Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RIYADH1375
2006-03-06 05:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:  

NO WOMEN AMONG SAG APPOINTEES TO EP CHAMBER OF

Tags:  PGOV KWMN KMPI SA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8494
PP RUEHDE
DE RUEHRH #1375 0650553
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 060553Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4710
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2481
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0437
UNCLAS RIYADH 001375 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DHAHRAN SENDS
PARIS FOR ZEYA, LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KWMN KMPI SA
SUBJECT: NO WOMEN AMONG SAG APPOINTEES TO EP CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE

REF: A. RIYADH 1197


B. RIYADH 963

UNCLAS RIYADH 001375

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DHAHRAN SENDS
PARIS FOR ZEYA, LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KWMN KMPI SA
SUBJECT: NO WOMEN AMONG SAG APPOINTEES TO EP CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE

REF: A. RIYADH 1197


B. RIYADH 963


1. (SBU) The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced on
March 1 its six appointees to the board of the Eastern
Province (EP) Chamber of Commerce & Industry (EPCCI): Nasr
Al-Hajry; Ghasan Al-Nimr (a Shi'a; also a member of the
Ta'awun slate); Halal Al-Twerki (a cousin of Minister Naimi's
chief of staff); Mohamed Al-Faraj; Fahd Al-Sheri' (a member
of the Itihad Al-Sharqiyya slate); and Rashid Al-Hossan.
Although women were permitted to run as candidates and vote
for the first time in the recent elections (reftels),the SAG
did not appoint any women to the board. Several of our
contacts thought it likely, and had been hopeful, that the
ministry would appoint at least one woman to the board if
none were elected. Hana Al-Zuhair, Director of the
Businesswomen's Center at the EPCCI, expressed her
disappointment with the decision: "We were so sorry (to hear
the news). What's the difference between the EP and Jeddah?
I think there was pressure on the ministry from men; the
ministry had said they would appoint women. Anyway, in the
future we will do better."


2. (SBU) Comment: The SAG's decision not to appoint a woman
to the EPCCI board is an opportunity lost. Two women were
elected to the board of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce &
Industry and two were appointed; with no seats on the EPCCI
board, women will face a more uphill struggle in the EP to
broaden their opportunities in the business world. We would
not be surprised if leading EP businessmen, and particularly
the election winners, had asked the ministry not to appoint
any women to the board. Their interests lie more in
preserving the status quo, as good as it is for their
businesses, than in supporting social change. End comment.

(APPROVED: SPEIDEL)
OBERWETTER