Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RIYADH2182
2007-10-31 06:59:00
SECRET
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:  

SAUDI LEADERSHIP ON PEACE CONFERENCE -- FAILURE IS

Tags:  PREL PGOV PINR IS SA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3729
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHRH #2182 3040659
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 310659Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6856
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV IMMEDIATE 4801
RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH IMMEDIATE 9172
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM IMMEDIATE 4329
S E C R E T RIYADH 002182 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT PLEASE PASS TO RJACHIM/SRAMESH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2027
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR IS SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI LEADERSHIP ON PEACE CONFERENCE -- FAILURE IS
NOT AN OPTION

Classified By: Ambassador Ford Fraker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

S E C R E T RIYADH 002182

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT PLEASE PASS TO RJACHIM/SRAMESH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2027
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR IS SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI LEADERSHIP ON PEACE CONFERENCE -- FAILURE IS
NOT AN OPTION

Classified By: Ambassador Ford Fraker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (S) The Ambassador met with Saudi Foreign Minister (FM)
Prince Saud Al Faisal on the margins of First Lady Laura
Bush's October 23 meeting with King Abdullah. The FM told
the Ambassador that the key for ensuring the success of the
upcoming peace conference is for the U.S. to pressure the
Israelis to address the "important, substantive" issues, as
well as to make concessions.


2. (S) Al Faisal stated that the U.S. must first insist that
the Israelis cease the current "land grabs," which he said
are undermining the Palestinians' negotiating position before
the parties even get to the table. He commented that, "Only
you can make the Israelis do this, " adding that, regarding
the conference, failure is "not an option." A failed
conference, pointed out Al Faisal, would significantly
diminish the power and prestige of the U.S. in the region,
thereby endangering U.S. allies here. The FM continued that
delaying the conference until there is "a 90 percent chance
for success" is preferable to holding it prematurely only to
have it fail.


3. (S) The First Lady noted to the Ambassador on October 24
that King Abdullah conveyed to her the same message.
FRAKER