Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
98RIYADH4048
1998-12-02 14:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:  

SAUDI ARABIA: 1998 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT

Tags:  PTER SA 
pdf how-to read a cable
R 021422Z DEC 98
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5917
INFO GCC COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 
AMEMBASSY AMMAN 
AMEMBASSY CAIRO
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 RIYADH 004048 

DEPARTMENT FOR S/CT FOR REAP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI ARABIA: 1998 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT

REF: (A) STATE 202128; (B) CAIRO 03962

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 RIYADH 004048

DEPARTMENT FOR S/CT FOR REAP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI ARABIA: 1998 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT

REF: (A) STATE 202128; (B) CAIRO 03962


1. THE FOLLOWING RESTATES AND RESPONDS TO EACH OF THE QUESTIONS
SET FORTH IN REFTEL.


A. DESCRIBE THE RESPONSE OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF EACH COUNTRY
TO ACTS OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM AND/OR SIGNIFICANT ACTS OF
DOMESTIC TERRORISM DURING 1998, INCLUDING ANY HOST GOVERNMENT
PROSECUTION RELATING TO TERRORISM. PARTICULAR ATTENTION SHOULD BE
GIVEN TO HOST GOVERNMENT ACTIONS REGARDING ACTS OF TERRORISM
AGAINST OR AFFECTING U. S. CITIZENS OR FACILITIES.

RESPONSE: THE SAG IS CONTINUING ITS INVESTIGATION OF THE KHOBAR
TOWERS BOMB ATTACK OF JUNE 1996 WHICH KILLED 19 U. S. MILITARY
PERSONNEL. ALTHOUGH THE SAG REPORTEDLY HAS DETAINED AND
INTERROGATED SAUDI CITIZENS IN CONNECTION WITH THE BOMBING, IT HAS
NOT YET BEGUN PROSECUTION OR TAKEN ANY OTHER PUBLIC LEGAL ACTION
REGARDING ANY SUCH PERSONS. THERE WERE NO OTHER KNOWN TERRORIST
CASES OR ACTIONS THAT CAME BEFORE THE JUDICIARY IN 1998.


B. DID THE HOST GOVERNMENT EXTRADITE OR REQUEST THE EXTRADITION
OF SUSPECTED TERRORISTS FOR PROSECUTION DURING THE YEAR?
PARTICULAR ATTENTION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO HOST GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO

U. S. REQUESTS FOR EXTRADITION OR ASSISTANCE IN TERRORIST CASES.

RESPONSE: THE SAG REQUESTED THAT CANADA DEPORT SAUDI CITIZEN HANI
AL-SAYEGH TO SAUDI ARABIA IN 1997. CANADIAN OFFICIALS DETAINED AL-
SAYEGH IN MARCH 1997 ON CHARGES OF DIRECT INVOLVEMENT IN THE JUNE
1996 KHOBAR TOWERS BOMB ATTACK. CANADA DEPORTED AL-SAYEGH TO THE
UNITED STATES AFTER DOCUMENTS LINKING HIM TO SAUDI HIZBALLAH WERE
PRESENTED TO THE COURT. THE SAG THEN REQUESTED THAT THE USG DEPORT
AL-SAYEGH TO SAUDI ARABIA TO QUESTION AND PERHAPS PROSECUTE HIM FOR
HIS ALLEGED ROLE IN THE KHOBAR TOWERS BOMBING. THE EXTRADITION
CASE IS STILL PENDING FINAL DECISION WITH THE IMMIGRATION AND
NATURALIZATION SERVICE (INS). THERE HAVE BEEN MEDIA REPORTS THAT
THE SAG HAS REQUESTED THAT THE TALEBAN GOVERNMENT OF AFGHANISTAN
EXTRADITE SAUDI-BORN TERRORIST FINANCIER AND ORGANIZER USAMA BIN
LADIN. BIN LADIN, WHO WAS STRIPPED OF HIS SAUDI CITIZENSHIP IN
1994, WAS INDICTED ON NOVEMBER 5, 1998 BY A U. S. FEDERAL GRAND
JURY IN NEW YORK, WHICH ALLEGED THAT HE AND OTHERS ENGAGED IN AN
INTERNATIONAL CONSPIRACY TO ATTACK U. S. FACILITIES AND TO KILL

U. S. CITIZENS INCLUDING IN NAIROBI, KENYA AND DAR ES SALAAM,
TANZANIA ON AUGUST 7, 1998. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN REPORTS THAT SAUDI
AUTHORITIES REQUESTED JORDANIAN AUTHORITIES TO EXTRADITE MUHAMMAD
AL-MAQDISI, WHO IS SERVING A 15 YEAR SENTENCE IN JORDAN AND HAS

BEEN LINKED TO THE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES OF USAMA BIN LADIN.


