21 September 2001

Statement by U.S. Ambassador-Designate to Saudi Arabia

Robert W. Jordan, whom President Bush has nominated as the next U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said the United States and Saudi Arabia "share a common vision that the war against terrorism is one that neither of us can afford to lose."

In a statement to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington September 21, Jordan praised Saudi Arabia for its support following the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

"One of the first messages of condolence received by our government was from Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, condemning the attacks and pledging any assistance the Kingdom can offer. The day after the attacks, Saudi Arabia released a statement in which it declared Saudi oil exports to the U.S. to be stable, adding that any export shortfalls on the international market will be filled by OPEC," he said.

In addition to fighting terrorism together, Jordan said the U.S.-Saudi relationship has many other aspects.

"Our relations with Saudi Arabia encompass a number of other areas, including energy, political-military cooperation, commerce, education, and health. One of my goals is to see Saudi Arabia accede to the World Trade Organization," Jordan said.

Jordan said the United States and Saudi Arabia have developed a dialogue that addresses issues where the two countries do not always see eye to eye, such as religious freedom.

Following is the text of Jordan's statement to the committee:

Statement of Robert W. Jordan, Ambassador-Designate to Saudi Arabia
Before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations September 21, 2001

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee:

I am honored to appear before you today, and humbled by the trust placed in me by President Bush and Secretary Powell. If confirmed as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, I will endeavor to carry out the President's mandate and represent our great nation to the best of my ability.

In the 1960's my father was about the same age as I am now when he left our home in Tulsa, Oklahoma to take a job as a Foreign Service Reserve Officer with AID. He was assigned to assist in clearing the Port of Saigon. He remained in Saigon for four years, standing guard duty on the roof of his building during the Tet offensive. He then returned to Washington and finished his career with AID ten years later. During their time in Washington, my mother worked at the American Foreign Service Association.

I wish my parents were alive and able to be with me here today. I have to confess a feeling that somehow they are with me here in this room and that they understand why I would be willing to serve my country in a challenging post at a difficult time in our history, and I hope they would be proud.

The Foreign Relations Committee form asks a good Question: Why are you qualified for this job? I said I had lived abroad as a child in Peru and Hong Kong. One of my sons just spent a high school year in Beijing and another will shortly be off on a post-graduate fellowship to Africa. I also said on the form that I have traveled extensively and developed an appreciation for foreign cultures and the role of the United States in the world. What I should perhaps add are two qualities that will be very much needed in these troubled times: Leadership and listening. I look forward to providing leadership and guidance to U.S. interests in Saudi Arabia. At least as important, I will be listening to what our Saudi friends and allies have to say, faithfully expressing the President's views to them, and developing a relationship of trust and respect that is so essential to our interests in this critically important country.

I come before you a little over a week after what many have called the most devastating attack against the United States since December 7, 1941: The destruction of the World Trade Center, the attack on the Pentagon, and of course, the horrific loss of life suffered by the passengers on the planes so callously used as instruments of death. One of the first messages of condolence received by our government was from Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, condemning the attacks and pledging any assistance the Kingdom can offer. The day after the attacks, Saudi Arabia released a statement in which it declared Saudi oil exports to the U.S. to be stable, adding that any export shortfalls on the international market will be filled by OPEC. These are welcome words indeed. Tragedies of this magnitude show us who our real friends are. We called on the Saudis to fulfill their pledge of cooperation, as we seek to build an international coalition against terrorism. They already answered that call superbly as our law enforcement officials are exchanging information to identify the perpetrators and those who abetted them in the region and elsewhere.

Our coalition-building efforts, however, should not detract from the normal business at hand. Our relations with Saudi Arabia encompass a number of other areas, including energy, political-military cooperation, commerce, education, and health. One of my goals is to see Saudi Arabia accede to the World Trade Organization. We have a robust military-to-military cooperation that goes back farther than Desert Storm. Likewise, the partnership between Saudi Arabia and U.S. petroleum industry is as much the modern history of the Kingdom as it is the oil companies themselves.

Like any complex and long-standing relationship, there are areas in which we may not always see eye to eye, or our interests don't converge. We have developed a dialogue with the Saudi government on all these issues. We have particularly underlined our policy of promoting religious freedom for all. We do not believe that this idea impinges on Saudi Arabia's special role as the Guardian of Islam's holiest places.

At this critical time, however, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia share a common vision that the war against terrorism is one that neither of us can afford to lose. As I mentioned earlier in my remarks, our two countries have worked closely and carefully in the investigation. I would like to underscore here, as President Bush, Secretary Powell and other senior Administration officials have publicly stated, our investigation into the attacks is aimed at bringing the guilty parties to justice. It is not aimed at one of the world's great monotheistic religions, Islam, nor is it aimed at the Arabs.

If I am confirmed by the Senate, I will keep your concerns and questions firmly in mind while I carry out my responsibilities. I also invite you to visit the Kingdom. And please, do not hesitate to correspond with me and share your concerns and ideas.

Thank you for considering my nomination.

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