>From CNN Saudi official, Bush to meet on 9/11 report:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A diplomatic source says Saudi Arabia's foreign minister will meet Tuesday with President Bush to seek the release of Saudi-related material that was kept out of the public version of the new congressional report on the September 11 attacks.

A White House official confirmed the meeting would take place, and another administration official said the Saudis are upset about recent verbal attacks in Congress against their government.
[...]
The diplomatic source said the Saudi government wanted "White House help" to quiet the dispute, and said the Saudi government was being "recklessly smeared" by some members of Congress who have said some material was kept classified because the administration is trying to protect the Saudi government and keep incriminating information out of the public eye. (Emphasis added)

Like the French, the Saudis don't get separation of powers, freedom of speech, or freedom of the press.

Asked whether the Saudis wanted the material declassified, this diplomatic source said, "That would be one way to stop some of the reckless things and one of the things to be discussed."
[...]

Looks like a case of soft diplomacy to me. The US government has put more pressure on the Saudis by what they didn't say than by what they did say.

I'm just speculating here, of course. Connecting the dots is a dangerous game which often leads to sticking my neck out.

Posted by: Debbye at 10:27 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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