C. DESCRIBE ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPEDIMENTS TO HOST GOVERNMENT
PROSECUTION AND/OR EXTRADITION OF SUSPECTED TERRORISTS.

RESPONSE: NO LEGAL OR POLITICAL IMPEDIMENTS EXIST TO THE SAG'S
PROSECUTION OF PERSONS ALLEGED TO HAVE COMMITTED TERRORIST ACTS
WITHIN SAUDI ARABIA. HOWEVER, THE SAG HAS NOT ENTERED INTO
EXTRADITION TREATIES WITH MOST OTHER COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE
UNITED STATES. (NOTE: EXTRADITION TREATIES EXIST WITH YEMEN AND
EGYPT AND THE ARAB LEAGUE ANTI-TERRORIST AGREEMENT (REFTEL B) HAS
EXTRADITION ARTICLES.)


D. DISCUSS HOST GOVERNMENT RESPONSES OTHER THAN PROSECUTION.
THIS WOULD INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, PUBLIC STATEMENTS BY
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OR OFFICIAL NEWS AGENCIES FOLLOWING A
TERRORIST INCIDENT (IN OR OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY) AND EFFORTS BY HOST
GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE TERRORIST INCIDENTS OR TO ASSIST WITH
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM INVESTIGATIONS.

RESPONSE: THE SAG AT ALL LEVELS, INCLUDING THE KING, CROWN PRINCE,
MINISTER OF INTERIOR, MINISTER OF INFORMATION, ISLAMIC ULAMA, AND
OFFICIAL NEWS MEDIA PUBLICLY AND CONSISTENTLY CONDEMNS TERRORISM IN
UNEQUIVOCAL TERMS, INCLUDING BY MAKING ATTEMPTS TO ERADICATE
IDEOLOGICAL/RELIGIOUS JUSTIFICATIONS FOR TERRORISM. THE CROWN
PRINCE IN HIS OCTOBER WORLD TOUR MADE A POINT TO CONDEMN TERRORISM
IN ALL ITS FORMS AND TO DENY THAT TERRORISM HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH
ISLAM. THE SAG CONTINUES TO INVESTIGATE THE KHOBAR TOWERS BOMBING
AND HAS SHOWN INCREASED COOPERATION IN ITS ASSISTANCE TO THE USG IN
ITS OWN INVESTIGATION OF THE BOMBING.


E. DESCRIBE MAJOR COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS UNDERTAKEN IN 1998 BY
THE HOST GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING STEPS TAKEN IN INTERNATIONAL FORA.

RESPONSE: INTERNALLY, THE SAG CONTINUES TO INVESTIGATE THE KHOBAR
TOWERS BOMBING. IT HAS ALSO UNDERTAKEN NUMEROUS MEASURES TO
STRENGTHEN SECURITY PROTECTION OF U. S. MILITARY AND DIPLOMATIC
PERSONNEL, PARTICULARLY AFTER THE AUGUST BOMBINGS OF U. S.
EMBASSIES IN EAST AFRICA AND A THREAT AGAINST U. S. FACILITIES IN
OCTOBER. INTERNATIONALLY, AT THE TUNIS MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF
ARAB LEAGUE INTERIOR MINISTERS IN JANUARY, THE SAG JOINED IN THE
UNANIMOUS ADOPTION OF AN ANTI-TERRORIST COOPERATION ACCORD WHICH
HAD BEEN UNDER DISCUSSION FOR FOUR YEARS. THE ACCORD AIMS TO
ENHANCE INTER-ARAB COOPERATION REGARDING EXTRADITION OF CONVICTED
TERRORISTS, IMPROVE INFORMATION EXCHANGES ABOUT TERRORISTS'
WHEREABOUTS, FINANCES AND SUPPORT NETWORKS, AND STRENGTHEN CONTROLS
ON TRAVEL AND INFILTRATION OF TERROR SUSPECTS THROUGH ARAB
COUNTRIES. THE ACCORD (SEE REFTEL B),SIGNED IN CAIRO ON APRIL 22,
CONTAINS A PLEDGE NOT TO ORDER, FINANCE, OR COMMIT TERRORIST ACTS,
TO PREVENT TERRORIST CRIMES AND TO FIGHT AGAINST THEM. THIS
AGREEMENT WAS RATIFIED BY THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS IN RIYADH ON
SEPTEMBER 28. AT THE 66TH SESSION OF THE GCC MINISTERIAL COUNCIL
HELD IN RIYADH IN MARCH, THE GCC MINISTERS REJECTED "ALL FORMS OF
VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM WHEREVER THEY COME FROM." AT A DOHA MEETING
OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE (OIC) MINISTERS, ALSO
IN MARCH, THE MEMBERS URGED ISLAMIC COUNTRIES TO CONDEMN TERRORISM
IN ALL OF ITS ASPECTS, NOT TO PROVIDE SANCTUARY FOR TERRORISTS, AND
TO HELP BRING TERRORISTS TO JUSTICE. THE MINISTER OF INTERIOR
CALLED ON MUSLIM COUNTRIES AND U. N. MEMBER STATES TO REACH AN
ANTI-TERRORISM ACCORD SIMILAR TO THE ONE SIGNED BY ARAB LEAGUE
NATIONS IN APRIL. FINALLY, AT THE UNGA 53RD SESSION IN SEPTEMBER,
THE SAUDI ASSISTANT FOREIGN MINISTER REJECTED ANY LINK BETWEEN THE
RELIGION OF ISLAM AND TERRORISM, AND STATED THAT "THE KINGDOM
REJECTS VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM IN ANY FORM OR SHAPE." HE CALLED
FOR INTERNATIONAL ACTIONS THROUGH THE U. N. TO BRING ABOUT THE
TERMINATION OF TERRORISM AND CALLED FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
TO FIGHT THE SHELTERING OF TERRORISTS.


