HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------EDITORIAL • April 24, 2002 More Saudi lies
As President Bush prepares for the visit of
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Abdullah, the administration must free itself from
the platitudes and talking points ordinarily used to describe the "strength" of
U.S.-Saudi relations. For the reality is that — aside from radical states like
Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Cuba — few regimes have done more to undermine
American foreign-policy interests in recent years than the regime in Saudi
Arabia. The malevolent Saudi approach to Middle East peace was on display
Sunday, when Mr. Abdullah's foreign-policy adviser, Adel Al-Jubeir, sought to
justify Arab terrorism and Saudi anti-Semitism on NBC television's "Meet the
Press" with Tim Russert.
Mr. Russert peppered
Mr. Al-Jubeir with tough questions. He reminded him that the Saudi ambassador to
Britain recently published a poem praising Palestinian suicide bombers, writing
that they had "died to honor My God's word." The ambassador further declared
that the White House is "filled with darkness." Mr. Russert wanted to know
whether the envoy had been recalled or reprimanded. Mr. Al-Jubeir merely replied
that the ambassador, who represents a dictatorship, royal or not, that harshly
represses dissent at home, was speaking in a "personal" capacity. Asked how he
squared his expressed desire for "peace" with the recent Saudi telethon that
raised $92 million for families of Palestinian "martyrs," including the families
of suicide bombers, Mr. Al-Jubeir brazenly denied that his government supported
suicide bombers and declared that the Saudis opposed "the killing of innocent
lives." He declined even to say whether suicide bombers were murderers.
"Palestinians are desperate," he said. "They're taking desperate measures." Mr.
Al-Jubeir also indicated that he couldn't say that suicide bombings "are correct
or not correct."
Any "desperation" the
Palestinians feel is the result of the behavior of Arab dictatorships like Mr.
Al-Jubeir's government in Saudi Arabia. Had they not attacked and sought to
destroy Israel in 1948, there would never have been a Palestinian refugee
problem. Had the Saudis been willing to use some of their petro-dollars to
resettle Arab refugees instead of inculcating them with hatred and leaving them
to rot in fetid refugee camps, peace with Israel would have become a reality
long ago.
The lot of any Saudi government
spinner has to be pretty miserable these days. No sane person could enjoy having
to go on American television knowing he'll be peppered with nasty questions,
such as, why were 15 of the 19 hijackers who struck the United States on
September 11 Saudi nationals?
Here's a related
matter Mr. Bush might want to ask Mr. Abdullah about when they get together:
The German newspaper Die Welt has reported that Saudi Arabia
financed the escape of 4,000 agents of Osama bin Laden from Afghanistan to
Lebanon, and has offered $5,000 for each al Qaeda member who resettles in the
West Bank or Gaza. Is this the latest Saudi contribution to the famous "peace
process"?
http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20020424-384897.htm
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