[FLOutdoorsman]

Wow. Dam. Loss of words.

"It would have done damage to a major strategic partnership right at the moment when we need that strategic partnership with the Middle East peace process, with Iraq and other issues," he said.

"And, as I say, all of that leaves aside the fact that we would have lost thousands of U.K. jobs."

Principles go out the window in the 'real' world. Thats how it works.

They got a free pass for 9/11 as well.

[lonestar67]

If the Saudis continue to drop the floor out on oil prices-- it will be a worthwhile decision.

Their action will come at some cost for them as well.

[DManA]

I'm beginning to realize what a real source of evil the Saudis are in this world.

[Slings and Arrows]

May G-d forgive Tony Blair, because I never will.

[snarks_when_bored]

The Saudis are going to feel awfully silly when they run out of oil and only have $10 trillion dollars in their Swiss bank accounts and only own half of the world's most valuable real estate and art objects. They'll get their comeuppance then, for sure...

[ZULU]

The Saudis are not our friends and our leaders are not diplomats.

If they were, they would STOP Saudi support for Wahhabist madrassehs, preachers, and Saudi money and use them only for our own benefit, then toss them away like a soiled piece of toilette tissue.

Unfortunately, THEY are doing the tossing.

[John Locke]

The Serious Fraud Office was investigating allegations that BAE ran a $110-million (U.S.) "slush fund" offering sweeteners to officials from Saudi Arabia in return for lucrative contracts as part of the Al-Yamamah arms deal in the 1980s.

They might also wish to enquire how much of that slush fund is managed by BAE employee with no job description Lord Charles Powell, who by a strange coincidence is the brother of Jonathan Powell, who by another strange coincidence is Chief of Staff to one Tony Blair.