DAMMAM, 15 January 2003 — The US ambassador to the Kingdom, Robert Jordan, has expressed his concern over the increasing communication gap between the people of Saudi Arabia and the United States.
However, he asserted that bilateral political and economic relations are as strong as ever.
The ambassador was addressing a group of Saudi businessmen at the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday.
On the issue of US-Saudi trade the ambassador said that Saudi Arabia continues to be one of the largest trading partners with his country, last year importing goods worth $20 billion. American imports from the Kingdom amounted to $13 billion.
Regarding the ongoing anti-US boycott of US goods, Jordan said while it would be wrong to say that the US was not concerned by the issue he had to recognize that there has been a growth of four percent in US exports of consumer and food items over the past one year.
Jordan said that it was imperative for the ordinary people of both countries to engage in an intercultural dialogue in order to increase mutual understanding.
“Large advertisements and a media blitz will be of a little help,” he stated.
On the question of US curbs on various Islamic charity organizations, the ambassador said that his government never intended “to finish them off”.
“What we want is that the charity itself should reach the right people, and not fall into the wrong hands,” Jordan said.
He suggested that Islamic charities should invite officials from the FBI and the IRS in a bid to clarify the nature of the operations.
