Saudi Arabia Is Not a Puppet State: Saud
Raid Qusti, Arab News
 

RIYADH, 3 March 2008 — Saudi Arabia will never change its domestic or foreign policies under pressure from the United States, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said here yesterday.

Addressing a closed session of the 150-member Shoura Council in the capital, Prince Saud said the Kingdom’s policies were steady and not dictated by the superpower or any other country. “We have never been a puppet state,” a Shoura member quoted Prince Saud as saying.

He said the United States and Saudi Arabia have been sharing “strategic” relations over decades, but the relationship was built on national interests.

Speaking about the American bias toward Israel, the prince said the Kingdom had exerted every effort to persuade the US administration to honor its commitments to peace in the Middle East region.

“What have you done after Annapolis?” was a question directed at US President George W. Bush by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah during his visit to the Kingdom in January, the prince was quoted as saying.

Speaking about Saudi Arabia’s stance on a number of regional matters such as Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon and Iran, the prince said the Kingdom’s policies on these issues were “rational.” He said, being the cradle of Islam and home to Islam’s two holiest mosques, it was the Kingdom’s fate to have an important role in the Arab and Islamic world.

Asked about the Kingdom’s response if Iran was attacked over its nuclear program, Prince Saud said every country dreaded another war in the region, whose impact could be devastating. However, if a war broke out, Saudi Arabia would be forced to protect its interests, he said.

Regarding the negative image projected by certain media outlets about Saudi Arabia in the West and the need to improve the country’s image abroad, the foreign minister said it was unfortunate that Western media outlets continue to print misleading facts about the Kingdom. He said the Kingdom was moving forward to correct misconceptions about the country by promoting more cultural exchange with foreign states.

Regarding steps to improve living conditions of Saudis working in the diplomatic corps, Prince Saud said the Kingdom was keen on safeguarding their interests, as they are citizens representing the country abroad. He said a new wage scale diplomats and support staff was currently being looked into by senior officials.

Prince Saud also spoke about the upcoming Arab summit in Damascus and Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen Arab unity. “The Kingdom offers solutions and presents proposals through the Arab League to achieve political and economic stability in member countries and settle conflicts,” the prince told the Shoura.

He said Arab foreign ministers will discuss all aspects related to the Arab summit in Damascus, adding that Riyadh sees the summit as a venue to unify Arab ranks. He also referred to the Kingdom’s efforts to stop Israeli violations against the Palestinians and settle the Lebanese crisis.

Arab News.com