USD EDELMAN'S MEETINGS WITH THE KING AND CROWN

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 RIYADH 005042 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2016 TAGS: MARR MASS MCAP SA PTER PREL PARM PINR SUBJECT: USD EDELMAN'S MEETINGS WITH THE KING AND CROWN PRINCE Classified By: Ambassador James C. Oberwetter for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( d). ¶1. (S) Summary: Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Eric Edelman discussed the U.S.-Saudi defense relationship, regional security, helicopters, Iran, Iraq, and visas during separate meetings with King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan on June 6. Both the King and Crown Prince were supportive of the U.S. approach toward Iran, and advised the USG to continue consulting with the international community. King Abdullah said that he recently discouraged the Iranian president from visiting the Kingdom. The King said that he would prefer that the Military Joint Planning Commission and Strategic Joint Planning Commission meet earlier than this fall. He also stressed the need for an expedited solution to the Ministry of Interior's plan for purchasing new helicopters. King Abdullah reiterated his recommendation that the USG consider co-opting former Baathist elements into the new Iraqi government, and said that Iran is "gaining the upper hand" in Iraq. The Crown Prince raised Saudi frustrations over visas, as did the King privately with Ambassador Oberwetter following the meeting. End Summary. ¶2. (S) During separate meetings on June 6 with King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Eric Edelman discussed the U.S.-Saudi security relationship, regional security, helicopters, Iran, Iraq, and visas. Ambassador Oberwetter, Michael Coulter (DAS for PolMil Affairs),Lt Gen Jeffrey Kohler (Director, DSCA),RADM Robert Moeller (CENTCOM J-5),BG Michael Jones (Joint Staff J-5 Deputy Director for PolMil Affairs),Maj Gen Twitchell (CH-USMTM),DATT, and PolMilOff (notetaker) also attended. Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz (Head of the General Intelligence Presidency) and Adel al-Jubeir (Interpreter and Advisor to the King) attended the meeting with King Abdullah. General Saleh al-Muhayya (Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Defense and Aviation) attended the meeting with the Crown Prince, who also holds the title of Minister of Defense and Aviation. ¶3. (S) Both the King and Crown Prince agreed with U/S Edelman's assessment that the U.S.-Saudi security relationship is strong, but not as strong as it could and should be. U/S Edelman explained that his visit to the Kingdom was a result of the King's discussion in January with 
VP Cheney, and the USG's intention to regularly consult with the SAG leadership on regional security. As the situation in the region is rapidly changing, U/S Edelman said that we need to maintain a continuous security dialogue, including CT efforts and sharing intelligence. He noted that since January, Secretary Rice, General Pace, General Abizaid, U/S Joseph, and A/S Hillen have all visited the Kingdom. The Crown Prince said that the U.S.-Saudi friendship "is built on strong principles that won't be affected by anything." Acknowledging the SAG's willingness to overcome occasional tensions in the relationship, he added "sometimes there is dust in the air, but then the rain comes and eliminates that dust." The King noted the U.S. and Saudi Arabia's "common interests in seeking peace and stability in the world." -------------- IRAN -------------- ¶4. (S) U/S Edelman reiterated Secretary Rice's May 31 statement on Iran, making clear that the USG is prepared to talk to Iran, if Iran verifiably stops enriching uranium. He emphasized that the U.S. will do all that it can to protect our friends and allies in the region. He said that Secretary Rice's statement was partially based on advice the USG has received from regional allies, including Saudi Arabia. He told King Abdullah that Saudi kings have shared their advice with the U.S. for the past 60 years, and that we continue to value that advice. U/S Edelman also said that Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, and Israel all share Saudi Arabia's concerns with Iran's nuclear activities. He told the King that the USG intends to work with Saudi Arabia and other allies in the region to create a defense architecture that could include RIYADH 00005042 002 OF 004 joint exercises, defensive systems and the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). He added that the U.S. welcomed Saudi Arabia's participation as an observer at the recent PSI exercise in Turkey. ¶5. (S) King Abdullah lauded President Bush's "very wise decision" to offer Iran a chance to negotiate. He said that the USG's approach toward Iran "is the appropriate path," and he encouraged the U.S. to continue consulting with other allies on a common plan. "Unanimity with others is important and opening the door for negotiations is important," he said. "It needs to be an international approach. If we need to take action, it's better that we have unanimity," he continued. "It is critically important that one consults to arrive at wisdom. If Iran does not respond favorably, the international community will support the U.S. position." The King also said that the SAG continues to advise other P5 states "to take the correct position on Iran; it is incumbent upon the P5 to work with other states on a unified approach toward Iran." He also urged the USG "not to give Iran the wrong impression, and not to be vague. This could make the situation worse." ¶6. (S) U/S Edelman explained to both the King and Crown Prince that the USG does not object to Iran having a peaceful, civilian nuclear energy program. He cited IAEA reports that conclude that Iran's nuclear activities are beyond the scope of a civil program, as well as Iran's own deceptive statements on enriching uranium. The King stated he had no way to confirm the truthfulness of Iran's statements regarding its nuclear programs. The Crown Prince said that Saudi Arabia feels no hostility toward Iran, but the Kingdom is against Iran's nuclear efforts. Like the King, Crown Prince Sultan was supportive of USG efforts to engage Iran and consult with allies. ¶7. (S) King Abdullah said that he had recently shared his condolences with Iranian President Ahmadinejad, on the death of his father. During the conversation, Ahmadinejad pressed the King about his desire to visit Saudi Arabia. The King told U/S Edelman that in response, he asked Ahmadinejad, "you are very busy these days. How can you take the time to come to Saudi Arabia?" Ahmadinejad then told the King, "I really want to come. I will find the time." (Comment. King Abdullah was apparently making the point that the Iranian president was not currently welcome in Saudi Arabia. End Comment.) -------------- U.S.