Two Cables From US Facilities in Saudi Arabia

200401376
United States Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
9/1! ry 22,
E m p l o y ee
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

MEMORANDUM FOR DANIEL MARCUS
GENERAL COUNSEL
NATIONAL COMMISSION ON TERRORIST ATTACKS
UPON THE UNTIED STATES
SUBJECT: National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States
Request for Additional Information—Interview Request No. 9
As requested by Tom Eldridge of vour staff, attached are two cables that
were brought to his attention during] [interview on
December 30, 2003.
Although this material is not classified in and of itself, its designation as

"Sensitive But Unclassified" requires special handling. Therefore, we request that
the Commission protect this information from unauthorized disclosure.
We hope this information is useful to you. As always, please do not hesitate

to contact us if you have further questions.
Karl Hofmann
Executive Secretary
Attachments:
Jeddah 00933 and Riyadh 02002.
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

Current Class: UNCLASSIFIED Page: 1
Current Handling: n/a
Document Number: 2000RIYADH02002 Channel: n/a
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ4943
PAGE 01 RIYADH 02002 01 OF 02 161324Z

ACTION CA-02
INFO LOG-00 AF-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DS-00 EUR-00 OIGO-02

UTED-00 TEDE-00 INSE-00 MMP-00 NEA-00 NSAE-00 CFPP-01
VO-03 ASDS-01 DSCC-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /009W
6EB610 161324Z /38
R 161329Z JUL 00
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1828
AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA
INFO AMCONSUL JEDDAH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
DIRFBI WASHDC
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY LAGOS
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 002002
STATE FOR CA/FPP AND CA/VO/F/P
LAGOS FOR REGIONAL CONSULAR OFFICER
ROME, NAIROBI AND ATHENS FOR INS
E.O. 12958: N/A

UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 RIYADH 02002 01 OF 02 161324Z

TAGS: CVIS, KFRD, KCRM, SA
SUBJECT: RIYADH CONSULAR FRAUD TRENDS
REF: A) NDJAMENA 1105, B) 1999 RIYADH 3626, C) 1999

JEDDAH 974, D) 1999 JEDDAH 238
1. SUMMARY: ALTHOUGH RIYADH AND JEDDAH HAVE BEEN

CONSIDERED LOW-FRAUD POSTS, INCIDENTS SUCH AS THOSE
DESCRIBED IN REF (A) HAVE SENSITIZED US TO SCRUTINIZE
ALL CASES FOR SUSPECT DOCUMENTS. AS A RESULT WE
CONTINUE TO ACCUMULATE EVIDENCE OF ROUTINE FRAUD AND
BELIEVE THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR MORE WIDESPREAD MISUSE
OF LEGITIMATELY ISSUED NIVS. END SUMMARY.

2. PREVENTING THE SALE OF VALID SAUDI PASSPORTS WITH

U.S. VISAS HERE AT ONE OF THE VISA SOURCES WOULD BE
DIFFICULT. SAUDI NIV APPLICANTS HAVE TRADITIONALLY
OVERCOME 214(B) EASILY, SO WE INTERVIEW BY EXCEPTION
ONLY AND ISSUE SAUDIS HUNDREDS OF VISAS A DAY. BECAUSE
OF THE HEAVY FLOW OF MIGRANT WORKERS AND PILGRIMS
THROUGH SAUDI ARABIA, SAUDIS SO INCLINED HAVE AMPLE
OPPORTUNITY TO SELL THEIR PASSPORTS WITH VALID U.S.
VISAS TO THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONALS.
3. VISA ADJUDICATORS IN JEDDAH AND RIYADH HAVE

LEARNED THAT SAUDI ARABIA ISSUES SAUDI TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
TO NON-CITIZENS WITH THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BEING A
NOTATION IN ARABIC ON PAGE SIX OF THE PASSPORT.
FURTHERMORE, WE HAVE ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE THAT SAUDIS CAN
OBTAIN NEW PASSPORTS WITH DIFFERENT VARIATIONS OF THEIR
NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH, WHICH WOULD FACILITATE NEW
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 RIYADH 02002 01 OF 02 161324Z

