(Saudi) Kingdom in grip of anti-US campaign

The Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | 06/21/2002 | Anton La Guardia

[Pokey78]

Saudi imports of American goods have fallen by more than a third since September 11 in a sign of the growing estrangement of the kingdom and the West.

Campaigners, in what is traditionally America's staunchest ally in the region, have called on countrymen to boycott anything with an American connection, from cars to fast-food outlets.

Economists say the recent strength of the US dollar, as well as a drop in large government orders, is partly to blame.

But few doubt the major impact of the boycott promoted by activists who wear Palestinian chequered headscarves and hand out leaflets at mosques, schools and shopping centres.

Osama bin Laden's network and other militant Islamic groups, are tapping the same vein of anti-Western, especially anti-American, bitterness.

There is a growing belief that the spate of attacks against Western expatriates is not the result of a feud among alcohol smugglers, as claimed by the Saudi authorities, but a terrorist campaign by sympathisers of bin Laden.

Saad al-Faqih, the London-based director for the dissident Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia, said those responsible for the latest attacks were militant Islamic "splinter groups".

He said: "They do not have the same logistical capacity as al-Qa'eda, but they want to achieve the same aims to embarrass the Saudi regime, undermine their stability and deter Westerners from coming to the country."

The Saudi royal family straddles the roles of guardian of Islam and America's most important Arab ally. This is a difficult act at the best of times, but almost impossible at a time of inflamed Muslim emotions.

Supporting the US too closely erodes support at home for the Saudi regime. Bending too far towards popular resentment of America precipitates a crisis with the regime's most important protector.

Many Saudis feel the presence of American forces in the birthplace of Islam is a constant affront.

[tet68]

Many Americans feel the presence of Islamic forces in the birthplace of freedom
is a constant affront.

There that's better.

[ArmoredCav]

How about this: let Saddam roll into SA and spread/deplete his troops thin. Then take both Iraq and SA in a "peace-making" UN sanctioned effort, and make the entire Iraq/SA oilfield into an "international asset". No oil=no money=no jihad,no Saddam.

[Ju'aymah]

I didn't know the siddiqi trade was that organized and cut-throat My understanding was all you had to do was see the chief of Bolice in Rahima.

[Ju'aymah]

My apologies, A.C.; that reply was meant for the next post down. Too much time in the hot sun.

[Argus]

in what is traditionally America's staunchest ally in the region

Even taking Israel out of the equation, Turkey's a stronger Muslim ally than Saudi's ever been. What's the Telegraph smoking?

[meenie]

Try telling that to the State department and our President.

[Cacique]

How about if we boycott anything from Saudi Arabia, including oil. Let's see if these guys can drink the oil.

I would be willing to pay more for gas and drive less if that's what it takes to completely send these people back to camel herding and weaving carpets, cause that is all they are good for.

Embargoe them, and boycott them completely. Blow up their damm wells.

[duckln]

Many Saudis feel the presence of American forces in the birthplace of Islam is a constant affront.

Many Americans feel the presence of Muslim forces in the birthplace of Christianity is a constant affront.