AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD MEETS WITH SAUDI CROWN PRINCE

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 JEDDAH 000450

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL PTER SA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD MEETS WITH SAUDI CROWN PRINCE
AND KING

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


1. (U) PARTICIPANTS: Meeting with King Abdullah

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

Saudi Arabia
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King Abdullah
Prince Saud Al Faisal, Foreign Miister
Prince Bandar bin Sultan, Secretary Genera, NSC
Prince Muqrin, Chief, General Intelligence residency
Adel Jubeir, Intrepreter


2. (U) PATICIPANTS: Meeting with Crown Prince Sultan

U.S
--------------
Ambassador Khalilzad
Ambassador Oberweter
Consul General GfoellerSpecial Assistant Hutchings
PolOff Dale (notetaker)

Saudi Arabia
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Crown Prince Sultan


3. (S) Summary: In separate meetings with Saudi Crown Prince
Sultan and King Abdullah on June 27, Ambassador to Iraq
Zalmay Khalilzad discussed the new Iraqi government, the
recently announced Iraqi national reconciliation plan, Saudi
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
reconstruct and stabilize Iraq, and contain Iran,s influence
in Iraq. End Summary.

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Ambassador Khalilzad Meets with Crown Prince and King
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4. (S) Reiterating much of the same message delivered to
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal (septel),
Ambassador Khalilzad met individually with King Abdullah and
Crown Prince Sultan on June 27 in Jeddah. Attending the
meeting with the King were Foreign Minister Prince Saud
Al-Faisal; Prince Muqrin, President of the General
Intelligence Presidency; and Prince Bandar bin Sultan,
Secretary General of the National Security Council.

SIPDIS


5. (S) Ambassador Khalilzad reported that he believed Iraq
is heading in the right direction, and that new Iraqi Prime
Minister Nouri Al-Maliki is a strong leader and is surrounded
by a number of good ministers representing all Iraqi
communities. Both King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan said
that they looked forward to PM Maliki's visit July 1 to the
Kingdom, and expressed their belief that things were looking
better in Iraq. The King added that he agreed with
Ambassador Khalilzad's assessment that PM Maliki was a
stronger leader than his predecessor Ambassador Khalilzad
said he hoped that the SAG would play a positive role in
Iraq's reconstruction and support PM Maliki's recently
announced national reconciliation plan. Both the King and
Crown Prince thanked Ambassador Khalilzad for his update, and
expressed hope for reconciliation and stability in Iraq
because of the pain and suffering experienced by the Iraqi
people.


6. (S) Ambassador Khalilzad outlined three issues that he
believed were directly responsible for instability in Iraq;
1) there are people in Iraq who are against change, some of
whom are associated with the former regime; 2) there are
foreign terrorists in Iraq who often cooperate with each
other; and 3) there are militias in Iraq. Ambassador

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Khalilzad told both the King and Crown Prince that it is
vital that the Iraqi government continues to strengthen its
security forces, and that militias must be disbanded.

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Iran Interference is Detrimental
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7. (S) Ambassador Khalilzad conveyed a message from PM
Maliki that Iran was attempting to convince Iraq that it
needed Iran's assistance to ensure stability. Both the King
and Crown Prince agreed that interference by Iraq's neighbors
would only served to weaken and destabilize Iraq and stated
that it was a mistake to allow the movement of people and
weapons across Iraq's borders. The Crown Prince commented
that the SAG hopes that recent changes in Iraq will improve
the situation in that country. Ambassador Khalilzad also
said that PM Maliki was eager to build a strong relationship
with the Kingdom.

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Role of New Cabinet Members
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8. (S) The Crown Prince asked to which parties or factions
the recently appointed Iraqi Ministers of Defense and
Interior belonged. Ambassador Khalilzad assured both the
King and Crown Prince that the Coalition had worked closely
with the Iraqi government to ensure that candidates were
chosen who would represent and work for all communities. He
admitted that problems with the police force remained, mainly
the result of past infiltrations by Shiite militias. The
Crown Prince lamented the fact that the USG had not listened
to the SAG's advice to not dismantle the security and
military forces, arguing that they had been forced to work
for Saddam's regime. He stated that once you deprive
individuals of their salaries and food, they will turn
against you. He advised that from now on, if there are no
doubts about people, they should be accepted into the
government.


9. (S) Ambassador Khalilzad assured both the King and Crown
Prince that PM Maliki was committed to strengthening the
military because PM Maliki believes that it is still a well
respected institution. The King inquired how reconciled
Ba'athist military officers would be received. Ambassador
Khalilzad answered that due to the new Iraqi government's
limited capacity, experienced military and government
officials would be welcomed because of the expertise they
bring with them. PM Maliki believes that 90-95 percent of
Ba'athists could be reintegrated. Ambassador Khalilzad
reiterated PM Maliki's belief that any role the KSA can play
to help bring former military officers and other former
government officials "back into the fold" is in the interest
of the Kingdom and the region. Both the King and Crown Prince
were in agreement with this assessment.

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King and Crown Prince Stress Importance of Tribal Relations
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10. (S) Ambassador Khalilzad said that PM Maliki understands
that for a government of unity to succeed, all communities
and tribes must be included. Ambassador Khalilzad noted that
inside discussions revealed that Shiite tribes supported by
Iran cannot govern by themselves, and that their "go it
alone" mentality and inability to produce results led to
considerable bloodshed. The Crown Prince stressed the
importance of historical tribal relations, and that the new
Iraqi government should pay attention to such relations,
especially given the influence of the insurgent ideologies
within certain tribes. The Crown Prince asked if the
followers of Zarqawi still have a strong base in Iraq.
Ambassador Khalilzad answered yes, but added that coalition
and Iraqi security forces have also had much success against
these groups.

