First, I would like to welcome you and have the pleasure to open the Third Qatar Conference on Democracy and Free Trade, wishing it success in its deliberations.

      The convening of this conference under the critical circumstances through which our region is passing, is clear evidence of the importance we attach to the vital issues that will be discussed in its sessions. We regard democracy and responsible popular participation in decision making and the running of state affairs as a pre-requisite for the development of our countries and societies and setting the role of the constitutional, political and legal institutions needed for building the state which is capable of addressing the requirements of the contemporary world and future challenges. At the same time, we believe that the economic openness, encouragement of the private sector and investments, updating the educational systems as well as strengthening the bonds of cultural and civilizational exchange and interaction between peoples and nations, constitute, on their part, necessary foundations for the realization of the objectives of the development, modernization and progress we aspire. Political democracy and economic and social democracy are, in our view, inseparable twins. Indeed, they are the indispensable means for the process of development and prosperity we seek, and work for.

Honourable Audience,

      You are, undoubtedly, aware of the nature of the difficult conditions prevailing in the Gulf region and the Middle East these days. The situation in Iraq is a humanitarian tragedy and a real crisis. We have exerted our best efforts within the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Conference, the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as the United Nations to avert the outbreak of this war and the distressing consequences it may lead to.

      Now that this war did, unfortunately, take place, it is imperative upon us now to double the efforts to mitigate its damages on Iraq and the region, and help the brotherly Iraqi people build a better future, and their primary means to achieve that is popular participation and democratic practice.

      The unceasing confrontation between our brothers in Palestine and the Israeli occupation constitutes in its turn a serious threat to the security and stability in the region. It is no longer permissible for the international community to stand with its arms crossed before the aggressions and inhuman practices perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces, which are against all international laws, charters and conventions. In our view, it has become necessary to make an effective, quick international move to stop such hostile acts, and enable the Palestinian people to attain their legitimate national rights, including their right to self-determination and to establishing their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. Here, I would like to commend the position declared by President George Bush, where he supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in the framework of a final settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict. We also hope that the road map adopted by the Quartet Committee as a program paving the way for a peaceful settlement for this prolonged conflict would soon be announced.

Honourable Audience,

      The problems our region is suffering from are not limited to political and security aspects; but there are other challenges and difficulties which we have to tackle in the economic, social and environmental fields. These are of no less significance and impact than regional conflicts in terms of their negative repercussions. Indeed, poverty, unemployment, social and cultural backwardness, decline of standards of education and vocational training, mismanagement, poor economic performance, lack and disparity of job opportunities, all of which form sources of threat that cannot be ignored. Furthermore, they represent major obstacles which impede the attainment of progress and development.

      It is no longer possible to put aside these difficult economic and social conditions without according due attention to them, but it has rather become urgent and imperative to find out plans and programs that guarantee reaching effective and quick solutions to them.

      In our view, such plans and programs could never be successful without providing for the constitutional and administrative structures and institutions which we seek to establish within the framework of democracy, popular participation, reform and modernization at all levels.

      These principles and practices are not alien to the values of our society, and are not far from the teachings of our true Islamic religion. Islam calls for counseling (Shura), and in my address to your conference last year, I underlined that counseling is a mandatory principle in ruling according to the teachings and tenets of Islam. Furthermore, Islam lays emphasis on the importance of human rights, equality among human beings, non-discrimination among peoples and races, and teaches us, as well, tolerance, openness, cultural interaction among nations, respecting human life and non encroachment upon others rights.

      That is why we always call for dialogue and cooperation among all peoples and religions within a context of mutual respect and common interests. We endeavour to realize the objectives of democracy and economic development out of our full conviction that it is the optimum means to achieve the progress of our countries and peoples.

      We hope that your conference will participate with us in supporting these goals and principles. Thank you for your attendance and I wish you all success.

May peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you.