols checked visitors. Western expatriates maintained a low profile in line with their embassies’ advisory. In a statement issued here, the US Embassy said the mission dependents remained at home yesterday, giving their children respite for a day. The measure was taken to enable the embassy and the consulates to take stock of the security situation in the Kingdom. However, after-hours emergency services to American citizens will continue. The mission warned American citizens that the war in Iraq could disrupt air services temporarily. “Depending on the international air carriers’ and insurers’ assessment of the risks of flying commercial aircraft into and out of the Kingdom, this disruption may last up to several weeks.” About 30,000 to 40,000 Americans and around 30,000 Britons reside in the Kingdom, many in the oil-rich Eastern Province. Yesterday, despite their large presence, they stayed off the roads and shopping centers as well as bookstores. Inquiries with some compounds revealed that the Western expatriates remained confined to their villas, having already provided for their shopping needs before the start of the war. On the other hand, Kuwaitis shopped in large numbers with their families, a spokesman of Euromarche, told Arab News. In another development, the Saudi British Bank reassured its customers that it was paying close attention to its security arrangements. “In this regard, we are closely working with the local authorities and are monitoring the developments arising out of the current scenario to ensure the safety of all our customers, premises and staff.” The bank said it was committed to “maintaining effective customer service and contingency plans to address the perceived risks associated with the current scenario. The plans drawn up are from our experience of 1991 Gulf War, such as sufficient liquidity and reserves of local, foreign currencies and business recovery plans to address the possibility of disruption of any system.” Copyright © 2003 ArabNews All Rights Reserved. Forwarded for your information. The text and intent of the article have to stand on their own merits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe simply because it has been handed down for many genera- tions. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of teachers, elders or wise men. Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all. Then accept it and live up to it." The Buddha on Belief, from the Kalama Sutra <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
