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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 JEDDAH 000379 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
RIYADH, PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN; DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, 
NEA/IPA, NEA/FO FOR ERIN WALSH; PARIS FOR ZEYA; LONDON FOR 
TSOU 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2016 
TAGS: ECON KISL KPAL KWMN PREL PTER SA SCUL
SUBJECT: CONVERSATION WITH TABUK GOVERNOR:  "ROAD MAP," 
EXTREMISM, REFORM, AND EDUCATION IN NORTHERN SAUDI ARABIA. 
 
Classified By: Consul General Tatiana Gfoeller, for 
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1.  (C) SUMMARY:  On May 16, the Consul General and Pol/Econ 
Chief met Prince Fahad, Governor of Tabuk.  In a wide-ranging 
discussion of Middle Eastern and domestic conditions, Prince 
Fahad singled out the Palestinian problem as the most 
critical issue and a fundamental cause of extremism in the 
region and called for U.S. and world support for the Peace 
Process.  Fahad strongly backed the administration's Iraq 
policy and lauded President Bush personally.  The Governor 
insisted that the Saudi-Jordanian border was secure.  He 
discussed his support for improving the position of women, 
but advocated measured change to permit social attitudes to 
evolve.  Fahad supported dramatically increasing travel 
between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, and asked that the mission 
facilitate issuance of student visas.  In response to the 
CG's advocacy of greater cooperation in the education field, 
he introduced the prospect of seeking a U.S. university as a 
joint operator of a new university in Tabuk.  Prince Fahad 
keeps close control of affairs in the region.  END SUMMARY. 
 
TABUK OCCUPIES SENSITIVE POSITION IN THE MIDDLE EAST 
 
¶2.  (C) On May 16, the Consul General and Pol/Econ Chief met 
with long-serving Tabuk Governor Prince Fahad bin Sultan bin 
Abdulaziz.  The meeting was held in the executive office of 
the Governor's Palace in the city of Tabuk.  The Governor 
inaugurated the meeting with a lengthy summary of his 
observations on the Middle East situation.  He first 
accentuated his role as Governor of a province occupying a 
critical location in the Middle East, observing that from 
Al-Haql, the northern-most Saudi community on the Gulf of 
Aqaba, one could look down the road to Jordan, then across 
the Gulf to the Egyptian Sinai and between the two lay 
Israel.  Although stressing its geographical proximity to 
other important parts of the Middle East, significantly, the 
Governor avoided any reference to the large military presence 
in Tabuk.  In fact, Tabuk, the city, is headquarters of the 
army and air force commands guarding northwestern Saudi 
Arabia, as well as units that guard the sensitive 
Saudi-Jordanian border and 700 km. of coastline. 
 
PALESTINE PROBLEM THREATENS TO INFECT THE REGION 
 
¶3.  (C) Prince Fahad voiced great concern over the 
Palestinian debacle.  He warned that continuing disorder 
there could inspire extremism throughout the Middle East.  He 
assured the CG that Saudi Arabia was doing everything 
practicable to eradicate extremism in the Kingdom, but 
cautioned that solving the Palestinian problem was the only 
decisive way to undermine the call of extremists.  He 
strongly endorsed the "Road Map," as well as other 
international efforts to end the conflict, such as the plan 
advanced by King Abdullah, while still Crown Prince, at the 
Arab League. 
 
ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS MUST "SIT AND TALK" 
 
¶4.  (C) Elaborating on Palestine, he asserted that the 
solution ultimately depended on negotiations between the 
Israelis and the Palestinians.  They must "sit and talk." 
The Governor was quick to add that all of the problems must 
be solved, such as the Syrian problem, in order to ensure 
that all parties will be satisfied and not create obstacles 
which could derail an agreement. 
 
