Senior US Congressional Delegation Ignored On A Trip To The Saudi Kingdom

Saudis Snub US Congressional Delegation -- Washington Free Beacon

Saudi Arabian diplomats and military officials refused to meet with a bipartisan delegation of senior congressional staffers who visited the Middle Eastern country last week, an unusual snub that suggests increased tension between the U.S. and a key ally.

"Everyone on the trip definitely took it as a snub," one of the staffers who went on the trip, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Washington Examiner. The delegation was comprised of "high level" staff from three House committees: Intelligence, Homeland Security, and Armed Services.

The staffer said that the delegation asked to meet with representatives of Saudi Arabia's Foreign Affairs Ministry and Defense Ministry during the weeklong trip, but the Saudis denied both requests. The rejection is especially unusual because the Saudis paid for the delegation's visit, but did not allow them to talk to their most natural counterparts in the Saudi Arabian government. The aide, who has visited the country multiple times on such delegations, said every previous trip featured a meeting with at least one of the two ministries.

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My Comment: I have never seen U.S. - Saudi relations in the toilet that it is in right now .... that is why I am scratching my head over this Congressional delegation being surprised that they were snubbed on this trip. Either they are in denial of the situation .... or are just feigning surprise for public consumption.