Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JEDDAH477
2006-07-13 02:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jeddah
Cable title:  

CORRECTED COPY--FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES TEHRAN

Tags:  KISL KPAL PREL PTER SA 
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RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1548
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 6665
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 JEDDAH 000477 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

RIYADH, PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN; DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP;
PARIS FOR ZEYA; LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2016
TAGS: KISL KPAL PREL PTER SA
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY--FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES TEHRAN
MEETING OF IRAQ NEIGHBORS CONFERENCE AND IRAQ COMPACT WITH
AMBASSADOR

REF: STATE 111144

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 JEDDAH 000477

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

RIYADH, PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN; DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP;
PARIS FOR ZEYA; LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2016
TAGS: KISL KPAL PREL PTER SA
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY--FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES TEHRAN
MEETING OF IRAQ NEIGHBORS CONFERENCE AND IRAQ COMPACT WITH
AMBASSADOR

REF: STATE 111144

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


1. (C) SUMMARY: On July 11, the Ambassador met with Saudi
Foreign Minister Saud a-Faisal and discussed the recent
Tehran meeting of the Iraq Neighbor's Group and the
impending International Compact for Iraq Conference.
In Tehran, the "frank" multilateral discussions addressed
a variety of practical issues, according to the Foreign
Minister. The Saudi position was reportedly that other
states should provide assistance, but not interfere in
Iraqi affairs. Iraq announced a willingness to review
and amend its constitution. Iran opposed this offer.
It was decided that only Iraq would be able to convene
future Neighbor's meetings, although members will be
permitted to discuss Iraq issues informally at other
international venues, and anticipate doing so at the
UN in September. A proposal for a Neighbor's meeting
in Baghdad was postponed, because of security concerns.
Iraq's Foreign Minister rejected incorporating militias
into the armed forces. Saudi Arabia supported enlisting
"professionals" into the army regardless of past Baathist
links, providing they have no "criminal" connections.
The Saudis noted a strong nationalist, as opposed to
internationalist attitude in Iranian behavior.


2. (C) SUMMARY CONTINUED: In bilateral talks, the Saudis
confronted Iran on a number of contentious issues, according
to Saud al-Faisal. The Foreign Minister directly warned
the Iranians not to interfere in Arab affairs and enumerated
a number of areas where he believed Iran was now doing so.
He cautioned Iran that if it supported certain factions
within Iraq, other states would support different groups.
Saud also warned Iran against giving aid to the Palestinian
Authority (PA) tied to the PA adopting specific political
or military policies or encouraging violence. The Iranians
rejected all these charges, but without bluster. Saud

al-Faisal commented that, "We treat Iran with respect and
expect responsibility." The Foreign Minister urged Iran
to accept negotiations on the nuclear issue. Iran denied
it was pursuing WMD. Saud surmised that Iran is copying
North Korea, by first seeking nuclear capabilities and then
asking for concessions from the international community.
While saying that Saudi Arabia supports the NPT, Saud
al-Faisal also argued that the existence of an Israeli
bomb undercuts all anti-proliferation arguments in the
Middle East. The Ambassador promoted Saudi participation
in the International Compact for Iraq (ICI) Conference and
encouraged the Saudis to forgive Iraq's debt to the Kingdom.
While willing to participate, the Foreign Minister demurred
on the debt issue, complaining that Iraq has not acceded to
the Saudi request to send an official to discuss the issue.
He suggested that the new government be asked to send a
finance official to discuss debt-relief with Saudi Arabia.
END SUMMARY.

MEETING WITH SAUD AL-FAISAL IN JEDDAH


3. (C) On July 11, Ambassador Oberwetter, accompanied by
Riyadh Consul General and Jeddah Pol/Econ Chief (note-taker)
met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal in
the newly renovated Ministry of Foreign Affairs building
in central Jeddah. Also present as Saudi note-taker was
Ambassador Dr. Khalid Ibrahim Al-Jindan. The building once
served as the office of King Faisal and the Foreign Minister
now occupies the very office once used by his father.

TEHRAN IRAQ NEIGHBOR'S CONFERENCE "OPEN AND FRANK"

4. (C) The Foreign Minister provided the Ambassadr with
a detailed description of the recently cocluded Iraq
Neighbor's Meeting in Tehran. He desribed the discussions
as "frank and open." The inster seemed generally
satisfied with the cours of the meeting. The Saudis had
origially approached it with caution, he noted, and were
disinclined to attend until they were informed that
representatives of the Iraqi government would come. He
added that the Saudi government (SAG) agreed to attend

JEDDAH 00000477 002 OF 004


only if the traditional diplomatic forms of plenary and
bilateral sessions were discarded and the participants
discussed "real issues."

