Al Bhatti
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May 17, 2014
Freedom Party (PVV) leader Geert Wilders speaks during an interview with Reuters in The Hague April 17, 2014.
Netherlands: Saudi Arabia may curb trade ties over Wilders' anti-Islam slogans
Saudi Arabia is considering trade sanctions against the Netherlands because of stickers printed by far-right politician Geert Wilders which display anti-Islam slogans in the colors of the Saudi flag, a Dutch foreign ministry spokesman said.
Wilders, leader of the anti-immigration Dutch Freedom Party, is tied in first place with the Democrats in national opinion polls before European Parliament elections that will be held in the Netherlands on Thursday.
His virulent anti-Islam statements have angered many and Wilders has lived under round-the-clock armed guard since he received death threats in 2004.
"We have indications that Saudi Arabia is considering measures because of the insults to its flag and religion by Geert Wilders," Foreign Ministry spokesman Friso Wijnen said.
Wijnen could not say what these indications are, but that the Dutch government is seeking contact with Riyadh. The stickers were first printed in December.
"The Cabinet strongly distanced itself from the insults Wilders first made to the Saudi flag and the religion in December," Wijnen said. "It still does now."
ROYAL DIRECTIVE
Saudi government officials could not immediately be reached for comment by Reuters. The Saudi Chamber of Commerce was also not available.
However, Saudi newspaper al-Eqtisadiah reported on Friday that a directive would be circulated to all relevant authorities to exclude Dutch businesses from future projects and halt visits because of the anti-Islam statements, citing unnamed sources.
Wilders' stickers, which are in green and white like the Saudi flag, carry derogatory comments about Islam, the Prophet Mohammad and the Koran.
Bilateral trade between the countries was nearly $5 billion in 2010 and the Netherlands is one of the largest investors in Saudi Arabia, making up nearly 4 percent of foreign direct investment that year, the Dutch government said.
In addition to trade in oil and gas, the Netherlands exports a wide range of products and technology in the agriculture, machinery, chemical and petrochemical sectors in Saudi Arabia.
Wilders, in reaction to possible trade measures by Saudi Arabia, said in a statement that the Netherlands "should have boycotted that country a long time ago."
Netherlands: Saudi Arabia may curb trade ties over Wilders' anti-Islam slogans| Reuters
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May 17, 2014
Saudi Arabia ‘considering’ sanctions on the Netherlands
Dutch foreign ministry says that the Kingdom feels ‘insulted’ by Wilders anti-Islamic stunts
Saudi Arabia is “considering” sanctions against the Netherlands after an anti-Islamic stunt by far-right politician Geert Wilders, the Dutch foreign ministry said on Saturday.
In November, the anti-Islamic lawmaker printed stickers insulting Islam and the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
The Dutch foreign ministry told AFP on Saturday that Saudi Arabia feels “insulted” by Wilders and is considering sanctions.
“We have indications that show that Saudi Arabia is considering commercial measures against the Netherlands,” said spokesman Friso Wijnen.
He did not give further details.
The Dutch government distanced itself from Wilders’ actions at the time, pointing out that the populist firebrand is not part of the government and his ideas are not representative.
Saudi press reported that the Saudi authorities had asked that “Dutch businesses no longer be included in local projects” in the country, and to reduce the number of visas issued for Dutch businesspeople.
It also claimed Riyadh was angry for the lack of action taken against Wilders by the Dutch government. Saudi authorities could not be immediately reached for comment on the issue.
Wilders’ Party for Freedom (PVV) is expected to make gains in European elections at the end of May, and has allied with other far-right parties across the continent, including France’s National Front led by Marine Le Pen. He has previously claimed the religion is fascist.
Attempts to prosecute him for his claims have failed. He was acquitted on charges of inciting hatred in 2011, with judges arguing that his comments were directed against a religion rather than an ethnic group.
There was recent outrage after he promised during local elections in March to ensure “fewer Moroccans” in the Netherlands.
