Job Discussion Forums

[scot47]

Worrying the whole thing. The worst case scenario is a gradual Algerianisation of the whole refgion. Of course even then you will have looneys saying "Algeria sounds great. I have a right to go and TEFL there."

Over on the Africa forum there is some bozo telling us that Kinshasa in the DRC (formerly Zaire) is quite safe. He has never been there but he knows it is okay and just wants the e-mail contact of a cool language school. Shheeeesh !

[Pilot in Command]

Hi Mark100,

Thank you for that very specific information. Would you feel comfortable revealing the name of the compound where your colleagues were housed? Were they in the same compound?

I was sitting at the gate at the airport in Atlanta waiting to board my flight to DC for a physical regarding an offer to teach in Riyadh when the first breaking news came over the CNN airport network. It was surreal.

By the way, this company's compound was one of those hit on Monday.

I see that our government is already trying to spin this tragedy, with Powell emphasizing that terrorism is a threat to Americans anywhere in the world. What a non-statement! The point is that NOW it is happening in Saudi Arabia, so let's just face it and respond accordingly! That consistent government spin when it comes to the Saudis really ticks me off.

Anyway, I met with reps of the company following the physical...they wouldn't take me to their corporate office, but met me for lunch at a hotel instead. I've decided to keep all my paperwork until they are in a position to provide answers to my questions. Then I'll deicde, but it's not looking good, folks!

My condolences go out to the victims and families of those who survived and to the families of those who didn't. What tragic times we live in.

My prayers go out for the safety of all you folks who are there now.

[scot47]

According to the Aran News, Vinnell Corporation was one of the targets. They supply teachers and trainers for the National Guard.

Pandora's Box may have been opened. Will we see an Algerianisation of the whole Rregion ? I hope and pray not.

[travellingscot]

Media here in UK said today that the daughter of a P.E. teacher was slightly injured and a teacher of French,German and Spanish was also slightly injured.Only these UK citizens have been mentioned and named so far in our media.

[johnslat]

Out of evil, perhaps can come some good. One of the most widespread attitudes in the Kingdom for so long has been a " denial mentality: " Oh no, not us; we're special here. ". Even after the government finally and reluctantly " officially acknowledged " that 15 of the 19 terrorists involved in the WTC terrorism were Saudis, the newspapers here continued to use the term " allegedly Saudis " to describe them. But here are a couple of lnks to the web site of the Arab News - the first is a columnist's article and the second is the editorial. It may be a small step, but perhaps that state of denial is beginning to loosen its grip:

http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=26166&ArY=2003&ArM=5&ArD=14



http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=26165&ArY=2003&ArM=5&ArD=14


Regards,
John

[Sunpower]

Why does Saudi Arabia produce so many terrorists?

Until after the 9-11 attack in NYC, I actually didn't realize how many of them were in fact from KSA.

[johnslat]

Dear Sunpower,
Well, there are perhaps many reasons. Some that come to mind are: 1. the influence of Wahabi-ism, which can be heard in the preaching in the mosques and in the teaching in the schools. Not in all mosques and schools, but in far too many; 2. the self-image of the Kingdom as a " special place ", the " heartland of Islam " and the homeland of the two most sacred sites, Makkah and Medina; 3. the resentment against the government, especially among young men, far too many of whom are unemployed ( and, perhaps, unemployable ). Saudiization is a joke; too many young Saudis have unrealisitc expectations. They want to start at the top and would never consider actually working; 4. this ties in with resentment against the Westerners here, many of whom are making a lot more money than many Saudis are, those who ARE working, that is. If I think of any others, I'll be back.
Regards,
John

[Nomad Dan]

Where will they hit next? They will hit again, don't you reckon?... I

have always been amazed that there haven't been more attempts on the Ras Tanura Refinery as they would cause quite a boom and disrupt things. I have worked around the refinery and other Aramco locations....I have seen the guards enjoying their dates and coffee. It didn't APPEAR that it would require a SWAT team to take them over and create havoc...And the compound where I used to live was totally open. Oh, there was a security presence, but nothing formidable (this was mostly at Euro Village Compound in Al Khobar. You guys and gals over there keep your powder dry.

I was depressed because I was going to go back to Saudi to teach as an Aramcon, but the deal fell through last August. I don't feel so badly about it now. I was heading for Udhailiyah. Oh well.

I have been robbed twice here in Big D (Dallas Texas) but nobody has tried to blow me up yet. I was NEVER robbed in Saudi btw, I understand that it is illegal to rob people there...

Take care,
Nomad Dan

[johnslat]

Dear Nomad Dan,
The oil fields/refineries would seem to be a likely target - on the other hand, these bozos appear to be more interested in killing " infidels " ( with unavoidable " collateral damage " to believers ) and also seem to be more " urban orientated ". Another hit or at least attempt is, I'd say, pretty likely, although the government's " heightened awareness " now MAY make this more difficult. As for being robbed, well, I had my 350 Honda stolen from me ( from inside a walled yard with a " haris " supposedly on duty - and it was locked and chained ) in Jeddah. The Saudis were very solicitious about my loss - " It must have been some foreigner ", was their explanation. " Like myself, you mean ", was my reply.
Regards,
John