Posted on 11/13/2005 1:48:07 PM PST by jmc1969
JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) -- Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said he is less worried that U.S. policies in Iraq will bring on a civil war there, and pledged anew to contribute $1 billion for rebuilding that war-ravaged country's shattered infrastructure.
"My fears are much more eased," Prince Saud al-Faisal said Sunday following meetings with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Rice said Saudi Arabia can do more to root out the sources of terror financing, but said the two countries were working together well.
"The reason that countries or leaders are fighting terrorism is not to please us, not to please the United States," Rice said. "It's because their own people are dying ... because their own region is suffering a sense of instability."
She also renewed criticism of Syria for dragging its feet in cooperating with a U.N. investigation into the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in Beirut last February. Hariri was trying to pull his country away from Syrian domination, and his death launched street protests against Syria's three-decade political and military control in Lebanon.
"We have to say the Syrians have not yet cooperated," Rice said, dismissing Syrian complaints about the probe and its plans to perform its own investigation.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
More Saudi death schools to be built with this donation?
This means the Saudi Industrial companies have found new markets and a place to expand their existing facilities.
Jubail and New Basrah are a marriage made in heaven and an EU nightmare.
This might be a huge shift, but it is still a pittance compared to either 1) what the American taxpayer has given, or 2) the Saudis' windfall profits from high oil prices. The Saudis are a disgrace to humankind.
Indeed it is. It is not the money so much as they can always conjure up a few billion, but the public position. Meanwhile they continue to try to reign in a lot of the radical groups they had for a long time allowed to get away with murder. They clearly see change in their position is required. After all the ali babba want to blow up all their oil wells, and revert the Saudis back to the stone age.
The tektonic plates move a bit, almost imperceptible, but whole regions are effected.
Dog, this is further indication that major changes may be happening.
They will build mosques and fund Wahabi imams.
Thanks guys, we need all the help we can get.
considering all the money they have, $1 billion is a start but still a drop in the bucket.
More Saudi death schools to be built with this donation?
No, this means that Abdullah is now King and can rule Saudi. As Crown Prince, he could only act as regent for the old King. It also means the good guys are winning the fight within SA.
That picture is a classic.
The Saudis produce 10 million barrels per day at $60 per barrel that would be just under 1 1/2 days. Saudi sacrifice in persective.
It isn't about the money as much as it is the fact Arab regimes are starting to bet on Iraq for the first time instead of betting on the terrorists,
Iraq desperately needs new mosques.
Exactly my thoughts....cheapskates.
Hugh, but not series. This is merely windfall oil cash, and a fraction of it.
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