Saudi Arabia- US Relations Newsletter

Newsletter #49 March 15-21, 2004

PHOTO OF THE WEEK
There will be no letup in the Kingdom�s fight against terrorism, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said this week. [more]
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NEWS
	Headlines of Interest
>	GulfWire Digest Saudi Arabia News
>	GulfWire Digest Saudi Arabia Business
>	Arab News Headlines & Links


WHAT'S NEW
>	"Future of Oil Supply: Saudi Arabia"
>	"Breaking the Ties that Bind? U.S. Exports, Saudi Arabia and the Accountability Act," by Grant F. Smith
>	"Honey & Onions: A Memoir of Saudi Arabia in the Sixties - Author's Foreword & Chapter 2," by Frances Meade
>	"The Story of the Saudi Government Railroad," by Frederick Haack
>	"Honey & Onions: A Memoir of Saudi Arabia in the Sixties - Author's Foreword & Chapter 1," by Frances Meade
>	"The Prospects for Stability in Saudi Arabia in 2004," by Anthony H. Cordesman
>	"Foreign Students' Toughest Test: Getting In," by Susan Taylor Smith
>	"Religious Reform, from American and Saudi Perspectives," by Jon Mandaville
>	"No End to War," by Patrick J. Buchanan
>	"Has Saudi Arabia Been a Positive Influence in the Middle East?" by John Duke Anthony
>	"Saudi Arabia: Enemy or Friend?," Middle East Policy Council [Part 5]
>	"How the Saudis Can Defend Against American Critics," by Jamal A. Khashoggi
>	"Saudi Women and the Jeddah Economic Forum," by Maggie Mitchell Salem and Reem Al Jarbou
>	"A Mind-Bending Venture into Saudi Gender Politics," by Judith Barnett
>	"Ten Reasons for Reforging the US and Saudi Relationship," by Anthony H. Cordesman
>	"United States-Saudi Arabian Relations in Light of the Current International Crisis," Summary by Mary E. Morris
>	"Saudi Arabia: Enemy or Friend?," Middle East Policy Council [Part 1]
>	"Re-inventing Saudi Arabia: The View from Washington," by John R. Bradley
>	"A Saudi Vision for Growth," by Lubna Olayan
>	"Joint U.S.-Saudi Action Announced to Fight the Financial War on Terror"
>	"Saudi Reform," by Middle East Economic Survey
>	"On a Dagger's Edge -- Saudi Women, Long Silent, Gain a Quiet Voice," by Faye Bowers, Staff Writer of The Christian Science Monitor
>	"On a Dagger's Edge -- Saudi Students Face a Changing System," by Faye Bowers, Staff Writer of The Christian Science Monitor
>	"The Quiet Revolution - Saudi Arabia," by Edward S. Walker, Jr.
>	"Al-Ikhbariya Makes Waves," by Raid Qusti
>	On a Dagger's Edge -- "For Saudis, A Hard Fight Over Faith," by Faye Bowers, Staff Writer of The Christian Science Monitor
>	On a Dagger's Edge -- "How an Al Qaeda Hotbed Turned Inhospitable," by Faye Bowers, Staff Writer of The Christian Science Monitor
>	"Special Energy Supplement: The New Geopolitics of Oil," by Joe Barnes, Amy Jaffe & Edward L. Morse
>	Saudi-U.S. Relations Information Service (SUSRIS) & Saudi-American Forum (SAF) Quarterly Summary
>	Saudi Arabia - 2003 GulfWire Digest Reporting
>	"Of Virtue and Vice: The Saudi-American Fight Against Terror Financing," by Tanya Hsu and Grant F. Smith
>	Saudi Arabia Accountability Act
>	"Thomas Lippman - 'Inside the Mirage'- US-Saudi Relations - SAIS Panel"
>	"Scapegoating Saudi Arabia for 9/11," by Ahmad Faruqui
>	"Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage Applauds Saudi Arabia's Anti-Terrorism Efforts"
>	"A Different View: A Young Saudi Woman Talks About Society and Culture - An Interview with Sahar al Husseini"
>	"Understanding US-Saudi Relations: Challenging Stereotypes - Amb. Chas Freeman at SAIS"
>	"Security in Saudi Arabia and the Prospects for Political Reform - Khaled al-Maeena, Editor in Chief of Arab News at the Middle East Institute"
>	"A Change in the Kingdom," by William Tracy
>	"The Arab Peace Initiative," by Shafeeq N. Ghabra
>	"I Trust Crown Prince Abdullah: Bush," by Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid
>	"Riyadh: Rooting Out Al Qaeda," by Edward S. Walker and Wyche Fowler
>	"President Bush Nominates James Oberwetter to Serve as the New Ambassador to Saudi Arabia"
>	"Same Tactics, New Target," by Amir Taheri
>	"A Clear and Present Danger: 'Wahhabism' as a Rhetorical Foil," by Alexander Knysh
>	"Saudi Pseudo Studies," by Amir Taheri
>	"Terrorists Strike Riyadh Compound in Suicide Bombing - [Special Report #2]"
>	"Terrorists Strike Riyadh Compound in Suicide Bombing - [Special Report #1]"
>	"Perspectives on Developments in US-Saudi Relations: A Saudi Woman Speaks on the Issues"
>	"President Bush on Freedom in the Middle East"
>	"Redeployment of the F-15 to Tabuk," by Anthony H. Cordesman
>	"Saudization: Development and Expectations Management," by Grant F. Smith
>	"Behind and Beyond the Headlines: Saudi Arabia," by Karen Miller Lamb
>	"Correcting Misconceptions About Women's Role in Saudi Society," by Maha Akeel, Arab News staff
>	"Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Abdullah Discusses Relations between Muslim and Non-Muslim Nations"

