Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RIYADH5839
2006-07-23 12:13:00
SECRET
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
FM CRITICAL OF US INACTION, CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRH #5839 2041213 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 231213Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9879 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH 7493 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHRMAKS/COMUSNAVCENT RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC
S E C R E T RIYADH 005839
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV SA
SUBJECT: FM CRITICAL OF US INACTION, CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE
CEASE-FIRE IN LEBANON
REF: A. REF A: RIYADH 5601
B. REF B: RIYADH 5653
Classified By: Ambassador James C. Oberwetter for
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
S E C R E T RIYADH 005839
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV SA
SUBJECT: FM CRITICAL OF US INACTION, CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE
CEASE-FIRE IN LEBANON
REF: A. REF A: RIYADH 5601
B. REF B: RIYADH 5653
Classified By: Ambassador James C. Oberwetter for
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (S) In a July 19 press conference Foreign Minister Saud
al-Faisal emphasized the need for an immediate cease-fire and
criticized Israeli aggression in Lebanon and the Palestinian
territories. He described the situation as "a real
catastrophe that is taking place before the people's eyes and
nobody is moving to end it." Using the same thinly veiled
language of the July 14 SAG statement (Ref A) which placed
the blame on Hizballah without naming names, the FM
implicitly criticized the U.S. for "the current inaction by
the international community in dealing with Israel's
policies...to such an extent that prompted the Security
Council to be neglectful in taking firm resolutions to
resolve this crisis."
2. (U) However, the FM did not back away from the SAG's
initial criticism of Hizballah, stating "any faction, whoever
it is and under any name, should not have the right to make
this decision on their own without the state's knowledge and
preparedness." Furthermore, responding to a question that
suggested the SAG should have remained silent, rather than
speak out against Hizballah, the FM said, "we have remained
silent on numerous occasions, but that silence proved futile.
When one sees what is happening in Lebanon, he cannot remain
silent."
3. (C) Comment: The SAG's July 14 statement firmly held
Hizballah responsible for the outbreak of the current
conflict, a view that has been echoed in recent media
reports, websites, and clerics' statements. The FM's
subsequent July 19 comments reflect the Saudi public's
increasing concern over the mounting destruction and death
toll in Lebanon--without backing down from its criticism of
Hizballah. The Saudi public is somewhat divided on the
question of Hizballah responsibility for the violence, but is
generally of one voice in its increasing concern and belief
that Israeli military actions are causing innocent Arabs and
Muslims to suffer.
OBERWETTER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV SA
SUBJECT: FM CRITICAL OF US INACTION, CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE
CEASE-FIRE IN LEBANON
REF: A. REF A: RIYADH 5601
B. REF B: RIYADH 5653
Classified By: Ambassador James C. Oberwetter for
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (S) In a July 19 press conference Foreign Minister Saud
al-Faisal emphasized the need for an immediate cease-fire and
criticized Israeli aggression in Lebanon and the Palestinian
territories. He described the situation as "a real
catastrophe that is taking place before the people's eyes and
nobody is moving to end it." Using the same thinly veiled
language of the July 14 SAG statement (Ref A) which placed
the blame on Hizballah without naming names, the FM
implicitly criticized the U.S. for "the current inaction by
the international community in dealing with Israel's
policies...to such an extent that prompted the Security
Council to be neglectful in taking firm resolutions to
resolve this crisis."
2. (U) However, the FM did not back away from the SAG's
initial criticism of Hizballah, stating "any faction, whoever
it is and under any name, should not have the right to make
this decision on their own without the state's knowledge and
preparedness." Furthermore, responding to a question that
suggested the SAG should have remained silent, rather than
speak out against Hizballah, the FM said, "we have remained
silent on numerous occasions, but that silence proved futile.
When one sees what is happening in Lebanon, he cannot remain
silent."
3. (C) Comment: The SAG's July 14 statement firmly held
Hizballah responsible for the outbreak of the current
conflict, a view that has been echoed in recent media
reports, websites, and clerics' statements. The FM's
subsequent July 19 comments reflect the Saudi public's
increasing concern over the mounting destruction and death
toll in Lebanon--without backing down from its criticism of
Hizballah. The Saudi public is somewhat divided on the
question of Hizballah responsibility for the violence, but is
generally of one voice in its increasing concern and belief
that Israeli military actions are causing innocent Arabs and
Muslims to suffer.
OBERWETTER