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Courting the Saudis, Bush style
From John King (CNN Washington Bureau)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- At first glance, President Bush's dealings with Saudi Arabia on Iraq seem very similar to those of his father a dozen years ago. The current Bush administration has emphasized the importance of the Saudis in building support for possible military action against Saddam Hussein's regime, just as the elder Bush did in 1990. But there are significant differences this time. In the run-up to the Persian Gulf War, the choices for both the United States and Saudi Arabia were clear: The Saudis needed American troops to defend the kingdom and its vast oil reserves, and the United States needed Saudi military bases from which to launch operations to liberate Kuwait. Now, however, the view of Saddam Hussein and Iraq has changed. "The danger to our country is grave. The danger to our country is growing," President Bush said September 26. "The Iraqi regime possesses biological and chemical weapons. The Iraqi regime is building the facilities necessary to make more biological and chemical weapons." The Saudis see no immediate military threat from Iraq. They do see some signs that diplomacy may be working. "They promised to talk with the U.N. in order to bring back weapons inspectors that inspect for weapons of mass destruction," said Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal. "They promised to change their political dialogue toward countries in the region and the propaganda that incites turmoil in the region," he said. "These are very important decisions." The headlines, at times, suggest serious friction between the United States and Saudi Arabia -- something both governments forcefully deny. In April, President Bush invited Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah to his ranch in Crawford, Texas -- a rare overture that put the prince in exclusive company alongside the leaders of Britain and Russia. "I'm convinced the stronger our personal bond is, the more likely it is relations between our countries will be strong," Bush said at the ranch on April 25. Four months later in Crawford, Bush hosted the Saudi ambassador, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, to reinforce the message on U.S.-Saudi relations regarding Iraq -- differences, yes, but no fundamental problems. Critics say Bush -- like his father before him -- puts the need for Saudi oil first and overlooks serious problems like Saudi financing of religious schools that preach hatred of the United States and Israel. Those who support close U.S. ties with Saudi Arabia say the kingdom's help with intelligence and other matters is often invisible, but indispensable. "They like to do things in secret for their own political reasons within the region," said Wyche Fowler, the former Georgia senator who was U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1996 to 2001. "They have to live next to the Iraqis and next to the Iranians, and there is a balancing act." Dick Cheney is the bridge between the two Bush administrations, as defense secretary during the Gulf War and vice president now. He is held in such high regard by the Saudis that his visit to the country in March included a rare audience with the ailing King Fahd.
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