PRINCE MISHAAL ON GOVERNING SAUDI ARABIA,S SECOND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 000275 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2014 TAGS: PREL PHUM SCUL KPAO KISL SA SUBJECT: PRINCE MISHAAL ON GOVERNING SAUDI ARABIA,S SECOND CITY, JEDDAH REF: JEDDAH 0274 JEDDAH 00000275 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: CG Martin R. Quinn for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In July 13 meeting with Charge, Governor of Jeddah, HRH Prince Mishaal bin Majed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, reviewed the challenges of presiding over the Kingdom,s second and most progressive city with its growing population, development plans (including a future Diplomatic Quarter), historical preservation projects, as well as the demands on the city's aging infrastructure. While praising President Obama,s overtures to the Muslim world, Mishaal called on the United States to advance beyond rhetoric to set an example of positive action in the Middle East. END SUMMARY. Local Challenges -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In July 13 meeting with Charge (Ambassador Erdman), Jeddah Governor Mishaal, reviewed the infrastructure and population challenges of presiding over the Kingdom,s second city, with its expansive growth and liberal tendencies. Quick to note the differences in mood, perspective and demographics between the capital Riyadh and the ancient Hejazi port city of Jeddah, Mishaal concurred, in tune with the popular Arabic slogan "Jeddah Ghayr," that "Jeddah is different." He discussed the problems associated with managing the unwieldy group of expatriate pilgrims flooding into Mecca via Jeddah as well as the illegal visitors who chronically overstay their Hajj/Umrah visas. He put the population of greater Jeddah as approaching 5 million. Jeddah Infrastructure and Development -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Articulate in discussing Jeddah's growth and numerous management and development projects, the Governor commented on the city's geographic expansion, both northward and southward, and the maintenance/restoration of historical/heritage areas by facilitating efforts to "enable the city's infrastructure to catch up with its growth." Mishaal highlighted the need for construction of a new sewage system, which would be completely functional in 3 or 4 years, an achievement which would significantly impact the city,s growth rate by enabling more efficient management of water resources. ¶4. (SBU) Alluding to a Ministry of Foreign proposal to relocate Jeddah's diplomatic missions to an area south of the current city center, Mishaal said no specific land area as yet had been identified for the future Diplomatic Quarter. He broadly described the plan to extend residential areas over a 36-kilometer strip along the South Jeddah Corniche beyond the traditional industrial zone. He also discussed plans to renovate, restore and re-use historical properties in order to protect and promote Jeddah's valuable cultural heritage. With joint efforts by the Ministry of the Interior and the Jeddah Municipality, in consultation with UNICEF, private sector companies have been contracted to restore hundred-year old buildings in the former downtown, the one square kilometer Balad area, as well as at the Khuzzam Palace and Museum. Prince Mishaal -- Jeddah Governor's Background -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) Prince Mishaal, a genial, youthful 52-year-old interlocutor, is the son of the late Majid bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Mecca 1980-99, before he resigned during a scandal involving one of his staff. Prince Majid died in ¶2003. Educated entirely in Saudi Arabia, a graduate of King Saud University with a degree in Business and Public Administration, Mishaal speaks the fluent English more characteristic of a Saudi who has spent years in the U.S. He has traveled frequently to Florida and California as a tourist. Born in Riyadh, he said his family moved to Jeddah in 1971. Prior to becoming Jeddah Governor in 1998, Mishaal is reported to have spent 16 years in the private sector. The Jeddah Governor, a position less than the governor of a province but more than the governor of a typical town, works as a separate department under the Mecca Region Governor, Prince Khalid Al Faisal(reftel),and in close association with the Ministry of Interior. Frequently seen publicly around Jeddah attending openings, ceremonies and weddings, Mishaal appears approachable and engaged. JEDDAH 00000275 002.2 OF 002 U.S. Asked To Set Example of Action -------------- ¶6. (C) Praising President Obama,s poise and intelligence, the Jeddah Governor expressed his concern that "politicians conceal issues behind rhetoric." While commending the President,s public statements and recent speech in Cairo, Mishaal hoped the Obama vision would be communicated in a manner that will prompt action. Saudis and other Arabs, he added, are "tired of hearing words but not seeing anything tangible in return." Agreeing with Charge on the difficulty of negotiating Middle East peace without a unified Palestinian voice, Mishaal called on the United States to set an active example, direction and impetus "in order to produce real movement" in the Middle East and to avoid "going around the problem rather than addressing it." Charge said it was not enough for our Arab friends and partners to sit back and expect results from us; everyone had a role and we needed help in moving the parties toward peace. QUINN