APPLICATIONS FOR A DIFFERENT U.S. VISA.
4. FRAUDULENT SAUDI PASSPORTS HAVE ALSO BEEN A

CONCERN. REF (B) DESCRIBES A CASE OF A PHOTO-SUBBED
PASSPORT DISCOVERED BY OUR NIV UNIT LAST YEAR ON THE
SAME DAY THAT WE RECEIVED ANTI-FRAUD TRAINING FROM THE
SAG. SAUDI AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT
ULTIMATELY ARRESTED TWELVE PEOPLE IN A SUSPECTED
FORGERY RING INCLUDING KENYANS, ETHIOPIANS, SOMALIS AND
ONE SAUDI. REFS (C) AND (D) DESCRIBE SIMILAR CASES OF
PHOTO-SUBBED PASSPORTS DISCOVERED BY THE NIV UNIT IN
JEDDAH. COOPERATION IN THIS CASE BETWEEN THE CONSULATE
GENERAL AND SAUDI AUTHORITIES ALSO RESULTED IN AN
ARREST.
5. SAUDI PASSPORTS ARE NOT THE ONLY POTENTIAL

PROBLEM. ON THE SAME DAY THAT WE RECEIVED REF (A), WE
RECEIVED APPLICATIONS FROM TWO YOUNG SUDANESE MEN
SEEKING TO REPLACE VISAS WE HAD ISSUED TO THEM TWO
MONTHS EARLIER. THE MEN, APPLYING AS DOMESTIC
EMPLOYEES OF A MEMBER OF THE EXTENDED SAUDI ROYAL
FAMILY, CLAIMED THEIR PASSPORTS HAD BEEN STOLEN SHORTLY
AFTER WE ISSUED THE VISAS. THEY FILED A POLICE REPORT
AND OBTAINED NEW PASSPORTS FROM THE SUDANESE EMBASSY IN
RIYADH. WE HAVE RULED THEM INELIGIBLE UNDER 221(G)
PENDING THE RESULT OF A POLICE INVESTIGATION INTO THE
THEFT REPORT.
6. THIS CASE ALSO HIGHLIGHTS THE POTENTIAL FOR MISUSE

OF VISAS ISSUED TO PERSONAL OR DOMESTIC EMPLOYEES OF

OTHER NIV APPLICANTS. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JUNE WE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 RIYADH 02002 01 OF 02 161324Z

HAVE ISSUED 554 SUCH VISAS AND DENIED 148 APPLICATIONS.
MOST OF THE DENIALS ARE FOR AN APPLICANT'S LACK OF WORK
EXPERIENCE OR EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP, BUT
SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK WE RECEIVE APPLICATIONS WITH JOB
LETTERS THAT WE DETERMINE ARE FRAUDULENT. OUR REFUSAL
RATE FOR SUCH VISAS HAS REMAINED STEADY AT(20 PERCENT
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS FISCAL YEAR.
7. LAST YEAR SAUDI AUTHORITIES ARRESTED ONE VISA

APPLICANT AFTER OUR TELEPHONE CHECKS ALERTED HIS
PURPORTED EMPLOYER TO A FRAUDULENT JOB LETTER, WHICH
WAS APPARENTLY PREPARED IN COLLUSION WITH AN OFFICE
MANAGER.
8. FRAUDULENT JOB LETTERS ACCOMPANYING OTHER NIV

APPLICATIONS ARE ALSO A CONTINUING CONCERN. ABOUT FIVE
TIMES A DAY WE CONDUCT TELEPHONE CHECKS TO VERIFY
INFORMATION IN JOB LETTERS, AND IN ROUGHLY HALF OF THE
CASES WE FIND THAT THE LETTERS OVERSTATE THE
APPLICANT'S SALARY. LESS FREQUENTLY WE FIND LETTERS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 01 RIYADH 02002 02 OF 02 161324Z

