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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday there was no room for mediation in the kingdom’s deepening diplomatic dispute with Canada, and that Ottawa knew what it needed to do to “fix its big mistake”.
“There is nothing to mediate. A mistake has been made and a mistake should be corrected,” Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told a news conference in Riyadh.
In an indication that the quarrel may worsen, Mr Jubeir said that the kingdom was still “considering additional measures” against Canada, but did not elaborate.
Saudi Arabia on Sunday froze new trade with Canada and expelled the Canadian ambassador in retaliation for Ottawa’s call to free arrested Saudi civil society activists.
It also ended state-backed educational and medical programmes in Canada, making plans to relocate tens of thousands of Saudi students and patients to other countries.
Responding to a question about the reason for the activists’ arrests, Mr Jubeir said that charges against them would be made public once their cases reached the courts, repeating earlier allegations that they had been in touch with foreign entities.
“The matter is not about human rights; it is a matter of national security,” he said.
Canadian investments in Saudi Arabia were still ongoing and would not be affected by the dispute, he said.
Reports say Canada plans to seek help from the United Arab Emirates and Britain to defuse the row.
The Financial Times reported the Saudi central bank and state pension funds had instructed their overseas asset managers to dispose of their Canadian equities, bonds and cash holdings “no matter the cost”, citing unidentified sources.
A Canadian departmental spokesperson said Global Affairs Canada continues to seek clarity from the Saudi Arabian government on various issues.
A source at a Saudi bank said it was contacted by the central bank on Wednesday afternoon asking for information about all their Canadian exposure investments in Canada and foreign exchange positions.
Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2018
Comments (53) Closed
Making mountain out of a mole hill. Saudi will be the one to lose.
Immature reaction and behavioural.
Kings do no wrong!
I wish Saudia will also stop interfering in other countries like they expect Canada not to interfere in their internal matters.
True arrogance of Arabs, never grew up. They are fake kings and princess anyway.
Their is no denying that KSA is probably at par with North Korea when it comes to human rights. No amount of money can buy a country the right to violate human rights.
Pleasing Mr. Trump, the critic of the Canadian PM..?!
MBS thinks he can behave like tRump and get away with it!! There will be uprisings to end the house - sooner now than before. More chaos - THAT is what Israel game theory-based strategy calls for!!
There is minimal trade between the 2 countries.. Saudis are in the wrong here.. major overreaction
Its amazing how Saudis are on the front foot and Canada on the back foot.
what a arrogance!
US should be defending the Canadians on this issue but Trump admin seems to be standing shoulder to shoulder alongside despotic Saudi's. Human rights violations is never a problem for Trump.
Saudia is only hurting its students and patients here.. Big ego at display here.
USA has in the past ‘whispered’ about Saudi’s anti-humanity practices but there was no such furor. Now they confirm that they are the mouth piece of USA/settlement.
Good action by Saudi. Canada is trying to be oversmart by supporting extremists from different countries.
Saudi mentality they think they are better than rest of the world. Canada should not bow to them.
An outstanding reaction! The West should not interfere in the affairs of any other country.
Don’t know why saudis are making a big deal. The whole world knows it’s true, that how people are treated in Saudi’s. I guess truth hurt sometime :)
The Saudi government is arrogant, they don't care about human rights at all, they think they are still living in the stone age, there is no democracy in Saudi Arabia. Canada always fought for human rights in the world and provided asylum to so many Arabs in Canda. Canda is a great county to live in for foreigners because everyone is treated with respect, without discrimination.
Do not know why saudis are making big deal. I guess the truth hurt:). Entire civilized world know it’s true.
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today that Canada will always stand for human rights in a firm and respectful manner. Bravo Canada
Good step by Saudia. These western countries need to mind their own business before pointing out issues in other countries. The world order is changing.
@Zak
you don't get it don't you.
@Zak I disagree, I think Canada has more to lose
The Saud family is arrogant warmongers. They only know how to create frictions, disputes, wage wars and inflict harm on others. They know nothing about peace-making, diplomacy, mediation and earning friends.
After the dispute with Qatar, Iran and Yemen, it was only a matter of time before they pick bones with some Western power.
I feel sorry for the Saudi people who have to live under the rule of this corrupt family,
After exhibiting this reaction still Saudis expect investors to their country?
This all looks like a part of US based foreign policy
@Zak : The Canadians have a habit of lecturing other countries on non-interference, while they themselves do it all the time. It is time they are called to explain their behaviour.
Brave move by MBS.
When the oil runs out so will their arrogance, until then just try to keep them out of mind and out of sight.
Saudi Arabia, land of thousand princes, the country is a real- estate of one family. They don't tolerate even a slight criticism.
@salman What is so wrong in calling spade a spade. It is not about West again East it about raising voice against injustice.
Saudi Arabia did a bold step. More power to them.
Making a drastic mistake and insisting on it. This is a typical mind-set and operational tool of almost all G.C.C. countries topped by Saudi Arabia. Remember, two wrongs don't make it right.
Who is in the wrong not the Canadian government.
@Shamsheer e Raza That's what they think but times have changed.
@Reality Bites He is a champion of violating human rights including children.
@Dilip Thorat Are you living on a different planet, Dilip?
Human rights violation occur in every country - European, Asian, Latin America or the United States. Why just single out Saudi Arabia ( I don't defend that country for its atrocities) alone? No country has a universal right to interfere in another country's law or politics. Everyone must mind their own business and ensure they govern their country in a proper civilized manner that other nations can copy as exemplary.
Saudi Arabis needs to come with happy medium, and show flexibility,
Canada is one of the few peaceful countries where muslims can live peacfully...SA this action will make it tough for those muslims....also canadian PM is very multifcultural so this anger from SA is like picking on the smallest kid in the school yard..
i'd love to see MBS freeze US stuff from SA for supporting Israel making the Jurselum its capital !!!
And then look for Canadian citizenship
In human rights respective why don`t Canada say anything about Iraq war, they are always against Asians and Muslim countries when it comes to human rights. Western countries create wars and than starts human rights advocacy without even saying that human rights issues are by product of war they initially created.
Their actions over Canada and their bombing of Yemeni children prove the Saudis are worse than Israel.
@Ahmed bin Babar , Agree.
@Dilip Thorat Indians dont like Trudeau because of Khalistan issue....
Family owned country!!
Hope other countries should call out for her release as well.....
@Reality Bites USA cannot be trusted by Canada.
The best that Pakistan can do is to stay out of any conflict in which Saiudi Arabia is involved. Do not support or oppose S. Arabia.
The high and mighty who cannot tolerate even the slightest of criticisms.
This is KSA's style to warn all other countries to mind their businesses and don't abuse KSA of human rights violations. So far the strategy is working as no other western country is taking side with Canada. Shameful but might is right :-(
Who wants to mediate in the first place ? Not Canada at least going by the statement of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau,
Saudis are in very weak situation. This is Bravado which will backfire. They have made too many mistakes and do not need to make more.