Saudis Blame U.S. and Its Role in Iraq for Rise of Terror

[floda]

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 13 - Seventeen months into a shadowy terror campaign that has killed more than 100 people, numerous Saudis express less anger at the insurgents than at the United States for its invasion of Iraq, the signal event that they say touched off the attacks inside the kingdom.

In interviews over the last week, the Saudis condemned the terror attacks, aimed primarily at foreigners, but called them a small inconvenience that has not forced them to make significant changes in their daily lives. By contrast, they expressed unremitting disdain for the United States.

Many Saudis appear to have reached a form of intellectual accommodation with those carrying out the violence. When asked about the attackers' goals, they assigned varied motives but often one that is consistent with their personal, social or political concerns.

The interviews were with nearly two dozen Saudis, from a bejeweled prince of the royal court, sipping coffee at a cafe, to a truck driver wearing a frayed caftan, clutching a bag of onions at a local supermarket.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/14/international/middleeast/14saudi.html?oref=login

[Carolab]

1. Well, then

guess they shouldn't have funded hijackers

[yardwork]

2. The Saudis are so ungrateful

9/11 was their fault and they blamed us. The invasion of Iraq was their idea and they're blaming us. The rise of fundamentalist Islam is their fault and they blame us.

I'm glad the Saudis are friends with the Bushes. They're not my friends.

[central scrutinizer]

3. But *'s buddy Prince Bandar

got to look at the invasion plans even before Colin Powell, plus Bandar promised to get gas prices down to help *.

[Supersedeas]

4. what happened to my friend is a friend of my enemy?

[Moderator]

5. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=904413