Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RIYADH1375
2007-06-26 12:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:  

KING ABDULLAH'S 2007 EUROPEAN TOUR - PART 1

Tags:  PHUM PINR PREL PGOV SA 
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VZCZCXYZ0023
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRH #1375/01 1771255
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 261255Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5854
INFO RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID PRIORITY 0168
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0737
RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW PRIORITY 0058
RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH PRIORITY 8819
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001375 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2017
TAGS: PHUM PINR PREL PGOV SA
SUBJECT: KING ABDULLAH'S 2007 EUROPEAN TOUR - PART 1

REF: RIYADH 01036

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION MICHAEL
GFOELLER FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D).

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SUMMARY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001375

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2017
TAGS: PHUM PINR PREL PGOV SA
SUBJECT: KING ABDULLAH'S 2007 EUROPEAN TOUR - PART 1

REF: RIYADH 01036

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION MICHAEL
GFOELLER FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D).

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SUMMARY
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1. (U) King Abdullah kicked off a week-long series of state
visits to both European and Arab nations on June 18. The
King has already visited Spain, France, and Poland, and will
next visit the Kingdom of Jordan before concluding his tour
at Sharm al-Sheikh in Egypt, where he will meet with Egyptian
President Husni Mubarak. In meetings with European leaders,
the King has emphasized the need for Europe to take an active
role in stabilizing the situations in Israel, Palestine,
Lebanon, and Iraq. Simultaneously, the King has sought to
strengthen bilateral economic ties and enhance business
interests with Spain, France, and Poland.

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Peacemaking Efforts
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2. (U) According to local press reports, King Abdullah has
emphasized in meetings with heads of state in Spain, France,
and Poland, that the violence in Israel, Palestine, Lebanon,
and Iraq must be stopped. The King characterized the
situation in the Middle East as "explosive" and petitioned
the European community to help contained the bloodshed before
it spreads to other countries and threatens to become a
worldwide conflict. In an interview with Spain's leading
daily newspaper, El Pais, the King said, "My fears are
similar to those of all sensible people that the continuation
of all these conflicts will provoke an explosion that will
not be restricted to the region, but will have global
dimensions."


3. (U) In support of the King's campaign, Spain asked the
Palestinians to consider allowing UN-sponsored international
forces into the territories to monitor the cease fire between
Hamas and Fatah. Speaking at a press conference in Madrid,
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Saud al-Faisal, who
is traveling with the King, called on Hamas and Fatah to
recommit to the February 2007 Mecca Agreement and confirmed
the Arab League's continuing support for Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas as a moderate leader. In France,

discussions between the King and President Sarkozy centered
around the Lebanese and Palestinian conflicts, the war in
Iraq, the war on terrorism, and prevention of nuclear
proliferation in the Middle East. President Sarkozy also
announced his support for the King's 2002 Arab Peace Plan,
which was revived during the March 2007 Arab League Summit in
Riyadh.

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Bilateral Relations
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4. (U) Spain: During the King's visit to Spain, the two
countries agreed to establish a $5 billion investment fund to
finance a host of projects in the realm of infrastructure
development, energy, new technologies, tourism, and defense.
Saudi Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf explained that the
fund will be financed entirely by the private sector and
should encourage investment by reducing the tax burden on
shareholders. The King also signed an agreement with the
Spanish Government to prevent goods traded between the two
countries from being double taxed, and also codified a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the countries'
health ministries. Members of the King's delegation also met
with Spanish businessmen to discuss planned infrastructure
and construction projects in Spain and Saudi Arabia.


5. (U) France: A joint Saudi-French statement was signed with
French President Nicolas Sarkozy to boost cooperation in the
fields of higher education and scientific research.
According to a statement released by the French Embassy in
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is one of France's most important trade
partners. The trade volume between France and the Kingdom
during Fiscal Year 2006 (FY06) rose to $7.89 billion
according to official Saudi news reports, with Saudi exports
valued at $5.45 billion and French exports reaching $2.25
billion. Al-Assaf reportedly met with his French
counterpart, Christine Lagarde, to discuss the Kingdom's
railroad projects, the energy sector, and mutual trade and
investment. President Sarkozy also accepted an invitation to
visit Saudi Arabia later this year.


6. (C) Poland: As of 25 June, the King's visit to Poland is
still ongoing. King Abdullah is scheduled to meet with
several Polish officials and will receive a warm welcome
according to Poland's ambassador in Riyadh, Adam Kulach. As
stated in reftel, plans for the King's visit to Poland were
discussed during Polish Foreign Minister's latest visit to
the Kingdom on 9 May 2007. The King is expected to speak
with the Polish President Lech Kaczynski and Polish Prime
Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski and sign six agreements to
promote cooperation in the areas of economy, science,
education and technology, health, and crime fighting.
According to Kulach, King Abdullah enjoys wide popularity in
Poland due to his personal financing of the separation of
conjoined Polish twins at King Abdul Aziz Medical City in
Riyadh in 2005.

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Comment
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7. (C) The King's European tour is a logical step forward for
Saudi Arabia's campaign to bolster its role as regional
peacemaker and enhance the SAG's influence within the region.
The King's choice to start his tour with Spain is
significant because Spain sponsored the Madrid Conference in
1991, which paved the way for the Oslo Accords in 1993.
Similarly, France retains considerable influence in the
region due to its many centuries of close historical
involvement with the Arab world. The move by King Abdullah
is not only a way to reaffirm commitments from European
nations with historical ties to the Middle East, but also an
opportunity for these countries to form strategic
partnerships with the Kingdom on key issues of oil and
economic trade. End Comment.

FRAKER