In This Issue

1. "Honey & Onions: A Memoir of Saudi Arabia in the Sixties - Chapter Three," by Frances Meade
2. SUSRIS Discussion Forum -- Look Who's Talking
3. On the Web
4. From the History of Saudi-U.S. Relations
5. What is SUSRIS?

An Item of Interest from SAF

Honey & Onions: A Memoir of Saudi Arabia in the Sixties
By Frances Meade

Excerpt from Chapter Three

"We are spending a quiet Friday afternoon at home. The house is U-shaped, enclosing the small courtyard and pool where we are enjoying the September day with its hint of fall coolness. The sky is that clear piercing blue that almost hurts the eyes; a blue unique to the desert. The wall is shadowed by the date palms that surround the house. They are still heavy with fruit that has not yet ripened and their fronds barely flicker in the slight breeze. For ten years we have been happy in this comfortable white house so similar in design to those we have known in Arizona and we come back from our summer sojourns with genuine pleasure.."

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Saudi-US Relations Information Service Discussion Forum

Look Who's Talking... The Saudi-US Relations Information Service web site features a discussion forum for you to post your ideas, opinions and questions. To sign on and speak up Click Here. Among the posts in current threads:

"Since 9-11 far too many Americans have chosen to tar all Saudi Arabs as supporters of the terrorists. The Saudi Royal family seems to have been singled out for special condemnation here. Reports that a charitable contribution made by a member of the Saudi Royal Family might have been diverted to the 9/11 hijackers is blown up into a story slandering the entire Royal family as backers of Al Qaeda.. ..to condemn the entire Royal Family as backers of the terrorists is ridiculous. This is especially true given the decades of cooperation between the United States and Saudi Arabia."

On the Web

"On the Web" -- from time to time we will use this space to alert you to articles, essays and other items of interest on the Internet. If you see web items that other readers might want to see please let us know via email -- click here to email SUSRIS. Please include the URL. Thanks.

"Is The Kingdom Out Of The Doldrums?"
"..It has been a trying year or so for the Saudis. First they worried that the war in neighboring Iraq might somehow spill over their borders. Then, for the past 10 months, the kingdom has been locked in a near-civil war between the government and the extremists. The signs are everywhere. Streets are blocked off, checkpoints dot the capital, and armored personnel carriers rumble along the perimeters of residential areas housing foreigners. Yet there are also encouraging signs amid the tension. Economic activity has remained remarkably strong. Oil prices averaging above $30 a barrel have been crucial. But the government's efforts to encourage the private sector are paying off as well.."
Click here to read the complete article.

