New Saudi opposition group formed

[IndianaGreen]

Best wishes to the new opposition group! :popcorn:

New Saudi opposition group formed

Tuesday 08 August 2006, 21:54 Makka Time, 18:54 GMT

The son of the last ruler of part of present-day Saudi Arabia has said he was setting up an opposition party in Paris to seek democratic rule in the oil-rich kingdom.

Prince Talal Mohammad al-Rashid is son of the last ruler of the independent Rashidi emirate, which reigned in the northwestern region of Hail from 1835 to 1921.

He said on Tuesday: "We announce the birth of the Saudi Democratic Opposition Front, which will struggle by peaceful means for the establishment of democracy in the country."

"The Al-Saud (family ruling Saudi Arabia) must either respect liberties and introduce democracy or give up the power they usurped," Prince Talal, who has been living in exile in France since 1980, told AFP.

Talal, son of Mohammad II bin Talal al-Rashid, said his opposition group would launch a satellite television channel within three months which will broadcast from a European country to "call on Saudis to rise up against the tyrants and usurpers plundering public funds".

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CD26860B-D158-490A-88BC-7D38986E9CFE.htm

[saigon68]

1. John Negroponte will KILL YOU

The NeoCons don't want any more INDEPENDENT Democracies they only want their democracies

[Igel]

2. I must say, the idea of a democracy in Sa'udi Arabia

would have been something I'd have liked, oh, say 4 years ago.

Now, no. Not in the least. :scared:

[unschooler]

3. What's changed that makes democracy undesirable in Saudi?

:shrug:

[mom cat]

4. Who is funding this?

[Blue State Bandit]

5. Found this on him.

From Americans Against the Sauduction of Washington. (interesting word-play)

"PRINCE TALAL AL RASHID IS A MIDDLE EAST FORCE TO BE RECKONED"

"Prince Talal al Rashid is the head of the Shammar tribe which is the largest tribe in the Middle East. There are approximately 5 million members in Saudi Arabia, 2 million in Iraq and many more scattered throughout Syria and Iran. Prince Talal was exiled from Saudi Arabia and now lives in Paris. His property in Saudi Arabia was confiscated and he was denied a Saudi Arabian passport. He was given a Jordanian passport by King Hussein but will not use it in protest for what he deems as King Hussein double crossing the Iraqis. He uses a Libyan passport. HRH Prince Abdullah would like to see Prince Talal return to Saudi Arabia not only because of his being a powerful force in the region but also to strengthen HRH Prince Abdullah's position".

http://www.sauduction.com/9thissue.html

Pending what comes up about his past regarding any possible blood on his hands, this could turn out to be a good thing. A secular Sunni Arab (assumption) with strong ties far and wide across the ME sounds like a good horse to back. After tonights show in the CT primaries, a Democratic controlled congress could turn the corner in Iraq and the greater ME conflict by showing good faith support for this guy. But I would recommend caution. He could end up assassinated by either the al-Saud's or the Neo-Cons.

[saigon68]

6. kick

[evox]

7. nothing new

its just a new opposition group.. there are a few already, they're pretty much powerless