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Guest Commentary May 18, 2002
Saudi Arabia and Terrorism
The Honorable Joseph Pitts
Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah has made a lot of headlines lately promoting his own plan for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
But if Saudi Arabia really wants to help fight terrorism and foster peace in the Middle East, they should take a long look at what is going on in their own country.
The Saudi Government not only permits, but also promotes, radical clerics who teach violence and hatred against Jewish people and the United States.
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Recently, a prominent Saudi Government cleric held a 2-day telethon that raised over $100 million for the families of Palestinian homicide bombers.
The Washington Times reported last week that the Saudi Government itself paid millions of dollars to the families of homicide bombers and to terrorist groups like Hamas.
USA Today reported in 1999 that Saudi businessmen had transferred billions of dollars to bank accounts linked to Osama bin Laden.
There needs to be an investigation into where all of this money is coming from.
We should welcome Saudi Arabia's peaceful rhetoric, but actions speak louder than words.
Saudi Arabia should be careful about lecturing about peace until her own hands are clean.
Joseph Pitts, a Republican, represents the 16th Congressional District of Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Representatives. The above commentary has been adapted from a speech Rep. Pitts delivered on the floor of the House, May 16, 2002. To contact him, Click Here.
The above column has been distributed by PoliticsOL.com.
