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| Arabia |
| Saudi to ban Dutch firms over Islam 'insult' |
| 2014-05-18 |
| [The Peninsula] Saudi companies have been ordered to exclude Dutch firms from future projects over an anti-Islamic stunt by a far-right Dutch politician, in a royal decree made public by the Makkah Chamber of Commerce. The decree bans "Dutch firms from taking part in future projects in the kingdom, whether directly or through sub-contracting," according to a chamber circular yesterday. It also reduces to a minimum the number of visas "for Dutch companies and investors who are not part of vital projects in the kingdom". And it orders an end to visits by trade delegations between the two countries. In November, anti-Islamic politician Geert Wilders printed stickers imitating the Saudi flag. The Dutch foreign ministry said that Soddy Arabia ...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... feels "insulted" by Wilders, and front man Friso Wijnen said this could entail "commercial measures against the Netherlands". The Dutch government distanced itself from Wilders' actions at the time, pointing out that the populist firebrand ... firebrandsare noted more for audio volume and the quantity of spittle generated than for any actual logic in their arguments... is not part of the government and his ideas are not representative. Attempts to prosecute him for his claims have failed. He was acquitted on charges of inciting hatred in 2011, with judges arguing that his comments were directed against a religion rather than an ethnic group. |
| Posted by:Fred |