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Saudi Detainees in Iraq
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11. (S) Ambassador Khalilzad informed the King and Crown

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Prince that the USG had decided to allow the return of 59
Saudis to the Kingdom. Both the King and the Crown Prince
responded that it was in everyone's interest to return them
to the Kingdom. The King said, "We can benefit from what we
learn from them." He added that during the most recent
terrorist raid in Riyadh, Saudi security forces detained an
Iraqi citizen, and learned of plans for future terror attacks
in Iraq. He said that this individual might be associated
with terror groups based in or around Basra. The King asked
if the USG had found additional information on these groups,
and if the USG knew which Iraqis were working with Saudis in
the Eastern Province. The King added that Iran's influence
is facilitated by the presence of both the Iranians and their
agents in Iraq. He wondered aloud how such influence might be
countered and eliminated.

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USG Should Avoid Hasty Withdrawal
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12. (S) The King offered his own views on the current status
of Iraq. He stated that the situation in Iraq needed more
time, and that a hasty withdrawal of US military forces from
Iraq would have negative consequences for both the US,s
standing and image and the stability of the region. The King
said, "Iraq is a difficult place. Some people think that if
Saddam were restored, there would be a return to civility.
There is still no equity between various factions, and
justice is missing." Comparing current conditions in Iraq to
when Saddam was still in power, the King said, "Now it
appears worse, there is no justice, and not much hope. I
believe that if one studies a situation, and focuses on what
is best, one may be able to fix the situation. Iran covets
Iraq, but you (USG) were not listening. Now the US wants to
meet with Iran to discuss Iraq? Why would you want to
involve Iran in Iraq? Why didn't you ask other countries who
did not cause problems in Iraq about the situation?"


13. (S) Ambassador Khalilzad responded things are moving in
the right direction, but admitted that many problems remain.
He stated emphatically, "We will not withdraw despite public
pressure without Iraqis being able to take care of
themselves." He defended the US stance stating that it had
reached out to others in the region to discuss Iraq. He told
the King that at present the USG would only discuss with Iran
nuclear proliferation issues, not Iraq. He agreed with the
King that a premature withdrawal would have negative
consequences for the US standing and regional stability. The
king agreed, saying, "that is correct." Ambassador Khalilzad
explained that it should be the USG's and SAG's mutual goal
to work with Iraq and to reduce Iranian influence. He said
that if Iraq became isolated, Iran would gain additional
influence there.


14. (S) Ambassador Khalilzad noted that Iran felt threatened
by the re-emergence of Iraq, especially if Iraq assumes its
traditional role as "balancer" in the region. The King
concurred strongly, saying that Iran wanted to force the USG
to yield in Iraq. He emphatically stated, "This is
impossible. We believe that the US, Iraq, and region's
interests are in the SAG's interests. It is critically
important that the US not be humiliated in Iraq, and the
reality is that the US image and reputation are important to
the SAG, and the interests of the region as a whole require
this."

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King Raises Issue of Militias
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15. (S) The King asked how militias would be handled in
Iraq. Ambassador Khalilzad responded that a key requirement
is that militias be integrated, but not all into the Iraqi
security forces. The King agreed, stating, "It would be a
disastrous step to integrate militias into the military and
security forces. Even thinking about integrating militias
into the security forces is a mistake." The King asked if PM
Maliki would raise the Ba'athist issue during his visit to
the Kingdom. Ambassador Khalilzad answered yes, and
encouraged the King to include Prince Muqrin in the
discussions. The King agreed, and stated that conversations
with Prince Muqrin, Prince Bandar, and the Foreign Minister

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Prince Saud would be useful.

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Iranian Nuclear Proliferation
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16. (S) The King expressed grave concern about Iran
acquiring nuclear weapons. He said it would trigger a
regional arms race, making the region even more unstable and
dangerous. The King said that during his most recent contact
with Iranian officials, he told them that it was in Iran's
interest to look at the proposal on the table. The King said
the Iranians answered that they would consider parts of the
proposal. The King told Ambassador Khalilzad that "We (SAG)
don't believe in triggering an arms race. We believe in
peace and stability and constructive dialogue." The King
expressed his concern about Israel's nuclear capability, and
said, "Imagine how dangerous it would be to have nuclear
weapons on either side. The Iranians must understand how
dangerous this situation is."

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Strategic Optimism
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17. (S) The Crown Prince asked how Saddam's trial was
proceeding. Ambassador Khalilzad responded that it was
progressing, but that the recent killings of the lawyers were
a setback.

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Comment
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17. (S) Although the King's reaction was mostly positive to
Ambassador Khalilzad's message, it was apparent that PM
Maliki had his work cut out for him when he visited the
Kingdom July 1. The King is concerned and actively engaged
on regional stability issues including the nuclear
proliferation issue. He also appeared visibly worried that
Iran is trying to assert itself more within the Arab and
Islamic communities. The King commented that any call upon
the Islamic world can only come from the Kingdom as the home
of the two holy mosques. He also indicated that Iran does
not adhere to moderation and the maintenance of balance,
which is required as one of the main foundations of true
Islam. He feels that many non-Muslims have fallen for Iran's
propaganda, and he finds this very unfortunate. Although
lower level Saudi officials have often used the term "arms
race" during discussions with USG officials, to the best of
Post's knowledge, this was the first time that the King had
referred to an "arms race" in the Middle East. End Comment.
Gfoeller