Trouble in paradise? Saudis give Rice "lukewarm" reception...

[Virginia Dare]

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 16--Saudi Arabia's foreign minister on Tuesday offered only lukewarm support for President Bush's new plan for stabilizing Iraq, saying it was up to the Iraqi government to show it could end sectarian violence and unite the fractured nation.

Prince Saud al-Faisal said he supported "the objectives" of Bush's plan, which calls for an increase of 20,000 troops to secure Baghdad, but declined to discuss the specifics.

-snip-

Saud's response to Rice's visit was distinctly cooler than that of the Egyptian foreign minister, who after a meeting with Rice on Monday said Egypt was "supportive of that plan."

From Riyadh, Rice flew to Kuwait, where she will jawbone Persian Gulf foreign ministers at a joint meeting Tuesday night.

Saud described the situation in Iraq as a "morass" which he said "serves no one. It serves no neighboring country or regional power or no international power


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/16/AR2007011600406.html

[Philosoraptor]

1. Imagine them taking a woman seriously.

And a black woman at that, with her legs exposed for all the world to see like a whore.

Her mere prescence there is an insult to the royal house of Saud.

[Virginia Dare]

3. The Egyptians, very predictably...

gave her a "real good massage". Nobody can say they don't work for their money.

[maxsolomon]

6. the exposed legs are fine with me, but i don't take her seriously

i've never heard her say anything that wasn't:

1. a lie
2. mendacious
3. self-evident

the US sec. of state should be able to speak without "umms" & "ahhhs" - it gives away the fact that she's got no position, no leverage, no clue how to deal with arabs. we're reduced to asking debauched medieval despots for suggestions.

and starting up the israeli/palestinian peace process NOW? conveinient timing, condi.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

16. that's a very good point, Philosoraptor and speaking of taking women seriously, K&R Ms. Dare...

you just keep daring to be great here at DU, don't you?
I wonder if the Saudis respect this type of service?
Here's a cool graphic I found recently:

[elehhhhna]

18. Hate to say this but you are right on the money.

I've met some folks who've lived and worked and a few gals who were based in Saudi in our Mil, and you nailed it.

They hate western women. They hate black people. They have a very, very tribal way of thinking and a racist, misogynist culture.

[Norquist Nemesis]

2. "she will jawbone Persian Gulf foreign ministers at a joint meeting"

:spray:

[Virginia Dare]

4. Is the chimp writing the press releases now?...n/t

[peekaloo]

7. fundie codespeak? jawbone of an ass?

or something more, eh?

:rofl:

[Norquist Nemesis]

8. Oh, hell! She'll be handing out Cuban cigars just to be things started

:evilgrin:

[peekaloo]

10. .

:spray:

[Theres-a]

5. Morass

Aptly put.

[Double T]

9. cheney gets a short and sweet 'frigid' reception, NOW condi gets a cool.......

reception from the Saudis. When your 'friends' start turning on YOU, YOU know YOU have got a serious problem. I'm sure bushco won't get the message and just 'stay the course' or 'move forward' or 'surge'.

[NV Whino]

11. Did the Saudis ever replace

the ambassador that left? I don't recall a replacement, but could have missed it.

[Virginia Dare]

12. Yes,

he is a "public relations specialist" according to this link.

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/06/front2454092.2430555555.html

[NV Whino]

14. Thanks

A public relations specialist and not a prince. That's a novelty.

[bdamomma]

13. she should just play the piano, instead of playing politics with people

[lpbk2713]

15. The Saudis know how much BushCo stock is now worth in the USA.

Not worth a damn. So they are just waiting for the next two years to pass just like the rest of us until the real government takes office.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

17. the "real government" that they will own, just like they own the current one...

Saudi Royalty also owns well-over 10% of America. If we intend to bring Democracy to the Mid-East, perhaps we should start by invading that oppressive monarchy. Not only Bin Laden but also most of the 9/11 gang of fundamentally unsound zealots came from UAR.