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Secretary's Remarks: On the Death of King Abdullah
Secretary's Remarks: On the Death of King
Abdullah
01/22/2015 09:05 PM
EST
On the Death of King Abdullah
Press Statement
John
Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
January 22,
2015
This is a sad day. The United States has lost a
friend, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Middle East,
and the world has lost a revered leader. King Abdullah was a
man of wisdom and vision. I loved my visits with him as a
Senator and as Secretary. Even as he battled age and
illness, he held on to his sense of determination. His
stories of his father and of his family were remarkable. He
was so proud of the Kingdom’s journey, a brave partner in
fighting violent extremism who proved just as important as a
proponent of peace. The courageous Arab Peace Initiative
that he sponsored remains a critical document for the goal
we shared of two states, Israel and Palestine, living in
peace and security. He also made great strides to invest in
the Saudi people, and the Kingdom’s infrastructure and
economic development. The scholarship program that bears his
name represents an enormous, far-sighted contribution to
Saudi Arabia’s future prosperity. I know he was very proud
of his role as Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and as
leader of his people.
Teresa and I send our condolences
to the family of King Abdullah and to the people of Saudi
Arabia and the
region.
ENDS
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