The Hajj – Saudi Arabia Rejects UN Security Council Seat

12 Comments

1. 

   Oui on October 18, 2013 at 3:58 pm

   .

   Saudi Arabia’s Image Falters among Middle East Neighbors

   (JPost) – Saudi Arabia’s image among Middle Easterners dropped, according to a survey the Pew Research Global Attitudes Project released on Thursday. The favorability rating of the country dropped in Egypt from 91 percent to 78%, in Lebanon from 82% to 51%, in the Palestinian territories from 65% to 52%, and in Turkey from 40% to 26%.

   In Muslim countries outside the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is viewed favorably. In Pakistan, the country has a 95% approval rating and in Indonesia 82%, Senegal 72%, and Malaysia 63%. Sunnis in Lebanon gave an overwhelming approval rating of 82%, while only 6% of Shi’ites approve of Saudi Arabia.

   The poll also finds varied assessments of Saudi influence in the Middle East. Among those who do see significant Saudi influence within their borders, views are mixed as to whether this is a good thing or bad thing. More stark are assessments of Saudi Arabia’s track record on personal freedoms. Among the countries surveyed in the Middle East and elsewhere, only in Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan and Senegal do clear majorities say the Saudi kingdom does a good job of protecting civil liberties.

   These are among the key findings from a Pew Research Center survey conducted in 39 countries among 37,653 respondents from March 2 to May 1, 2013.

2. 

   Oui on October 18, 2013 at 4:49 pm

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   Obama may unfreeze Iranian assets to keep nuclear diplomacy going

   (The Guardian) – US officials are contemplating unfreezing some of the tens of billions dollars of Iranian assets in blocked accounts around the world, to give them bargaining chips to take the table with Iran, now that substantive negotiations have finally begun, the New York Times reports today.

   The report, which echoes a similar account by Jeffrey Goldberg on Bloomberg, suggests US negotiators are looking for ways of unshackling themselves from congressionally-imposed sanctions so they have room for manouevre when the nuclear talks with Iran resume in Iran on November 7.

   Even as western diplomats enthused as the new mood in this week’s talks with the Iranians, senators were preparing a new round of sanctions aimed at strangling off Iran’s remaining oil revenue.

   Jerusalem Post: Obama weighs unfreezing Iranian assets as reward for nuclear concessions

   ○ Netanyahu at UN: Iran Is  More Dangerous Than North Korea
   ○ Amid apparent changing atmosphere in Iran, opposition leaders scent freedom
   • 

     kafkananda on October 19, 2013 at 10:57 am

     There are four bodies that have imposed sanctions on Iran: the US Congress, the Executive branch of the US, the European Union and the United Nations Security Council.

     Here is a link to a chart of the various sanctions.

     Iran Sanctions Chart

3. 

   Oui on October 18, 2013 at 4:51 pm

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   Saudis, UAE to get US bunker-buster bombs, cruise missiles in deal worth $11bn

   (DefenseNews) – WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said it plans to sell Washington’s Gulf allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates $10.8 billion worth of missiles and munitions, including “bunker-buster” bombs.

   The move follows a series of US weapons deals in recent years that have bolstered the air power and missile arsenals of Gulf states, which view Iran as a menacing rival with nuclear ambitions.

   The pending sale comes as the United States and five other major powers pursue high-stakes diplomacy on Iran’s disputed nuclear program, with talks this week portrayed as positive by both sides.

   Officials said the Defense Department notified Congress this week of the planned deal that will provide a thousand bunker-buster GBU-39 bombs to the Saudis and 5,000 to the UAE. The sale will also include sophisticated air-launched cruise missiles that can hit targets from a long distance.

   The weapons are designed for use by US-made F-15 and F-16 fighter jets previously purchased by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

   Pentagon Wants to Sell Israel More Satellite-Guided Bombs – Dec. 2012

4. 

   Oui on October 19, 2013 at 2:06 pm

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   Juan Cole is also at a loss of the reason why King Abdullah rejects a Council seat for the Saudi Kingdom. Taking the ball and running away will scarsely make any friends.

   See my earlier post – Saudi Arabia’s Image Falters among Middle East Neighbors.

   Saudi Arabia rejected a seat on the UN Security Council only few hours after it was elected to the body, saying the Council has failed in its duties toward Syria and other international conflicts.

   The Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the Kingdom “announces its apology for not accepting membership of the Security Council until the Council is reformed and enabled, effectively and practically, to carry out its duties and responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security.”

   With the current continuation of the Palestinian cause without a just and lasting solution for 65 years, which resulted in several wars threatened international peace and security is irrefutable evidence and proof of the Security Council’s inability to carry out its duties and assume its responsibilities.

   The failure of the Security Council to make the Middle East a free zone of all weapons of mass destruction, whether because of its inability to subdue the nuclear programs of all countries in the region, without exception, to the international control and inspection or to prevent any country in the region from possessing nuclear weapons, is another irrefutable evidence and proof of its inability to carry out its duties and hold its responsibilities.

