MINISTER OF STATE: PROTECTING BIN LADEN'S SON A

C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 000802 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2018 TAGS: EG PGOV PHUM PTER QA SP UK SUBJECT: MINISTER OF STATE: PROTECTING BIN LADEN'S SON A BURDEN, BUT "QATAR IS GENEROUS" Classified By: Ambassador Joseph E. LeBaron, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d ) ¶1. (C) In a meeting with Ambassador on November 10, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Conferences Khalid Al Attiyah discussed the reported arrival of Omar Bin Laden and his wife in Doha the evening of November 10. Al Attiyah could not confirm the arrival, since he was not involved in the case, but did not believe Bin Laden and his wife were entitled to political asylum. The Bin Ladens were not fleeing from governmental oppression, he noted, but from threats posed by Islamic extremists sympathetic to his father. Personal security was the issue. Al Attiyah noted that Bin Laden had Saudi citizenship, and the fact that he had not returned to Saudi Arabia was a likely indicator that he doubted the ability of the regime there to protect him. ¶2. (C) Al Attiyah pointed out that as a Saudi citizen, Omar Bin Laden was entitled remain in Qatar with his wife. Al Attiyah said that if Bin Laden elected to remain in Qatar, the security necessary to protect them would constitute a burden. But, he noted, "Qatar is generous." ¶3. (C) Separately, Consular Chief was told by the British Consul in Doha November 10 that the UK Embassy here is concerned that Omar Bin Laden may still be seeking asylum in the UK and so may show up at their Embassy here - something the Brits here would rather not have to deal with. The British Consul said he understood from his colleagues in Madrid, where bin Laden had been living, that he may also have expressed interest in seeking asylum in the U.S. and so may contact the U.S. Embassy in Doha. ¶4. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Embassy seeks Washington guidance on whether there should be any special handling for such an inquiry, should it occur. LeBaron