Our “friend” Saudi Arabia

Most of us are not fully aware of the influence of foreign governments on US public policy. This is done by foreign governments willing to pay “foreign registered agents” or lobbyists located in Washington who are able to reach the desired goals easily. Foreign interests are quite able to buy influence in D.C. They use retired ubiquitous “Generals for sale “ and ex-Congressmen now lobbyists who know their way around Washington and are able to buy a dozen more Congressman still in office. The problem arises when the objectives of the foreign governments are in direct conflict with our nation’s objectives. Thus we end up high jacked.

We have a good example in the 9/11 tragedy. It is a fact that two of the hijackers were supported by Saudi government agents and a Congressional investigation into that link was blocked by the Bush administration and the FBI. It became clear that a foreign government aided the attack in our country resulting in the death of 3000 lives. 27 pages of the Congressional inquiry detailing the connection between a foreign government and the hijackers were entirely censored (blacked out). It became obvious that the perpetrators were supported by the Saudi government, a supposed friend of America. The Saudi embassy was the channel that led directly to the Saudi Royal family. The President’s refusal to allow public disclosure of this duplicity was an indication that his loyalty was stronger toward the Saudis than the safety of the US.

President Bush is not interested in protecting American national security but rather in protecting an American ally. Saudi Arabia is a very, very special ally because they provide us with oil at a discount. In return we provide them with weaponry to the tune of 36.9 billion since 1990 through the Pentagon sales program and another 394 million through the State Dept. And the sellers are Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman and Boeing.

Another area in which the Saudis are involved is the “nuclear black market”.They have in their possession “the longest-range ballistic missiles” of any third world country. They have also approved Pakistan’s nuclear program and contributed billions to Iraq’s program in the 80’s.

A private equity firm known as the Carlyle Group that invests heavily in defense companies is also one of the largest defense contractors tied to the Saudi Royal family to the tune of 14 billion between 1998 and 2003. James Baker, former Secty of State under Bush I, is the head attorney for the Carlyle Group and his connections in the Pentagon and Congress produces huge profits for Carlyle. Incidentally the Bush family is also closely tied financially to Carlyle.

The Saudis pour huge amounts of money into the lobbyists firms that in turn pay highly placed governnment officials as well as members of Congress to support military contracts provided by the defense industry. On top of that Boeing, Lockheed and Northrup pay millions to lobby Congressmen and political action committees to support military contracts on the defense industry’s wish list.

Do you think for one second any Democratic Congress or President would be able to severe these entrenched ties? The Military-Industrial Complex may be cast in concrete. Let’s hope it is watered down concrete.


References:

Graham, Bob. Intelligence Matters. 2008
Edmonds, Sibel. Wikipedia