On 10th July, the analyst Lauren Moravitch of the Rand Corporation, presented a report to the Defense Council of the USA Department of Defense. The report had a negative impact on ordinary Saudis as well as on others. The Washington Post published it on August 6. The report seems to be part of a deliberate campaign by a section in the US media aiming to give a distorted picture of Saudi Arabia’s moderate and balanced approach to international relations. The timing of the campaign explains its objectives and instigators to everyone.
With the exception of Henry Kissinger, the whole Defense Council supported the report. Kissinger, however, objected to the report, by stating that the Kingdom should not be our enemy; on the contrary, it is an important supporter of the USA and we have common interests in this complicated region. He added that his stand was not influenced by any particular interest in Saudi Arabia nor by his consultancy business which has no official business with the government sector in Saudi Arabia.
My experience tells me that the sinister objectives of those behind such campaigns and allegations are evident. They try to influence issues, policies and concerns of the region in ways that do not serve USA’s best interests. But Prince Bandar stated at the time to the Washington Post: The report is a misleading effort; it lacks objectivity and reliability. Hopefully these diplomatic words conveyed the message to the USA public and ordinary citizens that lies and distortions never change reality.
It is true that the American media raised a fuss over issues relating to our region, which in the long run could weaken US ties with various important nations.
One example of this is the case of a university in North Carolina. It required that a book entitled "An Approach to Understanding the Qur’an" be read by all incoming freshmen. Many cases were submitted in courts against the initiative. The US media participated in the campaign and one TV commentator termed the university’s requirement as introducing the religion of the enemy. It is clear that some interested groups want to keep the ordinary American citizen blind to facts and keep him from understanding the truth about Islam.
On the other hand, we Saudis are also to be blamed as our diplomats, chambers of commerce, Saudi-US business groups and the media fail to build good public relations links with their counterparts in the US. As Asharq Al-Awsat said: US- Saudi relations need rehabilitation and a change in strategic networking. He added that the importance of relations between the two nations should be explained to the public in order to create understanding of the strategic dimensions. All barriers preventing this should be removed.
The dialogue of cultures, and in particular Islamic culture, should be improved and Saudis should be present in the US media. Addressing the average American citizen from his personal and national interest is the appropriate approach. That commercial relations benefit both sides and any fluctuation in those relations jeopardizes the interests of individuals and the national economy. Prince Saud Al-Faisal was quoted, "We are an Islamic country, the heart of Islam and the land of the Two Holy Mosques, but these facts should not be taken as evidence of an evil conspiracy against the US. We have cooperated with the US to solve many problems and disputes and I am sure the future will present issues which call for joint efforts. It is absurd to look at US-Saudi relations from a narrow perspective."
The majority of Saudis fail to understand the sudden hostility in the US media. They also know the US can live without them while they need the friendship of the US. Keeping in touch can only bring success and improve understanding.
