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| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00RIYADH3360 |
SAUDI ARABIA: 2000 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT [...] THE FOLLOWING RESTATES AND RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS 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 2000, INCLUDING ANY HOST GOVERNMENT PROSECUTIONS RELATING TO TERRORISM. PART [...] |
2000-12-03 08:50:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER SA |
| 01RIYADH1771 |
THE AL SAUD AND CHALLENGES TO STABILITY [...] (C) AT PRESENT, SAUDI ARABIA ENJOYS AT LEAST SUPERFICIAL STABILITY. THERE IS NO DEBILITATING DISUNITY AMONG SENIOR AL SAUD PRINCES, REGIME CRITICS HAVE BEEN EXILED OR MARGINALIZED ABROAD AND CO-OPTED OR MUZZLED AT HOME, AND A LARGELY APOLITICAL CITIZENRY SHOWS NO INCLINATION TO DEMAND GREATER [...] |
2001-06-27 12:09:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON SOCI SA |
| 01RIYADH2627 |
TFUS01: SAUDI REACTION TO SEPTEMBER 11 [...] ON THE EVENING OF SEPTEMBER 11, THE SAUDI GOVERNMENT ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT (UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION): THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA EXPRESSES ITS CONDEMNATION OF THE REGRETTABLE AND INHUMAN EXPLOSIONS AND ATTACKS WHICH OCCURRED AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER IN NEW YORK AND THE PENTAGON I [...] |
2001-09-12 11:26:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PTER SA |
| 01RIYADH3968 |
SAUDI ARABIA: 2001 ANNUAL TERRORISM [...] FOLLOWING RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS IN REFTEL: A) POST SHOULD HIGHLIGHT SIGNIFICANT ACTIONS TAKEN BY HOST GOVERNMENTS TO SUPPORT THE GLOBAL COALITION, PARTICULARLY ACTIONS TAKEN AGAINST AL-QAIDA AND THE TALIBAN. RESPONSE: THE SAUDI ARABIAN GOVERNMENT (SAG) HAS SUPPORTED THE GLOBAL COALITIO [...] |
2001-12-12 13:33:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER PREL SA |
| 03RIYADH5821 |
RIYADH GOVERNOR ON ISLAMIC EXTREMISM AND REGIONAL [...] (C) Summary: An exceptionally cordial and frank Riyadh Governor Prince Salman told the Ambassador on September 16 that Muslim fanatics were damaging the image of Islam and Saudi Arabia and engendering hatred amongst peoples. He acknowledged that preachers who taught hatred of others bore so [...] |
2003-09-16 13:36:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER KISL MEPP KPAL SA IZ |
| 04RIYADH5103 |
TERRORIST FINANCING: AL-RAJHI BANK [...] (S) SUMMARY: At the end of the meeting between Treasury A/S Zarate and Ali Al-Gaith, Director of Banking Inspection, Insurance and Financial Leasing at the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) on September 15, Al-Gaith discussed Al-Rajhi Bank and the recent information forwarded to the SAG via [...] |
2004-09-27 08:57:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | ETTC EFIN PTER PREL SA |
| 04RIYADH6449 |
SAUDI ARABIA: 2004 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT [...] (U) Per reftel, post submits the following language for use in the 2004 Patterns of Global Terrorism Report. Embassy POC for this report is Julie Eadeh (eadehja@state.gov). 2. (U) During the year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continued to support the global war on terror. Al Qai'da, in the [...] |
2004-12-19 10:30:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER PREL SA |
| 05RIYADH3517 |
KING FAHD HEALTH CRISIS UPDATE [...] (C) Summary: As of Saturday, May 28, King Fahd remains in King Faisal Specialist Hospital, undergoing unspecified "medical tests," according to statements released by the Saudi press agency and sourced to the Royal Court and "official sources." The mood in Riyadh is quiet and normal, although [...] |
2005-05-28 10:56:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SA |
| 05RIYADH4932 |
SAUDI ARABIA: WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN KING FAHD DIES [...] No summary [...] |
2005-07-14 10:08:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PREL SA |
| 05RIYADH5352 |
SAUDI KING FAHD DIES, ABDULLAH ASCENDS THE THRONE [...] (U) Classified by Ambassador James Oberwetter. Reason 1.4 (B and D). 2. (C) The Royal Diwan announced on August 1 that Saudi King Fahd bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud has died. The announcement was read on Saudi state television at 10:00 AM Riyadh time. According to our sources in the Royal Diwan [...] |
2005-08-01 08:24:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SA |
| 05RIYADH5371 |
THE LATE SAUDI KING FAHD: A MIXED LEGACY [...] (C) Summary: A chief architect of Saudi Arabia's transformation from feudal monarchy to modernizing nation state, the late King Fahd will be remembered above all as a modernizer -- a ruler who pushed his subjects to abandon their feudal insularity and join the modern world-- and an institution [...] |
2005-08-01 13:00:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SA |
| 05RIYADH9116 |
A PUBLIC DIPLOMACY STRATEGY FOR SAUDI ARABIA [...] (C) SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION: The events of 9/11 profoundly affected the U.S.-Saudi relationship, forcing a rethinking of diplomacy as well as public diplomacy on both sides. This rethinking found positive expression in the joint statements issued in Crawford following the April 2005 visit o [...] |
2005-12-12 14:30:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAO PGOV PREL PINR ECON SA |
| 05RIYADH9142 |
SHI'ITE COUNCIL MEMBER PREDICTS SACKING OF SAUDI [...] (C) Shi'a activist Jafar Al-Shayeb described efforts to oust Abdullah Al-Khunaizi, Qatif's Shi'a judge, saying that he was not effective as a representative of the community given "new social forces" gaining strength in Qatif. He said that the Shi'a were pleased with the signals from King Ab [...] |
2005-12-13 06:55:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER KIRF SA |
| 05RIYADH9145 |
SAUDI ROYAL ADVISOR'S IMPRESSIONS OF IRANIAN [...] (S) Royal Advisor Adel al-Jubeir contacted the Ambassador by telephone December 12 and relayed his impressions of Iranian President Ahmadinajad, whom he had briefly met at the recently concluded OIC Extraordinary Summit in Jeddah. Al-Jubeir said that Ahmadinajad had struck him "as a very, ver [...] |
2005-12-13 10:24:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PTER PGOV PREL PINR SA |
| 05RIYADH9146 |
SAUDI ROYAL ADVISOR'S IMPRESSIONS OF IRANIAN [...] (S) Royal Advisor Adel al-Jubeir contacted the Ambassador by telephone December 12 and relayed his impressions of Iranian President Ahmadinajad, whom he had briefly met at the recently concluded OIC Extraordinary Summit in Jeddah. Al-Jubeir said that Ahmadinajad had struck him "as a very, [...] |
2005-12-13 10:32:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PTER PGOV PREL PINR SA |
| 05RIYADH9147 |
DEPARTURE OF AMBASSADOR [...] Ambassador James Oberwetter departed post on Tuesday, December 13 at 01:15 local time. 2. A/DCM Michael Gfoeller will be CDA during the Ambassador's absence. [...] |
2005-12-13 11:38:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA AMGT SA |
| 05RIYADH9219 |
COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR JANUARY 20-23, 2006 [...] The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia welcomes the visit of Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP) Director Ambassador John R. Miller, G/TIP's Senior Coordinator for Reports Mark Taylor, and G/TIP's Reports Officer for NEA Gayatri Patel, and grants to them country clearance fo [...] |
2005-12-14 07:31:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | KCRM KWMN OTRA PGOV PHUM PREL SA |
| 05RIYADH9246 |
STREAMLINING PROCEDURES FOR THE STRATEGIC DIALOGUE [...] No summary [...] |
2005-12-14 13:57:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC PGOV SA |
| 05RIYADH9248 |
TIP UPDATE: AMBASSADOR AND FM SAUD AL-FAISAL [...] No summary [...] |
2005-12-14 13:57:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | KCRM KWMN OTRA PGOV PHUM PREL SA |
| 05RIYADH9250 |
IRF UPDATE: AMBASSADOR AND FM SAUD AL-FAISAL [...] No summary [...] |
2005-12-14 13:57:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | KIRF KISL PGOV PHUM SA |
| 05RIYADH9252 |
KSA SUPPORT FOR IRAQI VICTIMS OF TERRORIST ATTACKS [...] No summary [...] |
2005-12-14 13:57:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL PTER SA IZ |
| 05RIYADH9300 |
SAUDI BUDGET: HIGHEST RECORDED BUDGET SURPLUS IN [...] (U) Summary: The strength of the oil market, and growing Saudi economy, drove Saudi Arabia's 2005 budget surplus to its highest recorded level - 57 billion USD, and provides the basis for an expansive new national budget. The largest portion of the budget surplus, 60 percent, is allocated to [...] |
2005-12-14 15:11:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV SA OIL |
| 05RIYADH9303 |
MUNICIPAL COUNCILS UPDATE: REMAINING HALF [...] (C) SUMMARY: On December 15, the Saudi press announced that King Abdullah had completed the long delayed process of forming the country's 178 municipal councils. Half of the councils' members, totaling 592 officials in all, were chosen last spring in the Kingdom's first democratic, albeit [...] |
2005-12-15 14:53:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL SA |
| 05RIYADH9341 |
DELIVERY OF SECRETARY'S ORAL MESSAGE TO GCC [...] (C) A/DCM conveyed ref message to the Director of the Office of the Foreign Minister. The Director provided no substantive response, but said the message would be forwarded to the Foreign Minister in advance of the GCC Summit. GFOELLER [...] |
2005-12-18 06:48:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS PGOV PREL SA |
| 05RIYADH9342 |
CODEL HAGEL MEETINGS IN KSA FOCUS ON IRAQ, IRAN [...] (C) On November 30 and December 1, Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) led a delegation including Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) and Representative Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) to the first Senate-level visit to Saudi Arabia in over two years. The delegation received a warm welcome in meetings with King Abdullah [...] |
2005-12-18 09:17:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | OVIP PINR PREL PTER SA IZ IR |
| 05RIYADH9366 |
EP BUSINESSWOMEN TAKE FIRST LOOK AT NEW [...] (U) Summary: Following the trend in Jeddah and Riyadh, the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce elections in early February will be open to women, both as voters and as candidates. As of December 17, out of a total of 44 candidates five are women. December 18th is the last day to register. T [...] |
2005-12-18 14:17:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV SCUL KMPI SA |
| 05RIYADH9368 |
TWO ARAMCONS SKEPTICAL ARAMCO CAN MEET 2009 [...] (S/NF) Two Aramco analysts told PolOff and PAO on December 14 that they doubted Aramco would meet its target of increasing sustainable production capacity to 12.5 million barrels per day by the end of 2009. "The projections show pretty much a flat level of output - 9.6, 9.6, 9.6, ..." said o [...] |
2005-12-19 09:31:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | EPET EIND PREL PGOV SA OIL |
| 05RIYADH9396 |
SAG REPLACES SHI'ITE JUDGE IN QATIF [...] (U) EP daily Al-Youm reported on December 18 that a new Shi'ite judge, Sheikh Ghalib Al-Hamad, has succeeded Sheikh Abdullah Al-Khunaizi as Shi'ite judge in Qatif. According to the report, Al-Hamad had been appointed by royal decree two weeks earlier to fill the position that Al-Khunaizi had [...] |
2005-12-20 07:14:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF SA |
| 05RIYADH9401 |
MAYOR PREVIEWS (LIMITED) SCOPE OF QATIF'S [...] (C) In a meeting with the CG, Khalid Al-Dossari, Mayor of Qatif, said that the primary problem facing his municipality was haphazard development. Qatif, an oasis once composed of close-knit villages and date palm groves, is changing rapidly as the population grows and date farmers sell their [...] |
2005-12-20 13:49:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON KDEM SA |
| 05RIYADH9402 |
SAG OFFSETS SHI'A STRENGTH IN ITS APPOINTMENTS TO [...] (C) Summary: The SAG announced its appointments to municipal councils nationwide, including those of the Eastern Province (EP), on December 14. As expected by many observers, the government used the appointments to balance the Shi'a presence on the councils in Qatif and Al-Hasa: elected mem [...] |
2005-12-20 14:21:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SA |
| 05RIYADH9433 |
HASSAN AL-SAFFAR CONTINUES TO DECLINE TO MEET USG [...] (C) Post has requested a meeting with Shi'ite cleric and leader Hassan Al-Saffar through several intermediaries, principally Salman and Nathir Al-Jishi. Al-Saffar is generally agreed by most of post's interlocutors to be the preeminent leader in the Saudi Shi'a community and the primarily, b [...] |
2005-12-21 08:51:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PREL PGOV SA |
| 05RIYADH9434 |
EP TRIBAL FAMILY FLEXES ITS POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC [...] (C) Four brothers from the Al-Dossari family outlined to the CG and Consulate staff their family's business and political enterprises. Yousef, Khalifa, Khalid, and Mohammed Al-Dossari, together with two other brothers, run a company that has expanded from supplying auto parts to managing int [...] |
2005-12-21 09:24:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON KDEM SA |
| 05RIYADH9435 |
SAUDI DISSIDENT TURKI AL-HAMAD SHARES PRIORITIES [...] (C) In a meeting with CG and PolOff December 19 over coffee at the Gulf Meridian Hotel in Khobar, Saudi dissident and writer Turki Al-Hamad discussed his three priorities for reform: "We need reform of the judicial system, public freedoms, and public rights." He argued that political reform [...] |
2005-12-21 12:13:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SA |
| 05RIYADH9441 |
Saudi Women Push for Economic Opportunities at [...] (U) Summary: The Second Riyadh Economic Forum (REF), held earlier this month, included a lively discussion of a study critical of the job and investment opportunities available to Saudi women. The study acknowledges Saudi laws are on the books that are intended to create job opportunities for [...] |
2005-12-21 13:50:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB ECON EFIN PHUM SA |
| 05RIYADH9469 |
HEAD OF TOP SAUDI UNIVERSITY LEADS THE DEVELOPMENT [...] (SBU) Summary: CG John Kincannon and consulate staff met with Dr. Khaled S. Al Sultan, Rector and CEO of King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) on December 17th 2005. Al Sultan discussed current challenges facing the university, the importance of educational exchange, and KFUPM' [...] |
2005-12-21 16:03:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | SOCI KMPI PINR SA |
| 05RIYADH9474 |
THE SAUDI STOCK MARKET: VIGNETTES FROM THE EP [...] (SBU) Mohammed Al-Jassim, a prosperous Dammam businessman whose main commercial interest is as a wholesale trader in air-conditioning products, chooses stocks in the same way that many Saudis do: by buzz. "If someone calls me up and says, 'Hey, have you heard about this stock, it's definitel [...] |
2005-12-24 09:29:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV SA |
| 05RIYADH9488 |
FORMER ARAMCO EXECUTIVE OFFERS HIS VIEWS ON OIL [...] (C) Over lunch at the CG's residence on December 21, 2005, Sadad Al-Husseini, who retired from Aramco in 2004 after serving twelve years as Executive President for Exploration & Producing, shared his views on global oil supply and demand with CG, EconOff, and PAO. Al-Husseini, who is now a c [...] |
2005-12-26 06:07:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET EINV ECON PREL SA OIL |
| 05RIYADH9490 |
SCENESETTER FOR THE VISIT OF AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD [...] (S) Your visit to Saudi Arabia comes during an upswing in the U.S.-Saudi Arabia relationship that was highlighted on November 13, when Secretary Rice and Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal inaugurated the U.S.-Saudi Strategic Dialogue, a new diplomatic process designed to reinvigorate our bilater [...] |
2005-12-26 11:11:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PREL PGOV OVIP PTER IZ SA |
| 05RIYADH9531 |
NEW PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN THE EASTERN PROVINCE, [...] (U) Summary: A new private university in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province is scheduled to open to 600 men and women in the fall of 2006. Funded by donations from private investors, Prince Mohammed University's curriculum, faculty recruitment, and administrative system have been designed and will [...] |
2005-12-27 09:58:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | SOCI KMPI SA |
| 05RIYADH9535 |
SAUDI BUSINESSWOMEN ENERGIZED BY LEADERSHIP [...] (U) Summary: Business and communication professors Kathy Long Holland and Kay Westerfield led four engaging workshops on leadership and entrepreneurship on December 19th and 20th. In cooperation with the Businesswomen's Center at the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce in Dammam, Holland and [...] |
2005-12-28 18:11:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | SCUL KPAO KMPI SA |
| 05RIYADH9568 |
US EDUCATION SPECIALIST REACHES SAUDI TEACHERS AND [...] (U) Summary: A Specialist Program focused on 'best practices' training for special education teachers in the Eastern Province from Nov. 26th to Dec. 7th 2005. This program influenced the teaching of over 300 students. In cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Special Education Specialist [...] |
2005-12-28 14:01:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | SCUL KPAO KMPI SA |
| 06RIYADH1 |
PARDONED SAUDI DISSIDENT OUTLINES GRADUALIST [...] (C) Ali Al-Dumaini, one of the three reformers pardoned by King Abdullah in August, described himself and his colleagues as "reformers, not revolutionaries." Although in Al-Dumaini's view the Al Saud do not have a vision for reform, reformers are not seeking a new form of government but rath [...] |
2006-01-02 05:51:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM SA |
| 06RIYADH123 |
DHAHRAN DIGEST 4 [...] (C) One of post's Shi'a contacts, Mohammad Alltaleb, who doesn't mince words and, if his stories are true, is equally brazen in his actions, says he recently applied to the local branch of the Ministry of Social Affairs to start a self-help organization, with the goal of seeking MEPI funding. [...] |
2006-01-08 13:06:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV ENRG SCUL KWMN SA |
| 06RIYADH1375 |
NO WOMEN AMONG SAG APPOINTEES TO EP CHAMBER OF [...] (SBU) The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced on March 1 its six appointees to the board of the Eastern Province (EP) Chamber of Commerce & Industry (EPCCI): Nasr Al-Hajry; Ghasan Al-Nimr (a Shi'a; also a member of the Ta'awun slate); Halal Al-Twerki (a cousin of Minister Naimi's chi [...] |
2006-03-06 05:53:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KWMN KMPI SA |
| 06RIYADH1377 |
SHI'A "INDEPENDENTS" DISCUSS NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR [...] (C) A group of Shi'a independents again stressed to ConOffs their community's national identity, desire for reform in the Kingdom, and lack of political ties to Iran. They noted that the SAG is allowing the Shi'a community to build an active but small-scale and unofficial civil society, cente [...] |
2006-03-06 06:45:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF SA |
| 06RIYADH1380 |
FEMALE SHI'A ACTIVIST: PRESSURE FOR REFORM MUST [...] (C) Summary: Aliya Al-Fareed (protect), longtime Shi'a political activist, discussed the state of reform in Saudi Arabia with PAO and PolOff in her home in Al-Safwa near Qatif. Al-Fareed was recently appointed to the National Society for Human Rights; she is the only woman among the five memb [...] |
2006-03-06 11:24:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL PINR KIRF KWMN SA |
| 06RIYADH1461 |
SHI'A ACTIVIST SAYS SHIRAZIS ARE MODERATING [...] (C) Shi'ite political activist Mohammed Al-Shoyoukh told PolOff that Saudi Hezbollah countenances only "peaceful" means to achieve its social and political goals. He said that the "Shirazis," who include the most politically active Shi'a such as Hassan Al-Saffar and Jafar Al-Shayeb, have been [...] |
2006-03-08 08:10:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR SA |
| 06RIYADH1542 |
POST-ABQAIQ MINISTER OF INTERIOR FORMALLY REQUESTS [...] (U) This is an action request. 2. (S) Summary and Action Request: Post requests Department's prompt review and guidance in responding to the Saudi government's formal request for helicopter support and security consultations, for the security of oil facilities in the Kingdom. Foreign Mini [...] |
2006-03-12 15:23:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PTER MASS MARR ASEC PREL EPET ETRD SA |
| 06RIYADH1706 |
SHI'A CIVIL SOCIETY, LOOKING TO THE STARS [...] (C) Summary: A meeting with the Qatif Astronomy Society on March 13th 2006 provided a snapshot of how civil society can operate in the Shi'a areas of Saudi Arabia. The Qatif Astronomy Society was begun locally with 12 founding members in February 2003, and has no license or official authoriza [...] |
2006-03-15 13:40:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KMPI KPAO KIRF SA |
| 06RIYADH1741 |
SHI'A LEADER TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ALL OPPORTUNITIES [...] (C) Jafar Al-Shayeb, President and elected member of Qatif's municipal council and one of five people appointed to the Dammam branch of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR), shared with CG and PolOff on March 15 his philosophy that "every positive initiative should be utilized." He d [...] |
2006-03-18 11:12:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR KIRF SA |
| 06RIYADH175 |
CULTURAL AND SPORTS PROGRAMMING IN SAUDI ARABIA [...] (U) Summary: Cultural and sports programming in Saudi Arabia can effectively support MPP objectives and USG interests. Cultural programming has been especially useful in providing access to the 'hard to reach' groups of women and youth, and in challenging negative stereotypes of the United Sta [...] |
2006-01-16 10:14:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OEXC SCUL SA |
| 06RIYADH186 |
FEMALE CONSULATE STAFF PARTICIPATE IN EID CALLS [...] (C) For the first time in Consulate history, two female Mission staff members participated in most of the Consulate's calls over the recent Eid Al-Adha. Consulate staff traditionally call on the Emir of the Eastern Province (EP), the EP head of the Saudi Arabia National Guard (SANG), and a n [...] |
2006-01-18 10:04:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SCUL KWMN SA |
| 06RIYADH1920 |
'CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY' IS OFF-LIMITS FOR A [...] (C) Nawal Al Yousif (protect), a Shi'a journalist and founder of www.saudiyat.net, noted in a meeting with the PAO on March 17, 2006 that mentioning a constitutional democracy in her writing crossed a red line with the Saudi Ministry of Interior. "The Mubahith (Investigative Police) came to s [...] |
2006-03-21 09:03:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KMPI KIRF KPAO SA |
| 06RIYADH1982 |
DHAHRAN DIGEST 5 [...] (SBU) During a recent lunch with PolOff, an appointed member of the Al-Ahsa municipal council who is also an American-educated professor of plant physiology fielded two phone calls from students. The first was from a female graduate student who needed help on some laboratory research she was [...] |
2006-03-22 10:59:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON SOCI PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH2146 |
SAUDI LEADERS UPBEAT ON U.S.-SAUDI MILITARY [...] (S) Summary and Comment: During separate meetings on March 22 with visiting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace, Saudi leaders spoke favorably of the U.S.-Saudi military relationship. King Abdullah, although deeply unhappy about Iraq and the issue of helicopter support fo [...] |
2006-03-29 14:32:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | MARR MASS MOPS MCAP PREL PTER SA |
| 06RIYADH2542 |
Avian Flu: Saudi Arabia Closing Small Poultry [...] (U) Summary: Meetings with the WHO representative, Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), and Ministry of Health (MOH) revealed that the SAG has established necessary preparations for avian flu, including action plans, an emergency "hotline" number, monitoring and testing sites for migratory birds, a [...] |
2006-04-09 13:43:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO KFLU EAGR SA |
| 06RIYADH2544 |
Cultural Norms and Non-Transparency Hamstring [...] (SBU) Summary: Meetings with public health officials during the visit of regional ESTH officer to Saudi Arabia provided a snapshot of Saudi health issues: a population increasingly afflicted with costly illnesses of the wealthy - obesity, diabetes, and heart disease - and a health system tha [...] |
2006-04-10 04:26:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO KHIV SA |
| 06RIYADH2560 |
Saudi Science Research - Gathering Strength [...] Summary: Academic and scientific researchers in Saudi Arabia are hungry for more contact with American counterparts and believe that the Saudi research system is increasingly operating up to international standards. Improved education and upcoming research opportunities fQ women, including the [...] |
2006-04-10 12:27:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | TSPL TBIO SENV KHIV CVIS SA |
| 06RIYADH2563 |
Environmentalism Slowly Comes to Saudi Arabia [...] Summary: Saudi environmental and natural resource institutions were late in getting established and remain small in size and influence. Meetings with the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) and the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development highlighted that pub [...] |
2006-04-10 13:43:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV KFLU SA |
| 06RIYADH2682 |
EP CORPORATE BANKER UPBEAT ABOUT IMPACT OF WTO [...] (SBU) Zaki Al-Yahya, Eastern Province-based Assistant General Manager in Samba's Corporate & Investment Banking Group, painted an upbeat picture about recent developments in the banking sector in a conversation with EconOff April 10. As a lender to many of the major EP businesses who serve as [...] |
2006-04-12 08:25:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV SA |
| 06RIYADH2683 |
VISITING PRIEST DETAINED BY SAG IN DAMMAM, [...] (C) According to two sources in the Eastern Province's (EP's) expatriate Indian Roman Catholic community, a Catholic priest was detained by the SAG on April 5 while presiding over an evening service at a large compound or farm in Dammam. The priest, an Indian national from Kerala who was vis [...] |
2006-04-12 12:46:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF SA |
| 06RIYADH275 |
ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE ON THE SHI'A "SHIRAZIS" [...] (C) Kamal Al-Khattee, son of a former Shi'a judge in Qaif, discussed with PolOff the evolution of the Shi'a faction known as the "Shirazis," who include Hassan Al-Saffar, Jafar Al-Shayeb, Tawfiq Al-Sayf, and others. According to Al-Khattee, they moved from Iran to Syria and elsewhere in the 1 [...] |
2006-01-23 07:38:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR KIRF SA |
| 06RIYADH2793 |
POTENTIAL NEW REVENUE-SHARING AGREEMENT BETWEEN [...] (C) In a conversation on April 13, two expatriate analysts at Saudi Aramco told PAO and EconOff that Aramco and the SAG were in the process of making a significant change to their revenue-sharing practices. In the past, they explained, Aramco had reserved from its revenue stream the amount n [...] |
2006-04-17 13:52:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | EPET ENRG EFIN PGOV SA |
| 06RIYADH2840 |
SAUDI SHI'A EXPRESS ANGER AT PRESIDENT MUBARAK'S [...] (U) In the week since President Mubarak remarked in an interview with Al-Arabiyya that Shi'a were "mostly loyal to Iran and not the countries they are living in," PolOff and PAO have asked many of post's Saudi Shi'a contacts about the Shi'a community's reaction. To a person, our contacts said [...] |
2006-04-18 12:13:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH2893 |
GULF WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION: CIVIL SOCIETY, SAUDI [...] (SBU) Summary: Jameyat Fatat al Khaleej is one of the oldest women's charitable societies in Saudi Arabia, and provides an example of a civil society organization welcomed by the government. Founded and run by women from the Eastern Province's most prominent business families, and with close [...] |
2006-04-19 14:23:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SOCI KPAO KMPI SA |
| 06RIYADH3147 |
ARAMCO VP THINKS KARAN GAS DISCOVERY WILL PROVE "A [...] (C) Summary: Yousef Rafie, Saudi Aramco's Senior VP for Gas Operations, expanded on press reports of Aramco's recent discovery of gas in the Karan field, saying that the exploratory well was drilled into the first layer of the deep Khuff formation and was producing dry gas. He estimated res [...] |
2006-04-27 10:48:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET ENRG EINV PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH3301 |
CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE EP: THE ICE IS SLOWLY [...] (C) Government influence and oversight pervade the Eastern Province's (EP's) older civil society organizations. The SAG provides part of their funding, appoints or approves board members, and regulates their by-laws. Yet the ice is slowly breaking. The government is beginning to relinquish [...] |
2006-05-02 08:54:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SOCI KMPI KDEM SA |
| 06RIYADH3306 |
HASAWI SHI'A DETAIL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM VIOLATIONS, [...] (C) Summary: In separate conversations with PolOff in Al-Ahsa on April 25, two groups of Shi'a leaders and activists discussed discrimination and restrictions on their religious freedom, as well as steps they had taken to address some of these problems. Abdulaziz Al-Bahrany, the patient and [...] |
2006-05-02 13:05:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF SA |
| 06RIYADH3312 |
THE SAUDI SHI'A: WHERE DO THEIR LOYALTIES LIE? [...] (S) Some Sunni Arab leaders, including Egypt's President Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah, have recently publicly questioned the loyalties of Arab Shi'a populations in the Middle East. Privately, senior Saudi officials raise similar concerns. Given the ongoing sectarian conflict in Iraq, [...] |
2006-05-02 14:55:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PREL PINS SA |
| 06RIYADH3315 |
HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE EASTERN PROVINCE: LIMITED [...] (C) Summary: Higher education in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia offers limited opportunities for students, particularly women and Shi'a. What is available is of questionable quality, suffering from centralized and religious control, poor student preparation, and difficulty in recruitin [...] |
2006-05-02 15:28:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | SOCI PGOV KMPI KPAO KIRF KWMN SA |
| 06RIYADH3346 |
BUILDING CIVIL SOCIETY, ONE DISCUSSION AT A TIME [...] (C) Summary: In the past year, Consulate officers have observed increasing numbers of small civil society groups forming in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Also notable is that many of the groups have started to cooperate and interact with each other in pursuit of larger goals. As an [...] |
2006-05-02 16:06:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | SOCI PGOV KPAO KMPI SA |
| 06RIYADH3491 |
SAUDI-U.K. RELATIONS IMPROVING [...] (C) Summary. During a May 1 dinner, a British Polof who coordinated U.K. Embassy Riyadh,s recent high-level visits commented on the significant improvement in Saudi-U.K. relations over the past two years. He said that Saudi Arabia,s imprisonment and torture of five Britons from December 2 [...] |
2006-05-07 15:44:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON SA |
| 06RIYADH3589 |
SHI'A CLERIC DISCUSSES SLOW BUT SIGNIFICANT [...] (C) In a meeting with PolOff on April 28, Shi'a cleric Faisal Al-Awami gave a broadly positive account of changes in Saudi Arabia over the past 10 to 15 years. Al-Awami, who, like many of his politically and religiously active Shi'a colleagues, studied in Iran and Syria starting in the early [...] |
