Posted on 10/17/2001 2:39:06 PM PDT by FresnoDA
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.
1. They are not cooperating on shutting down OBL and Al Queada terrorist accounts.
2. When we had an opportunity to capture on the 22 terrorists on a plane waiting on the tarmac at the airport - They refused to hold the plane of course that was back during the "past" administration. I say "BYE BYE AMERICAN PIE"
President Bush's statement of "you are with us or against us" is probably the reason for this sudden change.
1. They are not cooperating on shutting down OBL and Al Queada terrorist accounts.
2. When we had an opportunity to capture one of the 22 terrorists on a plane waiting on the tarmac at the airport - They refused to hold the plane of course that was back during the "past" administration. I say "BYE BYE AMERICAN PIE"
Cultural Survival alters "RealPolitik!"
Saudi "Royalty" exists because they haven't--to Date--"Pissed us off!"
Guess What........WE'RE PISSED OFF!!
The "Saudi's" have VERY LITTLE "wiggle room!"
Doc
Yes, and stand up on their own . However we need to become more self reliant re: oil and fast.
Did you read the article?
Firstly, there are YET AGAIN, no named sources!!
Secondly, it plainly (even for you) states..."This is not meant as a break in the alliance." Can you understand what you read?
Thirdly, this un-named source says nothing has been discussed with the US and there are pros and cons going on inside the SA government. Gee, I wonder who'll win?
And fourthly, the Saudis don't need me to defend them, I just posed a question as to why suddenly, in paper after paper, the left-wing propagandists are agitating against the Saudi Arabian Royals (hated by bin Laden) and not Iraq, Libya or Sudan.
But since you're obviously happy to believe anything, don't worry about it, just sit back and wait for that tele-marketer to call.
We're not there for our security...we're there for theirs. If they don't want us there, GREAT!!! No problem!!
But why don't you give a shout out when we start packing...or better yet, hold our breath.
It won't happen.
Deb, I have a perfect grasp on why we're there, and it would certainly suit me just fine for us to stop defending them. The point is that they're not a true ally. You may continue to believe that if you wish, but the simple fact is they loathe us just as bin laden does, just as arafat does, just as Syria and Iran do. The sooner we come to grips with who our friends and enemies are, the better off we'll be.
I suppose you agree with McKinney in apologizing to our wonderful Saudi friends on behalf of that coarse old Giuliani?
MM
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