Bush, oil and the Taliban Two French authors allege that before Sept. 11, the White House put oil interests ahead of national security. - - - - - - - - - - - - By Nina Burleigh Feb. 8, 2002 | PARIS -- In a new book, "Bin Laden: The Forbidden Truth," two French intelligence analysts allege the Clinton and Bush administrations put diplomacy before law enforcement in dealing with the al-Qaida threat before Sept. 11, in order to maintain smooth relations with Saudi Arabia and to avoid disrupting the oil market. The book, which has become a bestseller...