Clinton Warns Saudi, Kuwait And Qatar To Stop Funding Extremists
MEP: Hillary Clinton, US Democratic presidential hopeful warned on Monday to US allies in the Middle East, saying countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait must stop funding and supporting extremism.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee meanwhile, vowed to step up efforts to stop so-called lone wolf attacks, and said Americans should unite to defeat domestic terrorism after the weekend massacre at a gay club in Orlando by Omar Mateen.
Speaking in a national security speech in Cleveland, Ohio, Clinton said an “area that demands attention is preventing radicalization and countering efforts by Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) and other international terrorist networks to recruit in the United States and Europe, for starters, it is long past time for the Saudis, the Qataris, and the Kuwaitis and others to stop their citizens from funding extremist organizations.”
She added that they should stop supporting radical schools and mosques around the world that have set too many young people on a path toward extremism.
In her half-hour speech, the former secretary of state said “American leadership” was crucial in resolving political conflicts that fuel Daesh, as well as waging the immediate battle against terror groups and messages, including online.
“The Orlando terrorist may be dead, but the virus that poisoned his mind remains very much alive and we must attack it with clear eyes, steady hands, unwavering determination and pride in our country and our values,” Clinton said. “The threat is metastasizing,” she added.
The Saudi support, among others, was highlighted in remarks by Senator Chris Murphy who announced on January 29 that thousands of schools in Pakistan are funded by Saudi Arabia to nurture hatred and terrorism among students.
“These schools are multiplying all over the globe,” Murphy said, adding, “those 24,000 religious schools in Pakistan – thousands of them are funded with money that originates in Saudi Arabia.”
Clinton’s remarks against Saudi Arabia contradict reports that Riyadh itself is a major funder of her presidential campaign, according to a report by Jordan’s official news agency.
