US LOBBYING FIRM SEEKS GREATER VOICE FOR TAWAFUQ,

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 005780 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER IZ SA SUBJECT: US LOBBYING FIRM SEEKS GREATER VOICE FOR TAWAFUQ, WANTS SAUDI SUPPORT Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Gfoeller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This cable contains an action request. Please see paragraph five. ¶2. (C) Summary: Mark Alsalih, an Iraqi American from the Washington lobbying firm MITA, requested Embassy's assistance on July 17 to make an introduction to Director of the Saudi General Intelligence Presidency Prince Muqrin. MITA represents Tawafuq, and is seeking $3-4 million to fund Tawafuq's lobbying activities in Washington. We plan on not encouraging Alsalih's efforts, unless Department provides guidance to support him. End Summary. ¶3. (C) MITA is attempting to raise $3-4 million on Tawafuq's behalf to fund its lobbying activities, including a planned visit by Tawafuq's members in the Iraqi Parliament this fall. Alsalih mentioned plans to include Tariq al-Hashimi, Adnan al-Duleimi (former MoD),Khalaf al-Ulayan and Ayyad al-Rawi in this delgation. ¶4. (C) Alsalih requested the Embassy's assistance for an introduction to Director of the General Intelligence Presidency Prince Muqrin. Alsalih stated that one item MITA and Tawafuq wanted to discuss with Prince Muqrin was development of the Iraq Stability Program (ISP),a MITA-designed program with the stated goal of providing Iraqi Sunni groups a greater voice in the new Iraqi government and with policymakers. Alsalih hopes to raise $3-4 million in the Gulf and among Iraqi expat communities to support Tawafuq's lobbying efforts. Alsalih also stated that he has access to more extreme Sunnis, such as Haith al-Dari, and that he has in the past offered to Embassy Baghdad and the Department to relay their views to Washington. ¶5. (C) Comment and Action Request: We were in a listening mode during Alsalih's brief. We request Department's guidance on responding to Alsalih's request for support with the SAG. OBERWETTER