Word: saud
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...Saud rejected criticism that the proposal sought to undermine American war preparations, suggesting that the threat of imminent military attack stood a real chance of changing loyalties in Baghdad. "I can visualize elements of the regime turning away from an order that would jeopardize stability and security of Iraq," he said. "I don't consider that Iraqis are less nationalistic than any other country. Say you are a general and the U.N. says that it will give you protection if you perform your duty. Immediately, once you get that offer, trust in those who are against the implementation...
...Although it is impossible to predict how Iraqi generals will react to an amnesty offer, best-case scenarios range from seeing them provide U.N. weapons inspectors with incriminating evidence to toppling Saddam perhaps with U.N. military support. "Call it psychology," Saud explained. "Nobody knows who is his friend or who is his enemy. The people of Iraq don't know if America is coming to steal the oil, to return imperialism in the region, or not. Coming from the UN, the perceptions will change. This is the proposal you bring to those who want to cooperate, to Iraqis...
...Saud said that the proposal was prompted by concern that the collapse of central order in Iraq could trigger a civil blood bath as well as a regional conflict, perhaps drawing in neighbors like Turkey and Iran. The Saudi initiative is also intent on preventing any war from being a unilateral U.S. action that could inflame Arab nationalist passions and thereby undermine the domestic standing of America's Arab allies, including Saudi Arabia. "My god, the idea of an occupation of Baghdad by the armed forces of the United States is unimaginable," said Saud. "This is the capital of Harun...
...Some analysts are skeptical that the Saudi plan can succeed in ousting Saddam, yet Saud said he found understanding for the principles behind it among the leaders of the U.S., France and Britain. "We are all in agreement on several things," he said. "One, that the U.N. should be the body entrusted with the issue. Second, we are all fearful of the consequences of military action that does not take into view the security, territorial integrity and civil order of Iraq. It is not only the French, but the British and the Americans who also accept these elements as being...
...Saud said Saudi Arabia was also proposing that once a resolution authorizing force against Iraq is adopted, Arab leaders be given a final chance, perhaps armed with a U.N.-endorsed amnesty offer, to encourage Iraqis to ensure their government's compliance with U.S. resolutions before the bombs begin falling...