Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz received a telephone call yesterday from U.S. President George W. Bush, who praised the historic strong relations between the United States and the Kingdom. The U.S. President described as "irresponsible" what has been circulated recently in the media on the status of the relations between the two friendly countries, saying it neither expressed the reality of the ties nor reflected the strength of the bilateral relations. Such ideas, he said, will have no effect on the two countries' deep-rooted friendship and the cooperation that has existed for decades, even in the current circumstances.

Stressing the continued efforts of the U.S. administration to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, President Bush reiterated his call for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. He commented that this matter comes within the priorities of American policies not only for the stability of the region, but also because the United States is convinced that it is in its interest to carry out this important role.
Crown Prince Abdullah expressed appreciation for the President's assurances, and confirmed the strength of bilateral relations. He reiterated his concern, and that of the Saudi people, over the tragedy facing the Palestinian people under an unjust Israeli occupation. He impressed on the President the necessity that any solution of the Middle East cause should depend on the principles of justice, fairness and the United Nations resolutions. He added that the Arab countries had done their utmost with respect to the peace efforts, culminating in the Arab peace initiative.

Return