NAJRAN LOOKS FORWARD TO NEW GOVERNOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 001748

SIPDIS

DEPT PASS TO NEA/ARP FOR JHARRIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL SA YM
SUBJECT: NAJRAN LOOKS FORWARD TO NEW GOVERNOR

REF: A. 06 RIYADH 8808

B. 06 RIYADH 8671

C. 00 RIYDAH 1365

D. 00 RIYADH 1115

Classified By: DCM David Rundell for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: On November 4, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah
bin Abdulaziz issued a royal decree relieving Prince Mishaal
bin Saud bin Abdulaziz from his duties as governor of Najran
province at his own request. Contacts widely believe he was
fired for his inability to manage relations with the Ismaili
community. Riyadh's diplomatic community has increased
scrutiny on Najran, located on Saudi Arabia's porours border
with Yemen. Embassy contacts have shared reports of targeted
arrests and lengthy detentions of Ismaili Shias in Najran.
The King has not announced Mishaal's replacement, who will
have the difficult tasks of securing the border and
rebuilding relations with the Ismaili community. END SUMMARY.

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PRINCE MISHAAL'S NAJRAN EXPERIENCE
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2. (C) Prince Mishaal was installed as governor of Najran in

1996. The son of former King Saud bin Abdulaziz and
son-in-law of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Mishaal
built his reputation by leading a national guard unit that
was among the first sent to defend the northern border during
the 1991 Gulf War. His military expertise qualified him for
the position in Najran - a remote, mountainous region facing
numerous security challenges, including smuggling and illegal
immigration. The possibility of terror cells crossing from
Yemen into the kingdom constitutes a more serious threat.
Tensions between the SAG and the Ismaili community have
remained high since Mishaal's arrival as governor, peaking
with riots in 2000 (Reftel C, D). Ismailis have accused the
local government of harassment, discrimination and arbitrary
arrest and detention. As a result, activists from Najran
have petitioned King Abdullah to remove Prince Mishaal.

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WHO ARE THE ISMAILIS?
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3. (C) Ismaili Shia are also known as Shia "Seveners," or
followers of Ismail ibn Jafar, whom they recognize as the
Seventh Imam. The Saudi Ismaili population is estimated at
between 250,000-450,000. The vast majority live in Najran.
Saudis in general, including other Shia, are suspicious of
the Ismailis and their brand of Islam. Some Saudis consider
them heretics. Ismailis constitute the majority of Najran's
population, although many in the community have converted to
Sunni Islam over the years. The SAG has not ignored Najran.
King Abdullah was well received during a 2006 visit, when he
announced new investment projects in the region (Reftel A).
During that visit, the King pardoned a number of Ismaili
prisoners. Currently, the most prominent Ismaili prisoner is
Hadi al-Mutif, who has been imprisoned for blasphemy since
1994 (Reftel B).

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RECENT FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTS FROM NAJRAN
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4. (C) Mission contacts have shared concerns over Najran in
the past few months. These concerns include an alleged
government-supported program to resettle Yemeni Sunnis to
Najran, with the purpose of increasing the ratio of Sunnis to
Ismaili Shia. An embassy human rights contact has described
a pattern by the local government of removing Ismailis from
civil service positions. He stated that Ismailis are offered
transfers to a different part of the kingdom; when they
refuse to relocate, they lose their job and are replaced by a
Sunni. Dutch DCM Dr. Menno Lenstra visited Najran in late
August, lodging with local Shia Ismaili contacts. He viewed
the area of alleged Yemeni settlement and met with Ismaili
Shias who shared stories of arrest and detention without
charge. Lenstra considered the news of Mishaal's departure
"very good for the Najran people."

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THE LAST TO KNOW?
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5. (C) Governors answer to the Ministry of Interior (MOI) and

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serve for renewable four-year terms. Mishaal's term was last
renewed in April, 2005. A well-connected business contact,
living in Khobar but originally from Najran, shared that
Prince Mishaal had been told by Crown Prince Sultan that he
would be extended in his position as governor of Najran for
another four years. However, out of the blue, and in clear
contradiction to the Crown Prince, King Abdullah removed
Prince Mishaal from his post. The contact stated that he is
very close to Prince Mishaal, as they share common business
interests in Najran.

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COMMENT
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6. (C) The SAG has not announced a replacement. The
appointment is the King's prerogative, although MOI could
make its own recommendations. The kingdom's thirteen
governorships are ministerial-level positions and are filled
by members of the royal family. The ability to confront the
security issues along the Yemeni border will be critical in
gaining the support of Deputy Minister of Interior Mohammed
bin Naif (MBN). To succeed, Najran's leader must be able to
govern the local Ismaili population and maintain stability.
The fact that no replacement has been named could indicate
internal disagreement over who will fill the role. The
position of governor provides one of the kingdom's few true
leadership opportunities, so competition among aspiring
princes could be fierce.


7. (C) While not officially announced as a dismissal, our
assessment is that Mishaal was removed for incompetence. In
line with local custom, Najran's Ismailis will likely stifle
their glee at Mishaal's departure and quietly await his
replacement. The dismissal signals that the King recognized
a problem. Mishaal could secure a higher position as a
concession for relinquishing his governorship. This
leadership change, while significant, does not mean immediate
improvements for Najran's Ismailis, who will continue to
battle their reputation as a suspect minority. END COMMENT.
FRAKER