On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I congratulate King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of their National Day. For more than 75 years, the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have enjoyed a strong relationship founded on common interests and mutual respect. President Bush's two state visits in 2008 highlight our continuing friendship, building on the first handshake between President Roosevelt and King Abdul Aziz in 1945 aboard the USS Quincy. Our relationship is deep and long-lasting, and it grows stronger every day. The King Abdullah scholarship allows thousands of young Saudis to study abroad. Saudi students have exciting opportunities to discover new experiences and understand other cultures. As the US ambassador, I am happy that more than 15,000 young Saudis have decided to study in the United States. These people-to-people exchanges allow the Saudi-US friendship to grow, strengthen and continue well into the future. The US government and our Saudi partners are committed to expanding US educational opportunities to more Saudi students. We thank King Abdullah for his strong leadership in the political and economic arena, particularly his commitment to a world free of terror. His efforts and those of brave men everyday have increased the security of Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and the world. We are proud to partner with Saudi Arabia to combat this global threat. Finally, through the Interfaith Dialogue Initiative, King Abdullah and Saudi Arabia have shown true foresight. The King has worked tirelessly to promote common themes that link all religions – tolerance, moderation, and brotherhood. These ideas bring us together and plant the seeds of peace. I am honored to represent the United States of America in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On behalf of the American people, I wish all a Ramadan Kareem and extend congratulations on the National Day. – The writer is the US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. __
