Freeman received $1 million in 2006 from the Saudis for public relations services in running his Middle East Policy Council. The money was given from “the generosity of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia.” The Saudis paid him to promote their influence in the United States.
In 2005 Freeman wrote in a speech:
As long as the United States continues unconditionally to provide the subsidies and political protection that make the Israeli occupation and the high-handed and self-defeating policies it engenders possible, there is little, if any, reason to hope that anything resembling the former peace process can be resurrected. Israeli occupation and settlement of Arab lands is inherently violent.
Freeman has clearly thanked his benefactors:
These are obviously very difficult times for any organization attempting to promote better understanding and stronger ties between the United States and the Arab world. …Financial support has been very negatively affected both by … the financial controls and other restrictions on international financial transactions — inhibiting and tending to reduce the willingness to give as well…About a year and a half ago the board of MEPC …concluded that we probably couldn’t continue our work and we couldn’t survive on the basis of a continuing flow of small and medium size donations. The only way we could ensure our survival and the continuation of our work over the long run was through the establishment of an endowment. Thanks to the generosity of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia we have managed to accumulate an endowment….I periodically visit the region — to the Kingdom and to other countries in the Gulf. I meet mostly with individuals and companies who are interested in seeing better relations between the US and the Arab world…Frankly, I’m delighted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has, after a long delay, begun to make serious public relations efforts.
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors. Originally posted at http://zionism-israel.com/israel_news/2009/02/freeman-appointment-usa-may-appoint.html.
Posts
