DIANA WEST: RELIANCE ON THE “TRUSTED TRAVELER”
http://www.dianawest.net/Home/tabid/36/EntryId/2380/Reliance-on-the-Trusted-Traveler.aspx
Saudi interior minister Prince Mohammed bin Naif. This first cousin of Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal was last noted in this blog for ordering the arrest last month of a Saudi novelist, Turki al Hamad, for tweeting that Islam required a “correction.” Al Hamad now faces the death penalty for apostasy.
–From Al Arabiya (hat tip Ruthfully yours and http://www.whsroundtable.org/):
Saudi Arabia and the United States have signed a “Trusted Traveler” agreement to facilitate and accelerate the trusted passenger screening on the principle of reciprocity in both Saudi and U.S. airports.
Yes, you are going mad.
The Saudi state agency reported that Minister of Interior Prince Mohammed bin Naif and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano “signed an agreement on arrangements relating to the implementation of a program of the ‘Trusted Traveler’ between the two countries.”
There is something extra grotesque in the newspeak, Mr.-Rogers-style.
According to the agreement U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s trusted traveler program, Global Entry, will be implemented. Global Entry streamlines the screening process at airports for trusted travelers, allowing customs authorities to focus on those travelers they know less about, in order to more effectively identify potential threats and keep our borders and country secure.
I wonder how such a program might have affected Hazma Kashgari’s flight for asylum last year to the West? It ended when Saudi religious police, under orders from King Abdullah (both Alwaleed and Naif’s uncle), caught up with him in Malaysia and dragged him back to Saudi Arabia for “tweeting” an imaginary conversation with Mohammed. He remains in jail.
“I am proud of the bond between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and today’s meeting marks another major step forward in our partnership,” said Secretary Napolitano.
Proud?
“By enhancing collaboration with the Government of Saudi Arabia, we reaffirm our commitment to more effectively secure our two countries against evolving threats while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.”
Why is the US government “proud” of a “bond” with this repressive dictatorship that denies freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and equality before the law — while fomenting civilization jihad on the not-so-QT?
Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Naif and Secretary Napolitano also released a joint statement affirming ongoing cooperation on cybercrime, maritime security and infrastructure protection, and cooperation on cyber security, which is critical to both nations’ economic competitiveness and national security.
Does “cybercrime: include “tweeting”?
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