2006-05-10 08:30:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SCUL KIRF SA |
| 06RIYADH3673 |
QATIF MUNICIPAL COUNCIL MEMBER CONTINUES TO [...] (C) In a conversation with the CG on April 29, Isa Al-Muzel, an elected member of Qatif's municipal council, described his work at the council as "going well, but frustrating." He said that the biggest problem council members faced at the moment was rooting out institutionalized corruption i [...] |
2006-05-14 12:26:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR KIRF SA |
| 06RIYADH3720 |
SAG DETAINS HARD-LINE SHI'A CLERIC RETURNING FROM [...] (C) Post contacts and the Saudi Shi'a-run Rasid News Network (www.rasid.org) report that the Saudi Mubahith detained Shi'a cleric Nimr Baqir Al-Nimr on the evening of May 11 as he was entering Saudi Arabia from Bahrain over the King Fahd Causeway. Al-Nimr is from Awamiya, a small oasis town [...] |
2006-05-15 12:35:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH3766 |
ARAMCO CONSULTANT DOUBTS ARAMCO CAN MOVE PAST 12.5 [...] (C) An American expatriate who is a senior consultant to Saudi Aramco on oil drilling operations told the CG recently that he doubted Aramco would be able to develop a maximum sustainable oil production capacity (MSC) "much beyond" 12.5 million barrels per day after 2009. (Note: Aramco's cur [...] |
2006-05-16 06:54:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET ENRG ECON SA |
| 06RIYADH3852 |
ARAMCO CEO: THE OIL ERA IS NOT OVER [...] (C) At a dinner on May 14 hosted by businessman Badr Al-Suwaidan, President and CEO of Al-Bilad, and attended by the CG and FCS Off, Abdullah Jumah, CEO of Saudi Aramco, commented in response to a query that U.S. energy policy is "confusing" and "has no logic." He claimed that the U.S. was s [...] |
2006-05-20 08:06:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG EPET PREL PINR SA |
| 06RIYADH3889 |
DETAINED SHI'A CLERIC RELEASED; A SECOND [...] (C) The SAG released detained Shi'a cleric Nimr Al-Nimr in the evening of May 15, according to his brother Mohammed Al-Nimr. Al-Nimr had been in SAG custody since May 11 (ref A). A small delegation of family and others had met with the Eastern Province's vice governor, Prince Jiluwi, earlier [...] |
2006-05-20 14:22:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SA |
| 06RIYADH390 |
REPORTING IRAN TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY [...] (C) Ambassador met with SAG U/S for Political Affairs Prince Turki Saud al-Kabir on January 28 to deliver reftel points and paper. (Note: FM Prince Saud al-Faisal was accompanying King Abdullah on four-country Asian travel and is not expected back in the Kingdom until 2/5.) Ambassador stress [...] |
2006-01-29 10:48:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KNNP PARM PREL AORC SA IR |
| 06RIYADH3974 |
BETWEEN OIL WELLS AND THE SEA: A POLITICIAN SHOWS [...] (SBU) "Over there you can see one of Aramco's wells," Nabih Al-Ibrahim, a Saudi Aramco engineer and an elected member of Qatif's municipal council, told PolOff and PAO, gesturing to his left as the group drove down the main access road into his home town of Awamiya off the Dhahran-Jubail high [...] |
2006-05-22 10:09:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SOCI PINR SA |
| 06RIYADH3977 |
CHRISTIAN EXPATRIATE DOCTOR TOLD TO LEAVE KINGDOM [...] (C) Mission and DRL contact Roy Markara told PolOff on May 18 that Dr. Florence Isaac, a Christian doctor of Indian origin who has been working in the Kingdom for a number of years, had her medical license suspended and was told by the SAG that she had to leave the Kingdom before June 16. Acc [...] |
2006-05-22 12:30:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF SA |
| 06RIYADH3978 |
SAUDI REFORMER DISCUSSES THE CREDIBILITY OF [...] (C) Summary: Long-time reformer Ahmed Al Mulla discussed the current state of Saudi reform with the Consul General on March 28th 2006. Linking the loss of credibility of Saudi sheikhs with their cooperation with the government, he noted a new sheikh whose message is clear-- the Middle East suf [...] |
2006-05-22 12:39:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KIRF SA |
| 06RIYADH4180 |
DHAHRAN DIGEST 6 [...] (C/NF) In the course of a day trip to Jubail on May 28, the CG learned that Bechtel, which has the management contract for Jubail, has decided to allow families of its expatriate workers to return. As a result, there will be forty new American children joining school in Jubail in the fall. [...] |
2006-05-29 13:25:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV ECON EINV PHUM SA |
| 06RIYADH42 |
AL-HASA SHI'A WELCOME U.S. INTERVENTION IN IRAQ, [...] (C) Members of the Shi'a community in Al-Hasa welcomed U.S. intervention in Iraq, saying an almost unqualified "thank you" during lunch with Acting CG and PolOff. Although noting some progress in the SAG's campaign against home-grown terrorism, they said that the government's campaign for to [...] |
2006-01-03 11:16:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER KISL SA KIFR |
| 06RIYADH4224 |
SAG RELEASES ARRESTED FILIPINO CHRISTIAN [...] (C) Mrs. Minerva Cabel (strictly protect), wife of arrested Filipino Christian pastor Francisco Cabel (strictly protect), informed Poloff May 29 that her husband was released May 25 (reftels). She stated that the SAG had given her husband one month before they will deport the entire family. [...] |
2006-05-30 13:46:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF SA |
| 06RIYADH4231 |
SAG DECREE ON RELIGIOUS POLICE GAUGES PUBLIC [...] (U) Recent media and Web site reports carried news of a decree issued by the Ministry of Interior May 24, which some interpret as an effort to curtail the seemingly unlimited and undefined authority of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, also known as the religi [...] |
2006-05-30 15:10:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF PHUM SA |
| 06RIYADH4539 |
EP SANG COMMANDER DISCUSSES IRAN, IRAQ [...] (C) Prince Mishari bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, commander of the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) in the Eastern Province (EP), told the CG on June 5 that he did not think the "problem between the world and Iran," as he described it, would come to war. The Iranians are "merchants," he [...] |
2006-06-07 12:09:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR PINS SA |
| 06RIYADH4543 |
A POSSIBLE RETREAT ON SAUDIZATION? [...] (C) At a lunch hosted by senior EP businessman Yusuf Al-Dossary and his brothers, Al-Dossary told the CG that he expected an imminent but quietly implemented retreat on Saudization employment policies. Al-Dossary, a member of the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce & Industry (EPCCI) board, [...] |
2006-06-07 13:05:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV ECON EINV SA |
| 06RIYADH4627 |
COORDINATED MOVES: FOUR BROTHERS PLAY LOCAL EP [...] (C) Summary: At a lunch with Consulate staff on June 6, Yousef, Khalifa, Khalid, and Mohammed Al-Dossary, brothers with a variety of business interests and political activities (ref A), described several aspects of the Eastern Province (EP) political situation. Yousef said that EP Emir Princ [...] |
2006-06-11 06:44:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SA |
| 06RIYADH4638 |
DEMARCHE ON HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL DELIVERED TO SAG [...] (C) ADCM raised reftel points during 6/12 meeting with MFA Undersecretary for Political Affairs Prince Turki al-Kabir Al Saud. APolCouns attended as notetaker. U/S Turki expressed concern over reftel point referring to deferring Israel/Palestine discussion at inaugural HRC meeting, particula [...] |
2006-06-12 12:30:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH4719 |
LEAHY VETTING FOR LIEUTENANT COLONEL MOHAMED MUTLK [...] Embassy verifies that the Department of State possesses no credible information of gross violations of human rights by Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Mutlk G. Al Dhafari, who has been identified to participate in DOD training. The course in which Lt Col Al Dhafari will participate is the National [...] |
2006-06-13 05:26:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS PHUM PINR PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH4723 |
SHI'A CLERIC ASKS U.S. TO EXERT MORE INFLUENCE [...] (C) Sheikh Mohammed Hassan, introduced by a post contact as a leading Saudi follower of Karbala-based Ayatollah Mohammed Taqi Al-Mudarassi, told PolOff in a June 11 meeting that the U.S. should play a more active role in calling for reform in Saudi Arabia. "All reform in the Kingdom is taking [...] |
2006-06-13 08:37:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SA |
| 06RIYADH4724 |
A LOVE FEST: THE "KING OF HEARTS" VISITS THE EP [...] (U) King Abdullah visited the Eastern Province (EP) June 10-12, provoking great public displays of adoration and allegiance and some private questioning about his commitment to reform. The King's agenda included a ceremonial opening of planned industrial city Jubail-II, launching of numerous [...] |
2006-06-13 09:35:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SA |
| 06RIYADH4775 |
SAG RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE: JUNE OIC BAKU [...] (C) A/PolCouns delivered reftel demarche to Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, MFA Office Director for International Organizations. Al-Rassi will be the SAG representative at the OIC conference and was keenly interested in the US position reflected in the reftel demarche. In particular, he appreciated t [...] |
2006-06-14 14:58:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH4776 |
SAG RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON YEMENI GCC ASSISTANCE [...] (C) A/PolCouns delivered reftel demarche to Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, MFA Office Director for International Orgnizations. Al-Rassi confirmed that SAG agreed that providing financial assistance to Yemen through the GCC is important in ensuring regional stability. When asked whether they plan on pr [...] |
2006-06-14 14:59:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAID PTER SA |
| 06RIYADH4818 |
SAG DEMARCHE RESPONSE: SUPPORT FOR GUATEMALA IN [...] (C) A/PolCouns delivered reftel demarche to Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, Office Director for International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 14. Al-Rassi noted the US position, and was interested to know the number of times that each country had served on the UN Security Counc [...] |
2006-06-17 14:08:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNSC PGOV SA |
| 06RIYADH4854 |
TRIPARTITE DEMARCHE -- SAUDI ARABIA [...] (U) PolOff, in coordination with the New Zealand and Australian Embassies, delivered reftel demarche May 31 to Abdulrahman Al-Rassj, First Secretary, International Organizations Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Al-Rassj responded that the SAG had not yet formed a position on the [...] |
2006-06-18 13:26:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH4914 |
SAUDI HEZBOLLAH FIGURE OFFERS A SLIGHTLY TOUGHER [...] (C) In a May 28 meeting with PolOff and PolFSN, Ahmed Al-Nimr (Ahmed), brother and office manager of Shi'a cleric Sheikh Hassan Al-Nimr (Hassan), explained that Hassan would not meet with American diplomats because "he would lose the respect of people on the street, who would ask why he met w [...] |
2006-06-19 12:46:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR PHUM SA |
| 06RIYADH4919 |
REMAINS RETURNED, FAMILIES OF GTMO DETAINEES CALL [...] (U) Following the deaths of the three GTMO detainees, Abdulaziz Suleiman al-Rubaish, whose brother is currently detained at GTMO, contacted the Embassy and asked to meet with the Ambassador. PolMilOff met al-Rubaish at the Embassy front gate and accepted a letter addressed to President Bush f [...] |
2006-06-19 14:34:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KISL KPAO PGOV PREL MOPS PTER KAWC SA XF |
| 06RIYADH4960 |
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL--ANTICIPATED OIC ASSAULT [...] (SBU) Post attempted to contact FM Saud Al-Faisal on June 19 to deliver ref a demarche. He is currently on vacation in an intentionally remote location. We delivered demarche by diplomatic note directly to the FM's Chief of Staff, who agreed to forward to the FM. Please note that Post del [...] |
2006-06-20 10:59:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PHUM SA |
| 06RIYADH4961 |
SAG NOTIFIED OF PSI WARSAW MEETING PARTICIPANTS [...] (C) On June 14 A/PolCouns gave Abdulrahman al-Rassi, Office Director for MFA's International Organizations Department, a list of Middle Eastern states the USG expects will participate in the June 23 Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) High Level Political Meeting in Warsaw, Poland. A/Pol [...] |
2006-06-20 11:30:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | MNUC PARM PGOV PHSA PREL KNNP XF |
| 06RIYADH4966 |
NOTICE OF SECOND ROUND OF GUANTANAMO [...] (C) Post notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via diplomatic note on April 23 of the upcoming Administrative Review Board on the status of the Saudi detainees named in Reftel. We will notify the Department of any response from the SAG. OBERWETTER [...] |
2006-06-20 12:42:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PINR PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH4967 |
SAG NOTIFIED OF SECOND ROUND OF GUANTANAMO [...] (C) Post notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via diplomatic note on April 23 of the upcoming Administrative Review Board on the status of the Saudi detainees named in Reftel. We will notify the Department of any response from the SAG. OBERWETTER [...] |
2006-06-20 12:43:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PINR PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH4997 |
HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST ACCEPTS FORMAL ROLE ON HUMAN [...] (C) Ibrahim Al-Mugaiteeb, President of the unregistered Human Rights First Society, told the CG on June 17 that he had accepted a formal role with the government-affiliated Human Rights Commission (HRC) run by Dr. Turki Al-Sudairy. Al-Mugaiteeb said that Al-Sudairy had offered him a position [...] |
2006-06-21 04:41:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PINR PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH5036 |
QATIF MUNICIPAL COUNCIL MEMBER ADVOCATES PATIENTLY [...] (C) In a June 29 meeting with PolOff, Dr. Riyadh Al-Mustafa, an elected member of Qatif's municipal council, detailed his and the council's efforts to improve Qatif's services and infrastructure. Al-Mustafa, whose constituency is the town of Qatif itself, said that the council's first priori [...] |
2006-06-23 08:10:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SA |
| 06RIYADH5042 |
USD EDELMAN'S MEETINGS WITH THE KING AND CROWN [...] (S) Summary: Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Eric Edelman discussed the U.S.-Saudi defense relationship, regional security, helicopters, Iran, Iraq, and visas during separate meetings with King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan on June 6. Both the King and Crown Prince were supportive of [...] |
2006-06-24 14:03:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | MARR MASS MCAP SA PTER PREL PARM PINR |
| 06RIYADH5079 |
USD EDELMAN'S MEETING WITH ASSISTANT MOI PRINCE [...] (S) Summary: Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Eric Edelman discussed detainees, helicopters, infrastructure security, Iraq, and border security during a June 6 meeting with Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs Prince Muhammad bin Naif. Prince Muhammad confirmed that the SA [...] |
2006-06-25 04:36:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | SA MARR PBTS PGOV PINR PINS PTER ENRG |
| 06RIYADH5082 |
U/S EDELMAN'S MEETING WITH ASST MINISTER OF [...] (S) Summary: Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Eric Edelman discussed the U.S.-Saudi defense relationship, Iran, and regional security during his June 6 meeting with Prince Khalid bin Sultan, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation for Security Affairs. The overall tone of the meeting [...] |
