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Arab Americans Condemn Killing of Paul Johnson

Posted on Friday June 18, 2004

Washington- The beheading of Paul Johnson is a depraved act of butchery. It has sickened and horrified us. Our hearts go out to the Johnson family, who have suffered so much. Like so many other Americans who have lived and worked in Saudi Arabia, Paul Johnson was doing his best to support his family, working in partnership with Saudis who respected his skill and his contribution to building their country. He came to appreciate Saudi Arabia, its people, and the religion of Islam.

Those who captured, held, and killed Paul Johnson in this most gruesome manner, are guilty of a horrible crime. They, like the murderers of Nicholas Berg and the bombers and murderers of innocent expatriates working in the Middle East, are guilty of murder, racism, and degrading the religion, culture and history of the Arab people. These criminals must be apprehended and punished.

The United States and Saudi Arabia have worked together for more than two generations to build a mutually beneficial partnership. Now it is incumbent on both countries to join forces to root out these murderers who threaten us all and who have already brought so much death and suffering to so many.