topic by
Someone
10/16/2001 (12:58)

Oct 16th, 2001, RIYADH: The US ally Saudi Arabia said on Monday that it was unhappy about the bombing of Afghanistan, sending the clearest signal yet that its relations with Washington are being tested by the war on terrorism.

Interior Minister Prince Naif broke Saudi silence on the bombing late on Sunday, telling reporters that the kingdom opposed terrorism but did not approve of the US response. 'We wish the United States had been able to flush out the terrorists in Afghanistan without resorting to the current action ... because this is killing innocent people,' he said.

'We are not at all happy with the situation. This in no way means we are not willing to confront terrorism,' he said in remarks reported by the official Saudi Press Agency. In response, State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said that the United States was very satisfied with Saudi cooperation. 'They've agreed to everything we've asked of them in our campaign against terrorism,' Reeker added.

Analysts said Prince Naif's public disapproval confirmed the 50-year-old strategic alliance between the world's largest industrial power and the world's largest oil supplier had come under stress since the air raids began a week ago.

'It's unbelievable the way the feeling here has changed from sympathy to anger in such a short time,' a Western analyst based in Riyadh said. 'More sensitive and astute decision-making on both sides is required to handle a relationship which has become extremely difficult to manage. Every aspect of it is under pressure.' 'The message appears to be 'see how great our toys are, watch them smash things to smithereens' -- it seems we have learned nothing in 10 years,' the Western analyst said.

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/oct2001-daily/16-10-2001/main/main14.htm

reply by
Barb
10/25/2001 (24:47)

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PS: Bin Laden and his friends want to overthrow the Saudi Government.