ACTION CA-02
INFO LOG- 00 AF-00 CIAE-00 INL -00 DS-00 EUR-00 OIGO-02

UTED-00 TEDE-00 INSE-00 NBA -00 NSAE-00 CFPP-01 VO-03
ASDS-01 DSCC-00 NFAT-00 SAS -00 /009W
6EB613 161324Z /38
R 161329Z JUL 00
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA
INFO AMCONSUL JEDDAH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
DIRFBI WASHDC
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY LAGOS

AMEMBASSY ATHENS
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 RIYADH 002002
STATE FOR CA/FPP AND CA/VO/F/P
LAGOS FOR REGIONAL CONSULAR OFFICER
ROME, NAIROBI AND ATHENS FOR INS
E.O. 12958: N/A

UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 RIYADH 02002 02 OF 02 161324Z

TAGS: CVIS, KFRD, KCRM, SA
SUBJECT: RIYADH CONSULAR FRAUD TRENDS
THAT ARE PRINTED ON MISUSED STATIONERY WITH FORGED

SIGNATURES.
COMMENT: NONE OF THESE INCIDENTS ARE INDICATIVE OF

DRAMATIC NEW FRAUD TRENDS IN RIYADH. HOWEVER, THEY DO
INDICATE THAT CONTINUING VIGILANCE IS REQUIRED TO
PREVENT THE MISUSE OF OUR NIVS. WE WOULD APPRECIATE
ANY FURTHER UPDATES ON MISUSED AND ALTERED SAUDI
PASSPORTS. END SUMMARY.
FOWLER
UNCLASSIFIED
« END OF DOCUMENT »

Current Handling: SBU
Document Number: 2001JEDDAH00933 Channel: n/a
PAGE 01 JEDDAH 00933 01 OF 03 031201Z

ACTION NEA-00
INFO LOG- 00 CA-01 INL-00 WHA-00 MEDE-00 EB-00 UTED-00

TEDE-00 IO-00 LAB-01 NSAE-00 IRM-00 TEST-00 VO-03
DRL-02 SAS-00 /007W
_ -9 Qficm n mi o n i 7. ti a
R 031152Z OCT 01
FM AMCONSUL JEDDAH
INFO GCC COLLECTIVE
USDOC WASHDC
NSC WASHDC
CIA WASHDC
AMEMBASSY CAIRO
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 JEDDAH 000933
CENTCOM FOR POLAD

LONDON FOR SUTPHIN; PARIS FOR O'FRIEL
USDOC FOR 3131/UAFCA/OIO/ANESA/RD/KBRENNAN AND
4502/IEP/AMESA/ONE/DGULUGLMI
RIYADH ALSO FOR DHAHRAN
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A

TAGS: CVIS, SOCI, PHUM, ELAB, SA
SUBJECT: MUSLIMS NEED NOT APPLY: FEAR AND RUMORS LEAD

UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 JEDDAH 00933 01 OF 03 031201Z

HEJAZIS TO CANCEL U.S. TRAVEL
1. (U) SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET

DISTRIBUTION.
SUMMARY
2. (SBU) MANY SAUDI TOURISTS, BUSINESSMEN, AND STUDENTS IN

THE WESTERN REGION ARE CANCELING PLANS TO TRAVEL TO THE
UNITED STATES AMID RUMORS THAT THEIR VISAS HAVE BEEN
SUMMARILY CANCELLED,AND FEARS THEY WILL BE HARASSED OR
DETAINED AT PORTS OF ENTRY. INCIDENTS OF ANTI-ARAB AND

ANTI-MUSLIM ATTACKS IN THE U.S., WHILE DISTURBING ON THEIR

OWN MERIT, HAVE BEEN GREATLY EXAGGERATED LOCALLY. HEJAZIS,
WHO LIKE THE REST OF THEIR COUNTRYMEN FEEL PARTICULARLY
VULNERABLE BEING SAUDI, ARAB AND MUSLIM PREFER TO STAY AWAY
FROM THE U.S. FOR THE TIME BEING. END SUMMARY.
NIV APPLICATIONS PLUMMET
3. (U) SAUDIS TRAVEL FREQUENTLY TO THE UNITED STATES, WHERE