2006-06-25 08:36:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | MARR MASS MCAP MOPS PARM PGOV PREL PINR PTER |
| 06RIYADH5083 |
INTERNET JOURNALISM CHANGING PERSPECTIVES AMONG EP [...] (C) Hussein Al-Alak, a Qatif-based journalist for online Rasid News Network (www.rasid.org; the premier Internet forum for Saudi Shi'a), discussed with PolOff and PAO on June 20 the growing influence of Internet journalism among the Shi'a. Because the government has permitted much greater fre [...] |
2006-06-25 08:36:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SCUL SA |
| 06RIYADH5105 |
SAUDIS NAME NEW IRAQ BORDER LIAISON OFFICER [...] (S) General Saleh bin Ali al-Muhayya, Chief of General Staff of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense and Aviation (MODA) sent a letter (classified "secret/urgent") to CHUSMTM May 30 on the appointment of a new Saudi-Iraq border liaison officer. The new officer is LTC Khalid bin Mohamed al-S [...] |
2006-06-25 15:57:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PBTS PGOV PREL PINR SA IZ MARR MOPS |
| 06RIYADH5106 |
SCENESETTER FOR THE JUNE 27 VISIT OF AMBASSADOR [...] (C) The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia warmly welcomes your visit to Jeddah June 27. Ambassador Oberwetter and Consul General Tatiana Gfoeller look forward to meeting you and will accompany you on a number of your calls on Saudi leaders. Per your request, appointments are being requested in Jedd [...] |
2006-06-25 16:02:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PREL PGOV OVIP PTER IZ SA |
| 06RIYADH5111 |
TRIBAL LEADER PLAYS POLITICS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE [...] (C) In a June 21 meeting with Consulate Dhahran and Embassy Manama PolOffs, Essa Al-Dossary, self-styled deputy sheikh of the Al-Dossary tribe in the Eastern Province (EP) and the Kingdom of Bahrain, described to PolOffs the nature of his influence on both sides of the causeway. Al-Dossary e [...] |
2006-06-26 12:59:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SA BA |
| 06RIYADH5114 |
KING LAUNCHES ECONOMIC AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES [...] (C) Summary: King Abdullah recently completed his first national tour since becoming King. Traveling with his Cabinet, the King visited the Ha'il, Al Qassim, Medina and Eastern provinces promoting government support for economic, industrial, health and educational development of the regions [...] |
2006-06-26 14:21:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF SA |
| 06RIYADH5135 |
THE TRANSLATED TEXT OF THE WARNING AND STATEMENT [...] (U) What follows is post's Arabic translation of the "Warning and Statement" published by 61 Saudi conservative religious scholars as discussed in septel. 2. (U) BEGIN TRANSLATED TEXT: Statement addressed to the Rulers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia The statement was posted on: http://ww [...] |
2006-06-27 14:20:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL SA PINR |
| 06RIYADH5136 |
SAUDI CONSERVATIVES LAUNCH COUNTER-REFORMATION [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: Following a series of reforms seen as challenging the prominence of the religious establishment in Saudi Arabia, 61 religious scholars published an open letter, called "A Warning and a Statement," to the Kingdom's rulers. This manifesto warned the SAG against a 'gang' of people [...] |
2006-06-27 14:22:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV SA KISL PINR PREL |
| 06RIYADH5167 |
MAJLIS AL SHOURA REJECTS FUNDING FOR THE RELIGIOUS [...] No summary [...] |
2006-06-28 10:48:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PINR KISL SA |
| 06RIYADH5173 |
A TALE OF TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS: THE DIVERGING [...] (C) Summary: Six months after the SAG announced its appointees to the municipal councils (reftel), the experiences of the Greater Dammam Municipal Council (GDMC) and the Qatif Municipal Council (QMC) illustrate two diverging paths in this experiment in partially elected local government. Th [...] |
2006-06-30 07:22:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM SA |
| 06RIYADH5220 |
14 GUANTANAMO DETAINEES TRANSFERED TO SAUDI [...] (C) Summary and Comment: On June 25, 14 Guantanamo detainees were transferred to Saudi authority, including a non-Saudi citizen, Ahmad Sadik Turkestani. The Ministry of Interior (MOI) has told EmbOffs that all of the detainees will be further incarcerated in the Kingdom until the SAG rules [...] |
2006-07-02 13:28:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KISL KPAO PGOV PREL KAWC MOPS PTER SA XF |
| 06RIYADH5264 |
SAG REQUESTS USG SUPPORT FOR FOREIGN MINISTER'S [...] (C) On July 2, Post received via diplomatic note a request from the Saudi Foreign Ministry seeking USG assistance to secure a temporary license from the Treasury Dept's Office of Financial Assets Control (OFAC) to allow Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal to fly aboard a private, corporate [...] |
2006-07-02 15:57:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH5266 |
POST SEEKING CLARITY ON GULF SECURITY DIALOGUE [...] (S/NF) Post is seeking the Department's clarification of the relationship between the proposed Gulf Security Dialogue (GSD) (Ref A) and other bilateral and regional security initiatives that have been previously proposed to the SAG. We have identified no less than 13 security-related initiativ [...] |
2006-07-02 16:01:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER MOPS SA |
| 06RIYADH5274 |
MOI REQUESTS GTMO SUICIDE NOTES TO QUELL MURDER [...] (U) This is an action request. 2. (S) The Saudi Ministry of Interior (MOI) has asked the USG for the suicide notes written by the two deceased Saudi Guantanamo detainees, Yasser al-Zahrani and Manie al-Otaibi. The MOI wishes to provide copies of these letters to the family members of the [...] |
2006-07-03 11:42:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PTER PREL KAWC SA |
| 06RIYADH5277 |
MIXED SAUDI REACTION TO KUWAITI ELECTIONS [...] (U) On June 29, the Kuwaiti Parliament held elections, in which women were allowed to run as candidates and vote for the first time. There were twenty-seven women candidates, but none were elected. Saudi media reported mixed reactions to the results. Most Saudi media reported that the electi [...] |
2006-07-03 13:48:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH5278 |
RIYADH RECORD: JUNE 21-30 2006 [...] (U) This cable serves as the inaugural edition of the Riyadh Record, which will provide weekly summaries of key political events in the Kingdom. 2. (S) SUMMARY: During the course of the past few weeks, there has been an increase in the dialogue between supporters of King Abdullah,s reforms [...] |
2006-07-03 13:55:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PREL SA PINR |
| 06RIYADH5314 |
DHAHRAN DIGEST 7 [...] (SBU) Dr. Abdullah Al-Kadi, director of Al Bir, the largest charitable organization in the Eastern Province (EP), estimated to the CG that there were 3.7 million residents in the EP, of whom 20 percent (740,000) were expatriates. Al-Kadi, a U.S.-trained architect and urban planner, has constr [...] |
2006-07-05 05:51:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EPET SOCI PINR PGOV SA |
| 06RIYADH5315 |
DISCUSSION GROUPS GROW, CIVIL SOCIETY DEVELOPS [...] (C) Summary: Shi'a journalist Merza Al Khuwaildi discussed the range of new discussion groups in Saudi Arabia, in a June 28 meeting with the Consul General. Considered the vanguard of civil society in Saudi Arabia, these home-based, informal, grass-roots groups have enjoyed more freedom over [...] |
2006-07-05 06:12:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KIRF SA |
| 06RIYADH5316 |
SETBACKS FOR SAUDI BUSINESSWOMEN IN THE EP [...] (C) Summary: Director of the Businesswomen's Committee at the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hana Al-Zuhair recounted recent setbacks for businesswomen. In a meeting on June 27 2006, Al-Zuhair told the PAO about a mixed-gender meeting held at the Chamber in April, to discuss [...] |
2006-07-05 06:14:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KWMN KPAO SA |
| 06RIYADH5317 |
SHIELD S10-06: SAG DENIES CHEM-BIO GEAR IMPORTED [...] (S) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) informed the Embassy via diplomatic note dated June 6, 2006 that the Ministry of Interior did not import chemical and biological items from Iran, per Reftel. However, the note did acknowledge that the SAG imported one sample protective vest and one [...] |
2006-07-05 06:43:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PARM PREL ETTC CBW IR SA |
| 06RIYADH5322 |
IRAQI PRIME MINISTER VISITS KINGDOM ON FIRST TRIP [...] (C) Traveling on his first trip abroad as Prime Minister, Iraqi PM Nouri Al-Maliki visited Saudi Arabia July 1-2 seeking Saudi support for economic development, reconciliation, and improving security to stabilize Iraq. Saudi news sources reported that PM Maliki was received by the Crown Prin [...] |
2006-07-05 12:28:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER IZ SA |
| 06RIYADH5451 |
HASAWI SHI'A CONTINUE ADVOCACY EFFORTS IN RIYADH [...] (C) In separate meetings with PolOff and PAO on July 8, Hasawi Shi'a activists Sadeq Al-Ramadan and Mohammed Al-Jubran discussed Shi'a advocacy efforts with the SAG. Al-Ramadan mentioned that he was part of a small delegation that visited the Vice Minister of Information and several other min [...] |
2006-07-10 08:31:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SOCI KIRF SA |
| 06RIYADH5456 |
MAJLIS AL SHOURA REJECTS FUNDING FOR THE RELIGIOUS [...] No summary [...] |
2006-07-10 14:25:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR KISL SA |
| 06RIYADH5513 |
SHI'A TRADITIONALIST LAMENTS SHIRAZI ASCENDANCY IN [...] (C) Kamal Al-Khatti, a Riyadh-based social researcher formerly employed by Prince Abdulaziz bin Fahd and son of Qatif's late and revered Judge Abdulhamid Al-Khatti, told the CG and ConOffs that the Shirazis (ref A) now dominated Qatif and the Saudi Shi'a community politically, but that a laten [...] |
2006-07-11 11:51:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH5516 |
RIYADH RECORD: JUNE 30-JULY 7 2006 [...] (S) SUMMARY: Majlis al-Shoura rejects an appeal to revote on the religious police funding proposal, while at the same time rejecting a proposal for them to wear publicly-identifiable uniforms. Six women were added as part-time consultants on women's issues to the Shoura Council, bringing the [...] |
2006-07-11 12:54:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PINR SA |
| 06RIYADH5546 |
KING EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT IRANIAN INFLUENCE IN [...] (S) During Ambassador Khalilzad's recent visit to the Kingdom (reftels), King Abdullah talked at length about SAG concerns about the influence exerted by Iran and its surrogates in Iraq and the region. King Abdullah told his guests that "justice is missing" in Iraq, and that there is "no eq [...] |
2006-07-12 06:42:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PREL PGOV IZ SA |
| 06RIYADH5547 |
COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL FOR VISIT OF DEPUTY [...] (C) The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia welcomes and grants provisional country clearance for the visit of Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt and his delegation to Saudi Arabia on July 23. Due to recent severe budget cuts, the Mission must direct charge all visit support costs. Country cl [...] |
2006-07-12 08:23:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | OVIP EAID ECON EFIN PREL IZ SA |
| 06RIYADH5548 |
SCENESETTER FOR THE VISIT OF DEPUTY TREASURY [...] (C) The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia warmly welcomes your visit to Jeddah July 23. Ambassador Oberwetter and Consul General Tatiana Gfoeller look forward to meeting you and will accompany you on a number of your calls on Saudi leaders. Per your request, appointments are being requested in Jedd [...] |
2006-07-12 09:05:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | OVIP EAID ECON EFIN PREL IZ SA |
| 06RIYADH5601 |
SAUDI ARABIA ISSUES STATEMENT ON SECURITY [...] (U) NIACT precedence justified due to urgency of the message conveyed by the Government of Saudi Arabia. 2. (SBU) On July 14, the Saudi Foreign Ministry urgently contacted and delivered to the Ambassador the following official Saudi statement expressing its views on the situation in Palestine and [...] |
2006-07-14 00:19:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL IS KPAL KWBG SA |
| 06RIYADH5707 |
SAUDI HUMAN RIGHTS SOCIETY CALLS FOR CLOSURE OF [...] (U) This is an action request. See Para 4. 2. (U) On July 15 and 16, several Saudi newspapers published a letter to President Bush from the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) calling for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. A member of the NSHR gave the Ambassador a [...] |
2006-07-18 07:30:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER PREL PHUM SA |
| 06RIYADH5709 |
SAUDI SHI'A REACT TO CRISIS IN LEBANON [...] (SBU) Based on Internet postings and conversations with contacts since the confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel erupted last Wednesday, Saudi Shi'a are unanimous in condemning Israel's response to Hezbollah's kidnapping of the two Israeli soldiers, and most Saudi Shi'a seem supportive of Hezb [...] |
2006-07-18 11:26:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH5780 |
US LOBBYING FIRM SEEKS GREATER VOICE FOR TAWAFUQ, [...] (U) This cable contains an action request. Please see paragraph five. 2. (C) Summary: Mark Alsalih, an Iraqi American from the Washington lobbying firm MITA, requested Embassy's assistance on July 17 to make an introduction to Director of the Saudi General Intelligence Presidency Prince [...] |
2006-07-19 15:14:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER IZ SA |
| 06RIYADH5839 |
FM CRITICAL OF US INACTION, CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE [...] (S) In a July 19 press conference Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal emphasized the need for an immediate cease-fire and criticized Israeli aggression in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. He described the situation as "a real catastrophe that is taking place before the people's eyes and n [...] |
2006-07-23 12:13:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PREL PGOV SA |
| 06RIYADH5904 |
TRANSFORMATIONAL DIPLOMACY IN THE EP: [...] (C) Opportunities abound in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province (EP) for ConGen Dhahran to expand its work with EP residents to help them transform Saudi Arabia's future. Since September 11, EP residents have claimed, and the SAG has tolerated, much greater latitude to discuss the country's and p [...] |
2006-07-25 08:50:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SOCI KDEM SA |
| 06RIYADH5907 |
CROWN PRINCE SIGNS TWO DEFENSE AGREEMENTS IN [...] (C) Crown Prince Sultan, who is also the Saudi Minister of Defense and Aviation, reportedly signed two defense agreements with France during his July 20 visit to Paris. Media reports have suggested that these agreements could lead to Saudi purchase of French tanker aircraft, helicopters, and [...] |
2006-07-25 12:18:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | MARR MASS BEXP SA |
| 06RIYADH5947 |
SAG REMOVES SHI'A JUDGE IN QATIF [...] (SBU) The SAG removed Ghalib Al-Hammad as judge of the Shi'a court in Qatif, replacing him with associate judge Sulaiman Abu Al-Makarem effective July 19. Al-Hammad had only held the post for 7 months (ref B), and his abrupt sacking engendered speculation and criticism within the Shi'a commu [...] |
2006-07-26 11:23:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF SA PGOV PHUM |
| 06RIYADH5949 |
SAG REMOVES SHI'A JUDGE IN QATIF [...] (SBU) The SAG removed Ghalib Al-Hammad as judge of the Shi'a court in Qatif, replacing him with associate judge Sulaiman Abu Al-Makarem effective July 19. Al-Hammad had only held the post for 7 months (ref B), and his abrupt sacking engendered speculation and criticism within the Shi'a commu [...] |
2006-07-26 11:23:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF SA PGOV PHUM |
| 06RIYADH5952 |
