THE CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN SAUDI ARABIA 1050 17TH ST NW, SUITE 1000 WASHINGTON, DC 20036 TEL: (202) 558-5552; (202) 413-0084; FAX: (202) 536-5210 WWW CDHR INFO

Press Release For Immediate Release

Contact: Dr Ali Alyami Phone: 202-413-0084 ali@cdhr info

Washington, DC (March 11, 2009) Though Saudi Arabia is gradually increasing its linkages with the global community, it continues to have archaic governing and succession of power institutions which give the population no direct role in decision-making Saudi Arabia continues to have a restrictive and xenophobic form of religion However, recent changes in Saudi Arabia may provide a window of opportunity for a new U S approach

A RE-EVALUATION OF U S -SAUDI RELATIONS Based on Historical and Contemporary Events

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2009 – 10:00 A M TO 1:00 P M

THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION’S LEHRMAN AUDITORIUM

PANEL 1 – SAUDI GLOBAL AND REGIONAL POLICIES (10:00 A M )

James Phillips, Senior Research Fellow for Middle Eastern Affairs, The Heritage Foundation

Nina Shea, Senior Fellow, The Hudson Institute

Walid Phares, Senior Fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Ali Alyami, Executive Director, The Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia (Moderator)

PANEL 2 – NEW STRATEGIES FOR THE FUTURE (11:30 A M )

Ali Alyami, Executive Director, The Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia

Jack Pearce, Board Member, The Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia

Aiyah Saihati, Saudi native and a businesswoman

Sarah Platts, Associate Fellow and Program Director, Henry Jackson Society (Moderator)

The United States has a unique opportunity to initiate a policy that supports participatory political processes and stability in Saudi Arabia – a difficult, but necessary combination to achieve Reviewing and re-evaluating U S -Saudi relations is not only timely, but also necessary as a new U S Administration is promising to pursue a policy of “mutual respect ” Given the present environment in Saudi Arabia, the United States could focus on specific steps to foster the democratic governing institutions necessary for sustainable stability in a country whose policies affect the international community

Cosponsors: The Heritage Foundation; Institute on Religion and Public Policy; Center for Religious Freedom; The Hudson Institute; Traditional Values Coalition; Henry Jackson Society; Cambridge England and Washington, DC; Reform Party of Syria; Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Refreshments Provided

RSVP Online at http://www heritage org/Press/Events/ | or call (202) 675-1752

Terms and Conditions of Attendance are posted online at www heritage org/Press/Events/terms cfm

News media inquiries, please call (202) 675-1761

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