The Straits Times, Jan 8, 2005
Oil-rich states digging deeper
RIYADH - STINGING from domestic and Western media criticism that rich Arab
countries were being too stingy in their contributions, oil-rich Gulf states have been
steadily increasing their aid pledges.
In Saudi Arabia, a telethon staged on state television to raise money for Asian
tsunami victims collected more than 308 million riyals (S$135 million), state media
reported yesterday.
King Fahd donated US$5.3 million (S$8.7 million) and Crown Prince Abdullah donated
US$1.3 million to the appeal, according to Saudi television. Saudi billionaire Prince Al
Walid bin Talal, the world's fourth-richest man, made the biggest donation of 70 million
riyals.
In addition to the US$30 million allocated by the kingdom, the Saudi-based Islamic
Development Bank on Sunday earmarked US$10 million for relief efforts, according to
a statement from the Saudi Embassy in Washington.
The United Arab Emirates pledged US$20 million and Kuwait and Qatar each pledged
US$10 million for tsunami victims.
Kuwait yesterday announced it was rescheduling the repayment of hundreds of
millions of dollars in debt owed by afflicted countries to its Kuwait Fund for Arab
Economic Development.
Arab countries that cannot claim the Gulf's oil riches were also helping. A Syrian
airplane loaded with 40 tonnes of medical and food aid left Damascus for Indonesia on
Thursday.
But commentators say Gulf Arab states could dig deep into their pockets, made
deeper by record oil revenue of more than US$200 billion last year.
'We have money and surplus from high oil prices. Our contribution to the Asian
countries is not enough,' said Kuwaiti writer Shamlan Al Issa.
Mr Mohamed Ali Al Harfy, a columnist for Saudi newspaper Al Watan, agreed. 'The
sum is very weak compared to the size of the catastrophe and the riches of Gulf
countries.' -- ASSOCIATED PRESS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
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