Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03SANAA1117
2003-05-15 14:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:
SALIH EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES FOR RIYADH BOMBINGS
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 001117
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2013
TAGS: PGOV PREL YE
SUBJECT: SALIH EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES FOR RIYADH BOMBINGS
Classified By: DCM ALAN MISENHEIMER FOR REASON 1.5 D
--------
SUMMARY
--------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 001117
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2013
TAGS: PGOV PREL YE
SUBJECT: SALIH EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES FOR RIYADH BOMBINGS
Classified By: DCM ALAN MISENHEIMER FOR REASON 1.5 D
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) On May 14, Deputy FM al-Radi called in the DCM to
deliver a condolence letter from ROYG President Salih to
President Bush for the 5/13 Riyadh bombings. The letter
expresses condolences for the American victims' families,
condemnation of the terror acts, and Yemen's commitment to
the war on terrorism. While delivering the letter, al-Radi
spoke about ROYG-US security cooperation, the US-Saudi
relationship, and the situation in Iraq since the return of
Shia leader Mohammed Bakir al-Hakim.
--------------
CONDOLENCE LETTER
--------------
2. (U) The DCM, accompanied by polecon chief, was convoked
on 5/14 by Abdullah Ali al-Radi, MFA Deputy Minister for
Arab, Asian and African Affairs, to receive a condolence
letter from ROYG President Ali Abdullah Salih to President
Bush. The letter (text below in para 7) expresses emphatic
condemnation of the Riyadh bombings as terror acts
incompatible with all religious teachings and reaffirms
Salih's previous pledges of partnership with the US in
combating terrorism.
3. (C) Al-Radi also expressed his own personal condolences.
The DCM briefed him on the methodology of the attacks,
stressing that security practices in Yemen and elsewhere must
adjust to counter the evolving tactics of the terrorists.
The DCM took the opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding
cooperation the Embassy receives from ROYG security forces
protecting the Embassy, the Hadda compound (predominately
American and international residents),the Sheraton Hotel,
which hosts many American visitors, and Embassy residences.
--------------
REGIONAL ISSUES - SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAQ
--------------
4. (C) Al-Radi was curious about US-Saudi relations in the
aftermath of the attacks, given the tensions existing since
9/11. The DCM assured him that friendship and cooperation
between Saudi Arabia and the US have stood the test of many
years.
5. (C) Turning to Iraq, Al Radi asked for an update on the
security situation, especially since the return of Shia
leader Mohammed Bakir al-Hakim from Iran. Will the US be
able to prevent a three-part ethnic breakup of the country?
The Coalition's prompt establishment of three administrative
divisions had provoked much speculation among Yemenis, he
said. The DCM reminded him of the U.S. Administration's firm
commitment to the territorial integrity of Iraq and
underscored U.S. determination to restore essential services
and help the Iraqi people build a better future.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
6. (C) Al Radi stretched the delivery of the condolence
letter into an hour's conversation on current events. His
questions on Iraq's potential problems with Shia separatism
and Saudi Arabia's current unenviable position may have been
posed with the imminent arrival of Iranian President Khatami
in mind. Khatami's official visit began today, 5/15.
--------------
TEXT OF SALIH CONDOLENCE LETTER
--------------
Dear friend Mr. President George W. Bush,
President of the United States of America, Washington
I was greatly moved and felt deep sorrow to receive the news
that a number of American citizens had fallen victim to the
distressing terrorist attack targeting several residential
compounds in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As we express to you our emphatic condemnation of this
shameful terrorist act, I offer my sincere sympathy for the
victims who fell as a result of it and convey our deepest
condolences to the families of the victims and to the
friendly American people.
Such terrorist acts, which are incompatible with all
religious teachings and proper humanitarian values, can only
heighten the determination of the international community to
move forward and redouble its efforts to combat and eradicate
terrorism and prevent the loss of innocent souls. We affirm
to you that the Republic of Yemen, which rejects terrorism in
all its forms and aspects and from whatever source, will
remain an effective partner to your friendly country and to
the international community in combating terrorism and
confronting its perpetrators.
