Nov-4-2002
"Saudi Arabia will not allow bases on its territory to be used for an attack on Iraq even if the United Nations approves military action, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said in an interview broadcast Sunday.
In the CNN interview, al-Faisal said more clearly that Saudi cooperation would not include permitting use of its territory for strikes against Iraq. "We will cooperate with the Security Council, but as to entering the conflict or using the facilities as part of the conflict, that is something else," Saud said.
Pressed about whether Saudi bases could be used, he gave a definite "no."
White House aide Mary Matalin responded obliquely when asked about Saud's comments in a separate CNN interview. "We have many friends and allies in the region, and we have many friends and allies around the world. There is no doubt that George Bush will not enter into any kind of conflict unless he's sure of victory," she said, according to AP.
Saud also said his government believed it was still possible to avoid war. "Iraq has made a very clear and unambiguous promise to the Arab countries that it will abide by the United Nations resolutions," he said."
... The plot <a href="http://www.antiwar.com/rep/hopsicker1.html">thickens</a>. <a href="http://www.albawaba.com/news/index.php3?sid=232481&lang=e&dir=news">Where</a> are <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64175-2002Nov3.html">'our'</a> allies when 'we' need them <a href="http://www.efreedomnews.com/News%20Archive/Attack%20on%20America/911Terrorists_1.htm">most</a>?
X.