| Perhaps there's a reason why 'Bamer wants an Islamic summit and an immediate withdrawal from Iraq ... |
| In the distance I hear a cackle ... |
The Times has, however, discovered state documents in Illinois recording that Fintrade Services, a Panamanian company, lent money to Mr ObamaÂ’s fundraiser in May 2005. FintradeÂ’s directors include Ibtisam Auchi, the name of Mr AuchiÂ’s wife. Mr AuchiÂ’s spokespeople declined to respond to a question about whether he was linked to this business.
Mr Rezko, to be tried for corruption this month, had his bail revoked on Monday after he disobeyed a court’s instructions to keep it informed of changes to his finances. Prosecutors feared that he could try to flee abroad. The property developer has been condemned by Hillary Clinton as a “slum landlord”.
| She had a chance to call him that to his face; wonder if she ever did ... |
| "No, no, certainly not!" |
Mr Auchi has attracted attention at Westminster because of his closeness to politicians and the Establishment. He says that his brother was executed by Saddam HusseinÂ’s regime. His business partners in Britain have included Lord Steel of Aikwood, the former Liberal leader, and Keith Vaz, the Labour MP and Home Affairs Committee chairman.
On the 20th anniversary of his business in 1999, Mr Auchi received a greeting card signed by 130 politicians, including Tony Blair, William Hague and Charles Kennedy, who were then leaders of their respective parties.
Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat MP, went on to table parliamentary questions asking why the Blair Government appeared slow to respond to a French extradition request. Mr Lamb said last night: “It’s a matter of public interest to understand why the payments were made. This deserves thorough investigation.”
Mr Auchi founded GMH in 1979, a year before he left Iraq. He says that he did business with his native country when it was considered a friend of the West but ceased to trade with SaddamÂ’s regime once sanctions were imposed after the invasion of Kuwait.
US prosecution documents recall Mr Auchi’s suspended jail sentence and €2 million fine for corruption in France five years ago. Defence lawyers said that Mr Auchi lent the $3.5 million for legal and family expenses. Most of the money had gone directly to law firms and there had been no attempt to flee. “While the Government attempts to besmirch Mr Auchi’s character,” they said, “he is one of Britain’s wealthiest men, has been a guest at the White House and met with two of the last three presidents, was Co-Chair of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, is President of the Anglo-Arab Organisation, and has received numerous awards and honorary positions from heads of state, including Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul II, and King Abdullah II of Jordan.”
| He flosses, too. |
| How could anyone be unwitting in any dealing with Elf? |