As U.S. President Bush and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah prepare to meet Thursday, disagreements over Israel and terrorism are shadowing the long relationship between their countries.
However, the Saudi peace plan - a Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank in exchange for Arab states’ commitment to normalize relations with Israel - has provided an important Arab endorsement of Bush's similar vision for peace. A senior White House official said the initiative "opened a new portal" for negotiations, and called the framework the foundation on which a land-for-peace deal will be established once the stalled peace talks resume.
"The Saudis have been very constructive in the war on terrorism, and very constructive in general, as a partner," the senior administration official told The Wall Street Journal.
According to the Arab News daily, Abdullah’s main goal is to provide Bush with some clear insight, directly and frankly, on the present situation in the Middle East. While Crown Prince Abdullah is likely to criticize the U.S. role in the Middle East during closed meetings at Bush's Texas ranch, the two are not planning any joint appearances.
Saudi foreign policy adviser Adel Jubier this past weekend said on NBC-TV that U.S. credibility in the Middle East is "suffering tremendously." The Saudis are upset that Bush has not forcefully prodded Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to end his siege of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's compound in Ramallah, and retreat from its military offensive into Palestinian territory. The Saudis believe President Bush has mishandled diplomacy in the region.
Regarding the anti-terror war, the Bush administration is growing increasingly concerned that the Saudis are backing “terrorists.” Secretary of State Colin Powell has said he planned to raise concerns that money raised in the recent Saudi telethon may be funding “terrorist” groups, including Hamas. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