SAUDI POSITION: ASSISTANCE FOR IRAQ, NOT INTERFERENCE


5. (C) The Foreign Minister said the Saudi delegation made
three points: Interference in the internal affairs of Iraq
was not acceptable; the obligations of Iraq's neighbors
should be defined; and Iraq should make its needs known.
According to Saud, the Iraqi Foreign Minister explicitly
charged that his government had evidence that Iran and
Syria were interfering in Iraq. Saud related that the two
countries denied the allegations, but nevertheless,
accepted the criticism gracefully; the Iranians insisted
that they only wanted to help Iraq.

IRAQ ANNOUNCES IT MAY REVIEW CONSTITUTION


6. (C) During the talks, the Iraqi representative said
that the new government was willing to review its
constitution and consider adopting changes, especially in
the sections dealing with federalism. The Neighbors did
not take a position on this issue because not all Iraqi
factions were represented and had made their positions
known. Among the countries present, the only objection
came from Iran. Iran opposed altering the Iraqi
constitution, insisting that it was an internal Iraqi
matter. Saud al-Faisal noted that said the meeting's
communiqu will address the issue.

IN FUTURE, ONLY IRAQ WILL BE ABLE TO CALL MEETING ON IRAQ


7. (C) The participants did decide that henceforth, only
Iraq will be permitted to convene similar meetings of its
neighbors. That said, they also reserved the right to
discuss Iraq-related issues as an adjunct of other
international meetings. Consequently, it was accepted that
the next informal talks among Iraq's neighbors will be held
on the margins of the UN General Assembly in September.

NEIGHBOR'S MEETING IN BAGHDAD?


8. (C) The participants postponed a decision on holding a
future meeting in Baghdad. Saud al-Faisal stressed that
such a meeting must be about Iraqi development, not security.
The SAG is concerned that security in Baghdad remains so poor
and uncertain that the attendees would inevitably discuss
security matters instead of critical "practical" development
issues. Furthermore, such a large number of senior officials
would present an attractive target to insurgents, and if
anything happened at the conference, it could undermine the
very reason for the meeting. The Foreign Minister stated,
"A meeting will not bring security; security is a
prerequisite for the meeting."

MILITIAS AND THE IRAQI ARMED FORCES


9. (C) Iraq explicitly rejected the idea of incorporating
militias into its armed forces, according to Saud al-Faisal.
The Saudis supported this position, he said, insisting that
militia members could not be trusted to be loyal to the
national government. He added that Iraqi PM Maliki had
voiced the same position in his meetings with King Abdullah
last week. Saud al-Faisal then went on to vigorously defend
enlisting those with Baathist connections into the army.
He insisted that everyone who had been in the army
had had to join the Baatist Party, but they were nevertheless
professiona soldiers, including both Sunnis and Shia,
and should not be excluded from military service now that
their country desperately needs reliable, professional
armed force. He quickly added that anyone associated
with criminal acts during or following the Baathist
regime, should, of course be excluded from the military.

AHMADINEJAD TAKES NATIONALIST, NOT INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIST LINE


10. (C) Saud reported that Iranian President Ahmadinejad
gave his "usual speech" at the beginning of the Conference.
The Foreign Minister commented that the speech revealed

JEDDAH 00000477 003 OF 004


Ahmadinejad as more of a national Islamist rather than an
international Islamist. In fact, he noted that the
Iranians were more nationalistic than Islamist. He reported
with a smile that, at the opening of the session, "We heard
the Iranian national anthem before we heard the Koran."

SAUDI-IRANIAN BILATERAL TALKS STRESS NON-INTERFERENCE


11. (C) In conjunction with the conference, Iran and Saudi
Arabia also held bilateral discussions lasting more than
90 minutes. From the Foreign Minister's perspective, these
discussions were even more "frank and open" than the
multilateral discussions. According to Saud al-Faisal,
he bluntly told the Iranians not to interfere in Arab
affairs and accused them of involvement in Iraq, Syria,
Lebanon, and now Palestine. Iranian proselytizing of
Alawites in Syria is a particular concern, he noted.
Saud al-Faisal regretted that he did not have more
intelligence concerning Iranian activities in the Middle
East with which to confront their government. Nevertheless,
he warned the Iranians that if they persisted in supporting
one faction, it would force other interested parties to
support other factions. He argued to the Iranians that,
"You cannot view yourself as protectors of the Shia.
You must work for unity and stability."

IRAN DENIES INTERFERENCE: SAUDIS WARN AGAINST STARTING
COMPETITION


12. (C) The Ambassador asked how the Iranians had reacted to
such a direct approach. Saud al-Faisal repeated that the
Iranians "denied all." The Iranians responded, "Can't you
see that we are all working in the same direction?" In
response to the Iranian denial, the Foreign Minister
informed them that if it became a competition to support
factions, Saudi Arabia can afford to give more support
than Iran, but that "this is bad for everyone." According
to Saud al-Faisal, he warned the Iranians that, "It is
the worst of times;" their policy is divisive. Rather
than sow factionalism, they should work for agreement in
Lebanon and Palestine.

FOR THE PALESTINIANS: ASSISTANCE, NOT BLOOD MONEY


13. (C) Saud al-Faisal noted that he told the Iranians
that providing assistance to the Palestinians was appreciated,
but it should not be linked to the Palestinian Authority
taking specific political actions or encourage further
conflict. Such actions are detrimental to the Palestinians
and their cause, he said. "Urging conflict," he told the
Iranians, "when there is no way for the Palestinians to
protect themselves doesn't help. We advised them to
desist from urging a return to violence." He then
pointedly told the Iranians to stop their involvement
in these activities and work for unity between the
factions. He ended by telling the Iranians they should
give the Palestinians "assistance, not blood money."
The Foreign Minister confided that the Iranians took
the charges well. "The King wanted us to be frank.
When confronted with the truth," he said, "they will
change." He went on to say that the SAG has seen
some change in the Iranians and the two governments
are still "testing each other." Saud al-Faisal said,
"We treat the Iranians with respect and expect
responsibility in return." The Foreign Minister told Iran
they would welcome an official visit.

SAUDIS URGE NEGOTIATIONS ON NUCLEAR ISSUE


14. (C) When the Ambassador asked if the Foreign Minister
had raised the nuclear issue with the Iranians, he replied
in the affirmative, noting that he had counseled the Iranians
not to delay the negotiations. The Iranians were told that
this was not exclusively an issue between Iran and Israel and
the West. The Arab World was extremely concerned. The
Iranian campaign to develop nuclear capabilities, coupled
with Iran's increasing interference in Arab affairs, could
be construed by Arab states as intimidation.
"Non-proliferation," according to the Foreign Minister,
"is the best policy." Saud cautioned the Iranians that

JEDDAH 00000477 004 OF 004


"the Israeli nuclear program is a danger, not something
to be emulated."

IRAN DENIES INTEREST IN WMD; FOLLOWING NORTH KOREAN PATH


15. (C) The Iranians assured Saud al-Faisal that they are
not interested in developing WMD. The Saudi response was
that their determination to proceed with enrichment of
nuclear materials raised serious questions of their
intent on this score. Saud al-Faisal noted that these
Saudi arguments had been presented to the Iranians at
a number of previous meetings. The Foreign Minister
confided in the Ambassador that he believes the Iranians
are following the North Korean example. North Korea
had been target of US pressure, until it succeeded in
developing a credible nuclear weapons program, he
observed. Now that they have a nuclear deterrent,
they are treated with deference and offered concessions,
he added. The Ambassador passed the minister a
diplomatic note describing the U.S. position concerning
North Korea (reftel).

ISRAELI BOMB "ORIGINAL SIN"


16. Saud's opined that the US has to be consistent
regarding nonproliferation. He likened the situation to
ripples on a pond. Events in North Korea influence policy
in the Middle East and vice versa. He said that as far
as the Arab World is concerned, the existence of Israel's
nuclear arsenal is the "original sin." He urged that
the U.S. pressure Israel to sign the NPT. As long as
Israel has WMD, all arguments against WMD development by
other Middle Eastern states are impotent, he said. The
Ambassador closed this subject by informing the Foreign
Minister that the USG has collected evidence that North
Korea has been shipping missile parts and technology to
Iran, Syria, and Yemen. All of these deals have raised
American concern for the stability of the region, he noted.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMPACT FOR IRAQ


17. C) The Ambassador briefed the Foreign Minister on
the upcoming International Compact for Iraq Conference.
Saud al-Faisal cautioned that Baghdad would not be an
attractive location unless security could be assured.
Otherwise security considerations would tend to distract
attention from the purpose of the meeting and tempt
insurgents.

NEITHER A BORROWER NOR A LENDER BE


18. (C) The Ambassador also briefed the Foreign Minister
on the upcoming visit by Deputy Treasury Secretary
Kimmit to the Kingdom. He noted the urgent need for debt
relief for Iraq, pointing out that Saudi Arabia is one of
Iraq's primary debt holders. The Ambassador observed that
even though much of Iraq's debt has been forgiven, the
remaining debt was a serious obstacle to Iraq raising loans
from international financial institutions. To this,
Foreign Minister Saud quietly quoted: "Neither a borrower
nor a lender be." He insisted that, "Saudi Arabia is in
debt, too." Although the government has paid down much of
its sovereign debt, a large debt remains.

IRAQIS HAVE AVOIDED THE ISSUE


19. (C) The Foreign Minister noted that the Iraqi Prime
Minister had discussed the Iraqi debt problem with the
Ministry of Finance during his visit to the Kingdom. He
then told the Ambassador that the Saudi government has long
been calling for direct talks with the Iraqi Central Bank
or Finance Ministry on the subject of Iraq's debt to Saudi
Arabia, but to this point no one from Iraq has come to the
Kingdom to discuss it. The Ambassador replied that the
new government appeared ready to respond affirmatively to a
Saudi offer. The Foreign Minister and the Ambassador agreed
that a responsible Iraqi official should come to Saudi Arabia
as soon as practical, preferably before the Iran Compact
Conference, to discuss debt issues.
Gfoeller