In the United States everyone is committed to destroying Al-Qaeda and to denying this odious organization any opportunity to succeed in its avowed aims. For those who need reminding, Al-Qaeda’s aims are to bring about the downfall of America and to destroy the government of Saudi Arabia.
To date, Al-Qaeda has succeeded spectacularly in pitting the government and people of America against their friends in Saudi Arabia. Few have forgotten that 15 of the 19 terrorists that Al-Qaeda chose to involve in the atrocities of 9/11 were Saudi Arabian nationals. Some might regard their participation as evidence of an overt intention by all Saudis to destroy America. Wiser people recognize that this is an example of the brilliance of Osama Bin Laden’s criminal mind. Fifteen Afghanis, or fifteen Indonesians suited his purposes far less than fifteen Saudis.
Since that day, certain commentators within the American press have exploited every opportunity to pit American against Saudi, and to highlight the differences between these two nations, rather than to recognize the deep ties that bind them. Of these, the greatest tie of all is that without easy access to Saudi Arabian oil, the industrial nations of this world would find it impossible to fuel either their cars or their economies.
Now, in recent days, those commentators in the mainstream newspapers of the United States have returned to the ever-grinding rumor mill to cover a story suggesting that officials in the Saudi Embassy in Washington were actively involved in supporting those who gave succor to the 9/11 hijackers.
Let it be stated quite clearly that no Saudi, whether official or not, whether a spouse of an official or not, would have knowingly helped anyone who represented a threat to the United States, before or after 9/11. It is unimaginable that the Saudi Ambassador Prince Bandar’s staff would have at any time knowingly given any assistance to enemies of America or the West.
Indeed, the Saudi government has made it quite clear, on repeated occasions, that it stands side by side with the American administration in its determination to seek out and destroy Al-Qaeda, from the roots upward. This has meant not just the pursuit of terrorists willing to cause death and destruction but also those who aid Al-Qaeda, whether financially or logistically.
Some journalists within the American press may find this a fascinating story to run, and they may give little attention to any official comments that do not serve their purposes, but it is worth reminding ourselves of what American government representatives have said. First, White House and FBI sources raised a number of cautionary notes, asking people to suspend immediate and unsubstantiated judgment, when they repeated that it was not uncommon for wealthy Saudis to provide financial assistance to Saudi citizens who were struggling in the United States. Secondly, administration officials have emphasized that “the facts are unclear and there’s no need to rush to judgment”. Not that the American press should be too heavily criticized. After their early explosive comments about Saudi Arabia, they have thankfully come to recognize that such words only serve Al-Qaeda’s interests and have little to do with the truth.
It may be exciting to suspect conspiracy theories everywhere, and to denigrate those societies that we do not understand, but it is unwise. When a friend has been a friend for many years, you should not describe him as an enemy because one of his children suddenly hates you. Instead you should offer your assistance and at the same time see what you can do to help him yourself.
America and Saudi Arabia have been friends since before most of us were born. We shall overcome these current problems together. But if we allow ourselves to be convinced, despite evidence to the contrary, that our nations hate each other, then we will have handed victory to Al-Qaeda. And Al-Qaeda, as Osama Bin Laden himself has said on repeated occasions, wants to destroy both our countries. Therefore, to believe what sections of the press are suggesting is to give him another victory. To believe wiser counsel is to hand him another defeat. It’s an easy choice. But it is yours.
— Hassan Yassin is a Saudi businessman based in Jeddah.
Arab News Features 30 November 2002
