Counter Terrorism International Conference, Saudi Arabia, Iran Yes-Israel No -- Suicide Attacks OK Where?

Counter Terrorism International Conference Kingdom of Saudi Arabia -- Iran was invited; Israel wasn't.

The Saudis don't want the terrorists using suicide on them but it's OK on the Israelis and Americans -- “there is nothing wrong with suicide attacks if they cause great damage to the enemy.”

Counter Terrorism International Conference Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be held in Riaydh, Feb. 5-8, 05, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

This conference is state sponsored and participants must be nominated and invited by their respected governments and not open for academic research.

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Saudi Arabia's Terror Conference: Part I

Saudi Arabia's Terror Conference: Part I Steve Stalinsky, Jan. 6, 05, FrontPageMagazine.com. Steven Stalinsky is Executive Director of The Middle East Media Research Institute.

Since 9/11, the Saudi royal family has spent millions of dollars to improve its image worldwide. This includes a recent ad campaign in The New Republic, which are “Sponsored by the People of Saudi Arabia – Allies Against Terrorism.” Another full-page ad appeared in USA Today, stating, “For far too long, rumors have been accepted as truth…The 9/11 Commission Report finally reveal[ed] the facts.” However, despite the Saudi PR efforts, which claim that the report completely vindicates Saudi Arabia, it in fact states that Saudi Arabia is "a problematic ally in combating Islamic extremism" and that "significant problems remained" regarding its role in the war against terror.

Another attempt by the Saudis to improve their image is the convening of an international conference against terrorism to be held in Riyadh on February 5-8. According to Saudi government sources, 43 countries, and several leading NGOs will attend. Prince Turki Ibn Muhammad Bin Saud Al-Kabir, an assistant undersecretary at the Foreign Ministry said, “We have invited all countries that have suffered from terrorism…and all have agreed to take part.”

The conference was initially announced at the UN General Assembly in September by Saudi Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Mizar Midani. When asked why Israel was not invited, he accused the Jewish state of “being responsible for extremism in the region.”

Meanwhile, the Iranian Republic News Agency reported that Iranian President Muhammad Khatami will be attending. Prince Al-Kabir, who is the chairman of the conference, told the Saudi Gazette on November 3 that a large contingent from the U.S. will also attend. [. . . . ]

In the coming weeks, this column will expose Saudi Arabia’s continual embrace of jihad, as well as its support of a culture of hatred against the West, Christians, and of course Jews.

Unless the Saudi terror conference addresses these issues, the upcoming columns will explain why the U.S. should not take part in the Saudi Arabia's February conference on terrorism.