[Carolina]

Number of Saudi Single Women May Double by 2007

RIYADH, 5 June 2003 - A Saudi sociologist has warned that the number of single Saudi women could more than double to four million by 2007 because of social problems spawned by the Kingdom's economic and social growth.

More than 20 percent of marriages last year ended in divorce.

Professor Abdullah Al-Fawzan, a sociologist at King Saud University, has cautioned that polygamy is responsible for up to 55 percent of divorces. He said that changing times impacted on relationships and led to a loss of honesty, sincerity, love, compassion and cooperation. There are now 1.5 million single Saudi women.

He expressed concern that more than 18,000 out of 60,000 marriages solemnized in 2001 ended in divorce. One of the strongest statistical findings was that the higher a man's income, the greater the chance of the couple staying together, said the Saudi sociologist, adding that changes in a couple's economic circumstances have an enormous effect on marriages.

A large difference in age, he said, was also a risk factor for the marriage.

[Carolina]

Bush to troops in Qatar: 'Mission accomplished'

DOHA, Qatar (CNN) -- President Bush told U.S. troops in Qatar on Thursday that their duty and sacrifice had liberated the people of Iraq and that their efforts were helping the United States defeat global terrorism.

"Our actions sent along a clear message that our nation is strong and our nation is compassionate," Bush told the troops at the rally.

"America sent you on a mission," Bush added, "and that mission has been accomplished."

Introduced by Gen. Tommy Franks, commander of the forces that brought down Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Bush told the troops: "Your families are proud, and so is America."