Hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Federal News Service

HEADLINE: HEARING OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE

SUBJECT: NOMINATIONS OF DAVID MULFORD TO BE AMBASSADOR TO INDIA AND JAMES OBERWETTER TO BE AMBASSADOR TO THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

CHAIRED BY: SENATOR RICHARD LUGAR (R-IN)

LOCATION: 419 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING, WASHINGTON, D.C.

WITNESSES: DAVID MULFORD; JAMES OBERWETTER

BODY:
SEN. JOHN CORNYN (R-TX): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I want to join Senator Hutchison in expressing my pleasure in being here today on behalf of the nomination of Jim Oberwetter to be our next ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. And I too want to express my appreciation at the way you've scheduled this hearing so quickly to fill this critical and currently vacant post.

Like Senator Hutchison, I've known Jim Oberwetter personally for years and believe that the president chose very wisely when he asked Jim to take on this challenging, complex, important mission. The terrorist attacks of September the 11th have changed the foundation of the U.S.-Saudi relationship forever.

The oil-for-security bargain of the past was altered by several immutable facts. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were Saudi nationals. Osama bin Laden, the founder of al Qaeda and the mastermind of the attacks, is from Saudi Arabia. And much of the funding for terrorism originated in Saudi Arabia. Our main national security interest shifted quickly to the need to combat international terrorism. In fact, Jim has been personally touched by terrorism, when one of his co-workers was killed by a terrorist in Yemen earlier this year.

The historically delicate diplomatic relationship with Saudi Arabia became even more complex, important and pressing. In my opinion, Jim Oberwetter is the right person to manage this difficult and critical assignment as our new ambassador, based on his experience, his temperament, keen intellect, discretion, and his love of country.

Jim is frequently described by friends as "diplomatic." Jim knows that "diplomatic" does not mean avoiding difficult issues. He understands that being diplomatic means using skill, persuasion and toughness to advance the national security interests of the United States of America. Jim knows that serving as our top diplomat in Riyadh will alternately require him to maintain pressure on the Saudis to enforce new anti-money-laundering laws, to stop terrorist financings, it will require him to take the Saudis to task for repression of religion and women; it will require him to compliment the Saudis for cracking down on militants, especially during the May 12th attacks within the kingdom, and press the Saudis to address the root causes of terrorism by eliminating hatred from the school curriculum, implementing democratic reforms and reforming the economy to increase job opportunities for unemployed and frustrated Saudi youth.

Based on my knowledge of Jim Oberwetter's character and experience, I can say without reservation that he is definitely the right person for such a nuanced and difficult assignment.

Again, Mr. Chairman, let me thank you again, and the other members of this committee, for allowing me to testify in support of my friend and fellow Texan, Jim Oberwetter. And thank you again for the expedited manner in which you have chosen to handle this particular nomination.