DEMOCRACY WILL FORCE HAMAS TO NEGOTIATE OR RESIGN 
 
¶5.  (C) The Governor conceded that HAMAS will be reluctant to 
negotiate, but he suggested that the democratic process that 
brought them to power could force them to act responsibly. 
In voting for HAMAS, he suggested, the Palestinians were 
voting for a government that functioned, in contrast to a 
corrupt, ineffectual Fatah.  Already, HAMAS is failing to 
maintain government services which discredits its claim to 
authority.  If the Palestinian President negotiates, the 
 
JEDDAH 00000379  002 OF 005 
 
 
HAMAS-dominated Palestinian Authority will have the choice of 
collaborating in negotiations or resigning and calling for 
new elections.  Fahad believed that this will ultimately be 
beneficial for the Peace Process. 
 
BUSH MUST PUSH ISRAEL TO ENGAGE PALESTINIANS 
 
¶6.  (C) The major powers, the Quartet, led by the U.S., and 
other influential powers such as Japan and China, and the 
Arabs, led by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, must be prepared to 
support the Peace Process.  He noted that President Bush is 
soon to meet with new Israeli Prime Minister Olmert, and he 
pleaded that the President push the Israelis to engage in the 
Peace Process.  "Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas)," he announced, 
"is the legitimate representative of the Palestinians and the 
Israelis should negotiate with him.  If the Palestinian 
Authority does not support his agreements," he repeated, 
"they should call new elections and allow the people to vote." 
 
WORLD MUST PREVENT THE SUFFERING OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE 
 
¶7.  (C) While the Peace Process continues, the world 
community must, Fahad insisted, succor the Palestinian 
people.  He warned that continued suffering by the people 
would be a catastrophe, not only for the Palestinian people, 
but for other nations whose populations are sympathetic to 
the Palestinians.  Anger against the West and Arab 
governments seen as indifferent to the lot of the 
Palestinians is growing rapidly in those states.  There 
followed a passionate soliloquy questioning how anyone could 
sleep knowing of the terrible suffering endured by the 
innocent people of the Palestinian territories. 
 
IRAQ:  HISTORY WILL VINDICATE PRESIDENT BUSH 
 
¶8.  (C) In reference to Iraq, Prince Fahad admitted that Iraq 
constituted a very dangerous threat, but he believed that the 
cost was justified.  He pronounced Saddam Hussein "probably 
the worst ruler in the Middle East in 2,000 or 3,000 years." 
Continuing, he said the Iraqi people are being betrayed by 
opportunists and blamed the media for exaggerated reports and 
propaganda that encouraged the insurgents.  As an example, he 
cited the fact that the preponderance of the violence is 
Iraqi on Iraqi violence, not involving American troops. 
Although concerned about the situation, he endorsed Egyptian 
President Mubarak's assessment that a pull-out now would be 
disastrous.  He ended by extolling "George Bush (as a leader 
who) had the will to make tough decisions and the strength to 
see the mission Qugh."  He commeQd the President for his 
steadfastneQ and expressed confidence that "History will 
support his decision." 
 
JORDANIAN BORDER PEACEFUL AND WELL PATROLLED? 
 
¶9.  (C) After the Governor had concluded his remarks, the CG 
inquired about conditions along the border, specifically if 
there had been any problems with weapons smuggling, since the 
media had reported arms connected with HAMAS being discovered 
in southern Jordan.  The Governor responded positively 
stating that he had no knowledge of any smuggling or arms 
trafficking in the border region.  He said that King Abdullah 
is doing his utmost to secure the border which is closely 
monitored and patrolled.  He also expressed his satisfaction 
at the degree of cooperation between Jordan and the Kingdom 
in ensuring border security.  He ended by saying there were 
no border troubles in Saudi Arabia.  NOTE:  On the following 
day, May 17, the Saudi Gazette carried a small article saying 
that Police in Tabuk seized five rifles, a pistol and a 
machine gun and ammunition.  END NOTE. 
 
TOURISM 
 
¶10.  (C) The CG next asked the Governor about the prospects 
for tourism in the region.  Fahad answered that tourism was 
viewed as an important sector for economic growth in the 
region.  Domestic and religious tourism represents the 
primary target, but the Governor also intends to encourage 
 
JEDDAH 00000379  003 OF 005 
 
 
non-Muslim tourists.  He reported that representatives of a 
German academic institution had just visited Taima in 
connection with archaeological researches.   He recommended 
the many archaeological sites within the state and invited 
the CG to visit the region's museums and ruins. 
 