KING ABDULLAH AND PRESIDENT MUBARAK DISCUSS [...] (C) King Abdullah and Egyptian President Mubarak met July 25 to consult on the Lebanon crisis. Stating that Saudi Arabia and Egypt hold identical views on the situation in Lebanon, both leaders called for an immediate cease-fire, warning that continued Israeli aggression could engulf the entire reg [...] |
2006-07-26 14:00:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER SENV LE SA |
| 06RIYADH6 |
SAUDI HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST FREE TO TRAVEL, [...] (C) Summary: Ibrahim Mugaiteeb, President of the Saudi NGO, "Human Rights First" (HRF), informed poloff that the SAG had returned his Saudi passport, and will allow him to travel to Germany to receive medical attention. Mugaiteeb also stated that he had met with the chairman of the National [...] |
2006-01-02 11:42:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH6003 |
SAUDI RED CRESCENT TO SEND HUMANITARIAN CONVOY TO [...] (U) NIACT precedence justified by urgent operational information and alternate work week. This message responds to Lebanon Task Force and Embassy Tel Aviv requests for assurances and information, to be shared with the IDF, concerning the planned travel of a Saudi relief convoy to Lebanon. [...] |
2006-07-29 13:52:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV LE EAID SA |
| 06RIYADH6005 |
SAG RESPONSE: NEW YORK FORCE GENERATION MEETING [...] (C) Ambassador spoke with Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal July 29 by telephone to discuss reftel demarche, which Post had earlier transmitted via diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Minister responded that the Saudis would not provide troops for peacekeeping effor [...] |
2006-07-29 15:20:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SA LE |
| 06RIYADH6037 |
TFLE01: SAUDI HUMANITARIAN CONVOY STILL PLANNING [...] (C) NIACT precedence justified by urgent operational information and alternate work week. This message responds to Lebanon Task Force and Embassy Tel Aviv requests for assurances and information, to be shared with the IDF, concerning the planned travel of a Saudi relief convoy to Lebanon. [...] |
2006-07-29 20:45:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER EAID LE SA |
| 06RIYADH6038 |
CONSERVATIVE SAUDI CLERICS DEBATE SUPPORT FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: Last week, three revered Wahhabi sheikhs issued advisory opinions in their own capacity on the question of support for Hizballah. On July 17, prominent Wahhabi Sheikh Abdullah bin Jabreen issued an advisory opinion, reported as a fatwa declaring it impermissible for Muslims to s [...] |
2006-07-30 07:15:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR KISL SA |
| 06RIYADH6040 |
TFLE01: SAUDI HUMANITARIAN CONVOY TO BEIRUT [...] (C) NIACT precedence justified by urgent operational information and alternate work week. This message concerns the travel of a Saudi relief convoy to Lebanon. 2. (C) Poloff conveyed reftel E information to Emboff at the Saudi Embassy in Lebanon (Saudi POC) early on the morning of July 30 [...] |
2006-07-30 09:29:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER EAID LE SA |
| 06RIYADH6058 |
AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES LEBANON CRISIS AND VISA [...] (C) Ambassador Oberwetter discussed three issues with Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal via telephone on July 29. First, they discussed the issue of the Saudi humanitarian aid convoy to Lebanon (Ref A). The Ambassador assured the Foreign Minister that Post staff was working in coordination with Saudi [...] |
2006-07-30 16:33:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PREL PINR CMGT SA LE |
| 06RIYADH6103 |
RIYADH RECORD: JULY 21-29 2006 [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Saudi mood, as reflected in critical statements issued by clerics and appearing on internet chat sites, is becoming increasingly anti-U.S. Debate abounds among religious scholars who continue to raise the issue of Shi'a versus Sunni and the question of whether Saudis should support [...] |
2006-08-01 15:34:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PREL PINR SA |
| 06RIYADH6153 |
SAG STATEMENT TALKS OF UNIFYING ARAB POSITION [...] (S) SUMMARY: The SAG cabinet issued a statement on the Lebanese and Palestinian crisis July 31 following a meeting chaired by King Abdullah. The statement called for a joint Arab and Islamic stand against Israel and reiterated the need for an immediate cease fire. It also urged collaboration [...] |
2006-08-02 11:15:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PTER PREL LE SA |
| 06RIYADH6335 |
TRIBAL LEADERS MAKE AMENDS THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY [...] (C) SUMMARY: Saudi press this week covered what is likely a regular, but nonetheless rarely reported event, the traditional process of reconciliation between two tribes engaged in a potentially violent dispute. Though such events are usually far from the local headlines and almost never the [...] |
2006-08-08 07:43:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH6338 |
EGYPTIAN DCM GIVES READOUT ON ARAB LEAGUE MEETING [...] (C) Egyptian DCM Hossam Kassem told the DCM on the evening of August 7 that the Arab League Foreign Ministers' meeting in Beirut had gone well from its members' point of view, and that there were three criticisms leveled against the draft UNSC resolution on Lebanon. The foreign ministers re [...] |
2006-08-08 13:30:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL PGOV LE SA |
| 06RIYADH6339 |
SAUDI CONSERVATIVES CALL FOR BOYCOTT ON US [...] (C) SUMMARY: Beginning July 31, two prominent conservative websites posted articles calling for a boycott on U.S. consumer goods and services, ranging from fast-food franchises to shampoo brands, to begin on August 4. There was already an ongoing cellular telephone text messaging campaign. [...] |
2006-08-08 13:44:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR ECON ETRD SA LE |
| 06RIYADH6343 |
SAUDI ACADEMIC WARNS THAT LEBANON FOMENTS EXTREMISM [...] (C) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: On August 6 a politically mainstream Saudi academic and journalist, Dr. Ali Sa'ad al-Musa, published an open letter to President Bush in the widely-read al-Watan newspaper, warning that he and millions of other moderates in the Middle East are becoming extremists as [...] |
2006-08-08 14:52:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SA |
| 06RIYADH6372 |
SAUDI OPPOSITION GROUP CALLS FOR FRIDAY PROTESTS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The London-based, Saudi opposition group accused of having links to al-Qaeda, the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia ('MIRA'), called for political gatherings to be held Kingdom-wide at 44 specified mosques beginning this Friday, August 11. MIRA, composed of religious conserva [...] |
2006-08-09 14:52:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR KISL SA |
| 06RIYADH6440 |
COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL FOR VISIT OF DEPUTY [...] (C) The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia welcomes and grants provisional country clearance for a delegation led by Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt and Principal Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Ambassador James SIPDIS Jeffrey to visit the Kingdom August 14-15 to dis [...] |
2006-08-13 11:28:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | OVIP EAID ECON EFIN PREL IZ SA |
| 06RIYADH6467 |
TERRORISM FINANCE: SAUDI RESPONSE OF IIRO'S [...] (C) Summary: As a result of the August 3 UN 1267 designation of Abd Al-Hamid Sulaiman Al-Mua'jjil (AKA Abdul Hamid Sulaiman Al-Mujil), the Saudi Arabian Government (SAG) has confirmed its prior actions to freeze his assets and restrict his travel. End Summary. 2. (S/NF) The Ministry of [...] |
2006-08-14 07:41:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | EFIN KTFN PTER PREL ETTC SA |
| 06RIYADH6472 |
RENEWED STIRRINGS OF POLITICAL OPPOSITION ACTIVITY [...] (C) SUMMARY: On August 9, Dr. Saad al-Faqih, leader of the London-based, Saudi opposition group, Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA), called for Kingdom-wide political demonstrations to be held on Friday August 11 immediately prior to Friday prayers (Ref A). Al-Faqih, a Saudi dissid [...] |
2006-08-14 13:18:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PREL KISL SA |
| 06RIYADH6473 |
RIYADH RECORD: JULY 30-AUGUST 4 [...] (C) SUMMARY: The SAG provided humanitarian assistance to victims of the crisis in Lebanon through air and land convoys as well as increased financial assistance. The Saudi public's discontent increased with the SAG's perceived support for U.S. policy in Lebanon, and protesters of U.S. suppor [...] |
2006-08-14 13:41:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SA |
| 06RIYADH6477 |
WEBSITE REPORTS LEBANON CRISIS CAUSING SPLIT IN [...] (S) The Saudi website "Al-Haramayn," citing various media sources, has claimed that the SAG's reaction to the Lebanon crisis has sparked tension among senior members of the royal family. Specifically, it alleges the existence of a split between King Abdullah on the one hand, and Crown Prince [...] |
2006-08-14 14:33:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PREL PINR SA |
| 06RIYADH6520 |
ANTI-BUSH POEM EPITOMIZES CURRENT SAUDI PUBLIC MOOD [...] (C) BACKGROUND: Poetry runs in the blood of the Saudi people. They have historically utilized poetry to express public opinion over social, political, and cultural issues. They also use poetry to curry favor with their rulers, local and regional, as well as share their criticisms in an open forum. [...] |
2006-08-16 12:29:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SCUL SA |
| 06RIYADH6571 |
SAUDI COUNCIL OF MINISTERS WARNS TERRORISM HAS NO [...] (C) Summary: A headline on the front page of the August 15 edition of the English language Arab News read, "Kingdom Warns Against Linking Islam With Fascism," referring directly to President Bush's August 11 statement on the foiled terrorist plot in the U.K. President Bush's comment, that th [...] |
2006-08-19 13:03:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR KISL SA |
| 06RIYADH6574 |
SAUDI COUNCIL OF MINISTERS WARNS TERRORISM HAS NO [...] (C) Summary: A headline on the front page of the August 15 edition of the English language Arab News read, "Kingdom Warns Against Linking Islam With Fascism," referring directly to President Bush's August 11 statement on the foiled terrorist plot in the U.K. The Arab News article reported th [...] |
2006-08-19 16:02:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PINR KISL SA |
| 06RIYADH6581 |
TERRORIST FINANCE: DESIGNATION OF SAJID MOHAMED [...] (SBU) On May 30, 2006, Post received the following diplomatic note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the addition of Sajid Mohamed Badat to the UN 1267 Sanctions list of individuals/entities associated with Usama bin Laden, the Taliban or Al Qaida. Complimentary opening -- T [...] |
2006-08-20 14:24:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | KTFN EFIN ETTC PTER CVIS KVPR SA |
| 06RIYADH6668 |
170 SAUDI AND MUSLIM SCHOLARS WORLDWIDE CALL FOR [...] (S) SUMMARY: 170 Muslim scholars from more than seventeen countries, including twenty-nine Saudi citizens, issued an open statement on August 4 entitled "Statement and Appeal from Scholars of the Islamic Nation." The statement condemned Israeli "aggression" in Lebanon and Palestine, and crit [...] |
2006-08-22 06:58:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PREL PINR KISL SA LE |
| 06RIYADH6727 |
THE YEAR IN REVIEW: KING ABDULLAH MARKS FIRST YEAR [...] (C) August 1 marked the one year anniversary of King Abdullah's ascension to the throne. The King has generated considerable popularity by delivering political, economic, and social programs intended to improve the welfare of Saudi citizens. Utilizing the windfall from surging oil prices, [...] |
2006-08-24 18:29:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM PTER PINS PINR ECON EFIN ETRD |
| 06RIYADH6730 |
COURTS IGNORE SHARIA RULING, ANNUL MARRIAGE BASED [...] (U) Three years and two children into a happy marriage, a Saudi couple in Al-Jouf, a city in the northern part of the Kingdom, have seen their marriage annulled on the grounds that it violated social custom. According to several media reports, the woman's half-brother filed the lawsuit in Aug [...] |
2006-08-24 18:40:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR KISL PCUL SA |
| 06RIYADH6737 |
RIYADH RECORD: AUGUST 5-11, 2006 [...] (C) SUMMARY: One hundred seventy Muslim scholars, including 29 Saudis, called for unity in the Islamic Nation and condemned the Israeli 'aggression' in Lebanon and Palestine. Saudi opposition activity continues to stir in the Diaspora with a revitalization of the London-based Movement for Is [...] |
2006-08-26 08:07:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PREL PINR SA |
| 06RIYADH6813 |
US/SAUDI REGULATORY TRAINING: SAUDI'S CAPITAL [...] (SBU) Summary: The Saudi equivalent of our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Capital Market Authority (CMA), is in its third year of existence, and focused on educating its young, technocratic Saudi workforce. The CMA's main goal for 2007 is to utilize U.S. schools and inst [...] |
2006-08-27 12:00:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN ECIN PREL CVIS SA |
| 06RIYADH6814 |
COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL FOR SEC OFFICIALS TO [...] The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia welcomes and grants provisional country clearance for Mr. Ethiopis Tafara, Dr. Robert M. Fisher, Mr. Timothy Warren and Mr. Ester Saverson Jr. for a training seminar for Saudi Arabia's Capital Market Authority from September 9-15, 2006. 2. Due to recent se [...] |
2006-08-27 12:00:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN OTRA SA SEC |
| 06RIYADH6818 |
WEBSITE REPORTS MEETING OF THIRD GENERATION ROYALS [...] (C) A moderate Saudi-based and owned website reported on August 15 that Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz held a meeting with key princes of the royal family's third generation in his Riyadh palace earlier this month. Notable attendees were his son Prince al-Waleed, one of the wealthiest businessm [...] |
2006-08-27 15:19:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PREL PINR SA |
| 06RIYADH6925 |
RADIO SILENCE FROM NEW SAUDI OPPOSITION GROUP IN [...] (S) SUMMARY: Several media outlets reported a statement on August 7 issued by Prince Talal Muhammad Al-Rasheed, a deposed royal and Saudi dissident residing in Paris, which announced the formation of the Saudi Democratic Opposition Front. The group, which is reportedly both secular and triba [...] |
2006-08-30 10:29:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PREL PINR KISL SA |
| 06RIYADH6926 |
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL -- SAG SAYS SAME OLD, SAME [...] (C) Summary. Government of Saudi Arabia (SAG) MFA Human Rights POC Torki Al-Madi told Acting Political Counselor and PolOff during an August 16 courtesy call that the UN Human Rights Council is not an improvement on its predecessor, the UN Human Rights Commission, especially since the U.S. i [...] |
2006-08-30 11:12:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH6927 |
AL-MUA'JJIL'S TRAVEL BAN IN FULL EFFECT & IIRO [...] (U) This is joint Riyadh and Consulate Dhahran cable. 2. (C) Summary: A press report and a Consulate visit to the closed offices of IIRO's Eastern Province Branch indicated that the Saudi Arabian Government (SAG) has kept its word on actions against recent designee, Abd Al-Hamid Sulaiman [...] |
2006-08-30 12:01:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | EFIN KFTN PREL PTER ETTC SA |
| 06RIYADH6933 |
COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL FOR U.S. TREASURY [...] The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia welcomes and grants provisional country clearance for Mr. Ahmed Elbashari for an on-site review of Saudi Arabia's Financial Intelligence Unit from September 15-20, 2006. 2. Due to recent severe budget cuts, the Mission must direct charge all visit support [...] |
