Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIYADH1174
2009-09-09 12:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:  

DEMARCHE RESPONSE: SAUDI THOUGHTS ON THE ARAB

Tags:  PREL PGOV UNGA IR SO ER DJ SA IS WB GZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHRH #1174 2521232
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 091232Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1536
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001174 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNGA IR SO ER DJ SA IS WB GZ
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE RESPONSE: SAUDI THOUGHTS ON THE ARAB
LEAGUE MINISTERIAL

REF: SECSTATE 92629

Classified By: CDA Richard Erdman for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001174

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNGA IR SO ER DJ SA IS WB GZ
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE RESPONSE: SAUDI THOUGHTS ON THE ARAB
LEAGUE MINISTERIAL

REF: SECSTATE 92629

Classified By: CDA Richard Erdman for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (C) During a September 8 farewell call with Deputy
Foreign Minister for Bilateral Affairs Ambassador Khalid
Al-Jindan (septel),Charge reviewed reftel points regarding
the upcoming Arab League Ministerial. Jindan said the Arab
League was likely to condemn the violence in Iraq and express
support for the political process; did not want to see
Eritrea play a destabilizing role in Somalia; and was likely
to express "disappointment" and "disenchantment" with current
Israeli-Palestinian developments. Details follow.


2. (C) IRAQ: The recent Iraq-Syria row was escalating,
according to Jindan, and risked becoming "serious." Charge
said the U.S. hoped the Arab League would condemn recent
violence and express support for the Iraqi electoral process.
He noted that individual Arab states as well as Arab League
Secretary General Moussa had already done this, but that it
would be helpful if the Arab League as a whole could issue
such a statement. Saudi Arabia, together with the Arab
League, was interested in helping to stabilize Iraq, Jindan
responded, and it was likely that the ministerial communique
would include language along these lines.


3. (C) SOMALIA: There had been positive developments, Jindan
observed, concurring it was important to support the TFG and
the Djibouti Peace Process. Charge emphasized USG concerns
that Eritrea was supporting the Al-Shabaab and other
extremist groups, and expressed strong hope that the Arab
League would take steps to ensure aid to Eritrea was not
being diverted to the Al-Shabaab. The Arab League was
focused on solving the Eritrea-Djibouti border dispute,
Jindan responded, assuring Charge they did not want to see
Eritrea play a destabilizing role.


4. (C) MIDDLE EAST PEACE: Jindan described the Arabs as
"anxious," and looking forward to President Obama's statement
at UNGA. "We have seen no positive steps lately, and we are
quite worried," he confessed, adding that the Arab League
could be expected to express "disappointment" and
"disenchantment" with current developments. Charge noted
that the communique following the last Arab League
ministerial in June had adopted a generally positive tone
regarding efforts to create a climate conducive to
discussion. While ideally we would like to see more specific
language about steps that could be taken to create a positive
atmosphere, we hoped the communique from this week's
ministerial could take a similar, positive tone, and avoid
unhelpful rhetoric that would only complicate an already
complicated situation. Charge also reiterated the importance
of budget support for the Palestinian Authority, and thanked
the Saudis for their recent $200 million dollar contribution
to the PA's coffers. The well-being of the Palestinians was
at the "core of Saudi thinking," said Jindan, and Saudi
support for both the PA and the Egyptian-led reconciliation
process would continue.
ERDMAN