A French national was shot dead in Saudi Arabia's economic capital Jeddah, the official SPA news agency reported quoting the interior ministry.

"A resident of French nationality was the target of shots that brought about his death on Sunday at 1 am (2200 GMT Saturday) in the Al-Zahra district of Jeddah," a ministry spokesman said.

He added that an inquiry was under way into the shooting of the unidentified Frenchman.

The spokesman did not give any motives for the murder, the latest in a country that has seen more than its share of killings of expatriates or western targets.

Let's see if we can connect a few dots for the SPA news agency. The vicitm was a non-national presumably non-muslim residing in Saudi Arabia where non-national non-muslim residents are being targeted by jihadi for righteous and violent excising. That would seem to go a ways toward explaining the shooting.

But one imagines it will be the benighted French -- thinking terrorism is for other deserving folks not the undeserving French tucked up in their EU snug -- who are most in danger of missing the connection.

UPDATE 09.26.04: Elsewhere, M. Barnier's ballyhooed but rebuffed diplomatic initiative to free Messrs. Chesnot and Malbrunot is rebuffed again.

[The terrorists] began taunting Western governments over their efforts to seek their citizens’ release from captivity. Late on Friday a fresh message appeared on a website believed to be used by al-Zarqawi which read: "What is laughable is the insistence of the ministers of all infidel nationalities on the phrase ‘no negotiations’. As if there was any question of negotiation. Far from it - they must obey the demands of the Mujahadeen. If you refuse, we slaughter."

The group [scil., Tawhid wal Jihad = Unity and Holy War] justifies its executions with the controversial Koranic verse: "Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers, smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly [on them]."

(Hat tip: LGF)

There is a reason why the Islamofascists have invested their armies and matériel, their time and money in Iraq. To survive Iraq, the terrorists must destroy Iraq. Their obvious advantage is they are nihilists. Everything is allowed them, which knits up nicely with the murderous sociopathy of Islamofascism.

They are right about one thing, negotiating with them is laughable.

UPDATE 09.27.04: The French technician murdered in the Saudi city of Jeddah has been identified as Laurent Barbot, 45, an employee of French defense electronics firm Thales.

Thales is currently working on a military project in Jeddah and the eastern industrial city of Jubail. ... "We have no details about this abominable attack," Thales chief Jean-Paul Perrier told AFP in Paris. "We don't know if it was random or a premeditated attack."

But the [Saudi] interior ministry confirmed that they were treating the killing as an act of terrorism.

"We can say through the preliminary investigation that it is a terrorist attack," ministry spokesman Mansur al-Turki told AFP.

The Guardian reports:

An [sic] website affiliated to al-Qaida claimed responsibility for killing Mr Barbot, saying it was a message to foreigners to leave.

[Emphasis added.]

And your point is?

Your most pointless post to date, Damian, as if French nationals or French interests never were targets of Islamic groups (even after our little disagreement). Did France try to "appease" Muslim radicals when she went ahead with the headscarf ban while two French journalists are still being held?

I think it was just one of those random acts of violence that happens in all post-modern, progressive societies. Young people see all this violence on TV and in video games...who can blame them for their actions. If Saudi Arabia enacted some tough laws and brought back prayer to the classroom many of these "problems" would disappear. Encouraging women to dress modestly also helps as does cutting off peoples hands and heads and stoning adulteresses to death.

Now go back to sleep you pathetic frenchmen. The time to surrender is not here yet.

You forgot something Damian : with terrorism, there aren't deserving and undeserving victim. And for your own information, in France we are conscious of that.

FRANCE WAGES ALL-OUT WAR AGAINST TERROR! DENIES LITTLE GIRLS THEIR HEADSCARVES!

Yes, that's standing up to the terrorists. They should be turning in their RPGs and making apologies for all the fuss and bloodshed any day now.

The reaction of the French following the kidnappings of Messrs. Chesnot et Malbrunot was characterized as "shock". M. Zx, do you suppose the French populace was "shocked" the terrorists had taken so long to find France? No one interviewed held that opinion. Everything reported suggests otherwise.

DGB

France's priority is a continued focus on Al Qaeda and related networks and the pursuit of unfinished business in the campaign against Taliban and other Islamic fighters regrouping in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This while Osama bin Laden is enjoying his 1100th day of freedom following the murder of 3000 American citizens.

You forgot something Damian : with terrorism, there aren't deserving and undeserving victim.And for your own information, in France we are conscious of that.

Stéphane,

Could you please check this video shot in front of the Paris city hall and explain to the Pave community what exactly the first voice we hear - possibly the voice of the mayor of Paris, whoever that is, the AFP thought it was worth keeping - means exactly by the words "we consider there are good or bad hostages"? What about the fact that all journalists implied or sometimes even said clearly that French journalists didn't deserve to be kidnapped or worse, killed, because France has supported Saddam... oops, sorry, opposed the war?

