UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001645

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA, INR/R/MR, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA
AMEMBASSY FOR PAO, IO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI IS SA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - MIDEAST - SAUDI ARABIA


On August 3, conservative, independent "La Tercera"
(circ. 31,834) carried an editorial entitled, "The
Importance of a Stable Saudi Arabia." Quote:

"Saudi Arabia's stability has repercussions in the Middle
East and worldwide. It supplies 25% of the world's oil
and has the planet's largest reserves. This alone makes
Saudi Arabia's stability a shared international goal....
It is also the home of Islam's two main symbols, the
cities of Medina and Mecca.... Today, its closeness to
the U.S. has given rise to terrorist groups...whose goal
is to overthrow the Saudi government for dealing with
`infidels'--a source of inspiration for Al Qaeda, headed
by Saudi Osama bin Laden. Although Saudi Arabia has been
formally at war with Israel since 1948, it is not among
the countries that have promoted terrorism against the
Jewish nation, which has had a moderating effect.in the
Muslim world. Its role was also crucial in containing
the expansion of Iran's Islamic revolution in the '80s
and in limiting Saddam Hussein's aggressive policies.
There are no guarantees that royal family members will
not engage in a power struggle. Plus, the country is
under the pressure of a demographic explosion and poor
macroeconomic figures...putting it at a historic
crossroads." KELLY