VZCZCXRO7883
RR RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHRH #1094 1980550
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 160550Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8787
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH 9631
RHRMAKS/COMUSNAVCENT
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC

UNCLAS RIYADH 001094 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
OES/OA FOR ETIRPAK/RBARNES 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KRVC TPHY EWWT SENV SA
SUBJECT: WOODS HOLE RESEARCH VESSEL OCEANUS 
 
REF: A. STATE 72984 
     ¶B. BARNES-MURPHY EMAIL 09 JULY 2008 "R/V OCEANUS 
        CLEARANCE REQUEST" 
 
¶1.  This is an action request. 
 
¶2.  Per reftel A, on 15 July, the Embassy informed the 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of and provided background 
documentation for the visit of the Woods Hole Oceanographic 
Institute's (WHOI) research vessel Oceanus from 5 October to 
21 November 2008.  In a recent response to our February 
notification of a possible research visit, the MFA responded 
with a diplomatic note advising that Saudi Arabia requires 
specific forms be filled out at least six months in advance 
of any visit.  The Embassy seeks to clarify whether the 
"Revised Application for Consent to Conduct Marine Scientific 
Research" (ref B) was in fact responsive to the MFA's 
specific application process, or represents standard 
information that WHOI submits to countries to seek permission 
to conduct research.  As the MFA unfortunately did not 
provide the forms in question, we are still tracking down the 
correct paperwork to provide to OES.  The Embassy cautions 
that the Saudi authorities may seek to adhere to this 
six-month notification window. 
 
¶3.  Action Request:  The Embassy requests that OES clarify if 
the "Revised Application for Consent to Conduct Marine 
Scientific Research" fulfilled the Saudi MFA documentation 
requirement for an application to conduct research, or if 
this was standard information normally provided by WHOI.  The 
Embassy also requests that OES work with WHOI to provide full 
contact (phone, mobile, fax, email) information for KAUST 
collaborator Mr. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, so that we may enter into 
direct contact with him to help facilitate necessary 
approvals for the Oceanus.  Working through WHOI's Saudi 
Arabian collaborators may offer the best avenue for rapid 
approval of the research request.  Please send this 
information as soon as possible to Deputy Economic Counselor 
Shannon Ross at rosssm2@state.gov and Consulate General 
Jeddah Acting Consul General CB Toney at toneys@state.gov. 
Please address all cable responses to both Embassy Riyadh and 
Consulate General Jeddah.  End action request. 
FRAKER