DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SECURING REGIONAL BORDERS

S E C R E T RIYADH 000021 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT PLEASE PASS TO NEA/ARP FOR SWALKER/BSHUKAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2027 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR KISL SA SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SECURING REGIONAL BORDERS AGAINST INFLUX OF FOREIGN FIGHTERS AND WEAPONS TO SOMALIA REF: SECSTATE 203455 Classified By: Charge D'Affaires Michael Gfoeller for reasons 1.4 (b) a nd (d). ¶1. (S) Charge' delivered reftel demarche to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Dr. Nizar Obaid Madani on January 7. Dr. Madani emphasized that it the SAG's policy to refrain from interfering in the internal issues of other states, pointing out that Saudi Arabia does not share a border with Somalia. He said that the MFA and Saudi intelligence agencies are in the process of evaluating the situation in Somalia based on recent developments and offered to share this evaluation with Post upon completion. ¶2. (S) Dr. Madani wondered how serious the opposition to Ethiopian troops in Somalia really is, stating that it would be "helpful" if Ethiopian troops pulled out. While reiterating the SAG's non-interference policy, he added that the presence of foreign forces in Somalia would not be "helpful" in the long term. GFOELLER