Gates: "... fears among Gulf states may be based on "an exaggerated sense of what's possible"..'

Link

In the NYTimes, here

"... U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Sunday he would reassure Saudi Arabia this week that the kingdom would not suffer from Washington's efforts to improve its relations with Iran....

The policy, a shift from the stance of George W. Bush's administration, has stirred unease among Gulf allies of the United States, who fear they could lose out if Washington builds a better relationship with Tehran.

But Gates, who visits Egypt and Saudi Arabia this week, said U.S. allies had no cause for concern and promised Washington would be "tough-minded" with Tehran if its overtures were rebuffed.

"One important message will be, particularly for the Saudis, that any kind of outreach to Iran will not be at the expense of our long-term relationships with Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states that have been our partners and friends for decades," he said. [...]

He said some fears among Gulf states may be based on "an exaggerated sense of what's possible" in relations between Washington and Tehran..."

Posted by G, Z, & or B at 11:00 AM