Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-01-28
Hands Across the Sea

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Some press reports on King
Saud's forthcoming visit dis
tort and harm the spirit Of the
Presidents kind invitation uo
a Moslem leader who is a
proven friend of this country
in a part of the world where it
really needs friends.
From the standpoint Of
human interest. undoubtedly
some of the more colorful as
poets of King Saud's household
are legitimate reporting. But
not at the expense of the facts,
and courtesy.
Reference to a Moslem
household cannot accurately be
viewed out of the context OF
Islamic laws and traditions.
Constant references to "feud-
alism" in Saudi Arabia over
look the fact that the supreme
sovereignty of the land is
vested in the Islamic religious
laws. not the King.
AS for the "Cadillacs." a
glorified symbol of American
capitalism. their mass possess
sion perhaps would be better
appreciated if it was also men,
toned that most of them come
as gifts to the King from loyal
subjects or neighboring OIL
rich sheiks.
But all of this is irrelevant.
1t is in America that see
fully practiced the code of
live and let live" Moreover,
hospitality is a great American
trait.
The real story lies in the fact
that this is the first state visit
paid by an Arab king to the
United States, a solemn event
taking place at the most de-
cisive moment in American
Arab relations. and in the
midst of a revived cold war
For those who seek the truth
and color much good can be
learned about a king whose
life, from his barefoot prince
ly days to his present riches,
has been a rare example, in
our part of the world. OF
courage, humility. simplicity
honesty and charity. 1t is fol
these virtues that the Arab
world turns to Saud today fol
leadership and guidance. He
is a spiritual leader to the peo-
pie, not just a king.
Saudi Arabia is not a para
disc but it is a place where
thieves and criminals are a rare
curiosity. There are only 40
men in the prison Of Rad. The
government is not perfect. but
it maintains order without 9
police force and an army. The
constitution is the sacred
Koran and if individual petit
ton is the real symbol of hui
man freedom. then it should
be pointed out that Saud
Arabia is one of the few coun-
tries where a citizen can walk
into the palace and denounct
his abusers.
Saudi finances are shaky
but the Kings generosity, moi
government corruption. is the
evil. Saud should be very pop
ular with the Americans be-
cause if Uncle Sam is the
worlds sucker. then the Kint
is the Arab worlds.
It is not realistic to expec'
dramatic results from thu
Saudi Eisenhower conference
The communique likely will
only echo the sentimental sig.
niflcance Of the royal visit, the
reaffirmation Of an old and &C.
tive friendship, rooted in
long partnership for the pro-
motion of progress and peace
not only in this birthplace o.
Islam but throughout the Mid
die East.
The Kings adherence of thu
atheistic and materialistic phi
losophy Of communism and hi
unpublished dedication to tn,
welfare and freedom Of Arab
make him already a supportel
Of the spirit" Of the Eisen
hover doctrine. Up to nov
Saudi Arabia has refused dip
lomatic relations with MOSCOW
but it is unlikely that the Kinl
will formally indorse the doc
trine.
AS a guest the King certainl.
will make no demands on thi
country, and hospitality re,
quires that no commitment
be asked him. His visit
viewed by us Arabs as a genu
inc demonstration Of Ara'
friendship for your great Pres
ident and great people, whom
we have never held responsible,
for the American diplomat,
plumbers In the Middle Eas
and North Africa. This is |
significant and courageous visit
" q time when in the East a.
well as the West 1t is fashion
able or profitable to be anti
American.