Saudis Said to Aid Iraq War Extensively

[CatWoman]

WASHINGTON - During the Iraq (news - web sites) war, Saudi Arabia secretly helped the United States far more than has been acknowledged, allowing operations from at least three air bases, permitting special forces to stage attacks from Saudi soil and providing cheap fuel, U.S. and Saudi officials say.

The American air campaign against Iraq was essentially managed from inside Saudi borders, where military commanders operated an air command center and launched refueling tankers, F-16 fighter jets, and sophisticated intelligence gathering flights, according to the officials.

Much of the assistance has been kept quiet for more than a year by both countries for fear it would add to instability inside the kingdom. Many Saudis oppose the war and U.S. presence on Saudi soil has been used by Osama bin Laden (news - web sites) to build his terror movement.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040424/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_war_saudis_2

[Christ was Socialist]

1. Im waiting for the to overthrow the house of saud

Waiting...Hoping...

[KissMyAsscroft]

2. That's not gonna happen.

We are protecting them. Won't let it happen.

[Christ was Socialist]

9. sad, but true <nt>

[Spazito]

3. I think we can encapsulate this as the bush defense of Woodward's...

truth. It is a pretty weak one, imo. Anonymous sources spouting unprovable statements. Another example of the close Saudi/bush cable relationship.

[Cocoa]

4. instability inside the kingdom?

our kingdom or their kingdom?

[zanana]

5. I have always suspected that cats wink at people...

Especially when we're not looking, but the pictures of your four cats proves this theory. I also suspect that they laugh at us when we're not looking. I'll wait to see the pictures.

[Gin]

6. the royal family is one big family....5000 + members...

wholy cow....all royal. wow.

[cliss]

7. Does anybody else find this strange? That muslims

would plot against fellow muslims and assist in their deaths & maimings? Doesn't this create instability for Saudi Arabia, as well?

This would be like China trying to get us to collaborate with the overthrow and subsequent destruction of Canada, and we go along with it. Why on earth would they do it?

Color me confused.

[Carni]

8. The saudis are Sunnis

Wahhabis, but still Sunnis and the shiites and sunnis don't like each other (I think although I am confused 9 times out of 10)

In any case to answer your question no, it makes no sense to me either. They all seem to be extremists with similar religious goals... so you would think they would support one another when push came to shove.

I still say in the end bush's Saudi pals are going to turn on him and bite him in the ass -- JMO

[MO_Dem]

10. Provided cheap fuel?

Wonder if that's the same "cheap" fuel that Halliburton charged US a humongous price for?

[daleo]

11. If the U.S. military has to withdraw from Iraq

Does this mean that Saudi Arabia will allow them back in big numbers at the bases there, that I thought had been abandoned? Letting this news out now must serve a function.

[keithyboy]

12. Not Saudi Arabia but the House of Saud. The royal family.

Thanks to the US war on terrorism and Bush's unabashed support of Sharon policies, I believe the House of Saud has seen its best days. Color them gone.

[maggrwaggr]

13. then why don't the Saudis help fucking PAY for it?

let's send them the goddamn tab. I sure as hell don't want MY tax dollars going to this mass homicide.

Since we seem to be run now by Saudi Arabia, why are we paying any taxes at all?

[physioex]

14. You can't pay for the life of a dead US soldier....

It cant be replaced. You think money is everything?

[maggrwaggr]

15. what are you talking about?

I'm talking about my tax dollars going to pay for this:



What are you talking about?

[dArKeR]

16. Saudi bases used by US in Iraq war - TT

AP , WASHINGTON
Monday, Apr 26, 2004,Page 6

During the Iraq war, Saudi Arabia secretly helped the US far more than has been acknowledged, allowing operations from at least three air bases, permitting special forces to stage attacks from Saudi soil and providing cheap fuel, US and Saudi officials say.

The American air campaign against Iraq was essentially managed from inside Saudi borders, where military commanders operated an air command center and launched refueling tankers, F-16 fighter jets, and sophisticated intelligence gathering flights, according to the officials.

Much of the assistance has been kept quiet for more than a year by both countries for fear it would add to instability inside the kingdom. Many Saudis oppose the war and US presence on Saudi soil has been used by Osama bin Laden to build his terrorism movement.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/04/26/2003138159

[Disturbed]

17. Saudi Royals

They are worried about Shi'ites alligning themselves up with Iran who are mainly Shi'ites. Bushco must have assured them that Iraq would be controlled by the US with an iron fist. One of the other reasons that the USA and Allies didn't overthrow Saddam in the 1st Gulf War is that the Saudi Royals strongly argued against it and no help was given to the Shi'ites when they tried to overthrow Saddam shortly after that. People speak about an exit strategy for the US. There never was one!