DEMARCHE TO SAUDIS FOR UNRWA FLASH APPEAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000014

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP (HARRIS) AND NEA/IPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/04/2019
TAGS: EAID PGOV PHUM PREL KWRG IS SA
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO SAUDIS FOR UNRWA FLASH APPEAL

REF: STATE 135559

Classified By: Ambassador Ford Fraker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) On January 4, DCM discussed the situation in Gaza
with Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for
International Organizations, Prince Turki Saud Al Kabir.
DCM noted that any ceasefire should be durable, include an
end to smuggling and a re-opening of border crossings in
accordance to the 2005 Agreement on Access. DCM stressed
that UNSC Resolution should be used to codify and reinforce
practical steps already taken in these areas.


2. (C) The Prince accepted the DCM,s point that Hamas had
brought this disaster upon the Gazan people and has used
them as human shields, thus increasing civilian casualties.
He said, "Hamas has brought this tragedy to their people and
created many obstacles." The Prince added that Iran and
Syria
also bear responsibility for supporting Hamas.


3. (C) Nevertheless, the Prince said, Saudi Arabia is
looking for an immediate cease-fire because "Public opinion
is boiling over the images of women and children victims of
the Israeli operations." While conceding that an ideal
cease-fire should address the long-term causes of the
conflict, including Hamas,s rocket attacks, the Prince
stressed the Kingdom's immediate concern is about civilian
casualties. Thus, an immediate cease-fire is necessary.
Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal left for New York on
January 3 to speak with the Secretary General and others
with that goal in mind.


4. (C) DCM noted that the United States continues to urge
Israel to avoid civilian casualties and has made
significant new contributions to the 2009 UNRWA Emergency
Appeals for the West Bank and Gaza. When asked if Saudi
Arabia would do likewise, Prince Turki replied that King
Abdullah and all provincial governors are leading a
nationwide campaign to raise relief funds for Gaza.
Comment: DCM will meet on January 5, 2009 with Prince
Faisal bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of the Saudi
Red Crescent Society, to seek more information on this
effort. End Comment.


5. (C) Referring to a January 3 meeting in Damascus,
which apparently involved Iranian Supreme National Council
Secretary Saeed Jalily, exiled Hamas politburo chief Khaled
Meshaal, and Islamic Jihad Secretary General Ramadan
Abdullah Shallal, the Prince said that the Palestinians
should adopt a unified position, but "Hamas is awaiting
instructions from Iran." The Prince seemed particularly
surprised and irked by the hard stance emanating from the
Iranian/Syrian/Hamas meetings in Damascus. Twice during
the conversation, the Prince asked the DCM, "What do you
think Hamas is up to next?"


6. (C) Comment: When DCM met with Deputy Minister of
Inferior Prince Mohammad bin Naif bin Abdulaziz on January
3, Prince Mohammad made it very clear that no public
demonstrations supporting Gaza civilians, much less Hamas,
would be allowed in Saudi Arabia. However on January 4,
Prince Turki at the Foreign Ministry also made it clear
that the SAG's first priority was to get Gaza off the
nightly news where inflammatory images are creating public
unrest. Discussions with the Saudis on a UNSC Resolution
would be advanced by appreciating their domestic political
concerns, their acceptance of Hamas's culpability for the
current crisis and their belief that this crisis is, at
least partially, an Iranian inspired event. End Comment.
FRAKER