Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 143912 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AORC AS AF AM AJ ASEC AU AMGT APER ACOA ASEAN AG AFFAIRS AR AFIN ABUD AO AEMR ADANA AMED AADP AINF ARF ADB ACS AE AID AL AC AGR ABLD AMCHAMS AECL AINT AND ASIG AUC APECO AFGHANISTAN AY ARABL ACAO ANET AFSN AZ AFLU ALOW ASSK AFSI ACABQ AMB APEC AIDS AA ATRN AMTC AVIATION AESC ASSEMBLY ADPM ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG AGOA ASUP AFPREL ARNOLD ADCO AN ACOTA AODE AROC AMCHAM AT ACKM ASCH AORCUNGA AVIANFLU AVIAN AIT ASECPHUM ATRA AGENDA AIN AFINM APCS AGENGA ABDALLAH ALOWAR AFL AMBASSADOR ARSO AGMT ASPA AOREC AGAO ARR AOMS ASC ALIREZA AORD AORG ASECVE ABER ARABBL ADM AMER ALVAREZ AORCO ARM APERTH AINR AGRI ALZUGUREN ANGEL ACDA AEMED ARC AMGMT AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL ASECAFINGMGRIZOREPTU ABMC AIAG ALJAZEERA ASR ASECARP ALAMI APRM ASECM AMPR AEGR AUSTRALIAGROUP ASE AMGTHA ARNOLDFREDERICK AIDAC AOPC ANTITERRORISM ASEG AMIA ASEX AEMRBC AFOR ABT AMERICA AGENCIES AGS ADRC ASJA AEAID ANARCHISTS AME AEC ALNEA AMGE AMEDCASCKFLO AK ANTONIO ASO AFINIZ ASEDC AOWC ACCOUNT ACTION AMG AFPK AOCR AMEDI AGIT ASOC ACOAAMGT AMLB AZE AORCYM AORL AGRICULTURE ACEC AGUILAR ASCC AFSA ASES ADIP ASED ASCE ASFC ASECTH AFGHAN ANTXON APRC AFAF AFARI ASECEFINKCRMKPAOPTERKHLSAEMRNS AX ALAB ASECAF ASA ASECAFIN ASIC AFZAL AMGTATK ALBE AMT AORCEUNPREFPRELSMIGBN AGUIRRE AAA ABLG ARCH AGRIC AIHRC ADEL AMEX ALI AQ ATFN AORCD ARAS AINFCY AFDB ACBAQ AFDIN AOPR AREP ALEXANDER ALANAZI ABDULRAHMEN ABDULHADI ATRD AEIR AOIC ABLDG AFR ASEK AER ALOUNI AMCT AVERY ASECCASC ARG APR AMAT AEMRS AFU ATPDEA ALL ASECE ANDREW
EAIR ECON ETRD EAGR EAID EFIN ETTC ENRG EMIN ECPS EG EPET EINV ELAB EU ECONOMICS EC EZ EUN EN ECIN EWWT EXTERNAL ENIV ES ESA ELN EFIS EIND EPA ELTN EXIM ET EINT EI ER EAIDAF ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECTRD EUR ECOWAS ECUN EBRD ECONOMIC ENGR ECONOMY EFND ELECTIONS EPECO EUMEM ETMIN EXBS EAIRECONRP ERTD EAP ERGR EUREM EFI EIB ENGY ELNTECON EAIDXMXAXBXFFR ECOSOC EEB EINF ETRN ENGRD ESTH ENRC EXPORT EK ENRGMO ECO EGAD EXIMOPIC ETRDPGOV EURM ETRA ENERG ECLAC EINO ENVIRONMENT EFIC ECIP ETRDAORC ENRD EMED EIAR ECPN ELAP ETCC EAC ENEG ESCAP EWWC ELTD ELA EIVN ELF ETR EFTA EMAIL EL EMS EID ELNT ECPSN ERIN ETT EETC ELAN ECHEVARRIA EPWR EVIN ENVR ENRGJM ELBR EUC EARG EAPC EICN EEC EREL EAIS ELBA EPETUN EWWY ETRDGK EV EDU EFN EVN EAIDETRD ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ ETEX ESCI EAIDHO EENV ETRC ESOC EINDQTRD EINVA EFLU EGEN ECE EAGRBN EON EFINECONCS EIAD ECPC ENV ETDR EAGER ETRDKIPR EWT EDEV ECCP ECCT EARI EINVECON ED ETRDEC EMINETRD EADM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID ETAD ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA EMINECINECONSENVTBIONS ESSO ETRG ELAM ECA EENG EITC ENG ERA EPSC ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EIPR ELABPGOVBN EURFOR ETRAD EUE EISNLN ECONETRDBESPAR ELAINE EGOVSY EAUD EAGRECONEINVPGOVBN EINVETRD EPIN ECONENRG EDRC ESENV EB ENER ELTNSNAR