US embassy cable - 05JEDDAH2179

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 002179 
 
SIPDIS 
 
RIYADH PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN, PARIS FOR ZEYA, LONDON FOR 
GOLDRICH 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2015 
TAGS: ABLD, ABUD, AMGT, ASEC, PREL, Search For A New Consulate 
SUBJECT: IDENTIFYING LAND FOR A NEW CONSULATE: GOVERNOR OF 
MECCA EAGER AND WILLING TO HELP 
 
 
Classified By: CONSUL GENERAL GINA ABERCROMBIE-WINSTANLEY 
FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d). 
 
1.  (C)  SUMMARY AND COMMENT.  On July 28, the Ambassador and 
CG met with Prince Abd al-Majid bin Abd al-Aziz, Governor of 
Mecca, to discuss the future of the Jeddah Consulate General. 
 During the meeting, the Governor agreed to help the USG 
identify a tract of land for a new Consulate.  He proposed 
establishing a committee, which would include Mayor of Jeddah 
Adel Faqeeh, a representative from Prince Abd al-Majid's 
office, a representative from the Saudi security forces, and 
the CG, to be responsible for selecting a suitable piece of 
land.  The Governor assured the Ambassador and CG that if the 
tract of land is owned by the SAG, it will be granted to the 
USG as a gift.  He added that if the land is privately-owned, 
however, the USG may have to purchase it.  The Governor 
appeared very eager to help the USG secure a new plot of 
land, agreeing wholeheartedly that the current location of 
the Consulate in the Jeddah city center is unsuitable.  END 
SUMMARY AND COMMENT. 
 
-------------------------------- 
REQUIREMENTS FOR A NEW CONSULATE 
-------------------------------- 
 
2.  (C)  On July 28, the Ambassador and CG met with Prince 
Abd al-Majid bin Abd al-Aziz, Governor of Mecca, to discuss 
the future of the Jeddah Consulate General.  The Governor 
first commended the CG for a job well-done during her 
three-year tenure in Jeddah.  After extensive comments by the 
Governor on the solidity of the US-Saudi friendship, the 
conversation turned to the topic of identifying land for a 
Consulate.  The Ambassador outlined the minimum requirements 
necessary for a new Consulate: 
 
- 30 acre plot of land 
- 300 ft. setback for the Chancery and other facilities 
- 30 to 60 ft. setback for residences 
- No high buildings surrounding the tract of land 
- Preferably located in a residential area 
 
The Ambassador also offered several possible locations for a 
new Consulate: 
 
- West of Medina Rd. in the neighborhoods of al-Na'im, al 
Nahdah, al-Mohammediyya, Obhur al-Janubiyyah, or Jawharat 
al-Mohammediyya. 
- West of al-Malik Rd., between Sari Rd. and al-Amir Naif Rd. 
- Near the King Abd al-Aziz International Airport 
- East of the King Abd al-Aziz International Airport near 
Brayman 
 
---------------------- 
GOVERNOR EAGER TO HELP 
---------------------- 
 
3.  (C)  Upon hearing the requirements, the Governor 
suggested establishing a committee, which would include Mayor 
of Jeddah Adel Faqeeh, a representative from Prince Abd 
al-Majid's office, a representative from the Saudi security 
forces, and the CG, to be responsible for identifying a 
suitable piece of land.  Specifically, the Governor mentioned 
Badr Shalhoub, chief of the Ministry of Interior's Diplomatic 
Police, and Waheeb Bin Zagr, a member of the Mecca 
Governate's Social and Economic Council, as good candidates 
to help.  The Governor also said that his Office Managers, 
Mohammed Tayyar and Dr. Uwaigh, would be the points of 
contact in his office. 
 
4.  (C)  The Governor agreed that land in northeast Jeddah is 
probably the best spot for a new Consulate.  If the tract of 
land is owned by the SAG, it will be granted to the USG as a 
gift.  He added, however, that if the land is 
privately-owned, it will likely be sold to the USG.  While 
the Ambassador closed no doors, he noted that it is generally 
US policy to lease, rather than purchase, land for its 
diplomatic missions. 
 
5.  (C)  The Governor also mentioned that there has been 
discussion of constructing a diplomatic quarter (DQ) in 
Jeddah, similar to Riyadh's DQ.  He admitted, however, that 
nothing concrete has been decided regarding such a quarter, 
and that it would be wise for the USG to move forward with 
plans to secure a piece of land for the new Consulate. 
Concluding, he promised to start the hunt soon, stating, "I 
am ready to offer you any help that you need. We'll get the 
maps out today and starting looking for land." 
 
Visit Consulate General Jeddah's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/jeddah 
ABERCROMBIE-WINSTANLEY