| Topic: |
Politics > Politics-USA |
| User: |
"USA1st" |
| Date: |
10 Apr 2006 04:44:33 AM |
| Object: |
Why is a Border Fence Okay for Saudi Arabia but Not Us? |
Why is a Border Fence Okay for Saudi Arabia but Not Us?
Saudi Arabia plans 560-mile fence along the entire length of Iraq
border...
Saudis plan to fence off border with chaos
By Michael Theodoulou
SAUDI ARABIA has invited bids for the construction of a security fence
along the entire length of its 900km (560mile) desert border with Iraq
in a multimillion-pound project that will attract interest from British
defence companies.
The barrier is part of a package to secure the Kingdom's 6,500km of
borders in an attempt to improve internal security and bolster its
defences against external threats.
Saudi Arabia is concerned that the chaos in Iraq could cause an
overspill of sectarian violence and terrorism. The kingdom claims to be
winning the battle against al-Qaeda's Saudi wing but wants to protect
itself against Saudi insurgents returning from Iraq.
"There's no suggestion that the border isn't secure at the
moment, so it could be a bit of an expensive white elephant," a
European diplomat in Riyadh said. Saudi militants join ing the
insurgency use other routes, such as Syria.
Riyadh is worried by the rise to power in Iraq of the Shia majority,
with its close links with Iran, which Saudi Arabia mistrusts. It is
concerned that its Shia minority, which is concentrated in the
oil-producing eastern province, may become radicalised.
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