EURN ECONPGOVBN ETTF ENVT EPIT ESOCI EFINOECD ERD EDUC EUM ETEL EUEAID ENRGY ETD EAGRE EAR EAIDMG EE EET ETER ERICKSON EIAID EX EAG EBEXP ESTN EAIDAORC EING EGOV EEOC EAGRRP EVENTS ENRGKNNPMNUCPARMPRELNPTIAEAJMXL ETRDEMIN EPETEIND EAIDRW ENVI ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC EDUARDO EGAR EPCS EPRT EAIDPHUMPRELUG EPTED ETRB EPETPGOV ECONQH EAIDS EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR EAGRBTIOBEXPETRDBN ESF EINR ELABPHUMSMIGKCRMBN EIDN ETRK ESTRADA EXEC EAIO EGHG ECN EDA ECOS EPREL EINVKSCA ENNP ELABV ETA EWWTPRELPGOVMASSMARRBN EUCOM EAIDASEC ENR END EP ERNG ESPS EITI EINTECPS EAVI ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID ELTRN EADI ELDIN ELND ECRM EINVEFIN EAOD EFINTS EINDIR ENRGKNNP ETRDEIQ ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD EAIT ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ EWWI ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEAIR ECONEFIN EHUM EFNI EOXC EISNAR ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM EMW ETIO ETRDGR EMN EXO EATO EWTR ELIN EAGREAIDPGOVPRELBN EINVETC ETTD EIQ ECONCS EPPD ESS EUEAGR ENRGIZ EISL EUNJ EIDE ENRGSD ELAD ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO ENTG ETRDECD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS
KPKO KIPR KWBG KPAL KDEM KTFN KNNP KGIC KTIA KCRM KDRG KWMN KJUS KIDE KSUM KTIP KFRD KMCA KMDR KCIP KTDB KPAO KPWR KOMC KU KIRF KCOR KHLS KISL KSCA KGHG KS KSTH KSEP KE KPAI KWAC KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KPRP KVPR KAWC KUNR KZ KPLS KN KSTC KMFO KID KNAR KCFE KRIM KFLO KCSA KG KFSC KSCI KFLU KMIG KRVC KV KVRP KMPI KNEI KAPO KOLY KGIT KSAF KIRC KNSD KBIO KHIV KHDP KBTR KHUM KSAC KACT KRAD KPRV KTEX KPIR KDMR KMPF KPFO KICA KWMM KICC KR KCOM KAID KINR KBCT KOCI KCRS KTER KSPR KDP KFIN KCMR KMOC KUWAIT KIPRZ KSEO KLIG KWIR KISM KLEG KTBD KCUM KMSG KMWN KREL KPREL KAWK KIMT KCSY KESS KWPA KNPT KTBT KCROM KPOW KFTN KPKP KICR KGHA KOMS KJUST KREC KOC KFPC KGLB KMRS KTFIN KCRCM KWNM KHGH KRFD KY KGCC KFEM KVIR KRCM KEMR KIIP KPOA KREF KJRE KRKO KOGL KSCS KGOV KCRIM KEM KCUL KRIF KCEM KITA KCRN KCIS KSEAO KWMEN KEANE KNNC KNAP KEDEM KNEP KHPD KPSC KIRP KUNC KALM KCCP KDEN KSEC KAYLA KIMMITT KO KNUC KSIA KLFU KLAB KTDD KIRCOEXC KECF KIPRETRDKCRM KNDP KIRCHOFF KJAN KFRDSOCIRO KWMNSMIG KEAI KKPO KPOL KRD KWMNPREL KATRINA KBWG KW KPPD KTIAEUN KDHS KRV KBTS KWCI KICT KPALAOIS KPMI KWN KTDM KWM KLHS KLBO KDEMK KT KIDS KWWW KLIP KPRM KSKN KTTB KTRD KNPP KOR KGKG KNN KTIAIC KSRE KDRL KVCORR KDEMGT KOMO KSTCC KMAC KSOC KMCC KCHG KSEPCVIS KGIV KPO KSEI KSTCPL KSI KRMS KFLOA KIND KPPAO KCM KRFR KICCPUR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KFAM KWWMN KENV KGH KPOP KFCE KNAO KTIAPARM KWMNKDEM KDRM KNNNP KEVIN KEMPI KWIM KGCN KUM KMGT KKOR KSMT KISLSCUL KNRV KPRO KOMCSG KLPM KDTB KFGM KCRP KAUST KNNPPARM KUNH KWAWC KSPA KTSC KUS KSOCI KCMA KTFR KPAOPREL KNNPCH KWGB KSTT KNUP KPGOV KUK KMNP KPAS KHMN KPAD KSTS KCORR KI KLSO KWNN KNP KPTD KESO KMPP KEMS KPAONZ KPOV KTLA KPAOKMDRKE KNMP KWMNCI KWUN KRDP KWKN KPAOY