WASHINGTON Ñ House and Senate members said they might examine new initiatives
meant to restructure U.S. relations with the kingdom during the next session
of Congress. They said this could include legislation to end weapons sales
to Saudi Arabia.
Such legislation had been introduced during the current congressional
session. But it was withdrawn under heavy pressure from the Bush
administration.
Last week, Rep. Ron Paul, a Texas Republican, withdrew an amendment that
would cut arms sales to Saudi Arabia, Middle East Newsline reported. The amendment did not have the support
of the House International Relations Committee.
Paul said his amendment was meant to deem Saudi Arabia Ñ which he said
funded Islamic insurgency attacks against the United States Ñ as a country
that is not fully cooperating with the U.S.-led war on terrorism. He cited
the 15 Saudi nationals who carried out the suicide attacks on New
York and Washington on Sept. 11 as well as the large number of Saudi members
of Al Qaida captured in Afghanistan.
"It doesn't put on embargoes," Paul said of his amendment. "And it is
not nearly like designating a nation as a state sponsor of terrorism. But it
does mean that we wouldn't sell weapons to that particular country. And it
would make the point that we don't think they're cooperating enough."
Rep. Tom Lantos, a California Democrat, said Congress would return to
examine U.S.-Saudi relations and consider legislation to restrict weapons
sales to the kingdom. Lantos said Riyad has prevented the U.S. Air Force
from using Prince Sultan Air Base for Persian Gulf military operations.
"So political correctness has changed as I'm sure my friend from Texas
[Paul] understands," Lantos said. "And speaking for this side of the aisle,
we will be very happy to look at amendments and resolutions involving Saudi
Arabia. This has been a one-way relationship for too long. And it is an
outrage that the most modern and up-to-date military facility in the region
apparently would not be made available for our use in case hostilities were
to arise in that region."
