Saudi Arabia's Supreme Council for Tourism changed its website
following complaints by Brooklyn Democrat Anthony Weiner that
the site listed "Jewish people" as one of four groups
that would not be entitled to visas to visit the desert Kingdom.
The Congressman, on Feb. 26, called on President Bush to
close U.S. borders to Saudis until the visa policy was clarified,
and keep them sealed until the policy was changed.
Qorvis Communications, today, distributed a release, saying
Weiner was wrong in stating that its client has a policy of
excluding Jews from visiting the Kingdom. The statement, however,
admitted the Council had incorrect information on its site,
and the erroneous material has been removed. The statement
called Weiner, author of the Saudi Arabia Accountability Act,
a "consistent critic." It quotes Prince Bandar,
saying while the U.S. and Saudi Arabia should be working toward
greater understanding and trust, Weiner and his actions "only
serve to spread doubt and mistrust."
The Congressman retaliated by issuing his own statement,
claiming he is a consistent critic for good reason. "The
Saudis have a lamentable history with regards to Israel and
people of the Jewish faith, having spent decades supporting
Palestinian suicide bombers, and espousing virulently anti-Semitic
views. President Bush should demand a full accounting regarding
the Saudis visa policy toward Jews," said Weiner, a former
aide to New York Sen. Chuck Schumer.
While Weiner is glad the Council removed the offending passage
from its website, he said: "It will take more than the
quick actions of its webmaster and the rhetoric of Prince
Sultan to ally our concerns."
Patton Boggs is an investor in Qorvis.
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