I think it is time for America to start realizing that our decades long friendship with Saudi Arabia is over. The article I just posted illustrates some of the reasons. Consider:
1. U.S. ally Saudi Arabia said it was unhappy about the bombing of Afghanistan
They weren't unhappy to have us bail them out when Saddam was on the loose. But now we are supposed to turn the other cheek when this is done to us.
2. Interior Minister Prince Naif broke Saudi silence on the bombing late Sunday, telling reporters the kingdom opposed terrorism but did not approve of the U.S. response.
``We wish the United States had been able to flush out the terrorists in Afghanistan without resorting to the current action... because this is killing innocent people,'' he said.
Perhaps we should have waited until bin Laden ordered a pizza and then had the pizza driver arrest him? "Excuse me, sir, you are wanted for murdering 6,000 people in a fiery tomb. Would you please allow me to escort you back to America?" Be serious.
3. ``We are not at all happy with the situation. This in no way means we are not willing to confront terrorism,'' he said in remarks reported by the official Saudi Press Agency.
Then turn over your F'in bank records of terrorist financing activities. Now.
``It's unbelievable the way the feeling here has changed from sympathy to anger in such a short time,'' a Western analyst based in Riyadh said.
You want to see anger? Keep it up.
``More sensitive and astute decision-making on both sides is required to handle a relationship which has become extremely difficult to manage. Every aspect of it is under pressure.''
As it should be.
Saudi Arabia, which sees itself as the world's principal advocate of pure Islam, has condemned the September 11 attacks which killed nearly 5,400 people but has remained sensitive to widespread public anger over casualties in Muslim Afghanistan.
A relative handful of innocent people have been killed because the Taliban refused over a period of nearly a month to turn over a group of murderers. The blood currently being spilt is on the Taliban's hands. And the Saudis, as one of only three countries to recognize the Taliban government, as financial supporters, as suppliers of more of the terrorists themselves than any other nation, are also complicit. Blame us? Blame yourselves.
Riyadh said early on it would not allow attacks on Afghanistan to be launched from its soil.
Which is when we should have announced we were breaking diplomatic relations and pulling all of our people out of the country.
U.S. officials say the country is co-operating in more appropriate ways, by sharing intelligence and cracking down on funding of groups and individuals suspected of terrorist links.
They'd better be. But there are reports that the "cooperation" has been less than complete.
MANY ADMIRE BIN LADEN
It is impossible to tell how many Saudis want the Americans to leave Saudi Arabia. But it is clear many people admire bin Laden for his role in driving the Soviets from Afghanistan years ago and do not believe he masterminded last month's attacks.
In the 1930's, there were those who admired Hitler and Mussolini. Those who remarked on the orderliness of society, on the trains running on time, on whatever they could find that turned the spotlight away from racism, religious discrimination, and mistreatment of human beings based on things far removed from the content of their character. The Saudis supported the Taliban, a cultural movement that treats women with less respect than farm animals. Now why is it that the Saudis supported that regime? Why is it that they admire bin Laden? And why is it that they don't believe he did this thing? And why is it that we are trying so hard to be their friends? Find an alternative source of energy now, and see how far that attitude gets them.
U.S. high-tech attacks on one of the poorest countries in the world are viewed here as arrogant and insensitive.
As are the food donations we have given to a country which mistreats its own population.
Saudis feel they have been unfairly singled out because the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation has said that 12 of the 19 suspected hijackers which slammed hijacked commercial airliners into buildings in New York and Washington were Saudis.
If 6,000 Saudis were killed on a pilgrimage to Mecca on a sunny September morning by 19 commandos, and 12 of them were from the United States, what would their response be?
There has been no public U.S. apology and media have reported in detail on harassment of Saudis in America.
If Americans killed that many Saudis, how would the U.S. expats in Riyadh be treated?
A final episode rubbed salt in wounded Saudi pride in the past week.
Saudis have been outraged by the rejection of a $10 million donation by Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal to victims of the collapse of the World Trade Center.
Rudy did absolutely the right thing. There is no question in my mind about it. The attitude of the Prince is the problem, and Rudy had the courage and the judgment to say so.
Ultimately, the American response to this entire situation may well be judged on how we deal with the Saudis. If we continue to allow this sort of conduct, we will be seen as pawns of their oil, unwilling to pay the price to do what is right. That weakness of ours is ultimately what the terrorists are depending on.
George, if you want to take a stand, even if it means five bucks a gallon for gas, you've got my support. I am outraged by the conduct of this supposed "ally". |
