Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIYADH1683
2009-12-30 14:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:  

PRESIDENT ABBAS VISITS RIYADH

Tags:  PREL PGOV SA WB GZ IS EG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8217
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHRH #1683 3641457
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 301457Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2148
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHDH/AMCONSUL DHAHRAN PRIORITY 0409
RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH PRIORITY 0519
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001683 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV SA WB GZ IS EG
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT ABBAS VISITS RIYADH

Classified By: Ambassador James B. Smith for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001683

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV SA WB GZ IS EG
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT ABBAS VISITS RIYADH

Classified By: Ambassador James B. Smith for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (U) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas paid a visit to
Riyadh on December 29. According to the official Saudi Press
Agency report, the two leaders discussed Palestinian
developments and the "stalled" peace process, citing the need
for greater international help in restarting peace talks
aimed at "achieving a comprehensive solution in the region"
consistent with the Arab Peace Initiative. Abbas was
accompanied by senior Peace negotiator Saeb Erekat, Central
Committee member Azaam Al-Ahmed, Palestinian Ambassador to
Saudi Arabia Jamal Abdulatif Al-Shubaki and Palestinian
Presidential Advisor Nabil Abu Rudainah. On the Saudi side,
the meeting was attended by FM Prince Saud Al-Faisal and
Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. President Abbas and his
delegation also met separately with Riyadh Governor Prince
Salman bin Abdulaziz.



2. (C) COMMENT: This was Abbas' first visit to Riyadh since
he left "empty-handed" June 21. It comes on the heels of
President Mubarak's recent Gulf tour, which included a stop
in Riyadh on December 22-23, and coincides with Prime
Minister Netanyahu's visit to Cairo on December 29. As such,
Abbas's visit may be a part of Egyptian efforts to build
support for a resumption of peace negotiations. Post will
follow up with Palestinian Embassy contacts for further
details of the meeting. END COMMENT.
SMITH