Bribe? Saudi King Offers Protesters Cash, Not Political Rights
- Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:37am by
Emily Esfahani Smith
- Print »
- Email »
CAIRO (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s king promised a multibillion dollar package of reforms, raises, cash, loans and apartments on Friday in what appeared to be the Arab world’s most expensive attempt to appease residents inspired by the unrest that has swept two leaders from power.
He also announced 60,000 new jobs in the security forces – a move that would employ huge numbers of otherwise jobless young men, while bolstering his kingdom’s ability to snuff out protests.
The ailing 86-year-old King Abdullah, his soft voice trembling, rarely looked up from his notes in the speech broadcast live on Saudi television.
Though protests in Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia have been tiny and were swiftly quelled, the monarchy apparently fears they could escalate as have others around the Arab world – particularly in the neighboring island of Bahrain, where Saudi troops lead a 1,500-strong Gulf military force against Shiite demonstrators.
Saudi demonstrators have mostly come from the Shiite-dominated eastern quarter of the kingdom. They share similar grievances as their Shiite brethren in the nearby island monarchy, and the Sunni powers fear their unrest will give an opening for Shiite Iran to expand its influence on the Arab side of the Gulf.
But the changes announced by Abdullah did not loosen the tribal monarchy’s tight hold on power – a key demand of Saudi opposition figures. The gesture also overlooked requests by intellectuals to release political prisoners and reform the country’s decision-making process.
Abdullah thanked residents and security forces and asked them to remember him in their prayers.
“You are the shields of this homeland and the beating hand of those who dare challenge its security and stability. May God bless you and your actions,” the king said in the three-minute speech.
King Abdullah is popular, though critics protest the closed, autocratic system he heads.
News readers – not the king – read the series of royal decrees promising a minimum wage increase, cash gifts and an anti-corruption drive. No total cost was given for the package.
The sweeteners include an additional two months’ wages for all government workers and two extra payments for university students worth around $500. He raised the monthly minimum wage to $800 and announced a monthly payment of around $260 to the country’s unemployed. The king set aside around $70 billion to build 500,000 apartments for low-income residents. He promised millions more capital for the government’s housing loan fund and raised the maximum loan for homes to around $130,000.
The king vowed to fight corruption with the creation of a new body answerable directly to him. He promised billions for the health sector – announcing new research centers around the country, homes for medics and thousands of new hospital beds. He also promised an extra $40 million for private hospitals.
In a boon to the country’s conservatives, he vowed around $130 million to build and renovate mosques and around $50 million each for Islamic centers that teach the Muslim holy book and to build offices for the country’s religious police.
Starkly absent from the promises were any funds for the country’s education system. The King vowed to pressure private businesses to employ more Saudi residents and said he would crack down on merchants who raised the prices of basic goods.
The new swath of promises were the second series of sweeteners offered to Saudi residents. Earlier this month, the King ordered roughly $37 billion to be pumped into various programs targeting the oil kingdom’s lower income population.
And the oil-rich country also promised to fund part of a $20 billion in financial aid package earlier this month to the Gulf states of Bahrain and Oman in attempts there to quell demonstrations in both countries with promises of more cash.
It remains to be seen if the sweeteners will placate residents weary of the tribal monarchy’s tight grip on power.
Comments (42)
Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In
Popular Stories
MSNBC Host Snaps in Heated Segment: ‘What in the World Is Riskier Than Being a Poor Person in America?’ 695 Comments
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 664 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 525 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 365 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 364 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 235 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 249 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order Read More- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 235 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
MinorityRightsAdvocate
Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:31amIt may slow the inevitable, but it won’t stop it. You have an agitated and repressed mostly poor population ruled over by a repressive autocratic ruling family. They can’t give away enough to stop this, and besides the agitators will likely use the cash to strengthen their positions.
The types that wrote the coming insurrection and the Cloward and Piven strategy are at work here, and this will be a start in over taxing the system to collapse it.
This is about power, and there are agitators out there who want it, they won’t stop with a few payments, then when Iran goes nuclear, game changer.
It is Iran that is behind all of this in the Middle East, they are not slowing down from this.
