“On August 27 [2001], [Saudi ambassador Prince] Bandar met with [National Security Advisor] Condoleezza Rice in her White House office.” His visit was to deliver a message from Prince Abdullah, which read: ” ‘We believe there has been a strategic decision by the United States that its national interest in the Middle East is 100 percent based on Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon.’…Bandar noted that this was America’s right but that Saudi Arabia could not abide by that decision. …’Starting from today…You Americans, go your way; I, Saudi Arabia, go my way. From now on, we will protect our national interests, regardless of where America’s interests lie in the region.’ “
– Craig Unger, House of Bush, House of Saud, Page 243