Clinton foundation names donors, including Saudi Arabia

Dec 18, 2008, 21:41 GMT

Washington - The William J Clinton Foundation released thousands of pages Thursday documenting governments, individuals and businesses who contributed to the former president's charitable causes around the world.

Bill Clinton agreed to publicize the information after President- elect Barack Obama nominated his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton, as secretary of state. In her position, Clinton will be in charge of foreign policy toward the countries who gave money to the foundation.

The top national contributor was Saudi Arabia, which has given 10 to 25 million dollars to the foundation, which runs programmes to fight AIDS, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote education.

Norway provided 5 to 10 million dollars and millions more came from Brunei, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. The foundation has raised a total of 500 million dollars, according to information released on its website.

The largest donations of more than 25 million dollars were from Children's Investment Fund Foundation and UNITAID, an international group that fights HIV/AIDS.

The security firm Blackwater, contracted by the State Department to provide diplomatic security in Iraq, has provided more than 10,000 dollars to Clinton's foundation.

Blackwater has come under scrutiny for alleged unnecessary use of force. Five of its security guards were charged earlier this month with voluntary manslaughter related to September 2007 shootings in Baghdad that killed at least 17 civilians.

The State Department is reviewing whether to retain Blackwater's services and there is an ongoing investigation by federal authorities and a review by the US embassy in Baghdad. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Thursday that a final decision on whether to continue with Blackwater will likely fall into Hillary Clinton's lap.

'I would expect that all of these various things ... will probably happen after January 20,' when the Bush administration departs and, if confirmed by the Senate, Clinton takes up her post, McCormack said.