Saudi opposition members regret hesitation of the Kingdom toward reforms
Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/16/2004

Saudi Arabia's opposition members in exile, and supporters of establishing a constitutional monarchy in the Kingdom, yesterday expressed their regret towards what they considered as Riyadh's hesitation in proceeding on the path of reform.

The spokesman for the Islamic movement for reform, Saad al-Faqih, which takes from London as a headquarters, said that "what is called the national dialogue is a mere legitimizing decision (cover) taken by the state to carry out American orders."

Al-Faqih was commenting on the speech of the Saudi crown prince, Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, on Wednesday, in which he vowed to proceed into "gradual and studied" reforms, following a second round of "the national dialogue" which was held recently in closed door session in Mecca.

Al-Faqih said that what is called "the national dialogue" did not tackle with the political issues, nor participation or accountability, nor issues of transparency, or reforming the judiciary, or the administrative or financial reforms, political tyranny, which are all priorities."

He added that the speech of Crown Prince Abdullah "closes the door totally before demanding a constitutional monarchy," already advocated by 116 Saudi activists including Saudi princes who handed over on December 16 to the Saudi crown prince Abdullah and the minister of the Interior prince Nayef a petition a asking for converting Saudi Arabia to a constitutional monarchy.

The political sciences teacher at King Saud University, Matrouk al-Faleh, considered "that there is nothing new" in the speech of crown prince Abdullah, adding "we were all hoping that this initiative will be clear and have specific phases," noting simultaneously that "the constitutional reform national trend is careful to maintain the unity of the country, and to abide by the leadership and Islamic principles."

The director of the Saudi center for human rights in London, Abdul Aziz Khamis, stressed that the regime "is avoiding solving the urgent and major problems of the Saudis, mainly taking part in the political decision making." Meantime, a Saudi security official said that the security authorities discovered several camps outside the Saudi cities used in training for carrying out terrorist operations. He indicated the two Islamists were killed in 2003: Turkey Naser al-Dandani and Youssef al- Obeiri, who were supervising the camps.

Previous Stories:
  Saudi crown prince determined to press ahead with reforms   (1/15/2004)
  Saudi Arabia opposition members meet in London next week   (1/15/2004)
  Saudi TV shows pictures for redeeming al-Qaida members   (1/14/2004)

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