Terence Hunt, The Huffington Post, January 14, 2008
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – President Bush delivered a sophisticated weapons sale for Saudi Arabia on Monday, trying to bolster defenses against threats from U.S. adversary Iran and muster support in this oil-rich kingdom for a long-stalled Mideast peace agreement.
On a surprisingly cold day with blustery winds, Bush received a warm embrace from King Abdullah, whose family wields almost absolute rule. Among ordinary Saudis and across much of the Mideast, Bush is unpopular, particularly because of the Iraq war and unflinching U.S. support for Israel.
Bush and Abdullah were going to some lengths over two days to emphasize their strong personal ties.
Saudi Arabia holds the world’s largest oil reserves and surging fuel costs are putting a major strain on the troubled U.S. economy. But White House officials said it was unclear if Bush raised the subject with the king. The issue has come up in earlier stops on Bush’s eight-day trip, largely in the context of his quest for alternate fuels and sources of energy, the officials said.
White House counselor Ed Gillespie said Mideast leaders have “talked about the nature of the market and the vast demand that’s on the world market today for oil.” He said that was “a legitimate and accurate point.”
A relative of a close friend of mine works for the Saudi royal family whenever they come to the US — he’s kind of like an all-purpose concierge for them. He said they are spoiled rotten and massive hypocrites, routinely doing the kinds of things while ‘on vacation’ that would get them stoned or beaten back at home.
They also ridicule the ‘cattle’ — the Saudi poor they rule over and make miserable — with voices dripping with contempt.
No wonder Bush gets along so well with the Saudi royals — he’s just like them.
Comment by RS Janes — January 14, 2008 @ 6:55 pm