WP: Royal Intrigue, Unpaid Bills Preceded Saudi Ambassador's Exit

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/22/AR2006122201474.html

For more than a year, Saudi Arabia's ambassador journeyed to college campuses, chambers of commerce, town halls and world affairs councils across the United States in an ambitious campaign to improve his country's image.

But Prince Turki al-Faisal's goodwill tour, instead, produced millions of dollars in unpaid bills -- and a tale of murky intrigue in the enigmatic desert kingdom.

The debts by one of the world's wealthiest countries -- owed to the very lobbyists, advisers and event organizers hired to promote the kingdom -- have left a trail that weaves together bitter princely rivalries, diplomatic subterfuge and a policy clash over one of the thorniest issues of the day: what to do about Iran.

The Saudi Embassy would not comment on the kingdom's payments, personnel or internal policymaking.

But the woes within the royal family reflect a tug of war over how to handle foreign policy. Eighteen months ago, Prince Bandar bin Sultan ended a legendary 22-year career as the face of Saudi Arabia in the United States. Word at the time was that he was bored, preferring his palatial Aspen, Colo., lodge to Washington. As it turns out, however, Bandar has secretly visited Washington almost monthly over the past year -- and is at least as pivotal today in influencing U.S. policy as he was in his years as ambassador.

Read the entire story - Bandar has been sneaking in to DC to consult with Cheney and Hadley and not telling Turki.

[lovuian]

1. Sounds like the House of Saud is in a PANIC and DISARRAY

Bandar knows who is in charge and its Cheney

[Wilms]

2. .

[anotherdrew]

4. yeah, that's it right there. That should be a 24x7 TV ad attacking these tyrants

to hell with the house of saud

[w4rma]

3. Bandar Bush. This article is incomplete without a reference to Bush's nickname for him. (nt)

[JNelson6563]

5. The House of Saud teeters on the precipice

Big trouble a'brewing in SA. Big trouble indeed!

Julie

[formercia]

6. They don't call him Bandar Bush for nothing

He and bush gang have been involved it covert operations since the early 80's and probably before. I know from first-hand experience having worked on them.

Bandar is always trying to prove himself due to his being an illegitimate son.

[ArmchairMeme]

7. Connections with Saudi Arabia

It was Cheney that Abdullah summoned not Bush.

It was Baker who was legal representation for Saudi Arabia in the suit brought by the 9/11 victims.

I cannot forget that a large number of the "hijackers" on 9/11 were supposedly from Saudi Arabia.

That Al Faisal wants U.S. to talk to Iran but, Bandar does not want talks to happen.

ISG wants talks to happen with Iran and Syria.

I am thinking I need some type of graphic display of the connections and there are probably many more that are hidden from view.

[legin]

8. A sort of start

I sort of got this war being between nine 'teams'.

1. Al Quieda, and the Arab opposition(Iran, Syria etc.)
2. The u.s. right-wing
3. Israel
4. The stooge Arab governments (Saudi Arabia, Jordan etc)
5. the Goons (u.s./british armies, intelligence personel, contractors etc.)
6. The Sheeple
7. Rest of the world (France, Russia)
8. The Arab street
9. The left wing (us)

[elehhhhna]

9. face it: Saudi controls the Office of the President

http://users.gazinter.net/melan/Warn/img/!cid_image017.gif

[KoKo]

10. Interesting Article.....but reading it ....one wonders what's been left out

that the reporters like Robin Wright (who has Big Connections) were constrained from saying. :eyes:

Perhaps going over to Juan Cole's Blog...might give a little perspective and after that going to Steve Clemmon's Blog might give more between the three? :shrug: