European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 13, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Most of saudi arabians 865,000 Square Miles is desert and about a third of the saudis Are nomadic bedouins like those pictured at right or Farmers who live near oases. Imi i a Jaji who needs democracy by Nick Ludington associated press a a amps Susan Harris the Groat mosque of Mecca draws thousands of Moi . / to of r i $ input general tourism is All but i /1 a r Quot it a us a. N old Man wagged his Finger at Prince Sultan second in line to saudi arabians throne and complained that his Soldier son was assigned to a base far from his Home. Quot but your son has obligations As a Soldier a said the Prince who also is the saudi defense minister. Quot he has obligations to his family Quot replied the old Man a resident of Riyadh the kingdom s capital. Sultan consulted his advisors and announced that the Young Man would be reassigned in Riyadh. The Exchange took place during a Quot majlis Quot or consultation that Sultan regularly holds with the people. A foreign reporter was permitted to attend. Most Days Sultan and the scores of other princes in saudi Arabia s extended Royal family open the doors of their palaces to the people. They listen to complaints on All manner of issues and Settle disputes. It s the nearest thing the saudis have to democracy and there is Little demand for More from the estimated 8 million citizens of the desert kingdom which sits on one Quarter of the worlds Oil reserves. About 3 million foreign workers also live in saudi Arabia. Representative democracy is overwhelming communism in Eastern Europe and making inroads in the third world including neighbouring Arab countries. But in saudi Arabia tribal tradition and huge Oil profits let the Royal Bosses of the world s richest family operated business provide Opportunity Public services and Security that make democracy a non Issue. The monarchy rules through wide consensus with All segments of society. Laws Are based on the Koran the holy Book of islam. The Koran is considered to have been Given by god to the Prophet Mohammed who founded the religion in the seventh Century. Prince Majed a brother of King fahd is the governor of the red sea province that includes the holy City of Mecca. He told reporters recently that communism end Ether to n to a Ciao Jse an i to human no Ore Quot pocket Money. Health services extensive and of Birgh Quality Are free a Jet air ambulance makes at cd t 200 flights a month to ferry patients from Remote areas to Ray for surgery at the lavish King Faisal specially Hospital. To build a Home each saudi family gets a free plot of4i Square meters a about 750 Square Yards a and a 30-Yt loan of $80,000, free of interest. People who clinics factories workshops or hotels get interest free Loans equivalent to 70 percent of the construction costs generous pensions Are paid on retirement Quot Given All this who needs democracy Quot a Western Diplomat asked. In tense times the saudi rulers customarily say they it establish a majlis Al shura or consultative Assembly a quasi parliament with most or All of the Mem a chosen the King. Such a Council approved by islamic t edition a mentioned in 1975, when a deranged Nephew w murdered King Faisal and his successors were taking Cord of the Nephew was publicly beheaded a punishment decreed in the Koran and imposed routinely for murder crimes or drug smuggling. Public executions to place Riyadh a main Square on Many fridays. More beheading and new mention of a a were decreed in 1979 after a group of fundamental in fanatics seized the great mosque of Mecca. That Ever it rent shoe Waves through the Royal family which pins my m of its legitimacy to its piety. The fundamentalists demanded an end to v. It they considered excessive Western influence in is i Arabia rapid modernization during the Oil Boom. In 1987, after iranian backed sabotage in the i Provini and during the annual moslem pilgrimage to or Oca fahd was said to be thinking again of implementing my majlis plan. Still there is no Council appointed or elected a handsome Structure to House it stands empty in ins grounds of fahd Sal Yamameh Palace in Ray Quot i believe it will come but its a matter of pm senior saudi official. Like other sources he did i name used. There s no groundswell of opinion for the pm influential newspaper editor said. Quot the Peep s. With the tranquil ii stability Security Prosper Freedom to unrestricted travel to the West is a safety pc 33,&Quot s3 want a Quot an a Sakisli Idolor l i i ? i i it mid in fro n. A c i cd Aoa Sou n pm n r o. They mingle with Wes fat loudly in night life or e. At heme they live up. She unveiled women or recreation during the 1 i on is i but no Are bus a. Rvl. It i v. _ i
