Posted on 06/27/2004 5:19:17 PM PDT by blam
Saudis agree they need help to combat terrorists and calm expatriates
By Robin Gedye in Jeddah
(Filed: 28/06/2004)
Saudi Arabia has agreed to improve security and to accept help from foreign troops in checkpoint controls after an unprecedented meeting between alarmed expatriates, western ambassadors and the Saudi foreign minister.
The four-hour meeting, originally suggested by British Ambassador Sherard Cowper-Cole, assembled 40 expatriate employees and the ambassadors of the G8 countries plus 11 other nations in an ornate conference hall overlooking the Red Sea in the hope of stemming the flow of foreign workers fleeing attacks by extreme Islamists.
James Oberwetter, the American ambassador, said Saudi Arabia had agreed to accept foreign assistance in improving the training of security forces at checkpoints, whose often lax appearance has seriously undermined the confidence of expatriates in the police.
Checkpoints set up outside the diplomatic quarter in Riyadh, currently the most sensitive area of the city, are often manned by seven or eight paramilitary troops, two of whom may be checking the contents of car boots while four others sit in the shade of a large khaki beach umbrella sipping tea.
Barry Lowen, Britain's deputy head of mission, said Saudi officials had also agreed to set up an "emergency hotline", through which an estimated 80,000 westerners living in Saudi Arabia could contact the interior ministry to discuss security concerns.
"We want a better exchange of information between the information and interior ministries and the expat community," Mr Oberwetter said.
British and American special forces have long been involved in training the elite 15,000-strong interior ministry paramilitary forces, who guard key buildings and provide close protection.
But the sudden domestic terror threat has left the force stretched beyond capacity and the Saudi government has had to fall back on the less well-trained 80,000-strong National Guard.
Mr Oberwetter said the meeting, in which foreign minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal had taken some 20 questions from expatriates, focused on security and quality of life issues. It was the first time that Saudi Arabia's rulers had come face to face with the community that is so vital to their economy.
It was a further sign that one of the most closed societies in the Arab world, reluctant to reform and to concede the gravity of its security problem, has embarked on wide-ranging re-evaluation of the measures it needs to tackle the issue.
Prince Saud said the kingdom would agree to foreign help in the training of its urban security forces. "We have a duty to reassure its foreign guests on matters of safety, and a duty as part of its national covenant to protect them."
He also appeared to concede a change in the law under which only Saudi civilians are allowed to carry weapons, as long as they are over 18 and have a permit. Foreigners, like Saudis, "have a right to carry a weapon if they are authorised to do so", Prince Saud said.
A large number of westerners now carry some form of weapon in their vehicles in case of attack.
"We carry anything from baseball bats to self-defence sprays," said one expatriate, who produced a long kitchen knife from beneath the driving seat of his car.
He said that, when driving, he was in the habit of always leaving space between himself and the cars around him in traffic, so he would be able to make a quick getaway.
"I now check my mirrors constantly. I know of a friend who was boxed in twice by cars trying to force him off the main airport road. It's getting too close," he said.
However, he was somewhat heartened by yesterday's meeting. "At least it's a step in a direction showing the government is beginning to pull its head out of the sand, where it is usually hidden to help it pretend that all is well," he said.
Several companies, including BAE Systems, the British defence firm, are offering their expatriate staff "sweeteners" of £1,000 and more to stay in Saudi Arabia.
Yo, Riyadh. This MOAB's for you.
STATEMENT FROM JOHNSON FAMILY
While these past days have been very difficult for our family, we want to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the prayers and support of friends, community leaders, neighbors, members of Greentree Church, the FBI, and the employees of Lockheed Martin. We have been encouraged by the hundreds of emails, letters, donations and calls from Paul’s co-workers and people everywhere. Many have asked how they can help.
You can help by ensuring Paul Johnson, Jr’s sacrifice is not forgotten. His remains have still not been recovered and we don’t have all the answers surrounding his kidnapping and death.
Paul loved Saudi Arabia and its people. He gave over ten years of his life to his work, much of which benefited the Saudi Military. The Saudi government owes him and our family more answers surrounding his death and their continued best effort to locate his remains. We appreciate the Saudi’s efforts and hope it continues until resolved. We hope this memorial service will not be an end, but a reminder to the United States Government that they must continue to assist the Saudi’s in their efforts to bring closure for our family and ensure other families do not have to experience our pain and shock.
When history is written on the war on terrorism, let Paul’s death be the catalyst that led to thousands more Westerners working in harmony with people in the Middle East to ensure fear and barbaric acts against free peoples come to an end.
Once again, thanks for all the prayers and support.
Mr Darwin...
Mr. Darwin to the white courtesy phone...
Perhaps a little prompting is in order. Prepare to launch Tomahawk.
Hmmm... fairly ambiguously worded. It is a good idea, and could help quite a bit if it is implemented.
Our government should be making sure it is implemented, and the private employers should be encouraging more employees to carry effective weapons. We have seen that armed selfdefense works.
No Combat allowed by nationals,.....they 'rent' other nationals for the real work of combat?
/sarcasm
(rent a non-muslim,......buy Chinese or Indian.)
/sarcasm
Maybe the Saudis should import the REST of the WB PAlis do do the work they don't want to/can't. It would sure fix a couple of current problems
The way I feel right now, a tomahawk seems too civilized.
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