Inside the Kingdom (69 page)
Read Inside the Kingdom Online
Authors: Robert Lacey
Tags: #History, #Modern, #20th Century, #World, #Political Science, #General
Chapter 16: Awakening
Chapter 17: Stopping the Sins
Chapter 18: In from the Cold
Chapter 19: Change of Heart
Chapter 20: Enter the Crown Prince
148
“He rang me”:
Jamal Khashoggi, interview with author, Riyadh, March 28, 2008.
“He rang me”:
Jamal Khashoggi, interview with author, Riyadh, March 28, 2008.
148
“jihad needed fighting”:
Ibid.
“jihad needed fighting”:
Ibid.
148
the Salafi cause:
Bergen,
The Osama Bin Laden I Know
, pp. 108-109.
the Salafi cause:
Bergen,
The Osama Bin Laden I Know
, pp. 108-109.
149
“one last shot”:
Turki Al-Faisal, interview with author, Riyadh, April 10, 2007.
“one last shot”:
Turki Al-Faisal, interview with author, Riyadh, April 10, 2007.
149
“greatly concerned about security”:
Ahmad bin Abdul Aziz, interview with author, Riyadh, February 5, 2009.
“greatly concerned about security”:
Ahmad bin Abdul Aziz, interview with author, Riyadh, February 5, 2009.
149
“eldest brother, Bakr”:
Bakr Bin Laden today says he has no particular memory of this encounter, and is happy to accept the recollection of Prince Ahmad as definitive. Meeting with author, Jeddah, February 5, 2009.
“eldest brother, Bakr”:
Bakr Bin Laden today says he has no particular memory of this encounter, and is happy to accept the recollection of Prince Ahmad as definitive. Meeting with author, Jeddah, February 5, 2009.
150
“black” with anger:
Burke, p. 136.
“black” with anger:
Burke, p. 136.
150
“the infidels
inside
”:
Ibid., p. 139.
“the infidels
inside
”:
Ibid., p. 139.
151
to destroy Islam:
Guido Sternberg, “The Wahhabi Ulama and the Saudi State: 1745 to the Present,” in Aarts and Nonneman, p. 31.
to destroy Islam:
Guido Sternberg, “The Wahhabi Ulama and the Saudi State: 1745 to the Present,” in Aarts and Nonneman, p. 31.
151
“some infidel states”:
Ibid.
“some infidel states”:
Ibid.
152
“banner of Islam”:
Fandy, p. 95.
“banner of Islam”:
Fandy, p. 95.
152
his real target:
Ibid., p. 97.
his real target:
Ibid., p. 97.
152
“ ‘working in a shoe store’ ”:
David Rundell, interview with author, Riyadh, March 6, 2007.
“ ‘working in a shoe store’ ”:
David Rundell, interview with author, Riyadh, March 6, 2007.
152
wearing gold:
David Rundell, e-mails to author, October 30, 2008.
wearing gold:
David Rundell, e-mails to author, October 30, 2008.
153
“supporting the women”:
Mansour Al-Nogaidan, interview with author, Ajman, November 9, 2007.
“supporting the women”:
Mansour Al-Nogaidan, interview with author, Ajman, November 9, 2007.
154
“tight little group”:
Off-the-record interview, Dubai, November 9, 2007.
“tight little group”:
Off-the-record interview, Dubai, November 9, 2007.
154
Royal Victorian Chain:
Buckingham Palace Press Office, February 9, 2009.
Royal Victorian Chain:
Buckingham Palace Press Office, February 9, 2009.
155
“don’t discuss this subject”:
Bergen,
The Osama Bin Laden I Know
, pp. 59, 60.
“don’t discuss this subject”:
Bergen,
The Osama Bin Laden I Know
, pp. 59, 60.
155
“jihad in Yemen”:
Jamal Khashoggi, interview with author, Riyadh, March 28, 2008.
“jihad in Yemen”:
Jamal Khashoggi, interview with author, Riyadh, March 28, 2008.
155
“stop making speeches”:
Ibid.
