Let Freedom Reign (Saudi Arabia edition)

From Human Rights Watch:

(New York, May 16, 2005) - A court in Riyadh yesterday sentenced three reformers to lengthy prison terms for circulating a petition that called for the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in Saudi Arabia, Human Rights Watch said.

`Ali al-Domaini, Dr. Matruk al-Falih and Dr. Abdullah al-Hamid were sentenced to prison terms of nine, six and seven years respectively for circulating the petition, which they submitted to Crown Prince `Abdullah in January 2004. Using the defendants' petition and other writings as evidence, the judges found that they had overstepped the bounds of criticism by challenging the king's authority, according to press reports.

The hearings against the men have been conducted in camera, and attorneys for the defendants have faced imprisonment and harassment.

Family members of the accused and journalists have also been detained.

I'm not saying we should break relations with the Saudis over this. But I am saying if we don't begin to condemn this stuff--and try to lesson our dependence on oil (and increase CAFE, etc.) so that we don't have to suck up to the royal family--well, then our "realist" policy could eventually look damn dumb, and bite us in the ass. What do you think Saudi  dissident types  think about the U.S. when the administration just ignores this stuff (as most administrations have)? My guess is that it doesn't increase their love for the U.S.  Stay on the current policy and we better hope the House of Saud stays strong. It's like doubling-down your bet. Wouldn't it better to hedge your bets? (How realistic is that? I don't know. But it's  worth discussing, especially among those who are better informed than me.)

Comments

[!]

Why not just liberate the country?
It would be like a panty raid in the name of Freedom!
And, let's face it, suddenly our country's energy policy would write itself!

[!]

j/k btw

[Mrs fadilahfahad]

Greetings in the name of the Almighty
I am FA.DILAH FAHAD from Libya. I am married to Late YUSEF FAHAD of
blessed memory who is an oil explorer in Libya and Kuwait for twelve years
before he died in the year 2002. We were married for twelve years
without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four
days. Since his death I too have been battling with both Cancer and
fibroid problems. When my late Husband was alive he deposited a substancial
amount of money in millions of dollars with a Deposit Company oversea.

Recently, my doctor told me that I have only six months to live due to
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I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit
this money and my husband relatives are into radical organisation and I
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I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my
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Any delay in your reply will give room in sourcing for an organization
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Remain blessed.

MRS. FADILAH FAHAD

[MAdam Sulia Abacha]

DEAR ,SIR

This might seem very deplorable for a person that you do not know, but as the title implies, I am Madam Sulia Abacha, the wife of the late Head of State of the Federal Military Government Nigeria, late General Sanni Abacha.

I am contacting you due to the present situation as regards the special panel set up by the present democratic administration under the Anti-Corruption Law passed mainly to recover what they termed "Abacha's looted money". This law is yet another smear campaign aimed mainly to frustrate, humiliate, dismember and widen the scope of hatred mated to our family.

A personal vendetta by Obasanjo who was jailed by my father for plotting a coup d'eta against his administration.This highly calculated attempt by this administration cum Swiss government through bilateral relationship has taken away from us over US$3.4billion in Switzerland. The rampaging situation in our accounts abroad has yielded to this barbaric pressure another US$565m and just some months we were squished out of another US$395m and all these facts can be ascertain independently.This government is bent on destroying our family.
You may be aware that my Elder son, heir to the family, is languishing in prison and right now my I am also been indicted for the same offence.

Therefore, I am soliciting for genuine partners that I can invest the family fortune that is scattered all over the world. According to my estimation in West Africa alone, we still have about US$30m in cash that we intend to siphon abroad through your assistance for the purpose of investment in area of your interest.Should you find this interesting, contact me as a handsome reward of 30% of the total sum awaits you subject to our negotiation and agreement.

Regards, Madam Sulia Abacha

[Dale]

please submit the terms and a
cashier check for 12mil. us.