#JeSuisAbdullah? Critics slam glowing Western eulogies for ‘reformer’ Saudi king

[KoKo]

Critics are taking Western leaders to task for singing the praises of King Abdullah, the recently deceased 90-year-old monarch of Saudi Arabia, whose regime they claim was marred by countless human rights abuses, warmongering and corruption.

US Secretary of State John Kerry described the late king as “a brave partner in fighting violent extremism who proved just as important as a proponent of peace."

However, prior to a 2013 law which banned terrorist financing, Saudi Arabia had been described as “the most significant source of funding to Sunni terrorist groups worldwide,” according to US diplomatic cable leaked by WikiLeaks.

Former US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called Abdullah “a powerful voice for tolerance, moderation, and peace,” and lauded his dedication to “advancing the lives of his people at home as well as his country’s leadership abroad.”

Another leaked cable revealed that Saudi King had urged the US to strike Iran in order to destroy its nuclear program. Abdullah was recorded telling America to “cut off the head of the snake,” in a 2008 meeting with General David Petraeus.

The British establishment, meanwhile, remembers the King warmly, going so far as to request that flags around the country be flown at half-mast all day in honor of Abdullah. A government website notes that “local authorities are not bound by this request but may wish to follow it for guidance.”

Prince Charles has also flown to Saudi Arabia to pay his last respects to the late monarch. The Prince of Wales has made frequent visits to the oil-rich kingdom, even participating in a ritual sword dance alongside members of the royal family last year. He is believed to have been a close friend of Abdullah.



Britain's Prince Charles, wearing a traditional Saudi attire, attends the traditional Saudi dance, known as 'Arda', which was performed during Janadriya culture festival at Der'iya in Riyadh, February 18, 2014 (Reuters / Fayez Nureldine)

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said, “I knew him well and admired him greatly. Despite the turmoil of events in the region around him, he remained a stable and sound ally, was a patient and skillful modernizer of his country leading it step by step into the future.”

Critics note that the monarch repeatedly moved to engineer further conflict in the Middle East. For instance, Abdullah had called on the US to provide more backing to the Sunni rebels fighting to overthrow the Assad regime in Syria.

In an Elysee Palace statement, France also lauded King Abdullah’s "vision of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East."

Despite limited efforts, characterized by Human Rights Watch (HRW) as “marginal advances that failed to secure the fundamental rights of Saudi citizens to free expression, association, and assembly," Abdullah was unable to curtail his kingdom’s routine rights’ violations, including public floggings of dissidents and executions for sorcery.

More Tweets and Comments at:

http://rt.com/news/225723-saudi-king-praise-hypocrisy/

[cwydro]

1. The 9/11 terrorists

were Saudis.

[leveymg]

2. The two Royal families basically own London.

Along with a third and fourth, they also have a controlling interest in Washington.

No wonder they all get along so well with each other.

[cwydro]

3. Disgusting.

Truly.

[leveymg]

7. These troublemakers share that sentiment. Most forcefully.

[KG]

4. apparently the prez needs to go to SA to kiss the ring of the new tyrant/terrorist supporter.

[Fred Sanders]

6. There has to be more than that; is he going to give a speech to their Congress?

The funeral is over...now some formal State funeral..the optics are horrible.

[Bluenorthwest]

10. Congress? It's an absolute monarchy, there is a Consultative Assembly of 150 all of whom are

appointed by the King. They do not have the power to legislate, they may propose laws to the King, but not cause them to become laws in any way, shape or form.

[Fred Sanders]

5. Nauseating...why is Obama going? What is the political calculus? Even Fox is cheering him?

[Bluenorthwest]

11. Even Fox? Fox News second largest shareholder after Murdoch is a Saudi Royal.

So how is it shocking they'd want the new king's ring kissed? They are paying respects to their own.

[Fred Sanders]

13. I thought the main event was to pay "respects " to the dead despot more than the new one.

Or it is just paying respect to King Oil?

Then it is OK.

[JCMach1]

8. Sadly, but Abdullah is about as close to a liberal King as we are going to get out of the Kingdom...

[KoKo]

15. Then there's going to be some trouble down the road...

How can the "House of Saud" survive in this environment. You were over there.. do you think the Saudi Royal Family can hold on with everything around them in chaos? Or, do they think USA will clean it all up and they will be untouched by it all. We haven't done such a good job so far. Or, maybe in their eyes ....we have?

[JCMach1]

16. AS long as the money holds out...

there won't be much in the way of rebellion.

The House of Saud will survive just fine. Must Saudis understand the alternative. They may not know what they want, but they know they don't want to be Yemen.

[malaise]

9. This Tony Blair?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026128742

[hifiguy]

12. Kerry's silly statement was just a few words off

"chief funder of violent extremism" is the correct statement. FTFY, John.

[Vattel]

14. Kissing the oily ass of Saudi tyranny is more important than standing up for free speech in France.