Why was Bush so disengagued from the Middle East before 9-11?
gulf-news.com
Issam Fares's connection to the Bush family was made evident following President George Bush's departure from office in 1992. He made a quick trip around the Gulf, visiting Kuwait, in Fares's private jet with the Lebanese businessman by his side. In October 1994, Fares paid the ex-President a substantial amount of money to give a speech at Tufts University – an academic institute to which he stands as a major benefactor.
In commencing his speech, Bush described Fares as an "exceptional man and worldwide benefactor" who "has been doing much for his homeland." Probably under Fares's instigation, Bush added that "Syria's role is important to American interests, in particular regarding the regional peace we are endeavoring to achieve."
Two years later, in October 1996, former Secretary of State James Baker, gave a similar speech at Tufts, saying that "had it not been for Syria's approval and the positive position adopted by President (Hafez) Assad, the peace process would not have been launched." In 1999, Fares paid Texas a visit where George and Barbara Bush hosted him.
When James Baker and former U.S. Ambassador to Syria Edward Djerjian visited Beirut that summer, they were hosted at Fares's private residence. On November 2, 2000 while campaigning for George Bush's presidency, Collin Powell, then a private citizen, gave a half-hour speech at Tufts that was reportedly financed by Fares.
The Jerusalem Post claimed that Fares had paid Powell $200,000 to praise Syria and Lebanon's peace initiatives. Adding spice to the event was a report issued by Bush's Presidential Inaugural Committee claiming that Fares had donated $100,000 to the Bush campaign. The committee also revealed a second $100,000 cheque from Nijad Fares, Issam's Houston-based son.
The businessman's involvement in the U.S. elections, and his apparent influence in electing Bush rather than the ostensibly pro-Israeli Al Gore, raised eyebrows in the Arab world, Washington, and Tel Aviv. Powell responded to accusations of being on the payroll of an Arab statesman saying: "I've given many, many such speeches, and there should be no concern in anyone's part that it influences me in any way."
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