Breaking: U.S. Closing Embassy in Saudi Arabia

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

Claims because of Terrorist activity per MSNBC. Nothing else at this point.

On edit: Reuters Link - http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=400531§ion=news

RIYADH (Reuters) - The United States says terrorists are close to carrying out attacks in Saudi Arabia and that U.S. diplomatic missions in the Gulf Arab state will close on Saturday to review the security situation.

An advisory by the U.S. embassy in Riyadh said: The embassy continues to receive credible information that terrorists in Saudi Arabia have moved from the planning to operational phase of planned attacks in the kingdom."
<snip>

Not much info here, but it seems as if the US is now running from terrorists. Not a good message, Whistle-ass.

[htuttle]

1. My, my my...Trouble in Paradise?

Maybe ol' Bandar Bush can't keep the cork in the bottle much longer.

[hlthe2b]

2. WOW...

now that could be some major news!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

4. First the Troops leave and now the Emvassy is closing...

Either Osama has won in his effort to get U.S. out of S.A. or there's a possibility of military action?

It's going to be interesting to see where this goes.

[omshanti]

3. LINKS to BBC and AP stories

http://news.bbc.co.uk/ - scrolling across the top.


Edited to add AP story from Yahoo news.

U.S. Sees Imminent Attacks in Saudi, Shuts Embassy

[Okole]

5. I say good!!

It's about time we pulled out of that place.

[DeathvadeR]

17. We are not pulling out.

Think about it. They just got the cash, And are sending 100,000+ more soldiers. Spain is out, the UN is out, now the embassys closing???
Looks like it might get alittle bumpy.

[MetaTrope]

6. So what al-Qaeda demand hasn't been fulfilled yet?

Was Bush's "international sex slavery" slip a hint that he'll be shipping a couple hundred hookers to bin Laden next?

[0007]

7. Just found it!

Thanks Billy

[omshanti]

8. I just posted yahoo link above.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

11. Thanks!

[donsu]

9. didn't they recently announce they were sending group to S.A. to over-

haul our visa office there? wasn't that just a wk. or so ago they said that?

[Jacobin]

10. More "peace and stability" in the M.E.?

Isn't that what Smirky promised us would result from invading and occupying Iraq?

Gee. Things are kinda coming fucking unglued. :eyes:

[0rganism]

14. Safer and more peaceful, that's what he says

Of course, it's heresy to contend otherwise. Those memories you had of greater peace about 5 years back are delusions sent by... the Devil! :evilgrin:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

12. MSNBC: Closing Embassy AND all other diplomatic offices!!!!

Whoa! Did Al Qaeda give Bushco some instructions?

[Emillereid]

13. Is this just a prelim to 'an emergency'

wherein we have to bomb and march our soldiers in to restore order? Remember these neocons not only wanted control of Iraqi oil, but Saudi arabian oil too. Remember they want to spread 'democracy' to the whole region.

[donsu]

15. Scottish Highlanders have observed US fighter jets gathering

said jets were going over every 15 min. the same way they did before we attacked the other times


http://www.buzzflash.com/mailbag/03/11/mai03313.html

letter is a short way down the list

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

19. Hmmm. This does not bode well. We sure as shit wouldn't give a warning

if there was going to be an SA strike. They have a military and the ability to fight back.

I need more tin foil. Tis is so far out there that it scares me. I'm sure it's not that bad.

[SpiralHawk]

50. yes, and now we are sending 132,000 "replacement" troops

to Iraq. And majorly ratcheting up the rhetoric about the "evil" of Iran (Persia), which is now deem an evil "hotbed of terrorism."

Some is definitely up. I think the real Crusade Vs. Jihad is getting ready to unfold. BushCo. knows all about it, they just aren't telling the American public.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

[hang a left]

16. Betcha they were kicked out, that is probably the real deal.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

20. Another possibility is Al Qaeda is in possession of something

that is giving them leverage with Bushco.

That something could be information or worse.

Just a little tin foil postulation.

[Minstrel Boy]

22. A direct line to Cheney?

"A Dr Al Zawahiri on line one, Mr Vice President."

[Minstrel Boy]

18. Question: if Bush turns on the Saudis now,

would you support military action?

When the right's talking points become "Our REAL enemies are the Saudis. Did you know most of the hijackers..." will you answer with a "Hell yeah"?

True, the Saudis are thick with bin Ladens, but they're thick with Bushes as well. The Saudis are not the masterminds of terror; they're the middle men. The bag men. And I've believed for more than a year that eventually the White House will play them for suckers and liberate their oil fields.

Probably, of all possible military adventures, an incursion into Saudi Arabia would find the broadest support on account of playing the 9/11 card. Don't let yourselves be trapped into arguing for the invasion of Saudi Arabia because Bush hasn't gone after the real villains. You don't need telling where the real villains lurk, do you?

