Reuters: Canada to ask allies to help cool Saudi dispute; U.S. offers no aid
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada plans to seek help from the United Arab Emirates and Britain to defuse an escalating dispute with Saudi Arabia, sources said on Tuesday, but close ally the United States made clear it would not get involved.
The Saudi government on Sunday recalled its ambassador to Ottawa, barred Canada’s envoy from returning and placed a ban on new trade, denouncing Canada for urging the release of jailed rights activists. Riyadh accused Ottawa on Tuesday of interfering in its internal affairs.
One well placed source said the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - which stresses the importance of human rights - planned to reach out to the United Arab Emirates.
“The key is to work with allies and friends in the region to cool things down, which can happen quickly,” said the source, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the situation.
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Update #1: U.S. State Department urges Canada, Saudi Arabia to resolve dispute (Reuters)
Update #2: ‘We Can’t Do it For Them’: Washington Bows Out of Saudi-Canada Row (Sputnik)
WNU Editor: What got the Saudis upset was the use of two words in the Canadian government's statement .... ‘immediate release’ .... “We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful human rights activists.” .... The Two Words That Made Saudi Arabia Furious at Canada (The Atlantic). This former Canadian ambassador to Saudi Arabia is also correct in his assessment .... Canada-Saudi dispute could have been handled differently, former ambassador says (CBC). Saudi Arabia is going through a very difficult political/social/and economic transition right now, and whether we like it or not, Saudi Arabia is a very important strategic partner with the West. Western diplomats and foreign ministries need to be careful on what they say publicly when it comes to these nations (privately is another story, and that is where harsh criticisms should be voiced). But this entire incident raises other concerns. Countries like China, India, Brazil, etc., are now significant players on the international scene, but how these countries are governed are not what we in the West may call ideal. If we want to do business with these countries we may have to compromise some of our principles .... or not .... but this is a debate that we should at least have. As for the U.S. not helping Canada .... who would blame them. This is a mess that Canada and Saudi Arabia will need to work out together.
