Saudis, U.S. Describe Intelligence Links

Stung by American criticisms that they've been soft on terrorists, Saudi officials are divulging for the first time several intelligence and diplomatic favors they have provided the United States in the war on terrorism dating to 1997.

In interviews with The Associated Press, Saudi officials said the assistance has ranged from sharing of information identifying a possible leader in the al-Qaida bombings of U.S. embassies in 1998 to intervention with Yemeni officials on behalf of Vice President Dick Cheney in the last year.

U.S. officials confirm most of the Saudi accounts, saying the kingdom's cooperation has been uneven at various times but improving steadily.

"Since Sept. 11, 2001, the two countries have exchanged more than 3,500 memorandums dealing with counterterrorism efforts," said Adel al-Jubeir, the foreign affairs adviser to Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah. "This represents more than six memos per day and is a clear example of the intensive cooperation."


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