04 September 2003 05:12
Gulf News says: New chapter in Saudi-Russia ties
After decades of Saudi Arabia ignoring Russia, or the former Soviet Union, the remarkable visit to Moscow by Crown Prince Abdullah has given Saudi Arabia a new dimension in its foreign relations. After decades of trying to be close to the United States, Saudi Arabia is now sending a clear message that it can talk to anyone it wants to. Prince Abdullah is the first Saudi official of his rank to visit Moscow in more than 70 years, and he has gone straight into substantial talks on a wide range of issues. Both states support the Middle East roadmap, with Saudi Arabia calling for full implementation and the introduction of an international force to help impose it, although the Russians have said slightly it will work only if the Israelis and Palestinians agree to it. Given the present agenda of the US and the world, it was natural for both states to include terror on the list, but their interest was more than lip service to America since both have suffered from violent action in different ways, Russia in Chechnya and Saudi Arabia from its recent bombings. In addition, both countries are major oil producers: Russia is the world's second largest oil exporter behind Saudi Arabia. The visit has also included the signing of an oil and gas cooperation agreement, which might even include coordinated action on production volume and prices, and certainly involves plans for exploration joint ventures. The most important feature of the visit is the new political dimension that Saudi Arabia has added to its foreign policy. The United States remains as the world sole superpower and the Saudi's major ally, but recent tensions between the Bush administration and Saudi Arabia have encouraged them to look at other important world leaders. Gulf News says: One more step but pace must quicken That Iraq's interim cabinet, sworn in yesterday, will enjoy real control over the running of the government, as pledged by U.S. overseer Paul Bremer, is bound to receive only qualified endorsement by the Iraqis and the rest of Arabia because ultimate sovereignty will remain with the U.S.-led occupation force. Even as every step in the direction of a final handover of power to the Iraqi people should be welcomed, it should be brought home to the Americans that whatever goodwill they have left in Iraq and the region, following the removal of the Saddam regime, is eroding by the day. Arab governments such as the UAE, that have agreed to work with the interim cabinet, are doing so for the good of the Iraqi people in line with the stand taken by the assassinated Shiite spiritual leader, Ayatollah Mohammed Baqr Al Hakim, and Iraq's senior cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani. America's call for UN involvement shows Washington's realisation that it badly needs the international community behind it. But America's insistence on control is at cross purposes with its stated aims of restoring security and stability to Iraq. This can only be done by quickly making it possible for the Iraqi people to run their own affairs.
[AIW [Asia Africa Intelligence Wire]] |
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