F. DESCRIBE ANY SIGNIFICANT HOST GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, TERRORISTS, OR TERRORIST GROUPS, INCLUDING
(BUT NOT LIMITED TO) POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF TERRORISTS
OR THEIR ACTIVITIES; DIPLOMATIC SUPPORT THROUGH DIPLOMATIC
RECOGNITION; MISUSE OF THE DIPLOMATIC POUCH AND OTHER DIPLOMATIC
PRIVILEGES TO SUPPORT TERRORISM; PROVISION OF SANCTUARY AND/OR
PRESENCE OF OFFICES OF TERRORIST GROUPS; PROVISION OF TRAINING OR
TRAINING SITES; PROVISION OF WEAPONS; AND POSITIONS TAKEN ON
TERRORISM ISSUES IN INTERNATIONAL FORA.

RESPONSE: THE SAG DOES NOT FINANCIALLY SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL
TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS OR ACTIVITIES. ITS REGULATIONS REQUIRE
THAT NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PRIVATE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES
OBTAIN GOVERNMENT AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT CONTRIBUTIONS FOR
DOMESTIC OR INTERNATIONAL CAUSES, ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT CLEAR THAT
THIS IS ENFORCED CONSISTENTLY. NONETHELESS, THERE CONTINUE TO BE
ALLEGATIONS THAT SOME INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
REPRESENTATIVES SOLICIT AND COLLECT PRIVATE FUNDS IN SAUDI ARABIA.
THE SAG CONSISTENTLY CONDEMNS TERRORISM. HOWEVER, SHEIKH AHMAD
YASIN, THE FOUNDER OF HAMAS, VISITED SAUDI ARABIA FOR HAJJ AND
MEDICAL TREATMENT, AND MET CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH IN APRIL.


G. HAS THE HOST GOVERNMENT MADE ANY PUBLIC STATEMENTS IN SUPPORT
OF A TERRORIST-SUPPORTING COUNTRY ON A TERRORISM ISSUE? (THE SEVEN
GOVERNMENTS DESIGNATED BY THE SECRETARY AS STATE SPONSORS OF
TERRORISM ARE CUBA, IRAN, IRAQ, LIBYA, NORTH KOREA, SYRIA, AND
SUDAN.)

RESPONSE: THE SAG DID NOT MAKE ANY OFFICIAL PUBLIC STATEMENTS
SUPPORTING ANY OF THE SEVEN COUNTRIES ON THE USG'S TERRORISM LIST
REGARDING A TERRORIST ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE SAG ALLOWED A LIBYAN
AIRCRAFT CARRYING 105 HAJJ PILGRIMS TO LAND AT JEDDAH'S
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ON MARCH 29 AND TO DEPART THE SAME DAY, IN
VIOLATION OF UNSC SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON LIBYA.


