GrPrtrd8
August 21st 04, 11:10 AM
Saudi adverts avow loyalty to US
By Jeremy Cooke
US correspondent
Aug 20 2004
(BBC online)
Saudi Arabia has launched a series of radio advertisements in the US aimed at
restoring the kingdom's battered public image there.
The announcements stress that Saudi Arabia is a loyal ally in the fight against
al-Qaeda.
The Saudis appear to have been stung by heavy criticism in the US press and
mass media.
There have been repeated claims that the Saudi government is not fully
committed to the fight against terror.
The theme has been taken up, among others, by the Democratic Party's
presidential candidate, Senator John Kerry, who has repeatedly questioned the
will of the Saudis to take on al-Qaeda.
Commission conclusion
Now, the Saudis are clearly determined to act to restore their damaged image
among ordinary Americans.
Saudi officials have launched two radio commercials in 19 key cities across the
US, which quote from the US commission that investigated the 11 September
attacks.
The broadcasts stress that the commission found there was no evidence that the
Saudi government supported or funded al-Qaeda and insist that their country is
a strong ally and committed friend of the US.
There is no mention of other comments published in the commission's report,
which conclude that Saudi Arabia is a problematic ally in combating Islamic
terrorism.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3575016.stm
By Jeremy Cooke
US correspondent
Aug 20 2004
(BBC online)
Saudi Arabia has launched a series of radio advertisements in the US aimed at
restoring the kingdom's battered public image there.
The announcements stress that Saudi Arabia is a loyal ally in the fight against
al-Qaeda.
The Saudis appear to have been stung by heavy criticism in the US press and
mass media.
There have been repeated claims that the Saudi government is not fully
committed to the fight against terror.
The theme has been taken up, among others, by the Democratic Party's
presidential candidate, Senator John Kerry, who has repeatedly questioned the
will of the Saudis to take on al-Qaeda.
Commission conclusion
Now, the Saudis are clearly determined to act to restore their damaged image
among ordinary Americans.
Saudi officials have launched two radio commercials in 19 key cities across the
US, which quote from the US commission that investigated the 11 September
attacks.
The broadcasts stress that the commission found there was no evidence that the
Saudi government supported or funded al-Qaeda and insist that their country is
a strong ally and committed friend of the US.
There is no mention of other comments published in the commission's report,
which conclude that Saudi Arabia is a problematic ally in combating Islamic
terrorism.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3575016.stm