2006-08-31 11:52:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC EFIN PREL PTER KCRM ETTC KTFN SA |
| 06RIYADH6940 |
KING ABDULLAH AND FOREIGN MINISTER PRESS COMMENTS [...] (S) SUMMARY. Recent statements to the press by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal appear to be a concerted effort by the SAG to address strong public criticism of its position on the Lebanon crisis and ties to the U.S., as well as accusat [...] |
2006-09-03 11:02:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PINR KISL SA |
| 06RIYADH6976 |
POLITICAL POETRY PRAISES HEZBOLLAH [...] (C) Al Hayat newspaper published on August 26 a political poem entitled "Lebanon," which was written by Dr. Ghazi Al-Qusaibee, Minister of Labor and key advisor to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. Al-Qusaibee, a famous poet and writer in the Arab world, is commonly known as a [...] |
2006-09-04 06:38:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PINR KISL SA PHUM |
| 06RIYADH6980 |
CONVERSATION WITH NEO-TRIBALIST WOMEN'S ACTIVIST [...] (C) SUMMARY: Recent media reporting about the rise in the number of official and unofficial female proselytizers in the Kingdom has generated much debate. The number of "unsanctioned" female preachers is increasing, and their lack of supervision by authorities breeds uncertainty about the me [...] |
2006-09-04 13:26:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PCUL PHUM KISL KWMN SA |
| 06RIYADH7 |
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD SEEKS POST-IRAQI ELECTIONS [...] (S/NF) Summary: U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Khalilzad met with King Abdullah, Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal, and General Intelligence Presidency director Prince Muqrin bin Abd al-Aziz on December 27, to seek Saudi support in Iraq for building an Arab Sunni-Kurdish-Alawi coalition to engage the [...] |
2006-01-02 12:55:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PTER IZ SA |
| 06RIYADH7058 |
TERRORIST FINANCE: SAG ON ABOUSOFIAN, YASSIN [...] (U) This contains an action request at paragraph 6. 2. (C) Summary: MFA's counselor for counterterrorism, Abdulrahman Al-Ahmed, told us August 29 that it will take appropriate action on the 1267 Designation of Abousofian Abdelrazik. He asked for updates on the closing of the IIRO branch [...] |
2006-09-06 07:10:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN KFTN PREL PTER ETTC SA ID RP |
| 06RIYADH7097 |
SAUDI REACTION TO SENTENCING OF HOMAIDAN AL-TURKI [...] (S/NF) The August 31, 2006, sentencing by a Colorado court of Homaidan Al-Turki to 28 years to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting his Indonesian maid has provoked calls for a boycott of U.S. products and the return of Saudis studying in the U.S. Some Saudi contacts even fear that this [...] |
2006-09-10 11:29:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | AORC ELAB FBI KCRM PGOV PHUM PREL PTER SA |
| 06RIYADH7190 |
MUST LOVE DOGS [...] (U) SUMMARY. Saudi attitudes toward animals exemplifies the way in which conservatism and tradition have collided with progressive thinking and western ideas to create a paradox within Saudi culture. Muslims are guided by the Qura'an and teachings of the Prophet Mohammad to be kind to animal [...] |
2006-09-12 12:56:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | PCUL PHUM PGOV PREL KISL SA |
| 06RIYADH7191 |
RIYADH RECORD: AUGUST 19-31 [...] (C) SUMMARY: Youth summer camps in the Kingdom elicited controversy from one of their lectures on the negative aspects of the West and how Saudi journalists act as the West's "agents." The Ministry of Commerce licensed the first female engineer in Saudi Arabia; the hope is that many more wi [...] |
2006-09-12 13:44:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KISL KWMN SA |
| 06RIYADH7193 |
PROPOSED CHANGE IN WOMEN'S PRAYER AREA IN MECCA [...] (C) SUMMARY: The General Presidency for the Two Holy Mosques Affairs issued a proposal on August 25 for shifting the prayer place of women within the circumambulation area -- the uncovered circle surrounding the Kaaba ("House of God"), which is called the mataf-- in the Grand Mosque of Mecca. [...] |
2006-09-13 05:07:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KISL KWMN |
| 06RIYADH7211 |
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD - SUCCESSFUL 9/12 MEETING [...] (S/NF) BEGIN SUMMARY. Ambassador Oberwetter and Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad called on the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud on September 12 to seek support on a range of issues relating to Iraq. The King expressed his concern about Iranian influen [...] |
2006-09-16 09:43:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PTER KISL PINR SA |
| 06RIYADH7447 |
RIYADH RECORD: SEPTEMBER 1-15 [...] (C) SUMMARY: Saudi Court of Grievances postponed a hearing on the novel "Girls of Riyadh" after the news of the proposed hearing sparked robust debate in the media. The proposal to shift the women's prayer area in Mecca has been rejected. The SAG demands clarification from the Vatican follo [...] |
2006-09-24 14:05:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL KWMN KISL SA |
| 06RIYADH7498 |
POST'S BLUE LANTERN POINTS OF CONTACT [...] (U) As of October 15, Embassy Riyadh's Blue Lantern primary point of contact will be: Mr. Joel Wiegert Political-Military Officer Tel: 966-1-488-3800 ext. 4327 Fax: 966-1-483-0042 Alternative point of contact is Mr. Irfan Qaiyumi, who will remain at post until April, 2007: Mr. Irfan [...] |
2006-09-26 11:43:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | KOMC ETTC KSEP US SA |
| 06RIYADH7501 |
SAUDIS SHOW HIGH LEVEL OF INTEREST IN MEGAPORTS [...] (S) Summary and Comment: The SAG appears to be seriously considering implementing the Megaports Initiative (MI) to provide radiological/nuclear materials detection equipment in the Kingdom's two largest ports of Jeddah and Dammam. During their September 8-13 Megaports outreach visit to the Ki [...] |
2006-09-26 14:07:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | KNNP ENRG PARM OTRA PREL PGOV SA |
| 06RIYADH7628 |
SAUDI ATTENDANCE AT GCC+2 FOLLOW-UP MEETING IN [...] (C) On September 28, 2006, CDA Rundell delivered the reftel demarche to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Nizur Obaid Mandani. Dr. Mandani confirmed that Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal will attend both the Secretary's October 2 meeting with King Abdullah in Jeddah and the GCC 2 Oct [...] |
2006-09-28 15:22:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH7629 |
DRL DAS ERICA BARKS-RUGGLES DISCUSSES POLITICS, [...] (C) SUMMARY: Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) Erica Barks-Ruggles met with dozens of Saudi women representing a broad spectrum of opinions and backgrounds during her September 12-14 visit to Saudi Arabia. The Saudi women unanimously agreed that Saudi [...] |
2006-09-28 15:24:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KWMN SA |
| 06RIYADH7834 |
TERRORISM FINANCE: TALIBAN [...] (S/NF) Post has reviewed the draft strategy to counter both Taliban and funding sources outside of Afghanistan and the mechanisms used to transfer the funds into Afghanistan. Post is aware of donors located in the Kingdom who contribute to the Taliban, however Post has no evidence of deep-pock [...] |
2006-10-04 11:27:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | KTFN EFIN PTER ETTC SA AF XF |
| 06RIYADH7837 |
SAUDI ARABIA OFFERS POSITION PAPER ON THE PEACE [...] (C) During Secretary Rice's October 2 visit to Jeddah, Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal provided the following position paper on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process to NEA Assistant Secretary Welch. 2. (C) Begin Text: Position Paper On the Peace Process October 2006 The danger [...] |
2006-10-04 16:29:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL IS SA |
| 06RIYADH7838 |
USG ASSESSMENTS OF TERRORIST/INSURGENT FINANCE [...] (C) INTRODUCTION: This cable provides the assessment of Embassy Riyadh's country team of the terrorist/insurgent financing environment in Saudi Arabia. As instructed in reftel, post's response is divided into separate sections providing background information on the terrorist/insurgent operat [...] |
2006-10-05 14:06:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | EFIN PREL PTER KTFN ETTC SA IZ |
| 06RIYADH7987 |
RIYADH RECORD: SEPTEMBER 16-30 [...] (C) SUMMARY: The case against the controversial novel "Girls of Riyadh" has been dismissed. The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice met for three-days, rejecting alleged calls from the West to dismantle the organization. The Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affai [...] |
2006-10-10 14:14:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PREL KWMN KISL SA |
| 06RIYADH7990 |
IRAQI DELEGATION VISITS KSA TO DISCUSS IRAQ [...] The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance confirmed to us on October 9 that an Iraqi technical delegation came to Saudi Arabia on October 7 to discuss Iraqi debt to Saudi Arabia. 2. According to Deputy Minister of Finance Al-Bazi'y, three Iraqi delegates from the Ministry of Finance v [...] |
2006-10-11 10:47:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECIN ECON IZ SA |
| 06RIYADH8 |
SHI'A JUDGE IN AL-HASA SEEKS GREATER RESOURCES [...] (SBU) Acting CG and PolOff paid an introductory call on Sheikh Mohammad Al-Luwaimi, President of the Shi'ite Endowments and Inheritance Court in Al-Hasa, on December 28. Al-Luwaimi is the only judge in the only Shi'ite court serving the Shi'a population of Al-Hasa, a governorate in the Easter [...] |
2006-01-02 13:33:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF KISL SA |
| 06RIYADH8003 |
WAMY SECRETARY-GENERAL PREACHES NEED FOR INCREASED [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) Secretary-General Dr. Saleh al-Wohaibi told PolOffs in an SIPDIS August 27 meeting that, despite negative publicity surrounding Islamic charities, WAMY has nothing to hide. Al-Wohaibi talked about WAMY's international programs, but focu [...] |
2006-10-11 16:03:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PINR PREL PTER EFIN KTFN ETTC KISL SA |
| 06RIYADH8173 |
A/DCM DISCUSSES USG REVIEW OF SAUDI TEXTBOOKS WITH [...] (C) A/DCM solicited continued SAG cooperation in support of a USG review of Saudi textbooks during an October 9 meeting with Minister Plenipotentiary Hazem Karakotly, assistant to Director General for International Organization Affairs Ambassador Dr. Turki bin Mohammed Saud al-Kabir al Saud. [...] |
2006-10-15 15:49:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PINR KISL KIRF SA |
| 06RIYADH82 |
AL-HASA BUSINESSMEN SEEKING GREATER INVESTMENT, [...] (SBU) Businessmen in Al-Hasa, a governorate in the Eastern Province (EP) that comprises a large oasis and extensive, oil-rich desert areas, told Acting CG and PolOff repeatedly over the course of a day-long visit on December 27 that Al-Hasa needs new investment, especially in infrastructure. [...] |
2006-01-04 15:35:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV EINV SA |
| 06RIYADH8233 |
USG DISCUSSION WITH MINISTER OF COMMERCE [...] (C) Summary: On 20 September 2006, Ambassador James Oberwetter, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for International Trade and Director General of the U.S. Commercial Service (DG), Israel Hernandez, and Commercial Counselor, Nasir Abbasi met with Saudi Minister of Commerce and Industry, Hashim [...] |
2006-10-16 07:10:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD ECON KIPR SA |
| 06RIYADH8234 |
PRESIDENTIAL ADVOCACY LETTER DELIVERED TO KING [...] (C) Summary: On September 19, Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary for Trade Promotion, Israel Hernandez, delivered the President's letter advocating for two U.S. companies, Boeing and General Electric (GE), bid for the upgrade of Saudi Arabian Airline (Saudia) and the Royal fleet, to [...] |
2006-10-16 07:14:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ETRD BEXP PREL PTER MOPS SA |
| 06RIYADH8252 |
SAUDI ARAMCO TRIMS CRUDE ALLOCATIONS AS IT CUTS PRODUCTION [...] (S) Saudi Aramco has cut some allocations to major oil company customers, per a contact in a position to know who has reported consistently and reliably in the past. For November, Aramco has provided crude allocations to customers consistent with an approximate five percent reduction in pro [...] |
2006-10-16 15:46:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | NOTAG SA |
| 06RIYADH8253 |
ARABIAN CHEVRON,S VIEWS ON THE REFINERY DISPUTE [...] (C) This is a response to an action request, Ref B, for additional background for a 17 October meeting between P and Chevron CEO Reilly regarding a SAG disagreement with Kuwaiti plans to construct a refinery in the Partitioned Neutral Zone (PNZ) shared by the two countries. Executives from A [...] |
2006-10-16 16:03:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET ENRG EINV PREL KU SA |
| 06RIYADH8314 |
TERRORISM FINANCE: UNSC 1267 DESIGNEE, SULIMAN [...] (U) United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1267 Designee, Suliman H. Al-Buthe (aka Solaiman Al-Buthi) was featured in an article published in the Saudi Gazette, a mainstream Saudi publication censored by the Saudi Arabian Government (SAG). Al-Buthe, the Assistant General Manager [...] |
2006-10-17 15:34:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH8384 |
TERRORISM FINANCE: POST REPONSE ON SOUTH AFRICAN [...] (S/NF) Mission Saudi Arabia has information linking the proposed South African designees to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, there are no special sensitivities regarding these proposed designees. We believe Saudi Arabia will take the necessary actions, once the UN 1267 Committee adopts [...] |
2006-10-18 13:56:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC SF PK SA |
| 06RIYADH8395 |
COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR FRANCES FRAGOS [...] (C) The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia welcomes and grants provisional country clearance for Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (APHSCT), Homeland Security Council, Ms. Frances Fragos Townsend; Senior Director for Combating Terrorism Strategy, National Security [...] |
2006-10-21 10:37:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC PREL PGOV ECON SA |
| 06RIYADH8399 |
DEMARCHE ON UN COUNTERTERRORISM DIRECTORATE [...] (U) Reftel demarche was delivered by hand to MFA duty officer on October 21. Post will follow up as appropriate after Eid al-Fitr. OBERWETTER [...] |
2006-10-21 15:28:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PTER USUN SA |
| 06RIYADH8401 |
THE SAUDI FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT I: STAB AT [...] (U) Summary: From September 16-19, Ahmed Elbashari, representative of the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and EconOff, met with senior management of the Saudi Arabia Financial Investigation Unit (SA FIU) to conduct a final on-site assessment [...] |
2006-10-22 09:56:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KTFN EFIN PTER ETTC SA |
| 06RIYADH8402 |
REFTEL DEMARCHES OF EID GREETINGS DELIVERED [...] (U) Reftel demarches of Eid al-Fitr greetings were delivered to the MFA by hand on Saturday, October 21. The Eid greetings were delivered to King Abdullah, Crown Prince Sultan, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal, and Organization of Islamic Conference Secretary-Gerenal Ihsanoglu. OBER [...] |
2006-10-22 09:57:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH8404 |
THE SAUDI FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT II: POWER [...] (U) Summary: From September 16-19, Ahmed Elbashari, representative of the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and EconOff, met with senior management of the Saudi Arabia Financial Investigation Unit (SA FIU) to assess the SA FIU for membership in [...] |
2006-10-22 11:25:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC SA |
| 06RIYADH8406 |
THE SAUDI FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT III: [...] (U) Summary: From September 16-19, Ahmed Elbashari, representative of the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and EconOff, met with senior management of the Saudi Arabia Financial Investigation Unit (SA FIU) to assess the SA FIU for membership in [...] |
