Saudi Arabien

[Skywalker]

U.S. REDUCES OIL IMPORTS FROM SAUDIS


WASHINGTON [MENL] - The United States has been steadily reducing oil imports from Saudi Arabia.

Oil analysts said the United States began reducing Saudi oil imports in 2002 in wake of the Al Qaida suicide strikes on New York and Washington in which 3,000 people were killed. They said the trend has continued over the last two years.

James Placke, a researcher at Cambridge Energy Research Associates, said by the end of 2004 Saudi Arabia would lose its position as one of the top five oil exporters to the United States. Placke said the result has been a sharp drop in U.S. energy dependence on Riyad as well as increasing criticism by Washington of the kingdom. He cited the State Department decision last week to designate Saudi Arabia a "country of particular concern," which could result in sanctions on Riyad.

"What we're seeing is not punishment or retribution, but a realization that the special relationship is not so special any more," Placke said.

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SAUDIS ESTABLISH NEW SECURITY FORCE


ABU DHABI [MENL] -- Saudi Arabia has established a new security force to battle Al Qaida.

Saudi officials said authorities have established a rapid reaction force to confront a range of operational scenarios. The officials said the force established by the Civil Defense Directorate would be trained and equipped to respond to insurgency attacks and natural disasters.

"We now have a special force whose members are highly-trained and equipped with the most sophisticated equipment to deal with terrorist attacks," Maj. Gen. Saad Al Tuwaijri, director of the new force, said.

Al Tuwaijri said most of the members of the new security force received what he termed advanced training abroad. He said the members were trained in duties that included a response to chemical attacks, bombings, fires and natural disasters.

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