Abdulaziz Khoja, former ambassador and Minister of Information, revealed the story of King Fahd’s communication with him during the Russian tanks attack on the Parliament building in October 1993. In an interview with the “Meeting from Zero” program on MBC channel, Khoja shared that King Fahd had called him half an hour prior to Russian President Boris Yeltsin’s set time to strike Parliament in case the sit-in deputies did not leave the building. Khoja disclosed that he was anxious when his wife asked him how to convey the message to the King confidently. However, after half an hour, the Russian President attacked the building and Khoja informed King Fahd about what had happened.
Al-Marsad Newspaper: Minister of Information and former ambassador Abdulaziz Khoja recounted the details of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz’s contact with him when he was the Kingdom’s ambassador to the Soviet Union, when the events of the Russian tanks attacking the Parliament building (Duma) took place in October 1993.
Khoja said, during an interview with the “Meeting from Zero” program broadcast on (mbc) channel, that King Fahd – may God have mercy on him – had called him half an hour before the time set by the Russian President at the time, Boris Yeltsin, to strike Parliament in the event that he did not The response of the sit-in deputies was to leave and evacuate the building.
He added, “The king was following the scene and called me half an hour before the warning, and asked me what was happening, and I told him what was happening and that the members of the Duma would not come out and parliament would be struck after half an hour.
Khoja indicated that his wife spoke to him and asked him how to tell King Fahd that Parliament will be struck after half an hour, so what will happen if they reconcile, and how does he speak with such confidence?
He continued, “I was in a state of anguish, and if Parliament was not struck, what would the king say to me, and I gave him a definitive answer.”
In conclusion, the details recounted by former ambassador Abdulaziz Khoja regarding King Fahd bin Abdulaziz’s contact with him during the events of the Russian tanks attacking the Parliament building provide a unique insight into the inner workings of diplomatic relations during times of crisis. Khoja’s recollections highlight the importance of clear communication and confidence in decision-making in such situations. The story also serves as a reminder of the late king’s commitment to his role as a leader and his ability to navigate delicate situations with skill and foresight.