Obama meets new Saudi king Salman in Riyadh

-Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal

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US President Barack Obama led a heavyweight delegation to Saudi Arabia on 27 January to offer condolences on King Abdullah's death to new King Salman and shore up ties. The Americans arrived for a four-hour stop from India, where Obama cut short a state visit following the death on Friday of Salman’s predecessor, King Abdullah an ally of  Americans. 

King Salman's heir Crown Prince Moqren and Mohammed bin Nayef, the powerful interior minister who is second in line to the throne, were among those who greeted the American delegation. Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi was also among the delegation. The US president then boarded a black limousine taking him to talks with King Salman at a palace in the city centre. The four-hour stopover was also to include a dinner before the US delegation continues on to Germany. King Salman, 79, acceded to the throne after Abdullah died on Friday aged about 90. Authorities deployed armoured vehicles, police cars and radar all along the route into the city from the airport to secure Obama's visit, an AFP reporter observed.  Obama last visited Saudi Arabia in March, when he held talks with Abdullah. 

The Obama team arrived from India where Obama cut short a state visit to travel to Saudi.  Members of the 29-member bipartisan US delegation, which included former Bush-era officials, said they wanted to show support for the US-Saudi relationship. Former national security adviser Brent Scowcroft and Republican Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state under George W Bush, joined the US contingent, which included current Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan and General Lloyd Austin, head of US Central Command. They had all accompanied Obama to India but Secretary of State John Kerry and republican Senator John McCain joined the president especially for his Saudi trip. McCain, a Republican who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the kingdom was emerging “as the major bulwark” against efforts by Iran to expand its influence in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen and Bahrain.   “I believe it is important that we demonstrate to the Saudis the importance that they represent to us,” said James Baker, secretary of state during the first Gulf War against Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussain.  “This is an extraordinarily critical and sensitive time in the Middle East when everything seems to be falling apart. And the kingdom in some way is becoming an island of stability,” said Baker. 

Americans mean business even while mourning  the death of a  ruler 

In their first formal meeting, Salman and Obama pledged to work closely on a range of regional and international issues at a meeting, including terrorism, the Iranian nuclear talks and conflicts in neighboring states. The talks focused broadly on counter-terrorism and regional stability with special reference to bilateral Saudi-US relations. 

Riyadh has been part of the US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against IS since last year and is a long-time regional ally of Washington. The leaders discussed the two countries’ ongoing fight against the Islamic State group and also tackled the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme and human rights in the kingdom.  A senior US official said Obama and Salman discussed “the campaign against the Islamic State... the need to continue providing support to the opposition in Syria (and) the need to promote unity in Iraq”.  Several other topics, including Riyadh’s human rights record and Iranian nuclear talks, were also broached during yesterday’s visit. The US official said Obama discussed human rights “in broad terms”, but did not raise with Salman the case of blogger Raef Badawi, who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes for insulting Islam and whose case has attracted international concern.  

As the president of only remaining super power, Obama’s reception was the most elaborate but sheikhs, presidents and prime ministers from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas all came to pay their respects. Australia’s Governor General Peter Cosgrove also arrived to condole.

The senior US official said that while Salman had not raised the topic of nuclear talks, he “did say Iran should not be allowed to build a nuclear weapon”. Obama is the latest leader to visit Riyadh since Friday.

The US president then boarded a black limousine taking him for talks and dinner with Salman at central Riyadh’s Erga Palace, the king’s private residence. “Good to see you,” Obama repeatedly said to his Saudi hosts before they dined on Arabic and Western dishes including shish tawook and baked lobster, before leaving the kingdom. 

The White House said the main reason for Obama’s trip was to pay his respects to the country that has been a key ally in the region. However, the closest ally of USA in Mideast remains Israel which it promotes as a counter post to weaken Arab nations. One needs not elaborate how much pressure USA has been exerting even on Arab nations on behalf of Israel and how dutifully it uses its UN veto to shield all Zionist crimes against humanity.  .

Many in India feel hurt by Obama’s abrupt exit after advising Indian PM Modi to be good to all religions. The sky would not have fallen down if Obama has completed the schedule in India and left for USA after that. After all, he is president of USA, they may reason.

Baker is revered in the Arab Gulf region, particularly Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, for his role in orchestrating the alliance against Saddam Hussein in 1990 and 1991.

One last word. Although US delegation members claim they discussed many explosive issues with the new Saudi king Salman, it is not quite likely that Saudi leaders would have discussed these things when they are still mourning the death of King Abdullah. But Americans cannot return home after a visit to Riyadh with empty hands. .So, it is likely thatKing Salman and President Obama focused on regional and international issues of common interest in addition to setting out the means to enhance bilateral relations