Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RIYADH4539
2006-06-07 12:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:  

EP SANG COMMANDER DISCUSSES IRAN, IRAQ

Tags:  PGOV PREL PINR PINS SA 
pdf how-to read a cable
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PP RUEHDE
DE RUEHRH #4539 1581209
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 071209Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8362
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2645
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0583
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 004539 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DHAHRAN SENDS
PARIS FOR ZEYA, LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PINS SA
SUBJECT: EP SANG COMMANDER DISCUSSES IRAN, IRAQ


Classified by Consul General John Kincannon for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 004539

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DHAHRAN SENDS
PARIS FOR ZEYA, LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PINS SA
SUBJECT: EP SANG COMMANDER DISCUSSES IRAN, IRAQ


Classified by Consul General John Kincannon for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (C) Prince Mishari bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,
commander of the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) in the
Eastern Province (EP),told the CG on June 5 that he did not
think the "problem between the world and Iran," as he
described it, would come to war. The Iranians are
"merchants," he continued, experts at bargaining but not
desiring war. Asked by the CG if the SANG was moving new
troops to the Eastern Province as a contingency measure,
Prince Mishari said that no significant movements were taking
place, just "support for existing units." If the U.S. struck
at Iranian nuclear facilities, he continued, the Iranians
would certainly try to strike back at U.S. bases and
interests, but he thought that Saudi Arabia would be able to
"sit it out." Prince Mishari expressed concern about nuclear
proliferation, however, noting that Egypt, Turkey, and others
would likely try to develop nuclear weapons if Iran obtained
the bomb. The CG asked if Saudi Arabia would as well, and
Prince Mishari hedged: "It would take a lot of money and
would therefore come at the expense of development, including
jobs, education, health care, and quality of life of all
Saudis. I would not favor it. I'm not in the leadership,
but this is how I feel, we need to focus on developing our
country."


2. (C) On Iraq, Prince Mishari expressed his concern that
the new government and current political process would not be
able to stop the violence. The central government in
Baghdad, he opined, was losing influence, as the Kurds
consolidated control in the north, the Shi'a and their
Iranian allies took over in the south, and Zarqawi and his
allies made gains in the Sunni heartland. "The only solution
for Iraq," he continued, "is to find one of the big generals
and have him create a new army to rule the country. Iraq
should be under the rule of a good dictator, a cleaned-up
Saddam."


3. (C) Comment and bio note: Prince Mishari has been SANG
commander in the EP since 1984, and he seemed somewhat bored
with his job. He has always been relatively free in
expressing his opinions to Consulate interlocutors. Although
he is the second-ranking royal in the Eastern Province in
terms of protocol, he is not a member of the Al Saud inner
circle. Prince Mishari does travel to Riyadh most weekends,
however, giving him a chance to interact with his uncles,
brothers, and cousins. His son, Turki, is a Riyadh-based
businessman with a master's degree from the U.K. His
daughter, Nouf, is a Smith College graduate who is finishing
her master's in the U.K. and plans to return to the Kingdom
to open a center for children with autism. End comment and
bio note.

(APPROVED: KINCANNON)
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