-KSA MILITARY RELATIONSHIP -------------- ¶8. (S) Crown Prince Sultan said that Saudi Arabia "will never forget the blood we shed together to restore legitimacy to Kuwait." He added, "whenever the U.S. and Saudi Arabia cooperate, there is stability in the region. Our cooperation will bring good to the region, to Iran, and to the whole world." He said that the U.S.-KSA friendship "serves the interests of Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, the region, and the United States." He said that some U.S. media outlets accused Saudi Arabia of being behind the September 11 attacks, but after then-Crown Prince Abdullah met President Bush, those accusations stopped and our relationship improved. Crown Prince Sultan said that he did not want the Strategic Joint Planning Committee (SJPC) that met several years ago to stop, and he welcomes the meetings starting again. He added that he hopes that Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation, Prince Khalid bin Sultan, will soon visit U/S Edelman in the U.S. ¶9. (S) U/S Edelman briefed the King and Crown Prince on his meeting earlier in the day with Prince Khalid. He said they discussed holding the Military Joint Planning Commission (MJPC) in September, followed by the SJPC in October. U/S Edelman told the King that there were several ongoing initiatives that he had discussed with Prince Khalid, such as the upcoming visit of 68 USAF personnel to conduct a RIYADH 00005042 003 OF 004 comprehensive review of the Royal Saudi Air Force. He told the King that the report would be presented to RSAF by September. The King replied, "the September-October timeframe is too long compared to the dangers we face now." He continued, "God willing, the region will be spared any negative consequences, and the Saudi armed forces, with the help of the United States and God, will be able to defend the Kingdom." -------------- HELICOPTERS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY -------------- ¶10. (S) King Abdullah told U/S Edelman, "it's very important that we defend our oil infrastructure and secure our facilities together" and he stressed the importance of "moving forward expeditiously." U/S Edelman mentioned the May visits of the helicopter assessment team and the infrastructure security team, and added that the U.S. will be prepared to discuss ballistic missile defense with the SAG, perhaps by this summer. He told the King that the President and Vice President are both very committed to getting the U.S.-KSA security relationship back on track, and that "the USG is prepared to cover all different dimensions to help Saudi Arabia's security," including the military, border security, and energy infrastructure security. The King replied, "our duty as friends is to protect what is vital to the rest of the world." ¶11. (S) King Abdullah said that we need to expedite the process of acquiring new helicopters for the Ministry of Interior (MOI). "Days go by faster than we can keep up with. Before we know it, it may be too late," he cautioned. U/S Edelman told the King that the State Department has the lead on developing a helicopter solution for MOI, with DOD providing close support. He said that the USG is working hard to improve the interagency process and develop the right solutions for Saudi Arabia. U/S Edelman pointed out the interagency representation in his delegation. Crown Prince Sultan commented that overall, cooperation between MOI and the USG on security and intelligence is going very well. -------------- IRAQ -------------- ¶12. (S) The King asked U/S Edelman if General Abizaid relayed his message to President Bush during his last visit to the Kingdom (Reftel). He said that part of the message was that "it would be very wise to co-opt the former Baathist elements into the new Iraqi government." He acknowledged the difficulty of doing so, but said that current and future Iraqi governments will resist reaching out to the former Baathists. "But if the U.S. reaches out and co-opts them," he continued, "it will change the situation." He added that any U.S. consultations with Iran about Iraq "are frivolous. The Iranians are gaining the upper hand in Iraq. It's more logical to adopt another approach." He concluded, "this is a matter requiring deep and serious thought. Our objective is to work for what is best for Iraq and the U.S. I only offer my advice, that's all that I can do. It may be wrong, but that is what I believe." -------------- VISAS -------------- ¶13. (S) The Crown Prince voiced his frustrations over the visa process, and noted three categories of Saudis who travel to the States: tourists, students, and people needing medical treatment. He said that as a friend of the U.S., he wants to see the process improved. U/S Edelman explained that post-September 11, the U.S. had to tighten its visa procedures, and we are now working on achieving a better balance between security and access. (Comment. Following the meeting with U/S Edelman, King Abdullah raised the visa issue RIYADH 00005042 004 OF 004 with Ambassador Oberwetter directly. End Comment.) ¶14. (S) The King wrapped up the meeting by asking U/S Edelman to send his regards to President Bush, VP Cheney, CJCS General Pace, and General Abizaid. The Crown Prince sends his regards to President Bush, VP Cheney, Secretary Rumsfeld and Secretary Rice. He said that he hoped Secretary Rumsfeld would visit the Kingdom sometime soon. ¶15. (S) Comment: The overall tone of both meetings was positive, with both the King and Crown Prince emphasizing the historical strength of our relationship and our efforts to improve our friendship. They were clearly pleased with our willingness to engage Iran, and seemed to appreciate U/S Edelman's acknowledgment that President Bush's decision was partially the result of consulting with our allies. Neither the King nor Crown Prince mentioned Israel's nuclear programs, a subject that the senior SAG leadership typically raises when USG interlocutors discuss Iran, nor did they push back when U/S Edelman pointed out that Israel and the Kingdom share a common strategic threat from Iran. The Saudis perceive a growing Iranian threat, both on the nuclear side and through Iran's influence in Iraq. Consequently, Post anticipates the King and Crown Prince will continue to welcome senior level consultations as the regional security situation evolves. End Comment. ¶16. (U) U/S Edelman and Mr. Coulter cleared this cable. OBERWETTER