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Saudi prince says kingdom has no need of democracy
AP/Jordan Times ^ | 12/11//01 | Staff

Posted on 12/11/2001 4:30:36 AM PST by veronica

Saudi Arabia has no need for democratic elections because they put unqualified people in power, an influential Saudi prince said Monday.

Prince Sultan Ben Turki, a businessman and nephew of King Fahd, said in an interview with the Associated Press that democracy did not fit the reality of Saudi Arabia, where the king rules and is advised by an appointed body, the shura council.

His comments are part of a quiet debate within the Saudi royal family on the sensitive topic of political reform.

The prince criticised the comments of his cousin, Prince Al Waleed Ben Talal, a billionaire businessman who called for elections in an interview last month with the New York Times.

He said Al Waleed's comments support Western interests and “those who oppose Saudi policies.” He did not elaborate.

The Saudi government holds that it practises an Islamic form of democracy through traditional consultation between ruler and ruled in informal gatherings. The founding Al Saud family dominates the country political structure, holding most of the important national and regional government posts.

“If the (Saudi) people were able to freely elect members of the shura council, they would not successfully choose members with sufficient expertise or experience,” sultan said, adding that in some countries “some candidates attain their seats by buying votes.”

“Saudis, no matter their social class, participate in policymaking through their daily face-to-face meetings with leaders of their communities and through discussions in the shura council,” Sultan said.

In May, King Fahd increased the number of members of the council from 90 to 120. It is the closest institution the kingdom has to a parliament, but its function is strictly advisory.

Sultan said the Saudi people fully support their leaders. From time to time there were Western calls for reform that were taken up by Saudis, but these calls were “ignorant” of the reality, he said.

Saudis understand the benefits of Western science and technology, but “we don't need to make our customs and traditions conform with Western social and behavior systems,” he added.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events
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To: beecharmer
Weren't a large number of the 9-11 hijackers Saudis, including OBL? Jealous Pat...I mean beecharmer? Of what? A country where women can't even drive? No thanks.
21 posted on 12/11/2001 10:01:53 AM PST by veronica
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To: ravinson
Well stated.

Is having one's basic rights being decided by the masses something that is desirable? If the Saudis had something comparable to our Constitution, having a monarchy would not be so bad.

Unfortunately, our nation has gone from being a democratic republic to a republican democracy, whereas 535 people are chosen to vote willy-nilly on what our rights should be.

22 posted on 12/11/2001 10:03:42 AM PST by Senator Pardek
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To: DrJasper
" the US has no need for democratic elections because they put unqualified people in power" .. Hitlary

"...look at me, I'm a perfect example."

23 posted on 12/11/2001 10:04:05 AM PST by StriperSniper
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To: veronica
Saudi Arabia has no need for democratic elections because they put unqualified people in power, an influential Saudi prince said Monday.

I wonder if this twit prince realizes exactly what his statement is going to antagonize.

24 posted on 12/11/2001 10:22:32 AM PST by Centurion2000
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To: richardthelionheart
Given the state of education in most Moslem countries, the governments of those countries have every right to be distrustful of the "people." The influence of the mosques on elections would almost guarantee a fundamentalist Islamic government, and establishment of sharia law. In essence, you would have one man, one vote, one time, then another dictatorship, just theocratic this time. That's exactly what happened when the vote was given to the "people" in Algeria. But the army stepped in and said NO!
25 posted on 12/11/2001 10:23:55 AM PST by Zorobabel
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To: ravinson
There is nothing stable about countries that are governed by tyranny.

While there is no shortage of countries ruled by tyranny who have tumbled, your statement is simply wrong. Would you describe China as unstable today? Were the Balkans more stable under Communist rule than before or after?

Preserving friendly foreign governments is in our national interest, but that doesn't mean we don't seek to cause them to move toward responsible liberty for their people. But the circumstances have to be appropriate.

Pakistan provides an excellent example. While we have always applauded their democratic principles, we are actually quite pleased that General Musharraf is in absolute control of that government right now. He has provided remarkable stability at a time when the whole region could have exploded if bin Laden had achieved his goals.

If that makes me "mistaken" in your book, I can live with it.

26 posted on 12/11/2001 10:31:46 AM PST by Dog Gone
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To: Zorobabel
Doesnt your statement that the people want islamic fundamentalist as happened in Algeria prove that Islamic people all around the world seem to crave a Taliban style form of govenrment. Muslims seem happy when their own leaders repress them. At least if they did vote and I believe this scares most wealthy Muslims who do have business contacts with the West, is that the people would elect these radical regimes and the West would see once and for all the true face of islam which is one of extermism, death and hatred of life. If I were the Saudi prince Id fear for my own life. I know Im contradicting myself but didnt our prez say that Islam is peaceful so why would the rulers of these countries be afraid to let their subjects vote. Is Islam peaceful or not? I dont believe it is and I believe the Saudi princes dont either because they are literate and have read the Koran and they realize if most Muslims were literate and read that book the end of the world would be near as jihad would begin worldwide.
27 posted on 12/11/2001 10:39:51 AM PST by richardthelionheart
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To: richardthelionheart
exactly :-)
28 posted on 12/11/2001 10:46:06 AM PST by Zorobabel
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To: richardthelionheart
I think that's too simplistic. There's no doubt that Islamic Fundamentalism is warlike and poses a threat to moderate regimes and even to the West. But it's not accurate to say that all of Islam is actually repressed Islamic Fundamentalism.

We have had our own bloody and repressive periods in Western history which were carried out in the name of Christianity. Would it be fair for the head of state in an Islamic country to point to the Spanish Inquisition to ridicule the notion that Christianity is a peaceful religion?

29 posted on 12/11/2001 11:10:29 AM PST by Dog Gone
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Comment #30 Removed by Moderator

To: veronica
For once I agree with the prince. What the kingdom really needs is good old-fashioned Western Imperialism.
31 posted on 12/11/2001 4:34:02 PM PST by Alouette
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