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Obama: US must balance human rights, security with Saudis

RIYADH — President Barack Obama defended the US government’s willingness to cooperate closely with Saudi Arabia on national security despite deep concerns over human rights abuses, as he led a high-level US delegation to the kingdom today (Jan 27) to pay respects following the death of King Abdullah.

U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are greeted by Saudi Arabia's King Salman (R) as they arrive at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Jan 27, 2015. Photo: Reuters

U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are greeted by Saudi Arabia's King Salman (R) as they arrive at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Jan 27, 2015. Photo: Reuters

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RIYADH — President Barack Obama defended the US government’s willingness to cooperate closely with Saudi Arabia on national security despite deep concerns over human rights abuses, as he led a high-level US delegation to the kingdom today (Jan 27) to pay respects following the death of King Abdullah.

Saudi Arabia’s status as one of Washington’s most important Arab allies has at times appeared to trump US concerns about the terrorist funding that flows from the kingdom and about human rights abuses. But Obama said he has found it most effective to apply steady pressure over human rights “even as we are getting business done that needs to get done”.

“Sometimes we need to balance our need to speak to them about human rights issues with immediate concerns we have in terms of counterterrorism or dealing with regional stability,” Obama said in a CNN interview that aired in advance of Obama’s arrival in Riyadh.

During his four-hour stop in Saudi Arabia, Obama was to hold his first formal meeting with new King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, and then attend a dinner with other Saudi officials at the Erga Palace.

But Obama suggested that during those conversations, he would not be raising US concerns about Saudi Arabia’s flogging of blogger Raif Badawi, who was convicted of insulting Islam and sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes.

His first flogging took place in early January in front of dozens of people in the Red Sea city of Jiddah, though a second round has been postponed after a doctor said his wounds from the first lashes had not yet healed.

“On this visit, obviously a lot of this is just paying respects to King Abdullah, who in his own fashion presented some modest reform efforts within the kingdom,” Obama said.

The list of dignitaries and statesmen past and present joining Obama for the high-level delegation underscored the key role Saudi Arabia plays in US foreign policy in the Middle East.

Secretary of State John Kerry was joining Obama in Riyadh, along with former Secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice and James Baker III, both of whom served Republican presidents. Former White House national security advisers Brent Scowcroft, Sandy Berger and Stephen Hadley also made the trip, as did Sen. John McCain, the Arizona republican who is a frequent critic of Obama’s foreign policy in the Middle East.

CIA Director John Brennan and Gen. Lloyd Austin, commander of US Central Command, which overseas military activity in the Middle East, were also taking part in today’s meetings with the Saudis.

Despite vast differences of opinions on many issues, the US and Saudi Arabia have worked in close coordination to address evolving security concerns in the tumultuous region. Most recently, Saudi Arabia became one of a handful of Arab nations that have joined the US in launching airstrikes against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

In his initial days on the throne, the 79-year-old Salman has given little indication that he plans to bring fundamental changes to his country’s policies. In a nationally televised address shortly after his half brother’s death, Salman vowed to hew to “the correct policies which Saudi Arabia has followed since its establishment”.

Obama acknowledged that the US willingness to pursue close ties with Saudi Arabia despite human rights abuses often makes America’s allies uncomfortable.

“The trend-line is one that I will sustain throughout the rest of my presidency,” Obama said, “and that is to make the case to our friends and allies that if they want a society that is able to sustain itself in this day and age, then they’re going to have to change how they do business”. AP

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