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From the Gulf News.


US rebukes Saudis over 'religious rights violations'
Washington | Reuters | 16/09/2004 | Print this page


The United States yesterday accused Saudi Arabia of severe violations of religious freedom in a rare official rebuke of a close ally and key oil supplier that potentially could lead to sanctions.
"Freedom of religion does not exist" in Saudi Arabia, the State Department said in an annual report tracking religious freedom worldwide. It included the kingdom for the first time on a blacklist of eight countries "of particular concern."

"Freedom of religion is not recognised or protected under the country's laws and basic religious freedoms are denied to all but those who adhere to the state-sanctioned version of Sunni Islam," the report said.

Yesterday's surprise designation allowed for a range of sanctions on Saudi Arabia, but there was no expectation any would be applied on the world's largest oil exporter. "Rather, it's just our way of sending a clear signal to the Saudis that this is a serious issue for us, a problem, and that we want to talk to them about allowing tolerance of religious beliefs and other practices," said a State Department official, who asked not to be named.

Vietnam and Eritrea were also added to the list this year, joining Burma, China, Cuba, Iran and North Korea.

The report said in Vietnam religious freedom remained poor or deteriorated for some groups, notably minority Protestants and some independent Buddhists, and the Eritrean government harrassed and arrested members of different Christian groups.

The Saudi Embassy in Washington said it had no immediate comment on the US report.

Secretary of State Colin Powell suggested yesterday's rebuke would not affect other aspects of the US-Saudi relations. "Let me emphasise that we will continue engaging

[Lanza-Armonia]

Last year, myself, Largy, gingerpubes and a bunch of other friends got wasted in various expensive locations in Jinan, Shandong, China. That was the only Xmas I wanted to remember but couldn't instead of the reverse!!!

LA