The Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia

Washington DC

Close Call

By Dr. Ali Alyami

On April 27 2007, the Saudi government announced startling information about a foiled plot aimed at inflicting massive death and destruction in many parts of Saudi Arabia. According to accounts published in the Saudi Arabic Daily Alwatan on May 9 and Arab News on April 28, preparation for a deadly plot was designed to wreak death and destruction that could have far reaching implications for Saudi Arabia and the international community. The newspapers and Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Interior, stated the would-be plotters intended to kill “public officials,” presumably the King and his senior brothers such as Interior Minister Naif, Defense Minister Sultan, Riyadh governor Salman and other high officials of the ruling dynasty. In addition, the plotters were planning on attacking airbases, oil facilities and the notorious Al-Haer prison in Riyadh to free their comrades.

If accounts by the Saudi government are accurate, the 172 men arrested by Saudi security received training in Syria, Yemen and Saudi Arabia and the impact of their actions would have created havoc within Saudi society. As in Iraq, Saudi society lacks national identity and is unified through the strong control of the government, financial gains and some loyalty to senior princes. Saudis are constantly divided along regional, religious, ethnic and tribal lines. A Saudi living inside the country, who wishes to remain anonymous, states that “the country is more divided now than ever.”

The attack would have caused catastrophic problems for the global economy that is dependant on Saudi and other Gulf States’ oil. The plot was stopped this time; however, it showed the vulnerability of the Saudi state and more so of its rulers. The Saudi government seems to be unable to root out the terrorists it claims to be defeating. Many Saudis who have been calling for democratic reforms to reduce the power and influence of extremist elements in society have given up on the government’s promises to introduce and carry out quantifiable reforms where people could participate in determining the destiny and the future of their country. The recent foiled plot shows that the security and unity of Saudi Arabia are not as certain as the Saudi ruling dynasty keep saying .Giving all Saudi citizens a voice in all decision-making is the key to give people sense of belonging, identity and ownership of their country. This would benefit all Saudis and the royal family while weak ening the power of the extremists.

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To Contact Us:

The Center for Democracy & Human Rights in Saudi Arabia 
1050 17^th Street NW, Suite 1000 
Washington DC, 20036 
USA

Phone: (202)558-5552, (202) 413-0084

Fax: (202)536-5210

Email: cdhr@PROTECTED

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