Saudis consider nuclear bomb

[CatWoman]

Ewen MacAskill and Ian Traynor in Vienna
Thursday September 18, 2003
The Guardian

Saudi Arabia, in response to the current upheaval in the Middle East, has embarked on a strategic review that includes acquiring nuclear weapons, the Guardian has learned.
This new threat of proliferation in one of the most dangerous regions of the world comes on top of a crisis over Iran's alleged nuclear programme.

A strategy paper being considered at the highest levels in Riyadh sets out three options:

· To acquire a nuclear capability as a deterrent;

· To maintain or enter into an alliance with an existing nuclear power that would offer protection;

· To try to reach a regional agreement on having a nuclear-free Middle East.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/saudi/story/0,11599,1044402,00.html

[FlashHarry]

1. Was it SA or Egypt that was 'The Prize'

According to Perle's group? I know it was in the plan...

[happyslug]

3. Saudi Arabia

For its OIL, if you control Saudi Arabia and Iraq, you control EVERYTHING you need about oil, price, production, Consumption etc. Thus Saudi Arabia is the key.

Now Egypt was considered important for it is the only arab country with enough population to supply enough men to man a lerge enough Army to occupy Saudi Arabia. Iraq has a slightly smaller populatin than Egypt and the rest of the Arab world countries all have much SMALLER populations. Thus Egypt was only important as a source of manpower to occupy Arabia.

Iran also has a large population, but it is NOT an arab country, it is Persian through it is Muslim. The same with Turkey, while Muslim its population is Turkic not Arab. Thus the perference for Egyptain troops.

[frylock]

4. Iraq is the tactical pivot..

Saudi Arabia the strategic pivot, and Egypt is the prize.

[FlashHarry]

5. That was it!

Now, why is Egypt 'the prize?' You'd think that SA and Iraq, with their vast oil reserves, would be more valuable to the US. It isn't still the Suez Canal, is it? That seems so 20th century...

[Blitz]

2. Dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=120348

And, BTW, the Saudis are now denying this report:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A29442-2003Sep18?language=printer