Saudi Arabia: Is reform on the way?

Some think the Riyadh attacks were a wake up call for the Saudi's

In a Hardtalk interview on July 30, Tim Sebastian talks to Jamal Khashoggi, adviser to Saudi Arabia's ambassador in London. They discuss the damage done to his country's reputation after the attacks on May 12.

Click here to watch the full interview

Last month the Saudi royal family launched a media blitz in the United States in an effort to improve its image abroad.

But has it all been just lip service? Tim Sebastian meets Jamal Khashoggi, former editor of the reformist "al-Watan" newspaper who was sacked for criticising the religious establishment when it failed to speak out against the perpetrators of May's bombings in Riyadh.

...what happened in Riyadh (on May 12th) is our 9/11 and has changed Saudi Arabia

Jamal Khashoggi

But far from being excommunicated, he is now working as an advisor to the Saudi ambassador in London.

Empty promises?

Tim puts it to him that when it comes to reform in Saudi Arabia there is plenty of talk but very little action - the clerics hold the royal family to ransom and ageing leaders have little desire to concede power.

Mr Khashoggi replies that when Saudi Arabia joins the World Trade Organisation later this year, it will be a defining moment in the Kingdom's development.

Will joining the WTO encourage change in Saudi Arabia?

He argues that, "...we are going to join the WTO. And in order to do that many things will follow on. For example when we are part of the WTO we will have to reshape, to restructure our judicial system. Saudi Arabia will change within a year or two."

Tim suggests this is just an excuse for procrastination and in reality there is nothing stopping the ruling class from making essential reforms now.

Jamal Khashoggi disagrees, the Riyadh bombings have been a wake up call for the Saudis.

He says, "It was a major terrorist act. It received the attention of the King, the Crown Prince, everybody's talking about it. It is our 9/11. Just as 9/11 changed the American mentality - what happened in Riyadh (on May 12th) is our 9/11 and has changed Saudi Arabia."

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