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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Saturday, December 09, 2006

A split or a shift in Saudi Iraq policy?

In late October,
"Since America came into Iraq uninvited, it should not leave Iraq uninvited," said Prince Turki, in comments which came against a rising tide of calls ahead of next week's legislative elections for US troops to leave Iraq.

Today,
Saudi intelligence chief Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud called for a timetable for a US troop withdrawal from Iraq, warning their presence was breeding terrorists.

"There is no question that the continuation of the foreign presence, including in Iraq, will give a push for instability and mainly contribute to create more terrorists," he told a Gulf security conference in Manama.

He added: "I don't think it's the right time for the Americans to leave now, but there should be a timeframe."


So, is it a split or a shift in policy?

(Or was it Saudi support for Bush's policy before the election?)