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Saudi Envoy Slams Iraq War Opponents
Countries that opposed the U.S. decision to invade Iraq have no right to protest U.S. initiatives restricting reconstruction contracts to allies, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the United States, said Friday."Git yer chicken-pickinâ finger offân that-there loot. Thatâs MY loot!" Bandar said he thought it was Heâs a diplomat and he's amazed? He said even more dangerous than terrorists themselves are those who say they condemn terrorism but donât actively fight it. Bandar repeatedly praised Bushâs decisions to fight terrorism, invade Iraq and send troops to Afghanistan to oust the Taliban. "We just came to the realization that the French are pigs, too!" ``We should be grateful for what the United States has done to get rid of those two evils, the Taliban and Saddam,ââ Bandar said, generating applause from hundreds in attendance of a luncheon co-sponsored by the Bilateral/U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce. Bandarâs always known how to warm up a crowd. Bandar kept his comments about terrorism to a minimum despite recent terror attacks in Saudi Arabia and warnings of more to come. ``That fight has been imposed on us,ââ Bandar said. ``None of us asked for it.ââ "And so I shall stop talking about it." Saudi Arabia has spent more than $17 million on public relations, advertising and lobbying in the United States since the Sept. 11 attacks, according to Justice Department records. Television ads have depicted Saudi Arabia as aligned with American interests, and the country has hired Washington lobbying and law firms to advance its case. Not quite as bad as the French hiring Woody Allen and George Plimpton, but bad enough. Bandar has toured the United States in conjunction with the ad campaign to promote Saudi Arabiaâs relationship with America and its commitment against terrorism. ``We are your friends because you have never taken an action that would hurt our people,ââ Bandar said, ... Had to have been a ventriloquist in the crowd, his lips definitely were off by then. ... adding that Saudi Arabia will continue doing its part to ``be Donât stand there, youâre making me nervous! Posted by: Steve White 2003-12-13 |
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