In Ill-Timed Brief, Saudi Arabia Seeks to Protect Its Consulates

Serving papers to (sometimes elusive) individuals is one thing but serving papers to a country through their embassy should be the legally correct way to do it. Seems ludicrous to have to physically go to that country, wait stealthily somewhere to ambush one of their ministers so that you could stick the paper in his hand and say you've been served... maybe Tom Cruise could do it but the average Joe would get into a lot of trouble just trying it.

What a ludicrous argument by our and the Saudi governments. Mail does not enter a consulate or embassy unless the recipient brings it in. It is deposited at their "doorstep" (mailbox), for them to accept or reject, even when that mail requires signature of acceptance. The second premise by Saudi Arabia that mail must be placed in a diplomatic pouch, simply because it was received, is also ludicrous! So Saudi Arabia's premise that mail sent to their embassies/consulates are acts that reduce their sovereignty or inviolatability is simply absurd. The United States' similar premise is self-serving while undermining its citizens and soldiers. Such a stance hurts veterans who literally died and were seriously hurt by a foreign nation, in the line of duty. This allying with Saudi Arabia appears to be another would Trumpian move - why would Trump allow this? Of course - because money is involved! At stake is Kuchner's 666 Park Ave bailout by the Saudis, and millions in hotel fees and gifts by the Saudis to Trump's businesses. However, with an unfit "Brad O'Kavanaugh" now on the Supreme Court, no telling what foolish arguments will be permitted, in the name of Trumpian greed.

I think the Saudis and Trump are in desperate need of well-placed kicks in their "diplomatic pouches".

Before we feel too self-righteous, one point to remember is that it was the British, applying their principal of indirect imperial rule, who put the Saudi family in control of Arabia in the early 20th century. This British client state, in turn, segued into an American one by the end of WW II and has become what one writer called the "crown jewel " of the American empire, with the US consistently committed to the maintenance of this regime.

Please note that there are important distinctions between embassies and consulates. The latter are not classified as diplomatic missions and are governed by a separate convention - The Geneva Convention on Consular Relations.

The court should have simply dismissed Saudis filling with a stinging reply noting that *they* were not the ones to speak of such topics. Saudi, Sudan or others may not want to cooperate, but that should not come at a blanket US cover. Each time they refuse it should be made public and support or enablement of terrorism should have a cost on that governing body. NYT already cycling out Jamal's case...

How about a sign posted outside Saudi consulates and embassies that reads: "Warning! Leaving the sovereign jurisdiction of the United States and entering the sovereign jurisdiction of Saudi Arabia. Women, children, Lebanese political leaders, American journalists, dissidents, those who drive while female and/or Saudis feared by the Crown Prince and King enter at high risk of vanishing in the Saudi Bermuda Triangle, physical assault by Security Officers of the Crown Prince, inadvertent chokeholds, and dismemberment by bone saw or other designated forensic surgical apparatus. In case of accident or assault resulting in death, the embassy or consulate reserves the right to automatic denial, royal spin and bribing of national leaders as deemed necessary. Disposal of remains will be at the option of Saudi forensic surgeons in attendance by royal jet aircraft. Saudi jihadis please use designated entrances accessible by secret code; non-Saudi jihadis must use informal satellite facilities at nearby Starbucks (purchase required for loitering or toilet use. 15% off on Arabica coffee beans sustainably sourced from Yemeni fields enriched with shrapnel and fumigated with Russian poison gas. ) Saudi nationals must say secret pass code phrase to either question: "What happens in Saudi diplomatic facilities...(hint: Las Vegas) or "At Hotel California, you can...(hint: popular Cali hamburger chain). Executive Summary: Enter at grave risk of death. Have a nice day!

Where is Trump's support of our veterans? Hard to say he's on their side from this information. He's on his OWN side - as long as his actions serve to protect his bank accounts. Trump counts on hoodwinking his supporters into thinking he supports their aspirations. However, it's only his own, personal, goals that he supports. Trump is an amoral, self-serving fascist.

The proponents of law and order do not wish to be subjected to the same laws that they want others to follow.

The Embassies are now routinely used not just for consular purposes (which is the stated reason for its existence) but espionage. The Saudis also use it for extra judicial killings. There may be other countries who use them for renditions and other purposes.

This court case brings another issue to the forefront and that is to define/update the role of embassies in foreign countries. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) needs to be updated. It should allow the home government legal access for criminal prosecutions. Use of Diplomatic immunity by the Diplomatic Passport holders should be limited to their publicly assigned duties. If they commit any criminal infraction in the home country they should automatically lose their Diplomatic Immunity. This would continue to allow our Diplomats to do what they are supposed to do yet stop abuse of the system.

As long as MBS is in power how can the Trump Administration support the Saudi brief unless they did get a favor from the Saudis as it is their MO in dealing with so called friends.

The US government is far more concerned about protecting itself from foreign claims than in protecting our citizens from injury at the hands of foreign governments. This is not limited to the current administrative, since prior administrations have refused to submit to the jurisdiction of the ICC, for example. But it’s not surprising that the Trump administration, exemplified by people like John Bolton as well as the president himself, will never allow the USA to be submitted to international claims, although it is very happy to pursue claims against foreign governments in those same forums.