BREAKING: SAUDIS MAY ASKING U.S. MILITARY TO LEAVE

Middle East Newsline ^ | October 17, 2001 | M.E.N.

[FresnoDA]

 

SAUDIS CONSIDER ASKING U.S. MILITARY TO LEAVE

LONDON [MENL] -- Saudi Arabia is quietly debating whether to end the U.S. military presence in the kingdom.

Western diplomatic sources said the Saudi royal family has not relayed any such intent to Washington. But the royal family has been examining the option of calling on U.S. forces to leave the kingdom to relieve the intense pressure by the Islamic opposition. Crown Prince Abdullah, the sources said, appears to favor such a call. The move is said to be opposed by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Sultan, a rival to the throne.

An estimated 13,000 U.S. military personnel and support staff are deployed in eastern Saudi Arabia. The U.S. military also has the use of facilities in Dharan, Riyad and Taji for aircraft.

The military personnel is joined by another 30,000 American nationals, many of whom help train the Saudi military and work on weapons programs.

The sources said the Pentagon is aware of the debate within the Saudi ruling family. They said officials have been examining alternatives to the U.S. military presence in the kingdom.

The options could include Oman, regarded as Washington's most reliable ally in the Gulf. The United States could also transfer aircraft and installations to such countries as Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

The debate within the royal family is not meant to end the U.S.-Saudi alliance, the sources said. They said Riyad intends to maintain oil stability, a key interest of Washington.

[AgThorn]

I would prefer if we would just leave before they ask us ... especially if it's a possibility.

1 - We don't NEED to be in Saudi Arabia
2 - They have been less than cooperative in closing bank accounts we have requested
3 - They are NOT a model country for us to be supporting in the area of "democracy", "human rights," etc.

Let's let them fall to an attack by Hussein and then we can deal with him after he unifies the country ... and after everyone blames Bin Ladin for it's occurence.

[dalebert]

If we go they go. The US is the only reason they are still in power.

[bert]

>>>>>>I want my money back as a taxpayer<<<<

For What? None of your taxes was used to build the facilities in Saudi Arabia. The air field in question predates the Gulf War. The C&C center was built by the Saudi's. Do you honestly believe Clinton would spend money in Saudi Arabia where thre were no voters? Ha Ha Ha, of course not.

[MrBambaLaMamba]

I don't hate them, I just want to see them gone.

[PhiKapMom]

How about taking back the four AWACS planes we sold them which are totally upgraded versions? I am as mad as you are!

[norton]

Bush 2 is doing fine thank you.
Don't tip your hand until it's the right time,
our president learned that a long time ago,
you might work on it.

[Teacher317]

They nationalized the oil fields we bought the rights to... maybe it's time we righted that wrong and became a little more independent of these somewhat unreliable 'allies'. Texaco, BP, and our economy could use the boost... and gas prices under a dollar per gallon would be a GREAT thing to see during a Jihadist-clearing war in the Middle East! (Heck, cut the Federal taxes on gasoline and we could get the price under $0.75⁹ per gallon... that would guarantee a Bush re-election!)

[Petronski]

If we leave, we had better 'engineer' that brand new airbase back to sand before we leave...the ungrateful bastards!

[oyez]

? Who is going to protect their sorry a#@ when either Saddam (like before) threatens to invade, or Bin Laden who is also a threat to them ????

I say they fall from the inside. Who needs Sadam? Once the Al Queda sees this and understand their close kinship with barnyard birds. The Tragic Kingdom needs to grow a pair and stand up the the renagade clerics in that country. Looks like the next Iran pal.

[PhiKapMom]

Paid $1.01 for gas here in Norman today!

[CubicleGuy]

NO!!! If we make them the 51st state, then we have to let them vote!

Not until they pass citizenship tests.

[altayann]

Actually, it's only good and proper to leave. Before coming back as the new landlord.

But I'm feeling generous. We'll keep the oil and the residents can pound the sand

Try that and the fundamentalist Saudis just might decide to burn the oil out of spite and watch us pound the sand instead.

In case you haven't yet clued into it: the fundamentalists don't know that the U.S runs the world. And if they did, they still wouldn't care. That's what makes them so very, very dangerous.

The US, out of a desire to protect the oil supply from the Middle East, will not take the kid gloves off. And they KNOW IT.

[Pan_Yan]

IMHO, this is why the President has taken a long view on our energy policy and I'm sure on other things. I believe he is willing to do what is right for the long haul, even if those aren't the things that might not get him re-elected. I'll be happier with him giving us four good years than eights mediocre ones.

[MaxwellWolf]

Remember the military bases in Phillipines, we left those to. Who cares about these idiots.

[Righter-than-Rush]

I'd be happier if he ordered the oil companies to put all their money into alternative energy vehicle production.

[Scuttlebutt]

I assume all these war-whoopers are middle-aged with kids also over draft age, and have their money out of stocks and bonds

I would question your characterization of me but I don't have time right now. I need to pick up my kids from soccer practice and check out how my 401K plan is doing. We soccer moms need to stick together.

[JAWs]

Good riddance, I say. Let them hire mercenaries to prop their corrupt regime!

[NixNatAVanG InDaBurgh]

>First we take out the Prince Sultan Command and Control Center WE built!!!!!!!!!!!

That was my very first thought after the red cleared. And flatten Mecca on their way out.

[sheik yerbouty]

We don't need any jihadist scum voting in U.S. elections!

[Fulbright]

President Bush stated today that oil is vital to US national interests.

No other statements are required.