In This Issue

1. The Arab Peace Initiative by Shafeeq N. Ghabra
2. I Trust Crown Prince Abdullah:  Bush by Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid
3. From the History of Saudi-U.S. Relations
4. SUSRIS Discussion Forum -- Look Who's Talking
5. On the Bookshelf - The Nance Museum:  A Journey into Traditional Saudi Arabia by Paul J. Nance 
6. What is SUSRIS?

A Special from GulfWire Perspectives

"Saudi Prince Abdallah's peace initiative endorsed at the Beirut Arab League summit in March 2002 raises a number of issues and questions that the Arab world must address: Can the Arab states enter a new age of economic, political, and social development without a just peace that puts an end to the Israeli occupation of Arab lands and relieves the region of a state of war that offers only a desolate future? Can armed resistance be sustained until Israel withdraws from the occupied territories or should Palestinians and other Arabs fundamentally reevaluate the continued use of this method? Should Arab efforts concern only territories occupied by Israel in 1967 or also include the rest of historic Palestine on which Israel was established in 1948? What are the positions of the Islamic movements and the Arab street vis-�-vis peace within the framework of establishing a Palestinian state and a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from Arab lands? Can the initiative for peace endorsed by the Arab League summit in Beirut provide the basis of a united Arab position.."  [more]

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A Special from GulfWire Perspectives

November 22, 2003 - U.S. President George W. Bush has said he has confidence in Saudi Arabia's efforts to fight terrorism and implement reforms. In an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, a sister publication of Arab News, Bush said Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, "is an honest man... He has told me that we are joined in fighting off the terrorist organizations which threatened the Kingdom and...the United States, and he's delivering. He has also told me that he's going to work on reform, and I believe him."

"Crown Prince Abdullah is an honest man. And he is a friend of mine. I like him and respect him. And he has told me that we are joined in fighting off the terrorist organizations which threatened the Kingdom and they threaten the United States, and he's delivering. He has also told me that he's going to work on reform, and I believe him." 
                                                                              - President George W. Bush

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From The History of the Saudi-US Relationship

Another Aspect to U.S.-Saudi Relations
Winter 1996 

Today, King Fahd Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH/RC) is routinely serving patients thanks to satellite and computer technology linked with the U.S. As an example, before conducting a particularly complicated neurosurgical procedure on a patient, surgeons at the hospital consult specialists at leading hospitals in the U.S. Facing large monitors at their respective locations, they can see live shots of each other in one corner of the screen, thereby talking face-to-face. While discussing the patient, they can review his MRI scan, pathology and radiology in other corners of the screen on demand. If need be, specialists in the U.S. can even watch the surgical procedure live and comment on it while it is being performed in Riyadh. Similarly, seminars are organized on the latest developments in medicine, and new surgical procedures being performed in the U.S. are demonstrated for surgeons in Riyadh.

The system that makes this possible is a marvel of modern technology. A dedicated satellite link connects telecommunications hubs at KFSH/RC and IMED Link in Bethesda, a Maryland suburb of Washington, D.C., through ground stations in the two countries. Each hub is at the center of a network, radiating communications lines to teleconferencing facilities in each country. In Saudi Arabia, teleconferencing sites are located at various departments in the KFSH/RC and its affiliated medical centers and agencies, including the Children's Cancer Center and the Women's and Children's Hospital. The Bethesda hub is connected to Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital, George Washington University Medical Center, Yale University Medical Center, Duke University Medical Center, the University of Virginia Medical Center and other medical facilities in the U.S.

The telecommunications system can provide real-time links between any combination of conference rooms at the Saudi and U.S. hospitals. Up to 32 simultaneous conferences are currently possible, with further growth planned into the system.

For more information, visit Saudi Embassy online

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The Saudi-US Relations Information Service Discussion Forum

"The speculation about a nuclear pact between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a direct response to the very real threat that Iran is close to developing a nuclear capability. Most people believe, incorrectly, that the Saudi Arabs would be interested in nuclear weapons to offset the nuclear capability of the Israelis. This is ridiculous on the face of it. The Israelis have had a nuclear capability for more than a decade. Speculation about a Saudi nuclear arrangement with Pakistan has risen parri passu with the rise of a credible Iranian nuclear threat. If the Saudis obtain a nuclear capability it will be to parry a threat from the radical regime in Teheran."

Sign up for the forum and contribute to the dialogue.

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On the Bookshelf

Book Description
The story is told of Paul and Colleen Nance in their three decades in Arabia and assembling the art collection on continuous display in the United States located at Lone Jack, Missouri. The Nance Museum's art and artifacts are from traditional Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. They brought together the largest and most diverse collection on continuous display in the United States.  The book describes living and working in and the importance of Saudi Arabia, the development of ethnic gardens depicting early civilizations to give a world view to the setting of the museum, 230 illustrations, the museum as a resource center, reflections over the past fifteen years of the museum's operation as well as extensive appendices of chronologies, donors, guests, publicity, outreach locations, a glossary of Arab terms, bibliography and index.                                                                                                  [more]
Ordering Information
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About the Saudi-US Relations Information Service

The Saudi-US Relations Information Service (SUSRIS) provides you information resources and interactive features through a web site and weekly newsletter -- all designed to enhance your understanding of the historic relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-US Relations Information Service is a public service of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations as an element of its mission to educate Americans about Arab countries, the Middle East, and the Islamic world.

We invite you to explore the site: signup for the SUSRIS newsletter, join the discussion forum, browse the bookshelf and photo album, and more. Make the SUSRIS your home page or add it to your Favorites List. Check back from time to time to see what we've added -- what you see today is just the beginning.

For more information about the service please visit the website at: http://www.SaudiUSRelations.org 
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Saudi-US Relations Information Service

A Public Service of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
1140 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036
eMail: [email protected] 
Web: http://www.Saudi-US-Relations.org 

Photo Credits
Arab News, Saudi Embassy online

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