Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RIYADH174
2008-02-06 16:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
DESPITE PROXIMITY TO KEY REGIONAL PLAYERS, SAG
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRH #0174 0371651 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 061651Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7540 INFO RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0223 RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH 9376
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000174
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SA KE
SUBJECT: DESPITE PROXIMITY TO KEY REGIONAL PLAYERS, SAG
ODDLY UNINTERESTED IN KENYAN POLITICAL CRISIS
REF: RIYADH 153
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Michael Gfoeller
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000174
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SA KE
SUBJECT: DESPITE PROXIMITY TO KEY REGIONAL PLAYERS, SAG
ODDLY UNINTERESTED IN KENYAN POLITICAL CRISIS
REF: RIYADH 153
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Michael Gfoeller
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) The Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh confirmed to PolOff
during a February 5 meeting that the SAG and the Organization
of the Islamic Conference (OIC) have not yet engaged with
Kenya since the political crisis that engulfed the country
following their contested December 27 presidential elections.
Neither the SAG nor the OIC offered any assistance to
alleviate the humanitarian crisis resulting from the violent
tribal clashes that erupted immediately after the elections.
According to the Kenyan Political Counselor, both the SAG and
the OIC normally provide financial assistance to the large
Muslim communities in Kenya, and so it is "a bit strange"
that they have not given aid to these communities that have
seen intense fighting and displacement over the past month.
He added that the GOK is hopeful that the SAG and the OIC
will donate after the official SOS Appeal is issued by the
government.
2. (C) Speaking about political instability in Africa and
concerned about the safety of Saudi Arabian diplomatic
personnel abroad, Dr. Prince Turki bin Mohammed Al Kabeer,
Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, suggested to the CDA during a February 4
meeting that "we cannot afford to put our staff at risk." He
noted that he wonders if Kenya will "end up like this,"
referring to the instability that has plagued parts of the
Sudan and Chad (reftel). The African Affairs department at
the MFA did not have any comment on the Kenyan situation.
3. (C) COMMENT: The SAG does not have a mediation role to
play in Kenya because it is not a member of the OIC or the
Arab League. However, the SAG should be more interested than
it appears to be in Kenya's stability given that Kenya shares
borders with the Sudan and Somalia. These two countries are
members of both the OIC and the Arab League and are also
recipients of Saudi Arabia's peace mediation role in the
region. If the Kenyan political crisis is completely ignored
by the SAG and it continues unabated, Saudi efforts to
stabilize its neighbors could be undermined. END COMMENT.
GFOELLER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SA KE
SUBJECT: DESPITE PROXIMITY TO KEY REGIONAL PLAYERS, SAG
ODDLY UNINTERESTED IN KENYAN POLITICAL CRISIS
REF: RIYADH 153
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Michael Gfoeller
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) The Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh confirmed to PolOff
during a February 5 meeting that the SAG and the Organization
of the Islamic Conference (OIC) have not yet engaged with
Kenya since the political crisis that engulfed the country
following their contested December 27 presidential elections.
Neither the SAG nor the OIC offered any assistance to
alleviate the humanitarian crisis resulting from the violent
tribal clashes that erupted immediately after the elections.
According to the Kenyan Political Counselor, both the SAG and
the OIC normally provide financial assistance to the large
Muslim communities in Kenya, and so it is "a bit strange"
that they have not given aid to these communities that have
seen intense fighting and displacement over the past month.
He added that the GOK is hopeful that the SAG and the OIC
will donate after the official SOS Appeal is issued by the
government.
2. (C) Speaking about political instability in Africa and
concerned about the safety of Saudi Arabian diplomatic
personnel abroad, Dr. Prince Turki bin Mohammed Al Kabeer,
Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, suggested to the CDA during a February 4
meeting that "we cannot afford to put our staff at risk." He
noted that he wonders if Kenya will "end up like this,"
referring to the instability that has plagued parts of the
Sudan and Chad (reftel). The African Affairs department at
the MFA did not have any comment on the Kenyan situation.
3. (C) COMMENT: The SAG does not have a mediation role to
play in Kenya because it is not a member of the OIC or the
Arab League. However, the SAG should be more interested than
it appears to be in Kenya's stability given that Kenya shares
borders with the Sudan and Somalia. These two countries are
members of both the OIC and the Arab League and are also
recipients of Saudi Arabia's peace mediation role in the
region. If the Kenyan political crisis is completely ignored
by the SAG and it continues unabated, Saudi efforts to
stabilize its neighbors could be undermined. END COMMENT.
GFOELLER