This should be good.
Saudi Arabia is no ally against extremism
Stephen Harper was quoted in Rivière-du-Loup on Friday saying that “this is a deal, frankly, with a country (that) notwithstanding its human rights violations, which are significant, this is a contract with a country that is an ally in the fight against the Islamic State.”
This is a misleading statement by the prime minister given the role Saudi funding has played in supporting ISIL. In Yemen the Saudis are deliberately arming Yemeni tribes known to be sympathetic to Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (much to the angst of the U.S.) in order to fight the Houthis (perceived by the Saudis to be an Iranian proxy group). The Saudi support of Wahhabism is one of the main drivers of conflict and terrorism throughout the region and beyond.
The Saudi bombing campaign in Yemen over the past six months has provided AQAP with an opportunity to expand its sphere of influence within the country, which calls into question how Harper can label the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia an ally in fighting Islamic terrorism. There are also reports that the Saudis have deliberately refrained from bombing certain areas in Yemen – like Mukalla – where AQAP has effectively taken control of the city.
Since the Saudis began bombing Yemen six months ago, thousands of civilians have been killed and many thousands more have been injured, not to mention critical infrastructure being destroyed such as schools, hospitals, ports, airports, roads, bridges, etc. The Saudis also put in place a naval blockade that has restricted the flow of humanitarian assistance into the country – food, medicine and fuel – thereby further endangering a population that is already heavily reliant on imports to sustain itself.
The Netherlands (now there’s a clear definition of a Canadian ally!) introduced a resolution at the United Nations calling for the UN High Commissioner to “dispatch a mission, with assistance from relevant experts, to monitor and report on the human rights situation in Yemen”, and to look “into violations of international humanitarian law and gross human rights abuses committed by all sides in Yemen.” The resolution also calls for all parties to provide access for humanitarian aid, which is directly aimed at the naval blockade being imposed by the Saudis.
However, the Saudis, along with other members of the coalition, have been attempting to block the establishment of an independent investigation by the UN and instead wants to limit any inquiry into possible abuses by the Houthis only.
The question for Stephen Harper is: What is the Canadian government doing today to curtail the human rights abuses by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that are occurring in Yemen? Yes, the Canadian government did pledge an initial $11 million for humanitarian assistance in April, but what specific action has he or the Canadian government taken since that time?
While Stephen Harper likes to leave the impression that he talks tough with Vladimir Putin, what specific steps is he taking with his “ally” Saudi Arabia?
Grant Kippen: Saudi Arabia is no ally against extremism | Ottawa Citizen
Saudi Arabia is no ally against extremism
Stephen Harper was quoted in Rivière-du-Loup on Friday saying that “this is a deal, frankly, with a country (that) notwithstanding its human rights violations, which are significant, this is a contract with a country that is an ally in the fight against the Islamic State.”
This is a misleading statement by the prime minister given the role Saudi funding has played in supporting ISIL. In Yemen the Saudis are deliberately arming Yemeni tribes known to be sympathetic to Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (much to the angst of the U.S.) in order to fight the Houthis (perceived by the Saudis to be an Iranian proxy group). The Saudi support of Wahhabism is one of the main drivers of conflict and terrorism throughout the region and beyond.
The Saudi bombing campaign in Yemen over the past six months has provided AQAP with an opportunity to expand its sphere of influence within the country, which calls into question how Harper can label the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia an ally in fighting Islamic terrorism. There are also reports that the Saudis have deliberately refrained from bombing certain areas in Yemen – like Mukalla – where AQAP has effectively taken control of the city.
Since the Saudis began bombing Yemen six months ago, thousands of civilians have been killed and many thousands more have been injured, not to mention critical infrastructure being destroyed such as schools, hospitals, ports, airports, roads, bridges, etc. The Saudis also put in place a naval blockade that has restricted the flow of humanitarian assistance into the country – food, medicine and fuel – thereby further endangering a population that is already heavily reliant on imports to sustain itself.
The Netherlands (now there’s a clear definition of a Canadian ally!) introduced a resolution at the United Nations calling for the UN High Commissioner to “dispatch a mission, with assistance from relevant experts, to monitor and report on the human rights situation in Yemen”, and to look “into violations of international humanitarian law and gross human rights abuses committed by all sides in Yemen.” The resolution also calls for all parties to provide access for humanitarian aid, which is directly aimed at the naval blockade being imposed by the Saudis.
However, the Saudis, along with other members of the coalition, have been attempting to block the establishment of an independent investigation by the UN and instead wants to limit any inquiry into possible abuses by the Houthis only.
The question for Stephen Harper is: What is the Canadian government doing today to curtail the human rights abuses by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that are occurring in Yemen? Yes, the Canadian government did pledge an initial $11 million for humanitarian assistance in April, but what specific action has he or the Canadian government taken since that time?
While Stephen Harper likes to leave the impression that he talks tough with Vladimir Putin, what specific steps is he taking with his “ally” Saudi Arabia?
Grant Kippen: Saudi Arabia is no ally against extremism | Ottawa Citizen
Lorrie Goldstein Verified account @sunlorrie 
