KING'S "LANDMARK" TOUR OF SOUTHERN REGION YIELDS

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 008671

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON PINR SA
SUBJECT: KING'S "LANDMARK" TOUR OF SOUTHERN REGION YIELDS
BIG DIVIDENDS FOR NAJRANIS

Classified By: Political Counselor David Rundell for reasons 1.4(b) and
(d).


1. (U) Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin
Abdul Azziz arrived in Najran on October 31 for his first
visit to the region since ascending the throne. Najranis,
who closed their shops and held a festival in honor of the
King, prepared for months for the visit. In conjunction with
what is being described as a "landmark" tour of the southern
region, the King announced the launch of health, education,
and infrastructure projects in Najran totaling approximately
SR 3.36 billion (USD 893 million). According to Governor of
Najran Province Prince Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdul Azziz,
these projects include the expansion of Najran's airport (USD
26.6 million),a complex of university colleges for applied
sciences (USD 160 million),technical education projects (USD
53 million),including a polytechnic institute for girls, a
water desalination project (USD 106 million),electricity
projects (USD 2.4 million),and health projects (USD 7.6
million),including a 300-bed hospital, health college,
center for the treatment of diabetes, and 41 primary health
care centers. Accompanied by numerous SAG officials --
Chairman of the Royal Commission for Yanbu and Jubail Prince
Saud bin Abdullah bin Thunayyan, Secretary-General of the
Supreme Commission for Tourism Prince Sultan bin Salman,
Labor Minister Ghazi al-Qusaibi, and Culture and Information
Minister Iyad Madani -- the King will continue his progress
to Asir and Jizan Provinces. He is expected to launch the
Kingdom's fourth economic city in Jizan on November 5, which
analysts say will create approximately 30,000 new jobs in the
industrial, mining, and service sectors.


2. (C) In addition to the substantial investment in Najran
Province's infrastructure, the King's visit yielded
additional benefits in good will. Officials estimated that
close to 20,000 citizens showed up to submit written
complaints to the office the King opened in Najran to accept
and review such petitions. He also pardoned a number of
Ismaeli prisoners -- including one individual the press
identified as a "citizen who was sentenced to 14 years in
jail." (NOTE: The King often pardons prisoners on such
visits. While the details of the pardons are rarely
published, the case of the "citizen sentenced to 14 years"
appeared to refer to Hadi al-Mutaif, who was sentenced to
death 14 years ago for "blasphemy." His sentence was later
commuted to life. The SAG has not confirmed that al-Mutaif
was pardoned, and he remains incarcerated. END NOTE.)


3. (C) Al-Mutaif recently went on a hunger strike in protest
of his imprisonment, which resulted in significant domestic
and international publicity. Saudi human rights
organizations, including the Human Rights First Society,
closely followed al-Mutaif's case and advised Post prior to
the King's visit to Najran that there was a good possibility
al-Mutaif would be pardoned. Such was the significance of
this pardon that television broadcasts of the festivities in
Najran were interrupted with news of the King's decision.
Finally, the King's public statements were clearly directed
to Najran's Ismaeli population, emphasizing unity and
brotherhood, as well as lauding the fact that both the SAG
and the Ismaelis had honored the pact between the King's
father and those of the Ismaelis.


4. (C) COMMENT: The last time King Abdullah visited Najran
was 20 years ago when he was crown prince. During his
October 31 visit, he continued his message of tolerance,
unity, and brotherhood -- even going so far as to state that
there is no need to look to "outsiders" in order to solve
regional problems. (NOTE: There is no indication as to
whether the King was referring to any specific issue. END
NOTE.) Symbolically, the King made clear the importance of
Najran's Ismaeli population by beginning his trip to the
southern region with this city -- although coming from Jeddah
as he did, geographically, it would have made more sense for
him to begin in Asir Province. Most importantly, the King
backed up his words with concrete action. The magnitude of
investments in Najran where, according to Governor Prince
Mishaal, the SAG has thus far invested over USD 3.6 billion
in development projects, the King's clear message of
tolerance, and his pardons of Ismaeli prisoners are playing
out very positively in the Saudi press. It certainly appears
to be a concerted effort to reach out to a minority
population that has felt marginalized by the Kingdom's Sunni
majority. END COMMENT.
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