Monday, May 04, 2009

Bilateral Relations,: US assures Saudi Arabia over Iran policy

Reuters reports US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he would reassure Saudi Arabia this week that the kingdom would not suffer from Washington's efforts to improve its relations with Iran.

Gates, who visits Egypt and Saudi Arabia this week, said US allies had no cause for concern and promised Washington would be "tough-minded" with Tehran if its overtures were rebuffed.

"One important message will be, particularly for the Saudis, that any kind of outreach to Iran will not be at the expense of our long-term relationships with Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states that have been our partners and friends for decades," he said.
Published by Mike Hitchen, Mike Hitchen Consulting
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