SOME OWN VACATION HOMES AND OTHER PROPERTIES. DURING THE
SUMMER RUSH, VISA ISSUANCES HERE PEAKED AT 450 A DAY WITH
FLORIDA BEING THE NUMBER-ONE DESTINATION. THE DEMAND FOR
VISAS ALWAYS FALLS CONSIDERABLY BY LATE AUGUST WHEN SCHOOLS
REOPEN. HOWEVER, COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR, THERE
HAS BEEN A DRAMATIC DROP IN THE NUMBER OF NON-IMMIGRANT
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 JEDDAH 00933 01 OF 03 031201Z

VISA APPLICANTS IN JEDDAH'S CONSULAR DISTRICT FOLLOWING THE
SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACK.
4. (U) FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS OF SEPTEMBER 2000, THE

CONSULATE ISSUED AN AVERAGE OF 45 VISAS A DAY TO HOST-
COUNTRY NATIONALS. FROM SEPTEMBER 15 TO 30 OF 2001, WE
HAVE AVERAGED FEWER THAN NINE PER DAY. INCLUDING THIRD
COUNTRY NATIONALS, OUR NUMBERS ARE TWO-THIRDS OF LAST
SEPTEMBER. MANY MORE APPLICANTS STATE "BUSINESS" AS THEIR
PRIMARY REASON FOR TRAVEL RATHER THAN "TOURISM," AND THERE
IS A LARGER THAN NORMAL PROPORTION OF TRAVELERS SEEKING
MEDICAL TREATMENT. THESE NUMBERS SUPPORT WHAT WE HEAR
LOCALLY REGARDING HEJAZI AVERSIONS TO UNNECESSARY TRAVEL
WESTWARD.
TRUTH IS CHEAP
5. (U) ALTHOUGH THE CONSULATE IS CONDUCTING BUSINESS AS

USUAL, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONVINCE THE LOCAL
POPULATION THAT WE HAVE NOT CLAMPED DOWN ON VISAS FOR
SAUDIS. THE WIDELY-READ ENGLISH-LANGUAGE DAILIES SAUDI
GAZETTE AND ARAB NEWS RAN ERRONEOUS STORIES ON OCTOBER 1
THAT THE U1S. MISSION IN SAUDI ARABIA HAD TIGHTENED VISA
CONDITIONS FOR SAUDI CITIZENS FOLLOWING THE SEPTEMBER 11
ATTACK. THIS WAS REPORTED DESPITE THE FACT THAT ARAB NEWS
CONTACTED THE CONSULATE IN JEDDAH AND WAS INFORMED THAT
THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN POLICY.

6. (U) IN RESPONSE TO WIDESPREAD RUMORS THAT THE STATE

UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 JEDDAH 00933 01 OF 03 031201Z

DEPARTMENT HAS CANCELED THE U.S. VISAS OF ALL SAUDI
PASSPORT HOLDERS, THE CONSULAR SECTION CONTINUES TO TAKE
CALLS FROM SAUDIS WHO BELIEVE THEIR VISAS ARE NO LONGER
VALID. ONE CONOFF WAS APPROACHED SEVERAL TIMES BY SAUDIS
AT A CHINESE NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION ASKING WHEN THE
CONSULATE WOULD RESUME ISSUING VISAS TO SAUDIS. WE
CONTINUE TO WAIVE INTERVIEWS FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF SAUDI
APPLICANTS. NEVERTHELESS, THE SAUDI GAZETTE REPORTED THAT
SAUDIS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO UNDERGO A PERSONAL INTERVIEW AT
THE EMBASSY OR CONSULATE AND MUST BRING REAMS OF SUPPORTING
DOCUMENTS.
7. (U) BOTH SAUDI GAZETTE AND ARAB NEWS, AS WELL AS THE

ARABIC-LANGUAGE OKAZ RAN ARTICLES OCTOBER 2 IN RESPONSE TO
A PRESS RELEASE FROM EMBASSY RIYADH STATING THAT THERE HAS
BEEN NO CHANGE IN U.S. VISA POLICY FOR SAUDIS. ALTHOUGH
THE PAPERS COVERED THE SALIENT POINTS FROM OUR PRESS
RELEASE, THE ARTICLES WERE NOT RETRACTIONS, AS THERE WAS NO
MENTION OF PREVIOUS EDITIONS HAVING PRINTED EXACTLY THE
OPPOSITE.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 01 JEDDAH 00933 02 OF 03 031201Z

