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In reply to the discussion: Revealed: secret European deals to hand over private data to America [View all]Octafish
(55,745 posts)16. Wayne Madsen is better than Corporate McPravda.
In fact, as an investigator and analyst, he's better than most, anywhere.
For example:
QUESTIONABLE TIES
Tracking bin Laden's money flow leads back to Midland, Texas
by Wayne Madsen
In These Times
On September 24, President George W. Bush appeared at a press conference in the White House Rose Garden to announce a crackdown on the financial networks of terrorists and those who support them. U.S. banks that have assets of these groups or individuals must freeze their accounts, Bush declared. And U.S. citizens or businesses are prohibited from doing business with them.
But the president, who is now enjoying an astounding 92 percent approval rating, hasnt always practiced what he is now preaching: Bushs own businesses were once tied to financial figures in Saudi Arabia who currently support bin Laden.
In 1979, Bushs first business, Arbusto Energy, obtained financing from James Bath, a Houstonian and close family friend. One of many investors, Bath gave Bush $50,000 for a 5 percent stake in Arbusto. At the time, Bath was the sole U.S. business representative for Salem bin Laden, head of the wealthy Saudi Arabian family and a brother (one of 17) to Osama bin Laden. It has long been suspected, but never proven, that the Arbusto money came directly from Salem bin Laden. In a statement issued shortly after the September 11 attacks, the White House vehemently denied the connection, insisting that Bath invested his own money, not Salem bin Ladens, in Arbusto.
In conflicting statements, Bush at first denied ever knowing Bath, then acknowledged his stake in Arbusto and that he was aware Bath represented Saudi interests. In fact, Bath has extensive ties, both to the bin Laden family and major players in the scandal-ridden Bank of Commerce and Credit International (BCCI) who have gone on to fund Osama bin Laden. BCCI defrauded depositors of $10 billion in the 80s in what has been called the largest bank fraud in world financial history by former Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau. During the 80s, BCCI also acted as a main conduit for laundering money intended for clandestine CIA activities, ranging from financial support to the Afghan mujahedin to paying intermediaries in the Iran-Contra affair.
When Salem bin Laden died in 1988, powerful Saudi Arabian banker and BCCI principal Khalid bin Mahfouz inherited his interests in Houston. Bath ran a business for bin Mahfouz in Houston and joined a partnership with bin Mahfouz and Gaith Pharaon, BCCIs frontman in Houstons Main Bank.
CONTINUED...
http://www.inthesetimes.com/issue/25/25/feature3.shtml
That is outstanding reportage.
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Revealed: secret European deals to hand over private data to America [View all]
dipsydoodle
Jun 2013
OP
Whether this story is true or not, it makes perfect sense that other countries want in on the intel.
BenzoDia
Jun 2013
#8
On the plus side, if Madsen's on about it, it's probably not taking place as described.
Robb
Jun 2013
#11
As the link has been taken down pending an investigation, locking under terms of LBN
graham4anything
Jun 2013
#20