07 November 2001
Excerpt: Saudis Responsive; Coalition Support Growing
(State Department Spokesman, November 7) (430)
Answering reporters' questions about Saudi Arabia's support for U.S.
efforts to fight global terrorism, State Department Spokesman Richard
Boucher said November 7 that Saudi Arabia was "answering all our
requests positively."
The spokesman underscored a number of concrete contributions made by
the Saudi Arabian government and went on to outline new military and
legal contributions to combating terrorism offered by allies around
the world.
"The coalition continues to gather momentum, continues to work at
these various actions, and frankly, continues to grow stronger,"
Boucher told reporters.
(begin excerpt)
QUESTION: Today, again, Mr. Powell was asked his support for the
Saudis, to explain whether or not the United States feels that they
are doing everything, and he voiced strong support. Is there some
evidence that you are getting that the casualties in Afghanistan are
starting to erode support, not only in Saudi Arabia, but in the Muslim
world?
MR. BOUCHER: Let me say, first of all -- I feel a little feisty today;
I don't know why -- but let me say first of all, you ask us the
question every day, we give you the same answer every day, and we're
kind of hoping one of these days you will believe us. Let me make
clear that I think this idea that somehow support is eroding for the
coalition -- let's take the broader question, not the Saudi question,
because the Secretary answered the Saudi question again today, and he
cited some very concrete examples of ratification of the convention on
suppression of financing for terrorism that the Saudis have carried
out in very recent days.
So there are very concrete examples of Saudi cooperation, not just our
statements that we find that they are doing. They are answering all
our requests positively, and we will keep making requests and keep
working with them.
But more broadly than that, you have a moment at which we have new
financial measures and countries around the world taking additional
financial steps, and I'm sure that will come out in the various
briefings later on today after the President's announcements.
You have countries offering military support for the coalition, four
or five countries that have announced that within the last week. You
have countries around the world continuing their law enforcement
efforts. We have seen arrests in over 40 countries, and that law
enforcement effort continues around the world.
So I don't think we can say anything but that the coalition continues
to gather momentum, continues to work at these various actions, and
frankly continues to grow stronger.
(end excerpt)
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