JEDDAH, 3 March 2003 — The Bush administration has decided not to blacklist Saudi Arabia over the issue of religious freedom, Newsweek reported in its latest edition to be released today. Secretary of State Colin Powell is expected to shortly release a list of countries that the United States says engage in “systematic, ongoing and egregious” violations of religious freedom, the weekly said.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Embassy in Washington affirmed yesterday that it had no connection with the Islamic Assembly of North America, based in Michigan, which has been accused of promoting violence against the United States.
“The embassy has no contacts with this organization and has not provided it with any financial assistance,” said Ahmed Qattan, deputy chief of the Saudi mission.
Qattan said the embassy does not agree with many of IANA’s ideas and programs, adding that the assembly was influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood organization.
Referring to the arrest of Saudi student Sami Omar Al-Hussein in the US for providing financial assistance to IANA, he said the Saudi government and embassy were not responsible for the wrongdoings of any Saudi individual. However, Qattan said the embassy will provide all possible help to Saudis arrested in the US.
“We’ll appoint lawyers to fight their cases and prove their innocence,” he explained.
The indictment against Al-Hussein alleged he provided computer services and advice to websites that “advocated violence against the United States.” The indictment alleged that Al-Hussein received a monthly living stipend and tuition aid from the Saudi government.
“The Saudi government and its embassies all over the world provide assistance to Saudi citizens for studies and medical treatment. This does not mean the state or the embassy or the ambassador were responsible or support the wrong actions of Saudi individuals,” Qattan said.
