Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09JEDDAH13
2009-01-07 16:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jeddah
Cable title:  

GAZA VIOLENCE LEADING TO CANCELLATION OF JEDDAH

Tags:  ECON PGOV KWBG SOCI SA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1490
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHROV
DE RUEHJI #0013 0071603
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 071603Z JAN 09
FM AMCONSUL JEDDAH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1103
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 8193
RUCNDTA/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0065
RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L JEDDAH 000013 

SIPDIS

RIYADH PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN, DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP AND
NEA/IPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2014
TAGS: ECON PGOV KWBG SOCI SA
SUBJECT: GAZA VIOLENCE LEADING TO CANCELLATION OF JEDDAH
ECONOMIC FORUM

Classified By: Martin Quinn for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L JEDDAH 000013

SIPDIS

RIYADH PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN, DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP AND
NEA/IPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2014
TAGS: ECON PGOV KWBG SOCI SA
SUBJECT: GAZA VIOLENCE LEADING TO CANCELLATION OF JEDDAH
ECONOMIC FORUM

Classified By: Martin Quinn for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: Due to the conflict in Gaza, the 2009
Jeddah Economic Forum, a high profile annual event that
attracts prominent visitors and wide media attention, is
likely to be cancelled. Our sources tell us that the
organizers say funds for the event very likely will be
transferred to unspecified assistance to Palestinians in
Gaza. We understand the cancellation will be announced at a
press conference January 8. End summary.


2. (C) Several sources have privately disclosed to the US
Consulate that this year's Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF),
February 14-17, will most likely be cancelled. The 2009 JEF
is a major, high profile international event, the 10th
Economic Forum to be held in Jeddah, attracting prominent
visitors and wide media attention. Previous speakers and
participants have included former President Clinton, former
Vice President Gore, Alan Greenspan, Queen Rania, George
Soros, Richard Branson, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, and Muhammad
Yunus.


3. (C) On January 6, post learned from an economist at Effat
College that the Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF) has been
cancelled this year. Effat College, which has played a
supportive role in the past, was apparently informed of the
cancellation with no reason specified. Sami Behrawi,
Chairman of the JEF committee at the Jeddah Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (JCCI),told post that the cancellation
has not yet been publicly announced, but that funds to
support the Forum will be donated to assist Palestinians in
Gaza.


4. (C) Samia Salimban, managing director of JEF at JCCI, told
Poloff January 7 that the decision to cancel JEF has not yet
officially been made, nor publicly disclosed. Salimban said
the JEF would be cancelled, but that the "decision hasn't
really been made." She said that an "emergency meeting"
would be held January 8 followed by a press conference. She
did not elaborate on the reason for the cancellation.


5. (C) Comment: While Salimban claims the decision to cancel
JEF is not final, all signs point to this decision having
already been taken. The final confirmation and announcement
are likely to come January 8. It appears that JEF is being
cancelled due to the escalating situation in Gaza and the
desire within Saudi private sector organizations to send a
signal of increasing solidarity with the Palestinians in
Gaza. While the hostilities in Gaza may have ceased by the
time of the mid-February conference, the enormous size and
scope of JEF would necessitate canceling the event with
significant lead time. End comment.


QUINN