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CNN Live At Daybreak

U.S. Disputes Analyst's View of Saudi Arabia

Aired August 07, 2002 - 06:07   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: An analysis of U.S.-Saudi relations has upset some people in Washington and in Saudi Arabia. The Bush administration is assuring the Arab kingdom that a Rand private think tank report portraying the kingdom as an enemy of the United States is unfounded.

Our Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre, has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a presentation entitled "Taking the Saudi out of Arabia," the Rand analysts argued the U.S. should threaten to seize Saudi oil fields and to freeze the kingdom's financial assets, if the longtime U.S. ally doesn't take steps to curb what the analysts characterized as "anti- American activities." The Pentagon quickly distanced itself from the proposal, which was made before the Defense Policy Board, a high-level group that advises the Pentagon.

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: He had an opinion and, of course, everyone has a right to their opinion. It did not represent the views of the government. It didn't represent the views of the Defense Policy Board.

MCINTYRE: Nevertheless, the story is troublesome for the administration, because it highlights the ambivalence some in the U.S. government feel about the Saudi regime. The ruling royal family has always been a reluctant ally, fearing its close ties to the United States could fuel an Islamic revolution at home.

RUMSFELD: It's harmful in this case, for example, because it creates a misimpression that someone then has to figure out a way to correct.

MCINTYRE: During the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Saudi Arabia hosted half a million U.S. troops, and as the U.S. readies for another assault on Iraq, Saudi Arabia is balking. Still, publicly, the Pentagon won't complain.

GEN. RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: Saudi Arabia has been a -- I mean, it's been a partner for many decades in the region, and an important partner and I think in terms of our work in Afghanistan, and the support we've asked, they have been very forthcoming. MCINTYRE: But the U.S. is already making backup plans to act without much Saudi support, installing a high-tech command center at this airbase in the Persian Gulf state of Qatar in case it can't use one in Saudi Arabia.

(on camera): Secretary of State Colin Powell called his Saudi counterpart to reassure him the United States does not see Saudi Arabia as an emerging enemy. Meanwhile, Pentagon officials privately expressed confidence that Saudi Arabia will provide help if the U.S. moves against Iraq, so long as the kingdom's rulers can deny publicly they are providing support.

Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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