Saudis Warn U.S. on Pushing for Reforms(in Saudi Arabia) [View All]

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http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-belgium-saudi-democracy,0,3819935.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines

Saudis Warn U.S. on Pushing for Reforms(in Saudi Arabia)

By PAUL GEITNER
Associated Press Writer February 19, 2004, 11:23 AM EST

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Saudi Arabia's foreign minister warned the United States on Thursday against pressing too hard for reforms in the kingdom, saying they were being enacted with "deliberate speed" to ensure their success.

Prince Saud al-Faisal also said he was skeptical about American efforts to promote democracy in the Arab world, pointing to the economic plight of Russians after the breakup of the Soviet Union. <snip>

Prince Saud said reforms were being enacted with "deliberate speed," which he defined as "speed that doesn't push you to irresponsible actions before people are ready to absorb them, nor delay to the extent that you kill" the reforms. <snip>

President Bush has proposed spending an additional $40 million on pro-democracy programs in the Middle East. <snip>

Prince Saud mentioned homegrown efforts already underway in Saudi Arabia toward modernization and limited reform, citing statistics showing there are more females than boys in Saudi high schools and the kingdom has nearly 1 million Internet connections.

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