SAUDI FOREIGN MINISTER: FLOTUS VISIT HELPED END

S E C R E T RIYADH 000066 SIPDIS SIPDIS S/CPR FOR AMBASSADOR NANCY BRINKER E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2018 TAGS: PHUM PGOV SA SOCI TBIO SUBJECT: SAUDI FOREIGN MINISTER: FLOTUS VISIT HELPED END BREAST CANCER STIGMA Classified By: DCM Michael Gfoeller for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S) In a December 2007 meeting with Ambassador Fraker, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal commented that Saudi Arabia was "meaningfully impacted by First Lady Laura Bush's visit" to the Kingdom in October 2007 and that her actions went a long way in affecting the "attitude of women toward breast cancer." ¶2. (S) Prince Saud told the Ambassador that Mrs. Bush "did a lot of good for cancer awareness." He noted that the Minister of Health commented that as a result of her visit, many women who were previously reticent about seeking cancer detection were turning out for checkups. He said that "the number has gone up several-fold" and that the stigma and shame women felt regarding the issue was dissolving. ¶3. (S) The Foreign Minister added, "we are grateful for the impact she had." FRAKER