ROLE OF WOMEN 
 
¶11.  (C) Prince Fahad also expressed his support for 
improving the status of women.  He has proposed that the 
local cultural society should be opened for women and noted 
that in many fields women had already made important strides, 
although this has gone unnoticed by the press.  He said that 
that very night, he was participating in a ceremony to 
present awards sponsored by the Kingdom recognizing the ten 
best farms in each state.  These awards were among the most 
prestigious awards in the agricultural sector, and two of the 
10 awards in Tabuk were being presented to women. 
 
U.S.-SAUDI WOMEN'S NETWORK 
 
¶12.  (C) The CG brought up the prospective visit of NEA 
Senior Advisor Elizabeth Walsh to Saudi Arabia in June or 
July in order to promote a network between Saudi Arabian and 
American women.  The Governor expressed a willingness to 
support such a program, but he strongly advised against any 
visit to the Kingdom in June or July.  Domestic custom 
results in a substantial portion of the key figures being 
away from their homes during this interval.  He personally 
recommended that Ms. Walsh consider the dates September 9-23. 
 
REFORM MUST OVERCOME CUSTOM, NOT RELIGION 
 
¶13.  (C) Continuing on the theme of the role of women, he 
said he personally disliked making a distinction between men 
and women.  People are people in his estimation, and it is 
false and useless to attempt to make artificial distinctions 
between them.  However, he admitted that there are very 
deeply held social customs prevailing in the Kingdom that 
limit the freedom of women.  He lamented that the West 
typically ascribes this condition to the Islamic religion, 
rather than social custom.  He cautioned that government 
should not attempt to emancipate women through laws.  He felt 
it was unwise to attempt to legislate changes in social 
attitudes.  While delaying reform now, he was confident that 
changes in social attitudes will occur in the fullness of 
time.  He volunteered that this change would be beneficial to 
the society and economy.  He observed that there were 
approximately 1.3 million foreigners employed as drivers in 
Saudi Arabia.  "If women were able to drive," he estimated, 
"600,000 to 700,000 drivers would no longer be needed and 
could be sent home, and all that money could be devoted to 
more useful activities here." 
 
MUST BURNISH IMAGE OF SAUDI ARABIA 
 
¶14.  (C) The Governor deplored the poor image Saudi Arabia 
endured in the West.  For this, he primarily blamed the 
media, which only focuses on the negative.  He advocated 
increased interchange between academics and business-people 
and strongly supported travel by Saudis to the United States. 
 Recalling his own student days, he was confident that if 
Saudis visited the U.S., and not just the major coastal 
cities, but the heartland, they would return with respect for 
the U.S., and Americans would develop an understanding of 
Arabs and Muslims. 
 
¶15.  (C) The Governor was very pleased that there were now 
more than 10,000 Saudi students studying in the U.S., but 
reminded us that when he was studying at the University of 
Southern California in the early 1970's, there were over 
40,000 Saudi students in the U.S.  He insisted that it was 
vital to reach that figure again.  He then advised us that 
"The Embassy must be gentle with visas," although he hastily 
added that there could be no compromise on security. 
 
FORGING NEW SAUDI-AMERICAN CONNECTIONS 
 
JEDDAH 00000379  004.2 OF 005 
 
 
 
¶16.  (C) The Consul General asked the Governor if there was 
any assistance the Consulate could offer to help promote 
development.  The Governor promised that at that night's 
awards ceremony, he would mention the Consulate and encourage 
people to employ its resources.  The CG also informed the 
Governor that the Consulate had hired a new Education Adviser 
and offered her services to interested Saudi students to help 
them make better decisions involving educational 
opportunities in America.  Accepting this offer with 
gratitude, Prince Fahad mentioned that the Saudi government 
had just agreed to permit construction of a new private 
university in Tabuk.  The initial phase would be a 
polytechnic teaching computers, science and technology.  This 
phase would be followed by medical and engineering faculties. 
 The college's supporters plan to approach an American 
university to act as joint operator.  According to the 
Governor, Columbia is their primary choice for partner, and 
he requested assistance from the Consulate in pursuing this 
plan. 
 
