Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RIYADH8314
2006-10-17 15:34:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
TERRORISM FINANCE: UNSC 1267 DESIGNEE, SULIMAN
how-toVZCZCXRO1845 OO RUEHDE DE RUEHRH #8314 2901534 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 171534Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2719 INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH 7830
S E C R E T RIYADH 008314
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2031
TAGS: EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC PREL SA
SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE: UNSC 1267 DESIGNEE, SULIMAN
AL-BUTHE, FEATURED IN LOCAL PRESS, STILL ON SAG PAYROLL
Classified By: Counselor for Economic Affairs Robert Silverman for reas
ons 1.4 (b),(d),and (g).
S E C R E T RIYADH 008314
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2031
TAGS: EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC PREL SA
SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE: UNSC 1267 DESIGNEE, SULIMAN
AL-BUTHE, FEATURED IN LOCAL PRESS, STILL ON SAG PAYROLL
Classified By: Counselor for Economic Affairs Robert Silverman for reas
ons 1.4 (b),(d),and (g).
1. (U) United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR)
1267 Designee, Suliman H. Al-Buthe (aka Solaiman Al-Buthi)
was featured in an article published in the Saudi Gazette, a
mainstream Saudi publication censored by the Saudi Arabian
Government (SAG). Al-Buthe, the Assistant General Manager
for the Department of Gardens and Beautification, Riyadh
Municipality, boasted about Saudi's three-day Eid
celebration, which includes a circus and fireworks.
2. (C) Al-Buthe, who was designated in 2004 by the UNSC
1267 Committee for ties to the Taliban and Al'Qaida through
the Al Haramain Islamic Foundation, has worked for the Riyadh
Municipality, Department of Gardens and Beautification, for
over twenty years and has control of its finances. Following
his 1267 Designation, the SAG has promoted Al-Buthe twice.
Currently Al-Buthe oversees a SAR 30 million (USD $8 million)
project for a sporting complex in Riyadh. In 2004, the SAG
enforced UNSCR 1267 sanctions by freezing Al-Buthe's assets
and forcing him to turn in seven passports; he has been
unable to leave the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) since this
time. Due to these restrictions, the SAG pays his salary in
cash and is paying for the schooling of his three children in
Riyadh. In addition to working for the SAG, Al-Buthe has an
import/export business in Riyadh with his brother, who is a
textbook publisher in the KSA.
3. (S/NF) Comment. According to intelligence sources, the
SAG may have provided at least two radical clerics with
government employment to keep a watchful eye on them; the
SAG's employment of Al-Buthe and its control over his
children's education may be a way for the SAG to monitor
Al-Buthe. However, while the SAG has complied with the
minimum sanctions imposed by UNSCR 1267, their continued
comfortable employment of this 1267 designee, specifically
giving him budgetary responsibilities, is a troubling
indicator of the seriousness with which the SAG takes the
designation - at least in this case. Post plans on raising
this case in our post-Eid meetings with counterterrorism
officials. End comment.
OBERWETTER
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2031
TAGS: EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC PREL SA
SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE: UNSC 1267 DESIGNEE, SULIMAN
AL-BUTHE, FEATURED IN LOCAL PRESS, STILL ON SAG PAYROLL
Classified By: Counselor for Economic Affairs Robert Silverman for reas
ons 1.4 (b),(d),and (g).
1. (U) United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR)
1267 Designee, Suliman H. Al-Buthe (aka Solaiman Al-Buthi)
was featured in an article published in the Saudi Gazette, a
mainstream Saudi publication censored by the Saudi Arabian
Government (SAG). Al-Buthe, the Assistant General Manager
for the Department of Gardens and Beautification, Riyadh
Municipality, boasted about Saudi's three-day Eid
celebration, which includes a circus and fireworks.
2. (C) Al-Buthe, who was designated in 2004 by the UNSC
1267 Committee for ties to the Taliban and Al'Qaida through
the Al Haramain Islamic Foundation, has worked for the Riyadh
Municipality, Department of Gardens and Beautification, for
over twenty years and has control of its finances. Following
his 1267 Designation, the SAG has promoted Al-Buthe twice.
Currently Al-Buthe oversees a SAR 30 million (USD $8 million)
project for a sporting complex in Riyadh. In 2004, the SAG
enforced UNSCR 1267 sanctions by freezing Al-Buthe's assets
and forcing him to turn in seven passports; he has been
unable to leave the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) since this
time. Due to these restrictions, the SAG pays his salary in
cash and is paying for the schooling of his three children in
Riyadh. In addition to working for the SAG, Al-Buthe has an
import/export business in Riyadh with his brother, who is a
textbook publisher in the KSA.
3. (S/NF) Comment. According to intelligence sources, the
SAG may have provided at least two radical clerics with
government employment to keep a watchful eye on them; the
SAG's employment of Al-Buthe and its control over his
children's education may be a way for the SAG to monitor
Al-Buthe. However, while the SAG has complied with the
minimum sanctions imposed by UNSCR 1267, their continued
comfortable employment of this 1267 designee, specifically
giving him budgetary responsibilities, is a troubling
indicator of the seriousness with which the SAG takes the
designation - at least in this case. Post plans on raising
this case in our post-Eid meetings with counterterrorism
officials. End comment.
OBERWETTER