Al Qaeda Arms Traced to Saudi National Guard

Washington Post Foreign Service ^ | May 19, 2003 | Peter Finn

[jern]

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 18 -- Saudi authorities are investigating suspected illegal arms sales by members of the country's national guard to al Qaeda operatives in the country, U.S. and Saudi officials said.

The weapons were seized in a May 6 raid on an al Qaeda safe house and were traced to national guard stockpiles, the U.S. and Saudi sources said.

The Saudi interior minister said today that officials have identified three of the suicide bombers involved in attacks last week on four residential compounds in Riyadh, which led to the deaths of 34 people, including eight Americans. He said they were part of a group of 19 people wanted in connection with the May 6 raid.

[Publicus]

"While official relations between the US and Saudi Arabia are quite tight, they're with a tiny fraction of the House of Saud, with the remainder of the monarchy, including some with significant but not decisive power, hating us."

Likewise, those who support the relationship from our end are also a relatively tiny fraction of the government, with the majority ignorant and or apathetic including some with significant but not decisive power, hating them. I guess that is the nature of many intergovernmental relationships- most apathetic, a few opposed, and the ruling few in favor.

[Kenny Bunk]

Yeah, good point. There has been the population explosion, but putting numbers on it is very tough. KSA gov says "20Million," let's negotiate that down. I might buy 12Million, but more than your number.

[Publicus]

You'll have to ask Jerry Springer that question.

Also, why do millions of Americans abuse drugs when it obviously causes harm and the abusers KNOW it causes harm. (Talk about DUHHH heads)

[Aquinasfan]

I'm SHOCKED! SHOCKED!

Me too...zzzzz...

[Kenny Bunk]

Well Race, I really can't vouch for the statistical accuracy of MY assumptions and POV. The low-end Saudis I worked with were extremely grateful to us for teaching them a trade in a country which really has very little home-grown economy.

Some of them were actually Bedouin tribespeople who had been convinced to settle down. Where my anecdotal evidence hits a snag is that I actually don't know how far down the totem pole these people actually were, since you had to have some pull somewhere to get the job!

But I can tell you, that the goverment wonks (yeah, they got'em, too) with whom we worked were extremely concerned with the mobs of educated (or semi-educated) kids from the "better" families who were wide open to recruitment by terrorist fundamentalist mullahs. Saudi's, BTW, are just not into the work thing quite yet. Most work in KSA, from the bottom up, is handled by foreigners (including being a government wonk!). Many companies run paralell staffs, with Saudis for show, and foreigners to do the work. This is changing, but very slowly.

[Publicus]

I thought the SA's paid AQ to leave them alone."

That is incorrect. Why do you "think" this?




One thing you can say about the recent spat of attacks, they were not on American soil.

That is the same attitude Clintoon had toward terrorism.

Also, do you think the fact the recent attacks were not on American soil made a clam's worth of difference to the Americans- and others- who were killed and/or injured?

(Looks like someone hasn't had their morning coffee yet)

[Heff]

The poor Saudi Government must be so embarrassed. (/Sarcasm off)

[TheDon]

It looks like you took my post the wrong way.

I've read rumors to the effect that the SAs paid off AQ to not attack them. If they have not attacked in SA until now, one could reasonably believe such a rumor. The fact that they have attacked in SA now, would indicate a change in that relationship. Hence my bringing up that issue.

"That is the same attitude Clintoon had toward terrorism."

To make that statement, you definitely took my statement the wrong way. It was not intended to say that the war against the terrorists is over, but merely that we are making some progress. AQ attacked on foreign soil, not on US soil. They did not blow a dirty bomb in NY, or release a bioweapon in DC. Each attack by AQ provides a great deal of intel about the organization, both to our intelligence services, and to the public. The news media played it as AQ showing they are still alive and functioning. No kidding. I also think it is a sign we are making progress.

"Also, do you think the fact the recent attacks were not on American soil made a clam's worth of difference to the Americans- and others- who were killed and/or injured? "

Nope, but it does to those of us on American soil.

[knighthawk]

Just got home, and I am shocked too. Who could imagine such things!

[knighthawk]

Saudi authorities are investigating suspected illegal arms sales by members of the country's national guard to al Qaeda operatives in the country, U.S. and Saudi officials said.

Middle East list

If people want on or off this list, please let me know.

[steveegg]

Methinks you underestimate the weakness of Saudi friendship a bit. It's essentially King Fahd and maybe 2 of his sons (unfortunately, neither in line for the throne) that like us, with several princes openly supporting Al Qaeda and the remainder (including Crown Prince Abdullah) openly wondering whether loyalty to Fahd is more important than their hatred of the US.

In short, once Fahd dies or otherwise leaves the throne, it's really going to be open season on us, as the semi-secret, semi-official backing given Al Qaeda becomes official Saudi policy.

[muawiyah]

The 12 million figure would have to be adjusted to account for the 35% of the population presently estimated to be foreign workers. That kicks it down to 9 million which is not too far away from my estimate (which I feel is too high anyway).

[Publicus]

I think there are more than a handful of Saudis who genuinely like us and who wholeheartedly assist US interests.

Either way, these latest attacks represent a new opportunity for the people in their society to stand and be counted as CLEARLY with us or CLEARLY against us- i.e. a chance to thresh their society and will help separate the wheat from the chaff. They know the stakes are simply too high for them to risk tolerating the flaky sociopaths within their society. Remember, the oilfields of Iraq are being readied for serious production and- if necessary- can COMPLETELY replace Saudi Arabia's supply. The Saudi's are not idiots. They know they cannot drink the oil.

[steveegg]

You're probably right once the entire population is taken into account; unfortunately, most of the populace has no voice independent of the local imam/prince, and no power to toss out the sociopaths that stand at the threshhold of decisive power and are supported by said local imam/prince should they have a mind to do so.

Saudi Arabia, as a whole, hasn't quite figured out that the oil supply isn't infinitely in their control. There hasn't really been an effort to industralize the nation.