Bringing Gandalf the White into play

[unic]

The condition for bringing Gandalf the White into play reads:

"If Gandalf the Grey is dead or has left the Fellowship, and any Sauron Minion is in play, ..."

Question: Does Saruman count as a Sauron minion, or does only those minion belonging to the Sauron nation (Witchking and Mouth of Sauron) count as Sauron minions?

To my reading, "Sauron minion" would mean a minion of the Sauron nation - that is, Saruman would not count. On the other hand, the BGG thread at www.boardgamegeek.com/article/52992 seems to assume that Saruman counts.

[dougadamsau]

I think Saruman counts. Gandalf the White kind of replaced him

[Veldrin]

Yes, Saruman counts.

If any of the three Minions in the game are in play Gandalf can be upgraded from Grey to White if he has left the Fellowship (dead or alive).

[glow=green,2,300]Veldrin[/glow]