Ah, the Saudis

[SlavesandBulldozers]

It seems every week they are claiming "seriously, now we hate terrorists, seriously this time".


http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/11/11/saudi.explosion.int/index.html

snip
"Saudi officials said they believed al Qaeda attackers behind Saturday's deadly car bombing mistakenly targeted a facility they thought was housing Americans. The residents were mostly Arabs. "
snip

anybody else notice that Al Qaeda never targets actual Saudis? What's going on here? Did the Saudis pay Al Qaeda protection money?

http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/08/27/saudis.alqaeda/]

snip
"A group of prominent Saudis met in Paris, where they conspired to pay off Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda group to ensure that al Qaeda would never attack within the borders of the Saudi Kingdom again," the suit claims.
snip

I believe what's going on here is that Al Qaeda has carte-blanche in Saudi Arabia to attack non-Saudi targets. After all, it would look a little obvious if Al Qaeda never operated in Saudi Arabia, wouldn't it? SO much better for the monarchy to spread the PERCEPTION that terrorism is affecting them as well, despite the fact that Al Qaeda is not attacking the monarchy of Saudi ARabia, nor anyone of Saudi descent. It seems every week the Saudis are claiming "No Really, this time we seriously mean it, we won't tolerate terrorists".

Even the al Qaeda operative who was captured by Saudi officials stated that they hadn't planned on inflicting Arab casualties, and that they thought the target was a US apartment complex. Bottom line, Al Qaeda and Saudi Arabia are in lockstep.

snip
"Fahd's vow to crack down on the militants came among further official warnings that more attacks could come at any time. Sources said they expect at least one more attack, if not more."
snip

Ok, so let me get this straight. The monarchy said they were in our corner after 9/11 and that they wouldnt tolerate militants. They went on a PR blitz, even showing commercials stating the Saudis and us were great pals, despite the fact that they are no democratic government. Then there was a big bomb that went off, then they something like "Seriously, we are now determined to fight terrorism". Now more of the same.

How can we wage a war on terrorism when Bush is such great pals with these Saudi assholes?

[varun]

1. with allies like Saudis and Pakistanis...

...who needs enemies?

:eyes:

[Maple]

2. Al Qaeda

is made up of dissident or rebel Saudis trying to get rid of their 'royals'

[SlavesandBulldozers]

3. that's how they started

certainly, that's how it all began. But look at the facts. Is the Saudi monarchy being targeted, or even threatened, by AL Qaeda? Clearly No. Is Al Qaeda reliant on the monarchy's money? Yes. Did the Saudis pay Al Qaeda? The families of September 11 victims' lawyers say Yes. What does this mean?

It means that the Saudis must play both sides of the coin. They understand that if America were to shun them they would be exposed to Al Qaeda's full fury, as AL Qaeda would go back to focusing attacks against the monarchy given the withdrawl of all American support. They also understand that a complete assault on Al Qaeda would undermine certain interests within the monarchy, as well as a vast popular uprising amongst the disenfranchised of Saudi Arabia who would support the religio-revolutionary rhetoric of Al Qaeda.

The Saudis also know that, given Bush's ties to Saudi oil money, they have our leadership by the balls. Bush cannot, the Saudis know, push the Saudis in any direction - because precious oil hangs in the balance.

[wakfs]

4. Thanks for depressing me

Seriously though, good points all. I wonder how different the world would be if we had developed alternate sources of energy by now, thus freeing us from dependence on Saudi oil.

What a mess.

[DUreader]

5. Al Queda was set up to control and keep tabs on anti-Royals

my take on it.

Oldest trick in the power games