Golden Chance

A unique exhibition was organized in Riyadh a few days ago which, according to organizers, was visited by 34,000 visitors. I was one of the few non-Saudi visitors and it simply amazed me. This happened in the same week when the country’s national traditions and culture were also being simultaneously displayed in another public exhibition — “Janadriya,” now in its 23rd year, visited by over 350,000 people, as Arab news reported on March 20.

What struck me as most significant about the exhibition was the concept — a public exhibition for Saudis to display their inventions, innovation and creativity, with full government support, right down from the king himself. The main commercial sponsor was Saudi Aramco. The exhibitors included female participants also.

That showed the changing social landscape of Saudi Arabia, considered to be “deeply conservative.” This is a move in the right direction to catch up with the world, scientifically and technologically. The country now gives equal chances to all to create a new future for the young Saudi generation. Whoever is ready to work has the opportunity to shape his or her future. Maybe that was why, the theme was mentioned as “National Empowerment 2008”. Most of us read only bad news on the front pages of newspapers. In contrast, this was something very positive happening in this country.

It was interesting that, along with it, a “Gulf Venture Capital Conference” was held in the adjoining room. It was publicly announced there by a senior government official that SR6 billion has been allocated for the development of new strategic knowledge industries with immediate effect. This shows the willingness of Saudi authorities to “walk the talk”.

Saudi youngsters are indeed lucky that they have this great opportunity created by their government. They can now get support to do their inventions and have them financed too. Will they rise to this occasion? We wish them the best. Very few countries’ children get such golden chance.

P.B.V. Rajan, Riyadh published 28 March 2008

Commission’s Role

This refers to Badea Abu Al-Naja’s report “Public Opinion Divided Over Commission’s Role” (March 20). Until the rules and regulations governing the activities of the commission are written down and made available to every member of the public, and until legal remedies are available to those who are mistreated by the commission, there will be excessive use of their power and abuse of the system. We often hear of the punishments given to members of the public when the commission charges cases against them, but we never hear of cases against members of the commission who misuse their authority. It should be a level playing field where anyone found guilty — whether a member of the public or of the commission — should not escape punishment specified by the law.

Aziz Bander, Jeddah published 28 March 2008

Commission’s Role [2]

This refers to the report “Police Yet to Identify Woman Killed in Tabuk Car Chase” (March 20). I am sorry for the young lady who was killed when commission members chased her and for her family. Isn’t it about time the commission stopped chasing people and accusing them of indecent activities? After all, if the indecency is not in public, shouldn’t we leave the judgment to Allah?

Zeinab Elmi, Riyadh published 28 March 2008

No Regrets

I am shocked to read that President Bush has no regret for what he has done to Iraq. He neither found the so-called WMD nor any Al-Qaeda terrorists. Whatever the mistakes of Saddam Hussain may have been, the people of Iraq were well off during his time. There was no shortage of daily necessities and prices were within the means of the common people. There was no massive unemployment or total lawlessness. Of course, he was very harsh with those who were against him. But no harm came to law-abiding citizens.

Then why did President Bush invade and destroy Iraq? The answer is simple: to serve the interests of his country. The American economy is dependent on wars. It has become mighty and powerful by destroying others. So, before he gets out of Iraq, Bush will open another war front somewhere else so that he could test his new weapons on them as well as create business for American companies by way of reconstruction etc. It is pure nonsense to say that the US has spent $500 billion. We all know what happened to the rich Gulf countries after the first Gulf War. They became bankrupt by financing it.

Let us also not forget the history of America’s recent wars. Right from Korea to Vietnam to Afghanistan to Iraq, they have always failed miserably. It is very sad that there is no authority in the world today to file a case against a criminal like George Bush and try him for his war crimes in an international court. Working as site manager for a company that had operations in Lashkargah, Qualat and Herat in Afghanistan, I came to know very closely the minds of the local people. They hate Americans. Americans will never win the war there.

Padmanabhan Iyer, India published 28 March 2008

No Regrets [2]

That he has no regret over the Iraq war, despite the deaths and destruction his adventure has caused, is a measure of the hardness of the American president’s heart. The US and its allies did a great injustice to the people of Iraq and wider humanity when they invaded Iraq on the basis of a lie about weapons of mass destruction. The British joined the US in the game. Their only aim was to remove Saddam Hussein from power. This they could have achieved even without invading. The WMD was an excuse which the UN weapon Inspectors had refuted.

The invasion was a crime. Just to remove one man, they destroyed a nation. The loss of property and lives in Iraq is much more than what the US and allies have suffered now or in earlier conflicts. The ultimate result is that a Vietnam-like situation has been created in that the “victors” cannot get out gracefully. They are caught in a mess they themselves created. They will continue to suffer losses both in men and material. The sooner they leave the better it would be for them.

Now that the Saddam is no more, the security of the country must be left to the local people. Let them decide the fate of their own country. The inhuman treatment meted out to the prisoners of war was well publicized in the press all over the world. Bush and his administration have no regret about what they have done. In that respect, George Bush is like his father. No regrets whatever you do.

America will surely pay for the mistakes of the two Bushes. The American economy and even the European economy are showing signs of recession due to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. It will take a new leader to bail out America.

Jamsheed Basha, Riyadh published 28 March 2008

Clemency Question

As reported on March 19, India has requested the Pakistan government to spare the life of Sarabjit Singh, who was found guilty of bomb blasts in Lahore and Multan in which 14 people were killed and many injured. The case for clemency may be considered only on condition that India adopts a similar stance on Pakistani prisoners, some of whom are held on trumped-up charges. After releasing Kashmir Singh a few weeks ago, Pakistan received the body of a young man who died while in an Indian jail. This has been the trend for a long time with India which pretends to be a democracy. Whatever has happened to justice in the biggest democracy in the world? Why are so many of our people returned in body bags and so badly treated and tortured in Indian jails? And why should we release anybody or show clemency? We would like to; but we expect similar treatment from the Indian side.

It is about time they showed responsibility and maturity in these matters. Pakistan should hold firm and execute Singh as he was guilty of premeditated murder. There should be no mercy for terrorists. More worryingly, this was sponsored by the Indian government or its agencies.

Zafar Raja, London published 28 March 2008