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| Arabia |
| Riyadh's 'blind eye' to al-Qaeda |
| 2002-10-18 |
| Saudi Arabia is the al-Qaeda terror networkâs main financier but the kingdomâs rulers have deliberately turned a blind eye to the problem. The report, from the influential New York-based Council on Foreign Relations, also criticises the US for failing to confront Riyadh over its terror links. It says that the House of Saud has tolerated millions of dollars a year being raised for al-Qaeda inside the kingdom. âIt is worth stating clearly and unambiguously what official US government spokespersons have not,â the report states. âFor years, individuals and charities based in Saudi Arabia have been the most important source of funds for al-Qaeda, and for years the Saudi officials have turned a blind eye to the problem.â I hope CFR didn't spend an awful lot of money researching that. Anybody who reads blogs knew that, oh... 'bout a year ago, at least. If they did spend a lot of money on that, I'm available for their next project... The councilâs study is particularly damning about US claims that Saudi Arabia is co-operating in the worldwide fight to stop terrorist financing, âwhen they (the US Government) know very well all the ways in which it is notâ. Who authored that report? Charles Johnson? Bill Quick? Kathy? C'mon, guys. 'Fess up...! |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #2 To the author of the report: Amen! However, I disagree with Rene in marginalizing Soddi-controlled Arabia. As long as the Soddis have oil money, they can't be marginalized, and all the Iraqi oil does is drive down the cost per barrel (to a point). The Soddis would still have the money to spread Wahhabite teachings around the (gullible) Islamic world. And US pressure won't work, as the Soddis see this as part of their religion. Unfortunately, the only answer is to separate the Soddis' from their oil revenues. I'd suggest a new Shi'a state in NE Arabia, one friendly and grateful to the West for their liberation from the House of Saud. That might work. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2002-10-18 18:15:16 |
| #1 I suspect that once the US has permanent bases in Iraq, in position to intercept al-qaida traffic moving between central asia and the arabian peninsula, relations between the US and Saudi Arabia will change. Iraqi oil will reduce Saudi Arabian leverage (and income), US troops will move out of the kingdom and away from Saudi holy sites. Saudi Arabia will find itself somewhat marginalized, vis a vis the US presence in the area, and probably under greater US pressure to clamp down on terror, as a result. |
| Posted by: Rene Buchard 2002-10-18 15:31:47 |