Posted on 12/30/2002 3:11:11 PM PST by Lessismore
RIYADH, 31 December 2002 Saudi Arabia denied yesterday reports of a secret promise by Riyadh to make its airspace and bases available for use by the United States in the event of war against Iraq.
This report is untrue. The Kingdoms position on this issue has been very clear from the start, Prince Abdul Rahman, deputy minister for defense and aviation told Okaz daily.
Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal told reporters during a visit to Sudan: The truth is what I said, not what the newspaper reported. Prince Saud was shown making the remarks on Al-Jazeera television while referring to a report in The New York Times on Sunday. The report quoted a top US military official as saying Saudi Arabia would cooperate with the United States in a war against Iraq by making its airspace, air bases and an important operations center available to the US.
Even if the Security Council issues a unanimous decision to attack Iraq, we hope a chance will be given to the Arab states to find a political solution to this issue, Prince Saud said.
Prince Abdul Rahman reiterated Saudi commitment to supporting the UN decision regarding the imposition of the no-fly zone over southern Iraq.
This is well-known to all ... The Kingdom is committed to the UN resolutions like all other countries (but) we are not concerned with anything else, he said in reference to the Times report.
Prince Saud last Tuesday renewed the Kingdoms rejection of a threatened US war against neighboring Iraq, saying Riyadh would not take part in any military action. If the UN Security Council sanctions war against Iraq, this requires cooperation by all countries ... But this does not mean all countries must take part in military action. Obviously, we will not take part in military actions, Prince Saud said. There has been no change in the duties of foreign troops in the Kingdom since the end of the 1991 Gulf War. (Agencies)
Here's a quote from an OPEC analyst, effectively urging Russia to oppose liberation of Iraq:
The ideal outcome for Russia is exactly the same as that for Saudi Arabia and OPEC, i.e. maintenance of the status quo and the sanctions regime on Iraqi oil. Thus, Russia's opposition to a U.S. invasion of Iraq is completely rational.Opposition to a war to rid Hussein is mostly about oil- the production interests of the producers, and the development interests of France, Russia and others.
;>)
Stay safe; stay armed.
This is true, and yet I am surprised just the same. Obviously the sanctions serve Saudi interests, as it tends to keep a portion of Iraqi oil off the market. It serves EU interests, as it makes their sanctions-busting deals that much more profitable, while keeping the US from competing. It appears to serve Russia's interest, although I would assert the contrary, in that Russia has influence in the region and fears the further loss of prestige in the face of an ascendant US.
It is also in Saudi Arabia's interest to avoid a regime change in Baghdad, if that regime change could possibly lead to a secular quasi-democracy, as the presence of such a regime would de-stabilize their own rule.
Turkey has a strong interest in seeing the continuation of fascist, nationalist, rule in Baghdad, as any regime that does not oppress the Kurds is a threat to its own rule in Turkish Kurdistan.
But all of them, the Saudis, the Turks, the Russians and the French, must factor into their calculations the following:
What will the world look like if the US goes ahead with its plans in the region, without their aid and support? What will the world look like if the US has to carry out its operations in the face of their obstructionism, and has no incentive to consider their interests in the aftermath?
The fall of Saddam opens the door to instability. The fall of Saddam, and a hostile US could seal the fate of some of Itaq's neighbors. Those countries that actively, and enthusiastically assist in the work ahead will be in a position to mold the outcome. Those who do not simply become part of the problem, and will lose all of their influence the very moment the troops roll.
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