SAUDI COUNCIL OF MINISTERS WARNS TERRORISM HAS NO

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 006574

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR U/S KAREN HUGHES, NEA/ARPI FOR SHUKAN, NSC FOR
MIKE DORAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER 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. 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, while making no direct reference to the
President,s remarks. Nevertheless, 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.
End Summary.


2. (C) The President's comments ignited a firestorm of
editorials, many of which question the sincerity of his
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. The Council of Ministers, statement
said "what Islam is accused of today is a Western cultural
product like fascism."


3. (C) The Ambassador recently attended a dinner hosted by
Hassan Yassin (protect),a close friend and advisor to Saudi
Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal. The Ambassador asked
Yassin for his thoughts on 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 the Saudi elites' understanding of
U.S. foreign and domestic policies, but is wholly
uncharacteristic of the larger Saudi public.


4. (C) Comment: One of Saudi Arabia's greatest red lines is
what the Saudi people see as 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.
While King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has
not publicly expressed himself, his Council of Ministers has.
In rejecting such linkage, the SAG is protecting its
heritage and distancing itself from such labels. End Comment.
OBERWETTER