Expats blame Saudi massacre on lax security

KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia – Grief gave way to anger yesterday as many foreigners in the Saudi city of Khobar said the weekend massacre by suspected al Qaeda militants could have been averted if security had been tighter.

“My reaction on Saturday morning was shock. On Sunday morning it was grief and on Monday morning it was anger because some of this could have been prevented,” said a senior American executive who declined to be named.”This was a tragic event.I lost some friends.These killers were incited and they are murderers and cowards,” he said, adding that at least four companies had ordered the evacuation of their employees’ dependants.Four militants killed 22 people, mainly Westerners and Asians, in a shooting and hostage-taking spree on Saturday and Sunday that targeted foreign oil firms and housing compounds.Three of the men escaped a massive security sweep, raising fears of further attacks in the world’s largest oil exporter.Many foreigners directed their rage at security and compound officials who had failed to improve security.They said security forces arrived too late to limit the bloodbath.”What can expats do more than we’re doing?” asked Robert, an American oil company employee.”We can’t add anything more to our security.Our security is in the hands of our companies.We all live in compounds and look at what happened.”Many foreigners were especially worried about the safety of their families and had sent them home earlier than usual for the summer vacation.”We’ve been asking everyone to harden their security.The two places that were attacked had increased security checks for cars entering the complexes but not on people walking in,” the US businessman explained.The interior ministry said the gunmen had walked into the headquarters of the oil firms.Foreigners form the bulk of the workforce in Saudi Arabia’s oil-producing Eastern region.Most enjoy affluent lifestyles in a region of the ultra-conservative kingdom where Saudis are traditionally more accommodating of their customs.But many said their peace of mind vanished overnight after the Khobar assault, and that they were avoiding hotels, restaurants and other places frequented by Westerners.”We’re not in Kansas any more, life has changed,” Robert said.”You need to be street smart.I don’t feel safe any more.”Generous salaries and luxury amenities make jobs in Saudi Arabia extremely attractive but the 25-hour drama has prompted many foreigners to consider sending wives and children home.Members of the Asian community were the worst hit in the attack – eight Indians, three Filipinos and two Sri Lankans were among the 22 killed.But many said they could not afford to go back to their poverty-stricken home countries and soaring unemployment.- Nampa-ReutersOn Sunday morning it was grief and on Monday morning it was anger because some of this could have been prevented,” said a senior American executive who declined to be named.”This was a tragic event.I lost some friends.These killers were incited and they are murderers and cowards,” he said, adding that at least four companies had ordered the evacuation of their employees’ dependants.Four militants killed 22 people, mainly Westerners and Asians, in a shooting and hostage-taking spree on Saturday and Sunday that targeted foreign oil firms and housing compounds.Three of the men escaped a massive security sweep, raising fears of further attacks in the world’s largest oil exporter.Many foreigners directed their rage at security and compound officials who had failed to improve security.They said security forces arrived too late to limit the bloodbath.”What can expats do more than we’re doing?” asked Robert, an American oil company employee.”We can’t add anything more to our security.Our security is in the hands of our companies.We all live in compounds and look at what happened.”Many foreigners were especially worried about the safety of their families and had sent them home earlier than usual for the summer vacation.”We’ve been asking everyone to harden their security.The two places that were attacked had increased security checks for cars entering the complexes but not on people walking in,” the US businessman explained.The interior ministry said the gunmen had walked into the headquarters of the oil firms.Foreigners form the bulk of the workforce in Saudi Arabia’s oil-producing Eastern region.Most enjoy affluent lifestyles in a region of the ultra-conservative kingdom where Saudis are traditionally more accommodating of their customs.But many said their peace of mind vanished overnight after the Khobar assault, and that they were avoiding hotels, restaurants and other places frequented by Westerners.”We’re not in Kansas any more, life has changed,” Robert said.”You need to be street smart.I don’t feel safe any more.”Generous salaries and luxury amenities make jobs in Saudi Arabia extremely attractive but the 25-hour drama has prompted many foreigners to consider sending wives and children home.Members of the Asian community were the worst hit in the attack – eight Indians, three Filipinos and two Sri Lankans were among the 22 killed.But many said they could not afford to go back to their poverty-stricken home countries and soaring unemployment.- Nampa-Reuters