Author:
Publication: Middle East News Line
Date: October 17, 2001
London (MENL) - Saudi Arabia is
quietly debating whether to end the U.S. military presence in the kingdom.
Western diplomatic sources said
the Saudi royal family has not relayed any such intent to Washington. But
the royal family has been examining the option of calling on U.S. forces
to leave the kingdom to relieve the intense pressure by the Islamic opposition.
Crown Prince Abdullah, the sources
said, appears to favor such a call. The move is said to be opposed by Saudi
Defense Minister Prince Sultan, a rival to the throne.
An estimated 13,000 U.S. military
personnel and support staff are deployed in eastern Saudi Arabia. The U.S.
military also has the use of facilities in Dharan, Riyad and Taji for aircraft.
The military personnel is joined
by another 30,000 American nationals, many of whom help train the Saudi
military and work on weapons programs.
The sources said the Pentagon is
aware of the debate within the Saudi ruling family. They said officials
have been examining alternatives to the U.S. military presence in the kingdom.
The options could include Oman,
regarded as Washington's most reliable ally in the Gulf. The United States
could also transfer aircraft and installations to such countries as Bahrain,
Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
The debate within the royal family
is not meant to end the U.S.-Saudi alliance, the sources said. They said
Riyad intends to maintain oil stability, a key interest of Washington.
