Rep. King: Halt Arab Immigration, Saudis 'Almost Enemies'
A leading New York congressman said Sunday that the U.S. should halt all further immigration from Arab countries because most of them support terrorism, and that Saudi Arabia should be considered "almost an enemy at this stage."
"I've always been very supportive of immigration in the past," Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., told WABC Radio's Steve Malzberg.
"But I think perhaps it's time to consider actually stopping immigration from countries which harbor terrorists and countries which do not fully comply with us on terrorism. That would include most of the Arab states, quite frankly," King said.
Since the 9-11 attacks, the U.S. has issued more than 50,000 visas to Middle Eastern Arabs, according to the newspaper Human Events.
King called continuing immigration from countries that sanction terrorism "a time bomb," and suggested it was time for the Bush administration to begin viewing Saudi Arabia as a potential enemy nation.
"For years we considered (Saudi Arabia) an ally and we would sort of give a wink and a nod when they would say or do something that was not appropriate 'cause we felt that in the final analysis Saudi Arabia would be with us," the Republican moderate told Malzberg.
"But more and more it's becoming obvious (that) they're not with us," said King, noting that 15 of the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers came from Saudi Arabia and the fact that the Saudi's continue to bankroll groups that foment terrorism.
"I still think there's hope in dealing with Egypt," King said. "There's still hope in dealing with Jordan and perhaps Morocco.
"But I think as soon as we can cut loose from Saudi Arabia it's going to be a plus for the United States, because it's not even a question of creating problems for us," the influential congressman added. "They're an absolute - really almost an enemy at this stage."
:disgust:
A leading New York congressman said Sunday that the U.S. should halt all further immigration from Arab countries because most of them support terrorism, and that Saudi Arabia should be considered "almost an enemy at this stage."
"I've always been very supportive of immigration in the past," Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., told WABC Radio's Steve Malzberg.
"But I think perhaps it's time to consider actually stopping immigration from countries which harbor terrorists and countries which do not fully comply with us on terrorism. That would include most of the Arab states, quite frankly," King said.
Since the 9-11 attacks, the U.S. has issued more than 50,000 visas to Middle Eastern Arabs, according to the newspaper Human Events.
King called continuing immigration from countries that sanction terrorism "a time bomb," and suggested it was time for the Bush administration to begin viewing Saudi Arabia as a potential enemy nation.
"For years we considered (Saudi Arabia) an ally and we would sort of give a wink and a nod when they would say or do something that was not appropriate 'cause we felt that in the final analysis Saudi Arabia would be with us," the Republican moderate told Malzberg.
"But more and more it's becoming obvious (that) they're not with us," said King, noting that 15 of the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers came from Saudi Arabia and the fact that the Saudi's continue to bankroll groups that foment terrorism.
"I still think there's hope in dealing with Egypt," King said. "There's still hope in dealing with Jordan and perhaps Morocco.
"But I think as soon as we can cut loose from Saudi Arabia it's going to be a plus for the United States, because it's not even a question of creating problems for us," the influential congressman added. "They're an absolute - really almost an enemy at this stage."
:disgust:
