Lawsuit against Saudis raises nagging issues

Just before President Bush received the Saudi ambassador, Prince Bandahar, U.S.-Saudi relations received another major jolt:

More than 600 relatives of Sept. 11 terror victims filed a lawsuit that accuses seven foreign banks, eight Islamic foundations and three members of the Saudi royal family of financing Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network. The lawsuit asks for $1 trillion in damages.

As is the case with the Russia-Iraqi deal discussed above, the timing is tough. Still, plenty of Saudi-al Qaida connections have been proven since Sept. 11.

There are many reasons that the United States has worked so hard for so many years to maintain good relations with Saudi Arabia, not the least of which is that nation's relative stability in an area of critical turmoil and bloodshed.

In addition, the Saudis have been influential in making sure U.S. oil needs are met by suppliers in the Mideast.

And any U.S. military effort in the region, such as a strike against Iraq, would certainly go more smoothly with Saudi Arabia as an ally.

But the lawsuit raises legitimate issues -- issues that have been festering for a long time. While the lawsuit may not be in this nation's best diplomatic interest, it could conceivably establish a factual record through court proceedings.