[War] Saudi: The quality of mercy

[Pat B]

Saudi: The quality of mercy

King Ali bin Bashir al Saud


=Royal Palace=
=Riyadah


The CNN camera crew was enjoying a light meal as Anderson Cooper was
coming out of makeup, Palace staff placed fresh glasses of water next
two small tables.

Ali handed a briefcase to an aide and headed out the large room where
the interview was to take place.

"Mr Cooper, welcome to Saudi Arabia."

"Thank you for having me."  They shook hands and Ali took the hot seat.

"We're here live in Riyadh with King Ali Bin Bashir Al Saud, the new
king of Saudi Arabia.  Earlier this week Pope Bennidict the 16th spoke 
out quoting a 13th century Byzantine emperor on Islam being a violent 
religion that tries to convert people at the point of a sword."

Ali nodded, "I am aware, I know Pope Bennidict also apologised for the 
remarks as being not exactly what he meant, our faith is one of peace, 
and mercy, and forgiveness, obviously his Holiness was not being 
offensive or hateful. He was trying to make a point, I do accept his 
apology."

Nodding Cooper continued, "You've started making changes in Saudi law 
and culture..."

Ali nodded, "I've made some changes because the only reason our country 
is rich is because we have oil, if that dries up, or if other countries 
find oil, we may find our income decreased, then we're a third world 
country and I won't let that happen."

"You seem determined?"

"I am, my culture has many good things, and also many bad things, I am 
trying to change them but it takes time, and I don't want our country to 
lose it's uniqueness."

"Uniqueness?"

"Yes Saudi Arabia has the holiest sites in Islam, our Faith is part of 
our country's history and heritage, we are not going to forsake that. 
But we have to go foreward or we will fall backwards. Any sort of 
fatwah, or attacks on the Catholic church, or Catholics steps us back...."

Cooper nodded, "Osama Bin Laden has called for your being overthrown and 
called you a 'traitor to Islam"

Ali laughed, "then I must be doing something right if Osama doesn't 
approve."

Actions
1) Do interview with CNN
2) Announce the Pope's apology is good enough, forgiveness is part of 
our faith yada yada yada, condemn attacks on nuns, condemn crazies 
asking for Pope to be arrested.
3) Don't back down on reforms.
4) Publiclly mock Osama's threats.