The Washington Times is reporting:
Saudi Arabia has agreed to end all economic boycotts of Israel, allowing the World Trade Organization (WTO) yesterday to admit the oil-rich kingdom as its 149th member, diplomats said.
Saudi officials did not comment on the Israel boycott, which had been the key obstacle during the kingdom’s 12-year bid to gain entry.
U.S. and Israeli officials said the boycott issue had been resolved.
“I am very satisfied with the fact that Saudi Arabia has complied with all the rules of the WTO,” said Itzhak Levanon, Israel’s ambassador to the global trade body.
“I hope it opens the door to a better future on the horizon in the region,” the Israeli envoy said. (via Captain Marlow)
Roger,
Be sure to check here later today for an explanation of how this positive development is Bush’s fault.
Jamie Irons
Roger,
Be sure to check here later today for an explanation of how this positive development is Bush’s fault.
Jamie Irons
Roger,
I’m having a problem with the site (it happened yesterday as well) where I end up double posting.
I apologize.
Jamie Irons
Jaime, you are supposed to post a warning when you send someone to a “porn” site.
KOS certainly has delusions of grandeur. He really believes that he should be in control of the Democrat Party. He is stark raving mad.
Jamie, please excuse my misspelling of your name. I blame it on the aftereffects of going to the KOS site.
Everyone should read the Washington Times article for some interesting tidbits.
Famous last words to remember!
MORE…
Largest “free-market” economies?
“agreed to” and “pledged to”
CIA FACTBOOK -http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sa.html
Back to the article -
They “undertook” them, as in past tense?
QUESTIONS -
1) Would they have made these ‘reforms and accessions’ if they could have obtained membership without doing so?
2)Has anyone ever been kicked out of the WTO for violating its “promises and reforms”?
HERE IS THESE ZINGERS TOWARDS THE END -
Has China really reformed? Or did it switch from Communist Control to more of a style of the Communist Party as a monopoly running an economy transforming into more of a fascist one, rife with gov’t control, corruption, murder etc..?
WAIT DID YOU CATCH THAT ONE!!!!
Wow, looks like Condi laid down the law on her last visit–or pledged support for the Kingdom, which is probably trying to save its arse along with its failing economy.
More wishful thinking.
The House of Saud will find a way to maintain the boycott without making it appear that it’s an official government policy. It’ll be done via quasi-independent religious authority mechanisms.
2 MORE THOUGHTS -
Does Israel really give a crap economically at least if Saudi Arabia ended its boycott of the country? What the h is the Saudi “free-market” economy going to buy from Israel anyway?
It would be like the Dominican Republic saying they’re going to end their boycott of Hong Kong? Gee thanks, man you guys are grrrrrrreat!
You Saudi Kleptocrats, I mean Chics, are great guys, now you deserve a pat on the back, MORE complements (hand holding?) from W, and NY Times (apparently Wash Times too!) pieces pumping up how swell you are. Perhaps, Christine Amapour, Larry King etc.. will do an interview now asking these “reformed modernists” their thoughts on Israel, speaking from a position of ‘legitimacy’ now!!! (ed.. Orwell chill man still plenty more to come)
EXPECT (put it in the bank!!)/b> a fantasy kiss a** Friedman piece shortly!! Last night Friedman was dreaming up all sorts of “conversations” he had in his mind with Saudi Chics and businessmen…. that are going to make us “kvell” with hope and optimism as we walk down the Yellow Brick Road….
And how secretly modern they “yearn to be” if only they could “fight the Extremists” and Israel would leave the entire West Bank.
FEW MORE THOUGHTS -
Saudi Arabia (CIA Factbook) has an unworking swelling clamped economy. The only “private sector” (I believe but am not sure reading the CIA Factbook summary) is the imported Western businessmen and Asian workers… The former live in walled off separate neighborhoods, virtually cities that have NOTHING to do with Saudi Arabia… And the Asian workers do the work a “swelling population” doesn’t, won’t or can’t do? What’s wrong with that picture?
fixed….
2 MORE THOUGHTS -
Does Israel really give a crap economically at least if Saudi Arabia ended its boycott of the country? What the h is the Saudi “free-market” economy going to buy from Israel anyway?
It would be like the Dominican Republic saying they’re going to end their boycott of Hong Kong? Gee thanks, man you guys are grrrrrrreat!
You Saudi Kleptocrats, I mean Chics, are great guys, now you deserve a pat on the back, MORE complements (hand holding?) from W, and NY Times (apparently Wash Times too!) pieces pumping up how swell you are. Perhaps, Christine Amapour, Larry King etc.. will do an interview now asking these “reformed modernists” their thoughts on Israel, speaking from a position of ‘legitimacy’ now!!! (ed.. Orwell chill man still plenty more to come)
EXPECT (put it in the bank!!) a fantasy kiss a** Friedman piece shortly!! Last night Friedman was dreaming up all sorts of “conversations” he had in his mind with Saudi Chics and businessmen…. that are going to make us “kvell” with hope and optimism at the inside info Friedman has and then when he ‘chides’ us for being negative (in reality I mean) as he walks us down the Yellow Brick Road….
We are also informed of how secretly these Chics “yearn for modernity” if only they could “fight the Extremists” and Israel would leave the entire West Bank.
FEW MORE THOUGHTS -
Saudi Arabia (CIA Factbook) has an unworking swelling clamped economy. The only “private sector” (I believe but am not sure reading the CIA Factbook summary) is the imported Western businessmen and Asian workers… The former live in walled off separate neighborhoods, virtually cities that have NOTHING to do with Saudi Arabia… And the Asian workers do the work a “swelling population” doesn’t, won’t or can’t do? What’s wrong with that picture?