ACTION NEA-00
INFO LOG- 00 CA-01 INL-00 WHA-00 MEDE-00 EB-00 UTED-00

TEDE-00 IO-00 LAB-01 NSAE-00 IRM-00 TEST-00 VO-03
DRL-02 SAS-00 /007W
oonor") m i o ni "7 /I Q
R 031152Z OCT 01
FM AMCONSUL JEDDAH
INFO GCC COLLECTIVE
USDOC WASHDC
NSC WASHDC
CIA WASHDC
AMEMBASSY CAIRO
CENTCOM FOR POLAD



SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A


UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 JEDDAH 00933 02 OF 03 031201Z

MUSLIMS NEED NOT APPLY?
8. (U) ON OCTOBER 2, AN INDIAN PASSPORT HOLDER WITH A VALID

FIVE-YEAR VISA ISSUED IN MUMBAI CAME TO THE CONSULATE
REQUESTING THAT HIS VISA BE "REVALIDATED." A FREQUENT
TRAVELER TO THE U.S. CURRENTLY IN SAUDI ARABIA TO PERFORM
"UMRA" OR THE SO-CALLED MINOR PILGRIMAGE, HE PLANNED TO
CONTINUE ON TO VISIT HIS SONS STUDYING IN THE U.S. HE SAYS
HE WAS TOLD BY THE EGYPT AIR OFFICE IN MECCA THAT ALL
MUSLIMS MUST NOW APPEAR AT THE EMBASSY OR CONSULATE AND
HAVE THEIR VISAS "REVALIDATED" BEFORE THEY CAN BOARD A
FLIGHT TO THE UNITED STATES. WHILE HE GRACIOUSLY ACCEPTED
THE EXPLANATION THAT THE UNITED STATES WOULD NEVER
SUMMARILY CANCEL THE VISAS OF AN ENTIRE RELIGION, HE SAID,
"I KNOW, BUT THESE RUMORS CNTRIBUTE GREATLY TO THE
MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT MERICA IN THE MUSLIM WORLD."
9. (U) ACCORDING TO THE SUPERVISOR OF THE EGYPT AIR OFFICE

IN MECCA,THE AIRLINE IS FOLLOWING AN EGYPT AIR DIRECTIVE
SSUED IN CAIRO. ACCORDING TO THIS TELEX, ALL PASSORT
HOLDERS FROM INDIA, PAKISTAN, BANGLADESH, SR LANKA, IRAQ,
IRAN, NIGERIA, RUSSIA, SOMALIA, NORTH KOREA, CHINA AND
CONGO/BRAZZAVILLE POSSESSING A U.S. VISA MUST HAVE THAT
VISA REVALIDATED AT A U.S. MISSION BEFORE BOARDING AN EGYPT
AIR FLIGHT TO THE UNITED STATES. THE AIRLINE EMPLOYEE, WHO
DECLINED OUR REQUEST TO FAX THE DIRECTIVE TO THE CONSULATE,
STATED HIS BELIEF THAT THE NEW REQUIREMENT ORIGINATED WITH
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 JEDDAH 00933 02 OF 03 031201Z

THE USG. INTERESTINGLY, CONTRARY TO THE REPORT OF MR.
SAHEB, THE TELEX DID NOT MENTION "MUSLIMS."

