Ali Alyami on Democracy in Saudi Arabia

Ali Alyami recently sent us this email message:

In an interview with the Associated Press on 9/4/07, Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz, who does not hold an official position, but known to be a confidant of King Abdullah, declared that he will form a political party inside Saudi Arabia and invite Saudi reformers who have been imprisoned for calling for constitutional monarchy to join him. This is the most promising hope for any sharing of power in Saudi Arabia, if in fact the prince could or is allowed to carry out what he said he would do.

In an interview with the Washington Post on May 14, 2007, Talal lashed at his autocratic family openly "Here, the family is the master and the ruler," he said of his brothers and cousins, as he sat at Fakhariya Palace. "This style can't continue the same way. There has to be change in the nature of authority, if things are going to change in the kingdom itself."

In addition, Talal, for the first time any family member has ever done, accused the staunch opposition to reform by powerful family members which the Saudi people know to be Defense Minister Prince Sultan, Interior Minister Prince Naif and governor of Riyadh, Prince Salman. None of these men has ever mentioned political reform let alone supported it.

The Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, located in Washington, call on the US officials to issue a statement to support Prince Talal move, because peaceful reform can only happen now if the Saudi ruling dynasty allows it. This is an opportunity that the Bush Administration and members of US Congress should support publicly and immediately.