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Saudi Wonât Join G8 Meet Where Arab Reform on Table
Saudi Arabia has become the second U.S. Arab ally after Egypt to shun next monthâs G8 summit where Washington is to unveil a disputed Middle East reform plan, with Tunisia and Qatar also uncertain to attend. Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal told Fridayâs Arabic daily al-Hayat that his country "did not have any intention" of taking part in the meeting on June 8-11 in the United States. The kingdom has criticized Washingtonâs "Greater Middle East Initiative" and once close ties have been strained since the September 2001 attacks which were blamed on al Qaeda and carried out mainly by Saudis. Egypt has already turned down a U.S. invitation to the summit because of the reform plan, and has said Tunisia and Qatar are also unlikely to go, though neither has confirmed this. Many Arabs have criticized the initiative, designed to counter militant Islam with political and social changes, for seeking to impose reform from abroad and for failing to address key regional issues such as the Arab-Israeli conflict. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said on Monday Arab identity should not be "dissolved" into a wider region under the American plan. The White House said on Monday President Bush had invited the leaders of Afghanistan, Bahrain, Jordan, Yemen and Algeria to the summit at Sea Island, Georgia. But a day earlier, London-based al-Hayat quoted diplomatic sources in Washington as saying invitations had been sent to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Morocco too. Jordanâs King Abdullah, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and Bahrainâs King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa -- whose countries are all close U.S. allies -- are expected to attend. "King Abdullah will make clear Jordanâs reform drive, which began some time ago, and reiterate that the Palestinian issue is an essential part of achieving reform in the region," a Jordanian government spokeswoman said. Posted by: TS(vice girl) 2004-05-29 |
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