10. (U) ON OCTOBER 3, THE CONSULATE RECEIVED A CALL FROM

ONE OF THE THOUSANDS OF SAUDIS WITH THE LAST NAME "AL-
GHAMDI," A MAJOR ASIR-BASED TRIBE, ONE OR MORE MEMBERS OF
WHICH MAY HAVE TAKEN PART IN THE SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACKS. THE
CALLER STATED THAT HE HAD A VALID VISA AND PLANNED TO
TRAVEL TO THE U.S. ON OCTOBER 4 OR 5 BUT WAS TOLD BY AN SAA
REPRESENTATIVE THAT NO AL-GHAMDIS ARE BEING ALLOWED TO
BOARD U.S.-BOUND FLIGHTS. WE HAVE NOT YET VERIFIED THIS
STORY WITH SAA.
THE NUMBERS GAME
11. (U) THE SAUDI GAZETTE REPORTED A MARKED DECREASE IN THE

NUMBER OF VISAS "GRANTED" TO SAUDIS OVER THE LAST TWO
WEEKS. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, BUT THE IMPLICATION IS
NOT. THERE HAS BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL DECREASE IN THE NUMBER
OF SAUDIS WHO ARE APPLYING FOR VISAS TO THE U.S. BUT NO
CHANGE IN THE RATE OF ISSUANCE. SINCE SEPTEMBER 11, 104
SAUDIS HAVE APPLIED FOR NIVS IN JEDDAH. OF THOSE, 102 WERE
ISSUED WITHOUT INTERVIEW. THE REMAINING TWO APPLICANTS
WERE ASKED TO COME IN FOR ROUTINE REASONS AND VISA WERE
SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED TO THEM. THIS IS ACTUALLY A DECREASE
IN THE PERCENTAGE OF SAUDIS INTERVIEWED FROM THIS TIME LAST
YEAR.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 JEDDAH 00933 02 OF 03 031201Z

FEAR OF REPRISAL
12. (U) LOCAL TRAVEL AGENCIES REPORT A 70-80 PERCENT

CANCELLATION RATE NATIONWIDE OF TRAVEL FROM THE KINGDOM TO
EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES FOLLOWING THE TERRORIST
ATTACKS IN THE U.S. DISCUSSIONS WITH LOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY
REPRESENTATIVES CONFIRM THAT THE FEAR OF REPRISAL ATTACKS
ON ARABS AND MUSLIMS IS THE MAJOR REASON. OTHERS ARE NOT
TRAVELING FOR FEAR THEY WILL BE HUMILIATED, HARASSED, OR
DETAINED BY THE INS, FBI, OR OTHER AUTHORITIES AT THE PORT
OF ENTRY.
13. (U) FROM THE EARLY DAYS OF THIS CRISIS, SAUDIS AND
EXPAT ARABS IN JEDDAH HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TO THE
TREATMENT OF ARAB VISITORS AND ARAB-AMERICANS IN THE UNITED
STATES. THEY ARE UNDERSTANDABLY UPSET BY REPORTS OF
HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE AIMED AT PERSONS OF ARAB AND MUSLIM
Current Class: UNCLASSIFIED . Page: 5

ORIGIN. EVERYDAY, LOCAL PAPERS RUN STORIES ABOUT VIOLENCE

AGAINST ARABS AND MUSLIMS IN THE UNITED STATES.
CONDEMNATION OF THESE INCIDENTS IS WIDELY DISMISSED, WHILE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 01 JEDDAH 00933 03 OF 03 031201Z

ACTION NBA-00
INFO LOG-00 CA-01 INL-00 WHA-00 MEDE-00 EB-00 UTED-00

TEDE-0.0 IO-00 LAB-01 NSAE-00 IRM-00 TEST-00 VO-03
DRL-02 SAS-00 /007W
2909D1 031201Z /38
R 031152Z OCT 01
FM AMCONSUL JEDDAH
INFO GCC COLLECTIVE
USDOC WASHDC
NSC WASHDC
CIA WASHDC
AMEMBASSY CAIRO
CENTCOM FOR POLAD

SENSITIVE
E.G. 12958: DECL: N/A


UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 JEDDAH 00933 03 OF 03 031201Z

THE POTENTIAL RISK TO U.S.-BOUND SAUDIS IS EXAGGERATED.
VETERAN TRAVELERS AFRAID TO ENTER U.S

14 (SBU) SAUDIS WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES PRACTICALLY

