Tuesday, November 11, 2003

Saudi bombing

There seems to be a consensus in the press that Saturday's bombing was what is known here as an "own goal" for Al Qaeda.
The bombing last weekend of a residential compound housing an almost entirely Arab and Muslim population has appalled Saudis far more than other terrorist attacks, evaporating expressions of support for Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda network that were either vaguely whispered or occasionally even shouted over the last two years.
This editorial from the Arab News seems to back this up.
This was not the work of Mossad. This was not the work of the CIA. The time has come for all of us to pour scorn on anyone who takes that all-too-easy way out. This attack was carried out by Saudis, and rather than remain in denial about the fact, we must face up to it — and everything it implies.