The British media are running with several stories about Pr. Bandar, former Saudi ambassador to the US, and his possible role in the 1984 BAE arms deal between the UK and Saudi Arabia.
The Guardian has two stories. The first covers the general history of the Al-Yamamah arms deal as well as a quick gloss of Pr. Bandar’s career.
Friend of the world’s leaders: man at the centre of arms deal
This piece covers the allegations that Pr. Bandar profited from the arms deal with Britain. It reviews the investigation into the arms deal and has some rebuttal from BAE arguing that the contract covered various payments that are unfairly being characterized as ‘illegal’.
Financial Times offers up this piece, based largely on the Guardian report on one broadcast by the BBC in its ‘Panorama’ series.
The BBC has a video clip of PM Blair defending the decision to drop the government’s probe into the deal. He does not mention Pr. Bandar in his remarks at the G8 Summit.
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June:07:2007 - 08:35
One billion pounds? Do you realise how much money that is? I guess that is why Prince Bandar is known as “Mr. 20%” because of the portions of money he skims off contracts.
One billion pounds? Lets keep this in perspective. My father in law worked for Prince Bandar here at the Embassy for over 20 years. His brother in law, a B. General in the Saudi Air Force, taught Prince Bandar how to fly.
When my father in law passed away after some 40 years in service to the Saudi government the only thing his family got from Prince Bandar was a phone call. When the pension to his widow and three daughters was cut in half and she asked for help, she didnt get a thing, not a phone call, nothing. When she asked how she was going to make it she was simply told “go back to Saudi.”
So Prince Bandar takes 1 BILLION pounds, which at today’s exchange rates equals 2 BILLION dollars, but he refuses to help the widow of a man whom he worked with for over 20 years, a man and woman whom he had over at his house on many occasions, and girls who played with his own daughters.
Wow, that speaks volumes about this guy. Keep in mind this is 2 billion dollars just from the Brits, it doesnt mention anything about his government stipend nor the massive amounts of money he got from other companies.
This man literally got BILLIONS, yet had no issue letting the widow of a long time employee and associate struggle.
What a man.
When I know the terrible way my wife’s own family was treated, I know the rage of the poor Saudis. When you see this corruption, a man taking billions whilst his countrymen and women starve, you know the rage. You also see why the country will NEVER be free as long as these types are in power.
June:07:2007 - 08:35
“so what? We did not invent corruption” … Pr. Bandar
True, but you gotta hand it to him for the great ingenuity of refining it into an advanced science. Bravo…