Yes, that's standing up to the terrorists. They should be turning in their RPGs and making apologies for all the fuss and bloodshed any day now.

The terrorists' only demand was the revocation on the headscarf ban, or else. There was no negotiation. Call it what you want.

The reaction of the French following the kidnappings of Messrs. Chesnot et Malbrunot was characterized as "shock". M. Zx, do you suppose the French populace was "shocked" the terrorists had taken so long to find France? No one interviewed held that opinion. Everything reported suggests otherwise.

So "characterizing" this reaction as a "shock" from some journalist automatically translates as France naively thinking she is "immune" to terrorism? That's nonsense.

You seem to be completely or conveniently unaware of France's long knowledge (as well as target) of these groups, even before 9/11 while the CIA was sleeping at their desks, and their prosecution by French counter-terrorism . Oh yeah, that's going to earn France some sympathy.

Do you also beleive that Bin Ladin is turning a blind eye regarding France's active cooperation with the US in Afghanistan (use of France's Djibouti air/naval bases as well as French forces - including the French Foreign Legion - in Kabul)?

Who's being naive here?

Could you please check this video shot in front of the Paris city hall and explain to the Pave community what exactly the first voice we hear - possibly the voice of the mayor of Paris, whoever that is, the AFP thought it was worth keeping - means exactly by the words "we consider there are good or bad hostages"?

Strange how that single voice was mixed as a "header" as if to paint a general picture of the marchers' sentiment. I'm in the business, I can tell you how editing can be extremely effective on the subconscious.

But whoever that moron is, I will agree with you that it is a stupid thing to say.

M. Zx,

Here are some French folk commenting on their unexpected vulnerability:

According to Catherine Nayl, deputy news editor at TF1, being French no longer protects journalists, who have increasingly become "pawns" in a conflict devoid of any rules.

"Until three or four months ago, our journalists still felt relatively safe, being French," Nayl said. "But a French passport doesn't protect you anymore."

At France 3, Ulysee Gosset, news director, agreed.

"French nationals are not out of harm's way," Gosset told the French radio station Europe 1 on Friday. "...and all Westerners, including journalists, are now potential targets."

France's relative popularity among Muslim populations, its long-standing sympathy for the Palestinian cause and its far-reaching access in the region, from Hezbollah to most governments in North Africa and the Middle East, have left it just as vulnerable as everybody else, observers now say. In a communiqué 10 days ago, the kidnappers call France "the enemy of the Muslims."

Then there is this (Reuters):

The kidnappings have stunned France, which led opposition to the U.S.-led war, objected to pre-war sanctions against Iraq and has no troops there. They were also a shock to a country which prides itself on its relations with the Arab world.

And this (AFP):

The kidnapping has stunned France, which was one of the fiercest opponents of the US-led war on Iraq and has resolved not to send any troops to the country, even as peacekeepers.

And this:

The shock is the greater because France's hostility to the war in Iraq was widely seen as giving it a measure of protection. With the Arab and Islamic worlds also unanimous in condemning the kidnapping, there was hope that the growing moral pressure could influence the hostage-takers to show a clemency that has been rarely extended to other nationals.

[Emphases added.]

Let's see, the media (French included) reporting on interviews with French nationals characterizes the general sentiment as "shock", France's "special" relationships with renegade and government Islamites and her opposition to the liberation of Iraq is referenced time and again, and nationals look back nostalgically to a mere three months ago when France was snug from the Islamite bogey. Hhmmm, nothing there supports your France-has-no-illusions fairy tale or your France-first-in-the-terror-war-vanguard romance. But of course all these news sources and French nationals are wrong. Everyone is wrong but you, M. Zx.

The terrorists' only demand was the revocation on the headscarf ban, or else. ... Who's being naive here?
Posted by zoomerx at September 26, 2004 08:15 PM

[Emphasis in original.]

Oh, except for these demands:

...the ultimatum from the Islamic Army in Iraq also included demands that any western government would find difficult, if not impossible, to meet. The statement, posted on the internet and purporting to come from the kidnappers' "higher command", called for acceptance of a truce with Osama bin Laden and guarantees "not to engage militarily and commercially" in Iraq.

Since you pose the question, I will answer it: You, M. Zx, are being naïf. Or vain. Or stubbornly ignorant. We really can't say. As far as we can tell, in contrast to the reports from France, the only brave bold French attitude you cite is the one smiling back from your shaving mirror.

Perhaps you might want to frame your future positions with some of that nuance that the French so love in Mr. Kerry. Or do some homework first.

DGB

I am thankful that the two Italian aid workers were released and returned to Rome. All the best to you and may you live long lives. Tell your grandchildren of your tale.

Tell your grandchildren of your tale.

(And the million dollar ransom).

Ransom?

You haven't read the news? It's widely speculated Italy paid a ransom. Berculscioni is already hanging by a thread.

I saw at least half a dozen stories on the release (only really read the first two though), and that was the only one that mentioned a ransom, thanks.