RIYADH - An editor whose newspaper was in the forefront of a campaign against Muslim extremism was removed from his post Tuesday, managers at the paper said. No reason was given for the dismissal of Jamal Khashoggi, who joined the Al-Watan newspaper in March, one manager said on condition of anonymity. Staffers at the paper said Al-Watan's manager fired Khashoggi but that the decision came from the Information Ministry. Under Saudi press laws, the government approves the hiring and firing of newspaper editors. Newspapers are privately owned but government guided. Al-Watan has run a number of stories, editorials and cartoons critical of extremists and the way in which the country enforces its religious values. The newspaper published many critical articles in the wake of May 12 attacks in Riyadh that killed 34 people, suggesting that Muslim fanaticism, long tolerated in the country, led to terrorism. On Saturday, Khashoggi writing about fanaticism, said: "It's time we treated the affliction and held those who strayed accountable." Many fear the dismissal of Khashoggi, 45, will send a message to other newspapers that the government will no longer tolerate such criticism. A ministry official said only Minister of Information Fuad al-Farsi could comment on the dismissal but that he was not available.
Khashoggi's written a number of reasonable (to us, anyway) articles. He's also sometimes carried in the Beirut Daily Star. I'd take this as an indication the Soddies have decided they're not that serious about divorcing themselves from the jihadis. Guess the WOT's not gonna be over soon...
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
05/27/2003 11:21 pm ||
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Dr. Ayman Habid ⢠Okaz
Terrorism remains an American product. Were it not for the blood spilled as a direct result of terrorist acts committed by the United States all over the world, American blood as well as much innocent blood in many places would have been spared. In the flood of American accusations that do not spare countries, institutions or individuals, it is our right to ask about crimes committed by various American and Western bodies, including armed extremist organizations, that target Arabs and Muslims under various pretexts, one being upholding freedom. This has become part of the ceaseless war against those identified as Arab or Muslim. Jerry Falwell, as well as the organization he represents, is known for his anti-Arab and anti-Muslim diatribes and provocative actions. Falwell gave his blessing to the 1981 massacre committed by former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin when he murdered 200 Lebanese civilians, and thus made clear the terrorist nature of his organization.
Another anti-Arab and anti-Islamic terrorist, Pat Robertson, fully supports Israelâs occupation of Arab lands. Such terrorist tendencies are part of Western absolute and unreserved support for the Zionist entity and its crimes in the occupied Palestinian lands. Western religious establishments continue to support and bless Israelâs occupation of Jerusalem. Homegrown terrorism fluorishes in the United States where crime rates are the highest in the world.
Crime is common in American schools from elementary to university level. In one year American schools reported 1,200 assaults with deadly weapons, not to mention cases involving rape and sexual harassment. A country with 230 million weapons has become a vast prison with over two million people behind bars. The cowboy culture is dominant and every day 125 people â including 20 children â are killed. American youth have committed 2,428 terrorist operations involving gangs and militia members who are active all over the country. To this are added 40 terrorist and extremist organizations. Terrorism is terrorism, whether domestic or foreign, and terrorists are united by their animosity toward the other. The culture of violence is the result of policies of hegemony. This was evident from what happened in Afghanistan and Iraq.
So there you have it. Pat and Jerry — string 'em up. Damn us!
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
05/27/2003 03:16 pm ||
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#1
so this ayman habid wants to give Robertson and Falwell credit for Afghanistan and Iraq???
Yet more partisan, Republican commentary. I, for one, am tired of it ;)
#4
i just do not see any republican commentary here -i do see anti-americanism in the commentary.
Posted by: Dan ||
05/27/2003 17:02 Comments ||
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#5
Dan,
I think that was intended sarcasm on LH's part. The author is correct on one thing though. The deplorable number of incidents of crime in this country both in total and per capita. I don't understand the linkage between domestic crime and terrorism however.
#6
If Falwell and Robertson comments reveal the terrorist nature of their organizations what does this say for the vast majority of Muslim clerics who have spoken out in favor of suicide killers.Do their comments attest to the terrorist nature of the Islamic World. Do you really see sarcasm in this guy's comments? This is actually the way these Islamofascists think and argue. I see irrational anti-Americanism.
Saudi Arabia, rocked by suspected al Qaeda attacks this month, said Tuesday it hoped Iran would hand over any Saudi nationals if found among a group of alleged al Qaeda members arrested by Tehran this week. "We hope that if there are any Saudis there, they would cooperate and we have an agreement with Iran in this fashion," Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal told a news conference in Riyadh. Iran said Monday it had arrested and would interrogate several suspected members of al Qaeda. That's funny, I thought that Iran had assured us that there wasn't any al Qaeda in Iran?
Prince Saud said his country was cooperating with U.S. officials in investigating the attack, adding Saudi officials had information that weapons were being smuggled into the kingdom from the Iraqi border. "We have information of smuggling from the Iraqi borders and we will get into touch with the occupying powers there to see what could be done," he said. Of course there was no such smuggling under Sammy's rule. It must be our fault that this is happening now.
Prince Saud hinted to reporters of a possible link between the triple suicide bomb attacks in the kingdom, the birthplace of Islam, and bombings in Casablanca which came a few days later. "We don't think it's accidental that it happened so near to each other," Prince Saud said. Neither do I.
A Riyadh-based Western diplomat said Thursday that Saudi authorities had arrested four men on suspicion of belonging to al Qaeda. The "usual suspects" routine.
Posted by: Steve ||
05/27/2003 11:10 am ||
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#1
From: The occupying Powers (Iraq)
To: Saudi Arabia
Subject: Cross-border arms smugglers
Feel free to shoot any you catch.
-- Love - The US
#2
Perhaps since the golden bribe money was confiscated, the Iranians will have no use for these "usual suspects". And the Saudi's get their man. Don't do the crime if you can't pay the bribe.
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