‘America Has to Face Reality’

Oct. 13 - Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, whose nervous ego matches his enormous fortune, should have known better. Before the billionaire investor (Citicorp, Disneyland Paris, Four Seasons Hotels) went to visit Ground Zero in New York City on Oct. 11, some of his friends cautioned him to keep his message simple—and sympathetic. Decked out in full Saudi regalia, he observed the devastation and handed New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani a check for $10 million to benefit the victims’ families. But in a press release and subsequent interviews, bin Talal couldn’t stay on message. He kept talking about an American bias toward Israel and Palestinian anger. By the end of the day, Giuliani had sent back the check. NEWSWEEK’s Christopher Dickey met with bin Talal after he returned to Saudi Arabia. Excerpts:

NEWSWEEK: Did you make a mistake going to New York?

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal: No, never. Giuliani should never have politicized the matter.

A lot of people say you politicized the matter.

“What took place in New York should never, never ever happen again. But it is going to happen again, God forbid, if we don’t look at the roots of the problem.” — PRINCE AL WALEED

Look, America has to face reality if they don’t want to fight terrorism for the next 100 years. You’re going to kill bin Laden, you’re going to kill the Taliban, but you’re going to have tens of bin Ladens and tens of Talibans coming. What the Americans are doing now in Afghanistan is right. I’m with them all the way. They have to take revenge. They have to retaliate. Nobody’s disputing that at all. But I recommend to the United States, as a friend, that it address the roots of the problem. Don’t forget that I have business interests in the United States. Publicly I’m saying I am an ally and a friend of America. Publicly. And you can quote me. I - am - an - ally - of - America. And I lost a lot in this attack. Exactly like Mr. Giuliani and the United States wants to eradicate terrorism, I want to eradicate terrorism also.

What did you lose in New York?

The value of our real estate went down substantially, didn’t it? Look at hotel occupancy: down by half. The Four Seasons, the Pierre, we manage both hotels. The Plaza, we own 50 per cent. You know we have a big presence in New York. Saks Fifth Avenue, AOL Time Warner. …

Did you warn Giuliani you’d be making a statement about Israel?

I believe it was none of his business. His business was to receive the check. I felt there was a role for me to bridge the gap between the Muslim world and New York. We wanted New Yorkers and Americans in general to understand there is a very good face of the Arab world and of Saudi Arabia, not just this filthy and terrible disaster that took place. And we had to state our position very clearly, and now. Because it’s not only that the U.S. is facing sorrow and grief. Even in the midst of that, President Bush is beginning to talk about the Palestinian case, because he understands very well that we have to look at the roots of things.

Wouldn’t it have been wiser to save that conversation for Washington, and just show your concern for the feelings of New Yorkers?

My business with Giuliani was to give the check to him, which he accepted in advance. What I do in my relationship with the United States is separate from that. If he wants to mingle the two, that’s up to him. But I couldn’t come to New York and say ‘take the money, everything’s fine.’ Everything’s not fine at all. What took place in New York should never, never ever happen again. But it is going to happen again, God forbid, if we don’t look at the roots of the problem. It’s frustration because America is not acting well toward the Middle East. This blind backing of Israel is not right.

Is your concern for Palestine or the Palestinians?

Both.

Ten years ago the Palestinians were all being thrown out of the Gulf because Yasir Arafat backed Saddam Hussein.

That’s an internal problem between brothers. They blundered, they goofed up, and they were penalized for sure. Who’s going to say no? But Arafat is back now.

When Americans listen to their Arab friends these days, what they hear is a lot of ‘this is horrible, BUT …’ Maybe Americans are not in a mood to hear that.

Which Americans? Giuliani and some media people? If the Americans want to be with Israel, fine. But they have to be more just with the Palestinians. But, look, the media in America is anti-Arab, pro-Israel. It’s a fact. You want to know why?

Why?

Israel is doing a better job getting its message out. You better believe it!

You’re the sixth richest man in the world according to the magazines.

Thanks be to God.

You talk about addressing the roots of the problem. How can money help? What investments do you have in Palestine?

There’s no company in Palestine I’m not involved with.

And in Israel?

No.

© 2003 Newsweek, Inc.