Freeh’s Visit to Saudi Arabia Highlights U.S. Frustration

FBI Director Louis J. Freeh’s trip to Saudi Arabia last weekend was supposed to be a secret, but word of it and its urgent purpose quickly leaked out. Freeh journeyed to the kingdom to again plead the case for closer cooperation in investigating the June 25 terrorist bombing that killed 19 Americans at Dhahran. Freeh’s visit--his second in little more than a week--highlighted the frustration Washington feels. President Clinton hinted at his own concern in an interview Monday. He confirmed having had “several” talks with King Fahd and, while taking note of Saudi sensitivities about what role the United States should play, emphasized that “this is a case with international ramifications” and cooperation is a necessity. “I do expect it,” he said, putting his personal stamp on the quest for cooperation.

Saudi officials in Washington have complained that the FBI wants to take over the investigation, thus infringing on Saudi sovereignty. FBI officials in turn have privately expressed worries that Saudi investigative techniques, which can include torturing suspects to get information or confessions, jeopardize possible proceedings in U.S. courts. The FBI has also hinted that if the Saudis had shared more information about terrorist activities earlier the Dhahran attack might have been forestalled.

More than three weeks have passed since the bombing and any trail left by its perpetrators may be growing cold. Meanwhile, threats against Americans in Saudi Arabia, civilians as well as the 5,000 military personnel stationed there, have increased. Washington takes those threats seriously and wants to relocate most U.S. forces to more remote and secure bases. The Saudis have so far not rushed to embrace this idea.

Decision-making is traditionally a slow process in Saudi Arabia, perhaps made more so now by the king’s failing health. The fact remains that American lives have been threatened and are clearly at risk, deepening the need both for far closer cooperation in the investigation of the June 25 bombing and for improving security for U.S. forces. In Saudi Arabia as anywhere else cultural sensitivities must be taken into account. Ultimately, though, it’s American lives that are most directly in peril. U.S. forces are in the kingdom first of all to help defend it against external enemies. That is the point Washington should emphasize in insisting that the Saudis cooperate far more fully in all efforts to protect Americans against the rising threat of terrorism.