ACCESSION
NUMBER:353057
FILE ID:NEA406
DATE:07/14/94
TITLE:GORE: U.S. SENDING ONE OF ITS VERY BEST AS AMBASSADOR TO RIYADH (07/14/94)
TEXT:*94071402.PFN gore: mabus ambass to riyadh/#aq sg kf +
*NEA406 07/14/94
GORE: U.S. SENDING ONE OF ITS VERY BEST AS AMBASSADOR TO RIYADH
(Hails U.S.-Saudi relations at Mabus swearing-in) (680)
By Ahmed Qutub
USIA Staff Writer
Washington -- President Clinton's selection of Raymond Mabus as the new U.S.
ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia demonstrates his "determination
to send one of America's very best to such an important diplomatic
assignment," Vice President Gore said July 13.
Speaking at a State Department swearing-in ceremony for Mabus, Gore said
that this selection demonstrates Clinton's "commitment to send someone who
understands extremely well how decisions are made in the U.S. government,
and who understands very well the whole concerns that need to be taken into
account."
Gore said that Clinton "admires Raymond...he values his personality and
character, his drive, his enormous intelligence and his ability to
communicate ideas clearly." He added, "This will be particularly valuable
in serving this extremely important relationship between the United States
and Saudi Arabia."
Mabus, who served as governor of Mississipi in 1988-92, welcomed Clinton's
invitation to serve as ambassador to a "vital ally and a partner for
stability and peace in the Middle East."
The vice president said that Operation Desert Storm has demonstrated to many
the "vital importance of American-Saudi cooperation," adding that Saudi
Arabia is "one of our important commercial partners and a valued friend."
Mabus said before several hundred guests -- including Prince Bandar Ben
Sultan, the Saudi ambassador to Washington -- that Saudi Arabia has an
"unprecedented impact on the world's energy equation" and is a major market
for American goods, and therefore for American workers -- buying $10
billion worth of our products in the past four months alone."
Cooperation between our two countries, Gore stressed, is "built on a solid
foundation, bilateral friendship, understanding and the pursuit of common
goals." He cited U.S.-Saudi partnership during the Cold War when both
"worked together in Afghanistan." Today, he added, "we consult together
closely on Bosnia, Yemen and other international trouble spots."
Gore said that both Americans and Saudis value their traditions and
commitments, and both believe that family is the basic building bloc of the
society. He added that "Building on such shared values, our people can
relate to one another easy and well...."
The vice president declared that the United States is "confident that
1overnor Mabus will build on the rich foundation of our two countries'
common interests and shared beliefs. And we are confident that Saudi
Arabia will find in Governor Mabus a valued friend, a trusted interlocutor
and eager partner in developing our bilateral relationship."
"I only hope to do my job in Riyadh as well as Prince Bandar has done his
job in Washington," Mabus said, adding, "the fact that Prince Bandar came
back from Saudi Arabia to be here today, shows the seriousness with which
he takes his job and the importance to both countries of the relationship."
Gore welcomed the presence of "my close friend Prince Bandar Ben Sultan, who
is indeed the dean of the diplomatic corps here in Washington, and a leader
of the diplomatic community in many ways."
Referring to a recent visit he made with Prince Bandar to the Islamic Center
in Washington, the first by a vice president, Gore said, "I certainly
appreciate that visit.... It was a quite moving experience for me, a
learning experience, and one which meant a great deal to me."
Gore hailed the progress Saudi Arabia has made in a relatively short period
of time. Saudi Arabia, he said, "is an important and an amazing place. In
just a few short decades, it built a modern high technology state, and
improved health care and education a lot for all of its citizens."
The vice president congratulated Saudi Arabia for the excellent performance
of its soccer team at the World Cup 1994 tournament. "We were thrilled,"
he said, "with the outstanding performance of the Saudi soccer team.
Soccer is a team game. Teams get better when they are together a long
time. And our countries have proved that, too."
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