Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RIYADH1577
2008-10-22 07:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
SAUDI EMBASSY IN BAGHDAD "LINKED TO SECURITY"
how-toVZCZCXRO1080 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHRH #1577 2960750 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 220750Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9391 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE 0715 RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH IMMEDIATE 9804 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9392
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001577
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV XF IZ
SUBJECT: SAUDI EMBASSY IN BAGHDAD "LINKED TO SECURITY"
REF: SECSTATE 110380
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission David Rundell
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
(C) In view of recent statements by Saudi Crown Prince
Sultan reiterating Saudi Arabia's intention to open an
embassy in Baghdad "soon," Ambassador Fraker provided reftel
points on security and logistical support from Embassy
Baghdad for new Arab embassies in Iraq to Foreign Minister
Saud al-Faisal during an October 18 meeting. Prince Saud told
the Ambassador that setting a date to open a Saudi embassy in
Baghdad was linked to security, which he said was "the only
reason for the delay." He said the SAG considered Egypt's
recent movement towards reopening its Embassy in Iraq as
"very important." Ambassador Fraker pressed for details
about the process required to finalize the decision, and Saud
explained that naming an Ambassador hinged on a
recommendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No
further approvals would be necessary, since the appointment
of ambassadors was solely up to the King. Ambassador Fraker
underscored the importance that the USG attaches to Arab
engagement in Iraq, and urged Saud to take a decision as soon
as possible.
FRAKER