[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book II)]
[September 25, 1998]
[Pages 1671-1673]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Joint Statement on United States-Saudi Relations
September 25, 1998

    His Royal Highness Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, First Deputy 
Prime Minister and Head of the Saudi Arabian National Guard, visited 
Washington, D.C. September 23-25, 1998 at the invitation of Vice 
President Al Gore.
    The visit is in the framework of the close, strong and historic 
relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of 
America stretching back more than a half century to President Roosevelt 
and King Abdul Aziz. It reflects the desire of both governments to have 
periodic high-level consultations to assure coordination of policies 
that affect mutual interests. Crown Prince Abdullah was received by 
President Clinton and Vice President Gore,

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as well as Secretary of State Albright. In addition, he received calls 
from Secretary of the Treasury Rubin, Secretary of Energy Richardson and 
Deputy Secretary of Defense Hamre.
    The two sides discussed topics of mutual interest and concern. Both 
sides pledged to cooperate fully in the search for comprehensive, just 
and lasting peace in the Middle East based on Security Council 
Resolutions 242 and 338 and the principle of land for peace. The United 
States updated the Crown Prince on America's efforts to put the peace 
process back on track. President Clinton explained the progress made in 
narrowing the gaps during Ambassador Dennis Ross's recent visit to the 
region. Secretary Albright is meeting with Israeli Prime Minister 
Netanyahu and Chairman Arafat in New York this week to continue this 
process in an effort to achieve agreement on the basis of President 
Clinton's ideas. In this context, the United States expressed concern 
about unilateral acts taken by either side that undermine confidence in 
the negotiations.
    Saudi Arabia expressed its full support for the peace efforts 
exerted by the United States and Saudi Arabia's willingness to support 
whatever the Palestinian side agrees to in the service of peace. Saudi 
Arabia expressed its deep concern about Israeli unilateral actions, 
including in Jerusalem, which could prejudge the outcome of the final 
status negotiations, and also called on Israel to fully implement the 
Oslo and Washington accords and to cooperate with the United States' 
initiative to reinvigorate the process. The United States and Saudi 
Arabia expect the two sides to strictly abide by their obligations. At 
the same time, the two sides underscored the importance of resuming 
negotiations on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks of the peace process as 
soon as possible in an effort to facilitate a comprehensive peace. Both 
countries expressed their support for the implementation of Resolutions 
425 and 426.
    During their discussion on Iraq, the two sides expressed their 
serious concern at the Iraqi government's decision to suspend 
cooperation with the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) and the 
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). They called upon the Iraqi 
government to comply with the recent UN Resolution which states that 
Iraq's action is totally unacceptable, and which demands that Iraq 
resume cooperation with UNSCOM and the IAEA. They agreed that the only 
way to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people lies in strict 
adherence to all Security Council Resolutions. They expressed their 
sympathy with the Iraqi people and satisfaction with UN resolution 1153 
which addresses humanitarian needs.
    Both countries welcome Iran's stated policy to improve relations 
with the states of the region and its renunciation of terrorism, and 
hope that these statements will translate into practice.
    They discussed the situation in Afghanistan, and expressed support 
for the efforts of the United Nations and the Organization of Islam 
Conference aiming at a peaceful resolution and an end to the fighting. 
They called upon Iran and Afghanistan to resolve their differences by 
peaceful means. Also, both sides reaffirmed the danger and threat that 
terrorism constitutes for international security and stability. They 
called on all countries to prevent terrorists from operating from their 
soil and assist in bringing known terrorists to justice. They considered 
that concerted international action is an effective way to combat 
terrorism.
    Both sides were united in the view that the current situation in 
Kosovo is unacceptable and condemned the harsh measures taken by the 
Yugoslav government causing displacement of large segments of the 
population of Kosovo. They also noted with concern the recent nuclear 
testing in India and Pakistan and called on all states to sign and 
ratify the CTBT at the earliest possible date.
    They reviewed the current state of the international economy. Both 
sides agreed on the need to continue to consult closely on these issues 
and to continue cooperation to enhance trade and investment between the 
two countries. The United States expressed its support for Saudi 
Arabia's accession to the World Trade Organization, and both sides look 
forward to the increasing trade opportunities and further integration 
into the global economy which will flow from Saudi Arabia's membership 
in that organization. Both sides agreed to continue their efforts to 
complete these important economic negotiations as soon as possible. The 
American side welcomed continued Saudi efforts to enforce measures for 
protecting intellectual property rights and looked forward to further 
progress. The two sides renewed their intentions to fully consult and 
cooperate on the issues related to global climate change and will 
continue to assure that measures taken in this regard are based on the 
state of scientific evidence

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and data. They stressed the need to encourage technical cooperation and 
scientific research in the fields of water; agricultural standards, 
regulations and policies; and specification and measurements.
    The two sides stressed the importance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
in the world oil market, and the United States reiterated its 
recognition of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a secure and reliable 
supplier of energy resources, especially to the United States.

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this joint statement.