“stop making speeches”:
Ibid.
155
“stopped talking himself”:
Mohammed Saeed Tayeb, interview with author, November 27, 2008.
“stopped talking himself”:
Mohammed Saeed Tayeb, interview with author, November 27, 2008.
156
sources differ:
I have followed Peter Bergen’s book
The Osama Bin Laden I Know
as my principal guide to the chronology of these dates in Afghanistan and the Sudan. I am also grateful for the personal insights of Thomas Hegghammer.
sources differ:
I have followed Peter Bergen’s book
The Osama Bin Laden I Know
as my principal guide to the chronology of these dates in Afghanistan and the Sudan. I am also grateful for the personal insights of Thomas Hegghammer.
157
new jihadi friends:
Mansour Al-Nogaidan, interview with author, Ajman, November 9, 2007.
new jihadi friends:
Mansour Al-Nogaidan, interview with author, Ajman, November 9, 2007.
160
reform in a petition:
Stéphane Lacroix, “Islamo-Liberal Politics in Saudi Arabia,” in Aarts and Nonneman, p. 41.
reform in a petition:
Stéphane Lacroix, “Islamo-Liberal Politics in Saudi Arabia,” in Aarts and Nonneman, p. 41.
160
elitist and Westernized:
Off-the-record interview, April 1, 2006.
elitist and Westernized:
Off-the-record interview, April 1, 2006.
160
restoration of Islamic values:
For a chronological list of major reform petitions since the 1990s, see Abdul Aziz Sager, “Political Opposition in Saudi Arabia,” in Aarts and Nonneman, table 6, p. 268.
restoration of Islamic values:
For a chronological list of major reform petitions since the 1990s, see Abdul Aziz Sager, “Political Opposition in Saudi Arabia,” in Aarts and Nonneman, table 6, p. 268.
161
“kept the radio”:
Dr. Ahmad Al-Tuwayjri, interview with author, Riyadh, April 1, 2006.
“kept the radio”:
Dr. Ahmad Al-Tuwayjri, interview with author, Riyadh, April 1, 2006.
162
“intervened with the king”:
Ibid.
“intervened with the king”:
Ibid.
162
“to be patriotic”:
Ibid.
“to be patriotic”:
Ibid.
162
“received the Memorandum”:
Ibid.
“received the Memorandum”:
Ibid.
164
“advice for the sake of God”:
Teitelbaum, p. 40.
“advice for the sake of God”:
Teitelbaum, p. 40.
164
“better class of jail”:
Dr. Ahmad Al-Tuwayjri, interview with author, Riyadh, April 1, 2006.
“better class of jail”:
Dr. Ahmad Al-Tuwayjri, interview with author, Riyadh, April 1, 2006.
165
early websites:
Andrew Hammond, telephone conversation with author, November 22, 2008.
early websites:
Andrew Hammond, telephone conversation with author, November 22, 2008.
165
an official decree:
In 1994 Decree 128 banned the private ownership of TV satellite dishes. Mai Yamani, “Saudi Arabia’s Media Mask,” in Madawi Al-Rasheed, ed.,
Kingdom Without Borders
, p. 330.
an official decree:
In 1994 Decree 128 banned the private ownership of TV satellite dishes. Mai Yamani, “Saudi Arabia’s Media Mask,” in Madawi Al-Rasheed, ed.,
Kingdom Without Borders
, p. 330.
166
TV business:
See Al-Rasheed, ed.,
Kingdom Without Borders,
(Madawi Al-Rasheed, ed.) for the proceeedings of a conference held at King’s College, London, in September 2007 to examine the spread of Saudi media.
TV business:
See Al-Rasheed, ed.,
Kingdom Without Borders,
(Madawi Al-Rasheed, ed.) for the proceeedings of a conference held at King’s College, London, in September 2007 to examine the spread of Saudi media.
166
“control or influence”:
A member of Fahd’s private phone call circle, March 2007, Jeddah.
“control or influence”:
A member of Fahd’s private phone call circle, March 2007, Jeddah.
