Scandal sours Saudi arms deal

Posted on: Oct. 5th, 2005 || Source: atimes.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

Scandal sours Saudi arms deal

The media recently reported that Britain had been in secret discussions with Saudi Arabia over a major arms deal, but talks have been stalling since Riyadh asked for three tricky favors. This is the latest twist in a long-running scandal that has no end in sight.

Sources say the favors are: Britain expel two anti-Saudi dissidents, Saad al-Faqih and Mohammed al-Masari; British Airways resume flights to Riyadh, currently cancelled through terrorism fears; a corruption investigation implicating the Saudi ruling family and advanced defense and aerospace manufacturer BAE Systems be dropped. Crown prince Sultan's son-in-law, Prince Turki bin Nasr, is at the center of a "slush fund" investigation by the United Kingdom's Serious Fraud Office.

This is not the first time the Saudis have attempted to use their considerable leverage to protect members of the royal family. In November it issued a blunt warning to the British government that it will never deal with the British arms industry again if any of its members are dragged into official inquiries into alleged improper accounting in connection with a multi-billion pound defense contract.

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