While the rest of the world is still horrified by the UN's decision to appoint Saudi Arabia as the head [or perhaps "behead"?] of the UN Human Rights Council panel, the White House is most certainly not.
The great Matt Lee of AP questioned US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner during a briefing on Wednesday afternoon to find out the official stance of the US government.
Question: Well, how about a reaction to them heading the council?
Mark Toner: Again, I don't have any comment, don't have any reaction to it. I mean, frankly, it's — we would welcome it. We're close allies.
Question: … I'm just wondering if you — that it's appropriate for them to have a leadership position.
Mark Toner: I mean, we have an ongoing discussion with them about all these human rights issues, like we do with every country. We make our concerns clear when we do have concerns, but that dialogue continues. But I don't have anything to point to in terms of progress.
If one had to choose a single government that had policies closest in line with ISIL, it would be Saudi Arabia. Just like ISIL, the government of Saudi Arabia openly admits that they're a Wahhabi regime, the most ultraconservative theocratic branch of Islam.
The fact that the US government officially "welcomed" the appointment of Saudi Arabia speaks for itself. Nothing much can be said about this, but one thing is clear — the United States continues to apply double-standards and trample basic human rights when it benefits its geopolitical interests.
