Dec 29, 2002~~~Lieberman: Saudi Arabia Is Target of Al-Qaida Terror
By Steve Weizman
Associated Press Writer
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) - A regime change in Saudi Arabia is the ultimate goal of Islamic terror groups like al-Qaida, U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman said Sunday.
"They are clearly not intending to conquer the United States of America, but they all have in mind overthrowing the regime in Saudi Arabia," Lieberman, D-Conn., said at the end of his trip to the Middle East, where he spoke with regional leaders and visited U.S. troops preparing for a possible attack on Iraq.
"States like Saudi Arabia ultimately are most at risk from groups like al-Qaida. Even though they have attacked the U.S. ruthlessly, the goal must be Saudi Arabia," the 2000 vice presidential candidate said at a Tel Aviv news conference.
Lieberman met with Israeli and Palestinian officials last week before heading to the Gulf region. He said he was encouraged by his meetings with Mahmoud Abbas, a senior Palestinian official, who explained efforts to call an end to attacks against Israelis.
Lieberman did not meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, saying he was responsible for more than two years of violence. Lieberman supported creation of a Palestinian state, but not while Palestinian violence continues.
"We have not seen anything approaching a full-fledged attempt by the Palestinian Authority to stop terrorism," he said.
He said both Jewish and Arab leaders treated him with warmth, friendliness and respect. He also said he had several conversations with them about faith.
A Saudi leader, whom Lieberman would not name, brought up the subject of religion at the beginning of their meeting, pointing out the similarities in the values of Jews and Muslims, Lieberman said.
"In a fascinating way, it seemed to be less a divider and more a uniter," Lieberman said.
A likely candidate for the Democratic nomination for president in the 2004 election, Lieberman, an Orthodox Jew, also said he did not expect religion to be an issue in the race.
AP-ES-12-29-02 1943EST
This story can be found at: ap.tbo.com |