From a recent series of reports by NPR's Mike Shuster in Saudi Arabia:

"Saudi Press Seen as More Free"
Journalists in Saudi Arabia appear to be enjoying more freedom than at any other time in the history of the desert kingdom. Articles advocating political reform and women's rights and criticizing the conservative religious establishment are now commonplace in Saudi newspapers. NPR's Mike Shuster reports.
Click here to listen to this report.

"Saudi War on Terror Claims Some Success"
"Saudi Arabia has been enforcing measures to eradicate terrorism within its borders since two car bombings in Riyadh last year killed scores of people. The crackdown has led to the arrest of scores of terrorism suspects and the seizure of huge stockpiles of weapons. But experts warn much work remains to be done. NPR's Mike Shuster reports.."

Click here to listen to this report.

"Saudi Reform Aims to Promote Open Dialogue"
"Extremist social practices die hard, especially in Saudi Arabia. NPR's Mike Shuster reports from the Saudi capital of Riyadh, that a National Dialogue to promote more political inclusion is underway and people are becoming increasingly comfortable speaking their minds.."
Click here to listen to this report.

"Saudi, U.S. Ties Strained"
"Although Saudi Arabia and the United States have been tacit if not always open allies for decades, the relationship at the moment is uneasy. Many Americans have concluded that the conservative form of Islam predominant in Saudi Arabia has encouraged terrorism. And many Saudis feel that the United States has behaved clumsily throughout the Middle East. NPR's Mike Shuster reports.."
Click here to listen to this report.

[Note: Links to "On the Web" items were active on the day this newsletter is distributed. Host sites may remove the item at a later date or alter the link.] Back to top

From The History of the Saudi-US Relationship

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld responds to a reporter's question during a joint media availability with Saudi Minister of Defense and Aviation Prince Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on April 29, 2003. (Dept. of Defense photo by Helene C. Stikkel) Joint Media Availability with Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld and Prince Sultan

April 29, 2003

(Joint media availability with High Royal Highness Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, second deputy prime minister, minister of defense and aviation and inspector-general of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Al-Azzizia Palace, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.)

Prince Sultan: My brothers, my colleagues, my friends and the press corps, we all would like to welcome the U.S. secretary of defense and the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Please be brief in your questions because, as you all know, that we do not have any differences in our views between our two countries. And let us not believe all that might be said in the world press; those who say that there are differences between the two countries contrary to what has been shaped by late King Abdulaziz and late President Roosevelt. Thank you.

Question: Jaser Al-Jaser, Al-Jazirah newspaper. Has there been any discussion about the presence of the American forces related to the U.N. resolution? This question is for U.S. secretary of defense.

Rumsfeld: First let me just say that we have had a very good meeting. We appreciate the hospitality of the prince, and we look forward to meeting the crown prince. With respect to the forces, we did discuss the change that is taking place in the region. This is now a safer region because of the change in the regime in Iraq. With the end of the Operation Southern Watch, and the successful liberation of the Iraqi people, we have had discussions about our ability now to rearrange our forces in this part of the world. By mutual agreement, the aircraft involved now, of course, will be able to leave. They will leave with us grateful for the support throughout the operation that the Kingdom provided.

Over time, we anticipate that our forces in the region will be able to be reduced. We noted today that this will be done in a manner that reflects our close cooperation and friendship between our countries.

Question: Charles Aldinger, Reuters. I would like to ask your Royal Highness, when you said that there are no differences between the two countries and yet don't you let --

Prince Sultan: First, let me explain, the forces that are here were basically implementing the Southern Watch Operation and have after the end of the Southern Watch Operation, there is obviously no need for those troops to remain. This is does not mean that we requested them to leave or move from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. But as long as their mission is over, so they will leave.

Question: Abdullah Al Oraifaj, Okaz Newspaper. What is the future of the mutual cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. in light of the new developments in the region? Question is for Prince Sultan.

Prince Sultan: The cooperation between the two countries, even before the Desert Storm Operation, will continue even after the end of war in Iraq. The USMTM was here in the Kingdom; there is technical cooperation about any new technology for the benefit of our armed forces. And this of course reflects the mutual cooperation between the two countries.

Click here to read the complete transcript

Source: U.S. Department of Defense

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
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eMail:[email protected]
Web: http://www.Saudi-US-Relations.org

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Dept. of Defense photo by Helene C. Stikkel

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SAUDI-US RELATIONS INFORMATION SERVICE