Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JEDDAH449
2006-07-05 04:04:00
SECRET
Consulate Jeddah
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD DISCUSSES IRAN, DETAINEES AND

Tags:  PGOV PINR PREL PTER SA 
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S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 JEDDAH 000449 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL PTER SA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD DISCUSSES IRAN, DETAINEES AND
IRAQI RECONCILIATION PLAN WITH SAUDI FOREIGN MINISTER

REF: REF A: RIYADH 5042 REF B: RIYADH 5079

Classified By: Ambassador James C. Oberwetter for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 JEDDAH 000449

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL PTER SA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD DISCUSSES IRAN, DETAINEES AND
IRAQI RECONCILIATION PLAN WITH SAUDI FOREIGN MINISTER

REF: REF A: RIYADH 5042 REF B: RIYADH 5079

Classified By: Ambassador James C. Oberwetter for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) PARTICIPANTS:

U.S.
--------------
Ambassador Khalilzad
Ambassador Oberwetter
Consul General Gfoeller
Special Assistant Hutchings
PolOff Dale (notetaker)

Saudi Arabia
--------------
Prince Saud Al Faisal, Foreign Minister


2. (S) Summary: During their June 27 meeting, Ambassador to
Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad and Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs
Prince Saud Al-Faisal discussed the new Iraqi government, the
recently announced Iraqi national reconciliation plan,
detainees, and the continuing destabilizing influence of Iran
in Iraq. Ambassador Khalilzad reiterated earlier requests
for the Kingdom,s political and economic assistance to help
stabilize and reconstruct Iraq, and contain Iran,s influence
among Iraqi Shi'a. End Summary.

--------------
New PM is Strong Leader
--------------


3. (S) Meeting on June 27 in Jeddah, Ambassador Khalilzad
briefed Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal on
Iraq,s ongoing security challenges, new Iraqi Prime Minister
Nouri al-Maliki,s national reconciliation plan, Saudi
detainees in Iraq, and Iraqi requests for reconstruction
assistance. Ambassador Khalilzad informed the FM that things
are moving in the right direction in Iraq. Ambassador
Khalilzad stated that PM Maliki is more skilled, is more of
an Arab, and has a better understanding of what needs to be
done to improve Iraq,s relations with the Arab world than
his predecessor. He added that although PM Maliki faces
difficult issues, he is already reaching out to build a
bridge of cooperation with the international community. The
Foreign Minister agreed that PM Maliki is far better suited
to lead Iraq than his predecessor.


4. (S) Ambassador Khalilzad asked on behalf of PM Maliki
if the SAG would be willing to send an aircraft to bring him
to the Kingdom for his planned July 1 visit. Ambassador

Khalilzad explained that PM Maliki felt that the SAG would
send a strong message of support for the new government if
the SAG were to facilitate his travel. Prince Saud
responded, "I am sure that this will not be a problem. He is
welcome here."

-------------- --------------
PM Maliki Concerned about Increasing Iranian Interference
-------------- --------------


5. (S) Ambassador Khalilzad explained that PM Maliki and
his government continue to express grave concern about
Iran,s interference in Iraq, particularly in Basra and
Baghdad. PM Maliki relayed to Ambassador Khalilzad that Iran
was "trying to send a message that Iraq will be unable to
stabilize itself without Iran,s assistance."


6. (S) The FM responded that the situation in Iraq has
changed for the better with the advent of the newly elected
government. However, the FM cautioned that it would not be
wise to hold the upcoming meeting of Iraq's neighbors in
Tehran because it would send the wrong message of justifying
Iranian interference in Iraq.

-------------- --------------
US Shares Evidence of Iranian Interference with Iraq
-------------- --------------


7. (S) Ambassador Khalilzad informed the FM that the USG
recently shared information with the new Iraqi government

JEDDAH 00000449 002 OF 004


confirming Iranian interference in Iraq. The FM immediately
interjected stating that the SAG had made the same request,
but had heard nothing in response. Ambassador Khalilzad
promised that USG representatives would contact the SAG
shortly to present the evidence.

-------------- -
SAG Views Reconciliation Plan as Positive Step
-------------- -


8. (S) Ambassador Khalilzad next turned to the recently
announced Iraqi national reconciliation plan. He explained
to the FM that PM Maliki was reaching out for support for his
new plan, and that the National Assembly will reconsider the
De-Baathification Commission. Prince Saud commented that he
thought the plan was a "tremendous initiative." He added
that it was critical that anyone appointed to lead a new
De-Baathification Commission be someone who is "independent"
and willing to work only for a united Iraq. The FM said that
the SAG was happy to provide assistance, and that it was
important that PM Maliki fully explain his plan to the King
during their upcoming meeting. (Comment: King Abdullah
strongly advocates reintegrating former Baathists into the
new Iraqi government, and he has raised the matter recently
with USCENTCOM Commander General Abizaid and Under Secretary
of Defense Edelman (Ref A). End Comment.)

--------------
Iraq and UN to Develop International Compact
--------------


9. (S) Ambassador Khalilzad informed the FM that Iraq and
the UN are jointly working on an international compact
designed to re-integrate Iraq into the international
community in exchange for Iraqi commitments to limit
corruption and promote rule of law and good governance.
Ambassador Khalilzad also explained that the UN and Iraq are
discussing forming a steering committee that will include
members from countries that have contributed assistance to
Iraq,s reconstruction efforts. Ambassador Khalilzad
informed the FM that the steering committee would probably
hold its first meeting either July 12 or 17, and that PM
Maliki was seeking wide participation from Arab nations. The
Iraqis prefer to hold the meetings in Baghdad, but PM Maliki
asked Ambassador Khalilzad to see if the SAG would be willing
to host the meeting, should security concerns preclude the
SAG and others from visiting Iraq at senior levels.
Ambassador Khalilzad explained that PM Maliki was trying to
send a strong message that Iraq is reaching out to its Arab
neighbors.


