Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RIYADH118
2008-01-28 14:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
SAG RESPONSE TO THE JANUARY 27 ARAB LEAGUE
how-toVZCZCXRO2696 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHRH #0118 0281431 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 281431Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7486 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0951 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 4806 RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH PRIORITY 9355
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000118
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SA
SUBJECT: SAG RESPONSE TO THE JANUARY 27 ARAB LEAGUE
MINISTERIAL MEETING DEMARCHE
REF: SECSTATE 7377
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires David Rundell
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000118
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SA
SUBJECT: SAG RESPONSE TO THE JANUARY 27 ARAB LEAGUE
MINISTERIAL MEETING DEMARCHE
REF: SECSTATE 7377
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires David Rundell
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Demarche delivered via diplomatic note on January 26
with the assurances from the Arab States department that it
would reach the delegation attending the January 27
ministerial meeting in Cairo. It was also delivered in
person on January 27 to Head of the Arab States Department of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Talal Malki.
2. (C) Regarding the Lebanese elections, Ambassador Malki
told PolOff that the SAG agrees with our position on Lebanon,
however, they remain very concerned with Syria's apparent
involvement-- both in the elections and with Hizbollah.
Malki confirmed that the SAG wants Lebanon to elect General
Sleiman without delay and that the SAG has no preference as
to how the cabinet positions are divvied up among the
parties-- something left for internal politics only. Malki
asked PolOff about USG position is Lebanon vis-a-vis Syria,
and he requested a formal outline of USG policy on Syria's
involvement in Lebanon. He remained hopeful that the Arab
League Ministerial Meeting would apply the requisite pressure
to the parties in Lebanon, and he felt confident that the
issue would be solved before the Arab League Summit to be
held in Damascus this March. He was not confident, however,
that Syria's involvement would be limited by that time, which
raised concerns over their lingering influence, and therefore
Iran's increasing influence, in the region.
3. (C) Regarding the Gaza situation, Malki differed with the
demarche, stating that Israel is one hundred percent at
fault. He gave the analogy of a host locking his guest
inside a sealed room without food, water, and electricity,
and the guest breaking a window to escape. According to
Malki, Hamas acted in the only acceptable manner in the wake
of Israeli blockades against the Gazan population. He
proposed that Egypt keep its border open and the USG send
refugee assistance to aid in the flow of Palestinian refugees
into Egypt, although he did not think that the SAG would
raise this option in the meeting.
FRAKER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SA
SUBJECT: SAG RESPONSE TO THE JANUARY 27 ARAB LEAGUE
MINISTERIAL MEETING DEMARCHE
REF: SECSTATE 7377
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires David Rundell
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Demarche delivered via diplomatic note on January 26
with the assurances from the Arab States department that it
would reach the delegation attending the January 27
ministerial meeting in Cairo. It was also delivered in
person on January 27 to Head of the Arab States Department of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Talal Malki.
2. (C) Regarding the Lebanese elections, Ambassador Malki
told PolOff that the SAG agrees with our position on Lebanon,
however, they remain very concerned with Syria's apparent
involvement-- both in the elections and with Hizbollah.
Malki confirmed that the SAG wants Lebanon to elect General
Sleiman without delay and that the SAG has no preference as
to how the cabinet positions are divvied up among the
parties-- something left for internal politics only. Malki
asked PolOff about USG position is Lebanon vis-a-vis Syria,
and he requested a formal outline of USG policy on Syria's
involvement in Lebanon. He remained hopeful that the Arab
League Ministerial Meeting would apply the requisite pressure
to the parties in Lebanon, and he felt confident that the
issue would be solved before the Arab League Summit to be
held in Damascus this March. He was not confident, however,
that Syria's involvement would be limited by that time, which
raised concerns over their lingering influence, and therefore
Iran's increasing influence, in the region.
3. (C) Regarding the Gaza situation, Malki differed with the
demarche, stating that Israel is one hundred percent at
fault. He gave the analogy of a host locking his guest
inside a sealed room without food, water, and electricity,
and the guest breaking a window to escape. According to
Malki, Hamas acted in the only acceptable manner in the wake
of Israeli blockades against the Gazan population. He
proposed that Egypt keep its border open and the USG send
refugee assistance to aid in the flow of Palestinian refugees
into Egypt, although he did not think that the SAG would
raise this option in the meeting.
FRAKER