Royal pains in the ass... saudis

Teacake · 08-21-2002, 01:06 PM

Drug charge for Saudi prince

Staff and agencies
Friday July 19, 2002

A Saudi prince has been accused of smuggling 1,980kg of cocaine from Venezuela to Paris on his personal plane under diplomatic immunity, US drug investigators said yesterday.

Nayef bin Sultan bin Fawwaz Al-Shaalan - who prosecutors say is not in line to succeed to the Saudi throne - was charged in his absence with three others on two drug conspiracy counts. Officials said they did not know the prince's whereabouts.

It is unclear whether he could be prosecuted because of his immunity. Drug enforcement administration (DEA) agents seized a Goya painting, three paintings by Colombian artist Fernando Botero and a sculpture by Japanese Tsuguharu Foujita as part of the investigation.

They estimate the Goya and Foujita are worth at least $1m each. The alleged broker of the deal, Doris Mangeri Salazar, 44, was found hiding in a cupboard at her home, according to a DEA report. According to the DEA Ms Mangeri allegedly introduced the prince to the smugglers in 1998, and he agreed to fly the cocaine from Venezuela to Paris in May 1999.

Some of the cocaine was distributed, about 796kg was seized in a Paris suburb and 188kg was seized by Spanish authorities, the DEA said. Another co-defendant, Jose Maria Clemente, allegedly arranged to repay a debt to one of the Colombian informants by giving him a Goya painting and Foujita bust, officials said.

Here's another revealing story about the saudi princesses. This site includes many more links about the royal pain in the ass saudis.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/saudi/stor...764580,00.html

SNIPET FROM THE ARTICLE

The Western community is living in fear. It has become the target of a series of bomb attacks, carried out by al-Qaeda-linked terrorists who want to drive all non-Muslims out of the Arabian peninsula. But the terrified Westerners have received little help from the Saudi authorities. The secret police instead blame the Westerners for the attacks, locking up the innocent and forcing them to confess. Three have died. Seven are in jail. Others have been arrested, interrogated, tortured and released.

minusthejihad · 08-21-2002, 01:20 PM

One of my best friends (who happens to be Palestinian) has parents that live in Saudi and he told me this story around a Hubbl Bubbly (hookah) experience a few years back:

Basically, he told me about how he accidentally had a tiny bit of Marijuana on his trip into Saudi that he forgot about in his backpack and only remembered about it when he saw the sign that said "Drug offenses punishable by death" Luckily he wasn't searched.

Then, later in his trip, his cousin (whom I know is a good American too) and he were invited to hang out with one of the many princes there because his family has some prestige or whatever. Anyway, story goes... the prince ordered all of the girls (in Western dress) he had arranged to hang out with my friend and his cousin out of the room. Upon their departture, he pulled out a box filled with every single drug or alcohol (also banned) and they proceeded to party all night. My friend, who had a "small" drug problem back in college, said "He had the best ####, man!"

I love Corruption!

peacelover · 08-21-2002, 02:00 PM

What I especially love about the Saudi Princes is the way they live in their marble palaces while their people starve.

Resmio · 08-23-2002, 06:07 PM

Do not judge the whole royal family because of some membersâ€™ acts.
Also, Sadie citizens live quite nicely, thanks to the oil income.
97% of the nation live above the poverty level.

elke · 08-23-2002, 06:11 PM

Originally posted by Resmio
Do not judge the whole royal family because of some membersâ€™ acts.
Also, Sadie citizens live quite nicely, thanks to the oil income.
97% of the nation live above the poverty level.

How do they define the poverty level?

Resmio · 08-23-2002, 06:18 PM

Originally posted by elke

How do they define the poverty level?

In assessment to other countries.

elke · 08-23-2002, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by Resmio

In assessment to other countries.

Hate to be a pain, but... which ones? EU, Russia, Africa, US...?

Resmio · 08-23-2002, 06:31 PM

Originally posted by elke

Hate to be a pain, but... which ones? EU, Russia, Africa, US...?

Be my guestâ€¦ make your choice.

**Mediocrates** · 08-23-2002, 06:33 PM

There is an order of magnitude difference among those countries so make up your mind.

Resmio · 08-23-2002, 06:59 PM

Well, ok, but... would you believe me?
In comparison to EU.
All six AGCs (Arab Gulf Countries) live similar to EU.
Or maybe a little bit more.

elke · 08-23-2002, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by Resmio
Well, ok, but... would you believe me?
In comparison to EU.
All six AGCs (Arab Gulf Countries) live similar to EU.
Or maybe a little bit more.

What happens when the oil runs out? Is anyone doing anything to prepare for that?

Simon · 08-23-2002, 07:36 PM

Why The United States Can't Trust Pakistan
http://www.pacificnews.org/content/p...0924trust.html

.......During his rule, the Saudi regime fundedfunded the creation of a network of madrassahs (religious boarding schools). The children were later sent to fight as mujahedeen in Afghanistan. Children were taught to banish all doubt -- the only truth was divine truth. Anyone who rebelled against the imam [religious leadership] rebelled against Allah. Those children were later sent to fight as mujahedeen in Afghanistan....

The Taliban creed is an ultra-sectarian strain, inspired by the Wahhabi sect that rules Saudi Arabia . The severity of the Afghan mullahs has been denounced by Sunni clerics at Al-Azhar in Cairo, Egypt, and Shiite theologians in Iran as a disgrace to the Prophet.

The Taliban could not, however, have captured Kabul on their own via an excess of religious zeal. They were armed and commanded by "volunteers" from the Pakistan Army. If Islamabad decided to pull the plug, the Taliban could be dislodged, but not without serious problems.

.......Islamabad will do everything to prevent a military expedition to Afghanistan. For one thing, there are Pakistani soldiers, pilots and officers present in Kabul, Bagram, and other bases. What will be their orders this time and will they obey them?.......

Note Inserted by Simon: These Paki soldiers have since been evacuated in the "kunduz Airlift"--Read the Airlift of Evil article from msnbc that I have posted earlier on this thread

Simon · 08-23-2002, 08:11 PM

U.S.- Saudi relations one year after 9/11
http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/....ap/index.html

Simon · 08-23-2002, 08:31 PM

Commentary: Thinking the unthinkable
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=...2-054641-5372r

Is it goodbye, Saudi Arabia? America seeks alternatives to its awkward ally
http://janes.com/security/internatio...0821_1_n.shtml

**Mediocrates** · 08-23-2002, 08:33 PM

Originally posted by Resmio
Well, ok, but... would you believe me?
In comparison to EU.
All six AGCs (Arab Gulf Countries) live similar to EU.
Or maybe a little bit more.

What's the literacy rate, infant mortality, median living births per woman ages 16-45, incidence of preventable disease, ratio of college grads.