well well well, cat and mouse games perhaps.. gee wizz.
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Jan 19 (Reuters) - A group of Saudi reformists are drafting a petition calling for gradual democracy and eventual elections in the absolute monarchy, Saudis familiar with the letter said on Sunday. Analysts said the document, addressed to Crown Prince Abdullah, echoes the sentiment expressed in a draft proposal leaked to the Saudi press last week in which the de-facto ruler called for wide-ranging political reforms across the Arab world, including enhanced popular participation in politics. It contains a set of ideas and suggestions and not a list of outright demands in a country where public debate is muted and the ruling al-Saud family answers to no elected representatives. "The basic message of this letter is total obedience to the government, total respect and belief in the leadership, the requests are being made in the name of nationhood," said a Saudi familiar with the letter who asked not to be identified. The document has undergone several revisions, he said, to ensure it is "politically correct, while delivering the required message." Western critics blame lack of political freedoms in the Arab world for allowing the rise of Islamist militants, including Osama bin Laden, accused mastermind of the September 11 attacks. Arab governments, including Saudi Arabia, reject the argument, saying militants distort the meaning of Islam for evil purposes. The reformist letter, whose authors hope to gain up to 100 signatures from Saudis of all walks of life and in all regions, includes a request that the appointed consultative Shura council be eventually transformed into an elected body. A Saudi source with close ties to the royal family said that reform was already under way and that Saudi Arabia was moving toward an "adjustment of our political system." This Saudi source, who requested that his name not be used, said the concept of elections would also be introduced into the system, but first for municipal councils. "Don't ask about a timetable, nobody is rushing it. It is an evolutionary thing. We are Darwinists in our political approach, but we know that it is coming," the Saudi source said. The reformers' document also asks for the reform of the judiciary, more freedom for the press and more rights for women.
TEST OF REFORM RESOLVE Many of the ideas contained in the letter have been raised before, "but in a haphazard manner," said one Saudi reformist. Another Saudi said the crown prince's reaction to the document would be a key test for the reform mood in the kingdom. "Will they become offended again and call it dissent, or will they welcome these ideas?" he added. Jeddah-based political commentator Hussein Shobokshi said such a petition would have an even chance of being rejected. "But also some members of government are open to listen to some sincere opinions from their citizens," Shobokshi said. Prince Abdullah's surprise initiative to be presented to an Arab League summit scheduled for Bahrain in March does not refer to reforms in Saudi Arabia itself, but adopts a regional tone. Analysts say the Abdullah proposal was aimed at mending strained ties with Washington and appeasing domestic rancour over lack of political freedoms and accountability. Debate surrounds Prince Abdullah's ability to deliver change in a country where consensus is the key. Some analysts say there are differences within the royal family over how to proceed. "They want to go forward. The questions are: How? And what are the consequences?" said political commentator Jamal Khashoggi, also deputy editor-in-chief of Arab News, the newspaper which published Prince Abdullah's draft proposal. "The proposal is his (Abdullah's) way to get things out of the neck of the bottle, to talk about it, to create an environment where people are put under pressure to do something," Khashoggi said.
