Comment: Saudi Arabia looking after its interests

Surely the best news out of Saudi Arabia during the past few weeks is Riyadh's decision to allow tourists in. This is huge and will do more good than so-called good-will missions organised by the Majlis Al Shura to "explain" Saudi policies.

Opening the country to outsiders will prove to be cost-effective both in the short - as well as the long-terms. It will help improve the country's tarnished image - not just in the West and not only because of 9/11 - but because Saudis have been reticent to speak about themselves.

In fact, for years, most Saudis did not object that the Kingdom was perceived as nothing more than a desert mirage. Few protested when sensational and gossipy news stories concentrated on the excesses of the privileged. Even fewer deemed it necessary to be exonerated when they were classified as nothing more than vegetating residents trapped behind closed doors.

In fact, Saudi Arabia developed more or less on course, with two glaring exceptions: A strictly enforced segregation system and a penchant to keep one's distance from all outsiders.

Nevertheless, the Kingdom embarked on unfathomable development programmes, creating major urban centres with bustling environments, vibrant commercial enterprises and, not a negligible point, by hosting millions of expatriate workers.

It also welcomed millions of pilgrims on an annual basis, perhaps the largest transfer of people from around the world, over a very short period of time.

Still, this new opening may well have different meanings, and will require significant adjustments. No longer will Saudis be able to hide in their cocoons and no longer will they be able to ignore others. Tourism will undoubtedly improve Saudi Arabia's image because it will end the monopoly that journalists - both Western as well as Arab - enjoyed in the past.

In those instances when they were allowed in, Saudi officials fared poorly in handling visiting newsmen, with disastrous consequences. "Minders" believed that independent reporters could always be swayed. Some played the access game - ensuring an interview with a member of the ruling family or a high-ranking minister - in the hope of gaining favourable reporting.

Not surprisingly, such efforts backfired because serious writers insisted on a dose of integrity.

With more access to the country as a whole, these restrictions will now be lifted, allowing everyone to assess for themselves. Every Saudi will now assume the burden of opening-up in the Kingdom just as they expect outsiders to welcome them when they travel overseas.

Tourism will also improve the Saudi economy by creating a number of well-paying jobs that will add substantial income to the treasury. There are no reasons why this sector cannot make inroads although the difficult segregation issue will complicate matters in the short-term.

To be sure, tourism is not a panacea for Saudi Arabia, but it is part of the many changes that are under way here. Invariably, I always learn something when I visit the Kingdom, and as I boarded my return flight, I reflected upon some of the glaring alterations I witnessed this time around.

Contradictions

While contradictions abound - as elsewhere throughout the developing world - one is struck by a new vibrancy. In 2004, Saudis seem to display a far more positive attitude than at any other period in recent times. I also saw fewer mutawwayyin in the streets of the capital although most businesses remained closed when the faithful were called to prayer.

More revealing, Saudis were more willing to engage in discussions, perhaps because there is a certain urgency to get one's house in order. This is healthy because fewer explanations and more honest debate better serve Saudis.

One of my acquaintances, a member of the Al Saud ruling family, addressed the overall climate by acknowledging that Saudis needed to confront themselves.

"Changes in tourism are the tip of the iceberg," and the time has come to rely on ourselves, he confirmed. "We have dissidents in this country, and we can no longer ignore their grievances," he stated, when I pressed for an example.

He cited was how crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud handled the American decision to redeploy US combat forces from Sultan Air Base in Al Kharj, outside Riyadh, to Al Udaid Air Base near Doha. "Saudi dissidents no longer point out to the American presence in the Kingdom as proof of its aggressive posture," he stated.

"We need to speak out to issues that concern us and our people. We need to assert our interests," this British educated prince concluded.

Throughout my visit, I was gently reminded that Saudis were actually looking inwards to address what ailed them, searching for beneficial economic and political initiatives.

Joseph Kechichian, author of several books, is an analyst on Gulf and Middle East affairs.