H. DESCRIBE ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE SINCE 1997, POSITIVE OR
NEGATIVE, IN THE HOST GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE TOWARD TERRORISM,
INTERNATIONAL OR DOMESTIC. WHAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS CHANGE?

RESPONSE: THE AUGUST 1998 BOMBING OF U. S. EMBASSIES IN DAR ES
SALAAM AND NAIROBI FURTHER HEIGHTENED AWARENESS AND CONCERN ABOUT
ATTEMPTS THAT MIGHT OCCUR IN SAUDI ARABIA, FOLLOWING THE 1995 AND
1996 ATTACKS AGAINST U. S. TARGETS. ALL OF THESE ATTACKS MET WITH
OFFICIAL CONDEMNATION, AND HAVE SPURRED GREATER COOPERATION AMONG
SAUDI SECURITY ORGANS IN ADDRESSING INTERNAL SECURITY ISSUES. THE
SAG HAS SUBSTANTIALLY INTENSIFIED ITS DIALOGUE WITH GCC AND OTHER
ARAB AND ISLAMIC COUNTRIES ON COMBATING TERRORISM. THE SAUDI ANTI-
TERRORISM STANCE WAS GIVEN A WORLD-WIDE STAGE DURING THE CROWN
PRINCE'S MONTH-LONG VISIT TO EUROPE, THE U. S., AND ASIA. THE
SAUDI GOVERNMENT REMAINS CONCERNED WITH A CONTINUED TERRORIST
PRESENCE IN AFGHANISTAN, ESPECIALLY THOSE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF
USAMA BIN LADIN, A TERRORIST FINANCIER AND ORGANIZER OF SAUDI
ORIGIN, AND DOWNGRADED ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TALEBAN GOVERNMENT
IN SEPTEMBER. BIN LADIN WAS INDICTED IN NEW YORK IN NOVEMBER FOR
PROMOTING TERRORISM.


I. DESCRIBE U.S. COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS AND INITIATIVES WITH
RESPECT TO THE HOST GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
SPECIFIC U.S. REQUESTS TO THE HOST GOVERNMENT FOR COOPERATION AND
EFFORTS BY THE UNITED STATES IN THE HOST COUNTRY TO ELIMINATE
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT PROVIDED TO TERRORIST GROUPS
DIRECTLY OR IN SUPPORT OF THEIR ACTIVITIES. DESCRIBE THE EXTENT OF
THE HOST COUNTRY'S COOPERATION WITH THOSE EFFORTS AND INITIATIVES,
INCLUDING THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE HOST GOVERNMENT HAS SATISFIED THE
SPECIFIC REQUESTS.

RESPONSE: BEGINNING WITH THE 1996 VISIT TO SAUDI ARABIA OF A USG
INTERAGENCY COUNTERTERRORISM TEAM FOLLOWING THE 1995 OPM/SANG
BOMBING, THE USG AND THE SAG ENTERED INTO UNPRECEDENTED,
COORDINATED, INTERAGENCY CONSULTATIONS ON COUNTERTERRORISM AND
SECURITY ISSUES WHICH ENGENDERED HIGH-LEVEL SAG INTEREST AND THE
PARTICIPATION OF MULTIPLE SAG MINISTRIES. THIS INTEREST AND
PARTICIPATION HAS CONTINUED AND SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED THROUGHOUT

1998. THE USG AND SAG EXCHANGE INFORMATION ON COUNTERTERRORISM AND
SECURITY ISSUES AFFECTING AMERICAN AND SAUDI INTERESTS IN THE
REGION. CONSULTATIONS AND TRAINING FOR SAUDI COUNTERTERRORISM AND
SECURITY OFFICIALS IN THE UNITED STATES ALSO OCCURRED. FOLLOWING
THE 1996 KHOBAR TOWERS BOMBING, THE USG AND THE SAG FURTHER
INCREASED COOPERATION. FBI DIRECTOR LOUIS FREEH VISITED SAUDI
ARABIA TWICE IN 1996 TO COORDINATE INVESTIGATIVE EFFORTS WITH SAUDI
INTERIOR MINISTER PRINCE NAIF. THE FBI MAINTAINS A PERMANENTLY
STAFFED LEGAL ATTACHE OFFICE IN THE U. S. EMBASSY. WHILE
COOPERATION THROUGHOUT 1998 ON THE KHOBAR TOWERS INVESTIGATION WAS
STRONG, FOLLOWING THE EAST AFRICA BOMBINGS IN AUGUST IT WAS
INCREASED FURTHER.


