Prince Bandar resigns ambassadorship to USA

[GreenPartyVoter]

WASHINGTON - Saudi Arabia's U.S. ambassador, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, is resigning for what the Saudi foreign ministry said Wednesday were "private reasons."
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Bandar, whose father, Prince Sultan, is the Saudi defense minister, has been in the post for 22 years and is considered the dean of Washington's diplomatic corps. As ambassador from the world's largest oil-producing nation, Bandar has enjoyed considerable White House access and influence in Washington circles.

He worked hard at maintaining strong ties between the United States and the conservative oil-rich monarchy. Since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, however, the Saudis have come under pressure to counter terrorists more aggressively and to block any financial support going to militant groups from within Saudi Arabia.

Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were Saudis. That, and reports that some of his and his wife's charitable contributions may have ended up in the hands of two Saudis believed to have close ties to the hijackers, contributed to tensions with Washington.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050720/ap_on_re_mi_ea/saudi_us_ambassador

[ET Awful]

1. Notice they conveniently avoid referring to him by his affectionate

nickname "Bandar Bush."

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. What a surprise. Why do you think he is really bailing?

[mmonk]

3. The investigation must be

getting hotter.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. This is Bandar's plane ticket outta the USA , sept 12th-style

[mmonk]

6. my thoughts as well

[Allenberg]

4. Good riddance.

[Ezlivin]

7. He wants to be safely ensconced in his European mansion when Peak Oil hits

Every one of the Saudi princes have homes throughout Europe. When the storm known as Peak Oil hits, the Saudi royalty will have a "port during the storm."

[AllegroRondo]

8. Was he offered a seat on the board of Haliburton?

[flyarm]

9. THIS WAS ANNOUNCED ALMOST 2 WEEKS AGO AND

its just making yahoo???

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. Apparently

:shrug: