Why haven't I heard this? I was reading an article in the Idler by John Leboutillier about how tmessed up our Middle East policy is, and it referenced an article which says that the Suadis have a fund to support homicide bombers and their families, similar to the one Iraq has. I followed the link, and sure enough, there it is:
The Saudi Arabian government has paid out at least $33 million to families of Palestinians killed or injured in the 17-month-old intifada and in December 2001 earmarked another $50 million for the payments, according to Arabic news agencies and the Saudi Embassy's Web site.Similar payments promised by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein have drawn sharp condemnation from U.S. President George W. Bush and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
The Saudi Committee for Support of the Al-Aqsa Intifada distributes payments of $5,333 to the families of the dead and $4,000 to each Palestinian receiving medical treatment in Saudi hospitals. The fund is managed by Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz, according to the embassy.....
Saudi Arabia makes no distinction in compensation to families of suicide bombers and those killed by Israeli military action.
It seems that few of our news services found this to be a significant story. I found it mentioned in the NY Post, and in some Arab news sources, but the NY Times, WaPO, USA Today, WSJ, all silent.
Very curious.
Posted by Rich at April 15, 2002 2:05 AM