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. Saturday, 16 March, 2002


Cheney Discusses Iraq in Saudi Arabia

VOA News
16 Mar 2002
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U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney has met with senior Saudi officials, including the de facto ruler Crown Prince Abdullah, to discuss the Mideast crisis and the second phase of the U.S.-led war against terrorism. 

No details of Saturday's talks in Jeddah were expected until Sunday, when Mr. Cheney will travel to Bahrain on the next leg of his 11-nation Mideast tour. 

However, as has been the case in other countries on Mr. Cheney's trip, agreement on how to deal with Iraq was not expected in Saudi Arabia. 

Prince Abdullah strongly opposes U.S. threats to extend the U.S.-led campaign against terror to Iraq, saying earlier this week it would be bad for the United States, the Middle East and the world. The Saudi leader also says he does not believe such action will result in the overthrow of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. 

The United States has made it clear it wants Saddam Hussein removed from power, saying he is trying to acquire or develop weapons of mass destruction that could threaten world freedom.
 
 

Vice President Cheney and Prince Abdullah were also are expected to discuss the prince's proposal for Arab countries to normalize relations with Israel in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from territory captured in the 1967 Middle East war.

 The vice president is scheduled to visit Israel later in his 11-nation Middle East tour, as well as Kuwait, Turkey and Qatar. He has already visited Jordan, Egypt, Yemen, Oman and several U.S. military bases along the way.
 
 

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters. 

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