Saturday, November 19, 2005
Somehow I feel it's overly optimistic to think so. I'm late on this, but the story seems well worth noting here.
Washington Times: Amity with Israel opens WTO door
Saudi officials did not comment on the Israel boycott, which had been the key obstacle during the kingdom's 12-year bid to gain entry.
U.S. and Israeli officials said the boycott issue had been resolved.
"I am very satisfied with the fact that Saudi Arabia has complied with all the rules of the WTO," said Itzhak Levanon, Israel's ambassador to the global trade body.
"I hope it opens the door to a better future on the horizon in the region," the Israeli envoy said.
The WTO's ruling general council, which includes the United States and Israel, endorsed the Saudi entry during a special session yesterday...
It might have appeared a bit more "amicable" had Saudi Arabia had their own amicable statement to make, rather than a grudging silence. Perhaps they were afraid of what the pundits back home might say. Nevertheless, if this is a first step in holding an Arab country to the same international standards everyone else is expected to live up to, that's a positive step.
