Posted on 04/06/2007 10:40:06 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
DUBAI (AFP) - Former US ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said Friday that Saudi's King Abdullah was "mistaken" when he questioned the legality of the US military presence in Iraq and should "correct" his controversial remarks on the matter.
"With all due respect to the King, it's a mistake to characterise the US presence in Iraq as illegal," Bolton said in an interview with the US-based Arabic language Al-Hurra television station.
King Abdullah, a key ally of Washington in the Middle East, described the US occupation of Iraq as "illegitimate" at a meeting of Arab leaders last week in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
"In beloved Iraq, blood is being shed among brothers in the shadow of an illegitimate foreign occupation and ugly sectarianism threatens civil war," Abdullah said.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telephoned Saudi Arabia's US ambassador specifically to discuss the remark.
Bolton said the US was in Iraq at the invitation of its government and its presence was further sanctioned by a United Nations Security Council resolution.
"I hope he (King Abdullah) finds an opportunity to correct that remark in the very near future," Bolton said.
Bolton, who was also formerly undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, was a staunch backer of the war in Iraq.
Bolton deserves an F’ing medal or something. He is the only person out there who can actually tell the truth about our foreign policy mattes apparently. That the Senate refused to put him back on the job means that the Dems are simply unwilling to have our country effectively represented. They would rather have the U.N. represent our interests.
With all due respect to the King, he’s a freaking liar, and if we didn’t consider his regime something of a friend, his country would likely be occupied, too. He wants to keep talking that way, maybe we should reconsider. The man is posturing for his people, trying to keep the Islamofacists there from popping him.
King Raghead sounds just like a Donkeycrat.
It’s been so long that I’ve forgotten; which UN resolution sanctions our being in Iraq?
The Saudi’s were corrupted decades ago. They should be classified as on the side of the enemy anyway. No surprise here.
Bolton would make a pretty good Secretary of State. Condi would be better off at the UN.
I didn’t say they were friends, I said the regime is considered a friend. I also suggested we reconsider.
Personally, I have never considered the Saudi’s our allies, not to mention friends. That attitude dates from my time in Riyadh during the 1st Persian Gulf War. The Turks have been our allies and friends, although that may not last much longer, either. I do not consider all Muslims automatic enemies, but I'm not seeing as much help and outrage from them as I expect, either.
(If you question was not sarcasm, please forgive mine. Its about 1am and after listening to Nancy Pelosi on CNN I'm liable to go off on anybody within range at the moment.)
No, my question wasn’t sarcasm. I understand about listening to Pelosi; it’s enough to send anyone postal.
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