SCENESETTER: APHSCT TOWNSEND VISIT TO SAUDI

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 07 RIYADH 008858 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS NSC PASS TO TODD HINNEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2031 TAGS: EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC CVIS PGOV PREL SA SUBJECT: SCENESETTER: APHSCT TOWNSEND VISIT TO SAUDI ARABIA, 4-7 NOVEMBER 2006 REF: A. RIYADH 8395 ¶B. RIYADH 8401 ¶C. RIYADH 8404 ¶D. RIYADH 8406 ¶E. RIYADH 8407 ¶F. RIYADH 8314 RIYADH 00008858 001.2 OF 007 Classified By: AMBASSADOR JAMES OBERWETTER FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(D),AN D (G). ¶1. (S) Ambassador Oberwetter and the entire US Mission in Saudi Arabia warmly welcomes your visit to Riyadh. Your visit to the Kingdom comes in the general context of improving U.S.- SAG relations. Saudi leaders have warmly welcomed a large number of senior USG visitors recently, and have confirmed the strength of the bilateral relationship, including during regular consultations that occur under the auspices of the Strategic Dialogue. ¶2. (S) Counterterrorism cooperation remains strong and effective, though we need to continue urging the government to take more counterterrorism finance measures. Internally, while the stream of threat intelligence continues, no bomb has gone off since the February 24 attack on the Abqaiq oil facility. Between 40 to 60 terrorists have been killed, arrested or detained this year. The SAG seeks US assistance on energy infrastructure protection and border security. State's Diplomatic Security sent an assessment team in July to key oil infrastructure sites, leading possibly to a long-term partnership that would enhance international energy security. ¶3. (S) On counterterrorist financing, the SAG froze the assets and took away the passport of Mr. al-Mua'jjil, the director of the IIRO's Eastern Province branch. The branch is under investigation and temporarily closed. However, the government has done nothing to establish a National Commission for the Relief and Charitable Work Abroad, nor issued cash declaration forms, despite our raising both repeatedly. ¶4. (S) The Saudi leadership acknowledges privately that the war on terrorism will not be won for many years. They recognize that it is as much a campaign of ideas and education as it is a military and law enforcement offensive. The Government continues an ambitious media and public education campaign to dissuade Saudis, particularly the young, against the extremist message. However, intolerant language remains in Saudi textbooks and youth are still exposed to extremist ideologies through summer camps, in the mosques and in the media. -------------- IIRO -------------- ¶5. (S/NF) The IIRO Eastern Province branch has temporarily closed its offices pending an ongoing MOI investigation. The MOI informed U.S. intelligence sources that on approximately July 10, 2006 Al-Mua'jjil's bank accounts were frozen and travel restrictions were placed on him. According to the MOI, the SAG does not have enough evidence to arrest or detain him at this point in time. Other than freezing Al-Mua'jjil's bank accounts and restricting his travel, the SAG does not plan further actions. -------------- AL HARAMAIN ISLAMIC FOUNDATION -------------- ¶6. (C) Suliman Al-Buthe, designated to the UN in 2004 for ties to Al Haramain, 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 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 his passports. However, 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. According to intelligence sources, the RIYADH 00008858 002.2 OF 007 ///////ZFR////////ZFR///////ZFR/////////ZFR// /// PLEASE CANCEL RIYADH 8858 AND ASSOCIATED MRNS AND MCNS. POST REGRETS ANY INCONVIENCE CAUSED. ////////ZFR////////ZFR////////ZFR//////////ZF R//// RIYADH 00008858 003.2 OF 007 //////ZFR///ZFR////////ZFR///////ZFR//////ZFR /// PLEASE CANCEL RIYADH 8858 AND ASSOCIATED MCNS AND MRNS. POST REGRETS ANY INCONVIENCE CAUSE. ///ZFR//////////ZFR//////ZFR///////ZFR/////// /ZFR RIYADH 00008858 004.2 OF 007 ///ZFR////////ZFR///////////ZFR//////ZFR///// //// PLEASE CANCEL RIYADH 8858 AND ALL ASSOCIATED MCNS AND MRNS. POST REGRETS ANY INCONVIENCE CAUSED. //////ZFR///////ZFR////////ZFR///////ZFR///// ///// RIYADH 00008858 005.2 OF 007 ///////ZFR///////ZFR///////ZFR/////////ZFR/// //// PLEASE CANCEL RIYADH 8858 AND ALL ASSOCIATED MCNS. POST REGRETS ANY INCONVIENCE CAUSED. ////ZFR//////ZFR//////ZFR///////ZFR///////ZFR ///// RIYADH 00008858 006.2 OF 007 ////ZFR///////ZFR///////ZFR////////ZFR/////// / PLEASE CANCEL RIYADH 8858 AND ALL ASSOCIATED MCNS AND MRNS. POST REGRETS ANY INCONVIENCE CAUSED. ///ZFR////////ZFR////////ZFR////////ZFR////// // RIYADH 00008858 007.2 OF 007 ///////ZFR///////ZFR//////////ZFR///////////Z FR/// PLEASE CANCEL RIYADH 8858 AND ALL ASSOCIATED MCNS AND MRNS. POST REGRETS ANY INCONVIENCE CAUSED. ////////ZFR/////////ZFR////////ZFR///////ZFR/ ////// OBERWETTER