WOODS HOLE RESEARCH VESSEL OCEANUS

UNCLAS RIYADH 001094 SENSITIVE SIPDIS OES/OA FOR ETIRPAK/RBARNES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KRVC TPHY EWWT SENV SA SUBJECT: WOODS HOLE RESEARCH VESSEL OCEANUS REF: A. STATE 72984 ¶B. BARNES-MURPHY EMAIL 09 JULY 2008 "R/V OCEANUS CLEARANCE REQUEST" ¶1. This is an action request. ¶2. Per reftel A, on 15 July, the Embassy informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of and provided background documentation for the visit of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute's (WHOI) research vessel Oceanus from 5 October to 21 November 2008. In a recent response to our February notification of a possible research visit, the MFA responded with a diplomatic note advising that Saudi Arabia requires specific forms be filled out at least six months in advance of any visit. The Embassy seeks to clarify whether the "Revised Application for Consent to Conduct Marine Scientific Research" (ref B) was in fact responsive to the MFA's specific application process, or represents standard information that WHOI submits to countries to seek permission to conduct research. As the MFA unfortunately did not provide the forms in question, we are still tracking down the correct paperwork to provide to OES. The Embassy cautions that the Saudi authorities may seek to adhere to this six-month notification window. ¶3. Action Request: The Embassy requests that OES clarify if the "Revised Application for Consent to Conduct Marine Scientific Research" fulfilled the Saudi MFA documentation requirement for an application to conduct research, or if this was standard information normally provided by WHOI. The Embassy also requests that OES work with WHOI to provide full contact (phone, mobile, fax, email) information for KAUST collaborator Mr. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, so that we may enter into direct contact with him to help facilitate necessary approvals for the Oceanus. Working through WHOI's Saudi Arabian collaborators may offer the best avenue for rapid approval of the research request. Please send this information as soon as possible to Deputy Economic Counselor Shannon Ross at rosssm2@state.gov and Consulate General Jeddah Acting Consul General CB Toney at toneys@state.gov. Please address all cable responses to both Embassy Riyadh and Consulate General Jeddah. End action request. FRAKER