CROWN PRINCE REITERATES SAUDI NONINTERFERENCE

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 009174

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2026
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR KISL IZ SA
SUBJECT: CROWN PRINCE REITERATES SAUDI NONINTERFERENCE
POLICY ON IRAQ TO SENATOR NELSON

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Classified By: Charge D'Affaires Michael Gfoeller for reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d).

1.(S) SUMMARY. Crown Prince Sultan told Senator Bill Nelson
(D-FL) during their December 17 meeting that without
reconciliation, the problems in Iraq will only increase. He
reiterated the SAG's policy of noninterference and support
for forces advocating a unified Iraq, noting that the U.S.
should have anticipated Iran's (and Turkey's) interference in
Iraq's internal affairs. The Crown Prince supported a
gradual withdrawal of U.S. forces and lauded the Iraqi Prime
Minister's call for former Iraqi security service members to
rejoin those forces. He suggested economic and political
pressure on Iran would be more effective than military
action, and stated that Syrian President Al Asad will
eventually take the "right path."


2. (S) Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) conveyed his thanks to
Crown Prince Sultan during their December 17 meeting for the
SAG's efforts relating to Iraq. The Crown Prince responded
that everyone should be concerned about the situation there,
lamenting the "daily bloodshed" and expressing hope that a
democratic solution can be found. He emphasized that the
Iraqis need to understand that without reconciliation, their
problems will only increase. The SAG opposes a precipitous
withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, he continued, warning
that such a move would have grave consequences. He said the
U.S. should have anticipated Iran's (and Turkey's)
interference in Iraq, suggesting that sanctions might be a
useful tool to control Iran.


3. (S) Senator Nelson stated that a stable Iraq would
mitigate any foreign interference and that Saudi engagement
of Iraq's Sunni leadership would be key to effecting that.
The Crown Prince responded that, while the "Sunnis are close
to us," the Saudis do not differentiate between Sunni, Shi'a,
or Kurd as "all are deserving of respect." The Crown Prince
reiterated the position that all Senator Nelson's
interlocutors took during his two days of meetings -- that
the SAG would support any entity advocating a unified Iraq
and would maintain its policy of noninterference. "We are
with the oppressed," said the Crown Prince, "until they get
their rights."


4. (S) Crown Prince Sultan continued that a gradual U.S.
withdrawal from Iraq would be a better solution, but that the
Iraqis must be sufficiently organized to accommodate a "well
studied series of steps." He noted the recent speech of
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki, lauding his efforts to
bring back to the security services those members who had
been fired after liberation. Most of those who had worked
with Saddam Hussein, he said, had done so out of compulsion,
not conviction. He claimed that that Iraq would be affected
by a withdrawal, but not Saudi Arabia because "we have loyal
people and full trust in the bilateral relationship."


5. (S) Turning to Iran, the Crown Prince said the Saudis are
"against the bomb." He stated that political and economic
pressure on Iran would be far more effective than a military
solution, and laughed openly when the senator suggested that
this might not be sufficient. He noted that Hatiz Al Asad
had been a "friend of the Kingdom," supporting it
politically, economically, and morally. He said Bashar Al
Asad has a "good heart," but is surrounded by a group of
"influencers" who are negatively impacting his views. The
Crown Prince continued that the world no longer accepts a
"state within a state" and that Al Asad's "influencers"
believe Saudi Arabia played a role in Syria being banned from
Lebanon. It is tradition that we support our Muslim
brothers, he said, and when we supported the withdrawal of
Syrian troops, it was in everyone's best interests --
including Syria's.


6. (S) The Crown Prince was optimistic that if Saudi Arabia
continues to work to convince Syria to leave Lebanon alone,
it eventually will. He hoped that Syria will ultimately take
the "right path," adding that it should concentrate on its
own problems before focusing on those of other countries. He
indicated that a stable Iraq would be good for Syria, but

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pointed out that Al Asad is ambitious. Senator Nelson
recounted his recent meeting with the Syrian President,
conveying that Al Asad downplayed any potential Iranian
threat. The Crown Prince responded that "wishes are one
thing, reality another." Regarding the SAG's ability to work
with Iran, the Crown Prince replied that it is a difficult
situation, but Saudi Arabia does not have any apparent
difficulties with Iran at the moment. However, he
emphasized, frankness is best.


7. (S) The Crown Prince raised the issue of arms sales and
invited Senator Nelson to visit the military base the U.S.
helped to build and which housed many of the 700,000 allied
troops that rotated through Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War.
(NOTE: This appears to be a reference to the King Khalid
Military City. END NOTE.) The Senator responded that the
USG would continue working with the SAG on issues relating to
AWACs and weapons systems, noting also the good cooperation
between the intelligence services.


8. (U) CODEL Nelson has not reviewed this message.

GFOELLER