KEIM KGICKS KIPT KREISLER KTAO KJU KLTN KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KQ KWPR KSCT KGHGHIV KEDU KRCIM KFIU KWIC KNNO KILS KTIALG KNNA KMCAJO KINP KRM KLFLO KPA KOMCCO KKIV KHSA KDM KRCS KWBGSY KISLAO KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KCRI KX KWWT KPAM KVRC KERG KK KSUMPHUM KACP KSLG KIF KIVP KHOURY KNPR KUNRAORC KCOG KCFC KWMJN KFTFN KTFM KPDD KMPIO KCERS KDUM KDEMAF KMEPI KHSL KEPREL KAWX KIRL KNNR KOMH KMPT KISLPINR KADM KPER KTPN KSCAECON KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KCSI KNRG KAKA KFRP KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KQM KQRDQ KWBC KMRD KVBL KOM KMPL KEDM KFLD KPRD KRGY KNNF KPROG KIFR KPOKO KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KHIB KOEM KDDG KCGC
PGOV PREL PK PTER PINR PO PHUM PARM PREF PINF PRL PM PINS PROP PALESTINIAN PE PBTS PNAT PHSA PL PA PSEPC POSTS POLITICS POLICY POL PU PAHO PHUMPGOV PGOG PARALYMPIC PGOC PNR PREFA PMIL POLITICAL PROV PRUM PBIO PAK POV POLG PAR POLM PHUMPREL PKO PUNE PROG PEL PROPERTY PKAO PRE PSOE PHAS PNUM PGOVE PY PIRF PRES POWELL PP PREM PCON PGOVPTER PGOVPREL PODC PTBS PTEL PGOVTI PHSAPREL PD PG PRC PVOV PLO PRELL PEPFAR PREK PEREZ PINT POLI PPOL PARTIES PT PRELUN PH PENA PIN PGPV PKST PROTESTS PHSAK PRM PROLIFERATION PGOVBL PAS PUM PMIG PGIC PTERPGOV PSHA PHM PHARM PRELHA PELOSI PGOVKCMABN PQM PETER PJUS PKK POUS PTE PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PERM PRELGOV PAO PNIR PARMP PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PHYTRP PHUML PFOV PDEM PUOS PN PRESIDENT PERURENA PRIVATIZATION PHUH PIF POG PERL PKPA PREI PTERKU PSEC PRELKSUMXABN PETROL PRIL POLUN PPD PRELUNSC PREZ PCUL PREO PGOVZI POLMIL PERSONS PREFL PASS PV PETERS PING PQL PETR PARMS PNUC PS PARLIAMENT PINSCE PROTECTION PLAB PGV PBS PGOVENRGCVISMASSEAIDOPRCEWWTBN PKNP PSOCI PSI PTERM PLUM PF PVIP PARP PHUMQHA PRELNP PHIM PRELBR PUBLIC PHUMKPAL PHAM PUAS PBOV PRELTBIOBA PGOVU PHUMPINS PICES PGOVENRG PRELKPKO PHU PHUMKCRS POGV PATTY PSOC PRELSP PREC PSO PAIGH PKPO PARK PRELPLS PRELPK PHUS PPREL PTERPREL PROL PDA PRELPGOV PRELAF PAGE PGOVGM PGOVECON PHUMIZNL PMAR PGOVAF PMDL PKBL PARN PARMIR PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PDD PRELKPAO PKMN PRELEZ PHUMPRELPGOV PARTM PGOVEAGRKMCAKNARBN PPEL PGOVPRELPINRBN PGOVSOCI PWBG PGOVEAID PGOVPM PBST PKEAID PRAM PRELEVU PHUMA PGOR PPA PINSO PROVE PRELKPAOIZ PPAO PHUMPRELBN PGVO PHUMPTER PAGR PMIN PBTSEWWT PHUMR PDOV PINO PARAGRAPH PACE PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOVAU PGOF PBTSRU PRGOV PRHUM PCI PGO PRELEUN PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PMR PRTER PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PRELNL PINOCHET PAARM PKPAO PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA POPDC PRELC PHUME PER PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PAUL PHALANAGE PARTY PPEF PECON PEACE PROCESS PPGOV PLN PRELSW PHUMS PRF PEDRO PHUMKDEM PUNR PVPR PATRICK PGOVKMCAPHUMBN PRELA PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PBT PAMQ

