I once had a column in one of our weekly give away,s called ‘Eavesdropper’
where I created imaginary discussions between people here in Palmerston North
or NZ. I must admit that at times it was difficult because I was trying to keep
it realistic while attempting to make a serious point. At times I don’t think I
made a very good job of it…but at times it sounded so realistic that people
like the CEO of the PNCC [Paul W] sent me lawyers letters…the then CEO of MCH
complained to the local paper and alas ‘Eavesdropper was removed.
 |
| Andrea Vance a new Eavesdropper |
While lunching today a friend suggested that Keys visit to Saudi Arabia
deserved a ‘Eavesdropper’ style report. I thought seriously about it and later
switched on my computer and if you’ll excuse the pun…Keyed in KEY and Saudi
Arabia… various bits of information appeared on my screen.
One by Andrea Vance
of the Dominion appeared…on reading it I realised that there was no need for an
Eavesdropper…Andrea had done it for me…so I present it without alteration or
additions, you decide if I was correct:
My view is Andrea’s reporting is in
fact a actual feat of legal eavesdropping. Andrea is one of the few
investigative journalists left and like Nicky Hager she fully understands what it feels like to have
the GCSB on her back…when they handed over to government her phone calls during
the Peter Dunne affair [saga]. Here is her report:
Prime
Minister John Key meets Saudi Arabia's Prince Alwaleed bin Talal
ANDREA VANCE
IN RIYADH
Last
updated 20:00, April 29 2015
Photo: Chris
Skelton/Fairfax NZ
NZ Prime
Minister John Key meets Saudi Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal Bin Abdul Aziz in
Riyadh.
If Prince
Alwaleed bin Talal's 99-storey skyscraper doesn't make you dizzy, his
rapid-fire conversation will. Taking tea is the Arab way to do business. As
Prime Minister John Key is on a trade mission, sitting down with one of the
country's richest men was a must.
With a net
worth of some NZ$60 billion, Prince Alwaleed is an investor in Citibank, the
Four Seasons Hotel chain, Fox Entertainment and Twitter. Which is where
their colourful conversation started.
"I
follow your tweets, more than a year," the prince told Key.
Business
delegates, journalists and aides peered at them over tiny cups.
HRH pulled
out a photo of Jim Bolger.
"I have
been to New Zealand one time in 1997. I met the former prime minister. it seems
I only meet prime ministers from the National Party, no Labour."
They moved on
to cricket, the conversation stilted as they sipped their tea.
Key stumbled
on to safe ground: "What do you think of the global economy?"
"This
Greece thing doesn't make sense at all," the prince said.
"[Former
prime minister] Antonis Samaras - a very good friend of mine but this new guy
comes right now and flips it all over. Europe is the weak link...the big game
is China."
When the
royal stopped for breath, Key made his pitch but it strangled the conversation
again.
"You own
Fox News, wow," Key wrongly asserted. Prince Alwaleed ran through his
considerable investments (13 industries in 40 countries).
Again, Key
saw his opportunity: "They had a Four Seasons in New Zealand?"
"No,
there was a discussion at one time..."
Key
interrupted: "In Queenstown, I think. No? But we want one."
The prince
seemed to hint New Zealand needed a higher GDP per capita before it could have
one of his five star hotels. Awkward.
"Your
trip to Turkey was interesting. Prince Charles, Prince Harry," the prince
changed the subject. Key: "He's coming to New Zealand in a couple of
weeks."
Prince
Alwaleed: "I read about it."
A discussion
of the Gallipoli commemorations followed.
Tim Groser
wandered in. "That’s the trade minister, actually. Tim Tim. Come and say
hello."
Off they went
on a long discussion about currency fluctuations and New Zealand's economy.
Then China, again. Oil prices and what the prince called "this fracking
thing."
Plates and
plates of food were circulated. More tea arrived: "We have mint tea and
ginger."
"I'll
try ginger...so has Saudi Arabia changed a lot over the last 10-15 years?"
A brief history of the kingdom followed.
Key did his
best to get back to New Zealand's economic interests.
"Gosh,
the Four Seasons is an amazing chain, fantastic hotels...at our Maui house the
Four Seasons is in front of us, it's a great place for dinner."
On India:
"Modi's doing a great job."
"We both
lost a by-election recently," Key lamented.
Then it was
next week's British elections: "I had Mr Blair here," the prince
said.
Key had just
fired off a text off to Tony Blair's successor, Prime Minister David Cameron.
"Oh! You
text David, I'll take the number off you. I use texting a lot."
They pulled
out their smartphones.
"You can
take my number," Key was uncomfortable about handing over the
contact.
The prince
wanted to talk about Russia's Vladimir Putin. "Where is he heading this
guy? Too much, huh?"
On the table
in front of them was a model of the prince's latest project: a 1100m tower
which will be the world's tallest.
Key wanted to
know the cost.
"$1.3
billion. Very cheap."
Prince
Alwaleed
* The 60 year
old is the world's 26th richest man and has been called the most influential
Arab
* He bought
London's Savoy Hotel in 2005, owns several aircraft and his yacht appeared in
the James Bond film Never Say Never Again
* Home is a
317 room palace, with a cinema, but he's got two others to choose from
* This week
he offered Bentley cars to 100 fighter pilots who took part in bombing raids on
Yemen
* He donated
$100,000 to help victims of the Canterbury earthquakes in 2011
PS;
And before you ask...no John Key has never [to my knowledge] pulled her hair...but you would need to ask Andrea to be sure...
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