THE GOVERNOR'S LEGACY APPARENT AROUND TABUK 
 
¶17.  (C) The meeting was followed by a short tour of Tabuk. 
The guide insisted on showing the CG a new auditorium and 
convention center, named after the governor, which the 
managers proudly stated could hold more than 2,000 people and 
was available to all government organizations for assemblies 
and conferences.  The CG agreed that it would be a suitable 
venue for large gatherings.  In response to the CG's inquiry, 
the manager stated that theatrical or other entertainment 
events were not contemplated. 
 
¶18.  (C) There followed a tour of a new social and cultural 
center, also named after the Prince, which offers meeting 
rooms, computers, a library, natural history education, and 
sports and a swimming pool.  The Director, a doctor, proudly 
told the CG that patrons are required to undergo a physical 
examination to ensure they are free of dermatological and 
contagious conditions before they may swim in the pool. 
Although open to all residents without cost, the facility 
requires all potential patrons to first join the association 
managing the complex.  While presently open only to men, the 
managers are currently considering establishing alternating 
days in which women will be permitted to use the center and 
its facilities. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES 
 
¶19.  (C) Born in Riyadh on October 20, 1950, Prince Fahad bin 
Sultan bin Abdulaziz is the full brother of former Ambassador 
to the United States Prince Sultan.  Fahad obtained a B.A. in 
History from King Saud University in Riyadh in 1970 and 
earned a postgraduate degree in History from the University 
of Southern California.  He has headed several UN social 
welfare commissions and has been the Acting President of the 
Saudi Youth Welfare organization.  He is Vice President of 
the Saudi Soccer Association, the Saudi Olympic Committee and 
President of the Saudi Athletics Association and Arab 
Athletics Association.  He headed the Saudi mission to the 
Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984.  He has been governor of 
Tabuk since about 1987.  He is reputed to be very proud of 
Tabuk's agriculture, especially its cut flower industry. 
 
GOVERNOR CALLS THE SHOTS 
 
¶20.  (C) Prince Fahad is indisputably a modernizer who sees 
change as essential to the future of the Kingdom, but is not 
inclined to push development faster than he believes social 
attitudes will easily accept.  He is also known as an 
iron-fisted administrator, so much so that he has earned the 
sobriquet "Stalin" among some of his less admiring 
countrymen.  A glimpse of this controlling attitude may have 
been provided by the CG,s visit.  Application had been made 
to visit Prince Sultan Air Force base in Tabuk, where three 
American officers are stationed.  After weeks of hesitation, 
MFA intimated that the visit would be permitted.  As the day 
 
JEDDAH 00000379  005 OF 005 
 
 
of the trip approached, encouraging signs continued to be 
offered to the Consulate that the visit would be approved, 
although probably only on the morning of the visit.  Only 
after the CG was in Tabuk was the visit finally denied. 
Sources hinted that the visit was canceled because the 
Governor did not approve.  It was also suggested that an 
earlier request to visit the commanding officer of the Tabuk 
border command had also been denied at the instigation of the 
Governor.  Also worthy of passing comment is the fact that 
for the first time during her numerous trips around the 
consular district, the CG's hotel room was guarded by armed 
soldiers. 
 
¶21.  (C) COMMENT:  This Governor, like most others, supports 
modernization.  However, this governor, according to all 
evidence, is determined to call the shots himself.  He is 
only likely to cooperate with initiatives that appeal to him, 
and is unlikely to accede to and would probably obstruct any 
initiatives with which he does not agree. Consequently, any 
efforts to promote U.S.-Saudi cooperation in Tabuk will have 
to be pursued very carefully, ensuring that they do not 
arouse the Governor's opposition.  END COMMENT. 
Gfoeller