Why is the United States providing reassurances to Saudi when the U.S. can't even control Sharon? Why isn't the international community getting involved here?

...Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Abdullah told Reuters that he had received assurances from the United States that Arafat won’t be harmed...

Oh wait, there's more:

...NBC’s Fred Francis reported that the so-far muted response from the United States suggests that the White House had been aware of Israel plans...