Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RIYADH1691
2008-11-12 12:12:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:  

TAIF CHRISTIAN "DEPORTATION" ISSUE RESOLVED

Tags:  ELAB KIRF KISL KTIP PHUM SA SMIG SOCI XF 
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VZCZCXRO8814
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHROV
DE RUEHRH #1691 3171212
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 121212Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9542
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHZJ/HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH IMMEDIATE 9855
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9543
S E C R E T RIYADH 001691 

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/11/2018
TAGS: ELAB KIRF KISL KTIP PHUM SA SMIG SOCI XF
SUBJECT: TAIF CHRISTIAN "DEPORTATION" ISSUE RESOLVED

REF: A. JEDDAH 00448

B. RIYADH 01620

Classified By: Classified by Polcouns Lisa Carle for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

S E C R E T RIYADH 001691

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/11/2018
TAGS: ELAB KIRF KISL KTIP PHUM SA SMIG SOCI XF
SUBJECT: TAIF CHRISTIAN "DEPORTATION" ISSUE RESOLVED

REF: A. JEDDAH 00448

B. RIYADH 01620

Classified By: Classified by Polcouns Lisa Carle for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (S/NF) DEPORTATIONS RESCINDED: On November 9 and 10, two
contacts confirmed to Poloff that the Makkah Governorate's
orders to deport 13 Taif Christians (Ref A) have been
rescinded. Reji Johnson (strictly protect) asserted that the
situation had been definitely resolved thanks to a higher
order, presumably from the Ministry of Interior, which
directed the Makkah Governate not/not to deport the Taif
Christians. Johnson stated that the companies which sponsor
the Indian national workers were called by the Makkah
Governate and told their employees were no longer required to
submit themselves for immediate deportation.


2. (S/NF) CORROBORATION: Separately, a representative of
Johnson's company reported that he appeared in person at the
passport office of the Makkah Governate and was told that
"there are orders from our bosses not to deport these
individuals." The passport office had received an order in
writing from "internal affairs" (most likely the Ministry of
Interior) to halt deportations of these specific individuals.
Our contacts claim that this is the first time an order "in
writing" has been delivered by central government superiors
overruling the Makkah Governate and hence their belief that
the deportation issue had been "fully resolved."


3. (S) COMMENT: The rescinding of the deportation orders is
the latest - and we hope, final - development in a long saga.
It appears that Assistant Minister for National Security
Affairs Prince Mohammed bin Naif acted to halt the
deportations after Embassy Riyadh's intervention (reftels).
While Embassy has not seen a copy of the orders, we assess
that our contacts' assertions are credible and that the case
of these Christians has been resolved. The timing of these
events leads us to suspect that the individuals involved were
collateral victims of an attempt by religious conservatives
in Makkah to embarrass the King's Interfaith Dialogue
Initiative. The case also revealed latent tension between
the Makkah Governorate and central Ministry of Interior
authorities. Unsurprisingly, the central government in
Riyadh prevailed, but the effort required is evidence that
the King's initiative does not yet enjoy unqualified support
throughout the Kingdom. END COMMENT
RUNDELL