US, Saudi Arabia convene first strategic dialogue
Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 11/14/2005

The Strategic Dialogue between the United States and Saudi Arabia allows both countries to hold regular discussions on issues of mutual importance such as fighting terrorism, bringing stability to Iraq, and strengthening economic relations, says US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

President Geaorge W. Bush and then-Saudi Crown Prince (now King) Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud established the Strategic Dialogue during their meeting in April to deal with "strategic issues of vital importance" to both countries.

"The administration views the (US-Saudi) relationship as one that is broad and where we have many common interests and where we are acting on those interests," Rice said at a November 13 joint press conference in Jeddah with Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faysal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

"The key is to be able to address differences honestly and to have mechanisms in which to address both that which is common and that which is not common," Rice said.

Rice cited increased bilateral cooperation and success on issues such as terrorism and terrorist financing.

"We're united in this fight," Rice said, adding that Riyadh has experienced terrorism through several attacks in which Saudi security forces died.

"I think we make a mistake if we somehow believe that people don't want to fight terrorism...It's a threat to us all," she said.

However, the secretary said the United States would like the Saudi government "to do more to curb domestic incitement of terrorism as well as improve portrayals of countries like the United States and Israel."

"I think we have very good cooperation and we're always open to ideas on how more cooperation can be brought to bear on this problem," she said.

Previous Stories:
  US executive praise of Saudi government in fighting terrorism, urged to do more   (11/9/2005)
  Rice to start US -Saudi strategic dialog   (11/4/2005)
  Saudi Arabia holds unofficial talks with NATO   (10/6/2005)

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