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The Guardian: Blair in secret Saudi mission

Tony Blair and John Reid, the defence secretary, have been holding secret talks with Saudi Arabia in pursuit of a huge arms deal worth up to £40bn, according to diplomatic sources.

Defence, diplomatic and legal sources say negotiations are stalling because the Saudis are demanding three favours. These are that Britain should expel two anti-Saudi dissidents, Saad al-Faqih and Mohammed al-Masari; that British Airways should resume flights to Riyadh, currently cancelled through terrorism fears; and that a corruption investigation implicating the Saudi ruling family and BAE should be dropped. Crown prince Sultan’s son-in-law, Prince Turki bin Nasr, is at the centre of a “slush fund” investigation by the Serious Fraud Office.

I must have missed the news that BAE has closed down its sales and marketing wing. With two such experience shills as the Prime Minister and Secretary of Defence on your side, why would you need it?

Forty billion clams make a lot of gravy. How easily can Tony and John make these teeny, tiny flies in that gravy disappear? About as easily as a Saudi security agent can make a stun baton disappear up a dissident’s rectum, perhaps?

Let’s hope so, eh readers? BAE’s shareholders are close to destitution. Arms to oppressive regimes don’t just flog themselves, you know.