   Allowing the ruling regime in Syria to kill and burn its people by the chemical weapons, while the world stands idly, without applying deterrent sanctions against Damascus regime, is also irrefutable evidence and proof of the inability of the Security Council to carry out its duties and responsibilities.

   Accordingly, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, based on its historical responsibilities towards its people, Arab and Islamic nations as well as towards the peoples aspiring for peace and stability all over the world, announces its apology for not accepting membership of the Security Council until the Council is reformed and enabled, effectively and practically, to carry out its duties and responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security.

   
   [--SPA 13:12 LOCAL TIME 10:12 GMT]

   ○ US nixes talks to create nuclear-free Middle East  Nov. 26, 2012
   ○ Iran behind anti-WMD rider in chemical watchdog’s decision on Syria – Lavrov

   • 

     kafkananda on October 19, 2013 at 5:44 pm

     SoS John Kerry on the Sunday talkers…

     “If it is a peaceful program, and we can all see that – the whole world sees that – the relationship with Iran can change dramatically for the better and it can change fast.”

     My emphasis above.

5. 

   Oui on October 20, 2013 at 3:05 pm

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   Website Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

   From your link, the 1990 declaration has a short half-life. Always wonder how jihadists live by the Islamic Law, looking at Art. 3, they don’t! Clerics must have provided the Syrian fighters a short-cut to paradise.

   Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam, Aug. 5, 1990, U.N. GAOR

   ARTICLE 3:
   (a) In the event of the use of force and in case of armed conflict, it is not permissible to kill non-belligerents such as old men, women and children. The wounded and the sick shall have the right to medical treatment; and prisoners of war shall have the right to be fed, sheltered and clothed. It is prohibited to mutilate or dismember dead bodies. It is required to exchange prisoners of war and to arrange visits or reunions of families separated by circumstances of war.
   (b) It is prohibited to cut down trees, to destroy crops or livestock, to destroy the enemy’s civilian buildings and installations by shelling, blasting or any other means.

   Opinion: It’s Time to Revise The Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam

   Furthermore, the document is rendered
   ambiguous,
   as it does not specify what constitutes Shari’ah. Given the diversity of opinions on the subject across time and between and within madhabs (schools of Islamic law), it is impossible to know what rights are protected.

   Interestingly, the declaration
   empowers states, not individuals.
   In the modern world, Shari’ah has increasingly become integrated in states’ domestic legal systems. In the absence of any international authority to decide on Shari’ah,

   the Cairo Declaration effectively
   diminishes
   the universality of human rights by  relegating them to the discretion of governments.

   ○ CDHRI Diverges from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in key respects

   The extremism of Sunni Islam (Wahhabists, Salafists and Muslim Brothers) is not universal as the Pew Research indicates. The path towards reconciliation of the West with Iran and Shia Islam offers a better future for cooperation in a mix of religion and secularism. Women’s rights should be a cornerstone in drawing up a new constitution. Muslims will have to decide how Sharia Law will be interpreted. Lebanon, Syria, Tunisia, Egypt and Iraq as an example where democracy can or must succeed. Let’s not forget Islam in Asia (Indonesia and Malaysia as the larger populations). Erdogan in Turkey has chosen for a slow proces to transfrom the secular state (Kemal Atatürk) to Islamism (Sunni – Muslim Brothers).

   ○ Prince Bandar: Osama bin Laden thanking him for financing the Afghan jihad project
   ○ IHS Jane’s Intelligence Review – New Saudi Missile Site Detected, Launch Pads Aimed Towards Iran

6. 

   Oui on October 20, 2013 at 3:07 pm

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   U.S. Is Overtaking Russia as Largest Oil-and-Gas Producer

   The Saudi King Abdullah doing a bit of sulking to gain support of members Arab League. The frustration is also caused by internal strife between the Muslim Brothers and the Saudi led Wahhabists and Salafists.

   Saudi Arabia AFAIK still has not cancelled their UN Council seat. If SA gains sufficient backing from allies, the seat will be occupied by Amb. Al-Mouallimi by year’s end.

7. 

   Oui on October 20, 2013 at 3:09 pm

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   See link at the end of diary …

   U.S. Seeks $10.8 Billion Weapons Sale to U.A.E., Saudis

   (Bloomberg) – The Boeing Expanded-Response Standoff Land Attack Missile and Raytheon Joint Standoff Weapon give those nations new capabilities to strike at air defense sites and radar installations, such as those possessed by Iran, from beyond the range of enemy air-defense systems so pilots aren’t put at risk.

   The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement yesterday that it was seeking congressional approval to sell the Saudi kingdom $6.8 billion in munitions and equipment. Among the systems that would be provided are 650 of the missiles known as the SLAM-ER, 1,000 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs [known as bunker-busters] and 400 Harpoon Block II anti-ship weapons, all made by Chicago-based Boeing; and 973 of the Joint Standoff Weapons made by Waltham, Massachusetts-based Raytheon.

8. 

