Cablegate: Saudi-Yemeni Border Clashes: King Abdullah Speaks

VZCZCXRO3420
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHRH #1495 3131451
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 091451Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1885
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHDH/AMCONSUL DHAHRAN PRIORITY 0321
RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH PRIORITY 0425
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUMICEA/USCINCCENT INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0055

UNCLAS RIYADH 001495

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SA YM
SUBJECT: SAUDI-YEMENI BORDER CLASHES: KING ABDULLAH SPEAKS

REF: A. RIYADH 1491
B. RIYADH 1490
C. RIYADH 1478
D. RIYADH 1470

1. (SBU) On November 8 and 9, King Abdullah made his first
public statements regarding the Saudi-Yemeni border clashes
that broke out on November 3 (reftels). The absence of any
public statements from Senior Royals has been notable given
the heavy media coverage of the Saudi military campaign.

2. (U) Late in the evening on November 8, news outlets
reported King Abdullah's statement that Saudi Arabia was
"strong enough to deter any aggressor." The King made this
statement following a meeting with Kuwait's First Deputy PM
and Minister of Defense Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, who had
delivered a letter of support from Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah
Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

3. (U) On November 9, the King elaborated on these
statements during the weekly Council of Ministers meeting.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, he expressed his
appreciation to the leaders of Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, and
other Gulf, Arab, and Islamic countries for their
condemnation of the "attack against the territory of the
Kingdom" and their support for the SAG's "actions taken to
maintain security and stability and protect its citizens."
In addition, he stressed that Saudi Arabia "would not
tolerate any violation of its sovereign territory." This
"illegal infiltration" gave Saudi Arabia the "right to take
all measures" to end it, he continued, while taking the
necessary measures to protect its citizens and its territory;
secure its borders; deter aggressors; "put an end to all of
those tempted to engage in infiltration or sabotage"; and
limit its recurrence in the future.

SMITH

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