(Weekly Standard) Matthew A. Levitt - Even as Saudi security forces crack down hard on terrorists who threaten the kingdom, the government's efforts fall far short of full-fledged cooperation in the war on terror. To be sure, the Saudis arrested terrorists and even detained some radical preachers. Since September 11, the Saudis have provided intelligence that has helped prevent attacks on U.S. forces stationed in the region. Saudi agents reportedly infiltrated two domestic al Qaeda cells, leading to the arrest last summer of over 75 al Qaeda members, of various nationalities. Saudi security services also thwarted several plots targeting Western interests in the kingdom. But the royal family has a history of cutting off investigations whenever the trail leads anywhere near Saudi elites. An abundance of evidence confirms that financial and moral support for terrorism are still flowing from the kingdom.
2003-06-24 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive