FLASHBACK '04: Bandar "Bush" denies Saudis kept oil low for Election 2004

[Bluebear]

WASHINGTON — The Saudi ambassador to the United States on Wednesday denied any linkage between the U.S. presidential election campaign and a Saudi pledge to the Bush administration to push for lower oil prices. There was no "quid pro quo," Prince Bandar bin Sultan told reporters after a meeting with national security adviser Condoleezza Rice about the latest terrorist strike in Saudi Arabia.

"The president has asked a few times that we should be helping to make sure that oil prices don’t go too high that would curb the world economy recovery," Bandar added. "I cannot say we’re not aware that you are going through your seasonal tribal warfare now so it’s very dangerous to open one’s mouth here on any issue," said Bandar. "I hope Senator (John) Kerry has heard my explanation about the oil and he can be assured that we didn’t make any deals that could interfere in our friends’ internal affairs."

Bandar said the Saudi efforts are "not for the benefit of the president’s political needs. I think reasonable prices particularly lower oil prices between $22 and $28 is good for the American people, Note: Hahahaha! for the American economy, for the world economy and of course for the Saudi economy."

CBS’ "60 Minutes" reported Sunday that Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward said Bandar promised Bush that Saudi Arabia will lower oil prices in the months before the election to help ensure the U.S. economy is strong on Election Day. Subsequently, Woodward said that the Saudis had hoped to keep oil prices low during the period before the election because of its impact on the economy.

http://www.gwinnettdailyonline.com/GDP/archive/articleCE498B6D7277468E9A19A6B65F0F3BB4.asp

[Bluebear]

1. Related to the sudden surge?