2006-10-22 11:32:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC SA |
| 06RIYADH8407 |
THE SAUDI FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT IV: [...] (U) Summary: From September 16-19, Ahmed Elbashari, representative of the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and EconOff, met with senior management of the Saudi Arabia Financial Investigation Unit (SA FIU) to assess the SA FIU for membership in [...] |
2006-10-22 11:36:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC SA |
| 06RIYADH8414 |
MAKKAH DECLARATION - WHERE HAVE ALL THE SHI'A [...] (U) Iraqi Sunni and Shi'a religious leaders signed on October 20 the "Makkah Declaration," which forbids Sunnis and Shi'a to kill each other (reftel). Many are likening the ten-point declaration to a "fatwa," or religious ruling, although the signatories have not described the document as suc [...] |
2006-10-24 13:41:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR KISL IZ SA |
| 06RIYADH8415 |
SCENESETTER: APHSCT TOWNSEND VISIT TO SAUDI [...] (S) Ambassador Oberwetter and the entire US Mission in Saudi Arabia warmly welcomes your visit to Riyadh. Your visit to the Kingdom comes in the general context of improving U.S.- SAG relations. Saudi leaders have warmly welcomed a large number of senior USG visitors recently, and have confi [...] |
2006-10-24 20:14:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC CVIS PGOV PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH8416 |
SCENESETTER: APHSCT TOWNSEND VISIT TO SAUDI [...] (S) Ambassador Oberwetter and the entire US Mission in Saudi Arabia warmly welcomes your visit to Riyadh. Your visit to the Kingdom comes in the general context of improving U.S.- SAG relations. Saudi leaders have warmly welcomed a large number of senior USG visitors recently, and have confi [...] |
2006-10-24 20:15:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC CVIS PGOV PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH8432 |
COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR SECRET SERVICE [...] (C) The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia welcomes and grants provisional country clearance for U.S. Secret Service Special Agents: Advance Team Christopher Caruso, Faisal Alshami and Ross Yerger; midnight shift team Gillian Penswick and Scott Keenan; and working shift James Brian Dunlop, Andrew Ad [...] |
2006-10-28 13:28:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER EFIN KTFN ETTC PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH8492 |
REVISED COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR FRANCES [...] (C) The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia welcomes and grants provisional country clearance for Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (APHSCT), Homeland Security Council, Ms. Frances Fragos Townsend; Director for Combating Terrorism Strategy, National Security Counci [...] |
2006-10-29 12:31:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC ECON SA |
| 06RIYADH8634 |
CONCURRENCE - NON-PRO COURIER TO/FROM RIYADH O/A [...] (S) CHIEF OF MISSION RIYADH HAS BEEN BRIEFED AND APPROVES JOHN H. BURNS JR, OFFICIAL PASSPORT NUMBER 802064694, AS A NON-PROFESSIONAL COURIER. HIS ARRIVAL HAS BEEN COORDINATED AT POST. CHIEF OF MISSION AUTHORIZES THE TRANSPORT OF CLASSIFIED MATERIAL IN DIPLOMATIC POUCH 2. (U) THE EMBASSY [...] |
2006-11-01 14:08:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | ADEP ASEC PTER |
| 06RIYADH8671 |
KING'S "LANDMARK" TOUR OF SOUTHERN REGION YIELDS [...] (U) Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Azziz arrived in Najran on October 31 for his first visit to the region since ascending the throne. Najranis, who closed their shops and held a festival in honor of the King, prepared for months for the visit. In conjunction with [...] |
2006-11-04 15:32:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ECON PINR SA |
| 06RIYADH8718 |
TERRORISM FINANCING COORDINATOR OFFICER [...] (C) Embassy Riyadh's Terrorism Finance Coordinating Officer (TFCO) is Robert Silverman, Economic Counselor, phone number (01) 488-3800, extension 4237 and email address RJSilverman@state.sgov.gov. The current Deputy TFCO is Lubaina Qaiyumi, Economic Officer, phone number (01) 488-3800, exte [...] |
2006-11-06 09:03:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC SA |
| 06RIYADH8723 |
RIYADH RECORD: OCTOBER 16-31 (C-NE6-01865) [...] (C) SUMMARY: Iraqi religious leaders signed the Makkah Declaration on October 20, which forbids Sunnis and Shi'a from killing each other. King Abdullah issued a new succession law on October 20, which formalizes the succession process through the establishment of the Allegiance Committee. P [...] |
2006-11-06 13:05:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PREL PINR KISL KWMN SA |
| 06RIYADH8787 |
SAUDI ARABIA RESPONSE TO WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT [...] (U) Post delivered reftel Fact Sheet on Summary Recommendations of the Women's Empowerment Working Session to Talal Barri at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 6. He indicated interest in the follow up activities to the Working Session. Post also delivered reftel Fact Sheet via dip [...] |
2006-11-07 12:52:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM KWMN UNGA SA |
| 06RIYADH8788 |
FOLLOW-UP ON DEMARCHES [...] (C) On November 6, Deputy Political Counselor (DPC) delivered reftels (A, B, C, D) demarches and talking points to Saudi MFA, International Organization Affairs, UNGA Issues, Mr. Talal Berri. The issues raised were: the UNGA Third Committee (Iran, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Burma, and North Kore [...] |
2006-11-07 13:03:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF KISL MOPS PINR PTER USUN |
| 06RIYADH8799 |
SAUDI PUBLIC REACTION TO SADDAM HUSSEIN'S [...] (C) Saudi public reaction to the November 5 sentencing to death of Saddam Hussein has been mixed. While there are those who question the legality of Hussein's trial and the credibility of the proceedings, others agree with the verdict and sentencing. At the same time, some Saudis have expres [...] |
2006-11-08 10:14:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR PTER IZ SA |
| 06RIYADH8808 |
UPDATE ON HADI AL-MUTIF [...] (S) PolOffs met on November 6 with Human Rights First Society (HRFS) President Ibrahim Al-Mugaiteeb to discuss the October 31 and November 1 visit of King Abdullah to Najran and his pardon of Ismaili prisoners, ostensibly including Hadi Al-Mutif. Al-Mugaiteeb said that Al-Mutif has not been [...] |
2006-11-08 14:48:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PHUM PGOV PREL KISL KIRF SA |
| 06RIYADH8811 |
UNPRECEDENTED MEETING BETWEEN USG AND SAG ON [...] (S/NF) In light of recent threats to petroleum infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, on 31 October Vice Admiral Walsh, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet, and Dhahran Consul General Kincannon met Saudi Arabian representatives from the Royal Saudi Naval Forces [...] |
2006-11-12 04:38:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC EPET PTER ENERG SA |
| 06RIYADH8813 |
UNPRECEDENTED MEETING BETWEEN USG AND SAG ON [...] (S/NF) In light of recent threats to petroleum infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, on 31 October Vice Admiral Walsh, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet, and Dhahran Consul General Kincannon met Saudi Arabian representatives from the Royal Saudi Naval Forces [...] |
2006-11-12 04:41:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | EPET ENERG PTER SA |
| 06RIYADH8815 |
PETITION SUPPORTS MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ministry of Culture and Information received a petition signed by 160 reform-minded scholars supporting Minister of Information Iyad bin Amin Madany. The signatories constituted a broad cross-section of Saudi society, including men and women, Sunni and Shi'a. The statement [...] |
2006-11-12 10:56:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PGOV PREL PINR PKISL SA |
| 06RIYADH8825 |
TERRORISM FINANCE: POST'S RESPONSE ON THE RADICAL [...] (S/NF) Mission Saudi Arabia supports the aim of the Radical Ideologue Initiative to sanction individuals and entities that provide both monetary/material support and ideological support to terror organizations (ref a). This initiative underlines the international community's need to counter t [...] |
2006-11-13 06:33:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | KTFN EFIN PTER PREL ETTC SA |
| 06RIYADH8826 |
TERRORISM FINANCE: POST'S RESPONSE ON THE RADICAL [...] (S/NF) Mission Saudi Arabia supports the aim of the Radical Ideologue Initiative to sanction individuals and entities that provide both monetary/material support and ideological support to terror organizations (ref a). This initiative underlines the international community's need to counter t [...] |
2006-11-13 06:33:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | KTFN EFIN PTER PREL ETTC SA |
| 06RIYADH8835 |
FACILITATING GREATER SAG ENGAGEMENT ON IRAQ - A [...] (S) This constitutes Post's response to Ref A. The situation in Iraq remains of great concern to Saudis across the political, economic, and social spectrum. The press reported on November 13 that Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Naif called Iraq a "major base for terrorism," adding that the [...] |
2006-11-13 13:34:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER PINR ECON IZ SA |
| 06RIYADH8836 |
SAUDIS BOLSTER TROOP NUMBERS FOR ENERGY SECURITY, [...] (S/NF) In a series of meetings with the Saudi Ministry of Interior (MOI) from November 10-11, a joint State/Energy visiting delegation learned that the Saudis have made progress in improving security at critical energy facilities. A force of more than 35,000 soldiers, temporarily drawn from [...] |
2006-11-13 13:46:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC ENRG EPET PGOV PINR PREL PTER SA |
| 06RIYADH8839 |
SAUDI ARAMCO CRUDE ALLOCATIONS FOR NOVEMBER DECLINE [...] (S) In line with recent announcements by Saudi Aramco regarding cuts in crude oil allocations to major oil company customers (reftel), a contact from another major energy firm who has reported consistently and reliably in the past, informed us Saudi Aramco had cut crude allocations to his fi [...] |
2006-11-13 14:53:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | EPET ENERG SA |
| 06RIYADH8840 |
DRL DAS BARKS-RUGGLES MEETING WITH SAUDI MFA, MOJ, [...] (C) Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) Erica Barks-Ruggles met on September 12-13 with the Majlis Al-Shoura (MAS) and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Justice (MoJ). These meetings were follow-up to the July 25 - 27, 2006, meeting of [...] |
2006-11-14 05:34:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KDEM OTRA PINR SA |
| 06RIYADH8841 |
DRL DAS BARKS-RUGGLES MEETING WITH SAUDI HUMAN [...] (SBU) DRL DAS Erica Barks-Ruggles met the National Society for Human Rights, the Human Rights Commission, and the Human Rights First Society during her September 12-14 visit to Riyadh. Participants in all three meetings raised U.S. treatment of Homaidan Al-Turki (reftel)and Guantanamo Bay deta [...] |
2006-11-14 05:34:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM OTRA PGOV PHUM SA |
| 06RIYADH8858 |
SCENESETTER: APHSCT TOWNSEND VISIT TO SAUDI [...] (S) Ambassador Oberwetter and the entire US Mission in Saudi Arabia warmly welcomes your visit to Riyadh. Your visit to the Kingdom comes in the general context of improving U.S.- SAG relations. Saudi leaders have warmly welcomed a large number of senior USG visitors recently, and have confi [...] |
2006-11-15 11:39:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC CVIS PGOV PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH8860 |
SAUDI MFA DEMARCHED ON UNGA RESOLUTIONS, CPC [...] (C) Deputy PolCouns demarched Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of International Organizations, human rights lead, Abdulrahman Al-Rassj, on November 15 regarding Afghan Hajj flights (Ref A), Saudi Arabia's November 13 redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) (Ref B), and UN [...] |
2006-11-15 16:09:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL EAIR ECON KIRF UNHRC AF SA |
| 06RIYADH8861 |
SAUDI ARABIA WILL SUPPORT U.S. CANDIDATE MATHESON [...] MFA human rights point of contact Talal Berri told PolOff on November 15 that the SAG will support U.S. candidate Matheson for re-election to the UN International Law Commission (reftel). OBERWETTER [...] |
2006-11-15 16:19:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | ILC UNGA PGOV PHUM PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH8863 |
DELIVERY OF CASH COURIER TRAINING PROPOSAL [...] (C) On November 5, non-paper from reftel was delivered to Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Abdulrahman Al-Ahmed, Counselor for Counterterrorism matters. Simultaneously, non-paper was delivered through U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation's liaison channels to [...] |
2006-11-18 05:23:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC SA |
| 06RIYADH8900 |
A SAUDI'S VIEWS ON THE U.S. AND RULE OF LAW IN KSA [...] (S) Echoing several other commentators and analyses, Saudi commercial lawyer and diplomat Dr. Waleed Nasser Al-Nuwaiser (strictly protect) told PolOff on November 8 that the heart of most problems in Saudi Arabia is the absence of rule of law. He stressed that the USG should emphasize the n [...] |
2006-11-21 07:27:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PHUM PGOV KISL EPET SA IZ |
| 06RIYADH8921 |
THE NEW SUCCESSION LAW PRESERVES THE MONARCHY [...] (C) SUMMARY: A SUCCESSION STRUGGLE AMONG THE AL SAUD FAMILY HAS LONG BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST THREATS TO SAUDI ARABIA'S STABILITY. THE FIRST TWO SAUDI STATES COLLAPSED PARTIALLY AS A RESULT OF SUCCESSION PROBLEMS. FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF KING ABDULAZIZ IN 1953, A FIERCE POWER STRUGGLE AMON [...] |
2006-11-22 04:02:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SA |
| 06RIYADH8926 |
TRANSLATED TEXT OF NEW SAUDI SUCCESSION LAW [...] (U) KING ABDULLAH ISSUED A NEW SUCCESSION LAW ON OCTOBER 20 TO FORMALIZE THE PROCESS OF SELECTING A CROWN PRINCE THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ALLEGIANCE COMMISSION (REFTEL). THE BASIC LAW OF 1992 -- ESSENTIALLY THE CONSTITUTION -- WAS AMENDED TO REFLECT THE ESTABLISHMENT AND AUTHORITY OF [...] |
2006-11-22 15:04:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PINR SA |
| 06RIYADH8987 |
THE SAUDI ARABIAN FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT'S [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraphs 6 and 9. 2. (U) Summary. EconOff met with the Saudi Arabian Financial Intelligence Unit (SA FIU) on November 5 and December 4, 2006 to discuss the status of their Egmont application and technical assistance. In attendance at the m [...] |
2006-12-04 12:50:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | KTFN PTER EFIN ETTC SA |
| 06RIYADH8989 |
MOI UNDERSCORES NEED FOR BROAD AND FLEXIBLE ENERGY [...] (S) Economic Counselor Silverman and Energy Attache Ross met with Dr. Saad al-Jabri, Advisor to the Assistant Minister of Interior, on November 26 to discuss the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation to improve security at critical infrastructure facilities. Dr. al-Jabri und [...] |
2006-12-04 13:38:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | EPET PGOV PINR PREL PTER SA |
| 06RIYADH8990 |
MOI UNDERSCORES NEED FOR BROAD AND FLEXIBLE ENERGY [...] (S) Economic Counselor Silverman and Energy Attache Ross met with Dr. Saad al-Jabri, Advisor to the Assistant Minister of Interior, on November 26 to discuss the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation to improve security at critical infrastructure facilities. Dr. al-Jabri und [...] |
2006-12-04 14:35:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | EPET PGOV PINR PREL PTER SA |
| 06RIYADH9 |
