PAUL URGES STATE DEPARTMENT TO RECOGNIZE LACK OF SAUDI COOPERATION IN THE WAR ON TERRORISM

Washington, DC: Congressman Ron Paul yesterday wrote Secretary of State Colin Powell to urge that Saudi Arabia be placed on a list of nations "not fully cooperating" with the U.S. campaign against terrorism. Paul’s letter serves to draw needed attention to Saudi inaction and hypocrisy in the ongoing fight against global terrorism.

The letter highlights Saudi involvement in the September 11th attacks on New York City and Washington, noting that the majority of the hijackers were Saudi nationals. The letter also cites reports that Saudis make up more than half of the prisoners at Camp X-Ray; that clear evidence exists of Saudi involvement in Al Qaida; and that Bin Laden himself is a Saudi citizen.

"It is obvious that the Saudi government is not doing all it can, or all it should, in resolving this urgent problem," Paul stated. "Quite simply, had the Saudi government acted, those involved in the criminal conspiracy to launch the September 11th attack would not have succeeded in their murderous mission."

Paul expressed dismay that the State department continues to negotiate with the corrupt Saudi regime even as our soldiers risk their lives in Afghanistan to bring terrorists to justice. He also expressed outrage that the Saudi government is pouring salt on our wounds by engaging in a duplicitous public relations campaign on U.S. television.

"We cannot continue to ignore the role of the Saudi government in abetting terrorism," Paul concluded. "We need the Saudis to act as a responsible ally and root out anti-American terrorists living within their borders."