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