June 14, 2004
COMMON CAUSE:
Saudi clerics blast violence, American still held: Al-Qaida seen starting new tactic in drive against Saudi regime (MSNBC, 6/14/04)
As the search for an American kidnapped here by extremists continued, six Saudi clerics once affiliated with Islamic militants, including two praised by al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, condemned a wave of attacks against Westerners in the kingdom, describing the perpetrators as “a deviant group.”Posted by Orrin Judd at June 14, 2004 2:22 PMThe clerics, all of whom have served prison time for opposing the Saudi government, called the attacks “a heinous crime” in their statement. The official Saudi Press Agency reported on the statement — an unprecedented airing of known dissidents’ remarks.
With al-Reuters spin:
It is unusual for Saudi state media to give such prominence to nongovernmental religious scholars. The government appoints a Grand Mufti, who is the most powerful cleric in the birthplace of Islam. Militants denounce state-appointed clerics as stooges.
Mohsen al-Awajy, an expert on Islamic militants, said the clerics' statement would fall on deaf ears among militants and their supporters. "These people will not accept the condemnation. They will not be swayed from their ideology," he told Reuters.
Ya think?
Must be getting worried about their state stipends when oil revenue goes down.
Posted by: at June 14, 2004 8:30 PMShouldn't that headline read:
"Saudi clerics blessed violence...."?
Posted by: Barry Meislin at June 15, 2004 2:54 AMAnd they still haven't caught those terrorists who escaped after holding the 50 hostages, have they? They think they are so clever playing this double game, but they can not avoid the contradictions of their beliefs.
Posted by: jd watson at June 15, 2004 6:20 AM