[Ranger]

Knew this threat was coming. Also FYI Saudi is running large accounts deficit right now, so some repatriation is also going to occur because of that. On the other hand I doubt Saudi princes are parking their money in the magic kingdom. More likely they are sending to Europe.

[Guillermo]

I read a coupla months ago that Arab money was already flowing out of the US...

[babygene]

Our government should freeze their funds until the case is settled

[laconic]

Let them take their money and go home with it (perhaps it will do a world of good for the people of Saudi Arabia instead of the kleptocracy that runs that country for the benefit of a very, very few). Sometimes you have to stand on principle, the consequences be damned.

[Real Cynic No More]

Well, if the U.S. is freezing the assets of terrorists, the answer is fairly simple.

[Paul Ross]

This kind of stupid threat to flee with their assets is also the solid basis for a motion by the plaintiff's attorneys for a pre-lien attachment.

All I can say is, Go Get 'Em Plaintiff's Bar!!!!

[RightWhale]

They better withdraw their investments right away before they are frozen.

[Osinski]

This is BIG money. Here comes more smokescreen as the elitists running this stock market con game try to pin the next big downturn on the Saudis. Trying to rouse the public into a war, while covering their sorry behinds.

[backhoe]

Just for perspective:

CIA -- The World Factbook -- Saudi Arabia

GDP: purchasing power parity - $232 billion (2000 est.)

CIA -- The World Factbook -- United States

GDP: purchasing power parity - $9.963 trillion (2000 est.)

[Dog Gone]

This ain't gonna happen.

[Bush2000]

Saudi investors have threatened to withdraw some of the $750bn (£487bn; 766bn euros) they have invested in the US after families of 11 September victims filed a lawsuit against Saudi banks and charities for damages.

Let them. They're bluffing: They don't have any other place to invest.

[Straight Vermonter]

Dr Abd-al-Rahman al-Zamil, chairman of Al-Zamil Group, has urged Saudi investors to repatriate their funds to the kingdom, Saudi newspaper Arab News reported.

This would be the equivalent of leaving your Beemer in the south Bronx with the keys in it. These guys know that it is just a matter of time before they are ousted and when they are any money in the kingdom is gone. The US has always propped up these fat bastards and that looks to be changing.

[Koblenz]

Money chases the best investments. If they indeed have this type of money invested in the US, and they all pull it out, then there'll be a short term spike down. But then European hedge funds and investors will see that US assets are comparatively underpriced, and they'll shift more of their assets in to the US. Especially if the Saudis shift their money to Europe.

The Saudis need to put their money somewhere. There's nothing in their own country to invest in. And if they decide to build more highways, water desalinization plants, mosques, skyscrapers, or government buildings, then they'll take their money back to Saudi Arabia, and promptly spend that money. Since there are no companies in Saudi Arabia, they'll have to hire foreign, mainly American, companies.

There are a few local companies, all staffed with foreigners, so if they hire those companies, most of the money will leave SA anyway.

In conclusion, the money is going to end up here, somehow. There's nothing to buy in SA except sand and oil, and after a certain point, you don't need oil anymore.

[wingnuts'nbolts]

We could sieze all Saudi bank accounts, realestate investments etc., too. All your money now belong to US.

[A CA Guy]

Well, we may have to be at war with them as well if they choose the wrong side.

[Republican Wildcat]

how about we counter-threaten to buy NONE of their oil?

[FreeReign]

It accused three senior Saudi princes - including Defence Minister Prince Sultan, the kingdom's third highest official - several Saudi and other foreign banks, and Sudan's government of funding Osama bin Laden.

The lawsuit alleges Saudi money has "for years been funnelled to encourage radical anti-Americanism as well as to fund the al Qaeda terrorists".

I don't think he has a case -- prove me wrong Ron Motley.

[river rat]

The House of Saud is the diseased whore that gave birth to and sustains radical/militant Islam...

The treacherous two faced lying bitch has earned our hatred, and deserves to feel the wrath of a brutal American vengence.
Semper Fi