Dr. Abdul Wahid Al-Humaid wrote an article which appeared in three Saudi dailies this week. [1] Dr. Abdul Wahid Al-Humaid is the Secretary General of the Manpower Council in Saudi Arabia, which is responsibile for economic and social development in both the public and private sectors of Saudi Arabia. [2] The Manpower Council falls under the auspices of the Ministry of Interior, headed by Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz. [3] The following are excerpts from the article:


Watching the anti-globalization demonstrators rampaging through the streets of Geneva not far from the headquarters of the World Trade Organization, it is easy to identify the type of people who took it upon themselves to fight globalization. From their appearances, they look like people from the 1950's and 60's. I can't understand why the defenders of poor countries and just causes are those who lead lives neither socially normal nor conventional."

" Why not use more serious and rational means to influence the course of events instead of allowing anarchists to dominate the scene? Globalization in its present shape is meant to make the strong manipulate and triumph over the poor."

"Some of the demonstrators appeared like clowns, others were dressed in rags and odd bits of clothes while still others seemed drunk, judging from the way they behaved. Is it really necessary for the anti-globalization movement to be led by people such as these? It is said the protesters behave in this way to mislead people into believing they really detest materialistic life in rich countries, and that they are expressing true feelings of sympathy [for] the world's poor."

'We are not Going to Win the Battle against Globalization by Appearing in Shabby Clothes' "We are not going to win the battle against globalization by appearing in shabby clothes. What we need is to be able to convince others of our point of view, tell them that globalization as it exists today is unjust and will only cause more damage to developing countries. It is a concept fashioned and modeled to benefit the rich while depriving the poor of everything. We need a just globalization that benefits all and not one that favors a few over the overwhelming majority." [4]

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[1] Al-Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), June 5, 2003; Arab News (Saudi Arabia), June 5, 2003; Riyadh Daily (Saudi Arabia), June 10, 2003.