Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10RIYADH129
2010-01-27 14:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
SAUDI ARABIA RESPONDS TO HOUTHI CEASEFIRE OFFER
how-toVZCZCXRO9557 OO RUEHDH RUEHROV DE RUEHRH #0129 0271457 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 271457Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2402 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 2957 RUEHYN/AMEMBASSY SANAA IMMEDIATE 1745 RUEHDH/AMCONSUL DHAHRAN IMMEDIATE 0460 RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH IMMEDIATE 0570 RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS RIYADH 000129
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP, LONDON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SA YM
SUBJECT: SAUDI ARABIA RESPONDS TO HOUTHI CEASEFIRE OFFER
REF: SANAA 168
UNCLAS RIYADH 000129
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP, LONDON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SA YM
SUBJECT: SAUDI ARABIA RESPONDS TO HOUTHI CEASEFIRE OFFER
REF: SANAA 168
1. (U) Speaking to the press from the Saudi border region of
Jizan on January 27, Assistant Defense Minister Khalid bin
Sultan responded to the ceasefire offer made by Abdul Malik
Al-Houthi on January 25 (reftel). He maintained that the
Saudis had driven the Houthis from their territory prior to
the Houthi offer of a truce, and laid out three conditions
for an official ceasefire: the withdrawal of all Houthi
troops, including snipers, from Saudi territory; the return
of the six missing Saudi soldiers; and the deployment of ROYG
troops to the border area to ensure security. The SAG would
view completion of these acts as "a demonstration of good
will" by the Houthis, and would treat the conflict as in
internal Yemeni issue.
2. (SBU) COMMENT: Throughout the border conflict, the
Saudis have maintained that they would not negotiate directly
with the Houthis, as doing so would undercut the authority of
their ally, President Saleh. While responding positively to
the offer of a cease-fire, Khalid bin Sultan's carefully
chosen words make it clear the Saudis' support for Saleh
remains undiminished. END COMMENT.
SMITH
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP, LONDON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SA YM
SUBJECT: SAUDI ARABIA RESPONDS TO HOUTHI CEASEFIRE OFFER
REF: SANAA 168
1. (U) Speaking to the press from the Saudi border region of
Jizan on January 27, Assistant Defense Minister Khalid bin
Sultan responded to the ceasefire offer made by Abdul Malik
Al-Houthi on January 25 (reftel). He maintained that the
Saudis had driven the Houthis from their territory prior to
the Houthi offer of a truce, and laid out three conditions
for an official ceasefire: the withdrawal of all Houthi
troops, including snipers, from Saudi territory; the return
of the six missing Saudi soldiers; and the deployment of ROYG
troops to the border area to ensure security. The SAG would
view completion of these acts as "a demonstration of good
will" by the Houthis, and would treat the conflict as in
internal Yemeni issue.
2. (SBU) COMMENT: Throughout the border conflict, the
Saudis have maintained that they would not negotiate directly
with the Houthis, as doing so would undercut the authority of
their ally, President Saleh. While responding positively to
the offer of a cease-fire, Khalid bin Sultan's carefully
chosen words make it clear the Saudis' support for Saleh
remains undiminished. END COMMENT.
SMITH