Gore's Remarks in Saudi Arabia Draw Strong Criticism
By Patrick Goodenough
CNSNews.com International Editor
February 14, 2006
(CNSNews.com) - A speech in which former Vice President Al Gore told a mostly Saudi audience that the U.S. had committed "terrible abuses" against Arabs after 9/11 continues to make waves, with critics calling the remarks disloyal and "inappropriate during a time of war."
Some also challenged Gore's reported assertion that "thoughtless" U.S. visa policies towards Arabs were playing into al Qaeda's hands. The most serious questions, however, involved Gore's decision to criticize his country's policies while abroad -- at a time when Muslim feelings against the West are running high.
Addressing the Jeddah Economic Forum, Gore said Sunday that after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Arabs in America had been "indiscriminately rounded up, often on minor charges of overstaying a visa or not having a green card in proper order, and held in conditions that were just unforgivable."
Gore told his audience, "I do want you to know that it does not represent the desires or wishes or feelings of the majority of the citizens of my country."
In a statement, the National Association of Chiefs of Police accused Gore of having "crossed the line of diplomatic decency by denigrating his own country within the Islamic world."
It said if he had evidence of "terrible abuses" he should put it before the Department of Justice or Congress.
The body also called the comments "shrill," "loathsome" and "ugly," and said they should be condemned by Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike.
"What possesses a former vice president of the U.S. to travel to the birthplace of Islamist terrorism and denounce his country?" asked the website Investors.com in an editorial.
"Unhinged by the 2000 electoral debacle, he has forgotten the meaning of 'loyal opposition,'" it concluded. "Now his only entitlement is disgrace."
Terence Jeffrey, editor of Human Events magazine, questioned Gore's statements criticizing post-9/11 visa policy, given the conclusions of the 9/11 commission that the hijackers - 15 of whom were Saudis - had taken advantage of weak immigration and law enforcement in the U.S.
Conservative bloggers also weighed in, calling Gore's remarks repugnant, insidious - even treasonous - and a debate is raging on Al Gore website discussion forums.
Many critics noted that Gore was making the comments in a country characterized by an absence of democracy, religious freedom violations, and second-class status for women
Irish President Mary McAleese and Cherie Blair, wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, both also addressed the forum, speaking in a venue in which men and women were physically separated from each other. They called for women's participation in Saudi Arabia's political and economic life.
The three-day forum, now in its seventh year, has become a major event on the kingdom's calendar, and is sometimes nicknamed the Middle East Doha.
Previous keynote speakers have included former President Clinton, whose 2002 appearance netted him a $300,000 fee, according to the campaign finance website PoliticalMoneyOnline. Clinton returned in 2004.
Former President George H.W. Bush and his businessman son, Neil Bush, have also participated in past forums. Other visitors this year included former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder and Forbes Inc. president Steve Forbes.
According to the forum website, the Saudi Binladin Group - the Jeddah-based construction firm owned by Osama bin Laden's family - has been a key sponsor, listed in that capacity for this year's event as well as those in 2004 and 2002.
The company, which employs 35,000 people, has distanced itself from the al-Qaeda leader.
By Patrick Goodenough
CNSNews.com International Editor
February 14, 2006
(CNSNews.com) - A speech in which former Vice President Al Gore told a mostly Saudi audience that the U.S. had committed "terrible abuses" against Arabs after 9/11 continues to make waves, with critics calling the remarks disloyal and "inappropriate during a time of war."
Some also challenged Gore's reported assertion that "thoughtless" U.S. visa policies towards Arabs were playing into al Qaeda's hands. The most serious questions, however, involved Gore's decision to criticize his country's policies while abroad -- at a time when Muslim feelings against the West are running high.
Addressing the Jeddah Economic Forum, Gore said Sunday that after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Arabs in America had been "indiscriminately rounded up, often on minor charges of overstaying a visa or not having a green card in proper order, and held in conditions that were just unforgivable."
Gore told his audience, "I do want you to know that it does not represent the desires or wishes or feelings of the majority of the citizens of my country."
In a statement, the National Association of Chiefs of Police accused Gore of having "crossed the line of diplomatic decency by denigrating his own country within the Islamic world."
It said if he had evidence of "terrible abuses" he should put it before the Department of Justice or Congress.
The body also called the comments "shrill," "loathsome" and "ugly," and said they should be condemned by Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike.
"What possesses a former vice president of the U.S. to travel to the birthplace of Islamist terrorism and denounce his country?" asked the website Investors.com in an editorial.
"Unhinged by the 2000 electoral debacle, he has forgotten the meaning of 'loyal opposition,'" it concluded. "Now his only entitlement is disgrace."
Terence Jeffrey, editor of Human Events magazine, questioned Gore's statements criticizing post-9/11 visa policy, given the conclusions of the 9/11 commission that the hijackers - 15 of whom were Saudis - had taken advantage of weak immigration and law enforcement in the U.S.
Conservative bloggers also weighed in, calling Gore's remarks repugnant, insidious - even treasonous - and a debate is raging on Al Gore website discussion forums.
Many critics noted that Gore was making the comments in a country characterized by an absence of democracy, religious freedom violations, and second-class status for women
Irish President Mary McAleese and Cherie Blair, wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, both also addressed the forum, speaking in a venue in which men and women were physically separated from each other. They called for women's participation in Saudi Arabia's political and economic life.
The three-day forum, now in its seventh year, has become a major event on the kingdom's calendar, and is sometimes nicknamed the Middle East Doha.
Previous keynote speakers have included former President Clinton, whose 2002 appearance netted him a $300,000 fee, according to the campaign finance website PoliticalMoneyOnline. Clinton returned in 2004.
Former President George H.W. Bush and his businessman son, Neil Bush, have also participated in past forums. Other visitors this year included former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder and Forbes Inc. president Steve Forbes.
According to the forum website, the Saudi Binladin Group - the Jeddah-based construction firm owned by Osama bin Laden's family - has been a key sponsor, listed in that capacity for this year's event as well as those in 2004 and 2002.
The company, which employs 35,000 people, has distanced itself from the al-Qaeda leader.
