ARAB LEAGUE SECRETARY GENERAL ON FLAP WITH GULF

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 009470 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV PARM EG IR IS PNUC SUBJECT: ARAB LEAGUE SECRETARY GENERAL ON FLAP WITH GULF COUNTRIES REGARDING IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM Classified by the Ambassador for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) During a December 22 meeting with Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa, the Ambassador inquired into a SIPDIS recent public flap between Moussa and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members over a supposed letter Moussa sent on regional nuclear disarmament issues. Moussa admitted to sending a letter to GCC members in June stressing the League's agreed positions on the issue of a nuclear-free Middle East (aimed at Israel),and questioning GCC support for the creation of a nuclear-free Persian Gulf zone (aimed at Iran). ¶2. (C) The Ambassador pointed out that the episode suggested Moussa was providing Iran with political cover for continuing its development program, and that Moussa's effort to press a link between Israel and Arab efforts to turn off Iran's program was unhelpful. Responding, Moussa pushed back, laying out familiar arguments on the "double standard" of not pressuring Israel to abandon its programs while Iran is pressured. The agreed policy of the League and its members is a nuclear-free Middle East, Moussa said. RICCIARDONE