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Saudi Arabia Unhappy With U.S. Raids on Afghanistan
Monday, October 15, 2001
(21:53 GMT)
Reuters

"Saudi Arabia is still trying to make clear that they are willing to confront terrorism without alienating their own population,"

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Reuters
U.S. ally Saudi Arabia said it was unhappy about the bombing of Afghanistan, sending the clearest signal yet that its relations with Washington are being tested by the war on terrorism.

Interior Minister Prince Naif broke Saudi silence on the bombing late on Sunday, telling reporters the kingdom opposed terrorism but did not approve of the U.S. response.

"We wish the United States had been able to flush out the terrorists in Afghanistan without resorting to the current action ... because this is killing innocent people," he said.

"We are not at all happy with the situation. This in no way means we are not willing to confront terrorism," he said in remarks reported by the official Saudi Press Agency.
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Dan