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WORLD: Obama’s warning to Saudis: Stop cash to terror groups in Pakistan
Paul Thompson03.06.09
Barack Obama begins his tour of the Middle East today with an appeal to Saudi Arabia to help curb the growing instability in Pakistan.
The kingdom has so far sat on the fence over the spread of Taliban militants on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, but the issue will be on the agenda when the President meets King Abdullah in Riyadh today.
Mr Obama's defence secretary Robert Gates has already asked Saudi Arabia, which has a close relationship with Pakistan and major influence in the region, for help in countering the terrorist threat.
Many experts say the Sunni-majority kingdom could be crucial in mediating reconciliation with extremists, and it could also help cut off large sums of money flowing to militants from wealthy Saudi donors and Islamic charities.
Saudi Arabia has historical ties with the Taliban, having worked with Pakistan to facilitate its rise in the Nineties and, along with the United Arab Emirates, was one of only two countries to recognise Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
Mr Obama is using his Middle East tour to repair America's image in the eyes of the Muslim world. The next stop on his trip will be Egypt, where he will deliver what is one of the most important speeches of his presidency.
He is expected to use his speech at the University of Cairo to portray a new America that is not at war with the Muslim world and is willing to listen.
He will point out that al Qaeda is not only an enemy of the US but of Muslims worldwide. Mr Obama will also outline the US view on Middle East peace talks, Iran, the war in Afghanistan and unrest in Pakistan.
In an NBC interview last night, Mr Obama acknowledged that there will be no quick fix to the hatred many Muslims feel towards the US. “One speech is not going to transform very real policy differences,” he said. “I don't expect that people will come away saying, We agree with every single thing that the President said.' I do hope that we can start opening a dialogue that will be more constructive.
“I hope people will have a better sense of how America views its relationship to the broader world and to Islam. I hope Americans will recognise that Islam is not a monolithic faith, that there are debates within Islam about how to adjust to a modern world.”
Reader views (7)
Who funded the terrorists Irgun and the Stern gangs who were the Zionist terrorists which I and other soldiers were fighting in Palestine around 1946 and are still an influence in the rogue state of Israel.
T H Leeds
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK
Obama must also warn the Israeli Zionists that all support for them will be withdrawn if they don't agree to a Palestinian State and stop the settlement building. The UN appears to be powerless with the Zionist country and might as well disband.
T H Leeds
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK
Ariya, I think someone here needs to lodge a formal complaint with the police about "aunty Balasingham"
The Saudi's are nuts.
- Mek, London
WW3 anyone?
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke
Funny this Obama is!
Did he threaten any country (his country included) not to fund the most notorious LTTE?
Did he threaten UK to arrest Adele Balasingham?
- Ariya, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Not only the Saudi are giving cash to Pakistan terrorist but also American CIA, RAW Mussad and Khad is also supporting to growing instability in Pakistan. Allied forces are giving the sophisticated weapon, latest vehicles and finance them. These Taliban are different who are fighting in Afghanistan against Allied Forces.
What is the reason that American general and political leaders are frequent visit to Afghanistan,Pakistan India?? What is their main agenda. Every day they change their statement, which are very ambiguous and insulting to Pakistani.
Not only wealthy Saudi donors and Islamic charities are supporting militants but also CIA, RAW is funding them.American are the creator of Taliban. They are creating division between Wahhabism,Sunni,****ti and try to make differences among them.New America is at war with the Muslim world and is not willing to listen. What is this concept new and old America.
Al Qaida was created by USA and UK. You are threatened us by the name of AlQaida, Talibans.Take out the forces from Afghanistan let them free.There is no threat to the world.Your agencies are involving all these problem.
Now the time have come to speak the truth, we have all the information through TV talk show even the leaders are accepted the truth. News papers are writing anti American sentiments. Lot on innocent peoples are dying both sides. Last 8 year Allied Forces (US) did not control over the Af, dont know how long they will fight. GOD HELP US DESINTRIGATE USA.UK
- M.A Chishty, London
These filthy Saudi's are exporting terror across the planet and the powers that be in this country are more than happy to have them build their mansions here and fund Mosques that preach that dangerous form of Islam Wahhabism.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
