Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10RIYADH124
2010-01-27 13:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
SAUDI KING PESSIMISTIC WITH BLAIR ON CHANCES FOR
how-toVZCZCXRO9386 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHRH #0124 0271312 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 271312Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2392 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000124
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2020
TAGS: PREL SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI KING PESSIMISTIC WITH BLAIR ON CHANCES FOR
PROGRESS ON MIDDLE EAST PEACE
REF: RIYADH 118
Classified By: Ambassador James B. Smith, reasons 1.4 (b and d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000124
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2020
TAGS: PREL SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI KING PESSIMISTIC WITH BLAIR ON CHANCES FOR
PROGRESS ON MIDDLE EAST PEACE
REF: RIYADH 118
Classified By: Ambassador James B. Smith, reasons 1.4 (b and d).
1. (C) The British DCM provided Econcous with a readout of
former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's January 24 meeting with
the King and FM Saud Al-Faisal. According to the DCM, Blair
stressed the importance of restarting the negotiations
between the Israelis and Palestinians. Besides putting more
pressure on Israel to live up to its promises, it would also
help the international community put more pressure on Iran.
The DCM reported the King was very pessimistic about the
prospects for success, stating at one point that "there is no
point" restarting talks if the Israelis "care more about the
soul of a cat than the soul of a Palestinian." The King
cited the ongoing spectacles of Palestinian women and
children being cast out of their homes. The King also was
quite animated in criticizing what he perceived as Israeli
hypocrisy in being concerned about the fate of Gilad Shalit
when dozens of Palestinians have suffered in recent actions.
FM Al-Faisal was not quite as negative, but questioned
whether Abbas was strong enough politically to resume
negotiations.
2. (C) According to the DCM, Saud Al-Faisal made some
positive comments about U.S. efforts to restart the
negotiations, although he also complained that the U.S.
position effectively gave the Israelis a veto on the issue of
side letters. Saud Al-Faisal also was disappointed that he
had not heard any reactions from Senator Mitchell, or the
Egyptians, on their talks with the Israelis. Al-Faisal also
thought that the U.S. did not have to wait for negotiations
to resume to exert stronger pressure on Israel for
flexibility on important issues, like East Jerusalem and the
Jordan valley.
3. (C) The British DCM was struck by the extremely negative
tone of the King's comments, which seemed much more stark
than the most recent official UK discussions with senior
Saudi officials. He speculated that there may have been some
element of playing to a particular audience, and "Blair is
known" for looking at events in a positive light. As such,
the negative message may have been designed to send a clear
signal.
SMITH
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2020
TAGS: PREL SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI KING PESSIMISTIC WITH BLAIR ON CHANCES FOR
PROGRESS ON MIDDLE EAST PEACE
REF: RIYADH 118
Classified By: Ambassador James B. Smith, reasons 1.4 (b and d).
1. (C) The British DCM provided Econcous with a readout of
former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's January 24 meeting with
the King and FM Saud Al-Faisal. According to the DCM, Blair
stressed the importance of restarting the negotiations
between the Israelis and Palestinians. Besides putting more
pressure on Israel to live up to its promises, it would also
help the international community put more pressure on Iran.
The DCM reported the King was very pessimistic about the
prospects for success, stating at one point that "there is no
point" restarting talks if the Israelis "care more about the
soul of a cat than the soul of a Palestinian." The King
cited the ongoing spectacles of Palestinian women and
children being cast out of their homes. The King also was
quite animated in criticizing what he perceived as Israeli
hypocrisy in being concerned about the fate of Gilad Shalit
when dozens of Palestinians have suffered in recent actions.
FM Al-Faisal was not quite as negative, but questioned
whether Abbas was strong enough politically to resume
negotiations.
2. (C) According to the DCM, Saud Al-Faisal made some
positive comments about U.S. efforts to restart the
negotiations, although he also complained that the U.S.
position effectively gave the Israelis a veto on the issue of
side letters. Saud Al-Faisal also was disappointed that he
had not heard any reactions from Senator Mitchell, or the
Egyptians, on their talks with the Israelis. Al-Faisal also
thought that the U.S. did not have to wait for negotiations
to resume to exert stronger pressure on Israel for
flexibility on important issues, like East Jerusalem and the
Jordan valley.
3. (C) The British DCM was struck by the extremely negative
tone of the King's comments, which seemed much more stark
than the most recent official UK discussions with senior
Saudi officials. He speculated that there may have been some
element of playing to a particular audience, and "Blair is
known" for looking at events in a positive light. As such,
the negative message may have been designed to send a clear
signal.
SMITH