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The King of Saudi Arabia has offered to build the world's largest football stadium in Baghdad, Iraq, for free:
[According] to Arabnews.com, that is precisely what has happened to the Iraq football association, who this week, following their recent 4-1 friendly win over Saudi Arabia, have been afforded the opportunity to house a 135,000-seater stadium within Baghdad after King Salman offered to foot the bill.
"I have received a phone call from the King of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdul Aziz", Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said.
"He hailed Iraqi's victory (in the friendly match between the two sides last week) and expressed his preparedness and commitment to expanding positive relations between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at different levels - economical, commercial, communal, cultural - at all levels that are of interest for the two countries.
"He also offered Saudi Arabia's contribution to build a main stadium in Iraq that accommodates 100,000 people. We have welcomed the initiative and it was proposed today to the Cabinet."
Also at Reuters.
(Score: 2) by moondrake on Tuesday March 13 2018, @12:06PM (6 children)
idiots?
You do not really believe they are doing it for free are you?
The house of Saud is constantly meddling in the affairs of Arabian countries, and trying to win influence against their Shia (Iran) rivals.
It's politics, not relief.
(Score: 1) by petecox on Tuesday March 13 2018, @12:27PM
Then, instead of wars, couldn't they just play a winner-takes-all soccer game?
It worked for europe.
(Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Tuesday March 13 2018, @01:12PM (1 child)
The point isn't free. The point is why a fucking football stadium and not something more useful like shelter or infrastructure?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by PinkyGigglebrain on Tuesday March 13 2018, @10:55PM
Those in power don't give a fuck about shelter for the commoners or infrastructure beyond what they want to use. What they do care about is all the money they and their cronies will get by way of construction contracts and "donations" that of course have absolutely nothing to do with getting the building permits or seizing the needed land from the original owners without fair compensation.
"Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Grishnakh on Tuesday March 13 2018, @03:59PM (2 children)
The house of Saud is constantly meddling in the affairs of Arabian countries, and trying to win influence against their Shia (Iran) rivals.
It's politics, not relief.
Well, ok, but then wouldn't they get more influence and favor by doing things to help all the displaced and needy people of Iraq, so that they want to be buddies with Saudi Arabia and not the Iranians? Remember, Iraq is a democratic republic now, and those people can vote. If they're all happy about Saudi Arabia building them homes, they're much more likely to vote for the Saudi-backed candidates next election.
(Score: 2) by moondrake on Monday March 19 2018, @11:41AM (1 child)
late reply but:
people with money don't care about shelters. Do care about big events where they can be invited, show their importance blabla.
People with money own the election.
Dead people do not vote.
(Score: 2) by Grishnakh on Monday March 19 2018, @02:18PM
As far as I know, Iraq does not have a poll tax, and everyone can vote. I clearly remember photos of the elections after Saddam was removed by the US, and people there were clearly not rich. Similarly, the US is full of people who are definitely not rich, and who vote. True, their choices are constrained by moneyed people who control the candidates and ballots to a certain extent, but in Iraq, where there is much sectarianism, there are certainly candidates the Saudis like, and candidates that they don't like.