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