Posted on 05/29/2004 7:27:22 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Saudi state television turned to interviewing everyone from children to intellectuals to try to rally citizens against terrorism as it reported Saturday on the latest outburst of extremist violence in the kingdom.
Suspected Islamic militants fired inside two office compounds in the oil city of Khobar, 250 miles northeast of Riyadh, Saturday morning, killing at least 10 people before taking dozens of hostages at a luxury resort.
As the hostage standoff continued into the night, Saudi TV's last newscast of the day included brief interviews with six men, apparently security officers, injured in Khobar. They all denounced the attacks and said they were wounded doing their national duty - protecting the country.
Since car bomb attacks that killed 35 people, including nine suicide bombers, at three Riyadh compounds housing foreigners last year, Saudi Arabia has launched public relations campaign aimed at discouraging Saudis from offering any kind of support to extremists.
It has also led to an unprecedented public discussion in Saudi Arabia about whether the austere version of Islam expounded in the kingdom might contribute to extremist violence.
On Saturday, Saudi television broadcast patriotic anthems and interviewed a number of Saudis and foreigners living here, who all denounced the latest attacks. The citizens called upon the government to deal with the militants firmly, with some calling the perpetrators the "deviant bunch," one of the labels Saudi authorities have used to describe militants. The interviews appeared with the caption "The Street Pulse."
Children were also interviewed, and many described the attacks as "terrorism."
On an hour-long talk show aired Saturday, intellectuals called upon the nation to stand up to terrorists.
Saudi police close the way to Al-Khobar Petroleum Center in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, Saturday May 29, 2004. At least six people were killed when suspected Islamic militants sprayed gunfire inside two Saudi oil industry compounds in Khobar. (AP Photo/Okaz)
Saudi police and security stand near the three covered dead bodies of victims at the Corniche Road in front of Al-Khobar Petroleum Center in Khobar in Saudi Arabia, Saturday May 29, 2004. At least six people were killed in the attack when suspected Islamic militants sprayed gunfire inside two Saudi oli industry compounds in Khobar. (AP Photo/Saudi Gazette)
The American media refer to the terrorists as "militants" in earlier posts describing the events in Khobar. Does AP think these children are exaggerating?
In point of fact, when I review the article, I see that AP begins: "Suspected Islamic militants . . ." Not terrorists, evidently.
Is this a joke? Terrorism and Saudi seem to go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly.
And only suspected of being militant.
They've never been particularly adept at doing things for themselves.
They could hire the US Armed Forces....$1,000/day/man/woman.
The alligator done ate everyone else now it's the Saudi Royal Family's time.
I think you're right, and I think the Saud royalty have the same expectation.
There was a brief interview on the news tonight - I'd swear that the fear in the prince's voice was palpable.
The public announcements against terrorism indicates a level of sensitivity and insecurity rarely before exhibited by the modern Saudi rulers.
Suspected al Qaeda militants killed at least 16 people, including Westerners, and seized 50 foreigners as hostages in a Saudi city on May 29, 2004 in an attack on the world's biggest oil exporter. Saudi forces stormed the Oasis housing compound, where the hostages were being held, in the eastern city of Khobar after the militants -- spraying gunfire at several buildings in their attack -- killed at least nine Saudis and seven foreigners. (Reuters Graphic)
Not yet, but Arab 'honor' won't be satisfied if there isn't a Jew involved in this somehow.
yup, now that Al Kaida is trying to effect Saudi revenues, suddenly Saudis are against terror. My how things change.
I wish but unfortunately, I see them partying and living it up in Vegas
There are approximately 7000 or so princes of the House of Saud. They are very expensive to maintain and require an estimated 40% of the oil revenues, the kingdom's only source of income. And what do they give back? Nothing, really, and the average citizen's per capita income has fallen substantially over the last few decades. Not good....
Whether people realize this or not this is a very important step in defeating terrorism. Once the Saudis start denouncing these people as terrorists, the rest of the Islamic world will follow. I expect to see the more militant Imams disappear and more moderate ones take their place. I also expect to see many of the Royal family decide to take extended vacations on a very small allowance, if they are lucky.
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.