It’s hot in Washington today. The odometer on my whip registered at 93 at around 5 pm. But that would probably seem to be rather mild to the visiting Saudi delegation that is in town today. Included in that delegation is HRH King Abdullah, on this side of the pond for the G-20 meetings in Toronto and to talk peace and prosperity with President Obama.
Obama (from Politico) on the meetings and HRH King Abdullah himself:
“We will continue to work together to expand the people-to- people contacts, the educational programs, the commercial ties, the business people who are working together in both countries so that not only do our governments remain strong partners, but our people are continually enriching both countries,” he said.
Abdullah praised Obama as an “honorable man” and a “good man.”
“I say this because this is the truth as I hear it from people around the world,” he said.”
Also don’t miss this completely accurate piece in the UK Telegraph by Richard Spenser for some perspective on the importance of this meeting.
Spencer:
“…The facts have to be faced: Saudi is America’s second-most important ally in the Middle East, and nowadays a lot easier to deal with than the number one. It is certainly a strategic asset, and King Abdullah represents a better hope for a Saudi Arabia we can grow to respect than most other leaders it has had.