J. IN ADDITION TO THIS GENERAL INFORMATION, IF THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT HAS SOUGHT COOPERATION FROM THE HOST GOVERNMENT DURING
THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS IN THE INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION OF AN
ACT OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM AGAINST UNITED STATES CITIZENS OR
INTERESTS, PLEASE PROVIDE INFORMATION ON:

(I) THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE HOST GOVERNMENT COOPERATED OR IS
COOPERATING WITH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT IN APPREHENDING,
CONVICTING, AND PUNISHING THE INDIVIDUAL OR INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE ACT; AND

(II) THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE HOST GOVERNMENT COOPERATED OR IS
COOPERATING IN PREVENTING FURTHER ACTS OF TERRORISM AGAINST UNITED
STATES CITIZENS IN THE HOST GOVERNMENT'S TERRITORY.

RESPONSE: (I) THE SAG HAS SOUGHT TO APPREHEND, CONVICT, AND PUNISH
THE INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBLE FOR BOTH THE OPM/SANG AND KHOBAR TOWERS
BOMBINGS AGAINST UNITED STATES CITIZENS. IN THIS REGARD, ON APRIL
22, 1996 FOUR SAUDI NATIONALS PUBLICLY CONFESSED TO COMMITTING THE
OPM/SANG BOMBING OF NOVEMBER 1995 AND THEY WERE EXECUTED ON MAY 31.
THE SAG HAS COOPERATED WITH THE USG, ALTHOUGH EARLIER STAGES OF THE
RELATIONSHIP DID NOT ALWAYS MEET THE EXPECTATIONS OF USG OFFICIALS.
SAUDI OFFICIALS AND THE FBI HAVE WORKED CLOSELY ON MANY
INVESTIGATION ISSUES RELATED TO BOTH BOMBINGS AND CONTINUE TO
CONSULT CLOSELY ON THE STATUS OF THE KHOBAR TOWERS BOMBING
INVESTIGATION.

(II) THE SAG HAS DEVOTED CONSIDERABLE HUMAN AND FINANCIAL
RESOURCES TO PROTECT USG PERSONNEL AND INTERESTS FOLLOWING THE
OPM/SANG, KHOBAR TOWERS, AND EAST AFRICA BOMBINGS. IT MADE
AVAILABLE TO COALITION FORCES THE PRINCE SULTAN AIRBASE AT AL
KHARJ, WHERE MOST U. S. SERVICEMEN IN SAUDI ARABIA ARE NOW LOCATED,
AND A VERY LARGE RESIDENTIAL COMPOUND, KNOWN AS ESKAN VILLAGE,
SOUTH OF RIYADH FOR MILITARY AND CIVILIAN DOD PERSONNEL. THE SAG
SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FACILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE
IMPROVEMENTS. THE SAG ALSO WORKED WITH AMERICAN SECURITY PERSONNEL
TO ENHANCE PROTECTIVE MEASURES AT ALL OTHER USG FACILITIES IN SAUDI
ARABIA, INCLUDING THE U. S. EMBASSY IN RIYADH AND THE CONSULATES
GENERAL IN JEDDAH AND DHAHRAN. USG AND SAG OFFICIALS FROM THE
HIGHEST LEVELS DOWN CONTINUE TO MEET REGULARLY TO REVIEW THE SAFETY
OF AMERICANS IN SAUDI ARABIA.


K. IF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAS SOUGHT COOPERATION DURING
THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS IN THE PREVENTION OF AN ACT OF
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM AGAINST U. S. CITIZENS OR INTERESTS, PLEASE
DESCRIBE THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE HOST GOVERNMENT COOPERATED OR IS
COOPERATING IN PREVENTING ACTS OF TERRORISM AGAINST UNITED STATES
CITIZENS IN THE HOST GOVERNMENT'S TERRITORY.

RESPONSE: THE SAG HAS PROVIDED TO THE USG INFORMATION ON THREATS
DIRECTED AT U. S. INTERESTS IN SAUDI ARABIA AND CONTINUES TO LIAISE
CLOSELY WITH USG AGENCIES TO PREVENT TERRORIST ATTACKS AGAINST
AMERICANS IN THE KINGDOM. THREATS HAVE REGULARLY LED TO THE RAPID
DEPLOYMENT OF EXTRA SECURITY PERSONNEL AND THE PLACEMENT OF
PERMANENT PHYSICAL BARRIERS, CHECKPOINTS, AND OTHER VISIBLE
DETERRENTS.

FOWLER