Fighting Terrorism

The outrage by terrorists against the American Consulate in Jeddah is an act of desperation. Obviously, the actions taken by the Saudi authorities earlier this year are paying off. That is what the six-month’s lull in terrorist activities proves. Better intelligence and coordination among various security services have succeeded in limiting terrorist attacks. This should not lead us to become complacent. Continuous vigilance is the key. Terrorism has become fashionable and a large number of simple-minded individuals fall victim to the brainwashing tactics used by extremists who prey on disillusioned young men.

The Kingdom is fully aware of this and is dealing with social problems such as poverty and unemployment. The new budget contains provisions for dealing with these issues.

The terrorists have no constructive agenda and their violent strategy serves only to alienate people. What cause do they think they are serving? How can they justify killing innocent civilians for political ends? Their maxim is, as we saw in Algeria when FIS won the election, “one-man-one-vote-one-time” and after that they will rule with ruthlessness. They have already demonstrated their dictatorial tendencies and obsession with bloodletting. Therefore it is incumbent on the government and people of Saudi Arabia to eradicate this cancer.

Finally, you are correct in pointing out in the editorial “Murderous Assault” (Dec. 7) that the United States must reconsider its policies and practices in Iraq, which are assisting in the recruitments of potential terrorists. America’s mishandling of the Iraqi invasion and subsequent occupation were all that promoters of terrorism could have wished for. That provided convincing arguments for those who were already enraged by the US attitude toward the Israeli-Palestinian problem, which many terrorists use as a pretext to wage war against the West. It is in the interest of the US and global security that the Bush administration becomes fully committed to and engaged in resolving this long and tragic conflict.

A just and lasting settlement will remove the rug from under the feet of the terrorists.

Nehad Ismail • London published 10 December 2004

New Religion

My response to the article “Resisting Consumerism” by Omaimah Al-Khamis (Local Press, Dec. 6) is, “Well-stated.” Consumerism is the real religion of the West, and is fast becoming the religion of the entire world. It inserts itself into our and our children’s lives constantly, leaving us all in a wasteland of material possessions, bereft of little, if any, connection with our fellow humans, ourselves, and God. Communicating this awareness to others seems to be our only hope. Thanks for this article.

Walter Trial • United Kingdom 10 December 2004

Exodus of Expatriates

The report “Foreign Recruitment Drops by 38 Percent” (Dec. 7) tells only part of a story most of which still remains unheard. How about the huge number of skilled expat workers leaving every day? If the number of the recruits is as low as reported, how and who will replace them? With the Saudi medical labor force many years away from being even partially ready to step in, who is going to provide anything close to quality medical care?

A related question is why the expatriates are leaving. As one of those who will join them soon after 10 years in this country, I can give some of the answers. In my case, in these years the basic pay has gone up only by SR100 a year. This doesn’t come even close to keeping up with the increasing cost of living here and at home. Instead of long-awaited relaxation in social norms, what we are experiencing are restrictions that are much worse than they ever were. Lastly, for the tremendous amount of security risks we are taking, most of us receive nothing except an ever-increasing number of attempts to cut salaries and benefits. At this rate, long before Saudization has a chance to work, there will be chaos in many work places.

C. Gwin • Riyadh published 10 December 2004

Blame for the Monster

It is strange to hear from writers like Dr. Mohammed T. Al-Rasheed such questions as “When Will We Stop Answering Questions With Questions?” (Dec. 9). My response is, “It is you and your American friends that owe the world answers to these problems. You let the monster out of the closet and now want to lump the blame on the doorstep of others. Just let the world know when you are truly ready to treat the cause rather than the effect. The international community is waiting at the starting line. How about beginning with Israel’s compliance with resolutions 242 & 338?

Rasheed Adesokan • Jeddah published 10 December 2004

Blame for the Monster [2]

Picture the scene. A mighty army is ranged to the south of a vast plain. This is the army of the people who believe the earth is square. To the north, there is an opposing mighty army. They believe the Earth is rhomboid shaped.

The square-Earth general gazes across the vast plain at the serried ranks of his formidable foe. Immediately, he proclaims his decision: “We shall surrender; run up the white flag”.

No sooner had these fateful words left his mouth than he saw the other army had also run up a white flag. The square-Earth general now sends an urgent dispatch to the “rhomboid” general. It reads: “You cad! We surrendered first.” Moments later he receives the reply. It reads: “Yah boo! You’re the cad and our white flag is much whiter than yours...”

You have probably guessed the outcome. A bloody battle broke out. The unquestioning soldiers on both sides suffered horrific casualties. None of these brave men quite knew what they were fighting for. Generals knew best; didn’t they?

