Bush Coddles Saudis, Again
Listed in: Other Foreign Policy, NJDC News
On Monday, Saudi leaders once again descended on President Bush's Texas ranch. And once again, as the official White House photo (click here) might suggest, Bush gave the Saudis a free ride when it comes to the virulent, outspoken anti-Semitism of Saudi leaders; or their support for terrorism; or their other repressive policies.
Time and time again, this White House refuses to confront the Saudis where it counts most. On Monday, Bush held hands with Crown Prince Abdullah, who regularly blames Jews, "Zionists," and Israel for a laundry list of evils. Just last summer, on Saudi television, he blamed Israel for the executions of an American hostage in the Middle East (click for more).
Perhaps emblematic of the depths of Saudi Arabia's terror ties, the AFP wire service reported on Monday that one member of Crown Prince Abdullah's delegation was actually found to be "on a government list meant to screen out possible terrorists" -- and was denied entry to the United States. (click for more)
An editorial in this week's New York Jewish Week asserts that the White House photos just "pointed to the administration's failure to hold the desert kingdom to the same standards it demands from others in the region." The Jewish Week notes the Saudis "continue to support some of the same terrorist groups that are killing Americans today."
So who is leading the charge to stop giving the Saudis a pass?
The Democratic Party and its leaders.
Below is just a small selection of what leading Democrats have to say about America's relationship with Saudi Arabia.
----------------------------------------------------
Governor Howard Dean, Democratic National Committee Chairman:
Just last month, Gov. Dean condemned "what Saudi Arabia is doing around the world to finance the teaching of hatred of Americans, Christians, Jews and moderate Muslims. We need to confront that, and we need to confront it boldly because there is a long-term danger in what the Saudis are using our oil money for." (click for more)
Senator Charles Schumer:
In advance of President Bush's meeting with the Saudis, Senator Schumer wrote to Bush on Friday noting his deep concern regarding "the government of Saudi Arabia's commitment to the War on Terror, which is drawn into question by its continued support for extremist religious incitement, recruitment, and education around the world." Senator Schumer urged Bush to "completely and directly" confront Crown Prince Abdullah. (click here for more)
Senator Ron Wyden:
Today, Senator Wyden commented, "For too long, the Bush Administration has let Saudi Arabia off easy. It's time the Administration got tough and held the Saudis accountable for their financial and philosophical support of terrorism. It's unacceptable for the Saudi government to turn a blind eye any longer to radical factions whose ideologies and activities threaten the Middle East and the wider world."
House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer:
Last May, Rep. Hoyer noted that "the time has come for the United States and the rest of the civilized world to pressure Saudi Arabia to crack down on those within its borders who fund, facilitate and rationalize terrorism. Furthermore, the Saudi government can no longer escape responsibility for supporting and exporting the intolerant brand of Islam known as Wahhabism, which breeds hatred of other countries, including the United States and Israel...." (click for full text)
Senator John Kerry:
In a speech to the Anti-Defamation League last May, Senator Kerry said: "With Saudi-funded hate speech littering the textbooks of children and the Saudi interior minister claiming that 'the Jews' were responsible for 9/11, our current administration thinks that our current relationship with this regime is acceptable. I do not...." (click for more
