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| Arabia |
| Saudi King grants Shoura council new authorities |
| 2003-12-01 |
| Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz has offered a greater legislative role for the Shoura council in Saudi Arabia, at a time when the Kingdom is proceeding forward with political reforms demanded by Saudis and westerners. This sounds more like a step back to me. A royal decree issued on late Saturday evening provides for transferring authority from the government to members of the Shoura council, which is a non- elected parliament, whose members are appointed by the king. See: Rubber Stamp, Toadies The decree also facilitates to the council the ability to enact new laws. The latest changes to the Shoura council allow proposing new amendments and laws, without seeking permission from the king. Well, since the council is handpicked by the King....... It also means that when differences erupts between the government and the Shoura council over any case, the government will submit it first to the council for commenting instead of sending it directly for the king for a decision. The wise council of viziers will handle these problems for the king, after all, that’s why they have the turbans. Members in the council, however, denied these steps to have had come in responce to the acts of violence al-Qaida organization is accused of committing to topple the ruling family. They said this comes in the course of the gradual operation of political reform. I guess it depends on what you consider "reform". The Shoura council which is composed of 120 members and has a consultative role. However, it had become more effective in the last decade. Members of the council said that the government has accepted most of its recommendations. Funny how that works. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #2 "There's gonna be changes!" screamed the King, "BIG changes!" "That might not be so popular, your Majesty..." murmured Raschid. "No, not popular at all." "Well, line up the sitting ducks!" retorted the enraged monarch, "Let THEM get shot at! What the hell do I pay you for?" |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2003-12-1 11:26:07 PM |
| #1 They're being incremental at the moment. As described, it's approximately like what the Kuwaiti shura was a decade or 15 years ago. |
| Posted by: Fred 2003-12-1 11:54:22 AM |