WASHINGTON, 13 June 2003 — Despite an effort by the Saudi Embassy to publicize anti-terrorism activities implemented by the Kingdom since the May 12 bombings in Riyadh, Saudi spokesman Adel Al-Jubeir was caught off guard yesterday when repeatedly questioned about Hamas.
The May 12 bombings were a “major jolt” for Saudi people, and “mobilized us to go after people who use violence to justify their hatred,” said Al-Jubeir during a briefing at the Saudi Embassy yesterday.
Al-Jubeir detailed the reforms activated by the Kingdom since the bombings, which included arresting clerics “who preached hatred and intolerance.”
“Hundreds of imams who violated prohibitions against preaching intolerance have been removed from their positions and more than 1,000 have been suspended and referred to educational programs,” said Al-Jubeir.
He also outlined new regulations to prevent charities from giving money outside the Kingdom, including new banking controls and procedures.
Al-Jubeir also disclosed that more than 1,000 people who the government felt posed a potential threat had been questioned, more than 300 suspects arrested, and that almost 100 terror suspects were now awaiting trial.
The country has “closed the door on terrorist financing and money laundering.”
The country is also improving its educational system, he said, without giving details.
But the official was caught off guard when the media hammered him with questions regarding Hamas and how the Saudi government funds organizations that may be run by the political wing of Hamas.
Despite long, detailed explanations, journalists seemed dissatisfied and demanded more specifics. Al-Jubeir repeatedly explained Saudi support of the Palestinians “because they deserve it, their infrastructure is in a shambles”, and acknowledged his government sends money to Palestine “as does the United States,” to support Palestinian families living in poverty.
“Whether these are families that have lost a loved one to violence, we do not know. But we certainly don’t give them money because a family member blew himself up in a suicide bombing.”
He added the Kingdom does not give money to Hamas, but to government organizations that may eventually give money to “the political wing of Hamas for charities they manage in the occupied territories.”
But when challenged by a journalist to say he condemned Hamas “for its acts of terrorism,” Al-Jubeir sidestepped the request, saying instead: “We condemn anyone who takes the lives of innocent people.”
He did have a ready answer when questioned about Jamal Khashoggi, the former deputy editor of Arab News, who was recently fired as editor-in-chief at Al Watan. “He’s one of our most prominent journalists, and I’m sure he’ll continue writing.”
He said Khashoggi, as editor-in-chief, was responsible for a cartoon published in Al-Watan that “depicted a Saudi imam with fatwas (religious rulings) wrapped around his body as explosives.”
“This appears to suggest that our religious authorities condone suicide bombers, which is not true, which was the reason for his dismissal,” he said.
“We should not allow people to use religion to incite others, said Al-Jubeir. “Was it a wise decision (to fire Khashoggi)? I can’t answer that.”
