"In an unprecedented move, the State Department flew Attorney General Suthers to Saudi Arabia to personally explain--and apologize for--Al-Turki's conviction to Saudi King Abdullah."
This is an example of why the policies and arrogance of our own State Department is the biggest threat to our national security. By its own self-importance, the department holds itself unaccountable to Congress, the President, even the Secretary of State; not to mention expressed demands of the electorate. This insanity has been going on for decades and every S of S has refused to do (or could not do) anything about it. If Condi Rice (or any S of S) can’t control (or condones) such continuing incompetence and dangerous policies of the State Department, she shouldn’t head that or any other department.
But he didn't apologize. He did go to EXPLAIN, but it isn't likely a rare occurance to explain things to foreigners.
If there was an American who was imprisoned in a foreign country, and we had doubts over whether they received a fair trial, I would expect that we could pay for someone from that country to fly over here and explain it to us so we could be sure justice was being served. And I doubt anybody here would complain.