Saudi-US Relations Information Service (SUSRIS) & Saudi-American Forum (SAF) Quarterly Summary

A Review of July-September 2005 Production

Editor's Note:

This compilation provides a summary of SAF and SUSRIS interviews, essays, items of interest and special reports distributed between July 1 and September 30, 2005.

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"..King Abdullah has been the de facto ruler for the last eight years. So his accession to the throne is a very positive thing, in that he will be able to further energize the initiatives he started as the Crown Prince.. ..It was also very positive that it was a smooth transition. It showed there is consensus among the Royal Family about the different leadership positions in the government and that King Abdullah will be getting the support that he needs from the influential members of the Royal Family. It also puts to rest all the rumors we heard about potential conflict in the Royal Family.."

On Relations and Reforms: A Conversation with Usamah al Kurdi

"I am happy to report that since we spoke a year ago, reform in Saudi Arabia is continuing. The emphasis on job creation and business opportunities is continuing. The attention to social reforms, addressing social ills, is continuing. Overall, I can say reform in Saudi Arabia is healthy and proceeding.. ..I am very optimistic we are going in the right direction. I believe we are complementing the world community by cooperating together, and I am glad to see the results of the Crawford Summit are actually taking place.."

In Pursuit of Understanding: Karen Hughes in Saudi Arabia

"..Her visit to Jeddah which lasted approximately 24 hours was full of meetings. The American delegation which consisted of both diplomats and media persons had its initial encounter with Saudis at the home of the prominent Saudi scholar, Dr. Sami Angawi. Each Tuesday he hosts a meeting — known in Arabic as “makiya” — at which issues of interest and concern are discussed.."

The Fight Against Extremism and the Search for Peace
Prince Saud Al Faisal

"The last time I addressed the members of this council, my subject was the United States of America and Saudi Arabia, a relationship threatened by misconceptions.. ..I said at the time that sooner or later both our countries will have to abandon recrimination and concentrate on what can be done to restore our healthy relationship and deal with a common threat. I am pleased to report today that both Saudi Arabia and the United States have taken effective, meaningful measures to do just that. President Bush and the then Crown Prince Abdullah had an opportunity to enhance and deepen that relationship in their fruitful and productive summit at Crawford last April. I am personally in constant contact with the honorable Secretary of State, Dr. Rice, to pursue our discussions to establish a strategic dialogue between us.."

Saudi Arabia's National Day -- A Reflection

Let Every Voice Within Our Midst Be Heard
Khaled Almaeena

Today is Saudi Arabia’s National Day. It is the first time that this event is being publicly celebrated across the land in the form of a nationwide holiday. But what does National Day actually mean to the citizens of Saudi Arabia? Is it merely a day of fun and merriment or a day for something deeper and more symbolic?  In my estimation it should be viewed as an opportunity for introspection as we not only look back at the different stages of nation-building, consolidation and achievement but also look forward to the future and all the concomitant challenges that lie ahead of us. The ability to face these in the coming years will be far tougher and more diverse than we can imagine. However, we have to rise to the occasion and meet them headlong.

Strategic Realism in the Middle East and US and Arab Relations
Anthony H. Cordesman

This is a difficult time to talk about strategic developments in the Middle East. Almost regardless of where we turn, we see as enduring problems and there are at least as many real-world difficulties as opportunities. There is no area where we cannot round up long lists of faults, mistakes, and missed opportunities on the part of both the US and Arab world.

The Saudi Succession and Economic Stability
Anthony H. Cordesman

The death of King Fahd and the succession of Crown Prince Abdullah have unleashed a flood of articles on Saudi stability, the Royal family, Saudi security, and Saudi economics. Many of the latter articles have been badly out of date, and many make assertions that are simply wrong. It may be useful to point out a few facts.

US-Saudi Bond Grew Under Fahd
Wyche Fowler Jr.

The death of King Fahd is another step in the leadership transition taking place throughout the Middle East, as one long-serving ruler after another, from Morocco to Jordan to Syria to the United Arab Emirates, has passed from the scene. Like his counterparts in other Arab countries, Fahd played a pivotal role as a nation-builder and in regional and global politics. As US ambassador to Saudi Arabia from l996 until March 2001, I had a unique opportunity to observe firsthand and appreciate Fahd’s leadership before his declining health incapacitated him..

Editorial: King Fahd
Arab News

In the death of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, it is not just Saudi Arabia that suffers a grievous loss. The loss of the Middle East region and the wider Muslim world is equally grievous. His death removes from the scene a man of vision whose commitment to Arab and Islamic unity was total. The period of his stewardship of the country was marked by a resolve, backed up by consistent action, to further that unity — not for confrontation with any, but for coordinated action with all.

The Impact on Saudi Regional Stability
Anthony H. Cordesman

King Fahd's death, and Crown Prince Abdullah's accession to the throne, is unlikely to have any negative impact on Saudi stability and may well help the Kingdom move forward in dealing with a number of major issues. Although rumors always persist of divisions and conflicts within the Saudi royal family, the reality has been very different. Prince Abdullah was selected as Crown Prince in 1982 -nearly a quarter of a century ago. He has acted as de facto regent since King Fahd's stroke in 1995.

King Fahd Died This Morning

King Fahd bin Abdulaziz al-Saud passed away at about 6 a.m. (local time) (0300GMT) Monday morning.

Crown Prince Abdullah appointed new ruler

Funeral expected to take place Tuesday

Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense and Aviation, named heir apparent

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