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Reader comment on item: Support the lesser evil [in Saudi Arabia]

Submitted by William Greene (United States), May 30, 2004 at 21:42

Excellent overview that helps one understand why the US continues to support the Saudi kingdom; essentially, the lessor of two evils. But it is clear that this kingdom must be proactive and insert it's influence on teachings by the extrememist clerics. These clerics are responsible for developing young people who are willing to sacrafice their lives for misguided idealogy. And, ultimately, to what end?

The Saudi kingdom is responsible for the current situation and, in absence of a proactive plan to dismantle the extreme Wahhabi teachings, must be pressured in to action. I know of no effective method to that end except to discontinue buying their oil. That harsh consideration will have almost incomprehensible economic impacts. Hopefully, deplomacy will do the job but we should take what ever action needed to eliminate the bedrock of this ever increasing threat.

We certainly needed a Muslim country in which to instill democratic ideals and Iraq seems a good choice given the conditions that existed before our invasion. However, it isn't a stretch to consider that Saudi Arabia would have also been a good start because of extreme teachings there and the lack of will by the kingdom to take appropriate actions. The message must be clear though; either get your house in order or we will assist. The survivability of our descendants is at stake.

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