Saudi prince says kingdom has no need of democracy

AP/Jordan Times ^ | 12/11//01 | Staff

[veronica]

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.

[Senator Pardek]

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.

[StriperSniper]

" the US has no need for democratic elections because they put unqualified people in power" .. Hitlary

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

[Centurion2000]

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.

[Zorobabel]

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!

[Dog Gone]

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.

[richardthelionheart]

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.

[Zorobabel]

exactly :-)

[Dog Gone]

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?

[Alouette]

For once I agree with the prince. What the kingdom really needs is good old-fashioned Western Imperialism.