Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Saudi leader accuses Bush advisers (It's the Christian fundamentalists' fault)
The Times (U.K.) ^ | 08/09/2002 | Michael Theodoulou

Posted on 08/08/2002 4:59:59 PM PDT by Pokey78

THE depiction by an American think-tank analyst of Saudi Arabia as a terrorist enemy of Washington provoked a furious backlash in the kingdom’s press, despite the insistence of both Governments that their long alliance was sound.

Saudi newspapers yesterday hit out at the “growing Christian fundamentalism” in America, which they accuse of targeting Arabs and Muslims and blocking Middle East peace.

“Christian fundamentalism is no less dangerous to international peace and security than extremists in other religions,” the daily al-Watan newspaper said. “Rather it is more dangerous especially if it controls the policy of the United States.”

The English language Saudi Gazette said that extremism in the US would ultimately harm Washington’s own interests. “The Christian fundamentalists are encouraging American militants to raise a dust of hatred about Saudi Arabia that has been maintaining an exemplary relationship with the United States,” it said.

The press comments came two days after it was reported that an analyst for the Rand Corporation, a think tank funded by the Administration, told a Pentagon advisory body that the US should punish Saudi Arabia if it failed to stop supporting Islamic extremism.

The Saudi Gazette said: “The Saudis value their friendship with the US, but they do not accept such trash.”

An embarrassed Pentagon has tried to distance itself from the briefing.

Donald Rumsfeld, the US Defence Secretary, insisted that it did not represent the Government’s or the Pentagon advisory board’s views.

Prince Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi Foreign Minister, blamed elements within the Bush Administration for the rhetoric.

“Unfortunately, there are people who try to raise doubts and shake the strong historical ties between our two countries,” he said.

“I am confident they will not succeed. The Saudi-American relationship of friendship and alliance that goes back 60 years is excellent in all fields.”

However, that relationship could face further strains from Washington’s drive for “regime change” in Baghdad. Prince Saud this week repeated that the kingdom would not allow its soil to be used for any attack on Iraq.

Other newspapers in the region spoke of the need to prevent Washington’s relations with the oil-rich kingdom from deteriorating.

The English-language Daily Star in Lebanon said: “The aiming of potshots at a country like Saudi Arabia constitutes a particularly odious brand of mischief when one considers the efforts the kingdom has made to balance America’s interests with its own.”

It pointed out that Saudi Arabia had provided bases and other support during the 1991 Gulf War and had consistently helped to keep oil prices at levels that suited the needs of America and other industrialised countries.

Moreover, the kingdom had exposed itself to “stinging criticism by continuing to trust the US role in the peace process despite Washington’s pro-Israeli tilt” and had formulated an Arab peace initiative for the Middle East.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 08/08/2002 4:59:59 PM PDT by Pokey78
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Howlin; Miss Marple; terilyn; summer; Sabertooth; MeeknMing; JohnHuang2
Ping.
2 posted on 08/08/2002 5:00:41 PM PDT by Pokey78
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
I don't have much time for the Christian extremists but ... Fancy being accused of religious fundamentalism by an official of the Saudi regime! Soon, we shall have the Indian government proclaiming that it is worried about communal violence in America - and maybe Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will go on tv to advise Bush that he needs to watch his diet and lose weight.
3 posted on 08/08/2002 5:08:50 PM PDT by BlackVeil
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
It was a breath of fresh air regarding the Saudis as enemies and about time somone said it.
4 posted on 08/08/2002 5:14:20 PM PDT by Hoosier-Daddy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
I was wondering when the last time Baptists strapped on explosives and blew up a bus????
5 posted on 08/08/2002 5:20:30 PM PDT by Nat Turner
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
15 of 19
6 posted on 08/08/2002 5:23:06 PM PDT by B Knotts
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Hoosier-Daddy
I will be flamed to scorched embers for saying this, but sometimes, as you correctly said H.D. the obvious needs saying...

The battle lines seem to be getting drawn more clearly each day... It will be the U.S. Evangelicals and Israelis, versus Islam and their allies, the Vatican and mainline (liberal) "protestant" churches.

IMO, the end game towards Armegeddon is upon is.

7 posted on 08/08/2002 5:27:45 PM PDT by berned
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
I am a Christian. Islam is Satanic.
8 posted on 08/08/2002 5:33:09 PM PDT by marbren
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
So, they tipped their hand about who they are really after. Not that anyone didn't understand that Islam, after highjacking the Torah and taking it on a ride to Satanism, intends to "wear out the Saints of God" and eleminate every other religion on earth.

The truth is they funded Ben Ladin, they funded Al Queda, they continue to preach hatred of America on their state controlled media, they support, finance, and contribute retoric to the terrorist Hamas. They are our enemies, take out Saudi Arabia and 70% of terrorism will end world wide.

9 posted on 08/08/2002 5:47:27 PM PDT by MissAmericanPie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
More Saudi terrorists spewing garbage.
10 posted on 08/08/2002 5:51:47 PM PDT by johnfl61
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marbren
I agree! I am also beginning to wonder, seriously, whether the anti-Christ has not already come, some 1500 years ago, and we are seeing the fruits of his work.
11 posted on 08/08/2002 6:04:02 PM PDT by SubMareener
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
"“Christian fundamentalism is no less dangerous to international peace and security than extremists in other religions,” "

Can't fool those Arabs.
We cancelled VBS this year at my church. We are spending our time training elders how to fly 747's into camel caravans.

12 posted on 08/08/2002 6:10:31 PM PDT by Joshua
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All
RadioFR Tonight...6pm Pacific/9pm Eastern!

Click HERE to Listen LIVE!

Click HERE for the RadioFR Chat Room!


13 posted on 08/08/2002 6:10:49 PM PDT by Bob J
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
“Christian fundamentalism is no less dangerous to international peace and security than extremists in other religions,” the daily al-Watan newspaper said. “Rather it is more dangerous especially if it controls the policy of the United States.”

...and in other news...Today, a pot called the kettle black...the kettle is considering filing a discrimination suit...

The only GOOD ISLAMAZI...is a DEAD ISLAMAZI!!!

Spread the news...

14 posted on 08/08/2002 6:11:22 PM PDT by Itzlzha
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marbren
Thaaats right....me to
15 posted on 08/08/2002 6:26:30 PM PDT by joesnuffy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
First the Saudis blamed the Jews; now it's the Christians. The saudis are jihadist devils who must be defeated. They are not friends, they are fiends.
16 posted on 08/08/2002 7:18:15 PM PDT by sheik yerbouty
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
Say what? I don't see what other choice they have but to "trust the US role in the peace process." What else can they do; this is a country A) without normal relations with Israel; and B) they are bunch of scaredy-cats who never fought in any arab-israeli war of the past, and sure aren't going to start now. Who the hell are they kidding - they have no influence over the situation at all except through the US.

I also seem to recall high oil prices in the last part of the Clinton administration (A big issue at the time) and Energy Secretary Richardson asking the Saudis to increase production without any success. Consistantly helped to keep oil prices low? I think not.

As to their generousity in providing us with bases and support against Iraq back in '91 (to save their worthless hides from the same fate as the Kuwaiti royal family)... don't even get me started
17 posted on 08/08/2002 7:44:29 PM PDT by Shooter69
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson