|
Only Our Drugs are Lawful…
By Umberine Syed
21/08/2001
Despite claims of harsh anti-alcohol laws, alcohol remains freely available in Saudi Arabia, often entering the country through the long desert border with Yemen. The rewards for those who breach the law by smuggling alcohol can be great. According to reports, a bottle of Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky that sells in Britain for $28 can be sold for $175 in Saudi Arabia, and, if traded in bulk, a shipment of 1,100 cases - which fits in a 20-foot sea container, can make a $2 million profit.
Raw alcohol, known as Sid, as in Siddiq (friend) can be produced in stills smuggled into the country in Western workers' baggage; a liter sells for up to $36 in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and dealers can earn $2,900 a week. Reports say that the supply has become better organized in recent years; and while professional criminals from Europe and the Far East control much of the trade, Western workers have stayed in control of the operations on the ground.
While there are limited legal means to getting and consuming alcohol privately, smuggling is thought to be more active through the eastern side of the country.
Saudis interested in bringing in alcohol can do so from neighboring Gulf States, especially Bahrain, where Saudis can travel easily via a causeway. Another smuggling route is Jordan, where spirits are available and some of them home-manufactured, like beer and a spirit known as
Araq.
In August of this year, Saudi Arabian authorities broadcast televised confessions from three Britons suspected to be behind a series of bombings linked to illegal alcohol trading among expatriates. Interestingly, Amnesty International U.K. condemned the broadcasts, saying they breached international standards of fair trials and raised questions as to whether the confessions were obtained under torture or coercion; other human rights groups have criticized the kingdom's judicial system.
Stephen Jakobi of Fair Trials Abroad, said, "I would say this is the worst case affecting a European citizen I have seen anywhere in the world since I have been in this business, and that's going on for a decade." He compared it to the alleged case of captured Western pilots paraded before Iraqi television in the Gulf War.
British expatriates have long been known to control the lucrative smuggling of alcohol to the Middle East, and the production of strong spirits, particularly in Saudi Arabia. More than 30,000 Britons work in Saudi Arabia, most living in luxury compounds protected by high gates and security guards. Americans, being in the driver's seat of world affairs, enjoy even higher standards. Although alcohol is banned in many of the region's Muslim countries, authorities tend to ignore Westerners' activities as long as they do not involve local people or publicity.
Saudi authorities' attitudes toward Westerners, however, became less tolerant after the conviction of British nurses Deborah Parry and Lucille McLauchlan for the murder of their Australian colleague, Yvonne Gilford, in 1996. Publicity over the court case threw an unwelcome light on the culture of illegal drinking parties and sexual shenanigans among Westerners.
In response, authorities closed down many of the pubs and clubs that had been illegally selling alcohol, making the supplying of alcohol a much more lucrative trade.
Last year's bomb attacks were quickly laid on the doorsteps of Muslims who were appalled at the lifestyle of the expatriate Britons. The issue of breaking Islamic laws was, of course, of no consequence for the Westerners.
Illegal drinking is the most common form of entertainment among Westerners, who, according to some accounts, throw wild parties, most of which will go on until sunrise, if not the afternoon of the next day.
Nearly all Westerners in the kingdom live in company compounds, which are walled and have security gates to monitor who comes in and out. Non-residents are not allowed in without permission from a resident. However, considering the culture of Arab sheikhdoms, where the ruling cliques enjoy full authority, it is said that it would be very rare for a Saudi to be turned away because security guards are too scared to say no.
In keeping with diplomatic practice, diplomatic bags enter countries without being checked, which allows embassies of non-Muslim countries to bring in alcoholic beverages. It means their staff may have access to alcohol, especially at special occasions like Christmas. Western military personnel serving in Saudi Arabia may also be able to gain access to alcohol.
During the deployment of international forces in Saudi Arabia after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, it is reported that the British government wanted to issue two cans of beer for each for member of its armed forces. However, after discussions between the U.S., British and Saudi commanders, Sir Peter de La Billiere - a British commander, advised against it.
The involvement of British officials based in Riyadh and the British foreign office contrasts starkly with the attitude of Muslim governments when their citizens are accused of crimes overseas. Indeed, in many cases, Muslim governments hand over alleged perpetrators of crimes without even caring for their own judicial process. Not only that, but Western governments are openly involved in anti-drug efforts in Muslim countries. While this may seem a positive effort, the "rewards" that smell so much of bribes lead to abuses where innocent citizens are brutalized to help build the resumes of anti-narcotic officers overseas.
The fact that the U.S. alcohol lobby exercises immense influence only makes such anti-drug efforts seem so unethical. Interestingly, the presidential debates during the 2000 electoral season were sponsored a beer company. Thus, on the one hand, Western powers continue to help the alcohol and tobacco trade, and on the other, brutalize poor farmers in by destroying poppy crops.
To some extent, Muslim countries also bear the blame, due to traditional uses of poppy for medicinal purposes, and for non-compliance in burning crops. However, instead of providing incentives for burning poppy crops, Western anti-drug efforts should have sponsored research in order to implement constructive uses of the crop, thus providing farmers with a legitimate form of income.
|
