MERIP Media Resource List, June 14, 2004

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS on the following topics:

- IAEA resolution on Iran

- Instability in Saudi Arabia

CHRIS TOENSING

Chris Toensing is executive director of the Middle East Research and Information Project and editor of Middle East Report. Commenting on the IAEA resolution on Iran, Toensing said: "Everyone wishes that Iran would cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency -- except maybe the neo-conservative hawks in the Bush administration. The hawks continue to give ammunition to Iranian hardliners by implying that the logic of non-proliferation applies only to countries on their enemies list."

FAREED MOHAMEDI

Fareed Mohamedi is chief economist for the Washington-based PFC Energy. Commenting on the current situation in Saudi Arabia, Mohamedi said: ÒThe violence against Westerners in Saudi Arabia could have adverse consequences for the Saudi oil sector and economy over the longer term. In political terms, however, the Saudi authorities do not fear losing control over the Kingdom and will use excessive force to fight their home-grown militants. While this may alienate a larger part of their core constituents, the Saud family still holds the central political role in the country. They can exploit the country's diversity and their opponents' divisiveness to retain their grip on power.Ó 

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