Please accept my highest regards.
Signed:
Ali Abdullah Saleh
President of the Republic of Yemen
Sana,a
Rabi,e Awal 13, 1424
May 14, 2003
HULL
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2013
TAGS: PGOV PREL YE
SUBJECT: SALIH EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES FOR RIYADH BOMBINGS
Classified By: DCM ALAN MISENHEIMER FOR REASON 1.5 D
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) On May 14, Deputy FM al-Radi called in the DCM to
deliver a condolence letter from ROYG President Salih to
President Bush for the 5/13 Riyadh bombings. The letter
expresses condolences for the American victims' families,
condemnation of the terror acts, and Yemen's commitment to
the war on terrorism. While delivering the letter, al-Radi
spoke about ROYG-US security cooperation, the US-Saudi
relationship, and the situation in Iraq since the return of
Shia leader Mohammed Bakir al-Hakim.
--------------
CONDOLENCE LETTER
--------------
2. (U) The DCM, accompanied by polecon chief, was convoked
on 5/14 by Abdullah Ali al-Radi, MFA Deputy Minister for
Arab, Asian and African Affairs, to receive a condolence
letter from ROYG President Ali Abdullah Salih to President
Bush. The letter (text below in para 7) expresses emphatic
condemnation of the Riyadh bombings as terror acts
incompatible with all religious teachings and reaffirms
Salih's previous pledges of partnership with the US in
combating terrorism.
3. (C) Al-Radi also expressed his own personal condolences.
The DCM briefed him on the methodology of the attacks,
stressing that security practices in Yemen and elsewhere must
adjust to counter the evolving tactics of the terrorists.
The DCM took the opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding
cooperation the Embassy receives from ROYG security forces
protecting the Embassy, the Hadda compound (predominately
American and international residents),the Sheraton Hotel,
which hosts many American visitors, and Embassy residences.
--------------
REGIONAL ISSUES - SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAQ
--------------
4. (C) Al-Radi was curious about US-Saudi relations in the
aftermath of the attacks, given the tensions existing since
9/11. The DCM assured him that friendship and cooperation
between Saudi Arabia and the US have stood the test of many
years.
5. (C) Turning to Iraq, Al Radi asked for an update on the
security situation, especially since the return of Shia
leader Mohammed Bakir al-Hakim from Iran. Will the US be
able to prevent a three-part ethnic breakup of the country?
The Coalition's prompt establishment of three administrative
divisions had provoked much speculation among Yemenis, he
said. The DCM reminded him of the U.S. Administration's firm
commitment to the territorial integrity of Iraq and
underscored U.S. determination to restore essential services
and help the Iraqi people build a better future.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
6. (C) Al Radi stretched the delivery of the condolence
letter into an hour's conversation on current events. His
questions on Iraq's potential problems with Shia separatism
and Saudi Arabia's current unenviable position may have been
posed with the imminent arrival of Iranian President Khatami
in mind. Khatami's official visit began today, 5/15.
--------------
TEXT OF SALIH CONDOLENCE LETTER
--------------
Dear friend Mr. President George W. Bush,
President of the United States of America, Washington
I was greatly moved and felt deep sorrow to receive the news
that a number of American citizens had fallen victim to the
distressing terrorist attack targeting several residential
compounds in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As we express to you our emphatic condemnation of this
shameful terrorist act, I offer my sincere sympathy for the
victims who fell as a result of it and convey our deepest
condolences to the families of the victims and to the
friendly American people.
Such terrorist acts, which are incompatible with all
religious teachings and proper humanitarian values, can only
heighten the determination of the international community to
move forward and redouble its efforts to combat and eradicate
terrorism and prevent the loss of innocent souls. We affirm
to you that the Republic of Yemen, which rejects terrorism in
all its forms and aspects and from whatever source, will
remain an effective partner to your friendly country and to
the international community in combating terrorism and
confronting its perpetrators.
Please accept my highest regards.
Signed:
Ali Abdullah Saleh
President of the Republic of Yemen
Sana,a
Rabi,e Awal 13, 1424
May 14, 2003
HULL