Saudi Arabia ‘considering’ sanctions on the Netherlands | GulfNews.com
Freedom Party (PVV) leader Geert Wilders speaks during an interview with Reuters in The Hague April 17, 2014.
Netherlands: Saudi Arabia may curb trade ties over Wilders' anti-Islam slogans
Saudi Arabia is considering trade sanctions against the Netherlands because of stickers printed by far-right politician Geert Wilders which display anti-Islam slogans in the colors of the Saudi flag, a Dutch foreign ministry spokesman said.
Wilders, leader of the anti-immigration Dutch Freedom Party, is tied in first place with the Democrats in national opinion polls before European Parliament elections that will be held in the Netherlands on Thursday.
His virulent anti-Islam statements have angered many and Wilders has lived under round-the-clock armed guard since he received death threats in 2004.
"We have indications that Saudi Arabia is considering measures because of the insults to its flag and religion by Geert Wilders," Foreign Ministry spokesman Friso Wijnen said.
Wijnen could not say what these indications are, but that the Dutch government is seeking contact with Riyadh. The stickers were first printed in December.
"The Cabinet strongly distanced itself from the insults Wilders first made to the Saudi flag and the religion in December," Wijnen said. "It still does now."
ROYAL DIRECTIVE
Saudi government officials could not immediately be reached for comment by Reuters. The Saudi Chamber of Commerce was also not available.
However, Saudi newspaper al-Eqtisadiah reported on Friday that a directive would be circulated to all relevant authorities to exclude Dutch businesses from future projects and halt visits because of the anti-Islam statements, citing unnamed sources.
Wilders' stickers, which are in green and white like the Saudi flag, carry derogatory comments about Islam, the Prophet Mohammad and the Koran.
Bilateral trade between the countries was nearly $5 billion in 2010 and the Netherlands is one of the largest investors in Saudi Arabia, making up nearly 4 percent of foreign direct investment that year, the Dutch government said.
In addition to trade in oil and gas, the Netherlands exports a wide range of products and technology in the agriculture, machinery, chemical and petrochemical sectors in Saudi Arabia.
Wilders, in reaction to possible trade measures by Saudi Arabia, said in a statement that the Netherlands "should have boycotted that country a long time ago."
Netherlands: Saudi Arabia may curb trade ties over Wilders' anti-Islam slogans| Reuters
----------------------------
May 17, 2014
Saudi Arabia ‘considering’ sanctions on the Netherlands
Dutch foreign ministry says that the Kingdom feels ‘insulted’ by Wilders anti-Islamic stunts
Saudi Arabia is “considering” sanctions against the Netherlands after an anti-Islamic stunt by far-right politician Geert Wilders, the Dutch foreign ministry said on Saturday.
In November, the anti-Islamic lawmaker printed stickers insulting Islam and the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
The Dutch foreign ministry told AFP on Saturday that Saudi Arabia feels “insulted” by Wilders and is considering sanctions.
“We have indications that show that Saudi Arabia is considering commercial measures against the Netherlands,” said spokesman Friso Wijnen.
He did not give further details.
The Dutch government distanced itself from Wilders’ actions at the time, pointing out that the populist firebrand is not part of the government and his ideas are not representative.
Saudi press reported that the Saudi authorities had asked that “Dutch businesses no longer be included in local projects” in the country, and to reduce the number of visas issued for Dutch businesspeople.
It also claimed Riyadh was angry for the lack of action taken against Wilders by the Dutch government. Saudi authorities could not be immediately reached for comment on the issue.
Wilders’ Party for Freedom (PVV) is expected to make gains in European elections at the end of May, and has allied with other far-right parties across the continent, including France’s National Front led by Marine Le Pen. He has previously claimed the religion is fascist.
Attempts to prosecute him for his claims have failed. He was acquitted on charges of inciting hatred in 2011, with judges arguing that his comments were directed against a religion rather than an ethnic group.
There was recent outrage after he promised during local elections in March to ensure “fewer Moroccans” in the Netherlands.
Saudi Arabia ‘considering’ sanctions on the Netherlands | GulfNews.com
