[Calpernia]

The emir of Qatar, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, left, shakes hands with New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, center, as New York Police Commisioner Bernard Kerik, right, looks on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001, at World Trade Center disaster command center in New York. His Highness made a donation of $1 million

[JRochelle]

Is that the guy who Rudy gave the check back to?

Rudy has had lots and lots of business dealings with Qatar since 9/11.

What are the odds?

[FocusNexus]

"The emir of Qatar, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, left, shakes hands with New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, center, as New York Police Commisioner Bernard Kerik, right, looks on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001, at World Trade Center disaster command center in New York. His Highness made a donation of $1 million"

And your point is?

The amir of Qatar is our friend.

Bush thanks Amir of Qatar for support

President Bush May 8 thanked the leader of the tiny Gulf country of Qatar for his nation's steadfast support.

In brief remarks at the White House after the two leaders met, Bush said Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani "showed great leadership" in leading his country to join the coalition that took on Saddam Hussein's regime.

U.S. Central Command located its forward headquarters in Qatar before the conflict began.

Bush called the amir a "reformer" and "a strong example of what is possible in his part of the world." Al Thani has promoted a new constitution for Qatar that allows women to vote and has appointed women to his cabinet.

[Calpernia]

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