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 09RIYADH1553, INCREASING OUR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ENGAGEMENT

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09RIYADH1553.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09RIYADH1553 2009-11-23 12:28 2011-08-26 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Riyadh
VZCZCXRO5809
PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR
DE RUEHRH #1553/01 3271228
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 231228Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1970
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 RIYADH 001553 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, OES 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV ENRG ECON ETRD PREL AMGT SA
SUBJECT: INCREASING OUR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ENGAGEMENT 
WITH SAUDI ARABIA -- A CALL FOR AN ESTH POSITION AND PROGRAM 
 
REF: A. RIYADH 659 
     B. RIYADH 1278 
     C. RIYADH 1302 
     D. RIYADH 1417 
     E. RIYADH 1492 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
1. (SBU) In light of our robust and rapidly expanding 
cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the areas of environment, 
science, technology, and health, Post recommends posting an 
ESTH officer in Riyadh.  Ongoing activities under the 
December 2008 Science and Technology MOU, as well as ongoing 
health collaboration, merit the full-time attention of an 
ESTH officer, as do increasing Saudi engagement and interest 
in climate change and the deployment of renewable energy 
technologies such as solar power.  The fulfillment of King 
Abdullah's ambitious vision to develop a knowledge-based 
economy, diversified away from petroleum production, is 
dependent upon partnership.  The SAG consistently and 
increasingly requests U.S. public and private sector 
assistance to reach its goals, and a well-funded ESTH program 
could more effectively address these requests.  Finally, an 
ESTH officer supported by program funding could facilitate 
increased educational exchanges in the areas of environment, 
science, technology, and health.  End summary. 
 
