SAUDIS TO PREPARE IRAN PAPER FOR GCC CONSIDERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000976 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2016 TAGS: PREL IR BA REGION OFFICIALS SUBJECT: SAUDIS TO PREPARE IRAN PAPER FOR GCC CONSIDERATION Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe. Reason: 1.4 (B)(D) ¶1. (C) During a brief conversation with the Ambassador on June 4, King Hamad told the Ambassador that GCC Foreign Ministers meeting in Riyadh June 3 had talked at some length about Iran in an effort to develop a unified position and strategy. He said that numerous ideas were presented, but there simply was not enough time to reach a coherent consensus. In the end, it was decided that the Saudi government would prepare a paper which would be considered by the GCC countries at a follow-on meeting next Saturday (June 10). The King suggested that the USG weigh in with the Saudis this week if it had specific points it wished to make as they prepared the document. ¶2. (C) The King described the Secretary's May 31 announcement as "very positive," saying we need to work together in dealing with the Iranians. Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ MONROE