Clinton Met with Saudi Royals Till 4 a.m. Saturday

NewsMax.com ^ | April 29, 2002 | Carl Limbacher

[Carl/NewsMax]

After meeting with former president George H.W. Bush Friday afternoon at his Texas presidential library, senior members of the Saudi royal family met separately with ex-president Bill Clinton till 4 o'clock Saturday morning, a former senior Clinton official revealed Sunday.

After broadcasting a taped interview with Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal on ABC's "This Week," Clinton aide-turned-commentator George Stephanopoulos discussed the late-night summit.

"You notice that the prince was a bit hoarse in our interview," Stepanopoulos told fellow "This Week" panelist Sam Donaldson. "That may be because the night before our interview he was up until 4 a.m. in meetings with former President Clinton, whom he calls a close friend."

Hours earlier, Al-Faisal talked about the meeting with Fox News Channel's Rita Cosby, revealing that Saudi head of state Crown Prince Abdullah met with Clinton for three hours - the same amount of time Abdullah spent with ex-President Bush.

"Well, [Bush Sr. and Clinton] are both great friends of the crown prince. He was very happy to meet with them," Al-Faisal told FNC. "They had good long discussions - both extending [to] perhaps three hours of talks. They talked about - of course, serious talk - the situation in the Middle East." (See: Clinton in 3-Hour Mystery Meeting with Saudi Prince Abdullah)

Though published reports indicate that Clinton was in Houston Friday for a fund raiser, details of his sit-down with Abdullah and Al-Faisal, or even the fact that it took place, have gone unreported by other news organizations.

In contrast, Abdullah's meeting with Bush Sr. hours before was widely reported, with most observers acknowledging that the ex-president was acting in an advisory role to his son, the president, who hosted Abdullah and his entourage at his Crawford, Texas, ranch on Thursday.

The Bush White House and Clinton spokesmen have kept the extraordinary Clinton-Abdullah meeting shrouded in secrecy, with even local Texas media unaware it took place.

When asked whether the Bush administration had been informed in advance of the Clinton-Saudi sit-down, the White House press office referred NewsMax.com's inquiry to the National Security Council press office, which it said was handling questions about the encounter.

Two separate calls to the NSC press office seeking further details, however, went unreturned.

Clinton's office also declined to return a call seeking comment.

A spokesman for the George Herbert Walker Bush Presidential Library at College Point Station, Texas, where Bush Sr. and Abudullah met, was unaware of the Clinton-Saudi meeting.

"I can assure you Clinton was not here on Friday," said Tom Hughes of Texas A & M University, where the Bush library is housed. "We would have covered that if he was."

[Rule of Law]

Sort of makes a person want to throw up, doesn't it? To think that that piece of filth is still "representing" us.

And I remember all those Bushites promising us that if their man was eleceted, he'd throw Clinton in jail.

[Semper Paratus]

It's time Pres. Bush had a 'sit' with Billy boy about who is running foreign policy.

[chiefqc]

I believe slimey klinton thought he was going to see a review of the 72 virgins. That was the only reason he even went.

[Lucky2]

I hate to think that Clinton is talking policy with a the Saudis. He's the one to blame for the mess we're in now! I hope that this meeting was without Bush's permission or blessing as I could become quite upset with our wonderful President! Clinton needs to climb back under the rock he came out from and go quietly to sleep!

[bvw]

Maybe they are skin brothers like Condit.

[tcostell]

Saudi royal family met separately with ex-president Bill Clinton till 4 o'clock Saturday morning

Were there any strippers involved?

[plain talk]

And I remember all those Bushites promising us that if their man was eleceted, he'd throw Clinton in jail.

I never recall that. Any facts to support your claim?

[Peach]

Who promised Clinton would go to jail? Doesn't sound like GWB - he wants to change the tone in Washington and that wouldn't have fit into his plans.

[albee]

When will an announcement be made that the Arabs have made "a substantial contribution" to the Clinton Library???

I can't believe that Slick Willie would give anyone something without a payoff!

[Slyfox]

And I remember all those Bushites promising us that if their man was eleceted, he'd throw Clinton in jail.

You are totally mistaken.

[ErnBatavia]

I can't believe that Slick Willie would give anyone something without a payoff!

Naw - they probably called room service and ordered up a couple of white girls ("Don't bother wrapping 'em...")

[late bloomer]

If true, puke is the word..that piece of dog**it belongs blindfolded and shackled in Gitmo. As for the coincidental old pals meeting with both senior and the **itface ,,,can you say "Swiss Bank Accounts"?

[Constitution Day]

That tears it.
Slick Willie is definitely "with the terrorists"!

[Woodkirk]

The Saudis are buying a piece of the Clinton Library

[BlessedAmerican]

Clinton is still Clinton. Leaking infomation. Why not stand up like a man and announce that you had the meeting? Had to get boy George to do it for him. Some things never change...

[Piquaboy]

Steponallofus said the prince was a little hoarse after the meeting. Did he have something down his throat?

[joesnuffy]

Kinda like ™ Miss Piggy?...Where is "The Royals" next gig..in France?

[joesnuffy]

I like that song they do "From Rags to Riches"

[jaq]

I hope that this meeting was without Bush's permission or blessing as I could become quite upset with our wonderful President!

Read between the lines ...

When asked whether the Bush administration had been informed in advance of the Clinton-Saudi sit-down, the White House press office referred NewsMax.com's inquiry to the National Security Council press office, which it said was handling questions about the encounter.
Two separate calls to the NSC press office seeking further details, however, went unreturned.
Clinton's office also declined to return a call seeking comment.