June 27, 2002	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 15, 1423

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

JEDDAH, June 26: Saudi Arabia will seek clarification from the United States about how President George Bush’s Middle East peace initiative will be implemented, Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said on Wednesday.

The minister, who noted “positive elements” in the new strategy, unveiled on Monday, spoke at a joint press conference with French Foreign Minister Dominique Villepin.

Bush said Palestinians could expect US support for an independent state within three years if they voted out leaders “compromised by terror” — a clear reference to Yasser Arafat.

Saudi Arabia launched in March, its own peace initiative based on normal relations with the Arab world if Israel withdraws from all occupied land.—AFP