Rice, Gates to meet Saudis, push for more Iraq support

[sabra]

Source: USAToday

WASHINGTON — President Bush this week is sending two top Cabinet officials on an unusual joint visit to Saudi Arabia, where concerns about Iraq have strained relations with one of Washington's oldest Mideast allies.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates are to meet Tuesday with King Abdullah in the Red Sea port of Jeddah to encourage the Saudi monarch to support Iraq's troubled government and help revive peace prospects between Israel and the Palestinians.

The visit comes less than a week after administration officials disclosed plans to sell billions of dollars in sophisticated weapons to Saudi Arabia to counter what they say is a growing threat from Iran. The proposed arms sale, which requires approval by Congress, was confirmed Sunday by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

In spite of the arms package, the administration is frustrated with the Saudis and other Persian Gulf countries. Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Sunday that "Saudi Arabia and a number of other countries are not doing all they can to help us in Iraq."

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-07-29-Saudis_N.htm

[cliss]

1. "They are not doing all they can to help us in Iraq".

Well, I wonder why that is. Could it possibly be they knew it was doomed from the start? And why would all the other countries take the same stance? I.e. to let the US dig itself deep into the Iraqi sands, with the wheels spinning.

As we hemorrhage to death financially, the other countries sit on the sidelines and watch.

Why get in the way when your enemy insists on self-destruction?

[Supersedeas]

2. to bargain AFTER the military supplies arrive -- tough Diplomacy?