Thursday, June 23, 2005
Robert Spencer on the Saudi Arabia Accountability Act of 2005:
Indeed, both countries seem intent on serving Saudi interests first of all. That’s the problem. But the Saudi Arabia Accountability Act of 2005 could change all that. It calls upon the Saudis to take genuine anti-terror steps, including to cooperate openly and fully with American anti-terror efforts; to close all “charities, schools, or other organizations or institutions” both inside and outside the Kingdom that aid in terrorism anywhere around the world, “including by means of providing support for the families of individuals who have committed acts of terrorism.” And it calls for sanctions to punish noncompliance. Such measures are the only way that Saudi Arabia could today become a genuine ally of the United States. Senator Specter and the other senators who sponsored this bill are to be commended — and every American should hope that their efforts bear fruit.
I am not one of those people who believes there's some deep secret plot among the Bushies to play cozy with the oil ticks -- our relationship with SA goes back long before the Bush's and has been based on access to oil and stability for a long, long time. The policy is ingrained in the non-elected (and less accountable) portions of the executive branch. The Administration has to walk a tight-rope. You want to see the War on "Terror" turned into an outright war with Islam? Just turn Saudi Arabia into an overt beligerant. One thing at a time, please. Set up the pieces (like Iraq), then start applying pressure.
I do think it's important, however, to keep the spotlight on, and make use of the shortcomings of the Apartheid, racist, anti-Human Rights nature of Saudi Arabia as a rhetorical bludgeon. I'm not sure if this act goes too far or not, but it does not strike me that it does.
