Saudi - USA summit to discuss Israeli aggression, Iraq and terrorism
Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 4/18/2002

The differences between Saudi Arabia and the US concerning the Middle East, Iraq and the so-called "war against terrorism" will be discussed during the summit which will be held between the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and the US President George Bush on April 25th at the ranch of the US President in Texas, USA.

A Saudi official told AFP that the meeting will "be frank in which the Saudi crown prince will stress the need that Washington will take a tough position towards Israel in order to restore back its credibility in the Arab world." The official added that the absence of firmness against the Israeli military attack in the West Bank, which was strongly condemned in the Arab world, might threaten the interests of the US in the Arab world.

The Saudi official who asked not to be identified said that the "currently continued Israeli policy will threaten the American interests in the region." The Arab- Israeli conflict, one of the complex files, which had its shadow on the relations between Riyadh and Washington, as the crown prince Abdullah cancelled last June a visit to the US during his tour on several countries, in protest of the "bias" of Washington towards Israel, and the escalation of the Saudi regret with the launching of the military operation in the West Bank following a suicide operation upon the adoption of by the Arab states of a peace plan.

Moreover, besides the Middle East, differences between Riyadh and Washington are great concerning the file of Iraq, which the US threatens to strike to topple the regime of Saddam Hussein. One Saudi official stressed that the Saudi opposition stand towards striking Iraq is clear and "the Americans know that very well." He added that what is important now is not the Iraqi question. Saudi Arabia sees that the priority should be given to deal with the situation in the Palestinian territories, and the US to restore its credibility.

The Saudi official continued that as for the terrorism fighting campaign which was launched by the US following September 11 incidents, "Saudi Arabia showed cooperation with the international community in order to fight terrorism from which it had suffered." The Saudi official continued that "Saudi Arabia sees that to fight terrorism, the reasons behind it should be challenged, including the Israeli policy in the region."

Previous Stories:
  Bush - Abdullah will deal with tense issues   (4/17/2002)
  Saudi crown prince visits the US, a Saudi - American difficult summit   (4/17/2002)
  Protesting continued Israeli aggression, Saudi crown prince cancels visit to the USA?   (4/16/2002)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search