PRESIDENTIAL ADVOCACY LETTER DELIVERED TO KING

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 008234

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

RIYADH PASS DHAHARAN
USDOC FOR 3000/US&FCS ASST SEC & DIR GENERAL ISREAL
HERNANDEZ, USDOC FOR 3131/CS/OIO/RD/ANESA/GREG LOOSE, USDOC
FOR 3004/ITA/ADVOCACY/CJAMES AND DBLOOM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2016
TAGS: EAIR ETRD BEXP PREL PTER MOPS SA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL ADVOCACY LETTER DELIVERED TO KING
ABDULLAH

Classified By: U.S. Ambassador James Oberwetter; reasons: 1.4 (b),(d),
and (e).


1. (C) Summary: On September 19, Department of Commerce
Assistant Secretary for Trade Promotion, Israel Hernandez,
delivered the President's letter advocating for two U.S.
companies, Boeing and General Electric (GE),bid for the
upgrade of Saudi Arabian Airline (Saudia) and the Royal
fleet, to King Abdullah in Jeddah. The King was pleased to
receive the letter from President Bush and said his own plane
was a Boeing 747. The King then instructed the A/S to do
whatever it takes to get his Boeing 747 all the latest
technology, similar to Air Force One, at the earliest
possible time. King Abdullah went on to say that after he
gets his plane, the decision he makes for the Saudia upgrade
will please the U.S. Government. End Summary

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King Receives President's Letter:
Responds Positively to Boeing
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2. (C) On Tuesday September 19, 2006, Israel Hernandez,
Assistant Secretary (A/S) for Trade Promotion and Director
General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service at the
U.S. Department of Commerce, Ambassador Oberwetter, and
Commercial Counselor Nasir Abbasi met with King Abdullah at
his office in Jeddah, to deliver the Presidential Advocacy
letter. Note: (Saudi Arabian Airlines and the Saudi Royal
Fleet are preparing for a major fleet modernization. Boeing
has offered to provide up to 43 aircraft, including 787
Dreamliners, 777s and 747-8 Inter-continentals, to Saudi
Arabian Airlines and the 13 aircraft, including 787s, 777s
and 747s and Boeing Business Jets, to Saudi Royal Fleet,
which provides transportation exclusively for the Saudi royal
family. In addition to the sale of aircraft, General
Electric Aviation is offering to provide engines for
Boeing,s aircraft. The procurement is valued at a combined
$12 billion. End Note.


3. (C) The King received the letter and after briefly
reading it, responded by saying his own personal preference
is to fly on Boeing. When he was ready to upgrade his current
aircraft, he was offered two (2) brand new planes by Airbus.
However, he does not want anything to do with Airbus planes.


4. (C) He has selected a plane from Saudia,s current fleet
a 747 with minimal hours on the engines, as his new plane.
This plane will be the new Head of State plane, and the King
has recently approved new layout for the inside, which will
be carried out in the United States.


5. (C) The King then turned to the A/S Hernandez and said
politely "I am instructing you" to speak to the President and
all the concerned authorities to make available all the
latest technology for his plane. He wanted to have all the
technology that his friend President Bush has on Air Force
One. The A/S said he will relay the message to the White
House.

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King Ties Boeing Deal to Technology for Royal Plane
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6. (C) The King went on to say that after he receives his
plane, then he will convene a meeting with the concerned
authorities within the Saudi Government and to evaluate
Boeing,s bid. "God Willing" he will make a decision that
will "please you very much". The King then thanked the A/S
for delivering the letter and asked him to convey his
personal greetings to the President.


7. (C) Comment: The King was in extremely good spirits that
evening, as was evident by the time he spent with the A/S.
However, he was quite specific on what he wanted for his
personal safety on his plane. His rejection of two brand new
Airbus planes for a slightly used Boeing 747 clearly
demonstrates his personal preference. He expressly wants
his plane to have the technology available on Air Force One.
This seemingly will play a positive role in the decision he
makes for the upgrade of Saudia and the Royal fleet.
OBERWETTER