166
telephone think tank:
Ibid.
telephone think tank:
Ibid.
167
the Saudi Shias:
Hassan Al-Saffar, interview with author, Qateef, June 7, 2007.
the Saudi Shias:
Hassan Al-Saffar, interview with author, Qateef, June 7, 2007.
167
being recounted:
Ibid.
being recounted:
Ibid.
167
“rights and worship”:
Ibid.
“rights and worship”:
Ibid.
167
“reformed Saudi Arabia”:
Tawfiq Al-Seif, interview with author, Tarut Island, June 8, 2007.
“reformed Saudi Arabia”:
Tawfiq Al-Seif, interview with author, Tarut Island, June 8, 2007.
168
“Saudi arrests and scandals”:
Ibrahim, pp. 149-52.
“Saudi arrests and scandals”:
Ibrahim, pp. 149-52.
168
“our human rights”:
Sadiq Al-Jabran, interview with author, Al-Hasa, January 27, 2007.
“our human rights”:
Sadiq Al-Jabran, interview with author, Al-Hasa, January 27, 2007.
168
“Saudis demonstrating”:
Faiza Ambah, interview with author, Jeddah, February 7, 2007.
“Saudis demonstrating”:
Faiza Ambah, interview with author, Jeddah, February 7, 2007.
169
“nightmare for them”:
Off-the-record interview, Al-Khobar, June 2007.
“nightmare for them”:
Off-the-record interview, Al-Khobar, June 2007.
169
“defending the country”:
Ibrahim, p. 157.
“defending the country”:
Ibrahim, p. 157.
170
“As for ‘sorry’ ”:
Off-the-record interview, London, October 2007.
“As for ‘sorry’ ”:
Off-the-record interview, London, October 2007.
170
“admit mistakes”:
Tawfiq Al-Seif, interview with author, Tarut Island, June 8, 2007.
“admit mistakes”:
Tawfiq Al-Seif, interview with author, Tarut Island, June 8, 2007.
170
“Islamist state with Sunni rule”:
Off the record interview.
“Islamist state with Sunni rule”:
Off the record interview.
171
“bring about change”:
Tawfiq Al-Seif, interview with author, Tarut Island, June 8, 2007.
“bring about change”:
Tawfiq Al-Seif, interview with author, Tarut Island, June 8, 2007.
171
“yes to them all”:
Sadiq Al-Jabran, interview with author, Al-Hasa, January 27, 2007.
“yes to them all”:
Sadiq Al-Jabran, interview with author, Al-Hasa, January 27, 2007.
171
telegram to Saudi embassies:
Ibrahim, p. 190.
telegram to Saudi embassies:
Ibrahim, p. 190.
172
“They let us in”:
Sadiq Al-Jabran, interview with author, Al-Hasa, January 27, 2007.
“They let us in”:
Sadiq Al-Jabran, interview with author, Al-Hasa, January 27, 2007.
172
“Shia are equal citizens”:
Ibid.
“Shia are equal citizens”:
Ibid.
173
“
Playboy
magazine”:
Author interview with a source familiar with the discussion.
“
Playboy
magazine”:
Author interview with a source familiar with the discussion.
173
Iranian aid:
Information from a security adviser to the Saudi government, December 8, 2008.
Iranian aid:
Information from a security adviser to the Saudi government, December 8, 2008.
174
found himself at liberty:
Mansour Al-Nogaidan, interview with author, Ajman, November 10, 2007.
found himself at liberty:
Mansour Al-Nogaidan, interview with author, Ajman, November 10, 2007.
174
“King Fahd is kafir”:
Ibid.
“King Fahd is kafir”:
Ibid.
175
“kick out the angels”:
Ibid.
“kick out the angels”:
Ibid.
175
“take what I want”:
Ibid.
“take what I want”:
Ibid.
176
using the British media:
See Al-Rasheed,
A History of Saudi Arabia
, pp. 177-184.
using the British media:
See Al-Rasheed,
A History of Saudi Arabia
, pp. 177-184.
