Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RIYADH1162
2008-07-28 15:12:00
SECRET
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
DEPORTATION OF CHRISTIANS IN TAIF
how-toVZCZCXRO7776 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHROV DE RUEHRH #1162 2101512 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 281512Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8868 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHZJ/HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH IMMEDIATE 9649 RUEHRH/CHUSMTM RIYADH SA IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE RUMICEA/USCINCCENT INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
S E C R E T RIYADH 001162
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO DRL/IRF FOR AGOMBIS, DRL/NESCA FOR
JLIEBERMAN, AND NEA/ARP FOR BMCGRATH.
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2018
TAGS: KIRF PHUM PGOV SA
SUBJECT: DEPORTATION OF CHRISTIANS IN TAIF
REF: A. RIYADH 713
B. JEDDAH 186
C. RIYADH 1090
Classified By: Charge' d' Affaires Michael Gfoeller
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
S E C R E T RIYADH 001162
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO DRL/IRF FOR AGOMBIS, DRL/NESCA FOR
JLIEBERMAN, AND NEA/ARP FOR BMCGRATH.
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2018
TAGS: KIRF PHUM PGOV SA
SUBJECT: DEPORTATION OF CHRISTIANS IN TAIF
REF: A. RIYADH 713
B. JEDDAH 186
C. RIYADH 1090
Classified By: Charge' d' Affaires Michael Gfoeller
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S) SUMMARY: On July 26 and 27, 16 Indian Christians were
notified that they have been ordered for immediate
deportation. They were reportedly told by their sponsors,
who were told "not by the police, but thobe-claded secret
agents from Makkah Governate." There is currently no
evidence of any wrong-doing on the part of the Christians, or
any clear legally legitimate reason for the ordered
deportations. END SUMMARY
SPONSORS TOLD TO ARRANGE EXIT VISAS "TODAY"
--------------
2. (S) On July 26 Embassy POLOFFs were contacted regarding
the immediate order for deportation of six Indian Christians.
This group of six Christians were of a group of 16
imprisoned last May (Reftel A and B),but released the
following day after Embassy Riyadh interceded on their behalf
with the SAG. Of the original 16, one has already left the
country on his own accord. On July 27, Embassy Riyadh was
notified that the remaining group had all been informed that
they too must leave Saudi Arabia immediately. It was
reported that "secret agents from the Makkah Governate"
instructed the sponsors of these individuals to arrange
immediate exit visas and hand over their passports to the
"thobe-claded secret agents." As some of these individuals
have small children, there is concern what effect the
immediate deportations will have on the family members.
3. (S) COMMENT: These deportation orders, if actually
implemented, could indicate a reaction on the part of
conservative religious figures to King Abdullah's recent
moves in support of greater religious tolerance, including
the Madrid Inter-faith Conference (Septel). It should also
be noted that the timing of these deportation orders may be
no accident, as King Abdullah is currently vacationing
outside of the country. END COMMENT.
GFOELLER
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO DRL/IRF FOR AGOMBIS, DRL/NESCA FOR
JLIEBERMAN, AND NEA/ARP FOR BMCGRATH.
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2018
TAGS: KIRF PHUM PGOV SA
SUBJECT: DEPORTATION OF CHRISTIANS IN TAIF
REF: A. RIYADH 713
B. JEDDAH 186
C. RIYADH 1090
Classified By: Charge' d' Affaires Michael Gfoeller
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S) SUMMARY: On July 26 and 27, 16 Indian Christians were
notified that they have been ordered for immediate
deportation. They were reportedly told by their sponsors,
who were told "not by the police, but thobe-claded secret
agents from Makkah Governate." There is currently no
evidence of any wrong-doing on the part of the Christians, or
any clear legally legitimate reason for the ordered
deportations. END SUMMARY
SPONSORS TOLD TO ARRANGE EXIT VISAS "TODAY"
--------------
2. (S) On July 26 Embassy POLOFFs were contacted regarding
the immediate order for deportation of six Indian Christians.
This group of six Christians were of a group of 16
imprisoned last May (Reftel A and B),but released the
following day after Embassy Riyadh interceded on their behalf
with the SAG. Of the original 16, one has already left the
country on his own accord. On July 27, Embassy Riyadh was
notified that the remaining group had all been informed that
they too must leave Saudi Arabia immediately. It was
reported that "secret agents from the Makkah Governate"
instructed the sponsors of these individuals to arrange
immediate exit visas and hand over their passports to the
"thobe-claded secret agents." As some of these individuals
have small children, there is concern what effect the
immediate deportations will have on the family members.
3. (S) COMMENT: These deportation orders, if actually
implemented, could indicate a reaction on the part of
conservative religious figures to King Abdullah's recent
moves in support of greater religious tolerance, including
the Madrid Inter-faith Conference (Septel). It should also
be noted that the timing of these deportation orders may be
no accident, as King Abdullah is currently vacationing
outside of the country. END COMMENT.
GFOELLER