SAUDI DISSIDENT TURKI AL-HAMAD SHARES PRIORITIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 009435

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DHAHRAN SENDS
PARIS FOR ZEYA, LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI DISSIDENT TURKI AL-HAMAD SHARES PRIORITIES
FOR REFORM

Classified by Consul General John Kincannon for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (C) In a meeting with CG and PolOff December 19 over
coffee at the Gulf Meridian Hotel in Khobar, Saudi dissident
and writer Turki Al-Hamad discussed his three priorities for
reform: "We need reform of the judicial system, public
freedoms, and public rights." He argued that political
reform had to be built on true freedom of expression, saying
"if people can express themselves and feel safe, we can move
on to other reforms." Like almost all of our interlocutors,
he spoke respectfully of King Abdullah but implicitly
questioned his ability to push a reform agenda. "The will is
there," he said, leaving it at that with a shrug of the
shoulders. Al-Hamad expressed skepticism that the newly
formed municipal councils will play an important governance
role but noted that the elections "were a new entry to the
Saudi political scene."


2. (C) Al-Hamad also offered his views on various bastions
of extremism or authoritarianism in the region. In response
to a question from the CG, he described the "awakening
sheikhs," for example 'Eid and Ayad al-Gurni, Safar
al-Hawali, and Salman al-Awdah, as "playing politics and
recasting themselves as Islamic liberals." He said that they
had lost credibility with many people because they had
changed tack too many times in response to pressure and
inducements from the SAG. "But they haven't changed deep
down," he continued. "They cannot be trusted." Asked by
PolOff how Saudis viewed Iran, he said there were mixed
feelings. "We are always proud when an Islamic nation
develops the bomb," he said. "But with Iran we also worry
that it will bring instability to the region, and we worry
about the Iran's connections with the Shi'a here." He opined
that, in the current environment, it was increasingly
difficult for totalitarian regimes like Syria's to survive.


3. (C) Comment: Al-Hamad showed no hesitation in meeting
with us. He talked frankly, if quietly and frequently in
sweeping generalities. He enjoys the artistic practice of
answering questions with questions or responding with a short
epigram that his interlocutor must decipher for himself.
Al-Hamad said he welcomed further meetings. Although his
books are banned in Saudi Arabia, he did not seem constrained
in expressing his opinion in an informal setting. Previous
ConOffs had speculated to us that SAG pressure had forced
Al-Hamad to circumscribe his appearances on pan-Arab TV
channels and reduce contacts with foreigners, but Al-Hamad
said he felt no such constraints. The recent death of his
wife and his focus on a new novel, rather than SAG pressure,
may be alternate explanations as to why he has been less
visible of late. End comment.

(APPROVED: KINCANNON)
GFOELLER