Saudi Arabia

Authorities here said Monday that the attack on a residential compound in Riyadh that killed 20 people last month was carried out by two Saudi suicide bombers who were already on an official wanted list. In the first detailed official account of the bombing, the Interior Ministry said a "terrorist group" drove up to the gates of the Muhaya compound at midnight Nov. 8 in a civilian car. The group threw grenades and shot at the compound guards.

If a majority of the people of the globe fall into line behind the likes of George Bush, then the rich, big business Republicans will certainly have their coffers full. If on the other hand, they take as their example the principled young Paterson--respecting the cultures and peoples of the world, using ideas, commitments and a sense of justice as weapons, vowing never to take up arms--then and only then will Earth realize its fullest potential. It's time to wipe away those old fears that are clinging like cobwebs and trust in the dignity and equality of all humanity.

In The Times' article "Women Drivers Banned by Saudis as 'Portent of Evil' " (Nov. 15), the Saudis showed their true feelings towards Americans, who have saved their country from being invaded and annexed by Iraq, when they condemned Saudi women drivers as either "American agents" "communists or secularists." If it weren't for the presence of American troops there, the Saudis would have Iraqi drivers in tanks in their streets instead of Saudi women to complain about. We must not get involved in a war in the Mideast protecting people of such a diverse culture who really resent us. As Sen. Bob Dole said, we are in the Mideast because of three letters: Oil. We are there because of the industrial complex to protect their supply of oil. We have ethanol and can convert our car engines to run on that fuel and thus help American corn farmers and not have to spend billions on Middle Eastern oil. That entire region (especially Iraq and Iran)

Uniformed police officers returned to the streets of Gaza on Monday, machine guns in hand, as Hamas declared that Israel's 22-day air and land assault had done nothing to weaken the militant group's authority here. "Hamas emerged from this battle with its head held high," said Hamad al Ruqb, a Hamas official in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip. "Every Israeli attack only increases our support."

Saudi Arabia beheaded four Nigerian men Sunday for robbing a jewelry store, Saudi state television reported. It was the first time this year that Saudi Arabia has beheaded anyone for theft.

Saudi Arabia and the sultanate of Brunei have decided to establish diplomatic relations, the official Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday.

Clothing retailer Gap Inc. said it had struck a deal with two franchisees to open 90 Gap stores and 20 Banana Republic stores in Saudi Arabia and Turkey over the next five years. San Francisco-based Gap said its franchisees were Fawaz Alhokair Group in Saudi Arabia and Fiba Holding in Turkey.

The treatment of women in the Muslim world is part of a dangerous pattern of abuse of power by religious authorities whose interpretation of Islam has been embraced widely, and not just by people like Osama bin Laden. Take, for example, the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia. This is not just a curious cultural difference that women are enduring; this is an abuse of human rights.

China and Saudi Arabia announced today that they have established full diplomatic relations. It is the first time that Saudi Arabia, an Islamic kingdom, has recognized a Communist nation. The government of Taiwan promptly announced that it is suspending formal ties with the kingdom. But the Taipei government added it would continue to consult Saudi Arabia about the future of their relationship "for the sake of national interests."