Read My Lips - the blog

And what do the Saudis think?

Thanks to Graham Lester, I was directed to the website for The Committee Against Corruption in Saudi Arabia (C.A.C.S.A) [link goes to the FAQ page]. What I thought was very interesting what their take on all of the surrounding countries:

What do you Think of Israel? Syria? Egypt? The Palestinian Authority? Lebanon? Iraq? Iran?

Israel: CACSA views Israel as the only true democracy in the Middle East (Democracy, very simply, is having the choice to decide on your own leader by a majority, uncontested votes of the population) with admiration and jealousy. Israel's parliamentary system gives its citizens, whether they are Orthodox or Sectarian Liberals, a voice in their government, something CASA believes should be the goal of every country in the Middle East.

Syria: The most backward country in the world. 30 years of Asad reign are hailed by world leaders when in fact all he did was send Syria in downward spiral politically, socially, and economically. It is estimated that 50% of the population is disguised behind an informant mentality and people live to fear and to be hungry. Syria is comparable to North Korea in many ways (Last 2 nations not to have cellular phones, Internet, etc..)

Egypt: Once a great nation with a history to match, today has been turned into an autocratic state with rigged elections and a corrupt leader whose children have embarked, like locusts, on enriching themselves. It is estimated that out of 70 million people in Egypt, 40 million walk without shoes. Mubarak's latest successful assault is on the freedom of speech. CACSA admired Anwar Sadat for his courage and hate of corrupt officials. When Sadat died, he owned literally nothing because he spent his life paying attention to Egypt and not his own pockets.

The Palestinian Authority: Nothing that can be said about Yasser Arafat could be untrue if intellectual Palestinians are allowed to say it. Since the inception of this Authority, Arafat has ruled this small piece of land with an iron fist against any dissidence or vocal opposition. His corrupt cabinet level ministers have accessed the bulk of the aid that has been received with his full knowledge and participation. CACSA opposes for people like that to rule Jerusalem. They will destroy it.

Lebanon: Lebanon, once hailed as the Switzerland of the Middle East, is more and more starting to resemble Syria if not for the Christians minority, who have resisted the onslaught of the civility of the Alawites just West of them. When Lebanon used to boast true democracy, today elect officials that have been pre-determined in some government office in Damascus. Rafic Harriri governs like Fahd, with total disregard for true financial planning. Prior to Hariri coming to power as Prime Minster, Lebanon had $1 billion in debt. Today Lebanon has $20 billion in debt and pays approximately 85% of its tax revenues to service that debt.

Iraq: There is no room in this world for leaders to invade or lob Scud missiles onto their neighbors. We all await his departure with impatience.

Iran: Once the pariah of the Middle East, now coming around with sensible policies and outlook. A great history mired with conflicts and religious zealotry. We welcome them back onto the fold and wish them free and wholesome elections.

I always think the view of the world is so much more enlightened when you get a view from someone's eyes who actually is in a better position to see what is happening.

Posted by Tiger at August 13, 2003 10:29 AM