More on this: http://minorityrightsadvocate.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/watch-the-other-hand-as-we-focus-on-japan-we-are-about-to-evacuate-the-us-navy%e2%80%99s-hq-for-the-5th-fleet-in-bahrain-this-is-being-agitated-by-iran-and-saudi-arabia-is-next-what-will-that/
Report Post »reckless
Posted on March 19, 2011 at 12:28amLet them eat falafel!
Report Post »TMan2020
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:57pmSaudi Arabia is the Kingpin nation paying for all the Islamic insanity in the world. They are our greatest enemy and we don’t even know it.
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 7:08pmIn America we are jumping up and down, throwing away our rights and our Constitution, but demanding that other countries have them. My, my! Wait until Jesus is KING, then we’ll see how democracy works for real. EVERY knee shall bow – yours too. All the countries of the world have to do is look at the mess the US of A is in – and say they want no part of it – is there any wonder?
Report Post »vtech61
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 5:30pmI used to Live in Jeddah SA in my teens.
Loved the country and most the peeps.
Wouldn’t go back now, but I sure miss eating Shawarmas. :-(
Report Post »Dirklane
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 2:26pmNo chance of them being afforded freedom or democracy, Islam forbids both take the cash and go home.
Report Post »DougLambert
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 2:01pmTAKE the money and run…..
Report Post »rdk
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 12:53pmThe King needs to keep it up. Spend more money on the people. More importantly, boost your military strength as a foil against Iran.
Report Post »bruce_baker
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 12:45pmIf they accept, like Joseph in the Bible, they will have sold their birthright for a pottage of lentils.
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 12:37pmMoney and possessions cannot fix the heart and soul of man.
Report Post »B-Neil
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:47amNO! The media is wrong. Where paying them and providing housing and jobs, not the King. How much do we pay for there OIL????? The price of oil went up to $103.00 a baarel. Japan is not using any! Give me a break. We don’t have a Government. We have a bunch of guys collecting big Pay checks, wearing fancy suits and hair pieces. Sitting in fancy chairs lieing to each others. That exit sign is looking better and better……..Carry on McDuff——-PS: THINK
Report Post »WHITE LOTUS2x
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:45amLook at my King all dressed in Red, Iko,Iko,Unday. I`ll bet you five dollars he`ll killyou dead, Jockamo Fee nane`.
Report Post »HillKid8
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:28am“Bow down before the one you serve.you’re going to get what you deserve.” Nine Inch Nails.
Report Post »quicker
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:14amDrill baby drill. Wind power isn`t the answer yet .Besides the wind mills aren`t made here .What maybe a few thousand jobs here and mostly temperary. Real big job creater.whoopie
Report Post »Susan Harkins
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:12amKing offers masses “bread”?
Let me guess…next will be…uhm…
“circuses”?
Report Post »PrfctlyFrank
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:46amOK, who gets his 200 or so wives??
Report Post »RayOne
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 10:36amA Circus for the Masses, that has a ring to it. This WH is working within Globalist Agenda rules.
Report Post »History Repeating
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:58amWe need to get away from middle eat oil.
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:10amThe “progressives” won’t let us. Since there’s now way wind and solar will be able to sustain us in the foreseeable future, I‘m guessing they’re counting on magic fairy dust. Wind and solar may be able to power our homes one day, but they won’t be powering our planes, trains and automobiles. There’s still hope for algae, cellulosic ethanol, and a few others. They’re still a long way off though.
Report Post »temple62
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:57amKing Fahd bought and paid for Obama presidency so doesn’t this seem reasonable. Everything has a price whether it be in riyals or dollars.
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:43amYou remember that golden necklace too? Some 100 oz of coins and chain, gold $1,400, yeah, Obama was a cheap trick!
Report Post »johnpaulkuchtajr
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:52amOK, we backed the rioters against Mubarak and we backed the rebels against Gadhafi, will we back Saudi rioters if they pose a threat to our old buddy, King Abdullah?
I sure am glad that there seems to be real clear-cut political strategy at work here. Yeah, B.H. Obama has it all under control. Right? He must have it all figured out to be able to head off to Rio!
Report Post »Fina Biscotti
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 1:33pmKing Abdullah is not too happy with Obama – anyway – since the media reported the king had called to obama to stop his bullshyt – publicly humiliating Egyptian President Mubarak – when obozo, with the dignity of a street thug, trying to force Mubarak to step down – prior to Egypt’s September elections.