AMERICAN ARE NOW AFRAID TO RETURN TO THEIR "SECOND HOME"
DUE TO FEARS THEY WILL BE TREATED LIKE CRIMINALS BECAUSE OF
THEIR RELIGION AND NATIONALITY. A YOUNG SAUDI HOLDING A
GREEN CARD CAME INTO THE CONSULATE IN SEARCH OF ASSURANCES
THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ARRESTED AT THE AIRPORT IF HE TRAVELED
TO FLORIDA TO CLOSE ON THE SALE OF A NEW HOME. ANOTHER
LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENT, AN EXECUTIVE AT SAUDI ARABIAN
AIRLINES, PLANNED TO RETIRE IN THE U.S. WITH HIS AMCIT WIFE
AND CHILDREN. HE IS NOW EXTREMELY WORRIED ABOUT HOW HE
WOULD BE TREATED BY HIS LONG-TIME NEIGHBORS IN NEW JERSEY
AND HAS POSTPONED HIS PLANS TO MOVE BACK TO THE STATES. HE
EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT HE WOULD BE TREATED POORLY BY
OFFICIALS AT THE AIRPORT IN FRONT OF HIS CHILDREN.
IT'S LATE SEPTEMBER AND I REALLY SHOULD BE BACK IN SCHOOL
15. (U) FEAR OF VIOLENCE AND ANTI-SAUDI SENTIMENT HAS

PROMPTED MANY PROMINENT SAUDI FAMILIES TO WITHDRAW THEIR
CHILDREN MID-SEMESTER FROM AMERICAN COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES. SAUDI AND EXPAT ARAB PARENTS ALIKE EXPRESS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 JEDDAH 00933 03 OF 03 031201Z

CONCERN FOR THEIR CHILDREN STUDYING IN THE U.S. THE
LEBANESE BROADCAST CHANNEL (LBC) REPORTED LAST WEEK THAT
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN BEIRUT, IN RESPONSE TO WIDESPREAD
FEAR FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF ARAB STUDENTS IN
AMERICA, ANNOUNCED IT WAS PREPARING TO ACCEPT MID-SEMESTER
TRANSFER STUDENTS.
SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES GROUNDED
16. (U) DESPITE REPEATED REPORTS BY THE LOCAL MEDIA THAT

SAA WOULD RESUME FLIGHTS TO THE UNITED STATES "TOMORROW",
AS OF OCTOBER 2, THE NATIONAL AIRLINE HAS YET TO RESUME ITS
U.S. SCHEDULE. ACCORDING TO CONTACTS WITH THE AIRLINE, SAA
NOW'PLANS TO RESUME SERVICE TO THE u.s. ON OCTOBER 4. SAA
AND OTHER AIRLINES ARE CANCELING OR CUTTING BACK ON
SCHEDULED INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.
WHILE THE AVIATION INSURANCE CRISIS AND NEW FAA SAFETY
REQUIREMENTS ARE FACTORS, A MAJOR REDUCTION IN DEMAND
SHOULD NOT BE DISCOUNTED AS CONTRIBUTING TO THE REDUCTION
IN FLIGHTS TO EUROPE AND THE U.S.

Document Number: 2001JEDDAHOO933 Channel: n/a
COMMENT
17. (SBU) IN A PART OF THE WORLD WHERE RUMORS CARRY GREAT

WEIGHT AND OFFICIAL STATEMENTS DO NOT, MANY HEJAZIS HAVE
DIFFICULTY BELIEVING THAT THE CONSULATE CONTINUES TO
OPERATE UNDER ITS PRE-SEPTEMBER 11 POLICIES. ALTHOUGH THE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 JEDDAH 00933 03 OF 03 031201Z

USG HAS STATED THAT UNLAWFUL ACTS AGAINST INNOCENT MUSLIMS
AND ARABS WILL BE PROSECUTED, THE REACTION OF THE JEDDAH
STREETS IS THAT AMERICAN AUTHORITIES WILL TURN A BLIND EYE
AND AMERICAN JURIES WILL NOT CONVICT. ARGUMENTS PERTAINING
TO CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF LAW IN AMERICAN DO NOT GO
FAR AMIDST CURRENT TENSIONS. END COMMENT.
BALTIMORE
UNCLASSIFIED
« END OF DOCUMENT »

