Saudi Paper Lashes Out at Qatari FM

Tehran Times ^ | July 29 2002

[knighthawk]

RIYADH --A Saudi newspaper Monday lashed out at Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr al-Thani, calling him a "dwarf" and accusing him of openly dealing with Israel.

"Hamad bin Jassem has chosen the (wrong) door to history, the one shunned by honest people dedicated to their (Arab) nation," ***Al-Watan*** daily said in a hard-hitting editorial.

"The damage and abuses of the man have reached an unacceptable level ... We felt it was our duty to address him so he may understand ... We hope he does," the daily said.

The criticism comes one day after Sheikh Hamad met in Paris with Peres and against the backdrop of a chill in relations between Saudi Arabia and Qatar apparently caused by the Doha-based Al-Jazeera satellite channel.

Sheikh Hamad gave Arabs who favor normalizing ties with the Jewish state "a dose of courage to deal openly with Israel ... regarding Americans, whom we (Saudis) are accused of liking, they have been given access to all doors in Doha ... with the blessing of the 'smart' minister," ***Al-Watan*** said.

Saudi newspapers Saturday called on Qatar to "reconsider its policies," warning that Al-Jazeera could become a tool serving anti-Arab interests.

Tensions have surfaced between Doha and Riyadh in recent weeks after Al-Jazeera aired programs deemed offensive to Saudi Arabia, AFP reported.

The row was ostensibly triggered by a June 25 live debate on Al-Jazeera in which participants criticized Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah's Middle East peace initiative, accused Saudi Arabia of having "betrayed the Palestinian cause," and made disparaging remarks about the kingdom's founder.

[knighthawk]

Ping

[John_11_25]

Together with the UK's Observer newspaper report about Saudi Arabia, it seems the US and its allies have decided to undermine the Saudi Government.

Well I just want to remind them of the saying "Better the Devil You Know"

We will have Muttawa type government or lawlessness, where we have most of the world OIL.

Well I hope they are ready for the consequences.

[parsifal]

I look for them to try to jam the transmissions like Castro did with Radio Marty. Fat chance, though. Music is the universal language. parsy th rock'n roller.