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A backlash...

Sir, — Your editorial "A backlash in the desert" ( May 14 ) analyses the causes of the car bomb attacks in Saudi Arabia targeting Americans. You have talked of how Saudi Arabia was created by the British; the immediate impact of the current U.S. occupation of Iraq and the origin of the Al-Qaeda.

The avaricious and barbaric U.S. adventure in Iraq has triggered a backlash which America and Britain will never be able to contain even if the U.S. President, George Bush, boasts he can get at the killers "who will learn the meaning of American justice." We know too well how he got Osama and recently Saddam Hussein, who is reported to be alive.

Your solution to bring in democracy to Saudi Arabia is the ideal one but can come about rather slowly. One factor that can help in the immediate term is for the U.S. to abandon its war-mongering and not extend it to the rest of the Gulf region.

K. Rangaswami,

Bangalore

* * *

Sir, — What took place in Riyadh is the beginning of a major revolt in the desert kingdom against the ruling Saudi family.

For years, the Saudis have watched their rulers being subservient to the American forces. Now that America has "conquered and occupied" Iraq and is withdrawing its forces, the religious zealots will attempt to seize control. They already enjoy enormous clout within the ruling establishment.

If that happens, the bombing in Riyadh and the September 11 attacks will pale in comparison to the apocalypse that is bound to follow. Riyadh will become the new headquarters of the Al-Qaeda

Joseph. K. Joseph,

Kochi, Kerala

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