Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RIYADH5780
2006-07-19 15:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
US LOBBYING FIRM SEEKS GREATER VOICE FOR TAWAFUQ,
how-toVZCZCXYZ0009 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHRH #5780 2001514 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 191514Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9818 INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE 0389
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).
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
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