[Terran]

23. But how would they explain

the failure to attack SA immediately after 9/11? Was Afghanistan all a big mistake?? I can't see any possible justification that even the ignirant American people would buy.

[Minstrel Boy]

26. "disturbing new revelations"

"betrayal by those we thought our friends" I don't think it would take much.

And they certainly wouldn't say Afghanistan and Iraq were mistakes. This would just be a new front in the war on terra.

[WhereIsMyFreedom]

33. You mean third simultaneous front, right?

What ever happened to Iran and Syria?

[leesa]

40. Afghanistan wasn't a 'mistake' it was planned well before 9-11

But it had not one thing to do with 9-11 or terroism or the most idiotic, 'bombing them for their freedom', strictly about oil pipeline.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

31. Me? Hell no.

I'm against any sort of military action that does not include defending our shores from an invading/aggressive armed force.

[kodi]

48. S A invests $1TRILLION in the US if they pull their money out the US sinks

put this in perspective. that is 10% of the yearly US GNP

that is the overriding fact in any situation with S A

and that is why anything we do concerning S A has to be done carefully, thoughtfully and with recognition of the dire consequences if not done right.

i dont like it one bit, but there it is.

if we were smart we would invest in a massive effort, on the scale of the NASA moon flight programs, for fusion power and renewable energy sources so we would not be beholden to foreign investors because they control a resource vital to american interests.

i can not think of a more patriotic program for tis country.

[0007]

21. Has anyone heard if the civilan contractors are pulling out?

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

36. Hasn't made the news. I'll bet dollars to donuts that they have been

notified though. Seems SOP that the US "suggests" Americans leave an area when they close an embassy.

It would be common sense IMHO to head for the hills if the Embassy and Diplomatic offices closed in a powder keg like SA.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

24. Faux News report link:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,102509,00.html

<snip>
The embassy in Riyadh and the U.S. Consulates General in Jeddah and Dhahran will be closed, according to a warden message issued by the embassy on Friday.

"The embassy continues to receive credible information that terrorists in Saudi Arabia have moved from the planning to operational phase of planned attacks in the kingdom," stated the message. "The embassy strongly urges all American citizens in the kingdom to be especially vigilant when in any area that is perceived to be American or Western."
<snip>

Not much else

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

25. Washington Post (AP) Link:

Citing Terrorist Threat, U.S. Diplomatic Missions in Saudi Arabia Will Close Saturday

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12491-2003Nov7.html

<snip>
In October, the embassy urged Americans in Saudi Arabia to be vigilant during the holy Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, which ends later this month.

On Monday, Saudi police uncovered a cell believed linked to al-Qaida network in the holy city of Mecca. Police believe the cell had planned to carry out attacks during Ramadan.

The alert came a day after two suspected militants, believed to be members of the Mecca cell, blew themselves up in the holy city to avoid arrest. A third suspect was killed in a shootout with security forces in Riyadh, the Saudi capital.

The Saudi government launched a nationwide security crackdown following the May 12 attacks on Western compounds in Riyadh. About 600 suspects believed linked to al-Qaida have been arrested since the May attacks, which killed 35 people, including the nine attackers.
<snip>

[KoKo]

29. From this it sounds like they "Kicked" us out! To avoid an attack! We

aren't welcomed anywhere because we bring the threat of terrorists with us. :scared:

[0007]

34. The suspected militants are dead.....

and now we're at the word of the Saudis. I say it is Bull Shit!! If all the foreign worker were to leave, I'd say something was on!

[Barrett808]

27. Remember: the world is safer since Bush invaded Iraq

Say it with me: "Safer."

[KoKo]

28. Could it be related to the Nerve Gas in Embassys in Belgium?

From b.Pilgrim's post here, I'm wondering if the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia got a huge threat that was tied in with the Saudi Embassy and others in Belgium. :shrub: In other words: A massive attack by terrorists?
-------------------------------

'Nerve gas' letter sent to UK embassy (AND U.S. EMBASSY in Belgium)



http://www.itv.com/news/684046.html

A nerve gas ingredient has been found in letters addressed to the prime minister's office in Belgium, and to British, US and Saudi Arabian embassies there.

At least ten letters containing chemicals were posted to addresses including various Belgian ministries, including Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt's office.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

35. That thought has occured to me as well. There are so many possible

scenarios surrounding this... It's going to be hard to ferrit out the truth.

[peterh]

30. Wow…

Must be that new philosophy….fuck diplomacy and stability…it doesn’t work. Threats and guns…submit or die.

Yep…the world is definitely a safer place today….:eyes:

[Maine-i-acs]

32. Closed for good or just closed?

I can understand closing them due to a credible threat and reopening them later.

