Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIYADH1414
2009-10-26 13:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
KING ABDULLAH SPEAKS WITH KARZAI
how-toVZCZCXRO0039 PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR DE RUEHRH #1414 2991318 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 261318Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1773 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0300
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001414
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2019
TAGS: SA AF PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: KING ABDULLAH SPEAKS WITH KARZAI
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Susan L. Ziadeh for
reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001414
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2019
TAGS: SA AF PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: KING ABDULLAH SPEAKS WITH KARZAI
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Susan L. Ziadeh for
reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (U) On October 21 the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) announced
that King Abdullah spoke with Afghan President Hamid Karzai
on the telephone. According to the SPA, the King assured
Karzai of the SAG's long-standing commitment to Afghanistan
while Karzai thanked King Abdullah for his good will towards
Afghanistan. Karzai was said to add that the people of
Afghanistan respected the King as a distinguished figure in
the Muslim world.
2. (U) Ahmad Ali Babak, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of
Afghanistan in Riyadh, confirmed that Karzai and Adbullah
speak directly via telephone on occasion. He characterized
these phone calls as, "unofficial talks between two leaders,"
and was unable to offer any further comment.
3. (C) COMMENT: While we don't have specifics about the
conversation, the SAG clearly wants the contacts known,
perhaps to publicly advertise Saudi support for Karzai and
his government in the face of post-election turmoil. End
comment.
SMITH
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2019
TAGS: SA AF PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: KING ABDULLAH SPEAKS WITH KARZAI
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Susan L. Ziadeh for
reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (U) On October 21 the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) announced
that King Abdullah spoke with Afghan President Hamid Karzai
on the telephone. According to the SPA, the King assured
Karzai of the SAG's long-standing commitment to Afghanistan
while Karzai thanked King Abdullah for his good will towards
Afghanistan. Karzai was said to add that the people of
Afghanistan respected the King as a distinguished figure in
the Muslim world.
2. (U) Ahmad Ali Babak, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of
Afghanistan in Riyadh, confirmed that Karzai and Adbullah
speak directly via telephone on occasion. He characterized
these phone calls as, "unofficial talks between two leaders,"
and was unable to offer any further comment.
3. (C) COMMENT: While we don't have specifics about the
conversation, the SAG clearly wants the contacts known,
perhaps to publicly advertise Saudi support for Karzai and
his government in the face of post-election turmoil. End
comment.
SMITH