Usurper Obama was pushing for The Muslim Brotherhood to have a role in the government of Egypt – although President Mubarak had banned the MB from Egypt for decades – because of their vicious acts of Terrorism.
The Saudis are terrified of The Muslim Brotherhood – since the MB wants to eliminate all Western-style- living – within the Arab and Muslim world.
Report Post »Always On Watch
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:51amClever move on the part of the House of Saud.
It just might work.
The reality is that what many of these rebelling Arabs want is a better life — not what we Westerners refer to as “democracy.”
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:45amI don’t think that will work. They’ll likely see his promises as empty. If money would bring peace, we should be the most peaceful nation ever after all the stimulus spending.
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:42amWell at least the Saudis don’t have to borrow the money.
Report Post »felina g
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:00amCreate “money” out of thin air and charge interest on it ? Profit deal.
Report Post »Ironmaan
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:42amIf he gives cash and they take it, they will be back for more later. Eventually, it wont be enough and the House of Saud will fall. Only a matter of time.
Report Post »http://guerillatics.com
Leadthemtothelight
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:40amI wonder if the dems in the US started handing out entitlements and free cash how the public would respond? Oh wait they did already…
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:39amHey, it works in the U.S. Ask Jesse Jackson.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:51amAbdullah thanked residents and security forces and asked them to remember him in their prayers.
Obama’s new line, “let me make this clear, remember me in your prayers.”
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:56amI would submit these actions have worked in the past…
Report Post »not now.
ergo Wisconsin, Ohio, Tennessee, Indiana, and others.
these countries are following these leads; instant communication is enabling this.
Czar Casm
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:00amEr…… Down with Suadi Arabia!!!!
Where can I pick up my cash?
Report Post »Creestof
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:07amSounds like them. From top to bottom, the whole country is run by the royal family and its relatives. They are the epitome of corruption with no concept of human rights, a fair market…or democracy.
They should have been forced out decades ago.
Report Post »hersey10
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:16amLike the Quantitative Easing campaign , when that money runs out the trouble will run in .
Report Post »Obama Bin Lying
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:17amWho says that Islam and Capitolism don’t mix. This is the number one rule…when all else fails pay them. Right Jesse, Al, Barack and SEIU?
Report Post »felina g
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:39amIf a nation values anything more than freedom, it will lose its freedom; and the irony of it is that if it is comfort or money that it values more, it will lose that too.
Report Post »— W. Somerset Maugham, 1874 – 1965
ShawnB
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:44amDo you listen to what the hell did Jesse Jackson say on KFI with Tim Conway Jr?
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:57am@gonzo and Osama bin lying
You are absolutely correct!!!!!! It works for the extortionist here so maybe. These people may want more than money, they are tired of the ruling. This is one reason the dictatorship doesn’t work. They are so greedy and selfish. Just look at the money the King has and how poor the rest of the nation is. He could and should have been using some of that enormous stash he has and make it better for others. He could still stay in power and keep Stealing and stashing. I can’t imagine what it would be like to make a couple dollar a week or month and the King with billions and billions just laying around.He has solid gold faucets and toilets and incredible opulance like that and the country can’t even feed their families.Something wrong with that picture. But maybe bribery will work.We really don’t want an unknown Leader there it will cripple the west. I say “DRILL BABY DRILL” and we won’t be obligated to these people.
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 12:07pmAhhhhhh……American democracy at work. eh hmmm.. I mean Saudi dictatorship tactics. Couldn’t really tell the two apart that easily sorry, my bad.
Report Post »copper
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 3:50pmExcuse me….is the repressive Fundamentalist government in IRAN any different??
No one in the UN or any other country has come to the aid of the protesters in Iran. What are they desiring anyway? They ALL want SHARIA LAW. That IS NOT DEMOCRACY. It is an authoritarian repressive totalitarian government that keeps its people locked into the 7th century mindset, poverty and woman are little more than a rug. At least they have cars and a better standard of living. What do they have that’s so attractive in Iran, Afghanistan or even Pakistan?
I have worked for Muslim physicians. Those from India were respectful. Those from Pakistan were contemptful.
Report Post »fatjack
Posted on March 19, 2011 at 3:22pmKing Abdullah, is one greedy sob or hes dumber than rocks. We have been doing this for decades. Surely they have TV, radios, Newspaper.
The whole wide knows we pay off the rug rats for not rioting.
Report Post »