SA has "on paper" at least, really been cracking down lately. And "suiciders" in Mecca can't make the Saudis too happy.

[mrdmk]

37. They are closing one day Saturday

Americans are being asked to be vigilant when in certain areas. Nobody is being told to leave the country at this point of time. If this is a crux for an invasion some country it certainly is a poor one.

[peterh]

39. Not…one day…

RIYADH (AP)--The U.S. will close its missions in Saudi Arabia on Saturday for
an undetermined period because of "credible" information that terrorists are
about to carry out attacks, the U.S. Embassy said Friday.

[mrdmk]

45. I stand corrected, Thank you

We need to keep on top of this event, concidering Mr. Bush's speech the Washington-based National Endowment for Democracy.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

38. From the US SA Emabassy: Warden Notice (& Link)

Embassy of the United States of America
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

WARDEN MESSAGE
November 7, 2003


The Embassy continues to receive credible information that terrorists in Saudi Arabia have moved from the planning to operational phase of planned attacks in the Kingdom. The Embassy strongly urges all American citizens in the Kingdom to be especially vigilant when in any area that is perceived to be American or Western. In light of the seriousness of the current threat, the Embassy in Riyadh and the U.S. Consulates General in Jeddah and Dhahran will close on Saturday, November 8, to review their current security posture. The American community will be advised when this review is completed and when the U.S. Mission plans to resume normal operations.

The Embassy refers American citizens to the Department of State’s current Travel Warning for Saudi Arabia dated October 27, 2003 (Warden Message # 43/2003); the Public Announcement – Worldwide Caution dated September 26, 2003 (Warden Message # 36/2003); and the Public Announcement – Middle East and North Africa dated November 06, 2003 (Warden Message #44/2003). These documents are available on the Embassy home page at http://riyadh.usembassy.gov and the Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs web site at http://travel.state.gov
<snip>

http://usembassy.state.gov/riyadh/wwwhscwm.html

I'll bet dollars to donuts that the closing will be longer than a Saturday closing.

[NoKingGeorge]

41. A Saudi Coup would explain Princes travels and planes gathering.

If one faction of the Saudi ruling family were going to unseat another faction they might let the US and Soviets know. Much speculation when the Prince met with poppy bush and cHeney a month ago. Then Prince meets with Putin. We would put up Airforce either in defense of friendly faction or to protect Israel ,this could explain the war plane movement we've seen.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

42. Something may well be cooking there. If there is, I bet we'll find out

within the next 72 hours.

[KoKo]

49. Well, I hope that's not the way it's going to be...Bush's vision speech

yesterday.....I worried something was up. Democracy comes to the Saudi's through a Coup!
Shit!

[starroute]

43. What about today's warnings of possible hijackings?

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/11/07/1068013369912.html

"The US State Department updated its warning on travel to the Middle East today to say that ships and planes could be hijacked in the region.

" 'Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, hijackings or kidnappings. These may also involve commercial aircraft and maritime interests,' it said in a public announcement replacing one issued on September 30.

"The possible threat to ships and planes covered the whole of the Middle East, including the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa, it said."

[samsingh]

44. Bin Laden has won

this is exactly what he wanted.

[RobinA]

46. So...

You are saying that we should continue to park our weapons all over the Middle East in furtherance of al-Quaida recruiting?

Either we decide to provoke the Moslem world less, or we continue on our "Bring it on" path of pissing off the world. Which are you supporting?

[lumpy]

47. Bushco is pissed because the Saudis don't want to be

a part of US aggression on other ME countries by refusing to allow their country as a military base. I suggest reading the Oct 2003 edition of National Geographic to get a little insight on the Saudi political situation within their own country. They have their own power struggles to be concerned about.

[bemildred]

51. There are other issues, too.

They hold a huge amount of dollar debt, which cannot be
allowed to get out of control.

The Kingdom has internal political issues.

They have become disaffected and have been playing footsie
with Pooty-Poot.

And of course there is the oil, considered in the light that
Iraq is not panning out that way, the Saudi oil might look like
a solution.

And the Saudi's are a much easier military target than Syria or Iran.
They do have impressive air assets, but I'm not sure how they would
match up to US capabilities.

Then there is the reported activity in Scotland and the troop
callup. I think some sort of intervention might be in the offing.
But maybe not. Stay tuned.

[Ivote]

52. Somethings up

Just heard on world news tonight abc we have resumed bombing I think near tikrit. No wonder un, red cross and spain pulled their people out in the last few days.

[bemildred]

53. That is interesting.

Raises the question: bombing what?
I doubt there are any Republican Guard divisions there.

[lumpy]

54. Ten to one they don't even know what the target is.

Send a message to the Iraqis not to screw around with the US of A.
Bombs Away !