Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RIYADH347
2007-02-21 13:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
GWOT: BIOMETRICS AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE IN SAUDI
how-toVZCZCXRO6892 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHRH #0347/01 0521334 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 211334Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4432 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEAORC/HQ ICE IAO WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 000347
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR S/CT FRED VOGEL AND CA ALCY FRELICK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2017
TAGS: KVPR PTER PREL PGOV PINR CVIS ASEC KHLS
SUBJECT: GWOT: BIOMETRICS AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE IN SAUDI
ARABIA
RIYADH 00000347 001.2 OF 002
//////ZFR///////ZFR/////////ZFR///////ZFR//// //ZFR////////
PLEASE CANCEL RIYADH 347 AND ALL ASSOCIATED MCNS. POST
REGRETS ANY INCONVIENIENCE CAUSED. CABLE WILL BE RESENT
UNDER NEW MRN.
////ZFR/////////ZFR////////ZFR///////ZFR///// //ZFR////////
RIYADH 00000347 002 OF 002
soft-cover booklets for their primary identification in Saudi
Arabia, though diplomats are issued the hard-plastic card
version.
7. (SBU) Saudi Arabia has recently begun implementing
separate fingerprinting systems for citizens obtaining
passport services and for illegal immigrants prior to
deportation. The deportee fingerprint system is linked to the
National Information Center (NIC).
8. (C) The NIC is based in Riyadh, under the authority of
the Ministry of Interior. They are the repository of matters
relating to the Saudi national interest and has a function,
at least in part, similar to that of our own Terrorist
Screening Center. The use of fingerprinting for passports is
new and quite limited, but authorities hope to expand the
local database over the next five years. There is an interest
in developing facial recognition and iris-scan technologies
in the future, budget and resource constraints permitting.
--------------
Identifying Appropriate Partners
--------------
9. (S/NF) Cooperation between Saudi authorities and USG
elements is strong. Cooperation and liasion exchange between
the Ministry of Interior's "Mubahith" internal intelligence
service and our own service is particularly strong. Where
needed, requests for additional information sharing would
generally best be routed through these existing channels.
OBERWETTER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR S/CT FRED VOGEL AND CA ALCY FRELICK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2017
TAGS: KVPR PTER PREL PGOV PINR CVIS ASEC KHLS
SUBJECT: GWOT: BIOMETRICS AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE IN SAUDI
ARABIA
RIYADH 00000347 001.2 OF 002
//////ZFR///////ZFR/////////ZFR///////ZFR//// //ZFR////////
PLEASE CANCEL RIYADH 347 AND ALL ASSOCIATED MCNS. POST
REGRETS ANY INCONVIENIENCE CAUSED. CABLE WILL BE RESENT
UNDER NEW MRN.
////ZFR/////////ZFR////////ZFR///////ZFR///// //ZFR////////
RIYADH 00000347 002 OF 002
soft-cover booklets for their primary identification in Saudi
Arabia, though diplomats are issued the hard-plastic card
version.
7. (SBU) Saudi Arabia has recently begun implementing
separate fingerprinting systems for citizens obtaining
passport services and for illegal immigrants prior to
deportation. The deportee fingerprint system is linked to the
National Information Center (NIC).
8. (C) The NIC is based in Riyadh, under the authority of
the Ministry of Interior. They are the repository of matters
relating to the Saudi national interest and has a function,
at least in part, similar to that of our own Terrorist
Screening Center. The use of fingerprinting for passports is
new and quite limited, but authorities hope to expand the
local database over the next five years. There is an interest
in developing facial recognition and iris-scan technologies
in the future, budget and resource constraints permitting.
--------------
Identifying Appropriate Partners
--------------
9. (S/NF) Cooperation between Saudi authorities and USG
elements is strong. Cooperation and liasion exchange between
the Ministry of Interior's "Mubahith" internal intelligence
service and our own service is particularly strong. Where
needed, requests for additional information sharing would
generally best be routed through these existing channels.
OBERWETTER