Arab News carries this story about how some residential compound owners are finding it a good deal to evict their Western residents. The evictions, the article states, are illegal and are apparently based on an official document that everyone has heard of, but no one has actually seen. Landlords cite both economic costs and social inconveniences occasioned by enhanced security requirements to protect Westerners who have been selectively targeted by terrorists.

There’s no question that security costs money—taller walls, concertina wire, guard booths, gates, etc. all add up. There’s no doubt, either, that higher levels of security lead to inconveniences, too—waiting in line to have your vehicle scanned, having to identify yourself just to get home, having all your guests identify themselves, etc. Add in the fact that more security means more scrutiny of your behavior, too.

But as the Interior Ministry’s spokesman makes clear, the level of security demanded by the Ministry applies to all residential compounds, not just those housing Westerners.

It will be interesting to see what the Ministry of Interior does about this. Do read the whole article.

Compound Owners in Jeddah Cite False Claims to Evict Westerners
Samir Al-Saadi, Arab News

JEDDAH, 22 April 2008 — Some residential compounds in Jeddah are ordering North American and European nationals to leave, citing false information they claim has come from the Interior Ministry.

“All Americans and Europeans nationalities less than 10 persons should be transfer (sic) to another compound which have power full (sic) security,” says one eviction notice from a Jeddah compound, acquired on condition that the newspaper withhold the name of the compound. The notice says the order came from the Interior Ministry.

But Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, the Interior Ministry’s spokesperson, vehemently denied there was a 10-person rule as described in the eviction notice obtained by Arab News.

“Residential compounds for foreigners, similar to any terrorist-targeted areas, are subjected to precautionary security measures to protect their residents,” said Al-Turki.

“The Interior Ministry is keen on prevailing to evaluate and develop its security procedures in combating terrorism and crime. Therefore, it issued reconfirmations (sent to compound administrations) on the importance of continuing the implementation of precautionary security measures and procedures — with no exceptions.”
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