SAUDI ARABIA and terrorism

While Iran is viewed by the US as sponsoring terrorism, Saudi Arabia is accused of funding it. This was the subject of hearings held by the Senate Government Affairs Committee. Republican Senator Arlen Specter, a former public prosecutor, was the key member of the committee, and he used his prosecutorial skills. Being Jewish, he has a special interest in the problem. Again tension between Congress and the Administration was evident. A key issue was the suppression in a government report of 27 pages dealing with Saudi involvement in supporting terrorism. Saudi Arabia gives $4 billion a tear to "charity". Specter was especially interested in alleged front organizations like World Assembly of Muslim Youth. A key witness was Richard Newcomb, director of the Foreign Assets Control Office of the Treasury Department., He produced some intricate charts showing the interconnections of various terrorist groups, but when Senator Specter tried to pin him down he squirmed, clearly unwilling to disclose some secrets held by the Administration. Naturally Saudi Arabia denied the charges made against it.

Ronald Hilton - 8/1/03