King Abdullah awarded Mr Bush the Saudi Order of Merit
We all know now what the 'Iranian Speed Boat' farce is about. It's 'staged' justification for Bush's latest PEACE initative:
US to Sell Precision-Guided Bombs to Saudi Arabia (click title to entry, thank you)
By David Gollust State Department14 January 2008
The Bush administration officially notified Congress Monday of its intention to sell sophisticated precision-guided bombs to Saudi Arabia. The action, coinciding with President Bush's visit to Saudi Arabia, is part of a broader U.S. effort to bolster Gulf allies in the face of a more assertive Iran. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.
The Bush administration has already briefed Congress on its arms sales plans for Saudi Arabia. Monday's announcement sets in motion a 30-day period in which the House and Senate can block the plan with a joint resolution - action that appears highly unlikely....
Of course, kissing up the Saudi King is all worth it since Bush is allowed to take an activist stand for the ONLY time in his life grandstanding to oil prices. The most interesting aspect of the Bush visit to Saudi Arabia is not his promise to promote war, but, the assistance of the French President.
Sarkozy in Gulf to Sign Nuclear Deal, Boost Contracts (Update1) (click here)
By Helene Fouquet
Jan. 14 (Bloomberg) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy began a three-day Middle East visit to push energy and defense contracts and discuss regional political matters, including Iran, Lebanon and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Sarkozy's trip began yesterday in Saudi Arabia and will continue in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates tomorrow. After signing accords on oil, natural gas and education in Saudi Arabia and discussing 39.5 billion euros ($59 billion) worth of contracts, France is set to sign a civil nuclear energy agreement in Abu Dhabi under which Areva SA, Suez SA and Total SA may build two nuclear plants by 2025.
Sarkozy, whose visit coincides with President George W. Bush's week-long trip to the region, said France could do ``much better'' at gaining a bigger market share in the Middle East where it lags behind countries including the U.S., China and Germany. In a bid to boost business and bilateral relations, France offered to supply civil nuclear energy to Arab and Muslim countries. In addition to the Abu Dhabi nuclear accord, France has raised the prospect of a similar deal with Saudi Arabia....
Since Bush's indulgence of Indian sales of nuclear technology didn't go well, the option of allowing France to deal the technology at least kept Bush clear of any criticism at home. Orders of Merit indeed. Now I ask you, as the other Sunni nations of the Middle East seek nuclear capacity, does anyone believe Iran will stop it's initiatives? No ! Why is it I much rather France under the leadership of far more passive influence? Hm?
