The reactions of a group of visiting American civic and elected officials to the "real" Saudi Arabia focused on the similarities of the peoples rather than the differences or the damage done to Saudi-U.S. relationships since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The group passed through Jeddah yesterday before concluding their five-day familiarization tour of the Kingdom.

"We want the same things -- both our peoples are basically interested in family, education and jobs -- these are traits common to both our societies," said Ed Bruley, chairman, Macomb County Democratic Party, Michigan.

Journalist Thomas Lippman has been a frequent visitor to Saudi Arabia. "The last time I was here, in October 2002, I was quite taken aback to find the people who should be our best friends were very upset with the U.S. because of the mantle of collective guilt that we had thrown over the Saudis," he said. He found that people who had good relations and positive experiences with the U.S. for many years found themselves on the defensive.

The group found that Saudis wanting to go to the U.S. were very frustrated with the visa situation and felt it was to the detriment of both countries especially when some Saudi students are unable to get visas.

"Add to that the really deep frustration and anger they have over the policies of the Bush administration; collectively they made these the least encouraging set of conversations I have ever had in this country," said Lippman. "People are discouraged more than angry, because they don’t see where the upturn is going to come from."

The Honorable Walter Andonov, Nevada State Assemblyman, said his visit had been the opportunity of a lifetime. "My first impression was one of surprise at the diversity of the country -- the physical and attitude differences between Riyadh and Jeddah."

He too felt the frustration among Saudis. "It disappointed me to hear young men say they were afraid to go to the U.S. As an American I find that sad after our long-standing relationship with the Kingdom," he said. "The fact that we have had a lot of young men coming to study in the U.S. has been the foundation of our traditional linkages."

Barbara Welty, member, Board of Directors for the National Association of Towns and Townships, had some long-held assumptions challenged by the visit. "We know about Americans thinking that it is unsafe to come here, but we had never really considered America to be unsafe. That was a real eye-opener."

Welty was enthusiastic about the tour of the Prince Sultan Humanitarian City in Riyadh. "From what I saw, the things developing here in the health field are fantastic."

Jennifer Salan, communications director, Arab-American Institute, said the group met with some "incredible people."

"Even I had some stereotypes that were done away with on this trip. I didn’t realize how well and vibrantly Saudi women were doing," she said. "We have seen an incredible variety of Saudi women who are well-spoken and are willing to speak out on issues -- not the perception you get in the U.S. They are in a much better position than I thought they were. They seem to be the future of this country in many ways."

The group was unanimous that people are basically the same in Saudi Arabia and the U.S., with the same needs and desires, only the cultures are different. Understanding each other’s culture takes time and effort, which is difficult when you are focusing on the family concerns of work, health and education.

"The cultural gap is wide but the human gap is narrow," said Edward Ferguson, deputy executive director, National Association of Counties. "I was saddened by the comments of the young. I feel we have already lost a generation. Growing up post-Sept. 11, they want to see some tangible things coming out of the U.S. to assuage their fears and worries."