176
a huge bomb:
National Commission on Terrorist Attacks, p. 60.
a huge bomb:
National Commission on Terrorist Attacks, p. 60.
176
“change things with bombs”:
Mansour Al-Nogaidan, interview with author, Ajman, November 10, 2007.
“change things with bombs”:
Mansour Al-Nogaidan, interview with author, Ajman, November 10, 2007.
176
eliminate the House of Saud:
Wright, p. 246.
eliminate the House of Saud:
Wright, p. 246.
176
372 wounded:
Ibid.
372 wounded:
Ibid.
176
ideas had influenced them:
Fandy, p. 3.
ideas had influenced them:
Fandy, p. 3.
176
Iranian involvement:
See
http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel01/khobar.htm
for details of the 29-page indictment dated June 21, 2001.
Iranian involvement:
See
http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel01/khobar.htm
for details of the 29-page indictment dated June 21, 2001.
177
farms by the Blue Nile:
Bergen,
Holy War Inc.
, p. 80.
farms by the Blue Nile:
Bergen,
Holy War Inc.
, p. 80.
177
Luxembourg and Switzerland:
Author interview with a Saudi diplomat familiar with the information discovered by the U.S. government.
Luxembourg and Switzerland:
Author interview with a Saudi diplomat familiar with the information discovered by the U.S. government.
177
philanthropic Saudi sheikh:
“Robert Fisk on Osama Bin Laden at 50,” interview with Amy Goodman, March 5, 2007,
www.democracynow.org
.
philanthropic Saudi sheikh:
“Robert Fisk on Osama Bin Laden at 50,” interview with Amy Goodman, March 5, 2007,
www.democracynow.org
.
177
“waiting for this road”:
Robert Fisk,
The Great War for Civilization
, p. 5.
“waiting for this road”:
Robert Fisk,
The Great War for Civilization
, p. 5.
177
not all of them successful:
Tim Niblock, e-mail to author, November 9, 2008.
not all of them successful:
Tim Niblock, e-mail to author, November 9, 2008.
178
government’s number one critic:
Bin Laden family member, interview with author, Jeddah, September 2007.
government’s number one critic:
Bin Laden family member, interview with author, Jeddah, September 2007.
178
“condemnation of all acts”:
Bergen,
The Osama Bin Laden I Know
, p. 152.
“condemnation of all acts”:
Bergen,
The Osama Bin Laden I Know
, p. 152.
178
supervised trust for his children:
Information from a senior Bin Laden family member.
supervised trust for his children:
Information from a senior Bin Laden family member.
178
turn homeward:
Bergen,
The Osama Bin Laden I Know
, p. 151.
turn homeward:
Bergen,
The Osama Bin Laden I Know
, p. 151.
178
“Osama’s changed”:
Jamal Khashoggi, interview with author, Riyadh, March 28, 2008.
“Osama’s changed”:
Jamal Khashoggi, interview with author, Riyadh, March 28, 2008.
178
nostalgically enjoying
kabsa
:
Wright, p. 200.
nostalgically enjoying
kabsa
:
Wright, p. 200.
179
“forget about the flight”:
Jamal Khashoggi, interview with author, Riyadh, March 28, 2008.
“forget about the flight”:
Jamal Khashoggi, interview with author, Riyadh, March 28, 2008.
180
words in a rush:
Off-the-record interview, Jeddah, March 7, 2003.
words in a rush:
Off-the-record interview, Jeddah, March 7, 2003.
180
cell without light:
Off-the-record interviews with several associates of the king, including a former National Guard officer, who say that Abdullah recounted this story to them personally. Family members concur with the tale.
cell without light:
Off-the-record interviews with several associates of the king, including a former National Guard officer, who say that Abdullah recounted this story to them personally. Family members concur with the tale.
180
“right out of the desert”:
Walter Cutler, interview with author, Washington, DC, April 30, 2007.
“right out of the desert”:
Walter Cutler, interview with author, Washington, DC, April 30, 2007.
181
huge communal supper:
Ibid.
huge communal supper:
Ibid.
