Don't know if this blogger is just repeating rumour or if he actually has a source, but i found this interesting:
http://alsingace.*************/2008/...-american.html
$400m extra to please Uncle Sam!
Edited to add:
Don't know why the address has come up with asterisks - here is the content of the post:
Thursday, January 03, 2008
$400 Million more to buy American airplanes for Gulf Air
To please US Administration, $400 Million more to buy American airplanes for Gulf Air
IT has been learned that that directions from higher authorities have been made to choose American companies (e.g. Boeing and others) to supply Gulf Air (Bahrain Company) and pay extra $400 Million at the top of the lower bid made by the European Airbus.
This move was made in preparation for the American President, Mr Bush's visit to Bahrain during his Middle East tour in the period of 8-16 January.
It is one way of ensuring further support of the American Administration to Al-Khalifa family regime.