The Saudi Arabian government has threatened to sell of hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of American assets should the US Congress pass a bill that could hold the kingdom responsible for any role in the September 11, 2001 attacks, the New York Times reported on Friday.
The newspaper reported that Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir told US lawmakers last month that “Saudi Arabia would be forced to sell up to $750 billion in Treasury securities and other assets in the United States before they could be in danger of being frozen by American courts.”
The bill, which passed the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this year, would take away immunity from foreign governments in cases “arising from a terrorist attack that kills an American on American soil.”
The New York Times, citing administration officials and congressional aides, said “the Saudi threats have been the subject of intense discussions in recent weeks between lawmakers and officials from the State Department and the Pentagon.”
It added that the Obama administration had lobbied Congress to block the passage of the bill.
The State Department said it stood “firmly with the victims of these acts of violence and their loved ones.”
“We remain committed to bringing to justice terrorists and those who use terrorism to advance their depraved ideology,” said State Department spokesperson John Kirby.
In September a US judge dismissed claims against Saudi Arabia by families of victims of the attacks, saying that the kingdom had sovereign immunity from damage claims by the families and from insurers that covered losses suffered by building owners and businesses.
Saudis should also remember how King Faisal was murdered and by whom. Should also remember how Oil Minister Zaki Yamani was removed from his post. Too little too late.
Let the facts be told! 1) Who planned 9 11. A saudi 2) Where was it planed—in Hamburg by Saudis. 3) Who took flying lessons in Florida–mostly Saudis. 4) Who passed flying tests in Orlando—Saudis. 5) Who crashed into the twin Towers— the saudis.. WHO PAYED THE PRICE FOR THEIR ACTIONS—THE POOR AFGHANIS!!!. To say the KSA does not want to held responsible for the actions of it's citizens is contemptible..
Saudi Arabia is the epicenter of terrorism planning and attacks. Families who lost loved ones should be allowed to sue Saudi Arabia and collect damages.
Saudi monarch is the worst thing ever happened to muslims
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