Democrats Call for Release of Documents on Abramoff-Lobbyist's Role in Bush-Gabon Meeting

Strategic Insights -

House Democratic leaders, led by Representative Nancy Pelosi and Representative Henry A. Waxman, have called on the White House to release documents related to a meeting between President Bush and the president of Gabon, Omar Bongo, which took place on May 26, 2004. The Democrats are seeking to determine whether a powerful Republican lobbyist, Jack Abramoff, played a role in arranging the meeting, which was requested by the Gabon government in exchange for $9 million. The White House has denied any involvement by Abramoff, but the Democrats argue that without further documentation, it is impossible to assess this claim.

Key Takeaways:

  • House Democrats, led by Nancy Pelosi and Henry Waxman, have requested documents from the White House regarding a meeting between President Bush and President Omar Bongo of Gabon on May 26, 2004.
  • The Democrats are seeking to determine whether Jack Abramoff, a powerful Republican lobbyist, had a role in arranging the meeting, which was requested by the Gabon government in exchange for $9 million.
  • The White House has denied any involvement by Abramoff, stating that the meeting was routine and that there was no evidence of any wrongdoing.
  • Abramoff has been under indictment in Florida and under investigation by a federal grand jury in Washington for his lobbying activities.
  • A draft contract obtained by The New York Times shows that Abramoff and his colleagues drew up a plan in August 2003 for Gabon to pay $9 million for a "public relations effort related to promoting Gabon and securing a visit for President Bongo with the president of the United States."
  • There is no evidence in the public record to show that Abramoff completed a contract with Gabon or received any money from it.
  • The White House has stated that President Bush met with President Bongo due to American interest in AIDS prevention in Africa and good U.S.-Africa relations.
  • The Senate Indian Affairs Committee is investigating Abramoff's lobbying activities for Indian tribes and their gambling operations.

Statistics:

  • $9 million: The amount of money requested by the Gabon government in exchange for arranging a meeting with President Bush and President Bongo.
  • 2003: The year in which Abramoff and his colleagues drew up a draft contract for Gabon to pay $9 million for a "public relations effort related to promoting Gabon and securing a visit for President Bongo with the president of the United States."
  • May 26, 2004: The date of the meeting between President Bush and President Bongo of Gabon.

Sources:

  • Representative Nancy Pelosi, letter to the White House counsel's office, Friday.
  • The New York Times, "Democrats Call for Release of Documents on Abramoff-Lobbyist's Role in Bush-Gabon Meeting", Friday.
  • Senate Indian Affairs Committee, documents obtained by The Times, released last week.
  • Jack Abramoff, letter to President Omar Bongo of Gabon, July 2003.
  • White House, statement by White House spokesman Trent Duffy, Friday.