Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RIYADH2224
2007-11-06 15:12:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
MFA OFFICIAL APOLOGIZES FOR PRINCE BANDAR BIN
how-toO 061512Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6910 INFO GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE AMEMBASSY LONDON AMCONSUL JEDDAH NSC WASHDC CIA WASHDC DIA WASHINGTON DC HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC 0171
SECRET RIYADH 002224
SIPDIS
NOFORN
DEPT PASS FOR NEA/ARP AND NEA/FO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV PINR SA
SUBJECT: MFA OFFICIAL APOLOGIZES FOR PRINCE BANDAR BIN
SULTAN'S 9/11 COMMENTS
REF: SECSTATE 152825
Classified By: Ambassador Ford Fraker for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
SECRET RIYADH 002224
SIPDIS
NOFORN
DEPT PASS FOR NEA/ARP AND NEA/FO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV PINR SA
SUBJECT: MFA OFFICIAL APOLOGIZES FOR PRINCE BANDAR BIN
SULTAN'S 9/11 COMMENTS
REF: SECSTATE 152825
Classified By: Ambassador Ford Fraker for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (S/NF) On November 6, the DCM met with Doctor Prince
Turki Saud al-Kabeer, the Deputy Minister for Political
Affairs and International Organizations and the highest
ranking MFA official in-country, to deliver reftel remarks
regarding recent comments by Secretary General of the Saudi
National Security Council Prince Bandar bin Sultan stating
that the USG could have prevented 9/11 if it had consulted
with the Saudis in a "credible" way. The Foreign Minister is
currently traveling with King Abdullah in Europe.
2. (S/NF) Prince Turki responded to the protest demarche by
saying, "We are sorry." He added that Prince Bandar's
comments did not mean to harm the US-Saudi relationship. He
called Bandar's remarks a "slip of the tongue," noting that
these comments "should never have been made." "The Prince's
comments surprised us all," said Prince Turki. He stated
that Saudi Arabian Government (SAG) decision makers had not
cleared the Prince's comments in advance. He added that if
the SAG had possessed information about the 9/11 attacks, it
would have passed the information along to the USG
immediately.
3. (S/NF) The Prince also used the meeting to reiterate his
past statements that "terrorists are deranged" and to stress
that education, moderate clerics/mosques, and strong family
structures are needed to combat terrorism. He said "all
three are equal in importance." In particular, he noted that
his school age children in Saudi Arabia are now being taught
that terrorism and extremism are "evil."
FRAKER
SIPDIS
NOFORN
DEPT PASS FOR NEA/ARP AND NEA/FO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV PINR SA
SUBJECT: MFA OFFICIAL APOLOGIZES FOR PRINCE BANDAR BIN
SULTAN'S 9/11 COMMENTS
REF: SECSTATE 152825
Classified By: Ambassador Ford Fraker for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (S/NF) On November 6, the DCM met with Doctor Prince
Turki Saud al-Kabeer, the Deputy Minister for Political
Affairs and International Organizations and the highest
ranking MFA official in-country, to deliver reftel remarks
regarding recent comments by Secretary General of the Saudi
National Security Council Prince Bandar bin Sultan stating
that the USG could have prevented 9/11 if it had consulted
with the Saudis in a "credible" way. The Foreign Minister is
currently traveling with King Abdullah in Europe.
2. (S/NF) Prince Turki responded to the protest demarche by
saying, "We are sorry." He added that Prince Bandar's
comments did not mean to harm the US-Saudi relationship. He
called Bandar's remarks a "slip of the tongue," noting that
these comments "should never have been made." "The Prince's
comments surprised us all," said Prince Turki. He stated
that Saudi Arabian Government (SAG) decision makers had not
cleared the Prince's comments in advance. He added that if
the SAG had possessed information about the 9/11 attacks, it
would have passed the information along to the USG
immediately.
3. (S/NF) The Prince also used the meeting to reiterate his
past statements that "terrorists are deranged" and to stress
that education, moderate clerics/mosques, and strong family
structures are needed to combat terrorism. He said "all
three are equal in importance." In particular, he noted that
his school age children in Saudi Arabia are now being taught
that terrorism and extremism are "evil."
FRAKER