Author: Jennifer Steinhauer (The
New York Times)
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: October 13, 2001
New York Mayor Rudolph W Giuliani
said on Thursday that the city was rejecting a $10 million donation from
a wealthy Saudi prince, who criticised the American government's policies
in West Asia.
The donor, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal
bin Abdul Aziz Alsaud, was one of the many foreign visitors, who have gone
to Ground Zero with the mayor since the trade center attack last month.
AFP reports from Riyadh, however,
say that the Prince on Friday reiterated his remarks on US policy in the
Middle East.
"It is time the United States was
fair with the Arabs, chiefly with regard to the Palestinian cause," Prince
Walid said, adding that Mayor Rudy Giuliani's rejection of the donation
would "not affect" his huge investments in the US.
Yesterday, the prince, who was No.
6 in July on the Forbes list of the world's richest people, attended a
memorial service at the site with Giuliani. There, he gave the mayor a
cheque for $10 million for the Twin Towers Fund, a charity set up by Mr.
Giuliani primarily for survivors of uniformed workers who died.
Giuliani initially accepted the
cheque. With the cheque was a letter from the prince, in which he expressed
condolences for the loss of life in US.
The letter states, "I would also
like to condemn all forms of terrorism, and in doing so I am reiterating
Saudi Arabia's strong stance against these tragic and horrendous acts."
But the letter did not say what
a news release attached to a copy of the letter did: "However, at times
like this one, we must address some of the issues that led to such a criminal
attack.
"I believe the Government of the
United States of America should re-examine its policies in the Middle East
and adopt a more balanced stance towards the Palestinian cause." The release
attributed the statement to the prince.
The sentiment reflected the tack
the Saudis have taken, condemning the attacks while trying to be supportive
of the Palestinian cause. Palestinias "continue to be slaughtered at the
hands of Israelis while the world turns the other cheek," the release read.
The mayor, who was told of the news
release just moments before his daily briefing but after receiving the
cheque, was visibly annoyed.
"I entirely reject that statement,"
Giuliani said. "That's totally contrary to what I said at the UN," he said,
referring to his address on October 1.
