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The Saudis acknowledge that their security depends ultimately on U.S. power. To guard their independence, they abhor the thought of having U.S. bases on their own soil, but they would not be opposed to American outposts in Oman, Somalia or Kenya. The Saudis' first priority, however, is to build up their own forces. They are now confident that given the current cold war climate, the U.S. Congress will approve their purchase of 60 advanced F-15 fighter jets, though Riyadh is sensitive to any suggestion that the planes would be gifts. When told by a visiting Congressman that it looked as if "we got you the F-15," Defense Minister Sultan bluntly interrupted: "Excuse me, but we are paying more than our share for them."
What seriously stands in the way of better relations between Washington and Riyadh is the Palestinian problem. Fahd and other Saudi leaders remain convinced that the current autonomy talks between Egypt and Israel will fail to produce a plan that the Palestinians can or will accept. As traditional custodians of Islam's lory places, the Saudis are adamant about regaining Arab control of East Jerusalem. As pragmatists and as the world's largest oil producers, they are worried about the threat of sabotage—and subversion—if he Palestinian problem remains unresolved much longer.