This person, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation, said Abramoff's relationship with Rove had "not been a matter of any great significance" in the Justice Department inquiry.
The Oval Office meeting with Mahathir, on May 14, 2002, was publicly warm, with Bush praising Mahathir for his "friendship" and "strong support" in the war on terrorism.
The meeting rehabilitated the Malaysian leader's reputation only temporarily, and the appearance of friendliness between the two emerged as a political headache for Bush.
Eight months after the meeting, Mahathir surprised the opening session of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, by warning the U.S. against its looming invasion of Iraq -- "out-terrorizing the terrorists," he called it.
Later that year, he said the U.S. was fighting terrorism "through attacking Muslim countries and Muslims, whether they are guilty or not."
He went on to make anti-Semitic comments, charging that "Jews rule this world" and get "others to fight and die for them."
Democrats charged that Bush was slow to rebuke the prime minister.
In October 2003, he pulled Mahathir aside at an international economic conference to express his disapproval, calling the remarks "wrong" and "divisive," according to a White House spokesman.
Mahathir later emerged as an issue in Bush's reelection campaign, as Republicans aggressively courted Jewish voters.
One such GOP outreach featured Mahathir pictured beside Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John F. Kerry and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat above a Kerry quote in which he said "foreign leaders" wanted him to win the election. The campaign mailer suggested Mahathir and Arafat, "renowned for their hatred of the Jewish people," supported Kerry.
On one occasion, Abramoff -- an orthodox Jew and a supporter of Israel -- was asked whether he was comfortable representing a country led by a man known for anti-Semitic comments.
Abramoff responded, "They pay their bills on time."
Times staff writer Stephen Braun contributed to this report.
