For decades, U.S. presidential administrations have given the Saudis a free pass on its horrendous human rights policies in the interest of maintaining our pipeline of cheap oil. But to the Bush Administration's credit, the U.S. government is finally being honest about what goes on in Saudi Arabia.
A report released last Friday listed Saudi Arabia and three other Middle Eastern "allies" (Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates) as having some of the world's worst records when it comes to human trafficking. The State Dept. reported that roughly 800,000 people, mostly women and children, were trafficked across international boundaries last year. Many arrive in new countries only to end up forced into prostitution or left to beg for food.
And just as the Saudis are coming under increased scrutiny, so too are the Uzbeks, known for massacring civilians and boiling opponents. Way to go, President Bush (seriously)!
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1 comment:
I'm glad you called attention to the State Departments report on repressive regimes in the Mideast. How much credit for this report belongs to Bush?
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