Ambassador to the United States (1983–2005) Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud

1 ambassador united states (1983–2005)

1.1 reagan era
1.2 bush presidencies
1.3 clinton era
1.4 resignation

ambassador united states (1983–2005)

on 24 october 1983, prince bandar appointed ambassador united states king fahd. during tenure ambassador and, before that, king s personal envoy washington, dealt 5 u.s. presidents, ten secretaries of state, eleven national security advisers, sixteen sessions of congress, , media. had extensive influence in united states. @ pinnacle of career, served both king s exclusive messenger , white house s errand boy . on 3 decades, face of saudi arabia lobby. u.s. seen 1 of saudi arabia s essential allies, different members of royal family feel different mixtures of trust , suspicion of united states. therefore, prince bandar s intimate relationships u.s. leaders , policy-makers considered both source of power base in kingdom, cause of suspicions within royal family close u.s. political figures.

reagan era

during reagan presidency, secured purchase of awacs surveillance aircraft despite opposition american israel public affairs committee. after united states rejected arms order, arranged delivery of intermediate-range nuclear-warhead-capable missiles china. angered central intelligence agency , united states department of state. exposed involvement in iran-contra scandal. had arranged $32 million in saudi financing nicaraguan contras. nancy reagan used him relay messages cabinet.

prince bandar g.w. bush in 2002


bush presidencies

bandar has formed close relationships several american presidents, notably george h.w. bush , george w. bush, giving latter affectionate , controversial nickname bandar bush . particularly close relationship bush family highlighted in michael moore s documentary fahrenheit 9/11. reportedly close george h. w. bush described member of former president s family. advocated saddam hussein s overthrow in iraq in march 2003. encouraged military action against iraq , supported dick cheney s agenda new middle east , called pro-democracy programs in both syria , iran. additionally, prince bandar s children supposedly attended same school cheney s grandchildren enrolled.

clinton era

clinton, governor of arkansas, had asked him pay middle east studies center @ university of arkansas. in 1990s, persuaded libyan president muammar gaddafi turn in 2 suspects allegedly involved in 1988 bombing of pan flight 103. privately described gaddafi jerry lewis trying churchill .

resignation

on 26 june 2005, bandar submitted resignation ambassador united states personal reasons . official end date of term 8 september 2005. bandar bin sultan returned saudi arabia weeks prior death of king fahd, upon bandar s father, sultan bin abdulaziz, became nation s crown prince. rumored bandar s return timed in order secure position in new government.

prince bandar succeeded ambassador cousin, prince turki al faisal. nevertheless, after leaving ambassadorship, bandar continued maintain strong relationships within bush administration , meet high-ranking white house staff after prince turki took on post; turki gave ambassador s job after 18 months.