European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 13, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Saudi Arabia iroc 13 Cai Cluley maintained moderation to assume an  stance we re lolling Iran in  up or shut up. A highly placed saudi source said in August Woro going Loiry to demolish Thorn pol thally and religiously " for the enraged saudis the iranian attempt to politicise the pilgrims Wilh violent demonstrations Al islam s most sacred so inc was Tho last so Row to got Oul choir version of Iho Mecca rioting. Iho in Tufts inv cry foreign journal Sis to the kingdom to d rare glimpse of 3 Nalion that lightly Consols ils own press Jho reporters wore Given a carefully orchestrated one week Louf that look whom from Iho Hod sea to the Gull where u s warships Aro on duly Osc Orling re Magged kuwaiti linkers. Tension in the Gulf has forced Washington and Riyadh to Light in their relationship the saudis were reassured by the massive us naval commit Lenl bul still worry about tha depth of to american resolve. The saudis do not acknowledge in publicly but their officials Cotter run inv ally a saudi a s understanding that the kingdom will continue to provide limited operational supp Oil to  forces in Tho Region. What makes saudi Arabia important to Iho world is the Oil discovered in the 1930s, the nation s Eastern province on the Gull lies atop one Quarter of All he world 5 Oil to guard tie valuable resource fio saudis spend much of their Oil revenues defending the Counley which is  one third Tho size of Tho Continental United Sialei in in interview Al dam Mam. Inc prov a civil capital. Goj Mohammad by fahd. Son of the Kinaj. Said. This area would be she first Largo " if Ihei is War Wilh  the Prince said every saudi is willing Leighl Lor his country the traditional lies Hal bind Iho Royal family to Iho humblest citizen Are evident during a majlis a session Ellov Jinjr any saudi Nunilo to petition the print personally on any Mailer visiting  were allowed to watch Tho Prince Ciona me pol Licat science Stu Deal at Iho University of California s Santa Barbara Campus receive petitioners in an Ornealo room in Iho lavish Onzalo building whore he administers the province Aboul 50 men lined up to ask Tho 3?-year-old i men Lor help. Some sought settlements in land or properly dispel is of hrs wanted Iota an aide made notes As the Polly Prince i slowed carefully to each Polifione some of whom carried Handwritten letters and documents to support heir cases. The Pemco was guarded by Lorce looking men Arne re with Sec farms and ornately decorated swords a saudi Olli Cial was asked what recourse women with problems have in the kingdom. He said Hoy could petition a Princess Lor help despite All the attention to economic development King fahd bin Abdul at Aziz and is absolutely serious about his role As the keeper of Tho islamic Faith he proclaimed recently that he no Longor re to be called his majesty but rather the custodian of the two holy mosques at Mecca and Medina. Everyone including the press complies. The kingdom is believed to have one mosque Lor every Hundred advil mate citizens. Religious instruction is increasing in the schools where girls Are educated separately from boys. The government professes no worry about is 8 to Cronl Shnte minority most of whom live in Ine Oil blessed Eastern province it cd lies report sol Oil i iced Sab Lago Alln ruled by some to the Sheles who generally Are poorer than the Sun saudis the shiites. Who form a Branch of islam a Clovo  All the fourth in Mph. 15 the Only legitimate successor i Mohammad they also hold that the Leader of islam should to a direct descendant of Mohammed and the exclusive aul Only in religious and secular mailers the government is Well aware that Shii sos have been involved in ice dorism in Tho Middle Easl and is making Turkey s it cd lords to redress shinto grievances to Avert trouble All saudis Are equal. And Prince fahd. Insisting Hal reports of shale ii most in his province Are exaggerated. We have no politic no prisoners to arc All equal  Bui to Many Western Obs Nicis women Are nol equal in saudi Arabia in of Veloric thai seems remarkably similar to Hal of  in Tho american South in Iho 1960s. Icy insist Hal saudi women arc Colonl and improvement in when Plains will take time. Nothing will happen  the Prince said everything will have Tri   saudi women rot Only Irr dispatched quite literally. Lothe Back of if Ebu ,. They in  Wall in Iho vehicle from male tvi1 Jinjr i of Al the saudis i i i.,Iti,. So the Vii dog reporters for incr ii i a. Hytt a Ciu no women a Cha nose of Palm Fos in 1 Mij in Jeddah is driving my wife and Clau Grilc a oi.i/, i to is nothing for hem to do  the authority of the , rinsed on islamic Law and bedouin Ira Dilion the ving has Groat Power but he seeks consensus of the saudi Royal family religious loaders and other Iru Parint Al omens in saudi society. The Royal family Chi now. If King from is ranks Wilh the Sanction of Rich Gifu i ii rears Tho saudi response to the crisis Iri gored last Yea by plunging Oil prices illustrates the King s method of Rule when the Price fell from t2b a barrel to $8, Oil minister Ahmad Zaki  me of he Busl known figures in the Oil world was red he was replaced by a Carel kor minister ii generally is believed hat Fie King now is firmly in charge of Oil policy which seeks to keep the Price Al about $ is and appears to to working the  Jedi search for Ito darn Alion without westernization mean1 Hinl boardrooms Aro filled with men in White Robes and Aiah res Driess rather than three piece suits in the kingdom s posh hot .