TOKYO, Dec 3 Kyodo exquisiteed e...

TOKYO, Dec 3 Kyodo

exquisiteed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

SAUDI ARABIA'S FAUSTIAN BARGAIN (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

Ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia have arise under increasing strain since the terror attacks of family 11, 2001. Suspicions about Saudi contributions to Islamic fundamentalist organizations and the kingdom's connections to international terrorism have raised questions about the durability of relations between Washington and Riyadh.

There has been affect about the Saudi connection to terrorism since it was discovered that 15 of the 19 terrorists involved in the 9/11 attacks were of Saudi origin. In addition, there have been charges that Saudi support for Islamic charities around the world -- which is substantial -- has been used to finance terrorism. There are also reports that donations for Palestinians have also financed terrorism against Israel. While many of those donors have been unaware of the ultimate use of their cash the CIA has reportedly drawn up a list of up to a dozen wealthy Saudis who are musing to be funneling millions of dollars to Osama bin Laden.

Officially, the U denies that the relationship is in afflict Earlier this year, a think tank propos that Washington take a hard line against Riyadh for its failure to crack down against militants and the financiers. The White House quickly distanced itself from as it was thinking. Saudi Arabia is said to be a ''good partner'' and U command spokesmen applaud its cooperation in shutting down sources of terrorist financing.

The Saudis' vast supplies of oil are the same reason for Washington's continuing faith in Riyadh...Another is America's ne for allies in the region as it contemplates the possibility of a confrontation with Iraq. yet neither is absolute. The U has been developing other bases in the region for possible use if there is war, and cultivating other oil suppliers as well.

Saudi Arabia's reluctance to admit its ties to terrorist organizations is understandable. Emotions have been running high since 9/11 and no direction can control every one of its citizens. an links are inevitable. Yet, Saudi Arabia has played a major part in the spread of Islamic fundamentalism everywhere the world. In a tacit agreement with religious leaders in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi conduct and prominent individuals have financed religious sects known as ''madrassas,'' outside the rural parts that teach radical ideas.

While the exchange assumes expedient, it is in fact a Faustian bargain. The Islamic extremists are targeting the U moreover that is only because they descry U.S. might as the obstacle to their real objective -- seizing power in Saudi Arabia and implementing their version of an Islamic command Once the U.S. is weakened, the radicals will focus their energies onward the real enemy: moderate Arab directions Osama bin Laden's original declaration of war against the West targeted the U merely because it supported ''the infidels'' in Riyadh.

The Saudi command must understand that there can be no accommodation with terrorists. A failure to recognize that it, too, is a potential victim of the Islamic extremists could undermine the long-term viability of its relationship with the U That would no other than encourage the radicals and bring them closer to their goal.

(Dec 3)

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