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200401376

United States Department of State

Washington, D.C. 20520

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

Although this material is not classified in and of itself, its designation as

We hope this information is useful to you. As always, please do not hesitate

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 01 RIYADH 02002 01 OF 02 161324Z

INFO LOG-00 AF-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DS-00 EUR-00 OIGO-02

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 002002

STATE FOR CA/FPP AND CA/VO/F/P

LAGOS FOR REGIONAL CONSULAR OFFICER

ROME, NAIROBI AND ATHENS FOR INS

E.O. 12958: N/A

PAGE 02 RIYADH 02002 01 OF 02 161324Z

REF: A) NDJAMENA 1105, B) 1999 RIYADH 3626, C) 1999

1. SUMMARY: ALTHOUGH RIYADH AND JEDDAH HAVE BEEN

Current Class: UNCLASSIFIED Page: 1

2. PREVENTING THE SALE OF VALID SAUDI PASSPORTS WITH

3. VISA ADJUDICATORS IN JEDDAH AND RIYADH HAVE

PAGE 03 RIYADH 02002 01 OF 02 161324Z

4. FRAUDULENT SAUDI PASSPORTS HAVE ALSO BEEN A

5. SAUDI PASSPORTS ARE NOT THE ONLY POTENTIAL

6. THIS CASE ALSO HIGHLIGHTS THE POTENTIAL FOR MISUSE

Current Class: UNCLASSIFIED Page: 2

OF VISAS ISSUED TO PERSONAL OR DOMESTIC EMPLOYEES OF

PAGE 04 RIYADH 02002 01 OF 02 161324Z

7. LAST YEAR SAUDI AUTHORITIES ARRESTED ONE VISA

8. FRAUDULENT JOB LETTERS ACCOMPANYING OTHER NIV

PAGE 01 RIYADH 02002 02 OF 02 161324Z

INFO LOG- 00 AF-00 CIAE-00 INL -00 DS-00 EUR-00 OIGO-02

Current Class: UNCLASSIFIED Page: 3

UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 RIYADH 002002

STATE FOR CA/FPP AND CA/VO/F/P

LAGOS FOR REGIONAL CONSULAR OFFICER

ROME, NAIROBI AND ATHENS FOR INS

E.O. 12958: N/A

PAGE 02 RIYADH 02002 02 OF 02 161324Z

THAT ARE PRINTED ON MISUSED STATIONERY WITH FORGED

COMMENT: NONE OF THESE INCIDENTS ARE INDICATIVE OF

Current Class: UNCLASSIFIED Page: 4

PAGE 01 JEDDAH 00933 01 OF 03 031201Z

INFO LOG- 00 CA-01 INL-00 WHA-00 MEDE-00 EB-00 UTED-00

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 JEDDAH 000933

CENTCOM FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A

SUBJECT: MUSLIMS NEED NOT APPLY: FEAR AND RUMORS LEAD

PAGE 02 JEDDAH 00933 01 OF 03 031201Z

1. (U) SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET

2. (SBU) MANY SAUDI TOURISTS, BUSINESSMEN, AND STUDENTS IN

Current Class: UNCLASSIFIED Page: 1

ANTI-MUSLIM ATTACKS IN THE U.S., WHILE DISTURBING ON THEIR

NIV APPLICATIONS PLUMMET

3. (U) SAUDIS TRAVEL FREQUENTLY TO THE UNITED STATES, WHERE

PAGE 03 JEDDAH 00933 01 OF 03 031201Z

4. (U) FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS OF SEPTEMBER 2000, THE

5. (U) ALTHOUGH THE CONSULATE IS CONDUCTING BUSINESS AS

Current Class: UNCLASSIFIED Page: 2

6. (U) IN RESPONSE TO WIDESPREAD RUMORS THAT THE STATE

PAGE 04 JEDDAH 00933 01 OF 03 031201Z

7. (U) BOTH SAUDI GAZETTE AND ARAB NEWS, AS WELL AS THE

PAGE 01 JEDDAH 00933 02 OF 03 031201Z

INFO LOG- 00 CA-01 INL-00 WHA-00 MEDE-00 EB-00 UTED-00