The Bush administration is stepping up pressure on Saudi Arabia to block contributions to charitable organizations that wind up in the pockets of terrorists.
"Those funds could get misused and where we have this information we make it available to the Saudis," Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday.
"I believe the government of Saudi Arabia has the same commitment as the United States...to eliminate the scourge of terrorism where it is found," Powell said.
The Saudis understand there is concern in the United States because most of the Sept. 11 terror suspects came from the Saudi kingdom, Powell said.
"But we should not in our concern and our desire to protect ourselves go to the point where we rupture relations with a country that has been a good friend of the United States," he said.
"It is because we have good relations with Saudi Arabia and can raise these issues with them that I believe we can work our way through them without issuing ultimatums or threats," Powell said.
According to AP, he added taking action against Saudi Arabia was not under consideration.
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said: "The president believes that Saudi Arabia has been a good partner in the war against terrorism. But even a good partner like Saudi Arabia can do more in the war."
"But it's appropriate to have a broad group look at a number of options, so it's helpful to have ideas kicked around," Fleischer said. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
