SAUDI COUNCIL OF MINISTERS WARNS TERRORISM HAS NO

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 006571

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI (SHUKAN)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KISL SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI COUNCIL OF MINISTERS WARNS TERRORISM HAS NO
RELIGION OR NATIONALITY


Classified By: Ambassador James C. Oberwetter
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: A headline on the front page of the August
15 edition of the English language Arab News read, "Kingdom
Warns Against Linking Islam With Fascism," referring directly
to President Bush's August 11 statement on the foiled
terrorist plot in the U.K. President Bush's comment, that
the U.S. is still at war with "Islamic fascists," has sparked
heated public reaction in Saudi Arabia, igniting blistering
commentary in the Saudi media, on-line chat rooms and web
sites, and conversations with Saudi interlocutors. The Arab
News article reported that the King's cabinet (Council of
Ministers) rejected the phrase, denouncing any link between
terrorism and religion or nationality. End Summary.


2. (C) President Bush's comments ignited a firestorm of
editorials, many of which question the sincerity of the
President's earlier statement that Islam is a religion of
peace. One Saudi writer wrote that "it is inappropriate to
ascribe the vicious actions of evil-minded people to their
religions." He drew comparisons to Hitler, Mussolini, and
the IRA, stating that in following this logic, one must label
Hitler a Christian Nazi, Mussolini a Christian fascist, and
the IRA Christian terrorists.


3. (C) The Ambassador recently attended a dinner hosted by
Hassan Yassin, a close friend and advisor to Saudi Foreign
Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal. The Ambassador asked Yassin
for his thoughts on the President's use of the phrase
"Islamic fascists." Yassin, with a sour look on his face,
responded that "we know what year this is," referring to the
upcoming U.S. elections. This reaction typifies Saudi
elite's understanding of U.S. foreign and domestic policies,
but is uncharacteristic of the larger Saudi public, who
associate the President's comment with the perception that
the U.S. unconditionally supports Israel in its aggression
against Lebanon and Palestine.


4. (C) Comment: One of Saudi Arabia's greatest red lines is
the desecration of Islam, as witnessed through the reaction
to the Danish caricatures of the Prophet Muhammed. The
public's discontent with regional events and increasing
displeasure with the SAG's close ties to the U.S. have led to
greater public criticism of the SAG, and inevitably forces it
to exercise extra caution in its relationship with the U.S.
End Comment.
OBERWETTER