Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General, and U.S. Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld today held a press conference at which they announced the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Kingdom.
They stressed that the end of the mission of U.S. forces in the Kingdom is a response to the new situation in the region, which does not require the implementation of the UN resolution regarding the no-fly zones in Iraq, subsequent to the removal of Saddam Hussein’s regime from power. The withdrawal of troops, therefore, is a practical response to circumstances, and does not in any way reflect negatively on U.S.-Saudi relations.
In the joint press conference held here today, Rumsfeld described the meeting with Prince Sultan as very good, and expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality accorded him by Saudi leaders and officials.
The U.S. Secretary of Defence said: “We discussed the changes taking place in the region, which has become more secure after the change of the regime in Iraq. At the end of the operation of Southern Watch, and the successful liberation of the Iraqi people, we discussed the topic of rearrangement of our troops in the region. By a mutual agreement, the U.S. forces present in the Kingdom will now leave. We feel grateful for the support and cooperation spelled out by the Kingdom. I expect that the presence of our troops in the region will be reduced. This stand reflects close cooperation and friendship between our two countries.”
Replying to a question on whether the departure of the U.S. forces was upon the Kingdom’s request, Prince Sultan said: “As the U.S. Secretary of Defence pointed out, these forces have been present to monitor Iraqi air space. Following the end of this mission, there is no need for their presence. This does not mean that we request them to leave. We agree that since the mission of these forces has come to an end, there is now no need whatsoever for their presence. But this does not mean that there is no friendship between our two countries.”
Prince Sultan said that cooperation between the two countries has continued since before the war of 1990-1991, and will continue beyond the war in Iraq. He cited the example of the U.S. military training mission which has been based in the Kingdom for years, and is scheduled to remain in order to acquaint Saudis with the latest military technology that might be purchased from the U.S. “There is mutual confidence between the two countries,” Prince Sultan told reporters.
On relations between the two countries in view of the changes that have taken place in the region, Rumsfeld said: “The liberation of Iraq had changed the situation in the Gulf and allowed Washington to reduce its troops in the region. The relationship between our two countries is multi-dimensional: diplomatic, economic, and military.” Rumsfeld reiterated Prince Sultan’s words regarding cooperation between the two countries, which will focus on training and joint exercises.
On U.S. treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Rumsfeld said: “I think it would be fair to say that U.S. treatment of Guantanamo detainees complies with Geneva Conventions.” He cited reports and testimonies by several representatives of Red Cross and other countries. “At least we can say that the detainees are treated in a proper humanitarian way,” he said. Rumsfeld explained that intelligence information that could be obtained from the detainees is of great importance to the fight against international terrorism and to the United States.
With regard to the failure of the U.S. to disclose any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq thus far, Rumsfeld said that Saddam’s authorities were very successful in hiding what they have, even with the presence of UN inspectors in their country. He expressed his belief that weapons of mass destruction would be discovered following the capture of those who have direct access to the Iraq’s weapons program, and know exactly where these arms are concealed. “I am optimistic that such wanted leaders would be arrested soon,” he said, noting the cooperation of the Iraqi people with U.S. troops in this regard.
Rumsfeld denied that the United States has an unannounced agenda in the Arab region. “The U.S. doesn't have defence policy in the region. It has a national interest represented by the policy of the President. The U.S. policy is explicit,” he said.
In response to a question on diplomatic relations in the region, Prince Sultan welcomed the integration of post-Saddam Iraq into in Arab and Gulf and Islamic arenas.
Asked to comment on what has been regarded as an Iranian threat to the civilian Iraqi government and the security of the region, Prince Sultan said that he could see no hostility in the attitude of the Iranian government towards a liberated post-Saddam Iraq.
Source: SPA
