Saudis back government against al Qaeda: study
Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:02am EST
RIYADH (Reuters) - Most Saudis oppose Osama bin Laden
and back the government in its campaign against al
Qaeda, but say they want more democracy in the
U.S.-allied Islamic country, according to poll
findings released this week.
The study conducted by U.S. group "Terror Free
Tomorrow" showed 15 percent of respondents had a
favorable view of Saudi-born al Qaeda leader Osama bin
Laden and 88 percent approve of the government's
efforts to pursue militants inside the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, is a
key U.S. ally in the Middle East but is also home to
15 of the 19 hijackers who carried out the September
11 attacks in the United States. Bin Laden was at one
time a popular figure in the kingdom.
Al Qaeda-linked militants launched a campaign to
destabilize the country, an absolute monarchy with no
elected parliament, in 2003 with attacks on foreign
residents, energy installations and government
buildings.
Washington-based Terror Free Tomorrow said it carried
out its research by telephone this month with around
1,000 Saudis. Opinion polls on political issues are
rare in Saudi Arabia.
The study showed 52 percent of respondents had an
unfavorable opinion of the United States, although 40
percent had a favorable opinion and 69 percent wanted
better relations.
A smaller study in May 2006 showed 89 percent with a
negative view of America and 11 with a positive one.
"Considering the most populous Muslim countries of the
world, Saudi Arabia is among the most favorable to the
United States," said the report, published on the
Internet (www.terrorfreetomorrow.org).
While 95 percent of respondents said they had an
approving view of King Abdullah, who came to power in
2005 promising reforms, 80 percent said free elections
and a free press should be a government priority.
However, the report also showed that 79 percent
support the "absolute monarchy", suggesting that
understanding of democratic political systems remains
limited.
Saudi Arabia is enjoying huge budget surpluses due to
record world oil prices, dampening enthusiasm for
political change.
But a recent surge in inflation has soured the oil
boom for many in a country where wealth distribution
remains a problem.
(Reporting by Andrew Hammond; Editing by Samia
Nakhoul)
© Reuters 2007. All rights reserved.
---------------
Jusfiq Hadjar gelar Sutan Maradjo Lelo
Allah yang disembah orang Islam tipikal dan yang digambarkan oleh al-Mushaf itu
dungu, buas, kejam, keji, ganas, zalim lagi biadab hanyalah Allah fiktif.
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