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Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, in London for meetings with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and other officials, said his country’s election commission had recommended women participate in the next vote.
“I would not be surprised if they do so in the next round of elections,” he said.
Two more phases of the municipal vote will be held in March and April, but it was unclear whether Saud was referring to those elections.
Saud and Straw acknowledged having differences in areas that include human rights and democratic reform in the kingdom.
“No nation can stand still,” Straw said. "The challenge for Saudi Arabia … is to adapt to this changing world reality while preserving all that is good and admirable in its society.
“Without reform, frustrated aspirations for change may fuel resentment and strengthen those forces who wish to destroy all that the society holds dear.”
Straw said the political systems in most Western democracies had evolved over centuries and, by comparison, change in Saudi Arabia was happening quickly.
Saud, however, said political reforms would have to come slowly.
newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/2/23/115840.shtml
“I would not be surprised if they do so in the next round of elections,” he said.
Two more phases of the municipal vote will be held in March and April, but it was unclear whether Saud was referring to those elections.
Saud and Straw acknowledged having differences in areas that include human rights and democratic reform in the kingdom.
“No nation can stand still,” Straw said. "The challenge for Saudi Arabia … is to adapt to this changing world reality while preserving all that is good and admirable in its society.
“Without reform, frustrated aspirations for change may fuel resentment and strengthen those forces who wish to destroy all that the society holds dear.”
Straw said the political systems in most Western democracies had evolved over centuries and, by comparison, change in Saudi Arabia was happening quickly.
Saud, however, said political reforms would have to come slowly.
newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/2/23/115840.shtml