ìBe sure to check here later today for an explanation of how this positive development is Bush’s fault.î
I am convinced that Israel dodged a bullet when George W. Bush defeated Al Gore and later John Kerry. Yes, his administration has made some mistakes. There are times when it seems too eager to kowtow to the siren call of the politically correct. And yet, when push comes to shove—President Bush is Israelís closest friend. What about the national Democratic Party? It is committed to the tacit proposition that Israel has victimized the Palestinians. Israel is ultimately responsible for the violence in the Middle East.
David,
I’m, myself, getting a bit tired of that statement. I find it way over simplistic and almost trite already.
Real Politick is far more complicated, fluid and changing and subject to powerful moving external and internal forces.
I could very easily postulate that Bush has wringed far more far reaching concessions, unilaterally, from Israel without getting anything from the Palis. The only difference is an attitude at the least the Arab States and Palis must change some basic things. However, in the end for some cosmetic statements and perhaps some window dressing “changes” even more far reaching Israel wringing will take place.
Is Bush just pursuing the State Dept end vision with just more tough talk and yes action towards the Arab side as well?
Yeah, I know the positive things Bush has done as well. However, in the end the real politick is just moving forward regardless. Shit always rolls down hill, that’s just the way it is. The Arabs realize they don’t have to change sh** and just wait it out the Euros and even Americans will eventually force more and more Israeli concessions.
Besides that the Palis are probably incapable of changing anything, at least at present.
Just watch to see if Bush let’s Israel finish the fence.
If Israel hangs on to most of Ariel.
If Israel is able to connect Maael Adumin.
ìJust watch to see if Bush let’s Israel finish the fence.î
First of all, I wasnít aware that Israel had to ask President Bush for his permission. There is no doubt that the Powell/ Rice state department leaves something to be desired. However, the Democratic Party would makes things a lot worse. The rule of thumb is this: the Republicans offer some hope—and the Democrats offer next to none.
First of all, I wasnít aware that Israel had to ask President Bush for his permission.
Really? A few tough statements from Bush or Rice on the fence and kiss its completion goodbye.
You act as if the US does not have any dictative power towards Israel. Israel is the kicked around freek in class, and the US is its only real defender.
Wasn’t it the US that forced Israel to pull back before March of 02 when Israel had definitive intelligence that there was a massive attack being planned for the holidays. Didn’t Bush (we now know) withhold spare parts to the Apache Helicopters in the Spring of 01?
There is no doubt that the Powell/ Rice state department leaves something to be desired.
Ummmm, Rice was/is one of the people with a realistic outloook there especially on the Israeli situation.
However, the Democratic Party would makes things a lot worse. The rule of thumb is this: the Republicans offer some hope—and the Democrats offer next to none.
I could care less about the Republican ‘good guy’ and Democrat ‘bad guy’ debate.
What I am saying is that the continued maintenance of Bush Israel’s best friend savior arugment is old, tired and way too deferential.
Daniel Pipes, who Bush went to bat for, is very critical of Bush in this regard, in that he can pose himself the way you do and then demand even more problematic unilateral concessions from Israel.
In my opinion in the end Pipe’s criticism is true but meaningless, the snowball is rolling down hill and to some degree the forces around it become somewhat meaningless.
Roger:
This is a small, positive step. I still don’t trust the Sauds but real politik is part of the process. This step hardly signals the end of the Saudi wish to see the Star of David burning as the surviving Jews flee Israel after an Arab-Persian invasion. But if trade can become a step closer to normal I am all for it.
I do find it ironic that as the home of the most radical and Jew hating offshoot of Islam announces an end to some sanctions left wing churches and academia are ramping up their effort to start them anew. I guess when you have American Profs and preachers doing your work for you why not take the economic carrots that are being given to you if someone else is carrying your water.
As far as I’m concerned, the Saudis are only mouthing the words.
Saudi Arabia is only ruled by Sharia (Islamic) laws.
Although Sharia permits and encourages slavery, Saudi Arabia claimed to have eliminated slavery in 1962. They lied:
Saudi Arabia abolished slavery in 1962, but it treats domestic servants in much the same way fugitive-slave laws treated blacks in pre-Civil War America. Saudi newspapers run bounty ads announcing the “escape” of domestics and requesting the help of fellow Saudis in the return of this “property.” Women who do not find their way to government-run shelters-themselves viewed by human-rights experts as largely a PR ploy-face a harsh fate. Notes Amnesty International’s Brian Evans: “Women who go to the police station seeking help actually get locked in jail until their employers come and pick them up.”
Sharia laws also require apartheid, offensive jihad and their tradition of lying to infidels. The promises that Saudis make to the world, and to the WTO are meaningless to them. They were lying when they said they eliminated slavery and they’re lying now. These lies are required by their laws.
Now if the Saudi’s would just stop sending Wahhabis hate literature to all the mosques in the United States through their Washington Embassy maybe we would have something. Why is it that I don’t believe anything they say after reading the translations of this venom and their home newspapers at MEMRI.org.
I blame Bush for this.
The US should realise that the single most valuable currency they have in the ME to achieve their diplomatic objectives in the ME, is that they are the only ones that can pressure Israel to give something to the Arabs. This gives the US the lever to pressure Arab states. However, the more the US pressures Israel to concede land for a fictitious security in this exchange, the less Israel has to give, and consequently the less influence America has with the Arabs. So far in this charade of a peace process, both the US and the Arabs, have made gains; all at the expense of Israel’s security – the only thing that Israel wants.
It is interesting note that the EU gives huge amounts of money to the Palestinians but has virtually no influence with them, because the EU has no influence with Israel. I hope the US will learn the lesson.