New York Times: Saudi Arabia wants US military out; democratic elected councils and parliament

In its yesterday's issue, the New York Times reported that the leaders of Saudi Arabia have decided to end USA military presence in the kingdom and to make democratic reforms and limit the authority and influence of the extremist religious leaders.

The paper quoted prominent figures in the Saudi Royal family saying that the decisions which were taken in January were a result of debate on the future of Saudi Arabia without declaring these decisions, adding that the Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah will ask the US President George Bush to withdraw the American forces from the kingdom, immediately following the end of the campaign to dismantle the Iraqi weapons. A matter which a spokesman for the Saudi royal family refused to comment on.

According to the paper, officials at the US defense department, the Pentagon, explained that they do not know about any Saudi plan demanding total American withdrawal from the kingdom's territories.

Saudi officials were also quoted by the paper saying that the departure of the American troops will constitute the first step to declare elections for the representatives of the local council and will lead to and the formation of an elected national council with the aim of ensuring gradual move within a six year transitional period towards democracy.

According to one participant in the discussions on the Saudi reforms, these reforms are opposed by certain prominent Saudi princes, including the minister of the interior prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz and to a lesser extent opposed by the defense minister Sultan bin Abdul Aziz.

The paper also quoted one member of the ruling Saudi royal family saying that despite of the view points which oppose reform measures, it is, however, expected that senior princess will support the decisions to be taken by the Saudi crown prince Abdullah, as members of the Saudi ruling family will support each other in during crisis.