Saudi Defense Minister: yarmulke-wearing Congressmen to blame for media attacks
Special dispatch of MEMRI, the Middle East Media Research Institute, an
independent, non-profit organization that translates and analyzes the media of
the Middle East.
independent, non-profit organization that translates and analyzes the media of
the Middle East.
July 2, 2002
Saudi Defense and Aviation Minister Prince Sultan bin Abd Al-Aziz recently
rebuked Jewish U.S. congressmen. Following a ceremony at the Public
Institution For Military Industries in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi prince, who is also
the father of Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. Bandar bin Sultan bin Abd Al-Aziz,
also discussed Saudi-U.S. relations, the British media, and the Al-Qa’ida threat.
The following are excerpts from the Saudi press:
On Jewish U.S. Congressmen
The London-based Saudi daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported that when asked
about U.S. criticism of Saudi Arabia, Prince Sultan bin Abd Al-Aziz said,
“It is enough to see a number of congressmen wearing Jewish
yarmulkes to explain the allegations against us.” (1)
According to the London-based Saudi daily Al-Hayat, which also reported the
incident, the minister cut off a journalist who asked him about the congressmen
who attacked Saudi Arabia, stating:
“Say ‘Jewish congressmen.’ It is enough that in the pictures you see
some congressmen wearing Jewish yarmulkes. That is sufficient.” (2)
A similar report appeared in the Saudi daily Al-Jazirah.(3)
On the British Media
Asked about British media reports of the June 20 murder of a British citizen in
Riyadh, Prince Sultan bin Abd Al-Aziz said,
“Look at your own country – the country with the worst security is
Britain.”(4)
Following another ceremony the next day, the prince again referred to the
British media:
“There is a difference between the mutual relations between the
governments and the false, phony attacks by the British press on our country.
The relations between the two countries will not change in any event; on the
contrary, they will deepen. The cooperation between us has lasted years…”
On Evil Columnists
“The evil columnists do not hesitate to attack any stable Islamic and Arab
country. I recently asked several friends: ‘You are friends working in the
Western media. Why do you attack a friendly country with which you have
great interests?’
They replied: ‘We do not curse you. The ones who curse you are two
specific of people: the Zionists and those whom you treat well, because
they envy you and wish evil upon the state, its security, and its welfare.
If there were chaos and anarchy in your , as in the others, no one
would envy you. Now they envy you, and you are forced to suffer for it.'” (5)
“The image of the Saudi has not changed , and
remains as it was: a man of religion, a man of love, a man of peace. The
existence of deviants is familiar, and history is full of base examples
who perpetrated ugly deeds, since the time of the Prophet and the four
righteous caliphs. The existence of deviants is like rotten parts in dates…
Were we to support Israel against the Arabs, we would be considered
noble by the Western world. Yet, when we support the Palestinian cause and
our Arab and Islamic rights, we are subject to criticism.” (6)
On Al-Qa’ida
Asked about the terror cell apprehended in the Saudi desert after launching a
SAM 7 missile, Prince Sultan bin Abd Al-Aziz said,
“I do not believe , but evil
exists in every place and at every time. We thank Allah that the state is
protected because it clings to Allah and the Sunna of His Prophet Muhammad.
Anyone who seeks to do evil will be discovered, apprehended, and tried in
accordance with Islamic religious law. But if whether Saudi Arabia
is a target, the answer is no… These missiles are light and not carried by cars.
SAM 7 and 8 missiles are all light and can be dismantled and put in a suitcase.”
“Saudi Arabia’s area is vast; its borders are long, and its topography is diverse.
Thus, it is difficult to 100% guarantee that forbidden things will not enter.
What is certain is that anyone discovered to be involved in these matters,
whoever he may be, will be struck with an iron hand…”
“Al-Qa’ida associates itself with Islam, and Saudi Arabia is the summit of Islam.
Therefore, everything Islamic is pinned on Saudi Arabia. Yet, Saudi Arabia
reflects the proper picture and its proper robe – the white robe. It
does not attach importance to anyone.”(7)
Endnotes:
(1) Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), June 23, 2002.
(2) Al-Hayat (London), June 23, 2002.
(3) Al-Jazirah (Saudi Arabia), June 23, 2002.
(4) Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), June 23, 2002.
(5) Al-Jazirah (Saudi Arabia), June 24, 2002.
(6) Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), June 23, 2002.
(7) Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), June 23, 2002.