181
weeping and crying out:
Ali Al-Johani, interview with author, November 15, 2008.
weeping and crying out:
Ali Al-Johani, interview with author, November 15, 2008.
181
tap the offending head:
Brigadier General Nick Cocking, interview with author, London, November 4, 2008.
tap the offending head:
Brigadier General Nick Cocking, interview with author, London, November 4, 2008.
181
“groveling on the floor”:
Ibid.
“groveling on the floor”:
Ibid.
181
honest and reform-minded:
Fandy, pp. 133, 187.
honest and reform-minded:
Fandy, pp. 133, 187.
181
“If Abdullah becomes king”:
Wright, p. 199.
“If Abdullah becomes king”:
Wright, p. 199.
182
“rights of the citizen”:
DeGaury, p. 104.
“rights of the citizen”:
DeGaury, p. 104.
183
sniffed at extreme ideas:
Family source.
sniffed at extreme ideas:
Family source.
183
“constitution inspired by God”:
DeGaury, p. 106.
“constitution inspired by God”:
DeGaury, p. 106.
184
“not his business”:
Brigadier General Nick Cocking, interview with author, London, March 5, 2008.
“not his business”:
Brigadier General Nick Cocking, interview with author, London, March 5, 2008.
184
“be the very best”:
Abdul Rahman Abuhaimid, interview with author, Riyadh, January 25, 2007.
“be the very best”:
Abdul Rahman Abuhaimid, interview with author, Riyadh, January 25, 2007.
185
“My father, of course”:
Brigadier General Nick Cocking, interview with author, London, March 5, 2008.
“My father, of course”:
Brigadier General Nick Cocking, interview with author, London, March 5, 2008.
185
speech therapy lessons:
James E. Akins, interview with author, Virginia, May 10, 2007, confirmed by members of the royal circle.
speech therapy lessons:
James E. Akins, interview with author, Virginia, May 10, 2007, confirmed by members of the royal circle.
185
“totally fluent”:
Brigadier General Nick Cocking, interview with author, London, March 5, 2008.
“totally fluent”:
Brigadier General Nick Cocking, interview with author, London, March 5, 2008.
185
land grants:
Information from a Jeddah businessman, October 2008.
land grants:
Information from a Jeddah businessman, October 2008.
185
“lives like a prince”:
Off-the-record interview, Jeddah, May 13, 2008.
“lives like a prince”:
Off-the-record interview, Jeddah, May 13, 2008.
186
“close the doors and windows”:
Abdul Rahman Abuhaimid, interview with author, Riyadh, November 18, 2008.
“close the doors and windows”:
Abdul Rahman Abuhaimid, interview with author, Riyadh, November 18, 2008.
186
deny the truth:
Turki bin Abdullah, interview with author, Paris, September 2005.
deny the truth:
Turki bin Abdullah, interview with author, Paris, September 2005.
186
sat down with his sons:
Abdullah is known as “Abu Miteb” (“Father of Miteb”) after his firstborn son, who died in infancy. His next son was named Khaled. The present Miteb was born after the death of his elder brother.
sat down with his sons:
Abdullah is known as “Abu Miteb” (“Father of Miteb”) after his firstborn son, who died in infancy. His next son was named Khaled. The present Miteb was born after the death of his elder brother.
186
“in the business cabin”:
Off-the-record interview, March 26, 2008.
“in the business cabin”:
Off-the-record interview, March 26, 2008.
186
special flying privileges:
These remain for sons and daughters of Abdul Aziz and for all provincial governors. Abdullah has cut free royal travel by 80 percent, according to an informed source inside Saudia. The fleet of planes dedicated to royal travel has been reduced from fourteen to five. Princes may use these planes for private travel, but must pay at market rates.
special flying privileges:
These remain for sons and daughters of Abdul Aziz and for all provincial governors. Abdullah has cut free royal travel by 80 percent, according to an informed source inside Saudia. The fleet of planes dedicated to royal travel has been reduced from fourteen to five. Princes may use these planes for private travel, but must pay at market rates.
