Many of you visiting this site have seen a recent article in Bloomberg News (August 7) and a syndication in the International Herald Tribune (August 9). As much as I appreciate media attention, it’s not the case when words I never said are placed in quotes. The true story is not only a better one, but doesn’t make the Treasury Department appear overzealously paranoid (which may be the reason the journalist chose to put other words in my mouth, and to put quotes around them). I recalled that, when funds began to be transferred from around the U.S. to a company in Morocco called “The Usual Suspects”, it must have raised some red flags at the Treasury Department. This was confirmed to me later by delegations from Treasury who have visited Rick’s and been great customers. The innocence of the operation quickly checked out, and from that point on they became our biggest government fans! One “Suspect” received a house call from the FBI, but the agent got a good laugh and my investor an apology.
I’ve been receiving sympathetic comments from friends and strangers alike and just can’t let these untrue – and unsaid – words stand. What critical remarks I made during the interview were confined to the Bush Administration for sullying the reputation of the U.S. around the world. Their actions post 9/11, particularly Iraq and the mis-guided GWOT, created a climate which certainly made it more of a struggle for me to give visitors to Casablanca their first Rick’s Café. Now that it’s open, I hope Rick’s Café is seen as a symbol of America during a more positive and optimistic time…and hope that we’ll all be raising glasses in November 2008 to happier times ahead.
|
