FRANCE COULD BE SAUDI STRATEGIC ALLY

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Saudi Arabia could expand relations with France as a
balance to the kingdom's deteriorating strategic ties with Britain and the
United States.

The Washington Institute said in a report that the Saudi kingdom could seek
to augment or replace strategic ties with London and Washington by
increasing relations with France. The institute cited a French report of a
defense memorandum of understanding that could pave the way for the French
sale of up to $15 billion in aircraft and security projects to Riyad.
The institute's report, authored by Gulf analyst Simon Henderson, was issued
on the eve of the meeting between U.S. President George Bush and Saudi Crown
Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz in Crawford, Texas on Monday. Abdullah, who
met Vice President Richard Cheney on Sunday, was expected to face a tough
session with Bush. Abdullah and Bush last met three years ago.

"If recent signals from the Saudis are any indication, the talks could be
tough," the study said. "Indeed, the frank talk promised for the Crawford
summit could well mark a turning point in U.S.-Saudi relations."
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