WEBSITE REPORTS MEETING OF THIRD GENERATION ROYALS

S E C R E T RIYADH 006818

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SA
SUBJECT: WEBSITE REPORTS MEETING OF THIRD GENERATION ROYALS

REF: A. A) 05 RIYADH 1293

B. B) 05 RIYADH 406

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


1. (C) A moderate Saudi-based and owned website reported on
August 15 that Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz held a meeting
with key princes of the royal family's third generation in
his Riyadh palace earlier this month. Notable attendees were
his son Prince al-Waleed, one of the wealthiest businessmen
in the Kingdom, Prince Khaled bin Sultan, Assistant Minister
of Defense, Prince Muhammed bin Naif, Assistant Minister of
Interior, Prince Mansur bin Mit'ib, who organized the 2005
municipal council partial elections, Prince Sultan bin
Salman, Chairman of the Tourism Authority, and several other
grandsons of King Abdul Aziz. This meeting was reported as
the first of its kind, since all previous family meetings
were reportedly held under the authority of the Saudi Family
Council, of which Prince Talal is a member.


2. (C) Prince Talal reportedly said that the goal of the
meeting was to promote "love and unity" among the third
generation of the Al Saud, and that it was successful. Prince
Talal has been vocal in the past about encouraging the future
leaders of Saudi Arabia to take greater responsibility and
has pushed for the principle that any qualified son or
grandson of King Abdul Aziz should be considered potentially
eligible for the throne, in accordance with the Basic Law of
the Kingdom.


3. (C) NOTE: Some analysts have speculated that Prince
Talal's interest in the third generation of Al Saud princes
is merely a way to promote his own son's career. Prince
al-Waleed, son of Prince Talal, is considered by many Saudis
to be inferior to other members of the royal family because
his mother was non-tribal and of Lebanese descent.
Additionally, it is rumored that the Saudi elite does not
favor Prince al-Waleed because they find his "arrogance," as
exemplified by his business dealings as owner of Kingdom
Holdings, incompatible with the diplomatic skills needed to
rule the Kingdom. END NOTE.


3. (S) COMMENT: For the past few years, Prince Talal has
been advocating for a mechanism whereby the top young talent
of the Al Saud family can be groomed for senior ruling
positions in the future (Ref A, B). In his efforts, Prince
Talal has periodically held meetings with the third
generation to discuss potential options. The fact that
Prince Talal, a perceived patriarch and well-respected,
high-ranking member of the Al Saud family, is dealing with
these issues shows that the Al Saud family are thinking about
the succession issue in a long-term manner, and not merely in
a 10-15 year time frame. Such long-term thinking is one
reason for the dynasty's staying power and longevity. END
COMMENT.
OBERWETTER