U.S. Iraq Role Is Called Illegal by Saudi King

[cal04]

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia told Arab leaders on Wednesday that the American occupation of Iraq was illegal and warned that unless Arab governments settled their differences, foreign powers like the United States would continue to dictate the region’s politics.

The king’s speech, at the opening of the Arab League meeting here, underscored growing differences between Saudi Arabia and the Bush administration as the Saudis take on a greater leadership role in the Middle East, partly at American urging.

The Saudis seem to be emphasizing that they will not be beholden to the policies of their longtime ally.

They brokered a deal between the two main Palestinian factions last month, but one that Israel and the United States found deeply problematic because it added to the power of the radical group Hamas rather than the more moderate Fatah. On Wednesday King Abdullah called for an end to the international boycott of the new Palestinian government. The United States and Israel want the boycott continued.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/29/world/middleeast/29saudi.html?hp

[PDJane]

1. Of course it's illegal........

The subtext has always been, with this administration, that the US is above international law.

[Aviation Pro]

2. 15 of the 19 terrorists who commandered....

...the airplanes that brought down the WTC, destroyed part of Pentagon, and put a large smoking hole in PA (if you believe the official story), were from Saudi Arabia.

Why are we in Iraq?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. I guess maybe we won't see any more scenes like this:

and Bush won't be writing "George & Abdullah" over and over on his spiral notebook in purple ink.

[jwirr]

4. This coupled with the Kings decision not attend *ss's dinner party

seems to indicate a change of direction for the House of Saud.

[Vidar]

5. More Bush buddies turning on him.