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| Arabia |
| Largest Saudi trade delegation to Baghdad in 12 years |
| 2002-11-02 |
| The Iraqi authorities yesterday re-opened the border Ar'ar crossing with Saudi Arabia to permit the passage of persons and commodities for the first time since its closure during the Gulf crisis in 1990. Wotta coincidence that it should happen right now, when the U.S. is threatening war with Iraq. That couldn't mean the Soddies are on the Iraqi side, could it? This is the largest Saudi delegation to visit Baghdad since severing relations between the two states following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait since 12 years. The delegation is led by Abdul Rahman al-Zamel, of the board of the Saudi center for exports promotion, who is also a member in the Saudi Shoura council. Iraqi trade sources said that 43 of major Saudi companies are intending to take part in Baghdad's trade exhibition. So they headed the delegation with a Shura member. That's so it has lotsa prestige... Ar'ar border crossing permits the transport of Saudi exports directly to Iraq instead of passing a third country as used to happen before. This sort of thing is a pretty obvious slap to the American face, and I don't know to what end. Even the Arabs — most of them, anyway — admit that Sammy's a bloody-handed dictator. The U.S. is probably going to trounce him within the next six months and chances are good he won't survive the experience. So why do the Soddies intent on not only being on, but leading the losing side? Are they trying to delay? Are they hoping to avert an attack? Or are they looking toward the postwar situation? Or are they simply not imaginative enough to plan any move that doesn't involve opposing the U.S.? I confess: I'm not smart enough to figure it at this point. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #1 Not smart enough here either, but willing to speculate: they fear a state on their border with the beginnings of a democratic or parliamentary republic, with American control of the oil, and the ability to broadcast open media into Saudi - Iran has (or should have) similar fears |
| Posted by: Frank G 2002-11-02 16:18:22 |