Saudi royal guards 'aided al-Qa'ida' in Riyadh bombings that left 35 dead

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

Al-Qa'ida terrorists whose suicide bombs killed 35 people and injured 200 at a housing compound in Riyadh last May were secretly assisted by certain members of the Saudi National Guard which protects the royal family, military trainers employed by a US firm have claimed.
In exclusive interviews with The Independent on Sunday, the former trainers for the Vinnell Corporation, which has an $800m (£460m) contract to advise the Saudi National Guard, allege:

* Some members of the Saudi National Guard knew about the bombing in advance and gave inside help to al-Qa'ida, including possibly a detailed map of the target.

* An "exercise" organised by the national guard removed 50 of 70 security staff for the day of the bombing, thus leaving the compound "defenceless".

* Security was generally lax, with machine guns unloaded and guards unarmed.

* Vinnell and the Saudis were given detailed, repeated warnings that Islamic militants were planning an attack, but did nothing to upgrade security.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=521727

[LittleApple81]

1. Sorry, but all I can say is: It couldn't happen to nicer people, could

it? They are the ones sponsoring the terror to protect their own asses, stoning people to death, letting schoolgirls burn in a school... all for a royal family that owns half the US in cahoots with our own BFEE!!!!!

[maddezmom]

2. don't doubt the story, but .....

not sure I want to put all my faith in what Vinell says either. :shrug:

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

6. Well it's not Vinnell saying it, but " former trainers

who were injured in the attack, will require long-term medical care and now plan to sue Vinnell for compensation."

But I know where you're coming from -- CIA revolving door companies ain't known for their honesty!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

3. Oh, yeah!! Let's add another Middle Eastern country to the list!!...

Let's see...Syria, Iran, and now Saudi Arabia. Who's left?

[Ediacara]

4. but but but but but but

The Saudis are our "friends"!

[mulethree]

10. so they invite us in, we're already there

[skooooo]

5. wow, what a shock

not

[UpInArms]

7. Al-Qaeda hated corporation

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/05/14/1052885292950.html

The bloody attacks in Riyadh are telling because of their targets, in particular the Vinnell Corporation. The residential compound and the offices used by Vinnell were hit, killing nine of the company's employees and injuring several others, two critically.

Al-Qaeda has a particular hatred for the US Vinnell Corporation because it trains the Saudi Arabian National Guard, the country's internal security force and an integral part of the Saudi military forces.

Vinnell, under contract to the US Army, employs about 800 people in Saudi Arabia including 300 Americans. Vinnell recently came under the financial control of giant US defence contractor Northrop.

Vinnell's relationship with Saudi Arabia over nearly three decades has been intriguing and controversial. For five years until 1997 it was owned by the Carlyle group, a defence and investment house close to the Bush family. Several former Republican cabinet ministers sat on Carlyle's board.

In 1975 the Pentagon hired Vinnell on a $US77 million ($A118.8 million) contract to train Saudi troops to protect the country's oilfields. About 1000 US Special Forces were recruited, says Dan Briody, author of a new book on the Carlyle group.

...more...

[daleo]

9. I wonder if Vinnell trains the Saudis in torture techniques

"Al-Qaeda has a particular hatred for the US Vinnell Corporation because it trains the Saudi Arabian National Guard, the country's internal security force and an integral part of the Saudi military forces."

Of course it could be the other way around.

[Just Me]

8. As the world turns *LOL*.

I don't know whether to believe this assertion or not. But, I must say it is quite fascinating.