Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RIYADH6472
2006-08-14 13:18:00
SECRET
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:  

RENEWED STIRRINGS OF POLITICAL OPPOSITION ACTIVITY

Tags:  PGOV PREL KISL SA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRH #6472/01 2261318
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 141318Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0606
INFO RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH 7570
S E C R E T RIYADH 006472 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KISL SA
SUBJECT: RENEWED STIRRINGS OF POLITICAL OPPOSITION ACTIVITY

REF: A. A) RIYADH 6372

B. B) 05 RIYADH 6514

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michel Gfoeller
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

S E C R E T RIYADH 006472

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KISL SA
SUBJECT: RENEWED STIRRINGS OF POLITICAL OPPOSITION ACTIVITY

REF: A. A) RIYADH 6372

B. B) 05 RIYADH 6514

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michel Gfoeller
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: On August 9, Dr. Saad al-Faqih, leader of
the London-based, Saudi opposition group, Movement for
Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA),called for Kingdom-wide
political demonstrations to be held on Friday August 11
immediately prior to Friday prayers (Ref A). Al-Faqih, a
Saudi dissident and al-Qaeda supporter living in exile in
London, claimed on his television station that in response
to his call there was a moderate turnout in Saudi Arabia,
although there was no sign of its success in Riyadh or
anywhere in the local media and on conservative websites.
Irrespective of the success of the protests, al-Faqih's
ability to issue a number of public statements since the
start of the Lebanon crisis as well as renew calls for
political demonstrations may portend a rise in opposition
activity in the Kingdom. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) MIRA's London-based satellite television channel,
Al-Islah, carried a live broadcasting on August 11 of
al-Faqih criticizing the Saudi government. During his
speech, he focused on MIRA's call for political gatherings at
the Saudi mosques and stated that "the response is modest and
does not match our aspirations." He continued, "we want the
area to be packed with reformists." Commenting on the low
level of attendance, he condemned his "brothers" for the low
turnout, but commended his "sisters" for their higher
turnout. Al-Faqih also announced that a new proposal for
increased activities will be released in the coming two to
three weeks. According to Riyadh sources who attended the
Friday sermon at the specified Sulayman al-Rajihi mosque,
there were no indications of any political gatherings by
members of MIRA. The Friday sermon proceeded on time and
with normal attendance, and there were no signs of overt
demonstrations, calls for protest or police interference.


3. (C) Al-Faqih's return to the airwaves and internet
indicates increased activism and a renewed availability of
resources to MIRA. On December 23, 2004, al-Faqih was
designated by the U.S. and U.K. governments as a financial

supporter of al-Qaeda. (Note: On December 24, 2004, under
United Nations Order 2001, the Bank of England froze MIRA's
assets based on "reasonable grounds for suspecting that the
organization is acting on behalf of Saad al-Faqih, who was
listed by the U.N. as an associate of al-Qaeda on December
23, 2004." Subsequently, on July 15, 2005, the U.N. 1267
Committee designated MIRA for providing support to al-Qaeda,
based upon the earlier designation of Saad al-Faqih. End
Note.) Immediately following the July 7, 2005 terrorist
attacks in London, the British government shut down the MIRA
website, radio station, and satellite television channel
(Ref B). For the next year, MIRA's public face diminished.
However, since the beginning of the Lebanon crisis, MIRA,
through the leadership of al-Faqih, has reclaimed its voice
in the public sphere. It has reopened its website, albeit
under a different domain name (www.islah.tv),and it has
relaunched its satellite television channel, "Al-Islah
Television." Since its resources are still limited, the
television station broadcasts live for only 3 hours daily,
and then airs taped broadcasts throughout the remainder of
the day.


4. (C) Al-Faqih's live broadcasts in recent weeks
highlighted the recent demonstrations in the Eastern Province
in protest of the Lebanon crisis, and called for increased
activities in the Kingdom under the banner of MIRA.
Commenting on the demonstrations, he stated, "the state was
forced to accept it," and noted that the protesters were
"brandishing slogans that were at odds with the state's
official stance." He further stated that support for
Hizballah during the demonstrations "is no less important
than opposing the state." Al-Faqih claimed to have delayed
his own call for demonstrations, as he planned to utilize the
increasing opposition to the SAG's reaction to the Lebanon
crisis as fuel for his own cause.


5. (S) COMMENT: Although its assets were frozen, it appears
that MIRA may have recently identified new resources in order
to revitalize its opposition campaign to the SAG. It is
unclear whether MIRA will enjoy increased public awareness
and participation in its efforts. Nevertheless, the timing
of its attempts is a possible indication of renewed
opposition activity. The last time that al-Faqih attempted
to drain support from the Al Saud family in late 2004, he
appealed to the tribes, one of the vital pillars of the
regime's support. Currently, by calling for demonstrations
at mosques, he is attempting to utilize the second pillar of
the regime's support, the religious population, to undermine
the SAG's authority. Al-Faqih is trying to use subversive
tactics to strike at the heart of the Al Saud power
structure, which rests largely on tribal and religious
foundations. Al-Faqih is an intelligent and sophisticated
opponent of the SAG, who has repeatedly demonstrated his
staying power, although his ultimate effectiveness is open to
question. END COMMENT.

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