Bush offers Saudis advanced weapons
He was welcomed by King Abdullah. Both sought to display their strong friendship.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - President Bush offered a sophisticated weapons deal to Saudi Arabia yesterday, trying to bolster defenses against threats from U.S. adversary Iran and muster support in this oil-rich kingdom for a long-stalled Mideast peace agreement.
On a cold day with blustery winds, Bush received a warm embrace from King Abdullah, whose family wields almost absolute rule. Among ordinary Saudis and across much of the Mideast, Bush is unpopular, particularly because of the Iraq war and unflinching U.S. support for Israel.
Bush and Abdullah were going to some lengths over two days to emphasize their strong personal ties.
Saudi Arabia holds the world's largest oil reserves, and surging fuel costs are putting a major strain on the U.S. economy. But White House officials said it was unclear whether Bush raised the subject with the king. The issue came up in earlier stops on Bush's eight-day trip, largely in the context of his quest for alternative fuels and sources of energy, the officials said.
White House counselor Ed Gillespie said Mideast leaders had "talked about the nature of the market and the vast demand that's on the world market today for oil." He said that was "a legitimate and accurate point."
Bush, who dislikes late nights, also stayed up well past his regular 9:30 p.m. bedtime for after-dinner talks with the king in the walled compound of his opulent palace. Its marble floors and walls contain sheets of gold, colored with precious stones and embedded jewels.
In a show of hospitality, the king invited Bush to come today to his lavish horse farm, where 150 Arabian stallions are stabled. The visit, including an overnight by Bush, is a payback for the president's hosting Abdullah at his Texas ranch.
Coinciding with Bush's arrival, the administration officially notified Congress that it would offer Saudi Arabia sophisticated Joint Direct Attack Munitions - or "smart bomb" - technology and related equipment.
The deal envisions the transfer of 900 of the precision-guided bomb kits, worth $123 million, that would give Saudi forces highly accurate targeting abilities.
The notification opens a 30-day window during which lawmakers can object to the sale. Some lawmakers fear that the systems could be used against Israel, but Congress appears unlikely to block the deal because of Saudi Arabia's cooperation in the antiterrorism effort and in deterring aggression from Iran.
The administration has notified Congress of five other packages to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, including Patriot missiles. Total eventual sales as part of the Gulf Security Dialogue are estimated at $20 billion, a figure subject to actual purchases.
The sales are a key element in Bush's strategy to shore up defenses against Iran, which he has called the world's top state sponsor of terrorism.
Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf states, with majority Sunni Muslim populations, harbor deep suspicions about Shiite Iran's rising power and want to make sure the United States remains committed to keeping Tehran's ambitions in check.
At the same time, Arab allies worry that the world economy would suffer heavily if the U.S. dispute with Iran turned into a military confrontation.
Saudi Arabia handed Bush a coup by taking part in the U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference in Annapolis, Md., in November. Bush was expected to encourage Saudi Arabia during his visit to use some of its vast wealth to help struggling Palestinians build the foundations of a future state.
Bush also sees support from Arab neighbors as crucial to the Palestinian leadership's being able to successfully negotiate with Israel over borders and other contentious issues.
Abdullah, for his part, was expected to urge Bush to keep up the pressure on Israel to halt settlements in Palestinian territories.
Bush's drive to spread democracy across the Mideast was another likely topic. The king has tried to push some reforms on education and women's rights, and limited municipal council elections have taken place. But he has been cautious and limited in his effort.