After only 15 months on the job, the U.S. Ambassador from Saudi Arabia abruptly resigned. It appears only one of us has the wisdom to quit trying being heard by the Bush administration. Prince Turki Al-Faisal said it was to spend more time with his family, but might there be another reason?
The Bush administration ignored Mr. Turki’s advice repeatedly in his short term in office. They blew off his encouragement to talk with the democratically elected government of the Palestinian Territories. Later the Bush administration sat on their hands while Israel pummeled their democratic neighbor to the north, Lebanon. The Saudi’s called repeatedly for an immediate cease fire to no apparent avail.
Mr. Turki called for a comprehensive approach to Middle East peace prior to his departure December 12th. Did it have anything to do with the passage of the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 just agreed to by the House and Senate? The act expressly prohibits any communication with or funding for democratically elected Hamas leaders. Funny the U.S. didn’t cut off funding for the whole state of Louisiana when a terrorist organization head served, David Duke of the Ku Klux Klan.
Is Mr. Turki Al-Faisal sick of the U.S. pretending to be an honest power broker in the region when it is clearly on one side? With 90 cosponsors in the Senate and 295 early supporters in the House, American support for our 51st state is clear.
As a frequent letter writer to the President on a wide range of issues, I know what its like to be ignored. With over 1,700 letters in 18 months, the White House sent 4 replies. I too have remaining unanswered questions. For example, why did Carlyle Group affiliate LifeCare Hospitals get not one mention in the President’s Hurricane Katrina Lessons Learned Report despite having the highest patient death total?
Mr. Turki Al-Faisal, I understand your desire to spend time with your family as trying to influence this ship of fools is truly tedious business. Might it be more comfortable spending time in Saudi Arabia vs. the United States when the attack on Iranian nuclear facilities occurs? Did anyone else notice Saudi & friends recent plans to develop a peaceful nuclear capability? The Bush administration has been rather quiet on that front.
Will someone grab a lantern and go in search of an honest power broker as the region desperately needs one?
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