187
“difficult for Abdullah”:
Off-the-record interview, Jeddah, June 6, 2006.
“difficult for Abdullah”:
Off-the-record interview, Jeddah, June 6, 2006.
187
wheeled in:
The recollection of one of his ministers, March 4, 2007.
wheeled in:
The recollection of one of his ministers, March 4, 2007.
187
“sort of pathetic”:
Off-the-record interview, January 29, 2007.
“sort of pathetic”:
Off-the-record interview, January 29, 2007.
187
“strengthen the ties”:
Off-the-record interview, September 19, 2006.
“strengthen the ties”:
Off-the-record interview, September 19, 2006.
187
“don’t change the curtains”:
Adviser to King Abdullah.
“don’t change the curtains”:
Adviser to King Abdullah.
188
“leader of the opposition”:
This remark by the late Abdul Aziz Al-Tuwayjri was reported to the author by one of his close associates.
“leader of the opposition”:
This remark by the late Abdul Aziz Al-Tuwayjri was reported to the author by one of his close associates.
188
“minister without portfolio”:
Weston, p. 375.
“minister without portfolio”:
Weston, p. 375.
188
beloved elder brother:
Recollection by a European ambassador to Riyadh.
beloved elder brother:
Recollection by a European ambassador to Riyadh.
188
“to bring him his shoes”:
Recollection to the author, Jeddah, November 30, 2008.
“to bring him his shoes”:
Recollection to the author, Jeddah, November 30, 2008.
188
sink to nine dollars:
Niblock and Malik, table 4.1, p. 100.
sink to nine dollars:
Niblock and Malik, table 4.1, p. 100.
189
“different way of life”:
BBC News Room, January 19, 1999.
“different way of life”:
BBC News Room, January 19, 1999.
189
stringent austerity budget:
Ibid.
stringent austerity budget:
Ibid.
189
“could not provide”:
Dr. Ahmad Gabbani, interview with author, Jeddah, July 11, 2006.
“could not provide”:
Dr. Ahmad Gabbani, interview with author, Jeddah, July 11, 2006.
189
“money in the past”:
Businessman, interview with author, Jeddah, February 12, 2006.
“money in the past”:
Businessman, interview with author, Jeddah, February 12, 2006.
189
“not enough lines”:
Ali Al-Johani, interview with author, Riyadh, November 24, 2006.
“not enough lines”:
Ali Al-Johani, interview with author, Riyadh, November 24, 2006.
189
“Just six?”:
Ali Al-Johani, interview with author, Riyadh, November 24, 2006.
“Just six?”:
Ali Al-Johani, interview with author, Riyadh, November 24, 2006.
190
“sneaking an extra photocopy”:
Ibid.
“sneaking an extra photocopy”:
Ibid.
191
“impossible to privatize”:
Ali Al-Johani, telephone conversation, May 13, 2008.
“impossible to privatize”:
Ali Al-Johani, telephone conversation, May 13, 2008.
191
“outdated information”:
Ibid.
“outdated information”:
Ibid.
191
“
wanted
my job”:
Ibid.
“
wanted
my job”:
Ibid.
191
not work with Al-Johani:
Interview with a member of the board who submitted his resignation, December 2006.
not work with Al-Johani:
Interview with a member of the board who submitted his resignation, December 2006.
191
been liberated:
When Ali Al-Johani took over the PTT in 1995, there were 1.8 million landlines, with 360,000 mobile numbers. Privatization was completed early in 1998, and ten years later there are 4 million landlines in the Kingdom with more than 20 million mobile numbers on two competing cellular networks and a third network just getting started.
been liberated:
When Ali Al-Johani took over the PTT in 1995, there were 1.8 million landlines, with 360,000 mobile numbers. Privatization was completed early in 1998, and ten years later there are 4 million landlines in the Kingdom with more than 20 million mobile numbers on two competing cellular networks and a third network just getting started.
192
“as a pretext”:
Author interview with economic adviser to King Abdullah, November 18, 2008.
“as a pretext”:
Author interview with economic adviser to King Abdullah, November 18, 2008.
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