Saudi Arabia - should we do business with them?

[Smiler.]

Since the recent flurry of activity linked to the religion of peace, I've been somewhat surprised at the snippets & other tales of woe emanating from Saudi Arabia.

Unless I'm mistaken, they epitomise everything that is wrong with backward Islamic practices.



I know why business & government in the UK likes to cosy up to the the regime, but should they?

That said, I don't suppose there's anything that could be done.

It just strikes me as somewhat hypocritical to be banging on about free speech in the face of Islamic terrorism. And then there's Saudi Arabia.


And before the foaming lefties levy the R card suggesting I'm picking on Saudi Arabia because..... & "what about China, etc", quite.

[Smiler.]

TKF said:

GT03ROB said:

You won't be left with many business partners...... enjoy your utopia.

Exactly. Some people are very naive when it comes to the world outside their village.

Does asking a question = naive?

How did you answer?

[Smiler.]

TKF said:

"having or showing a lack of experience, judgement, or information"

So, in this case, yes.

Thank you for the education, I never knew.

[Smiler.]

GT03ROB said:

scorp said:

The people committing those crimes are civilians on the fringes of UK society ?

The people that turned a blind eye to those crimes being committed were instruments of the state & in ding so were as guilty to my mind as those that physically committed them..

scorp said:

Saudi Arabia regularly commits heinous acts which are state sanctioned.

As do many other of our major trading partners. I have no wish to defend the country, but I ask where do you want to draw the line?

This is what I was getting at. It's a very complex issue for sure.

Hell, if you look at Iran, it's arguable that our own (UK & US) meddling which started in the 50's spawned the regime that they have now.


It's always left me feeling uncomfortable the way our leaders cosy-up to the likes of China - some of the things they do to their citizens would not be tolerated here.

There are many countries who can vie for top of the evil dictatorship challenge. There's just something about Saudi Arabia that I can't quite put mu finger on.

Their atrocities are willingly overlooked & swept under the rug, possibly because they tend to be just below the global outrage radar, possibly because of the money.

And the liberal human rights brigade don't seem that fussed either.

[Smiler.]

greygoose said:

Weary of internet morons said:

It took something special to make me cringe even more than Abbott and Livingstone today, but Konyouski took the award. Scumbag of a rare order.

He was on Andrew Neil's show earlier in the day on the BBC stunning the audience there with his ability to excuse anything.

It was particularly nauseating. He trotted out the same carp on C4 news this evening.

[Smiler.]

Decided to post this here rather than start a new thread.


Saudi executes Prince

What struck me from the article was this:

The interior ministry released a statement saying the royal death was proof of the government’s commitment to “implement the rules of Allah everywhere and against anyone who kills civilians and commits bloodshed”.

So how does bombing civilians in Yemen fit this particular piece of rhetoric then? Surely Allah won't be pleased.

[Smiler.]

The BBC hav the made a 3-part series about corruption & the support of terrorism in Saudi Arabia.

The first episode was on last night. Pretty damming.

[Smiler.]

I remember the "Death of a Princess" outcry. I wonder if this will elicit a similar reaction..

[Harry Biscuit]

Part 3 of the BBC series House of Saud.

Saudi Ambassador to UN said:

Saudi Arabia has one of the best human rights records of any country

I'm sure the people of Yemen are right behind you.

Still, at least they've deigned to let women behind the steering wheel.

Utterly fking deluded.

[Smiler.]

BlackLabel said:

The Saudis are unhappy over this tweet.



“Saudi Arabia has said it is freezing all new trade and investment with Canada over its "interference" in the Gulf Kingdom's internal affairs.
In a series of tweets, the Saudi foreign ministry said it was expelling the Canadian ambassador and recalling its own envoy in Canada.
The move comes after Canada said it was "gravely concerned" about the arrest of several human rights activists.
”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-45079...

Surely an overreaction by Canada.

After all, Tony Blair & his Foundation don't think it's a problem.

[Smiler.]

Countdown said:

Smiler. said:

Surely an overreaction by Canada.

After all, Tony Blair & his Foundation don't think it's a problem.

I don’t think our current Govt feel that it’s much of an issue either.

Funnily enough this must be one of the few threads where the majority of PH agree with Corbyn....

First point, quite.

Second, more that Corbyn agrees with the majority of PH.

[Smiler.]

FourWheelDrift said:

They are completely nuts.

Are the Saudis offering a prisoner exchange?

[Smiler.]

I'm sure it's a role, in which he'll excel.