THE FULL FORCE OF SAUDI LAW

Late last month, the Saudi authorities exacted the maximum punishment on 16 Kuwaitis convicted of planting bombs during the pilgrimage to Makkah last July. The public beheadings would have attracted attention even in the absence of protests from Amnesty International about alleged torture and detention without trial of Kuwaiti pilgrims. The action clearly demonstrated the kingdom's determination to stand firm in the face of what it sees as continuing Iranian inspired provocation.