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CNN Live Today

Bush Meets with Saudi Ambassador

Aired August 27, 2002 - 12:58   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: As we said, President Bush has welcomed the Saudi ambassador to his ranch in Crawford, Texas. The White House portrays it as a meeting of old friends, but these are friends with issues.
CNN's Kelly Wallace is in Crawford with more on this meeting. Don't we all have issues, Kelly?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: We all have issues, and we all enjoy an opportunity to really discuss those issues, don't we? This will be an opportunity, Kyra, for the president and the prince to discuss one key issue, and that is Iraq. The two countries definitely don't see eye to eye on what to do about Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. President Bush to use this session to plead the administration's case, and why it believes there should be preemptive action to oust Saddam Hussein.

Now, Prince Bandar bin Sultan arriving in Texas a little bit earlier this morning. He and his family getting off the plane and then getting aboard a bus, along with police escort, making their way to the president's 1600-acre ranch. The two leaders, again, to enjoy some time together, lunch, some casual time as well. But a big issue here, the Saudis have made it clear they are against any military campaign against Iraq. The same time, the administration is sort of increasing its argument. Vice President Cheney yesterday saying that the world, Arab allies, the U.S. cannot wait until Saddam Hussein obtains nuclear weapons. Well, asked about that, a top adviser to the Saudi government says that the world community can't really go after every country obtaining nuclear weapons, and he says this administration needs to answer many more questions before the Saudis could support any military action.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADEL AL-JUBEIR, SAUDI ADVISER: What we are saying is while we can agree that Saddam is a threat, what exactly will it take to deal with it? How many troops? Who is going pay for it? Where are they going to land? How many years will they have to occupy Iraq? How do you stabilize the country?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And as for the issue about whether this is an opportunity to mend fences, well, both countries saying there is no problem here. In fact, President Bush telephoning yesterday -- or talking with yesterday, Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to talk about issues, but also to reinforce the strong friendship and relationship between the two countries.

Kyra, the Saudis are very concerned about what they see as negative press, negative images of the Saudis, and that is why they are going on the offensive. They have issued this multi-page report, ten or so pages documenting what the Saudi government says it has been doing in its ongoing war on terror. They are also speaking out, Kyra, about that lawsuit filed by relatives who lost loved ones in the September 11 terrorist attack. There is a claim in that lawsuit that members of the Saudi royal family paid money to al Qaeda to prevent al Qaeda from attacking sites in Saudi Arabia. Well, the Saudis are calling that claim nonsense, but we do understand that that issue is not expected to be raised during this meeting at the ranch -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, Kelly, back to the possible war on Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and its involvement or its help or support, how important is Saudi Arabia in an attack against Iraq? Obviously, we know the air bases are very important, and what do we do if indeed they say, No way, we won't support it?

WALLACE: Very important, Kyra, because of course, as you know, the Saudis played a key role in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. This time around, the Saudis at least right now are saying that U.S. forces won't be able to use Saudi soil to launch any invasion. Well, U.S. officials are saying, perhaps, the Saudis can help in other ways. Perhaps, they can give the American administration flyover rights, the authority to fly over Saudi Arabia for any strikes on Saddam Hussein, and perhaps they can play another role, really, in terms of not speaking out so strongly against any military action if one is to take place. So this opportunity, really, the personal diplomacy, the arm twisting to make the case that if, down the road, this administration decides to pursue a preemptive strike, trying to see what if any role, the Saudis would agree to play -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Kelly Wallace, thanks so much, out of Crawford, Texas there.

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