SAG REQUESTS USG SUPPORT FOR FOREIGN MINISTER'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 005264 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI (SWALKER) E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2016 TAGS: PREL SA SUBJECT: SAG REQUESTS USG SUPPORT FOR FOREIGN MINISTER'S TRIP TO IRAN REF: SECSTATE 107327 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Gfoeller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On July 2, Post received via diplomatic note a request from the Saudi Foreign Ministry seeking USG assistance to secure a temporary license from the Treasury Dept's Office of Financial Assets Control (OFAC) to allow Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal to fly aboard a private, corporate jet (US registered and FAA licensed) operated by Saudi Aramco to Tehran for the July 8 'Iraq and Its Neighbors Conference' (reftel). ¶2. (C) The Foreign Minister's office submitted a similar request to Saudi Aramco June 30 seeking its assistance to secure the necessary license from OFAC to operate the Aramco plane in connection with the FM's trip to Tehran. Saudi Aramco responded that it was unlikely that OFAC would issue a temporary license since there is no automatic exemption that Aramco can request or obtain from the USG which allows for a US registered corporate aircraft and US -licensed crew to operate a non-government or non-military aircraft into Iran without the issuance of a proper license from OFAC. ¶3. (C) Saudi Aramco has advised the SAG that the only way for this plane to be used by the FM is for the USG (SECSTATE, OR DOD, OR POTUS) to submit a written request to Aramco for assistance in support of the FM's diplomatic mission to Iran on behalf of the FM's office. ¶4. (C) If the Department chooses to grant the SAG's request, below is the language that must be used in writing directly to Aramco from the USG, signed by an authorized representative from SECSTATE, or DOD, or POTUS. Please advise. ¶5. (C) Mr. Richard Hall, President Aramco Associated Company Houston, Texas USA Dear Mr. Hall: The Department of State of the United States (or the President of the United States) hereby requests the assistance of Aramco Associated Company to provide the use of its corporate aircraft (N767A) and associated United States citizen crew members in support of a diplomatic mission to Iran on July 8, 2006 by the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that is of important interest to the United States. Your company's cooperation in this request is appreciated. Sincerely, Name/Title/Date OBERWETTER