Prince Turki Al-faisal at the SOTU

[Rhah]

Just been reading an interesting article, about Prince Turki Al-faisal of the Saudi royal family, and his attendance at the US State of the union address.
It does seem a bit strange that this bloke, who 600 families of victims from sept 11th have tried to sue for his alledged involvement in the attack, is invited to the US state of the union.
To be fair, the charges were dismissed by the court because its wasnt in the courts Jurisdiction. Still, it seems just a little bit insensitive to invite him. And, if you wanted to be a bit paranoid, also slightly sinister.

Here's the link. I'm sure a lot of people wont like the source, (and i'm going to state now that i havent cross-checked any of this) but i thought it might make an interesting discussion.

A 9/11 conspirator in the court of King Bush

I'm expecting flames for talking about 9/11 conspiracies, but this isnt the usual "CIA inside job" theory.

[Tiwaz]

Well, not surprising. It's called politics. Prince could have personally shot every single WTC casualty and as long as it could not be proven Bush would want to be chums with him. Money and oilbarrels talk. Specially if goverment has earlier connections with Saudis on personal and business level as current one has.

[Big War Bird]

I seem to recall the camera show him once sitting stoney faced while Bush was describing how nasty and bad the Middle East was and how we need to cut off our dependance on furin' oil.

So just perhaps he was invited so he could hear his dressing down?

[Kanaric]

I seem to recall the camera show him once sitting stoney faced while Bush was describing how nasty and bad the Middle East was and how we need to cut off our dependance on furin' oil.

So just perhaps he was invited so he could hear his dressing down?

ROFL I wish I saw his reaction to that.

[Rhah]

He's just been made US ambassador for the 2nd time, so that would explain why he was there. Is it usual practice for ambassador's to attend the state of the union address though?
Still, i'd assume that the Bush administration would probably know about the legal proceedings against the prince, so it still seems a bit stupid to invite him. I know its only 600 families that are trying to sue him, but they are all families of 9/11 victims, so in the very least, you'd think that TBA wouldnt want to offend them, as that would be a bit of a public relations problem. Unless its common practice for foreign ambassadors to attend the SOTU, in which case they couldnt really not invite him.

[Big War Bird]

He's just been made US ambassador for the 2nd time, so that would explain why he was there. Is it usual practice for ambassador's to attend the state of the union address though?
Still, i'd assume that the Bush administration would probably know about the legal proceedings against the prince, so it still seems a bit stupid to invite him. I know its only 600 families that are trying to sue him, but they are all families of 9/11 victims, so in the very least, you'd think that TBA wouldnt want to offend them, as that would be a bit of a public relations problem. Unless its common practice for foreign ambassadors to attend the SOTU, in which case they couldnt really not invite him.

I would hazard to guess that most ambassadors were there for the speech. It is a huge event with entire leadership of the nation in one room. It is a matter of sound statecraft that he and and a lot of other diplomats from from bad places with bad people are treated with every courtesy. It is a simple axiom that if one in not at war with another that both sides at least try to get along.