Reply #37: Interesting question

[susu369]

Today's profile on "Bandar Bush":

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4635383.stm

Profile: Prince Bandar
By Matthew Davis
BBC News, Washington

Prince Bandar bin Sultan, Saudi Arabia's long-serving ambassador to the United States, is one of Washington's smoothest diplomats.

A man of extraordinary drive and energy with a colourful lifestyle, the former fighter pilot was once memorably described as an "Arab Gatsby".

--snip--
Outside diplomatic circles he is probably best known for appearing in Fahrenheit 9/11, Michael Moore's award-winning film about the alleged connections between the Bush family and the Bin Ladens.

Two nights after the terror attacks on the United States, President George W Bush invited Prince Bandar over to the White House for a private dinner and a talk, the film claims.

"Bandar is so close to the Bushes they considered him a member of the family. They even have a nickname for him, Bandar Bush," Moore says.

'Plan of Attack'

Prince Bandar's stratospheric connections were also laid out in a recent book on the build-up to the second Iraq war, by the respected Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward.

--snip--
In Plan of Attack, Mr Woodward claims that in January 2003, Prince Bandar was shown essential details of the war plan against Saddam Hussein, even before then Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Prince Bandar casually mentioned the Saudis hoped to increase oil production so as to hold gas prices down. He requested and received a subsequent meeting with the president himself, Woodward says.