10. (S) Prince Saud commented that he had not spoken with
the UNSG about this initiative, but would be more than happy
to listen to PM Maliki,s ideas. He added that it would be
important for PM Maliki to explain clearly what Iraq wants
from this meeting. Ambassador Khalilzad said that the goal
of the steering committee meeting is to secure assistance for
reconstruction and Iraq,s transition back into the
international community, eventually leading to a donors,
conference. Ambassador Khalilzad also informed Prince Saud
that Treasury Deputy Secretary Kimmitt would be the USG lead
on this initiative, and would likely visit the Kingdom in the
near future to discuss details with the Saudis. The FM
responded that he would consult his government on this
matter. He expressed his confidence that PM Maliki will
solve many of the problems that have plagued Iraq.

--------------
SAG Standing by to Provide Assistance
--------------


11. (S) Prince Saud informed Ambassador Khalilzad that the
SAG stood ready to implement loan assistance, but had not
heard anything from Iraq. Ambassador Khalilzad assured the
FM that the SAG would soon see improved movement from the new
Iraqi government.

--------------
USG to Release Saudi Prisoners in Iraq
--------------


12. (S) Ambassador Khalilzad raised the issue of Saudi

JEDDAH 00000449 003 OF 004


detainees in Iraq. He informed the FM that, assuming the
Iraqis agreed, the USG had decided to allow the return of 59
Saudis to the Kingdom if the SAG made the request of the
Iraqis. The FM responded that the SAG would do so, adding
that the Saudi prisoners were of no use to anyone and were a
burden on Iraq,s security. He said, "Here, we can talk to
them." Ambassador Khalilzad requested the FM to send a
diplomatic note via the US Embassy to facilitate the
transfer. (Comment: On June 6 U/S for Defense Edelman and
Assistant Minister of Interior Prince Muhammad bin Naif
discussed the need for the SAG and Iraq to devise an
extradition agreement for the transfer of Saudi prisoners
(Ref B). End Comment.)

--------------
Upcoming Provincial Elections
--------------


13. (S) Ambassador Khalilzad told the FM that minimal Sunni
participation in the last provincial elections had resulted
in provincial councils that were not representative of Iraqi
communities. He said we need to encourage all communities to
participate in the next election for provincial councils.
Ambassador Khalilzad expressed his desire to discuss this
issue further with Prince Muqrin, the chief of the General
Intelligence Presidency, who has done extensive work on this
subject.


14. (S) Prince Saud responded that Prince Muqrin was indeed
well versed on this subject and the appropriate contact for
Ambassador Khalilzad. He added that the SAG had developed a
resourceful contact in Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, and
believed he was the man with whom to deal. The FM commented
that Sistani is old, but that the SAG hopes that he will stay
on.

--------------
FM,s Trip to Tehran
--------------


15. (S) Ambassador Khalilzad next asked the FM about his
recent trip to Iran, and how he assessed Iran,s level of
influence in Iraq. He inquired about what measures the FM
would recommend to systematically "contain" Iran,s influence
in Iraq. Prince Saud responded that he had traveled to Iran
to discuss Iraq and nuclear proliferation issues. He stated
that Iran and the SAG agreed to establish a bilateral
committee to discuss "issues of difference." The FM stated
that King Abdullah had contacted Iran recently to voice his
displeasure with Iran,s interference in both Iraq and Syria.
The FM told Ambassador Khalilzad that the SAG is preparing a
list of agenda items for the next Saudi-Iranian bilateral
committee meeting, which is scheduled to happen "very soon."
Ambassador Khalilzad stated that he would push for USG
officials to brief the SAG on evidence of Iranian
interference in Iraq.

-------------- ---
FM Discusses Nuclear Proliferation with Iranians
-------------- ---


16. (S) While in Iran, Prince Saud said he was surprised
to find that the person most favorably disposed to finding a
solution to the nuclear issue was President Ahmadinejad. The
FM stated that he discussed his talks with President Bush and
the Iraqi FM with President Ahmadinejad. Prince Saud said
that he indicated to the Iranians that there was common
ground on the P5 1 proposal and Iran,s position, and that
both sides were continuing to rely on non-proliferation
provisions in an effort to steer away from a crisis towards
normal discussions based on items to which both sides adhere.
The FM also stated that he had anticipated that the Iranians
would delay their decision on the proposal, and felt that if
the EU3 stayed together, the negotiations had a chance to
succeed.



17. (S) The FM offered a second explanation on Iran's
behavior. Calling it the North Korea example, the FM said
that the Iranians may think it is in their interest to first
obtain nuclear weapons to improve their bargaining position,
then negotiate a settlement. He reasoned that Iran may have

JEDDAH 00000449 004 OF 004


learned a lesson from observing interactions between the USG
and North Korea, observing that the USG threatened North
Korea up until the point it possessed nuclear weapons
capability, and then was forced to negotiate. It was his
opinion that Iran will continue to negotiate (or delay),but
will not stop its nuclear development.

--------------
Comment
--------------


18. (S) The SAG appears to now be more optimistic on Iraq,
and the FM acknowledged the recent positive developments.
The FM's relative confidence in PM Maliki and the SAG's
willingness to engage the new government, including providing
financial assistance, are encouraging, but such goodwill
could be fleeting if PM Maliki does not quickly form a strong
relationship with the Saudi leadership. The SAG remains
deeply concerned about Iran's activities in Iraq and is
likely to condition its support for the new Iraqi government
on the extent to which it takes concrete steps to minimize
Iranian influence. End Comment.
Gfoeller