In the schools of the “square Earth” province they were taught that “only dangerous men, terrorists, believed the Earth to be rhomboid shaped.” To die fighting the rhomboids was honorable, even in death.

Consider, great writers like Swift, Voltaire and Orwell dedicated their lives and talents to exposing the evils of their time. They did it, not with the gun, but with the invincible pen. Has there ever been a more damning indictment of hard-line communism than Orwell’s book, Animal Farm?

So, to answer Al-Rasheed’s question albeit, too simplistically, we moderates must all work in whatever way we can to expose evil, corruption and the vanities of our time. Armies fail. But one book can change the world. Al-Rasheed, stand steadfast. Keep writing. The pen is still mightier than the sword, the bullet and the bomb.

Leigh Vernier • Riyadh published 10 December 2004

Logging Ban

The report “President Arroyo Backpedals on Logging Ban” (Dec. 8) tells a tale we all are familiar with. As so many times in the past, now that the catastrophe is over, she has had another sudden change of heart.

Obviously, the president and Secretary Mike Defensor have changed track because many of their buddies in logging business will be annoyed if the ban is pushed through. Then, why did they rush to declare a total ban on logging and threaten logging companies who disobeyed the ban with imprisonment? It was just PR - words spoken for effect. Not with intent. That was why, as always, their words were tough when the topic was hot and in the news, and have now subsided to excuses for not keeping their pledges. There is no point in asking why. We all know why. This is a farce we all have lived through every time there is a calamity, be it man-made or natural. All government agencies and departments rush to be on the front line giving statements promising this and threatening that.

There is here a bigger question than politicking: Why do we, a frequent victim of calamities, act and seek solutions only when tragedies engulf us? Why can’t we set up a body that will act in time to minimize the effects of tragedies that we know will hit us because of our geographical position and the climatic conditions in our region, such as typhoons or storms? Such a body can advise the citizenry to prepare for the worst. If nothing else, that will give them time to evacuate and move to safer areas.

For all these things to happen, our president must act decisively. The nation awaits her iron hand and mind to implement tough policies for the general welfare of her people and country.

Ronnie Gogola • Jeddah published 10 December 2004

Global Warming

This refers to the article “Global Warming Is Mankind’s Greatest Threat” (Dec. 7) by Linda Heard. The author should read the Washington Post’s Dec. 5 article, where senior Bush administration officials say the government should continue focusing efforts on pollution-curbing technologies. They agree that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide contribute to climate change; however, restricting these emissions, they say, will cost jobs. President Bush must be responsive to a diverse public.

Bush has sponsored a five-year $1.7 billion hydrogen car project that would eliminate cars’ carbon dioxide emissions. White House science advisor John H. Marburger says limiting greenhouse gas emissions on a meaningful level “requires a dramatic cessation or reduction of economic activity. It’s simply not practical at the present time.”

Nevertheless, the world should begin paying close attention to America. With the promise of renewable energies including ethanol, soydiesel and the biomasses, and the passive energy sources, the day is coming when US dependence on foreign oil trickles to nothing.

Paul Miner • United States published 10 December 2004

Global Warming [2]

Killing liberal (socialist) fools should be an Olympic sport. I will gladly volunteer to be the executioner. Global warming is just another left-wing religion used for socialists and communists to gain power and kill capitalism.

Howard Lee • Bogalusa, US published 10 December 2004

Teaching English

The article “Why Not a Middle East Variant of English?” by Mijanur Rahamn (Local Press, Dec. 3) identified a problem facing many nations: Where to find and how to contract qualified instructors who are native speakers. The article also stated that it was not realistic to have native speakers as teachers for all students. The difficulty is real, but the solution is not to get what is available and teach children a non-language. Such an attitude appears to belittle the tremendous difference that is made by native speakers of English when instruction is given at the upper or senior levels of English language study. In order to learn the language and its unique, yet very important, idiosyncrasies, a native speaker instructor is very valuable. If your society wishes to embrace the language and utilize it, you really should put emphasis on contracting native speakers. These teachers can also assist local teaching staff, and within a generation, you can have a fully integrated teaching system.

Michael Strah • Riyadh published 10 December 2004

Dollar in Trouble

Fawaz Turki’s “For the Dollar, Double Trouble” (Dec. 7) was clearly written by a professional who knew what he was talking about. Unfortunately, it will not reach the ordinary American. He has no time to digest such complicated stuff; it is too sophisticated for him. For him to understand it, it should come in a form of a TV blip on CNN. The few who understand are those who benefit from the situation, the likes of Halliburton executives.

Mateus Mahumane • United States published 10 December 2004