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2004-12-22 Arabia

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Posted by Fred 2004-12-22 00:00:00|| || Front Page|| [6 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 "Saudi Aramco trains and equips a security force that is professional and responsive."

Um, not exactly. Internally, there is Industrial Security - and they are empowered to do damned-near anything they want to do within Aramco facilities and properties. And I mean anything. An absolute rule is that you do not fuck around with IS.

Externally there are the Emergency Forces - and there is a small barracks and training center right outside the front gate of Aramco in Dhahran. I'm not sure how much presence they have at other Aramco facilities - it has probably varied according to perceived threats over time.

As for professionalism, IS used to be - that's a certainty. All leadership positions were held by UK and US ex-Mil guys who knew their shit. The training was by people they selected. They were ship-shape and tight. Since Saudiazation began, say 15 yrs ago, this has been changing just like everything else at Aramco - Saudis taking the spots from expats. Sometimes natural attrition, sometimes a little bit of a push. Have they kept a core of competent people, either in staff or on retainer / contract? Good question. Are the rank and file any good - that I doubt because it has certainly been Saudi-ized at all the lower ranks.

As for the Emergency Forces (which are under CP Abdullah, I believe, as part of SANG - the Nat'l Guard) - well, try Global Security's take - they know more about those guys than I do. The last paragraph is key for the Aramco facilities.

Can people successfully attack and hurt Aramco facilities if they are willing to take the risks and smart enough to select the right points? Yewbetcha. Pipelines, junctions, pumping stations - those are vulnerable just like in Iraq. The pipelines run for hundreds of miles and there's no way to protect it all - especially since the Saudis have been building much of their downstream facilities on the other coast around Jeddah. All the raw comes from the East coast. The main facilities, such as refineries and terminals are probably decently defended - you'd get the first shot in by surprise, but you might not get out alive.

Posted by .com 2004-12-22 3:25:57 AM|| 2004-12-22 3:25:57 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 All the raw comes from the East coast.

Is this a smallish, strip on the East coast?

Posted by Shipman 2004-12-22 8:15:59 AM|| 2004-12-22 8:15:59 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 Yes, it is fashionably slender and alluring with a coastal view. Quite a chic location with sand beaches everywhere you look - even inland...

Posted by .com 2004-12-22 2:09:17 PM|| 2004-12-22 2:09:17 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 And inhabited primarily by Arab Shia, much like those gaining control of Iraq, who have been persecuted by the Wahabbi much as the Sunni in Iraq treated the Shia there.

Free the Republic of Eastern Arabia now!

Posted by Mrs. Davis 2004-12-22 2:35:11 PM|| 2004-12-22 2:35:11 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 Sing it sistah! Lol!

Y'know, the Sunni domination of, and brutality to, the Shi'a is consistent... Perhaps it's similar to the ebonics-inspired view floated around Hahvahd a few years back... Sunni... sunny. Shi'a... shiver. Yes, I think there's a connection. The Sunni are the sun people, warm and happy - while the Shi'a must be the ice cave people, cold and nasty. Sounds like all is right with the world viewed through that lens...

Posted by .com 2004-12-22 2:42:47 PM|| 2004-12-22 2:42:47 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 Sure, stands to reason. Ebonics, the lsot science.

Posted by Shipman 2004-12-22 3:39:22 PM|| 2004-12-22 3:39:22 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Re #1 (.com)

The main facilities, such as refineries and terminals are probably decently defended - you'd get the first shot in by surprise, but you might not get out alive.

I would think that refineries and terminals would be prime targets for mortar/rocket attacks.

Posted by Chuck 2004-12-22 3:47:58 PM|| 2004-12-22 3:47:58 PM|| Front Page Top

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