RIYADH EAC MAY 17, 2009 - DETAINEE PHOTOGRAPHS -

S E C R E T RIYADH 000695 NOFORN DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/TIA/ITA, NEA/EX E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2019 TAGS: ASEC CASC PREL PTER SA SUBJECT: RIYADH EAC MAY 17, 2009 - DETAINEE PHOTOGRAPHS - IMPACT ON RIYADH, DHAHRAN, AND JEDDAH. REF: A. STATE 50245 ¶B. RIYADH 00670 Classified By: A/DCM Sandra Muench for reason 1.4 (D). ¶1. (S/NF) SUMMARY: In accordance with the RefTel A the Embassy in Riyadh and Consulates General in Dhahran and Jeddah reviewed the impact of the President's decision not to release detainee photographs. There has not been any impact on the three diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia as a result of the President's decision. Local reporting has been factual. As reported in Reftel b, the Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan raised the issue with the Assistant Minister of Interior who concurred that the decision not to release the photographs was in the best interest of the United States. The EAC was chaired by the A/DCM and in attendance were POL, DATT, PAO, FCS, MGT, ECON, USMTM, BPM, DHS, OPM-SANG, MSG, MED, CONS, OPM-MOI, POL/MIL and RSO. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) On Sunday May 17, 2009, the Embassy's Emergency Action Committee met to discuss the ramifications outlined in RefTel ¶A. The RSO queried the members of the EAC to determine if there was any indication that this issue might generate actions that place our diplomatic facilities, personnel, or U.S. citizens at risk. The Public Diplomacy Counselor stated the story was being factually reported and there was no indication of negative impact. The EAC concluded the Mission's current security posture was appropriate and no further action was necessary at this time. ¶3. (S/NF) At the conclusion of the EAC the Deputy Political Counselor reported the Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan who coincidentally was visiting Riyadh had met with the Assistant Minister of the Interior (MOI) and discussed the detainee photographs. During this discussion, the Assistant Minister of the Interior said the release of these photographs would have been the best gift we could have given Al Qaeda and affirmed the decision not to publish the photographs. Emphasizing his point, the Assistant Minister noted the last time photographs of detainee abuse were released, the MOI apprehended 250 sympathizers who were attempting to leave the country in support of Jihad outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ¶4. (U) The Consulate General in Dhahran convened a meeting of their full EAC as well to discuss this topic. In attendance were the CG, CONS, POL, PD, MGT, RAO, MSG and RSO. Post currently operates at a heightened security posture. Members of the EAC are sensitive to the potential impact of increased media attention to issue unreleased detainee photographs. It is not currently anticipated this activity will significantly impact the security of official staff. In the absence of specific threat information, the EAC concluded that Post's security posture is appropriate. ¶5. (U) The Consulate General in Jeddah held discussions with key members of the EAC to discuss the impact of RefTel A. The assessment from Jeddah is there is no risk as a result of the present media coverage and Post's heightened security posture is appropriate for the current threat environment. ¶6. (U) The point of contact regarding this report is RSO Kim Davidson who may be reached via classified e-mail at DavidsonKE@state.sgov.gov or via telephone at 966-1-488-3800, ext 4203. RUNDELL