Science and Technology 
---------------------- 
 
2. (SBU) In December 2008, the United States and Saudi Arabia 
signed a Science and Technology MOU creating a framework for 
expanding our cooperation in a range of areas.  In May 2009, 
a large Saudi and U.S. delegation met in several working 
groups in Riyadh to map out specific areas for further 
cooperation.  The two sides will meet again on December 3-4 
in Washington to discuss space cooperation, including Saudi 
interest in working with NASA on three satellite launches in 
the next four years. 
 
3. (SBU) The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology 
(KACST) is the SAG's coordinator for our science and 
technology cooperation.  KACST, a collection of four research 
centers and effectively Saudi Arabia's science ministry, is 
very interested in expanding cooperation across a broad range 
of science fields with the United States.  KACST officials 
have set up two dozen partnerships with U.S. universities to 
pursue specific scientific research programs.  KACST was a 
primary driver behind the conclusion of the S&T agreement 
because it wanted to increase direct engagement with USG 
science agencies.  The ongoing S&T program has already opened 
up several potential areas for future cooperation.  KACST is 
very interested in expanding cooperation in energy and 
innovation, including holding working group meetings early in 
2010 which could set the stage for specific research 
cooperation over the next year. 
 
Health 
------ 
 
3. (SBU) Our two countries are working in a number of related 
areas, including health diplomacy between the Ministry of 
Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  Under 
this program, the CDC is helping Saudi Arabia create a 
world-class national health survey and information platform, 
which will significantly improve the SAG's ability to monitor 
and respond to public health issues such as H1N1 in Saudi 
Arabia.  The CDC and MOH are testing this system during this 
year's Hajj pilgrimage, the world's largest and most intense 
gathering of people.  If successful, this system will serve 
as a model for a number of other developing countries. 
 
4. (SBU) This cooperation on infectious diseases and mass 
gatherings has spurred the Minister of Health to seek to 
expand our bilateral health cooperation.  Saudi Arabia is 
acutely aware that it needs to expand its health care system 
to meet the needs of its rapidly growing, young population. 
The SAG is looking to build more than 1,000 clinics and 
hundreds of hospitals, and the Minister of Health is working 
to improve the quality of care.  Saudi Arabia is also aware 
that it needs to rapidly improve its scientific capacity to 
confront the growing incidence of some kinds of cancer and 
regionally prevalent diseases.  Increasing scientific 
capacity also supports the King's vision of developing a 
knowledge economy to diversify away from an oil economy.  The 
Minister is specifically interested in pursuing cooperative 
scientific research projects with the National Institutes of 
 
RIYADH 00001553  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
Health (NIH) and other U.S. institutions, and has already set 
up cooperative programs with a number of U.S. universities 
and clinics, such as the Cleveland Clinic.  The Minister has 
requested an MOU with the Department of Health and Human 
Services that would facilitate cooperation in these areas, 
and would increase educational exchanges, including sending 
more Saudis to U.S. medical schools (ref D). 
 
Environment 
----------- 
 
5. (SBU) The Saudis are increasingly concerned about 
protecting their environment, particularly with regard to 
rising air pollution, access to fresh water, and other 
environmental issues related to food security.  Access to 
fresh water is a serious issue as natural aquifers are 
exhausted by farming (e.g., wheat).  Saudis are increasingly 
aware that an increase in global temperatures could threaten 
their current vegetation and the little arable land that 
exists.  Petroleum Minister Al-Naimi has noted that one of 
the primary motivations for the King Abdullah University of 
Science and Technology (KAUST) is to develop high saline 
tolerant crops, in part to cope with the environmental 
challenges Saudi Arabia faces (refs B and E).  These 
challenges will grow as the population expands, putting more 
pressure on the land and increasing energy demand 
(electricity demand is increasing 8-10% per year). 
 
