Relations unchanged

Attack isn’t expected to harm alliance with U.S.

U.S. officials reaffirm commitment to relationship with Saudi Arabia

WASHINGTON — Top U.S. defense and military officials on Saturday reaffirmed America’s continued commitment to and relationship with Saudi Arabia after a Saudi Air Force student’s deadly attack at a Navy base in Florida.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper and others attending a security conference in California played down any initial impact on U.S.-Saudi ties. President Donald Trump described a conciliatory conversation with Saudi King Salman.

“I spoke with the king of Saudi Arabia. They are devastated in Saudi Arabia,” Trump told reporters Saturday as he left the White House on a trip to Florida. He said the king “will be involved in taking care of families and loved ones. He feels very strongly.”

Asked about any potential effect on military relations, Esper said Friday, “We have strong military-to-military ties.” He added: “That’s the basis of our relationship with the Saudis. I don’t see this undermining” the military-to-military relationship.

In remarks at the Ronald Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, Esper was asked Saturday whether he can say that the shooting in Pensacola was terrorism. “No, I can’t say it’s terrorism at this time,” he said. Asked whether he would hesitate to send American forces to Saudi Arabia, he said, “No, not at all.” He said the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have shared security interests, especially with regard to Iran.

When Gen. David Berger, commandant of the Marine Corps, was asked whether the shooting gave him reservations about sending Marines to Saudi Arabia, he said no.

“All of us have forces in other countries, and theirs in ours,” Berger said. “Reservations sending Marines or service members to other countries or to Saudi Arabia? No, not at all.”

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted Saturday that he had talked to the Saudi foreign minister, “who expressed his condolences and sadness at the loss of life in the horrific attack.”

Lolita C. Baldor The Associated Press tile Defense Secretary Mark Esper, seen in October at an air base in Saudi Arabia, said Saturday that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have “strong military-to-military ties” and shared security interests in the Persian Gulf region, especially in regard to Iran.