HUMAN APPEAL INTERNATIONAL: POST RESPONSE TO

S E C R E T RIYADH 000299 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS STATE PLEASE PASS TO LEANNE CANNON, KATHERINE LEAHY, AND PATTY HILL E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2017 TAGS: ECON EFIN ETTC KTFN PREL PTER SA SUBJECT: HUMAN APPEAL INTERNATIONAL: POST RESPONSE TO POSSIBLE DESIGNATION Classified By: Economic Counselor Robert Silverman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/NF) Mission Saudi Arabia appreciates the opportunity to comment on the potential UNSCR 1267 designation of the NGO Human Appeal International (HAI). After consulting internally within Embassy Riyadh, we have concerns with the reliance of evidence of this case on Hamas, which is not sanctionable under UNSCR 1267. We recommend focusing the case on Ansar al-Islam and al Qaida-affiliated individuals. ¶2. (S/NF) It is the policy and practice of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to comply with all UNSCR 1267 Sanctions Committee designations, including designations of Saudi nationals and organizations in Saudi Arabia. Given this policy, it is likely that the SAG would support a UNSCR 1267 designation, but it will also request specific case evidence to support a designation. It is very unlikely that the SAG would take over any legitimate charitable services currently being provided by a branch in the host country due to the absence of an established Charity Commission or NGO infrastructure. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would certainly not be receptive to replacement services provided by the USG. ¶3. (S/NF) The SAG does not view Hamas as a terrorist organization and would note to us, if this case is designated, that Hamas affiliation is irrelevant to UNSCR 1267 designations. Given the very public leadership role of the Saudis in brokering a deal between Hamas and Fatah to form a unity government, it would be politically difficult for the SAG to support the designation of a charity that appears to benefit the Palestinian people. ¶4. (S/NF) Post has no knowledge of an HAI branch operating in Saudi Arabia and requests additional information from the HAI Case Summary regarding Saudi Arabia based support to the organization and its sponsored projects. OBERWETTER