6. (SBU) Saudi Arabia is interested in promoting the 
development of renewable energy.  The Presidency of 
Meteorology and Environment (PME) and the Ministry of 
Petroleum and Mineral Resources have been actively supporting 
the development of renewable energy, especially solar power. 
Minister Al-Naimi has publicly stated that Saudi Arabia's 
goal is to become the "Saudi Arabia of solar," exporting as 
much electricity generated by solar as it exports in oil 
today (Ref E).  Saudi Arabia recognizes it needs to reach out 
to international partners to develop this technology to meet 
the demands of its growing population.  Saudi Arabia is an 
active participant in the "Four Kingdoms" project to develop 
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology, and is pursuing 
joint scientific projects with a number of companies and 
countries on a range of new technologies. 
 
7. (SBU) Saudi Arabia is also acutely aware of the need to 
protect its fragile wildlife.  The National Commission for 
Wildlife Conservation and Development has a long history of 
partnership with U.S. agencies in developing its own corps of 
park rangers.  Saudi Arabia faces significant challenges, 
however, in protecting native flora and fauna as development 
expands into protected areas.  The SAG is interested in 
learning more from the U.S. about how we work with local 
populations to support economic development in a sustainable 
way. 
 
8. (SBU) Saudi Arabia also would like to expand educational 
exchanges and partnerships with the United States.  Saudi 
Arabia has been an enthusiastic participant in the GLOBE 
program since its inception. 
 
Political Context and Recommendation 
------------------------------------ 
 
9. (SBU) As the Middle East's largest economy and the Gulf's 
largest population, Saudi Arabia will play an important role 
in determining how the region will develop in the future. 
King Abdullah has an ambitious agenda for his country to 
diversify its economy away from its heavy reliance on oil and 
towards a knowledge economy that generates satisfying, 
sustainable jobs for his people.  The SAG has made it clear 
that it is looking to the U.S. to be its leading partner in 
meeting that challenge.  This partnership involves working 
with both the private sector, including attracting 
investments in advanced technologies like those Dow and Exxon 
have announced, and USG agencies, such as NASA on space 
cooperation.  Meeting this challenge will not only help the 
Kingdom meet its economic development goals, but will also 
help it improve its domestic security situation by providing 
the kind of sustainable jobs and economic opportunity that 
are likely to reduce the attraction of extremist elements. 
 
10. (SBU) The Mission is working hard to partner with the SAG 
in these areas, and appreciates the tremendous support from 
our colleagues in Washington, led by OES.  We look forward to 
meeting the new Science Envoy for this region, and expect he 
will bring much energy and guidance to our efforts.  We could 
be more effective, however, if we had an ESTH position in the 
Econ Section in Riyadh to concentrate full-time on this large 
 
RIYADH 00001553  003 OF 003 
 
 
and growing agenda.  An ESTH position could devote more time 
and energy to following this fast-moving set of issues, 
including coordinating with the increasing number of USG 
agencies working with Saudi Arabia in this field.  This 
position could also assist the ESTH hub in Amman and other 
posts in the region, as well as liaise more effectively with 
the GCC headquarters in Riyadh on ESTH issues.  It would be 
useful to support this position with the provision of an LES 
staff member, given language constraints in some of the 
ministries. 
 
11. (SBU) It would also be very helpful to support such a 
position with program funding, as envisioned in the 
President's June 4 Cairo speech.  We have found tremendous 
interest in various Saudi communities in learning more about 
how to approach, scientifically and technologically, a range 
of environmental issues, from conservation of endangered 
species to climate change.  Having the resources to support 
exchange visits to the U.S. and support local groups would 
significantly improve our ability to communicate our message. 
 The UK made notable advances in its ability to engage the 
Saudis on climate change issues, for instance, when it 
offered to co-fund the Kingdom's first project on 
sustainability with a local research institute.  Providing an 
ESTH position as well as program funding would help the U.S. 
mission here to foster the creation of centers of scientific 
excellence in Saudi Arabia and in the Arabian Peninsula 
region.  Establishing a fully supported ESTH position in 
Riyadh would also capitalize on the Department's recent 
decision to allow the return of family members, making it 
easier to recruit to fill this exciting new position. 
SMITH