   Oui on October 21, 2013 at 1:46 pm

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   Gulf states, Egypt back Saudi rejection of U.N. seat

   (Gulf News) – GCC Secretary General Abdul Lateef Al Zayani stressed “the significance of the Saudi call to achieve fundamental reforms in the Security Council that will support its role as a United Nations body responsible for all the consequences of the main issues of global peace and security, particularly that our world today is in dire need of the role and international legitimacy of the Security Council amid political and security turmoil.”

   Al Zayani attributed the Saudi decision to turn down the rotating seat to the ineptitude of the Security Council to carry out its duties to render its responsibilities, particularly towards Arab issues.

   “The rejection is based on Saudi Arabia’s keenness on regional stability and its historic interest in Arab issues and concerns and as well as in international matters and global stability,” he said.

   “The position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reflects its commitment to international legitimacy and a sincere desire to activate the role of the Security Council and the various organs and institutions of the United Nations in order to respond to global calls in this regard, and make the world more cooperative, stable and secure,” Al Zayani said.

   Arab League Secretary General Nabeel Al Arabi said that he backed the Saudi position and expressed hope that it would “stimulate the efforts that have been exerted for years to reform and enhance the Security Council.”

   “We do stress the significance of the Saudi statement on the inaptitude of the Security Council to solve several vital issues, such as the Palestinian issue, to put an end to the humanitarian tragedy in Syria and to rid the Middle East of the weapons of mass destruction,” he said.

   “The Security Council needs a comprehensive reform that includes determining the scope of the use or the threat to use the veto by its five permanent members,” he said.

   In Doha, Khalid Al Attiya, the Qatari foreign minister, reportedly expressed his support in a tweet to his Saudi counterpart.

   “My dear brother Prince Saud Al Faisal: When you get upset, you confuse the world. Thank you,” he posted on the microblog.

   Reuters: Gulf states, Egypt back Saudi rejection of U.N. seat

   US Secretary of State John Kerry is mum on issue Saudi protest UN Council seat until today in Paris.
   ○ Samantha Power: US will push for Israeli seat on UNSC
   ○ Knesset’s new Jerusalem Bill requires super-majority 80 votes to relinguish  sovereign lands
   ○ Jewish Settlement Construction Up by 70% This Year Settlers Uproot Olive Trees Near Nablus, having destroyed 800,000 since 1967
   • 

     kafkananda on October 21, 2013 at 5:10 pm

     We can file a lot of the Saudi misgivings under ‘be careful what you ask for.’

     Stop Syrian Civil War? Sure, but with peace talks and surrendering WMDs, not false flag CW incidents and military escalatory actions.

     Stop Iranian Bomb? Sure, but with a comprehensive, detailed plan and way forward to heal a troubled relationship, not striking wildly and stupidly against a misunderstood and mischaracterized adversary.

     Obama’s been giving folks a lot of what they said they wanted. He’s been calling their bluff and thereby vitiating their storylines, their PR. When Obama makes peace with Iran, won’t he become one of Israel’s greatest goy heroes? After all, he will have saved them from the EXISTENTIAL threat that is the Iranian bomb. LOL, I’m not holding my breath on Obama getting his ‘credit’ on that one!

9. 

   Oui on October 24, 2013 at 1:01 pm

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   Not used to Saudi double-speak? Of course, SA refers to both Israel and ‘arch-enemy’ Iran. In official statement the Saudis will pretend that all Muslims are united in the glory of Allah. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is awfully ambiguous on domestic and foreign policy, shifting allegiance in self-interest. Why not.

   For those who understand the ‘pride and dignity’ of the Saudi people:

   Saudi King Abdullah’s warning on interference

   “We are all one nation, living in glory as long as we are united,” King Abdullah said in his message on Haj. “We have the same concerns and the same hopes and there is no glory unless we adhere to our creed and uphold the moral values ordered by God Almighty. Islam, as a religion of moderation, tolerance and clarity in its purity, is our way to understand the others and engage in a dialogue with them. It is also our way to understand the freedom of religions, cultures and beliefs with no coercion towards anyone.”

   “We do not allow anyone regardless of who he is to undermine the sovereignty of our countries or interfere in our domestic or foreign affairs. Let the whole world be aware that we respect them and appreciate their contributions to humanity throughout history. However, there is no option for anyone trying to fret, according to his narrow or interests. We are a nation keen on the safety and integrity of its religion and countries and on dealing with others on a peer-to-peer basis.”

   “Our belief is based on our recognition that this world is a homogeneous unit in an era where hatred is renounced and authoritarianism and arrogance are rejected.”

   Saudis brace for ‘nightmare’ of US – Iran rapprochement

   The real focus of Saudi anger is the Shiite Muslim clerics who have preached revolution since coming to power in Tehran 34 years ago, and whose hands Riyadh sees orchestrating political foes in half a dozen Arab countries.

   Already aghast at US reluctance to back rebels fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Tehran’s strongest Arab friend, Saudi princes were horrified to see Washington reaching out to Hassan Rouhani, the new Iranian president, last month.

   “The Saudis’ worst nightmare would be the administration striking a grand bargain with Iran,” said former diplomat Robert Jordan, who was US ambassador to Riyadh from 2001 to 2003.