SAUDI VIEWS ON IRANIAN AND SYRIAN ACTIVITIES IN [...] (S/NF) Summary: Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal and General Intelligence Presidency (GIP) director Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz sought and shared views on Iran and Syria during a December 27 meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Khalilzad. They told the Ambassador that while it was possible t [...] |
2006-01-02 14:10:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PTER PINR IR SA SY IZ |
| 06RIYADH9031 |
COLORADO ATTORNEY GENERAL MEETS WITH SAG REGARDING [...] (C) SUMMARY: At Post's invitation, Colorado Attorney General (AG) John Suthers visited the Kingdom from November 14-17 to explain the Homaidan Al-Turki case to King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Saudi government officials, and the Al-Turki family. The very successful visit highlighted the [...] |
2006-12-09 14:47:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KPAO PINR KISL SA |
| 06RIYADH9051 |
TERRORISM FINANCE: DEMARCHES DELIVERED [...] (U) On December 9, we delivered the following demarches to Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Counselor for Counterterrorism matters, Abdulrahman Al-Ahmed: --STATE 142684: Domestic USG Designation of Islamic Resistance Support Organization (IRSO); --STATE 148861: Terrorist Finance: Domestic US [...] |
2006-12-11 12:13:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN KFTN PREL PTER ETTC SA |
| 06RIYADH9056 |
THE CAPITAL MARKET AUTHORITY'S NEED FOR ASSISTANCE [...] (U) Summary. From September 11-14, experts from the U.S. Securities and Exchange (SEC) provided a three-day technical assistance seminar on market oversight and enforcement strategies to Saudi Arabia's Capital Market Authority (CMA). The CMA freely shared information and actively engaged wit [...] |
2006-12-12 10:01:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON SA |
| 06RIYADH9065 |
TERRORIST LISTS [...] No summary [...] |
2006-12-13 05:34:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | KTFN PTER ETTC EFIN SA |
| 06RIYADH9066 |
TERRORISM FINANCE: SAG'S RESPONSE TO ABOUSOFIAN [...] (SBU) On December 4, Post received the following diplomatic note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the addition of Abousofian Abdelrazik (AKA Abu Sufian Abdulraziq) to the UN 1267 Sanctions list of individuals/entities associated with Usama bin Laden, the Taliban or Al Qaida. [...] |
2006-12-13 07:30:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | KTFN EFIN ETTC PTER SA |
| 06RIYADH9067 |
SAUDI ARABIA'S WAR ON TERROR -- NOT OVER YET [...] (C) While the SAG continues to make progress on its counterterrorism efforts (Ref A), recent events in the Kingdom clearly illustrate that the war on terror is far from over. On December 7, armed men opened fire on a guard post at Jeddah's maximum-security Al-Ruwais prison, killing two secur [...] |
2006-12-13 11:31:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PGOV PREL PINR KISL SA |
| 06RIYADH9068 |
THE REHABILITATION OF KING SAUD AND HIS TRIBAL [...] (C) Saud bin Abudulaziz was the eldest surviving son of the Kingdom's founder Abudulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. He became Crown Prince and Viceroy of the Nejd in 1933. Upon his father's death in 1953, he became King. He was deposed by his brothers in 1964 and died in exile a few years lat [...] |
2006-12-13 13:01:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SA IZ |
| 06RIYADH9078 |
APHSCT TOWNSEND'S NOVEMBER 15 MEETING WITH SAUDI [...] (S/NF) Summary: In a meeting with Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (APHSCT) Frances Fragos Townsend at his farm outside Riyadh November 15, the King focused on the multiple threats from Iran. He said he had sent strong messages to President Putin and Presi [...] |
2006-12-13 15:21:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER ECON IR SA |
| 06RIYADH9079 |
APHSCT TOWNSEND NOVEMBER 15 MEETING WITH SAUDI [...] (C) Summary: On November 15, 2006, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (APHSCT) Frances Fragos Townsend met with SAG Islamic Affairs Minister Sheikh Saleh bin Abdul Aziz bin Mohammed Al al-Sheikh to discuss SAG re-education of imams and mosque speakers bot [...] |
2006-12-13 15:22:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | KISL KIRF PREL PTER SA |
| 06RIYADH9083 |
APHSCT TOWNSEND NOVEMBER 15 MEETING WITH CROWN [...] (S) Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (APHSCT) Fran Townsend met on November 15 with Crown Prince Sultan, who immediately steered the conversation to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. He noted the ongoing violence and raised the Arab Peace Plan proposed by [...] |
2006-12-14 13:34:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PREL PGOV EFIN KTFN SA |
| 06RIYADH9085 |
DHAHRAN DIGEST 8 [...] (U) This cable is a continuation of a regular series of updates from the Eastern Province (EP) designed to capture some of the EP's local color and items of USG interest that are not necessarily appropriate for a topical cable. ---------------------------------------- PRINCE MOHAMMED BIN FA [...] |
2006-12-15 09:06:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EPET KIRF PA PGOV PHUM PREL SA |
| 06RIYADH9088 |
APHSCT TOWNSEND NOVEMBER 15 MEETING WITH SAUDI [...] No summary [...] |
2006-12-16 07:33:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | KISL KIRF PREL PTER SA |
| 06RIYADH9089 |
APHSCT TOWNSEND NOVEMBER 15 MEETING WITH CROWN [...] (S) Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (APHSCT) Fran Townsend met on November 15 with Crown Prince Sultan, who immediately steered the conversation to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. He noted the ongoing violence and raised the Arab Peace Plan proposed by [...] |
2006-12-16 07:50:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PREL PGOV EFIN KTFN SA |
| 06RIYADH9093 |
APHSCT TOWNSEND'S NOVEMBER 15 MEETING WITH SAUDI [...] No summary [...] |
2006-12-16 13:25:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER ECON IR SA |
| 06RIYADH9095 |
xxxxxxxxxxxx ON IRANIAN THREATS [...] No summary [...] |
2006-12-16 14:18:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL EFIN PTER IZ IR SA |
| 06RIYADH9106 |
PLANS FOR THE FEBRUARY JOINT WORKING GROUP ON [...] (S) On 16 December, Economic Counselor Silverman and Energy Attache Ross met with Dr. Saud al-Semari, Director of the Ministry of Interior's (MOI) modernization program, and Khaled al-Ageel, Manager of the MOI's Industrial Security Directorate, to discuss plans for a February 2007 meeting of [...] |
2006-12-18 13:44:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | EPET PGOV PREL PTER SA |
| 06RIYADH9107 |
DIPLOMATIC NOTE DELIVERED ON DELAY OF RSS WORKSHOP [...] (U) As per reftel request, on 16 December Mission delivered a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the delay of the regional workshop on safe management of radioactive sealed sources (RSS) until April, 2007. Mission also requested the MFA pass this information to th [...] |
2006-12-18 13:44:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | ENERG TRGY SA |
| 06RIYADH9134 |
SAG ON UN SCALE OF ASSESSMENTS [...] On December 20, PolOff delivered reftel demarche to Mr. Talal Berri of the SAG MFA International Organizations Directorate. On December 18, PolOff hand-delivered and faxed reftel non-paper to the MFA. Mr. Berri could not state whether the SAG would support maintaining the UN Scale of Assess [...] |
2006-12-20 13:24:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT AORC PREL UNGA SA |
| 06RIYADH9155 |
KATRINA ASSISTANCE, COMING TO CLOSURE [...] (U) As per reftel request, on 17 December, Mission delivered a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) formally requesting information on the status of disbursements of the outstanding $48 million of $100 million the SAG pledged for Hurricane Katrina assistance. We request [...] |
2006-12-24 10:15:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PREL EPET SA |
| 06RIYADH9173 |
ENTHUSIASTIC SHOURA COUNCIL ASKS SENATOR NELSON [...] (C) SUMMARY. Enthusiastic Majlis Al Shoura members acknowledged the positive U.S. - Saudi bilateral relationship but asked Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) during a meeting on December 17 for increased engagement by members of Congress with the Council. Meeting participants agreed that any enhance [...] |
2006-12-26 11:54:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR PHUM KISL IZ SA |
| 06RIYADH9174 |
CROWN PRINCE REITERATES SAUDI NONINTERFERENCE [...] No summary [...] |
2006-12-26 11:54:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER PINR KISL IZ SA |
| 06RIYADH9175 |
SAUDI MOI HEAD SAYS IF U.S. LEAVES IRAQ, SAUDI [...] No summary [...] |
2006-12-26 11:54:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PREL PGOV PINR PTER KISL IZ SA |
| 06RIYADH9179 |
DEPUTY MOI TO SENATOR NELSON:THE KEY TO WINNING [...] (S) SUMMARY. Deputy Minister of Interior Mohamed bin Naif told Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) that the key to winning the war on terror is defeating the terrorists' ideology. He echoed the senator's other interlocutors in supporting Iraqi unity and the SAG's noninterference policy. The Deputy M [...] |
2006-12-26 12:18:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PTER PGOV PREL PINR PHUM KISL IZ SA |
| 06RIYADH9182 |
DIPLOMATIC NOTE DELIVERED FOR DELTA CODE SHARING [...] (U) On December 23, Mission delivered a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) regarding the Delta Code sharing with KLM. Captain Mohammed Berenji, Vice President of GACA, responded verbally and reiterated his approval of the Del [...] |
2006-12-26 13:35:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | EAIR SA |
| 06RIYADH9183 |
TERRORISM FINANCE: SAG'S RESPONSE TO UN 1267 [...] (SBU) On December 4, Post received the following diplomatic note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the addition of twenty names to the UN 1267 Sanctions list of individuals/entities associated with Usama bin Laden, the Taliban or Al Qaeda. Complimentary opening -- The Minist [...] |
2006-12-26 13:35:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | KTFN EFIN ETTC PTER SA |
| 06RIYADH9184 |
TERRORIST FINANCE: UN 1267 DOCKRAT DESIGNATION [...] (U) On December 27, non-paper from reftel was delivered to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to the Ministry of Interior. Post will report any substantive Saudi response. GFOELLER [...] |
2006-12-26 13:35:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC SA |
| 06RIYADH9204 |
AVIAN FLU CONFERENCE INVITATION RESPONSE [...] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided a response to the reftel on 11 December 2006 thanking us for notifying them of the Avian Flu conference in Bamako, but regretting the SAG could not participate. The MFA also informed us the SAG has donated $1 million USD to the U.N. Food and Agricultur [...] |
2006-12-27 09:47:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR KFLU TBIO PREL EAID SA |
| 06RIYADH9205 |
TERRORISM FINANCE: POST VIEWS ON NGO KOMPAK [...] The Mission Counterterrorism Committee discussed reftel during its monthly December meeting and determined we have no relevant input. The charity in question does not operate in the KSA, nor are we aware of any other nexus with the KSA. GFOELLER [...] |
2006-12-27 09:48:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER KTFN ETTC SA |
| 07RIYADH1006 |
DOW AND SAUDI ARAMCO SIGN MOU FOR $20 BILLION [...] (C) On May 12, US firm Dow Chemical's CEO Andrew Liveris and Saudi Aramco's President and CEO Abdullah Jum'ah signed a detailed Memorandum of Understanding for a major petrochemical facility, the "Ras Tanura Integrated Project" (RTIP), the cost of which will likely reach more than $20 billio [...] |
2007-05-14 18:01:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET ENRG EIND SA |
| 07RIYADH1018 |
NO DECISION YET: HRC ELECTIONS REFTEL DEMARCHES [...] (C) Reftel demarches were delivered by Ambassador Fraker to Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal on May 12 and on the working level by PolOff to First Secretary Abdulrahman al-Rassi on May 13. Additionally, a non-paper was delivered via dip note on May 7. Prince Saud told the Ambassador th [...] |
2007-05-15 14:30:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM UNHRC SA |
| 07RIYADH1028 |
JOINT WORKING GROUP ON CRITICAL ENERGY [...] (U) This is an action request for S/CT, DS/ATA, and DOE/Office of Energy Reliability. Please see paragraph three. -------- Summary -------- 2. (S) In a May 15 meeting with Ministry of Interior (MOI) Chief of Staff Saad al Jabri, Joint Working Group (JWG) Co-Chair Dr. Saud al-Semar [...] |
2007-05-16 15:25:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | EPET ENRG PTER SA |
| 07RIYADH1030 |
MAY 15 MEETING OF GCC LEADERS YIELDS PREDICTABLE [...] (U) Leaders of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states met in Riyadh on May 15 for the ninth consultative meeting. They agreed on three resolutions: 1) urging the removal of all obstacles to the establishment of a Gulf Customs Union before year's end; 2) recommending that measures be q [...] |
2007-05-16 17:05:00 | Embassy Riyadh | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PINR SA |
| 07RIYADH1036 |
POLISH FOREIGN MINISTER SUPPORTS IRAQI EFFORTS BUT [...] (C) Polish Foreign Minister Anna Fotyga met with the Saud Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Nizar Madani, Shoura Council Chairman Dr. Saleh bin Humaid, Deputy Minister of Oil Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, and Deputy Minister of Commerce Abdullah al Hammoudi during her May 9 visit to R [...] |
2007-05-19 04:34:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL EFIN ETRD SA |
| 07RIYADH1047 |
AMBASSADOR'S COURTESY CALL ON RIYADH PROVINCIAL [...] (C) Riyadh Provincial Governor HRH Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz emphasized the importance of U.S.-Saudi Arabia ties during Ambassador's courtesy call on May 16. The Prince stated that Saudi Arabia has no issues with nor is it a burden to the United States and discussed the important role tha [...] |
2007-05-20 05:02:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR CVIS SA |
| 07RIYADH1062 |
NEW H5N1 DISCOVERED IN PREVIOUSLY UNINFECTED AREA [...] (C) Summary: Two highly pathogenic H5N1 cases were discovered in Hail during a recent joint FAO-USDA rapid deployment mission to Saudi Arabia. While Saudi officials claim to have conducted bird culls within a 5 kilometer radius of the infected farm, the Ministry of Agriculture failed to prov [...] |
2007-05-21 04:36:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | AMED EPET IO PGOV PTER SA |
| 07RIYADH1074 |
EDUCATION REFORM: WILL KING ABDULLAH'S [...] (C) SUMMARY: King Abdullah announced on February 13 a six-year, SR 9 billion (USD 2.4 billion) project for the Development of Public Education, followed by an April 17 announcement of a general infrastructure project that allocates a total of SR 21.9 billion (USD 5.84 billion) for general and [...] |
2007-05-21 15:29:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SA |
| 07RIYADH1133 |
RELIGIOUS POLICE DETAINED FOR ALLEGED MURDER OF [...] (U) The Saudi press reported on May 27 that the religious police allegedly beat to death on May 23 a 28-year old Saudi, Sulaiman or Salman Al-Huraisi, who was detained for the possession/sale of alcohol. After various conflicting and incomplete media reports, the Riyadh Governorate subseque [...] |
2007-05-29 14:54:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KISL SOCI CASC KJUS SA |
| 07RIYADH1375 |
KING ABDULLAH'S 2007 EUROPEAN TOUR - PART 1 [...] (U) King Abdullah kicked off a week-long series of state visits to both European and Arab nations on June 18. The King has already visited Spain, France, and Poland, and will next visit the Kingdom of Jordan before concluding his tour at Sharm al-Sheikh in Egypt, where he will meet with Egypti [...] |
2007-06-26 12:55:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PINR PREL PGOV SA |
| 07RIYADH1388 |
JOINT WORKING GROUP MARITIME TEAM DEBRIEFS SAUDI [...] (S) On June 23, an assessment team in Saudi Arabia from the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Critical Infrastructure Protect | ||||